Technical field

The invention relates to a device that detects the approach of the hands to the face, where the infection can be transmitted to the mucous membrane of the eyes, nose, or mouth by touching with the infected fingers. The device can use a different arrangement of headphones to monitor the movement of the hands, especially the palms and fingers to the head of a person. When used with children, it may prevent nail-biting.

Prior state

During the pandemic, face masks are used to protect the upper airway. Several studies have shown that the protective function of a face mask is not only to filter droplets, which are a means of droplet infection, but also to prevent a person with a face mask from touching his mouth or nose and carrying the infection on his mucous membranes. It has also been shown that the transmission of a virus from the hands to the unprotected mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth is an essential form of transmission. Hand sanitation is a protection against such a route of infection, but any direct contact with a potentially hazardous object should result in hand washing again. Wearing gloves does not solve this problem either, as the contact of a gloved hand with an infected surface leads to the same method of transmission to the face. In the medicine study, medics learn to develop a dirty hand syndrome so that after any hand contact with objects, they consider their hands so dirty that they no longer touch their face, but this requires regular training.

Publication US 4,965,553 describes a device located on the wrist which detects the relative position of the hand to the mouth by means of a three-axis position sensor. Such positioning is computationally intensive and gradually increases the inaccuracy of positioning itself. The inventions according to US 2007/0283966, US 2009/0125083 uses elbow joints angles calculations which are simple in construction but are inconvenient to use and require long dressing. Devices according to US2018/0027908, US2016/0302739 detect the proximity of hands to the face by means of sensors that receive a signal from transmitters placed on clothing or on pendants. Publication 2003/0234727 discloses a proximity sensor connected to a user's arm, hand, or finger. The sensor can be placed in a necklace, in a brooch, in a pendant.

Said known technical means represent specific devices which have their own source of electricity and require separate installation and use. In long-term use, they are subjectively perceived as inconvenient. A new technical device needs to be developed to diagnose and draw attention to the potential risk of hand-to-face contact, while the new technical device should be structurally and energy-efficient and its use should not impose subjectively perceptible limitations.

The essence of the invention

These shortcomings are practically eliminated by a device for detecting facial contact, in particular for preventing infection from the hands, wherein the device comprises a head element intended to be worn near the face and two hand elements intended to be worn near the palms, and element to the head element, the detection unit is connected to at least one detection element which is located in the head element or in both hand elements according to this invention, the essence of which consists in that the head element is part of a handset connected to a mobile phone or to a handset that is connected to a mobile phone. The detection unit is connected to a signalling element for signalling the approach of the hand to the face zone.

The term earphone in this document refers to any type and any embodiment of an apparatus for listening, reproducing sound, and will usually include two sound generating elements, one element for each ear. Handset (usually the headphones) can be connected to the mobile phone in a contact manner via a cable or in a wireless manner, for example via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and the like. Preferably, the connection of the head element will be bone conduction headphones, which do not transmit sound from the loudspeaker through the ear canal of the outer ear but transmit vibration to the inner ear through contact with the bone. This type of headphones provides two advantages to the connection with the head element. Bone conduction headphones do not block the external ear canal and can therefore be worn as clothing all day, allowing you to perceive the surrounding sound environment regardless of the sound transmitted. These headphones also have the advantage that the tactile vibrating part of the headphones is usually located in front of the ear, which is a preferred position for the placement of the head element. It is suitable if the head element is located as close as possible to the nose, eyes, and mouth.

The adjective "head" in this document names a part of the device to be placed close to the face but does not have to be directly on the head in the anatomical sense. The head element could generally be made as a necklace on a neck, a collar strap, as a pendant on a necklace, or as part of goggles, or as an element intended to be attached to a bicycle or similar helmet. It will usually be made as a wearable element of clothing and may be the subject of a fashionable design. It is the headphones that provide the support structure for the head element in a relatively suitable place on the head.

The adjective "hand" in this document names a part of the device to be placed close to the palms. The hand element can be made as a bracelet, clock, buckle, pendant, ring, part of a glove, or half-glove et cetera.

There are several benefits to implementing the head element into headphones. In use, the individual parts of the handset are arranged in places that are advantageous for determining the proximity of the hand to the face. The sound generating element is located in or near the ear during active operation. Classic wired headphones are connected via a connector to the mobile phone, which allows powering the head element from the mobile phone battery. The wirelessly connected headphones have their own battery source, which can also be used to power the head element. The connection of the head element to the headphones, which are adapted to permanent or all-day wear, that is, which are ergonomically easy to wear similar to clothing.

The head element located in the headphones or intended to be connected to the headphones may include a detection unit that evaluates the approach of the hand element. Typically, the head element will include two detection elements, one at each ear.

Connecting the headphones to a mobile phone allows you to use the mobile phone to evaluate the proximity of the hands to the face. Software is installed in the mobile phone, which can take over several calculation tasks in the evaluation of the approach and can also perform the function of a signalling element, for example by means of a vibration motor or a loudspeaker. The mobile phone can also collect and statistically evaluate the user's behaviour according to the number of approaches. The software on the mobile phone can also be used to set the proximity limit and other operating criteria of the device. The mobile phone and the connected headphones create a suitable hardware environment for the function of the head element. The mobile phone or the buttons on the headphones will be the control interface and the headphones will provide the headphone carrier.

An essential feature of the present invention is the creation of a technically detectable connection between the hands and the head using the headphone element and using the energy of the headphones and/or the mobile phone. By wearing a head element placed in the headphones or connected to the headphones and two hand elements, a technical system is created which makes it possible to detect the presence of hands close to the face. The hand elements in the system according to this invention make the hands visible to the head element.

In principle, two basic arrangements are possible. In the first, at least one detection element and possibly also a detection unit is located in the head element and evaluates the proximity of both hand elements, or can recognize the left and right-hand element, which can be useful for example in training medics in surgery. In the second embodiment, the detection unit is located in each of the two-hand elements, where the head element can be made as a simpler element.

To achieve a symmetrical arrangement, it is suitable if the head element comprises two detection elements, one on the left and one on the right. The detection unit can be part of the head element or can be located only in the mobile phone when raw data from the detection elements come from the head element to the mobile phone and this data is processed in the mobile phone environment. This simplifies the design and firmware of the head element. In this embodiment, the signalling element will usually be formed by means of a mobile telephone, i.e. for example a vibrating motor or the mobile telephone will send a set tone or message to the headphones. In doing so, it can send such a signal to the side of the hand that has come close to the face.

If the detection unit is located in the head element, the approach can be evaluated directly within the head element, and the approach state information that's generated becomes an instruction for activating the signalling element. An element for generating sound or vibration in the headphones can be used as a signalling element. In this case, the head element is a relatively separate device and the mobile phone can only be a source of electricity. The mobile phone connected according to this invention may have different functionality and may provide its hardware and software resources for the function of the invention to different degrees. On one side of the range of possibilities, the mobile telephone may comprise a detection unit, a signalling element, an input element, an evaluation element and a memory for storing the detected states and statistics. In this case, software that evaluates the data from the detection elements is loaded into the mobile phone. The software also activates the vibrating motor or generates sound and vibration at the headphone input. At the same time, the software can access a window to set various parameters and to display statistics of user behaviour. The software in the mobile phone can evaluate the history of the approach of the hands to the face; it can evaluate the statistical models of the user's behaviour over time and so on.

On the other hand of the range of possibilities, the mobile phone can simply be a source of electrical energy for the head element, which will be powered via the headphone connection, or this head source element will be provided by headphones with their own rechargeable battery.

The detection unit can work on different principles. In order for the own energy source to be needed in only one of the elements, which simplifies the charging and operation of the device, it is suitable to use a detection procedure where the hand element is energetically passive. It can be radio frequency or electromagnetic or acoustic magnetic detection. The headphones provide the possibility to hide a sufficiently large antenna for transmission in the respective band or for the placement of an IR diode and the like. The detection unit may also, in another embodiment, evaluate the magnetic field, wherein the hand element or the head element will comprise a magnetic element. In another embodiment, the detection unit may be adapted to receive infrared light that is emitted from the head or hand element.

The signalling element is connected to the detection unit so it can announce the approach of the hands to the face zone in real-time. The signalling element may comprise a vibrating motor, a buzzer, a control light, a loudspeaker, a discharge generator and the like, it being advantageous to use a means available in a mobile phone or in headphones.

To increase the utility value of a device, the device may have an input element to account for some standard events. For example, just after washing the hands or at a set time after washing the hands, the presence of hands in the facial area will be judged to be allowed. Using the input element, information about handwashing has just been entered into the device. Another standard event can be eating, which can be evaluated after entering the start as a relatively regular approach of the hands. Alternating hand approaches, which distinguishes this process from unconscious and accidental approaches. After entering the start of the meal, the regularity of the approach can be evaluated, and after a certain pause, the condition is evaluated as the end of the meal, and the subsequent approach will be accompanied by the activity of the signalling element.

In a preferred embodiment, the device may also include an evaluation module that recognizes standard situations. For example, the hand element will record a jump in moisture on both hands, which will be evaluated as ongoing hand washing, and during the next set time will evaluate the approach of the hands to the face as allowed. Hand washing can not only be diagnosed by measuring humidity near the hand elements, but can in another arrangement be evaluated on the basis of a sound analysis of running water, which can be picked up by the microphone of a mobile phone. The microphone of the mobile phone can also be used for a possible analysis of the sounds of coughing or sneezing, which can be evaluated in terms of the risk of infection.

An essential feature of the presented invention is the detection of the approach of the hands to the facial zone, while the set distance of the hands from the head, resp. set distance of the hand element from the head element. The task of the signalling element is then to alert the person to the approach, or to discourage him from approaching.

The advantage of the presented invention is a simple construction with low energy requirements, where the device is partially integrated into the system of headphones connected to a mobile phone. The device can also discourage children from biting their nails by constantly alerting them.

Overview of figures in the drawings

The invention is explained in more detail with the aid of Figures 1 to 9. The dimensional ratios of the individual elements, the gestures shown, the shapes of the headphones are only examples and these details should not be explained as features limiting the scope of protection.

Figure 1 shows a view of a placed head element in classic headphones on the head and two hand elements on the wrists. The headphones are connected to the mobile phone with a cable.

Figure 2 shows an example of a head unit in wireless headphones on the head and two hand elements on the wrists.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing the coupling of the main element to the hand elements, where the detection unit, the signalling element, and the input element are located in a mobile telephone and the main element in the headphones comprises two detection elements. One hand element is displayed in the range of detection units, the other hand element is out of the set range.

In Figure 4, the head element in the headphones comprises an input unit as well as a signalling element. One handpiece is displayed within range of the detection unit, the other handpiece is out of range.

Figure 5 is an example of a tested circuit of a head element, where the detection unit operates as an infrared receiver.

Figure 6 schematically shows the division of the individual elements of the device into headphones and a mobile phone in one example. The horizontal dotted line represents the boundary between the headset and the mobile phone, and the vertical dotted line separates the hardware and software resources so that the added hardware and software resources are shown on the right.

Figure 7, similar to Figure 6, schematically shows the division of the individual elements of the device into headphones and to a mobile phone in another example, where the headphones are connected to the mobile phone by a cable and the head element comprising the detection element is located within the connecting cable guide.

Figure 8 shows the placement of a hand element in the form of a ring on the finger of the hand.

Figure 9 shows bone conduction headphones that are connected to a mobile phone via Bluetooth. Examples of invention

Example 1

In this example according to Figures 2 and 4, the device comprises a head element 1 housed in headphones 6, which are connected wirelessly via Bluetooth to the user's mobile phone 7. The headphones 6 have their own power source in the form of a rechargeable battery, while in contrast to the original hardware intended only for the transmission and reproduction of sound, they are supplemented by an excitation circuit and two antennas for excitation of passive RFID chips. The antennas are detection elements 8. The antenna loops are located on the outside of the headphone body 6 near the speakers, which generate the sound transmitted to the user's outer ear canal. Both antennas are shielded with a metal foil towards the head so that they do not radiate towards the user's head. An excitation circuit is located in the headphones 6, which is connected to the rechargeable power supply of the headphones 6. In this example, the detection unit 3 is located in the headphone holder 6, which connects the left and right sides of the headphone body 6. The detection unit 3 waits to receive a signal when approaching the electromagnetic field of the left or right antenna.

The two hand elements 2 are in the form of bracelets. A conductive loop of a passive RFID chip is formed in the bracelet, which is paired with the head element 1 during installation. The bracelets are marked L, R to distinguish the bracelet on the left and right hand. Each hand element 2 has its own identifier, which is identified on the left or right detection element 8 as it approaches the head element 1. by load modulation with the paired code, the signalling element 4 is activated. The headphones 6 are connected to the mobile phone 7 in the same way as conventional Bluetooth headphones. An application is activated in the mobile phone 7, which communicates with the detection unit 3.

In this example, the headphones 6 comprise, in contrast to conventional headphones, two antennas, an excitation circuit and a detection unit 3. The signalling element 4 is included in the mobile phone 7 so that, according to the user's choice in the application settings, the vibration of the mobile phone 7 is activated or a selected audio signal or message is added to the audio signal on the respective side of the head. The input element 5 in this example is also formed by a hardware button within the headphones 6, in another example, a mobile phone 7 can be used for data input. By means of the input element 5 information about the performed hand washing is entered into the device. Subsequently, the hands for a set time, e.g. They are considered clean for 10 minutes and their approach to the head is not accompanied by signalling. The software in the mobile phone 7 can also be used to adjust other device settings.

The application in the mobile phone 7 can also be set to activate an inactive time, which starts when the sound of running water is detected. This condition is considered to be a hand-washing symptom and during the next time, the length of which can be selected in the settings, the signalling element 4 is not activated. The hand approximation evaluation can continue during the said time when the data obtained can be used to assess behaviour, for example during eating.

The device according to this example uses the headphone 6 power supply for the head element 1 and uses the capacity and power supply of the mobile phone 7 for the software elements.

Example 2

The device according to Figures 1 and 3 uses a cable connection of the headphones 6 and the mobile phone 7. All functions of the head element 1 are powered by the mobile phone 7.

Example 3

In a simpler embodiment according to this example, each bracelet hand element 2 is provided only with a stable load antenna and the reader in the head element 1 responds to a change in the electromagnetic field when the hand element 2 enters the range of the reader in the head element 1. In this example, the technology derived from the 8.2 MHz system used to protect goods in stores. The power of the transmitting antenna is reduced and adjusted to set the limit of the detected distance of the hand element 2 from the head element 1. Example 4

In this example according to Figure 5, the hand elements 2 are provided with an infrared diode. The transmission of the infrared diode is picked up by the receiver on the head element 1.

Example 5

Figure 6 schematically shows an arrangement where the mobile telephone 7 is wirelessly connected to a handset 6, which therefore has a separately rechargeable battery. As shown on the right side of the figure, two detection elements 8 are added in the construction of the headphones 6. In the mobile phone 7, a detection unit 3 and an input element 5 are formed, which is formed by a software interface for pairing handheld elements 2 (not shown for clarity). . Essentially only detection elements 8 are inserted into the construction of the headphones 6 in order to reduce the energy load of the headphone 6 power supply. After evaluating the approach in the detection unit 3, an audio signal is transmitted from the mobile phone 7 to the headphones 6. Therefore also marked as signalling element 4.

Example 6

Figure 7 schematically shows an arrangement where the mobile phone 7 is connected by a cable to the headphones 6. The headphones 6 as well as the head element 1 are powered from the source of the mobile phone 7. In this example, the head element 1 is located in the cable line of the headphones 6 located approximately on the chest below the user's chin. In this case, one detection element 8, which in this example is directly connected to the detection unit 3, is sufficient.

The application in the mobile phone 7 serves to control the detection unit 3 and this application adds a warning tone to the input of the headphones 6 signalling the approach of the hand element 2 (not shown for clarity). In Figure 7, the loudspeakers of the headphones 6 are also marked as a signalling element 4. At the same time, it is possible to activate the vibration of the mobile telephone 7, which will be carried in the user's clothing with respect to the cable connection. Example 7

The hand element 2 according to Figure 8 is in the form of a ring made of ferromagnetic material. The head element 1 is provided with a magnetic field sensor which responds to the entry of the ring close to the head.

Example 8

The bone conduction headphones 6 are connected to the mobile phone 7 via Bluetooth. The detection elements 8 are located in the headphone body 6 near the vibration generators. These are located in front of the user's ear, which improves the ability to detect proximity. The head element 1 in the headphones 6 also comprises a detection unit 3. The vibration generators themselves serve as signalling elements 4. The advantage of this example is that the user's external auditory canal is free and is able to perceive ambient sounds. The headphones 6 are suitable for all-day wear, which is in accordance with the functionality of the device according to this invention.

Industrial applicability

Industrial applicability is obvious. According to this invention, it is possible to industrially and repeatedly manufacture and use a device for detecting the contact of the face with the hands, which can be used to prevent infection by touching the hands or to protect against children nail-biting .

List of reference marks

1 - head element 2 - hand element

3 - detection unit

4 - signalling element

5 - input element

6 - headphones 7 - mobile phone

8 - detection element