Local Positioning System for Position-Time-Condition Correlation, Data-logging and Analysis

This CDC-developed technology describes an automated system for monitoring worker hazard exposures by recording data about where and when hazards occur in a workplace or other environment. This allows the hazards to be avoided and harmful exposures and risks reduced. This field-tested technology consists of an integrated, hand-held electronics instrument and software system that will precisely correlate multiple exposure levels with position coordinates of the user and features real-time data acquisition.

Workers in many outdoor occupations move about frequently during a typical day of work. Certain workers, such as agricultural and construction workers, are particularly mobile. This exposure monitoring system combines geographical location with real-time sensors and outputs the information to a user-friendly interface. By linking worker location throughout the workday to exposure levels from real-time monitors, Local Positioning System (LPS) units (with integrated software processing of data) identify and document where to direct hazard exposure analysis and control efforts. Post-processing of LPS data enables researchers, regulatory inspectors, and industry safety and health personnel to map exposure intensity and location, reveal hot spots to identify sources, and provide exposure intensity distributions to increase workplace safety.

Potential Commercial Applications:		Competitive Advantages:
Collection, analysis and display of mutual, real-time conditional and 3-dimensional position data Outdoor occupational exposure assessment with various real-time sensors/monitors (e.g., HAZMAT crews, safety inspection, etc.) Solid state "bread crumbs" allowing a person or machine to retrace their path Tracking of objects, animals or people, including sensing of their internal condition or environmental conditions Environmental pollution source-point monitoring and investigation		Correlates real-time position and real-time condition data for multiple commercial/industrial applications An add-on capability for any sensor(s) when measurement of a location is also useful System is highly customizable and can be easily adapted for additional monitoring of noise, dust, gases, and vapor, heat stress, etc. exposures Automated system provides greater efficiency and greater feedback than video monitoring systems An integrated alarm will alert users to potential hazards

Development Stage:

• In situ data available (on-site)
• Prototype

Inventors:

Larry Lee (CDC)  ➽ more inventions...

Sidney Soderholm (CDC)  ➽ more inventions...

Michael Flemmer (CDC)  ➽ more inventions...

Jennifer Hornsby-Myers (CDC)  ➽ more inventions...

Ramesh Gali (CDC)  ➽ more inventions...


Intellectual Property:
U.S. Pat: 7,191,097 issued 2007-03-13

Publications:
Lee LA, et al. PMID 15986055

Licensing Contact:
Karen Surabian, J.D., M.B.A.
Email: karen.surabian@nih.gov
Phone: 301-594-9719

OTT Reference No: E-144-2013-0
Updated: May 22, 2014