Remote inspection of emergency equipment stations

Abstract

An Apparatus for remote inspection of emergency equipment at one or a system of emergency equipment stations includes, e.g., at each emergency equipment station: a detector for detection of the presence of an obstruction to viewing of or access to the emergency equipment station; and an electronic circuit in communication between the detector and a remote central station for issue of a signal to the remote central station upon detection of the obstruction to viewing of or access to the emergency equipment station.

1 . An apparatus for remote inspection of emergency equipment in installed positions at one or a system of emergency equipment stations, said apparatus comprising:
 a detector located at a first emergency equipment station for detection of the presence of an obstruction to viewing of or access to the first emergency equipment station, wherein the detector includes a proximity sensor;   a defibrillator station with a portable defibrillator located at the first emergency equipment station;   a fire extinguisher station with a portable fire extinguisher located at the first emergency equipment station, wherein the portable fire extinguisher includes a fire extinguisher gauge for detecting and displaying pressure conditions of fire extinguishing material contained within a volume of a tank included in the portable fire extinguisher; and   an electronic circuit in communication between the detector and a remote central station for issue of a signal to the remote central station upon detection of one or more selectable predetermined conditions including predetermined internal conditions and predetermined external conditions, wherein the predetermined external conditions include removal of the portable fire extinguisher, and wherein the communication between the detector and the remote central station includes a second emergency equipment station in the system of emergency equipment stations configured to pass signals between at least the first emergency equipment station and the remote central station.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for remote inspection of  claim 1 , wherein the detector initiates a signal from the electronic circuit to the remote central station upon detection of the obstruction. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for remote inspection of  claim 2 , wherein the signal includes a wireless signal. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of remote inspection of  claim 1 , wherein the obstruction is disposed within a range of about 6 inches to about 10 feet from the first emergency equipment station. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus for remote inspection of  claim 1 , wherein the detector initiates a signal from the electronic circuit to another emergency equipment station upon detection of the obstruction. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus for remote inspection of  claim 5 , wherein the signal includes a wireless signal. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus for remote inspection of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic circuit is further adapted to issue a signal to the remote central station and to receive another signal from the remote central station. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus for remote inspection of  claim 7 , wherein the issued signal includes a wireless signal. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus for remote inspection of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic circuit further comprises a wireless signal transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal to the remote central station. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus for remote inspection of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic circuit further comprises a wireless signal receiver for receiving a wireless signal from the remote central station. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus for remote inspection of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic circuit further comprises a receiver for receiving a signal from another emergency equipment station. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus for remote inspection of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic circuit further comprises a receiver for receiving a wireless signal from another emergency equipment station. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus for remote inspection of  claim 1  wherein the proximity sensor includes at least one of an optical signal transmitter and an optical signal detector. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus for remote inspection of  claim 1  wherein the proximity sensor includes at least one of an infrared signal transmitter and an infrared signal detector. 
     
     
         15 . A first emergency equipment station comprising:
 a portable defibrillator;   a portable fire extinguisher, wherein the portable fire extinguisher includes a fire extinguisher gauge for detecting and displaying pressure conditions of fire extinguishing material contained within a volume of a tank included in the portable fire extinguisher;   a first detector for detection of a removal of the defibrillator or the portable fire extinguisher from an installed position;   a second detector for detection of the presence of an obstruction to viewing of or access to the portable defibrillator or portable fire extinguisher, wherein the detector includes a proximity sensor; and   circuitry for transmitting a signal to a remote station upon detection of one or more selectable predetermined conditions including predetermined internal conditions and predetermined external conditions, wherein the predetermined external conditions include removal of the portable fire extinguisher, and wherein a communication between the detector and the remote station includes a second emergency equipment station in a system of emergency equipment stations configured to pass signals between at least the first emergency equipment station and the remote station.   
     
     
         16 . The first emergency equipment station of  claim 15  wherein the proximity sensor includes at least one of an optical signal transmitter and an optical signal detector. 
     
     
         17 . The first emergency equipment station of  claim 15  wherein the proximity sensor includes at least one of an infrared signal transmitter and an infrared signal detector. 
     
     
         18 . A first emergency equipment station comprising:
 a portable defibrillator;   a portable fire extinguisher, wherein the portable fire extinguisher includes a fire extinguisher gauge for detecting and displaying pressure conditions of fire extinguishing material contained within a volume of a tank included in the portable fire extinguisher;   one or more batteries that supply power to the portable defibrillator or portable fire extinguisher;   a detector for detection of a low battery condition of one or more of the batteries;   a detector for detection of the presence of an obstruction to viewing of or access to the portable defibrillator or portable fire extinguisher, wherein the detector includes a proximity sensor; and   circuitry for transmitting a signal to a remote station upon detection of one or more selectable predetermined conditions including predetermined internal conditions and predetermined external conditions, wherein the predetermined external conditions include removal of the portable fire extinguisher, and wherein a communication between the detector and the remote station includes a second emergency equipment station in a system of emergency equipment stations configured to pass signals between at least the first emergency equipment station and the remote station.   
     
     
         19 . The first emergency equipment station of  claim 18  wherein the proximity sensor includes at least one of an optical signal transmitter and an optical signal detector. 
     
     
         20 . The first emergency equipment station of  claim 18  wherein the proximity sensor includes at least one of an infrared signal transmitter and an infrared signal detector.