IT202000009451A1 - PASSIVE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

PASSIVE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE DEVICE

The invention generally relates to a passive personal protective device.

Pi? in particular, the invention refers to a passive personal protective device capable of containing the dangers associated with the lack of social distancing and capable, specifically, of indicating the minimum social distance (the device is also called Minimum Distance Indicator or IMD) .

In practice, the invention consists in the introduction of a methodology and a device capable of guaranteeing social distancing as well as as established by the authorities? health of the? World Health Organization? (WHO) in specific cases of viral epidemic transmissible by contact or by air; the methodology involves the use of passive personal protective equipment (IMD) to indicate a minimum social distance through the emission of a clear acoustic and optical danger signal if the distance between two interlocutors wearing the device is less than or equal and close to minimum security.

The device ? primarily intended to prevent the risk of spreading Coronavirus or Covid-19 (also called ?SARS-CoV-2?, according to the reference of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses?) or other pathogens transmissible by means of similar in public or private places open to the public and inside workplaces (for example, factories, construction sites, companies, offices and commercial premises) and in practice there? Where ? more difficult to limit the opportunities for human contact and a possible contagion from pathogens transmissible by physical contact or through the respiratory tract.

As expressed in the publication ?Guide to public health measures to reduce the impact of influenza pandemics in Europe?, published by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control in 2009, as well as in compliance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization? (WHO) prepared on the occasion of the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing measures are the first and best practices to be implemented to reduce the transmission of respiratory virus influenza.

Failure to respect the minimum social distance between people established by the authorities? health in situations where ? is an airborne virus spreading? an element of risk for human health both in the workplace and in society.

Purpose of the present invention? therefore that of creating a passive personal protective device, which guarantees, first of all in the workplace, so as in any place freely accessible to the public, compliance with the forms of distancing recommended by the WHO health standards and which may be re-imposed in the future in the event of new epidemic events.

Another purpose of the invention? that of creating a passive personal protective device, which allows you to control all those moments of interaction and / or social aggregation from which it can? cause an epidemic event at a local and/or national level, in such a way to limit and/or necessarily control a consequent contagion on an international scale.

In fact, the device materializes between users, through an alert signal, an area called proximity, in which social and/or work interaction can take place smoothly and safely.

These and other aims are achieved by a passive personal protective device as in the attached claim 1, to which reference is made for the sake of brevity; other detailed technical characteristics are present in the subsequent claims.

Respect for social distances, in the long run, can? be difficult to maintain for extended periods; man, in fact, by his nature, ? a relational being and, after an initial phase in which the minimum distance is respected according to a first and prudential "visual" measurement, tends, out of empathy, education or even just for distraction, to interact with third parties without paying attention to at a prudent/necessary minimum distance.

Furthermore, the perception of the measure, even though? of? the order of a few meters, ? a strongly subjective element; why ? necessary, in order to ?normalize? relationships in an epidemic context, have a reliable tool that warns us of possible infectious interactions.

Advantageously, the personal protective device according to the present invention allows users approaching each other to highlight, in addition to a minimum distance, also a proximity distance, greater than the minimum distance, which identifies a proximity area, in which the interaction can? happen without danger.

? just the case of pointing out that the device according to the invention per se? guarantees safety from the risk of contagion, since, even if it cannot? prevent people from approaching beyond the minimum distance threshold established by the authority? sanitary, represents a valid aid and/or deterrent to the maintenance of an obligation, similarly to the use of the acoustic signal in the car to suggest the obligatory fastening of the seat belts.

In any case, even an individual decides not to reduce the distance from the interlocutor, the other, due to the awareness given by the device, can? certainly decide to take action alone and defend yourself so? from the risk of infection.

According to typical embodiments, the IMD personal protective device, according to the invention, is wearable and ? suitable for controlling social distancing through the continuous and radio-frequency emission of an impulse (when it is active, as detected by a special light signaller); at the same time, the IMD device ? always ready to detect the same signal coming from any direction within the range of the wave (for example, in the case of the standard Bluetooth protocol, this range is around 10 metres). When the device detects the presence of other devices emitting the same signal, it encodes their distance based on the signal strength and compares it with a proximity distance.

If the distance detected ? greater than the proximity distance? the device does not emit any sound. If the distance detected ? less than or equal to that of proximity?, the device emits a sound intermittently with a frequency the more? as high as the distance approaches a minimum social distance value. If the distance detected ? less than or equal to the minimum social distance value, the device emits a continuous sound.

When does the distance between two devices become less than the proximity distance? but higher than the value of the minimum social distance, the devices begin to ring intermittently and if, at this distance, the positions remain fixed, the IMD device switches to mode? silent until it detects significant movement.

The device can be used in the workplace and / or in other public or private places, as well as? in accommodation facilities and means of transport.

In particular, within a working environment, the safety standards identify the employer as the first figure in charge of guaranteeing safety in the workplace and on whom falls the obligation of maintaining the same levels. This subject has the obligation to avoid that probable and possible dangers, due to the exercise of his activity, can be translated into risks for the workers who are hired to carry out this activity, who however? do not decide the criteria to carry it out, since? organizational power rests solely with the employer. Does the employer have the obligation to safeguard the integrity? psychophysics of the workers by eliminating or trying to reduce as much as possible the risks that can cause damage to these subjects.

Therefore, the employer adopts the fulfilments and prevention and protection measures for the protection of health and safety in the workplace. There? is even more important in the context of any health emergencies, during which the contagion of a worker can be classified as an occupational injury.

In this sense, the employer acts primarily by providing training and information to the worker about the dangers associated with the activity? and providing the worker with personal protective equipment relating to a specific risk, also giving the worker precise information on the exact use.

Ultimately, the employer operates on various levels mainly relating to the obligations to update the corporate DVR (Risk Assessment Document), the assumption of precautions for risk prevention and aimed at promoting the protection of workers, the verification of the ?adequacy of the measures put in place in order to prevent the contagion of employees, and, therefore, potentially, in order to prevent the commission of crimes. The IMD device according to the invention is configured as a new protective device available to the employer and its employees, top and non-top management, to increase their level of safety against the risks deriving from close social contacts (such as, for example, in the event of a pandemic).

For workplaces we mean indoors or outdoors indifferently where they can come into contact more? operators.

The action of the device can be carried out in three ways? overlapping operational:

- for simple interaction;

- with interaction supervised by the area supervisor;

- integration of use with interaction supervised by the area supervisor in mode? anonymous.

In the mode operation of simple interaction the device? completely autonomous and does not require, for its operation, external supports, such as gateways or master stations; Not ? necessarily equipped with a Data Logger that also? ? necessary as a supplement to the device to allow the functions described below of supervised interaction via apps/software.

The device, when? active, as detected by a light signal, it continuously emits a radio frequency pulse and at the same time ? always ready to detect the same signal coming from any direction within the range of the wave (for example, in the case of the standard Bluetooth protocol this range is approximately 10 metres).

When the device detects the presence of other devices emitting the same signal, it encodes their distance based on the signal strength and compares it with a proximity distance.

If the distance detected ? greater than the proximity distance? the device does not emit any sound, while if the detected distance ? less than or equal to that of proximity? the device emits a sound intermittently with a frequency much more? as high as the distance approaches a minimum social distance value. If the distance detected ? less than or equal to the minimum distance value, the device emits a continuous sound.

When does the distance between two devices become less than the proximity distance? but higher than the minimum social distance value, the devices start beeping intermittently; in the event that the positions remain within the proximity distance? without invading the minimum distance, the device goes into mode? silent.

In the mode of supervised interaction, one or more? devices can be coupled to a single master station (through a network architecture with communication technology compatible with that of the device, for example bluetooth), from which, using a software and/or an app, the employer or a his delegate area supervisor has the possibility? to monitor all interactions between devices in real time. The master station can offer a real-time display of the mutual distances between paired devices and all devices interacting with them, even if not paired, as well as? the state of charge and if any devices turn off. Each device has a unique code set in the factory and the master station can also associate the code of the device with the identity? of the operator and keep track of interactions with other devices.

The master station, in order to ensure the supervisory function and compliance with the safety criteria adopted by the employer, can generate anonymously certified reports of the interactions between workers below the standard safety distances, being able in any case to exclude the areas adjacent to the work areas upstream and outside the scope of responsibility? of the employer.

Can these reports be subject to verification by the authority? judiciary or bodies responsible for monitoring safety standards in the workplace; in this area of use, the master station ? able to work highlighting, in addition to the distance, also the interaction time. To the area supervisor, with this interrelation, ? otherwise allowed? to be able to justify the? possible need? operational and the additional protective measures undertaken to avoid possible contagion or accidentality? and the analysis and verification measures undertaken as a result of the interaction.

When used with interaction supervised by the area supervisor, no device is coupled with the master station; therefore, in this way, anonymity is maintained and the privacy of workers is 100% protected pursuant to the most? current GDPR Regulation of the European Union.

The software only informs the area supervisor of any device shutdowns and, anonymously, the number of interactions below the minimum distance value that take place in the control area only.

With this information, the supervisor, tracing the possible causes of interaction, can? build an appropriate framework of criticalities? on the corporate layout and, consequently, pu? adapt risk assessment, production processes or even just provide more information on the risk of contagion and on the correct use of personal protective equipment to workers. In public and private places where the subject equipped with the device according to the invention has the possibility to interact with other people, the action of the device can? be carried out in three ways? overlapping operatives: - for simple interaction with subjects equipped with the same device;

- with simple interaction monitored by app with subjects equipped with the same device;

- with complex interaction monitored and processed by apps with subjects not equipped with the same device but wearing any Bluetooth device?.

In the case of simple interaction, please refer to what already? previously described with the device in its standard version not necessarily equipped with a Data Logger; it is specified that the device ? able to give feedback only on the social distance of subjects who also wear the same device.

In the case of simple interaction monitored by app, the device? coupled via the app to the user's smartphone and in this mode? Does the device continue to detect the presence of other devices by comparing it with the proximity distance values? and minimum social distance, but in this case the information? transferred to the app.

The app, in turn, ? programmed by the user to react to the information that each of the proximity distance thresholds has been exceeded? and minimum social distance according to a set of actions defined ad hoc, as listed below:

- keep track of interactions easily by maintaining a mode? silent;

- make the device emit a sound with a specific intermittence;

- have the smartphone issue a light and sound warning according to a specific mode? set.

The app d? the possibility? to create two or more set of settings to make s? that the user with a simple click on the device can switch from one set to another during his social interactions.

The app keeps track of all interactions between devices anonymously, but, given the mutual knowledge of the devices, will be? however, is it possible jointly to exclude from the alarm and monitoring action all family members living with whom it is not possible? possible to maintain the minimum distance in the domestic environment.

Furthermore, the app d? to the user an overall judgment on the degree of safety of their social interactions and, by monitoring the habits of the subject, can? also suggest improvement behaviors and track the progress achieved.

The case of complex interaction monitored and processed by the app? completely identical to the previous one, but, if the app ? selected in the settings of the application, ? able to monitor any Bluetooth device? what can? get to interact with the subject.

In fact, does the app detect the presence of any other Bluetooth device through the smartphone? stranger present nearby that is typologically for strictly personal use (smartphone, headphones, smartwatch). Does the app evaluate based on the degree of mobility? of the unknown device, that is? discriminating whether it is stationary or moving, whether it is a possible source of contagion and possibly classifying it as an unknown dangerous device.

The app excludes from the control all unknown devices that have mobility? similar to an IMD device that ? object of monitoring.

The distance between the smartphone and the dangerous unknown device is triangulated with the distance between the smartphone and the IMD device resulting in to define the social distance that ? object of comparison and evaluation with the distance of proximity? and the minimum social distance value as in the previous case.

In this case the minimum value of the social distance will be? only estimated, not being able to be sure that the unknown device is in a position close to the respiratory tract.

In case of use in public or private places (bars, restaurants, supermarkets, churches, airports, railway and sea stations, hospitals, public offices, etc.), the IMD device can be made available by the manager at the entrance to the premises or places accessible to the public to guarantee the social distance between those who find themselves, at the same juncture of time, sharing the spaces they use for various reasons or by reason of same purpose.

Think, for example, of supermarkets where, in addition to the employees, supervisors and/or managers of the commercial premises, there are also customers who access them to procure goods and who, even during periods of lockdown, remain accessible, representing done the most resilient opportunity for contagion.

In these contexts, in its control and distribution of devices, the manager will be able to have intelligent turnstiles capable of detecting and giving access to the facility only to those wearing an IMD device.

In the case of use in public or private places open to the public and subject to bathing (bathing establishments, swimming pools, spas, etc.), the IMD device ? waterproof and submersible in water, with IP68/69 protection rating.

Think of the bathing establishments where the manager provides each of his guests with an IMD device which, unlike the claustrophobic plexiglass bulkheads positioned between the umbrellas, offers precise indications during walks on the shore or, after a dive, on the way to go to the restaurant; in this way, the IMD device makes the wearer aware that they have maintained the minimum safe distance.

Even in these contexts you can have intelligent turnstiles, which are able to detect and give access to the structure and/or system only to those wearing an IMD device.

In the case of use in public or private places dedicated to the transport of things or people (trains, planes, buses, subways, ships, ferries, etc.), the IMD device ? even more useful and/or necessary to maintain a minimum social safety distance, given that in public or private means of transport open to the public, unlike outdoor meeting places, the contingency of being infected? greater due to the reduced and closed spaces.

Even in such contexts, ? It is possible to have intelligent turnstiles or similar devices, which can be integrated into existing access portals, which are able to detect and give access to the structure, plant and/or vehicle only to those who wear an IMD device.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the following description, relating to various embodiments of the passive personal protective device, object of the invention, and from the annexed drawings in which:

- figure 1 shows a first form of use of the passive personal protective device in a work environment, according to the invention;

- figure 2 shows a first form of interaction between two subjects wearing the personal protective device, according to the invention;

- figure 3 shows a second form of interaction between two subjects wearing the personal protective device, according to the invention;

- figure 4 shows a diagram of multiple interaction between subjects in a work and/or social environment, according to the present invention;

- figures 5A, 5B show the front and side views of a first embodiment of the passive personal protective device, according to the present invention;

- figures 5C, 5D show the front and side views of a second embodiment of the passive personal protective device, according to the present invention;

- figures 5E, 5F show the front and side views of a third embodiment of the passive personal protective device, according to the present invention;

- figures 5G and 5H show the front and side views of a fourth embodiment of the passive personal protective device, according to the present invention;

figure 6 shows an operating block diagram of the passive personal protective device, according to the present invention;

- figure 7 shows a block diagram of a possible circuit implementation form of the passive personal protective device, according to the present invention.

With reference to the figures mentioned, in figure 1? indicated with 101 the layout of a typical work environment, such as a public office of 20 m<2>, in which the proximity areas are indicated 102.

In figure 1 ? highlighted how the users 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, each equipped with an individual protection device IMD1, IMD2, IMD3, IMD4, can interact in safety; in particular, when the distance between two devices IMD1, IMD2, IMD3, IMD4 comes to be less than the proximity distance? DP, but greater than the minimum pre-set distance MD (i.e. it remains within the proximity zone 102), the IMD1, IMD2, IMD3, IMD4 devices begin to ring intermittently and, in any case, if at this distance the positions of the subjects 103, 104, 105, 106, 107 remain fixed (in the example of figure 1 the positions are assumed to be fixed due to the session), each device IMD1, IMD2, IMD3, IMD4 enters mode? silent until the moment when ? significant movement is detected. In the attached figure 2 ? represented the interaction between two subjects 204, 205 wearing a respective personal protective equipment IMD1, IMD2. Are the personal protective equipment IMD1, IMD2 and, therefore, the subjects 204, 205 at a distance D from each other that is smaller than the proximity distance? DP but greater than the minimum safety distance DM, a circular crown-shaped area is created around the devices which is called proximity area? in which the interaction can? take place in safety; in this hypothesis, the devices IMD1, IMD2 emit a sound 203 and a light signal intermittently.

In the attached figure 3 ? represented the interaction between two subjects 204, 205 wearing a respective personal protective equipment IMD1, IMD2. The personal protective equipment IMD1, IMD2 and, therefore, the subjects 204, 205, are at a distance D1 from each other that is smaller than the minimum safety distance MD, this interaction therefore occurs with the risk of exposure to contagion; in this hypothesis, the devices IMD1, IMD2 emit a sound 303 and a continuous light signal.

In the attached figure 4 ? represented a multiple interaction between subjects in a work and/or social environment 406, where are the areas of proximity shown? 102 and the zones 408 within the minimum safety distance MD, in which a first device IMD1 detects the device IMD2 at a distance D, smaller than the minimum safety distance MD; in this case both devices IMD1, IMD2 emit a continuous sound. In turn, the IMD3 device detects, at a distance smaller than the proximity distance? DP but greater than the minimum safety distance MD, the IMD1 device, such that the IMD3 device emits an intermittent sound. Again, does the IMD4 device detect at a distance greater than DP all the IMD1, IMD2, IMD3 devices around it? and remains silent.

Figures 5A and 5B, 5C and 5D, 5E and 5F, 5G and 5H show, respectively, four embodiments 501, 507, 508 and 509, exemplifying and preferred, but not limiting, of a personal protective device IMD1, IMD2, IMD3, IMD4; in the embodiments there are, on the respective containers 502, a LED light bulb 504, a graphic customization element 505 and a hole 506 for the passage of a necklace or for the application of a suitable clasp.

Figure 6 shows an operating block diagram when? an IMD1 device comes within range of one or more? other devices IMD2, IMD3; in practice, all the IMD1, IMD2, IMD3 devices go into alert and, when the mutual distances fall within a predefined range, a warning device is activated, integrated in the individual devices, with alert degrees depending on the mutual distance of the affected devices.

Figure 7 shows a block diagram of a possible circuit implementation of the IMD personal protective equipment, showing its interaction with other devices of the same type, for example IMD1, IMD2, IMD3, IMD4. The heart of the system? the unit? with microprocessor 701, dedicated to the management of the IMD device which, through a stochastic process controlled by a Real Time Clock 705, alternatively enables, for intervals of the order of milliseconds, the RF 702 radiofrequency transmission subsystem and the radiofrequency reception subsystem RF 703, always looking for other IMD1, IMD2, IMD3, IMD4 devices nearby. An acoustic and optical warning device 708, connected, for example, to the LED lamp 504 and a buzzer, is activated, with intensity? and frequency which increase inversely proportional to the distance from the device from other devices of the same type, for example IMD1, IMD2, IMD3, IMD4 detected nearby and become fixed in correspondence with the pre-established and programmed minimum safety distance MD. Advantageously, the same optical device, for example the LED, of the warning device 708 has the function of highlighting the correct functioning of the system, by means of a sequence of predefined switching on and/or off. The 706 power source ? made up of a battery or similar sources, such as ?super capacitors? and periodic recharging, typically daily, is carried out through the consolidated technology of Wireless Power Transfer or similar, without the need for of wired connection, represented by the integrated recharging device 707 and by the external device 710 connected to the electrical network. In order to reduce energy consumption, the system ? equipped with an integrated activation device 709, which activates its operation only when it is moved after long stationary intervals; for this reason, advantageously, the system does not have power buttons. Another optional feature of the system ? the use of an integrated Data Logger 704, which allows the reconstruction of the day's events through a host application, suitable for downloading the daily interference and/or collision events via the RF 702 radio transmitter and which can be implemented through a standard interface BLE (Bluetooth? Low Energy). The device, in its basic version (simple interaction), does not require the integrated Data Logger function 704.

In practice, the IMD personal protective equipment, object of the present invention, includes a portable element applicable on a collar, a clip or on another type of object constituting a support, capable of transmitting and receiving a radio frequency signal at in order to detect the presence of any other device of the same type within a pre-established distance, such as for example 10 metres; if two devices IMD1, IMD2 find themselves at a mutual limit distance, defined proximity distance? DP, both the interfering devices IMD1, IMD2 begin to emit an intermittent acoustic and optical signal, via the warning device 708, which stops immediately if the distance tends to increase with respect to the proximity distance? DP or if, after a given period of time, this distance remains without approaching further a pre-established minimum distance value MD. Otherwise, the beep will intensify if the distance becomes closer and closer. close to the minimum distance value MD. When this minimum distance value MD is exceeded, the acoustic signal becomes continuous and the luminous signal fixed and longer? intense, thus highlighting a dangerous situation and alerting both subjects 204, 205 wearing the IMD1, IMD2 device through the sound and light interaction between the two IMD1, IMD2 devices, about a possible dangerous situation.

In the area between the proximity distance? DP and the minimum distance value MD, called proximity area? and indicated with 102 in the attached figures, if, after a few seconds, the relative positions between the personal protective equipment IMD1, IMD2 no longer vary? (with a tolerance of a few centimetres), the IMD1, IMD2 devices go back to being silent. AND? this is the case in which the two subjects 204, 205 wearing the device IMD1, IMD2, knowing that they are in a reciprocal safe position not less than the minimum distance MD, can relate, perhaps by sitting down, keeping their relative positions fixed.

Advantageously, the IMD1, IMD2, IMD3, IMD4 protection device must be arranged on the axis of the respiratory tract (mouth and nose), in order to maintain, with a greater degree of reliability, the value of the desired minimum distance MD.

Furthermore, the protection device IMD1, IMD2, IMD3, IMD4 has a passive type of operation, as it does not require human action for its operation, so as to leave the subjects 204, 205 free to interact effectively in the working and social environment without further obligations that limit its usefulness? or jeopardize its use.

The IMD device ? equipped with the power source 706 advantageously consisting of a lithium ion accumulator battery, capable of guaranteeing the operation of the IMD device for at least 24 hours, of which two hours with continuous emission of the acoustic signal.

The IMD device ? otherwise? capable of emitting a luminous signal, through the same LED bulb 504, capable of indicating operation or any anomalies; switching on and off are automatic and are adjusted to the stationary times of the object due to inactivity; every small movement activates it automatically, with permanence in this state, without other further movements, for a predetermined time interval, for example equal to 15 minutes. Once the IMD device is switched on, without further action, it interacts with other devices of the same type.

The state of charge of the accumulator battery is indicated by a coded light signal; the recharge takes place advantageously in mode? contactless through induction mechanisms compatible with the generic charging bases available on the market.

The IMD device has an IP66 degree of protection to be worn in all public environments, i.e. open to the public or at work and, outdoors, in all weather conditions; further versions of the IMD device, with a degree of protection equal to IP68/69, are foreseen for applications in swimming pools, spas, bathing establishments or for immersion in water.

In the variant with Data Logger 704, the IMD device ? able to pair with mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets through one or more? radio interfaces, for example via standard Bluetooth communication? and through apps and software, which record in memory, at the end of the day, the interactions had by the IMD device throughout the day and memorized in the internal Data Logger 704.

Is it also coming? provided advantageously, without that there? is decisive for the normal basic functioning of the IMD device and therefore representing a further possible functionality, a software and/or an app capable of transferring information to a multi-user archive, in such a way that, through the collection of all data in the same environment, the head of the protection and prevention service can? have in real time a general picture of the interactions in the environment subject to monitoring.

In the case of a variant with Data Logger 704, the software and/or the app can, following further developments or subsequent updates, implement the backward reconstruction function of the interactions, which is thus consultable only following proven events that legitimize its use by the authorities? and the competent doctor.

AND? It is then possible to pair the IMD device with Bluetooth? headphones, Bluetooth? hearing protectors, and/or Bluetooth? hearing aids, with the aim of transferring the acoustic alarm to the headphones; ? It is also possible to produce versions, for massive use in work environments with high exposure to noise, with mini-jack type audio output, in order to connect the IMD device to headphones to be used together with common hearing protectors.

The software/app then allows you to view and possibly modify the parameters of minimum distance MD and proximity distance? DP, while these parameters are set by default at 1.5 meters and 2.0 meters respectively; however, these parameters can be programmed to respect the different distances that the specific circumstances require from time to time.

Finally, the software and/or the app are also able to carry out a calibration process, which can take place with a specific periodicity?, through a change in the sensitivity? of the radio frequency transmitting and receiving devices 702, 703.

As said, the unit? The 701 microprocessor represents the heart of the system, in which resides the management software which controls all the components of the IMD device, and which ? capable of communicating with external hosts governed by software applications specifically developed for the IMD device.

The 709 trigger device? a motion transducer, sensitive to the change of the quiet state of the IMD device; its main function? to activate or deactivate the device. Normally, in a state of rest, the unit? 701 microprocessor? deactivated (?sleeping state?), while activation occurs as soon as the IMD device is moved. Once activated, it is deactivated only after a predefined time interval, for example 15 minutes, generated by a timer resident in the Real Time Clock 705. The Real Time Clock 705 ? is the time base which governs the IMD device and which produces all the stimuli necessary for the correct functioning of the unit? to microprocessor 701; an algorithm resident on? unit? 701 and assisted by the Real Time Clock 705 generates random stimuli, included in a predefined time interval (for example, between 1 and 100 msec), which are the basis of the operation of the radio frequency transceiver devices 702, 703. The transmission intervals and the reception ones of each individual IMD device are advantageously asynchronous to avoid that two contiguous IMD devices receive or transmit the radio frequency signals synchronously.

The RF 702 radio transmitter and the RF 703 radio frequency radio receiver represent the transceiver system underlying the operation of the IMD device, which can be implemented with commonly used standards, such as the Bluetooth standard?; the RF 702 radio transmitter and the RF 703 radio receiver work alternatively or with echo cancellation techniques and are also activated by a stochastic algorithm which makes the instants in which ? triggered the transmission of radiofrequency impulses.

The 706 power source ? constituted, for example, by a low voltage rechargeable lithium battery, such as 3.7 V, which can power the IMD device for at least 24 hours, a longer time. that sufficient compared to the normal expected use, usually equivalent to 8 working hours; the battery is charged by means of the recharging device 707, advantageously constituted by a wireless recharging device.

In fact, the 707 charging device integrated into the IMD device? preferably a battery charger in WPT (Wireless Power Transfer) technology, which uses, for recharging, an external device 710, such as a common WPT (Wireless Power Supply) base available on the market.

The acoustic and optical warning device 708 ? the alert circuit for the subject 204, 205 wearing the IMD device, and ? consisting of an electromechanical component, for example a vibrator or an acoustic signaller, and an electro-optical component, for example a LED bulb 504, which has the further function of highlighting the correct functioning of the worn IMD device, through a sequence of predefined switching on and off.

The integrated Data Logger 704 ? an optional device present in higher-end IMD devices, which has the task of memorizing the daily events of interest, such as the proximity conditions? and those in which the warning device 708 is activated, through the recording in the memory of identification parameters, such as the time of the event, the identification code of the bearer, the identification code of the interferer, their mutual distance, etc.

The IMD device ? advantageously insertable in various types of containers 502, some of which are shown by way of example in the attached figure 5. The 502 container? preferably an easily wearable colored medallion, with IP66 protection rating. AND? there is also a version in an enclosure with IP68/69 degree of protection to allow it to be used in places where ? water is present as well as for immersions in water greater than 1 meter deep.

The invention also includes the development of a smartphone app and a PC software for monitoring and setting the IMD device.

Optional parts may also be provided with the container 502, such as a clip hook, a hook necklace and a wireless charger.

The IMD protective device can? employ other? the following construction variants:

- presence of a mini-jack audio output;

- presence of an integrated Data Logger for the daily recording of events;

- presence of a USB-C type charging input;

- version that can be integrated or superimposed on eyeglass temples for various reasons;

- version that can be integrated into wearable objects such as, by way of example but not limited to, necklaces, jewels and costume jewelery and jewelery articles in general;

- possible integration of the device in access control devices, in order to create real intelligent turnstiles; in this case, some portals will be able to give access only to subjects equipped with an IMD device to those public structures in which a security protocol is practiced which provides for a mutual and conscious social distancing (hospitals, airports, railway stations, public transport, public offices, etc.);

- use of a container with IP68/69 degree of protection to allow its use in places where ? present water and/or for immersions in water greater than 1 meter deep.

From the description given, the characteristics of the passive personal protective device are clear, what is it? object of the present invention, cos? how clear are the advantages.

AND? finally, it is clear that numerous other variants can be made to the device in question, all falling within the scope of the inventive idea as expressed by the protective scope of the attached claims.

Claims (12)

1. Passive personal protective device (IMD), comprising a portable element (502) applicable on a collar, a clip or other type of object constituting a support, capable of transmitting and receiving a radio frequency signal, in order to detect the presence of at least one further personal protective equipment (IMD) of the same type within one or more? pre-established distances, characterized by the fact that said device ? completely autonomous and does not require external supports for its operation; and characterized in that said device (IMD) comprises: - a unit? management microprocessor (701), controlled by a Real Time Clock (705), - a radio frequency transmission system (702), - a radio frequency reception system (703), - a warning device (708), connected to an LED light source (504) and to a buzzer and capable of emitting an acoustic and optical signal, and - a rechargeable power source (706), such as a lithium ion storage battery, connected to a recharging system (707, 710), - wherein said radio frequency transmission (702) and reception (703) systems are enabled, alternatively and for pre-set asynchronous intervals, by said Real Time Clock (705) to continuously search for said at least one further individual protection device (IMD1, IMD2, IMD3, IMD4), which ? located in an area close to (102) at a first distance (D) smaller than a distance of a proximity distance? (DP) and/or at a second distance (D1) smaller than a minimum established value (MD), - and in which said warning device (708) ? activated by this unit? microprocessor (701) with intensity? and frequency which increase inversely proportional to said first and second distances (D, D1) and become fixed in correspondence with said minimum established distance value (MD). 2. Passive personal protective equipment (IMD) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said unit? microprocessor (701) ? connected to an integrated activation device (709), which activates its operation only when said device (IMD) ? moved after a pre-set stationary time interval and deactivates its operation only when said device (IMD) remains in the state of rest for a pre-set time interval. 3. Passive personal protective device (IMD) as per at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said unit? microprocessor (701) ? connected to an integrated Data Logger (704), which ? configured to reconstruct the interference events of said device (IMD) with at least one further device of the same type in a defined time interval and send them remotely, via said radio frequency transmission system (702), towards an external management system. 4. Passive personal protective equipment (IMD) as per at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, if at least two devices (IMD1, IMD2) are located at a distance equal to said proximity distance? (DP), said warning device (708) emits an intermittent acoustic and optical signal, which stops if said distance between said devices (IMD1, IMD2) increases with respect to the proximity distance? (DP) or if, after a given period of time, said distance remains the same or remains within said proximity area? (102). 5. Passive personal protective equipment (IMD) as per at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the event that at least two devices (IMD) are at a distance value smaller than said minimum established value (MD), said acoustic signal becomes continuous and said optical signal is fixed and intense. 6. Passive personal protective device (IMD) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device (IMD) ? worn by a user (204, 205) and ? placed in the respiratory tract. 7. Passive personal protective device (IMD) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it can be used in public or public or work environments and/or, outdoors, in all weather conditions, and/ or in swimming pools, spas, bathing establishments or by immersion in water. 8. Passive personal protective equipment (IMD) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is coupled to mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, through radio interfaces and by means of apps and software which record in memory, within a given period of time, the interactions had by said device (IMD) with other devices in a pre-set time, said interactions being memorized in the Data Logger (704). 9. Passive personal protective equipment (IMD) as per claim 8, characterized in that a software and/or an app are configured in such a way as to transfer the information relating to said interactions to a multi-user archive and collect the data in the same environment, in order to have a real-time overview of the interactions of said device (IMD). 10. Passive personal protective device (IMD) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said radio frequency transmission and reception systems (702, 703) are activated by a stochastic algorithm which makes the instants in which ? triggered the transmission of radiofrequency pulses. 11. Passive personal protective device (IMD) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device comprises a mini-jack audio output for connection to external audio systems, such as for example hearing protection headphones. 12. Passive personal protective device (IMD) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device ? used in access control systems, so as to give access to determined areas only to users (204, 205) equipped with said device (IMD).