ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR REMOTE ASSISTANCE OF A PERSON

This invention relates to an electronic system for remote assistance of a person, in particular a person with reduced capacity.

Senile dementia and Alzheimer's disease are illnesses with a high social impact. The individuals affected by these illnesses (referred to hereafter as "person with reduced capacity") often forget things, such as, for example, taking certain medicines every day and which medicines to take.

A person with reduced capacity often lives alone and is assisted by relatives and/or friends who might not live nearby, and they must deal with growing forgetfulness of the person, with an increase in the number of visits and the number of telephone calls.

The PCT patent application WO 2006/023097 describes an automated system for reminding person with reduced capacity of events. The system comprises a local interaction device 1 positioned in the home of the person with reduced capacity and a remote interface 3 connected to the local interaction device 1 by means of a communication network 5.

The local interaction device 1 comprises inside it a video 25 and an audio interface 23 (for example, a loudspeaker).

A carer (for example, a relative or a doctor) configures, by means of the remote interface 3, one or more events to be notified to the person with reduced capacity, for example by means of a video message reproduced on the video 25 or by means of an audio alarm generated by the loudspeaker 23.

The person with reduced capacity may respond to the notification of the event, for example by pressing a key on the local interaction device 1.

The Applicant has observed that the system described in patent WO 2006/023097 has the following drawbacks:

it is not very flexible, that is to say, it is only able to manage events which are activated when a time condition occurs (for example, a certain date and time); it is not expandable in a modular manner; it is not very reliable;

it is too expensive.

This invention relates to an electronic system for remote assistance of a person as defined in the attached claim 1 and by its preferred embodiments described in the dependent claims from 2 to 10.

The Applicant has perceived that the electronic system according to this invention has the following advantages:

it is expandable in a modular manner;

it uses a distributed type hardware structure;

it is flexible, that is, it is able to adapt to various environments and objects associated with the person with reduced capacity in the most useful configuration;

it is reliable;

it is inexpensive.

Further characteristic features and advantages of the invention are given in the following description of a preferred embodiment and of its variants provided by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows a block diagram of the electronic system for remote assistance of a person according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2A schematically shows a block diagram of the electronic system for remote assistance of a person according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2B shows in more detail a first control domain of the electronic system according to the second embodiment.

It should be noted that in the following description blocks, components or modules which are identical or similar are indicated in the drawings with the same reference numerals, even if they are shown in different embodiments of the invention. Figure 1 shows the block diagram of the electronic system 1 for assisting a person according to the first embodiment.

The person may be a person with reduced capacity, for example someone suffering from Alzheimer's or senile dementia.

The electronic system 1 comprises:

a local monitoring device 2;

a plurality of input and/or output and/or input/output modules 5-1. 5-2, 5-3, 5- 4, 5-5, 5-6;

a local communication network;

a remote control device 3;

a long distance communication network 4.

The local monitoring device 2 is an electronic device positioned inside the home of the person with reduced capacity and has the function of monitoring the behaviour of the person with reduced capacity, as explained in more detail below. The input and/or output modules 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 5-4, 5-5, 5-6 are positioned inside the home of the person with reduced capacity.

More specifically, the input and/or output modules 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 5-4, 5-5, 5-6 are positioned:

inside one or more rooms of the home of the person with reduced capacity; and/or

in one or more objects (or fixed to them) located inside the home; and/or on the person with reduced capacity.

It should be noted that the input and/or output modules 5-1 , 5-2, 5-3, 5-4, 5-5, 5-6 are outside the local monitoring device 2 (that is to say, they are separated in terms of hardware lrom the local monitoring device 2), but are connected thereto by means of radio signals. The local monitoring device 2 with the input and/or output modules 5-1 , 5-2, 5-3, 5-4, 5-5, 5-6 constitutes a hardware structure of the distributed type : this structure makes it possible to obtain the expansion modularity of the electronic system 1. Each of the input modules 5-1 , 5-2, 5-3 comprises a short distance radio transmitter configured to radio transmit a measurement signal towards a transceiver 2-4.

Each of the output modules 5-4, 5-5 comprises a short distance radio receiver configured to radio receive a driving signal from the transceiver 2-4.

The input/output module 5-6 comprises a short distance radio signal transceiver configured to receive/transmit via radio an input/output signal from/towards the transceiver 2-4.

The local monitoring device 2 with the input and/or output modules 5-1 , 5-2, 5-3, 5-4, 5-5, 5-6 constitutes a control domain 10.

It should be noted that Figure 1 shows six input and/or output modules, but the invention is applicable to at least one input and/or output module.

The local communication network is designed to connect the input and/or output modules 5-1 , 5-2, 5-3, 5-4, 5-5, 5-6 with the local monitoring device 2 by means of short distance radio signals.

The remote control device 3 is an electronic device positioned outside the home of the person with reduced capacity and is connected to the local monitoring device 2 by means of the communication network 4.

The remote control device 3 is designed to configure one or more assistance criteria associated with the person with reduced capacity; the assistance criteria are inserted by a remote assistant, who might be, for example, a relative of the person with reduced capacity or a doctor.

The term "assistance criterion" means the set of one or more rules which must be complied with for activating one or more actions for controlling the operation of the output modules and/or the input/output modules.

The remote control device 3 comprises a long distance signals transceiver configured for transmitting towards the long distance communication network 4 a second long distance signal S2_ld which carries a configuration command of an assistance criterion and the corresponding values of the configuration parameters. Moreover, the transceiver of the remote control device 3 is configured to receive from the communication network 4 the second long distance signal S2__ld canying a notification message associated to an assistance criterion and/or an action controlling operation of an output and/or input/output module.

The long distance communication network 4 is designed to connect together the remote control device 3 and the local monitoring device 2, so as to transport the configuration commands of the assistance criteria from the remote control device 3 to the local monitoring device 2 and in such a way as to transport the notification messages from the local monitoring device 2 to the remote control device 3, as explained in more detail below.

The long distance communication network 4 may be a fixed network, such as, for example, Ethernet and/or TCP/IP type. In this case, the ansceiver of the remote control device 3 is connected to a cable which carries electrical signals or to an optical fibre; moreover, the remote control device 3 is a personal computer or a laptop computer, which perform the remote assistance application.

Alternatively, the long distance communication network 4 is a radio type network, such as, for example, 2G (GSM, GPRS), 3G (UMTS, HSDPA) or 4G (LTE): in this case, the transceiver of the remote control device 3 is of the long distance radio type and, therefore, the second long distance signal S2_ld is of the long distance radio type.

Moreover, the remote control device 3 executes a suitable software application that allows the assistance criteria to be created and to subsequently modify them: the application will be refen-ed to below with the expression "remote assistance application".

The remote control device 3 may be selected from the following list:

a smartphone (for example, a iPhone or a Blackberry);

a tablet (for example, an iPad);

a laptop personal computer;

a desktop personal computer;

any device which is able to exchange data through the communication network 4.

More specifically, the local monitoring device 2 comprises:

a control unit 2-1 ; a memory 2-2;

a transceiver 2-3 for long distance signals;

a transceiver 2-4 for short distance radio signals.

The input modules with the input/output modules are designed to detect a plurality of conditions which occur inside the home of the person with reduced capacity, such as, for example, detecting the behaviour of the person with reduced capacity. The modules 5-1, 5-2, 5-3 are input modules comprising three sensors which are designed to detect one or more conditions which occur inside the home of the person with reduced capacity, such as, for example, detecting the behaviour of the person with reduced capacity.

The sensors 5-1, 5-2, 5-3 can be positioned:

inside one or more rooms of the home of the person with reduced capacity; in one or more objects (or fixed to them) located inside the home;

on the person with reduced capacity.

The sensor 5-1 is designed to measure a first condition which occurs inside the home of the person with reduced capacity; moreover, the sensor 5-1 comprises a short distance radio transmitter configured to generate a first measuring signal Sl_ms indicating the first condition which occurs inside the home of the person with reduced capacity.

Similarly, the sensor 5-2 is designed to measure a second condition which occurs inside the home of the person with reduced capacity; moreover, the sensor 5-2 comprises a short distance radio transmitter configured to generate a second measuring signal S2_ms indicating the second condition which occurs inside the home of the person with reduced capacity.

Lastly, the sensor 5-3 is designed to measure the status of a third condition which occurs inside the home of the person with reduced capacity; moreover, the sensor 5-3 comprises a short distance radio transmitter configured to generate a third measuring signal Sl_ms indicating the third condition which occurs inside the home of the person with reduced capacity.

The sensors 5-1 , 5-2, 5-3 can be, for example, selected from the following list: a sensor detecting the opening of a door or window of the home of the person with reduced capacity, in this case, for example, the sensor 5-1 generates the first measurement signal Sl_ms indicating the opening or closing of the door or window;

a sensor detecting the opening of a door of a piece of furniture (in which medicines or food are stored) or the door of a refrigerator located in the home: in this case, for example, the sensor 5-1 generates the first measurement signal S l_ms indicating the opening or closing of the door of the piece of furniture or the door of the refrigerator and it is therefore possible to monitor whether the door of the piece of furniture or the door of the refrigerator has not been open for a predetermined period of time;

a volumetric sensor for detecting the presence of a person in a room: in this case, for example, the sensor 5-2 is positioned in a room of the home of the person with reduced capacity and generates the second measurement signal S2_ms indicating the presence or absence of the person with reduced capacity inside the room;

an environmental microphone for detecting noise: in this case, for example, the sensor 5-3 is positioned in a room of the home of the person with reduced capacity and generates the second measurement signal S2_ms representing the audio signal generated by the person with reduced capacity when he/she is inside the room;

a video camera for acquiring images: in this case, the video camera is positioned in a room of the home of the person with reduced capacity and generates a measurement signal which carries the acquired images of the room;

a gas detecting sensor to detect the presence of gas inside a room; in this case, the gas detecting sensor is positioned in the kitchen of the person with reduced capacity and generates a measurement signal indicating the presence or absence of gas in the kitchen;

a meter for measuring absorbed current connected to the electricity network of the home of the person with reduced capacity. The input and/or output modules 5-4, 5-5, 5-6 are positioned inside one or more rooms of the home of the person with reduced capacity.

The module 5-4 consists of an output device comprising a short distance radio receiver configured to receive a first driving signal Sl_d representing an action for controlling the operation of the output module 5-4.

Preferably, the output module 5-4 is a loudspeaker which is positioned in the lounge of the home of the person with reduced capacity and which receives the first driving signal Sl_d representing a first information content directed the person with reduced capacity. More specifically, the first driving signal S l_d conveys a voice message directed to the person with reduced capacity and generates an audio signal representing the voice message.

The voice message may be, for example, an alarm signal, or it may be an audio signal which reminds the person with reduced capacity that he/she must carry out a particular action, such as, for example, taking medicine, carrying out blood tests, measuring blood pressure, taking a shower, cleaning teeth or locking the main door of the home with a key.

The module 5-5 consists of an output device comprising a short distance radio receiver configured to receive a second driving signal S2_d representing an action for controlling the operation of the output module 5-4.

Preferably, the output module 5-5 is a screen which is positioned in the lounge of the home of the person with reduced capacity and which receives the second driving signal S2_d representing a second information content directed the person with reduced capacity. More specifically, the second control signal S2_d conveys a video message directed to the person with reduced capacity and displays a video representing the video message.

The video message may be, for example, a video showing the image of a relative of the person with reduced capacity reminding that he/she must carry out a particular action, such as, for example, taking medicine, carrying out blood tests, measuring blood pressure, taking a shower, cleaning teeth or locking the main door of the home with a key. The input/output device 5-6 comprises a short distance radio transceiver configured to receive/transmit an input/output signal S_Jo from/towards the transceiver 2-4.

Preferably, the input/output module 5-6 is positioned in the lounge of the home of the person with reduced capacity and comprises:

a screen such as to display an image which comprises a graphical or text representation of a request message of a confirmation of the person with reduced capacity;

one or more confirmation buttons to allow the person with reduced capacity to respond to the confirmation request message;

a short distance radio signal transceiver configured for transmitting towards the transceiver 4 the input/output signal S_io which carries data indicating a received or missing confirmation by the person with reduced capacity.

Alternatively, the input/output device 5-6 is selected from the following list:

an actuator;

a dispenser of pills or tablets which comprises a drawer which can be switched between an open position wherein it is such as to dispense the pill or the tablet and a closed position wherein it does not dispense the pill or tablet: in this case, the input/output device 5-6 receives the input/outputs signal S_io indicating the opening or closing of the drawer, so as to dispense, or not, the pill or tablet to the person with reduced capacity;

a meter of the water dispensed by the water supply system of the home of the person with reduced capacity and a respective solenoid valve for controlling the opening or closing of the water supply system, as a function of a control signal.

It should be noticed that for simplicity Figure 1 shows a single input/output device 5-6, but it is possible for more than one input/output device to be present.

It should be noted that for the purposes of explaining the invention, it has been considered that the electronic system 1 comprises three input/output devices 5-4, 5-5, 5-6, but the invention is applicable more generally speaking to a number of input/output devices greater than or equal to one. The local communication network is designed to connect via radio the input and/or output modules 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 5-4, 5-5, 5-6 with the transceiver 2-4 of the local monitoring device 2.

Preferably, the local communication network allows the input and/or output modules 5-1 , 5-2, 5-3, 5-4, 5-5, 5-6 to be connected together via radio. More specifically, at least one of the modules 5-1, 5-2 ... 5-6 is configured for routing data towards the other modules 5-1 , 5-2 ... 5-6: in this way it is possible to increase the spatial cover of the rooms of the home of the person with reduced capacity. Preferably, at least one of the modules 5-1 , 5-2 ... 5-6 is configured to receive data from one of the other modules 5-1 , 5-2 ... 5-6 and is configured to transmit data which depends both on the measurement signal detected by the at least one module and on the data received from one of the other modules 5-1, 5-2 ... 5-6.

The transceiver 2-4 is configured to receive from the sensors 5-1, 5-2, 5-3 a short distance radio signal which carries the measurement signals Sl_ms, S2__ms, S3_ms and is configured to transmit to the control unit 2-1 a first internal signal

SI i which carries the values of the measurement signals received Sl_ms, S2_ms,

S3_ms.

The short distance radio signal is, for example, of the Bluetooth, WiFi (standard IEEE 802.1 1) or ZigBee (standard IEEE 802.15.4) type.

The transceiver 2-3 is configured to receive from the communication network 4 a first long distance signal Sl_ld which carries the configuration commands of the assistance criteria and the corresponding values of the configuration parameters and is configured for transmitting to the control unit 2-1 a second internal signal S2_i which carries the values of the configuration commands for and the corresponding values of the configuration parameters.

Moreover, the transceiver 2-3 is configured to receive from the control unit 2-1 the second internal signal S2__i which carries information associated with the assistance criterion and is configured for transmitting towards the communication network 4 the first long distance signal S 1 Id which carries the notification message associated with the assistance criterion and/or to an action for controlling the operation of an output and/or input/output module.

If the communication network 4 is of the fixed type, the transceiver 2-3 is connected to a cable which carries electrical signals or to an optical fibre.

If the communication network 4 is of the radio type, the transceiver 2-3 is of a long distance radio type and hence the first long distance signal Sl_ld is of the long distance radio type.

The memoiy 2-2 is designed to store one or more assistance criteria associated with the person with reduced capacity and the corresponding values of the configuration parameters associated with the assistance criteria.

The assistance criterion includes, for example, the following information:

a text description of a behaviour associated with the person with reduced capacity;

a rule identifying the occurrence of a particular condition associated with the behaviour of the person with reduced capacity;

one or more actions to be undertaken, as a function of the detected behaviour of the person with reduced capacity (for example, a notification message associated with the behaviour detected is generated).

Preferably, the assistance criterion associated with the person with reduced capacity includes the information:

a text description of an activity associated with the person with reduced capacity (for example, "taking a medicine");

date, time and duration of activity;

recurrence of the activity (for example, daily, once a week or once a month); an action to be undertaken, as a function of the type of response of the person with reduced capacity (for example, an audio or video notification message associated with the activity is generated).

The control unit 2-1 is designed to control the control domain 10.

More specifically, the control unit 2-1 is configured to receive (by means of the sensors 5-1 , 5-2, 5-3 and the transceiver 2-4) the values of the conditions which occur inside the home of the person with reduced capacity, is configured to read from the memory 2-2 the configuration parameters associated with the assistance criteria configured, is configured to receive (by means of the long distance transceiver 2-3) the configuration commands of the assistance criteria and it is configured to perform a software application to control, as a function of the values of the conditions received, the parameters read and the configuration commands received, the operation of the output modules 5-4, 5-5 and input/output modules 5-6 and the transmission towards the remote control device 3 of the notification messages associated with the respective assistance criteria and/or to actions for controlling operation of the output modules 5-4, 5-5 and/or input/output modules 5-6 explained in more detail below.

In addition, the control unit 2-1 is configured to generate, as a function of the values detected and the configuration parameters, information associated with assistance criteria configured.

A description is given below of a first example of operation of the electronic system 1 according to the first embodiment, making reference also to Figure 1. The following hypotheses are considered:

the person with reduced capacity is an elderly person suffering from senile dementia;

the sensor 5-1 is a sensor detecting the opening of the main door to the home of the person with reduced capacity ; more specifically, the opening sensor 5-1 is a magnetic contact composed of two contacts, of which one mounted on the door and the other on the frame;

the sensor 5-2 is a volumetric sensor of the infrared type positioned on a wall of the lounge of the home, in such a way that the volumetric sensor 5-2 monitors the entire space of the lounge;

the sensor 5-3 is an environmental microphone positioned in the bedroom of the home;

there is the output device 5-4 which consists of a loudspeaker positioned in the lounge of the home;

the output device 5-5 is not present; there is the input/output device 5-6 which consists of a screen, a confirmation push-button and a short distance radio signal transceiver;

the remote control device 3 is a smartphone which executes a remote assistance application to create the assistance criteria;

the memory 2-2 stores an occupation variable indicating the presence or absence inside the home of the person suffering from senile dementia;

the communication network 4 is a mobile phone network.

At the initial instant tO the person suffering from senile dementia is located outside his/her home and the memory 2-2 stores the occupation parameter indicating the absence from the home of the person suffering from senile dementia.

A relative of the person with reduced capacity starts the remote assistance application on the smartphone 3.

Next, the relative selects an assistance criterion for monitoring the activity of the person with reduced capacity (referred to hereafter as "activity monitoring criterion"), for the purpose of checking if the person suffering from senile dementia is in a sufficiently good state of health and/or is alive when he/she is inside the home.

More specifically, the relative configures the values of the following configuration parameters associated with the "activity monitoring criterion":

an alert interval of time (for example, 3 minutes) during which the control unit 2-1 periodically checks that the volumetric sensor 5-2 detects the presence of a movement of the person suffering from senile dementia inside the lounge or checks that the environmental microphone 5-3 detects a sound generated inside the bedroom (the sound may be generated by the breathing of the person suffering from senile dementia when sleeping or when he/she is still and silent in the bedroom, or the sound may be generated by the movement of the person suffering from senile dementia when he/she is moving in the bedroom or when he/she is talking in the bedroom or close to it); an alarm interval of time (for example, 1 minute) during which the control unit 2-1 checks that a message is received from the screen 5-6 confirming the presence of the person suffering from senile dementia .

Next, the relative activates (for example, by touching with a finger an area on the screen of the smartphone 3) the transmission towards the local monitoring device 2 of a configuration command which carries an identifier of the "activity monitoring criteria" and carries the values of the corresponding configuration parameters (that is, the values of the alert interval of time and the alarm interval of time).

The transceiver of long distance radio signals of the remote control device 3 transmits to the mobile phone network 4 the second long distance radio signal S2_ld which carries the configuration command and the corresponding values of the configuration parameters, so the mobile phone network 4 sends the configuration command and the corresponding values of the configuration parameters towards the local monitoring device 2.

The transceiver 2-3 of the local monitoring device 2 receives the second long distance radio signal S2Jld, extracts from it the configuration command and the corresponding values of the configuration parameters and generates the second internal signal S2__i which carries the configuration command and the corresponding values of the configuration parameters.

The control unit 2-1 performs at least one first software module which implements the "activity monitoring criterion"; reference will be made hereinafter to operations carried out by the control unit 2-1, but in reality the operations are performed by the at least one first software module.

The control unit 2-1 receives the second internal signal S2_j and extracts from it the configuration command and the corresponding values of the configuration parameters; more specifically, the control unit 2-1 recognises that the value of the identifier identifies the "activity monitoring criterion" and stores the values recei ved of the alert interval of time and of the alarm interval of time.

In the instants between tO and tl (tl excluded) the person suffering from senile dementia is located outside his/her home. The door opening sensor 5-1 generates the first measurement signal Sl_ms indicating the closing the of the entrance door of the home of the person suffering from senile dementia.

The transceiver 2 to 4 receives the first measurement signal Sl__ms and generates the first internal signal SI i which carries data indicating the closing of the entrance door.

The control unit 2-1 inner receives the first internal signal Sl_i, detects that the entrance door of the home is closed, reads from the memory 2-2 that the occupation variable has a value indicating the absence of the person suffering from senile dementia from his/her home, then generates the first internal signal

S I i which carries data indicating an action for controlling the driving of the loudspeaker 5-1 in the switched off operating mode and indicating the driving of the screen 5-6 in the switched off operating mode.

The transceiver 2-4 receives the first internal signal S 1 i and generates from this the first driving signal Sl_d which carries data indicating the driving of the loudspeaker 5-1 in the switched off operating mode and generates the second input/output signal S_io which carries data indicating the driving of the screen 5-6 in the switched off operating mode.

The loudspeaker 5-4 receives the first driving signal Sl_d and remains switched OFF, that is, it does not emit any audio signal.

The screen 5-6 receives the second input/output signal S_ o and remains switched OFF.

At the instant tl the person suffering from senile dementia opens the entrance door, enters his/her home and then closes the entrance door; the door opening sensor 5-1 generates the first measurement signal Sljms indicating firstly the opening and then the closing of the entrance door of the home.

The transceiver 2 to 4 receives the first measurement signal S l_ms and generates the first internal signal S 1 i which carries data indicating firstly the opening and then the closing of the entrance door.

The control unit 2-1 receives first internal signal S 1 i, then detects that the entrance door of the home has been opened and then closed and updates in the memory 2-2 the occupation variable to the value indicating the presence in the home of the person suffering from senile dementia.

Moreover, the control unit 2-1 generates the first internal signal S 1 i which carries data indicating a control action of the loudspeaker 5-4 such as to generate the following audio message: "Remember to lock the door with the key".

The transceiver 2-4 receives the first internal signal SI i inner and generates from this the first driving signal Sl_d which carries data indicating the audio message; the loudspeaker 5-4 receives the first driving signal S l_d and generates the audio message "Remember to lock the door with the key".

The person suffering froni senile dementia listens to the audio message and then locks the door with the key.

In the instants between tl (excluded) and t2 (excluded) the infrared volumetric sensor 5-2 performs the monitoring of the volume of the lounge and. moreover, the environmental microphone 5-3 detects the sound generated inside the bedroom.

More specifically, the infrared volumetric sensor 5-2 generates the second measurement signal S2_ms indicating the presence of movement of the person suffering from senile dementia in the lounge and/or the environmental microphone 5-3 generates the third measurement signal S3_ms indicating the presence of sound in the bedroom or close to it.

The transceiver 2-4 receives the first measurement signal Sl_ms indicating the closing of the entrance door, receives the second measurement signal S2_ms indicating the presence of movement in the lounge and receives the third measurement signal S3_ms indicating the presence of sound in the bedroom (or in the proximity of it), so the transceiver 2-4 generates the first internal signal SI i which carries data indicating the closing of d e entrance door, the presence of movement in the lounge and the presence of sound in the bedroom (or in the proximity of it).

The control unit 2-1 receives the first internal signal S l_i, then the control unit 2- 1 detects that the interval of time within which the presence of movement in the lounge (and/or the presence of sound in the bedroom) has been detected is less than alert interval of time; consequently, the control unit 2-1 continues to generate the first internal signal SI i which carries data indicating the driving of the loudspeaker 5-1 in the switched off operating mode and indicating the driving of the screen 5-6 in switched off the operating mod.

For this reason, the loudspeaker 5-4 remains switched off and also the screen 5-6 remains switched off, similar to that explained previously between the instants tO and tl .

At the instant t2 the infrared volumetric sensor 5-2 generates the second measurement signal S2_ms indicating the absence of movement of the person suffering from senile dementia in the lounge and simultaneously the environmental microphone 5-3 generates the third measurement signal S3_ms indicating the absence of sound in the bedroom or close to it.

The transceiver 2-4 receives the first measurement signal Sl_ms indicating the closing of the entrance door, receives the second measurement signal S2_ms indicating the absence of movement in the lounge and receives the third measurement signal S3_ms indicating the absence of sound in the bedroom (or in the proximity of it), so the transceiver 2-4 generates the first internal signal SI i which carries data indicating the closing of the entrance door, the absence of movement in the lounge and the absence of sound in the bedroom (or in the proximity of it).

The control unit 2-1 inner receives the first internal signal Sl_i, so the control unit

2-1 acti vates an alert meter which measures an interval of time passed.

In the instants between t2 and t3 (t3 excluded) the values of the measurement signals Sl_ms, S2_ms, S3_ms are equal to those illustrated at instant t2 and the value of the alert meter therefore continues to be increased.

At the instant t3 the control unit 2-1 detects that the value of the alert meter is equal to the value of the alarm period of time.

Consequently, the control unit 2-1 sets to zero the value of the alert meter and activates an alarm meter which measures an interval of time; in addition, the control unit 2-1 generates the first internal signal SI i which carries data indicating the driving of the loudspeaker 5-1 in the switched on operating mode and indicating the driving of the screen 5-6 in the switched on operating mode.

The transceiver 2-4 receives the first internal signal SI i and generates from this the first driving signal Sl_d which carries data indicating the driving of the loudspeaker 5-1 in the switched on operating mode and generates the input/output signal S_io which carries data indicating the driving of the screen 5-6 in the switched on operating mode.

The loudspeaker 5-4 receives the first driving signal Sl_d and generates an audio alarm signal; also, the screen 5-6 receives the input/output signal S_io and displays an image which invites the person suffering from senile dementia to press the confirmation push-button.

In the instants between t3 and t4 (t4 excluded) the operation of the electronic system 1 is similar to that described above at instant t3, so the value of the alarm counter is increased.

Moreover, the person suffering from senile dementia hears the alarm signal and starts to approach the screen 5-6.

At the instant t4 the person suffering from senile dementia has reached the screen 5-6 and presses the confirmation push-button; next, the transceiver of short distance signals inside the screen 5-6 transmits the input/output signal S_io which carries data indicating a confirmation received from the person suffering from senile dementia.

The transceiver 2-4 receives the input/output signal S_ o and generates from this the first internal signal Sl_i which carries data indicating the confirmation received.

The control unit 2-1 receives the first internal signal SI i and detects that the measured value of the alarm meter (equal to the difference between the instants t4 and t3) is less than the value of the alarm interval of time; consequently, the control unit 2-1 generates the second internal signal S2__i which carries data indicating the confirmation received. The transceiver 2-3 receives the second internal signal S2_i and generates from this the first long distance radio signal Sl_ld which carries a notification message indicating the confirmation received.

The mobile phone network 4 sends the notification message towards the remote control device 3 and generates the second long distance signal S2_ld which carries the notification message.

The transceiver of the remote control device 3 receives the second long distance signal S2__ld and a message is displayed on the screen of the smartphone 3 indicating the confirmation received by the person suffering from senile dementia: for this reason, the relative is able to know that the person suffering from senile dementia is in a sufficiently good physical condition or is alive.

Preferably, the notification message is carried by an SMS (Short Message

Service).

A description is given below of a second example of operation of the electronic system 1 according to the first embodiment, which is equal to the first until instant t3 (excluded).

In the instants between t3 and t4 (t4 excluded) the operation of the electronic system 1 is similar to that described above at instant t3, so the value of the alarm counter is increased, with the difference that the person suffering from senile dementia remains still and in silence in the lounge.

In this case it is assumed that the difference between the instants t4' and t3 is greater than the alarm period of time.

At the instant t4' the person suffering from senile dementia has not reached the screen 5-6 and has therefore not pressed the confirmation push-button; in this case, the control unit 2-1 detects that the measured value of the alarm meter is equal to the alarm period of time and hence generates the second internal signal S2_i which carries data indicating the absence of confirmation by the person suffering from senile dementia.

The transceiver 2-3 receives the second internal signal S2_i and generates from this the first long distance radio signal Sl_ld which carries a notification message indicating the lack of confirmation. The mobile phone network 4 sends the notification message towards the remote control device 3 and generates the second long distance signal S2_ld which carries the notification message.

The transceiver of the remote control device 3 receives the second long distance signal S2__ld and a message is displayed on the screen of the smartphone 3 indicating the absence of confirmation by the person suffering from senile dementia: for this reason, the relative is able to know that the person suffering from senile dementia is in a poor physical condition or is even deceased.

A description is given below of a third example of operation of the electronic system 1 according to the first embodiment.

The electronic system 1 of the third example differs from that of the first example by the further presence of a gas detecting sensor which generates a fourth measurement signal indicating the presence or absence of gas, wherein the gas detecting sensor is located in the kitchen of the home of the person suffering from senile dementia, in particular in the proximity of the surface which comprises the gas hobs.

At the instant tlO the person suffering from senile dementia is located inside his/her home and the memory 2-2 stores the occupation variable indicating the presence of the person suffering from senile dementia.

A relative of the person with reduced capacity starts the remote assistance application on the smartphone 3.

Next, the relative selects an assistance criterion for monitoring the correct use of gas stoves in the kitchen by the person with reduced capacity (referred to hereafter as "gas hobs monitoring criterion"), for the purpose of checking if the person suffering from senile dementia is correctly using the gas hobs when he/she is located inside the home, for example, to check that he/she has not forgotten a gas hob in the open position, causing the escape of gas.

Moreover, the relative configures the value of a gas alarm period of time (for example, 5 minutes) associated with the "criterion for monitoring gas hobs". Next, the relative activates (for example, by touching an area on the screen of the smartphone 3) the transmission towards the local monitoring device 2 of a configuration command which carries an identifier of the "gas hobs monitoring criteria" and carries the value configured of the gas alarm interval of time.

The transceiver of long distance radio signals of the remote control device 3 transmits to the mobile phone network 4 the second long distance radio signal

S2_ld which carries the configuration command, so the mobile phone network 4 sends the configuration command towards the local monitoring device 2.

The transceiver 2-3 of the local monitoring device 2 receives the second long distance radio signal S2_ld, extracts from it the configuration command and generates the second internal signal S2_i which carries the configuration command.

The control unit 2-1 performs at least one second software module which implements the "gas hobs monitoring criterion".

The control unit 2-1 receives the second internal signal S2_i and extracts from it the configuration command: more specifically, the control unit 2-1 recognises that the value of the identifier identifies the "gas hobs monitoring criterion".

In the instants between tl O and ti l (ti l excluded) the gas hobs are in a closed position.

The sensor for measuring gas generates the fourth measuring signal indicating the absence of gases in the kitchen.

The transceiver 2 to 4 receives the fourth measurement signal and generates the first internal signal S 1 i which carries data indicating the absence of gas in the kitchen.

The control unit 2-1 receives the first internal signal Sl_i, detects that the gas hobs are correctly closed, then generates the first internal signal Sl_i which carries data indicating an action for control of the driving of the loudspeaker 5-1 in the switched off operating mode and indicating the driving of the screen 5-6 in the switched off operating mode.

The transceiver 2-4 receives the first internal signal Sl_i and generates from this the first driving signal Sl_d which carries data indicating the driving of the loudspeaker 5-1 in the switched off operating mode and generates the second input/output signal S_io which carries data indicating the driving of the screen 5-6 in the switched off operating mode.

The loudspeaker 5-4 receives the first driving signal S l_d and remains switched OFF, that is, it does not emit any audio signal.

The screen 5-6 receives the second input/output signal S_io and remains switched OFF.

At the instant ti l the person suffering from senile dementia starts to use the gas hobs to cook a meal in a pan.

In the instants between tl 1 and tl2 (tl2 excluded) the gas hob remains in the open position and is generating the flame to heat the contents of the pan.

The operation of the electronic system 1 between the instants between ti l (included) and tl2 (excluded) is similar to that explained previously between instants tl O and tl 1.

At the instant tl2 the person suffering from senile dementia partly turns the knob of the hob which is ON, the flame switches OFF but the gas hob remains in the partly open position and gas starts to escape from the hob; consequently, the gas detection sensor generates the fourth measurement signal indicating the presence of gas in the kitchen.

The transceiver 2 to 4 receives the fourth measurement signal and generates the first internal signal SI i which carries data indicating the presence of gas in the kitchen.

The control unit 2-1 receives the first internal signal Slji, detects that there is a not negligible concentration of gas in the kitchen, so activates a gas alarm meter which measures the interval of time passed.

Moreover, the control unit 2-1 generates the first internal signal S 1 i which carries data indicating an action for control of the driving of the loudspeaker 5-1 in the switched on operating mode and indicating the driving of the screen 5-6 in the switched on operating mode.

The transceiver 2-4 receives the first internal signal S 1 i and generates from this the first driving signal Sl_d which carries data indicating the driving of the loudspeaker 5-1 in the switched on operating mode and generates the input/output signal S_io which carries data indicating the driving of the screen 5-6 in the switched on operating mode.

The loudspeaker 5-4 receives the first driving signal Sl_d and generates an audio alarm signal; also, the screen 5-6 receives the input/output signal S_io and displays a graphical or text message which invites the person suffering from senile dementia to check the closing of the knobs of the gas hobs.

In the instants between tl2 (excluded) and tl3 (excluded) the person suffering from senile dementia is not aware of the escape of gas and has not heard the audio alarm signal and has not seen the message on the screen 5-6; so ^

fourth measurement signal is equal to that shown at instant tl2 and the value of the gas alarm meter continues to be increased.

At the instant t3 the control unit 2-1 detects that the value of the gas alarm meter is equal to the value of the gas alarm period of time and therefore generates the second internal signal S2_i which carries data indicating the lack of control of the gas hobs by the person suffering from senile dementia.

The transceiver 2-3 receives the second internal signal S2__i and generates from this the first long distance radio signal Sljd which carries a notification message indicating the lack of control.

The mobile phone network 4 sends the notification message towards the remote control device 3 and generates the second long distance signal S2_Jd which carries the notification message.

The transceiver of the remote control device 3 receives the second long distance signal S2_ld and a message is displayed on the screen of the smartphone 3 indicating the lack of control of the gas hobs by the person suffering from senile dementia: for this reason, the relative is able to know that the person suffering from senile dementia has not been able to correctly close the knobs of the gas hobs.

In a variant embodiment of the third example of operation of the first embodiment, the gas alarm meter is not used, but the consideration of gas detected by the gas detection sensor is taken into consideration. In this case, when the value of the gas concentration is greater than or equal to an alarm threshold, the notification message of this lack of control is transmitted from the local monitoring device 2 to the remote control device 3.

The local monitoring device 2 is powered by the electricity network.

Advantageously, the local monitoring device 2 further comprises a battery having the purpose of powering the electric devices of the local monitoring device 2 in the event of a power failure of the electricity network, or if the person with reduced capacity tampers with the local monitoring device 2 and disconnects the local monitoring device 2 from the electricity network.

The first output device 5-4, the second output device 5-5 and the input/output device 5-6 are powered by the electricity network or by respective batteries.

According to a first variant of the invention, the first output device 5-4 periodically transmits the first driving signal Sl_d which further carries infomiation indicating the operating status of the first output device 5-4, that is, if the latter is in a correct operation status or in a fault status, the transceiver 2-4 receives the operation status of the first output device 5-4 and sends it to the control unit 2-1. More specifically, the transceiver 2-4 periodically receives the first driving signal Sl_d and generates from this the first internal signal S 1 i which carries the value of the operational status of the first output device 5-4. Alternatively, the transceiver 2-4 detects the failed reception of the first driving signal Sl__d and generates from this the first internal signal S 1 i which carries the value of the operational fault status of the first output device 5-4.

The control unit 2-1 receives the first internal signal Sl_i, extracts from it the value the operating status and performs the following operations:

if the value of the operating status is correct, the control unit 2-1 does not performs further actions;

if the value of the operating status is faulty, the control unit 2-1 , generates the second internal signal S2_i which carries information indicating the fault status of the first output device 5-4.

The control unit 2-1 generates the second internal signal S2_j which carries information indicating the fault status of the first output device 5-4 even if the first output device 5-4 no longer generates the first driving signal Sl_d; consequently, the transceiver 2-4 no longer generates the first internal signal S 1 i which carries the operational status and the control unit 2-1 no longer receives the operational status of the first output device 5-4.

If the value of the operational status is faulty, the transceiver 2-3 receives the second internal signal S2_i and generates from this the first long distance radio signal Sl_ld which carries a notification message indicating the fault status of the first output device 5-4.

The communication network 4 sends the notification message towards the remote control device 3 and generates the second long distance signal S2__ld which carries the notification message.

The transceiver of the remote control device 3 receives the second long distance signal S2_ld and a graphical or text message is displayed on a screen of the remote control device 3 indicating the fault status of the first output device 5-4: for this reason, the relative is able to know that it is not possible to use the first output device 5-4 to assist the person with reduced capacity.

The previous considerations of the first variant of the invention relating to the first output device 5-4 are applicable in a similar way also to the second output device 5-5 and to the input/output 5-6, that is, even these devices periodically transmit the respective operating status towards the transceiver 2-4, which sends it to the control unit 2-1.

For this reason, it is possible to display on the screen of the remote control device 3 the operational status of the first output device 5-4, of the second output device 5-5 and of the input/output device 5-6.

According to a second variant of the invention, the sensor 5-1 periodically transmits the first measurement signal Sl_ms which further carries information indicating the operating status of the sensor 5-1 , that is, if the latter is in a correct operation status or in a fault status, the transceiver 2-4 receives the operation status of the sensor 5-1 and sends it to the control unit 2-1. In this case, the previous considerations relating to the first output device 5-4 are also applicable to the sensor 5-1, with the difference that the notification message indicates the operational status of the sensor 5-1 and that the screen of the smartphone 3 displays a graphical or text message indicating the operational status of the sensor 5-1.

The above-mentioned considerations regarding the sensor 5-1 are also applicable in a similar way to the sensors 5-2 and 5-3.

For this reason, it is possible to display on the screen of the remote control device 3 the operational status of the sensors 5-1 , 5-2 and 5-3.

Figure 2A shows the block diagram of the electronic system 101 for assisting a person with reduced capacit according to the second embodiment of the invention.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment of Figure 1 in that it comprises a server 104-1, that is to say, a client-server type architecture is used and a distributed system is used.

More specifically, the server 104-1 performs a software application (referred to below as "server application") which implements a " web service".

The server 104-1 is part of a telecommunication network 104 of the Internet type, which implements the web service (for example, using the HTTP or HTTPS protocol).

The use of the web service has the advantage of not requiring the knowledge (by the client) of the IP address of the local monitoring device 2, because the communication is controlled by means of request messages transmitted by the clients 110-1 (or 1 10-2) to the server 104-1.

Advantageously, the access to the Internet network of the client 103-1 and the control domain 110-1 occurs via radio (similar considerations may be made for the clients 103-2, 103-3 and for the control domain 1 10-2).

More specifically, the electronic system 101 comprises:

two control domains 1 10-1 , 1 10-2;

one server 104-1 ;

- three clients 103-1 , 103-2, 103-3.

Each of the clients 103-1 , 103-2, 103-3 may be selected from the following list: a smartphone (for example, a iPhone or a Blackberry); a tablet (for example, an iPad);

a laptop personal computer;

a desktop personal computer;

any device which is able to exchange data through the telecommunication network 104.

It should be noted that for simplicity Figure 2A shows three clients 103-1, 103-2,

103- 3, but more in general the invention is applicable more generally speaking to a number of clients greater than or equal to one.

The _. first control _^ domain 110-1 is made in a similar wa to the control domam of the first embodiment of Figure 1.

More specifically, the first control domain 1 10-1 comprises:

the local monitoring device 102 has a function similar to that of the local monitoring device 2 of the first embodiment;

the plurality of input and/or output modules 5-1 , 5-2, 5-3, 5-4, 5-5, 5-6.

The second control domain 110-2 is made in a way similar to the first control domain 110-1 and the considerations regarding the first control domain 110-1 are therefore applicable in a similar manner to the second control domain 1 10-2.

It should be noted that for simplicity Figure 2A shows two control domains 110-1, 110-2, but the invention is applicable more generally speaking to a number of control domains greater than or equal to one.

The server 104-1 is part of a long distance telecommunication network 104, which may be of a fixed or mobile phone type, similarly to what is explained for the communication network 4 of the first embodiment.

The server 104-1 performs the server application (that is, the web service) and shares the resources with the plurality of clients 103-1 , 103-2, 103-3; the server

104- 1 therefore provides a web service to three clients 103-1 , 103-2, 103-3 and to the control domains 110-1, 1 10-2.

The local monitoring device 102 periodically transmits (for example, every 30 seconds) towards the server 104-1 (through the telecommunication network 104) a first server request signal Sl_srv_req which carries a request of the configuration parameters associated with the assistance criteria and receives from the server 104-1 (through the telecommunication network 104) a first server response signal Sl_srv_ack which carries information indicating the values of the configuration parameters required.

For this reason, the server 104-1 receives from the local monitoring device 102 (through the telecommunication network 104) the server request signal S_srv_req and transmits towards the local monitoring device 102 (through the telecommunication network 104) the server response signal S_sry_ack.

Moreover, the first client 103-1 executes a software application (hereafter referred to as "client application") which periodically transmits towards the server 104-1 a first client request signal Sl_cl_req which carries a message requesting a configuration command of an assistance criterion and receives from the server 104-1 a first client response signal Sl_cl_ack which carries a notification message associated with the assistance criterion considered and/or indicating an action for controlling the operation of an output module and/or input/output module and/or indicating a condition detected by an input module.

For this reason, the server 104-1 receives from the first client 103-1 through the telecommunication network 104 the first client request signal Sl_cl_req and transmits towards the first client 103-1 through the telecommunication network 104 the first client response signal Sl_cl_ack.

Similar considerations may be made for the second client 103-2 which generates the second client request signal S2_cl_req and receives the second client response signal S2_cl_ack.

The third client 103-3 differs from the first client 103-1 and the second client 103- 2 in that an access device 103-3.1 is interposed between the third client 103-3 and the server 104-1.

For this reason, the server 104-1 receives a plurality of request messages from the plurality of clients 103-1 , 103-2, 103-3 and sends respective response messages addressed to the respective clients 103-1, 103-2, 103-3.

Advantageously, according to a first variant of the second embodiment, the local monitoring device 102 periodically transmits to the server 104-1 (for example, every 30 seconds) the first server request signal Sl_srv_req which carries the values of at least a part of the signals generated by the output modules and/or by the input/output modules.

According to the first variant of the second embodiment, the server application (that is to say, the web service) executed on the server 104-1 receives and processes the values, identifies one or more actions to be earned out for controlling operation of one or more output modules (and/or on one or more input/output modules) which are inside the home of the person with reduced capacity (for example, the input/output module 5-5), then transmits towards the local monitoring device 102 the first server response signal Sl_sry_ack w ⁷ hich carries further information indicating the one or more remote actions identified. Moreover, according to the first variant of the second embodiment, the server application (that is, the web service) executed on the server 104-1 transmits towards the client 103-1 the first client response signal Sl_cl_ack which carries a message indicating the remote control action.

Lastly, the local monitoring device 102 receives information indicating the remote actions and performs them (for example, the device 5-5 is a screen which displays a video message directed to the person with reduced capacity).

Considering in particular the domain 1 10-1 shown in Figure 2B, the local monitoring device 102 periodically transmits to the server 104-1 the following values:

values of the measuring signals S l_ms, S2_ms S3_ms generated, respectively, by the sensors 5-1 , 5-2, 5-3;

values of the input/output signal S_jo of the input/output module 5-6.

According to the first variant of the second embodiment, the server application executed on the server 104-1 performs the part of the processing which has a higher computational complexity, whilst the client application executed on the control unit 2-1 of the local monitoring device 102 is the most generic possible relative to the specific configurations of the assistance criteria: in this way it is possible to add new assistance criteria by modifying only the server application which performs the web service on the server 104-1, without modifying the client application on the plurality of clients 103-1, 103-2, 103-3. More specifically, in the first variant of the second embodiment, the electronic system 101 controls two types of events:

a "Local Event";

a "Remote Event".

The Local Event is activated by the control unit 2-1 of the local monitoring device 102, following an evaluation of one or more rules which perform a comparison of the values of:

one or more measuring signals Sl_ms S2_ms S3_ms generated, respectively, by one.or more sensors.5-1, 5-2, 5-3;. and/or

one or more input signals generated by one or more input modules; and/or one or more input signals generated by one or more input/output modules 5-6.

The Local Event in turn activates a local action to be carried out in the first control domain 1 10-1 and consists in a action for controlling the operation of the output modules and/or of the input/output modules 5-6 .

The local actions can be, for example, the following:

if there is a sensor 5-1 and a loudspeaker 5-4, the loudspeaker 5-4 is such as to generate an audio message correlated with the type of sensor 5-1 ;

if there is a sensor 5-1 and a screen 5-5, the screen 5-5 is such as to display one or more images correlated with the type of sensor 5-1 ;

if a sensor for measuring gas and respective solenoid valve are present, the control unit 2-1 generates a command signal which commands the solenoid valve in such a way as to close the hydraulic system of the home of the person with reduced capacity.

The Remote Event is activated by the web service performed on the server 104-1, following execution of more complex algorithms which take into consideration the values of:

one or more measuring signals Sljms S2_ms S3_ms generated, respectively, by one or more sensors 5-1 , 5-2, 5-3; and/or

one or more input signals generated by one or more input modules; and/or one or more input signals generated by one or more input/output modules 5-6. The Remote Event in turn activates a remote action to be carried out in the first control domain 110-1 and consists in one or more actions for controlling the operation of the output modules and/or of the input/output modules 5-6 and/or in one or more actions towards the client 103-1.

The remote actions towards the client 103-1 can be, for example, the following: sending towards the client 103-1 an email message;

sending towards the client 103-1 a text message (SMS);

sending towards the client 103-1 a notification message associated with the assistance criterion considered and/or an action controlling operation of an output and/or input/output module.

According to the first or second embodiment, the following combinations of the input and/or output modules 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 5-4, 5-5, 5-6 are possible in the electronic system 1 or 101 :

an input module consisting of a sensor, which may for example a sensor for opening a door/window/door of a piece of furniture, a volumetric sensor, an environmental microphone, a video camera, a gas detecting sensor, a device for measuring the current absorbed by the meter;

one or more output modules, which may be, for example, loudspeakers or screens (or a combination of them);

one or more input/output modules;

one or more input modules, which can be, for example, keyboards or control panels with one or more keys (or a combination of keyboards and control panels);

one or more modules consisting of respective loudspeakers and one or more input modules consisting of a respective keyboard (or a respective control panel with one or more keys) which enable the person with reduced capacity to respond to questions generated by the loudspeakers;

magnetic contacts mounted on the door of the refrigerator, magnetic contacts mounted on the door of the furniture unit in which the medicines are stored, a first input module mounted on the wall of the kitchen and a second input module mounted on the wall of the bedroom of the home: in this configuration it is possible to monitor whether the door of the refrigerator (and/or the door of the furniture unit) has not been opened for a predetermined period of time and (if this is the case) it is possible to generate a notification message directed to the remote control device 3 or to the client 103-1 ;

a gas measuring sensor and a meter of the water dispensed and respective solenoid valve.

Preferably, the electronic system 1 or 101 further comprises a satellite position localisation device (for example, of the GPS type) mounted in a bracelet worn by the person with reduced capacity, in order to monitor the position of the person with reduced capacity, in particular when he/she leaves home.

In this case, the satellite localisation device comprises a processing unit and a transceiver of long distance radio signals configured to exchange information with the remote control device 3 of the first embodiment or with the server 104-1 of the second embodiment of the invention.