FR2867931A1 - Connection request message processing method for e.g. teleconferencing field, involves sending message, having request information to establish contact with recipients and telephonic bridge/Web site identification data, to recipients - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves sending a message to communication terminals e.g. personal computers, of recipients (50, 52), by a user (2). The message contains information concerning a request for establishing a contact with the recipients through telephonic bridge (20) or Web site (20`), and an identification data of the bridge or the Web site. Information relative to access of the bridge or Web site, by the recipients is sent to the user. Independent claims are also included for the following: (A) a system for processing a request message comprises a request message processing device (B) a software product comprising a data medium having data in the form of code for implementing request message processing method.

Description

METHOD FOR CONNECTING PEOPLE JOINED BY

MULTI-RELEASE

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART

  The invention relates to a method for connecting people joined by multi-diffusion. It applies to areas as diverse as fixed and mobile telephony, multicast platforms, teleconferencing, videoconferencing, or cooperative work.

  There are currently various systems for transmitting information to a plurality of selected recipients.

  But these systems broadcast the same information to different people belonging to a predefined list.

  These systems therefore make it possible to give the same level of information to n persons at the same time, but do not offer the possibility directly to the people contacted to enter into a relationship or to exchange information, as and when they have become aware of the information disseminated, and this in the continuity of dissemination.

  In particular, the addressees can not take a joint decision on the information disseminated, or to keep each other informed.

  Members of certain professions, especially traveling, are often in situations that do not allow them to have all means of access to high-performance communication systems, such as the Internet for example. In the building sector, people working on a construction site may only have a mobile phone at their disposal. In such a case, these people are difficult to reach or are unavailable for, for example, a teleconference. The task is even more complicated if many of the people involved are on different sites or sites.

  A similar problem arises for the members of local communities, when various of these members have to face, possibly in collaboration with other external contributors, quickly to a technical problem on a site: for example one or several people of a town hall must quickly contact people from a water or electricity company.

  Among the professions concerned one can also mention those where the intervention of specialists from different branches is necessary, even though these specialists can not be gathered at the same place simultaneously. This may be the case in the context of emergency medical assistance, at a distance, involving both a doctor and a radiologist.

  DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to enable persons joined by a multi-distribution list to automatically (depending on the choices of the sender or the system) set up a means of dialogue with each other. and exchange information, synchronously or asynchronously, for example to make a common decision about the information disseminated or to provide information to all other persons concerned.

  The invention relates to a method for processing a first request message, by a user, for putting in relation with several recipients of a second message, comprising: sending these recipients of said second message containing information concerning said second message; request for connection according to communication means, and identification data of these communication means.

  The invention implements a transmission of a linkage request message to a group of people (recipients), and the use of resources or means or a workspace, made available to the persons concerned. .

  These means can offer synchronous services, responding to a need for simultaneity (urgency, decision-making time, spontaneity ...) and asynchronous services offering each participant the opportunity to exchange and learn about the operation. or the evolution of arguments or statements exchanged or provided by other participants.

  The invention implements a step and means of multi-diffusion and communication systems such as fixed or mobile phones, telephone bridges, chat, or a videoconferencing system.

  The invention makes it possible for any recipient person, contacted by means of the second message, to contact the other recipients and to have an information exchange space.

  A step of sending, to the user, information relating to the access of the recipients to said means of communication may further be provided. The user can then possibly modify his request, in particular as regards the choice of the means of communication.

  Data relating to the recipients and possibly data relating to communication devices available to these recipients can be stored.

  Preferably at least part of the identification data of the communication means can be sent to a communicating terminal of a recipient in the form of a link or information directly usable on this terminal.

  The means of communication may be made available to users after the second message has been sent to the recipients or at the latest as soon as the second message is sent to the recipients. In an emergency situation, it is therefore possible to put the means of communication immediately at the disposal of the addressees or participants of the conference or the connection.

  At least part of the identification data of the communication means can be sent simultaneously to the connection request information, or non-simultaneously, for example subsequently, to the connection request information.

  In order to optimize the technical resources used, it may be further provided a step of identifying the reading of a message by one or more recipients.

  Provision of the communication means can therefore be performed according to the result of the read identification step.

  Similarly, at least part of the identification data of the communication means can be sent according to the result of the read identification step.

  The invention also relates to a device for processing a first request message, by a user, relating to several recipients of a second message, this device comprising: means for sending a broadcast request to these recipients, of a second message containing information concerning said request for linking according to means of communication, and identification data of these communication means.

  Means may also be provided to send the user information relating to the access of the recipients to said communication means.

  Means may be used to send to the communication means an instruction or a request for making available the communication means or the end of making available these communication means.

  A system according to the invention comprises a system for processing a request, by a user, for putting in relation with several recipients, comprising a device as described above, and means for broadcasting messages to recipients.

  Preferably, such a system further comprises means for sending at least part of the identification data of the communication means to a terminal communicating with a recipient in the form of a link that can be directly used on this terminal.

  The invention also relates to a data carrier, readable by a computer system, comprising the data, in encoded form, for implementing a method as described above.

  It also relates to a software product comprising a program data support means, readable by a computer system, for implementing a method as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

  FIG. 1 represents an embodiment of a system according to the invention; FIGS. 2A and 2B show an embodiment of a call processing method according to the invention.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and the flow diagram of FIGS. 2A and 2B (steps S1-S12).

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, a user 2 may communicate with a message processing system or means 30, for example a platform or server type device.

  For this purpose, the user 2 has either a communication device, for example a fixed or portable telephony device 4, or for example a computer 6 which can send electronic messages to the means 30. Other means of communication may be available to the user 2 for communication with the means 30.

  These means 30 may therefore receive a first message, sent by the user 2, for example in telephone or electronic form.

  The user 2 can therefore send to the means 30 a first broadcast request message of a second message to a set of recipients 50, 52, .... (Figure 2A: step S1).

  This first message can be limited to a simple request to put in relation with certain recipients. But this request may also include more precise information, such as one or more questions to be discussed with the recipients or the associated data available to the user 2 (for example, physical sensor parameters, and / or voice recording, and / or an attached file).

  The case of physical sensor parameters is in particular that where the user has acceleration or position sensors, for example in the case of a person suffering from a disability.

  The second message comprises in particular a connection request, by a communication mode or technical means 20 specified by the user 2 (for example by a telephone bridge).

  Several means 20, 20 'may be concerned by the same request. For example, there may be a request for a connection between a telephone bridge 20 and a website 20 '.

  One of these means may further be equipped with means conferring an interactive server function.

  This request can be a connection request when one or more of the users 50, 52 ... will have read the second message.

  The means 30 will make it possible to process such a request from a user 2, to organize the dissemination of the information to all the recipients 50, 52 and possibly the management of resources or technical means 20, 20 'of the chosen communication mode. Booking these resources and making them available to participants 2, 50, 52 is part of this management. The provision of the means 20, 20 'is the moment from which at least one participant can have access to these means 20, 20' of communication.

  In view of this provision the means 30 may previously send to the means 20, 20 'a request or a request for provision or access for a list of participants.

  At the end of use of the means 20, 20 ', when the connection is completed, the means 30 may send a request for completion of provision of the means 20, 20', for example at the request of the user 2. According to a variant, the provisioning stops automatically after a certain duration of provisioning, previously defined. According to another variant, the provisioning stops automatically after the last of the speakers (among the users 2, 50, 52, ...) has hung up or finished the connection.

  The server 30 will first identify which user 2 is the call or the first message.

  This identification of the calling user 2 allows (step S2, Figure 2A) to identify, for example in a database 33, his profile, including a list of recipients, or mailing list.

  The profile data relating to the user furthermore contain, for each recipient, the communication means 20, 20 'to which he has access or that he is able to use. More specific information such as time slots for accessibility to a particular mode or means of communication may further be specified.

  For example, the recipient 50 may be identified as unable to access the means 20, 20 'of communication provided during certain time slots.

  The profile data may also contain the communicating means or terminal by which each recipient 50, 52 can be reached: by landline, mobile, email, SMS, MMS, FAX, or any existing telecommunication technology.

  This list or database can be hosted on the server 30 or on a second server 38, not necessarily equipped with the same functions as the server 30. In this second case, the server 30 will send a request to the server 38, asking it to send him information or data from the list in relation to a specific user. The server on which this database will be hosted will be provided with means of search to search in this list or in this database.

  User 2 may have specified in his match request (the first message) a sub-list in the list of recipients associated with it in the database: all the persons identified in the list associated with the profile of the user 2 are not necessarily concerned by the questions that the user wishes to discuss 2.

  The means 30 can then, from the information contained in the list, confirm (or deny) that all members of the mailing list have access to this mode or these technical communication means (step S3): a message can therefore be sent to the user 2, back to his first message, indicating whether the chosen recipients have access to the mode or means 20, 20 'communication specified, or not.

  In case of denial, the sender of the message may for example make a second choice of communication mode (step S4, for example: connection to a website while the first choice was a teleconference).

  The second message is then prepared by means 30 (step S5).

  As already indicated above, its content and its recipients are determined by the user himself and by the list of recipients.

  Regarding the content of this second message, user 2 may have specified one or more questions to be discussed. The chosen communication mode and possibly the means of access to this mode of communication may also be specified therein.

  The information relating to these means of access comprises at least one technical identification data means 20, 20 ': the phone number of a telephone bridge, and / or an IP address for connection to a site , and / or a voice server number and / or an instant messaging room number.

  For example, a message to several interlocutors 50, 52 may be the following: at the request of Mr. X a teleconference will take place, please connect at 15:30 according to the procedure specified below; the questions will be answered as follows: Procedure: call the telephone bridge no. It is also possible to defer the connection procedure information at a later time, shortly before the teleconference actually takes place.

  The message to the callers 50, 52 can then be the following: at the request of Mr. X a teleconference will take place, please connect at 15:30 according to the procedure that will be specified shortly before; the questions will be:.

  It is also possible to defer the information relating to the connection procedure at a later time, without it being specified. Such a time may depend on a more or less random event, such as the number of recipients 50, 52 of the second message having actually read this second message, as will be described in more detail below.

  In case of emergency, communication resources can be immediately available. The means 20 of communication can then be available as soon as the second message is sent, or even as soon as the step of preparing the second message. The message will then indicate the possibility of connecting immediately.

    at the request of Mr. X a teleconference will take place, please login as soon as possible according to the procedure below; the questions will be answered as follows: Procedure:.

  This means that, in the specific case of an emergency, the communication means 20, 20 ', for example a telephone bridge, can be opened or made available to the recipients, as soon as the multicast message is sent.

  The message to be sent to the recipients 50, 52, ... may also be composed of a first part reproducing the first original message of the transmitter, transmitted to the means 30, and a second part indicating the technical data of access to the means 20, 20 'for example the number of the telephone bridge 20.

  The information relating to the technical identification data of the means 20, 20 'or to the connection data or to the connection procedure will preferably be transmitted in a form that is as immediately usable as possible by the recipient 50, 52, for example by simple selecting a link or address or number on its communicating receiving terminal device.

  This message then allows the persons to be informed to access the number to call, or the site to join, or to a videoconference, directly by selecting this link or this address or this number.

  This is particularly the case if the message sent to the recipients 50, 52 is of the MMS type.

  An instruction or message broadcast request will then be transmitted by the server 30 to a system or a server 40 for distributing requests. The two servers 30, 40 then communicate for example via the Internet network 36. Optionally, the message broadcasting functions are grouped with the functions already described above. In this case the server 30 sends the messages directly to the recipients 50, 52. In fact the servers 30 and 40 are then grouped into a single server.

  The instruction or the broadcast request includes the content of the second message as defined above, as well as the information relating to the list of recipients.

  A multi-diffusion system 40 that can be implemented in the context of the present invention is for example of the type described in the document FR-2,823,405 or in the document EP-03,291,048. This system 40 will transmit the data to the list of recipients 50, 52 to prevent, asking them to return a read signal when they have read the content of the message. In fact, for each recipient, he sends the message to one of the devices associated with this recipient, in the list or profile of the user 2, to this recipient. These devices can be for example a microcomputer or a mobile phone or a landline or a fax.

  The transmission to the recipients (step S6 and, optionally, separate step S7) can therefore take place via the Internet network 36, or via a gateway making it possible to connect the Internet to, for example, a wireless mobile telephone network or even to connect the Internet to a fixed telephone switched network.

  A message is then broadcast to all the recipients 50, 52 selected by the user 2 on the terminal referenced by each of these recipients.

  The broadcasting system 40 may optionally provide the server 30 with data relating to the processing of the broadcast request (step S8), that is to say data relating to the broadcast, and / or to the reception and / or reading, the message by the recipients.

  The means 30 may therefore receive signals or reports broadcast and / or reception and / or reading, by the recipients of the second message sent to recipients.

  According to one variant, the server 30 can go directly to look for this information in the server 40 for broadcasting messages.

  The means 30 may possibly retransmit this information to the user 2.

  An analysis of the progress of the broadcast and dynamic information relating to this progress can therefore be sent to the user 2.

  This analysis or this information will make it possible to manage the resources 20, 20 'of the communication means selected for the connection (step S9): for example, a telephone bridge 20 is open from the moment when the means 30 identify that a predetermined number n of recipients has read the message.

  The means 30 then send the means 20, 20 'a signal or a request to open or make available to the participants.

  The means 30 can then, only after identification of the reading by a certain number of recipients, communicate the technical data of the means 20, 20 'to all the members of the list (the step S7 is then placed after the step S9) .

  A specific message is then sent: A telephone bridge is open, you can join the conference by dialing the number ... or by clicking on.

  The recipients concerned compose the number of the bridge or click on the displayed link and a conference can take place: interlocutors can dialogue and decide on decision (s) to take (step S10).

  Whatever the embodiment chosen, all the persons 2, 50, 52 connected leave, after discussion, for example when a decision is made, the means 20, 20 'of communication, for example they hang up the telephone bridge.

  The means 30 then send (step S11) to the communication means 20, 20 'used a signal for closing access to the communication resources.

  For example, they suspend the use of a teleconference when they detect that all participants have hung up. They can decide to close the resources 20, 20 'or wait for an end of connection message issued by the user 2.

  A message may be broadcast by the means 30 or 40 (step S12) to the recipients who had not yet read the second message (which had nevertheless been sent to them) or who had not yet connected to the means 20, 20 'communication, indicating that n people have read the message and that their meeting ended at such time. This allows latecomers to not wait in vain for the opening of a telephone bridge or the provision of resources.

  The example of the telephone bridge has been given above, but the invention can implement other means 20, 20 'of communication for the decision-making phase: chat, or videoconference, or polish SMS, ..., from when all the members of the list have available compatible terminals: PC, and / or WAP phone, and / or communicating PDA, ...

  In another embodiment, the system operates asynchronously.

  The sender of the message initially specifies (step S1) that he wishes to have means 20, 20 'of asynchronous exchange, in order to be able to involve people who would not be available for a teleconference.

  The means 30 specify the access to this space or these means and reserve the resources of the means 20, 20 'of the interactive information service to keep participants informed of the progress of the operation and exchanges. They open and then release these resources when they detect that the operation has ended, or, as in the synchronous embodiment, the means 30 can release the resources when they receive the request from the user 2 .

  These release and reservation operations can take place as in the synchronous embodiment, by sending by the means 30 signals or opening or closing requests.

  Technical identification and / or access data of the means 20 are sent to the recipients 50, 52.

  A message, for example voice and / or other, is broadcast to all recipients 50, 52 concerned, on the communicating terminal of each, including such data or technical information identification or access to the exchange space (for example: phone number of a voice server).

  Preferably, this message again allows recipients to access: the number to call, the site to join, a videoconference, ..., directly by selecting a link on its communicating terminal. For this purpose, the message may be of the SMS type.

  In this case, the steps S6, S7 and S9 can take place simultaneously or almost simultaneously, in particular without waiting for the result of the read data (step S8).

  Means 20, 20 'allow people to: - have information on the progress of the operation: for example, the list of people having read the initial message, the status of the teleconference, the list of messages deposited by the other members ...

  - to file information about the operation. Depending on the context (degree of urgency, ...), this information can be broadcast via a voice broadcaster to other members of the group: a voice message is then sent to the participants indicating the provision of additional information.

  possibly, to modify the state of the operation. Example = stop the alert, stagger an appointment, This example can be broken down on other communication systems for the decision-making phase, in particular: interactive chat, or polite SMS (SMS voting), or WAP sharing (push wap), or UMTS videoconferencing.

  The aforementioned platform or server implements means 33 for storing data (the profile) relating to each user. As a variant, these data are stored in the storage means of another server 38. Schematically, the server 30 also comprises various components, such as a microprocessor 35 connected, by a bus, to a set of RAM memories 37 for storing data, and ROMs 39 in which program instructions can be stored. This system further comprises a display device (not shown in Figure 1), or screen, and peripheral means such as a keyboard and a mouse. It may further comprise means for interfacing with the network 36, of the modem type. Other devices or servers 38, 40, may have the same constitution.

  Each recipient 50, 52 may include an apparatus such as a personal computer, including similar means, even if capacities lower than those of the servers 30, 38, 40. But one or more recipients can be equipped, not computers but mobile or landline phones or fax or PDA. The constitutions of these various devices are known.

  In one of the memory areas of the server 30 are stored the data or program instructions for implementing a method according to the invention and as described above, and in particular for, according to data received from the calling user 2, determine the recipients 50, 52 to warn and their accessibility to the resources specified by the user 2, send means 20, 20 'instructions or queries for provision or closure.

  Also stored are program data or instructions for receiving, directly from users 50, 52, or server 40, read data of the message by the recipients.

  Also stored are the data or program instructions for implementing a method as described above, for example in connection with FIGS. 2A and 2B.

  These data or instructions can be transferred to a memory area of the server from a floppy disk or any other medium that can be read by a microcomputer or a computer (for example: hard disk, read-only memory, DRAM dynamic random access memory or any other type of RAM, compact optical disk, magnetic or optical storage element).

  The server 40 has a similar structure, and is programmed, at the request of the server 30, to implement a method of sending messages to one or more recipients, possibly receiving read messages from them, and transmit them to the server. server 30.

  A server such as the server 38 may also be programmed to retrieve a list of recipients, with the means of communication to reach them, corresponding to each user 2, and provide the corresponding data to the server 30, upon request thereof.

  The invention can implement, according to a particular embodiment: - means 40 of multi-broadcast: voice type, or SMS, or MMS, for example; - Teleconference means 20, controlled by the means 30; an application that controls the overall logic of the service and in particular means 30, 40, possibly WAP or WEB services for pushing (push wap).

  In recipients 50, 52, standard communication systems can be implemented: fixed or mobile telephone, or use of more advanced functions (push WAP, videoconference on UMTS ...).

Claims (20)

  1. A method of processing a first request message, by a user (2), of putting in relation with several recipients (50, 52) of a second message, comprising: - sending these recipients of said second message containing information relating to said connection request according to means (20, 20 ') of communication, and identification data of these communication means.   2. Method according to claim 1 further comprising a step (S3) of sending, to the user (2), information relating to the access of the recipients (50, 52) to said means (20, 20 '). ) Communication.   3. Method according to one of claims 1   or 2, further comprising storing recipient data (50, 52) and possibly data relating to communication devices available to these recipients.   4. Method according to one of claims 1   at 3, at least part of the identification data of the communication means being sent to a communicating terminal of a recipient in the form of a link or information directly usable on this terminal.   5. Method according to one of claims 1   4, further comprising a step (S9) of providing the communication means (20) after sending the second message to the recipients (50, 52).   6. Method according to one of claims 1   5, further comprising a step (S9) of providing the means (20) for communication at the latest on sending the second message to the recipients (50, 52).   7. Method according to one of claims 1   at 6, at least part of the identification data of the communication means being simultaneously sent to the connection request information.   8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, at least a portion of the identification data of the communication means being sent non-simultaneous manner, for example subsequently, to the connection request information.   9. Method according to one of claims 1   to 8, further comprising a step (S8) for identifying the reading of a message by one or more recipients (50, 52).   10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a step (S8) for identifying the reading of a message by one or more recipients (50, 52) and a step (S9) of setting at the disposal of the communication means (20) according to the result of the read identification step (S8).   The method of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the identification data of the communication means is sent in accordance with the result of the read identification step (S8).   12. A device for processing a first request message, by a user (2), for putting in relation with several recipients (50, 52) of a second message, this device comprising: means (30) for sending a request to broadcast, to these recipients, a second message containing information relating to said request for setting in communication means (20, 20 '), and identification data of these communication means.   13. Device according to claim 12 further comprising means for sending, to the user (2), information relating to the access of the recipients (50, 52) to said means (20, 20 ') of communication.   14. Device according to one of claims 12 or 13, further comprising means 30 for storing recipient data (50, 52) and possibly data relating to communication devices available to these recipients.   15. Device according to one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising means for identifying the reading of a message by one or more recipients (50, 52).   16. Device according to one of claims 12 to 15, further comprising means for sending to the means (20, 20 ') of communication an instruction or a request for provision of the means (20, 20') of communication or end of provision of these means (20, 20 ') of communication.   17. A system for processing a request, by a user (2), for putting in contact with several recipients (50, 52), comprising a device according to one of claims 12 to 16, and means (40) for broadcasting messages to recipients (50, 52).   The system of claim 17, further comprising means for sending at least a portion of the identification data of the communication means (20, 20 ') to a communicating terminal of a recipient as a directly usable link on this terminal.   19. Data carrier, readable by a computer system, comprising the data, in coded form, for implementing a method according to one of claims 1 to 11.   20. Software product comprising a program data support means, readable by a computer system, for implementing a method according to one of claims 1 to 11.