FR3097073A1 - Oscillating luminous display system with programming of messages by means of a weight or a smartphone. - Google Patents

Abstract

A device and method for displaying a two-dimensional image or text using retinal persistence of the human eye is disclosed. It comprises: 1) a plurality of LEDs (13), driven by a repetitive oscillatory movement (3), capable of being generated by a human operator (1), 2) a means for detecting the variation in velocity of the transmitters light, 3) a microprocessor making it possible to selectively illuminate these emitters, in a sequence synchronized by said detection means. The microprocessor is programmed so that the display is always located in the center of the scan area and occupies constant space, regardless of the scan speed. The device memory contains pre-programmed messages as well as programmable messages, which can be modified by the user. The programming of personalized messages is carried out either using a smartphone or by means of a particular sequence of light shocks given to the device. Figure for the abstract: Fig 1

Description

]Oscillating light display system with message programming using a flyweight or smartphone.

The present invention relates to the general field of luminous display systems where a light-emitting device is repeatedly moved and where its light emission varies in intensity over time so as to display, thanks to retinal persistence, a text or selected design. A display system exploiting this physical principle is exposed in US patent 3846784 filed by Lord Clive Sinclair in 1973 and by Johnson, for IBM, with patent 4225862.

The invention may take the form of a row of light emitters, animated by a repetitive movement, emitters which light up at the appropriate moment in order to form a stable and visible message or design for an observer.

The realizations exploiting the principle of retinal persistence, with a view to displaying a text or an image, are mainly divided into 2 categories, depending on whether the repetition is generated either by the continuous rotation of the light-emitting element, or by the oscillation of an object including the light emitters at its end.

Prior realizations share one or more of the following characteristics:

• presence of a power supply by means of batteries, accumulator or the electrical network,

• presence of several elements emitting visible light,

• presence of a memory containing, in various forms, the content of the elements to be displayed,

• presence of a processing unit to control the temporal sequencing of the light elements according to the drawings or texts to be displayed,

• presence of a synchronization element in order to obtain a stable display,

• presence of a physical support in order to allow the execution of the movement,

• presence of a means of creating the repetitive movement either by means of a motor, in the case of rotary movement, or with the hand of an operator, in the case of an oscillatory movement.

A thorough search reveals the existence of 25 patents relating to a portable oscillating object, operated manually and using retinal persistence in order to display a drawing or text.

The embodiments described in these patents share the same functionality, namely the display of a text or a drawing using retinal persistence. Examination of these patents reveals that all embodiments suffer from one or more of the following disadvantages:

• the absence of synchronization means, making the display unstable and difficult to read

• the impossibility of programming the messages, which strongly limits the usefulness of the device

• when considered, the message programming method is slow and cumbersome. The user can waive its use.

• The mass is too high to be easily stirred by a human operator at a sufficient speed to obtain a satisfactory display

• a large size, which greatly limits the field of applications

• a complex design and/or use of expensive components leading to a high manufacturing cost, which limits the distribution of such devices.

The invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the state of the art.

The invention is particularly aimed at reducing the mass of the device, improving its ergonomics and reducing manufacturing costs.

To do this, several means are advantageously implemented:

1 The use of a weight with multiple functions, namely:

a) synchronization of the display with the movements of the operator

b) the selection of the message to be displayed among those available in memory,

c) composing the text of programmable messages.

2 The implementation of a "sleep" mode characterized by a total system consumption of less than one microampere. The on/off switch is thus superfluous.

3 The presence of a photoresistor. In conjunction with an application installed on a smartphone, the cell allows the reception and storage of the text of messages, via coded light signals. Therefore, it is not necessary to resort to long sequences of electrical switch activations to perform this programming.

4 Rigorous selection of the components constituting the device in order to allow power supply using two miniature "button" type alkaline batteries or a single lithium type battery. This feature contributes significantly to the reduction of the mass of the device.

The combination of these advantages allows the production of devices of minimum dimensions. For example, a 2cm² module weighing less than 3 grams, including its 2 power batteries, is easily achievable.

These characteristics advantageously make it possible to incorporate the device in small objects such as pens and advertising objects for example.

Advantageously, its manufacturing cost, in relation to its size, allows its use in promotional items.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

shows one embodiment of the device.

is a front view of an embodiment comprising 14 LEDs.

is a rear view of an embodiment comprising 14 LEDs.

is a side view of an embodiment comprising 14 LEDs.

is a front view of an embodiment comprising 7 LEDs.

is a rear view of an embodiment comprising 7 LEDs.

is a side view of an embodiment comprising 7 LEDs [Fig 8] represents the electrical diagram of the invention shown in [Fig 2].

represents the electrical diagram of the invention shown in [Fig 7].

is a block diagram representation of the device's wake-up sequence.

is a block diagram of the display sequence of the selected message.

is a block diagram of the process of selecting messages for display.

is a block diagram of the message programming sequence.

illustrates an example of a mobile terminal application that is used to program messages into the device's memory.

represents the interaction between the device and mobile terminal.

is the timing diagram corresponding to the display of a message

is the timing diagram corresponding to the selection of the message to be displayed

illustrates three embodiments of the device: in the form of a transparent tube, in the form of a ring and in the form of a writing instrument.

The invention includes:

• A plurality of light emitters (13), integral, animated by a repetitive movement (3) capable of being generated by a human operator (1), such that the trajectories (4) of the emitters appear, for an observer , as a series of locally parallel and equidistant lines,

• Means for detecting the variation in velocity of the transmitters (18),

• Means of selectively illuminating the emitters (16), according to a sequence synchronized by said detection means, so that the emitters are switched on or off on the one hand according to their position in the repetitive movement determined by the elapsed time since the activation of the detection means, on the other hand by the content of a message,

• Means for processing information from the detection means, determining changes in the mode of operation, or allowing the message to be changed.

For example, light emitters are light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit light when an electric current passes through them under the control of a microprocessor or microcontroller. They can be arranged at the end of a rod (2), agitated by the operator who holds it by the other end, and who causes the light emitters to travel along trajectories in concentric circular arcs.

For example, the means for detecting the variation in velocity (18) consists of a flexible and conductive element (12), fixed at one end to the support of the light emitters, and the other end of which makes contact with another conductor (11), fixed to the same support. When the flexible element deforms under the effect of a speed variation, the contact closes an electrical circuit.

In a known way, the message is expressed in the form of a matrix comprising as many rows as there are transmitters, and a certain number of columns, and each point of this matrix is assigned the on or off state; a predetermined fraction of the time interval between two activations of the detection means is divided into as many intervals as there are columns; and each light emitter is controlled according to the state assigned to the point of the matrix corresponding to its line of the message, and to the column determined according to the time elapsed since the last activation of the detection means. In known manner (US 5444456) the time interval between two activations of the detection means is measured, and determines the duration and the time lag of the display of each column.

The synchronization of the display with the movement is obtained by detecting the latter by means of a weight. Such systems are described in US patents 5406300 of Avix 1995, and US 54444456 of Matsushita in 1995.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the means for processing information from the detection means indicate the non-activation of the latter for a predetermined period of time (for example 1 second, indicative of the fact that the device is unused), and determine the putting to sleep, in particular the stopping of the oscillator used in timing the period between two activations of the detection means.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the means for processing information from the detection means wake up the device (in particular restart its oscillator) when it was dormant and the detection means is activated.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the means for processing information from the detection means indicate that the latter is activated according to a specific sequence and position the system in a mode for selecting or entering the message. Advantageously, the operator is informed of the passage into this mode by a particular indication of the light emitters.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the means for processing information from the detection means allow new messages to be entered by means of a code. Advantageously, the processing means count the number of pulses close together between two periods without pulses. Advantageously, the digits of the code are grouped two by two for the selection of letters or signs, according to a predetermined table. Advantageously, the assignment of the groups of two digits to the letters or signs is such that the two-digit numbers whose sum of the two digits (therefore the entry time) is the lowest are assigned to the most frequent letters or signs.

Advantageously, the operator is informed that he is about to enter the first or the second digit of a symbol by a particular indication of the light emitters.

For entering the message to be displayed, the system of US patent 5748157 by Richard O. Eason in 1994 provides a system of push buttons and a Morse type code.

These known systems based on this display principle have various limitations which have limited their usefulness and distribution:

• need for a switch to avoid battery drain when the system is not in use and/or

• need for an auxiliary device such as keyboards or push buttons for entering the message(s) to be displayed

• difficulty in learning a Morse type code, and need for the device for entering this code to distinguish between long and short presses.

THE [Fig 3][Fig 4] illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention. The term “module” will denote all of the constituent elements of the device. A module can take various forms, but it is generally made up of the following elements:

A printed circuit (10) intended to receive the various components.

A plurality of light emitters, preferably light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in line, 14 in number or 7 [Fig 5]

1. A computer processor (16). Its functions are multiple: it keeps the content of the messages in its memory, it performs the calculations necessary for the sequencing of the LEDs during the display, it receives and processes the information coming from the feeder or the photoresistor. An ultra-low power CMOS technology microprocessor is used to reduce system power consumption.

2. A means of detecting variation in velocity of the module which we will designate by "weight". The weight comprises a flexible conductive element and a fixed conductive element. When the module undergoes an acceleration in a direction parallel to the plane of the module, the principle of inertia causes the relative displacement of the flexible element with respect to the fixed element, the two elements come into contact and close an electric circuit. The processor, connected to the flyweight, detects contact closures.

3. The flyweight contacts close precisely when the direction of the trajectory (4) of the module is reversed, from left to right.

4. A photoresistor (19) is used to detect light pulses from the screen of a "smartphone" (92). Indeed a specific application loaded on the telephone allows the operator (90) to program the content of the messages (82) and to transfer them to the module (91) by means of light pulses created by the screen of the telephone (93).

5. A source of electrical energy (14a and 14b). In this embodiment, 2 alkaline batteries type AG3 are used. Their nominal capacity is 35mAh. Knowing that the consumption of the processor in standby state is typically one hundred nano amperes, the theoretical lifetime of the batteries, expressed in hours, is given by the simple formula: capacity of the battery expressed in mAh divided by the consumption of the device expressed in milliampere. The result is expressed in hours. So: 35/0.0001 = 350,000 hours, or 39.9 years. It can be seen under these conditions that an on/off switch is superfluous. In practice, the phenomenon of self-discharge will limit the life of the batteries.

6. A means for fixing the batteries (15a and 15b) providing electrical continuity between the batteries and the circuit of the device.

The figures [Fig 6] [Fig 7] represent an embodiment similar to that of [Fig 2]. The LEDs are 7 in number, instead of 14. This configuration allows the design of modules of very small dimensions with a view to their integration into small objects such as pens.

THE and [Fig 9]represent respectively the electric diagrams of the modules appearing in the figures [Fig 2] and [Fig 5]. Examination of these diagrams highlights the level of simplification which characterizes the invention. The circuit diagram consists of the following elements:

• a plurality of LEDs (23) constituting the display means of the device

• a power source for the electrical circuits

• a flyweight whose multiple role will be detailed later

• a microprocessor whose program ensures all the functions of the device

There illustrates the sequence following exit from sleep mode. Indeed, at rest, the device is in standby mode (sleep). It maintains this mode until the flyweight contact closes.

Advantageously, the module does not include any switch or push button, the flyweight is the control device for all the functions. As seen above, the weight reacts to a change in direction of the oscillating movement. This allows, following the time measurement between 2 successive activations, to synchronize the display with the movement of the module.

However, the weight is also triggered when the module undergoes a shock, even a slight one. This characteristic is advantageously used to control all the functions of the device, using slight shocks which will be called “TAPs”.

During the first Tap, the processor, which was in standby state (30), wakes up, its oscillator is activated and it begins to execute the instructions present in its program. A timer (31) is initialized and started. The instructions of the program have the effect of displaying the message (32). This sequence, itself complex, is summarized on the .

At the end of the display, the program waits for the next activation of the feeder.

Following the first activation which woke up the processor, three cases are possible:

1. no activation for more than three 3 seconds (33 and 36)? in this case, the processor is returned to the standby state (sleep) (37)

2. Second activation occurs before 1 second expires. The second activation occurring quickly, the program concludes that the module is agitated quickly and it displays the message. The process repeats as long as the intervals between successive activations remain less than one second (33). As soon as the train of activations ceases, the processor places itself in sleep mode (37).

3. The second activation is detected after the one second delay (36). In this case it is not an oscillation of the module, the timer is reset to zero (RAZ) (35). Then, if there is no activation before the expiry of a two-second delay, the processor goes into sleep mode (37). If there is an activation before the expiration of the 2 second delay, the program prepares to count the number of successive "taps" (38).

In summary, when the frequency of activations is less than 1 hertz, the module displays the message continuously until the oscillations stop. But if the second activation occurs one second after the first but before 3 seconds, the counting of taps starts. There is therefore a "listening window" of 2 seconds to send orders to the system in the form of "taps".

The operator is informed of the different phases of the sequences described above by means of the selective lighting of the LEDs.

There describes in a simplified way the different phases necessary in order to produce a display having the following characteristics:

• sharp display without blurring

• display centered on the display line, regardless of message length

• dimension of the message in space independent of the frequency of the oscillations produced by the operator.

There represents a flowchart describing the process of selecting the message to display.

Advantageously, the selection process is carried out using the following sequence

• make a first tap, called "wake-up tap"

• wait a second then,

• perform one or more taps. Their number will determine the number of the message to display, the next time the module is subjected to a repeated oscillation.

• wait 2 seconds to complete the sequence.

There represents a simplified flowchart showing the process of programming personalized messages. Indeed, it is possible to carry out this operation by means of sequences of taps constituting two-digit codes. Advantageously, the codes are defined in such a way that the codes whose sum of the two digits is the lowest are assigned to the most frequent letters in the language used.

Although possible and a little tedious, this method is advantageously replaced by the method using a cell phone of the smartphone type in order to program the device with personalized messages.

There illustrates an example of an application previously installed in a smartphone (80). There are several areas:

• several buttons (81) intended to define the number of the message which will be transferred to the module

• an input zone for the text composing the message (82)

• a keyboard (84) allowing the composition of messages

• a button (83) having the effect of triggering the communication sequence with the module

Briefly, the process consists of choosing the message to be programmed, then entering the desired text using the keyboard and finally pressing the button (83) to start the transfer of data to the memory of the processor equipping the module.

There illustrates the use of a telephone (92) in conjunction with a preferred embodiment of the invention (91).

After pressing the button that launches the data transfer procedure,

the telephone screen changes to a black block, the operator (90) is asked to place the device against the telephone screen, taking care to place the photoresistor which equips the device against the screen.

A countdown of a few seconds allows the operator to proceed comfortably. Then the telephone (93) displays a series of flashes during which the screen of the telephone is alternately black then illuminated according to a particular sequence. The module's photoresistor detects changes in brightness. The coded analog signal from the photoresistor is converted by the processor into a digital signal which it can then interpret in order to reconstruct the message. Finally, the processor places the message in its memory and returns to its "sleep" state.

At the end of the sequence described above, the device is immediately ready to display the new message.

The sequence can be repeated in order to program the different messages.

There represents the chronogram which corresponds to the display of a message, when the device is driven by a repetitive oscillatory movement. It is observed that for the device to continue to display the message, the intervals separating two activations of the weight must be less than one second. Beyond a second of waiting, the processor goes to sleep.

There represents the timing diagram corresponding to the process of selecting the desired message, among those which are present in the memory of the microprocessor.

The timing diagram shows that to perform this operation, the user of the device must first wake it up by means of a first "tap", then wait 1 second before performing the number of taps corresponding to the number of the desired message. When a second has passed without a tap, the processor records the number of taps made, then goes to sleep.

Advantageously, this discriminating timing contributes to the simplification of the system by avoiding the use of push buttons.

The device according to the invention is particularly intended to allow the manufacture of small modules that are easy to incorporate into different objects. Due to the absence of a switch and push button, integration into the final product is greatly facilitated.

In a particular embodiment of the invention the module is attached to the end of a transparent tube with a length of between 15 and 30 cm. A shutter, fixed at each end, seals the device.

In another realization [the module is integrated in a ring.

In another preferred embodiment, the module is placed at the end of a writing instrument in order to add a playful visual communication function to it.

Claims (9)

Illuminated display system comprising:
- a plurality of light emitters (13), integral, animated by a repetitive movement capable of being generated by a human operator, such that the trajectories of the emitters appear, for an observer, as a series of locally parallel lines and equidistant,
- means for detecting the variation in velocity of these transmitters (18),
- means for selectively illuminating the emitters (16), according to a sequence synchronized by said detection means, so that the emitters are switched on or off on the one hand according to their position in the repetitive movement determined by the elapsed time since the activation of the detection means, on the other hand by the content of a message, characterized in that it further comprises means for processing information from the detection means, determining changes in the mode of operation, and/or allowing the message to be changed. System according to Claim 1, in which the means for processing the information coming from the detection means indicate the non-activation of the latter for a predetermined period of time, and causes the stopping of an oscillator. System according to Claim 1, in which the means for processing the information coming from the detection means put an oscillator into operation when the latter is stopped and the detection means is activated. System according to claim 1, in which the means for processing information from the detection means indicate that the latter is activated according to a specific sequence, and position the system in a mode for selecting or entering the message. System according to Claim 1, in which the means for processing the information coming from the detection means allow the entry of new messages by means of a code. System of claim 1 in which the codes of the signs and/or letters are transmitted to the device by means of light pulses coming from the screen of a smartphone, these light pulses act on a photoresistor (19) present on the device. System according to any one of Claims 5 or 6, in which the processing means count the number of pulses close together between two periods without pulses. System according to any one of Claims 6 or 7, in which the digits of the code are grouped two by two for the selection of letters and/or signs, according to a predetermined table. System of claim 8 wherein the assignment of the groups of two digits to the letters or signs is such that the two-digit numbers whose sum of the two digits is the smallest are assigned to the most frequent symbols.