Wearable Worker Status Estimation for Hazard-Aware Call Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large factories, workers wearing wearable terminals like eyeglasses-type devices may receive calls while in dangerous positions, leading to accidents and inefficiencies due to the need for hands-free communication, and there is a lack of systems to recognize and manage their status effectively.
Innovation Solution
A management system that includes a wearable terminal with GPS, acceleration, and barometric pressure sensors, and a management server that estimates worker status based on device risk and position information, providing notifications to prevent calls when workers are in hazardous situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If workers use hands-free communication devices in dangerous positions, then communication efficiency is improved, but worker safety deteriorates due to potential accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary status estimation before allowing communication. The management server estimates worker status based on position information and risk information in advance, and only permits calls when the worker is in a safe status, preventing dangerous communications before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring worker position and status in real-time. The management server receives position information from wearable terminals, estimates worker status, and provides feedback by controlling whether incoming calls are permitted or rejected based on the current safety assessment.
2Reliability
If workers are monitored continuously to ensure safety, then worker safety is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable terminal autonomously transmits position information to the management server without requiring manual input from workers. The system automatically receives position data, estimates worker status, and makes decisions about call permissioning, eliminating the need for complex manual monitoring interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The management server acts as an intermediary that centralizes the complex monitoring and decision-making logic. Instead of distributing complexity to multiple devices, the server consolidates the status estimation algorithm and call control functions in one location, simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Loss of information
If workers are interrupted by calls during tasks, then communication responsiveness is improved, but task efficiency deteriorates due to loss of focus
Solution Approach 1:
The system preemptively prevents calls from being connected when workers are in dangerous positions or focused on tasks. By estimating worker status in advance and blocking calls before they interrupt the worker, the system maintains task efficiency while still allowing communication when appropriate.
4Reliability
If manual monitoring of worker status is implemented, then worker safety is improved, but manager burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs status estimation and call control without requiring manual manager intervention. The management server autonomously receives position information, estimates worker status using the status estimation algorithm, and controls call permissioning, eliminating the need for managers to manually monitor each worker's status.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual monitoring with automated electronic monitoring. Instead of managers visually or verbally checking worker status, the system uses wearable terminals to transmit position data and automated algorithms to estimate status and control communications, substituting mechanical human effort with electronic automation.
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
Enhances worker safety by preventing calls when workers are in dangerous positions and improves operational efficiency by reducing the manager's burden in monitoring worker status, allowing workers to focus on tasks without interruptions.
Implementation Method 1
receiving second position information indicating a position of a user wearing an eyeglasses-type wearable terminal
Implementation Method 2
a wearable terminal with GPS, acceleration, and barometric pressure sensors
Implementation Method 3
a wearable terminal with GPS, acceleration, and barometric pressure sensors
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a method executed by an electronic apparatus including storage configured to store device information including first position information indicating a position of a device installed in a particular range and risk information associated with use of the device is provided. The method includes receiving second position information indicating a position of a user wearing an eyeglasses-type wearable terminal and working within the particular range, from the eyeglasses-type wearable terminal and estimating a status of the user, based at least in part on the first position information and the risk information included in the device information, and the second position information.