WO2020003094A1

WO2020003094A1 - Security system for land vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO2020003094A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/055299
Authority: WO
Original assignee: G.A.P. S.P.A.; ZUCCHI, Martino; ZUCCHI, Francesco
Priority date: 2018-06-25
Filing date: 2019-06-24
Publication date: 2020-01-02
Also published as: IT201800006610A1

Abstract

The present invention describes a security system for land vehicles comprising vehicle identification means (3), comprising characteristic data (DCV) of the vehicle (2), a personal electronic device (10) assigned to an operator (O) of land vehicles (2), comprising operator-specific data (DCO), acquisition means 4, configured to acquire operator-specific data (DCO), starting means (5) of the vehicle (2), a vehicle starting management unit (20) comprising a processing unit (22) configured to process starting data for starting said vehicle. The invention further describes a corresponding security method for land vehicles.

Description

SECURITY SYSTEM FOR LAND VEHICLES

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a security system and method for land vehicles.

In a particular example, the present invention relates to a security system and method for working machines operating on a worksite.

In the following description the example of a land vehicle will be specifically considered. In particular, the present invention is intended for working machines such as for example machines for moving materials, loaders, diggers, crane trucks, lift trucks, dumpers, motor loaders, straddle carriers, trucks, road tractors and the like operating in one or more worksites.

Prior Art

In temporary or permanent industrial work areas (or worksites) the use of a multitude of land vehicles and operators thereof is known for performing a multitude of operations.

To date, for the management of the vehicles and the operators present on the worksites, foremen are used who plan, organise, manage, check and evaluate construction or building plans from conception to completion, respecting deadlines, specifications and budgets. The foremen make sure that all the processes related to the plans are performed properly, coordinating activities, resources, equipment and information. All this is in compliance with legislation in force in terms of the health and safety of the operators and the vehicles operating on the worksite and outside it.

However, especially on worksites with higher concentrations of vehicles and operators, the optimal collection of information related to accesses and authorisations of both is not always possible.

A drawback of current worksite management is due to the fact that it is a slow if not impossible operation to check the periodic maintenance of the vehicles present on the worksite and the permits to operate thereon by the operators. Another drawback of current worksite management is due to the fact that it is not always possible to find the optimal combination of operator and vehicle based on the specific jobs to be performed on the worksite.

A further drawback is that it is not always possible to check the psychophysical conditions of the operator who is going to operate on a certain vehicle.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a security system and method for land vehicles, which obviates the drawbacks of the prior art.

The specific aim of the present invention is to provide a security system and method for land vehicles that is safe and efficient.

A further specific aim of the present invention is to provide a security system and method for land vehicles that is easy to implement and manage.

Object of the invention

In a first aspect of the invention, the above-mentioned aims are achieved by a security system for land vehicles according to that which is disclosed in claim 1.

Advantageous aspects are disclosed in dependent claims 2 to 15.

In a second aspect of the invention, the above-mentioned aims are achieved by an accommodation facility access method according to that which is disclosed in claim 16.

In general, the invention offers the following technical effects:

- It allows an increase in health and safety;

- If allows a reduction in vehicle repairs and accidents, which translates into lower management costs;

- It guarantees that vehicle operators adopt more responsible behaviour in the use of land vehicles;

- It prevents the waiting of the operators accessing the worksites;

- It allows optimisation in the use of working vehicles;

- It realizes a safe and efficient security system for land vehicles; - It realizes a security system for land vehicles that is easy to actuate and manage;

- It allows for updating of data on vehicle use and worksite operators in real time;

- It allows an improvement to the maintenance and service procedures in the workshop, at the same time optimising the use of all the fleets of land vehicles, with an increase in intralogistic productivity;

- It allows operating costs to be monitored;

- It allows the land vehicle fleet use programme to be controlled in real time;

- It improves productivity and efficiency;

- It allows energy costs to be reduced;

- It allows damage and repair costs to be reduced.

In particular, the invention allows a security system for land vehicles to be provided that guarantees active and optimised control of the vehicles and operators present in a worksite that is safe and reliable.

The invention further allows vehicles and operators entering or exiting the worksite to be identified in an automated way and in real time.

The invention further makes it possible to check in real time that a certain operator or vehicle is authorised to operate on the worksite.

The invention also makes it possible to check in real time that a certain operator has passed the medical checks and qualifications and that he/she can operate on a certain vehicle, to perform a certain job.

The invention further makes it possible to verify the psychophysical conditions of the operator who is about to operate a certain vehicle, inhibiting the operation of the vehicle should such psychophysical conditions not be optimal.

The technical effects/advantages mentioned, and other technical effects/advantages of the invention will emerge in further detail from the description provided herein below of an example of embodiment provided by way of indicative and non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and for appreciating the advantages thereof, several non-limiting example embodiments shall be described herein below, referring to the appended figures, in which:

- figure 1 is an overall view of the system of the invention.

- figure 2 is a block diagram of the system of figure 1.

- figures 3 and 4 show in more detail particular features of figure 2.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

The present invention describes a security system for land vehicles comprising vehicle identification means 3, comprising characteristic data DCV of the vehicle 2, a personal electronic device 10 assigned to an operator O of land vehicles 2, comprising operator-specific data DCO, acquisition means 4, configured to acquire operator-specific data DCO, starting means 5 of the vehicle 2, a vehicle starting management unit 20 comprising a processing unit 22 configured to process starting data for starting said vehicle.

The present invention allows the vehicles and operators present on a worksite to be managed safely and efficiently.

The invention further allows some worksite operations to be made more effective and simple and assistance to be provided with the performance of the related operations. With particular reference to figure 2, the security system for land vehicles comprises vehicle identification means 3 present on the land vehicle 2 comprising characteristic data DCV of the vehicle 2. The vehicle identification means 3 comprise at least identification means of the vehicle 2. Preferably, the vehicle identification data comprise the make, model, chassis number, licence number (if present), vehicle type (digger, working machine, etc.), engine type, power (electric power, hybrid, internal combustion), type of fuel, fittings compatible with that model. Optionally, the vehicle identification means 3 also comprise company data such as, for example, allocations, authorisations, verifications, checks; data related to the condition of the vehicle, e.g. maintenance data, data related to vibrations and impacts suffered by the vehicle. Preferably, the vehicle identification means 3 are small so as to be able to be easily housed on board the land vehicle. Preferably, the operator-specific data DCO comprise one or more of at least:

o personal data (name, surname, date of birth);

o identification data (fingerprint, face recognition, iris recognition and/or of other biometric parameters);

o company data (serial number, level, drivers’ licences, medical examinations, deadlines, authorisations, holidays and leave of absence);

o health data (exposure to vibrations and noise, vital parameters, any state of drunkenness or psychophysical alterations, man down, emergency);

o operating data (clocking in/out, GPS tracking, work supervision).

Every operator of land vehicles is provided with a personal electronic device 10, comprising operator-specific data DCO.

Preferably, the operator-specific data DCO comprise personal identification data such as, for example, personal data (name, surname, date of birth), employee number, telephone number, email address and biometric data (e.g. fingerprint, face recognition, iris recognition).

Preferably, the personal electronic device 10 is a smartphone, a tablet, a portable PC on which one or more dedicated software applications (or “apps”) can be installed.

Preferably, the personal electronic device 10 comprises one or more from a GPS (“Global Positioning System”) module, a face recognition module, a fingerprint recognition module, an iris recognition or other biometric parameter recognition module, an NFC (“Near Field Communication” or proximity communication) tag reader. Furthermore, the personal electronic device 10 also comprises a module configured to evaluate a possible degree of psychophysical alteration of the operator. In particular, said module is preferably able to determine whether the operator of the vehicle is drunk or has taken a substance that alters their coordination and reflexes. For example, such module is configured to evaluate the operator’s coordination and reflexes. In that case, the comparison in the module 24 of the processing unit 22 considers any psychophysical alterations of the operator on board the vehicle and in the event that they are detected, the starting module 25 will send a locking signal S_BLOC to the starting means 5, thus preventing the use of the vehicle.

Upon climbing on board a vehicle 2, the operator will validate the takeover through the personal electronic device 10, by inserting the personal electronic device 10 onto the acquisition means 4 (present on board the vehicle), comprising for example a predisposed standard support (USB cable connection and“jack” socket); contact with the vehicle identification means 3 (e.g. NFC tag located in the support) for the identification of the vehicle.

The present invention provides for the filling in of a checklist: upon the takeover of the land vehicle 2, the operator will receive on his/her personal electronic device 10 a list of checks to perform on the vehicle 2. In particular, the list of checks shall be performed in various points of the vehicle, each of which shall be provided with a control indicator ICK, e.g. a RFID tag, a bar code or the like, which can be recognised by the personal electronic device 10. The operator shall move the personal electronic device 10 towards the control indicator ICK which will identify the vehicle and will receive the checklist dedicated thereto. The checklists of each land vehicle 2 will preferably be generated and stored within the vehicle starting unit 20. Alternatively, the checklists will be generated and/or stored in the server 30. At the start of the vehicle 20, the control points ICK will be indicated, where the operator must be positioned to perform the individual controls. The compilation of the checklist will be guided by the control indicators ICK (e.g. RFID tags), which will oblige the operator to come at least to each control point present on the checklist. By way of non-limiting example of the present invention, each control point ICK will provide access to a page with multiple choice questions for each control present in the list. For example, at the time of moving the personal electronic device 10 near to the hydraulic oil tank control point ICK (with the motor vehicle running), in the user interface a dialog box will open where it will be necessary to indicate, for example, by touching a virtual button, the oil level measured at the control. The control points are specific for each motor vehicle and can vary, according to the number of kilometres travelled or the particular use of the vehicle 2. As well as the “standard” control points, extra communications can be added, such as the warning of a liquid leak or structural damage, with the possibility to attach photographs and notes, so as to document the outcome of the control. In the event that the checklist is not filled in, a warning will immediately be sent to the supervisor. Preferably, the starting of the vehicle 2 can be inhibited in the event that the fundamental controls for the safety of the vehicle have not been performed. In the event that the checklist indicates a particular critical factor, it will automatically be reported to the supervisors and, subsequently, to the maintenance department through an interface with the reporting function. The supervisors and/or maintenance department can definitively or temporarily modify the checklist of a vehicle 2. According to a non-limiting example:

• to prevent the continuous reporting of the same anomaly (e.g. a dent on the bodywork of the vehicle), it is possible to notify that the specific anomaly is already being handled, possibly adding a photograph, to verify that it hasn’t got any worse. This is obviously so as to prevent wasted time for the useless repetition of the same report;

• to monitor a specific critical factor, one or more of the temporary specific control points can be added; • the system 1 makes it possible at any time to access the chronology of the checklists of a certain vehicle either drawn up by a certain operator or a sub-set of vehicles operating on a certain worksite.

In this way, by filling in the checklist of the control points ICK, e.g. upon taking over the vehicle 2, the operators of the land vehicles 2 fill in a checklist of the vehicles 2 simply and accurately.

Furthermore, the filling in of the checklist enables a periodic check to be performed on the condition of the vehicles, useful data to be obtained for the maintenance thereof and the employees to be encouraged to look after the land vehicles 2.

The vehicle starting management unit 20 will perform one or more of the following controls and operations:

- it confirms the identity of the operator through the fingerprint sensor or face recognition system present on the personal electronic device 5;

- cross check with the operating management data (supervisor’s instructions)

- cross check with the safety department data (authorisations, courses, medical examinations, any prohibitions);

- cross check with the vehicle maintenance data (machine downtime, necessary repairs);

- starting of coordination/reflex assessment module (for obtaining information on a possible state of drunkenness or other psychophysical alterations).

Upon confirmation of all the requests, the vehicle starting management unit 20 will send a signal S_AVV that enables the vehicle to be started and used. If, instead, the requests are not satisfied, the starting and use of the vehicle will be prohibited, by sending a locking signal S_BLOCC to the starting means 5 which, in turn, will act on the controls of the CAN-BUS line or on a relevant relay, possibly reporting the anomaly to the supervisor. Preferably, the vehicle access data are integrated by GPS tracking for the entire duration of use of the vehicle.

At the time of getting off a vehicle, the operator automatically validates such an event through his/her personal electronic device 10 provided. In particular, it is sufficient to disconnect it from the support of the acquisition means 4, then from the USB connection; a cross check with any operating management data (supervisor’s instructions) will be performed and finally the getting off data will be sent to the server 30 together with the GPS position (which will also identify the“vehicle parking” position).

Preferably, the characteristic data of the vehicle DCV comprise one or more of at least:

o identification data (make, model, chassis number, maintenance);

o company data (worksite and operator allocations, authorisations, verifications, controls);

o data on the conditions of the vehicle (maintenance data, data on vibrations and impacts, checklist data, any CAN-BUS malfunctioning data);

o operating data (vehicle accesses, GPS tracking, supervision of operations, refuelling, “CAN-BUS” operating data, data on tools/utilities).

The system 1 , illustrated in figure 2, also comprises acquisition means 4, locally connected to said vehicle 2, configured to communicate with the personal electronic device 10 and to acquire operator-specific data DCO, when the operator is on board the vehicle, for example in proximity to the instrument and control panel of the vehicle.

The acquisition means 4 comprise a data transmission and receiving module, which can communicate with the personal electronic device 10 and with the processing unit 22.

Preferably, the acquisition means 4 comprise a support configured to physically support said personal electronic device 10 when the operator is on board the vehicle 2 and to connect via data therewith so as to be able to acquire said operator-specific data on board the vehicle DCOB. The data connection can take place via a cable, through a USB cable or“jack” socket or may be wireless.

Preferably, the vehicle identification means 3 are placed on said support so that said personal electronic device 10 is able to acquire such characteristic data of the vehicle DCV.

The vehicle identification means 3 can for example be comprised of an NFC tag placed on the support and containing the characteristic data of the vehicle DCV. In this way, by resting the portable electronic device 10 on the support, it will be able to acquire, through an appropriate NFC tag reader, the characteristic data DCV of the vehicle.

Still with reference to figure 2, the system of the invention further comprises starting means 5 of the vehicle 2, connected to the vehicle starting system (which may be provided with an internal combustion engine or an electric motor or a hybrid system).

Preferably, the starting means 5 of the vehicle 2 are configured to receive a relevant engine starting signal S_AVV or vehicle starting prohibition signal from the processing unit 22 and, based on the type of signal received, they can start the vehicle engine or prohibit it through controls of the CAN-BUS line or through the use of a relay.

According to the invention, the system 1 comprises at least one vehicle starting unit 20 (figure 1 ).

Preferably, the vehicle starting unit 20 is positioned inside the worksite in which the vehicle 2 and the operator are operating.

For illustrative simplicity, figure 1 shows only one vehicle 3, only one personal electronic device 10 and only one vehicle starting management unit 20, however, on each worksite, there is a plurality of vehicles 3, a plurality of personal electronic devices 10 and a plurality of vehicle starting management units 20.

The vehicle starting management unit 20 comprises a first memory unit 21 (figs. 2 and 3). According to the invention, with particular reference to figure 2, the first memory unit 21 comprises data of registered vehicles DVR registered to work in a worksite and data of registered operators DOR registered to work in the worksite.

In particular, the first memory unit 21 is configured to receive and store the data concerning the registered vehicles DVR and/or the data of the operators registered to work in the worksite.

Preferably, the data of registered vehicles DVR comprise at least identification data of the vehicle and optionally data related to possible malfunctioning, impacts, accidents.

Preferably, the data of qualified operators DOR comprise at least identification data of the operators, entry and exit data (clocking in/out) from the worksite.

Preferably, the first memory unit 21 is comprised in the vehicle starting management unit 20.

In other words, the first memory unit 21 is arranged locally with respect to the vehicle starting management unit 20, particularly at a worksite suitable for operations of land vehicles and related operators of the vehicles.

According to the invention, the vehicle starting management unit 20 comprises a processing unit 22.

In general, it should be noted that in the present context and in the subsequent claims, the processing unit 22 is considered to be split into distinct functional modules (storage modules or operating modules) for the sole purpose of describing its functionalities clearly and completely.

Such processing unit can comprise a single electronic device, appropriately programmed to perform the functionalities described, and the different modules can correspond to hardware entities and/or routine software that are part of the programmed device.

Alternatively or additionally, these functionalities can be performed by a plurality of electronic devices on which the aforementioned functional modules can be distributed. The processing unit 22 can also make use of one or more processors for executing the instructions contained in the storage modules.

The aforementioned functional modules can also be distributed on different local or remote computers, depending on the architecture of the network in which they reside.

The processing unit 22 is configured to process starting data S_AVV or prohibiting data of said vehicle 2 upon the verification or not of certain conditions.

The processing unit 22 comprises at least one input module 23 configured to receive from the vehicle identification means 3, the characteristic data DCV of the vehicle 2 and from the acquisition means 4, the operator- specific data on board the vehicle DCOB.

The processing unit 22 comprises a comparing module 24 configured to compare the operator-specific data on board the vehicle DCOB and the characteristic data of the vehicle DCV received from the input module 23, with corresponding data concerning registered vehicles DVR and registered operators DOR in said first memory unit 21.

The processing unit 22 comprises an starting module 25 configured to send a starting signal S_AVV to said starting means 5 of the land vehicle 2 as a function of a match OK resulting from the comparison carried out by the comparing module 24.

Preferably, the starting module 25 is also able to send an engine and operation locking signal of the vehicle S_BLOC in the event of no match KO in the comparison performed by the comparing module 24 described above.

In other words, once the operator is on board a certain land vehicle 2, if the operator on board and the vehicle itself are identified as a function of their identification data and the data already recorded, the engine of the vehicle is enabled for starting so as to allow the use thereof in the worksite by the operator.

The starting means 5 of the vehicle 2 are, therefore, configured to allow the starting of the vehicle 2 as a function of the starting signal S_AVV received so to prohibit the use thereof, by the operator on board, if instead they receive an engine locking signal S_BLOC from the starting module 25. The security system for land vehicles, in addition to what has been described above, comprises a server 30 equipped with a processing unit 31 and a second memory unit 32 containing data on works to be carried out TASK on the worksite and a communication module 33 able to send said data on works to be carried out TASK to the comparing module 24. Preferably, the TASKs can contain information on the type, quantity, position of materials and operations to be carried out with them inside the worksite (e.g. moving x tonnes of ferrous material from a certain position in the worksite to a dump), data on the type of land vehicles and experience and qualifications required of the operators for completing a certain TASK. In that case, the comparing module 24 is also configured to compare the operator-specific data on board the vehicle DCOB and the characteristic data of the vehicle DCV received from the input module 23, not only with the corresponding data concerning registered vehicles DVR and registered operators DOR, but also with the data of the works to be carried out TASK present in the second memory unit 32.

Preferably, the input module 23 is configured to send the operator-specific data on board the vehicle DCOB and the characteristic data DCV of the vehicle 2 to the first memory unit 21 , so as to keep up to date a register of the use of vehicles in the worksite.

Preferably, the identification means 3 are configured to communicate with the electronic control unit of the land vehicle 2 and to acquire one or more vehicle operating data DOPV comprised from at least:

- km travelled;

- fuel or kWh consumed;

- average speed;

- top speed;

- engine oil temperature; - fault warning;

- maintenance notification;

and to send the vehicle operating data DOPV to the second memory unit 32 present in the worksite server 30.

In one embodiment of the invention, in proximity to the access zone to the worksite, there is an identification device 27 configured to identify the land vehicle 2 and/or the operator entering or exiting the worksite.

Preferably, the identification device 27 located in proximity to the access zone to the worksite is configured to transmit the identification data of the vehicles S_ACCV and of the operators S_ACCO entering and exiting the worksite to the second memory unit 32 present in the worksite server 30. By way of non-limiting example, the identification device 27 can be comprised of an NFC tag located in a defined place on the worksite and can possibly comprise a device for the recognition of the operator’s biometric data, such as a fingerprint sensor or a face recognition system or an iris recognition system. The entry and exit data of the operator to the worksite, stored in the second memory unit 32, can be used by the system for connecting to company management modules (not illustrated in the figures) that consider the work hours of each employee. The processing unit 30 is able to acquire from the company management modules, other company information in relation to the operators such as work shifts, holidays, leave of absence, illness, accidents, medical examinations, etc.

In that case, the identification device 27 also operates as a clocking in and out machine and it is possible to perform a cross check in real time with the HR department data.

The system according to the present invention comprises a personal device 1 1 wearable by the operator 1 1 configured to send the operator's vital parameters DOPV to at least the portable electronic device 10.

Preferably, the device 1 1 wearable by the operator is configured to be worn in proximity to the hand of the user and comprises a portable radio frequency RF transceiver configured to transmit at least one RF response signal in response to the reception of at least one RF interrogation signal, configured to send and receive signals from the portable electronic device 10. Alternatively, the wearable device 1 1 communicates with the portable electronic device 10 via Bluetooth.

The system 1 can further comprise a device configured to measure the vibrations and noise to which the operator is subject while operating the vehicle 2.

Preferably, the comparison in the module 24 also considers the vital parameters of the operator DOPV and the vibrations and noise to which the operator of the vehicle 2 is subject as indications of any psychophysical alterations and/or the reaching of the thresholds envisaged by legislation in force on safety in the workplace. Upon reaching said thresholds, the starting module 25 will send a locking signal S_BLOC to the starting means 5, thus inhibiting the use of the vehicle. Preferably, the vehicle starting management unit 20 further comprises a transmission module 26 configured to transmit, as a function of the successful match OK, updating data DJJP of said characteristic data of the vehicle (DCV) and of said operator-specific data on board the vehicle DCO at least to the second memory unit 32 thus updating said data.

Preferably, the second memory unit 32 of the server 30 comprises data related to one or more worksites. The data of each worksite comprise one or more of at least:

Worksite identification data:

- General identification data: city, customer, owner, description;

- Special identification data: NFC tag, GPS;

company data:

- Allocations;

- Organisation chart;

- Authorisations;

- Verifications/controls;

- Safety and quality; DVR, Procedures

Data of suppliers/third parties:

- General data; - Access profiles data;

- Administrative data;

- Management data;

- Economic data.

Preferably, the first memory unit 21 comprises static vehicle data (e.g. licence plate number, chassis number, type of engine power, make, model, etc.) and operator data (name, surname, driving licence number, date of birth, contact details, etc.) i.e. data that does not change over time. Preferably, the second memory unit 32 comprises dynamic vehicle and operator data, i.e. data that changes over time.

The present invention also describes a security system for land vehicles 2. The method comprises the steps of:

- predisposing vehicle identification means 3 locally to said vehicle 2, the vehicle identification means 3 comprising characteristic data DCV of the vehicle 2;

- assigning a personal electronic device 10 to an operator O of land vehicles 2, comprising operator-specific data DCO;

- predisposing acquisition means 4 locally connected to said vehicle 2, configured to communicate with said personal electronic device 10 and acquire the operator-specific data DCOB on-board the vehicle 2;

- predisposing starting means 5 of the vehicle 2, connected to the vehicle starting system;

- predisposing a first memory unit 21 comprising:

o data of registered vehicles DVR, registered to work in a worksite;

o data of registered operators DOR, registered to work in said worksite;

- receiving said characteristic data DCV of the vehicle 2 from said vehicle identification means 3;

- receiving said operator-specific data on-board the vehicle (DCOB) from said acquisition means 4;

comparing said operator-specific data on-board the vehicle DCOB and said characteristic data of the vehicle DCV with corresponding data of registered vehicles DVR and data of registered operators DOR in said first memory unit 21 ;

- sending a starting signal S_AVV to said starting means 5 of the land vehicle 2 as a function of a match OK resulting from the comparison carried out;

- enabling starting said vehicle 2 as a function of said starting signal S_AVV received.

The method according to the invention comprises additional steps corresponding to the functions of the modules described hereinabove. According to the invention, one or more steps are implemented by means of a computer.

Preferably, to obtain indications on a greater probability of a possible state of psychophysical alteration of the employees a relevant module is used on the personal electronic device 10 that can interact with the coordination and reflexes of the operators. In particular, a game to carry out at the time of access/climbing onto the vehicle or at the time of clocking into the worksite.

This function will notify to the supervisor - also interfacing with the operations management department and reporting the time of allocation of the vehicle to an operator - any poor attitude or lack of motivation of an employee. The supervisor will thus have further support to guarantee the optimal performance of operations and greater safety at work will be guaranteed for all operators.

Preferably, the system integrates a module dedicated to estimate or detect the exposure of operators to vibrations. In particular, starting from the assumption of knowing the detected values for each vehicle and being aware of the vehicles used by each operator during their work shift, it is possible to calculate the exposure to vibrations of each operator and make sure the results of such function are interfaced with the vehicle starting management unit or the worksite server 30. At the time of allocating the vehicle to the operator, this will enable the number of hours that he/she can still use the vehicle itself before reaching the maximum recommended exposure threshold to be communicated.

Preferably, said function can be implemented with detections performed by the personal device wearable by the operator 1 1 (e.g. a smartwatch or fit tracker) and by the personal electronic device 10, placed in the support of the acquisition means 5 during use of the land vehicle 2. Preferably, the personal device wearable by the operator 1 1 is configured to detect the cardiac data of every operator, obtaining data related to their heartbeat, saturation and blood pressure. When a parameter is critical, a warning notification will be sent to the supervisor and the use of the vehicle can possibly be prohibited.

Preferably, through the accelerometers present in the smartphone and the smartwatch, information can be obtained on a possible “man down” situation. If the“man down” event occurs, a notification will be sent to the supervisor.

If a critical situation occurs for the operator’s health, the supervisor will be able to make a quick call to the rescue services, as well as sending to the rescuers the personal data of the employee, taken from his/her profile (name, surname, age). Subject to agreement with the operator, the most sensitive personal data can be communicated (adding for example their height, blood group, any allergies, interaction with medications, etc.).

Optionally it will be possible to transmit to the rescuers the information taken from the smartwatch (cardiac data).

This function intends to provide a valid support in case of emergencies, for the most effective rescue possible.

Preferably, to monitor and improve the distribution and use of personal protective equipment (or PPE) the personal electronic device 10 can be used as a key and interface, according to one or more of the following methods: • the operator can request the PPE (or clothing) that he/she needs through a relevant interface;

• the request will reach the relevant worksite office/warehouse;

• the operator will proceed to“load” a dispenser (marking every position with the reference of the request received from the employee);

• when the PPE is ready for collection, the operator will receive a notification on his/her personal device;

• the operator can collect the requested material by bringing the personal electronic device towards the dispenser, thus providing consent for the opening of the allocated compartments;

• once the operation has been completed, the relevant worksite office/warehouse will receive notification of the successful collection of the personal protective equipment.

For this function, it will be necessary to provide types of dispensers that can communicate with the system and assign the management of the dispensers themselves to an appointed employee.

Preferably, the jobs (or TASKs) by the supervisor include one or more of the following operations:

• viewing of all the available employees (through the clocking in/out function) and availability for every employee of the following data:

- GPS position (from personal smartphone);

- Skills (certificates/courses, connection to one or more management modules - safety/quality department);

- Health: Psychophysical condition (coordination/reflex module) - possible exposure to vibrations (exposure to vibrations module);

• Viewing of all the vehicles available, together with all the profile data:

- GPS position (published when the operator gets down from the vehicle, at the end of the shift - vehicle clocking off function - or transmitted position, in the event that the vehicle is being used by another operator); - Condition of the vehicle (any maintenance interventions, machine downtime, reports, checklists);

• Viewing all the jobs to be performed, starting from a standard list, with the possibility to add new temporary or definitive jobs - attributing them. Each job will be identified:

- by a name/definition;

- by a brief description;

- by a GPS position;

- by the procedures for the safe performance and indication of any courses and certificates required for the task (data from the safety/quality department).

Preferably, the supervisor will have the supervision of:

• all the allocations made by him/her and the inherent data;

• GPS tracking of the employees and the vehicles;

• performance of the jobs (through the operating support function).

In some embodiments, the server 30, the personal electronic devices 10 and/or the vehicle starting management units 20 can be operatively connected through one or more electronic communication connections. For example, such electronic communication connections can be established, at least in part, through a network such as the internet and/or other telecommunication networks. It is clear that this is not intended to be limiting and that the scope of this description comprises implementations in which the server, the personal electronic devices 10 and/or the vehicle starting management units can be operatively connected through other communication means. The server or servers 30 (in the case of a plurality of worksites) can include electronic archiving means 32, one or more processors and/or other components. The servers can include communication lines or ports to enable the exchange of information with a network and/or other IT platforms. The illustration of the server 30 in Fig. 2 is not intended to be limiting. The servers 30 can comprise a plurality of hardware, software and/or firmware components that operate together to provide the functions attributed herein. For example, one or more servers 30 can be implemented by a cloud of IT platforms that operate together as a server 30. The memory units 21 and 32 can comprise non-transitory storage media that electronically store information. The electronic storage media of the electronic memory 21 and 32 can be system archives supplied integrally (i.e. substantially non-removable) with the devices 20 and 30 and/or be a removable memory that is removably connected to the devices 21 and 32 through, for example, a port (e.g. a USB port, a firewire port, etc.) or a unit (e.g. a disk unit, etc.). The memory units 21 , 32 can include one or more optically readable storage media (e.g. optical discs, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g. magnetic tape, magnetic hard disk, floppy unit, etc.), storage media based on electrical charge (e.g. EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid state storage media (e.g. flash unit, etc.) and/or other electronically readable storage media. The memory units 21 and 33 can include one or more virtual archiving resources (e.g. cloud storage, a virtual private network “VPN” and/or other virtual storage resources). The memory units 21 , 32 can memorise software algorithms, information determined by the processors, information received from the devices 20, 30, information received from the portable electronic devices 10, and/or other information that enables the devices 20, 30 to operate as described herein. As a person skilled in the art can clearly understand, the invention enables the drawbacks previously highlighted with reference to the prior art to be overcome. In particular, the present invention enables the safety of the operators and vehicles operating on the worksite to be improved. It also enables better worksite management by the supervisor. It is clear that the specific characteristics are described in relation to different embodiments of the invention with an exemplifying and non-limiting intention. Obviously a person skilled in the art can make further modifications and variations to the present invention, for the purpose of fulfilling contingent and specific needs. For example, the technical characteristics described in relation to an embodiment of the invention can be extrapolated therefrom and applied to other embodiments of the invention. Such modifications and variations are also contained within the scope of protection of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A security system (1 ) for land vehicles, comprising:

- vehicle identification means (3) installed in a land vehicle (2) comprising characteristic data (DCV) of the vehicle (2);

- a personal electronic device (10) assigned to an operator (O) of land vehicles (2), comprising operator-specific data (DCO);

- acquisition means (4), locally connected to said vehicle (2), configured to

• communicate with said personal electronic device (10) and acquire said operator-specific data (ODD) on-board the vehicle;

- starting means (5) of the vehicle (2), connected to the vehicle starting system;

- a vehicle starting management unit (20) comprising:

• a first memory unit (21 ) comprising:

o data of registered vehicles (DVR), registered to work in a worksite;

o data of registered operators (DOR), registered to work in said worksite;

• a processing unit (22) configured to process starting data for starting said vehicle (2), comprising:

o an input module (23), configured to receive

^■ said characteristic data (DCV) of the vehicle (2) from said vehicle identification means (3);

^■ said operator-specific data on-board the vehicle (DCOB) form said acquisition means (4);

o a comparing module (24) configured to compare said operator- specific data on-board the vehicle (DCOB) and said characteristic data of the vehicle (DCV) received from said input module (23), with corresponding data of registered vehicles (DVR) and data of registered operators (DOR) in said first memory unit (21 ); o a starting module (25) configured to send a starting signal (S_AVV) to said starting means (5) of the land vehicle (2) as a function of a match (OK) resulting from the comparison carried out by said comparing module (24);

- wherein said starting means (5) of the vehicle (2) are configured to enable starting said vehicle (2) as a function of said starting signal (S_AVV) received.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said operator-specific data (DCO) comprise one or more from at least:

o personal data;

o identification data;

o management data;

o health data;

o operating data.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said characteristic data of the vehicle (DCV) comprise one or more from, at least:

o identification data;

o management data;

o vehicle condition data;

o operating data.

4. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a server (30) equipped with a processing unit (31 ) and a second memory unit (32) containing data on works to be carried out (TASK) on the worksite and a communication module (33) able to send said data on works to be carried out (TASK) to the comparing module (24).

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein said comparing module (24) is configured to compare said operator-specific data on-board the vehicle (DCOB) and said characteristic data of the vehicle (DCV) received from said input module (23), also with said data on works to be carried out (TASK) present in said second memory unit (32).

6. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said input module (23) is further configured to send said operator-specific data on-board the vehicle (DCOB) and said characteristic data (DCV) of the vehicle (2) to said first memory unit (21 ).

7. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said identification means (3) are configured to communicate with the electronic control unit of the land vehicle (2) and to acquire one or more items of vehicle operating data (DOPV) included from among:

- km travelled;

- fuel consumption;

- average speed;

- top speed;

- engine oil temperature;

- fault warning;

- maintenance notification;

and to send said vehicle operating data (DOPV) to said second memory unit (32).

8. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said vehicle identification means (3) are constituted by an NFC tag containing said characteristic data of the vehicle (DCV).

9. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the acquisition means (4) consist of a support configured to physically support said personal electronic device (10) when the operator is on-board the vehicle (2) and to connect via data transmission means therewith in such a way as to be able to acquire said operator-specific data on-board the vehicle (DCOB).

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said vehicle identification means (3) are located on said support in such a way that said personal electronic device (10) is able to acquire said characteristic data of the vehicle (DCV).

1 1. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein an identification device (27) is located in proximity of the access zone to the worksite, which identification device (27) is configured to identify the land vehicle (2) or the operator entering or exiting the worksite.

12. The system according to claim 1 1 , wherein said identification device (27) present in proximity of the access zone to the worksite is configured to transmit the identification data of the vehicles (S_ACCV) and of the operators (S_ACCO) entering and exiting the worksite to said second memory unit (32).

13. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said a vehicle (2) further includes a device configured to measure the vibrations and noise to which the operator is subjected during operation of the vehicle (2).

14. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a personal device wearable by the operator (11 ) configured to send the operator's vital parameters (DOPV) to at least said portable electronic device (10).

15. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said vehicle starting management unit (20) further comprises a transmission module (26) configured to transmit, as a function of said resulting match (OK), updating data (DJJP) of said characteristic data of the vehicle (DCV) and of said operator-specific data (DCO) at least to said second memory unit (32), thus updating said data.

16. The system according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said portable electronic device (10) is configured to receive from the server (30) or from the vehicle starting management unit (20) a checklist containing a list of control points (ICK) of the vehicle (2) to verify before being able to operate on the vehicle (2).

17. A security method for land vehicles, comprising steps of:

- predisposing vehicle identification means (3) locally to said vehicle (2), the vehicle identification means (3) comprising characteristic data (DCV) of the vehicle (2);

- assigning a personal electronic device (10) to an operator (O) of land vehicles (2), comprising operator-specific data (DCO);

- predisposing acquisition means (4) locally connected to said vehicle (2), configured to

• communicate with said personal electronic device (10) and acquire said operator-specific data (DCO) on-board the vehicle;

- predisposing starting means (5) of the vehicle (2), connected to the vehicle starting system;

- predisposing a first memory unit (21 ) comprising:

o data of registered vehicles (DVR), registered to work in a worksite;

o data of registered operators (DOR), registered to work in said worksite;

- receiving said characteristic data (DCV) of the vehicle (2) from said vehicle identification means (3);

- receiving said operator-specific data on-board the vehicle (DCOB) from said acquisition means (4);

- comparing said operator-specific data on-board the vehicle (DCOB) and said characteristic data of the vehicle (DCV) with corresponding data of registered vehicles (DVR) and data of registered operators (DOR) in said first memory unit (21 );

- sending a starting signal (S_AVV) to said starting means (5) of the land vehicle (2) as a function of a match (OK) resulting from the comparison carried out;

- enabling starting said vehicle (2) as a function of said starting signal (S_AVV) received.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein one or more steps of the method are implemented by means of a computer.