Waking up from standby mode of an electronic payment terminal

Abstract

Method for exiting a standby state of a communication terminal (10) configured to occupy at least one standby state and capable of communicating according to the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol with a remote electronic device (50), the method comprising the following steps: - a step (E32) of receiving, at the level of a Bluetooth device (11) of the communication terminal (10), a connection request, said request being sent by the electronic device (50) according to the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol; - a transmission step (E41), implemented by the Bluetooth device (11), of a message to a central control unit (15) of the communication terminal (10), said message including information that a connection request has been received at the level of the Bluetooth device (11);- a step (E42) of reception, by the central control unit (15), of the message containing the information that a connection request has been received at the level of the Bluetooth device (11); - a step (E43) of exiting the standby state of the communication terminal (10). Figure 2;

Description

Title of the invention: Exiting an electronic payment terminal from standby Technical field

[0001] The present invention, which belongs to the field of electronic means of payment, relates in particular to the management of the operation of a communication terminal. More particularly, the invention relates to a communication terminal of the electronic payment terminal (EPT) type. Preamble

[0002] Among the components of the customer experience, payment has become a major element of satisfaction or dissatisfaction which cannot now be neglected by a merchant.

[0003] In physical stores, the waiting time at the checkout can indeed have an impact on footfall in the medium term, to the extent that too long a waiting time can put some customers off returning regularly. In addition, a too limited range of available payment methods can also have the consequence of encouraging some potential customers to frequent other establishments.

[0004] At the same time, the gradual dematerialization of payment procedures is streamlining checkouts by making change, almost systematic in the case of cash payments, less and less frequent, as are identity checks inherent in check payments. In addition, the democratization of electronic payment methods is making the presence of electronic payment terminals (EPTs) in shops and points of sale more widespread.

[0005] Since their first introduction in the early 1980s, TPEs have evolved towards greater simplicity of operation in order to improve the user experience, whether on the merchant side or on the end customer side.

[0006] At the same time, TPEs have also developed technically, so that recent TPEs are now able to implement different payment procedures: payment with insertion of a bank card, contactless payment (with presentation, but without insertion, of a bank card), or payment without direct presentation of a bank card, that is to say by means of an electronic communication device, such as a smart mobile phone for example, allowing the dematerialization of a bank card or the implementation of an online payment application, banking or not, able to communicate directly with the TPEs.

[0007] In addition, VSEs must systematically comply with strict requirements in terms of security, in order to guarantee the confidentiality and protection in all circumstances of the banking data and funds they collect and transmit. In particular, it is appropriate to protect EPTs from possible computer attacks and to restrict their accessibility to authorized electronic devices only.

[0008] Finally, while the use of an EFT brings many advantages for a merchant, the fact remains that such use generates costs linked to the price of acquiring or renting the EFT, subscribing to certain banking services or even relating to the electricity consumption linked to the operation of the EFT. It is therefore appropriate to seek to reduce the consumption of electrical energy by EFTs, in order to reduce their operating costs.

[0009] More generally, it is appropriate to limit the energy consumption costs of electronic devices, and in particular the costs relating to the electrical energy consumption of a communication terminal.

[0010] Some retailers turn off their EFT at certain times of the day corresponding to off-peak hours during which very few customers visit their store. This prevents the EFT from consuming electrical energy unnecessarily at times when there are no checkouts. This option, however, has the disadvantage of requiring the retailer to turn their EFT back on if necessary at different times of the day, just before peak hours but also during off-peak hours, during an occasional checkout. However, turning on an EFT takes a certain amount of time because the device must then restart completely, which results in a time-consuming reset of its operating system, and this waiting time imposed on customers will have a negative impact on their satisfaction. In addition, the retailer may forget to turn off their EFT at the appropriate times, which will result in unnecessary overconsumption of energy.Furthermore, it is sometimes difficult, or even impossible in certain businesses, to predict in advance the number of people passing through the checkout, which means that the TPE cannot be left switched off during certain periods.

[0011] It is therefore necessary to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a method for managing the operation of a communication terminal, and for example an EFT, which is energy-efficient and simple to implement for users. General description

[0012] It is indeed appropriate to limit the electrical energy consumption of communication terminals, and for example of TPEs, at times when they are not or are little used, and this without negative impact on their operation, their availability, the user experience and the security of the data which passes through them.

[0013] To achieve the above objectives and overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, it is appropriate to take advantage of the use of a standby mode, or standby state (as opposed to the normal operating mode or normal operating state), which a communication terminal, such as for example an EPT, can occupy and in which, although switched on, the terminal consumes very little electrical energy in comparison with what is consumed when it operates normally (i.e. in normal operating mode or state).

[0014] Conventionally, communication terminals are in fact capable of occupying a normal operating state in which they are immediately available to perform the functions for which they were designed, and a standby state in which their electrical energy consumption, but also their availability, are reduced.

[0015] More specifically, in normal operating mode or state, an EPT is immediately available to carry out transactions, whereas in standby mode or standby state, it is necessary to wake it up, i.e. to bring it out of its standby state in order to be able to use it.

[0016] Generally speaking, when a communication terminal is on standby, some, or even most, of the electronic components of the terminal are switched off, which allows the communication terminal to reduce its electricity consumption.

[0017] According to one possibility, the standby mode or state is triggered manually, that is to say that a user will manipulate the communication terminal so as to make it enter the standby state and make it consume less energy than if it were in normal operation.

[0018] According to another possibility, the standby mode can also be triggered automatically, in particular following a period of inactivity of the terminal during which no action on the terminal has occurred: the terminal, having remained inactive for a predetermined period of time that can be configured by the user, then automatically goes into the standby state. This automatic transition to the standby state is advantageous.

[0019] Furthermore, the exit from standby of a communication terminal, in other words its transition from the standby state (or standby mode) to the normal operating state (or normal operating mode) generally takes less time, and consumes less electricity, than a switching on giving rise to a complete start-up of the terminal and an initialization of its operating system.

[0020] It is therefore necessary to allow a communication terminal, and in particular an EPT, to occupy a standby state when it is not intended to be used for a certain time, while allowing a rapid, or even immediate, exit from the standby state if it is necessary to use it.

[0021] To this end, the present application relates, according to a first aspect, to a method for exiting a standby state of a communication terminal configured to occupy at least one standby state and comprising a Bluetooth peripheral capable of communicating according to the low-energy Bluetooth protocol with a remote electronic device, the method comprising the following steps:

[0022] - a reception step, at the Bluetooth peripheral of the communication terminal communication, of a connection request to the communication terminal, said request being sent by the electronic device according to the low energy Bluetooth protocol;

[0023] - a step of transmitting, implemented by the Bluetooth device, a message to destination of a central control unit of the communication terminal, said message comprising information according to which a connection request has been received at the Bluetooth device;

[0024] - a step of reception, by the central control unit, of the message comprising information that a connection request has been received at the Bluetooth device;

[0025] - Following the reception step, a step of exiting the standby state of the terminal of communication.

[0026] According to the method of the invention, the communication terminal is exited from standby mode without contact or direct manipulation on the communication terminal. The exit from standby mode is carried out remotely by means of a message exchange implemented between the communication terminal and an electronic device.

[0027] The communication terminal and the electronic device both support the Bluetooth communication protocol, and are in particular capable of communicating with each other via the Bluetooth low energy protocol, also known as Bluetooth low energy (designated BLE, for Bluetooth Low Energy, in English terminology).

[0028] The communication terminal therefore comprises a Bluetooth peripheral compatible with BLE. Similarly, the electronic device comprises a Bluetooth peripheral compatible with BLE.

[0029] According to one possibility, the communication terminal is a smart mobile phone (also referred to as a Smartphone, according to the terminology used in English).

[0030] According to another possibility, the communication terminal is an electronic tablet.

[0031] According to another possibility, the communication terminal is a computer, for example a portable computer (also referred to as a laptop, according to the terminology used in English).

[0032] According to yet another possibility, the communication terminal is an electronic payment terminal, or EPT. According to this possibility, the electronic device being controlled by the merchant who operates the EPT, the latter can therefore manually control the exit from standby of his EPT by means of said electronic device.

[0033] According to one possibility, the electronic device is capable of automatically controlling the exit from standby of the TPE when this proves necessary.

[0034] According to one possibility, the electronic device is an electronic cash register installed in a business and having a Bluetooth peripheral compatible with BLE. According to this possibility, the electronic cash register is therefore able to communicate in BLE with the EFT. The electronic cash register is also able to automatically wake the EFT from standby, when the electronic cash register determines that a payment by bank card must be made.

[0035] An electronic cash register is generally coupled with a cash drawer arranged to collect cash, and a scanner configured to scan barcodes of product labels.

[0036] According to another possibility, the electronic device is a communication terminal of the smart mobile telephone type.

[0037] According to yet another possibility, the electronic device is an electronic tablet.

[0038] Finally, according to another possibility, the electronic device is a laptop computer.

[0039] According to a non-limiting possibility, the electronic device operates via the iOS operating system.

[0040] According to another non-limiting possibility, the electronic device operates via the Android operating system.

[0041] TPEs generally have a user interface including in particular a numeric keypad configured to allow the entry of information such as a bank secret code or a sum of money to be debited for example, and a screen configured to display different information for the different users.

[0042] Most TPEs also include a battery allowing them to operate autonomously, i.e. without needing to be continuously connected to the mains.

[0043] Most TPEs can also rest on a base or stand when they are not in direct use, in particular to allow their battery to be recharged electrically. When they need to be used, such TPEs can be removed from their base in order to be presented to a customer, for example so that the latter can insert their bank card or enter their confidential code.

[0044] Most modern TPEs are wireless, that is to say they are not permanently connected to their base by means of an electrical cord or wire. Such TPEs therefore have the advantage of being able to be used remotely from their base and include a battery ensuring their energy autonomy.

[0045] Other, older TPEs are wired to their base and do not necessarily include a battery.

[0046] The invention applies, according to one possibility, to any type of TPEs, and as explained previously, the invention applies in particular to all TPEs comprising a Bluetooth peripheral compatible with BLE.

[0047] More generally, the invention applies to any communication terminal capable of occupying a standby mode and comprising a Bluetooth peripheral compatible with BLE.

[0048] The use of the Bluetooth communication standard is particularly advantageous insofar as the implementation of the invention does not require any infrastructure or equipment other than an electronic device compatible with the Bluetooth standard.

[0049] A wake-up call, or an exit from standby, of the communication terminal via WIFI, on the other hand, would in fact require the presence of a WIFI terminal to which the communication terminal would be connected, and such a terminal is not necessary for Bluetooth.

[0050] One of the advantages of the invention is therefore to allow savings in terms of equipment necessary for its implementation, which generates a cost saving (linked to the purchase of such equipment), and an energy saving (linked to the electricity consumption of such equipment and to the necessary data exchanges between the latter and the communication terminal).

[0051] Furthermore, the use of BLE (i.e., as a reminder, low energy Bluetooth) is particularly advantageous, for various reasons set out below.

[0052] When the communication terminal is in the standby state, its Bluetooth peripheral is also in the standby state and it is only the reception of the message comprising the connection request from the electronic device which will bring the Bluetooth peripheral out of its standby state.

[0053] Thus, the method of the invention allows the Bluetooth peripheral of the communication terminal to occupy the standby state when the latter is in the standby state while being able to exit this standby state at any time following the reception of a simple connection request message from an electronic device.

[0054] Indeed, and contrary to what would be the case if the exit from standby of the communication terminal was controlled by the sending of a message according to the Bluetooth standard In conventional Bluetooth (as opposed to Bluetooth Low Energy, or BLE), no Bluetooth connection necessarily needs to be maintained between the communication terminal and the electronic device when the communication terminal is in standby mode. Maintaining such a connection would also consume electrical energy, and it is therefore particularly advantageous to do without it.

[0055] The exit from standby, or waking up, of the communication terminal by low-energy Bluetooth also has the advantage of not requiring pairing between the communication terminal and the electronic device. In the case of the exit from standby of an EPT, in particular, no manual pairing that must comply with the security requirements related to the use of EPTs must be performed. It is in fact particularly advantageous to avoid the need to carry out such manual pairing, which entails the need for manual validation, carried out by the user both on the EPT and on the electronic device. Such manual pairing, which should be implemented in the case of using the classic Bluetooth mode to wake up the EPT, has the disadvantage of taking a significant amount of time, of the order of 20 to 30 seconds, in addition to consuming a significant amount of electrical energy.

[0056] Applied specifically to TPEs, the invention therefore allows, compared to a solution using classic Bluetooth, a saving of time and a reduction in electrical energy consumption when waking up the TPE, and businesses comprising several TPEs which have to come out of standby simultaneously will be able, in particular, to benefit from the invention.

[0057] At the same time and more generally, the use of BLE implies, compared to classic Bluetooth, a reduction in the power of the signals emitted by the communication terminal and by the electronic device, and therefore an overall reduction in the electrical energy used for the emission of these signals. A link via BLE requires that the communication terminal and the electronic device intended to communicate via this link are sufficiently close to each other.

[0058] Thus, in the context of the invention applied to TPEs, the electronic device intended to wake up the TPE must be sufficiently close to the TPE, which in practice is generally the case.

[0059] An electronic cash register and the associated EPT are, in practice, close enough to each other to be able to communicate via a BLE link.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the communication terminal is configured to also occupy a normal operating state, and the step of exiting the standby state corresponds to a transition of the communication terminal from the standby state to the normal operating state.

[0061] Normal operating state means a state in which the communication terminal is capable of carrying out the operations for which it was designed.

[0062] More specifically, in a normal operating state, an EFT is capable of immediately implementing payments by bank card, with or without contact, dematerialized or not.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the electrical energy consumption of the communication terminal in the standby state is lower than the electrical energy consumption of the communication terminal in the normal operating state.

[0064] Specifically, the consumption of an EPT in standby state is very low compared to the consumption of the same EPT operating normally. It is therefore advantageous to put the EPT into standby mode as much as possible, during periods of inactivity of the EPT.

[0065] According to a specific embodiment, the Bluetooth peripheral of the TPE is in the standby state when the TPE occupies the standby state. This advantageously makes it possible to reduce the electrical energy consumption of the TPE in the standby state.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the method for exiting a standby state of a communication terminal comprises, following the step of exiting the standby state of the communication terminal, the following steps:

[0067] - a transmission step, implemented by the central control unit at destination of the Bluetooth device, a message refusing the connection requested by the electronic device;

[0068] - a step of receiving, at the Bluetooth device, said message from refusal;

[0069] - a step, implemented by the Bluetooth device, of sending a message notification of connection refusal.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the transmission of the connection refusal notification message, implemented by the Bluetooth peripheral, causes the interruption of the connection between the Bluetooth peripheral and the electronic device.

[0071] The connection request sent by the electronic device therefore serves only to bring the communication terminal out of standby mode. Maintaining the BLE connection between the electronic device and the communication terminal is in fact not necessary, and would in any case be detrimental in terms of energy consumption and immediate availability of the communication terminal.

[0072] According to one embodiment, said connection is secure.

[0073] According to a second aspect, the present application relates to a method for managing the standby of a communication terminal configured to occupy at least one standby state and comprising a Bluetooth peripheral capable of communicating according to the low-energy Bluetooth protocol with a remote electronic device, the method including the following steps:

[0074] - a step of switching the communication terminal from an operating state normal to a waking state;

[0075] - the steps of the method for exiting a standby state of the communication terminal such as as described above.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the transition of the communication terminal from the normal operating state to the standby state is subsequent to at least one manual action by a user on the communication terminal.

[0077] According to one possibility, the user of the communication terminal can put his communication terminal into standby mode by performing a predefined manipulation on the numeric keypad of the communication terminal.

[0078] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the transition of the communication terminal from the normal operating state to the standby state is implemented automatically.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the transition of the communication terminal from the normal operating state to the standby state is implemented automatically following a predetermined period of time during which the communication terminal has remained inactive. Said predetermined period of time can be configured by the user of the communication terminal.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the method for managing the standby of a communication terminal comprises, before the step of switching the communication terminal from a normal operating state to a standby state,

[0081] - a step of transmitting a control message, implemented by a unit control center of the communication terminal intended for the Bluetooth device, aimed at having the Bluetooth device announce itself on the BLE network by means of a BLE advertisement;

[0082] - a step of receiving, at the Bluetooth peripheral (11), the message from order ;

[0083] - Following the step of receiving the control message, a start step of a BLE advertisement implemented by the Bluetooth device.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the method for managing the standby of a communication terminal comprises a step of sending, implemented by the central control unit to the electronic device, an identifier of the communication terminal.

[0085] Thus, the method of the invention comprises a step of sending, to the electronic device, an identifier of the communication terminal allowing the latter to communicate with the communication terminal according to the Bluetooth standard, and in particular via the BLE protocol.

[0086] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, said identifier is the Bluetooth address of the communication terminal.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the Bluetooth address of the communication terminal is dynamic, and changes each time the communication terminal is reset, or restarted. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the communication terminal is an EPT.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the Bluetooth address of the communication terminal is static, and remains the same in the event of a restart of the communication terminal.

[0089] According to one embodiment, said step of sending an identifier is carried out by means of a USB connection, or USB link. By thus transmitting the identifier of the communication terminal by wire, it is ensured that the electronic device, and only it, knows the identifier of the communication terminal, which subsequently allows it to send a connection request to the communication terminal via Bluetooth. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the communication terminal is an EPT.

[0090] According to a third aspect, the present application relates to a method for controlling the exit from a standby state of a communication terminal, said method being implemented by an electronic device and comprising the following steps:

[0091] - a step of receiving an identifier of the communication terminal;

[0092] - a step of sending, to the communication terminal, a request connection to the communication terminal, said request being issued according to the low energy Bluetooth protocol;

[0093] - a step of receiving, from the communication terminal, a connection refusal message.

[0094] According to one embodiment, said requested connection is of the secure connection type.

[0095] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, said identifier is the Bluetooth address of the communication terminal.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the Bluetooth address of the communication terminal is dynamic, and changes each time the communication terminal is reset, or restarted.

[0097] According to one embodiment, the Bluetooth address of the communication terminal is static, and remains the same in the event of a restart of the communication terminal.

[0098] According to one embodiment, said step of sending an identifier is carried out by means of a USB connection, or USB link. By transmitting the identifier of the communication terminal by wire, it is ensured that the electronic device, and only it, knows the identifier of the communication terminal, which subsequently allows it to send a connection request to the communication terminal via Bluetooth.

[0099] According to a fourth aspect, the present application relates to a communication terminal configured to implement the method of exiting a standby state as described above and / or configured to implement the standby management method as described above.

[0100] The communication terminal of the invention comprises a Bluetooth peripheral capable of communicating according to the Bluetooth low energy (BLE) protocol.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the communication terminal comprises a USB port.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the communication terminal comprises a micro port USB or pUSB.

[0103] According to one embodiment, the communication terminal comprises an electronic payment terminal. In other words, the communication terminal to which the methods of the invention are applied is an electronic payment terminal, or EPT.

[0104] According to a fifth aspect, the present application relates to an electronic device configured to implement the method of controlling the exit from a standby state as described above.

[0105] The electronic device of the invention comprises a Bluetooth peripheral capable of communicating according to the Bluetooth low energy (BLE) protocol.

[0106] According to one embodiment, the electronic device comprises a USB port.

[0107] According to one embodiment, the electronic device comprises a micro USB port or pUSB.

[0108] According to one embodiment, the electronic device comprises an electronic cash register. In other words, the electronic device implementing the steps of the method for controlling the exit from a standby state of a communication terminal is an electronic cash register.

[0109] According to an alternative embodiment, the electronic device is a communication terminal of the smart mobile phone (smartphone), tablet, or laptop type. Brief description of the figures

[0110] [Fig. 1] describes the hardware environment of the invention according to a non-limiting embodiment.

[0111] [Fig.2] represents, according to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, at least some of the messages exchanged between a communication terminal and an electronic device, during the implementation of the methods of the invention.

[0112] [Fig. 3] shows schematically, according to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the steps of a method for exiting a standby state of a communication terminal.

[0113] [Fig.4] represents, according to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the steps of a method for controlling the exit from a standby state of a communication terminal.

[0114] [Fig. 5] represents, according to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the steps of a method for managing the standby of a communication terminal. Detailed description with reference to the figures

[0115] In the following, the invention is described in detail and in a non-limiting manner, according to a particular embodiment applied to an electronic payment terminal or EFT coupled to an electronic cash register. Obviously, those skilled in the art will understand that the methods of the invention can be applied to communication terminals other than EFTs, as well as to electronic devices other than electronic cash registers.

[0116] In [Fig. 1], there is shown schematically, on the one hand, an electronic payment terminal, or EPT 10, which comprises, in a non-exhaustive manner, a Bluetooth peripheral 11 compatible with the Bluetooth low energy protocol or BLE, a screen 12 arranged to display information such as a sum of money to be paid or information messages relating to a payment procedure in progress, and a user interface 13, for example a numeric keypad, arranged to allow a user of the EPT 10, for example the merchant operating the EPT 10, to enter information such as for example a sum of money to be debited. The EPT 10 also comprises a USB port 14, of the micro USB type, arranged to allow the connection to the EPT of a cable comprising a micro USB male connector. The EPT also comprises a central control unit 15, also shown in [Fig. 2], which, in a known manner, directs the operation of the EPT

[0117] [Fig.l] further represents an electronic cash register 50, which comprises, in a non-exhaustive manner, a Bluetooth peripheral 51 compatible with the Bluetooth low energy or BLE protocol, a screen 52 arranged to display information such as, for example, products or product references and associated prices, and a user interface 53 arranged to enter information such as a payment type or ordering the printing of a receipt. The electronic cash register 50 also comprises a USB port 54 arranged to allow the connection to the electronic cash register 50 of a cable comprising a USB male connector. The cash register 50 also comprises a central control unit 55 which, in a known manner, directs the operation of the electronic cash register 50.

[0118] The TPE 10 and the electronic cash register 50 are therefore able to exchange messages via BLE, by means of their respective Bluetooth peripherals 11 and 51.

[0119] The TPE 10 and the electronic cash register 50 are also capable of exchanging messages via a USB link 60.

[0120] The TPE 10 and the electronic cash register 50 are therefore arranged so as to communicate with each other in wired or wireless mode.

[0121] [Fig.2] shows the various message exchanges between the TPE 10 and the electronic cash register 50 when implementing the invention. In addition, some of the messages shown in [Fig.2] are exchanged, within the TPE 10 itself, between the Bluetooth peripheral 11 of the TPE 10 and the central control unit 15 of the TPE 10.

[0122] During step En, the central control unit 15 of the TPE 10 transmits, via the USB link 60, the Bluetooth address of the TPE 10 to the electronic cash register 50 which receives said address in a step Ei2. The transmission of the address of the TPE 10 to the electronic cash register 50 is therefore carried out by wire.

[0123] Following this reception step E^, the electronic cash register 50 therefore knows the address of the TPE 10 and is therefore capable of sending messages, and in particular a connection request, according to the BLE standard from its Bluetooth peripheral 51 to the Bluetooth peripheral 11 of the TPE 10.

[0124] In a step E2i performed just before the TPE enters standby at step E23 following a period of inactivity of predefined duration, the central control unit 15 of the TPE 10 sends a command to the Bluetooth peripheral 11 of the TPE 10 so that the latter announces itself on the network by means of BLE advertising (“BLE advertising” according to the established English language terminology). In step E22, the Bluetooth peripheral 11 of the TPE 10 receives said command and starts to transmit BLE advertising messages while the TPE 10 occupies the standby state.

[0125] In a step E3b the electronic cash register 50 issues a connection request to the EPT 10 in BLE. The issue of such a connection request is carried out after a payment by bank card is initialized at the electronic cash register 50.

[0126] In step E32, the Bluetooth peripheral 11 of the TPE 10 receives the connection request sent by the electronic cash register 50 and a BLE connection is established between the Bluetooth peripheral 11 of the TPE 10 and the Bluetooth peripheral 51 of the electronic cash register 50. In step E4i carried out immediately after the reception step E32, the BLE peripheral 11 of the TPE 10 transmits a message to the central control unit 15 of the TPE 10 informing it of the receipt of a Bluetooth connection request from the electronic cash register 50.

[0127] The central control unit 15 of the TPE 10 therefore receives, in step E42, the message informing it of the receipt of a Bluetooth connection request from the electronic cash register 50, which has the consequence of immediately taking the TPE 10 out of the standby state in a step E43. In other words, the TPE 10 goes from the standby state to the normal operating state in step E43. Immé Immediately after the TPE 10 has exited the standby state, the central control unit 15 of the TPE 10 sends, in step E5i and to the BLE peripheral 11 of the TPE 10, a command message for refusing the BLE connection with the electronic cash register 50. In step E52, the BLE peripheral 11 of the TPE 10 receives the command message for refusing the BLE connection requesting it to reject the BLE connection established with the BLE peripheral 51 of the electronic cash register 50. Consequently, the Bluetooth peripheral 11 of the TPE 10 sends, in a step E6i, a message to the electronic cash register informing the latter of the refusal by the TPE 10 of the requested BLE connection, a message that the electronic cash register 50 receives in step E62, as a result of which the BLE connection between the Bluetooth peripheral 51 of the electronic cash register 50 and the peripheral Bluetooth 11 of the TPE 10 is interrupted immediately.

[0128] In addition, [Fig. 3] schematically represents the steps of the method for exiting a standby state of the TPE 10, said steps being implemented by the TPE 10 initially occupying a standby state. More precisely, in step E32, the Bluetooth peripheral 11 of the TPE 10 receives a connection request sent by the electronic cash register 50, and a BLE connection is established between the Bluetooth peripheral 11 of the TPE 10 and the Bluetooth peripheral 51 of the electronic cash register 50. In step E4[ carried out immediately after the reception step E32, the BLE peripheral 11 of the TPE 10 transmits a message to the central control unit 15 of the TPE 10 informing it of the receipt of a Bluetooth connection request from the electronic cash register 50.During step E42, the central control unit 15 of the TPE 10 receives the message informing it of the receipt of a Bluetooth connection request from the electronic cash register 50, which has the consequence, in step E43, of immediately waking the TPE 10 from its standby state.

[0129] [Fig.4] schematically represents the steps of the method for controlling the exit from a standby state of the TPE 10, said steps being implemented by the electronic cash register 50. More precisely, in step Ei2, the electronic cash register 50 receives the BLE address of the TPE 10 via a USB link. Consequently, the electronic cash register 50 knows the address of the TPE 10 and is therefore capable of transmitting messages, and in particular a connection request, according to the BLE standard from its Bluetooth peripheral 51 to the Bluetooth peripheral 11 of the TPE 10. Thus, in step E3b the electronic cash register 50 transmits a connection request to the TPE 10 in BLE. The issue of such a connection request is carried out after a payment by bank card is initialized at the electronic cash register 50. Finally, in step E62, the electronic cash register is informed of the refusal by the TPE 10 of the requested BLE connection, via a message that the electronic cash register 50 receives in step E62 from the Bluetooth peripheral 11 of the TPE 10, following which the BLE connection between the Bluetooth peripheral 51 of the electronic cash register 50 and the Bluetooth peripheral 11 of the TPE 10 is immediately interrupted.

[0130] Finally, [Fig.5] schematically represents the steps of the method for managing the standby of the TPE 10, said steps being implemented by the TPE 10. More precisely, in step En, the central control unit 15 of the TPE 10 transmits, via the USB link 60, the Bluetooth address of the TPE 10 to the electronic cash register 50 which receives said address in a step Ei2. The transmission of the address of the TPE 10 to the electronic cash register 50 is therefore carried out by wire. In step E 2i carried out just before the TPE goes into standby mode in step E23 following a period of inactivity of predefined duration, the central control unit 15 of the TPE 10 sends a command to the Bluetooth peripheral 11 of the TPE 10 so that the latter announces itself on the network by means of BLE advertising (“BLE advertising” according to the established English language terminology).In step E22, the Bluetooth peripheral 11 of the TPE 10 receives said command and starts to transmit BLE advertising messages while the TPE 10 is in the standby state. In step E32, the Bluetooth peripheral 11 of the TPE 10 receives the connection request sent by the electronic cash register 50 and a BLE connection is established between the Bluetooth peripheral 11 of the TPE 10 and the Bluetooth peripheral 51 of the electronic cash register 50. In step E4i carried out immediately after the reception step E32, the BLE peripheral 11 of the TPE 10 transmits a message to the central control unit 15 of the TPE 10 informing it of the reception of a Bluetooth connection request from the electronic cash register 50.

[0131] The central control unit 15 of the TPE 10 therefore receives, in step E42, the message informing it of the receipt of a Bluetooth connection request from the electronic cash register 50, which has the consequence of immediately taking the TPE 10 out of the standby state in a step E43. In other words, the TPE 10 goes from the standby state to the normal operating state in step E43. Immediately after the TPE 10 has come out of the standby state, the central control unit 15 of the TPE 10 sends, in step E5i and to the BLE peripheral 11 of the TPE 10, a command message for refusing the BLE connection with the electronic cash register 50. In step E52, the BLE peripheral 11 of the TPE 10 receives the command message for refusing the BLE connection requesting it to reject the BLE connection established with the BLE peripheral 51 of the electronic cash register 50. Consequently, the Bluetooth peripheral 11 of the TPE 10 transmits, in a step E6i, a message to the electronic cash register informing the latter of the refusal by the TPE 10 of the requested BLE connection, as a result of which the BLE connection between the Bluetooth peripheral 51 of the electronic cash register 50 and the Bluetooth peripheral 11 of the TPE 10 is immediately interrupted.

[0132] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments presented in the detailed description and in the figures, and other embodiments will become clear to those skilled in the art. In particular, the invention is not limited to the management of the monitoring of a TPE type communication terminal coupled to an electronic cash register, and other types of communication terminals, such as smart phones, tablets, laptops, may advantageously apply the methods described above.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for exiting a standby state of a communication terminal (10) configured to occupy at least one standby state and comprising a Bluetooth peripheral (11) capable of communicating according to the low-energy Bluetooth protocol with a remote electronic device (50), the method comprising the following steps: - a step (E32) of receiving, at the Bluetooth peripheral (11) of the communication terminal (10), a connection request to the communication terminal (10), said request being sent by the electronic device (50) according to the low-energy Bluetooth protocol; - a step of transmitting (E4i), implemented by the Bluetooth peripheral (11), a message to a central control unit (15) of the communication terminal (10), said message comprising information according to which a connection request has been received at the Bluetooth peripheral (11);- a step (E42) of receiving, by the central control unit (15), the message comprising the information that a connection request has been received at the Bluetooth peripheral (11); - Following the step (E42) of receiving, a step (E43) of exiting the standby state of the communication terminal (10). - a step (E5i) of transmitting, implemented by the central control unit (15) to the Bluetooth peripheral (11), a message refusing the connection requested by the electronic device (50); - a step (E52) of receiving, at the Bluetooth peripheral (11), said refusal message; - a step (E6i), implemented by the Bluetooth peripheral (11), of transmitting a message notifying the refusal of the connection to the electronic device (50).;

2. Method for exiting a standby state of a communication terminal (10) according to claim 1, in which the transmission of the connection refusal notification message, implemented by the Bluetooth peripheral (11) in step (E6i), causes the interruption of the connection between the Bluetooth peripheral (11) and the electronic device (50).

3. Method for managing the standby of a communication terminal (10) configured to occupy at least one standby state and comprising a pe- Bluetooth peripheral (11) capable of communicating according to the low-energy Bluetooth protocol with a remote electronic device (50), the method comprising the following steps: - a step (E23) of switching the communication terminal (10) from a normal operating state to a standby state; - the steps of the method for exiting a standby state of the communication terminal (10) according to one of claims 1 to 2.

4. Method for managing the standby of a communication terminal (10) according to claim 3, which comprises, before the step (E23) of switching the communication terminal (10) from a normal operating state to a standby state, - a step (E2i) of transmitting a control message, implemented by a central control unit (15) of the communication terminal (10) to the Bluetooth peripheral (11), aimed at causing the Bluetooth peripheral (11) to announce itself on the BLE network by means of a BLE advertisement; - a step (E22) of receiving, at the Bluetooth peripheral (11), the control message; - Following the step (E22), a step of starting a BLE advertisement implemented by the Bluetooth peripheral (11).

5. Method for managing the standby of a communication terminal (10) according to one of claims 3 or 4, which comprises a step (En) of sending, implemented by the central control unit (15) to the electronic device (50), an identifier of the communication terminal (10).

6. Method for controlling the exit from a standby state of a communication terminal (10), the method being implemented by an electronic device (50) and comprising the following steps: - a step (Ei2) of receiving an identifier of the communication terminal (10); - a step (E3i) of transmitting, to the communication terminal (10) occupying a standby state, a request for connection to the communication terminal (10), said request being transmitted according to the low-energy Bluetooth protocol; - a step (E62) of receiving, from the communication terminal (10), a connection refusal message.

7. Communication terminal (10) configured to implement the method of exiting a standby state according to one of claims 1 to 2

8. and / or configured to implement the standby management method according to one of claims 3 to 5. Communication terminal (10) according to claim 7, which

9. comprises an electronic payment terminal. An electronic device (50) configured to implement the method of controlling the exit from a standby state according to claim 6.

10. The electronic device (50) of claim 9, which comprises an electronic cash register.

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