Method and system for determining audience members by using Bluetooth

The present invention relates to the field of telecommunications applied to the high-precision information acquisition. The invention more particularly to a data acquisition process by a receiver using Bluetooth technology type, as well as equipment information manager to implement this method.

It is known in the prior art for detecting and identifying consumers of products, for example television, the use of buttons buttons on a device, each button being dedicated exclusively to consumer. When such a button is pressed, it is considered that the consumers associated with this button "consumes" the product, in this case a television program. A disadvantage of this method is that it allows not verify the actual presence of the consumer. Moreover, for a group consumers, the handling of the device push button requires a plurality of movements. The information of detection and identification consumers may be incorrect. The declarative mode used for detect individuals is very inaccurate, so no access to the product or the identification of the individual who accessed the product are truly reliably controlled.

There is therefore a need to make them more representative of the reality information detection / identification.

The present invention thus relates to remove one or more disadvantages of prior art by defining a method identify both individuals and an activity carried out by these individuals reliably by Bluetooth technology type.

The present invention also aims to allow to collect data in which time information and duration are associated with presence information of an individual.

To this end, the invention concerns a data acquisition process by a radio receiver using Bluetooth technology, implemented by a information manager equipment comprising first means data acquisition with a Bluetooth radio module including the edit receiver for receiving data from at least one terminal Bluetooth wireless in a specific area of ​​said receiving cell, said method comprising a preliminary step declaration of the terminal to the Bluetooth radio module being characterized in that it comprises:<ul><li>a step of storing, in a memory of second means data acquisition of the information manager equipment, stamped data representative of a type of use of a product available in the receiving cell,</li><li>at a variable moment in the process, a step of detection / attachment of a terminal inserted into said cell receiving, by the Bluetooth radio module, and a subsequent step of creating a sequence of attachment / detachment associated with the least one identifying characteristic of said terminal by a module collection and classification of the first means of data acquisition, said identification characteristic being supplied during the step of statement of the terminal,</li><li>at a variable point in the process, a final step detection / detachment of said terminal having left the cell receiving, by the Bluetooth radio module, and a subsequent step of storing the sequence of attachment / detachment associated with identifying characteristic of said terminal by said collection module and ranking in a memory of the first acquisition means data,</li><li>a step of transmitting to a first base a data host, by sending module of equipment Manager information, data representative of an historical comprising for each terminal said time-stamped sequences attachment / detachment completed with the type of use corresponding product available in the receiving cell.</li></ul>

The invention thus provides a highly accurate "measure" since identifies passively one or more users of a carrier Bluetooth autonomous terminal accessing a product so that the way is this product.

In another feature of the invention, the size of the area determined is of the order of 10 meters, the Bluetooth radio is fixed and Class 3 with a transmitter power of about 0 dB.

In another feature, the reporting step includes entry a terminal identification code using a graphical interface and navigation means connected to the equipment information manager, step detection / attachment being displayable by the indicating means detection of the terminal.

In another feature, an update step is performed at a change in the kind of product use, through a tracking module second means of acquisition to update sequences of attachment / detachment underway.

In another feature, each terminal is for a user one who entered a personal identification code in step declaration data related to the terminal to represent information characterizing this single user being stored in a second database server center.

In another feature, the data to be transmitted to the first database are compressed then encoded by means of data transformation coupled to the sending module to be sent by the sending module to the first database via a network public communication.

The acquisition of data resulting in the transmission of said data over a public network, this can be managed in a way prédéclarée and autonomous by the sending module, eg sending all nights at 00:01 if there are data.

In another feature, the memory of the first means data acquisition in case of receiving success by the first base for server data center, is discharged by means of erasure data sending module, this latter reiterating the step of transmitting in the opposite case.

It is worth noting here that the solicitation can be external: the call to module with "AT" commands, that is to say commands starting with signal "Warning", triggering the memory dump. The connection is then performed by the server, not the module initiative including means erasure.

In another feature, the memory of the second means data acquisition is also discharged by said means erasure of data if received successfully by the first base for server data center.

In another feature, the public communication network through which the compressed encoded data are transmitted is the network Internet or a GSM network.

In another feature, the product is television, the type of use being representative of a programming said product.

The invention also aims to propose equipment Manager information using a Bluetooth-type technology eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art.

To this end, the invention relates to an equipment manager information using a Bluetooth type of technology for setting performing the method according to the invention, comprising first means data acquisition with a Bluetooth radio module including said receiver for receiving data from at least one terminal Bluetooth wireless in a specific area of ​​said receiving cell and an interface user to declare the said terminal in Bluetooth radio module with at least a terminal identification characteristic, characterized in that comprises:<ul><li>second data acquisition means provided with an interface Intelligence and memory for storing data stamped representative of a type of use of a product accessible in the receiving cell, </li><li>a collection module and classification included in the first means data acquisition and connected to the Bluetooth radio module, capable on the one identifying a part in said terminal from being detected by the module Bluetooth radio to automatically create a sequence attachment / detachment associated with said feature identification terminal, and secondly to identify the end of detection this terminal for storing said sequence in a memory first means for data acquisition,</li><li>a sending module adapted to collect data data obtained by the first and second data acquisition means and transmitting to a remote database data representative of a historical listing for each said terminal sequences stamped attachment / detachment supplemented with the corresponding type of use of the product available in the cell reception.</li></ul>

In another feature, the Bluetooth radio is Class 3 and comprises a directive gain antenna with a transmitting power of around 0 dB.

In another feature of the invention, the user interface includes a graphical interface and navigation means to enable entering a terminal identification code.

In another feature, the information interface is connected to a tracking module of the second acquisition means capable of performing the update the sequences for attachment / detachment courses by type product use.

In another feature, the data sending module is coupled to data processing means for compressing and encoding data to be transmitted, said sending module comprising an interface communication with a public communication network.

In another feature, the sending module comprises means data erasure to unload the memory of the first and / or second data acquisition means and receiving means for check the receipt of data from the remote database.

In another feature, the communication interface module Sending is an Internet terminal or GSM.

The invention, with its features and advantages, will become clearly on reading the description given with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples in which:<ul><li>Figure 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment a manager information equipment according to the invention in association with a GSM network,</li><li>2 shows a receiving cell in which Bluetooth mobile devices can communicate with one module Fixed Bluetooth radio,</li><li>3 schematically shows an example of process according to the invention.</li></ul>

The invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the invention proposes to identify people through terminals (21, 22) independent Bluetooth previously reported from a Bluetooth radio module (3) communicating with terminals (21, 22), for example using Bluetooth technology Class 3 corresponding to the issue of 1mW. Not limited to, the antenna (30) of the radio module (3) is a directive gain antenna generating -6 0 dB, so that the terminals must be very near the module radio to communicate, for example 10 meters at most. In accordance specification V1.1 Bluetooth standard, the receiving cell (C) corresponding to the Bluetooth radio module (3) makes it possible to communicate 7 maximum wireless terminals (21, 22) "slaves" simultaneously with the radio module (3) "master", as shown in Figure 2. Terminal Bluetooth (21, 22) may be in the form of bracelet or any other practical shape to wear.

Equipment (1) information manager using technology Bluetooth according to the invention has the specificity to be placed in close proximity of a product (P), for example a receiver of broadcast programs such as TV, and use Bluetooth technology to store information attaching / detaching the module (3) "master" for people equipped with a terminal in order to link this information to programs associated watched and / or listened to in the case of this particular example. The product (P) is arranged in the cell (C) and is not accessible e.g. for users in the cell (C).

Data acquisition is therefore effected eg intertrip radio receiver Bluetooth radio module, initiated by simple detection / attachment of said Bluetooth terminal entering a specific area corresponding to the receiving cell (C), which extent is of the order of 10 meters. A user interface is provided for declare a terminal (21, 22) Bluetooth radio module (3) with at least one terminal identification characteristic (21, 22). Equipment (1) includes for example a user interface (not shown) consisting of a GUI and navigation means to allow the entry of a terminal identification code (21, 22). In one embodiment of the invention, the user can declare its terminal in Bluetooth radio module (3) using for example the display of a TV or other display coupled equipment (1). The information requested will be the 4-digit PIN code the terminal (21, 22), then validation of the listening device, which has by example of a diode relaying visually by a long flash detection information "field" radio receiver. It is possible to visualize good reception. A report by rapid flashing can allow to indicate the need for change cells or batteries. The detection step / attachment is displayable by such terminal detection indication means (21, 22).

As shown in Figure 2, a terminal (22) located outside of the cell (C), even if it was declared, so is not detected and is not taken into account by the device (1). Here we understand that the Bluetooth communication referred here has absolutely no need of increased radiation capacity since only the terminals (21) very close to the radio module (3) should be detected. Power class 1, generally up to 100 meters from a mobile base, is thus not advantageous according to the principle of the invention.

Equipment (1) according to the invention comprises first means acquiring (11) data including the Bluetooth radio module (3) and a memory (101) for storing data representative of sequences attachment / detachment of terminals (21, 22) reported. Equipment (1) also comprises second acquisition means (12) of data provided with an interface (I) intelligence and memory (102) to store time-stamped data representative of a type of use product (P). clock means (not shown) may be provided to enable time stamping data. In the case of a television product, type use is representative of a programming TV product. The invention then several advantages: it allows in particular Secure and passive identification of a family circle facing a receiver programs. The non declarative mode of this identification, associated with the automatic detection of the presence of spectators then the correlation this information with the given program is an element capable of providing greater precision in the médiamétriques measures. Other applications access control and home automation involving the recognition of an individual the terminal carrier (21, 22) by attachment of the profile detected are possible: vocalization of received messages, viewing a TV program or listening to a favorite radio station, opening shutters, etc.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the first acquisition means (11) data comprises a module (110) for collecting and classifying connected to the module Bluetooth radio (3). This collection module and ranking is able firstly to identify a terminal (21) from said to be detected by the radio module Bluetooth (3) to automatically create a sequence attachment / detachment associated with the identification characteristic of the terminal (21), and secondly to identify the end of detection of this terminal (21) for storing said sequence in the memory (101) first means acquiring (11) data. This memory (101) is of the RAM type (Random Access Memory), Flash or equivalent. Storage means Common can consolidate this memory (101) and memory (102) of second acquisition means (12) data in a variant of production.

The information manager equipment (1) comprises a module sending (10) data to collect the data obtained by the first and second acquisition means (11, 12) and transmit data to a database (51) remote data representative of an historical listing for each terminal (21, 22) said time-stamped sequences attachment / detachment complemented with the corresponding type of use the product (P) available in the cell (C). As illustrated in Figure 1, sending module (10) comprises a communication interface with a network public communication, for example an Internet terminal, GSM or GSM data SMS (Short Message Service). The radio subsystem (BSS) or network PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) used to route data to the database (51). An antenna (31) of the GSM type sending module (10) allows, in the example of Figure 1, transmit data to the base station receivers (BTS) of the BSC base station (4) controlling the transfer of such data. In one embodiment of the invention, the sending module (10) is coupled to means data transformation for compressing and encoding the data to pass. The transmission can be done in "night way" according to a secure protocol to a central server (5) authenticates the message integrity issued, which are stored encoded in the database (51) for the purpose of statistics for example. The sending of data is effected on a network public, this can be managed so prédéclarée and autonomous the sending module (10), for example sending every night after midnight if actual data to transmit. Alternatively, decoding and decompression of transmitted data can be made through the center server (5).

In one embodiment of the invention, the sending module (10) is in responsible for the management of erasing the memory (101) first means acquiring (11) data, if reception of success by the base data (51) of the host (5). This memory (101) is discharged means for erasing (not shown) of the sending module (10) can also be ordered on the initiative of the host (5). AT commands for modem may be used in the case of such a external stress with call to the sending module (10). The step of Data transmission is repeated by the sending module (10) in the case where the reception failed. The database (51) remote delivers by such as a code interpreted by means of receiving the sending module (10) to verify correct receipt of data by the database (51) remote, issued the code to indicate success or failure of the reception. The sending module (10) controls the send retry schemes if necessary and the transmission of error messages or lifts sufferers maintenance periods issued by a local application of equipment (1).

The sending module (10) can also unload analogously the memory (102) of the second acquisition means (12) of data, via data erasing means. Unloading memories (101, 102) may advantageously and not limited to be achieved when the registration data can not be due to a lack of free memory, a safety margin for the memory before be reached.

In one embodiment of the invention, each Bluetooth terminal (21, 22) is intended for a single user having entered an identification code Staff at the declaration of the terminal (21, 22). Datas assigned to the terminal (21, 22) for representing information characterizing this single user are stored in a database (52) additional server center (5). The operator of the network carrying the data to the first database (51) said indeed beforehand, for each terminal (21, 22), personal information on its user, such as age, gender, name, first name, category socio-professional, etc. This personal information is stored on a database (52) distinct from the database (51) containing the information attachment / detachment to meet the requirements of people on protecting their privacy.

An update step can be performed during a change of Type of product use (P) via a monitoring module (120) second acquisition means (12) of data, to update the sequences of attachment / detachment on current terminals (21) present in the cell (C) for receiving. The interface (1) Intelligence is connected to the monitoring module to report the change of use product (P) so that the monitoring module performs an update into account of the new type of product use (P).

The invention will now be described in connection with FIGS 1 and 3.

The data acquisition method comprises, as shown in 3, a prior step of declaration, by a user, a terminal (21, 22) to the Bluetooth radio module (3). The user makes such a application (61) statement using the user interface. A phase identifying (62) is formed by at least entry of a PIN or characteristic identification equivalent. The declaration may be naturally produced by the same person to declare a plurality of terminals (21, 22) Bluetooth.

At a variable point in the process when a user comes with his terminal (21) in said cell (C) reception, a step (63) detection / attachment of the terminal (21) is produced by the radio module Bluetooth (3). A subsequent step of creating a sequence attachment / detachment associated with the identifying characteristic of that terminal (21) is performed by the module (110) for collecting and ranking. Of the Similarly, at a variable point in the process, a step (64) End detection / detachment of a terminal (22) said having left the cell (C) reception is performed by the Bluetooth radio module (3). A subsequent step (65) for storing the sequence of attachment / detachment associated with characteristic of said terminal identification (22) is performed by the module (110) for collecting and ranking in the memory (101) first means acquiring (11) data.

As shown in Figure 3, the process according to the invention is also involves a step (60) for storing in the memory (102) second acquisition means (12), time-stamped data representative of the kind of product use (P) located in the cell (C). In one embodiment of the invention, a step (66) of association of sequences for attachment / detachment with the type of product use is performed by the sending module. The latter being collected and the association of the sequences for attachment / detachment of the numbers / codes terminals (21, 22) reported with information representative of using the product at a specific time. A step (68) of transmission to the database (51) of the server center (5) is then performed by the module sending (10) after a step (67) through compression and encoding data to be transmitted.

In the particular case of a television product with the type of use depends on the selection of a broadcast channel, each channel alteration diffusion causes an update of the attachment of the terminals (21, 22), by via a logic function type used for example to HOLD each viewer. HOLD This type of logic includes eg Staging a program modification. The attachment can be characterized by a NEW type of information that includes the type of program selected, the detachment QUIT type information. It is possible to qualify the update, adding or removing a terminal (21, 22) by a SET type function.

In one embodiment of the invention, the databases (51, 52) separate from the server center (5) may, together with a third base data (53) Datamart kind for supporting aid applications Decision and customer relationship management, a set meet requirements of confidentiality and protection of privacy.

One advantage of the invention is to provide a "logging" of attachment / detachment of the terminal holders, including information personal named are stored in a separate database the basis of information gathered while Bluetooth is primarily a transport element of the voice between a master and one or more slaves being authentication and attachment only one step to achieve this goal.

Another advantage of the invention lies in the detection time actual arrival or departure of one or more users. Compared to IrDA type of technology (Infrared Device Association), WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), Home RF (Radio frequency) can be used to allow the detection, Bluetooth technology is particularly costly and less especially secure better for sensitive applications.

The invention makes it especially secure and passive identification of a family circle facing a receiver in a program modes production. The non declarative mode associated with the automatic detection of the presence of spectators and correlating this information with the seen program is an element capable of bringing greater accuracy in médiamétriques measures.

It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention allows embodiments in many other forms specific without departing from the scope of the invention as claims. Therefore, the present embodiments must be considered illustrative but can be modified in the field defined by the scope of the appended claims and the invention should not be limited to the details given above.