FR2828757A1 - Device for automated control of an item of electrical equipment by use of a communications interface between an everyday item such as a watch and the item to be controlled, e.g. an electrical toy, computer, etc. - Google Patents

Abstract

Common personal object or clothing item such as a watch (1) contains characteristic data relating to the person with transceiver adapted to transmit a control signal including characteristic data to a second communication device that is able to retrieve the characteristic data and control the first device according to the data received.

Description

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 The present invention relates to a device for automated control of electrical equipment by a person.

 The invention applies very generally to the field of data transfers, and in particular human-machine interfaces. A more special field of application of the invention relates to the automated control of electrical equipment causing the starting, stopping, restriction of use, etc., personalized according to the user.

 Currently, most electrical equipment, of the domestic type for example, can be equipped with an external control actuated by any user (except the use of a code) or a time-related control. However, few of them are controlled by the physical presence of a characteristic data such as an identifier, specific to a specific person.

 The known prior techniques have the drawback that starting an item of equipment, even in standby, requires voluntary action, then leaves the user completely free (except for new coded action), then stops with a power cut, the assembly being generally independent of the user In particular, the remote controls do not make it possible to recognize the user and then restrict by prior programming the use of the equipment to periods, for durations and on specific functions.

 Also, the technical problem to be solved by the object of the present invention is to propose a device for the automated control of electrical equipment by a person, which would in particular make it possible to be able to individually control the programming of the equipment by simply presence of the user within a defined perimeter and for a defined period.

The solution to the technical problem posed consists, according to the present invention, in that said device comprises first means of communication arranged in a usual personal and / or clothing object of the person and capable of emitting a control signal including characteristic data of said person, and second means of communication arranged in the electrical equipment and able to extract the characteristic data of the person and to control said equipment in accordance with said characteristic data.

Thus, the automated control device according to the invention has the effect of diverting the usual use of a small personal or usual clothing item, such as a watch, ring, bracelet, brooch, in order to be able to use it as a pre interface. -programmed electrical equipment.

For this purpose, said characteristic data relate to the use, starting, stopping and / or a restriction of use of the equipment according to the person.

Advantageously, the invention provides that said first and second means of communication are produced by a short distance radio link of low power, this in order to avoid the problems of consumption and frequent change or recharging of the battery.

The description which follows will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented.

A person to whom the automated control of any electrical equipment is linked carries with him a usual personal and / or clothing item equipped with first means of communication, such as a low power short distance radio link of the Bluetooth type for example. These means are capable of transmitting a permanent or non-permanent control signal, including data characteristic of the person which may be an identifier of the object, therefore of the wearer, the access and the conditions of access to the service offered by the electrical equipment. If necessary the

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cerufication du porteur peut être réalisée par capteur M & fh'et. ?Ktue (tonction * Ficat on du porteur peut être 0 ion

mémorisation/comparaison dans l'objet ou le récepteur de l'équipement) L'équipement est muni de deuxièmes moyens de communication, compatibles par exemple avec la son radio courte distance de faible puissance de l'objet porté par la personne. Ces deuxièmes moyens sont aptes à extraire du signal de commande reçu les données caractéristiques de la personne et à commander ledit équipement conformément à ces données caractéristiques. En particulier, l'équipement reconnaît t'identifiant dans une périmètre donné (quelques mètres a quelques dizaines de mètres par exemple), et, si certaines contraintes programmables sont respectées (durée, distance...), déclenche une série d'actions dont la programmation a été également mémorisée. Une antenne directionnelle peut éventuellement intégrer la contrainte de l'azimut.

Cerufication of the wearer can be carried out by M &fh'et sensor. ? Ktue (tone * Ficat on of the wearer can be 0 ion

memorization / comparison in the object or the receiver of the equipment) The equipment is provided with second means of communication, compatible for example with the short distance radio sound of low power of the object carried by the person. These second means are capable of extracting from the control signal received the characteristic data of the person and of controlling said equipment in accordance with these characteristic data. In particular, the equipment recognizes the identifier within a given perimeter (a few meters to a few tens of meters for example), and, if certain programmable constraints are respected (duration, distance ...), triggers a series of actions including the programming has also been memorized. A directional antenna can possibly integrate the constraint of the azimuth.

en veille de l'équipement, le déblocage d'une "clef', l'émission d'un message d'accueil ou d'un cii vel ZD accusé de réception vers l'objet, une sirène d'alerte ou signal hertzien déclenchant en retour une alarme dans l'objet ou une combinaison de ces actions. The electrical equipment can be household appliances or toys (dolls, lìl1rS with a battery). Actions can be, for example: starting, stopping or putting

in standby of the equipment, the unlocking of a "key", the emission of a welcome message or a ZD cii vel acknowledgment of receipt towards the object, a siren of alert or radio signal triggering in return an alarm in the object or a combination of these actions.

The equipment receiver can be internal (standard) or external (optional), support its programming commands (access by code), receive data from outside (remote programming) or be preset as standard, and whether or not to use a display system for its parameters or to facilitate programming. The carrier's certification can be based on voice recognition.

A first application of the device according to the invention relates to electrical equipment constituted by a communication terminal.

blocage/déblocage. c Dans cette application, l'objet envoie un signal de commande entraînant la mise en marche, l'arrêt ou la restriction automatique de l'utilisation du terminal. L'objet, une montre par exemple, comportant pour sa part l'interface-utilisateur est commandé par une pression d'un bouton, le choix d'une icône sur un écran ou reconnaissance vocale, le terminal devient uniquement une borne de télécommunication. To deliver a message to a person via a communication terminal, there are several solutions at present: the mobile phone, the pager which is the sending of SMS (Short Message System), GSM watches. Some of these devices are heavy (around a hundred grams) or too weak in autonomy (less than an hour for watches) and difficult to use by young children. In addition, it does not seem that there is any filtering according to the person nor of use adapted to each user except introduction of a code of

locking / unlocking. c In this application, the object sends a command signal causing the terminal to be started, stopped or automatically restricted. The object, a watch for example, comprising for its part the user interface is controlled by a press of a button, the choice of an icon on a screen or voice recognition, the terminal becomes only a telecommunications terminal.

The usual small personal or clothing object is therefore used as a pre-programmed interface of a proximity relay communication terminal to send (or receive) a specific programmed message to (or from) a distant person.

 Technically, this involves deviating the user interface function from the long distance communication function linked to a specialized terminal of the mobile phone type (GSM, GPRS or UMTS), the bidirectional link between the object and the terminal being carried out by a short distance means of communication such as low power "radio waves" (eg Biuetooth). In the environment of the object carried by the person (about twenty meters maximum) there is a simplified GSM type terminal (without keyboard, screen, microphone or earpiece) which provides long distance connection with people programmed remote recipients of a message sent by the terminal. By an action on the object, a transmission of the

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message (pré-programmée) est réalisée avec une ou plusieurs desdites personnes programmées :

SMS. message enregistré, musique ou icône...

message (pre-programmed) is carried out with one or more of said programmed people:

SMS. recorded message, music or icon ...

A second application of the invention relates to the automated control of a computer and its software from the usual personal object.

des logiciels et l'arrêt du PC au départ de l'utilisateur n'existent pas. Les ordinateurs sont p généralement allumés ou éteints par une touche, leur configuration et les accès logiciels programmés selon un code et la mise en veille est temporisée. L'accès automatique, obligatoire ou Hmitée d'un utilisateur précis n'est pas utilisé. In the known state of the art, significant data exchanges are provided by Htuetooth or other type link between a microcomputer (PC) and its peripherals. However, automatic recognition of a user, system configuration, limited or exclusive access to

software and shutdown of the PC when the user leaves does not exist. Computers are generally p turned on or off by a key, their configuration and software access programmed according to a code and standby is timed. Automatic, compulsory or limited access for a specific user is not used.

 In this application, the usual small personal or clothing item is used as a pre-programmed interface of a computer to turn it on or off, and access such or such application or website for a defined period, with possible restriction of the use and reception of a return signal.

Technically, it involves controlling the programming of the computer by the simple presence of the object within a perimeter and for a defined period, the bidirectional link between the object and the computer being carried out by a communication means of short distance such as low power "radio waves" (Bluetooth for example).

The object carried by the person emits a permanent identification control signal. This signal identifies the object, therefore the carrier, and access to the service. The computer is equipped with a similar link which recognizes the identifier (within a few meters) and, if certain programmable constraints are respected (duration, distance, etc.), triggers a series of actions whose programming has has also been stored. A directional antenna can possibly integrate the constraint of the azimuth.

The receiving equipment of the computer can be internal or external, the programming (access by code) being made by the system or by a complement to the system configuring the accesses and possibly triggering the self-executed opening of a resident program.

A third application relates to the automated control of a television set from a usual personal object.

Switching on a television, even in standby, requires action on at least one remote control button (or on the television) and then leaves the user free to choose his program. Currently known remote controls do not recognize the user and then restrict by prior programming the use of the TV to periods, for durations and on specific channels. The access filtering aspect is therefore completely unknown.

The usual personal or clothing object is used as a pre-programmed interface of a C> television set to turn it on on such or such channel for a defined period.

 Technically it is a question of controlling the programming of the television set by the simple presence of the object within a perimeter and during a defined period, the bidirectional link between the object and the television set being carried out by a means of short distance communication such as low power "radio waves" (Bluetooth).

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permanent. Ce signal identifie l'objet et l'accès au service. Le téléviseur est équipé d'une liaison similaire qui reconnaît l'identifiant (dans un périmètre d'une dizaine de mètres) et-si certaines iiiii il 1 1 1 1 s contraintes programmables sont respectées (durée. distance...)-enclenche une série d'actions dont la programmation a été également mémorisée. Une antenne directionnelle peut éventuellement ll1tégrer la contrainte de l'azimut. Les moyens de communication du téléviseur peuvent être internes ou externes, supporter ses commandes de programmation ou recevoir ses données de l'extérieur (tctcprogrammation). et utiliser ou non un système type télétexte pour afficher ses paramètres ou faciliter la programmation. 93? 3757 neiei The object, such as ring, watch, bracelet, brooch, emits a control signal identifying

permanent. This signal identifies the object and access to the service. The television is equipped with a similar link which recognizes the identifier (within a perimeter of ten meters) and - if certain iiiii it 1 1 1 1 s programmable constraints are respected (duration. Distance ...) - starts a series of actions whose programming has also been memorized. A directional antenna can possibly integrate the constraint of the azimuth. The television's means of communication can be internal or external, support its programming commands or receive its data from the outside (tctcprogrammation). and whether or not to use a teletext-type system to display its parameters or facilitate programming.

 A fourth application of the invention relates to the location of a usual personal object by network communication terminals.

In this application, a command / identification signal is emitted by the object, causing its automatic retransmission by a terminal on a network, with possible return of an "acknowledgment of reception" signal.

The usual small personal or clothing item is used as a transmitter of a precise location signal in the (open) context of a park, or (closed) of a fair, or various frequented places with a mesh network of terminals reception. We can also consider an exceptional use of the signal emission, in localization by a helicopter-borne receiver allowing a strong amplification of the signal, in the context of a little frequented area (forest, hills ...). The bidirectional link between the object and the terminals of the network is carried out by a short-distance communication method such as low power "radio waves" (Bluetooth).

In the environment of the object carried by the person (approximately every twenty meters) there are receiving terminals which relay the identifying signal, either by GSM, or by a physical mesh network (cables, electrical network in particular) to a central which memorizes the initial signal of the object and that of the terminal. On request, the cross-checking of 3 pieces of information, the location of the object can be carried out and returned to the requester. Outside of the context of numerous radio transmissions, the localization is done by a directional antenna and a high power amplifier. receiver.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS I. Device for automated control of electrical equipment by a person, characterized in that said device comprises first means of communication arranged in a person object! usual and / or dress of the person and able to emit a control signal transmitting characteristic data of said person, and second means of communication arranged in the electrical equipment and able to extract the characteristic data of the person and to control said equipment in accordance with said characteristic data.  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said object comprises functions for controlling said second communication means comprising pressing a button, choosing an icon on a screen, and / or voice recognition.  3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said object is a watch, a ring, a bracelet, a brooch, etc. 4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said characteristic data relate to the use, starting, stopping and / or a restriction of use of the equipment according to the person.  5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said first and second means of communication are produced by a short distance radio link of low power. 6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the second communication means are capable of transmitting an acknowledgment signal to the first communication means. 7. Application of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said electrical equipment consists of a communication terminal. 8. Application according to claim 7, characterized in that said communication terminal comprises mobile telephone functions. 9 Application of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said electrical equipment consists of a computer. 10. Application according to claim 9, characterized in that said characteristic data include limited and / or exclusive access to the person.  11. Application of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said electrical equipment consists of a television.  ! 2. Application according to claim 11, characterized in that said characteristic data include the period of switching on the television and / or the limited access to certain channels.  13. Application of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 to the location of the personal object.