WO2017065658A1 - Notifying a user via a fixedly mounted non associated presentation device - Google Patents

Notifying a user via a fixedly mounted non associated presentation device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017065658A1
WO2017065658A1 PCT/SE2015/051094 SE2015051094W WO2017065658A1 WO 2017065658 A1 WO2017065658 A1 WO 2017065658A1 SE 2015051094 W SE2015051094 W SE 2015051094W WO 2017065658 A1 WO2017065658 A1 WO 2017065658A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
notification
user
presentation device
determiner
cause
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE2015/051094
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Sébastien PIERREL
Keven WANG
Hongxin LIANG
Simon Moritz
Original Assignee
Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) filed Critical Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority to PCT/SE2015/051094 priority Critical patent/WO2017065658A1/en
Publication of WO2017065658A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017065658A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/06—Protocols specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/02—Services making use of location information
    • H04W4/029—Location-based management or tracking services
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/50—Network services
    • H04L67/52—Network services specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/50—Network services
    • H04L67/53—Network services using third party service providers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/50—Network services
    • H04L67/55—Push-based network services
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/02—Services making use of location information
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/02—Services making use of location information
    • H04W4/023—Services making use of location information using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds

Definitions

  • the invention relates to notification determiner devices, notification provider devices, presentation devices, methods, computer programs, and computer program products for notifying a user.
  • Notifications can e.g. relate to a missed phone call, incoming text message, reminder of an event in a calendar, etc.
  • Notifications can e.g. relate to a missed phone call, incoming text message, reminder of an event in a calendar, etc.
  • One example of a known notification engine is Google now, see
  • An object is to provide an increased flexibility in the selection of a
  • a notification determiner device being remote to the user, and comprises the steps of: receiving a position indication indicating a position of the user; obtaining, from a remote device, personal information being associated with the user; determining when the position indication and the personal information are sufficient to trigger a notification rule; determining a notification when the notification rule is triggered; and transmitting a notification request comprising the notification, to cause the notification to be presented to the user using a fixedly mounted presentation device, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being association with the user.
  • This method provides a way to provide notifications to a user using a fixedly mounted presentation device which is not associated with the user. Such a method increases flexibility in provision of notifications by opening up a whole new way of presenting notifications and can use virtually any display, speaker, etc. available in public, in offices or on means of transport. This liberates the user from only being notified using his/her own user devices.
  • the method may further comprise the steps of: obtaining a set of references to presentation devices being located in the vicinity of the user; and determining at least one reference from the set of references to use for the notification, which reference is associated with a presentation device being capable of presenting the notification.
  • obtaining a set of references to presentation devices being located in the vicinity of the user
  • determining at least one reference from the set of references to use for the notification which reference is associated with a presentation device being capable of presenting the notification.
  • the notification request comprises the at least one reference to use for the notification.
  • a set of presentation devices in the vicinity (e.g. within a certain radius) of the user is provided to the notification determiner device for selection of one or more suitable presentation devices to use.
  • the method may further comprise the step of: obtaining context information comprising data not being personal information of the user.
  • the step of determining a notification comprises determining the notification also based on the context information.
  • context information can e.g. comprise timetables, weather, news, event information, etc. Since this is performed in the notification determiner device (which can be a stationary device) rather than in the user device, more sources and more data can be utilised since there are less strict restrictions on data storage.
  • the method may further comprise the step of: obtaining notification content from a content server. In such a case, in the step of transmitting, the notification comprises the notification content.
  • the step of receiving a position may comprise receiving position indications for a plurality of users.
  • the step of obtaining personal information comprises obtaining personal information for the plurality of users.
  • the step of determining a notification comprises determining a common notification for at least two of the plurality of users, based on similarities in their respectively associated personal information. This makes the
  • notification more efficient in terms of resource usage and can also be more effective. For instance, a common notification can be presented on an entire display of the presentation device, rather than presenting several smaller individual notifications in separate sections of the display.
  • a notification determiner device for notifying a user.
  • the notification determiner device is configured for operation remotely to the user and comprises: a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device to: receive a position indication indicating a position of the user; obtain, from a remote device, personal information being associated with the user; determine when the position indication and the personal information are sufficient to trigger a notification rule;
  • the notification rule determines a notification when the notification rule is triggered; and transmit a notification request comprising the notification, to cause the notification to be presented to the user using a fixedly mounted presentation device, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
  • the notification determiner device may further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device to: obtain a set of references to presentation devices being located in the vicinity of the user; and determine at least one reference from the set of references to use for the notification, which reference is associated with a presentation device being capable of presenting the notification.
  • the instructions to transmit a notification request comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device to transmit the notification request comprising the at least one reference to use for the notification.
  • the notification determiner device may further comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device to: obtain context information comprising data not being personal information of the user.
  • the instructions to determine a notification comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device to determine the notification also based on the context information.
  • the notification determiner device may further comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device to obtain notification content from a content server.
  • the instructions to transmit comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device to transmit the
  • the instructions to receive a position may comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device to receive position indications for a plurality of users.
  • the instructions to obtain personal information comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device to obtain personal information for the plurality of users.
  • the instructions to determine a notification may comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device to determine a common notification for at least two of the plurality of users, based on similarities in their respectively associated personal information.
  • a notification determiner device comprising: means for receiving a position indication indicating a position of the user, the notification determiner device being configured to be remote to the user; means for obtaining, from a remote device, personal information being associated with the user; means for determining when the position indication and the personal information are sufficient to trigger a notification rule; means for determining a notification when the notification rule is triggered; and means for transmitting a notification request comprising the notification, to cause the notification to be presented to the user using a fixedly mounted presentation device, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
  • a computer program for notifying a user.
  • the computer program comprises computer program code which, when run on a notification determiner device being configured for operation remotely to the user, causes the notification determiner device to: receive a position indication indicating a position of the user; obtain, from a remote device, personal information being associated with the user; determine when the position indication and the personal information are sufficient to trigger a notification rule; determine a notification when the notification rule is triggered; and transmit a notification request comprising the notification, to cause the notification to be presented to the user using a fixedly mounted presentation device, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
  • a computer program product comprising a computer program according to the fourth aspect and a computer readable means on which the computer program is stored.
  • a method for notifying a user is performed in a notification provider device, the notification provider being remote to the user and the method comprises the steps of: receiving a notification request comprising a notification; and providing the notification to a fixedly mounted presentation device to cause the notification being presented to the user, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
  • the method may further comprise the step of: providing a set of references to presentation devices being in the vicinity of the user.
  • the notification request comprises at least one of the references.
  • the step of providing the notification then comprises providing the notification to any presentation device being associated with the at least one of the references of the notification request.
  • the notification provider is configured for operation remotely to the user and comprises: a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification provider to: receive a notification request comprising a notification; and provide the notification to a fixedly mounted presentation device to cause the notification being presented to the user, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
  • the notification provider device may further comprises instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification provider device to provide a set of references to presentation devices being in the vicinity of the user.
  • the notification request may comprise at least one of the references; and the instructions to provide the notification comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification provider device to provide the notification to any presentation device being associated with the at least one of the references of the notification request.
  • a notification provider device comprising: means for receiving a notification request comprising a notification for a user, the notification provider being configured for operation remotely to the user; and means for providing the notification to a fixedly mounted presentation device to cause the notification being presented to the user, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
  • a computer program for notifying a user comprises computer program code which, when run on a notification provider device being configured for operation remotely to the user, causes the notification provider device to: receive a notification request comprising a notification; and provide the notification to a fixedly mounted presentation device to cause the notification being presented to the user, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
  • a computer program product comprising a computer program according to the ninth aspect and a computer readable means on which the computer program is stored.
  • a method for notifying a user being performed in a fixedly mounted presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user and comprises the steps of: receiving a notification from a notification provider device, the notification being determined based on personal information of the user; and presenting content of the notification
  • a presentation device for notifying a user.
  • the presentation device is configured to be fixedly mounted and is usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
  • the presentation device comprises: a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the presentation device to: receive a notification from a notification provider device, the notification being determined based on personal information of the user; and present content of the notification.
  • Fig l is a schematic diagram illustrating an environment in which
  • Fig 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating notification to a single user
  • Fig 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating notification to a group of users
  • Fig 4 is a schematic sequence diagram illustrating notification in the environment shown in Fig 1 according to one embodiment
  • Figs 5A-B are flow charts illustrating embodiments of methods for notifying a user performed in the notification determiner device of Fig 1;
  • Figs 6A-B are flow charts illustrating embodiments of methods for notifying a user performed in the notification provider of Fig 1;
  • Fig 7 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for notifying a user performed in the presentation device of Fig 1;
  • Fig 8 is a schematic diagram showing some components of the notification determiner device of Fig 1;
  • Fig 9 is a schematic diagram showing some components of the notification provider of Fig l
  • Fig 10 is a schematic diagram showing some components of the presentation device of Fig ⁇
  • Fig 11 is a schematic diagram showing functional modules of the notification determiner device of Fig ⁇ according to one embodiment
  • Fig 12 is a schematic diagram showing functional modules of the notification provider of Fig l according to one embodiment
  • Fig 13 is a schematic diagram showing functional modules of the presentation device of Fig 1 according to one embodiment
  • Fig 14 shows one example of a computer program product comprising computer readable means.
  • Fig 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an environment in which
  • a user 9 is in possession of a user device 2, such as a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer, etc.
  • the user device 2 is associated with the user 9.
  • An info collector 15 is configured to collect data from various sources.
  • the info collector collects both personal information and context information. This collection of information can be periodically pulled and/ or pushed as it becomes available.
  • the personal information is associated with a user and can comprise static information and/ or dynamic information.
  • Static information can e.g. include data such as gender, personal interests, age, normal working hours, commuting path, shopping history, favourite food/drink, etc.
  • the dynamic information can e.g.
  • the context information is
  • the collected data is provided to a notification determiner device 10 to determine when to send a notification to the user 9.
  • the notification determiner device 10 can optionally retrieve content (such as video, audio, image, text, etc.) of the notification from a content server 16.
  • the notification is transmitted to a notification provider 11 for provision to a presentation device 12.
  • the presentation device 12 is fixedly mounted and its location is known to the notification provider 11.
  • the presentation device 12 can optionally be unmounted and mounted in a different location, as long as the notification provider 11 is updated with the new location of the presentation device 12.
  • the notification provider 11 can e.g. be a server which holds information about what presentation devices 12 are available and their location.
  • the notification provider 11 also contains data as to the capability of each presentation device 12, e.g.
  • the notification provider 11 can be considered to be a device management node.
  • the notification provider n also contains data as to the category of each presentation device, e.g. underground station display, advertisement board, elevator speaker, etc.
  • the notification is forwarded to the selected presentation device(s) 12 for presentation to the user 9.
  • Fig 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating notification to a single user.
  • the notification from a presentation device 12 is intended for a single user 9.
  • Fig 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating notification to a group 6 of users.
  • the presentation device 12 is then used for a notification intended to all of the users of the group 6 of users.
  • the group contains a first user 9 a, a second user 9b and a fourth user 9d.
  • the notification may be detected by a third user 9c, it is not intended for that user 9c.
  • the group scenario can be used when a set of users are on their way to an event, such as a concert. When they arrive at an underground station, the notification determiner device matches an event direction rule, where directions are shown when one or more users are at a new
  • the notification determiner device notices that a group of users are at a particular underground station for the first time and from their respective personal information (e.g. from their calendars or e-mail) the notification determiner device knows that a ticket to a concert at a particular venue has been purchased.
  • the event direction rule is then triggered and the notification determiner device then presents a notification containing directions on the underground displays or advertisement boards, e.g. "Concert with X, go left (optionally combined with graphical symbols)".
  • the group 6 of users do not need to have any prior social or other connections; it is sufficient that they are all going to the same event and are in the same general location. They may still all benefit from the direction notification.
  • one presentation device 12 can present different notifications to different users, e.g. by dividing a display in several sections, one for each user, or by presenting several audio notifications sequentially.
  • Fig 4 is a schematic sequence diagram illustrating notification in the environment shown in Fig 1 according to one embodiment. All
  • IP Internet
  • the packets can be sent using TCP (Transport Control Protocol) and/or UDP (User Datagram Protocol) over IP.
  • TCP Transmission Control Protocol
  • UDP User Datagram Protocol
  • the communication path can be implemented using any combination of TCP (Transport Control Protocol) and/or UDP (User Datagram Protocol) over IP.
  • the user device 2 provides personal information 20 to the info collector 15. This can be on request from the info collector 15, i.e. pull based information, or can be initiated by the user device 2, i.e. push based information.
  • the external data source 17 provides context information 21 to the info collector 15. This can be on request from the info collector 15, i.e. pull based information, or can be initiated by the external data source 17, i.e. push based information.
  • the user device 2 also provides the info collector 15 with a current position 22 of the user device. Optionally, this is combined with the personal information 20.
  • info collector 15 receives all of this information 20, 21, 22.
  • the position 22' is forwarded to the notification determiner device, along with data 23 containing personal information and context previously retrieved.
  • the information can be on request from the notification determiner device 10, i.e. pull based information, or can be initiated by the info collector 15, i.e. push based information.
  • the notification determiner device 10 then checks the information it has for the user, including position and personal information, to determine 24 whether this information is sufficient to trigger a notification rule. In this example, it is assumed that a notification rule is triggered.
  • the notification determiner device 10 then receives content 25 of a notification from the content server 16. Optionally, this step occurs prior to the notification determination 24 or not at all if the notification determiner device 10 already has access to the content of the notification (e.g. due to the notification being simple text information or cached from previous notifications).
  • the notification determiner device 10 receives references to nearby presentation devices 26 from the notification provider, indicating which presentation device(s) are near the user device 2. The notification determiner device 10 can then determine which one or more presentation devices 12 to use to provide the notification to the user 9.
  • the notification determiner device 10 sends the notification 27 to the notification provider 11 which sends the notification 27' (optionally in modified form) to the presentation device 12 to present part or all (depending on the content presentation capability of the presentation device 12) of the notification 27" to the user 9.
  • Figs 5A-B are flow charts illustrating embodiments of methods for notifying a user performed in the notification determiner device of Fig 1.
  • a position indication (e.g. 23 of Fig 4) is received which indicates a position of the user.
  • the position can be indicated using coordinates for longitude and latitude or by reference to a fixed site.
  • position indications are received for a plurality of users.
  • the position can originate from a user device sending its position to the info collector or by a presentation device (or other device) with a known location detecting a presence of a user device and informing this to the info collector.
  • an obtain personal info step 41 personal information (e.g. 20 of Fig 4) being associated with the user is obtained from a remote device, such as the user device or other information source such as an operator of the user or other service (e.g. a calendar service) having personal information of the user.
  • This information can come via the info collector 15 (e.g. 20 of Fig 4).
  • this step comprises obtaining personal information for the plurality of users.
  • Remote is here to be interpreted as being at a different site, e.g. not part of the same building. Alternatively or additionally, remote can be construed as being further away than a certain distance.
  • conditional notification rule step 43 it is determined whether the position indication and the personal information are sufficient to trigger a notification rule. If this is the case, the method proceeds to a determine notification step 44. Otherwise, the method ends.
  • one condition of the notification rule is always the position of the user.
  • a user configuration is applied, where the user can configure whether to receive notifications and under what circumstances.
  • notification rules When a user is at a bus station, show expected arrival time for the next bus on the bus station display. When a user is in a taxi and the user is scheduled to depart on a flight, show flight information, the weather forecast of the final destination together with information about suitable hotels, etc. on a display in the taxi. When a user in an elevator has missed several phone calls (e.g. due to meetings), show a notification of the missed phone calls on a display in the elevator to easier get the attention of the user. When a user has an event in the calendar to visit a shop and the shop is about to close, the user is notified in time (which can depend on current location and expected travel time) prior to the shop closing.
  • a notification is determined (e.g. 24 of Fig 4). This comprises determining content of the notification. Optionally, this comprises determining a common notification for at least two of the plurality of users, based on similarities in their respectively associated personal information. Such similarities can e.g. form part of the notification rule. For instance, a similarity can be determined if a plurality of users match the conditions for the same rule.
  • a notification request (e.g. 27 of Fig 4) comprising the notification is transmitted.
  • the notification request causes the notification to be presented to the user using a presentation device.
  • the presentation device is usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user. In other words, the presentation device does not belong to the user and is not configured to be coupled to the user.
  • the presentation device is only used temporarily to display the notification to the user since the presentation device is in the vicinity of the user. Vicinity is here to be construed as in proximity of the user, such that the user is likely to receive the notification from the presentation device. Alternatively or additionally, vicinity can be construed as being within a certain radius.
  • any (non personal) devices available in the vicinity of the used can be temporarily used for notifying the user. This can replace or complement notification by means of the user device.
  • the notification determiner device can obtain information from a large number of sources, including several user devices of one user, a plethora of external data sources, etc., allowing the notification determiner device to better tailor and predict the notifications which are pertinent to the user compared to if only a mobile phone is used for notifications.
  • the notification comprises a predefined personal content of the user to better grab the attention of the user.
  • the personal content can be a predefined image/avatar/sound/colour or even smell, etc. which is then l6 presented along the content of the notification.
  • context info step 42 context information (e.g. 21 of Fig 4) is obtained which comprises data which is not personal information of the user.
  • the context information is optionally retrieved via the info collector 15.
  • the determine notification step 44 comprises determining the notification also based on the context
  • an obtain device set step 45 a set of references to presentation devices (e.g. 26 of Fig 4) being located in the vicinity of the user is obtained.
  • presentation capabilities of each of the presentation devices are also provided here.
  • a determine device(s) step 46 at least one reference is determined from the set of references to use for the notification.
  • the determined reference(s) are each associated with a presentation device being capable of presenting the notification. For instance, if the notification contains a video, only presentation devices capable of displaying video are presented. Optionally, different presentation devices are selected for different types of content. E.g. a speaker is selected for a voice notification while a display is selected for a corresponding or complementary text notification.
  • the notification request then comprises the at least one reference to use for the notification.
  • notification content is obtained from a content server.
  • the notification comprises the notification content.
  • Figs 6A-B are flow charts illustrating embodiments of methods for notifying a user performed in the notification provider of Fig 1.
  • a notification request is received which comprises a notification. This can be received form the notification
  • the notification is provided to one or more presentation device(s) to thereby cause the notification being presented to the user.
  • the presentation device is usable for
  • a set of references to presentation devices being in the vicinity of the user is provided, e.g. to the notification determiner device.
  • the set of references to presentation devices is determined based on the position of the user.
  • the notification request then comprises at least one of the references.
  • the provide notification step 56 then comprises providing the notification to any presentation device being associated with the at least one of the references of the notification request.
  • Fig 7 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for notifying a user performed in the presentation device of Fig 1.
  • a notification is received from a notification provider.
  • the notification is determined at least partly based on personal information of the user.
  • a present content of notification step 59 content of the notification is presented.
  • the content is any suitable type content, such as any combination of text, still image, video, sampled audio (e.g. voice) and synthesised audio, etc.
  • sampled audio e.g. voice
  • synthesised audio etc.
  • the content of the notification can be shown l8 as the only content of a display or as an overlay on top of existing image or video.
  • Fig 8 is a schematic diagram showing some components of the notification determiner device 10 of Fig 1.
  • a processor 60 is provided using any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit etc., capable of executing software instructions 67 stored in a memory 65, which can thus be a computer program product.
  • the processor 60 can be configured to execute the method described with reference to Figs 5A-B above.
  • the memory 65 can be any combination of read and write memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM).
  • the memory 65 also comprises persistent storage, which, for example, can be any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory.
  • a data memory 66 is also provided for reading and/or storing data during execution of software instructions in the processor 60.
  • the data memory 66 can be any combination of read and write memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM).
  • the notification determiner device 10 further comprises an I/O interface 62 for communicating with other external entities.
  • the I/O interface 62 also includes a user interface.
  • Fig 9 is a schematic diagram showing some components of the notification provider 11 of Fig 1.
  • a processor 70 is provided using any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit etc., capable of executing software instructions 77 stored in a memory 75, which can thus be a computer program product.
  • the processor 70 can be configured to execute the method described with reference to Figs 6A-B above.
  • the memory 75 can be any combination of read and write memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM).
  • the memory 75 also comprises persistent storage, which, for example, can be any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory.
  • a data memory 76 is also provided for reading and/or storing data during execution of software instructions in the processor 70.
  • the data memory 76 can be any combination of read and write memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM).
  • the notification provider 11 further comprises an I/O interface 72 for communicating with other external entities.
  • the I/O interface 72 also includes a user interface.
  • Fig 10 is a schematic diagram showing some components of the presentation device 12 of Fig 1.
  • a processor 80 is provided using any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor,
  • microcontroller capable of executing software instructions 87 stored in a memory 85, which can thus be a computer program product.
  • the processor 80 can be configured to execute the method described with reference to Fig 7 above.
  • the memory 85 can be any combination of read and write memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM).
  • the memory 85 also comprises persistent storage, which, for example, can be any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory.
  • a data memory 86 is also provided for reading and/or storing data during execution of software instructions in the processor 8o.
  • the data memory 86 can be any combination of read and write memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM).
  • the presentation device 12 further comprises an I/O interface 82 for communicating with other external entities.
  • the I/O interface 82 also includes one or more of a display and a speaker.
  • the display an be any sort or combination of displays, e.g. Thin Film Transistor(TFT), Light Emitting
  • the display can be capable of displaying any one or more of text, images, video.
  • the speaker can be capable of presenting sampled sound and/or synthesised sound.
  • Fig 11 is a schematic diagram showing functional modules of the notification determiner device 10 of Fig 1 according to one embodiment.
  • the modules can be implemented using software instructions such as a computer program executing in the notification determiner device 10. Alternatively or
  • modules are implemented using hardware such an
  • ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit
  • FPGA Field Programmable Gate Array
  • the modules correspond to the steps in the methods illustrated in Figs 5A-B.
  • a receiver 100 corresponds to step 40.
  • An obtainer 101 corresponds to steps 41, 42, 45, and 47.
  • a determiner 103 corresponds to steps 43, 44, and 46.
  • a transmitter 103 corresponds to step 48.
  • Fig 12 is a schematic diagram showing functional modules of the notification provider 11 of Fig 1 according to one embodiment.
  • the modules can be implemented using software instructions such as a computer program executing in the notification provider 11.
  • the modules are implemented using hardware such an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), and/or discrete components.
  • ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit
  • FPGA Field Programmable Gate Array
  • the modules correspond to the steps in the methods illustrated in Figs 6A-B.
  • a receiver no corresponds to step 54.
  • a provider 111 corresponds to steps 50 and 56.
  • Fig 13 is a schematic diagram showing functional modules of the presentation device 12 of Fig 1 according to one embodiment.
  • the modules can be implemented using software instructions such as a computer program executing in the presentation device 12. Alternatively or additionally, the modules are implemented using hardware such an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), and/ or discrete components.
  • ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit
  • FPGA Field Programmable Gate Array
  • the modules correspond to the steps in the methods illustrated in Fig 7.
  • a receiver 120 corresponds to step 58.
  • a presenter corresponds to step 59.
  • Fig 14 shows one example of a computer program product comprising computer readable means.
  • a computer program 91 can be stored, which computer program can cause a processor to execute a method according to embodiments described herein.
  • the computer program product is an optical disc, such as a CD (compact disc) or a DVD (digital versatile disc) or a Blu-Ray disc.
  • the computer program product could also be embodied in a memory of a device, such as the computer program products 65 of Fig 8, 75 of Fig 9 or 85 of Fig 10.
  • While the computer program 91 is here schematically shown as a track on the depicted optical disk, the computer program can be stored in any way which is suitable for the computer program product, such as a removable solid state memory, e.g. a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive.
  • a removable solid state memory e.g. a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive.
  • USB Universal Serial Bus

Abstract

It is presented a method for notifying a user. The method is performed by a notification determiner device being remote to the user, and comprises the steps of: receiving a position indication indicating a position of the user; obtaining, from a remote device, personal information being associated with the user; determining when the position indication and the personal information are sufficient to trigger a notification rule; determining a notification when the notification rule is triggered; and transmitting a notification request comprising the notification, to cause the notification to be presented to the user using a fixedly mounted presentation device, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being association with the user.

Description

NOTIFYING A USER VIA A FIXEDLY MOUNTED NON ASSOCIATED PRESENTATION DEVICE
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to notification determiner devices, notification provider devices, presentation devices, methods, computer programs, and computer program products for notifying a user.
BACKGROUND
Today, users can get notifications from their mobile phones, tablet
computers, laptop computers, wearable devices, etc. Notifications can e.g. relate to a missed phone call, incoming text message, reminder of an event in a calendar, etc. There are many different systems, such as iOS, Android, Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, etc., which provide notifications to users. One example of a known notification engine is Google now, see
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Now, retrieved on 9 October 2015, which predicts information that should be relevant for a user and provides such a notification proactively to the user, e.g. recommending activities, and shows such a notification on the mobile phone providing the Google now service.
However there are occasions when the delivery of notifications sometimes is prevented, for instance when the user is walking, cycling, or simply focusing on the environment around instead of the user's personal device.
SUMMARY
An object is to provide an increased flexibility in the selection of a
presentation device to notify a user
According to a first aspect, it is presented a method for notifying a user. The method is performed by a notification determiner device being remote to the user, and comprises the steps of: receiving a position indication indicating a position of the user; obtaining, from a remote device, personal information being associated with the user; determining when the position indication and the personal information are sufficient to trigger a notification rule; determining a notification when the notification rule is triggered; and transmitting a notification request comprising the notification, to cause the notification to be presented to the user using a fixedly mounted presentation device, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being association with the user. This method provides a way to provide notifications to a user using a fixedly mounted presentation device which is not associated with the user. Such a method increases flexibility in provision of notifications by opening up a whole new way of presenting notifications and can use virtually any display, speaker, etc. available in public, in offices or on means of transport. This liberates the user from only being notified using his/her own user devices.
The method may further comprise the steps of: obtaining a set of references to presentation devices being located in the vicinity of the user; and determining at least one reference from the set of references to use for the notification, which reference is associated with a presentation device being capable of presenting the notification. In such a case, in the step of
transmitting the notification request, the notification request comprises the at least one reference to use for the notification. In other words, a set of presentation devices in the vicinity (e.g. within a certain radius) of the user is provided to the notification determiner device for selection of one or more suitable presentation devices to use.
The method may further comprise the step of: obtaining context information comprising data not being personal information of the user. In such a case, the step of determining a notification comprises determining the notification also based on the context information. Such context information can e.g. comprise timetables, weather, news, event information, etc. Since this is performed in the notification determiner device (which can be a stationary device) rather than in the user device, more sources and more data can be utilised since there are less strict restrictions on data storage. The method may further comprise the step of: obtaining notification content from a content server. In such a case, in the step of transmitting, the notification comprises the notification content. This allows content to be stored in a different device than the notification determiner device, which may also be owned by another party than the party owning the notification determiner device. The step of receiving a position may comprise receiving position indications for a plurality of users. In such a case, the step of obtaining personal information comprises obtaining personal information for the plurality of users.
The step of determining a notification comprises determining a common notification for at least two of the plurality of users, based on similarities in their respectively associated personal information. This makes the
notification more efficient in terms of resource usage and can also be more effective. For instance, a common notification can be presented on an entire display of the presentation device, rather than presenting several smaller individual notifications in separate sections of the display.
According to a second aspect, it is presented a notification determiner device for notifying a user. The notification determiner device is configured for operation remotely to the user and comprises: a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device to: receive a position indication indicating a position of the user; obtain, from a remote device, personal information being associated with the user; determine when the position indication and the personal information are sufficient to trigger a notification rule;
determine a notification when the notification rule is triggered; and transmit a notification request comprising the notification, to cause the notification to be presented to the user using a fixedly mounted presentation device, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
The notification determiner device may further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device to: obtain a set of references to presentation devices being located in the vicinity of the user; and determine at least one reference from the set of references to use for the notification, which reference is associated with a presentation device being capable of presenting the notification. In such a case, the instructions to transmit a notification request comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device to transmit the notification request comprising the at least one reference to use for the notification.
The notification determiner device may further comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device to: obtain context information comprising data not being personal information of the user. In such a case, the instructions to determine a notification comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device to determine the notification also based on the context information.
The notification determiner device may further comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device to obtain notification content from a content server. In such a case, the instructions to transmit comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device to transmit the
notification comprising the notification content.
The instructions to receive a position may comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device to receive position indications for a plurality of users. In such a case, the instructions to obtain personal information comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device to obtain personal information for the plurality of users.
The instructions to determine a notification may comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device to determine a common notification for at least two of the plurality of users, based on similarities in their respectively associated personal information.
According to a third aspect, it is presented a notification determiner device comprising: means for receiving a position indication indicating a position of the user, the notification determiner device being configured to be remote to the user; means for obtaining, from a remote device, personal information being associated with the user; means for determining when the position indication and the personal information are sufficient to trigger a notification rule; means for determining a notification when the notification rule is triggered; and means for transmitting a notification request comprising the notification, to cause the notification to be presented to the user using a fixedly mounted presentation device, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user. According to a fourth aspect, it is presented a computer program for notifying a user. The computer program comprises computer program code which, when run on a notification determiner device being configured for operation remotely to the user, causes the notification determiner device to: receive a position indication indicating a position of the user; obtain, from a remote device, personal information being associated with the user; determine when the position indication and the personal information are sufficient to trigger a notification rule; determine a notification when the notification rule is triggered; and transmit a notification request comprising the notification, to cause the notification to be presented to the user using a fixedly mounted presentation device, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
According to a fifth aspect, it is presented a computer program product comprising a computer program according to the fourth aspect and a computer readable means on which the computer program is stored. According to a sixth aspect, it is presented a method for notifying a user. The method is performed in a notification provider device, the notification provider being remote to the user and the method comprises the steps of: receiving a notification request comprising a notification; and providing the notification to a fixedly mounted presentation device to cause the notification being presented to the user, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
The method may further comprise the step of: providing a set of references to presentation devices being in the vicinity of the user. In such a case, in the step of receiving a notification request, the notification request comprises at least one of the references. Also, the step of providing the notification then comprises providing the notification to any presentation device being associated with the at least one of the references of the notification request. According to a seventh aspect, it is presented a notification provider device for notifying a user. The notification provider is configured for operation remotely to the user and comprises: a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification provider to: receive a notification request comprising a notification; and provide the notification to a fixedly mounted presentation device to cause the notification being presented to the user, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
The notification provider device may further comprises instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification provider device to provide a set of references to presentation devices being in the vicinity of the user. In such a case, the notification request may comprise at least one of the references; and the instructions to provide the notification comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification provider device to provide the notification to any presentation device being associated with the at least one of the references of the notification request. According to an eighth aspect, it is presented a notification provider device comprising: means for receiving a notification request comprising a notification for a user, the notification provider being configured for operation remotely to the user; and means for providing the notification to a fixedly mounted presentation device to cause the notification being presented to the user, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
According to a ninth aspect, it is presented a computer program for notifying a user. The computer program comprises computer program code which, when run on a notification provider device being configured for operation remotely to the user, causes the notification provider device to: receive a notification request comprising a notification; and provide the notification to a fixedly mounted presentation device to cause the notification being presented to the user, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
According to a tenth aspect, it is presented a computer program product comprising a computer program according to the ninth aspect and a computer readable means on which the computer program is stored.
According to a eleventh aspect, it is presented a method for notifying a user. The method being performed in a fixedly mounted presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user and comprises the steps of: receiving a notification from a notification provider device, the notification being determined based on personal information of the user; and presenting content of the
notification.
According to a twelfth aspect, it is presented a presentation device for notifying a user. The presentation device is configured to be fixedly mounted and is usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user. The presentation device comprises: a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, causes the presentation device to: receive a notification from a notification provider device, the notification being determined based on personal information of the user; and present content of the notification.
Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc." are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig l is a schematic diagram illustrating an environment in which
embodiments presented herein can be applied;
Fig 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating notification to a single user;
Fig 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating notification to a group of users;
Fig 4 is a schematic sequence diagram illustrating notification in the environment shown in Fig 1 according to one embodiment; Figs 5A-B are flow charts illustrating embodiments of methods for notifying a user performed in the notification determiner device of Fig 1;
Figs 6A-B are flow charts illustrating embodiments of methods for notifying a user performed in the notification provider of Fig 1;
Fig 7 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for notifying a user performed in the presentation device of Fig 1;
Fig 8 is a schematic diagram showing some components of the notification determiner device of Fig 1; Fig 9 is a schematic diagram showing some components of the notification provider of Fig l
Fig 10 is a schematic diagram showing some components of the presentation device of Fig ι Fig 11 is a schematic diagram showing functional modules of the notification determiner device of Fig ι according to one embodiment
Fig 12 is a schematic diagram showing functional modules of the notification provider of Fig l according to one embodiment
Fig 13 is a schematic diagram showing functional modules of the presentation device of Fig 1 according to one embodiment
Fig 14 shows one example of a computer program product comprising computer readable means.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.
Fig 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an environment in which
embodiments presented herein can be applied.
A user 9 is in possession of a user device 2, such as a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer, etc. The user device 2 is associated with the user 9.
An info collector 15 is configured to collect data from various sources. The info collector collects both personal information and context information. This collection of information can be periodically pulled and/ or pushed as it becomes available. The personal information is associated with a user and can comprise static information and/ or dynamic information. Static information can e.g. include data such as gender, personal interests, age, normal working hours, commuting path, shopping history, favourite food/drink, etc. The dynamic information can e.g. include data such as location of the user device, personal status, received text message/ e-mail, and/ or missed phone calls, calendar events, social network activity, current speed and direction of movement, mode of movement (walking, biking, driving, public transport, etc.), signal strength of mobile phone reception, etc., which can be obtained from the user device 2 and/or from the operator to which the user device 2 is associated. The context information is
information which is not directly tied to the user and can e.g. comprise weather information, event information, time table data, flight information, traffic data, time, date, day of week, etc., and can be obtained from one or more external data sources 17 or using a timer/clock. As explained in more detail below, the collected data is provided to a notification determiner device 10 to determine when to send a notification to the user 9. The notification determiner device 10 can optionally retrieve content (such as video, audio, image, text, etc.) of the notification from a content server 16.
When a notification is to be sent in here, instead of using the user device 2 to present the notification, the notification is transmitted to a notification provider 11 for provision to a presentation device 12. The presentation device 12 is fixedly mounted and its location is known to the notification provider 11. Although the presentation device 12 is fixedly mounted, the presentation device 12 can optionally be unmounted and mounted in a different location, as long as the notification provider 11 is updated with the new location of the presentation device 12. The notification provider 11 can e.g. be a server which holds information about what presentation devices 12 are available and their location. Optionally, the notification provider 11 also contains data as to the capability of each presentation device 12, e.g. any combination of: capable of displaying text, capable of displaying black and white images, capability of displaying colour images, capability of displaying video, capable of presenting sampled audio (e.g. sampled voice data), capable of presenting synthesised audio (e.g. synthesised voice or sound alerts), encoding formats supported, etc. Hence, the notification provider 11 can be considered to be a device management node. Optionally, the notification provider n also contains data as to the category of each presentation device, e.g. underground station display, advertisement board, elevator speaker, etc.
As explained in more detail below, once one or more presentation devices 12 are selected for the notification, the notification is forwarded to the selected presentation device(s) 12 for presentation to the user 9.
Fig 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating notification to a single user. In this embodiment, the notification from a presentation device 12 is intended for a single user 9.
Fig 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating notification to a group 6 of users. The presentation device 12 is then used for a notification intended to all of the users of the group 6 of users. In this example, there are four users 9a-d and the group contains a first user 9 a, a second user 9b and a fourth user 9d. While the notification may be detected by a third user 9c, it is not intended for that user 9c. For example, the group scenario can be used when a set of users are on their way to an event, such as a concert. When they arrive at an underground station, the notification determiner device matches an event direction rule, where directions are shown when one or more users are at a new
underground station and have a scheduled event in the vicinity. Hence, the notification determiner device notices that a group of users are at a particular underground station for the first time and from their respective personal information (e.g. from their calendars or e-mail) the notification determiner device knows that a ticket to a concert at a particular venue has been purchased. The event direction rule is then triggered and the notification determiner device then presents a notification containing directions on the underground displays or advertisement boards, e.g. "Concert with X, go left (optionally combined with graphical symbols)". It is to be noted that the group 6 of users do not need to have any prior social or other connections; it is sufficient that they are all going to the same event and are in the same general location. They may still all benefit from the direction notification.
Alternatively, one presentation device 12 can present different notifications to different users, e.g. by dividing a display in several sections, one for each user, or by presenting several audio notifications sequentially.
Fig 4 is a schematic sequence diagram illustrating notification in the environment shown in Fig 1 according to one embodiment. All
communication shown can e.g. occur using packets over IP (Internet
Protocol) e.g. over the Internet. For instance, the packets can be sent using TCP (Transport Control Protocol) and/or UDP (User Datagram Protocol) over IP. The communication path can be implemented using any
combination of wired networks and wireless networks.
The user device 2 provides personal information 20 to the info collector 15. This can be on request from the info collector 15, i.e. pull based information, or can be initiated by the user device 2, i.e. push based information.
Also, the external data source 17 provides context information 21 to the info collector 15. This can be on request from the info collector 15, i.e. pull based information, or can be initiated by the external data source 17, i.e. push based information.
The user device 2 also provides the info collector 15 with a current position 22 of the user device. Optionally, this is combined with the personal information 20.
It is not important in which order the info collector 15 receives all of this information 20, 21, 22.
The position 22' is forwarded to the notification determiner device, along with data 23 containing personal information and context previously retrieved. Also here, the information can be on request from the notification determiner device 10, i.e. pull based information, or can be initiated by the info collector 15, i.e. push based information.
The notification determiner device 10 then checks the information it has for the user, including position and personal information, to determine 24 whether this information is sufficient to trigger a notification rule. In this example, it is assumed that a notification rule is triggered.
The notification determiner device 10 then receives content 25 of a notification from the content server 16. Optionally, this step occurs prior to the notification determination 24 or not at all if the notification determiner device 10 already has access to the content of the notification (e.g. due to the notification being simple text information or cached from previous notifications).
Optionally, the notification determiner device 10 receives references to nearby presentation devices 26 from the notification provider, indicating which presentation device(s) are near the user device 2. The notification determiner device 10 can then determine which one or more presentation devices 12 to use to provide the notification to the user 9.
In order to provide the notification to the user, the notification determiner device 10 sends the notification 27 to the notification provider 11 which sends the notification 27' (optionally in modified form) to the presentation device 12 to present part or all (depending on the content presentation capability of the presentation device 12) of the notification 27" to the user 9.
Figs 5A-B are flow charts illustrating embodiments of methods for notifying a user performed in the notification determiner device of Fig 1.
In a receive position step 40, a position indication (e.g. 23 of Fig 4) is received which indicates a position of the user. The position can be indicated using coordinates for longitude and latitude or by reference to a fixed site. Optionally, position indications are received for a plurality of users. The position can originate from a user device sending its position to the info collector or by a presentation device (or other device) with a known location detecting a presence of a user device and informing this to the info collector.
In an obtain personal info step 41, personal information (e.g. 20 of Fig 4) being associated with the user is obtained from a remote device, such as the user device or other information source such as an operator of the user or other service (e.g. a calendar service) having personal information of the user. This information can come via the info collector 15 (e.g. 20 of Fig 4). When the position indications are received for a plurality of users, this step comprises obtaining personal information for the plurality of users. Remote is here to be interpreted as being at a different site, e.g. not part of the same building. Alternatively or additionally, remote can be construed as being further away than a certain distance.
In a conditional notification rule step 43, it is determined whether the position indication and the personal information are sufficient to trigger a notification rule. If this is the case, the method proceeds to a determine notification step 44. Otherwise, the method ends. In one embodiment, one condition of the notification rule is always the position of the user.
Optionally, a user configuration is applied, where the user can configure whether to receive notifications and under what circumstances.
Here are some examples of notification rules. When a user is at a bus station, show expected arrival time for the next bus on the bus station display. When a user is in a taxi and the user is scheduled to depart on a flight, show flight information, the weather forecast of the final destination together with information about suitable hotels, etc. on a display in the taxi. When a user in an elevator has missed several phone calls (e.g. due to meetings), show a notification of the missed phone calls on a display in the elevator to easier get the attention of the user. When a user has an event in the calendar to visit a shop and the shop is about to close, the user is notified in time (which can depend on current location and expected travel time) prior to the shop closing. In the determine notification step 44, a notification is determined (e.g. 24 of Fig 4). This comprises determining content of the notification. Optionally, this comprises determining a common notification for at least two of the plurality of users, based on similarities in their respectively associated personal information. Such similarities can e.g. form part of the notification rule. For instance, a similarity can be determined if a plurality of users match the conditions for the same rule.
In a transmit notification step 48, a notification request (e.g. 27 of Fig 4) comprising the notification is transmitted. The notification request causes the notification to be presented to the user using a presentation device. As explained above, the presentation device is usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user. In other words, the presentation device does not belong to the user and is not configured to be coupled to the user. The presentation device is only used temporarily to display the notification to the user since the presentation device is in the vicinity of the user. Vicinity is here to be construed as in proximity of the user, such that the user is likely to receive the notification from the presentation device. Alternatively or additionally, vicinity can be construed as being within a certain radius. Hence, using embodiments presented herein, any (non personal) devices available in the vicinity of the used can be temporarily used for notifying the user. This can replace or complement notification by means of the user device.
Also, the notification determiner device can obtain information from a large number of sources, including several user devices of one user, a plethora of external data sources, etc., allowing the notification determiner device to better tailor and predict the notifications which are pertinent to the user compared to if only a mobile phone is used for notifications. Optionally, the notification comprises a predefined personal content of the user to better grab the attention of the user. For instance the personal content can be a predefined image/avatar/sound/colour or even smell, etc. which is then l6 presented along the content of the notification. By avoiding a name or photograph of the user, the user knows that he/ she is the recipient of the notification while maintaining a great degree of anonymity.
Looking now to Fig 5B, only new or modified steps compared to the method illustrated by the flow chart of Fig 5A will be described.
In an obtain context info step 42, context information (e.g. 21 of Fig 4) is obtained which comprises data which is not personal information of the user. The context information is optionally retrieved via the info collector 15. When the context information is available, the determine notification step 44 comprises determining the notification also based on the context
information.
In an obtain device set step 45, a set of references to presentation devices (e.g. 26 of Fig 4) being located in the vicinity of the user is obtained.
Optionally, presentation capabilities of each of the presentation devices are also provided here.
In a determine device(s) step 46, at least one reference is determined from the set of references to use for the notification. The determined reference(s) are each associated with a presentation device being capable of presenting the notification. For instance, if the notification contains a video, only presentation devices capable of displaying video are presented. Optionally, different presentation devices are selected for different types of content. E.g. a speaker is selected for a voice notification while a display is selected for a corresponding or complementary text notification. In the transmit notification step 48, the notification request then comprises the at least one reference to use for the notification.
In an obtain content step 47, notification content is obtained from a content server. In the transmit notification step 48, the notification comprises the notification content. Figs 6A-B are flow charts illustrating embodiments of methods for notifying a user performed in the notification provider of Fig 1.
In a receive notification step 54, a notification request is received which comprises a notification. This can be received form the notification
determiner device.
In a provide notification step 56, the notification is provided to one or more presentation device(s) to thereby cause the notification being presented to the user. As explained above, the presentation device is usable for
notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
Looking now to Fig 6B, only new or modified steps compared to the method illustrated by the flow chart of Fig 6A will be described.
In a provide device set step 50, a set of references to presentation devices being in the vicinity of the user is provided, e.g. to the notification determiner device. The set of references to presentation devices is determined based on the position of the user. In the receive notification request step 54, the notification request then comprises at least one of the references. Also, the provide notification step 56 then comprises providing the notification to any presentation device being associated with the at least one of the references of the notification request.
Fig 7 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for notifying a user performed in the presentation device of Fig 1.
In a receive notification step 58, a notification is received from a notification provider. The notification is determined at least partly based on personal information of the user.
In a present content of notification step 59, content of the notification is presented. The content is any suitable type content, such as any combination of text, still image, video, sampled audio (e.g. voice) and synthesised audio, etc. When the content is visual, the content of the notification can be shown l8 as the only content of a display or as an overlay on top of existing image or video.
Fig 8 is a schematic diagram showing some components of the notification determiner device 10 of Fig 1. A processor 60 is provided using any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit etc., capable of executing software instructions 67 stored in a memory 65, which can thus be a computer program product. The processor 60 can be configured to execute the method described with reference to Figs 5A-B above.
The memory 65 can be any combination of read and write memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM). The memory 65 also comprises persistent storage, which, for example, can be any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory.
A data memory 66 is also provided for reading and/or storing data during execution of software instructions in the processor 60. The data memory 66 can be any combination of read and write memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM). The notification determiner device 10 further comprises an I/O interface 62 for communicating with other external entities. Optionally, the I/O interface 62 also includes a user interface.
Other components of the notification determiner device 10 are omitted in order not to obscure the concepts presented herein. Fig 9 is a schematic diagram showing some components of the notification provider 11 of Fig 1. A processor 70 is provided using any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit etc., capable of executing software instructions 77 stored in a memory 75, which can thus be a computer program product. The processor 70 can be configured to execute the method described with reference to Figs 6A-B above.
The memory 75 can be any combination of read and write memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM). The memory 75 also comprises persistent storage, which, for example, can be any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory.
A data memory 76 is also provided for reading and/or storing data during execution of software instructions in the processor 70. The data memory 76 can be any combination of read and write memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM).
The notification provider 11 further comprises an I/O interface 72 for communicating with other external entities. Optionally, the I/O interface 72 also includes a user interface.
Other components of the notification provider 11 are omitted in order not to obscure the concepts presented herein.
Fig 10 is a schematic diagram showing some components of the presentation device 12 of Fig 1. A processor 80 is provided using any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor,
microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit etc., capable of executing software instructions 87 stored in a memory 85, which can thus be a computer program product. The processor 80 can be configured to execute the method described with reference to Fig 7 above.
The memory 85 can be any combination of read and write memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM). The memory 85 also comprises persistent storage, which, for example, can be any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory.
A data memory 86 is also provided for reading and/or storing data during execution of software instructions in the processor 8o. The data memory 86 can be any combination of read and write memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM).
The presentation device 12 further comprises an I/O interface 82 for communicating with other external entities. The I/O interface 82 also includes one or more of a display and a speaker. The display an be any sort or combination of displays, e.g. Thin Film Transistor(TFT), Light Emitting
Diodes (LEDs), LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), etc. The display can be capable of displaying any one or more of text, images, video. The speaker can be capable of presenting sampled sound and/or synthesised sound.
Other components of the presentation device 12 are omitted in order not to obscure the concepts presented herein.
Fig 11 is a schematic diagram showing functional modules of the notification determiner device 10 of Fig 1 according to one embodiment. The modules can be implemented using software instructions such as a computer program executing in the notification determiner device 10. Alternatively or
additionally, the modules are implemented using hardware such an
Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), and/ or discrete components. The modules correspond to the steps in the methods illustrated in Figs 5A-B.
A receiver 100 corresponds to step 40. An obtainer 101 corresponds to steps 41, 42, 45, and 47. A determiner 103 corresponds to steps 43, 44, and 46. A transmitter 103 corresponds to step 48.
Fig 12 is a schematic diagram showing functional modules of the notification provider 11 of Fig 1 according to one embodiment. The modules can be implemented using software instructions such as a computer program executing in the notification provider 11. Alternatively or additionally, the modules are implemented using hardware such an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), and/or discrete components. The modules correspond to the steps in the methods illustrated in Figs 6A-B.
A receiver no corresponds to step 54. A provider 111 corresponds to steps 50 and 56.
Fig 13 is a schematic diagram showing functional modules of the presentation device 12 of Fig 1 according to one embodiment. The modules can be implemented using software instructions such as a computer program executing in the presentation device 12. Alternatively or additionally, the modules are implemented using hardware such an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), and/ or discrete components. The modules correspond to the steps in the methods illustrated in Fig 7.
A receiver 120 corresponds to step 58. A presenter corresponds to step 59.
Fig 14 shows one example of a computer program product comprising computer readable means. On this computer readable means a computer program 91 can be stored, which computer program can cause a processor to execute a method according to embodiments described herein. In this example, the computer program product is an optical disc, such as a CD (compact disc) or a DVD (digital versatile disc) or a Blu-Ray disc. As explained above, the computer program product could also be embodied in a memory of a device, such as the computer program products 65 of Fig 8, 75 of Fig 9 or 85 of Fig 10. While the computer program 91 is here schematically shown as a track on the depicted optical disk, the computer program can be stored in any way which is suitable for the computer program product, such as a removable solid state memory, e.g. a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive.
The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.

Claims

1. A method for notifying a user, the method being performed by a notification determiner device being remote to the user, and comprising the steps of:
receiving (40) a position indication indicating a position of the user; obtaining (41), from a remote device, personal information being associated with the user;
determining (43) when the position indication and the personal information are sufficient to trigger a notification rule;
determining (44) a notification when the notification rule is triggered; and
transmitting (48) a notification request comprising the notification, to cause the notification to be presented to the user using a fixedly mounted presentation device, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
obtaining (45) a set of references to presentation devices being located in the vicinity of the user; and
determining (46) at least one reference from the set of references to use for the notification, which reference is associated with a presentation device being capable of presenting the notification;
wherein, in the step of transmitting (48) the notification request, the notification request comprises the at least one reference to use for the notification.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the step of: obtaining (42) context information comprising data not being personal information of the user; wherein the step of determining (44) a notification comprises determining the notification also based on the context
information.
4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of:
obtaining (47) notification content from a content server;
and wherein in the step of transmitting (48), the notification comprises the notification content.
5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of receiving (40) a position comprises receiving position indications for a plurality of users, and wherein the step of obtaining (41) personal
information comprises obtaining personal information for the plurality of users.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of determining (44) a notification comprises determining a common notification for at least two of the plurality of users, based on similarities in their respectively associated personal information.
7. A notification determiner device (10) for notifying a user, the
notification determiner device (10) being configured for operation remotely to the user and comprising:
a processor (60); and
a memory (64) storing instructions (67) that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device (10) to:
receive a position indication indicating a position of the user;
obtain, from a remote device, personal information being associated with the user;
determine when the position indication and the personal information are sufficient to trigger a notification rule;
determine a notification when the notification rule is triggered; and transmit a notification request comprising the notification, to cause the notification to be presented to the user using a fixedly mounted presentation device, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without presentation device being associated with the user.
8. The notification determiner device (10) according to claim 7, further comprising instructions (67) that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device (10) to:
obtain a set of references to presentation devices being located in the vicinity of the user; and
determine at least one reference from the set of references to use for the notification, which reference is associated with a presentation device being capable of presenting the notification;
wherein the instructions to transmit a notification request comprise instructions (67) that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device (10) to transmit the notification request comprising the at least one reference to use for the notification.
9. The notification determiner device (10) according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising instructions (67) that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device (10) to:
obtain context information comprising data not being personal information of the user; wherein the instructions to determine a notification comprise instructions (67) that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device (10) to determine the notification also based on the context information.
10. The notification determiner device (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising instructions (67) that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device (10) to obtain notification content from a content server; and wherein the instructions to transmit comprise instructions (67) that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device (10) to transmit the notification comprising the notification content.
11. The notification determiner device (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the instructions to receive a position comprise instructions (67) that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device (10) to receive position indications for a plurality of users, and wherein the instructions to obtain personal information comprise instructions (67) that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device (10) to obtain personal information for the plurality of users.
12. The notification determiner device (10) according to claim 11, wherein the instructions to determine a notification comprise instructions (67) that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification determiner device (10) to determine a common notification for at least two of the plurality of users, based on similarities in their respectively associated personal information.
13. A notification determiner device (10) comprising:
means for receiving a position indication indicating a position of the user, the notification determiner device being configured to be remote to the user;
means for obtaining, from a remote device, personal information being associated with the user;
means for determining when the position indication and the personal information are sufficient to trigger a notification rule;
means for determining a notification when the notification rule is triggered; and
means for transmitting a notification request comprising the
notification, to cause the notification to be presented to the user using a fixedly mounted presentation device, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
14. A computer program (91) for notifying a user, the computer program comprising computer program code which, when run on a notification determiner device (10) being configured for operation remotely to the user, causes the notification determiner device (10) to:
receive a position indication indicating a position of the user;
obtain, from a remote device, personal information being associated with the user;
determine when the position indication and the personal information are sufficient to trigger a notification rule;
determine a notification when the notification rule is triggered; and transmit a notification request comprising the notification, to cause the notification to be presented to the user using a fixedly mounted presentation device, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
15. A computer program product (90) comprising a computer program according to claim 14 and a computer readable means on which the computer program is stored.
16. A method for notifying a user, the method being performed in a notification provider device (11), the notification provider being remote to the user and the method comprising the steps of:
receiving (54) a notification request comprising a notification; and providing (56) the notification to a fixedly mounted presentation device to cause the notification being presented to the user, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of:
providing (50) a set of references to presentation devices being in the vicinity of the user;
wherein, in the step of receiving (54) a notification request, the notification request comprises at least one of the references; and
the step of providing (56) the notification comprises providing the notification to any presentation device being associated with the at least one of the references of the notification request.
18. A notification provider device (11) for notifying a user, the notification provider (11) being configured for operation remotely to the user and comprising:
a processor (70); and
a memory (74) storing instructions (77) that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification provider (11) to:
receive a notification request comprising a notification; and
provide the notification to a fixedly mounted presentation device to cause the notification being presented to the user, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
19. The notification provider device (11) according to claim 18, further comprising instructions (77) that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification provider device (11) to provide a set of references to presentation devices being in the vicinity of the user; wherein the notification request comprises at least one of the references; and the instructions to provide the notification comprise instructions (77) that, when executed by the processor, cause the notification provider device (11) to provide the notification to any presentation device being associated with the at least one of the references of the notification request.
20. A notification provider device (11) comprising:
means for receiving a notification request comprising a notification for a user, the notification provider being configured for operation remotely to the user; and
means for providing the notification to a fixedly mounted presentation device to cause the notification being presented to the user, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
21. A computer program (91) for notifying a user, the computer program comprising computer program code which, when run on a notification provider device (11) being configured for operation remotely to the user, causes the notification provider device (11) to:
receive a notification request comprising a notification; and
provide the notification to a fixedly mounted presentation device to cause the notification being presented to the user, the presentation device being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user.
22. A computer program product (90) comprising a computer program according to claim 21 and a computer readable means on which the computer program is stored.
23. A method for notifying a user, the method being performed in a fixedly mounted presentation device (12) being usable for notifications for the user without the presentation device being associated with the user and
comprising the steps of:
receiving (58) a notification from a notification provider device, the notification being determined based on personal information of the user; and presenting (59) content of the notification.
24. A presentation device (12) for notifying a user, the presentation device being configured to be fixedly mounted and being usable for notifications for the user (9) without the presentation device being associated with the user, the presentation device comprising:
a processor (80); and
a memory (84) storing instructions (87) that, when executed by the processor, causes the presentation device (12) to:
receive a notification from a notification provider device, the
notification being determined based on personal information of the user; and present content of the notification.
PCT/SE2015/051094 2015-10-15 2015-10-15 Notifying a user via a fixedly mounted non associated presentation device WO2017065658A1 (en)

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