The invention relates to a method of presentation of a bottle.

In particular, the invention relates to a method of presentation of a bottle, the bottle being at least partly transparent and internally comprising a volume for receiving a transparent liquid, the bottle presenting at least one optical feature selected from a pattern and a shape.

In order to present a bottle so as to enhance it, it is known to affix on the bottle, and in particular to a base of the bottle, a lighting system capable of emitting a light signal lightening the volume of the bottle.

However, such presentation does not offer satisfying modularity and adaptability. The invention aims at overcoming this drawback.

To this end, the invention proposes a method of presentation implementing:

- a terminal equipped with an acquisition device capable of acquiring an image, and a lighting component capable of emitting a light signal,

- a processing unit connected to the acquisition device and the lighting component of the terminal, the processing unit being capable of recognising, in an image acquired by the acquisition device, the optical feature of the bottle and of associating said optical feature with at least one multimedia content, the multimedia content comprising instructions that are readable by the processing unit in order to emit a light signal corresponding to the optical feature via the lighting component,

the method of presentation including the steps consisting of:

- acquiring an image of the bottle via the acquisition device,

- recognising, in the image acquired by the acquisition device, the optical feature of the bottle and associating said optical feature with the multimedia content via the processing unit,

- emitting the light signal corresponding to the optical feature via the lighting component.

Thus, the method of presentation according to the invention proposes an interaction between the terminal and the bottle making it possible to modulate the multimedia content and to adapt it to the bottle.

The method of presentation may include, after the optical feature has been associated with a multimedia content, placing the terminal close to the bottle and orienting the lighting component towards the volume of the bottle. The bottle may extend along a central axis and include:

- a base presenting a rest surface that is transverse relative to the central axis,

- a side wall which extends from the base around the central axis, the side wall presenting an inner surface delimiting the volume for receiving the liquid, and an outer surface,

- a neck delimiting an upper opening opposite to the base,

the method of presentation including, after the optical feature has been associated with a multimedia content, the steps consisting of:

- placing the terminal on a support surface so that the lighting component emits the light signal in a direction opposite to the support surface, and

- placing the base of the bottle on the lighting component.

The bottle may include a coating film covering at least a part of the outer surface of the side wall, the coating film presenting a pattern as optical feature,

the method of presentation including backlighting the pattern when the light signal is emitted.

The pattern may comprise a plurality of pattern areas, each pattern area having a light level defined by a ratio of a quantity of light measured at a measuring distance from the lighting component through the pattern area to a quantity of light measured directly at the measuring distance from the lighting component, the plurality of pattern areas comprising at least one first contrast area and at least one second contrast area, the first contrast area having a light level at least 15%, in particular at least 30%, preferably at least 40%, for example at least 50% less than the light level of the second contrast area.

The first contrast area may be an opaque design area and the second contrast area may be a transparent pattern area, the opaque and transparent pattern areas having a difference in light level of at least 15%, in particular at least 30%, preferably at least 40%, for example at least 50%.

The coating film may comprise at least one window capable of allowing viewing of the side wall from the outside, the window forming one of the second contrast areas. In particular, the coating film may comprise a transparent portion forming said at least one window. In a complementary or alternative manner, the coating film may comprise a cutout forming said at least one window. The side wall of the bottle may comprise at least one transverse wall portion that is inclined with respect to the central axis, the window being arranged on the transverse wall portion. At least one of the first contrast areas may be an obscuring pattern area having a light level less than 10%, preferably less than 5%.

The obscuring pattern area may have a thickness less than 10 μιη, preferably less than 5 μιη, in particular less than 3 μιη.

The pattern of the coating film may comprise first and second patterns superimposed, the coating film being capable of showing the first pattern when the pattern is not backlit by the light beam and of showing the second pattern when the pattern is backlit by the light beam. In particular, the coating film may have an inner surface that is in contact with the outer surface of the side wall of the bottle, and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface, the first of the two patterns being produced one on the inner surface of the coating film and the other on the outer surface of the coating film.

The coating film may have a lower edge situated at the level of the base of the bottle and an upper edge situated at the level of the neck of the bottle so as to substantially cover all of the outer surface of the side wall of the bottle. In particular, the bottle can have an initial fill level where it extends to a low point of a meniscus initially formed by a free surface of the liquid, the upper edge of the coating film being flush with the initial fill level.

The obscuring pattern area may comprise a layer of metallic ink.

The side wall of the bottle may present the shape as optical feature.

The side wall of the bottle may comprise at least one bulge between two restrictions, the bulge having a maximum transverse dimension greater than at least 20%, to a maximum transverse dimension of each of the restrictions, said at least one bulge forming the shape.

The light signal may have a predefined cadence for a light display.

The light signal may comprise at least one light beam emitted in a direction of illumination.

The lighting component may comprise a flash lamp suitable for an acquisition of an image by the acquisition device under low light conditions.

The lighting component may comprise a display screen.

The processing unit may comprise a database storing a plurality of optical features and a plurality of multimedia contents, each associated with an optical feature.

The processing unit may comprise a processor and a memory arranged in the terminal, the database being stored in the memory.

As a variant, the processing unit may comprise: - a remote server in which the database is stored, and

- a processor and a communication interface arranged in the terminal, the communication interface being capable of communicating with the remote server.

The terminal may be equipped with at least one sound component capable of emitting a sound signal and the multimedia content may comprise instructions that are readable by the processing unit in order to emit a sound signal corresponding to the optical feature via the sound component.

The sound signal and the light signal may be emitted in synchronization.

The processing unit may comprise at least one recording device capable of recording a voice message as sound signal,

the presentation method may include emitting the recorded voice message.

The terminal may be capable of being carried in the hand of a user.

Further aims and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description of a particular non- limitative embodiment of the invention, the description being given with reference to the attached drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a representation of a bottle implemented in a method of presentation according to an embodiment of the invention, the bottle presenting at least one optical feature selected from a pattern and a shape,

- Figures 2 and 3 are diagrammatic representations of front and rear faces respectively of a terminal implemented in the method of presentation, the terminal being equipped with an acquisition device capable of acquiring an image and of a lighting component capable of emitting a light signal,

- Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a processing unit implemented in the method of presentation, the processing unit comprising a remote server in which is stored a database storing a plurality of optical features and a plurality of multimedia contents, each associated with an optical feature, the processing unit also comprising a processor and a communication interface arranged in the terminal, the communication interface being capable of communicating with the remote server,

- Figure 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a step of a method of presentation consisting of acquiring an image of the bottle via the acquisition device of the terminal,

- Figure 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a step of the presentation method consisting of recognising, in the image acquired by the acquisition device, the optical feature of the bottle and of associating the optical feature with the multimedia content via the processing unit, - Figure 7 is a diagrammatic representation of a step of the presentation method consisting of placing a base of the bottle on the lighting component of the terminal and of emitting the light signal corresponding to the optical feature via the lighting component.

In the figures, the same references denote identical or similar elements.

Figure 1 illustrates a bottle 1 internally comprising a volume for receiving a transparent liquid. Within the meaning of the present application, by "a transparent liquid" is meant a liquid having a light level greater than 70%, the light level being defined by a ratio of an amount of light measured at a measuring distance from a light source though a liquid height to an amount of light measured directly at the measuring distance from the light source. The transparent liquid can in particular be a beverage and, in particular, water, in particular spring water, for example still or sparkling.

The bottle 1 is transparent, completely or partially, i.e. it has a light level greater than 70%, the light level then being defined by a ratio of an amount of light measured at a measuring distance from the light source through the bottle to an amount of light measured directly at the measuring distance from the light source. In the embodiment shown, without being limited thereby, the bottle 1 is disposable and produced from plastic material such as PET. As a variant, the bottle 1 can be produced from any other suitable material and in particular from glass.

The bottle 1 has a central axis A and comprises a base 2 that is transverse overall with respect to the central axis A. The base 2 has an outer surface on which a rest surface is arranged, and an inner surface delimiting the volume for receiving the liquid.

The bottle 1 also comprises a side wall 3 which extends from the base 2 around the central axis A up to a neck 4 delimiting an upper opening opposite to the base 2. The side wall 3 has an inner surface delimiting the volume for receiving the liquid, and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface. In the embodiment shown, without being limited thereby, the side wall 3 has a succession of three bulges 6, 8, 10 that are substantially spherical: a lower bulge 6 in the vicinity of the base 2, an intermediate bulge 8 separated from the lower bulge 6 by a first restriction 7 and an upper bulge 10 in the vicinity of the neck 4 and separated from the intermediate bulge 8 by a second restriction 9. The bulges 6, 8, 10 form transverse wall portions that are inclined relative to the central axis A:

- between the base 2 and a middle part of the lower bulge 6,

- between the middle part of the lower bulge 6 and the first restriction 7,

- between the first restriction 7 and a middle part of the intermediate bulge 8,

- between the middle part of the intermediate bulge 8 and the second restriction 9, - between the second restriction 9 and a middle part of the upper bulge 10,

- between the middle part of the upper bulge 10 and the neck 4.

Each of the bulges 6, 8, 10 may present a maximum transverse dimension greater than at least 20% to a maximum transverse dimension of each of the restrictions 7, 9 between which it is formed.

Provision can be made for a cap 12 on the neck 4 in order to reversibly seal the upper opening. In the embodiment shown, the cap 12 can be mounted in a removable manner, for example by screwing, on the neck 4. As a variant, the cap can be fixedly mounted on the neck 4 and comprise a movable part that can be moved between a sealing position in which it seals the upper opening and an opening position in which it is separated from the upper opening.

The bottle 1 also comprises a coating film 15 covering the outer surface of the side wall 3. In the embodiment shown, the coating film 15 has a lower edge situated at the level of the base 2 of the bottle 1 and an upper edge situated at the level of the neck 4 of the bottle 1 so as to substantially cover all of the outer surface of the side wall 3. In particular, the bottle 1 has an initial fill level where it extends to a low point of a meniscus initially formed by a free surface of the liquid. The upper edge of the coating film 15 is then flush with the initial fill level. As a variant, only a part of the outer surface of the side wall 3 could be covered by the coating film 15.

The coating film 15 comprises a pattern having several pattern areas 16, 17. The pattern areas differ from each other by one or several optical parameters, visible by a user or at least detectable by an appropriate detecting device, such as a colour, a contrast, un intensity or a light level defined by a ratio of an amount of light measured at a measuring distance from a light source through the pattern area to an amount of light measured directly at the measuring distance from the light source.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pattern areas 16, 17 have different light levels. The pattern is constituted by a particular arrangement of one or more first contrast areas 17 and one or more second contrast areas 16. In the embodiment shown, the coating film 15 comprises several second contrast areas 16 in the shape of separate flames distributed on a backing as first contrast area 17. The first contrast area 17 may have a light level at least 15%, in particular at least 30%, preferably at least 40%, for example at least 50% less than the light level of the second contrast areas 16.

In the particular embodiment shown, the first contrast area 17 is an opaque pattern area and the second contrast areas are transparent pattern areas 16. The opaque 17 and transparent 16 pattern areas have a difference in light level of at least 15%, in particular at least 30%, preferably at least 40%, for example at least 50%. As a variant, the first and second contrast areas could be produced in any manner suitable for obtaining a contrast. The first and second contrast areas could in particular be more or less translucent, more or less coloured, more or less thick, etc.

By way of a non- limitative example, light levels for different pattern areas are measured. To that end a mask, that is essentially opaque, is arranged on the bottle to cover the outer surface with the exception of an opening situated at a measuring distance, for example 2 cm, from a support face on which LEDs are placed. A sensor capable of measuring an amount of light, for example of the type Luxmeter MS-200LED commercialized by the company VOLTCRAFT, is placed facing the opening and connected to a processing unit. An initial measurement of the amount of light at the measuring distance is carried out directly through the opening. The different pattern areas are then successively placed in the opening and the amount of light at the measuring distance is measured through each of the design areas.

The results obtained are shown in the table below.

Table

Thus, a difference in the light level of the order of 15% can correspond to a pattern having black opaque pattern areas and blue or green transparent pattern areas. A difference in the light level between 40% and 50% can correspond to a pattern having blue or green opaque pattern areas and white transparent pattern areas. In Figure 1, each transparent pattern area 16 can be constituted by a window capable of allowing viewing of the side wall 4 from outside. The window then has a light level greater than 70%. Each window can be obtained by a portion of transparent film. The remainder of the coating film comprising the opaque pattern area 17 has a light level at least 15% less than that of the transparent pattern areas 16. The opaque pattern area 17 can then be black or coloured, and, for example, blue, red and/or green. As a variant, each window may be formed by a cutout arranged in the coating film 15.

Moreover, in order to obtain the desired opacity and, if appropriate, to vary it, it is possible to vary different parameters of the coating film 15 such as for example: the thickness of the coating film, the thickness or number of printed layers forming the pattern on the coating film 15, the amount of ink used in the printed layer. In particular, the opaque pattern area 17 may be an obscuring pattern area having a light level of less than 10%, preferably less than 5%. The obscuring pattern area is preferably thin, with a thickness that is less than 10 μιη, preferably less than 5 μιη, in particular less than 3 μιη. For example, the obscuring pattern area comprises a layer of metallic ink. The opaque pattern area 17 can then be reflective, so as to channel the light towards the transparent pattern areas 16. Such an effect may be obtained by distributing metallic particles over a printed layer. The windows forming transparent pattern areas can then be preferably arranged on the transverse wall portions of the side wall 3 so that more intense lighting than the remainder of the bottle 2 can be provided through the windows.

According to other variants, as is shown in the table above, the transparent pattern areas 16 may be green or blue and the opaque pattern area 17 may have a light level at least 15% less than that of the transparent pattern areas 16, that is being black. Or also, the transparent pattern areas 16 may be white and the opaque design area 17 may have a light level at least 40% less than that of the transparent pattern areas 16, that is being blue or green.

The pattern of the coating film may comprise first and second patterns superimposed, the coating film being capable of showing the first pattern when the pattern is not backlit by the light beam and of showing the second pattern when the pattern is backlit by the light beam. In particular, the coating film may have an inner surface that is in contact with the outer surface of the side wall of the bottle, and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface, the first of the two patterns being produced one on the inner surface of the coating film and the other on the outer surface of the coating film. The shape of the bottle 1, and in particular one or several of the bilges 6, 8, 10 on the side wall 3, as well as the pattern on the coating film 15 form each an optical feature of the bottle 1 enabling its identification.

Figures 2 to 4 illustrate an electronic system comprising:

- a terminal 20 equipped with an acquisition device 21 capable of acquiring an image, a lighting component 22 capable of emitting a light signal and, possibly, a sound component 23 capable of emitting a sound signal,

- a processing unit capable of recognising, in an image acquired by the acquisition device 21, at least one of the optical features of the bottle 1 and of associating this optical feature with at least one multimedia content.

The multimedia content comprises instructions that are readable by the processing unit in order to emit a light signal corresponding to the optical feature via the lighting component 21. The light signal can comprise one or more lights of different colours and/or intensities emitted at a predefined cadence for a light animation. When the terminal 20 is equipped with a sound component 23, the multimedia content can also comprise instructions that are readable via the processing unit in order to emit a sound signal corresponding to the optical feature via the sound component 23. The sound signal can comprise one or more sounds of different levels and/or intensities, if appropriate, emitted in synchronization with the light signal.

The terminal 20 comprises a case 24 that can be carried in the hand of a user and contains a set of electronic components. In particular, in Figures 2 and 3, the terminal 20 is a telephone comprising on a front face a display screen 25, optionally a touch screen, a microphone 26, a loudspeaker 27 and one or more control function keys 28. On a rear face, the terminal 20 comprises a lens of the lighting device 21, a flash lamp 29 suitable for the acquisition of an image by the acquisition device under low light conditions and another loudspeaker 30. The display screen 25 and the flash lamp 29 can serve the lighting component 22, the first for emitting a light signal in the form of a more or less diffuse illuminated surface and the second for emitting a light signal in the form of a light beam that is more or less focussed in a direction of illumination. The loudspeakers 27, 30 of the front and rear faces can serve as sound component 23.

In Figure 4, the processing unit comprises a remote server 31 in which is stored a database storing a plurality of optical features of bottles and a plurality of multimedia contents, each associated with an optical feature. The processing unit also comprises a processor 32 and a communication interface 33 both mounted in the case 24 of the terminal 20. The communication interface 33 is capable of communicating, preferably remotely according to any suitable protocol but optionally by a wired connection, with remote networks and, in particular, with the server 31. The processor 32 is connected to the acquisition device 21, to the lighting components 22, namely the display screen 25 and the flash lamp 29, the sound components 23, namely the loudspeakers 27, 30 of the front and rear faces, the microphone 26, the control function keys 28 and the communication interface 33. The processor 32 is capable of recognising, in the image acquired by the acquisition device 21, the optical feature of the bottle 1 and of associating this optical feature with at least one of the multimedia contents obtained from the database stored on the server 31 by the communication interface 33.

As a variant, the processing unit can be completely contained within the terminal 20. Apart from the processor 32, the processing unit then comprises a memory in which the database is stored.

With reference to Figures 5 to 7, a method for the presentation of the bottle 2 utilizing the terminal 20 and the processing unit is described.

On Figure 5, an image of the bottle 1 is acquired via the acquisition device 21 of the terminal 20 and transmitted to the processor 32.

On Figure 6, the optical feature of the bottle 1, for example the upper bulge 10, is recognized by the processor 32 in the image acquired by the acquisition device 21. The processor 32 communicates with the server 31 via the communication interface 33 in order to associate the corresponding multimedia content with the optical feature. A page offering the user different choices can then be displayed on the display screen 25 of the terminal 20. Among the choices offered, A, B or C in Figure 6, one can relate to the sound signal to be selected from a piece of music, a song or a voice message, in particular a story, that is pre- recorded or downloaded. The sound signal can also be a voice message recorded prior to its reproduction by a recording device of the processing unit comprising, in the embodiment shown, the microphone 26 of the terminal 20 and a memory. In the case of a telephone, the sound signal can also be a voice message recorded on a remote messaging service. The user can then decide to read the multimedia content by selecting one of the choices offered.

The processor 32 can then control the illumination 22 and sound 23 component or components according to the instructions of the multimedia content in order to deliver the corresponding light and sound signals. On Figure 7, the terminal 20 is then placed close to the bottle 1, one of its lighting component 22 being oriented towards the volume of the bottle 1 to illuminate its content. In particular, the front face of the terminal 20 can be placed on a support surface 40 in such a way that the flash lamp 29 emits the light signal in a direction opposite to the support surface 40. The base 2 of the bottle 1 can then be placed on the flash lamp 29 in such a way that the light signal corresponding to the optical feature is emitted substantially along the central axis A of the bottle 1 in synchronization with the sound signal, the pattern of the coating film 15 being backlit.