EP2306420B1 - Method for monitoring security personnel and corresponding device - Google Patents

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a method and to a corresponding device for monitoring a security post, wherein the attention parameters of the security post are detected by a detection module at regular intervals and an alarm signal is transmitted to an alarm center by a transmission module when the attention parameters of the security post of predetermined Values deviate.

In this application, the term alarm signal refers to any signal which is transmitted to the alarm center and which causes the construction site to be evacuated. In practice, this signal is often called a warning tone. In the same sense, in practice, instead of the term "alarm center", often also "warning center" is used.

was standing of the technology

On railway lines are often carried out work in which no complete blockage of rail traffic is made. Some work can be done relatively quickly, so that a blockage of the tracks is not necessary and there are no disruptions in the timetable. In other cases, there are no alternative driving options, so that the blocking is not possible. Finally, a complete blockage of the tracks at a construction site for economic reasons may not make sense.

In such situations, however, care must be taken with respect to the safety of construction workers. In particular, it is necessary in such cases to ensure timely and reliable evacuation of railway track construction work. After passage of a train work on or near tracks can be continued. Therefore, it is particularly important to notice the approaching trains in time and then issue a corresponding alarm message early.

Conventionally, this alerting is based on persons (so-called security posts), which are set up at a certain distance from the construction site. Your task is to transmit a message to the alarm center when approaching a train. Typically, special devices are provided for transmitting signals that can carry the safety posts on the body. To transmit an alarm signal, usually at least two different controls should be operated. Often these are two buttons, which have to be pressed simultaneously. Also levers may be provided which must be pivoted in certain directions. In this way, errors are detected faster, and also prevents unwanted, accidental alarm triggering.

In any case, these safety posts must be located far enough from the construction site so that the construction workers have enough time to go to safety before the train arrives. Often they have to stand so far away that they no longer have visual contact with the other construction workers. Such a situation entails an additional security risk, which is additionally reinforced by the condition or attention of the security posts. If a security post at a certain moment is not able to recognize the approaching danger and to initiate the alarm quickly, it can lead to serious accidents. Thus, it is very important to continuously monitor the condition or attention of the security post and to take appropriate action when irregularities are detected.

This problem is conventionally solved so that a so-called "dead man's circuit" is provided in the device which is carried by the security posts. The security post must operate this deadman circuit at regular intervals. If he omits this for some reason, after a predetermined time called T1 an acoustic (and sometimes also an optical) warning signal. This warning signal can be turned off in the sequence by the operation of the dead man's circuit. However, if the deadman circuit is not operated even after the triggering of this warning signal, the alarm signal or interference signal is sent to the alarm center after a second predetermined time - called T2. Typically, 20 seconds are selected for time T1 and 25 seconds for time T2.

Now, this review of the attention of security posts for those affected is very tedious. Usually, they have to acknowledge (confirm) every 20 seconds the warning signals described above by operating controls on their devices. This is clearly unfavorable from an ergonomic point of view and over time leads to a very heavy use of the fingers and potential damage to the same. In addition, the security posts are also exposed to continuous noise pollution from the audible warning signals. In addition, the recurring operations inevitably lead to a repetitive automation of the actions, which carries another source of danger in itself. Often it happens that the safety posts do not press on the alarm buttons when approaching trains by habit, but rather on the buttons of the dead man's circuit. In such cases, the potential consequences are grave, as no alarm is triggered on the construction site in such a situation.

In addition, accidents can occur with the conventional solutions despite this regular control of the safety posts. As described above, an audible or visual warning signal is triggered at regular intervals, to which the safety posts must respond. Typically, the security posts must push the corresponding buttons within 5 seconds. Thus, if the security guard gets into trouble immediately after the first warning signal is acknowledged, the actual alarm signal is transmitted to the alarm center only after 25 seconds (20 seconds until the next warning signal and another 5 seconds for acknowledgment). If a train approaches during this time, it will not be detected and the construction workers will not be warned. This can also have serious consequences.

For this reason, nowadays the distance between the location of the safety posts and the construction site (the so-called announcement distance) is increased by the time necessary for the passage of an undetected train (ie the announcement time plus the deadman switch). Thus, the security posts are placed at positions that are even further removed from the actual construction site. But so increases the probability that a switch between the construction site and the security post comes to rest. If this is the case, additional tracks must be monitored so that another safety post must be set up. This makes the construction site even larger, more complicated and even more expensive, and the entire security system becomes more complex.

The DE 2532504 describes a device for monitoring the attention parameters by itself on self-employed persons.

Disclosure of the invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose a new method for monitoring a security post and the corresponding new device, which do not have the above-described and other disadvantages of the prior art. It is above all an object of the present invention to provide a new method for monitoring a security post and the corresponding device, which guarantee a more comfortable handling and increased security. In addition, the advance notice should be able to be reduced as much as possible.

According to the present invention, these objects are achieved in particular by the elements of the independent claims. Other advantageous embodiments are further evident from the dependent claims and the description.

In particular, these objects of the invention are achieved in that in a method for monitoring a security post, in which the attention parameters of the security post are detected by a detection module and an alarm signal is transmitted to an alarm center by a transmission module when the attention parameters of the security post of predetermined values deviate, by at least one device the detection module movement of the security post is detected, counted in the absence of movement of the security post a first predetermined time by a Zeitzählmodul, and after the counting of the first predetermined time a warning signal is issued, and after Triggering the warning signal counted a second predetermined time by the time counting module, and after the counting of the second predetermined time, the alarm signal is transmitted by the transmission module to the alarm center.

In particular, this invention has the advantage that the attention of the security post is now automatically monitored without requiring active acknowledgment by the security post. In this way, the security post can devote itself to its main task without being constantly interrupted by the warning signals and the necessary acknowledgment. Also can be massively reduced by a continuous control of the movement, the first counting time, so that then the announcement time can be significantly reduced overall.

In one embodiment of the invention, the counting of the first predetermined time and / or the counting of the second predetermined time in determining the movement of the security post by the device is interrupted. The advantage of this variant is above all that no warning signal is emitted at a continuous movement of the security post. If no movement is detected during a certain period of time (for example, if the security post has briefly assumed a sitting position), the counting of the warning times in the next movement is automatically interrupted. So the ease of use for the security post increases again.

In another embodiment of the invention, the counting of the first predetermined time and / or the counting of the second predetermined time is interrupted by an interruption action of the security post. This variant has the particular advantage that the security post, the acknowledgment as needed, for example, also traditional, by pressing on buttons or by moving levers. Also, in certain situations, the movement of the body is not necessarily possible, so that nevertheless a classic acknowledgment can be beneficial.

In a further embodiment variant of the invention, the movement of the security post is detected by at least one movement or acceleration sensor or gyroscope. The advantage of this embodiment is, in particular, that the movement can be detected directly by an integrated motion or acceleration sensor or a gyroscope. Motion or acceleration sensors are usually relatively cheap and not prone to failure. In addition, they usually detect very fine movements. Therefore, they are particularly suitable for use on construction sites. As far as gyroscopes are concerned, they are also capable of detecting rotational movements, which can be quite advantageous on construction sites.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the movement of the security post is detected by at least one optical recognition unit. For example, a camera or video camera to record the environment of the security post at regular intervals, in which case the recorded images are evaluated by an internal or external analysis unit. If there are no differences between two or more successive shots, it is safe to assume that the safety guard will not move. A similar evaluation can also be made with light patterns in that a specific light pattern is emitted by a light emission module into the surroundings of the security post and the change of this pattern is detected by a corresponding sensor. It would also be conceivable, instead of using such an active mechanism, to use a more passive system by which an analysis of the ambient light in different directions would be used to detect movements. Finally, it is also possible to detect the movements of the security post also with the help of an integrated distance measuring device. This variant has the particular advantage that thanks to a very high sensitivity Such recognition units also very fine movements of the security post can be registered in a simple manner.

It should be noted at this point that the present invention also relates to a corresponding device in addition to the method according to the invention described above.

short description of drawings

• Figur 1 ist eine schematische Darstellung eines Sicherheitspostens mit einer erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung und der Alarmzentrale, welche zum Durchführen des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens verwendet werden können;
• Figur 2 ist eine schematische Darstellung der Struktur der Vorrichtung gemäss einer Ausführungsvariante der Erfindung;
• Figur 3 ist eine schematische Darstellung der Baustelle, an welcher die Überwachung der Sicherheitsposten mittels des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens und der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung durchgeführt wird.

Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of examples. The examples of the embodiments are illustrated by the following enclosed figures:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a security post with an inventive device and the alarm center, which can be used to carry out the inventive method;
• FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the structure of the device according to an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the construction site at which the monitoring of security posts by means of the inventive method and the inventive device is performed.

Embodiments of invention

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a situation in which a security post 10 is monitored by the method according to the invention. In Figure 1, the security post 10 is located near the tracks 40 which are to be secured. The security post 10 carries an inventive device 20. This device 20 may be formed in various forms - in particular, it can be worn on the body of the security post 10 and directly into a prior art device for Triggering of alarm signals AS are integrated. This integration makes a lot of sense because security post 10 does not need to focus on different devices during its work. Of course, it is also conceivable to provide a completely independent device 20 without this impairing the essential advantages of the invention.

Such known devices for triggering alarm signals AS include a power source (not shown) and at least one triggering element (also not shown), by which the approach of a train can be signaled. Often, a plurality of trigger elements are provided to prevent accidental and unwanted alarm triggering, which must be pressed simultaneously. The triggering elements are typically designed as buttons. But instead of buttons, it is also possible to provide levers or other similar controls.

If, in a detected approaching train, the alarm signal AS is triggered by the security post 10 as described above, it is transmitted to a receiving module 33 of an alarm center 30 by a transmission module 25 of the device 20. In addition to the receiving module 25, this alarm center 30 also includes acoustic 31 and / or optical 32 warning means, by means of which the construction workers are warned of approaching danger. Typically loud loudspeakers and / or rotary lights are used so that the alarm and the subsequent evacuation can be carried out very quickly. Of course, other suitable signaling devices can be used.

The structure of the device 20 will be closer in FIG FIG. 2 shown. In addition to the already mentioned transmission module 25 for the transmission of alarm signals AS to the alarm center 30, the device 20 also includes a detection module 21, thanks to which the monitored attention parameters of the security post 10 can be detected. This detection can be carried out at regular intervals. However, it is quite possible to use any, not regular time intervals for detection.

In particular, as attention parameters of the security post 10, the movements of his body can be used. In principle, it can be assumed that a security post 10 moves continuously during a work assignment. The continuous movement of the security post is to be understood so that the security post in the normal state constantly performs light movements. These can also happen on the spot, so that the movement does not necessarily attract a change in position. Therefore, the failure of movements of the security post 10 may serve as a strong indication of a non-normal condition and therefore a poor attention. Of course, it would be conceivable in the same sense to use the movements of the eyelids or other body parts of the security post 10. Therefore, the detection module 21 comprises at least one device 22, 23, thanks to which a movement of the security post 10 can be detected or detected.

In particular, the detection module 21 may include at least one motion or acceleration sensor or gyroscope 22. The acceleration sensors are sensors that can measure the acceleration and then evaluate it accordingly. However, this measurement is typically achieved indirectly by measuring the inertial force acting on a test mass. Thus, an increase in speed or a decrease in speed and thus a movement can be detected. Such acceleration sensors are also called accelerometers or accelerometers. Motion sensors are combinations of acceleration sensors, which are placed in a particular arrangement to each other, so that they can detect spatial intrinsic motion by the resolution of minimal changes in acceleration. The simplest arrangement of such a motion sensor are three mutually perpendicular and the three space coordinates (X, Y, Z) covering the acceleration sensors. After all, gyroscopes or gyroscopes are in principle rapidly rotating, symmetrical gyros which rotate in a mobile bearing. Gyroscopes are commonly used as navigational instruments or for active attitude control, especially for aerospace. In the attitude control of spacecraft is exploited that the entire system of spacecraft and gyroscope maintains its angular momentum and thus the position can be controlled by angular momentum transfer between the two.

Another possibility for detecting movements of the security post 10 is the use of an optical recognition unit 23 or a distance measuring device. Such an optical detection unit 23 may, for example, comprise a camera which records moving or static images of the surroundings of the security post 10. These images can then be analyzed by a corresponding evaluation unit to detect movements of the security post 10. Thus, for example, in the case of a moving image which has no changes over a certain period of time, an absence of the movement is very quickly detected. In the case of successively recorded static images, which are essentially not different from one another, it is also possible to clearly deduce the absence of the movement. Of course, many other optical detection units are also conceivable here by which the movements of the security post 10 can be detected. Similarly, by a distance measuring unit, a continuous evaluation of the distance between the safety post 10 and a certain point can be performed. If this distance does not change over a certain period of time, it can be assumed that the security post 10 no longer moves.

Of course, a combination of these different means can be used to detect the movement of the security post 10. In this way, increased reliability of the detection can be achieved, so that unnecessary detection errors can be eliminated.

In addition to this detection module 21, the device 20 according to the invention also includes a time counting module 24. This time delay module 24 is connected to the detection module 21 and serves to count a first predetermined time T1 after detection of the movement of the safety post 10 by the detection module 21. In conventional devices, this first time T1 is 20 seconds. By using the inventive method and the inventive device can but this time can be shortened to 5 seconds. Of course, it is also the case that the time T1 can be adjusted as desired.

If a renewed movement of the security post 10 is detected by the detection module 21 during the counting of this first time T1, this is signaled to the time counting module 24 so that it can interrupt the counting. However, if the first predetermined time T1 is counted down completely, without any movement of the security post 10 being detected, a warning signal WS is output by the time counting module 24. This warning signal WS serves to attract the attention of the security post 10, so that he can devote himself to his main task. For this purpose, the time counting module 24 is connected to a corresponding alarm module 26. This alarm module 26 may be formed, for example, as an alarm horn. However, it is also conceivable to use other suitable acoustic or optical warning means.

After the triggering of this warning signal WS, the time counting module 24 begins to count down a second predetermined time T2. Typically, this second time T2 may be 5 seconds, but of course this time may also be shortened or lengthened as needed. If no movement of the security post 21 is still detected after the counting of this second predetermined time T2 by the detection module 21, the transmission of the alarm signal or interference signal AS by the transmission module 25 to the alarm center 30 is activated. In this case, the evacuation of the construction site is ordered by the alarm center, since it can no longer be guaranteed that all the dangers approaching can be detected in good time.

If, however, a movement of the security post 10 is detected by the detection module 21 during the counting of the second time T2, this information is again signaled to the time counting module 24, so that the counting can be interrupted. At the same time the warning signal WS is switched off.

In the specific case, a warning signal WS is therefore output during the absence of movements of the security post 10 during the predetermined time T1. If then the security post 10 notices this, he can interrupt the warning signal WS in principle very easily, by making a quick movement. This movement is detected by the detection module 21, so that the counting of the second predetermined time T2 is interrupted. In this case, no alarm signal is transmitted to the alarm center 30 and the construction site is not evacuated accordingly. Of course, however, the counting of the first predetermined time T1 and / or the counting of the second predetermined time T2 may also be interrupted by an active interrupt action of the security post 10. For this purpose, in turn special controls (buttons or levers) can be provided on the device 20.

In FIG. 3 is shown schematically a construction site at which the monitoring of the safety posts 10, 15 is carried out by means of the inventive method. In the area of the construction site 41 are various construction machines (shown schematically here by a mobile crane 50), as well as the construction workers 11, 12, 13, 14. Both the machine 50 and the construction workers 11, 12, 13, 14 must before approaching and passing hazards (trains) are warned by the alarm center 30. The corresponding alarm signals are normally transmitted to the alarm center 30 by the security posts 10, 15 active. Alternatively, the alarm signals are automatically transmitted to the alarm center 30 by the respective devices 20 after a lack of attention of the security posts 10, 15 is detected as described above.

Improved monitoring of security posts 10, 15 can dramatically reduce announcement distance 42. It is true that, thanks to continuous monitoring of the movements of the safety posts 10, 15, an anomaly can be detected very quickly. Thus, the first predetermined time T1 can be chosen very short. As a result, all disturbances can be detected much faster and more efficiently, which leads to a shortening of the announcement time. Thus, the described Problems resulting from long announcement distances solved very efficiently.

Finally, it should be pointed out that the exemplary embodiments described by way of example represent only a selection of possible implementations of the inventive concepts and should in no way be regarded as limiting. Those skilled in the art will understand that many other implementations of the invention are possible without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention.

Claims (11)

1. Method for monitoring a security guard (10, 15) for security of construction sites on railway tracks against approaching trains, whereby the alertness parameters of the security guard (10, 15) are detected by a detection module (21) and an alarm signal (AS) is transmitted to an alarm center (30) by a transmission module (25) if the alertness parameters of the security guard (10, 15) deviate from predetermined values,
   characterized
   in that a movement of the security guard (10, 15) is detected by at least one apparatus (22, 23) of the detection module (21),
   in that with absence of a movement of the security guard (10, 15) a first preset time is counted by a time counter module (24), and after the counting of the first preset time a warning signal (WS) is emitted, and
   in that after triggering of the warning signal (WS) a second preset time is counted by the time counter module (24), and after the counting of the second preset time the alarm signal (AS) is transmitted by the transmission module (25) to the alarm center (30), whereby an evacuation of the construction site is initiated.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the counting of the first preset time and/or the counting of the second preset time is interrupted upon detection of a movement of the security guard (10, 15) by the apparatus (22, 23).
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the counting of the first preset time and/or the counting of the second preset time is interrupted through an interruption action of the security guard (10, 15).
4. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the movement of the security guard (10, 15) is detected by at least one motion sensor or acceleration sensor (22) or gyroscope (22).
5. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the movement of the security guard (10, 15) is detected by at least one optical recognition unit (23) or a distance measuring device.
6. Device (20) for monitoring a security guard (10, 15) for security of construction sites on railway tracks against approaching trains, whereby the alertness parameters of the security guard (10, 15) are detectable at regular time intervals by a detection module (21) and an alarm signal (AS) is transmittable to an alarm center (30) by a transmission module (25) if the alertness parameters of the security guard (10, 15) deviate from predetermined values,
   characterized
   in that the detection module (21) comprises at least one apparatus (22, 23) for detecting a movement of the security guard (10, 15),
   in that a time counter module (24) is provided,
   whereby with absence of the movement of the security guard (10, 15) a first preset time is countable by the time counter module and after counting of the first preset time a warning signal (WS) is emittable, and
   whereby after triggering of the warning signal (WS) a second preset time is countable by the time counter module (24), and after counting of the second preset time the transmission of the alarm signal (AS), which initiates an evacuation of the construction site, is able to be activated by the transmission module (25).
7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that means are provided for interruption of the counting of the first preset time and/or of the second preset time, the means being able to be activated by the detection module (21) or by the security guard (10, 15).
8. Device according to one of the claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the detection module (21) comprises at least one motion sensor or acceleration sensor (22) or gyroscope (22).
9. Device according to one of the claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the detection module (21) comprises at least one optical recognition unit (23).
10. Device according to one of the claims 6 to 9, characterized in that it is able to be worn on the body of the security guard (10, 15).
11. Device according to one of the claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the detection module (21) comprises at least one distance measuring device.

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