FR2877525A1 - Electronic file e.g. electronic business card, transmission device for e.g. doctor, has microcontroller that provides card to transmission module, where card is stored in storage medium so that module transmits card - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a wireless transmission module (14) transmitting an electronic business card on a predetermined wireless transmission medium and according to a transmission protocol. A microcontroller (11) provides the card to the module, where the card is stored in a storage medium (12) so that the module transmits the card. An interface module connects the device to an external computing system e.g. personal computer.

Description

Device for transmitting an electronic file, in particular a card of

electronic visit.

  FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The field of the invention is that of electronic communication systems.

  More specifically, the invention relates to a device for transmitting an electronic file to at least one receiving device.

  The invention has many applications, such as for example the issue of an electronic business card or the issuing of an announcement relating to at least one event.

  More generally, it can apply in all the cases where one wishes to transmit an electronic file, whatever its contents.

  2. Prior Art The diversity of the means of communication, the intensity of their use lead the users of telecommunication systems to manage many contacts. In addition to the traditional paper diary, there are electronic directories managed by contact management tools integrated into the communication terminals available to users. These include directories of landline and mobile phones, personal assistant (PDA) directories or personal computers (PCs), and online directories offered by web service providers (for example, coupled with Web Mail, instant messenger services, or even mail order functions (mail order).

  For telecom operators, the management of contacts by users is of particular importance. Users will only use one of their communication terminals if the contact directories managed by these terminals are up-to-date and easily accessible.

  The professionals offering goods or services, attach particular importance to their visibility in the paper directories, electronic or in the search engines of the Web. A physical meeting with a potential client is an important moment for the professional who interacts with a potential client. This meeting is often accompanied by the supply of a business card (or an advertising medium) mentioning the telephone number of the professional, or in a more modern version of the supply of an electronic medium (mini CD card format visit) with the contact details of the professional.

  A disadvantage of the known solution is that the provision of a support (paper or electronic) bearing the coordinates of the professional to a third party does not systematically lead to a manual copy of these coordinates in one of the personal directories of the third.

  Even if copying is done, it is rarely complete and is often limited to the name and phone number. Additional information (website URL, fax number, e-mail address, properly structured address) is lost and limits the future possibilities of implementing high value-added services.

  In addition, the manual recopy may be tainted with errors, especially on the fields devoid of semantics (the error of copying a digit of a telephone number is difficult to detect).

  In order to remedy this problem of manually copying information relating to a contact in an electronic directory of a user, it has been proposed to materialize each contact in the form of an autonomous electronic file (also called a contact card or a business card). electronics) and to equip communication terminals (fixed and mobile telephones, personal assistants, personal computers, etc.) with means for exchanging these electronic business cards. According to the communication terminals, various transmission vectors are proposed: infra-red transmission, radio transmission (for example according to the Bluetooth standard or the IEEE 802.11 standard (Wifi network)), electronic mails on the Internet, multimedia messages 25 (MMS) on a radiocommunication flow (GSM for example).

  The most widely used standard electronic business card format today, and usable by most of the aforementioned contact management tools, is the standard vCard format.vcf, which is owned by the Internet Mail Consortium. A vCard is an electronic business card with this format. Typically, a vCard can store various textual information (name, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses on the Internet, URLs on the Internet.

  ), as well as images, photos, logos, etc. However, it appears that the aforementioned known technique does not optimally meet the needs of certain users, and especially professionals, who wish to communicate their details in a single transaction to one or more interlocutors ... DTD: Indeed, with this technique known, the mechanism for sending an electronic business card between two users, each with a communication terminal (for example a mobile phone), is complex issue side. This issue-side complexity stems from the fact that the global mechanism is designed in a completely symmetrical way: all terminals are designed to be used both in transmission and in receipt of electronic business cards. Therefore, when it wants to send an electronic business card to a third party, a user must do the following: select an electronic business card delivery function from among several functions (such as management functions, for example) telephone communications, management of SMS messages, MMS ..., management of photos / videos, management of contact directories, management of various terminal parameters, etc.), selection of the contact to be sent among all the contacts contained in the directories of the terminal, and validation of the sending of the selected contact. In practice, the step of choosing the function can be relatively long and complex because the user must navigate in several levels of function menus. Generally, the step of selecting the contact is also not immediate because the contacts can be very numerous and distributed in several directories.

  The major disadvantage described above is further amplified in the case where a user wishes to send an electronic business card to several other users, at successive times. Indeed, he must then repeat several times all the sequence of operations recalled above. However, this situation is frequent for some users, such as professionals who want to give their electronic business card to many customers or potential customers they meet on various occasions, especially when they move (plumbers, heating ... for example), receive their customers (doctors, dentists ... for example) or are present on a trade show, a fair, an exhibition ... (commercial of a company for example).

  Another disadvantage of the known technique is that it involves the purchase by the one who wishes to send his electronic business card from an expensive communication terminal, which he does not always really need.

  Yet another disadvantage of the known technique is that it imperatively requires the presence of the person who wishes to send an electronic business card, since it is she who performs the operations detailed above. 3. OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION The invention particularly aims to overcome these various disadvantages of the state of the art.

  More specifically, one of the objectives of the present invention, in at least one embodiment, is to provide a device for transmitting an electronic file that is simple to implement and inexpensive.

  The invention also aims, in a first particular embodiment, to provide such a device that requires only one action of the user to operate and send an electronic file.

  Another object of the invention, in a second particular embodiment, is to provide such a device that does not require the presence of any person to operate and send an electronic file.

  Another object of the invention is to provide, in at least one embodiment, such a device that can be used with existing communication terminals equipped with means for receiving electronic files (including electronic business cards).

  4. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These various objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved according to the invention with the aid of a transmission device, of the type making it possible to transmit at least one piece of information. to at least one receiving device. According to the invention, the transmission device comprises: storage means for storing a single electronic file having a predetermined format; wireless transmission means for transmitting said electronic file over a determined wireless transmission medium and according to a given transmission protocol; - Driving means, performing, when activated, a single control function of providing the transmission means the electronic file stored in the storage means, so that the transmitting means transmit the electronic file; and activation means for activating the control means.

  Thus, the invention is based on an entirely new and inventive approach to a system for transmitting / receiving electronic files, by proposing an asymmetrical system in which the transmission side is specialized and simplified to the extreme.

  In other words, the general principle of the invention is therefore to use a device designed only for the transmission of a single electronic file.

  In this way, the transmission device according to the invention is much less expensive than any communication terminal (mobile phone, PDA ...). It is also much easier to use since the user has neither to choose one of several functions (the device has only one mode of operation), nor to choose an electronic file (electronic business card by example) among several (the device always emits the same).

  Advantageously, the activation means comprise a push button.

  Thus, sending an electronic file requires only one action of the user: pressing the push button.

  According to an advantageous variant, the activation means are automatic activation means included in the control means and implementing a specific activation policy.

  In this variant, the sending of an electronic file does not require any action by the user.

  Advantageously, the determined activation policy is such that the activation means activate the control means periodically.

  It is clear however that other activation policies can be implemented while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

  In a first particular embodiment of the invention, the transmission device is a portable device.

  This first embodiment (portable device) can be combined with the case where the activation means comprise a push button. Indeed, the user can then have the device on him when he moves and activate it whenever he wants to deliver his electronic file (typically his electronic business card) to a third party.

  This first embodiment (portable device) can also be combined with the case where the activation means emit automatically (for example periodically).

  In a second particular embodiment of the invention, the transmission device is a static terminal.

  This second embodiment (terminal) can be combined with the case where the activation means emit automatically (for example periodically). Indeed, the terminal can then be placed in a place of passage (entrance hall of a company, fair, fair, exhibition ...) of third parties who can thus receive the electronic file (typically an electronic business card) automatically emitted by the terminal.

  This second embodiment (terminal) can also be combined with the case where the activation means comprise a push button. Assuming again that the terminal is placed in a place of passage, it is for example the third parties who press the push button of the terminal so that it emits the electronic file (typically an electronic business card).

  Preferably, the electronic file is an electronic business card.

  The electronic business card is preferably, but not necessarily, a vCard.

  It is clear, however, that the invention applies with any type of electronic file. Thus, according to an advantageous variant, the electronic file is an advertisement relating to at least one event.

  Advantageously, the device further comprises means for interfacing with an external computer system, so as to enable the computer system, via the interfacing means and the control means, to place a first time, modify or replace dynamically the electronic file contained in the storage means.

  Advantageously, the transmission device further comprises configuration means for dynamically modifying the configuration of the control means.

  5. List of Figures Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of indicative and non-limiting example, and the accompanying drawings. , in which: FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a first particular embodiment of the transmission device according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a second particular embodiment of the transmission device according to the invention; and FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a third particular embodiment of the transmission device according to the invention.

6. Detailed description

  The invention therefore relates to a device for transmitting an electronic file. In the remainder of the description, only the case where the electronic file to be transmitted is an electronic business card, for example of the vCard type, is considered.

  It is clear that the invention is not limited to this type of electronic file. It can find many other applications, such as sending an electronic file containing an announcement related to an event (for example, a company publishes the date and title of its next technical presentation).

  The reception procedure of the electronic file transmitted by the transmission device according to the invention is not described hereinafter because it is known to those skilled in the art. The adoption of standards for the protocol for sending the electronic file (for example Bluetooth or IEEE 802.11) and for the format of this file (for example vCard) constitute guarantees of interoperability between transmission device and reception device. If using a sending protocol and / or a non-standard file format, the skilled person will easily adapt the reception procedure.

  A first specific embodiment of the transmission device 10 according to the invention is now presented with reference to FIG. It comprises: a memory medium 12, for example of the ROM type, containing a single electronic business card 17, for example in the vCard format; a wireless transmission module 14, making it possible to transmit the electronic business card, on a determined wireless transmission medium (radiofrequency or infra-red emission for example) and according to a determined transmission protocol (for example according to the Bluetooth standard or the IEEE 802.11 standard (Wifi network)). According to one variant, the electronic business card is integrated in an MMS message into a GSM stream. The card is referenced 17 when it is in its stored form and when it is in its issued form; control means (for example a microprocessor or a controller) 11, performing, when they are activated, a single control function of supplying the transmission module 14 with the electronic business card 17 stored in the memory medium 12 , so that the transmitting module emits it; a push button 13, enabling a user to activate the control means 11; and an interface module (for example a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface 16) for connecting the transmission device 10 to an external computer system, for example a personal computer (not shown).

  Thus, software running on the external computer system allows, via the interface module 16 and the control means Il, to dynamically place for the first time an electronic business card in the memory medium 12 or to modify or dynamically replace an electronic business card already contained in the storage medium 12 (for example, a factory initialization phase). The interface module 16 also allows the external computer system to supply the transmission device 10 with electrical power.

  In the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the transmission device 20 according to the invention differs from the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 only in that the interface module 16 is replaced by a module of FIG. battery power supply 21, which can be recharged, for example by induction, by an external power supply module 22.

  The elements common to Figures 1 and 2 retain the same references (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17) and are not described again.

  In this second embodiment, the transmission device 20 is completely autonomous (for example, an advertising pen or a neckband gadget). The electronic business card 17 is loaded into the memory medium 12 during an initial configuration phase of the device 20. The data of this card 17 are then protected to prevent unwanted modification by a malicious third party.

  A third particular embodiment of the transmission device 30 according to the invention is now presented in connection with FIG. It comprises: a memory medium 32, of dynamic memory type, containing a single electronic business card 33, for example in the vCard format; a wireless transmission module 35, for issuing the electronic business card, on a determined wireless transmission medium and according to a specific transmission protocol. The card is referenced 33 when it is in its stored form and 36 when it is in its issued form; control means 31, themselves comprising automatic activation means 310 implementing a determined activation policy (for example periodic, every two seconds). At each new activation, the control means 31 perform a single control function consisting of supplying the transmission module 35 with the electronic business card 33 stored in the memory medium 32 so that the transmission module transmits it; a clock 34 used by the control means 31, in particular for implementing the periodic activation policy; and a configuration interface module 3137 of the control means.

  Thus, unlike the first and second embodiments (FIGS. 1 and 2), in this third embodiment the transmission device 30 does not include a push button. The latter is dematerialized and replaced by the automatic activation means 31 integrated in the control means 31.

  The control means 31, and the automatic activation means 310 that they integrate, are for example implemented by modifying a router compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard (WiFi ADSL terminal / 802.11b router), so as to configure it to periodically send the electronic business card. In this case, the transmission module 35 transmits the electronic business card in one or more IP datagrams transmitted on a transmission vector conforming to the IEEE 802.11b standard.

  According to one variant, the control means 31, and the automatic activation means 310 that they integrate, are for example implemented by modifying a Bluetooth component.

  In any case, standard protocols may be used to facilitate interoperability between the transmitting device 30 of the invention and the receiving mechanism (not shown).

  The configuration of the router 31 is performed from its configuration interface 37. It can also be provided that this interface 37 manages the storage, modification or replacement of the electronic business card in the memory medium 32. In this case, the interface receives for example, on a transmission vector compliant with the IEEE 802.11b standard, IP datagrams 38 carrying interactions of administration of the electronic business card.

  Whether it comprises a push button (FIGS. 1 and 2) or automatic activation means (FIG. 3), the transmission device according to the invention can be made in the form of a portable device or a terminal static (corporate or domestic).

  Many applications of the transmission device according to the invention can be envisaged. Some examples of applications are given below. This is not an exhaustive list.

  In a first application, the member of a professional organization is provided with a transmission device, realized in the form of a portable device and according to the second embodiment described above in relation to FIG. the professional wishes to transmit his electronic visit card, he signals it to his interlocutor who opens the reception channel of the personal communication system that he uses and carries on him (mobile phone, smartphone (smartphone), personal assistant (PDA) ), then the professional activates the transmitting device once, by pressing the push button. The sending device then transmits the electronic business card to the system (the communication of the interlocutor, who accepts the card, saving time and simplicity of the action for the professional and his interlocutor are the advantages of the This could, for example, be adopted by the liberal professions (dentists, doctors), craftsmen (plumbers, heating engineers) ...

  In a second application, within the company, the coordinates of the company standard (company address, standard telephone, etc.) are sent continuously, periodically, by a transmission device, realized in the form of a static terminal and according to the third embodiment described above in connection with Figure 3. Any customer of the company can position its communication system in reception mode and accept the receipt of the card of electronic visit. The benefits of this solution are identical to those previously exposed.

  In a third application, when the company participates in a promotional event for its products (trade show, fair, exhibition), the electronic business card issuing device is made available to the public of the event. It is realized in the form of a static terminal and according to the first or second embodiment described above in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively. Anyone wishing to obtain the business card can operate the sending device, by pressing the push button, and receive the electronic business card in return.

  In a fourth application, the transmitting device is integrated in a promotional object (pen, or figurine, for example). It is made in the form of a portable device and according to the second embodiment described above in relation to FIG. 2. The promotional object after activation (pressing on the head of the object acting as a push button ) sends the electronic business card of the sponsoring company.

  The four applications above are applications for professionals. Applications for individuals can of course also be considered. For example, in a fifth application, the furnace is equipped with a transmission device according to the invention, made in the form of a static terminal and according to the third embodiment described above in connection with FIG. Thus, a friend of the household who wishes to record the household semi-public information can obtain them by positioning his telecommunication system in reception mode, so as to receive the electronic business card sent periodically by the fireplace terminal.

  Furthermore, the transmitting device according to the invention can be coupled to billboards or any promotional material.

Claims (10)

  Transmitting device, of the type enabling at least one piece of information to be sent to at least one receiving device, characterized in that it comprises: storage means (12; a single electronic file (17; 33) having a predetermined format; wireless transmission means (14; 35) for transmitting said electronic file over a determined wireless transmission medium and according to a given transmission protocol; control means (11; 31), performing, when they are activated, a single control function consisting in supplying the transmission means with the electronic file stored in the storage means, so that the transmission means transmit the electronic file; and - activation means (13; 310) for activating the control means.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the activation means comprise a push button (13).   3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the activation means are automatic activation means (3110) included in the control means (31) and implementing a specific activation policy.   4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the determined activation policy is such that the activation means activate the control means periodically.   5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is a portable device.   6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is a static terminal.   7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electronic file is an electronic business card.   8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electronic file is an announcement relating to at least one event.   9. Device according to claim 1, further comprising means (16; interfacing means and control means, to place a first time, change or dynamically replace the electronic file contained in the storage means. 10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises means (37) for configuration, for dynamically changing the configuration of the control means.