ES2776323A1 - SYSTEM AND DEVICE TO GENERATE WORK AREAS ON INERT OR INACTIVE SURFACES THROUGH A MATRIX OR MESH OF COMBINED SENSORS (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

System and device to generate work areas on inert or inactive surfaces through matrix of combined sensors. Matrix or mesh of combined sensors capable of detecting variations in an environment that allow to generate work areas on surfaces that were previously inert or inactive, through pulsations, movements, gestures, recognition, changes in temperature, floods, etc. The mesh or matrix can adhere and even be integrated into countertops, tables, floors, walls, doors, etc., and by means of a computer program process the information from the sensors and perform the scheduled tasks or actions and even a data collection for later studies. The mesh is connected to a processor that monitors the signals, feeds the mesh and launches scheduled events or sends data to a central server. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

SYSTEM AND DEVICE TO GENERATE WORK AREAS ON INERT OR INACTIVE SURFACES THROUGH A MATRIX OR MESH OF COMBINED SENSORS

The object of the invention is a combined sensor mesh capable of detecting variations in the environment, such as movement, pulsations, gestures, recognition, temperature changes or floods, among others. The invention can adhere to and even be integrated into countertops, tables, floors, walls or other surfaces and, through a computer program, process the information from the different sensors and perform a specific task or action or a simple data collection to further study. The object of the invention turns any inert surface into an interactive zone in which it is possible to carry out data collection or previously configured tasks.

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The invention that is exposed is about a capture device, which detects different variations in the environment within an interactive area, allowing remote computer programs and / or control of other devices through these received signals.

STATE OF THE ART

At present and as a reference to the state of the art, it is common and known in multiple service systems through sensors with a central control unit to use sensors to detect physical magnitudes of the environment, anomalies and / or malfunctions connected to a central control unit which, by means of known communication systems, notify a remote device about said information.

Currently there are countless sensors based on the properties of various electronic devices that allow detecting certain physical parameters in their action area. Among the different types of most common sensors found, the following can be highlighted:

a) Optoelectronic sensors, which detect changes in light, whether it is ultraviolet (UV), visible or infrared (IR).

b) Biosensors, which vary their response depending on a biochemical parameter.

c) Temperature sensors, which detect the temperature of the environment.

d) Capacitive sensors, which vary their capacitance in the presence of any material.

e) Pressure sensors, which detect the pressure applied to a certain area.

f) Volumetric sensors, which detect changes in the volume of the measurement area and which translate into motion detection.

All these sensors are normally used to perform specific measurements or actions related only to a physical parameter. Therefore, they do not offer a complete observation, since they are only capable of detecting a specific physical magnitude.

The sensors used today are devices made up of sensitive cells that detect variations in a physical magnitude and convert them into useful signals for a measurement or control system.

Among the sensors most used today, piezoelectrics can be highlighted, which are used in many areas of science (medicine, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, bioelectronics, geology, physics, etc.). Piezoelectric sensors use the piezoelectric effect to measure pressure, acceleration, voltage, or force, transforming the readings into electrical signals. This effect occurs in certain crystals that, when subjected to mechanical stresses, acquire an electrical polarization in their mass and a potential difference and electrical charges appear on their surface.

Another type of sensor widely used is infrared, which are mainly used in household appliances such as microwave ovens, to allow the measurement of the temperature distribution inside. Other fields in which this type of sensors are used are those of aviation security, medical and biological sciences, motor racing, etc.

On the other hand, photoelectric sensors respond to changes in light intensity. They are specially designed for the detection, classification and positioning of objects; the detection of shapes, colors and surface differences, even under extreme environmental conditions.

Capacitive sensors should also be mentioned, which react to metallic and non-metallic objects that, when approaching the active surface, exceed a certain capacity. The connection distance with respect to a certain material is the greater the higher its dielectric constant.

As explained above, normally the sensors are used to capture a specific physical parameter and perform an operation with this information. According to its application, a sensor can be made up of metallic, non-metallic, organic or inorganic materials, and of fluids, gases, plasmas or semiconductors. By using special characteristics of those materials, the sensors convert the measured quantity or property into an analog or digital output. For example, the performance of an ordinary mercury thermometer is based on the difference between the thermal expansion of mercury and that of glass.

At present, a sensor works individually or in a group of small sensors, which are used to increase the resolution and reduce the error made when taking the measurement. Although they can be used in groups, no use similar to the object of the present invention is known.

Energy consumption is also a remarkable point of the current technique, since any current digital screen consumes, approximately and at least about 95W / m2, while the object of the invention consumes approximately 1W / m2. This value is always indicative since it will depend, among other factors, on the number of sensors needed on the surface and their types (the consumption of any conventional sensor is between 0.1W and 0.6W).

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This method solves all the problems mentioned in the previous section, turning any inert work surface, tactile and interactive. On the other hand, it also supplies the need for data capture, such as in data collection for the performance of athletes, being able to take statistics of people in a specific location (grass, runners' track, speed circuits), detecting footprints or objects that interact with the surface. It is the object of the invention to solve the problems described above in a simple and effective way so as to become an efficient data collection product. For this, the mesh is capable of launching different events that, depending on the actions carried out on it, become orders on other objects, in sending information for data collection, or in interactions with a monitor or a sound signal. .

The mesh object of the invention allows to detect movements on it (gestures), pulsations, frictions, changes in temperature, floods, etc., as well as to recognize specific or approximate objects resting on the surface. This mesh also has the ability to activate emergency signals, such as audible or visual warnings, or control a visible cursor on a screen to select services, utilities or actions to be carried out.

This mesh of sensors can be included in the manufacturing process of any surface, so it could be embedded within these surfaces, or fixed to them using a dielectric glue or any other way of attaching it to a surface. The sensor mesh can be made in a wired way or in printed circuit format (PCB) and will contain as many sensors and electrical connections as necessary for the application that is required, and can be from its minimum expression, to a whole range of sensors deployed on a great area.

The present invention differs from the systems described in the state of the art, mainly in that it represents a new structure, a mesh of various sensors interconnected with each other, which capture physical parameters of the environment to perform specific actions or take data from the environment in which the sensors are located. This mesh can be segmented to adapt it to any size of surface, incorporating the type of sensors necessary for the task to be performed. This array of sensors would be connected to a processor, which electrically feeds the sensors and at the same time supervises the received signals and sends data packets to a server, either external or local, reporting the status of the sensors and the variables. physical environment. These physical variables captured by the mesh can be interpreted in the microcontroller, which will send the pertinent orders to any device (screen, sound alarm, lights, etc.) or will simply store the data collected for later study. The sending of data can be programmed to be executed in real time or by events through a previous configuration (a gesture, a press in a certain place, reaching a critical temperature, etc.). The electronic unit, a microcontroller that receives the data, allows executing different events that can be previously configured, such as sending an alert, moving the cursor on a screen, opening a tap, accepting or denying a voice call, turning on or turn off an electronic device, etc.

Thus, the signals that these sensors send will depend on the physical magnitudes of their environment, in such a way that, if some of these sensors emit a different signal than the one they emit under normal conditions, the microcontroller will capture them and they will be processed as pre-programmed . Therefore, with this system it is possible to capture a large number of physical variables from the environment, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, motion detection, pulsation time, etc.

The values of these signals can be processed to determine how many sensors have changed their equilibrium conditions when there has been a disturbance in the environment.

Therefore, its operation is based on a network or matrix like a grid that captures the variations in the environment, providing a mapping of what happens on the surface.

The energy consumption of this mesh of sensors is also a strong point of the invention, since it consumes less energy than a digital display. The energy consumption per square meter of the mesh is approximately 1W (an electrode sensor consumes 0.33mA on average), with variations depending on the type of sensors that need to be used in the application. The sensors / collectors located in the mesh can also be electrically powered individually or collectively, through integrated circuits to avoid interference or balance / calibrate their sensitivity.

Among the most obvious utilities to be implemented in the object of the invention are: turning on and off objects (household appliances, electronic devices, motors, alarms, security cameras, etc.), warnings and alarms for leaks of gas or polluting agents, floods, receiving calls, handling electronic devices (monitor, tablet, computer, TV, smartphone, digital whiteboards) sending text messages, setting potentiometers (increasing / decreasing volume, increasing the room temperature, increasing or decreasing the light intensity), recognition of objects and / or products, detection of footsteps in a home or those of a patient when getting out of a hospital bed, movement patterns of players on a lawn or sports surfaces, as well as their performance during a sporting event.

All this according to the different aspects and practical embodiments of the invention indicated in the claims that accompany the present specification. Throughout the description and the claims, the word "comprises" and its variants are not intended to exclude other technical characteristics, additives, components or steps that could be applied to the object of the invention. For those skilled in the art, other objects Advantages and features of the invention will emerge in part from the description and in part from practice of the invention. The following examples and drawings are provided by way of illustration and are not intended to restrict the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention The invention covers all combinations of particular and preferred embodiments indicated herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Next, a series of diagrams and drawings that help to better understand the invention and that are expressly related to a possible application of said invention are described very briefly, said application being a mere non-limiting example of it.

• FIG.1 shows the arrangement of the built-in sensor mesh within a surface.

• FIG.2 shows a general diagram of the entire system involved in the correct operation of the object of the invention.

• FIG.3 shows a schematic view of the connectors.

• FIG.4 shows an example of sensor mesh segmentation. • FIG.5 shows a schematic view of the fiber connection

• FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of the sensor mesh when the filaments, fibers or extension strands do not extend beyond the surface. • FIG. 7 shows the arrangement of the sensor mesh when filaments, fibers or extension strands pass the surface.

The different parts indicated are identified as:

1. Combined sensors.

2. Table or worktop in which the mesh is incorporated.

3. Internal mesh connections.

4. Processor.

5. Router.

6. Central server.

7. Objects on which it is acted.

8. Fiber, filament or extender strand to transmit light.

PREFERRED MODE OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is a sensor mesh (1) with a variable surface by segmentation, which is installed inside a worktop, table or surface (2).

Thus, the object of the invention comprises a mesh of sensors (1), which can contain different types of sensors, depending on the task to be performed, embedded inside a worktop, table or surface (2). These sensors would be fixed to the mesh by means of the different types of conventional electronic welding, by conductive adhesives or by mechanical procedures (crimping). The sensors will be connected to a processor (4) that electrically feeds the device and, at the same time, supervises the signal from these sensors, being able to launch pre-programmed events or send data about the environment to a central server (6), through a router (5), reporting on the integrity of the sensors and the conditions of the premises.

The sending of data can be programmed to be executed every certain time interval or instantly, as well as it can also be configured to be sent when a previously programmed event occurs, such as a gesture, a keystroke, a limited physical magnitude, etc. . This information can be stored, in the case of being small data packets, in the microcontroller, or in a memory connected or integrated in the central server if these data were too heavy for the microcontroller.

The sensors can incorporate an added extender system formed by a fiber, thread or strand (8) (optical fiber, nylon, resin, PVC, etc.) of different diameters, rigid or not, that allow the passage of the physical magnitudes to the that the surface that contains the mesh is subjected to, with the ability to transmit these signals from the upper area of the table, worktop or surface to the sensors, thereby allowing the mesh to be located at any height inside or outside the material. This fiber, thread or strand can reach the top of the surface without exceeding it (fig. 6) (for rigid surfaces such as wood, metal, marble, etc.) (FIG. 5) or exceeding it (for surfaces such as carpets, grass , etc.) (FIG. 7).

This mesh of sensors (1) allows, given its design characteristics, the possibility of being fragmented or cut in different ways, separating it into independent blocks that can work together or separately when connected to a microcontroller (4), which offers a great flexibility when implanting it on any type or size of surface.

The mesh can appear, depending on the implantation needs of this, in printed circuit (PCB) or wired format. In the printed circuit format, there is an excess of wiring that makes power and connection possible individual of each sensor, so that said circuit can be divided into the number of desired parts and that said divisions continue to maintain the same properties as before being fragmented.

Depending on the intended use of the product, it will need to have a higher or lower resolution (which translates to incorporating more or less sensors per square meter). The size of these sensors will also be decisive in the process of creating the mesh, since larger sensors will mean a smaller number of these per square meter, and smaller sensors will provide a greater amount per surface used. All these issues will be resolved when specifying the specific performance of the mesh, without this explanation being restrictive when selecting the sensors.

Thus, for each surface equipped with the mesh, signals are obtained from each of the sensors, which are multiplexed giving an output signal that are sent to the processor through an A / D converter, so that it identifies the state. of these sensors, trigger an event and then forward it to the microcontroller.

If the application requires it, in some cases sensors external to the mesh could be used to improve the precision of the system. It could also be the case in which only the conductive filaments are inserted and later under the surface (and not inside) the mesh is placed, in order to be able to configure it more easily, as well as to facilitate the calibration or replacement of sensors.

This mesh of combined sensors can be distributed in panels or continuously (in the form of a mesh roll), which facilitates the process of replacing sensors or damaged areas. In the case of materials such as grass, carpets or wooden shelves, their replacement would be simple, since it would be done from the lower part of said surface and later move on to the restoration of the material. In the case in which the material in which the mesh is inserted is closed and of a stony nature, its replacement could be carried out by a complete replacement of the surface. In the case of, for example, optical sensors, wear is negligible, since these components, being passive, do not generate energy, they only receive it. In order to obtain an acceptable comparison to the method presented here, photovoltaic cells can be given as an example, which have a similar operation to optical sensors. These Photovoltaic cells work exposed to the sun, but their manufacturers guarantee their operation for 25 years.

Another solution given to this problem is increasing the resolution above the minimum required, so there are always more sensors per cm2 than necessary, and the malfunction of one would not affect the capabilities of the product. In the case of recognition, the learning of the objects placed on the surface by means of AI allows faithful detection, even if some sensors are missing or give false positives.

An important point of the invention is the communication of the surface with the central server (6) through the processor (4), which collects all the data sent by the sensors and after processing them, can interpret the state of each of the sensors that integrate the mesh, launch events or pack the information and send it to the server, wired or wireless (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, internet). The server will verify the integrity of the data, ensuring the correct operation of all sensors and will update their firmware if necessary. The status of the connection can be maintained continuously or it can be done at a specific time, upon request of the previously configured devices. These data transport protocols can be selected by the user and exchanged at any time.

The mesh has two main processes or working modes, both programmed at the microcontroller level: the test mode and the control mode, each comprising a plurality of stages.

Thus, the testing process is an application configured to check the integrity of the mesh, its functionalities and services. This mode calibrates each sensor individually and performs tests to verify the correct functioning of the entire mesh, evaluating and providing, in addition, possible solutions to errors that may appear. More specifically, the testing process comprises the following stages:

• Test full mesh or fragmented units.

• Detect connectivity errors at the physical level.

• Detect transmission errors between devices.

• Show a complete history on modifications, usage times, stops and activations and other changes.

• Monitor in real time the activity for correction and replacement.

• Calibrate all sensors to ensure correct operation.

The mesh control process unifies and manages the operation. This mode is responsible for detecting any incident or event that occurs on the surface that has the mesh implanted, as well as notifying or alerting, sending and receiving orders from / to the electronic devices included in the system (screens, doors, alarms, etc.). It not only detects the situations that occur, but also, through prior authentication, it can interpret who the person is operating at that time, giving or denying access to certain functions of the mesh.

For example, if the authentication of a technician were detected, it would allow to enter the configuration of replacement of elements / sensors that do not work correctly or that require a complementary revision, either by hardware or by simulation. The mesh can work in local offline mode, without an external connection to any type of central server (6), so that the entire control process would be carried out completely in the microcontroller.

The manual sensor calibration options will be carried out by selecting this option from the hob menu or automatically when the system is switched on for the first time. The unwanted activation of the complete mesh or of a specific part will be avoided by a correct manual calibration, in addition to a pre-programmed gesture that activates or deactivates the system when performed.

It is important to note that the present invention can be used on any type of material such as, for example: wood, clay, stone, metals, organic, synthetic, resins, quartz, granite, Silestone ©, Dekton ©, Sensa ©, natural grass, grass hybrid or artificial, Tartan ©, rubberized surfaces, Krion ©, etc.

Claims (1)

1 ° Method and sensor device for quasi-opaque or opaque surfaces, characterized in that it comprises a mesh or matrix of combined sensors (1), on a material base (2), connected to a microcontroller (4) that electrically feeds the device and, to the At the same time, it supervises the signal from the sensors, launching the previously configured events and sending data packets to a central server (5) where they are collected. 2nd method and sensor device for quasi-opaque or opaque surfaces characterized according to the first claim, because it comprises a new structure, a mesh or array of sensors (1), capable of being integrated into any surface of any material (2), either during its manufacturing process, introducing it inside through any opening made for this purpose or subsequently adhering it to an inert surface using dielectric glue or any other approach, adhesion or fixation formula. 3 ° Method and sensor device for quasi-opaque or opaque surfaces, characterized according to claims 1 and 2, because the mesh of sensors (1) and connectors (3) can be segmented according to the number of sensors needed for each application and the surface to be covered, where the segmentation can even be one row or even have only one sensor as long as there is a connector next to the part of the segmented mesh; that is to say, it is reduced to the size of the minimum sensor that exists in the market, with which these independent segments maintain all the properties of the mesh or primitive matrix, both in the sending and receiving of data and in the electrical supply. 4th Method and sensor device for quasi-opaque or opaque surfaces characterized, according to the previous claims, by having a processor (4) that provides the necessary logic for the interpretation of the signals received from the sensors and their translation into actions on other programs computing or devices (7). 5 ° Method and sensor device for quasi-opaque or opaque surfaces characterized, according to the previous claims, by having a central server (6), which, at Through a router (5), it will analyze the received data, check for possible errors, monitor the integrity and security of the data and update the mesh firmware if necessary. 6 ° Method and sensor device for quasi-opaque or opaque surfaces characterized, according to the previous claims, for being applicable also to any type of surfaces, including natural, synthetic or hybrid surfaces by means of strands of fibers (8) in filaments that can adopt different geometry (round, flat, curly, etc.) such as: artificial, natural or hybrid grass, carpets, etc., which allow channeling the properties of the environment towards the sensors (1).