FR3032324A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR IMMEDIATE LOCAL RELATIONSHIP - Google Patents

Abstract

The method of immediate local connection of at least two people using communicating systems comprises: - a step of defining a group of communicating systems, - a step of triggering, by a first communicating system, a request linking to a second communicating system of said group, - a step of selecting at least one communicating system receiving said request from the communicating systems of said group, - a step of transmitting said request to each selected communicating system and a step of synchronized transmission of a signal perceptible by a user of each of at least two communicating systems.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and an immediate local connection device. It applies, in particular, to the physical connection of people to meet physically in the same place, while they are anonymous and are in the middle of other people.

STATE OF THE ART Queuing systems are known based on the taking of a ticket bearing a number by each person wishing to access a resource (for example an administrative or commercial service counter) and the sequential display of the ticket numbers next to the place where the ticket holder has to go. These systems have many disadvantages. On the one hand, they impose the use of consumables, constituted by the tickets, which makes them expensive and can respect the environment. On the other hand, they require at least one display and, at each window, a trigger to call the next user. They are therefore complex to implement and expensive. In addition, these systems are necessarily fixed and therefore do not meet the needs of ephemeral setting up appointments, for example in trade shows. Finally, they only apply to linking with previously identified resources even though many resources may be available but unknown to the user: a person with particular know-how (doctor, security service or relief, in particular), holding useful or critical information, persons wishing to share information on an agreed topic. The present systems therefore do not respond to unforeseen, immediate and critical needs, for example in the event of an accident, detection of suspicious parcels, discovery of an offense, etc. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to remedy all or part of these disadvantages.

For this purpose, according to a first aspect, the present invention aims at a method of immediate local connection of at least two people using communicating systems, which comprises: a step of defining a group of communicating systems; a triggering step, by a first communicating system, of a connection request intended for a second communicating system of said group, - a step of selecting at least one communicating system that receives said request from the communicating systems of said group, a step of transmitting said request to each selected communicating system and a step of synchronized transmission of a signal perceptible by a user of each of at least two communicating systems. It should be noted that the group of communicating systems may comprise all the communicating systems or only a part of them, for example the part of the communicating systems which are in close proximity to one another or a group made up of the users. of the service embodying the present invention. Thanks to these provisions, the users of the communicating systems 20 emitting the synchronized signals can be manifested to others, for example by raising the arm or presenting their communicating system to others, the latter being able to recognize the signal in question. It is noted that the communicating systems are, for example, mobile phones or tablets. The synchronized signals may be visible, audible or vibratory, for example. In embodiments, during the step of defining a group, each communicating system captures a code identifying a location. For example, this code is a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode, a QR-Code or a Datamatrix. This code can also be sound or wireless. By capturing this code, the user enters his communicating system into the group of systems that are close to the source of this code. The step of defining a group can be performed using a communicating application on a mobile system or on a centralized system. Recipients can be part of a nominative list or selected by an application based on variable criteria, such as their user profile. In embodiments, during the triggering step, by a first communicating system, of a connection request for a second communicating system of said group, a user of the first communicating system triggers the request and during synchronized transmission step of a signal perceptible by a user of each of at least two communicating systems, the first communicating system transmits a synchronized signal.

Thanks to these provisions, the user of the first communicating system requires the connection to a person in his vicinity. In embodiments, during the triggering step, a message within an application, a telephone call or a short message for a third party communicating system not belonging to the group of systems is implemented. communicating that can be selected. In embodiments, during the triggering step, by a first communicating system, of a connection request for a second communicating system of said group, the first communicating system is fixed and during the synchronized transmission step of a signal perceptible by a user of each of at least two communicating systems, each communicating system which transmits a synchronized signal has been selected during the selection step. Thanks to these provisions, a server requires the linking of people in its vicinity. For example, a collective meeting is organized. In embodiments, during the selection step, at least one communicating system performs a validation step of its selection. A user can thus accept or refuse to be put in relation. In embodiments, the match request identifies at least one user profile element and / or at least one subject of interest, the selection step being a function of each user profile element and / or subject of interest identified in the connection request. Thus, the validation step may be preliminary to the triggering step, by implementing a user profile or subjects of interest, which, for the communicating system to be selected, must correspond to those identified in the request. of connection. In embodiments, during the selection step, communicating systems acknowledge receipt of the matching request.

Each user to be contacted receives a message indicating a contact request. This message can be transmitted in the form of a message within an application, a telephone call or a short message from a communicating system that is not part of the group of communicating systems that can be selected.

In embodiments, during the selection step, at least one communicating system indicates a connection location. Each user selects an approximate place. This place is preferably chosen from a pre-established list, for example by the communicating system having triggered the request, user or organizer of the service.

In embodiments, the step of synchronized transmission of a signal perceptible by a user of each of at least two communicating systems comprises a validation step by the communicating system that triggered the matching request. The user of this system can thus go to the rendezvous point before the synchronized signal is transmitted. In embodiments, during the synchronized transmission step, the perceptible signal from a user of each of at least two communicating systems includes a synchronized countdown. Each user thus has the duration of the countdown to prepare to signal to other users. According to a second aspect, the present invention aims at a device for immediate local connection of at least two people using communicating systems, which comprises: a means for defining a group of communicating systems; a triggering means; , by a first communicating system, a connection request for a second communicating system of said group, - means for selecting at least one communicating system for receiving said request from the communicating systems of said group, - means transmitting said request to each selected communicating system and - synchronized transmitting means of a signal perceptible by a user of each of at least two communicating systems.

Since the advantages, aims and characteristics of this device are similar to those of the method that is the subject of the present invention, they are not recalled here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Other advantages, aims and particular characteristics of the present invention will emerge from the description which follows, for an explanatory and non-limiting purpose, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 represents, schematically, a first particular embodiment of the device that is the subject of the present invention, FIG. 2 represents, in the form of a logic diagram, steps of a first particular embodiment of the method that is the subject of the present invention, FIG. 3 represents, schematically , a second particular embodiment of the device according to the present invention and FIG. 4 represents, in the form of a logic diagram, steps of a second particular embodiment of the method which is the subject of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION It is already noted that the figures are not to scale. FIG. 1 shows a device 100 for immediate local connection of at least two people using communicating systems 105, 106 and 107. This device 100 comprises means for defining a group of communicating systems constituted here a server 125 having a memory 130, a visible code 120 displayed at a location and communicating systems 105, 106 and 107 provided with an image sensor and a code reading application and access server 125. In this embodiment, to enter his communicating system in the group of communicating systems, the user makes, with this communicating system, an image of the code 120. This code is read and transmitted by the application to the server 125 with an identifier of the communicating system.

For example, the visible code 120 is a two-dimensional bar code, a QR-Code or a Datamatrix (registered trademark). Alternatively, the visible code is replaced or supplemented by a code to be entered by the user on a keyboard 115 of the communicating device.

Thus, the server 125 identifies all the communicating systems in the vicinity of the visible code 120 and thus constitutes, in its memory 130, a group of communicating systems. The device 100 also comprises means for triggering, by a first communicating system, a connection request for a second communicating system of the communicating system group. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, this trigger means implements the input of a subject of interest or a profile by the user of the communicating system. This entry is either free or made in response to a questionnaire. In the description, "profile" is understood to mean any information that makes it possible to select a user, for example a reservation that he has made, an identifier, or a particular characteristic of this user within a computer system. For example, in the menu of urgent searches, the user can choose between "detection of a suspicious package", "detection of another potential danger", "search for a security personnel" and "search for a doctor "and in the" profile "menu, the user can indicate his particular functions or skills. In another example, the server 125 detects the matching of profiles or interests of at least two users and triggers a matching request. The server 125 comprises a means 135 for selecting at least one communicating system that receives said request from the communicating systems of the group. For example, this selection means selects the profiles or interests of users of the group that correspond to those of the user who triggered the match request. The server 125 comprises means 140 for transmitting the request to each selected communicating system, for example by communication with an application loaded on this communicating system or by short message.

The server 125 and the communicating systems having sent the connection request and selected comprise synchronized transmission means of a signal perceptible by a user of each of these communicating systems. Examples of this synchronization procedure are detailed with reference to FIG. 2. For the sake of clarity, in the description of FIG. 2, it is considered that the communicating systems of the users are mobile telephones equipped with cameras and memory memories. computer applications. FIG. 2 shows a step 205 during which a user captures an image of a code 120 displayed at a location with his mobile phone on which he has previously launched an application dedicated to the implementation of the present invention. . During a step 210, the code 120 is read and information representative of the code 120 is transmitted to the server 125 by the mobile phone, as well as an identifier of the mobile phone. If no other mobile phone user has transmitted identical information, during a step 215, the server 125 creates a new group of mobile phones, in correspondence with this code 120 and inserts the identifier of the mobile phone into this group. If another mobile phone user has transmitted identical information, in step 215, the server 125 adds a mobile phone identifier to the group of mobile phones corresponding to the code 120. Preferably, this user, or each user of the mobile phone. group, is notified of the number of mobile phones in the group. Steps 205 to 215 are repeated continuously. During a step 220, the server invites each user to define at least one subject of interest and / or to activate all or part of a user profile with interests. Users respond to this invitation. It is assumed that before step 225, there is no correspondence between the subjects of interest or the profiles of the users of the group. During a step 225, a user, called "first" in the rest of the description of FIG. 2, defines a connection request with a user of the group. For example, it defines a subject of interest or activates all or part of its user profile with interests. During a step 230, the server determines that the matching request corresponds to a different user present in the same user group. This different user is called, in the following description of Figure 2, "second user". During a step 235, the server sends the request to the second user, specifying the correspondence element (subject or center of interest).

During a step 240, the second user acknowledges receipt of the request and refuses or validates the connection. It is assumed here that the second user validates the match request. During an optional step 245, the second user proposes a meeting place. For example, it identifies a part of the site where the code 120 is. During a step 250, the acceptance of the connection is signified to the first user, with the proposed place of appointment, the case applicable. During a step 255, the first user validates his availability for the connection and, where appropriate, its proximity to the meeting place. The first and second users are then within sight. During a step 260, the server triggers the start of a countdown which is displayed simultaneously on the screens of the mobile phones of the first and second users. During a step 265, as soon as the countdown has finished, the first and the second user simultaneously perform an action that enables them to identify themselves as parties to the rendezvous. For example, they raise their hands, according to instructions given by the application. In another example, each user turns the screen of his mobile phone outward so that a visual message displayed there is visible to the other user. In another example, the flash of the camera of the mobile phone emits a recognizable light signal. It will be noted that, as a variant of the first embodiment, the functions of the server described above are carried out by at least one of the applications operating on the communicating systems of the users. The server only serves as a gateway between the applications, if the applications implement the Internet. In variants, no remote server is implemented, the applications implementing a local network, for example by communicating according to a local communication protocol, for example Bluetooth, WiFi, LiFi (registered trademarks). FIG. 3 shows a device 300 for immediate local connection of at least two users of communicating systems 305, 306 and 307. This device 300 comprises means for defining a group of communicating systems constituted here a server 325 having a memory 330, a readable code 320 displayed at a location and communicating systems 305, 306 and 307 not necessarily provided with an image sensor and / or a reading application In this embodiment, in order to enter its communicating system into the group of communicating systems, the user reads the code and transmits it by short message to the server 325 with an identifier of the server. communicating system, typically its telephone number. For example, the visible code 320 is a telephone number to which to address a short message to benefit from the immediate and local connection service. Thus, the server 325 identifies all the communicating systems in the vicinity of the visible code 320 and thus constitutes, in its memory 330, a group of 20 communicating systems. The device 300 also comprises means for triggering, by a first communicating system, a connection request for a second communicating system of the communicating system group. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, this trigger means implements the input of a subject of interest or a profile by the user of the communicating system. This entry is either free or made in response to a questionnaire, for example embedded in a short message. In another example, the server 325 detects the matching of profiles or interests of at least two users and triggers a matching request. The server 325 comprises means 335 for selecting at least one communicating system that receives the request from the communicating systems of the group. For example, this selection means selects the profiles or interests of users of the group that correspond to those of the user who triggered the matching request. The server 325 includes means 340 for transmitting the request to each selected communicating system, for example by transmitting a short message to this communicating system. The server 325 and the communicating systems that issued the connection request and selected comprise synchronized transmitting means of a signal perceptible by a user of each of these communicating systems. Examples of this synchronization procedure are detailed with reference to FIG. 4. For the sake of clarity, in the description of FIG. 4, it is considered that the communicating systems of the users are mobile telephones equipped with cameras and memory memories. computer applications. FIG. 4 shows a step 405 during which a user reads a code 320 displayed at a location and enters it in a short message. During a step 410, the code 320 is transmitted to the server 325 by the mobile phone, as well as an identifier of the mobile phone. If no other mobile phone user has transmitted an identical code, during a step 415, the server 325 creates a new group of mobile phones, in correspondence with this code 320 and 20 inserts the mobile phone identifier in this group. If another mobile phone user has transmitted an identical code, in step 415, the server 325 adds a mobile phone identifier to the group of mobile phones corresponding to the code 320. Preferably, this user, or each user of the mobile phone. group, is warned of the number of mobile phones in the group, for example by short message. Steps 405 to 415 are repeated continuously. During a step 420, the server prompts each user to define at least one subject of interest and / or to activate all or part of a user profile 30 comprising points of interest. Users respond to this invitation. It is assumed that before step 425 there is no match between the topics of interest or the profiles of the users of the group. During a step 425, a user, called "first" in the remainder of the description of FIG. 4, defines a request to put in contact with a user of the group. For example, it defines a subject of interest or activates all or part of its user profile with interests. During a step 430, the server determines that the matching request corresponds to a different user present in the same user group, called, in the following description of FIG. 4, "second user" . During a step 435, the server sends the request to the second user, specifying the correspondence element (subject or center of interest), by short message. During a step 440, the second user acknowledges the request and refuses or validates the connection, by short message. It is assumed here that the second user validates the match request. During an optional step 445, the second user proposes a meeting place. For example, it identifies a part of the site where the code 320 is located. During a step 450, the acceptance of the connection is signified to the first user, with the proposed place of rendezvous, the case appropriate, by short message. During a step 455, the first user validates his availability for the connection and, where appropriate, his proximity to the rendezvous, by short message. The first and second users are then within sight. During a step 460, the server simultaneously transmits, to the users considered, a short message including a signaling instruction 25 to each mobile phone users. During a step 465, upon receipt of this instruction, the first and the second user simultaneously perform an action that allows them to identify themselves as parties to the appointment. For example, they raise their hands according to instructions given by the application. In another example, each user turns the screen of his mobile phone to the outside so that a visual message embedded in the short message, which is displayed, is visible to the other user.

Note that, as a variant of the second embodiment, the server functions described above are performed by at least one application operating on one of the communicating systems of the users. The server only serves as a gateway between the communicating systems, for the constitution of user groups. As a variant of each of the embodiments described, no code is accessible to the users. The formation of a user group is then performed, for example by the registration by the participants on a group (entered or selected in a list), after verification of their location by geolocation or local tag (type "iBeacon" ", trademark). As can be understood from reading the foregoing description, the present invention makes it possible to connect two or more persons who have to meet physically in the same place, whereas they are anonymous and are in the middle of other persons. .

This linking can in particular serve to identify a person with particular know-how, holding useful or critical information, or to meet two people wishing to share information on an agreed topic. It can be, in particular, to put in touch a first person with a doctor, so that it can intervene quickly in the event of a medical emergency, a firefighter, plumber or any professional able to cope in particular with an emergency situation or a problem encountered by another person in the same place, or another person in the course of an agreed appointment or impromptu, in a professional, personal (for meetings services in particular), or in the framework of security or intelligence services. The present invention also allows a taxi to locate the customer who made a reservation or two customers to agree to go in one place by carpool, possibly by taxi.

Below is a description of another embodiment of the method that is the subject of the present invention. The first step is to identify two or more people to find each other. This step may, in particular, be carried out using a communicating application on a mobile computing device (for example a smartphone) or on a centralized system The persons to be reconciled may be part of a nominative list or may be selected by an application based on variable criteria. The second step is that a person A activates a request function to connect with one or more other persons. This linking request can also be made by a third-party system to two or more people. This step may, in particular, be carried out from a mobile telephone using an application, a telephone call or sending an SMS to a third party system on a number that does not correspond to the person (s) to contact. Other personal communication devices, existing or future, may also be used. The third step is that the person or persons to be contacted receive a message indicating a contact request. This message may, in particular, be transmitted in the form of a message within a mobile application, an SMS or a telephone call from a third party number. Person A may remain anonymous if necessary. The fourth optional step is for the other person (s) to contact to acknowledge receipt of the request, possibly specifying an approximate location. This place is preferably chosen from a pre-established list, either by the applicant (person A) or by an organizer of the meeting or service. In the case of several people to contact, the place possibly proposed by the first premium on other places possibly proposed by other people and the latter are notified. The optional fifth step is that the applicant accepts this location and acknowledges receipt as soon as it is there. The sixth step, optional, is that a synchronized countdown is started on the equipment of each person to be found. The seventh step is that a synchronized signal is emitted in sound, visual form, by a vibration or triggering of the flash of the camera on the terminals of each of the persons to be found. They will then have to make a recognizable sign at a specific time, for example by raising their phone, allowing everyone to recognize themselves.

People can thus find themselves in a crowd while remaining anonymous and without communicating written or verbal information. The set of operations does not require the knowledge of a common language between the persons, the language of the instructions being able to be chosen by each. Variations and improvements of the present invention are described below. The number of people can be communicated to each person to meet so that people can extend their recognizable gesture until the group is complete. In the case where several independent meetings must be performed in the same place concomitantly, the different countdowns and / or synchronized signals may be shifted in time so that only one of them takes place at a time given.

In the case where several independent meetings must be performed at the same place concomitantly, the screen of each equipment may display an identical number, letter, design or color on the equipment of the persons to be found, to facilitate mutual recognition.

20 If it is necessary to ensure in a stronger way that these are the intended persons, a group of codes, the number of which corresponds to the number of persons to be found, is communicated to each person . It may be, in particular, syllables, each to be pronounced successively by each person.

The quick constitution of two or more groups of people can be made from lists of names and present in a computer. One of the advantages is to avoid an individual call from members of each group, thus accelerating the formation of groups and preserving anonymity. It also creates a group effect that is conducive to surprise and excitement. 30

Claims (12)

REVENDICATIONS1. A method for immediately local contact of at least two people using communicating systems, characterized in that it comprises: - a step of defining a group of communicating systems, - a triggering step, by a first communicating system , a connection request for a second communicating system of said group, - a step of selecting at least one communicating system destination of said request among the communicating systems of said group, - a step of transmitting said request to each selected communicating system and - a step of synchronized transmission of a perceptible signal by a user of each of at least two communicating systems. 15 2. The method of claim 1, wherein, during the step of defining a group, each communicating system receives a code identifying a place. 3. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, during the triggering step, by a first communicating system, a connection request for a second communicating system of said group, a The user of the first communicating system triggers the request and during the synchronized transmission step of a signal perceptible by a user of each of at least two communicating systems, the first communicating system transmits a synchronized signal. 4. Method according to claim 3, wherein, during the triggering step, use is made of: a message within an application operating on one of the communicating systems, a telephone call or a message short message or telephone call for a third-party communicating system that is not part of the group of communicating systems that can be selected. 5. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, during the triggering step, by a first communicating system, a matching request for a second communicating system of said group, the first communicating system is fixed and during the step of synchronized transmission of a signal perceptible by a user of each of at least two communicating systems, each communicating system that transmits a synchronized signal was selected during the step Selection. 6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein during the selection step, at least one communicating system performs a validation step of its selection. The method according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the matching request identifies at least one user profile element and / or at least one subject of interest, the selection step being a function of each user profile item and / or topic of interest identified in the match request. 8. The method according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, during the selection step, communicating systems acknowledge receipt of the matching request. 9. The method according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein in the step of selecting, at least one communicating system indicates a location of connection. 10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the step of synchronized transmission of a signal perceptible by a user of each of at least two communicating systems comprises a validation step by the communicating system having triggered the match request. 11. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, during the synchronized transmission step, the signal perceptible by a user of each of at least two communicating systems comprises a synchronized countdown. 12. Device for immediate local connection of at least two people using communicating systems, characterized in that it comprises: - a means for defining a group of communicating systems, - a triggering means, by a first communicating system, a connection request for a second communicating system of said group, - means for selecting at least one communicating system for receiving said request from the communicating systems of said group, - means for transmitting said request to each selected communicating system and synchronized transmitting means of a signal perceptible by a user of each of at least two communicating systems.