Device, system and method for monitoring radiological risk

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable device (1), to a system and to a method for monitoring radiological risk, using at least one ionising radiation sensor (10) coupled to a control unit (11) capable of quantifying the detected radiation and integrated into the portable device (1), which is miniaturised in the form of a wristwatch comprising: - at least one first communication module (12) for communicating, via at least one first integrated antenna (120), with a remote monitoring device (2); - a geolocation module (13) configured to determine and track the geographical position of the portable device (1), via at least one second integrated antenna (130), wherein the control unit (11) is capable of transmitting the aggregated collected information, together with the consecutive positions, to the remote monitoring device (2), thereby providing an automatic mapping of the radiological risk at the site where the wristwatch is worn.

Description

Device, System and Method for monitoring radiological risk

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of nuclear safety and in particular to devices and systems for mapping radiological (or nuclear) risk. Nuclear safety is a term defining all activities related to improving and / or maintaining the integrity of mechanisms, processes, tools or instruments containing radioactive materials, in order to protect people and the environment from harmful effects, whether or not they are nuclear sites.

[0002] In the nuclear sector, proactive management of radiological risks is a major challenge for the operation and maintenance of industrial sites or decommissioning sites and for the protection of operators. A persistent problem concerns the improvement of performance and safety, particularly to ensure the protection of operators and facilities. Indeed, the goal is to have the most efficient systems possible to improve risk monitoring and, in particular, to provide a possible alert as early as possible. This is generally accompanied by problems related to the simplification and optimization of tasks in line with the reality on the ground and the specific needs of the authorities.Indeed, it is preferable that the on-site operators responsible for carrying out monitoring can move freely and have tools that simplify their operations to monitor radiological risk effectively and provide the most relevant readings possible.

[0003] Radiometers equipped with communication means are known in the prior art, but their functionality is often limited and they are generally inconvenient to use and bulky.

[0004] An aim of the present invention is therefore to overcome at least certain drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a device for monitoring radiological risks, in particular by facilitating measurements and mapping.

[0005] This aim is achieved by a portable radiological risk monitoring device, using at least one ionizing radiation sensor, capable of detecting at least one type of ionizing radiation and coupled to a control unit capable of quantifying the detected radiation, characterized in that said control unit is integrated into said portable device which is miniaturized in the form of a wristwatch comprising: - at least one first communication module, configured to communicate, via at least one first antenna integrated in the wristwatch, with a remote monitoring device; - a geolocation module, configured to determine and track the geographic position of the portable device, via at least one second antenna integrated into the wristwatch, said control unit being capable of transmitting to said monitoring device at remotely aggregate said collected information, with the successive positions of the portable device, thus providing an automatic mapping of the radiological risk of the site on which said wristwatch is worn.

[0006] According to another feature, said radiation sensor comprises a scintillator crystal and a measuring semiconductor integrated into the wristwatch.

[0007] According to another feature, said first communication module is a long-distance communication module, for example of the LoRaWAN type.

[0008] According to another feature, the device comprises at least one short-distance communication module configured to communicate, via at least one third antenna integrated into the wristwatch, with said radiation sensor which is separate from the watch, but worn by the wearer of the watch and provided with a short-distance communication module to transmit its data to the control unit.

[0009] According to another feature, the device comprises at least one short-distance communication module configured to communicate, via at least one third antenna integrated into the wristwatch, with at least one other sensor equipped with a short-distance communication module and / or integrated into at least one other portable device of the same type, said control unit being capable of collecting the information provided by all of the sensors present in the vicinity of said device.

[0010] According to another feature, the device comprises at least one display screen displaying at least one item of information relating to the ionizing radiation detected and at least one item of information relating to the status of long-distance communication and geolocation.

[0011] According to another feature, said control unit is further configured to perform a dosimeter function by calculating the accumulation of doses received by the wearer and making it possible to warn, in the event of excessive radiation, its wearer and / or said remote monitoring device and / or other portable devices of the same type.

[0012] According to another particularity, the geolocation module is a satellite geopositioning module, compatible with GNSS and / or GPS.

[0013] According to another feature, said control unit is configured to aggregate information from other sensors with the strength of the signal received from them, to approximate their location.

[0014] According to another feature, at least one of said antennas is integrated into at least one strand of the wristwatch strap.

[0015] According to another feature, at least one of said communication module and / or the geolocation module is also integrated into at least one strand of the wristwatch strap, near the corresponding antenna.

[0016] According to another feature, the wristwatch strap comprises at least one fixed strand, secured to the wristwatch case and to which removable strands of various lengths can be attached.

[0017] According to another particularity, the second antenna and / or the geolocation module is placed (or are placed) in the so-called "six o'clock" strand of the bracelet, that is to say the strand closest to the wearer when the latter looks at the watch on his wrist.

[0018] Another aim of the present application is to propose a system making it possible to overcome at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0019] This aim is achieved by a radiological risk monitoring system, characterized in that it comprises at least one remote monitoring device communicating with at least one portable radiological risk monitoring device according to certain embodiments, said remote monitoring device comprising a control unit configured to integrate the information transmitted by said portable device during the movement of the latter on a site placed under surveillance, to record them in the form of a radiological risk map.

[0020] According to another feature, said control unit of the remote monitoring device integrates the information provided by a plurality of portable radiological risk monitoring devices deployed on the same site and establishes said mapping by geographically correlating the information provided by each of them.

[0021] According to another feature, the system comprises at least one other sensor measuring at least one physical or physiological parameter and communicating with said portable device, said control unit of the remote monitoring device integrating the information provided by all of the sensors whose measured parameters pass via all of said portable devices with which it communicates.

[0022] According to another feature, said at least one other sensor is one of the following types of sensors: - a portable physiological sensor measuring at least one physiological parameter of the wearer, for example heart rate and / or blood pressure and / or body temperature, - a portable environmental sensor measuring at least one parameter of the wearer's environment, for example ambient temperature and / or humidity, - a static environmental sensor measuring at least one parameter of the environment around the sensor, for example ionizing radiation and / or ambient temperature and / or hydrometry, - a mobile environmental sensor measuring at least one parameter of the environment around the moving sensor, for example ionizing radiation and / or ambient temperature and / or hydrometry.

[0023] Another aim of the present application is to propose a method for monitoring radiological risk making it possible to overcome at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art, in particular by simplifying the operations necessary in the field to produce maps.

[0024] This aim is achieved by a radiological risk monitoring method, characterized in that it is implemented by a system according to certain embodiments and comprises: - establishing long-distance communication between the remote monitoring device and the portable monitoring device - the initialization of the geolocation of said portable device - adjusting the wristwatch to a wearer's wrist, then moving the wearer to a site to be monitored - tracking the movement of the wearer of the portable device and collecting, by the remote monitoring device, the information collected by said portable device during the wearer's movement.

[0025] According to another feature, the method also comprises the collection of additional information, by the remote monitoring device, following the establishment of a short-distance communication between said portable device and at least one other portable device of the same type and / or another sensor among the following types of sensors: - a portable physiological sensor measuring at least one physiological parameter of the wearer, for example heart rate and / or blood pressure and / or body temperature, - a portable environmental sensor measuring at least one parameter of the wearer's environment, for example ambient temperature and / or humidity, - a static environmental sensor measuring at least one parameter of the environment around the sensor, for example ionizing radiation and / or ambient temperature and / or hydrometry, - a mobile environmental sensor measuring at least one parameter of the environment around the moving sensor, for example ionizing radiation and / or ambient temperature and / or hydrometry.

[0026] According to another feature, fitting the wristwatch to a wearer's wrist includes selecting removable wristband strands of lengths adapted to the size of the wrist and / or a sleeve of an anti-radiation suit worn by said wearer, hooking these removable strands onto the wristwatch and attaching the wristwatch to the wearer's wrist.

[0027] Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the description of various embodiments below, given with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0028] [Fig 1] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a portable radiological risk monitoring device according to certain embodiments;

[0029] [Fig 2] Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of a portable radiological risk monitoring device according to certain embodiments;

[0030] [Fig 3] Figure 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the strands of the bracelet of a portable radiological risk monitoring device according to certain embodiments;

[0031] [Fig 4] Figure 4 represents a schematic view of a radiological risk monitoring system according to certain embodiments.

[0032] The present invention relates to a system, a portable device (1) for monitoring radiological risk, in the form of a connected wristwatch, as well as a system and a method for monitoring radiological risk.

[0033] In general, the present invention relates to a portable device (1) for monitoring radiological risk, using at least one ionizing radiation sensor (10), capable of detecting at least one type of ionizing radiation and coupled to a control unit (11) capable of quantifying the detected radiation. In general, it is often gamma rays that are sought, but the interest sometimes focuses on the rays beta or X-rays. The present invention is not limited to the type of ionizing radiation and various sensors adapted to the various types of radiation are envisaged. Generally speaking, said control unit (11) is integrated into said portable device (1) which is advantageously miniaturized in the form of a wristwatch. Thus, the shape of the portable device is limited to that of an easy-to-wear watch, but with advanced functionalities facilitating the task for operators responsible for monitoring radiological risk. Indeed, various embodiments allow it to be sufficient to wear the watch and move around a site to obtain a risk map. Such a control unit (11) is known from the prior art and comprises data processing means such as a microprocessor and / or electronic cards, including a motherboard and cards for peripherals (communication in particular).No details are therefore necessary for such a control unit (11). The present application also describes another control unit (21) of a remote monitoring device (2). This device may in fact be a server or preferably a computer for interaction with an operator supervising the monitoring. No details are necessary either for such a device (2) and its control unit (21) executing a program for supervision, except possibly that its computing power will preferably be greater than that of the portable device (1). Similarly, the details of the network and servers for communication between these devices are not necessary here because they are perfectly within the reach of those skilled in the art (illustrative and non-limiting examples are shown in Figure 4, without unnecessary references).

[0034] Preferably, in addition to this control unit (11) for managing operations, the portable device (1) comprises: - at least one first communication module (12), configured to communicate, via at least one first antenna (120) integrated in the wristwatch, with a remote monitoring device (2); - a geolocation module (13), configured to determine and track the geographical position of the portable device (1), via at least one second antenna (130) integrated in the wristwatch, said control unit (11) being capable of transmitting to said remote monitoring device (2) said aggregated collected information, with the successive positions of the portable device (1), thereby providing an automatic mapping of the radiological risk of the site on which said wristwatch is worn.

[0035] It is understood that the control unit, by recording the measurements of at least one ionizing radiation sensor and the geolocation of these measurements, makes it possible to aggregate the data necessary for establishing a map. The map itself will preferably be carried out by the remote device equipped with higher computing power, but the aggregation of the location with the radiation measurements can advantageously be carried out by the portable device which transmits them automatically via its communication module (12). Preferably, said first communication module (12) is a long-distance, low-power (LP) communication module, for example of the LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) type. Indeed, the LoRaWAN communication protocol is advantageous because this preferred protocol for The Internet of Things uses a proprietary spread spectrum modulation technique and primarily targets communications requiring the transmission of a low volume of data at a reduced rate, which limits the energy consumption of connected objects and provides battery life of several years. This improves maintenance of the device (1). It should also be noted that the wristwatch will be equipped with a rechargeable battery either by induction or by a connector on the watch case (an illustrative and non-limiting example of which is shown under the bottom of the case in Figure 2).

[0036] In some embodiments, said radiation sensor (10) comprises a scintillator crystal and a measuring semiconductor integrated into the wristwatch. In this example, the sensor (10) integrated into the watch is preferably a gamma ray sensor, but as mentioned above, other variants are possible, whether the sensor is integrated into the watch or not. Indeed, the invention provides embodiments where the portable device (1) is equipped with a sensor integrated into the watch, but also provides (non-exclusive) embodiments where the device (1) communicates with a separate sensor (i.e., outside) the watch. Concerning photodetection, the crystal can for example be made of Thallium-doped Cesium Iodide, Csl(Tl) known for its high reactivity. The semiconductor can for example be a PIN diode (from the English "Positive Intrinsic Negative" diode) commonly used in photodetectors.

[0037] In some embodiments, the portable device (1) comprises at least one short-distance communication module (14) configured to communicate, via at least one third antenna (140) integrated in the wristwatch, with at least one radiation sensor (10) which is separate from the watch, but worn by the wearer of the watch and provided with a short-distance communication module for transmitting its data to the control unit (11). An illustrative and non-limiting example is shown in Figure 4 where a dosimeter (for example known from the prior art) is worn by the operator wearing the watch, to which the radiation measurements are transmitted, for aggregation with the location and transmission over the long-distance communication network. In addition, this type of short-distance communication of the watch allows it to communicate with other types of sensors or devices nearby.Thus, in certain non-exclusive embodiments, the portable device (1) comprises at least one short-distance communication module (14) configured to communicate, via at least one third antenna (140) integrated in the wristwatch, with at least one other sensor (100) provided with a short-distance communication module and / or integrated in at least one other portable device (1) of the same type, said control unit (11) being capable of collecting the information provided by all the sensors (100) present in the vicinity of said device (1). Thus, the watch will also be able to receive information from other sensors present on site. Illustrative and non-limiting examples of the various types of sensors are detailed below with reference to the monitoring system and Figure 4 illustrates the example of a heart rate sensor (100) in the form of a chest belt communicating with the watch.The short-distance communication means (14, 140) of the watch will be, for example, low-energy Bluetooth communication means (in English. "Bluetooth Low Energy" - BLE or BTLE) which allows a flow rate of the same order of magnitude (1 Mbit / s) as Bluetooth, for a ten times lower energy consumption. This makes it possible to integrate this technology into new types of equipment such as watches, medical monitoring devices or sensors for operators or athletes. The technology allows the devices to connect within a radius of around ten meters. In certain embodiments, said control unit (11) is configured to aggregate the information from the other sensors (100) with the strength of the signal received from the latter, to approximate their location. Indeed, thanks to this short-distance communication, the strength of the signal allows the communicating devices to approximate their respective locations and the consideration or not of the information they provide.The control unit (11) can then be configured to use or not the data received from nearby sensors, depending on the nature of the data and the signal strength / proximity of the sensor. The geolocation module, for its part, can be a satellite geopositioning module, compatible with GNSS (for the English "Global Navigation Satellite System") and / or GPS (for the English "Global Positioning System"). It makes it possible to provide a "location-based service", according to the English terminology "Location-based service (LBS)" which defines software services using geographic information and data to provide higher-level information or services to users.

[0038] In some embodiments, the portable device (1) comprises at least one display screen (18) displaying at least one piece of information relating to the detected ionizing radiation and / or at least one piece of information relating to the statuses of the long-distance communication and / or the geolocation. Thus, the operator wearing the watch can monitor the dose of radiation that he receives and records over time and can verify that the geolocation and the communication are working correctly, for establishing a risk map without interruptions or errors due to missing data. In fact, the invention advantageously allows the tasks necessary for the operator for the mapping to be limited to this monitoring of the statuses and he can then concentrate on other more specific tasks where his expertise is required.Certain embodiments therefore provide a monitoring method in which most of the steps are automated and only require the wearer of the watch to move around the site to be monitored. Various embodiments of such a method are detailed later in this application.

[0039] In some embodiments, said control unit (11) is further configured to perform a dosimeter function by calculating the accumulation of doses received by the wearer and making it possible to warn, in the event of excessive radiation, its wearer and / or said remote monitoring device (2) and / or other portable devices (1) of the same type (for example, portable devices in the vicinity, for example via short-distance or long-distance communication). Thus, the watch is equipped with a communication module making it possible to transmit the alarm in real time to another person, to a group of people or to a control room. We generally speak of a "man down" functionality to refer to the fact that the wearer is in a dangerous situation and the information on their situation are then crucial to decide how to react in the interest of everyone's safety. Indeed, the ability to transmit data in real time via the Lo-RaWAN network allows for centralized monitoring and rapid intervention, thus improving individual and collective safety. Precise geolocation and man-down features provide an additional layer of protection. In the event of abnormal radioactivity (measured dose rate or total dose), the watch alerts the user and uses a long-range / low-speed radio link (LPWAN) to transmit information to the control room to characterize the emergency situation, in particular based on the values ​​measured by the radiometric sensor and geolocation (indoor or outdoor).Thanks to its functionalities, the watch allows collective protection, by risk mapping (in English "Heat-mapping" of radioactivity on a site), with geolocation of hot spots without additional effort, nor site study. In addition, it allows decision support regarding worker exposure. For example, during the "man down" function, if an operator has been exposed to too high a dose and / or feels unwell (for example detected by his heart rate), his coordinates can be sent by long-distance communication, but also by short-distance communication so that another operator (wearing the same watch) passing nearby (5 to 15 meters) is alerted with possible instructions to assist the "man down" and / or avoid unnecessary exposure to the source of radioactivity suffered by the latter.Furthermore, through its multiple short-distance communications, the watch provides a "hub" function because it collects various information from various devices and transmits it to a remote device (2). Thus, in the same way, the watch will be able to receive information on dangers from adjacent areas, equipped with static detectors with short-distance communication and thus avoid unnecessary exposure to danger. Finally, with this "hub" function, as different types of sensors are connected to the watch via short-distance communication, one can take advantage of all the information collected, including sensors located on the person to measure physiological or environmental parameters, but also static or mobile environmental sensors located nearby. The user interface of the watch will be used to aggregate the data from these sensors and alert the user in real time of risks that may affect him.Once aggregated and geolocated, the sensor data will be transmitted to the central server via long-distance radio communication, to ensure the traceability of workers' exposure to the measured risks and to have a global vision of the site's risks.

[0040] It is understood that the invention proposes, as a portable monitoring device (1), a wristwatch that can not only measure radiation, but also integrates intelligent functionalities such as geolocation, incident detection and advanced connectivity, while maintaining a compact, handy and portable format. The ultra-compact format (for example with a 50mmx50mmxl6mm case), light (89g), extremely readable and user-friendly, makes this equipment perfectly suited to risky environments. This watch provides the advantages of increased automation and modernization of tools adapted to specific needs, from prescriptive to predictive. The invention combines several functions in a single device that is easy to carry and use, in particular for: Guarantee greater safety and responsiveness in terms of individual and collective protection, Anticipate or even predict radiological risks by assessing the radiological state of workplaces in time, making radiological data visible in digital models, Promote job attractiveness, a sense of belonging and operator pride in demanding and complex environments.

[0041] The technical characteristics of the wristwatch (1) preferably include a high pixel density and brightness display, robust mechanics resistant to shocks, dust and liquids, as well as a wide operating temperature range. Preferably, it is powered by a lithium-polymer battery and incorporates advanced communication technologies such as LPWAN and Bluetooth 4.2. Illustrative and non-limiting examples of the precise technical characteristics of the device (1) are provided below to show a concrete example of embodiment:

[0042] Display : Pixel Density: 450 PPI Brightness: 350 nits

[0043] Mechanics: Protection rating: IP67 Watch case dimensions: 54 mm x 50 mm x 16 mm Total weight: 89 g

[0044] Environment : Operating temperature: -20 to +60°C Relative humidity: 0-95% RH

[0045] Electric Battery Type: Lithium-Polymer Battery Voltage: 3.7 V Battery capacity: 270 mAh (approximately 2 days battery life) Charging current: 200 mA Charging voltage: 5 V

[0046] Radio communication LPWAN - Technology: LoRaWAN - frequency bands: 863 to 870 MHz - Regional settings: EU868

[0047] Bluetooth version: Bluetooth 4.2

[0048] Antennas: - LPWAN Antenna: Internal / Wristband - BLE Antennas: Internal / Bracelet (Box) - GNSS Antenna: Internal / Bracelet (Box)

[0049] Radiation sensor: Sensor principle: PIN diode + Csl(Tl) crystal Measured quantities: Dose rate in pSv.h-1 and mSv.h-1; Dose in pSv and mSv Measuring range: Minimum 1 pSv.h-1; Maximum 50 mSv.h-1 Tolerance: ± 10% Type of radiation: Gamma ray Energy range: 50 keV to 3 MeV

[0050] The integration of communication modules and antennas into a wristwatch poses technical problems, in particular electromagnetic interference. This interference is often more significant on nuclear sites than elsewhere, but the problem is more general and the present invention proposes an integration solution which is not limited to the monitoring of radioactivity, but only limited to the integration of communication modules (short distance and / or long distance and / or GPS) into a wristwatch. Thus, certain embodiments relate to a wristwatch integrating such a communication module and its antenna (whether it is a watch for radioactivity monitoring or not). This type of watch is characterized in that at least the antenna is arranged in the strap of the watch.Preferably, the communication module (the dedicated electronic chip and circuits) is also in the bracelet, to limit the distance between and the risks of interference, while facilitating the connection with the motherboard of the watch.

[0051] Thus, in certain embodiments, at least one of said antennas (120, 130, 140) is integrated into at least one strand (15, 16) of the wristwatch strap. Preferably, at least one of said communication module (12, 14) and / or the geolocation module (13) is also integrated into at least one strand (15, 16) of the wristwatch strap, close to the corresponding antenna. Figures 2 and 3 show illustrative examples of wristwatches, in exploded view, with their various means (in particular communication). Figure 3 illustrates more specifically an example of integration into the strap, with the electronic chips of the modules and the antennas. In this example, a flexible circuit (“flex”) is present in each strap strand on which the radio interfaces are integrated. In the strand (16) “6 o’clock” are present the GPS (13) and BLE (14) modules, while the strand (15) “12 o’clock” contains the Lo-RaWAN module (12).Other variants are possible but preferably, at least the GPS is in the "6 o'clock" strand. Thus, in certain embodiments, the second antenna (130) and / or the geolocation module (13) is placed (or are placed) in the so-called "six o'clock" strand of the bracelet, that is to say the strand closest to the wearer when the latter looks at the watch on his wrist. The term "six o'clock" is used in reference to analog displays of the hours relative to a watch dial, to designate the lowest point of the dial, but this term is not limiting with respect to the type of time display which can be digital and without relation to a radial orientation of any hands. Thus, this term designates the position of the dial which is closest to the wearer when the latter flexes his arm to look at it when he wears it on the wrist.In fact, this is the strand that will most often be oriented upwards during the wearer's movements, particularly when. flexes the arm (to look at the watch or not) or even simply while walking, which helps improve GPS signal reception.

[0052] In the example in Figure 3, the cards in the wristband incorporate the antennas of the watch's 3 radio interfaces (LoRaWAN, BLE and GPS) in order to benefit from better transmission performance than if the antennas were integrated into the watch (metal case). The wristband cards are connected to the watch's motherboard via a "board-to-board" connector through which digital signals and the power supplies for the radio interfaces pass. In order to avoid transmitting RF signals over the connector, to avoid problems of electromagnetic interference and / or signal loss, the radio interface (the communication module) is integrated into the wristband. Thus, only the digital signals (low frequency) between the interfaces and the motherboard pass through the connector and the distance between the radio interface and the antennas is reduced to minimize signal loss.In addition, the antennas are preferably arranged as far away from the caseband as possible to minimize the impact of the proximity of a large conductive mass on the antenna. Areas without components, and therefore more flexible, are preferably reserved to allow a certain curvature of the "flex" circuit in the bracelet and minimize the effect of mechanical stress on the electronics.

[0053] Furthermore, in the case of wristwatches intended for radioactivity monitoring, as the wearers may have different sizes. Depending on the use, the bracelet must be able to adapt to multiple sizes, depending on whether it is worn directly on the wrist or over gloves, the sleeve of work clothing or even a pressurized suit. Adjusting the watch to the wrist is therefore not necessarily obvious and it is preferable to provide different sizes of interchangeable bracelets. In addition, the size adjustment must be done without too much excess strand to avoid hindering the wearer's movements. However, as it is preferred that the means of communication be inside the bracelet, the interchangeability of the bracelet is called into question. Thus, the present invention proposes that the bracelet comprises a fixed part on the case and an interchangeable part.Thus, in certain embodiments, the wristwatch strap comprises at least one fixed strand (15, 16), integral with the case of the wristwatch and on which removable strands (17) of various lengths can be attached. Preferably, the attachment of the removable strands (17) to the fixed strands (15, 16) is made by a lug bar (known), which allows the interchangeable section to be replaced without tools.

[0054] Some embodiments of the invention relate to a system comprising at least one portable device (1) as described in the present application, in combination with at least one remote monitoring device (2) and / or at least one other portable device (1) of the same type and / or at least one other sensor (100) communicating with the portable device (1). Indeed, the invention offers great flexibility on the types of devices that can be used for monitoring sites and the invention therefore allows numerous embodiments of an advantageous monitoring system.

[0055] In some embodiments, the system comprises at least one remote monitoring device (2) communicating with at least one portable radiological risk monitoring device (1) according to various embodiments, said monitoring device (2) remotely comprising a control unit (21) configured to integrate the information transmitted by said portable device (1) during the latter's movement on a site under surveillance, to record them in the form of a radiological risk map.

[0056] The watch (1) automatically collects dosimetry data and records the position. The data is collected passively, i.e. without additional effort, and concerns all exposed people wearing the watch. The danger of radiological risk areas can thus be weighted according to attendance. This results in a map more in line with the real risks of the site, which will make it possible to determine priority improvement actions. The watch supports the collection of data from other sensors, provides a synthetic data visualization interface ("user-friendly"), supports the geolocation of the measurement and the compression of data and transmission to other, more extensive networks. It is therefore possible to benefit from the watch's functionalities to add those of other devices and thus provide synergy to all these communicating devices.Likewise, it is possible to combine these advantages on several watches (1) of the same type and correlate their data, in particular to strengthen their reliability. Thus, in certain embodiments, said control unit (21) of the remote monitoring device (2) integrates the information provided by a plurality of portable radiological risk monitoring devices (1) deployed on the same site and establishes said mapping by geographically correlating the information provided by each of them. At the level of the other sensors (100) from which the watch (1) can collect data, the only limit is their ability to communicate with the latter (and therefore the presence of a compatible communication module).The system may therefore comprise, for example, at least one other sensor (100) measuring at least one physical or physiological parameter and communicating with said portable device (1), said control unit (21) of the remote monitoring device (2) integrating the information provided by all of the sensors (10, 100) whose measured parameters pass through all of said portable devices (1) with which it communicates. In certain embodiments, said at least one other sensor (100) is a sensor among the following types of sensors: - a portable physiological sensor measuring at least one physiological parameter of the wearer, for example heart rate and / or blood pressure and / or body temperature, - a portable environmental sensor measuring at least one parameter of the wearer's environment, for example ambient temperature and / or humidity, - a static environmental sensor measuring at least one parameter of the environment around the sensor, for example ionizing radiation and / or ambient temperature and / or hydrometry, - a mobile environmental sensor measuring at least one parameter of the environment around the moving sensor, for example ionizing radiation and / or ambient temperature and / or hydrometry.

[0057] Finally, the present application also relates to a method for monitoring radiological risk, which can be simplified to the extreme thanks to the functionalities of the watch (1) and the system. Such a method preferably comprises: - establishing long-distance communication between the remote monitoring device (2) and the portable monitoring device (1) - the initialization of the geolocation of said portable device (1) - adjusting the wristwatch to a wearer's wrist, then moving the wearer to a site to be monitored - tracking the movement of the wearer of the portable device (1) and collecting, by the remote monitoring device (2), the information collected by said portable device (1) during the wearer's movement.

[0058] In some embodiments, the method also comprises collecting additional information, by the remote monitoring device (2), following the establishment of a short-distance communication between said portable device (1) and at least one other portable device (1) of the same type and / or another sensor (100) among the following types of sensors: - a portable physiological sensor measuring at least one physiological parameter of the wearer, for example heart rate and / or blood pressure and / or body temperature, - a portable environmental sensor measuring at least one parameter of the wearer's environment, for example ambient temperature and / or humidity, - a static environmental sensor measuring at least one parameter of the environment around the sensor, for example ionizing radiation and / or ambient temperature and / or hydrometry, - a mobile environmental sensor measuring at least one parameter of the environment around the moving sensor, for example ionizing radiation and / or ambient temperature and / or hydrometry.

[0059] In some embodiments, fitting the wristwatch to a wearer's wrist includes selecting removable wrist strands (17) of lengths appropriate to the size of the wrist and / or a sleeve of a radiation suit worn by said wearer, hooking these removable strands (17) onto the wristwatch, and attaching the wristwatch to the wearer's wrist.

[0060] The present application describes various technical features and advantages with reference to the figures and / or to various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that the technical features of a given embodiment may in fact be combined with features of another embodiment unless the opposite is explicitly mentioned or it is obvious that these features are incompatible or that the combination does not provide a solution to at least one of the technical problems mentioned in the present application. In addition, the technical features described in a given embodiment may be isolated from the other features of this embodiment unless the opposite is explicitly mentioned.

[0061] Detailed list of references in the figures: Portable radiological risk monitoring device Ionizing radiation sensor Control unit First communication module First antenna Geolocation module Second antenna Short-range communication module Third antenna Sensor Display screen Fixed strand Fixed strand Removable strands Remote monitoring device

Claims

Claims

1. Portable device (1) for monitoring radiological risk, using at least one ionizing radiation sensor (10), capable of detecting at least one type of ionizing radiation and coupled to a control unit (11) capable of quantifying the detected radiation, characterized in that said control unit (11) is integrated into said portable device (1) which is miniaturized in the form of a wristwatch comprising: - at least one first communication module (12), configured to communicate, via at least one first antenna (120) integrated in the wristwatch, with a remote monitoring device (2); - a geolocation module (13), configured to determine and track the geographical position of the portable device (1), via at least one second antenna (130) integrated in the wristwatch, said control unit (11) being capable of transmitting to said remote monitoring device (2) said aggregated collected information, with the successive positions of the portable device (1), thereby providing an automatic mapping of the radiological risk of the site on which said wristwatch is worn.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said radiation sensor (10) comprises a scintillator crystal and a measuring semiconductor integrated in the wristwatch.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first communication module (12) is a long-distance communication module, for example of the LoRaWAN type.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one short-distance communication module (14) configured to communicate, via at least one third antenna (140) integrated in the wristwatch, with said radiation sensor (10) which is separate from the watch, but worn by the wearer of the watch and provided with a short-distance communication module for transmitting its data to the control unit (11).

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises at least one short-distance communication module (14) configured to communicate, via at least one third antenna (140) integrated in the wristwatch, with at least one other sensor (100) provided with a short-distance communication module and / or integrated in at least one other portable device (1) of the same type, said control unit (11) being capable of collecting the information provided by all of the sensors (100) present in the vicinity of said device (1).

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises at least one display screen (18) displaying at least one item of information relating to the ionizing radiation detected and at least one information relating to the status of long-distance communication and geolocation.

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said control unit (11) is further configured to perform a dosimeter function by calculating the accumulation of doses received by the wearer and making it possible to warn, in the event of excessive radiation, its wearer and / or said remote monitoring device (2) and / or other portable devices (1) of the same type.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the geolocation module (13) is a satellite geopositioning module, compatible with GNSS and / or GPS.

9. Device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that said control unit (11) is configured to aggregate the information from the other sensors (100) with the strength of the signal received from the latter, to approximate their location.

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one of said antennas (120, 130, 140) is integrated into at least one strand (15, 16) of the wristwatch strap.

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one of said communication module (12, 14) and / or the geolocation module (13) is also integrated into at least one strand (15, 16) of the wristwatch strap, close to the corresponding antenna.

12. Device according to any one of claims 10 and 11, characterized in that the bracelet of the wristwatch comprises at least one fixed strand (15, 16), integral with the case of the wristwatch and on which removable strands (17) of various lengths can be attached.

13. Device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the second antenna (130) and / or the geolocation module (13) is placed (or are placed) in the so-called “six o'clock” strand of the bracelet, that is to say the strand closest to the wearer when the latter looks at the watch on his wrist.

14. Radiological risk monitoring system, characterized in that it comprises at least one remote monitoring device (2) communicating with at least one portable radiological risk monitoring device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, said remote monitoring device (2) comprising a control unit (21) configured to integrate the information transmitted by said portable device (1) during the movement of the latter on a site placed under surveillance, to record them in the form of a radiological risk map.

15. System according to claim 14, characterized in that said control unit (21) of the remote monitoring device (2) integrates the information provided by a plurality of portable radiological risk monitoring devices (1) deployed on the same site and establishes said mapping by geographically correlating the information provided by each of them.

16. System according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that it comprises at least one other sensor (100) measuring at least one physical or physiological parameter and communicating with said portable device (1), said control unit (21) of the remote monitoring device (2) integrating the information provided by all of the sensors (10, 100) whose measured parameters pass via all of said portable devices (1) with which it communicates.

17. System according to claim 16, characterized in that said at least one other sensor (100) is one of the following types of sensors: - a portable physiological sensor measuring at least one physiological parameter of the wearer, for example heart rate and / or blood pressure and / or body temperature, - a portable environmental sensor measuring at least one parameter of the wearer's environment, for example ambient temperature and / or humidity, - a static environmental sensor measuring at least one parameter of the environment around the sensor, for example ionizing radiation and / or ambient temperature and / or hydrometry, - a mobile environmental sensor measuring at least one parameter of the environment around the moving sensor, for example ionizing radiation and / or ambient temperature and / or hydrometry.

18. Method for monitoring radiological risk, characterized in that it is implemented by a system according to one of claims 14 to 16 and comprises: - establishing long-distance communication between the remote monitoring device (2) and the portable monitoring device (1) - the initialization of the geolocation of said portable device (1) - adjusting the wristwatch to a wearer's wrist, then moving the wearer to a site to be monitored - tracking the movement of the wearer of the portable device (1) and collecting, by the remote monitoring device (2), the information collected by said portable device (1) during the wearer's movement.

19. Method according to claim 18, characterized in that it also comprises the collection of additional information, by the remote monitoring device (2), following the establishment of a short-distance communication between said portable device (1) and at least one other portable device (1) of the same type and / or another sensor (100) among the following types of sensors: - a portable physiological sensor measuring at least one physiological parameter of the wearer, for example heart rate and / or blood pressure and / or body temperature, - a portable environmental sensor measuring at least one parameter of the wearer's environment, for example ambient temperature and / or humidity, - a static environmental sensor measuring at least one parameter of the environment around the sensor, for example ionizing radiation and / or ambient temperature and / or hydrometry, - a mobile environmental sensor measuring at least one parameter of the environment around the moving sensor, for example ionizing radiation and / or ambient temperature and / or hydrometry. claim 20] Method according to one of claims 18 and 19, characterized in that the adjustment of the wristwatch to the wrist of a wearer comprises a selection of removable bracelet strands (17) of lengths adapted to the size of the wrist and / or of a sleeve of an anti-radiation suit worn by said wearer, the attachment of these removable strands (17) to the wristwatch and the attachment of the wristwatch to the wrist of the wearer.

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