FR3048714A1 - CONNECTED CADENAS WITH BALANCE - Google Patents

Abstract

The description relates in particular to a connected padlock (1) comprising: a fastening system (2); an electronic locking circuit (3) of the fastening system; a geolocation electronic circuit (4); an electronic cellular communication circuit (5); an electronic scale (6). The description also relates to a communication method for such a padlock connected to a computer program as well as a storage medium.

Description

CONNECTED CADENAS WITH BALANCE

The description particularly relates to a connected padlock, in particular of the type used to lock luggage (suitcases, backpacks, etc.). It is known to equip a padlock of an electronic communication circuit. This has advantages, such as the possibility of controlling the opening or closing of the padlock electronically, for example from a mobile phone. This avoids having to memorize a combination (secret code), at least if the opening is controlled with an existing code of the mobile phone or with other means of authentication (fingerprint measured on the phone, etc.). Such a padlock reduces the risks of a trip by avoiding forgetting a combination and having to saw (or more generally damage) the padlock. However, there are other sources of risk during a trip. In particular, airlines usually limit the weight of hand luggage as well as checked baggage. Travelers do not necessarily have the means to check the weight of their luggage as they prepare it. A fortiori, if they buy goods on the way to the airport or at the airport itself (before putting the baggage in the hold), they can not generally know the weight of the luggage supplemented with these products. This is a source of uncertainty and therefore of concern for travelers. The invention aims to improve the situation. The invention relates in particular to a connected padlock comprising: a fastening system; an electronic circuit for locking the fastening system; a geolocation electronic circuit; an electronic circuit for cellular communication; an electronic scale.

This connected padlock is advantageous in particular that it allows using a single device (the padlock connected) to trace (geographical location) the object protected by the padlock connected, which is useful in case of theft or loss in particular, but also to weigh the object. Such a weighing is useful in particular when the object is intended to be embedded in an aircraft, because it makes it possible to know if the authorized thresholds are respected. In the opposite case, it is possible for example to check via the cellular communication electronic circuit (by connecting to an airline server) whether the weight envisaged is acceptable, as well as to estimate the amount of the surcharge due to the airline (assuming or having verified that the additional weight is acceptable).

The padlock connected according to embodiments of the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics taken alone or in combination. The invention relates in particular to a connected padlock in which the fastening system is connected to the electronic scale so as to serve both to padlock an object and to weigh this object by suspending the connected padlock. The invention relates in particular to a connected padlock in which the electronic cellular communication circuit implements an M2M protocol. The invention relates in particular to a connected padlock comprising an electronic communication circuit PAN. The invention relates in particular to a padlock connected in which at least one of the electronic circuit of cellular communication and the electronic communication circuit PAN is arranged to communicate to an electronic device external to the padlock at least one of a weight measured by the electronic balance, a geographical position measured by the geolocation electronic circuit and a locking state of the fastening system. The invention relates in particular to a connected padlock arranged to select an electronic device external to the connected padlock to which to send a weight measured by the electronic scale according to a geographical position measured by the electronic geolocation circuit or a routing parameter weight measurement performed by the electronic balance received by the connected padlock. The invention relates in particular to a padlock connected in which at least one of the electronic circuit of cellular communication and the electronic communication circuit PAN is arranged to receive an external electronic device to the padlock connected to at least one of a command locking of the fastening system, a request to send a weight measured by the electronic balance, a request to send a geographical position measured by the geolocation electronic circuit and a weight measurement routing parameter carried out by the electronic scale. The invention relates in particular to a communication method for a padlock connected, comprising at least one transmission among: a transmission to an electronic device external to the padlock connected to at least one of a weight measured by the electronic balance, a geographical position measured by the geolocation electronic circuit and a locking state of the fastening system, and a reception from an external electronic device to the padlock connected to at least one of a locking order of the fastening system, a request from sending a weight measured by the electronic balance, a request to send a geographical position measured by the electronic location circuit and a weight measurement routing parameter performed by the electronic balance. The invention relates in particular to a computer program comprising a series of instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement a method according to an embodiment of the invention. The invention relates in particular to a non-transitory storage medium readable by computer, storing a computer program according to one embodiment of the invention. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows. This is purely illustrative and should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 illustrates a padlock connected according to one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 illustrates a communication method for padlock connected according to one embodiment of the invention.

The following achievements are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each element mentioned in the context of an embodiment relates only to this same embodiment, or that features of this embodiment apply only to this embodiment.

FIG. 1 illustrates a connected padlock 1 comprising a ring 2, an electronic locking circuit 3 (making it possible to lock and unlock the ring 2 electronically), an electronic balance 6 connected to the ring 2, and electronic geolocation circuits 4 , of cellular communication 5, and of communication PAN 7.

FIG. 2 illustrates a connected padlock communication method comprising steps of sending 9 and receiving useful information for the connected padlock.

A first embodiment relates to a connected lock 1 comprising a fastening system 2. This fastening system comprises a closure device such as a handle, a ring, a rod, or a chain or a cable, all five can be metallic or other resistant material. The closure device can be threaded onto an object (for example a piece of luggage) to be protected (by preventing for example the opening), and it can be fixed by its two ends inside the padlock. By way of illustration, two zippers operating on the same slide of a piece of luggage may be connected to one another by the device for closing the padlock connected so as to prevent access to the contents of the baggage.

The connected padlock 1 comprises an electronic locking circuit 3 of the fastening system. This electronic circuit is for example associated with an electromechanical device such as an electric motor or an electromagnet, so as to lock and unlock the fastening system. The connected padlock is thus placed in closed or open configuration. In the open position, anyone can remove the padlock from the luggage. In the closed position, the padlock or luggage must be damaged in order to remove the padlock unless you are able to send a legitimate unlock command. Such an order can be protected (for example by a password, by an encryption, or by any appropriate cryptographic technique) to prevent a hacker succeed in opening the connected padlock without authorization, by purely computer techniques .

The connected padlock 1 comprises an electronic geolocation circuit 4. It is for example a GPS chip, a chip

Glonass, or (in the future) a Galileo chip.

The connected lock 1 comprises a cellular communication electronic circuit 5. It may be for example a chip implementing a GSM, CDMA, CDMA-2000, TDMA, TD-SCDMA, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS or else LTE (or a combination of the above). But more appropriate technologies are possible.

The connected padlock 1 comprises an electronic balance 6. Such a scale may comprise a specific material. The operation of such a scale may be based on variations in the electrical characteristics of such a specific material when it is mechanically compressed. The compression depends on the load that compresses the material. These electrical variations are measured and converted into weight (or mass). The connected padlock advantageously comprises a display (such as an LCD screen) for displaying the measured weight (or more frequently the estimated mass).

Advantageously, the electronic locking circuit of the fastening system, the geolocation electronic circuit, the electronic cellular communication circuit and the electronic balance are interconnected (for some or all of them). All combinations of interconnections are conceivable.

This allows them to use their respective information (received, transmitted, measured, etc.). For example, the acceleration of gravity depending on the radius of the Earth, it undergoes variations that can reach 0.5%. Although such a variation is small, it may be relevant when one is close to the allowed threshold, at least when the accuracy of the electronic balance is better than 0.5%. The balance can therefore take into account the geographical position of the padlock obtained by the geolocation device to refine its estimate of the mass measured. It can then indicate either the corrected mass only, or this corrected mass and the mass obtained by using a constant gravity acceleration.

According to a second embodiment, the fastening system 2 of a padlock connected according to the first embodiment is connected to the electronic balance 6 so as to serve both to padlock an object and to weigh this object by suspending it. connected padlock. This makes it possible to obtain a connected padlock that is more compact and more practical to use because in one operation the padlocked object is protected and it can be weighed.

According to a third embodiment, the electronic cell communication circuit 5 of a padlock connected according to the first or the second embodiment implements an M2M protocol. This is advantageous because such protocols are often designed to be more energy efficient than those of conventional cellular networks such as GSM, CDMA, CDMA-2000, TDMA, TD-SCDMA, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS or LTE networks. They thus allow greater autonomy of the connected padlock. The latter can thus be used for several months or even more than a year without having to recharge the battery or change the battery (depending on the type of energy source used). In return, the available bandwidth is lower, and the access to the network is typically slower, but it is in principle not embarrassing in the context of a connected padlock.

The connected padlock is thus arranged to communicate via an appropriate M2M cellular network. This may include the UNB network Sigfox.

According to a fourth embodiment, a padlock connected according to one of the first to the third embodiments comprises a PAN 7 electronic communication circuit. The acronym PAN comes from the English expression "Personal Area Network" and refers to networks having a very short reach (typically a few centimeters to a few meters). For example, the PAN electronic communication circuit uses Bluetooth technology, or NFC, or Zigbee. This electronic communication circuit PAN is advantageously interconnected with at least one of the other electronic circuits of the connected padlock.

Thanks to this PAN electronic communication circuit, the connected padlock can for example communicate freely and without depending on a telecommunications network with a mobile phone or tablet supporting the same PAN protocol (in point-to-point mode). Most mobile phones support the Bluetooth protocol, which is advantageous.

According to a fifth embodiment, a padlock connected according to one of the first to the fourth embodiments is such that either the electronic cellular communication circuit 5, or, when it exists, the PAN electronic communication circuit, or both. circuits, are arranged to communicate with an electronic device external to the connected padlock. This (these) electronic circuit (s) is (are) arranged to transmit to this electronic device at least one of: - a weight measured by the electronic balance 6, - a geographical position measured by the circuit geolocation electronics 4 and - a locking state of the fastening system 2.

He (they) can thus communicate any of these three pieces of information, any two of these three pieces of information, or these three pieces of information. The external electronic device to the padlock connected is for example a mobile phone or tablet 8b connected (e) Network PAN to which the padlock connected is possibly able to connect. Alternatively, this electronic device is for example a computer server 8a connected to the cellular network to which the connected padlock is able to connect. Alternatively, the computer server 8a is connected to another electronic device (such as a mobile phone or tablet) which itself is connected to the padlock connected via the PAN network to which the connected padlock is (if appropriate) able to connect.

According to a sixth embodiment, a padlock connected according to the fifth embodiment is arranged to select an electronic device external to the connected padlock to which to send a weight measured by the electronic scale 6 according to a geographical position measured by the electronic circuit of geolocation 4 or (non-exclusive) one (or more) weight measurement routing parameter (s) (measured by the electronic balance 6) received by the connected padlock. According to one possible implementation, the connected padlock automatically performs the selection of the routing (it chooses for example the final destination). Alternatively, it receives this selection automatically (for example via a cellular network or PAN). Alternatively, the connected padlock offers its user (for example via an LCD screen of the padlock connected, or via a message sent by the padlock connected to a mobile phone) a list of choices, the order of which is defined according to the position and / or at least one routing parameter (weight measurement performed by the electronic balance) received by the connected padlock. Thus, the most likely choice is put forward to speed up the selection.

The choice of the destination of the sending of the weight measurement can thus be based on information received via the cellular communication electronic circuit or via the PAN electronic communication circuit, if it exists, or via these two circuits ( who can receive different and complementary information).

According to a seventh embodiment, a padlock connected according to one of the first to sixth embodiments is such that either the electronic cell communication circuit 5, or, when it exists, the PAN electronic communication circuit, or both. circuits, arranged to receive an electronic device external to the padlock connected to at least one of: a locking order of the fastening system 2 (which must be understood as allowing either to lock either to unlock the fastening system), - a sending request (by the connected padlock) of a weight measured by the electronic scale 6, - a sending request (by the connected padlock) of a geographical position measured by the geolocation electronic circuit 4 and - a weight measurement routing parameter made by the electronic scale.

This or these two circuits may thus receive any of these four pieces of information, any two of these four pieces of information, any three of these four pieces of information, or these four pieces of information. According to one possible implementation, the weight measurement routing parameter (s) made by the electronic scale is part of the request to send a weight measured by the electronic scale.

The electronic device is for example a mobile phone or tablet 8b connected (e) network PAN to which the padlock connected is possibly able to connect. Alternatively, the electronic device is for example a computer server 8a connected to the cellular network to which the connected padlock is able to connect. Alternatively, this computer server 8a is connected to another electronic device (such as a mobile phone or tablet) which itself is connected to the padlock connected via the PAN network to which the connected padlock is (if appropriate) adapted to connect.

According to an eighth embodiment, a padlock communication method connected according to one of the fifth to seventh embodiments comprises at least one transmission from: a transmission 9, to an electronic device external to the connected padlock, of at least one information among a weight measured by the electronic balance 6, a geographical position measured by the geolocation electronic circuit 4 and a locking state of the fastening system 2, and a reception 10, from an external electronic device to the connected padlock, of at least one of a locking order of the fastening system 2, a request to send a weight measured by the electronic balance 6, a request to send a geographical position measured by the geolocation electronic circuit 4 and a weight measurement routing parameter performed by the electronic scale.

The information is transmitted (transmission 9) and / or received (reception 10) by / to the padlock connected, for example by / to one of its electronic circuits.

According to one possible implementation, the method comprises the reception of other information, for example one or more parameters of a nature to allow the automatic routing (or to facilitate the routing) of certain information (such as position measurements to the using the geolocation electronic circuit 4, in addition or alternatively to weight measurements using the electronic balance 6). Thus, the padlock can receive a list of his owner's frequent flyer programs, or even the list of airline tickets he has ordered. Depending on this parameter (s), it can transmit the weight of the baggage to a relevant server.

Since the loading of an aircraft is critical, the airline may appreciate receiving in advance the weight of passengers' baggage, and grant for example additional miles if the weight transmitted in advance corresponds to the weight measured on the balance of airport. In major cities, some destinations are served throughout the day from several airports (eg Roissy and Orly for the city of Paris). A traveler can decide at the last minute to change the flight to benefit from a more appropriate schedule given his agenda on the day considered from an airport different from the one he had initially envisaged (eg Orly instead of Roissy). In this case, the geographic position of the connected padlock can help anticipate this desire to change airport departure.

According to a ninth embodiment, a computer program comprises a series of instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement a method according to the eighth embodiment (and of course its possible variants). This program is for example written in a low-level language (such as an assembler language). It can also be written in a higher level language, such as C language. This program can be separated into components recorded on separate media. For example a component can be registered on a mobile phone, one or more other component (s) on a computer server, or one or more other component (s) on one or more electronic circuit (s) a padlock connected according to one embodiment of the invention. Each component can be written in a different language.

According to a tenth embodiment, computer-readable non-transitory storage media store a computer program according to the ninth embodiment. These supports are, for example, a rewritable memory (such as a Flash or EEPROM memory) of a mobile phone and / or a padlock connected according to an embodiment of the invention and / or a computer server memory (for example: example a hard disk type magnetic memory). The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above as examples. Usable memories cover any type of memory.

The embodiments described in connection with the padlock connected according to embodiments of the invention can be transposed to the methods according to embodiments of the invention, as well as computer programs and storage media of the program. according to embodiments of the invention, and vice versa.

Claims (10)

A connected padlock (1) comprising: an attachment system (2); an electronic locking circuit (3) of the fastening system; a geolocation electronic circuit (4); an electronic cellular communication circuit (5); an electronic scale (6). 2. A connected padlock according to claim 1, wherein the fastening system (2) is connected to the electronic balance (6) so as to serve both to padlock an object and to weigh the object by suspending it connected padlock . 3. Padlock connected according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic cell communication circuit (5) implements an M2M protocol. 4. Padlock connected according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a PAN electronic communication circuit (7). Connected padlock according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the electronic cellular communication circuit (5) and, when it exists, the PAN electronic communication circuit (7) is arranged to communicate, to an electronic device (8a, 8b) external to the connected padlock, at least one of a weight measured by the electronic balance (6), a geographical position measured by the geolocation electronic circuit (4) and a locking state of the electronic system. fastener (2). 6. Padlock connected according to claim 5, arranged to select an electronic device (8a, 8b) external to the connected padlock to which to send a weight measured by the electronic balance (6) according to a geographical position measured by the electronic positioning circuit. (4) or a weight measurement routing parameter performed by the electronic balance received by the connected padlock. Connected padlock according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the electronic cellular communication circuit (5) and, when it exists, the PAN electronic communication circuit (7) is arranged to receive an electronic device (8a, 8b) external to the lock connected to at least one of a locking order of the fastening system (2), a request to send a weight measured by the electronic balance (6), a request sending a geographical position measured by the geolocation electronic circuit (4) and a weight measurement routing parameter performed by the electronic balance. 8. A method of communication for padlock connected according to one of claims 5 to 7, comprising at least one transmission among: a transmission (9), to an electronic device (8a, 8b) external to the padlock connected, at least one information among a weight measured by the electronic balance (6), a geographical position measured by the geolocation electronic circuit (4) and a locking state of the fastening system (2), and a reception (10) from a device electronic device (8a, 8b) external to the connected padlock, at least one of a locking order of the fastening system (2), a request to send a weight measured by the electronic balance (6), a request to send a geographical position measured by the geolocation electronic circuit (4) and a weight measurement routing parameter made by the electronic balance. A computer program comprising a series of instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement a method according to claim 8. A computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium storing a computer program according to claim 9.