Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for determining the temperature of an object or surface near a user, such as a firefighter, in potentially dangerous conditions. A temperature sensor configured to be attached to a personal protection equipment may comprise a standoff temperature sensor element configured to detect the temperature of a nearby object or surface; a microcontroller configured to receive sensor data from the standoff temperature sensor element and determine the sensed temperature; an indicator configured to be activated by the microcontroller when the sensed temperature is higher than a predefined threshold; and an attachment element configured to attach the sensor to a personal protection equipment worn by a user.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring emergency personnel during an emergency incident is disclosed. The emergency personnel wear wireless communication units (CU) including a short-range radio and a long-range radio. CUs are configured to periodically transmit a unique identification from the short-range radio of the CU, receive the unique identification transmitted from the short-range radio of any other CU within range of the short-range radio, and transmit a data packet from the long-range radio, each data packet containing the unique identification of the CU and all the unique identifications recently received from any other CUs. The system can include an incident command monitoring system including a computing device to access a personnel and unique identifier database and analyze the data packets and initiate an alert if the unique identification associated with one of the emergency personnel has not been received by the communication unit of a team member.

Abstract: Embodiments generally describe systems and methods for using mobile drones as mobile access points for a mesh network, particularly in use for firefighters, or other first responders. Embodiments described herein provide a self-healing mesh network for improved wireless communication between the first responders and the external monitors. The self-healing mesh network may comprise mechanism drones operable to be deployed around a building or emergency area, wherein the drones can act as routers capable of automatically adjusting their position (thereby healing the wireless network) based on the signal needs for each individual located within the building.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring emergency personnel during an emergency incident is disclosed. The emergency personnel wear wireless communication units (CU) including a short-range radio and a long-range radio. CUs are configured to periodically transmit a unique identification from the short-range radio of the CU, receive the unique identification transmitted from the short-range radio of any other CU within range of the short-range radio, and transmit a data packet from the long-range radio, each data packet containing the unique identification of the CU and all the unique identifications recently received from any other CUs. The system can include an incident command monitoring system including a computing device to access a personnel and unique identifier database and analyze the data packets and initiate an alert if the unique identification associated with one of the emergency personnel has not been received by the communication unit of a team member.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring emergency personnel during an emergency incident is disclosed. The emergency personnel wear wireless communication units (CU) including a short-range radio and a long-range radio. CUs are configured to periodically transmit a unique identification from the short-range radio of the CU, receive the unique identification transmitted from the short-range radio of any other CU within range of the short-range radio, and transmit a data packet from the long-range radio, each data packet containing the unique identification of the CU and all the unique identifications recently received from any other CUs. The system can include an incident command monitoring system including a computing device to access a personnel and unique identifier database and analyze the data packets and initiate an alert if the unique identification associated with one of the emergency personnel has not been received by the communication unit of a team member.

Abstract: Embodiments generally describe systems and methods for using mobile drones as mobile access points for a mesh network, particularly in use for firefighters, or other first responders. Embodiments described herein provide a self-healing mesh network for improved wireless communication between the first responders and the external monitors. The self-healing mesh network may comprise mechanism drones operable to be deployed around a building or emergency area, wherein the drones can act as routers capable of automatically adjusting their position (thereby healing the wireless network) based on the signal needs for each individual located within the building.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring emergency personnel during an emergency incident is disclosed. The emergency personnel wear wireless communication units (CU) including a short-range radio and a long-range radio. CUs are configured to periodically transmit a unique identification from the short-range radio of the CU, receive the unique identification transmitted from the short-range radio of any other CU within range of the short-range radio, and transmit a data packet from the long-range radio, each data packet containing the unique identification of the CU and all the unique identifications recently received from any other CUs. The system can include an incident command monitoring system including a computing device to access a personnel and unique identifier database and analyze the data packets and initiate an alert if the unique identification associated with one of the emergency personnel has not been received by the communication unit of a team member.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for determining the temperature of an object or surface near a user, such as a firefighter, in potentially dangerous conditions. A temperature sensor configured to be attached to a personal protection equipment may comprise a standoff temperature sensor element configured to detect the temperature of a nearby object or surface; a microcontroller configured to receive sensor data from the standoff temperature sensor element and determine the sensed temperature; an indicator configured to be activated by the microcontroller when the sensed temperature is higher than a predefined threshold; and an attachment element configured to attach the sensor to a personal protection equipment worn by a user.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving one or more images of a person from one or more image capture devices in response to an input, identifying one or more items of personal protective equipment in the one or more images, determining the positioning of the one or more items of personal protective equipment relative to the person in the one or more images, and verifying compliance with personal protective equipment standards based on the one or more identified items of personal protective equipment and the positioning of the one or more items of personal protective equipment.

Abstract: Surveillance systems and methods are described herein. Surveillance systems and methods can include detecting a number of interactions within a building, determining an event based on the number of interactions, and sending a message to a number of contacts relating to the event.

Abstract: Surveillance systems and methods are described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to locating systems, and more particularly, to handheld locator systems for locating personnel or other objects in buildings or other environments. In one illustrative embodiment, a tag is attached to an object to be located (e.g. firefighter). The tag may be configured to emit a first signal and a second signal, where the first signal and the second signal having disparate propagation characteristics in the environment. In some cases, the first signal may be an acoustic signal and the second signal may be an RF signal, but this is not required in all embodiments. By using a first signal or set of signals, and then automatically switching to another signal or set of signal(s) when the first signal or set of signals are not received clearly, the tag/receiver system may help mitigate the failure modes/weaknesses of any single technology, and may provide advantages over use of any of the technologies used singly.

Abstract: A system relating to sample analyzers, and more particular, to sample analyzers that are simple to operate and have a reduced risk of providing an erroneous result to a user. In some cases, the sample analyzer may be a portable sample analyzer that includes a disposable fluidic cartridge. The operators of the analyzers need not be trained.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a structure comprises providing an inspection apparatus, engaging the inspection apparatus with an access system coupled to a structure, inspecting the access system using the inspection apparatus, and inspecting a portion of the structure using the inspection apparatus.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving one or more images of a person from one or more image capture devices in response to an input, identifying one or more items of personal protective equipment in the one or more images, determining the positioning of the one or more items of personal protective equipment relative to the person in the one or more images, and verifying compliance with personal protective equipment standards based on the one or more identified items of personal protective equipment and the positioning of the one or more items of personal protective equipment.

Abstract: A sample analyzer cartridge for use at a point of care of a patient such as in a doctor's office, in the home, or elsewhere in the field. By providing a removable and/or disposable cartridge with all of the needed reagents and/or fluids, the sample analyzer can be reliably used outside of the laboratory environment, with little or no specialized training.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for estimating the location of a portable device. The method includes providing a plurality of location anchor and enhanced location anchor transceivers within a region, each operating from respective predetermined locations, a portable transceiver measuring a signal parameter from the transceivers, a location engine determining a location of the portable transceiver based upon the signal measurements and the respective predetermined locations of the transceivers, each of the enhanced transceivers measuring a signal parameter from some of the location and other enhanced transceivers, the location engine calculating an estimated location for each of the plurality of enhanced transceivers and calculating a location error based upon the estimated location and predetermined location of the enhanced location anchor transceiver.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a structure comprises providing an inspection apparatus, engaging the inspection apparatus with an access system coupled to a structure, inspecting the access system using the inspection apparatus, and inspecting a portion of the structure using the inspection apparatus.

Abstract: A system relating to sample analyzers, and more particular, to sample analyzers that are simple to operate and have a reduce risk of providing an erroneous result to a user. In some cases, the sample analyzer may be a portable sample analyzer that includes a disposable fluidic cartridge. The operators of the analyzers need not be trained.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to locating systems, and more particularly, to handheld locator systems for locating personnel or other objects in buildings or other environments. In one illustrative embodiment, a tag is attached to an object to be located (e.g. firefighter). The tag may be configured to emit a first signal and a second signal, where the first signal and the second signal having disparate propagation characteristics in the environment. In some cases, the first signal may be an acoustic signal and the second signal may be an RF signal, but this is not required in all embodiments. By using a first signal or set of signals, and then automatically switching to another signal or set of signal(s) when the first signal or set of signals are not received clearly, the tag/receiver system may help mitigate the failure modes/weaknesses of any single technology, and may provide advantages over use of any of the technologies used singly.