Approach alarm system

Abstract

To provide an approach alarm system capable of outputting an approach alarm by detecting the approach of a worker or the like without an RFID tag, without requiring any improvement or modification to a control device used in an existing approach alarm system employing RFID tags.SOLUTION: A control device 2 detects the approach of a worker 3A having a tag and outputs an approach alarm by receiving, via a radio wave reception unit, a radio wave (magnetic field detection radio wave) transmitted from a worker tag 4A, in the same manner as a control device used in an existing approach alarm system. On the other hand, a detection signal from worker detection means 5, which detects the approach of a worker or the like 3B without a tag, is transmitted as a radio wave (worker detection radio wave) via a tag 4B for the detection means installed on a work vehicle 1. The control device 2 detects the approach of the worker or the like 3B without a tag and outputs an approach alarm by receiving the radio wave (worker detection radio wave) transmitted from the tag 4B via the radio wave reception unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an approach warning system that detects the approach of a work vehicle to a worker or animal (hereinafter collectively referred to as "worker, etc.") and outputs an approach warning. In this invention, "work vehicle" collectively refers to vehicles such as forklifts, bulldozers, crane trucks, dump trucks, trucks, etc. that are used at work sites, construction sites, building sites, etc. where workers work. [Background technology]

[0002] Known proximity warning systems use induction magnetic fields and radio waves, and the applicant of the present application disclosed in Patent Document 1 a proximity warning system that makes it possible to change the warning level depending on the distance between a distance detection control device attached to the work vehicle and an RFID tag attached to the worker, and that also makes it possible to set the distance at which the warning is output on the work vehicle. This proximity warning system of Patent Document 1 has a particular advantage in that it can grasp how close the worker is to the work vehicle by changing the warning level depending on the distance between the work vehicle (distance detection control device) and the worker (RFID tag), and has a proven track record of being put into practical use on many occasions.

[0003] On the other hand, in a system using RFID tags such as that in Patent Document 1, if the worker does not carry an RFID tag, it is not possible to detect the approach of the work vehicle (distance detection control device) to the worker (RFID tag), and it is not possible to output an approach alarm.

[0004] In this regard, Patent Document 2 discloses a system using a stereo camera, and also discloses a combined system that combines this stereo camera system with a system using IC tags (RFID tags). In this combined system, the control device changes the alarm level of the alarm depending on the positions and number of workers with IC tags (RFID tags) and the workers imaged by the stereo camera. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-142675 A (Patent No. 5835577 A) [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-139283 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As mentioned above, the combined system disclosed in Patent Document 2 requires a control device that is compatible with both proximity warning systems, a system using a stereo camera and a system using IC tags (RFID tags). Therefore, the control device used in existing proximity warning systems using IC tags (RFID tags) cannot be used as is, and the control device must be improved or replaced, or wiring must be added to the control device (hereinafter collectively referred to as "improvement or modification of the control device").

[0007] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a proximity warning system that can detect the approach of workers who do not have RFID tags and output a proximity warning without having to improve or modify the control devices used in existing proximity warning systems that use RFID tags. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided the following proximity warning system. An approach warning system that detects the approach of a work vehicle and a worker or the like and outputs an approach warning, a distance detection control device installed in or near the driver's seat of the work vehicle; a worker RFID tag attached to the worker; a worker etc. detection means that is installed on the work vehicle and detects whether or not a worker etc. is present within a predetermined area around the work vehicle; an RFID tag for the worker detection means that is installed in the work vehicle and electrically connected to the worker detection means, The distance detection control device includes a magnetic field transmission unit that transmits an induction magnetic field, a radio wave reception unit, an alarm unit that outputs the proximity alarm, and a device control unit that controls these units, The worker RFID tag includes a magnetic field sensor unit that detects the induced magnetic field transmitted from the magnetic field transmitter unit, a radio wave transmitter unit that transmits a magnetic field detection radio wave when the magnetic field sensor unit detects the induced magnetic field, and a tag controller that controls these units; the worker etc. detection means has a function of transmitting a worker etc. detection signal to the worker etc. detection means RFID tag when detecting the presence of a worker etc. within the predetermined area, The RFID tag for the worker detection means has a function of transmitting a worker detection radio wave when the worker detection signal is received, The device control unit controls the alarm unit to output the proximity alarm when the radio wave receiving unit receives at least one of the magnetic field detection radio wave and the worker or other detection radio wave. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The distance detection control device, which is the control device in the proximity warning system of the present invention, has the same device configuration as control devices used in existing proximity warning systems that use RFID tags, in that it detects the approach of a worker carrying an RFID tag by receiving radio waves (magnetic field detection radio waves) transmitted from the worker RFID tag with a radio wave receiving unit, and outputs a proximity warning. In addition, in the present invention, a worker detection signal from a worker detection means that detects the approach of a worker not carrying an RFID tag is transmitted as radio waves (worker detection radio waves) via an RFID tag for the worker detection means installed on the work vehicle. The distance detection control device receives the radio waves (worker detection radio waves) transmitted from the RFID tag for the worker detection means with a radio wave receiving unit, and detects the approach of a worker not carrying an RFID tag, and outputs a proximity warning. Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to detect the approach of a worker, etc. who does not have an RFID tag and output a proximity alarm without improving or modifying the control device used in an existing proximity alarm system that uses RFID tags. In other words, by using the control device used in an existing proximity alarm system that uses RFID tags as is and simply retrofitting a worker, etc. detection means and an RFID tag for the worker, etc. detection means to the proximity alarm system including that control device, it is possible to detect the approach of a worker, etc. who does not have an RFID tag and output a proximity alarm. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a system configuration diagram of an approach warning system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a distance detection control device in the approach warning system of FIG. 1; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an RFID tag for a worker in the proximity warning system of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an RFID tag for detecting workers, etc., in the approach warning system of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Figure 1 shows the system configuration of a proximity warning system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figures 2 to 4 show the configurations of a distance detection control device, an RFID tag for a worker, and an RFID tag for a worker detection means in this proximity warning system. In the following description, the "distance detection control device" will be simply referred to as the "control device," and the "RFID tag" will be simply referred to as the "tag."

[0012] 1, in this approach warning system, a control device 2 is installed on the ceiling near the driver's seat of a work vehicle 1 (a forklift in this embodiment), and a worker tag 4A is attached to a worker 3A. The work vehicle 1 is also equipped with a worker detection means 5 that detects whether a worker 3B not carrying a tag is within a predetermined area around the work vehicle 1, and is also equipped with a worker detection means tag 4B electrically connected to the worker detection means 5.

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the control device 2 includes a magnetic field transmitting unit that transmits an induction magnetic field, a radio wave receiving unit, an alarm unit that outputs a proximity alarm, and a device control unit that controls these, as well as a voltage conversion unit that converts an external power source into a DC voltage (12V) suitable for operating the control device 2. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3, the worker tag 4A is equipped with a magnetic field sensor unit that detects the induced magnetic field transmitted from the magnetic field transmission unit of the control device 2, a radio wave transmission unit that transmits a magnetic field detection radio wave when the magnetic field sensor unit detects the induced magnetic field, a tag control unit that controls these, and a battery as a power source. As shown in Figure 4, the tag 4B for the worker detection means includes a magnetic field sensor unit that detects the induced magnetic field transmitted from the magnetic field transmission unit of the control device 2, a radio wave transmission unit, and a tag control unit that controls these, as well as a battery as a power source.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, the worker detection means 5 includes an AI camera 51 and a monitor 52 that displays images captured by the AI ​​camera 51. The AI ​​camera 51 is a trained AI camera that has accumulated a large amount of image data of at least workers as training data, and includes a camera unit 511 and an AI main body 512. The AI ​​camera 51 has the function of detecting whether or not a worker is present within a predetermined area around the work vehicle 1. In this embodiment, the AI ​​camera 51 also has the function of changing the range of the predetermined area and the function of detecting the distance between the work vehicle 1 and the worker 3B. Note that the range of the predetermined area can be changed by operating the monitor 52 in cooperation with the monitor 52. For example, in FIG. 1 , the camera unit 511 detects whether or not a worker is present within a predetermined area behind the work vehicle 1, and the range of the predetermined area behind the work vehicle 1 can be changed by operating the monitor 52.

[0015] As described above, in Fig. 1, it is configured to detect whether or not a worker or the like is present within a predetermined area behind the work vehicle 1, but the range of the predetermined area is not limited to the area behind the work vehicle 1, and it can also be, for example, a circle or ellipse with the work vehicle 1 at its center. In this case, the installation positions and number of camera units 511 can be adjusted as appropriate. The camera unit 511 may also have a rotation mechanism. Furthermore, in this embodiment, an AI camera is used as the worker etc. detection means, but the worker etc. detection means is not limited to an AI camera and may be, for example, an ultrasonic sensor, etc. In short, it is sufficient if it can detect whether or not a worker etc. is present within a predetermined area around the work vehicle.

[0016] Next, the operation of the proximity warning system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the detection of the approach of a worker 3A carrying a worker tag 4A will be described. When the magnetic field sensor unit of the worker tag 4A carried by the worker 3A detects an induced magnetic field transmitted from the magnetic field transmitter unit of the control device 2, the tag control unit causes the radio wave transmitter unit to transmit a magnetic field detection radio wave. At this time, the magnetic field detection radio wave can include ID information of the worker tag 4A and strength information of the induced magnetic field detected by the magnetic field sensor unit. When the radio wave receiver unit of the control device 2 receives the magnetic field detection radio wave transmitted from the radio wave transmitter unit of the worker tag 4A, the device control unit determines that the worker 3A carrying the worker tag 4A has approached the work vehicle 1 and causes the alarm unit to output a proximity alarm. The device control unit can also change the level of the proximity alarm depending on the strength information of the induced magnetic field contained in the magnetic field detection radio wave received by the radio wave receiver.

[0017] Next, the detection of the approach of a worker, etc. 3B who is not carrying a worker tag 4A will be described. When the AI ​​camera 51 detects that a worker, etc. 3B is present within a predetermined area, the AI ​​main body 512 transmits a worker, etc. detection signal to the worker, etc. detection means tag 4B via a wired or wireless connection. At this time, the worker, etc. detection signal can include distance information between the work vehicle 1 and the worker, etc. 3B. When the worker, etc. detection means tag 4B receives the worker, etc. detection signal transmitted from the AI ​​main body 512 via a wired or wireless connection, the tag control unit of the worker, etc. detection means tag 4B causes the radio wave transmitter to transmit a worker, etc. detection radio wave. At this time, the worker, etc. detection radio wave can include ID information of the worker, etc. detection means tag 4B and distance information between the work vehicle 1 and the worker, etc. 3B.

[0018] In this embodiment, the worker detection tag 4B includes a magnetic field sensor that detects an induced magnetic field transmitted from the magnetic field transmitter of the control device 2. The tag control unit of the worker detection tag 4B can also be configured to cause the radio wave transmitter to transmit the worker detection radio wave when the magnetic field sensor detects the induced magnetic field and receives the worker detection signal. By using the detection of the induced magnetic field by the magnetic field sensor as one of the triggers for transmitting the worker detection radio wave, it is possible to avoid conflict with the magnetic field detection radio wave transmitted from the worker tag 4A. This is particularly effective when detecting the approach of multiple workers 3A carrying the worker tag 4A or when detecting the approach of multiple workers 3B not carrying the worker tag 4A. That is, the worker tag 4A and the worker detection tag 4B each have multiple channels for transmitting radio waves. By using the detection of the induced magnetic field by the magnetic field sensor as one of the triggers for transmitting radio waves, the multiple channels can be used separately, thereby avoiding conflict between the radio waves. Of course, the worker detection means tag 4B does not have to include a magnetic field sensor unit. In short, the worker detection means tag only needs to have the function of transmitting a worker detection radio wave when it receives the worker detection signal.

[0019] Continuing the explanation of the detection of the approach of workers 3B who are not carrying worker tags 4A, when the radio wave receiving unit of the control device 2 receives the worker detection radio waves transmitted from the radio wave transmitting unit of the worker detection means tag 4B, the device control unit determines that the worker 3B has approached the work vehicle 1 and causes the alarm unit to output a proximity alarm. The device control unit can also change the level of the proximity alarm depending on the distance information contained in the worker detection radio waves received by the radio wave receiving unit. Furthermore, the device control unit can identify whether the radio waves received by the radio wave receiving unit (magnetic field detection radio waves or worker, etc. detection radio waves) are magnetic field detection radio waves or worker, etc. detection radio waves from the ID information contained in the radio waves, and can change the type of approach alarm to be output from the alarm unit depending on whether the radio waves are magnetic field detection radio waves or worker, etc. detection radio waves.

[0020] Here, the alarm unit can output the proximity alarm as sound or light. For example, when the proximity alarm is output as sound, the level of the proximity alarm can be changed by the volume, and the type of proximity alarm can be changed by the sound pattern. When the proximity alarm is output as light, the level of the proximity alarm can be changed by the color of the light, and the type of proximity alarm can be changed by the light pattern. Note that the alarm unit does not necessarily have to be built into the control device 2, and can also be installed separately from the housing of the control device 2, such as in the driver's seat of the work vehicle 1 or on the ceiling nearby. Furthermore, the number of alarm units is not limited to one, and can be multiple.

[0021] As described above, in this embodiment, the control device 2 has the same device configuration as control devices used in existing tag-based proximity warning systems in that it detects the approach of a worker 3A carrying a tag by receiving radio waves (magnetic field detection radio waves) transmitted from the worker tag 4A using a radio wave receiving unit and outputs a proximity warning. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a worker detection signal from the worker detection means 5, which detects the approach of a worker 3B carrying a tag, is transmitted as radio waves (worker detection radio waves) via the worker detection means tag 4B installed on the work vehicle 1. The control device 2 then receives the radio waves (worker detection radio waves) transmitted from the worker detection means tag 4B using a radio wave receiving unit, thereby detecting the approach of a worker 3B carrying a tag and outputting a proximity warning. As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to detect the approach of a worker 3B carrying a tag and output a proximity warning without modifying or altering the control device used in existing tag-based proximity warning systems. In other words, by simply using the control device used in existing proximity warning systems that use tags, and retrofitting a worker detection means and a tag for the worker detection means to the proximity warning system that includes that control device, it is possible to detect the approach of workers who do not have tags and output a proximity warning.

[0022] In this embodiment, the worker detection radio waves are preferably the same type as the magnetic field detection radio waves. This is because the type of radio waves that can be received by the radio wave receiving unit of the control device used in the existing tag-based proximity warning system may be limited to the same type as the magnetic field detection radio waves transmitted from the tag. However, if the type of radio waves that can be received by the radio wave receiving unit of the control device used in the existing tag-based proximity warning system is not limited, the worker detection radio waves do not need to be the same type as the magnetic field detection radio waves. Note that the same type of radio waves refers to radio waves with the same frequency and type. [Explanation of symbols]

[0023] 1 Work vehicle 2. Control device Workers with 3A tags Workers who do not have a 3B tag 4A Worker Tag 4B Tags for detecting workers, etc. 5. Means of detecting workers, etc. 51 AI Camera 511 Camera Club 512 AI body 52 monitors

Claims

1. A proximity warning system that detects the approach of a work vehicle to a worker or animal (hereinafter collectively referred to as "worker, etc.") and outputs a proximity warning, a distance detection control device installed in or near the driver's seat of the work vehicle; a worker RFID tag attached to the worker; a worker etc. detection means that is installed on the work vehicle and detects whether or not a worker etc. is present within a predetermined area around the work vehicle; an RFID tag for the worker detection means that is installed in the work vehicle and electrically connected to the worker detection means, The distance detection control device includes a magnetic field transmission unit that transmits an induction magnetic field, a radio wave reception unit, an alarm unit that outputs the proximity alarm, and a device control unit that controls these units, The worker RFID tag includes a magnetic field sensor unit that detects the induced magnetic field transmitted from the magnetic field transmitter unit, a radio wave transmitter unit that transmits a magnetic field detection radio wave when the magnetic field sensor unit detects the induced magnetic field, and a tag controller that controls these units. the worker etc. detection means has a function of transmitting a worker etc. detection signal to the worker etc. detection means RFID tag when detecting the presence of a worker etc. within the predetermined area, The RFID tag for the worker detection means has a function of transmitting a worker detection radio wave when the worker detection signal is received, The device control unit controls the alarm unit to output the proximity alarm when the radio wave receiving unit receives at least one of the magnetic field detection radio wave and the worker or other detection radio wave.

2. The proximity warning system according to claim 1 , wherein the worker detection radio wave is the same type of radio wave as the magnetic field detection radio wave.

3. 2. The approach warning system according to claim 1, wherein the RFID tag for the worker detection means includes a magnetic field sensor unit that detects the induced magnetic field transmitted from the magnetic field transmission unit, and transmits the worker detection radio wave when the magnetic field sensor unit detects the induced magnetic field and the RFID tag for the worker detection means receives the worker detection signal.

4. 2. The proximity warning system according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field detection radio waves include ID information of the RFID tag for the worker, and the worker etc. detection radio waves include ID information of the RFID tag for the worker etc. detection means, and the device control unit identifies whether the radio waves received by the radio wave receiving unit are the magnetic field detection radio waves or the worker etc. detection radio waves from the ID information included in the radio waves, and changes the type of the proximity warning to be output from the warning unit depending on whether the radio waves are the magnetic field detection radio waves or the worker etc. detection radio waves.

5. The proximity warning system according to claim 1 , wherein the worker or other detection means further has a function of changing the range of the predetermined area.

6. The worker etc. detection means further has a function of detecting the distance between the work vehicle and the worker, and transmits the detected distance information together with the worker etc. detection signal, the RFID tag for detecting workers, etc. transmits the distance information included in the received worker detection signal in the worker detection radio wave, 2. The proximity warning system according to claim 1, wherein the device control unit changes a level of the proximity warning output from the warning unit in accordance with the distance information included in the worker or other detection radio wave received by the radio wave receiving unit.

7. The proximity warning system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the worker detection means includes a trained AI camera that has accumulated a large amount of image data of at least workers as training data.

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