FR3030984A1 - TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING EQUIPMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

This terminal (10) comprises: - a location module (17) able to obtain an indication of the geographical location of the terminal; a contactless communication module (12) capable of obtaining information constituted either by the identifier of a location (50) in which at least one equipment can be controlled by a server (20), or the identifier of a device (1x) whose location can be obtained by said server (20); a communication module (11) able to: send to the server an identifier of the terminal, the geographical location indication of the terminal and the aforementioned information; receiving from the server, at least one control command of a device (1x) located near the geographical location of the terminal, and sending to the server at least one control command, this command being intended to be interpreted by the server (20) for controlling the equipment (1x).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention lies in the field of management of computer equipment, and in particular in the field of management of computer equipment that can be shared or used by different users. The invention finds a particular but non-limiting application for the management of equipment made available to users in meeting rooms, such as for example an overhead projector, a title bank, a videoconferencing equipment, an audio octopus or a printer.

In the current context, it is common that these devices have their own remote control and that the user, who uses these equipment only occasionally, be made to read their instructions for use just before use. The invention aims a solution to simplify the use of such equipment.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a terminal comprising: a location module able to obtain an indication of the geographical location of the terminal; a contactless communication module capable of obtaining information constituted either by an identifier of a location in which at least one equipment can be controlled by a server, or the identifier of a device whose location is can be obtained by the server; and a communication module able to: send to the server an identifier of the terminal, the geographical location indication of the terminal and the aforementioned information; receiving from the server at least one control command for at least one device located near the geographical location of the terminal, and sending to the server at least one of these control commands, this command being intended to be interpreted by the server for controlling at least one piece of equipment. Correlatively, the invention also provides a method for controlling equipment implemented by a terminal, this method comprising: a location step capable of obtaining an indication of the terminal's geographical location; a step of receiving, according to a contactless communication protocol, an information constituted either by an identifier of a place in which is likely to be at least one equipment that can be controlled by a server, or an identifier of a equipment whose location can be obtained by this server; a step of sending to this server an identifier of the terminal, the geographical location indication of the terminal and the aforementioned information; a step of receiving, from this server, at least one control command of at least one device located near the geographical location of the terminal, and a step of sending to this server from least a control command, this command being intended to be interpreted by the server to control this or these equipment. According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a server capable of controlling at least one piece of equipment, this server comprising: a communication module able to receive, from a terminal, an identifier of the terminal, an indication of the geographical location of the terminal and an information constituted either by an identifier of a place in which is likely to be at least one equipment that can be controlled by this server, or an identifier of an equipment whose location can be obtained by this server; - A verification module adapted to verify from the indication of the geographical location of the terminal and the aforementioned information, if the terminal is located near this or these equipment (s); - A communication module able to send to the terminal, at least one control command of at least one device located near the terminal and capable of being controlled by said terminal; and a control module capable of interpreting at least one control command of at least one device received from the terminal and controlling said at least one piece of equipment in accordance with this command. Correlatively, the invention also provides a method for controlling at least one piece of equipment comprising: a step of receiving, from a terminal, an identifier of the terminal, an indication of the terminal's geographical location, and an information constituted either by an identifier of a place in which is likely to be at least one equipment that can be controlled by a server, or an identifier of an equipment whose location can be obtained by this server; - A verification step to verify from the indication of the geographical location of the terminal and the aforementioned information, if the terminal is in proximity to said at least one equipment; - In case of success of the verification step, a step of sending to the terminal, at least one control command of at least one device located near the terminal and capable of being controlled by the terminal; and a step of interpreting and executing a command for controlling said at least one item of equipment received from the terminal. The invention can be implemented, especially in a place consisting of a meeting room, a public or private place. It allows the user to control one or more equipment made available to him from his terminal, for example a mobile phone or a tablet. The preliminary phase of development of the piloting applications of the different equipment does not form part of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, the identifier of a place or equipment likely to be in this place (information within the meaning of the invention) can be obtained by reading a label placed in this place. place, for example at the entrance of this place, for example on a door.

In one embodiment of the invention, the terminal location module is a GPS module. In a particular embodiment, the terminal according to the invention comprises an authentication module of a terminal user with a server, the device or devices that can be controlled by the terminal being determined according to the result of this authentication. .

When the invention is implemented in a company, the authentication of the user can be done by querying the directory of the company. In an airport, the invention can be used to allow the user to use equipment made available in work rooms, the user being authenticated by an electronic ticket number or his boarding pass.

In a particular embodiment, limits of use of certain equipment are determined for certain users. In a company for example, a printer may be accessible to everyone, but color printing is restricted to certain users only. In a particular embodiment, the terminal according to the invention comprises means for downloading the control application.

According to the invention, the list of equipment or services or resources made available to the user by the system according to the invention is displayed on the terminal of the user. The list of devices can be predefined or dynamically determined by the server by a discovery mechanism in the network to which the devices are connected. In a particular embodiment, the system according to the invention comprises a service database, and for each of the services, all the equipment and configuration parameters of these equipment necessary for the implementation of said service.

When the invention allows access to a videoconferencing service, the parameters may include the identifier of a session of a conference already programmed that the user can join, or a list of contacts that the user can invite to a videoconference, possibly completed diaries of these contacts.

In a particular embodiment, the various steps of the control method and the main steps of the control method are determined by instructions of computer programs. Accordingly, the invention also relates to a computer program on an information medium, this program being capable of being implemented by a computer, this program comprising instructions adapted to the implementation of the steps of the method of steering as mentioned above. Similarly, the invention also relates to a computer program on an information medium, this program being capable of being implemented by a computer, this program comprising instructions adapted to the implementation of the steps of the method of command as mentioned above. Either of these programs can use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form , or in any other desirable form.

The invention also relates to a computer-readable information medium, comprising instructions of a computer program as mentioned above. The information carrier may be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may comprise storage means, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or a magnetic recording medium, for example a diskette (floppy disc) or a disk hard. On the other hand, the information medium may be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which may be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by radio or by other means. The program according to the invention can be downloaded in particular on an Internet type network.

Alternatively, the information carrier may be an integrated circuit in which the program is incorporated, the circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in carrying out the method in question. Brief description of the drawings Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the description given below, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate an embodiment having no limiting character, and in which - Figure 1 shows a terminal and a server according to a particular embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 represents the main steps of a control method and a control method according to a particular embodiment of the invention; and FIGS. 3A to 3E show the interface of the terminal of a user of the invention at different stages of the control method of FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT FIG. User A and his portable terminal 10. This terminal 10 comprises in particular, a communication module 11 with a server 20 according to the invention, an NFC 12 contactless communication module, a processor 14, a RAM type random access memory 13, a rewritable non-volatile memory for example of the Flash 16 type, a GPS location module 17, an authentication module 15, a screen 18 and a QRcode reader 19.

The rewritable non-volatile memory 16 comprises, an identifier ID10 of the terminal 10, a computer program PGT comprising instructions for implementing steps of a method of downloading an application. In the scenario described here, the invention makes it possible to use different equipment 1 constituted here by a printer 1a, a screen 1b, a projector 1c and an audio octopus IP 1d. This equipment 1 is installed in a meeting room of a company protected by a door 50 on which are placed: - a tag 51 having a link to an application server 20 and allowing the downloading of a pilot application APP equipment; and an RFID tag 52 comprising an identifier of the room.

In the embodiment described here, the link is in the form of a QRcode. In this embodiment, the server 20 comprises communication means 22 with the terminal 10, a processor 24, a random access memory RAM 26, a read-only memory ROM 28, and a communication module 29 able to implement the TCP / IP protocol for communicating via a network with the different equipment 1 and the communication platform 40. The read-only memory 28 includes the downloadable driver application APP by the terminal 10 and a computer program PGS comprising instructions for implementing the steps F10 to F50 of a control method according to the invention and which will be described later with reference to FIG. 2. In FIG. 1, the terminal 10 is represented after the terminal has downloaded the application APP control and stored this application in its rewritable non-volatile memory 16.

This APP APP comprises instructions for implementing steps E9 to E60 of a control method according to the invention and which will be described later with reference to FIG. 2. In the embodiment described here, the server 20 comprises a authentication module 23.

In the embodiment described here, the server 20 can interrogate a database 30 (for example by means of the SQL protocol) in which are listed, for each of the users of the company, the various services accessible to these users, and for each of the services, the list of equipment concerned, and the identifiers of the rooms in which the equipment is installed.

The database 30 also includes for each equipment, one or more control commands for this equipment The computer program PGS has instructions and access means to configuration files allowing the server 20 to control the different equipment 1 upon receipt of a control command received from the terminal 10.

In the embodiment described here, the server 20 communicates with a communication platform 40, providing an interface 41 to a PSTN telephone network, a conference bridge service 42 and a videoconferencing service 43. The communication module 29 of the server 20 has means for implementing different communication protocols with the communication platform 40 according to the different services, and in particular the SIP, HTTP and TCP protocols. In a known manner, the telephony octopus 1 can communicate via the interface 41 over the telephony network by means of the Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP). With reference to FIG. 2, it is assumed that the user A approaches, during a step E5, his terminal 10 in order to read the QRcode 51 located on the door 50 of the meeting room.

This operation triggers (step E7) a download module of the computer program PGT to download the APP control application from the server 20 and store this application in the flash memory 16 of the terminal. This step E7 is not performed if the terminal is already in possession of this application. It is assumed that the user A then approaches his terminal 10 of the RFID tag 52 of the gate 50. The terminal 10 obtains the information contained in the tag 52. In one embodiment, the tag 52 includes a tag identifier. the APP control application and obtaining this identifier triggers, during a step E9, the launch of the APP control application. Launching an application from an NFC tag is known and will not be described here. Alternatively, the tag 52 includes a URL of a server from which the terminal 10 can download the APP driving application. In this case, the QRcode 51 is not necessary.

In another variant, the download of the application is performed in a preliminary manner, for example during a registration phase to a service. In the embodiment described here, the tag 52 comprises, in addition to the identifier of the APP driving application, an identifier ID 50 of the room. During a step El0 of the control method and a step F10 of the control method, the terminal 10 and the authentication module 23 of the server 20 implement a general authentication step. As a variant, the authentication module 23 could not be integrated into the server 20. If the authentication succeeds, the terminal 10 communicates to the server 20, during a step E20, the geographical location GPS LOC10 of the terminal 10, an identifier ID10 of this terminal and ID50 ID of the meeting room. This information is received by the server 20 during a step F20. During a step F30, the server 20 checks whether the terminal 10 is located near the room 50 by comparing the location LOC10 of the terminal 10 with the location L0050 of the room, the latter being stored in the database 30 In this embodiment, if it is not the case, the process ends. If the server 20 determines that the terminal 10 is in the vicinity of the room 50, the server 20 interrogates (step F40) the database 30 to obtain the list of equipment la, lb, lc, ld available in this room and accessible by the user of the terminal 10, and control commands for these devices.

In the embodiment described, the server 20 also obtains general configuration parameters, and possibly configuration parameters CONF (A) relevant for the user A. During this same step F40, the server 20 sends to the terminal 10 , all or part of the data obtained from the server 30. It sends in particular the list of equipment, and control commands for these equipment. The terminal 10 receives this information during a step E30. During a step E40, the interface of the terminal 10 provides an interface for controlling these devices. FIG. 3A represents the user interface displayed on the screen 18 of the terminal 10 of the user A. This screen proposes three virtual buttons al, a2, a3 allowing, respectively, a projection service of a document on the screen lb, a connection service to a conference call service from the octopus audio ld and access the printer the.

We will assume that user A chooses the menu for accessing conference call applications. The interface of the terminal 10 is then represented in FIG. 3B. It has three virtual buttons bl, b2, b3 respectively to join a virtual room virtual, to launch a conference bridge or make an outgoing call.

We will assume that user A decides to start the Virtual Room Virtual Room service for which he has a telephone bridge. FIG. 3C represents the interface of the terminal 10. The interface of the terminal 10 proposes here a list of control commands for the audio octopus. In particular, in the example described here, we will assume, with reference to FIG. 3C, that the user A has an organizing account and the service proposes to him either to launch a conference to open a telephone bridge (virtual button c1) or to join another conference (virtual button c2). We will assume that user 1 chooses the "Lancer". The terminal 10 then sends a control command to the server 20 which starts the conference call service (step F60). According to the invention, the various services accessible from the terminal 10 of the user A have been proposed dynamically to the terminal of the user A when the latter has sent to the server 20 the identifier of the room 50 in which there are equipment allowing access to these services.

The control commands enabling the implementation of this service and the control of the equipment required for this service from the man-machine interface of the terminal 10 have also been obtained automatically by the terminal 10 from the server 20. This exchange between the terminal 10 and the server 20 can be performed using the HTTP protocol. It is represented in FIG. 2 by a general step E50 of the control method and by a step F50 of the control method. In the embodiment described here, the control commands are received by the terminal 10 during the step F40, before the control interface is presented to the user of the terminal 10. In a variant, the server 20 sends the control commands to the terminal 10, as and when the user's choice on this interface. For example, in one embodiment of this variant: the server sends a first batch of control commands to the terminal; - These commands are presented on screen 18; The selection of a command by the user A generates the sending of a first control command to the server 20; - The server 20 interprets and executes this first command to control an equipment the ld; and possibly - The server 20 sends new control commands that are presented on the screen 18 of the terminal 10. In accordance with the invention, the terminal 10 receives only control commands, the control of the equipment the ld and the various services being performed by the server 20 upon receipt of the control commands. The invention thus allows a very simplified use of different equipment since it does not require the installation of any driver (in English "driver") on the terminal 10. On receipt of the command issued by the server 20 at the stage F60, the audio conference service makes the audio octopus sound (step H10). When user A picks up, he is connected to the service that opens his conference bridge. A can then pilot the conference from its terminal whose interface is then represented in FIGS. 3D and 3E (step E60). In the embodiment described here, when the mobile terminal exits the perimeter of the room 50, an alert is displayed on the screen 18 of the mobile terminal inviting the user to close the APP control application and prohibiting the user to access the control functions of the equipment. In the embodiment described, the interface 18 presents services, in hierarchical or non-hierarchical form, and equipment is associated with these services. In a first variant, the interface presents the lx devices and services are associated with each of these devices. In a second variant, the interface presents only a list of devices and commands associated with each device, but without those are associated with a particular service. In one embodiment of the invention, a tag 52 can be placed on a device and allows only the control of this equipment.

In this case, an IDlx equipment identifier, obtained from the label, is transmitted to the server 20. The server 20 verifies the location of the equipment identified by this tag, and if it is close to the terminal 10 , in return, transmits one or more control commands for this equipment.

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. Terminal (10) comprising: - a location module (17) capable of obtaining an indication of the geographical location (LOC10) of said terminal; - A contactless communication module (12) able to obtain (E10) information consisting either of an identifier (ID50) of a place (50) in which is likely to be at least one equipment that can be controlled by a server (20), or an identifier (ID1x) of a device (1x) whose location can be obtained by said server (20); a communication module (11) able to: send to said server an identifier (ID10) of the terminal, said indication of geographical location (LOC10) of the terminal and said information (ID50, ID1x); receiving from said server, at least one control command of at least one device (1x) located near the geographical location (LOC10) of the terminal, and sending to said server at least one said control command, said command being intended to be interpreted by said server (20) to control at least one said equipment (1x). 2. Terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an authentication module (15) of a user of the terminal (10) to said server (20), the equipment that can be controlled by said terminal being determined in function of the result of this authentication. 3. Terminal according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that it comprises a download module (D20) of an application (APP) having a control interface capable of presenting said control commands received from said server to a user of said terminal , and to allow the selection, among said commands, of at least one command to be sent to said server. 4. Server (20) able to control at least one device (1x), said server comprising: - a communication module (22) able to receive, from a terminal (10), an identifier (ID10) of the terminal an indication of geographical location (LOC10) of the terminal and information consisting either of an identifier (ID50) of a place (50) in which is likely to be at least one equipment that can be controlled by said server (20), an identifier (ID1x) of a device (1x) whose location can be obtained by said server (20); - a verification module able to check from the indication (LOC10) of the geographical location of the terminal and said information (ID50, ID1x), if said terminal (10) is in proximity to said at least one device (1x); - A communication module (22) adapted to send to said terminal (10), at least one control command of at least one device (1x) located near the terminal (10) and capable of being controlled by said terminal ; and a control module able to interpret at least one said control command received from said terminal and to control at least one said equipment in accordance with said command. 5. Control server according to claim 4 characterized in that it comprises means for accessing a service database (30), and for each of the services, all the equipment and configuration parameters of these equipment necessary for the implementation of that service. 6. A method of controlling equipment implemented by a terminal, this method comprising: a location step (17) capable of obtaining an indication of geographical location (LOC10) of said terminal; a step (D30) of receiving, according to a contactless communication protocol (12), information consisting either of an identifier (ID50) of a location (50) in which at least one piece of equipment ( 1x) can be controlled by a server (20), an identifier (ID1x) of a device (1x) whose location can be obtained by said server (20); a step (E20) of sending to said server an identifier (ID10) of the terminal, said indication of geographical location (LOC10) of the terminal and said information (ID50, ID1x); a step of receiving, from said server, at least one control command of at least one device (1x) located near the geographical location (LOC10) of the terminal, and a step of sending to said server of at least one said control command, said command being intended to be interpreted by said server (20) to control at least one said equipment (1x). 7. A method for controlling at least one device comprising: a step (F20) for receiving, from a terminal (10), an identifier (ID10) of the terminal, a geographical location indication ( LOC10) of the terminal and information consisting either of an identifier (ID50) of a place (50) in which is resrouver at least one equipment that can be controlled by a server (20), or an identifier (ID1x) equipment (1x) whose location can be obtained by said server (20); ; a step (F30) of verification making it possible to check from the indication (LOC10) of the geographical location of the terminal and of said information (ID50, ID1x), if said terminal is in the vicinity of said at least one piece of equipment (1x ); in the event of success of said verification step, a step (F40) of sending to said terminal (10), at least one control command of at least one device located near the terminal and capable of being driven by said terminal; and a step (F50) of interpreting at least one said control command received from said terminal and controlling at least one said equipment in accordance with said command. 8. Computer program (PGT, APP, PGS) comprising instructions for performing the steps of a control method according to claim 6 when said program is executed by a computer. 9. Recording medium (16) readable by a computer on which is recorded a computer program (PGT, APP) comprising instructions for performing the steps of the driving method according to claim 6 or the control method according to claim 7. A computer program (PGS) comprising instructions for executing the steps of a control method according to claim 7 when said program is executed by a computer.