HAZARDOUS MATERIAL DETECTOR SIMULATOR AND TRAINING SYSTEM

• US 20130295538A1
• Filed: 02/22/2013
• Published: 11/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hazsim, LLC
• Original Assignee: Hazsim, LLC
• Inventors: Ambrose, Philip
• Granted Patent: US 9,165,475 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/218
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/24 Use of tools
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/00 Electrically-operated teaching apparatus or devices working with questions and answers mechanically operated G09B3/00; computing arrangements G06F
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/00 Simulators for teaching or training purposes for the use of weapons F41; computing aspects G06; protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality H04L67/131
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/006 for locating or ranging of objects

Abstract

A system and method for simulating hazardous environments provides simulated detector readings of hazardous environment for training first responder entry teams by controlling a simulated display provided to hazardous material portable detection simulator clients, such as via a wireless interface. Each simulator client provides detector reading displays for selected environments and allows for two-way interactive response with a master control unit. Simulator clients are configured as modular units comprising a smartphone or similar mass-produced wireless computing device removably integrated with a detector simulator housing and/or keypad interface. The master control unit allows direct control of individual detector displays and scenarios representing various hazardous environments.

Claims

1. A hazardous materials detector simulator apparatus for attaching over and covering a display screen of a hand-held portable hazardous materials detector, the apparatus comprising:

an electronic display device;

a processor coupled to a wireless receiver and to the display device, the processor configured to wirelessly receive control signals from a master control unit;

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory holding instructions for simulating detection of a selected environmental contamination condition in response to the control signals;

a housing enclosing the display device, processor, wireless receiver and memory in a hand-held portable form factor; and

a fastener fixed to the housing configured for removable attachment of the apparatus over and around an electronic display screen.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the hand-held portable hazardous materials detector attached to the apparatus by the fastener.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the fastener is selected from at least one of a hook-and-loop material, a resilient clip, or a thumbscrew.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display device comprises a touch screen, and the memory further holds instructions for prompting a user to respond to questions related to an environmental contamination condition, using the touch screen.

5. A method for simulating a hazardous materials detector, the method comprising:

receiving wireless control signals determining a selected environmental contamination condition from a master control unit, by at least one portable hand-held client device functional as a stand-alone wireless communication device, the client device comprising a processor, display screen and transceiver integrated in a housing;

removably attaching the client device over and around an electronic display screen of a hand-held portable hazardous material detection device; and

simulating, on the client device, a display of the temporarily attached hand-held portable hazardous material detection device for the selected environmental contamination condition.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said at least one client device comprises a plurality of similar client devices, further comprising the master control unit broadcasting the control signal to multiple ones of the plurality of similar client devices.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the simulating further comprises simulating a plurality of different hazardous materials detector types selected by the master control unit.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein said at least one client device comprises a touch screen, further comprising prompting a user to respond to questions related to the selected environmental contamination condition, using the touch screen.

9. A hazardous materials detector simulator apparatus, comprising:

an electronic display device;

a processor coupled to a wireless receiver and to the display device, the processor configured to wirelessly receive control signals from a master control unit;

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory holding instructions for simulating detection of a selected environmental contamination condition in response to the control signals;

a first housing enclosing the display device, processor, wireless receiver and memory in a hand-held portable module wherein the client device functions as a stand-alone wireless communications device; and

a second housing resembling a hand-held portable hazardous material detection device disposed around and substantially concealing the client device except for revealing the display screen on an exterior of the second housing as if belonging to the hand-held portable hazardous material detection device.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second housing holds a removable fastener holding the client device and enabling removal of the client device from the second housing after operation thereof.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising at least one module for receiving a user input signal, the at least one module selected from a touch-sensitive module of the display screen or a control panel held by the second housing.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an interface module processing the user input signal from the at least one module and generating information based thereon.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a coupling between the interface module and the client device.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the coupling comprises a cable.

15. A method for simulating a hazardous materials detector, the method comprising:

receiving wireless control signals for a selected environmental contamination condition from a master control unit, by at least one portable hand-held client device functional as a stand-alone wireless communication device, the client device comprising a processor, display screen and transceiver integrated in a first housing;

removably inserting the client device inside a second housing resembling a hand-held portable hazardous material detection device, so that the client device is substantially concealed inside the second housing and the display screen is revealed on an exterior of the second housing as if belonging to the hand-held portable hazardous material detection device; and

simulating, on the client device, a display of a hand-held portable hazardous material detection device determined by the control signals for the selected environmental contamination condition.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising removing the client device from the second housing after the simulating is completed.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising transmitting user input information to the master control unit, based on a user input signal from at least one of a touch-sensitive module of the display screen or a control panel held by the second housing.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the control panel generating the input signal via an interface module.

19. The method of claim 18, and further comprising coupling the interface module to the client device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the coupling comprises removably connecting the client device to the interface module using a cable.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the receiving comprises receiving the control signals via a cellular radio access technology.

22. A system comprising a master control unit and one or more hazardous materials detector display simulator apparatus, comprising:

a master control unit comprising a computer coupled to a user interface;

a wireless transmitter coupled to the computer and configured to wirelessly transmit control signals to one or more hazardous materials detector display simulator apparatus for controlling simulation of a selected environmental contamination condition determined by the master control unit, the control signals configured for simulating the selected environmental contamination condition on the one or more simulator apparatus as if displayed by any selected one of different hazardous materials detector types; and

at least one hazardous materials detector display simulator apparatus configured for attachment to a hand-held portable hazardous material detection device so that a first electronic display of the simulator apparatus replaces a second electronic display of the hand-held portable hazardous material detection device.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the master control unit is further configured to provide control signals for group control of multiple ones of the one or more hazardous materials detector display simulator apparatus.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the master control unit is further configured to cause the one or more hazardous materials detector display simulator apparatus to display questions related to the selected environmental and contamination condition and solicit user response to the questions.

25. The system of claim 24, further comprising a wireless receiver coupled to the master control unit for receiving the user responses in an interactive training mode.