FR2812441A1 - INTERACTIVE DEVICE FOR PUBLIC PLACE - Google Patents

Abstract

Interactive device (1) installed at a fixed position in a public place (3) and comprising a screen which is oriented towards a reception area (8a) accessible to the public and which is covered by a transparent wall (7) oriented slanting upwards. The screen and the transparent wall are arranged in a shadow zone created by a protective element (9) which overhangs the screen and projects towards the reception area.

Description

i INTERACTIVE DEVICE FOR PUBLIC PLACE.

  The present invention relates to interactive devices for public places, in particular information terminals for general or advertising information purposes, terminals for issuing transport tickets, terminals for issuing bicycles or other self-service vehicles, etc. More particularly, the invention relates to an interactive device installed at a fixed station in a public place and comprising a central electronic unit connected to at least one input interface usable by the public and to a display device comprising a screen oriented

  towards a reception area accessible to the public.

  Known devices of this type have the drawback that users sometimes have poor visibility of the display screen due to the reflections of ambient light on this screen, in particular when the interactive device is placed outside on

public roads.

  The object of the present invention is in particular to

overcome this drawback.

  To this end, according to the invention, an interactive device of the kind in question is characterized in that the display device is arranged in a shadow area created by a protective element which overhangs said display device and projects towards the reception space with respect to the display device, and in that the display device has a transparent inclined front wall which has an external face oriented diagonally towards the reception space and upwards ( it may be the front face of the screen or preferably an additional wall covering the screen). Thanks to these provisions, the transparent wall reflects at most the shaded underside of the protective element, so that the user has a clear vision of the screen and is not bothered by light reflections. In preferred embodiments, it is possible, if necessary, to resort in addition to one and / or the other of the following arrangements: the transparent wall covers the screen towards the reception space; - the protective element is translucent and has a dark color; - the protective element is opaque; - the transparent wall makes an angle of approximately with the vertical; the input interface includes at least one microphone and the electronic central unit includes voice recognition means: this embodiment is particularly advantageous when the transparent wall covers the screen and consequently prohibits

use of a touch screen.

  Other features and benefits of

  the invention will appear during the description

  following of one of its embodiments, given as

  non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In the drawings: - Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an interactive device according to an embodiment of the invention, - Figure 2 is a side view in partial section of the interactive device of Figure 1, - and the Figure 3 is a block diagram of the device

interactive of Figures 1 and 2.

  In the different figures, the same references

  denote identical or similar elements.

  Figures 1 and 2 represent an interactive terminal 1 intended for example to inform the users of a bus network on the routes and the updated timetables of the buses, for example taking into account the

  actual traffic conditions for these buses.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to this particular example, and would apply to any other interactive device, whether or not in the form of a terminal, and adapted to be controlled by a user who wishes to have information on means of public transport or any other service, tourist information, municipal information, etc. The interactive device 1 could also be adapted to issue public transport tickets, or to access bicycles or other free vehicles

service, subject to payment or not.

  In the example shown, the information terminal 1 is in the form of a vertical rigid trunk 2 in the form of a post fixed to the ground 3 in a public place such

  than a street, a station or airport hall, or whatever.

  This chest 2 has on its front face, a display device comprising a screen 4 which, in the example shown, is a flat liquid crystal screen

  or plasma arranged in a vertical plane.

  The front face of the interactive terminal 1 may also include a speaker 5, and further comprises a microphone 6 which serves as an input interface allowing a user 8, placed in the reception space 8a located at the front from terminal 1, to communicate with the terminal

  interactive by voice recognition.

  In addition, the front face of the trunk 2 is provided with a protective element or cap 9 which comprises an upper part 9a forming a roof over the screen 4, as well as two side walls 9b arranged on each side.

  of screen 4, so as to define the reception space 8a.

  This protective element 9 is intended to create a shadow area at the level of the screen 4, and is made for example of an opaque material preferably of dark color, or of a translucent material preferably of

dark color.

  In the example shown, the protective element is in one piece and is made of plastic, for

example in smoked Plexiglas.

  Furthermore, the screen 4 is covered by a transparent wall 7 which is arranged at an angle with respect thereto and which, in the example shown, is made in

  colorless plastic, for example Plexiglas.

  In the example shown, the transparent wall 7 extends obliquely forward and downward from the upper edge of the screen 4, so as to form an angle of about 45 relative to the latter. . Said transparent wall is fixed to the trunk 2 by any suitable means, for example in a recessed niche 10 which

contains screen 4.

  Given the inclination of the window 7 and the arrangement of the latter below the eaves a, the light possibly reflected towards the eyes of the user 8 first passes through the eaves 9a according to a first direction dl then is reflected by the transparent wall 7 towards the user 8 in a second direction d2. But as the eaves 5a is dark and creates a shadow area, the possible reflections which form on the transparent wall 7 are not annoying for the user 8, nor are there any reflections created at the surface of the screen 4. The display of the screen is

therefore finds it easier.

  By way of example, FIG. 3 shows a possible block diagram for the interactive terminal 1. This terminal 1 can be controlled by an electronic central unit 11 (CPU) which may in particular include a microprocessor. The electronic central unit 11, which advantageously comprises a voice recognition module 11a (hardware and / or software), is connected: - to a memory 12 (M) which contains in particular the information to be communicated to the user 8, - to the screen 4, - to the loudspeaker 5, - to a microphone 6, - and if necessary, to a radio receiver 14 (REC.) or other suitable for receiving in particular updates of the information contained in the memory 12 .

Claims (6)

  1. Interactive device (1) installed at a fixed station in a public place (3) and comprising an electronic central unit (11) connected to at least one input interface (6) usable by the public and to a display device (4, 7) comprising a screen (4) oriented towards a reception area (8a) accessible to the public, characterized in that the display device (4, 7) is arranged in a shadow area created by a protective element (9) which overhangs said display device and projects towards the reception space (Sa) relative to the display device, and in that the display device (4, 7) has a inclined transparent front wall (7) which has an external face biased towards the reception area and to the top.   2. Interactive device according to claim 1, in which the transparent wall (7) covers the screen (4) to the reception area (Sa).   3. Interactive device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the protective element   (9) is translucent and has a dark color.   4. Interactive device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the protective element (9) is opaque.   5. Interactive device according to any one   of the preceding claims, wherein the wall   transparent (7) makes an angle of about 45 with the vertical.   6. Interactive device according to any one   of the preceding claims, wherein the interface   input comprises at least one microphone (6) and the electronic central unit (11) comprises means for voice recognition (11a).