Patent Publication Number: US-2023145583-A1

Title: Crew safety system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a safety system. In particular, the present invention relates to a crew safety system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There are several safety systems directed at crew safety disclosed in prior art. 
     KR20090019410A in the name of The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology disclosed a location tracking system and method for crews and passengers in a cruise ship. A power line modem is installed in a small and low power active tag, a router installed in a wall, and a power line installed in the ship. However, the disclosed system a tracking function and offers no further safety monitoring capabilities. 
     WO2015019372A1 in the name of MARTEC S. P. A. discloses a system for tracking the position of persons or items in structures provided with rooms intended to receive persons or items, such as ships, buildings, or offshore platforms. The system disclosed in this document offers limited crew location detection possibilities. 
     The present invention aims to resolve at least some of the problems and disadvantages mentioned above. The aim of the invention is to provide a method which eliminates those disadvantages. The present invention targets at solving at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages. 
     The invention thereto aims to provide a crew safety system which permits locating and monitoring the status of each crew member. Furthermore, the system permits also the monitoring of the environment surrounding each crew member. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention and embodiments thereof serve to provide a solution to one or more of above-mentioned disadvantages. To this end, the present invention relates to a crew safety system for monitoring persons on a ship according to claim  1 . The system comprising a plurality of wearables in a two-way connection with at least one room module, said room module being in a two-way connection with a central module. Said two-way connection between each room module and the central module being provided by cabling of a fire safety system. 
     Preferred embodiments of the device are shown in any of the claims  2  to  15 . 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
       The following description of the FIGURES of specific embodiments of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present teachings, their application or uses. Throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. 
         FIG.  1    shows a schematic representation of the crew safety system and its elements in accordance with claim  1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns crew safety system for monitoring persons on a ship. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. By means of further guidance, term definitions are included to better appreciate the teaching of the present invention. 
     As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings: 
     “A”, “an”, and “the” as used herein refers to both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. By way of example, “a compartment” refers to one or more than one compartment. 
     “Comprise”, “comprising”, and “comprises” and “comprised of” as used herein are synonymous with “include”, “including”, “includes” or “contain”, “containing”, “contains” and are inclusive or open-ended terms that specifies the presence of what follows e.g. component and do not exclude or preclude the presence of additional, non-recited components, features, element, members, steps, known in the art or disclosed therein. 
     Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order, unless specified. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein. 
     The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers and fractions subsumed within that range, as well as the recited endpoints. 
     Whereas the terms “one or more” or “at least one”, such as one or more or at least one member(s) of a group of members, is clear per se, by means of further exemplification, the term encompasses inter alia a reference to any one of said members, or to any two or more of said members, such as, e.g., any ≥3, ≥4, ≥5, ≥6 or ≥7 etc. of said members, and up to all said members. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. 
     In a first aspect the invention relates to a crew safety system for monitoring persons on a ship comprising:
         a. at least one wearable device configured to monitor and collect input from the person, comprising a Bluetooth Low Energy component for transmitting information, wherein each wearable device is provided with a unique identifier;   b. a plurality of room modules, comprising a Bluetooth Low Energy component, and configured to communicate with the wearable device by means of Bluetooth Low Energy; and   c. a central module configured to communicate with each room module and by means of which receive, request and process information collected by each wearable device;       

     wherein each room module is connected to the central module by means of cabling of a fire safety system in said ship, allowing communication between the room modules and the central module. As is generally known, costs related to installation of emergency systems constitute a substantial cost, sometimes matching or even exceeding the cost of the elements of the whole emergency system. In particular, fire safety systems are ubiquitous and mandatory in all ships, these system are further configured to reliably convey sensor signals and information to a central control unit in a two way communication mode. By making use of the cabling of existing fire safety system as a means of communication between each room module and the central module, installation cost of the crew safety system is minimal. Furthermore, the crew safety system advantageously benefits from reduced maintenance costs as only one cable system must be checked and maintained for both the fire safety system and the crew safety system. One of the substantial issues with existing crew safety monitoring systems, is that it is very difficult to get accurate signals inside of ships via conventional means, such as RFID, Wi-Fi, etc., due to the structure of the ships, which makes the need of high proximity to achieve the required connectivity between the wearable component and the static component very difficult, and the ubiquitousness of metals that interfere with these signals over longer ranges. Furthermore, use of RFID typically reduces the extent to which information can be exchanged, and does not allow dynamic information exchanges (for instance, info from sensors of the wearable). The use of BLE in this aspect solves many of the aforementioned problems, allowing a higher range and thus improved connectivity, relatively low power consumption, dynamic exchange of information. The higher range can also be used to substantially overcome any undue interference from metal in the environment. 
     The term “information” can refer to a number of features. In first instance, this comprises a way of identifying the wearable device and thus the crew member wearing it (preferably, the devices are coupled to a person in a central database, preferably available or in the central module). Identification can be via a number of means, such as a MAC address, an identification code or other means. Further information can then include environmental data (temperature, CO 2  level, oxygen level, etc.), biometrics of the wearer (heartrate, velocity, acceleration or absence thereof, etc.), and other information. 
     This information can then be appended by the room modules with further room information, for subsequent communication to the central module. This room information comprises a room or unit identification (again, a number of means is possible to achieve this), and optionally further data, such as environmental room data. 
     According to a further or another embodiment, the wearable device includes a distress signaling function. Preferably, the distress signaling function is configured to be activated by the wearer. More preferably, the activation of the distress function causes a report to be compiled and sent to the central module. Said compiled information preferably includes a unit identification assigned to the specific wearable issuing the wearable signal, as well as, the identification of the room module receiving the distress signal. This allows monitoring personnel at the central module to easily discern the person requesting assistance, and if necessary adjust for their specific circumstances, possibly based on medical records, and the exact location. 
     In a further or another embodiment, the room modules are configured to draw power from the fire alarm system. In this way installation of the system is further simplified, avoiding the need to install new cabling of to acquire new power sources to power the system. Preferably, the room modules are provided with a universal interface which permits direct plugging of the module to the fire alarm system. More preferable still, the room modules can use a single connection element for power and data connectivity with the fire system. 
     According to a further or another embodiment, the wearable device comprises an input means, preferably a button, and the central module is configured to periodically trigger each wearable device to request the user for input, preferably via a tactile and/or visual and/or auditive signal. This permits checking the status of each crew member, the correct functioning of the wearable device and provides a timely warning to the central module, and those monitoring it, in case of non-respondence by the crew member. Furthermore, audio and/or visual signals provide for the additional effect of assisting in finding the exact location of the crew member (for instance, when in a large room with a lot of objects, such as a cargo hold). 
     There may be instances where communication between a wearable device and a room module may be broken due to poor reception. For example, a crew member must operate in a confined space where placing a room module is not feasible, such as inside a boiler shell. In a further or another embodiment, the wearable device comprises an input means, preferably a button, and the wearable device is configured to periodically request the user for input, preferably via a tactile and/or visual and/or auditive signal. By preference, the room module sends a signal back to the wearable device in order to confirm the reception of the signal first issued by said wearable. More preferably, upon receiving a confirmation from the room module, the wearable device provides feedback to the user by means of a tactile and/or visual and/or auditive signal, which signal is distinct form the first signal requesting the user for input. In this way the user is made aware if there is poor communication between the wearable device and the room module. 
     In a first or another embodiment, the wearable device is configured to communicate a distress signal to the room module upon failure to respond to the request for input within a predetermined time period, preferably between 5 minutes and 1 hour, more preferably between 10 minutes and 30 minutes, for instance 15 minutes. By preference, these periods are adjustable according to the work allocated to a crew member and/or to the room(s) where said crew member passes/is in. More preferably, the periods are adjustable also according to rate of change of concentrations of hazardous substances or accident incidence per room. This advantageously permits adjusting the periods to the risk and hazards associated to a particular are or room of the vessel. 
     In some embodiments, the wearable device can be configured to allow the user to reset the predetermined period, thereby restarting the period after which the request for input will be issued. This reset can be performed via a separate button or input means, or the same as the original one used to provide input. This way, the user can make sure not to be bothered for a certain amount of time, which is convenient when having to deal with an activity that requires focus. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the wearable comprises a rechargeable power supply, wherein the power supply is suitable for at least powering the device for 24 hours, but preferably substantially more. 
     In a further or another embodiment, each room module has a unit identification, and wherein the central module is provided with a database of the unit identifications and the locations of the associated room modules. More preferably, the exact location of each room module within a room is provided to the central module. In this way, the location of crew members can be tracked more accurately. In particular in situations where the same wearable is detected by multiple units, strength of the signal captured by each room module and precise room module location can be used for a more precise location of a crew member. Again, this is an advantage of use of RFID. 
     In a preferred embodiment, a room module can be provided at a doorway of a room, preferably at each doorway of said room. This ensures that the wearable is detected upon entry, even if the device then proceeds to go out of range in the room. Based on previous detections, the exact position of the crew member (which way did he go through the doorway) can be ascertained, or this can be achieved via positioning the room module inside of the room and monitoring RSSI of the received signal during the connection (whether there&#39;s a strong decline at the end or a rapid increase at first in strength of the signal can be evidence of respectively leaving a room or entering a room). Alternatively, the room module is provided centrally in the room, or even at a number of locations throughout the room. These room modules can be coupled to correspond to a single ‘master module’ for said room, which performs the communication with the central module, or alternatively each of said room modules can perform the communication themselves. 
     In a further or another embodiment, the central module is configured to pass information for visual representation. By preference, said information includes identification of all wearables, identification and location of the room modules associated to each wearable, conditions surrounding each wearable and each room module and biological signals captured by each wearable. More preferably, history of verification signals of each room sensor and each wearable are also passed for visual representation. 
     In a further or another embodiment, the wearable device comprises a wear sensor configured to detect if a person is wearing the wearable device, preferably an accelerometer and/or a heart rate monitor. This advantageously permits assessing the condition of the user even within environments where sound or vibration prevent the user of a wearable from noticing a verification signal coming from the wearable device. More advantageously still, the wear sensor permits detecting when the wearer is in distress. 
     In a further or another embodiment, the room modules are configured to automatically register the unique identifier of the wearable device when communicating with said wearable device. By preference, the unique identifier is registered with a timestamp. More preferably, said registered unique identifier is communicated to the central module, preferably either upon registration or periodically, along with a unit identification of said room module. In this way, each wearable can be tracked not only in space but also in time. 
     The unique identifier can provided in a number of fashions, such as a code assigned to the wearable, that is automatically appended to communications, but can also simply be the MAC address of the BLE component or from another communication component. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the system is further provided with a plurality of sensor components, which can be positioned in the rooms via a myriad of ways (fastening techniques, loose sensor, etc.). The sensor components are provided with a BLE communication module, allowing communication to (and preferably also from) the room modules of which it is in proximity of. The sensors can be aimed at a number of functions, but mainly focus on environmental safety conditions, such as presence of certain undesirable gases (CO 2 , CO), but can also comprise smoke detectors, temperature sensors, air humidity sensors, etc. The sensor components can be provided separately, or combined into a single sensor unit, which comprises several sensor components, and may share a BLE communication module. 
     The sensor components communicate wirelessly with the room modules via BLE, and via the room modules, provide their data to the central module. This way, there is no need for a cabled installation of the sensors, and they can simply piggy-back via the room modules, who are in turn piggy-backing over the fire safety system cables. 
     According to a further or another embodiment each room module is configured to monitor and transmit information related to its surroundings. This is particularly advantageous as hazardous substances which are not easily detectable by human senses alone are very likely occur in ships. By preference, each room module is configured detect and monitor concentrations of CO and CO 2  in its surrounding atmosphere which substances are hazardous, scentless and colorless. Said substances are of common occurrence in ships, in particular in spaces under the deck, more in particular, engine rooms, kitchens and cargo holds. Still more preferably, each room module is configured to detect and monitor concentration of hydrocarbons in its surrounding atmosphere. This is particularly advantageous in, but not limited to, tankers and cereal transportation ships. Still more preferably, each room module is configured to detect and monitor the presence and concentration of inert gases in its surrounding atmosphere. The detection of any of the aforementioned is highly advantageous as the room module can trigger wearables to warn crew members of the presence of hazardous atmospheres, allowing them to take action and avoid/remedy the hazard. Should such atmospheres otherwise remain undetected, these would likely to result in the death of the crew members within them. Yet more preferable, the wearable devices have the same detection capabilities as the room modules. This is particularly advantageous as some hazardous substances tend to accumulate at different heights. By having the same detection capabilities of the room module incorporated also in the wearable device, the detection capacity of the system in greatly amplified. Furthermore, by extending the detection capabilities of the wearable device, a shorter detection time is attained, thereby, reducing exposure of the crew members to the aforementioned hazardous substances. 
     In a further or another embodiment, the room modules and the wearable devices are configured to automatically connect when in each other&#39;s range, and wherein the room modules are configured to automatically register the unique identifier of the wearable device when communicating with said wearable device upon connection, preferably with a timestamp of the registration and/or connection. By preference, the wearable device will search for new room modules if a sharp decrease in signal strength is detected. In this way, the chances of a wearable device not being connected to a room module are greatly diminished, therefore, advantageously improving the safety of the crew member wearing the wearable device is also improved. 
     The invention is further described by the following non-limiting examples which further illustrate the invention, and are not intended to, nor should they be interpreted to, limit the scope of the invention. 
     DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
     With as a goal illustrating better the properties of the invention the following presents, as an example and limiting in no way other potential applications, a description of the crew safety system, wherein: 
       FIG.  1    shows a schematic representation of the crew safety system and its elements in accordance with claim  1 . This FIGURE shows a schematic representation of a system wherein the wearables are bracelets assigned and worn by crew members. Said bracelets are in communication with at least one of a number (for instance 150) of room modules. Said room modules are installed on the cabling of an existing fire alarm system, which cabling permits the communication of each room module with the central module. A PC external to the system is shown connected to the central module. 
     The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described in the FIGURE. On the contrary, systems according to the present invention may be realized in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention. Other embodiments of the crew safety system are possible and, in which embodiments, the wearables worn by crew members are pendants.