FR3131049A1 - Configuration and recharging of equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention presents a system for operating a fleet of smart clothes comprising a plurality of modules comprising an electronic circuit comprising a controller controlling the local electrical functionalities according to data coming from at least one local physicochemical sensor and/or external connected equipment and an electrical power source, characterized in that it further comprises a charging bay having zones for receiving a plurality of modules and means for recharging the supply batteries of said modules as well as data transfer means via at least one input and/or output port of each of said modules.

Description

Configuration and recharging of equipment

Field of invention

The present invention relates to the field of connected modules for smart clothes, and more particularly to the field of systems for operating, recharging and configuring such modules and configurable individual smart clothes, for a local group for a specific use.

Articles of clothing in which sensor systems are incorporated are known, mainly for professional use. Some sensors collect performance data in which movement and performance data can be viewed for later use, for example for analysis. Other sensors collect physico-chemical measurements, for example the temperature, the level of ionizing radiation, the pressure, the location, physiological data, etc. These data are stored in the memory of a box which contains the electronic circuits and a rechargeable battery.

After one use, the module is recharged and the data recorded in memory are transferred to a computer allowing them to be used.

State of the art

We know for example in the state of the art the European patent EP2082252B1 concerning a charging support for customizable and reconfigurable badges.

US9582748B2 discloses a wearable device system includes one or more sensors coupled to a wearable device structure that includes first and second outer surfaces, an interior, a first end, and a second end. The portable device structure has a unique user ID. The sensors acquire user information selected from at least one of a user's activity, behavior, habit information, health parameters, medical monitoring, and user monitoring. The portable device has a power source coupled to a charging device of the portable device. A base station is configured to be coupled to the portable device and has a corresponding charging device for charging or recharging the portable device's power source.

Patent application EP2315334A2 describes a universal system for recharging at least one portable device whose purpose is to be able, from a device, to be suitable for any model of portable device by means of at least one adapter which may be specific in whole or in part of the portable device considered. This system allows the simultaneous or sequential charging of a plurality of portable devices.

Disadvantage of the prior art

These known solutions are not well suited to the management of a fleet of collective equipment, requiring processing, in particular individual parameterization or by subsets. The alignment between:
a) digital data,
b) the physical box and
c) the identity of the individual to whom this box is allocated and who is associated with this data is difficult and a source of errors.

This results in a risk of lack of consistency between the equipment of the same group and a difficulty for the individual and/or group and/or sub-group settings.

Solution provided by the invention

The invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a solution for the management of a set of connected clothes comprising a module communicating with a local base ensuring the recharging, the collection of the data recorded in each of the clothes and the parameterization of the functionalities for a local mission for supervision, supply of dashboards and predictive maintenance.

The invention relates, in its most general sense, to a system for operating a fleet of smart clothes comprising a plurality of modules comprising an electronic circuit comprising a controller controlling the local electrical functionalities according to data coming from at least one sensor local physicochemical and/or external connected equipment and an electrical power source, characterized in that it further comprises a charging bay having zones for receiving a plurality of modules and means for recharging the supply batteries of said modules as well as data transfer means via at least one input and/or output port of each of said modules.

Preferably, it also includes a “cloud” associated with a database for storing, processing, displaying data as well as for recording and reading module configuration data.

We will designate by “infonuage” (in English “cloud”) a set of servers located remotely and accessible from anywhere and at any time via a secure and protected Internet connection.

Advantageously, it further comprises a supervisor (4) communicating with said loading bay (3) for the transfer of data recorded in the memories of said modules (1, 2) and/or the transfer of parameter setting data for the functionalities of said modules ( 1, 2).

Preferably, the communication between said supervisor and said loading bay is carried out by a data bus and an address bus for the exchange of sequential data between the supervisor and each of the modules present in said loading bay.

According to a particular embodiment, certain modules comprise a means of communication with a smart telephone.

The invention also relates to a module charging bay for smart clothing comprising an electronic circuit comprising a controller controlling the local electrical functionalities according to data originating from at least one local physicochemical sensor and/or from external connected equipment and a source power supply characterized in that it has zones for receiving a plurality of modules and means for recharging the supply batteries of said modules as well as means for transferring data via at least one input port and /or output of each of said modules.

Advantageously, the bay according to the invention comprises a communication interface with a supervisor constituted by a data bus and an address bus for the exchange of sequential data between the supervisor and each of the modules present in said loading bay.
Detailed description of a non-limiting embodiment

The present invention will be better understood on reading the following description, concerning a non-limiting example of embodiment illustrated by the appended drawings where:
there shows the block diagram of an example of a system according to the invention
there shows a perspective view of an example of a system according to the invention
there represents the block diagram of the electronic circuit of the charging bay according to the invention.
there shows another block diagram of the electronic circuit of the charging bay according to the invention.

General principle of the invention

• Une ou plusieurs baies de chargement (3)
• Un superviseur (4) pour l’échange de données entre les modules et le cloud
• Plusieurs modules (1, 2) pouvant être associés à des vêtements (11, 12 ; 21, 22). Certains modules (2) peuvent être équipés d’un circuit de communication radio-fréquence ou de moyens de communication avec un téléphone intelligent (7) ; d’autres modules (1) communiquent uniquement par une liaison filaire ou par une liaison courte distance de type Bluetooth ®
• Un infonuage (5) associé à une base de données (6) pour le stockage, traitement, affichages de données/configurations ainsi que pour le paramétrage des modules.

The example described below relates to an application of the invention for the management of a fleet of work equipment consisting of clothing, for example a coverall, and modules inserted into the clothing to collect and record data of the user's environment and/or his physiognomy and possibly controlling functionalities, for example event reporting. The system includes several types of equipment:

• One or more loading bays (3)
• A supervisor (4) for data exchange between the modules and the cloud
• Several modules (1, 2) which can be associated with garments (11, 12; 21, 22). Some modules (2) can be equipped with a radio-frequency communication circuit or means of communication with a smart phone (7); other modules (1) communicate only by a wired link or by a short-distance Bluetooth ® type link
• A cloud (5) associated with a database (6) for storing, processing, displaying data/configurations as well as for configuring modules.

Such a system makes it possible to equip teams of operators with smart clothing to record and retrieve local data such as temperature, ionizing radiation doses, position, electric field, noise pollution, and/or physiological data. (heart rate, oxygenation rate, etc.) and/or control functional data (heating, lighting, sound or visual signs, etc.).

The operators can be organized into groups performing different missions, requiring different settings of the equipment allocated to the operators of each of the groups according to the specificities of each of the missions. The data collected by each of the equipment is then collected at the end of the mission, and must be able to be grouped together by groups, in order to allow statistical processing of the data. It is also important that the operator can retrieve without error the equipment allocated to him, and configured for his function, while the equipment is "physically" identical and interchangeable.
Detailed presentation of an example of a module realization

A module consists of a box which can be inserted into a garment, for example in a pocket provided for this purpose, or attached to a garment, for example a belt, or even integrated into a lining of the garment. It comprises a rechargeable battery, an electronic circuit with a controller and a memory for loading a code executable by the controller and a mechanical and electrical interface for insertion into a garment becoming intelligent by the module and provided with one or sensors and one or more actuators.

The smart garment also includes security data sensors (electric, magnetic fields, temperature, emotional transdermal signals, heat sensor, motion sensor, accelerometers, biometric reader, etc.), and/or functional elements already mentioned, for example resistances for heating, optical, light or sound signaling means.

Optionally, these modules also include a radiofrequency communication circuit to allow contactless control of the electronic circuit, the functional elements, to synchronize the different modules or garments of the same user, or to transmit local data to a server or remote equipment. . This communication can be short-range, of the Bluetooth ® or similar type, or longer-range, for example 4G or 5G or WIFI.
Detailed presentation of an example of realization of a supervisor

The supervisor is, for example, a computer executing an application program designed to allow the administration of the modules and intelligent clothing, their personalization as well as the acquisition of the data recorded in their memories and their processing for the development of dashboards or for the calculation of indicators.

Exchanges between each of the modules and the supervisor take place via the loading bay (3) which is connected to the supervisor by a wired network or by controlled wireless communication and a Wifi ® type protocol via the cloud (5).

The supervisor (4) performs customization functions for each module and associates the module with a user to which it is allocated. This association consists in associating in a database of the supervisor an identifier of one of the modules and an identifier of a registered user. The recording of a user can be carried out directly on the supervisor, or by interfacing with an external information system, for example the information system of a company. This operation makes it possible to access personal and/or historical information for each user, and to correlate it with the technical data from the module that had been allocated to the registered user for enriched statistical processing. This feature also allows you to manage access rights to data saved in the module (1, 2).

The supervisor (4) also performs update and configuration functions for each module, for example by downloading a new version of the computer code executed by the module's processor, and to set operating parameters such as the acquisition frequencies data, level tables, functionality trigger thresholds, etc.
Detailed presentation of a sample realization of the cloud

• Le chargement de données et/ou de code logiciel dans la mémoire de chacun des modules en cours de charge.
• L’importation de données enregistrées dans la mémoire de chacun des modules.
• La commande de la visuelle de l’état (fonctionnel, non fonctionnel) ou de l’allocation individuelle ou géographique.
• La configuration du module en fonction de sa mission (exemple : profile de chauffe dédiée pour un opérateur de mise en palette diffèrent de celui d’un magasinier).

The cloud can control through the supervisor:

• The loading of data and/or software code into the memory of each of the modules being loaded.
• Importing data recorded in the memory of each of the modules.
• The control of the visual of the state (functional, non-functional) or of the individual or geographical allocation.
• The configuration of the module according to its mission (example: dedicated heating profile for a palletizing operator differs from that of a storekeeper).

• Gestion par groupe ou individu à l’intérieur du groupe
• Gestion individuelle
• Réaffectation des missions par définition de l’allocation
• Affectation d’un module à une personne donnée ou universel.

The loading bay (3) is connected to a cloud via a supervisor (4) for data processing and configuration, in particular according to the allocated use, of each of the modules in charge in the station, for reporting ( dashboard) and predictive maintenance, lifespan, flight control, its configuration:

• Management by group or individual within the group
• Individual management
• Reassignment of missions by allocation definition
• Assignment of a module to a given person or universal.

The loading bay (3) communicates with the supervisor (4) via a wired link of the Ethernet type or wireless of the WIFI ® type.

The cloud (5) also makes it possible to exchange data directly between certain modules (2) equipped with means of short-distance communication with a smart telephone (7).
Detailed presentation of an example embodiment of the loading bay (3)

A loading bay (3) has slots for receiving the modules after they have been used. It is in the form of a base having housings for inserting modules (1, 2). These housings ensure the mechanical strength of the module (1, 2) as well as the digital connection for the modules (1) with exclusively wired transmission. The wireless link modules (2) can communicate with the base by radio frequency, for example with a protocol of the Bluetooth® type.

The loading bay (3) is controlled by an electronic circuit, the block diagram of which is illustrated by the .

It includes a regulated low voltage power supply (120) and blocks (100, 110) which can be connected in series. It makes it possible to supply the charging of N modules (1, 2) connected in the charging bay (100, 110) in sequence (N being limited by the power of the power supply), each charging bay (100, 110 ) allowing ten modules to be connected via a “spring contact” type connection system. Each block (100, 110) has several connectors (101, 102, 103; 111, 112, 113). The connectors include a presence detector of a module delivering a presence signal.

Each block (100, 110) comprises an electronic circuit ensuring the transfer of data between the supervisor on the one hand, and each of the modules (1, 2) on the other hand. The data is transmitted on a single bus connected to the ports of each of the connectors (101, 102, 103; 111, 112, 113).

• les données, transmises par un module au superviseur ou téléchargé par le superviseur dans un module
• les adresses, qui permettent d'identifier le module concerné par les données,
• le contrôle, identifiant le type d'action : lecture ou écriture, taille du message, etc.

The data includes an identification by metaphor of the address of the module (1) for which it is intended, as well as the type of transfer, in particular to indicate whether this module (1, 2) must receive the data or transmit it. The bus comprises three logical sub-assemblies:

• the data, transmitted by a module to the supervisor or downloaded by the supervisor into a module
• the addresses, which make it possible to identify the module concerned by the data,
• the control, identifying the type of action: read or write, message size, etc.

• Le bus SPI : DATA_MISO, DATA_MOSI, DATA_CLK. Ce bus permet l’échange de data via le protocole SPI standard. La pin Slave_Select étant commandée par le 2^ebus
• Le bus address : ADDR_IN, ADDR_OUT, ADDR_CLK, ADDR_OUT. Ce bus permet de commander les registres à décalage 12 bits présent sur chaque baie de chargement. Chaque bit du registre est connecté à la pin slave_select de chaque connecteur (101, 102, 103 ; 111, 112, 113) ce qui permet de contrôler unitairement chaque module en activant seulement 1 bit d’adresse. Le 11^ebit est quant à lui connecté à la pin DOCK_RESPONSE ce qui permet au LCI de détecter la baie de chargement en elle-même.

The diagram of the illustrates the bus on the loading bay (3) but generalizes to N bays connected by the IN / OUT connectors of each card. The system is composed of 2 buses:

• The SPI bus: DATA_MISO, DATA_MOSI, DATA_CLK. This bus allows the exchange of data via the standard SPI protocol. The Slave_Select pin being controlled by the ^2nd bus
• The bus address: ADDR_IN, ADDR_OUT, ADDR_CLK, ADDR_OUT. This bus is used to control the 12-bit shift registers present on each loading bay. Each bit of the register is connected to the slave_select pin of each connector (101, 102, 103; 111, 112, 113) which makes it possible to control each module individually by activating only 1 address bit. The ^11th bit is connected to the DOCK_RESPONSE pin which allows the LCI to detect the charging bay itself.

This communication protocol makes it possible to manage an indefinite number of modules (1, 2) from the knowledge of the connectors (101, 102, 103; 111, 112, 113) occupied, by a simple wired link, and an addressing determined by the supervisor (4), in order to sequentially retrieve the data and/or to sequentially transfer the data to the module concerned.

Each module (1, 2) has a unique digital identifier stored in memory; preferably in non-volatile non-rewritable memory, as well as a visible identifier, for example in the form of a unique individual marking for the series of a group of users, or via a luminous or digital display, to flexibly customize the name of the operator associated with each module.

Such a connected clothing system comprising a module communicating with a local base providing recharging makes it simple and secure to collect the data recorded in each of the garments and to configure the functionalities for a local mission for supervision, the supply of edges and predictive maintenance. Each piece of equipment is individual and is configured separately.

General scheme

The supervision module (20) is a physical interface whose role is to translate all the commands coming from the supervisor/cloud (4, 5) into language and protocol understandable by the loading bays (100, 110) connected by a bus asynchronous serial data SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface.

The supervision module (20) communicates with the cloud (5) via a Wifi ® or Ethernet link, and with a supervisor computer (4) via Ethernet or Wifi.

Claims (7)

– System for operating a fleet of smart clothes comprising a plurality of modules (1, 2) comprising an electronic circuit comprising a controller controlling the local electrical functionalities according to data coming from at least one local physicochemical sensor and/or external connected equipment and an electrical power source, characterized in that it further comprises a charging bay having areas for receiving (101 to 103, 111 to 113) a plurality of modules (1, 2 ) and means for recharging the supply batteries of said modules (1, 2) as well as means for transferring data via at least one input and/or output port of each of said modules (1, 2). - Clothing fleet operating system according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a cloud (5) associated with a database (6) for storing, processing and displaying data as well as for saving and reading out the parameterization data of the modules (1, 2). - Operating system of a fleet of clothes according to claim 1 characterized in that it further comprises a supervisor (4) communicating with said loading bay (3) for the transfer of data recorded in the memories of said modules ( 1, 2) and/or the transfer of configuration data for the functionalities of said modules (1, 2). - Operating system for a fleet of clothes according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the communication between said supervisor (4) and said loading bay (3) is carried out by a data bus and an address bus for the sequential data exchange between the supervisor and each of the modules (1, 2) present in said loading bay (3). - Operating system for a fleet of clothes according to claim 1 characterized in that certain modules (2) comprise a means of communication with a smart telephone (7). - Module loading bay (1, 2) for smart clothes (11, 12, 21, 22) comprising an electronic circuit comprising a controller controlling the local electrical functionalities according to data coming from at least one local physicochemical sensor and/or or external connected equipment and an electrical power source characterized in that it has zones (101 to 103, 111 to 113) for receiving a plurality of modules (1, 2) and means for recharging the supply batteries of said modules (1, 2) as well as data transfer means via at least one input and/or output port of each of said modules (1, 2). - Module loading bay (1, 2) for smart clothes (11, 12, 21, 22) according to claim 6 characterized in that it comprises a communication interface with a supervisor (4) consisting of a data bus and an address bus for the exchange of sequential data between the supervisor and each of the modules (1, 2) present in said loading bay (3).