Field of the Invention This invention relates to a system, method and/or software process for activity hazard management. In preferred embodiments the invention may allow for the dynamic real time management of the hazards associated with an activity by an actual participant in the activity who is present at the location of the activity.

Background of the Invention

People undertaking a variety of activities can benefit from health and safety monitoring. Employers have a duty of care towards their workers to ensure that workplace hazards are understood and that where possible their associated risks are mitigated. People undertaking recreational activities should also act where possible to be aware of and reduce risks to themselves and other participants in an activity. Repetitive tasks and activities undertaken at the same location can be managed relatively easily using a static site hazard briefing and through the implementation of appropriate activity and behaviour protocols. However this approach is much less effective for activities which have changing locations and where the relevant hazards change over time.

Current commercial hazard monitoring approaches presently have a centralised focused, with hazard information normally being stored and maintained at a remote central location. This approach can be ineffective when an activity needs to be undertaken at a new location where existing hazard information is not available. Problems with this approach also arise when new hazards occur or when the risks associated with existing hazards are reduced.

It would therefore be of advantage to have a system, method or process for activity hazard monitoring which addressed any or all of the above issues. In particular it would be of advantage to have an activity hazard monitoring method or process executed and dynamically managed by an actual participant in the activity who is present at the location of the activity.

Disclosure of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided computer readable storage media storing computer executable instructions that when executed by a computer are configured to implement a method of activity hazard management by executing the steps of: i. receiving activity duration information from an activity participant using a mobile terminal,

ii. obtaining location information for the mobile terminal and defining an initial geo-fence boundary using the obtained location information,

iii. receiving at least one geo-fence redefinition command from the activity participant using the mobile terminal to redefine the boundary of the initial geo-fence,

iv. monitoring the location information of the mobile terminal over the duration of the activity indicated by the received activity duration

information,

v. terminating the monitoring of the location information of the mobile terminal if the mobile terminal is determined to have exited the boundary of the redefined geo-fence prior to the expiry of the activity duration, vi. executing an alarm command once the activity duration expires and the location information of the mobile terminal indicates the mobile terminal is still inside the boundary of the redefined geo-fence.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided computer storage media storing computer executable instructions

substantially as described above, wherein historic hazard information is presented to the activity participant using the mobile terminal once the initial geo-fence boundary has been redefined, said historic hazard

information relating to hazards previously identified within the boundary of the redefined geo-fence. According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided computer storage media storing computer executable instructions

substantially as described above which includes instructions to execute the step of receiving updated hazard information from the activity participant using the mobile terminal after the presentation of historic hazard

information to the activity participant. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for activity hazard monitoring which includes a mobile terminal incorporating computer storage media storing computer executable instructions configured to implement the method of activity hazard monitoring substantially as described above.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for activity hazard monitoring which includes a mobile terminal incorporating computer storage media storing computer executable instructions configured to implement the method of activity hazard monitoring defined by the steps of:

• receiving activity duration information from an activity participant using a mobile terminal,

• obtaining location information for the mobile terminal and defining an initial geo-fence boundary using the obtained location information, · receiving at least one geo-fence redefinition command from the

activity participant using the mobile terminal to redefine the boundary of the initial geo-fence,

• monitoring the location information of the mobile terminal over the duration of the activity indicated by the received activity duration information,

• terminating the monitoring of the location information of the mobile terminal if the mobile terminal is determined to have exited the boundary of the redefined geo-fence prior to the expiry of the activity duration,

· executing an alarm command once the activity duration expires and the location information of the mobile terminal indicates the mobile terminal is still inside the boundary of the redefined geo-fence.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program for instructing a computer to perform a method of activity hazard management including instructions to execute the steps of:

• receiving activity duration information from an activity participant using a mobile terminal,

• obtaining location information for the mobile terminal and defining an initial geo-fence boundary using the obtained location information,

• receiving at least one geo-fence redefinition command from the

activity participant using the mobile terminal to redefine the boundary of the initial geo-fence,

• monitoring the location information of the mobile terminal over the duration of the activity indicated by the received activity duration information,

· terminating the monitoring of the location information of the mobile terminal if the mobile terminal is determined to have exited the boundary of the redefined geo-fence prior to the expiry of the activity duration,

• executing an alarm command once the activity duration expires and the location information of the mobile terminal indicates the mobile terminal is still inside the boundary of the redefined geo-fence.

The present invention is arranged to provide improvements in the field of activity hazard management. Various aspects of the invention encompass computer storage media loaded with computer executable instructions, in addition to these instructions themselves providing a computer program or software configured to achieve the objectives of the invention. Further aspects of the invention encompass a system of physical components or hardware such as a mobile terminal and potentially one or more remote computer systems able to execute such a computer program.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that some flexibility is available in terms of the system of physical hardware used to implement the invention. References made to a mobile terminal or terminals may encompass a wide variety of processing systems incorporating computer storage media and capable of executing computer based instructions and also being small and lightweight enough to be carried by a participant in an activity. For example, modern cellular telephones or smart phones may be used as mobile terminals in some embodiments whereas in other implementations smart watches or similar wearable computing devices, laptop computers or tablet computing devices may be used as alternatives. Reference throughout this specification will however predominantly be made to the invention utilising a cellular phone or smart phone carried by a participant in an activity. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of devices may also be used with the present invention and reference to the above should in no way be seen as limiting.

Reference throughout this specification will also be made in some instances to the invention utilising a remote computer system. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this remote computer system may be provided by a range of hardware or components depending on the activity being managed. Furthermore references to a remote computer system should also be interpreted as potentially encompassing a distributed network of computers.

In some embodiments computer executable instructions provided in conjunction with the present invention may be executed on the mobile terminal or by the mobile terminal. In these embodiments the management process provided by the invention may be executed locally within the mobile terminal. In other embodiments the executable instructions may be executed by a computer system remote to the mobile device, with the mobile device simply forwarding commands and information.

In yet further embodiments the executable instructions may be executed by either or both a computer system remote to the mobile terminal and/or the mobile terminal. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in such

embodiments the same process may be duplicated by both the mobile terminal and remote computer system, or portions of this process may be executed in turn by the mobile terminal and then the remote computer system.

Reference throughout this specification will however be made to both the mobile terminal and remote computer system executing the method of the invention concurrently to ensure that an activity will still be managed in the event of the failure of the mobile terminal. Again those skilled in the art will appreciate that other configurations and arrangements of the invention are also within its scope. Reference throughout this specification will also predominantly be made to the methodology of the invention being used to monitor or manage a single activity performed by a single activity participant. However those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may readily be configured to monitor a plurality of activities undertaken by one or potentially more activity participants at the same time, this activity or activities being undertaken at the same location, or at a number of different locations.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that references to a single activity performed by a single participant should in no way be seen as limiting.

The invention may be adapted to manage the hazards associated with a wide variety of activities. The invention engages directly with the person participating in the activity being managed, described throughout this specification as the activity participant.

Reference predominantly throughout this specification will be made to the management of activities encompassing the provision of services on a commercial basis by the employees of a business. However those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the invention may be used to manage activities such as recreational pursuits, sporting activities, romantic dating encounters and so forth.

The invention facilitates the management of the hazards inherent in such activities by monitoring the location information associated with an activity participant's smart phone. This location information is monitored in

combination with a comparison to a time period over which the activity is expected to be undertaken. The process or method of the invention ceases or terminates once the location of this smart phone is no longer monitored.

In preferred embodiments the present invention may also be used to present historic hazard information to an activity participant and also to capture up- to-date hazard information with the assistance of the activity participant. This hazard information can be used to inform activity participants of known hazards to potentially reduce the chances of participants coming to harm. The invention may also update this information to ensure that it is relevant and timely when presented to an activity participant. In preferred embodiments the method or process provided by the invention may be initialised by receiving activity duration information from a

participant using their smart phone. This information may be supplied by the participant manually keying in a number of minutes or hours or a range of dates, providing confirmation of a default duration suggested to them, or through virtual button presses adding or subtracting specific time increments to a default initial time duration. In yet other instances activity duration information may be supplied by a participant providing an expected finish time for an activity, were potentially the start time of the activity may also be recorded.

In preferred embodiment the activity participant may also supply activity identity information with activity duration information. This activity

identification information may be used to identify the general form or type of activity being undertaken by the activity participant, to preferably inform further steps in the method or process executed by the invention.

Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the invention being used to solicit the supply of activity identity information with activity duration information. However those skilled in the art should appreciate that this is an optional step and should not be considered essential to the implementation of the invention in all embodiments. After this initialisation step is completed location information is obtained for the present position of the participant's smart phone. This information may be obtained using a variety of methods, ranging from radio frequency signal triangulation processes, global positioning satellites processes or any other equivalent and appropriate method apparent to those skilled in the art.

On receipt of the smart phone's location information an initial geo-fence boundary is defined using this location information. Computer executable instructions may be utilised to define this initial geo-fence boundary, preferably centred on the location information obtained for the smart phone. In various embodiments the initial geo-fence boundary may be defined with a circular pattern, although in other embodiments a range of two- dimensional shapes may also be employed. This initial geo-fence boundary may be defined using a standard or default boundary size, radius or area. In embodiments where activity identity information is obtained this information may be used to retrieve a default radius for the initial geo-fence boundary. After the initial geo-fence boundary has been defined the participant's smart phone may be used to solicit at least one geo-fence redefinition command from the activity participant. This redefinition command may be used to redefine the boundaries of the initial geo-fence based on feedback from the activity participant. Preferably a geo-fence redefinition command may be provided by a participant to identify an expansion, contraction and/or expand, contract and/or shift in the location of the initial geo-fence

boundary.

For example, in a preferred embodiment a graphical indication of the initial geo-fence boundary may be presented to the participant by the mobile terminal as a prompt for them to supply a geo-fence redefinition command. The participant may then use their smart phone to adjust the boundaries of the initial geo-fence to provide a redefined geo-fence boundary. In a further preferred embodiment a graphical indication of the redefined geo-fence boundary may be presented to the participant after the receipt of a geo-fence redefinition command. This graphical indication may be used to seek confirmation from the participant that the geo-fence is correctly defined in accordance with their own requirements or to solicit a further redefinition command from the participant.

In a preferred embodiment historic hazard information may be presented to the activity participant using their smart phone once a redefined geo-fence boundary is confirmed. This information may provide the participant with an awareness of the known hazards contained within the redefined geo-fence boundary, allowing them to take steps to reduce risks to themselves over the anticipated duration of the activity. Hazard information may take a variety of forms in various embodiments, encompassing text, audio, images and/or video content. In some embodiments hazard information may also incorporate contact details for additional persons or organisations able to provide more information about specific identified hazards. In a yet further embodiment generic activity type hazard information may be presented to the activity participant once a redefined geo-fence boundary is confirmed. This activity specific hazard information may specify potential hazards associated with an activity where the participant has previously supplied activity identity information. The presented activity specific hazard information can therefore remind the participant of potential hazards they could encounter performing the activity at any location.

In further preferred embodiments a timestamp or time capture reference may also be provided in respect of at least one element of hazard

information to be presented to an activity participant. This timing

information may be used to assess the relative currency and applicability of the hazard information being presented. In a preferred embodiment an activity participant may be prompted to supply updated hazard information using their smart phone once a redefined geo-fence boundary has been determined. In such embodiments an activity participant can use their smart phone to supply text, audio, image and/or video-based hazard information pertinent to potential activity hazards contained within the redefined geo-fence boundary.

In a further preferred embodiment this updated hazard information may also include at least one timestamp or time capture reference to identify when this information was provided by an activity participant. In this way the invention may work with the current activity participant to ensure that it presents relevant up-to-date historic hazard information to future activity participants.

Preferably the invention is used to monitor the location of the participant's smart phone over the period defined by the supplied activity duration information. Location information is periodically and repetitively obtained for the user's smart phone over this defined activity period as part of the management process provided by the invention. The invention is used to compare this location information with the redefined geo-fence boundary to determine if the participant's smart phone is located within the geo-fence over the duration of the activity. In some embodiments the activity duration information may be modified on receipt of a duration edit command received from an activity participant using the mobile terminal, or preferably their smart phone. This facility may allow an activity participant to reduce or increase the activity duration as an activity is underway to more accurately reflect the anticipated duration of the activity. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a duration edit command may facilitate a variety of changes to the anticipated duration of an activity, such as adding or subtracting specific amounts of time, adding or subtracting specific incremental amounts of time, and/or potentially entering an entirely new anticipated duration or anticipated activity finish time.

In some embodiments the participant's the mobile terminal (or preferably smart phone) may be used to issue a check in request indication to solicit a check in response from the activity participant during performance of the activity. This check in request may be used to confirm the well-being of the activity participant during the completion of an activity.

In a further preferred embodiment an alarm command may be executed if an activity participant fails to provide a check in response when prompted by a check in request indication. Various actions may be undertaken in

conjunction with the present invention on the execution of an alarm

command, as described further below.

Preferably the process provided by the invention terminates the monitoring of the location of the participant's smart phone if a determination is made that the smart phone has exited the boundary of the redefined geo-fence during the period of time defined by the activity duration information. The exit of the smart phone from the geo-fenced area implies that the

participant has completed the activity being managed and that no further functions are to be provided by the invention.

In some possible embodiments monitoring of the location information of the mobile terminal may be terminated on receipt of a manual termination command from an activity participant using the mobile terminal, or

preferably their smart phone. In various embodiments once the location information of the mobile terminal is no longer monitored computer executable instructions provided in accordance with the invention may cease to be executed. Such manual termination commands may also be used to communicate that no further functions are to be provided by the invention, potentially in situations where the activity participant plans to stay within the redefined geo-fence boundary for an extended period of time. Furthermore in various embodiments this termination command can be used to calculate an actual duration time for the activity undertaken by the participant, potentially allowing for more accurate predictions to be made of the time required to complete the same or similar activities in future. The invention is used to execute an alarm command once the activity duration expires and the location information of the participant's smart phone indicates that it is still inside the boundary of the redefined geo-fence. These circumstances imply that the well-being of the activity participant may be at risk and that they may require prompt assistance.

In some embodiments an alarm command may be executed on receipt of a manual alarm command from an activity participant using the mobile terminal, or preferably their smart phone. For example in various

embodiments the provision of a manual alarm command from an activity participant may indicate that the well-being of the participant is at risk and that they require assistance. In a range of embodiments a virtual panic button may be presented to a participant as part of the user interface provided by a smart phone, where the participant activating this virtual button issues an alarm command.

The execution of an alarm command may highlight or communicate an alarm condition to a third party operator or computer system. The identification of this alarm condition may be used to dispatch assistance or a follow-up realtime query to the activity participant. For example, the issue of an alarm command may trigger a communication to a remote computer system, to emergency service providers, or to a workplace supervisor of the activity participant. Those skilled in the art should appreciate the various forms of communications may be issued in response to an alarm command such as - for example only - emails, SMS messages or recorded phone call messages. In yet further embodiments the execution of an alarm command may also result in the posting of alarm condition information to social media facilities, displaying this alarm condition information in various apps or internet webpages. For example where communications are made by social media facilities the recipients of these communications may be drawn from friend's lists, and/or contacts providing real-time location information in the vicinity of the activity participant.

In some embodiments an alarm command may trigger the capture of participant status information using the participant's mobile terminal, or preferably smart phone. For example in some embodiments participant status information may incorporate biometric information sourced from sensors worn by an activity participant, images or video footage recorded from the participant's smart phone or audio captured from the smart phone microphone. Other forms of sensing devices linked to the participant's smart phone such as body cameras may also be incorporated into such participant status information.

In a further preferred embodiment an alarm command may trigger the transmission of captured participant status information to a remote

computer system. This participant status information can be used to assess whether the activity participant needs immediate assistance and also the form of assistance which could be required.

The present invention may provide many potential advantages over the prior art. The present invention may provide for the management of the hazards associated with an activity in conjunction with the actual participant in this activity. The participant may be provided with control over the operational parameters used in this management process by the invention, allowing for adjustment of these parameters in real time at the location at which an activity is to be undertaken.

The present invention may also facilitate the presentation of up to date and pertinent hazard information to an activity participant specific to the area in which an activity is to be undertaken. This facility may be used to highlight to an activity participant hazards to their well-being which they may encounter undertaking the activity being managed, and may also work with the activity participant to maintain the currency and relevance of this hazard information.

Brief description of the drawings Additional and further aspects of the present invention will be apparent to the reader from the following description of embodiments, given in by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :

• Figure 1 provides a flowchart of the steps executed by the invention in accordance with one preferred embodiment, and

• Figure 2a shows a smart phone screen image presented to an activity participant to confirm initialisation parameters in the embodiment illustrated with respect to figure 1,

• Figure 2b shows a smart phone screen image presented to an activity participant after the receipt of a geo-fence redefinition command in the embodiment illustrated with respect to figures 1 and 2a,

• Figure 2c shows a smart phone screen image presented to an activity participant during an activity in the embodiment illustrated with respect to figures 1, 2a and 2b,

· Figure 3 shows a smart phone screen image presented to an activity participant to present historic hazard information in a further

embodiment of the invention,

• Figure 4 shows a smart phone screen image presented to an activity participant during the supply of updated hazard information in accordance with another embodiment of the invention,

• Figures 5a and 5b show a smart phone screen image presented to an activity participant to solicit activity duration information and activity identity information in the embodiment of figures 1 and 2,

• Figure 6 shows a smart phone screen image presented to an activity participant in a further embodiment to solicit a geo-fence redefinition command,

• Figure 7 shows an internet webpage screen image illustrating hazard information stored in respect of another embodiment of the invention, and

· Figure 8 shows a network schematic of computer equipment used in the implementation of the invention in a further embodiment. Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which is given by way of example only of particular embodiments. Best modes for carrying out the invention

Figures 1 and 2a-2c show a number of views illustrating the implementation of an activity hazard management method provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment through the execution of computer executable instructions. The flow chart of figure 1 provides a broad description of the steps executed at each general step of this method while figures 2a-2c provide screen images presented to an activity participant by their smart phone. The first step of this process illustrated as stage A in figure 1 deals with the reception of activity duration information from an activity participant using their smart phone. At this stage the smartphone solicits and receives duration information for a particular activity in addition to activity identity information for this activity.

The next step of this process is illustrated as stage B in figure 1 where a GPS location service is used to obtain location information for the smart phone. The screen image illustrated with respect to figure 2a is presented to the activity participant at this stage, showing a graphical representation of the boundary of an initial geo-fence. As can be seen from figure 2a the activity participant has already entered activity duration information of 15 minutes and activity identity information related to a quality inspection. The

participant has also confirmed an initial radius for the geo-fence boundary of 50 metres.

The following step of this process is illustrated as stage C in figure 1 where the participant has supplied a geo-fence redefinition command to their smart phone, resulting in a redefined geo-fence boundary. The screen image illustrated with respect to figure 2b is presented to the activity participant at this stage, showing the redefined geo-fence boundary which the user has commanded be formed with a larger radius and centred on a new location where the activity to be managed is to be performed. In the circumstances shown the activity participant has driven to the initial location identified at stage B to park a vehicle. At stage C the redefined geo-fence more

accurately captures the likely potential hazards to be encountered during performance of the activity being managed based on the actual location where the activity is to be performed.

Next stage D of this process is executed where the location of the

participant's smart phone is obtained periodically and tested to determine if the smarts phone is still located inside the boundary of the redefined geo- fence. If the smart phone is determined to be outside the boundary of the redefined geo-fence prior to the expiry of the activity duration the process terminates at this stage.

The screen image illustrated with respect to figure 2c is presented to the activity participant at this stage and shows the address of the centre of the redefined geo-fence boundary, the remaining time for the estimated duration of the activity, and a number of virtual buttons which can be employed to issue further commands. At this stage the activity participant may issue a manual termination command by touching the virtual finish button, or may issue a duration edit command by touching the extend time virtual button repetitively to add five-minute time blocks to the activity duration. The activity participant may also respond to a check in request indication by touching the virtual check-in button illustrated. The activity participant can also issue a manual alarm command by touching the virtual panic button illustrated.

Stage E of this process is executed once the activity duration expires and the location information determined for the participant's smart phone indicates the phone is still located inside the redefined geo-fence boundary. If these conditions are met an alarm command is executed to transmit an alarm message by email protocol to a remote computer system monitored by a work supervisor of the activity participant. Attached to this email are image files recorded by the participant's smart phone camera when the activity duration time expired and a 15 second sound file recorded at the same time using the smartphone microphone.

Figure 3 shows a smart phone screen image presented to an activity participant to present historic hazard information in a further embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the hazard information shown is

presented to the activity participant after they have confirmed the boundary of a redefined geo-fence.

As can be seen from figure 3 the redefined geo-fence boundary contains an activity hazard formed by a skipping rope previously left across a floor, forming a tripping hazard. Figure 4 shows a smart phone screen image presented to an activity participant during the supply of updated hazard information in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. This figure illustrates a

participant's submission of updated hazard information, again relating to a tripping hazard formed by skipping rope on a floor.

This updated hazard information incorporates text describing the form of this hazard as well as an image of the skipping rope hazard itself. Once the participant is happy they have captured appropriate updated hazard information they can command the submission of this information which can be distributed to future activity participants in a similar fashion to that described with respect to figure 3.

Figures 5a and 5b show a smart phone screen image presented to an activity participant to solicit activity duration information and activity identity information in the embodiment of figures 1 and 2.

In particular, figure 5a shows a smart phone screen image where a user is invited to touch the screen to implement the numbers of hours and minutes present in a specific activity duration. Figure 5b shows a smart phone screen image where a user is invited to touch the screen to select one of activity types represented to provide activity identity information.

Figure 6 shows a smart phone screen image presented to an activity participant in a further embodiment to solicit a geo-fence redefinition command. As can be seen from figure 6 this form of geo-fence redefinition command allows the sisal radius of the fence to be modified, where the user is invited to touch the screen to select a particular geo-fence radius. Figure 7 shows an internet webpage screen image illustrating hazard information stored in respect of another embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment shown this hazard information is stored by a remote server computer accessible to user's mobile terminals. Each entry of the table listed identifies a specific hazard at a particular location with a date and time stamp for when the hazard information was recorded. Text and image information particular to a specific hazard can also be displayed to the right- hand side of the screen.

Figure 8 shows a network schematic of computer equipment used in the implementation of the invention in a further embodiment. In the

embodiment illustrated executable instructions run on a user's mobile device employ an internet connection to communicate with a remote computer server architecture. This remote computer system is composed of multiple separate machines to facilitate load balancing from users, in addition to database systems for the storage of hazard and other related information. This internet connection also facilitates communications between the remote server, user mobile device and third-party integrated systems for when alarm conditions are detected and alarm commands are to be executed

In the preceding description and the following claims the word "comprise" or equivalent variations thereof is used in an inclusive sense to specify the presence of the stated feature or features. This term does not preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and further and additional embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention will be apparent to the skilled reader from the examples illustrated with reference to the drawings. In particular, the invention may reside in any combination of features described herein, or may reside in alternative embodiments or combinations of these features with known equivalents to given features. Modifications and variations of the example embodiments of the invention discussed above will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departure of the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.