Description

Field of the art

The present invention refers to the field of multimedia communication devices. More in detail, the present invention refers to a particular inflatable load-bearing structure adapt to allow the use of common tablet computers in public and/or private spaces and in particular to use them on water, such as in the sea and/or in a swimming pool.

State of the art

It is widely recognized, in didactic activities directed towards the development of cognitive abilities, how it is necessary to create working and learning settings that are very rich from the standpoint of social interaction and mutual mediation. Nevertheless, in a great number of current formative settings, the conventional teaching method is still entrenched where there is a clear separation of the roles between teacher and pupil. Quite often, this teaching method involves a unidirectional communication between the student and the teacher, ensuring that the latter interacts only in times of evaluation. Up to now, technological development has facilitated the diffusion of knowledge, the propagation of information and means for communicating it as well as the capacity for self-learning, preventing the individual from remaining with only the knowledge acquired during the years of formal education. Undoubtedly, up to now, the computer is the source of information that best represents the possibility for self-learning offered by technological advancement. This instrument requires high autonomy and independence, and the acquisition of new and potential capacities for learning based on a continuous use practice. With the computer, the student learns "by doing and reflecting" on his/her own operation, in contrast with that which occurs conventionally at school, in which the main element of acquisition is the teacher's explanation followed by homework. The introduction of the Internet, as a data communication instrument used for learning, has made possible the access to remote information, such as to: data banks, materials and didactic examples continuously enriched and "downloadable"; and it has allowed the communication and cooperation with other subjects. One need only consider email, electronic bulletin boards, chats and videoconferencing, and all the applications for on-line assistance, formation and experimentation. Teachers and students can in fact meet/discuss with each other via chat and in forums.

Due to the development of computer technologies and artificial intelligence, it is now also possible to build intelligent programs for learning in which the student directly interacts with an automatic system. For such purpose, there are so-called "adaptive" psychological learning systems, in which the computer has the role of a tutor, which evaluates the right or wrong responses; and also so-called "intelligent tutoring" systems which are instead based on cognitive theories and are designed for replicating the characteristics of a human teacher. The latter systems have the advantage of giving the student an automatic tutor, which assists him/her during the homework, not by providing the exact responses but by guiding him/her in reasoning, making him/her reflect on the causal hypotheses and assisting him/her to discover and correct the errors in order to lead him/her to a diagnosis as valid and grounded as possible. The "adaptive" systems, even if they have the advantage of being specific per context and being adapted to the student, can produce a passive mentality in the latter, oriented towards the discovery of only the right response in a non-critical and little reflexive manner, and hence they stimulate neither creativity nor research. The intelligent tutoring systems instead offer, in most cases, the advantage of presenting realistic situations in which, through dialogs, the reasoning of the student is examined in order to discover and correct the gaps thereof. The greater effectiveness of the latter learning systems was found to be due to the presence of a tutor, which even if of virtual type, resembles and behaves like a teacher, thus confirming the importance of human interaction in the learning process. For such purpose, the present industrial invention patent application, described in detail hereinbelow, proposes a new multimedia communication system preferably usable by a plurality of subjects who are situated in the same place, and adapted to unite the advantages offered by current multimedia communication systems with the more conventional advantages of direct human interaction. More in detail the present invention patent application proposes an inflatable support, with size and shape such to allow the sitting of at least one subject and preferably of at least two subjects. Said inflatable support comprises at least one multimedia communication system, such as a touch screen tablet device, which offers a plurality of applications substantially consisting of state-of-the-art didactic systems for learning. Said support, being inflatable, is also floating, allowing its use also on the water, such as the sea and/or swimming pool.

Description of the invention

The present industrial invention patent application describes a new multimedia communication system adapted to allow the user(s) thereof to make use of all the benefits offered by the multimedia applications for cognitive learning, suitably configured on tablet devices, by also simultaneously making use of direct human contribution and assistance. The present communication system is also suitably designed and obtained to allow its installation in any place, such as campgrounds, parks, public and private structures, and to allow its floating in water, obtaining in every respect a movable structure that can be easily set up for cognitive learning, thus representing an actual "portable school".

More in detail, the present description refers to an impermeable multimedia communication system comprising an inflatable load-bearing structure, with which one or more tablet devices are integrated, configured for allowing the use of multimedia applications suitably selected for cognitive learning. The present system is substantially but not exclusively characterized in that the inflatable load-bearing structure has size and profile such to allow the sitting of one or more subjects, preferably of a plurality of subjects. Typically, said subjects are represented by school-age children and by an adult as teacher. Still more in detail, the present system comprises an inflatable structure, in turn comprising a portion with which at least one touch screen tablet device, accessible to user(s), is integrated, and at least one extension, which departs from the aforesaid portion having said tablet(s), adapted to allow the sitting of at least one subject, typically a child. Preferably, the inflatable load- bearing structure comprises a central portion having one or more computers provided with touch screen monitors, from which at least two extensions depart forming an angle of at least 45° with each other. Still more preferably, from said central portion a plurality of extensions depart, radially oriented. Each of said extensions is sized and shaped to offer the seat for at least one subject who can, from this position, use the tablet device(s), integrated with the central portion, and simultaneously interact with the subjects seated with him on the same structure. For such purpose, in one of the embodiments thereof, described in detail hereinbelow, the present multimedia communication system comprises a load-bearing structure shaped as an octopus, in which the head of the octopus represents the central portion used for integrating one or more touch screen computers configured for accessing the aforesaid applications for cognitive learning. The tentacles of the load-bearing structure, having the profile of a giant octopus, instead represent the abovementioned extensions, adapted to offer the seat for the subjects using the present multimedia communication system. The described profile is not the only form that can be conferred to the load-bearing structure of the system under examination. This can in fact be shaped in various ways, so long as it has a typically central portion used to receive the multimedia monitor, and extensions, which depart from said central portion, used to offer the seat to subjects using the described communication system. As will be specified in the course of the present description, and made clearer from the observation of the enclosed drawings, the multimedia communication system comprises aesthetic/functional components and characteristics adapted to considerably improve the efficiency thereof during its use. Said system comprises, by way of example, in particular embodiments of the invention, systems for protecting the users from the sun when used outdoors, such as in parks or on water; and/or, in other embodiments, the system comprises functional aesthetic characteristics which contribute to enhancing the comfort of the users. Said components and characteristics are represented, still by way of a not necessarily limiting example, by the profile itself of the load-bearing structure at the sitting zones, which are ergonomically shaped, or by the presence of specific housings, provided at the central portion, adapted to receive the personal belongings of the user or the user's meals.

Brief description of the drawings

FIGURE 1 shows a front view of the multimedia communication system 1 according to the present industrial invention patent application. More in detail, the figure 1 (a) shows a front view of the system 1 with octopus shape. The figure in question intends to emphasize that said system 1 is represented by an inflatable load-bearing structure comprising the central portion 2, which in this case is represented by the head of the octopus, on which at least one computer 3 of touch screen tablet type can be integrated, protected from possible damage due to the cover 6. From said central portion 2, a plurality of extensions 4 depart, in this case represented by the tentacles of the inflatable octopus, and adapted to offer the seat for the users of said system 1. Figure 1(b) instead shows the detail pertaining to the integration of the computer 3 with the central portion 2. The figure under examination intends to emphasize the formation of the interspace 5, which is created once said system 1 is inflated. Said interspace allows the insertion and stabilization of the computer 3 in the central portion 2. More in detail, said integration occurs: lifting the cover 6 by opening a suitable zipper 7 covering all sides 6", of said cover 6, apart from the upper and horizontal side 6', which is stably connected with the portion 2; inserting the computer 3 in the interspace 5; lowering the cover 6 once again; and reclosing the zipper 7.

FIGURE 2 shows a front view of the present multimedia communication system I in a particular embodiment thereof. More in detail the figure in question intends to underline the particular shape of each extension 4, i.e. of each tentacle of the inflatable octopus. Said shape is such to ensure that each extension 4 also offers a comfortable support for the back of the user when seated astride said extension 4. FIGURE 3 shows a front view of a further embodiment of the invention, in which the multimedia communication system 1 is provided with portions used as seats 8 on the extensions 4. Said seats 8 are adapted to confer greater stability and equilibrium to the user of the system 1. For the same purpose, the figure shows that the extensions 4 can have safety belts 9, to be wound around the pelvis of the user, adapted to confer greater equilibrium to the user and to prevent he/she from accidentally falling into the water when said system 1 is used, for example in the sea or in a swimming pool. The figure under examination also shows the presence of the support surface 10, encircling, shaped as a collar, the central portion 2 and firmly connected thereto. Said surface 10 is adapted to allow the support of articles of various type, which can simultaneously useful for the user.

FIGURE 4 shows a front view of a further embodiment of the present multimedia communication system 1. In particular, the figure shows that said system 1 is provided with the umbrella 1 1 , connected to the central portion 2 with a retractable telescopic rod 12 that allows the insertion of the umbrella 1 1 inside said portion 2 if the use of said umbrella 1 1 is not necessary. The presence of the umbrella 1 1 has however shown to be particularly useful when the present system 1 is used in the outdoors in which it is necessary to be protected from elements such as sun or rain.

Description of the preferred embodiments

In all embodiments thereof, the multimedia communication system 1 , object of the present industrial invention patent application, is represented by an inflatable impermeable load- bearing structure comprising: a central portion 2, adapted to receive at least one computer 3 of touch screen tablet type; and at least one extension 4, which departs from said central portion 2, adapted to offer the seat for the user(s) of said system 1 . More in detail, the computer(s) 3, incorporated in the central portion 2 of the present system, can be integrated with said portion 2, due to its insertion inside a suitable interspace 5 that comes to be formed once the load-bearing structure is inflated. As has been stated multiple times in the course of the present description, the multimedia communication system 1 , being inflatable, is adapted for use on water, such as in the sea and/or in a swimming pool. Therefore, the computers 3 integrated with the portion 2, when the system 1 is used on said surfaces, could be damaged following a possible contact with the water. In order to prevent such possibility, and in any case in order to protect the screen of the computer 3 from possible damage, the system 1 has, at each computer 3 integrated with the portion 2, a protection cover 6 made of optically transparent polymer material that is sufficiently elastic to allow the user to touch the screen of the computer 3 below said cover 6. The latter, shaped as a small curtain, has a rectangular profile and has the upper horizontal side 6' firmly joined to the portion 2, while the other sides 6" are movable and reversibly joined to said portion 2 by means of a common zipper 7. Thus, in order to remove or house the computer 3 from or in the portion 2, the user must: inflate the system 1 , open the zipper 7, lift the cover 6 and move away or insert the computer 3 from or into the interspace 5.

As already mentioned, the present multimedia communication system 1 has aesthetic/functional characteristics adapted to considerably improve the efficiency thereof. In particular, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system 1 is shaped as a giant octopus, in which the head of the octopus represents the central portion 2, while its tentacles represent the extensions 4 on which the users will come to sit astride. In order to offer greater comfort for the users, said extensions can be shaped and oriented spatially in a manner so as to be shaped as more ergonomic seats, which also allow the support of the back of the user, acting in every respect as comfortable chairs. As an alternative and/or additionally, each tentacle has at least one seat 8 with ergonomic profile adapted to ensure greater equilibrium for the user seated with one leg on one side and other leg on the other side of the tentacle. The presence of the seats 8 can be deemed particular useful when the users seated on the extensions 4 are small children. Still with the purpose of conferring equilibrium, stability and safety to users, each extension 4 optionally has at least one safety belt 9 to be wound around the pelvis of the child when seated on the extension 4, so as to prevent the latter from accidentally falling in the water. As has been stated multiple times in the course of the present description, the present multimedia communication system 1 , being inflatable, can be easily set up and used in many different places, such as parks, beaches, or on water such as at the sea or at a swimming pool. This in order to obtain enjoyable and functional settings for learning, in which it is possible to make use of the most advanced multimedia computers. In order to render the system 1 even more functional, some embodiments provide that said system 1 has, at the central portion 2, at least one support surface 10, encircling said portion 2 and shaped as a collar and adapted to offer support for articles of various type such as, by way of non- limiting example, personal belongings or meals. In a particular embodiment according to the described invention, the system 1 comprises, connected to the central portion 2, an umbrella 1 1 with retractable telescopic rod 12 adapted to offer users protection from the sun or rain when said system is used outdoors.

The described octopus profile is not the only form possible with which the present system can be obtained: profiles that are equally useful for the purpose of the invention can indeed be conferred by any inflatable structure having a central portion on which one or more computers 3 can be inserted, as described, and from which at least one extension 4 departs, preferably at least two extensions 4 and still more preferably at least five extensions 4 depart which are adapted to offer the seat for subjects using said system 1. By way of a non-limiting example, said system 1 is made, in a particular embodiment of the invention, shaped as a starfish. In all embodiments thereof, the present system 1 can be made of any one plastomer that is impermeable, sufficiently strong and resistant to tearing. Said system 1 is, by way of a non-limiting example, made of synthetic polyamide and PVC.