IoT Workplace Safety Monitoring with Long-Range and Mesh Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workplace safety management systems incur high costs and facility investments due to central control systems, are inefficient in managing worker attendance and safety, and suffer from network blind spots and packet loss, leading to frequent accidents and inefficient information sharing.
Innovation Solution
An IoT-based system utilizing a network architecture combining long-range and mesh networks with a movable local server, connecting node units and tags to a management server, enabling efficient information transmission and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central control system is used for workplace safety management, then systematic management of worker information and safety data is achieved, but large-scale facility investment costs are incurred and installation and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized safety management system into distributed node units deployed throughout the workplace. Each node unit independently monitors local safety parameters (gas concentrations, temperature, humidity, air quality) and communicates with workers' mobile devices, eliminating the need for expensive centralized facility infrastructure while maintaining comprehensive safety monitoring coverage.
2Quantity of substance
If barcode or RFID cards are used for worker attendance management, then attendance records can be managed, but information sharing between site and head office is slow and work productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical barcode/RFID card systems with an IoT-based wireless communication system. Node units automatically detect workers via mobile devices and transmit attendance, location, and safety data in real-time through wireless networks directly to both site and head office systems, enabling instant information sharing and eliminating manual data processing bottlenecks.
3Device complexity
If single network type is used for connecting node units, then network configuration is simple, but network blind spots occur and packet loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple network types (long-range networks like LoRaWAN for wide-area coverage and short-range networks like Wi-Fi/Bluetooth for local high-speed communication) into a hybrid network architecture. This multi-network approach eliminates blind spots by allowing devices to switch between networks based on availability, ensures continuous data transmission even when one network fails, and maintains configuration simplicity through automated network selection and management.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a workplace safety management system including: a plurality of node units (100) installed in a workplace area (1); a local server (200) that is movable and is connected to a management server (10) by wireless communication; and a tag (300) attached to a worker, in which the node unit (100) and the local server (200) is connected through a network system (400), the network system (400) includes: a long-range network (410) connecting the node unit (100) to the local server (200); and a mesh network (420) connecting the plurality of node units 100 to each other, and the mesh network (420) connects the node unit (100) to the local server (200).