SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRAINING FIREFIGHTERS

• US 20190308049A1
• Filed: 04/08/2019
• Published: 10/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flashpoint Fire Equipment Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Flashpoint Fire Equipment Incorporated
• Inventors: O'Donnell, Ryan, Nixon, Michael T.
• Granted Patent: US 11,298,575 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 99/0081 Training methods or equipment for fire-fighting
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/003 Repetitive work cycles; Sequence of movements
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 25/04 of buildings
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/006 for locating or ranging of objects

Abstract

Systems and methods for training firefighters and other first responders are provided. The systems include a plurality of sensors configured to detect at least one ambient condition, such as, temperature; a receiver configured to receive the electric signals from the plurality of sensors; and a digital storage device operatively connected to the receiver and adapted to store the electrical signals corresponding to the detected ambient conditions. The data detected by the sensors can be retrieved for later review, analysis, and training. The systems may include at least one video recorder and/or at least one infrared image recorder each configured to detect images that can be stored for later retrieval and a synchronizing device adapted to synchronize the sensor data with the recorded images for later review. Methods of implementing the systems and portable cases enclosing the system are also provided.

Claims

1. A system for training firefighters, the system comprising:

A plurality of sensors configured to detect at least one ambient condition, each of the sensors adapted to generate an electrical signal corresponding to the detected ambient condition;

a receiver configured to receive the electric signals from the plurality of sensors; and

a digital storage device operatively connected to the receiver and adapted to store the electrical signals.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one ambient condition comprises at least one of temperature, humidity, chemical concentration, explosion limits, and presence of personnel.

3. The system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a processor configured to receive the electrical signals from the receiver, physical conditions of an enclosure where the plurality of sensors are positioned, and positions of the plurality of sensors, and using the electrical signals, the physical conditions of the enclosure and the positions, calculate variations in the at least one ambient condition between the positions.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a user interface.

8. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein the user interface is adapted to receive a location for each of the plurality of sensors.

9. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein the user interface is adapted to receive physical conditions of an enclosure where the plurality of sensors are located.

23. The system as recited in claim 1, the system further comprising:

at least one video recorder configured to detect substantially continuous video images, the video recorder adapted to generate electrical signals corresponding to the detected video images.

24. The system as recited in claim 23, wherein the system further comprises a synchronizer adapted to synchronize the electric signals from the plurality of sensors with the electrical signals from the at least one video recorder.

25. The system as recited in claim 24, wherein the synchronizer comprises one of an audible signal, a visual signal, and a haptic signal.

4-6. -6. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. A method for training firefighters, the method comprising:

with a plurality of sensors, detecting at least one ambient condition and generating an electrical signal corresponding to the detected ambient condition;

transmitting the electrical signal to a receiver; and

storing the electrical signals.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the at least one ambient condition comprises at least one of temperature, humidity, chemical concentration, explosion limits, and presence of personnel.

13. The method as recited in claim 11, with at least one processor, calculating variations in the at least one ambient condition each of the plurality of sensors.

15. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein detecting at least one ambient condition comprises detecting the at least one ambient condition in an enclosure.

18. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the method further comprises defining the location of each of the plurality of sensors.

19. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the method further comprises defining physical conditions of an enclosure where the plurality of sensors is located.

20. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the method further comprises displaying the detected at least one ambient condition.

33. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising:

recording substantially continuous video images with at least one video recorder, the at least one video recorder adapted to generate electrical signals corresponding to the detected video images.

34. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein the method further comprises synchronizing the electric signals from the plurality of sensors with the electrical signals from the at least one video recorder.

41. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein the method further comprises displaying images of the electrical signal corresponding to the detected ambient condition and images of the recorded substantially continuous video images.

14. (canceled)

16. The method as recited in claims ii, wherein the enclosure comprises a firefighter training structure.

17. (canceled)

21-22. -22. (canceled)

26-32. -32. (canceled)

35-40. -40. (canceled)

42-45. -45. (canceled)