Personal sensing device to be worn by a person on a site, as well as use of such a personal sensing device and a system comprising one or more of such personal sensing devices

Abstract

The invention relates to a personal sensing device (1A, 1B) to be worn by a person (2A, 2B) on a site (3), comprising: a gas sensor (4) for measuring a gas concentration of a gas; a communication system (5) for communicating an alarm/event or operational condition, such as the gas concentration, to a computer system (6), wherein the computer system (6) is arranged for processing the communicated alarm/event and/or triggering an alarm/response in response to the communication of the operational condition, for instance when the computer system determines that the gas concentration exceeds a pre-determined limit; characterised in that the computer system (6) is configured for distribution, preferably intelligent distribution, of one or more alarm/event instructions in response to the alarm/event or operational condition.

Claims

1. A personal sensing device (1A, 1B) to be worn by a person (2A, 2B) on a site (3), comprising: a gas sensor (4) for measuring a gas concentration of a gas; a communication system (5) for communicating an alarm/event or operational condition to a computer system (6), wherein the computer system (6) is arranged for at least one of processing the communicated alarm/event or triggering an alarm/response in response to the communication of the operational condition; wherein the computer system (6) is configured for distribution of one or more alarm/event instructions in response to the alarm/event or operational condition.

2. The personal sensing device (1A, 1B) according to claim 1, wherein the computer system (6) is comprised by the personal sensing device or a mobile phone carried by the person (2A, 2B) in communication with the personal sensing device.

3. The personal sensing device (1A, 1B) according to claim 2, wherein the computer system (6) is controlled by a mobile telephone application on the mobile telephone of the person (2A, 2B).

4. The Personal sensing device (1A, 1B) according to claim 1, wherein the computer system (6) is arranged on a server external to the personal sensing device.

5. The personal sensing device (1A, 1B) according to claim 1, wherein the computer system (6) is configured to distribute the one or more alarm instructions in response to the alarm to another personal sensing device (1 B) in the vicinity of the personal sensing device (1A).

6. The personal sensing device (1A, 1B) according to claim 1, comprising one or more pre-programmed messaging buttons (7A, 7B), each configured to send an alarm or a signal representative of the operational condition to at least one of the computer system (6) and to another personal sensing device (1A, 1B) when the pre-programmed message button (7A, 7B) is pressed.

7. The personal sensing device (1A, 1B) according to claim 1, wherein the operational condition comprises an indication that the personal sensing device (1A, 1B) is working in a normal operational mode thereof.

8. The personal sensing device (1A, 1B) according to claim 1, wherein the operational condition comprises an indication that the person (2A, 2B) wearing the personal sensing device (1A, 1B) is responding to an alarm generated at a position away from the current position of said person (2A, 2B).

9. The personal sensing device (1A, 1B) according to claim 1, wherein the operational condition comprises an indication that the person (2A, 2B) wearing the personal sensing device (1A, 1B) is in distress and needs help.

10. The personal sensing device (1A, 1B) according to claim 1, wherein the operational condition comprises an indication that the person (2A, 2B) wearing the personal sensing device (1A, 1B) is absent from the site (3).

11. The personal sensing device (1A, 1B) according to claim 1, wherein the operational condition comprises an indication that communication between the personal sensing device (1A, 1B) and the computer system (6) is lost.

12. The personal sensing device (1A, 1B) according to claim 1, wherein the one or more alarm instructions are sent to all further personal sensing devices (1A, 1B) within 100 meters of the personal sensing device (1A, 1B).

13. the personal sensing device (1A, 1B) according to claim 1, wherein the one or more alarm instructions are communicated to one, two, three, four, five or more further personal sensing devices (1A, 1B) closest to said personal sensing device (1A, 1B).

14. The personal sensing device (1A, 1B) according to claim 1, wherein the one or more alarm instructions are sent to all further activated personal sensing devices (1A, 1B) on the site (3).

15. The personal sensing device (1A, 1B) according to claim 1, wherein the operational condition indicates that the person (2A, 2B) wearing the personal sensing device (1A, 1B) has received and read an incoming message.

16. (canceled)

17. The personal sensing device (1A, 1B) according to claim 1, comprising another alarm, triggered by another trigger than the one alarm.

18. The personal sensing device (1A, 1B) according claim 1, when dependent on claim 6, wherein pressing the pre-programmed button once results in sending a first alarm or signal, representative of a first operational condition, and wherein pressing the pre-programmed button twice results in sending a second alarm or signal, representative of a second operational condition different from the first operational condition.

19. The personal sensing device (1A, 1B) according to claim 1, wherein said gas sensor is a H.sub.2S gas sensor.

20. A method for using the personal sensing device (1A, 1B) according to claim 1, the method comprising: measuring a gas concentration of a gas; communicating an alarm/event or operational condition to a computer stern (6); and processing the communicated a alarm/event or triggering an alarm/response in response to the communication of the operational condition.

21. A system (8) of one or more personal sensing devices (1A, 1B) according to claim 1, a computer system (6) and a communication system (5) for communicating an alarm/event or an operational condition to the computer system (6), wherein the computer system is arranged for at least one of processing the communicated alarm/event or triggering an alarm/response in response to the communication of the operational condition of the personal sensing device, wherein the computer system (6) is configured for distribution of one or more alarm/event instructions in response to the alarm/event or operational condition.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] These and other features of the present invention will now be elucidated further with reference to the attached figures. In these Figures,

[0055] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a system of personal sensing devices according to the invention; and

[0056] FIG. 2 schematically shows an embodiment of a personal sensing device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] FIG. 1 shows a system 8 for monitoring gas concentrations with personal sensing devices 1A, 1B, at a site 3, such as a chemical processing plant, a factory, et cetera. The personal sensing device 1A, 1B may be used outdoors, as well as indoors (e.g. in an enclosed area). FIG. 1 shows two personal sensing devices 1A, 1B worn by two persons 2A, 2B. In principle, the personal sensing device 1A or 1B could also be arranged at a fixed position.

[0058] A communication system 5 is present for communicating an alarm/event or operational condition to a computer system 6 or, providing communication between the personal sensing devices 1A, 1B, such as “walkie talkie” functionality. When communication between the personal sensing devices 1A, 1B is provided, the computer system 6 may not be involved/may be left out in such communications. The communication system 5 may employ GPRS or LTE-M, as well as other “IoT”-based communication technologies. Usually, the gas concentration is communicated to the computer system 6. Advantageously, persons 2A, 2B wearing a personal sensing device 1A, 1B may move around at the site 3, such that the measurement positions change in time and that different locations of the site 3 may be monitored. When the gas level at any one of the personal sensing devices 1A, 1B for instance reaches a predetermined threshold, an alarm may be triggered by the personal sensing device 1A, 1B or the computer system 6, and the computer system 6 then distributes, preferably intelligently distributes, one or more alarm/event instructions to, for instance to nearby personal sensing devices 1A, 1B to deal with the situation.

[0059] In general, the communication system 5 may therein employ two-way voice communication or text communication. The communication system 5 may also communicate internally within the personal sensing device 1A, 1B.

[0060] The personal sensing devices 1A, 1B are preferably used in a hands-free mode attached to a safety vest, gear harness, et cetera. An RFID/NFC/BT tag may be used in e.g. the gear harness to verify correct wear. The personal sensing devices 1A, 1B are easy to use, e.g. having a front side comprising a relatively large speaker 9 and a relatively large screen 10, and therefore do not require much training.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 2, the personal sensing devices 1A, 1B comprise a gas sensor 4. The gas sensor 4 is configured for quantitative measurement of LEL (flammable/combustible), O.sub.2, H.sub.2S, CO and may contain indicative VOC measurement. Optional gasses that can be detected are SO.sub.2, NO.sub.2 and O.sub.3 (by for instance changing one or more of the basic sensors and parameters in the software).

[0062] On “power-up” the personal sensing devices 1A, 1B can be paired to the person 2A, 2B which does turn every available personal sensing device 1A, 1B into a personal sensing device 1A, 1B that enables long term monitoring of the person 2A, 2B. This can be carried out by means of an RFID, NFC or a Bluetooth tag. As shown in FIG. 2, an active display (pixels) may be used to enable showing menus and communication data. The alarm may be sent out or triggered when reaching (user configurable) exposure limits, such as: [0063] TWA—Time Weighed Average (8 hrs) [0064] STEL—Short-Term Exposure Limit (15 minutes) [0065] C—Ceiling threshold levels

[0066] An alarm may also be triggered for an operational condition indicating that the battery is low, in case of communication (system 5) failure, blocked pump, man-down (no movement for a set time), fall detection. Preferably, the user must actively reset the alarm when triggered. The personal sensing device 1A, 1B preferably has a speaker 9 with voice and tone output at 90-95 dB at 10 cm, or pulsed output at 520 Hz, 1000 Hz, or 1600 Hz, such as by using a square wave. The tone and signal pattern are preferably user-configurable. The primary requirement for the alarm's warning signal is a sound pattern which makes the signal unambiguous. Preferably, an RGB LED is also flashing, in a user-configurable signal pattern. The personal sensing device 1A, 1B may also vibrate. Preferably, the communication system 5 is basically configured for sending time-stamped events to the computer system 6, where the communication/data may be stored. Alarm events are transmitted immediately. Testing events may also be stored and transmitted to the computer system 6. GPS data may be communicated when the position of the person 2A, 2B has changed by e.g. 10-50 meters (configurable) or when a change of Bluetooth beacon is detected. Gas concentrations may be logged, as well as movement info, position, wind direction, et cetera. Preferably, data is recorded at a 1 minute interval or less than a 1 minute interval, such as every 1-60 seconds, every 1-30 seconds, 1-10 or every 1-5 seconds. If the communication system 5 fails, data may be stored locally on the personal sensing device 1A, 1B. Of course, location/position determination systems similar to GPS, such as GNSS, may also be used for position determination purposes. Preferably, such a position determination system (i.e. regardless of the position determination system used) has a relatively high accuracy, e.g. of <=2 m, such as <=1 m, preferably <=75 cm, such as 25-75 cm, preferably <=50 cm, such as 25-50 cm. This facilitates position determination especially in lone worker situations. In particular, this facilitates position determination in case of altitude/height differences, such as in a building with multiple floors.

[0067] The computer system 6 is preferably configured to show a map with locations of all persons 2A, 2B and relevant information of all the locations, such as gas concentrations. Persons 2A, 2B may be members of groups based on function and location or persons 2A, 2B within a certain perimeter may be addressed based on real-time location information.

[0068] Regarding alarm events, on detection of gas STEL—Short-Term Exposure Limit overrun, a message may be sent via the communication system 5 to the computer system 6, such as an operational condition indicating the type of gas, concentration, location, movement, et cetera. On reaching C—Ceiling threshold levels threshold, a message may be sent to the computer system 6. On detection of gas TWA—Time Weighed Average overrun (integration of gas levels over time) a pre-warning may be sent to the computer system 6 when nearing the threshold.

[0069] On detection of no movement (time out), on detection of lying down (horizontal/programmable tilt angle) position, on detection of falling, on detection of unexpected (violent) movement, on detection of time out alarm, on pressing a button 7A, 7B, a pre-warning may be sent to the computer system 6, or if the personal sensing device 1A, 1B is not reset a message is sent to the computer system 6 or an alert is sent to other persons 2A, 2B of a group. The skilled person will understand that movement may be detected by a suitable movement sensor (not shown) included in the personal sensing device (1A, 1B).

[0070] On detection of change of location a new position may be sent to the computer system 6, or to other persons 2A, 2B within a group.

[0071] On detection of a “geo-fence” event (entering non-permitted areas), a message may be sent to the computer system 6, which may then send out instructions, preferably intelligent instructions, to handle the “geo-fence” event.

[0072] On detection of an empty battery, a message may also be sent to the computer system 6.

[0073] On detection of no viable connection via the communication system 5, such as no cellular connection, a message may be displayed on the screen 10. On reconnection, a message may be sent to the computer system 6.

[0074] On detection of sensor malfunctioning, below zero measurement, above maximum level measurement, maximum/minimum temperature, maximum humidity, a message may also be sent to the computer system 6.

[0075] On receiving an alarm, such as a gas event, a message may be sent to group members based on role of the receiving person 2A, 2B.

[0076] In case of a co-worker, the message may contain the name of the person sending the alarm, the type of alarm (gas type, measured level), the position of the alarm, the code or name of advised assembly point, or the evacuation route.

[0077] In case of an emergency response worker or first responder, the following information may be added to the message/intelligent alarm instructions: position to go to for assistance, advices route to go to person that needs assistance. This may also apply in case of a supervisor, medic, fireman, et cetera.

[0078] Preferably, all service actions are also logged by the computer system 6, such as physical check, calibration, replacement of sensors, batteries, et cetera.

[0079] The personal sensing device 1A, 1B may comprise a battery pack that is interchangeable and the personal sensing device 1A, 1B can be realized without rechargeable battery. Power sources may thus include an AA battery pack, a Li-Ion battery with a capacity of 10-12 hrs or even up to 18 hrs. Wireless charging, such as according to the Qi standard, may also be employed.

[0080] Testing the personal sensing devices 1A, 1B may involve comparing with gas sensor 4 readings in the neighbourhood, such as from adjacent personal sensing devices 1A, 1B. This may require sending data from all the personal sensing devices 1A, 1B at set times, for instance every hour.

[0081] An extra gas sensor 4 may be included in the personal sensing device 1A, 1B as a redundant sensor to verify proper functioning, e.g. an additional H.sub.2S sensor, for additional security.

[0082] A fixed embodiment of a personal sensing device 1A, 1B may comprise a continuous power supply and/or a particle sensor.

[0083] The personal sensing devices 1A, 1B preferably are designed to operate within a temperature range of −40° C. to +75° C.

[0084] In FIG. 1, two persons 2A, 2B are indicated on the site 3. Of course, many more persons may be present on the site 3. Advantageously, communication between these persons 2A, 2B is provided by the personal sensing device 1A, 1B worn by said persons 2A, 2B. As is visible in FIG. 2, the personal sensing device 1A, 1B of the system 8 therefore comprises at least two, such as three, pre-programmed messaging buttons 7A, 7B. Each of the pre-programmed messaging buttons 7A, 7B is configured to send an alarm or signal representative of an operational condition to the computer system 6 or a specific pre-programmed message via the communication system 5 and/or to another personal sensing device 1B when it is pressed. Preferably, the pre-programmed messaging buttons 7A, 7B are large enough to be operable with a glove.

[0085] For example, an operational condition may indicate that the personal sensing device 1A, 1B is working in a normal operational mode thereof. For example, an operational condition may indicate that the person 2A, 2B wearing the personal sensing device 1A, 1B is responding to an alarm generated at a position away from the current position of said person 2A, 2B. For example, an operational condition may indicate that the person 2A, 2B wearing the personal sensing device 1A, 1B is in distress and needs help. For example, an operational condition may indicate that the person 2A, 2B wearing the personal sensing device 1A, 1B is absent from the site 3. For example, an operational condition may indicate that communication between the personal sensing device 1A, 1B via the communication system 5 is lost. For example, an operational condition may indicate that the person 2A, 2B wearing the personal sensing device 1A, 1B has received and read an incoming message.

[0086] For example, the alarm instructions are sent to all further personal sensing devices 1A, 1B within 100 meters of said personal sensing device 1A, 1B. For example, the alarm instructions are sent to five further personal sensing devices 1A, 1B closest by said personal sensing device 1A, 1B. For example, the alarm instructions are sent to all further activated personal sensing devices 1A, 1B on the site 3. For example, pressing the pre-programmed button 7A, 7B once results in sending a first alarm or signal, representative of a first operational condition, and wherein pressing the pre-programmed button 7A, 7B twice results in sending a second alarm or signal, representative of an operational condition different from the first operational condition.

[0087] The operational condition in general may also concern device health, device maintenance status, dosimeter status, hot spot identification, cold spot identification, process mining, et cetera.

[0088] The Applicant also foresees presentation of operational conditions or the one or more alarm instructions by means of augmented reality. Operational conditions or data may be presented via augmented reality e.g. on a wearable device, e.g. safety glasses or augmented reality glasses. Such operational conditions or the one or more alarm instructions may be made visible to a worker during his or her presence on the site, e.g. during his or her activities there. Auxiliary equipment, such as headphones, tablets, mobile phones, may also be used for such purposes.

[0089] Preferably, the personal sensing device 1A, 1B may be configured “over-the-air” (OTA), e.g. regarding alarm settings, alarm circles, alarm responders (assign, switch and exclude). The device may also be upgraded “OTA”.

[0090] Device parameters may in general be set via the computer system 6 (e.g. the alarm server backend), preferably via mobile communication. A mobile communication application may be connected to the alarm server.

[0091] Preferably, the system has a monitor function, thereby displaying users/persons with active/absent status and actual location position.

[0092] As stated before, a team function may be included in the mobile application (“first responder phone users)”, displaying team members 2A, 2B active/absent status and actual location position.

[0093] The computer system 6 preferably provides real-time insight in health status of the personal sensing device, covering bump tests, calibration and maintenance details for each personal sensing device 1A, 1B.

[0094] Advantageously, the computer system may comprise an online portal with administrator rights for user and group management and a unique settings profile per user group with “OTA” capabilities.

[0095] The communication system 5 preferably employs encrypted communication.

[0096] The computer system 6 may furthermore register time usage of each personal sensing device 1A, 1B per user 2A, 2B.

[0097] The computer system 6 preferably also provides real-time situational awareness in a control room. The computer system 6 may be physically arranged or present in the control room, or e.g. on a local server, on premise/on site, instead of via “cloud” (or in addition thereto).

[0098] It should be clear that the description above is intended to illustrate the operation of preferred embodiments of the invention, and not to reduce the scope of protection of the invention. Starting from the above description, many embodiments will be conceivable to the skilled person within the inventive concept and scope of protection of the present invention, which are defined by the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0099] 1. Personal sensing device (1A, 1B) [0100] 2. Person (2A, 2B) [0101] 3. Site [0102] 4. Gas sensor [0103] 5. Communication system [0104] 6. Computer system [0105] 7. Message buttons (7A, 7B) [0106] 8. System of personal sensing devices [0107] 9. Speaker [0108] 10. Screen