FR3118823A1 - Alert device emitting information on the distance between a user and a person and associated method - Google Patents

Abstract

Alert device emitting information on the distance between a user and a person and associated method The invention relates to an alert device (10) intended to be worn by a user (12). The device (10) comprises: - an optical system configured to emit at least one electromagnetic signal (43), to receive at least one electromagnetic signal reflected (45) by a person (34) having received the emitted electromagnetic signal (43), to measure at least one duration between the emission of the emitted electromagnetic signal (43) and the reception of the reflected electromagnetic signal (45), and supplying at least one item of information representative of a distance (d) between the optical system and the person (34) using the measured duration, and - an alert system configured to emit, on the basis of the information representative of the distance (d), at least a first alert signal when the distance (d) is less than or equal at a first predetermined value. Figure for the abstract: Figure 4

Description

Alert device emitting information on the distance between a user and a person and associated method

The present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to an alert device intended to be worn by a user.

The Covid-19 pandemic has profoundly changed the behavior of individuals in society. To avoid contamination between people and thus slow the spread of the epidemic, individuals are encouraged to respect a certain number of individual barrier behaviors, also called barrier gestures. These behaviors include, for example, regular hand washing with soap or with a hydro-alcoholic solution, wearing a mask covering the mouth and nose, and respecting a predetermined distance between individuals to avoid contamination. by microdroplets from a cough or sneeze.

Respecting this predetermined distance is difficult since it depends on the attention and goodwill of each individual. In some places, such as places open to the public, for example, it is complex to enforce such distancing, especially between users or customers on the one hand, and administrative staff or sales staff on the other.

An object of the invention is to propose a simple and educational alert system making it possible to indicate to a person that he is too close to the user, and that the distance between the two individuals is not respected.

To this end, the invention relates, according to a first aspect, to an alert device intended to be worn by a user, said device comprising:

- an optical system configured to emit at least one electromagnetic signal, to receive at least one electromagnetic signal reflected by a person having received the emitted electromagnetic signal, to measure at least one duration between the emission of the emitted electromagnetic signal and the reception of the reflected electromagnetic signal , and provide at least one item of information representative of a distance between the optical system and the person using the measured duration, and

- an alert system configured to emit, on the basis of the information representative of the distance, at least a first alert signal when the distance is less than or equal to a first predetermined value.

Thus, the alert device makes it possible to simply alert the person that they are too close to the user. As soon as the distance between the user and the person is less than a first predetermined value, the person is informed immediately, in a simple and discreet way, without any user intervention being necessary. Both the user and the person do not have to be wearing an alert device for the alert signal to sound. This makes the use of the alert device particularly advantageous in shops or administrations or any place open to the public.

According to different or complementary embodiments, the alert device also comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or according to all possible technical combinations:

- the first alert signal is a light signal or an audible signal;

- the alert device is configured to emit a second alert signal distinct from the first alert signal, the second alert signal being emitted when, on the basis of the information representative of the distance, the distance is greater at the first predetermined value;

- the first alert signal and the second alert signal are light signals, the second alert signal being distinguished from the first alert signal by a wavelength and/or by a light intensity and/or by a blinking frequency;

- the alert system comprises at least one light-emitting diode intended to be oriented substantially facing the person;

- the alert device further comprises a box, said box comprising a front face intended to be oriented towards the person, the light-emitting diode being arranged on the front face of the box;

- the first predetermined value is between 0.5 m and 3.0 m, preferably between 1.0 m and 1.5 m.

- the optical system comprises an optical sensor configured to receive the reflected electromagnetic signal, the optical sensor having a detection angle of between 15° and 25°, preferably substantially equal to 20°; And

- the alert device further comprises a fastening system intended for fixing said alert device to clothing of the user.

The invention also relates, according to a second aspect, to an alert method implemented with an alert device as described above, the method comprising the following steps:

- emission of the electromagnetic signal by the optical system,

- reception of the electromagnetic signal reflected by the optical system,

- measurement of the duration between the emission of the electromagnetic light signal and the reception of the reflected electromagnetic signal,

- supply of information representative of the distance between the optical system and the person using the measured duration,

- transmission of the first alert signal when, on the basis of the information representative of the distance, the distance is less than or equal to the first predetermined value.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings, among which:

- there is a schematic front view of a warning device according to a first embodiment,

- there is a schematic rear view of the device of the ,

- there is a schematic side view of the device of the , And

- there is a view showing a user wearing the device of the in front of a person.

Figures 1 to 3 are respectively front, rear and side schematic views of a warning device 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

As shown on the , the alert device 10 is attached to a user 12.

The alert device 10 comprises a box 14, an optical system 16, an alert system 18 and preferably an attachment system 20 of the alert device 10.

The alert device 10 preferably further comprises a battery 22, a power switch 24 of the alert device 10 and a charging connector 26 of the battery 22.

The box 14 comprises a front face 28, a rear face 30 opposite the front face 28 and four side faces 32 interconnected and connecting the front face 28 to the rear face 30. The front face 28 is intended to be oriented to a person 34 ( ). The front face 28 is for example covered by one or more symbols, and/or by text, and/or by a brand logo or any other figurative and/or informative inscription, such as for example an alert message informing the person 34 that it is too close to the user 12. The rear face 30 is intended to be oriented towards the user 12.

The optical system 16 comprises an electromagnetic source 36, an optical sensor 38, a clock 40, and a module 42 for supplying information representative of the distance between the optical system 16 and the person 34 located close to the user. 12.

The electromagnetic source 36 is configured to emit at least one electromagnetic signal 43. Preferably, the electromagnetic source 36 is configured to emit a plurality of electromagnetic signals 43 at regular intervals.

The electromagnetic signal 43 is preferably an infrared light signal. More particularly, the wavelength of the electromagnetic signal 43 emitted is between 700 nm and 2000 nm.

The electromagnetic source 36 is configured to emit the electromagnetic signal 43 according to an average emission direction P ( ) substantially perpendicular to the front face 28 of the case 14.

The optical sensor 38 is arranged on the front face 28 of the case 14. The optical sensor 38 is configured to receive at least one reflected electromagnetic signal 45 by the person 34 who received the emitted electromagnetic signal 43 ( ). The optical sensor 38 has for example a detection angle α, also called angle of view or field of view, of between 15° and 25°, preferably substantially equal to 20° ( ). This makes it possible to optimally detect the presence of the person 34 facing the user 12. The optical sensor 38 is for example a single-photon avalanche photodiode (single-photon avalanche diode in English).

The clock 40 is configured to measure at least one duration between the emission of the electromagnetic signal 43 and the reception of the reflected electromagnetic signal 45.

The module 42 for providing information representative of the distance is configured to provide at least one piece of information representative of the distance d between the optical sensor 38 and the person 34 by using the duration measured by the clock 40. Preferably, the the information representative of the distance d is the distance d between the optical sensor 38 and the person 34. The module 42 then calculates the distance d using the measured duration and an average speed of propagation in the air of the emitted electromagnetic signal 43 and of the reflected electromagnetic signal 45.

The optical system 16 is for example capable of determining a distance d between the optical sensor 38 and the person 34 comprised between a minimum detection distance and a maximum detection distance. The minimum detection distance is for example equal to 10 cm. The maximum detection distance is for example between 1.0 m and 5.0 m, for example 1.5 m.

This type of optical system 16 is generally called a “time of flight” optical system or “time of flight” in English. This type of optical system is known from the state of the art.

The alert system 18 is configured to emit at least a first alert signal, on the basis of the information representative of the distance d, when the calculated distance d is less than or equal to a first predetermined value.

The first predetermined value is for example between 0.5 m and 3.0 m, preferably between 1.0 m and 1.5 m, for example equal to 1.0 m.

The first alert signal is preferably a light signal.

The alert system 18 then comprises at least one light-emitting diode 44 intended to be oriented facing the person 34. The light-emitting diode 44 is preferably arranged on the front face 28 of the box 14. It is for example integrated harmoniously into the figurative and/or informative inscriptions covering the front face 28 of the case 14.

The first light signal is for example an intermittent light signal to attract the attention of the person 34. Alternatively, the first light signal is fixed.

The first light signal is a visible light signal, that is to say having a wavelength between 390 nm and 700 nm. For example, the light signal has a red or orange color, i.e. has a wavelength between 570 nm and 630 nm.

The attachment system 20 is preferably intended for attaching the alert device 10 to a garment of the user 12.

The fastening system 20 is of any type, for example by pin, by butterfly fastener, etc. The alert device then forms a brooch, a badge or a lapel pin.

Alternatively, the fastening system 20 comprises a cord. The alert device 10 is then worn around the neck of the user 12.

The battery 22 is intended to electrically supply the optical system 16 and the warning system 18.

The power switch 24 is preferably arranged on one of the side faces 32 of the case 14. It comprises for example a member 46 which can be moved reversibly between an activated position in which the battery 22 supplies the optical system 16 and the alert 18, and a deactivated position in which the battery 22 does not power the optical system 16 and the alert system 18.

The charging connector 26 is for example of the USB type (for “universal serial bus”, “universal serial bus” in French). Thus, the alert device 10 is easily rechargeable by connecting it to a computer or to a power outlet.

The operation of the alert device 10 according to the invention will now be described.

The user 12 wears the alert device 10 on him, for example on a piece of clothing, by orienting the front face 28 of the box 14 outwards.

When the member 46 of the power switch 24 is moved to the activated position, the electromagnetic source 36 periodically emits an electromagnetic signal 43. When a person 34 positions himself in the vicinity of the user 12, that is that is to say at a distance d less than the maximum detection distance, the optical sensor 38 receives signals reflected by the person 34. The clock 40 measures the duration between the emission of each of the incident signals and the reception of each of the corresponding reflected signals. The module 42 calculates the distance d between the optical sensor 38 and the person 34 using the measured duration and an average propagation speed of the incident and reflected light signals in the air.

The first alert signal is emitted when the calculated distance d is less than or equal to the first predetermined value. The first alert signal is emitted by the alert system 10 instantaneously, that is to say without passing through a remote server.

The person 34 then becomes aware that he is too close to the user 12 and then moves away from the latter. The distance d calculated between the user 12 and the person 14 increases until it becomes greater than the first predetermined value. The first alert signal is then no longer emitted by the alert device 10.

The alert device 10 according to the invention is particularly advantageous. Indeed, the alert device 10 makes it possible to simply and discreetly alert the person 34 that he is too close to the user 12. As soon as the distance d between the user 12 and the person 34 is less than the first predetermined value, the person 34 is informed immediately, in a simple manner, without the intervention of the user 12 being necessary. It is not required that user 12 and person 34 both wear an alert device 10 for the alert signal to be emitted. A single alert device 10 carried by the user 12 is sufficient. This makes the use of the alert device 10 particularly advantageous in shops or administrations or any place open to the public, where it is impossible to equip each user or customer with a device when he enters the premises.

A second embodiment according to the invention will now be described by differences with respect to the first embodiment.

The alert device 10 is configured to emit a second alert signal distinct from the first alert signal. The second alert signal is emitted when the calculated distance is greater than the first predetermined value.

The first alert signal and the second alert signal are light signals. The first alert signal and the second alert signal are distinct from each other.

For example, the first alert signal and the second alert signal are distinguished by a different wavelength. Thus, the first alert signal has a first wavelength for example between 600 nm and 650 nm, that is to say that the first alert signal has a red color. The second alert signal has a second wavelength distinct from the first wavelength, between 500 nm and 600 nm, i.e. the second alert signal has a green color. Thus, when the person 34 is at a distance d from the optical sensor 38 greater than the first predetermined value, the second warning signal is green. When the person 34 is at a distance d less than or equal to the first predetermined value, the first warning signal is red.

Alternatively, the first and second alert signals have a different light intensity. Thus, for example, the first warning signal has a light intensity greater than the light intensity of the second warning signal.

As a further variant, the first and second alert signals have a different signal flashing frequency. For example, the first alert signal has a higher blink rate than the second alert signal's blink rate. Alternatively, the first alert signal is intermittent and the second alert signal is fixed.

The first alert signal and the second alert signal can have several distinguishing characteristics.

As a variant to all the embodiments described above, the first alert signal and/or the second alert signal are sound signals. The alert device 10 then comprises an audible warning device (not shown) configured to emit at least a first audible alert signal when the calculated distance d is less than or equal to the first predetermined value.

As a further variant to all the embodiments described, the information representative of the distance d between the optical sensor and the person 34 is the duration between the emission of the electromagnetic signal 43 and the reception of the reflected electromagnetic signal 45, or any other parameter.

Claims (10)

An alert device (10) intended to be worn by a user (12), said device (10) comprising:
- an optical system (16) configured to emit at least one electromagnetic signal (43), to receive at least one electromagnetic signal reflected (45) by a person (34) having received the transmitted electromagnetic signal (43), to measure at least one duration between the emission of the emitted electromagnetic signal (43) and the reception of the reflected electromagnetic signal (45), and providing at least one piece of information representative of a distance (d) between the optical system (16) and the person (34) in using the measured duration, and
- an alert system (18) configured to emit, on the basis of the information representative of the distance (d), at least one first alert signal when the distance (d) is less than or equal to a first value predetermined. A warning device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first warning signal is a light signal or a sound signal. Alert device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, configured to emit a second alert signal distinct from the first alert signal, the second alert signal being emitted when, on the basis of the information representative of the distance (d), the distance (d) is greater than the first predetermined value. A warning device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the first warning signal and the second warning signal are light signals, the second warning signal being distinguished from the first warning signal by a length d wave and/or by a light intensity and/or by a blinking frequency. Alert device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the alert system (18) comprises at least one light-emitting diode (44) intended to be oriented substantially in front of the person (34). Warning device (10) according to claim 5, further comprising a housing (14), said housing (14) comprising a front face (28) intended to be oriented towards the person (34), the light-emitting diode (44) being disposed on the front face (28) of the housing (14). Warning device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the first predetermined value is between 0.5 m and 3.0 m, preferably between 1.0 m and 1.5 m . A warning device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the optical system (16) includes an optical sensor (38) configured to receive the reflected electromagnetic signal (45), the optical sensor (38) having a detection angle (α) of between 15° and 25°, preferably substantially equal to 20°. An alert device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an attachment system (20) for attaching said alert device (10) to a wearer's garment (12 ). Alert method implemented by an alert device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprising the following steps:
- emission of the electromagnetic signal (43) by the optical system (16),
- reception of the reflected electromagnetic signal (45) by the optical system (16),
- measurement of the duration between the emission of the electromagnetic light signal and the reception of the reflected electromagnetic signal (45),
- supply of information representative of the distance (d) between the optical system (16) and the person (34) using the measured duration,
- transmission of the first alert signal when, on the basis of the information representative of the distance (d), the distance (d) is less than or equal to the first predetermined value.