JP5066457B2 - Safety system based on attachment / detachment detection using human body communication - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for detecting whether an object to be worn, such as a predetermined uniform, helmet or glove, is worn or not, without wrong determination nor malfunction, and to provide a safety system utilizing the method. <P>SOLUTION: On an object to be worn on a body Bd, such as a uniform or a helmet, a transmitter S and receivers R1 and R2, using the body as the data transmission channel, are arranged, and when the object is properly worn on the body Bd, the transmitter S and the receivers R1 and R2 perform communication with each other through the body Bd, thereby detecting that the object is not worn or not properly worn based on receiving states of the receivers R1 and R2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention detects attachment / detachment (attachment and non-equipment or non-attachment, hereinafter the same) of what should be worn on the body for safety and security purposes, and when the thing to be worn is not worn, The present invention relates to an attachment / detachment detection method using human body communication that operates a system and a safety system using this method.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there have been frequent occurrences of injuries caused not only by mere equipment damage accidents, but by causing work to be performed while wearing attachments that are obligated to be worn at construction sites and the like. As measures to prevent such accidents, measures have already been taken, such as incorporating safety devices into items such as gloves and helmets, and stopping these devices when these items enter the hazardous area. It is not possible to deal with unattached items due to forgetting to wear them.

  Conventionally, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 schematically show a technique for detecting whether an object to be worn on the body (for example, a uniform (including a uniform, the same applies hereinafter), a helmet, a glove, etc.) is worn on the body. The scheme shown is known. In this method, the attachment / detachment of the wearing object with respect to the body is detected by using ultrasonic waves.

Specifically, the attachment / detachment detection of the jacket (uniform or uniform) is performed by placing the ultrasonic transmitter S / receiver R1 and the receiver R2 relative to the jacket U worn by the body B. ing. That is, the transmitter S of S oscillates the hemispherical ultrasonic wave intermittently with a short period with respect to the receiver R2. Then, when the jacket U is worn on the body Bd, the receiver R2 does not receive the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the transmitter S (see FIG. 2). The reason is that since the acoustic impedances of air and body are greatly different, ultrasonic waves are almost reflected on the surface of the body B and do not pass through the body Bd.
On the other hand, when the jacket U is not worn on the body Bd, the receiver R2 receives the aerial ultrasonic waves (see FIG. 3).
That is, by detecting whether the receiver R2 receives the aerial ultrasonic wave, it is possible to detect whether the jacket U is attached or detached, that is, whether the jacket U is attached to the body Bd.

However, the above technique has the following problems.
That is, while the jacket U is being worn, a cylindrical object O that does not transmit ultrasonic waves is sandwiched between the body Bd and the jacket U. After that, if the jacket U and the cylindrical object are taken off from the body B at the same time with the button applied (appearance that the jacket U is attached to the body Bd), the receiver R2 does not receive the aerial ultrasound. . Actually, since the jacket U is removed from the body Bd and the body Bd is not attached to the jacket U, the cylindrical object O exists inside the jacket U, so it must be operated. The problem arises that the safety system that must be operated does not operate.
Further, even when the wearing item is worn, if the receiver R2 breaks down due to some reason, it is impossible to detect that the jacket U has been removed.
The above problem is not limited to the illustrated jacket U, and the same applies to other wearing items such as helmets and gloves.

In addition to the ultrasonic method described above, a method that detects whether or not a safety helmet or glove such as the above is attached to the body to be worn is a method that uses light rays such as infrared rays, Methods using a magnetic field (lines of magnetic force) are also known from Patent Documents 1 and 2, etc., but in either method, it is possible to determine whether a body is wearing an attachment without erroneous judgment or malfunction. There are still some aspects that are not enough.
Special table 2002-518650 gazette JP 2006-316862 A

  Therefore, the present invention applies a method for detecting or detecting whether or not an object to be worn such as a predetermined uniform, a helmet, or a glove is worn on the body without erroneous judgment or malfunction, and this method is applied. The issue is to provide a safety system.

The configuration of the detection method of the present invention for the purpose of solving the above-described problems is that a transmitter having a body as a communication path between a receiver and a receiver is disposed on an object to be worn such as a uniform or a helmet. And the receiver is disposed on a mounted object in which the transmitter is disposed and / or a mounted object in which the transmitter other than the mounted object is not disposed. When the communication is being performed through the body, the wearing is properly worn on the body, and when the communication is not being performed through the body between the receiver and the transmitter, The wearing object is not worn or not properly worn on the body .

In the present invention, the body means all or a part of the body such as the wearer's whole body, head, face, torso, chest, legs, hands, and feet.
Further, the communication between the transmitter and the receiver using the body as a communication path does not correspond to the well-known wired communication or wireless communication, and is hereinafter also referred to as “human body communication”.

The human body communication of the present invention is performed by passing a weak alternating current through the human body. The amount of data that can be communicated is about several kilobytes. This current does not flow unless the circuit is closed, but in human body communication, a weak current flows basically with the ground as the ground (ground). Even when an insulator such as a shoe is worn (without grounding), communication can be performed by the dielectric effect of the human body or electrostatic coupling in space.
Incidentally, in the present invention, a weak alternating electric signal is passed through the human body, but humans do not get an electric shock at a high voltage and small current within a certain range. The current / voltage used in the human body communication of the present invention is comparable to the current / voltage (eg, 500 μA, AC 5.0 V) used in a commercially available body fat scale.

According to the present invention, a transmitter having a body as a communication path between a receiver and a receiver is disposed on an attachment such as a uniform or a helmet that is worn on the body, and the transmitter is disposed on the receiver. When the communication is performed through the body between the receiver and the transmitter, the communication is performed between the receiver and the transmitter. When the wearer is properly worn on the body and communication is not performed between the receiver and the transmitter through the body, the wearer is not worn on the body or Since it is assumed that it is not attached, it can be detected without misjudgment or malfunction that the attachment is not properly attached, including not being attached. As a result, various safety systems can be easily constructed based on the determination of mounting / non-mounting (including improper mounting) and the detection of non-mounting.

  Next, an embodiment of the detection method of the present invention and an example of a safety system to which the detection method of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, as a first example, a method for detecting attachment / detachment of a jacket using human body communication and its application system will be described.
Example 1: Employee B is authenticated by employee A in the office.
[Uniform attachment / detachment detection method]
As shown in FIG. 1, the conductive fiber has a structure that adheres to the body Bd on either the jacket Ua of the employee's back or the jacket, slacks, or socks (hereinafter collectively referred to as an attachment W). the electrodes (or, including those waterproof thin electrode. the same also all the following examples.) C _a -C _D in advance arranged to. Next, the transmission of the signal through the body Bd between the electrodes C _A -C _D, detects that the body Bd present in the jacket Ua.
Usually, a pulsed sine wave is used as a transmission signal, and transmission / reception is performed between one electrode of the jacket Ua and one other electrode. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, signals are transmitted and received between the electrodes C _A C _B, between the electrodes C _A C _{C, and} between the electrodes C _A C _D.
If one electrode C _A and another electrode C _B of the jacket Ua, when it is detected that the C _C, the transmission and reception of signals between the C _D no longer be confirmed, jacket Ua or from the body Bd by some reason It is determined that the attachment W has left (it has not been attached or the jacket Ua has been removed), and a safety system is activated, for example, directing the manager to a place where the employee should be .
Depending on the environment and the degree of security, the transmission signal may be encoded so that the signal is resistant to disturbances and attacks, and the position of transmission / reception may be changed multiple or temporally to increase the resistance of the entire system to disturbances and attacks. desirable.
[Authentication method]
As illustrated in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the employee A wearing the uniform Ua approaches the employee B. At this time, the transmitter / receiver R1, S attached to the employee U's uniform Ub automatically attempts to communicate with the transmitter / receiver R1, S of the uniform Ua and the uniform Ua is functioning. Make sure.
If the employee's uniform Ua is functioning (that is, it is properly worn and human body communication is performed between the transmitter / receiver R1, S and the receiver R2),・ Believers R1 and S inform the employee B that “the former wearing uniform Ua is an employee”. As a result, Employee B can have a conversation with Employee A with peace of mind, including business know-how and trade secrets. Here, the employee's former transmitter / receiver R1, S and employee B's transmitter S have a wireless communication function or are equipped with a wireless communication device, and a system using the method of the present invention is: The transmitter / receiver R1, S is formed with the wireless communication function. This is the same in the following embodiments.

Example 2: Authenticating an employee's back against a general public on the road or the like.
[Uniform attachment / detachment detection method]
Same as Example 1.
[Authentication method]
Suppose that Employee A wearing Uniform Ua has approached a passing ordinary person. At this time, the transmitter / receiver R1, S carried by the general public automatically performs radio communication with the transmitter / receiver R1, S of the uniform Ua to confirm that the uniform Ua is functioning. It is formed to be able to. If this confirmation is Torere, instep wearing the uniform U _A is, that it is the employee, for example, ○○ company, it is possible that the general public Hei to confirm.

Example 3: An employee who has a general person outside the entrance at home is authenticated.
[Uniform attachment / detachment detection method]
Same as Example 1.
[Authentication method]
Suppose that Employee A wearing Uniform Ua visited the home of a general person. At this time, the intercom (not shown) installed at the home of a general person's home has a wireless communication function as in the previous example, so it automatically tries wireless communication with the uniform Ua and the uniform Ua functions. We can confirm that we are doing.
If it can be confirmed that the uniform Ua is functioning, the intercom will notify the general person in the house that the person wearing the uniform Ua is the employee A who belongs to the XX office. Notify by voice or lamp lighting. As a result, the general person can safely enter the employee's back into the entrance and have a conversation.

Example 4: Industrial application 1
(1) Helmet He and safety shoes Ss are provided with conductive fiber electrodes C _A and C _B , respectively, which are in close contact with the body, and are sent to and received from both electrodes C _A and C _B. R1, S and receiver R2 are connected, and signals are transmitted between them via the human body. Similar to the example described above, a signal is transmitted and received between the helmet and the safety shoes using a pulsed sine wave (the signal encoding is the same as the above example).
On the other hand, the helmet He (or safety shoes Ss) has a wireless communication device, and signals are transmitted and received by human body communication between the helmet He and the safety shoes Ss using the human body as the transmission path W. Is confirmed by the wireless communication device T. Wireless communication provided in the helmet (or safety shoes) only when the signal indicating that the body is the communication channel Wi is transmitted and received between the helmet He and the safety shoes Ss, that is, when the proper wearing of the helmet is confirmed. For example, the device T sends a radio signal to that effect to the receiver R3 of the gate G at the construction site. The on-site gate that receives this radio signal opens the gate of the gate. The opening operation of the gate may be either automatic opening by driving force or manual opening. Thereby, unless both the helmet He and the safety shoes Ss are properly worn, a safety system that does not allow entry into a construction site or the like can be constructed. This embodiment is executed from the steps S1 to S5 shown in the functional block diagram schematically shown in FIG. 12 and the flowchart shown in FIG.
(2) A wireless communication device and a conductive fiber electrode having a structure that is in close contact with the body are disposed on the helmet and safety shoes. A receiver R2 is connected to each electrode of the helmet and safety shoes. On the other hand, the belt is also provided with a wireless communication device and an electrode of conductive fiber having a structure that is in close contact with the body. Transmitter / receivers R1, S are connected to the electrodes of the belt. Therefore, signals are transmitted / received between the belt and the helmet, and the belt and the safety shoes using the pulsed sine wave (the signal encoding is the same as the above example).
The receiver R2 of the helmet and safety shoes receives the signal transmitted from the transmitter S of the belt by physical communication, and the radio transmitter of the receiver receives the signal from the transmitter S of the belt. Wireless communication is performed. The belt transmits a radio signal indicating that the helmet and the safety shoes are properly worn to the gate of the construction site only when the wireless communication between the two (the helmet and the safety shoes) is established. The gate that has received this radio signal opens the gate door. Thus, it is possible to construct a safety system that prevents entry into a construction site or the like unless both a helmet and safety shoes are worn. This embodiment is executed by the steps S21 to S25 shown in the flowchart of FIG.

Example 5: Industrial application 2
(1) to the helmet He, disposing the electrodes C _A conductive fiber having a structure as to be in close contact with the head. On the other hand, as the electrode an engine control unit Ec, a transmitter S in the electrodes, the helmet is disposed on the electrodes C _A receiver R1 of Ee, helmet He and the engine controller using a pulsed sine wave signal Signals are transmitted to and received from Ec (the signal encoding is the same as the above example).
If a signal transmitted from the engine control unit Ec to the human body as the communication path Wi returns to the engine control unit via the helmet, the engine of the motorcycle is started. This embodiment is executed by the steps S31 to S34 in the functional block diagram of FIG. 13 and the flowchart shown in FIG.
(2) Place the conductive fiber electrode on the helmet so that it is in close contact with the head. Normally, a signal is transmitted and received between the engine control unit and the helmet using a pulsed sine wave (the signal encoding is the same as described above).
If the signal transmitted from the helmet is received by the engine control unit via the human body, the motorcycle engine is started. In this embodiment, steps S41 and S42 are executed in the flowchart shown in FIG.
(3) The helmet is equipped with a radio transmitter and an electrode of conductive fiber that has a structure that closely contacts the head. A receiver R2 is connected to this electrode. On the other hand, a radio transmitter / receiver and an electrode of conductive fiber having a structure that is in close contact with the body are disposed on the belt. Transmitter / receiver R1, S is connected to this electrode. Therefore, signals are transmitted and received between the transmitter S and the receiver R2 of the belt and the helmet using a pulsed sine wave (the signal encoding is the same as described above).
When the helmet receiver R2 receives a human body communication signal transmitted from the belt transmitter S, the helmet wireless transmitter performs wireless communication with the belt wireless receiver. The belt emits a radio signal to the engine control unit only when radio communication is established. The engine control unit that has received the wireless signal starts the engine. Thus, the engine cannot be started unless a helmet is worn. This embodiment is executed by the steps S51 to S55 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

Example 6: Industrial application 3
(1) The left and right gloves are provided with conductive fiber electrodes that are in close contact with each hand, and the transmitter / receiver S, R1 and receiver R2 are connected to both electrodes. Signals are transmitted between the gloves via the human body. This signal is transmitted and received between the left and right gloves using a pulsed sine wave (the signal encoding is the same as the above example).
A wireless transmitter is placed on one glove and it is confirmed that signals are transmitted and received between the left and right gloves via the human body. When a human body communication signal is being transmitted / received, the glove wireless transmitter emits a wireless signal to a machine tool, for example, a press. The press machine that has received the radio signal performs a press operation. Thus, the machine tool, here the press machine, cannot be operated unless both left and right gloves are worn. This embodiment is executed by the steps S61 to S64 in the flowchart of FIG.
(2) The right and left gloves are provided with the receiver R2 and electrodes of conductive fibers connected to the receiver R2 and having a structure that is in close contact with the hand. The gloves are equipped with a wireless transmitter. On the other hand, the belt is provided with a transmitter / receiver S, R1, and electrodes of conductive fibers connected to the transmitter / receiver S, R1 and having a structure in close contact with the body. In addition, a wireless transceiver is disposed on the belt. In this state, a pulsed sine wave is used as a human body communication signal, and transmission / reception is performed between the belt and the left glove and between the belt and the right glove using the body as a signal transmission path (about signal coding). Is the same as above).
When each glove receives a human body communication signal transmitted from the belt, each glove performs wireless communication to that effect. The belt emits a radio signal to the machine tool, here the press, only when wireless communication is established with both. The press machine that has received the radio signal performs a press operation. Thus, the machine tool (press machine in this example) cannot be operated unless both left and right gloves are worn. This embodiment is executed by steps S71 to S74 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

Example 7: Application to industry 4 (invalidation of ID card)
Conductive fibers with a structure that adheres to the body connected to the transmitter / receiver S, R1 and receiver R2, respectively, on the uniform jacket Ua and / or the attachment W such as jacket, slacks, and socks The electrodes are arranged, and signals are transmitted between them through the human body to detect the presence of the human body in the jacket Ua. This transmission signal is normally transmitted and received using a pulsed sine wave between the electrode of the jacket Ua and the other electrode using the human body as the communication path (the signal encoding is the same as the above example). The point is the same as the previous examples.
If the transmission / reception of the signal between the jacket Ua and another electrode can no longer be confirmed, it is determined that the uniform Ua is separated from the body (for example, a police officer) for some reason, and the function of the uniform Ua is stopped. , Stop the function of the identification card (for example, police book).
Specifically, the uniform Ua has a function of transmitting an invalidation signal that does not cause the transmitters / receivers S and R1 to function in order to stop the transmission / reception function of the uniform Ua. The invalidation signal is received by a receiver arranged in the police notebook as an example, and the police notebook that receives the signal contains important information (for example, name) stored in the electronic circuit provided in the notebook.・ A function to delete data such as affiliation is given.
This embodiment is executed by steps S81 to S84 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As described above, the present invention, when not properly worn on the body or when not worn, can be detected without erroneous operation or malfunction by human body communication. It is possible to prevent such a problem that the wearer's uniform or the like is unintentionally removed by some malicious third party and the third party acts as a malicious person by impersonating the correct person.

  In addition, regarding safety and security in work and work, we encourage the wearing of various wearing items (helmets, gloves, work clothes, safety shoes, etc.) for safety and safety, etc. When not installed, it is easy to build a safety system that cannot be started, the engine cannot be started, or the machine cannot be operated. In addition, since the constructed safety system has a simple detection principle, there is an advantage that there is almost no malfunction or misoperation and the system is less likely to fail.

The block diagram which showed the detection method of this invention typically. FIG. 7 is a plan sectional view for explaining an example of the prior art. FIG. 7 is a plan sectional view for explaining an example of the prior art. The flowchart figure of Example 4 (1). The flowchart figure of Example 4 (2). The flowchart figure of Example 5 (1). The flowchart figure of Example 5 (2). The flowchart figure of Example 5 (3). The flowchart figure of Example 6 (1). The flowchart figure of Example 6 (2). FIG. 9 is a flowchart of Example 7. The functional block diagram of Example 4 (1). Functional block diagram of Example 5 (1).

Explanation of symbols

U jacket
C _{A to} C _D electrodes
Bd Body S Transmitter
R1, R2 receiver

Claims (3)

The transmitter for the physical communication path with the receiver, as well as arranged on attachments such as uniforms and helmets that are worn on the body, said receiver, mounting structure where the transmitter is arranged Or / and when the transmitter other than the accessory is not provided with the transmitter, and communication is performed through the body between the receiver and the transmitter, the attachment to the body When an object is properly worn and no communication is made through the body between the receiver and transmitter, the body is not worn or is not worn properly A method for detecting attachment / detachment of an attachment using human body communication, characterized in that:   The method of detecting attachment / detachment of an attachment using human body communication according to claim 1, wherein the attachment is at least one of a uniform, a helmet, gloves, and shoes. The transmitter for the physical communication path with the receiver, as well as arranged on attachments such as uniforms and helmets that are worn on the body, said receiver, mounting structure where the transmitter is arranged Or / and when the transmitter other than the accessory is not provided with the transmitter, and communication is performed through the body between the receiver and the transmitter, the attachment to the body When an object is properly worn and no communication is made through the body between the receiver and transmitter, the body is not worn or is not worn properly And when there is no communication between the receiver and the transmitter through the body, the wearable is not worn or properly worn on the body, and the receiver and the transmitter Between and through the body When confirming the signal, safety system, characterized in that sending to the controller of the object to be operated or start confirmation signal, controls the permission of the target of the operation or start-up based on the received confirmation signal.

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