Method for triggering an action on a terminal and associated terminal

Abstract

Method for triggering an action on a terminal and associated terminal. The invention relates to a method for triggering an action on a terminal comprising at least two parts articulated relative to each other by means of at least one pivoting element, said method being implemented by said terminal and comprising: - a step of measuring a sequence of opening angles formed successively by said two parts, - if said measured sequence of opening angles corresponds to a reference sequence of opening angles, a step of executing at least one specific action on said terminal associated with the reference sequence of opening angles. Figure for the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Method for triggering an action on a terminal and associated terminal Scope of the invention

[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a method for triggering predetermined actions on a foldable terminal. Previous art

[0003] In recent years, there has been a resurgence in the market for so-called "foldable" mobile phones. Such a foldable phone is typically a smartphone (smartphone) comprising at least two parts connected by a mechanical link forming a pivot (for example, a hinge) allowing the smartphone to be folded in half, notably to reduce its size when not in use. These foldable smartphones are distinct from "monoblock" smartphones, which are classically rectangular and entirely rigid, with one side occupied in whole or in part by the phone's screen. This design has already been used in the past for non-smartphones (for example, the flip phones marketed in the 2000s). This design is once again being considered today for smartphones benefiting from recent technological advances in foldable screens.

[0004] In the prior art, it is known to associate specific commands with the opening and closing configurations of a foldable phone. For example, a command to put the phone to sleep is associated with closing the two halves of the phone against each other (i.e., with the phone being completely closed), or a command to wake / activate the phone is associated with opening it fully. More recent foldable smartphones may include a few other commands associated with predetermined opening angles, such as launching the camera application in portrait mode when the two halves of a foldable smartphone are opened at a right angle. However, in practice, such commands are relatively limited. Furthermore, they are generally implemented by the device manufacturer and cannot be created or modified by the user.

[0005] There are other possible ways for a user to interact with their foldable phone, for example via a touchscreen, voice, certain movements such as rotating the phone, or touch buttons on the phone. Thus, certain specific commands are associated with physical buttons on the phone functions such as sound volume, phone power-on, etc. Unlocking the phone is also often associated with a specific method: fingerprint reader, visual interaction with the camera for face / iris recognition.

[0006] While these interaction methods are very numerous in practice and offer multiple possibilities, they nevertheless require a relatively high degree of precision in the interaction between the user and their phone. Indeed, it is often necessary for the user to precisely point at elements on their phone's screen to trigger the desired action, or even to chain several of these actions from one software window to another to achieve the final desired action. Furthermore, although tending to increase in size, foldable phone screens remain relatively small compared to other devices (tablets, desktop computers) for obvious reasons of minimizing bulk, even as the number of interactions offered to the user on a single screen tends to increase (application icons, widgets, etc.).

[0007] This need for repeated precision in the interaction between the user and their phone can prove problematic in certain contexts. For example, if the user wishes to perform a common action that they repeat regularly (such as making a recurring call or launching a frequently used application), chaining together several precise pointing actions on a screen can be cumbersome for the user. As another example, if the user has a disability, such precise and repeated pointing may not be suitable or even possible.

[0008] The disadvantages described here in reference to a foldable mobile phone also apply to any other known foldable terminal such as, for example, a tablet or more generally a laptop computer which includes in its most common form two parts connected to each other by a mechanical link forming a pivot (for example, a hinge) which have just been described in reference to a foldable mobile phone are also relevant to any type of foldable terminal.

[0009] Object and summary of the invention

[0010] The invention remedies these drawbacks in particular by proposing a method for triggering an action on a terminal comprising at least two parts articulated relative to each other by means of at least one pivoting element, said method being implemented by the terminal and comprising: - a step of measuring a sequence of opening angles formed successively by said two parts, - if said measured opening angle sequence corresponds to a reference opening angle sequence, an execution step of at least one determined action on said terminal associated with the reference opening angle sequence.

[0011] For the purposes of this invention, the term "sequence of opening angles formed successively by the two parts articulated by means of a pivoting element" means a chronological sequence of several opening angles formed by said two parts in relation to each other and made possible by the presence of the pivoting element. Hereafter, for the sake of simplicity, the term "opening angle" refers to an opening angle of the two parts articulated by means of the pivoting element, and the term "sequence of angles" is used to designate a sequence of opening angles formed successively by the two parts articulated by means of the pivoting element.

[0012] In a particular embodiment, the opening angles formed by the two parts of the terminal must be maintained for a given minimum duration in order to be taken into account to determine whether the measured sequence corresponds to a reference sequence.

[0013] Alternatively, it is possible to consider that the opening angles formed by the two parts of the terminal are measured during the measurement step at determined times.

[0014] In another embodiment, an opening angle measured during the measurement step corresponds to the maximum, or minimum, angle preceding a closing, or opening, movement of said two parts.

[0015] This embodiment makes it possible in particular to carry out a rapid opening sequence by alternately enlarging (opening) and reducing (closing) the parts articulated by the means forming a pivot.

[0016] Of course, other configurations can be considered for measuring the opening angles formed by the two parts of the terminal.

[0017] Regardless of the configuration chosen, the invention advantageously allows the presence of a pivoting element within a terminal to be exploited to perform sequences of opening angles associated with at least one action. The invention offers a multitude of possible combinations, both in terms of the possible sequences of opening angles (in terms of the number of angles, angle values, number of associated actions, etc.) and the associated actions to be triggered.

[0018] Furthermore, according to the invention, the parameterization of this association, between the sequence of angles and the action to be triggered, is accessible not only to the manufacturer but also to any user. This advantageously allows the user to personalize the operation of their terminal according to their preferences and also to configure associations known only to them, which proves particularly useful for authentication services.

[0019] The invention is all the more advantageous since foldable phones based on such a structure represent a significant portion of available smartphones today on the market, and that this share is destined to increase in view of technological advances in foldable screens.

[0020] Indeed, the realization of the opening angle sequences, associated with at least one action, according to this characteristic is comparatively: - faster than methods based on a graphical interface which require, for example, unlocking the terminal and then launching the action to be executed, possibly via multiple menus, - more robust and reliable than methods based on touch controls, which can lead to incorrect operation due to the density of commands (icons, menus, etc.) accessible from this type of interface, - simpler than touch control methods which require a certain dexterity to select a specific area on the screen, these interactions being particularly complex to perform in certain conditions, especially when moving or in the case of a disabled user (thick fingers, shaky hands), - potentially more discreet than more commonly known methods such as touch screen controls or physical buttons.

[0021] By taking into account a sequence of several angles, the invention advantageously avoids triggering actions associated with opening and / or closing configurations corresponding to a single and specific opening angle (0°, 90°, 180°, etc.) as in the prior art.

[0022] According to one embodiment, said sequence of reference opening angles comprises at least two measured angles distinct from the maximum and minimum opening angles of said two parts.

[0023] This embodiment advantageously allows for the generation of angle sequences that are sufficiently specific to prevent the unintentional triggering of an action following accidental manipulation of the terminal.

[0024] Furthermore, excluding the maximum and minimum opening angles from the reference angle sequence limits the stresses applied to the pivoting means (e.g., the terminal hinge). Indeed, by excluding the maximum opening and minimum closing angles from the reference angle sequence, the user is less likely to make an incorrect maneuver that would cause the articulated parts of the terminal to spread beyond the maximum opening angle provided by the pivoting means. Similarly, in the case of the minimum angle, the user is more likely to close the terminal with excessive force. By excluding these two maximum and minimum opening angles from the reference sequences associated with the controls, the impact of the invention on the terminal's lifespan is controlled.

[0025] In addition, the exclusion of maximum and minimum opening angles makes it possible to separate the commands associated with a sequence of angles from the commands associated with a single minimum or maximum angle (sleep or wake-up).

[0026] According to one embodiment, the execution step of said action requires the detection of at least one additional given event in addition to a correspondence of said measured opening angle sequence with said reference opening angle sequence.

[0027] The additional event(s) can be performed before, after or during the sequence of opening angles, or even at a specific moment in it.

[0028] This embodiment makes it possible to multiply the number of different actions that can be recorded and executed thanks to the invention.

[0029] Indeed, by conditioning the execution of an action on the detection of both a sequence of reference aperture angles and at least one other additional event, such as a voice or touch command (via buttons or dynamic areas pressed on the terminal screen), it is possible to trigger a large number of actions without needing to record complicated or lengthy sequences of reference aperture angles. Simple sequences combined with different auxiliary commands (voice, touch, etc.) are sufficient.

[0030] This embodiment also allows for a more robust and secure framework for triggering an action on the terminal. This limits the unintentional triggering of actions not desired by the terminal user.

[0031] Furthermore, this embodiment makes it possible to create a more complex combination of elements (sequence of reference aperture angles and additional event) capable of triggering the execution of a command on the terminal, and consequently more difficult for a third party to reproduce. The invention can thus be advantageously used in a secure command context, such as, for example, to allow the user to authenticate to a service via their terminal.

[0032] According to a particular embodiment, the method further includes a step of recording at least one sequence of reference opening angles in association with at least one action to be performed on the terminal.

[0033] This embodiment advantageously allows the terminal user to associate a sequence of opening angles (or even a sequence of opening angles and at least one additional event such as a voice or touch command) with a particular action. This embodiment therefore allows the terminal user to personalize the associations between the angle sequences and the commands taken into account by their terminal during the implementation of the invention.

[0034] It should be noted that this embodiment is not limited to associations configured by the terminal user. It can also allow third parties (for example, the terminal manufacturer, an after-sales service, etc.) to carry out such a configuration.

[0035] This advantageously allows for a great richness in terms of interactions and consequently simplifies the implementation and adoption of the invention by the user.

[0036] According to a particular embodiment, the method further comprises a step of displaying, on said terminal, at least one measurement of an opening angle formed by said two parts.

[0037] This embodiment allows the user in particular to know the opening angle formed by the two moving parts of his terminal, which allows him to perform a sequence of given reference opening angles with more precision and thus allow him to trigger the desired action more certainly.

[0038] According to embodiments, the measured opening angle can be displayed on one or more screens of the terminal, in particular an external screen so that the display is always visible even when the opening angle between the two parts of the terminal is too small for the user to see the internal screen of the terminal (i.e. the one onto which the two articulated parts fold by means of the pivoting element).

[0039] According to one embodiment, the measurement step comprises, for at least one opening angle of said measured sequence: - a direct measurement of said opening angle by a measuring device attached to said pivoting element, and / or - an indirect measurement of said opening angle by calculating a distance between said two parts.

[0040] This embodiment allows the invention to be implemented by a large number of terminals, including not only terminals capable of directly measuring the opening angle, thanks to a device provided for this purpose on the pivoting element, but also terminals not having such a capability, but which can nevertheless access a measurement of the opening angles via considerations of distance between the two articulated parts of the terminal.

[0041] Furthermore, the ability to combine these two measurement methods where appropriate ensures greater reliability in measuring the opening angles to be taken into account for performing an action on the terminal.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the triggering method comprises the use of at least one of the following techniques: - a dynamic time warp algorithm; - a neural network; - a hidden Markov model; to determine if said sequence of measured opening angles corresponds to a reference sequence of opening angles.

[0043] The use of such technical solutions advantageously improves the detection of reference opening angle sequences associated with actions among the angle sequences performed by the user and makes the triggering process more robust.

[0044] Furthermore, these technical solutions may include a margin of tolerance in order to take into account slight variations between the recorded angle sequence and the reference angle sequence and nevertheless trigger the action associated with said reference opening angle sequence.

[0045] This list is of course not exhaustive and other techniques may be considered as alternatives to determine whether the measured sequence of opening angles corresponds to a reference opening sequence.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the pivoting element comprises at least one hinge.

[0047] Such a hinge has mechanical characteristics that allow for maintaining a stable opening angle between the two articulated parts of the terminal. This embodiment therefore advantageously makes the sequence of reference opening angles, on the one hand, simpler for the user to perform and, on the other hand, due to the stability of the opening angles, easier for the terminal to measure.

[0048] The invention therefore applies primarily, but not exclusively, to a terminal comprising two parts articulated by means of at least one hinge. However, the invention also applies to other pivoting elements, such as a compass, a flexible element, a gear, a ball joint, or any other means known to those skilled in the art.

[0049] The invention also relates to a terminal comprising at least two parts articulated relative to each other by means of at least one pivoting element, said terminal comprising: - a measuring module configured to measure a sequence of opening angles formed successively by said two parts, - an execution module, activated if the measured opening angle sequence corresponds to a reference opening angle sequence and configured to execute at least one specific action on said terminal associated with the reference opening angle sequence.

[0050] The invention further relates to a computer program, comprising program code instructions for implementing a process according to any one of the particular embodiments described above, when this program is executed by a processor.

[0051] Such instructions can be stored permanently in a non-transient memory medium of a terminal implementing the method of triggering an action according to the invention or, according to another embodiment, on a remote memory medium hosted on a third-party server.

[0052] This program may use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or code intermediate between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0053] The invention also relates to a computer-readable information or recording medium on which a computer program such as those mentioned above is recorded.

[0054] The recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium can include a storage means, such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), for example a CD ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory) or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or a magnetic recording means, for example a mobile medium, a hard disk or an SSD (Solid State-Drive).

[0055] On the other hand, the recording medium can be a transmissible medium, such as an electrical or optical signal, which can be transmitted via an electrical or optical cable, by radio, or by other means, so that the computer program it contains is executable remotely. The program according to the invention can, in particular, be uploaded to a network, for example, an Internet-type network.

[0056] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which one of the programs is incorporated, the circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the method of triggering an action according to the invention.

[0057] Furthermore, it can be envisaged, in other embodiments, that the process and terminal according to the invention present in combination all or part of the aforementioned characteristics. Brief description of the drawings

[0058] Other features and advantages will become apparent upon reading particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0059] Figure [1] represents a terminal according to the invention, in a particular embodiment,

[0060] Figure [Fig. Ibis] represents a terminal according to the invention, in another embodiment of the invention,

[0061] Figure [Fig. 1] represents an example of the hardware architecture of a terminal according to the invention,

[0062] Fig. 2 represents the main steps of a method for triggering an action according to the invention, as implemented by a terminal such as the terminal of Fig. 1 or the terminal of Fig. 1bis in a particular embodiment. Detailed description Description of a terminal conforming to the invention.

[0063] Fig. 1 represents a terminal T according to the invention, in a particular embodiment.

[0064] This terminal T is in the example envisaged in [Fig.1] a terminal, for example a smartphone, comprising at least two parts articulated to each other by means of at least one pivoting element.

[0065] However, the invention is not limited to smartphones and any other portable terminal such as a tablet, a laptop, etc., comprising at least two parts PI and P2 articulated with respect to each other by means of at least one pivoting element.

[0066] According to the example described here, the terminal T comprises a single pivoting element.

[0067] According to the invention, parts PI and P2 of terminal T are articulated by means of at least one pivoting element C, allowing part PI to move closer to or away from part P2, so as to form an angle a, also designated as the opening angle.

[0068] Terminal T is also equipped with: - a MA measuring module, configured to measure a sequence of opening angles formed successively by the two parts PI and P2 articulated by the pivoting element C, and - of an execution module ME, activated if said sequence of opening angles measured by the measurement module MA corresponds to a reference sequence of opening angles, and configured to execute at least one determined action on the terminal T associated with the reference sequence of opening angles in question.

[0069] In the embodiment described here, the terminal T further includes a detection module MC configured to detect whether the measured opening angle sequence corresponds to a reference opening sequence.

[0070] According to the embodiment described here, the terminal T is a smartphone equipped with a single pivot element C of the hinge type.

[0071] Alternatively, the pivoting element may be a flexible element, a compass, a gear or any other articulated element known to a person skilled in the art.

[0072] According to another variant, the terminal comprises more than one pivoting element and more than two parts that can move closer together or further apart, forming angles a', a”, etc.

[0073] According to the embodiment described here, the pivot element C of the terminal T allows the two parts PI and P2 to be articulated (i.e. rotated) around an axis of rotation orthogonal to the length of the terminal when it is unfolded.

[0074] Alternatively, the pivot element C of the terminal T allows the two parts of the terminal T to be articulated along an axis parallel to the length of the terminal when it is folded (like a book).

[0075] According to another embodiment, the pivoting element C allows the rotation of the first part of the terminal T with respect to the second part of the terminal T in a plane of the terminal T and along an axis of rotation orthogonal to this plane.

[0076] This embodiment is illustrated in Figure [Fig. 1bis], which represents a terminal Tbis according to the invention comprising parts P1bis and P2bis articulated with respect to each other, part P2bis pivoting in the same plane with respect to part P1bis by means of a pivot element Cbis not visible in the figure. In Figure [Fig. 1bis], the modules MA, MC, and ME of terminal Tbis are identical to those of terminal T and are therefore referenced in the same way. It should be noted that what is described below with reference to Figure [Fig. 1] and to elements P1, P2, and C of terminal T applies similarly or identically to terminal Tbis in Figure [Fig. 1bis] and to its elements P1bis, P2bis, and Cbis.

[0077] In the embodiment described here with reference to [Fig.1], at least one of the two parts PI and P2 of terminal T is equipped with a display screen (not shown in [Fig.1]).

[0078] In the embodiment described here, the measuring module MA, which measures the opening angle formed by the two parts PI and P2, is integral with the pivoting means C, which is capable of directly measuring the rotation or opening of said means, thereby carrying the movement of parts PI and P2 relative to each other (it should be noted that only one part may be movable). For example, it could be a module measuring the opening of the two hinge pins, the ball joint(s), or the rotation of a gear element involved in one of these elements.

[0079] According to another embodiment, the MA module measures the opening angle indirectly, for example by extrapolating this measurement from the distance or inclination between the at least two parts of the terminal. For this purpose, the module of The measurement can use a pair of transmitters / receivers placed on two parts of the terminal and on either side of the pivoting element. These transmitters / receivers can be optical (which allows the distance between them to be measured) or based on UWB ("Ultra Wide Band") technology, the latter allowing both the distance and the inclinations between the two transmitters, and therefore between the two Plet P2 parts of the terminal, to be calculated.

[0080] These examples are cited for illustrative purposes only and are not limited to any other solution known to a person skilled in the art and practice which can be implemented to measure the sequence of opening angles of the at least two parts articulated by a pivoting means.

[0081] The MA measuring module is also capable of measuring sequences of opening angles, i.e., series of angles successively formed by parts PI and P2. A more detailed description of the measurement of angle sequences carried out using the MA measuring module is given in the description of figure [Fig.2].

[0082] Optionally, the terminal also has additional IC control means such as a touch screen, buttons, a dial, a voice control module or any other control interface known to a person skilled in the art and not shown in [Fig.1].

[0083] The [Fig.lter] presents the simplified structure of the terminal T configured to implement the method of triggering an action on a terminal according to the invention.

[0084] In this particular embodiment of the invention described herein, the steps executed by the terminal T, within the framework of implementing the method for triggering an action of the present invention, are implemented by means of instructions in a computer program PG. For this purpose, the terminal T has the classic architecture of a computer and includes, in particular, a memory memory (MEM), a processing unit (UTR), equipped, for example, with a processor (PROC), and controlled by the computer program PG stored in memory memory (MEM). The memory memory (MEM) is a storage medium within the meaning of the invention. The computer program PG includes instructions for implementing the steps of the method for triggering an action according to the invention, as described later with reference to Figure [Fig. 2].

[0085] The PG program defines, in particular, functional modules of the terminal T which include, in particular: - the previously introduced MA measurement module, which is configured to measure a sequence of opening angles formed successively by the two parts PI and P2 of terminal T, - the ME execution module, activated if said measured opening angle sequence corresponds to a reference opening angle sequence, and configured to execute at least one specific action on the T terminal associated with the reference opening angle sequence, and in the implementation method described here the MC detection module.

[0086] Description of the steps of the method for triggering an action according to the invention, as implemented by terminal T of the [Fig. 1]

[0087] Figure [Fig. 2] illustrates the main steps of a triggering method according to the invention as implemented by the terminal T shown in Figure [Fig. 1]. Although described with reference to the terminal T, these steps can also be applied in a similar or identical manner to other terminals, such as, for example, the terminal Tbis shown in Figure [Fig. 1bis].

[0088] During step E200, at least one sequence of reference aperture angles SRef is recorded on the terminal T and then associated with a particular action to be triggered when a sequence of aperture angles similar to the reference sequence is detected by the terminal.

[0089] This association can be made by the manufacturer of the terminal T, by its user or by any other authorized person.

[0090] This step incorporates the principles known to those skilled in the art of associating commands (for example, a keyboard shortcut or a button) with the triggering of actions associated with these commands (call, launching an application, etc.). This step may include, in particular, verification and confirmation substeps allowing the user to perform the sequence of opening angles several times (associated or not with one or more additional events) before validating it and associating it with a command.

[0091] Several reference sequences can be recorded and associated with different actions within, for example, one or more association tables.

[0092] For example, such an association table may take the following form: # Reference Sequence Associated Action 1 60°, 120° Open Maps App 2 60°, 90°, 120° Initiate a call to contact #1 3 60°, 120°, 90° Initiate a call to contact #2 4 60°, 120°, Volume Up button, 90°, 45° 5 45°, 90°, "Sorry" Emergency call + speakerphone muted

[0093] According to this example, - Sequences can be made up of a variable number of opening angles, - Sequences can be composed of opening angles and additional events (according to example 4: pressing a specific button at a specific moment in the sequence or according to example 5: saying a specific phrase, - Sequences can be associated with combinations of actions (in the case of example 5, a call and a device sound adjustment).

[0094] It should be noted in this example that some angle sequences may present successions of similar angles (as in examples 1 and 3). These cases can either be reported during the recording of the angle sequences and / or be taken into account subsequently during the sequence detection step (see E203).

[0095] These associations can be updated (by modifying the triggered action or the reference sequence), or deleted, supplemented, etc. at any time by an authorized user.

[0096] During step E201, the MA measurement module of terminal T measures a sequence of rotation angles Sal composed of a series of at least 2 opening angles (al, a2, ...).

[0097] These opening angles result from the user's manipulation of the terminal T and the opening of two parts articulated relative to each other by means of the pivoting element C.

[0098] As mentioned previously, the opening angles refer to the angles formed by the two parts PI and P2 of the terminal, articulated by means of the pivoting element.

[0099] The term "angle sequence" is used to designate a sequence of opening angles formed successively by the two parts articulated by means of the pivoting element.

[0100] For example, by way of illustration, it is assumed that the measurement carried out by the measuring module MA relates to a sequence of 3 opening angles between the minimum opening angle and the maximum opening angle of the parts PI and P2 of the terminal T articulated by means of the pivoting element C. For example, the sequence of the 3 angles measured is 30°, 60° and 45° or 120°, 15° and 160°.

[0101] It should be noted that when the terminal T comprises at least two pivoting elements, the measured sequence may contain at least one opening angle of each of the parts articulated by each pivoting means.

[0102] According to this example, the sequence of opening angles does not include an opening angle corresponding to the maximum or minimum opening angle of the parts articulated by a pivoting element. The maximum opening angle is defined as the maximum angle that can be formed by the two parts PI and P2 articulated with respect to each other by means of the pivoting element (for example, 0°, 180° or, where applicable, 360°, etc.). This feature makes it possible, in particular, to reduce the mechanical stress on the pivoting element C and to limit the impact of implementing the invention on the service life of this pivoting element C (and, incidentally, of the terminal T).

[0103] According to the embodiment described here, each measurement corresponds to an angle maintained by the user of terminal T for a pre-configured minimum time (for example one second or one 1 / 20th of a second).

[0104] According to another example, the measured angle corresponds to the maximum or minimum angle preceding a change in the direction of the pivoting means (for example when the terminal goes from an opening movement to a closing movement or vice versa).

[0105] According to a final example, a sequence of angles is composed, in whole or in part, of a series of opening angles maintained according to an angle and a duration specific to each opening angle (for example 60° and not less than 1 second and not more than 2 for the first angle of the sequence and 120° and between 1 / 20th and 1 / 5th of a second for the last angle of the sequence, etc.).

[0106] Furthermore, in the embodiment described here, the opening angle of the two parts PI and P2 at a given instant is displayed dynamically on the screen of terminal T.

[0107] It should be noted that the display of the opening angle is optional.

[0108] Once measured, the sequence is recorded by the terminal T. According to the embodiments, the recorded sequence is stored in a memory space contained in the measurement module MA or in a third memory module (for example, the MEM memory).

[0109] It should be noted that the measurement of the opening angles can be performed continuously or triggered by a command to measure the sequence of opening angles. This command can result, if the terminal has such functionalities, from a voice command, the pressing of a button or any other touch interface.

[0110] In the case where the opening angles are measured continuously, the opening angle measurement step is always active. The MA measurement module is then configured to measure angle sequences containing predetermined numbers of angles (equal to the number of angles in the recorded SRef reference opening angle sequences). A new sequence is then measured by the MA measurement module each time the terminal components are moved by a new angle.

[0111] For example: If the reference opening angle sequence consists of two angles and the parts PI and P2 of terminal T are placed successively so as to form angles Al, A2, A3 and A4, three angle sequences will be measured: Al, A2; A2, A3 and A3, A4.

[0112] In E202, the detection module MC receives from the measurement module MA the Sal sequence measured in step E201 and then compares it to at least one reference sequence stored in the terminal's memory in order to detect if the measured sequence corresponds to a reference sequence.

[0113] Detection can be performed on the basis of an angle-by-angle comparison. Or by introducing a correspondence index between the measured angle sequence Sal and the reference angle sequence. The calculation of the correspondence index can be carried out using various technical solutions known to those skilled in the art, such as a dynamic time warp (DTW) algorithm, a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network, a hidden Markov model, or any other technical solution known to those skilled in the art, in order to arrive at a reliable correspondence index between the measured angle sequence Sal and the reference aperture angle sequence.

[0114] According to this embodiment, the MC detection module uses a tolerance margin, however, this must not be too large so as not to generate false positives or, in the case where several sequences of reference angles are recorded, identify a sequence of reference opening angles different from that which the terminal user wished to reproduce.

[0115] When the detection module detects a match between the measured Sal aperture angle sequence and a reference aperture sequence, it sends identification information for this reference sequence to the execution module. This could, for example, be a number, an alphanumeric identifier, etc.

[0116] In the event that several sequences of reference angles are recorded and if the detection module MC has detected correspondences between the measured opening angle sequence Sal and several sequences of reference opening angles, it sends to the execution module ME an identification information of the reference sequence presenting the highest correspondence index.

[0117] For example, according to this assumption, if two sequences are recorded and one of them is similar to a part of the other, for example if the detection module receives the sequence 60°, 120° then the sequence 60°, 120°, 90°, and these two received sequences correspond to two reference sequences, the detection module sends the execution module ME an identification information corresponding to the longer sequence.

[0118] If the detection module does not detect that the sequence of opening angles Sal measured in step E201 corresponds to a reference sequence of opening angles, the process terminates.

[0119] In E203, the execution module receives identification information for a reference sequence and proceeds to trigger at least one action associated with this sequence of reference opening angles.

[0120] According to one embodiment, the triggering of an action is associated with a sequence of angles and an additional event EA (for example, the actuation of a button, a dial, or the capture of a voice command). Optionally, this event must occur at a particular point in the sequence of opening angles.

[0121] In this case, in E201, the angle sequence Sal is composed of both opening angles and said at least one additional event. In E202, the detection step aims to establish a correspondence between this Sal sequence and an SRef sequence also comprising at least one additional element EA.

Claims

Demands

1. Method of triggering an action on a terminal comprising at least two parts articulated with respect to each other by means of at least one pivoting element, said method being implemented by said terminal and comprising: - a step of measuring a sequence of opening angles formed successively by said two parts, - if said measured sequence of opening angles corresponds to a reference sequence of opening angles, a step of executing at least one determined action on said terminal associated with the reference sequence of opening angles.

2. Triggering method according to claim 1 wherein said sequence of reference opening angles comprises at least two measured angles distinct from the maximum and minimum opening angles formed by said two parts.

3. A triggering method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the execution step of said at least one action requires detection of at least one additional given event in addition to a correspondence of said measured opening angle sequence with said reference opening angle sequence.

4. A triggering method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 further comprising a step of recording at least one sequence of reference opening angles in association with at least one action to be performed on the terminal.

5. Triggering method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 further comprising a step of displaying, on said terminal, at least one measurement of an opening angle formed by said two parts.

6. Triggering method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the measurement step comprises, for at least one opening angle of said measured sequence: - a direct measurement of said opening angle by a measuring device attached to said pivoting element, and / or - an indirect measurement of said opening angle by calculating a distance between said two parts.

7. A triggering method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising the use of at least one technique from: - a dynamic time warp algorithm; - a neural network; - a hidden Markov model; to determine whether said measured opening angle sequence corresponds to a reference opening angle sequence.

8. Triggering method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said pivoting element comprises at least one hinge.

9. Terminal comprising at least two parts articulated to each other by means of at least one pivoting element comprising: - a measuring module configured to measure a sequence of opening angles formed successively by said two parts, - an execution module, activated if said sequence of measured opening angles corresponds to a reference sequence of opening angles, and configured to execute at least one determined action on said terminal associated with the reference sequence of opening angles.

10. Terminal according to claim 9 in which said pivoting element comprises at least one hinge.

Images