Modular assistance system

• US 9,747,772 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2012
• Issued: 08/29/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Feiten, Wendelin, Splettstsser, Uwe
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): Afrifa-Kyei, Anthony D
• Application Number:
  US14/356,076
• Publication Number:
  US 20140313029A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,777 Days
• Field of Search: 34053911, 34053912, 34053914, 3405731, 482 51, 482 52, 312240, 312294, 600300, 600301, 606130, 604318
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0438 Sensor means for detecting
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Modular assistance system (1) for a person (4), with at least one mobile unit (2) that has a recognition module (6) for recognizing a functional requirement of the person (4) and provides the function of the person (4) depending on the detected function requirement of the person (4) by means of at least one replaceable function module (7).

Claims

1. A modular assistance system for a person, the modular assistance system comprising:

at least one mobile unit comprising a recognition module, the recognition module configured for detecting a functional requirement of the person;

a plurality of interchangeable function modules, wherein the at least one mobile unit is configured to provide a corresponding function to the respective person in response to the detected functional requirement of the person, using at least one interchangeable function module of the plurality of interchangeable function modules, and wherein the at least one interchangeable function module comprises at least one controllable tray module including a tray, the at least one controllable tray module being automatically movable in response to the detected functional requirement of the person and operable to interchange objects with function modules of the at least one mobile unit or a further stationary unit using a controllable transportation unit, and wherein the controllable transportation unit is movable in a transportation shaft of the at least one mobile unit; and

a processor and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory configured to store information data relating to a condition of the person, the processor configured to activate one or more interchangeable function modules of the plurality interchangeable function modules based on the condition of the person.

2. The modular assistance system of claim 1, wherein the mobile unit comprises a housing for receiving the plurality of interchangeable function modules.

3. The modular assistance system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of interchangeable function modules of the mobile unit are preconfigured in accordance with a physical condition of the person.

4. The modular assistance system of claim 1, wherein the recognition module further comprises at least one sensor module operable for detecting a position of the person, positioning of the person, detecting a position of a hand of the person, positioning of the hand of the person, or a combination thereof.

5. The modular assistance system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interchangeable function modules further comprises at least one supply module operable for storing, preparing, and supplying foodstuff, liquids, medicaments, or any combination thereof for the person, or any combination thereof.

6. The modular assistance system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interchangeable function modules further comprises at least one interface module operable for entering commands by the person or for outputting information to the person, to a remote monitoring station, or to the person and to the remote monitoring station.

7. The modular assistance system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interchangeable function modules further comprises at least one cleaning module operable for cleaning a surface within a dwelling of the person, cleaning the person, or a combination thereof.

8. The modular assistance system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interchangeable function modules further comprises at least one measurement module operable for measuring bodily functions of the person, measuring substances taken by the person, or a combination thereof.

9. The modular assistance system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interchangeable function modules further comprises at least one disposal module operable for disposing used articles of daily use, waste, bodily excrements, or any combination thereof from the person.

10. The modular assistance system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interchangeable function modules further comprises at least one appliance control module operable for controlling appliances within a dwelling of the person.

11. The modular assistance system of claim 1, further comprising a stationary unit provided in a dwelling of the person, the stationary unit operable to charge a battery of the at least one mobile unit, automatically fill supply containers of supply modules or of cleaning modules, automatically empty disposal containers of disposal modules, or any combination thereof.

12. The modular assistance system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interchangeable function modules further comprises at least one drive module operable for driving the at least one mobile unit, a piece of furniture for sitting, a piece of furniture for lying of the person, or any combination thereof.

13. The modular assistance system of claim 1, wherein the data processor is further configured to:

evaluate data, provided by a measurement module, with respect to bodily functions of the person, substances taken by the person, or a combination thereof; and

depending on an evaluation result, a physical condition of the person stored in a data storage medium, or a combination thereof, actuate a supply module, a communication module, the tray module, an appliance control module, a drive module, a preparation module of the at least one mobile unit, or any combination thereof, report a current state of the person to the person, to a care attendant, to a monitoring station, or to any combination thereof via an interface module of the at least one mobile unit, or a combination thereof.

14. The modular assistance system of claim 1, wherein the function provided by the plurality of interchangeable function modules of the mobile unit is logged for evaluation by a care attendant, reported to a stationary unit of the modular assistance system, to a remote monitoring station via an interface module of the at least one mobile unit, or a combination thereof, or is logged and reported.

15. The modular assistance system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of interchangeable function modules comprises at least one supply module operable for storing, preparing, and supplying foodstuff, liquids, medicaments, or any combination thereof for the person, or any combination thereof.

16. The modular assistance system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of interchangeable function modules comprises at least one interface module operable for entering commands by the person or for outputting information to the person, to a remote monitoring station, or to the person and to the remote monitoring station.

17. The modular assistance system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of interchangeable function modules comprises at least one cleaning module operable for cleaning a surface within a dwelling of the person, cleaning the person, or a combination thereof.

18. A modular assistance system for a person, the modular assistance system comprising:

at least one mobile unit comprising a compartment configured to interlock with at least one interchangeable function module of a plurality of interchangeable function modules;

a recognition module, the recognition module configured for detecting a functional requirement of the person, the at least one mobile unit configured to provide a corresponding function to the person, depending on the detected functional requirement of the person, using the at least one interchangeable function module; and

a processor and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory configured to store information data relating to a condition of the person, the processor configured to activate one or more interchangeable function modules of the plurality of interchangeable function modules based on the condition of the person.

19. A modular assistance system for a person, the modular assistance system comprising:

at least one mobile unit comprising a drive module including a motor and at least one wheel, the drive module configured to propel the at least one mobile unit;

a recognition module, the recognition module including a sensor configured for detecting a functional requirement of the person, the at least one mobile unit configured to provide a corresponding function to the respective person, depending on the detected functional requirement of the person, using at least one interchangeable function module of a plurality of interchangeable function modules; and

a processor and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory configured to store information data relating to a condition of the person, the processor configured to activate one or more interchangeable function modules of the plurality of interchangeable function modules based on the condition of the person.

20. The modular assistance system of claim 19, further comprising:

at least one battery configured to power the mobile unit and the at least one interchangeable function module; and

a docking contact configured to dock into a docking station to charge the battery.