Method and System for Providing Explosion Proof Emergency Communication Relay Module

• US 20130078908A1
• Filed: 09/26/2012
• Published: 03/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dean & Company Strategy Consultants, LLC.
• Original Assignee: Rivada Research, Llc (Rivada Networks, LLC)
• Inventors: SMITH, Clint
• Application Number:
  US13/627,576
• Publication Number:
  US 20130078908A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/11.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0064 with separate antennas for the more than one band H04B1/0053 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3866 carried on the head
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/155 Ground-based stations H04B7/204 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0264 for a camera module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/18 Telephone sets specially adapted for use in ships, mines, or other places exposed to adverse environment H04M1/19 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/185 Improving the rigidity of the casing or resistance to shocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/02 Automatically-operated arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/265 taking into account the quality of service QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/186 Processing of subscriber group data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user

Abstract

Embodiments of methods, devices and systems are presented for communicating information in an explosive environment. An explosion proof relay module includes an electronic display and features that prevent the generation sparks or other ignition sources that could ignite explosive dust, gas or vapors in the air. The explosion proof relay modules may operate independently or as a group to provide real-time information, situation awareness, functionally and responsiveness for personnel that are in explosive environments.

Claims

1. An explosion-proof communication device, comprising:

a flexible non-conductive housing;

an electronic display;

a first antenna;

a second antenna;

a radio receiver;

a radio transmitter;

a battery coupled to a fault tolerant circuit element;

a processor coupled to the electronic display, first antenna, second antenna, radio receiver, radio transmitter, and battery, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable software instructions to perform operations comprising;

receiving radio frequency signals from the first antenna at a first frequency; and

retransmitting the received frequency signals from the second antenna at a second frequency, wherein the first frequency is different from the second frequency,

wherein the processor, first antenna, second antenna, radio receiver, radio transmitter, battery, and fault tolerant circuit element are hermetically sealed inside the non-conductive housing.

2. The explosion-proof communication relay device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable software instructions to perform operations further comprising:

establishing a communication link with a wireless transceiver in proximity to the relay device to form a communication group, wherein receiving radio frequency signals from the first antenna at a first frequency comprises receiving radio frequency signals from the wireless transceiver in the communication group.

3. The explosion-proof communication relay device of claim 1, further comprising:

a fastening mechanism attached to the flexible non-conductive housing and configured to secure the explosion-proof communication relay device to protective clothing.

4. The explosion-proof communication relay device of claim 3, wherein the fastening mechanism is configured to engage a fastening unit woven into the protective clothing.

5. The explosion-proof communication relay device of claim 4, wherein the fastening unit is woven into a sleeve of the protective clothing.

6. The explosion-proof communication relay device of claim 3, wherein the fastening mechanism is a fabric hook-and-loop fastener.

7. The explosion-proof communication relay device of claim 3, wherein the fastening mechanism is a locking clip.

8. The explosion-proof communication relay device of claim 3, wherein the protective clothing is an elastic sleeve.

9. The explosion-proof communication relay device of claim 3, wherein the fastening mechanism is configured to fasten the explosion-proof communication relay device to a sleeve of a jacket.

10. A communication system for use in an explosive environment, comprising:

a first explosion-proof communication relay module and a second explosion-proof communication relay module, wherein each of the first and second explosion-proof communication relay modules comprise;

a flexible non-conductive housing;

an electronic display;

a first antenna;

a second antenna;

a radio receiver;

a radio transmitter;

a battery coupled to a fault tolerant circuit element;

a processor coupled to the electronic display, first antenna, second antenna, radio receiver, radio transmitter, and battery, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable software instructions to perform operations comprising;

receiving radio frequency signals from the first antenna at a first frequency; and

retransmitting the received frequency signals from the second antenna at a second frequency, wherein the first frequency is different from the second frequency, and

wherein the processor, first antenna, second antenna, radio receiver, radio transmitter, battery, and fault tolerant circuit element are hermetically sealed inside the non-conductive housing,

wherein the processor of the first explosion-proof communication relay module is further configured with processor executable software instructions to perform operations further comprising;

establishing a communication link with the second explosion-proof communication relay module to form a communication group.