REICK, Hansjoerg (5905 Sentinel Ridge Lane, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45234, US)
HILSCHER, Alexander (Oberhoechstaedter Strasse 8, Oberursel, 61440, DE)
STRATMANN, Martin (Scheffelstrasse 9, Frankfurt/Main, 60318, DE)
REICK, Hansjoerg (5905 Sentinel Ridge Lane, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45234, US)
HILSCHER, Alexander (Oberhoechstaedter Strasse 8, Oberursel, 61440, DE)
| CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A packaging and an electrical device (3) for personal use for personal hygiene, which is arranged in the packaging (1) and which can be seen through a transparent area (2) of the packaging (1), wherein the electrical device (1) encompasses a battery and a control device, which supplies energy to and controls a display device for emitting an optical and/or acoustic signal (6 to 13), wherein the control device is embodied in such a manner that the display device can be controlled as a function of a rest mode, during which a user-specific optical and/or acoustic signal (6 to 13) cannot be emitted and the device does not perform an electrical personal hygiene operational function, as a function of a normal mode during which a user-specific optical and/or acoustic signal can be emitted and the device additionally performs an electrical personal hygiene operational function and as a function of a presentation mode during which a user-specific optical and/or acoustic signal sequence can be emitted at the display device in the packaging, characterized in that the presentation mode of the device (3) can be activated without manual impact onto the packaging (1) . 2. The packaging comprising the device according to claim 1, characterized in that, for activating the normal mode, the device (3) encompasses a switch or button (15) , which can be controlled in such a manner that an activation of the switch or button, which lasts for less than one second, leads to the activation of the normal mode and that, for activating the presentation mode, provision is made for an activation device or control (16, 14), which differs therefrom. 3. An electrical device for personal use for personal hygiene, in particular a toothbrush, which encompasses a power source and a control device, which supplies energy to and controls a display device (4) for emitting an optical and/or acoustic signal (6 to 13), wherein the control device is embodied in such a manner that the display device (4) can be controlled as a function of a rest mode, during which a user- specific optical and/or acoustic signal (6 to 13) cannot be emitted and the device does not perform an additional electrical personal hygiene operational function, as a function of a normal mode during which the device (3) performs at least one electrical personal hygiene operational function and as a function of a presentation mode, during which a user- specific optical and/or acoustic signal sequence can be emitted at the display device (4), wherein, for the activation of the normal mode, provision is made for a switch or button (15), which is controlled in such a manner that an activation of the switch or button, which lasts for less than one second, leads to the activation of the normal mode, characterized in that, for activating the presentation mode, provision is made for an activation device or control (14, 16), which differs therefrom. 4. The packaging and/or device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device controls the display device and the device (3) in such a manner that a use of the device can be simulated in the presentation mode, where a user-specific signal (6 to 13) can be emitted at the display device (4) without the device performing an electrical personal hygiene operational function. 5. The packaging and/or device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display device (4) can be controlled in the presentation mode in such a manner that the signals differ as compared to the normal mode and/or can be displayed in an accelerated sequence. 6. The packaging and/or device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activation device for activating the presentation mode encompasses a switch or button (16), which is different in particular from the switch or button (15) for the normal mode. 7. The packaging and/or device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the activating device for activating the presentation mode encompasses a radio reception device for wirelessly activating via radio signal . 8. The packaging and/or device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the activation device for activating the presentation mode encompasses a timer, which is embodied in such a manner that a self- activation can be triggered after a predetermined period of time has lapsed. 9. The packaging and/or device according to claim 8, characterized in that the timer cooperates with an evaluation unit in such a manner that the lapsed period of time since the last use of the device in normal mode can be evaluated and the established time value can be compared to a threshold value and the presentation mode can be activated when the threshold value is exceeded. 10. The packaging and/or device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that provision is made for the display device (4) as separate part of the device (3) . 11. The packaging and/or device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device can be controlled in the presentation mode in such a manner that the power consumption of the display device is less than the power consumption of the display device in normal mode. 12. The packaging and/or device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display device can be controlled in presentation mode in such a manner that said display device displays segments or illustrations on a liquid crystal display and/or a light emitting diode can be operated in a pulsed manner and/or a radio receiver of the display device can be turned off automatically after the activation of the presentation mode. 13. The packaging and/or device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display device can be activated in such a manner that the deactivation of the presentation mode can be activated by removing and re-inserting the batteries and/or by a specific button combination. 14. A method for activating a presentation mode of an electrical device in a packaging according to claim 1 or of an electrical device according to claim 3. 15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the display device is initially subjected to a test mode, during which all of the functions of the display device are tested and the activation of the presentation mode takes place subsequently. 16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized by at least one of the features of claims 1 to 13. |
AND METHOD
The instant invention relates to a packaging comprising an electrical device according to the preamble of claim 1, to an electrical device according to the preamble of claim 3 and to a method according to the preamble of claim 14.
It is already known for different electrical devices that the functions of the device can be displayed in a presentation mode on a display device of the device for demonstration purposes. Provision is hereby made for the potential consumer to either activate a corresponding button directly at the device or through a packaging in order to activate the presentation mode. However, the packaging or the device can hereby be damaged in a disadvantageous manner so that this product must be removed from the sales rack.
It is thus an object of the instant invention to provide a packaging comprising a device, a device and a method of the afore-mentioned type, which is less susceptible to damage or operating errors by the consumer in the sales rack and which attracts the interest of the potential consumer.
This object is solved by means of a packaging and an electrical device comprising the features of claim 1, by means of an electrical device comprising the features of claim 3 and by means of a method comprising the features of claim 14. Advantageous developments of the invention become evident from the features of the dependent claims.
According to the invention, provision is made for a packaging and for an electrical device for the personal use for personal hygiene, which is arranged in the packaging and which can be seen through a transparent area of the packaging, wherein the electrical device encompasses a display device for emitting an optical and/or acoustic signal, a battery for supplying the display device with power and a control device, which controls the display device as a function of a resting mode, during which a user-specific optical and/or acoustic signal cannot be emitted and during which the device does not perform an electrical personal hygiene operational function, as a function of a normal mode, during which a user-specific optical and/or acoustic signal can be emitted and during which the device additionally performs an electrical personal hygiene operational function and as a function of a presentation mode, during which a user-specific optical and/or acoustic signal sequence can be emitted at the display device in the packaging, wherein the presentation mode of the device can be activated without manual impact onto the packaging. By activating the presentation mode without manual impact onto the packaging, it is thus ensured that the packaging and/or the device located therein do not experience any damage in the sales rack. The presentation mode is thus activated by activation at the device prior to the packaging or independent on the packaging, respectively.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the device for activating the normal mode encompasses a switch or button, which can be activated in such a manner that an activation of the switch or button, which lasts for less than one second, leads to the activation of the normal mode and that for the activation of the presentation mode provision is made for an activating device or control, which differs therefrom. Due to the diverseness of the activation of the normal mode on the one hand and of the presentation on the other hand, it is ensured that an inadvertent activation of the presentation mode does not take place during the normal conventional use, thus during the operation of the normal mode of the electrical device. In addition, this furthermore ensures that an impact onto the packaging or the device, as is provided for the normal mode, is not necessary in order to activate the presentation mode so that damage to the packaging or to the device can be excluded.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, provision is made for an electrical device of the personal use for personal hygiene, in particular a toothbrush, which encompasses a power source and a control device, which supplies energy to and controls a display device for emitting an optical and/or acoustic signal, wherein the control device is embodied in such a manner that the display device can be controlled as a function of a rest mode, during which a user-specific optical and/or acoustic signal cannot be emitted and during which the device does not perform any additional electrical personal hygiene operational function, as a function of a normal mode during which a user-specific optical and/or acoustic signal can be emitted (wherein the device optionally performs an electrical personal hygiene operational function in normal mode) and as a function of a presentation mode during which a user-specific optical and/or acoustic signal sequence can be emitted at the display device, wherein provision is made for the activation of the normal mode for a switch or button, which is controlled in such a manner that an activation of the switch or button, which lasts for less than one second, leads to the activation of the normal mode and that for the activation of the presentation mode, provision is made for an activating device or control, which differs therefrom. It is accordingly ensured that a packaging or the device are not damaged in the sales rack, because the activation of the presentation mode is not accompanied by the activation of the normal mode.
In an advantageous development, provision is made for the control device to control the display device and the device in such a manner that, in the presentation mode, a use of the device can be simulated, during which a user-specific signal can be emitted at the display device without the device performing an electrical personal hygiene operational function. On the one hand, the electrical personal hygiene function, such as, e.g., an electrical drive of a bristle field of an electric toothbrush is thus operated with the corresponding user-specific signal on the display device (e.g. timer function) . On the other hand, the control device is embodied in such a manner that, in the presentation mode, a user-specific signal, which is at least similar for the use in each case, is displayed or can be displayed, respectively, at the display device and the electrical personal hygiene operational function is not operated simultaneously. In an alternative, the display device is activated during the presentation mode and the electrical personal hygiene operational function is also activated simultaneously. In a further alternative, a user- specific optical and/or acoustic signal is not emitted in the normal mode and only the main function, namely the electrical personal hygiene operational function, is performed.
In a further advantageous embodiment, provision is made for the display device in the presentation mode to be capable of being activated in such a manner that the signals can differ as compared to the normal mode and/or can be displayed in accelerated sequence. On principle, the user- specific signals at the display device, which are typically accompanied by the use of the electrical personal hygiene operation function, are thus also displayed in the presentation mode. However, the customer can more quickly understand the functional range of the electrical device in the sales rack in an advantageous manner by means of the accelerated sequence. In a further advantageous embodiment, provision is made for the activating device for activating the presentation mode to encompass a switch or a button, which is different in particular from the switch or button for the normal mode. Accordingly, a manual activation is also proposed for the presentation mode, which, however, differs from the activation of the normal mode. This activation can be attained, for example, by inserting the battery, by activating a different switch than the one for the normal mode, by pressing down the switch for the normal mode for a longer period of time or by means of a certain switching sequence of a switch or button.
In a further advantageous embodiment, provision is made for the activation device for activating the presentation mode to encompass a radio reception device for the wireless activation per radio signal. An activation of the activation device of the presentation mode via radio, such as, for example via Bluetooth or via infrared (this is also understood herein as "radio signal") or other wireless types of activation, already allow for an activation of the presentation mode, which is simple in its operation, ex works or in response to reaching the sales rack by activating a suitable transmission signal.
In a further advantageous embodiment, provision is made for the activating device for activating the presentation mode to encompass a timer, which triggers a self-activation after a predetermined period of time has lapsed. For example, a predetermined period of time of 30 days can be set in the timer so that an activation of the presentation mode takes place ex works via radio or manually or by means of another measure and that this activation is performed automatically in a time-delayed manner. It is thus prevented that the presentation mode is actively performed as early as during the transport of the device in the packaging, even though the product has not yet arrived in the sales rack of the retailer. This measure thus saves power for operating the display device.
In a further advantageous embodiment, provision is made for the timer to evaluate the lapsed period of time since the last use of the device in normal mode and to compare this determined time value to a threshold value and to activate the presentation mode when the threshold value is exceeded. This feature is mainly intended as a reminder function for the user of the device, e.g. in response to a non-use of the toothbrush or of another electrical device for a certain period so that the device draws attention to itself and performs an electrical function and that the user is reminded to use the device. This electrical reminder function can simply be that an LED blinks for a certain period of time, that the presentation mode is activated, during which, e.g., all of the basic functions are displayed at the display device in fast motion, that the personal hygiene function is activated over and over temporarily and/or in certain intervals or that an audio signal or a melody is played back. This reminder function can be repeated in certain chronological intervals after the time threshold value has been exceeded or it can be carried out only once. It is also possible for this reminder function to be activated only at certain times of the day, e.g., in the morning and in the evening, when a use of the device, such as, e.g., a toothbrush, is suggested.
In a further advantageous development, provision is made for the display device as a separate part of the device. The device thus consists of at least two components, both of which are preferably operated in an electrical manner, wherein one of these separate parts of the device comprises the display device. The functions of the device can be illustrated particularly well in the presentation mode by means of a separate display device. In an alternative, provision is made for the display device in the separate part of the device as well as in the further part of the device or in a further alternative, the display device is part of the device, which also performs the personal hygiene function. For example (without limitation to these examples) , an electric toothbrush comprising a separate display device for the lapsed brush time (4-quadrant timer), e.g., a one-piece electric toothbrush or a razor are suitable as electrical device. The displayed brush time, the contact pressure of the toothbrush, the battery status, the on/off state or other operationally relevant information are examples for a user-specific signal (see further examples below) .
In a further advantageous development, provision is made for the user-specific display functions, which are preferably displayed in the normal mode of the device as well as in the display mode, to differ from those of the normal mode. In particular the functions, which are not required in the sales rack, are thereby at least partially deactivated, intermittently operated or not displayed, respectively, for the presentation mode, provided that the power consumption is too high.
In a further preferred embodiment, provision is made for the device to be capable of being activated in the display mode in such a manner that the power consumption of the display device is lower than the power consumption of the display device in normal mode. For this, certain functions of the display device are operated only intermittently or not at all as a function of the power consumption thereof, so that a long period of operation of the presentation mode is ensured in the sales rack.
In a further advantageous embodiment, provision is made for the display device in the presentation mode to be capable of being activated in such a manner that it shows segments or image representations on a power-saving liquid crystal display and/or a light emitting diode can be operated in a pulsed manner and/or a radio receiver of the display device can be turned off automatically after the activation of the presentation mode. The power consumption of the display device is thus strongly reduced.
In a further advantageous embodiment, provision is made for the display device to be capable of being activated in such a manner that the deactivation of the presentation mode can be activated by removing and re-insertion of the batteries and/or by a specific button combination. Preferably, the deactivation is carried out by means of an operation, which the user of the electrical device already performs for the start-up, or by means of an action, which is not necessary for the other customary use of the device.
According to the invention, provision is furthermore made for a method for activating a presentation mode of an electrical device.
In a further advantageous development of the method, provision is made for the display device to initially be subjected to a test mode, during which all of the functions of the display device are tested and the activation of the presentation mode takes place subsequently. It is accordingly proposed to combine one of the last operations of the manufacturer before to device leaves the production plant with the (time-delayed, if applicable) activation of the presentation mode. Typically, the quality inspection of the display device is such an operation.
In a development, the method is characterized by at least one of the above features.
Further goals, advantages, features and applications of the instant invention become evident from the following description of exemplary embodiments by means of the drawings. All of the described and/or illustrated features alone or in any sensible combination thereby form the object of the instant invention, even independent on the combination thereof in the claims or the dependency thereof .
Figure 1 shows a packaging comprising a packaged electrical device comprising an external transmitter according to the invention,
Figure 2 shows a display device of the electrical device according to Figure 1 and
Figure 3 shows an electrical device according to Figure 1.
Figure 1 shows a sales packaging 1 in a transparent or partially transparent embodiment, through which the content or parts of the content are visible from the outside through the packaging (see in Figure 1 the transparent viewing window 2) . At least a part of the content is an electrical or electronic device 3, respectively, which has optical or acoustic display means such as light emitting diodes, lamps, transducers or LCD displays. Figure 1 shows through the viewing window the LCD display of the display device 4 preferably for an electric toothbrush 5 (both of which together form the electrical device 3 herein) . A preferably never-ending (fast motion) sequence thereby runs on the display device 4, which draws the attention of the consumer and which satisfies the need for information relating to the production functions by the consumer, who passes the product on the sales rack in the store, e.g. - without requiring a further impact onto the product or the packaging. The demo sequence or the presentation mode, receptively, can be activated during the production of the device and then runs until the power source, e.g. the batteries or battery cell of the electronic device are used or until the customer deactivates the sequence after unpacking. This could take place, for example, by transmitting a radio signal, by activating a button or by interrupting the voltage supply.
An embodiment using the example of the electric toothbrush according to Figure 3 with so-called smart guide display device 4 could be embodied as follows. The electric toothbrush encompasses an on/off switch 15 on the handle thereof. On the back side thereof, the display device 4 encompasses buttons or switches 16, by means of which the clock can be set. The toothbrush 15 as well as the display device 4 are equipped with batteries. The display device further encompasses a control device for controlling the use-specific signals 6 to 13. The sales packaging has a transparent window 2, through which the display device 4 is visible from the outside. In the alternative, the window can also be embodied as a transparent bubble, which allows for the display device 4 to stick out from the packaging. The display device can be operated in a rest mode, in a normal mode, in a presentation mode (and, if applicable, in a test mode) . The display device 4 is brought into a test mode during the production process or prior to leaving the production plant. Said test mode is triggered by simultaneously pushing and holding both buttons at the back side of the display device 4 during the insertion of the battery. The test mode is used to test the radio transmission and the segments of the LC display within the end assembly/quality control of the display device 4. In response to receiving certain commands via radio, all of the segments and all of the light emitting diodes are turned on or off, respectively. Furthermore, the power input of the display device 4 is measured immediately after leaving the test mode. The test mode is ended as soon as at least one of the two buttons is released.
The test mode can also be used to activate the demo sequence at the end of all of the tests. For this, the device must again be brought into the test mode. If it does not receive any commands during the time in test mode, the "demo sequence" (which corresponds to the presentation mode) is automatically started after the test mode has ended.
In the alternative, the demo sequence can always be required in a time-delayed manner after leaving the test mode, e.g., after 10 seconds, which are required for the current measurement, or can be activated after 30 days (cooperation of the time control device with an evaluation unit in the display device) .
As a further alternative, any button could be pressed for the activation after leaving the test mode within a certain period (e.g. 3 seconds) .
A comfortable activation of the demo sequence takes place via radio. The display device 4 is thereby only equipped with the batteries during the end assembly. A certain command is transmitted by means of a transmitter 14, which triggers the demo sequence in the packaged device, only during the packaging. This has the advantage that the demo sequence, which could be ended due to unfavorable influences (e.g. interruption of the battery voltage caused by vibration) in response to the transport of the unpackaged display device 4 from the end assembly line to the packaging line, is only activated in the last production step in the safe transport packaging. This is particularly advantageous when - as is the case herein - the display device 4 already communicates with the toothbrush via radio signals so that a radio signal receiver is thus already provided in the display device 4.
All of the described types of activation can be used arbitrarily for an electrical device so as to be capable of being combined with one another or so as to be used individually .
The demo sequence is embodied in such a manner that the substantial functions of the display device 4 are replayed in a recurrent manner, partially in fast motion. Figure 2 shows all of the illustrations of the presentation mode in a dashed manner and simultaneously. This includes, for example, the force sensor alarm 6, the cleaning modes 7, the cleaning time 8, the quadrant timer 9, the bristle- replacement alarm 10, the time 11, the low battery display 12 and the smileys 13, which are displayed as a reward after a sufficient time of brushing teeth. The demo sequence is embodied in such a manner that the power input during the course thereof is as low as possible so as to ensure several months of function. This also includes that consumers with a high power input, such as, e.g., the radio receiver, remain turned off after the activation and that the light emitting diodes are only operated in a pulsed manner .
The deactivation of the demo sequence at the customer can be carried out by removing and re-insertion of the batteries. The deactivation of the demo sequence can furthermore be carried out additionally or alternatively in response to the activation of one of the two buttons, as it is necessary for setting the time.
An additional subsequent activation of the demo sequence outside of the production and during the use can be carried out during the normal operation. For this, the display device 4 is initially in the receiving state. In the event that the toothbrush does not receive a radio signal (cooperation of the time control device with an evaluation unit in the display device) for a certain period (e.g. 24 hours or also 10 days) , the demo sequence activates by itself. The user could be motivated or reminded, respectively, with this function to brush his teeth. This self-activation is also advantageous in response to possible voltage interruptions on the route of transport from the production facility to the retailer.
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