New Wireless Alert System from Barcoding Inc. Holds Promise for Safety
Baltimore-based Barcoding Inc., a leader in enterprise-wide mobility solutions, announced it recently was granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a new wireless “e-Action” alert system. Developed by Jay Steinmetz, CEO of Barcoding Inc., and Lawrence Cuthie, an engineering consultant, e-Action is a wireless, Internet protocol-based system for remote wireless alert transmission and action. Designed to be worn or carried by the user, e-Action allows the carrier to transmit critical commands from any location on the worksite–quickly, easily and effectively.
“As a technology company, we are constantly thinking about how our solutions can mitigate or even prevent future tragedies like the one in the Gulf of Mexico,” said Steinmetz. “In our view, e-Action has the potential to avert future catastrophes, both large and small, by providing a wireless, remote option for controlling all kinds of machinery. With today’s advances in wireless technology, there is simply no longer a need for workers to move to a physical location to take the critical steps needed to halt machinery and industrial processes. We believe this technology brings with it a variety of practical industrial and manufacturing applications, and may just help to avoid future disasters.”
Originally designed for use in manufacturing and distribution, e-Action is a customizable solution suitable for a variety of market sectors that use heavy machinery. These sectors include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Petroleum/Oil Drilling
• Food and Beverage Production
• Textile Production
• Paper Manufacturing
• Industrial Mining
• Auto Manufacturing
In addition to manual control and override by a user, the e-Action system is designed to be configured to detect and react to pre-defined physical or biological parameters. This capability allows the system, for example, to independently take corrective action if high levels of environmental toxins or chemicals are present. When those baseline standards are exceeded, the system automatically stops the operation of industrial equipment immediately to prevent human injury or mechanical failure.
The foundation of the technology includes:
• A compact and wearable Internet protocol-based device, or actuator, powered by an active-radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, and multiple sensors
• One or more local area network (LAN) access point
• A base station server
• The e-Action software
The software links the actuator device, the LAN access points, the server and all associated machinery together into a seamless integrated system.
Cuthie, e-Action co-inventor, explained, “The idea for e-Action first was developed based on my experiences designing and integrating automated warehouse systems. I witnessed numerous accidents that occurred because the equipment’s stop button was located in a fixed location that was often difficult or impossible to reach in an emergency. In contrast, the wearable e-Action system enables any individual who witnesses an emergency event or spots dangerous irregularities to immediately notify the system electronically and stop all mechanical systems.”
Barcoding is currently working with specific companies to license the e-Action technology, and to complete a market specific solution in conjunction with entities with specific industry expertise. The solution will be available for implementation later this year.
For more information, visit www.barcoding.com.
- People:
- Jay Steinmetz
- Lawrence Cuthie
- Places:
- Baltimore
- Gulf of Mexico