WO2015197825A1

WO2015197825A1 - Validation of interaction between devices

Info

Publication number: WO2015197825A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/064536
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tim Baker
Original assignee: Oxo
Priority date: 2014-06-27
Filing date: 2015-06-26
Publication date: 2015-12-30
Also published as: FR3023025A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for validating an interaction between a first device including at least one sensor capable of detecting a first specific event of said portable communication device, and a second device comprising at least one sensor capable of detecting a second event, characterised by: receiving, in a computer system, information comprising data on the existence and time of the first event from the first device; receiving, in said computer system, information comprising data on the existence and time of the second event from the second device, the second event corresponding to an interaction of a third-party device with the second device; determining, using said computer system, data on the spatial location of the first device relative to the second device; and processing said data in said computer system, configured such as to potentially validate the interaction between the first device and the second device, using the data on spatial location, time and existence as validation conditions.

Description

Validation of interaction between devices

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of interaction between a portable device and an electronic device with reduced mobility. More specifically, the present invention relates to the validation of an interaction between a smartphone-type portable device and an electronic device capable of interacting with said smartphone.

STATE OF THE ART

The twenty-first century saw the proliferation of objects connected to communication networks such as the Internet. At the same time, portable communication devices are being developed equipped with more and more sensors of high precision and of diverse nature. For example, smartphones, smart watches and smart-wristbands now have an accelerometer, a GPS (Global Positioning System), a magnetic field sensor, a light sensor, etc. all of these sensors is a new form of interface. It is now common for users of some portable communication devices to simply shake their device so as to trigger Event. This very fashionable effect allows a better ergonomics of use of these devices. This type of movement has been used as an event trigger by applications serving for example to transmit information from one device to another. Thus the document US20010126009 A1 discloses the interaction and the exchange of information between two portable devices of the smartphone type. Each of the two devices must perform a movement of approximation called "knock" close in time so that the communication between the two smartphones is validated. This type of disclosure has applications that are very limited. Indeed, in this document the two devices must be able to do the same type of movement. It is therefore not possible to use the communication method described in this document in all situations.

In addition, the interaction between two devices according to document US20010126009 is only confirmed by measuring the time separating the two events specific to each of the devices. This time must be less than a threshold. However, time-only validation does not prevent interaction errors. Smartphones can believe themselves in interaction while the movements of reconciliations with or without contact are involuntary, for example.

In order to ensure proper interaction validation, good event detection must be ensured. Thus, it is known from the prior art to increase the number of physical sensors of a smartphone, for example by having in its protective shell a series of sensors configured to detect the angular orientation of the smartphone with respect to a touch screen for example. This solution, described in the publication "Distinguishing Multiple Smart-Phone Interactions on Multi-Touch Wall Display Using Tilt Correlation" (W. HUTAMA et al., CHI 2001 - Session: Tabletop & Wall Display), implies the presence of a particular shell and is therefore limiting and cumbersome. It boils down to multiplying the number of sensors, for safety reasons, which may however prove to be useless in certain cases and thus to generate an additional cost of equipment or an overconsumption of battery resources or processor calculations.

The present invention solves the problem of validating the interaction between a smartphone-type device and / or smart-watches and / or smart-wristbands and another device, for example a fixed device. Indeed, it presents a method of validation of the interaction between a portable device and a device, which does not need to be mobile and / or ignore all of its movements, through a series of steps of validation to avoid all or most of the errors concerning involuntary interactions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, the present invention relates to a method for validating an interaction, between a first device, being a portable communication device, comprising at least one sensor capable of detecting a first specific event of said portable communication device, and a second device, portable or not, comprising at least one sensor capable of detecting a second event. Advantageously, the method comprises:

The reception, at the level of a computer system, from the first device, of information comprising existence and temporal data of the first event.

- Receiving, at said computer system, from the second device, information including existence and temporal data of the second event, the second event corresponding to an interaction of a third party device with the second device.

The determination by said computer system of spatial location data of the first device relative to the second device.

Processing, at said computer system, said data, configured to validate or not the interaction between the first device and the second device using as validation conditions the spatial, temporal and existence location data.

Preferably, the determination of a level of reliability of the validation conditions and its comparison with a predetermined reliability threshold. Preferably, the consideration of at least one additional condition for validating the interaction between the portable communication device and the second device by said computer system in the case where the reliability level is below the reliability threshold. predetermined.

The determination of a reliability level of the validation conditions and its comparison with a predetermined threshold allows a better detection of the first event by the first device and also makes it possible to reduce the number of false positives and false negatives. In addition, taking into account at least one additional condition for validating the interaction between the portable communication device and the second device by said computer system in the case where the reliability level is below the predetermined reliability threshold. , allows to improve the user experience by allowing the validation of the interaction by a widening of the conditions of validation. Thus, for example, a prioritization of the validity conditions allows the user greater degrees of freedom of use of the present invention.

The invention also optimizes the resources used to validate the interaction by not systematically involving superfluous detections.

Finally, the present invention is, according to one embodiment, configured to perform an algorithmic refinement of the thresholds specific to each of the sensors of the first device to optimize the use of the present invention by the user. This then renders the present invention selfadaptative to the user.

According to one aspect, the present invention also relates to a computer system comprising at least one processor, wired and / or non-wired communication means with at least one communication network, and non-transient storage means of at least one computer program. comprising instructions according to the method of the present invention and configured to be executed by the at least one processor.

In another aspect, the present invention also relates to a system comprising a first device said portable communication device, a second device and a computer system according to the present invention.

According to another aspect, the present invention also relates to a computer program product stored in a non-transient memory and having instructions that can be used by the at least one processor, configured to execute the method according to the present invention. This computer program product may be a third party application and / or an integral part of the operating system of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The objects, objects, as well as the features and advantages of the invention will best be described in detail in an embodiment thereof, which is illustrated by the following accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 represents the general diagram of the present invention;

FIG. 2a represents the physical validation method;

FIG. 2b represents the physical validation method with application;

FIG. 3a represents the physical and time validation method;

FIG. 3b represents the method of physical and temporal validation with application;

FIGURE 4a represents the method of physical, temporal and spatial validation;

FIG. 4b represents the method of physical, temporal and spatial validation with application;

The drawings are given by way of examples and are not limiting of the invention. They constitute schematic representations of principle intended to facilitate the understanding of the invention and are not necessarily at the scale of practical applications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is specified that in the context of the present invention, the term "event" or its equivalents have the definition of the realization of a point action.

It is specified that in the context of the present invention, the term "sensor" or its equivalents is defined as a device capable of measuring a physical quantity and of restoring a numerical value.

It is specified that in the context of the present invention, the term "vibration sensor" which includes acoustic sensors or their equivalents are defined as a sensor capable of measuring all types of energy propagation in all types of medium.

It is specified that in the context of the present invention, the terms "contact sensor", "proximity sensor" or their equivalents are defined as a sensor capable of measuring all types of physical approximation.

It is specified that in the context of the present invention, the term "detection" or its equivalents is defined as the measurement by a sensor of a physical quantity, said measurement being numerically greater than a predetermined value, called threshold.

Before going into the details of preferred embodiments, in particular with reference to the figures, various options are given below which may, preferably but not exclusively, be presented by the invention, these options being able to be implemented, either alone, either by any combination of them:

Advantageously, the processing is configured to validate the interaction between the first device and the second device if at least the following four conditions are met: existence of the first event, existence of the second event, temporal compatibility between the first and the second event, spatial compatibility of the first device relative to the second device.

Advantageously, the temporal compatibility and the spatial compatibility consist in a proximity, respectively temporal and spatial, between the first event and the second event, below, respectively, a threshold of temporal proximity and a threshold of spatial proximity.

Advantageously, the interaction of a third device with the second device comprises a contact or a closer than an immediate proximity threshold preferably less than 3 cm and possibly less than 1 cm.

Advantageously, the first specific event of said portable communication device is a so-called "knock" movement corresponding to a movement of approaching the first device relative to the second device.

Advantageously, the first specific event of said portable communication device is a movement of approximation with or without contact of the first device relative to the second device.

• Advantageously, the following steps are carried out:

- A user moves closer to the first device to the second device so as to touch it or bring it closer to the threshold of spatial proximity;

- The first device detects its own movement corresponding to the first event;

The second device detects the contact or the approximation below the proximity threshold with the first device corresponding to the second event; the first device communicates with the computer system and transmits the information comprising the existence and temporal data of the first event;

The second device communicates with the computer system and transmits the information comprising the existence and temporal data of the second event;

- The computer system performs the processing, through the validation conditions so as to validate or not the interaction between the first and the second device;

- If the interaction is validated, at least one instruction is generated by the computer system.

Advantageously, an algorithmic refinement of the thresholds specific to each of the sensors of the first device is performed so as to optimize said thresholds according to the use by the user of the first device.

Advantageously, an algorithmic refinement of the thresholds specific to each of the sensors of the second device is performed so as to optimize said thresholds as a function of the use by the user of the second device.

Optionally, it is required that the user launches a software application at the first device before performing the reconciliation movement.

Advantageously, the determination of a reliability level of the validation conditions and its comparison with a predetermined reliability threshold are made.

Advantageously, taking into account at least one additional condition of validation of the interaction, between the portable communication device and the second device, by said computer system in the case where the level of reliability is below the predetermined reliability threshold , is done.

Advantageously, the spatial location data are obtained from several hierarchical spatial location technologies based on their spatial location accuracy, the most accurate operational technology being selected.

Advantageously, a time synchronization is performed between the portable communication device and the computer system.

Advantageously, the time synchronization comprises a time compensation performed between the portable communication device and the computer system by measuring the delay of transfer of information. Advantageously, the second device does not include a motion sensor.

Advantageously, the computer system is integrated in the portable communication device.

Advantageously, the computer system is integrated in the second device.

Advantageously, the first device comprises at least one motion sensor.

Advantageously, the second device comprises at least one vibration sensor.

Advantageously, the second device comprises at least one physical contact sensor.

Advantageously, the first device is a smartphone and the second device is a door comprising at least one vibration sensor.

Advantageously, the first device is a smartphone and the second device comprises a screen.

Advantageously, the first device is a smartphone and the second device is a TV-type screen.

Advantageously, the first device is a smartphone and the second device is a touch screen type touch television.

Advantageously, the invalidation of the interaction between the portable communication device and the second device corresponds to an absence of the second event.

Advantageously, the invalidation of the interaction between the portable communication device and the second device corresponds to a time delay between the first and the second event, this delay being greater than a predetermined threshold.

Advantageously, the invalidation of the interaction between the portable communication device and the second device corresponds to an absence of the first event.

Advantageously, the spatial location data are obtained from one or more spatial location technologies.

Advantageously, the spatial location data are obtained from the available technology having the highest accuracy of spatial location. Advantageously, spatial location technologies are prioritized according to their spatial location accuracy.

Advantageously, time compensation is performed between the portable communication device and the computer system.

Advantageously, time compensation is performed between the portable communication device and the computer system by measuring the delay of transfer of information.

Advantageously, said information is encrypted.

Advantageously, the first event is configurable by an operator.

Advantageously, the detection threshold of the first event is configurable by an operator.

Advantageously, the second event is configurable by a user.

Advantageously, the detection threshold of the second event is configurable by a user.

Advantageously, the second device does not detect its own movement.

Advantageously, the portable communication device comprises said computer system.

Advantageously, the second device comprises said computer system.

Advantageously, the first device comprises one or more sensors of various kinds.

Advantageously, the second device comprises one or more sensors of various kinds.

Advantageously, the system comprises more than one computer system. Advantageously, the first device has one or more sensors. Advantageously, the first device has an accelerometer.

Advantageously, the first device has an optical sensor.

Advantageously, the first device has a motion sensor. Advantageously, the first device has a temperature sensor. Advantageously, the first device has an electric field sensor. Advantageously, the first device has a magnetic field sensor.

Advantageously, the first device has an electromagnetic field sensor.

Advantageously, the first device has an acoustic sensor. Advantageously, the first device has a touch sensor.

Advantageously, the first device has a position sensor. Advantageously, the first device has an orientation sensor. Advantageously, the threshold of detection of the first event by the first device is configurable.

Advantageously, the threshold of detection of the first event by the first device is a function of the and / or sensors used.

Advantageously, the trigger of the second event is configurable by an operator.

Advantageously, the second device has an accelerometer.

Advantageously, the second device has an optical sensor.

Advantageously, the second device has a motion sensor.

Advantageously, the second device has a temperature sensor.

Advantageously, the second device has an electric field sensor.

Advantageously, the second device has a magnetic field sensor.

Advantageously, the second device has an electromagnetic field sensor.

Advantageously, the second device has an acoustic sensor. Advantageously, the second electronic device has a touch sensor.

Advantageously, the second device has a position sensor. Advantageously, the second device has an orientation sensor. Advantageously, the detection threshold of the second event by the second device is configurable.

Advantageously, the detection threshold of the second event by the second device is a function of the and / or sensors used. Advantageously, the computer program product comprises algorithmic learning means in order to better adapt the parameters of said computer program product to the user.

Advantageously, the first device comprises a real-time clock. Advantageously, the second device comprises a real-time clock.

Advantageously, the computer system comprises a real-time clock.

Advantageously, each device comprises a real-time clock.

Advantageously, at least one element, among the first device, the second device and the computer system, comprises a real-time clock.

Advantageously, the computer program product comprises algorithmic learning means configured to adapt the parameters of said computer program product to the user.

According to the present invention, a computer system comprises means of communication with at least one communication network such as the Internet for example, these communication means being able to be wired and / or non-wired, it also comprises non-transitory storage means of computer programs comprising a series of instructions configured to be processed by at least one processor.

In general, it is difficult according to current techniques to ensure that two devices must be validly interact.

This is particularly the case with regard to interfacing with a second device in the form of a display. In this context, the interaction is for example the selection, via the first device, of an action by interaction with the screen of the display or a predetermined area thereof. This example can be applied to navigation or selection on a screen positioned in a public place, in the absence of keyboard and pointer.

This is also the case for interactions with more traditional objects such as a door whose opening can be controlled by the first device. Thus, for hotels in particular, the management is simplified by removing the use of keys for room doors. However, it is also appropriate in this example to be able to guarantee the validity of the interaction between the door and the first device. In all these situations, the invention seeks to correlate two events reliably:

- Detection, for example, of a movement of approximation with or without contact of the first device to the second device;

- Detection by the second device of an interaction with a third device (which means here any object, including part of the human or animal body, which can trigger the second element).

If the correlation is validated, it means that the third-party device corresponds to the first device.

According to one embodiment, the detection by the second device of an interaction with a third device comprises a contact or a rapprochement below an immediate proximity threshold, for example less than 20 cm, preferably less than 3 cm and possibly less than 1 cm. According to the present invention, the communication between the first device and the computer system is bidirectional communication. Indeed, information can be transmitted from the first device to the computer system, and information can be transmitted from the computer system to the first device.

Figure 1 shows a general diagram of the present invention according to one possible embodiment. The user has a first portable communication device with sensors, it can be a smartphone or a digital tablet or a smart-watch or even a smart-bracelet, for example non-limiting. Smartphones have a certain number of sensors, ranging from the optical sensor to the electric, magnetic, acoustic, acceleration, orientation, motion sensor, etc. The present invention relates to the interaction between a first device such as, for the following example, a smartphone, and a second device, also comprising one or more sensors of different types. In a first embodiment, the second device is an apparatus comprising a screen, for example a television. In another non-limiting case, it is a door whose opening is desired to be controlled. A difficulty is that the second device is passive, because still, during the validation phase. The present invention involves a computer system in communication with the first device and the second device so as to be able to transmit and / or receive information from and / or to the first device and / or the second device.

The invention is based on the detection of a first event generated by the user and detected by the first device, and on the detection of this event by the second device so as to generate a second event normally corresponding to this detection. Following a series of data collected at the time of these two events and transmitted to the computer system, it can then analyze these data and validate whether the first event and the second event are linked. The computer system can then engage in all kinds of actions depending on its programming. Indeed, the computer system has a storage system of a computer program configured to be executed by at least one processor.

According to one embodiment, the first device comprises the computer system.

According to another embodiment, the second device comprises the computer system.

According to one embodiment, the system comprises one or more computer servers.

FIG. 2a illustrates, according to one embodiment, the strict event validation of the interaction between the first device and the second device comprising at least one sensor.

According to this embodiment, the orientation and the movement (for example by a measurement of speed and / or acceleration) of the first device are measured, if these values are beyond certain thresholds and correspond to a previously programmed diagram. and stored in a storage unit of the first device, then a particular motion is identified. This movement is at the origin of the generation of the first event. The information is then transmitted to the computer system by means configured for this purpose. According to various embodiments, the communication between the first device and the computer system can be wired and / or wireless. In the case of a wireless communication, the first device can use all types of communication networks such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), Wifi ™, Bluetooth ™, Bluetooth ™ low energy, Li -Fi (light fidelity) and / or any other communication network and / or any means of communication, such as an audio communication, that can allow communication between the first device and the computer system.

In parallel, the second device, comprising one or more sensors, detects the first event, this detection then triggers a second event. The predetermined detection threshold may correspond to a precise intensity value measured by at least one sensor; if the measured intensity is higher than this threshold value, then the event is detected. This second event is transmitted to the computer system by means configured for this purpose. According to different embodiments, the communication between the second device and the computer system may be wired and / or non-wired. In the case of a wireless communication, the first device can use all types of communication networks such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), Wifi ™, Bluetooth ™, Bluetooth ™ low energy, Li -Fi (light fidelity) and / or any other communication network and / or any means of communication, such as an audio communication, which can allow communication between the first device and the computer system.

The computer system therefore receives two pieces of information coming from two different sources, each indicating the generation of a first event confirmed by a second event in response generated by the second device. The computer system therefore validates the interaction between the first device and the second device.

It appears here a problem of validation, indeed without the taking into account of temporal data, a first event can take place long before the detection of this one or of any other event producing a second event and thus making believe to the computer system that the first device is in the interaction position with the second device.

FIG. 2b illustrates, according to one embodiment, the event validation of the interaction between the first device and the second device comprising at least one sensor, and the securing of this interaction by the use of a dedicated software application.

The present invention can be applied to a new form of hotel room door locking / unlocking system, for example non-limiting. In this case each door of a hotel room is considered as a second device. Each door has one or more vibration sensors, for example piezoelectric. The door is also preferably equipped with communications means for sending data relating to the second event; it is also advantageously equipped with means for controlling its opening and / or its locking / unlocking, so as to allow an opening of the door if an interaction is validated with the first device.

The principle is simple, a customer with a smartphone able to perform a contact movement with contact and a software application dedicated to the identification of hotel customers, is in front of the door of his room. He then knocks on the door with the hand holding the smartphone.

According to one embodiment, the orientation of the smartphone can be arbitrary during the execution of the contact movement. Indeed, according to this embodiment, the trajectory of the smartphone is determined in relation to the gyroscopic data and spatial location of the smartphone sent to the computer system. Knowing the position of the door, it is then possible to determine if the smartphone is responsible for this contact detected by the door.

Performing this typing movement, the smartphone detects a contact movement with contact. Advantageously, this movement of contact with contact can be repeated several times in order firstly to reinforce the validation of the first event and secondly to make a natural gesture of knocking on a door.

Having means configured for this purpose, this first event is transmitted to a computer system from the smartphone by the dedicated software application.

The knock on the door has also been detected by the vibration sensor (s) in the door. This detection represents the second event and is transmitted to the computer system by means configured for this purpose.

Thus, the computer system receives two information relating to the detection of a first event by the smartphone and a second event by the door. These two pieces of information are analyzed by the computer system by means configured for this purpose. The important parameters here are the existence of a first and a second event and the concordance of the client and the room. Indeed, the software application in addition to transmitting the data related to the detection of the first event, user data are transmitted so that the computer system can verify that the smartphone belongs to the client of the room just generated the second event. If there is a match between the client's identity and the room number, then the computer system decides to unlock the door of the room that issued the second event.

If there is no match, the door remains locked and the computer system sends information to the smartphone to indicate to the user to try again or that his room number is not this one but another one. .

This solution is optimizable in terms of interaction validation. Indeed, if the user is mistaken for a room or if he makes a movement of contact with or without contact elsewhere than on the door of his room, and that follows a vibration on the door of his room to n any time, before and / or after the reconciliation movement with or without contact, the computer system will receive information indicating that a reconciliation movement with or without contact has been made by the user, the hotel's customer , and information about a second event indicating a vibration detected at the door of the room of said client. With these data, the computer system triggers the opening of the chamber door. The second event may possibly be a person knocking on the door with a suitcase for example.

Thus, if this embodiment does not provide sufficient interaction validation, it is advantageous to add an additional validation level. Without limitation, at least one of the following additional validation conditions can be taken into account: location of the second event on a predetermined surface portion of the door, trajectory of the movement of approaching with or without contact relative to the surface of the door . FIG. 3a illustrates, according to one embodiment, the strict event and time validation of the interaction between the first device and the second device provided with a sensor.

According to this embodiment, the steps of FIG. 2a are carried out. However, after detecting each event, a time stamp is created so that each event can be dated against the computer system clock. In this way, it is possible to compare the moments at which each event took place. According to an established time threshold, it is then possible for the computer system to validate or not the interaction between the first device and the second device. This new verification time step ensures the elimination of many situations leading to erroneous validations. However, the restriction brought by this time step does not solve some cases leading to errors.

FIG. 3b illustrates, according to one embodiment, the event and time validation of the interaction between the first device and the second device comprising at least one sensor, and the securing of this interaction by the use of a dedicated software application. .

Indeed, the present invention takes place for example in a hotel, but this time the software application, being in operation on the customer's smartphone, measures the precise time of detection of the first event, so as to transmit this temporal data to the computer system. At the same time, the computer system has the exact moment associated with the generation of the second event. According to a predefined time threshold, the computer system is therefore able to determine whether the first and second events are relatively close in time.

If the time difference between the two events is below a predetermined threshold value, and the validation conditions are correct, namely the identity of the client and the existence of both events, then the computer system unlocks the door from the room.

If the time difference between the two events is beyond this threshold value, and the validation conditions are correct outside this temporal condition, then the computer system prompts the user to start knocking on the door with his smartphone via a message generated by the software application in operation on his smartphone.

If the time difference is beyond the threshold value, and therefore the validation conditions are not correct, then the computer system informs the customer that it is not his room and / or that he made a movement of approximation with accidental contact.

This new validation level makes it possible, as stated earlier, to reduce the number of validation errors. However, if the customer intentionally or accidentally makes a reconciliation movement with contact with his smartphone, and a vibration is detected by the door of his room in a period of time less than the time threshold configured at the computer system, said system computer concludes to a correct validation of the interaction and unlocks the door. It is therefore once again necessary to add an additional validation level to ensure the least possible errors.

FIG. 4a illustrates, according to one embodiment, the strict event, temporal and spatial validation of the interaction between the first device and the second device provided with a sensor.

According to this embodiment, the steps of FIG. 3a are performed and completed by a new step of validating the interaction between the first device and the second device. This new validation step relies on the spatial location of the first device relative to the second device.

Indeed, the present invention can use various technologies to spatially locate the first device and / or the second device. Location technologies can be one or more of: Bluetooth ™ Low Energy, WI-FI ™ technology, Li-Fi technology, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) technology, GPS technology (Global Positioning System) and / or any other technology capable of spatially locating the first device, such as an audio distance evaluation technology.

With regard to the second device, its position may be initially known by the computer system, since the second device is considered immobile with respect to the first device and the computer system is partly or entirely dedicated to a specific infrastructure in which the present invention is implanted. It is also possible to provide the second device with locating means of the first device, in which case the second device indicates to the computer system the position of the first device. It is also possible that this is the first device that detects the position of the second device and informs the computer system of its proximity to the second device. Advantageously and by way of example, a first device having an RFID transponder reader for detecting the presence of the second device comprising an RFID transponder so as to indicate to the computer system the proximity present between the two devices.

The addition of this new validation parameter now makes it possible to have a validation verification of the interaction between the first device and the second device via several distinct elements: the existence of a first event, the existence of a second event, the temporal gap between the two events and the relative spatial location of the two devices. This series of validation steps restricts the number of situations allowing a validation of the interaction and thus avoids the erroneous interactions. Indeed, the addition of this last element implies that the user must be close to the second device and the time aspect implies an almost simultaneity between the first and second events.

FIG. 4b illustrates, according to one embodiment, the event, temporal and spatial validation of the interaction between the first device and the second device comprising at least one sensor, and the securing of this interaction by the use of an application. dedicated software.

This embodiment is an improvement of that illustrated in Figure 3b. Indeed, the present invention takes place in a hotel, but this time, in addition to the steps presented in FIG. 3b, the present invention includes a validation of the interaction based on a new validation step corresponding to the spatial location of the smartphone relative to the door of the hotel room. This location can be performed by various technologies.

For example, an RFID transponder may be located at the door so that at the time of contact movement, the smartphone reads the RFID transponder from the door. Thus the software application is responsible for transmitting the transponder data in addition to existence and time data, to the computer system.

In another example, a technology of WIFI ™ or BLE or Li-FI type can be used to spatially locate the smartphone. The doors being fixed elements of the hotel, the computer system advantageously already has location data concerning them.

In another example, an audio system distance evaluation technology can be used to spatially locate the smartphone.

The addition of this validation step confirms the opening of the door of the room only if the customer is close to it in addition to the steps mentioned above with reference to Figure 3b.

According to one embodiment, the orientation of the first device, relative to the second device, during the first event is a parameter forming part of the data transmitted to the computer system. This data is then used to identify the direction, for example, that the first device followed during the first event. If this direction is in agreement with the parameters required to validate the interaction (by normal example on the surface of the door), then the computer system validates this step.

According to one embodiment, the first device comprises a software application specific or not to the present invention serving, for example non-limiting, communication platform between the smartphone and the computer system. The sending of data to the computer system can be conditioned by the activation of the application.

According to another embodiment, the activation of this application can be automatic or requested to the user when the first device is close to the second device, this proximity detection being possibly performed by BLE, RFID, LI-FI technology. and / or any other proximity sensing technology, including spatial location in general.

According to one embodiment, the present software application, serving as a communication platform between the first device, the smartphone for example, and the computer system, may be a native application of the operating system of the first device.

According to one embodiment, the present software application comprises algorithmic learning means as to the realization, specific to each user, of the interaction between the first device and the second device. This learning allows a better detection of the first event by the first device and also reduces the number of false positives and false negatives.

In addition, this learning allows an algorithmic refinement of the thresholds specific to each of the sensors of the first device to optimize the use of the present invention by the user.

For example, this learning can be used to discern the manual preference of a user. In a generic way, this learning measures various parameters of the system and searches for redundancies or similarities, for example. Thus, depending on whether the user is right-handed or left-handed, the orientation of the first device may be different when interacting with the second device. Taking into account the manual preference may then allow, for example, to avoid errors in the detection of events.

Similarly, the strength of the user may be a data that the present software application can take into account in order to adjust the thresholds of the sensors for example, such as the accelerometer. Indeed, if the user presents a low force, the trigger threshold of a movement can then be lower than for a user with a greater force and for which the movements will be more pronounced and strong.

According to one embodiment, the present software application can also consider temporal data, such as the time of day for example, in order to more easily identify an event. For example, if the user enters his hotel room every evening between 19h and 20h, the present software application is configured to learn this type of habit and thus incorporate in its chain of conditions of validation, a time related criterion at the time of the event.

According to one embodiment, the location technologies available for the present invention are hierarchized according to their location accuracy. This prioritization is used by the computer system to prioritize available and operational technologies with the best accuracy for locating the first device.

According to one embodiment, a level of reliability of the validation steps is evaluated by the computer system so as to be able to validate or not the interaction between the first device and the second device. If the level of reliability of the validation steps is too low, the computer system may use additional validation steps, such as for example non-limiting, the direction of the first device relative to the second device, and / or a validation requested by the user of the first device and / or the use of additional localization technology. The purpose of these additional validation steps is to increase the reliability level of the validation steps in order to validate and / or invalidate the interaction between the first device and the second device.

The processing means of the computer system may for this purpose include means for executing a decision tree: validation conditions are predefined, in particular among the detectable criteria described above; are also defined combinations of these conditions which, if they are met, trigger the validation of the interaction. Thus, one can validate (or invalidate) the interaction, based on several alternatives of cumulation of conditions. For example, a validation path may include the detection of the first event, that of the second event and their time compatibility, as well as a precise spatial location, such as a proximity of the two devices measured by BLE link. Another path may include the same conditions except localization by BLE link, but by GPS, less accurate. In this case, one or more other conditions may be required, such as a valid measurement of the path of the contact or contactless movement. Thus, several combinations of conditions can lead to the validation of the interaction between the first device and the second device.

It is understood that the verification of one of these combinations is sufficient for the validation of the interaction.

If this validation is not achieved, certain combinations can, if they are verified, lead to a generation of an alternative action to that provided by the interaction, such as sending a message to the first device to reiterate the first event.

According to one embodiment, each device of the present invention comprises a real-time clock.

In another embodiment at least one of the first device, the second device and the computer system includes a real time clock.

According to one embodiment, a measurement of the delay of transfer of information between the smartphone and the computer server is performed. Knowing this delay, there are several ways to exploit it.

For example, it is possible to adjust the time of the first event when sending its time data to the computer system. Thus, the computer system believes that the first event takes place instantaneously since the time of the transfer of the information is compensated at the level of the temporal data transferred.

Another possible example is an update of the time data of the first event when it is received by the computer server so as to subtract the transfer delay.

According to one embodiment, the second device may be a touch screen, for example, television type. In this case, the contacting movement with contact of the first device to the second device, that is to say from the hand holding the smartphone to the touch screen, can be considered, for example, as the first event. The second event may correspond to the detection of a screen touch, for example non-limiting, it may also be a proximity detection. This follows a temporal comparison of these two events, and a comparison of location of the smartphone and touch point. Here again the conjunction of these different parameters ensures a reliability of the smartphone / touch screen interaction. Then adding a software application running on the smartphone provides an additional validation step.

According to one embodiment and in the case of the interaction with a touch screen, the detection by the second device, that is to say the touch screen, to identify a partial area of the screen correlated to a display for triggering an action, for example an on-screen selection.

According to one embodiment, the number of interactions of the same user with the same touch screen allows an evolution of the validation steps. Indeed, as the user interacts with the touch screen, the computer system gradually decreases the number of steps required to validate the interaction. For example, spatial location is no longer needed once the first interaction is validated. There is an accumulation of interactions leading to an increase in the certainty of interaction.

For example, the thresholds of confirmation of the realization of a first event are scalable depending on the number of interaction of the same user with a touch screen for example. The more the user makes touches on the screen and the thresholds for confirmation of the realization of a first event decreases so that the next first events performed by the same user have a greater degree of freedom in their realization. .

Since the screen can be touched by several users, spatiotemporal contact data may be used to discretize the different users and validate the detected interactions.

According to another embodiment, a non-touch screen may also be suitable, it may in fact have means for locating the first device as well as means for detecting a first event by all types of sensors, such as optical sensors for example .

According to the two previous embodiments, the trajectory of the first device can also be taken into account in the validation chain of the interaction. Indeed, the position of the screen being known from the computer system, since the screen being stationary, the spatial location data and / or speed and / or acceleration of the first device are data indicating the trajectory and / or the direction of the first device relative to the screen. So the computer system can analyze the movement of the first device relative to the position of the second device, the screen, to thereby partially validate or not the interaction between the first device and the second device.

The use of the present invention applied to the interaction between a smartphone and a screen can find its usefulness, for example non-limiting in an airport. Indeed, an individual seeking his flight may have a software application specific to the invention so that, in front of a public screen indicating all flights departing and / or arriving from the airport, a simple movement of contact with contact indicates to him on the screen of his smartphone all useful information related to his flight. Moreover, the computer system can record that a traveler of said flight has just consulted this information. In the case of late flight, for example, a message can be transmitted to the user on his smartphone so as to indicate the delay and to offer compensation services for example. This example illustrates the bidirectionality of the communication between the first device, here the smartphone, and the computer system.

According to one embodiment, the second device has a surface that can be discretized by the use of sensors so that the detection of the first event has a surface location with respect to the surface of the second device.

According to this embodiment and following the example of a hotel room door for example, the positioning of several sensors on the surface of the door allows precise detection of the point of interaction with the smartphone, so it is possible to have an additional validation criterion. Indeed if the vibration is detected at the bottom of the door, it is very likely that it is not generated by a first event but simply by a hit received, for example.

Still according to this embodiment and following the example of the touch television, the second device, that is to say the TV, already has a discretization of the interaction surface, and therefore the interaction with the first device has a very precise surface location, again ensuring an additional level of validation.

According to one embodiment and in the nonlimiting case of a hotel room, the movement of approaching contact of the first device with the door may require a repetition of said movement by the user so as to reproduce the natural gesture of striking at a door and reinforce the validation of the interaction. The invention is not limited to the previously described embodiments and extends to all the embodiments covered by the claims.

Claims

Method for validating an interaction, between a first device, being a portable communication device, comprising at least one sensor capable of detecting a first specific event of said portable communication device, and a second device comprising at least one sensor capable of detecting a second event, characterized by:

Receiving, at said computer system level, from the second device, information including existence and time data of the second event, the second event corresponding to an interaction of a third party device with the second device.

Determining a reliability level of the validation conditions and comparing it with a predetermined reliability threshold.

The consideration of at least one additional condition of validation of the interaction, between the portable communication device and the second device, by said computer system in the case where the level of reliability is below the predetermined reliability threshold.

Method according to the preceding claim wherein the processing is configured to validate the interaction between the first device and the second device if at least the following four conditions are met: existence of the first event, existence of the second event, temporal compatibility between the first and second the second event, spatial compatibility of the first device relative to the second device.

Method according to the preceding claim, in which the temporal compatibility and the spatial compatibility consist in a proximity, respectively temporal and spatial, between the first event and the second event, below, respectively, a temporal proximity threshold and a spatial proximity threshold.

A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the interaction of a third party device with the second device comprises a contact or approximation below an immediate proximity threshold preferably less than 3cm.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first specific event of said portable communication device is a movement of approximation with or without contact of the first device relative to the second device.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second event corresponds to a contact between the second device and the third device.

Method according to the preceding three claims in combination in which:

- The first device detects its own movement corresponding to the first event;

The second device detects the contact or the approximation below the proximity threshold with the first device corresponding to the second event;

the first device communicates with the computer system and transmits the information comprising the existence and temporal data of the first event;

- The computer system performs the processing, through the validation conditions, so as to validate or not the interaction between the first and the second device;

8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein an algorithmic refinement of the thresholds specific to each of the sensors of the first device is performed so as to optimize said thresholds according to the use by the user of the first device.

The method of any of the preceding claims wherein the spatial location data is obtained from a plurality of spatial location technologies prioritized according to their spatial location accuracy, the most accurate operational technology being selected.

10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a time synchronization is performed between the portable communication device and the computer system.

1 1. Method according to the preceding claim wherein the time synchronization comprises time compensation performed between the portable communication device and the computer system by measuring the delay of transfer of information.

A computer system comprising at least one processor, wired and / or non-wired communication means with at least one communication network, and non-transient storage means of at least one computer program comprising instructions according to the method of the present invention. any of claims 1 to 1 1 and configured to be executed by the at least one processor.

13. System comprising a first device said portable communication device, a second device and a computer system according to the preceding claim.

14. System according to the preceding claim wherein the second device does not include a motion sensor.

15. System according to any one of claims 12 and 14 wherein said computer system is integrated in the portable communication device. 16. System according to any one of claims 12 and 14 wherein said computer system is integrated in the second device.

17. System according to any one of claims 12 to 16 wherein the first device comprises at least one motion sensor.

18. System according to any one of claims 12 to 17 wherein the second device comprises at least one vibration sensor.

19. System according to any one of claims 12 to 18 wherein the second device comprises at least one physical contact sensor.

20. System according to any one of claims 12 to 19 wherein the first device is a smartphone and the second device is a door comprising at least one vibration sensor.

21. The system of any one of claims 12 to 19 wherein the first device is a smartphone and the second device comprises a screen.

A computer program product stored in a non-transitory memory and having instructions operable by the at least one processor, configured to execute the method of any one of claims 1 to 1 1.

23. Computer program product according to the preceding claim comprising algorithmic learning means configured to adapt the parameters of said computer program product to the user.