PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT VERIFICATION

• US 20130257622A1
• Filed: 03/30/2012
• Published: 10/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Davalos, Pedro, Au, Kwong Wing, Bedros, Saad J., Venkatesha, Sharath
• Granted Patent: US 9,207,468 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/635
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/029 Additional functions or features, e.g. protection for other parts of the face such as ears, nose or mouth; Screen wipers or cleaning devices
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 1/00 Safety devices independent of the control and operation of any machine protective devices for the eyes or ears, worn on the body or carried in the hand, A61F9/00, A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/00 Safety devices acting in conjunction with the control or operation of a machine; Control arrangements requiring the simultaneous use of two or more parts of the body F16P5/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/08 in connection with the locking of doors, covers, guards, or like members giving access to moving machine parts
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/14 the means being photocells or other devices sensitive without mechanical contact
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0238 making use of sensor-related data, e.g. for identification of sensor or optical parts
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer-readable and executable instructions are provided for detecting a use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Detecting a use of PPE can include collecting contact data from a number of touch sensitive sensors attached to the PPE. Furthermore, detecting a use of PPE can include determining if the PPE is in proper use based on the collected contact data.

Claims

1. A method for detecting a use of personal protective equipment (PPE), comprising:

collecting contact data from a number of touch sensitive sensors attached to the PPE; and

determining if the PPE is in proper use based on the collected contact data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the number of touch sensitive sensors are located at a number of locations to ensure an intended use of the PPE.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining if the PPE is in proper use includes determining if the PPE is in proper use for an intended purpose of the PPE.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein determining if the PPE is in proper use includes detecting a specification information for the PPE.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

utilizing a computing device to allow access to a restricted area when collected contact data indicates that the PPE is in proper use.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the method includes alerting, via the computing device, monitors and occupants of the restricted area if collected contact data indicates that the PPE is not in proper use.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the collected data includes collecting specification information for the PPE.

8. A machine-readable non-transitory medium storing instructions for detecting use of personal protective equipment (PPE), executable by a machine to cause the machine to:

receive touch sensitive sensor data from a number of touch sensitive sensors attached to the PPE;

determine a number of touch sensitive sensors in contact with a user;

receive data for a restricted area and specifications for the PPE;

determine a safety status based on the locations of the number of touch sensitive sensors and the number of touch sensitive sensors in contact with the user, the specifications for the PPE, and the data for the restricted area the user intends to access; and

notify the user of a safety status.

9. The non-transitory medium of claim 8, wherein notify the user includes allowing access to the restricted area if the safety status is acceptable.

10. The non-transitory medium of claim 8, wherein notify the user includes denying access to the restricted area if the safety status is not acceptable.

11. The non-transitory medium of claim 8, wherein the safety status includes a threshold number of touch sensitive sensors in contact with the user.

12. The non-transitory medium of claim 8, wherein notify the user includes sending a signal to a display attached to the PPE.

13. A system for detecting use of personal protective equipment (PPE) prior to entering a restricted area, comprising:

a pair of PPE goggles;

a number of touch sensitive sensors attached to the PPE goggles;

a computing device communicatively coupled to a locking mechanism restricting access to the restricted area, wherein the computing device comprises a memory and a processor resource coupled to the memory to;

receive data collected by the number of touch sensitive sensors;

determine the locations of a number of sensors and the number of sensors that are in contact with a user from the data;

allow access to the restricted area if the number of sensors in contact with the user is above a predetermined threshold and the locations of the sensors in contact with the user meet a specification, wherein to allow access includes a release of the locking mechanism.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein a number of light sensors are attached to the PPE goggles.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising a display on the PPE goggles that indicates what sensors are in contact with the user.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the data comprises PPE goggle specifications, wherein the PPE goggle specification includes a range of visual protection for the user.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor is further instructed to issue a warning to the user if the number of sensors in contact with user is below the predetermined threshold.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein a selected number of the sensors must be out of contact with the user to grant access to the restricted area.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the touch sensitive sensors are attached at locations that contact the skin of the user during an intended use of the PPE goggles.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor is further instructed to disable a device if the number of sensors in contact with user is below the predetermined threshold, wherein the device is a hazard to the user if the PPE goggles are not worn properly.