WO2010083822A1 - Slidable device and method for controlling the selection of a function - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a slidable device having handles (3), for supporting the user during walking, a display device (4) on which a selection menu for various functions and/or commands can be displayed, and a selecting device by means of which one of the displayed functions and/or commands can be selected and performed using control signals, wherein at least one sensor device (1, 2) is disposed on the device by means of which path information can be detected, and at least a part of the control signals of the selecting device is provided by means of the sensor device (1, 2). The invention further relates to a method for controlling the selection of a function and/or a command on a display device on such a device, wherein sliding motions of the device over at least one sensor device are detected and converted into sensor signals, the sensor signals are fed to the display device on which the functions and/or commands are displayed, and a function and/or a command is selected and/or performed depending on the sensor signals generated on the basis of the sliding motions.

Description

 A sliding device and method for controlling the selection of a function

The invention relates to a sliding device with handles for supporting the user when walking and a display device, in particular a screen on which a selection menu for various functions and / or commands can be displayed, and a selector, by means of the control signals one of the displayed functions and / or commands are selectable and executable, and a method of controlling the selection of a function and / or command on a display device on such device. Such a device is designed in particular as a walker, but other possible uses such as sliding carriage, golf cart or the like are also provided.

An embodiment of a device as a walker is known for example from DE 103 18 929 B3. This walker is used to support and train people with impaired mobility, which can be recorded in the movement data of the device and then evaluated by a supervisor of the user. The data acquisition takes place by attached to the walker sensors that are part of a data acquisition device. Depending on requirements, different routes and with different degrees of difficulty can be selected from an amount of support and training trips already stored in the evaluation device, or a suitable training program can be automatically selected after identifying the user or detecting the mobility of the user. In this way, for each user for him individually performance- and rehabilitation-appropriate walker ride or a corresponding training program can be provided. For this purpose, the walker must have a drive motor. The user is identified by explicitly entering a user ID. However, it can also take place via a transponder, via visual field recognition or via other identification mechanisms. Communication with the user can take place via a touch screen, a push-button or by voice input or voice output in the form of questions, safety instructions and instructions. In the evaluation device, a navigation module can be integrated, which automatically controls the control device and thus the drive after specification of a target to move to this destination. In this case It is not the user who determines the route, but the walker drives independently to the predetermined destination. In such a navigation module, for example, a return function can be integrated, in which the user is returned to an input prompted by him, for example a button, the selection of the function "return" on the screen or by voice input to the starting point.

Depending on the level of mobility of the user, it may be very difficult for him to manually select a desired function on the touch screen and then to tap the selected function to carry it out. Voice control is expensive and does not always work reliably depending on ambient noise. If the user does not speak clearly enough, voice control is inappropriate for him.

Even with other types of sliding carriage with an indication and selection of commands and / or functions, it may be desirable not to have to take their hands off the handles or to scroll through a menu without having to perform separate activities.

Based on this problem, the device described above is to be improved so that the selection of the desired function and / or the input of commands, such as a destination input in a navigation system, are simplified.

To solve the problem is provided in the generic device that at least one sensor device is disposed on the device, via which a Weginformation is detectable and that at least a portion of the control signals of the selector is provided via the sensor device. This configuration makes it possible for the user to select functions displayed on the display device or the screen by appropriately moving the device. Thus, on the display device, a linear movement of, for example, a selection pointer or cursor takes place on the basis of a linear movement of the device, the linear movement is projected onto a linear movement in the menu. A path information is information about a path traveled by the device and relates to the distance covered, the direction that Speed and / or other parameters. The starting point is freely selectable, if necessary, can be reset after a predetermined time, also can be an adjustment of the position via a position determination device, such as a GPS system, done.

It can be provided that the sensor device is designed as at least one steered or unguided wheel with a transducer, as an optical sensor or GPS sensor.

If a device for detecting the direction of rotation of the at least one of the wheels is provided, for example, the "bar" on the screen, which visually emphasizes the currently selectable function, can be "scrolled" by moving the device back and forth.

If the at least one wheel is one of the steered wheels, preferably a part of the control signals can also be generated as a function of the steering angle Ψ of this wheel and thus, for example by moving the device laterally, the function selected beforehand by the forward and backward movement are selected, as is otherwise usually by pressing a button (for example, in a computer mouse) takes place. If the sensor device is not formed as a wheel with a corresponding transducer which detects the rotation of the wheel or the change in the orientation of the wheel in steered wheels, but for example as an optical sensor which operates without contact, can be detected by appropriate software, the shift report and e.g. the cursor is moved to the appropriate location of the display device. Also, a predetermined or predeterminable movement pattern may mean confirmation of a selection, for example, circling on the spot or the like. If the sensor device is connected to a GPS system, the movement of the device can be reproduced on the display device, the scale of the movement on the display device is selectable.

For selecting / acknowledging but can also be a manually operable device, in particular a button, can be provided which can be arranged on one of the handles.

If the display and the selector are part of a navigational In particular, a return function can also be activated which safely returns the user, who has lost his orientation for example, to his starting point.

A particularly simple way of guiding the user is given if at least the non-steerable wheels are automatically braked. The path to be taken is communicated to the user by blocking the directions that can be taken in without going to the destination, in that the wheels are braked, preferably blocked, when the user wants to take this direction. So he can not go in the wrong direction, but must take another direction until the wheels are released again. This is structurally very easy to implement, which allows the walker does not need to be driven by a motor, but is moved solely by the pushing force of the user. The constructive implementation is easily possible if the or the rotation angle Ψ the steered wheels are detected, because a feedback from the direction of walking is immediately possible. It is thus possible, via the selector, to enter and confirm a desired destination, and it is also possible for the user of the device to be guided or directed by the device according to the choice made. Likewise, after the selection and, if necessary, after the confirmation of the selection on the display device, a display adapted to the route can take place, for example indications of local peculiarities, locations of products or orientation instructions.

The display device is preferably positioned between the handles so that it is well within the field of vision of the user and, if a manual device is used to acknowledge or select the selected function, it may preferably be located on one of the handles or in the vicinity of one of the handles become.

The device is designed in particular as a walker, shopping cart, stroller, pushchair or golf cart.

The method for controlling the selection of a function and / or command on a Display device on a device as described above provides that displacement movements of the device are detected via at least one sensor device and converted into sensor signals, the sensor signals of a selector, on which the functions and / or commands are shown, fed and depending on the Shift movements generated sensor signals a function and / or command selected and / or triggered. While usually on display devices with separate controls such as mouse, trackpad, trackball or a touchscreen, a selection of a menu shown functions or commands must be made, the sliding movement can be used as a basis for the input signal of the display device with the inventive method. The displacement movement is detected for example via a rotation sensor in a wheel, so that the direction of rotation and the distance covered can be determined from the number of revolutions. Are steerable wheels present, so wheels that are variable in the orientation of its axis of rotation, for example, by being stored in a rotatable fork or rocker can be determined on the rotational angle Ψ the direction of displacement.

The direction of rotation of the device can also be recognized by measuring the revolutions on two non-steerable wheels located on opposite sides of the device, usually on the right and left of the user. From the difference in the revolutions, the direction or change in direction of the device can be recognized with an assumed uniform slip. The direction of rotation of the device can also be determined by measuring the rotation of the two unguided wheels, usually the rear wheels. The rotational speed is calculated from

(vl - vr) xr a

with vi and vr as the rotational speed of the wheels, r as the radius of the wheels and a as the distance between the wheels.

By means of the signals representing directions and distances, functions and / or commands can be selected and controlled on the display device. The Distance and direction signals form at least part of the control signals of the selector. The sensor signals can be used to navigate, select and activate in a menu.

By the sensor signal or a plurality of sensor signals, a function and / or a command in a menu can be selected, as well as a selection of the functions and / or commands can be made by a first sensor signal representing a first direction of movement, while by a second sensor signal representing a second direction of movement deviating from the first direction of movement, the selection is confirmed.

It may also be possible for the function and / or the command to be selected and / or confirmed by a trigger device that is different from the sensor device, for example by a push-button switch or by another sensor, for example a pressure sensor, which recognizes a specific print sequence as a trigger signal or when a limit value is exceeded, a trip signal is output.

With reference to the figures, an embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail below. Show it:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a walker;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a wheel of the walking aid according to FIG. 1.

The sliding or mobile device in the form of a walker, which is colloquially called Rollator, consists of a rearwardly open frame 5. At the free ends of the two legs (in Figure 1, only one leg is shown), the non-steered rear wheels 2 are arranged. At the opposite end of the legs a vertically extending frame 7 is arranged, on whose two lower sides the pivotable about a vertical axis V steering wheels 1 are arranged. Because the frame 5 is open to the rear, the user can enter between the legs 5 and on the handles 3 on Support frame 7. In the field of view of the user, a screen / display 4 is arranged between the two handles 3, on which a menu with various functions of a navigation system can be displayed. The destination can be entered via the menu, for example by selecting individual letters one after the other or by selecting other functions such as "Home function" or "New destination entry" or other functions. The selection of a function is carried out, for example, by an optical bar arranged transversely over the screen, which can be moved upwards and downwards (scrolling) and, if the correct function is selected, acknowledged accordingly, for example by pressing the button 6. The selection of special functions of a screen menu has long been common, but not the implementation of the rolling motion of the wheels 1, 2 as inputs to the display device. The acknowledgment of the selection can also be made via a separate displacement movement of the device.

To scroll the bar across the screen, the control signals are generated via a selector that detects the rotation of one of the rear wheels 2. For this purpose, a sprocket 11 is provided on the wheel 2, over which an incremental encoder 8 is arranged in the radial direction, so that it is detectable whether the wheel 2 moves forward or backward. By appropriate movement of the walker then corresponding signals are generated, which move the optical bar on the screen 4 up or down. For example, when the walker is pushed forward and down when the walker is retracted, the beam is moved up. With appropriate design of the ring gear 11 and the incremental encoder 8 even small movements are sufficient to scroll the screen. The wheel 2 with the associated sprocket 11 and the incremental encoder 8 are in the illustrated embodiment, a selector, since the signals are generated with which, for example, a display bar on the display device 4 is moved up and down. When the desired menu item has been reached and is to be selected, it is acknowledged by pressing the button 6, alternative acknowledgments are possible. For example, an acknowledgment can take place in that the bar stands for the desired menu item for a certain period of time, or that a movement to the side is carried out, so that a transverse movement is processed as confirmation, acknowledgment or triggering signal. In complex displays, the control signals for the bar, cursor, pointer or the like can be passed through Generate multiple signals from sensors so that multi-dimensional control can be achieved.

Instead of using a button 6, it could also be provided to detect the swivel angle Ψ of the steering wheels 1, so that two different signals can be generated, depending on which direction the wheel pivots. This can be done, for example, such as is known by computer mice by either the right or the left mouse button is pressed. A pan to the left can correspond to the left mouse button, a pan right to the right mouse button. The pivoting direction can also be detected when the revolutions are measured at the two rear wheels 2. The pivoting direction can then be determined from the difference of the revolutions, so that two signals are available on the presence of information about the pivoting and about the pivoting directions, which signals can be used to control the selection or display.

At least the rear wheels 2 are each provided with a brake. In Figure 2, the brake 9 is shown, which comprises a pin 10 which can engage between two teeth of the ring gear 11, so that the movement of the wheel 2 is blocked. But it can also be provided a rim brake or other braking device that allows a slightly smoother braking of the wheel 2. For example, brushless hub motors can be used, which can trigger a braking effect, but otherwise run free. About the braking effect can be better than blocking the direction changes and reproduced. For example, when the user has entered the desired destination on the screen 4 into the navigation device and the route has been calculated, the brake 9 intervenes whenever the user does not take the direction leading to the destination. For example, if he is standing at a fork in the road and has to turn left to reach the destination, the rear wheels 2 are blocked by the brake 9 when the user turns the way to the right and the steering wheels 1 pivot accordingly, giving him immediate feedback , The wheels 2 are only released when the right direction is taken. This ensures a secure feedback to the user even if there are more than two options for a path to be taken. Because with blocked wheels the Wheel revolutions can no longer be detected, blocked wheels should be avoided if possible. It is further contemplated that the user will never be braked when the user is moving the apparatus backwards, for example, to prevent collision with a colliding vehicle or person.

For example, in the event that the user is severely visually impaired and can not read functions on a screen, it is conceivable that a voice-controlled dialog for selecting the appropriate function from the navigation system emanates next to the display. This means, for example, that the user is asked, "Do you want to activate the home alarm function?" And, if so desired, he must move the walker forward, for example, to acknowledge this, in case he does not want it is, then the walker must then move back accordingly to get another called selectable function.Also the destination input to the navigation system, ie the selection of a letter sequence, can be carried out accordingly by the speech output audible individual letters, which are then acknowledged or rejected ,

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 wheel / steering wheel

2 wheel / steering wheel

3 handle

4 Display / Screen / Display

5 frames

6 button / push button

7 frames

8 incremental encoders

9 brake

10 cones

11 sprocket

V vertical axis ψ steering angle

Claims

claims 1. Sliding device with handles (3) for supporting the user when walking and a display device (4), in particular a screen on which a selection menu for various functions and / or commands can be displayed, and a selector, by means of the control signals one of displayed functions and / or commands are selectable and executable, characterized in that at least one sensor device (1, 2) is arranged on the device, via which a path information of the device is detectable and that at least a part of the control signals of the selection device via the sensor device ( 1, 2) is provided. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor device (1, 2) is designed as at least one steered or unguided wheel with a transducer (8), as an optical sensor or GPS sensor. 3. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that at least a part of the control signals of the selector in response to the rotation of at least one of the wheels (1, 2) can be generated. 4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by means (8, 11) for detecting the direction of rotation of the at least one wheel (1, 2). 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one wheel of one of the unguided wheels (2). 6. Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that a part of the control signals in dependence of the steering angle (Ψ) of a steered wheel (1) can be generated. 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display device (4) and the selector are part of a navigation system. 8. Device according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that at least the two non-steerable wheels (2) are automatically braked. 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a part of the control signals from a manually operable device (6) can be generated. 10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the device (6) is a push-button switch. 11. The device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the device (6) on a handle (3) is arranged. 12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display device (4) between the handles (3) is arranged. 13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed as a walker, shopping cart, stroller, pushchair or golf cart. 14. A method for controlling the selection of a function and / or a command on a display device on a device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the displacement movements of the device detected by at least one sensor device and converted into sensor signals, the sensor signals of the display device on which the Functions and / or commands are shown, are supplied and depending on the sensor signals generated due to the displacement movements a function and / or command selected and / or triggered. 15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that a function and / or a command in a menu are selected by the sensor signal. 16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized by a first Sensor signal representing a first direction of movement, a selection of the functions and / or commands is made and that by a second sensor signal representing a second, different from the first direction of movement direction, the selection is confirmed. 17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the function and / or the command is selected by a different triggering device from the sensor device and / or confirmed.