FR2965996A1 - Method for creating electronic business card used in address book application of e.g. personal digital assistant, involves adapting software module to provide contact contacting unit to application by using coordinates and/or instructions - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves including software modules (5.34-5.37) comprising instructions in an electronic business card (5.1). One of the modules is adapted for allowing a terminal to dynamically determine coordinates (5.30-5.33) e.g. telephone number, and/or instructions used for contacting a contact. Each module is adapted to provide a contact contacting unit to address book application (5.5) by using the coordinates and/or instructions, where the module allows the terminal to establish connection with a server and obtain updates of the coordinates and/or instructions from the server. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for using an electronic business card (2) an electronic business card destined to be used by address book application, comprising software module comprising instructions to implement a method for using an electronic business card (3) a storage unit for storing electronic business card in address book application (4) a device for generating electronic business card (5) a device for using the electronic business card.

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic business card for use in an address book application. The present invention also relates to a device generating such an electronic business card, a user device of such an electronic business card. The present invention also relates to a method implemented by this generating device and a method implemented by this user device. The present invention also relates to storage means storing such an electronic business card. Personal communication terminals, such as mobile phones, PDAs (Persona / Digital Assistant) or PC personal computers (Persona / Computer) usually have an address book application. This application consists of software that manages a database that contains electronic business cards. These electronic business cards respectively represent people and contain contact information for communicating with these people. These coordinates are for example a telephone number, a postal address, an e-mail address, etc. In order to identify which person this electronic business card represents, it includes at least one name, possibly a professional function within a company, and possibly one or more instant messaging identifiers and / or social networks. These electronic business cards may also contain other textual elements, one or more images, one or more photographs, etc. These electronic business cards can also represent automatic services implemented by machines and then respectively contain coordinates for communicating with these machines. The person or machine that the business card represents is called, subsequently, the contact. The address book application allows a user to add, delete, and edit an electronic business card. Editing an electronic business card consists of modifying the information it contains, including the contact information to use to contact the contact.

The address book application also allows a user to initiate a communication with the contact using the contact information stored in his electronic business card, for example to compose and send a short SMS message ( Short Message Service (English) or an e-mail (English e-mail) or activate software to view the recent activity of the contact in a social network service. However, state-of-the-art address book applications lack flexibility in editing electronic business cards. They do not allow whoever provides an electronic business card to control the contents of this business card once it is transferred to the address book applications. They do not allow anyone who provides an electronic business card to benefit from services that are not yet available in these address book applications. To benefit from such a new service, it is then necessary that the user of the address book application installs on his terminal this new service and ensures that the address book application recognizes this service and the uses to contact the contact that the electronic business card represents. Additionally, prior art address book applications can manipulate information, such as coordinates, contained in electronic business cards that are out of date or unsuitable for communicating with the contact. In addition, the contact information that is stored in the electronic business card can not be controlled or validated by the contact.

It is desirable to overcome these various disadvantages of the state of the art. The invention relates to a method for creating an electronic business card, implemented by a first terminal, said electronic business card being intended to be used by an address book application installed on a second terminal and comprising coordinates associated with a contact that said electronic business card represents. The method is such that it comprises a step of including, in said electronic business card, at least one software module comprising instructions, at least one of the included software module or modules being adapted to allow the second terminal to dynamically determining the coordinates and / or instructions to be used to contact the contact, and at least one of the included software module (s) being adapted to provide said address book application with a means of contacting the contact using the coordinates and / or dynamically determined instructions. Thus, the application of address book gains flexibility, either concerning the use of contact information to contact the contact and / or on the instructions to be implemented to do so. Whoever generates or requests the generation of the business card thus has control over these coordinates and / or these instructions implemented. The active nature of the electronic business card, that is to say the fact that these coordinates and / or instructions are dynamically determined, makes it possible to change its behavior according to the circumstances. According to a particular embodiment, at least one of the included software module or modules is adapted to enable said second terminal to establish a connection with a server and to obtain from this server an updating of coordinates and / or of instructions. Thus, new coordinates adapted to the circumstances can be obtained by the electronic business card and thus made available to the address book application. In the same way, new instructions can be obtained by the electronic business card so as to modify or enrich the services made available for this electronic business card to the application of address book.

According to a particular embodiment, at least one of the included software module or modules is adapted to allow said second terminal to apply a rule to determine said coordinates and / or instructions to be used from among a set of coordinates and / or instructions contained in said electronic business card. Thus, the electronic business card has a set of coordinates and / or instructions for contacting the contact, and makes the choice of coordinates and / or instructions adapted to do this. The invention also relates to a method of using an electronic business card comprising coordinates associated with a contact that said electronic business card represents, said method being implemented by a terminal on which is installed a notebook application. addresses using said electronic business card, the method being such that it comprises a step of activating at least one software module, comprising instructions, of said electronic business card, at least one of the software module or modules enabled dynamically determining the coordinates and / or instructions to be used to contact the contact, and at least one of the activated software module (s) providing to said address book application a means of contacting the contact using the coordinates and / or instructions determined dynamically.

According to a particular embodiment, the method comprises a step of activating at least one software module establishing a connection with a server and obtaining from this server an updating of coordinates and / or instructions. According to a particular embodiment, the method comprises a step of activating at least one software module applying a rule for determining said coordinates and / or instructions to be used among a set of coordinates and / or instructions contained in said business card. electronic. According to a particular embodiment, said rule consists in determining said coordinates and / or instructions to be used according to calendar information and / or geographical location information of said contact. Thus, the coordinates and / or instructions made available to the address book application are adapted according to the schedule or activities of the contact. According to a particular embodiment, said coordinates are presented via said address book application in the form of at least one generic icon, regardless of the value of the coordinates to be used to contact the contact. Thus, the user of the electronic business card only sees an understandable and stable interface. He does not have to deal with the contact details to use to contact the contact. In addition, it preserves the confidentiality of contact information.

The invention also relates to an electronic business card comprising instructions for implementing the method of use mentioned above, as well as storage means comprising such a business card. The invention also relates to an electronic business card generating device for use by an address book application installed on a terminal, each electronic business card comprising coordinates associated with a contact that said electronic business card represents, the device being such that it comprises means for including, in said electronic business card, at least one software module comprising instructions, at least one of the included software module or modules being adapted to allow said terminal to determine dynamically the coordinates and / or instructions to be used to contact the contact, and at least one of the included software module or modules being adapted to provide said address book application with a means of contacting the contact using the coordinates and / or dynamically determined instructions.

The invention also relates to a user device of an electronic business card comprising coordinates associated with a contact that said electronic business card represents, an address book application using said electronic business card being installed on said device, the device being such that it comprises means for activating at least one software module, comprising instructions, of said electronic business card, at least one of the activated software module or modules determining dynamically the coordinates and / or instructions to use to contact the contact, and at least one of the activated software module (s) providing to said address book application a means of contacting the contact using dynamically determined coordinates and / or instructions. The characteristics of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will emerge more clearly on reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment, said description being given in relation to the attached drawings, among which: Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a mobile terminal, on which an address book application can be installed, and wherein the invention can be implemented according to at least one embodiment; FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a hardware architecture of user device and / or generator of electronic business cards, and wherein the invention can be implemented according to at least one embodiment; FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an address book application, as installed on the mobile terminal of FIG. 1; FIG. 4a schematically illustrates a first example of visualization of an electronic business card, as can be obtained via the address book application of the mobile terminal of FIG. 1; FIG. 4b schematically illustrates a first example of an electronic business card, as can be obtained via the mobile terminal address book application of FIG. 1; FIG. Figure 5 schematically illustrates a user device software architecture of electronic business cards, according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an algorithm for dynamic determination of coordinates and / or instructions to be used for contacting a contact, implemented by a user device of these electronic business cards, according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an algorithm implemented by an electronic business card generating device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an algorithm for updating coordinates and / or instructions of electronic business card software modules, implemented by a user device of these electronic business cards, according to an embodiment of FIG. the present invention; FIG. 9 schematically illustrates an algorithm for using electronic business cards, implemented by a user device of these electronic business cards, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In order to provide flexibility for address book applications, it is proposed to include at least one software module in the electronic business cards that these applications manage. As a result, electronic business cards can provide services that are not available in these applications. Electronic business cards are thus active. They include a software module adapted to allow the terminals on which these applications are installed to dynamically determine the coordinates and / or instructions to be used to contact the contacts that these electronic business cards respectively represent. Thus, the person who generated the business card has control over the contact details used to contact him, as well as the actions implemented to do so. Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a mobile terminal, on which an address book application may be installed, and wherein the invention may be implemented according to at least one embodiment. A mobile terminal 1.1 conventionally comprises a screen 1.2 on which a user can view graphical objects relating to applications and interact with them. This interaction can be done directly if the screen 1.2 is touch and / or by means of a set of keys 1.3 and / or a keyboard. The mobile terminal 1.1 is for example a PDA digital personal assistant, a tablet-type personal computer, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the mobile terminal 1.1 is a mobile terminal of cellular radio. The mobile terminal 1.1 can be used as an electronic business card generating device, that is to say it has means for generating electronic business cards, as described below in connection with FIG. 7. The mobile terminal 1.1 can be used as an electronic business card user device, that is to say it has the means to update and use electronic business cards, as described below in relation to with Figs. 6, 8 and 9.

It should also be noted that a computer may also be used as a generator and / or an electronic business card user. Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a hardware architecture of user device and / or electronic business card generator, and wherein the invention can be implemented according to at least one embodiment.

Such a device comprises, connected by a communication bus 2.1: a processor, microprocessor, microcontroller (denoted μc) or CPU (Central Processing Unit in English or Central Processing Unit in French) 2.2; - Random Access Memory RAM (Random Access Memory in French) 2.3; - a ROM (Read Only Memory in English or Memory to Read Only in French) 2.4; a storage medium reader 2.5, such as a SD (Secure Digital Card) card reader; interface means 2.6 with a communication network, for example a cellular radiotelephone network; and - man-machine interface means 2.7, in particular for managing the screen 1.2 and the set of keys 1.3. The microcontroller 2.2 is capable of executing instructions loaded into the RAM 2.3 from the ROM 2.4, an external memory (not shown), a storage medium, such as an SD card or the like, or a communication network. When the device is powered up, the microcontroller 2.2 is able to read RAM 2.3 instructions and execute them. These instructions form a computer program. This computer program causes the implementation, by the microcontroller 2.2, of all or part of the steps and algorithms described below in relation to FIGS. 6 to 9. All or some of the steps and algorithms described below in relation to FIGS. 6 to 9 can be implemented in software form by executing a set of instructions by a programmable machine, such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor in English or a Digital Signal Processing Unit in French) or a microcontroller, such as the microcontroller 2.2, or be implemented in hardware form by a machine or a dedicated component, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) in English or Integrated Circuit specific to an Application in French). According to the architecture shown in FIG. 2, the electronic business cards are stored by the storage means to which the storage media reader 2.5 has access. The electronic business cards can be received or transmitted via the interface means 2.6 with a communication network. The electronic business cards can be received or transmitted via storage means to which the storage media reader 2.5 has access, when these storage means are removable. Fig. 3 schematically illustrates an address book application, as installed on a user device of electronic business cards, such as the mobile terminal 1.1. On screen 1.2 is displayed a list of contacts 3.0 formatted by an address book application. This list of contacts is formed for example by the names of the contacts respectively stored in the electronic business cards made available to the address book application.

The user can then browse the list of contacts and select a contact 3.1 among the contacts of this list. When the contact 3.1 is selected, the electronic business card associated with this contact is displayed on the screen 1.2 by the address book application. As described later in connection with FIGS. 5 and 9, the electronic business card preferably comprises at least one software module managing the display of graphic objects that are specific to it. Figs. 4a and 4b schematically illustrate a first and a second example of visualization, via the mobile terminal address book application 1.1, of the electronic business card selected for the contact 3.1. In FIG. 4a, the electronic business card contains a photograph 4.2 of the contact that the electronic business card represents, and at least one identifier 4.3 of the contact, such as his name and surname, nickname or other. This representation also contains 4.4 contact information to be used to contact the contact, which can be a telephone number, a postal address, an e-mail address, etc.

Thus, the electronic business card provides the user via the address book application a way to contact the contact through the displayed coordinates. In FIG. 4b, the electronic business card also contains generic graphic objects 4.5, for example in the form of generic text or in the form of a generic icon, which are representative of different means of contacting the contact. For example, the representation of the business card may contain a generic icon representative of a telephone call to a fixed telephone and / or a generic icon representative of a sending of electronic mail in encrypted form or not, etc. Other icons or generic graphic objects can be defined according to the means of communication adapted to contact the contact. In this way, the coordinates to be used to contact the customer are not disclosed to the user. So he does not have to worry about it and just needs to determine which means of communication he wants to use to contact the contact. As described later in connection with FIGS. 5 and 9, preferably, the address book application itself is not aware of the coordinates to be used to contact the contact. This data is kept by the electronic business card which provides the user via the address book application the ability to select the generic icons. Thus, the business card provides the address book application with a means of contacting the contact, and the business card uses the appropriate contact information based on user interactions. Fig. Figure 5 schematically illustrates a user device software architecture of electronic business cards, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic business card user device includes an address book application 5.5. This device also includes a plurality of electronic business cards, such as electronic business cards 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4. The user device of electronic business cards, such as the mobile terminal 1.1, comprises a hardware platform 5.9 with which an operating system 5.7 interacts via a communication link 5.28 and services or drivers 5.8 via a communication link 5.29 . The operating system 5.7 can interact with the services or drivers 5.8 via a communication link 5.27. This operating system 5.7 and these services or drivers 5.8 allow applications, such as the application of address book 5.5, to use the hardware resources of the hardware platform 5.9.

A communication link within the meaning of this description can be a physical link or a logical link. The electronic business card user device further includes middleware, also called middleware, 5.6 (middleware) that mediates between applications, such as the 5.5 address book application, and the system. operation 5.7 and services or pilots 5.8. Middleware 5.6 allows applications to use the resources exported by the 5.7 operating system and 5.8 services or drivers via a 5.24 communication link. The intergicie15.6 makes applications, like the application of address book 5.5, independent of the hardware platform 5.9, the operating system 5.7 and services or drivers 5.8. In a particular embodiment, the middleware 5.6 is included in the application of address book 5.5. In another particular embodiment, the electronic business card user device does not include the middleware 5.6, and the address book application 5.5 communicates directly with the operating system 5.7 and the services or drivers 5.8. The application of address book 5.5 includes an Application Programming Interface (API) application programming interface (API) 5.10. This API 5.10 interface allows electronic business cards 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 to use the resources exported by the operating system 5.7 and the services or drivers 5.8, through middleware 5.6, via links respectively 5.20, 5.21, 5.22 and 5.23. The electronic business cards 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 respectively comprise coordinates 5.30, 5.31, 5.32 and 5.33 which are associated with the contacts that the electronic business cards respectively represent, as well as software modules 5.34, 5.35, 5.36 and 5.37 comprising instructions. Each electronic business card 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 or 5.4 may include one or more software modules. The electronic business cards 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 thus contain declarative data, such as names, identifiers, coordinates, images and photographs, and also procedural data in the form of software module instructions to extend the functionalities offered. by the application of address book 5.5. Therefore, the 5.5 address book application does not contain all the logic associated with the management of electronic business cards 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, and 5.4. Electronic business cards 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 contain some of this logic themselves. The address book application 5.5 then transmits to the electronic business cards 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 the system information necessary for their operation, such as the events generated by the system or by interaction with the user. The electronic business card is then in charge of displaying the information that the contact wishes to show to the user and the way he wishes to show them. According to an exemplary embodiment of an electronic business card, a contact wishes to be able to receive messages from his correspondents in encrypted form. When generating the electronic business card, the contact will include, in this electronic business card, a message composition service and transmission of these messages in encrypted form. This service then takes the form of a software module contained in the electronic business card and activatable by interaction with the user. An embodiment of the method of generating electronic business cards is described below in connection with FIG. 7.

When the electronic business card thus generated is used using the mobile terminal 1.1, the application address book 5.5 must allow him to access the display functions on the screen 1.2. The electronic business card then displays different information, based on the declarative data it contains, and also presents the services it offers. When the user selects a service, this selection is not known by the application of address book 5.5, which has only the knowledge of a touch on the touch screen 1.2. The address book application transmits to the electronic business card an indication that the user has performed this action, and the electronic business card then interprets this action as the selection of the service presented at the screen location. 1.2 touch on which the user pressed. To enable the composition and transmission of encrypted messages, the electronic business card uses resources made available by the address book application 5.5 via API 5.10, as well as functions offered by at least one software module. contained in the electronic business card, such as the message encryption function. Thus, even if the application of address book 5.5 does not have access to an encryption service, either because it is not installed among the services 5.8 or because this service is not exported via the communication link 5.29, the user can benefit from this function, thanks to the software module incorporated in the electronic business card. The configuration of the electronic business card user device is thus more flexible. It is then not necessary for the user to install on the mobile terminal 1.1 a new service desired by the contact to extend the capabilities of the electronic business card, since a software module providing this service is directly included in the card. electronic visit. Fig. 6 schematically illustrates an algorithm for dynamic determination of coordinates and / or instructions to be used for contacting a contact, implemented by a user device of these electronic business cards, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In a step 6.1, an electronic business card is selected and activated by the application of address book 5.5. In other words, the address book application 5.5 makes a call via the API 5.10 interface which causes the activation of software modules of the electronic business card and the execution of instructions that will allow the implementation steps of the algorithm of FIG. 6. Then, during a step 6.10, the application of address book 5.5 causes the activation, thanks to an event transmitted via the communication link 5.20, 5.21, 5.22 or 5.23, of at least one software module. the electronic business card 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 or 5.4 which dynamically determines the coordinates and / or instructions to be used to contact the contact and provides the address book application 5.5 with a means of contacting the contact using these coordinates and / or dynamically determined instructions. In a particular embodiment of the invention, step 6.10 is broken down into a set of steps 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5. In step 6.2, the electronic business card determines whether the constituent data, whether declarative or procedural, must be updated. If this is the case, step 6.3 is executed; otherwise, step 6.4 is executed. In step 6.3, the data of the electronic business card is updated. Then, step 6.4 is executed. A particular embodiment of steps 6.3 and 6.4 is described below in connection with FIG. 8.

In step 6.4, the electronic business card determines whether a coordinate selection rule and / or instructions should be applied. This can be implemented by checking a flag indicating whether such a selection rule is present in the procedural data of the electronic business card.

Such a selection rule is a procedural datum used to determine said coordinates and / or instructions to be used from among a set of coordinates and / or instructions contained in said electronic business card. According to a first example, such a selection rule defines the coordinates to be used according to a calendar information. If the contact is a natural person moving from one place to another cyclically as the current week, the rule defines that the Monday first coordinates are to be used, the Tuesday of the second coordinates are at use, and so on. Thus, according to this example, the electronic business card determines, via API 5.10 interface, the current day and then determines the coordinates to be used to contact that person according to the current day and the selection rule to be applied. According to a second example, such a selection rule defines the coordinates to be used according to a contact location information. If the contact is a natural person who, by definition, can move from one place to another, the electronic business card can contact a server, through API 5.10, to determine the location of that person. For example, the selection rule may be to use a landline number when the person is at home and a mobile number if the person is away from home. In order to apply the selection rule, location information may be updated on the server by the contact himself. These two examples can be combined. Other selection rules are applicable to dynamically determine the coordinates and / or instructions to be used. Thus, the electronic business card has at least one software module that dynamically determines the coordinates and / or instructions to be used according to a coordinate selection rule among a set of coordinates and / or instructions that it contains and provides the address book application with a means of contacting the contact using only those selected coordinates and / or instructions. If a selection rule is to be applied, step 6.5 is executed; otherwise, step 6.7 is executed. No selection rule is to be applied, in view of the test result of step 6.4, there is therefore no ambiguity on the coordinates and instructions to use. Then, in step 6.7, the electronic business card can be used, via the address book application, based on these coordinates and instructions.

In step 6.5, the coordinates and / or instructions to be used are determined by the electronic business card according to the selection rule. Then, during a step 6.7, the electronic business card can be used, via the application of address book, on the basis of these coordinates and / or instructions.

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates an algorithm implemented by an electronic business card generating device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The algorithm of FIG. 7 has two parts: one generates an electronic business card and starts in one step 7.1, and the other allows an existing electronic business card to be updated and begins at a step 7.4.

In step 7.1, the electronic business card generating device receives an electronic business card card generation request, prepares the resources necessary for the generation of this electronic business card, and creates a blank electronic business card. In a particular embodiment, a template (template in English) is used so that certain elements of the electronic business card are filled in advance. For example, if the electronic business card is that of a company employee, its postal address and logo can be inserted in this way into the electronic business card. Then, in a step 7.2, the electronic business card generating device allocates an electronic business card identifier and inserts it into the electronic business card. Then, in a step 7.3, the electronic business card generating device obtains, and inserts into the electronic business card, a server address on which the electronic business card and its future updates are stored. Then, in a step 7.8, the electronic business card generating device inserts in the electronic business card graphical objects and placement information of these graphic objects. These graphic objects and placement information make it possible to implement the visualization of the electronic business card, as already described in relation with FIGS. 4a and 4b. Then, in a step 7.9, the electronic business card generating device inserts in the electronic business card software modules, contact information for contacting the electronic business card contact and other contact information, like his name and surname, his function, etc. Next, in a step 7.10, the electronic business card generator device associates actions or action sequences with graphical objects inserted in step 7.8. In other words, the electronic business card generating device associates with these graphic objects calls to functions offered by the software modules inserted in step 7.9, or to functions offered by the API 5.10 of the 5.5 address book application. In other words, in steps 7.9 and 7.10, declarative data and procedural data are inserted in the electronic business card. Then, in a step 7.11, the electronic business card generator device allocates, and inserts into the electronic business card, a version number. This version number is used later to determine if there are any updates for the electronic business card. Other means can be implemented to achieve this function. Then, in a step 7.12, the electronic business card generating device stores the electronic business card on the server whose address was obtained in step 7.3. In step 7.4, the electronic business card generating device receives a request to update the electronic business card and prepares the resources necessary for the generation of this electronic business card. In a next step 7.5, the electronic business card generating device obtains a business card identifier, and in a subsequent step 7.6, it obtains a server address. Then, during a step 7.7, the electronic business card generator device retrieves, on this server, the identification card identified.

Step 7.8 is then executed if an update of the graphic objects contained in the electronic business card is required; otherwise, step 7.9 is directly executed. Step 7.9 is then executed if an update of the software modules, contact information or other contact information is required; otherwise, step 7.10 is directly executed. Such updating software modules is for example to provide a new service to the electronic business card, such as a message encryption service. It can also consist in defining a new rule for dynamically determining the coordinates and / or instructions to be used to contact the contact.

Step 7.10 is then executed if an update of the associations between graphic objects and software modules is required; otherwise, step 7.11 is directly executed, during which a new version number is allocated and inserted into the electronic business card.

Then, in step 7.12, the electronic business card generating device stores, on the server whose address was obtained in step 7.6, the updated electronic business card in replacement of the business card. previously stored electronic. In an alternative embodiment, only the data of the electronic business card, and not the electronic business card as such, are stored as a database by the server. According to a first example, a telephone number of a person that the electronic business card represents has changed. This person then modifies the data in the electronic business card accordingly. Thus, the server contains updated electronic business card data. When an electronic business card representing this person is activated on an electronic business card user device, as described below in connection with FIG. 8, it comes to consult the data stored on the server and is then able to update. Thus, this person is assured of the diffusion and the taking into account of his new telephone number. In a second example, a bank assigns a new advisor to a portion of its clientele and has previously provided this clientele with an electronic business card representing their appointed advisor. A bank manager updates this electronic business card with the first and last names of the new advisor and his contact information. Thus, the server contains electronic business card data updated to the new advisor. When an electronic business card representing the bank is activated on an electronic business card user device, as described below in connection with FIG. 8, it comes to consult the data stored on the server and is then able to update.

Thus, the manager of the bank is assured of the diffusion and the taking into account of the change of adviser. Fig. 8 schematically illustrates an algorithm for updating coordinates and / or instructions of electronic business card software modules, implemented by a user device of these electronic business cards, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In a step 8.1, the address book application 5.5 activates an electronic business card. In other words, the address book application 5.5 makes a call via the API 5.10 interface which causes the activation of software modules of the electronic business card and the execution of instructions that will allow the implementation steps of the algorithm of FIG. 8. This operation is for example carried out periodically or at the launch of the application of address book 5.5. In a next step 8.2, the electronic business card obtains its identifier and the address of the server, as they were respectively inserted in steps 7.2 and 7.3. In a subsequent step 8.3, the electronic business card attempts to establish a connection with the server by using the access to the interface means 2.6 with the communication network provided by the API 5.10. In a next step 8.4, the electronic business card tests whether the connection to the server could be established. If this is the case, a step 8.5 is executed; otherwise, in a step 8.9, the electronic business card is used with the declarative and procedural data it contains. In step 8.5, the electronic business card compares its version number with that of the electronic business card stored on the server. In a next step 8.6, the electronic business card tests, through the result of the comparison, whether an update is available. If the comparison indicates that the business card is up to date, step 8.9 is executed. If the comparison indicates that the business card needs to be updated, a step 8.7 is executed. In step 8.7, the electronic business card obtains the declarative and / or procedural data stored on the server and, in a subsequent step 8.8, updates its own content, and step 8.9 is executed. Fig. 9 schematically illustrates an algorithm for using electronic business cards, implemented by a user device of these electronic business cards, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In a step 9.1, the address book application 5.5 activates an electronic business card. In other words, the address book application 5.5 makes a call via the API 5.10 interface which causes the activation of software modules of the electronic business card and the execution of instructions that will allow the implementation steps of the algorithm of FIG. 9. This operation is performed by selecting a contact in a list, as already described in connection with FIG. 3.

In a subsequent step 9.2, the electronic business card manages, through API 5.10, the display of its graphic elements. In a subsequent step 9.2, the electronic business card receives user commands through the API 5.10 interface.

In a next step 9.4, the electronic business card tests whether an update of the display on the screen 1.2 is required following these user commands received. If this is the case, a step 9.5 is executed, during which the display is updated accordingly; otherwise, a step 9.6 is executed.

In step 9.6, the electronic business card tests whether an action or sequence of actions is to be performed as a result of these received user commands. If this is the case, a step 9.7 is executed; otherwise, the electronic business card waits for new user commands and step 9.3 is executed again. In step 9.7, the electronic business card performs the action or sequence of actions identified in step 9.6. This may include opening a message editing area, encrypting a message, making a phone call, and so on. Thus, the user of the terminal 1.1 can use the electronic business card of a contact being assured that the information it contains is not obsolete. In addition, the person who generated the electronic business card is assured of the distribution of updates of this electronic business card and can thus control the information contained in each electronic business card that represents it.

Claims (12)

CLAIMS1) A method for creating an electronic business card (5.1), implemented by a first terminal, said electronic business card being intended to be used by an address book application (5.5) installed on a second terminal and comprising coordinates (5.30) associated with a contact that said electronic business card represents, characterized in that it comprises an inclusion step (7.8), in said electronic business card, of at least one software module ( 5.34) having instructions, at least one of the included software module or modules being adapted to allow the second terminal to dynamically determine (6.10) the coordinates and / or instructions to be used to contact the contact, and at least one of the included software modules being adapted to provide (6.7) to said address book application a means of contacting the contact using the coordinates and / or instructions dynamically cleared. 2) Creation method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the included software module or modules is adapted to allow said second terminal to establish (8.3) a connection with a server and to obtain (8.7) from this server an update of coordinates and / or instructions. 3) Creation method according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that at least one of the included software module or modules is adapted to allow said second terminal to apply (6.5) a rule for determining said coordinates and / or instructions to be used from among a set of coordinates and / or instructions contained in said electronic business card. 4) A method of using an electronic business card (5.1) comprising coordinates (5.30) associated with a contact that said electronic business card represents, said method being implemented by a terminal on which is installed an application of address book (5.5) using said electronic business card, characterized in that it comprises an activation step (6.1) of at least one software module (5.34), comprising instructions, of said electronic business card at least one of the at least one activated software module dynamically determining (6.10) the coordinates and / or instructions to be used to contact the contact, and at least one of the at least one activated software module providing (6.7) to said application addresses a means of contacting the contact using dynamically determined coordinates and / or instructions. 5) A method of use according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a step of activating at least one software module establishing (8.3) a connection with a server and obtaining (8.7) of this server an update. day of coordinates and / or instructions. 6) A method of use according to any one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that it comprises a step of activating at least one software module applying (6.5) a rule for determining said coordinates and / or instructions to use among a set of coordinates and / or instructions contained in said electronic business card. 7) A method of use according to claim 6, characterized in that said rule consists in determining said coordinates and / or instructions to be used according to a calendar information and / or geographic location information of said contact. 8) A method of use according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that said coordinates are presented via said address book application in the form of at least one generic icon (4.5), regardless of the value of the coordinates to use to contact the contact. 9) An electronic business card (5.1) for use by an address book application (5.5) installed on a terminal and comprising coordinates (5.30) associated with a contact that said electronic business card represents, characterized in that it comprises at least one software module (5.34) comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor of said terminal, allow the implementation of the method according to any one of claims 4 to 8. 10) Storage means, characterized in that they store an electronic business card (5.1), intended to be used in an address book application (5.5) installed on a terminal and comprising coordinates (5.30) associated with a contact that said electronic business card represents, said business card comprising at least one software module (5.34) comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor of said terminal, allow the implementation of the method according to one any of claims 4 to 8. 11) Generating electronic business card device for use by an address book application (5.5) installed on a terminal, each electronic business card (5.1) including coordinates (5.30) associated with a contact that said card electronic visit represents, characterized in that it comprises means for including, in said electronic business card, at least one software module (5.34) comprising instructions, at least one of the software module or modules included being adapted to enable said terminal to dynamically determine (6.10) the coordinates and / or instructions to be used to contact the contact, and at least one of the included software module or modules being adapted to provide (6.7) to said address book application means for contacting the contact using dynamically determined coordinates and / or instructions. 12) User device of an electronic business card (5.1) comprising coordinates (5.30) associated with a contact that said electronic business card represents, an address book application (5.5) using said electronic business card being installed on said device, characterized in that it comprises means for activating at least one software module (5.30), comprising instructions, of said electronic business card, at least one of the one or more activated software modules determining ( 6.10) dynamically the coordinates and / or instructions to be used for contacting the contact, and at least one of the activated software module (s) providing (6.7) to said address book application a means of contacting the contact using the coordinates and / or dynamically determined instructions.