FR3131681A1 - Case including an opening authorization system depending on the mode of transport - Google Patents

Abstract

Title: Briefcase comprising an opening authorization system according to the mode of transport The invention relates to a briefcase comprising a container (1) and an opening (2) movably mounted on the container using at least one electromechanical actuator (3) and at least one opening request button (4) comprising a computer unit (6) and an accelerometer (5) characterized in that the computer unit (6) is configured to authorize or not, after a first action ment of the opening request button (4), triggering of the electromechanical actuator(s) (3) according to an identified mode of transport of the case. Figure for abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Case including an opening authorization system depending on the mode of transport

The field of invention is that of the design and manufacture of luggage.

The invention applies to all types of luggage, such as suitcases, and in particular to “attached case” type briefcases.

“attached case” type cases allow you to transport documents or other objects easily and safely.

In the field of the invention, it is classic to provide for the implementation of locking devices on the cases, authorizing or not the opening of the opening in relation to the container. Such a locking device may simply be mechanical and intended to be operated manually. It can also be electromechanical and be triggered without contact, for example via a remote control or a computer application loaded on a smartphone.

More recently, cases have been proposed with one or more electromechanical actuators mounted between the opening and the container, and intended to be triggered to generate mobility of the opening relative to the container. Triggering of these electromechanical actuators can for example be obtained via an opening request button accessible from outside the case and connected to the electromechanical actuators.

Furthermore, it has become classic to make objects intelligent and connected. Briefcases are no exception to this trend and can now be regularly equipped with an on-board computer unit capable of receiving and processing various digital data, for example, those provided by geolocation means, by different weight sensors, temperature sensors, pressure, brightness (indoor or outdoor environment), acoustic vibrations (microphone), etc., or those provided by an accelerometer, and in particular by a three-axis accelerometer.

In any case, the user of such a case may be tempted to open the case in various and varied circumstances, including in certain conditions in which opening the case may occur. accompany a spill of its contents and possibly damage to the contents following its fall.

To avoid this, one solution would consist of using data from an inclinometer and/or an accelerometer (or more generally from any sensor allowing the orientation of the case to be estimated) to anticipate risky situations during which it It is best to avoid opening the case. In other words, it would be possible to only allow the case to be opened if it is in a flat position and is potentially static.

However, it would result that such restrictions on opening the case would not allow rapid and/or urgent access to the contents when the case is tilted and/or moving. However, in certain circumstances, as could be the case in an airplane in flight or in a running gear, the case can be tilted (and therefore in movement) while being in a position controlled by the user (for example placed on his knees), this to consult or access certain documents, for example transport tickets.

The invention aims in particular to overcome this drawback of the prior art.

More precisely, the invention aims to propose a case of the type including electromagnetic actuators for the opening/closing of the case, capable of being triggered by an opening request button, which limits the cases of opening authorized while avoiding being too restrictive on these limitations.

The invention also aims to provide such a case which is easy to use for the person wishing to open it.

• au moins un actionneur électromécanique monté entre l’ouvrant et le contenant, destiné à être déclenché pour autoriser une mobilité de l’ouvrant vers sa position d’ouverture,
• au moins un bouton de demande d’ouverture accessible de l’extérieur de la mallette et relié à ou aux actionneurs électromécaniques pour le ou les déclencher,
• au moins un accéléromètre trois axes,
• une unité informatique embarquée apte à recevoir et traiter des données procurées par l’accéléromètre,

caractérisée en ce que l’unité informatique intègre une base de données représentatives de différents modes de transport de la mallette, chaque mode de transport étant associé dans la base de données à une catégorisation positive, autorisant une ouverture de la mallette, ou négative, bloquant l’ouverture de la mallette,
et en ce que l’unité informatique est paramétrée pour :

• collecter des données procurées par l’accéléromètre ;
• effectuer une comparaison des données procurées par l’accéléromètre avec les données de la base de données représentatives de différents modes de transport ;
• déterminer un mode de transport en cours à l’aide de ladite comparaison et collecter la catégorisation dudit mode de transport en cours ;
• autoriser ou non, après un premier actionnement du bouton de demande d’ouverture, un déclenchement du ou des actionneurs électromécaniques en fonction de la catégorisation.

These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved thanks to a case composed of a container and an opening movably mounted on the container between an open position providing access to an internal volume delimited by the container and a closing position of the container, further comprising:

• at least one electromechanical actuator mounted between the opening and the container, intended to be triggered to allow movement of the opening towards its open position,
• at least one opening request button accessible from outside the case and connected to the electromechanical actuator(s) to trigger it(s),
• at least one three-axis accelerometer,
• an on-board computer unit capable of receiving and processing data provided by the accelerometer,

characterized in that the computer unit integrates a database representative of different modes of transport of the case, each mode of transport being associated in the database with a positive categorization, authorizing opening of the case, or negative, blocking opening the case,
and in that the computer unit is configured for:

• collect data provided by the accelerometer;
• carry out a comparison of the data provided by the accelerometer with the data from the database representative of different modes of transport;
• determining a current mode of transportation using said comparison and collecting the categorization of said current mode of transportation;
• authorize or not, after a first actuation of the opening request button, triggering of the electromechanical actuator(s) depending on the categorization.

Thus, thanks to the invention, it is possible to differentiate the modes of transport of the case with a view to authorizing or not its opening, this possibly by distinguishing the cases where it is theoretically poorly oriented to be opened (at the risk of deploring a spill of its contents) but transported in a mode which can tolerate this opening despite the incorrect orientation of the case.

For example, a person who wishes to open the case while he is walking may be forced to stop walking to open the case rather than allowing him to take the risk of opening the case. with possible spillage of its contents.

According to an advantageous solution, the computer unit is configured to trigger a request for confirmation of an opening request.

In this way, the user of the case is led to carefully consider the situation in which he finds himself to confirm the opening request.

In this case, the case includes a vibrating element capable of being triggered by the computer unit in the event of a request for confirmation of an opening request.

Such a confirmation request method is clearly perceptible by the user and, again, allows him additional time to assess the conditions for opening the case.

According to a particular embodiment, the computer unit is configured to detect a second actuation of the opening request button as confirmation of an opening request.

Thus, the user does not have to ask any questions about the action to be carried out to confirm the opening request, which happens to be the same as that carried out for the initial opening request.

According to a preferred solution, the database representative of different modes of transport of the case includes digital characteristics including digital characteristics of means of transport and/or transport uses.

In this case, the digital characteristics are temporal and/or frequency data, and preferably include frequencies characteristic of a mode of transport as well as the harmonic frequencies of the characteristic frequencies.

Alternatively, the digital characteristics include characteristic frequencies of a means of transport including an oscillation frequency of the suspended masses and the oscillation frequency of the unsprung masses.

Such a particular embodiment refers in particular to a road or rolling vehicle, for which the vibration modes as well as the associated frequencies are known to those skilled in the art.

According to a first possible embodiment, the electromagnetic actuator(s) are means for locking the opening in the closed position.

According to a second possible embodiment, the electromagnetic actuator(s) are means for driving the opening from its closed position to its open position.

According to a preferred solution, the case integrates an inclinometer and the computer unit is configured to collect data provided by the inclinometer and to authorize or not, after a first actuation of the opening request button, triggering of the actuator(s). electromagnetic based on the data provided by the inclinometer.

Thus, not only is the mode of transport of the case taken into consideration to authorize or not its opening, but this data on the mode of transport is combined with the inclination data of the case to authorize or not the opening of it. -this.

In other words, it is possible to authorize the opening of the case even if it is transported by a mode of transport associated with a negative categorization, if its inclination is considered safe to proceed with the opening of the case . Conversely, it is possible not to authorize the opening of the case which is in transit using a mode of transport associated with a positive categorization, if the inclination of the case is considered unsafe to proceed with the opening.

• la illustre schématiquement une mallette selon l’invention ;
• la illustre de façon schématique le processus d’acquisition et de traitement de données relatives à un mode de transport par une unité informatique d’une mallette selon l’invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the art will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of a simple illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings among which:

• there schematically illustrates a case according to the invention;
• there schematically illustrates the process of acquisition and processing of data relating to a mode of transport by a computer unit of a case according to the invention.

As it appears on the , a case according to the invention is conventionally composed of a container 1 and an opening 2 movably mounted on the container between an open position providing access to an internal volume V delimited by the container 1, and a position of closure of the container, the opening being in this case mounted movable in pivoting on the container 1.

• un ou plusieurs actionneurs électromécaniques 3 montés entre l’ouvrant 2 et le contenant 1, et destinés à être déclenchés pour autoriser une mobilité de l’ouvrant vers sa position d’ouverture,
• au moins un bouton 4 de demande d’ouverture accessible de l’extérieur de la mallette, et relié aux actionneurs électromécaniques 3 pour les déclencher,
• au moins un accéléromètre 5 trois axes,
• une unité informatique 6 embarquée, apte à recevoir et traiter les données procurées par l’accéléromètre 5.

Such a case further includes:

• one or more electromechanical actuators 3 mounted between the opening 2 and the container 1, and intended to be triggered to allow movement of the opening towards its open position,
• at least one opening request button 4 accessible from outside the case, and connected to the electromechanical actuators 3 to trigger them,
• at least one three-axis accelerometer 5,
• an on-board computer unit 6, capable of receiving and processing the data provided by the accelerometer 5.

As illustrated by the , the case comprises two electromechanical actuators capable of causing the opening 2 to pivot relative to the container 1, to bring it from its closed position to its open position, or vice versa.

According to another possible embodiment, the electromechanical actuator(s) may constitute locking/unlocking actuators which, when triggered by the opening control button, unlock the opening 2 from its closed position relative to the container, then allowing manual drive of the opening towards its open position.

According to the principle of the invention, the computer unit 6 integrates a database 60, in which the data are representative of different modes of transport of the case. In addition, in this database 60, each mode of transport identified is associated with a categorization. This categorization is said to be positive to identify a mode of transport as authorizing opening of the case. Conversely, the categorization is said to be negative to generate an instruction to block the opening of the case or, at the very least, an absence of an opening and/or unlocking instruction.

• l’unité informatique est connectée au bouton 4 pour recevoir de ce dernier un signal de demande d’ouverture ;
• une unité informatique est connectée aux actionneurs électromécaniques 3 de façon à leur transmettre un signal de déclenchement ;
• l’unité informatique est connectée à l’accéléromètre 5 pour recevoir des données procurées par l’accéléromètre.

The computer unit 6 is connected to the various components of the case to acquire data and process it in the manner described below, namely:

• the computer unit is connected to button 4 to receive from the latter an opening request signal;
• a computer unit is connected to the electromechanical actuators 3 so as to transmit a trigger signal to them;
• the computer unit is connected to the accelerometer 5 to receive data provided by the accelerometer.

• collecter des données procurées par l’accéléromètre 5 ;
• traiter, voire filtrer, en « temps » et en « espace », les données dont le résultat sera un ensemble fini de variables d’état caractéristiques de la scène courante ; il est noter que ces variables d’état caractéristiques peuvent être utilisées pour former tout ou partie du jeu de coordonnées de la base de données ;
• effectuer une comparaison des données procurées par l’accéléromètre (ou plus généralement des états caractéristiques identifiés) avec les données de la base de données 60 incluant des données représentatives de différents modes de transport ;
• déterminer un mode de transport en cours à l’aide de ladite comparaison et collecter la catégorisation du mode de transport en cours, la comparaison effectuée par l’unité informatique permettant de corréler des données de l’accéléromètre avec des données d’un mode de transport de la base de données et, en conséquence, d’extraire la catégorisation du mode de transport corrélé ;
• autoriser ou non, après un premier actionnement du bouton 4 de demande d’ouverture, un déclenchement des actionneurs électromécaniques en fonction de la catégorisation.

In this context, the computer unit is configured according to the invention to:

• collect data provided by the accelerometer 5;
• process, or even filter, in “time” and “space”, the data, the result of which will be a finite set of state variables characteristic of the current scene; It should be noted that these characteristic state variables can be used to form all or part of the set of coordinates of the database;
• carry out a comparison of the data provided by the accelerometer (or more generally of the characteristic states identified) with the data from the database 60 including data representative of different modes of transport;
• determine a current mode of transport using said comparison and collect the categorization of the current mode of transport, the comparison carried out by the computer unit making it possible to correlate data from the accelerometer with data from a mode of transport transport from the database and, consequently, extract the categorization of the correlated transport mode;
• authorize or not, after a first actuation of the opening request button 4, a triggering of the electromechanical actuators depending on the categorization.

As indicated previously, the computer unit authorizes the triggering of the electromechanical actuators if the identified mode of transport is associated with a positive categorization and, conversely, does not trigger the electromechanical actuators if the categorization associated with the identified mode of transport is negative.

To do this, the computer unit 6 collects, at a predetermined sampling frequency according to a fixed period window, the acceleration measurements obtained by the accelerometer.

Furthermore, the computer unit can also be configured to trigger a request for confirmation of an opening request. In this case, the case may include a vibrating element 7 connected to the computer unit 6 and capable of being triggered by the latter in the event of a request for confirmation of an opening request.

Additionally, the computer unit may then be configured to detect a second actuation of the open request button as confirmation of an open request.

According to one possible embodiment, the case integrates an inclinometer 8 connected to the computer unit 6, so that the latter can receive data provided by the inclinometer. Then, the fixed computer unit configured to authorize or not a first actuation of the opening request button 4, a triggering of the electromechanical actuator(s) according to the data provided by the inclinometer.

Of course, these data are crossed with those provided by the accelerometer and the computer unit is configured to authorize or not the opening of the case according to different predetermined scenarios and providing for cases of inclination of the case in the context of the different means of transport and/or use.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the database 60 including data representative of different modes of transport comprises digital characteristics including digital characteristics of means of transport and/or use of transport, constituted in particular by data temporal and/or frequency (or more generally characteristic states identified for the current scene).

Thus, the digital characteristics can include a frequency characteristic of a mode of transport as well as the harmonic frequencies of the characteristic frequency.

These digital characteristics may also include characteristic frequencies of a means of transport (in particular a road vehicle) including an oscillation frequency of the suspended masses and an oscillation frequency of the unsprung masses.

The computer unit can also be configured to receive and process data from other sensors integrated into the case if necessary, such as a microphone, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a light sensor, etc.

In reference to the , we describe the process of acquisition and processing of data by the computer unit 6 of a case according to the invention.

The data captured by the three-axis accelerometer 5 are those illustrated by a graph 20, in which the signals captured along a Z axis (curve 200), along an X axis (curve 201) and along a Y axis (curve 202) are represented. ).

From these signals, temporal data are extracted as illustrated by graph 21 and frequency data as illustrated by graph 22.

In the time domain, the modulus, mean, standard deviation, minimum, maximum, energy, auto-regression coefficients, kurtosis and asymmetry of the accelerometer signals according to the window given time are calculated by the computer unit 6.

In the frequency domain (after a discrete Fourier transform), the characteristic vibrational frequencies correspond to the frequencies whose magnitudes or mechanical powers are the highest and are extracted from the spectrum.

For example, in the case where the briefcase is carried by hand, the characteristic frequencies are the walking rhythm (1.8 Hz) and its harmonics (3.6, 5.4, 7.2, … Hz). In the case where the case is transported in a road vehicle, two frequencies characterize the system, that is to say the oscillation frequency of the suspended masses (2 to 4 Hz) and the frequency of the unsprung masses (12 to 14Hz).

Beforehand, the database 60 of the computer unit is populated using a trained expert system (vector classifier type, neural network, parametric model, etc.). Thus, different modes of transport are classified and listed as illustrated in graph 23.

Using reference recordings taken on different means of transport (car, train, plane, etc.), or in different locations (escalator, elevator, etc.) or according to use (carried by hand, rolled, etc.) ) the training of the expert system is carried out by so-called iterative methods well known to those skilled in the art.

Depending on all the time and frequency variables collected by the computer unit 6, the current situation of transport and/or use of the case as well as the level of confidence are calculated. The computer unit 6 of the case is configured according to the recognized situation and the level of confidence, such that authorization to unlock or open the door is given or not.

If the trust level is too low, an opening confirmation may be requested from a user.

Claims (11)

Case composed of a container (1) and an opening (2) movably mounted on the container between an open position providing access to an internal volume (V) delimited by the container and a closed position of the container, further comprising:

• at least one electromechanical actuator (3) mounted between the opening and the container, intended to be triggered to allow movement of the opening towards its open position,
• at least one opening request button (4) accessible from outside the case and connected to the electromechanical actuator(s) (3) to trigger it(s),
• at least one three-axis accelerometer (5),
• an on-board computer unit (6) capable of receiving and processing data provided by the accelerometer,

characterized in that the computer unit (6) integrates a database (60) representative of different modes of transport of the case, each mode of transport being associated in the database with a positive categorization, authorizing opening of the briefcase, or negative, blocking the opening of the briefcase,
and in that the computer unit (6) is configured for:

• collect data provided by the accelerometer (5);
• carry out a comparison of the data provided by the accelerometer (5) with the data from the database (60) representative of different modes of transport;
• determining a current mode of transportation using said comparison and collecting the categorization of said current mode of transportation;
• authorize or not, after a first actuation of the opening request button (4), triggering of the electromechanical actuator(s) (3) depending on the categorization.

Case according to claim 1, characterized in that the computer unit (6) is configured to trigger a request for confirmation of an opening request. Case according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a vibrating element (7) capable of being triggered by the computer unit (6) in the event of a request for confirmation of an opening request. Case according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the computer unit (6) is configured to detect a second actuation of the opening request button (4) as confirmation of an opening request . Case according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the database (60) representative of different modes of transport of the case comprises digital characteristics including digital characteristics of means of transport and/or uses of transportation. Case according to claim 5, characterized in that the digital characteristics are temporal and/or frequency data. Case according to claim 6, characterized in that the digital characteristics include frequencies characteristic of a mode of transport and the harmonic frequencies of the characteristic frequencies. Case according to claim 6, characterized in that the digital characteristics comprise frequencies characteristic of a means of transport including an oscillation frequency of the suspended masses and an oscillation frequency of the unsprung masses. Case according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electromechanical actuator(s) are means for locking the opening in the closed position. Case according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the electromechanical actuator(s) (3) are means for driving the opening from its closed position to its open position. Case according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it integrates an inclinometer (8) and in that the computer unit (6) is configured to collect data provided by the inclinometer and to authorize or not, after a first actuation of the opening request button (4), triggering of the electromechanical actuator(s) (3) according to the data provided by the inclinometer.