EP3050018A1

EP3050018A1 - Method for ordering and distributing a product ordered online

Info

Publication number: EP3050018A1
Application number: EP14796189.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Guillaume LEFEBVRE; Jacques POLY; Colombe HERAULT; Denis FAIVRE
Original assignee: Worldline SA
Current assignee: Worldline SA
Priority date: 2013-09-24
Filing date: 2014-09-24
Publication date: 2016-08-03
Also published as: US10223735B2; FR3011112B1; FR3011112A1; WO2015044589A1; US20160307261A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a system for ordering a product online, comprising: - a communicating object (100) configured to order a set of products referenced in a database (310) by means of an order signal (CMD), and a database (310) for listing a set of products corresponding to the order signal (CMD). It also essentially comprises: - a server (300) in communication with said database (310) and configured to publish a list of said set of ordered products, and a computer (400) likely to validate said list; the communicating object being a mobile device provided with a processor, a random access memory (RAM) and a hibernation software program such that the processor is stopped and the content of the random access memory (RAM) is not kept when said communicating object has not been used for a predefined period, or depending on the status of the communicating object.

Description

METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AND DISPENSING A PRODUCT

ONLINE ORDER .

The present invention relates to the field of the control of products, manufactured goods or others, for distribution.

For example, for inventory management or distribution logistics, the management of product orders is essential whether the products are manufactured goods, foodstuffs or other types of products.

For the sake of convenience, a natural person who wants to buy a product is called a "customer" and the natural or legal person who delivers or delivers the desired product is called a "supplier". The supplier can therefore be a manufacturer or a distributor.

In the field of mail order or e-commerce, it is interesting from the point of view of the customer that his order is easy to pass and that the delivery of the ordered products is carried out within announced or reasonable deadlines. From the supplier's point of view, it is interesting to know which products the customer is interested in, whether for informational purposes, purchase options or firm orders.

In general, when a customer wants to order, he must identify the desired products. Typically, identification is done by filling out a form, in paper or electronic form.

Thanks to computer technologies and in particular thanks to the Internet, forms have been developed in recent times based on lists of available products that the customer can select with a single click.

Such list solutions are faster for the customer than manually entering a paper or electronic form but are not entirely satisfactory. For example, the longer the list and the more the location of a product of interest in it is long and difficult. In addition, this involves having a computer on and at least one hand available to select the product in the list, whether by activating a pointer, a keyboard, a touch screen and so on.

Such manipulation for the pre-selection of a product is not always possible, for example when the state of the hand in question is incompatible with the use of said pointer, keyboard, touch screen etc. Typically when the hand in question is occupied, for example when seizing an object, wet, dirty, gloved, etc.

The present invention aims to solve this problem.

With this object in view, the invention, according to a first of its objects, relates to a control system of a product online by a customer, comprising:

- network equipment allowing access to the Internet (200),

a communicating object (100) comprising a control device (1 10) comprising at least one of an optical capture device, an audio recording device and a magnetic or electromagnetic capture device, said communicating object being capable of communicating with the network equipment (200) and being configured to control a set of products referenced in a database (310) by a control signal (CMD), and

a database (310) structured according to a set of classification criteria, referencing a set of products, and comprising a search engine configured to list a set of products corresponding to the control signal (CMD).

It is essentially characterized in that it further comprises:

a server (300), accessible via the Internet, in communication with said database (310) and configured to publish a list of said set of products ordered in the database (310) online via said communicating object (100); ), and a computer (400) connected to the Internet and capable of accessing said server (300), by said network equipment (200) or other network equipment allowing access to the Internet, to validate said list;

and in that

the communicating object is a portable equipment provided with a processor, a random access memory (RAM) and a hibernation software in which, when said communicating object is not used for a predetermined duration or in function the state of the communicating object, the processor is stopped and the contents of the random access memory (RAM) is not preserved.

By "processor" is meant any type of computer, including, for example, microprocessors, microcontrollers, DSPs, CPUs, etc.

The value of the predetermined time can be stored in a memory. It can also be provided that the hibernation software includes a function that forces the hibernation when the communicating object has been used too long, that is to say a duration greater than a threshold value stored in a memory. As an alternative or combinatorial function, the hibernation function can also take into account the state of the communicating object, for example the state of the battery, the duration of the last use, etc.

Hibernation can also be triggered by user action, such as long button press, then interpreted as a hibernation command.

In one embodiment, the controller (1 10) includes an audio recording device configured to implement a voice recognition step including identifying a set of at least one keyword in the recording. voice, and verifying that said at least one keyword corresponds to a ranking criterion of the database, said control signal (CMD) comprising said set of at least one keyword.

In one embodiment, the database (310) includes a customer's purchase history, the system including a calculator configured to list the products ordered with the order signal (CMD) combined with the customer's purchase history.

In one embodiment, at least some ranking criteria of said database (310) are hierarchical, so that a ranking criterion may be a subset of another ranking criterion.

In one embodiment, at least some products in the database (310) are grouped according to a set of predefined groups, each group being associated with a client, identified by an individual name or an individual graphic symbol and corresponding to at least one a criterion of the database; the individual name, the individual graphic symbol or the content of a given group that can be defined and modified by the client. In one embodiment, the database (310) includes a memory space in which the client can register a correspondence between the name of a group and the products of said group. .

In one embodiment, the database (310) includes a set of recipes or communicates with a recipe database.

In one embodiment, the content of each group is associated with a predetermined number of persons.

In one embodiment:

the control signal (CMD) is a voice signal, and

the database (310) comprises a correspondence between the name of a group, the products of said group and a number of persons;

the system comprising a voice recognition device and a computer configured to calculate the number of products to list for a given product group according to the number of persons recognized by voice recognition device in the control signal (CMD). In one embodiment, the system further comprises a sound reproduction device.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example and with reference to the appended figures in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the method according to the invention, and

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a device capable of implementing the method according to the invention.

The general scheme of operation of an embodiment of the proposed method is illustrated in FIG.

For the sake of brevity, only the case of a customer wishing to place an order with a sole supplier is illustrated here, the customer can actually be one or more natural persons.

It is expected that the customer is equipped with a communicating object 100 for performing at least a pre-selection of the product through manipulation. Once the preselection is done, the order is validated and sent to the supplier for delivery of the product.

These steps as well as various embodiments of the system allowing in particular to implement these steps are described in detail below.

Communicating object

Communicating object 100 is understood to mean an apparatus or device capable of establishing a communication, in particular wireless communication, with network equipment allowing access to the Internet.

The communicating object 100 comprises power supply means 130, for example batteries, or an electrical outlet for mains supply. It can also be provided that the power supply means 130 include induction charging means or photovoltaic power supply means.

It is preferably provided that the communicating object is an autonomous dedicated device integrated in a housing.

The small dimensions of the housing, typically a few cubic centimeters (depending on the number of readers implemented and described below), make it compatible with a positioning thereof on a door, for example household electrical equipment (refrigerator, oven , etc.), a table or any other convenient place for the customer. The communicating object is advantageously portable equipment, ie portable. For this purpose, it is possible to provide the housing with holding or hooking means, for example a foot, a suction cup, a magnet, a hook, etc. The housing can thus be placed on any surface, for example horizontal or vertical.

For example, the communicating object is free of operating system and includes software embedded in its processor. In this case, the communicating object is provided with a processor, a RAM RAM and a software for hibernation.

When the communicating object is not used for a predetermined duration, the processor is stopped and the contents of the random access memory RAM are not preserved, that is to say that it is lost, without being stored in another memory for example flash type.

Thanks to this characteristic, the power consumption of the communicating object is also lower, its autonomy greater, and its dimensions reduced compared to a communicating object equipped with the same sensors but including an operating system.

In particular, the simplicity of the system according to the invention, thanks in particular to its function dedicated to online product orders, allows a start (boot) of it very fast, so that the RAM RAM contents can be lost when activating the hibernation setting. Since it is no longer necessary to supply the RAM with electrical energy, this saves energy and increases the autonomy of the communicating object.

Unlike a communicating object such as a mobile phone that has an operating system and requires the launch of an application, the communicating object can be activated:

- permanently,

- by programming; periodically (for example every X hours) or programmed (at a given time for a given activation time), or

- thanks to an activation signal allowing the transition from a standby or hibernation mode to an active mode of the housing.

The activation signal can be:

- mechanical ; for example using an on / off switch, or

- voice, thanks to a voice command or

- electromagnetic, especially optical, or

- By an expiration signal of a predetermined time from a time pumping device integrated in the communicating object.

For example it can be provided that the passage of a predetermined image, or whatever, in front of the optical sensor generates the transition from standby mode to the active mode of the housing. A sound or visual reproduction device can be provided, for example in the form of a beep or indicator light, to warn the customer of the active mode of the housing.

For example, when activating the communicating object since the hibernation, the processor starts immediately and the delay between the transmission of the activation signal and the end of the alarm, that is to say the reaching the state in which the communicating object is ready to respond to the user's request (for example ready to scan, to receive a voice command, etc.) is preferably less than 500 milliseconds. In this case, it is less than 300 ms, so that the customer perceives said activation as almost instantaneous. For wireless communication, the communicating object comprises a wireless communication module 120, for example Wifi, GPRS or other, which allows it at least to send data to the Internet, possibly via a network equipment 200, for example a modem or a router, at the customer's home, or at least at the place of use of said communicating object. Preferably, the wireless communication module 120 is powered by the power supply means 130. The communicating object comprises a control device 1 10, preferably powered by the power supply means 130, capable of communicating with the power supply. communication module 120.

The controller 1 10 comprises at least one of an optical capture device, an audio recording device, and a magnetic or electromagnetic capture device. By capture device and recording device is typically meant a reader connected to a recorder. The advantage of all these readers is that they are without contact between said reader and the product. When enabled, the controller 10 sends a control signal CMD to the communication module 120 which returns the control signal as data according to an appropriate communication protocol, for example TCP / IP, to the equipment. network 200. The recording device can be embedded in the processor, integrated in the housing, or remote and in communication with the capture device (optical, audio or electromagnetic).

Optical capture device

The optical capture device is electrically connected to the processor and comprises at least one of the following three combinable variants.

In a first variant, there is provided an optical capture device for acquiring a two-dimensional image, typically a camera.

In a second variant, there is provided an optical capture device for acquiring a sequence of images, typically a video camera or webcam. In a third variant, there is provided an optical capture device for reading a graphic code (for example: bar code 1D, 2D, datamatrix, etc.), typically a barcode reader. The optical capture device preferably operates in the visible range. When activated, it sends an optical capture signal corresponding to the two-dimensional image (photo or graphic code), or the sequence of successive images taken by it. An optical recognition device 140 may also be provided, configured to identify at least some of the characteristics that can make it possible to identify the product from said image or the image sequence. For example, there is provided image recognition software, character recognition software (OCR) or graphics code recognition software. The software can be embedded or remote for example on a server in communication with the communicating object.

The optical capture signal can be sent directly to the communication module 120, or indirectly via the optical recognition device 140, as illustrated in FIG. 2, where the optical capture device 1 10 is coupled to an optical recognition device 140, typically image processing software. It can be provided that the optical recognition device 140 is deported to a server in communication with the communicating object 100.

The optical capture signal is recorded at least temporarily, even in the case of optical recognition on the fly.

After optical recognition, the control signal CMD is sent to the communication module 120.

Audio recording device

The audio recording device is electrically connected to the processor and comprises at least one audio transducer, in this case a microphone and preferably comprises recording means, in this case an audio recorder. There is also provided a voice recognition device, typically voice recognition software, coupled to the audio recording device on the communicating object 100 or remote on a server, and configured to transform the voice signal recorded and encoded according to a known protocol into CMD control signal. After voice recognition, the control signal CMD is sent to the supplier by the communication module 120 or by said remote server. Sound restitution device

It can be provided that the system comprises a sound reproduction device, for example a loudspeaker or an acoustic buzzer, better known under the anglicism "buzzer". The sound reproduction device is electrically connected to the processor.

The sound reproduction device may also be in communication with the database 310 or another database, so as to emit an audible signal recorded on the database and transmitted to the communicating object.

Electromagnetic capture device

The electromagnetic capture device is electrically connected to the processor. It can be a sensor allowing a radio-frequency contactless interaction (NFC, RFID or other) when a product or an object carrying a compatible transmitter (tag, badge or other) is presented to it at a communication distance. The recording of the electromagnetic signal generated by the reading of the transmitter can be done in a memory.

Communication module

A communication module 120 is electrically connected to the processor. The optical capture signal at the output of the optical capture device before optical recognition, such as the audio recording signal of the audio recording device before voice recognition, includes so-called "raw" data, potentially quite large in terms of bandwidth.

The recognition step (optical or voice) can be performed completely in the communicating object 100, completely remote on a server, or partially in the communicating object 100 and partial on a server (for example, a processing audio of extracting spectral information is done in the communicating object 100 and only these are sent to the server).

The communication module 120 can therefore transmit to the server, depending on the case:

Said raw data (audio recording, image, image sequence), or

The data resulting from a pre-processing of these raw data.

With a module specialized in reading symbols, we recover data already reprocessed (typically, the value of the barcode), which can be transmitted to the server as is.

For simplification, the control signal CMD thus means the optical capture signal before or after optical recognition, or the voice signal before or after voice recognition, with reference to the purpose of said control signal, and independently of the communication protocol implemented. artwork. The CMD control signal is sent to a database 310 structured according to a set of ranking criteria.

Provider

It is expected that the supplier has a database 310 referencing a set of products that it is likely to distribute, ie to deliver or have delivered. The database is stored on a server 300 or in communication with a server connected to the Internet, so that the signal of command sent by the client is transformed into query query database.

Preferably, the database comprises a set of markers, or fields, for classifying the products according to a set of criteria, in this case at least one of the following criteria: category, type, kind, brand or trade name, internal reference, product content, name of the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, unit weight, etc. For example, a given bottle of wine may be registered as a "wine" category, "red" type, "Bordeaux" type, "sulphite" content, etc.

Similarly, a given strawberry yoghurt may be registered as a "dairy product" type, "yogurt" type, "fruit" type, "strawberry" type, etc.

Preferably, the ranking criteria are communicated to a web server accessible to a client computer.

Preferably, at least some markers are hierarchical. For example, the "category" marker is of a higher order than the "type" marker, which itself is of a higher order than the "genre" marker, itself of a higher order than the "content" marker, so that a marker can be a subset of another marker. Each product is referenced in the database 310 by at least one marker. It is better but not mandatory for a product to be referenced by all markers.

The fields can be organized together, for example in the form of tables. Operation

Concisely, we describe here a single example where products are consumer goods, in this case a food item. This example is generalizable to other types of goods or products, for example office consumables or others, and the invention finds an advantageous application in recurring orders for the reasons set out below. When a customer wishes to purchase a product and wishes to place an order with a supplier, an acquisition step 10 is first provided.

The acquisition step includes acquiring a voice signal or an optical capture signal, by voice recording or optical capture. The acquired data of the voice or optical acquisition signal are representative of the desired product.

A transcription step 20 is then provided that includes the recognition step (optical or voice) and allows the transformation of the voice or optical recording into a CMD control signal.

In the case of voice recording, it is transcribed using voice recognition software that identifies a set of at least one keyword in the voice recording, such that at least one keyword corresponds to a ranking criterion. of the database.

Typically, a voice command may be processed by voice recognition software, for example comprising at least one correspondence table or heuristics for identifying in the voice acquisition signal keywords corresponding to the classification criteria of the database. The voice acquisition signal can then be transcribed into a control signal comprising these keywords identified in the form of instructions, for example in the form of fields or tags. For example for a voice command such as "buy a bottle of Bordeaux", the voice recognition software identifies keywords such as "a", "bottle" and "Bordeaux". The transcription can use a correspondence table to associate each of these keywords with the corresponding ranking criterion, in this case "one" is associated with the criterion "number" and "Bordeaux" associated with the genre. Advantageously, the database is relational, so that one criterion can be linked to others. In the preceding example, the "Bordeaux" type is linked for example to at least the "wine" category. In the case of optical capture, if the optical recording corresponds to the bar code of a product, the bar code is read and converted into a corresponding control signal according to the known techniques.

The bar code reader makes it possible to unambiguously identify the corresponding product in the database if it is sufficiently complete. Otherwise, there is an exception process, whereby the bar code is temporarily set aside for a match search to add the missing reference to the database. If the optical recording corresponds to a photographic image of the product, known image processing software is implemented to identify certain characteristic elements of the product, in this case by comparison with reference images recorded in a database , and transforming into a control signal said characteristic elements. Preferably, it is expected that the product features sought by the image processing software correspond in whole or in part to the classification criteria of the database. Typically, a divergent phase is provided where a set of characteristic data is produced from the acquired data, followed by a convergent phase, to deduce from this characteristic data the item or articles of the database that will be added to the data. the list.

For example with a photograph of a wine bottle label, the image processing software (which may include character recognition or graphic code recognition) can be configured to identify less one of the following: the trade name, the appellation, the name of the grower, the logo, etc. or any other distinctive sign allowing to be transcribed in the control signal and to identify the corresponding product in the database.

As seen above, the transcription step can be implemented on the communicating object or on a server in communication with it, which allows to reduce the resources used by it. To simplify the present description, it is considered that the transcription step is implemented on the communicating object.

After the transcription step, the control signal is sent to the provider's information system, in this case on the database 300, via the Internet.

An identification step 30 is then provided during the convergent phase mentioned above, which comprises the identification in the database of the product desired by the customer, thanks to the content of the control signal, which also allows the checking the availability of said product in stock.

Database

As explained above, the database 310 comprises a set of records referenced and classified according to classification criteria; each record corresponding to a product, the classification criteria corresponding at least in part to certain characteristic elements of the product.

Each product is identified in the database 310 by a unique individual identifier. For example, two products sold under the same name but under two different packages have two different identifiers.

The database 310 advantageously includes a history of previous purchases of the customer, the history including for example the list of identifiers of the purchased products. It can also include rules, preference defined by the customer or by the supplier, and intended to facilitate the resolution of problematic cases (arbitrations, substitutions, promotions, etc.).

A search engine coupled to a processor is configured to search for the desired product by the client in the database 310 from the CMD command signal.

The identification step 30 makes it possible to identify in the database 310 the product (s) corresponding to the classification criteria that correspond to the CMD command signal sent.

Once the product (s) identified (s), there is provided a listing step 40 of listing these products, in this case in computer form. Unique identification

If product identification is unambiguous, provision may be made to list only the identified product. It is also possible to list all the products corresponding to at least one of the criteria of the product uniquely identified. Preferably, it is expected to list at least all products belonging to the lowest hierarchy criterion, which limits the number of listed products. It may be expected to list all products purchased over a given period or all of the products of the database corresponding to at least one of the criteria of the product uniquely identified. Preferably, the product uniquely identified is the first in the list. For example, if the optical recognition (bar code or graphic recognition) unequivocally leads to a control signal corresponding to a given strawberry yogurt, then the list may include a list of strawberry yogurts (for example from a given brand or different brands) or a list of fruit yogurts. It is also possible to provide a thresholding by which if the number of products listed belonging to the lowest hierarchical criterion is less than a threshold value, then it is expected to also list all the products belonging to the hierarchy criterion immediately higher.

Non-unique identification

Some products may not be unambiguously identifiable by optical or electromagnetic recognition. For example, a given fruit or vegetable can sometimes be recognized, without the variety of this product being recognized. Similarly, certain voice commands sometimes lead to an impossibility of uniquely identifying a product. In practice, the voice command is generally oriented towards a single more or less generic selection criterion, for example "tomatoes".

If the identification of a product is not unambiguous, it is possible to list all the products corresponding to the criteria identified. In this case, the keyword "tomatoes" lists the set of tomatoes in the database 310; the key word "round tomatoes" list all the tomatoes in the database 310 having the characteristic of being round.

Whether the identification is univocal or unambiguous, it can be expected to couple the identification to the history of previous purchases of the customer, which allows to minimize the number of listed products. Likewise, it is possible to couple the identification with the rules established for the database 310.

Thus, the keyword "tomatoes" lists all the tomatoes in the database 310 that the customer usually orders, ie all the tomatoes ordered over a given period. If it is customary to buy only one type of tomato, then the product identification becomes univocal despite an order made according to a generic selection criterion. If the identification of the product is unambiguous, for example by an optical bar code recognition, but the purchase habit of the product relates to a different format (unit weight, quantity), it can be foreseen that only the product contained in Purchasing habits are listed, which is particularly convenient for products sold in batches: only one product in the lot makes it possible to list the lot.

Predefined product groups Some products in the database 310 may be grouped according to a set of predefined groups, each group corresponding to a criterion of the database and being identified by an individual name or an individual graphic symbol, and associated with an customer. Preferably, each individual name or individual graphical group symbol is definable and editable by the software client.

Preferably, the content of each group is also definable and modifiable by the client, by software.

Typically, each product group comprises a determined number of specific products.

The name of a group can be the title of a recipe. For example, there may be a group called "fruit salad", "ratatouille", "couscous", or "chocolate cake" and whose content includes the set of products in specified proportions necessary for the realization of the recipe . Similarly, there may be a group called "consumables" whose content includes a certain number of pens, erasers, etc.

For this purpose, it can be provided that the database includes a memory space in which the client can record the correspondence between the name of a group, the products of said group, and optionally the number of people. We can provide that the database includes a set of cooking recipes or communicates with a cooking recipe database.

The name of a group can be any and include various types of products. For example a group called "recurrent order" or "monthly order" may include a set of products, previously defined by the customer, that it wants to order in one order. It is also possible that the content of each group is associated with a predetermined number of people, for example according to a correspondence table.

Advantageously, the order of a group of products is carried out by the individual name or the individual graphic symbol of said group and any number of persons. Thus, thanks to the correspondence table, a calculator can calculate the number of products to list for the same group of products according to the number of people stated in the order. For example, if the group "water" is associated with 6 identical bottles and 10 people in the database, then

- the "water" command lists the said 6 bottles;

- the command "water 5 people" lists 3 of said bottles;

the "water 20 people" command lists 12 of said bottles;

- etc.

It then provides a step 50 of publication of the list on a server accessible to the customer, hereinafter "online service" and for example a web server. The online service is accessible, preferably securely, to a client browser or a dedicated application. Access to the list by the client may include a step of identifying it and may implement an authentication step thereof. By accessible to the client is meant accessible to an Internet browser, the browser can be integrated into a smartphone, a computer 400, a tablet, etc. The control signal CMD, as the list of identified products can be considered as a pre-selection of the product or products by the customer. Browsing this online service by the customer allows him to check the list, possibly to select some products only, to possibly modify the desired quantity and to confirm his choices during a validation step. Preferably, the validation step may comprise an on-line payment step, known per se.

After validation, it is expected to distribute 60 the ordered product referenced in the database 310. In this case, the products selected by the customer are delivered by the supplier to the latter at an address known to the supplier, for example when the identification step.

From the supplier's point of view, knowing the list of products identified by the control signal can enable him to better manage his stocks.

As the interest of the customer towards a given product is known to the supplier very early, that is to say at the latest during the validation, this one can optimize the logistics of delivery and replenishment.

In addition, if the control signal does not identify a product in the database, for example because it is not referenced, the supplier may still be aware of some of the characteristics of the product. 'interest and put this product, or equivalent ,. its catalog if a number of customers above a threshold value is of interest to this product.

From the point of view of the customer, as the communicating object is portable, then the customer can easily transport it and order a given product or know very quickly if this product is available from its supplier, for example by simple optical reading.

As the communicating object is included in a stand-alone box, the customer can send a control signal even with the hands occupied, dirty, wet, gloved etc. because the customer can manipulate the communicating object in front of the product, or manipulate the product in front of the communicating object. Thus, even if the product is wet or greasy for example, the communicating object is not likely to be damaged by manipulation. The communicating object advantageously comprises an activation device easy to access and the device for attaching the communicating object ensures good behavior even if the user maneuvers, for example with his elbow.

The servers mentioned here can be a set of servers possibly all separate from each other, or one and the same server.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to inform the context of the use of the control device, for example by the automatic identification of the user, the supplier, the category of products, the quantity, setting up an immediate order, or an order cancellation, and this in a predefined manner.

Reading a particular predefined code (bar code, RFID chip, voice command, image, etc.) can cancel, correct or complete (eg the quantity) the command corresponding to the control signal. In the case where a magnetic or electromagnetic transmitter carried by a product or object is a transceiver, it can be provided that the contactless interaction can also be bidirectional. In this case, the communicating object 100 can also transmit information to the product (for example write in an RFID tag, or transmit information to an NFC smartphone, etc.).

Finally, it can be expected that the communicating object 100 incorporates an audio reproduction module, in this case a speaker, to deliver audio messages to the client. Preferably, the sound reproduction is triggered spontaneously or according to predetermined actions of the client, typically in response to an action thereof, and for example to indicate that the command has been taken into account. The sound reproduction can for example be limited to beeps, which allows to consume very little electrical energy; and may also consist of various audio messages (spoken message, jingle associated with a brand, promotional message, etc.). For example, the sound reproduction can be activated:

- to acquit (positively or negatively) an action;

- to suggest a complementary article or announce a promotional operation, possibly following a given action; or

- in response to a visual or audio trigger from the customer, or a request for information from it.

When a client sends a predetermined keyword to the microphone, for example the keyword "promo" or "promotion", the processor of the communicating object decodes the keyword and delivers to the client by the loudspeaker a audio message exposing current promotions, downloaded from a database. For example "today, tomatoes are at -30%".

The client can optionally react to said audio message by pressing a button, activating any of the devices among the optical capture device, the audio recording device and the magnetic or electromagnetic capture device of the control device 1 10, for example by pronouncing another command keyword like "add" to add a promotional item to its list. In addition, it can be provided that the communicating object comprises a light rendering device, in this case an assembly of at least one light emitting diode (LED), which also limits the power consumption. For example, a diode of green color, one of color orange and a red color, the diodes being selectively activated in a predetermined manner and programmed in the processor.

For example, the green LED is activated if the customer's command is taken into account, the orange LED if a communication problem has occurred during the order taking and the red LED if one of the system components is unavailable. , unavailability of the ordered product in the database or any other problem. Thus, the invention allows an interaction between a client and an online service where the actions performed by the client are sent to a server, while the server responses are broadcast to the client by the restitution means equipping the communicating object. Advantageously, this interaction can be implemented independently of any effective command.

Nomenclature

Communicating object 100

Control device 1 10

Optical capture device (barcode, image)

Voice recognition device,

Wireless communication module 120

Power supply means 130

CMD control signal

Image processing device

Network equipment allowing access to the Internet 200

Server 300

Database 310

Computer 400

Claims

claims

1. Online product ordering system for a customer, comprising:

- network equipment allowing access to the Internet (200),

a communicating object (100) comprising a control device (1 10) comprising at least one of an optical capture device, an audio recording device and a magnetic or electromagnetic capture device, said communicating object being capable of communicating with the network equipment (200) and being configured to control a set of referenced products in a database

(310) by a control signal (CMD),

a database (310) structured according to a set of classification criteria, referencing a set of products, and comprising a search engine configured to list a set of products corresponding to the control signal (CMD),

characterized in that it further comprises:

a server (300), accessible via the Internet, in communication with said database (310) and configured to publish a list of said set of products ordered in the database (310) online via said communicating object (100); ), and

a computer (400) connected to the Internet and capable of accessing said server (300), by said network equipment (200) or other network equipment allowing access to the Internet, to validate said list;

and characterized in that

The system of claim 1, wherein:

The controller (1 10) includes an audio recording device configured to implement a voice recognition step comprising identifying a set of at least one keyword in the voice record, and verifying that said at least one keyword matches a database ranking criterion, said command signal (CMD) comprising said set of at least one keyword.

A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the database (310) comprises a customer's purchase history, the system comprising a computer configured to list the products ordered by the combined control signal (CMD). the customer's purchase history.

System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some classification criteria of said database (310) are hierarchical, so that a ranking criterion can be a subset of another criterion. classification.

A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some products in the database (310) are grouped according to a set of predefined groups, each group being associated with a client, identified by an individual name or a individual graphic symbol and corresponding to at least one criterion of the database; the individual name, the individual graphic symbol or the content of a given group that can be defined and modified by the client.

The system of claim 5, wherein the database (310) comprises a memory space in which the client can register a correspondence between the name of a group and the products of said group. .

The system of any one of claims 5 to 6, wherein the database (310) comprises a set of recipes or communicates with a recipe database.

8. System according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the content of each group is associated with a predetermined number of people.

The system of claim 8, wherein:

the control signal (CMD) is a voice signal, and

the system comprising a voice recognition device and a computer configured to calculate the number of products to list for a given product group according to the number of persons recognized by voice recognition device in the control signal (CMD).

10. System according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a sound reproduction device.