Ruggedized communication box

Abstract

Ruggedized communication enclosure. A communication enclosure, characterized in that it comprises: an enclosure, said enclosure being fluid-tight and resistant to heat, shock, and electromagnetic radiation; one or more means of power supply; at least one electronic communication device, said electronic communication device being capable of automatically connecting to other electronic communication devices to form a network node; at least one electronic service delivery device; and at least one communication antenna. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Ruggedized communication box

[0001] The present invention relates to a ruggedized communications enclosure.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a hardened box allowing the implementation of digital services in an environment made complex by its configuration.

[0003] It is known that a group of individuals can be projected into a complex or even hostile environment while maintaining a connection with its command base in order to exchange information or receive orders. These individuals may be required to move in relation to each other, in an unprogrammed manner, which may result in a loss of communication between an individual and the command base.

[0004] For example, a fire brigade intervention group may be sent to a damaged building to provide assistance to victims.

[0005] Good coordination of the intervention group requires, for example, a radio link with its command post in order to receive the instructions or information necessary to ensure the safety of the members of the intervention group.

[0006] It may also be of interest for the command post to receive real-time information on the exact state of the building and the victims. For this purpose, video streams may be transmitted from the members of the intervention group to the command post, the video streams coming from equipment worn by the members of the intervention group.

[0007] It is understood that individual equipment can be put in direct contact between each individual in the intervention group and the command post; however, depending on the complexity of the environment where the intervention takes place, communication breakdowns may occur and cause dangerous situations.

[0008] This may have a negative impact on the safety of the members of the intervention group.

[0009] The aim of the invention is to propose a communication box making it possible to transmit and relay data flows between individual equipment and a coordination center, the communication box having to withstand the constraints of the operating environment (hardening).

[0010] The communication box is capable of automatically connecting to another communication box according to rules configured in advance.

[0011] It is easily understood that the mesh induced by a set of communication boxes connected to each other forms an ad-hoc network of communication nodes which allows the relaying of communications from any node of the network.

[0012] To this end, the invention relates to a communication box, characterized in that it comprises: - an enclosure, said enclosure being fluid-tight and resistant to heat, shocks, and electromagnetic radiation, - a means of electrical supply; - an electronic communication device capable of automatically connecting to other electronic communication devices to constitute a network node; - an electronic service provision device; and - a communications antenna.

[0013] According to other characteristics of the communication box according to the invention, taken alone or in combination: - at least one of the communication antennas is arranged on the external structure of the enclosure of the box; - the enclosure comprises at least one heat evacuation device capable of dissipating the heat produced by means arranged inside the enclosure; - the enclosure has an opening door, watertight in the closed position, to access the interior of the enclosure; - the box includes a connector allowing the connection of sensors or accessories; - the box includes one or more actuators; - the services provided by electronic service delivery devices include at least one service chosen from: • a Push to Talk service (Walkie Talkie) • an instant messaging service • video streaming • a blockchain control service • a file sharing service

[0014] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the attached drawing in which:

[0015] [Fig. 1] [Fig. 1] illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a communication box according to the invention, which is designated by the general reference 1.

[0016] As previously indicated, the communication box 1 comprises an enclosure designated by the general reference 2. The enclosure 2 is fluid-tight and has resistance to heat, shocks and electromagnetic radiation. Thus, the enclosure 2 protects components housed inside from external attacks, preserving the functionality of the box 1 in a hostile environment. The enclosure 2 comprises on its outer surface an access door designated by the general reference 3. The access door 3 is sealed in the closed position in order to preserve the integrity of the enclosure 2 while allowing access to the interior of the enclosure 2 to, for example, work on components. The communication box 1 also comprises an actuator designated by the general reference 4. The actuator 4 is for example a push button as shown. The actuator 4 makes it possible to trigger functions, services or sequences defined beforehand. The communication box 1 further comprises a heat evacuation device designated by the general reference 5. The heat evacuation device 5 has for example the shape of fins. The heat evacuation device 5 is sized to evacuate the heat produced by the components arranged inside the enclosure 2.

[0017] The communication box 1 comprises electrical power supply means (not shown) such as a battery, for example inside the enclosure 2. In this embodiment, the communication box 1 also comprises an electronic communication device (not shown) such as a WIFI relay. The electronic communication device is capable of automatically connecting to the electronic communication devices of other communication boxes 1 and to the electronic communication device of a coordination center (not shown). The mesh defined by a set of communication boxes connected to each other forms an ad-hoc network of communication nodes allowing the relaying of communications from any node of the network. This network may include a connection with a coordination center, the coordination center itself being a node of the network.This feature has the advantage of allowing the coordination center to be connected to the entire network without being directly connected to each of the communication boxes 1. The communication box 1 also comprises an electronic device for providing services (not shown) such as a file server, a Push to Talk service, a video streaming service, a blockchain control service. The electronic communication device, the electronic device for providing services and the power supply means are preferably placed inside the enclosure 2 to benefit from its protection. In another embodiment, the power supply means can be placed outside the enclosure 2 to allow their replacement in a simplified manner.

[0018] This communication box 1 further comprises a communication antenna (not shown). The communication antenna is for example embedded in the mass of the enclosure 2 or arranged on the outer face of the enclosure 2.

Claims

Claims

1. Communication box (1), characterized in that it comprises: a. an enclosure (2), said enclosure (2) being fluid-tight and resistant to heat, shocks, and electromagnetic radiation, b. one or more power supply means; c. at least one electronic communication device, said electronic communication device being capable of automatically connecting to other electronic communication devices to constitute a network node; d. at least one electronic service provision device; and e. at least one communication antenna.

2. Communication box (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication antenna is arranged on the outer surface of the enclosure (2).

3. Communication box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the enclosure (2) comprises at least one heat evacuation device (5) capable of dissipating the heat produced by means arranged inside the enclosure (2).

4. Communication box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the enclosure (2) comprises an access door (3), sealed in the closed position, capable of allowing access to the interior of the enclosure (2).

5. Communication box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises at least one connector allowing the connection of sensors or accessories.

6. Communication box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises one or more actuators (4).

7. Communication box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic service provision device comprises at least one of the following services: a. a Push to Talk service (Walkie Talkie), b. an instant messaging service, c. a video streaming service, d. a blockchain control service, e. a file sharing service.

Images