WO2011151437A1

WO2011151437A1 - Intelligent support for an object

Info

Publication number: WO2011151437A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/059182
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philippe Bidaud
Original assignee: Universite Pierre Et Marie Curie (Paris 6); Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique; Bouzit, Mourad; Chetouani, Mohamed
Priority date: 2010-06-02
Filing date: 2011-06-03
Publication date: 2011-12-08
Also published as: FR2960938A1; FR2960938B1

Abstract

The invention relates to an intelligent support (1) for an object (17), comprising a stationary base (2) which supports a deformable arm (3) having a distal portion provided with means for accommodating the object. According to the invention, the arm is provided with controllable actuating means (5, 101, 102) for orienting the object toward a user, the support being provided with at least one sensor supported by the distal portion of the arm for determining a relative orientation of the object with respect to the user and to generate a signal that can be used for controlling the actuation means of the arm.

Description

Smart object support.

The invention relates to an intelligent object support and more particularly to an intelligent object support which comprises a fixed base carrying a deformable arm having a distal portion equipped with means for receiving the object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, many ultra ^¬ flat and very light screens have appeared such as a wide and bright touch screen marketed under the brand EtiBox. These screens are often designed to be portable. Of course, the term "screen" is not to be understood in the restrictive sense of the surface on which an image is projected, but the unitary assembly comprising such a surface, the casing and the electronic means necessary for its construction. operation. An example of a screen within the meaning of the present invention is an electronic tablet, a laptop, a computer monitor, a television or a mobile phone equipped with display means.

There is in this respect supports for receiving such screens so that said screens can be ^¬ em ployees on a fixed location.

However, these supports have the disadvantage of not being adaptable to the height of a user so that the user is then forced to stand curved or stiffened so that his field of vision is at the right height of the screen.

It is also known support for touch screen on which he can manually adjust hau ^¬ tor said screen. This support, although more advanced than those pre ^¬ cited, is still not very suitable for the elderly or mobility impaired. When this dif ^¬ ficulties user to move, it's him little practical effect of achieving the medium to manually adjust the hau ^¬ tor of the screen.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide an intelligent object support suitable for all types of users, particularly those with reduced mobility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In view of accomplishing this object, there is provided an intelligent object holder having a fixed base which carries a deformable arm having a distal portion equipped with means for receiving the object. According to the invention, the arm is provided with controllable actuating means for orienting the object towards a user, the support being equipped with at least one sensor carried by the distal portion of the arm to determine a relative orientation of the object. vis-à-vis the user and generate a log¬ able operable ^¬ to control the means for actuating the arm.

Being carried by the distal portion of the deformable arm ^¬ ble, the sensor is easily directed to the user even when it moves. Thus, the sensor determines more precisely and more perti ^¬ nente an orientation of the object vis-à-vis the user that a remote sensor arm, for example a sensor carried by the fixed base.

The user no longer needs to adapt himself the height of the object each time it changes position or each time that it replaces a previous used ^¬ tor. The support is particularly adapted to the living conditions of a user with mobility re ^¬ ducted.

Advantageously, the support according to the invention is totally independent of the object it carries. In particular, the sensor is completely independent of the object worn. Thus, several users can re ^¬ run to the same medium, each having on the support the object with which it wishes to interact. It is also possible for the same user to modify the object carried by the support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood in the light of the following description of a particular non-limiting embodiment of the invention with reference to the ^appended drawings among which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sup ^¬ port according to a particular embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 is a side view of the support illus ^¬ trated in Figure 1;

FIG. 3 is a kinematic diagram of the support illustrated in FIG. 1;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view of a pla ^¬ tine carrying the sensor and intended to be mounted on the distal portion of the holder of Figure 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a sup ^¬ port according to a second particular embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the carrier intelli ^¬ gent object 1 according to the invention comprises a stationary base 2 which carries a deformable arm 3 here designed as a struc ture ^¬ double deformable parallelogram. The deformable arm 3 comprises a lower platform in the form of a plate 4 here pivotally mounted on the fixed base 2 se ^¬ lon a first pivot axis Zi vertical. 5 a mounted here on the tray motor 4 enables control of the MOTION ^¬ pivoting of the plate 4.

The deformable arm 3 comprises two stages parallel ^¬ deformable logrammes 3a, 3b. The first deformable stage 3a comprises two pairs of bars 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b. The bars 7a, 7b are coupled to the plate 4 along a common pivot axis Xi horizontal in use. The bars 8a, 8b are also coupled to the plate 4 along a pivot axis X ₃ common parallel to the pivot axis ^¬ ment X ₂ · The upper ends of the bars 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b are articulated along axes X _4, X5 parallel to the axes X _2, X ₃ on an intermediate platform 40 constant tituée here two rods lld, 12d (visible end in Figure 2) embodying the X4 and X5 axes and on which the bars ^¬ 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b are articulated, the rods being kept apart and parallel to each other by connecting rods 9, 10 forming a spacer.

The second deformable stage 3b has a structure identical to that of the first stage 3a. The second stage 3b comprises two pairs of bars 11a, 11b and 12a, 12b coupled to the intermediate platform 40 respectively respec ^¬ tively axes X ₄ , X5. The upper ends of the bars 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b are articulated along axes Χδ, X7 parallel to the axes X ₂ , X ₃ on a platform greater than 41 is constituted by two rods 11c, 12c on which ^¬ the bars 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b are hinged, the rods being kept apart and parallel to each other by connecting rods 13,14. The upper platform 41 thus forms the distal portion of the deformable arm 3.

The upper platform 41 carries means of ré ^¬ ception of an object. Here the upper platform 41 carries means for receiving a screen 17.

The receiving means comprise here a rack formed by two brackets 18, 19 attached to the sides of the upper platform 41. The deformable arm 3 to ^¬ torises and an orientation of the screen 17 around the first vertical pivot axis Zi as well as a movement of the screen 17 parallel to itself in a plane perpendicular to the axes X ₂ to X ₇ .

The deformable arm 3 is here motorized in the following manner. The lower ends of the bars 7a, 7b are mounted on a rod 100, embodying the axis X ₂ . The rod 100 has hexagonal ends which cooperate with adapted housings in the bars 7a, 7b to drive the bars 7a, 7b in the manner of a mani ^¬ velle. In use, a first motor 101 drives said rod 100 in rotation which in turn drives the bars 7a, 7b to deform the first stage 3a.

In the same way, a second motor 102 rotates, using a belt 103, the rod lld re ^¬ binding the upper ends of the bars 7a, 7b and on which is mounted the lower ends of the bars 11a, 11b . The rod 11d then drives the bars 11a, 11b in the manner of a crank to deform the second stage 3b. The support 1 is equipped with control means 50 of the three motors 5, 101, 102. For this purpose, and according to the invention, the upper platform 41 carries a sensor comprising two cameras 20, 21 arranged so as to integrate in their field of vision a user who installs next to the screen 17. The images taken by the cameras 20, 21 are used by the control means 50 to determine a relative orientation of the screen 17 vis-à-vis screw user and control accordingly the motors 5, 101, 102 so position ^¬ ner and correctly orient the screen 17 relative to the user without it has to intervene. Thus, when, for example, the user moves from a sitting posi ^¬ to a standing position, the control means 50 control the deformable arm 3 so that it deforms simultaneously from a low position to a posi ^{¬ position.} high so that the user's eyes or tou ^¬ days up to the screen 17, at least for a standard height of the user.

According to a preferred embodiment, the cameras

20, 21 are carried by a plate 22 mounted on the upper platform 41 according to a spherical type connection via two pivot links 22a, 22b with horizontal axes and a pivot connection 22c of vertical axis, the three axes being concurrent. Motorization means (not shown here) allow to actuate the movement of the plate 22 around its three axes of rotation.

The cameras 20, 21 can thus easily be shifted towards the user regardless of the position of the latter. Thanks to the mobility of the plate 22, there is no need to move all the support, and therefore the screen 17, to locate the user. According to the invention, the sensor alone is moved to search the user to determine a relative orientation of the screen 17 vis-à-vis the user.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4, the plate 22 is dressed with a spherical support in the form of a head 60 to give an anthropomorphic character to the support 1 of the invention. Here the plate 22 comprises a single monocular camera 23 to determine a relative orientation of the screen 17 vis-à-vis the user.

The head 60 also incorporates a microphone 24 and two chambers 25, 26. The head 60 also comprises a first pair of oval elements 27, 28 and a second pair of oval elements 29, 30 forming vo ^¬ lets the second pair of elements 29, 30 being movable between a first position where it completely covers the first pair of elements 27, 28 and a second posi ^¬ where it completely uncovers the first pair of members 27, 28.

According to the invention, the camera 23, the microphone 24, the two enclosures 25, 26 and the first and the second pair of elements 27, 28, 29, 30 are adapted to the head 60 in a human appearance so as to simulate respec ^¬ atively a nose, a mouth, ears, eyes and eyelids. Here, light diodes are integrated on the "nose", "ears", "eyes" and "eyelids". The control means 50 control ^¬ simultaneously the deformable arm 3 and the light diodes his. By illuminating, said light diodes create facial expressions easily recognizable by the user because of the anthropomorphism of the head 22. The control means 50 also control the second pair of elements 29,30 (the "eyelids" ) which in lowering on the first pair of elements 27,28 (the "eyes") increases the number of facial expressions recognizable by the user. The control means 50 also control the head 60 so that it rotates along the three axes of rotation on the distal portion of the deformable arm 3. This further increases the number of facial expressions recognizable by the user.

The head 60 thus promotes an interaction between the support 1 and the user by animating the head 60 in ac ^¬ cord with an action or movement of a user or by creating an animation of the head 60 from an action depending on the screen 17 (arrival of an email ...). The head 60 may also interact with the user through the audio interface allowed by the speakers 25, 26 and the microphone 24, the indi ^¬ user as for example the expression that must take the lead 60.

The invention is not limited to what has just been described and encompasses any variant within the scope defined by the claims.

In particular, although here the upper platform 41 carries means for receiving a screen 17, the upper platform ^¬ form 41 can carry means for receiving any object such as a poster, a table, a card, a book ... Although here the deformable arm 3 is shaped as a dual deformable parallelogram structure whose lower platform is pivotally mounted on the fixed base 2, it is conceivable to conform the deformable arm 3 to a completely different structure in which the distal portion of the deformable arm 3 is sufficiently mo ^¬ bile so that the screen 17 can be oriented toward a uti ^¬ lisateur, for example a robot arm.

In addition, the control means 50 may or may not be carried by the support 1.

In addition, although here the means of receiving the screen 17 comprise a rack attached to the upper platform 41, the screen receiving means 17 may be carried by the upper platform 41 so as to be orientable relative the su ^¬ périeure platform 41. in the variant illustrated in Figure 5, the brackets are replaced by a cradle 70 secured to the rod 11c, connecting the first pair of bars 11a, lib of the second stage 3b. A user can thus manually orient the screen 17 to avoid a reflection on said screen. The control means 50 can Ega ^¬ LEMENT rotating the cradle 70 so as to automatically towards a user, for example by means of a motor 200 positioned at the end of the rod.

In addition, the number and type of sensors described may of course be chosen according to the application. In particular, although here the determination of the relative orientation of the screen 17 vis-à-vis the user is carried out thanks to the signal provided by a sensor comprising one or more cameras, we can consider using a other sensor, for example a sensor having a microphone that would rely on the sound recordings of the microphone to determine said orientation. It will also be possible to consider using both a sensor comprising both a camera and a microphone. Thus, the sensor will determine a relative orientation of the object vis-à-vis the user both by the perceived images and sounds perceived.

The support according to the invention allows numerous interactions with a user, in particular by means of the various sensors of the support carried by the distal end of the arm and the orientation of the object vis-à-vis the user.

Such a support has many applications. It is for example possible to have a laptop on the support which allows a user to work with a screen continuously at its height. Even if the user wishes from time to time to get up, for example to reactivate the blood circulation of his legs, the support according to the invention will also follow its movement. The support according to the invention thus facilitates the use of a laptop by the elderly or with reduced mobility.

According to another application, the support further comprises means for enabling or disabling the automatic orientation of the object vis-à-vis the user through the signal generated by the sensor. Thus, the user can choose to temporarily disable tracking automa ^¬ tick example to manually manipulate the media in order to direct it to a third party or to con- only serve an interaction between the support 1 and the user by animating the head 60.

According to another application, the support further comprises means for controlling at least the means for actuating the arm to cause movement of the object at regular intervals so that the user is obliged to change position to recover at the height of the object. The user can therefore choose to temporarily disable automatic tracking to activate a mode of use in which the media moves alone. It is thus possible for example to re ^¬ educate a person.

According to another application, the support carries a screen and further comprises means for controlling at least the means for actuating the arm in order to cause a displacement of the object towards a position where the surface of the screen on which is projected an image is more visible to the user (for example in the case of reflection on said surface, a lack of light ...).

According to another application, the support comprises at least one sound detector sensor. Thus, during a videoconference meeting, a vidéoconfé device ^¬ ence is disposed on the support and the support is available ^¬ at the center of the meeting table. When a person speaks, the sensor detects a sound and causes a movement ^¬ ment support to that person so that ^¬ tif worn device is found in front of this person.

Claims

1. Support (1) intelligent object (17), comprising a fixed base (2) which carries a deformable arm (3) having a distal portion equipped with receiving means of the object, the support being characterized in that the arm is provided with actuating means (5, 101, 102) operable to orient the object towards a user, the support being equipped with at least one sensor carried by the distal por ^¬ tion of the arm to determine a relative orientation. of the object vis-à-vis the user and generate a usable signal for controlling the actuating means of the arm.

2. Intelligent object holder according to CLAIMS ^¬ 1, wherein the deformable arm (3) is designed as a double-parallelogram structure DEFOR ^¬ mable comprising:

- a lower platform (4) connected to the fixed base (2);

an intermediate platform (40) connected to the lower platform by a deformable parallelogram first stage (3a);

- An upper platform (41) carrying the receiving means of the object (17) and the sensor, the upper platform being connected to the intermediate platform by a second deformable parallelogram stage (3b).

3. Intelligent object ^holder according to ^{revendica ¬} tion 2, wherein the lower platform (4) is my ^¬ pivoting tee on the fixed base (2).

4. Intelligent object ^holder according to ^{revendica ¬} tion 1, wherein the sensor comprises at least one camera (20, 21; 23).

5. Intelligent object ^holder according to ^{revendica ¬} tion 1, wherein the sensor is integrated in a pla ^¬ tine (22) mounted movably on the distal portion of the arm (3).

6. intelligent object ^holder according to ^{revendica ¬} tion 5, wherein the plate (22) is movably mounted on the distal portion of the arm (3) according to a spherical type connection.

7. smart object holder according to revendica- tion 5, wherein the plate (22) is dressed with a spherical-shaped support head (60) having dif ^¬ ent bodies to create facial expressions.

8. smart object holder according to CLAIMS ^¬ 2, wherein the means for receiving the object (17) comprises a rack formed by two brackets (18,19) reported on the sides of the platform Supé ^¬ higher ( 41).

9. intelligent object support according to ^{revendica ¬} tion 2, wherein the receiving means of the object (70) are mounted on the upper platform (41) to be orientable.

10. Smart object support according to ^{revendica ¬} tion 1, wherein the object is a screen (17).