Description Field of the art

The present invention regards the field of remote communication through electronic means, in particular the one dedicated to technical assistance services and machine maintenance; even more in detail, in the present invention, the communication instrument can be worn by the user on the head thereof, allowing the hands thereof to be free.

Prior art

Various electronic devices that can be worn by a user for communicating with a remotely positioned assistance service are known at the state of the art.

The device which, nowadays, is the most advanced, is called“MAVUS”, acronym for “Mobile Audiovisual Support in Service”, which consists in a kit consisting of a vest and helmet provided with audio and video electronic devices suitable to exchange information between the user who requires assistance and a remotely positioned technician. This system offers the advantages of sharing the know-how of technicians across the world, reducing costs by using a device with intuitive operation, that is easy to handle and that guarantees maximum freedom of movement of the user who can work with both hands without the presence of hindering cables.

However, the“MAVUS” device reveals several disadvantages. For example, it allows communication with only one specialised technician present in the operations centre of the assistance service; furthermore, it also forces the user to wear a plurality of garments (helmet and vest) which have uncovered cables passing between one element and the other. Furthermore, the vest and the helmet do not appropriately meet the injury prevention safety requirements.

Other patents describe similar communication systems, such as the patent number US 2015305425“Helmet configured for electronics”, which describes a helmet with a battery pack which supplies power to all the electronic devices it is provided with such as video camera, microphone and headphones; or the patent number CN 204681507“Individual soldier’s operation command system based on radio communication”, which claims a helmet similar to the one described above, whose communications are based on radio frequencies. Both devices claimed by the aforementioned patents do not require a vest, thus they overcome the problem related to free cables, but they do not allow the remote control of the electronic devices which can be handled by the user wearing the helmet only. In case of use of the helmet for remote technical support, this strongly limits the quality of the assistance service.

Thus, an object of the present invention is to describe a helmet, possibly of the injury prevention type, provided therein with all electronics required for a remote assistance communication which may occur, by means of a remote technical unit, both with a single technician and with a plurality of experts, said remote technical unit being capable of controlling at least the video camera of the user requesting assistance.

Such objective is achieved through the characteristics described in claim 1, other versions of the invention are outlined in the dependent claims.

Description of the invention

A shockproof helmet for remote assistance provided with integrated electronic devices and controllable by the user or by the remote technical unit 200 is obtained according to the present invention.

Advantageously, said shockproof helmet 100 consists of a rigid external surface 102 and an internal surface 101 provided with an adjustment band 110 which allows to adapt the helmet 100 to the head of any user.

Advantageously, the intermediate space, delimited by said external surface 102 and said internal surface 101, is suitable to contain at least one memory card 150, a rechargeable battery 160, a CPU unit 170 and all connection cables between the rechargeable battery 160 and the various electronic devices, so that they are protected against shocks and liquids. Furthermore, a router which allows creating a data network specific for the helmet 100 to which other devices can be connected and share audio and video, may be advantageously integrated.

Advantageously, said rechargeable battery 160 is suitable to power-supply all electronic devices simultaneously switched on for at least 2 hours, preferably for 10 hours and it can be easily replaced for charging or recharging by means of a special connection. A universal micro usb port suitable to allow the end user to connect the helmet 100 to any battery pack available in the market can be advantageously provided for.

At least one power button 115, suitable to simultaneously switch on all electronic devices, and at least one call button 125, suitable to establish a connection, through common wireless communication means 180, with a remote technical unit 200 connected to said helmet 100 are advantageously arranged on the external surface 102 of the helmet 100.

Said helmet 100 is advantageously provided with at least one common microphone 130, arranged on a special rod 131, preferably fixed, rotatably connected to said helmet 100 suitable to bring said microphone 130 close to the user’s mouth. Said microphone 130, is advantageously provided with at least one integrated ambient microphone 133, suitable to detect ambient noises and reversibly activatable using a special button 132. Said ambient microphone 133 can advantageously be orientable.

At least one common video camera 140, arranged on a support 141, suitable to receive the video data regarding the user’s viewpoint is advantageously arranged at the front of the user. Said support 141 can advantageously be adjustable, alongside a device for zooming and motorising the video camera 142, both of the user and of the remote technical unit 200 through said CPU unit 170 with the aim of moving the viewpoint of the video camera 140 without necessarily moving the helmet 100. This could be particularly useful should the user wearing the helmet 100 not be able to focus the desired point. Furthermore, by placing the helmet 100 on a surface, it could serve as a wireless ambient video camera.

Advantageously, said helmet 100 is also provided with at least one common audio device 120, arranged on the internal surface 101, at at least one ear of the user, suitable to transmit to the user the audio data coming from the remote technical unit 200.

The CPU unit 170 has the advantage of managing input and output audio/video data traffic between said user and said remote technical unit 200, through common wireless communication means 180.

A virtual archive for the operations carried out and filmed thanks to the presence of a memory card 150, suitable to save the data coming from said video camera 140 and from said microphone 130, such as a common dashcam for vehicles, can also be advantageously created.

In this manner, it will be advantageously possible to send audio/video data to said remote technical unit 200 at a later time.

Advantageously, said helmet 100 can be provided with a visor 190, arranged at at least one eye of the user, suitable to allow the user to view input video/photo data sent by the remote technical unit 200.

Said video data may advantageously regard images relative to complex maintenance operations of the plant, subject of maintenance.

In order to make the helmet 100 useful even in scarcely lit environments, it can advantageously be provided, on the external surface 102 thereof, with at least one front light 195, connected to said rechargeable battery 160 and reversibly actuatable by means of a common button.

Said helmet 100 can advantageously be provided with a flexible arm 510 provided with a button 530 for switching on the light 520 and with a micro-camera 500 arranged on the distal end of said flexible arm 510, also connected to the remote technical unit 200 by means of the CPU unit 170, which serves for inspecting small spaces or holes. Both said video camera 140 and said micro-camera 500 may reveal the advantage of being able to take enlargeable photos.

Advantageously, said helmet can be removed from the head of the user and placed on any surface, even adjustable, thanks to the presence of a plurality of adjustable supports 150, reversibly removable from the edge 104 of said helmet 100. In this case, said helmet 100 may advantageously be provided, on the rear part of the external surface 102, with at least one screen 400 with a shockproof protection 410, connected to said video camera 140 and/or to the possible micro-camera 500, suitable to reproduce the images filmed by the video camera 140 and/or by the micro-camera 500. Advantageously added to the screen 400 is providing at least one rear microphone 600 and at least one speaker 700, both connected to said remote technical unit 200 by means of the CPU unit 170, suitably positioned to allow the communication between said user and said remote technical unit 200 when the user is not wearing the helmet 100.

Just like in the case of said visor 190, said screen 400 is also connected to said remote technical unit 200 by means of said CPU unit 170, and it is suitable to reproduce images regarding complex operations for the maintenance of the plant, subject of maintenance, sent by said remote technical unit 200.

Advantageously, said helmet 100 may be characterised by a waterproof intermediate space due to the resistance of the external surface 102 and of the internal surface 101 against water and against any other liquid. In this case, all electronic devices outside the intermediate space will also be advantageously waterproof.

Advantageously, the remote unit to which the helmet is connected may transmit in video conference of multiple users transmitting audios and videos respectively in the headphone and in the visor. Furthermore, in the latter aforementioned devices, the audio and video communication allows sending data on multiple remote media, by means of a common Internet connection through Wi-Fi, so as to allow the simultaneous participation in the call by a plurality of users in video conference in the same call. Advantageously, the aforementioned invention may apply to any field such as the technical, assistance, construction, medical, mechanical fields and in any condition in which an interactive video call is required.

Description of the figures The invention will be described hereinafter in at least one preferred embodiment, provided by way of non-limiting illustration, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

- FIGURE 1 shows a front view of a possible embodiment of the helmet 100 showing the external surface 102 with the power button 115, the call button 125, the front light 195 and the flexible rod 131 on which the microphone 130, the button 132 and the ambient microphone 133 are arranged; shown connected to the edge 104 of the helmet 100 is the visor 190 and support 141 of the video camera 140 with the zoom 142; shown on the background is the adjustment band 110 of the internal surface 101 and represented with the dash line are the memory card 150, the rechargeable battery 160 and the CPU unit which are contained in the intermediate space of the helmet 100;

- FIGURE 2 shows the rear view of another possible embodiment of the helmet 100 showing, on the external surface 102, the screen 400 with the shockproof protection 410, the rear microphone 600 and the speaker 700; shown on the background is the flexible arm 510 of the micro-camera 500 provided with light 520 and power button 530, while shown protruding from the edge 104 are the adjustable supports 250 which rest on a discontinuous surface so as to use it as a fixed multimedia station when not used as a helmet;

- FIGURE 3 shows the operation of the communication between the user and the remote technical unit 200: represented at the centre is the CPU unit 170 which, upon the command of the call button 125, establishes a connection between the remote technical unit 200 and the electronic devices of the helmet through common wireless communication means 180; the input data coming from the CPU unit 170 may come from the micro-camera 500, from the video camera 140, from the microphone 133, from the ambient microphone 130 and from the rear microphone 600; the output data coming from the remote technical unit 200 and processed by said CPU unit 170 may be sent to the support 141 of the video camera 140, to the audio device 120, to the visor 190, to the screen 400 and to the speaker 700; furthermore, it is observable that the remote technical unit 200 may manage the communication with a plurality of technicians 201, 202, 203 simultaneously. Detailed description of the invention

Now, the present invention will be illustrated purely by way of non-limiting or binding example, with reference to the figures illustrating some exemplifying but strictly non limiting or binding embodiments regarding the present inventive concept.

Said helmet 100 has the function of allowing remote technical assistance for the maintenance or repair of machines or for showing the work carried out in any industry, but without necessarily calling a team of specialised technicians, but by simply wearing the helmet 100 and making a call to the remote technical unit 200.

With reference to FIG. 1, the front view of one of the possible embodiments of the helmet 100 of the present invention is represented. It consists of a rigid external surface 102 an internal surface 101 provided with a common adjustment band 110 which allows the perfect adaptability of the helmet 100 irrespective of the size of the head of the user. In addition, the power button 115 and the call button 125 are arranged on the external surface 102. The power button 115 connects the rechargeable battery 160 to all electronic devices, actuating them, while the call button 125, establishes a data traffic with the remote technical unit 200 by means of the CPU unit 170 to be illustrated hereinafter. All the power supply cables, the rechargeable battery 160, the CPU unit 170 and a common memory card 150, are contained in the intermediate space delimited by the external surface 102 and by the internal surface 101 of the helmet 100. In this manner, the content of the intermediate space is protected against shocks and, if the external and internal surfaces 102, 101 are waterproof, said devices are also protected against water and against any other liquid.

A front light 195, actuatable by means of a common switch, useful for allowing the user visibility in poorly lit environments is arranged at the front of the user. A common video camera 140 with a support 141 preferably adjustable and preferably provided with a zoom 142 is arranged slightly below the front light 195. By directing the support 141 and actuating the zoom 142, the user can show the problem to be solved to the remote technical unit 200. In order to ascertain that the image sent to the remote technical unit 200 is correct, the helmet 100 is preferably provided with a visor 190, on which the image is reproduced. The image can be integrated with augmented reality through images projected directly in the visor 190 of the remote unit 200. For example, upon focusing an object, the screen can be connected to the internet through the remote unit and receive images or image integration texts which help the user to integrate the displayed object better. Said visor 190 preferably consists of a screen arranged at at least one eye of the user and it can also be suitable to receive video data from the remote technical unit 200 to be shown to the user as visual instructions. In order to be able to illustrate the problem better, the user can send audio data to the remote technical unit 200 by means of a microphone 130 arranged on the end of a rod 131 preferably flexible. Said rod 131 is rotatably connected to the helmet 100 to be rotated and brought at the mouth of the user. Furthermore, a button 132 suitable to reversibly actuate an ambient microphone 133 which can be useful to transmit to the remote technical unit 200 the sounds present in the environment at the time of communication can be arranged on said rod 131. Preferably, said ambient microphone 133 can be oriented by the user at will.

The audio data coming from the remote technical unit 200, suitable to serve as voice instruction for the user, is reproduced by the audio device 120 arranged on the internal surface 101 of the helmet 100 at at least one ear of the user.

A further device useful to illustrate the problem of the remote technical unit 200 to the utmost is illustrated in FIG. 2 and it consists in a micro-camera 500, arranged on the flexible arm 510, which can be inserted into holes and limited spaces to make them suitable for inspection. The operation of said micro-camera 500 is activated by means of a common button 530 also suitable to switch on a light 520, arranged on said flexible arm 510, which serves to illuminate the subject of focus by the micro-camera 500.

Still with reference to FIG. 2 visible is the rear of the helmet 100 in its most complete embodiment. The adjustable supports 250 which can be reversibly removed from the edge 104 of the helmet 100 and which allow the user to place the helmet on any surface, even irregular, are shown. Thus, the user can display the subject of focus by the video camera 140 on the screen 400 and can talk with the remote technical unit 200, through the rear microphone 600 and the speaker 700, still arranged on the rear part of the external surface 102 of the helmet 100.

Said screen 400 is also suitable to reproduce the video data coming from the remote technical unit 200, regarding complex maintenance operations, that can serve as visual instructions for the user requiring the intervention.

In order to protect the screen 400 against possible shocks, it is provided with a shockproof surface protection 410.

As previously mentioned, the helmet 100 of the present invention, has the function of allowing the communication between a user wearing it and a remote technical unit 200. Thus, one or more technicians 201, 202, 203, also simultaneously present in different places of the globe, can be connected to said remote technical unit 200, can receive the audio and video data which allows them to identify the problem and they can send instructions to the user, both through voice messages and through images or videos that the user can display on the special electronic devices arranged on the helmet 100.

With reference to FIG. 3 the operation of the communication between the user and the remote technical unit 200 is schematised. Presuming that the user has already worn the helmet 100, pressed the power button 115 and is looking towards the machine to be repaired, the user, upon pressing the call button 125, establishes a data connection with the remote technical unit 200. The CPU unit 170 is the device that manages audio and video data traffic entering into and exiting from said helmet 100 connected with said remote technical unit 200. In particular, said CPU unit 170 sends to said remote technical unit 200, by means of common wireless communication means 180, the video data coming from the video camera 140 and, possibly, from the micro-camera 500 and the audio data coming from the microphone 130 or from the rear microphone 600 and, possibly, from the ambient microphone 133. Said output audio and video data reaches said remote technical unit 200 to which one or more technicians 201, 202, 203, who analyse the problem and find a solution, can be connected. Said solution is communicated to the user through audio and/or video data instructions which are sent from said remote technical unit 200 to said CPU unit 170 through common wireless communication means 180. At this point, the CPU unit 170 sends the input audio data to the audio device 120 or to the speaker 700 and sends the input video data to the visor 190 and to the screen 400. The remote technical unit 200 can also control, through said CPU unit 170, the adjustable support 141 and the zoom 142 of the video camera 140 so as to display the point of interest even should the user move the head, and thus the helmet 100, in the wrong direction.

Due to the memory card 150, it is possible for the user to record an audio and video message to be sent to the remote technical unit 200 at a later time and it is also possible to save the audio and video data, both input and output, regarding all interventions carried out, to create a virtual archive available to be viewed at any time, by means of electronic devices of the helmet 100.

Furthermore, in a preferred version of the present invention said helmet 100 is also provided, internally or externally, with a common router for connection to the internet, so as to create an independent internet connection even in the absence of a Wi-Fi signal to which other units can be connected and with which to communicate.

Lastly, it is clear that the invention described up to now may be subjected to modifications, additions or variants obvious to a man skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of protection outlined by the attached claims.