GB2593909A

GB2593909A - Providing proximity warnings

Info

Publication number: GB2593909A
Application number: GB2005223.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Carter Neil
Original assignee: Wearable Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Wearable Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2020-04-08
Filing date: 2020-04-08
Publication date: 2021-10-13
Also published as: GB202005223D0

Abstract

An apparatus for providing proximity warnings comprises two or more processing units for application upon the person of two or more respective operatives. Each processing unit generates a warning signal if it detects another processing unit at a distance closer than a first predetermined distance. The first predetermined distance may for example be four or two metres. Each processing unit includes a radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving radio signals, wherein the distance is determined by the signal strength of a radio signal transmitted by a first processing unit and received by a second processing unit. Each processing unit may be attached to an item of clothing worn by an operative. Each processing unit may be configured to transmit a radio signal with a unique code which may be used to identify the processing unit as belonging to a group. A first processing unit may be attached on the front of an operative and a second processing unit may be attached to the rear of an operative. Each processing unit may comprise a further transmitter for sending details of a warning signal to a central control station.

Description

Providing Proximity Warnings

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is the first application for a patent directed towards the invention and the subject matter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing proximity warnings and a method of providing proximity warnings to operatives.

It is known to provide operatives with personal protection equipment, particularly when operatives are working in hazardous or dangerous conditions. The equipment may take the form of jackets, parkas, harnesses or other items of clothing which have communication devices installed therein. In addition, power may be supplied to these devices by means of an internal loom and data communication may take place over this loom in a form that may be identified as a personal area network. Furthermore, communication may take place between operatives within what may be identified as a local area network. In addition, a wide area network may be established, allowing communication to take place between one or more operatives in a group and a central station.

It has become apparent that situations may arise when it is inappropriate for operatives to be in close proximity with each other, usually due to an outbreak of a highly contagious disease. Under such circumstances, it may be possible for operatives to cease working for a period of time until the emergency has ceased. However, it is also appreciated that under some circumstances, operatives must still complete essential functions and this may be possible provided that an appropriate degree of social distancing is maintained. Thus, it is appreciated that when operatives are engaged in particular tasks, it is possible for them to inadvertently get too close together. A problem therefore exists in terms of how to generate appropriate warnings to prevent these situations arising. Furthermore, from a management perspective, it is also desirable to collect data on events of this type, allowing appropriate action to be taken where necessary.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for providing proximity warnings, as set out in claim 1. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing proximity warnings to operatives, as set out in claim 14.

Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed embodiments show the best mode known to the inventor and provide support for the invention as claimed. However, they are only exemplary and should not be used to interpret or limit the scope of the claims. Their purpose is to provide a teaching to those skilled in the art. Components and processes distinguished by ordinal phrases such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily define an order or ranking of any sort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows operatives performing a task in close proximity; Figure 2 shows the application of a processing unit upon an item of clothing; Figure 3 illustrates a connector for attaching a processing unit to an item of clothing; Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment for supporting a processing unit; Figure 5 illustrates a second alternative embodiment for supporting a processing unit; Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of a processing unit; Figure 7 illustrates operations performed by the processing unit shown in Figure 6; and Figure 8 shows processing units communicating with a central station. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 Operatives are shown in Figure 1 performing a particular task which, under normal circumstances, would not create any difficulties. However, for the purposes of this example, it is assumed that an emergency condition exists, such that a degree of social distancing should be maintained between operatives. In this example, operatives should be at least four metres apart and under no circumstances should they get closer than two metres apart.

However, it should be appreciated that these values are only examples and different distances may be selected where appropriate.

A first jacket 101 is being worn by an operative, with a similar jacket 102 being worn by a second operative. Jacket 101 and jacket 102 each include processing units that facilitate internal communication. In this example, a processing unit is supported by means of an internal pocket, described further with reference to Figure 5 and an external indicator 103 is provided to facilitate manual activation.

In this example, the operatives are working within a hazardous environment which, for example, may involve the potential existence of dangerous gases. Thus, in this example, a gas detector 104 is attached to jacket 101. Upon detecting a high level of gas, alarm signals are generated and light emitting devices 105 attached to jacket 101 may be illuminated. The inventor has realized that this provides a platform a platform for generating similar warnings when operatives are too close together.

Figure 2 The present embodiment relates to an apparatus for providing proximity warnings. Two or more processing units are provided for application upon the person of two or more respective operatives, wherein each processing unit is configured to generate a warning signal if it detects another processing unit at a distance closer than a first predetermined distance. In the embodiment of Figure 2, each processing unit is supported externally, with an external processing unit 201 attached to an external surface of a vest 202. The vest 202, in this example, is constructed from a florescent material with additional light reflective strips 203 applied thereon. These strips facilitate the mounting of light emitting devices 204 and the retention of an appropriate wiring loom for allowing power and data to be conveyed within the loom to facilitate signal generation and data transmission. In a further embodiment, in addition to the processing unit attached to the front of the vest, a similar device is also attached to the rear of the vest.

In the embodiment of Figure 2, each processing unit includes a radio transmitter for transmitting and receiving radio signals. Distances are determined by a property of these radio signals transmitted by a first processing unit and received by a second processing unit. Thus, if only one processing unit is provided on the vest, problems occur in that transmission is prevented to the rear of the operative by the presence of the operative themselves. Thus, by providing two units, it is possible to obtain three-hundred-and-sixty-degree coverage.

In an embodiment, the property of the radio signal is the signal strength of the radio signal. Furthermore, each processing unit is configured to transmit a radio signal with a unique code. In this way, it is possible for each processing unit to be configured to receive radio signals from the other processing units and identify transmitted codes as belonging to a group.

Figure 3 In the embodiment described with reference to Figure 2, the processing unit 201 is attached to the item of clothing 202 by means of an electrical connector that has a mechanical and electrical interface portion 301 that extends through an orifice 302 of an item of clothing to facilitate connection. Connectors of this type are described in GB 2 569 816, assigned to the present applicant.

Figure 4 In an alternative embodiment, the processing unit 201 is enclosed within a supporting structure. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the supporting structure takes the form of a pouch 401. Electrical and mechanical connection is made by means of a device of the type described with reference to Figure 3 but the supporting pouch provides a degree of mechanical protection for the processing unit itself. In some environments, this may be seen as advantageous, in that it allows easy access to the processing unit while at the same time reducing the risk of the processing unit becoming damaged during a particular deployment, such as that described with reference to Figure 1. However, it is appreciated that when restrained within a pouch of this type, radio signals will tend to be attenuated and this in turn may create problems; particularly when radio signal strengths are being considered.

Figure 5 An alternative processing unit 501 is shown in Figure 5, this being of the type used by the operatives described with reference to Figure 1. The processing unit 501 is connected to a loom 502 and then placed within an internal pocket 503. In this way, a greater level of mechanical protection is provided, over that of the pouch described with reference to Figure 4 and this in turn may result in an even higher level of signal attenuation.

Figure 6 A schematic representation of a processing unit, such as processing unit 201, is shown in Figure 6. In use, these may also be referred to as control units or hubs. A microcontroller 601 receives input signals from a hazard detector 602, possibly similar to detector 104 described with reference to Figure 1. Upon detecting a hazard, as described in GB 2 534 678 (US 9,922,516) a warning signal is generated and a loudspeaker 603 produces an audio output, light emitting diodes 604 produce a visible warning and a haptic device 605 vibrates to produce a tactile warning.

A second transmitter 606 is also used to transmit warning signals to a central station, as described with reference to Figure 8. The central station may also receive warning signals from other operatives and the light emitting device 604 may illuminate in different colours to indicate whether a local condition has been detected or a remote condition has been detected.

The processing unit also includes a Bluetooth (RTM) low energy transceiver 607 which, in this example, works in the two-point-four gigahertz spectrum. In the embodiment, each processing unit periodically broadcasts a Bluetooth signature, which can then be identified by the other processing units within the group.

The processing unit also includes a radio frequency identification device (RFID) reader 608. Reader 608 receives data from an RFID chip supported upon an RFID card 609. An appropriate card 609 is selected in order to program the operation of the microcontroller 601. The card is uniquely paired with the processing unit. In this way, it is possible to instruct the microcontroller 601 to enter a social distancing mode. Thus, when programmed in this way, the processing unit will listen on the BLE broadcast frequencies to identify any device that is broadcasting appropriate signatures.

When operating in proximity mode, broadcasted signatures are received and compared against preprogramed data to identify any signatures that belong to the group. If an appropriate signature is seen, an average signal strength is measured for the radio transmission. This average value continues to be assessed, as a rolling average, such that spurious values will be ignored. However, an increasing rolling average value indicates that the transmitting processing unit is getting closer to a receiving processing unit. Furthermore, both approaching processing units will each be performing both roles of transmitting their respective signature and measuring the signal strength of received signatures.

Based on the above evaluation of signal strengths, the processing unit is configured to trigger a warning if a device is detected as being within four metres. The processing unit is also configured to trigger an alert if this proximity is identified as being less than two metres. The processing unit is preprogrammed, based on empirical measurements, to convert signal strength measurements to distances. Thus, the proximity system works on a many-to-many relationship, allowing proximity detection to be achieved between operatives for any number of operatives present within the group.

In addition to informing the microcontroller 601 to enter social distancing mode, it is also possible for the RFID card 609 to provide an indication of the environment. Thus, appropriate modification is made to RSSI values in response to being informed that the processing unit is externally mounted as described with reference to Figure 2, supported within a pouch as described with reference to Figure 4 or retained within an internal pocket as described with reference to Figure 5.

Furthermore, in addition to generating local warnings to the operatives who are too close together, as described with reference to Figure 1, this information is also passed back to a central station, via the second transmitter 606. Thus, this allows information on proximity detections to be recorded centrally, whereafter reports may be generated and trends considered.

Figure 7 An embodiment establishes a method of providing proximity warnings to operatives. A processing unit is placed on each of a plurality of operatives and the processing units are configured to identify other processing units within the group that are at a distance closer than a predetermined distance. When this identification is made, a warning signal is generated, to the effect that another of the processing units is closer than the predetermined distance.

As shown in Figure 7, a first processing unit 701 is located at a distance greater than four metres from a second processing unit 702. When operating in the social distancing mode, this situation does not create any alarms or alerts. However, as the processing units get closer, the social distancing faciality takes effect. Thus, in the example of Figure 7, a third processing unit 703 approaches a fourth processing unit 704. When the third processing unit 703 is equal to or less than four meters from the fourth processing unit 704, an alarm condition is raised. In an embodiment, this is brought to the attention of the operatives and they should then distance themselves.

However, it is appreciated that under some circumstances, this warning to operatives to distance themselves may be ignored. Consequently, as the operatives get closer together, additional measures are taken. In this example, a fifth processing unit 705 is closer to a sixth processing unit 706. If the distance between them becomes equal to or less than two metres, an alert condition is identified. Thus, in response to an alert condition, the situation may be brought to the attention of other operatives within the group and/or additional visible and audible warnings may be generated.

Figure 8 Control unit 701 and control unit 702 are also shown in Figure 8, supported by operatives that are maintaining the appropriate social distancing. This position can also be identified for a seventh control unit 801 and an eighth control unit 802. However, as previously described, the fifth control unit 705 and the sixth control unit 706 are too close together and a local alert condition has been raised. In addition, a central station 803 receives data identifying this alert condition from the fifth processing unit 705, as indicated by arrow 804, and from the sixth processing unit 706 as indicated by arrow 805.

At the central station 803, an appropriate graphical user interface, often referred to as a dashboard, indicates that a situation of this type has arisen to supervisors. Furthermore, this information is retained by a storage system 806.

Claims

CLAIMSThe invention claimed is: 1. An apparatus for providing proximity warnings, comprising: two or more processing units for application upon the person of two or more respective operatives, wherein each said processing unit is configured to generate a warning signal if it detects another processing unit at a distance closer than a first predetermined distance.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each processing unit includes a radio transceiver for transmitting and receiving radio signals, wherein said distance is determined by a property of a radio signal transmitted by a first processing unit and received by a second processing unit.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said property of a radio signal is the signal strength of said radio signal.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein each processing unit is configured to transmit a radio signal with a unique code.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each processing unit is configured to receive radio signals from the other processing units and identify said transmitted codes as belonging to a group.
6. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein each processing unit is configured to be attached externally to an item of clothing worn by a respective operative.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a said processing unit is attached to an item of clothing by means of an electrical connector having a mechanical and electrical interface portion that extends through an orifice in an item of clothing.
8. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein a said processing unit is enclosed within a supporting structure.
9. The apparatus of any of claims 3 to 5, wherein said signal strength determination is compensated to take account of a processing unit being mounted externally on an item of clothing or being retained within a supporting structure.
10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a first processing unit is attached on the front of an operative and a second processing unit is attached to the rear of said operative
11. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein each processing unit includes a second transmitter for sending details of said warning signal to a central control station.
12. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein each processing unit comprises an output device for making said warning signals known to an operative.
13. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein each processing unit includes an input device for receiving data identifying properties of a working environment, such that a processing unit is configured to operate a proximity warning system.
14. A method of providing proximity warnings to operatives, comprising the steps of: placing a processing unit on each of a plurality of operatives; configuring each said processing unit to identify others of said processing units that are closer than a predetermined distance; and generating a warning signal if an assessment is made to the effect that another of said processing units is closer than said predetermined distance.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein said configuring step comprises the steps of: transmitting a radio signal; receiving radio signals transmitted from the other said control units; and determining a property of said received radio signals.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said property of a radio signal is the signal strength of said radio signal.
17. The method of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein each processing unit is configured to transmit a radio signal with a unique code.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each processing unit receives radio signals from the other processing units and identifies said transmitted codes as belonging to a group.
19. The method of any of claims 16 to 18, wherein a processing unit may be mounted externally to an item of clothing or supported within a structure, further comprising the step of compensating signal strength determination based on whether an external mounting is provided or a supported mounting is provided, in that a support will attenuate received signals.
20. The method of claims 19, wherein each processing unit includes an input device for receiving data identifying properties of a working environment, such that a processing unit is configured to operate a proximity warning system for an appropriate support type.
21. The method of any of claims 14 to 20, wherein a first processing unit is attached on the front of an operative and a second processing unit is attached to the rear of said operative.
22. The method of any of claims 14 to 21, further comprising the step of additionally transmitting warning signals to a central control station.
23. The method of any of claims 14 to 22, further comprising the step of activating a light emitting device in response to said warning signal.
24. The method of any of claims 14 to 23, further comprising the step of activating a sound emitting device in response to said warning signal.
25. The method of any of claims 14 to 24, further comprising the step of activating a haptic device in response to said warning signal.