Device for diffusing an occupancy rate of a real or virtual site

• US 20010023437A1
• Filed: 12/18/2000
• Published: 09/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Swatch AG (The Swatch Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Swatch AG (The Swatch Group AG)
• Inventors: Raymond, Patrick, Louis, Armand, Aebi, Aurel
• Application Number:
  US09/737,779
• Publication Number:
  US 20010023437A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for diffusing at least one item of information characterised in that it includes means for diffusing a signal simultaneously perceptible to a broad public and representative of said information, and in that said information is an occupancy rate of a real or virtual site, in particular a computer network site, particularly of the Internet type.

Claims

1. A device for diffusing at least one item of information including means for diffusing a visual and/or acoustic signal representative of said information, wherein said information is an occupancy rate of a real or virtual site, in particular a computer network site, particularly of the Internet type, and wherein said signal varies in frequency and/or intensity as a function of said occupancy rate.

3. A diffusion device according to

claim 1

, wherein the diffusion means include a support formed of a plurality of discrete light sources and wherein the number of sources activated varies as a function of the occupancy rate.

4. A diffusion device according to

claim 1

or

2

, wherein said visual signal is a light signal.

5. A diffusion device according to

claim 4

, wherein said diffusion means radiate said light signal in a three-dimensional way.

6. A diffusion device according to

claim 1

or

3

, including a translucent structure in which are arranged at least the means for generating a light signal.

8. A diffusion device according to claims 6 or 7, wherein said structure is suspended above the floor.

9. A diffusion device according to

claim 8

, wherein said structure is supported above the floor by a plurality of rigid or semi-rigid support elements.

10. A diffusion device according to

claim 9

, wherein said translucent structure-support element assembly has the general shape of an integrated circuit with its connecting wires.

11. A diffusion device according to

claim 9

or

10

, wherein said support elements are arranged to form radiating light wave guides.

12. A diffusion device according to

claim 8

, wherein it is arranged above the floor at a height such that it allows people to move around underneath it.

2. A device for diffusing at least one item of information, including means for transmitting an acoustic signal representative of said information, wherein said information is an occupancy rate of a real or virtual site, in particular a computer network site, particularly of the Internet type.

7. A diffusion according to

claim 2

, including a translucent structure in which are arranged at least the means for generating a light signal.