The invention relates to sensors and more particularly to head mounted sensors used in extreme environments.
A number of thermal sensor systems are known which are used for various firefighting, military, and industrial purposes. Often these systems are hand held, encumbering the user, or are subject to other deficiencies including allowing smoke, particles and debris between the user's eye and the sensor unit display; lack of parallax correction; partial obstruction of vision of the applicant.
In response to this need, the applicant has developed a hands-free thermal sensor for use in various firefighting, military, and industrial purposes U.S. application Ser. No. 13/833,172, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, provides a dedicated display integrated into the lens of the mask.
A need still exists, however, for a way to overlap thermal imagery, telemetry data, or other useful situational data with visible imagery in situations that require full/partial facial protection from extreme environments. Such extreme environments may include heat, gases, chemicals, smoke and the like.
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for the display of thermal data in a respiratory mask , the system comprising: a first respiratory mask frame; a lens disposed in the respiratory mask frame disposed in front of eyes of the user; a transparent display, being detachably mounted to the respiratory mask and displaying thermal imaging data.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the thermal data is provided to the transparent display by a thermal imaging camera disposed outside of the lens.
A further embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the thermal imaging camera is head mounted.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the thermal imaging camera is disposed on the frame.
A yet further embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the transparent display receives the data wirelessly.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides such a system further comprising a wired connection between the transparent display and a source for the thermal imaging data.
A still further embodiment of the present invention provides such a system further comprising a port through which the wired connection emerges from the mask.
Even another embodiment of the present invention provides such a system further comprising a closure to the port.
An even further embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the wired connection is through the lens.
Still yet another embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the wired connection is through the frame.
A still yet further embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the fame is sealed to the user's face.
Still even another embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the display displays information in addition to the thermal imaging data.
A still even further embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the transparent display is configured to be detached from the first respiratory mask and attached to a second respiratory mask.
A still even yet another embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the transparent display is detached form the first respiratory mask and attached to the second respiratory mask without modification of either the first or the second respiratory masks.
A still even yet further embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the transparent display is disposed between at least one eye of a user and the lens.
Even yet another embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the wherein the transparent display displays telemetry data.
An even yet further embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the telemetry data is data selected from the group of data consisting of self-location data, breathing apparatus status, target location data, camera and display battery life, environmental data, and combinations thereof.
Even still another embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the transparent display is disposed on a side of the lens opposite from a user's eye, and further comprising a compliant seal configured to conform to the lens and substantially exclude atmospheric contaminants between the display and the lens.
The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter.
Referring to
In alternative embodiments, the mask could be wired to permit transmission of data from external sources to the transparent display without compromising the seal of the respiratory mask to the face of the user. Referring to
Thermal imaging cameras 16, 116, 216 of a variety of different types may be used. Data other than thermal imaging may be provided in some embodiments, examples of which can include telemetry data like self-location data, breathing apparatus status, target location data, camera and display battery life, environmental data.
In other embodiments, such as that illustrated in
Embodiments of the present invention may display information on the transparent display of information of a variety of types to allow a user access to the information in a convenient way without hindering activity by the user by occupying the users hands. Embodiments may provide information to the user via text or via color coding of the images.
A respiratory mask configured according to embodiments of the invention has the following advantages. It connects to multiple types/sizes of thermal imaging cameras (TICs) instead of a singularly coupled camera. It minimally compromises the protective facial lens. It projects telemetry and other useful situational data on to the transparent display via the same interface as the TIC. It mounts and connects to multiple types/sizes of transparent displays internal or external to the protective facial lens.
This specification is not intended to be exhaustive. Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, the scope of the invention is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. One of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate after learning the teachings related to the claimed subject matter contained in the foregoing description that many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter includes any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof, unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. In particular, the limitations presented in dependent claims below can be combined with their corresponding independent claims in any number and in any order without departing from the scope of this disclosure, unless the dependent claims are logically incompatible with each other.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Applications No. 62/032,792, filed Aug. 4, 2014. This application is also related to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/833,172 filed Mar. 15, 2013. Each of these applications is herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US15/43589 | 8/4/2015 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62032792 | Aug 2014 | US |