FR3081576A1 - INTELLIGENT RELATIONAL DEVICE FOR LOSS OF AUTONOMY - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an information exchange device adapted for the maintenance of persons at home comprising a control device (10) connected by a wireless link to an electronic box (40) comprising a transmitter / receiver device, the case being connected to at least one communication network (101) and a visual interface (100), the control device allowing the user to access a set of connected services. According to the main characteristic, the control device is a flexible object covered with a cover (12) preferably of fabric and whose upper face comprises a touch interface comprising two sets of keys (14) and (16) whose keys ( 14) are identifiable with pictograms (14), each key (14) each representing a service and allowing pressure to command the sending of a signal to the electronic box (40), and to access the corresponding connected services by access directly to a communication network or through a menu that is displayed on the visual interface, the key (16) to navigate the menu and select submenus.

Description

Intelligent relational device for people with loss of autonomy

The present invention relates to a device for facilitating long-distance family links for people with reduced mobility or the elderly, coupled with a device for assisting and offering home services to these people, and in particular relates to an intelligent relational device intended for people with loss of autonomy.

Some people may find themselves isolated and losing their mobility following an accident, illness or simply because of their age, at home or in a specialized establishment. These people are not always lucky enough to be sufficiently surrounded by their loved one or to benefit from daily help. In the same way for a family always in activity therefore occupied and distant from a parent, it is not always easy to maintain the social bond, to communicate photos and videos in a simplified way and to provide assistance and help to distance to distant and isolated parent.

Nowadays there are many means of communicating remotely with the outside while staying at home but these means are precisely numerous and different and require for the user a certain habit and a certain skill with the computer communication tools. This often involves sending e-mail messages or instant messages. These means, which are considered complex for the uninitiated, are not always suitable for the elderly, dependent people or people losing their autonomy. These people can quickly feel overwhelmed and further away from the desired goal which is to maintain or even create and develop social ties.

The document FR2946485 proposes a device and a communication system to allow a person to be put in touch at a distance in a simplified manner, with third parties, in particular those around him, administrations and social or medical services. The system includes a communication device available to the user of the fax type, which includes a scanner function and a printing function. This system has the drawback of subjecting the user to the use of computer means at a fixed location in the house, therefore requiring repeated trips to this location. In addition, it is always in the form of a traditional computer tool which can prove to be a source of stress and not usable by all. In addition, the presence of a button requiring pressure actuation can be problematic for some people with disabilities.

Equally, home care solutions have been developed such as telemonitoring and telemedicine solutions which consist in remotely monitoring the health of a patient by using data collected from electrodes placed on the person's body. Such a solution is described in application W02002078534. However, these restrictive devices find their real usefulness when the person is undergoing medical treatment linked to a pathology to be monitored. On the other hand, they are not very suitable for people who are not necessarily sick but who are only in loss of autonomy or in a situation of dependence.

This is why, the object of the invention is to provide a system allowing a person with loss of autonomy to communicate remotely with the outside while being mainly connected to one or more close persons by a simplified means and ergonomic linking.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic device for tracing information related to the person and a means of alerting close people in the event of unusual information found.

The object of the invention is therefore an information exchange device suitable for keeping people at home, comprising a control device connected by a wireless link to an electronic unit comprising a transmitter / receiver device, the unit being connected to at least one communication network and to a visual interface, the control device allowing the user to access a set of connected services. According to the main characteristic, the control device is a flexible object covered with a cover preferably made of fabric and the upper face of which comprises a tactile interface comprising two sets of keys and whose keys of the first set of keys are identifiable with pictograms, each key each representing a service and allowing by pressure to control the sending of a signal to the electronic unit, and to access the corresponding connected services either by direct access to a communication network or by means of a menu which is displayed on the visual interface, the keys of the second set of keys allowing to navigate in the menu and to select submenus.

The aims, objects and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description made with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents the simplified overall diagram of the device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 represents the device for controlling the device according to the invention,

FIG. 3 represents a block diagram of the device according to the invention,

FIG. 4 represents an alternative embodiment of the control device according to the invention.

According to Figure 1, the device according to the invention is an information exchange device suitable for keeping people at home mainly comprising a control device 10. The control device according to the invention is a flexible and tactile object 10 which acts as an interface for a user such as a remote control. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, this interface is provided on one face of an object in the form of a cushion and with the flexibility of a cushion. The control device 10 communicates wirelessly with a box 40 connected to a visual interface 100 such as a screen such as preferably the user's television set. The box 40 is provided with a fixed electronic card and means for connecting to the internet network 101, either via a wireless transceiver or via an Ethernet socket. The box 40 also includes an entry for a 3G key so as to be able to connect directly to the internet via the telephone network. The box 40 connects to a database 102 accessible on the internet network 101. The box 40 is permanently connected to at least one communication network such as the telephone network or the internet communication network and preferably it is connected permanently at these two communication networks.

The control device 10 is shown in detail in Figure 2. It consists of several parts including a removable cover 12 provided with a gripping means such as a handle 18 and at least one means for opening and closure 13 such as a zipper. The cover is preferably made of fabric or made from a material pleasant to the touch and includes a graphic representation of two sets of keys 14 and 16 of two different types. The keys 14 of the first set of keys are identifiable by pictograms and each represent in a simple graphic color and a service schematized by a drawing and possibly accompanied by one or two words. For example, the pictogram containing the graphic of a completed shopping cart and the words "bon appétit" represents a shopping service for food needs and possibly can represent a purchasing service in general. The services available are also access to the family represented by 3 generations of people and leisure represented by a book and musical notes. The pictograms of the keys 14 can be personalized according to the type of user so that there are cushion models offering different services, but the “SOS” pictogram is present on all the models. The keys 16 of the second set of keys smaller than the pictogram keys 14 represent the keys common to a remote control, such as numbers, volume and menu arrows and the on / off key. The graphic representations of the keys 14 and 16 are located on the upper face of the cushion called the touch interface.

The control device also comprises at least one electronic card 21 provided with a set of capacitive detection zones 24 connected to an electronic circuit 26 capable of communicating without contact with the electronic card of the housing 40. The electronic card of the control device is called keyboard in the following description and is powered by battery 28. The control device also includes a foam block 22, the upper face of which is hollowed out with a cavity 23 for

house the keyboard. When the keyboard East place in the cavity 23 a second block of foam 25 of the form of the cavity 23 and a thickness of About 1cm East square sure the

keyboard and into the cavity 23. The first block of foam, the keyboard and the second block of foam are placed in the cover 12 to form the complete control device. The capacitive detection zones 24 of the keyboard are configured to be activated by pressing through the thickness of the second block of foam and of the cover covering the keyboard. The keys 14 and 16 are positioned on the touch interface of the cover 12 so as to each correspond with a capacitive detection zone 24. The capacitive detection zones 24 of the keyboard are called capacitive keys in the following description.

The cover 12 has phosphorescent zones not shown in the figure. According to an alternative model of control device, the pictograms of the keys 14 and the wording of the keys 14 can be supplemented by a translation into Braille. The cover 12 can also include visual markers 15 for the location of the hands in order to be able to activate by hand pressure on the locations of the force sensors placed in the control device.

With reference to FIG. 3, the electronic part of the control device 10 is assembled almost essentially on the electronic card 21 and comprises a control and piloting module 31 located in the electronic circuit 26, a peripheral module 32 and a module d 'power supply 33. The power supply module 33 preferably comprises one or more batteries 28 but can also be a rechargeable battery. The control and piloting module 31 comprises a microcontroller, a means for managing the power supply module 33, a means for managing the capacitive keys and an energy converter. The peripheral module 32 comprises at least one transmitter / receiver device of the contactless identification device type (in the figure marked "RF" for radio frequency), for example Bluetooth, an accelerometer, a force sensor, LEDs, a detector. and the capacitive keys. The light detector such as a phototransistor returns a polarization which determines the absence of light or not. In the absence of light, the LEDs on the cushion activate to backlight it so that it is visible in the dark. Preferably, LEDs are located around the button representing the “SOS” pictogram.

The main contactless identification device located on the keyboard communicates with the housing 40 so as to exchange information with it. For example, a signal and information are sent from the keyboard to the box when a key detects the pressure exerted by the user, when the keyboard goes into standby mode or when the remaining operating time of the control device has passed below a certain threshold. Pressing each key sends a signal to the housing 40.

The accelerometer makes it possible to detect a displacement or a movement of the control device and also makes it possible to detect its position, and in particular if its tactile interface is oriented facing the ground. The purpose of detecting the orientation of the control device is to manage the standby mode described later in the description.

The force sensors are activated when the user presses the control device at the location of the marks 15. The mechanical action of the force sensors is converted into electrical energy by means of the energy converter of the control module 31 of the keyboard 21. The power management makes it possible to redistribute this recovered electrical energy to supply one or more of the components of the peripheral module 32. The forces applied by the user during the movements exerted by his hands on the force sensors are measured and sent to the box 40 which stores them in memory.

In general, the control device may include force sensors in order to provide tone exercises so as to urge the user to work the muscles of his hands and arms.

The keyboard of the control device 10 also includes an alert device which can be vibratory, sound or / and light. For example, a buzzer type vibrator is installed on the keyboard, it must be free from any movement. For example, the alert device is used to alert the user when the pairing is carried out between the control device 10 and the electronic unit 40. Likewise, a short vibration is generated by the vibrator when the pictogram keys are activated so as to alert the user that his request has been taken into account. In general, the alert device can be associated with other types of alert messages in order to warn the user of the arrival of a message, of going into standby mode, etc. The type of alert message can be configured and

changeable via the electronic box 40. Always in reference to figure 3, the housing electronic 40 includes a module control and of piloting 41, a peripheral module 42 and a module power 43. The power module 43 East of

preferably a rechargeable battery or is a connection to the mains current. The control and piloting module 41 comprises a microprocessor, a means for managing the power supply module 43, a means for managing the peripherals and a storage memory. The peripheral module includes a set of interfaces such as a 3G or 4G key type interface into which a SIM card can be inserted, an interface for connection to the Internet network and an interface for connection to the low-speed network, an interface for video stream, USB interface and audio interface connected to a microphone. The peripheral module also includes a set of specific connectors to connect some of these interfaces to other external peripherals such as an antenna for 3G or 4G network, an antenna for low-speed network and Ethernet, video and USB cables. In particular, the video stream interface is connected to the user's television set 100 by an HDMI type cable for example.

Thus, the peripheral module 42 of the housing 40 is capable of receiving information received from at least one of the 3G / 4G, low speed and internet networks, of receiving a video stream and a sound stream and is capable of converting all this information into data usable by the microprocessor. The peripheral module 42 also includes a transmitter / receiver device of the contactless identification device (RF) type communicating with the contactless identification device of the control device.

For example, depending on the configuration of the alerts, the control device can receive a signal from the electronic unit to start the vibrator when a message has been received.

When the control device 10 is no longer used for a determined period of 7 minutes, for example, it goes into standby mode. When the control device is returned, the control device goes into standby mode, that is to say when its touch interface is oriented facing the ground. Sleep mode increases the autonomy of the keyboard by lowering its energy consumption. The standby mode corresponds to the disconnection of contactless communication and the deactivation of the keys on the keyboard. The deactivation of the keys corresponds to the stopping of their electrical supply. The transition to standby mode is announced by a message on the television and if there is no brightness by the flashing of the LEDs of certain keys.

In the private sector, the device according to the invention provides its user with a facilitated link with his family and with a certain number of services via a tactile interface and a visual interface. During the installation of the device, the box 40 is connected to the internet network by one of the peripherals of the module 41 and is connected to the television 100. The control device 10 is then paired to the box 40. Once these operations have been carried out, the using the device is simple.

When the user wishes to access a service offered by the device, he turns on the television and presses one of the keys 14 or 16 of the control device. A menu appears on the screen which is the exact replica of the first set of keys 14 with pictogram. When the user presses one of the keys 14 other than the “SOS” key, a submenu appears on the television screen. The user thus accesses the connected services corresponding to the services represented by the pictograms of the keys 14. For example, the sub-menu of the “family” key offers a set of actions such as sending a message, consulting the photos. , the invitation to a videoconference request or the consultation of the calendar.

Navigation in the menu and the sub-menus and the selection of one of the actions proposed from the sub-menu is possible thanks to the arrows proposed by the keys 16 of the control device and the "ok" key.

In an emergency, if the user presses the key corresponding to the “SOS” pictogram, this activates the sending of a signal by the transmission means from the electronic card of the keyboard to the electronic card of the box 40 which transmits automatically and directly a message to a predetermined trusted recipient and previously recorded in the memory of the box, by the telephone network or by another communication network.

The database 102 is accessible to subscribed users. A subscribed user is connected to one or more devices according to the invention via a website and a secure identification code. The secure identification code gives him access to an individualized database which contains the data which he himself has recorded, for example photos, and the data recorded and provided by the control device 10. Several subscribers can have access to the same device according to the invention, for example it may be several members of the family or a member of the family and a public body such as a retirement home. Thus, the subscriber can also fill the calendar remotely from the user of the device according to the invention and thus organize and follow his timetable and in particular his appointments and visits. In this way, the device according to the invention is a means of monitoring visits.

On the other hand, the device according to the invention is a means which contributes to the maintenance at home of the elderly. To this end, the device according to the invention can provide traceability on a set of data on the activity of the person, such as monitoring care, monitoring visits by professional staff and monitoring the voluntary use of the person. Indeed, the transceiver located in the control device can also be used to communicate automatically with a transceiver worn by professional staff, contained in a medicine box or generally by any means of appropriate radio frequency identification that falls within its scope. Thus, the device according to the invention is a means of monitoring care and digital monitoring in real time of its user. This means can also be used in care structures for the elderly, such as retirement homes.

On the other hand, thanks to the recorded data and to the various sensors contained in the control device such as the accelerometer, the device according to the invention can warn the family and / or the social authorities in the event of prolonged inactivity of the user or unusual behavior. The box of the control device can also be connected to a remote monitoring box. The control device can then be part of a set of connected objects and sensors distributed in the user's home such as presence sensors in each room. Thus, all of the data collected by the sensors and the data collected by the control device are analyzed and used to develop a prediction of unusual situations for the user such as a fall case.

According to another embodiment of the control device 10 shown in FIG. 4, the control device 10 comprises, on the side of its tactile interface, a cavity adapted to receive a removable part denoted removable interface 11 in the following description. The pictograms 14 are part of the removable interface 11 so that the device offers several interchangeable removable interfaces. Each removable interface containing a different set of pictograms giving access to a different set of services. At least one pictogram is common to all the removable interfaces available, for example the “SOS” pictogram. There may be a removable interface whose pictograms contain the letters of the alphabet for access to a game service such as scrabble. Likewise, a removable interface can include pictograms of materials with different feel in order to provide a game service to stimulate memory and cognitive abilities. A removable interface can also contain pictograms representing the actions of a submenu linked to a service. For example the sub-menu of the shopping service.

The control device 10 includes means for detecting and identifying the removable interface with which it comes into contact. The identification can be done for example by means of radio frequency identification. Another solution consists in associating a recognition code with each removable interface, for example, once the interface is set up in the control device, the user presses one of the keys 14 identified on the interface for example by dotted so that the control device 10 recognizes the interface and associates the capacitive detection zones of the electronic card with the keys 14 of the removable interface so that pressing one of the keys generates the signal corresponding to the service associated with the key .

Claims (15)

1. An information exchange device suitable for keeping people at home, comprising a control device (10) connected by a wireless link to an electronic box (40) comprising a transmitter / receiver device, said box being connected to at least one communication network (101) and a visual interface (100), the control device allowing the user to access a set of connected services, Characterized in that the control device is a flexible object covered with a cover (12) preferably in fabric and the upper face of which comprises a tactile interface comprising two sets of keys (14) and (16) including the keys (14 ) of the first set of keys are identifiable with pictograms (14), each key (14) each representing a service and allowing by pressure to control the sending of a signal to said electronic unit (40), and to access the connected services correspondents either by direct access to a communication network or by means of a menu which is displayed on the visual interface, the said keys (16) of the second set of keys making it possible to navigate in the menu and to select under menus. 2. Device according to claim 1, in which said set of keys (14) with pictogram comprises a key with the pictogram "SOS", the activation of which by pressure by a user sends a signal to said box (40) which automatically transmits and directly a message to a predetermined trusted recipient, by the telephone network or by another communication network. 3. Device according to claim 2, wherein said menu appears on the visual interface when the user presses one of the keys (14) or (16) apart from the "SOS" key, said menu appearing being the exact replica of the 'set of keys with pictogram (14) of said control device. 4. Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the control device comprises an electronic part mainly comprising an electronic card (21) housed in the cavity (23) of a foam block (22) and covered by a second block of foam (25) in the shape of the cavity (23), said control device being covered with said cover (12), said cover being provided with at least one opening and closing means (13) and a gripping means (18). 5. Device according to claim 4, wherein said electronic card (21) mainly comprises a control and piloting module (31), a peripheral module (32) and a power supply module (33), said module power supply (33) preferably comprising one or more batteries (28) or a rechargeable battery, said peripheral module (32) comprising at least one radiofrequency identification device, an accelerometer, a force sensor, LEDs, a detector of brightness and of the capacitive detection zones, said control and piloting module (31) comprising a microcontroller, a means of management of the power supply module (33), a means of management of the capacitive detection zones and a converter energy. 6. Device according to claim 5, in which the capacitive detection zones (24) of the keyboard are configured to be activated by pressing through the thickness of the second foam block (25) and the thickness of the cover (12 ), said keys (14) and (16) are positioned on the tactile interface of the cover 12 so as to each correspond to a capacitive detection zone (24). 7. Device according to one of claims 5 or 6, in which the force sensor of the control device is activated when the user manually presses the control device at the location of visual cues (15) located on the cover. (12) and the mechanical energy supplied by their manual actuation is recovered and transformed into electrical energy thanks to said energy converter of the control module (31), the electrical energy being recovered to supply one or more of the components of the module peripherals (32). 8. Device according to claim 7, in which the forces applied by the user during the movements exerted by his hands on the force sensors are measured and sent to said electronic unit (40) which stores them in memory. 9. Device according to one of claims 5 to 8, in which said control device goes into standby mode when it has not been used for a given period or when its touch interface is oriented facing the ground, said accelerometer making it possible to detecting the orientation of the touch interface of the control device (10), said standby mode corresponding to the disconnection of the contactless communication and the stopping of the electrical supply of the keys so as to increase the autonomy of the device control by lowering its energy consumption. 10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said electronic unit (40) is provided with an electronic card and means for connecting to the internet network (101) and to an accessible database (102) on the internet (101). 11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which said electronic unit (40) comprises a control and piloting module (41), a peripheral module (42) and a power supply module (43), the power module (43) preferably being a rechargeable battery or a connection to the mains current, the control and piloting module (41) comprising a microprocessor, a means for managing the power module (43), a peripheral management means and a storage memory, the peripheral module (42) comprising a set of interfaces such as a 3G or 4G key type interface into which a SIM card can be inserted, a network connection interface internet and a low-speed network connection interface, a video stream interface, a USB interface and an interface for sound connected to a microphone, the peripheral module (42) also comprising a set of specific connectors for re link some of these interfaces to other external devices. 12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said control device (10) comprises an alert device which can be vibratory, sound or / and light so as to pass an alert message to 1 'user. 13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a website accessible by a secure identification code for subscribers, each subscriber being connected to one or more devices according to the invention, said secure identification code gives it access to an individualized database (102), the data recorded in said database (102) being informed by the subscriber and by the use of the control device. 14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, in which the control device (10) comprises a removable interface (11) comprising the keys with pictograms (14) so that the device according to the invention offers several removable interfaces interchangeable, each removable interface containing a different set of pictograms giving access to a set of different services, at least the “SOS” pictogram is common to all the removable interfaces (11). 15. Device according to claim 14, in which said control device (10) comprises means for detecting and identifying each removable interface (11) with which it comes into contact.