FR2822278A1 - DEVICE FOR SIGNALING A POSTED DOCUMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for signalling a particular displayed document (2) comprising a combined signal-emitting device (4), which is designed to attract attention, and body (3). The body (3) is equipped with means (9, 10, 11) that can be used to fix said body to, and remove it from, the document (2).

Description

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 The present invention relates to a device for signaling the presence of a particular document, for example placed on a bulletin board.

 It is indeed common for a bulletin board to be covered with numerous documents, so that it is difficult to identify the one or those of them considered most relevant, for example because he or they are most recent or most recently posted.

 To date, no device making it possible to signal this or these particular documents is known to the applicants.

 The invention therefore aims to provide such a device.

 To this end the invention relates to a device for signaling a particular document, in particular displayed, characterized in that it comprises a device for transmitting a signal intended to attract attention and a body which are united, the body being provided with means for fixing it on one of the two supports that are the document and a display board.

 According to other advantageous characteristics of this device: - the body has the overall shape of a plate pierced with a slot surrounding a central tongue in which the signal emitting device is installed, and which is intended to be engaged on the front face of the document, the portion of the body situated outside the slot being intended to be engaged on the rear face of the document; the device for transmitting a signal comprises, for its electrical supply, a photovoltaic cell and a capacitor for storing the energy supplied by this photovoltaic cell; the device for emitting a signal comprises a light or sound source intended to attract attention, an electronic timer controlling the duration of lighting of the light or sound source, a first sensor, for detecting a presence, and an electronic circuit for processing a signal emitted by this first sensor and for triggering the timer when this first sensor has

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détecté un individu ; - la source lumineuse ou sonore est une diode électroluminescente ; - le premier capteur est un capteur photosensible - le circuit électronique comporte : - un différentiateur relié au premier capteur et délivrant un signal ayant une valeur sensiblement proportionnelle à la variation instantanée du signal émis par ce premier capteur ; et - un premier comparateur pour comparer cette variation à un seuil prédéterminé et pour délivrer, selon le résultat de cette comparaison, un signal tout ou rien de commande du déclenchement de la minuterie ; - le circuit électronique comporte un intégrateur placé entre le premier comparateur et la minuterie, pour traiter le signal tout ou rien ; - le dispositif d'émission d'un signal comporte un deuxième capteur, photosensible, situé pour être exposé à la lumière et délivrer un signal de blocage de l'allumage lorsque le corps est dissocié du support, et sensiblement à l'abri de la lumière lorsque le corps est fixé au support, le circuit électronique comportant des moyens pour bloquer l'allumage de la source lumineuse ou sonore à partir du signal de blocage ; - le premier et le deuxième capteurs photosensibles sont disposés pour recevoir sensiblement le même éclairement lorsque le corps est dissocié du support, les moyens pour bloquer l'allumage de la source lumineuse ou sonore comportant un soustracteur pour délivrer en sortie le résultat de la soustraction des signaux respectivement émis par le premier et le deuxième capteurs photosensibles ; - le dispositif comporte une alarme sonore pour être déclenchée par le signal délivré par le deuxième capteur photosensible, le circuit électronique comportant des moyens pour recevoir une information externe et bloquer le fonctionnement de l'alarme sonore selon le contenu de cette information ; - le circuit électronique comporte un deuxième comparateur pour comparer le signal délivré par le deuxième

detected an individual; - the light or sound source is a light-emitting diode; - the first sensor is a photosensitive sensor - the electronic circuit comprises: - a differentiator connected to the first sensor and delivering a signal having a value substantially proportional to the instantaneous variation of the signal emitted by this first sensor; and a first comparator for comparing this variation with a predetermined threshold and for delivering, according to the result of this comparison, an all-or-nothing signal for controlling the triggering of the timer; - the electronic circuit includes an integrator placed between the first comparator and the timer, to process the all or nothing signal; the device for transmitting a signal comprises a second photosensitive sensor situated to be exposed to light and to deliver an ignition blocking signal when the body is dissociated from the support, and substantially protected from the light when the body is fixed to the support, the electronic circuit comprising means for blocking the ignition of the light or sound source from the blocking signal; - The first and second photosensitive sensors are arranged to receive substantially the same illumination when the body is dissociated from the support, the means for blocking the ignition of the light or sound source comprising a subtractor for outputting the result of the subtraction of the signals respectively emitted by the first and the second photosensitive sensors; - The device comprises an audible alarm to be triggered by the signal delivered by the second photosensitive sensor, the electronic circuit comprising means for receiving external information and blocking the operation of the audible alarm according to the content of this information; - the electronic circuit includes a second comparator to compare the signal delivered by the second

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 photosensitive sensor at a threshold and deliver an all or nothing signal according to the result of this comparison, the means for blocking the operation of the audible alarm comprising: - a monostable for stabilizing all or nothing a periodic signal emitted by the first comparator; and a logic operator combining the all-or-nothing signals respectively delivered by the second comparator and the monostable, to produce an all-or-nothing signal for controlling the audible alarm.

 The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a plan view of a device, in accordance to the invention, for signaling a displayed document, this device comprising a device for emitting a light signal according to a first embodiment; - Figure 2 is a plan view which illustrates the device of Figure 1 in place on the document to report, only part of which is shown; - Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of an electronic circuit forming part of the device for transmitting a light signal shown in Figures 1 and 2; - Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of an electronic circuit forming part of a second embodiment of the device for transmitting a light signal; and - Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating the functions of an electronic circuit forming part of a third embodiment of the device for transmitting a light signal.

 Figure 1 shows a device 1, according to the invention, which is intended to be placed on a document 2, according to the arrangement shown in Figure 2, to signal this document 2. It comprises a body 3 of a single holding, and, integrated in this body 3, a device 4 for emitting a light signal, according to a first embodiment.

 The body 3, made of a synthetic material, is

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 has the form of an elongated plate, terminating at one of its two ends by a transverse edge 5, its other end generally having the shape of a triangular point 6, rounded at the end. It is pierced with a slot 7 which runs along its outer edge 8 and separates a central tab 9 from a peripheral strip 10. Along the central portion of the transverse edge 5, this slot 7 is interrupted by an elastic bridge 11 connecting the central tab 9 to the peripheral band 10.

 The terms front and rear used below refer to the orientation of the device 1 in place on the document 2 which, being intended to be displayed, comprises a front face intended to be consulted and a rear face.

 In FIGS. 1 and 2, the device 1 is seen from its front face, in which is implanted, to be visible, the device 4 for emitting a light signal.

 More specifically, this device 4 is located on the tongue 9, which its surface and its central position make it particularly suitable for this use. For its electrical supply, it comprises a photovoltaic cell 13 associated with a capacitor 14 provided for storing the electrical energy produced by it. It also includes an electronic circuit 15 intended to process information received from a photosensitive sensor 16, in order to control the operation of a light source, formed by an electroluminescent diode 17.

 In Figures 1 and 2, the body 3 is shown as being of a transparent material, for the sake of clarity only, so that the capacitor 14 and the electronic circuit 15 which are embedded therein are visible.

 To mount the device 1 on the document 2, the central tongue 9 of the peripheral strip 10 is moved slightly forward, and said document 2 is inserted between them.

The body 3 is then left to return to its initial shape under the action of elastic return stresses.

 We are then in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2, the rear face of the central tongue 9 and the front face of the peripheral strip 10 being engaged.

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 and on the other side of document 2. The device 4 for emitting a light signal is therefore placed in front of this document 2 and turned forward so as to be exposed to the same lighting and to the same looks as the latter. In this regard, it should be noted that the use of photovoltaic means to power the device 4 for emitting a light signal is particularly suitable, since the document 2 is intended to be displayed in a lighted place, otherwise it does not could be read.

 The electronic circuit 15 which the device 4 for emitting a light signal incorporates is detailed in FIG. 3.

 This electronic circuit 15 is a chain for processing the signal which is delivered by the photosensitive sensor 16 in order to control the light-emitting diode 17. In this chain, there is a differentiator 19 connected to the photosensitive sensor 16, a comparator 20 connected to this differentiator 19, an integrator 21 connected to this comparator 20 and a timer 22 connected to this integrator 21 and controlling the operation of the light-emitting diode 17.

The photosensitive sensor 16 provides a signal So, for example a voltage, substantially proportional to its illumination. When a person approaches the displayed document 2, the illumination of the photosensitive sensor 16 decreases, which results in a drop in the signal which it delivers. It is therefore the variations of this signal Si which constitute the useful information thereof. Also, the differentiator 19 extracts therefrom the instantaneous rate of change S2, that is to say the derivative of this signal So as a function of time.

This instantaneous rate of change S2 is compared to a predetermined threshold of negative value by the comparator 20, which outputs an all-or-nothing signal S3 according to the result of this comparison. More precisely, this all or nothing signal S3 is equal to 0 if the instantaneous rate of change S2 is greater than the predetermined threshold, and it is equal to 1 otherwise.

The integrator 21 outputs a signal 84 in which the parasitic signals S3 which have

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 because of their short duration, cannot be caused by a person's approach.

 The timer 22 controls the operation of the light-emitting diode 17. It is triggered by an input signal 84 equal to 1.

 In use, the device 1 is placed on a document 2, which is itself displayed, for example among other documents present on a display board.

comparateur 20, qui délivre en sortie un signal tout ou rien S3 égal à 0. Ce dernier est transmis par l'intégrateur 21 à la minuterie 22 qui reste en état de veille. La diode électroluminescente 17 demeure éteinte. When the photosensitive sensor 16 does not detect any variation in illumination, it produces an output of a substantially constant signal Si. The instantaneous rate of change S2, extracted from this signal Sl by the differentiator 19, is then close to zero and therefore greater than the predetermined threshold of the

comparator 20, which outputs an all-or-nothing signal S3 equal to 0. The latter is transmitted by the integrator 21 to the timer 22 which remains in standby state. The light emitting diode 17 remains off.

 When approaching a person passing for example in front of the display board or coming to consult it, the illumination of the photosensitive sensor 16 decreases, as does the signal 81 delivered by it.

 The instantaneous rate of change S2 determined by the differentiator 19 being lower than the predetermined threshold, the all-or-nothing signal S3 delivered by the comparator goes to 1 and, its duration being sufficient, it is transmitted by the integrator 21 to the timer 22. The latter is triggered, which results in the ignition and the light-emitting diode 17, which remains lit for the entire duration counted down by this timer 22. The attention of the person who triggered the switching on of the light means 4 is immediately attracted by the lighting-up of the light-emitting diode 17, and this person immediately locates the document 2 provided with the device 1.

 A second embodiment of the device 4 for emitting a light signal differs from the first embodiment in that it further comprises a photosensitive sensor 12, visible in FIG. 4, and in that the electronic circuit 15 is modified to offer a new function which

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 will be described later.

 The photosensitive sensor 12 is installed in the front face of the peripheral strip 10, at a distance from the transverse edge 5, and it is oriented substantially like the photosensitive sensor 16. Thus, it receives substantially the same illumination as this photosensitive sensor 16 if the device 1 is dissociated from document 2, while in the opposite case shown in FIG. 2, it is hidden by this document 2.

 The electronic circuit 15 of the second embodiment of the device 4 for emitting a light signal is shown in FIG. 4. The addition of a subtractor 23 between the photosensitive sensors 12 and 16, on the one hand, and the differentiator 19 on the other hand distinguishes it from the electronic circuit shown in FIG. 3. This subtractor 23 delivers a signal 8101 which results from the subtraction of the signals Si and S'l respectively emitted by the photosensitive sensor 16 and the photosensitive sensor 12, which are therefore advantageously identical.

 When the device 1 is mounted on the document 2 as illustrated in FIG. 2, the photosensitive sensor 12 is substantially protected from light. The value of the signal which it delivers is substantially zero, and the electronic circuit 15 has the operation, previously described, of the electronic circuit 15 shown in FIG. 3.

 On the other hand, when the device 1 is dissociated from the document 2, the photosensitive sensors 12 and 16 receive the same illumination, even if this varies, since they are arranged on the same face of the body 3 and have substantially the same orientation. Also the subtractor 23 produces a signal 8101 of zero or at least constant value. This makes it possible to prevent inadvertent ignition of the light means 4, which are somehow automatically switched off simply by removing the device 1 from the document 2.

 A third embodiment of the device 4 for emitting a light signal differs from the second embodiment in that it further comprises an audible alarm 18, visible in FIG. 5, as well as the electronic circuit 15 shown in Figure 5, which takes the place of the circuit

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 electronics 15 shown in Figure 4.

 This electronic circuit 15 of FIG. 4 forms the base of the electronic circuit of FIG. 5 which also comprises means for triggering the audible alarm 18 in the event of an attempted theft of device 1, and means for stopping this audible alarm 18.

comparateur 24 émet un signal tout ou rien 86 de valeur 1. Dans le cas contraire, il délivre un signal tout ou rien 86 de valeur 0. The means for triggering the audible alarm 18 include a comparator 24, the input of which is connected to the output of the photosensitive sensor 12, and which is provided for comparing the signal S'i emitted by the latter with a predetermined threshold. If the value of this signal S'1 is less than said threshold, the

comparator 24 sends an all-nothing signal 86 of value 1. Otherwise, it delivers an all-nothing signal 86 of value 0.

 The means for stopping the alarm 18 include a monostable 25 and a logic operator 26.

le signal S3 qu'il reçoit du comparateur 20 est également à la valeur 1 ou lorsque ce signal S3 présente la forme d'un signal périodique de fréquence élevée. The monostable 25 is connected to the output of the comparator 20 to deliver an all-or-nothing signal S, at level 1 when

the signal S3 which it receives from the comparator 20 is also at the value 1 or when this signal S3 has the form of a periodic signal of high frequency.

 The NOR type logic operator 26 is connected to the comparator 24 and to the monostable 25, in order to deliver an all-or-nothing output signal Sg resulting from the logical combination of the signals S6 and S, emitted respectively by this comparator 24 and this monostable 25. More precisely, the logical operator 26 delivers a signal Sg of value equal to 0 if any of the input signals 86 and S7 has the value 1. If these two input signals S6 and S7 are both at 0 , it then provides an output signal of value 0.

 The audible alarm 18 is connected to the output of the logic operator 26 which controls its operation. Indeed, it is stopped for a signal Sg of value 0 and is triggered when this signal Sg is equal to 1.

délivre par conséquent un signal tout ou rien 86 de valeur 1. When the device 1 is in place on the document 2, the photosensitive sensor 12 produces a signal 8'1 whose value is less than the threshold of the comparator 24. The latter

consequently delivers an all or nothing signal 86 of value 1.

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Aussi, l'opérateur logique émet un signal tout ou rien 88 égal à 0, ce qui se traduit par la blocage de l'alarme sonore 18.

Also, the logic operator emits an all or nothing signal 88 equal to 0, which results in the blocking of the audible alarm 18.

The electronic circuit 15 also has the previously described operation of the electronic circuit 15 shown in FIG. 4.

 When the device 1 is dissociated from the document 2, the photosensitive sensor 12 emits a signal S'i having a value greater than the threshold of the comparator 24, which, therefore, outputs a signal S6 of value 0.

 Two cases then arise. In the first case, which is that of an attempt to steal the device 1, the photosensitive sensor 16 receives the same illumination as the photosensitive sensor 12. The subtractor delivers a signal 8101 of value substantially zero or at least constant. Consequently, the signal 87 delivered by the monostable has the value 0. Also, the logic operator 26 supplies a signal S8 of value 1 which triggers the operation of the audible alarm 18.

sortie un signal S101 également périodique. Chaque période de ce signal périodique 8101 comporte une phase de décroissance telle que le taux de variation instantané S2 de ce signal 8101 est inférieur au seuil du comparateur 20, qui fournit alors un signal tout ou rien S3 de valeur 1. En dehors de cette décroissance, le signal S3 délivré par le comparateur a la valeur 0. Ce signal S3 présente donc la forme d'un signal périodique, de fréquence élevée. Aussi, le monostable 25 délivre un signal S, ayant la valeur 1 et bloquant, par conséquent, le fonctionnement de l'alarme sonore 18. In the second case, where the device 1 is removed by an authorized agent, the latter has a device capable of pulsing a light signal of high frequency. The agent places this device opposite the photosensitive sensor 16 to inhibit the audible alarm 18. The subtractor 23, which receives from the photosensitive sensor 16 a signal S, periodic, delivers in

output a signal S101 also periodic. Each period of this periodic signal 8101 comprises a decay phase such that the instantaneous rate of change S2 of this signal 8101 is less than the threshold of the comparator 20, which then provides an all or nothing signal S3 of value 1. Apart from this decay , the signal S3 delivered by the comparator has the value 0. This signal S3 therefore has the form of a periodic signal, of high frequency. Also, the monostable 25 delivers a signal S, having the value 1 and consequently blocking the operation of the audible alarm 18.

 It goes without saying that the document 2 to be reported may not be displayed. The device 1 can for example be placed on a document 2 resting on a desk.

 The invention is not limited to the embodiments

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 described previously.

 In particular, although the conformation of the body 3 is advantageous insofar as it makes it possible to directly mount the device 1 on the document 2, by dispensing with the type of display board used, this body 3 can also generally have the form of a pushpin intended to be placed on a bulletin board, in particular in cork.

In the case where this table is metallic, the body 3 can be provided with a magnet. The body 3 can also have the shape of a clamp intended to be fixed to a display board in order to retain the document 2 between its jaws.

 Also, the signal emitted to attract attention by the device 4 may not be light but sound, the light-emitting diode 17 then being replaced by an audible warning.

 In addition, other means than the monostable 25 and the logical operator 26 can be provided for blocking the audible alarm 18. It can for example be a digital locking and unlocking system actuated by a remote control exterior.

 In addition, the device 4 for emitting a light signal can be powered by a battery replacing the photovoltaic cell 13 and the capacity 14.

Claims (12)

 1. Device for signaling a particular document (2), in particular displayed, characterized in that it comprises a device (4) for emitting a signal intended to attract attention and a body (3) which are united, the body (3) being provided with means (9, 10, 11) for fixing it on one of the two supports that are the document (2) and a display board.  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (3) has the overall shape of a plate pierced with a slot (7) surrounding a central tongue (9) in which is installed the device (4) d emission of a signal, and which is intended to be engaged on the front face of the document (2), the portion (10) of the body (3) situated outside the slot (7) being intended to be engaged on the rear face of the document (2).  3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device (4) for transmitting a signal comprises, for its electrical supply, a photovoltaic cell (13) and a capacitor (14) for storing energy supplied by this photovoltaic cell (13).  4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (4) for transmitting a signal comprises a light or sound source (17) intended to attract attention, an electronic timer (22) controlling the duration of ignition of the light or sound source (17), a first sensor (16), for detecting a presence, and an electronic circuit (15) for processing a signal (Sl) emitted by this first sensor (16) and for triggering the timer (22) when this first sensor (16) has detected an individual.  5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the light or sound source is a light emitting diode (17).  6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the first sensor is a photosensitive sensor (16). <Desc / Clms Page number 12>

7. Device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the electronic circuit (15) comprises: - a differentiator (19) connected to the first sensor (16) and delivering a signal (S,) having a value substantially proportional to the instantaneous variation of the signal (Sl) emitted by this first sensor (16); and - a first comparator (20) for comparing this variation with a predetermined threshold and for delivering, according to the result of this comparison, an all-or-nothing signal (S,) for controlling the triggering of the timer (22).  8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the electronic circuit (15) comprises an integrator (21) placed between the first comparator (20) and the timer (22), for processing the all or nothing signal (S,) .  9. Device according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the device (4) for transmitting a signal comprises a second sensor (12), photosensitive, located to be exposed to light and deliver a signal (S'1) for blocking the ignition when the body (3) is dissociated from the support, and substantially protected from light when the body (3) is fixed to the support, the electronic circuit (15) comprising means (23) for blocking the ignition of the light or sound source (17) from the blocking signal (S'1).  10. Device according to claims 6 and 9, characterized in that the first (16) and the second (12) photosensitive sensors are arranged to receive substantially the same illumination when the body (3) is dissociated from the support, the means for blocking the ignition of the light or sound source (17) comprising a subtractor (23) for delivering

 output the result (S1i) of the subtraction of the signals (ski, S'l) respectively emitted by the first (16) and the second (12) photosensitive sensors.  11. Device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it comprises an audible alarm (18) to be triggered by the signal (Sl) delivered by the second photosensitive sensor (12), the electronic circuit (15) comprising <Desc / Clms Page number 13>  means (16, 25, 26) for receiving external information and blocking the operation of the audible alarm (18) according to the content of this information.  12. Device according to claims 7 and 11, characterized in that the electronic circuit (15) comprises a second comparator (24) for comparing the signal (S \) delivered by the second photosensitive sensor (12) to a threshold

 and deliver an all or nothing signal (sog) according to the result of this comparison, the means for blocking the operation of the audible alarm (18) comprising: - a monostable (25) for stabilizing a periodic signal with all or nothing (S3 ) sent by the first comparator (20) and - a logic operator (26) combining the all-or-nothing signals (sog, S,) respectively delivered by the second comparator (24) and the monostable (25), to produce a

 all-or-nothing signal (sog) for controlling the audible alarm (18).