Intrinsically safe communication and tracking system

• US 7,688,196 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2006
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dewayne Newell Hannah
• Original Assignee: Dewayne Newell Hannah
• Inventors: Hannah, Dewayne Newell
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Tai T
• Application Number:
  US11/642,037
• Publication Number:
  US 20080143513A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,197 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1, 340/539.26, 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/572.7, 235/375, 235/384, 235/385, 370/327, 370/392
• US Class Current: 340/539.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

An intrinsically safe communication and tracking system comprising an overlapping series of intrinsically safe WIFI units wherein said WIFI units contain one or more radio cards and one or more antennae, and said system further comprises communication devices, TAGs, and a CPU unit to monitor the system. Alternatively, intrinsically safe communication and tracking system may be used peer-to-peer. The system may contain client devices at least one client device chosen from the following: tracking software, voice recording, audio recording, signal strength testers, Ethernet capability, gas detector, digital camera, thermal imaging camera, temperature sensing equipment, and text messaging. The CPU may also have additional capabilities at least one additional capability chosen from the following: ability to patch into external communication systems, housing of records, monitoring of employees as they enter or leave an area, encryption of communications, and sending a signal to a satellite. Also the intrinsically safe communication and tracking system may be used as an emergency rescue communications system comprising creating a system of overlapping mobile intrinsically safe WIFI units wherein a rescue team member adds another WIFI unit to the system as a mobile strength testing box reaches a predetermined level wherein said WIFI units contain one or more radio cards, one or more antennae, an internal power source, and tracking and communication ability said system further comprises a CPU to monitor all communications and track the rescuers, and said mobile strength testing box.

Claims

1. An intrinsically safe communication and tracking system for the use of a miner comprising:

a TAG module being worn by a user, wherein the TAG transmits a location signal;

an overlapping series of intrinsically safe WIFI units able to track the location and movement of a TAG, wherein each WIFI unit is housed in an explosion proof enclosure and containing one or more radio cards wherein the radio cards can transmit and receive data for peer-to-peer communication with other WIFI units and to a remote location and an intrinsically safe external power supply running though the enclosure one or more client devices at least one client device chosen from a gas detector, a digital camera, a thermal imaging device, and a temperature sensor to transmit a hazard signal in response to a hazard condition detected from the gas detector, digital camera, thermal imaging device, or temperature sensor; and

a monitoring unit, located at the remote location, for receiving hazard signals, communications from radio cards, and location signals transmitted from the TAG or the WIFI unit, wherein the monitoring unit is able to patch into an external communication system after the notification from a user WIFI communication or the loss of a TAG signal wherein the monitoring unit is able to patch into an external communication system after the indication of a hazard condition change detected from a client device.

2. The intrinsically safe communication and tracking system of claim 1 further comprising a daughter card within the enclosure.

3. The intrinsically safe communication and tracking system of claim 1 further comprising case sealing for the enclosure.

4. The intrinsically safe communication and tracking system of claim 1 further comprising a key switch on the explosion proof enclosure.

5. The intrinsically safe communication and tracking system of claim 1 further comprising an intrinsically safe internal power supply for the WIFI housed within the enclosure.

6. The intrinsically safe communication and tracking system of claim 1 further comprising running the intrinsically safe external power supply through a t-connector to one or more enclosures.

7. The intrinsically safe communication and tracking system of claim 1 wherein the WIFI units are further comprised of one or more antennae to amplify the data signal of the radio cards.

8. A mine emergency rescue communication system comprising:

a communication device and TAG module being worn by a user, wherein the TAG transmits a location signal;

an overlapping series of intrinsically safe WIFI units, wherein each WIFI unit is housed in an explosion proof enclosure and containing one or more radio cards for peer-to-peer communication with other WIFI units and to a remote location wherein the WIFI contains one or more antennae to amplify the communication signal to and from the WIFI and remote locations;

an intrinsically safe external power supply running through the enclosure and an intrinsically safe internal power supply located within the enclosure;

one or more client devices at least one client device chosen from a gas detector, a digital camera, a thermal imaging device, and a temperature sensor to transmit a hazard signal in response to a hazard condition detected from the gas detector, digital camera, thermal imaging device, or temperature sensor;

a monitoring unit, located at a remote location, for receiving hazard and location signals transmitted from the WIFI units and communication devices, wherein the monitoring unit is able to patch into an external communication system to indicate a hazard condition and location of a WIFI or incident, communication from a WIFI, or loss of a TAG signal; and

an emergency team able to add WIFI units to the series of WIFI units to create an area of communication and tracking to pinpoint the location of a user after a hazard.