Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
r
CA 02286171 1999-10-06
DEVICE FOR THE TRIGGERED RELAYING OF INFORMATION
OR THE LIKE
The invention relates to a device for the triggered relaying of information or
the like according to the preamble of claim 1.
Nowadays there is an enormous requirement for information in practically all
technical fields. This flood of information, which is also subjected to
constant
changes, use is made of modern methods for supplying the particular required
information to the circle of persons concerned. For example, at the present
day
enormous quantities of information are offered to a wide public via the
Internet world
to wide computer network. However, the disadvantage of this relaying of
information is
that a computer and knowledge of its operation are necessary. In the cultural
area
information apparatus have already existed for many years which, after the
insertion
of suitable coins and selection of the required language, reproduce
acoustically the
most important information concerning the particular cultural material. In the
advertising industry it is the usual practice to reproduce information
concerning
particular products in written script or acoustically or optically. In view of
the very
large number of products in different branches, it is possible to recommend
only a
small selection of products, for example, via the loudspeaker installation of
a
shopping centre.
2o US 4 853 678 A discloses a device of the kind specified for advertising
purposes, which has a sensor, preferably a passive infrared sensor for
detecting the
presence of one or more persons, a display and/or an acoustic output unit and
a
control system. The apparatus is intended for use in a supermarket, where it
can be
placed on the shelf in the vicinity of certain products. When a person walks
past the
product, the acoustic and/or visual part is activated by a circuit for
relaying
information concerning the product.
A showcase is know from W089/05600 AI in which the objects displayed
are illuminated with mufti-coloured light which changes to white light when a
viewer
approaches the showcase. The rotation of the showcase can be stopped via a
digital
3o key so that the objects can be examined closely. The program card which
effects the
transition from the mufti-coloured light to the white light is disposed in the
base of
the showcase and is interchangeable. It is true that this showcase serves to
enhance
the attention given to a particular product, but no triggered relaying of
acoustic or
optical information is disclosed.
CA 02286171 1999-10-06
- 2 -
In EP 0 335 931 B 1 a display system for shopping trolleys is disclosed which
provides the customer in the shop with information concerning different
products.
The customer moves a device, for example, the shopping trolley through the
shop.
The storage and communication device provided in the trolley is actuated by a
triggering device remote from the shopping trolley, so that stored information
is
communicated in a manner which people can recognise to the potential customer
without any extra action on his or her part. Information concerning different
products
can be relayed by each device, the device is being triggered selectively. The
system
can also be used for market research purposes to test customers reaction to
advertising.
FR 2 719 931 Al (Dalsass) discloses an interactive supermarket shopping
trolley which can receive and transmit news. Certain information can reproduce
optically or acoustically via a small loudspeaker. Interaction always takes
place
between the shopping trolley and suitably disposed transmitting stations.
With the exception of US 4 853 678A the aforementioned documents disclose
relatively complex systems which are relatively expensive to manufacture.
It is an object of the invention to provide a device of the kind specified
which
can be produced in a flexible, universally usable and inexpensive manner and
whose
operation pre-supposes no kind of technical knowledge on the part of the
person who
2o wishes to obtain the information or for whom the information is intended.
This problem is solved according to the invention by the features that the
store is constructed interchangeable, for example, in the form of a storecard,
and/or
the store can be written on via an interface. The relaying of the information
or the
like is started automatically by the or each sensor when a corresponding event
occurs.
In each particular case of use, therefore, information or the like can be
relayed and
then the person or persons concerned without such person or persons requiring
knowledge in order to interrogate the particular information or the like.
Different
sensors can be used which are suitable for the particular application. The
number of
sensors are used, they can trigger the relaying of the information or the like
to the
output unit independently of one another or in dependence on one another. More
particularly if the power supply unit is also integrated in the casing, the
device
according to the invention can easily be brought to its particular place of
use without
connection to the supply mains. Independence from the mains moreover has the
advantage that the device remains ready for use even in case of a power
failure. This
can be essential if the device is used for monitoring and security purposes.
Thus, the
CA 02286171 1999-10-06
- 3 -
device according the invention can be used, for example, for monitoring an
entrance
area, and if a person moves or is present, information can be reproduced
either
acoustically and/or optically thereby announcing, for example, access to an
area is
not permitted. To design the apparatus smaller, of course, an external power
source or
a connection to the mains can also be provided. Due to the interchangeability
of the
store the flexibility of the device according to the invention is enhanced,
and a
change of the information or the like contained in the store is rendered
possible, with
consequent adaptation to the particular application. As a result on the one
hand it is
possible to reproduce a number of items of information in succession by the
same
to device, while on the other hand the contents of the store can be changed
without the
apparatus having to be taken along. In the case of an announcement, this can
therefore be applied to the store from the outside, for example, in a sound
studio. The
store itself can be of various kinds, for example, take the form of a pure
digital store,
or else the form of a magnetic tape. If large quantities of data are required,
a compact
~ 5 disk can also be used as a data carrier. For example, the store can take
the form of a
storecard. In recent years these storecards, in cheque card format of
different
thicknesses, have been obtainable with a higher and higher storage capacity at
lower
and lower prices. One great advantage of storecards is that they are very
robust and
insensitive to electromagnetic radiation, so that they can even be sent
through the
2o mail without the risk of any data loss. The handling of the storecards is
relatively
simple and can be readily expected from the user of the device according to
the
invention. However, it is also possible for the store to be written on via an
interface.
This variant can also be provided in addition to the interchangability of the
store and
be advantageous, for example, for applications in which the change in the
25 information or the like in the store is carried out on the spot by the
owner of the
device according to the invention.
According to a further feature of the invention at least one sensor is formed
by
a movement sensor, more particularly a passive infrared detector. These widely
used
sensors are relatively cheap and react to the temperature of moving bodies. In
the
3o advertising industry, for example, the device according to the invention
can be placed
on a product or in its vicinity, and when the customer passes by, information
concerning the product is outputted automatically. However, other embodiments
of
movement or approach sensors can also be used.
If at least one sensor is formed by a presence sensor, more particularly an
35 ultrasonic detector, even the presence of persons in a restricted area can
be detected.
CA 02286171 1999-10-06
- 4 -
The presence of a person can be detected by his or her breathing by means of
such
ultrasonic detectors. This represents a practical alternative or completion of
the
aforementioned movement sensor. Of course, other embodiments of approach
sensors
can also be used.
According to a further feature of the invention the visual output unit is
formed
by an optical display. In this way the information can be reproduced, for
example, via
a 7-segment display in cursive script, as is customary more particularly in
advertising. A reproduction of the information by means of a laser is equally
conceivable, precisely because lasers are constantly becoming smaller and
cheaper.
t o A time control is provided in the apparatus, the relaying of the
information
can moreover be made time-dependent in a manner known per se.
The device according to the invention can be extended by an additional
interface for the synchronous triggering of external components. When
triggering the
reproduction of the information or the like, additional apparatus such as, for
example,
illuminated panels or the like can be triggered via such interface. For
example, in a
monitored area the triggering of an external alarm/an alarm line to the police
is
conceivable.
The principle of the present invention will now be explained in great detail
by
means of an embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings.
2o The drawings show:
Fig 1. A block circuit diagram of the device according to the invention for
the triggered relaying of information or the like,
Fig 2. A block circuit diagram of a device according to the invention with
acoustic reproduction of the information and the use of an interchangeable
store,
?5 Fig 3. An embodiment of a movement-controlled device according to the
invention, and
Fig 3a-3c Different embodiments for the mounting of the device shown in Fig 3.
Fig 1 shows as the core of the device a circuit for signal evaluation 2 which
is
formed, for example, by a microcontroller or a microcomputer. The signal
evaluation
3o 2 assesses a signal originating from a sensor l and, if certain
preconditions of the
sensor signal are met, operates a trigger and retransmits information or the
like
deposited in a store 3 to an output unit 4. A power supply unit 5 which is
formed by
batteries or accumulators serves to supply the circuit with power. The
circuits of the
sensor 1, the signal evaluation 2, the store 3, the output unit 4 and
preferably also the
35 voltage supply unit 5 are accommodated in a common casing 6. If necessary
an
CA 02286171 1999-10-06
- 5 -
interface 9 can be provided for changing the contents of the store 3 - i.e.,
the
information. The store 3 can be a digital store or an analogue store.
Integrated store
components, magnetic tapes or compact disks can serve as the medium, in
dependence on the required quantity of data.
In Fig 2 an extender block circuit diagram is shown of a device according to
the invention with acoustic reproduction of the information. In contrast with
Fig 1,
the output unit 4 consists of an amplifier 6 and a loudspeaker 8 via which the
information contained in the store 3 is reproduced acoustically as soon as the
sensor
1 detects a corresponding activity such as, for example, the movement of a
person.
1o As shown in outline, in this case the store 3 is constructed
interchangeable, for
example, in the form of a store card. An interface 10 can extend outwardly
from the
signal evaluation 2 and make possible a triggering of external devices.
Fig 3 shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention for the
movement-controlled acoustic reproduction of information. The casing 6 has the
i s form of an ellipsoid of rotation. In this case the sensor I disposed on
one side is a
passive infrared movement sensor which detects movements in a certain angular
zone
of an area. Disposed on the top and bottom sides of the casing 6 are a top
mounting
unit 1 l and a bottom mounting unit 12, these elements making possible a
flexible
arrangement of the device according to the invention. If the apparatus is not
furnished
2o with an internal voltage supply unit, the power supply can also be provided
externally
via a connecting cable 14 and a plug 13. The loudspeaker of the acoustic
output unit
is disposed behind openings 15 of the casing 6. The store 3 can be constructed
in the
form of a modulus 16 which is integrated in the casing 6 and can be
interchanged by
certain mechanisms. In the example illustrated the top and bottom mounting
units 11,
25 12 are formed by spherical bearings which allow a pivoting and rotation of
the casing
6. If the store 3 is constructed in the form of a store card, a corresponding,
if need be
coverable insertion opening can be provided on the casing 6.
Fig 3a shows a variant of the mounting of the casing 6 over the top mounting
unit 11 via a retaining means 17 disposed on a wall. If the ball of the upper
mounting
3o unit 11 is made from metal, the connection between the retaining means 17
and the
mounting unit 11 can also be made by means of a magnet. As a result of the
suspended variant shown in Fig 3a. a rotation of the casing through
360° and also a
pivoting through a certain angular range is permissible, something which is
convenient more particularly with the use of movement sensors. Fig 3b shows a
35 variant of a wall mounting in which the casing is mounted via the top and
also the
CA 02286171 1999-10-06
- 6 -
bottom mounting unit 1 l, 12 on a suitably shaped retaining means 18. Lastly,
Fig 3c
shows a variant of a standing mounting, wherein the casing 6 is mounted via
the
bottom mounting unit 12, more particularly a ball-and-socket joint on a
pedestal 19.
This possible attachment also ensures a rotation of the apparatus through
360° and
also a pivoting through a certain angular range, so that the sensor 1 can in
each case
be pivoted in the corresponding direction.
Although in the present Application details have mainly been given
concerning a triggering by the movement or presence of a person, other sensors
are
also conceivable for triggering the signal for relaying the information. For
example, a
o microphone can also be used for the detection of acoustic signals, or gas
sensors to
detect the presence of certain gases, or temperature sensors to detect an
increase in
temperature or the like. Optical sensors for the detection of certain optical
signals or
of darkness can also be advantageous for different applications. The sensors
can
always be ideally adapted to the particular case of application. With the use
of a
number of sensors, in accordance with the case of application, these can be
disposed
parallel with one another-i.e., independently of one another, or in series-
i.e., in
dependence on one another.
In addition to the field of advertising, to arouse attention to a particular
product, for use at exhibitions, to convey information about art objects, the
use of the
2o device according to the invention is also advantageous in the private
sphere. Thus, for
example, the apparatus can be used to give a reminder about a particular
activity or
the like, the apparatus being disposed in an area where it gives a reminder of
a
particular action when a person walks past. The apparatus can also be used for
soothing babies and small children, since the voice of their mother or father
rings out
when the baby or small child makes movements or starts to cry. There is no
limit to
the use of the device according to the invention in the monitoring and
security field
also. Precisely the flexibility of the apparatus and the simple changing of
the
information in the store as well as the interchangeability of the store of
course makes
possible a versatile use of one and the same apparatus.
