FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for providing interaction between individuals. The present invention especially relates to a device for providing interaction between a loved one and a patient undergoing a medical examination.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Oftentimes, it may be observed in hospital waiting rooms that a number of people who, by accompanying their loved ones during difficult examinations or procedures, are left waiting and kept distant from the people they accompany to the hospital. This, in turn, means that oftentimes, in spite of the very presence of the accompanying people, patients cannot enjoy their comfort and support during procedures and examinations. This may cause both discomfort and worries on the side of the loved ones in the waiting room, as it has been shown by specific researches addressing the needs of patients' relatives, see for example 'Molter, 1979; Kutash & Northrop, 2007; Bournes & Mitchell, 2002'. Specifically, it has been shown that while waiting in waiting rooms, the relatives, friends, or family members of the patients, feel the need to:

1. Have the waiting room near the patient, for maintaining a feeling of physical proximity;

2. Receive emotional support;

3. Receive information on the progress of the patient status;

4. Receive and enjoy some distractions;

5. Receive information on the waiting time, i.e. indications on the time that is left before they can meet again patient.

So there is the need to establish communication between patients and their loved ones in the waiting rooms of hospitals, or other locations.

Known apparatuses share the fact that some form of communication can be kept between a patient and her/his loved one, although the communication implied in these inventions are exchange of information vehiculated either through visual (through video or text) or verbal form. However, in some clinical contexts it is not possible to actually type in text messages, talk, and reach devices so as to check the output displayed, because diagnostic procedures require the patient to stand or lie still, as for example in MRI scanning. Hence, alternative ways of communicating and devices for communicating presence should be provided.

The inventor of the present invention has appreciated that an improved device for communicating presence is of benefit, and has in consequence devised the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to achieve a device that a patient is able to carry with him or her during a medical examination. It would also be desirable to enable a patient to receive emotional support from a loved one during a medical examination, i.e. a physical or clinical examination. In general, the invention preferably seeks to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages singly or in any combination. In particular, it may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide a method that solves the above mentioned problems, or other problems, of the prior art.

The present invention also relates to the realm of communication between patients undergoing a procedure and their loved ones in the waiting rooms, however contrary to other known devices, the present invention aims at establishing a "loose" form of emotional exchange, which is not necessarily encoded in textual, video, or verbal forms aiming at conveying a certain information, like: "I am nearly done" or "Keep going, you're nearly finished!". In fact, in some clinical context actual conversation and explicit exchanges cannot take place, for example because the patient has to stay still, or because special positions have to be held and therefore it is not possible to access messages sent by the loved ones in the waiting rooms.

Thus, using a device or method according to the present invention emotional exchange between distant parties may be established, using simpler and more basic means of expressions, based on the emission of colored light, sounds, heat and haptics (delivered to the patient undergoing a procedure) and stimulated by gesturing and haptic interaction with a special device. This type of communication is more subtle, and still delivers a sense of physical proximity and sense of presence, without engaging the two parties in actual conversations. To better address one or more of these concerns, in a first aspect of the invention a hand-held device providing interaction between a first individual and a second individual in a hospital environment is provided. The hand-held device is configured to establish emotional communication between the first individual and the second individual, the hand-held device comprises a wireless receiver device configured to receive data from an externally placed wireless transmitter device in response to input from the second individual, a light emitting device configured to emit colored light in response to data received via the receiver device, and a display area at the surface of the hand-held device configured to allow light emitted by the light emitting device to pass through and thereby illuminating the display area. The display area may act as a diffusing element so that an area of the display area is illuminated. The illuminated area does not form any kind of text or images, but provides a possibility of influencing emotional states of the person holding the hand-held device. This is especially advantageous if the first individual is a child.

When a patient is undergoing a treatment or an examination, e.g. a scan or the like, the patient may experience a need for feeling or sensing the presence of a loved one. Usually that loved one is not allowed to be in the same room as the patient. A hand-held device is of a size suitable for being held in a hand of a patient. The hand-held device is sufficiently small enough so as to not interfere with the examination. The two individuals, e.g. the patient and the loved one, are, when the hand-held device is in use, placed in two different rooms, or at least spatially separated, e.g. not able to establish any physical contact. The wireless receiver device of the hand-held device allows reception of signals from a transmitter. The signals are generated in response to input from a loved one, when the loved one desires to indicate his or her presence. The patient experiences this presence via the light emitting device or by changes in the environment ambient/lighting system.

In an embodiment the light emitting device comprises one or more LEDs emitting colored light. By having more than one light emitting LED it is possible to create more diverse colors. In an embodiment one LED may emit a red light, one LED may emit a blue light, and one LED may emit green light, by mixing light of different intensities from these LED's it is possible to establish almost any desired color perceivable by the human eye. Also LED's may emit light at different locations at the surface of the hand-held device.

In an embodiment the light emitting device is configured to change the color of the emitted light over a predetermined period of time. By varying the color of the light emitted the patient may experience different emotions. The change in color may be initiated by the loved one or based on other factors, such as time. For instance a time limit of 2-5 seconds may be set, allowing color to change with this interval.

In an embodiment the second individual is provided with a second hand-held device comprising a sensor configured to detect pressure from a hand of the second individual, and the second hand-held device further comprising a transmitter device configured to transmit data comprising information from the sensor to the hand-held device, the light emitting device of the hand-held device being configured to emit light of a particular color in response to the received sensor data. When the sensor in the second hand-held device detects a change in pressure applied by the second individual the light of the hand-held device at the first individual, i.e. the patient, changes color. Further the intensity of light emitted by the light emitting device may vary or change. The intensity may vary in response to data from the second hand-held device, e.g. the harder a loved one applies pressure to the pressure sensor the stronger the intensity of light emitted by the light emitting device.

In an embodiment the hand-held device comprises a coating fabric configured to emit colored light. By integrating the light emitting capability in the fabric, more types of hand-held devices are possible and smaller and lighter products.

In an embodiment the hand-held device is a shawl. The hand-held device may advantageously be worn by the patient so as to establish physical contact to more than just the hand of the patient. In an embodiment of the device being a shawl, the device may be made from an intelligent fabric, such as Philips Lumalive.

In an embodiment the hand-held device is ball-shaped or heart-shaped. The shape of the hand-held device may improve the feel or perception by the patient. The ball- shaped, i.e. sphere-shaped, geometry may be easy to hold in the hand. The diameter of a ball- shaped device is preferably less than 10 cm. The diameter of a ball- shaped device is preferably more than 2 cm.

In an embodiment the light emitting device is configured to emit light comprising changing color patterns. By emitting changing color patterns the user, i.e. the patient, is stimulated more than just by light of a single color. By emitting the light in a repetitive color pattern the user may experience a sense of familiarity.

In an embodiment hand- held device comprises a sensor device for detecting touch from the first individual, and a transmitter device configured to transmit data in response to data from the sensor device. By supplying a sensor in the hand-held device the loved one is allowed to receive responses from the patient during the examination, and thus a two-way communication is established. In an embodiment the light emitting device is configured to augment the intensity of the light emitted. By changing or augmenting the light intensity further sensory input to the patient is provided.

In an embodiment the light is augmented in response to pressure sensed by a sensor in the hand-held device. By augmenting the light intensity in response to pressure input from the loved one, the loved one is able to convey his or her emotions via light intensity. In an embodiment the light emitted may become stronger or more intense as a function of pressure applied to the sensor.

In an embodiment the hand-held device comprises a heat emitting device configured to emit heat. If the patient is in a position where hands and arms must be kept in a position along the body, the light emitted by the hand-held device may not be optimally perceived by the patient; therefore it would be advantageous to supplement the light with other sensory inputs, including heat. In an embodiment a vibrating device could be included in the hand-held device so as to allow subtle motion to be conveyed to the hand of the patient.

In an embodiment an ambient solution could include a room having several outputs including some loose colors patterns; possibly loved ones waiting in the waiting room could determine the dominant shades/colors of those patterns. Assuming that bluish shades have a relaxing effect, then this shades could be projected into ambient solutions in the examination room.

In an embodiment a set of preset color shades based on family roles may be included in a hand-held device for the loved ones, then those shades could be used for ambient/environment lighting solutions, so that the patient may be aware of whom is communicating with him/her at any given time.

In general the various aspects of the invention may be combined and coupled in any way possible within the scope of the invention. These and other aspects, features and/or advantages of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of hand-held device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of hand-held device according to the present invention,

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of hand-held device according to the present invention to be held by a loved one,

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of embodiment of hand-held device according to the present invention to be held by a loved one or a patient,

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of two hand-held devices communicating directly,

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of two hand-held devices communicating via a base-station,

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a hand-held device being held by a person using two hands,

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a hand-held device being held by a person using one hand,

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a hand- held device being held by a person using two hands,

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a device in form of a shawl, and

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of steps of a method according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a hand- held device 10. The device 10 is configured to provide interaction between a first individual and a second individual, where the two individuals are in spatially separated rooms, e.g. one person in a room for conducting some kind of examination on the body, e.g. a scanning or the like, and the other person, a relative to the patient or other loved one in a waiting room or other room. The hand-held device 10 is configured to be in physical contact with the first individual. The hand- held device 10 comprises a wireless receiver device 12 configured to receive data from an externally placed wireless transmitter device in response to input from the second individual. The hand- held device 10 further comprises a light emitting device 14 configured to emit colored light in response to data received via the receiver device 12. Dashed lines indicated that a power source 16 is present.

When a patient is undergoing a treatment or an examination, e.g. a scan or the like, the patient may experience a need for feeling or sensing the presence of a loved one. Usually that loved one is not allowed to be in the same room as the patient. A hand-held device, of the kind illustrated in the figures, is of a size suitable for being held in a hand of a patient. The hand-held device is sufficiently small enough so as to not interfere with the examination. The two individuals, e.g. the patient and the loved one, is, when the hand-held device is in use, placed in two different rooms, or at least spatially separated, e.g. not able to establish any physical contact. The wireless receiver device 12 of the hand-held device 10 allows reception of signals from a transmitter. The signals are generated in response to input from a loved one, when the loved one desires to indicate his or her presence. The patient experiences this presence via the light emitting device 14.

The light emitting device 14 comprises at least one LED emitting colored light. The light emitted by the LED may be white and a filter may be provided so that light from a specific LED may be perceived as having a color different from white, e.g. mainly red, blue or the like. A diffusing element may be arranged at the light emitting device so as to diffuse the light emitted by the light emitting device.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a hand-held device 10', similar to that of Fig. 1, where a controller device 16 is shown. The controller 18 is configured to receive data from the receiver device 12 and process the data. The controller 18 then operates the light emitting device 14 in response to the data. In an embodiment the controller 18 may operate the light emitting device so that the color of the emitted light is changed over a predetermined period of time. The input data from the loved one may cause the light to shine but the controller 18 then ensures that the light does not only shine with a constant light intensity and/or color.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a hand-held device 10", similar to that of Fig. 1 and 2, where the receiver device 12' further comprises transmitting capabilities so that a patient may respond to the input from the loved one.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a hand-held device to be held by a loved one, i.e. the second individual. The hand-held device 20 comprises a sensor 22 configured to detect pressure from a hand of the second individual, and the hand-held 20 device further comprising a transceiver or transmitter device 24 configured to transmit, and receive, data comprising information from the sensor 22 to the hand-held device 10 being held by the patient. The light emitting device 14 of the hand- held device 10 being configured to emit light of a particular color in response to the received sensor 22 data. If the hand-held device of the patient is able to transmit data to the hand-held device of the loved one, the hand-held device 20 being held by the loved one preferably comprises a light emitting device 26 allowing the loved one to sense that the patient is communicating. The dash-lined box 28 indicates the presence of a power source.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a scenario where a hand-held device 30 and another hand-held device 32 are placed in separate rooms, as indicated by the wall 34. As indicated by the lines 36 the hand-held device 30 and another hand-held device 32 communicate wirelessly directly from one unit to the other.

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a scenario where a hand- held device 38 and another hand-held device 40 are placed in separate rooms. As indicated by the lines 42 and 44 the hand-held device 38 and the hand- held device 40 communicate wirelessly via a base station 46 establishing communication from one unit to the other. This may be advantageous in situations where the range of the transmitter device in either or both hand held devices are not able to establish a sufficiently strong, reliable signal. The base station may be

implemented by several units, e.g. a transceiver in each room of interest and the transceivers being in communication via wired or wireless communication.

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates an embodiment where the hand- held device 48 is ball-shaped. In alternative embodiments the hand-held device could also be heart-shaped or have any other shape suitable. The surface of the hand- held device 48 includes colors. The hand-held device 48 includes areas where the surface does not allow light to shine. The handheld device 48 includes an area shaped like a heart 50. The heart-shaped area allow light to shine from the light emitting device. In Fig. 9 it is schematically illustrated that the area 50 is lit by the light emitting device.

Fig. 8 schematically illustrates a hand 52 of a loved one squeezing a hand-held device 54 so as to relay his or her emotions to the patient.

Fig. 9 schematically illustrates a hand-held device being held by a person using two hands while the area 50 is visible to that person. When holding the device in this way the person is able to squeeze the device so as to transmit emotional information to a loved one. Also, if the hand-held device comprises heating element or comprise other haptic capabilities, this may be transferred to the loved one or patient, that the hand-held device communicates with.

Fig. 10 schematically illustrates an embodiment where the hand-held device comprises a coating fabric configured to emit colored light. In this embodiment the hand-held is a shawl. In any of the embodiment of the hand-held device, the light emitting device may be configured to emit light comprising changing color patterns. The change may be initiated by the loved one or the patient. Alternatively by a processor in the hand-held device.

The sensor device may be configured to detect touch from the first individual, i.e. the patient, and a transmitter device may be configured to transmit data in response to data from the sensor device. Alternatively, or in combination herewith the light may be augmented in response to pressure sensed by a sensor in the hand-held device.

Preferably the light emitting device is configured to augment the intensity of the light emitted. Further the hand-held device may comprise a heat emitting device configured to emit heat and/or haptics.

The hand-held interactive device may in two different instances be used as a mean to send or to receive data.

The hand-held device in the "send" mode should, in an embodiment, at least comprise the following parts:

· A heart-shaped foam ball, provided with sensors that react to pressure and touch

LEDs emitting colored lights

• Special coating fabric that emit colored lights

This hand-held device can be held in a person's hand and thanks to the foam soft material, it can be gently touched or even squeezed. Sensors embedded in the hand-held device, react to touch of human skin and to pressure. This hand-held device can be held by the relative of the patient, for example.

When held, the sensors react to contact with human skin and prompts this fact, via wireless connection, to the twin hand-held device, which is held by the patient undergoing a procedure.

Reacting to the signal sent by the twin hand-held device, the hand-held device of the patient will gradually deliver some feeling of warmth. And according to the degree of pressure put on the hand-held device, held by the person in the waiting room, emitted lights will augment in intensity and in the shade of color, from cold to warmer colors.

In a preferred embodiment, light varying in colors and intensity will also be displayed in the room implementing a Philips Ambient solutions, where the procedure is being executed. In a preferred embodiment, the hand-held device held by the relative in the waiting room has colored LEDs which can be selected by simple gestures, so that the same pattern can be transmitted to the twin hand-held device.

In another embodiment, the hand-held devices are either communicating to their twins or in the forms of shawls made of smart fabrics, e.g. Philips Lumalive. The shawls, which can simulate an embrace, will react to touch and pressure and deliver lights and warmth, where possible, and will extend also to the walls and ceiling of the room equipped with Philips Ambient solution.

Fig. 11 schematically illustrates the steps of a method according to the present invention. The method provides interaction between a first individual and a second individual, the first individual and the second individual being in spatially separated rooms. The method comprises the step of providing a first device to the first individual, the first device comprising a light emitting device and a controller for controlling the light emitting device, a receiver for receiving data from an external device, the data representing input from the second individual. The method comprises the step of providing a second device to the second individual, the second device comprising a sensor for sensing input from the second individual, a transmitter for transmitting data to the first device, the data representing input from the second individual. The method comprises the step of transmitting data from the second device to the first device. The method comprises the step of receiving data at the second device. The method comprises the step of operating the light emitting device in accordance to the received data.

As in the embodiments above the sensor may be a pressure sensor. The method may comprise the intensity of the light from the light emitting device being raised in response to increasing pressure and decreased in response to decreasing pressure.

The embodiments and features of the embodiments illustrated and described herein may be combined is any ways.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may be stored/distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless

telecommunication systems. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

REFERENCE NUMERALS:

10 hand-held device

12 wireless receiver device

14 light emitting device

16 power source

18 controller

20 hand-held device

22 sensor

24 transmitter device

26 light emitting device

28 dash-lined box/ power source

30 hand-held device

32 hand-held device

34 wall

36 lines

38 hand-held device

40 hand-held device

42 line

44 line

46 line

48 hand-held device

50 area

52 hand

54 hand-held device

58 method

60 step

62 step

64 step

66 step

68 step