Face Shield Thermal HUD for Firefighter Rescue Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal imagers used in rescue situations, such as by firefighters, often obstruct the user's field of view or require them to divert attention from their surroundings to view the image, failing to provide clear guidance on both people and objects at the same temperature as the surroundings.
Innovation Solution
A thermal imager mounted on a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) pack captures thermal image data and uses a display unit within a face shield with LED light elements as directional indicators to guide the wearer, correlating the location of detected persons relative to their position, allowing unobstructed viewing of surroundings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a thermal imager with a display screen is used to detect people in smoke, then the ability to identify people through thermal imaging is improved, but the user's field of view is obstructed or attention is diverted from surroundings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the face shield as an intermediary surface to display thermal imaging information. Instead of requiring the user to look at a separate screen, the thermal overlay is projected onto the face shield, allowing information delivery without obstructing the user's natural field of view. The face shield serves as a mediator between the thermal camera and the user's eyes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional screen viewing experience to a three-dimensional overlay experience. By projecting thermal information directly onto the face shield in the user's field of view, the system adds a new dimension to information display, allowing simultaneous viewing of both thermal data and physical surroundings without switching attention between devices.
2Loss of information
If a thermal imager with a display screen is used to detect people in smoke, then the ability to identify people through thermal imaging is improved, but the user must divert attention from their surroundings to view the image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous simultaneous viewing of both thermal imaging data and physical surroundings. By overlaying thermal information on the face shield rather than requiring separate screen viewing, the user maintains continuous awareness of both the thermal environment and physical surroundings without interrupting their search or rescue operations to check a display device.
Solution Approach 2:
The face shield acts as an intermediary that delivers thermal information directly into the user's field of view, eliminating the need to divert attention to a separate device. This intermediary approach allows uninterrupted continuous monitoring of both thermal and visual environments throughout the rescue operation.
3Measurement precision
If a thermal imager is used to detect people, then people can be identified through thermal profiles, but objects at the same temperature as surroundings cannot be visualized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges thermal imaging data with visible light camera data into a single composite image. This combination allows the user to simultaneously see thermal profiles of people and the visible details of objects at ambient temperature, creating a unified view that preserves both types of information rather than requiring separate viewing modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it detects thermal profiles for person identification while also capturing visible light information for object visualization. This multi-functional approach allows the single imaging system to provide both thermal detection accuracy and visible object information without requiring separate devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables firefighters to identify and navigate towards rescued individuals without obstructing their view, providing clear directional guidance through LED indicators, enhancing safety and efficiency in rescue operations.
Implementation Method 1
thermal imagers are generally configured as a device that creates an image using infrared ('IR') radiation
Implementation Method 2
The display unit has a plurality of light-emitting diode ('LED') light elements configured as directional indicators relative to the wearer
Data Source
AI summary
A rescue guidance system includes a thermal imager mountable on a self-contained breathing apparatus pack and capturing thermal image data of an area at least partially surrounded by a wearer including and a display unit configured for mounting within a face shield associated with the self-contained breathing apparatus in a field of view of the wearer. The display unit has a plurality of LED light elements configured as directional indicators relative to the wearer. A controller receives the image data and determines a location of a person within the thermal image data and correlates the location of the person within the thermal image data to an approximate location of the person relative to the wearer and illuminates a selected one of the plurality of directional indicators approximately corresponding with a direction of the location of the person relative the wearer.