Personnel tracking and emergency notification system

A platform that utilizes QR codes, Radio Frequency Identification and/or Near Field Communication for geolocation in securing users safety and a MESH network to ensure emergency safety device performs under any network configuration cellular/wifi/bluetooth. The platform enables the dashboard and/or application programs executing thereon to effectively secure users of platform with audio/visual recordings of any such events which may endanger an associate working in a discrete location on their own. A user can also locate the associate in the case of an emergency. The platform also enables speech enabled summoning of the panic button. The platform plans to utilize ultra wide band technologies in addition to cellular/wifi/bluetooth channels. The platform is also available to emergency services based on the severity of an issue that may arise. The platform can also transmit single channel walkie talkie services to users of platform at the same location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a wireless system or tracking the location of mobile personnel in an organization and an emergency notification system that the personnel can use in the event of an emergency at their location.

Description of the Related Art

Hotels typically employ multiple employees such as housekeepers, mobile security guards, and other, whose duties require them to move to different parts of the hotel. Occasionally, these employees encounter emergent situations that warrant the immediate notification of the situation in the hotel to supervisors and/or first responders.

It would be beneficial to provide a system that can track the location of each moving employee and allow such employees to quickly transmit a message to a supervisor about an emergent situation without having to specifically transmit their location in the hotel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a safety network comprising a plurality of location indicators. Each location indicator is configured to identify a unique location in a facility. A plurality of mobile electronic devices are each configured to read one of the location indicators and transmit a first electronic signal associated with the one of the location indicators and to transmit a second electronic signal associated with an emergency condition proximate to the one of the location indicators. An administrative server contains a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, having encoded thereon program code. When the program code is executed by a machine, the machine implements a method for receiving the first electronic signal and the second electronic signal and for determining and storing a location of the mobile electronic devices based on the first electronic signal. A monitoring electronic device is electronically connected to the server and is configured to display location information for each of the mobile electronic devices based on the first electronic signal and to display an indication based on the second electronic signal that the emergency condition exists.

In an alternative embodiment, a safety network comprises a location indicator configured to identify a unique location in a facility, a first electronic device configured to read the location indicator and to transmit a first electronic signal associated with the location indicator and a second electronic signal associated with an emergency proximate to the location indicator, and a second electronic device configured to receive the first electronic signal and the second electronic signal and to record information related to the first electronic signal and the second electronic signal to a database and to generate and transmit a third electronic signal to a third electronic device, the third electronic signal configured to alert a user to the emergency.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. The embodiments illustrated below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. These embodiments are chosen and described to best explain the principle of the invention and its application and practical use and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention.

The word “about” is used herein to include a value of +/−10 percent of the numerical value modified by the word “about” and the word “generally” is used herein to mean “without regard to particulars or exceptions.”

The present invention can be used in a facility such as a hotel/motel (from here on “hotel”) setting and can be used to track the location of mobile employees, such as housekeepers, mobile security guards, and other employees whose duties require them to move to different parts of the hotel. Occasionally the mobile employee encounter emergent situations such as, but not limited to, the employee's safety being compromised, a guest being found non-responsive, a fire burning, or finding illegal contraband in a guest room.

Referring to the schematic ofFIG. 1, the present invention is a safety network100that includes a plurality of location indicators110, such that each location indicator110is configured to identify a unique location in the hotel. System100also includes a plurality of mobile electronic devices120that are configured to read each of the location indicators110and transmit a first electronic signal associated with the read location indicator110.

The first electronic signal is transmitted to an administrative server130containing a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, having encoded thereon program code, wherein, when the program code is executed by a machine, the machine implements a method for receiving the first electronic signal and for determining and storing a location of the mobile electronic devices120based on the first electronic signal.

Additionally, each of the mobile electronic devices120is also configured to transmit a second electronic signal to the server130. The second electronic signal can be associated with an emergency condition proximate to the one of the location indicators110.

A monitoring electronic device140is electronically connected to the server130and is configured to display location information for each of the mobile electronic devices120based on the first electronic signal and to display an indication based on the second electronic signal that the emergency condition exists.

By way of example only, location indicators110can be actively scannable indicators, such as quick response (“QR”) codes, applied to adhesive-backed substrates that can be applied to specific locations throughout the hotel, such as in the door jambs of each guest room and work room (e.g. laundry room, supply room, trash room, etc.) such that each QR code is coded to the specific location where the QR code is applied. Alternatively, location indicators110can be bar codes or other devices that can uniquely identify a location.

By way of example only, mobile electronic devices120can be cell phones with a camera and an application (“app”) or other software that can read the location indicator110and transmit the first signal to the administrative server130to log in the location of the employee at the particular location indicator110that was scanned. Additionally, mobile electronic device120can include a walkie-talkie functionality that uses a single channel tied to each specific property that is monitored by system100.

An exemplary screen shot of mobile electronic device120is shown inFIG. 2.

In the event of an emergency, the employee can tap a panic button122on the electronic device120or speak into the electronic device to transmit the second, or emergency, signal to the administrative server130to quickly indicate the presence of an emergency condition. Panic button122can include multiple buttons122,122A,122B to distinguish between a police emergency, a medical emergency, or a fire emergency to inform the manager of the type of responder that should be contacted to address the emergency. The second signal can be generated by touch or sound. The administrative server130will already have the location of the electronic device (and, thus, the employee) in its database by way of the first electronic signal. When panic button122,122A,122B is pressed, the emergency signal is transmitted not only to administrative server130, but to all logged in users as well to notify them of an emergency situation. Additionally, pressing panic button122,122A,122B can also autodial 911 emergency response.

Further, administrative server130is configured to store electronic audio files of sound samples throughout the location (i.e., hotel) and compare sounds provided via a microphone in mobile electronic device120with the sound samples. Exemplary sound samples can be taken from the laundry room, pool, kitchen, lobby, or other locations throughout the hotel. When panic button122is pressed, the microphone is automatically activated to pick up ambient sounds where mobile electronic device120is located. Those sounds are compared to the stored electronic audio files and, if a match (or close match) is found, the location associated with that file is displayed on monitoring electronic device140so that the party monitoring electronic device140knows where to respond or where to direct responders when they arrive at the location.

Further, the microphone on mobile electronic device120can also be used to transmit an electronic signal to monitoring electronic device140in the event that the microphone picks up a sound above a predetermined threshold, such as, for example, 95 decibels (dB). A typical human scream registers approximately 100 dB, so a sound at or around that sound level can at least generate an alarm at monitoring electronic device140to encourage the person at monitoring electronic device140to inquire into the source or reason for the sound or to summon help.

System100can also use passively scanned tags112, such as Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) and/or Near Field Communication (“NFC”) devices for public spaces, as compared to QR codes as location indicators110to track elevations. For example, instead of or in addition to location indicator110, passively scanned tags112can be located in public spaces, such as stairwells, elevator lobbies, laundry rooms, etc. A benefit to passively scanned tags112is that passively scanned tags112do not need to be physically scanned in the case of an emergency. However, by passing near passively scanned tags112, the passively scanned tags112can be automatically picked up by electronic device120and the location of the employee can be automatically transmitted to server130. The information provided by passively scanned tags112can indicate a floor of the building where the employee is located. An exemplary wrist band125can be the B10 Smart Multi-use Wristband manufactured by Minew.

System100can also include a wrist band125worn by the employee. Wrist band125is capable of transmitting to passively scanned tags112to transmit the location of wrist band125(and the employee) to server130. Wrist band125includes a button127that the employee can press for panic alert, similar to the panic button122described above. Button127communicates via Bluetooth to the employee's mobile electronic devices120, which would then transmit the second electronic signal to server130to transmit the distress signal to monitoring electronic device140to display location information for the mobile electronic devices120associated with that particular wrist band125.

Wrist band125also incorporates an electronic key that allows access to rooms. When the employee waves wrist band125in front of a lock on a room door, the lock will register that the employee is allowed access to the room and will automatically unlock via wireless communication, such as RFID, NFC, Bluetooth, or other suitable wireless method. Using wrist band125to unlock a room door can also be used to transmit the first electronic signal from electronic device120to server130, without having to actively scan location indicator110. As wrist band125electronically unlocks the door, wrist band125can transmit a Bluetooth or other wireless signal to mobile electronic device120to inform mobile electronic device120that a particular room has just been unlocked. Mobile electronic device120can then transmit the first electronic signal to server130with information about the room, such as the room number and the time that the room was unlocked.

Wrist band125, as well as mobile electronic device120can each also include a temperature sensor123that can monitor the ambient temperature. When temperature sensor123reads a temperature above a predetermined temperature, wrist band125and/or mobile electronic device120transmits an electronic signal to administrative server130, which in turn transmits another electronic signal to monitoring electronic device140to notify personnel of the high temperature. Optionally, administrative server130can be programmed to notify 911 emergency response of a possible fire as a result of the high temperature.

Mobile electronic device120can include a gyroscope incorporated therein. If the employee should fall, the sudden acceleration of mobile electronic device120as a result of the fall will automatically generate the second electronic signal if no movement is detected after the fall. Additionally, if the gyroscope does not detect movement for a predetermined period of time, mobile electronic device120can also transmit the second electronic signal to notify management to check in on the employee.

A scan button124can be pressed to activate mobile electronic device120to scan a new location indicator110after activating panic button122. A location icon126indicates that the employee's location is constantly updated after panic button122is activated. A microphone icon128indicates that mobile electronic device120is recording all audio after panic button122is pressed. A camera icon129indicates that a camera on mobile electronic device120is recording all video after panic button122is pressed. The circular icon132on top of the icons126,128,129indicates that what is being captured after panic button122is pressed.

A mail icon134allows the employee to type or dictate a message that can be sent to a manager, security, or other predetermined party after panic button122is pressed. Location buttons136can be selectively pressed by the employee to update their location after exiting the previously scanned location where the emergency is occurring. Arrows138,139can be pressed to display other location icons that do not initially fit on the display. Further, each mobile electronic device120can include an ultrawide band chip that allows management and security to determine the location of the employee within a quarter of a meter.

Icon141can be highlighted in red after panic button122is pressed to notify the employee that the second electronic signal was sent.

By way of example only, the administrative server130can be located on site, such as in a manager's office or in a security office, if present, or offsite. Data contained on the administrative server130is accessible only by personnel categorized in a predetermined personnel category, such as, for example, a manager, assistant manager, or security personnel.

After the second electronic signal is received by the administrative server130, the administrative server130is configured to automatically transmit a third electronic signal to the plurality of mobile electronic devices120. The third electronic signal can be generated by a push notification server132that is configured specifically to transmit the third electronic signal. As shown inFIG. 1, the push notification server132can be part of the administrative server130and can be integrated into the program code on the administrative server130. Alternatively, the push notification server132can be a commercially available system such as provided by www.pusher.com.

By way of example only the third electronic signal can inform other housekeepers that an unsafe situation is present at the hotel and that each housekeeper is to lock herself into the room where she last logged in until a manager, security personnel, or first responders either electronically contact the housekeeper to inform her that the safety situation has cleared or personally go to the housekeeper's location to escort her to a safe location.

Optionally, after the second electronic signal is received by the administrative server130, the administrative server130can be configured to automatically transmit a fourth electronic signal to a first responder. For example, if the second electronic signal indicates that a fire is present at the hotel, the fourth electronic signal can be automatically transmitted to a local fire department to inform the fire department of the fire.

By way of example only, the monitoring electronic device140comprises a main office video screen. Alternatively, the monitoring electronic device140can further comprise a security office video screen, if the particular hotel has a dedicated security office.

Referring to the dashboard142on monitoring electronic device140as shown inFIG. 3, from the moment the panic button122is pressed, system100automatically begins to record audio/visual from the mobile electronic device120on which panic button122is activated. Information from the mobile electronic device120is visible on the dashboard142when the panic button122is activated, audio/visual is stored on remote server130, and only predetermined users with permissions can view and listen to audio and visual data after the data is uploaded to the remote server130in the case the data is graphic in nature. Information gathered is stored indefinitely and is tied to an incident report of the occasion.

Dashboard142also provides the status of other employees using system100. In the event that an employee does push the panic button122, that employee's status is displayed at the top of dashboard142to enable management/security to rapidly see that an emergency situation is present.

The status of other employees is also provided on dashboard142. By way of example only, an icon146can indicate that an employee is at a particular location and has been at that location for a time duration longer that allotted to be in that location. Icon146can provide an indication to a manager that an employee should be checked on to monitor that employee's progress or status at the location.

Icon148can indicate that an employee has checked into a location and icon149can indicate that no employee is in a particular location. Different statuses can be color coded to quickly enable a manager or security personnel to determine the status of each employee or location.

In addition to enabling employees to quickly notify managers and security of an emergency situation, system100can also be used to track the activity of employees. From the time an employee scans into a location indicator110, the employee may have to temporarily leave the location to perform an associated duty, and then return to the location.

By way of example only, in a hotel environment, a housekeeper may use mobile electronic device120to scan a guest room having a location indicator110in order to clean the room. The housekeeper may need to leave the guest room to visit a linen closet, to use the public restroom, or to make another stop, prior to completing the guest room. System100logs all of the scans but keeps the timer running from the original scan of the location indicator110until the housekeeper scans into a new guest room, which would then log the time it took to complete the initial guest room and would include all of the housekeeper's stops in an activity log maintained on server130.

Additionally, based on the time log of the scan into the guest room, system100can be configured to notify the housekeeper that she is approaching a predetermined time limit to clean the guest room to encourage the housekeeper to wrap up what needs to be done to complete cleaning the guest room.

Optionally, system100can also integrate video cameras160that are mounted in strategic locations throughout the property, such as, for example, hallways, stairwells, and other “non-private (e.g. hotel guest rooms)” locations. Cameras160transmit a video feed directly to server130. Each camera160is also associated with specific location indicators110within the field of view of camera160. During an emergency, the video feed from camera160that has a field of view of the location where the emergency originates is automatically displayed on dashboard142to provide a manager and security with a visual display of the emergency location.

While the present invention is described for use in a hotel environment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention can be used to support other types of building, facilities, and industries as well.