WO2014181045A1

WO2014181045A1 - Communication interface and method, computer programme and corresponding recording medium

Info

Publication number: WO2014181045A1
Application number: PCT/FR2013/051029
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mathieu Nicolas LABEY
Original assignee: Glowbl
Priority date: 2013-05-07
Filing date: 2013-05-07
Publication date: 2014-11-13

Abstract

A communication interface and method, computer programme and corresponding recording medium. The invention concerns an interface for communication between participants (A-G) each provided with a screen, said interface comprising graphical avatars (2-8) displayed on said screens, said communication interface being characterised in that it is designed to automatically form a communication group including: - each of said participants (A-F) of which the respective graphical avatar (2-7) belongs to a first group of avatars of which each member is separated from at least one other member by a distance less than or equal to a first predefined value, - and/or each of said participants (A-F) of which the respective graphical avatar (2-7) belongs to a second group of avatars of which each member is separated from a graphical object (9) by a distance less than or equal to a second predefined value, said communication interface being further designed to grant a special status of participant/lecturer to at least one of said participants (A-F) of said communication group. - communication interfaces.

Description

COMMUNICATION INTERFACE AND METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM, AND CORRESPONDING RECORDING MEDIUM

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to the general technical field of communication interfaces allowing, for example, a plurality of users located at a distance from one another to discuss, exchange or consult together data, preferably in real time, for example through terminals: networked,

The present invention more particularly relates to a communication interface between speakers each having a screen, said interface comprising a virtual space and graphical avatars which represent respectively each of said stakeholders and secondly are designed to moving in said virtual space, said virtual space and graphic avatars being designed to be displayed on said screens, said communication interface being designed to allow each speaker to control the displacement of respective graphic avatar.

The present invention also relates to a method of communication between speakers each having a screen, in which:

~ a virtual space and graphical avatars which respectively represent each of said stakeholders are displayed on said screens,

each participant controls the displacement of his respective graphic avatar in said virtual space.

The invention furthermore relates to a computer program comprising computer program code means adapted to perform the steps of a method according to the above when said program is executed on a computer, as well as a medium that can be read by a computer. computer and on which is recorded such a program. PRIOR ART

!! There are many solutions allowing people located at a distance from each other to communicate via terminals (personal computers, smartphones, touch tablets ...) connected to the Internet. for example there are chat software programs (in English "chat") that allow users to chat online by entering the text of their interventions using the keyboard of their termina !. These "chat" software, well-known as such, also generally have an audio-video dialogue function allowing the participants of a discussion to see and hear their correspondents, whose image and sound are captured by the webcam and the microphone equipping their computers.

These software "chat", if they give overall satisfaction, nonetheless present some disadvantages.

First, the interface provided by these software can appear confusing, with poor readability especially during group discussions. In addition, the known "chat" software does not allow to start easily and impromptu a discussion, especially with unknown interlocutors. This software also relies on a technology generally requiring the installation on each client station of a program, which is a source of complications. Finally, these known "chat" software are generally not well suited to be used in the context of a directed communication, of the seminar or online lesson type, especially since their use by a group of interlocutors is likely generate a relatively confusing discussion that may be difficult to master. Known "chat" software is therefore not a fully satisfactory communication interface, especially for organizing group discussions, especially in the context of an online seminar-style guided communication. W

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There are also videoconferencing software that allow remote users to be put in audiovisual relationship, via their computer, with one or more correspondents. These known videoconferencing software, however, are generally relatively complex to understand, relatively expensive to use (the group videoconference is generally paid) and do not allow to start an audio-video discussion in a simple and impromptu, particularly with a contact person unknown until now

These videoconferencing software also generally require installation on client computers, as well as "chat" software. These videoconferencing software known are also not well suited to the implementation of seminars or online lessons.

The "chat" and videoconferencing software known to date are in the end not very ergonomic and intuitive, in particular they do not facilitate unplanned contacts with new players, nor do they facilitate the implementation of a directed communication in online, conference type or online lesson.

We also know social networks deployed on the internet These social networks do not however allow to easily and simply perform group discussions, or to start an improvised discussion with a member of the network that has not been previously registered in a list of contacts or "friends". These social network interfaces also do not allow the simple organization of videoconferences, nor the organization in a simple and intuitive way of virtual events, and in particular conferences or online lessons,

Finally, we also know three-dimensional virtual worlds, both of the game and the social network, which allow users connected to the Internet to navigate a realistic virtual environment through an avatar embodying the user. in question. Software implementing such virtual worlds allow users to interact with each other according to a conventional "chat" ergonomics (keyboarded dialogues) via their avatars. These three-dimensional virtual worlds are relatively attractive because they offer a very realistic environment, but they often require a long learning time (which can be for example greater than three hours) which reserves them to an informed public. Moreover, these programs do not allow the sharing of content (files and others) and their use is more like that of a network fire than a simple and intuitive communication interface. These game software are of course absolutely not designed and adapted to implement conferences or lessons online.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTIO

The objects assigned to the invention therefore aim to remedy the drawbacks enumerated above and to propose a new communication interface which is very ergonomic and intuitive, easy to handle without any particular skills, and which makes it possible, in particular, to implement discussion threads. group in an extremely readable and dynamic way, while facilitating impromptu exchanges with unknown interlocutors, group discussions around topics of common interest, and online lectures or lessons.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new communication interface which allows its users to have an extremely clear, dynamic and intuitive view of discussion groups.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new communication interface that is very easy to use and consumes little memory and computing power.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new communication interface which makes it possible to exchange in a very simple, intuitive and simultaneous manner, whatever the number of interlocutors concerned.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new communication interface which makes it possible to create extremely fast, simple and intuitive groups of discussion.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new communication interface which improves the offer and the ergonomics of social networks. Another object of the invention is to propose a new communication interface which makes it possible to organize virtual events in a very simple and intuitive manner, and in particular online conferences.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new communication method, a new computer program adapted to perform the steps of such a method and a new medium that can be read by a computer and on which is recorded such a program, which achieve the different benefits listed above.

The objects of the invention are achieved by means of a communication interface between each of the speakers having a screen, said interface comprising a virtual space and charts avatars that on ^the one hand respectively each of said speakers and on the other hand are designed to move in said virtual space said virtual space and graphic avatars being designed to be displayed on said screens, said communication interface being designed to allow each speaker to control the displacement of his respective graphic avatar, said communication interface being characterized in that it is designed to automatically form a communication group including: each of said stakeholders whose respective graphic avatar is part of a first group of avatars where each member is at least another member of a distance less than or equal to a first predicted value completed, and / or each of said stakeholders whose respective graphic avatar is part of a second group of avatars each member of which is remote from a graphic object positioned in said virtual space of a distance less than or equal to a second value predetermined, said communication interface being further designed to allow to confer on at least one of said speakers of said communicatio group a special status of the speaker-speaker who are associated with at least one of the following properties: the graphic avatar each speaker-lecturer presents a distinctive visual sign that makes it possible to distinguish visually from all the graphic avatars of other speakers of said communication group; each speaker-speaker has the possibility of simultaneously speaking audio and / or video, via said communication interface, to all the other speakers of the communication group.

The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved by means of a communication method between speakers each having a screen, in which: a virtual space and graphical avatars respectively representing each of said speakers are displayed on said screens, each speaker controls the displacement of his respective graphic avatar in said virtual space, said method being characterized in that! includes at least one step of automatically forming a communication group, the latter including: each of said stakeholders whose respective graphic avatar is part of a first group of avatars where each member is at least one apart. another member of a distance less than or equal to a first predetermined value, and / or each of said stakeholders whose respective graphic avatar is part of a second group of avatars where each member is distant from a graphic object positioned in said virtual space of a distance less than or equal to a second predetermined value, said method further comprising a step in which is given to at least one of said speakers of said communication group a special status of speaker-lecturer Associated with at least one of the following properties:

- The graphic avatar of each speaker-lecturer presents a visual sign distînctif that allows to visually distinguish it from the set of graphic avatars other speakers said communication group; each speaker / speaker is able to simultaneously address audio and / or video to all other communication group stakeholders. The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved by means of a computer program comprising computer program code means adapted to perform the steps of the method referred to above.

The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved by means of a computer-compatible medium on which a program according to the above is recorded.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in more detail on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, given purely for administrative and non-limiting purposes, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a screen capture portion (said screen being that of a user of the communication interface) on which is visible a group of graphic avatars representing various stakeholders placed in communication by the communication interface. the said interveners thus forming part of a communication group, two of the said interveners (A, H) each having a special speaker-speaker status, identified by the fact that their respective graphical avatars have for one a larger size than that of the graphic avatars of the other speakers and for the other a geometric pattern (polygon inscribed in a circle) absent graphical avatars of the other speakers.

FIG. 2 illustrates a group of graphic avatars representing speakers forming part of a communication group, as well as an isolated graphic avatar representing a participant who is not part of said communication group, the avatars of the speakers of said group of communication being agglomerated around a graphic object formed by a viewing window associated with an application to which the communication group stakeholders have access and to which the speaker whose graphic avatar is isolated does not have access, the one of the interveners (A) of the communication group having a special status of speaker-speaker identifiable by the fact that his graphic avatar is larger than that of the graphical avatars of other speakers, the view of Figure 2 corresponding to what said speaker-speaker sees on his own screen.

FIG. 3 represents the same screen capture portion as that of FIG. 2, with the difference that the intervener-speaker (A) has activated his microphone and his digital camera, this double activation being visually indicated by the appearance corresponding pictograms included in the graphical avatar of the speaker-lecturer.

- Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3, except that it illustrates what is seen on its own screen another speaker of the communication group, which does not have the special status of speaker-speaker.

- Figure 5 is similar to the views of Figures 3 and 4, except that it illustrates what is seen on his own screen the speaker whose graphic avatar is isolated and not part of the communication group.

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 2 (in which the speaker / lecturer has not activated either his digital camera or his microphone), with the difference that it illustrates what is seen on his own screen by another speaker of the communication group, which activated its microphone and digital camera.

~ Figure 7 is identical to Figure 6 except that it illustrates what still sees another speaker of the communication group.

- Figure 8 is identical to Figure 7 except that it illustrates what still sees another speaker of the communication group on his own screen.

BEST MODE OF REALIZING THE INVENTION

The invention relates, in a first aspect, to a communication interface between speakers A _T B C, D, E, F, G each having a screen. The screen in question may be for example a personal computer monitor, a tablet of graphics tablet, a phone screen or smartphone, or even a TV screen. Preferably, each of the screens of said speakers A, B, C, D, E, F, G serves as display device and is operably connected to a central processing unit including for example at least one processor and memories (RAM, ROM, etc.). The screen of each speaker A, B, ClD, E, F, G can be either an output device, which provides only a display function (in the case of a conventional computer monitor or a display screen). television}, or a device-entee-spell (in the case where the screen in question is a touch screen implemented for example on a graphics tablet or a smartphone).

In the case where the screen is only an output device, the intervener A, B, C, D, E, F, G concerned also preferably has input devices (for example: keyboard, mouse, wheel, stylus, touch screen, etc.). Each screen preferably provides a color display and is advantageously the device of a central unit (whether it is a central computer unit, graphics tablet, ordiphone or other) connected to a network of telecommunication, which is preferably the Internet. The screen of each speaker A, B, C, D, E, F, G is advantageously part of the communication interface according to the invention. Preferably, each speaker A, B, C, D, ^E, F, G has a computer terminal, formed for example by a computer, a telephone, a ordiphone or a touch pad, .ledit computer terminal including said screen as well as preferably an activatable / deactivatable microphone and / or a digital camera (for example of the webcam type) that can be activated / deactivated. Each of said computer terminals is preferably connected by any known means (wired or wireless) to a telecommunication network, which is preferably the Internet. In an advantageous embodiment, each screen and / or computer terminal which may be part of the screen is (are) part of the communication interface.

The communication interface according to the invention also comprises, as illustrated in the figures, a virtual space 1 designed to be displayed on each of the screens of the speakers A, B, C, D, E, F, G, preferably simultaneously. . Preferably, in order to make the interface particularly simple and readable, the virtual space 1 is two-dimensional, and is thus advantageously in the form of a surface extending along only two directions of space (horizontal direction X and vertically Y) so as to be included in a single plane which is advantageously the display plan of the screen of each speaker In the following description, i! For reasons of simplicity and concision, reference will be made only to a two-dimensional virtual space 1, it being understood that it is perfectly conceivable for said virtual space 1 to be three-dimensional, or even monodimensional.

The communication interface according to the invention further comprises graphical avatars 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 7, 8 which respectively represent respectively each of said speakers A, B, C, D, E, F, G and on the other hand are designed to move in said virtual space 1.

Just like the virtual space 1, the graphic avatars 2-8 are also designed to be displayed on the screens respectively available to the speakers A, B, C, D, E, F, G, so that each speaker A, 8 , C, D, E, F, G can visualize on its screen at the same time the virtual space 1 and the graphic avatars 2-8, which are positioned, and can move, on the surface of the bidimensionne virtual space! 1, as illustrated in the figures. By graphical avatar, here is meant a virtual object that visually embodies the corresponding speaker in the virtual space 1. The two-dimensional virtual space 1 thus advantageously constitutes a background or wallpaper background, in which! evolve the graphical avatars 2-8. Preferably, said graphical avatars 2-8 are two-dimensional, as shown in the figures. In other words, each graphic avatar 2-8 advantageously extends exclusively into one and the same yaw common to all the graphic avatars, said plane being parallel to the plane in which the two-dimensional virtual space 1 extends. figures attached, the plan in question corresponds to the plane of the sheets of drawings. Thus, the graphical avatars 2-8 are superimposed on the two-dimensional virtual space 1, so as to move in a plane parallel to the extension plane of the two-dimensional virtual space 1. The use of a virtual space 1 and Graphical avatars 2-8 all two-dimensional is preferred because it gives ease of use and excellent ergonomics to the communication interface. However, it is quite possible that graphical avatars 2-8 are not two-dimensional but three-dimensional (which does not exclude that they evolve on a two-dimensional virtual space 1). The invention therefore covers any type of visual rendering (2D, 2.5D, 3D, isometric 3D, etc.). Said communication interface is also designed to allow each speaker A, B, C, D, E, F, G to control the movement of his respective graphic avatar 2-8. In other words, each speaker A, B, C, D, E, F, G has control means allowing him to move on the screen, in a controlled manner, his own avatar 2-8. The control means in question may be constituted for example by an input device such as a mouse or a touch screen (in the latter case, the touch screen thus plays both the role of screen and means of control within the meaning of the invention). With the control means in question, each speaker A, B, C, D, E, F, G can thus vary the position of his avatar in the virtual space bsdimenstonnel 1, for example to approach or s away from another avatar or group of avatars.

The communication interface according to the invention is therefore advantageously a graphical user interface. It also emerges from the foregoing that the object interface of the invention is advantageously a direct manipulation interface (e), ie an interface which allows in particular its users to directly manipulate (via a mouse or a touch screen for example) graphic objects (in this case their respective avatars) in the same way as they would with physical objects in the real world L The advantage of using such a directly manipulated interface resides notably in the intuitive nature of its use, which allows each user A, B, C, D, E, F, G user of the interface to visualize in real time the result of his steps, and for example the result of a command to move his avatar. Preferably, the control means are designed to allow the user to control the movements of his graphical avatar drag and drop (in English: "drag ~ and ~ drop"). Each speaker A, B, C, D, E, F, G can thus point to his respective graphic avatar 2-8 that appears on the screen (either directly with his finger in the case of a touch screen, or using a mouse pointer for example), then drag his avatar to a new selected position, position in which the user will drop the avatar in question (by removing his finger from the screen in the case of a touch screen or by ceasing to press the left button of its mouse for example).

The communication interface according to the invention is also designed to automatically form a communication group including: (i) each of said A-F responders whose respective graphical avatar 2 - 7 is part of a first group of avatars (as illustrated in Figure 1). each member is at least one other member of said first group at a distance smaller than or equal to a first predetermined value,

(ii) and / or each of said speakers A - F whose respective graphic avatar 2-7 is part of a second group of avatars (as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5), each member of which is remote from an object graph 9 positioned in said virtual space 1 by a distance less than or equal to a second predetermined value.

Preferably, the communication group includes both all the participants whose graphic avatar is part of the first group of avatars mentioned above and all the speakers whose graphic avatar is part of the second group above, the two conditions referred to above. belonging to the communication groups then preferably being cumulative. However, it is perfectly conceivable that only one of the two conditions (i) and (ii) in question applies, so that the communication group then corresponds either to the first group of stakeholders or to those of the second group. referred to above. Thanks to this advantageous characteristic of the invention, the communication interface makes it possible to create one or more clusters of avatars as illustrated in the figures, each cluster of avatars corresponding to a communication group.

The speakers (users) members of the communication group are placed in communication via the communication interface. The "communication" notio must be interpreted here in an extended manner. Thus, the communication may for example be to allow the stakeholders concerned to communicate with each other, for example by text messages (chat type dialogues), audio and / or video. Preferably, the communication interface is designed so that each member of the communication group has the opportunity to simultaneously address text message (type "chat"), via said communication interface, to all other stakeholders of the communication group. For this purpose, the interface includes for example an input window associated with the graphic avatar of each speaker and which allows each of them to enter a text which will then be simultaneously displayed on all screens of the other speakers in the communication group. Communica- tion can also consist simply of allowing the parties concerned to access information of any nature whatsoever (audio data stream and / or video, file, application, etc.) simultaneously or simultaneously. concerned stakeholders to interact with multimedia content that! that it is (applications of auctions, games on line ...). Conversely, an intervener (such as the speaker G) whose graphic avatar 8 does not belong to the first group of avatars or to the second group of avatars defined above is not part of said group of avatars. communication and is therefore not put in communication with the other speakers A - F members of said communication group.

L ^{communication} interface according to the invention thus allows to create extremely easily and intuitively of unlimited size communication groups by agglomerating avatars according to one and / or other rules (i) and (ii) above above, this agglomeration advantageously triggering the introduction of a general communication of all stakeholders whose avatars make up the first group and / or the second group referred to above. It is thus possible, thanks to this particularly advantageous characteristic of the communication interface according to the invention, to obtain in a fast, intuitive and ergonomic way a communication group by simple aggregation of graphic avatars virtually embodying the speakers of the group. of communication in question. The membership of the A-F speakers in the communication group can, for example, allow each participant to dialogue in sign, by text messages or by audio and / or video, with one or more other members of the communication group. , in ways that can be very diverse. For example, a communication channel between each of the members of the communication group can be automatically established between each A-F of the communication group because of the simple fact that said A ~ F stakeholders belong to said communication group through the positioning of their respective avatars facing each other and / or next to the graphic object 9. According to another mode of operation, it is also conceivable that a member of the communication group can not communicate according to certain modalities (for example by video conference), with other members of said group only if their respective avatars are separated by a distance less than or equal to a predetermined value, the. communication with all the members of the discussion group being possible only under certain conditions or according to certain modalities, controlled for example by a communication interface administrator. Preferably, the communication interface according to the invention is designed so that each member member of the communication group has the possibility; to simultaneously address by text message (of "chat" type), via said communication interface, to all the other speakers of the communication group, regardless of the position of their respective graphic avatars within the first and / or second group susvîsés; and to address audio and / or video, via said communication interface, communication group stakeholders whose His respective graphic avatars are distant from his own graphic avatar a predetermined distance.

In other words, membership in the communication group advantageously allows universal communication by text messages and local communication by audio and / or video.

The graphic object 9 may for example consist of a simple inactive and inert graphic element, which serves only as a geographical visual reference marker for the graphic avatars of the speakers. The latter, by gathering their graphical avatars around, or in the neighborhood, the rallying point in question, will thus be able to be automatically included in the group -communication, and thus benefit from the communication features associated with belonging to said group Communication.

Preferably, the graphic object 9 is, however, associated with a predetermined functionality of said communication interface, said functionality preferably being accessible to the AF workers whose graphical avatars are distant from the graphic object 9 by a distance less than or equal to a fourth predetermined value, which is preferably identical to said second predetermined value. For example, said functionality may consist of a broadcast information (of any nature whatsoever) only on the screens speakers whose graphical avatars belong to said second group of avatars above, that is to say whose graphic avatars are distant to said graphic object 9 of a distance less than or equal to said fourth predetermined value,

Advantageously, the graphic object 9 is activatable / deactivatable and is designed to be activated by and for each speaker whose graphical avatar is remote from the graphical object 9 by a distance less than or equal to said fourth predetermined value. The activation of the graphic object 9 may for example correspond to a simple change of appearance of the latter (change of color, size, _< ,.) Or, preferably, at the start of a more complex process such as that the start of a game controlled by the speakers associated with the graphic avatars concerned (multiplayer games for example) or the access, for each speaker whose graphic avatar is sufficiently close to the graphic object 9 ( that is to say, for example positioned at a distance less than or equal to the second predetermined value), a broadcast on its respective screen of audiovisual content. In the latter case, the speaker associated with a given graphic avatar does not perceive the broadcast of said audiovisual content (or simply sound) if its graphic avatar is sufficiently close to the graphic object ^' 9, so as to be part of of the second group of avatars referred to above. In this case, the graphic object 9 comprises (and preferably constitutes), for example, an active window 9A, which for example displays the elements of an interactive game or any other multimedia content, of an audiovisual or television nature (broadcast of a sports competition, a course, a show, a radio show, a sale, for example by auction, in which participants can participate, etc.).

According to the invention, the communication interface is furthermore designed to enable at least one of the intervening parties AF of the communication group to have a special speaker-speaker status associated with at least one of the following properties, and preferably at least the following two properties: (a) the graphic avatar 2 of each speaker-speaker A has a distinctive visual sign that makes it visually distinguishable from the set of avatars 3-7 of the other BF speakers of that communication group;

(b) each speaker-speaker A is able to simultaneously address audio and / or video, via said communication interface, to all other B-F speakers of the communication group.

Preferably, both properties (a) and (b) above mentioned are cumujativemen ^'t associated with the special status of intervenant- nférencier, each party-conference folder and have not only a graphic avatar with a specific visual aspect that allows all other stakeholders to identify it immediately but also a specific channel of communication that allows each speaker-speaker A, and preferably alone, to address simultaneously and automatically by audio and / or video to all other BF stakeholders in the communication group.

Thus, thanks to these advantageous characteristics, the implementation of a conference signal or any other event requiring more or less directed communication is facilitated, since its users of the communication interface can very easily identify the (or ies ) speaker (teacher, seminary teacher ...) who directs the communication within the communication group, as his avatar is different from the other speakers who are more likely to attend the event in a more or less passive, or in any case with a role different from the singular role of Speaker-Speaker A.

Similarly, by allowing each speaker-speaker A to simultaneously address audio and / or video to all other speakers, and preferably be the only one to have this audio and / or video communication capability. simultaneous and universal, the communication interface according to the invention facilitates the holding of the event (conference, lesson or other) by allowing each speaker-lecturer A to have powerful communication capabilities (even potentially intrusive) whose advantageously do not dispose of other BF stakeholders who are not speakers-speakers. Advantageously, said distinctive visual sign is constituted in particular by the size of the graphic avatar 2 of the intervener-conferender A, which is preferably greater than the size of the respective graphic avatars 3-8 of the other speakers, and in particular of the others. 8-F speakers of the communication group. Thus, your graphical avatars 3-8 of speakers who are not speaker-speakers all advantageously have the same size, so that the graphical avatar 2 of speaker-lecturer A (or speakers-speakers, the communication interface can possibly be designed to confer the special status of speaker-speaker to several speakers) being his only one to present a different size, and preferably greater.

In the example in Figure 1, Speakers A and H both have the special speaker-speaker status so that their respective avatars are visually distinct from the other avatars of the communication group members: Figure A's graphic avatar 2 is similar to other avatars (all similar) of stakeholders who do not have the special intervenor-speaker status, but its size is larger; the intervener H's graphic avatar 11 is the same size as the avatars of the other speakers who do not have the special speaker-speaker status, but includes a specific geometric pattern (inscribed polygon) that is absent from the other avatars.

Of course, it is perfectly conceivable * and even preferable for reasons of readability, that the visual signs distinct from the graphic avatars of speakers-lecturers are all identical, and are for example constituted by a larger size of avatars.

In what follows, reference will be made only, for the sake of brevity, to the examples of FIGS. 2 to 8 where only the speaker A has the special speaker-speaker status and the speaker H is not present. Advantageously, each of the graphical avatars 2-8 is substantially discoidal, so as to have substantially a bidimensional bubble shape.

For example, the graphic avatar 2 of each presenter A has a first diameter while the graphic avatars 3-7 of the other speakers of the communication group each have a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, for example from minus 25%, and still more preferably at least 50%.

Of course, it is perfectly conceivable that the visual sign d ssts nci f consists of something other than a different size, and includes, for example alternatively, a different geometry (for example a graphical avatar 2 of polygonal shape whereas the other avatars 3-7 have a circular shape), a different color or any other characteristic that makes it easy to distinguish the graphic avatar 2 from the speaker-lecturer A.

Advantageously, the communication interface includes a graphic envelope 10 encompassing the graphic avatars 2-7 of the A-F speakers belonging to said communication group, said graphic envelope 10 symbolizing the membership of said A-F speakers in said communication group. The graphic envelope 10 is, for example, in the form of a sheet in which the graphic avatars 2-7 and preferably the graphic object 9 are encompassed, so that said graphic avatars 2-7 (and the where appropriate, the graphic object 9} is embedded in a continuous, opaque or transparent or translucent substrate, formed by the graphic envelope 10. Preferably, the graphic envelope 10 has a dynamic behavior, that is to say that its shape and extent vary with the number, its size and the positioning of the graphic avatars 2-7 and the graphic object 9. The graphic envelope 10 thus advantageously has a behavior close to that of a liquid and can thus be assimilated, for comparison, to a puddle in which the graphical avatars 3-7 and, where appropriate, the graphic object are arranged 9.

The presence of the graphic envelope 10 thus enables the speakers who use the communication interface to identify the communication group very quickly and easily on their respective screens, and to check whether they are part of it. (which is the case if their respective graphic avatar is well encompassed by the graphic envelope 10).

As explained above, the communication interface is designed so that each speaker-speaker A can address simultaneously, audio and / or video, and via said communication interface, to all other B-F stakeholders of the communication group. Preferably, the communication interface is designed to automatically allow all your B ~ F speakers of said communication group to perceive, with the aid of their respective computer terminals, the sounds and / or images picked up by said microphones. and or digital cameras of the terminai of each speaker-speaker A since the microphone and / or digital camera of the latter is (are) activated (s). More specifically, the communication interface is advantageously designed so that Γ lecturer-lecturer A activates the microphone and / or the digital camera which is advantageously provided with the computer terminal which it has (computer, smartphone, tablet or other), , the other BF Speakers can perceive, through their own computer terminal (and more specifically the output devices of the latter: screen and loudspeakers) the sound and / or the image captured respectively by said Microphone and digital camera of the speaker-speaker's computer terminal A. The communication interface thus makes it possible to automatically generate a specific communication channel from each speaker-lecturer A to each of the other speakers BF of the communication group. Advantageously, the communication interface is designed so that the speaker (s) or speaker A is the only speaker of the communication group who thus has the possibility of simultaneously speaking audio and / or video to all other speakers BF .

Advantageously, the communication interface is designed to signal to all the speakers of said communication group the activation. said microphone and / or digital camera of each speaker-lecturer A. For example, the communication interface is advantageously designed to show, at the level or on the graphic avatar 2 of the speaker-lecturer A, a symbol 2A symbolizing the activation of the digital camera and / or an icon 2B symbolizing the activation of the microphone of the computer terminal available to the speaker-lecturer A. Of course, said icons 2A, 28 disappear when deactivating said camera digital and microphone. In the example illustrated in FIGS., FIG. 2A is formed by a pictogram representing a digital camera viewed from the front, said pictogram being designed to be displayed on the disk forming the graphic avata 2. In the same way, the icon 2B is constituted by a pictogram stylized representation of a microphone, said pictogram being designed to appear flui also superimposed on the disk forming the graphic avatar 2 of the inteprenant-confer A, Of course, only your stakeholders members of the group of communication can perceive on their respective screens, the icons 2A, 2B. The speaker G, who is not part of the communication group, does not see on his screen (see Figure 5) the icons 2A, 2B that all your speakers AF communicatio group see them on their own screens respectively. Advantageously, the communication interface is also designed so that, in response to the activation of the microphone and / or the digital camera of the computer terminal of the speaker-lecturer A, the graphic avatars 3-7 of the speakers B ~ F said group of communicatio other than speakers-lecturer A are displayed on the screen of speaker-speaker A with a respective sign of 3A-7A indicating to speaker-speaker A that said speakers BF are able to perceive, with the aid of their respective computer terminals, and the sounds or pictures picked up by said microphone and / or digital camera of the ^computer terminal of said speaker A. intervenant- for example, as shown in Figure 3, the distinctive sign 3A-7A may be formed by respective a circular border or halo surrounding each discographic graphic avatar 2-7 and thus allowing speaker A to identify immediately, with one neck! on its screen, all the speakers likely to hear the audio and / or video messages it can deliver.

Advantageously, the communication interface is also designed so that any BF speaker of said communication group who is not an intervener-speaker (ie who does not have the status of speaker-lecturer) can not to perceive the sounds and / or images picked up by said microphone and / or digital camera from the terminal of another speaker of said communication group who is not himself an intervener-lecturer unless his graphic avatar is separated from the graphic avatar said other intervenor by a distance less than or equal to a third predetermined value D. Thus, while the speaker-speaker A has the capacity to be able to address audio and / or video to all 3-F speakers of the communication group, regardless of the distance separating its graphic avatar 2 from the graphic avatars 3-7 of the other communication group stakeholders, the other BF speakers who have not the speaker-presenter privileges can do about them â ^s' send an audio channel and / or video graphics as stakeholders whose avatars are near their own graphic avatar, that is, say in a radius corresponding to the third predetermined value D. In other words, according to this advantageous embodiment, the speaker-speaker A has a universal audio and / or video communication capability within the communication group. , while the other speakers have only local audio and / or video communication capability, which allows an excellent ergonomics of the communication interface, as part of a conference in lig for example. the examples illustrated in Figures 2 to 8 will now be described in more detail.

FIG. 2 illustrates what speaker-speaker A sees on his screen, namely an active window 9A around which graphical avatars 2, 3, 4 _: 5, 6, 7 are embedded in a graphic envelope 10 signifying that speakers represented by Sesdîts graphic avatars are part of the same group of communication. The speaker A also sees on his screen a graphic avatar 8 disposed outside the graphic envelope 10, which means that the corresponding speaker G is not part of the communication group.

So that the speaker A can immediately identify his own avatar, the latter is surrounded by a border or halo 2A which is visible only on the screen of the speaker-lecturer A. Due to its special status of speaker-lecturer. the speaker A is represented by a graphic avatar 2 whose size is greater than that of the other graphic avatars of the other actors who do not benefit from this special status.

The speaker A then activates his microphone and his digital camera thanks to the corresponding commands which his computer terminal is equipped with. This acuivation has the effect of displaying the icons 2a, 2b in the graphical avatar 2. The user A then sees on his screen what is illustrated in Figure 3, namely a view identical to Figure 2, but with the pictograms "camera" and "microphone" inserted in the graphic avatar 2. In addition, I invite the A to confirm that other B ~ F stakeholders have access to their respective terminals to images and sounds picked up by speaker A's camera and microphone as their respective graphic avatars 3-7 are surrounded by a border or halo 3A-7A. The user G not being part of the communication group, if he can not access the images and sounds captured by the camera and the microphone of the user-speaker A, which is translated visually by the fact that his graphic avatar 8 n is not provided with a separate sign !! of the kind bordur or circular halo.

FIG. 4 is a view of the screen of the speaker B, who sees that the speaker speaker A has activated his microphone and his digital camera since the icons 2A, 2B are displayed within the graphic avatar 2 The speaker B immediately locates his own graphic avatar 3 thanks to the fact that said graphic avatar is surrounded by a halo 3B which is, for example, of a different color from that of the aforementioned halo 3A.

FIG. 5 illustrates what is seen, in the same configuration as that of FIG. 4, the speaker G who is not part of the communication group. Because of its lack of belonging to the communication group, the speaker G does not have access to the data stream that can be broadcast by the speaker A, and therefore does not see the icons 2A, 2B. display on its screen unlike other members of the communication group. So that the speaker G can easily locate on his own screen his own graphic avatar S, the latter is surrounded by a colored halo 8A.

Figures 6 to 8 illustrate a situation in which the digital camera and microphone of the speaker A are deactivated while the digital camera and microphone of the speaker E are activated. FIG. 6 thus illustrates what E-user sees on his own screen. Icons 6A, 6B thus appear in the graphical avatar 8 of the user E in order to signal the state of operation of the digital camera and the microphone of the computer terminal available to the speaker E. As explained above, only the speakers whose graphic avatar is separated from the avatar graph 6 of the speaker E from a distance inferior or equal to the third predetermined value D, can perceive on their own termina! the sounds and / or images captured by the said microphone and / or digital camera of the terminal available to the intervener E. In this case, as illustrated by the dashed circle (which is actually not visible on the speakers' screens) and aims at improving the present description), only the graphical avatar 7 of the speaker F is at a distance less than or equal to the third predetermined value D, so that only the user F is able to perceive at the using his own computer terminal, Sounds and / or images captured by the microphone and digital camera available to the user E.

In order to allow user E to identify the other users likely to access the data collected by his digital camera and his microphone, the avatars of the latter (ie in this case the graphic avatar 7 of the speaker F) are each circled with a border or halo 7A. The speaker E is thus immediately able to know, at the mere sight of his screen, that the user F is in audio / video communication with him. As for the user F, he sees on his screen a view similar to that illustrated in FIG. 7. Because his graphic avatar 7 is sufficiently close to the graphic avatar 6 of the user E (since it is separate from the latter by a distance less than or equal to the third predetermined value D), the user F volts on his screen the icons 8A, 6B. So that the user F can immediately identify his own graphical avatar 7. The latter is preferably surrounded by a border or circular halo 7B which is preferably of a different color from that of the circular border or halo 7A symbolizing the setting in communication audiovisual presentation of the intervener F with the intervener E.

Finally, FIG. 8 is a view of what the speaker S sees on his own screen in the same situation as that illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The user B thus does not see icons 6A, 6B on his screen since its graphical avatar 3 is remote from the graphical avatar 6 of the intervener E by a distance greater than the third predetermined value D.

The invention also relates, according to a second aspect, to a method of communication between A-G players each having a screen, said communication method advantageously being ^'made .in implemented using the communication interface described in the foregoing.

Therefore, all of the elements of the description set forth in the foregoing in relation to the communication interface are also valid (and therefore will not be repeated) for the communication method as such.

The communication method 1 is thus a method in which: a virtual space 1 and graphical avatars 2 - 8 which respectively represent each of said speakers A - G are displayed on said screens, each speaker AG controls the displacement of his graphic avatar 2 - 8 respectively in said virtual space 1.

The process of the invention ^'further comprises at least a step of automatically forming a communication group, the latter including; each of said actors A ~ F whose respective graphic avatar 2 - 7 is part of a first group of avatars each member of which is at least one other member apart from a distance less than or equal to a first value predetermined, and / or each of said speakers A - F whose respective graphic avatar 2 - 7 is part of a second group of avatars where each member is remote from a graphic object 9 positioned in said virtual space 1 of a distance less than or equal to a second predetermined value.

Said method furthermore comprises a step during which at least one of said participants in the communication group is conferred a special speaker-speaker status to which at least one of the following properties and preferably both properties are associated. following:

the graphic avatar 2 of each speaker-lecturer A presents an audiovisual sign of an inconstancy (for example a larger size) which makes it possible to visually distinguish from the set of graphic avatars 3 - 7 of the other speakers B - F of said communication group; each speaker-lecturer A has the possibility of addressing simultaneously, preferably audio and / or video (for example via said screens or computer terminals which are advantageously part of said screens), to all other speakers of the communication group.

The invention finally relates to a computer program comprising computer program code means adapted to perform the steps of a method according to the preceding description when said program is executed on a computer, it being understood that the term computer here designates any terminal computers of any nature whatsoever (personal computer, ordiphene, tablet touch, etc.).

The invention also relates to such a computer program implemented on a support readable by a computer, as well as a support that can be read by a computer and on which is recorded a te! program,

POSSIBILITY OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The invention finds its industrial application in its design and the use of communication interfaces.

Claims

CLAIMS - communication interface between speakers (AO) each having a screen, said interface comprising a virtual space (1) and graphical avatars (2-8) which respectively represent each of said stakeholders and on the other hand, are designed to move in said virtual space (1), the virtual space dice (1) and graphic avatars (2-8) being designed to be displayed on said screens, said communication interface being designed to allow each speaker to controlling the displacement of its respective graphic avatar (2-8), said communication interface being characterized in that it is designed to automatically form a communication group including:

each of the said actors (AF) whose respective graphic avatar (2-7) is part of a first group of avatars in which each member is distant from at least one other member by a distance less than or equal to a first predetermined value,

and / or each of said actors (AF) whose respective graphic avatar (2-7) is part of a second group of avatars each member of which is remote from a graphic object (9) positioned in said virtual space ( 1) by a distance less than or equal to a second predetermined value, said communication interface being furthermore designed to make it possible for at least one of said participants (AF) of said communicatio group to have a special speaker-speaker status; Associated with at least one of the following properties:

- "graphic avatar (2) of each speaker-speaker (A) has a distinctive visual sign that allows to distinguish visually from all avatars (3-7) graphics other speakers (B-F) said communication group;

- Each speaker-speaker (A) has the ability to simultaneously address audio and / or video, via said communication interface, to all the other speakers (BF) of the communication group. Communication interface according to Claim 1, characterized in that this distinctive visual sign is constituted in particular by the size of the graphical avatar (2) of the speaker-speaker (A), which is greater than the size of the graphic avatars (3). -7) respective other speakers (BF), - Communication interface according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that each of said graphical avatars (2-8) is substantially discoid. - Communication interface according to claims 2 and 3 characterized in that the graphic avatar (2) of each speaker-speaker (A) has a first diameter while the graphic avatars (3-7) of the other speakers audit communication group each have a second diameter less than said first diameter. ·· communication interface according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that it includes a graphic envelope (10) encompassing the graphic avatars (2-7) stakeholders (AF) belonging to said communication group, said envelope graphic (10) symbolizing the membership of said stakeholders (AF) to said communication group. ~ communication interface according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that each stakeholder has a computer terminal including said screen and an activatable microphone / deactivatable and / or digital camera activatable / deactivated, said communication interface being designed to automatically enable all the participants (AF) of said communication group to perceive, with the aid of their respective computer terminals, the sounds and / or images captured by said microphone and / or digital camera of the terminal of each speaker-speaker ( A) as soon as the microphone and / or digital camera of the latter is (are) activated (s). Communication interface according to claim 8, characterized in that it is designed so that, in response to the activation of the microphone and / or digital camera of the terminal of each speaker-speaker (A), the graphic avatars (3 -7) of the interveners (BF) of said communication group other than Γ speaker-speaker (A) be displayed on the screen of each speaker-speaker (A) with a respective distinguishing sign (3A-7A) indicating to the speaker-speaker that the speakers are able to perceive, with the help of their respective computer terminals, the sounds and / or images picked up by said microphone and / or digital camera from the terminal of said speaker-speaker (A), - communication interface according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it is designed to signal all speakers of said communication group activating said microphone and / or digital camera of each speaker-speaker. - Communication interface according to claim 7 characterized in that it is designed so that any speaker (B ~ F) of said communication group that is not speaker-speaker can perceive the sounds and / or images captured by said microphone and / or digital camera of the terminai of another intervener of said communication group which is not him intervener-lecturer only if his graphic avatar is separated from the graphic avatar of said other speaker a distance lower or equal to a third predetermined value (D). - Communication interface according to one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that said graphic object (9) is associated with a predetermined functionality of said communication interface, said functionality being accessible to stakeholders whose graphical avatars are distant from said graphic object {9} by a distance less than or equal to a fourth predetermined value. 1 - Communication method between speakers (AG) each having a screen, in which:

a virtual space (1) as well as graphical avatars (2-8) which respectively represent each of said speakers (A-G). are displayed on said screens,

each participant (A-G) controls the displacement of his respective graphic avatar (2-8) in said virtual space (1), said method being characterized in that it comprises at least one step of automatically forming a communication group, the latter including:

each of the intervening parties (AF) whose respective graphic avatar (2-7) is part of a first group of avatars in which each member is distant from at least one other member of a distance less than or equal to a first predetermined value,

and / or each of said operators (AF) whose respective graphic avatar (2-7) is part of a second group of avatars each member of which is remote from a graphic object (9) positioned in said virtual space ( 1) from a distance of less than or equal to a second predetermined value, said method further comprising a step in which is assigned to at least one of the speakers of the communication group a special speaker-speaker status to which are associated with at least one of the following properties:

the graphical avatar (2) of each speaker-speaker (A) has a distinct visual sign which makes it possible to visually distinguish it from all the graphical avatars (3-7) of the other speakers (B-F) of the communication group;

- each speaker-speaker (A) has the possibility to simultaneously address audio and / or video to all other stakeholders of the communication group. Computer program comprising computer program code means adapted to perform the steps of a method according to claim 11 when said program is executed on a computer. - Computer program according to claim 12 implemented on a computer readable medium. - A computer readable medium on which a program according to claim 12 is recorded.