FR2996335A3 - Method for assisting meeting between people respectively equipped with e.g. mobile phone and highway stopper, mounted in car, involves estimating meeting time, and transmitting estimated meeting time to one device from by another device - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves sending a request for a meeting between two devices (E1), and determining a position of meeting (E2). Meeting time is estimated (E3) from the meeting position and based on information of displacement of one of the devices. The estimated meeting time is transmitted (E4) to the other device from the former device. The former device is connected (E5) in a direction of the meeting position such that the devices are located in the meeting position during meeting. The meeting position is recovered from current coordinates output from a localization element i.e. satellite. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a device for assisting a meeting between two entities (2) a car (3) a computer readable recording medium comprising a set of instructions for performing a method for assisting a meeting between two entities.

Description

The invention relates to the field of bringing two entities into contact with one another and the organization of the invention. a meeting between the two entities. The invention more particularly relates to a method of assisting the meeting between at least two entities, including two people. State of the art When connecting different entities, for example people, it is difficult to follow the meeting between these entities. Taking as an example the case of a delivery, for a given address, a deliveryman gives a range of several hours in which he provides delivery, or simply guarantees the delivery for a given day. To solve this problem, it has been implemented monitoring systems for viewing on a map the position of an entity.

The visualization of the tracking presents a disadvantage with the level of the confidentiality in the sense that one is able to know the facts and gestures of the entity thanks to the positioning displayed in real time on the map.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to propose a solution that overcomes the disadvantages listed above, in particular by conferring a certain degree of confidentiality. This goal is pursued by implementing a method of assisting the meeting between at least two entities, in particular two persons, respectively equipped with a first device and a second device, said method comprising the following steps : issue a meeting request between the first and second devices; determine a meeting position; estimating, by the first device, a meeting time from the determined meeting position and according to a displacement information of the first device; transmitting to the second device, by the first device, the estimated time of meeting. Advantageously, the method comprises a step of bringing the first device closer to the encounter position so that during the meeting the first and second devices are at the encounter position. For example, the match request can be sent by the second device to the attention of the first device simultaneously with the encounter position determined by the second device, or the match request can be issued by the first device to the attention of the first device. second device. According to one embodiment, the method may comprise a step of refusing the meeting initiated by the device receiving the meeting request so as to stop the progress of the meeting assistance process. Advantageously, the step of determining the encounter position is performed by the second device and comprises: a step of recovering the encounter position from current coordinates from a location element, in particular from a satellite location, of the second device; or a step of manually entering the encounter position by the entity associated with the second device. According to a development, the method may comprise a step of detection, by the first device, of a modification of the estimated time of encounter having been transmitted to the second device, said step of detecting modification of the estimated time of meeting comprising a step of transmitting, from the first device to the second device, an estimated time of adjusted meeting.

According to one embodiment, the method may comprise a step of modifying the encounter position made by the second device. This step of modifying the encounter position may comprise: a step of detecting a displacement of the second device comprising a step of transmitting, from the second device to the first device, a modification of the position of encounter according to said displacement, or a step of manually entering a modification of the encounter position followed by the transmission of said modification to the first device; and upon receipt of a modified encounter position, the first device adjusts the estimated time of encounter and transmits this estimated match time adjusted to the second device. According to an improvement, the method may comprise a step of transmitting, by the first device to the second device, a message informing it of the approximation of the first device according to the displacement information.

According to one embodiment, during the approaching step, the method comprises a step of defining an action to be performed by the entity equipped with the first device before the meeting, said action being defined by the entity equipped with the second device . Advantageously, the step of estimating the meeting time comprises: determining a departure time; determining the current position of the first device at the time of departure; determining the displacement information corresponding to a route between the current position and the encounter position; and calculating the estimated meeting time based on the departure time, and the determined travel information. The invention also relates to a device comprising software and / or hardware means for implementing at least part of the steps of a method as described. For example, the software and / or hardware means of implementation are configured to perform the steps (of the method) associated with the first device. Thus, the software means and / or hardware implementation may include: a transmission element and / or reception of a meeting request; an element for estimating a meeting time from at least one encounter position and a moving information of the first device; and a transmission element of the estimated time of encounter. According to another example, the software and / or hardware means of implementation are configured to perform the steps (of the method) associated with the second device. Thus, the software means and / or hardware implementation may include: a transmission element and / or reception of a meeting request; an element for determining a meeting position; and a reception element of an estimated time of encounter. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a device as described, said device being, for example, interfaced with the on-board computer of the vehicle. The invention also relates to a system for assisting the encounter between two entities comprising a first device as described and a second device as described.

The invention also relates to a data storage medium readable by a computer, on which is recorded a computer program comprising computer program code means for implementing the steps of a method as described. The invention also relates to a computer program comprising computer program code means adapted to perform the steps of a method as described, when the program is executed by a computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other advantages and features will become more clearly apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention given by way of nonlimiting example and represented in the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 schematically represents the method of assisting the encounter, - Figure 2 illustrates in detail a particular step of the assistance method to the meeting, - Figure 3 illustrates a timing diagram of the realization of a method of assistance to the meeting. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a first device; FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a second device. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The method described below differs from the prior art in particular in that it makes it possible to relate two entities by implementing a monitoring of the estimated time of meeting and not not the position of the moving entity. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the method of assisting the meeting between at least two entities, in particular two persons, respectively equipped with a first device and a second device, comprises at least one transmission step E. a meeting request. This meeting request is emitted between the first and second devices. Furthermore, it is determined (step E2) a meeting position, this meeting position is preferably determined by the second device. The method further comprises a step E3 for estimating, by the first device, a meeting time from the determined meeting position and as a function of a displacement information of the first device. Finally, the method comprises a transmission step E4 to the second device, by the first device, the estimated time of meeting. The notion of meeting must be taken in the broad sense, it allows to plan the presence of the two entities at the meeting position, for example for a parcel delivery, for a support of one of the entities to move it, etc. . The displacement information may, for example, be a route defined between a starting point of the first device and an arrival point representative of the encounter position. It is understood from what has been said above that it is the first device that will preferentially approach the meeting point. In other words, the method may comprise a step E5 of bringing the first device towards the encounter position so that during the meeting the first and second devices are at the meeting position. The approximation step E5 can be implemented as soon as the meeting time is estimated.

In fact, the first device can be mounted in a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle may further comprise a display screen, for example the onboard computer or the first device, configured to display information relating to the meeting. The information relating to the meeting may be a meeting request, a meeting position, or satellite guidance to the meeting position. The second device can be part of a mobile phone. The phone screen can also display information about the meeting such as the meeting request, the meeting position, the estimated time of meeting, etc. The exchanges made between the first and second devices can, for example, pass through a cellular network, or any other suitable means of communication.

According to an implementation of the encounter assistance method, the match request can be transmitted by the second device to the attention of the first device simultaneously with the encounter position then determined by the second device. Alternatively, the meeting request can be sent by the first device to the attention of the second device. In this case, the second device can transmit in return the desired encounter position, that is to say a meeting position that said second device has determined. The transmission El of the request can be implemented following an interaction between the entity associated with the device transmitting the request and said device transmitting the request, for example an entry of the request on a touch screen or the using a keyboard. The method may comprise a refusal step E6 of the encounter initiated by the device receiving the meeting request so as to stop the progress of the attendance assistance process. In fact, the device receiving the meeting request may make a feedback to the person associated with said device so that, if the latter does not want to meet the person associated with the device issuing the request, an action performed by the person associated with the device receiving the meeting request on the device receiving the meeting request sends a message to the attention of the person associated with the sending device of the request to cancel everything. According to a particular implementation, the step E2 determination of the encounter position is performed by the second device and comprises a step of recovering the encounter position from current coordinates from a location element, including satellite location of the second device. Alternatively, the method comprises a step of manually entering the encounter position by the entity associated with the second device. This determination of the encounter position can be carried out by the second device indifferently with respect to the device transmitting the match request. Thus, the second device may comprise a management controller connected to the location element, for example a satellite location chip, and / or a data receiving chip transmitted by terrestrial antennas (for example WIFI or cellular antennas). ).

When E5 reconciliation of the first device towards the meeting position, it is possible that certain hazards such as a cap, an accident, etc., slow down the approximation and possibly cause a change of route to meet the meeting position. As a result, the estimated meeting time is skewed. In order to respond to this problem of modifying the estimated time of encounter, the method may comprise a detection step E7, by the first device, of a modification of the estimated time of encounter that has been transmitted to the second device. Said detection step E7 for modifying the estimated time of encounter then comprises a step of transmitting, from the first device to the second device, an estimated time of adjusted encounter. The estimated time of meeting can be adjusted several times on this same principle as long as the meeting did not take place. The adjustment may therefore be a function of new data as to the situation in which the first device (motorway stop, new calculated route, etc.) is located. The modification detection of the estimated time of encounter generally takes place when the first device is en route to the meeting position, that is to say during the step E5. This allows to prevent in real time the second device of the meeting time so as to avoid repeated calls from the person associated with the second device to know the status of the meeting. Indeed, in this particular case, there is no unannounced delay since the first device anticipates the delay and automatically prevents the second device.

We have discussed above the case where the first device anticipates a delay, but it is also possible that the meeting position is changed by the second device. For example, a person A equipped with the first device can be conveyed and seek to recover a person B equipped with the second device to then take it to a specific destination. Depending on the waiting time, the person B can begin the walk, so that at regular intervals, or if the position has changed by a distance greater than a predetermined threshold, the second device informs, preferably automatically, the first device so as to adjust the meeting position and therefore the estimated time of meeting. For example, Person B may indicate a minute drop-off point or an adjacent street in case of clogging of the initial meeting position. In other words, the method may comprise a modification step E8 of the encounter position performed by the second device. According to a particular implementation, this modification step E8 of the encounter position may comprise a step of detecting a movement of the second device comprising a step of transmitting, from the second device to the first device, a modification of the position encountering function of said movement of the second device (for example using the location element), or a manual entry step of a modification of the encounter position followed by the transmission of said modification to the first device. Upon receipt of a modified encounter position, the first device adjusts the estimated time of meeting and transmits this estimated match time adjusted to the second device. Thus, this step E8 can be implemented during step E5.

In order to avoid the appearance of monitoring the position of the second device, the latter can transmit a change of meeting position only if its current position is at a greater distance than the meeting position previously established. So we do not have real-time tracking.

Alternatively, the second device can constantly inform the first device of its position until the meeting has taken place and said second device is in motion. According to one implementation, the method comprises a transmission step El 0, by the first device to the second device, a message informing him of the approximation of the first device according to the displacement information. This transmission step El 0 can be performed during the approximation step E5. In fact, this makes it possible, during a reconciliation, for example according to a route calculated by the first device, to inform the second device of the start-up with a view to the meeting in order to avoid that the person associated with the second device seek to call the person associated with the first device to find out whether or not she is on the way. Advantageously, during the approximation step E5, the method comprises a step of defining an action E9 to be performed by the entity equipped with the first device before the encounter, said action being defined by the entity equipped with the second device . For example, this action may be defined by a text message informing the person associated with the first device to fetch bread, or to stop taking another person at a given point. Preferably, in this particular case, the first device is part of a motor vehicle and the display of the action is done on a computer screen.

According to a particular implementation of the estimation step E3 of the encounter time illustrated in FIG. 2, the latter comprises the determination E3-1 of a departure time, this departure time possibly being the time current if the start is instant, or a later time if the start is delayed. This estimation step E3 also comprises determining the current position E3-2 of the first device at the time of departure, and determining the displacement information E3-3 corresponding to a route between the current position and the meeting position. . Finally, the estimated time of meeting is calculated E3-4 according to the starting time, and the determined displacement information. For example, the current position of the first device may be derived from a location element, in particular from a satellite location, of the first device.

According to a particular example illustrated in FIG. 3, the connection for a meeting between a person A equipped with the first device and a person B equipped with the second device can comprise chronologically: a request for an appointment E100 sent by the first device at the second device, - in case of acceptance of the appointment by the person B, sending the satellite coordinates of the person B by the second device to the attention of the first device E101, - a calculation of the route E102 to reach the coordinates of the person B made by the first device, - sending the estimated time of meeting to the coordinates of the person B by the first device to the attention of the second device E103. In addition, in the event of detection of a cap E104, the first device returns to the second device a new estimated time of encounter E105 after calculating the route E102, and in case of detection of a displacement E106 of the person B, new satellite coordinates E107 are sent to the first device which subsequently retransmits a new estimated time of encounter E105 after calculating the route E102. The present method of assisting the meeting allows, by providing a follow-up of the estimated time of meeting, to inform the second device automatically to indicate that the meeting is initiated by the reconciliation and / or the entity associated with the meeting. first device is delayed or blocked for example in a plug on the road. Thus, no need to prevent a phone call from a possible delay, or to suffer repeated calls from the person waiting to know if the expected person arrives soon. In addition, this method avoids a tracking of the position of the expected person by replacing this tracking by the estimated time of meeting. Of course, the process was given for two entities, but it can also be associated with three, or more than three entities, that would seek to meet each other. The applications of such a method are vast.

According to an example of application, parents are in a car equipped with the first device and get their child equipped with the second device at the exit of the school or leisure. The child informs his parents that he has finished his activity and asks, via the second device, that his parents come to pick him up. The parents know exactly where the child is waiting and can carry the following message on the second device: "we pick you up at the school car park at 6:15 pm" According to another example of application, it is possible to a person equipped with the first device to remotely control his shopping, then when he wants to go recover them to send a request to the supermarket that is equipped with the second device. Therefore, no need to plan a niche in advance, we inform the supermarket when we get into the car via the first device and the supermarket has time to travel to prepare the order. In another example, at the end of an appointment, a salesperson can notify his next appointment of his arrival. This allows to optimize the time of the people visited by notifying them in real time of a possible delay and / or reminder of the appointment. Moreover, this makes it possible to optimize the timetable of the salesperson. Of course, these examples are not limiting, and the skilled person in the presence of the application can adapt it to any type of meeting between two people. It is understood from all that has been said above that the invention also relates to a device comprising software and / or hardware means for implementing at least part of the steps of the method as described above. According to a first embodiment (FIG. 4), this device may be the first device. Therefore, the software and / or hardware means of implementation of the device are configured to perform the steps associated with the first device. For example, the software and / or hardware means of implementation comprise: a transmission and / or reception element 100 of a meeting request (for example configured to operate with a reception and / or transmission element the second device); an estimation element 101 of a meeting time from at least one encounter position and a displacement information of the first device; and a transmission element 102 of the estimated time of encounter. The element 101 may be connected to exchange data with the element 102, and the element 102 may be connected to exchange data with the element 100. In a second embodiment, the device is in fact the second device so that the software means and / or hardware implementation are configured to perform the steps associated with the second device. For example, these software means and / or hardware implementation include: a transmission element and / or reception 200 of a meeting request (for example configured to operate with a receiving element and / or transmission first device); a determination element 201 of a meeting position; and a receiving element 202 of an estimated time of meeting. The elements 201 and 201 may be connected to the element 200 so as to exchange with the latter data.

It has been understood from what has been said above that each of the first and second devices may comprise an element dedicated to a single step carried out by the corresponding device. In fact, the element is configured to perform the associated step.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle (not shown) comprising the first device, said first device being, for example, interfaced with the on-board computer of the vehicle. Furthermore, a system for assisting the meeting between two entities may comprise a first device and a second device as described. A computer-readable data recording medium on which a computer program is recorded may include computer program code means for implementing the steps of a meeting assistance method as described above. A computer program may include computer program code means adapted to perform the steps of an encounter assistance method as described when the program is executed by a computer. The code means is not described here in detail, and may be practiced by those skilled in the art depending on the process steps described above.

Preferably, the method includes a notification step allowing the first device or the second device to inform the associated entity as soon as a message impacting the meeting is received. The notification may be accompanied by a sound message and / or a text message representative of the message received. The received message may be of the type selected from: meeting request, estimated time of meeting (first definition or adjustment), meeting position, time before the meeting, etc.

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. A method of assisting the meeting between at least two entities, including two persons, respectively equipped with a first device and a second device, said method comprising the following steps: - Emitting (El)) a request for meeting between the first and second devices, - determining (E2) a meeting position, - estimating (E3), by the first device, a meeting time from the determined meeting position and according to a displacement information of the first device - Transmitting (E4) to the second device, the first device, the estimated time of meeting. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a step of approximation (E5) of the first device in the direction of the encounter position so that during the meeting the first and second devices are at the position meeting. 3. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the step of determining the encounter position is performed by the second device and comprises: - A step of recovering the meeting position from coordinates current from a location element, including satellite location, the second device, or - A manual entry step of the meeting position by the entity associated with the second device. 4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of detecting (E7), by the first device, a modification of the estimated time of encounter having been transmitted to the second device, said step of detecting (E7) the estimated time of encounter comprising a step of transmitting, from the first device to the second device, an estimated time of adjusted encounter. 5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of modifying (E8) the encounter position performed by the second device, and in that the modification step (E8) of the encounter position comprises: a step of detecting a displacement of the second device comprising a step of transmitting, from the second device to the first device, a modification of the encounter position according to said displacement, or an input step manual modification of the encounter position followed by the transmission of said modification to the first device, and in that at the reception of a modified meeting position, the first device adjusts the estimated time of meeting and transmits this time estimated meeting adjusted to the second device. 6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the estimation step (E3) of the meeting time comprises: - The determination (E3-1) of a departure time, - The determining the current position (E3-2) of the first device at the time of departure, - determining the displacement information (E3-3) corresponding to a route between the current position and the encounter position, and - the calculation (E3-4) the estimated time of meeting according to the departure time, and the determined travel information. 7. Device comprising software and / or hardware means for implementing at least part of the steps of a method according to one of claims 1 to 6, and in that the software and / or hardware means of setting implemented are configured to perform the steps associated with the first device. 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the software means and / or hardware implementation include: - A transmission element and / or reception (100) of a meeting request, An estimation element (101) for a meeting time from at least one encounter position and a moving information of the first device, and a transmission element (102) for the estimated time of meet. 9. Motor vehicle comprising a device according to one of claims 7 or 8, said device being, for example, interfaced with the on-board computer of the vehicle. 10 10. Computer-readable data recording medium, on which is recorded a computer program comprising computer program code means for implementing the steps of a method according to one of claims 1 to 6.