WO2014009614A1

WO2014009614A1 - Decorative device such as a tile and glass block

Info

Publication number: WO2014009614A1
Application number: PCT/FR2013/000180
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gwénolé Bocquet; Sébastien BOCQUET
Original assignee: Imaplex
Priority date: 2012-07-13
Filing date: 2013-07-11
Publication date: 2014-01-16

Abstract

The invention relates to a device which includes an optical panel 1, creating the effect of a virtual or real ellipsoid 4, the assembly also including a source panel 2, a protective panel 11, and lighting components, such as LEDs, as well as optional components for creating interactivity. The device according to the invention is designed for being integrated in the floor or in walls. The device can be provided in the form of a tile or in the form of a wall panel, such as a glass block.

Description

TILE-TYPE DECORATION DEVICE AND GLASS BRICK

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a furniture or real estate device for wall decoration or for integration into the ground integrating a dynamic optical device whose function is to create the effect of a virtual or real ellipsoid from an optical point of view that can be illuminated by LED sources or by the surrounding light. The device may include capacitive films, conductive films, photovoltaic films or inks, OLED films, a liquid crystal matrix, vibration sensors or infrared sensors as well as electromechanical transducers for interactive applications. The invention can be used as architectural element as a real estate element (integration in the ground or in a wall), that is to say as wall tile, glass brick or floor tile, or as a piece of furniture ( slab for fixing to a window, a piece of furniture or a temporary fixing on the ground or on the wall) It will find an interest particularly in architecture of the public environments: shops, stands, offices, restaurants etc.

STATE OF THE ART

There are systems using Fresnel lenses to produce 3-dimensional images. Most of these systems consist of a source (a screen, an OLED panel, a video projection system) and several Fresnel lenses assembled as a double condenser. This method corrects the distortion problems caused by simple positive lenses. These assemblies systematically impose a minimum distance between the sources and the lenses (at least equal to the focal length) so that an undistorted real image is formed. These assemblies do not fall within the scope of the present invention because they impose a specific size not applicable to the areas covered by the invention. In particular the integrations in the ground are standardized for elements whose thickness is from 10mm to 12mm. The objective of the invention is to fit into this standard to cover a wider field of applications.

There are also devices employing microstructured Fresnel lenses to diffuse light. These devices have the function of using the Fresnel lenses as a reflector or diffuser and not for the purpose of obtaining interactive visual effects. In addition, there is a class of Fresnel slab generating spherical distortions, but the effect produced is not optimal so that it does not fulfill the purpose of the invention, namely to create a spherical accent effect virtual in order to encourage interaction at the level of a furniture or real estate support integrated in the ground or in a wall.

The present invention proposes to remedy these difficulties by producing a decorative device of standard thickness that stimulates interaction by creating a dynamic three-dimensional visual effect. In addition the present invention provides integrated compact lighting solutions with 3D effect low energy consumption. It also describes various assembly methods whose constraints and difficulties pose new problems for the industry. Because the realization of the invention requires binding assamblages not covered by standard techniques. In particular, there is the problem of the tight assembly between generally immiscible materials such as polymethyl methacrylate and glass. Problems of surface defects inherent to the use of tempered glass are to be adjusted on thin thicknesses (not standard in the industry) Even recent solutions of laser welding or more conventional ultrasonic welding or vibration welding are not applicable . Only specific solutions and according to some modes of laser welding assembly are possible. Other solutions are described to reduce manufacturing costs.

The invention opens a field of solutions that mix technologies without immediate link and which fits into the logic of the so-called "smart" materials. These areas are light production, focusing light beams, interactivity, capturing solar energy and displaying information. This in a single compact module opening the voice to integrated "smart" modules for furniture or building. The "3D" function of the invention is of multiple use: playfulness, decorative appearance, interactive aspect aroused by the virtual 3D appearance created by the invention, the optimized focus of the surrounding light (by the very nature of the optical structure of the invention and the 3D effect it creates) allowing a better light flow in certain contexts of use (increase of 20% of the light power (in lumen), optimization of the capture of the light environmental solar energy by reducing diffusion losses in the material and for high angles, non-intrusive private partition element (translucent effect), multiplicity of possible geometries of 3D shapes, applications to awakening and education by interactive solutions SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device according to the invention comprises a modified Fresnel slab on which has been carried out a multilayer treatment of inhomogeneous scattering of beams by microroughness effect (scalar model and pseudo periodicity effect study), a source slab, a protective slab, an armature and components for interactivity such as a touch screen. The device has the advantage of being thin compared to existing proposed systems emitting light. This allows easy integration in response to architectural constraints, especially for an application intended for tiling or partitioning (glass brick)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIELDS OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an element of furniture or real estate decoration for integration in the ground, in a furniture, a consumer product or in the walls. Its function is to generate interaction with observers by generating a dynamic three-dimensional optical effect. The invention also has intrinsic light scattering qualities which allows a better circulation thereof by reducing diffusion losses in the material and on the edges.

In its embodiment, the present invention consists of a complex formed of several slabs assembled together. The assembly is made to meet the final integration constraints within existing installations. The invention will be closer to the format of a standard tile whose thickness is defined by architectural standards, industrial and commercial. The invention will also have to respond to mechanical constraints when it is installed in the ground to be trampled by passers-by or to be subjected to mechanical shocks.

The invention is characterized in that it generates the effect of a virtual or real ellispoid that can be illuminated by a set of light sources.

The term "ellipsoid" is understood to mean a generic three-dimensional shape that may be: - A sphere,

- an ellipsoid,

- A form of cylindrical appearance,

- An almost cubic form

- A torus

- A network of ellipsoids, etc.

Said shape is optically produced by a microstructured Fresnel type optical slab by refraction effect of the light beams. The geometric distortion generated by the slab combined with a random scattering effect of the beams makes it possible to generate a real or virtual caustic surface from an optical point of view. The process is integrated in the applications mentioned above by combining the elements and methods described below. The integration of the optical slab requires specific embodiments that we will describe. Hereinafter, the term "ellipsoid" denotes one of the geometric forms mentioned above by way of example. Moreover, in what follows, said ellipsoid may be indifferently virtual or real from an optical point of view.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION AND DEFINITION OF TERMS:

The invention can be characterized according to the following objects:

A first object of the present invention is that the means for the production of an ellipsoid are of optical type and are made from a Fresnel lens of reflectance and specific xoy scattering, where xoy is the plane generated by the optical panel, and x, y the Cartesian coordinates of a point on this plane,

A second object of the present invention consists in that the optical slab is assembled with a source slab whose nature modifies the appearance of the ellipsoid in terms of its brightness, its contrast, and its apparent relief,

A third object of the present invention is that in the context of an application for producing a tile or a wall tile, the invention comprises a protective glass of the optical tile, A fourth object of the present invention is that the optical slab, the source slab and the protective slab are assembled by means of a specially designed hybrid seal characterized by comprising a compressible portion and a rigid portion. The compressible part ensures the sealing and corrects the defects of flatness of the slabs, the rigid part ensures the adhesion of the slabs between them and the compression of the joint. The seal will have the geometry of a frame.

The seal may be an example of elastomeric material. Example: ethylene-propylene-diene monomer. The hardness of the seal will be less at the periphery (compression zone) and maximum towards the center (rigid zone) The compressible and rigid parts of the seal are of greater thickness than the optical tile, the compressible part is thicker than the rigid part of the joint,

A fifth object of the present invention is that the optical plate is surrounded by a glass frame or a ceramic frame slightly thicker than the optical tile to create a gap between the optical panel and the protective slab. By this means, the optical tile and the glass frame (or ceramics) are sandwiched between the protection slab and the source slab. The protection slab is secured perimetrically with the source slab via the ceramic frame (or glass) by a method of laser encapsulation.

The advantage of this method is to be adapted not to heat the optical slab (and thus cause deformation of the microstructures) while ensuring a good perimeter sealing,

A sixth object of the present invention is that the optical slab is made by glass polymerization microstructures. The polymerization process provides process resistance at elevated temperatures, and improved abrasion resistance. The polymerization can be carried out directly on the protective glass. According to this variant, the protective glass can be welded to the source slab by a method of laser encapsulation,

A seventh object of the present invention is that a gap is maintained between the optical tile and the protective slab in order to prevent the assembly or during use the creation of Newton's rings and related condensation tasks. microchips of the optical slab,

An 8 ^th object of the present invention is that the optical slab used is a single slab or a set of 2 slabs arranged so that the microstructures are face to face (double condenser), or according to a second embodiment that the microstructures are oriented in the same direction,

A ^ninth object of the present invention is that the ellipsoid formed by the optical slab is real or virtual (according to the terminology used in optics),

A io ^'th object of the present invention consists in that the optical plates has a first planar surface and a second microstructured surface. The microstructured face is in the form of a series of circles or ellipses of concentrically arranged prismatic section. Circles or ellipses can be replaced by other shapes: square, rectangles etc.

An n ^'th object of the present invention is that the optical slab has a particular function bidirectionally spectral reflectance (physical model of D. He,. And E. Torrance

Sparrow) The optical tile also has a diffraction function characterized by the fact that the slab constitutes a pseudoperiodic (radially symmetrical) network of organized prismatic facets in concentric ways. The reflectance and diffusion functions are explicit of the coordinates (x, y) of the plane formed by the optical slab. The microprisms have a size greater than the characteristic wavelength of the illumination beam. To achieve this function, the microprism geometry of the optical slab is related to a law of variation of the angle of the prisms according to their distance to the center of the slab (similar to a Fresnel lens) The geometry of microprisms is also possibly depending on the angle on the circle with respect to a reference ray passing through the center of the optical slab. The law of variation of the angle of the prisms is calculated to modify the reflectance and the transmission coefficient of the optical slab as a function of the observation angle (xoy modulation of the masking and the shading) in order to create the effect of a virtual or real ellipsoid. Thin-film processing is applied to the microprisms to modulate the diffusion rate as a function of viewing angle. The principle also exploits the limit refraction to obtain a masking effect of the beams according to the direction of observation. The envelope of the refracted light beams from a source conjugated with reflected beams creates an actual or virtual ellipsoidal caustic surface. - A ^{I2, same} object of the present invention is that the ellipsoid formed by the optical panel is a similar caustic surface to a strong distortion of the geometric type. The distortion is geometry given due to the geometry of the microprisms and their coating in thin layers (ie ^llth object)

A 13 ^-th object of the present invention is that the light is transmitted through the slab optical through microsprismes undergoing refractions, diffractions and scattering due to the surface structure of the microprisms, to form an ellipsoid virutelle or real, a I4 ^'th object of the present invention is that the light is either from a source either to the environment, in which case it is either transmitted through the slab or rétrodifrùsée or reflected by a slab "Source": example: a mirror or a colored plate.

A ^fifth object of the present invention is that the light from the surrounding sources or sources forming part of the invention is primarily transmitted without diffusion through the surface of the ellipsoid while it is diffused. random Gaussian at its periphery (whitish visual effect),

A 16 ^th subject of the present invention consists in that the optical panel comprises a film provided with conductive transparent layers (Conductive Layer) for feeding points embedded in the mass of a PVB (polyvinyl butyral) slab, the process allows illumination of the ellipsoid: the light from the LED source points diffuses laterally through the microprisms to induce a more diffuse light and increase the contrast and brightness of the ellipsoid depending on the distribution of sources. The microprisms serve as an optical guide to light. Part of the beam is refracted towards the observer. The slab system trapping the LEDs and the conductive layer can be sandwiched between two optical slabs. An external device controls the supply of the led lights in the, or the optical plates,

A I7 ^ICME object of the present invention is that the slab is a slab source of any material rigid, whose opacity (transfer function of the light intensity) function T (x, y) of yariables x, y ; where x and y are the two Cartesian coordinates of the plane of the surface; the color a function of the variables x, y C (x, y), the roughness, the structuration of the surface: microstructured, smooth, rough, frosted, polished, mirror, modulate the characteristics of the ellipsoid in terms of its contrast, its luminosity, its relief and the number of internal reflections,

A l8 ^LCME object of the present invention is that the source slab is a mirror a I9 ^'th object of the present invention is that the slab is a source color slab. Examples: a colored glass plate, or PMMA (polymethacrylate) plate The plate may be opaque, transparent or translucent,

A ^{20 th} object of the present invention is that a pattern is printed, engraved or painted on the source tile, covered with ink (erasable or not) and fluoresente or photovoltaic, or an ink designed to diffuse the light (example ink to diffuse LED light used on store signs)

A ^{21 th} object of the present invention is that the slab source comprises a reflective rough surface,

A 22 ^th object of the present invention in that the slab comprises a source frosted sandblasted surface,

A 23 ^th subject of the present invention is that the source slab comprises a microstructured surface by a network of "cube corners" (retroreflectors or "corner cube")

A 24 ^th object of the present invention is that the source slab comprises a film or a slab electroluminescent (EL) which emits a uniform light over the entire surface or a non-homogeneous light: In this case, we will preferably choose a function of illumination with radial symmetry (axis passing through the center of the optical slab) The illumination of the slab EL decreases progressively (linear or non-linear according to the contrast) from the periphery towards the center or from the center towards the periphery.

A ^{25 th} object of the present invention is that the slab source comprises a modulation filter of the transmission T (x, y) of the light energy from the EL panel, in order to increase the contrast ellipsoid,

A ^{26 th} object of the present invention is that the slab source comprises a liquid crystal polymer matrix taken in sandwich between two thin slabs of transparent glass. The role of the matrix is to modulate under the action of a voltage the light transmission (or the opacity index) T (x, y) through the source slab. The modulation dynamically modifies the contrast of the ellipsoid, its brightness and its relief.

A ^{27 th} object of the present invention is that the slab is semi-reflecting source to the surrounding light,

A 28 ^'th object of the present invention is that the invention comprises LED type sources disposed around the optical prériphérie slab, and interposed between the optical source and the tile slab. The light emitted by the LED sources is diffused or reflected by the source slab in the direction of the optical slab in order to illuminate the ellipsoid, the source slab may in this case be a mirror, a rough transparent or semi-transparent slab or still a semi-reflective slab,

A 29 ^th object of the present invention is that according to the 28 ^'same object, tile utlisée source is a mirror,

A 30 ^'th object of the present invention is that according to the 28 ^th item, the slab utlisée source is a microstructured slab by prisms or corner cubes network, A ^third object of the present invention is that the method according to the invention comprises electromechanical transducers of mechanical vibrations. The sensors convert the mechanical vibrations into an electrical signal. These may be piezoelectric sensors or MEMS type sensors (Micro Electromechanical Systems such as those used in the mobile phone industry) whose function will be to convert a vibration caused by trampling and / or vibrations from the ambient environment into an electrical signal to modulate the display of information or to control the illumination of the source slab. The sensors can be assembled with the source slab. In the case of piezoelectric sensor, it may be an example of a piezo disk sensor. This generates an electric voltage according to the changes of stress applied on the protection slab.

A 32 ^th subject of the present invention is that the assembly of the source slab, the optical slab and the protective slab is done by means of an ultrasonic weld, in which case the source slab and the slab of protecction shall be of the same material as the optical tile, unless the optical plate is framed by a frame of a specific material identical to the material of the protection slab (and or the source slab),

A 33 ^'cme object of the present invention is that the assembly of the slab source, optical slab and the protection slab is done by means of a laser welding: In which case the material forming the slab proetction will be chosen to be suitable for laser welding with the frame surrounding the optical tile. For a glass protection tile, it could be a glass frame, a ceramic frame or a FeNiCo alloy frame such as the KOVAR derived from the INVAR

(trademark),

A 34 ^th object of the present invention is that the assembly of the source slab, the optical slab and the protective slab is done by means of a high frequency vibration weld,

- A ^{35 th} object of the present invention consists in that the glass protection is a glass slab "float" self-cleaning (photocatalytic layer of titanium on the outside) ,,

A ^third object of the present invention is that the optical slab or the source slab comprises an iridescent film whose iridescence varies according to a radial symmetry (in the manner of a compact disc) and or in symmetry with the geometry of the ellipsoid

^{SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an} object of the present invention that the optical slab comprises a TOLED fdm (transparent organic light emitting device).

A ^{38 th} object of the present invention is that the slab source is an electrochromic glass. For these glasses (also called privative glasses), a reversible variation of the shade of the glass is induced by the application of an electric current. In particular, the tungsten oxide gel makes it possible to switch between a transparent state and a deep blue depending on the intensity of the electronic current in the glass. By this means, the variation of the color of the source and its opacity makes it possible to control the relief effect and the color of the ellipsoid,

A 39 ^th object of the present invention is that the slab source is a photochromic glass: For these glasses, the glass changes color depending on the illumination wavelength. the hue and the relief of the ellipsoid are modulated according to the ambient lighting. A 40 ^-th object of the present invention is that the device is provided with infrared motion sensors, and an electronic circuit board connecting the sensors to the sources to achieve an interaction with a user. This interaction may consist in varying the light intensity or the color of the sources according to the movements of the hand in the space of a user. The sensor or sensors may be arranged so that the interaction volume is located at the level of the actual ellipsoid. The sensor system may be a motion recognition system in (x, y) where x and y are the Cartesian coordinates of the plane parallel to the plane formed by the optical slab. The color of the source can then be changed parametrically according to the movements of the hand in space on the plane generated by the axes (οχ, οζ). The parameterization of the colors on the (oxy) plane may correspond to the RGB chromaticity diagram (CIE xy). But other color models can be followed. An analog conversion of the spatial information delivered by the infrared sensors will be processed by an integrated circuit. But the conversion can also be done directly analog to the RGB sources (red, green, blue) on the 3 independent colors, red, green and blue.

- A 4l ^th object of the present invention is characterized that the source tile is covered with ink photovoltaic thin-film chalcopyrite type whose interest is to have a high photovoltaic efficiency at low cost. The function of the optical slab is to concentrate the beams of external light towards the source slab with an efficiency greater than a simple transparent smooth glass: the function of the optical slab makes it possible to refract the sloping beams coming from the outside towards the inside of the slab. system which limits losses by reflection and diffusion. The photovoltaic coating makes it possible to supply electricity via an optional accumulator to the light sources and or the sensors inside the process,

A ^42th subject of the present invention is characterized in that the optical slab or the source slab are covered with a semi-transparent photovoltaic thin layer with openworked silicon amorphous cells, encapsulated between two glass plates to supply the light sources. of the system according to the invention,

An object of the present invention is characterized in that the optical ^pad comprises a non-linear optical thin film in which a refractive index of said thin film reversibly changes in accordance with a change in the incident light intensity on the film. said thin film, and characterized in that said thin film contains an amorphous alloy of at least two types of metals selected from the group consisting of Co, Cr, Ni, V, Mn, Ti, Zr, Hf and Ta as its main component. Said thin film allows a modulation of the refractive index of the optical slab, and consequently a minimal reversible modification of the geometric properties of the optical ellipsoid formed by the optical slab,

- A 44 ^ienie object of the present invention is characterized in that the ellipsoid is in the shape of a sphere which has no geometrical point of contact with the plane spanned by the optical slab,

A ^{45 th} object of the present invention is characterized in that the protection slab or slab optical capacitice are provided with a matrix (in film form) to provide a tactile interaction. The device may be coupled with a LCD or OLED source slab to interactively display information within the ellipsoid. A 46 ^-th object of the present invention is characterized in that the invention comprises an RFID unit can communicate with other RFID cells to store items (e.g.) so that the passage of an article in the ellipsoid inducing a given RFID code to view information and / or transmit it to an external receiver.

- A ^47th object of the present invention is characterized in that the invention includes light sources connected to a sync module with a source of sound in nature.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS AND REFERENCE TO THE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:

Referring to the figures and according to objects 1 to 47 above, the device according to the invention comprises:

An optical slab 1, la, lb

A source slab 2, 15, 14, 2a (mirror, reflective or semi-reflective plate, rough plate, reflective or semi-reflective microstructured plate, OLED slab, LCD slab, filters ...) - A hybrid seal 9, 9a, 9b,

A protection slab 11,

An armature 12,

Transparent conductive films 18, or conductive layer 19d,

"Spot" LEDs 19,

A PVB film (Polyvinyl of Butyral) 19a,

Glasses of protection 19b, 19c,

Led light sources 21,

Infrared-type motion sensors 23,

Electromechanical transducers 24 for converting mechanical vibrations into electrical energy,

Coatings (ink or thin layers) photo voltaic 13,

To illustrate some embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the figures. EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION REFERENCE TO THE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION AND FIGURES

Referring to FIG. 1 and according to the objects of the invention described above, the system comprises an optical slab 1, a protection slab 11 with a gap 22 to prevent the production of Newtonian rings remaining between the protective glass 11 and the optical tile 1. The system also comprises a source slab 2. The source dale 2 and the optical slab 1 are made by virtue of the objects of the invention and according to the variants described above.

Creation of the ellipsoid by the optical slab 1: The incident light beams 3 from the environment, illuminate the source slab 2 which reflects the light beams 3a and 3b to the optical panel 1. The beams 3a, 3b are refracted by the slab 1 in beams 8a and 8b. They form an ellipsoid 4 delimited by a peak diffusion cone 10.

The slab 1 is coated with a thin-film treatment 13 whose function is to modify the scattering of the beams as a function of the observation direction 7. The microrugosities induced are of a pseudo-periodic nature and their role is to increase the contrast. diffusion ("Glow effect" or whitish effect around the ellipsoid) of the cone 10; in particular by conjugation with the periodic structure of the slab. One method of studying diffusion is the scalar method. The microstructures form prisms 5 organized in concentric circles (like a Fresnel lens). A typical gap of the prismatic section circles (Facet spacing = gap between two consecutive turns) may be of the order of 0.508 mm.

The slab 1 is placed so that its microstructures 5 (or prisms) are opposed to the observer 7. Only the emerging 3d currents inside the vertex cone 10 are visible to the observer 7. The other beams 3e are diffused so that Gaussian (ie in dependence of the diffusion indicator of the slab 1) by the slab 1 so as to form a whitish color diffusion on the periphery of the ellipsoid 4. As shown in FIG. 1, according to the observers 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d and their respective observation direction, the areas observed are either masking zones (scattered beams 8b direction 3e) or light-transparent areas: 3d beams, observer 7d and beams 3f observer 7a. The modulation of the transparency of the slab 1 as a function of the direction of observation is generated by a formula relating to the geometry of the microprisms as a function of their distance from the optical center 20a. The geometry of the microprisms is also dependent on the surface condition of the latter which are covered with a film in a thin layer. At 6, the optical axis of symmetry of the optical slab 1 is noted.

The law of variation of the slope of the prism is a quasi-linear law of the type

a ₃ s (r), where a is the angle that the prism makes with the radius passing through the optical center 20a and element of the plane (Oxy) generated by the optical slab 1, r is the distance 20a at the center, ai, a ₂ and a ₃ are 3 independent constants of x and y which parameterize the optical slab. Depending on the distance to the center 20a. s (r) is a nonlinear function of r negligible in front of ai + a ₂ r for small values of r in front of the mean radius of the ellipsoid. FIG. 2 illustrates 2 respective vertex-diffusion cones 10, and 10b whose boundaries (seen in section in the figure) are delimited by the radii 8a, 8b and 8c, 8d respectively. Said diffusion cones are a function of the observation direction. This has the effect of producing the optical illusion of the ellipsoid 4. The optical slab 1 can be made to produce the effect of a real ellipsoid, 4, 4d, Fig.7 or a virtual ellipsoid 4c Fig.8 . The virtual ellipsoid is generated by the envelope of the emerging beams at the exit of the diopter formed by the surface of the optical slab and facing the observer 7. The envelope of the ellipsoid is generated by the extension of the beams emerging in the direction the observer 7.

FIG. 3 shows a variant according to which the method according to the invention comprises two optical slabs 1a and 1b of the slab 1 type. According to this embodiment, the turns (microstructures of prismatic section) are placed in the same direction, this being opposed to the observer 7 and in the direction of the optical axis 6. The positioning of the slabs causes the effect of a double ellispoid 4 and 4f. The second ellipsoid 4f, of the same type as the ellipsoid 4 results from the transformation of the transfer function of the slab lb by the slab 1a. In the system of FIG. 4, the optical plates 1a and 1b are arranged in opposition as a double Fresnel condenser (turns against turns, microstructures against microstructures 5) which has the effect of producing 2 ellipsoids 4.

The device according to the invention comprises an optical slab 1, or slabs 1a and 1b so that the ellipsoid 4 is real 4b or virtual 4c (according to the terminology of the geometrical optics).

According to another particular embodiment, with reference to FIG. 11, the ellipsoid can be real and basic Ό 'with an apparent separation 20.

PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to a particular embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises (Fig. 1) an optical plate 1, a source plate 2, a protective glass 11.

For example, the source slab is a colored glass plate, and the protective slab a transparent glass plate. For floor tile, wall tile or glass brick application, the source slab 2, the optical slab 1 and the slab 11 are assembled by means of a specially designed hybrid seal 9 (Fig. Fig.6) The optical plate 1 is trapped in a frame 9b which forms the rigid portion of the seal. This is sandwiched between the protection slab 11 and the source slab 2. The thickness of the incompressible portion 9b of the seal 9 is slightly greater than that of the optical slab 1 in order to prevent the creation of slab rings. newton (mounting or following the trampling of the tile which is subjected to mechanical stresses) The outer portion 9a of the seal 9 is compressible and 17a thickness in equilibrium. This thickness is slightly greater than the thickness 17b of the rigid portion of the seal 9. The hybrid seal 9 may be made of elastomer injection; by waterjet cutting or prefabricated band welding consisting of a rigid part and a compressible part. It further comprises on each of its face a solvent-resistant adhesive coating. The adhesion of the protective glass 11 to the rigid portion 9b compresses the outer zone 9a of the hybrid seal 9. The compression of the outer zone 9a of the joint 9 fills the flatness defects in the case of using tempered glasses powder coated (protection slab 11 and slab source 2).

The slightly elastic characteristic of the internal rigid portion 9b of the seal 9 ensures shock absorption and better adhesion against the flatness defects of the protection slab 11 and the source slab 2. For example, it is assumed that thickness of 2mm of the optical slab, a thickness of 4mm for the compressible portion of the gasket 9, a thickness of 3mm for the rigid portion of the gasket 9. The width of the compressible frame 9a is preferably taken smaller than the width of the rigid part 9b; And this ; to fill the difference of the exchange surface between the rigid portion 9b and the compressible portion 9a of the seal 9. A color frame can be made on the protective slab 11 in the window to mask the frames 9a and 9b. For example, the protective slab may be a tempered glass 4mm thick. The source slab may include a powder coating that provides better adhesion and resistance to adhesive mortar while ensuring better gloss. According to this embodiment, the ellipsoid 4 is reflected on the surface of the source slab 2 so that its relief is increased. The seal 9 preserves the optical panel 1 of moisture and dust, the latter being very static. Note 1 on the Hybrid Seal: Compressible means a hardness of about "30 Shores A" in the hardness scale and by rigid or incompressible a hardness of about "80 Shores A". Note that the adhesive on a rubber is necessarily halftone which poses problems of adhesion with adhesives in general. EPDMs are more suitable because they do not require screened adhesivation. In addition, an EPDM absorbs shock waves, which has the advantage of creating an acoustic barrier and improving the resistance of the tiles. Finally, their compressible nature, even at 80 SHA, makes it possible to improve contact with a slab having flatness defects. It is of paramount importance for the present invention where sealing can be a crucial element.

10 Note 2 on the hybrid seal: Conventional seals require the application of pressure (door closing, bolting, etc.). The hybrid seal with 2 hardness process is used to simulate the pressure effect. This is possible because of the geometry of the frame-shaped joint and the fact that there is a zone of the joint that is rigid docks. It is possible in theory to make joints with a single hardness by playing on the geometry, but there are the problems of angles. Moreover, the only pressure

15 is not enough here to guarantee the seal. This is why the solution of the invention employs a hybrid seal system.

Note 3 on Hybrid Seal: The question of joining glass with glass in the presence of a much lower melting point material (PMMA) requires special techniques. In addition, the joint is here of small width (due to dimensional constraints of the tiles in

20 297mm * 297mm * l lmm) Therefore conventional sealant joints can not be used. Same glass / glass welding techniques resulting in high temperature rises. Two-component glue discharge solutons are abandoned because of their high cost and a delicate process to implement since 2 faces must be assembled. Laser encapsulation is a possibility. It is used in instrumentation. But the problem is its cost, which can be prohibitive for small series. It involves

The realization of a ceramic frame, the least expensive possibility. This is proposed as a second embodiment for assembling the elements according to the invention.

In order to increase the contrast of the ellipsoid 4, the source slab 2 may be a mirror or a tempered glass having undergone a vacuum metallization.

For various applications, the source slab may include patterns, glass prints, phosphorescent paint, photovoltaic inks, iridescent film, electroluminescent film EL, light intensity filter T (x, x), matrix opacity modulation crystal of the source slab 2, an OLED slab to display information, a touchscreen, a projected capacitive film for tactile interaction. The device may comprise vibration sensors and or sensors of

35 infrared movement according to the objects described above.

According to various embodiments, the device may comprise 1 or 2 optical plates 1, 1a, 1b.

According to a particular embodiment, and with a view to proposing a system with a lighting function, the device will comprise 2 optical plates 1a and 1b of the slab 1 type, led sources 21 (FIG. non-limiting example sources led strips, and a source slab 2 which will be as a preferred example a mirror 2a. But another source slab can do the trick. The light 3 diffused by the led 21 is reflected by the source slab 2, 2a towards the optical slab 1, 1a, 1b to illuminate the ellipsoid 4. The source slab 2, which is for example a mirror 2a, produces a second real image of the ellipsoid 4f smaller than the ellipsoid 4 and whose angle of view is greater for the observer 7. The mirror can be printed, covered with an OLED film to display information in transparency, can include capacitive film, semi-transparent photovolataic ink, etc. The device may further comprise vibration sensors and or infrared sensors (according to the objects described above). According to one particular embodiment, the device (FIG. 9 and FIG. 10) comprises a conductive layer. transparent to supply LEDs, a PVB film 19a (polyvinyl butyral), LEDs "points" 19 encapsulated in the PVB film fed by the film 18, and an external control system led 19, protective glasses 19b and 19c and 2 optical plates la and lb. According to various embodiments, the led lighting system is inserted between the two optical plates Fig.lO, or integral with the smooth face of the optical plate la (or lb) of the doublet la, lb (Fig. 9).

In this arrangement, the light issuing from the LEDs is diffused on the surface by the microstructures 5 of the optical plates 1a, 1b to be partially refracted 3a towards the ellipsoid in order to illuminate it. According to this embodiment, the LED points may be arranged on the periphery of the slabs 1a and 1b (where they will be almost invisible in a direct way because of the masking phenomenon caused by slabs 1a and 1b). Or the LEDs will be distributed on the surface. .

APPLICATIONS:

Said devices can be integrated within an application for tiling, for making a luminaire, a partition element, a wall tile, an interactive system, a toy and a photo frame. They can also integrate a multimedia system, a terminal (terminal to charge a mobile phone); an advertising terminal, an information terminal, a display stand, a shop window, a dashboard, a central computer unit, a mobile phone case, an LCD screen, an interactive educational system with software, alarm clock, a timer, a bicycle or motorcycle wheel, a car rim, a storage box, a dinner plate, a table, office furniture, a fairground, an intelligent luminaire with temperature sensors, pressure, hygrometry, illumination, a false ceiling, and an electrical appliance.

OTHER EMBODIMENT:

According to a particular embodiment, the device according to the invention may consist of a glass block (FIG. 4) comprising two optical plates 1a and 1b of the type of the optical plate 1 placed as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. armature 16, 17 makes the elements integral. The system is translucent in ambient light. It forms 2 ellipsoids 4, 4bis on each side of the system. It has 2 protection slabs 1a and 11b of type 11 on each side. The assembly can be secured by laser encapsulation or hot welding (method of producing glass bricks) According to a particular embodiment, the system comprises a system such as that described in Figures 9 and 10 and as described above. The device according to the invention may further comprise a semitransparent source slab 2 and LEDs 21 placed at the periphery.

The source slab 2 may be printed, covered with an OLED film to display transparency information, may comprise a capacitive film or semi-transparent photovolataic ink.

The device may also include sensors.

APPLICATIONS:

This device can be integrated within an application for tiling, to achieve a luminaire, a wall element, a wall tile, a clock, an interactive system, a toy and a photo frame and more particularly a glass block.

Claims

CLAIMS 15

Claim 1:

Tile, glass brick and slab type device for decoration, lighting and communication of furniture or real estate type for wall, floor, furniture, information terminal or multimedia system integration characterized in that it enables the dynamic visual effect of a real or virtual ellipsoid to be created in order to encourage interaction with users and for an optimal flow of light, comprising:

One or more optical plates 1, 1a, 1b including microstructures 5 on which a multilayered beam distribution treatment 13 has been carried out which is inhomogeneous by microroughness effects, the slabs 1, 1a, 1b may be made according to different materials such as, for example, polymethacrylate for thin film or silicone treatment for a glass matrix embodiment; the function of the optical slabs is to produce, by masking and shading effect according to a particular geometry of the microstructures, the effect of one or more virtual or real ellipsoids 4, 4c, 4e, 4f,

A source slab 2, 2a characterized in that it has a reflective, semi-reflecting, translucent surface, a light emitting surface, a rough surface or a microstructured surface, said source slab 2, 2a having the function of modifying the appearance of the ellipsoid by its contrast, its relief, its color or its shape,

One or more protective slabs 11, 11a, 11b, transparent to visible light,

Means for assembling the one or more optical slabs with the protection slab and the source slab,

A gap 22 between the one or more optical slabs 1, 1a, 1b and the protective slab 11 to prevent the creation of Newton rings,

The following optional elements:

Led light sources 21 combined with a reflecting (mirror 2a) or semi-reflective source slab, or organic electroluminescent OLED, or EL electroluminescent sheet for emitting light towards the optical slab (s) 1, 1a, 1b or to display information,

Means for supplying LED light sources in the form of transparent conductive thin layers sandwiched in the optical plates 1a, 1b or attached to the smooth face of one of the optical plates, the microstructures 5 of the optical plates 1a and 1b have for additional function of diffusing the light in the ellipsoid 4,

Photovoltaic thin-film inks or coatings, optionally semi-transparent, deposited on the optical slab 1, 1a, 1b or on the source slab 2, for converting the light energy outside and refracted by the optical slab (s) 1, 1a, 1b in electrical energy via a dedicated accumulator, A capacitive slab or a projected capacitive film placed between the protection slab 11 and the optical slab 1, 1a, 1b to perform a tactile interaction with a user,

Infrared motion sensors combined with a brightness or color control circuit of an RGB led system (Red, Green, Blue) by recognition according to Cartesian coordinates of the plane (xOy) of the positioning of a user's hand ,

Piezoelectric transducers or micromechanical type for modulating information or light intensity by the action of external mechanical fear (trampling),

High frequency RFID detection systems,

An armature 12 to make a glass block,

One or more optical plates 1, la, lb are placed facing the source slab 2, the turns opposite the observer 7 for the slab 1, the slab 1 is designed to produce exploiting the refraction phenomenon limits a cone of vision 10 producing the visual effect of a virtual ellipsoid 4c or a real one 4, 4d, a thin film coating of inhomogeneous diffusion of the light refracted in the material of the optical slab 1 is deposited on the microstructured face 5 of the optical slab 1 to accentuate the visual effect of the ellipsoid 4, the optical slab 1 is provided with a law of variation of the angle of the prisms as a function of their distance in the center to achieve a masking function of the refracted beams in function of the observation angle and induce the optical effect of a real or virtual ellipsoid, a gap 22 is preserved between the protection slab 11 and the optical slab or slabs 1, la, lb, a frame consisting of a hybrid seal comprising a compressible portion and an almost rigid portion, or a ceramic glass frame makes it possible to achieve a sealed junction between the protection slab 11 and the source slab 2 by trapping the one or more optical slabs 1, la, lb;

Claim 2:

Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the source slab 2 is of a reflective or semi-reflecting nature, and is characterized for example by a mirror 2a, the function of the source slab 2 being to accentuate the effect of the ellipsoid 4 by creating a double ellipsoid reflection 4e, the system further comprises peripheral LED sources 21 hidden by the optical plates la, lb which diffuses the light 3 on the source slab 2 to illuminate the ellipsoid 4.

Claim 3:

Device according to claim 1 of tile or glass brick type comprising a source slab 2, one or more optical slabs 1, la, lb and a protection slab 11 characterized in that the fixing means of the optical slab or slabs 1, 1a and 1b with the source slab 2 consist of a frame of elastomeric material consisting of a hybrid seal 9 provided with an external compressible portion 9a and an almost incompressible portion 9b internal flanking the optical slab 1 or 1b, the compressible part being of greater thickness than the incompressible part and the quasi incompressible rigid part of thickness greater than the optical slab. Claim 4:

Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises means for supplying light sources in the form of transparent conductive thin layers 18, 19d, a polyvinyl butyral PVB film 19a in which are encapsulated sources led 19 protected by two glasses 19b and 19c, the assembly being sandwiched in the optical plates la, lb or attached to the smooth face of one of the optical plates, the microstructures 5 of the optical plates la and lb have the additional function of diffusing the light in the ellipsoid 4, the assembly constituting a compact light emitting slab within an ellipsoid 4 for application to the luminaire, for integration into a glass brick or a light partition element.

Claim 5:

Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the source slab 2 is covered with a thin layer or photovoltaic ink which converts the light energy into electrical energy, the source slab being connected to an accumulator for supplying components of the invention such as led sources 21, 19, the optical slab 1 having the function of refracting the external light beams to the source slab 2 by decreasing the diffusion losses in the material and on the edges for the large angles of inclination.

Claim 6:

Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises 2 slabs 1a and 1b, the microstructures 5 facing each other, of the type of the optical slab 1 to form an actual 4 or virtual 4 ellipsoid 4c with an apparent separation of 20 ellipsoid 4 with respect to the optical slab 1 not necessarily zero.

Claim 7:

Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises 1 optical panel 1 to form a virtual ellipsoid 4c with respect to an observer 7,

Claim 8:

Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the system comprises infrared motion sensors combined with a brightness or color control circuit of an RGB led system (Red, Green, Blue) by recognition according to Cartesian coordinates of the plane. (xOy) positioning of a user's hand, for dynamic modulation of the color and / or brightness of the ellipsoid 4.

Claim 9:

Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the system comprises two optical plates la and lb arranged one on the other to create two ellipsoids 4, 4f, the microstructured faces 5 being oriented in the same direction.

Claim 10:

Device according to claim 1 and claim 4 of the glass brick type, characterized in that the system comprises two optical plates 1a and 1b disposed in opposition and 1b the turns facing each other, the assembly being taken in a frame 16 to realize a glass brick or a translucent partition element and comrpenant sources led 21, 19, 19a, 19d.