IMMERSIVE DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to an immersive device (1), characterised in that it comprises: an attachment element (10) for attaching the device to the head of a user (2), a system for broadcasting video sequences, and an observation system for capturing, broadcasting and/or recording the reactions of the user (2).

Claims

1. Immersive device, wherein the immersive device comprises: a fixing element for fixing the device on the head of a user, an emotion recognition system capable of detecting emotions of the user, the emotion recognition system comprising at least one sensor and a computer analyzing one or more signals from the sensor to indicate an emotion chosen from joy, tranquility, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, boredom, contempt, fatigue and disgust, a system for broadcasting video sequences, a video sequence comprising a series of broadcast images, the broadcasting system being adapted to select a video sequence classified with respect to at least one emotion of the user communicated by the computer of the detection system, and to broadcast it on a screen, an observation system for capturing, broadcasting and/or recording the reactions of the user, characterized in that it comprises a visor which serves as a screen, and extending from above the top of the forehead to the level facing the chin, and a link between the fixing element and the visor.

2. Immersive device according to claim 1, in which the observation system comprises a camera, oriented towards the face of the user.

3. Immersive device according to claim 1, in which the fixing element is adjustable.

4. Immersive device according to claim 1, in which the system for broadcasting video sequences further comprises a video projector.

5. Immersive device according to claim 4, in which the screen is part of said visor curved so as to be at a distance from the face in the position of use and to occupy the visual field of the user.

6. Immersive device according to claim 4, in which the system for broadcasting video sequences comprises a support making it possible to support the video projector in a reversible manner.

7. Immersive device according to claim 6, in which the support adapted to a video projector is fixed on a part of the said device intended to be above the head of the user in the position of use.

8. Immersive device according to claim 1, in which the said device is equipped in its lower part with a flap.

9. Immersive device according to claim 1, wherein the immersive device is a therapeutic or wellness device.

10. Immersive device according to claim 1, in which the device is adapted to disconnect the user from his environment and give him the impression of being immersed in a different environment by appealing to his senses: sight and hearing.

11. Immersive device according to claim 1, in which the video sequences each comprise a series of broadcast images whose content has been tested as adapted to one or more human emotions with the aim of generating joy, tranquility or to stimulate the cognitive functions and concentration of the user's brain.

12. Immersive device according to claim 1, in which the immersive device has no point of contact with the face in the position of use.

13. Immersive device according to claim 1, in which the rigid link is flared outwards in the direction going from the fixing element towards the visor.

14. Immersive device according to claim 1, in which the visor has a peripheral periphery remote from the face of the user in the position of use.

15. System comprising a control station and at least one immersive devices according to claim 1.

16. Use of the immersive device according to claim 1, to provide well-being and/or as an therapeutic accompaniment or supplement.

17. System comprising a control station and several immersive devices each according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, briefly described below:

[0070] FIG. 1 represents a profile view of a user equipped with a device for treating Alzheimer's disease according to one embodiment.

[0071] FIG. 2 represents a three-dimensional view from a lateral point of view facing a user equipped with a device for treating Alzheimer's disease according to the same embodiment.

[0072] FIG. 3 represents a three-dimensional view from a side and rear point of view of a user equipped with a device for treating Alzheimer's disease according to the same embodiment.

[0073] In the drawings, identical references designate identical or similar objects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] The detailed description presents an embodiment of the immersive device.

[0075] The immersive device 1 represented in the figures is in the position of use on a user 2.

[0076] This device has three main parts: [0077] A fixing element 10, [0078] a visor 20, [0079] a link 30 between the fixing element 10 and the visor 20.

[0080] A fourth part 60, optional, covers the ears of the user and can broadcast the sound of a broadcast video. Another option is to use speakers.

[0081] The fixing element 10 is for example made of PVC. In the presented example, the fastening element forms a harness comprising a plurality of tight bands on the user's skull. It comprises two parts, as will be detailed below: The fixing element 10 comprises a first part 12 which is positioned on top of the user's skull. This first part comprises a straight strip 12, in PVC or fabric, adjustable in length in order to adjust the width and height of the immersive device 1. This adjustable straight strip 12 extends from an assembly point near one temple of the wearer to an assembly point near the opposite temple. These two points are assembly points 50 where the ends of the different parts 30, 60 of the immersive device 1 are fixed.

[0082] The right assembly point 50 is located near the right temple of the user 2. A left assembly point is located near the left temple of the user 2. As a variant, any type of suitable adjustment system could be used.

[0083] The fixing element 10 comprises a second part 14 which is positioned on the back of the head of the user 2. This second part 14 is made up of two rigid strips 16 connected by a clamping wheel 18 coupled to a mechanism 19 allowing a support grip on the part below the skull of the user 2. The support is lower than the two assembly points 50 thanks to the orientation of the two rigid strips 14 downwards when said device is in the position of use.

[0084] The clamping wheel 18 and the mechanism 19 connect the two rigid strips 16 and a manual rotational action is transformed by the clamping wheel 18 into a translational movement by the mechanism 19. By reversing the direction of rotation of the clamping wheel 18, the direction of the translational movement applied by the mechanism 19 on the two rigid strips 16 is reversed. Thus, the tightening of the second part 14 can be adjusted over the width and depth of the head of the user 2. Alternatively, any other suitable clamping device could be used.

[0085] On each of the left and right assembly points 50, the fourth part 60 comprises audio headphones placed to cover each ear of the user 2 when the immersive device 1 is in the position of use on the head of the user 2. The audio headphones are connected to the video broadcasting system and are capable of broadcasting the sound associated with a video.

[0086] From the two left and right symmetrical assembly points 50, a link 30 makes it possible to fix a visor 20 at a distance from the face of the user 2 when the immersive device 1 is in the position of use. The link 30 is for example made of PVC. As visible in FIGS. 1 and 3, the link 30 is oriented so as to deviate laterally from the median vertical plane of the user's head. Thus, the links 30 have a conical geometry widening from the head of the user 2 forwards. The visor 20 serves as a screen. The visor is for example made of polycarbonate. Thanks to polycarbonate, we obtain a visor with a very smooth surface, very resistant to shocks, and without any effect on health in the absence of contact with certain chemical agents, and which can be transparent or opaque, for example white. Thus, the visor is lighter and easier to manufacture than a spherical lens.

[0087] In the position of use, the visor 20 extends from above the top of the forehead to the level facing the chin of the user 2 to form a portion of a sphere globally equidistant from the face of the user 2, at approximately 20 cm for example. As visible in FIG. 1, the portion of the sphere, with an extent of less than half a sphere, extends towards the back of the head, to behind the vertical plane of the eyes. The visor 20 thus has a peripheral periphery which, in the position of use, is remote from the face of the user. The user's entire visual field is intercepted by the visor 20. However, the solid angle occupied by the visor 20 does not go beyond, or goes little beyond, the visual field of the user.

[0088] There may be, depending on the embodiment, and depending on the concerned part of the face, between 12 cm and 20 cm between the face of the user 2 and the visor 20. Thus, the immersive device 1 has no point of contact with the face in the position of use.

[0089] The visor 20 includes a video broadcast system. At the level of the visor 20 located facing the forehead, above the eyes of the user 2, a projector support 70 makes it possible to fix a projector. A projector is attached to the projector support 70. Thus, the video broadcast system comprises a projector. Therefore, the visor 20 also includes a projector. The projector is suitable for projecting an image onto the inner face 21 of the screen. In the embodiment represented, it is a LBS pico-projector (Laser Beam Splitting) or DLP (Digital Light Processing) to project an image, and in particular a succession of images forming a video. Each image has been processed by computer using an algorithm to correct certain display distortions.

[0090] The LBS pico-projector provides an image that is always sharp, even when projecting at an angle. However, it remains to correct the display distortions due to the curvature of the screen.

[0091] A tailor-made optic interacts with the light beam emitted by the LBS pico-projector to participate in the correction of the image in order to reproduce a clear and undistorted image of the original image on the curved surface, for example spherical, inside of the visor 20. By faithful image, we mean an image perceived by the user 2 as globally similar to the original recorded image. The video sequence broadcasting system comprises a memory or a system for accessing a memory, in which video sequences are stored. These sequences have for example previously been classified to respond to one or more emotions. According to an exemplary embodiment, the video sequences are each associated with a rating from a prior evaluation. Additionally or alternatively, the video sequences may be associated with a broadcast history. A counter associated with a video can therefore be incremented with each new broadcast of the video. Broadcast history, can be associated with each given user. This last embodiment requires that, at the time of use of the immersive device, it includes a means of identifying the user. This identification can be entered manually, by biometric measurement or otherwise.

[0092] In addition to the video broadcasting system, an emotion recognition system makes it possible to detect the user's emotions in real time thanks to sensors connected to a computer capable of interpreting the signals received into an emotion, possibly weighted, or a plurality of weighted emotions. The detected emotions can for example be chosen from the following list: joy, tranquility, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, boredom, contempt, fatigue and disgust.

[0093] Thus, the emotion recognition system comprises, as an example of the sensors mentioned above, a camera 22, of the webcam type, positioned to film the face of the user 2. For example, the visor 20 includes this camera 22. This camera 22 is connected to the video sequence broadcasting system. The emotion recognition system analyzes and extracts a list of weighted emotions in real time based on the image captured by the camera 22.

[0094] Such systems can include other sensors, whether or not they are coupled together: sweating, temperature, electrodermal activity, pulse, pupil detection, etc.

[0095] If the weighting of one of the emotions exceeds a certain threshold, or if the video sequence being broadcast ends, the video distribution system selects a category of available video sequences according to the captured emotion.

[0096] To choose a video sequence from among those available in a category corresponding to the detected emotion or combination of emotions, several criteria can be used, alone or in combination: a random choice, the frequency with which the video sequence is broadcast, a video footage not yet released to this user, a very well rated video, etc.

[0097] Once the video has been selected in the category corresponding to the detected emotion or combination of emotions, it is broadcast by the projector on the inner face 21 of the visor 20 which serves as a screen, possibly accompanied by a recorded sound.

[0098] The video sequences follow one another. Pauses and/or a final stop can be automatically programmed in this sequence of video sequences.

[0099] In addition, the immersive device includes an observation system adapted to capture the reactions of the user. For the observation system, the same sensors or cameras can be used as those of the emotion recognition system, which saves material. The measured data can be saved for later analysis. The observation system can be adapted to broadcast the reactions of the user to a third party, in particular an observer wishing to know the reactions of the user to the immersive experience. This broadcast can for example be done by wired or wireless communication of information. The captured and recorded data (for example, the face of the filmed user) can be displayed on a control screen of the observer. Thus, he can act in case the observation of the user requires it.

[0100] Thus, according to an exemplary embodiment, one uses a system which comprises the immersive device 1 as presented above and a control station. The control station is accessible to an observer who thus accesses information relating to the use of the device. The control station can thus be used to display signals coming from the sensors of the immersive device 1, as well as the multimedia content broadcast, if necessary simultaneously. This data can be displayed in real time, simultaneously with the use, or later. The control station can also be used to select, or help select, a multimedia sequence to be broadcast. If necessary, the control station can be associated with several immersive devices 1 used by different users.

[0101] The power supply of said immersive device 1 can be done by an electric wire, not shown, connected to an external power supply. In order to lighten said immersive device 1 as much as possible, to benefit from a long autonomy and to avoid sudden interruptions harmful to therapy, an external wired power supply, not shown, is advantageous.

[0102] The immersive device 1 comprises a gripping system. The gripping system comprises for example two elements: [0103] The top of the visor 20 has a flat gripping edge 90 aligned, on each side of the projector support 70, with the rear face of said support 70; [0104] a protective and gripping flap 100 is fixed on the edge of the visor 70 opposite the chin of the user 2.

[0105] Thus, with both hands, an operator can position and remove the immersive device 1 easily.

[0106] A reinforcing strip 110 surrounds the visor 20 in order to protect said visor 20 from possible shocks during use or handling.

[0107] Openings 120 on the top of the visor 20, at the level where the projector is positioned, make it possible to evacuate the heat generated by the operation of the projector.

[0108] The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented and other embodiments will appear clearly to those skilled in the art.

[0109] In particular in the case of a larger projector, the projector support 70 can be placed outside the visor, above the head, inclined towards the visor, and the projector can be positioned on said projector support 70 so as to direct the flow on the internal face of the visor. Thus, there is enough space to place larger projectors.

[0110] The projector and the passive screen can be replaced by an active screen made up of LEDs.

[0111] The PVC and/or polycarbonate used in the embodiment presented can be replaced by innovative materials on which bacteria and viruses have difficulty clinging.

[0112] The opacity of the visor can also be controlled by the video distribution system in order to alternate projections of video sequences and visual access to the external environment. Thus, at the end of a therapy session carried out using said device, the user has access to a vision of external reality without having to wait for the immersive device 1 to be removed from him.

[0113] To quickly access a vision of external reality, another technically simpler embodiment comprises a visor 20 provided with a reversible attachment system allowing the user to manually remove the visor 20 easily from the immersive device 1. A reversible attachment system is provided, in particular between the visor 20 and the link 30.

[0114] The immersive device 1 can also include a microphone adapted to pick up the sounds emitted by the user. These sounds can be recorded and transmitted to the control station. The control station may include a microphone adapted to pick up the sounds emitted by the observer, and to transmit these sounds to the immersive device. Thus, for example, a dialogue can be engaged, if necessary, between the user and the observer.

[0115] By providing an immersive device comprising a visor occupying a portion of the sphere intercepting the gaze of the user, and spaced from the face, and a mounting harness on the head, the immersive device is made as little invasive as possible to prevent it from being a source of anxiety, stress or fatigue for the user. Indeed, no mechanical stress is applied to the face. The system is compatible for users wearing glasses. The space between the face and the device can thus be used wisely to install equipment, for example one or more cameras that can film the patient's face. The ambient light likely to enter between the face and the peripheral edge of the visor provides a sufficient degree of brightness to film the face. This space also allows the circulation of an air flow for the ventilation of the user. Finally, from the point of view of hygiene, the visor is little or not contaminated by the user, and can then be quickly used for another user, subject, if necessary, to the intermediate replacement of the element of fixation.