AU2020102319A4 - Method and system for managing social distancing - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for managing social distancing is provided. The method includes the steps of: initiating a social distancing mode in at least one first smart device wearable a first user; triggering detection of proximity sensors in said smart device on initiation of smart distancing mode; detecting presence of one or more second user within a predefined proximal distance from the said first smart device based on readings from proximity sensor; and alerting the first user on detecting presence of one or more second wearable smart devices within a predefined proximal distance from the said first smart device based on readings from proximity sensor, wherein the first smart device provides distance between the first user and second user and also provides advice to maintain social distance from the second user. 14 0)0 0u twE >E c) 0 0 4- 4-o >. c 4- E 4 _0 cuE c 4. c E E LL on Ew _r _ ( ( 0 0E tw C: L. CC CLC 0 V 0 0VD o 4 (U ww u .4 _0 c -0 0 0 00 a) w E on- c = 4 CL 0) 4- O~ ~fl c ~4 L.4

Description

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METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING SOCIAL DISTANCING FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to method and system for managing social distancing and alerting users if they get close to a second user in preventing spread of diseases such as Corona Virus and other communicable diseases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

After a patient who has been treated with therapeutic doses of radioactive disease is discharged, the radiation from the doses can be potentially harmful to those in close proximity to the patient. Greatest concern is given to family members, individuals close to the patient, as well as health care professionals and the environment. It was found that those who are close to the patient should not exceed 5 mSv of cumulative radiation exposure per treatment episode.

In testing of areas of various facilities, such as hospital rooms, researchers have found antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria on multiple surfaces, including bedrails, supply carts, and floors. Such bacteria have been linked to causing numerous infection outbreaks in health care facilities over the last decade, and can survive on surfaces for long periods of time. One study sampling at least the following surfaces: bedrails, bedside tables, door handles, vital sign monitor touchpads, nurse call buttons, sinks, supply cart drawer handles, infusion pumps, ventilator surface touch pads, and the floor on both sides of the patient's bed, found that, of the surfaces tested, the surfaces most contaminated were supply cart handles, floors, infusion pumps, ventilator touchpads, and bedrails. These findings raise concerns since these contaminated surfaces are touched routinely by medical personnel and may be a source of hospital-based transmission of highly infectious diseases, such as staph, MRSA and other serious infections to patients.

In one solution, a System and method is disclosed for tracking, locating, identifying, or mapping movements of persons or personnel within a facility may include badges carried by individuals throughout the facility. These badges can each include a transmitter configured to transmit signals including signature information identifying the badges and also identifying codes of each signal transmitted. In addition, a plurality of dispensers can be positioned at selected locations of the facility and can include receivers that receive the signals transmitted by the transmitters of the badges. These receivers also can be configured to transmit information related to the received signals to one or more processors configured to identify each badge from which signals are received based upon the signature information and also to determine the proximity, range, distance, or zone between the badge identified and the receivers.

In one solution, a monitoring device is provided with a person image analyzer which has a person detector which detects a person from captured moving images and acquires positional information which relates to a person area, and an area state determinator which determines an area state which indicates the state of people in the person area based on the positional information, a mask image setter which sets the mask image which corresponds to the area state, and a moving image output controller which generates and outputs output moving images where the person area is changed to the mask image which corresponds to the area state based on the positional information and the area state which are output from the person image analyzer.

In one solution, a wearable device to monitor distance between people is disclosed, includes a belt worn by a user; a distance sensor; a thermal sensor, wherein the thermal sensor is disposed a predetermined distance from a center portion of the belt, the center portion of the belt being in angular alignment with an imaginary midline extending forward from a navel of the user, the imaginary midline dividing a body of the user exactly into left and right side, further wherein the at least one distance sensor is on the same side of the wearer's body as the thermal sensor and more distal from the imaginary midline than the thermal sensor; at least one panel; and a microcontroller connected to the distance sensor, the thermal sensor, and the at least one panel, the microcontroller having software stored and executable thereon, the software including: means for determining when an object is within a predetermined distance from the distance sensor in response to signals received from the distance sensor; means for determining whether the object is another person in response to signals from the thermal sensor corresponding to the object's temperature; and means for actuating the panel to generate an alert when the object is another person within the predetermined distance.

The existing systems do not detect germs on hands and body of the user. In addition of, the existing systems don't alert the user on detecting presence of other user within a predefined proximal distance from the user, which are required to be improved. Therefore, there exists a need to have a better method for managing social distancing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment, a method for managing social distancing is provided. The method includes the steps of: initiating a social distancing mode in at least one first smart device wearable a first user; triggering detection of proximity sensors in said smart device on initiation of smart distancing mode; detecting presence of one or more second user within a predefined proximal distance from the said first smart device based on readings from proximity sensor; and alerting the first user on detecting presence of one or more second wearable smart devices within a predefined proximal distance from the said first smart device based on readings from proximity sensor, wherein the first smart device provides distance between the first user and second user and also provides advice to maintain social distance from the second user.

In another embodiment, the system for managing social distancing is provided. The system includes a smart wearable unit adapted to initiate a social distancing mode by a first user, wherein the first smart unit having the social distancing mode, an alerting mode and a germ checking mode, wherein the social distancing mode configured to detect a second user within the predefined proximity area, wherein the alerting mode configured to alert the first user after detecting the second user within the predefined proximity area and the germ checking mode configured to check virus, bacterial germ of hands of the first user by the detection unit; a plurality of proximity sensors configured to detect a second user on initiation of the social distancing mode; and an alert unit configured to alert the first user on detecting presence of one or more second wearable smart devices within a predefined proximal distance from the said first smart device based on readings from proximity sensor.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for managing social distancing. Another object of the present invention is to alert user on detecting presence of one or more second wearable smart devices within a predefined proximal distance from the said first smart device. Another object of the present invention is to detect germs on hands and body of the user.

To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a flowchart for a method for managing social distancing;

Figure 2 illustrates block diagram of a circuit for a device to monitor distance between people according to the present invention;

Figure 3 illustrates perspective view of an embodiment of the device to monitor distance between people according to the present invention implemented in a belt; and

Figure 4 illustrates block diagram of a system for managing social distancing according to the present invention.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

Reference throughout this specification to "an aspect", "another aspect" or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises...a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a flowchart for a method for managing social distancing. The method 100 includes the steps of: Step 102 of initiating a social distancing mode in at least one first smart device wearable a first user; Step 104 of triggering detection of proximity sensors in said smart device on initiation of smart distancing mode; Step 106 of detecting presence of one or more second user within a predefined proximal distance from the said first smart device based on readings from proximity sensor; and Step 108 of alerting the first user on detecting presence of one or more second wearable smart devices within a predefined proximal distance from the said first smart device based on readings from proximity sensor, wherein the first smart device provides distance between the first user and second user and also provides advice to maintain social distance from the second user.

In an embodiment, the method 100 further includes of triggering detection of sound and camera sensors in said smart device on initiation of smart distancing mode.

In another embodiment, readings from sound and camera sensor are taken into consideration for detecting presence of the second user.

In another embodiment, the method 100 further includes of informing the first user of the exact distance closeness of the second user.

In another embodiment, the method 100 further includes of determining if the detected user is suffering from any disease by checking into official govt database.

In another embodiment, alert is indicated via a sound alarm, vibration alarm, or through an alert notification sent on the smart device of the first user.

In another embodiment, the method 100 further includes of alerting the user to wear a mask on detecting presence of a person within a predefined proximal distance from the said first smart device based on readings from proximity sensor.

In another embodiment, proximity sensor is a thermal sensor.

In an embodiment, the method 100 further includes of informing the first user of the temperature of the detected second user based on thermal imaging camera.

In another embodiment, the method 100 further includes of detecting virus, bacteria germs on hands of the first user by a detection unit that attached with the wearable smart device, wherein after detecting, triggering the alarm message on the smart device of the user, wherein the alarm message includes description of the germs and a message about sanitizing your hands for the first user.

Figure 2 illustrates block diagram of a circuit for a device to monitor distance between people according to the present invention. A proximity sensor circuit 200 includes a microcomputer connected to peripherals, which include a thermal sensor T (such as an Omron DST MEMS Thermal Sensor) T and a distance sensor D. The circuit 200 also includes at least one panel 206, which generates an alarm or alert (which may be audible, visible, or tactile) under certain conditions. The panel may be the aforementioned buzzer B, light or LED 202, or a vibratory motor M.

A microcontroller 204 may send outgoing signals to a dual-feedback mechanism located on the patient's belt or elsewhere on the body. This dual-feedback mechanism includes a visual alert via LED 202 and an auditory alert via a small speaker B, e.g., a piezoelectric speaker. The LED 202 begins to flash when the sensors (combination of D and T) immediately detect a second human within one meter of the user, while the auditory alarm B sounds when the second human has remained in the one meter zone for more than ten seconds. An 85 dB piezo buzzer may be utilized as auditory alarm B and provides sufficient acoustic feedback for that purpose. Alternatively, different color lights (green, yellow, red) could indicate the danger level of a person that has been in the field of view for certain amounts of time. Alternatively, different beep rhythms, tones, and volumes could be used for different amounts of exposure time to radiation. The microcontroller 104 is the master and the thermal sensor T is the slave with the 7 bit address ofOxOA.

If the median of the distance measurements is less than 100 cm and high Temp is true, then the variable close Warm is also true. If close Warm is true, the LED 202 is immediately turned on and the buzzer timer begins. This timer runs for 10 seconds before activating the buzzer signal and restarting. If close Warm becomes false because the median of the distances is above 100 cm or the temperature values are all below 230C., the LED 202 is turned off and the timer for the buzzer is disabled. Multiple sensors and multiple measurements may also be helpful in determining if there are multiple people in the field of view. The proximity sensor circuit 200 is battery-powered, e.g., using two 9-volt batteries, and via the code logic, sensors, and alerts, informs the wearer if a second human is too close. The distance sensor D determines if the distance is less than 1 meter. The heat sensor T determines if the object is significantly warmer than ambient temperature. If both conditions are met, the patient (wearer of the device) receives an alarm.

Figure 3 illustrates perspective view of an embodiment of the device to monitor distance between people according to the present invention implemented in a belt. The device to monitor distance between people may include a mounting belt 300 having a buckle insert 302 a, which fits into a buckle receiver 302 b to latch and secure the device around a user's waist. In this embodiment, the distance sensor D and the thermal sensor T are disposed on a front portion of the belt 300 left to right in D/T pairs, i.e., a first D/T pair of sensors is disposed on a front left portion of mounting belt 300 and a second D/T pair of sensors is disposed on a front right portion of the mounting belt 300. The thermal sensors T are placed 2.5 cm from the center, distance sensors are placed outside, i.e., thermal sensors T are disposed on either side 2.5 cm from a center portion of the belt, the center portion of the belt being in angular alignment with an imaginary midline extending forward from a navel of the wearer, the imaginary midline dividing a body of the wearer exactly in left and right side. Each distance sensor D is placed on the same side of the wearer's body as the corresponding thermal sensor T and more distal from the imaginary midline than the thermal sensor T. This minimizes any blind spots in the center of the belt.

In order to attach these sensors securely to the belt 300, sensor housing units were 3D printed to meet the attachment requirements. A plastic housing 304 is attached to a side portion of belt 300, the housing 304 enclosing boards containing the circuit 100 of the device. Furthermore, the housing 304 also contains a power switch, LED indicators, and a connection port. The connection port is connected to the microcontroller 104 and allows for calibration and data collection, when necessary. This device may have three ways of alerting the user and surrounding people of radiation exposure: an LED strip, an LED indicator, and a vibrational motor. The LED strip is placed around the belt 300. Both the LED strip and the indicator will start flashing when detection is made. A small vibration motor is located inside the plastic housing 304, and similar to a phone buzzer, the user can have tactile feedback when the signal is present. The final weight of the device is about 2 kg.

In an embodiment, the detection field graph reveals that the nominal viewing area of all four sensors combined is around 120.

Figure 4 illustrates block diagram of a system for managing social distancing according to the present invention. The system 400 includes a smart wearable unit 402 adapted to initiate a social distancing mode by a first user, wherein the first smart unit 402 having the social distancing mode, an alerting mode and a germ checking mode, wherein the social distancing mode configured to detect a second user within the predefined proximity area, wherein the alerting mode configured to alert the first user after detecting the second user within the predefined proximity area and the germ checking mode configured to check virus, bacterial germ of hands of the first user by the detection unit 404; a plurality of proximity sensors 406 configured to detect a second user on initiation of the social distancing mode; and an alert unit 408 configured to alert the first user on detecting presence of one or more second wearable smart devices within a predefined proximal distance from the said first smart device based on readings from proximity sensor 406.

The drawings and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component of any or all the claims.

Claims (5)

We claim

1) A method for managing social distancing, said method comprising: initiating a social distancing mode in at least one first smart device wearable a first user;

triggering detection of proximity sensors in said smart device on initiation of smart distancing mode;

detecting presence of one or more second user within a predefined proximal distance from the said first smart device based on readings from proximity sensor;

alerting the first user on detecting presence of one or more second wearable smart devices within a predefined proximal distance from the said first smart device based on readings from proximity sensor, wherein the first smart device provides distance between the first user and second user and also provides advice to maintain social distance from the second user.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising triggering detection of sound and camera sensors in said smart device on initiation of smart distancing mode, wherein readings from sound and camera sensor are taken into consideration for detecting presence of the second user.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: informing the first user of the exact distance closeness of the second user; determining if the detected user is suffering from any disease by checking into official govt database, wherein alert is indicated via a sound alarm, vibration alarm, or through an alert notification sent on the smart device of the first user.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising alerting the user to wear a mask on detecting presence of a person within a predefined proximal distance from the said first smart device based on readings from proximity sensor; informing the first user of the temperature of the detected second user based on thermal imaging camera; and detecting virus, bacteria germs on hands of the first user by a detection unit that attached with the wearable smart device, wherein after detecting, triggering the alarm message on the smart device of the user, wherein the alarm message includes description of the germs and a message about sanitizing your hands for the first user.

5. A system for managing social distancing, said system comprising: a smart wearable unit adapted to initiate a social distancing mode by a first user, wherein the first smart unit having the social distancing mode, an alerting mode and a germ checking mode, wherein the social distancing mode configured to detect a second user within the predefined proximity area, wherein the alerting mode configured to alert the first user after detecting the second user within the predefined proximity area and the germ checking mode configured to check virus, bacterial germ of hands of the first user by the detection unit; a plurality of proximity sensors configured to detect a second user on initiation of the social distancing mode; and an alert unit configured to alert the first user on detecting presence of one or more second wearable smart devices within a predefined proximal distance from the said first smart device based on readings from proximity sensor.

102 Initiating a social distancing mode in at least one first smart device wearable a first user

104 Triggering detection of proximity sensors in said smart device on initiation of smart distancing mode

Detecting presence of one or more second user within a predefined proximal distance from the said first smart device based on 106 readings from proximity sensor

Alerting the first user on detecting presence of one or more second wearable smart devices within a predefined proximal distance 108 from the said first smart device based on readings from proximity sensor, wherein the first smart device provides distance between the first user and second user and also provides advice to maintain social distance from the second user

Figure 1

200 LED 202

Buzzer Panel Vibratory Motor B 206 M

Distance Sensor Microprocessor Thermal Sensor D 204 T

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Figure 3

Smart Wearable Detection Unit Plurality Of Unit 402 404 Proximity Sensors 406 Alert Unit 408

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