Radio Tracking Safety Architecture With Verified Position Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current security systems in industrial settings lack comprehensive solutions for real-time monitoring and hazard prevention, particularly in dynamically changing environments, as they primarily focus on local and generic alerts rather than personalized and effective risk reduction measures.

Innovation Solution

A security system utilizing a radio location system with multiple radio stations and transponders to determine the position of mobile objects and personnel, providing checked position data for plausibility and influencing situations to avoid hazards, incorporating a watchdog controller for monitoring and diagnostic functions to initiate safety measures such as machine shutdown or warning signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a radio tracking system with multiple radio stations is used to determine position data, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition data accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the tracking function into multiple independent radio stations that each contribute to position determination. Each radio station operates independently but cooperatively, allowing the system to achieve high measurement precision through multiple measurement points while maintaining modular complexity that is easier to manage and validate than a monolithic system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements cyclic acquisition and verification of position data through a watchdog controller that continuously monitors the control and evaluation unit. This feedback mechanism ensures that position data is constantly verified for plausibility, maintaining high measurement precision while providing systematic validation that manages overall system complexity through structured monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a watchdog controller is implemented to verify position data, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety system reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The watchdog controller performs self-verification by cyclically monitoring the control and evaluation unit and checking the plausibility of position data independently. This self-service approach to verification enhances reliability by providing autonomous monitoring without requiring external validation systems, while the centralized watchdog architecture manages complexity through a single dedicated monitoring component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary verification of position data plausibility before the data is used for safety decisions. The watchdog controller continuously checks position data in advance, ensuring reliability by validating data beforehand rather than reacting to errors after they occur, which prevents unsafe operations while maintaining systematic complexity management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If position data is cyclically acquired and verified for plausibility, then safety function effectiveness is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety function effectivenessVSAvoiddata verification time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs continuous cyclic acquisition and verification of position data without interruption to the monitoring function. This continuous operation ensures that safety functions remain effective at all times, with the watchdog controller constantly validating position data rather than performing periodic batch verification, thereby minimizing time loss while maintaining relentless safety oversight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs verification of position data plausibility as a partial check rather than complete re-analysis. The watchdog controller verifies only the essential plausibility criteria needed for safety decisions, performing sufficient validation to ensure reliability without conducting exhaustive analysis that would consume excessive time, thus achieving effective safety monitoring with minimal time penalty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Enables higher-level safety functions based on securely checked position data, ensuring redundant position verification and independent position determination, allowing for timely risk reduction measures to prevent accidents by directly influencing machines or alerting personnel.

Implementation Method 1

position data of the radio transponder 6 and thus position data of the object 2 can be determined by means of the radio tracking system 4

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP4033140B1Safety system and method with a safety system
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 SICK AG
  • EP4033140B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4033140B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4033140B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method comprising a security system and security system (1) for locating at least one mobile object (2), comprising at least one control and evaluation unit (3), comprising at least one radio tracking system (4), wherein the radio tracking system (4) has at least three arranged radio stations (5), wherein at least one radio transponder (6) is arranged on the object (2), wherein position data of the radio transponder and thus position data of the object (2) can be determined by means of the radio tracking system (4), wherein the position data can be transmitted from the radio station (5) of the radio tracking system (4) to the control and evaluation unit (3), wherein the control and evaluation unit (3) is configured to cyclically acquire the position data of the radio transponder, wherein a first verification unit is provided, wherein the first verification unit (7) is connected to the control and evaluation unit (3),wherein the control and evaluation unit (3) is checked by the first verification unit (7).