WO2005083340A1

WO2005083340A1 - Cooling vitrine with audio unit

Info

Publication number: WO2005083340A1
Application number: PCT/YU2004/000006
Authority: WO
Inventors: Goran Trifunovic
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-02
Filing date: 2004-03-18
Publication date: 2005-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2006-09-02

Abstract

The COOLING VITRINE with AUDIO UNIT becomes a marketing tool with selected (changeable) audio message and/or tune. To date, the only additional purpose of cooling vitrines - apart from their main purpose, cooling - has been decorative (sides, doors, tops, etc.). The audio unit is made of software Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 or 8), in which audio data are stored. Its other elements include processor (1), indicator (1/a), Crystal System Clock (2), FPGA Array (3), 16bit D/A converter (9) and power amplifier (10) (see Figure 1). The audio unit is connected to the sensors (11, 12 and 13) and the loudspeaker (21). Turned on by one of the sensors (11, 12 or 13) or the programmed Crystal System Clock (2), the audio unit is activated when: the door is open, a product is removed from the shelf, someone passes by the cooling vitrine, and the door is closed. It can also set itself on in programmed time intervals and play an (changeable) audio message/tune through the loudspeaker (21).

Description

COOLING VITRINE with AUDIO UNIT

Referent technical field:

This is an electronic device for cooling vitrines, with applications in digital and sound technologies.

The International Patent Office categorizes such devices under:

- F 25 D 31/10 other cooling and freezing devices - G 06 F 19/00 digital workstations or special-usage data processing devices and procedures - G 10 K 15/04 sound devices

Status of equipment:

To date, the only additional purpose of cooling vitrines - apart from their main purpose, cooling - has been decorative (sides, doors, tops/lids, etc.)

This refers primarily to the outdoors vending containers for ice cream, cool drinks, frozen fruits, etc.

These decorative coolers can be seen grabbing the attention of customers around the world, in the supermarkets, streets, at fairs, arenas and other places in all major towns.

In line with the manufacturers' and marketing specialists' continual search for innovation in the field of product promotion and placement, the cooling vitrines too have been used to this purpose.

Cooling vitrine manufacturers went one step further when they designed coolers with see-through doors, allowing the customers to see the contents.

Glass-paneled cooling vitrines became the bearers of visual information also by way of eye-catching displays describing what is inside. In this way, the manufacturers have attracted the customers' attention by images and/or slogans, in line with the prevailing trends in global marketing.

The next step was to make the cooling devices talk, and add sound to visual attention-grabbers.

In the meantime, electronics and its many forms of application in everyday life - PCs and other- experienced extraordinary growth, and the need to include them in a successful marketing formula became obvious. Electronics found a new application in the COOLING VITRINE with AUDIO UNIT, with selected (changeable) textual message/tune. In this way, cooling devices have been promoted into important marketing tools.

Technical description

The cooling vitrine is enhanced with an audio unit, whose marketing function is to attract the attention of the customers by sound - audio messages and/or tunes.

The audio unit is made of a processor (CPU - Central Processing Unit) with counter, Crystal System Clock, Flash RAM Memory, FPGA Array (FPGA- Field Programmable Gate Array), 16bit D/A converter (16bit D/A) and Power Amplifier, stored in the hardware unit.

The audio unit is supported by sensors, loudspeakers and other accessories (switches, etc.) necessary for a high-quality and all-inclusive marketing function expected from a similar medium.

The audio unit uses standard power and is equipped with switches and push buttons allowing it to be on or off, depending on the need and or demand of the moment, the user's choice, etc.

The sensors vary according to their use.

The switch-sensor is located on the body of the cooling vitrine next to the door. Its function is to send a signal telling whether the door is closed or open. Depending on the position of the switch position and type of signal it receives, the audio unit plays a message.

Weight sensor is located on the body of the cooling vitrine, next to the shelves. When the weight of the shelf drops, i.e. a product is taken from a shelf, the weigh sensor sends a signal to the audio unit, which now plays a message identifying the product that was taken from the shelf.

An electronic eye is located on the surface of the body of the cooling vitrine. Directed towards those passing by the machine, this sensor sends a signal to the audio unit when there is someone standing in front of the machine. The audio unit now plays a message to attract the potential buyer's attention to the cooling vitrine, i.e. to the products inside.

The Crystal System Clock is located inside the hardware unit. Its function is to set off the selected message tune in programmed time intervals.

Standard loudspeaker(s) are needed for good-quality sound of the audio message, and are placed in the back of the body of the cooling vitrine.

Thus conceived and put together, the audio unit (set off by one of several sensors and or time-programmed) is able to react to several different signals and play different, changeable audio messages/tunes. For instance, the audio unit will react when: the door opens, a product is taken from the shelf, someone goes past the cooling vitrine, the door closes... and irrespective of these situations, on its own, in programmed time intervals.

The switches allow the option to play or not to play a certain message, as well as to remain in the sleep mode between different statuses of the sensor or while waiting for the timer to send out its signal.

Brief description of Figures:

A detailed drawing of this invention is given in Figures 1 to 4.

Figure 1 - Drawing of the audio unit.

The audio unit is made of internal elements: processor (1) with counter (1a), Crystal System Clock (2), FPGA Array (3), Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 and 8), 16bit D/A converter (9) and power amplifier (10), as well as external elements: sensors (11, 12 and 13) and loudspeaker (21).

Figure 2 - Connection between audio unit and the sensor attached to the door (11)

Figure 2/1 shows the position when the door of the cooling vitrine is shut and the sensor/switch (11) is locked.

Figure 2/2 shows the position when the door of the cooling vitrine is open and the sensor/switch (11 ) is free.

Figure 2/3 shows the location of the audio unit inside the hardware unit, itself attached to the inside of the cooling vitrine. It is clear from the drawing that the audio unit is directly connected to the sensor (12), loudspeaker (21) and power source, and that there is a switch on the hardware unit.

Figure 3 - Connection between the audio unit and the sensor (12) attached to the shelves.

Figure 3/1 shows the position when the shelf of the cooling vitrine is fully loaded and the sensor (12) takes the weight of the products on the shelf.

Figure 3/2 shows the position when the shelf of the cooling vitrine is lighter and the sensor (12) takes less weight.

Figure 3/3 shows the location of the audio unit inside the hardware unit, itself attached to the inside of the cooling vitrine. It is clear form the drawing that the audio unit is directly connected to the sensor (12), loudspeaker (21) and power source, and that there is a switch on the hardware unit.

Figure 4 - Connection between the audio unit and the sensor (13) registering movement in front of the cooling vitrine. Figure 4/1 shows the location of the sensor/electronic eye (13) that registers movement in front of the cooling vitrine when the door is shut.

Figure 4/2 shows the location of the sensor/electronic eye (13) that registers movement in front of the cooling vitrine in the position when the door is open. In this position the sensor remains idle.

Figure 4/3 shows the location of the audio unit inside the hardware unit, itself attached to the inside of the cooling vitrine. It is clear from the drawing that the audio unit is directly connected to the sensor (13), loudspeaker (21) and power source, and that there is a switch on the hardware unit.

Detailed description of the invention:

Cooling vitrine with audio unit is an audio unit stored in the hardware unit, itself attached to the inside of the cooling vitrine.

Audio unit is composed of the following elements:

Processor - CPU/Central Processing Unit (1) with indicator, Crystal System Clock (2), FPGA Array - FPGA/Field Programmable Gate Array (3), Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 and 8), 16bit D/A converter - 16bit D/A (9), power amplifier (10) - see Figure 1.

The audio unit is designed to play the audio message, i.e. text or tune, depending on which sensor/switch/Crystal System Clock has been activated.

How the audio unit operates

The unit's operation is based on the basic frequency of a 24.576Hz quartz oscillator.

This frequency is sent to the processor (1), indicator (1/a), Crystal System Clock (2), FPGA Array (3), and the 16bit D/A converter (9).

Once the audio unit is on, all its vital parts are reset and the unit, depending on the status of the sensor/push button, plays the message, after which it goes into the sleep mode and remains idle until there is another change in the status of the sensors push buttons.

The processor registers every change in the status of the sensors/push buttons (11 , 12 and 13), and when the Crystal System Clock gets activated (2).

Possible electronic disturbances are eliminated and the actual status of the sensors/push buttons identified by digital filtering. If the status is changed, the processor (1) activates Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) and sets off the indicator (1/a).

After the indicator (1/a) has been started, the data from Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) change into the serial format of the D/A converter (9), which, after receiving the first 16bit of the message, begins the conversion of digital into analogue data.

This analogue data is then passed through a low-pass filter, which eliminates all the unwanted high-frequency tones that appeared during the D/A conversion.

The filtered analogue signal reaches the power amplifier (10), which activates the loudspeaker (21).

During the audio message, the processor (1) with indicator (1/a) addresses the Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) thus having full control over the system. Therefore, a new initiative of the sensor (11, 12 or 13) interrupts the previous message and plays through new audio information, providing that there has been no new indication from the sensor.

After "reading" the entire message, the processor (1) stops the indicator (1/a) and waits for the next change in the status of the sensor/push button.

Functions of the main elements of the audio unit

Processor (1)

To operate properly, the audio unit needs at least 51 series processor.

The processor is software-initiated and able to register every change in the status of the sensor/push button (11, 12 and 13) or Crystal System Clock (2).

The basic frequency of the 24.576 MHz quartz oscillator is sent to the processor (1), the timer ((1/a), but also to the FPGA Array (3), as well as the 16bit D/A converter (9)-

The processor verifies the status of the sensor/push button and in case it has changed, it activates the corresponding Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) and activates the indicator (1/a).

By activating the Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) data indicator, the activated memorized data is then converted into the serial format of D/A converter (9), which, upon receiving the initial 16bit of the message, starts the conversion of digital data into analogue data. After being processed, this data is sent to the power amplifier (10), which activates the loudspeaker (21) and starts playing the selected audio message/tune.

The processor has full control of the system at any moment. Upon a new initiative of the sensor (11, 12, or 13), the processor initiates the interruption of the previous message by activating the data indicator (1/a), and from the Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) the whole process is activated until the new audio data is received. This new message/tune is played in full, providing that no new indication from the sensor (11, 12 and 13) is received. This prevents the first message from being played in full when the customer has already started a new operation. Also, it prevents two or more messages/tunes from overlapping.

The processor stops the indicator (1/a) and waits for the next change in the status of the sensor/push button (11, 12 and 13), after the entire messagetune is played.

Crystal System Clock (2)

The Crystal System Clock is a base crystal system deck that remains active at all times, even when the processor is in the stand-by mode.

Along with the processor (1), the Crystal System Clock is the basic element of the audio unit. It ensures that the message/tune can be played in pre-programmed time intervals.

The basic frequency of the 24.576 MHz quartz oscillator is sent to the processor (1), the indicator (1/a), FPGA Array (3), as well as the D/A converter (9).

The indicator (1/a) is activated if there really is a change in the status of the sensor/push button (11, 12, 13 or 14) or the Crystal System Clock (2) when the processor (1) activates the Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 or 8).

After the indicator (1/a) is activated, the data from the Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) is converted into the serial format of the D/A/ converter (9). In the absence of a new change in the status of the sensor/push button (11, 12 or 13) or the Crystal System Clock (2), the data from the Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 or 8), upon reception of the first 16bit of the message, is converted from digital into analogue format in the D/A converter (9) and sent to the power amplifier (10), which forwards the signal to the loudspeaker (21), and the message/tune is played.

FPGA Array (3)

The FPGA Array is attached to the processor (1) and the Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 or 8). It activates new memorized information from the Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) in case there is a change in the status of the sensor/push button (11, 12 or 3), or the Crystal System Clock (2).

If the indicator of the data from the Flash RAM Memory is set off and the memorized data activated, the FPGA Array will transfer it to the 16bit D/A converter (9). The serial format, upon reception of the first 16bit of the message, starts the conversion of the digital data into analogue data, which, after further conversion, is sent to the power amplifier (10), which activates the loudspeaker (21) and starts to play the selected message tune. Along with the processor (1), the FPGA Array is responsible for preventing two or more messages tunes from being played at the same time, by blocking new messages from the Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) and allowing the current message/tune to be played until it is over.

Flash RAM Memory (4. 5. 6. 7 or 8)

The Flash RAM Memory is where the taped/memorized messages audio data are stored.

Once memorized, the message can be played an unlimited number of times, or be replaced by a new message/tune.

Activated by the sensor (8, 9 or 10) or the Crystal System Clock (2), and set off by the processor (1) and the FPGA Array (3), the data stored in the Flash RAM Memory is converted into the serial format of the 16bit D/A converter (9), which, upon receiving the first 16bit of the message, starts the conversion of digital data into analogue data. After being processed, it is sent to the power amplifier (10) and the loudspeakers (21), and the selected message/tune is played.

16bit D/A converter (9)

The 16bit D/A converter receives the initiated message from the FPGA Array (3).

Given that the format of the message is that from the Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 or 8), it needs to be converted into the serial format of the 16bit D/A converter (9). Upon receiving the first 16bit of the message, the converter starts the conversion of the digital data into analogue data. After being processed further, this data is sent to the power amplifier (10), which activates the loudspeaker (21), and the selected message/tune is played.

If the FPGA Array (3) initiates a next message, the current message is stopped, and the new message is played instead, without interruption, unless there is another change of signal.

The analogue data obtained in this way is then passed through a low-pass filter, which removes all the unwanted high frequencies.

Power amplifier (10)

The power amplifier activates the loudspeaker (21) after the active analogue data has been passed through a low-pass filter that removes all the unwanted high frequencies resulting from the D/A conversion in the 16bit D/A converter (9), where the data came from.

The filtered final analogue signal is sent to the loudspeaker (21), which plays the message/tune. Door sensor (11)

The processor records every change in the stajus of the sensor.

The door sensor is a switch placed on the body of the cooling vitrine (see Figure 2). It has two positions: one when the door is closed (2/1), and the other when the door is open (2/2).

Depending on the position of the switch, the sensor sends the information that activates the selected message via the processor (1), indicator (1/a), FPGA Array (3) and the Flash RAM Memory (4 or 5). The information is then forwarded to the 16bit D/A converter (9), and after being processed, it is sent to the power amplifier (10) and played through the loudspeaker (21 ).

In the absence of the change in the status, the sensor remains idle and the processor is ready to activate the audio unit when the next change in the status occurs.

Shelf sensor (12)

The processor records every change in the status of the sensor/push button.

The shelf sensor is a push button attached to the body of the cooling vitrine (see Figure 3). It reacts to the weight of the shelf: when the shelf weight is unchanged (3/1) and when the shelf weight is smaller than usual (3/2).

Depending on the position of the push button, the sensor sends information to the processor (1), FPGA Array (3), indicator (1/a) and Flash RAM Memory (6), which sets off the selected message if the weight of the shelf has changed. The message is then forwarded to the 16bit D/A converter (9), and after being processed, it is sent to the power amplifier (10) and played through the loudspeaker (21).

In there is no change in the weight of the shelf the sensor is not activated and the processor is ready to activate the audio unit when the next change of weight occurs.

Movement sensor (13)

The processor records every change in the status of the sensor.

The movement sensor is an electronic eye (photocell), fixed onto the body of the cooling vitrine and directed towards the passers-by (see Figure 4). The photocell reacts to the movement: when someone is in the radius of the photocell, the sensor is activated, and when someone is outside the radius of the photocell, the sensor remains idle.

Depending on the status of the photocell, the sensor sends information that, if someone is in the radius of the photocell, sends the selected message to the processor (1), the indicator (1/a), FPGA Array (3) and the Flash RAM Memory (7). The message is then sent to the 16bit D/A converter (9), and after being fully processed, it is sent to the power amplifier (10) and played through the loudspeaker (21).

If there is no movement in the radius of the photocell, the sensor is not activated and the processor is ready to activate the audio unit when the next change in the radius of the photocell occurs.

Loudspeaker (21)

The loudspeaker receives from the power amplifier (10) the message that is ready to be played.

The message is now played. If there is change in the status of the sensor, the processor (1) initiates a new message via the indicator (1/a), FPGA Array (3) and the Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 or 8). After being converted in the 16bit D/A converter (9) and the power amplifier (1(3), the message interrupts the previous one and is played in full.

The loudspeaker will not play the message if there is no change in the status of the sensors (11 , 12 or 13). In this case, the processor (1 ) waits for the next change in the status in order to set off the audio unit, which through the loudspeaker (21) plays the audio message/tune, stored in the Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 or 8).

Audio message

The audio message is audio data stored in the Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 or 8), which by setting off the sensor (11, 12 or 13) activates the processor (1). The processor then forwards the converted data all the way to the loudspeaker (21), which plays it.

The audio messages can be changed and new ones recorded depending on the marketing needs and activities, season, etc.

The processor (1) records every change in the status of the sensor/push button (11 , 12 or 13) or the Crystal System Clock (2).

The audio message - audio data is played if the sensor (11, 12 or 13) records a new situation. In that case, the processor (1) initiates a new message via the indicator (1/a), FPGA Array (3) and the Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 or 8). The message is sent to the 16bit D/A converter (9), and after being folly processed, it is sent to the power amplifier (10) and played through the loudspeaker (21). Switch

The switch is used to turn the audio unit on and off, independently of the cooling vitrine's main purpose - cooling.

There is also the option to switch the individual sensors and push buttons on and off, if for any reason the user chooses to keep them out of operation, i.e. activate the audio unit and play certain messages at a particular moment or over a longer period of time.

Power

The device operates at standard AC 220 V/50Hz.

The right voltage for the operation of the device is made available by means of an adaptor with transformer and voltage regulators.

The system is designed to spend minimum power while in stand-by mode, which makes it environment-friendly.

Audio unit

The audio unit operates in one of the following ways: ■ Through the sensor (11 ), which reacts to the shutting/opening of the door by setting off the processor (1), which, depending on the action (shutting opening) activates the corresponding Flash RAM Memory (4 or 5), which, through the FPGA Array (3) sends off the audio data to the 16bit D/A converter (9). The message is then sent to the power amplifier (10) and played through the loudspeaker (21). ■ Through the sensor (12), which reacts to the lifting of the article off the shelf by setting off the processor (1), which activates the corresponding Flash RAM Memory (6), which, through the FPGA Array (3) sends off audio data to the 16bit D/A converter (9). The message is then sent to the power amplifier (10) and played through the loudspeaker (21). ■ Through the sensor (13), which reacts to movement and sets off the processor (1), which activates the corresponding Flash RAM Memory (7), which, through the FPGA Array (3) sends off the audio message to the 16bit D/A converter (9). The message is then sent to the power amplifier (10) and played through the loudspeaker (21). ■ The Crystal System Clock (2) sets off the processor (1), which activates the corresponding Flash RAM Memory (8), which, through the FPGA Array (3) sends off the audio message to the 16bit D/A converter (9). The message is then sent to the power amplifier (10) and played through the loudspeaker (21).

Claims

Patent Claims

1. THE COOLING VITRINE with AUDIO UNIT consists of a hardware unit attached to the body of the cooling vitrine from the inside designated with audio unit, which consists of a processor (1), counter (1/a), Crystal System Clock (2), FPGA Array (3), Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) and power amplifier (10), and is connected to the sensors (11, 12 and 13) and loudspeaker (21 ), and at the initiative of the sensor (11 , 12 or 13) or Crystal System Clock (2) it reproduces a (selected) audio message/tune stored in the Flash RAM Memory (4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) that the processor (1) activates via the counter (1/a) and FPGA Array (3) as well as the Iβbit D/A converter (9) and power amplifier (10), and the loudspeaker (21) plays it in full if the processor (1) and the counter (1/a) have not been activated by another message, which, after going through the same process, interrupts the previous message.

2. The audio unit designated with, initiated by the sensor (11) - depending on whether the door of the cooling vitrine is open or closed - through the loudspeaker (21) plays the audio message/tune stored in the Flash RAM Memory (4 or 5) activated by the processor (1) via the counter (1/a) and FPGA Array (3), as well as the 16bit D/A converter (9) and power amplifier (10), and the message is played in full if the processor (1) and the counter (1/a) have not been activated by a new message, which is played after going through the same process.

3. The audio unit designated with, initiated by the sensor (12) - depending on whether the weight on the shelf dropped - through the loudspeaker (21) plays the audio message/tune stored in the Flash RAM Memory (6) activated by the processor (1) via the counter (1/a) and FPGA Array (3), as well as the 16bit D/A converter (9) and power amplifier (10), and the message is played in full if the processor (1) and the counter (1/a) have not been activated by a new message, which is played after going through the same process.

4. The audio unit designated with, initiated by the sensor (1 ) - depending on whether there is movement in front of the cooling vitrine - through the loudspeaker (21) plays the audio message/tune stored in the Flash RAM Memory (7) activated by the processor (1 ) via the counter (1/a) and FPGA Array (3), as well as the 16bit D/A converter (9) and power amplifier (10), and the message is played in full if the processor (1) and the counter (1/a) have not been activated by a new message, which is played after going through the same process.

5. The audio unit designated with, initiated by the Crystal System Clock (2) - in programmed time intervals - through the loudspeaker (21) plays the audio message/tune stored in the Flash RAM Memory (7) activated by the processor (1) via the counter (1/a) and FPGA Array (3), as well as the 16bit D/A converter (9) and power amplifier (10), and the message is played in full if the processor (1) and the counter (1/a) have not been activated by a new message, which is played after going through the same process.