Threat identification device and system with optional active countermeasures

Abstract

Threat identification devices, systems, and methods are disclosed which identify and locate various threats and provide a variety of countermeasures to reduce the loss of life in an attack. In one implementation, a device is provided with a housing and a plurality of tubes coupled to and extending from the housing. Sensors are located within the tubes for sensing external conditions. A control unit is in electronic communication with the sensors. Upon detection of an external condition, the sensors transmit a signal to the control unit, which activates countermeasures, including rotating light sources to identify the location of the external condition as well as preferred escape routes. The control unit may also transmit signals to other devices in the environment, including video panels and speakers, to provide instructions.

1 . A threat identification device, comprising:
 a housing;   a plurality of tubes coupled to the housing;   a plurality of sensors, at least one or more of the plurality of sensors coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of tubes;   a plurality of cables coupled to the housing, the plurality of cables arterially suspending the housing; and   a controller in electronic communication with the plurality of sensors, wherein during operation, at least one of the plurality of sensors provides a first signal to the controller in response to an external condition detected by the at least one of the plurality of sensors, and the controller outputs a second signal based on the first signal, the second signal representing location information corresponding to a direction of the external condition.   
     
     
         2 . The threat identification device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one laser in electronic communication with the controller.   
     
     
         3 . The threat identification device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one illumination device in electronic communication with the controller.   
     
     
         4 . The threat identification device of  claim 1  wherein the housing includes a top portion and a lower portion, the lower portion including the plurality of tubes. 
     
     
         5 . The threat identification device of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a support arm coupled to the top portion.   
     
     
         6 . The threat identification device of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 at least one laser; and   at least one illumination device, the at least one laser and the at least one illuminative device freely rotatable via the support arm.   
     
     
         7 . The threat identification device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more actuators coupled to the cables, the one or more actuators moving the housing in a direction of the external condition.   
     
     
         8 . The threat identification device of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 one or more rollers coupled to the cables, the one or more rollers sized and shaped to move the housing along the cables.   
     
     
         9 . The threat identification device of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of tubes are translatable between a first position and a second position. 
     
     
         10 . The threat identification device of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of tubes are fixedly coupled in a position. 
     
     
         11 . A stadium, comprising:
 a plurality of threat identification devices, each threat identification device having:
 a housing; 
 a plurality of tubes coupled to the housing; and 
 a plurality of sensors, at least one or more of the plurality of sensors coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of tubes; 
 one or more rollers; and 
 one or more actuators; 
   a plurality of cables coupled to a support structure of the stadium, the threat identification devices moveable along the cables; and   a control unit in electronic communication with the plurality of sensors of the threat identification device, wherein during operation, at least one of the plurality of sensors provides a first signal to the control unit in response to an external condition detected by the at least one of the plurality of sensors, and the control unit outputs a second signal based on the first signal, the second signal representing location information corresponding to a direction of the external condition.   
     
     
         12 . The stadium of  claim 11  wherein the control unit is in electronic communication with the one or more actuators, the control unit outputs a third signal to the one or more actuators to move the threat identification device in a direction of the external condition. 
     
     
         13 . The stadium of  claim 11  wherein the one or more rollers are coupled to the one or more actuators and the cables, the actuators causing the one or more rollers to move along the cables. 
     
     
         14 . The stadium of  claim 11  wherein the threat identification device comprises a laser rotatably coupled to the housing and in electronic communication with the control unit, wherein the controller outputs a third signal to the laser to rotate the laser in the direction of the external condition. 
     
     
         15 . The stadium of  claim 11  wherein the threat identification device comprises an illumination device rotatably coupled to the housing and in electronic communication with the control unit, wherein the control unit outputs a third signal to rotate the illumination device in the direction of the external condition. 
     
     
         16 . The stadium of  claim 11  wherein the housing includes a top portion and a lower portion, the plurality of tubes coupled to the lower portion. 
     
     
         17 . The stadium of  claim 16  wherein the threat identification device comprises a support arm coupled to the top portion. 
     
     
         18 . The stadium of  claim 17  wherein the threat identification device comprises at least one laser and at least one illuminative device, which are freely rotatable via the support arm. 
     
     
         19 . The stadium of  claim 11  wherein the plurality of tubes are translatable between a first position and a second position. 
     
     
         20 . The stadium of  claim 11  wherein the plurality of tubes are fixedly coupled in a position.