FR2996325A1 - COMMUNICATING DIGITAL DISPLAY DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of controlling the broadcast of media by a display device, such as a digital frame (200), under the control of a centralized server (150) accessing a contextual database (160), said method being based on the periodic transmission by said display device (200) of a request comprising an identifier of said device and accompanied by fields (headers) defining contextual information to be reported to said server (150) to be stored in said database data (160), said server responding to said request by means of a response defining the media to be broadcast, accompanied by fields (headers) defining one or more actions to be performed by said display device (200), an action being a procedure for discovering the environment relating to wireless networks visible by the frame, especially in infrastructure mode.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of network information display systems and in particular a digital communicating display device, digital frame type, for centralized management of the 10 contents displayed. State of the art 15 Many network displays are distributed and distributed in public or private places to broadcast intermittent or continuous information. In particular, the hotel display is known which is based on the television present in the rooms and which is widely used to broadcast a dedicated multimedia message intended for the client of the hotel, at least when the latter is not looking at a hotel. specific program on television. This well-known display allows only a very "generic" communication in the sense that all customers of the hotel are intended to receive the same information. There are also known display systems exploiting digital "tablets" offering content and tools for ordering, whether through application or web service, but such systems are sophisticated and expensive. screen-based IP phones are also used in some hotels, and for the more sophisticated, these screens are equipped with a touch-sensitive interface like HTML for navigating a dedicated service SB_06-EN1 - 2 - (like tablets) They offer the ability to transmit content via SIP protocol.This protocol allows you to open a session with a phone from his name (which may be the name of the room) to push him multimedia content by HTTP The phone, identified by the SIP name, has an embedded HTTP server to receive messages, so a local component in the hotel's network infrastructure is needed to realize the correspondence between the room number and the IP address in order to send this message with the multimedia content to be displayed.

Digital photo frames are widely used, especially in public places and hotel rooms, and are an elegant and inexpensive solution. Today, they are exploiting two technologies for remote display of content: Media Real Simple Syndication (MRSS) and Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA).

The DNLA standard makes it possible to connect all kinds of multimedia devices on a local network. It is a technology based on UPnP (Universal Plug & Play) that does not allow to operate a large network of devices and requires the establishment of the content server on the same local network (PC, NAS, DVD). This method is therefore not suitable for centralized management of a large number of screens. The MRSS standard allows you to subscribe to Web-based multimedia content (URL) and periodically load this data to display content. All settings are made on the frame and the dynamic of the broadcast message (slideshow according to the English terminology) can not be completely controlled by the content provider. Neither of these two techniques DNSS and DNLA can control remote frames from the content server on the Internet.

This is the problem that we propose to solve with the present invention. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for large-scale deployment of digital communicating frames for dynamic, continuous or intermittent display under the control of a centralized command server. the diffusion of continuous media. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for managing a multitude of digital frames deployed on many different sites and territories, and facilitating the contextual management of media delivery under the control of a centralized server. It is a third object of the present invention to provide a new type of digital frame that can be easily deployed on a given site, and to report to a centralized server information for centralized management of the media broadcast. It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive digital frame to manufacture and easy to deploy on a given site, including a hotel structure, and opening up the possibility of new customer services. The invention achieves these goals by means of a method of controlling the broadcast of media by a digital frame under the control of a centralized server accessing a contextual database. For this purpose, the digital frame periodically transmits a request to the server comprising an identifier and fields or "headers" defining contextual information to be carried to the server for storage, and in particular in the database. At the request transmitted by the digital frame, the server responds with a response comprising the identification of the media to be broadcast, also accompanied by fields or "headers" making it possible to define one or more actions to be executed by the frame, SB_06-FR1 - 4 - an action being a procedure for discovering the environment relating to wireless networks visible by the frame, particularly in infrastructure mode. Preferably, the device is a digital frame whose requests are HTTP GET or POST requests including the identifier of the frame and its IP address accompanied by fields (headers) defining contextual information intended to be carried over to said server to be stored therein. said database, and whose responses received from the server include an XML file comprising a list of URLs defining the images to be broadcast and their display duration, said response also comprising fields (headers) defining one or more actions to execute by said display device. In a particular embodiment, the digital frame performs a comparison of the XML file with the file being broadcast so as to detect a response that would be transmitted from a cache and not from the server, said detection resulting in the pursuit of the medium in question. broadcast course by the digital frame. Preferably, the digital frame transmits an HTTP GET or POST request 20 accompanied by fields (headers) defining one or more of the information recorded by one or more of the following sensors: a motion sensor, in particular based on an infra-red detection ; - a brightness sensor; - locating means; One or more security sensors; such as a smoke detector; - a compass type sensor. Preferably, the server transmits an instruction in a field (header) accompanying said response, coming to define one of the following actions: - the control of the polling frequency - the display or the extinction of the screen; a procedure for verifying the correspondence between the identifier of the frame and the number of the chamber; SB_06-FR1 -5- - a procedure for measuring the cache procedures implemented by the internet access provider; a procedure for displaying a note intended for the resident of the room where the digital frame (200) is located; In a particular embodiment, the server transmits an answer conforming to the MRSS standard identifying the URLs of the photos to be broadcast with their display time, said response being accompanied by additional HTTP (headers) fields defining actions to be executed by the frame.

Preferably, the display device is a digital frame installed in a hotel structure under the control of a centralized server in which the database comprises a table of correspondence between the identifiers of the digital frames and the room numbers (ROOM NAME ) as well as information on the entrances and exits (check-in, check-out) of the rooms rented. In a particular embodiment, the frame transmits information to the server in order to allow a likelihood analysis and to determine a possible movement of the frame.

Preferably, the display screen is a screen of a touch pad or that of a computer used during a standby phase. The invention also provides a display device, digital frame type devoid of keyboard, comprising means for implementing the methods defined in any one of the preceding claims, and comprising means for discovering, in infrastructure mode and / or adhoc mode, the visible wireless networks and the n immediate neighbor displays devices, so as to report this information to said server for the purpose of storing it in the database. SB_06-FR1 - 6 - Preferably, the digital frame comprises one or more sensors defined in the following list: a motion sensor, in particular based on an infra-red detection; - a brightness sensor; - locating means; one or more safety sensors; such as a smoke detector; - a compass type sensor.

The invention is, in the end, perfectly suited to new transactions offered by the channel of digital frames, or even digital tablets and / or computers having a "sleep" mode used in the form of a digital frame.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description and drawings, given solely by way of non-limiting examples. In the accompanying drawings: FIG. 1 illustrates a synoptic view of a typical deployment configuration of a set of digital frames in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2 shows the architecture of an embodiment of a digital frame according to the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a method for updating the information broadcast in the digital frame of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a discovery method (DISCOVERY) allowing the Figure 2 frame to collect context information regarding the electromagnetic environment of the chamber. SB_06-FR1 - 7 - Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of a method for automatically correcting a correspondence error in the correspondence table of the database 160.

Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment of a method for interaction between the digital frame and a mobile device, such as a smart mobile phone.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a transaction method between an intelligent type mobile phone, a touch pad, etc., and the server 150. Description of a Preferred Embodiment It is now described how the one can deploy a set of display screens or digital frames in a public or private place, and specifically a hotel structure comprising a set of rooms 20 each intended to accommodate one or more of these frames. FIG. 1 is a synoptic view of a typical configuration of a network used within a hotel structure and which offers the customer a connection to an Internet 100. 25 For this purpose, it is generally possible to at least two separate networks. A first network is for the administrative management of the hotel - particularly secure and protected by a first firewall 10, which is likely to come connect a set of computers and peripherals used by the hotel staff such as the Hotel Reception Computer 11, accessing a hotel management database (often referred to as the PMS or Property Management System in international practice). Typically, the PMS database groups all the SB_06-FR1 - 8 - information relating to room reservations, consumption, check-in and check-out flows, etc. A second network - in General Wireless - is also set up and 5 intended to offer customers access to the Internet, via a second firewall 20. In a particular embodiment, it is considered a set of N 200-1 digital frames to 200-n, especially distributed within the various rooms of the hotel, and which also have wireless access to the Internet 10, either via a specific network or via the wireless network dedicated to customers (via the -fire 200). In particular, the access points composing the wireless network infrastructure can be configured to provide a dedicated BSSID (Basic Service Set IDentifier) for digital screens or frames. It should be noted that the server 150 is also accessible via a specific portal - outside the context of the administrator network via the firewall 10 or that of the clientele via the firewall 20 - so as to allow third parties or even 20 the hotel staff to access the system of the server 150, even from their home, via a computer 30. As will be seen in the description of the various procedures described below, the network of digital frames 200- 1 to 200-na is intended to broadcast personalized or "contextual" media content under the control of a centralized server 150, generally located in another territory. This server has a central database 160 collecting a multitude of parameters and related data, not only the hotel, its rooms and services offered by it, but also more general information about the 30 meteorology local or national news in various countries as well as various local or national news. The purpose of setting up the central database 160, for the operator of the central server 150, is to offer to a multitude of hotels broadcast services SB_06-FR1 - 9 - of truly personalized media according to the hotel clientele (language, profile etc ...), the particular category of the room in which this clientele resides, actual booking data of the rooms (check-in, check-out or entrances, exits), also national or local circumstances or news (weather, news), and many other useful information, to allow the dissemination of a truly contextual information, with high added value for the hotel. It will be observed, by chance, that if one of the restaurants of the hotel displays complete, a staff member will be able to transmit information intended to be collected in the database 160 so as to prevent the server 150 from broadcasting promotional information for the entire restaurant but, on the contrary, promotes another restaurant in the hotel.

Similarly, the database 160, managed by the server 150, is also intended to broadcast promotional information for the pool of the hotel, especially when it undergoes a decline in attendance. As can be seen, there is a great interest for a hotel structure to have a truly sophisticated communication and distribution tool, the implementation of which, because of its complexity, is not feasible on a local level. Conversely, it is of the greatest interest for the operator of the server 150, to be able to put his tool, and complex algorithms developed to define a truly contextual information with high added value, available to a large number of hotel structures. In order to provide the server 150 with the possibility of collecting precise and high quality information, provision is made in a particular embodiment for access to a part of the hotel's PMS system in order to access a certain number of access points. room information, including check-in dates, check-out dates, and specific additional information (room code, market code, etc.) ..) used in the international hotel industry. SB_06-EN1 - 10 - The server 150 will not need, more often than not, to have access to the personal information of the customers (which remains the most sensitive information) but it will be enough to be able to access general information relating to his profile, such as nationality etc ...

In this way, the server 150 is able to centralize - in general so that remains anonymous - the booking flows and the occupancy of the rooms of a predetermined hotel, so as to continuously adapt the information broadcast on the screens 200-1 to 200-n.

The database also centralizes the mapping between the identifiers of the frames and the hotel rooms to which these frames are assigned.

In addition, as will be seen below, the contextual database 160 is also intended to receive a quantity of information generated by various sensors located within each of the frames, so as to supplement the information stored in the database. central data 160.

The server 150 finally has access to a multimedia server 170, making it possible to constitute the basis of the broadcast of the media, and in particular digital photographs that can be used to constitute the MRSS files according to the procedures described below.

The architecture of a digital frame 200 which can be used to realize each of the frames 200-1 to 200-n illustrated in FIG. 1 will now be described in connection with FIG. 2. The digital frame 200 has a structure organized according to the general constitution of a conventional digital frame, ie architected around a processor or a CPU 2010 having access to RAM 200 or ROM 230 (which could also be all type of permanent or re-programmable memory such as EEPROM). SB_06-FR1 The frame has a display unit 220, a wireless communication unit 270, responding for example to an 802.11 interface (Wifi) and, optionally, a LAN card 240 (Local Access Network ) that can be used for configuration purposes. As an option, the frame may have additional elements, such as an audio unit, or even a perfume generator. In general, the architecture of such a digital frame device is well known to a person skilled in the art and it is not necessary or even useful to burden the presentation with such general considerations. It is sufficient to note that, in a particular embodiment, the digital frame comprises a sensor unit, provided with at least one sensor, for example chosen from the following non-limiting list: a motion sensor, in particular based on infrared detection; - a brightness sensor; - locating means; - one or more safety sensors (smoke detector etc.) - a compass type sensor etc ...

It will also be possible to arrange a pushbutton device at the front or rear of the frame so as to allow minimal interactivity, it being understood that a method of interaction with the digital frame to be described will be described below. much more elegant and sophisticated. Nevertheless, in certain circumstances, a simple push button may be useful, especially in combination with a mini-camera (located at the back of the frame) that can usefully, for example, to take a photograph of the plate. identification of the chamber for which the digital frame is intended.

The different information generated by the various sensors can be collected and reported to the server, within a specific XML file constituting a kind of "digital signature", in order to enrich the contextual database 160, as will appear with more precision in the following. SB_06-FR1 - 12 - We now describe, in connection with FIG. 3, the general mechanism for updating multimedia contents under the control of the centralized server 150.

SB_06-EN1 - 13 - 1. Method of updating the information broadcast by the digital frame In order to allow each digital frame 200 to broadcast truly contextual information, which takes into account not only the profile of the hotel, of the room and the client who resides there, but also of various contextual information (notably the local time, the local weather, the news ..., even of various circumstances) one has a mechanism of " polling "or periodic update performed by each of the 200-n digital frames.

This update mechanism ("polling") is based on the periodic transmission to the centralized server 150 of HTTP requests (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) by each of the frames 200 via the firewall 20 (which in general is permeable to HTTP requests ) and the Internet. In response to these requests, the server 150 transmits to each of the frames, an MRSS file or any specific equivalent XML file, individualized, defining the U.R.L. (Uniform Resource Locator) images to download / display with their respective display duration. Preferably, each frame 200 transmits an HTTP request which may be a GET or a POST, optionally associated with fields (Query strings or "headers") comprising specific information described below, for requesting program updates. slide-show. The method is described in relation to FIG. 3. In a step 300, the frame 200-n transmits an HTTP request including the identifier of the frame, for example the MAC (Medium Access Layer) address of the unit 270. or any other known identifier of the server 150 allowing access to the database 160 for the purpose of determining, in real time, the broadcast program (slideshow) currently displayed. In a particular embodiment, the frame 200 accompanies this HTTP request GET or POST of a certain number of fields ("headers") intended for the transmission of additional contextual information specific to the digital frame 200, with the aim of coming to enrich the contextual information stored in the database 160 and which will thus be useful for the definition of the display program (slideshow) to be displayed. Thus, for example, when the sensor detects a weak luminosity within the chamber, this information, associated with the local time determined by the server, can be interpreted by the latter as being a strong criterion that the client of the hotel wishes to rest and that it is certainly not opportune to diffuse any luminous message.

On the contrary, as soon as the customer arrives in his room following the formality of "check-in" with the Hotel Reception, which the server will be able to detect by means of an access to the reservation information (PMS ) originating from the hotel's administration system, the server 150 may consider it appropriate to broadcast a first welcome signage program, in the client's native language, in order to present all or part of the services offered by the client. hotel. As can be seen, the constitution of a centralized database 160, gathering multiple pieces of information from various sources, in particular those coming from the digital frames, makes it possible to produce a centralized server that is really efficient because it is widely available. for tens of thousands of digital frames, so as to disseminate promotional information with high added value. In a particular embodiment, the digital frame 200 also transmits, in a specific field ("header") relating to the request GET or POST, a request requesting the time from the server 150. This information will allow the user to determine the proper routing of requests to the server 150 and in particular detect any attempt by the national provider of access to the INTERNET network to replace the server 150 for the transmission of a response to requests ... In a step 301, the server 150 receives the request from the frame 200 and stores in memory the contextual information, potentially contained, in a register (logging). SB_06-FR1 - 15 - Then, in an optional step 302, the server 150 carries out an analysis of the contextual information reported by the frame so as to identify, if necessary, a possible allocation problem in the correspondence base. (mapping) of the database. This procedure will be described in more detail below. For the moment, it is sufficient to note that if such an assignment problem were to be identified by the server, the server would then transmit to the digital frame considered a generic broadcast program, for example in the English language. Then, in a step 303, the server accesses the contextual database 160 and prepares a response to the frame request, determining in particular if it is necessary to switch the display program to a new program, such as what is seen in FIG. 3, with the test of step 304. In the case where no new program proves to be expedient, the method continues with a step 305, which is the preparation and transmission of a response comprising an HTTP code of type "304" (not to be confused with step 304 above), specifying that there is no need to modify the MRSS file being displayed. It should be noted, and this is a significant advantage of the proposed solution, the type response "304" may further be associated with one or more fields ("headers") comprising, as will be seen hereinafter, a set of actions to be performed on the frame. Then this "304" type HTTP response is received by the frame 200 in a step 306, and the process proceeds without delay by the execution of the instructions of the server 150 in step 313. Otherwise, if the test of step 304 leads to the determination of a new program to be broadcast, the method proceeds with a step 307, in which the list of images to be displayed is constructed within a contextual MRSS file, or any equivalent XML file. , taking into account the many contextual information stored in the database 160 and having the list of URLs images to download from the media server 170 and display on the digital frame. SB_06-FR1 - 16 - In a step 308, the server 150 constructs a response of the "HTTP 200" - type, including in annex the MRSS or XML file, possibly associated with one or more fields ("headers") comprising, as one see below, a set of actions to be performed on the frame.

As can be seen, in a particular embodiment, the server 150 is capable, by formalizing a circumstantial response intended for the frame 200, of transmitting by means of a set of fields ("headers") a set of actions that will be described below, and which will allow improved management from digital frames. Optionally, the server 150 may also insert date information for the frame so as to enable it to evaluate the transmission time of the requests and, consequently, an assessment of the quality of service of the national operator. Then, in a step 309, the response is received within the frame 200 which then proceeds to its processing.

In particular, the frame 200 proceeds, in a step 310, to the comparison between the MRSS file received and the one being broadcast so as to verify that the two are distinct. It is indeed advisable to verify that the national operator does not apply a policy of "cache" unseemly aiming, in order to preserve its bandwidth, to replace the server 150 to return in response several times the same file MRSS to be displayed, even though the server 150 would have its own MRSS file to transmit to the digital frame in question. The test of step 310 thus makes it possible to validate the reception of the file so as to avoid disturbing the progress of a program by broadcasting the same program anachronically. If the two files coincide, then the frame 200 maintains the XML broadcast being displayed in a step 311 and reports the incident to an appropriate register SB_06-EN1 - 17 - so that it can be reported to the server 150 when the next HTTP GET or POST request. If the two files are distinct, then the frame proceeds immediately, in a step 312, to download the new images identified in the XML file and thus proceeds without waiting for the end of the program in progress the broadcast of the new program. Then, in a step 313, the frame 200 proceeds to the execution of the instructions 10 accompanying the response of the server 150. As can be seen, it is arranged parallel to the procedure of update (polling), a real communication allowing the exchange of contextual information and commands to be executed by the frame. In a particular embodiment, the instructions that may be received by the frame 200 allow the following actions to be performed: CHANGE SETTING: this action makes it possible to modify the frequency of the "polling" period. Thus, this extremely useful action makes it possible to set a low frequency (for example an HTTP request every ten minutes) during a relatively "passive" display, and to arrange a relatively high "polling" frequency (for example every ten seconds) under certain circumstances, for example during a transaction to be finalized with the customer, as will be described in FIG. 6. DISPLAY OFF / ON: this action makes it possible to force the extinction or ignition of the digital screen, thereby forcing energy savings when the hotel room is not occupied. 30 CHECK ROOM NAME: This action aims at allowing a possible correction in the correspondence table between the identifier of the digital frame and the chamber number to which this frame is supposed to correspond. SB_06-FR1 - 18 - TEST CACHE: this action aims at making it possible to make a measurement (metrics) relating to the "cache" policy of the ISP, and in particular by allowing to determine if the access provider respects cache control directives and a precise measurement of the transit time of instructions via the network and back. EXPRESS NOTE: This action allows the transmission of a note that will be broadcast on the frame, in place of or in juxtaposition of the commonly broadcast media. This action therefore allows a member of the staff of the hotel, for example from the laptop 30 accessing the portal of the server 150, to very simply transmit a message to the resident of the room. DISCOVERY: this action aims at initiating an operation to discover the access points and, where appropriate, the closest neighboring digital frames, 15 as will be seen more specifically in relation to FIG. have been previously described are not limiting and we can consider multiple other actions that can be performed remotely by the digital frame 200, in receipt of a corresponding instruction 20 accompanying HTTP responses "200" or "304" . Once the action corresponding to the received instruction has been executed in step 313, the method returns to step 300 to proceed to a new "polling" cycle or update. As can be seen, the updating mechanism that is proposed allows management on a very large scale, since it can be deployed over several thousand digital frames that can be distributed in hundreds of hotels located in various continents, and this without the need to provide the least local server disposed within the local networks of hotels which, certainly, would significantly complicate the management of executives. As a result, there is a simple and yet powerful solution to manage, on a global level, by means of a centralized server, the dissemination of contextual information within hundreds of hotel structures, even when these they are devoid of any special competence in this field. By this centralized management, it results the possibility of disseminating a contextual information of great interest, based on a large number of context information available in the database 160, but also from a rich documentary source concealed by the Media server 170. Customers thus benefit from a rich and varied information, properly conditioned according to their nationality, their culture and their profile, and which can be broadcast on the digital frame placed in their room, and this without requiring any technical or marketing expertise from hotel staff who can do other tasks. Moreover, as will be seen in the following, the digital framework includes a large number of features making it possible to make the management of the distribution of truly contextual information more reliable, but also offers the possibility of new services. 2. Contextual information reported by the digital frame The contextual information reported by the frame firstly allows the server 150 to know the internal state of the latter, or the value of some of its registers. Thus, during the transmission of HTTP GET or POST requests, a frame 200 may report to the server 150 the internal state of its registers, for example information relating to the brightness of the display or any other useful information to the servers. More generally, the contextual information generated by the sensors can be reported to the server. Thus, the external brightness sensor of the frame will determine whether the curtains are drawn so as to draw appropriate consequences for the management of the media to be broadcast (or not to broadcast). In a particular embodiment, however, the contextual information reported by the framework is also intended to increase the reliability of the remote broadcast method. Indeed, the quality of the information broadcast on the digital frames largely depends on the quality of the media that are stored on the server 170 but above all the degree of sophistication and relevance of the algorithms used by the server 150 in the choice of these media when operating the contextual database 160. The operator of the server 150 is most certainly responsible in this respect for the quality of the information that is broadcast on the frames. However, this information will only be relevant if the correspondence (mapping) between the frames and the room numbers that will be listed in the database 160 will correspond to the reality "on the ground". This correspondence escapes, for the most part, the control of the operator of the server 150, which can not verify, day by day, that a given frame is in the room in which it is supposed to be located. And this specifically when the hotel and the server 150 are separated by several thousand 25 kilometers .... Without doubt, we can imagine that the operator and the hotelier will be concerned, at least during a first installation of the digital frames, to make each frame coincide with its actual room. 30 However, it is not excluded that during the operation of the hotel structure, executives be moved from one room to another (in particular to replace defective frames), without notifying a priori or a posteriori the operator of the network 150. SB_06-FR1 - 21 - To enable the server 150 to be able to count on precise and reliable correspondence information between the identifiers of the frames and the room numbers (ROOM NAME in hotel practice) , the digital frame 200 reports information to the server 150, generated by its internal sensors, which will not only be used for the definition and construction of the MRSS message to be broadcast, but also to detect a possible mapping problem at the level of the database 160 between the identifier of the frame and the number of the room "ROOM NAME" to which this frame is supposed to correspond.

For this purpose, in a particular embodiment, the digital frame 200 comprises, as seen with the presentation of Figure 2, a set of sensors for collecting various information, which information is transmitted to the server 150 via specific "headers" in step 300 of the method of FIG. 3.

In particular, the frame includes a sensor for collecting location information. In a first embodiment, it will be possible to provide a GPS (Global Positioning System) type sensor, making it possible to gather the precise geographical coordinates of the digital frame 200. It is doubtless possible to imagine that the hotel infrastructure does not allow, in all rooms served by digital frames, adequate reception of the weak GPS signal transmitted by the satellites. However, as soon as such information is accessible, which will be the case when the frame is placed close to a bay window or a terrace, this information may be recorded in an appropriate register within the framework so that to be able to be carried over to the server 150, for example during the step 300 of the method of FIG. 3. Alternatively, it will be possible to use any other localization method, in particular the method described in the patent EP1330074, entitled "localization device of data network apparatus "filed on January 21, 2002, and invented by the inventor of the present patent application, and based on the use of a device connected to the electrical outlet for feeding the digital frame. SB_06-FR1 - 22 - Any other combination of methods and means that can be used for a useful location is conceivable. Moreover, in the particular situation where the server 150 does not have a precise geolocation of the frame, in particular because a GPS information is not accessible, the server 150 proceeds to the analysis of all the information collected by the frame, as a signature, so as to determine, if not a precise location, at least one set of concordant information allowing, if necessary, to identify a significant change and consequently a displacement potential of the digital frame in another room of the hotel. Thus, the comparison of the level of brightness captured by the digital frame 200, compared to the level of the immediate neighbors or the one captured at the same time the day before, allows the server 150 (which also has 15 of precise information on the local meteorology) to sense such a mapping problem within the base 160 between the room number (ROOM NAME) and the identifier of the frame. Any other information, for example a piece of information relating to the electrical power supply of the frame or even information recorded by an electronic compass inside the frame, could also be used to enrich the context information that is reported to the server during step 300. In practice, all these context information can be collected within an XML file, and thus take the form of a real "signature" file capable of enabling the detection of a movement of the digital frame. In order to enhance the security of the mapping stored in the database 160, the digital frame integrates, in a preferred embodiment, a specific "discovery" function (DISCOVERY) of the electromagnetic environment of the database. frame, which can be triggered on a specific instruction received from the server 150, and which is now illustrated in relation to FIG. 4. In a first step 401, the frame 200 receives, within the HTTP response "304" or "200" issued by the server, a DISCOVERY instruction included in a specific field ("header") during step 313 of the general updating process of FIG. 3.

Then, in a step 402, the frame 200 decodes this instruction and carries out an initial search, in infrastructure mode, of wireless networks (WIFI for example) so as to identify the visible access points as well as the signal-to-noise ratio (S / N) corresponding to these access points.

Then in a step 403, the frame 200 draws up a list of the access points and the INS reports, and in particular the following information: BSSID (Service Set IDentifier) SSID (Service Set IDentifier) the number of the frequency channel on which the access point operates; the quality of the signal; a criterion relating to encryption; This various information collected by the digital frame is then integrated into the signature file so as to enrich the other information already present within this file. In this way, all the information can be reported either via specific headers that accompany the GET and / or POST requests or, alternatively, can be integrated into a specific signature file, subject to a transmission via an HTTP POST request. Optionally, in a step 404, after having drawn up the previous list, the frame 200 implements a discovery procedure according to an "adhoc" mode, so as to no longer identify the access points that can be used in infrastructure mode, but the other digital frames located in adjoining rooms. In this respect, two observations can be made: SB_06-FR1 - 24 - In the first place, this discovery procedure in adhoc mode assumes that the server will have sent a DISCOVERY instruction similar to all the frames supposed to be in the same neighborhood, so that they can discover each other.

Secondly, it is not necessary for the adhoc discovery procedure to proceed beyond simply collecting information about the next three or four neighbors, allowing the XML file mentioned in step 403 to be updated. In this context, it is not necessary to determine any routing between the digital frames to allow the establishment of a network, so that the adhoc procedure will not be intended to succeed. It is enough, to gather information rich in quality, and listed in the signature XML file (or DISCOVERY), discover the nearest neighbors so as to enrich the list already drawn in infrastructure mode (ie the discovery access points) to finally report this information to the server 150.

Then in a step 405, the digital frame transmits, during the polling process described above, the DISCOVERY XML file or any other piece of information that may constitute an element of the signature of the electromagnetic environment of the digital frame in question.

This information is then received by the server 150 which can then process it in a step 406 and determine, based on the information already stored in its database 160, and determine, if necessary, a potential problem at the level of the table. mapping in the base 160.

As we can see, digital frameworks bring new features that go far beyond simply distributing media within a local network. SB_06-EN1 - 25 - Thanks to the numerous information collected by the sensors, which can be reported to the server 150, the server can, on the one hand, constantly check the accuracy of the correspondence table used within the base 160.

We will now describe, in relation with FIG. 5, a method implemented making it possible to restore an error identified in the correspondence table (mapping) within the database 160 for a given digital frame.

In a step 501, the server 150 consults the database to read the "check-in" and "check-out" information making it possible to determine the precise situation as regards the occupancy of the room associated with the digital frame. 200 identified as problem.

Then the process proceeds with a step 502 which is a test to determine if the chamber appears to be "occupied", that is to say if one is in a period between a "check-in" and a "check-in". out ". If so, the method proceeds with a step 503 during which the server 150 distributes, according to the method described in connection with FIG. 3, generic information, for example in the English language, so as to prevent any potential difficulty with the guest residing in the room.

Otherwise, if the server 150 has identified that the corresponding room is not occupied, then the server 150 program, during a step 504, the broadcast of an alert message to the staff of the hotel and especially chambermaids who can receive this message.

It should be noted that, and this is an advantage of the present embodiment, as a general rule the server 150 controls, with a view to saving energy, the extinction of the digital frame outside the periods of actual occupation, so that housekeepers will be particularly sensitive to a digital frame displaying a warning message while the same frame is usually extinguished. Correction information can then be entered, in a step 505, to restore the correct room number (ROOM NAME), in various ways. For this purpose, one can imagine various possible interactions with the digital frame, and in particular via the use of the push button mentioned above.

In a particular embodiment, the frame 200 comprises a mini-camera, disposed at the rear of the frame, for storing a photo at low resolution, and can be controlled by means of the aforementioned push button device. In this way, by following the instructions on the digital frame, a cleaning lady or a member of the hotel staff can capture a photograph of the room number on the hotel door. The correction information is then transmitted by the frame 200, in a step 506, and received by the server 150, which can process it and in particular record it. The server 150 corrects in particular, in a step 507, the correspondence table (mapping) between the identifier and the room number (ROOM NAME), so that then, in a step 508, it is possible to switch to the mode 25 of contextual diffusion of the media. The method just described makes it very easy to transmit information - in this case an image file - to the server 150 so as to correct a possible mismatch in the correspondence table between the frames 30 and their numbers. rooms, which could be detrimental to the relevance of the digital information broadcast by them. Clearly any other method of interaction is possible. SB_06-FR1 - 27 - In a particular embodiment, the digital frame, although it is devoid of any keyboard, further comprises a feature of interaction with a mobile or smart phone (smartphone) so as to allow, here Also, confirm the room number assigned to the frame. 3. Interaction with the digital frame and new services In a particular embodiment, the frame includes a particular feature allowing a most useful interaction with a mobile phone, smart type (smartphone), a touch pad etc. Indeed, as soon as the client arrives in his room, which is detected by the server 150 according to the check-in time, the frame can display a QR code intended to include a URL for the server. installation of an application and, preferably, a URL to the server 150. In this way, the customer of the hotel, as soon as he arrives in his room, 20 can see his mobile with a function as described in connection with FIG. 6. In a step 601, the method comprises the transmission, by the server 150, of a display on the remote frame 200, comprising a QR code. This QR code can be scanned by the customer of the hotel, by means of any application (usually pre-loaded on a mobile phone), type MOBILE TAG or other. This QR code then allows the opening of the smartphone browser, at the address pointed by the URL present in the QR code. Then, in a step 602, the server receives an HTTP request from that mobile phone with the identification information of the digital frame 200 having displayed the QR code, and stores this information. SB_06-FR1 - 28 - Upon receipt of this request, the server 150 can establish a correspondence, that is to say a link between the mobile phone from which emanates the received request and the digital frame 200 identified in this request.

As a result, the server is then able to control the display of information displayed almost simultaneously on the digital frame 200 and on the screen of the mobile phone belonging to the customer. For this purpose, in a step 603, the server 150 proceeds to the transmission, via the own access "data" (DATA) of the customer's telephone, of a web page, properly formatted, comprising various information and / or tools allowing in particular a possible interaction between the customer's smart phone and the contextual display on the digital frame 200.

In a step 604, the server 150 proceeds to control the contextual information broadcast on the digital frame 200, via the "polling" method previously, so as to support the interaction with the web page displayed on the screen of the mobile.

In particular, in a step 604, the server 150 can thus control a dual display on the mobile screen and on the digital frame 200, so as to support a real transaction proposal simultaneously displayed on the two elements. Indeed, the server 150 can quite detect a correspondence between the information entered by the customer on his mobile phone, and potentially disseminated information by the digital frame via his own wifi network, formalizing a real transaction taking place through both networks and the two sessions engaged with the server. The customer can thus, by simply using a URL displayed on the "office" of his smart mobile phone, make a real interaction that appears seamlessly despite the fact that each of the two devices has its own network, and in particular the firewall 20 preventing in principle any direct request transmitted to the digital frame 200. SB_06-EN1 - 29 - This interaction results, in general with step 606, by the validation of the transaction in question. As can be seen, the method makes it possible to create a real interaction that is completely transparent for the client, who can not imagine the reality of these parallel communication sessions which are initiated and managed by the centralized server, and which make it possible to very advantageous way of managing and finalizing all kinds of possible transactions.

In particular, one can imagine that a professional photographer took a set of high-definition photographs during the client's and / or his family's stay, and stored these same photos in a protected area of the server 170. The server It will be able to propose a transaction to the customer by ordering a display on the digital frame corresponding to a display on the smart mobile phone of the same customer. This transaction may relate, in particular, to the selection of one or more photos displayed on the digital frame, for their potential purchase.

This selection can be made very efficiently, via the keypad and the screen of the mobile phone for entering data that is transmitted to the server 150 via the DATA access of the mobile phone. Once the client formalizes such a selection, the corresponding information is received by the server, which can program confirmation information on the digital frame and / or the telephone screen to validate the transaction. Once the transaction is validated, the server can then transmit a link to the mobile phone or validate the download of the corresponding photograph. As can be seen, the new method which is described makes it possible, by coming to create a link by means of the QR code displayed on a given digital frame and a smart mobile phone, to open the way towards a real interaction. between the owner of the phone and the digital frame controlled by the server 150. With the possibility of a wide range of applications and new services that is thus offered to hotel guests. In particular, as soon as the transaction is validated, the purchase of the photos can be invoiced directly to the customer upon his departure from the hotel, during the "check-out" formality. The method just described in connection with FIG. 6 shows how to interact between the customer's mobile and the digital frame by means of the QR code displayed on the digital frame. In a particular embodiment, the QR code allows the installation of an application that can be directly downloaded from the server 150 and 15 which is intended to allow the mobile to transmit geolocation information, similar to those described above for the framework, in order to allow a contextual offer of new services to the mobile holder. Such a method is described in connection with FIG. 7.

In a step 701, the method initiates the application and establishes a connection with the centralized server 150 via the mobile's own data access. Then, in a step 702, the method proceeds to the collection of contextual information, in particular related to the location of the mobile. For this purpose, it will be possible to collect potentially available information from the GPS sensor. Alternatively, in an "Internet" context, in which such information was not available, the method proceeds to the collection of infrastructure information used by the digital frames described above, and in particular the access points, their characteristics (SSID) and signal characteristics. SB_06-FR1 2 99632 5 -31 - This contextual information is collected for then, in a step 703, to be transferred to the server 150. Then, in a step 704, the server 150 proceeds to the processing of the collected data to allow exploiting the contextual database 160 to define a detailed service offer, especially taking into account the information reported by the mobile. This service offer is then transmitted by the latter, to be then received in a step 705 by the mobile. In a step 706, the user proceeds, if necessary, with the finalization of the transaction so as to validate the service that is offered.

Then, in an optional step, a confirmation message is transmitted to the mobile and, potentially, to the digital frame corresponding to the mobile. As can be seen, the setting up of the general network of digital frames, under the control of a centralized server, can be the support of a new set of services that can be offered to the customers of the hotel establishments, by the vector of the described digital frames but also directly from the mobile smart phones of the customer. This simple example shows the great interest that can be found in the deployment of such a network. Finally, it will be noted that although the embodiments have been described with precision in relation to a "digital frame" type screen, which clearly corresponds to the preferred embodiment, it will be possible to realize the screens by means 30 any device, and especially from a touch pad, as commonly found in mainstream stores and unlike the digital frame also include the ability to display a touch screen keyboard. SB_06-EN1 - 32 - More generally, a portable computer - or a desktop computer - may be used, which will include a central unit, a keyboard and a display. A computer standby device and control means of the display device are also arranged to implement the previously described procedures for the digital frame, in order to allow - in the standby mode the broadcasting of media under the control of the server 150 accessing the contextual database. As for the digital frame, the method is based on the periodic transmission by the computer - during the standby phase - of a request 10 comprising an identifier and accompanied by fields (headers) defining contextual information to be reported to the server 150 to be stored in the database. The server responds to the request by means of a response defining the media to be broadcast, accompanied by fields (headers) defining one or more actions to be performed by said computer during its standby phase. As we see all the procedures that have been described in relation to the digital frame are then applicable to the computer when the latter is in its standby phase type "digital frame".

As can be seen, the invention offers multiple applications.

25 30 SB_06-EN1

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. A method of controlling the broadcast of media by a display device, such as a digital frame (200), under the control of a centralized server (150) accessing a contextual database (160), said method being based on the periodic transmission by said display device (200) of a request comprising an identifier of said device and accompanied by fields (headers) defining contextual information to be reported to said server (150) to be stored in said database (160), said server responding to said request by means of a response defining the media to be broadcast, accompanied by fields (headers) defining one or more actions to be executed by said display device (200), an action being a procedure discovery of the environment related to wireless networks visible by the framework, especially in infrastructure mode. 2. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that the device is a digital frame (200) whose requests are HTTP requests GET or POST including the identifier of the frame and its IP address accompanied by fields (headers) defining contextual information intended to be transferred to said server (150) to be stored in said database (160), and whose responses received from the server include an XML file comprising a list of URLs defining the images to be broadcast and their duration. display, said response also comprising fields (headers) defining one or more actions to be performed by said display device (200). 3. Method according to claim 2 characterized in that the digital frame performs a comparison of the XML file with the file being broadcast so as to detect a response that would be transmitted from a cache and not from the server (150), said detection resulting in the pursuit of the media being broadcast by the digital frame. 4. Method according to claim 2 or 3 characterized in that the digital frame transmits an HTTP GET or POST request accompanied by fields (headers) SB_06-FR1- 34 - defining one or more of the information recorded by one or more of the following sensors a motion sensor, in particular based on an infra-red detection; - a brightness sensor; - locating means; one or more safety sensors; such as a smoke detector; - a compass type sensor. 5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the server 10 (150) transmits an instruction in a field (header) accompanying said response, coming to define one of the following actions: - the command of the polling frequency - displaying or turning off the screen; a procedure for checking the correspondence between the identifier of the frame and the number of the chamber; a procedure for measuring cache procedures implemented by the internet access provider; a procedure for displaying a note intended for the resident of the room where the digital frame (200) is located; 20 6. Method according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the server 150 transmits a response according to the MRSS standard identifying the URLs of the photos to be broadcast with their display time, said response being accompanied by additional HTTP fields (headers) defining actions 25 to be performed by the executive. 7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display devices are digital frames installed in hotel structures under the control of a centralized server (150) in which the database comprises a table. correspondence between the identifiers of the digital frames and the room numbers (ROOM NAME) as well as information on the entrances and exits (check-in, check-out) of the rooms rented. SB_06-EN1- 35 - 8. The method of claim 7 characterized in that the frame (200) transmits information to the server (150) in order to allow a likelihood analysis and determine a possible movement of the frame. 9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the display screen is a screen of a touch pad or that of a computer used during a standby phase. 10. Display device, digital frame type devoid of keyboard, comprising means for implementing the methods defined in any one of the preceding claims, and comprising means for discovering, in infrastructure mode and / or in adhoc mode, the visible wireless networks as well as the n neighboring immediate display devices, so as to transfer this information to said server (150) for the purpose of storing it in the database (160). SB_06-EN1