Wearable Environmental Sensing for Workplace Exposure Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional techniques for visualizing the spatial distribution of measurement values in a manufacturing environment, such as a factory, require the use of robots or vehicles, which are costly and difficult to control, making it impractical to manage the working environment of moving workers effectively.

Innovation Solution

A management method where a mobile device worn by the worker performs environment measurement using sensors, identifies its location, and transmits measurement values and positional information to a management device, enabling the creation of a map showing spatial distribution without the need for robots or vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a robot or vehicle is used to carry out environment measurement, then measurement coverage and spatial distribution mapping capability are improved, but device cost and system complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement coverage areaVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the expensive robot/vehicle measurement system with a portable measurement device that can be carried by workers. This creates a simplified copy of the measurement functionality that achieves the same spatial distribution mapping goal without requiring complex autonomous navigation systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement coverage capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical autonomous navigation system of robots/vehicles with human-carried portable devices. The measurement function is separated from complex mechanical navigation systems and integrated into simple portable equipment that workers carry manually, eliminating the need for sophisticated path planning and autonomous control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Area of stationary object

If a robot or vehicle moves in workplace other than exclusive path, then measurement coverage is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in automatic control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement coverage areaVSAvoidease of movement control

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simplified measurement system that copies only the essential measurement functionality from robot/vehicle systems, removing the complex autonomous navigation requirements. Workers manually carry the portable devices along their normal work paths, achieving measurement coverage without requiring sophisticated control systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The portable measurement devices are designed to be self-contained and easy to carry, allowing workers to perform measurements during their normal work activities without requiring specialized training or complex operational procedures. The devices automatically record and transmit data, reducing the operational burden on workers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If a robot or vehicle is deployed for environment measurement, then spatial distribution mapping capability is improved, but cost increases considerably

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial distribution informationVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs portable measurement devices that are significantly cheaper than robot or vehicle systems. These devices are designed for straightforward deployment and can be easily replaced or updated, providing cost-effective spatial distribution mapping capability without the high investment required for autonomous mobile measurement systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a simplified copy of the measurement functionality that achieves the same information gathering goal using inexpensive portable equipment rather than costly autonomous systems, maintaining the ability to map spatial distribution of environmental parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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

This approach allows for effective management of the working environment of moving workers by providing a cost-efficient and practical means to visualize and monitor environmental conditions, preventing environmental deterioration and ensuring worker safety.

Implementation Method 1

a mobile device worn by the worker carries out environment measurement with use of a sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11290846B2Managing a working environment of a worker who moves in a workplace with a wearable mobile device

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 SINTOKOGIO LTD

AI summary

A method for managing a working environment of a worker who moves in a workplace includes: a measuring process in which a mobile device worn by the worker carries out environment measurement with use of a sensor; a location identifying process in which the mobile device identifies a location at which the measuring process has been carried out; and a transmitting process in which the mobile device transmits, to a management device, (i) a measurement value that has been obtained in the measuring process and (ii) positional information indicative of the location that has been identified in the location identifying process, in association each other.