Industrial Monitoring System with Haptic Alerts and Smart Data Storage

This patent describes a system for collecting data in industrial settings like oil refineries, detecting unusual conditions, smartly managing how much data is saved, and alerting workers with touch-based feedback on a wearable device.

What it covers

The system collects data from various sensors in an industrial refining environment, following specific data collection routines (Claim 1). It stores this collected data and the routines used (Claim 1). A specialized circuit then interprets the data to identify any "anomalous conditions," which are unusual or abnormal states (Claim 1). Another circuit evaluates the system's storage limits and adjusts the amount of collected data that gets saved, preventing storage overload (Claim 1). If an anomalous condition is detected, a haptic user device, which can be a wearable like a glove or wristband, generates a touch-based stimulation to alert a worker (Claim 1, Claim 2). For example, if a motor in a refinery starts vibrating unusually, a worker wearing a haptic wristband might feel a specific pattern of vibration, indicating a potential problem.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover systems that alert users only through visual displays or audible alarms without any haptic (touch-based) feedback.
• —Does not cover data collection systems that do not dynamically adjust the volume of stored data based on storage capacity limits.
• —Does not cover monitoring systems designed for environments other than industrial refining settings.
• —Does not cover systems where the haptic user device's location is not broadcast or where the anomaly signal is not wirelessly transmitted.
• —Does not cover systems that simply collect data without interpreting it to specifically determine an "anomalous condition."

The clever bit

The novelty lies in combining real-time anomaly detection in industrial settings with dynamic data storage management and immediate, localized haptic feedback on a wirelessly connected, location-aware user device. This allows for proactive maintenance and enhanced worker safety through a direct, non-visual alert system.

Why it matters

This technology is important for improving safety and efficiency in hazardous industrial environments. By providing immediate, touch-based alerts, workers can be notified of critical issues even in noisy or visually complex settings where other alarms might be missed. The smart data storage also ensures that valuable information about equipment performance is retained without overwhelming storage capacity, aiding in predictive maintenance and preventing costly downtime.

Real-world examples

• 1.Predictive maintenance systems in chemical plants
• 2.Worker safety wearables in oil refineries
• 3.Industrial IoT solutions for equipment monitoring
• 4.Smart sensor networks in manufacturing facilities