DE102020111164A1 - Infection inhibiting signaling device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an infection-inhibiting signal device with a signal transmitter (10) for displaying a risk of infection as a function of the determined distance between at least two users each at least one copy (7 a, b, c, d) of the aforementioned signal device attached in the area of the user's body, whereby - the distance between the aforementioned specimens is determined by means of the phase difference method and / or by means of the transit time measurement method; - the aforementioned signal generator (10) generates / generate optical and / or acoustic signals - and identifiers are alternately transmitted between at least two copies of the aforementioned signaling device, which is characterized by, - that the number of undershoots and / or the time interval of at least one undershooting of the aforementioned distance threshold value is / are determined and that the aforementioned acoustic and / or optical signals are dependent on the aforementioned number of undershoots and / or on the aforementioned time interval of at least one undershooting of the distance threshold value to be changed.

Description

To contain infections caused by pathogens (e.g. Sars-CoV-2 etc.) by determining the distance between sensory signal devices, the signal device © SAFEDI ( Press release on 04/11/2020 by the company © 2020 SAFEDI Distance Control GmbH, Dr. Walter-Zumtobel-Str. 2, 6850 Dornbirn, Austria ). The aforementioned device, which is designed only as a sensory system without a mobile radio terminal, triggers an optical signal as a warning as soon as people approach one another. If the minimum distance between two people is not reached, optical and acoustic signals are continuously released. The distance is determined using ® Bluetooth using the phase difference method. The disadvantage here is that the warning signals that are issued directly only serve as a pure distance warning and do not indicate the extent of the risk of infection.

Similar to the device shown above is the digital bracelet © Romware-Covid-Radius (press release on April 17th, 2020, Port of Antwerp, Havenhuis, Zaha Hadidplein 1 , 2030 Antwerp, Belgium). The aforementioned Covid bracelet from the manufacturer Rombit (Meir 30, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium) is primarily aimed at physical distance to avoid infection. Whenever employees get too close to one another, they first receive a warning signal. However, privacy is guaranteed. The bracelet never gives the location or other sensitive information to the employer. At the same time, it allows contact tracking. If someone happens to be infected, a health advisor or confidante can check which work colleagues the person has come into contact with to prevent further infection. Here, too, there is the disadvantage that no information on the extent of the risk of infection is given.

In scripture DE 10 2014 209 337 A1 a system is presented in which the distances between people in a hazardous area are measured using the transit time method. When threshold values are reached, the system generates warning signals. The disadvantage of this system is that, due to the stationary distance measurement in a fixed area, ubiquitous containment of infection is not possible.

The font WO 2006/120057 A1 describes a device in which the distance between the device and a person in the effective range is determined by evaluating radio or sound waves. Here, the user is given warning notices for the purpose of protecting the aforementioned person. The disadvantage for the goal of avoiding infection is that here the person to be protected is not warned himself, but only the user of the device.

The invention according to claim 1 has the task of reducing possible infections with pathogens, especially in crowds of people, in that if the distance falls below a defined threshold value, warning signals are issued for the purpose of assessing the extent of an infection risk, whereby the user can change his behavior with the aim of Prevention of infection can control accordingly.

This problem is solved by the features specified in claim 1.

• - die Distanz zwischen den vorgenannten Exemplaren mittels des Verfahrens der Phasendifferenz und/oder mittels des Verfahrens der Laufzeitmessung ermittelt wird,
• - bei Unterschreiten eines definierten Distanz-Schwellenwertes durch die vorgenannte erfasste Distanz mindestens ein an der zugehörigen Signalvorrichtung befindlicher Signalgeber aktiviert wird,
• - der/die vorgenannte/n Signalgeber optische und/oder akustische Signale erzeugt/erzeugen
• - und zwischen mindestens zwei Exemplaren der vorgenannten Signalvorrichtung Identifikatoren (ID) wechselseitig übertragen werden.

Claim 1 comprises an infection-inhibiting signal device with at least one signal transmitter for displaying a risk of infection as a function of the determined distance between at least two users, each at least one copy of the aforementioned signal device attached in the area of the user's body, wherein

• - the distance between the aforementioned specimens is determined using the phase difference method and / or using the transit time measurement method,
• - If the aforementioned detected distance falls below a defined threshold value, at least one signal transmitter located on the associated signaling device is activated,
• - the aforementioned signal generator (s) generate / generate optical and / or acoustic signals
• and identifiers (ID) are mutually transmitted between at least two copies of the aforementioned signaling device.

• - dass die Anzahl der Unterschreitungen und/oder das Zeitintervall mindestens einer Unterschreitung des vorgenannten Distanz-Schwellenwertes ermittelt und erfasst wird/werden
• - und dass die vorgenannten akustischen und/oder optischen Signale in Abhängigkeit von der vorgenannten Anzahl der Unterschreitungen und/oder von dem vorgenannten Zeitintervall mindestens einer Unterschreitung des Distanz-Schwellenwertes verändert werden.

The aforementioned infection-inhibiting signal device is characterized according to the invention

• - That the number of undershoots and / or the time interval of at least one undershoot of the aforementioned distance threshold value is / are determined and recorded
• and that the aforementioned acoustic and / or optical signals are changed as a function of the aforementioned number of undershoots and / or of the aforementioned time interval of at least one undershoot of the distance threshold value.

The advantages achieved by the invention are that individuals in crowds such as, for example, on sporting, cultural or other social Events, but also at any professional, school or other level, depending on an individual risk assessment, can be continuously stopped to maintain an infection-avoiding distance from other individuals and be able to control their behavior accordingly. As a result, such events or gatherings at all levels could be more easily politically enforceable despite the high general risk of infection, which would be beneficial for the common good, especially in the current situation of the so-called corona crisis. The acoustic and / or optical signals generated by the signal generator are preferably emitted as sensible warning signals, for example in the form of an acoustic tone sequence or a continuous tone or a flashing or permanently illuminated light. A (micro) processor is preferably used for data processing, including a counting and time measurement function, which is used, among other things, to record and process the electronic data when determining the distance and when determining the number and time intervals in relation to the distance-threshold value being exceeded Activation and control of the signal generator as well as the data exchange is used, the data being stored in a data memory. The signal transmitter is designed as a device for generating and emitting sound (eg loudspeaker, earphones, headphones, etc.) and / or as a light source (eg lamp, LED, etc.). The aforementioned signal generator, which is activated by the processor when a defined distance threshold value is reached, is used in particular to generate and output warning signals. In this case, based on the installed program, if the distance determined by the processor is smaller than the defined distance threshold value, an electrical signal is sent to the signal transmitter, which activates the signal transmitter. According to the main claim, identifiers (ID), for example identification numbers, user IDs, etc., are alternately transmitted between at least two copies of the aforementioned signaling device. In the case of a transmission of a preferably encrypted ID, this has the effect that an individualized control of the signal transmitter is made possible while maintaining anonymity. In particular, the acoustic and / or optical warning signals of the signaling device according to the invention are of low intensity when detecting and determining a relatively small number of distance-threshold undershoots by at least one further copy of the signaling device within the radius of the distance-threshold value, but with a higher number of Undershooting of greater intensity. From a statistical point of view, a higher number of distance-threshold value violations means a higher risk of infection than a lower number of lower values under otherwise identical conditions. Similarly, in a preferred manner, the intensity of the warning signals is increased with a higher recorded time interval in which the distance-threshold value is not reached. The processor-controlled control of the intensity of the warning signals can preferably depend on the times at which the determined undershoots of the distance threshold values are determined. That is, the detection of almost simultaneous undershoots preferably increases the intensity of the warning signals more strongly than undershoots of threshold values detected at larger time intervals. Furthermore, the method of transit time measurement, in which, analogous to the known technologies of radar, lidar, sonar, etc., the time of a signal is measured in the form of a primary and reflected secondary signal as it traverses a distance, increases the precision of the distance measurement. The phase difference method (© "Phase-Difference-on-Arrival"), also called phase shift or position, which is preferred for practical reasons, enables the use of ® Bluetooth technology for distance measurement. In this case, the signals for distance measurement are preferably transmitted by means of a transmitter and a receiver module of the signal device according to the invention.

• - dass die Signalabgabe-Frequenz und/oder die Lautstärke der akustischen Signale mit der Zunahme der Anzahl der Unterschreitungen und/oder mit der Zunahme des Zeitintervalls mindestens einer Unterschreitung des Distanz-Schwellenwertes erhöht wird/werden
• - und/oder dass die Signalabgabe-Frequenz und/oder die Helligkeit der optischen Signale mit der Zunahme der Anzahl der Unterschreitungen und/oder mit der Zunahme des Zeitintervalls mindestens einer Unterschreitung des Distanz-Schwellenwertes erhöht wird/werden
• - und/oder dass der Farbton und/oder die Farbsättigung bezüglich der optischen Signale mit der Zunahme der Anzahl der Unterschreitungen und/oder mit der Zunahme des Zeitintervalls mindestens einer Unterschreitung des Distanz-Schwellenwertes geändert wird/werden.

According to claim 2, an advantageous embodiment of the infection-inhibiting signal device consists in

• - That the signal output frequency and / or the volume of the acoustic signals is / are increased with the increase in the number of undershoots and / or with the increase in the time interval of at least one undershoot of the distance threshold value
• and / or that the signal output frequency and / or the brightness of the optical signals is / are increased with the increase in the number of undershoots and / or with the increase in the time interval of at least one undershoot of the distance threshold value
• - and / or that the hue and / or the color saturation with respect to the optical signals is / are changed with the increase in the number of undershoots and / or with the increase in the time interval of at least one undershoot of the distance threshold value.

• - dass die Signalabgabe-Frequenz und/oder die Lautstärke der akustischen Signale bei Empfang mindestens eines Signals einer bestätigten Infektion erhöht wird/werden
• - und/oder dass die Signalabgabe-Frequenz und/oder die Helligkeit der optischen Signale bei Empfang mindestens eines Signals einer bestätigten Infektion erhöht wird/werden
• - und/oder dass der Farbton und/oder die Farbsättigung bezüglich der optischen Signale bei Empfang mindestens eines Signals einer bestätigten Infektion geändert wird/werden.

Another preferred embodiment is according to claim 3,

• - That the signal output frequency and / or the volume of the acoustic signals is / are increased when at least one signal of a confirmed infection is received
• and / or that the signal output frequency and / or the brightness of the optical signals is / are increased when at least one signal of a confirmed infection is received
• and / or that the hue and / or the color saturation with respect to the optical signals is / are changed when at least one signal of a confirmed infection is received.

The aforementioned claims 2 and 3 describe preferred changes in the acoustic or optical warning signals depending on the factors influencing the risk of infection, the number and time interval (e.g. duration, etc.) when the distance threshold is not exceeded and the signal of a confirmed infection is transmitted. For example, the signal transmitter can emit an outwardly visible optical signal in a defined warning color (e.g. orange) if the user of the signal device is registered as infected in a database and / or e.g. has a large number of transmitted IDs and / or e.g. in one defined period has a very high recorded number of infectious undershooting of the distance threshold value or of high time intervals of undershooting. If, for example, the user is not registered in a database at all or is not registered as non-infected and / or if, for example, a low number of transmitted IDs is recorded and / or if he has, for example, a low recorded number of undershooting of the distance threshold value or of low time intervals between undershooting, can the signal color can be green, for example. The orange warning signal thus suggests to the individuals in the vicinity to be more careful than the green signal color. Of course, any other color tone can also be used with regard to the signal color. Similarly, for example, the acoustic and / or optical signal output frequency can be low for a low warning level as described above (e.g. beep or flashing light is "slow") and higher for a higher warning level (e.g. beeping or flashing light is "faster") be. In this way, advantageous combinations of the properties of the acoustic and / or optical signals can be used for differentiated warning levels for assessing the risk of infection. With regard to the aforementioned color properties of the optical signals, a color system (e.g. CIE standard valence system, HSV color space, etc.) is preferably used. According to claim 4, the signaling device according to the invention has a transponder. This is preferably used to send and receive signals with data for identification (ID) and to forward them to the (micro) processor. The transponder can also be integrated in a transmitting and receiving module (e.g. transceiver, etc.) for the signals for distance measurement or designed as a separate component. According to claim 5, the acoustic and / or optical signals according to claim 1 are changed as a function of at least one identifier (ID) according to claim 1. In this way, by means of a copy of the signal device, a processor-controlled distinction can be made between other copies that are located in the vicinity. It can thus be achieved, for example, that the signal transmitter is not activated if members of the same household fall below the distance threshold value due to the transmitted and registered ID. According to claim 6, the signaling device according to the invention has at least one operating device for function control. As a result, the functions of the signal device can be controlled manually and / or verbally and / or by input types according to the current state of the art by the user. For example, volume control with muting can be set up in the event of a silence requirement. According to claim 7, data is transmitted between the signal device according to the invention and at least one mobile terminal such as smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, etc. This feature facilitates the monitoring and control of the aforementioned signaling device, preferably using suitable application programs (e.g. apps, etc.) that have been created. According to claim 8, a data transmission takes place between the mobile terminal according to claim 7 and at least one server (e.g. in a data center, an authority, an institute, etc.). This advantageously enables central control and data processing with regard to a large number of individual copies of the signaling device according to the invention and, when data is transmitted for identification, comparison with databases for the purpose of infection containment using created suitable algorithms. According to claim 9, the signaling device is controlled and / or deactivated by means of the server according to claim 8. In this way, for example, users who have frequently transmitted, risky distance thresholds underruns in relation to other users can be motivated centrally to change their behavior or can be removed from use by deactivating the signaling device or by addressing them accordingly.

An exemplary embodiment for understanding, which does not even come close to reproducing the very numerous variants of the invention, is shown in FIG 1 shown schematically and is described in more detail below.

It shows 1 four copies 7a , 7b , 7c , 7d the infection-inhibiting signal device, which are constructed in exactly the same way. The wearers and users of the device are not shown here. In the area of the disc-shaped housing 3 , the Signaling device 7 a , b , c , d are the transmitter module 1 , the receiving module 2 , the transponder 13th , the control device 4th who have favourited the fastening device 5 , the processor 6th , the data store 11 , the power supply module 12th and the signal generator 10 appropriate. Through the connecting device 5 (e.g. safety pin, magnet, Velcro fastener etc.) the signaling device 7 a , b , c , d in this example they can be worn like a button on a piece of clothing. However, any other connecting device (for example bracelets, necklaces, belts, headgear, etc.) is also provided in further examples for attachment in the area of the body. When using the phase difference method, the distances are determined via ® Bluetooth. With the runtime method, the transmission module 1 of all four copies 7 a , b , c , d Primary signals for distance measurement sent using body-penetrating radio waves of the same frequency. The aforementioned primary signals for distance measurement are used, for example, from the housing 3 reflected secondary signals via the respective associated receiving modules 2 of the aforementioned specimens 7 a , b , c , d received when they are within range and to the processor 6th transfer. Together with the signals for distance measurement, signals with data for identification (ID) are also sent in encrypted form from the transponder 13th sent and received and then to the processor 6th forwarded. In the processor 6th the respective distance is determined by means of the phase difference or the transit time method, which is known, for example, from radar technology, and assigned to the associated aforementioned ID. If the distance falls below a threshold value, which in the present example is 1.50 m, and the transmission of an ID that does not correspond to a defined ID (for example the ID relating to a member of one's own household), the processor activates it 6th the signal transmitter 10 , which optionally sends out optical and / or acoustic signals. In the present example, a beep is used as an acoustic warning signal for the wearer of the respective copy 7 a , b , c , d as well as an orange and / or a green flashing light used as a visual warning signal for all wearers of the aforementioned specimens. A lower signal output frequency and / or a green flashing light means a lower warning level and a higher signal output frequency and / or an orange flashing light means a higher warning level. The number of warning levels can be variable and optimized as a function of additionally added properties and combinations of the warning signals. The warning level on a scale of gradations depends, for example, on the factors number and / or time interval in which the distance threshold value is not exceeded, the transmitted signal about a confirmed infection, and the transmitted ID. The beep can be controlled by means of a volume control on the operating device 4th be quiet or muted in the case of a silence command. The optical signal from the signal generator can also be used 10 by means of the operating device 4th being controlled. The acoustic and optical warning signals of the signal generator 10 are in this example by means of the processor 6th with regard to the signal output frequency and / or the volume or the color intensity and / or the color change from green to orange with the increase in the number and the time intervals of the detected undershoots of the distance threshold values and / or the detected ID of infected people. The calculated distance values and the associated ID are also processed by the processor 6th from the data store 11 out additionally to a smartphone 9 , of which in 1 for the sake of simplicity, only one copy is shown, and from this to a central server 8th transmitted over an extensive network. This enables the ID to be compared with central databases. The power supply module 12th In this example, it consists of a small battery with a connection device (e.g. micro-USB connection, etc.) for the mains and / or a computer.

The specimens 7 a , 7 b , 7 c and 7 d of the infection-inhibiting signal device are in the present example in each case via the connecting device 5 attached to the respective human wearer (not shown). 7 a is 1.50 m from in this example 7 b and 2.20 m from 7 c removed. 7 b is 1.30 m from 7 c and 0.50 m from 7 d removed. 7 d is in any case over 1.50 m from 7 a or from 7 c away, so both of the aforementioned distances are each above the distance threshold value and are irrelevant here. Furthermore, in this example, the carriers are from 7a and 7 b in the database as not infected and / or not registered at all as well as the carrier of 7 c registered as infected. The ID of 7 b and 7 d , are in the other copy 7 d and 7 b through the processor 6th including data storage 11 recorded and stored in such a way that the associated signal transmitter 10 is not activated because the carrier of 7 b and 7 d in this example live in the same household.

• 7 a: Piepton und grünes Blinklicht
• 7 b: höher-abgabefrequenter Piepton als bei 7a und orangefarbenes höher-abgabefrequentes (als bei 7 a) Blinklicht. Wird zunächst der der Distanzwert (1,50 m) zu 7 a erfasst, dann derjenige zu 7 c (1,30 m), dann erhöht sich die Piep-Abgabefrequenz des akustischen Warnsignals und wechselt das niedriger-abgabefrequente grüne Blinklicht in ein höher-abgabefrequentes orangefarbenes Blinklicht.
• 7 c: Piepton und grünes Blinklicht
• 7 d: kein Warnsignal

The following warning signals arise in the constellation of this example:

• 7 a : Beep and flashing green light
• 7 b : higher delivery frequency beep than at 7a and orange-colored higher frequency of delivery (than with 7 a ) Flashing light. First, the distance value (1.50 m) is increased 7 a captured, then the one too 7 c (1.30 m), then the beep output frequency of the acoustic warning signal increases and changes the lower output frequency green flashing light into a higher output frequency orange flashing light.
• 7 c : Beep and flashing green light
• 7 d : no warning signal

List of reference symbols

1

Transmitter module

2

Receiving module

3

casing

4th

Control device

5

Connecting device

6th

processor

7 a, 7b, 7c, 7d

Infection Inhibiting Signaling Device, Quadruple

8th

server

9

Mobile device

10

Signal transmitter

11

Data storage

12th

Power supply module

13th

Transponder

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102014209337 A1 [0003]
• WO 2006/120057 A1 [0004]

Non-patent literature cited

• Press release on 04/11/2020 by the company © 2020 SAFEDI Distance Control GmbH, Dr. Walter-Zumtobel-Str. 2, 6850 Dornbirn, Austria [0001]

Claims (9)

Infection-inhibiting signal device with at least one signal transmitter (10) for displaying a risk of infection as a function of the determined distance between at least two users each at least one copy (7 a, b, c, d) of the aforementioned signal device attached in the area of the user's body, where - the distance the phase difference is determined between the aforementioned specimens by means of the method of the phase difference and / or by means of the method of transit time measurement, the aforementioned signal generator (10) generates / generate optical and / or acoustic signals - and identifiers are alternately transmitted between at least two copies of the aforementioned signaling device, characterized in that - the number of undershoots and / or the time interval at least one undershoot of the aforementioned distance threshold is / are determined and that the aforementioned acoustic and / or optical signals are changed depending on the aforementioned number of undershoots and / or on the aforementioned time interval of at least one undershoot of the distance threshold. Infection inhibiting signaling device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the signal output frequency and / or the volume of the acoustic signals is / are increased with the increase in the number of undershoots and / or with the increase in the time interval of at least one undershoot of the distance threshold value - and / or that the Signal output frequency and / or the brightness of the optical signals is / are increased with the increase in the number of undershoots and / or with the increase in the time interval of at least one undershoot of the distance threshold value - and / or that the hue and / or the color saturation with regard to the optical signals is / are changed with the increase in the number of undershoots and / or with the increase in the time interval of at least one undershoot of the distance threshold value. Infection-inhibiting signal device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signal output frequency and / or the volume of the acoustic signals is / are increased when at least one signal of a confirmed infection is received - and / or that the signal output frequency and / or the brightness of the optical signals is / are increased when at least one signal of a confirmed infection is received - and / or that the hue and / or the color saturation with regard to the optical signals is / are changed when at least one signal of a confirmed infection is received. Infection-inhibiting signal device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has at least one transponder (13). Infection-inhibiting signal device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the acoustic and / or optical signals according to Claim 1 depending on at least one identifier according to Claim 1 to be changed. Infection-inhibiting signal device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has at least one operating device (4) for function control. Infection-inhibiting signal device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that data is transmitted between the aforementioned signal device and at least one mobile terminal (9). Infection inhibiting signaling device according to Claim 7 , characterized in that between the mobile terminal (9) according to Claim 7 and data is transmitted to at least one server (8). Infection inhibiting signaling device according to Claim 8 , characterized in that the aforementioned signaling device by means of the server (8) according to Claim 8 controlled and / or deactivated.

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