HK1238063A1

HK1238063A1 - A computerised tracking and proximity warning method and system for personnel, plant and equipment operating both above and below the ground or their movement therebetween

Info

Publication number: HK1238063A1
Application number: HK17111656.3A
Authority: HK
Inventors: Jones Jeanette
Original assignee: Emb Safety Helmet Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-08-26
Filing date: 2014-09-10
Publication date: 2018-04-20

Description

Computerized tracking and proximity warning method and system for personnel, equipment and equipment operating above and below ground or moving therebetween

Technical Field

The present invention relates to security devices and apparel, and more particularly to an integrated computerized security method and system to track mining, construction and other industrial personnel, equipment and equipment in real time at locations above and below the ground or their movement therebetween. It also includes a proximity warning system to warn personnel who may be within a predetermined unsafe distance of any device or equipment, including real-time detection and sensing of impacts, motions, or movements, as well as compilable or recordable location data.

Background

There is currently no effective system for simultaneously monitoring a walker working in the vicinity of equipment and machinery above and below the ground. There is no way to warn workers of potential hazards when operating or working next to equipment and machinery above and/or below. Although there are GPS systems for ground monitoring, they are not useful in tunnels or below ground. On the other hand, rfid devices may be used below ground, but are short-range devices in nature, requiring multiple nodes or beacons to activate an associated transponder. There is currently no known system that allows workers to be monitored as they move from above the ground to below the ground or underground. Furthermore, equipment and machine operators have no way to monitor walking workers or to easily view and locate workers that are not directly in their line of sight, for example even if mirrors are used on heavy machinery, the operators are still unable to see all areas of the equipment even if they are working at the same level. For example in underground mining or tunnel engineering where workers behind corners and tunnel walls are not visible, the problem becomes more severe in sub-surface operations.

Although personal protective equipment with high visibility, such as reflective clothing, flashing lights, audible warning alarms, and/or safety spotters with radio communications can be used, almost all of these systems require a direct line of sight or transmission to be effective. An audible warning horn or buzzer is also not always activated and silences a worker wearing hearing protection. Furthermore, the direction of travel of a moving vehicle or device, such as when backing a car, may affect the audible warning means. In the case of manual position finder use, they must also be in direct line of sight to be effective and may be affected by factors such as human error and situations where the position finder may not always be present. Furthermore, the radio of the position finder can be muted by hearing protection and in some cases also has limited use.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to identify and seamlessly track the location of workers, whether they are working above or below the ground and moving between levels. It is another object of the present invention to seek to prevent serious injury or death of workers when interacting with equipment or heavy machinery used with visual monitoring systems that operate both above and below the ground in a seamless manner.

Disclosure of Invention

In a broad aspect, the present invention relates to a computerized security tracking and proximity warning system for personnel, equipment and equipment operating both above and below the ground and moving therebetween, comprising:

a central computer adapted to receive and process wireless location information from a transponder carried or worn by the person; and

a transponder attached to a device or equipment above or below ground;

communicating the wireless location information to the computer via one or more wireless communication modes or protocols;

the central computer processes the location information to provide a seamless, real-time visual display of the relative locations of persons and equipment or equipment moving above and/or below the ground or therebetween, wherein,

if the relative positions of the person and the equipment or equipment are within a predetermined and unsafe distance of each other, an alarm is triggered to alert the operator.

Preferably, the system is initiated and managed via a smart device application or wireless app implemented system implemented on a smart tablet, smart phone or any other specially adapted smart device.

Preferably, the wireless communication protocol comprises a wireless personal area network.

Suitably, the wireless communication protocol comprises a mesh network of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips embedded in safety equipment worn by personnel, and incorporated in devices and machinery detected by nodes/beacons, to enable communication and facilitate location determination by triangulation between RFID chips underground, above ground or when operating in the open air.

When operating above ground or in the open air, the wireless communication protocol includes a Global Positioning (GPS) system.

Preferably, the central computer is a server adapted to receive and process wireless location information from all wireless communication modes or protocols operating below ground, above ground or in the open, wherein personnel, equipment and equipment are tracked in a seamless manner as they move around the scene and/or between ground levels, the tracking being initiated by and communicated to the wireless app implemented system for monitoring on said visual display.

Preferably, the visual display is a grid representation showing the relative positions of the person and the equipment or equipment.

In a more sophisticated approach, the visual display may be a real-time three-dimensional representation showing the relative positions and movements of people and equipment or equipment above and below and adjacent to each other.

Suitably, an alarm is triggered and the person of the device or equipment within a predetermined unsafe distance is alerted by a visual and/or audible response unit carried by the person or attached to the device or equipment.

Preferably, there is a sensor to detect any sudden deceleration or change of direction indicating the likelihood of the person suffering a fall or impact, or to detect if there has not been movement within a predetermined period of time (e.g. if the person has fallen asleep or removed or discarded the system), to also trigger an alarm.

More preferably, the sensor continuously triggers the alarm to pulse a power saving mode until extinguished or switched off to enable detection and/or location of persons who may be buried or need rescue for a period of time.

Preferably, there is a real-time video imaging device to record the movement of people, equipment and equipment.

Preferably, the real-time locations of personnel, equipment and equipment are stored as event logs that can be accessed for historical and/or analytical purposes.

Preferably, the transponder, sensor and alarm are embodied in a safety helmet worn by the worker that includes a rechargeable battery power source.

In an alternative, the transponder, sensor and alarm are implemented in a safety vest worn by the worker that includes a rechargeable battery power source.

In another aspect, the transponder, sensor and alarm are embodied in equipment carried by the person that includes a rechargeable battery power source.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for tracking and warning persons operating both above and below the ground and moving therebetween, using a system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:

receiving wireless location information at a central computer from a transponder carried or worn by a person and attached to a device or equipment;

processing the location information at a central computer;

providing a visual display of the relative positions of the person and the equipment or equipment moving above and/or below or between ground level, and if the positions of the person and the equipment or equipment are within a predetermined and unsafe distance of each other,

an alarm is triggered to alert an administrator, operator or worker to an impending danger.

Preferably, plain or colored symbols or icons are used to represent and distinguish between the types of people and equipment or equipment on the combined visual display.

A colored bar may be displayed under the symbol or icon to indicate the proximity of the person, device or equipment represented by the symbol or icon to other persons, devices or equipment in close proximity.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the systems or methods described herein may be provided and managed as a web-based service or facility for a customer, typically a mining and construction company, who needs a security tracking and proximity warning system for personnel, equipment and equipment, and a log of records and analyses of events.

Drawings

For an understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a diagram showing a working embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2A and 2B are diagrams and visual displays of a smart device tablet of an onboard operator showing the real-time location of personnel and equipment or equipment.

Fig. 3 is a visual display of an administrator's smart device tablet showing a profile of an underground mesh network worn by personnel and radio frequency equipment incorporated in equipment and machinery detected by nodes/beacons.

Detailed Description

As shown in fig. 1, a computerized safety tracking and proximity warning system for personnel, equipment and equipment operating both above and below the ground. There is a central computer 10 adapted to receive and process wireless location information from transponders in helmets carried or worn by persons 12-20 and transponders mounted on equipment or equipment. The wireless location information is communicated to the computer via one or more wireless communication protocols. The central computer processes the location information to provide a seamless visual display of the relative positions of or movement between the persons and equipment or equipment above and/or below the ground, and wherein if the relative positions of the persons 12, 14-20 and the equipment or equipment 22, 24 are within a predetermined and unsafe distance of one another, visual and audible alarms are triggered to alert workers and/or administrators wearing the helmet. The distance may be predetermined or preset to a preferred spherical safety radius, for example three (3) meters. The system is embodied in the form of a smart device application or application-implemented system operating on a smart tablet, smart phone or any other specially adapted smart device 26, 28, 30. The wireless communication protocol includes a wireless personal area network, such as bluetooth. The wireless communication protocol includes a radio frequency mesh network of nodes/beacons 32-46 and transponder Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips embedded in the safety equipment worn by the personnel 12, 14-20 and incorporated in the devices and machines 22, 24 to enable communication and facilitate location determination by triangulation between the RFID chips when operating underground, above ground, or in the open air.

When operating above ground, there is also a Global Positioning (GPS) system 48 that communicates with central computer 10, smart devices 28 on machines 22, and the helmet worn by worker 12. In addition, the central computer 10 receives wireless location information from the transponders 32-46, and the transponders 32-46 are also in communication with GPS satellites 48, wherein wireless location data of persons and equipment or equipment above or below the ground and moving therebetween can be monitored and displayed on a visual display in a seamless manner. The combined visual display may be a real-time three-dimensional grid using icons or symbols representing relative and real-time positions and movements of people and equipment or equipment moving both above and below the ground and between levels and adjacent to each other. Triggers an alarm and alerts the administrator 50 and/or the persons 12-20 of the devices or equipment 22, 24 within a predetermined unsafe distance through visual and/or audible response units carried by the persons or attached to the devices or equipment 20, 22. The presence of sensors in the helmets of the personnel 12-20 to detect any sudden deceleration or change of direction indicating the likelihood of the personnel suffering a fall or impact, or if not moved within a predetermined period of time (e.g. the personnel has fallen or left, or the helmet has been discarded or removed), will also trigger an alarm. The sensor will preferably continuously trigger the alarm to pulse out a power saving mode until extinguished or switched off to enable detection and/or location of buried personnel who may need to be salvaged over a period of time via triangulation of the detected signal. Preferably, there is a real-time video imaging device to record the movement of people, equipment and equipment. The recorded locations of the mining personnel, equipment and equipment may then be stored as event logs, which may be accessed by an on-site or remotely located operations manager 50 for historical and/or analytical purposes. The transponder, sensor and alarm in the safety helmet are adapted to be powered by a rechargeable battery power supply also located in the helmet.

The symbols 60-66 in FIG. 2B are moving icons of the real-time locations of the same numbered devices and equipment 60-66 of FIG. 2A. The symbols 68-78 in FIG. 2B are moving icons of the real-time locations of the same-numbered persons 68-78 of FIG. 2A. The shape of the icons can be used to distinguish light vehicles having right triangles 60, medium vehicles having squares 62, workers 68-78 having isosceles triangles, heavy machinery having rectangles, heavy vehicles having crosses, and exclusion zones 80 as circles around heavy machinery 82. The icons may be further differentiated by different colors to indicate their size and hazard classification, for example, the exclusion zone 80 may turn red when the worker 78 dangerously approaches the heavy machinery 82. There may be a different colored bar (e.g., 60a, 62a, 72a, 66a) under each icon to indicate the proximity of the person, device or equipment represented by the icon 60, 62, 72, 66, respectively, to other persons, devices or equipment in the vicinity.

Fig. 3 is a visual display of an administrator's smart device tablet showing a profile of a subterranean mesh network of radio frequency equipment worn by personnel 92, 94, 96 and incorporated in equipment and machinery 96, 98 detected by nodes/beacons, e.g., 100 and 124. There is also a visual representation of the elevator 130 and ore body 154 located in the mine 132 for entry into the tunnel (e.g., 134 and 152). It is also apparent that the information and data collected via recording events that are visually displayed and discussed in the examples of fig. 2A and 2B and fig. 3 may later be used as an analysis log of security history and events.

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

In the specification, the terms "comprising" and "containing" are to be understood as having a broad meaning similar to the term "comprising" and are to be understood as implying that an integer or step or group of integers or steps is included, but not excluding any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations of the terms "comprising" and "containing", such as "comprising", "containing" and "containing".

Claims

1. A computerized safety tracking and proximity warning system for personnel, equipment and equipment operating both above and below the ground and moving therebetween, the system comprising:

a transponder attached to the device or equipment above or below ground;

the central computer processing the location information to provide a seamless real-time visual display of the relative locations of the person and equipment or equipment moving above and/or below or between ground level, wherein,

triggering an alarm to alert an operator if the relative positions of the person and equipment or equipment are within a predetermined and unsafe distance of each other.

2. The system of claim 1, the system is initiated and managed via a smart device application or wireless app implemented system implemented on a smart tablet, smart phone, or any other specially adapted smart device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication protocol comprises a wireless personal area network.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication protocol comprises a mesh network of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips embedded in safety equipment worn by personnel and incorporated in devices and machinery detected by nodes/beacons to enable communication and facilitate positioning by triangulation between the RFID chips underground, above ground, or when operating in the open air.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication protocol comprises a Global Positioning (GPS) system when operating above ground or in the open air.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the combined visual display is a real-time three-dimensional representation showing the relative positions and movements of people and equipment or equipment above and below and adjacent to each other.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the alarm is triggered and persons of devices or equipment within the predetermined unsafe distance are alerted by a visual and/or audible response unit carried by the person or attached to the device or equipment.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein there is a sensor to detect any sudden deceleration or change in direction, or lack of movement within a predetermined period of time, to trigger the alarm as well.

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein the sensor continuously triggers the alarm to pulse a power saving mode until extinguished or switched off to enable detection and/or location of a person who needs to be rescued over a period of time.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein there is a real-time video imaging device to record the movement of people, equipment and equipment.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the real-time locations of the mining personnel, equipment and equipment are stored as an event log that can be accessed for historical and/or analytical purposes.

12. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the transponder, sensor and alarm are implemented in a safety helmet worn by the worker comprising a rechargeable battery power supply.

13. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the transponder, sensor and alarm are embodied in a safety vest worn by the worker comprising a rechargeable battery power supply.

14. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the transponder, sensor and alarm are embodied in equipment carried by a person comprising a rechargeable battery power supply.

15. The system of any of the above claims, wherein the central computer is a server adapted to receive and process wireless location information from all wireless communication modes or protocols operating underground, above ground, or in the open, wherein the people, devices and equipment are tracked in a seamless manner as they move around the scene and/or between ground levels, the tracking being initiated by and communicated to a wireless app implementation system for monitoring on the visual display.

16. A method of tracking and alerting personnel operating both above ground and below and moving therebetween using the system according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:

receiving, at a central computer, wireless location information from a transponder carried or worn by a person and attached to the device or equipment;

processing the location information on the central computer;

providing a seamless real-time visual display of the relative positions of the person and equipment or equipment moving between or between above and/or below the ground, and if the positions of the person and equipment or equipment are within a predetermined and unsafe distance of each other,

17. A system or method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein plain or coloured symbols or icons are used to represent and distinguish between persons and types of equipment or equipment on the visual display.

18. A system or method as claimed in claim 17, wherein a coloured bar is displayed beneath the symbol or icon to indicate the proximity of the person, device or equipment to other persons, devices or equipment in close proximity.

19. The system or method of any of the above claims, as a web-based service or facility to provide and manage said system or method for customers who need safety tracking and proximity warning systems for personnel, equipment and as an analysis log of events.