Sensing system

Abstract

To provide a detection system capable of early and surely detecting intrusion into a restricted area in a construction site.SOLUTION: A detection system (1) of the present invention is configured such that a detection device (40) installed on a construction machine (20) detects entry of a worker (2) into a predetermined detection area (60) including the construction machine (20) and outputs alarm information based on a detection result, and a detection device 10 carried by a worker 2 detects entry of the construction machine (20) into a predetermined detection area (50) including the worker (2) and outputs warning information based on a detection result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a detection system that detects the approach of a worker to heavy machinery at a construction site. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, technologies have been proposed to ensure the safety of workers at construction sites by notifying them when they approach heavy machinery. Systems that detect when a worker approaches heavy machinery use radio signals, lasers, or camera images to detect a worker approaching heavy machinery and notify the operator of the heavy machinery, thereby ensuring the safety of work at the work site.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a heavy equipment approach warning device in which a receiving device installed on heavy equipment receives a radio signal transmitted by a radio tag carried by the worker, thereby detecting that the worker is approaching the heavy equipment and notifying the operator of the heavy equipment.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 proposes an intruder detection device that detects intruders into restricted areas by processing images acquired by a camera installed in a position overlooking the restricted area. At a construction site, by setting a specific area around heavy machinery as a restricted area, it is possible to detect when a worker enters the restricted area and notify the operator of the heavy machinery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-120110 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-252248 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The devices in Patent Documents 1 and 2 notify the operator of heavy machinery when a worker approaches the machinery or enters a restricted area around the machinery, but do not notify the worker himself that he is approaching heavy machinery or entering a restricted area. Although it is possible for the detection device to notify the worker of approaching heavy machinery using sound or light, etc., workers are constantly moving around the construction site, so there are cases where the worker is unable to recognize the sound or light, etc.

[0007] One possible method is to collect the location information of moving workers on a server, set up a designated area around the heavy equipment as a no-entry zone on the server, detect when a worker enters the no-entry zone, and notify the worker or the operator of the heavy equipment.However, due to the time delay involved in setting up a no-entry zone on the server and detecting an intrusion, it may not be possible to notify the worker or operator of the heavy equipment in time.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a detection system that can quickly and reliably notify operators and workers of heavy machinery at construction sites, etc., of intrusion into restricted areas. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the detection system of the present invention includes a first detection device that is held by a worker at a construction site and includes a position sensor that acquires first position information of the worker, a second detection device that is installed on heavy equipment at the construction site and includes a position sensor that acquires second position information of the heavy equipment, and a position information server that collects the first position information and the second position information, provides the collected first position information to the second detection device, and provides the collected second position information to the first detection device, and the first detection device uses the first position information to detect the position of the worker. The heavy equipment detection device is provided with an area setting unit that sets a first detection area, and an intrusion detection unit that outputs first warning information when the second detection device detects that the second detection device has entered or approached the first detection area using position information of the first detection area and the second position information, and the second detection device is provided with an area setting unit that sets a second detection area including the position of the heavy equipment using the second position information, and an intrusion detection unit that outputs second warning information when the first detection device detects that the first detection device has entered or approached the second detection area using position information of the second detection area and the first position information.

[0010] The second detection device may include an inertial sensor, and may change the second detection area according to the moving speed and moving direction detected by the inertial sensor.

[0011] The second detection device may change or expand the second detection area according to a direction of acceleration detected by the inertial sensor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a detection system that can promptly and reliably notify operators and workers of heavy machinery at construction sites and the like of intrusion into restricted areas. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a detection system using a detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of a detection device held by a worker at a work site according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of a detection device installed on heavy machinery at a work site according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation sequence of the detection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detection area of ​​the detection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of the detection area of ​​the detection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the detection area of ​​the detection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of the operation sequence of the detection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0015] <Detection system configuration> 1 shows an example of the configuration of a detection system using a detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detection system 1 of this embodiment is composed of detection device 40 that detects when worker 2 enters a predetermined detection area 60 that includes heavy equipment 20, detection device 10 that detects when heavy equipment 20 enters a predetermined detection area 50 that includes worker 2, and location information server 30 that is connected to detection devices 10 and 40 via communication network 100, collects location information of detection devices 10 and 40, and provides the collected location information to detection devices 10 and 40.

[0016] In the detection system 1 of Figure 1, a detection device 40 installed on the heavy equipment 20 detects that a worker 2 has entered a predetermined detection area 60 that includes the heavy equipment 20, and outputs warning information based on the detection results, and a detection device 10 carried by the worker 2 detects that the heavy equipment 20 has entered a predetermined detection area 50 that includes the worker 2, and outputs warning information based on the detection results.

[0017] <Location information server> The location information server 30 is connected to the detection device 10 and the detection device 40 via the communication network 100, collects location information of the detection device 10 and the detection device 40, and transmits the collected location information to the detection device 10 and the detection device 40.

[0018] The location information server 30 displays the collected location information of the detection device 10 and the detection device 40 together, making it possible to grasp the positions and relative positional relationships of the detection device 10 and the detection device 40 at construction sites, work sites, etc., and use this information to analyze the condition of the construction sites, work sites, etc.

[0019] <Detection device: Worker> The detection device 10 is held by a worker 2 at a construction site. The detection device 10 uses the position information of the detection device 10 detected by itself (position information of the worker 2) to set a predetermined detection area 50 including the detection device 10, and uses the position information of the detection device 40 (position information of the heavy equipment 20) received from the position information server 30 to detect that the detection device 40, i.e., the heavy equipment 20, has entered the set detection area 50.

[0020] It is sufficient for the detection area 50 to have clear position information, and the size and shape of the detection area 50 are not limited to a circle as shown in Fig. 1 and can be set as appropriate. For example, the detection area 50 can be set in various shapes and sizes, such as a square with the detection device 10 at the center.

[0021] When the heavy machinery 20 enters the detection area 50, the detection device 10 notifies the worker 2 holding the detection device 10 of warning information such as an image, sound, or vibration.

[0022] The warning information output by the detection device 10 may be changed according to the distance between the detection device 10 and the detection device 40. For example, the notification interval of the sound or vibration may be shortened as the distance between the detection device 10 and the detection device 40 becomes shorter, or the sound or vibration may be increased as the distance between the detection device 10 and the detection device 40 becomes shorter.

[0023] In addition, the warning information output by the detection device 10 may be changed depending on the direction of the detection device 10 relative to the detection device 40, or even if an object does not enter the detection area 50, the detection device 10 may detect that the object has approached the detection area 50 and output warning information accordingly.

[0024] <Detection device 40> The detection device 40 is a detection device that is installed on heavy equipment 20 at a construction site. The detection device 40 uses the position information of the detection device 40 that it detects itself (position information of the heavy equipment 20) to set a predetermined detection area 60 that includes the detection device 40, and uses the position information of the detection device 10 (position information of the worker 2) received from the position information server 30 to detect that the detection device 10, i.e., the worker 2, has entered the set detection area 60.

[0025] It is sufficient for the detection area 60 to have clear positional information, and the size and shape of the detection area 60 are not limited to a circle as shown in Fig. 1 and can be set as appropriate. For example, it is possible to set the detection area 50 in various shapes and sizes, such as a square with the detection device 10 at the center.

[0026] When the worker 2 enters the detection area 60, the detection device 40 notifies the driver of the heavy equipment 20 of warning information such as an image, sound, or vibration.

[0027] The warning information output by the detection device 40 may be changed according to the distance between the detection device 40 and the detection device 10. For example, the notification interval of the sound or vibration may be shortened as the distance between the detection device 40 and the detection device 10 becomes shorter, or the sound or vibration may be increased as the distance between the detection device 40 and the detection device 10 becomes shorter.

[0028] In addition, the warning information output by the detection device 40 may be changed depending on the direction of the detection device 40 relative to the detection device 10, or even if an object does not enter the detection area 60, the detection device 40 may detect that the object has approached the detection area 60 and output warning information accordingly.

[0029] <Detection device configuration: Worker> FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of a detection device held by a worker at a work site according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] The detection device 10 includes a position sensor unit 11 that acquires position information of the detection device 10, a wireless unit 12 for communicating with the position information server 30 via a communication network 100, a control unit 13 that performs various processing, a memory unit 16 that stores position information of the detection area 50 and position information of the detection device 10 and the detection device 40, etc., a display unit 17 that displays the position information of the detection area 50 and the position information of the detection device 10 and the detection device 40, and an output unit 18 that outputs warning information such as images, sounds, and vibrations.

[0031] The control unit 13 functions as an area setting unit 14 that sets a predetermined detection area 50 including the detection device 10 using the position information of the detection device 10 detected by itself (position information of the worker 2), and an intrusion detection unit 15 that uses the position information of the detection device 40 (position information of the heavy equipment 20) received from the position information server 30 to detect that the detection device 40, i.e., the heavy equipment 20, has intruded into the set detection area 50. The detection device 10 can be realized by a computer equipped with a CPU, memory, and interface.

[0032] <Detection device configuration: heavy machinery> FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of a detection device installed on heavy machinery at a work site according to an embodiment of the present invention. The detection device 40 includes a position sensor unit 41 that acquires position information of the detection device 40, a wireless unit 42 for communicating with the position information server 30 via the communication network 100, a control unit 43 that performs various processing, a memory unit 46 that stores position information of the detection area 50 and position information of the detection device 10 and the detection device 40, etc., a display unit 47 that displays the position information of the detection area 50 and the position information of the detection device 10 and the detection device 40, an output unit 48 that outputs warning information such as images, sounds, and vibrations, and an inertial sensor unit 49 that detects the movement speed and movement direction of the detection device 40.

[0033] The control unit 43 functions as an area setting unit 44 that sets a predetermined detection area 60 including the detection device 40 using the position information of the detection device 40 detected by itself (position information of the heavy equipment 20), and changes the detection area 60 according to the detection results of the inertial sensor, and an intrusion detection unit 45 that uses the position information of the detection device 10 (position information of the worker 2) received from the position information server 30 to detect that the detection device 10, i.e., the worker 2, has intruded into the set detection area 60. The detection device 40 can be realized by a computer equipped with a CPU, memory, and interface.

[0034] First Embodiment <Detection system operation sequence: two detection areas> 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation sequence of the detection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the operation sequence of FIG. 4, two detection areas are set: a detection area 50 including the worker 2 and a detection area 60 including the heavy equipment 20, and intrusion is detected in each of the two detection areas for the worker 2 and the heavy equipment 20.

[0035] The detection device 10 (first detection device) is held by a worker 2 at a construction site, and acquires position information (first position information) of the worker 2 (step 100).

[0036] The detection device 40 (second detection device) is installed on the heavy equipment 20 at the construction site, and acquires position information (second position information) of the heavy equipment 20 (step 101).

[0037] The location information server 30 collects location information (first location information) of the worker 2 and location information (second location information) of the heavy equipment 20, and provides the collected location information (first location information) of the worker 2 and location information (second location information) of the heavy equipment 20 to the detection device 10 and the detection device 40 (steps 102 to 106).

[0038] Here, the location information server 30 may provide the collected location information of the worker 2 (first location information) to the detection device 40, and may provide the collected location information of the heavy equipment 20 (second location information) to the detection device 10. By distributing the minimum necessary information, it is possible to reduce processing delays associated with the distribution of location information.

[0039] The detection device 10 (first detection device) uses the position information (first position information) of the worker 2 to set a detection area 50 (first detection area) that includes the position of the worker 2 (step 200).

[0040] The detection device 10 (first detection device) outputs warning information (first warning information) when it detects that the detection device 40 (second detection device) has entered the detection area 50 (first detection area) using the location information of the set detection area 50 (first detection area) and the detection device 40 (second location information) received from the location information server 30 (steps 201, 202).

[0041] The detection device 40 (second detection device) uses the position information (second position information) of the heavy equipment 20 to set a detection area 60 (second detection area) that includes the position of the heavy equipment 20 (step 300).

[0042] The detection device 40 (second detection device) uses the location information of the set detection area 60 (second detection area) and the detection device 10 (first location information) received from the location information server 30 to detect that the detection device 10 (first detection device) has entered the detection area 60 (second detection area), and outputs warning information (second warning information) (steps 301, 302).

[0043] The process of obtaining the location information (first location information) of worker 2 and the location information (second location information) of heavy equipment 20, collecting the location information (first location information) of worker 2 and the location information (second location information) of heavy equipment 20, and providing the collected location information (first location information) of worker 2 and the location information (second location information) of heavy equipment 20 to detection device 10 and detection device 40 is repeated (steps 400 to 406).

[0044] The detection devices 10 and 40 reset the detection areas 50 and 60 according to the acquired location information, and detect intrusion into the set detection areas using the location information of the set detection areas and the location information of the detection devices 10 and 40 provided by the location information server.

[0045] In the detection system of this embodiment, two detection areas are set up: one including the worker 2 and the other including the heavy equipment 20. When the heavy equipment 20 enters the detection area of ​​the worker 2, the detection device 10 held by the worker 2 outputs warning information, and when the worker 2 enters the detection area of ​​the heavy equipment 20, the detection device 40 installed on the heavy equipment 20 outputs warning information.

[0046] In this way, by detecting intrusion in each of the two detection areas set for the worker 2 and the heavy equipment 20, the worker 2 and the driver of the heavy equipment 20 at a construction site, etc., can each detect intrusion into a restricted area at the construction site early and reliably, thereby making it possible to prevent accidents at the construction site from occurring.

[0047] <Second embodiment> In the detection system of the first embodiment, two detection areas are set: a detection area 50 including the worker 2 and a detection area 60 including the heavy equipment 20, and intrusion is detected in each of the two detection areas for the worker 2 and the heavy equipment 20.

[0048] In the first embodiment, the worker 2 and the heavy equipment 20 acquire location information, and set a detection area based on the continuously acquired location information to detect intrusion. Therefore, even if the worker 2 or the heavy equipment 20 moves, the detection area can be changed in accordance with the movement of the worker 2 or the heavy equipment 20, and intrusion detection can be performed using the changed detection area.

[0049] Here, when the heavy equipment 20 has completed a predetermined task at the construction site and is moving to another location, it may move at a speed faster than that of the worker 2, or its speed may change suddenly when it starts moving. In such cases, when setting a detection area and detecting an intrusion based only on position information, the change in the detection area may not keep up with the change in position information, which could result in a delay in outputting warning information to the worker 2 or the driver of the heavy equipment 20, which could lead to a serious accident.

[0050] To deal with such cases, in the second embodiment, the detection device 40 installed on the heavy equipment 20 is equipped with an inertial sensor that detects the moving speed and direction of the heavy equipment 20, and changes the detection area 60 according to the moving speed and moving direction detected by the inertial sensor. This makes it possible to predict the moving direction and moving range of the heavy equipment 20 and output warning information to the worker 2 and the driver of the heavy equipment 20 early.

[0051] <Example of changing the detection area> In the second embodiment, the detection area 60 of the heavy equipment 20 is changed according to the moving speed and moving direction of the heavy equipment 20, so even if the heavy equipment 20 suddenly starts moving or suddenly changes course, it is possible to output warning information to the worker 2 or the driver of the heavy equipment 20 early on. In places such as construction sites where there are many invisible areas, this is an effective measure to prevent serious accidents from occurring compared to warnings using images acquired by a camera.

[0052] Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a detection area of ​​the detection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 shows an example of the configuration of the detection area 60 when the inertial sensor unit 49 of the detection device 40 detects that the heavy machine 20 is moving at a predetermined speed.

[0053] In Figure 5, when the inertial sensor unit 49 of the detection device 40 detects that the heavy equipment 20 is moving in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed, the direction of movement of the heavy equipment 20 is determined to a certain extent, and the detection area 60 is expanded in the direction of movement of the heavy equipment 20.

[0054] The relationship between the moving speed of the heavy machine and the size of the detection area 60 to be changed may be set in advance. For example, a threshold value for the moving speed may be set in advance, and the detection area may be changed when the moving speed exceeds that threshold value. Also, the size of the detection area 60 may be determined according to the magnitude of the detected moving speed.

[0055] Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining another example of the detection area of ​​the detection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 shows an example of the configuration of the detection area 60 when the inertial sensor unit 49 of the detection device 40 detects a change in speed, i.e., acceleration.

[0056] 6, when the inertial sensor unit 49 of the detection device 40 detects a change in speed, i.e., acceleration, the detection area 60 is expanded according to the direction of the detected acceleration of the heavy machine 20. By expanding the detection area according to the direction of acceleration, even if the movement speed of the heavy machine 20 suddenly changes, it is possible to quickly detect a worker 2 who is present in the direction of acceleration and issue a warning.

[0057] The relationship between the acceleration of the heavy machine and the size of the detection area 60 to be changed may be set in advance. For example, a threshold value for acceleration may be set in advance, and the detection area may be changed when the acceleration exceeds the threshold value. The size of the detection area 60 may be determined according to the magnitude of the detected acceleration.

[0058] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the detection area of ​​the detection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 shows an example of the configuration of the detection area 60 when the inertial sensor unit 49 of the detection device 40 detects that the heavy machine 20 is moving at a predetermined speed, then detects acceleration due to a change in direction, etc., and detects that the heavy machine 20 is still moving at the predetermined speed after the change in direction.

[0059] 7, when the inertial sensor unit 49 of the detection device 40 detects the movement speed and acceleration of the heavy machine 20, the detection area 60 is changed and expanded according to the detected movement direction and acceleration direction of the heavy machine 20. By changing and expanding the detection area according to the movement direction and acceleration direction, it is possible to detect the worker 2 early and issue a warning even when the movement direction and movement speed of the heavy machine 20 are repeatedly changed.

[0060] The manner in which the detection area is changed is not limited to the manner exemplified in Figures 5, 6, and 7. It is also possible to set and change the detection area as appropriate depending on the manner in which the heavy equipment 20 moves, the manner in which the speed changes, the size and topography of the construction site, the geographical conditions such as the passages along which the heavy equipment 20 moves, and so on.

[0061] In addition, the shape of the detection area 60 and the relative position of the detection area with respect to the position of the heavy equipment 20 may be changed depending on the direction of movement of the heavy equipment 20, or the size and shape of the detection area 60 may be set based on both the movement speed and movement direction, or depending on both the movement speed and acceleration.

[0062] <Detection system operation sequence: Change of detection area> FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation sequence of the detection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] In the operation sequence of Figure 8, steps are added to the operation sequence of Figure 4 to detect the movement speed and movement direction of the detection device 40, change the detection area 60 according to the detected movement speed and movement direction, detect the intrusion of the worker 2 in the changed detection area 60, and output warning information (steps 500 to 503).

[0064] Thus, according to this embodiment, the detection device 40 installed on the heavy equipment 20 is equipped with an inertial sensor that detects the movement speed and movement direction, and by changing the detection area 60 according to the movement speed and movement direction of the heavy equipment 20 detected by the inertial sensor, it is possible to predict the movement direction and movement range of the heavy equipment 20 and output warning information early, so that the driver of the heavy equipment 20 at a construction site, etc. can detect the approach of a worker 2 early and reliably, and prevent the occurrence of a serious accident.

[0065] <Modifications of the embodiment> The above describes an embodiment of the location management system of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and various modifications that a person skilled in the art can make within the scope of the invention described in the claims are possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1...detection system, 2...worker, 10...detection device (first detection device), 20...heavy equipment, 30...location information server, 40...detection device (second detection device), 50...detection area (first detection area), 60...detection area (second detection area), 100...communication network.

Claims

1. a first detection device including a position sensor held by a worker at a construction site and configured to acquire first position information of the worker; a second detection device that is installed on heavy equipment at the construction site and includes a position sensor that acquires second position information of the heavy equipment; a location information server that collects the first location information and the second location information, provides the collected first location information to the second detection device, and provides the collected second location information to the first detection device; Equipped with The first detection device an area setting unit that sets a first detection area including the position of the worker using the first position information; an intrusion detection unit that outputs first warning information when the second detection device detects an intrusion into or approach to the first detection area using the position information of the first detection area and the second position information; Preparation, The second detection device is an area setting unit that sets a second detection area including the position of the heavy equipment using the second position information; an intrusion detection unit that outputs second warning information when the first detection device detects an intrusion into or approach to the second detection area using the position information of the second detection area and the first position information; Prepare Detection system.

2. the second sensing device comprises an inertial sensor; The second detection area is changed in accordance with at least one of the moving speed and the moving direction detected by the inertial sensor. The detection system of claim 1 .

3. The second detection device is The second detection area is changed or expanded depending on the direction of acceleration detected by the inertial sensor. The detection system of claim 2 .

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