An alert device and a method for operating an alert device

Abstract

It is disclosed a method for operating an alert device (1), involving acquiring alert data related to specific actions and dates, processing (1.4) this information to generate an alert record and encoding it into a visual alert signal to be displayed (1.2, 1.2.1) by the alert device (1). An identification code (1.1) is associated with the alert device (1) to facilitate the communication between the alert device (1, 1.3) and an interface platform (2), through which a user (3) is allowed to enter alert data. The present application also relates to an alert device (1) adapted to execute the method disclosed, and an alert system.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] AN ALERT DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING AN ALERT DEVICE

[0003] TECHINCAL FIELD

[0004] The present disclosure is enclosed in the field of alert systems, more particularly it concerns to methods and devices adapted to provide timely notifications regarding actions and dates that necessitate attention.

[0005] PRIOR ART

[0006] An alert device is an equipment or system design to warn or notify users about a specific condition or event thar requires attention. These devices may be used in various contexts, such as safety, healthcare, industry and transportation, and they can emit audio, visual or tactile attention signals to capture user's attention. Typical examples of alert devices include fire alarms, smoke detectors and emergency sirens.

[0007] In the realm of alert systems, existing technologies primarily consist of smartphone notifications, smartwatches, reminder applications, and other specialized devices such as medical alert systems or safety notification devices in vehicles.

[0008] However, these systems are not affective for general purposes being designed for specific applications, therefore often exhibiting limitations in customization that prevent them from being adapted to different application scenarios.

[0009] The present solution intended to innovatively overcome such issues.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0011] The present disclosure addresses the gaps identified in the prior art by disclosing an alert device and its method of operation, introducing a more versatile and adaptable alert mechanism capable of meeting a wider range of user needs and improving overall functionality.Therefore, as a first object of the present application, it is disclosed a method for operating an alert device, which is comprised by the following steps:

[0012] - processing alert data in order to generate an alert record;

[0013] - encoding the alert record into a visual alert signal adapted to be displayed via an alert device;

[0014] - displaying the visual alert signal on at least one alert device at a given alert time.

[0015] In addition, prior to the step of processing alert data, the following particular steps are executed:

[0016] - providing, by the alert device, an identification code to access an interface platform;

[0017] - establishing, by the alert device, a data communication link with the interface platform to collect alert data from the interface platform.

[0018] In a second object of the present application, it is disclosed an alert device comprising:

[0019] - an identification code configured to be readable by an external device and programmed to encode a communication link for providing access of said external device to an interface platform;

[0020] - an output module comprising at least one display unit configured to display a visual alert signal;

[0021] - a communication module configured to establish a data communication link with the interface platform;

[0022] - a control module comprising memory means and processing means configured to perform the method herein disclosed.

[0023] In a third object of the present application, it is disclosed an alert system comprising:

[0024] at least one alert device;

[0025] a cloud server comprising processing means for implementing an interface platform.DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0026] Figure 1 - representation of an embodiment of alert device, the second object of the present application, wherein the reference signs represent:

[0027] 1 - alert device;

[0028] 1.1 - identification code;

[0029] 1.2 - output module;

[0030] 1.2.1 - display unit;

[0031] 1.2.2 - light unit;

[0032] 1.2.3 - sound unit;

[0033] 1.3 - communication module;

[0034] 1.4 - control module;

[0035] 2 - interface platform;

[0036] 3 - external device.

[0037] Figure 2 - representation of an embodiment of the alert system, the third object of the present application, wherein the reference signs represent:

[0038] 1 - alert device;

[0039] 2 - cloud-based interface platform;

[0040] 3 - external device.

[0041] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The more general configurations of the present disclosure are described in the Summary of the disclosure. Such configurations are detailed below in accordance with other advantageous and / or preferred embodiments of implementation of the present disclosure.

[0043] In a first object of the present application, it is disclosed a method of operating an alert device (1).

[0044] In a step of the method, alert data is processed in order to generate an alert record. In the context of the present application, alert data concern the executionof a certain action, by a given date. In this context, alert data may relate to at least one action to be performed and at least one date. By generating an alert record makes it possible to standardise alert data, which can come from various sources, in a standardised format with uniform representation. The aim is to make it easier for alert device users to enter alert data, so that they are not forced to comply with rigid and pre-established data structures, thus eliminating discrepancies and inconsistencies and facilitating the aggregation of data that will be used by the alert device (1).

[0045] In another step of the method, the alert record is encoded into a visual alert signal adapted to be displayed via an alert device (1) at a given alert time. In this way the alert device (1) will emit a visual signal conveying the information about the action to be carried out and the deadline for its execution. As a result, it provides a simple and effective way of notifying the user of an alert device (1) about the actions it has pending for execution.

[0046] Particularly innovative aspects of the present method include:

[0047] - providing, by the alert device (1), an identification code (1.1) to access an interface platform (2); and

[0048] - establishing, by the alert device (1), a data communication linkwith the interface platform (2) to collect alert data from the interface platform (2).

[0049] These method steps are executed prior to step of processing alert data, and favours easy interaction between the alert device (1) and its user, especially for the purposes of customising and programming actions to be monitored. More specifically, each alert device (1) is identified by an identification code (1.1) which simultaneously allows access to an interface platform (2) where the user, via a user device (3) such as a smartphone, enters alert data. This alert data is then downloaded by the alert device (1) so that it can be processed and subsequently displayed (1.2.1).

[0050] In one embodiment of the method, alert data relates to at least one action to be performed and at least one date, and wherein the alert record comprises at least two record fields: action to be performed and date. In this way, it is possible tostandardise alert data, which can come from various sources, in a standardised format with uniform representation.

[0051] In another embodiment, the alert data may further relate to alert times, so that the step of displaying a visual alert signal on the alert device (1) is executed at defined alert times. In the context of the present application alert times relate to specific time instants for the visual alert signal to be provided by the alert device (1). In other words, by configuring specific alert times, a visual alert signal can be displayed by the alert device (1) at a set time in advance of the date on which the action it relates is to be carried out, which offers an additional layer of customisation that favours user planning.

[0052] In another embodiment of the method, it is further comprised by the steps of establishing a data communication link between the alert device (1) and at least one external entity for the purpose of collecting alert data sent by the external entity. This particular embodiment allows a complementary connection to be established between the alert device (1) and an external entity via a direct communication link, without the need to use the platform interface (2). In the context of this application, an external entity is, for example, a database configured to store alert data.

[0053] In another embodiment of the method, the identification code (1.1) encodes a communication link for accessing the interface platform (2). In this way, a user, equipped with his / her user device (3), can read the identification code (1.1) associated with a specific alert device (3), using state-of-the-art electronic / optical means already known for this purpose, and be automatically redirected to the interface platform (2), where he / she can enter the alert data to be reproduced (1.2.1) by the respective alert device (1).

[0054] In another embodiment of the method, the step of providing the identification code (1.1) includes generating a unique identification code (1.1) associated with the alert device (1). Said unique identification code (1.1) may be a two-dimensional code format, such as a QR code, and represents a flexible way of encodinginformation relating to the alert device's identification, which is unique, together with the communication link for accessing the interface platform (2).

[0055] In another embodiment of the method, it is further comprised by the step of generating, by the alert device (1), at least one attention signal during the display of the alert signal, wherein an attention signal may be an audio signal and / or a light signal. Therefore, an integration of visual alerts with multiple types of attention signals, such as audio and / or light signals, is provided, which enhances user engagement and ensure that alerts are more effectively noticed.

[0056] In a second object of the present application, it is disclosed an alert device (1). Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of said alert device (1). It may be comprised by an identification code (1.1), an output module (1.2), a communication module (1.3) and by a control module (1.4) comprising memory means and processing means configured to perform the method previously described.

[0057] The identification code (1.1) is configured to be readable by an external device (3), such as a user device, and it is programmed to encode a communication link for providing access of said external device (3) to an interface platform (2). In one embodiment, the identification code (1.1) is in a two-dimensional format, particularly is a QR code.

[0058] The output module (1.2) comprises at least one display unit (1.2.1) configured to display a visual alert signal. In another embodiment, the output module (1.2) may further include a light unit (1.2.2) and an audio unit (1.2.3), configured to generate light and sound attention signals, respectively.

[0059] The communication module (1.3) is configured to establish a data communication link with the interface platform (2). In one embodiment, the communication module (1.3) is configured to operate according to Personal Area Network (PAN) and / or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) protocols, enabling seamless communication between the alert device (1) and the interface platform (2).In a third object of the present application, it is disclosed an alert system comprising:

[0060] - at least one alert device (1) according to the second object of the present disclosure; and

[0061] - a cloud server comprising processing means for implementing an interface platform (2).

[0062] In one embodiment, the system may further comprise at least one external device (3), such as user device, wherein each external device (3) is configured to access the interface platform (2) by reading an identification code (1.1) associated with an alert device (1).

[0063] In another embodiment of the system, as shown in figure 2, it comprises a plurality of alert devices (1). Each alert device (1) comprises a unique identification code (1.1) configured to encode a communication link to access the interface platform (2) and to identify the respective alert device (1). The interface platform (2) is adapted to receive alert data sent by the external device (3) and to transmit said alert data to the identified alert device (1).

[0064] Of course, the preferred embodiments shown above are combinable, in the different possible forms, being herein avoided the repetition all such combinations.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of operating an alert device (1), comprising the steps of: - processing alert data in order to generate an alert record;- encoding the alert record into a visual alert signal adapted to be displayed via an alert device (1);- displaying the visual alert signal on at least one alert device (1) at a given alert time;characterized in that, prior to the step of processing alert data, the method comprises the steps of:- providing, by the alert device (1), an identification code (1.1) to access an interface platform (2);- establishing, by the alert device (1), a data communication linkwith the interface platform (2) to collect alert data from the interface platform (2).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein alert data relates to at least one action to be performed and at least one date; and wherein the alert record comprises at least two record fields: action to be performed and date.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein alert data further relates to alert times and wherein the alert record comprises at least three record fields: action to be performed, date and at least one alert time; and wherein,the step of displaying the visual alert signal on the alert device (1) is executed at defined alert times.

4. The method according to any of the previous claims, further comprising the step of:- establishing a data communication link between the alert device (1) and at least one external entity;- collecting, by the alert device (1), alert data sent by the external entity.

5. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the identification code (1.1) encodes a communication link for accessing the interface platform (2).

6. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the step of providing the identification code (1.1) comprises:- generating a unique identification code (1.1) associated with the alert device (1).

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein unique identification code (1.1) is a two-dimensional code format, particularly a QR code.

8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of:- generating, by the alert device (1), at least one attention signal during the display of the alert signal.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the step of generating at least one attention signal comprises generating an audio signal and / or a light signal.

10. An alert device (1) comprising:- an identification code (1.1) configured to be readable by an external device (3) and programmed to encode a communication link for providing access of said external device (3) to an interface platform (2);- an output module (1.2) comprising at least one display unit (1.2.1) configured to display a visual alert signal;- a communication module (1.3) configured to establish a data communication link with the interface platform (2);- a control module (1.4) comprising memory means and processing means configured to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 9.

11. The alert device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the identification code (1.1) is in a two-dimensional format, particularly is a QR code.

12. The alert device (1) according to claims 10 or 11, wherein the output module (1.2) further comprises a light unit (1.2.2) and / or an audio unit (1.2.3) configured to generate light and sound attention signals, respectively.

13. The alert device (1) according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the communication module (1.3) is configured to operate according to Personal Area Network (PAN) and / or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) protocols.

14. An alert system comprising:- at least one alert device (1) according to any of claims 10 to 13;- a cloud server comprising processing means for implementing an interface platform (2).

15. The alert system according to claim 14, further comprising at least one external device (3), such as user device; wherein the external device (3) is configured to access the interface platform (2) by reading an identification code (1.1) associated with an alert device (1).

16. The alert system according to claim 15, comprising a plurality of alert devices (1), wherein,each alert device (1) comprises a unique identification code (1.1) configured to encode a communication link to access the interface platform (2) and to identify the respective alert device (1); and wherein,the interface platform (2) being adapted to receive alert data sent by the external device (3) and to transmit said alert data to the identified alert device (1).

Images