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(11) | EP 1 246 147 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | A system for wireless sending and responding to messages |
| (57) A system for wireless sending and responding to messages. The messages are formed
by either request or answer messages which are predetermined and stored into a memory
of a module. Each request message comprises a first pointer pointing to an answer
message. A request message transmitted by a first module being answered by a second
receiving module if the first pointer of the request message points towards an activated
answer message into the second module. |
[0001] The invention relates to a system for wireless sending and responding to messages, said system comprising at least a first and a second module, each module comprising a transmitter/receiver element provided for transmission and reception of said messages by means of radiowaves.
[0002] Such a system is known from US-PS-5,604,869. The known system is part of a computer network and enables to send messages as well by broadcasting them to the different available stations in the network as by sending them to a dedicated station. Upon receipt of a message the stations capable to formulate a response to the question will file an answer to the requesting station.
[0003] A drawback of the known systems is that it requires a computer network infrastructure to operate. The known system is therefore not appropriate to operate as a simple message exchange system without the need of a particular network infrastructure.
[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a message exchange system which is available to a large public and which does not need to install a particular communication network infrastructure.
[0005] For this purpose, a system for wireless sending and responding to messages according to the present invention is characterised in that each module comprises a memory provided for storing a first and a second menu, said first menu comprising a series of request messages and said second menu a series of answer messages, each request message having a first pointer pointing to an answer message, said memory being connected to selection means provided for selecting one of said answer messages within said second menu, said selection means being connected to said transmitter/receiver element for supplying said selected request message thereto, said selection means being further connected to activating means provided for activating said selected answer message, said transmitter/receiver element being connected to identifying means which are further connected to said memory, said identifying means being provided for identifying said first pointer into a received request message and for verifying if said first pointer points towards an activated answer message into said memory and for reading said activated answer message if pointed by said first pointer, said transmitter/receiving element being provided for transmitting said pointed activated answer message to said module having transmitted said request message. By using request and answer messages stored in a memory, the system can only operate by using those stored messages. This facilitates the communication since only predetermined messages are transmitted. The use of a first pointer annexed to the transmitted message not only facilitates the recognition of the transmitted message, but also its processing by the receiving module. Since predetermined messages are sent by means of radiowaves to receiving modules which recognise the message by means of the first pointer, there is no need to use a network with a particular infrastructure such as it is the case for SMS messages. Moreover, as answers are only given by using the predetermined answer messages stored in the second menu, also the answering needs no particular network infrastructure.
[0006] A first preferred embodiment of a system according to the present invention is characterised in that said identifying means are provided for adding a second pointer to said pointed answer message, said selection means being provided for temporarily storing said first pointer of said selected request message and for verifying upon receipt of an answer message if said first and second pointer match. The use of a second pointer enables to easily recognise a received answer message. The recognition is in such a manner limited to the comparison of two pointers.
[0007] A second preferred embodiment of a system according to the present invention is characterised in that said selection means comprises a flag generator provided to add a flag to a selected request message, said identifying means being provided for storing and detecting said flag, said identifier means being provided to verify if said detected flag corresponds to said stored and for rejecting said message if said detected flag does not correspond to said stored one. The addition of a flag to the request message enables to more precisely define the request message as well for what concerns the targeted persons that could answer the message as for the kind of answer requested.
[0008] Preferably said transmitter element is provided for repetitively transmitting said selected message. This enables to repeat the request message if no or no satisfactory answer is received.
[0009] Preferably said transmitter/receiver element is provided for re-transmitting a received selected request message if no activated answer message was read. In such a manner a relay system is formed for transmitting the request messages to further modules.
[0010] The invention will now be described in more details with reference to a preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings. In the drawings:
figure 1 illustrates schematically a system according to the invention;
figure 2 illustrates an electronic circuit of a module to be used in a system according to the invention;
figure 3 illustrates an example of the contents of a memory belonging to a module; and
figures 4 and 5 illustrate by means of a flow chart the operation of the modules.
[0012] The system for wireless sending and responding to messages illustrated in figure 1 comprises a number of modules 1-1, 1-2, 1-3 and 1-4. Of course the number of modules can be any, but a minimum of a first and second module is required to establish a transmission between them. The modules are preferably dimensioned in such a manner that they can be hand hold.
[0013] Each module comprises a display 2 for showing question and answer messages. Alternatively or in combination, a loudspeaker could be used instead of the display. In the latter case, the messages would then be reproduced by means of sound. Each module also comprises a set of operating keys 3 which of course could be formed by a microphone if the module is voice operated. An antenna 4 is provided for radio transmission and reception of the messages. The antenna is provided for sending either over a 360° range or in an oriented manner over a restricted angle range. The range over which the transmission should take place, is determined by the user and/or by the module depending on the type of message to be sent. For example, in case of emergency, the emergency message will be sent over 360° whereas if the user needs something, such as a hotel room in a city towards which he or she travels, then the message will be sent only towards that city.
[0014] Figure 2 shows schematically an example of the electronic circuit of each module. Each module comprises a bus 5 to which a data processor, such as for example a microprocessor, is connected. The operating system of the processor is for example formed by Windows CE or Pocket PC both of Microsoft®. A message memory 7 and an operating memory 8 are also connected to the bus 5. The message memory 7 is provided for storing a series of predetermined messages. The operating memory 8 is provided i.a. for storing operating data and for temporarily storing received messages. Optionally (not shown), the module could also comprise a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver in order to combine position data with the messages. A transmitter/receiver element 9 is also connected to the bus 5. The transmitter/receiver element is provided for modulating messages on a carrier radiowave and for transmitting them via the antenna 4 which is connected to the transmitter/receiver element. The transmitter/receiver element is also provided for demodulating received messages and enable their further processing. An interface 10 is also connected to the bus 5. The interface 10 enables the data input by the operating keys 3 to be made available to the bus 5.
[0015] As illustrated in figure 3, the message menu 7 comprises a first menu (menu A) comprising a series of request messages (r-message) and a second menu (menu B) comprising a series of answer messages (a-message). It should be noted that in a same memory the answer messages are generally not formed by answers to the request messages. Only a minority of the answer messages in a same memory could be related to the questions. For example, if the user of the module would like to exchange books with somebody else also having such a module, then of course the same person would have a request message requesting a book and an answer message informing a third party that this user has another book for exchange purpose. Since the different request and answer messages stored in the message memory will be different from user to user, the loading of the messages is preferably realised by using smart cards, comprising the predetermined messages the user wants. The smart cards can then be made available by the manufacturer of the modules. Also if flags are used for limited access, as explained hereunder, they could be stored by using smart cards.
[0016] In order to enable communication with other modules, it is important that the stored messages are formatted according to a predetermined standard. The user can therefor not form an arbitrary message but has to rely on the stored messages. However the messages could be formed by a basic message stored in the message memory which can be combined with different items. So, for example, the operating memory could comprise a series of items relating to colours, numbers, destinations, time etc.. The user could then select the items and add them to the basic message in order to form the total answer or request message.
[0017] Assume for example that a user would like to find a restaurant where he or she can have a lunch for less than 10 Eur. The user would then select the request message "looking for restaurant" in a manner explained hereunder and add the item "less than", "10" and "Eur" from the item list stored in the operating memory. The whole request message would then be "looking for restaurant, less than 10 Eur".
[0018] To each request message i (1 ≤ i ≤ N) N being the total number of request messages, stored in the message memory 7, a first pointer RP # i is attached. The first pointer is preferably stored next to its appertaining request message at a same memory location in the message memory. The first pointer RP # i is for example formed by a predetermined number of bits, for example 10 bits. The first pointer points towards an answer message and will be used upon reading the request message after receipt and will be explained hereunder. Preferably, a second pointer AP # j is annexed to each answer message j (1 ≤ j ≤ M) stored in the message memory. The first and second pointer preferably have a same number of bits. The first and second pointer could be distinguished from each other for example by the value of their MSB (Most Significant Bit). For example, for the first pointer MSB = 0 and for the second pointer MSB = 1.
[0019] The system further comprises selection means formed by the operating keys and software stored in the operating memory 8 and the processor 6. The selection means are provided for selecting request and answer messages in the message memory 7 and are therefore connected to the latter. The selection means are further connected to activating means also formed by the operating keys in combination with software stored in the operating memory 8 and the processor. The activating means are provided for activating a selected answer message in order to have the answer message standby when a request message is received as will be described below.
[0020] The system also comprises identifying means connected with the transmitter/receiver element 9 and formed by software stored in the operating memory and the processor. The identifying means are provided for identifying the first pointer into a received message.
[0021] Suppose now that a user wants to send a request message. Essential in the present system for sending and responding to messages is that the user does not send the request message to somebody he or she necessarily knows. The message is broadcast to all the other modules which belong to the system and which are in the vicinity of the module emitting the message. If the request message would have to be sent to somebody the user knows or knows how to reach, then other tools such as mobile phones will be used.
[0022] For reasons of access to radio frequency ranges and emission power, the transmission power of the transmitter/receiver is limited to a short range of for example at the most 5 km. The purpose of these modules is to reach persons or services which are in the neighbourhood of the user emitting the request message and to enable the user to find what he or she needs where he or she is for the time being. Therefore the person answering the user having emitted the request message, will generally be unknown to the latter.
[0023] The user of the module, who wants to send or receive a message will first initiate (10, INI) the module as illustrated in figure 4. Then the user will activate the selection means (11, SEL ?), for example by pressing one ore more of the operating keys 3 of the module. Once activated, the selection means will ask the user whether he or she wants an answer or a request message and pursuant to the user's selection they will read the contents of the first or second menu in the menu memory (12, SMM) in order to present the messages on the display 2 of the module. Alternatively, the user could also directly select the request or answer message that he or she wants for example by introducing a code.
[0024] Each time the selection means have presented a message, they request the user (13, SELT ?) either to select the present request or answer message, if the latter corresponds to the one they are looking for, or to select the next one. So, suppose again that the user is looking for a restaurant where he or she can have lunch for 10 Eur at the most. Then, when the request message "restaurant" will be presented, the user will select the latter. Once a request message has been selected, the activating means will activate (14, ACP) the selected message, for example by inverting the second MSB of the pointer annexed to the selected message. The selection means will then request the user if some additional items have to be added (15, ADI). It will be clear that this last feature is optional and that alternatively either more messages comprising different alternatives could be stored or a less sophisticated module with no item options could be used. If the module comprises the item list, for example stored in the operating memory, then those items will be presented to the user, for example by displaying them on the display 2 of the module (16, SIL). The user will then select the items he wants, in the present example "≤" "10" and "Eur" in order to form the request message "restaurant ≤ 10 Eur". The item list could also comprise a possibility to add some free text. In the latter case, the operating keys have to be provided to enable to enter such text. This is for example realised in a similar manner as with mobile phones or by speech. The free text will then be annexed to the selected request message in a similar way as the other items. The menus could even be self learning if a text is regularly annexed to the request or answer message. Once the message has been formed, the selection means will request the user (17, TR?) if he or she wants that the message will be transmitted. So, for example in the case of an answer message, the latter can either simply remain activated in the module, waiting until a request message is received requesting the selected and activated answer. For example, the persons who have a book to sell could activate the message "book to sell" and wait until another user requests a book. On the other hand, the restaurant holder could actively send answer messages informing other users about his services. Furthermore, the user could for example request an old music instrument without actively requesting. In the latter case, the user will simply activate the request message "looking for old music instrument" without transmitting it and just wait until a corresponding answer message is received.
[0025] It could be possible that the user wants to send a request message to a restricted number of receivers. So, for example when the user would need a doctor or a pharmacist, the request message is only of interest for a doctor or a pharmacist. For this purpose, the selection means are provided to add a flag to the selected message. The flag indicating the category of persons or receivers entitled to accept the message. Since the flag is added to the request message to be transmitted, the flag will be received by the receiving module. The addition of the flag can be implemented in a same manner as the one of the items (16, SIL).
[0026] If the user decides that the message has to be sent (17, TR, Y), then the message is transferred by the selection means to the transmitter element 9 in order to be broadcast (18, TRM). If not, the selected message simply remains activated which is realised by activating the annexed pointer as described here before or by storing the message in the operating memory.
[0027] Once the message has been transmitted, the module will enter into a waiting loop (19, ANS ?) in order to wait for the receipt of an answer on the message which has been sent. In this waiting loop, the module will regularly check if that answer has been received. If no answer was received after a predetermined time of for example a few minutes, then the module will check (20, RT?) if the message has to be resent. The check, in order to verify if an answer is received within the predetermined time limit, is for example realised by means of a counter, which is set once the request message has been selected. If the counter has not been stopped by an appropriate received message, then the message is resent once the counter has reached its preset value. Of course the user can stop the counter if he or she is no longer interested in obtaining an answer. After having resent the selected message, the counter is set again in order to repeat the operation.
[0028] If the selected message has to be resent (20, RT?, Y), then it is checked (21, REL?) if the selected message has to be resent in a relay mode. If resending in a relay mode is required (21, REL, Y), then a relay indicator is added to the message (22, AREL). A relay mode signifies that if a module receives a message with such a relay indicator annexed, this module has to send the received message to a further module if the receiving module can not handle this message or can not provide an appropriate response to the received message. By using a relay mode, it is possible to cover a larger transmission range since each receiving module can operate as a transmitter and thus send the message further away. In order to resend the message, the procedure is repeated starting from step 18 (TRM).
[0029] If a message is received by the module (19, ANS, Y), the latter verifies (23, ARM ?) if the received message is an answer message to the transmitted request message. This is for example realised by comparing the stored first pointer of the transmitted request message with the second pointer added to the received answer message. If the first and second pointer match, then the received answer message is a response to the request message. If both pointers do not match, then a new message is received and it will be processed (24, INM) as described below.
[0030] In a low end realisation of a system according to the invention, the comparison between the first and second pointer could be omitted and every incoming message could simply be displayed (31, DSP) once a request message has been sent. Once the incoming message has been displayed, the procedure will be stopped (32, STP).
[0031] If both pointers match (23, ARM, Y), then a relay mode check procedure is started (25, RLS) in order to check if the received message has to be transmitted in a relay mode. This relay mode will be described hereinafter.
[0032] More processing than just the display of incoming messages is however preferred as this enables to filter incoming messages and to display only those which are of interest for the user. For this purpose, the identifying means are provided to check (26, SAM ?) if the received answer message answers the request in a satisfactory manner. Turning to the example of the restaurant, the received answer message could for example indicate that only meals with a price higher than 10 Eur are available, in which case the answer is not satisfactory. The identifying means realise this operation by comparing the items annexed to the request message and those annexed to the received answer message. Of course if no items are annexed to the request message, then the answer message will be accepted.
[0033] If the items of the received answer message do not match with the one annexed to the request message and temporarily stored in the operating memory (26, SAM, N), then the identifying means will check if the user has requested that those messages remain temporarily stored (27, STAM ?). Indeed, the user could store temporarily those messages in such a manner that if he or she would not receive a totally satisfactory answer, the information is still available. This could be of interest if the user is for example looking for a hotel room in a place where it is difficult to get a room because the place is crowded. Upon travelling to the place, the hotels in the neighbourhood could be stored in such a manner that if no hotel room is available in the place where the user wants to go, he or she could look for hotels outside that place, just by reading into the memory the answer messages of those hotels. If the received message has to be temporarily stored, this is performed by step 28 (28, SM) where the message is stored in the operating memory. The number of answer messages which can be stored will of course depend on the reserved memory space for this purpose. If all memory locations for storing answer messages are occupied, a new message will simply overwrite the oldest stored answer message. The user could also request that the stored answer messages are displayed (29, DS ?) each time a new incoming one is stored.
[0034] If on the other hand, the received answer message is fully satisfactory (26, SAM, Y), then there is no need to continue to send the request message and the counter, enabling to verify if answer messages were received upon request and within the predetermined time period, will be stopped (30, STC) and the received answer message displayed (31, DSP). Thereafter the process is achieved (32, STP).
[0035] As already mentioned, the request or answer messages are broadcast after they have been selected by the user. The processing of an incoming message will now be described with reference to the flow chart illustrated in figure 5. The transmitter/receiver module 9 monitors (40, INC ?) if messages are received. Upon receipt of a message it will be checked (see also step 25 RLS in figure 4) if the received message comprises a relay indicator (41, REM?). If so, the received message will be resent (42, RSM) in order to reach further modules. Since the received message could comprise a flag, it is preferably checked if the latter includes such a flag indicating a restricted number of receivers (43, FL ?). If this is the case, then the identifying means will verify (44, FVP?) if the flag detected in the incoming message corresponds to the one stored in the receiving module. If the message comprises no flag, it will be further processed. Indeed, those persons entitled to answer to those request messages with restricted answer possibility, will have a module wherein the flag corresponding to their entitlement will be hardcoded. So, for example a doctor will have a doctor's flag, a pharmacist a pharmacist's flag, the fire brigade a fire brigade's flag etc., hardcoded in their respective module. If the flag of the incoming message corresponds (44, FVP, Y) with the one stored in the identifying means, then the message is accepted and further processed, if not (44, FVP, N), then the incoming message is ignored. In such a manner, messages with restricted diffusion will be ignored by those receiver modules which are not entitled to receive them. Abusive use of those messages with restricted diffusion is thus avoided.
[0036] Once the incoming message has been accepted by the module, the identifying means will start to analyse the received message (45, RM/AM ?) in order to verify if the received message is a request or an answer message. This is for example realised by checking the MSB of the pointer annexed to the received message. If the received message is an answer message (45, RM/AM?, A) then it is checked (23, ARM?), as explained under step 23, if the received answer message is an answer to a request message. If so, the steps 25 to 32 are executed (47, GT4). If on the other hand the received answer message is not in response to a request message (23, ARM?, N) then it is checked if the user would like to convert the received answer message into a request message (57; SPR?). This option could be of interest for somebody who would like to intervene into an answer message sent by a third party. Of course this feature is optional and could either be switched off or not at all be present. If the user is interested in converting, then the answer pointer AP of the received answer message is converted into a request pointer RP. In such a manner, the received answer message will be further processed as if it is a request message.
[0037] Subsequent to the steps (45, RM/AM?, R) or (58, SP) or (57, SPR, N) the identifying means will start to process the received message (48, RP/AP ?). The identifying means will for this purpose identify the pointer included in the received message and check if the latter indicates a request pointer RP or an answer pointer. If the received message comprises an answer pointer (48, RP/AP, AP) then an unasked answer message is concerned. The identifying means then check if the module is in the display mode (49, DSPM?) i.e. the user wants all messages to be displayed. If so, then the answer message is displayed (50, DSP).
[0038] When the received message comprises a request pointer (48, RP/AP, RP) then an incoming requested message is concerned and the identifying means will then check (51, AAP?) if the received request message has a pointer pointing towards an activated answer message which is stored in the second menu of the message memory.
[0039] By activated answer message, it is meant that the user of the receiving module has activated, by means of the activating means, one or more of the answer messages stored in the second menu. For activating a message, the user also used the selection means in order to select among the answer messages those for which he or she is willing to provide an answer. Once the answer message(s) selected, the activating means are used to activate those message(s). This is for example realised by inverting the LSB (Least Significant Bit) of the second pointer (AP ≠ j) annexed to the selected answer message. The identifying means will scan the activated answer message and for example compare the first pointer of the received request message with the second pointer of the activated answer message. If they match, then an answer is found.
[0040] Turning back to the example of the user looking for a restaurant, suppose now that the request message is received by a module belonging to a clothes shop. Of course, the latter will not have activated the answer messages relating to restaurants. Upon scanning the second menu, the identifying means will not find an activated "restaurant" answer message and will reject the request message (51, AAP, N). If on the other hand, the request message is received by the module of a restaurant which has activated the "restaurant" answer message, then the identifying means will establish that the first pointer and the second match as they point to a same message. If the restaurant is closed, then the message will of course not be activated an the request message will be rejected.
[0041] When the received request message is accepted (51, AAP, Y) by the module, i.e. when the first pointer points to an activated answer message, the pointed activated answer message is read (52, RAM) from the second menu. After having read the answer message, the identifying means checks if further items (53, IIM) are included in the request message.
[0042] If the request message comprises further items, such as "≤ 10 Eur" in the considered example, those items are processed (54, AIM) by the identifying means. This processing could include a dialogue with the owner of the answering module or could be processed automatically. In the considered example, the restaurant owner could have an item list including the price of the available meals. The identifying means will then check if a meal for at the most 10 Eur is available (55, ASP ?). If not, the identifying means will reject the request message. If available or if no further items were included, it is verified (56, REM?) whether a relay indicator was annexed to the request message. If so, then a relay indicator (59, AREL) is also added to the answer message in order to enable transmission in a relay mode. Thereafter, the answer message is transmitted to the transmitter receiver element (60, TAM) in order to transmit the latter.
[0043] The system according to the present invention is thus typically designed to establish a communication between at least two persons who are not too far away from each other and who generally do not know each other. The communication is established directly from module to module without an operating network as it is for example the case with telephone communication. In such a manner, the system enables an anonymous communication. The system could however provide a security level on the communication by blocking a number of request or answer messages or by simply not storing them. So, for example persons who are not doctors or pharmacists could not get the valid flags or not get access to the answer messages related thereto.
[0044] The system could have a multiplicity of applications, for example in home to home services, travelling, courier services etc.. For example, a courier service could send a vehicle in an industrial zone and go to those users having sent a request message, requesting a courier service. This would provide an efficient service and safe fuel. Home to home services could send an answer message presenting their services or goods and could go to those persons having requested this, based on the available services and goods.
[0045] The system could also be used by public services such as for example public transport to inform a user when the next bus, metro etc. will arrive and where they go to. The driver would just have to send an answer message indicating his destination. As the system operates short range, it will only address the passengers in the vicinity where the public transport is.
[0046] Since the system has the possibility of storing the request message if no answer is obtained, the user could store the request message even for several months until he or she finds what they want. Suppose the user is looking for a particular spare part of an old car. There is a fair chance that he or she will not get a quick answer. However, since the request message is repetitively sent it could happen that the user passes nearby somebody equipped with a module and who has the spare part. The system will then recognise the answer message and inform the user.
1. A system for wireless sending and responding to messages, said system comprising at
least a first and a second module, each module comprising a transmitter/receiver element
provided for transmission and reception of said messages by means of radiowaves, characterised in that each module comprises a memory provided for storing a first and a second menu, said
first menu comprising a series of request messages and said second menu a series of
answer messages, each request message having a first pointer pointing to an answer
message, said memory being connected to selection means provided for selecting one
of said answer messages within said second menu, said selection means being connected
to said transmitter/receiver element for supplying said selected request message thereto,
said selection means being further connected to activating means provided for activating
said selected answer message, said transmitter/receiver element being connected to
identifying means which are further connected to said memory, said identifying means
being provided for identifying said first pointer into a received request message
and for verifying if said first pointer points towards an activated answer message
into said memory and for reading said activated answer message if pointed by said
first pointer, said transmitter/receiving element being provided for transmitting
said pointed activated answer message to said module having transmitted said request
message.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said identifying means are provided for adding a second pointer to said pointed answer
message, said selection means being provided for temporarily storing said first pointer
of said selected request message and for verifying upon receipt of an answer message
if said first and second pointer match.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said selection means comprises a flag generator provided to add a flag to a selected
request message, said identifier means being provided for storing and detecting said
flag, said identifier means being provided to verify if said detected flag corresponds
to said stored and for rejecting said message if said detected flag does not correspond
to said stored one.
4. A system as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said transmitter element is provided for broadcasting said messages.
5. A system as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said transmitter element is provided for repetitively transmitting said selected
message.
6. A system as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said transmitter/receiver element is provided for re-transmitting a received selected
request message if no activated answer message was read.
7. A system as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said transmitter/receiver element is provided for re-transmitting a received answer
message if no first pointer was stored.
8. A system as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 7, characterised in that said memory is provided for storing a list of items, said selection means being provided
for selecting items within said list and for adding said items to a selected message.
9. A module for use in a system as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 8.