Timepiece provided with a display for the adaptive selection of manual commands

Abstract

A timepiece provided with a display for the adaptive selection of manual commands is disclosed. The invention relates to a timepiece (1) intended to transmit commands to an external device (70), comprising: - a digital display (6); - a wireless communication circuit (82); - a manual selection interface (5, 6); - a microphone (87); - a processing unit (81) configured to: o transmit a command to the external device (70) depending on an audible signal received on the microphone (87); o define a list of command suggestions to display depending on a history of previously selected commands, on environmental criteria, on behavioral criteria, on physiological criteria of the wearer of the timepiece or on status criteria of the external device; o display on the digital display (6) a command interface comprising said command suggestions (Cmd1, Cmd2, Cmd3, Cmd4, Cmd5, Cmd6, Cmd7) of the defined list.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to timepieces designed to assist their users in controlling other devices. Background Technology

[0002] Because of their immediate availability and the fact that they are often worn permanently by the user, timepieces are ideally positioned to function as remote controls. This new type of timepiece thus constitutes a selection tool for acquiring commands from the user for other devices. Such devices may include, for example, televisions, audio systems, home automation systems, or portable headphones.

[0003] New timepieces have emerged, featuring microphones designed to capture voice commands and radio interfaces designed to transmit them to relevant devices or gateways. A processing device, either within the timepiece or remotely, converts the audible signals received from the microphone into digital commands for use with the relevant devices. The availability of voice commands is particularly useful during driving motor vehicles, sporting activities, cycling trips, or even domestic activities that may leave the user's hands immobile.

[0004] In some situations, voice commands may not be suitable. Therefore, when the environment is too noisy, the audible signal received at the microphone may not be of sufficient quality to allow voice commands to be translated into digital commands for the relevant devices. On the other hand, environments may require forced quiet, such as public places or public transport.

[0005] It is known in the prior art that timepieces enable users to input commands. Such timepieces typically have a digital display screen and a selection interface, for example, in the form of touch detection on the surface of the digital display screen. Such a screen may display a command interface to the controlled device, including multiple command suggestions. When one of the displayed commands is selected via the selection interface, it is subsequently transmitted to the controlled device.

[0006] However, such timepieces have many drawbacks. In practice, with limited available surfaces on the digital display screen, the command suggestions may be rather unsuitable, resulting in only a few commands being suggested simultaneously. Furthermore, the manual command selection mode is tedious to use if some of these commands are unavailable or inappropriate.

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to address one or more of these drawbacks. Summary of the Invention

[0008] One object of the present invention is to have a timepiece that can display a command interface of a controlled or external device, the command interface being clear, accurate, intuitive, effective and / or adapted to meet the user's assistance needs as close as possible to the device within the scope of controlling the external device.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to have a timepiece that can dynamically generate the command interface for controlling the external device based on the user's assistance needs.

[0010] In this context, the present invention relates to a timepiece intended for transmitting commands to an external device, comprising:

[0011] - Digital display;

[0012] - Wireless communication circuitry with external devices;

[0013] - Manual selection interface;

[0014] -microphone;

[0015] - Processing unit, which is configured as follows:

[0016] ○ Depending on the audible signal received at the microphone, commands are transmitted to external devices via wireless communication circuitry;

[0017] ○ The list of command suggestions to be displayed is limited based on the history of previously selected commands, environmental standards, behavioral standards, the physiological standards of the watch wearer, or the status standards of external devices;

[0018] ○ A command interface that displays the command suggestions, including the defined list, on a digital display;

[0019] ○ Select the command displayed on the digital display through the manual selection interface;

[0020] Depending on the command that identifies the selection, the command is transmitted to the external device via a wireless communication circuit.

[0021] According to one variant, the timepiece further includes an interface for measuring the physiological data of the timepiece wearer, and the processing unit is configured to limit the list of command suggestions to be displayed based on the physiological criteria of the timepiece wearer.

[0022] According to another variation, the timepiece further includes a geolocation device, and the processing unit is configured to limit the list of command suggestions to be displayed based on the location of the timepiece determined by the geolocation device.

[0023] According to another variant, the timepiece further includes a memory that stores one or more of the last transmitted commands, and the processing unit is configured to define a list of command suggestions to be displayed by including one or more of the stored last commands or one or more commands opposite to those last commands.

[0024] According to another variation, the timepiece further includes an accelerometer, and the processing unit is configured to limit the list of command suggestions to be displayed based on the acceleration measured by the accelerometer.

[0025] According to another variation, the processing unit is configured to limit the list of command suggestions to be displayed based on the status criteria detected for an external device positioned close to the timepiece.

[0026] In another variant, the manual selection interface is a touchscreen associated with a digital display.

[0027] Advantageously, in another variation, the processing unit implements a learning algorithm that dynamically contributes to generating the command interface, including command suggestions, on the digital display. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Other specific features and advantages will become apparent from the accompanying figures by way of indicative and non-limiting examples, as described below:

[0029] - Figure 1 This is a top view of an example of a watch from which the present invention can be implemented;

[0030] - Figure 2 This is an example of direct communication between the watch and multiple external devices;

[0031] - Figure 3 This is an example of a watch communicating with multiple external devices via a smartphone;

[0032] - Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A magnified top view of the various display areas on the watch's screen;

[0033] - Figure 5 It is a magnified top view of the first level of the command;

[0034] - Figure 6 It is a magnified top view displayed in the second level of the command;

[0035] - Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the tree structure displayed by the command;

[0036] - Figure 8 The diagram illustrates communication with the server. Figure 1 The watch. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Figure 1 The schematic representation of a timepiece, shown as a top view of a watch 1, is provided for illustrative purposes and to which the invention may be implemented. The watch 1 includes a case 2 provided with a central portion. The watch 1 includes a strap 3 secured to the case 2. For this purpose, the watch 1 includes two lugs 21 on either side of its central portion, each lug arranged to secure a different strand of the strap 3. The watch 1 includes an activatable element 5 located on the side of the case 2, which may be, for example, a push-button, a crown, or a winding button.

[0038] exist Figure 3 In this watch, the case 2 includes a receiving space 4 defined by a central portion and housing digital components. The receiving space 4 of the watch 1 is enclosed by a digital display 6. The display 6 can be supported by the central portion in a manner known per se and is securely fixed to the central portion by a suitable method.

[0039] In addition to basic time-sequential indication functions, digital component 8 can use display 6 to show a command interface including command suggestions for controlled or external devices. Digital component 8 can be integrated on the same electronic circuit or broken down into various electronic components or circuits. Digital component 8 includes a processing unit 81 or controller, wireless communication circuitry 82, geolocation device 83, interface 84 for measuring or receiving physiological data, and accelerometer 85. Digital component 8 may also include a database 86 (e.g., stored in non-volatile memory) and a microphone 87. For completeness, digital component 8 includes a combination of multiple functions, and the invention can certainly be implemented using only some of them.

[0040] As we have already mentioned, external devices are electronic devices that can be remotely controlled by this watch via a wireless link. These can be televisions, audio systems and / or video equipment, home automation systems, toys, or even portable headphones, etc., in an unrestricted and non-exhaustive manner.

[0041] The processing unit 81 is specifically configured to transmit commands to at least one external device based on audible signals received at the microphone 87. Such commands are transmitted via a wireless communication circuit 82. The processing unit 81 may be specifically provided with voice recognition functionality to identify phonemes spoken by the user and to identify possible commands from a list of possible commands for the external device. The identified commands are transmitted via the wireless communication circuit 82.

[0042] Figure 2This schematically illustrates the possibility for watch 1 to transmit commands for controlling various devices 71, 72, or 73 via its wireless communication circuit 82. Here, watch 1 is autonomous and capable of sending such commands directly to devices 71 to 73.

[0043] Figure 3 This schematically illustrates the possibility for watch 1 to transmit commands for controlling various devices 71 to 73 via its wireless communication circuitry, using a smartphone or tablet 70 as a relay. The smartphone or tablet 70 is configured to execute various applications, each configured to control a corresponding device 71 to 73. The applications of the smartphone or tablet 70 are then used as relays for commands transmitted from the watch to the devices 71 to 73.

[0044] In noisy environments or situations requiring quiet, users also have a manual command selection interface for external devices.

[0045] Figure 4 This is a top view of watch 1 at its digital display 6. The digital display 6 here includes multiple display areas 61 to 67, which can be used by the processing unit 81 to display command suggestions. The processing unit 81 can be configured to display the number and distribution of different display areas of this illustration, specifically depending on the number of suggested commands. It will be noted that these display areas can be viewed by manually selecting various corresponding active / selectable portions of the interface.

[0046] The interface for manually selecting commands may include, for example, a touch surface of display 6, allowing commands to be selected by directly pressing on one of the activatable / selectable portions corresponding to one of display areas 61 to 67. The manual selection interface may also include an activatable unit 5 for sequentially pre-selecting individual display areas (e.g., via a short press) and then selecting the corresponding command for the pre-selected display area (e.g., via a long press).

[0047] As in Figure 5 As shown in the diagram, display 6 displays commands Cmd1, Cmd2, Cmd3, Cmd4, Cmd5, Cmd6, and Cmd7 in various display areas. These commands can be first-level suggested commands, such as selections of external devices or shortcuts to the last selected command, or the opposite of the last selected command. The display of the last selected command can be performed by mentioning descriptions such as "last command," "second to last command," or by explicitly repeating the contents of these commands.

[0048] Reference Figure 7By selecting one of the commands, the display 6 can show other commands according to the tree structure. Therefore, by selecting one command, Cmd1 (e.g., an external device identifier), the display 6 can show other commands Cmd11, Cmd12, Cmd13, Cmd14, Cmd15, Cmd16, and Cmd17, as shown in... Figure 6 As illustrated in the diagram (to suggest, for example, commands specifically designed for the selected external device). It should be understood that some or all of the selected commands Cmd11, Cmd12, Cmd13, Cmd14, Cmd15, Cmd16, and Cmd17 may also include other commands, such as command Cmd11, which includes commands Cmd111 through Cmd117.

[0049] Continuous display can correspond to the use of Figure 7 The example diagram illustrates a tree structure. The first level of the tree structure can suggest specific commands, such as those selected from the following lists: Start, Stop, On, Off, Decrease. The second level of the tree structure can suggest commands associated with parameters, such as those selected from the following lists: Volume, Brightness, Speed. The third level of the tree structure can suggest various external devices that can be used with the commands, such as those selected from the following lists: TV, Connected Case, Headphones, etc. The fourth level of the tree structure can suggest various amplitudes for certain commands, such as 30%, Half, 80%, corresponding to increase or decrease commands, for example.

[0050] Using such a tree structure system, it is possible to transmit commands to external devices after selecting a combination of multiple consecutive commands through a manual selection interface.

[0051] Processing unit 81 is further configured to consider one of the following criteria to limit the list of command suggestions to be displayed (e.g., for all commands Cmd1, Cmd2, Cmd3, Cmd4, Cmd5, Cmd6, and Cmd7): the history of commands previously selected by the user, environmental criteria, physiological criteria of the wearer of watch 1, behavioral criteria of the wearer of watch 1, or status criteria of external devices. Processing unit 81 is further configured to display a command interface on digital display 6 including the command suggestions limited in the list. Processing unit 81 is further configured to subsequently identify the selection of one of the commands displayed on display 6 via its manual selection interface. Processing unit 81 is then configured to, for example, depending on the command whose selection has been identified, transmit the command to one of external devices 71 to 73 or smartphone 70. The transmission of the command is performed via wireless communication circuitry 82.

[0052] Therefore, when the microphone receives an audible command that is unavailable or undesirable, the watch 1, and especially its processing unit 81 connected to the selection interface, has the possibility of resuming the manual command. Furthermore, due to the intelligent management of at least one command displayed on the display 6, the resumption of the manual command has optimized ergonomics so as not to make operation tedious.

[0053] In this configuration, the watch's processing unit 81 can implement computer programs, such as learning algorithms, that dynamically generate a command interface on the digital display 6, including command suggestions for the user. Alternatively or additionally, the processing unit 81 executing the algorithm can proactively generate at least one command and transmit it to at least one external device, thus preventing any interaction between the user and the selection interface. It will be noted that such a watch can, in particular, control one or more external devices simultaneously.

[0054] Such learning algorithms are known as "machine learning algorithms." More specifically, they relate here to learning algorithms related to past command selections via a manually selected interface. This algorithm can be preferably supervised and is also referred to as an automated training object of machine learning. Based on data recovered in database 86, processing unit 81 can be trained based on at least one neural network and / or analytical functions and / or multinomial regression principles. Within its execution scope, the algorithm is capable of generating command suggestions to be displayed and can also learn whether certain commands have a greater probability of being selected in a given context by combining, for example, previously selected commands with other data such as environmental standards, physiological standards of the wearer of watch 1, behavioral standards of the wearer of watch 1, or status standards of external devices.

[0055] In this embodiment, by executing the algorithm, the processing unit 81 can generate a history of commands previously selected by the user. To this end, the processing unit 81 can detect from the selection interface at least one active portion corresponding to at least one display area 61 to 67, which belongs to the last command selected by the user and may have the highest selection probability, or conversely, may determine whether a command opposite to the last command may have that higher selection probability. For this purpose, the learning algorithm can take into account previously selected commands and contextual elements. Therefore, the database 86 will be able to store a specific number of histories of last selected commands. The contents of the database 86 can be used, for example, as learning content for such a learning algorithm.

[0056] In this scenario, the physiological parameters of the wearer of watch 1 can be used by the algorithm implemented by processing unit 81. In practice, processing unit 81 can be configured to use data provided by the interface for measuring physiological data 84. Among other parameters that can be provided to take into account this physiological data are, for example, pulse, blood oxygen saturation, skin resistance, blood pressure, respiratory rate, respiratory arrhythmia, skin temperature, sweating rate, or blood flow rate. For instance, it is possible to consider a heart rate slowing below a certain threshold to suggest a command to turn off the television in order to predict the user's drowsiness. The interface itself used to measure or receive physiological data is known to those skilled in the art.

[0057] The algorithms executed by processing unit 81 may also take into account environmental criteria. More specifically, processing unit 81 may be configured to use data provided by digital component 8. By way of example, these environmental criteria may include noise levels provided by microphone 87 connected to processing unit 81, ambient light levels provided by a photosensor (not shown), the position of watch 1 calculated by accelerometer 85, or atmospheric conditions determined by pressure sensor (not shown) or geolocation device 83.

[0058] In this embodiment, the processing unit 81 executing the algorithm may also consider the status criteria of the external device, such as, for example, the device's power status—on, standby, off, the distance between the watch 1 and the external device, and operating parameters (if a television is involved: the television's sound level relative to ambient noise, the television's brightness level relative to ambient brightness, operating time, etc.). If the surrounding lights are marked as off and the watch is determined to be at a short distance from these lights, an on command can be suggested, for example, for a home automation application.

[0059] The processing unit 81 executing the algorithm can also consider behavioral criteria, such as measurements of the user's activity level using accelerometer 85 or geolocation device 83, or identifiers of movements or a series of movements performed by the user / wearer of the watch from accelerometer 85, in order to detect, for example, physical exercise or activity. By detecting physical exercise, a list of suggested commands can be built by estimating when the user is wearing the headphones and wishes to select a command.

[0060] Advantageously, it is conceivable that the processing unit 81 is configured to proactively send one of the suggested commands to an external device. For example, after a command to turn off the television has already been suggested during the detection of a slowed heart rate, the processing unit 81 would be able to autonomously send the turn-off command after the duration of the display on the digital display 6.

[0061] The learning algorithm can be implemented remotely, for example, on the smartphone 70 or on the server 9 communicating with the watch 1 (e.g., in...). Figure 8(As shown in the diagram), so that advanced resources can be available if possible. Since the training data can be based on locally available data, learning can be optimized and tailored to the user of Watch 1.

[0062] Display 6 can be a general-purpose display used sequentially by various functions of watch 1. Alternatively, it is conceivable that display 6 is a general-purpose display used simultaneously by various functions of the watch.

[0063] The processing unit 81 can be implemented in the form of a controller microphone or a digital processor. The functionality of the processing unit 81 can be partially remote from the watch 1. For example, the speech recognition function or learning algorithm defining the predictive model for selecting commands can be implemented on a remote server or on a smartphone 70 that may have more resources. For speech recognition, the audible signal received by the watch 1 can be transmitted to a remote device via wireless communication circuitry 82, which can then send back to the watch 1 a transcription of the audible signal as a sequence of characters or words identified by the speech recognition function.

[0064] The wireless communication circuit 82 is configured to communicate wirelessly with external devices such as those mentioned above. The communication circuit 82 can communicate in a manner known per se according to any suitable radio protocol.

[0065] The geolocation device 83 is a known circuit that enables the generation of location information for watch 1. The geolocation device 83 can determine the real-time location of watch 1, for example, by communicating with satellite networks such as Global Positioning Service or Galileo.

[0066] Naming conventions

[0067] 1. Watch; 2. Case; 3. Strap; 4. Storage space; 5. Activated element; 6. Digital display; 7. Exposure display; 8. Digital component; 9. Server; 21. Lugs; 61. Display area; 62. Display area; 63. Display area; 64. Display area; 65. Display area; 66. Display area; 67. Display area; 70. Smartphone; 71. External device; 72. External device; 73. External device; 81. Processing unit; 82. Wireless communication circuit; 83. Geolocation device; 84. Physiological data interface; 85. Accelerometer; 86. Database; 87. Microphone; 91. Communication interface; 92. Database.

Claims

1. A timepiece (1) designed to transmit commands to external devices (70, 71, 72, 73), characterized in that, The timepiece (1) includes: Digital display (6); Wireless communication circuit with external devices (82); Manual selection interface (5, 6); Microphone (87); Processing unit (81), which is configured as follows: Depending on the audible signal received on the microphone (87), commands are transmitted to external devices (70, 71, 72, 73) via wireless communication circuitry; The list of command suggestions to be displayed is limited based on the history of previously selected commands, environmental standards, behavioral standards, the physiological standards of the wearer of the timepiece, or the status standards of external devices; A command interface is displayed on a digital display (6) including multiple command suggestions (Cmd1, Cmd2, Cmd3, Cmd4, Cmd5, Cmd6, Cmd7) from a defined list, wherein the multiple command suggestions included in the command interface constitute one of the levels in a tree structure. The selection of commands displayed on the digital display is indicated by a manual selection interface. Depending on the command that identifies the selection, the command is transmitted to the external devices (70, 71, 72, 73) via the wireless communication circuit (82).

2. The timepiece (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The timepiece includes an interface (84) for measuring physiological data of the wearer of the timepiece, and the processing unit (81) is configured to limit the list of command suggestions to be displayed based on the physiological criteria of the wearer of the timepiece.

3. The timepiece (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The timepiece includes a geolocation device (83), and the processing unit (81) is configured to limit the list of command suggestions to be displayed based on the location of the timepiece determined by the geolocation device (83).

4. The timepiece (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The timepiece includes a memory that stores one or more of the last transmitted commands, and the processing unit (81) is configured to define a list of command suggestions to be displayed by including one or more of the stored last commands or one or more commands opposite to those last commands.

5. The timepiece (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The timepiece includes an accelerometer (85), and the processing unit (81) is configured to limit the list of command suggestions to be displayed based on the acceleration measured by the accelerometer (85).

6. The timepiece (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The processing unit (81) is configured to limit the list of command suggestions to be displayed based on the status criteria detected for an external device located close to the timepiece.

7. The timepiece (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The manual selection interface is a touch screen associated with the digital display (6).

8. The timepiece (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The processing unit (81) implements a learning algorithm that contributes to dynamically generating a command interface, including command suggestions, on the digital display (6).

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