Method for recording information related to places visited by individuals, each possessing a mobile phone with a geolocation function.

Abstract

A method for recording information related to places visited by individuals, each possessing a mobile phone with geolocation capabilities. A method for recording information related to places visited by users, each possessing a phone running an application that communicates with a server (10) to transmit its position. This method comprises the steps of: When a user wishes to create a virtual zone, transmitting the phone's position to the server (10) and registering this zone with the server; when a user wishes to interact with a virtual zone, verifying the location of their phone and only authorizing an action when the phone is located within the perimeter associated with this virtual zone. Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method for recording information relating to places visited by people each having a mobile phone with a geolocation function

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for recording information relating to places visited by people each having a mobile telephone having a geolocation function. Technical field

[0002] There are many social networking computer programs available today that allow people to interact in many ways.

[0003] However, there remains a need to introduce and further develop new possibilities for interaction between people, depending on their location.

[0004] In particular, it may be useful to be able to authenticate the passage of certain people in predefined places, and to have new means for disseminating information in given places. Summary of the invention

[0005] The invention aims to meet this need and achieves this by means of a method for recording information linked to places visited by users each having a mobile telephone with a geolocation function and running an application allowing the telephone to communicate with a server to communicate to it at least its position and an identifier, this method comprising the steps consisting of: a. When a user wishes to create a virtual zone, also called a "bubble", associated with a location where he is with the telephone, transmit the position of the telephone to the server and list this virtual zone with the server by associating a predefined perimeter around the location where the telephone is located, b. when a user wishes to interact with a virtual area listed by the server, check the location of his phone and only authorize an action on data associated with this virtual area when the phone is located within said predefined perimeter associated with this virtual area.

[0006] The invention allows people to interact based on the places they visit. The invention provides the ability for users to record messages based on the places visited, and may also allow them to rate the places visited and create messages for other users.

[0007] In exemplary implementations of the invention, users can vi- send messages without presence conditions, but on the other hand these users cannot interact, for example post messages, until they go to the same places. This can encourage certain places to be visited, and also allows to authenticate the presence at a given time of the people who left the messages in said places.

[0008] Within a bubble, the invention can allow different users to exchange messages with different types of media.

[0009] The invention can make it possible to create a community of users who have in common having visited certain places.

[0010] Each "bubble" can take the name given to it by the person who creates it. By "bubble" is meant a 2D or 3D geographical area centered on a location and of predefined size around this location. The largest dimension of a bubble is for example less than or equal to 100m, better between 5 and 95m, even better between 25 and 75m, for example equal to 50m. The outline of a bubble is for example circular in shape, but the invention is not limited to an outline of a particular shape and this can also be polygonal or other. A "bubble" can correspond where appropriate to a floor of a building, in which case the location of the area is carried out with altimetric data.

[0011] A bubble may be displayed in a different color depending on whether or not the user has entered the bubble; for example, a bubble is displayed in blue on his telephone when the user has not entered it, either because he is far from it and cannot do so, or because he could do so because he is close enough but has not indicated his decision to enter it, when entry into a bubble is not automatic as soon as the user passes within its perimeter.

[0012] When a user is located in a given location, situated within the limits of a bubble listed by the server, he can interact in various ways with the data associated with this bubble and for example record information indicating his passage through this location, increase or on the contrary decrease a score attributed to the bubble, post a message or leave a comment on a message.

[0013] The user may also generate a location-related fly-out note, which is a time-limited message to one or more other users that can only be read when they visit the same location where the note was taken.

[0014] The method according to the invention can provide that when several bubbles listed by the server are displayed on a map on the screen of the telephone, the user can click on a bubble to view more information about it.

[0015] The method may include providing the user with a keyword search engine within messages left in the bubbles by other users or a description of the latter.

[0016] The method may provide that the application can automatically post a message stating that the user has visited a given bubble, as soon as his telephone is located within the perimeter of this bubble.

[0017] The aforementioned action exerted on the data associated with the virtual zone in step b) may thus consist of automatically or not recording the passage of the user in the perimeter associated with said virtual zone, the recording being automatic or not depending on one or more factors such as a preference of the user and / or the type of bubble, etc.

[0018] The action exerted on the data associated with the virtual zone in step b) may also consist of depositing a message intended for at least one contact selected by the user present in the predefined perimeter associated with said virtual zone, this contact being able to subsequently access the content of this message only when he is himself present in said predefined perimeter.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, the action performed on the data associated with the virtual zone in step b) may consist of adding content to this data. This content may be visible to other users whether or not they are present in the zone, or alternatively, this content is visible only to other users provided that they are present in said zone.

[0020] The content may include a photograph and / or a video sequence taken by the telephone and / or a message and / or an identifier of the telephone user.

[0021] The message is for example chosen from:

[0022] - text,

[0023] - an image file, an audio message, or a video or any other pre-existing file in the user's phone and sent to the server by the user,

[0024] - an image, an audio message, or a video, taken by the user at the time of his presence in the bubble and therefore not pre-existing on the phone before its presence in the bubble.

[0025] The method may comprise displaying on a user's telephone a map on which the virtual zones already created and listed by the server are positioned. The map may be that of the region where the user is located. The virtual zones may be displayed according to at least one selected criterion, chosen from: the number of people having already visited it, the identifier of the user who created the zone, the identity of at least one other user having acted on data associated with said zone, a score associated with said zone, the value of this score depending on an assessment left by other users having visited said zone.

[0026] The method may comprise the step of allowing a user present in the perimeter associated with a virtual zone to increase or decrease a score associated with this area, in particular using one or more selection methods displayed on the phone, allowing the user to signal a desire to increase the score or, on the contrary, to decrease it. The growth of this score can be reflected on the screen by the display of a circle whose size increases, so as to simulate the inflation of a bubble. Conversely, a decreasing score can be reflected by the display of a circle of smaller diameter, materializing the deflation of a bubble.

[0027] The method may comprise the step of allowing a user to record a flying note associated with said virtual zone, when he is within its perimeter, and to define an expiry time for said note, beyond which it can no longer be read by other users present within said perimeter.

[0028] The method may include the possibility for a user to “follow” a bubble, i.e. to be informed automatically by the server sending a notification to this user's telephone of the publication of a new message linked to the followed bubble.

[0029] The method may comprise the random selection of a user from among those geo-located at a given moment in the same bubble and the sending of a predefined message to this selected user; this may make it possible to encourage users to be present in the place corresponding to the bubble at a given moment, for example by offering one of them drawn at random a reward.

[0030] Similarly, it is possible to trigger the sending to users present in a bubble of authenticatable information, for example encrypted, which can then be recognized by a payment system, in particular using a decryption key, to trigger a discount on a purchase. The sending of the information can be limited to a predefined period; for example, the bubble corresponding to the presence of the user in a store or other chosen location on a given day, and the authenticatable information makes it possible to obtain a reduction on the purchase price of goods or services offered in this store or this other location on this day.

[0031] The method may comprise the prior storage of data associated with one or more bubbles present in a predefined area, while the telephone has access to the network, then the offline storage by the application executed on the telephone of the location of the telephone associated with a timestamp, and of the bubble(s) visited according to the position of the telephone, as well as the messages that the user wishes to leave when visiting the bubble(s). Once the connection with the network has been reestablished, the telephone can send to the server what has been stored offline, in order to allow the server to be updated with the user's data, namely the message(s) left as well as the time and date of visiting the bubbles, so that these messages can be consulted by other users.

[0032] It is possible that a user, after entering a bubble, turns off his phone, or put it in airplane mode, so that the server can no longer locate the user as being in the bubble. To overcome this problem, the server can automatically change the status of any user previously identified as being present in a given bubble from present in that bubble to absent from the bubble after a predefined period of time has elapsed since the last time the phone was connected to the server, for example, one hour.

[0033] Some celebrities may want to visit places and leave messages in the corresponding bubbles without it being possible for the public to follow their presence in real time, in order to prevent fans or curious people from following them in their movements. In this case, the method may include associating a user's identifier with a label listing this user as having to benefit from a delay of a predefined duration in the public accessibility of the messages left in the bubbles by this user. The method may include automatically making messages left in a bubble by a user available to the public after a predefined duration, if the user so wishes. This makes it possible to protect the public life of a user by only disclosing their activity in the bubble after a predefined duration has elapsed.

[0034] The method may include sending users a message informing them that a coupon is available in a given bubble during a given period; to retrieve this coupon, users must go to the bubble during said period; the method may thus include sending said message to users, and possibly detecting the arrival of these users in the bubble during the period when the coupon is delivered, and in the event of detection, sending the coupon to the users located in the bubble in a manner allowing the coupon to be authenticated during its subsequent use. This sending may be carried out by the server. The method may include the server incrementing a counter each time a user is sent a coupon; knowing the number of users who have received the coupon makes it possible, for example, to remunerate a third party accordingly.This encourages users to visit cultural or commercial venues. A "coupon" means information that is secure and / or authenticated when the coupon is used, for example through encryption.

[0035] The invention also relates to a computer program product, to be downloaded onto a mobile telephone equipped with a geolocation chip and a processor, this computer program product allowing, when executed on the processor, communication with a server to enable the implementation of the method as defined above, and: a. When a user wants to create a virtual zone, also called a "bubble", associated with a location where he is with the phone, transmit the phone's position and associated data to the server to enable the server to list this virtual area, b. when a user wishes to interact with a virtual area listed by the server, determining based on the location of his telephone whether the user is entitled to interact or not with the data associated with this virtual area, for example by transmitting to the server the location of the telephone and receiving in return an authorization or not to interact with said data, the authorization can also alternatively be issued by the program without transmitting the location of the telephone to the server, c. receive data from the server providing information on the position of existing virtual zones and position them on a map displayed by the telephone, and / or display at least one flying note sent by the user to other users and, where applicable, one or more flying notes associated with it.

[0036] This computer program product may include instructions making it possible to implement all or part of the functionalities of the method defined above.

[0037] The invention also relates to a computer program product, to be loaded or downloaded onto a server comprising a processor and capable of exchanging information with mobile telephones each equipped with a geolocation chip, this computer program product allowing, when executed on the processor, the server to communicate with at least one mobile telephone to enable the implementation of the method as defined above and: - When the user of a telephone wishes to create a virtual zone associated with a location where he is with the telephone, record the position of the telephone and a name given by the user to said zone, and generate from this information the virtual zone, - when a telephone user wishes to act on a virtual zone listed by the server, check the location of his telephone and only authorize an action on data associated with said zone when the telephone is located within the predefined perimeter associated with said zone.

[0038] This computer program product may include instructions making it possible to implement all or part of the functionalities of the method defined above. Brief description of the drawings

[0039] The invention may be better understood by reading the detailed description which follows, a non-limiting example of its implementation, and by examining the attached drawing, in which: - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] illustrates a computer and telecommunications system allowing the implementation of the invention, - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] gives examples of actions that can perform a uti reader, - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is an example of a display on a user's phone screen, - [Fig.4][Fig.5][Fig.6] Figures 4 to 6 are block diagrams of steps for the implementation of the process, - [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a block diagram of steps for taking a photo tography linked to the creation of a bubble, - [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is an example of a display for taking a photograph, - [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a block diagram of steps for taking a photo tography, - [Fig.10] [Fig.10] is an example of a display for recording a message, - [Fig.ll] [Fig.l 1] is a block diagram of steps for recording a flying note, - [Fig.12] [Fig.12] is an example of a display for recording a flying note, - [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] is a block diagram of steps in the process for the notification of a flying note, and - [Fig. 14] [Fig. 14] is an example of a display for a flying note notification. Detailed description

[0040] [Fig.l] shows an example of a computer and telecommunications system 1 allowing the implementation of the invention.

[0041] This system 1 comprises a server 10, accessible by mobile telephones 11A, 11B, ... of users, each executing an application according to the invention, and each capable of geolocating itself using a satellite data reception chip, for example of the GPS type, and / or of using any other suitable means for doing so.

[0042] Also shown in [Fig.l], by way of illustration, is a relay terminal 12 of a telecommunications network allowing each user to communicate with the server 10. This network is for example a 3G, 4G or 5G network.

[0043] The server 10 is for example a server of the application server type, using for example JAVA, PHP, ASP, etc.

[0044] The telephones 11 are for example of the “smartphone” type, and advantageously have a camera. The operating system is for example Android® Windows® Mobile or iOS® or other mobile operating system.

[0045] The application running on the phone allows the user to perform a number of actions including, as will be detailed later, registering with the server, being recognized by it, exploring nearby bubbles (action marked 20 in [Fig. 2]), creating a new bubble (action 21), posting a "BEEN THERE" note that the user has been in a bubble (action 22), posting a message in a bubble (action 23), increasing the score of a bubble (action 24), decreasing the score of a bubble (action 25), creating a fly-by-night note (action 26), and reading a fly-by-night note (action 27).

[0046] [Fig. 3] shows an example of display on the screen of the user's telephone, while the application according to the invention is running.

[0047] The application can be arranged to cause the display on the screen of a map 30 on which appear different real locations, the position of the user, and the existing bubbles, that is to say already listed by the server 10.

[0048] This map, for example, is generated from the GoogleMaps® or Open Street® application or proprietary vector maps.

[0049] The application can display a user interface comprising a button 31 allowing the user to create a new bubble and a button 32 allowing the creation of a flying note.

[0050] The method according to the invention comprises a preliminary step of registering the user with the server 10, in order to be able to identify the latter subsequently. This registration is secure. During this registration, the telephone receives an identifier which allows it to be subsequently recognized by the server.

[0051] We will now describe with reference to [Fig.4] different steps of an example of a method according to the invention, which follow the opening of the application on the telephone. It is assumed that the user is already registered with the server 10. This registration can take place when the user downloads the application on the telephone.

[0052] The user opens the application in step 40 and the application determines in step 41 whether the telephone's geolocation service is activated or not.

[0053] If not, the application asks the user in step 42 to activate the geolocation service. If so, the application obtains in step 43 the geographical coordinates of the user and the limits of the map displayed on the screen of the telephone. In the case of network connectivity making it possible to obtain information from the server 10, the application can obtain in step 44 information from the server concerning the presence of bubbles within the limits of the map displayed on the screen of the telephone. To do this, the telephone sends the server 10 an API request in step 45, with information 46 comprising the coordinates of the telephone and the limits of the displayed map. Following the return from the server 10, the telephone updates the display and displays the bubbles listed on the map displayed in step 44.

[0054] In the absence of network connectivity, the application causes an error message to be displayed in step 49 and waits in step 47 for network connectivity to be established. When this is the case, in step 48, the application can repeat step 44 above, and send an API request to the server 10 to obtain the position of the bubbles located within the limits of the displayed map.

[0055] Steps 50 to 53 materialize different possibilities of action for the user following the display of the bubbles on the screen in step 45.

[0056] The user can for example in step 50 indicate that he wishes to create a bubble, which triggers a bubble creation process 54 which will be described later.

[0057] The user can indicate that he wants to create a flying note in step 51, which triggers a flying note creation process 55 which will be described later.

[0058] The user may still want to obtain information about a bubble at step 52, which triggers a bubble opening process 56.

[0059] Step 53 corresponds to the user's navigation on the map.

[0060] The position of the user's phone on the map may change in step 57 and if position tracking is enabled in step 58, the phone updates its location in step 59, with the positions being sent to the server when there is a user action.

[0061] If location tracking is not enabled, the phone determines in step 61 whether the boundaries of the displayed map have changed and, if so, the process resumes in step 44 for issuing a new API request to the server 10 to obtain the coordinates of the bubbles located within the boundaries of the displayed map.

[0062] Step 59 above is followed by a process 63 for determining whether there are any fly-by-night notes left by other users or information that other users have visited the bubble.

[0063] We will now describe with reference to [Fig.5] the process 56 of [Fig.4] of opening a bubble. This process assumes that the telephone has information 70 on its position, expressed for example in latitude, longitude and precision of its location.

[0064] The telephone determines in step 71 whether its current position is within the perimeter of the bubble that it wishes to open. If so, the telephone signals in step 72 to the server 10 its passage in the bubble and can display in step 73 information on the activity of the bubble.

[0065] It can return to step 74 an API request to know the bubbles located within the borders of the map displayed on the phone screen. Alternatively, this step is performed at the beginning.

[0066] We have now described with reference to [Fig.6] the process of creating a flying note corresponding to process 55 of [Fig.4].

[0067] As in the process of viewing bubble-related information, the phone must have location information 70 above.

[0068] The process includes a step 80 for determining whether or not there is a flying note for the telephone user at the location where the user is located.

[0069] If yes, the application starts a process 81 allowing the display of this flying note. If no, the process is terminated.

[0070] The process of creating a new bubble will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. As soon as the telephone can locate itself in a place, the user can trigger the creation of a bubble. This corresponds to process 54 of [Fig.4].

[0071] The creation of a new bubble assumes that the telephone has valid positioning information 70.

[0072] The telephone may prompt the user, in step 90, to give a name to the bubble, a field 91 for this purpose being displayed on the screen, as can be seen in [Fig.8].

[0073] If applicable, the telephone invites the user to take a photograph of the location corresponding to step 92.

[0074] The phone screen can display the image delivered by the phone lens in a field 94 and the user can press a button 95 to take the photograph.

[0075] The user has the possibility, using a button 93, to validate the creation of the bubble. The user can still cancel the operation by pressing a button 96.

[0076] In case of cancellation, which corresponds to step 97 in [Fig.7], the process is terminated.

[0077] In the event of validation at step 98, the telephone sends a request to the server 10 to cause it to create the bubble at step 99. The telephone waits at step 100 for confirmation of the registration that the bubble has been successfully completed and the process is complete.

[0078] If there is no confirmation from the server 10, an error message is displayed in step 101 and the process is terminated.

[0079] We will describe with reference to [Fig.9] the process of publishing a message called "BEEN THERE" according to which the user has visited a bubble. This message is then displayed by the phones of other users when the position of their phone is within the perimeter of this bubble.

[0080] It is assumed that the telephone has the location information 70.

[0081] The process includes a step 110 where the telephone sends an API request to the server 10 to create a record of the message signifying that the user has been within the perimeter of the bubble.

[0082] In the event of a positive response from the server 10 in step 111, the telephone displays a corresponding message taking form, in step 112, and allows the user to enter text and / or an image, and to indicate whether he wishes to improve or reduce a score associated with the bubble. Other data associated with the message includes, for example, a unique identifier for the bubble, a user ID, the date and location of the event.

[0083] As an example, [Fig. 10] shows an example of a display that can be performed on the telephone. The form includes, for example, a field 114 which allows text to be entered, buttons 115 and 116 which allow the score to be increased (thumbs up) or decreased (thumbs down) respectively, a button 117 for taking a photograph, a button 118 for saving or a button 119 for canceling.

[0084] Once the form is completed in step 120, an API request is sent to the server 10 in step 121 to update the record relating to this bubble with the data entered by the user. In the event of a positive response from the server 10 in step 122, the process is stopped. In the event of a negative response from the server 10, the form is saved in step 123 locally in the telephone and an attempt to transmit the data is made later.

[0085] Similarly, if following the query in step 111 the server 10 does not respond, the data is recorded in step 125 locally in the telephone for a later attempt, and the process is terminated.

[0086] We will now describe with reference to [Fig. 11] the process 55 of creating the flying note of [Fig.4]. It is assumed that the telephone has the user's location data 70.

[0087] By definition, a flying note has an expiration time after which its contents cannot be read.

[0088] To create a flying note, the user therefore enters in step 150 the name of the note in a field 151 which is displayed on the screen, as illustrated in [Fig. 12], and the expiry date in a field 152.

[0089] The user can then select at step 154, using a button 153, the contacts who will be able to receive the flying note.

[0090] The user can at step 155 attach a photograph that he takes using button 156.

[0091] The user saves the note at step 159, using a corresponding button 160.

[0092] In step 161, the telephone sends an API request to the server 10 to create a new flying note. It then sends to the server 10 the location data, the user identifier, the date and time, the content of the note in particular, its expiry date, the list of contacts who will be able to view it, and additional elements such as, for example, the photograph that was taken.

[0093] In case of cancellation, the user presses a button 154 at step 163, and the process is completed.

[0094] Once the data has been sent in step 161, the server 10 acknowledges receipt in step 165 and the process is completed.

[0095] If there is no response from the server, an error message is displayed in step 166.

[0096] The data associated with the flying note includes, for example, the user identifier, the telephone number(s) of the user(s) intended to view this flying note, the location information, the content of the note, which is, for example, a text message and / or a photograph, and the expiry date.

[0097] We will now describe with reference to [Fig. 13] the process where a user is notified of a flying note. This user is one of the contacts previously selected by the user to receive the content of this flying note as soon as he enters the perimeter of the associated bubble.

[0098] This process assumes that the phone has location information 70 and is identified by the server. The phone sends an API request to the server at step 180 to receive information about a possible flying note.

[0099] The response from the server 10 corresponds to step 141. In the absence of a response, the process is stopped at step 182 after an error message has been displayed.

[0100] In the event of a positive response, the telephone can display in step 184 as illustrated in [Fig. 14] a message 185 corresponding to the flying note of another user, which is identified. This message is displayed as long as the user of the telephone does not close the window in step 190. The telephone then informs the server 10 in step 191 that the note has been read by sending a corresponding API request. The server 10 acknowledges receipt in step 192 and the process is terminated. In the absence of a positive response from the server 10, the information intended for it is recorded locally in the telephone, then a transmission attempt is made later in step 193.

[0101] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described.

[0102] For example, it can be provided that the user can record a video associated with a bubble.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for recording information related to places visited by users each having a mobile telephone (11A; 11B; ...) with a geolocation function and running an application allowing the telephone to communicate with a server (10) to communicate to it at least its position and an identifier, this method comprising the steps consisting of: a. When a user wishes to create a virtual zone, also called a "bubble", associated with a location where he is with the telephone, transmitting to the server (10) the position of the telephone and listing with the server this virtual zone by associating with it a predefined perimeter around the location where the telephone is located, b. when a user wishes to interact with a virtual zone listed by the server, verifying the location of his telephone and authorizing an action (20; ...; 27) on data associated with this virtual zone only when the telephone is located within the said predefined perimeter associated with this virtual zone.

2. Method according to claim 1, the action exerted on the data associated with the virtual zone in step b) consisting of automatically recording the passage of the user in the perimeter associated with said virtual zone.

3. Method according to one of claims 1 and 2, the action exerted on the data associated with the virtual zone in step b) consisting of depositing a message intended for at least one contact selected by the user present in the predefined perimeter associated with said virtual zone, this contact being able to subsequently access the content of the message only when he is himself present in said predefined perimeter.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 and 2, the action exerted on the data associated with the virtual zone in step b) consisting of adding content to the data associated with said virtual zone, this content being visible to other users whether or not they are present in said zone.

5. The method of claim 4, the content comprising a pho- photography and / or video footage taken by the phone and / or a message and / or an identifier of the phone user.

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the display on a user's telephone of a map (30) on which the virtual zones already listed by the server are positioned.

7. Method according to claim 6, the map being that of the region where the user is located.

8. Method according to one of claims 6 and 7, each virtual zone being displayed according to at least one selected criterion, chosen from: the number of people having already visited it, the identifier of the user who created the zone, the identity of at least one other user having acted on data associated with said zone, a score associated with said zone, the value of this score depending on an assessment left by other users having visited said zone.

9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the step of allowing a user present in the perimeter associated with a virtual zone to increase or decrease a score associated with this zone, in particular using one or more selection means (115, 116) displayed on his telephone making it possible to signal a desire to increase the score or on the contrary to decrease it.

10. A method according to any preceding claim, comprising the step of allowing a user to record a flying note associated with said virtual area, when within its perimeter, and defining an expiry time for said note, beyond which it can no longer be read by other users present within said perimeter.

11. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the prior storage of data associated with one or more bubbles present in a predefined area, while the telephone has access to the network, then the offline storage by the application executed on the telephone of the location of the telephone associated with a timestamp, and of the bubble(s) present according to the position of the telephone, as well as the messages that the user wishes to leave when visiting the bubble(s), then once the connection is reestablished with the network, the telephone sends to the server what has been stored offline, in order to allow the server to be updated with the user's data, in particular the message(s) left as well as the time and date of the bubbles' visits, so that these messages can be viewed by other users.

12. A method according to any preceding claim, the server automatically changing the status of any user previously identified as being present in a given bubble from present in that bubble to absent from the bubble after a predefined period of time has elapsed from the last time the phone was connected to the server.

13. A method according to any preceding claim, comprising sending users a message informing them that a coupon is available in a given bubble during a given period; possibly detecting the arrival of these users in the bubble during the period in which the coupon is issued, and in the event of detection, sending the coupon to the users in the bubble in a manner enabling the coupon to be authenticated upon its subsequent use.

14. Computer program product, to be downloaded onto a mobile telephone (10A; 10B; ...) equipped with a geolocation chip and a processor, this computer program product allowing, when executed on the processor, communication with a server (10) to enable the implementation of the method according to any one of the preceding claims, and: a. When a user wishes to create a virtual zone associated with a location where he is with the telephone, transmit to the server the position of the telephone and associated data to enable the server to list said zone, b.when a user wishes to interact with a virtual area listed by the server, determining based on the location of his telephone whether the user is entitled to interact or not with the data associated with this virtual area, for example by transmitting to the server the location of the telephone and receiving in return an authorization or not to interact with said data, the authorization can also alternatively be issued by the program without transmitting the location of the telephone to the server, c. receiving from the server data providing information on the position of existing virtual areas and positioning them on a map. displayed by the telephone, and / or display at least one flying note sent by the user to other users and, where applicable, one or more flying notes associated with it.

15. Computer program product, to be loaded or downloaded onto a server (10) comprising a processor and capable of exchanging information with mobile phones each equipped with a geolocation chip, this computer program product allowing, when executed on the processor, the server to communicate with at least one mobile phone to enable the implementation of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and: - When the user of a telephone wishes to create a virtual zone associated with a location where he is with the telephone, record the position of the telephone and a name given by the user to said zone, and generate from this information the virtual zone, - when the user of a telephone wishes to act on a virtual zone listed by the server (10), check the location of his telephone and only authorize an action on data associated with said zone when the telephone is located within a predefined perimeter associated with said zone.

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