Communication apparatus, system and method for self-contained breathing apparatus

• US 8,207,855 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2007
• Issued: 06/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Savox Communications Oy Ab Ltd
• Original Assignee: Savox Communications Oy Ab Ltd
• Inventors: Westerlund, Mikael, Sinivaara, Hasse
• Primary Examiner(s): Trieu, Van T.
• Application Number:
  US12/440,502
• Publication Number:
  US 20100039229A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,755 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/572.8, 340/573.1, 340/573.3, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/539.13, 340/5.7, 340/5.92, 340/10.1, 128/201.19, 128/204.23, 342/457
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/08 Component parts for gas-masks or gas-helmets, e.g. windows, straps, speech transmitters, signal-devices eye-pieces for protective goggles A61F9/02; composition of materials for the windows or other transparent parts A62D7/00

Abstract

A self-contained breathing apparatus safety mask, a system and a method includes a radio frequency identification tag reader arranged to communication with a radio frequency tag so that the breathing apparatus can obtain an identification of the user for wireless radio group communication with breathing apparatuses of other users. The identifier contains information for establishing and changing the group communication parameters. The system also includes a remote speaker microphone in short range radio communication with the mask. The remote speaker microphone may be connected to private mobile system.

Claims

1. A breathing apparatus for a first user, comprising:

a radio frequency identification tag reader arranged to communicate with a radio frequency identification tag so that the breathing apparatus can obtain an identification of the first user and a group identity of the first user for wireless radio group communication with a second breathing apparatus of a second user.

2. The breathing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification tag reader is arranged to obtain radio channel allocation for the wireless radio group communication.

3. The breathing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification tag reader is arranged to obtain group channel allocation for the wireless radio group communication.

4. The breathing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification tag reader is arranged to obtain frequency allocation for the wireless radio group communication.

5. The breathing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification tag reader is arranged to obtain transmission power settings for the wireless radio group communication.

6. The breathing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification tag reader is arranged to obtain identifier identifying said breathing apparatus for the wireless radio group communication.

7. The breathing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification tag reader is arranged to obtain IP network settings.

8. The breathing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification tag reader is arranged to obtain Bluetooth pairing data for establishing a Bluetooth connection between the breathing apparatus and a Bluetooth based device.

9. The breathing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless radio group communication between the breathing apparatuses comprises communication via a wireless local network (WLAN).

10. The breathing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one wireless radio communications unit arranged to the two-way wireless radio group communication with another wireless radio communications unit of the second breathing apparatus;

two-way short range wireless communication with a short range wireless communications unit attachable to said users; and

short range wireless radio communication with the radio frequency identification tag.

11. The breathing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the two-way short range wireless communication is further arranged to provide the breathing apparatus with communications with a mobile communications system such as TETRA.

12. The breathing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said breathing apparatus comprises a self-contained breathing apparatus for a fire fighter.

13. The breathing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a single device in the breathing apparatus is arranged to carry out the radio communications.

14. The breathing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least two or three devices in the breathing apparatus are arranged to carry out the radio communications.

15. The breathing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a detector to sense a speech of the user so that a transmission by the communications can be activated respectively.

16. The breathing apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising means for transmitting a header or protocol and substantially no data packet when the speech is not sensed.

17. A system comprising:

a low power communication device;

a first safety mask for a user arranged to higher power communication with a second safety mask, wherein the first safety mask and the low power communication device are arranged to communicate with each other; and

a radio frequency identification tag reader arranged to communicate with a radio frequency identification tag so that the first safety mask can obtain an identification of the user for wireless radio group communication with the second safety mask.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein said low-power wireless radio communication device is further arranged to communicate with a mobile communications system or TETRA.

19. The system according to claim 17, wherein the safety mask or the low power communication device comprises the radio frequency identification tag reader.

20. A method for group communications comprising:

obtaining radio frequency identification tag based data information, said information comprising an identification of a user and a group identity of the user; and

establishing a wireless two-way data radio connection between at least two safety masks in accordance with said data information.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising:

establishing a short-range wireless two-way data radio connection between one of the safety masks and a terminal capable of mobile phone communications.