EP3367844B1 - Method to assist with using a seating device, and electronic object implementing said associated method and system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method of assisting in the use of a seating device, said method being implemented by a remote electronic object advantageously communicating with said seating device. Said method can be used for all types of use and preferably but not limited to, in the context of the implementation of rehabilitation and / or muscle strengthening protocols.

As an example of a preferred but non-limiting application, the invention will be described through an application in connection with a dynamic pendulum stool allowing isometric contraction of the muscle groups of the lower limbs and of the abdominal belt in the seated position.

Worldwide, tens, if not hundreds, of millions of people work and spend their days sitting in a seat in front of a desk. In the field of seats or the like, such as stools or more generally seating devices, office chairs are very often designed so that the body of the person sitting in front of the desk is supported in a ideal sitting position in which anatomical constraints are avoided to guarantee user comfort. These seats generally consist of a base carrying a seat and a back, the back can be articulated to the base with a reminder to improve the comfort of the seat. However, such office chairs have the disadvantage of not straining the leg and back muscles, so that the users of these seats risk degeneration of the spinal muscles and spinal damage, such as, for example, disc wear due to poor posture . To overcome these drawbacks, in order to have good posture, some sedentary workers have chosen to use a “Pezzi®” balloon for example. Such Pezzi® balloons allow a user to sit on them and work the leg and back muscles. However, such a “Pezzi®” balloon turns out to be particularly bulky and therefore unsuitable for use in an office in particular.

Many gymnastic devices have also been developed, such as, for example, the bicycle, the press or even the rower, making it possible to work the muscles of the legs and the abdominal muscles. However, such devices have the disadvantage, besides the fact that they cannot be used in an office, of requiring movements limiting the use of said devices, either by a lack of mobility of the user, or by a missing space. Alternatively, in particular to compensate for the lack of space, devices of the electrostimulation type, allowing isometric contraction of the leg muscles and the abdominal muscles, can be used. However, they are difficult to implement, especially in an office, the placement of the electrodes necessitating stripping.

In order to remedy all or part of the drawbacks mentioned above, many so-called dynamic seats or stools have already been imagined, such as, for example, those described in connection with the documents of German patents DE 2314717 and DE 19533558 especially. German patent application DE 2314717 describes a seat comprising two ball joints provided with springs in which the user is in unstable equilibrium, so that he can return to a normal position by means of a lateral deflection by an active set of legs. German patent application DE 19533558 describes, for its part, a dynamic active seat comprising a foot which has a curved base surface, with concavity turned upwards, to allow a tilting movement, a column secured to the foot and a seat mounted at a fulcrum at the upper end of said column. The curved base surface of the foot rests directly on the ground and has a spherical curvature in at least a partial area. The seat is mounted at its fulcrum so that it can tilt from any side. Said fulcrum is either located below the center of curvature of the base surface, or adjustable within a height range whose lower limit is located below the center of curvature and whose upper limit is located above the center of curvature. The seat is mounted on a connecting element constituted by an elastic element, forming a spring and bearing on a support integral with the upper end of the column. Such devices, described for example in connection with German patent documents DE 2314717 and DE 19533558 , have the disadvantage of being bulky and of not allowing an isometric contraction of the muscle groups of the lower limbs in particular.

By proposing a dynamic pendulum stool, of simple and inexpensive design, as disclosed in the document WO2014 / 174227 , also allowing isometric contraction of the muscle groups of the lower limbs and the abdominal belt in a seated position, a large number of the previously described drawbacks have been eliminated. Indeed, unlike the previous devices, such a device has a very small footprint allowing punctual use, replacing a conventional office chair, or continuous use.

Such a dynamic pendulum stool, according to a nonlimiting embodiment, and its operation are described in particular in connection with the Figures 1 and 2 . Said stool T comprises a foot 1, a column secured to said foot 1 and a seat 3 secured to the upper end of said column 2. Said column 2 can advantageously consist of a telescopic column comprising a lower part 2a secured to a foot spherical 1, possibly having a diameter less than or equal to twenty centimeters, and an upper part 2b, the free end of which is provided with a hinge 9 comprising three degrees of freedom and secured to the underside of the seat 3. As example, according to Figures 1 and 2 , the column may consist of two tubes of circular section, a first tube forming the lower part 2a provided at its lower end with a threaded rod 4 extending coaxially with said tube, and a second tube forming the upper part 2b, said second tube with an outer diameter just less than the diameter inside the tube of the lower part, so that the upper part 2b can slide in the lower part 2a. Such sliding makes it possible in particular to be able to adjust the length of the column as a function of the morphology of the user and / or of the difficulty sought in the context of work on the muscles of the lower limbs.

The spherical base 1 can advantageously be obtained in a non-slip material and, preferably, in an elastomer, in order to prevent the stool T from slipping on smooth floors, such as on tiles for example. Furthermore, the spherical base 1 may comprise a sleeve 6 extending radially and provided with an internal thread 7 cooperating with a threaded rod 4 secured to the lower end of the lower part of the column. In addition, the seat 3 has a substantially parallelepiped shape whose width is substantially equal to the width of the pelvis of a person of average weight. The upper part of said seat 3 may include a resilient layer 8 making it possible to improve the comfort of the user. Said seat is articulated at the upper end of the upper part 2b of the column 2 by the articulation 9. In this embodiment, said articulation 9 consists of a ball joint comprising a seat 10 integral with the lower face of the 'seat 3, in its central part, and receiving a ball 11 secured to the upper free end of the upper part 2b of the column 2. Advantageously, the seat 10 of the joint 9 can be secured to the seat 3 by a threaded rod 12 integral with said seat 10 and cooperating with a thread 13 practiced in said seat 3. Thus, the seat 3 can be changed quickly, depending on the preferences of the user in particular.

As previously mentioned, the operation of the stool T is described with reference to the figure 2 . The user sets the length of the column 2 beforehand, depending on its morphology in particular, then places the seat 3 under his buttocks, the foot 1 being supported on the ground. In this way, column 2 can form an angle between 30 and 90 ° with a horizontal plane formed by the ground, said angle depending on the size of the user and the chosen length of said column 2. Thus, when the user sits on the T stool, the smaller the angle of the column with the horizontal plane, the greater the work of the muscle groups of the lower limbs. In this position of use, the stool then causes an isometric muscle contraction of the twin muscles, hamstrings, quadriceps, glutes, lumbar and abs dorsals. Isometric muscle contraction is achieved by proprioception and user balance work which compensates for the instability of the stool. Indeed, the articulation of the seat 3 on the column 2 and the single point of support of the spherical foot 1 provide a lateral, front and rear inclination forcing the user to have a stable position in which the line of the shoulders is parallel with that of the pelvis, a support on the feet causing the isometric contraction of the muscles of the lower limbs and an unstable gluteal support compensated by proprioception and contraction of the lumbar and abdominal muscles.

Incidentally, provision is made for column 2 and / or the seat of said stool T to include a position sensor (not shown in the figures 1 or 2 ), such as an accelerometer for example, connected to a wireless communication means, such as a Bluetooth, Wifi or similar transmitter. In this way, the position of the column 2 and / or of the seat 3 can be transmitted to a remote electronic object, such as for example a smart mobile phone (also known by the Anglo-Saxon name " Smartphone "), a tablet. IT (also known by the Anglo-Saxon name " Digital Tablet "), and / or a personal computer. The electronic object can advantageously include a computer program making it possible to cause the display of the current position of column 2 and / or of seat 3 with respect to a predetermined ideal position.

As stated above, the stool T can be advantageously arranged to allow isometric contraction of the muscle groups of the lower limbs and of the abdominal belt in the seated position. Thus, the stool is particularly useful and usable in offices, but can also be used in physical rehabilitation and / or muscle building programs. However, although offering a tool, in the form of a particular seating device, suitable for implementing rehabilitation or reinforcement protocols, the pendulum stool, like all the seating devices previously mentioned, has a number of drawbacks. Indeed, many are the users of a seating device which, after taking a position on said seating device, do not know the exercises and / or movements, the amplitude, speed and repeatability of which are predetermined to respond to particular constraints and aim at a goal of muscular development and / or functional rehabilitation. It is thus necessary, or even in some cases compulsory, to have recourse to a supervisor, a therapist, such as for example a physiotherapist, or even a coach or sports trainer to learn, or even deepen if necessary, the adapted sequences. In addition, it can be relatively ungrateful in the long run to sit on a stool, or more generally any seating device provided for rehabilitation and / or strengthening protocols that are sometimes repetitive and tiresome. When it comes to exercising alone, that is to say independently without the help of a guide, users often find it difficult to get involved and get stimulation first. and the energy required to train, but also to adhere to a complete training protocol and repeat it regularly. Finally, when users improperly use the seating device, they may not reach their objective and eventually get tired of the tool for lack of perception of progress in their practice and end up being discouraged.

The invention makes it possible to respond to all or part of the drawbacks raised by the known solutions.

• de proposer un procédé permettant une exploitation appropriée d'un dispositif d'assise, plus particulièrement d'un tabouret dynamique pendulaire, en optimisant toutes les possibilités offertes par ledit dispositif d'assise ;
• d'apporter une solution efficace pour créer l'adhésion régulière et profitable d'un dispositif d'assise, améliorant le bénéfice en stimulant le patient et/ou l'utilisateur, sans avoir besoin de recourir à un thérapeute ou coach sportif, en proposant une aide à l'utilisation du dispositif ludique et récréative;
• de tirer le meilleur profit des dispositifs d'assise d'ores et déjà employés aujourd'hui, en privilégiant l'autonomie de son utilisateur.

Among the many advantages provided by a method of assisting in the use of a conforming seating device to the invention, we can mention that it allows:

• to propose a method allowing an appropriate exploitation of a seat device, more particularly of a pendulum dynamic stool, by optimizing all the possibilities offered by said seat device;
• to provide an effective solution to create regular and profitable adhesion of a seating device, improving the benefit by stimulating the patient and / or the user, without needing to resort to a therapist or sports coach, by proposing assistance in the use of the fun and recreational system;
• to make the most of the seating systems already used today, by favoring the autonomy of its user.

• une étape pour décoder un message de position du dispositif d'assise pendulaire, ledit message étant réceptionné par les moyens de communication de l'objet électronique distant et véhiculant des données de position, et pour en extraire la teneur desdits données de position,
• une étape pour déclencher l'affichage, par les moyens de sortie, d'un premier indicateur traduisant lesdites données de position extraites.

To this end, there is in particular provided a method for assisting the use of a seating device, said device comprising a spherical foot, a seat, a body cooperating integrally at a first end with said foot and at a second end with the seat, a position measurement sensor cooperating integrally with said device, said method being implemented by a unit for processing a remote electronic object, the remote electronic object further comprising output means and communication means ensuring communication with said seating device. Said method comprises:

• a step for decoding a position message of the pendulum seating device, said message being received by the communication means of the remote electronic object and conveying position data, and for extracting the content of said position data therefrom,
• a step for triggering the display, by the output means, of a first indicator translating said extracted position data.

To ensure appropriate use of the seating device by the user by imposing target targets on him, a method of assisting in the use of a seating device according to the invention further comprises a step for developing determined reference position data translating a target to be reached and a subsequent step for triggering the display, by the output means, of a second indicator translating said reference position data.

In order to encourage the user to adhere to a therapeutic rehabilitation and / or muscle strengthening protocol, the first and / or second indicators, displayed by the output means in accordance with a method of assisting in the use of a seating device according to the invention can consist of first and / or second avatars.

To allow a user to reproduce exercises and / or movements, the amplitude, speed and repeatability of which are predetermined to meet specific constraints and aim at a goal of muscle development and / or functional rehabilitation, a method of Help with the use of a seating device can be implemented iteratively. In addition, the step for developing reference position data of such a method can develop values of position data different from those developed during the previous iteration.

Advantageously but not limited to, the values of the reference position data of a method according to the invention can be determined according to a function or a scenario taking account of the values of the preceding reference position data.

As a variant or in addition, the values of the reference position data of a method according to the invention can be determined from a list of ordered and predetermined reference position values.

To allow the user of a seating device to observe his progress in the use of such a device, a method of assisting in the use of the latter in accordance with the information may also include a step for counting the occurrences, during which the values of the position data extracted from the device and of the reference position data are substantially identical.

Preferably but not limited to, a method of assisting in the use of a seating device according to the invention may further comprise a step for triggering the display, by the means of output of the electronic object, of the current value of the hit counter.

In order to allow personalization of the method of assisting in the use of a seating device according to the invention and to improve the adhesion of a user to said method, the latter may also include a step, prior to the display of the first or second indicator, for selecting, from a plurality of determined graphic representations, a first graphic representation, as soon as the respective values are dissimilar between the extracted position data and the reference position data, and / or a second graphical representation, as soon as the respective values agree between the extracted position data and the reference position data.

• une étape pour décoder un message de de pression relative audit dispositif d'assise pendulaire, ledit message étant réceptionné par les moyens de communication de l'objet électronique distant et véhiculant des données de pression, et pour en extraire la teneur desdites données de pression,
• une étape pour mettre en œuvre un traitement déterminé en réponse à une donnée de pression supérieure à un seuil déterminé.

As a variant or in addition, in order to increase the possibilities of using said seating device, the latter may further include a pressure measurement sensor exerted along an axis passing through the body from the seating towards the spherical base. According to this particular arrangement, a method of assisting in the use of a seating device can further comprise:

• a step for decoding a pressure message relating to said pendulum seating device, said message being received by the communication means of the remote electronic object and conveying pressure data, and for extracting the content of said pressure data therefrom,
• a step for implementing a determined treatment in response to a pressure datum greater than a determined threshold.

By way of preferred but nonlimiting example, the determined processing of a process in accordance with the invention may consist of a step for developing a command for validating a graphic menu restored by the means for outputting the electronic object.

As a variant or in addition, in order to facilitate the use of said seating device, the latter can include or cooperate with a support accessory in the form of a stick, said accessory comprising a position measurement sensor delivering accessory position data transmitted in the position message together with the position data of the device body. According to this specific arrangement, the step for decoding a position message of a method according to the invention can also consist in extracting from said message the values of the accessory position data. Furthermore, said method may include a step for triggering the display, by the output means, of a third indicator translating said accessory position data.

• préalablement enregistrées dans une mémoire de programmes d'un objet électronique, comportant en outre une unité de traitement, des moyens de communication assurant une communication avec un dispositif d'assise distant, des moyens de sortie, ladite mémoire de programmes, les moyens de communication et les moyens de restitution coopérant avec ladite unité de traitement ;
• exécutées ou interprétées par ladite unité de traitement,

provoquent la mise en œuvre d'un procédé d'aide à l'utilisation dudit dispositif d'assise conforme au premier objet de l'invention.According to a second object, whatever the variant embodiment of a help method in accordance with the invention, and in order to adapt a communicating electronic object so that it can implement such a method, the invention relates a computer program product comprising a plurality of program instructions which, when they are:

• previously recorded in a program memory of an electronic object, further comprising a processing unit, communication means ensuring communication with a remote seating device, output means, said program memory, the communication means and the restitution means cooperating with said processing unit;
• executed or interpreted by said processing unit,

cause the implementation of a method of assistance in the use of said seating device according to the first object of the invention.

According to a third object, the invention also relates to an electronic object comprising a processing unit, a program memory, communication means ensuring proximity communication with a remote seating device, restitution means, said program memory, said communication means and said restitution means cooperating with said processing unit. In order for an electronic object to guarantee assistance in the use of a seating device, the program memory of such an electronic object contains the instructions for a computer program product conforming to the second object of the invention.

Finally, according to a fourth object, the invention relates to a system for assisting the use of a seating device comprising said seating device, a remote electronic object in communication with said seating device, said electronic object being in accordance with the third object of the invention, that is to say implementing a method of assisting in the use of the seating device according to said invention.

As a variant or in addition, a system according to the invention may further comprise a support accessory in the form of a stick cooperating with said seating device. According to this particular arrangement, the electronic object according to the invention also, may include in its program memory, the instructions a computer program product according to the invention, allowing said object to use the data transmitted by said accessory via said seating device.

• la figure 1, précédemment décrite, illustre une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un mode de réalisation préféré mais non limitatif d'un dispositif d'assise connu, sous la forme d'un tabouret pendulaire dynamique ;
• la figure 2, précédemment décrite, schématise une vue en perspective d'un utilisateur prenant position sur un dispositif d'assise connu, sous la forme d'un tabouret pendulaire dynamique ;
• la figure 3 présente une description graphique d'un premier mode de réalisation d'un système d'aide à l'utilisation d'un dispositif d'assise conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 4 décrit schématiquement un exemple de moyens de sortie, sous la forme d'une interface graphique, de l'objet électronique d'un système d'aide à l'utilisation d'un dispositif d'assise conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 5 illustre un organigramme simplifié d'un procédé d'aide à l'utilisation d'un dispositif d'assise conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 6 présente une description graphique d'un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un système d'aide à l'utilisation d'un dispositif d'assise conforme à l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows and on examining the accompanying figures, among which:

• the figure 1 , previously described, illustrates a view in longitudinal section of a preferred but nonlimiting embodiment of a known seating device, in the form of a dynamic pendulum stool;
• the figure 2 , previously described, shows diagrammatically a perspective view of a user taking position on a known seating device, in the form of a dynamic pendulum stool;
• the figure 3 presents a graphic description of a first embodiment of a system for assisting the use of a seating device according to the invention;
• the figure 4 schematically describes an example of means of output, in the form of a graphical interface, from the electronic object of a system for assisting the use of a seating device according to the invention;
• the figure 5 illustrates a simplified flowchart of a method of assistance in the use of a seating device according to the invention;
• the figure 6 presents a graphic description of a second embodiment of a system for assisting in the use of a seating device according to the invention.

The figures 3 and 6 present graphic descriptions of first and second embodiments of a system for assisting the use of a seating device according to the invention, comprising in particular a seating device and a remote electronic object cooperating with said seating device.

A pendulum seating device according to the invention is similar to a known seating device. Thus, such a seating device comprises a foot 1, advantageously spherical. As mentioned previously, the presence of such a foot 1 allows the seating device to create instability, forcing the user of such a seating device to perform proprioception and balancing work, ultimately making it possible to carry out exercises relating to isometric muscle contraction, which may be the subject of physical rehabilitation and / or muscle strengthening protocol. In addition, said seating device comprises a seat 3, on which a user of said device can take place. Furthermore, the seat device also comprises a body cooperating integrally at a first end with said foot 1 and at a second end with the seat 3. As a preferred but non-limiting example of application, such a device d pendulum seat can consist of a dynamic pendulum stool, such as, for example, that described in connection with Figures 1 and 2 or that present within the system described in connection with the figures 3 and 6 . According to this preferred example, in accordance to the figures 1, 2 , 3 and 6 , the body of said seating device may consist of a column 2, advantageously telescopic, said column 2 comprising a lower part 2a secured to the spherical base 1 and an upper part 2b whose free end is provided with a hinge 9 comprising three degrees of freedom and secured to the underside of the seat 3. The invention cannot however be limited to this single example of application: it can be used in conjunction with all seat devices, such as those previously mentioned in accordance in the prior art, comprising a spherical foot, a seat and a body, cooperating at each of its ends with said foot and the seat, thus making it possible to create instability for the user taking place on said device.

In accordance with figures 3 and 6 , the seat device also comprises a position measuring sensor 23, 24 cooperating integrally with said device. Preferably but not limited to, such a position measurement sensor may include an accelerometer or even a gyrometer. Within the meaning of the invention and throughout the document, the position of the seating device is defined as the position of said device relative to a predefined horizontal surface, such as the ground, in a terrestrial or inertial frame of reference in a frame of reference. two or three dimensions. Throughout the document also, the term “position” could possibly be replaced by tilt or acceleration. Also, such a position measurement sensor can advantageously cooperate or communicate with a processing unit of a remote electronic object 50 and deliver or transmit to it a position message or signal. Such a position message or signal can advantageously include two types of information, namely a continuous position measurement or a position detection. According to a first embodiment, the position measurement sensor can thus cooperate according to a built-in mechanical connection, that is to say be advantageously fixed, with said device, more particularly on the body of said device. According to the preferred application example, described in connection with the figure 4 , such a position measurement sensor 23, 24 can advantageously be placed on and / or in the telescopic column 2. According to a first example, said position measurement sensor 23 can be fixed on or in the articulation 9, ensuring the cooperation between the seat 3 and the telescopic column 2. Alternatively or in addition, according to a second example, said position measurement sensor 24 can advantageously be positioned on or in the lower part 2a of the telescopic column 2, near the spherical foot 1. The invention cannot however be limited to these variants alone. Such a position measurement sensor can advantageously cooperate with and be fixed to any element of said device, the positioning of such a sensor depending on the desired function. The invention can also provide for the concomitant use of a plurality of position measuring sensors.

As already mentioned, the invention relates, according to a first object, to a method of assisting in the use of a pendulum seating device. Such a method makes it possible in particular to improve the time, the technicality, the ease and monitoring of the use of said seating device, without the need to resort to the help of a specialized guide, such as a therapist or a sports coach.

Such a method of assisting in the use of a seating device is advantageously implemented by an electronic object 50 remote from said seating device, said object being advantageously communicating. As examples of preferred but non-limiting application, such an electronic object 50 may consist of a smart phone, a computer tablet and / or a personal computer. More specifically, the electronic object 50 comprises a processing unit (not shown in the figures), consisting of one or more microcontrollers or microprocessors, responsible for implementing said method for assisting the use of a device for seat or any other processing on data, such as for example position data previously transmitted by a seat device. The electronic object 50 also comprises a program memory (not shown in the figures), said memory advantageously cooperating with the processing unit by means of internal communication buses or by coupling, arranged to include, in the form of a computer program product previously loaded into said memory, a method of assisting in the use of a seating device according to the invention. Said data can advantageously be, in whole or in part, recorded on one or more data memories (not shown in the figures), generally electrically erasable and writable. The data memory can advantageously cooperate with the unit of processing by means of internal communication buses and / or forming a single entity with the previously mentioned program memory.

Furthermore, the electronic object 50 comprises output means 30 advantageously cooperating with the processing unit by means of internal communication buses. Such output means 30 ultimately make it possible to deliver and / or restore to a user of the seating device a rendering or a graphic representation of position data in particular, preferably but not limited to in two or three dimensions. Such a graphical representation can, advantageously and before its display, be configured, so that the color, size and / or shape of such a representation are automatically or manually selected, for example. The invention cannot however be limited to these settings alone. Also, by way of nonlimiting examples, such output means 30 can advantageously consist of a man-machine interface or graphical interface, a screen, possibly touch screen, or any other equivalent means suitable for displaying said graphical representation.

In addition, in order to receive data from the outside world and more particularly from a seating device, an electronic object 50 comprises means of communication (not shown in the figures) with the outside, ensuring communication, possibly proximity , with said remote seating device, said communication means also cooperating with the processing unit by means of internal communication buses. Said means of communication can thus ensure communication, possibly wired or wireless, for example when the communication means transmit a wireless communication, by implementing WiFi or Bluetooth communication protocols, intended for any remote device, such as, for example, the communication device. pendulum seat, provided that the latter is within communication range. Via said communication means, the electronic object 50, or more precisely its processing unit, can send and / or receive messages or signals, hereinafter referred to as messages for the purpose of simplification, possibly of position, at destination. or from a pendulum seating device positioned within communication range.

In addition, so that the electronic object 50 can operate in complete autonomy, the latter may advantageously include a source of clean electrical energy (not shown in the figures), in the form of one or more capacitors previously charged and capable of deliver sufficient electrical energy to allow the electronic object to operate. The ability to function of an electronic object is directly linked to the remaining and available energy capacity of said electronic object.

The figure 6 shows in particular a simplified flowchart of an embodiment of a method 100 for assisting in the use of a seating device.

According to figure 6 , the method 100 for assisting in the use of such a seating device, advantageously implemented by an electronic object 50, firstly comprises a step for decoding 110 a message M of position of the pendulum seat device, said message M being received by the communication means of the remote electronic object 50. Said message M of position can thus include several informative fields, such as an identifier of the device seat, one or more position data, the value or values of which designate the position measurement in real time of the seat device, that is to say the position of said device relative to a predefined horizontal surface on which the device is employed, such as for example the ground, in a terrestrial or inertial reference frame, accelerations and / or inclinations of said seating device according to the position measurement sensor (s) used. Hereinafter and for simplification purposes, we will name such data “position data”. Step 110 consists in the end in obtaining the value or values of the extracted position data.

Then, the electronic object 50 comprising output means 30, such as by way of nonlimiting example a man-machine interface, such as a screen or any other equivalent means, to a user of said object and / or device , said output means cooperating with the processing unit of said electronic object 50, a method 100 for assisting in the use of a seating device according to the invention comprises a subsequent step 120 for triggering the display, by the output means 30, a first indicator 31 translating said extracted position data. The display of such a first indicator can advantageously be carried out in two or three dimensions and consists mainly of the display of an object virtual whose parameters can be defined or predetermined. The graphic representation of such a first indicator generally depends on a large number of factors, in particular and by way of nonlimiting examples, of the user of the seating device, of the elements that can be configured on the output means, etc. Thus, prior to the step 120 of displaying such a first indicator, a method 100 in accordance with the invention may possibly include a step of configuring the respective parameters of said output means, in particular and possibly of the graphical representation of such a first indicator, in particular but not limited to the shape, the texture or even the palette of colors used. A nonlimiting example of display of a first indicator 31 by the output means 30 is described in connection with the figure 4 . According to this example, in which the output means 30 advantageously consists of a screen of a smart mobile phone or a computer tablet, the first indicator 31 representing the position of the device, consists of a white circle, filled with black dots, delimited by a black line in a two-dimensional marker.

To ensure the correct use of the seating device by the user by imposing on him target objectives of position (s) and / or movement (s), according to the figure 6 , a method 100 for assisting the user of a seating device further comprises a step for generating 130 data of determined reference position translating a displacement objective or a target to be reached. According to a first example, such a step 130 may advantageously consist of the calculation or the construction of position data values, by means of a predefined algorithm, dependent on characteristics, which can be defined beforehand, possibly inherent to the user, such as, for example, without limitation, morphology, physical state or experience vis-à-vis the use of such a seating device for the user. As a variant or in addition, such a step 130 for developing reference position data may consist in selecting said position data values from a list of ordered and predetermined reference position values. Advantageously, such a step 130 for developing reference position data can also be implemented in parallel, before or after the step to decode 110 a position message M and extract position data, emanating from the seating device. .

Then, the electronic object 50 comprising output means 30, such as by way of nonlimiting example a man-machine interface, such as a screen or any other equivalent means, to a user of said object and / or device , said output means cooperating with the processing unit of said electronic object 50, a method 100 for assisting in the use of a seating device according to the invention comprises a subsequent step 140 for triggering the display, by the output means 30 of a second indicator 32 translating said reference position data. Like the first indicator, the display of such a second indicator can advantageously be carried out in two or three dimensions and consists mainly of the display of a virtual object whose parameters can be defined or predetermined. The graphical representation of such a second indicator also generally depends on a large number of factors. Thus, prior to step 140 of displaying such a second indicator, a method 100 in accordance with the invention may possibly include a step of configuring the parameters of the graphic representation of said second indicator, in particular but not limited to the shape, the texture or the palette of colors used. A nonlimiting example of display of a second indicator 32 by the output means 30 is described in connection with the figure 4 . According to this example, in which the output means 30 advantageously consists of a screen of a smart mobile phone or a computer tablet, the second indicator representing the reference position consists of a white circle, filled with black diagonal lines, delimited by a black line in a two-dimensional coordinate system.

Preferably, as described in connection with the example according to the figure 4 , the steps 120 and 140 for triggering the respective displays of the first and second indicators are implemented concomitantly, in order to be able to compare the first and second indicators representing respectively the actual position data of the seating device and the data of reference position, that is to say the objective, in particular to give the user the possibility of evaluating the effort and / or the margin of progress to be provided in order to achieve his goal. The simultaneous display of the first and second indicators also offers a playful character to a series of exercises, reducing the annoying characters and laborious of these for a user of the seating device.

In order to maximize the user's adhesion to a therapeutic rehabilitation and / or muscle strengthening protocol and to reinforce the playful side of the rehabilitation and / or strengthening sessions which can prove, in many cases, off-putting it may be necessary to bring playful elements to the display of the first and / or second position indicators respectively extracted and reference. In addition to their playful side, such elements or indicators have an immediate effect on the attitude of the user and causes the latter to make optimal use of his device, which he could only achieve by requiring the monitoring of a professional. . To do this, the first and / or second indicators displayed by a method of assistance for use in accordance with the invention may possibly consist of first and / or second avatars. Throughout the document and within the meaning of the invention, the concept of “avatar” is defined as the appearance taken by an individual in a computer graphic environment, or more generally the graphic representation of an individual or virtual object predefined in two or three dimensions. As a variant, according to this particular embodiment, the invention thus provides that a method 100 for assisting in the use of a device according to the invention may include a step, prior to the first use of said device, automatically configure the first and / or second position indicators, by choosing one or more particular aspects of the avatar, such as example, when the avatar is a human being, the gender of the avatar, the last hair or skin color, the clothes worn by the avatar, etc.

As previously specified, physical rehabilitation and / or muscle strengthening protocols generally consist of one or more sequences, including in particular exercises and / or movements, the amplitude, speed and repeatability of which are predetermined to meet constraints specific and aim for a muscle development or functional rehabilitation goal. To respond to such protocols, it is provided that a method 100 for assisting in the use of a seating device according to the invention can be implemented iteratively. It is possible, for a user of a seating device, to carry out one or more series of exercises, with or without the presence of a specialized guide, while having the certainty, at least, a high degree of confidence , as for the good realization of the various sequences. When using such an iterative processing, the step 130 for elaborating reference position data can elaborate values of position data different from those elaborated during the previous iteration. Like the examples of elaboration previously described, the step for elaborating 130 values of position data different from those elaborated during the previous iteration can be implemented by several treatments.

According to a first variant, said values of the reference position data can be determined according to a function or a scenario taking into account the values of the preceding position data. The use of such a function or such a scenario with regard to other possibilities, may advantageously depend on the characteristics inherent to the user, such as for example his morphology, his physical state, his experience with the use of such a seating device or, finally, the difficulty of the work sought. By way of nonlimiting example, within the framework of a physical rehabilitation session, according to the muscles to be reeducated or strengthened, a scenario based on a series of movement exercises in “S” or “8” may possibly be considered. Thus, to carry out said movements, a method 100 of assistance in accordance with the invention may include a preliminary step to configure a function or a scenario, said step consisting in interpreting an instruction from the user or supervisor, entered or recorded via a input interface cooperating with the processing unit of the electronic object, such as a keyboard or a mouse. Such an instruction consists in selecting manually, that is to say optionally by the user or a supervisor, or even automatically, from a plurality of scenarios or functions in a database possibly entered in the data memory of the electronic object implementing said method, scenario or envisaged function.

Alternatively or additionally, the values of the reference position data can be determined from a list of ordered and predetermined reference position values. Thus, step 130 for developing reference position data consists of to choose or to select, in a database possibly recorded in the data memory of the electronic object implementing said method, in the possible form of a list of existing reference position values, reference position data . The choice of such reference position data can be made using the characteristics inherent to the user, such as for example his morphology, his physical state, his experience with the use of such a device. sitting or finally the difficulty of the work sought.

The invention further provides to further increase the motivation of a user of a seating device or of the supervisor of such a user and thus perpetuate the adhesion of said user to his device and help the latter to improve its performance.

Also, a method 100 for assisting in the use of a seating device according to the invention, when said method is implemented iteratively, can advantageously and also include a step 150 for accounting for occurrences, during which the values of the position data extracted from a position message sent by the device and the values of the reference position data are substantially identical. To do this, step 150 for accounting for occurrences can advantageously include a preliminary step for comparing the values of the position data emanating from the device and the values of the reference position data. Optionally, step 150 for accounting for occurrences can advantageously include a preliminary step to initialize the value of the occurrence counter to zero. When said values are substantially identical, step 150 for counting occurrences can advantageously include a subsequent step for incrementing the current value of the occurrence counter by one and then writing said current value of the occurrence counter within the data memory of the electronic object implementing said method 100. The invention cannot however be limited to this example only: it could possibly be provided to configure, before using the seating device, the current value from the occurrence counter to a target value, by writing said value to the data memory. According to this embodiment, When said compared data values are substantially identical, step 150 for counting occurrences could then include a subsequent step to decrement the current value of the occurrence counter by one and then enter said current value of the occurrence counter, within the data memory of the electronic object implementing said method 100. The reeducation or reinforcement session, or more particularly the series of exercises, could be considered to be closed when the value current of occurrences is zero.

In addition, to insist on the performance or progress of a user of a seating device and to increase his motivation, following step 150 to account for the occurrences previously described, a method 100 for assisting the use of a device seat according to the invention may include a subsequent step 160 to trigger the display, by the output means 30 of the electronic object 50, of the current value of the occurrence counter. Such a step of displaying the current value of the occurrence counter can be implemented at the request of the user or his supervisor, or each time that the occurrence counter is moved. In addition, the display of the current value of such an occurrence counter can advantageously be configured or configured manually or automatically, like the first and second indicators described above.

As a variant or in addition, in order to increase the recreational and play skills of a method of aid for the use of a seating device according to the invention and thus improve the gain of such use, said method 100 may also include a step, prior to the display of the first or second indicator 31, 32, to select, from a plurality of determined graphical representations, a first graphical representation, as soon as the respective values are dissimilar between the extracted position data and the data of reference position, and / or a second graphical representation, as soon as said values agree. The graphic representations can advantageously be selected beforehand manually, that is to say possibly by the user or a supervisor, or even automatically, in a database possibly recorded in the data memory of the electronic object putting in implements said process. Such graphical representations can be configured and / or configurable, whether by example in terms of color, size or shape of such a representation. Prior to this step, as already mentioned, said method 100 may also include preliminary steps for automatically configuring the respective representations of the first and / or second position indicators.

To multiply the possibilities offered by a seat device, the latter may also include a sensor 24 for measuring the pressure exerted along an axis passing through the body from the seat towards the spherical base, said measurement sensor cooperating integrally with said device. Also, such a pressure measurement sensor can advantageously cooperate or communicate with a processing unit of a remote electronic object 50 and deliver or transmit a message or signal relating thereto, for example at a pressure threshold exerted on the ground by a seating device, when a user has sat on said device. Such a pressure-related message or signal can advantageously include two types of information, namely a continuous pressure measurement or a detection of a pressure threshold reached. When the sensor delivers information relating to a continuous measurement, such information can thus make it possible to determine the active time of use of said seating device. Preferably but not limited to, such a position measurement sensor may include a piezometer. According to a first embodiment, the position measurement sensor can thus cooperate according to a built-in mechanical connection, that is to say be advantageously fixed, with said device. According to the preferred application example, described in connection with the figure 3 , such a measurement sensor adapted to detect a pressure and / or a sudden pressure differential can advantageously be placed on and / or in the spherical base 1.

When such a pressure measurement sensor is present, a method 100 for assisting in the use of such a seating device, advantageously implemented by an electronic object 50, can also include a step for decoding a message. M 'of pressure relative to said pendulum seating device, said message being received by the means of communication of the remote electronic object 50. Said message M' of pressure relating to said device can thus include several informative fields, among which one or more pressure data, the value or values of which designate the current pressure exerted along an axis passing through the body from the seat towards the spherical base in real time from the seat device, possibly on the ground and / or a sudden pressure differential. The step ultimately consists in obtaining the value of said sudden differential of extracted pressure or more generally the value or values of the extracted pressure data.

Once the pressure data have been extracted, the method 100 according to the invention may also include a step for implementing a determined processing in response to one or more pressure data delivering a pressure greater than a determined threshold. Such a threshold can be selected beforehand from a plurality of predetermined thresholds in a list entered in the data memory of an electronic object 50. To ensure implementation of a determined processing, the method may further comprise a preliminary step for comparing the value of the data obtained from the pressure extracted with that of the predetermined threshold and checking whether said measured pressure is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold. The invention further provides that the treatment can be selected as a function of the values of the pressure data and of said threshold reached in comparison. By way of preferred but nonlimiting example, the determined processing may consist of a step for developing a command for validating a graphic menu restored by the output means 30 of the electronic object 50. The invention cannot however be limited to just this type of treatment.

As a variant or addition, once the position data has been extracted, the invention provides that the method 100 according to the invention may also include a step for implementing a second processing determined in response to a higher position data value to that of a second determined threshold. As a preferred but nonlimiting example, when the measured position is relative to an inclination value, the second determined processing may consist of a step for developing a command for the unfolding of a graphic menu restored by the output means 30 of the electronic object 50. The invention cannot however be limited to this single type of second treatment.

As presented by the second embodiment of a system for assisting the use of a seating device according to the invention described in connection with the figure 6 , the latter can advantageously include or cooperate with one or more support accessories in the form, for example, of a stick 26. The presence of one or more sticks 26 prove to be useful in certain cases, since they make it possible to assist lateral balancing , to improve the amplitude of the movements and to increase the number of exercises achievable by the user and finally to globalize the muscular reinforcement of a user by the sequence of exercises also requesting the upper body. The stick (s) 26 may advantageously be made of a material making them more or less flexible, thus guaranteeing the creation of support reactions and better flexibility of use. Preferably, the said stick (s) 26 may advantageously comprise a body in the form of a tube, a gripping means, in the form of a handle, cooperating with a first end of said body and a support foot or ball cooperating with the other end of said body.

Like said seating device, in order to be able to make better use of said support accessory, the latter may include a position measurement sensor 27 delivering accessory position data transmitted in the position message M together with the position data. of the body of the device or more generally of the device as such. Also, such a position measurement sensor can advantageously cooperate or communicate with the processing unit of a seating device. The position thus measured of the accessory and translated into accessory position data can consist of two types of information, namely a continuous position measurement of the accessory or a position detection of the accessory. Preferably but not limited to, such an accessory position measurement sensor may include an accelerometer or even a gyrometer. According to a first embodiment, the position measurement sensor can thus cooperate according to a built-in mechanical connection, that is to say be advantageously fixed, with said accessory, more particularly to the body of said accessory. According to the preferred application example, described in connection with the figure 6 , such an accessory position measurement sensor 27 can advantageously be placed on and / or in the body of said stick 26.

When the seat device comprises or cooperates with a support accessory in the form of a stick 26, said accessory comprising a sensor 27 for measuring the accessory position, the step for decoding a position message M of a process 100 in accordance to the invention, implemented by the processing unit of an electronic object 50 may also consist in extracting from said message the values of the accessory position data. According to this particular arrangement, said position message M can thus include several informative fields relating to the support accessory 26, such as an identifier of said support accessory, accessory position data whose values designate the position measurement in real time of said support accessory, that is to say the position of said accessory relative to a predefined horizontal surface on which the device and the accessory are used, such as the ground, in a terrestrial or inertial frame of reference, accelerations and / or inclinations of said support accessory according to the accessory position measurement sensor (s) exploited. Subsequently and for simplification purposes, we will name such data “accessory position data”. Step 110 ultimately consists in obtaining the values of the extracted accessory position data, concomitantly with those of the position data of the device as such.

The electronic object 50 comprising output means 30, such as by way of nonlimiting example a man-machine interface, such as a screen or any other equivalent means, to a user of said object and / or device, said output means cooperating with the processing unit of said electronic object 50, a method of assisting in the use of a seating device according to the invention comprises a subsequent step for triggering the display, by the means of output 30, of a third indicator (not shown on the figure 4 ) translating said accessory position data. Like the first and second indicators, the display of such a third indicator can advantageously be carried out in two or three dimensions and consist mainly of the display of a virtual object whose parameters can be defined or predetermined. Thus, prior to the step of displaying such a third indicator, a method 100 according to the invention may optionally include a step of configuring the parameters of the graphic representation of such a third indicator, in particular but not limited to the shape, texture or the color palette used.

Whatever the configuration of a method 100 for assisting in the use of a conforming seating device the invention, said method 100 being in accordance with the invention, a preferred mode of adaptation of a communicating electronic object, such as that described above, consists of recording or downloading into program memory, a computer program product P comprising a plurality of program instructions which, when executed or interpreted by the processing unit of said electronic object, cause the implementation of said method 100 for assisting in the use of said seating device in accordance with l 'invention.

As mentioned previously, the invention also relates to a system for assisting the use of a pendulum seating device. Two preferred but nonlimiting embodiments are notably described in connection with the figures 3 and 6 , said seating device advantageously being in the form of a dynamic pendulum stool.

According to figure 3 , a system 200 for assisting in the use of a pendulum seating device according to the invention may include said seating device, a remote electronic object 50 comprising communication means ensuring communication with said device seat, possibly wired or wireless, in the latter case, according to WiFi or Bluetooth communication protocols. Said electronic object is thus in accordance with the invention, that is to say that it further comprises in its program memory, a computer program product P, allowing the implementation of a help method the use of a seating device according to the invention.

As a variant or in addition, in accordance with the second embodiment described in connection with the figure 6 , such a system 200 may further include a support accessory in the form of a stick 26 cooperating with said seating device and for which the electronic object 50 includes in the program memory, the instructions of a program product d computer according to the invention.

The invention has been described during its use and / or application in connection with a pendulum stool, dedicated in particular to the implementation of rehabilitation and / or muscle strengthening protocols. It can also be implemented for all other dedicated devices, due to their structural characteristics, for the implementation of rehabilitation and / or muscle strengthening protocols.

Other modifications can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims (16)

1. A method (100) for assisting with the use of a pendulum seating device, said device including a spherical foot (1), a seat (3), a body cooperating securely at a first end with said foot (1) and at a second end with the seat (3), a position measuring sensor (23, 24) cooperating securely with said device, said method being implemented by a processing unit of a remote electronic object (50), the remote electronic object (50) further comprising output means (30) and communication means ensuring a communication with said seating device, said method (100) being characterized in that it includes:

   - a step of decoding (110) a message (M) containing a position of the pendulum seating device, said message being received by the communication means of the remote electronic object (50) and conveying position data, and of extracting the content of said position data,

   - a step of triggering the display (120), by the output means (30), of a first indicator (31) translating said extracted position data,
   and in that it further includes a step of elaborating (130) determined reference position data translating a target to be reached and a subsequent step of triggering the display (140), by the output means (30), of a second indicator (32) translating said reference position data.
2. The assist method (100) according to the preceding claim, for which the first and/or second indicators (31, 32) consist of first and/or second avatars.
3. The assist method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, implemented iteratively, for which the step of elaborating (130) reference position data elaborates position data values different from those elaborated during the previous iteration.
4. The assist method (100) according to the preceding claim, for which the value of the reference position data is determined according to a function or a scenario taking into account the previous position data values.
5. The assist method (100) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, for which the values of the reference position data is determined from a sorted and predetermined list of reference positions values.
6. The assist method (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further including a step of recording the instances (150), during which the values of the position data extracted from the device and of the reference position data are substantially identical.
7. The assist method (100) according to the preceding claim, further comprising a step of triggering the display (160), by the output means (30) of the electronic object (50), of the current value of the instances counter.
8. The assist method (100) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, also comprising a step, prior to the display of the first or second indicator (31, 32), of selecting, amongst a plurality of determined graphical representations, a first graphical representation, as of the occurrence of a dissimilarity of respective values between the extracted position data and the reference position data, and/or a second graphical representation, as of the occurrence of a matching of respective values between the extracted position data and the reference position data.
9. The assist method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, said device further including a sensor (24) for measuring a pressure exerted along an axis crossing the body from the seat towards the spherical foot of said device, said method further comprising:

   - a step of decoding a message (M') containing pressure data relating to said pendulum seating device, said message (M') being received by the communication means of the remote electronic object (50) and conveying pressure data, and of extracting the content of said pressure data,

   - a step of implementing a determined treatment in response to a pressure datum higher than a determined threshold.
10. The assist method (100) according to the preceding claim, for which the determined treatment consists of a step of elaborating a validate command from a graphical menu restituted by the output means (30) of the electronic object (50).
11. The assist method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, the device including or cooperating with a support accessory in the form of a stick (26), said accessory including a position measuring sensor (27) delivering accessory position data transmitted in the position message together with the position data of the body of the device, for which the step of decoding a position message (M) further consists in extracting from said message (M) the value of the accessory position data, said method (100) further including a step of triggering the display, by the output means (30), of a third indicator translating said accessory position data.
12. A computer program product (P) including a plurality of program instructions which, when they are:

    - recorded beforehand in a programs memory of an electronic object (50), further including a processing unit, communication means ensuring a communication with a remote seating device, output means (30), said programs memory, the communication means and the restitution means cooperating with said processing unit;

    - executed or interpreted by said processing unit,
    cause the implementation of a method (100) for assisting with the use of a seating device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
13. A computer program product (P) including a plurality of program instructions which, when they are:

    - recorded beforehand in a programs memory of an electronic object (50), further including a processing unit, communication means ensuring a communication with a remote seating device, said device including or cooperating with a support accessory in the form of a stick (26), output means (30), said programs memory, the communication means and the restitution means cooperating with said processing unit;

    - executed or interpreted by said processing unit,
    cause the implementation of a method (100) for assisting with the use of a seating device according to claim 11.
14. An electronic object including a processing unit, a programs memory, communication means ensuring a proximity communication with a remote seating device, restitution means, said programs memory, said communication means and said restitution means cooperating with said processing unit, characterized in that it includes in the programs memory, the instructions of a computer program product according to claims 12 or 13.
15. A system (200) for assisting with the use of a pendulum seating device, including said seating device, a remote electronic object (50) in communication with said seating device, said electronic object being in accordance with the preceding claim.
16. The system (200) according to the preceding claim, further including a support accessory in the form of a stick cooperating with said seating device and for which the electronic object (50) includes in the programs memory, the instructions of a computer program product according to claim 13.

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