WO2005006274A2 - Strip-shaped autonomous signalling device - Google Patents

Strip-shaped autonomous signalling device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005006274A2
WO2005006274A2 PCT/FR2004/001736 FR2004001736W WO2005006274A2 WO 2005006274 A2 WO2005006274 A2 WO 2005006274A2 FR 2004001736 W FR2004001736 W FR 2004001736W WO 2005006274 A2 WO2005006274 A2 WO 2005006274A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
electroluminescent lamp
signaling
detection means
control means
substrate
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FR2004/001736
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2005006274A3 (en
Inventor
Guy Doat
Marie Odile Drouilhat
Original Assignee
Guy Doat
Marie Odile Drouilhat
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Guy Doat, Marie Odile Drouilhat filed Critical Guy Doat
Publication of WO2005006274A2 publication Critical patent/WO2005006274A2/en
Publication of WO2005006274A3 publication Critical patent/WO2005006274A3/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D15/00—Printed matter of special format or style not otherwise provided for
    • B42D15/02—Postcards; Greeting, menu, business or like cards; Letter cards or letter-sheets
    • B42D15/022—Postcards; Greeting, menu, business or like cards; Letter cards or letter-sheets combined with permanently fastened sound-producing or light-emitting means or carrying sound records

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an autonomous sheet signaling device, comprising - signaling means, - means for detecting at least one event of activation of said signaling means, - means for controlling said signals signaling means, said detection means informing said control means of an occurrence of said activation event and said control means controlling an activation of said signaling means accordingly.
  • a device is used in particular in musical cards with two flaps folded over one another, of the “birthday card” type. These cards include signaling means in the form of a flat loudspeaker, control or "driver" means, a button cell, and means for detecting the open or closed position of the card.
  • the detection means mechanical, comprise a tongue made of a material which is not electrically conductive, which, in the closed position of the card, is interposed between two electrical terminals elastically biased towards one another.
  • the two terminals come into contact with each other, thus closing an electrical circuit for generating music.
  • the two terminals are fixed on the first flap and the tongue is fixed on the second flap. The separation of the two components thus causes the release of the tab and triggers the music without any other action from the user.
  • the tab is damaged quickly and generally breaks after a few dozen card openings and closings.
  • this device can only be implemented with supports having a foldable flap, unless the possibility of automatic triggering is lost.
  • an autonomous sheet signaling device of the type described in the introduction, said detection means being photosensitive and said event activation acting on the illumination of said detection means, remarkable in that said signaling means comprise at least one electroluminescent sheet lamp.
  • Said detection means can for example comprise a photodiode.
  • the opening of the card causes the photodiode to light up.
  • the photodiode can thus detect the opening of the card without mechanical transmission of movement between the card and the signaling device.
  • the lifespan of the latter is considerably increased.
  • the presence of a flap is no longer essential. For example, the extraction from an envelope of a card without a flap provided with a device according to the invention is sufficient to trigger the signaling means.
  • Said detection means further detect at least one deactivation event of said signaling means, said control means controlling deactivation of said signaling means accordingly;
  • control means activate and / or deactivate said signaling means as a function of at least one level and / or of a duration of illumination of said detection means;
  • control means are provided so as to activate said signaling means intermittently in the event of detection of said activation event
  • said signaling means, said detection means and said control means are supplied with electrical energy by a battery with a thickness of less than 1.5 millimeters;
  • control means and / or said detection means extend over a back face of said light-emitting lamp, a photosensitive surface of said detection means being oriented towards a front face of said light-emitting lamp and disposed in line with a translucent zone said electroluminescent lamp;
  • control means and / or said detection means are fixed to the back of a printed circuit, the front side of which is fixed against the back side of a substrate of said electroluminescent lamp, a photosensitive surface of said detection means being oriented towards a translucent zone of said printed circuit;
  • said electroluminescent lamp carries information, in particular an image and or an advertising message
  • said substrate of said electroluminescent lamp comprises at least one of the electrically conductive tracks for connection of said printed circuit, said electroluminescent lamp and said battery; preferably, all of said tracks are carried by said electroluminescent lamp, preferably by said substrate;
  • - Said device comprises a film or a layer of foam glued over said substrate and said stack and / or said printed circuit so as to ensure electrical contact between said tracks of said substrate and the connection terminals of said stack and / or said printed circuit, respectively.
  • the invention also relates to the insertion of a device according to the invention in a magazine, a newspaper, a carton, a CD or DVD case or on a postcard.
  • FIG. 1a and 1b show schematically respectively the front and back of a device according to the invention, in the preferred embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is an electronic diagram of part of the device shown in Figure 1;
  • FIG. 3 is an electronic diagram of electrical supply means of the device shown in Figure 1.
  • the device of Figures 1a and 1b represented an advertising sheet insert intended to be inserted in a magazine.
  • This insert includes an electroluminescent lamp 10, a front side 12, potentially illuminating, carries advertising information, for example a photo and a message 13.
  • the operation of the electroluminescent lamp is controlled by control means 14 generally called “driver” or "Pilot", supplied by a flat battery 16.
  • an insulating film or a layer of foam F covers at least in part, the back side 19 of the electroluminescent lamp 10, the battery 16 and the pilot 14
  • the pilot 14 controls the electroluminescent lamp 10 as a function of the lighting state of a photodiode 18 preferably arranged so as to be able to be illuminated by light irradiating the front face 12 of the electroluminescent lamp 10.
  • the electroluminescent lamp 10 is in the form of a flexible sheet a few tenths of a millimeter thick emitting light by its fa this front 12.
  • an electroluminescent lamp 10 comprises, from the front face 12 to the back face 19:
  • a substrate 20 transparent, generally made of polyester or any other transparent flexible material
  • ITO indium tin oxide
  • an electroluminescent lamp has a good performance (light intensity / consumption), which makes it ecological and well suited to autonomous devices. Flexible and light, very flat, reliable because it does not contain gas, it can be advantageously inserted between the pages of a magazine.
  • an electroluminescent sheet lamp advantageously allows mass production, in an automated manner and at reduced cost, of the device according to the invention.
  • the message 13 or the photo can be printed by any technique known to those skilled in the art on the substrate 20.
  • the device according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1b and 2 includes detection means 25 comprising the photodiode 18, capable of deliver to the pilot 14 a variable voltage according to the level of illumination of the photosensitive surface of the photodiode 18.
  • the pilot 14 comprises
  • the input of the hysteresis means 26 is at the electrical potential of the output of the photodiode 18.
  • the hysteresis means 26 have a function of filtering the voltage peaks at the terminals of the photodiode 18 of a duration less than a predetermined threshold. For example, the hysteresis means 26 can be adjusted so that if the duration of illumination of the photodiode 18 is less than 1 second, the voltage peak resulting at the terminals of the photodiode 18 is filtered.
  • the hysteresis means 26 avoid taking into account fleeting lighting of the photosensitive surface of the photodiode 18.
  • the switching means 28 comprise for example a diode which, as a function of the amplitude of the filtered voltage available at the output hysteresis means 26, activates or deactivates the oscillator 30. For example, if the filtered voltage is less than a threshold value, that is to say if the level of illumination of the photodiode 18 is less than a predetermined level, the switching means 28 keep the oscillator 30 inactive, and therefore keep the transformation means 32 controlled by the oscillator 30 inactive.
  • the oscillator 30 and the transformation means 32 therefore operate only when the photodiode 18 is illuminated, beyond a predetermined level of illumination, for a minimum duration. This results in an optimization of the energy consumption of the device according to the invention.
  • the oscillator 30 starts the transformation means 32 intermittently, so as to obtain a flashing of the electroluminescent lamp 10.
  • the flashing frequency is adjustable.
  • the flashing of the light-emitting lamp 10 effectively attracts the attention of the user, which is particularly useful for an application of the device according to the invention in the advertising field.
  • the flashing of an electroluminescent lamp 10 does not reduce its lifespan.
  • the transformation means 32 transform the direct voltage supplied by the battery 16 into an alternating voltage suitable for the operation of the electroluminescent lamp 10, for example between 80 and 200 V, at a frequency between 50 and 3000 Hz , preferably 100 V and 800 Hz in order to obtain good quality of lighting.
  • a switching power supply can be used for this purpose.
  • AC voltage is available at output terminals 34 and 36 to which the electroluminescent lamp 10 is connected.
  • the possible architectures for the hysteresis means 26, the switching means, the oscillator 30, and the transformation means are well known to those skilled in the art.
  • FIG. 2 represents a possible architecture of the pilot 14.
  • all the electronic components used have a height of less than 1.5 mm.
  • all the electronic components of the pilot 14 are fixed to a back side of a printed circuit 40 (see FIG. 1b) flexible or rigid, preferably of the "FR4" type.
  • the front face of the printed circuit 40 is bonded to the back face 19 of the substrate 20 for example by means of an adhesive by ultraviolet polymerization, or held against the back face 19 of the substrate 20 by the electrically insulating film F
  • the photodiode 18 is fixed so that its photosensitive surface is oriented towards the light-emitting lamp 10.
  • a transparent window 42 is provided facing the photosensitive surface of the photodiode 18 in the printed circuit 40, and, if necessary, in the electroluminescent lamp 10, so that the photodiode 18 can receive the external light irradiating the front face 12 of the electroluminescent lamp 10.
  • the battery 16 for example a lithium battery capable of supplying a DC voltage of 3 V , preferably has a thickness of less than 1.5 millimeters.
  • the stack 16 is bonded to the substrate 20, for example by means of an adhesive by ultraviolet polymerization, or held against the back face 19 of the substrate 20 by the electrically insulating film F.
  • the stack 16 and the printed circuit 40 are arranged on non-illuminating regions of the substrate 20, that is to say bearing neither an ITO layer nor an electroluminescent layer.
  • the electrical connections between the battery 16 and the tracks of the printed circuit, and between the carbon tracks 22 and 24 of the electroluminescent lamp 10 and the terminals 34 and 36 of the printed circuit 40 can be made using a conductive adhesive based silver.
  • connections 43 and 44 are screen printed on the electroluminescent lamp 10 in the form of tracks shaped so as to allow the electrical connection of the circuit 40, of the battery 16 and of the electroluminescent lamp 10.
  • the connections 43 and 44 can be made directly on the substrate 20 and / or on the carbon layer of the electroluminescent lamp 10.
  • the substrate 20 can thus exercise the following functions: - support for the various layers of the electroluminescent lamp 10; - support for one or, preferably, all the connections between the electrodes of the light-emitting lamp 10, the battery 16 and the printed circuit 40, - and support of information, for example advertising.
  • the use of the electroluminescent lamp 10, and preferably of the substrate 20 of this lamp, as support for the connections 43 and 44 considerably simplifies the method of manufacturing the device according to the invention. In particular, it makes it possible to automate this process and to manufacture the device according to the invention in large quantities and at reduced cost.
  • connection terminals of the printed circuit 40 and / or of the battery 16 are kept in contact with these conductive tracks 43, 44 by the only pressure exerted by the insulating film F.
  • the device according to the invention is autonomous. It is in the form of a flexible and light sheet, with a thickness of less than 2 mm.
  • at least one side of the device according to the invention, preferably at least the back side, is protected, for example by covering with the insulating film F, not shown, or by bonding to a cardboard or by plasticization. If flexibility is not essential, protection can also be obtained by stratification by covering a layer of resin.
  • the insulating film F therefore exercises a protective function and a function of maintaining in electrical contact the tracks of the substrate connected to the electrodes of the light-emitting lamp 10 on the one hand and the terminals of the battery 16 and / or of the printed circuit. 40 on the other hand.
  • the device according to the invention can be used in any application where activation of signaling means as a function of a level of brightness is sought.
  • the device according to the invention can be inserted in an envelope, in a newspaper or a magazine, in the form of an insert or a page, or else placed in a cardboard box or in a CD or DVD case. .
  • the device according to the invention is preferably inserted in a magazine so that when the magazine is opened on the page where the device is inserted, the photosensitive surface of the photodiode 18 is illuminated.
  • the activation event is preferably the holding in the open position of the magazine for a period minimum, under lighting of minimum intensity.
  • the minimum duration and intensity thresholds can be definitively determined during the manufacture of the device by the choice of electronic components, or be fixed after manufacture, depending on the destination of the device according to the invention, if adjustable components were used.
  • the photodiode 18 is lit for a short period of time. This results in a voltage peak, filtered by the hysteresis means 26.
  • the oscillator 30 and the transformation means 32 therefore remain inactive. If a user opens the magazine and keeps it open, the photodiode 18 is lit long enough so that the increase in the voltage across its terminals is not filtered by the hysteresis means 26 and is transmitted to the switching means 28. If the amplitude of the voltage across the photodiode 18 exceeds the threshold value of the switching means 28, this voltage is transmitted to the oscillator 30 and activates it. Otherwise, the oscillator 30 and the transformation means 32 remain inactive.
  • the oscillator 30 As long as the oscillator 30 is active, it generates a periodic signal in slots, each slot causing the transformation means 32 to start up. After being started up, the transformation means 32 transform the voltage of the battery 16 into a voltage capable of igniting the electroluminescent lamp 10. Due to the square shape of the voltage delivered by the oscillator 30, the electroluminescent lamp 10 flashes. Preferably, as soon as the user closes the magazine, the photodiode 18 is no longer lit, and the oscillator 30 and the transformation means 32 are stopped. Preferably, to avoid the user being able to see the extinction of the electroluminescent lamp 10, the deactivation event may be the maintenance in the closed position of the magazine for a minimum duration and / or under lower intensity lighting. at a certain threshold.
  • the device according to the invention the light-emitting lamp 10 is activated or deactivated as a function of the illumination of the photodiode 18, without mechanical transmission of movement between the device and its possible support.
  • the “active” state of the electroluminescent lamp 10 is a state in which it is capable of being lit, even for a short period, by the pilot 14. In the “inactive” state, the electroluminescent lamp 10 is on the contrary kept off. The device is therefore very reliable, even after many uses.
  • activation and deactivation of the electroluminescent lamp 10 are possible without voluntary user intervention, with any type of support, whether the support has a flap or not.
  • the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described and presented, provided by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example.
  • the pilot 14 may be different from that described according to the technical constraints imposed by the electroluminescent lamp 10 or the desired aesthetic effect.
  • the processing, by the hysteresis means 26 and by the switching means 28, of the information supplied by the detection means 25 is optional.
  • the means 32 for transforming the DC voltage delivered by the battery 16 are adapted to the light-emitting lamp 10 used and could prove to be useless with an electroluminescent lamp which would operate directly with the DC voltage delivered by the battery 16.
  • the oscillator 30 and the means 32 for transforming the DC voltage can be designed to vary, for example periodically, the operation of the electroluminescent lamp 10, for example by a temporal variation of the amplitude and / or the frequency of the alternating voltage supplied to the electroluminescent lamp 10.
  • the appearance of the image lit by the electroluminescent lamp 10 is modified accordingly, which makes it possible to produce original aesthetic effects.
  • the light intensity of the electroluminescent lamp 10 can be gradually increased after the occurrence of the activation event, vary as a function of the level of lighting to take account, for example, of weak lighting, etc.
  • the signaling means are not limited to an electroluminescent lamp 10, but may include sound signaling means, for example a music generator.
  • the device according to the invention can also be designed for several signaling means, for example so that music is produced simultaneously with the flashing of one or more electroluminescent lamps.
  • the same oscillator 30 could also power several electroluminescent lamps.
  • the activation of the electroluminescent lamp 10 is not limited to its intermittent activation by the oscillator 30.
  • the device according to the invention does not include an oscillator and the activation of the electroluminescent lamp leads to its continuous starting.
  • the battery 16 can also be replaced by other means of supplying electrical energy, for example by a solar energy sensor.
  • the activation and deactivation of the light-emitting lamp can depend not only on the level of illumination and / or the duration of illumination of the photosensitive surface of the photodiode 18, but also on the measurement of other physical quantities. such as temperature, noise level, etc.
  • the number of activation and deactivation events is also not limited.
  • an additional deactivation event may be the maintenance of the oscillator 30 in the active position for a predetermined duration.

Abstract

A strip-shaped autonomous signalling device comprising signalling means (10); means (18) for detecting at least one signalling means (10) activation event; means (14) for controlling the signalling means (10); whereby the detection means (18) inform the control means (14) of an occurrence of said activation and the control means (14) control actuation of the signalling means(10) as a result. The detection means (18) are photo-sensitive and the activation event acts upon the illumination of the detection means (18). The inventive device is characterized in that the signalling means (10) comprise at least one strip-shaped electroluminescent lamp.

Description

Dispositif de signalisation autonome en feuille La présente invention concerne un dispositif de signalisation autonome en feuille, comportant - des moyens de signalisation, - des moyens de détection d'au moins un événement d'activation desdits moyens de signalisation, - des moyens de commande desdits moyens de signalisation, lesdits moyens de détection informant lesdits moyens de commande d'une occurrence dudit événement d'activation et lesdits moyens de commande commandant une activation desdits moyens de signalisation en conséquence. Un tel dispositif est notamment utilisé dans des cartes musicales à deux volets repliés l'un sur l'autre, de type « cartes d'anniversaire ». Ces cartes comportent des moyens de signalisation sous la forme d'un haut-parleur plat, des moyens de commande ou « driver », une pile-bouton, et des moyens de détection de la position ouverte ou fermée de la carte. Les moyens de détection, mécaniques, comportent une languette en un matériau non conducteur de l'électricité, qui, dans la position fermée de la carte, est interposée entre deux bornes électriques rappelées elastiquement l'une vers l'autre. En dégageant la languette, les deux bornes entrent en contact l'une avec l'autre, fermant ainsi un circuit électrique de génération de musique. Pour éviter que l'utilisateur n'ait à tirer lui-même sur la languette, et donc préserver l'effet de surprise, les deux bornes sont fixées sur le premier volet et la languette est fixée sur le deuxième volet. L'écartement des deux volets provoque ainsi le dégagement de la languette et déclenche la musique sans autre action de l'utilisateur. Malheureusement, la languette s'abîme rapidement et généralement casse après quelques dizaines d'ouvertures et de fermetures de la carte. En outre, ce dispositif ne peut être mis en œuvre qu'avec des supports présentant un rabat dépliable, sauf à perdre la possibilité d'un déclenchement automatique. Il existe donc un besoin pour un dispositif de signalisation autonome qui ne présenterait pas les inconvénients cités ci-dessus. Selon l'invention, on atteint ce but au moyen d'un dispositif de signalisation autonome en feuille, du type décrit en introduction, lesdits moyens de détection étant photosensibles et ledit événement d'activation agissant sur l'éclairement desdits moyens de détection, remarquable en ce que lesdits moyens de signalisation comportent au moins une lampe électroluminescente en feuille. Lesdits moyens de détection peuvent par exemple comporter une photodiode. Comme on le verra plus en détail dans la suite de la description, l'ouverture de la carte provoque l'éclairement de la photodiode. La photodiode peut ainsi détecter l'ouverture de la carte sans transmission mécanique de mouvement entre la carte et le dispositif de signalisation. La durée de vie de ce dernier en est considérablement accrue. De plus, la présence d'un rabat n'est plus indispensable. Par exemple, l'extraction hors d'une enveloppe d'une carte sans rabat pourvue d'un dispositif selon l'invention suffit à déclencher les moyens de signalisation. Selon d'autres caractéristiques préférées de l'invention,The present invention relates to an autonomous sheet signaling device, comprising - signaling means, - means for detecting at least one event of activation of said signaling means, - means for controlling said signals signaling means, said detection means informing said control means of an occurrence of said activation event and said control means controlling an activation of said signaling means accordingly. Such a device is used in particular in musical cards with two flaps folded over one another, of the “birthday card” type. These cards include signaling means in the form of a flat loudspeaker, control or "driver" means, a button cell, and means for detecting the open or closed position of the card. The detection means, mechanical, comprise a tongue made of a material which is not electrically conductive, which, in the closed position of the card, is interposed between two electrical terminals elastically biased towards one another. By releasing the tab, the two terminals come into contact with each other, thus closing an electrical circuit for generating music. To prevent the user from having to pull the tab himself, and therefore preserve the element of surprise, the two terminals are fixed on the first flap and the tongue is fixed on the second flap. The separation of the two components thus causes the release of the tab and triggers the music without any other action from the user. Unfortunately, the tab is damaged quickly and generally breaks after a few dozen card openings and closings. In addition, this device can only be implemented with supports having a foldable flap, unless the possibility of automatic triggering is lost. There is therefore a need for an autonomous signaling device which would not have the drawbacks mentioned above. According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of an autonomous sheet signaling device, of the type described in the introduction, said detection means being photosensitive and said event activation acting on the illumination of said detection means, remarkable in that said signaling means comprise at least one electroluminescent sheet lamp. Said detection means can for example comprise a photodiode. As will be seen in more detail in the following description, the opening of the card causes the photodiode to light up. The photodiode can thus detect the opening of the card without mechanical transmission of movement between the card and the signaling device. The lifespan of the latter is considerably increased. In addition, the presence of a flap is no longer essential. For example, the extraction from an envelope of a card without a flap provided with a device according to the invention is sufficient to trigger the signaling means. According to other preferred characteristics of the invention,
- lesdits moyens de détection détectent en outre au moins un événement de désactivation desdits moyens de signalisation, lesdits moyens de commande commandant une désactivation desdits moyens de signalisation en conséquence ;- Said detection means further detect at least one deactivation event of said signaling means, said control means controlling deactivation of said signaling means accordingly;
- lesdits moyens de commande activent et/ou désactivent lesdits moyens de signalisation en fonction d'au moins un niveau et/ou d'une durée d'éclairement desdits moyens de détection ;- Said control means activate and / or deactivate said signaling means as a function of at least one level and / or of a duration of illumination of said detection means;
- lesdits moyens de commande sont prévus de manière à mettre en marche lesdits moyens de signalisation de manière intermittente en cas de détection dudit événement d'activation ;- Said control means are provided so as to activate said signaling means intermittently in the event of detection of said activation event;
- lesdits moyens de signalisation, lesdits moyens de détection et lesdits moyens de commande sont alimentés en énergie électrique par une pile d'une épaisseur inférieure à 1,5 millimètre ;- said signaling means, said detection means and said control means are supplied with electrical energy by a battery with a thickness of less than 1.5 millimeters;
- lesdits moyens de commande et/ou lesdits moyens de détection s'étendent sur une face verso de ladite lampe électroluminescente, une surface photosensible desdits moyens de détection étant orientée vers une face recto de ladite lampe électroluminescente et disposée au droit d'une zone translucide de ladite lampe électroluminescente ;- said control means and / or said detection means extend over a back face of said light-emitting lamp, a photosensitive surface of said detection means being oriented towards a front face of said light-emitting lamp and disposed in line with a translucent zone said electroluminescent lamp;
- lesdits moyens de commande et/ou lesdits moyens de détection sont fixés au verso d'un circuit imprimé dont la face recto est fixée contre la face verso d'un substrat de ladite lampe électroluminescente, une surface photosensible desdits moyens de détection étant orientée vers une zone translucide dudit circuit imprimé;- Said control means and / or said detection means are fixed to the back of a printed circuit, the front side of which is fixed against the back side of a substrate of said electroluminescent lamp, a photosensitive surface of said detection means being oriented towards a translucent zone of said printed circuit;
- ledit dispositif est encapsulé ;- said device is encapsulated;
- ladite lampe électroluminescente porte une information, notamment une image et ou un message publicitaire ;- Said electroluminescent lamp carries information, in particular an image and or an advertising message;
- ladite lampe électroluminescente, en particulier, de préférence, ledit substrat de ladite lampe électroluminescente, comporte au moins une des pistes conductrices électriquement de connexion dudit circuit imprimé, de ladite lampe électroluminescente et de ladite pile ; de préférence, toutes lesdites pistes sont portées par ladite lampe électroluminescente, de préférence par ledit substrat;- Said electroluminescent lamp, in particular, preferably, said substrate of said electroluminescent lamp, comprises at least one of the electrically conductive tracks for connection of said printed circuit, said electroluminescent lamp and said battery; preferably, all of said tracks are carried by said electroluminescent lamp, preferably by said substrate;
- lesdites pistes sont sérigraphiées sur ledit substrat ;- said tracks are screen printed on said substrate;
- ledit dispositif comporte un film ou une couche de mousse collé par-dessus ledit substrat et ladite pile et/ou ledit circuit imprimé de manière à assurer un contact électrique entre lesdites pistes dudit substrat et les bornes de connexion de ladite pile et/ou dudit circuit imprimé, respectivement. L'invention concerne également l'insertion d'un dispositif selon l'invention dans un magazine, un journal, un carton, un boîtier de CD ou de DVD ou sur une carte postale. D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description qui va suivre et à l'examen du dessin annexé dans lequel- Said device comprises a film or a layer of foam glued over said substrate and said stack and / or said printed circuit so as to ensure electrical contact between said tracks of said substrate and the connection terminals of said stack and / or said printed circuit, respectively. The invention also relates to the insertion of a device according to the invention in a magazine, a newspaper, a carton, a CD or DVD case or on a postcard. Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the description which follows and on examining the appended drawing in which
- les figures 1a et 1b représentent schématiquement respectivement le recto et le verso d'un dispositif selon l'invention, dans le mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention ;- Figures 1a and 1b show schematically respectively the front and back of a device according to the invention, in the preferred embodiment of the invention;
- la figure 2 est un schéma électronique d'une partie du dispositif représenté sur la figure 1 ;- Figure 2 is an electronic diagram of part of the device shown in Figure 1;
- la figure 3 est un schéma électronique de moyens d'alimentation électrique du dispositif représenté sur la figure 1. Le dispositif des figures 1a et 1b, fourni à titre d'exemple illustratif et non limitatif, représente un encart publicitaire en feuille destiné à être inséré dans un magazine. Cet encart comporte une lampe électroluminescente 10 dont une face recto 12, potentiellement éclairante, porte une information publicitaire, par exemple une photo et un message 13. Le fonctionnement de la lampe électroluminescente est commandé par des moyens de commande 14 généralement appelés « driver » ou « pilote », alimentés par une pile plate 16. De préférence, un film isolant ou une couche de mousse F, non représenté, recouvre au moins en partie, la face verso 19 de la lampe électroluminescente 10, la pile 16 et le pilote 14. Selon l'invention, le pilote 14 commande la lampe électroluminescente 10 en fonction de l'état d'éclairement d'une photodiode 18 de préférence disposée de manière à pouvoir être éclairée par de la lumière irradiant la face recto 12 de la lampe électroluminescente 10. La lampe électroluminescente 10 se présente sous la forme d'une feuille souple de quelques dixièmes de millimètres d'épaisseur émettant une lumière par sa face recto 12. Classiquement, une lampe électroluminescente 10 comporte, depuis la face recto 12 jusqu'à la face verso 19 :- Figure 3 is an electronic diagram of electrical supply means of the device shown in Figure 1. The device of Figures 1a and 1b, provided by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, represents an advertising sheet insert intended to be inserted in a magazine. This insert includes an electroluminescent lamp 10, a front side 12, potentially illuminating, carries advertising information, for example a photo and a message 13. The operation of the electroluminescent lamp is controlled by control means 14 generally called "driver" or "Pilot", supplied by a flat battery 16. Preferably, an insulating film or a layer of foam F, not shown, covers at least in part, the back side 19 of the electroluminescent lamp 10, the battery 16 and the pilot 14 According to the invention, the pilot 14 controls the electroluminescent lamp 10 as a function of the lighting state of a photodiode 18 preferably arranged so as to be able to be illuminated by light irradiating the front face 12 of the electroluminescent lamp 10. The electroluminescent lamp 10 is in the form of a flexible sheet a few tenths of a millimeter thick emitting light by its fa this front 12. Conventionally, an electroluminescent lamp 10 comprises, from the front face 12 to the back face 19:
- Un substrat 20, transparent, généralement en polyester ou en tout autre matériau souple transparent;- A substrate 20, transparent, generally made of polyester or any other transparent flexible material;
- Une couche d'oxyde d'étain et d'indium (ITO) ou tout autre conducteur transparent sérigraphiable connecté électriquement par l'intermédiaire d'une piste en carbone, argent/carbone, ou argent 22 périphérique, visible depuis la face recto 12 ;- A layer of indium tin oxide (ITO) or any other transparent screen-printed conductor electrically connected via a carbon, silver / carbon, or peripheral silver track 22, visible from the front side 12 ;
- Une couche électroluminescente, potentiellement éclairante, visible depuis la face recto 12 ;- An electroluminescent layer, potentially illuminating, visible from the front side 12;
- Une couche de diélectrique ;- A dielectric layer;
- Une couche de carbone, argent ou argent/carbone, électriquement conductrice connectée électriquement par l'intermédiaire d'une piste en carbone 24, et interrompue à une distance d'environ 1 mm de la piste en carbone périphérique 22 pour éviter toute connexion électrique entre les pistes en carbone 22 et 24 ;- A layer of carbon, silver or silver / carbon, electrically conductive electrically connected via a carbon track 24, and interrupted at a distance of about 1 mm from the peripheral carbon track 22 to avoid any electrical connection between carbon tracks 22 and 24;
- Une couche protectrice isolante électriquement. Avantageusement, une lampe électroluminescente présente un bon rendement (intensité lumineuse/consommation), ce qui la rend écologique et bien adaptée à des dispositifs autonomes. Souple et légère, très plate, fiable du fait qu'elle ne contient pas de gaz, elle peut être avantageusement insérée entre les pages d'un magazine. Enfin, une lampe électroluminescente en feuille permet avantageusement une fabrication en série, de manière automatisée et à coût réduit, du dispositif selon l'invention. Le message 13 ou la photo peuvent être imprimés par toute technique connue de l'homme du métier sur le substrat 20. Le dispositif selon l'invention représenté sur les figures 1b et 2 comporte des moyens de détection 25 comprenant la photodiode 18, aptes à délivrer au pilote 14 une tension variable selon le niveau d'éclairement de la surface photosensible de la photodiode 18. Le pilote 14 comporte- An electrically insulating protective layer. Advantageously, an electroluminescent lamp has a good performance (light intensity / consumption), which makes it ecological and well suited to autonomous devices. Flexible and light, very flat, reliable because it does not contain gas, it can be advantageously inserted between the pages of a magazine. Finally, an electroluminescent sheet lamp advantageously allows mass production, in an automated manner and at reduced cost, of the device according to the invention. The message 13 or the photo can be printed by any technique known to those skilled in the art on the substrate 20. The device according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1b and 2 includes detection means 25 comprising the photodiode 18, capable of deliver to the pilot 14 a variable voltage according to the level of illumination of the photosensitive surface of the photodiode 18. The pilot 14 comprises
- des moyens d'hystérésis 26 ;- Hysteresis means 26;
- des moyens de commutation 28 commandés en fonction de la tension aux bornes de la photodiode 18, après filtration éventuelle par les moyens d'hystérésis 26 ;- switching means 28 controlled as a function of the voltage across the photodiode 18, after possible filtration by the hysteresis means 26;
- un oscillateur 30, commuté par les moyens de commutation 28,an oscillator 30, switched by the switching means 28,
- des moyens de transformation 32 de la tension continue délivrée par la pile 16, par exemple de 3 Volts, en une tension alternative adaptée au fonctionnement de la lampe électroluminescente 10. L'entrée des moyens d'hystérésis 26 est au potentiel électrique de la sortie de la photodiode 18. Les moyens d'hystérésis 26 ont une fonction de filtrage des pics de tension aux bornes de la photodiode 18 d'une durée inférieure à un seuil prédéterminé. Par exemple les moyens d'hystérésis 26 peuvent être réglés de manière que si la durée d'éclairement de la photodiode 18 est inférieure à 1 seconde, le pic de tension résultant aux bornes de la photodiode 18 soit filtré. Avantageusement, les moyens d'hystérésis 26 évitent de prendre en considération des éclairages fugaces de la surface photosensible de la photodiode 18. Les moyens de commutation 28 comprennent par exemple une diode qui, en fonction de l'amplitude de la tension filtrée disponible en sortie des moyens d'hystérésis 26, active ou désactive l'oscillateur 30. Par exemple, si la tension filtrée est inférieure à une valeur de seuil, c'est-à- dire si le niveau d'éclairement de la photodiode 18 est inférieur à un niveau prédéterminé, les moyens de commutation 28 maintiennent inactif l'oscillateur 30, et donc maintiennent inactifs les moyens de transformation 32 commandés par l'oscillateur 30. Avantageusement, l'oscillateur 30 et les moyens de transformation 32 ne fonctionnent donc que lorsque la photodiode 18 est éclairée, au-delà d'un niveau d'éclairement prédéterminé, pendant une durée minimale. Il en résulte une optimisation de la consommation énergétique du dispositif selon l'invention. Après activation par les moyens de commutation 28, l'oscillateur 30 met en marche les moyens de transformation 32 de manière intermittente, de manière à obtenir un clignotement de la lampe électroluminescente 10. De préférence, la fréquence de clignotement est réglable. Avantageusement, le clignotement de la lampe électroluminescente 10 attire efficacement l'attention de l'utilisateur, ce qui est particulièrement utile pour une application du dispositif selon l'invention dans le domaine publicitaire. Avantageusement, le clignotement d'une lampe électroluminescente 10 ne réduit pas sa durée de vie. Après mise en marche, les moyens de transformation 32 transforment la tension continue fournie par la pile 16 en une tension alternative adaptée au fonctionnement de la lampe électroluminescente 10, par exemple comprise entre 80 et 200 V, à une fréquence comprise entre 50 et 3000 Hz, de préférence 100 V et 800 Hz afin d'obtenir une bonne qualité d'éclairage. Une alimentation à découpage peut être utilisée à cet effet. La tension alternative est disponible aux bornes de sortie 34 et 36 auxquelles la lampe électroluminescente 10 est connectée. Les architectures possibles pour les moyens d'hystérésis 26, les moyens de commutation, l'oscillateur 30, et les moyens de transformation sont bien connues de l'homme du métier. La figure 2 représente une architecture possible du pilote 14. De préférence, tous les composants électroniques utilisés ont une hauteur inférieure à 1,5 mm. De préférence encore, tous les composants électroniques du pilote 14 sont fixés sur une face verso d'un circuit imprimé 40 (voir figure 1b) souple ou rigide, de préférence de type « FR4 ». De préférence, la face recto du circuit imprimé 40 est collée sur la face verso 19 du substrat 20 par exemple au moyen d'une colle par polymérisation par ultra violets, ou maintenue contre la face verso 19 du substrat 20 par le film isolant électriquement F. La photodiode 18 est fixée de manière que sa surface photosensible soit orientée vers la lampe électroluminescente 10. Une fenêtre transparente 42, de préférence un trou, est prévue en regard de la surface photosensible de la photodiode 18 dans le circuit imprimé 40, et, si nécessaire, dans la lampe électroluminescente 10, de manière que la photodiode 18 puisse recevoir la lumière extérieure irradiant la face recto 12 de la lampe électroluminescente 10. La pile 16, par exemple une pile au lithium apte à fournir une tension continue de 3 V, a de préférence une épaisseur inférieure à 1,5 millimètre. De préférence, la pile 16 est collée sur le substrat 20, par exemple au moyen d'une colle par polymérisation par ultra violets, ou maintenue contre la face verso 19 du substrat 20 par le film isolant électriquement F. De préférence, la pile 16 et le circuit imprimé 40 sont disposés sur des zones du substrat 20 non éclairantes, c'est-à-dire ne portant ni couche ITO, ni couche électroluminescente. Les connexions électriques entre la pile 16 et les pistes du circuit imprimé, et entre les pistes en carbone 22 et 24 de la lampe électroluminescente 10 et les bornes 34 et 36 du circuit imprimé 40 peuvent être réalisées au moyen d'une colle conductrice à base d'argent. De préférence, des connexions 43 et 44 sont sérigraphiées sur la lampe électroluminescente 10 sous la forme de pistes conformées de manière à permettre la connexion électrique du circuit 40, de la pile 16 et de la lampe électroluminescente 10. En fonction de l'emplacement de la pile 16 et du circuit imprimé 40, les connexions 43 et 44 peuvent être réalisées directement sur le substrat 20 et/ou sur la couche de carbone de la lampe électroluminescente 10. Le substrat 20 peut ainsi exercer les fonctions suivantes : - support des différentes couches de la lampe électroluminescente 10; - support d'une ou, de préférence, de toutes les connections entre les électrodes de la lampe électroluminescente 10, de la pile 16 et du circuit imprimé 40, - et support d'une information, par exemple publicitaire. L'utilisation de la lampe électroluminescente 10, et de préférence du substrat 20 de cette lampe, comme support des connexions 43 et 44 simplifie considérablement le procédé de fabrication du dispositif selon l'invention. En particulier elle rend possible une automatisation de ce procédé et une fabrication en grandes quantités et à coût réduit du dispositif selon l'invention. De préférence, les bornes de connexion du circuit imprimé 40 et/ou de la pile 16 sont maintenues en contact avec ces pistes conductrices 43, 44 par la seule pression exercée par le film isolant F. Equipé de la pile 16, le dispositif selon l'invention est autonome. Il se présente sous la forme d'une feuille souple et légère, d'une épaisseur inférieure à 2 mm. De préférence, au moins une face du dispositif selon l'invention, de préférence au moins la face verso, est protégée, par exemple par recouvrement par le film isolant F, non représenté, ou par collage sur un carton ou encore par plastification. Si la souplesse n'est pas indispensable, la protection peut être également obtenue par stratification par recouvrement d'une couche de résine. Une encapsulation dans une gangue de plastique, de résine, de verre ou d'un tout autre matériau est recommandée pour isoler physiquement le dispositif selon l'invention. De préférence, le film isolant F exerce donc une fonction de protection et une fonction de maintien en contact électrique des pistes du substrat reliées aux électrodes de la lampe électroluminescente 10 d'une part et des bornes de la pile 16 et/ou du circuit imprimé 40 d'autre part. Le dispositif selon l'invention peut être utilisé dans toute application où une activation de moyens de signalisation en fonction d'un niveau de luminosité est recherchée. En particulier, le dispositif selon l'invention peut être inséré dans une enveloppe, dans un journal ou un magazine, sous forme d'un encart ou d'une page, ou encore disposé dans un carton ou dans un boîtier de CD ou de DVD. Le dispositif selon l'invention est de préférence inséré dans un magazine de manière qu'à l'ouverture du magazine à la page où le dispositif est inséré, la surface photosensible de la photodiode 18 soit éclairée. L'événement d'activation est de préférence le maintien en position ouverte du magazine pendant une durée minimale, sous un éclairage d'une intensité minimale. Les seuils de durée et d'intensité minimales peuvent être déterminés de manière définitive lors de la fabrication du dispositif par le choix des composants électroniques, ou être fixés postérieurement à la fabrication, en fonction de la destination du dispositif selon l'invention, si des composants réglables ont été utilisés. Quand le magazine est fermé, la photodiode 18 n'est pas éclairée et l'oscillateur 30 et les moyens de transformation 32 sont inactifs. La lampe électroluminescente 10 est donc maintenue éteinte. Si un utilisateur ouvre rapidement le magazine et le referme immédiatement, la photodiode 18 est éclairée pendant un court laps de temps. Il en résulte un pic de tension, filtré par les moyens d'hystérésis 26. L'oscillateur 30 et les moyens de transformation 32 restent donc inactifs. Si un utilisateur ouvre le magazine et le maintient ouvert, la photodiode 18 est éclairée suffisamment longtemps pour que l'augmentation de la tension à ses bornes ne soit pas filtrée par les moyens d'hystérésis 26 et soit transmise aux moyens de commutation 28. Si l'amplitude de la tension aux bornes de la photodiode 18 dépasse la valeur de seuil des moyens de commutation 28, cette tension est transmise à l'oscillateur 30 et l'active. Sinon, l'oscillateur 30 et les moyens de transformation 32 restent inactifs. Tant que l'oscillateur 30 est actif, il génère un signal périodique en créneaux, chaque créneau provoquant la mise en marche des moyens de transformation 32. Après avoir été mis en marche, les moyens de transformation 32 transforment la tension de la pile 16 en une tension apte à allumer la lampe électroluminescente 10. Du fait de la forme en créneau de la tension délivrée par l'oscillateur 30, la lampe électroluminescente 10 clignote. De préférence, dès que l'utilisateur referme le magazine, la photodiode 18 n'est plus éclairée, et l'oscillateur 30 et les moyens de transformation 32 sont mis à l'arrêt. De préférence, pour éviter que l'utilisateur ne puisse apercevoir l'extinction de la lampe électroluminescente 10, l'événement de désactivation peut être le maintien en position fermée du magazine pendant une durée minimale et/ou sous un éclairage d'une intensité inférieure à un seuil déterminé. Cette durée minimale et ce seuil peuvent être déterminés, comme ceux déterminant une occurrence de l'événement d'activation, par le choix des composants électroniques du dispositif ou par leur réglage, en fonction de la destination du dispositif. Comme cela apparaît clairement à présent, le dispositif selon l'invention la lampe électroluminescente 10 est activée ou désactivée en fonction de l'éclairement de la photodiode 18, sans transmission mécanique de mouvement entre le dispositif et son support éventuel. L'état « actif » de la lampe électroluminescente 10 est un état dans lequel elle est susceptible d'être allumée, même pour une courte durée, par le pilote 14. A l'état « inactif », la lampe électroluminescente 10 est au contraire maintenue éteinte. Le dispositif est donc très fiable, même après de nombreuses utilisations. En outre, l'activation et la désactivation de la lampe électroluminescente 10 sont possibles sans intervention volontaire de l'utilisateur, avec tout type de support, que le support présente un rabat ou pas. Bien entendu, la présente invention n'est pas limitée au mode de réalisation décrit et présenté, fourni à titre d'exemple illustratif et non limitatif. En particulier, le pilote 14 peut être différent de celui décrit selon les contraintes techniques imposées par la lampe électroluminescente 10 ou l'effet esthétique souhaité. Ainsi, le traitement, par les moyens d'hystérésis 26 et par les moyens de commutation 28, de l'information fournie par les moyens de détection 25 est optionnel. De même, les moyens de transformation 32 de la tension continue délivrée par la pile 16 sont adaptés à la lampe électroluminescente 10 utilisée et pourraient s'avérer inutiles avec une lampe électroluminescente qui fonctionnerait directement avec la tension continue délivrée par le pile 16. Pour obtenir d'autres effets esthétiques, l'oscillateur 30 et les moyens de transformation 32 de la tension continue peuvent être conçus pour faire varier, par exemple périodiquement, le fonctionnement de la lampe électroluminescente 10, par exemple par une variation temporelle de l'amplitude et/ou de la fréquence de la tension alternative fournie à la lampe électroluminescente 10. L'apparence de l'image éclairée par la lampe électroluminescente 10 est modifiée en conséquence, ce qui permet de produire des effets esthétiques originaux. En particulier, l'intensité lumineuse de la lampe électroluminescente 10 peut être progressivement augmentée après occurrence de l'événement d'activation, varier en fonction du niveau d'éclairement pour tenir compte, par exemple, d'un éclairage faible, etc. Les moyens de signalisation ne sont pas limités à une lampe électroluminescente 10, mais peuvent comprendre des moyens de signalisation sonores, par exemple un générateur de musique. Le dispositif selon l'invention peut également être conçu pour plusieurs moyens de signalisation, par exemple de manière qu'une musique soit produite simultanément au clignotement d'une ou plusieurs lampes électroluminescentes. Un même oscillateur 30 pourrait également alimenter plusieurs lampes électroluminescentes. L'activation de la lampe électroluminescente 10 n'est pas limitée à sa mise en marche intermittente par l'oscillateur 30. Dans une version simplifiée, le dispositif selon l'invention ne comporte pas d'oscillateur et l'activation de la lampe électroluminescente conduit à sa mise en marche continue. La pile 16 peut également être remplacée par d'autres moyens d'alimentation en énergie électrique, par exemple par un capteur d'énergie solaire. En outre, l'activation et la désactivation de la lampe électroluminescente peuvent dépendre non seulement du niveau d'éclairement et/ou de la durée d'éclairement de la surface photosensible de la photodiode 18, mais aussi de la mesure d'autres grandeurs physiques comme la température, le niveau sonore, etc. Enfin, le nombre d'événements d'activation et de désactivation n'est pas non plus limité. Par exemple, un événement de désactivation supplémentaire peut être le maintien de l'oscillateur 30 en position active pendant une durée prédéterminée. Avantageusement, il est ainsi possible d'économiser l'énergie de la pile 16 si le magazine est oublié par l'utilisateur dans une position où la surface photosensible de la photodiode 18 est éclairée. means for transforming 32 the direct voltage delivered by the battery 16, for example 3 volts, into an alternating voltage adapted to the operation of the light-emitting lamp 10. The input of the hysteresis means 26 is at the electrical potential of the output of the photodiode 18. The hysteresis means 26 have a function of filtering the voltage peaks at the terminals of the photodiode 18 of a duration less than a predetermined threshold. For example, the hysteresis means 26 can be adjusted so that if the duration of illumination of the photodiode 18 is less than 1 second, the voltage peak resulting at the terminals of the photodiode 18 is filtered. Advantageously, the hysteresis means 26 avoid taking into account fleeting lighting of the photosensitive surface of the photodiode 18. The switching means 28 comprise for example a diode which, as a function of the amplitude of the filtered voltage available at the output hysteresis means 26, activates or deactivates the oscillator 30. For example, if the filtered voltage is less than a threshold value, that is to say if the level of illumination of the photodiode 18 is less than a predetermined level, the switching means 28 keep the oscillator 30 inactive, and therefore keep the transformation means 32 controlled by the oscillator 30 inactive. Advantageously, the oscillator 30 and the transformation means 32 therefore operate only when the photodiode 18 is illuminated, beyond a predetermined level of illumination, for a minimum duration. This results in an optimization of the energy consumption of the device according to the invention. After activation by the switching means 28, the oscillator 30 starts the transformation means 32 intermittently, so as to obtain a flashing of the electroluminescent lamp 10. Preferably, the flashing frequency is adjustable. Advantageously, the flashing of the light-emitting lamp 10 effectively attracts the attention of the user, which is particularly useful for an application of the device according to the invention in the advertising field. Advantageously, the flashing of an electroluminescent lamp 10 does not reduce its lifespan. After switching on, the transformation means 32 transform the direct voltage supplied by the battery 16 into an alternating voltage suitable for the operation of the electroluminescent lamp 10, for example between 80 and 200 V, at a frequency between 50 and 3000 Hz , preferably 100 V and 800 Hz in order to obtain good quality of lighting. A switching power supply can be used for this purpose. AC voltage is available at output terminals 34 and 36 to which the electroluminescent lamp 10 is connected. The possible architectures for the hysteresis means 26, the switching means, the oscillator 30, and the transformation means are well known to those skilled in the art. FIG. 2 represents a possible architecture of the pilot 14. Preferably, all the electronic components used have a height of less than 1.5 mm. More preferably, all the electronic components of the pilot 14 are fixed to a back side of a printed circuit 40 (see FIG. 1b) flexible or rigid, preferably of the "FR4" type. Preferably, the front face of the printed circuit 40 is bonded to the back face 19 of the substrate 20 for example by means of an adhesive by ultraviolet polymerization, or held against the back face 19 of the substrate 20 by the electrically insulating film F The photodiode 18 is fixed so that its photosensitive surface is oriented towards the light-emitting lamp 10. A transparent window 42, preferably a hole, is provided facing the photosensitive surface of the photodiode 18 in the printed circuit 40, and, if necessary, in the electroluminescent lamp 10, so that the photodiode 18 can receive the external light irradiating the front face 12 of the electroluminescent lamp 10. The battery 16, for example a lithium battery capable of supplying a DC voltage of 3 V , preferably has a thickness of less than 1.5 millimeters. Preferably, the stack 16 is bonded to the substrate 20, for example by means of an adhesive by ultraviolet polymerization, or held against the back face 19 of the substrate 20 by the electrically insulating film F. Preferably, the stack 16 and the printed circuit 40 are arranged on non-illuminating regions of the substrate 20, that is to say bearing neither an ITO layer nor an electroluminescent layer. The electrical connections between the battery 16 and the tracks of the printed circuit, and between the carbon tracks 22 and 24 of the electroluminescent lamp 10 and the terminals 34 and 36 of the printed circuit 40 can be made using a conductive adhesive based silver. Preferably, connections 43 and 44 are screen printed on the electroluminescent lamp 10 in the form of tracks shaped so as to allow the electrical connection of the circuit 40, of the battery 16 and of the electroluminescent lamp 10. Depending on the location of the battery 16 and the printed circuit 40, the connections 43 and 44 can be made directly on the substrate 20 and / or on the carbon layer of the electroluminescent lamp 10. The substrate 20 can thus exercise the following functions: - support for the various layers of the electroluminescent lamp 10; - support for one or, preferably, all the connections between the electrodes of the light-emitting lamp 10, the battery 16 and the printed circuit 40, - and support of information, for example advertising. The use of the electroluminescent lamp 10, and preferably of the substrate 20 of this lamp, as support for the connections 43 and 44 considerably simplifies the method of manufacturing the device according to the invention. In particular, it makes it possible to automate this process and to manufacture the device according to the invention in large quantities and at reduced cost. Preferably, the connection terminals of the printed circuit 40 and / or of the battery 16 are kept in contact with these conductive tracks 43, 44 by the only pressure exerted by the insulating film F. Equipped with the battery 16, the device according to the invention is autonomous. It is in the form of a flexible and light sheet, with a thickness of less than 2 mm. Preferably, at least one side of the device according to the invention, preferably at least the back side, is protected, for example by covering with the insulating film F, not shown, or by bonding to a cardboard or by plasticization. If flexibility is not essential, protection can also be obtained by stratification by covering a layer of resin. Encapsulation in a gangue of plastic, resin, glass or any other material is recommended to physically isolate the device according to the invention. Preferably, the insulating film F therefore exercises a protective function and a function of maintaining in electrical contact the tracks of the substrate connected to the electrodes of the light-emitting lamp 10 on the one hand and the terminals of the battery 16 and / or of the printed circuit. 40 on the other hand. The device according to the invention can be used in any application where activation of signaling means as a function of a level of brightness is sought. In particular, the device according to the invention can be inserted in an envelope, in a newspaper or a magazine, in the form of an insert or a page, or else placed in a cardboard box or in a CD or DVD case. . The device according to the invention is preferably inserted in a magazine so that when the magazine is opened on the page where the device is inserted, the photosensitive surface of the photodiode 18 is illuminated. The activation event is preferably the holding in the open position of the magazine for a period minimum, under lighting of minimum intensity. The minimum duration and intensity thresholds can be definitively determined during the manufacture of the device by the choice of electronic components, or be fixed after manufacture, depending on the destination of the device according to the invention, if adjustable components were used. When the magazine is closed, the photodiode 18 is not lit and the oscillator 30 and the transformation means 32 are inactive. The electroluminescent lamp 10 is therefore kept off. If a user quickly opens the magazine and closes it immediately, the photodiode 18 is lit for a short period of time. This results in a voltage peak, filtered by the hysteresis means 26. The oscillator 30 and the transformation means 32 therefore remain inactive. If a user opens the magazine and keeps it open, the photodiode 18 is lit long enough so that the increase in the voltage across its terminals is not filtered by the hysteresis means 26 and is transmitted to the switching means 28. If the amplitude of the voltage across the photodiode 18 exceeds the threshold value of the switching means 28, this voltage is transmitted to the oscillator 30 and activates it. Otherwise, the oscillator 30 and the transformation means 32 remain inactive. As long as the oscillator 30 is active, it generates a periodic signal in slots, each slot causing the transformation means 32 to start up. After being started up, the transformation means 32 transform the voltage of the battery 16 into a voltage capable of igniting the electroluminescent lamp 10. Due to the square shape of the voltage delivered by the oscillator 30, the electroluminescent lamp 10 flashes. Preferably, as soon as the user closes the magazine, the photodiode 18 is no longer lit, and the oscillator 30 and the transformation means 32 are stopped. Preferably, to avoid the user being able to see the extinction of the electroluminescent lamp 10, the deactivation event may be the maintenance in the closed position of the magazine for a minimum duration and / or under lower intensity lighting. at a certain threshold. This minimum duration and this threshold can be determined, like those determining an occurrence of the activation event, by the choice of the electronic components of the device or by their adjustment, depending on the destination of the device. As is now clearly apparent, the device according to the invention the light-emitting lamp 10 is activated or deactivated as a function of the illumination of the photodiode 18, without mechanical transmission of movement between the device and its possible support. The “active” state of the electroluminescent lamp 10 is a state in which it is capable of being lit, even for a short period, by the pilot 14. In the “inactive” state, the electroluminescent lamp 10 is on the contrary kept off. The device is therefore very reliable, even after many uses. In addition, activation and deactivation of the electroluminescent lamp 10 are possible without voluntary user intervention, with any type of support, whether the support has a flap or not. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described and presented, provided by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example. In particular, the pilot 14 may be different from that described according to the technical constraints imposed by the electroluminescent lamp 10 or the desired aesthetic effect. Thus, the processing, by the hysteresis means 26 and by the switching means 28, of the information supplied by the detection means 25 is optional. Likewise, the means 32 for transforming the DC voltage delivered by the battery 16 are adapted to the light-emitting lamp 10 used and could prove to be useless with an electroluminescent lamp which would operate directly with the DC voltage delivered by the battery 16. To obtain other aesthetic effects, the oscillator 30 and the means 32 for transforming the DC voltage can be designed to vary, for example periodically, the operation of the electroluminescent lamp 10, for example by a temporal variation of the amplitude and / or the frequency of the alternating voltage supplied to the electroluminescent lamp 10. The appearance of the image lit by the electroluminescent lamp 10 is modified accordingly, which makes it possible to produce original aesthetic effects. In particular, the light intensity of the electroluminescent lamp 10 can be gradually increased after the occurrence of the activation event, vary as a function of the level of lighting to take account, for example, of weak lighting, etc. The signaling means are not limited to an electroluminescent lamp 10, but may include sound signaling means, for example a music generator. The device according to the invention can also be designed for several signaling means, for example so that music is produced simultaneously with the flashing of one or more electroluminescent lamps. The same oscillator 30 could also power several electroluminescent lamps. The activation of the electroluminescent lamp 10 is not limited to its intermittent activation by the oscillator 30. In a simplified version, the device according to the invention does not include an oscillator and the activation of the electroluminescent lamp leads to its continuous starting. The battery 16 can also be replaced by other means of supplying electrical energy, for example by a solar energy sensor. Furthermore, the activation and deactivation of the light-emitting lamp can depend not only on the level of illumination and / or the duration of illumination of the photosensitive surface of the photodiode 18, but also on the measurement of other physical quantities. such as temperature, noise level, etc. Finally, the number of activation and deactivation events is also not limited. For example, an additional deactivation event may be the maintenance of the oscillator 30 in the active position for a predetermined duration. Advantageously, it is thus possible to save the energy of the battery 16 if the magazine is forgotten by the user in a position where the photosensitive surface of the photodiode 18 is illuminated.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Dispositif de signalisation autonome en feuille, comportant - des moyens de signalisation (10), - des moyens de détection (18) d'au moins un événement d'activation desdits moyens de signalisation (10), - des moyens de commande (14) desdits moyens de signalisation (10), lesdits moyens de détection (18) informant lesdits moyens de commande (14) d'une occurrence dudit événement d'activation et lesdits moyens de commande (14) commandant une activation desdits moyens de signalisation (10) en conséquence, lesdits moyens de détection (18) étant photosensibles et ledit événement d'activation agissant sur l'éclairement desdits moyens de détection (18), caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de signalisation (10) comportent au moins une lampe électroluminescente en feuille.1. An autonomous sheet signaling device, comprising - signaling means (10), - detection means (18) of at least one event of activation of said signaling means (10), - control means ( 14) of said signaling means (10), said detection means (18) informing said control means (14) of an occurrence of said activation event and said control means (14) controlling an activation of said signaling means ( 10) consequently, said detection means (18) being photosensitive and said activation event acting on the illumination of said detection means (18), characterized in that said signaling means (10) comprise at least one electroluminescent lamp in sheet.
2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de détection (18) détectent en outre au moins un événement de désactivation desdits moyens de signalisation (10), lesdits moyens de commande (14) commandant une désactivation desdits moyens de signalisation (10) en conséquence.2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said detection means (18) further detect at least one event of deactivation of said signaling means (10), said control means (14) controlling deactivation of said signaling means (10) accordingly.
3. Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 1 et 2, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de commande (10) activent et/ou désactivent lesdits moyens de signalisation (10) en fonction d'au moins un niveau et/ou d'une durée d'éclairement desdits moyens de détection (18).3. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said control means (10) activate and / or deactivate said signaling means (10) according to at least one level and / or one duration of illumination of said detection means (18).
4. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de commande (14) sont prévus de manière à mettre en marche lesdits moyens de signalisation (10) de manière intermittente en cas de détection dudit événement d'activation.4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control means (14) are provided so as to activate said signaling means (10) intermittently in the event of detection of said activation event .
5. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de signalisation (10), lesdits moyens de détection (18) et lesdits moyens de commande (14) sont alimentés en énergie électrique par une pile (16) d'une épaisseur inférieure à 1,5 millimètre.5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said signaling means (10), said detection means (18) and said control means (14) are supplied with electrical energy by a battery (16) with a thickness less than 1.5 millimeters.
6. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 5, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de commande (14) et/ou lesdits moyens de détection (18) s'étendent sur une face verso (19) de ladite lampe électroluminescente (10), une surface photosensible desdits moyens de détection (18) étant orientée vers une face recto (12) de ladite lampe électroluminescente (10) et disposée au droit d'une zone translucide de ladite lampe électroluminescente (10).6. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said control means (14) and / or said detection means (18) extend on a reverse side (19) of said electroluminescent lamp ( 10), a photosensitive surface of said detection means (18) being oriented towards a front face (12) of said electroluminescent lamp (10) and disposed in line with a translucent zone of said electroluminescent lamp (10).
7. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 6, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de commande (14) et/ou lesdits moyens de détection (18) sont fixés au verso d'un circuit imprimé (40) dont la face recto est fixée contre la face verso (19) d'un substrat (20) de ladite lampe électroluminescente (10), une surface photosensible desdits moyens de détection (18) étant orientée vers une zone translucide dudit circuit imprimé (40).7. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that said control means (14) and / or said detection means (18) are fixed to the back of a printed circuit (40) whose face front side is fixed against the back side (19) of a substrate (20) of said light-emitting lamp (10), a photosensitive surface of said detection means (18) being oriented towards a translucent area of said printed circuit (40).
8. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il est encapsulé.8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is encapsulated.
9. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 8, caractérisé en ce que ladite lampe électroluminescente (10) porte une information, notamment une image ou un message publicitaire.9. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that said electroluminescent lamp (10) carries information, in particular an image or an advertising message.
10. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 9, caractérisé en ce que ledit substrat (20) de ladite lampe électroluminescente (10) comporte des pistes conductrices électriquement (43, 44) de connexion dudit circuit imprimé (40), de ladite lampe électroluminescente (10) et de ladite pile (16).10. Device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that said substrate (20) of said electroluminescent lamp (10) comprises electrically conductive tracks (43, 44) for connection of said printed circuit (40), said electroluminescent lamp (10) and said battery (16).
11. Dispositif selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que lesdites pistes sont sérigraphiées sur ledit substrat (20).11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that said tracks are screen printed on said substrate (20).
12. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 10 et 11, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un film (F) ou une couche de mousse collé par-dessus ledit substrat (20) et ladite pile (16) et/ou ledit circuit imprimé (40) de manière à assurer un contact électrique entre lesdites pistes (43, 44) dudit substrat (20) et des bornes de connexion de ladite pile (16) et/ou dudit circuit imprimé (40), respectivement.12. Device according to any one of claims 10 and 11, characterized in that it comprises a film (F) or a layer of foam bonded over said substrate (20) and said stack (16) and / or said printed circuit (40) so as to ensure electrical contact between said tracks (43, 44) of said substrate (20) and connection terminals of said battery (16) and / or of said printed circuit (40), respectively.
13. Insertion d'un dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes dans un magazine, un journal, un boîtier de CD, un boîtier de DVD, un carton, ou sur une carte postale. 13. Insertion of a device according to any one of the preceding claims in a magazine, a newspaper, a CD case, a DVD case, a cardboard box, or on a postcard.
PCT/FR2004/001736 2003-07-04 2004-07-05 Strip-shaped autonomous signalling device WO2005006274A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0308207A FR2857136A1 (en) 2003-07-04 2003-07-04 AUTONOMOUS SIGNALING DEVICE IN SHEET.
FR0308207 2003-07-04

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Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005006274A2 true WO2005006274A2 (en) 2005-01-20
WO2005006274A3 WO2005006274A3 (en) 2005-05-12

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FR (1) FR2857136A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2005006274A2 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2151549A (en) * 1983-12-02 1985-07-24 Frank Joseph Gallagher A greetings card
US4559583A (en) * 1984-03-28 1985-12-17 Tradebest International Corporation Greeting card with blinking light apparatus
US5748082A (en) * 1994-11-29 1998-05-05 Payne; Kenneth Ray Light sensitive switch for alerting devices
US20020105185A1 (en) * 2001-02-05 2002-08-08 Cobb Lavelton Digital messenger greeting card

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2151549A (en) * 1983-12-02 1985-07-24 Frank Joseph Gallagher A greetings card
US4559583A (en) * 1984-03-28 1985-12-17 Tradebest International Corporation Greeting card with blinking light apparatus
US5748082A (en) * 1994-11-29 1998-05-05 Payne; Kenneth Ray Light sensitive switch for alerting devices
US20020105185A1 (en) * 2001-02-05 2002-08-08 Cobb Lavelton Digital messenger greeting card

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2005006274A3 (en) 2005-05-12
FR2857136A1 (en) 2005-01-07

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