Abstract: An apparatus for identifying when an individual is in proximity to an object having a sensor portion having an electromagnetic field. The apparatus has a personal alarm device that is worn by the individual which detects the presence of the magnetic field and produces a signal indicating the personal alarm device is within the electromagnetic field. The sensor portion having an exclusion zone where the electromagnetic field is effectively negated so the PAD does not produce an alarm in the exclusion zone. A method for identifying when an individual is in proximity to an object. A field extension module. A proximity device.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying when an individual is in proximity to an object having a length has a sensor portion having a wire loop through which electric current runs and creates an electromagnetic field that emanates about the wire loop. The wire loop extending along at least a third of the length of the object. The apparatus has a personal alarm device that is worn by the individual which detects the presence of the magnetic field emanating from the wire loop when the personal alarm device is in the magnetic field and produces a signal indicating the personal alarm device is within the magnetic field. Alternatively, the sensor portion extends from a contiguous boundary up to 500 meters, where the boundary has a geometry that is linear or meandering. A head piece for an individual's head. A method for identifying when an individual is in proximity to an object. A field extension module. A proximity device.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a miner from injury by a machine in a mine includes an explosion-proof housing. The apparatus includes a proximity sensing portion disposed in the explosion-proof housing having a magnetic field source which produces a magnetic field that is used to sense a location of the miner relative to the machine. The apparatus includes a wireless communication portion disposed in the explosion-proof housing through which the magnetic field produced by the magnetic field source is changed remotely and wirelessly from outside the explosion-proof housing. A method for protecting a miner from injury by a machine. A system for protecting a miner from injury by a machine in a mine.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a miner from injury by a machine in a mine includes an explosion-proof housing. The apparatus includes a proximity sensing portion disposed in the explosion-proof housing having a magnetic field source which produces a magnetic field that is used to sense a location of the miner relative to the machine. The apparatus includes a wireless communication portion disposed in the explosion-proof housing through which the magnetic field produced by the magnetic field source is changed remotely and wirelessly from outside the explosion-proof housing. A method for protecting a miner from injury by a machine. A system for protecting a miner from injury by a machine in a mine.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a miner from injury by a machine in a mine includes an explosion-proof housing. The apparatus includes a proximity sensing portion disposed in the explosion-proof housing having a magnetic field source which produces a magnetic field that is used to sense a location of the miner relative to the machine. The apparatus includes a wireless communication portion disposed in the explosion-proof housing through which the magnetic field produced by the magnetic field source is changed remotely and wirelessly from outside the explosion-proof housing. A method for protecting a miner from injury by a machine. A system for protecting a miner from injury by a machine in a mine.

Abstract: A monitor for gases includes a terminal portion that has two states, an output configuration state in which an output signal is sent from the processor to a first device, and an input configuration state in which an input signal is received from a second device.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying when an individual is in proximity to an object having a length has a sensor portion having a wire loop through which electric current runs and creates an electromagnetic field that emanates about the wire loop. The wire loop extending along at least a third of the length of the object. The apparatus has a personal alarm device that is worn by the individual which detects the presence of the magnetic field emanating from the wire loop when the personal alarm device is in the magnetic field and produces a signal indicating the personal alarm device is within the magnetic field. Alternatively, the sensor portion extends from a contiguous boundary up to 500 meters, where the boundary has a geometry that is linear or meandering. A head piece for an individual's head. A method for identifying when an individual is in proximity to an object. A field extension module. A proximity device.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying when an individual is in proximity to an object having a length has a sensor portion having a wire loop through which electric current runs and creates an electromagnetic field that emanates about the wire loop. The wire loop extending along at least a third of the length of the object. The apparatus has a personal alarm device that is worn by the individual which detects the presence of the magnetic field emanating from the wire loop when the personal alarm device is in the magnetic field and produces a signal indicating the personal alarm device is within the magnetic field. Alternatively, the sensor portion extends from a contiguous boundary up to 500 meters, where the boundary has a geometry that is linear or meandering. A head piece for an individual's head. A method for identifying when an individual is in proximity to an object. A field extension module. A proximity device.

Abstract: A communication system in a mine having a data network, a wireless network and a plurality of nodes. A communication node of a data network and a wireless network in a mine. A method for communicating in a mine.

Abstract: A monitor for gases and a mine includes a housing. The monitor includes a battery disposed in the housing. The monitor includes a gas sensor portion powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery which detects a first gas and at least a second gas different from the first gas in the mine. The monitor includes an alarm portion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery which emits a visual alert and an audible alert when the gas sensor portion senses that either the first or second gas is above a predetermined threshold. The monitor includes a wireless communication portion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery and the sensor portion, which sends a wireless signal from the housing that the gas sensor portion has sensed of either the first or second gas.

Abstract: A monitor for gases and a mine includes a housing. The monitor includes a battery disposed in the housing. The monitor includes a gas sensor portion powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery which detects a first gas and at least a second gas different from the first gas in the mine. The monitor includes an alarm portion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery which emits a visual alert and an audible alert when the gas sensor portion senses that either the first or second gas is above a predetermined threshold. The monitor includes a wireless communication portion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery and the sensor portion, which sends a wireless signal from the housing that the gas sensor portion has sensed of either the first or second gas.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying when an individual is in proximity to an object having a length has a sensor portion having a wire loop through which electric current runs and creates an electromagnetic field that emanates about the wire loop. The wire loop extending along at least a third of the length of the object. The apparatus has a personal alarm device that is worn by the individual which detects the presence of the magnetic field emanating from the wire loop when the personal alarm device is in the magnetic field and produces a signal indicating the personal alarm device is within the magnetic field. Alternatively, the sensor portion extends from a contiguous boundary up to 500 meters, where the boundary has a geometry that is linear or meandering. A head piece for an individual's head. A method for identifying when an individual is in proximity to an object. A field extension module. A proximity device.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a miner from injury by a machine in a mine includes an explosion-proof housing. The apparatus includes a proximity sensing portion disposed in the explosion-proof housing having a magnetic field source which produces a magnetic field that is used to sense a location of the miner relative to the machine. The apparatus includes a wireless communication portion disposed in the explosion-proof housing through which the magnetic field produced by the magnetic field source is changed remotely and wirelessly from outside the explosion-proof housing. A method for protecting a miner from injury by a machine. A system for protecting a miner from injury by a machine in a mine.

Abstract: Collision avoidance systems and methods. In some embodiments the collision avoidance systems may include a magnetic field generator for generating a low frequency oscillating magnetic field, and a magnetic field detector, wherein the system is configured to determine a relative speed between the magnetic field generator and the detector using magnetic speed pings generated by the magnetic field generator. In other embodiments, the methods may include generating a low frequency oscillating magnetic field from a magnetic field generator, detecting the magnetic field from a magnetic field detector, and determining a relative speed between the magnetic field generator and the detector using magnetic speed pings generated by the magnetic field generator.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a miner from injury by a machine in a mine includes an explosion-proof housing. The apparatus includes a proximity sensing portion disposed in the explosion-proof housing having a magnetic field source which produces a magnetic field that is used to sense a location of the miner relative to the machine. The apparatus includes a wireless communication portion disposed in the explosion-proof housing through which the magnetic field produced by the magnetic field source is changed remotely and wirelessly from outside the explosion-proof housing. A method for protecting a miner from injury by a machine. A system for protecting a miner from injury by a machine in a mine.

Abstract: Collision avoidance systems and methods. In some embodiments the collision avoidance systems may include a magnetic field generator for generating a low frequency oscillating magnetic field, and a magnetic field detector, wherein the system is configured to determine a relative speed between the magnetic field generator and the detector using magnetic speed pings generated by the magnetic field generator. In other embodiments, the methods may include generating a low frequency oscillating magnetic field from a magnetic field generator, detecting the magnetic field from a magnetic field detector, and determining a relative speed between the magnetic field generator and the detector using magnetic speed pings generated by the magnetic field generator.

Abstract: A monitor for gases and a mine includes a housing. The monitor includes a battery disposed in the housing. The monitor includes a gas sensor portion powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery which detects a first gas and at least a second gas different from the first gas in the mine. The monitor includes an alarm portion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery which emits a visual alert and an audible alert when the gas sensor portion senses that either the first or second gas is above a predetermined threshold. The monitor includes a wireless communication portion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery and the sensor portion, which sends a wireless signal from the housing that the gas sensor portion has sensed of either the first or second gas.

Abstract: A monitor for gases and a mine includes a housing. The monitor includes a battery disposed in the housing. The monitor includes a gas sensor portion powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery which detects a first gas and at least a second gas different from the first gas in the mine. The monitor includes an alarm portion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery which emits a visual alert and an audible alert when the gas sensor portion senses that either the first or second gas is above a predetermined threshold. The monitor includes a wireless communication portion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery and the sensor portion, which sends a wireless signal from the housing that the gas sensor portion has sensed of either the first or second gas.

Abstract: A monitor for gases and a mine includes a housing. The monitor includes a battery disposed in the housing. The monitor includes a gas sensor portion powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery which detects a first gas and at least a second gas different from the first gas in the mine. The monitor includes an alarm portion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery which emits a visual alert and an audible alert when the gas sensor portion senses that either the first or second gas is above a predetermined threshold. The monitor includes a wireless communication portion disposed in the housing, powered by the battery and in electrical communication with the battery and the sensor portion, which sends a wireless signal from the housing that the gas sensor portion has sensed of either the first or second gas.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a miner from injury by a machine in a mine includes an explosion-proof housing. The apparatus includes a proximity sensing portion disposed in the explosion-proof housing having a magnetic field source which produces a magnetic field that is used to sense a location of the miner relative to the machine. The apparatus includes a wireless communication portion disposed in the explosion-proof housing through which the magnetic field produced by the magnetic field source is changed remotely and wirelessly from outside the explosion-proof housing. A method for protecting a miner from injury by a machine. A system for protecting a miner from injury by a machine in a mine.