Mobile Device Event Area Detection for Safety Observation Recording

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for monitoring and recording safety and security observations in facilities face challenges such as location and time separation of recording and processing, resource-intensive data collection, and inefficient communication of data due to the use of traditional paper or portable computers with limited bandwidth and energy demands.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method using a mobile device with location and data sensors that selectively records and processes data only when within an event area, optimizing resource consumption by pre-processing data temporarily and communicating it efficiently to a central computer, allowing for real-time recording and processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional paper or portable computers are used for recording and processing safety observations, then data can be recorded and processed, but resource consumption (energy, bandwidth, processing power) increases and communication efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata processing efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the facility into defined geographic areas with specific event categories, and the mobile device segments data collection by activating sensors only when located in relevant areas and when specific events are detected. This prevents continuous data collection and processing, reducing energy consumption while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous data collection and processing, the system uses periodic action by activating the detection component only when the mobile device enters a defined event area and only when specific events are detected. This on-demand activation significantly reduces energy consumption and resource usage while maintaining effective monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If continuous data collection and processing is performed, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but resource consumption and signal delays increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring reliabilityVSAvoidsignal delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-defining geographic areas and event categories before monitoring begins. When the mobile device enters a predefined area, the system is already prepared to detect and record relevant events immediately, eliminating delays associated with continuous processing while maintaining comprehensive monitoring coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If all data from data sensor is recorded continuously, then complete data set is obtained, but data communication bandwidth and processing resources are overwhelmed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata completenessVSAvoiddata volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by recording data selectively based on location and event type. The mobile device records complete data sets only when located in defined event areas and when specific events are detected, rather than continuously recording all data. This maintains data completeness for relevant events while dramatically reducing overall data volume for communication and processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2804142B1Recording and processing safety relevant observations for facilities
Publication Date: 2020.01.15 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP2804142B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2804142B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2804142B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobile device (230) has a location sensor (232) and a data sensor (236) for collecting data that relates to technical equipment. An area component (233) determines that the mobile device is located in an event area with the potential of occurrence of events in categories. A detection component processes data from the data sensor (236) that is indicative of events. The detection component (234) is active if the mobile device is located in the event area. A recorder component (238) records data from the data sensor (236) in combination with the geographic location of the mobile device. The recorder component (238) is active if a particular event that falls into at least one of the categories has been detected.