Method for validating a transaction during a radio communication

Abstract

A method for receiving a signal during an intra-body communication via a user carrying a terminal. The method includes, at the level of the terminal: receiving, from a communication device, a signal characterizing the fact that an approach gesture performed by the user toward the device has been performed between two times; detecting the time interval, between the two times, in which the amplitude of the signal is at a maximum; detecting, in the time interval, information determining whether or not the user has touched the device between the two times; and validating a transaction depending on the value of said detected information.

Claims

1. A reception method for receiving a signal during an intra-body communication via a user carrying a terminal, comprising the following, performed by the terminal: receiving, from a communication device, a signal characterizing that an approach gesture performed by the user toward the device has been performed between first and second time instants; detecting a time interval, between the first and second time instants, in which an amplitude of the signal is at a maximum; detecting, in the time interval, information determining whether or not the user has touched the device between the first and second time instants; and validating a transaction depending on a value of said detected information.

2. The reception method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information determining whether or not the user has touched the device is contained in a radio data frame received from the communication device, said frame being associated with the time interval in which the amplitude of the signal is at a maximum.

3. The reception method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information determining whether or not the user has touched the device is contained in a radio data frame received from the communication device, said frame being associated with the time interval in which the amplitude of the signal is at a maximum, and wherein said frame is distinct from another radio data frame received from the communication device and associated with the time interval in which the amplitude of the signal is at a maximum.

4. The reception method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information determining whether or not the user has touched the communication device comprises a bit whose first value determines that the user has touched the communication device, and whose second value determines that the user has not touched the communication device.

5. A terminal having capabilities for intra-body communication via a user carrying said terminal, said terminal comprising: a processor that is configured so as to: receive, from a communication device, a signal characterizing that an approach gesture performed by the user toward the device has been performed between first and second time instants, detect the time interval, between the first and second time instants, in which an amplitude of the signal is at a maximum, detect, in the time interval, information determining whether or not the user has touched the device between the first and second time instants, validate a transaction depending on a value of said detected information.

6. (canceled)

7. A non-transitory computer-readable information medium comprising instructions of a computer program stored thereon, which when executed by a processor of a terminal, configure the terminal to perform a method for receiving a signal during an intra-body communication via a user carrying the terminal, wherein the method comprises: receiving, from a communication device, a signal characterizing that an approach gesture performed by the user toward the device has been performed between first and second time instants; detecting a time interval, between the first and second time instants, in which an amplitude of the signal is at a maximum; detecting, in the time interval, information determining whether or not the user has touched the device between the first and second time instants; and validating a transaction depending on a value of said detected information.

8. A transmission method for transmitting a signal during an intra-body communication via a user carrying a terminal, comprising the following, implemented by a communication device: detecting an approach gesture performed by the user toward the communication device, said approach gesture being performed between first and second time instants; transmitting a signal characterizing the approach gesture to the terminal; and generating, in the signal, information determining whether or not the user has touched the device.

9. The transmission method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the information determining whether or not the user has touched the device is contained in a radio data frame sent to the terminal, said frame being sent between two time instants at which the amplitude of the signal characterizing the approach gesture is at a maximum.

10. The transmission method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the information determining whether or not the user has touched the device is contained in a radio data frame sent to the terminal, said frame being sent between two time instants at which the amplitude of the signal characterizing the approach gesture is at a maximum, and wherein said frame is distinct from another radio data frame sent to the terminal between said two times.

11. The transmission method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the information determining whether or not the user has touched the communication device comprises a bit whose first value determines that the user has touched the communication device, and whose second value determines that the user has not touched the communication device.

12. A communication device having capabilities for signal transmission during an intra-body communication via a user carrying a terminal, said device comprising: a processor that is configured so as to: detect an approach gesture performed by the user toward the communication device, said approach gesture being performed between first and second time instants; transmit a signal characterizing the approach gesture performed by the user toward the device to the terminal; and generate, in the signal, information determining whether or not the user has touched the device.

13. (canceled)

14. A non-transitory computer-readable information medium comprising instructions of a computer program stored thereon, which when executed by a processor of a communication device, configure the communication device to perform a method for transmitting a signal during an intra-body communication via a user carrying a terminal, the method comprising: detecting an approach gesture performed by the user toward the communication device, said approach gesture being performed between first and second time instants; transmitting a signal characterizing the approach gesture to the terminal; and generating, in the signal, information determining whether or not the user has touched the device.

15. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] Other features and advantages will become apparent from reading particular embodiments of the invention, which are given by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the appended drawings, in which:

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a communication system according to one embodiment of the invention when a terminal carried by a user conducts a transaction with a communication device,

[0054] FIG. 2 shows a terminal in one particular embodiment of the invention,

[0055] FIG. 3 shows a communication device in one particular embodiment of the invention,

[0056] FIG. 4 shows the main actions implemented in the signal transmission/reception method, according to one particular embodiment of the invention,

[0057] FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of a signal representative of an approach gesture performed by a user toward a communication device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0058] FIG. 1 shows a wireless communication system according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0059] Such a system comprises: [0060] a terminal 1 carried by a user U, the terminal 1 being equipped with an NFC-IBC module (not shown) and an IBC antenna denoted by the reference ANT1, [0061] a communication device 2, such as for example a base station, or terminal, equipped with an NFC module.

[0062] The terminal 1 according to the invention is suitable for transmitting and receiving radio signals, which are also called radio carrier waves, via the antenna ANT1, through the body of a user U. To this end, the terminal 1 is located close to the user U, without necessarily being in direct contact therewith. For example, the terminal 1 is placed inside a pocket or a bag carried against the user. In these configurations, it is estimated that the terminal 1 is not more than a few centimeters away from the body of the user U. The distance is for example less than 10 cm. The terminal 1 is equipped with a battery or battery cells for autonomous operation. It is for example a mobile telephone equipped with an NFC antenna used as antenna for transmitting and receiving modulated or unmodulated electrical signals. In the context of this exemplary embodiment, and as already explained previously, the NFC antenna ANT1 is also IBC. To this end, the antenna ANT1 is designed so as to receive the electromagnetic wave through the human body in an optimum manner. For this purpose, it consists of a set of turns of an appropriate number and arrangement.

[0063] The terminal 1 may of course take other forms. For example, it may be any portable device capable of near-field communication with NFC transmitters, directly or via the human body (bracelet, electronic tablet, necklace, etc.).

[0064] The communication device 2 is an equipment that is able to transmit and receive radio signals, or carrier waves, in particular through the body of the user, via an IBC antenna, denoted by the reference ANT2. In this exemplary embodiment, the communication device 2 is a reader that comprises a sensitive surface SUT formed by the antenna ANT2, which is possibly protected and designed to react when the user touches it, for example by placing his hand above it, or approaching very close (a few centimeters). To this end, according to one exemplary embodiment, the sensitive surface SUT may be equipped with one or more capacitive detectors (not shown). Other touch or quasi-touch detection technologies may of course be implemented, such as for example surface wave technology, infrared technology, ultrasound technology, etc. The communication device 2 also comprises a user interface (also called HMI), referenced IU, intended to display messages for the attention of the user and an equipment (not shown in FIG. 1) able to perform processing operations, such as a PC or a server. The sensitive surface SUT covering the antenna, the user interface IU and the equipment are connected for example by way of a wired link, or through a network, for example a mobile network, or the Internet. The communication device 2 is configured so as to operate in IBC mode by loading a specific (software) program, without modifying the hardware.

[0065] According to one alternative embodiment, the communication device 2 consists of an electronic shelf label (ESL) that the user touches in order to receive personalized product information (discount, benefit, promotion, information about the product, etc.).

Description of One Embodiment of the Terminal 1

[0066] FIG. 2 shows the simplified structure of the terminal 1 designed to implement the signal reception method that will be described below.

[0067] The terminal 1 is for example a smartphone mobile terminal designed to implement the invention. According to another example, the terminal is a simple electronic card equipped with the following modules: [0068] a processing unit, such as a processor or “CPU” (for “Central Processing Unit”), referenced UT1, intended to load instructions into memory, to execute them and to perform operations, [0069] a set M1 of memories, including a volatile memory, or “RAM” (for “Random Access Memory”) used to execute code instructions, store variables, etc., and including a non-volatile memory such as a “ROM” (“Read Only Memory”) or “EEPROM” (for “Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory”) intended to contain persistent information, in particular the identification data for identifying the user UT, [0070] an IBC module, referenced MIBC1, including: [0071] an antenna ANT1 designed in particular to receive signals over the radio channel and via the human body, such that a modulated electrical signal transported by the body of the user is able to be received by the antenna, which is located in the terminal, close to the human body; [0072] a demodulator DEMOD, intended to receive, via the antenna, a modulated electrical signal and to transform it into a digital signal intended to be transmitted to the processing unit; [0073] the software components (firmware, etc.) required to implement IBC communications; [0074] a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi radio module MR1 intended to transmit in particular data back from the terminal 1 to the device 2 or any other appropriate device, [0075] preferably, and in particular if the following modules are not implemented on another device: [0076] an intentional gesture detection module, referenced DGV, for analyzing the signals received by the module MIBC1 and deciding whether or not they involve a signal SGV′ corresponding to a movement comprising an intentional gesture performed by the user U; [0077] an analysis module ANA for analyzing any signal received from a communication device 2, in particular following an intentional movement performed by the user, and detecting, in the time interval in which the amplitude of the received signal is at a maximum, whether the received signal is associated with information determining whether or not the user U has touched the device 2; [0078] an application module APP for validating or not validating, depending on the value of the detected information, the appropriate transaction required by the terminal 1, either with the device 2, or with any other appropriate device/equipment.

Description of One Embodiment of the Communication Device 2

[0079] FIG. 3 shows the simplified structure of the communication device 2 designed to implement the signal transmission method that will be described below.

[0080] The device 2 comprises multiple modules that are similar to those of the terminal 1 described with reference to FIG. 2: [0081] a processing unit, such as a processor or CPU, referenced UT2, used to execute code instructions, store variables, etc., [0082] a set M2 of memories, including a volatile memory or “RAM” (for “Random Access Memory”) used to execute code instructions, store variables, etc., and a non-volatile memory, such as a “ROM” or “EEPROM” intended to contain persistent information, [0083] an IBC module, referenced MIBC2, including: [0084] an antenna ANT2, designed in particular to transmit signals over the radio channel and via the human body, and possibly to receive them; [0085] a modulator MOD intended to adapt a digital signal produced by the processing unit UT2 into a modulated electrical signal SGV′, intended to be transmitted, via the antenna ANT2, in particular through the body of the user. The modulation operation performed by the modulator is for example an amplitude modulation: the signal is a 13.56 MHz signal, amplitude-modulated with a modulation rate of approximately 10% (known characteristic of Type B according to the NFC standard). The invention is however not limited to this type of modulation. In another exemplary embodiment, the modulation is a frequency modulation, which is less sensitive to interference, or a phase modulation; [0086] a sensitive/touch surface SUT designed to react when the user U touches it (contact, quasi-contact, touch, tap, etc.). In the example described here, this surface corresponds to the antenna, such that a modulated electrical signal transmitted via the antenna ANT2 is able to be conveyed by the body of the user U who touches the surface SUT. In one exemplary embodiment, the antenna may be integrated into the surface. The surface is designed so as to interact with the processing unit UT2 in order to implement the steps of the signal transmission method that will be described later on; [0087] a coding module COD for generating information determining whether or not the user U has touched the device 2, [0088] a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi radio module MR2 intended in particular to receive data in return from the terminal 1 (signals received by the terminal 1, data relating to the transaction, etc.) and/or to enter into contact with another device in order to validate the transaction (door, connected object, etc.), [0089] the software components (firmware, etc.) required to implement IBC communications, [0090] optionally a user interface (HMI) designed to transmit instructions or information messages to the user U. For example, the user interface is a screen on which the messages and instructions are displayed. In another exemplary embodiment, the interface is an audio interface for playing the messages and instructions, for example for telling the user that he may remove his hand from the surface SUT. The interface may also comprise a keypad, a microphone, etc.

[0091] It will be recalled that any off-the-shelf reader (for example an EPT for “electronic payment terminal”) may advantageously be used as communication device 2, provided that it has a touch surface and benefits from the module MIBC2, after a simple update of the software of the reader (installation and/or update of the application and configuration of the NFC transmission) to give it the ability to transmit a message having the IBC characteristics (frequency, modulation, etc.) via its antenna.

Description of One Embodiment of a Bidirectional Wireless Intra-Body Communication Method

[0092] With reference to FIG. 4, a description is now given of the sequence of a bidirectional wireless communication method through the human body of a user U, between the abovementioned terminal 1 and the abovementioned communication device 2, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0093] In an initial step S0, in response to the approach of the user U toward the device 2, the device 2 renders information to the user U. According to one particular embodiment, this may be an information message, such as for example: “to validate the amount of the transaction, please touch or approach the sensitive surface SUT”, “to validate access to the library, please touch or approach the sensitive surface SUT”, etc. Such an information message may be rendered in text form and/or vocally.

[0094] In S1, the device 2 transmits, via its antenna ANT2, an NFC-type modulated electrical signal associated with a search message intended for a device located close to the device 2, in this case the terminal 1 carried by the user U. Such a signal, denoted by the reference SIG in FIG. 4, conventionally contains a default data frame along with a payload containing for example a random number, a code, a key, etc. This frame constitutes a search message transmitted in the signal SIG transmitted by the device 2, which is intended, according to this example, to come into contact with a portable device located close to the device 2. It is specific to the proposed transaction service: payment, access to a room, etc.

[0095] The signal SIG may be transmitted continuously for a predefined duration.

[0096] At the end of this transmission duration, the device 2 changes to reception mode.

[0097] In S2, the signal SIG transmitted in S1 is detected and received by the terminal 1.

[0098] In S3, the terminal 1 demodulates the received signal SIG into a digital signal.

[0099] In S4, the terminal 1 analyzes the digital signal thus obtained, via the module ANA of FIG. 2. During this analysis, the terminal 1 detects at least one of the information elements corresponding to the interrogation of the device 2, specifically, in this example, a service using IBC technology. Since the application APP does not at this stage detect any information relating to an intentional gesture performed by the user U with respect to the device 2, the signal SIG is ignored by the terminal 1.

[0100] The method according to the invention then proceeds as follows:

[0101] In S5, the user U touches the sensitive surface SUT of the device 2, for example by placing his hand thereon or by approaching his hand to within a few centimeters of the surface.

[0102] In S6, the device 2 generates an electrical signal SGV representative of the intentional gesture performed by the user U.

[0103] In FIG. 5, the signal SGV comprises: [0104] a first portion P1, characterizing the fact that the user U has not yet touched or approached very close to the sensitive surface SUT of the device 2. To this end, the power or the amplitude of the signal SGV is low, for example of the order of −70 dB; [0105] a second portion P2, characterizing the fact that the user U has touched or approached very close to the sensitive surface SUT of the device 2. To this end, the signal SGV increases sharply until it reaches an amplitude of the order of for example −50 dB, at a time t1.sub.max; [0106] a third portion P3, characterizing the duration for which the user U remains in contact or in quasi-contact with the sensitive surface SUT of the device 2. To this end, the signal SGV reaches a maximum amplitude of the order of −50 dB until a time t2.sub.max; [0107] a fourth portion P4, characterizing the fact that, at t2.sub.max, the user U has stopped touching or approaching very close to the sensitive surface SUT of the device 2. To this end, the signal SGV decreases sharply until it reaches an amplitude of the order of −70 dB.

[0108] With reference again to FIG. 4, in S7, the device 2 modulates the signal SGV by associating information INF therewith determining whether or not the user U has touched (or almost touched) the surface SUT of the device 2 between the times t1.sub.max and t2.sub.max. By way of non-exhaustive example, such information is coded by the module COD of FIG. 3 on one bit, either at 1, determining that the user U has touched or almost touched the surface SUT of the device 2, or at 0, determining that the user U has not touched or almost touched the surface SUT of the device 2.

[0109] Of course, the information INF could be in text form, in alphanumeric form, etc. A modified signal SGV, denoted SGV′, is then obtained at the end of S7.

[0110] In the example shown, the module COD of the device 2 generates the information INF at 1 because the user U has touched or almost touched the surface SUT.

[0111] In S8, the device 2 transmits, via its antenna ANT2, a modulated electrical signal SGV′ associated with a message MSG for validating or not validating the gesture performed by the user U, intended for the terminal 1 carried by the user U. The message MSG transmitted in the modulated electrical signal SGV′ transmitted by the device 2 comprises an identifier ID associated with the device 2, along with the information INF determining whether or not the user U has touched (or almost touched) the surface SUT of the device 2 between the times t1.sub.max and t2.sub.max.

[0112] The identifier ID is a unique reference associated with the device 2 or else a location identifier for identifying the location of the device 2 (GPS coordinates, URL address, etc.).

[0113] The message MSG is in the form of a single data frame containing: [0114] the identifier ID of the communication device 2, [0115] a bit at 1 or at 0, depending on whether or not the user U has touched (or almost touched) the surface SUT of the device 2 between the times t1.sub.max and t2.sub.max. Other information may be contained in the data frame, such as for example a service identifier and/or else a random datum.

[0116] As an alternative, the message MSG comprises: [0117] a first data frame containing the information INF at 1 or at 0, depending on whether or not the user U has touched (or almost touched) the surface SUT of the device 2 between the times t1.sub.max and t2.sub.max, [0118] a second data frame containing the identifier ID of the communication device 2 and possibly the other information, such as for example a service identifier and/or else a random datum.

[0119] The identifier ID may be supplied by the device 2, which has stored it locally, or else upon request from a management system SG 3 connected to the device 2 via a communication network.

[0120] As a variant, the information INF may also be generated by the management system 3 upon the request of the device 2 in order to unburden the computing resources thereof.

[0121] In S9, the modulated electrical signal SGV′ transmitted in S8 is detected and received by the terminal 1, via the body of the user U, passing through the antenna ANT1.

[0122] In S10, the terminal 1 demodulates the received electrical signal SGV′ into a digital signal, via its module DEMOD (FIG. 2).

[0123] In S11, the terminal 1 analyzes the digital signal thus obtained, via its module DGV (FIG. 2), in order to validate whether or not the gesture performed by the user U corresponds to an intentional gesture on the part thereof and whether or not the surface SUT of the device 2 has been touched (or almost touched) by the user U. During this analysis, the terminal 1 detects, in S110, that the amplitude of the signal SGV′ is at a maximum between the times t1.sub.max and t2.sub.max and that the signal SGV′ has exceeded a predetermined threshold SP between these two times. A first condition according to which the signal SGV′ is representative of an approach gesture performed by the user U toward the device 2 is therefore met.

[0124] In S111, based on the obtained digital signal, the terminal 1 detects the abovementioned message MSG, that is to say the information INF, the identifier ID of the device 2 and possibly the other abovementioned information, such as for example a service identifier and/or else a random datum.

[0125] In S112, the terminal 1 then checks, via its module ANA, whether the information INF is at 0 or at 1.

[0126] If INF is at 0, the additional condition for validating the intentional approach gesture performed by the user U is not met since the value, at 0, of the information INF is representative of the fact that the user U has not touched the touch surface SUT of the device 2 corresponding to the detected identifier ID. The terminal 1 therefore does not continue the transaction.

[0127] If INF is at 1, as in the example shown, the additional condition for validating the intentional approach gesture performed by the user U is met since the value, at 1, of the information INF is representative of the fact that the user U has touched or almost touched the touch surface SUT of the device 2 corresponding to the detected identifier ID.

[0128] In S12, the terminal 1 then validates the content of the message MSG in a conventional manner, and then enters into communication either with the device 2 if the latter has sufficient management capabilities or else with the management system SG 3 or any other appropriate management equipment, in order to activate the service required by the terminal 1 (validate the amount of a transaction, validate access to a room, validate a balance of transport tickets, etc.).