Proximity warning system with silent zones
First Claim
1. A method for providing a proximity warning comprising:
- generating a plurality of magnetic fields defining a plurality of zones, wherein each of the plurality of magnetic fields at least partially overlaps at least one other of the plurality of magnetic fields, and wherein each of the plurality of zones is defined by a particular combination of the presence or absence of single or multiple magnetic fields of the plurality of magnetic fields, each zone being either a warning zone in which a warning is to be issued or a silent zone in which a warning is not to be issued;
determining a location of a detector device with respect to the plurality of magnetic fields, wherein the location is determined by detecting at least one of the plurality of magnetic fields using the detector device;
determining whether a warning is to be issued based on a particular one of the zones in which the detector device is located, wherein it is determined to issue a warning if the detector device is located in a warning zone and it is determined to not issue a warning if the detector device is located in a silent zone; and
if it is determined to issue a warning, issuing the warning.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various proximity detection zones for work sites that require personnel to be in close proximity to various hazardous elements, such as machines, mobile equipment, remotely controlled machines, and operated vehicles can be shaped to fit specific equipment or work area configurations and may include one or more silent zones within the proximity warning zone in which an alarm is not sounded. The zones are determined by overlapping magnetic fields that expand and collapse at a selected operating frequency. Devices sense and measure the strength of the magnetic fields in which they are located and use the information to determine if they are in a silent or warning zone. Thus, it is possible to produce silent zones having desired shapes.
54 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method for providing a proximity warning comprising:
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generating a plurality of magnetic fields defining a plurality of zones, wherein each of the plurality of magnetic fields at least partially overlaps at least one other of the plurality of magnetic fields, and wherein each of the plurality of zones is defined by a particular combination of the presence or absence of single or multiple magnetic fields of the plurality of magnetic fields, each zone being either a warning zone in which a warning is to be issued or a silent zone in which a warning is not to be issued; determining a location of a detector device with respect to the plurality of magnetic fields, wherein the location is determined by detecting at least one of the plurality of magnetic fields using the detector device; determining whether a warning is to be issued based on a particular one of the zones in which the detector device is located, wherein it is determined to issue a warning if the detector device is located in a warning zone and it is determined to not issue a warning if the detector device is located in a silent zone; and if it is determined to issue a warning, issuing the warning. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A proximity warning system, comprising:
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a plurality of generators that generate a plurality of magnetic fields defining a plurality of zones, wherein each of the plurality of magnetic fields at least partially overlaps at least one other of the plurality of magnetic fields, and wherein each of the plurality of zones is defined by a particular combination of the presence or absence of single or multiple magnetic fields of the plurality of magnetic fields, each zone being either a warning zone in which a warning is to be issued or a silent zone in which a warning is not to be issued; a detector device that measures the strength of each of the plurality of magnetic fields and determines its location with respect to the plurality of magnetic fields; and an alarm device that issues a warning based on the location of the detector device, wherein the warning is issued if the detector device is located in a warning zone and the warning is not issued if the detector device is located in a silent zone. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification