Construction Site Activity Sensing for Environmental Restriction Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Construction sites are hazardous environments where site supervisors cannot monitor all parts of the site at all times, necessitating improved automated monitoring systems for compliance with safety processes.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a network of distributed on-site activity sensors that detect unique wireless communication probes, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals from mobile devices, to monitor construction site activity, combined with environmental condition information to determine if site restriction alerting conditions are met, and output alerts when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If site supervisors manually monitor construction site activity, then compliance with safety processes can be enforced, but the supervisors cannot monitor all parts of the site at all times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical monitoring by site supervisors with an automated electronic system comprising sensors, processors, and communication devices. The system automatically detects construction activity through sensor data collection and transmission, eliminating the need for continuous human presence while providing comprehensive site coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system performs self-service by automatically detecting, processing, and reporting construction activity without requiring human intervention. The sensors continuously monitor site conditions, the processor automatically analyzes data against safety criteria, and the system generates reports autonomously, freeing supervisors from routine monitoring tasks.
2Productivity
If automated monitoring systems are implemented, then continuous site monitoring is possible, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is divided into discrete functional segments: sensors for data collection, communication devices for data transmission, processors for data analysis, and output devices for reporting. Each segment performs a specific function and can be independently configured or replaced, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs multi-functional integrated devices that can perform multiple monitoring tasks simultaneously. For example, sensors can detect various construction activities (equipment movement, personnel presence, material handling) and environmental conditions through a single integrated platform, reducing the number of separate systems needed.
3Device complexity
If manual monitoring is used, then system complexity is low, but the supervisors cannot enforce compliance across the entire site
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensor data is constantly monitored, processed against safety criteria, and used to generate real-time reports and alerts. This feedback mechanism ensures that compliance status is continuously updated and communicated, providing reliable enforcement of safety protocols across the entire site without requiring constant human intervention.
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 real-time, automated monitoring of construction site activities and environmental conditions to ensure compliance with safety restrictions, reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing site supervisor oversight without requiring continuous human supervision.
Implementation Method 1
detecting the number of unique wireless communication probes detected to be in proximity to each on-site activity sensor, and wherein detecting the number of unique wireless communication probes in proximity to each on-site activity sensor is based on sensing of unique wireless local area network (WLAN) and/or wireless personal area network (WPAN) signal emissions by each on-site activity sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (400) comprising means for: obtaining (302) construction site activity information via a network of distributed on-site activity sensors (102); obtaining (304) environmental condition information from an environmental condition information source; determining (306) whether a site restriction alerting condition is satisfied, in dependence on the construction site activity information and on an environmental condition an indicated by the environmental condition information; and outputting (308) an alert in dependence on satisfaction of the site restriction alerting condition.