ES2281256B1 - TEMPORARY ORIENTATION DEVICE. - Google Patents

Abstract

Temporary guidance device. The present invention is based on the concept of filling or emptying one or more bars of visual elements, which can be arranged sequentially. Each element represents an established temporary unit (quarter hour, half hour, etc.). The progressive visual change of the elements, or the sequence of position of a single differentiated element represent the temporal moment in which we are and the reference with the rest of the day. A capacity of memory and connectivity allows the selection, recording, and detection of events that may have as defining elements the time, calendar, or other external, such as the availability of services. The actions to be taken are basically multimodal notices to the user, directly or through a portable unit, which include text, voice, melodies, vibration, hum. Actions on the environment are also contemplated (lights on and off, alarm clock, music ...).

Description

Temporary guidance device.

Technical sector

Temporary guidance, time measurement, management of time, management tasks over time, technical help for disability.

State of the art

The watch is a support tool in the Temporary orientation for widespread use in our culture. Without however it requires two cognitive abilities that are not within reach of the entire population: understand the meaning of the position of the arrows of one clock or the digits of another and abstract from this information how much time is left or has passed for moments significant subsequent necessary for the management of their tasks over time. In addition, population sectors such as children or people with autism need an anticipation of the information temporary about when to finish what concerns them or when You have to start with something else. In the case of the population with autism this often involves the appearance of a blockage psychological that involves a person suffering and crisis in its environment.

There are currently several institutions that they are developing systems of orientation and temporary reeducation for people with mental disabilities. It is part of what I know known as prostheses or cognitive orthoses. It is noteworthy the system developed by the Swedish institution CERTEC (Division of Rehabilitation engineering of the science department of Design from the University of Lund, Sweden: http://www.certec.lth.se/doc/certecscore/) working in systems of support for people with disabilities.

Of the studies carried out by CERTEC, it follows that the easiest temporary reference unit of assimilate by these people is the quarter hour as the only unit of time.

Based on this, the most appropriate solution is the called a quarter hour clock, a time measurement system It is based on the full / empty concept. It consists of a row of lights, one for every quarter of an hour. This way when everything is left the day ahead are all the lights on (full) and as time goes by they go out (one light is emptied every quarter of an hour). This achieves a one-dimensional measure of time that is cognitively less complex to understand, and at the same time show how much time is left for a particular task: left "n" lights. That is, the "temporary distance" until an event occurs is more easily assimilated seeing how much of quarters of an hour left and not calculating how many laps you should take a needle or doing a subtraction of numbers.

In CERTEC a prototype clock was designed quarters of an hour based on this theory. Three were made LED blocks where morning, afternoon and evening were represented night. Every quarter of an hour an LED goes out and, in the housing where this device is located, motifs are drawn that Remember the activities to be carried out at the corresponding time. In parallel, in Zaragoza, a similar system was reached, with two blocks (day - night), in which magnets set icons or text that reminded the tasks selected moments.

There was also a portable version that made The stopwatch times.

The HANDITEK company, also in Sweden, focuses your work in assistive devices for people with mental disabilities in order to increase your independence.

This company, collaborating with the Swedish institute of disabled people, made a quarter hour clock. (http://www.handitek.se/ENGLISH.HTM).

This quarter hour watch is portable and It works using cards where, on one side there is a photo that represents the activity to be carried out and on the other the time at which the warning should sound. The portable device has a internal clock which, together with the time programmed on the card, is used to calculate the remaining quarters of time to produce that warning, which are displayed on one side of the device.

This website also documents how in 1993 the Swedish institute for disabled people, requested the drafting of a study in which the guidelines for the realization of a quarter hour clock and experiences with some patients were collected to Rose-Marie therapists Remvall and Karin M \ ring {a} nsson. ( http://www.handitek.se/text/eng/cases.htm ).

This study gathers the experiences of three people with mental disabilities who used this room clock of time to organize your daily tasks.

After a first phase of adaptation to this new way of measuring time, people begin to associate the different times of the day with an approximate amount of light bulbs lit and the tasks to be performed at different times. In addition, after a few days using this type of watches, it He found that his concept of time is improved in a way substantial serving, in addition to establishing a reference temporary, to educate them to measure time.

There are, however, situations to solve. One of them is the attention of the person. In elderly population or with mental imbalances type autism, we need to get the person's attention and indicate specifically that something will change, a moment of change.

Another is globalization in an environment. By a Split the wireless warning to the user with a range of coverage enough to be able to move in the chosen field (school, home, etc.). On the other, the integration of information from the relevant environment for scheduling specific tasks (type when doing night, lower the blinds). Even the task communication does not only to the user, but also to the environment.

Still a third refers to the way of showing the information, to make it more clearly understandable to Username.

Finally, practice asks us for a capacity flexible to enter temporary records by a caregiver, family or professional comfortably and that does not require specialization.

Explanation of the invention.

This invention provides a modular system. complete that uses the quarter hour clock as a concept of sample of time, although not restricted to a quarter of an hour, by be the functional unit of residences, day centers and schools also that of half an hour. Understands:

- Element 1: A time display panel with its associated control and a time update mechanism and network synchronization with other possible devices in the system (e.g. units in the bedroom and living room, in different classrooms of the school).

- Element 2: memory module that can be removable that communicates with a computing unit (e.g. computer) where the moments and actions have been recorded associated to each one and that registers them in this module.

- Element 3: action management module associated to the marked events (notices to the user and others).

- Element 4: portable module that carries the user who needs to be notified of the times of day with in advance or without it.

- Element 5: program module, which allows the introduction of the moments to be remembered for later Registration on the device.

- Element 6: communication module that allows Integration with an information system and / or environment control or relevant external entities (e.g. the security system or building, school emergencies).

- Element 7: An optional interface module user that allows the introduction of confirmation that the message has been received by it.

The panel is based on the sample of units simple temporary (quarters of an hour, half an hour, others) in the element 1, associated with simple elements (e.g. one light per unit simple temporary). The association of simple elements represents a major time interval - "grouped functional range" - (morning, day, work or school day, etc.). The elements simple show the passage of time and the moment in which we we find by changing the state of the elements of it (lights, LCD type elements, color change: e.g. light off for the elapsed and lit for the remainder) is having in a been the remaining simple elements of the time interval represented or only the active element (useful if going to batteries or there are failures in the power supply and the autonomy of the equipment is critical) or functional groupings thereof (first part of the morning, recess, second, etc.). The provision is considered in straight line and also in circumference. The circular or semicircular It is preferable for people who have had the concept and use of clock, as elders with confusional states, pre-dementias, etc. In this module we also include Tracking calendar, time, minutes and seconds.

The memory module allows the registration of moments of the day to remember (events), with the possibility of calendar with which events can be associated at the time of day, days of the week, month, etc. Among others, we contemplate the possibility of your wireless registration (communications module, Element 3 (radio frequency, infrared) or via cable (Serial, USB) with the computational element (computer, PDA, system home automation ...).

The communication module can be a network conventional computer type (TCP IP, Bluetooth, wired network or wireless local area), wired bus (CAN, RS485) or communication through the power grid. The significant thing is your connection capability with external elements, system type home automation, security system, data access, sensors or specific actuators In this way we can record events not only associated to the moment of the day, but also to other events (e.g. temperature, weather, other people's availability or services). In the same way we contemplate the event log not only as warnings, but as external actions, such as ignition or shutdown of appliances, control of doors or blinds, etc. This It has application to assist people with disabilities adapting actions according to their usual or current needs (e.g. if you do not respond as you have done the action, I assume confusion and command or perform the system, or insist that the perform).

The action management module is in charge to monitor the occurrence of events and act accordingly. For it receives the time and calendar messages and the systems external connected to be analyzed in case they suppose the appearance of new events. Some of the actions you can take They are:

- give notices in the form that has been registered (text, associated melody, lights, direct relay operation or contacts, etc.) (elements 3 and 4);

- send messages to other external systems type home automation system (item 6); send messages to the portable unit (item 4).

In addition, it has an interface with the user (buttons, voice recognition, touch screen) so that the user can indicate that he has heard the message, request his repetition, or report that the task has been completed (item 7). A case of repeated notice is contemplated for important actions in that the warning is repeated until the user indicates that it is already performed the task you associate (certain pills or whatever configure).

The portable unit is considered in two ways (item 4). The first, with a specific device, seeks to It is reduced and light, and can generate an acoustic signal, melodies, text messages, voice (prerecorded or communicated) signal bright, vibration or other; this unit also incorporates a interface (buttons, voice recognition) to be able to inform the system that the notice was received correctly, or even that what has been indicated has already been done (take the pill, e.g.) The second is using general purpose devices, type PDA's, you are looking for, mobile phones, for users who already They carry or want to take them. According to the possibilities of the device you can send the same message forms, more (videos ...) or less (e.g. just a buzz and search text).

The use of melodies to give this warning, locally-centralized in the panel or distributed-portable directly to the user, provides information that allows the user to know what kind of task it is (take advantage of a usual melody-task association, such as food, getting up, taking the pill or leaving home or classroom with a frequent destination - e.g. speech therapy, walk).

Through this portable unit, or in a separate item, possibly physically included in the panel Time sample, the user can confirm receipt of the notice and / or the execution of the task, with which the system gives the notice for received and / or task completed and does not insist on remember her. This is especially useful for accustomed people. to perform actions in parallel that when they lose capacity Cognitiveness can get into confusion by changing your focus and produce that despite having received the message does not reach do the task.

This system becomes an element of technical assistance for the temporary orientation that allows its use by people with poor mental capacity in this appearance. Training is also allowed through the conditioning or others so that the person can be more autonomous in his temporary orientation or accomplishment of tasks in his life daily, work, leisure or other areas. In special education too will be used to learn the conventional means of show time (clocks) and training in ability to temporary orientation, as well as in anticipation of changes in activity for people who need it.

Brief explanation of the drawings

(1): The image shows the column of lights that indicates the moment of the day when the elements are on corresponding to the remaining quarters of an hour. Thus the person is oriented both at the time of the day in which is as in the course of time as of what remains for a homework or later

(2) The image shows an example of how to indicate tasks associated with the column of lights (in this case), with an icon and words that indicate the task to be done "Take pill "at the time indicated by the arrow. These signs or icons are important when placing the person in the sequencing of tasks of the day to facilitate its management and weather forecast until they arrive.

(3) The image shows an example of an element portable that warns the subject that there is a task or moment significant that is approaching or has already arrived. Your mission is facilitate personalized notification of scheduled events with or without notice (or both), which allows you to receive support from the orientation tool even though it is not near the main panel (item 1).

(4) other example forms of distribution of representative elements of temporary units. They are contemplated other advantageous forms according to the populations to which they go intended, such as circulars for people who have had a good temporary orientation with conventional bolt clock, or semicircular or double semicircle to represent the passage of the sun or the moon and the tasks associated with the times of day.

(5) The scheme shows the modules contemplated In the example of a temporary help system: 1 Panel showing the pass of the time; 2.- Memory where the events are registered marked, and event manager and ad generator; 3.- Module communication, e.g. PAN, LAN, radio connection, infrared or cable; 4.- Program module; 5.- Portable module and interface user (possible connection to modules (4) or (2) through (3)).

Preferred Embodiment

An example of two vertical columns is provided of elements (figure - 1) that emit light (LEDS), with a color different for day (red) and night (green, and less lighting), and a time interval of a quarter of an hour. The watch it can be divided into two elements to place one in the room of be or of greater daytime use and another in the bedroom. The communication between these two elements is done by Bluetooth, which prevents us from installing a single cable Room to another.

They are grouped in this case every four elements which represent an hour, labeling the time each group represents your left In the space on the right in this case it is left site to paste labels with the tasks of the day (figure-2), how to get up, clean or take a tablet. You can also connect to a screen that can display a more general text or icon (e.g. call a grandson for his birthday). When the clock reaches a time of day for which has a task scheduled, warns by means of an audible signal and / or luminous to the user and shows him on the screen (if he has one) the text or image that represents the task. In the simplest version, the labels would indicate the task to be performed that he had scheduled

The use of a microprocessor module or connection to a computer or similar element allows the realization of more complex conventional agenda functions that they have in It counts not only the time but the day or even the environment, calls from  telephone etc.

The example embodiment consists of two units, the clock and the calendar. The clock has 96 LEDs (one per quarter of an hour of the day) distributed in two columns that represent the day and night respectively, grouped in each column four by four, with labeling of the time that represents each moment and labels fixed that indicate everyday tasks. The second module is connected to the first and is responsible for notices for tasks: it is a microprocessor contains in memory the tasks programs and melodies, hums, icons or texts that are associated with each moment of the day. It records them when connected to a personal computer via RS232 connection. Thus, when this time of day occurs, you can notify the pre-defined way to the
Username.

A portable module (remote control box) receives messages from the management unit and warns by blinking of LEDs and the sound of a melody that can be selected. Some buttons on the portable unit allow you to inform the system that the  user has learned, and that he has performed the task, case of Select repeated reminders.

The industrial application is clear, in the field of technical aids for people with disabilities is a help technique for use at home, at school, in the position Work or leisure.

The specific forms of visualization or notices used, and all the accessory details that may be presented, will be independent of the object of the invention, as long as they do not affect their
essentiality.

Claims (8)

1. Temporary orientation device characterized in that it comprises the following elements: - A course display module of the time using a technique to show the course of functional time intervals according to the change of state of display of a series of elements arranged in a way sequential, so that the set represents the temporal unit functional to show (for example, the day) and each element minor time intervals in which it is divided and associated a reminder system for tasks or times of day significant. - A module that stores tasks in memory daily, changes, or significant moments or other events of interest that have been programmed. - A module that informs the user of those events, you can use tags, text, icons, drawings, melodies, images, video sequences or others for association of the moment of the day with tasks or associated meanings. This notice can be given in advance to the event to facilitate preparation of the user and also at the moment the event takes place. This module can also manage other tasks, such as control of electrical and / or electronic devices. 2. Temporary orientation device according to claim 1, characterized in that it can have a module, close to the user, which can be portable and that remotely informs you that the system has a significant task or moment associated with this user. This module can allow the user to enter information to the system, indicating the reception of a message, the performance of a task or the request for repetition of a warning. This module can constitute a physical unit or be distributed in several physical units. 3. Temporary orientation device according to claim 1 characterized in that it can have a configuration module that allows interaction with a user, their caregivers, teachers or others that introduce rules or events to
to mean. 4. Temporary orientation device according to claim 1, characterized in that it can have a connection module with the surrounding systems, be they computer, home automation, security or general meteorological information to receive information that allows the management of events in account this information or / and send information to them to update, complete or command systems, which allows programming tasks on other systems such as lighting or air conditioning. Communication can be done by radiofrequency, infrared or cable among other means. 5. Temporary orientation device according to claim 1 characterized in that it records locally the information of each functional interval and its moments, tasks for the user, automatic tasks of the system, and ways of informing the user or that the registration is carried out by means of a computer type equipment where the programming of the parameters will be transferred to the system. 6. Temporary orientation device according to claim 1 characterized in that it allows the recording by means of computer network, computer, mobile telephony or other means of transmitting information, of the moments of the functional interval to be indicated together with the significant information associated with each moment of the day . 7. Temporary orientation device according to claim 1 characterized in that it provides selective information according to the time interval in which they are located, the identification of the person, and the information of the significant times of day and their associated information. 8. Use of the temporary orientation device according to the preceding claims to train in the Temporary guidance to people and / or provide guidance support temporary to people or other systems.