Device for nonverbal communication with operating personnel

Abstract

Device (1) for nonverbal communication with operating personnel, in particular for hospitality establishments, with at least one light source, with an activation device for activating at least one light source, with a light modification system (2) for changing the light emitted by the light source, in particular with regard to color, intensity, frequency and / or shape, where, the light modification system (2) can be moved by a user into different positions during its intended use in order to change the light in a predefined manner and thereby transmit predefined information to the operating personnel.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for non-verbal communication with operating personnel, in particular for hospitality establishments, comprising a light source, an activation device for activating the at least one light source, and a light modification system for changing the light emitted by the light source, in particular with regard to color, intensity, frequency and / or shape.

[0002] In a restaurant, it can sometimes be difficult to signal to the wait staff that payment is due. This can lead to dissatisfaction among guests. It's also difficult for a restaurant's wait staff to keep track of which guests would like to pay and / or have other requests. Therefore, there is a need for an effective and simple solution to this common problem.

[0003] The object of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the problems known from the prior art. In particular, communication with operating personnel should be simplified, preferably non-verbal.

[0004] The problem is solved by a device having the features of the independent claim. Advantageous or preferred embodiments are each subject of a corresponding dependent claim.

[0005] A device for non-verbal communication with service personnel is proposed, in particular for hospitality establishments. The device comprises at least one light source. Furthermore, the device comprises an activation device for activating the at least one light source. The device comprises a light modification system for changing the light emitted by the light source, in particular with regard to color, intensity, frequency and / or shape. Advantageously, the light modification system can be moved by a user into different positions during intended use in order to change the light in a predefined manner and thereby transmit predefined information to the service personnel. It is advantageous if the device is used in a catering establishment. The device can be placed on the table near the guests or next to the table.A user can activate the light source using the activation device. It is advantageous if the light source projects the light from the table to the ceiling. A user can change the color of the light, with the different colors representing predefined information. The light on the ceiling is clearly visible to the waiting staff, yet the light does not disturb other guests. This allows for nonverbal communication between a user and the waiting staff.

[0006] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the light modification system comprises at least one light filter element. The light filter element can change the color of the light emitted by the light source, whereby different colors can represent different information for the operating personnel. An advantageous embodiment is if the device comprises three light filter elements. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the three light filter elements are arranged one behind the other, in particular on a holder provided for this purpose. Using the holder, a user can switch between the three light filter elements by sliding the respective light filter element over the light source.

[0007] It is also advantageous if the light modification system comprises a guide, in particular at least one rail, by means of which the at least one light filter element can be moved translationally and / or rotationally. This simplifies user operation and, in particular, allows switching between multiple colors, whereby the different colors can represent different information.

[0008] Particular advantages are achieved if the activation device is designed to switch the at least one light source on and off and / or to adjust the brightness of the at least one light source in stages or continuously. Thus, the brightness can be adapted to different room conditions.

[0009] It is also advantageous if the device includes a housing, which simplifies handling and / or transport.

[0010] It is also advantageous if the housing includes a mounting area for stable installation of the device on a surface.

[0011] It is advantageous if the housing comprises an exit area from which the emitted light of the at least one light source can emerge.

[0012] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the exit area is located opposite the installation area. This way, the outgoing light is projected onto the ceiling of a restaurant, for example. As a result, the waiting staff can easily see the light or the corresponding information without the light dazzling or disturbing other guests.

[0013] It is advantageous if the light modification system is located at the exit area. This allows the light modification system to interact with the light source and be conveniently operated by a user.

[0014] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the housing includes an activation recess through which a user can operate the activation device. This allows a user to easily operate the activation device and, in particular, to turn on the light source if they wish to communicate with the operating personnel, or to turn it off if they have no specific requests from the operating personnel.

[0015] It's also advantageous if at least one light source is a flashlight or an LED. A flashlight can be easily replaced or recharged, or the batteries can be replaced if the flashlight fails. An LED offers a power-saving alternative.

[0016] The use of a device, configured according to the preceding and / or following description, for nonverbal communication with operating personnel, particularly for hospitality establishments, is proposed. Different properties of the emitted light, particularly with regard to color, intensity, frequency, and / or shape, represent different information, particularly for the operating personnel. This has the advantage that communication between a user and the operating personnel can take place quickly and efficiently. For example, especially in a hospitality establishment, different colors of light could represent information such as "I would like to order food" or "I would like to pay."

[0017] Further advantages of the invention are described in the following exemplary embodiment. It shows: Fig. 1 a side view and a top view of a device for non-verbal communication with operating personnel, in particular for hospitality establishments.

[0018] Fig. 1 shows a side view and a top view of a device 1 for non-verbal communication with operating personnel, particularly for hospitality establishments. The device 1 comprises Fig. 1 comprises a housing 4. The at least one light source (not shown) is arranged in the housing 4. The housing 4 comprises a mounting area 5, wherein the device 1, during intended use, is placed on a surface with the mounting area 5. The housing 4 has an exit area 6.

[0019] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the exit area 6 is arranged at the opposite end of the housing 4 from the installation area 5. The light from the light source can exit from the exit area 6. The device 1 comprises a light modification system 2. The light modification system 2 has at least one light filter element 3. In the present embodiment, the light modification system 2 has three light filter elements 3, wherein the different hatchings represent different colors.

[0020] Furthermore, the light modification system 2 has a guide 7. The at least one light filter element 3 is displaceable along the guide 7.

[0021] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 1, the light modification system 2 can preferably comprise three differently colored light filter elements 3. These can be moved along the guide 7, allowing a different light filter element 3 to interact with the light from the light source. During intended use, the color of the light emitted by the light source can thus be changed, with each color representing a predefined piece of information.

[0022] If device 1 is used in a restaurant, a user can use the different colors of the light to nonverbally convey predefined information to the waiting staff. Information such as "I would like to order food" or "I would like to pay" would be conceivable. List of reference symbols 1 device 2 Light modification system 3 light filter element 4 housings 5 Installation area 6 Exit area 7 Guide

Claims

[1] Device (1) for non-verbal communication with operating personnel, in particular for hospitality establishments, with at least one light source, with an activation device for activating the at least one light source, with a light modification system (2) for changing the light emitted by the light source, in particular with regard to colour, intensity, frequency and / or shape, where, the light modification system (2) can be moved into different positions by a user during intended use in order to change the light in a predefined manner and thereby transmit predefined information to the operating personnel. [2] Device according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the light modification system (2) comprises at least one light filter element (3). [3] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the light modification system (2) comprises a guide (7), in particular at least one rail, with the aid of which the at least one light filter element (3) can be moved translationally and / or rotationally. [4] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the activation device is designed to switch the at least one light source on and off and / or to regulate the brightness of the at least one light source in steps or continuously. [5] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the device comprises a housing (4). [6] Device according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the housing (4) comprises a mounting area (5) for stable mounting of the device (1) on a surface. [7] Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized bythat the housing (4) comprises an exit region (6) from which the emitted light of the at least one light source can emerge. [8] Device according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the outlet area (6) is arranged opposite the installation area (5). [9] Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by that the light modification system (2) is arranged at the exit area (6). [10] Device according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized by that the housing (4) comprises an activation recess through which a user can actuate the activation device. [11] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one light source is a flashlight or an LED. [12] Use of a device (1) designed according to one of the preceding claims for non-verbal communication with operating personnel, in particular for hospitality establishments, characterized by that different properties of the emitted light, in particular with regard to colour, intensity, frequency and / or shape, represent different information, in particular for the operating personnel.

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