ITGE20110081A1 - STATION EQUIPPED FOR THE PERSON'S WELFARE - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION of the patent for industrial invention entitled: "Workstation equipped for the well-being of the person"

TEXT OF THE DESCRIPTION

The present invention is found in the field of personal well-being and, in particular, it relates to an equipped station to be used for chromotherapy and music therapy purposes.

Daily life exposes people to an intense load of stress, an important obstacle to achieving a psychophysical balance that puts them in a position to successfully face all the challenges dictated by modern times. Unfortunately, the free time to devote to the care of one's personal well-being is often too little, and the costs associated with this type of activity are often considerable.

At the same time, in recent decades, the western industrialized countries have witnessed an increasingly massive diffusion of oriental disciplines, such as yoga, based on the identification and stimulation of the so-called "chakras". According to Indian philosophy, chakras (a term coming from Sanskrit and having different meanings, including "moving wheel" and "energy vortex") are energy centers located along the vertical axis of the human body. They allow a continuous exchange of energy between the body and the mind, and their functions regulate the energy flow resulting from this interaction. Each chakra is responsible for controlling a particular organ or glandular group of the human body and, when the flow of energy into or out of a specific chakra is obstructed for some reason, this condition results in an altered and unbalanced psychophysical state that leads the appearance of a variety of psychosomatic disorders, related to the organ or glandular group controlled by that specific chakra. Also according to Indian philosophy, each chakra is associated with a color and an element. By exposing an individual to the color and / or element associated with a chakra that is in a condition of imbalance, it is possible to manipulate the flow of energy that passes through it, bringing that chakra back into a condition of balance and canceling the associated symptoms. . In the human being, the main chakras are seven and they develop from the bottom up: Muladhara, located in the coccygeal sacral plexus, is associated with the red color and the earth element; Svadhislhana, located in the lower abdominal plexus, is associated with the color orange and the element of water; Manipura, located in the epigastric or solar plexus, is associated with the yellow color and the fire element; the Anahata, located in the cardiac plexus, is associated with the color green and the element of air; the Vishudda, located in the laryngeal plexus, is associated with the blue color and the element ether; Ajna, located in the cavernous plexus, is associated with the indigo color and the element of light; and the Sahasrara, located in the coronal plexus at the top of the head, is associated with the violet color and the null element.

Among the various techniques useful for manipulating the flows of energy that pass through the chakras with the aim of activating or "cleaning" them, chromolotherapy and music therapy are included. Chromotherapy is a treatment based on the use of the energetic vibrations of colors, each associated with a physical and / or psychic characteristic of the person, to improve the state of well-being of an individual. Music therapy is a technique aimed at building communicative relationships through the use of the energetic vibrations of music. In music therapy, the term "music" is generally used in its broadest sense, that is the one corresponding to the meaning of "sound universe", which includes not only musical elements endowed with a complex formal organization or relevant artistic qualities, but also events common acoustics such as body sounds, ambient sounds, etc. The combined use of chromotherapy and music therapy in the manipulation of energy flows associated with the chakras would therefore provide a great benefit for the well-being of an individual.

The purpose of the present invention is therefore to provide an equipped station capable of applying a combined and personalized chromotherapy and music therapy treatment to a user, which is economical in terms of costs, easy to transport and can be installed in different environments, even noisy, such as public places. .

Therefore, the object of the present invention is a workstation equipped for the well-being of the person, comprising a frame equipped with support means for a user; acoustic emission means and light emitting means operatively connected to a central processing unit coupled to storage means; user interface means operatively connected to said central processing unit; and electrical power supply means for powering said acoustic emission means, said light emitting means, said user interface means and said central processing unit

Preferably, said support means take the form of an ergonomic chair, and said user interface means consist of a touch screen, in particular a capacitive touch screen.

Preferably, said light emission means are a series of modules that emit light of variable wavelength and intensity independently of each other and, more preferably, are LF.D.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said acoustic emission means comprise a plurality of acoustic diffusers operating in different frequency ranges. In particular, said acoustic emission means comprise at least three acoustic diffusers, a first acoustic diffuser operating in a frequency range from about 8 Hz to about 13 IIz, and a second and a third acoustic diffuser operating in a frequency range from about 14 Hz to about 30 Hz.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the station is also provided with proximity sensor means to detect the presence of the user inside said station, said proximity sensor means being operatively connected to said central processing unit. Preferably, said proximity sensor means are infrared optical sensor means.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the station further comprises biosensor means for measuring at least one biological parameter of a user, said biosensor means being operatively connected to said central processing unit. Preferably, said biosensor means are galvanometric means that measure the conductivity of the user's skin.

Further advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, given by way of example and not of limitation with reference to the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the station equipped according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention ;

Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary circuitry for the station equipped according to the present invention;

Figures 3a and 3b are schematic front views of exemplary user interface means of the station equipped according to the present invention, in two different operating states; And

Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating the operating principle of the station equipped according to the present invention.

Referring now to Figure 1, it is possible to observe that the equipped station of the present invention, in an illustrative and non-limiting embodiment thereof, consists of an essentially C-shaped frame 1, whose lower basic arm, substantially horizontal, it comprises seating means 11 in the form of an ergonomic armchair or lourtge ckair, while the upper arm, also substantially horizontal, forms a roof 12 in which a series of light emission modules 21-27 are housed. user interface means 3 in the form of a touch screen, sensor means 4 for detecting the presence of a user, and galvanometric means 5 for measuring the conductivity of the user's skin As a whole, the frame 1 forms a sort of compartment intended to receive the body of a user, isolating it from the surrounding environment and from external sources of interference.

The frame 1 also houses three acoustic diffusers, a first acoustic diffuser 61 and a second acoustic diffuser 62 located in the lower arm of the frame 1, respectively in a distal and proximal position with respect to a substantially vertical connection portion which joins the lower arm and the rear arm of the C-shaped frame 1, and a third acoustic diffuser 63 located in said connecting portion. There is also provided a central processing unit 7 operatively connected with the light emission modules 21-27, the user interface means 3, the sensor means 4. the galvanometric means 5, and the acoustic diffusers 61-63 finally, the equipped station of the present invention comprises electrical power supply means (not shown) for powering all the electrical and electronic components of the station itself.

Turning now to figure 2, where similar numerals indicate elements similar to those of figure 1, an exemplary circuit diagram is shown for the station equipped according to the present invention. As can be seen, the central processing unit 7, for example an Arduino 2009 with Atmega328 (Atmel Corporation, USA), it is operationally connected to seven relays 121-127, for example, Finder relay model 34.51 of 5V (Finder Relais - Nederland B.V., Netherlands), each of which controls one of seven spotlights 21-27 respectively LED. All these elements are powered by a power source 8, which can be the local electrical network or an independent power supply.

Each of the seven spotlights 21-27, located in the roof 12, is positioned c colored to correspond to one of the seven chakras de! body of a user lying on the ergonomic chair 11 (see also figure 1)

Furthermore, the central processing unit 7 is in operative connection with a touch screen 3, for example a capacitive touch screen. Generally speaking, a capacitive touch screen consists of a glass panel covered, on its outer side, with a thin layer of metal oxide. A voltage is applied to the four corners of the panel which creates a uniform electric field over its entire surface due to the metal oxide. When an object, such as a person's finger, touches the screen, that electric field undergoes a change, and the coordinates on the screen are detected by measuring the voltage drop at the point touched.

Still referring to Figure 2 and as already said with reference to Figure 1, the central processing unit 7 is operatively connected to the three acoustic diffusers 61-63: the first acoustic diffuser 61, or bass shaker, operates in a low range of frequencies, from about 8 Hz to about 13 Ilz; the second acoustic speaker 62, or subwoofer, and the third acoustic diffuser 63, or satellite speaker, operate in a higher range of frequencies, from about 14 Hz to about 30 Hz

Furthermore, the central processing unit 7 is in operational connection with a proximity sensor 4 and with a galvanometer 5.

The proximity sensor 4 serves to detect the presence of objects, for example a user, in the immediate vicinity of the operating side of the sensor itself, without the need for actual physical contact. The absence of mechanical actuatoti mechanisms and of a physical contact between the sensor and the object to be detected makes these sensors extremely reliable. An optical proximity sensor was adopted here, based on the detection of the reflection of a light beam, for example an infrared ray beam, by the detected object.

Galvanometer 5 serves to measure the electrical resistance or conductivity, in this case of the user's skin. Skin conductivity is considered to be a function of sweat gland activity. The conductivity of an individual's skin can vary for many reasons, including gender, diet, skin type, and the individual's condition. For example, when an individual experiences anxiety, the conductivity of the skin grows rapidly due to the increased activity of his sweat glands. In other words, the galvanometer analyzes a user's skin and, depending on its conductivity variation, deduces the user's emotional state.

Figures 3a and 3b illustrate a preferred embodiment of a touch screen 3 supplied to the station equipped according to the present invention, shown in two different operating states. As can be seen from Figure 3a, the screen 3 is substantially circular in shape and is divided into three concentric sectors 31, 32 and 33. In turn, the intermediate sector 32 is divided into seven zones, each colored with a different color and corresponding to the color of one of the seven spotlights 21-27 already illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The external sector 31 acts as a frame, while the internal sector 33 houses a heart-shaped symbol 34 which, in Figure 3a, is located in a waiting condition. The touch screen 3 allows a user to interface with the central processing unit 7, also already illustrated in Ligurian 1 and 2, to allow the selection of one of the combined chromotherapy and music therapy programs that are stored in archiving media (not illustrated) operatively coupled to the central processing unit 7. In the present preferred embodiment, each of the seven areas of the intermediate sector 32, and therefore each color, is respectively associated with one of seven different main programs. One of the main programs is selected by touching one of the seven areas of the intermediate sector 32 with a finger to select it. By doing so, and as can be seen in Figure 3b, the heart 34 will take on the same color as the selected area and will begin to "pulsate", passing from said waiting condition to an activated condition. At the same time, all seven areas of the intermediate sector 32 they will take on the same color as the selected area, indicating that the main program associated with that specific area of that specific color has been selected (which, as mentioned above, corresponds to one of the seven chakras located along the vertical axis of the human body)

The operating principle of the equipped station according to the present invention will be illustrated with specific reference to Figure 4, but also with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3a and 3b. Similar numerals indicate similar elements in all figures. In block 91, the equipped station is in an inoperative or waiting condition: the spotlights 21-27, the acoustic diffusers 61-63 and the touch screen 3 are in a deactivated or switched off condition In block 92, a user enters in the equipped workstation and sits on the ergonomic chair 11, with the head proximal to the connection portion of the frame 1 to C. The proximity sensor 4 detects the presence of the user inside the workstation and transmits this data to the processing unit central 7, which switches the touch screen 3 from the off condition to the standby condition already illustrated with reference to Figure 3a, with the seven areas of the intermediate sector 32 illuminated with their respective colors. In block 93, the user selects one of the seven zones of the intermediate sector 32 of the touch screen 3 and activates the corresponding main program of chromotherapy and music therapy. In block 94, the central processing unit 7 executes the selected main program, which comprises a predetermined series of lights emitted by the spotlights 21-27 and a predetermined series of sounds emitted by the acoustic diffusers 61-63, the lights and sounds being suitably associated with the color and element of the chakra you intend to manipulate.

Λ illustrative and non-limiting title, if the user selects the red color, which is associated with the Muladhara chakra whose element is the earth, the corresponding program will be able to predict samples of earthquakes and erupting volcanoes in terms of acoustic emission, while light emitted by the spotlights will turn from yellow to orange to red, repeating this cycle four times. As a further example, if the user selects the orange color, which is associated with the Svadhisthana chakra whose element is water, the corresponding program will be able to provide samples of seas, streams and lakes in terms of acoustic emission, while the light emitted by the spotlights will turn from yellow to orange, with some flashes of red.

In the optional block 95, the user optionally interacts with the galvanometer 5 to transmit, to the central processing unit 7, data relating to the conductivity of his skin. In this case, each of the seven main programs, stored in the storage means, is divided into a plurality of secondary programs with slightly different light and sound patterns than that of the main program, each secondary program being associated with a given conductivity field. . The central processing unit 7 processes the received data and, on the basis of the detected conductivity value, activates the secondary program associated with the conductivity field in which that value falls. In this way it is possible to modify the combined program of chromotherapy and music therapy to which the user is subjected, adapting it to his specific needs. In block 96, the selected program ends, and the central processing unit 7 turns off the spotlights 21-27 and the acoustic diffusers 61-63, returning the screen 3 to its waiting condition At this point, the user can select a different program interacting with the touch screen 3 as in block 93, or it can leave the equipped station. In the second case, the proximity sensor 4 detects the user's exit from the equipped station and, through the central processing unit 7, returns the system to the condition illustrated in block 91 As can be seen from Figure 4, the user it can obviously leave the equipped station at any time during the execution of a program, in which case the central processing unit 7, thanks to the detection carried out by the proximity sensor 4, will always bring the system back to the condition illustrated in block 91.

As can be seen from the above description, the station equipped according to the present invention allows to perform combined chromolotherapy and music therapy treatments that are adaptable to the specific user and synchronizable with his psychophysical condition existing at the time of treatment, based on the detection of biometric data. which, as such, are independent of the user's cultural background, thus allowing the effective treatment of any type of person, coming from any part of the world. Moreover, thanks to its simple construction, the station equipped according to the present invention has a relatively low cost, can be mass-produced, and is easy to transport and install, allowing it to be placed even in places not specifically intended for the care of the well-being of the person. . Finally, the C-shaped conformation of the frame of the station equipped according to the present invention, and the convenient arrangement of its acoustic diffusers, allow to isolate the ulentc from the external environment without giving rise to clalrophobic phenomena and the like, thus allowing the installation of the equipped workstation in noisy environments such as shopping centers, railway stations and airports.

It is understood that the embodiments described above are intended solely to illustrate, and not limit, the present invention. The skilled in the art will in fact realize that numerous modifications, variations and combinations are possible which all fall within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Station equipped for the well-being of the person, comprising a frame (1) provided with support means (11) for a user; acoustic emission means (61-63) and light emission means (21-27) operatively connected to a central processing unit (7) coupled to storage means; user interface means (3) operatively connected to said central processing unit (7); c electrical power supply means for powering said acoustic emission means (61-63), said light emitting means (21-27), said user interface means (3) and said central processing unit (7). Station equipped according to claim 1, further comprising proximity sensor means (4) for detecting the presence of a user inside the station, said proximity sensor means (4) being operatively connected to said central processing unit (7 ). 3. Equipped station according to claim 2, wherein said proximity sensor means (4) are infrared optical sensor means. Equipped station according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said light emitting means (21-27) are a series of modules that emit light of wavelength and intensity which vary independently from each other and, preferably, they are LED-type light emitting means. Equipped station according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said user interface means (3) consist of a touch screen, preferably a capacitive touch screen. 6. Equipped station according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said frame (1) is C-shaped and comprises a substantially horizontal lower arm, a substantially horizontal upper arm (12), and a substantially horizontal connection portion vertical which joins said lower arm and said upper arm, said support means (11) for a user being positioned in said lower arm and in said connecting portion of said frame (1), and being shaped like an ergonomic chair. 7. Equipped station according to claim 6, wherein said acoustic emission means (61-63) comprise at least a first acoustic diffuser (61) which is positioned in said lower arm of said frame (1), in a distal position with respect to said connecting portion, at least a second acoustic diffuser (62) which is positioned in said lower arm of said frame (1), in a proximal position with respect to said connecting portion, and at least one third acoustic diffuser (63) which is located positioned in said connecting portion. 8. Equipped station according to claim 7, in which said first acoustic diffuser (61) operates in a frequency range from about 8 Hz to about 13 Hz, and said second and third acoustic diffusers (62, 63) operate in a range of frequencies from about 14 Hz to about 30 Hz. Equipped station according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising biosensor means (5) for measuring at least one biological parameter of a user, said biosensor means (5) being operatively connected to said central processing unit 7 10. Equipped station according to claim 9, wherein said biosensor means (S) are galvanometric means, and said at least one biological parameter is the conductivity of a user's skin.