Mobile plant proximity detection and warning system

• US 6,650,242 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2001
• Issued: 11/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Global 7 Group Pty., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Embridge Lake Pty., Ltd.
• Inventors: Clerk, Frederick George, Mahdavian, Hossien
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phung
• Application Number:
  US09/866,566
• Publication Number:
  US 20020175825A1
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/902, 340/904, 340/906, 340/919, 340/691.3, 340/545.1, 340/917, 340/686--68, 340/687, 340/901, 340/539.1, 340/425.5
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 17/003 for fork-lift trucks
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/144 using light grids

Abstract

A movement detection and warning system is provided and includes a transmitter means for transmitting a signal in association with an event or an object. The signal is adapted for triggering a detector means. The detector means is tuned to only detect the signal transmitted by the transmitter means when the detector is located within a predetermined distance from the transmitter means. The detector means activates an alarm means in response to being triggered by the transmitted signal thereby providing an early and distinct warning to people in the vicinity of the detector in order to eliminate or reduce the chances of the person sustaining injury. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of warning a person of the proximity of an object or event. According to the method, the object or event is associated with a transmitter means for transmitting a signal. The signal triggers a detector means and the detector is tuned to only detect the signal transmitted by the transmitter means. When the person and object or event are located within a predetermined distance from each other, the transmitter means transmits a signal to the detector means. In response, the detector means activates an alarm means in order to provide an early and distinct warning to the person in the vicinity of the object or event to alert the person to the presence of the object or event.

Claims

1. A movement detection and warning system comprising a transmitter for transmitting an infra-red signal in association with die occurrence of an event or an object, the signal being adapted fir triggering a detector, said transmitter being mounted on a moveable vehicle, said movable vehicle being movable wit respect to the detector, said detector being tuned to only detect the infra-red signal transmitted by the detector when the detector is located within a predetermined distance from the transmitter, said detector activating an alarm for providing a warning to a person in the vicinity of the alarm in response to being triggered by the transmitted infra-red signal thereby providing an early and distinct warning to the person in the vicinity of the detector in order to eliminate or reduce the chances of the person sustaining injury, wherein the infra-red signal is transmitted through substantially 360°

around the transmitter.

2. A system according to claim 1, in which the infra-red transmitted signal is a fan shaped beam.

3. A system according to claim 2, in which the fan shaped beam is transmitted through an angle of 360°

, either continuously or intermittently or pulsed.

4. A system according to claim 3, in which the infra-red beam is a rotating encoded transmission of infra-red radiation.

5. A system according to claim 4, in which the infra-red beam is transmitted through 360°

by rotation.

6. A system according to claim 5, in which the event or object is movement of a vehicle through a prearranged zone or a vehicle arriving at a predetermined location.

7. A system according to claim 6, in which the vehicle is a mobile plant or industrial equipment.

8. A system according to claim 7, in which the vehicle is a fork-lift track.

9. A system according to claim 8, in which the infra-red transmitter is mounted on the fork-lift truck.

10. A system according to claim 6, in which the detector is located remote from the vehicle and is triggered in response to detecting the presence of the infra-red signal.

11. A system according to claim 6, in which the alarm system is activated in response to the detector detecting the presence of the infra-red signal, when the vehicle is located at or within the predetermined distance between the transmitter and the detector.

12. A system according to claim 1, in which the detector and the alarm are located remote from each other.

13. A system according to claim 6, in which the vehicle can approach the detector from any horizontal direction.

14. A system according to claim 5, in which the transmitter includes an encoded infra-red source and associated electronic systems and a rotating mirror contoured to produce the rotating fan shaped beam of infra-red light.

15. A system according to claim 2, in which the fan shaped beam of infra-red light dimension in the plane and a relatively wider dimension in the vertical plane.

16. A system according to claim 1, in which the transmitter includes a static array or Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

17. A system according to claim 16, in which the Light Emitting Diodes are arranged in an array of Light Emitting Diodes fin operation in a prearranged manner or sequence to provide in effect a rotating beam of infra-red illumination.

18. A system according to claim 17, in which the Light Emitting Diodes are operated to produce a rotating fan shaped beam of infra-red illumination.

19. A system according to claim 1, in which the detector comprises a detection and alarm function.

20. A system according to claim 1, in which the detector is powered externally or is provided with its own self-contained power source.

21. A system according to claim 1, in which the detector is fixed to a substrate at a strategic location or the detector is worn or provided on the apparel or clothing of the person for activation byte infra-red signal when the person having the detector and the transmitter are within a predetermined distance of each other.

22. A system according to claim 1, in which the alarm includes an audible alarm, a visible alarm, a digital alarm or other warning device, including combinations thereof.

23. A system according to claim 1, in which the signal transmitted by the transmitter is used to remotely operate an access control device.

24. A system according to claim 23, in which the access control device includes a boom gate, a roller door, a swing door, a sliding door, a barrier, or other moving or operating mechanisms.

27. A system according to claim 1, wherein said infra-red signal is transmitted through substantially 360°

around the transmitter in a horizontal plane.

28. A system according to claim 1, wherein said infra-red signal is transmitted through about 180°

in a vertical plane.

29. A system according to claim 1, wherein said infra-red signal is transmitted through substantially 360°

in a horizontal plane and about 180°

in a vertical plane.

25. A method of warning a person of the proximity of an object or event comprising associating the object or event with a transmitter for transmitting an infra-red signal through substantially 360°

around the transmitter, the signal triggering a detector, said transmitter being mounted on a moveable vehicle, said movable vehicle being movable with respect to the detector, said detector being tuned to only detect the signal transmitted by the transmitter so that when the person and object or event are located within a predetermined distance from each other the transmitter transmits the signal to the detector such that the detector activates an alarm in order to provide an early and distinct warning to the person in the vicinity of the object or event in order to alert the person to the presence of the object or event.

26. A method of warning a person of the proximity of an object or event comprising associating the object or event with a transmitter for transmitting an infra-red signal through substantially 360°

around the transmitter, the signal triggering a detector, said transmitter being mounted on a moveable vehicle, said movable vehicle being movable with respect to the detector, said detector being tuned to only detect the signal transmitted by the transmitter so that when the person or object or event are located within a predetermined distance from each other the transmitter transmits a signal to the detector such that the detector activates an alarm in order to provide an early and distinct warning to the person in the vicinity of the object or event in order to alert the person to the presence of the object or event, wherein the object or event is associated with the transmitter using a movement detection and warning system comprising the transmitter for transmitting a signal in association with the event or object, the signal being adapted for triggering the detector, said detector being tuned to only detect the signal transmitted by the transmitter when the detector is located within a predetermined distance from the transmitter, said detector activating the alarm in response to being triggered byte transmitted signal thereby providing an early and distinct warning to people in the vicinity of the detectors in order to eliminate or reduce the chances of the person sustaining injury.

30. A movement detection and warning system for alerting a person to the close proximity of a moving vehicle, said system including a transmitter for transmitting an encoded infrared signal through substantially 360°

round the transmitter for a preset time for triggering a detector, said transmitter being mounted on the vehicle so that the transmitter moves in accordance with movement of the vehicle so as to move with respect to the detector, said encoded infrared signal having a relatively narrow dimension in the substantially horizontal plane and a relatively wider dimension in the substantially vertical plane, said detector being tuned to detect the encoded infrared signal transmitted by the transmitter only when the detector is located within a predetermined distance from the transmitter and the infrared signal has been transmitted for the preset time, wherein when the transmitter is located within the predetermined distance from the detector, an alarm is activated in response to the detector sensing the encoded infrared signal for the preset time so as to provide an early and distinct warning to the person in the vicinity of the vehicle in order to eliminate or reduce the chances of the person sustaining injury.