Wearable Hazard Alerts Using Position-Based Multisensory Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing commercial vehicles lack effective systems to alert operators of potential hazards and collision risks in real-time, particularly when operating heavy machinery or equipment, which can lead to accidents.
Innovation Solution
A wearable alert device integrated with processing circuitry that provides visual, aural, and haptic feedback based on sensor data and user position to notify operators of alert conditions and their severity, including proximity to vehicle implements or predicted collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wearable alert device with multiple sensory feedback mechanisms is implemented, then operator safety and awareness are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple alert mechanisms (visual LEDs, auditory speakers, haptic vibrators) into a single wearable device unit that can be worn by the operator. This merging approach provides comprehensive safety feedback through multiple senses while consolidating the complexity into one integrated wearable unit rather than separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable alert device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides visual alerts through LEDs, auditory alerts through speakers, haptic feedback through vibrators, and position tracking through sensors. This multi-functionality improves operator safety comprehensively while the device remains a single universal wearable unit
2Reliability
If real-time position tracking and sensor monitoring are implemented, then collision risk detection is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic sensor sampling and position updates rather than continuous monitoring. The processing circuitry periodically evaluates sensor data to determine alert conditions, which reduces energy consumption while maintaining effective collision risk detection through regular status checks
3Loss of time
If multiple alert mechanisms are activated simultaneously for high severity conditions, then operator response time is improved, but information overload occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different alert strategies based on the specific hazard type and severity level. For high-severity conditions, multiple alert mechanisms are activated simultaneously to ensure immediate operator response. The processing circuitry selectively activates only the necessary alert modes based on the evaluated alert condition, providing targeted information rather than uniform alerts for all situations
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a wearable alert device and processing circuitry. The wearable alert device can be worn by the user of a vehicle and includes a visual alert device configured to provide visual feedback to a user, an aural alert device configured to provide aural feedback to the user, and a haptic alert device configured to provide haptic feedback to the user. The processing circuitry obtains a position of the user of the vehicle and determines an alert condition and a severity of the alert condition based on sensor data obtained from one or more sensors of the vehicle and the position of the user. The processing circuitry operates the visual alert device, the aural alert device, or the haptic alert device to provide visual feedback, aural feedback, or haptic feedback to the user to inform the user regarding the alert condition and the severity of the alert condition.