METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTING A MESSAGE TO A WEARER OF A WRISTWATCH

Description

technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a method of disseminating a message to a wearer of a watch and a system implementing such a method.

[0002] The invention also relates to a system for broadcasting a message to a wearer of a watch, as well as a computer program. Technological background

[0003] In the prior art, various methods are used to transmit a message via a timepiece. For example, methods are known for printing such a message on a part of the timepiece, such as the strap, so that the wearer, to whom the message is addressed, can read it as soon as they are in possession of the timepiece. Other methods are also known for transmitting this message via a screen integrated into a component of the timepiece, such as the dial. These methods employ telecommunications technologies to disseminate the message between a remote server and the timepiece equipped with the screen. US 2014 / 036640 A1 discloses the features of the preamble to claim 1. However, such methods present a major drawback related to the security and confidentiality of the message transmission.Indeed, individuals other than the wearer of the timepiece can also become aware of this message as soon as they are in possession of this timepiece.

[0004] It is understandable that there is therefore a need to find an alternative solution, in particular one that does not have the disadvantages of the previous art. Summary of the invention

[0005] In this regard, the invention relates to a method of disseminating a message to a wearer of a watch according to claim 1.

[0006] In other embodiments: The digitization step includes a substep of acquiring the graphic representation, providing for the arrangement of the electronic device in the immediate vicinity of the watch so that a capture module of the electronic device is positioned opposite this graphic representation located in the aperture of the dial; the transmission step includes a substep of decoding a matrix code included in the graphic representation in order to obtain sequences of binary information comprising data relating to a location of a digital file including said message; the transmission step includes a substep of generating by the electronic device a request to obtain a digital file including message data from sequences of binary information comprising data relating to a location of said digital file;The transmission stage includes a sub-stage of transmission by the trusted third party's server to the electronic device of a digital file containing message data; the transmission stage includes a sub-stage of message data processing comprising a phase of generating a message broadcast signal; the processing sub-stage includes a phase of transmitting this broadcast signal to the electronic device's broadcast interface.

[0007] The invention also relates to a system for disseminating a message to a wearer of a watch comprising said watch and elements capable of communicating with each other such as an electronic device and a server of a trusted third party providing messages, said watch comprising a dial provided with a window in which is displayed a graphic representation relating to said message capable of being disseminated by the electronic device.

[0008] The invention also relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of this process, when said computer program is executed by the processing units of the electronic device and a server of a trusted third-party message provider. Brief description of the figures

[0009] The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, in which: there figure 1 represents a system for disseminating a message to a wearer of a watch, according to one embodiment of the invention; the figure 2 represents a watch of the system comprising a graphic representation contained within a window of said watch according to the embodiment of the invention; the figure 3represents an electronic device and the watch of the system cooperating together to carry out the dissemination of a message to the wearer of the watch, and the figure 4 represents a flowchart relating to a method of disseminating a message to a wearer of the watch. Detailed description of the invention

[0010] There figure 1 represents a system for disseminating 1 a message to a wearer of a watch 2 via an electronic device 3 after the latter has captured at least one graphic representation 8 relating to said message 16, included on / in a dial 4 of said watch 2 implemented in this system 1.

[0011] This system 1 includes: the watch 2; the electronic device 3; a server 6 of a trusted third-party message provider 16 comprising a database 9 equipped with a plurality of electronic files 7 relating to messages 16 that may be broadcast to the wearer of the watch 2, and a wireless and / or wired network architecture linking the electronic device 3 and the server 6 together.

[0012] Such a system 1 thus allows the wearer of the watch 2 visible on the figures 2 and 3to receive a visual and / or audible message 16 broadcast by the electronic device 3, said message 16 being associated with the graphic representation 8 present on / in the dial 4 of the watch 2. Such a watch 2 comprises a dial 4, for example, a hybrid display dial 4 which may then be provided with a first analog display component and a second digital and / or alphanumeric display component. This watch 2 may also include a touch screen, a crown, and push buttons, each of which serves as a control element 10 of this watch 2 for the implementation of different functions of this watch 2. In this watch 2, the graphic representation 8 is preferably intended to be displayed in an opening 5 defined in the dial 4 of the watch 2, forming the window 5.More precisely, this graphic representation 8 is contained on a disc 11 of this watch 2, positioned relative to the dial 4 so as to allow, on command, the graphic representation 8 contained on its surface to be positioned in the aperture 5 of this dial 4. This disc 11 is preferably a rotating / movable disc, such as a date disc, which includes on its surface, in addition to the graphic representation 8, symbols relating to different or similar horometric information. This horometric information may include, for example, the date, the annual cycle number, or the name of the current month. It should be noted that this surface of the disc 11, on which the graphic representation 8 and these symbols are defined, is located opposite a back face or non-visible face of the dial 4.In addition, the control organs 10 of this watch 2 are preferably in kinematic connection with the rotating disc 11 when the watch 2 includes a mechanical movement or in electronic connection with this disc 11 when it is equipped with an electronic movement.

[0013] In the present embodiment, this rotating disk 11 can be divided into thirty-two consecutive positions comprising thirty-one positions representing the dates of the current month and a thirty-second position located between the first and the thirty-first position, comprising the graphic representation 8.

[0014] This graphic representation 8 visible on the figure 2This includes a matrix code. This matrix code can be a two- or three-dimensional barcode. For example, it can include a QR code or a Data Matrix code. This matrix code comprises sequences of binary information that are encoded / encrypted. In graphical representation 8, the matrix code comprises sequences of binary information containing data relating to a location within a digital file 7 containing message data 16. In other words, this data, in this embodiment, relates to a hyperlink allowing the retrieval of the digital file 7 from the server 6. It is understood that such data can, in another embodiment, be an identifying element of this digital file 7, allowing the server 6, upon receiving a request containing this identifying element, to transmit this file 7 to the electronic device 3.This request is of course initially generated and transmitted to server 6 by electronic device 3.

[0015] Such a message 16, contained in the digital file 7, is therefore transmitted to this electronic device 3 by the server 6. Such a server 6 thus comprises the database 9 containing digital files 7 relating to the messages 16 that can be broadcast by the electronic device 3, and optionally, for each of these digital files 7, an identification element. This server 6 also includes a processing unit 12 equipped with hardware and software resources, in particular at least one processor cooperating with memory elements. The server 6 also includes a communication unit for receiving and transmitting data remotely via the cellular telephone network, an IP data network via the telephone network, or an IP data network via a wired Ethernet network.

[0016] In this system 1, it is understood that the dissemination of messages 16 via the electronic device 3 can result in particular from a flow of content data and web application data from this server 6.

[0017] Furthermore, the electronic device 3 in this system 1 may include, for example: a computer, a smartphone, a terminal, or a tablet. Such an electronic device 3 may be mobile and / or portable and / or compact. This electronic device 3 includes, but is not limited to: a processing unit 13 comprising hardware and software resources in particular at least one processor cooperating with memory elements; a message broadcasting interface 14 such as a screen or a speaker-type sound module; a communication interface enabling the electronic device 3 to establish a communication link with the trusted third party's server 6 for the purpose of exchanging data 17; a selection interface such as a keyboard or a touch interface, and a capture module 15 of at least one image including in particular at least one image sensor otherwise called a matrix image sensor which may for example include sensors of CCD technology (charge transfer technology) or of so-called CMOS technology.

[0018] In this electronic device 3, the processing unit 13 is connected, among other things, to the broadcast interface 14, the communication interface, the capture module 15, and the selection interface. The communication interface of this electronic device 3 includes communication elements for receiving and transmitting data remotely via the cellular telephone network, an IP data network via the telephone network, or an IP data network via a medium-range network, for example, Wi-Fi, or a short-range network based on Bluetooth technology.

[0019] In the capture module 15, each image sensor comprises a matrix of photosensitive image points (or pixels). This matrix of points is also referred to here as the "pixel matrix" and comprises NxM individual pixels with excellent light sensitivity. The capture module 15 also includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) connected to the processing unit 13 of the electronic device 3.

[0020] With reference to the figure 3Such a system 1 is capable of implementing a method for disseminating this message 16 to the wearer of the watch 2. This method includes a display step 20 of said graphic representation 8 in the aperture 5 of the dial 4. Such a step 20 includes a substep 21 of selecting the graphic representation 8 to be displayed in said aperture 5, providing for the actuation of at least one control element 10 of said watch 2. During this substep 21, the actuation of said at least one element 10 causes / generates the movement of the rotating disc 11 relative to the dial 4 and in particular relative to the aperture 5 defined in this dial 4. This movement of the rotating disc 11 is carried out until it reaches a position allowing said at least one graphic representation 8 to be arranged in or in view of this aperture 5.In other words, when the rotating disc 11 is divided into thirty-two consecutive positions with thirty-one positions representing the dates of the current month and a thirty-second position, including the graphic representation 8, located between the first and the thirty-first position, then the movement of the rotating disc 11 is carried out until this thirty-second position is located opposite the aperture 5. When this thirty-second position is located opposite the aperture 5, then the graphic representation 8 included on the disc 11 is visible on the dial through this aperture 5.

[0021] The process then includes a digitization step 22 by the electronic device 3 of the graphic representation 8 displayed in the window 5. This step 22 includes a substep 23 of acquiring this graphic representation 8, providing for the arrangement of the electronic device 3 in the immediate vicinity of the watch 2 so that the capture module 15 is positioned opposite this graphic representation 8 located in the window 5 of the dial 4. During this substep 23, the pixel matrix detects at least one image from the graphic representation 8 and then generates analog signals relating to this representation 8. The analog-to-digital converter of the capture module 15 then converts these analog signals from this pixel matrix into digital signals which are transmitted to the processing unit 13 of the electronic device 3.

[0022] Subsequently, this process includes a step 24 in which the electronic device 3 transmits the message 16 associated with the graphical representation 8. To this end, this step 24 includes a substep 25 for decoding the matrix code contained in the graphical representation 8 in order to obtain binary information sequences containing data relating to a remote location within the digital file 7 containing message data. During this substep 25, the processing unit 13 applies a decoding algorithm to the digital signals in order to obtain the binary information sequences containing data relating to a location within this digital file 7. These binary information sequences preferably include, in this embodiment, a hyperlink.

[0023] This transmission step 24 then includes a sub-step of generation 26 by the electronic device 3 of a request to obtain the digital file 7 comprising said message data from the binary information sequences containing the data relating to the location of said digital file 7. During this sub-step 26, this request is generated in this embodiment in particular from the hyperlink.

[0024] This transmission step 24 also includes a substep 27 of transmitting the digital file 7 from the trusted third party's server 6 to the electronic device 3. Following this substep 27, the processing unit 13 of the electronic device 3 implements, during this transmission step 24, a processing substep 28 of the message data contained in said digital file 7, comprising a generation phase 29 of a message broadcast signal 16 and a transmission phase 30 of this broadcast signal to the broadcast interface 14 of the electronic device 3. This transmission step 24 then includes a generation substep 31 of the message 16 from the received broadcast signal. This message 16 thus generated then comprises: an audio stream corresponding to a sound message 16; a light stream corresponding to a two-dimensional or three-dimensional photographic message 16, or a two-dimensional or three-dimensional graphic message 16; a light stream corresponding to a two-dimensional or three-dimensional video message 16, or simultaneous audio and light streams corresponding to an audio-video message 16.

[0025] In addition, it should be noted that message 16 can also correspond to confidential or private data specific to the wearer and useful for accessing personalized services. This data includes, for example, keys, certificates, authentication codes, passwords, and personal codes that allow for a secure connection of the watch to a private company network, authentication with secure servers such as a banking server, or secure messaging for sending and receiving signed and / or encrypted emails.

[0026] It should be noted that the process can provide for the establishment of a secure link between the electronic device 3 and the server 6 during the data exchanges 17 carried out between them.

[0027] The invention also relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of steps of the process described above when said computer program is executed by the processing units 12, 13 of the server 6 and the electronic device 3.

Claims

1. Method for broadcasting a message (16) to a wearer of a watch (2) comprising: - a step (20) of displaying said graphical representation (8) in the aperture (5) of the dial (4), the display step (20) comprises a sub-step (21) of selecting the graphical representation (8) to be displayed in said aperture (5) involving the actuation of at least one control member (10) of said watch (2), characterised in that the method comprises the following steps: - a step (22) of digitising, by way of an electronic device (3), a graphical representation (8) displayed in said aperture (5) of the dial (4) of said watch (2), and - and a step (24) of transmitting, by way of said electronic device (3), the message (16) associated with said digitised graphical representation (8).

2. Method according claim 1, characterised in that the digitisation step (22) comprises a sub-step (23) of acquiring the graphical representation (8) involving the arrangement of the electronic device (3) in the immediate vicinity of the watch (2) such that an acquisition module (15) of the electronic device (3) is disposed facing this graphical representation (8) situated in the aperture (5) of the dial (4).

3. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transmission step (24) comprises a sub-step (25) of decoding a matrix code comprised in the graphical representation (8) in order to obtain binary information sequences including data regarding a location of a digital file (7) comprising said message (16).

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transmission step (24) comprises a sub-step (26) of generating, by way of the electronic device (3), a request to obtain a digital file (7) comprising message data from binary information sequences comprising data regarding a location of said digital file (7).

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transmission step (24) comprises a sub-step (27) of transmitting, by way of the server (6) of the trusted third party, a digital file (7) comprising message data to the electronic device (3).

6. Method according to any of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the transmission step (24) comprises a sub-step (28) of processing message data comprising a phase (29) of generating a broadcast signal for the message (16).

7. Method according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the processing sub-step (28) comprises a phase (30) of transmitting this broadcast signal to the broadcast interface of the electronic device (3).

8. System (1) for broadcasting a message (16) to a wearer of a watch (2) comprising said watch (2) and elements capable of communicating with one another such as an electronic device (3) and a server (6) of a trusted third-party provider of messages (16), said watch (2) comprising a dial (4) provided with an aperture (5) in which is displayed a graphical representation (8) relative to said message (16) capable of being broadcast by the electronic device (3).

9. Computer program product comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of the method according to any of claims 1 to 7, when said computer program is executed by the processing units (12, 13) of the electronic device (3) and of a server (6) of a trusted third-party provider of messages (16).