Radio frequency control system for preventing occupational hazards

Abstract

The invention relates to a radio frequency based control system for preventing occupational hazards, comprising a communication network that connects one or more workers with one or more managers via the Internet or a mobile network, and one or more servers and databases connected to that communication network, further comprising: a plurality of RF tags attached to objects or tools used by workers during their work activity, said tags comprising means for data transmission through radio frequency; and one or more portable mobile terminals, configured for being equipped by workers and for receiving data transmitted by the RF tags, said mobile terminals comprising Internet connectivity and/or mobile network connectivity; and one or more management devices connected to the Internet and/or to a mobile network for receiving transmitted data by mobile terminals and/or recorded or analysed by the servers.

Claims

1. A radio frequency (RF) based control system for control of safety protocols at work and for investigation of events in case of an accident caused to one or more workers, the system comprising: a communication network communicatively coupled with the one or more workers with one or more managers via the Internet or a mobile network; one or more servers and databases communicatively coupled with the communication network; a plurality of RF tags attached to objects or tools used by the one or more workers during work activity of the one or more workers, the plurality of RF tags comprising means for data transmission through RF; one or more portable mobile terminals configured for being equipped by the one or more workers and for receiving data transmitted by one or more of the plurality of RF tags, the one or more portable mobile terminals being communicatively coupled with the communication network; one or more management devices communicatively coupled with the communication network for receiving transmitted data by the one or more portable mobile terminals or recorded or analyzed by the one or more servers and databases, the one or more management devices configured to analyze the transmitted data and output one or more reports indicating use of the objects and tools according to one or more regulations, wherein the plurality of RF tags have one or more accelerometers embedded therein, the one or more accelerometers being configured to generate data associated with the work activity, the objects or the tools used by the one or more workers, and specific movements associated with the one or more workers and the objects or the tools, so that the work activity is monitored.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: one or more portable RF readers configured for being equipped by the one or more workers and for reading and recording data associated to the plurality of RF tags, the one or more portable RF readers comprising means for data transmission through RF to the plurality of RF tags and to the one or more portable mobile terminals.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of RF tags or the one or more portable RF readers comprise means of insulation or protection from humidity, temperature, shock or dust.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the means for data transmission between the plurality of RF tags and the one or more portable mobile terminals comprises Bluetooth or RFID communication technology.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein a frequency band of operation for reading the plurality of RF tags is between 800-1000 MHz, between 2400-2483.5 MHZ or between 2402-2480 MHZ.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more portable mobile terminals are mobile phones.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of RF tags comprise long-lasting or rechargeable batteries.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more management devices comprise computers, tablets or mobile phones.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more portable mobile terminals comprise a medium for transmitting geolocation information to sewers through the Internet or through the mobile network.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more portable mobile terminals or the one or more servers and databases are configured with one or more software applications for generating management data reports associated with the plurality of RF tags, or for generating safety alarms to managers or the one or more workers.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more portable mobile terminals comprise means for transmitting the data generated by the plurality of RF tags or by the one or more portable mobile terminals either synchronously or asynchronously to the one or more servers and databases.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of RF tags comprise reinforcing means against degradation produced by use or maintenance of equipment, the objects, or the tools used by the one or more workers during the work activity.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of RF tags comprising one or more encapsulation characteristics corresponding to the objects or tools to which each is attached.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows an overview of the radio frequency control system for preventing occupational hazards of the invention according to a first preferred embodiment thereof, wherein its main elements are depicted.

(2) FIG. 2 shows an overview of the radio frequency control system for preventing occupational hazards of the invention according to a second preferred embodiment thereof, wherein its main elements are depicted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(3) A detailed description of the system of the invention is hereby presented, referring to a preferred embodiment based on FIGS. 1 and 2 of the present document. The embodiment is provided for illustrative purposes, but without intending a limitation over the claimed invention.

(4) As described in the preceding paragraphs, the system of the invention is based on a plurality of elements that make up a communication network that connects workers (1) belonging to a given workplace, with one or more managers (2) via the Internet or a mobile network (3) and one or more servers (4) and databases (5). Through this communication network, it is possible to record information concerning the uses and/or work activities by employees (1), and analyse it to determine if such activities or uses are being performed correctly, for example following a proper safety protocol, wearing a required safety gear, using the correct tools according to a given regulation, or performing the established time breaks related to a work activity.

(5) Through the analysis of the activities performed by workers (1), it is possible to provide one or more managers (2) (for example, the safety officer of an industrial department, or an employer) with a tool that ensures the enforcement of the provision and use of protective equipment by workers (1) during work activities, while also facilitating the control and optimization of the time spent on each activity per worker (1).

(6) To generate and record information on the activities developed by workers (1), the system of the invention is mainly based on radio frequency data transmission, preferably via RF tags (6) associated to the objects whose use is to be controlled or analysed. Such RF tags (6) can be installed, for example, in a particular tool or working machine, or in a particular worker safety garment (1) such as a helmet, reflective vest, etc. Thus, each necessary element in the working protocol to be controlled is uniquely identified by its corresponding RF tag (6).

(7) RF tags (6) thus comprise different characteristics depending on the equipment to which they are associated, and are preferably protected from degradation or daily use, for example against high-temperature washing conditions, if we refer to work clothes, and can be reduced in size or encapsulated if we refer to safety footwear. Today there are many different models of RF tags (6), with very different characteristics in terms of encapsulation, reading properties, products used to fix them on materials, etc. The RF tags (6) can be also equipped with long-lasting or rechargeable batteries.

(8) To identify each of the RF tags (6), each worker (1) shall be equipped with a mobile terminal (7) as data receiving element (for example a phone or tablet with wireless connectivity to one or more mobile data networks), configured with a communication technology compatible with the RF tag (6) (for example, Bluetooth or RFID connectivity). Thus, the RF tag (6) maintains communication with the mobile terminal (7) carried by each operator, channelling the information associated with the work activities through a software application installed in said terminal (7), which is managed by the remote manager (2) of the obtained data. The application will store the data collected by the mobile terminals (7) (for example, geographical location information associated with or nearby wireless networks). Such information may be sent from the mobile terminals (7) to the server (4) system, through the Internet or a mobile network (3), both synchronously or asynchronously. Thus, when there is no phone or Internet coverage available, the relevant information can still be stored in the mobile terminal (7) and sent to the server (4) of the application when such coverage is restored. This also adds an element to the system of the invention that reinforces the integrity and quality of the data analysed.

(9) In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the RF tags (6) comprise one or more accelerometers configured for generating data associated to the workers' (1) activities. The accelerometers allow controlling the specific actions carried out by the workers (1) and analysing the specific movements associated thereto. This functionality provides a deeper understanding of the monitored activities, allowing the managers (2) to determine if the use of the equipment has been made correctly or not by the workers (1) in the context of the performed tasks.

(10) In a second preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, the system can also comprise a portable RF reader (8), of a reduced weight and size so that it does not affect the work activity. This RF reader (8) has a long-lasting or rechargeable battery and works preferably in the range of about 800-1000 MHz, meeting the standards ISO 18000-6C and EPC Class1 Gen 2. To facilitate its use in a variety of work environments, the RF reader (8) and/or the RF tags (6) comprise reinforcing or insulating means against changes in temperature and/or humidity, enabling to work optimally in a range of temperature between 30 C. and 70 C. and a relative humidity range between 5% and 90%. The RF reader (8) preferably comprises wireless radio frequency data transmission capacity, preferably using standard Bluetooth technology.

(11) The invention provides thus constant control in risk prevention related to protective equipment used by workers in their activities. Portable RF readers (8) of similar size and weight to a mobile phone can be fixed, for example, to the belt of the worker without needing any further interaction during activities, thus facilitating the concentration of the worker on the task that is being developed.

(12) Data transmitted by the mobile terminal (7) through the software application will be registered in the database (5) and processed by the server (4) generating activity reports for each worker (1) so that, for example, a manager (2) can monitor the work done and in progress, the geographic location at the time of development of each activity, the start time, stop time and time periods spent on each activity, the identity of a specific RF tag (6) recorded or read, the presence or absence of protective equipment in a given activity, etc. Such reports can be electronically exported in the form of spreadsheets, graphics, multimedia information, etc., and sent to one or more managers (2) of the system through the Internet or a mobile network (3) by means of one or more management devices (9, 9, 9) being, for example, a computer (9), a tablet (9) or a telephone (9).

(13) The system of the invention provides an effective means for monitoring safety protocols at work which is easy to use, since it only requires the application of RF tags (6) to those objects or tools whose use needs to be monitored. The present technology also allows great flexibility for the replacement or substitution of RF tags (6) if needed, without affecting other elements of the system.

(14) Moreover, the proposed system allows the transmission of information on the use of objects or tools in an efficient and comfortable way, since both the RF reader (8) and the mobile terminal (7) are portable and light-weight devices (typically between 100 and 180 g). Thus, it ensures that these elements do not interfere with the work activities performed by workers (1), providing greater comfort than that offered by other known technical alternatives.

(15) As described in the preceding paragraphs, the system of the invention has thus the following main applications: management of workers and their personal protective equipment and tools, collective protection equipment management, organizational management, creation of work orders, transmission of work orders to workers, reporting on the results of work orders as well as continuous monitoring of the time spent and the location of workers and activities during its implementation.