FR2831366A1 - Internet information network creation/provision having network user creation mechanism storage mechanism access command connected and facsimile terminal connected providing access/pointing digital word transmission storage unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The information creation and provision mechanism has a creation and provision mechanism (3) created by a telecommunication network user (14) and mechanism carrier storage (30) and creation method (31). The mechanism has an access command (32) connected to the creation method and accessible from a facsimile terminal (12) providing access and pointing towards the digital word transmission storage unit.

Description

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 The present invention relates to a method and a device for updating and / or creating information as well as a system for providing information comprising such a device.

 Information updating and / or creation devices are used in information delivery systems on information transfer networks, such as the Internet, to update and / or create information, for example. example in the form of HTML-type Internet pages.

 Conventionally, updating and / or creating information requires dedicated IT resources and specific skills in order to update and / or create Internet pages before exporting them to a remote computer server.

 Such a system therefore has significant inertia, all the more so since the updating and / or creation operations are often carried out by a third party which imposes deadlines, opening hours, cost negotiations, adjustments to modifications. ....

 In addition, it is expensive to make a user terminal mobile for updating and / or creating information.

 Carried out in a conventional manner, these updating and / or creation operations are therefore expensive and have a long implementation time.

 The present invention aims to remedy these problems by making it possible to update and / or create information which does not require a worker and / or specialized equipment.

 The subject of the invention is a device for updating and / or creating information by a user of a telecommunications network, this device comprising means for storing information, means for updating and / or creating remote controllable information, characterized in that said device further comprises access and control means connected to said updating and / or creation means and accessible by said user from a facsimile terminal to ensure access and referral, then transmission of data to be updated and / or created from said facsimile terminal to said updating and / or creation means in order to update and / or create in said means of storage, information representative of said transmitted data.

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 According to other characteristics of the invention: - said means for updating and / or creating information are adapted in order to deliver information in the form of a computer file containing images representative of said data transmitted by said terminal of facsimile through said access and control means; - said updating and / or information creation means are associated with character recognition means in order to deliver information in the form of a computer file containing text representative of said data transmitted by said facsimile terminal through said access and control means; - The device further comprises means for identifying said user connected to said storage means, which comprise data and / or parameters specific to said user; - said updating and / or information creation means are associated with said identification means in order to deliver information taking into account said data and / or parameters specific to said user; - It is connected via a computer network for transferring information to at least one platform for publishing information, which comprises at least one computer server and a database, said device also comprising means managing a remote database and information transfer means for transferring information between the information storage means and said remote database; - It includes an internal publication platform comprising a computer server connected to said information storage means, said internal platform being accessible via a computer network for transferring information from a station. consultation; - Said means of access and control are accessible by a facsimile terminal via a telephone telecommunications network; - Said access and control means are accessible by a facsimile terminal adapted for communication on a computer network for transferring information, via this network; - It also includes means for invoicing operations for updating and / or creating information.

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 The subject of the invention is also: - a system for providing information on a computer network for transferring information comprising means for storing information, connected to said network by a computer server, said means (30) for storage of information being accessible to a user through a device for modifying and / or creating information, which comprises means for storing said information, means for updating and / or creating information controllable at distance, characterized in that said device further comprises access and control means connected to said updating and / or creation means and accessible by said user from a facsimile terminal, to ensure access and the transmission of data to be updated and / or created from said facsimile terminal to said means for updating and / or creation in order to update and / or create in s said means for storing information representative of said transmitted data.

 The subject of the invention is also: - a method for updating and / or creating information by a user of a telecommunications network, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps: - a connection step from the user to a remote server from a fax terminal; a step of transmission by the user from the facsimile terminal of information to be updated and / or to be created; - a step of updating and / or creating said information; and - a step of memorizing the updated and / or created information.

 The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for providing information using a first device according to the invention; and

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 - Fig. 2 represents a block diagram of the method used by the information provision system as described with reference to FIG. 1.

 In FIG. 1, the architecture of a system for providing information implementing a device according to the invention is shown diagrammatically.

 This system includes an information publication platform 2, an information updating and / or creation device 3 and one or more consultation stations represented by the general reference 6.

 These elements are linked together via a computer network for transferring information 8, which may for example be the Internet.

 The consultation station 6 consists, for example, of a conventional microcomputer, of a digital personal assistant, commonly called PDA, or of any other terminal having means of connection to the Internet 8.

 Advantageously, the system also comprises, connected to the computer network 8, a fax terminal 10 adapted for communication on the computer network 8 operating for example according to the IP protocol and which can be mobile. Optionally, this terminal is equipped to operate according to the WAP or UMTS telecommunications protocols.

 Such a terminal will be called the IP fax terminal 10>.

 The system also comprises a facsimile terminal 12 mobile or not, connected to the updating and / or creation device 3, via a telephone telecommunication network 14, which may for example be the switched network (PSTN) or a mobile telephone network (GSM 900, DCS 1800, ...).

 Conventionally, the information publication platform 2 consists of a computer server 20 and a database 21, for the provision of information for the benefit of users of the Internet network 8 using a station. consultation such as the consultation station 6.

 According to the invention, the device 3 for updating and / or creating information, comprises a unit 30 for storing information, a module 31 for updating and / or creating information and a module 32 for access and

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 control, suitable for processing information from the IP fax terminal 10 or the fax terminal 12.

 Advantageously, the device 3 also includes independent complementary modules: a module 34 for identifying users; a module 35 for controlling a remote database; an information transfer module 36 adapted for the transfer of information over the Internet 8; - a character recognition module 37; and - a billing module 40.

 The access and control module 32 manages the platform 3 and includes a conventional type gateway which makes it possible to interface the device 3 with the telephone network 14 or with the computer network 8.

 It also makes it possible to process the signaling of incoming communications, and to route calls.

 In operation, the incoming call is transmitted by the module 32 to the module 31 for updating and / or creating information.

 This generates in response a file in computer format containing the data received in the incoming call.

 Thus, the access and control module 32 makes it possible to access and control the update and / or creation module 31 from a telephone terminal 12.

 In another configuration, the module 32 is separated into two elements, one providing access and the other controlling the device 3.

 The operation of this first device is described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2.

 FIG. 2 represents a block diagram of a method for implementing the system described with reference to FIG. 1.

 A user connects from a fax terminal 12 to the device 3 for updating and creating information through the network 14.

 It is considered that the user is already registered and has taken out a subscription for access to the services provided by the device 3.

 In the case of a new user, this user must perform a prior step of registration with the device 3.

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 Optionally, the service can be accessible to any user. They do not have to take out a subscription and the service is free or is billed on the telephone bill in the conventional way.

 The incoming call is directed to the access and control module 32 during a step 50.

 Optionally, the same device manages several services. In this case, the number called by the incoming call identifies the service required.

 Advantageously, the access and control module 32 transmits this call to the identification means 34.

 For example, the identification is made using the number of the calling fax terminal.

 In another case, the user of the facsimile terminal 12 identifies himself, for example, by entering a personal user code which is returned to the identification module 34.

 During steps 54 and 56, the identification module 34 checks in the storage unit 30 the validity of the identification. The result of this verification is returned to the access and control module 32 during a step 58.

 In the event that the identification is not valid, the access and control module 32 refuses access authorization.

 In the case where the identification is valid, it returns to the facsimile terminal 12, during a step 60, an access authorization.

 For example, this authorization results in a line seizure operation allowing the start of information transfer.

 Depending on the service implemented, the identification steps may not be necessary. For example, the creation of information corresponding to a classified ad text does not require prior identification.

 The terminal 10 then transmits the data to be created and / or updated to the device 3 according to a conventional protocol for transmitting data by fax during a step 62.

 The data received is transmitted to the module 31 for updating and / or creating information during a step 64.

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 The module 31 then interrogates the storage unit 30 during steps 66 and 68 in order to obtain in response information relating for example to the nature of the file to be created and / or updated, the typographic conventions, the colors to be used or any parameter. suitable for updating and / or creating information.

 In the case where the service implemented includes a user identification step, the parameters received by the module 31 are specific to the identified user.

 For example, the information is generated in the form of a computer file according to a pre-formatted frame into which is inserted all of the data received in the form of an image.

 For example, this data corresponds to a page of handwritten text.

 In another case, the module 31 for updating and / or creating information performs, thanks to the module 37, a character recognition in order to generate a text file, comprising the data transmitted by fax.

 When this new information appearing in the form of an updated and / or created computer file is created, it is stored in the storage unit 30 during a step 70. Subsequently, the module 35 for controlling a base remote data module and the information transfer module 36 extract the information previously created and stored in the storage unit 30, during steps 72 and 74.

 During a step 76, this information is transmitted to the publication platform 2 so that it is stored in the database 21. In the case where the service requires identification, this storage takes place in the part of the database 21 specific to the user who has identified himself.

 Subsequently, a user of the consultation station 6 can make a request to the publication platform 2 during a step 80 and obtain in response, during a step 82, the information created and / or modified previously.

 Advantageously, the device 3 comprises in the storage unit 30, information previously created and / or modified by users,

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 so as to be able to recover old information in the event of a malfunction or incorrect handling.

 Advantageously, the service is billed directly to the telephone bill of the user of the fax terminal 12 using audiotel type systems. The invoice is then issued by the telephone operator.

 In another case, throughout the duration of the connection between the facsimile terminal 12 and the updating and / or creation device 3, the billing module 40 operates in order to be able to transmit, for the purpose of the the user of the fax terminal 12 or the owner of the information provision platform 2, a corresponding invoice.

 Advantageously, a user can access the device 3 for updating and / or creating information, from an IP fax terminal 10 and via the Internet 8.

 In this case, the access and control module 32 makes it possible to detect the nature of the incoming call and to treat it accordingly.

 Advantageously, the device 3 can be used with several publication platforms of the type of the platform 2.

 In another embodiment, the device 3 for updating and / or creating information comprises a computer server, which, associated with the storage unit 30, constitutes an internal publication platform.

 In such a system, the updated and / or created information is directly stored in the storage unit 30 and is accessible by the consultation station 6 for their consultation via the Internet network 8 and the computer server integrated into the device. 3.

 The operation of this information provision system is substantially identical to that described with reference to FIG. 3.

 However, in this case, the modules 35 for managing a remote database and 36 for transferring information are not necessary.

 One can also consider a device combining the specificities of the two devices described. Such a device includes an internal publication platform as well as a remote database management module and an information transfer module.

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 Such a device is implemented in a system for providing information allowing access to publication platforms integrated and external to the device.

 It therefore clearly appears that such a device in accordance with the object of the invention allows a user, equipped only with a fax terminal, to perform operations of updating and / or creating information, simply , quickly, at low cost, and regardless of its geographic location from this fax terminal.

 Furthermore, such a device can also be used in order to update and / or create information remotely in a personal database, not accessible from a consultation station of an information transfer network.

Claims (14)

1. Device (3) for updating and / or creating information by a user of a telecommunications network (14), this device comprising means (30) for storing information, means (31) for updating and / or creation of information that can be controlled remotely, characterized in that said device (3) further comprises means (32) for access and control connected to said means (31) for updating and / or creation and accessible by said user from a facsimile terminal (10; 12) to provide access and referral, then transmission of data to be updated and / or to be created from said facsimile terminal (10; 12) to said updating and / or creation means (31) in order to update and / or create in said storage means (30), information representative of said transmitted data.  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said means (31) for updating and / or creating information are adapted in order to deliver information in the form of a computer file containing images representative of said transmitted data by said facsimile terminal (10; 12) through said means (32) for access and control.  3. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said means (31) for updating and / or creating information are associated with means (37) for character recognition in order to deliver a information in the form of a computer file containing text representative of said data transmitted by said facsimile terminal (10; 12) through said access and control means (32).  4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it further comprises means (34) for identifying said user, connected to said means (30) for storage, which comprise data and / or parameters specific to said user.  5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said means (31) for updating and / or creating information are associated with said means (34) for identification in order to deliver information taking into account said data and / or parameters specific to said user.  6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is connected via a computer network for information transfer (8) to at least one platform for publishing information (2), <Desc / Clms Page number 11>  which comprises at least one computer server (20) and a database (21), said device also comprising means (35) for managing a remote database and means (36) for transferring information for the transfer of said updated and / or created information between the information storage means (30) and said remote database (21).  7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises an internal publication platform comprising a computer server connected to said means (30) for storing information, said internal platform being accessible by via a computer network for transferring information (8) from a consultation station (6).  8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said means (32) for access and control are accessible by a facsimile terminal (12) via a telephone telecommunications network (14).  9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said means (32) for access and control are accessible by a facsimile terminal (10) adapted for communication on a computer network for the transfer of 'information (8), via this network.  10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises means (40) for invoicing operations for updating and / or creating information.  11. System for providing information on a computer network for transferring information (8) comprising means (30) for storing information, connected to said network (8) by a computer server (20), said means (30) for storing information being accessible to a user through a device (3) for modifying and / or creating information, which comprises means (30) for storing said information, means (31) updating and / or creating information that can be controlled remotely, characterized in that said device (3) further comprises means (32) for access and control connected to said means (31) for updating and / or creation and accessible by said user from a facsimile terminal (10; 12), to ensure access and transmission of data to be updated and / or created from said facsimile terminal (10; 12) to said means (31) for updating and / or <Desc / Clms Page number 12>  creation in order to update and / or create in said storage means (30) information representative of said transmitted data.  12. A method of updating and / or creating information by a user of a telecommunications network (14), characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps: - a step (50) of connection of the user to a remote server from a facsimile terminal (10; 12); - a step (76) of transmission by the user from the facsimile terminal (10, 12) of data to be updated and / or to be created; - a step (78) of updating and / or creating information representative of said data; and - a step (80) of memorizing the updated and / or created information.  13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that said step (78) of updating and / or creation consists in delivering information in the form of a computer file containing images representative of said data transmitted by said fax terminal. (10; 12).  14. Method according to any one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that said step (78) of updating and / or creation includes a character recognition step and consists of delivering information in the form of a computer file containing text representative of said data transmitted by said facsimile terminal (10; 12).