AU2021101612A4 - Dining table system for disabled persons - Google Patents

Abstract

A dining table system for disabled persons includes a main body having a table top (1) equipped with artificial Intelligence (AI) camera modules (2) to identify disabilities of persons, multiple telescopic rods (4) coupled with the top (1) via a motorized arrangement that rotates the top (1), multiple sections formed over the top (1) to provide assistance to disabled persons, a first section formed with a hollow portion, wherein the a voice command unit (5) is installed on the top (1) that is configured to guide a visually impaired person, a second section formed for deaf and dumb person, wherein a holographic projector (6) is positioned on the section to provide a real time sign indications, a third section formed for handicapped person, wherein two robotic arms (7) links with one of the modules (2) to provide to assist armless person, and a communication module installed within the control unit. 1/1 2 7 6 Figure 1

Description

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DINING TABLE SYSTEM FOR DIABLED PERSONS FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to dining tables and more particularly to a dining table system that performs a set of operations to aid differently abled persons in eating food without facing any complexity or hassleness.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Food is amongst the basic need of every individual and usually people consume food on daily basis in order to gain energy from consumed items. With a growing population, number of children's with developmental disabilities are increasing. There are often several common challenges for people with developmental disabilities, including but not limited to, impairments in speaking and language, social problems, behavioral problems, problems in performing daily tasks for handicapped persons (for examples consuming food, wearing clothes, etc).

[0003] Handicapped people needs to manage things differently due to their disabilities inn order to perform daily tasks like food consumption. Mobility devices for disabled people are nowadays provided in the kind of manually or electrically driven wheelchairs. Dining table are usually used for dinging purposes and the dining table refers to specialize in the desk having a meal. Conventional dining tables lacks to offer any kind of physical or sensory aid to physically disabled people.

[0004] CN21058159OUdiscloses a safe dining table for disabled person, its structure includes the table, the table foot, the revolving plate, the stand with prevent falling the structure, through having set up prevent falling the structure on the revolving plate top, place at the bowl inslot through the flange with purpose- built bowl bottom, it inserts in the constant head tank to drive the locating lever simultaneously, when the flange contacts the fixture block, make the fixture block receive thrust and anticlockwise rotation and spring tress and compression, when the fixture block with the same horizontal end face of draw-in groove on, the fixture block receives the elasticity of spring and fixes in the draw-in groove is entered into to the leftward rotation, make the purpose-built bowl at flange and flange top fixed simultaneously, reached and fixed the equipment of flourishing dish, prevent to push over equipment because the disabled person moves unstable enough and form the beneficial effect of potential safety hazard.

[0005] The aforementioned prior art, lacks to provide any detection means for persons disability and only provides utensils with anti-fall mechanism to prevent fall of utensils. The prior art also lacks to provide any assistance to physically handicapped persons for food consumption, hence not suitable for all physically handicapped persons.

[00061 US20150051991A1 discloses an interactive food and/or drink ordering system, in which a computer controlled projector is mounted above a surface such that a menu of food and/or drink selection options is projected onto some or all of the surface. The selection options are selectable by a user operating an interface device connected to the computer, such as a wireless track pad.

[0007] The aforementioned prior art lacks to offer any kind of assistance to disable persons for food consumption. The prior art only offers ordering system which might help some disabled persons to get food on the table, but the user with the disabilities still have to face problems while eating the food items.

[0008] However, some auxiliary feeding devices are available in markets, but most of them are costly and difficult to operate, and cannot be accepted by most disabled people.

[0009] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there is a need of a kind of specialized dining system which helps disabled persons in food consumption.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a kind of automated dinging table.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a dining table system which helps disabled persons for their food consumption on a daily basis.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to reduce human efforts employed by disabled persons while consuming food items.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to make disabled persons independent for eating purposes.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide dining system which provides assistance to users affected with different types of disabilities like dumb, visually impaired, armless persons by detecting particular disabilities.

[0016] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a user friendly dinging system.

[0017] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention relates to dining table system for disabled person that provides a dining table for assisting the hand disabled, dumb and deaf, and visually impaired people. The table is convenient for the disabled people to carry out self-help diet and has the advantages of simple structure, low cost and convenient operation.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, dining table system for disabled person includes a main body having a table top equipped with artificial Intelligence (AI) camera modules to identify disabilities of persons seated on chairs, the modules configured to determine disabilities by comparing captured images of the persons with a predefined database, multiple telescopic rods coupled with the top via a motorized arrangement in a way such that the top rotates via a control unit, the rods adapted to provide vertical movement to the top for adjusting height of the table top, multiple sections formed over the top to provide assistance to disabled persons based upon detected disability of the persons for food consumption in a predefined manner, the sections are describes as follows, a first section formed with a hollow portion to receive utensils, a voice command unit installed on the top configured to guide a visually impaired person via audio suggestions for food consumption, a second section formed for deaf and dumb person, a holographic projector is positioned on the section to provide a real time sign indications to assist the person for food consumption, a third section formed for handicapped person, two robotic arms links with one of the modules that are installed on the third section to assist armless person for food consumption in accordance with input received form the module and the command unit in a predefined manner, a communication module installed within the control unit configured for exchange of information/instructions with one or more computing devices, and the arms having claws which configured to perform different tasks that includes but not limited to, pick up utensils, forks, feed to the person.

[0020] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a dining system for disabled persons.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0023] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0024] As used herein, the singular forms"a," an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0025] The present invention relates to a dining table system which is specifically structured and adapted to cater need of different types of disabled persons based according to their disabilities and assist the disabled persons form selecting food items to food consumption in a convenient and controlled manner.

[0026] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of dining table system for disabled users is illustrated. The system comprises, a main body, a table top 1, multiple Artificial Intelligence camera modules 2, multiple telescopic rods 4, a motorized arrangement, a control unit, multiple sections, a voice command unit5,

a holographic projector 6, and at least two robotic arms 7.

[0027] The main body of the table is formed with materials that are selected from but not limited to, plastic, wood, hard wood, fiber, steel, or any other combination thereof. The table top1 of the dining table is mounted over the multiple telescopic rods4 which acts as legs of the table as shown in fig 1. The table top1 is made of materials that are selected from but not limited to, wood, hard wood, carbon fiber, steel, or any other combination thereof.. The table is structured in a way such that the table provides sufficient load bearing capacity.

[0028] In an embodiment, the top 1 is employed with a motorized arrangement which is adapted to turn the top 1. The top 1 may be formed of two plates (i.e. upper and lower plate) mounted over each other and the motorized arrangement may be fitted between the plates in order to turn the upper plate in accordance with the input of the control unit. The plates may be detachably coupled with each other via adjustable detachments that are controlled by the control unit in a controlled manner. The arrangement is operably coupled with the control unit.

The arrangement may rotate the top 1 in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction.

[0029] Multiple telescopic rods 4 coupled are with the top 1 via a motorized arrangement. The rods 4 may be coupled to the bottom portion of the lower plate of the top 1. The rods 4 may having one or more tubular members and one outer tubular member.The members are connected with a dedicated motor and the motor is operably coupled to the control unit. The motor provides movement of the members of the tubular members so that members extends and retract according to need of the motor. The rods 4 are vertically positioned with the top 1 as shown in fig 1.The rods 4 provides vertical movement to the top 1(i.e. providing height adjustment withby extending or retracting the rods 4).

[0030] The motor may be selected from but not limited to, Alternating Current (AC) motor, Direct Current (DC) motor, Steeper motor, etc. Further, Artificial Intelligence (AI) camera modules 2 are installed over the top 1 as shown in fig 1. The Al camera modules 2 may installed over a support like poles in order to capture a wider scope of range. The modules 2 are configured to determine disabilities of persons seated on chairs from captured images of the persons. The modules2 may be configured using techniques like object detection, facial recognition, etc.In one case, the camera may include but not limited to, camera shooting part and a processor. The processor may be a microprocessor or microcontroller.

[0031] The microcontroller is selected from but not limited to, Advanced Risc Machine (ARM), 8051, Alf and Vegard Risc (AVR), Snapdragon processor, AND Mixed Signal Processor (MSP). The microcontroller includes a memory. The memory may be a Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM) or both. The memory may include various instructions. The instructions may comprise code from any suitable computer-programming language, including but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Visual Basic, Java, Python, Perl, and JavaScript.

[0032] The working of the Al camera modules 2 may be as follows: At first, the camera modules 2 captures images of the persons within the range of the camera in a real time andis translated into electric image signals.Thereafter, the processor process the images in a predefined manner. Further, the modules 2 may select one or more regions of the person's body. Thereafter, the processor compares the fetched regions with a predefined database. The database may include but not limited to, photos of people with different disabilities, type of disabilities, etc. The database is stored in a memory module that installed in the control unit.Thereafter, the processor carries out facial detection, object recognition, etc todetermine the disabilities of the particular persons. Thereafter, the fetched results get stored into the memory module. The disabilities detected by the modules 2 includes but not limited to, visually impaired, hand disabled, leg disabled, and deaf and dumb.

[0033] In an embodiment, multiple sections are formed over the table top 1 as shown in fig 1. In one case, number of sections are three. Everysection is specifically formed for a particular type of the disability. The sections are referred as a first section, second section, and third section. The sections may be made of material that are selected from but not limited to, plastic, aluminum, steel, wood, fiber, or any other combination thereof. The sections rotates with the rotation of the top1.

[0034] In an embodiment, the first section is formed with a hollow portion to receive utensils. The hollow portion formed in a way such that the portion is able to hold utensils like plate, bowl properly and to avoid shaking or change in location of the utensils to provide proper assistance to the consumer. The first section is specifically designed for visually impaired person. When a microcontroller installed in the control unit receives signals from the modules2 regarding about detection of the visually impaired person, the microcontroller controls the motor to rotate the table top 1 in a controlled manner so that the first section can be positioned in front of the visually impaired person who is seating on chair.

[0035] Further, a voice command unit 5 is installed on the first section. The command unit 5 is functionally connected with the control unit. The command unit 5 may include but not limited to, a microphone, and a speaker. The microphone is configured to receive voice commands of the disabled persons and the speaker is adapted to provide audible suggestions to the visually impaired person. The command unit 5 is functionally connected with the microcontroller.

[0036] With the help of the command unit 5 visually impaired person able to order or select menu according to need. The speaker provides audible suggestion to the seated person in order to assist the visually impaired person in a predefined manner. The suggestions helps to place utensils in particular hollow portion. Further, one braille display 3 is mounted over the first section in order to interact with the blind person. The braille display 3 is preferably a touch sensitive display and functionally connected with the control unit. The blind person gives his instructions or input via the display 3.

[0037] Further, the second section is specifically formed for deaf and dumb person. Generally deaf and dumb person cannot speak and listen, hence there is need of the sign language in order to communicate with such persons. In an embodiment, one holographic projector 6 is positioned on the section. The projector 6 is preferably a 3D hologram projector which is configured to provide a real time indications/suggestions to the deaf and dump person in order to assist the person in food consumption. The projector 6 is operably coupled with the control unit. The controllercontrolled projector 6 is mounted above a surface such that a menu of food and/or drink selection options is projected onto some surface or as a hologram. This way the holographic projector 6 helps to assist the person for food consumption.

[0038] The third section is specifically designed for handicapped person or to be more specific hand disabled person. The hand disabled person is armless and facing a lot of issues due to unavailability of the hands. At least two robotic arms7 are installed over the third section as shown in fig 1. The arms7 are equipped with claws. The claws may be equipped with a motorized ball joint to provide a 360 angle of movement. The arms 7 are connected with one of the modules 2. The arms7 are controlled by the controller based upon input received from the module and voice command unit 5. The person gives instruction to the command unit 5 to control feeding process of the arms 7. The camera module continuously monitors the person to determine parameters like chewing speed, intake of food, etc which helps to provide feeding of the food items in a controlled manner.

[0039] In an embodiment, the third section also equipped with one or more beverage containers and adjustable straws placed within the containers. The straws are telescopic in nature and equipped with motion sensors in order to adjust its length towards the human body in a controlled manner. The straws helps to provide liquid to the mouth of the hand disabled person.

[0040] In one case, when the person is leg disabled then the control unit commands the motor associated with the rods 4 in order to adjust the height of the table accordingly to provide ease to the leg disabled person. Each of the telescopic rod may be equipped with one or more tubular members that are nested within in each other in a way such that the members protrudes in order to extend the length of the rods 4 and retracts back to reduce length of the rod based on the rotation of the motor. This way the rods 4 able to increase or decrease the height of the table and provides height adjustment.

[0041] In an embodiment, one basin is mounted over the table top 1 in order to provide hand cleaning of the persons. The basin may be equipped with a tap.The tap may be an automatic tap which works by based on the detection of the hands of the user. The speaker may provide audible suggestions to the persons after completion of the food consumption.

[0042] The control unit may be placed below the table top 1. One communication module is installed in the control unit. The communication module is configured to connect the system with one or more computing devices over a network for exchange of information/instructions. The devices are selected from but not limited to, Personal Computer (PC), laptop, smartphone. The devices may be operated by service staff which helps to further assist to manage food items or any other things. The devices are adapted with a user interface.

[0043] The module is selected from but not limited to, Wireless Fidelity and Bluetooth Module. In one case, the module is the WIFI module and the WIFI module is configured to support Wi-Fi versions that includes but not limited to, 802.1la, 802.1lb, 802.11c, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11 ac, 802.1lax, 802.11h, and 802.11i. In second case, the module is preferably the Bluetooth modem. The module is configured to support Bluetooth versions that includes but not limited to, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.5, 5, 5.1, 5.2 and 6. In third case, the module is a Global system for mobile communications (GSM).

[0044] The functioning of the system is briefly explains as follows: At first the camera modules 2 capture images or videos of the persons and detect disabilities. Further, turns the table top 1 in order to provide a particular section in front of the particular disabled person.

[0045] In an alternative embodiment, a display is attached to the table top1 for entertainment purpose of disabled people. Additionally, one container equipped with a sliding lid mounted over the table. The lid equipped with a motion sensor. The container designed for storing different types of medicines for disabled persons.

[0046] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention.

Claims (6)

CLAIMS:

1. A dining table system for disabled persons, comprising: i) a main body having a table top equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) camera modules to identify disabilities of persons seated on chairs, wherein said modules are configured to determine disabilities by comparing captured images of said persons with a predefined database; ii) plurality of telescopic rods coupled with said top via a motorized arrangement in a way such that said top rotates via a control unit according

to need, wherein said rods are adapted to provide vertical movement to said top; iii) plurality of sections formed over said top to provide assistance to disabled persons based upon detected disability of said persons for food consumption in a predefined manner, wherein said sections are categorized as:

a) a first section formed with a hollow portion to receive utensils, wherein a voice command unit is installed on said first portion that is configured to guide a visually impaired person via audio suggestions for food consumption; b) a second section formed for deaf and dumb person, wherein a holographic projector is positioned on said section to provide a real time sign indications to assist said person for food consumption; c) a third section formed for handicapped person, wherein at least two robotic arms linked with one of said modules that are installed on said third section to assist armless person for food consumption in accordance with input received from the module in a predefined manner; and

iv) a communication module installed within said control unit configured for exchange of information/instructions with one or more computing devices.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said third section is also equipped with adjustable straws placed that are automatically placed within beverage containers to provide liquid to said armless person.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said arms are incorporated with claws which are configured to perform different tasks that includes but not limited to pick up utensils, forks, feed to said person.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said command unit is having a microphone and speaker for receiving voice commands and providing audio suggestion to visually impaired person.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said projector is preferably a 3D hologram projector.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a braille display is mounted at said first section to receive input from visually impaired person.