Wearable Sensor Location Tracking for Real-Time Worker Absence Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to provide real-time location tracking and safety monitoring of workers during transportation, particularly in remote offshore locations, lacking efficient methods to detect unauthorized disembarkation or absence of workers.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing wearable sensors and wireless stations communicating over low-power networks, combined with cameras and sensor readers, to monitor worker presence and initiate alerts upon loss of communication, ensuring real-time tracking and safety monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional transportation systems are used without tracking technology, then the system complexity and power consumption are low, but the ability to monitor worker location and detect absence in real-time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system is segmented into independent wearable sensors worn by each worker, separate wireless stations distributed throughout the vehicle, and a central server. This segmentation allows the system to monitor multiple workers independently while keeping each component relatively simple and low-power.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable sensors automatically perform self-check-ins by communicating with wireless stations without requiring manual worker intervention. The system self-monitors worker presence and automatically detects absence when check-ins stop, eliminating the need for continuous manual monitoring.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring of all workers is implemented, then worker absence detection is immediate and accurate, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous transmission, the wearable sensors perform periodic check-ins at predetermined intervals by communicating with wireless stations. This periodic operation maintains reliable absence detection while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous monitoring capability through the network of distributed wireless stations that continuously listen for check-ins, while the wearable sensors operate intermittently. This ensures uninterrupted worker presence detection while allowing the mobile sensors to conserve power.
3Reliability
If real-time location tracking is implemented, then worker safety is enhanced and absence is detected immediately, but the system requires complex infrastructure and high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
Wireless stations are distributed at specific locations throughout the transportation vehicle rather than requiring a centralized complex infrastructure. Each station provides local monitoring coverage, and the network collectively achieves comprehensive real-time tracking with minimal power requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical tracking infrastructure with wireless communication technology. The wearable sensors and wireless stations use low-power wireless protocols to exchange location and presence data, eliminating the need for complex mechanical or centralized electronic tracking systems.
4Measurement precision
If automated embarkment systems with cameras and sensor readers are added, then worker identification and tracking accuracy improve, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Worker identification and sensor registration are performed in advance during the embarkment process using cameras and sensor readers. This preliminary action ensures accurate tracking setup before the journey begins, allowing the simpler periodic check-in system to function effectively during transportation.
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 location tracking and immediate alerting of worker absence, enhancing safety and reducing risks in transportation vehicles like boats and ships, with minimal power requirements and offline operation.
Implementation Method 1
The wearable sensor includes a first processor, a first memory, a light source, and a photodetector, such that the light source and photodetector are configured for a photoplethysmography determination
Data Source
AI summary
The real-time location tracking of workers on a transportation vehicle using a wearable sensor and wireless stations. Embarkment of workers on the transportation vehicle may include capturing an image of an identification document and performing optical character recognition on the document. The embarkment of workers may also include scanning a worker's wearable sensor using a sensor reader and capturing an image of the face of the worker using a camera on the transportation vehicle. The communication between the wearable sensor and wireless stations may be monitored, and the absence of communication over at time period used to indicate a missing worker.