Pedestrian monitoring system for warehouse

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a controller (213) for monitoring pedestrians in a warehouse, wherein the controller is configured to: receive first RFID signaling (214) from a first RFID antenna (211) mounted on a vehicle (210); receiving a second RFID signaling (215) from a second RFID antenna (212) mounted on the vehicle (210), wherein a field of view of the first RFID antenna (211) is spaced apart from a field of view of the second RFID antenna (212) in a first dimension; identifying, in the first RFID signaling (214), an RFID tag signal (216) from an RFID tag (218) associated with a pedestrian; identifying, in the second RFID signaling (215), an RFID tag signal (216) from the RFID tag (218) associated with the pedestrian; and determining a position of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle (210) based on the RFID tag signal in both the first RFID signaling (241) and the second RFID signaling (215).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pedestrian monitoring system for a warehouse. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a system capable of improving the safety of pedestrians in a warehouse. Summary of the invention

[0002] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a controller for monitoring pedestrians in a warehouse, wherein the controller is configured to:

[0003] receiving a first RFID signaling from a first RFID antenna mounted on the vehicle;

[0004] receiving second RFID signaling from a second RFID antenna mounted on the vehicle, wherein a field of view of the first RFID antenna is spaced apart from a field of view of the second RFID antenna in a first dimension;

[0005] identifying in the first RFID signaling an RFID tag signal from an RFID tag associated with a pedestrian;

[0006] identifying in the second RFID signaling an RFID tag signal from the RFID tag associated with the pedestrian; and

[0007] The position of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle is determined based on the RFID tag signal in both the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling.

[0008] The controller may be further configured to provide an output signal based on the determined position of the pedestrian.

[0009] The controller may be further configured to compare a signal strength of the RFID tag signal in the first RFID signaling with a signal strength of the RFID tag signal in the second RFID signaling to determine a position of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle in the first dimension.

[0010] The controller can be further configured to: identify multiple RFID tag signals from the RFID tag in the first RFID signaling within a period of time; identify multiple RFID tag signals from the RFID tag in the second RFID signaling within the period of time; determine the movement of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle based on the multiple RFID tag signals in both the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling; and provide an output signal based on the determined movement of the pedestrian.

[0011] The controller may be configured to determine whether the pedestrian is moving toward or away from the vehicle.

[0012] The controller may be further configured to provide an output signal based on: the determined movement of the pedestrian; and the determined position of the pedestrian.

[0013] The controller may be further configured to:

[0014] identifying in the first RFID signaling a plurality of RFID tag signals from a corresponding plurality of RFID tags associated with pedestrians;

[0015] identifying in the second RFID signaling a plurality of RFID tag signals from the corresponding plurality of RFID tags associated with the pedestrian; and

[0016] The position of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle is determined based on the plurality of RFID tag signals in both the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling.

[0017] The controller may be further configured to:

[0018] The position of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle is determined based on the multiple RFID tag signals in both the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling only when at least a threshold number of RFID tag signals from corresponding RFID tags are identified in both the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling.

[0019] Each of the plurality of RFID tag signals may include a garment identifier associated with a garment wearable by a pedestrian.

[0020] The clothing may be items of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as: high-visibility clothing; high-visibility vest / jacket; goggles; ear protection; helmet / hard hat; steel-toe boots.

[0021] Each of the plurality of RFID tag signals may further include a garment location identifier indicating a location on the garment where the corresponding RFID tag is attached.

[0022] The garment location identifier may indicate whether the corresponding RFID tag is attached to the front or back of the garment.

[0023] The controller may be further configured to:

[0024] identifying, in each of the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling, a plurality of RFID tag signals having a same garment identifier from a corresponding plurality of RFID tags;

[0025] processing the garment location identifier in each of the identified plurality of RFID tag signals to determine an orientation of a pedestrian wearing the garment relative to the vehicle; and

[0026] An output signal is provided based on the determined orientation of the pedestrian.

[0027] The controller may be configured to:

[0028] Compare: (i) the signal strength of an RFID tag signal associated with an RFID tag at a first location on the garment in the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling; and (ii) the signal strength of an RFID tag signal associated with an RFID tag at a second location on the garment in the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling to determine the orientation of a pedestrian wearing the garment relative to a vehicle.

[0029] The controller may be further configured to identify the RFID tag signal in each of the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling only when the RFID tag signal has a signal strength greater than a threshold value.

[0030] The controller may be further configured to identify the RFID tag signal in each of the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling only when the RFID signaling includes at least a threshold number of RFID tag signals from the RFID tag within a predetermined time period.

[0031] The controller may be configured to:

[0032] The RFID tag signal from the RFID tag is identified in each of the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling only when:

[0033] The RFID signaling includes at least a threshold number of RFID tag signals from the RFID tag within a predetermined time period (e.g., a minimum number of reads / pings within a predetermined time period); and

[0034] Each of a threshold number of RFID tag signals from the RFID tags has a signal strength greater than a threshold value.

[0035] The controller may be configured to:

[0036] The RFID tag signal from the RFID tag is identified in each of the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling only when:

[0037] The RFID signaling includes at least a threshold number of RFID tag signals from the RFID tag within a predetermined time period (e.g., a minimum number of reads / pings within a predetermined time period); and

[0038] An average signal strength of a threshold number of RFID tag signals from the RFID tags is greater than a threshold value.

[0039] The controller may be further configured to:

[0040] receiving a vehicle speed signal indicative of a speed of the vehicle;

[0041] An output signal is provided based on: the determined position of the pedestrian; and the vehicle speed signal.

[0042] The controller may be configured to:

[0043] receiving a vehicle direction signal representing a direction of travel of the vehicle;

[0044] An output signal is provided based on: the determined position of the pedestrian; and the vehicle direction signal.

[0045] The controller may be configured to:

[0046] receiving a vehicle future position signal indicative of a future position of the vehicle;

[0047] An output signal is provided based on: the determined position of the pedestrian; and the vehicle future position signal.

[0048] The controller may be configured to:

[0049] receiving third RFID signaling from a third RFID antenna mounted on the vehicle, wherein the field of view of the third RFID antenna is offset from the field of view of at least one of the first RFID antenna and the second RFID antenna in a second dimension transverse to the first dimension;

[0050] identifying in the third RFID signaling an RFID tag signal from the RFID tag associated with the pedestrian; and

[0051] The position of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle is determined based on an RFID tag signal in each of the first RFID signaling, the second RFID signaling, and the third RFID signaling.

[0052] The controller may be further configured to:

[0053] receiving third RFID signaling from a third RFID antenna mounted on the vehicle, wherein the field of view of the third RFID antenna is offset from the field of view of at least one of the first RFID antenna and the second RFID antenna in a second dimension transverse to the first dimension;

[0054] receiving fourth RFID signaling from a fourth RFID antenna mounted on the vehicle, wherein the field of view of the fourth RFID antenna is offset from the field of view of at least one of the first RFID antenna and the second RFID antenna in the second dimension;

[0055] identifying in the third RFID signaling an RFID tag signal from the RFID tag associated with the pedestrian;

[0056] identifying in the fourth RFID signaling an RFID tag signal from the RFID tag associated with the pedestrian; and

[0057] The position of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle is determined based on the RFID tag signal in each of the first RFID signaling, the second RFID signaling, the third RFID signaling, and the fourth RFID signaling.

[0058] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a pedestrian monitoring system for a warehouse, the system comprising:

[0059] a first RFID antenna mounted on the vehicle;

[0060] a second RFID antenna mounted on the vehicle, wherein a field of view of the first RFID antenna is spaced apart from a field of view of the second RFID antenna in a first dimension; and

[0061] A controller configured to:

[0062] receiving a first RFID signaling from the first RFID antenna;

[0063] receiving a second RFID signaling from the second RFID antenna;

[0064] identifying in the first RFID signaling an RFID tag signal from an RFID tag associated with a pedestrian;

[0065] identifying in the second RFID signaling an RFID tag signal from the RFID tag associated with the pedestrian; and

[0066] The position of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle is determined based on the RFID tag signal in both the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling.

[0067] The system may further include a third RFID antenna having a field of view offset from the field of view of at least one of the first RFID antenna and the second RFID antenna in a second dimension transverse to the first dimension.

[0068] The system may further include:

[0069] a third RFID antenna having a field of view that is offset from the field of view of at least one of the first RFID antenna and the second RFID antenna along a second dimension that is transverse to the first dimension; and optionally

[0070] A fourth RFID antenna has a field of view that is offset from the field of view of at least one of the first RFID antenna and the second RFID antenna along a second dimension that is transverse to the first dimension.

[0071] The field of view of the third RFID antenna may be offset from the field of view of at least one of the first RFID antenna and the second RFID antenna in a first direction in the second dimension. The field of view of the fourth RFID antenna may be offset from the field of view of at least one of the first RFID antenna and the second RFID antenna in a second direction in the second dimension. The first direction is different from the second direction.

[0072] The field of view of the third RFID antenna may be offset from the field of view of at least one of the first RFID antenna and the second RFID antenna in a first direction in the second dimension. The field of view of the fourth RFID antenna may be offset from the field of view of at least one of the first RFID antenna and the second RFID antenna in a second first direction in the second dimension. For example, four antennas may be located at each corner of the vehicle.

[0073] The system may further include a speed sensor configured to provide a vehicle speed signal representative of a speed of the vehicle.

[0074] The system may further include:

[0075] A safety vest for wearing in the warehouse, the vest comprising:

[0076] a plurality of RFID tags located on a front portion of the safety vest for providing the RFID tag signal to the first RFID antenna; and

[0077] A plurality of RFID tags located on a rear portion of the safety vest for providing the RFID tag signal to the first RFID antenna.

[0078] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for monitoring pedestrians in a warehouse, wherein the method comprises:

[0079] receiving a first RFID signaling from a first RFID antenna mounted on the vehicle;

[0080] receiving second RFID signaling from a second RFID antenna mounted on the vehicle, wherein a field of view of the first RFID antenna is spaced apart from a field of view of the second RFID antenna in a first dimension;

[0081] identifying in the first RFID signaling an RFID tag signal from an RFID tag associated with a pedestrian;

[0082] identifying in the second RFID signaling an RFID tag signal from the RFID tag associated with the pedestrian; and

[0083] The position of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle is determined based on the RFID tag signal in both the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling.

[0084] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a controller for monitoring pedestrians in a warehouse, wherein the controller is configured to:

[0085] receiving first RFID signaling from a first RFID antenna associated with a pedestrian access point in the warehouse;

[0086] Identify that a pedestrian is passing through, has passed through, or is about to pass through the pedestrian access point, and in response:

[0087] processing the first RFID signaling to identify any RFID tag signals from one or more corresponding RFID tags, the any RFID tag signals: associated with the pedestrian identified as passing through the pedestrian access point; and including a PPE identifier associated with an item of PPE wearable by the pedestrian;

[0088] determining whether any identified RFID tag signal represents a complete set of PPE items for the pedestrian; and

[0089] If an incomplete set of PPE items is determined, an alarm output signal is generated.

[0090] The controller may be further configured to:

[0091] processing the signal strength of any identified RFID tag signal over time to determine movement of the associated RFID tag relative to the first RFID antenna; and

[0092] The determined movement of any RFID tags is processed to identify any RFID tag signals associated with the pedestrian identified as passing through the pedestrian access point.

[0093] The controller may be further configured to compare the PPE item associated with the identified RFID tag signal to a list of required PPE items.

[0094] The controller may be configured to generate a PPE complete output signal if a complete set of PPE items is determined.

[0095] The alarm output signal may include details of one or more items of PPE which have not been detected.

[0096] The first RFID antenna may have a field of view associated with a first entrance / exit side of the pedestrian access point in the warehouse. The controller may be further configured to:

[0097] receiving second RFID signaling from a second RFID antenna having a field of view associated with a second entry / exit side of the pedestrian access point;

[0098] processing the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling to identify in the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling any RFID tag signals from one or more corresponding RFID tags, the any RFID tag signals: being associated with the pedestrian identified as passing through the pedestrian access point; and including a PPE identifier associated with an item of PPE wearable by the pedestrian; and

[0099] A determination is made as to whether any identified RFID tag signals in the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling represent a complete set of PPE items for the pedestrian.

[0100] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a pedestrian monitoring system for a warehouse, the system comprising:

[0101] a first RFID antenna associated with a pedestrian access point in the warehouse;

[0102] A controller configured to:

[0103] receiving a first RFID signaling from the first RFID antenna;

[0104] Identify that a pedestrian is passing through, has passed through, or is about to pass through the pedestrian access point, and in response:

[0105] processing the first RFID signaling to identify any RFID tag signals from one or more corresponding RFID tags, the any RFID tag signals: associated with the pedestrian identified as passing through the pedestrian access point; and including a PPE identifier associated with an item of PPE wearable by the pedestrian;

[0106] determining whether any identified RFID tag signal represents a complete set of PPE items for the pedestrian; and

[0107] If an incomplete set of PPE items is determined, an alarm output signal is generated.

[0108] The system may further include:

[0109] A safety vest for wearing in the warehouse, the vest comprising:

[0110] a plurality of RFID tags located on a front portion of the safety vest for providing the RFID tag signal to the first RFID antenna; and

[0111] A plurality of RFID tags located on a rear portion of the safety vest for providing the RFID tag signal to the first RFID antenna.

[0112] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for monitoring pedestrians in a warehouse, wherein the method comprises:

[0113] receiving first RFID signaling from a first RFID antenna associated with a pedestrian access point in the warehouse;

[0114] Identify that a pedestrian is passing through, has passed through, or is about to pass through the pedestrian access point, and in response:

[0115] processing the first RFID signaling to identify any RFID tag signals from one or more corresponding RFID tags, the any RFID tag signals: associated with the pedestrian identified as passing through the pedestrian access point; and including a PPE identifier associated with an item of PPE wearable by the pedestrian;

[0116] determining whether any identified RFID tag signal represents a complete set of PPE items for the pedestrian; and

[0117] If an incomplete set of PPE items is determined, an alarm output signal is generated.

[0118] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a safety vest for wearing in a warehouse, the vest comprising:

[0119] a plurality of RFID tags located on a front portion of the vest; and

[0120] a plurality of RFID tags located on a rear portion of the vest;

[0121] in:

[0122] Each of the RFID tags has an associated spacer that is positioned between the RFID tag and the person when the person is wearing the safety vest.

[0123] The spacer may be at least 12 mm thick, and optionally at least 16 mm thick.

[0124] Each of the RFID tags may include an identifier that is provided as part of an RFID tag signal when the RFID tag is energized by an RFID antenna.

[0125] The identifier may include one or more of the following:

[0126] a product type identifier indicating a type of safety vest associated with the RFID tag;

[0127] a vest identifier which is a unique identifier of the vest associated with the RFID tag;

[0128] Unique Tag Identifier, which is a unique identifier for each RFID tag on any given safety vest.

[0129] A computer program may be provided that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to configure any device including a controller, system, or apparatus disclosed herein or to perform any method disclosed herein. As a non-limiting example, the computer program may be a software implementation, and the computer may be considered to be any suitable hardware, including a digital signal processor, a microcontroller, and implementations in a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). The software may be an assembler.

[0130] The computer program may be provided on a computer readable medium, which may be a physical computer readable medium, such as an optical disk or a memory device, or may be embodied as a transient signal. This transient signal may be a network download, including an Internet download. One or more non-transitory computer readable storage media storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by a computing system, cause the computing system to perform any of the methods disclosed herein may be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0131] One or more embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0132] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a plan view of a portion of the interior of a warehouse, which is a suitable environment in which the damage detection system described herein may be used;

[0133] Figure 2a and Figure 2b An example embodiment of a pedestrian monitoring system for a warehouse is shown;

[0134] Figure 3 Another example embodiment of a pedestrian monitoring system for a warehouse is shown;

[0135] Figure 4 A system for monitoring pedestrians in a warehouse is shown, the system being used to detect pedestrians who are not wearing a complete set of personal protective equipment (PPE);

[0136] Figure 5 Another example of a system for monitoring pedestrians in a warehouse passing through a pedestrian access point is shown;

[0137] Figure 6 Yet another example of a system for monitoring pedestrians passing through a pedestrian access point in a warehouse is shown;

[0138] Figure 7a and Figure 7b An example embodiment of a safety vest for wear in an industrial setting such as a warehouse is shown;

[0139] FIG. 7c shows a diagram which can be set Figure 7a and Figure 7b Example embodiments of RFID tags and associated spacers on safety vests;

[0140] Figure 8 An example embodiment of a method of monitoring pedestrians in a warehouse is presented; and

[0141] Fig. 9 Another example embodiment of a method of monitoring pedestrians in a warehouse is presented. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0142] Vehicle collisions can result in injuries to people, including drivers and pedestrians, as well as damage to structures and the vehicle itself. In a warehouse environment, vehicles may need to move within confined spaces and in close proximity to valuable goods and personnel. For example, in a warehouse, a forklift truck (FLT) may navigate between aisles of racks or shelves containing valuable inventory. The FLT may have to perform sharp turns and maneuvers to load and unload inventory from shelves. Even skilled drivers may accidentally collide with pedestrians, creating a safety hazard. As a result, pedestrians may be required to wear appropriate items of personal protective equipment (PPE), at least when they are in certain areas of the warehouse.

[0143] Figure 1 Schematically shown is a plan view of a portion of the interior of a warehouse, which is a suitable environment in which the pedestrian monitoring system described herein may be used. Figure 1 Six rows of shelves 101 are shown, with aisles 102 between the rows 101. Figure 1 As shown, a forklift (FLT) 108 can travel along the aisle to access the inventory stored in different rows of shelves 101. Each row of shelves 101 has a plurality of shelf legs 103. The shelf legs 103 are vertical supports for supporting shelves or pallets. These rows of shelves 101 may also include beams (usually horizontal) and / or brackets (usually extending diagonally relative to the ground).

[0144] Figure 1 Also shown is a portion of the warehouse designated as a pedestrian walkway 104. The pedestrian walkway 104 is separated from the end aisles of the racks by a barrier 105. In this example, the barrier 105 is shown as including a plurality of spaced-apart posts 106, with rails 107 connecting most adjacent posts 106. Pedestrian access points 109 are shown as gaps in the barrier through which pedestrians can walk to move between the pedestrian walkway 104 and the portion of the warehouse in which the FLT 108 operates. In some cases, the PPE requirements for pedestrians in the pedestrian walkway 104 may be different than the PPE requirements for pedestrians in the portion of the warehouse in which the FLT 108 operates. Further examples of pedestrian access points to a warehouse include doorways and turnstiles, which may be external, such that they provide access to the warehouse from outside the building, or may be internal, such that they provide access between different portions of the warehouse.

[0145] Figure 2a and Figure 2bAn example embodiment of a pedestrian monitoring system for a warehouse is shown. In this example, the pedestrian monitoring system is associated with a forklift (FLT) 210, but it should be understood that it can also be associated with other types of vehicles moving around the warehouse.

[0146] The system includes a first RFID scanner 211 and a second RFID scanner 212 mounted on the FLT 210. Such RFID scanners may also be referred to as RFID antennas or RFID readers, and they are well known in the art. For example, the first RFID scanner 211 and the second RFID scanner 212 may be implemented as separate RFID antennas that share a single RFID module / chip so that the single RFID module / chip may multiplex between signals provided by multiple RFID antennas.

[0147] The field of view of the first RFID scanner 211 is spaced apart from the field of view of the second RFID scanner 212 in a first dimension. In this example, the first dimension is the longitudinal dimension of the FLT 210, so that, as will be discussed below, the system can detect whether the pedestrian is in front of or behind the FLT 210. In another example, the first dimension is the lateral dimension of the FLT 210, so that the system can detect whether the pedestrian is to the left or right of the FLT 210. As yet another example, as will be discussed below, the system can include more than two RFID scanners so that it can determine the position of the pedestrian relative to the FLT 210 in two dimensions.

[0148] The field of view of RFID scanners can be varied by mounting them in different physical locations such as Figure 2a 2 c) and are spaced or offset from each other. The RFID scanner can be substantially omnidirectional so that their fields of view overlap, but are still considered to be spaced apart. Alternatively, the RFID scanner can be directional so that their fields of view are spaced apart due to the directionality of the RFID scanner. In this case, the RFID scanner / antenna does not necessarily need to be physically offset from each other to achieve the spacing of its field of view.

[0149] The system also includes a controller 213, which may also be referred to as an RFID module or RFID chip. In this example, the controller 213 is shown as being located locally at the FLT 210, but in other examples, some or all of the functions of the controller may be implemented by a device / component remote from the FLT 210.

[0150] The controller 213 receives the data from the first RFID scanner 211 (eg Figure 2a ) receives a first RFID signal 214, and receives a second RFID signal from a second RFID scanner 212 (such as Figure 2bIt should be understood that the controller 213 receives the first RFID signaling 214 and the second RFID signaling 215 at the same time, and they are only Figure 2a and Figure 2b The pedestrian monitoring system is shown separately to more clearly demonstrate the functionality of the pedestrian monitoring system.

[0151] The controller 213 can identify RFID tag signals 216 from RFID tags 218 associated with pedestrians in the first RFID signaling 214. In this example, four RFID tags 218 associated with pedestrians are shown. The four RFID tags 218 are associated with clothing 220 (in this example, a high-visibility safety vest) that can be worn by pedestrians. Each of the four RFID tags 218 can be excited by the first RFID scanner 211, so that they each provide an RFID tag signal 216 received at the first RFID scanner 211. Therefore, each of the four RFID tag signals 216 is present in the first RFID signaling 214.

[0152] In this example, RFID tags 218 are passive, which is advantageous because batteries do not have to be provided in garment 220 so that they do not need to be regularly charged or replaced.

[0153] The controller 213 may also identify an RFID tag signal 217 from an RFID tag 218 associated with a pedestrian in the second RFID signaling 215 in the same manner as described above with reference to the identification of the RFID tag signal 216 in the first RFID signaling 214. As shown, the controller 213 identifies the RFID tag signals 216, 217 from the same RFID tag 218 in both the first RFID signaling 214 and the second RFID signaling 215.

[0154] The controller 213 may then determine the position of the pedestrian relative to the FLT 210 based on the RFID tag signals in both the first RFID signaling 214 and the second RFID signaling 215. The position of the pedestrian may be determined in a variety of ways, including determining the signal strength of the RFID tag signal 216 in the first RFID signaling 214 and determining the signal strength of the RFID tag signal 217 in the second RFID signaling 215, as will be discussed below.

[0155] Advantageously, using RFID signaling from two RFID scanners 211, 212 to determine the position of a pedestrian in this manner enables the controller to more accurately determine the position of the pedestrian, particularly in the first dimension. As described above, and as will be further described below, the first dimension can be the longitudinal dimension of the FLT 210, so that it can be determined whether the pedestrian is in front of or behind the FLT 210, in which case different subsequent actions can be taken to improve the safety of the pedestrian. Similarly, if the first dimension is the lateral dimension of the FLT 210, it can be determined whether the pedestrian is to the right or left of the FLT 210, and this information can again be used to take different subsequent actions to improve the safety of the pedestrian.

[0156] In some examples, the controller 213 can provide an output signal based on the determined position of the pedestrian. For example, the output signal can cause an alarm to be generated for the operator of FLT 210, so that they are aware of the presence of the pedestrian. In addition or alternatively, the output signal can cause an alarm to be generated for the pedestrian, so that they are aware of the presence of FLT 210. In either case, providing such an alarm can reduce the risk of FLT 210 colliding with the pedestrian. This alarm can be one or more of an audio alarm, a visual alarm, and a tactile alarm. Alternatively or in addition, the output signal can operate an actuator associated with FLT 210 to reduce the risk of collision; for example, reduce the speed of FLT 210 or turn it away from the pedestrian. As a further example, the output signal can cause a record of the detected pedestrian position to be stored in a log of a computer memory. This log can be used to better understand the interaction between pedestrians and FLT 210, so that the warehouse can be designed in a way to mitigate the risk and / or so that training can be provided to improve the safety of the warehouse.

[0157] One way that the controller 213 can determine the location of the pedestrian is by processing the signal strength / power of the received RFID tag signals 216, 217. One example of how the signal strength may be represented is a received signal strength indication (RSSI) for the received RFID tag signals 216, 217. The controller 213 may compare the signal strength of the RFID tag signal 216 in the first RFID signaling 214 with the signal strength of the RFID tag signal 217 in the second RFID signaling 215 to determine the location of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle in a first dimension. By comparing the signal strengths in this manner, the controller 213 can determine whether the associated RFID tag 218 is closer to the first RFID scanner 211 or the second RFID scanner 212, and therefore it can determine the relative position of the associated pedestrian in the first dimension (the dimension along which the first and second RFID scanners 211, 212 are offset). For example, if the first and second RFID scanners 211, 212 are offset along the longitudinal dimension of the FLT 210 (such as the longitudinal dimension of the FLT 210), the controller 213 may compare the signal strength of the RFID tag signal 216 in the first RFID signaling 214 with the signal strength of the RFID tag signal 217 in the second RFID signaling 215 to determine the location of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle in a first dimension. Figure 2a and Figure 2b As shown), and the signal strength of the RFID tag signal 216 in the first RFID signaling 214 is greater than the signal strength of the RFID tag signal 217 in the second RFID signaling 215, the controller 213 can determine that the pedestrian is closer to the front of the FLT 210 rather than the rear of the FLT 210.

[0158] In some examples, the first and second RFID scanners 211, 212 may be directional RFID scanners 211, 212 having a field of view that is biased toward a particular direction. Figure 2a and Figure 2b In the example of , the first RFID scanner 211 may include a directional RFID scanner having a field of view directed outward from the front of the FLT 210, and the second RFID scanner 212 may include a directional RFID scanner having a field of view directed outward from the rear of the FLT 210. In other words, the field of view of each RFID scanner 211, 212 is directed away from the other RFID scanner. In this way, the signal strength difference between the RFID tag signal 216 in the first RFID signaling 214 and the RFID tag signal 217 in the second RFID signaling 215 can be amplified to improve sensitivity and accuracy.

[0159] In one example, different output signals can be provided for different determined positions of the pedestrian. For example, a high alert output signal can be provided for a determined first position (such as a position that is considered to have a relatively high risk of collision). An example of such a first position is that the pedestrian is located in front of FLT 210, or is located on any specific side of FLT 210 that is considered to be a high risk. A low alert output signal (or no output signal) can be provided for a determined second position. An example of such a second position is that the pedestrian is located behind FLT 210, or is located on any specific side of FLT 210 that is considered to be a low risk.

[0160] Figure 2a and Figure 2b The controller 213 may be used to track the position of a pedestrian associated with the RFID tag 218 over time, and thus it may be used to determine the movement of the pedestrian relative to the FLT 210. To do this, the controller 213 may: identify a plurality of RFID tag signals 216 from the RFID tag 218 in the first RFID signaling 214 over a period of time; and identify a plurality of RFID tag signals 217 from the RFID tag 218 in the second RFID signaling 215 over the period of time. The controller 213 may then determine the movement of the pedestrian relative to the FLT 210 based on the plurality of RFID tag signals 216, 217 in both the first RFID signaling 214 and the second RFID signaling 215.

[0161] More specifically, the controller 213 can process the signal strength of the RFID tag signals 216, 217 in both the first RFID signaling 214 and the second RFID signaling 215 over time to determine whether the tag 218 (and therefore the associated pedestrian) is getting closer to or farther away from each of the first RFID scanner 211 and the second RFID scanner 212. In this way, the controller 213 can determine whether the pedestrian is moving toward or away from the FLT 210 along the first dimension (i.e., the dimension along which the two RFID scanners 211, 212 are offset). When the first RFID scanner 211 and the second RFID scanner 212 are spaced apart along the longitudinal length of the FLT, the controller 213 can determine whether the pedestrian is moving toward or away from the front or rear of the FLT 210.

[0162] Advantageously, the controller 213 can then provide an output signal based on the determined movement of the pedestrian. For example, if the pedestrian is moving toward the FLT 210, the controller 213 can provide a high alarm output signal. If the pedestrian is moving away from the FLT 210, the controller 213 can provide a low alarm output signal (or no output signal). As a further example, the controller 213 can provide an output signal based on the following: the determined movement of the pedestrian; and the determined position of the pedestrian. In this way, for example, a particularly dangerous situation in which a pedestrian moves toward the front of the FLT 210 can be detected, and the controller 213 can provide an appropriate output signal accordingly.

[0163] like Figure 2a and Figure 2b As shown, multiple RFID tags 218 can be associated with the same pedestrian. Figure 2a and Figure 2b In an example of the present invention, a plurality of RFID tags 218 are associated with a single piece of clothing worn by a pedestrian. In such an example, the controller may: identify in the first RFID signaling 214 a plurality of RFID tag signals 216 from the corresponding plurality of RFID tags 218 associated with the pedestrian; and identify in the second RFID signaling 215 a plurality of RFID tag signals 217 from the corresponding plurality of RFID tags 218 associated with the pedestrian. The controller 213 may then determine the position of the pedestrian relative to the FLT 210 based on the plurality of RFID tag signals 216, 217 (from the plurality of RFID tags 218) in both the first RFID signaling 214 and the second RFID signaling 215. Advantageously, the use of the plurality of RFID tag signals 216, 217 from the plurality of RFID tags 218 may improve the accuracy / reliability of the determined position of the pedestrian.

[0164] The reliability of the determined position of the pedestrian may be further improved by the controller 213 determining the position of the pedestrian relative to the FLT 210 based on a plurality of RFID tag signals 216, 217 in both the first RFID signaling 214 and the second RFID signaling 215 only when at least a threshold number of RFID tag signals 216, 217 from respective RFID tags 218 are identified in both the first RFID signaling 214 and the second RFID signaling 215. In this manner, the position is determined only when a minimum number of RFID tags 218 are identified. This may reduce the likelihood that the controller 213 determines the position of the pedestrian based only on a small number of stray RFID tag signals 216, 217 received at the RFID scanners 211, 212 or based on RFID tag signals 216, 217 received at only one of the RFID scanners 211, 212.

[0165] In this example, each of the plurality of RFID tag signals 216 includes a clothing identifier associated with a garment that may be worn by a pedestrian. Figure 2a and Figure 2b In the example of FIG. 2 , RFID tag 218 is associated with a high-visibility safety vest (as one example of a garment). More generally, a garment may be any item of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as: a high-visibility garment; a high-visibility jacket; goggles; ear defenders; a helmet / hard hat; steel-toe boots, etc. A garment identifier may be unique to an individual garment (e.g., a unique garment identifier may be used for each high-visibility safety vest, a unique garment identifier may be used for each pair of goggles, etc.).

[0166] The controller 213 can then identify multiple RFID tag signals 216, 217 with the same clothing identifier from the corresponding multiple RFID tags 218 in each of the first RFID signaling 214 and the second RFID signaling 215, and identify a single location of the pedestrian for all RFID tag signals 216, 217 with the same clothing identifier and therefore located on the same clothing.

[0167] In some examples, the controller 213 may access a database that associates multiple clothing identifiers for different PPE items with a single pedestrian. For example, each pedestrian may have their own specific PPE item that is used only by them. By querying such a database using the clothing identifier identified in the received RFID tag signals 216, 217, the controller 213 can identify a single location of the pedestrian for all RFID tag signals 216, 217 that have clothing identifiers associated with a single pedestrian.

[0168] In addition, in this example, each of the multiple RFID tag signals 216 includes a clothing location identifier that indicates the location where the corresponding RFID tag 218 is attached to the clothing. For example, the clothing location identifier can indicate whether the corresponding RFID tag 218 is attached to the front or back of the clothing. The clothing location identifier can be a supplement or alternative to the clothing identifier. In such an example, the controller 213 can: identify multiple RFID tag signals 216, 217 with the same clothing identifier from the corresponding multiple RFID tags 218 in each of the first RFID signaling 214 and the second RFID signaling 215; and process the clothing location identifier in each of the identified multiple RFID tag signals 216, 217 to determine the orientation of the pedestrian wearing the clothing relative to the vehicle.

[0169] For example, if the signal strength of the RFID tag signals 216, 217 from the RFID tag 218 on the front of the clothing is higher than the signal strength of the RFID tag signals 216, 217 from the RFID tag 218 on the back of the clothing, the controller 213 can determine that the pedestrian is facing the FLT 210. More generally, the controller 213 can compare: (i) the signal strength of the RFID tag signals 216, 217 associated with the RFID tag 218 at the first position on the clothing in the first RFID signaling 214 and the second RFID signaling 215; and (ii) the signal strength of the RFID tag signals 216, 217 associated with the RFID tag 218 at the second position on the clothing in the first RFID signaling 214 and the second RFID signaling 215 to determine the orientation of the pedestrian wearing the clothing relative to the FLT 210.

[0170] As another example, if the controller 213 only recognizes RFID tag signals 216, 217 from the RFID tag 218 on the front of the clothing, or if more RFID tag signals 216, 217 from the RFID tag 218 on the front of the clothing are recognized than RFID tag signals 216, 217 from the RFID tag 218 on the back of the clothing, the controller 213 can determine that the pedestrian is facing the FLT 210.

[0171] Advantageously, the controller 213 may provide an output signal based on the determined orientation of the pedestrian. For example, the controller 213 may provide a high alert output signal for a first orientation of the pedestrian (such as a pedestrian facing away from the vehicle) (for such an orientation, an audio alert may be particularly beneficial); and the controller 213 may provide a low alert output signal for a second orientation of the pedestrian (such as a pedestrian facing the vehicle) (for such an orientation, a visual alert may be particularly beneficial).

[0172] In some examples, the controller 213 may perform additional processing before successfully identifying that the RFID tag signals 216 , 217 from the RFID tag 218 are suitable for use in determining the location of the associated pedestrian (or determining any other characteristic of the associated pedestrian disclosed herein).

[0173] In one example, the controller 213 identifies the RFID tag signals 216, 217 in each of the first RFID signaling 214 and the second RFID signaling 215 only when the RFID tag signals 216, 217 have a signal strength greater than a threshold value. In this way, when determining the position of a pedestrian, the controller 213 can ignore weaker RFID tag signals 216, 217, perhaps because they are too far away to warrant a position determination.

[0174] In another example, the controller 213 may identify the RFID tag signals 216, 217 in each of the first RFID signaling 214 and the second RFID signaling 215 only if each includes at least a threshold number of RFID tag signals 216, 217 from the RFID tag 218 within a predetermined time period. In this manner, the controller 213 must identify a minimum number of reads / pings from the RFID tag 218 within a predetermined time period before it can be used to determine the location of the pedestrian. This process can help mitigate situations where the location of a pedestrian is incorrectly calculated based on too few stray received RFID tag signals 216, 217, which can be considered unlikely to actually be associated with a pedestrian near the FLT 210.

[0175] In yet another example, the controller 213 may identify the RFID tag signals 216, 217 from the RFID tag in each of the first RFID signaling 214 and the second RFID signaling 215 only if: (i) these signalings each include at least a threshold number of RFID tag signals 216, 217 from the RFID tag 218 within a predetermined time period (as discussed above); and (ii) each of the threshold number of RFID tag signals 216, 217 from the RFID tag 218 has a signal strength greater than a threshold (also as discussed above). This may further improve the reliability of the pedestrian position determination for the corresponding reasons discussed above.

[0176] In yet another example, the controller 213 may identify an RFID tag signal 216, 217 from the RFID tag 218 in each of the first RFID signaling 214 and the second RFID signaling 215 only if: (i) the signalings each include at least a threshold number of RFID tag signals 216, 217 from the RFID tag 218 within a predetermined time period (as discussed above); and (ii) the average signal strength of the threshold number of RFID tag signals 216, 217 from the RFID tag 218 is greater than a threshold. This represents yet another way to improve the reliability of position determination.

[0177] In some examples, the controller 213 may still record RFID tag signals that do not meet one or more of the above threshold requirements. Such signals may be associated with stray single readings of pedestrians that are not in the vicinity of the vehicle 210. Recording these signals may enable the controller 213 to infer that pedestrians are approximately present in the vicinity and enable head count records of the number of people in a particular area of ​​the warehouse at a particular point in time.

[0178] In some examples, the controller 213 may also receive signals representative of characteristics of the vehicle / FLT 210. As will be discussed below, use of such signals may enable the generation of an output signal that better matches the actual risk of collision between a pedestrian and the FLT 210 in a particular situation.

[0179] As an example, the controller 213 receives a vehicle speed signal representing the speed of the FLT 210. A speed sensor associated with the FLT 210 may provide the vehicle speed signal. The controller 213 may then provide an output signal based on: (i) the determined position of the pedestrian (as discussed above); and the vehicle speed signal. For example, the controller 213 may provide a high alarm output signal if the following conditions exist: the vehicle speed signal is greater than a threshold; and the distance between the determined position of the pedestrian and the vehicle is less than a threshold. If the vehicle speed signal is less than the threshold, the controller 213 may provide a lower alarm output signal based on the reduced likelihood of a collision if the FLT 210 is traveling slower.

[0180] As another example, the controller receives a vehicle direction signal representing the direction of travel of the FLT 210. The controller 213 can then provide an output signal based on: the determined position of the pedestrian (as discussed above); and the vehicle direction signal. For example, the vehicle direction signal can include a component corresponding to a first dimension (i.e., the dimension along which the first RFID scanner 211 and the second RFID scanner 212 are offset). Therefore, the controller 213 can determine whether the direction of travel of the FLT 210 along the first dimension is toward the determined position of the pedestrian. In this way, if the vehicle direction signal corresponds to (i.e., toward or potentially intercepting) the determined position of the pedestrian, the controller 213 can provide a high alarm output signal.

[0181] As yet another example, the FLT may be autonomously controlled or may be driven along a predetermined path. Either way, the vehicle may have a preprogrammed path that it will take within the warehouse. In such an example, the controller 213 may receive a vehicle future position signal that indicates the future position of the FLT (i.e., according to the preprogrammed path). The controller 213 may then provide an output signal based on: the determined position of the pedestrian (as discussed above); and the vehicle future position signal. In the same manner as described above, if the vehicle future position signal corresponds to (i.e., may intercept) the determined position of the pedestrian, the controller 213 may provide a high alarm output signal.

[0182] Figure 3 Another example embodiment of a pedestrian monitoring system for a warehouse is shown. Figure 2a and Figure 2bIn the same way, Figure 3 In the example of FIG. 3 , the pedestrian monitoring system is associated with a forklift truck (FLT) 310 .

[0183] The system in this example includes a first RFID scanner 311, a second RFID scanner 312, a third RFID scanner 321, and a fourth RFID scanner 322, all of which are mounted on the FLT 310. Each of the RFID scanners provides respective RFID signaling to a controller 313. The controller 313 in this example is located on a server 326, remote from the FLT 310. The four RFID scanners 311, 312, 321, 322 on the FLT 310 communicate electronically with the server 326 via any network 325 known in the art, including the Internet.

[0184] The first RFID scanner 311 is spaced apart from the second RFID scanner 312 in a first dimension, which in this example is a longitudinal dimension 323 of the FLT 310. The third RFID scanner 321 is offset from at least one of the first RFID scanner 311 and the second RFID scanner 312 in a second dimension that is transverse to the first dimension. In this example, the second dimension is a transverse dimension 324 of the FLT 310. The fourth RFID scanner 322 is also offset from at least one of the first RFID scanner 311 and the second RFID scanner 312 in the second / transverse dimension 324. Providing these four RFID scanners 311, 312, 321, 322 in this manner can enable them to provide RFID tag signaling that enables the controller 313 to determine the position of a pedestrian (not shown) relative to the FLT 310 in two orthogonal dimensions (i.e., the longitudinal dimension 323 and the transverse dimension 324).

[0185] The controller 313 may identify an RFID tag signal from an RFID tag (not shown) associated with a pedestrian in the third RFID signaling received from the third RFID scanner 321. The controller 313 may also identify an RFID tag signal from an RFID tag associated with a pedestrian in the fourth RFID signaling received from the fourth RFID scanner 322. Figure 2a and Figure 2b In a manner similar to that described, the controller 313 may then determine the position of the pedestrian relative to the FLT 310 based on the RFID tag signal in each of the first RFID signaling, the second RFID signaling, the third RFID signaling, and the fourth RFID signaling.

[0186] In this example, each of the four RFID scanners 311, 312, 321, 322 is located at a mid-position along a different side of the FLT 310. It should be understood that in other examples, the four RFID scanners 311, 312, 321, 322 can be located at any position on the FLT 310 so that they can resolve the position of pedestrians relative to the FLT 310 in the longitudinal dimension 323 and the lateral dimension 324. For example, the four RFID scanners 311, 312, 321, 322 can be located at or near the corners of the FLT 310.

[0187] It should also be understood that in other examples, three RFID scanners 311, 312, 321, 322 may be provided on the FLT so that they can provide RFID tag signaling that enables the controller 313 to determine the position of the pedestrian relative to the FLT 310 in two orthogonal dimensions. That is, the controller 313 can determine the position of the pedestrian relative to the FLT 310 based on the RFID tag signal in each of the first RFID signaling, the second RFID signaling, and the third RFID signaling.

[0188] It should also be understood that reference Figure 2a and Figure 2b Any characteristic of the pedestrian as described above, or any output signal or other signal calculated based on the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signal, may also be directed to Figure 3 The system performs calculations based on the first RFID signaling, the second RFID signaling, and the third RFID signaling (and optionally also based on the fourth RFID signaling).

[0189] Figure 4 A system for monitoring pedestrians in a warehouse is shown for detecting pedestrians who are not wearing a complete set of personal protective equipment (PPE) (e.g., for a particular area of ​​the warehouse). As an example, a particular area of ​​the warehouse may require pedestrians to wear a helmet 430, a high-visibility safety vest 431, and a pair of steel-toed boots 432. As will be discussed below, each of these types of PPE can be equipped with an RFID tag so that an incomplete set of PPE items can be determined and an associated alarm output signal can be generated.

[0190] The system is associated with a pedestrian access point 438, which in this example is an opening between two posts 436, 439. A barrier 437 is provided on the other side of the posts 436, 439 so that pedestrians are forced to pass between the two posts 436, 439 in order to pass through the pedestrian access point 438. It should be understood that the system described herein may be provided with other types of pedestrian access points 438, such as doorways (e.g., Figure 6), gates, etc. Pedestrian access points 438 may represent boundaries between different areas of the warehouse. For example, a boundary between an area where pedestrians must wear PPE and an area where PPE is not mandatory. Alternatively, pedestrian access points 438 may represent a boundary between the inside of the warehouse and the outside of the warehouse.

[0191] The system includes a first RFID scanner 433 (which is the only RFID scanner in this example), a pedestrian detector 434 , and a controller 435 .

[0192] The first RFID scanner 433 is associated with a pedestrian access point 438 in the warehouse so that it can perform scanning of RFID tags as they pass through the pedestrian access point 438, or shortly before or after they pass through the pedestrian access point 438. In this example, the first RFID scanner 433 is provided as part of one of the poles 436. However, in other examples, it can be mounted at any location so that it can detect RFID tags 442 as they pass through the pedestrian access point 438. The first RFID scanner 433 is provided as described above with reference to FIG. Figure 2a and Figure 2b The first RFID signaling 440 is provided in the same manner as described. If the first RFID scanner 433 detects any RFID tag 442, the first RFID signaling 440 will include the RFID tag signal 441 received from the detected RFID tag 442.

[0193] The pedestrian detector 434 can detect that a pedestrian is passing through, has passed through, or is about to pass through the pedestrian access point 438. The pedestrian detector 434 can be implemented in a variety of different ways; for example, as: a camera that records images that can be image processed to detect pedestrians; a motion detector; a passive infrared (PIR) sensor; or one or more RFID scanners (as discussed in more detail below). Regardless of how the pedestrian detector 434 is implemented, it can provide pedestrian detection signaling 443 to the controller 435, which either indicates whether a pedestrian is detected or can be processed by the controller 435 to determine whether a pedestrian is detected.

[0194] Turning now to the controller 435, it receives the first RFID signaling 440 from the first RFID scanner 433. The controller 435 also receives pedestrian detection signaling 443 so that it can detect that a pedestrian is passing through, has passed through, or is about to pass through the pedestrian access point 438.

[0195] In response to detecting a pedestrian, the controller 435 processes the first RFID signaling 440 to identify any RFID tag signals 441 from one or more corresponding RFID tags 442 that are associated with a pedestrian identified as passing through a pedestrian access point. More specifically, it identifies any such RFID tag signals 441 that include a PPE identifier. Such a PPE identifier is associated with a PPE item that may be worn by a pedestrian. The PPE identifier may be unique to a particular type of PPE (e.g., the same PPE identifier may be used for all high-visibility safety vests, the same PPE identifier may be used for all goggles, etc.). Alternatively, the PPE identifier may be unique to a separate PPE item (e.g., a unique PPE identifier may be used for each high-visibility safety vest, a unique PPE identifier may be used for each pair of goggles, etc.).

[0196] The controller 435 may then determine whether any of the identified RFID tag signals 441 represent a complete set of PPE items for the pedestrian. For example, the controller 435 may access a computer memory that stores a list of PPE identifiers associated with PPE items required for warehouse areas located on at least one side of the pedestrian access point 438. The controller 435 may then compare the PPE items associated with the identified RFID tag signals 441 (as defined by the associated PPE identifiers) to the list in the computer memory to determine whether any PPE items are missing from the identified RFID tag signals 441. (Even if PPE is only required on one side of the pedestrian access point 438, Figure 4 The system can also ensure that pedestrians entering and leaving warehouse areas that require PPE have a complete set of PPE.)

[0197] If an incomplete set of PPE items is determined, the controller 435 may generate an alarm output signal. Such an alarm output signal may result in an audio alarm, a visual alarm, and / or a tactile alarm being provided, so that the pedestrian is notified that they do not have a complete set of PPE. In some examples, the alarm output signal may also include details of one or more PPE items that have not been detected, so that this may also be notified to the pedestrian. As yet another example, the alarm output signal may cause a record of the detection of an incomplete set of PPE to be stored in a log in the computer memory.

[0198] In some examples, if a complete set of PPE items is determined, the controller 435 can generate a PPE complete output signal. This can help to reassure pedestrians that they have all the necessary PPE items. In addition, in some applications, a PPE complete output signal may be required for pedestrians to pass through the pedestrian access point 438. For example, the PPE complete output signal can cause a gate or turnstile located in the pedestrian access point 438 to unlock, so that the pedestrian can only pass through the gate or turnstile when the PPE complete output signal is generated.

[0199] In one example, the controller 435 may process the first RFID signaling 440 to make an association between any identified RFID tag signals 441 and pedestrians identified as passing through the pedestrian access point 438. For example, the controller 435 may process the signal strength of any identified RFID tag signals 441 over time to determine the movement of the RFID tags 442 relative to the first RFID scanner 433. The controller may therefore process the determined movement of the RFID tags 442 (based on the first RFID signaling 440) to identify those RFID tag signals 441 associated with pedestrians identified as passing through the pedestrian access point 438.

[0200] For example, the determined movement of RFID tag 442 may indicate whether RFID tag 442 is getting closer to first RFID scanner 433 or getting farther away from it. Controller 435 may associate RFID tag 442 with a pedestrian if: RFID tag 442 is determined to be getting closer to first RFID scanner 433 within a predetermined period of time before controller 435 detects the pedestrian; and / or RFID tag 442 is determined to be getting farther away from first RFID scanner 433 within a predetermined period of time after controller 435 detects the pedestrian.

[0201] Figure 5 Another example of a system for monitoring pedestrians in a warehouse through a pedestrian access point 538 is shown, which is similar to Figure 4 system. Also exists in Figure 4 In Figure 5 The features are given corresponding reference numerals in the 500 series and are not repeated here.

[0202] The system includes a first RFID scanner 533, a second RFID scanner 544, a pedestrian detector 534, and a controller 535. The first RFID scanner 533 is installed on the first entrance / exit side of the pedestrian access point 538. The second RFID scanner 544 is installed on the second entrance / exit side of the pedestrian access point in the warehouse. In this way, the first RFID scanner 533 and the second RFID scanner 544 are spaced apart along a dimension corresponding to a direction in which a pedestrian can pass through the pedestrian access point 538.

[0203] The first RFID scanner 533 provides a first RFID signaling 540 to the controller 535. The second RFID scanner 544 provides a second RFID signaling 546 to the controller 535. The first and second RFID scanners 533, 544 may provide the respective first and second RFID signaling 540, 546 to the controller 535 wirelessly or via a wired connection.

[0204] The controller 535 can then process the first RFID signaling 540 and the second RFID signaling 546 to identify in the first RFID signaling 540 and the second RFID signaling 546 any RFID tag signal 541 from one or more corresponding RFID tags 542 that: is associated with a pedestrian identified as passing through the pedestrian access point 538; and includes a PPE identifier associated with a PPE item that may be worn by the pedestrian. This is similar to the reference Figure 4 The process described is similar, except that the controller 535 processes the Figure 4 The controller 535 may then determine in the same manner as described above whether any of the identified RFID tag signals 541 in the first RFID signaling 540 and the second RFID signaling 546 represent a complete set of PPE items for the pedestrian.

[0205] Figure 5 An advantage of the system is that the controller 535 can determine which side of the pedestrian access point 538 the RFID tag 542 is located. Thus, by tracking the movement of the RFID tag 542 over time (as described above with reference to Figure 2a and Figure 2bAs described above, the controller 535 can more accurately and reliably associate any detected RFID tags 542 with pedestrians detected as passing through the pedestrian access point 538. For example, the controller 535 can associate these tags with pedestrians only when the RFID tags 542 are detected as moving toward the pedestrian access point 538 on one side of the pedestrian access point 538, and then detected as moving away from the pedestrian access point 538 on the other side of the pedestrian access point 538. As another example, if PPE is required only on one side of the pedestrian access point 538, the controller 535 can process the first RFID signaling 540 and the second RFID signaling 546 to determine in which direction the pedestrian is moving through the pedestrian access point 538. The controller 535 can then associate the RFID tag signal with the pedestrian identified as passing through the pedestrian access point only when the RFID tag signal corresponds to the predetermined direction of travel through the pedestrian access point 538. In this way, the controller 535 can check a complete set of PPE only when a pedestrian enters an area requiring PPE, rather than when they leave the area.

[0206] As a further example, the controller 535 may perform the step of determining whether any of the identified RFID tag signals in the first RFID signaling 540 and the second RFID signaling 546 represent a complete set of PPE items for the pedestrian only if the controller 535 determines that the pedestrian is passing through the pedestrian access point 538 in the predetermined direction of travel. In this manner, the controller 535 may identify RFID tag signals 541 from RFID tags 542 passing through the pedestrian access point 538 in both directions, but only perform a complete set of PPE checks on tags passing through in one direction.

[0207] As mentioned above Figure 4As indicated, the pedestrian detector 534 may be implemented as one or more RFID scanners. For example, the first and / or second RFID scanners 533, 544 may provide the functionality of the pedestrian detector 534 by providing RFID signaling 540, 546 to the controller 535, and the controller 535 may process the received RFID signaling 540, 546 to detect the presence of an RFID tag 542 known to be associated with a pedestrian. Optionally, this may involve one or more of the following (each of which is described in detail above): detecting an RFID tag having a signal strength above a threshold; detecting an RFID tag whose signal strength increases over time, so that the RFID tag is identified as moving toward the pedestrian access point 538; detecting an RFID tag whose signal strength increases and then decreases over time, so that the RFID tag is identified as moving toward and then away from the pedestrian access point 538; if there are two RFID scanners 533, 544, detecting such an RFID tag: when the RFID tag is on a first side of the pedestrian access point 538, the signal strength increases over time (i.e., it is moving from the first side toward the pedestrian access point 538); and then, when the RFID tag is on the other side of the pedestrian access point 538, the signal strength decreases over time (i.e., it is moving away from the pedestrian access point 538 from the second side / the other first side). Furthermore, as discussed herein, if there are two RFID scanners 533, 544, the system can use the relative signal strengths to determine on which side of the pedestrian access point 538 the RFID tag is located.

[0208] In some examples, one or both of the RFID scanners 533, 544 may provide the functionality of a pedestrian detector 534 only for a predetermined set of RFID tags, such as those known to be associated with ID badges of pedestrians. Such RFID tags may be identified by identifying the associated badge identifier in the received RFID tag signal 541. This has the advantage that the RFID scanners 533, 544 may be used as pedestrian detectors 534 even if the pedestrian is not wearing any PPE items. It also has the advantage of not requiring additional components to detect pedestrians passing through the pedestrian access point 538.

[0209] Figure 6 Another example of a system for monitoring pedestrians in a warehouse through a pedestrian access point 638 is shown, which is similar to Figure 4 and Figure 5 system. Also exists in Figure 4 and Figure 5 In Figure 6 The features are given corresponding reference numerals in the 600 series and are not repeated here.

[0210] In this example, the pedestrian access point is a doorway 638. A first RFID scanner 633 is mounted on a first side of the doorway 638 and has Figure 6 The field of view and range are graphically represented by reference numeral 645 in FIG. The field of view of the first RFID scanner 633 is directed toward the first side of the doorway 638. The second RFID scanner 644 is mounted on the second side (the other side) of the doorway 638 and has Figure 6 The field of view and range are graphically represented by reference numeral 646. The field of view of the second RFID scanner 644 is directed to the second side / other side of the doorway 638.

[0211] Figure 6 A pedestrian 649 is shown approaching doorway 638 from a first side. Pedestrian 649 is wearing a high-visibility safety vest 631 that includes at least one RFID tag 642. RFID tag 642 is within field of view 645 of first RFID scanner 633, and therefore it provides an RFID tag signal to first RFID scanner 633 in the same manner as described above. Pedestrian 649 carries box 647, which includes its own RFID tag 648. However, RFID tag 648 included as part of box 647 is not associated with an item of PPE, and its RFID tag signal will not include a PPE identifier. Therefore, Figure 6 A controller (not shown) of the system will not consider the RFID tag signal returned from the RFID tag 648 on the box 647 when determining whether the pedestrian 649 is wearing a complete set of PPE.

[0212] Figure 7a and Figure 7b An example embodiment of a safety vest 750 (which in this example is a high-visibility safety vest) for wear in an industrial environment such as a warehouse is shown. Figure 7a A front view of the vest 750 is shown such that the front portion of the vest 750 is visible. Figure 7b A rear view of the vest 750 is shown such that the rear portion of the vest 750 is visible.

[0213] like Figure 7a As shown, a plurality of RFID tags 742a are positioned on the front of the vest 750. In this example, there are ten RFID tags 742a on the front, but it should be understood that there may be more or fewer RFID tags 742a in other examples. At least some of the RFID tags 742a may be located on the sides of the vest 750 so that when the vest is worn, these RFID tags 742a are visible to an RFID scanner located on the side of the person wearing the vest 750.

[0214] like Figure 7bAs shown, a plurality of RFID tags 742b are positioned on the back of the vest 750. In this example, there are six RFID tags 742b on the back, but it should be understood that there may be more or fewer RFID tags 742b in other examples. At least some of the RFID tags 742b may be located on the sides of the vest 750 so that when the vest is worn, these RFID tags 742b are visible to an RFID scanner located on the side of the person wearing the vest 750.

[0215] Providing multiple RFID tags 742a, 742b on the front and back of the vest 750 can enable the vest 750 (and more importantly, therefore, the person wearing the vest 750) to be detected by the RFID scanner in a variety of different orientations of the vest 750 relative to the RFID scanner. For example, the RFID scanner can detect the vest 750 when the person wearing the vest 750 is standing, crouching, and walking to the left or right. Moreover, providing multiple RFID tags 742a, 742b on a single vest 750 can enable the vest 750 to be detected more reliably, as described above with reference to Figure 2a and Figure 2b Discussed in detail.

[0216] Each of the RFID tags 742a, 742b in this example has associated spacers on the inside of the RFID tag that are located between the RFID tag and the person when the person is wearing the safety vest, as will be described with reference to Figure 7c.

[0217] FIG. 7c shows a diagram which can be set Figure 7a and Figure 7b An example embodiment of an RFID tag 742 and an associated spacer 751 on a safety vest 750 (or any other garment disclosed herein). When the vest 750 is worn, the spacer 751 is located between the RFID tag 742 and the human body. The use of such a spacer 751 can increase the range at which the RFID tag 742 can be detected by an RFID scanner with a given transmit power. This is because bodily fluids in the human body absorb RF energy transmitted from an RFID scanner, and therefore spacing the RFID 742 from the human body can reduce the negative effects of RF energy being absorbed by the human body.

[0218] The spacer 751 may be at least 12 mm thick, and in some applications at least 16 mm thick. These thicknesses have been found to provide good improvements in the detectability of the RFID tag 742 without making the vest 750 too bulky and cumbersome.

[0219] Spacer 751 may include foam material. Foam has a high dielectric constant and absorbs less RF energy than the human body. Foam also has the advantage of being lightweight.

[0220] Each of the RFID tags 742a, 742b includes an identifier that it provides as part of the RFID tag signal when the tag is stimulated by an RFID scanner. Such an identifier may also be referred to as an electronic product code (EPC). In this example, the identifier of each RFID tag 742 is unique and has the following format:

[0221] AAAA–BBBB–CCCC-DDDD

[0222] in:

[0223] AAAA is a product type identifier that indicates the type of safety vest associated with RFID tag 742;

[0224] BBBB is a product provider identifier that indicates the provider of the safety vest 750 or more generally a pedestrian monitoring system associated with the vest 750;

[0225] CCCC is a vest identifier that is a unique identifier of the vest 750 associated with the RFID tag 742. For example, the vest identifier may be implemented as a serial number. In one example, the vest identifier may be unique to a given product type identifier, but may be reused for different product type identifiers. In this manner, each combination of a product type identifier and a vest identifier is unique. Such a vest identifier is an example of a garment identifier discussed above;

[0226] DDDD is a unique tag identifier that is unique to each RFID tag 742 on any given safety vest. The unique tag identifier may be considered a vest location identifier that indicates the location on the vest 750 where the corresponding RFID tag 542 is attached. For example, an association between the unique tag identifier and the location of the associated RFID tag on the vest may be stored in a computer memory so that the controller can look up the location of the RFID 742 on the vest 750 based on the received unique tag identifier.

[0227] In the above disclosed Figures 2 to Figure 6In an example of a pedestrian monitoring system, the pedestrian monitoring system may preferentially scan RFID tags associated with pedestrians (such as clothing RFID tags 742 or badge RFID tags) at a higher repetition rate than other RFID tags (such as tags on fixed infrastructure or inventory, etc.). For example, the repetition rate of the pedestrian RFID tag may be 2 times, 3 times, 5 times, 10 times or more than the repetition rate of other RFID tags. The pedestrian monitoring system may output a signal that excites only tags of a specific type and / or having a specific identifier associated with the pedestrian RFID tag. Such an RFID tag may have a microcontroller and memory, etc., and may be powered using electromagnetic energy from an incoming RF wave from a reader. The RFID tag may have sufficient processing power to enable it to determine whether to respond to an incoming request based on its identifier. Alternatively or in addition, the controller may process RFID signaling with an identifier associated with a pedestrian RFID tag at a first processing rate, and process RFID signals with any identifier at a second processing rate that is less than the first processing rate. In this way, pedestrian tags may be scanned and / or detected more frequently, which may provide faster detection of pedestrians, which is particularly advantageous for vehicle scanning embodiments.

[0228] In the above disclosed Figures 2 to Figure 6 In an example of a pedestrian monitoring system, a controller can identify a specific pedestrian based on an RFID tag associated with an ID badge worn by the pedestrian. In particular, the RFID signaling from the RFID tag in the badge can include an associated badge identifier. In some examples, when the corresponding RFID signaling is received together, the controller can associate the identifier of the RFID tag 742 for the PPE garment with a specific badge identifier. The controller can record the association of the (multiple) identifiers of the (multiple) PPE garments with the ID badge (and the pedestrian) to a central server (located on other FLT / vehicles or access points) accessible by other controllers of the pedestrian monitoring system. In some examples, the pedestrian monitoring system can register the (multiple) PPE garment identifiers with the badge identifiers after a threshold number of associations (e.g., one or two or three) have been recorded. In this way, the controller of the system can detect the presence of a specific pedestrian via only detecting a single clothing identifier. If later, the controller detects a different badge identifier (of a different pedestrian) with the same (multiple) clothing identifier, the controller can cancel the badge identifier of the previous pedestrian and / or register the badge identifier of the new pedestrian with the (multiple) clothing identifier.

[0229] Examples disclosed herein may also include algorithms for associating a safety vest or other PPE with a specific person. For example, all pedestrians may be required to wear an ID badge with a single RFID tag (with an associated badge identifier, as discussed above). Since an ID badge has only one RFID tag, an RFID scanner (such as Figure 2a 2c ) is likely to miss RFID tag signals from RFID tags associated with ID badges. This is particularly likely to occur if the RFID scanner simultaneously excites one or more vest RFID tags and receives multiple RFID tag signals back from those RFID tags. However, due to the respective number of RFID tags, if the RFID scanner is able to detect RFID tag signals from a single RFID tag on an ID badge, it is less likely to miss RFID tag signals from a vest RFID tag (or other PPE RFID tag). Therefore, if an RFID tag signal from an ID badge RFID tag is detected, but an RFID tag signal from a vest RFID tag (or other PPE RFID tag) is not detected, the controller can identify this as a situation where the pedestrian is not wearing a complete set of personal protective equipment (PPE), and it can take any of the remedial actions described herein.

[0230] Figure 8 An example embodiment of a method for monitoring pedestrians in a warehouse is shown. The method includes, in step 860, receiving a first RFID signaling from a first RFID antenna mounted on a vehicle. In step 861, the method includes receiving a second RFID signaling from a second RFID antenna mounted on the vehicle. As discussed above, the field of view of the first RFID antenna is spaced apart from the field of view of the second RFID antenna in a first dimension. In step 862, the method includes identifying an RFID tag signal from an RFID tag associated with a pedestrian in the first RFID signaling. In step 863, the method includes identifying an RFID tag signal from an RFID tag associated with a pedestrian in the second RFID signaling. Then, in step 864, the method includes determining the position of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle based on the RFID tag signals in both the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling.

[0231] Fig. 9An example embodiment of a method for monitoring pedestrians in a warehouse is shown. The method includes, in step 971, receiving a first RFID signaling from a first RFID antenna associated with a pedestrian access point in the warehouse. In step 972, the method includes identifying that a pedestrian is passing through, has passed through, or is about to pass through the pedestrian access point, and in response: in step 973, processing the first RFID signaling to identify any RFID tag signal from one or more corresponding RFID tags, the any RFID tag signal: associated with the pedestrian identified as passing through the pedestrian access point; and including a PPE identifier associated with a PPE item that can be worn by the pedestrian; in step 973, determining whether any identified RFID tag signal represents a complete set of PPE items for the pedestrian; and in step 974, generating an alarm output signal if an incomplete set of PPE items is determined.

Claims

1. A controller for monitoring pedestrians in a warehouse, wherein the controller is configured to: receiving a first RFID signaling from a first RFID antenna mounted on the vehicle; receiving second RFID signaling from a second RFID antenna mounted on the vehicle, wherein a field of view of the first RFID antenna is spaced apart from a field of view of the second RFID antenna in a first dimension; identifying in the first RFID signaling an RFID tag signal from an RFID tag associated with a pedestrian; identifying in the second RFID signaling an RFID tag signal from the RFID tag associated with the pedestrian; as well as The position of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle is determined based on the RFID tag signal in both the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling.

2. The controller according to claim 1, further configured to: An output signal is provided based on the determined position of the pedestrian.

3. The controller according to claim 1 or claim 2, further configured to: The signal strength of the RFID tag signal in the first RFID signaling is compared with the signal strength of the RFID tag signal in the second RFID signaling to determine the position of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle in the first dimension.

4. A controller according to any preceding claim, further configured to: identifying a plurality of RFID tag signals from the RFID tag within a period of time in the first RFID signaling; identifying a plurality of RFID tag signals from the RFID tag in the second RFID signaling within the period of time; determining movement of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle based on the plurality of RFID tag signals in both the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling; as well as An output signal is provided based on the determined movement of the pedestrian.

5. The controller according to claim 4, further configured to: An output signal is provided based on: the determined movement of the pedestrian; and the determined position of the pedestrian.

6. A controller according to any preceding claim, further configured to: identifying in the first RFID signaling a plurality of RFID tag signals from a corresponding plurality of RFID tags associated with pedestrians; identifying in the second RFID signaling a plurality of RFID tag signals from the corresponding plurality of RFID tags associated with the pedestrian; and The position of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle is determined based on the plurality of RFID tag signals in both the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling.

7. The controller according to claim 6, further configured to: The position of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle is determined based on the multiple RFID tag signals in both the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling only when at least a threshold number of RFID tag signals from corresponding RFID tags are identified in both the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling.

8. The controller of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of RFID tag signals comprises: A clothing identifier associated with a garment wearable by the pedestrian.

9. The controller according to claim 8, wherein: Each of the plurality of RFID tag signals further comprises: A garment location identifier that indicates a location on the garment where a corresponding RFID tag is attached.

10. The controller according to claim 9, further configured to: identifying, in each of the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling, a plurality of RFID tag signals having a same garment identifier from a corresponding plurality of RFID tags; processing the garment location identifier in each of the identified plurality of RFID tag signals to determine an orientation of a pedestrian wearing the garment relative to the vehicle; and An output signal is provided based on the determined orientation of the pedestrian.

11. A controller according to any preceding claim, further configured to: The RFID tag signal in each of the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling is identified only when the RFID tag signal has a signal strength greater than a threshold value.

12. A controller according to any preceding claim, further configured to: The RFID tag signals in each of the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling are identified only if the RFID signaling includes at least a threshold number of RFID tag signals from the RFID tags within a predetermined period of time.

13. A controller according to any preceding claim, further configured to: receiving a vehicle speed signal indicative of a speed of the vehicle; An output signal is provided based on: the determined position of the pedestrian; and the vehicle speed signal.

14. A controller according to any preceding claim, further configured to: receiving third RFID signaling from a third RFID antenna mounted on the vehicle, wherein the field of view of the third RFID antenna is offset from the field of view of at least one of the first RFID antenna and the second RFID antenna in a second dimension transverse to the first dimension; receiving fourth RFID signaling from a fourth RFID antenna mounted on the vehicle, wherein the field of view of the fourth RFID antenna is offset from the field of view of at least one of the first RFID antenna and the second RFID antenna in the second dimension; identifying in the third RFID signaling an RFID tag signal from the RFID tag associated with the pedestrian; identifying in the fourth RFID signaling an RFID tag signal from the RFID tag associated with the pedestrian; as well as The position of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle is determined based on the RFID tag signal in each of the first RFID signaling, the second RFID signaling, the third RFID signaling, and the fourth RFID signaling.

15. A pedestrian monitoring system for a warehouse, the system comprising: a first RFID antenna mounted on the vehicle; a second RFID antenna mounted on the vehicle, wherein a field of view of the first RFID antenna is spaced apart from a field of view of the second RFID antenna in a first dimension; as well as A controller configured to: receiving a first RFID signaling from the first RFID antenna; receiving a second RFID signaling from the second RFID antenna; identifying in the first RFID signaling an RFID tag signal from an RFID tag associated with a pedestrian; identifying in the second RFID signaling an RFID tag signal from the RFID tag associated with the pedestrian; as well as The position of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle is determined based on the RFID tag signal in both the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising: A safety vest for wearing in the warehouse, the vest comprising: a plurality of RFID tags located on a front portion of the safety vest for providing the RFID tag signal to the first RFID antenna; and A plurality of RFID tags located on a rear portion of the safety vest for providing the RFID tag signal to the first RFID antenna.

17. A method for monitoring pedestrians in a warehouse, wherein the method comprises: receiving a first RFID signaling from a first RFID antenna mounted on the vehicle; receiving second RFID signaling from a second RFID antenna mounted on the vehicle, wherein a field of view of the first RFID antenna is spaced apart from a field of view of the second RFID antenna in a first dimension; identifying in the first RFID signaling an RFID tag signal from an RFID tag associated with a pedestrian; identifying in the second RFID signaling an RFID tag signal from the RFID tag associated with the pedestrian; as well as The position of the pedestrian relative to the vehicle is determined based on the RFID tag signal in both the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling.

18. A controller for monitoring pedestrians in a warehouse, wherein the controller is configured to: receiving first RFID signaling from a first RFID antenna associated with a pedestrian access point in the warehouse; Identify that a pedestrian is passing through, has passed through, or is about to pass through the pedestrian access point, and in response: processing the first RFID signaling to identify any RFID tag signals from one or more corresponding RFID tags, the any RFID tag signals: associated with the pedestrian identified as passing through the pedestrian access point; and including a PPE identifier associated with an item of PPE wearable by the pedestrian; determining whether any identified RFID tag signal represents a complete set of PPE items for the pedestrian; as well as If an incomplete set of PPE items is determined, an alarm output signal is generated.

19. The controller according to claim 18, further configured to: processing the signal strength of any identified RFID tag signal over time to determine movement of the associated RFID tag relative to the first RFID antenna; and The determined movement of any RFID tags is processed to identify any RFID tag signals associated with the pedestrian identified as passing through the pedestrian access point.

20. A controller according to claim 18 or claim 19, further configured to: The PPE item associated with the identified RFID tag signal is compared to a list of required PPE items.

21. A controller according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the alarm output signal comprises details of one or more items of PPE which have not been detected.

22. A controller according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein: the first RFID antenna having a field of view associated with a first entry / exit side of the pedestrian access point in the warehouse; The controller is further configured to: receiving second RFID signaling from a second RFID antenna having a field of view associated with a second entry / exit side of the pedestrian access point; processing the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling to identify in the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling any RFID tag signals from one or more corresponding RFID tags, the any RFID tag signals: being associated with the pedestrian identified as passing through the pedestrian access point; and comprising a PPE identifier associated with an item of PPE wearable by the pedestrian; as well as A determination is made as to whether any identified RFID tag signals in the first RFID signaling and the second RFID signaling represent a complete set of PPE items for the pedestrian.

23. A pedestrian monitoring system for a warehouse, the system comprising: a first RFID antenna associated with a pedestrian access point in the warehouse; A controller configured to: receiving a first RFID signaling from the first RFID antenna; Identify that a pedestrian is passing through, has passed through, or is about to pass through the pedestrian access point, and in response: processing the first RFID signaling to identify any RFID tag signals from one or more corresponding RFID tags, the any RFID tag signals: associated with the pedestrian identified as passing through the pedestrian access point; and including a PPE identifier associated with an item of PPE wearable by the pedestrian; determining whether any identified RFID tag signal represents a complete set of PPE items for the pedestrian; as well as If an incomplete set of PPE items is determined, an alarm output signal is generated.

24. The system of claim 23, further comprising: A safety vest for wearing in the warehouse, the vest comprising: a plurality of RFID tags located on a front portion of the safety vest for providing the RFID tag signal to the first RFID antenna; and A plurality of RFID tags located on a rear portion of the safety vest for providing the RFID tag signal to the first RFID antenna.

25. A method for monitoring pedestrians in a warehouse, wherein the method comprises: receiving first RFID signaling from a first RFID antenna associated with a pedestrian access point in the warehouse; Identify that a pedestrian is passing through, has passed through, or is about to pass through the pedestrian access point, and in response: processing the first RFID signaling to identify any RFID tag signals from one or more corresponding RFID tags, the any RFID tag signals: associated with the pedestrian identified as passing through the pedestrian access point; and including a PPE identifier associated with an item of PPE wearable by the pedestrian; determining whether any identified RFID tag signal represents a complete set of PPE items for the pedestrian; as well as If an incomplete set of PPE items is determined, an alarm output signal is generated.

26. A safety vest for wearing in a warehouse, the vest comprising: a plurality of RFID tags located on a front portion of the vest; as well as a plurality of RFID tags located on a rear portion of the vest; in: Each of the RFID tags has an associated spacer that is positioned between the RFID tag and the person when the person is wearing the safety vest.

27. A safety vest according to claim 26, wherein the spacer is at least 12mm thick, and optionally at least 16mm thick.

28. A safety vest according to claim 26 or claim 27, wherein: Each of the RFID tags includes an identifier that it provides as part of an RFID tag signal when the RFID tag is energized by an RFID antenna; and The identifier includes one or more of the following: a product type identifier indicating a type of safety vest associated with the RFID tag; a vest identifier which is a unique identifier of the vest associated with the RFID tag; Unique Tag Identifier, which is a unique identifier for each RFID tag on any given safety vest.

Images