WO2006008619A1

WO2006008619A1 - Interactive communication method for carrying out remote actions

Info

Publication number: WO2006008619A1
Application number: PCT/IB2005/001979
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giorgio Giordana
Original assignee: Aond S.N.C. Di Giordana Giorgio E Matarozzo Gregorio
Priority date: 2004-07-15
Filing date: 2005-07-13
Publication date: 2006-01-26
Also published as: ITTO20040491A1

Abstract

The method according to the invention comprises the steps of: - activating, by at least one user (1), a selective communication with an operative central (6); - establishing, by the operative central (6) an operative communication with an authorised operator (9); - establishing and carrying out an executive communication, between said authorised operator (9) and said user (1), through said operative central (6), in which said remote operator (9) performs, under the control of said user (1), said at least one predetermined action, whilst (s) he is in at least audio and/or video contact with said user (1), who - informed in real time at least via audio and/or video of the execution of said at least one operation performed by the operator - continuously interacts with said operator, until completing said at least one predetermined action, according to a protocol pre-set in said operative central (6), possibly modified interactively during the communication.

Description

INTERACTIVE COMMUNICATION METHOD FOR CARRYING OUT REMOTE ACTIONS

The present invention relates to an interactive communication method for carrying out remote actions.

Interactive communication methods are known, and recent technologies have con¬ siderably expanded the possibilities for their implementation. Below are mentioned some examples of technologies used for interactive communication, indicating also some limits thereof. Webcam telecommunication means

With these means, users can connect, e.g. through the Internet, to a webcam that shows a fixed view of a landscape, street or city, and even to actual surveillance and control TV cameras. There are also examples of webcams positioned inside schools and kindergartens to allow parents to check on their children's activities. However, these means do not allow a user to interact directly with the environment shown by the TV camera and the same images are made available to all users. The webcams are often fixed and not controllable by the user. Videoconference telecommunication means Two or more persons are placed in audio/video communication with each other. However, these means, which are relatively complex and costly, presuppose agree¬ ments between the aforesaid users to the communication (protocol of intent) and the availability of dedicated equipment. Videotelephony telecommunication means These means directly place two or more users in communication, but in this case, too, at least one user must know the other one (e.g., through a public list of data) before the communication and the parties must reach specific mutual agreements (protocol), before undertaking an interactive communication for carrying out remote actions. With all these known telecommunication means, a first user cannot interact with at least one other user, serving as remote operator, not necessarily known before the ongoing communication, to carry out through said operator determined remote and purposeful actions, according to a predetermined program, which may be modifiable interactively during the communication. The present invention, starting from the notion of this drawback, is aimed at over- coming it.

The main object of the present invention is to provide an interactive communication method for carrying out remote actions, which enables at least one user to interact with at least one remote operator, not necessarily known before the communication, to carry out, at the user's request, determined and purposeful operations within a predetermined program, known by both users before the ongoing communication. In view of this object, the present invention provides an interactive communication method for carrying out remote actions, whose essential characteristics is set out in the main claim.

Additional advantageous characteristics are described in the dependent claims. The present invention shall become more readily apparent from the detailed de¬ scription that follows, with reference to the sole figure of the accompanying draw- ing, provided purely by way of example, which illustrates, by means of a block dia¬ gram, an embodiment of the interactive communication method for carrying out remote actions according to the invention.

The method according to the present invention essentially comprises the steps con¬ sisting of: - activating, by at least one user, a selective communication, at least audio and/or video, with an operative central, or through a telephone line, e.g. by means a video telephone, or through the Internet, Ethernet or the like, by means of a computer connected in a telecommunication network;

- after establishing said selective communication, selecting by said user, through at least one selection protocol pre-set in said operative central, an activation proce¬ dure, by the operative central, of an at least audio and/or video executive commu¬ nication with at least one remote operator authorised to carry out, in a given area and according to a predetermined protocol, at least one predetermined action, whilst an at least audio and/or video connection is active between said operator and said user;

- establishing, by the operative central ad according to the choices of said user, an at least audio and/or video operative communication with said authorised operator, e.g. by means of UMTS line or by means of wireless line, with which the remote op¬ erator is prepared to carry out said predetermined action; - after establishing said operative communication, establishing and carrying out an executive communication, between said authorised operator and said user, through said operative central, through the respective communication means and the corre¬ sponding telecommunication networks, in which said remote operator performs, un¬ der the control of said user, said at least one predetermined action, whilst (s)he is in at least audio and/or video contact with said user, who - informed in real time at least via audio and/or video of the execution of said at least one operation per¬ formed by the operator - continuously interacts with said operator, until completing said at least one predetermined action, according to said protocol of understanding pre-set in said operative central, possibly modified interactively during the commu¬ nication;

- after completing said at least one predetermined action, interrupting the at least audio and/or video connections between said central, said operator and said user. The user thus has the ability, from his/her computer or video telephone, to have available a remote operator, a sort of ambassador, which moves, for example, on a territory exclusively according to the user's requests, transmits video images view¬ ing what most interests the user, communicates with the persons chosen or indi- cated by the user and, if requested, places the user in direct videoconference.

For the best comprehension of the invention, hereafter is provided, purely by way of non limiting example, the possible meaning of the terms "user", "operative central", "remote operator", "selection protocol", "selective communication", "operative communication" and "executive communication" used above, with reference to the sole figure of the accompanying drawing.

The user (1) is a person [or group of persons] who desires to communicate at least in voice and/or video (possibly also via fax, e-mail and the like), and to interact, e.g. in a remote location, with persons and/or things,. The user (1) has available at least one communications medium, e.g. a fixed, port- able or palmtop computer (3), connected in a telecommunication network, equipped with accessories for videoconference with TV camera, microphone and speakers, or a fixed or movable video telephone (2). (S)he accesses the operative central (6), by means of a selective communication, e.g., either through a Web site (5), or through a telephone line (4). The selective communication comprises a set of operations, with which the user (1) selects, in a menu of options (selection protocol) proposed by the operative central (6), at least one action to be carried out through a remote operator, indicating also, for example, one or more of the following operative vari¬ ables: location, date, time, language, communication means of the executive com¬ munication, and so on. The operative central (6) carries out, during the selective communication, the op¬ erations of identifying the user (1), possibly asking for a registration of personal data, receiving and/or submitting a list of requested services (menu or selection protocol), highlighting available ones. The operations requested by the user (1) are carried out immediately, or reserved for a later time, according to a pre-set selec- tion protocol (which is determined by the user's choices).

The operative central (6) identifies the suitable remote operator (9) according to the user's requests, transmits the tasking of the user (1) to the operator (9) and acti- vates the service procedure at the pre-set moment. In particular, the operative cen¬ tral (6) establishes, first, an operative communication with the remote operator (9) suitable to satisfy the selections indicated by the user. The operative communication comprises a set of operations, with which the operative central (6) achieves an at least audio and/or video communication with the remote operator (9) and informs the operator of the operative characteristics of the action to be carried out, tasking him/her to complete it. The operative central (6) then activates the connection be¬ tween user (1) and remote operator (9), in the form of executive communication achieved with any suitable technology, both telephonic and data transmission, on fixed or wireless line, also with the simultaneous use of different systems. Said op¬ erative communication comprises a set of operations, with which the user (1) and the remote operator (9) interact with each other to carry out said predetermined ac¬ tion, according to a pre-set program, which may be interactively modifiable in the course of the executive communication itself. The operative central (6) can comprise at least one computer, or a computer net¬ work, appropriately programmed to perform the predetermined operations and ac¬ tions listed above. Moreover, the operative central (6) is interconnected in at least one telecommunication system or network, for the execution of multimedia commu¬ nications. The remote operator (9) can first be selected, trained and managed by an appropri¬ ate office, e.g. cognisant for a determined geographical area. (S)he is equipped with a technological apparatus whose ergonomics are sufficient to operate, e.g. for even long time intervals, e.g. some hours. The apparatus that is made available to the remote operator (9) allows him/her to communicate with the user (1) at least via audio and/or video, e.g. also to transmit and receive faxes, e-mail, files, as well as to place the user in videoconference with other persons contacted by said operator. The remote operator communicates with the operative central (6) and/or with the user (1), e.g., through UMTS line (7) or wireless network (8). The technical equipment both of the user and of the operator may also be more lim- ited, restricting the variety of possible services, or technologically more advanced in order to meet additional requirements, thanks to new future technical characteris¬ tics.

Some examples of fields of application are provided herein the better to illustrate the method according to the present invention. 1) Trade show/exhibition sector.

A user, in on the occasion of a trade show in a geographical area that is not conven¬ ient to reach, has the capability, from his/her computer, to "rent" a remote opera- tor, if necessary also as an interpreter or with other specific capabilities. The remote operator, according to the method of the invention, will move and transmit images in real time according to the user's requests, and the user will also have the ability to communicate, through the operator or directly in videoconference, with the ex- hibitors of interest to him/her. 2) Commercial sector.

A purchaser seeking a good, from a vintage car to an industrial facility, can perform a first analysis, ask for data of interest, view important details employing a remote operator with the method according to the invention. 3) Construction sector.

The site engineer of a construction site is able to visually check the progress of the works, visually observing any problem issues, and to provide indications to his/her subordinates on site in video conference, through a remote operator authorised to act with the method according to the invention. 4) Real estate sector.

A real estate agent views land lots and buildings, to perform an assessment before travelling to the site, employing a remote operator through an operative central ac¬ cording to the method of the invention.

5) Private sector. A private user, before confirming the rent agreement for a holiday in Greece of a "small villa, 200 meters from the beach", can view the site and personally ascertain the actual location, through a remote operator and according to the procedures pro¬ vided by the method according to the invention.

6) Sports sector. A sports fan can receive a video commentary of a minor sporting event, not covered by the traditional television system, request information and directly observe the characteristics of the event, register for the next edition, employing a remote opera¬ tor who follows the operations provided in the method according to the invention.

7) Industrial sector The owner of a particular technology (e.g., a manufacturer of machine or a producer of chemicals) through a remote operator performs, according to the method of the invention, the operations for testing one of its new apparatuses or for commission¬ ing a new chemical facility, driving the operator according to a pre-set program, by means of interactive audio/video instructions. The operative applications of the interactive communication method according to the present invention are nearly unlimited.

Claims

1. An interactive communication method for carrying out remote actions character¬ ised in that it comprises the steps consisting of: - activating, by at least one user (1), a selective communication, at least audio and/or video, with an operative central (6), or through a telephone line (4), e.g. by means a video telephone (2), or through the Internet (5), Ethernet or the like, by means of a computer (3) connected in a telecommunication network;

- after establishing said selective communication, selecting by said user (1), through at least one selection protocol pre-set in said operative central (6), an activation procedure, by the operative central, of an at least audio and/or video executive communication with at least one remote operator (9) authorised to carry out, in a given area and according to a predetermined protocol, at least one predetermined action, whilst an at least audio and/or video connection is active between said op- erator (9) and said user (1);

- establishing, by the operative central (6) ad according to the choices of said user (1), an at least audio and/or video operative communication with said authorised operator (9), e.g. by means of UMTS line (7) or by means of wireless line (8), with which the remote operator is prepared to carry out said predetermined action; - after establishing said operative communication, establishing and carrying out an executive communication, between said authorised operator (9) and said user (1), through said operative central (6), through the respective communication means (2, 3) and the corresponding telecommunication networks (4, 5, 7, 8), in which said remote operator (9) performs, under the control of said user (1), said at least one predetermined action, whilst (s)he is in at least audio and/or video contact with said user (1), who - informed in real time at least via audio and/or video of the execu¬ tion of said at least one operation performed by the operator - continuously inter¬ acts with said operator, until completing said at least one predetermined action, ac¬ cording to said protocol of understanding pre-set in said operative central (6), pos- sibly modified interactively during the communication;

- after completing said at least one predetermined action, interrupting the at least audio and/or video connections between said central (6), said remote operator (9) and said user (1).

2. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said user (1) operates through at least one communications medium, e.g. a fixed, portable or palmtop computer (3), connected in a telecommunication network, equipped with accessories for videoconference with TV camera, microphone and speakers, or a fixed or movable video telephone (2).

3. Method as claimed in claim 1 and/or 2, wherein said selective communication comprises a set of operations, with which the user (1) selects, in a menu of options (selection protocol) proposed by the operative central (6), at least one action to be carried out through a remote operator, indicating also, for example, one or more of the following operative variables: location, date, time, language, communication means of the executive communication, and so on.

4. Method as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, wherein said operative central (6) carries out, during the selective communication, the operations of identi¬ fying the user (1), possibly asking for a registration of personal data, receiving and/or submitting a list of requested services (menu or selection protocol), high¬ lighting available ones.

5. Method as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, wherein the operations requested by the user (1) are carried out immediately, or reserved for a later time, according to a pre-set selection protocol (which is determined by the user's choices).

6. Method as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, wherein said operative central (6) identifies the suitable remote operator (9) according to the user's re¬ quests, transmits the tasking of the user (1) to the operator (9) and activates the service procedure at the pre-set moment.

7. Method as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, wherein said operative central (6) establishes, first an operative communication with the remote operator (9) suitable to satisfy the choices indicated by the user, and said operative commu¬ nication comprises a set of operations, with which the operative central (6) achieves an at least audio and/or video communication with said remote operator (9) and in¬ forms the operator of the operative characteristics of the action to be carried out, tasking him/her to complete it, whilst said operative central (6) then activates the connection between user (1) and remote operator (9) in the form of executive communication achieved with any suitable technology, both telephonic and data transmission, on fixed or wireless line, also with the simultaneous use of different systems.

8. Method as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, wherein said executive communication comprises a set of operations, with which the user (1) and the re¬ mote operator (9) interact with each other to carry out said at least one predeter¬ mined action, according to a pre-set program, which may be interactively modifiable in the course of the executive communication itself.

9. Method as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, wherein said operative central (6) comprises at least one computer, or a computer network, appropriately programmed for carrying out predetermined operations and actions, whilst said op- erative central (6) is interconnected in at least one telecommunication system or network, for the achievement of multimedia communications.

10. Method as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, wherein said remote operator (9) is selected, trained and managed from an appropriate office, cognisant for a determined geographical area.

11. Method as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, wherein said remote operator (9) is equipped with a technological apparatus whose ergonomics are suffi¬ cient to operate, e.g. for even long time intervals.

12. Method as claimed in one or more of the previous claims, wherein said remote operator (9) is provided with a suitable apparatus for communicating with the user (1) at least through audio and/or video, e.g. also to transmit and receive faxes, e- mail, files, as well as to place the user in videoconference with other persons con- tacted by the operator, e.g. said remote operator (9) communicates with the opera¬ tive central (6) and/or with the user (1) through UMTS line (7) or wireless network (8).