• The KIPS Transactions:PartD
• /
• v.16D no.2
• /
• pp.249-256
• /
• 2009

This paper introduces an efficient USN (ubiquitous sensor network) for monitoring blind areas in a skiing resort, developed as a part of u-Sport showcase project of Gangwon Province. Blind areas of a skiing resort are dangerous and/or steep areas located aroud ski slopes, which are rarely traveled and not easily seen by a ski patrol. If an accident occurs in such a blind area, the main control center of the sking resort can hardly recognize the accident and provide first aid and rescue services promptly. The blind area monitoring system proposed in this paper monitors a blind area of a skiing resort using five battery-powered sensor nodes each of which has an image sensor on it and wirelessly transmits images around the blind area to the main control center on a regular basis, therebly allowing real-time monitoring of the blind area and prompt rescue services in case of accidents. Additionally, the monitoring system provides an emergency button which skiers injured in the blind area can push. If the button is pushed, an image around the button and an alarm signal are transmitted to the main control center and therefore the main control center can take prompt actions for rescuing the injured skiers.