Device and computer program for preventing health damage

Abstract

Device and computer program for preventing damage to health, characterized in that an algorithmic evaluation of camera data from a camera system integrated in or connected to a computer for detecting body and eye movements and a coordinated gradual change in the screen display (in the case of inactivity, an ever-increasing blackening, whitening, blurring, pixelation or similar effect overlays, for increased eye movements, displays at the edge of the monitor) takes place in the case of prolonged inactivity, whereby the original screen state is restored at different speeds through activity / defined movements of the user or eye movements and all parameters, including time intervals and display effects, are freely adjustable.

Description

Field of the InventionThe present invention relates to a software solution / computer program / application software / application / app for motion-based screen display in combination with a camera in computers, laptops, tablets on feet and similar electronic implements. The invention is technically part of the field of image processing, in particular for detecting user movements by means of an integrated camera and the control of the screen display adapted thereto. The aim is to promote health during relatively long screen operations by automatic monitoring of the movement activity and to avoid excessive stay in the same posture and reduced eye movements, since a large part of the screen users have, for example, back discomfort, brace or dry eyes.Prior ArtVarious solutions are known from the prior art which dim or disable the display screen 1 after a certain physical inactivity in order to save energy or protect privacy. Already in the 70's it has been proposed to make the screen black at certain time intervals in order to enable exercise of movement. Some recent systems provide user recognition via face recognition, but set external devices (e.g., smart phones) or project salient cues to the monitor, which may interrupt work. Also, wearables exist that respond to lack of motion but require additional hardware.In contrast to these approaches, the invention presented here uses only the already (mostly) present camera or the camera integrated in the device to record the user movement and influences the screen display stepwise depending on the movement activity. External hardware or additional apps on mobile terminals are not required and no disruptive pop-up texts are displayed.Shortcomings of the Previous EmbodimentsExternal hardware systems are expensive and require additional equipment. Conventional solutions often interrupt the workflow (e.g. by locking the screen or inserting text messages). Heretofore, the detection of user movements has not consistently been used to animate the user to active movement without simultaneously disturbing the working environment. It does not have to be looked at on a smartphone during the work, no texts appear on the monitor, the monitor does not become black.The means for solving the problems are usedThe present invention solves these problems by implementing purely software-based movement monitoring and, depending on the activity level of the user, successively blackened, lightened, changed pixel-like or made blurred the screen. This change is canceled by predefined movements of the user, so that a continuous memory of regular changes in posture or small exercises is produced without abruptly interrupting the work or using additional devices. Moreover, if necessary, preferably at the screen edge, conspicuous geometric shapes or small images (FIG. 3 ) appear in order to reinforce the eye movements by changing localizations.My invention is based on the development of systems with software for increased movement of the user and increased eye movements in front of screens:There are many solutions based on the invention, for example:US8024202B2: analysis of posture by cameras and sensor systems with a proposal of adapted posture,DE202019002709U1, moving screen causing the user to move,US2008 / 0151483A1, adjustment of the screen in a rail system and distance adjustment by means of articulated arms for remotely controlled ceiling or wall holders, US7630193, adjustable holder on desks,CN106322066A, automatic distance control with detection of the distance of vision of displays from the user's head.There are also devices with sensors, for example, which register the movement of the user and, if the movement is reduced, alert or inform the user, for example, via a smartphone.Programs are also present which perform posture control or motion tracking via webcam and then respond via notification, pop-up or acoustic signal if one sits too long or takes a poor posture. Some Examples:Nekoze (macOS): uses the mac webcam to detect whether the user is sitting crumbly (inflected posture). Then fades in an animated mask pot (a cat) that signals: "Please do dich open!"PostureMin (Windows, older versions): uses (when activated) the webcam to track head and shoulder posture. Displays indications on the screen when posture is poor or one remains unmoved too long.Workrave: establishes micropauses and recovery pauses at individually adjustable intervals. During pauses, training instructions (e.g. stretching exercises, eye relaxation) are displayed so that the user moves actively.Stretchy: periodic notifications of small ("Microbreaks") and large pauses ("breaks") at fixed time intervals. During pauses, tips are inserted to loosen muscles or short stretching exercises.Eyeleo: concentrates particularly on eye relaxation with short exercises / "blinks". Sets screen locks at intervals when the user is to stand up or at least look remotely.Big Stretch Reduce: indicates pop-up reminders to be stretched, stretched, or moved short. The type and frequency of reminder (e.g., motivating text, indication of break-in-drink) may be configured individually.Time Out (macOS): switches the screen at regular intervals into a pause mode ("Time Out"), in which the user can release from the work and stand up, for example. Provides microbreaks and long pauses that are customized.PC WorkBreak: Displays animated stretching exercises on the screen. Recall shorter and longer pauses at predetermined time intervals.RSI guard: measures activity (keystrokes, mouse clicks) and proposes pause or training intervals before stresses sum up. Has integrated interaction and motion statistics (e.g., how often and how long without pause was performed).Safe Eye (Linux): Panels screen locks at defined intervals in order to actively relax the eyes and body. It offers short instructions for pause gymnastics, specially tailored to screen work.The solutions present fulfil their function corresponding to the circumstances, but do not have the possibilities of the above-mentioned. Invention.A solution which can be installed on all sides is desired. The invention of the device and computer program for avoiding damage to health, which is specified in claim 1, fulfills these requirements.An embodiment:Installation and ConfigurationThe software is installed on a computer (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android or other operating systems) or is already preinstalled. It accesses the integrated camera 2 of the laptop / notebook, desktop computer / tablet / workstation. At the initial start or later, the user can set various parameters:time interval after a movementlessness or eye movement is classified as inactive or too low.Type and speed of the screen change 3 (e.g. slow blacking from the center, appearance of light dots, increasing blurring, pixelation or the like, FIGS. 1, 2 ).Type of movement required to restore the original state of the screen (e.g. head, arm and body movements, viewing direction to the side, arm movement in front of the camera).acquisition of the movement dataThe software continuously analyzes the live video image of the built-in camera. For reasons of data protection, only abstract outlines or rough contours are recorded and / or eye movements are registered and no images are stored. An algorithm detects whether sufficient body, head or eye movement occurs. If no user is detected over a freely definable period of time, the system changes to the "inactivity mode".Screen Adaptation Screen AdaptationOnce reduced movements are registered, the software begins to gradually alter the display. For example, small regions in the center are first shaded, which continuously increase. Alternatively, an increasingly denser grid pattern can also be produced, a partial white coloration and / or an increasing unsharpness. The aim is to indicate smoothly to the user that movements are necessary / meaningful. In this case, no disturbing text messages are deliberately inserted in order to impair the working flow as little as possible.ReactivationThe original screen is automatically restored as soon as the user performs predefined movements. These could be targeted views to the side, head, shoulder and torso movements or even lifting the arm in front of the camera or simple standing up and reclining. The software recognizes via the image analysis that activity again takes place and switches stepwise back to the normal screen display.In this way, the user is encouraged to perform movements (unwarranted) at regular intervals, thus preventing stresses, damage to posture, dry eyes, etc.Further Adjustment PossibilitiesIndividual intervals: Adaptation of inactivity times to personal needs or medical recommendations.Various display effects: from (light) coloring up to pixelization, blurring, etc.Sensitivity levels: detection of movements of different sizes, from the head tick to the large-scale body movement or fast eye movements and blinking.logging function and individual settings: optional log (statistics) how often and when motion phases were triggered for analysis of user habits in order to optimize the ("unausgesprochenen") motion requests.In addition, periodic interruptions are useful as needed (e.g., microbreaks every 20-30 minutes), which can be shown to help reduce neck and back stresses, headaches, and dry eye. Pauses should not be too frequent (disturbing) or too seldom (ineffective).Combinable with wearables: if the user carries a smart watch or fitness tracker, further movement reminders (e.g. stand up and walking every 60 minutes) can be integrated or combined with a vibration alarm.Data protection and data security are to be taken into account in permanent camera streams. Therefore, it is usually sufficient to evaluate only the user's contours with the head, shoulder and torso movements and the eye movements.Thus, concentrated work on the screen is possible without appreciably disturbing the operation and concentration. After a time, the movements are automatically (unwarranted) integrated into the workflow.Computer programs are, of course, only one tool. The actual movement-whether standing up, stretching, a short spacing or gymnastic-must be able to implement each user himself, but must be supported (see above). Regular short interruptions and physical activity are, however, the key to minimizing long term consequences at the screen workstation.SummaryThe invention describes software which detects body and eye movements by means of an integrated or external camera and gradually blackies, lightens, unhampered or distorts like pixels on prolonged inactivity. In addition, for more powerful eye movements, striking screens are possible at the edge of the screen. The execution is based exclusively on camera software (mostly) without additional hardware and does not interrupt the workflow by means of urgent instructions. Instead, the user is reminded of periodic movements subtil but effectively, so that after a time the movements are automatically (unwarranted) integrated into the workflow. By certain eye and body movements, the original screen can be restored. The software promotes a more good working posture and reduces work-related diseases since it varies the seat position and causes the user to move more.List of reference characters1 Screen / Monitor 2 Camera / Webcam 3 Modified Screen DisplayReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedUS 8024202B2

[0006] DE 202019002709U1

[0006] US 2008 / 0151483A1

[0006] US 7630193

[0006] CN 106322066A

[0006]

Claims

Device and computer program for avoiding health damage, characterized in that by an algorithm evaluation of camera data of a camera system integrated or connected in a computer for detecting body and eye movements and a step-by-step change of the screen display adapted thereto (in the case of inactivity, an ever increasing density, whitening, unhearning, pixelation or similar effect superimpositions, for increased eye movements displays at the edge of the monitor) are carried out in the case of prolonged inactivity, wherein the original screen state is restored at different speeds by activity / defined movements of the user or eye movements and all parameters, including time intervals and display effects, can be freely adjusted.Device and computer program for avoiding health damage according to claim 1, characterised in that the evaluation of the camera data comprises exclusively a abstract movement recognition or outlines and, if applicable, eye movements in order to meet data protection requirements.Device and computer program for avoiding health damage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stepwise change of the screen display takes place in steps, starting with a slight change, for example in the centre, up to the change over a large area.Device and computer program for avoiding health damage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the restoration of the original screen state is initiated by specific movements (e.g. head, torso, shoulder movements, arm-ham, standing up, eye movements, eye blinking).Device and computer program for avoiding health damage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that different modes can be selected for the screen change, such as, for example, black coloration, white coloration, blurring, pixelation, dynamic patterns, geometric shapes or images.Device and computer program for avoiding health damage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the time intervals for detecting inactivity can be individually adapted and multiple intervals with respectively different effects can also be defined.Device and computer program for avoiding health damage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a log function is integrated which records the frequency and duration of activity and inactivity phases.Device and computer program for avoiding health damage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that no additional hardware components other than a camera and a computer are required.Device and computer program for avoiding health damage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that no permanent storage of video data takes place and only temporary, internal data processings for movement analysis are carried out.Device and computer program for avoiding damage to health, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an interface for operating system control exists, via which the software can be integrated into a wide variety of operating system environments.Device and computer program for avoiding health damage, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that automatic deactivation of the screen change takes place when security or other selectable functions (e.g. password locks) appear.The health care management device and computer program according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the type of movement required for reactivation is changed to promote a greater variety of movement sequences.Device and computer program for avoiding health damage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that acoustic signals are optionally implemented in order to additionally inform the user of a lack of (eye) movements.Device and computer program for avoiding health damage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the event of prolonged inactivity, an automatic idle state of the system can be initiated as soon as the last stage of the screen change is reached.Device and computer program for avoiding health damage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system provides different profiles for a plurality of users and evaluates their movement patterns individually.Device and computer program for avoiding health damage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in addition to detecting body movements, the eye movements are optionally also analyzed.Device and computer program for avoiding health damage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system registers the degree of movement in real time and carries out proportional changes on the screen (e.g. slower or faster fade-in of effects).Device and computer program for avoiding health damage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the user interface of the software can be reached via a password-protected menu in order to prevent manipulations by third parties.Device and computer program for avoiding health damage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that settings and updates can be managed centrally in order to enable uniform configuration in companies or public facilities.

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