GB2566985A

GB2566985A - Assets tracking system and method

Info

Publication number: GB2566985A
Application number: GB1715851.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Francis Cusack Phillip; Hussein Akram; Jacob Atkin Ross
Original assignee: P F Cusack Tool Supplies Ltd
Current assignee: P F Cusack Tool Supplies Ltd
Priority date: 2017-09-29
Filing date: 2017-09-29
Publication date: 2019-04-03
Anticipated expiration: 2037-09-29
Also published as: GB201715851D0; GB2566985B

Abstract

A system to monitor the location and/or orientation of an object 1 such as a road work site sign or barrier with respect to a required or reference orientation. The system transmits a signal from sensor, such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, or magnetometer, to a monitoring device and stores the received information in first database 12. A comparison is made between the orientation data stored in the first database with required orientation data stored in a second database. The results of the comparison are output to a display. The results of the comparison may be further compared with an acceptable value and only data outside of the acceptable value may be transmitted. The system may transmit data over a wireless communication system. The system may further comprise a sensor array comprising a plurality of sensors. The output may be transmitted to smartphone 19 or personal computing device 17 and may be an SMS text message. The object may include a location device such as GPS system 6 to determine its precise geographical location.

Description

The present invention relates to a signage or a barrier for use in relation to a work site or construction site, which signage or barrier is able to determine its orientation or location. The invention further relates to a system to monitor the status of one or more elements of signage or barriers.

Background of the Invention

When carrying out construction or repair work, objects such as signage and barriers are frequently utilised around the site where the work is carried out. The signage communicates information either to the workers or to passers-by, for example when the work is taking place on a public highway, to ensure that they are aware of what is happening, potential dangers and action to be taken. Regarding a barrier, these are intended to prevent a person from crossing to an area where they might be in danger, such as from falling into a hole in the ground or from having objects fall onto them from work being carried out above.

It is therefore important that such signage and barriers remain in the correct location, and also the correct orientation at that location. Particularly, in a work site there is a risk of impact against the object in question, which can change the orientation. Moreover, under windy conditions, the location and orientation can be affected. Objects can also be stolen from work sites, which gives the dual problem of a breach of safety and the need to locate the stolen object.

The above problems can be exacerbated on some work sites where work is not being carried out for a certain period, for example at night or at weekends, so the problem may not be noticed for several hours or days.

There is therefore an advantage in providing signage/barriers which allow the information on the status and object to be clearly communicated and also providing a system, which enables the status to be monitored from a location remote from the work site. The object and systems particularly contemplated are use in road works.

It is therefore an object to the invention to provide improved signage or barriers or an improved system to address the above problems.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of their invention, there is provided a system to monitor the location and/or orientation of an object, such as a sign or barrier for use as a part of a road work site, the system comprising the object having incorporated therein, a sensor, said sensor being in communication with a transmission device, the transmission device being adapted to send a signal to a receiver communicating linked to a monitoring device, the monitoring device being linked to a first database to store the information received, a second database, which retains data on the required orientation of an object a processor, said processor being linked to the database, and including a comparator to compare the data in the first database and that in the second database, an output means to display the results of the comparison.

The system therefore allows for continual monitoring of the status of the signage or barrier so that this can be reviewed remotely, thus saving the necessity of having a person on site to continually monitor the equipment.

The system preferably comprises a third database to store information related to deviation from position, the comparator carrying out a further comparison between the output from comparison of the data of the first database and that of the second database with said acceptable value and transmitting only data outside the acceptable value.

The system therefore transmits information only when a problem has arisen. Optionally, transmission is by a Bluetooth device and further optionally over a GSM network or a LoRa WAN network or other long range wireless communication system.

The sensor is preferably selected from an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, pressure sensor, microphone or infra-red proximity sensor, and further preferably is an accelerometer. This allows for the determination of a change in the orientation or position of a signage or a barrier as a changing motion thereof is readily determined.

Preferably, there is a sensor array comprising a plurality of such sensors.

Optionally, the output is transmitted to a smartphone or a personal computing device via a notification service, which is optionally a text to a mobile phone via an SMS gateway.

Preferably, the object includes a location device to determine its precise geographical location, said location device further preferably including a GPS location system.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of determining a change in orientation or location of an object such as a barrier or signage, comprising the inclusion of a sensor within an object, said sensor being in communication with a transmission device, the sensor sending a signal on its current status to said transmission device, the transmission device further sending a signal to a receiver communicating a link to a monitoring device, the monitoring device storing the information received in a first database, selecting a processor, said processor retrieving data from the first database and a second database retaining data on the required orientation of an object and comparing said data by means of a comparator included therein, the processor sending the output from the comparison to an output means to display the result.

Brief Description of the Drawing

The invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawing which showed by way of example only, an embodiment of a system. The drawing, illustrates diagrammatically an embodiment of a system as described herein.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention as described herein is intended for use in relation to a construction or maintenance worksite, and primarily in relation to road works being carried out. The system described enables one or more objects such as signage or a barrier to be monitored as to their orientation and location so that, should this be incorrect, action can be taken to rectify the situation. Additionally, the system can aid in providing information on the location of an object, should it be stolen or misplaced. The embodiment illustrated in figure 1 is described with respect of a barrier, which prevents a person from accessing the work site. It will be recognised however, that the system described herein is equally suited for the use and signage displayed around a work site.

Turning now to figure 1, this illustrates diagrammatically a system in accordance with the invention. The barrier 1 is of conventional overall design known in the art. The barrier 1 is formed of a blow- or roto-moulded plastics material and comprises a barrier panel 30 supported on two or more legs 31. The handles 32 are provided to aid in manoeuvring the barrier panel 30 between locations and to stand in the right orientation. The panel 30 can display signage, such as in area 33, which is generally rectangular in shape. The signage can be applied to the surface of the panel 30 or integral with a panel 30, before for example during the moulding process.

The barrier 1 includes a monitor 2. The monitor 2 includes a transmitter, such as a Bluetooth transmitter. The barrier 1 can include one or more sensors to determine information relating to the barrier 1. The sensor can be incorporated into the monitor 2, can be located adjacent to monitor 2 or can be in a separate part of the panel 30.

The monitor 2, along with any or each sensor, can be moulded integrally into the material from which the barrier 1 is formed. Alternatively, housings can be provided in the barrier

1, which enable a monitor 2 or sensor to be removed and replaced into the same position, perhaps after a battery change, or substituted by another replacement element.

A sensor can be selected from one or more of an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, pressure sensor, microphone or infra-red proximity sensor.

As such, the sensors can monitor the required parameter, which in the current invention is typically the orientation. By pre-setting tools, information from a sensor is transmitted into a sign monitor 5. Information comprises firstly identifying information 3, which sets out the particular monitor and the object in which it is incorporated. Second, the orientation of the barrier is transmitted. The transmission can occur by Bluetooth or other short range wireless communication protocol. In addition to receiving information on the orientation of a barrier, the site monitor also receives transmission from the barrier relating to the location of the barrier. The site monitor can therefore receive signal from a global positioning system 6. Either directly information is received, or after a certain amount of information/number of readings has been received, the site monitor transmits the identifying information 7 and orientation information 8 to a first database 12. The transmission can be achieved over a GSM network, a LoRa WAN network or over long range wireless communication system to a data service 11. The data service 11 includes a second database in which are stored location and orientation data relating to the barrier 1 detailing what these attributes should be at a particular time. The processor 13 then performs an analysis on the contents of the first database 12 in order to determine whether abnormal conditions exist on the site. Such abnormal conditions can include a change in the orientation of the barrier, removal of the barrier from detection range of the site monitor, or other anomalies indicated by changing the values of the sensors in the barrier.

For example, an accelerometer will detect whether a barrier has moved its positions and can also give an idea of the site of the impulse causing the motion. The processor can include pre-set minimum values, below which no alert is given (see below).

The processor can either transmit data on the status of the barrier panel 30 continuously or can be programmed to issue updates only when the alert parameters are satisfied. When such abnormal conditions exist, an alert 14 is transmitted to one or more individuals responsible for the site, either directly to a web or a native application 19 running on a smartphone or other personal computing device 17, to a smartphone or other personal computing device 17, via a notification service 15 or to a mobile phone 19 as an SMS text, via an SMS gateway 16.

In an alternative application of the system, an individual 20 responsible for the site may issue an instruction through the web or native application 18 for a site inventory to be created. In this embodiment, the data service 11 creates a list of the identification information of equipment at present. At a later time, the same or another individual can issue an instruction through the web or native application 18 for the site contents, as determined by the identifying information 3 of the available equipment monitor 2, to be compared to the inventory with the resources played via the web or the native application 18.

In a further application, also as not illustrated, where a piece of equipment is removed from the detection rate of the site monitor, the identifying information of the equipment can be added by the application 11 to a database of missing equipment. If transmission from an equipment monitor is received, this identification information matches one on the list of missing equipment, by either a site monitor 5 or any smartphones or other personal computing devices 17, running the web or native application 18, carried by passing system users 20, the location of the equipment is transmitted to the data service.

When such transmissions are received, the application 11 may generate an alert 14 containing the location and identifying information of the equipment, which is transmitted to one or more individuals responsible for the site 20, either directly to a web or native application 18 running on a smartphone or a personal computing device 17, to a smartphone or other personal computing device 17 via a notification service 15 or to a mobile phone 19 as an SMS text via an SMS gateway 16.

Claims

1. A system to monitor the location and/or orientation of an object, such as a sign or barrier for use as a part of a road work site, the system comprising the object having incorporated therein, a sensor, said sensor being in communication with a transmission device, the transmission device being adapted to send a signal to a receiver communicating linked to a monitoring device, the monitoring device being linked to a first database to store the information received, a second database, which retains data on the required orientation of an object a processor, said processor being linked to the database, and including a comparator to compare the data in the first database and that in the second database, and an output means to display the results of the comparison.

2. A system according to claim 1, the system further comprising a third database to store information related to deviation from position, the comparator carrying out a further comparison between the output from comparison of the data of the first database and that of the second database with said acceptable value and transmitting only data outside the acceptable value.

3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein transmission is by at least one of:

• a Bluetooth device;

• a GSM network;

• a LoRa WAN network.

4. A system according to any of the preceding claims wherein the sensor is an accelerometer.

5. A system according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensor is a gyroscope, magnetometer, pressure sensor, microphone and infra-red proximity sensor.

6. A system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a sensor array, the sensor array comprising a plurality of sensors, selected from the following:

• gyroscope, • magnetometer, • pressure sensor, • microphone • nfra-red proximity sensor.

7. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the output is transmitted to a smartphone or a personal computing device via a notification service, which is optionally a text to a mobile phone via an SMS gateway.

8. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the object includes a location device to determine its precise geographical location, said location device further preferably including a GPS location system.

9. A method of determining a change in orientation or location of an object such as a barrier or signage, comprising the inclusion of a sensor within an object, said sensor being in communication with a transmission device, the sensor sending a signal on its current status to said transmission device, the transmission device further sending a signal to a receiver communicating a link to a monitoring device, the monitoring device storing the information received in a first database, selecting a processor, said processor retrieving data from the first database and a second database retaining data on the required orientation of an object and comparing said data by means of a comparator included therein, the processor sending the output from the comparison to an output means to display the result.