Wearable Sensor Mesh Network for Real-Time Worksite Event Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems fail to effectively monitor specific workers within the workplace environment, particularly in industries like construction where accidents are common, as they lack personalized monitoring capabilities to detect and record events such as slips, falls, and environmental hazards in real-time.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising wearable sensors with various sensing capabilities, including accelerometers, gyroscopic elements, and pressure sensors, that communicate through a wireless mesh network to a distributed computer system, enabling real-time event detection, location tracking, and alerting of management personnel, while also improving battery life through controlled communication protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wearable sensors continuously monitor workers and communicate event data over the mesh network, then workplace safety monitoring and response time are improved, but energy consumption and battery life are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor operates in periodic cycles, alternating between low-power sleep mode and active monitoring mode. During normal operation, the sensor periodically wakes to check for events and communicates only when necessary, rather than continuously transmitting data. This periodic operation significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining safety monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor autonomously determines when events occur based on its own sensor data (accelerometer, gyroscopic elements, pressure sensors) and independently decides when to activate and communicate with the mesh network. This self-service approach eliminates the need for continuous external polling, reducing communication overhead and energy usage.
2Speed
If the sensor communicates frequently over the mesh network to report events and location, then real-time monitoring and response time are improved, but energy consumption is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor uses event-triggered communication rather than periodic transmission. It remains in low-power state and only activates to communicate with the mesh network when specific events are detected (falls, impacts, slips). This approach maintains fast response time for critical events while minimizing unnecessary communication energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and transmits only the most critical information (event type, location, severity) to the mesh network and central system, rather than continuously streaming all sensor data. This selective data transmission reduces communication frequency and energy consumption while maintaining effective real-time monitoring for safety-critical events.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed throughout the workplace to track workers, then monitoring coverage and detection accuracy are improved, but system complexity and cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Each wearable sensor unit is designed as a universal, multi-functional device that combines multiple sensing capabilities (accelerometers, gyroscopic elements, pressure sensors) and communication functions into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for multiple separate sensors and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high detection accuracy through the combination of multiple sensor types within each wearable unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (motion detection, impact detection, location tracking) and communication capabilities into a single integrated wearable sensor. This merging approach simplifies the system architecture by reducing the number of separate components and interfaces that would otherwise be needed, while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
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
The system enhances workplace safety by reducing response times to accidents, providing accurate records for workers' compensation, and facilitating resource management and productivity tracking, while minimizing false event detection and improving battery life through efficient communication protocols.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor assigned to the monitored subject may be capable of determining the location of the subject, along with motion, impacts, altitude
Implementation Method 2
the sensor further comprises at least one accelerometer, a gyroscopic element, and a pressure sensor
Implementation Method 3
the sensor further comprises at least one accelerometer, a gyroscopic element, and a pressure sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A system and associated interfaces are provided that permit the monitoring of workers within the workplace environment. In one aspect, a monitor having various sensing capabilities may be assigned to a monitored subject that records various parameters that are personal to the worker. For instance, it is appreciated that there may be sensor that can be attached to the monitored subject that is adapted to monitor certain parameters associated with the worker's environment. For instance, a sensor assigned to the monitored subject may be capable of determining the location of the subject, along with motion, impacts, altitude, and other environmental parameters that could affect the health or other condition of the worker.