EVENT WARNING SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF

• US 20110279261A1
• Filed: 05/12/2011
• Published: 11/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Proxisafe Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Proxisafe Ltd.
• Inventors: Gauger, Derek K., Coldwell, Christopher R., Heath, Thomas D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,648,709 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.1
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 17/003 for fork-lift trucks
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/0755 Position control; Position detectors
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/14 the means being photocells or other devices sensitive without mechanical contact
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/147 using electro-magnetic technology, e.g. tags or radar
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/16 with feeling members moved by the machine
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0275 Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS] tag technology used for parent or child unit, e.g. same transmission technology, magnetic tag, RF tag, RFID
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages

Abstract

An event warning system is provided. The innovation can provide real time, personalized and meaningful alert warnings to either or both a machine operator/driver and pedestrians who are in harm'"'"'s way, or are potentially approaching harm'"'"'s way. Different from generic warnings such as backup alarms and flashing lights, the innovation'"'"'s personalized alarm and notification functionality minimizes alarm complacency and maximizes their effectiveness.

Claims

1. An event warning system, comprising:

an application configuration interface that enables identification and definition of one or more zones, wherein each of the zones define a region within a facility or associated to an asset; and

an event recognition component that monitors each of the regions in real time and generates a notification based at least in part upon encroachment of one of the assets into one or more zones.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a zone identification component that facilitates establishment of the one or more zones, wherein each of the one or more zones is a static zone or dynamic zone.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the static zone is overlayed upon the facility and associated with a fixed area of the facility.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the static zone is a protected work zone that allows a worker to enter the region in a “

normal”

position and to not receive alerts.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the static zone is an intersection zone that alerts a pedestrian of an incoming machine.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the static zone is a parking zone that facilitates storage of the asset during non-use.

7. The system of claim 3, further comprising a speed control zone wherein speed of the asset can be remotely regulated.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein the dynamic zone is configured to dynamically change in real time based at least in part upon velocity, acceleration, direction, predicted path or position of the asset.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a tag identification component that facilitates association of a unique tag to the asset, wherein the unique tag identifies authorizations, credentials and identity of the asset and wherein the unique tag facilitates generation of the notification.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a monitoring component that tracks a plurality of assets in relation to the one or more zones, wherein the monitoring component facilities determination of encroachment on the one or more zones.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising a pairing component that associates an operator to a machine via tag identification.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a real time location system that includes a plurality of sensors capable of identification of location of an asset within the facility.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a tag sensing component that employs a plurality of sensors to establish one of proximity or presence of the asset in the region.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a notification component that generates and renders the notification based at least in part upon the region of one of the one or more zones.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the event recognition component predicts a zone encroachment of the asset based upon velocity, direction, predicted path or position of the asset.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the encroachment defines an asset approaching a machine that is stationary and wherein the system facilitates active control of the machine'"'"'s ignition circuit to disable the machine from moving.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the notification is one or more of an audible, vibratory or visual notification.

18. A computer-implemented method of event warning, comprising:

employing a processor that executes computer executable instructions stored on a computer readable storage medium to implement the following acts;

recognizing one or more zones, wherein each of the zones define a region within a facility or associated to an asset;

monitoring each of the regions in real time for one of proximity or presence associated to each of the regions; and

generating a notification based at least in part upon encroachment of one of the one or more zones.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising identifying the one or more zones, wherein the one or more zones are defined as a static or dynamic zone, wherein a static zone is overlayed upon a fixed area of the facility, and wherein a dynamic zone can automatically reconfigure based at least in part upon velocity, direction, predicted path or position of an asset.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising associating a unique tag to the asset, wherein the unique tag identifies authorizations, credentials and identity of the asset, and wherein the unique tag facilitates generation of the notification.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the encroachment defines an asset approaching a machine that is stationary, and further comprising rendering active control of the machine'"'"'s ignition circuit and disabling the machine from moving.

22. A computer-executable system of event acknowledgment, comprising:

means for identifying a plurality of static and dynamic zones;

means for tracking a plurality of assets in relation to an area defined by each of the plurality of zones; and

means for triggering a notification of an event, wherein the event is an encroachment of one or more of the plurality of assets upon one or more of the plurality of static and dynamic zones.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising dynamically altering a subset of the dynamic zones based at least in part upon velocity, direction, predicted path or position of one or more of the plurality of assets.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the system of triggering a notification of an event generates and sends the notification to one or more assets of different types simultaneously.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein the one or more assets include a driver and a pedestrian.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein the notification is conveyed in a mixed use zone wherein an operator receives the notification if another asset encroaches within the mixed use zone.

27. The system of claim 22, wherein a level of the notification corresponds with a severity of circumstance surrounding the event.

28. The system of claim 22, wherein the event is an encroachment when a machine is stationary and wherein the system facilitates active control of the machine'"'"'s ignition circuit to disable the machine from moving.

29. The system of claim 22, wherein the notification is an indication of an asset leaving a facility.