Mobile Operator Distance Verification via Transponder Radar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile operating and monitoring devices in technical systems may perform safety-relevant operations from an inadmissible distance, compromising personal safety due to limited range and lack of precise localization, leading to potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves a mobile operating and monitoring device receiving a transponder device's identifier, deactivating communication, sending a carrier signal to determine distance and identifier, and reactivating communication only if within a predetermined safe range and matching identifier, ensuring safe operation of automation components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mobile operating and monitoring device is used to operate automation components, then the operator's mobility and flexibility are improved, but the operator may move too far away from the technical installation, compromising safety
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the distance between the mobile operating device and the technical installation using radar signals, and provides feedback by enabling or disabling operation permissions based on whether the device remains within the active operating area. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows operator mobility while maintaining safety through real-time position verification.
Solution Approach 2:
A transponder device attached to the technical installation serves as an intermediary that reflects radar signals back to the mobile operating device. This intermediary enables precise distance measurement and position verification, allowing the system to enforce safety boundaries without physically constraining the operator's movement.
2Measurement precision
If the mobile operating device is localized using radar signals and transponder devices, then the precision of distance measurement is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transponder device attached to the technical installation passively reflects the radar signals sent by the mobile operating device and modulates the reflected signal with its own identifier. This self-service approach allows the transponder to provide both distance measurement and identification functions without requiring an active transmitter or complex processing electronics, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures that safety-relevant operations are only enabled when the device is within a safe operational range, enhancing personal safety and preventing unauthorized access to automation systems.
Implementation Method 1
Interrogation and radio response signals are typically radar signals. The radio reply signal can e.g. B. caused by a reflection of the query signal on a reflecting object.
Implementation Method 2
The radio reply signal can e.g. B. caused by a reflection of the query signal on a reflecting object.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for enabling the operation of automation components of a technical system via a mobile operating and monitoring device. In a first step, the operating and monitoring device receives a first identifier from a first transponder device, wherein the first transponder device is attached to the technical system, wherein the first transponder device has been activated by the automation components, and wherein the first identifier has been transmitted from the automation components to the mobile operating and monitoring device via a wireless communication link. In a further step, the communication link between the operating and monitoring device and the automation components is deactivated. The mobile operating and monitoring device sends a carrier signal and subsequently receives the carrier signal modulated by the first transponder device.The modulated carrier signal is used to determine an initial distance between the operator control and monitoring unit and the first transponder device. Furthermore, an initial radio-determined identifier of the first transponder device is derived from the modulated carrier signal. Following the reception of the modulated carrier signal, the communication link between the operator control and monitoring unit and the automation components is reactivated. If the initial distance is less than a predefined initial distance and if the radio-determined initial identifier matches the initial identifier, operation of the automation components is enabled. Otherwise, operation of the automation components via the mobile operator control and monitoring module is blocked.