Method for monitoring an operator, and associated device.

Abstract

A method for monitoring a first human operator comprising a body (200, 200'), in a building construction environment (1000), comprising the following first steps: Determining that, during a period of a predetermined duration: Movements of the body (200, 200') or of a part of the body are synchronized with movements of an element (300, 500, 610) of the work environment (1000) or Geographical locations of the body (200, 200') or of a part of the body are synchronized with geographical locations of an element (300, 500, 610) of the work environment (1000), the element (300, 500, 610) of the work environment (1000) moving during the period,Determining a first piece of personal protective equipment to be worn by the first human operator, from the element (300, 500, 610) of the working environment (1000),Then,determination whether the first personal protective equipment is worn by the first human operator. Figure for abstract: Figure 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Method for monitoring an operator, and associated device.

[0001] The invention relates to the monitoring of operators in a work environment, for example in a factory, in a workshop or on a construction site, for example a building.

[0002] It is known to determine the personal protective equipment to be worn by the operators present depending on the work environment. However, there is a need to make this personal protective equipment thus determined more relevant.

[0003] To achieve this aim, the invention relates to a method for monitoring (in other words: securing) a first human operator comprising a body, in a work environment (in other words: in an operating area or an operating site, in which at least one manufacturing operation (for example synthesis, machining or assembly), construction, maintenance and / or dismantling) is carried out, for example, in a factory, in a workshop, in an oil platform or in a construction site, the construction site being for example a construction site for a building (civil engineering), the monitoring method being characterized in that it comprises the following first steps: - Determination that, for a period of a predetermined duration (for example a predetermined duration stored in memory, prior to the first steps): • Movements (in other words: accelerations and / or rotations) of the body or a part of the body are synchronized with movements (in other words: accelerations) of an element of the work environment (the element of the work environment moving, during the period, in the work environment) and / or • Geographic locations of the body or a part of the body are synchronized with geographic locations of an element of the work environment, the element of the work environment moving during the period (in the work environment), - (Then, Determination, for example reception, of an identifier of the element of the work environment, and for example of an identifier of the first operator) - Then, Determination (of an identifier) ​​of a first item of personal protective equipment (in other words: of a first type of personal protective equipment) (for example, a protective helmet, gloves, a vest, safety trousers, safety shoes) to be worn by the first human operator, from (the identifier) ​​of the element of the work environment (and possibly from the identifier of the first operator), - Then, determination whether the first personal protective equipment (in other words: whether the first type of personal protective equipment) is worn by the first human operator.

[0004] Thus, the invention makes it possible to distinguish an interaction, relevant for safety, between the first human operator and an element of the work environment, from a situation where an element of the environment is, for a few moments, close to the first human operator, but has little or no impact on the safety of the first human operator.

[0005] The period is for example continuous or discontinuous. The predetermined duration is between 5 seconds and 2 hours.

[0006] The movements of the body or of a part of the body can be determined from (movement) data received from a movement sensor worn by the body (ie: these data are representative of the movements of the body or of the part of the body), directly or via a mobile object (for example, a mobile telephone or a mobile terminal) worn by the first operator (for example in a pocket of an item of clothing worn by the first operator).

[0007] The movements of the element of the environment can be determined from (movement) data received from a movement sensor included in the element of the work environment (i.e.: these data are representative of the movements of the element of the work environment), directly or via a mobile object (for example, a mobile telephone or a mobile terminal) carried by the first operator (for example in a pocket of an item of clothing worn by the first operator).

[0008] The body-worn motion sensor and the work environment element-worn motion sensor may be an accelerometer (3 axes) and / or a gyroscope, for example.

[0009] The body-worn motion sensor is, for example, included in personal protective equipment.

[0010] It may be determined that movements of the body or a part of the body are synchronized with movements of the element of the working environment (during the period) from the data received from the motion sensor worn by the body and the data received from the motion sensors worn by the element of the environment of work.

[0011] Several approaches can be considered for this, for example, the one described in the article: - “Are You with Me?” - Using Accelerometers to Determine If Two Devices Are Carried by the Same Person. Pervasive Computing, 2004, Volume 3001. Jonathan Lester, Blake Hannaford, Gaetano Borriello.

[0012] Alternatively, it may be determined that movements of the body or a part of the body are synchronized with movements of the element of the work environment (during the period) from images of a camera (located in the work environment).

[0013] The locations of the body or a part of the body can be determined from (location) data received from a geolocation module worn by the body, for example worn by personal protective equipment of the first human operator or by a mobile phone or a connected watch of the first human operator.

[0014] The locations of the element of the work environment can be determined from (location) data received from a geolocation module carried by the element of the work environment, directly or via a mobile object (for example, a mobile telephone) carried by the first operator (for example in a pocket of an item of clothing worn by the first operator).

[0015] By geolocation module, we mean a module capable of determining, in a well-known manner, its geolocation from radiofrequency signals coming from (for example): • Artificial satellites, satellite geolocation, for example of the so-called “Galileo” or “GPS” type, or more generally “GNSS”, or • Terrestrial transmitters, for example of the so-called “BLE” or “UWB” type.

[0016] It may be determined that geographic locations of the body or a part of the body are synchronized with geographic locations of an element of the work environment from data received from the geolocation module worn by the body and from data received from the geolocation module worn by the element of the work environment.

[0017] For example, geographical locations of the body or of a part of the body are synchronized with geographical locations of an element of the work environment, if during all (or part of) the period, a distance between these locations is less than a first threshold and / or if their correlation coefficient is greater than a second threshold.

[0018] The first threshold is for example between 30 centimeters and 15 meters.

[0019] This distance can also be measured from the intensity of a radio signal when received by a receiver worn by the work environment element after being emitted by a transmitter worn by the body, or vice versa.

[0020] The distance is for example a Euclidean distance but other distances can of course be used such as for example a so-called “Minkowski” distance.

[0021] It can be a distance in three-dimensional space.

[0022] Alternatively, it may be a distance in a horizontal plane, i.e. a distance in a plane parallel to the Earth's horizon between; - Projections in this plane parallel to the terrestrial horizon, in a first direction orthogonal to this plane, of the geographical locations of the body or of a part of the body, and - Projections in this plane parallel to the terrestrial horizon, in the first direction, of the geographical locations of the element of the work environment.

[0023] Alternatively, it may be determined that geographical locations of the body or a part of the body are synchronized with geographical locations of an element of the work environment (during the period) from images of a camera (located in the work environment). A technology by capacitive coupling with said body could also be used, for example.

[0024] Preferably, the element of the work environment is not a second piece of personal protective equipment. Alternatively, it may be.

[0025] Generally (and in particular) the step of determining (an identifier) ​​of a first piece of personal protective equipment (in other words: a first type of personal protective equipment) to be worn by the first human operator, from (the identifier) ​​of the element of the work environment, is implemented independently of whether the first operator is wearing the first piece of personal protective equipment or not. In other words, the operator can wear the first piece of personal protective equipment prior to, or during the step of determining (an identifier) ​​of a first piece of personal protective equipment (in other words: a first type of personal protective equipment) to be worn by the first human operator, from (the identifier) ​​of the element of the work environment.

[0026] The determination (of an identifier) ​​of a first item of personal protective equipment to be worn by the first human operator, from (the identifier) ​​of the element of the work environment, can be implemented from predefined rules and / or additional data.

[0027] The additional data and the predefined rules are, for example, entered during the process, via a human-machine interface (keyboard, voice interface, etc.).

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[0037] Additional data can be entered at the start of the day by the supervisor, for example. Alternatively, this additional data and predefined rules are already in memory or received from a sensor or electronic entity, for example a portable one, for example a mobile phone or a connected watch. Additional data may include the following information, whether anticipated or actual: - An operation implemented by the first operator (during the period), - An identifier of the first operator, and / or - Data relating to the training of the first operator, - One or more material conditions of the action (possibly, other than the environmental element) such as geolocation, time period, weather conditions. Different methods are known to those skilled in the art for implementing the step of determining whether the first personal protective equipment (in other words: whether the first type of personal protective equipment) is worn by the first human operator, in particular from images of the first operator, from a location of the personal protective equipment relative to the first operator, or by other methods. According to one embodiment, the element of the working environment is a material, for example, in the case where the working environment is a construction site of a (civil engineering) building, a material forming part of the building or a material intended to form part of the building (in other words: a material integrated and which will be integrated into the building). The material is, for example, a beam, an insulation board, a rubble stone or a prefabricated wall. According to one embodiment, the element of the work environment is a tool, for example a construction site tool. The tool is, for example, moved, carried or driven (for example, in the case of construction machinery) by the first human operator during the period. Alternatively, it may be carried and moved by another operator, or driven by another operator (e.g., in the case of construction machinery). The other operator may, for example, perform an operation jointly with the first operator. The tool may be a cutting tool (e.g., a saw, a chainsaw, or an axe), a perforating tool (e.g., a drill or a punch), a demolition tool (e.g., a jackhammer), a welding tool (e.g., a welding machine), or, more generally, in the case where the work environment is a construction site for a building (civil engineering) any tool intended to machine a material forming part or intended to form part of the building (for example, a grinder).

[0038] According to one embodiment, the element of the work environment is a machine (for example, a construction machine) or a part of a machine (for example, a part of a construction machine).

[0039] Typically, a machine (for example, a construction machine) is a vehicle on wheels and / or tracks. It may be, for example, a loader, an excavator, a backhoe loader, a nacelle, a bulldozer, a steamroller, a robot (for example, a construction robot) (such as, for example, one of the robots offered by the company called “Fastbrick Robotics”).

[0040] Alternatively, the machine is a crane (for example, a construction crane) which can be fixed, placed on the ground or mounted on wheels and / or tracks. The element can be a boom head of a crane.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the element of the work environment is a (body of a) second operator different from the first human operator.

[0042] The second operator may for example (be in the process of) performing an operation jointly with the first operator.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the method according to the invention comprises a step of transmitting a message, if the first (type of) protective equipment is not worn by the first human operator.

[0044] For example, the message indicates that protective equipment must be worn by the first operator.

[0045] Alternatively, the message is an alarm.

[0046] The message is for example intended for a mobile telephone or a connected watch of the first operator (in other words, worn by the first operator) and / or a supervisor (in other words, worn by the supervisor).

[0047] According to one embodiment, the method comprises a step of recording, for example securely, in a non-volatile memory, a digital trace, the digital trace comprising an identifier of protective equipment (actually) worn by the first operator, and an identifier of the element of the environment, and possibly a date.

[0048] The digital trace may further comprise additional data, and possibly other data (for example, movements or geographical locations of the body or part of the body and the element of the work environment).

[0049] Thus, the digital trace makes it possible to keep information relating to safety in the work environment.

[0050] The invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions executable by a microprocessor or a microcontroller or a computer, to implement the steps of the method according to the invention, when it is executed by the microprocessor or the microcontroller or the computer.

[0051] The method according to the invention can be implemented by an electronic device. The invention therefore also relates to an electronic device configured to implement the steps of the method according to the invention.

[0052] The characteristics and advantages of the computer program, the electronic device, and the vehicle are identical to those of the method according to the invention (without it being necessary to repeat them here).

[0053] When the electronic device, server (or other element) is "configured to" (or "capable of") performing or implementing a step or operation, this implies, for example, that the element comprises means for performing the step or operation. The means preferably comprise electronic means, for example a computer program, data in memory, specialized electronic circuits, wired or wireless connections, a microprocessor and / or a microcontroller.

[0054] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows, comprising embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which: • [Fig.l] represents an electronic device in a working environment, according to an embodiment of the invention, • [Fig.2] represents an implementation of the method according to the invention, according to a example of realization, by the electronic device of [Fig.l].

[0055] In [Fig.l], certain elements are, of course, seen through transparency.

[0056] Detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, with reference to figures 1 and 2.

[0057] [Fig.l] illustrates a construction site 1000 in which a first operator comprising a body 200 and a second operator comprising a body 200' work.

[0058] The first operator carries a mobile telephone 210, for example in a pocket of an item of clothing worn by the first operator.

[0059] The second operator carries a mobile telephone 210', for example in a pocket of an item of clothing worn by the first operator.

[0060] With reference to [Fig.2], at step S00: - The mobile telephone 210 receives, via a wireless connection, for example of the so-called “Bluetooth” type, data from the accelerometer 221 located in the protective glove 220, representative of the movements of the protective glove 220 over a period of 5 minutes. The mobile telephone 210 receives, via a wireless connection, for example of the so-called “Bluetooth” type, data from the accelerometer 310 located in the chainsaw 300, representative of the movements of the chainsaw 300 during the 5-minute period.

[0061] In step S10, the mobile telephone 210 transmits this data to the server 100, which receives it, via wireless communication, for example of the so-called “wifi” type. The mobile telephone 210 also transmits an identifier of the first operator and an identifier of the chainsaw 300, to the server 100, which receives them.

[0062] In step S20, the server 100 (in other words, the computer program 110 executed by the server 100) determines, from the data, that the movements of a hand of the first operator, in other words, of the protective glove 220 are synchronized with the movements of the chainsaw 300, during the period of 5 minutes, while the first operator cuts the beam 400 placed on the support 500.

[0063] In step S30, the server 100 (in other words, the computer program 110 executed by the server 100) determines, from the identifier of the first operator, the identifier of the chainsaw 300, security rules 120 and additional data 130, (previously entered) stored in the server 100, that the first operator must carry: A protective visor, and Hearing protection, and Protective pants, and Protective shoes.

[0064] The additional data 130 may include, for example, data on the training of the first operator, data on the size of the beam 400 or the material forming the beam 400.

[0065] In step S40, the server 100 receives: Locations of the boom head 610 of the crane 600, via wireless communication, for example of the so-called “wifi” type, from the geolocation module 611, for example of the so-called “GPS” type included in the boom head 610, during a period of 30 minutes, and Locations of the body 200 and an identifier of the first operator, via wireless communication, for example of the so-called “wifi” type, originating from the mobile telephone 210, for example originating from a geolocation module of the mobile telephone 210, during the 30-minute period, and Locations of the body 200', via wireless communication, for example of the so-called "wifi" type. From the mobile phone 210', for example from a geolocation module of the mobile phone 210', during the 30-minute period.

[0066] During step S40, the server 100 receives an identifier of the first operator (from the mobile telephone 210, via a wireless communication, for example of the so-called “wifi” type) and of the second operator (from the mobile telephone 210', via a wireless communication, for example of the so-called “wifi” type), and the identifier of the arrow head 610 (via a wireless communication, for example of the so-called “wifi” type, from the geolocation module 611).

[0067] Still in step S40, the server 100 (in other words, the computer program 110 executed by the server 100) determines, from the location data received in step S40 that: - The geographical locations of the body 200 are synchronized with the geographical locations of the arrow head 610, during 5 periods of 3 minutes during the 30-minute period, by determining that the distance dl, in a horizontal plane, between the body 200 and the arrow head 610 is less than 3 meters during these 5 periods, - The geographical locations of the body 200' are synchronized with the geographical locations of the arrow head 610, during 5 periods of 3 minutes during the 30-minute period, by determining that the distance d2, in a horizontal plane, between the body 200' and the arrow head 610 is less than 3 meters during these 5 periods.

[0068] In step S50, the server 100 (in other words, the computer program 110 executed by the server 100) determines, from the identifier of the first operator and the second operator, the identifier of the arrow head 610, the security rules 120 and the additional data 130, (previously entered) stored in the server 100 that: - The first operator must also wear a protective helmet, and - The second operator must wear a protective helmet.

[0069] The additional data 130 may comprise an identifier of the operation implemented by the second operator which consists of positioning prefabricated walls, for example the prefabricated wall 500, brought by the crane 600, on a part 700 of the building already constructed.

[0070] According to a variant, the arrow head 610 and the geolocation module 611 of the arrow head 610, can be replaced by, respectively:

[0071] The prefabricated wall 500 and the geolocation module 501 of the prefabricated wall 500, or

[0072] The body 200' of the second operator and the geolocation module of the mobile telephone 210'.

[0073] In step S60, the server 100 checks whether the (type of) protective equipment to be worn determined during steps S30 to S50 are actually worn.

[0074] Such verification is well known in the state of the art and can be implemented from the accelerometer 221, the electronic components 231, 231', 241 and 251 which can comprise for example an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a geolocation module.

[0075] This step can also be implemented from images received from a camera.

[0076] Identifiers of the protective equipment worn by the first operator can also be determined during this step.

[0077] In step S70, if the verification step determines that the protective equipment to be worn is not all worn, the server 100 can send an alert message to the mobile telephone of a site supervisor and to the mobile telephones 210 and 210'.

[0078] [Fig.l], all protective equipment to be worn, thus determined, is.

[0079] Thus, the first operator carries: - The 230 helmet, known as “3 in 1”, includes a protective helmet, a protective visor, and acoustic protection, and - 240 protective pants, and - Protective shoes, one of which is referenced 250.

[0080] The first operator also wears a jacket and vest not shown.

[0081] The second operator wears the 230' protective helmet.

[0082] In step S80, the server 100, more precisely the computer program 110, determines a digital trace 140 and stores it in a memory of the server 100.

[0083] The digital trace 140 includes identifiers of the protective equipment worn by the first operator, the identifier of the chainsaw 300, the identifier of the arrow head 610, the identifier of the first operator and the identifier of the second operator, as well as a date.

[0084] The digital trace 140 may further comprise all or part of the additional data.

Claims

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a first human operator comprising a body (200, 200'), in a work environment, the monitoring method being characterized in that it comprises the following first steps: - Determining that (S20, S40), during a period of a predetermined duration: • Movements of the body (200, 200') or of a part of the body are synchronized with movements of an element (300, 500, 610) of the work environment (1000) or • Geographical locations of the body (200, 200') or of a part of the body are synchronized with geographical locations of an element (300, 500, 610) of the work environment (1000), the element (300, 500, 610) of the work environment (1000) moving during the period, - Determination of a first piece of personal protective equipment to be worn by the first human operator (S30, S50), from the element (300, 500, 610) the work environment (1000),- Then, determination (S60) whether the first personal protective equipment is worn by the first human operator.,

2. Monitoring method according to the preceding claim in which the element (500) of the working environment (1000) is a material.

3. A monitoring method according to any preceding claim wherein the element (300) of the working environment (1000) is a tool.

4. A monitoring method according to any preceding claim wherein the element (300) of the working environment (1000) is a machine (600) or a part of a machine (600).

5. Monitoring method according to one of the preceding claims in which the element of the working environment is a second operator different from the first human operator.

6. Monitoring method according to one of the preceding claims comprising a step of transmitting a message (S70), if the first protective equipment is not worn by the first human operator.

7. Monitoring method according to any one of the preceding claims in which the method comprises a step of securely recording (S80), in a non-volatile memory, a digital trace (140), the digital trace (140) comprising an identifier of protective equipment worn by the first operator (230, 220, 240, 230') and an identifier of the element (300, 500, 610) of the work environment (1000).

8. Computer program (110) comprising instructions, executable by a microprocessor or a microcontroller, for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, when executed by the microprocessor or the microcontroller.

9. Electronic device (100) configured to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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