KR101050709B1 - Smart helmet for diver - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A smart wear for an underwater work person is provided to rapidly deal with an emergency by transmitting spot condition information to a central control center of a remote place in real time. CONSTITUTION: A diving helmet calculates measurement information about diving situation and photographs neighboring of the worker. A diving equipment unit transmits photographing information and calculation information wirelessly. An access point(400) flows on a sea surface. The access point relays heterogeneous wireless communication between dividing equipment unit and a control center. A control center(500) infers safety situation of neighboring of the worker and orders a control signal according to inference to a corresponding smart ware(100).

Description

Smart Wear for Underwater Workers {SMART HELMET FOR DIVER}

The present invention relates to smart wear equipped with advanced electronic equipment and communication functions, and more particularly, to smart wear for underwater workers.

Typically, industrial or disaster sites (eg fire suppression, flood recovery, marine or river life) such as construction sites (e.g. subways, tunnels, piers, etc.), shipyards (e.g. shipbuilding and repairs), and high-rise building construction sites. It is essential to wear protective equipment such as helmets, belts, gloves, etc. for the safety of the worker. In particular, the helmet is to protect the operator's head and face from falling objects and unexpected danger of high altitude, wearing the helmet is an essential safety rule on the job site.

Today, with the development of industrial technology, as industrial sites (such as civil engineering or construction sites) become larger and more complex, site workers must move beyond the level of simple labor and deal with the electronic and construction equipment used for construction. Or be able to communicate with other workers in collaboration. In addition, protective equipment (helmet, belt, gloves, etc.), as well as various extensions used in construction sites, radios and mobile terminals for communication with remote workers (or central center), and various measuring equipment And various high-tech equipments.

The use of communication and electronic equipment is very important to increase the safety of workers and the professionalism and efficiency of their work in industrial sites.

However, it is true that the protection and safety gear for divers in underwater work is still insignificant compared to the risk of work.

Divers, due to the nature of underwater work, tend to be isolated from the outside rather than working in groups. And working in water such as the ocean or river is not free activity, relying on oxygen tanks to breathe, the brain activity is reduced, and quickly respond to the surrounding danger factors (e.g. lack of oxygen, dangerous marine life, fast algae, etc.) Difficult to do Therefore, the necessity of electronic safety equipment or high-tech equipment that can protect the safety of workers and increase the efficiency of work is urgently needed more than any industrial field.

An object of the present invention is to provide a smart wear that detects the worker's behavior and risk factors around the work place in an industrial site or disaster site that requires underwater work, and quickly delivers the information to the worker or center.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the present invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the claims, as well as the following description and the annexed drawings.

Smart wear according to the present invention delivers a variety of information (e.g. video information on the site, risk detection information, etc.) on the site situation to a remote central control center in an industrial or disaster site that requires underwater work in real time In accordance with the center's instructions, the site's work can be controlled smoothly and the site's emergency can be responded promptly.

In addition, the smart wear according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a safer working environment for underwater workers who suffer from the deterioration of physical activity and brain activity, various risk factors that can occur in underwater work (e.g. lack of oxygen, Dangerous marine life, fast algae, etc.) can help to further ensure worker safety.

1 is an exemplary view of a smart wear according to the present invention.
2 is a block diagram of a network connection of the smart wear in accordance with the present invention.
3 is a block diagram of a smart wear according to the present invention;
Figure 3 b is a block diagram showing in more detail the configuration of the smart wear according to the present invention.
Figure 4 is an illustration of a smart diving helmet according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an exemplary view of the diving equipment according to the present invention.
Figure 6 is an illustration of the operation of the smart wear in accordance with the present invention.
*** Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawing ***
100: smart wear 200: smart diving helmet
200A: Helmet Body 200B, 300A: Control Module
200C: transparent window 200D: respirator
300: diving equipment
210, 310: sensing unit 220, 320: control unit
230: A / V input / output unit 240: communication unit
250, 350: power supply unit 260: lighting unit
270: display 330: storage unit
340: first communication unit 360: second communication unit
300B: Air tank 300C: Buoyancy regulator
300D: Belt 300E: Diving Bag
400: access point 500: central control center

In order to achieve the above object, the smart wear system for underwater work according to the present invention,

A diving helmet that photographs the surroundings of the worker and calculates and displays measurement information regarding the diving situation, a diving equipment unit for wirelessly transmitting the photographed information and the calculated information, and floating the sea surface to the diving equipment unit and An access point for relaying heterogeneous wireless communication between control centers, and through the access point, receives information about the diving equipment and infers a safety situation around an operator based on the received information, and transmits a control signal according to the inference to a corresponding smart wear side. It is composed of control centers commanded to.

The diving helmet, a helmet body to protect the head of the operator from water pressure and external shock, a transparent window formed on the front portion of the helmet body, provided for watching the front and watching the surrounding situation, and the photographed information and calculated A control module for transmitting information to the central control center through the diving equipment unit and receiving and displaying a control signal according to the inference from the central control center, and the information or central control center processed in the smart wear according to the instruction of the control module. And a display for displaying the control signal received from the device.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 is an exemplary view of a smart wear according to the present invention.

As shown in Figure 1, the smart wear according to the present invention is a radio for communicating with remote workers (or central center) in the protective equipment of workers such as diving helmets, belts (including wetsuits), gloves, diving equipment And a mobile terminal and a camera, a battery, a headset, a display, and various sensors for image transmission.

Workers wearing smart wear deliver real-time information (e.g. video information of scenes, risk detection information, etc.) to the remote central control center in industrial or disaster sites that require underwater work. Under the control of the center, they can perform highly professional tasks. In addition, by analyzing the information sent by the worker, the central control center detects the hazards around the worker that the worker does not recognize, and can send a warning signal to the worker. In addition, the inspection result of the work result can be delivered to the operator quickly and accurately.

In addition, the work situation can be shared with each other through multi-communication with nearby workers wearing smart wear.

2 is a block diagram of a network connection of smart wear according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the smart wear 100 according to the present invention includes a wireless communication device capable of communicating underwater, and thus, may be connected to other workers or access points 400 wearing the smart wear. Perform wireless communication.

In addition, the access point (AP, 400) and the central control center 500 and the data and signal transmission is made by wireless communication, the communication between them is Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi), Wibro (Wireless broadband), WiMAX ( Communication protocols such as Wimax, World Interoperability for Microwave Access (HSDPA), and High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) are preferably applied.

And, the signal transmission between the equipment constituting the smart wear 100 (for example, diving helmet & diving equipment unit is made of a wired communication by a cable connection.

The AP 400 floats the water surface and relays wireless communication between the smart wear 100 and the central control center 500. The access point (AP) 400 performs communication with the smart wearer 100 through underwater wireless (RF) communication, and land-based wireless communication with the central control center 500 (eg, Wi-Fi, WiBro, WiMAX, HSDPA). Etc.). In the present invention, the access point (AP) 400 may be mounted and operated in an ocean (or river) vehicle, such as a ship, it is preferable to operate independently and floating the surface of the sea or river.

3 is a block diagram of a smart wear according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 b is a block diagram showing the configuration of the smart wear according to the present invention in more detail.

As shown in FIG. 3 a), the smart wear 100 according to the present invention includes a smart diving helmet 200 and a diving equipment unit 300. The diving helmet 200 includes a helmet body 200A, a control module 200B, a transparent window 200C, a display 270, a respirator 200D, and the diving equipment unit 300 is a control module. 300A, air tank 300B, buoyancy regulator 300C, belt 300D, and a diving bag (not shown).

As described above, the diving equipment unit 300 establishes a wired communication protocol with the smart diving helmet 200 and performs wired communication by cable connection.

4 is an exemplary view of a smart diving helmet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 3 b) and Figure 4, smart diving helmet 200 according to the present invention is largely, helmet body 200A, control module 200B, transparent window 200C, display 270, And it is comprised including the respirator 200D.

The helmet body 200A is a device for protecting the head of the worker from water pressure and external impact, and forms the transparent window 200C on one side of the front surface, and includes a control module 200B, a voice output module (not shown), and a rear camera. It provides a foundation on which (not shown) can be mounted.

The transparent window 200C is for monitoring the front and looking at the surrounding situation, and is formed in the front portion of the helmet body 200A as shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 4, the display 270 is formed under the transparent window 200C of the inner front portion of the diving helmet 200, and received from the central control center 500 or information processed by the smart wear 100. Display information (eg design drawings of the workpiece). In addition, a still image (or video) generated from the camera is displayed or a UI or GUI is displayed. When the display 270 and a sensor for detecting a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as a touch sensor) form a mutual layer structure (hereinafter referred to as a touch screen), the display 270 is an input device other than an output device. It can also be used as. In this case, the touch sensor preferably forms a layer with the display 270 on the outside of the transparent window 200C to facilitate the operator's touch.

The respirator 200D is a device for supplying air (or oxygen) through the worker's mouth, and lowers the high pressure air in the air tank 300B to the same pressure as the surrounding pressure to supply the worker.

As shown in b) of FIG. 3, the control module 200B includes a sensing unit 210, a controller 220, an A / V input / output unit 230, a communication unit 240, and a power supply unit ( 250, and an illumination unit 260. The control module 200B detects the internal temperature of the helmet, the ambient light around the worker, the ambient water temperature, and performs a light function (flash), a camera (photo and video recording), a communication function, and the like to help the worker perform a task. After detecting a variety of information generated in the vicinity and transmits to the central control center 500, the center 500 to recognize the situation of the work site.

The sensing unit 210 is a body temperature sensor for detecting the internal temperature of the smart diving helmet 200, an illuminance sensor for detecting the illumination around the operator, a water temperature sensor for detecting the water temperature around the worker, the external applied to the helmet And a shock sensor for detecting a shock from the sensor, and transmits a sensing signal generated by each sensor to the controller 220.

The communication unit 240 is responsible for communication between the smart diving helmet 200 and the diving equipment unit 300. The communication unit 240 according to the present invention may include a location information module (for example, a GPS (Global Position System) module) for detecting the orientation and location of the current work point.

The A / V input / output unit 230 is for inputting / outputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera (not shown), a microphone (not shown), a sound output module (not shown), and the like. . The camera processes an image frame of a still image or a moving image obtained by an image sensor in an image communication mode or a photographing mode.

The image frame processed by the camera may be stored in the storage unit 330 of the control module 300A or transmitted to the outside (eg, the central control center 500) through the communication unit 240 or 360. The camera may be provided with three or more (eg, front camera C1, rear camera C2, and an internal camera C3 for photographing a worker's face) according to an aspect of the smart diving helmet 200. have.

The microphone receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, or the like, and converts the external sound signal into electrical voice data. In addition, the converted voice data may be converted into a form that can be transmitted in a call mode and output to a wireless network (eg, an access point (AP 400)) through the communication unit 240 or 360. The microphone may be a diving helmet. Located on the lower side in the 200, it is preferable that the mouth is provided at the shortest distance point.

The sound output module outputs an audio signal received from the communication unit 240 in the call mode. In addition, the smart diving helmet 200 outputs a sound signal related to a function (for example, a call signal reception sound, a warning sound, etc.) performed by the smart diving helmet 200. The sound output module may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like. Sound output module is located on both sides in the diving helmet 200, it is preferably provided at both ears and the shortest point of the operator.

The lighting unit 260 is provided on one side of the diving helmet 200 in order to ensure the front view of the worker in the water and controls the on / off of the light emitting device and adjust the dimming angle according to the operator's operation. The lighting unit 260 may be provided in two (eg, left and right sides of the helmet) or up to three (eg, top and left and right sides of the helmet) according to the configuration of the diving helmet 200. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a light emitting device having a low power consumption, such as an LED (LED).

The controller 220 controls the overall operation of the control module 200B and the smart diving helmet 200. For example, elements constituting the control module 200B (eg, the sensing unit 210, the A / V (audio / video) input / output unit 230, the communication unit 240, the power supply unit 250, and the lighting unit ( 260, etc.) and the display 270 to control operation and signal transmission. In addition, the information transmitted from the sensing unit 210, A / V (Audio / Video) input / output unit 230, etc. are transmitted to the outside (for example, the central control center 500) through the communication unit 240 or 360. .

The power supply unit 250 receives power from the outside (for example, the power supply unit 350 of the diving equipment unit 300) under the control of the control unit 220, or each component (for example, the sensing unit 210, the control unit) 220, the A / V (Audio / Video) input / output unit 230, the communication unit 240, the lighting unit 260, the display 270, etc. to supply the power required for the operation. The controller 220 checks the remaining battery level of the power supply unit 250 and receives power from the power supply unit 350 of the diving equipment unit 300 when the remaining battery level is less than or equal to the reference value. In preparation for such a power supply, the power supply unit 350 of the diving equipment unit 300 is preferably provided with a plurality of large-capacity spare batteries.

The control unit 220 OR 320 according to the present invention may be implemented in a computer-readable recording medium using software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

According to a hardware implementation, the controller 220 OR 320 described herein may include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), and FPGAs (fields). It may be implemented using at least one of programmable gate arrays, processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing functions. Embodiments described herein may be implemented by the controller 220 OR 320 itself.

Smart diving helmet 200 according to the present invention may be provided with an alarm unit (not shown) separately. The alarm unit of the present invention outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of a warning signal or a communication event (eg, call reception) of the central control center 500. The alarm unit may output a signal for notifying occurrence of an event by, for example, lamp blinking, electric shock, or vibration in addition to audio sound. An electric shock is necessary to give a strong warning signal to a worker who is engaged in work or a worker who is in a state of fainting. The audio signal may also be output through the A / V input / output unit 230.

The present invention includes a predetermined execution button on one side of the control module 200B for manipulating a device or functions operating in the smart helmet 200.

5 is an exemplary view of a diving equipment unit according to the present invention.

3 and 5, the diving equipment unit 300 according to the present invention is a control module 300A, air tank 300B, buoyancy regulator 300C, belt 300D, diving bag 300E It consists of.

The air tank 300B is an air storage container made of steel or aluminum alloy, and supplies oxygen to the worker so that high-pressure air can be stored to safely breathe in water for a long time.

The buoyancy regulator (300C) is a device for injecting air into the wet suit or to adjust the amount of air injected, it is used for the operator to rest on the surface of the water or to maintain accurate neutral buoyancy in the water.

The belt 300D has a shape that can be worn on a part of a worker's body such as a torso, an arm, a leg, and the like, and provides a base on which the control module 300A can be mounted.

The diving bag 300E provides a wearing means for allowing a worker to wear the air tank 300B, the buoyancy regulator 300C, and other diving equipment.

The control module 300A includes a sensing unit 310, a control unit 320, a storage unit 330, a first communication unit 340, a power supply unit 350, and a second communication unit 360. It is provided to supply power to the diving helmet 200, and performs a high bandwidth modem function. In addition, by operating as a mobile router, various control signals and data signals (eg, sensing signals and video signals, etc.) received from the diving helmet 200 through a wireless network (eg, access point (AP 400)) Transmission to the central control center 500 or, conversely, transmits the signal received from the central control center 500 to the diving helmet 200.

The sensing unit 310 is a variety of measuring equipment provided in the diving equipment unit 300 (eg residual pressure gauge, depth gauge, compass, timer (eg diving time, sleep break time, no decompression limit time according to the depth at the time of re-diving) Measurement), and the like, and transmit the measured value to the control unit 320. The residual pressure gauge indicates the pressure of air remaining in the air tank 300B. The depth gauge measures the depth of the current point where the worker is located and the depth of the bottom point (maximum depth). In addition, the timer may display a worker's diving time, rest time (move to the surface), no decompression limit time.

The first communication unit 340 includes a communication device for controlling the communication between the diving helmet 200 and the diving equipment unit 300.

The second communication unit 360 is a device for providing wireless communication between the diving equipment unit 300 and the central control center 500, it may be embedded or external to the diving equipment unit 300.

The storage unit 330 may store a program for processing and controlling the control unit 220 or 320, and a function for temporarily storing input / output data (for example, a still image or a video). It can also be done. In addition, the storage unit 330 may store data on vibration and sound of various patterns that are output when a call is received or when various events occur.

The storage unit 330 may include a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, and a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory). Random Access Memory (RAM) Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM) magnetic memory, Magnetic It may include a storage medium of at least one type of disk, optical disk.

The control unit 320 controls the overall operation of the diving equipment unit 300. For example, the operation of the elements constituting the smart belt 300 (eg, the sensing unit 310, the storage unit 330, the communication unit 340 and 360, the power supply unit 350, etc.) and the signal transmission are controlled. .

The power supply unit 350 supplies power to the outside (for example, the power supply unit 250 of the diving helmet 200) under the control of the control unit 320, or each component (for example, the sensing unit 310, the control unit ( 320), the storage unit 330, the communication unit 340, 360, etc.) to supply the power required for the operation. To this end, the power supply unit 350 includes a plurality of spare batteries.

Figure 6 is an illustration of the operation of the smart wear according to the present invention.

Referring to Figures 3 and 6, the operation of the smart wear according to the present invention will be described in more detail as follows.

As shown in FIG. 3, the smart wear 100 according to the present invention includes a smart diving helmet 200 and a diving equipment unit 300, and these diving helmet 200 and the diving equipment unit 300. Performs wired communication by cable connection.

The control module 200B of the diving helmet 200 captures the situation before and after the operator and the operator through the cameras C1, C2, and C3 while the operator performs the underwater task. Deliver to the diving equipment unit 300 through. In addition, the image photographed after the worker is output to the display 270 under the transparent window 200C. The worker may monitor the situation of the front and rear of the user through the transparent window 200C and the display 270 under the transparent window 200C, respectively. In addition, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, a separate camera C3 is installed on the inner upper portion of the transparent window 200C so that the central control center 500 can monitor the operator's condition.

The control module 200B of the diving helmet 200 also receives measurement values of measurement equipment (eg, residual pressure gauge, depth gauge, compass, timer) from the diving equipment unit 300 at a predetermined time period. The received measurement values are output to the display 270. The operator, via the display 270, the pressure of the air remaining in the air tank 300B, the depth of the current point where the worker is located, the depth to the bottom point (maximum depth), the dive time of the worker (elapsed time), the submersible You will be provided with information about your dive, including time (remaining time), no-decompression limit time, and battery level. The information provided in this way is calculated by the controller 220 of the control module 200B based on the measured values of the measuring instruments or the measured values.

Information necessary for the diving (submersible situation information) provided through the display 270 is transmitted to the diving equipment unit 300 through the communication unit 240. Thereafter, the information collected in the diving equipment unit 300 (for example, diving situation information, photographing information of the cameras C1, C2, and C3, various sensing information, etc.) floats the water through the second communication unit 360. It is delivered to the access point AP 400 that is in progress. Then, the access point 400 is transmitted to the central control center 500 (eg, a ship, a land control center, etc.).

Once the various information about the dive operator is received from the diving equipment unit 300, the central control center 500 infers (or monitors) and infers the situation in the water and the safety situation around the operator based on the received information. The control signal or a warning notification signal informing of a dangerous situation is transmitted to the corresponding smart wear 100 side.

The central control center 500 can control the working situation in the water in a variety of ways.

The central control center 500 can accurately detect the horizontal and vertical position of the worker in the water through the position information provided from the smart wear 100 side.

Experienced professionals in the central control center 500 can control unskilled workers in the water while monitoring the real-time information (eg, video recording the scene, various sensing information, etc.) transmitted from the smart wear 100. have. Workers perform a highly professional task under the control of the center 500.

The central control center 500 may analyze the information transmitted from the smart wear 100 to detect a risk factor around the worker that the worker does not recognize, and may transmit a warning signal to the worker.

The central control center 500 may share and supervise the work situation through communication with the surrounding workers wearing the smart wear 100. Can respond quickly and smoothly to on-site emergency situations.

The command or control signal (eg, warning signal, etc.) sent by the central control center 500 is transmitted to the second communication unit 360 of the diving equipment unit 300 via the access point 400. In addition, the control unit 320 that detects the command (or control signal) of the central control center 500 transmits to the diving helmet 200 through the first communication unit 340. The A / V output unit 230 or the display 270 outputs to the worker.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment (s) shown in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and various modifications can be made therefrom by those skilled in the art, and the embodiments described above ( It will be appreciated that all or some of these may be optionally combined. Accordingly, the true scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical idea of the appended claims.

Smart wear according to the present invention in the industrial site or disaster site that requires underwater work, various information on the site situation (for example, video information on the site, risk detection information, etc.) to the remote central control center in real time Follow the center's instructions to ensure that site operations are under control and respond to on-site emergencies quickly.

In addition, the smart wear according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a safer working environment for underwater workers who suffer from the deterioration of physical activity and brain activity, various risk factors that can occur in underwater work (e.g. lack of oxygen, Dangerous marine life, fast algae, etc.) can help to further ensure worker safety.

Claims (4)

In the smart wear composed of diving helmet and diving equipment,
A diving helmet that photographs the surroundings of the worker and calculates and displays measurement information regarding the diving situation to the worker;
A diving equipment unit for wirelessly transmitting the photographed information and the calculated information;
An access point floating on the sea surface and relaying heterogeneous wireless communication between the diving equipment unit and the control center;
Receiving the information of the diving equipment through the access point and based on the received information, and infers the safety situation around the worker and comprises a control center for instructing the control signal according to the inference to the smart wear side,
The diving helmet,
A helmet body to protect the head of the worker from hydraulic pressure and external shocks;
A transparent window formed on the front portion of the helmet body and provided to watch the front and examine the surrounding situation;
A control module for transmitting the photographed information and the calculated information to the central control center through the diving equipment unit, and receiving and displaying the control signal according to the inference from the central control center;
According to the control module instructions, smart wear system for underwater work comprising a display for displaying the information processed in the smart wear or the control signal received from the central control center. delete The method of claim 1, wherein the control module,
A sensing unit configured to generate a sensing signal by detecting a body temperature of the worker, illuminance around the worker, water temperature, and shock generation;
An illumination unit having a light emitting element to illuminate the front of the operator;
An input unit configured to receive an image of an operator's surroundings photographed through a camera or to receive an operator's voice or ambient sound through a microphone;
A control unit which controls the sensing unit, the input unit, and the display, and transmits information generated by these devices to a communication unit;
A communication unit configured to perform predetermined short-range wireless communication and transmit information transmitted from the control unit to the diving equipment unit;
Smart wear system for underwater work, characterized in that it comprises a power source for receiving power from the diving equipment unit according to the instruction of the control unit, or supplying power to each component of the diving helmet. The method of claim 1, wherein the control module,
As measurement information regarding the diving situation, at least any one of air residual pressure of the air tank, the depth of the current point, the depth to the bottom point, the elapsed dive time, the remaining dive time, the no-decompression limit time, the battery remaining amount, the location information of the operator Smart wear system for underwater work, characterized in that to display one.

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