FR2863380A1 - Telecommunication service managing method for use in cellular network, involves defining telecommunication service, locating mobile user, and selecting user interface of mobile device for service - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves defining a telecommunication service, and locating a mobile user. A user interface of one of multiple mobile devices e.g. smart phones (3, 6, 8, 10) is selected for the service. The interface is selected based on a respective location data, user location relative to zones of range of the interface, user interface type defined for service, and state of availability of the interfaces of devices. Independent claims are also included for the following: (A) a system for managing services to be supplied to mobile users (B) a platform for supply of services to destination of users.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING SERVICE MOBILITY

  The present invention relates to the field of providing services to mobile users.

  For example, telecommunications services provided by operators of mobile telecommunications networks are known. In this type of network, techniques for monitoring portable terminals (for example implemented to perform hand-over switching in cellular networks) make it possible to take into account, to render the service, the movements of respective users. of these portable terminals. These services have the particularity of being provided to the user via dedicated human interface means included in a terminal that is worn by the user. Furthermore, it is the port of this same portable terminal by the user which also allows the location of the latter-for example via an identification card (SIM) integrated into the terminal) necessary for the user. adaptation of the service.

  The present invention aims at proposing a service management method and system, as well as a service platform, which makes it possible to adapt to the movements of mobile users and using, in particular, to provide the service, devices comprising human interfaces geographically distributed.

  Thus according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a service management method to be provided to users, in which at least one type of human interface to be implemented for the provision of each service is previously defined. A directory lists information about devices, geographically distributed and each having at least one human interface. Each human interface is respectively associated with a range area and an availability state. The method comprises the following steps: a) defining a service to be provided to a user; b) locating said user; c) selecting, to provide the defined service, at least one human interface of a device listed in the directory according to parameters including at least: - the location of the user relative to the range of the human interfaces of the devices listed in the directory; - the type of human interface defined for the service; - the state of availability of the human interfaces of devices listed in the directory.

  The services considered are telecommunications services requiring common human interface devices. They are for example consultation and / or dissemination and / or interpersonal communication.

  A device comprises a hardware unit, whose function is to deliver or acquire data with respect to a user. It has one or more human interfaces. Each human interface allows communication with a user in a perceptual mode most usually auditory or visual. This communication corresponds to the acquisition or the return of auditory or visual contents. The human interfaces are for example camera, microphone, screen, acoustic speaker ....

  The scope area associated with a human interface of a device is the area in which data delivered or acquired by the human interface is accessible by a user. For example, in the case of a human audio interface, such data are sounds. They are images in the case of a human interface of the visual type. In these two examples, the range areas are respectively the area in which sounds from the human audio interface are audible, and the area in which the images from the human video interface are visible, by a user.

  The devices comprise, in addition to the human interfaces, means for processing the information and communication means. The devices are for example of the type described in the document "communicating objects to ambient communication" (Cahiers du Numérique, volume 4, 2002). They are for example integrated into a network management system of communicating objects based on location, so that they can be searched for and used, as described in French Patent Application No. 03 06497.

  Depending on the nature of the service, the provision of the service may require one type of human interface, or more than one. In embodiments, one or more required human interface types, and one or more additional and optional human interface types may be defined. It will also be possible to consider types of human interface with minimum necessary characteristics, to be replaced respectively if possible by types of human interface of the same perceptual modalities and having particular characteristics. For example, it may be considered that in order to render a video on demand ("VOD") service, a standard audio rendition interface type and a visual rendition interface type are required to produce a main sound. and the image, and that particular or additional types of audio interfaces are however to be used preferably, for example to produce a stereo sound requiring two speakers, or Dolby Surround Pro Logic type requiring five speakers.

  A method according to the invention aims at optimally adapting the provision of the service according in particular to the location parameters of the user and the evolution of the availability of human interfaces. Thus, during the movements of the user and / or over time, the human interface means to be used for the provision of the service are re-evaluated and optimized in order to choose the most suitable possible. In embodiments, additional parameters may be taken into account when re-evaluating the human interface means to be used for providing a service. Among these, mention can be made in particular of the identification of the user allowing for example to take into account preferences provided by the latter, or priorities between users, or users not authorized to use certain interfaces. Other parameters may correspond for example to energy saving criteria, cost, etc. According to a second aspect, the invention proposes a service management system comprising means for implementing a method according to the first aspect of the invention.

  According to a third aspect, the invention proposes a platform for providing services to users. This platform comprises means defining for each service, at least one type of human interface to implement for the provision of said service. It comprises devices, geographically distributed and each comprising at least one human interface associated with a range area and a state of availability. A directory lists information about these devices. The platform further includes a system according to the second aspect of the invention.

  Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the description which follows. This is purely illustrative and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: the single figure shows a service providing platform in one embodiment of the invention.

  The single figure represents a service delivery platform 1 in one embodiment of the invention. This platform 1 comprises fixed devices and geographically distributed in various locations and each having at least one human interface. In Figure 1 is shown one of these places, for example a room 2, comprising four of these devices 3, 6, 8 and 10. The device 3 comprises a speaker 4. It further comprises a touch screen 5, which allows the display and acquisition of data to be introduced on the screen using a stylus.

  The device 6 comprises a video screen 7 in the 4/3 format. The device 8 comprises a video screen 9 in 16/9 format. The surface of the screen 7 is greater than that of the screen 9. The device 10 comprises two loudspeakers 11 and 12.

  Each of these human interfaces referenced n is associated with a range area referenced Zn in the single figure in a database 18. The range areas Z4, Z11 and Z12 of the audio interfaces 4, 11 and 12 are substantially identical and cover the part 2, that is to say that a user can hear the sounds emitted by these devices at any point in this room 2.

  The bearing area Z5 of the touch screen 5 substantially corresponds to a half-sphere-shaped area facing the screen, the center of the middle of the screen and radius of about 50 cm. In this zone Z5, a user is able to see what appears on the display screen and to enter data or validate displayed fields, using a stylus.

  The platform 1 comprises an interface directory 13, which lists information relating to the devices present on the platform and to the human interfaces included in these devices.

  The platform 1 also includes a service supervision module 14. This service supervision module 14, which can be implemented according to a distributed or non-distributed architecture, comprises a set of information relating to services that can be delivered to users of the platform 1 implementing functions rendered by types. human interfaces. In a database associated with the service supervision module 14 are defined, for the provision of each of these services, the types of human interfaces required, and additional information related to the provision of these services.

  In addition, the service supervision module 14 also supervises all the means necessary for the provision of the services outside the human interface aspects. Thus, for an on-demand movie service, it dialogs with the software application (s) corresponding to the service, and manages the data streams relating to the sounds and images of the films on offer.

  The platform 1 also comprises a service management system 20. The service management system 20 comprises an interface selection module 22, adapted to select human interfaces. The management system 20 is adapted, for when an interface of a device has been selected to provide a service, implement the necessary actions on the one hand to the commissioning of the selected human interface, and on the other hand part in setting up the information flows required for the selected interface to take over the supply part of the service in question. These operations are performed via established communication links (permanently or temporarily) between the different elements of the platform 1.

  The service management system 20 uses a location system 16 adapted to locate the users. This location system 16 comprises various location means distributed throughout all the locations considered. They eventually implement various technologies.

  Among these means may include positioning systems comprising sensors (optical, weight etc.) distributed and detecting the presence of a user. Vision technologies such as those outlined in Justus H. Piater and James L. Crowley's Multi-Modal Tracking of Interacting Targets Using Gaussian Approximations (2001) can be used. . Location systems requiring the user to carry an object may in embodiments also be implemented, such as positioning systems of the GPS type, by IEEE 802.11 terminal triangulation or by electronic tagging RFID standards (Radio Frequency Identification, see the website www.RFlD.org).

  In the embodiment considered, the location system 16 is adapted to further locate devices of the platform. This location can be made from data entered by the installer of the device and recorded by the location system 16, or be performed automatically by the system 16 using for example sensors attached to the devices.

  In the embodiment considered, the platform 1 is adapted to deduce the range area of a human interface from a device present in the directory 13 from information present in the directory 13 and relating to the characteristics of the interface considered, and from location information of the device comprising the interface considered provided by the location means 16.

  In the embodiment considered, the service management system 20 further comprises an identification system 17, carrying out identification operations of the users. In embodiments, the system 17 may further perform authentication operations. For these identification and / or authentication operations, it is possible to use biometric systems, for example operating from the face recognition of users [see the document Face Recognition for Smart Environments (Computer, Volume 33, Issue 2, Feb. 2000), Pentland A. and Choudhury T] or still operating with floors equipped with weight sensors [see the document ENT active floor (IEEE Persona / Communications, Volume 4 No 5, October 97), from MD. Addlesee, A.H. Jones, F. Livesey, F. S. Samaria].

  A user U enters the room 2 and marks a stop at the point referenced A of the single figure. It is located by the location system 16, identified and authenticated by the identification system 17. In the embodiment considered, the platform 1 is designed to automatically provide a generic SI service to be delivered to any user coming from to be detected in a place of the platform 1.

  The IS service consists in broadcasting a sound message to the user, prompting him to go to any available interactive video terminal and nearby, to inform him of all the services available to him from the platform. 1. The IS service includes the implementation, in parallel, on the interactive video screens available near the user, of a software application describing this set of accessible services. The interface selection module 22 searches the database 15 for the types of human interface defined to render the IS service. The interface types defined in the database 15 for SI, in the embodiment considered, are a standard audio reproduction type interface and all the interactive visual interfaces allowing the acquisition and the rendering, available within 20 seconds. meters of the user. Additional information in base 15 relating to the IS service stipulates that for the service to be delivered to a user, it must imperatively be within the range of the selected audio interface and less than 10 meters of the range area of at least one interactive video terminal.

  With the help of refreshed data of location of the user U provided by the location system 16, the interface selection module 22 will seek to determine via the directory 13 and the base 18, a standard human audio rendition interface whose scope area comprises the position of the user U, and at least one interactive screen whose range is located within 10 m of the user U. The module of selection 22 thus selects the speaker 4 and the touch screen 5 of the device 3. The management system 20 interrogates these human interfaces to check their availability and in the positive case, causes the commissioning of these human interfaces. Then, via the module 14 for supervising the services and the communication links connecting the various entities concerned, it causes the loudspeaker to supply the sound data to be broadcast, and the implementation of the software application on the touch screen 5.

  Following the sound message broadcast by the loudspeaker 4, the user moves to a point B located in the range Z5 area of the touch screen 5, and it then uses the software application made available on the screen touch 5.

  Via this software application, the user U selects a service S2 proposed by the application SI and simultaneously terminates the latter, thus releasing the speaker 4 and the touch screen 5. The service S2 corresponds to the diffusion of a film.

  The service selection module 22 then searches the database 15 for the types of human interface defined to render the service S2. In this case, the type of interface defined is a minimum interface of audio reproduction type and a video rendition type interface. Additional information contained in the database 15 and relating to the service S2 stipulates that in order to be delivered to a user, the latter must imperatively be within the range of the audio and video interfaces selected and that preferably a video interface having a screen with maximum dimensions and two audio interfaces (for delivering a stereo sound consisting of two signals) will be used and failing that, any video screen and / or a single audio interface (to deliver a sound in mono consisting of a signal) will be used.

  With the help of refreshed user location data provided by the location system 16, the interface selection module 22 will seek to determine from the directory 13 and the base 18, two human audio interfaces and at least one screen, whose range areas include the position of the user U. The selection module 22 thus selects the speakers 11 and 12 of the device 10, and the screen 5 of the device 3. It then queries the interfaces to check their availability. If necessary, they are then put into service. Then, via the service supervision module 14 and the communication links connecting the various entities concerned, the sound data to be broadcast and the video data to be broadcast are synchronously supplied to the loudspeakers 11, 12 and 11. the screen 5.

  The user U then moves towards the point C. When it is detected outside the zones Z5 and Z7, the interface selection module 22 can not select any video interface whose zone contains the user U, suspends the complete service, and releases the human interfaces 5, 10 and 11 used until then.

  As soon as the user U is detected in the zone Z7, the interface selection module 22 then selects the loudspeakers 11, 12 and the screen 7. Then it implements the supply of the service S 2, taking again the broadcast at the stage at which it was previously suspended.

  If the user U, after having watched a part of the film in position C, resumes its movement progressively towards the point D, the screen selected remains the screen 7 as long as the user U is in the zone Z7 (The screen 7 being larger than the screen 9), and this even on the overlap portion between Z7 and Z9 (hatched in the single figure). Then the screen selected by the module 22 becomes the screen 9 when the user leaves the zone Z7 while remaining in the zone Z9.

  Now consider a different embodiment in which the additional information in the database 15 and related to the service S2 would not have stipulated a preference for the video interface, and in which preferences specific to the user U would have stipulated, including a preference for 16: 9 screens. In this case, the screen selected to make the service S2 would have been the screen 9 as soon as the user U would have been in the zone Z9, and in particular on the hatched area corresponding to the overlap between Z7 and Z9. This adaptation to predefined choices by the user U is made possible by the identification step previously performed.

  In one embodiment, the service management system 20 is adapted to ensure, when a user is on an overlap area coverage areas of two human interfaces capable of rendering the same part of a service to provide, providing the portion of said service from both interfaces at a time. Thus, in such an embodiment, with reference to the single figure, as soon as the user U is located in the shaded overlap area, the interfaces 7 and 9 are implemented simultaneously by the interface management system 20 .

  Advantageously, service supply parameters such as brightness, contrast etc. are set by the service management system 20, similarly to the two interfaces 7 and 9 succeeding each other with or without overlap.

  In another embodiment during the parallel broadcast by two human audio interfaces on a common area, before substitution of one to the other, on the contrary, the volume can be gradually decreased on the interface of which the user move away, and increase on the interface from which it approaches.

  As we have seen, the services to be provided can be determined by a user or by the platform 1. A service determined by a user can involve the user himself, and / or one or more other users.

  Thus, in one embodiment, the device 3 can be further equipped with a camera 23 and a microphone 24. The areas of reach Z23 and Z24 of these human acquisition interfaces 23 and 24 are for example substantially equal to zone Z5. A user U 'may have chosen an audiovisual interpersonal communication service S3 to be established between himself and a user U "This service S3 was for example proposed to him when he entered the room 2 by the application SI, since the interactive terminal 3. The means of available and adequate interfaces with each of the two users U 'and U "are thus selected after location (and identification and possibly authentication) of the user U' and location and identification (possibly authentication) of the user U ".

  Since the user U 'is located in front of the device 3, in the zone Z5, the human interfaces chosen by the selection module 22 for the interactions with the user U' are in this case on the one hand the screen 5 and the speaker 4 for the part relating to the restitution, on the other hand the camera 23 and the microphone 24 for the part relating to the acquisition.

  In the same way, the selection module 22 determines if interfaces similar to the interfaces 4, 5, 23 and 24 are available to the user U ".

  In the negative case, the S3 service can not be delivered.

  In the positive case, the service S3 is rendered using the human interfaces 4, 5, 23 and 24 for the interactions with the user U 'and using the interfaces similar to the latter for the interactions with the user. user U ".

  Moreover, the locating means 16 can not only determine the location of the users, but in one embodiment, they are further adapted to determine how a user is positioned. For example, they determine in which direction the user looks, for example, with face recognition techniques. They deduce a distribution of the space in one or more areas relating to the user, according to the different perceptual modalities. For example, there will be deduced a visual receptivity area of the user and an area suitable for visual acquisition by the same user.

  Thus the interface selection system 22 will for example select a video rendering interface only if it is available and if there is a common part between the user's visual receptivity zone (determined by the location means 16 for the current location of the user) and the range of the interface.

  Furthermore, a new selection made by the interface selection module 22 may occur in the case of a user's move, or a change in availability of an interface (release, or on the contrary preemption by a higher priority user than the one using the interface).

  Thus, a platform according to the invention allows the provision of services as continuously as possible, even in case of displacement of users. Services are delivered to users by the most appropriate devices. The location of the core of the service (the software application) can be remote. The invention allows the use of the most suitable human interfaces according to different choices made or constraints imposed.

  It imposes by the user's port means of human interface (although the platform in embodiments may further comprise devices consisting for example Personal Communicator, PDA type ("Personal Digital Assistant") ) communicating, or tablet PC, cordless phone, Smart Phone.

Claims (1)

13 Claims   A service management method (S1, S2, S3) to be provided to users (U, U ', U "), wherein at least one type of human interface to be implemented for the provision of each service is previously defined, and in which a directory (13) lists information relating to devices (3,6,8,10), geographically distributed and each comprising at least one human interface (4,5), each of said human interfaces being associated to a range area (Z4, Z5) and a state of availability, said method comprising the steps of: a) defining a service to be provided to a user, b) locating said user, and c) selecting, providing the defined service, at least one human interface of a device in the directory based on parameters including at least: - a respective location data - the location of the user relative to the range areas of the human interfaces of the devices fig urant in the directory - the type of human interface defined for the service; - the state of availability of the human interfaces of devices listed in the directory.   The method of claim 1, wherein the scope area (Z4, Z5) of a selected human interface includes the location of the user.   The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user is identified, and the parameters further include said identification.   A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein when a change of location has been detected, selecting a new human interface of a device according to the parameters including the new location for the implementation of said standard means of human interface.   The method according to claim 4, wherein the respective raised areas of the previously selected human interface and the selected new human interface have a common portion, and these two human interfaces are simultaneously implemented on said common portion for the provision of the service.   6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, according to which following a new location, a new human interface could not be selected according to the parameters including said new location, and the supply of the service is suspended until what a new human interface can be selected.   7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, according to which several users are put in relation by implementing the steps of the method respectively for each user.   8. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which the selection of an interface is furthermore based on a zone of influence of the user, said zone being determined from the location of the user. and how it is positioned in said location.   9. Service management system (20) (S1, S2, S3) to be provided to users (U, U ', U "), wherein at least one type of human interface to be implemented for the provision of each service is defined beforehand, and in which a directory (13) lists information relating to devices (3,6,8,10), geographically distributed and each comprising at least one human interface (4,5), each of said interfaces being associated with a range area (Z4, Z5) and a state of availability, said system comprising means for implementing a method according to   any one of the preceding claims.   10. Platform (1) for providing services (S1, S2, S3) to users (U, U ', U "), comprising: - means (14) defining, for each service, at least a type of human interface to implement for the provision of said service; - devices (3,6,8,10), geographically distributed and each comprising at least one human interface (4,5) respectively associated with a zone; scope (24,25) and a state of availability; - a directory (13) listing information relating to said 75 devices; and - a system (20) according to claim 9.