GB2576324A

GB2576324A - Vehicle safety monitoring device

Info

Publication number: GB2576324A
Application number: GB1813213.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Smith David
Original assignee: Vision Techniques Group Ltd
Current assignee: Vision Techniques Group Ltd
Priority date: 2018-08-13
Filing date: 2018-08-13
Publication date: 2020-02-19
Also published as: GB201813213D0

Abstract

A vehicle safety monitoring device and system for alerting an operator when the door is open or an attempt to open a door of a vehicle whilst said vehicle is moving. The device comprises a control module for receiving a signal from a door sensor in the vehicle to detect the state of a door and a signal from a speed sensor to detect the speed of the vehicle; and then to send an activating signal to a telecommunications unit when the control module detects that the door is in an open state and that the speed of the vehicle is within a specified range. In use, a telecommunications unit sends an alert signal to a remote receiver/operator when the activating signal is received. The device may be used in monitoring waste collection vehicles or heavy goods vehicles and alerting the control centre when someone opens the vehicle door when the vehicle is moving, e.g. when the user is moving in and out to collect household waste etc. The alert may be an email with time and location information of the vehicle at the time when the door was opened. The system may also lock the door if the vehicle is moving and an attempt is made to open the door.

Description

Fig. 5

Vehicle Safety Monitoring Device

Field

The present invention relates to a device for monitoring the operation of a vehicle, for example a waste collection vehicle. The present invention also relates to a system comprising such a device, a vehicle containing such a device and a method of monitoring the operation of said vehicle. In particular the invention relates to a device for alerting an operator that an unsafe exiting of a vehicle is attempted whilst said vehicle is moving.

Background

In typical motor vehicles, it is possible to open a driver side or passenger side door whilst the vehicle is moving in order for a person to alight from the vehicle. This is an inherently unsafe action. The person opening the door and attempting to exit the vehicle risks serious injury from the still moving vehicle, the ground which the person is moving relative to due to the movement of the vehicle, and any obstacles which may be present on the ground, such as street furniture. Many accidents are caused by such unsafe action.

Typical motor vehicles are not fitted with any equipment which can monitor and/or prevent such unsafe actions.

This problem is particularly acute in large commercial vehicles, particularly waste collection vehicles, which are operated by a crew (or team) of people comprising at least one person other than the driver. It has been found to be commonplace for a member of the crew operating a waste collection vehicle to attempt to alight from said waste collection vehicle before it has come to a complete stop. The crew members often do this to increase the speed of their waste collection round as alighting from the vehicle before it comes to a complete stop saves several seconds on each occasion, which adds up to a significant time saving over a waste collection round.

However, each time this inherently unsafe action is carried out, the crew member risks an injury, as discussed above. Such injuries are of course problematic for the crew members but also cause lost work time and increased costs for the operator of the waste collection vehicle.

Waste collection vehicle crews are specifically trained to not alight from their waste collection vehicles until the vehicle has come to a complete stop. However, such accidents continue to occur frequently.

Summary of the Invention

It is one aim of the present invention, amongst others, to provide a device, system, vehicle and/or method that addresses at least one disadvantage of the prior art, whether identified here or elsewhere, or to provide an alternative to existing devices, systems, vehicles and/or methods. For instance it may be an aim of the present invention to provide a device which can monitor the operation of a vehicle and alert an operator when an unsafe exiting of a vehicle is attempted, in order to improve safety compliance of said vehicle’s crew.

According to aspects of the present invention, there is provided a device, system, vehicle and method as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims and the description which follows.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for alerting an operator when an attempt is made to open a door of a vehicle whilst said vehicle is moving, the device comprising a control module;

wherein the control module is adapted to:

receive a signal from a door sensor in said vehicle to detect an open or closed condition of a door of said vehicle;

receive a signal from a speed sensor to detect a speed of said vehicle; and send an activating signal to a telecommunications unit when the control module detects that said door is in an open condition and that the speed of said vehicle is greater than 0 km/h;

wherein the activating signal is adapted to instruct said telecommunications unit to send an alert signal to said operator.

Said vehicle is suitably fitted with a telecommunications unit with which the control module can communicate. If said vehicle does not comprise a telecommunications unit then a suitable telecommunications unit can be fitted along with the device in order to function as described above.

Suitably the operator is not the driver or a passenger of said vehicle. Suitably the operator is not a member of a crew riding in said vehicle. Suitably the operator is a person remotely monitoring the operation of said vehicle, for example as part of a fleet of said vehicles, such as a fleet of waste collection vehicles. Therefore the operator is suitably at a remote location to said vehicle.

By “sending an alert signal to an operator” we mean sending said alert signal to a suitable receiver being monitored by said operator, for example a computer terminal with an internet connection. Suitably said telecommunications unit is adapted to send said alert signal to a receiver (i.e. receiver equipment), suitably at a remote location, suitably a receiver which is adapted to allow monitoring by said operator.

Said telecommunication unit is suitably programmed with details of where and how to send said alert signal to said operator, for example to a suitable receiver monitored by said operator. For example, said telecommunications unit may be programmed with an electronic mail address corresponding to an account monitored by said operator.

The alert signal may be routed via a suitable intermediate receiver which converts said telecommunications signal into a signal which can be received by said receiver being monitored by said operator, for example an electronic mail, and sends said converted signal to said receiver. Suitable receivers and intermediate receivers are known in the art. For example, said alert signal may be sent over a mobile data network using a SIM card fitted to said telecommunications unit.

The inventors have found that the device of this first aspect can monitor the operation of a vehicle and effectively capture the occurrence of attempts by persons to exit said vehicle in an unsafe manner, i.e. before the vehicle has come to a complete stop. This is particularly advantageous when said vehicle is a waste collection vehicle operated by a crew who often alight from said waste collection vehicles in this unsafe manner. Using the device to capture these attempts to alight said vehicle unsafely and to alert an operator in this way allows the operator to monitor the safety compliance of the crew and therefore use this information to further educate the crew to the dangers of this action. This may ultimately lead to fewer occurrences and fewer accidents, leading to a safer and more cost-effective operation of such waste collection vehicles.

Devices of this first aspect may be fitted to a plurality of vehicles (i.e. a fleet), for example a fleet of waste collection vehicles, the devices adapted to send said alert signals to a single operator overseeing the operation of said plurality of vehicles. Therefore devices of this first aspect may be used to improve the safe and cost-effective operation of a fleet of such vehicles.

The device of this first aspect may be incorporated into said vehicle during manufacture and/or body building of said vehicle. Alternatively, the device of this first aspect may be retro-fitted to said vehicle after manufacture and/or body building of said vehicle to upgrade said vehicle in an effort to improve the safe operation of said vehicle.

The device alerts an operator when an attempt is made to open a door of a vehicle whilst said vehicle is moving. The attempt to open a door of the vehicle may involve activating a handle of said door, before said door actually opens. Therefore the “open or closed condition” of said door of said vehicle may relate to the activation of said door handle, before said door is actually opened. Said door sensor which sends a signal to the control module may therefore be adapted to detect operation of said doorhandle.

The attempt to open a door of the vehicle may be an actual opening of a door. Therefore said door sensor which sends a signal to the control module may be adapted to detect the opening of said door, for example a proximity sensor arranged on said door or in a frame in which said door is fitted.

Said door which said door sensor detects an open or closed condition of is suitably a passenger side door of said vehicle. Suitably the control module is adapted to receive a signal from a passenger door sensor in said vehicle to detect an open or closed condition of only said passenger door of said vehicle. In the incidents of unsafe alighting from such vehicles discussed above, it is usually the passenger door which is opened and through which a crew member exits the vehicle. Therefore, it is advantageous to monitor the passenger side door. There may be little need to monitor the driver’s side door in this way, particularly in waste collection vehicles where the driver does not exit the vehicle during a typical waste collection round.

Suitably the control module is adapted to send said activating signal when the speed of said vehicle is within a range specified by the user as being an unsafe speed to alight the vehicle. Suitably the control module is adapted to send said activating signal when the speed of said vehicle is at least 0.5 km/h, suitably at least 1 km/h. The control module may be adapted to send said activating signal when the speed of said vehicle is below a specified upper limit, for example when the speed of said vehicle is up to 10 km/h, suitably up to 8 km/h, suitably up to 6 km/h. Suitably the control module is adapted to send said activating signal when the speed of said vehicle is from 1 to 6 km/h. Such speeds are those typically associated with the unsafe exits of crew members from said vehicles, in particular from waste collection vehicles, discussed above.

At speeds below 1 km/h the risk of injury of a crew member alighting the vehicle is reduced so that it may be unnecessary to trigger the alert at such speeds.

The control module is adapted to send said activating signal to said telecommunications unit when the control module detects that said door is in an open condition and that the speed of said vehicle is greater than 0 km/h. The control module may comprise a logic AND gate in order to process said signals from said door sensor and said speed sensor. Suitable electronic configurations to achieve the stated operations would be known to the skilled person.

Suitably the control module is adapted to communicate with an electronic control system in said vehicle to receive said signals from said speed sensor connected to said electronic control system. For example, said vehicle may comprise a CAN bus system which receives speed information from a speed sensor arranged in the vehicle. Therefore the control module may be connected to a CAN bus system in the vehicle to receive said signal from said speed sensor through the CAN bus system.

Similarly, the control module may be adapted to communicate with an electronic control system in said vehicle to receive said signal from said door sensor connected to said electronic control system. For example, said vehicle may comprise a CAN bus system which receives door condition information from a door sensor arranged in said vehicle. Therefore the control module may be connected to a CAN bus system in said vehicle to receive said signal from said door sensor through the CAN bus system.

In some embodiments, the control module is arranged and adapted to receive both said door sensor and speed sensor signals through an electronic control system in said vehicle, suitably a CAN bus system.

Utilising a CAN bus system of said vehicle in this way may facilitate the retro-fitting of the device of this first aspect to a vehicle after manufacture of said vehicle.

Suitably the device comprises a CAN bus reader connected to the control module and adapted for connection to a CAN bus system of said vehicle to enable a signal from a speed sensor and/or a door sensor to pass from said CAN bus system to the control module. Suitable CAN bus readers are known in the art.

Suitably said telecommunications unit is adapted to send said alert signal to said operator at a location remote from the vehicle. Suitably said telecommunications unit is adapted to send said alert signal comprising the date and time which said activating signal was sent by the control module.

In some embodiments, said vehicle using the device of this first aspect is suitably fitted with video recording equipment arranged to record video images of said vehicle comprising at least video images of said door of said vehicle. Said video images may be transmitted to said operator and/or to another location where they may be stored for a certain period of time. Said alert signal sent by the device of this first aspect comprising the date and time said activating signal was sent by the control module can then be used by said operator to correlate the time of the alert with said video images so that said operator can view the incident which triggered the device to send said alert signal. This may provide said operator with conclusive evidence of the incident and may allow said operator to identify the crew member concerned. This may allow said operator to take appropriate action to improve the safety of said vehicle’s operation.

In some embodiments, said telecommunications unit is adapted to send said alert signal via electronic mail. Said electronic mail may comprise a reference and/or a hyperlink to a video recording as discussed above to allow said operator to easily access a video recording of the incident which triggered the device to send said alert signal.

In some embodiments said telecommunications unit comprises said video recording equipment. Said telecommunications unit may be a video recording equipment adapted to send said alert signal to said operator and to send video images of the incident which triggered the device to send said alert signal. For example, said telecommunications unit may be a video recording equipment (such as a DVR unit) fitted with a SIM card to enable connection to a mobile (cellular) data network.

Suitable electronic equipment and protocols for implementing these concepts would be known to the skilled person.

In some embodiments, the control module is adapted to send a second activating signal to a warning module located inside said vehicle. Said second activating signal is suitably sent at substantially the same time as the activating signal sent to said telecommunications unit. Said warning module may be adapted to emit an audio warning, for example by comprising a speaker and a suitable electronic system for powering and controlling said speaker. Said warning module may be adapted to emit a visual warning, for example by comprising a light and a suitable electronic system for powering and controlling said light. Suitably said warning module is adapted to emit both an audio and a visual warning. Suitable electronic equipment and protocols for implementing such audio and/or visual warnings would be known to the skilled person.

In some embodiments, the device comprises such a warning module. Alternatively the warning module may be a separate entity which the device is arranged in communication with.

Said warning module may be incorporated into said vehicle, for example during manufacture or body building of said vehicle.

The control module being adapted to send said second activating signal to said warning module may provide a crew operating said vehicle with a warning about an attempt to unsafely alight said vehicle, in addition to the alert sent to said operator. This may allow said crew to improve the safety of their operation of said vehicle.

In some embodiments, suitably wherein said door is adapted to detect operation of a door handle of said vehicle, the control module is adapted to send a third activating signal to a door lock to prevent said door of said vehicle from opening. In such embodiments, the device may prevent unsafe alighting incidents from occurring in said vehicle, whilst still alerting said operator that an attempt to unsafely alight from said vehicle was made. This may provide an additional improvement in safety and a reduction in accidents caused by such unsafe actions.

Suitably the device operates only when said vehicle’s engine is running and/or when said vehicle’s ignition system has been activated. Suitably the device is powered by said vehicle’s ignition system.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for alerting an operator when an attempt is made to open a door of a vehicle whilst said vehicle is moving, the device comprising a control module and a CAN bus reader;

wherein the CAN bus reader is connected to the control module and is adapted for connection to a CAN bus system of said vehicle to enable a signal from a speed sensor to pass from said CAN bus system to the control module;

wherein the control module is adapted to:

Suitably the signal from said speed sensor is received by the control module via the CAN bus reader.

The device may have any of the features and advantages described in relation to the first aspect.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for alerting an operator when an attempt is made to open a door of a vehicle whilst said vehicle is moving, the system comprising a device according to the first aspect and a telecommunications unit;

wherein the telecommunications unit is adapted to:

receive said activating signal from the control module; and send an alert signal to said operator when the telecommunications unit receives said activating signal.

For the avoidance of doubt, the telecommunications unit of the system of this second aspect is the telecommunications unit which the control module of the device of the first aspect is adapted to send an activating signal to.

Suitably the system comprises a door sensor arranged on a door of said vehicle, wherein the door sensor is adapted to send a signal to the control module to indicate an open or closed condition of said door of said vehicle.

Suitably the door sensor is a proximity sensor. Such a proximity sensor may be fitted to said door of said vehicle or fitted to a door frame of said door. Suitably proximity sensors are known in the art.

Suitably the system comprises video recording equipment arranged to enable video images of the opening of said door of said vehicle to be recorded. Said video images may be continuously recorded during operation of said vehicle. The video recoding equipment may be arranged in communication with the telecommunications unit to enable said video images to be sent to said operator, either continuously during operation of said vehicle or when said alert signal is sent to said operator when the telecommunications unit receives said activating signal. The video recording equipment may have any of the features described in relation to first aspect.

In some embodiments, the system of this second aspect comprises a receiver adapted to receive said alert signal. Suitably said receiver is monitored by said operator and is suitably arranged at a remote location from the device (and therefore said vehicle). A suitable receiver may be an internet connected computer terminal.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for alerting an operator when an attempt is made to open a door of a vehicle whilst said vehicle is moving, the system comprising a device comprising a control module and a door sensor arranged on a door of said vehicle;

wherein the door sensor is adapted to send a signal to the control module to indicate an open or closed condition of said door of said vehicle;

wherein the control module is adapted to:

receive a signal from the door sensor in said vehicle to detect an open or closed condition of a door of said vehicle;

receive a signal from said speed sensor to detect a speed of said vehicle; and send an activating signal to a telecommunications unit when the control module detects that said door is in an open condition and that the speed of said vehicle is greater than 0 km/h;

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for alerting an operator when an attempt is made to open a door of a vehicle whilst said vehicle is moving, the system comprising a device comprising a control module and a CAN bus reader, and a door sensor arranged on a door of said vehicle;

wherein the control module is adapted to:

The device of these further aspects may have any of the features and advantages described in relation to the first aspect.

The system of these further aspects may have any of the features and advantages of the system of the second aspect.

Suitably the system of these further aspects comprises a telecommunications unit adapted to:

receive said activating signal from the control module; and send said alert signal to said operator when the telecommunications unit receives said activating signal.

The telecommunications unit may have any of the features and advantages described in relation to the first aspect.

According to third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising a device according to the first aspect or a system according to the second aspect.

Suitably the vehicle is a motor vehicle. The vehicle may be an automobile. The vehicle may be a large commercial vehicle, for example a lorry, a light goods vehicle, a heavy goods vehicle, a waste collection vehicle, a bus or a coach. Suitably the vehicle is a lorry. Suitably the vehicle is a waste collection vehicle.

In preferred embodiments the vehicle is a waste collection vehicle or a heavy goods vehicle. Suitably the vehicle is a waste collection vehicle.

The vehicle, device and/or system of this third aspect may have any of the features or advantages described in relation to the first and second aspects.

Suitably the vehicle comprises a CAN bus system into which the device of the first aspect is connected in order to perform the stated functions. Suitably the vehicle comprises a speed sensor as described above in relation to the first aspect. Suitably the vehicle comprises a door sensor as described above in relation to the first aspect.

Suitably the vehicle comprises a driver side door and a passenger side door. Suitably the door sensor is arranged on at least the passenger side door. Suitably the vehicle comprises only a driver side door and a passenger side door. Suitably the vehicle is a waste collection vehicle comprising a driver side door and a passenger side door, and the door sensor is arranged on the passenger side door, suitably only the passenger side door.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of detecting when an attempt is made to open a door of a vehicle whilst the vehicle is moving, the method comprising the steps:

a) detecting an open or closed condition of the door of the vehicle;

b) detecting a speed of the vehicle;

c) sending a telecommunication alert signal to a remote receiver when the door is in an open condition and the speed of said vehicle is greater than 0 km/h.

Steps a) and b) can be carried out in any order. Suitably step c) is carried out after steps a) and b).

Suitably the door of the vehicle is a passenger side door.

Suitably the remote receiver is monitored by an operator who can note such alert signals and take action where appropriate.

Suitably the method is carried out by a device for performing steps a) to c), suitably by a device according to the first aspect, fitted to the vehicle. Suitably the method is carried out on a plurality of vehicles, each comprising a device for performing steps a) to c), each device adapted to send the telecommunication alert signal to the same remote receiver.

Therefore the method of this fourth aspect provides a way of monitoring the operation of a fleet of vehicles, suitably waste collection vehicles, using a suitable electronic device fitted to each vehicle, each device being adapted to communicate with a remote receiver. The remote receiver can be monitored by a single operator who can then take appropriate action when such alert signals are received.

Suitably the method of this fourth aspect is carried out using a device according to the first aspect, a system according to the second aspect or a vehicle according to the third aspect.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how example embodiments may be carried into effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a decision tree which illustrates the function of the device, system, vehicle and method of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a system according to the second aspect of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a vehicle of the third aspect according to the present invention.

Figure 5 is a flow diagram representing the method of the fourth aspect of the present invention.

Detailed Description Of The Example Embodiments

Figure 1 shows a decision tree which illustrates the function of the device, system, vehicle and method of the present invention. This decision tree is implemented by an appropriate arrangement of electronic circuitry in a control module of the device, system or vehicle. A skilled person with knowledge of the decision tree of Figure 1 would be able to implement this decision tree using known electronic components and arrangements. Each decision (enclosed in a diamond shape in Figure 1) is made by a control module of the device using electronic sensor inputs and the illustrated combination of YES and NO answers produces either a decision by the device to take no action (outcome 104) or a decision to send an alert signal to an operator and activate the warning sound and light (outcome 105).

The decision process is carried out by the device or method of the present invention as follows when the device or system is fitted to a vehicle with an engine, a passenger side door sensor and an electronic control system which uses a controller area network (also known as a CAN bus) protocol, which reads a vehicle speed sensor in order to provide a vehicle speed sensor signal.

The device is activated when the engine of the vehicle is on (running) (101), for example by receiving electricity supply from the vehicle’s ignition system. Once the engine is on (running) the device is in a “ready” state. The device then decides whether the passenger side door is open (102), for example using a signal input from a proximity switch fitted to the passenger door. If the passenger side door is not open then the device produces outcome (104) of taking no action.

If the passenger side door is open then the device decides whether the speed of the vehicle is between 1 and 6 km/h (103), for example using a vehicle speed signal input from the vehicle’s CAN bus. If the speed of the vehicle is not between 1 and 6 km/h then the device produces outcome (104) of taking no action.

If the speed of the vehicle is between 1 and 6 km/h then the device produces outcome (105) of sending an alert signal to an operator, sounding a warning alarm and activating a warning light. The device achieves this by the control module sending an activating signal to the telecommunications unit which sends an electronic mail message to a computer terminal monitored by said operator. The control module also sends activating signals to a speaker which produces the warning alarm sound and to an LED which emits a red warning alarm light.

Once the alert signal has been sent, the device returns to a “ready” state so that the decision process can be carried out again. In this manner, the device can carry out the decision tree of Figure 1 multiple times during operation of the vehicle, until the vehicle’s engine is switched off which switches off the device. In this way the device can alert the operator to multiple occurrences of attempts to exit the vehicle in an unsafe manner.

Figure 2 shows device (200) adapted to carry out the decision tree of Figure 1 by the arrangement of appropriate electronic circuitry, for fitting to a motor vehicle. Device (200) comprises control module (201) which comprises CAN bus reader (202) for sending and receiving signals to and from a vehicle’s electronic control system, including receiving a signal from a speed sensor via the CAN bus to detect a speed of said vehicle. Device (200) comprises connection (203) for receiving a signal from a door sensor and connection (204) for receiving electricity from the vehicle’s ignition system for powering the device (200). The device (200) comprises and/or is connected to telecommunications unit (205) and warning module (206). Telecommunications unit (205) is adapted to send an electronic mail message to a remote user when an activating signal is received from the control module (201), when triggered according to the decision tree of Figure 1 described above. Warning module (206) comprises a speaker for emitting a warning sound and an LED for emitting a warning light (for example a red light), when the activating signal is received from the control module (201) and therefore when an alert signal is being sent by the telecommunications unit (205). The warning module also comprises an LED for emitting a “dormant state” light (for example a green light) to indicate that the device has not been activated and an alert signal is not being sent by the telecommunications unit (205). This “dormant state” light may be continuously emitted by the device until the device is triggered by the conditions described above when the “dormant state” light is extinguished and the warning light illuminated.

The device (200) is housed in a robust casing and is suitable for fitting into the cab of a vehicle, for example a waste collection vehicle, and for connection to the vehicle’s electrical systems, such as a CAN bus system, a vehicle ignition, a vehicle ground wire and a door sensor.

Figure 3 shows a system (300) adapted to carry out the decision tree of Figure 1 by the arrangement of the appropriate electronic circuitry and sensor inputs. System (300) comprises a device (200) as shown in Figure 2 and as described above. The device (200) comprises a control module (201) which comprises CAN bus reader (202) for receiving signals from a vehicle’s electronic control system, a telecommunications unit (205), a warning module (206) and a connection (204) for receiving electricity from the vehicle’s ignition system for powering the device (200). The system (300) comprises a door sensor (303) which is a proximity switch for mounting on a passenger side door of a vehicle. The CAN bus reader (202) and the door sensor (303) provide the necessary inputs for the control module to carry out the decision tree of Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows vehicle (400) fitted with device (200). The vehicle (400) is a waste collection vehicle comprising an electronic control system using a CAN bus protocol. The vehicle’s electronic control system provides CAN bus signals including a signal indicating vehicle speed. The vehicle is fitted with device (200) which uses CAN bus reader (202, not shown) to receive a signal from the vehicle regarding vehicle speed.

The vehicle (400) is also fitted with a door sensor (303) which is a proximity switch fitted to the passenger side door (402) of the vehicle (400). Telecommunications unit (205) is fitted to the vehicle in a suitable position to allow telecommunication signals to be readily sent from the vehicle, as shown in Figure 4. Warning module (206) is fitted into the cab (401) of the vehicle (400) in a position where a driver of the vehicle (400) can readily observe the LEDs signifying the warning state and the dormant state of the device, and can readily hear the speaker which emits the warning sound when the device is triggered to send the alert signal.

In use, the device (200), carrying out the decision tree of Figure 1, operates to detect occurrences of attempts by crew members of a vehicle to alight the vehicle unsafely whilst the vehicle is still moving at low speed (between 1 and 6 km/h). The device then alerts an operator of the vehicle at a remote location and also alerts the driver of the vehicle that the device has been triggered and the alert is being sent to the operator. This allows the operator to monitor the safety compliance of the crew members and then take appropriate action to improve safety and reduce accidents.

It is therefore expected that the rate of injuries caused by crew members of a vehicle, such as a waste collection vehicle, alighting from the vehicle before it has stopped will decrease significantly if the device, system, vehicle and/or method of the example embodiments are widely adopted/used, in particular by operators and/or manufacturers of large commercial vehicles.

In summary, the present invention provides a vehicle safety monitoring device for alerting an operator when an attempt is made to open a door of a vehicle whilst said vehicle is moving. The device comprises a control module configured to receive a signal from a door sensor in the vehicle to detect the open or closed state of a door of the vehicle and to receive a signal from a speed sensor to detect the speed of the vehicle; and then to send an activating signal to a telecommunications unit when the control module detects that the door is in an open state and that the speed of the vehicle is within a specified range. In use, the device is connected to a telecommunications unit configured to send an alert signal to a remote receiver/operator when the activating signal is received. The device may be particularly useful in monitoring and reducing accidents in waste collection vehicles.

Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Throughout this specification, the term “comprising” or “comprises” means including the component(s) specified but not to the exclusion of the presence of other components.

The term “consisting of” or “consists of’ means including the components specified but excluding addition of other components.

Whenever appropriate, depending upon the context, the use of the term “comprises” or “comprising” may also be taken to encompass or include the meaning “consists essentially of’ or “consisting essentially of’, and may also be taken to include the meaning “consists of’ or “consisting of’.

The optional features set out herein may be used either individually or in combination with each other where appropriate and particularly in the combinations as set out in the accompanying claims. The optional features for each aspect or exemplary embodiment of the invention as set out herein are also to be read as applicable to any other aspect or exemplary embodiments of the invention, where appropriate. In other words, the skilled person reading this specification should consider the optional features for each exemplary embodiment of the invention as interchangeable and combinable between different exemplary embodiments.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, ofthe steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A device for alerting an operator when an attempt is made to open a door of a vehicle whilst said vehicle is moving, the device comprising a control module;

wherein the control module is adapted to:

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control module is adapted to send said activating signal when the speed of said vehicle is up to 6 km/h.

3. The device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the control module is adapted to communicate with an electronic control system in said vehicle to receive said signal from said speed sensor connected to said electronic control system.

4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control module is adapted to send a second activating signal to a warning module located inside said vehicle.

5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control module is adapted to send a third activating signal to a door lock to prevent said door of said vehicle from opening.

6. A system for alerting an operator when an attempt is made to open a door of a vehicle whilst said vehicle is moving, the system comprising a device according to any preceding claim and a door sensor arranged on a door of said vehicle, wherein the door sensor is adapted to send a signal to the control module to indicate an open or closed condition of said door of said vehicle.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the door sensor is a proximity sensor.

8. The system according to claim 6 or claim 7, comprising a telecommunications unit adapted to:

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the telecommunications unit is adapted to send said alert signal to said operator at a location remote from the vehicle.

10. The device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the telecommunications unit is adapted to send said alert signal which comprises the date and time said activating signal was sent by the control module.

11. The system according to any one of claims 6 to 10, comprising video recording equipment arranged to enable the opening of said door of said vehicle to be recorded.

12. A vehicle comprising a device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or a system according to any one of claims 6 to 11.

13. The vehicle according to claim 12 which is a waste collection vehicle or a heavy goods vehicle.

14. A method of detecting when an attempt is made to open a door of a vehicle whilst the vehicle is moving, the method comprising the steps:

a) detecting an open or closed condition of the door of the vehicle;

b) detecting a speed of the vehicle;

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the door of the vehicle is a passenger side door.