Receptacle interacting with a user with reduced energy consumption before unpacking

{
  "publication_number": "US10144586B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Receptacle interacting with a user with reduced energy consumption before unpacking",
  "abstract": "The invention relates to a receptacle for storage of an object, containing a proximity sensor capable of detecting an action by a user close to or in contact with a surface of the receptacle, a transducer and a control circuit comprising an input coupled to the proximity sensor and an output connected to the transducer, the control circuit being configured to generate a control signal to be sent to the transducer when a user action is detected by the proximity sensor, characterized in that it also comprises an unpacking detector coupled to the control circuit and in that the control circuit is also configured to changeover from a standby mode during which it periodically awakens to query the unpacking detector, to a detection mode during which it periodically checks the state of its input coupled to the proximity sensor, after the unpacking detector has detected removal of the receptacle from a packaging.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A receptacle for storage of an object, comprising: a proximity sensor configured to detect an action by a user close to or in contact with a surface of the receptacle; a transducer; a control circuit coupled to the proximity sensor and to the transducer, the control circuit being configured to generate a control signal to the transducer when a user action is detected by the proximity sensor; and an unpacking detector coupled to the control circuit and configured to detect removal of the receptacle from a packaging, wherein upon detection of removal of the receptacle from the packaging by the unpacking detector, the control circuit is further configured to switch from a standby mode during which the control circuit periodically awakens to query the unpacking detector to a detection mode during which the control circuit periodically checks a state of the proximity sensor, in the standby mode, the control circuit changes a length of an awake period during which it awakens to query the unpacking detector, and wherein the control circuit is also configured to progressively reduce the awake period to query the unpacking detector, in the standby mode.",
    "2. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the unpacking detector is a magnetic detector.",
    "3. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the unpacking detector is a light detector.",
    "4. The receptacle according to claim 3, wherein the control circuit is further configured to switch, after the receptacle has been withdrawn from the packaging, from the detection mode to the standby mode after the unpacking detector has not detected any light during a determined period, and to switch back to the detection mode after light is detected by the unpacking detector.",
    "5. The receptacle according to claim 3, wherein the control circuit is also configured to increase a period at which a verification is made of the state of the proximity sensor if no light is detected by the unpacking detector, when the control circuit is in the detection mode.",
    "6. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit is also configured so that in the detection mode, a verification period of the state of the proximity sensor is increased after a determined duration following detection of a user action by the proximity sensor.",
    "7. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit is also configured to learn an action history in the detection mode, and a verification period of the state of the proximity sensor is modified in time as a function of learning of the action history by the control circuit.",
    "8. The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit is also configured to change over from a sleep mode in which querying of the unpacking detector is inhibited to the standby mode.",
    "9. A receptacle for storage of an object, comprising: a proximity sensor configured to detect an action by a user close to or in contact with a surface of the receptacle; a transducer; a control circuit coupled to the proximity sensor and to the transducer, the control circuit being configured to generate a control signal to the transducer when a user action is detected by the proximity sensor; and an unpacking detector coupled to the control circuit and configured to detect removal of the receptacle from a packaging, wherein upon detection of removal of the receptacle from the packaging by the unpacking detector, the control circuit is further configured to switch from a standby mode during which the control circuit periodically awakens to query the unpacking detector to a detection mode during which the control circuit periodically checks a state of the proximity sensor, and in the detection mode, the control circuit monitors variations in signals from the proximity sensor in order to compensate for environmental conditions, wherein the receptacle further includes: a container configured to contain the object; a container cladding part in which are integrated the control circuit and a container; and a cladding part assembly detector coupled to the control circuit, the control circuit being configured to switch from a sleep mode in which querying of the unpacking detector is inhibited to standby mode when the assembly detector detects assembly of the container and the cladding part, and wherein the control circuit is also configured to change over from the sleep mode to the standby mode.",
    "10. The receptacle according to claim 1, further comprising a container containing a cosmetic product, which is at least one of a perfume or cream, and in which the proximity sensor is a capacitive sensor and the transducer is a light source, the lighting of which is controlled by the control signal generated by the control circuit.",
    "11. A method of managing the energy consumption of an object storage receptacle, comprising: detecting, by a proximity sensor, an action of a user close to or in contact with a surface of the receptacle, detecting, by an unpacking detector, removal of the object storage receptacle from a packaging; switching, by a control circuit and when the unpacking detector detects removal of the object storage receptacle from the packaging, from a standby mode during which the control circuit awakens periodically to query the unpacking detector to a detection mode, during which the control circuit periodically checks the state of its input that can be coupled to the proximity sensor, the control circuit changing a length of an awake period during which it awakens to query the unpacking detector in the standby mode; and generating, by the control circuit in the detection mode, a control signal to control a transducer when user action is detected by the proximity sensor; and wherein the awake period to query the unpacking detector is progressively reduced in the standby mode."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The invention relates to receptacles, and particularly receptacles that are aimed at containing fluid and interacting with a user, for example such as perfume flasks equipped with lighting triggered under the control of the user.\n\nReceptacles are used particularly to store consumer products such as drinks or perfumes. For example, perfumes are usually distributed in flasks fitted with caps that prevent uncontrolled spilling of the stored perfume. There is an increasing demand for the flask to interact with the user, for example generating a light signal when the user manipulates the flask. For example, such flasks are required to differentiate one type of perfume from the competition. One known flask comprises a cap and a lighting by a light emitting diode. When a cap switch is actuated, the light emitting diode emits a light signal. Such lighting has relatively limited functions. In particular, the light intensity emitted by such a flask does not take account of the distance from the user because it is based on an all-or-nothing mode. Secondly, such a flask does not generate light except when the user acts on the cap and cannot create differentiated lighting for manipulation of other zones of the flask. Furthermore, such lighting only reacts to the actuation of a switch and not respond to simpler actions such as simply holding the flask.\n\nOne solution to these problems consists of replacing the switch by a proximity detector, for example a capacitive detector, capable of detecting a user action close to or in contact with a surface of the receptacle.",
  "cpc": [
    "B65G 1/137",
    "A45D 2034/007",
    "A45D 2200/057",
    "A45D 34/02",
    "H03K 17/941",
    "H03K 17/962"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A45D 34/00",
    "A45D 34/02",
    "B65G 1/137",
    "G06M 7/00",
    "H03K 17/94",
    "H03K 17/96"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENE ALT",
    "COMMISSARIAT ENERGIE ATOMIQUE"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "MAINGUET JEAN-FRANCOIS",
    "ARRIZABALAGA GORKA",
    "AUBOUY MIGUEL"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2014-12-29",
  "publication_date": "2018-12-04",
  "grant_date": "2018-12-04",
  "priority_date": "2014-01-06",
  "application_number": "US-201414583967-A",
  "family_id": "50473539",
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}