WO2022248453A1

WO2022248453A1 - Fall-detecting system

Info

Publication number: WO2022248453A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/064016
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronan PILARD; Patrick Pilard
Original assignee: Satas International
Priority date: 2021-05-25
Filing date: 2022-05-24
Publication date: 2022-12-01
Also published as: FR3123489A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a fall-detecting system for tracking at least one container on a fall into the sea. It comprises a fall-detecting device comprising: a casing (01); a balloon cover (02); a battery; a balloon (04); an air-cartridge system (05); an electronics casing (06) comprising an antenna, said electronics casing (06) incorporating a clock and a geolocating device; a supply cable (07) connected to the electronics casing (06); a fastening cable (08); and a sensor for detecting falls into the sea. The air-cartridge system (05) is configured to fill the balloon (04) with air, and said fall-detecting system is linked to computer terminals with a view to transmitting time and geolocation information periodically and on a fall into the sea of the fall-detecting device.

Description

Fall detection system

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a fall detection system.

It applies, in particular, to the field of intermodal transport, integration into the IoT (for Internet of Things in Anglo-Saxon terminology or the interconnection between the Internet and objects in French) and digitalization of the supply chain. The whole is secured by a database with a unique signature, more precisely in a system for tracking containers, pallets or other objects transported on the deck of ships, on deck.

All the current solutions on the market substitute the position of the ship for the position of the container during maritime bad weather.

Some prior art documents also provide container tracking devices.

For example, the publication document US20150161857 is known which describes an emergency location device comprising a body comprising a rescue balloon stored in the body, a helium pressure cartridge configured to be pierced by the helium pressure cartridge thus causing the transfer of helium to the rescue balloon. This device has a light that goes off when the balloon is deployed.

This configuration makes it possible to detect the fall of a container. The disadvantage of this type of solution is not having real-time tracking and location of the device. If the balloon is triggered, it is necessary to spot it by the light attached to the balloon.

It is also known the publication document WO2018 / 176152, US4185582 and US6359568 which shows or decries a balloon detached from a beacon. All have different methods to achieve the objective such as the use of ballast with a grapple for the document WO2018/176152 related to the issue of the aircraft, and all have their drawbacks. For example, they involve very complex mounting systems with many moving parts.

Presentation of the invention

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks with a totally innovative approach.

One of the objectives of the present invention is to satisfy the modern requirements of digitalization of the supply chain and its security by the single reference, it also makes it possible to validate the incidents related to the conditions of transport, but also to be able to organize the easy recovery. containers that have fallen overboard, through a fall detection and real-time tracking service, without false alarms.

The unique reference is a reference to a database formed of a chain of ordered blocks, called Blockchain. The system according to the invention interacts with a network, called a private network, which hosts in a distributed manner a database formed of a chain of ordered blocks, and associated with a protocol for writing/reading and cryptographic validation of transactions carried out on the private network. Such a database is better known by its English name Blockchain, which is used throughout the following.

More specifically, the invention aims to provide tracking of containers containing pallets or packages in all circumstances.

In particular, one objective of the invention is to provide such a technique making it possible to dispense with any other complex system and to facilitate position tracking, technical tracking, positioning and recovery of containers fallen at sea.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a technique which is inexpensive to implement without prior adjustment and which does not require any particular maintenance.

An object of the invention is to provide such a technique, which can be easily adapted to existing systems.

These objectives, as well as others that will appear later, are achieved, using a fall detection system to track at least one container during a fall into the sea, remarkable in what it includes:
- a fall detection device comprising a box, a balloon cover, a battery, a balloon, an air cartridge system, an electronic box comprising a UHF or satellite multifrequency radio connection antenna, said electronic box incorporates a clock and a device of geolocation connected to a unique reference to a database formed of a chain of ordered blocks, called Blockchain, a power cable connected to the electronic unit, a holding cable connecting the fall detection device and the ball, and a sensor detecting the fall overboard;
the air cartridge system is configured to fill the balloon with air when triggered by the sensor detecting the fall overboard of the fall detection device, said fall detection device is connected in real time by the electronic unit to computer terminals for transmitting time and geolocation position information periodically and during a fall overboard from the fall detection device;
- a central unit for receiving and processing information from at least one detection device, the central unit comprises a display screen, the central unit is configured to choose the number of repetitions per day of the date information, time and geolocation of each fall detection device.

Thanks to these provisions, the hybrid multifrequency UHF radio connection and the satellite connection of the invention allow connections from any place in the world, on land or at sea. The alert information is confirmed by the Blockchain automatically and thus allows a transparent analysis of the problems encountered during transport.

"Real-time" means that information is transmitted to the processing medium without waiting for a sensor to change.

The invention is advantageously implemented according to the embodiments and variants set out below, which are to be considered individually or according to any technically effective combination.

In one embodiment, it further comprises at least one modem for relaying information from at least one fall detection device, said modem comprises a bidirectional antenna and an electronic information transmission card, the information of geolocation is combined with information from the fall detection device; the central unit is configured to receive and process information from at least one modem.

In one embodiment, said system is configured to validate the alerts by the central unit before starting the AIS and Cospas Sarsat distress messages.

In one embodiment, the electronic box is placed inside the balloon.

In one embodiment, the electronics box is ejected with the balloon.

In one embodiment, the fall detection device includes magnets for attaching the fall detection device to a support.

In one embodiment, the sensor detecting the fall overboard is at least one of the following: temperature sensor, humidity sensor, pressure sensor, tilt sensor, shock sensor, accelerometer sensor , and water detection sensor.

In one embodiment, the periodic geolocation time and position information is per day and selected from one of the following numbers corresponding to a duration in hours: two, four, six, eight or twelve.

In one embodiment, the fall detection device further comprises a communication module, the communication module comprises a radio link with the modem; the electronic card is configured to also repeatedly transmit the information of the radio link between the fall detection device and the modem with respect to a predefined threshold corresponding to the quality of the signal of the radio link between the fall detection device fall and the modem.

Brief description of figures

Other advantages, objects and characteristics of the present invention emerge from the description which follows given, for the purpose of explanation and in no way limiting, with regard to the appended drawings, in which:

the represents a diagram of a view of the fall detection device which is the subject of the present invention;

the shows a diagram of another view of the fall detection device which is the subject of the present invention;

the shows a diagram of part of the fall detection device when the ball is outside the case;

the shows a diagram of another view of part of the fall detection device when the ball is outside the box;

the shows a diagram of a view of the fall detection device when the ball is outside the case.

The represents the fall detection device containing the ball inside.

The balloon is connected to the energy part by a power cable.

It is visible on the housing 01 and the balloon cover 02.

The box includes a battery, a balloon, an air cartridge system, an electronic box including a UHF (acronym for Ultra High Frequency) or satellite multifrequency radio connection antenna.

The electronic box incorporates a clock and a geolocation device linked to a unique reference to a database formed of a chain of ordered blocks, called Blockchain.

The database is remote from the fall detection device.

The fall detection device comprises a power cable connected to the electronic box, a steel retaining cable connecting the fall detection device and the ball, and a sensor detecting the fall overboard.

According to one example, the electronic unit comprises a LoRa transceiver (registered trademark, telecommunications protocol allowing low-speed communication, by radio, of objects with low power consumption), a satellite transceiver, technical sensors of different types, temperature, humidity, pressure, inclination sensor, shock, accelerometer, remotely controlled activator, lock type or thermostats, or any other sensor or activator controlled by computer programs.

The fall overboard monitoring system consists of a balloon automatically inflatable by shock detection or water detection.

The represents the fall detection device according to another view.

The battery hatch containing the battery is visible.

The shows a diagram of part of the fall detection device when the ball 04 is outside the box.

It is visible the balloon 04 connected to the air cartridge system 05, the power cable 07 connected to the electronic box, and a maintenance cable 08 connecting the fall detection device and the balloon 04. Preferably the maintenance cable is made of steel .

The shows a diagram of another view of part of the fall detection device when the ball is outside the case.

It is visible the balloon 04 connected to the air cartridge system 05 and the electronic box 06.

In this diagram, it is shown the opening with the balloon cover which is ejected by the balloon.

In this figure, the fixing system is shown. According to this embodiment, it is magnet 09.

Operation:

The fall detection device enables real-time tracking of containers from their points of departure (sender) to their points of arrival (receiver), this fall detection device embeds LoRaWAN communication systems (brand filed), Satellite, AIS (Automatic Identification System), NFC (from English Near Field Communication or CCP for Communication in Near Field, in French), RFID (from English Radio Frequency Identification for radio-identification), as well as various sensors (temperature, humidity, shock, inclination sensors).

The fall detection device is bidirectional and can receive and execute remotely controlled actions (eg opening doors).

The fall detection device is programmed according to the choices offered to the user, choice of the number of satellite messages per day and paired with a container for one or more trips.

Pairing is done from the RFID or NFC connections of a smartphone using a dedicated application, or from the website.

Once paired and during transport, the fall detection device transmits its position and the status of its sensors, on the LoRa network for the duration of the availability of connection to this network, on the satellite network each time the Satellite passes i.e. approximately every hour. Messages are sent at the rate chosen by the user.

The user chooses when programming his fall detection device the frequency of transmission of the information he wishes two, four, six, eight or twelve follow-up messages per day. Depending on this programming, messages are sent to this user and to each person he chooses as a recipient.

Alert data or time and position information from beacon fall detection devices are recorded and integrated into the Blockchain in order to secure them.

The LoRa or satellite type UHF radio connection system ensures reliable sending of information from these fall detection devices from all positions at sea or on land. This allows users to keep in constant contact with their assets in real time.

The term satellite connection is a module of the type "GSM" (from the English Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (from the English Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), LTE (from the English Long Term Evolution) or even 5G, or any standard, so as to transmit data, in particular by "SMS" type messages (Short Message Service) or data via the Internet, to a user or computer terminals.

In a variant, the beacons specific to the pallets or parcels contained in the container are connected to the fall detection devices of the container by radio of the LoRa, Bluetooth (registered trademark), Zigbee (registered trademark) or any other radio system type. The fall detection device is responsible for transferring information to users when these specific tags are locked in the container.

On large ships, the capabilities of these fall detection devices are extended by the installation of a network of Modems and a dedicated central unit making it possible to offer the captain of the ship full management of the containers on board equipped with these fall detection devices. In addition, in the event of a container drop, the central unit will inform the crew of the position of the drop, the time and the drift elements, making it possible to inform the other ships in the area.

This beacon fall detection device is also visible to all vessels in the area that are equipped with a compatible system, thus enabling them to avoid an incident.

The fall detection devices are installed on the containers, or pallets without any modification of the latter.

Our fall detection devices are autonomous, they are activated upon request to the activation services. As soon as the activation of the fall detection device has been validated, it becomes possible to enter the beacon's personalized tracking interface and enter all the transport data, by keyboard entry or by scanning the elements concerning the container. The specific tags for pallets or packages do not systematically embed technical sensors.

From the programming of a fall detection device, the Blockchain makes it possible to follow the life of the container during its journey, by updating the Blockchain at each stage of the transport of the container.

In the event of an incident, detected by a sensor of a fall detection device, the Blockchain is updated and interested persons are informed, via the system's secure communication networks, UHF LoRa radio or satellite connection.

This information arrives on computer terminals, or dedicated IOS (registered trademark) or Android (registered trademark) applications. These applications are equipped with geomatics to increase the quality of information and comfort during consultations.

In the event of a fall overboard, the tracking and signaling of the container is organized automatically, a balloon is inflated when the beacon touches the water. This balloon ensures the signaling of the presence of the container, the antennas allowing the connection of the UHF LoRa and satellite radio networks are integrated inside the balloon, so as to ensure a perfect connection to the satellite system. Radio messages can be sent.

Container elements, drop time, drop position, current position are transmitted regularly. It is then easy to follow the elements of natural drift due to wind or currents.

Ships in the area equipped with a LoRa-compatible fall detection system receive information from floating containers via the LoRa network and can organize themselves to avoid a collision.

On large ships, which are likely to carry a large number of containers, a specific Central Unit and Modem network are installed, thus increasing the performance of fall detection devices by providing the captain with information in case of fall, reference of the fallen container, position and time of the fall, start of automatic tracking of the position of the container allowing easy calculation of the drift, all of these provisions aiming to allow the captain to give precise information to avoid collisions and help organize the search and recovery of these containers.

The invention participates in the tracking of containers with high added value and which can be diverted.

The results are precise container tracking and the rapid distribution of secure information, but also the possibility of securing this type of transport by increasing the simplicity for the recovery of containers fallen at sea.

The applications make it possible to visualize the mode of transport used at the time of the consultation, containers on a truck, on a ship, on a train.

If a problem is detected by a sensor, an alert is generated and sent to the user.

The environment is composed of two-way modems and a central unit. On ships likely to carry a very large number of fall detection devices, a Modem network is installed which makes it possible to collect information from the fall detection devices and their sensors.

This information is sent to the central unit to be managed by the ship managers. It should be noted that the satellite system makes it possible to follow the beacons from any position on the globe, including at sea. The LoRaWAN network (registered trademark) is planned in order to be integrated into the network of ships equipped with LoRaWAN.

In the event of a container overboard:

The fall detection device is not submerged, it continues to emit

The beacon touches the sea water, the fall detection device is ejected when inflating a balloon.

The fall position is automatically and instantly sent to the Central Unit via the LoRa connection between the fall detection devices and the Modem installed on the vessel. According to one example, the ship's captain is informed within 5 seconds of the fall of the container.

LoRa messages are sent from the fall detection device to the ship throughout the period when the ship is within radio range of the fall detection device between 12 and 18 km.

The satellite link monitors the container at sea throughout the period when the container is floating. This tracking is sent each time the satellites pass to the users. When the container sinks, the system retains the last geolocation position obtained.

AIS is automatically activated and begins to transmit instantly, informing ships in the area of the presence of one or more floating containers.

Tracking of fall detection devices and their sensors is built into the Blockchain. Each incident is noted in case of loss of the container and the Blockchain validates the loss.

The system also includes a modem for relaying information from at least one fall detection device. The modem includes a geolocation antenna and an electronic information transmission card. Geolocation information is associated with information from the fall detection device.

A central unit makes it possible to receive and process information from at least one modem, the central unit includes a display screen. The central unit is configured to choose the number of repetitions per day of the date, time and geolocation information of each fall detection device.

A Modem network on a container ship makes it possible to retrieve information from all the fall detection devices attached to each container, to transfer them to the central unit, and thus give the captain of the ship full control of these devices. fall detection devices including communications sent by these fall detection devices via LoRa or Satellite networks.

In the event of a container falling overboard, the Captain of the ship is informed of the fall within 5 seconds of the impact with the water.

At the moment of the impact with the water, a balloon is ejected from the support of the fall detection device and continues to communicate, in LoRa towards the ship up to a distance of approximately 15 Kms, maximum communication distance in LoRa, via the satellite network until the container sinks. From the moment the container falls overboard, no action to block communications can be validated.

The navigation area around the container is marked, by LoRa radio for equipped vessels, by AIS for all vessels, visually by the position of the balloon on the surface.

Thus, the fall detection device comprises the following elements:
- Instantaneous information from the captain of the ship of the fall of a container, notification of fall, position of fall, time, including the references of the container and the declared loading elements;
- Instant activation of container tracking by the ship via LoRa radio, notification of a floating container to ships in the area equipped with LoRa;
- Instant activation of tracking via the satellite system until the moment the container sinks notification of a floating container sent to users;
- Information on the area to avoid accidents and the risk of pollution, via AIS and signaling balloon;
- Ability given to the captain to manage the control of fall detection devices from the central unit.

Références References		DésignationsDesignations
0101	boîtier housing
0202	capot ballon balloon hood
0303	trappe batterie battery hatch
0404	ballon ball
0505	système de cartouche air air cartridge system
0606	boîtier électronique electric case
0707	câble d’alimentation power cable
0808	câble de maintien acier steel retaining cable
0909	aimantmagnet

Claims

Fall detection system for monitoring at least one container during a fall into the sea, characterized in that it comprises:
- a fall detection device comprising a housing (01), a balloon cover (02), a battery, a balloon (04), an air cartridge system (05), an electronic box (06) comprising a connection antenna UHF (acronym for Ultra High Frequency) or satellite multifrequency radio, said electronic box (06) incorporates a clock and a geolocation device connected to a single reference to a database formed of a chain of ordered blocks, called Blockchain, a power cable (07) connected to the electronic unit (06), a holding cable (08) connecting the fall detection device and the balloon (04), and a sensor detecting the fall overboard;
the air cartridge system (05) is configured to fill the balloon (04) with air upon triggering by the sensor detecting the fall overboard of the fall detection device, said fall detection device is connected in real time by the electronic box (06) to computer terminals to transmit the information of the time and the geolocation position periodically and during a fall into the sea of the fall detection device;
- a central unit for receiving and processing information from at least one detection device, the central unit comprises a display screen, the central unit is configured to choose the number of repetitions per day of the date information, time and geolocation of each fall detection device.
System according to claim 1, in which it further comprises at least one modem for relaying information from at least one fall detection device, said modem comprises a bidirectional antenna and an electronic card for transmitting information, the geolocation information is combined with fall detection device information; the central unit is configured to receive and process information from at least one modem.
System according to claim 1, wherein said system is configured to validate the alerts by the central unit before starting the distress messages AIS (Automatic Identification System, registered trademark) and Cospas Sarsat (Cosmicheskaya Sistyema Poiska Avariynich Sudow or space system for search for ships in distress, registered trademark).
System according to claim 1, in which the electronic unit (06) is arranged inside the ball (04).
System according to claim 1, in which the electronic box (06) is ejected with the balloon (04).
A system according to claim 1, wherein the fall detection device includes magnets (09) for attaching the fall detection device to a support.
A system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor detecting the fall overboard is at least one of the following sensors: temperature sensor, humidity sensor, pressure sensor, tilt sensor, shock sensor, accelerometer, and water detection sensor.
A system according to claim 1, wherein the periodic geolocation time and position information is per day and selected from one of the following numbers corresponding to a duration in hours: two, four, six, eight or twelve.
A system according to claim 2, wherein the fall detection device further comprises a communication module, the communication module comprises a radio link with the modem; the electronic card is configured to also repeatedly transmit the information of the radio link between the fall detection device and the modem with respect to a predefined threshold corresponding to the quality of the signal of the radio link between the fall detection device fall and the modem.