Abstract: The present specification provides systems, devices and methods for controlling an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) at a public safety incident. An example method contemplates placing a UAV in a shadow mode that follows a firefighter’s movements throughout the PSI while monitoring voice activity while the UAV performs tasks such as sending images from a camera to a central server. Potential voice commands are extracted from the voice activity and associated with tasks being performed by the UAV. A machine learning dataset is built from those associations such that at future incidents the UAV can operate in a freelance mode based on detected voice commands or other contextual factors.

Abstract: A body-wearable garment having a hood activated speaker is provided. The body-wearable garment comprises a hood. The body-wearable garment further comprises a speaker integrated within the hood. The speaker is activated in response to receiving a signal from a sensor indicating that the hood is in a deployed state.

Abstract: A method and system of managing audio signals within a communication system is provided. An audio signal is received on two or more independent audio paths within an operating environment, such as a vehicular operating environment (106). A controller identifies an audio source ID associated with the audio signal. The audio source ID may be a talkgroup ID, an individual ID, or a channel ID associated with the audio signal. The received audio signal from the independent audio paths is mixed and played out at a spatially separated unique location within the vehicle from other audio signals based on the sound source ID, each sound source ID having a unique location within the vehicle.

Abstract: A portable communication device (100) automatically determines user hydration levels while the device is being transmitted. The portable communication device comprises a humidity sensor (120) located by a microphone and touch sensors (124) located on a push-to-talk (PTT) button (110). Data is gathered during PTT switch activation (112). No additional steps are required by the user. Alerts (140) are provided when predetermined dehydration thresholds are approached.

Abstract: A device, system and method for causing a notification device to provide an indication of a searched area is provided. A device comprises: controller; and a communication unit configured to communicate with one or more sensors, the one or more sensors configured to track: a path of a user; and one or more of a reach of the user and hand location of the user. The controller receives, from the one or more sensors, via the communication unit, sensor data indicative of the path and one or more of the reach and the hand location of the user at a location. The controller identifies, from the sensor data, an area searched by the user at the location. The controller causes a notification device to provide an indication of the area searched by the user.

Abstract: A body-wearable garment having a hood activated speaker is provided. The body-wearable garment comprises a hood. The body-wearable garment further comprises a speaker integrated within the hood. The speaker is activated in response to receiving a signal from a sensor indicating that the hood is in a deployed state.

Abstract: A method and system of managing audio signals within a communication system is provided. An audio signal is received on two or more independent audio paths within an operating environment, such as a vehicular operating environment (106). A controller identifies an audio source ID associated with the audio signal. The audio source ID may be a talkgroup ID, an individual ID, or a channel ID associated with the audio signal. The received audio signal from the independent audio paths is mixed and played out at a spatially separated unique location within the vehicle from other audio signals based on the sound source ID, each sound source ID having a unique location within the vehicle.

Abstract: A portable communication device (100) automatically determines user hydration levels while the device is being transmitted. The portable communication device comprises a humidity sensor (120) located by a microphone and touch sensors (124) located on a push-to-talk (PTT) button (110). Data is gathered during PTT switch activation (112). No additional steps are required by the user. Alerts (140) are provided when predetermined dehydration thresholds are approached.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scanning amongst two-way radios is disclosed. The method includes applying a scan probability index (SPI) to each member of a scan list, the SPI indicating a likelihood of channel activity. The SPI is dynamically updated by a variety of processes. Members are loaded from the scan list, and the SPI of the loaded member is compared to a threshold. Members are skipped or checked for activity based on the SPI passing or failing the threshold. Members having a sufficient SPI will proceed to have detected channel activity decoded. The method and apparatus may utilize both normal scan members and vote scan member frequencies.

Abstract: A wearable safety apparatus includes a housing, a plurality of directional thermal imaging sensors mounted on the housing and facing outwardly away from the housing in a corresponding plurality of different directions towards thermal zones of a heat source. Each sensor detects infrared radiation (IR) intensity and generates an output indicative of a temperature of the detected IR intensity in a respective thermal zone faced by a respective sensor. An interface is mounted on the housing and has a display positioned to be viewable by a user, e.g., a firefighter. A controller processes the outputs generated by the sensors, and displays at a plurality of spaced-apart positions on the display a plurality of positional thermal indicators when the temperature in the respective thermal zone is elevated. The position of each positional thermal indicator corresponds to the thermal zone faced by the respective sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for blocking unwanted canine interactions during a canine deployment at a public-safety incident scene is provided herein. During operation all radios associated with a public-safety incident scene will be provided a notification of canine deployment. The radios will then generate a tone to deter or repel any approaching canine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for blocking unwanted canine interactions during a canine deployment at a public-safety incident scene is provided herein. During operation all radios associated with a public-safety incident scene will be provided a notification of canine deployment. The radios will then generate a tone to deter or repel any approaching canine.

Abstract: A wearable safety apparatus includes a housing, a plurality of directional thermal imaging sensors mounted on the housing and facing outwardly away from the housing in a corresponding plurality of different directions towards thermal zones of a heat source. Each sensor detects infrared radiation (IR) intensity and generates an output indicative of a temperature of the detected IR intensity in a respective thermal zone faced by a respective sensor. An interface is mounted on the housing and has a display positioned to be viewable by a user, e.g., a firefighter. A controller processes the outputs generated by the sensors, and displays at a plurality of spaced-apart positions on the display a plurality of positional thermal indicators when the temperature in the respective thermal zone is elevated. The position of each positional thermal indicator corresponds to the thermal zone faced by the respective sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for blocking unwanted canine interactions during a canine deployment at a public-safety incident scene is provided herein. During operation all radios associated with a public-safety incident scene will be provided a notification of canine deployment. The radios will then generate a tone to deter or repel any approaching canine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for blocking unwanted canine interactions during a canine deployment at a public-safety incident scene is provided herein. During operation all radios associated with a public-safety incident scene will be provided a notification of canine deployment. The radios will then generate a tone to deter or repel any approaching canine.

Abstract: A dynamic call based user ID allows subscriber units to be shared amongst a plurality of users or used for a plurality of roles/uses. A voiced call sign is transmitted by a calling subscriber unit to a targeted subscriber unit. A pattern in the voice transmission of the calling unit is detected, and the voiced call sign is compared to a list of pre-stored call signs. When a match between stored calls signs and the current call sign occurs, the calling subscriber unit saves the current call sign. Fixed network equipment (FNE) then associates the saved current call sign with a subscriber unit ID (SUID) of the calling unit. The dynamic association between the call sign and the SUID allows the subscriber unit to be shared amongst different users and for different uses/roles.

Abstract: A method and device enables establishing radio communications on a trunked network using an inbound proxy. The method includes receiving, at a first subscriber device, a control signal from a base station on an outbound control channel of the base station. A request is then transmitted from the first subscriber device to the base station on an inbound control channel of the base station. Next, it is determined, at the first subscriber device, that the request was not received by the base station. The request is therefore re-transmitted from the first subscriber device to a second subscriber device on an inbound proxy control channel. The first subscriber device then receives a response to the request from the base station. The first subscriber device is thus able to subsequently establish radio communications on the trunked network via the second subscriber device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing public-safety vehicles to an incident are provided herein. During operation a server will receive an emergency notification. In response, the server will determine an emergency type and vehicles that will be dispatched to the emergency. Routes will be tailored for each vehicle and then provided to each vehicle. The specifically-tailored routes will facilitate the arrival of vehicles on site in an appropriate order.

Abstract: A method and device enables establishing radio communications on a trunked network using an inbound proxy. The method includes receiving, at a first subscriber device, a control signal from a base station on an outbound control channel of the base station. A request is then transmitted from the first subscriber device to the base station on an inbound control channel of the base station. Next, it is determined, at the first subscriber device, that the request was not received by the base station. The request is therefore re-transmitted from the first subscriber device to a second subscriber device on an inbound proxy control channel. The first subscriber device then receives a response to the request from the base station. The first subscriber device is thus able to subsequently establish radio communications on the trunked network via the second subscriber device.

Abstract: A dynamic call based user ID allows subscriber units to be shared amongst a plurality of users or used for a plurality of roles/uses. A voiced call sign is transmitted by a calling subscriber unit to a targeted subscriber unit. A pattern in the voice transmission of the calling unit is detected, and the voiced call sign is compared to a list of pre-stored call signs. When a match between stored calls signs and the current call sign occurs, the calling subscriber unit saves the current call sign. Fixed network equipment (FNE) then associates the saved current call sign with a subscriber unit ID (SUID) of the calling unit. The dynamic association between the call sign and the SUID allows the subscriber unit to be shared amongst different users and for different uses/roles.