Emergency response imaging system and method

• US 20070171049A1
• Filed: 07/17/2006
• Published: 07/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Henry Argasinski
• Original Assignee: Henry Argasinski
• Inventors: Argasinski, Henry
• Application Number:
  US11/487,957
• Publication Number:
  US 20070171049A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.130
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19656 Network used to communicate with a camera, e.g. WAN, LAN, Internet
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/001 Signalling to an emergency team, e.g. firemen
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/202 Dispatching vehicles on the basis of a location, e.g. taxi dispatching

Abstract

An imaging system for a location generally includes a data storage device and a control module. The data storage device stores navigable actual images corresponding to positions within the location and an overhead layout of the location. The control module has an input for a navigation input device and an output for a display device. The control module determines a current navigation position based on the input, accesses the navigable actual images and the overhead layout, and controls the output to display on the display device at least one of a view of a selected navigable actual image and a view of the overhead layout. The view of the selected navigable actual image and the view of the overhead layout correspond to the current navigation position.

Claims

1. An imaging system for a location comprising:

a data storage device that stores a plurality of navigable actual images corresponding to a plurality of positions within said location and an overhead layout of said location; and

a control module with an input for a navigation input device and an output for a display device, that determines a current navigation position from said plurality of positions based on said input, that accesses said plurality of navigable actual images and said overhead layout, and that controls said output to display on said display device at least one of a view of a selected navigable actual image from said plurality and a view of said overhead layout;

wherein said view of said selected navigable actual image and said view of said overhead layout correspond to said current navigation position.

2. The imaging system of claim 1 further comprising:

a portable housing containing said control module, said navigation input device and said display device and configured with a first communication interface connected to said control module; and

a second communication interface connected to said data storage device and selectively connectable to said first communication interface;

wherein data corresponding to at least one of said selected navigable actual image and said overhead layout is communicated between said storage device and said control module through said first and second communication interfaces.

3. The imaging system of claim 2 wherein said location includes a building and wherein said second communication interface is located outside of said building.

4. The imaging system of claim 2 wherein said first and second communication interfaces communicate through at least one of a wired connection and a wireless connection.

5. The imaging system of claim 4 further comprising at least one RFID device located within said building wherein said control module is configured to detect said at least one RFID device and to receive information about a current actual position of said control module within said location based on said detection.

6. The imaging system of claim 1 further comprising a fixed housing containing said control module, said navigation input device and said display device and configured with a communication interface connected to said control module and to said data storage device, wherein said fixed housing is located at said location.

7. The imaging system of claim 6 wherein said location includes a building and wherein said fixed housing is located outside of said building.

8. The imaging system of claim 6 wherein said fixed housing is at least one of lockable and shockproof.

9. The imaging system of claim 1 further comprising a video camera at said location wherein said control module receives video images from said video camera and controls said output to display said video images on said display device when a position of said video camera corresponds with said current navigation position.

10. The imaging system of claim 9 wherein said control module controls said camera.

11. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said selected navigable actual image is at least one of rotationally viewable and spherically viewable.

12. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said selected navigable actual image and said overhead layout include at least one navigation link and wherein said current navigation position is updated to correspond with said at least one navigation link when said at least one navigation link is selected.

13. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein at least one of dimension data and distance data are overlayed with said selected navigable actual image within said view of said selected navigable actual image on said display device.

14. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said overhead layout of said location includes at least one of an image file, a data exchange format file and a CAD file.

15. The imaging system of claim 1 further comprising:

a microphone and a motion sensor at said location; and

an audio output connected to said control module;

wherein said control module receives audio data from said microphone and motion sensor data from said motion sensor and outputs said audio data to said audio output when audio data is received.

16. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said data storage device stores a history of selected navigable actual images and navigation input data.

17. The imaging system of claim 1 wherein said data storage device stores navigation position information corresponding to said current navigation position, including at least one of a description of an area surrounding said current navigation position, emergency procedures, material safety data sheets, equipment operation manuals, instructional videos, schematic utility diagrams, automated incident management forms, and contact information for predetermined persons and wherein said control module controls said output to display said position information.

18. A method comprising:

storing a plurality of navigable actual images of a location and an overhead layout of said location in a data storage device, each of said navigable actual images and said overhead layout being configured with at least one selectable navigational link;

displaying at least one of a view of a selected navigable actual image from said plurality and a view of said overhead layout on a display device, said view of said selected navigable actual image and said view of said overhead layout corresponding to a current navigation position within said location;

receiving navigational input from an input device, said navigational input including a selected navigational link;

updating said current navigational position based on said received navigational input.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising receiving and displaying video images from a video camera within said location, a position of said video camera corresponding to said current navigational position.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

moving said display device within said location;

receiving RFID data from RFID devices within said location;

receiving information about a current actual position of said display device based on said RFID data.