AU2020203669A1

AU2020203669A1 - Area Departure Alert System and Method

Info

Publication number: AU2020203669A1
Application number: AU2020203669A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Stephen Paul Asher; Stephen Craig POWER
Original assignee: Isol8 Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Isol8 Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-06-03
Filing date: 2020-06-03
Publication date: 2020-12-17

Abstract

A device, a system and a method disclose a mobile device comprising a position sensing module; an activation module, a tracking module and an alter module. The activation module requires either, or both, of: i) an activation by scanning of a first token and a confirmation by scanning a second token, and ii) an activation by scanning of the first/second token and a receipt of an encoded distance in the scanning of the first/second token. The tracking module is configured to: determine the position of the mobile device using the position sensing module when the activation module is activated; track the location of the mobile device using the position sensing module on an ongoing basis after the activation module is activated, and determine whether the mobile device has moved outside of the determined distance from the position of the mobile device when the activation module was activated. The alert module is configured to provide an alert when the mobile device has moved outside of the determined distance. 1/5 Lock --.- 40 Activation 10 4-*14 R1 N token 1I Equipment 24 1 4 32 2232 16Activation 22/ 20 token 2 /Vlobile Server - Lockbox De-activation R4 token / 46 4R2 48 Device R3 20' Other Device 34 36 FIG. 1 Mobile Device 20 50 cpu Location Devices 56 52 Memory Token / storage scanner 58 Alert Comms Output 60 Fig. 2

Description

1/5

Lock --.- 40

Activation 10

4-*14 R1 N token 1I

Equipment 24 1 4 32 2232 16Activation 22/ 20 token 2 /Vlobile Server

- Lockbox

De-activation R4 token / 46 4R2

48 Device

R3

20' Other Device 34 36 FIG. 1

Mobile Device 20 50 cpu Location Devices 56

52 Memory Token / storage scanner 58

Alert Comms Output

60

Fig. 2

Area Departure Alert System and Method

Field of the Invention

[001] The prevent invention relates to a system for and a method of providing an alert when a person departs an area. This is particularly applicable when isolation locking is required and the person departs the area without de isolation-locking an item of equipment/plant - preventing that item of equipment/plant from being re-energised.

Background

[002] It is a well known problem, that individuals who have placed their personal isolation lock on an isolation device or lock box, sometimes forget to remove their lock when they have finished their task and the item of equipment/plant is safe to de-isolate and put back into service.

[003] When an individual has left a lock on - the plant cannot be de isolated as it indicates the person is still working on the task. The plant can only be unlocked and re-energised when all personal locks have been removed and persons have signed off on the isolation permit that they have finished their allocated work as specified in the permit or have left the work site.

[004] Standard Lock-Out-Tag-Out (LOTO) isolation management systems will not allow an employee's lock to be removed by another person, unless: - A rigorous search is undertaken to determine that the employee has left the site and has finished their work for that shift; and - Get the person back to the site to remove their personal lock; or - Where it has been determined that the person has left the site and forgotten to remove their lock, they must be contacted by the senior manager to establish this and advise the person that their lock is being removed as authorised by the Site Senior manager.

- The process to remove a lock in this manner by a third party is kept as a written and signed off record to verify and justify the decision and action taken by the site senior management.

[005] The time taken and the increase in unnecessary plant downtime can be a significant and costly exercise and sometimes results in disciplinary action including termination of the person who left their lock on. Further productive use of the plant can't occur until the situation is resolved.

[006] The present invention was developed to address the problem of the person leaving the site without removing their lock, but has other applications. An aspect of the present invention it the manner of appropriate configuration of technological apparatus so as to address this problem.

[007] Mention of prior art in the background of this specification not intended to be a concession that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Summary of the Invention

[008] According to a first aspect there is provided a mobile device comprising a position sensing module; an activation module requiring either, or both, of: i) an activation by scanning of a first token and a confirmation by scanning a second token, and ii) an activation by scanning of the first/second token and a receipt of an encoded distance in the scanning of the first/second token; a tracking module configured to:

determine the position of the mobile device using the position sensing module when the activation module is activated; track the location of the mobile device using the position sensing module on an ongoing basis after the activation module is activated, and determine whether the mobile device has moved outside of the determined distance from the position of the mobile device when the activation module was activated; an alert module configured to provide an alert when the mobile device has moved outside of the determined distance.

[009] According to a second aspect there is provided a system for altering of leaving an area comprising: an activation token positioned at a location, the activation token having an encoded distance; a mobile device comprising:

a position sensing module; an activation module for scanning the activation token when proximal to the token and for reading the encoded distance, whereupon a tracking module is activated; the tracking module configured to:

determine the position of the mobile device using the position sensing module when the activation module is activated; track the location of the mobile device using the position sensing module on an ongoing basis after the activation module is activated, and determine whether the mobile device has moved outside of the distance from the position of the mobile device when the activation module was activated;

an alert module configured to provide an alert when the mobile device has moved outside of the determined distance.

[0010] According to a third aspect there is provided a system for altering of leaving an area comprising: a first activation token; a second activation token positioned at an item of equipment; a mobile device comprising: a position sensing module; an activation module for scanning the first activation token when proximal to the first token and for scanning the second activation token when proximal to the second token, whereupon a tracking module is activated when both activation tokens are scanned; the tracking module configured to: determine the position of the mobile device using the position sensing module when the activation module is activated; track the location of the mobile device using the position sensing module on an ongoing basis after the activation module is activated, and determine whether the mobile device has moved outside of the distance from the position of the mobile device when the activation module was activated; an alert module configured to provide an alert when the mobile device has moved outside of the determined distance.

[0011] In an embodiment the distance is determined based on a determined distance between the location at which the first token is scanned and the location at which the second token is scanned.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method an alerting to leaving an area, said method comprising: activation of tracking of a mobile device, where activation comprises determining the position of the mobile device upon activation; tracking the location of the mobile device on an ongoing basis after activation; determining whether the mobile device has moved outside of a determined distance from the position of the mobile device when the activation occurred; and providing an alert when the mobile device has moved outside of the determined distance, wherein the distance is determined by either i) receiving the distance when the activation of the tracking occurs; or ii) calculating the distance between two activation tokens, where activation occurs when both activation tokens are scanned.

[0013] These and other aspects may have the following features.

[0014] In an embodiment the activation token is fixed to or otherwise associated with an isolation lock, an item of equipment requiring isolation, and/or a lockbox. In an embodiment the first activation token is on the isolation lock. In an embodiment the second activation token is on one of the item of equipment or the lockbox. In an alternative embodiment the first activation token is on the lock or the lockbox and the second activation token is on the item of equipment.

[0015] In an embodiment the activation requires scanning of both the activation token on the lock and the activation token on one of the equipment or thelockbox.

[0016] In an embodiment the distance is encoded in one of the activation tokens. In an embodiment the distance is determined by the distance between scanned activation tokens. Preferably the distance is at least the distance between the activation tokens. Preferably the distance is a multiple of the distance between the activation tokens. For example, 2 times, 3 times, 4 times, 5 times, or 10 times the distance between the activation tokens. In an embodiment the multiplier is encoded and/or transmitted in one of the activation tokens.

[0017] In an embodiment the activation occurs when an activation token is scanned. In an embodiment the activation token is a near field device configured to be scanned by the mobile device. The near field device may be a RFID tag. Alternatively the activation token is a barcode, QR code or similar visual indicia is able to be scanned by the mobile device.

[0018] In an embodiment tracking is discontinued when the deactivation occurs. In an embodiment deactivation occurs when the activation token or a deactivation token is scanned by the mobile device. In an embodiment the deactivation token is the same near field device or visual indicia is scanned by the mobile device. Alternatively the deactivation token is a different near field device or visual indicia able to be scanned by the mobile device.

[0019] In an embodiment the deactivation requires confirmation by the user of the mobile device.

[0020] In an embodiment the distance is configured to be a distance from the equipment to a boundary from the work area or work site, or other area in which the person conducting an isolation of the equipment should not need to travel beyond whilst working on the equipment. In an embodiment the distance is preconfigured for the work site or piece of equipment.

[0021] In an embodiment the alert comprises the mobile device providing a warning. In an embodiment the alert comprises the mobile device sending a message to another device.

[0022] Also according to the present invention there is provided a computer program for controlling a mobile device comprising instructions which when executed by a processor of the mobile device control the mobile device to: receive a signal comprising or used to determined a distance; determine the position of the mobile device upon receiving an activation even; track the location of the mobile device upon activation on an ongoing basis after activation; determine whether the mobile device is outside of an area defined by the determined distance from the position of the mobile device; and generate an alert when the mobile device has moved outside of the determined distance.

[0023] In an embodiment receiving a signal comprising or used to determined a distance may be either receiving a signal from scanning an activation token, receiving the distance in or encoded in scanning data from the activation token, or triggering determining the distance between two scanned activtion tokens.

[0024] In the is specification the words comprising and comprises are intended to be used inclusively and not exhaustively.

Description of Drawings

[0025] In order to provide a better understanding, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a system diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a mobile device for configuring to operate according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a block diagram of the mobile device configured with functional modules for operating according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a screen shot of a mobile device configured to implement an embodiment of the present invention, ready to be activated to provide an alert;

Figure 6 is an image of an embodiment of a step of activation of the tracking of the location of the mobile device;

Figure 7 is a screen shot of the mobile device once activated to provide an alert when an area is departed from an area;

Figure 8 is a screen shot of the mobile device which has departed from the area; and

Figure 9 is a screen shot of a message send when the mobile device has departed the area.

Details Description of Embodiments

[0026] Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a system 10 comprising an asset, such as an item of equipment 14 that is energised during operation, and a mobile device 20. In an embodiment the system 10 further comprises a remote system, such as a server 30 in communication with the mobile device 20 via a communication network 32. In an embodiment the system additionally comprises another device 36 with which the server 30 can communicate, such as via network 32. The other device 36 may be able to communicate with mobile device 20 via a communication network 34, which may be or may be part of or may be separate from network 32. The equipment 14 may be isolation locked with an isolation lock 40 obtained from, or having its key obtained from a lockbox 46.

[0027] The equipment 14 comprises one or more activation tokens 16, 42, such as a near field device (NFD) (for example a RFID tag), a bar code or a QR code or similar, a beacon (such as a Bluetooth Low Energy device). In this embodiment, the activation token 16 is attached to, or associated with in some other manner, the item of equipment 16. The activation token 42 is attached to, or associated with in some other manner, the isolation lock 40. The lockbox 48 may have another activation token, or in this case a deactivation token 48 attached to, or associated therewith in some other manner.

[0028] Referring to Figure 2, the mobile device 20 may be a smart phone, tablet or other suitable device. The smart phone will typically comprise a processor 50, memory/storage 52, an output 54 (such as a screen and/or a speaker), location devices 56, a token scanner 58 (such as a camera or scanning a bar code or QR code, or NFD scanner) having a range indicated as R4 in Figure 1, and may also comprise communications devices 60, such as a WIFI network or cellular phone network wireless network connection. The location devices 56 may include a GPS locator (GPS, AGPS), cellular phone position locator (CellID), WIFI position locator (WiFI ID or MACID), beacon identification locator or other suitable location determining device(s) that can determine the location of the mobile device 20, in some embodiments based on received signals from location indicators 58 (Fig 3), such as GPS satellite signals, cellular telephone network base stations signals, WIFI network access point signals, BLE signals, or similar, according to the type(s) of location determination devices used. The location devices 56 may also comprise an accelerometer and in some cases gyroscope for dead reckoning location determination, which may be used when network signals are not available or reliable.

[0029] The memory / storage 52 will typically store an operating system for controlling the processor 50 to implement the operating environment of the mobile device, for example the Android OS, or OS. The memory / storage 52 may also store a computer program(s) commonly termed an App, which is an Application for implementing a specific operation of the mobile device 20. The computer program comprises a set of instructions which when executed by the processor 50 cause it to be configured a certain way and cause it to perform certain functions, according to embodiments of the invention, which will be described below.

[0030] Referring to Figure 3, in an embodiment the device 20 is configured to provide functional modules. These modules may be implemented as electronic circuits, but will typically be implemented by the Application controlling the processor 50 to implement the functional modules. The Application comprises computer program instructions which when executed on the processor 50 configure the device 20 to preferably operate in the form of the functional modules. An aspect of the invention is what these modules are and how they operate. Another aspect of the invention is how the system 10 is configured. A further aspect of the invention is how the modules of the device 20 are used to perform a method of altering of leaving an area.

[0031] The modules comprise: an activation module 70 which receives input from the token scanner 58 when it scans the token 16 within a radius R1 of the token (R4 of the device 20) so as to be proximal to the token 16 (this may be within metres, centimetres, or on contact). The activation module 70 may also be manually activated by a user of the module device 20.

[0032] In an embodiment the activation module requires either, or both, of: i) an activation by scanning of the first token 40 and a confirmation by scanning the second token 16, and ii) an activation by scanning of the first/second token 40/16 and a receipt of an encoded distance in the scanning of the first/second token. Thus the distance can be set according to the type of lock 40, or preferably according to the type of equipment 14, or according to site-specific requirements.

[0033] In an embodiment the location of each of the lock 40/lockbox 46 and the item of equipment 14 is determined when the respective token is scanned the distance between them calculated. This calculated distance can be used (such as being a multiple of or as) the distance from the item of equipment allowed before alarm, as described below. This can be particularly useful when there is a one to many, or many to one, or many to many relationship between the lock, or lockbox, and equipment.

[0034] The activation module 70, when activated, starts a tracking module 72. The tracking module 72 is configured to receive locations of the mobile device 20 from the location devices 56. In particular, the tracking module 72 is configured to:

determine the position of the mobile device 20 using the location devices 56 when the activation module is activated, as a starting position of the device 20; track the location of the mobile device 20, subsequent to the initially determined position using the location devices 56 on an ongoing basis, determine whether the mobile device 20 has moved outside of a determined distance from the starting position of the mobile device 20, and when the distance is determined between the lock 40 / lockbox 46 and the item of equipment 14, to determine that distance.

[0035] In this manner the activation module 70 and the tracking module 72 act as a geofence system, whereby the centre of the geofence is created upon activation, and the fence is determined by the distance (as a radius of a circle whose perimeter forms the fence). Tracking occurs so as to detect crossing of the geofence, or until tracking is deactivated.

[0036] The alert module 74 is configured to generate an alert when the mobile device 20 has moved outside of the determined distance. Thus, crossing the geofence (moving outside of a radius R3) causes the alert module 74 to provide an alert. The mobile device 20 (and thus the holder of the device 20) is free to move any distance R2 inside of R3 without triggering an alert. However, upon moving outside of the area defined by R3, the tracking model 72 informs the alert module that the geofence has been crossed. The alert module 74 creates and alert via alert output 76. This may be making a sound, illuminating a light, displaying information on a screen, or sending a message, via communications devices 60. The alert module 74 may be configured to provide two levels of alert. First a warning, when the geofence is first crossed, which can be stopped/reset if the mobile device 20 moves back within the geofence, and a second level being an alarm which activates when the mobile device 20 has not moved back within the geofence within a time frame, for example 30 sec, 1 min, 2 min, 5 min or 10min.

[0037] The alert module 74 may be implemented on whole or part on the server 30.

[0038] Figure 4 shows a method 80 an alerting of leaving an area, which may be implemented with the system 10. Said method 80 comprises: starting 82 the Application on the device 20 is installed and started so as to configure the device 20 in an embodiment as described in relation to Figure 3; activating 84 of tracking of the mobile device 20, such as by scanning the activation token 16, (and in an embodiment scanning token 42 or token 48 first step 100 then step 102) where activation comprises determining the position of the mobile device 20 upon activation (an in an embodiment comprises determining the distance between the tokens 42/48 and 16 at 106) (or in an embodiment receiving 104 an encoding the distance from the token 16/42/48, such encoded in a QR code or in a near field signal); tracking 86 the location of the mobile device 20 on an ongoing basis after activation; determining 88 whether the mobile device 20 has moved outside of a determined distance R3 from the position of the mobile device 20 when the activation occurred; and in the event that this has occurred (y) sending 90 an alert (optionally this may be a warning first). If the mobile device has not departed the area (n), (and once the alert is send), it is then determined whether to continue tracking or end tracking at 92. If tracking is to continue (n) the process returns to step 86. If the tracking is to end (y), the tracking is stopped 94.

[0039] Starting the Application typically occurs in the standard manner of selecting an icon representing the Application on the mobile device 20. A start screen, such as for example as shown in Figure 5 is displayed. In one embodiment, the user will typically do this before applying a lock 40 to an item of equipment 14.

[0040] In some implementations of the Application, the configuration of the distance may also be by default, retained from a previous use, or a new configuration may be manually entered. For example, in Figure 6, the user enters a distance at 110 which will be the radius of the geofence R3. In an embodiment the distance is configured to be a distance from the equipment to a boundary from the work area or work site, or other area in which the person conducting an isolation of the equipment should not need to travel beyond whilst working on the equipment. In an embodiment the distance is preconfigured for the work site or piece of equipment. In an embodiment the distance is provided by the activation token, such as by data transfer from the token and may for example be associated with a token type.

[0041] The user may also enter a mode of contact (phone number or email address) in the event of the need to send an alert, and the user's name.

[0042] The starting location and message recipient information are stored in device storage 52; and can optionally be sent to a cloud server database 30 and re-read when the device is started. The user has the option of signing into the cloud server database, using a username and password, and thus retrieve configuration information from other Application instances.

[0043] An example of the activation 84 is shown in Figure 7, where an RFID tag 42' on the lock 40 is scanned by a scanning device of the mobile device 20. Figure 8 shows activation has occurred by the colour of the icon 112 changing to green. A sound may also be made by the mobile device 20.

[0044] In an embodiment tracking is discontinued when the deactivation occurs. In an embodiment deactivation occurs when the activation token 16/42 or a deactivation token 48 is scanned by the mobile device 20. In an embodiment the deactivation token is the same near field device or visual indicia is scanned by the mobile device to activate. Alternatively the deactivation token is a different near field device or visual indicia able to be scanned by the mobile device.

[0045] In the example application described, the system 10 provides an alert when an isolation lock is forgotten, left on the isolation device and the person leaves the defined geo-located area, thereby reminding them to return and remove their isolation lock. In an embodiment the alert comprises the mobile device providing a warning, such as a sound, for example a beep. This may continue for a short period to allow the user to return within the geofence (such as to remove the isolation lock), but if this does not occur within a short period of time (say 1 minute), then a further alert may be made, such as a different (for example more intense and or louder beeping), and a message may be sent. Figure 9 shows the icon 112 has changed to orange when a message has been sent. In an embodiment the alert comprises the mobile device sending a message to another device 36. Figure 10 shows a message received as a result of moving beyond a radius of 0.02km from the activation token labelled 4:65:C7:C2:88:58:80, which was activated at -31.7716, 116.0161 (lat. , long.). The message is typically send to the user and/or the user's supervisor. The supervisor may hold device 36 and can contact 34 the user via their mobile device (shown as 20' in Figure 1).

[0046] The mobile device, when configured according to embodiments of the invention, is able to address the problem of not knowing when a person (having the mobile device) leave an area, including with an isolation lock still in place. When the person leaves the area, they will be alerted so that the isolated equipment can be de-isolated.

[0047] Modifications and variations as will be obvious to a person skilled in the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A mobile device comprising a position sensing module; an activation module requiring either, or both, of: i) an activation by scanning of a first token and a confirmation by scanning a second token, and ii) an activation by scanning of the first/second token and a receipt of an encoded distance in the scanning of the first/second token; a tracking module configured to:

determine the position of the mobile device using the position sensing module when the activation module is activated; track the location of the mobile device using the position sensing module on an ongoing basis after the activation module is activated, and determine whether the mobile device has moved outside of the determined distance from the position of the mobile device when the activation module was activated;

2. A system for altering of leaving an area comprising: an activation token positioned at a location, the activation token having an encoded distance; a mobile device comprising:

determine the position of the mobile device using the position sensing module when the activation module is activated; track the location of the mobile device using the position sensing module on an ongoing basis after the activation module is activated, and determine whether the mobile device has moved outside of the distance from the position of the mobile device when the activation module was activated; an alert module configured to provide an alert when the mobile device has moved outside of the determined distance.

3. A system for altering of leaving an area comprising: a first activation token; a second activation token positioned at an item of equipment; a mobile device comprising:

a position sensing module; an activation module for scanning the first activation token when proximal to the first token and for scanning the second activation token when proximal to the second token, whereupon a tracking module is activated when both activation tokens are scanned; the tracking module configured to:

4. A device or system according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the activation token is fixed to or otherwise associated with an isolation lock, an item of equipment requiring isolation, and/or a lockbox.

5. A device or system according to claim 4, wherein the activation requires scanning of both an activation token on the lock and an activation token on one of the equipment or the lockbox.

6. A device or system according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the distance is encoded in one of the activation tokens.

7. A device or system according to claim 5, wherein the distance is determined by the distance between scanned activation tokens.

8. A device or system according to any one of the previous claims, wherein tracking is discontinued when the deactivation occurs by the activation token or a deactivation token being scanned by the mobile device.

9. A device or system according to claim 8, wherein the deactivation requires confirmation by the user of the mobile device.

10. A method an alerting to leaving an area, said method comprising: activation of tracking of a mobile device, where activation comprises determining the position of the mobile device upon activation; tracking the location of the mobile device on an ongoing basis after activation; determining whether the mobile device has moved outside of a determined distance from the position of the mobile device when the activation occurred; and providing an alert when the mobile device has moved outside of the determined distance wherein the distance is determined by either i) receiving the distance when the activation of the tracking occurs; or ii) calculating the distance between two activation tokens, where activation occurs when both activation tokens are scanned.

11. A computer program for controlling a mobile device comprising instructions which when executed by a processor of the mobile device control the mobile device to: receive a signal comprising or used to determined a distance; determine the position of the mobile device upon receiving an activation even; track the location of the mobile device upon activation on an ongoing basis after activation; determine whether the mobile device is outside of an area defined by the determined distance from the position of the mobile device; and generate an alert when the mobile device has moved outside of the determined distance.

12. A computer program according ot claim 11, wherein receiving a signal comprising or used to determined a distance may be either receiving a signal from scanning an activation token, receiving the distance in or encoded in scanning data from the activation token, or triggering determining the distance between two scanned activation tokens.