Device and process for monitoring the deployment of respirator users

• US 7,324,070 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2003
• Issued: 01/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Draeger Safety Incorporated (FPS Vermögensverwaltung GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Draeger Safety Incorporated (FPS Vermögensverwaltung GmbH)
• Inventors: Jumpertz, Werner
• Primary Examiner(s): WANG, JIN CHENG
• Application Number:
  US10/738,464
• Publication Number:
  US 20040164997A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,504 Days
• Field of Search: 345/8, 345/589, 345/619, 250330-332, 250/338.1, 250/252.1, 348/376, 348/157, 359/425, 340/573.1
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 9/006 Indicators or warning devices, e.g. of low pressure, contamination
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays

Abstract

A monitoring device, process and system use an image recording device for recording an image falling on the eyes of the user of the device. The monitoring device includes a display and a signal processor with which at least the image signals recorded by the image recording device can be evaluated. An input medium and a storage medium are used for storing and retrieving information about the topology of the building. An instantaneous position of the user of the device is determined by evaluating the image signals sent by the image recording device by pattern recognition.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring the deployment of respirator users, the device comprising:

an image recording means by which an image falling near or about the eyes of the device user can be recorded;

a display;

a signal processor for evaluating the image signals recorded by said image recording means;

an input means for receiving data;

a storage medium for storing building topography data;

means for determining an instantaneous position of the device user by evaluating the image signals sent by said image recording means by pattern recognition of the image falling near or about the eyes of the device user and the stored building topography data.

2. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said input means comprises an input medium including a bar code reader.

3. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said input means comprises an input medium including a speech input device.

4. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said input means comprises an input medium including a memory chip.

5. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a LCD display is provided for providing an output of image signals via said display.

6. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said display is arranged in the field of view of the device user within a gas mask.

7. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the building topology data comprises fixed points including one or more of stairs, columns and window openings.

8. The device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting the position data and image signals to a deployment enter.

9. A process for monitoring the deployment of respirator users, the process comprising the steps of:

recording of image signals with an image recording device, the image corresponding substantially to an image falling on the eyes of the device user;

storing the topology of a building, in which the user of the device is located, in a storage medium; and

determining the instantaneous position of the user of the device within the building by the evaluation of the image signals by means of pattern recognition by comparing patterns of said topography of the building with patterns of said recorded image signals for determining an instantaneous position of the device user.

10. The process in accordance with claim 9, further comprising using an input medium to call up the stored topology of the building from the storage medium wherein the entry position into the building is predetermined with said input medium.

11. A respirator user monitoring system comprising:

an image recording device connected to a respirator or to a user of the respirator for providing image signals;

a display;

a signal processor for evaluating the image signals recorded by said image recording device;

an input means for triggering the system for receiving data;

a storage medium for storing building topography data;

a processor receiving building topography data via said input means and evaluating said recorded image signals by comparing patterns of said building topography data with patterns of said recorded image signals for determining an instantaneous position of the device user.

12. The system in accordance with claim 11, wherein said input means comprises a bar code reader for one of providing data to said processor and triggering access to data stored in said storage medium by said processor.

13. The system in accordance with claim 11, wherein the input means comprises a speech input device for one of providing data to said processor and triggering access to data stored in said storage medium by said processor.

14. The system in accordance with claim 11, wherein the input means comprises a memory chip for one of providing data to said processor and triggering access to data stored in said storage medium by said processor.

15. The system in accordance with claim 11, wherein a LCD display is provided for providing an output of image signals via said display.

16. The system in accordance with claim 11, wherein said display is arranged in the field of view of the display user within a gas mask.

17. The system in accordance with claim 11, wherein the building topology comprises fixed points including one or more of stairs, columns and window openings.

18. The system in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a transmission means for transmitting position data and image signals to a deployment center.