WO2009153432A1

WO2009153432A1 - Beverage dispenser including an information presentation system

Info

Publication number: WO2009153432A1
Application number: PCT/FR2009/000588
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph-Emmanuel Amar
Original assignee: Maabat Sarl.
Priority date: 2008-05-22
Filing date: 2009-05-20
Publication date: 2009-12-23
Also published as: FR2931468B1; FR2931468A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a beverage dispenser (10, 110) that includes a variable audiovisual message broadcasting system (28, 128), as well as detection means (132, 136, 140) capable of detecting the presence of a person in the vicinity of the beverage dispenser, and variable audiovisual message modification means (132, 121, 119) capable of modifying an audiovisual message being transmitted in response to the detection of a person. The synergy generated between the beverage dispensing and the audiovisual message modification can be used for increasing the efficiency of information communication to a person located in the vicinity of the beverage dispenser.

Description

BEVERAGE DISPENSER HAVING AN INFORMATION PRESENTATION SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser comprising a system for broadcasting variable audiovisual messages (these audiovisual messages can be purely visual messages, without sound part).

In many public places or at least for collective use, it is necessary to communicate information to those present. For example, in city hall waiting rooms, administrative services or others, it is useful to be able to communicate information to those present, especially when changes are made to an ordinary situation or to exceptional events. Usually to communicate such information, screens such as television screens are used to broadcast audiovisual messages. These screens are installed where they can easily be seen by the public.

To increase the chances that the audiovisual message is actually transmitted to those present, it is also known (see for example the patent DE102005061630), when a beverage dispenser is present in the room, to integrate the message broadcast screen. audiovisuals at the drinks distributor. Thus, people who consume a drink naturally tend to become acquainted with the audiovisual messages broadcast on the screen.

However, it turns out that many people today are exposed daily to multiple audiovisual messages. For this reason, these people become indifferent to broadcast audio-visual messages and as a result, it becomes increasingly difficult to communicate such messages or information to them.

To remedy this problem, the objective of the invention is to propose a beverage dispenser comprising a system for broadcasting variable audiovisual messages, which makes it possible to maintain or arouse interest in the audiovisual message of the persons in the vicinity of the consumer. distributor, for example to come and consume a drink to the distributor. This objective is achieved thanks to the fact that the beverage dispenser further comprises detection means, able to detect the presence of a person in the vicinity of the beverage dispenser, and means for modifying the variable audiovisual messages capable of modifying a message audio-visual which is being transmitted, in response to the detection of the person.

Usually, as a system for broadcasting variable audiovisual messages, a video screen is used, for example a plasma or LCD screen. The audio-visual message may possibly be accompanied by an audible message.

In response to the detection of the person in his vicinity (that is to say in general in the room in which it is), the beverage dispenser reacts by modifying the variable audiovisual message that is being transmitted. . Thus, instead of broadcasting the usual audiovisual message, the drinks distributor broadcasts a modified audiovisual message. It is precisely this change that will be perceived by the person detected in the vicinity of the beverage dispenser. For this reason, someone familiar with the audio-visual message is particularly sensitive to this change. As such, such an operation allows to support the attention of the people for the audio-visual message many times after its first diffusion.

It should also be noted that generally the modification is perceived by the person seeing the audiovisual message even if it discovers it and has not seen it before. Finally, it can be noted that in the distributor, the audiovisual messages are broadcast in a loop and presented continuously. For this reason, the modification of the audiovisual messages indicated does not consist in triggering the broadcast of a message when the presence of a person in the vicinity of the beverage dispenser has been detected, but in modifying the normal course of broadcasting the audiovisual message. .

In one embodiment, the detection means detects the presence of a person by detecting the performance of at least one operation related to the beverage dispensing. This operation related to the distribution of drinks and likely to be detected by the distributor may be the approach of a person to neighborhood of the dispenser, the order or the payment of a drink by pressing a button or the like, or the recovery of the drink, once it has been served in a container such as a cup or a cup (all these operations involving the presence of the person in the vicinity of the beverage dispenser).

According to one embodiment, the means for modifying the variable audiovisual messages comprise means for adding thereto an audiovisual effect. In general this addition is a superposition, that is to say that the original message is actually broadcast, but its successive images and sound accompaniment are modified or altered by addition, that is to say essentially superposition , audiovisual effects (that is to say, visual and / or sound). In this case, the means for modifying the variable audiovisual messages add an audiovisual effect that is superimposed on the variable audiovisual message being transmitted. With regard to the visual part, this addition can be done either directly in the video stream, during the display of the image on the image display, or indirectly by the interposition of a skin that generates changes between the image. viewer and the user's eye of the beverage dispenser. Usually, the means for modifying the variable audiovisual messages are means for adding to these a visual and / or sound effect evoking a liquid. As the person using the drink dispenser is precisely in the process of being served a drink, therefore a liquid, it can not fail to make an association of ideas between the liquid that is served and the effect evoking a liquid that appears in the audiovisual message. As this association of ideas is unexpected, the person is naturally led to take an interest in the audiovisual message broadcast.

Different audiovisual effects can be used to modify the presentation of audio-visual messages. Advantageously, the means for modifying the variable audiovisual messages are means for adding an effect among a wave effect, a flow effect, and a bubble effect. By directly evoking a liquid, or the movement or flow of a liquid, such as a blur effect due to water, as if the image presented was immersed in water, these audiovisual effects immediately arouse the association of ideas indicated above. The effect of waves, flow, bubbles, can be a visual representation and / or sound of these elements. One can for example predict the appearance of bubbles on the screen, accompanied by bubble sounds. We can predict the appearance of waves, and a corresponding background, etc. The sound accompaniment facilitates the awakening of the interest of the person in the direction of the broadcasted audio message.

According to another embodiment, the means for modifying the variable audiovisual messages comprise means for adding an effect suggesting the flow of at least a part of the element or elements appearing in an audio-visual message, in a container (or in the direction of 'a container) in which the drink is served. In this case, the person is even more stimulated than in the previous cases, since the very content of the drink she ordered seems directly challenged.

On the other hand, various means including hardware can be used to modify the broadcast audiovisual message.

Thus, according to one embodiment, when the variable audiovisual message broadcasting system comprises a screen, the means used to modify the broadcasting audiovisual message may be a graphic visual effect, an animation, applied to the video stream broadcast on the screen. screen. This graphic visual effect can be seen as a layer or layer (software) that would act on the displayed image to deform it, for example by adding effects of bubbles, waves, etc. This visual effect does not prevent the broadcast of the message, even if it modifies the way it is broadcast.

According to another embodiment, the variable audiovisual message broadcasting system comprises a screen, and the means for modifying the variable audiovisual messages comprise a substantially transparent plate disposed in front of this screen making it possible to modify the audiovisual message. This plate (or box) substantially transparent is interposed between the screen and the eye of the person using the drink dispenser. Normally, the plate is transparent or substantially transparent. To modify the audiovisual message when an operation related to the distribution of drinks has been detected, the appearance and / or transparency of the plate is changed.

For example, the plate is a substantially transparent hollow plate filled with liquid, and the means for modifying the variable audiovisual messages comprise means for generating bubbles in the liquid. The substantially transparent plate can be a box filled with water, oil or other, through which bubbles are passed at the time of distribution of drinks, to attract the attention of the distributor's user on the broadcast message . According to one embodiment, the means for detecting the presence of a person comprise a presence sensor, able to detect a person approaching the distributor. As soon as this approach has been detected, the modification of the audiovisual message being broadcast is triggered. According to one embodiment, the beverage dispenser is a water fountain. Two types of realization can be envisaged:

According to a first variant, the beverage dispenser is a water fountain adapted to be fed by a water distribution pipe. This is called a water fountain ^λ network. According to a second variant, the drink dispenser may be a water fountain equipped with a real water bottle.

Regardless of its mode of water supply, in one embodiment, the water fountain comprises a water bottle (true or false), and the audiovisual message broadcasting system comprises a display screen at least partially integrated in it. By fake water bottle is meant here a cylinder or a device resembling externally a cylinder and is not intended to contain water for consumption. Thus, advantageously, the beverage dispenser retains the appearance of a traditional water fountain with a carboy, but also integrates in the same volume an additional function of broadcasting messages. In case the water fountain has a real water tank used as a water tank, it can be visible or concealed to let the attention of the person using the fountain is focused on broadcasting the audiovisual message.

According to one embodiment, the beverage dispenser comprises remote connection means for downloading variable messages.

Thus, the content and presentation of audiovisual messages may vary and be adapted according to local or recent information.

The invention will be better understood and its advantages will appear better on reading the detailed description which follows, of embodiments shown by way of non-limiting examples. The description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a beverage dispenser in a first embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 is a front view of a beverage dispenser in another embodiment of the invention, showing schematically the internal structural elements of the dispenser.

When an element appears in Figures 1 and 2, identically or in a similar form, it is described in relation to the first Figure 1; in Figure 2, it bears the numeral of Figure 1 increased by 100.

Referring to Figure 1, a beverage dispenser according to the invention will now be described.

The beverage dispenser shown is a water fountain 10. Externally, this water fountain has two main parts, namely a column-shaped support cupboard 12, and a false water bottle 14 placed thereon. The fake water bottle looks externally by its shape, its location, its (partial) transparency to a real water bottle; in fact it only has the external appearance and does not contain water. The water fountain 10 has three main functional subassemblies: a sound and visual message broadcasting system 28, a cup dispenser 60, and a water dispenser 30.

The message broadcasting system 28 includes a loudspeaker

34 and a screen 18 fixed on the front panel 16 of the column 12. This screen 18 is a flat computer video screen, for example an LCD or plasma screen. The volume of this screen is as much as possible integrated into that the fake bottle 14; the material, the transparency, the color are also chosen so as to give the illusion of the integration of the screen (or broadcast message) in the bottle. The bottle and the screen are designed to evoke water; their plastic parts are preferably transparent or blue in color. To increase the evocation of a real bottle of water, it is possible to integrate on the rear face of the fake bottle 14 a camera that films the visual field hidden by the same element 14, these filmed images being restored by the camera. 18. As a result, the fake bottle 14 acquires a transparency which, like a real water bottle, allows the user to see through. With the various audiovisual effects mentioned previously (bubble effect, flow effect, etc.), this virtual transparency will give the illusion that the diffused message which is superimposed with a transparency effect to the whole, is diffused in the water. The message broadcasting system 28 serves to broadcast visual and audio information messages to those close to the beverage dispenser, and in particular users of the water fountain.

The water dispenser 30 is arranged inside the column 12. It comprises a control interface 22 integrated in the front facade 20 of the column 12. This control interface comprises buttons and a display for controlling a glass of water. By pressing one of the buttons, it is possible to trigger the filling of a cup of water. Water is offered at room temperature or refrigerated. Naturally, in the context of the invention, other more sophisticated distributors can offer water at room temperature, refrigerated, hot or gas, or flavored water with flavor cartridges.

Finally, the cup dispenser 60 is arranged inside the column 12. It supplies the cups to the user of the water fountain, in a chamber 24 of the column 12, open on the front wall 20. At all At the moment, two empty cups 26 conveyed into the chamber 24 by the cup dispenser 60 are ready to be seized by a user of the water fountain wishing to use them. Once a cup has been taken by the user, the cup dispenser advances another cup in its place to replace it. The facade 20 further has a location 62. After taking an empty cup in the chamber 24, the user places it on the location 62 to allow its filling, and presses the trigger button of the interface of 22. The cup is then filled with the water flowing through the filling orifice 56 of the water dispenser 30. (Note that in another embodiment, the control interface 22 may be a graphical interface appearing on the screen 18, this screen being a touch screen provided to receive in return the orders from the user of the beverage dispenser). The water fountain 10 is further connected to the water and electricity supply networks (not shown).

It should be noted that if FIG. 1 shows a water fountain, more generally, the invention can be carried out in a dispenser of any type of beverage, hot or cold. Figure 2 shows the internal components of a water fountain

110, in another embodiment of the invention.

Like the previous fountain, the water fountain 110 has three main functional units: means 128 for broadcasting variable audiovisual messages, a water dispenser 130, a cup dispenser 160.

The means 128 for broadcasting variable audiovisual messages firstly comprise an electronic control unit 132 (ECU). This ECU is a microcomputer capable of storing the messages to be broadcast in a non-volatile memory. For the broadcast of the messages, the ECU is connected to a screen 118 for the visual display, and to a loudspeaker 134 for broadcasting the soundtrack.

On the other hand, the water fountain 110 further comprises a transparent plate 119 for the screen 118, which is a means of modifying the broadcast variable audiovisual messages. This plate 119 is a screen covering and is a transparent hollow plate on its two main faces, filled with water, and which is fixed on the front of the screen 118. A small air compressor 121 is connected to a bubble emission ramp 123 located in the lower part of the plate 119. The compressor 121 is connected to the ECU 132. On command thereof, it sends a stream of air under pressure into the ramp 123 which brings up a beam of bubbles in the plate 119, thus changing the visual message broadcast on the screen 118.

In Fig. 2 for purposes of explanation, the screen 118 and the plate 119 are shown offset with respect to each other; in fact, the plate 119 is plated on the screen 118, centered on it, and integrated as much as possible to the latter.

For the loading and updating of broadcast messages, the ECU 132 is further connected to the Internet by a wireless or wired link (not shown). Through this connection, a set of water fountains of the type shown in Figure 2 can be connected to the same computer server. This makes it possible to centrally manage the broadcasting of audiovisual messages displayed by all the water fountains.

Finally, the ECU 132 has a connection 138 to the electronic card 136 of the water dispenser 130. Most of the operations related to the distribution of beverages, and which thus make it possible to detect the presence of a person, generate problems. corresponding signals in the electronic card 136. The link 138 allows the ECU 132 to detect these signals and thus to modify the audiovisual messages transmitted accordingly.

The ECU 132 may further have other channels, other means for detecting the presence of a person in the vicinity of the beverage dispenser. In the case shown, it thus comprises a presence sensor 140. This presence sensor makes it possible to detect the presence of a person near the beverage dispenser, and transmits this information to the ECU 132.

The ECU 132, thus connected to the presence sensor 140 and to the electronic card 136 of the water dispenser, is therefore the means for detecting the water fountain 110, which makes it possible to detect the presence of a person in the vicinity of the drink dispenser for triggering a modification of the broadcasted audiovisual message.

More advanced versions of water fountains may also include a flowmeter connected to the fountain's internal lines, to determine the total water consumption of the flowmeter; counting means of the number of drinks dispensed, the number of cups distributed, etc. These different information can then be archived, or transmitted by the internet link mentioned above and centralized on a central server.

On the other hand, the structure of the water dispenser 130 is as follows: This dispenser 130 is connected to a drinking water network via a pipe 143, having a valve 142 to isolate the dispenser if necessary.

The pipe 143 supplies the water to the water conditioner 144 which filters, additive if necessary, and sets the water received. The conditioner 144 delivers a water at ambient temperature via a pipe 146 and a water cooled by a pipe 148.

The water dispenser 130 further comprises a control interface 122. This has two buttons for selecting either water at room temperature or chilled water, and a button for triggering the filling of the cup. The control interface 122 is connected to the electronic card 136.

Depending on the presses on the buttons, it selectively controls the opening of the valves 152 and 154 located on the pipes 146 and 148, to allow the filling of the water cup on demand.

Downstream of these valves, these lines 146, 148 meet at an outlet orifice 156.

Finally, to supply the user of the water fountain with cups, the latter has inside a cup dispenser 160 disposed inside the column 112. This includes a stock of clean cups 158 and means for conveying the cups to the chamber 124, in which they can be grasped by the user of the water fountain.

The column 112 also has a location 162 below the outlet port 156 so that a cup placed on the location 162 can be filled with the water leaving this port. The operation of the water fountain is as follows.

The water fountain broadcasts audio-visual messages for those present.

To use a glass of water, take a cup in the room 124, and place the cup on the location 162. The button of the control interface 122 which corresponds to the desired water temperature (refrigerated water / water at room temperature) is pressed.

Press (only at this moment) the button triggering the filling of the cup

Immediately after pressing the latter button, the electronic card 136 controls the opening of one of the valves 152, 154 thus allowing the filling of the cup (the valve corresponding to the water of the desired temperature), and also transmits the information to the ECU 132.

As soon as the latter receives the information that the filling of a cup of water has been requested, it activates the compressor 121. This injects air into the bubble emission ramp 123, which releases many bubbles that go up from bottom to top in the plate 119. The bubbles are interposed between the screen 118 and the eye of the person who ordered the drink and draw the attention of it to the audiovisual message in progress. diffusion. Whenever possible, the passage of bubbles on the screen is synchronized with the filling of the glass. Because of the bubbles, the screen of the water fountain 110 mimics a real water fountain, which in response to a consumption of water, causes air bubbles to appear in the bottle.

With this animation, the person who ordered a glass of water focuses his attention on the message being broadcast.

It may be noted that the means for modifying the audiovisual messages used, with the plate 119, is in this water fountain 110, different from that used in the water fountain 10 of FIG.

In the latter, the means for modifying the audio-visual message is integrated in the ECU 132 and consists of a software or hardware layer (graphics card, etc.) able to act on the audio and video streams to be transmitted to the screen 118 and the speaker 134 to add a visual and / or sound effect, and in particular a visual effect evoking a liquid, such as bubbles, waves, etc., applied and superimposed on the successive images of the video stream, possibly accompanied by the tape -its correspondent. The modification of the resulting audiovisual message does not fail to attract the attention of the person who ordered a drink. Finally, the water fountain 110 shown in FIG. 2 is fed by the running water supply network and comprises a false water bottle 114. In another embodiment, while retaining the false bottle 114, the water fountain water could include a real water bottle, which would feed the water conditioner 144. This real bottle could be for example either concealed in the column 112, or be apparent and disposed in place of the false bottle 114. The display system (The screen) would be as much as possible integrated into this bottle. We would see the real bottle on the back of the drink dispenser, and the screen on the front part of it.

Naturally, in the foregoing description, the example given is that of a water fountain and the drink described is water. It goes without saying that the invention is applicable to any drink that can be dispensed in a beverage dispenser.

Claims

1. Beverage dispenser (10, 110) comprising a variable audiovisual message broadcasting system (28, 128), characterized in that it further comprises detection means (132, 136, 140), able to detect the presence of a person at the the vicinity of the beverage dispenser, and means for modifying the audiovisual messages (132, 121, 119) variables capable of modifying an audiovisual message which is being transmitted, in response to the detection of the person.

2. Beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the means for modifying the variable audiovisual messages (132,121,119) comprise means for adding thereto an audiovisual effect.

3. Drink dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the means for modifying the variable audiovisual messages.

(132, 121, 119) include means for adding thereto an audiovisual effect evoking a liquid.

Beverage dispenser according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the means for modifying the variable audiovisual messages (132, 121, 119) comprise means for adding an effect among a wave effect, a flow effect, and a bubble effect.

Beverage dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means for modifying the variable audiovisual messages (132, 121, 119) comprise means for adding an effect suggesting the flow of at least a part of the element or elements. appearing in an audiovisual message, in a container in which the drink is served.

6. Beverage dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the system for broadcasting variable audiovisual messages (28,128) comprises in particular a screen (118), and the variable audiovisual message modification means comprise a substantially transparent plate disposed in front of this screen (119) for performing a modification of the audiovisual message.

The beverage dispenser of claim 6, wherein the plate (119) is a substantially transparent hollow plate filled with liquid, and the means for modifying the variable audiovisual messages include means (132, 121, 123) for clearing bubbles in the liquid.

The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the detecting means detects the presence of a person by detecting the performance of at least one operation related to the beverage dispensing.

Beverage dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the detected operation is the control of a beverage.

Beverage dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the detection means comprise a presence sensor (140), able to detect a person approaching the dispenser.

A beverage dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 10, which is a water fountain further comprising a water bottle (14, 114), true or false, and the audiovisual message broadcasting system (28, 128) comprises a display screen (18,118) at least partially integrated therein.