CREATING SUCH A SERVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a device for creating a service using a camera, preferentially an IP camera. The invention also relates to a method for creating a service using a camera, preferentially an IP camera.

BACKGROUND

IP cameras enable users to monitor what is going on in a precise location. This is because once the IP camera is installed in a given location and is connected to the Internet, the user can check it from any computer in the world, provided that it too is connected to the Internet. IP cameras therefore enable their owners to monitor their children when they are absent, or simply to monitor their home in their absence.

IP cameras may be equipped with applications, e.g. applications that make it possible to send a notification e-mail when the camera detects a motion, or to recognize a person who enters a house.

These applications are very useful. However, for the majority of users, it is hard to design and install such applications as this would generally require advanced computing knowledge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art by offering a device that allows a user who has no advanced computing knowledge to create applications and services for a specific camera. To do so, a first aspect of the invention concerns a device for creating a service that uses a camera, the camera generating video feeds, the creation device comprising:

- a programming module comprising:

o means of optical recognition capable of recognizing digital data depicted on a series of cards presented to the camera; o means for generating a service using the camera based on the recognized data;

- a management module capable of communicating with the camera, the management module being capable of controlling the camera so as to provide the generated service.

Thus, the device defined by the invention is connected with the camera and enables the user to create a service using the camera, simply by presenting cards to the camera using an intuitive grammar and order. Each of these cards corresponds to a programming element. This programming element may be a person, an object, an action to perform, a temporal/spatial element, etc. Depending on the cards and the order of the cards presented to the camera, the programming module generates a service. The service is then begun by the management module and implemented on the video feeds produced by the camera.

The system defined by the invention may also have one or more of the characteristics below, taken individually or in accordance with all the combinations technically possible.

The device is preferentially intended for an IP camera.

In one embodiment, the programming module comprises a video manager capable of controlling the video feeds coming from the camera. This video manager preferentially comprises one or more of the following elements:

A video memory capable of containing information related to the camera;

A camera saving module capable of saving the information related to the camera in the video memory; - A video converter capable of converting the video feeds coming from the camera into a video format compatible with the created service;

A camera manager capable of connecting the camera to the creation device.

According to one embodiment, the programming module comprises a service creation module capable of creating new services based on the series of cards presented to the camera. The service creation module comprises one or more of the following elements:

An input interface that makes it possible to save new parameters in the service creation module; a module related to the analyzers capable of containing information about analyzers that can be used by the creation device; a module related to policy rules capable of containing information about the operation of the programming module;

A resulting actions module, capable of defining and triggering resulting actions when certain events are detected. According to one embodiment, the programming module comprises a toolbox capable of defining events and of detecting them in the video feed.

The toolbox preferentially comprises one or more of the following elements: a video programming operators module containing operators that make it possible to combine events based on the series of cards presented to the camera; - an entities module containing entities that may be managed and/or detected by the central module; an actions module containing actions that may occur in the video feeds produced by the camera; a spatial properties module containing spatial properties that may be associated with entities in the video feed; a temporal properties module containing temporal properties that may be associated with entities in the video feed; an event module containing a list of predefined events;

A toolbox manager capable of managing the toolbox and of associating elements of the toolbox based on the cards presented to the programming module.

According to one embodiment, the programming module comprises a video event interference engine capable of managing the programming module. The digital data presented on each of the cards are preferentially two-dimensional barcodes.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a service creation kit using a camera, the creation kit comprising a creation device according to the first aspect of the invention and cards, each card corresponding to a programming element.

The programming element may be an object, a person, a spatial-temporal element, an action to perform, etc.

Advantageously, each card comprises a two-dimensional barcodes.

Another aspect of the invention also relates to a service creation method using a camera, the method comprising the following steps:

Recognizing a series of cards presented to the camera using digital data depicted on each of the cards;

Interpreting the series of cards;

Creating a service based on the series of cards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention shall become apparent from reading the detailed description that follows, with reference to the attached figures, which depict: - Figure 1 , a schematic depiction of an inventive creation kit;

- Figure 2, a schematic depiction of the steps of an inventive method.

For clarity's sake, identical or similar elements are marked by symbols with identical references on all figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AT LEAST ONE EMBODIMENT

Figure 2 schematically depicts a service creation kit using a camera according to the invention. This creation kit comprises cards 1 , each card corresponding to one programming element. This programming element may be a person, an object, a duration, a location, a motion, an action, etc. Each card preferentially comprises a visual sign 2 identifiable by the user. This visual sign 2 may, for example, be:

- a photo or diagram that depicts the programming element to which the card corresponds, and/or

- an inscription that explains the programming element to which the card corresponds.

Furthermore, each card preferentially comprises digital data 3 that can be optically detected. This digital data is preferentially a two-dimensional barcode 3 also known as a QR code, for "Quick Response."

The creation kit also comprises a service creation device 4. This service creation device 4 comprises two modules:

- a video programming module 5 capable of creating a service using the camera from a series of cards presented to the camera;

- a management module 6 capable of managing the created service and of beginning it.

The service creation device 4 also comprises interfaces 8 that enable the creation device to communicate with connected IP cameras 7, as well as with external analyzers, e.g. telecommunication services 9 or external analyzers 10. The telecommunication services 9 make it possible, for example, of sending SMS messages, MMS messages, e- mail, etc.

The video programming module 5 comprises a video manager 1 1 capable of managing the camera and the video feeds it produces. The video manager 1 1 is capable of controlling the camera and the feeds that it produces. The video manager 1 1 preferentially comprises:

- a camera memory 12 in which is stored all information related to the IP cameras saved in the service creation device 4, e.g. their IP addresses, video codecs, the pilot, the location of IP cameras, the identity of the owner, the available programming interfaces, etc.

- an IP camera saving module 13 capable of saving at least one camera in the service creation device. The IP camera saving module makes it possible to fill the camera memory and to check whether the camera can connect to the service creation device and benefit from a service that it created; - a video converter 14 that makes it possible to convert the video feeds coming from the camera into the format desired by the service to be created. This video converter 14 makes it possible to convert the video feed from the camera into the right codec and the right format;

- a camera manager 15 that manages the operation of the video manager 1 1 . The camera manager 15 particularly makes it possible to configure the camera during the saving phase, to adapt the video feed coming from the camera both to the service creation device and to the service to be created, to control the camera's capacity to provide a given service, and any rights that could prohibit the service from operating.

The service creation device 4 also comprises a service creation module 16 capable of creating new services based on the series of cards presented to the camera. This service creation module 16 therefore allows a user to create the desired service thanks to the series of cards that he or she presents to the camera. The service creation module 16 comprises:

An input interface 17 that makes it possible to manage the service creation module. The input interface 17 makes it possible to define and/or save new parameters in the service creation module, e.g. new events, new cards, new internal or external video analyzers, new rules, e.g. rules associated with an event, new service models, etc. - a module related to the cards 18 capable of containing card-related information. This module related to the cards 18 may, for example, contained for each card its identifier, its two-dimensional barcode, if match with one or more analyzer(s), the associated rules and events, the authorized operators, etc. a module related to the analyzers 19 capable of managing and storing in memory video analyzers internal to the service creation device. The analyzers internal to the creation device are, for example, applications that make it possible to recognize a face, an object, a motion, etc. in a video; a module related to policy rules 20 capable of containing information about the operation of the programming module. This module related to policy rules preferentially contains all policy rules that govern the service creation device, e.g. rules related to the camera's save feature and configuration, the rules related to the video feeds and how to adapt them, the rules related to the creation processes, etc. A resulting actions module 21 capable of defining and triggering resulting actions when certain events are detected. This way, the resulting actions module may, for example, make it possible to send MMS, SMS, or other alerts when such an event occurs. This module therefore makes it possible to manage the resulting actions to perform, whenever a previously defined event occurs. The resulting actions module therefore works in connection with a toolbox 22 that makes it possible to define events and to detect them in the video feed. The user is the one who chooses which resulting actions to perform and which events lead to them. The resulting actions may be performed by internal modules within the service creation device, or by external modules communication with the creation device.

The service creation device also comprises a toolbox 22 that makes it possible to define video events and to detect them in the video feed. To do so, the toolbox therefore particularly uses a video event interference engine 31 and the module related to policy rules 20. The toolbox 22 comprises: - a video programming operators module 23 that stores a list of operators used to connect programming elements with one another. These operators may, for example, be logical operators, such as "And", "Or", "XOr", algebraic operators such as "+", "U", etc., were generally speaking, any operator is useful in combining programming elements;

- an entities module 24 that stores a list of entities that may be managed or detected by the video manager. These entities may, for example, be objects, people, faces, etc. that have attributes and properties that make it possible to characterize them;

- an actions module 25 that stores a list of actions that may be recognized in the video feed. These actions may be associated with the entities of the entities module 24 thanks to the operators of the video programming operators module 23;

- a spatial properties module 26 that stores a list of spatial properties that may be associated with the entities or actions. These spatial properties may, for example, be the position of a specific action in a room filmed by the camera;

- a temporal properties module 27 that stores a list of temporal properties that may be associated with an action, an entity, and/or a spatial property. A temporal property may, for example, be two events occurring simultaneously.

The toolbox may also comprise one or more event modules in which predefined events are stored. Each event corresponds to the combination of at least two of the elements stored in the entities, actions, temporal properties, or spatial properties module, with the assistance of the operators.

In the present case, the toolbox comprises a first events module 28, which is a so- called "simple" events module, which stores basic preset events that correspond to an entity associated with an action by means of an operator.

The toolbox also comprises a second event module 29, which is a so-called "complex" events module, which store more complex preset events, i.e. those comprising more than one entity and more than one action. The simple modules of the first event module 28 may be combined with one another to form complex modules 29. The toolbox also comprises a toolbox manager 30 capable of managing the toolbox, which combines the elements stored in the toolbox's modules based on the cards presented by the user to the camera, so as to create a service defined according to the cards presented by the user. The toolbox manager 30 also makes it possible to check the logic of the service definitions and to correct them. This is because the user must follow a certain logic when presenting the cards to the camera, and the toolbox manager checks that this logic is indeed followed. The toolbox manager therefore checks the programming performed by the user by means of the cards, and corrects it as needed, particularly based on the policy rules. To do so, the toolbox manager particularly uses the interference engine 31 and the module related to policy rules 20. Once the toolbox manager 30 has confirmed the user's programming, the toolbox manager creates the requested service and saves it in one of the event modules 28 or 29.

The toolbox therefore comprises programming elements that are saved in memory in the toolbox and which each correspond to one of the cards available to the user. The match between these cards and the programming elements contained in the toolbox is saved in the video manager.

The programming module also comprises a video event interference engine 31 that makes it possible to create the service and orchestrate its various components. For example, the video event interference engine 31 makes it possible to apply the policy rules stored in the policy rules module 20. The video event interference engine 31 is used during the camera management phases, e.g. when saving the camera and while adapting it, during the adaptation of the video feed, when the service is created, and during the service's operation. The service creation device may also communicate with the camera so as to use it as an indicator, e.g. by using a light-emitting diode on the camera or by moving the camera. Such indicators may make it possible to indicate that a card has been properly recognized, that service creation is or is not working, that the card combinations are or are not correct, etc.

The video creation device also comprises a management module 6 that makes it possible to operate the service once it has been created.

A service creation method according to the invention is now described with reference to Figure 2. The user first connects his or her camera to the network.

Next, the user saves his or her camera in the service creation device, if this was not already done. This step of saving 101 may be automatic. It may, for example, take place automatically once the camera is connected to the network. According to another embodiment, this step of saving 101 may be manual, i.e. it may require the intervention of the user, who must, for example, enter the camera's identifier into the service creation device.

Once the camera is connected to the service creation device and has been saved, the user may begin the creation phase. To do so, he or she presents cards to the camera. Each card depicts a programming element, e.g. a person to detect, a location to monitor, a gesture to detect, a motion, an action to perform, e.g. sending an e-mail, a text message, etc.

The user therefore presents a series of cards to the camera in accordance with an intuitive grammar that may, for example, be as follows:

- 1 ) presenting a facial recognition card;

- 2) presenting a card corresponding to the person to be recognized;

- 3) presenting a card corresponding to the action to be performed if that person is recognized.

Each card is identified by the service creation device thanks to its two-dimensional code. The video programming module therefore detects the cards presented to the camera during a step 102, then it interprets the cards and combines them during a step 103.

The programming module then creates a service based on the combination of cards presented during a step 104.

The management module then controls the camera during a step 105 so that it provides the desired service.