Method and System for Providing Explosion Proof Video and Communication Relay Module

Abstract

Embodiments of methods, devices and systems are presented for communicating information in an explosive environment. An explosion proof video and data communication module includes features that prevent the generation of a spark or other ignition sources that could ignite explosive dust, gas or vapors in the air. The explosion proof video and communications relay modules may operate independently or as a group to provide real-time information, situation awareness, functionally and responsiveness for personnel that are in explosive environments.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A communication device, comprising:
 a non-conductive housing;   a first antenna;   a second antenna;   a radio receiver;   a radio transmitter;   a battery coupled to a fault tolerant circuit element; and   a processor coupled to the first antenna, second antenna, radio receiver, radio transmitter, and battery, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable software instructions to perform operations comprising:
 forming a communication group with a wireless transceiver that is in close proximity; 
 receiving radio frequency signals from the wireless transceiver in the communication group via the radio receiver; and 
 retransmitting the received frequency signals via the radio transmitter, and 
   wherein the processor, first antenna, second antenna, radio receiver, radio transmitter, battery, and fault tolerant circuit element are hermetically sealed inside the non-conductive housing.   
     
     
         20 . The communication device of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the processor is configured with processor-executable software instructions to perform operations further comprising receiving a network-driven grouping request; and   the processor is configured with processor-executable software instructions to perform operations such that forming a communication group with a wireless transceiver that is in close proximity comprises forming the communication group in response to receiving the network-driven grouping request.   
     
     
         21 . The communication device of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the processor is configured with processor-executable software instructions to perform operations further comprising determining whether the communication device has lost connectivity to a communication network; and   the processor is configured with processor-executable software instructions to perform operations such that forming a communication group with a wireless transceiver that is in close proximity comprises forming the communication group in response to determining that the communication device has lost the connectivity to the communication network.   
     
     
         22 . The communication device of  claim 19 , wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable software instructions to perform operations such that forming a communication group with a wireless transceiver that is in close proximity comprises forming the communication group to participate in a collaborative communication in which a first device in the communication group operates as an access point device for a second device in the communication group. 
     
     
         23 . The communication device of  claim 22 , wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable software instructions to perform operations further comprising:
 operating as an access point for another device in the communication group.   
     
     
         24 . The communication device of  claim 22 , wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable software instructions to perform operations further comprising:
 communicating information via another device in the communication group that operates as an access point.   
     
     
         25 . The communication device of  claim 19 , further comprising a mount attached to the non-conductive housing that is suitable for mounting the communication device to a helmet. 
     
     
         26 . The communication device of  claim 19 , further comprising a camera hermetically sealed inside the non-conductive housing, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable software instructions to perform operations further comprising adjusting video information collected by the camera based on one of a detected environmental condition, a detected network condition, or information that is received from one of a radio access node, a small cell site, a local incident command using a local terminal, or a handheld computer. 
     
     
         27 . The communication device of  claim 19 , further comprising a camera hermetically sealed inside the non-conductive housing, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable software instructions to perform operations further comprising adjusting video information collected by the camera via network control. 
     
     
         28 . The communication device of  claim 19 , wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable software instructions to perform operations further comprising relaying telemetry information to another communication device in the communication group. 
     
     
         29 . The communication device of  claim 19 , wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable software instructions to perform operations further comprising relaying video and telemetry information to an incident command device. 
     
     
         30 . A communication system for use in an explosive environment, comprising:
 a first explosion-proof communication device and a second explosion-proof communication device, wherein each of the first and second explosion-proof communication devices comprise:
 a non-conductive housing; 
 a first antenna; 
 a second antenna; 
 a radio receiver; 
 a radio transmitter; 
 a battery coupled to a fault tolerant circuit element; and 
 a processor coupled to the first antenna, second antenna, radio receiver, radio transmitter, and battery, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable software instructions to perform operations comprising:
 forming a communication group with a wireless transceiver that is in close proximity; 
 receiving radio frequency signals from the wireless transceiver via a first antenna and the radio receiver; and 
 retransmitting the received frequency signals via the second antenna and radio transmitter, and 
 
 wherein the processor, first antenna, second antenna, radio receiver, radio transmitter, battery, and fault tolerant circuit element are hermetically sealed inside the non-conductive housing, and 
 wherein the processor of the first explosion-proof communication device is configured with processor executable software instructions to perform operations further comprising establishing a communication link with the second explosion-proof communication device. 
   
     
     
         31 . The communication system of  claim 30 , wherein the first explosion-proof communication device further comprises:
 a camera coupled to the processor of the first explosion-proof communication relay device; and   a lens cover arranged to seal and isolate the camera from an exterior atmosphere, and   wherein the processor of the first explosion-proof communication device is configured with processor-executable software instructions to perform operations further comprising:
 receiving instructions from the second explosion-proof communication relay device; and 
 adjusting a resolution of video information collected by the camera based on the received instructions. 
   
     
     
         32 . The communication system of  claim 30 , wherein:
 the processor of the first explosion-proof communication device is configured with processor-executable software instructions to perform operations further comprising receiving a network-driven grouping request; and   the processor of the first explosion-proof communication device is configured with processor-executable software instructions to perform operations such that forming a communication group with a wireless transceiver that is in close proximity comprises forming the communication group in response to receiving the network-driven grouping request.   
     
     
         33 . The communication system of  claim 30 , wherein
 the processor of the first explosion-proof communication device is configured with processor-executable software instructions to perform operations further comprising determining whether connectivity to a communication network has been lost; and   the processor of the first explosion-proof communication device is configured with processor-executable software instructions to perform operations such that forming the communication group with the wireless transceiver that is in close proximity comprises forming the communication group in response to determining that the first explosion-proof communication device has lost the connectivity to the communication network.   
     
     
         34 . The communication system of  claim 30 , wherein the processor of the first explosion-proof communication device is configured with processor-executable software instructions to perform operations further comprising participating in a collaborative communication in which a first device in the communication group operates as an access point device for a second device in the communication group. 
     
     
         35 . The communication system of  claim 30 , wherein the processor of the first explosion-proof communication device is configured with processor-executable software instructions to perform operations further comprising:
 operating as an access point for another device in the communication group; or   communicating information via a device in the communication group that operates as an access point.   
     
     
         36 . The communication system of  claim 30 , wherein the processor of the first explosion-proof communication device is configured with processor-executable software instructions to perform operations such that forming the communication group with the wireless transceiver that is in close proximity comprises form a communication group with the second explosion-proof communication device. 
     
     
         37 . The communication system of  claim 30 , wherein the first explosion-proof communication device further comprises a mount attached to its non-conductive housing that is suitable for mounting the first explosion-proof communication device to a helmet. 
     
     
         38 . The communication system of  claim 30 , wherein:
 the first explosion-proof communication device further comprises a camera hermetically sealed inside its non-conductive housing, and   the processor in the first explosion-proof communication device is configured with processor-executable software instructions to perform operations further comprising adjusting video information collected by the camera based on one of a detected environmental condition, a detected network condition, or information that is received from one of a radio access node, a small cell site, a local incident command using a local terminal, or a handheld computer.