SYSTEM AND INTERFACES FOR MANAGING WORKPLACE EVENTS
A system and associated interfaces are provided that permit the monitoring of workers within the workplace environment. In one aspect, a monitor having various sensing capabilities may be assigned to a monitored subject that records various parameters that are personal to the worker. For instance, it is appreciated that there may be sensor that can be attached to the monitored subject that is adapted to monitor certain parameters associated with the worker's environment. For instance, a sensor assigned to the monitored subject may be capable of determining the location of the subject, along with motion, impacts, altitude, and other environmental parameters that could affect the health or other condition of the worker.
1 . A sensor comprising:
an element that is adapted to attach the sensor to a monitored subject; and
a wireless network interface adapted to communicate with a network of communication
nodes;
a processor adapted to detect a plurality of workplace events occurring to the monitored subject and wherein the processor is further adapted to communicate an event message over the network to a managing computer system, wherein the event message comprises:
a location of the event; and
information indicating that the monitored subject experienced at least one event of a group comprising a fall event, a jump event, and a slip and fall event.
2 . The sensor according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a group of elements comprising at least one accelerometer, a gyroscopic element, and a pressure sensor.
3 . The sensor according to claim 2 , wherein the sensor is further adapted to detect, responsive to a trigger, data for a defined period of time from the at least one accelerometer, gyroscopic element, and pressure sensor, and communicate the data within the event message to a management system.
4 . The sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is adaptively coupled to the management system, and wherein the management system is adapted to analyze at least one of the plurality of workplace events, the analysis of the at least one event including a determination of:
a freefall duration;
a detection of a jump;
an altimeter analysis;
an impact detection;
a rotational analysis;
a post-fall analysis; and
a proximity sensor analysis.
5 . The sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor further comprises a proximity sensor that senses when the sensor is being worn by the monitored subject, and wherein an indication of the proximity sensor is used by the system to determine a validity of at least one of the workplace events.
6 . The sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor and the network of communication nodes are adapted to transmit information using a plurality of communication channels, wherein each transmitter has specific time slots in which to transmit the information.
7 . The sensor according to claim 6 , wherein the sensor, when not in the sensor's specific time slot in which to transmit the information, operates in a low power mode.
8 . The sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor further includes a check-in capability, wherein the check-in capability associates the sensor with the monitored subject and communicates the association over the network to the managing computer system.
9 . The sensor according to claim 8 , wherein the check-in capability is performed using RFID.
10 . The sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is adapted to determine the location of the sensor based on detection of one or more communication nodes in the network of communication nodes.
11 . The sensor according to claim 10 , wherein the determination of the location is determined responsive to detected signal strength of the one or more communication nodes in the network of communication nodes.
12 . The sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is adapted to determine an altitude of the monitored subject.
13 . The sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer adapted to detect a free fall event.
14 . The sensor according to claim 2 , wherein the sensor is configured to operate in a low power mode wherein the processor operates in a stand-by mode and wherein the gyroscopic element is powered off.
15 . The sensor according to claim 14 , wherein the sensor is adapted to transition from the low power mode to an active mode responsive to detecting a triggering event.
16 . The sensor according to claim 15 , wherein the processor, responsive to the triggering event, is adapted to transition to an operating mode, and is adapted to power on the gyroscopic element and record data from the at least one accelerometer, gyroscopic element, and pressure sensor.
17 . The sensor according to claim 16 , wherein the triggering event occurs responsive to a detection by the at least one accelerometer.
18 . The sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a sensor element that indicates whether the sensor is being worn by the monitored subject.
19 . The sensor according to claim 18 , wherein the sensor element includes a proximity sensor adapted to detect a presence of the monitored subject.
20 . The sensor according to claim 18 , wherein the sensor element includes a clip switch adapted to indicate a change in status of a clip that attaches the sensor to the monitored subject.