GB2573835A

GB2573835A - Communicator

Info

Publication number: GB2573835A
Application number: GB1814426.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Redmond Stephen
Original assignee: Redmond Group Ltd
Current assignee: Redmond Group Ltd
Priority date: 2018-09-05
Filing date: 2018-09-05
Publication date: 2019-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 2038-09-05
Also published as: WO2020049306A1; GB2573835B; GB201814426D0

Abstract

A device 1 worn by a worker comprises: a transmitter 7 for communicating with a remote base station; a location monitoring means, such as a GPS module, 3 for continuously or intermittently sending worker location data to the base station; a fall detection device, such as an accelerometer module, 4 for detecting a fall event of the worker; an input device 5 operable by the worker; and a visual and/or audible alarm unit 8,9 configured to activate if a fall of the worker has been detected. The communicator 1 transmits a fall warning to the base station when a fall event is detected, unless the input means 5 is activated to prevent the transmission. The alarm 8,9 is configured to activate only if a fall warning has been or is being transmitted. A notification may be provided prior to the transmission of the fall warning to provide a delay within which the worker can activate the input means 5.

Description

This invention relates generally to a communicator. More specifically, although not exclusively, this invention relates to a communicator for monitoring workers in a work environment.

It is known to use fall detection monitors for monitoring infirm and/or elderly individuals. These fall detection monitors may be carried or worn by an infirm and/or elderly individual. Typically, the fall detection monitor comprises a fall detection device which is configured to detect a fall event of the individual carrying or wearing the monitor. Upon detection of such a fall event, fall detection monitors are commonly configured automatically to send a warning to a distant device which may be monitored by a healthcare worker or a relative or friend of the individual carrying or wearing the fall detection monitor.

Such fall detection monitors, however, are known sometimes to fail to detect fall events or to falsely determine that a fall event has occurred when it has not done so. Fall detection devices (e.g. as comprised in a fall detection monitor) commonly comprise one or more accelerometers which are configured to measure the acceleration of the fall detection monitor within which they are located. When the measured acceleration exceeds a pre-set threshold value a fall event is determined to have occurred.

It would be advantageous to monitor workers in a work environment, such as a construction site or the like. As will be appreciated, due to the physical nature of some work environments (e.g. construction site work environments) monitoring workers for fall events may be particularly challenging.

It is therefore a non-exclusive object of the invention to provide a communicator which is improved with respect to prior art fall detection monitors.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention provides a communicator for monitoring a worker in a work environment when carried or worn by said worker, the communicator comprising: a transmitter for communicating with a base station remote from the communicator;

a location monitoring means or device for monitoring the location of the communicator and for continuously or intermittently sending to the base station worker location data associated with the respective communicator and/or the worker wearing or carrying the communicator;

a fall detection device configured to detect a fall event of a worker carrying or wearing the communicator; and an input means or mechanism operable by the worker carrying or wearing the communicator, where the communicator is configured to transmit (e.g. automatically) a fall warning to the base station using the transmitter when the fall detection device detects a fall event of a person carrying or wearing the communicator unless the input means or mechanism is activated (e.g. manually) to cancel or prevent the transmission.

Advantageously, the communicator according to the invention thereby allows a worker carrying or wearing the communicator to cancel or prevent a fall warning from being transmitted to a base station. Such a mechanism beneficially allows the worker to cancel or prevent a false fall warning from being transmitted to the base station if the fall detection device has falsely detected that a fall event has occurred. In this way, response to fall warnings can be restricted only to actual fall events of workers. The resources required for responding to such fall events will not, therefore, be wasted in responding to falsely detected fall events. As will be appreciated, due to the physical nature of some work environments (e.g. construction site work environments) the incidence of false positive fall detection may be particularly high. The communicator of the invention is, therefore, particularly beneficial for monitoring workers in a work environment.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, there is provided a system for monitoring workers in a work environment, the system comprising: a base station comprising a receiver and a processor; and a communicator as described herein.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, there is provided a system for monitoring workers in a work environment, the system comprising:

a base station comprising a receiver and a processor; and a communicator for a worker in a work environment to carry and/or wear, the communicator comprising:

a transmitter for communicating with the base station;

In embodiments, the communicator may comprise a notification component or a notifier (or a notification means), for example configured to notify the worker (e.g. automatically), after a fall event has been detected by the fall detection device, that a fall warning will be transmitted unless the input means or mechanism is activated. In embodiments, the notification component or notifier may be configured to notify the worker (e.g. automatically), after a fall event has been detected by the fall detection device, that a fall warning will be transmitted unless the input means is activated within a pre-set time period. The pre-set time period may be less than 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 minutes. The pre-set time period may be between 1 and 60 seconds, for example between 1,2, 3, 4 or 5 seconds and 60, 50, 40, 30, 20 or 10 seconds.

In embodiments, the notification component or notifier (where provided) may be configured to notify the worker (e.g. automatically) after a delay following a fall event being detected by the fall detection device (and preferably after conclusion of the fall event). The delay may be between 1 and 20 seconds, for example between 1 and 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 or 5 seconds.

Advantageously, this avoids the possibility of the input means being activated during a fall event, for example as the worker falls against a surface and inadvertently activating the input means.

In some embodiments, the notification component or notifier may be configured or configurable to produce a visual and/or aural notification (e.g. to the worker). The visual notification may comprise switching on and/or off one or more lights, e.g. on and/or in the communicator. The visual notification may comprise displaying text and/or an image on a display of the communicator and/or via a projector of the communicator. The aural notification may comprise emitting one or more noises or sounds, e.g. from the communicator. The visual and/or aural notification may comprise a message, e.g. for the worker. The message may be pre-recorded or pre-set. Alternatively, the message may be live or created or generated in response to detection of a fall event by the fall detection device.

In some embodiments, the communicator may comprise an alarm, for example which may be configured to activate (e.g. automatically) if a fall event of the worker has been detected by the fall detection device. The alarm may be configured to activate only if or once a fall warning has been or is being transmitted. The alarm may be configured to give an audible alarm and/or a visual alarm when it is activated. In embodiments, the notification means may comprise the alarm.

The input means or mechanism may be operable to cancel and/or prevent the alarm, for example the audible alarm and/or the visual alarm.

The communicator may comprise a manual override, for example a manual override means or mechanism, for example operable by the worker (e.g. to trigger transmission of a fall warning to the base station by the transmitter). In some embodiments, the manual override means or mechanism may be operable by the worker to trigger the alarm. The input means or mechanism may comprise or be operable connected to the or a manual override means or mechanism. The input means or mechanism and/or the manual override means or mechanism may comprise one or more buttons, switches or the like. The input means or mechanism and/or manual override means or mechanism may comprise a touch screen display. The manual override means or mechanism may be operable by the worker to trigger transmission of a signal relating to a non-fall related event (for example relating to an injury or other impairment to the worker). The manual override means or mechanism may be actuated or actuatable upon input of a string of commands, e.g. a number of inputs, a password or the like. The string of commands may be input manually, orally and/or visually. The base station may be configured to process and/or interpret a received fall warning and/or a received signal relating to a non-fall related event. In embodiments, the base station may be configured to process and/or interpret a received fall warning and a received signal relating to a non-fall related event in the same manner or a different manner.

The processor may be configured to maintain a log of worker location data and/or worker status data comprising data relating to detected fall events of workers.

The communicator may comprise a transceiver, for example which may be operable by the worker to communicate with one or more further worker having a further communicator and/or with the base station. In some embodiments, the transceiver may comprise the transmitter. The communicator may allow or facilitate text communication and/or vocal communication and/or visual communication.

The location monitoring means or device may comprise a global positioning system.

The fall detection device may comprise one or more accelerometers.

The communicator may comprise a short-range radio transceiver to permit two-way oral communication with the base station and/or one or more other communicators.

The communicator may comprise a housing, e.g. configured to protect the transmitter, the location monitoring means, the fall detection device and the input means from damage from a fall event of the worker and/or from dropping of the communicator by the worker onto a surface. The housing may be formed of a relatively tough and/or hard and/or light material. In embodiments, the housing may be formed of plastic, for example of polycarbonate. The housing may comprise an external surface configured or arranged to have anti-slip properties. The housing may comprise a seal, for example configured to restrict, reduce or substantially prevent ingress of liquid into the housing.

The communicator may comprise an impact protection means or impact protector, for example which may comprise a resilient material. The impact protection means or impact protector may be configured to protect the communicator from impact against a relatively hard surface, for example if the communicator is dropped or otherwise impacted against said relatively hard surface. The impact protection means or impact protector may be configured to protect and/or cushion the worker carrying or wearing the communicator, for example should the worker fall onto the communicator during a fall event. The impact protection means or impact protector may be at least partially formed of rubber. Where the communicator comprises a housing the impact protection means or impact protector may be overmoulded to the housing. In embodiments, the housing may comprise first and second parts, e.g. and the impact protection means or impact protector may be overmoulded to the first and second parts (for example separately). The impact protection means or impact protector may comprise a coating, for example which may be coated onto the housing (where provided). The coating may cover at least a portion (e.g. a major portion or the entirety) of the or a external surface of the housing or of the first and/or second part of the housing (where provided).

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of monitoring workers in a work environment, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a worker in a work environment with a communicator to carry and/or wear;

b) monitoring the location of the worker using a location monitoring means or device comprised in the communicator;

c) continuously or intermittently sending, via a transmitter of the communicator to a receiver of a base station, worker location data associated with the communicator and/or the worker;

d) detecting a fall of the worker using a fall detection device comprised in the communicator; and

e) transmitting (e.g. automatically) a fall warning to the base station using the transmitter of the communicator unless the worker activates (e.g. manually) an input means or mechanism of the communicator.

In some embodiments, the method may comprise a step f) of notifying the worker (e.g. using a notification means or device of the communicator) that a fall warning will be transmitted using the communicator’s transmitter unless the input means or mechanism is activated.

Notifying the worker may comprise providing a visual and/or aural notification. Providing a visual notification may comprise lighting one or more lights, e.g. of the communicator. Providing a visual notification may comprise displaying text or an image, e.g. on a display or via a projector of the communicator. Providing an aural notification may comprise causing the emission of one or more sounds (e.g. from the communicator or a noise emission device thereof). Providing an aural notification may comprise emitting an audible message, e.g. to the worker. The visual and/or aural notification may comprise a message, e.g. a pre recorded or pre-set message. Alternatively, the message may be live or created or generated in response to detection of a fall event by the fall detection device. Where both a visual and aural notification are provided they may correspond to one another, for example they may comprise the same or a similar message and/or may have a substantially equal duration.

The method may comprise a step g) of activating an alarm of the communicator, for example when a fall of the worker has been detected by the fall detection device. In embodiments, step g) may occur only if a fall warning has been transmitted to the base station, e.g. using the communicator’s transmitter.

In embodiments, the alarm may be activated by the worker, for example by activating an activation means or mechanism of the communicator.

The method may comprise a step h) of cancelling or stopping the alarm of the communicator. In some embodiments, step h) may comprise the worker cancelling or stopping the alarm of the communicator, for example by activating an or the activation means or mechanism.

If the alarm is cancelled or stopped (e.g. by the worker) the base station (e.g. an operative thereat) may check (e.g. orally and/or visually) that the cancellation or stoppage was correct, for example was intended. The check may be with the worker, for example via the communicator.

Once a fall warning has been transmitted an or the alarm of the communicator may be activated, for example wherein the alarm (e.g. the sound and/or visual alarm emitted) may comprise the same or a different alarm. Sounding of an alarm after transmission of a fall warning advantageously facilitates finding of the worker carrying or wearing the communicator, for example by one or more rescuers and/or workers. The input means or mechanism may be configured to not deactivate an alarm activated after a fall warning has been transmitted by the communicator. The further alarm may be deactivated or turned off by a rescuer (e.g. only) or by the base station (e.g. only) once communications with the worker carrying or wearing the communicator have been established. Accordingly, the likelihood of the alarm being accidentally deactivated by the worker carrying or wearing the communicator is reduced (for example accidental deactivation by the worker may be prevented).

The method may comprise a step i) of sending an alert by telephone or a telephone messaging service, for example if a fall warning is transmitted to the base station. In some embodiments, step i) comprises the base station sending or activating sending the alert by telephone or telephone messaging service.

Because the base station maintains a log of worker position data the base station can send an alert to the closest and/or most convenient co-worker to attend the location of the fallen worker. Advantageously, this reduces the time taken to attend to a fallen worker.

In embodiments, the worker activating the input means or mechanism may comprise the worker pushing a button, switch or touch screen display comprised in and/or on the communicator.

The method may comprise a step j) of the worker manually activating transmission of a fall warning to the base station using the transmitter of the communicator. Manual activation of the transmission may comprise the worker activating an or the activation means or mechanism of the communicator.

The worker may also manually actuate the or an alarm in the case of a ‘non-fall’ incident. The manual actuation may require a distinct or identical input.

For the avoidance of doubt, any of the features described herein apply equally to any aspect of the invention.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one aspect or embodiment of the invention are applicable to all aspects or embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a system for monitoring workers in a work environment according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a communicator according to an embodiment of the invention for use in the system shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the communicator shown in Figure 2, with the top portion of the housing removed;

Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view of the communicator shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a further perspective view of the communicator shown in Figure 2, showing an attachment side of the communicator;

Figure 6 is an end view of the communicator shown in Figure 2.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a system S for monitoring workers in a work environment according to an embodiment of the invention. The system S comprises a base station B and, in this embodiment, two communicators 1. In embodiments, however, there may be any suitable number of communicators 1 provided. Preferably, there will be one communicator 1 for each worker in the work environment.

The base station B comprises a processor P and a transceiver T comprising a transmitter and a receiver R, in this embodiment. In embodiments, however, the base station B may comprise a receiver R, only, instead of a receiver R comprised in a transceiver T. The base station B comprises an optional telephone messaging system TMS, in this embodiment. However, in embodiments, the base station B may be provided absent a telephone messaging system TMS.

Referring now to Figures 2 to 6, there is shown a communicator 1 according to an embodiment of the invention for use in the system S shown in Figure 1. The communicator 1 comprises a housing 2 within which are located (as shown in Figure 3) a global positioning system module 3, an accelerometer module 4, an input device 5 and a transceiver 6 comprising a transmitter 7, each of which is attached to a printed circuit board PCB, in this embodiment. The communicator 1 further comprises an alarm comprising a visual alarm 8 and an audible alarm 9.

The housing 2 is formed from polycarbonate, in this embodiment. In embodiments, however, the housing 2 may be formed from any suitable material with the requisite strength to mass ratio. The housing 2 is preferably formed by injection moulding. The housing 2 comprises first and second portions 20, 21 (as shown in Figure 4) which are removably securable to one another using securements, which are bolts BO, in this embodiment (as shown in Figure 4). When the first and second portions 20, 21 are secured to one another a cavity is defined within the housing 2, within which the printed circuit board PCB and attached components are located. A power source BA, which is a battery BA in this embodiment, which is operably connected to the printed circuit board PCB and the components attached thereto, is also located within the cavity of the housing 2. A charging connector CP, connected to the power source BA, is located in an aperture through the housing 2 (as shown in Figures 4 and 6).

A bumper 22, formed from rubber in this embodiment, is overmoulded to each of the first and second portions 20, 21 of the housing 2. The bumpers 22 are arranged to protect the communicator 1 from impact against a hard surface if the communicator 1 is dropped by a worker who is holding or carrying it, and/or to cushion the wearer should the wearer fall on the communicator 1 during a fall event.

The global positioning system module 3 is configured, in use, to monitor the location of the communicator 1 (and hence the position of a worker who is carrying or wearing the communicator 1). The global positioning system module 3 functions in the usual manner as is well known by one skilled in the art which will not be described further herein. In this embodiment, the global positioning system module 3 is configured to send continuously worker location data to the base station B. In embodiments, however, the global positioning system module 3 may be configured to send intermittently worker location data to the base station B, for example once every 20 seconds or another predetermined time period. The worker location data comprises location data associated with the worker carrying the communicator 1, in this embodiment. In embodiments, however, the worker location data may comprise location data associated with the particular communicator 1. The global positioning system module 3 may comprise, for example, an A2235H GPS Module as available from Maestro Wireless Solutions of 121 King Lam Street, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon, Hong Kong. In embodiments, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card (not shown) may be located (removably or non-removably) in the global positioning system module 3 (which may comprise a SIM card reader).

The accelerometer module 4 is configured to detect a fall event of a worker carrying or wearing the communicator 1. The accelerometer module 4 may comprise, for example, an MC3635 3-axis accelerometer as available from mCube Inc, 2570 North First Street, Suite 300, San Jose, California, 95131, USA.

The input device 5 is configured to active and deactivate the visual and audible alarms 8, 9 and also transmission of a fall warning by the transmitter 7, in this embodiment. The input device 5 is a TL2203 Series pushbutton switch, in this embodiment. The input device 5 is arranged to be manually operable by a worker wearing or carrying the communicator 1, in use.

The transceiver 6 is configured to wirelessly communicate with the receiver R of the base station B. The transceiver 6 may comprise the global positioning system module 3 and/or may be operably connected thereto. The transceiver 6 may comprise an antenna 60, in embodiments, for example an XPW100A003-01-B PCB strip antenna as available from Lantronix (RTM), Inc. of 7535 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 100, Irvine, California, 92618, USA.

The visual alarm 8 is operably connected to the input device 5 via the printed circuit board PCB. The visual alarm 8 is a light source, in this embodiment. The visual alarm 8 may comprise, for example, an XLamp XHP70 LED as available from Cree Inc. of 4600 Silicon Drive, Durham, North Carolina, 27703, USA.

The audible alarm 9 is operably connected to the input device 5 via the printed circuit board PCB. The audible alarm 9 comprises a buzzer 9, in this embodiment. In embodiments, however, the audible alarm 9 may additionally or alternatively comprise one or more speakers or other suitable audio devices. In embodiments, the audible alarm 9 may be a panel mount piezo buzzer (operable up to 97dB) as available from Kingstate Electronics Corporation, of 10F, No. 69-11, Sec. 2, Jhongjheng E. Road, Danshui District, New Taipei City 251, Taiwan.

As shown in Figure 5, the communicator 1 comprises a clip C, in this embodiment, for attaching the communicator 1 to a belt or other article of clothing of a worker. The clip C is removably attached to the second portion 21 of the housing 2 in this embodiment. However, in embodiments, the clip C may be integrally formed or permanently attached to the housing

2.

In use, the transmitter 7 of each communicator 1 is configured to send one or more signals to the receiver R of the base station B, as indicated by arrows x in Figure 1. The receiver portion of the transceiver 6 of each communicator 1 is also configured to receive a signal from the transceiver T of the base station B, in this embodiment, as indicated by arrows y. In embodiments, however, the base station B may be provided absent the transceiver T (and with only a receiver R) and/or one, some or each communicator 1 may be provided absent the receiver portion of the transceiver 6, in which case the or each communicator 1 may not be configured to receive a signal from the base station B. In this embodiment, the transceiver 6 of each communicator 1 is configured to allow the sending and receiving of signals to and from a further communicator 1 (e.g. the other communicator 1), as indicated by arrows z in Figure 1. In embodiments, however, one, some or each communicator 1 may be provided absent this functionality.

In use, each communicator 1 is worn by a worker by attaching the clip C to a belt of said worker (not shown).

When the accelerometer module 4 of a communicator 1 detects a fall event of the worker carrying that communicator 1 a notification is sent to the worker using the visual alarm 8 and/or the audible alarm 9. There may be a delay of say 1 to 20 seconds between the conclusion of the fall event the triggering of the alarm, for example a delay of between 1 and 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 or 5 seconds. Advantageously, such a delay mitigates against the possibility of the worker accidentally deactivating the notification sent via the visual alarm 8 and/or the audible alarm 9. As will be appreciated, during a fall event the worker may accidentally engage the input device 5 of the communicator 1, which (absent a delay as described above) might accidentally deactivate the notification.

The visual alarm 9 may be configured to emit a continuous or pulsed or intermittent light for a predetermined period of time, for example 10 seconds. The audible alarm 9 may be configured to emit a sound, for example a series of ten sounds, each at one second intervals. The emission of the light by the visual alarm 8 and the emitted sounds by the audible alarm 9 may be coordinated, for example such that the first sound is emitted when the light is first emitted and the last sound is emitted as the light is turned off. If the worker activates the input device 5 by pressing the pushbutton switch within the, say, 10 second time period (e.g. whilst the light is emitted), the communicator 1 is configured to prevent the transmission via the transmitter 7 of a fall warning to the base station B. If, however, the worker does not activate the input device 5 during the, say, 10 second time period the communicator 1 is configured to allow the automatic transmission via the transmitter 7 of a fall warning to the base station B. When the fall warning has been transmitted the visual alarm 8 may be configured to emit light (either continuously or intermittently) and/or the audible alarm 9 may be configured to emit one or more noises (either continuously or intermittently) as an alarm. The light and/or sounds emitted after a fall warning has been transmitted may be the same or may be different to the light and/or sounds emitted prior to transmission of the fall warning.

If a worker wearing a communicator 1 falls down and the fall is not detected by the accelerometer module 4, the worker can trigger transmission via the transmitter 7 of a fall warning to the base station B by activating the input device 5 (e.g. by pressing the pushbutton switch). Alternatively, if there has not been a non-fall related event (e.g. the worker has suffered an injury or has been otherwise impaired) the worker can trigger the alarm and/or trigger transmission of a signal via the transmitter 7 to the base station B. The base station B may interpret and/or respond to such a signal in the same manner or a different manner to that in which it interprets and/or responds to a received fall warning.

In embodiments, the input device 5 may be configured to cancel transmission of a fall warning which has been triggered by the worker (for example if the fall warning was mistakenly triggered). In some embodiments, the input device 5 may also be configured to active the visual alarm 8 and/or the audible alarm (and/or to deactivate the visual alarm 8 and/or the audible alarm). In some embodiments, the input device 5 may be configured such that a first manual activation (e.g. push or depression) by the worker activates the transmission of a fall warning and the emission of light by the visual alarm 8 and the emission of sound by the audible alarm 9. The input device 5 may be configured such that a second manual activation by the worker cancels transmission of the fall warning. The input device 5 may be configured such that a third manual activation by the worker deactivates emission of light by the visual alarm 8. The input device 5 may be configured such that a fourth manual activation by the worker deactivates emission of sound by the audible alarm 9. In embodiments, however, the input device 5 may not be operable to trigger and/or cancel transmission of a fall warning to the base station B via the transmitter

7. In these embodiments, the input device 5 may be configured such that a first manual activation by the worker activates emission of light by the visual alarm 8 and emission of sound by the audible alarm 9, a second manual activation by the worker deactivates emission of light by the visual alarm 8, and a third manual activation by the worker deactivates emission of sound by the audible alarm 9. If one or both of the visual alarm 8 and audible alarm 9 is deactivated by the worker, the base station B (e.g. an operative at the base station B) may check orally and/or visually with the worker to ensure that the deactivation has intentional (e.g. and/or to check that the worker does not require assistance or rescuing).

The base station B can determine (e.g. an operative at the base station B can determine) how best to respond to a received fall warning or other signal from the communicator 1 of a worker. For example, one or more rescuers may be dispatched to said worker. Additionally or alternatively, one or more further worker (for example in the work environment) may be requested to help and/or to travel to the worker who’s communicator 1 sent the fall warning or other signal to the base station B. Advantageously, by logging the worker location data, the base station B can determine a course of action which is appropriate to the specific circumstances. A worker wearing one of the communicators 1 can communicate with a worker wearing the other of the communicators 1, via the transceiver 6. In this way a worker who has fallen can be aided (for example as directed by the base station B) more readily and rapidly than might otherwise be the case. In some circumstances, a second worker (who has not fallen) may be relatively nearer to a fallen worker (or otherwise able to reach them relatively more rapidly or easily) and may, having been directed by the base station B, therefore provide aid in a relatively more timely fashion than may be possible for emergency services or other rescuers.

The processor P of the base station B is configured to log received worker location data transmitted by the transmitter 7 of each communicator 1. In this way, when a fall warning is transmitted by a communicator 1 the location of the worker carrying or wearing said communicator 1 is stored in the base station B. Dispatch of one or more rescuers to the fallen worker is thereby relatively more rapid than would otherwise be the case. The base station B may be monitored by one or more people, in embodiments. Additionally or alternatively, the base station B may be configured to transmit (e.g. via the transceiver T) an alert to a further device (not shown). In some embodiments, the processor P of the base station B may be configured to activate the optional automated telephone messaging system S to alert a rescuer that a worker has fallen, when a fall warning is received by the receiver R of the base station B.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several variations to the aforementioned embodiments are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although the alarm and notification mechanism are the same in the communicator 1 shown in Figures 2 to 6 this need not be the case, and instead separate alarms and notification mechanisms may be provided. For example, the alarm may comprise the visual alarm 8 and an audible alarm 9, whilst the notification mechanism may comprise a separate visual and/or audio notifier. Suitable visual notifiers may comprise one or more further light sources and/or a display or screen or projector comprised on the communicator 1 (for example configured to display a visual message to the worker carrying or wearing the communicator 1). Suitable audio notifiers may comprise one or more further audio devices, such as one or more speakers or the like (for example configured to emit an audial message to the worker carrying or wearing the communicator 1).

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

1. A communicator for monitoring a worker in a work environment when carried or worn by said worker, the communicator comprising:

a transmitter for communicating with a base station remote from the communicator;

a location monitoring means for monitoring the location of the communicator and for continuously or intermittently sending to the base station worker location data associated with the respective communicator and/or the worker wearing or carrying the communicator;

a fall detection device configured to detect a fall event of a worker carrying or wearing the communicator; and an input means operable by the worker carrying or wearing the communicator, where the communicator is configured to transmit a fall warning to the base station using the transmitter when the fall detection device detects a fall event of a person carrying or wearing the communicator unless the input means is activated to prevent the transmission.

2. Communicator according to Claim 1, comprising a notification component configured to notify the worker, after a fall event has been detected by the fall detection device, that a fall warning will be transmitted unless the input means is activated, e.g. within a pre-set time period.

3. Communicator according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification component is configured to produce a visual and/or aural notification.

4. Communicator according to any of Claims 1, 2 or 3, comprising an alarm configured to activate if a fall of the worker has been detected by the fall detection device.

5. Communicator according to Claim 4, wherein the alarm is configured to activate only if a fall warning has been or is being transmitted.

6. Communicator according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the alarm is configured to give an audible alarm and/or a visual alarm when it is activated.

7. Communicator according to any preceding Claim, comprising a manual override means operable by the worker.

8. Communicator according to Claim 7 when dependent on any of Claims 4, 5 or 6, wherein the manual override means is operable by the worker to trigger and/or cancel the alarm.

9. Communicator according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein the input means comprises the manual override means.

10. Communicator according to any preceding Claim, wherein the processor is configured to maintain a log of worker location data and/or worker status data comprising data relating to detected falls of workers.

11. Communicator according to any preceding Claim, comprising a housing configured to protect the transmitter, the location monitoring means, the fall detection device and the input means from damage from a fall of the worker and/or from dropping of the communicator by the worker onto a surface.

12. Communicator according to any proceeding Claim, comprising an impact protection means.

13. Communicator according to Claim 12, wherein the impact protection means comprises a resilient material.

14. Communicator according to Claim 12 or 13, comprising a housing where the impact protection means is overmoulded to the housing.

15. Communicator according to any preceding Claim, comprising a transceiver which is operable by the worker to communicate with one or more further worker having a further communicator and or with the base station.

16. System for monitoring workers in a work environment, the system comprising: a base station comprising a receiver and a processor; and a communicator according to any preceding Claim.

17. A method of monitoring workers in a work environment, the method comprising the steps of:

b) monitoring the location of the worker using a location monitoring means comprised in the communicator;

e) transmitting (e.g. automatically) a fall warning to the base station using the transmitter of the communicator unless the worker activates (e.g. manually) an input means of the communicator.

18. Method according to Claim 17, comprising a step f) of notifying the worker, using a notification means of the communicator, that a fall warning will be transmitted using the communicator’s transmitter unless the input means is activated.

19. Method according to Claim 18, wherein step h) comprises the worker cancelling or stopping the alarm of the communicator, for example by activating an or the activation means.

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20. Method according to any of Claims 14 to 19, comprising a step i) of sending an alert by telephone if a fall warning is transmitted to the base station.

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19. Method according to Claim 18, wherein notifying the worker comprises providing a visual and/or aural notification.

20. Method according to any of Claims 17 to 19, comprising a step g) of activating an alarm of the communicator when a fall of the worker has been detected by the fall detection device.

21. Method according to Claim 20, wherein step g) occurs only if a fall warning has been transmitted to the base station using the communicator’s transmitter.

22. Method according to Claim 20, wherein the alarm is activated by the worker, for example by activating an activation means of the communicator.

23. Method according to any of Claims 17 to 22, comprising a step h) of cancelling or 5 stopping the alarm of the communicator.

24. Method according to Claim 23, wherein step h) comprises the worker cancelling or stopping the alarm of the communicator, for example by activating an or the activation means.

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25. Method according to any of Claims 17 to 24, comprising a step i) of sending an alert by telephone if a fall warning is transmitted to the base station.

Amendment to Claims have been filed as follows

a fall detection device configured to detect a fall event of a worker carrying or wearing the communicator;

an input means operable by the worker carrying or wearing the communicator; and an alarm configured to activate if a fall of the worker has been detected by the fall detection device, where the communicator is configured to transmit a fall warning to the base station using the transmitter when the fall detection device detects a fall event of a person carrying or wearing the communicator unless the input means is activated to prevent the transmission, and wherein the alarm is configured to activate only if a fall warning has been or is being transmitted, and is configured to give an audible alarm and/or a visual alarm when it is activated.

2. Communicator according to Claim 1, comprising a notification component configured to notify the worker, after a fall event has been detected by the fall detection device, that a fall warning will be transmitted unless the input means is activated.

4. Communicator according to any preceding Claim, comprising a manual override means operable by the worker.

5. Communicator according to Claim 4, wherein the manual override means is operable by the worker to trigger and/or cancel the alarm.

6. Communicator according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the input means comprises the manual override means.

7. Communicator according to any preceding Claim, comprising a housing configured to protect the transmitter, the location monitoring means, the fall detection device and the input means from damage from a fall of the worker and/or from dropping of the communicator by the worker onto a surface.

8. Communicator according to any proceeding Claim, comprising an impact protection means.

9. Communicator according to Claim 8, wherein the impact protection means comprises a resilient material.

10. Communicator according to Claim 8 or 9, comprising a housing where the impact protection means is overmoulded to the housing.

11. Communicator according to any preceding Claim, comprising a transceiver which is operable by the worker to communicate with one or more further worker having a further communicator and or with the base station.

12. System for monitoring workers in a work environment, the system comprising: a base station comprising a receiver and a processor; and a communicator according to any preceding Claim.

13. System according to claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to maintain a log of worker location data and/or worker status data comprising data relating to detected falls of workers.

14. A method of monitoring workers in a work environment, the method comprising the steps of:

d) detecting a fall of the worker using a fall detection device comprised in the communicator;

e) automatically transmitting a fall warning to the base station using the transmitter of the communicator unless the worker manually activates an input means of the communicator; and

g) activating an alarm of the communicator when a fall of the worker has been detected by the fall detection device;

wherein step g) occurs only if a fall warning has been transmitted to the base station using the communicator’s transmitter, and wherein the alarm is a sound and/or visual alarm.

15. Method according to Claim 17, comprising a step f) of notifying the worker, using a notification means of the communicator, that a fall warning will be transmitted using the communicator’s transmitter unless the input means is activated.

16. Method according to Claim 15, wherein notifying the worker comprises providing a visual and/or aural notification.

17. Method according to Claim 14, wherein the alarm is activated by the worker, by activating an activation means of the communicator.

18. Method according to any of Claims 14 to 17, comprising a step h) of cancelling or stopping the alarm of the communicator.