U.S. patent application number 17/049418 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-06 for a safety warning system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hazardtech Pty Ltd. Invention is credited to David Fellows.
Application Number | 20210134133 17/049418 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005371222 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-06 |
![](/patent/app/20210134133/US20210134133A1-20210506\US20210134133A1-2021050)
United States Patent
Application |
20210134133 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fellows; David |
May 6, 2021 |
A Safety Warning System
Abstract
A safety warning system including at least one sensor or sensor
system to detect an abnormal safety situation relative to a safety
zone, at least one network transmitter associated with the at least
one sensor or sensor system, at least one controller associated
with the at least one sensor or sensor system to receive
information from the at least one sensor or sensor system and issue
an alert signal based on a comparison of the information received
and a safety setpoint, the alert signal issued over a safety zone
network, and at least one wearable unit provided for each user in
the safety zone, the wearable unit providing at least a tactile
alert to the user based on the comparison to warn the user of the
occurrence of an abnormal safety situation within the safety
zone.
Inventors: |
Fellows; David;
(Maroochydore, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hazardtech Pty Ltd |
Maroochydore |
|
AU |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005371222 |
Appl. No.: |
17/049418 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
April 26, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2019/050373 |
371 Date: |
October 21, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/021 20130101;
G08B 21/02 20130101; G06F 1/163 20130101; G01C 21/3461
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G08B 21/02 20060101
G08B021/02; G01C 21/34 20060101 G01C021/34; G06F 1/16 20060101
G06F001/16; H04W 4/021 20060101 H04W004/021 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 26, 2018 |
AU |
2018901383 |
Claims
1. A safety warning system including at least one sensor or sensor
system to detect an abnormal safety situation relative to a safety
zone, at least one network transmitter associated with the at least
one sensor or sensor system, at least one controller associated
with the at least one sensor or sensor system to receive
information from the at least one sensor or sensor system and issue
an alert signal based on a comparison of the information received
and at least one of a safety setpoint, the alert signal issued over
a safety zone network, and at least one wearable unit provided for
each user in the safety zone, the wearable unit providing at least
a tactile alert to the user based on the comparison to warn the
user of an occurrence of an abnormal safety situation within the
safety zone.
2. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at
least one sensor or sensor system is configured to sense a speed or
velocity of each of at least one vehicle relative to the safety
zone and one or more safety setpoints is provided in terms of a
speed limit, a detection of a vehicle travelling above the one or
more safety setpoints triggering the issue of an alert signal.
3. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at
least one network transmitter establishes a self-contained safety
zone network limited to the safety zone and which is independent of
both outside infrastructure and access to external communications
platforms for operation.
4. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the at
least one wearable unit is configured to provide the tactile alert
to the user at different levels depending upon a nature of the
abnormal safety situation and/or depending upon a location of the
user within the safety zone.
5. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the safety
zone network is a network which is limited to the particular safety
zone.
6. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at
least one controller associated with the at least one sensor or
sensor system is a sensor controller directly associated with each
at least one sensor or sensor system in a sensor unit so that the
comparison of information received in the safety setpoint can be
accomplished at the sensor unit with alerts distributed by at least
one of the sensor units.
7. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the system
includes a number of sensor units, each sensor unit including at
least one sensor and a sensor controller, and at least one network
controller associated to each of the sensor units to receive
information from each sensor unit and process information to
ascertain whether an alert is required and then issue the alert via
at least one network transmitter.
8. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the alerts
are issued in real time based on a real time occurrence of abnormal
safety situations occurring in or relative to the safety zone.
9. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at
least one sensor is provided in a mobile sensor unit.
10. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at
least one sensor is positioned to monitor a particular area in
relation to the safety zone.
11. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a number
of sensors is used to create a geo-fence about the safety zone and
a location or positioning system is used to allow the system to
pinpoint the location of users through their wearable units.
12. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 11 wherein an alert
is issued dependent upon a particular location of users within the
safety zone.
13. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 12 wherein
information within the system of the present invention is
transmitted to storage for reporting or logging purposes.
14. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein one or
more of a repeater stations is provided within the safety zone in
order to ensure that the alert signal reaches all of the wearable
units.
15. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at
least tactile alert to the user is in the form of a haptic or
vibration alert based on alerting the user through the sense of
touch.
16. (canceled)
17. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
wearable unit includes a location receiver allowing the location of
the user to be ascertained through location of their wearable
unit.
18. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each
wearable unit is synced or linked with the safety zone network to
ensure that each wearable unit within the safety zone will receive
any alerts that are issued which are relevant to the particular
user.
19. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
wearable unit issues a signal to the system controller or sensor
controllers in order to establish that each wearable unit within
the safety zone is operational.
20. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each
wearable unit is uniquely identified within the safety zone network
to identify each particular wearable unit and thereby, identify
each user.
21. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein different
alerts are issued depending on different situations or based on
different information.
22. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein alerts
are issued at different levels depending upon a level of risk of
the abnormal safety situation.
23. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
sensor unit controller and/or network controller identify the
existence of an abnormal safety situation, but also ascribe to each
wearable unit, a level of risk from that abnormal safety situation
and then the alerts are issued accordingly.
24. A safety warning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
wearable unit also monitors a health or condition of the user
and/or an environment in which the user is operating.
25. A safety warning system including at least one sensor or sensor
system to detect an abnormal safety situation relative to a safety
zone, at least one network transmitter associated with the at least
one sensor or sensor system, at least one controller associated
with the at least one sensor or sensor system to receive
information from the at least one sensor or sensor system and issue
an alert signal based on a comparison of the information received
and at least one of a safety setpoint, the alert signal issued over
a safety zone network, and at least one wearable unit provided for
each user in the safety zone, the wearable unit providing at least
a tactile alert to the user based on the comparison to warn the
user of an occurrence of an abnormal safety situation within the
safety zone, a number of sensor units, each sensor unit including
at least one sensor and a sensor controller, and at least one
network controller associated to each of the sensor units to
receive information from each sensor unit and process information
to ascertain whether an alert is required and then issue the alert
via at least one network transmitter, one or more of a repeater
station is provided within the safety zone in order to ensure that
the alert signal reaches all of the wearable units, and each
wearable unit has an input interface as well as providing the
tactile alert as an input interface to allow the user to confirm
receipt of the alert.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a risk avoidance
system and method, and more particularly, to a risk avoidance
system and method that detects a danger in or approaching a defined
area and provides a warning to people to reduce accident risk.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In situations such as roadworks, it is common for workers to
be exposed to dangers caused by vehicles passing the roadworks. For
example, on a multilane highway, the highway will not generally be
completely closed to traffic meaning that workers working on the
roadworks can still be injured or killed by traffic passing the
roadworks, especially if even one of the vehicles is driven
recklessly and/or at high speed.
[0003] The workers cannot necessarily spare attention from their
work to worry about the activities of the vehicles even though the
vehicles likely posed the greatest risk to the workers.
[0004] Moreover, a roadworks situation such as this will often be
quite loud, with noise from equipment being used and also from the
passing traffic itself. Whether undertaken at night or during the
day, the roadworks site will also typically be brightly lit for
good vision when undertaking the repairs or maintenance on the road
or infrastructure.
[0005] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art
publication is referred to herein, this reference does not
constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the
common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other
country.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is directed to a safety warning
system, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the
abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful
or commercial choice.
[0007] With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one
form, resides broadly in a safety warning system including at least
one sensor or sensor system to detect an abnormal safety situation
relative to a safety zone, at least one network transmitter
associated with the at least one sensor or sensor system, at least
one controller associated with the at least one sensor or sensor
system to receive information from the at least one sensor or
sensor system and issue an alert signal based on a comparison of
the information received and a safety setpoint, the alert signal
issued over a safety zone network, and at least one wearable unit
provided for each user in the safety zone, the wearable unit
providing at least a tactile alert to the user based on the
comparison to warn the user of the occurrence of an abnormal safety
situation within the safety zone.
[0008] Preferably, the safety zone network is a network which is
limited to the particular safety zone. In other words, the safety
so that work will provide a communication network in relation to a
particular safety zone, and for the components within that safety
zone but will preferably not be dependent on outside infrastructure
for operation, in particular, access to communications platforms.
The safety zone network will preferably be self-contained within
the particular safety zone.
[0009] The at least one controller associated with the at least one
sensor or sensor system may be directly associated with the at
least one sensor or sensor system and/or a network controller may
be provided. In other words, the safety warning system may include
a number of sensor units, each including at least one sensor and
associated at least one network transmitter and with a sensor
controller so that the comparison of information received in the
safety setpoint can be accomplished at the sensor unit level with
alerts distributed by at least one of the sensor units and/or a
network controller may be provided to receive information from each
of the sensors, process information to ascertain whether an alert
is required and then issue the alert via at least one network
transmitter. Importantly, the system of the present invention can
operate either with at least one sensor unit by itself, or more
than one sensor unit can be associated within a safety zone network
and coordinated by a network controller.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the safety zone network is
typically established using network infrastructure specific to the
particular safety zone. That is, the safety zone network is not
dependent on any other system for function and therefore issue
alerts when no generic communication system is available.
[0011] The safety zone network will be designed and configured for
different situations. In the context of the present specification,
the description is particularly directed towards use of the system
of the present invention for roadworks safety but the system of the
invention could be used for other situations where a safety zone is
established and uses receive alerts based on abnormal safety
situations within the safety zones and of which they would normally
have difficulty recognising due to the users concentrating on their
work in the area or travelling through the area.
[0012] In the system of the present invention, the alerts will
typically be issued in real time based on the real time occurrence
of abnormal safety situations occurring in or relative to the
safety zone.
[0013] The system of the present invention can also be used to
issue alerts to workers in general situations or according to
general requirements such as general alarms, or requiring users to
muster or assemble to convey messages for example.
[0014] The system of the present invention includes at least one
sensor or sensor system to detect an abnormal safety situation
relative to a safety zone. The number and location of the sensors
will typically be dependent upon the configuration of the safety
zone and the application to which the system of the present
invention is to port. For example, there may be one or more sensors
provided in a sensor system provided to establish a safety network
in relation to roadworks taking place on a roadway. The
configuration used in relation to roadworks will depend on the
particular roadway configuration, for example whether there are
multiple lanes in a single direction or a single lane in each
direction as well as how many lanes are closed for the roadworks
and the particular pattern of redirection of traffic which is
required. The safety zone in this configuration will typically be
defined around the roadworks and the locations in which workers
undertaking the roadworks will typically be required in order to
complete the roadworks. At least one sensor will typically
therefore be trained toward oncoming traffic approaching the
roadworks location in order to warn the workers in the roadworks
safety zone of abnormal safety situations which may be or include
an oncoming vehicle travelling at excessive speed or
erratically.
[0015] As mentioned above, the system of the present invention may
find use in any, situation where a safety zone can be defined and
an abnormal safety situation can be detected. Other applications to
which the system of the present invention may be put include
defining safety zones in mines, on oil rigs, or even in office
environments in relation to particular floors of the building or to
the building as a whole.
[0016] Typically, the at least one sensor used in the system of the
present invention will be dependent upon the particular parameter
to be measured to define an abnormal safety situation. For example,
in the example above of roadworks, one parameter which could be
measured is speed of oncoming vehicles with an abnormal safety
situation being defined as an oncoming vehicle travelling at
excessive speed. The excessive speed may be excessive speed over
and above a particular speed limit or alternatively, a speed limit
which is required within a particular safety zone relative to the
roadwork area. In this situation, a sensor which is adapted to
measure the speed of vehicles will typically be used such as a
sensor using radar or laser speed measurement.
[0017] The at least one sensor may be provided in a sensor unit and
the sensor unit may be mobile or the sensor unit may be stationary
relative to the safety zone.
[0018] The sensor may be capable of recognising objects according
to their behaviour and thus, may be capable of distinguishing
between objects in order to gather information in relation to
objects of relevance in order to decrease the occurrence of false
positive alerts within the system.
[0019] The at least one sensor may be provided in the sensor unit
together with at least one network transmitter and at least one
sensor unit controller to allow the sensor unit to gather
information, determine whether an alert should be issued and if so,
issue the alert directly from the sensor unit. In this way, a
single sensor unit can be used to define a safety zone.
Alternatively, more than one sensor unit may be used to define a
safety zone with the operation of the sensor units being
coordinated by a network controller.
[0020] The at least one sensor or sensor system will preferably
detect a parameter, usually in relation to an object for comparison
relative to a safety setpoint for that parameter and then an alert
is issued based on the comparison. As should be clear by now, the
information collected by the at least one sensor will be
transmitted to a controller but the controller may be located in
the same unit as the sensor and/or a safety network controller may
be provided, An alert can be transmitted directly to the wearable
units within the safety zone if a sensor unit controller is
provided in association with a network transmitter which allows the
sensor unit to transmit the alert directly. The sensor will
typically be operated in association with software which is capable
of undertaking the detection and comparison, and if a network
transmitter is provided on board the sensor unit, transmission of
the alert signal or message.
[0021] The software may operate on a network controller which may
receive information from each of the sensors in a network,
undertake the comparison and transmit the alert signal message.
[0022] The at least one sensor will typically be positioned to
monitor a particular area in relation to the safety zone. The
sensor may be located within the safety zone or provided outside
the safety zone in order to provide sufficient warning time to
alert the users within the zone. Again, this will typically be
dependent upon the nature and configuration of the safety zone
itself as well is the particular parameter to be monitored. For
example, at least one sensor may be provided some distance from the
safety zone itself depending upon the particular hazard.
[0023] At least one, and typically a number of sensors may be used
to create a geo-fence about the safety zone. A location or
positioning system may be used in combination with the system of
the present invention in order to allow the system to pinpoint the
location of users through their wearable units. Alerts may be
issued dependent upon the particular location of users within the
safety zone.
[0024] As mentioned above, a network transmitter may be provided in
a sensor unit with at least one sensor and at least one sensor unit
controller. In a preferred embodiment, a network controller may
also be provided in order to coordinate the operation of multiple
sensor units.
[0025] At least one network transmitter is typically provided in
order to ensure that all components within the system are connected
together in the safety zone network. This can take a number of
configurations, particularly dependent upon the nature and
configuration of the safety zone. In some embodiments, a single
sensor unit could be used which is capable of detecting, comparing
and transmitting an alert signal to all of the wearable units
within the safety zone or alternatively, a number of sensor units
may be provided, coordinated by a network controller and a number
of network transmitters are provided spaced around the safety zone
such that the network controller instructs the network transmitters
to cause an alert signal to be issued to the wearable units within
the safety zone.
[0026] As mentioned above, it is preferred that the safety zone
network be a self-contained and standalone network operable without
access to generic communication systems such as mobile phone or
telephony networks or other data networks. In this way, the safety
zone network can be set up in relation to a particular safety zone
and can operate whether or not other data networks are operating in
that particular area. It is particularly preferred that the safety
zone network be independent of mass use transmission networks
although there may be situations where the system of the present
invention may utilise these networks if necessary or available.
[0027] Information within the system of the present invention will
typically be transmitted to storage for reporting or logging
purposes.
[0028] The alert may be of any type and in particular, may be a
signal and/or include a message. It is particularly preferred that
the alert signal trigger at least one tactile action in the
wearable unit. As mentioned above, the alert may be issued directly
to the wearable units from the at least one sensor. One or more
repeater stations may be provided within the safety zone in order
to ensure that the alert signal reaches all of the wearable units.
Repeater stations may for example be provided on fixed or mobile
infrastructure which is required for the particular action taking
place within the safety zone, for example, one or more trucks used
to ferry workers to a roadwork site may include repeater
stations.
[0029] The system of the present invention also includes at least
one wearable unit provided for each user in the safety zone, the
wearable unit providing at least a tactile alert to the user based
on the comparison to warn the user of the occurrence of an abnormal
safety situation within the safety zone. As mentioned above, the
definition of an abnormal safety situation will typically be
whether an abnormal safety situation is or is about to occur within
the safety zone, but may be based on information which is gathered
from outside the safety zone.
[0030] The at least tactile alert to the user will typically be in
the form of a haptic or vibration alert based on alerting the user
through the sense of touch. In many situations, excessive noise or
light may prevent the user hearing or seeing an alert, but
providing a wearable unit through which an alert is provided using
the sense of touch will typically allow the alerting of the user in
a wider variety of situations and in conditions where the user may
otherwise not see or hear an alert if issued in that form.
[0031] The wearable units may have an input interface as well as
providing the tactile alert as an input interface may allow the
user to confirm receipt of the alert for example.
[0032] The wearable unit may include a GPS receiver or access to
another location system allowing the location of the user to be
ascertained through location of their wearable unit.
[0033] Each wearable unit within the system of the present
invention will preferably be synced or linked with the safety zone
network including one or more sensor unit controllers and/or one or
more system controllers in order to ensure that each wearable unit
within the safety zone will receive any alerts that are issued
which are relevant to the particular user.
[0034] The wearable unit will typically operate to receive alerts
and/or provide communication with system infrastructure independent
of a generic mobile or data network.
[0035] The wearable unit may be a passive unit to which alerts are
pushed or which waits for an alert to issue. Alternatively, the
wearable unit may be an active unit which may actively poll the
system for alerts.
[0036] The wearable unit may issue a heartbeat signal to the system
controller or sensor controllers in order to establish that each
wearable unit within the safety zone is operational. If
communication with a wearable unit within the safety zone network
is lost, then this can be used as evidence that an issue has
occurred with the user and/or the wearable unit. In a particularly
preferred embodiment, each wearable unit will typically be uniquely
identified within the safety zone network in order for the system
of the present invention to identify each particular wearable unit
and thereby, identify each user.
[0037] An alert may be provided in one or more specific types. For
example, different alerts may be used for different situations or
based on different information. For example, an urgent alert may be
issued to users located on an approach side of a safety zone, or on
the side from which the hazard is approaching and a lower level
alert may be issued to users located on a departure side of safety
zone or on the side further away from the hazard.
[0038] Alerts may be issued at different levels depending upon the
nature of the abnormal safety situation. In a particularly
preferred embodiment, the alert typically notifies the user of the
existence of an abnormal safety situation and also the level of
risk from the abnormal safety situation. It is preferred that the
sensor unit controller and/or system controller not only identify
the existence of an abnormal safety situation, but also ascribe to
each wearable unit, a level of risk from that abnormal safety
situation and then alerts are issued accordingly.
[0039] The system of the present invention may use the wearable
unit to monitor the health or condition of the user and/or the
environment in which the user is operating. For example, the
wearable unit may be used to monitor the heart rate or breathing or
body temperature of the user and/or the ambient temperature and/or
environmental condition in which the user is operating.
[0040] As mentioned above, the alert (including the notification
and/or the risk level) may be provided to different users through
their wearable units depending upon the location of the user within
the safety zone.
[0041] It can be seen that the system of the present invention
provides a useful and are highly configurable system which is
self-contained to define a safety zone and then to detect abnormal
safety situations which may affect users within that safety zone
and issue alerts to those users based on the nature and level of
risk associated with an abnormal safety situation through a tactile
alert.
[0042] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any
combination with any one or more of the other features described
herein within the scope of the invention.
[0043] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not,
and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of
suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general
knowledge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0044] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the
invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description
which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art
to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be
regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the
Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference
to a number of drawings as follows:
[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the operation of a safety
warning system according to a preferred embodiment configured for a
roadwork situation.
[0046] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a wearable unit according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a sensor unit according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0048] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the interaction between the
wearable units, the network controller and transmitter and a sensor
unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention,
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0049] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the
present invention, a safety warning system is provided.
[0050] The safety warning system of the illustrated embodiment is
particularly directed towards use of the system of the present
invention for roadworks safety but the system of the invention
could be used for other situations where a safety zone is
established and users receive alerts based on abnormal safety
situations within the safety zone and which they would normally
have difficulty recognising due to the users concentrating on their
work in the area or travelling through the area.
[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a roadwork zone has been set up on
a three lane roadway 16 with all traffic in the three lanes
travelling in the direction of the large arrow. Typically in this
configuration, the roadway will have a central barrier 11 to
separate the directions of travel. The roadwork zone includes a
work area 12 where the actually repair or maintenance work is being
undertaken. The roadwork zone is defined using a number of
indicator cones 13 which are used to indicate to motorists that two
lanes are closed to traffic flow, leaving the inner lane closest to
the barrier 11 for vehicles to pass the roadwork zone.
[0052] Workers 14 generally move around within the roadwork zone,
inside the indicator cones 13. The workers typically drive to the
roadwork zone in trucks 15 or other vehicles which can be parked
off to the side of the roadworks but may be parked in one or more
of the lanes closed to travel, inside the roadwork zone.
[0053] The safety warning system of the illustrated embodiment
includes at least one sensor unit 10 to detect an abnormal safety
situation relative to a safety zone. An example configuration of a
sensor unit is shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the sensor unit
10 includes a sensor 17 to detect an abnormal safety situation,
usually associated with its own sensing componentry 18, a network
transmitter 20 associated with the sensor 17, and a controller 19
associated with the sensor 17 to receive information from the
sensor 17 and issue an alert signal via the transmitter 20, based
on a comparison of the information received from the sensor 17 and
a safety setpoint for a parameter being monitored. The alert signal
is issued over a safety zone network which will be discussed
further below. A wearable unit 21, such as that illustrated in FIG.
2, is provided for each user in the safety zone, the wearable unit
21 providing at least a tactile alert to the user based on the
comparison to warn the user of the occurrence of an abnormal safety
situation within the safety zone.
[0054] In the preferred embodiment, the safety zone network is a
network limited to the particular safety zone. In other words, the
safety zone work provides a communication network in relation to
the particular safety zone, and for the components within that
safety zone but is not be dependent on outside infrastructure for
operation, in particular, access to communications platforms. The
safety zone network is self-contained within the particular safety
zone.
[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the safety zone network is
typically established using network infrastructure specific to the
particular safety zone. That is, the safety zone network is not
dependent on any other system for function and therefore issue
alerts when no generic communication system is available.
[0056] In the system of the present invention, the alerts will
typically be issued in real time based on the real time occurrence
of abnormal safety situations occurring in or relative to the
safety zone.
[0057] The system of the illustrated embodiment includes a sensor
unit 10 to detect an abnormal safety situation relative to a safety
zone. However, the number and location of sensor units 10 used in
relation to a safety zone will typically be dependent upon the
configuration of the safety zone and the hazard to which the system
of the present invention is to alert users. For example, there may
be one or more sensor units 10 provided in a sensor system provided
to establish a safety network in relation to roadworks taking place
on a roadway. The configuration used in relation to roadworks will
depend on the particular roadway configuration, for example whether
there are multiple lanes in a single direction or a single lane in
each direction as well as how many lanes are closed for the
roadworks and the particular pattern of redirection of traffic
which is required. The safety zone in this configuration will
typically be defined around the roadworks and the locations in
which workers undertaking the roadworks will typically be required
in order to complete the roadworks. At least one sensor unit 10 is
therefore trained toward oncoming traffic approaching the roadworks
location, as shown in FIG. 1, in order to warn the workers 14 in
the roadworks safety zone of abnormal safety situations which may
be or include an oncoming vehicle travelling at excessive speed or
being driven erratically.
[0058] Typically, the sensor 17 used in the system will be
dependent upon the particular parameter to be measured to define an
abnormal safety situation. For example, in the example above of
roadworks, one parameter which could be measured is speed of
oncoming vehicles with an abnormal safety situation being defined
as an oncoming vehicle travelling at excessive speed. Normally a
setpoint will be provided to the system defining what speed is
"excessive". There may be levels of hazard defined based on the
vehicle speed with different levels of alerts issued based on the
level of hazard. The "excessive speed" may be speed over and above
a particular speed limit or alternatively, a speed limit which is
required within a particular safety zone relative to the roadwork
area. In this situation, a sensor 17 which is adapted to measure
the speed of vehicles will typically be used such as a sensor using
radar or laser speed measurement.
[0059] The sensor 17 is preferably also capable of recognising
objects according to their behaviour and thus, may be capable of
distinguishing between objects in order to gather information in
relation to objects of relevance in order to decrease the
occurrence of false positive alerts within the system. The sensor
may also be capable of "tagging" a vehicle so that the sensor can
maintain monitoring of one or more tagged vehicles.
[0060] As mentioned above, the sensor 17 may be provided in the
sensor unit 10 together with a network transmitter 20 and at least
one sensor unit controller 19 to allow the sensor unit 10 to gather
information, determine whether an alert should be issued and if so,
issue the alert directly from the sensor unit 10. In this way, a
single sensor unit 10 can be used to define a safety zone.
Alternatively, more than one sensor unit 10 may be used to define a
safety zone with the operation of the sensor units 10 being
coordinated by a safety zone network controller.
[0061] The sensor 17 will preferably detect a parameter, usually in
relation to an object for comparison relative to a safety setpoint
for that parameter and then an alert is issued based on the
comparison. As should be clear by now, the information collected by
the sensor 17 is transmitted to a controller 19 but the controller
19 may be located in the same unit as the sensor 17 as shown in
FIG. 3 and/or a safety zone network controller may be provided to
coordinate the sensor units provided in relation to one or more
particular safety zones. An alert can be transmitted directly to
the wearable units 21 within the safety zone if a sensor unit
controller 19 is provided in association with a network transmitter
20 which allows the sensor unit 10 to transmit the alert directly.
The sensor unit 10 will typically be operated in association with
software which is capable of undertaking the detection using the
sensor 17 and comparison of the information to the setpoint, and if
a network transmitter 20 is provided on board the sensor unit 10,
transmission of the alert signal or message.
[0062] Software may operate on a safety zone network controller
which may receive information from each of the sensors units 10 in
a network, undertake the comparison and transmit the alert signal
message to remove processing load from the sensor units 17 which
may allow the sensor units to be smaller in size.
[0063] The sensor unit 10 will typically be positioned to monitor a
particular area in relation to the safety zone. The sensor unit 10
may be located within the safety zone or provided outside the
safety zone in order to provide sufficient warning time to alert
the users within the zone. Again, this will typically be dependent
upon the nature and configuration of the safety zone itself as well
is the particular parameter to be monitored. For example, as shown
in FIG. 1, the sensor unit 10 may be provided some distance from
the safety zone itself in order to provide sufficient alert time
for the workers to seek safety, for example from an oncoming
vehicle driven at high speed.
[0064] At least one, and typically a number of sensors or sensor
units 10 may be used to create a geo-fence about the safety zone. A
location or positioning system such as GPS may be used in
combination with the system of the present invention in order to
allow the system to pinpoint the location of users through their
wearable units 21. Alerts may be issued dependent upon the
particular location of users within the safety zone or different
levels of alerts may be issued dependent upon the particular
location of users within the safety zone.
[0065] As mentioned above, a network transmitter 20 may be provided
in a sensor unit 10 with a sensor 17 and at least one sensor unit
controller 19. In a preferred embodiment, a safety zone network
controller may also be provided in order to coordinate the
operation of multiple sensor units 10.
[0066] At least one network transmitter is typically provided in
order to ensure that all components within the system are connected
together in the safety zone network. This can take a number of
configurations, particularly dependent upon the nature and
configuration of the safety zone. In some embodiments, a single
sensor unit 10 could be used which is capable of detecting,
comparing and transmitting an alert signal to all of the wearable
units 21 within the safety zone or alternatively, a number of
sensor units 10 may be provided, coordinated by a network
controller and a number of network transmitters are provided spaced
around the safety zone such that the network controller instructs
the network transmitters to cause an alert signal to be issued to
the wearable units within the safety zone. Still further, a single
sensor unit 10 may be provided but the safety zone may be provided
with a number of transmitters or repeater transmitters 22 to ensure
that the alert is transmitter to all wearable units 21 in the
safety zone. This last configuration is illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0067] The controller 19 associated with the sensor unit 10 or
sensor system may be directly associated with the sensor unit 10
and/or a network controller may be provided. In other words, the
safety warning system may include a number of sensor units 10, each
including at least one sensor 17 and associated at least one
network transmitter 20 and with a sensor controller 19 so that the
comparison of information received in the safety setpoint can be
accomplished at the sensor unit level with alerts distributed by at
least one of the sensor units 10, and/or a network controller may
be provided to receive information from each of the sensors 17 or
sensor units 10, process information to ascertain whether an alert
is required and then issue the alert via at least one network
transmitter. Importantly, the system of the present invention can
operate either with sensor unit 10 by itself, or more than one
sensor unit 10 can be associated within a safety zone network and
coordinated by a network controller.
[0068] As mentioned above, it is preferred that the safety zone
network is a self-contained and standalone network operable without
access to generic communication systems such as nubile phone or
telephony networks or other data networks. In this way, the safety
zone network can be set up in relation to a particular safety zone
and can operate whether or not other data networks are operating in
that particular area. It is particularly preferred that the safety
zone network be independent of mass use transmission networks
although there may be situations where the system of the present
invention may utilise these networks if necessary or available.
[0069] Information within the system of the present invention will
typically be transmitted to storage for reporting or logging
purposes.
[0070] The alert issued may be of any type and in particular, will
normally be a signal provided to the wearable unit which when
received, triggers the wearable unit to alert the user. In some
cases, the alert can be or include a message. It is particularly
preferred that the alert signal will trigger at least one tactile
action in the wearable unit 21. As mentioned above, the alert may
be issued directly to the wearable units 21 from the sensor unit 10
but one or more repeater transmitters 22 may be provided within the
safety zone in order to ensure that the alert signal reaches all of
the wearable units 21. Repeater transmitters 22 may for example be
provided on fixed or mobile infrastructure which is required for
the particular action taking place within the safety zone, for
example, one or more trucks 15 used to ferry workers to a roadwork
site may include repeater transmitters 22.
[0071] The system of the present invention also includes a wearable
unit 21 provided for each user in the safety zone, the wearable
unit 21 providing at least a tactile alert to the user based on the
comparison to warn the user of the occurrence of an abnormal safety
situation within the safety zone. As mentioned above, the
definition of an abnormal safety situation will typically be
whether an abnormal safety situation is or is about to occur within
the safety zone, but may be based on information which is gathered
from outside the safety zone.
[0072] The at least tactile alert to the user will typically be in
the form of a haptic or vibration alert based on alerting the user
through the sense of touch. In many situations, excessive noise or
light may prevent the user hearing or seeing an alert, but
providing a wearable unit 21 through which an alert is provided
using the sense of touch will typically allow the alerting of the
user in a wider variety of situations and in conditions where the
user may otherwise not see or hear an alert if issued in that
form.
[0073] The wearable units may have an input interface or button 23
as this may allow the user to confirm receipt of the alert for
example, allowing the system to track the users that have confirmed
the alert and/or those that have not confirmed the alert so that
remedial action can be taken for those users that have not
confirmed the alert.
[0074] The wearable unit may include a GPS receiver or access to
another location system allowing the location of the user to be
ascertained through location of their wearable unit.
[0075] Each wearable unit 21 within the system of the present
invention will preferably be synced or linked with the safety zone
network including one or more sensor unit controllers and/or one or
more system controllers in order to ensure that each wearable unit
21 within the safety zone will receive any alerts that are issued
which are relevant to the particular user.
[0076] The wearable unit 21 will typically operate to receive
alerts and/or provide communication with system infrastructure
independent of a generic mobile or data network.
[0077] The wearable unit 21 may be a passive unit to which alerts
are pushed or which waits for an alert to issue. Alternatively, the
wearable unit 21 may be an active unit which may actively poll the
system for alerts.
[0078] An alert may be provided in one or more specific types. For
example, different alerts may be used for different situations or
based on different information. For example, an urgent alert may be
issued to users located on an approach side of a safety zone, or on
the side from which the hazard is approaching and a lower level
alert may be issued to users located on a departure side of safety
zone or on the side further away from the hazard.
[0079] Alerts may be issued at different levels depending upon the
nature of the abnormal safety situation. In a particularly
preferred embodiment, the alert typically notifies the user of the
existence of an abnormal safety situation and also the level of
risk from the abnormal safety situation. It is preferred that the
sensor unit controller and/or system controller not only identify
the existence of an abnormal safety situation, but also ascribe to
each wearable unit 21, a level of risk from that abnormal safety
situation and then alerts are issued accordingly.
[0080] It can be seen that the system of the present invention
provides a useful and are highly configurable system which is
self-contained to define a safety zone and then to detect abnormal
safety situations which may affect users within that safety zone
and issue alerts to those users based on the nature and level of
risk associated with an abnormal safety situation through a tactile
alert.
[0081] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word
`comprising` and its derivatives including `comprises` and
`comprise` include each of the stated integers but does not exclude
the inclusion of one or more further integers.
[0082] Reference throughout this specification to `one embodiment`
or `an embodiment` means that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,
the appearance of the phrases `in one embodiment` or `in an
embodiment` in various places throughout this specification are not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the
particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined
in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.
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