Directional Indicator for Protective Face Masks
OwnerJeffrey L. Dykesinventor
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Abstract
An electronic directional indicator includes a microcontroller in electronic communication with an electronic compass, an electronic motion-detecting module and at least one light source that is controllably illuminable. A battery life of the electronic directional indicator is managed by monitoring the electronic motion-detecting module for motion within pre-defined time periods and reducing power to electronic components accordingly. The electronic directional indicator can be placed on the face shield portion of a self-contained breathing apparatus face mask to provide a constant source of orientation for fire-fighters in reduced- or zero-visibility environments.
Claims20
A portable electronic directional indicator device, comprising:
- a main body comprising front and rear sides, wherein said front side comprises at least one directional indicator;
- a power source;
- at least one light source configured to controllably illuminate said directional indicator;
- an electronic compass module configured to determine a directionality of said portable directional indicator device;
- an electronic motion-detecting module configured for detecting motion of said portable directional indicator device;
- and
- a microcontroller in electronic communication with said electronic compass module and said motion-detecting module;
- wherein said microcontroller is configured to control an operational aspect of said at least one light source or said electronic compass based on one or more signals received from said electronic motion-detecting module.
A electronic directional indicator, comprising:
- a protective housing having a rear side configured to attach said electronic directional indicator to a shield and a front side, wherein said front side comprises a first plurality of individually-illuminable directional indicium corresponding to a number of compass directions equal to said first plurality;
- a microcontroller disposed on a circuit board within said protective housing configured to receive a directional measurement from an electronic compass module and activate an individually-controllable light source assigned to a unique compass direction that is associated with, and disposed proximal to a corresponding one of said first plurality of individually-illuminable directional indicium;
- and
- wherein said microcontroller is further configured to control power consumption to at least one of said electronic compass and each of said individually-illuminable light sources based upon signals received by an accelerometer in electronic communication with said microcontroller.
A method for providing a direction indication within a protective mask, comprising:
- providing an electronic compass configured to determine a heading direction, an accelerometer, at least one directional indicator and a microcontroller;
- configuring said microcontroller to receive said heading direction and illuminate one of said at least one directional indicators corresponding with the compass direction of said heading direction;
- wherein said microcontroller is configured to continue providing a direction indication as long as a motion signal is received by said accelerometer within a predefined time period.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.