Multisensory immersive device and immersive system comprising such a device

Abstract

The invention relates to a multisensory immersive device (12) comprising at least a first sensory stimulation housing (40a) and a second sensory stimulation housing (40b) that are mounted on a first arm and a second arm, respectively, and that are designed to stimulate the senses of a user (16) positioned in a stimulation area (S) facing the immersive device, wherein the arms are movably mounted on a frame between a transport position in which they are retracted in order to reduce the bulk of the immersive device, and a position of use in which the arms are deployed so that the sensory stimulation housings (40a, 40b) are able to be arranged facing the stimulation area (S) in order to be able to stimulate the senses of the user.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: Multisensory immersive device and immersive system comprising such a multisensory immersive device

[0003] Field of invention

[0004] The present patent application relates to a multi-sensory immersive device intended to stimulate the senses of a user and an immersive system comprising such a multi-sensory immersive device.

[0005] The present invention will find non-exclusive advantageous applications in the field of health to bring well-being and relaxation to vulnerable people.

[0006] State of the art

[0007] We know of an immersive system, also called a multisensory immersive capsule, which is developed by the Applicant, the company VirtySens.

[0008] This immersive system comprises a plurality of sensory stimulation boxes which are mounted on a chassis and which are designed to stimulate a user's senses.

[0009] For this purpose, each stimulation box includes a fan and a fragrance diffuser, the fan being designed to blow the fragrances diffused towards the user. It is understood here that in the absence of the diffuser, the fan serves to create a wind effect on the user's face. Each box may also include a heating system to diffuse hot air.

[0010] The stimulation boxes are oriented towards a stimulation area in which the user is placed.

[0011] In addition, the immersive system proposed by the Applicant is equipped with a virtual reality headset which broadcasts images and sound to the user wearing it, the broadcasting of the images being related to the diffusion of fragrances and hot and / or cold winds.

[0012] Thus, the immersive system according to the prior art allows the user to experience intense sensations and to immerse them in settings and atmospheres which can revive their memory.

[0013] Although the immersive system described above has many advantages, its weight and size make it suitable for sedentary use, typically in a healthcare facility.

[0014] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems by providing a multi-sensory immersive device that is suitable for use while roaming and at users' homes.

[0015] This objective, as well as others which will become apparent upon reading the following description, is achieved with a multisensory immersive device comprising at least a first sensory stimulation box and a second sensory stimulation box which are mounted on a chassis and which are designed to stimulate the senses of a user placed in a stimulation area in front of the immersive device, the immersive device being characterized in that it comprises a first arm which carries the first sensory stimulation box and a second arm which carries the second sensory stimulation box, said arms being mounted movably on the chassis between a transport position in which said arms are retracted to limit the size of the immersive device,and a position of use in which said arms are deployed so that said sensory stimulation boxes are able to be arranged opposite the stimulation area in order to be able to stimulate the user's senses.

[0016] Thus, the immersive device according to the invention, thanks to its reduced size and miniaturization, makes it possible to offer vulnerable people in their homes a multi-sensory experience that was previously inaccessible.

[0017] Indeed, the present invention makes it possible to stimulate the user's senses with a small footprint, therefore significant accessibility.

[0018] The miniaturization of the immersive device opens up numerous avenues of use: caregivers working at home can easily transport the immersive device in a case to the home of the person being cared for, and the immersive device according to the invention can easily be installed on a table or on a stand, within an environment where medical devices may be present.

[0019] According to other optional features of the invention, taken alone or in combination:

[0020] - the chassis is delimited by a lower face which is intended to rest on a horizontal surface, and by a first lateral face and a second lateral face which each extend vertically from said lower face, and in that the first arm and the second arm are pivotally mounted on the chassis each around a vertical pivot axis, the first arm and the second arm being folded against the first lateral face and the second lateral face respectively of the chassis, when they occupy their transport position;

[0021] - each sensory stimulation box comprises at least one fragrance diffuser and a fan which is designed to blow the fragrances diffused by the associated diffuser towards the stimulation area, when said arms occupy their position of use;

[0022] - the immersive device is equipped with a central fan which is carried by the chassis and which is arranged between the first arm and the second arm so as to be able to blow air towards the stimulation area. This feature makes it possible in particular to simulate the wind on the user's skin;

[0023] - the immersive device comprises an electric battery, an electronic card comprising at least one computing unit and a radiofrequency communication device. The battery makes the immersive device self-sufficient in electricity;

[0024] The invention also relates to an immersive system comprising a virtual reality headset which is designed to broadcast images of a video to the user wearing it, and a multisensory immersive device of the type described above, the virtual reality headset being capable of sending instructions to the immersive device by radio frequency to control the activation of the sensory stimulation boxes in relation to the images broadcast by said headset.

[0025] According to other optional characteristics of the immersive system according to the invention, taken alone or in combination:

[0026] - the immersive system comprises a control interface which is intended to interact and exchange data with the virtual reality headset and the immersive device, and which comprises a screen for broadcasting the images of the video that the user views using said headset. Thus, the control interface makes it possible to select the videos that will be viewed in the headset by sending instructions to the headset;

[0027] - said headset and the piloting interface are each equipped with an electronic storage unit which makes it possible to store and broadcast the same video in a synchronized manner. This characteristic makes it possible in particular to limit energy consumption by eliminating the need for a transfer of the video stream in real time via radio frequency;

[0028] - the control interface is a touchscreen tablet. Brief description of the drawings

[0029] Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0030] [Fig. 1] is a schematic side view illustrating the immersive system comprising an immersive device, a virtual reality headset and a control interface, according to the invention;

[0031] [Fig. 2] is a perspective view of the immersive device of Figure 1, with its two arms deployed in the use position;

[0032] [Fig. 3] is a top view of the immersive device of Figure 1, with its two arms deployed in the use position, without its battery;

[0033] [Fig. 4] is a perspective view of the immersive device of Figure 1 with the chassis and the second sensory stimulation box open and with the two arms retracted in the transport position;

[0034] [Fig. 5] is a perspective view of the immersive device of Figure 1 with both arms retracted in the transport position.

[0035] In the description and the claims, the terminology longitudinal, vertical and transverse will be adopted without limitation with reference to the trihedron L, V, T indicated in the figures, considering that the immersive device rests on a horizontal plate in a configuration of use.

[0036] Also, the expressions “upper” and “lower” will be used without limitation in reference to the upper part and the lower part respectively of figure 1.

[0037] Throughout these figures, identical or similar elements are identified by identical or similar reference signs.

[0038] Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0039] Figure 1 shows an immersive system 10 which comprises a multisensory immersive device 12, a virtual reality headset 14 which is designed to broadcast images of a video to the user 16 who is wearing it, and a control interface 18 of the touch-sensitive electronic tablet type. As can be seen in Figure 2, the immersive device 12 comprises a chassis 20 which has the shape of a box and which is delimited by a lower face 22 intended to rest on a horizontal surface, such as a table top 24 as illustrated in Figure 1, and an upper face 26.

[0040] Also, the frame 20 is delimited by four peripheral faces which each extend vertically from the lower face 22 to the upper face 26, the four peripheral faces comprising a first longitudinal lateral face 28a, a second longitudinal lateral face 28b, a transverse front face 30 and a transverse rear face 32. It will be noted that the immersive device 12 has a symmetrical design along a longitudinal sagittal median plane P shown in Figure 3, the symmetrical elements being identified in the figures by identical reference signs and distinguished by the letters “a” and “b”.

[0041] In addition, the immersive device 12 comprises a first arm 34a which extends from a proximal end 36a connected to the chassis 20, to a distal end 38a which carries a first sensory stimulation box 40a.

[0042] By symmetry along the plane P of symmetry, the immersive device 12 comprises a second arm 34b which extends from a proximal end 36b connected to the chassis 20, to a distal end 38b which carries a second sensory stimulation box 40b.

[0043] The sensory stimulation boxes 40a, 40b are designed to stimulate the senses of the user 16 who is placed in a stimulation area S (visible in FIG. 1) in front of the immersive device 12.

[0044] For this purpose, the first sensory stimulation box 40a comprises two fragrance diffusers 42a, 44a which each comprise a diffusion head 46a, 48a respectively, the diffusion heads 46a, 48a being arranged opposite each other.

[0045] The two diffusers 42a, 44a are arranged on either side of an outlet orifice 50a through which air is expelled by means of a fan 52a housed inside the first sensory stimulation housing 40a.

[0046] Thus, the first sensory stimulation box 40a makes it possible to blow the fragrances diffused by the associated diffusers 42a, 44a, by means of the associated fan 52a, in the direction of the stimulation air S. It will be noted that the two diffusers 42a, 44b each comprise a USB type connection tip which is connected to a complementary socket arranged inside the sensory stimulation box 40a.

[0047] Thus, the two diffusers 42a, 44b can be easily replaced.

[0048] By symmetry along the plane P of symmetry, the second sensory stimulation box 40b comprises two diffusers 42b, 44b which each comprise a diffusion head 46a, 48a respectively and an outlet orifice 50b through which air is expelled by means of a fan 52b.

[0049] According to another aspect of the invention, the proximal end 36a of the first arm 34a and the proximal end 36b of the second arm 34b of the immersive device 12 are pivotally mounted on the chassis 20, around a first vertical pivot axis A and a second pivot axis B respectively.

[0050] Thus, the first arm 34a and the second arm 34b are pivotally mounted between a transport position illustrated in FIG. 5, in which the arms 34a, 34b are retracted to limit the size of the immersive device 12, and a use position illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, in which the arms 34a, 34b are deployed so that the associated sensory stimulation boxes 40a, 40b are arranged opposite the stimulation area S to be able to stimulate the senses of the user 16.

[0051] It is estimated that the sensory stimulation boxes 40a, 40b are arranged opposite the stimulation area S when they are capable of blowing the fragrances towards the stimulation air S.

[0052] Referring to Figure 2, the first Avertical pivot axis is arranged at the junction of the front face 30 of the chassis 20 and the first side face 28a, and the second pivot axis B is arranged at the junction of the front face 30 of the chassis 20 and the second side face 28b.

[0053] Also, as can be seen in Figure 2, the second lateral face 28b of the chassis 20 has a longitudinal recess 52b provided to house and retract the second arm 34b when the latter occupies its rest position.

[0054] By symmetry along the plane P of symmetry, the first lateral face 28a of the chassis 20 has a longitudinal recess (not visible) provided to house and retract the first arm 34a when the latter occupies its rest position. In addition, according to FIG. 5, when the arms 34a, 34b occupy their transport position, the sensory stimulation boxes 40a, 40b are arranged on the back of the chassis 20, against the rear face 32 of the chassis 20, to limit the size of the immersive device 12.

[0055] As can be seen in Figure 4, the immersive device 12 is equipped with a central fan 54 which is arranged inside the chassis 20, between the first arm 34a and the second arm 34b, so as to be able to blow air towards the stimulation area S.

[0056] Also, the frame 20 delimits an outlet orifice 56 which allows the passage of the air blown by the central fan 54.

[0057] It will be noted that the function of the central fan 54 is to simulate a current of air on the skin of the user 16, the central fan 54 is therefore not associated with a fragrance diffuser.

[0058] To ensure the operation of the immersive device 12, the latter comprises an electric battery 58 (visible in figure 2), and an electronic card 60 comprising at least one calculation unit 62.

[0059] The electronic card 60 allows the fans 52a, 52b, 54 and the diffusers 42a, 42b, 44a, 44b to be controlled.

[0060] As a reminder, the virtual reality headset 14 is designed to broadcast images from a video to the user 16 wearing it.

[0061] For this purpose, the virtual reality headset 14 is equipped with a storage unit 64, of the memory card type, on which the video to be broadcast is recorded.

[0062] Also, the storage unit 64 contains elements necessary for the scripting of a drop-down menu with thumbnails, presentation images, descriptive texts and instruction files concerning the video to be broadcast.

[0063] The immersive device 12 is in communication with the virtual reality headset 14 to allow the virtual reality headset 14 to send instructions to the immersive device 12, in particular to control the activation of the sensory stimulation boxes 40a, 40b and the central fan 54 in relation to the images broadcast by the virtual reality headset 14.

[0064] For this purpose, the immersive device 12, the virtual reality headset 14 and the control interface 18 are each equipped with a communication device of the Bluetooth® type, to allow interaction and bidirectional exchange of data between them. In addition, the control interface 18 comprises a screen 66 which makes it possible to broadcast the images of the video that the user 16 views by means of the virtual reality headset 14.

[0065] For this purpose, the control interface 18 is equipped with a storage unit 68 which makes it possible to store and broadcast the same video as that broadcast by the virtual reality headset 14, in a synchronized manner.

[0066] This feature makes it possible to limit the energy consumption consumed by the battery of the virtual reality headset 14 by eliminating the need to transfer the video stream in real time between the control interface 18 and the virtual reality headset 14.

[0067] Thus, the immersive system 10 according to the invention has a simple use and operation, an example of which is described below.

[0068] The immersive device 12 is placed on the tabletop 24, then the arms 34a, 34b of the immersive device 12 are deployed so that the two sensory stimulation boxes 40a, 40b are oriented towards the user 16 equipped with the virtual reality headset 14. The control interface 18 makes it possible to select the video which will be projected by the virtual reality headset 14 by sending instructions to the virtual reality headset 14 via Bluetooth®.

[0069] The parameters that correspond to the sound level, the multi-sensory options, the cropping of the image in the virtual reality headset 14 and the functionalities of the video player are sent to the virtual reality headset 14 from the control interface 18.

[0070] The virtual reality headset 14 projects the previously chosen video, which immerses the user 16 in a virtual universe and simultaneously, the virtual reality headset 14 sends instructions to the immersive device 12 which controls the activation of the sensory stimulation boxes 40a, 40b and the central fan 54 in relation to the images broadcast by the virtual reality headset 14, to increase the immersion of the user 16. At the same time, the virtual reality headset 14 sends information on the orientation of the virtual reality headset 14 to the control interface 18 which reproduces what the user 16 is viewing, which allows an accompanying person to follow the progress of the video viewed by the user 16.

[0071] The immersive system 10 according to the invention, due to its reduced size and miniaturization, makes it possible to offer vulnerable people in their homes a multisensory experience that was previously inaccessible. Indeed, the present invention makes it possible to stimulate the user's hearing, smell, sight and touch with a small footprint, and therefore with significant accessibility.

[0072] Such miniaturization opens up numerous avenues of use, particularly for caregivers working at home who can easily transport the immersive system 10 in a case to the home of the person being cared for.

[0073] Also, the immersive system 10 can easily be installed on a table or on a stand, within an environment where medical devices may be present.

[0074] The electrical autonomy of the immersive system 10 also makes it easier to use.

[0075] The shape of the immersive device 12 is designed to both allow the two arms 34a, 34b used to diffuse the fragrances to be easily deployed, while reducing the overall size of the immersive device 12 and ensuring balance preventing the immersive device 12 from tipping over if the arms 34a, 34b are in a vacuum.

[0076] The optimal distance between the immersive device 12 and the user 16 is calculated according to the diffusion cone of the fans 50a, 50b, 54, so that the air flow blown by said fans reaches the face of the user 16 in an optimized manner.

[0077] Naturally, the invention is described in the foregoing by way of example. It is understood that those skilled in the art are able to carry out different variant embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. Multisensory immersive device (12) comprising at least a first sensory stimulation box (40a) and a second sensory stimulation box (40b) which are mounted on a chassis (20) and which are designed to stimulate the senses of a user (16) placed in a stimulation area (S) in front of the immersive device (12), the immersive device (12) being characterized in that it comprises a first arm (34a) which carries the first sensory stimulation box (40a) and a second arm (34b) which carries the second sensory stimulation box (40b), said arms (34a, 34b) being movably mounted on the chassis (20) between a transport position in which said arms (34a, 34b) are retracted to limit the size of the immersive device (12), and a use position in which said arms (34a, 34b) are deployed so that said sensory stimulation boxes (40a,40b) are capable of being arranged opposite the stimulation area (S) in order to be able to stimulate the user's senses (16)., 2. Multisensory immersive device (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the chassis (20) is delimited by a lower face (22) which is intended to rest on a horizontal surface, and by a first lateral face (28a) and a second lateral face (28b) which each extend vertically from said lower face (22), and in that the first arm (34a) and the second arm (34b) are pivotally mounted on the chassis (20) each around a vertical pivot axis (A, B), the first arm (34a) and the second arm (34b) being folded against the first lateral face (28a) and the second lateral face (28b) respectively of the chassis (20), when they occupy their transport position.

3. Multisensory immersive device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each sensory stimulation box (40a, 40b) comprises at least one fragrance diffuser (42a, 44a, 42b, 44b) and a fan (50a, 50b) which is provided to blow the fragrances diffused by the associated diffuser towards the stimulation area (S), when said arms (34a, 34b) occupy their position of use.

4. Multisensory immersive device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is equipped with a central fan (54) which is carried by the frame (20) and which is arranged between the first arm (34a) and the second arm (34b) so as to be able to blow air towards the stimulation area (S).

5. Multisensory immersive device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an electric battery (58), an electronic card (60) comprising at least one calculation unit (62) and a radiofrequency communication device.

6. Immersive system (10) comprising a virtual reality headset (14) which is designed to broadcast images of a video to the user (16) wearing it, and a multi-sensory immersive device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, the virtual reality headset (14) being capable of sending instructions to the immersive device (12) by radio frequency to control the activation of the sensory stimulation boxes (40a, 40b) in relation to the images broadcast by said headset (14).

7. Immersive system (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a control interface (18) which is provided to interact and exchange data with the virtual reality headset (14) and the immersive device (12), and which comprises a screen (66) making it possible to broadcast the images of the video that the user (16) views by means of said headset (14).

8. Immersive system (10) according to any one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that said headset (14) and the control interface (18) are each equipped with an electronic storage unit (64, 68) which makes it possible to store and broadcast the same video in a synchronized manner.

9. Immersive system (10) according to any one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the control interface (18) is a touch-sensitive electronic tablet.

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