Personnel field device for process control and other systems and related method

A system comprising:

• a plurality of wireless nodes forming a wireless mesh network;
• and
• a field device comprising:
• an image recorder configured to record still and video images;
• an audio recorder configured to record audio information;
• a display screen configured to present the images to a user, the display screen also configured to create notations overlying one or more of the images based on user input defined by physical contact with the display screen;
• a transceiver configured to stream the video images over the wireless mesh network, the transceiver also configured to transmit data associated with the notations over the wireless mesh network;
• a sensor configured to detect one or more characteristics of the field device or a surrounding environment, the one or more characteristics comprising an acceleration event, wherein the acceleration event is a rapid acceleration or deceleration of the field device;
• a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) controller configured to cause voice information captured using the audio recorder to be transmitted over the wireless mesh network via the transceiver;
• an asset tracker configured to provide location information of the field device for transmission by the transceiver over the wireless mesh network, the asset tracker configured to operate continuously whenever the acceleration event is detected by the sensor and operate intermittently at specified intervals whenever the acceleration event is not detected by the sensor;
• and
• a housing configured to retain the image recorder, the audio recorder, the display screen, the transceiver, the sensor, and the VoIP controller.

A method comprising:

• recording still and video images using an image recorder of a field device;
• recording audio information using an audio recorder of the field device;
• presenting the images to a user on a display screen of the field device;
• receiving user input defining one or more notations overlying one or more of the images at the field device, the user input defined by physical contact with the display screen;
• streaming the video images and transmitting data associated with the one or more notations over a wireless mesh network using a transceiver of the field device;
• detecting one or more characteristics of the field device or a surrounding environment using a sensor of the field device, the one or more characteristics comprising an acceleration event, wherein the acceleration event is a rapid acceleration or deceleration of the field device;
• causing voice information captured using the audio recorder to be transmitted over the wireless mesh network using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications;
• providing, at an asset tracker, location information of the field device for transmission by the transceiver over the wireless mesh network, wherein the providing is performed continuously whenever the acceleration event is detected by the sensor and performed intermittently at specified intervals whenever the acceleration event is not detected by the sensor;
• and
• housing the image recorder, the audio recorder, the display screen, the transceiver, the sensor, and the wireless transmitter in a housing.

An apparatus comprising:

• an image recorder configured to record still and video images;
• an audio recorder configured to record audio information;
• a display screen configured to present the images to a user, the display screen also configured to create notations overlying one or more of the images based on user input, the user input defined by physical contact with the display screen;
• a transceiver configured to stream the video images over a wireless mesh network, the transceiver also configured to transmit data associated with the notations over the wireless mesh network;
• a sensor configured to detect one or more characteristics of the apparatus or a surrounding environment, the one or more characteristics comprising an acceleration event, wherein the acceleration event is a rapid acceleration or deceleration of the apparatus;
• a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) controller configured to cause voice information captured using the audio recorder to be transmitted over the wireless mesh network via the transceiver;
• an asset tracker configured to provide location information of the apparatus for transmission by the transceiver over the wireless mesh network, the asset tracker configured to operate continuously whenever the acceleration event is detected by the sensor and operate intermittently at specified intervals whenever the acceleration event is not detected by the sensor;
• cellular telephone circuitry configured to cause voice information captured using the audio recorder to be transmitted over a mobile telephone network;
• a site surveyor configured to detect one or more wireless nodes transmitting wireless signals received by the transceiver and to identify a signal strength associated with each detected wireless node;
• a key distributor configured to retrieve and provide cryptographic keys;
• a wireless transmitter configured to transmit the cryptographic keys to one or more wireless nodes that are configured to join the wireless mesh network;
• and
• a housing configured to retain the image recorder, the audio recorder, the display screen, the transceiver, the sensor, the VoIP controller, the asset tracker, the cellular telephone circuitry, the site surveyor, the key distributor, and the wireless transmitter;
• wherein the housing is shaped to resemble a digital camera.