A HEAD MOUNTED DEVICE COMPRISING AN ENVIRONMENT SENSING MODULE

Abstract

A head mounted device including an environment sensing module configured to sense at least one parameter of an environment of the user of the head mounted device, the sensing module including: a sensor configured to sense a parameter of the environment of the user of the head mounted device, and a communication component configured to send data sensed by the sensor indicative of the parameter to an analyzing module, wherein the parameter relates to the air in the direct environment of the user and/or the electromagnetic wave in the direct environment of the user and/or the acoustic wave in the direct environment of the user.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16: A head mounted device comprising: an environment sensing module configured to sense at least one parameter of an environment of the user of the head mounted device, the sensing module comprising: a sensor configured to sense a parameter of the environment of the user of the head mounted device; a communication component configured to send data sensed by the sensor indicative of the parameter to an analyzing module; wherein the parameter relates to the air in the direct environment of the user and/or an electromagnetic wave in direct environment of the user and/or an acoustic wave in the direct environment of the user.

17: The head mounted device according to claim 16, wherein the sensor is adapted to sense properties and/or composition of air around the user.

18: The head mounted device according to claim 17, further comprising a spectacle frame, and wherein the sensor is mounted on a bridge and/or pad and/or brace bar of the spectacle frame.

19: The head mounted device according to claim 16, further comprising a geolocation module configured to determine geolocation data relative to geolocation of the user of the head mounted device, and wherein the communication component is configured to send geolocation data together with the data indicative of the parameter of the environment to a mapping module.

20: The head mounted device according to claim 19, further comprising a mapping module comprising: a communication module configured to receive from the communication component data indicative of the parameter sensed by the sensor together with geolocation data; a memory storing at least computer executable instructions; and a processor to execute the computer executable instructions stored in the memory, wherein the computer executable instructions comprises instructions to: process the data indicative of the parameter of the environment of the user and the geolocation data to generate a mapping of the parameter of the environment.

21: The head mounted device according to claim 16, further comprising an environment analyzing module comprising: a communication element configured to receive from the communication component data indicative of the parameter sense by the sensor, a memory storing at least computer executable instructions; and a processor to execute the computer executable instructions stored in the memory, wherein the computer executable instructions comprises instructions to: process the data indicative of the parameter of the environment of the user to generate environment information indicative of air composition and/or electromagnetic radiations and/or sound of the environment of the user.

22: The head mounted device according to claim 21, wherein the communication element is further configured to receive, from a distant entity, a mapping of a mapping parameter of the environment of the user, the mapping parameter relating to the air composition and/or the electromagnetic radiations and/or the sound of the environment of the user, and the computer executable instructions further comprises instructions to: process the mapping upon generating environment information.

23: The head mounted device according to claim 22, wherein the parameter sensed by the sensor and the mapping parameter relate to the air composition in the environment of the user.

24: The head mounted device according to claim 23, wherein the parameter sensed by the sensor and the mapping parameter relate to the electromagnetic radiations and/or to the sound in the environment of the user.

25: An environmental analyzing module configured to analyze at least one parameter of the environment of a user of a head mounted device according to claim 16, the module comprising: a communication element configured to receive from the communication component data indicative of the parameter sensed by the sensor of the head mounted device; a memory storing at least computer executable instructions; and a processor to execute the computer executable instructions stored in the memory, wherein the computer executable instructions comprises instructions to: process the data indicative of the parameter of the environment of the user to generate environment information indicative of to air composition and/or electromagnetic radiations and/or sound of the environment of the user.

26: An environmental parameter mapping system comprising: a plurality of head mounted devices according to claim 16, wherein each head mounted device further comprises a geolocation module configured to determine geolocation data relative to geolocation of the user of the head mounted device, and wherein the communication component is configured to send geolocation data together with the data indicative of the parameter of the environment to a mapping module and each head mounted device is configured to send geolocation data together with data indicative of the parameter of the environment to the mapping module, configured to determine mapping of the parameter over a zone in which the plurality of head mounted devices are located.

27: A method for monitoring at least one parameter of the environment of a user of a head mounted sensing device according to claim 16, the method comprising: an environment data receiving, during which environment data indicative of at least one parameter of the environment of the user are received form the head mounted sensing device, the at least one parameter relates to air in the direct environment of the user and/or electromagnetic wave in the direct environment of the user and/or acoustic wave in the direct environment of the user: an environment information generating, during which an environment information is generated based at least on the received environment data.

28: The method according to claim 27, further comprising, prior to the environment data receiving, a sensing during which at least one parameter relating to the air in the direct environment of the user and/or the electromagnetic wave in the direct environment of the user and/or the acoustic wave in the direct environment of the user is sensed by the sensor of the head mounted sensing device.

29: The method according to claim 27, further comprising: a geolocation data receiving during which geolocation data relative to the geolocation of the user are received; and a mapping generating during which a mapping of the at least one parameter of the environment is generated based on the received environment data and geolocation data.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the following drawings in which:

[0058] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a head mounted device according to the invention,

[0059] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of head mounted device communicating with an environment analyzing module, and

[0060] FIG. 3 represents an environmental parameter mapping system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0061] Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0062] As illustrated on FIG. 1, the invention relates to a head 10 comprising an environment sensing module configured to sense at least one parameter of the environment of the user of the head mounted device.

[0063] The head mounted device may typically comprises a spectacle frame 12 with a sensing module comprising sensors 20 and 22 and a communication component 14.

[0064] The sensing module comprising at least a sensor, for example a plurality of sensors, configured to sense a parameter of the environment of the user of the head mounted device.

[0065] The parameter typically relates to the air in the direct environment of the user and/or the electromagnetic wave in the direct environment of the user and/or the acoustic wave in the direct environment of the user.

[0066] In the sense of the invention the direct environment of the wearer is to be understood as the environment within a few meters from the user. Typically, the direct environment comprises the air the user can breathe and/or the sounds the user may hear and/or the electromagnetic waves the user may receive.

[0067] The head mounted device may comprise a sensor adapted to sense the properties and/or composition of the air in the direct environment of the user, for example within 5 meters of the user. The sensor may be adapted to sense the presence and/or quantity of allergen and/or of a specific chemical compound and/or microparticules in the air around the user. The sensor may be adapted to detect and/or quantify the presence of dust mites, specific odor, toxic gas such as CO or others.

[0068] The sensors may be a chemical or optical sensor such as a camera. The device according to the invention may comprise an RFID reader that could be used to determine the risk of allergies for the user when eating a specific food or taking a specific drug.

[0069] So as to increase the accuracy of such sensors they may be mounted on the bridge and/or pad and/or brace bar of the spectacle frame.

[0070] The sensors may be adapted to sense sounds in the direct environment of the user. For example, the sensor may be adapted to detect the intensity and/or frequency of the sounds in the environment of the wearer. Such sensor may typically be a microphone embedded in the spectacle frame. Such sensor may typically be placed on the side of the head mounted device so as to acquire sound information of the environment of the user.

[0071] The sensors may be adapted to sense the intensity and/or wavelength and/or direction of electromagnetic radiations in the environment of the user.

[0072] The sensors may be more specifically adapted to detect light electromagnetic radiations, typically for wave lengths comprised between 10 nm and 100 m. Such sensors are typically luminance, photodiode light meter, camera.

[0073] Sensing the intensity and/or frequency of the light received by the user may be used to determine glare risk by over-exposure or under-exposure light.

[0074] The sensors may be specifically adapted to detect micro and/or radio waves, in particular the intensity and frequency of the received electromagnetic radiations. Suh sensors may be for example photodiodes and/or spectroportables, and/or electromagnetic radiation detectors.

[0075] The sensing module may further comprise temperature and/or humidity sensors to determine the temperature and/or humidity around the wearer.

[0076] The communication component 14 is configured to send data sense by the sensor indicative of the parameter to an analyzing module 16.

[0077] An environment analyzing module 16 according to the invention typically comprises:

[0078] a communication element configured to receive from the communication component data indicative of the parameter sense by the sensor,

[0079] a memory storing at least computer executable instructions and configured to store the received data; and

[0080] a processor for executing the computer executable instructions stored in the memory.

[0081] The computer executable instructions typically comprises instructions for processing the data indicative of the parameter of the environment of the user to generate environment information indicative of to the air composition and/or the electromagnetic radiations and/or the sound of the environment of the user.

[0082] As represented on FIG. 1, the environment analyzing module 16 may be embedded in the head mounted device.

[0083] The environment analyzing module 16 may be part of a distant entity as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0084] According to an embodiment of the invention the processing of the environment information is generated using statistical analysis of the collected data. Statistics involves the collection, organization, analysis, interpretation, and/or presentation of measured/collected data. With advances in technology, more extensive and complex computing allows massive amounts of data to be collected, stored and/or processed. Further, methods for evaluating the data are numerous.

[0085] Statistical analysis can be employed to process and/or evaluate data sensed such as data indicative of the parameter of the environment of the user to generate environment information indicative of to the air composition and/or the electromagnetic radiations and/or the sound of the environment of the user. The two main types of statistics are descriptive and inferential statistics.

[0086] Descriptive statistics includes methods for organizing and summarizing collected data. These methods include, but are not limited to, graphs, tables, charts and measurements such as averages, percentiles, and measures of variation of the data. Data mining for pattern detection, machine learning and artificial intelligence methods, regression modeling and summary statistics can be employed in descriptive statistics.

[0087] Inferential statistics is based on methods for making conclusions about data collected based on the evaluation of a sample of the data. For example, predictions can be made regarding the entire set of data. An example of prediction can relate to the risk of allergies of the user based on data collected. Recommendations can be made to achieve or avoid such allergies.

[0088] Statistical methods such as regression analysis can be employed to analyze data. Regression analysis includes techniques for analyzing different variables to determine the relationship between one or more dependent variables and independent variables. For example, the analysis can be employed to determine how the value of a dependent variable changes when a value of one independent variable changes while keeping the values of other independent variables constant. Regression analysis can be employed for prediction and overlaps with the field of machine learning; a branch of artificial intelligence that employs algorithms to identify patterns in data and/or make predictions based on evaluated data.

[0089] Different models can be employed in regression analysis to model the relationship between two variables. Linear regression is a type of regression analysis. Linear regression models the relationship between a dependent variable and an independent variable using linear predictor functions. Unknown model parameters are estimated from the data on which linear regression is performed. Interpolation methods can be employed to perform prediction based on values within the set of collected data used for model-fitting while extrapolation can be employed to perform prediction based on values outside the set of collected data.

[0090] In linear regression models, the conditional mean of an independent variable given the dependent variable value is typically an affine function. In some cases, the median, or some other quantile of the conditional distribution of the independent variable given the dependent variable is a linear function of the dependent variable.

[0091] Non-linear regression is a type of regression analysis in which observed information is modeled by a non-linear function. The non-linear function is a combination of the model parameters and depends on an independent variable.

[0092] The environment information may comprise an alert information, for example alerting the user or a third party of the presence in the environment of the user of a specific chemical compound or that the concentration in CO is above a certain threshold. The alert information may be an audio and/or visual alert, for example via a display device.

[0093] The environment information may comprise a recommendation, for example, recommending to the user to go outside take some fresh air or on the contrary to reduce his sun exposition. The recommendation may also be to open the windows, for example if the concentration of specific chemical compound is greater greater than a threshold value. The recommendation may be an audio and/or visual recommendation.

[0094] For example, a user carrying out a physical activity outdoor, such as running, walking, biking, may be informed that the concentration of some chemical compound or pollen, in his environment is above a threshold value. Based on such information the user may be recommended to stop his physical activity. Furthermore, if the head mounted device comprises a geolocation module and a mapping module; the user may be informed of a better place around him, i.e. comprising a lower concentration of chemical compound or pollen nearby.

[0095] The head mounted device could furthermore provide guiding or navigation information based on the air composition, sounds and/or electromagnetic wave. For example, a user may wish to go for a walk in a less polluted environment as possible. The head mounted device using the geolocation and mapping data may provide navigation for the user based on such environmental criteria.

[0096] The environment information may comprise an activation parameter for example to activate a programmable lens or any other connected device such as home automation of a building such as light, window opening, ventilation activation.

[0097] The head mounted device according to the invention allows controlling exposure to the user to his environment vis--vis his comfort and his health such as retinal toxicity, chronobiological rhythms, migraine, respiratory hazards.

[0098] According to an embodiment of the invention, the head mounted device further comprises a geolocation module configured to determine geolocation data relative to the geolocation of the user of the head mounted device. The communication component is configured to send geolocation data together with the data indicative of the parameter of the environment to a mapping module.

[0099] Advantageously, having the device comprises a locating system, a timer and the specific sensors enable to measure the expected key parameters. It helps with simple hypothesis calculations, manager of the user's environment

[0100] The mapping module may be embedded in the head mounted device or may be in a distant entity.

[0101] According to an embodiment of the invention, the mapping module may comprise: [0102] a communication module configured to receive from the communication component data indicative of the parameter sense by the sensor together with geolocation data, [0103] a memory storing at least computer executable instructions and configured to store at least part of the received data; and [0104] a processor for executing the computer executable instructions stored in the memory. The computer executable instructions comprise instructions for processing the data indicative of the parameter of the environment of the user and the geolocation data to generate a mapping of the parameter of the environment.

[0105] Advantageously, the mapping module allows providing a mapping of the different data while the user is moving. For example, when the wearer is taking a walk the head mounted device may sense the air pollution and using the mapping module it may be possible to determine a precise mapping of air pollution not only around the user but also in along the route taken by the user.

[0106] According to an embodiment of the invention, the communication element of an environment analyzing module of the invention may be configured to receive from a distant entity, for example a mapping module, a mapping of a mapping parameter of the environment of the user, the mapping parameter relating to the air composition and/or the electromagnetic radiations and/or the sound of the environment of the user. The computer executable instructions further comprises instructions for processing the mapping upon generating environment information.

[0107] For example, the parameter sensed by the sensor and the mapping parameter relate to the air composition in the environment of the user.

[0108] The parameter sensed by the sensor and the mapping parameter may relate to the electromagnetic radiations in the environment of the user. For example radio and/or micro wave radiations or light radiation.

[0109] Furthermore, the parameter sensed by the sensor and the mapping parameter relate to the sound in the environment of the user.

[0110] Advantageously, such embodiment allows providing and/or updating a mapping of at least one environment parameter over a specific area.

[0111] The accuracy of such mapping may be further increased when established using a plurality of head mounted device according to the invention.

[0112] As illustrated on FIG. 3, the invention further relates to an environmental parameter mapping system comprising a plurality of head mounted devices 10 a to 10e, according to the invention.

[0113] Each head mounted device comprises a geolocation module configured to determine geolocation data relative to the geolocation of the user of the head mounted device and the communication component is configured to send geolocation data together with the data indicative of the parameter of the environment to a mapping module.

[0114] Furthermore each head mounted device is arranged to send geolocation data together with data indicative of the parameter of the environment to the mapping module.

[0115] The mapping module is configured to determine a mapping of the parameter over the zone or area in which the plurality of head mounted device is located.

[0116] The head mounted devices are arranged to communicate geolocation data and/or data indicative of the parameter of the environment to each other.

[0117] As represented on FIG. 3, all the head mounted devices may be configured to send the data to a single mapping module. Alternatively, the mapping system may comprise a plurality of mapping modules arranged to communicate with a central entity and/or between them.

[0118] Each head mounted device can communicate with one or more other head mounted device and/or environmental analyzing module and/or mapping module by way of the communications network, either directly or indirectly. The communication is preferably wireless, using Wifi or Bluetooth technologies. Even though illustrated as a single element in FIG. 3, the environmental mapping system can include other computing devices that provide services to the system and/or can represent multiple interconnected networks, which are not shown.

[0119] The network can be the Internet, the computing devices can be Web servers, file servers, media servers, etc. with which the head mounted device and/or environmental analyzing module and/or mapping module communicate via any of a number of known protocols, such as the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) or the hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS).

[0120] The invention has been described above with the aid of embodiments without limitation of the general inventive concept.

[0121] Many further modifications and variations will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art upon making reference to the foregoing illustrative embodiments, which are given by way of example only and which are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, that being determined solely by the appended claims.

[0122] In the claims, the word comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article a or an does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that different features are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these features cannot be advantageously used. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.