GB2571118A

GB2571118A - Eye wear-attachable safety communication apparatus, safety insurance method and a system

Info

Publication number: GB2571118A
Application number: GB1802616.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Johnson Marvin; Newman Christopher; Hemasri Ram
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-02-18
Filing date: 2018-02-18
Publication date: 2019-08-21
Also published as: GB201802616D0

Abstract

Apparatus 4 for monitoring a work environment, comprises at least one sensor for sensing working environment parameters, a microcontroller, and a rechargeable battery. The apparatus is configured to perform at least one of: monitoring working environment physical conditions, monitoring a user’s physiological vital signs, detecting hazards breaching a safe working threshold, notifying users about the hazardous event, or notifying a user’s supervisor about the hazardous scenario and user behaviour to take action or ignore local alert based on an internal algorithm. The apparatus further comprises a glasses frame docking system 5, 6having means for quick and secure attachment/detachment of the apparatus to a frame arm 2 of a safety glasses. The docking system may include an elastic lug or loop for insertion of the frame arm and retention based on friction force, a locking cavity and corresponding protrusion, a male-female joint, or a magnetic assembly. In a second aspect an external auxiliary signage device is arranged to communicate with an apparatus for monitoring a work environment and is wirelessly paired with the apparatus.

Description

EYEWEAR-ATTACHEABLE SAFETY COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, SAFETY ENSURANCE METHOD AND A SYSTEM

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to work environment active safety warning systems. More specifically it relates to safety glasses auxiliary device, providing feedback of environment conditions and the user’s physiological and biometric data, preferably with integrated single or multi-direction communication and sensor-based safety systems.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

During construction and industrial production work activities, personnel are individually and collectively exposed to life threatening hazards in the workplace. Hazards are defined as anything that has the potential to cause harm or damage to personnel, the environment and property. Manufacturing facilities and construction job sites are notoriously highly hazardous work environments and present a formidable challenge to keep employees safe from harm.

Historically, the heavy manufacturing and construction industries are notorious for their sub-optimal health and safety performance. The Health & Safety at Work Act 1977 imposes a legal responsibility and obligation on the Employer to provide safe systems of work, safe premises, and safe plant and equipment by identifying and effectively managing hazards in the workplace. The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require the Employer to undertake risk assessments for all work activities, a process that identifies known or foreseeable hazards and assesses the likelihood and severity (i.e. the risk) of harm to personnel occurring. The legislation requires that all reasonably practicable measures be taken to reduce to an acceptable level the residual risk levels for activities evaluated in the risk assessment.

Due to the inherently dynamic and frequently changing nature of construction and manufacturing worksites, combined with the unpredictability of human behavior in the performance of labor-intensive activities, it is common for unplanned risk exposure conditions to occur while the planned work is in progress. The ability to detect any unsafe or at risk work situations that arise during the activity determines the ability to maintain a safe environment as planned in the pre-work risk assessment. Recent advances in sensor technology systems can now enable continuous, automated detection and communication of hazardous conditions.

Significant effort has been put to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries by improving the safety gear of the personnel. One of the directions is to use personal protective equipment, such as attachable badges or sensors integrated in protective wear, such as helmets or shoes. Such devices allow new hazards or risk exposure levels arising to be detected and managed in a timely fashion in order to prevent harm to exposed workers during work operations. It comprises miniaturized sensors and software algorithms.

The prior art technical sources describe variety of automatic hazard detection systems, which provide warning signals either in visual or audible fashion. The judgement to activate a warning signal is based on output of a collection of sensors arranged to detect risk factors, which are typical for the certain working environment.

The US patent application No. US9013297B1 describes a portable communications device, which might be transportable to remote locations by an individual, includes a control unit. A biometric sensor is electrically connected to the control unit, it senses an environmental condition local to the individual and creates and transmits a signal to the control unit. A communications unit is electrically connected to the control unit. It receives the signals from the control unit and transmits them away from the remote locations.

Another US patent application No. US20120124720A1 describes an impact sensing device comprising a plurality of accelerometers orthogonally oriented with respect to each other and attachable at a body location. Each accelerometer is capable of producing a signal indicative of an impact. An integrated circuit is configured to determine the magnitude and direction of the impact based on the signals and operative to activate an indicator when the magnitude exceeds a selected threshold based on the direction of the impact. The device measures head injury coefficient.

Yet another US patent application No. US20150201850A1 describes a system for determining a life threatening condition of a human. The system may include at least one mobility sensor mounted to a human body and configured to measure mobility of physiological parameters of said human body or environmental sensor configured to measure environmental parameters indicative of an environment of said human body. Also, a computer processor configured to apply a decision function configured to determine a predefined life endangering condition of said human body, based on said parameters and statistical relationship between them.

A Korean patent No. KR20150122931 describes a safety shoe having a worker emergency notifying function. When personal emergency occurs around a worker wearing the shoe, the emergency is sensed to be automatically notified to a work control tower, or the worker can notify his/her emergency by operating an emergency button formed on the safety shoe. To this end, the safety shoe worn to protect a foot of a worker comprises: a sensor unit including a shock sensor for sensing external shock applied to the safety shoe, and an angle sensor for sensing a change in angle of the safety shoe at a determined degree or larger while the worker is wearing the safety shoe; a timer connected to the angle sensor, and counting time when the change in angle of the safety shoe occurs; a signal treating unit for generating and outputting an emergency signal by considering one of the following situations as occurrence of abnormal signals in a situation in which a shock signal generated from the shock sensor is greater than or equal to a set value, or a situation in which the change in angle of the safety shoe is maintained at time set by a timer or longer; and a communications module for transmitting an emergency signal to a communications device of a work control tower when the emergency signal occurs by the signal treating unit, and notifying occurrence of personal emergency around the worker.

The US patent application No. US20140052567A1 describes an apparatus and method for providing contextual recommendations based on user state. In some embodiments, sensor data corresponding to at least one sensor included in an item worn by a user is received. A user state is determined based on the received sensor data. In response to a state change being satisfied by at least the user state, a recommendation is determined based on the user state and a profile associated with the user. The recommendation may be presented on an electronic mobile device associated with the user.

US patent application No. US20150065889A1 describes a photo plethysmography-based sensor for measuring heart rate. The sensor includes light sources configured to illuminate a body tissue. Each of two light sources are configured to detect light comprising portions, transferred through the body tissue; and a processor with an analog measurement part configured to receive light intensity reading of at least a portion of light as sensed by each one of both sensor and coming from each of both sources and calculate a measure of tissue absorption based on ratios of light portions transmitted by sources and measured by detectors.

However, significant drawbacks of prior art inventions lay in the fact that the sensor bundles are either integrated in a protective wear and it is difficult to transmit the warning signal to the worker him/herself, existing wear cannot be upgraded with sensors and signaling system, or the sensors are put into a badge, which has to be attached to the clothes, which makes it subject to detachment, damage, or the worker can simply forget to attach it.

The timing of detection permits the opportunity for early intervention action, which can in extreme cases require temporary cessation of work activities. Conversely, late detection and/or intervention may result in a lost opportunity to prevent an accident.

Prior art solutions known as Google Glass and heads-up display by Recon Instruments Inc., as described in the US patent application US2015177521 provide safe systems, which might be adapted for work using wearable technology provide both visual and audio notifications and can offer some eye protection to the wearer, however they are in themselves distracting by presenting visual information in the wearers line of vision and are mostly not suitable for use in work environments where it is critical for vision clarity to be maintained unobstructed. In addition, in reference to prior art patents, they require to be connected wirelessly to a secondary mobile communications device, therefore require unnecessary hand-held device and thus are also conversely limiting in terms of true hands-free and safe operation. Moreover, these devices are prohibitively expensive for mass adoption and are typically considered luxury consumer items, normally not associated with use during industrial or construction site activities.

SUMMARY

This invention aims to create a safety communication device in a form of an innovative detachable rugged safety glasses attachment, that uses ambient, fuzzy logic and knowledge based artificial intelligence inference engine.

The invention comprises a set of CPU, rechargeable battery, its recharge port, glasses frame docking system, various modules, such as: buzzer, communications, connectivity board and numerous sensors. Moreover, the invention supports Bluetooth paired wrist worn device, which ensures that warnings can be headed by visual haptic communications. Also, the invention supports external sensors usage. The assembly of such parts and software algorithms enables to monitor work environment conditions and to provide a continuous real time automated alert generation capability to enable instantaneous identification and both audio and visual notification in the event of any combination of hazards breaching safe working threshold. In a breach event, the device activates an incoming local artificial intelligent voice call, text message or email communication, thus providing immediate warning to the operator and their responsible supervisor(s)/manager(s) and interactive, two-way information flows. The device’s main purpose is to sense both user’s actions and environmental conditions and provide a realtime active feedback alerting system, using an artificial intelligence logic (knowledge based, fuzzy logic & ambient) without the need of any externally connected mobile devices.

The set of sensors may include accelerometers, humidity, temperature, geomagnetic, orientation, light, nuclear or X-ray radiation, electromagnetic field, electrostatic charge, and other sensors, as well as heart rate monitor, noxious gas leakage detectors or sensors.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Drawings are provided as a reference only and in no way should limit the scope of the invention. None of the nodes depicted in the drawing shall be deemed as limiting, rather just as an example of many possible embodiments. An exemplary drawing of the device attached to regular working glasses for the apparatus.

Figure 1.	An exemplary drawing of standard safety glasses comprising a pair of safety grade eye protection lenses (3) and a pair of side frame arms (2) which extend along the side of a person’s temple/head; the intelligent auxiliary device is affixed to one of the frame arms, it comprises a detachable casing that houses all the electronics of the device, an opening (7), which is used to receive any kind of information about the environment and/or send audio signal to the user (isometric view).
Figure 2.	An exemplary drawing of the device attached to regular working glasses, the device comprises a frame arm docking system (5, 6) (isometric view).
Figure 3.	A schematic drawing of the safety system in its case (4) with a preferable embodiment of a ‘slide-and-lock’ docking system (5, 6).
Figure 4.	An exemplary UML diagram of the network and signal-pathwayreception flow, showing how the auxiliary device interacts with a beacon or external sensors to provide inputs to the ‘inference engine logic’ of the invention.
Figure 5.	A schematic drawing of the safety system in its case (4) (top view) having an alternative frame arm docking system (10, 11).
Figure 6.	An exemplary drawing of physically separate, but digitally connected wrist-worn signage device (12), attached to the user’s wrist, showing an exemplary notification alert on its display screen (13).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure relates to safety glasses attachment apparatus. Herein and further in this description the apparatus (4) may be referred to as an ‘intelligent auxiliary device’ or ‘the attachment’. The purpose of the attachment is to monitor work environment conditions and provide a continuous, real time, automated alert generation capability to enable instantaneous identification and notification in the event of safe working threshold breaches for any one or combination of hazards. The apparatus (4) comprises multiple sensors, a central processing unit (CPU), means for keeping the parts in its place and guarding them from harsh environmental conditions, such as a case (4), which is mountable to the glasses frame arm (2) and a software or firmware. The apparatus (4) further comprises glasses frame docking system (5, 6), which preferably uses ‘slide onto arm and lock’ mechanism (see Figure 3).

In one embodiment, the casing (4) can be made, but this shall not be deemed as limiting, of lightweight and waterproof rugged and robust polycarbonate material, which protects the electronics from potentially harsh environmental conditions, such as rain, dust, sparks, mechanical stress, vapor, chemicals, impacts, etc.

The casing (4) can house various constituent parts. Examples of these constituent parts are provided as a reference only and shall not be deemed as limiting. In the most preferable embodiment, the apparatus comprises a selection of following nodes: a central processing unit (CPU), a core communications module, a rechargeable battery, a Bluetooth connectivity board module, a BLE (herein and further ‘BLE’ acronym stands for ‘Bluetooth Low Energy’) sensor module, a lighting sensor module, an accelerometer module, an altimeter sensor module, a ultraviolet sensor module, a temperature sensor module, a humidity sensor module, an air quality sensor, a proximity sensor, a RGB light emitting diode module, a haptic piezo buzzer module, a battery recharge port, an electroconductive coil, a global positioning system, a gyroscope, an optical heart rate monitor, a body temperature sensor module, a glasses frame arm docking system (5, 6).

In the most preferable embodiment, the casing (4) comprises a glasses frame arm docking system (5, 6) as depicted in Figure 3, but such embodiment shall not be deemed as limiting. The apparatus simply slides onto any safety glasses through the lugs (loops). The raised ridge between the two lugs provides the 'friction lock', i.e. retains the apparatus in place with respect to the frame arm by means of friction. Such assembly enables quick and secure attachment and detachment of the intelligent auxiliary device, converting user’s standard safety glasses into smart glasses. Herein and further standard working glasses with attached apparatus might be referred as ‘smart glasses’.

Yet in another embodiment the glasses frame arm docking system (10, 11) can be integrated as male and female parts both on the apparatus (4) and the frame arm (2), as depicted in Figure 5, but such system shall not be deemed as limiting. The casing uses a mechanism, comprising of a locking cavity (11), which is arranged on the safety glasses arm (2) and a corresponding protrusion (10) fixed to the casing (4) of the apparatus, enabling quick and secure attachment and detachment of the auxiliary device. And, by contraries, the female part (11) can be arranged on the apparatus (4) and the male part (10) can be arranged on the glasses frame arm (2).

Yet in another embodiment the apparatus comprises a magnetic assembly (not depicted in the drawings), wherein one part of the magnetic assembly is attached to the housing of the apparatus (4), and the second part of the magnetic assembly is arranged on the safety glasses, in the area of the frame arm, said magnetic assembly is arranged to be activated upon attachment of the apparatus to the frame arm (2). The magnetic assembly can be arranged both with the slide-and-lock system (5, 6) or with the malefemale interconnect system (10, 11).

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a central processing unit (CPU), which is arranged to receive signals from installed sensors and make judgements on events. The CPU is further used to initiate the output of a warning signal, such as light, sound or vibration, send and receive incoming mobile communications. In one embodiment, the CPU can process text into speech or process a voice communication; transmit outgoing mobile communications.

The core communications module preferably supports communication protocols - Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) quad-band 850/900/1900MHz that covers any GSM world network. Also, the core communications module supports General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and Bluetooth via a subscriber identification module or a card reader for cellular connectivity.

The low power rechargeable battery is preferably a lithium battery, embedded within the apparatus, which provides portable power for the system and it can be recharged whether through a connected wire or wireless recharging methods. Such battery enables portable charging solutions.

The electro-conductive coil, embedded within the apparatus, provides alternative wireless power for the system.

The Bluetooth connectivity board module, embedded within the smart glasses assembly, provides wireless connectivity between the device-embedded or external sensors within a wireless network or other hardware-based sensory feedback systems. In other words, it removes the need for wires or other cellular devices.

The BLE sensor module, embedded within the apparatus, provides an external wireless network with device location information based on local coordinates, using at least one of time-of-flight, received-signal-strength-indicator measurements and global positioning technology. Such module enables location tracking and detection/notification of proximity to physical static or moving hazards or ambient awareness of safety signage.

Yet in another embodiment, GPS or Ultra-Wide-Band system might be used to track users’ location, as an alternative to the BLE sensor module.

The lighting sensor module, embedded within the apparatus, monitors ambient lighting values measured in lumens. Such module enables identification and alert notifications of unsafe lighting levels. Also, it can be arranged to provide the mechanism to process a start or close or confirmation feedback by monitoring for a persistent change in lux value to determine a specific action/response.

The accelerometer module, embedded within the apparatus, monitors movement values measured in meters per second squared in the x, y or z directions, sometimes expressed in ‘g’. Such module enables detection of slips, trips and falls and excessive vibration caused by equipment handling events, by monitoring the devices orientation for rapid changes overtime between vertical, horizontal and elevation measurements.

The altimeter sensor module, embedded within the apparatus, monitors altitude measured in meters. Such module enables monitoring of user vertical location above/below ground level.

The ultraviolet sensor module, embedded within the smart glasses assembly, monitors light intensity in the UV wavelength range. The values of spectrum are measured in nanometers and the values of luminous flux are measured in lumens. Such module enables detection and alert notifications of unsafe UV exposure levels.

The temperature sensor module, embedded within the apparatus, monitors temperature values, measured in degrees Centigrade or Fahrenheit. Such module enables detection and alert notifications of unsafe temperature exposure levels.

The humidity sensor module, embedded within the apparatus, monitors relative humidity (RH or \phi) of an air-water mixture which is defined as the ratio of the partial pressure of water in the mixture to the equilibrium vapor pressure of water at a given temperature. Relative humidity is normally expressed as a percentage. A higher percentage means that the air-water mixture is more humid which equates to a high Humidity Index level. Such module enables detection and alert notifications of unsafe humidity exposure levels.

The air quality sensor, embedded within the apparatus, monitors for LPG, isobutene, methane, alcohol, hydrogen, carbon monoxide or other harmful gas product by processing air quality into a digital signal. Such sensor enables detection of airborne gasses, substances, agents that may be harmful to the user, especially in confined spaces. The sensor can be based on gas chromatography, infrared absorption or specific chemical sensors, however this must not be understood as limiting and other types of sensors can be used.

The proximity sensor, embedded within the apparatus, monitors received-signalstrength-indicator (RSSO) or Time-of-Flight (ToF) measurements within an established mesh network of positional transmitter digital beacons to determine how near/far a connected device is to a calculated geospatial perimeter of location. Such sensor enables detection of incoming moving plant/equipment that is equipped with RFID, ibeacon, other GPS transmitters.

The RGB light emitting diode module, embedded within the apparatus, provides visual feedback of incoming, outgoing or confirmation events, such as, but not limited to sensor and/or mobile communication events and triggers, indication of battery charging status and power levels. Such module enables visual alert notifications to the user.

The haptic piezo buzzer module, embedded within the apparatus or an associated wrist device, provides audio and haptic feedback events linked to sensor triggers. Such module enables audio and tactile notifications to the wearer in the event of exposure(s) to unsafe hazard levels and permits reliability of the alert system in situations where high ambient noise levels would prevent the wearer from hearing the Al voice notifications.

The battery recharge port module, embedded within the smart glasses assembly, provides either wired or wireless charging to the battery of the device. Such module enables portable or offline power charging by the user.

Yet in another embodiment, the body temperature module might be used to monitor body temperature of the user.

Yet in another embodiment, physically separate but digitally connected external signage device, which might be wearable, preferably wrist-worn (12), which shall not be deemed as limiting, is paired through Bluetooth or other wireless connection with the safety glasses apparatus such that incoming alerts are transmitted additionally to the wrist-worn device through Bluetooth low energy packet data transactions. The wearable device provides a visual alert notifications through its panel (13). This ensures that the warning can be headed by visual and haptic communication where the audible alerts are not heard due to ambient noise.

Yet in another embodiment, a set of sensors embedded within the apparatus (4), communicating with CPU, and external sensors, arranged throughout the working area, provide a signage network for the wearable device. It enables the device to monitor the ambient information it receives feedback from intelligent caution/warning signage (smart sensor embedded signs) and provides the wearer with appropriate warnings. These smart signs are preferably static 'advertising Bluetooth beacon packets' signs or can be configured remotely to reflect changing conditions with 'dynamic advertising Bluetooth beacon packets' for the device to react to. This is not limited to Bluetooth and can be implemented using ultra-wide band systems too.

Yet in another embodiment, optical heart rate sensor embedded within the wristworn device, communicating with CPU, provides information about the user’s heart rate, measured in beats per minute.

Yet in another embodiment, the body temperature sensor is embedded within the wrist-worn device (auxiliary signage device), which communicates with the apparatus and provides information about the user’s body temperature, measured in temperature units.

Yet in another embodiment, the software part of the apparatus can have implementation of fuzzy logic (fuzzy logic in this context is defined as an approach to computing based on ‘degrees of truth’ rather than the usual ‘true or false’), including a method to determine the context of a threshold breach. Such method enables the device to provide best ambient intelligence audio and haptic feedback for the following scenarios, which are provided as a reference only and in no way should limit the scope of the invention. None of the scenarios depicted herein shall be deemed as limiting, rather just as an illustrative example of many possible scenarios:

1) The device wearer is working with arc welding equipment which exposes the wearer to high lighting lux levels then the lux value threshold would normally expect to be triggered but in this case, the wearer would have previously acknowledged that on entering the area of arc welding activities they would be required to wear protective face mask visors. So in this case the lux value trigger would be considered as a normal mode in context of the location/activity and therefore would not trigger an alert sequence.

2) The device wearer is working in plant, which exposes the wearer to danger of entering area of moving machinery. Proximity tracking in relation to moving machinery and plant triggers audio and haptic notification when the user is exposed to the danger of getting injured by the moving machinery.

Yet in another embodiment, the apparatus (4) can have a combination of software and hardware, including program application method that enables the device to connect to one or more of the following: a mobile phone, GPRS, GSM, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, Li-Fi or other network communication systems and embedded sensors to provide an ambient intelligence audio and haptic feedback system for the following scenarios, which are provided as a reference only and in no way should limit the scope of the invention. None of the scenarios and/or responses depicted herein shall be deemed as limiting, rather just as an illustrative example of many possible scenarios and/or responses:

1) Incoming voice call or electronic digital messages via ANCS, GPRS, GMS or M2M MQTT or other SMS, email or Internet of Things (loT) messaging protocols - by converting the incoming signals to a local and/or cloud based access artificial intelligent voice feedback response system buzzer signals to indicate type of communication message and the severity e.g.

a) Where an incoming cellular voice call generates the Al Voice response:

i) “Incoming voice call, priority red.” ii) “Incoming voice call, priority amber.” iii) “Incoming voice call, priority yellow.”

b) Where an incoming Message generates the Al Voice response:

i) “Incoming Message, priority red.” ii) “Incoming Message, priority amber.” iii) “Incoming Message, priority yellow.”

2) Proximity to digital wireless beacons - by periodically reading the received signal strength indicator and time-of-flight values to determine range from near far or intermediate and alert user to distance breach event.

a) Where a pre-registered position reference breach generates the Al Voice response repeated each time a new event threshold has been breached:

i) “Warning, location breach, severity high.” ii) “Warning, location breach, severity moderate.” iii) “Warning, location breach, severity low.”

b) Where proximity to a safety sign provides a warning or draws attention to the subject matter generates the Al Voice response.

i) “Warning, restricted access only.” ii) “Attention, hard hats must be worn in this area. Please acknowledge.”

3) LUX lighting value - linked to welding/flood lamps//sun whereby the higher the value correlates to excessive and harmful white light.

a) Where a pre-registered position reference breach generates the Al Voice response:

i) “Warning, extremely high lighting levels detected.” ii) “Warning, low lighting levels detected.”

4) LUX lighting value - whereby persistence change measurement is used to interpret acceptance, acknowledgement or call to action as an event to be processed by the CPU.

5) Accelerometer values, linked to slips, trips, falls from height impacts thresholds, by monitoring the device orientation for rapid changes over time between either or all of the vertical, horizontal and elevation measurements in millimeters per second.

a) Where a pre-determined z, y, z value or G/mm impact breach has occurred generates the Al Voice response:

i) “Warning, impact detected, severity high. Please acknowledge.”

6) Vibration Intensity/accelerometer values - linked to exposure to excessive vibration measured in millimeters per second squared or ‘g’ value (acceleration of free-fall, where g=9.8 meter per second squared) of equipment and vehicles such as heavy equipment vehicles, pneumatic tools, jackhammers by monitoring the device to determine time which may cause any diseases/injuries/traumas.

a) Where a Hand/Arm Vibration accelerometer measurement of 4 meters per second squared generates the Al Voice response every 5 minutes “Warning, max Vibration Exposure limit reached at [countdown to 4 hours]”.

b) Where a Hand/Arm Vibration accelerometer measurement of 6 meters per second squared generated the Al Voice response every 5 minutes “Warning, max Vibration Exposure limit reached at [countdown to 2 hours]”.

c) Where a Hand/Arm Vibration accelerometer measurement of 8 meters per second squared generated the Al Voice response every 5 minutes “Warning, max Vibration Exposure limit reached at [countdown to 1 hour]”.

d) Where a Hand/Arm Vibration accelerometer measurement of 12 meters per second squared generated the Al Voice response every 5 minutes “Warning, max Vibration Exposure limit reached at [countdown to 1 hour]”.

7) Steep changes in user’s elevation to prompt for safety protection - by monitoring device altimeter for changes of elevation in meters and then indicate safety equipment checks via graphical or audio feedback.

a) Where a barometric pressure measurement is between 20 and 29 generates the Al Voice response “Warning, altitude increase detected. Safety equipment required.”

8) Excessive increasing or decreasing ambient temperature and humidity levels know as Humidex, by monitoring the device temperature and humidity, repeated periodically.

a) Where a temperate and humidity measurement is between 20 and 29 generates the Al Voice response “Humidity levels normal”.

b) Where a temperate and humidity measurement is between 30 and 39 generates the Al Voice response “Warning, humidity levels high, exercise caution”.

c) Where a temperate and humidity measurement is between 40 and 45 generates the Al Voice response “Warning, humidity levels very high, avoid exertion”.

d) Where a temperate and humidity measurement is between 46 and 54 generates the Al Voice response “Warning, humidity levels dangerous”.

e) Where a temperate and humidity measurement is above 54 generates the Al Voice response “Warning, humidity levels extremely dangerous”.

9) Exposure to ultra violet radiation cause by sun, welding arc lamps, heat burners, floodlights etc., by monitoring the devices UV sensor board for radiation levels, repeated periodically.

a) Where a UV Index measurement is between 1 to 2 breach generates the Al Voice response “UV Index rating low”.

b) Where a UV Index measurement is between 3 to 5 breach generates the Al Voice response “UV Index rating moderate”.

c) Where a UV Index measurement is between 6 to 7 breach generates the Al Voice response “Warning, UV Index rating high”.

d) Where a UV Index measurement is between 8 to 10 breach generates the Al Voice response “Warning, UV Index rating very high”.

e) Where a UV Index measurement is above 11 breach generates the Al Voice response “Warning, UV Index rating extremely high”.

10) Where a gas sensor measurement detects abnormality generates the Al Voice response “Warning, abnormal oxygen levels detected. Take immediate action. Please acknowledge”.

11) Can provide feedback of actual values, change notification or breaches using voice assistance software from within the device or via cloud computing service or when paired device based on activity or environment related safety algorithms.

12) Can trigger a corresponding icon or image to be displayed on the wrist device display screen. For example, if the device triggers a UV index breach then the corresponding image/icon will be flashed on the screen and also trigger a haptic feedback on the wrist.

13) Can provide a detection and validation of tools using recognition assistance software from within the device or via cloud computing service to notify/alert the user in case of not having the permission to use a specific tool.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring work environment, comprising at least one sensor for sensing working environment parameters, a microcontroller, a rechargeable battery, configured to perform at least one of these actions:

- monitor working environment physical conditions,

- monitor user/wearers physiological vital signs,

- detect hazards breaching safe working threshold and/or

- notify users about the hazardous event,

- notify user’s supervisor(s) about the hazardous event/scenario and user behavior to take action or ignore local alert based on an internal algorithm, characterized in that the apparatus further comprises a glasses frame docking system having means for quick and secure attachment/detachment of the apparatus to a frame arm of a safety glasses.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the docking system comprises at least one elastic lug or loop, which is configured for insertion of the frame arm and retention based on friction force, wherein the fiction force occurs between the at least one lug and the frame arm and/or between the surface of the apparatus’ casing and the frame arm.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the docking system comprises a locking cavity and corresponding protrusion, wherein the protrusion is configured to slide into the locking cavity.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the docking system comprises a male-female joint.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the docking system comprises a magnetic assembly, wherein one part of the magnetic assembly is attached to the housing of the apparatus, and the second part of the magnetic assembly is arranged on the safety glasses, in the area of the frame arm, said magnetic assembly is arranged to be activated upon attachment of the apparatus to the frame arm.

6. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the microcontroller is arranged to perform at least one of these actions:

- receive measured sensor values,

- compare received sensor values to predetermined safety thresholds,

- receive incoming mobile communications,

- send signals to the inbuilt warning output means, and

- initiate outgoing mobile communications.

7. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 6, characte rized in that it further comprises a core communications module which is arranged to support at least one of standard communication protocols, such as General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, ch a racte rized in that the communications module is arranged to communicate with external sensors or other sensory feedback systems.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the core communication module is arranged to work as a proximity sensor using one of timeof-flight or received-signal-strength-indicator measurements.

10. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 9, characte rized in that it further comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) module.

11. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it further comprises a lighting sensor module, arranged to monitor ambient light parameters such as one or more of intensity, spectrum, and polarization.

12. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it further comprises an accelerometer module, arranged to register one or more of motion, vibration and shocks in one or more of the x, y and z directions.

13. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it further comprises an altimeter sensor module, arranged to measure the absolute altitude or change of an altitude.

14. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it further comprises an ultraviolet sensor module, arranged to measure UV light intensity or wavelength values.

15. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it further comprises a temperature sensor module, arranged to measure temperature values.

16. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that it further comprises a humidity sensor module, arranged to measure relative humidity.

17. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that it further comprises an air quality sensor, arranged to detect at least one of airborne gasses, substances, and any other agents that may be harmful to the user’s current and future health, including but not limited to silica and asbestos, especially in confined work spaces.

18. The apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it further comprises a BLE proximity sensor, which is based on one of receivedsignal-strength-indicator (RSSO), Time-of-Flight (ToF) measurements within an established mesh network of positional transmitter beacons or Global Positioning System (GPS).

19. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an RGB light emitting diode module, arranged to provide visual feedback on one or more of incoming, outgoing and confirmation events of sensor activity and/or mobile communication events and/or external triggers.

20. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a haptic piezo buzzer module, arranged to provide an audio and/or haptic feedback on events linked to sensor triggers.

21. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a rechargeable battery, arranged to provide wireless power.

22. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an electro-conductive coil, arranged to provide wireless power recharge capability.

23. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is arranged to communicate with other wearable device.

24. The apparatus according to claim ^characterized in that it is arranged to use at least one of three of the accepted artificial intelligence tools, including the established knowledge-based systems, fuzzy logic systems and ambient intelligence system to create a hybrid solution that further enhances the artificial intelligence with the addition of ‘location’ to provide contextual reasoning.

25. A method of ensuring work safety, comprising steps of:

- associating an electronics device to a user,

- registering environmental parameters through at least one sensor, configured inside the electronics device and

- initiating a warning signal output, characterized in that it additionally comprises a step of attaching the electronics device to the users’ safety glasses.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that it further comprises a step of locating the user based on operation of at least one proximity sensor.

27. The method according to one of claims 25 to 26, characterized in that the electronics device is an apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 24.

28. A system comprising of:

- a device having a sensory system, which is arranged to detect breach of safe thresholds,

- stationary and dynamic moving vehicles or equipment and objects, characterized in that the device is an apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 24 and the system further comprises external sensors from the perspective of the apparatus, associated with work environment or the user.

29. A system according to claim 28, cha racterized in that the apparatus is arranged to receive and analyze signals from beacon transmitters attached to other stationary and dynamic moving vehicles or equipment and objects, incorporated to provide a network of signage.

30. An external auxiliary signage device, which is arranged to communicate with an apparatus for monitoring work environment, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one sensor for sensing working environment parameters, a microcontroller, a rechargeable battery, configured to perform at least one of these actions:

- monitor working environment physical conditions,

- monitor user/wearers physiological vital signs,

- detect hazards breaching safe working threshold and/or

- notify users about the hazardous event,

- notify user’s supervisor(s) about the hazardous event/scenario and user behavior to take action or ignore local alert based on an internal algorithm, characterized in that the auxiliary signage device is wirelessly paired with the apparatus, preferably via Bluetooth.

31. An external auxiliary signage device according to claim 30, characterized in that it is attached to the user.

32. An external auxiliary signage device according to one of claims 30 to 31, characterized in that it comprises a visual panel, which is arranged to provide visual haptic communications related to specific warnings.

33. An external auxiliary signage device according to one of claims 30 to 32, characterized in that it is arranged as a wrist worn device.

34. An external auxiliary signage device according to one of claims 30 to 33, characterized in that it comprises a set of sensors.

35. An external auxiliary signage device according to claim 34, characterized in that the sensors are biometric sensors, arranged to measure the user’s physiological vital information.

36. An external auxiliary signage device according to claim 35, characterized in that one of the biometric sensors is an optical heart rate monitoring sensor, arranged to monitor user’s physiological vital information, primarily heart rate or associated stress level.

37. An external auxiliary signage device according to claim 35, characterized in that one of the biometric sensors can be a body temperature sensor, arranged to monitor the user’s body temperature.