Fie ld of th e Invention

The present invention relates to configuration data whereby output of a device, such as mobile communications device, is controlled by a wireless network-enabled printed article according to the configuration data.

Background

Printed articles, such as posters, can be used to control a mobile communications device, such as a smart phone. However, configuration of the device can be complex and require specialist knowledge.

Sum m ary

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method comprising receiving, from a wireless network-enabled printed article (such as a magazine, poster, point-of-sale device or the like) which has a set of switches (for example in the form of capacitive touch switches), data identifying the network-enabled printed article, transmitting the data identifying the network-enabled printed article to a remote server, receiving, from the remote server, first data identifying the switches and second data identifying content (which may be audio data and/ or image data and/ or video data), displaying, to a u ser, links for selecting the switches and, for one or more switches, receiving, from the u ser, a selection of a switch and selection of content to be linked to the switch , generating configuration data linking the switch and the content and transmitting the configuration data to the remote server.

Thus, the user can build an app , which includes a set of one or more confirmation data, which is associated with the network-enabled printed article and so make it earlier for a user to configure the device.

The method may be carried out in a mobile communications device which includes a processor and memory, a display, at least one speaker (or other sound emitting device or interface to a sound emitting device) and at least one wireless communications interface. The at least one wireless communications interface may include a personal area network wireless communications interface, such as Bluetooth LE (RTM) interface. The at least one wireless communications interface may include a mobile network wireless communications interface, for example for interfacing with a 3G or 4G communications network or the like. The mobile communications device may be a smart phone, tablet, laptop, wearable computing device (such as a watch) .

The printed article may be a piece of direct mail, a magazine, a book, a point-of-sale display or out-of-home advertising. The printed article may be incorporated into another article, such as clothing or apparel, such as a hat or cap .

The switches are preferably capacitive touch switches. The switches preferably comprise conductive ink and are printed. The printed article may comprise a substrate comprising one or more layers. The substrate may comprise a paper, card, cardboard or other wood fibre-based material. The capacitive touch switches are printed on a face of the substrate. The printed article may include a microcontroller. The printed article may include an electronic module comprising a printed circuit board supporting the microcontroller. The microcontroller may include a wireless communications interface module. The printed article may include a wireless communications interface chip (i.e. a separate transceiver chip) . The microcontroller may include a capacitive touch controller module. The printed article may include a capacitive touch controller chip (i.e. a separate capacitive touch controller chip) . The microcontroller may include execute software which complies with Mu sical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) standard.

The printed article is configured to output audio, video or other output through a paired smart phone. The printed article may be configured, for example when touched or repeatedly for a given time, to advertise (i.e. transmit one or more times) its name and serial number (for example, in the form of a MAC address) . The printed article may transmit other details. Thus, the mobile communications device running a mobile application (or "app") can detect the printed article and use the name and/ or serial number, and/ or, optionally the name of the u ser (for example, if they are logged into the app and validate the name and/ or serial number with a remote server (or

"database") for the app that they match the name and/ or serial number. The mobile communications device may also validate the geographical location of the device. If there is a match , then the database sends the device instructions and assets (for example, in the form of videos, audio, images, web links etc.) . The app can then take action based on the instructions depending on which switches are actuated. The app can be created via a website. The app can be created quickly (for example, in less than five minutes) and are made available on the database. Thu s, the app can be downloaded by the u ser (or another user) to allow their mobile communications device to connect to the printed article and for the printed article to cause the device to output content based when switches are actu ated.

The app can be created on another smart phone app that is specifically for creating apps. This can include checking for a serial number of the printed article, changing the device name, setting the sensitive levels of the capacitive touch etc. Once these are set, the parameters are pushed to the database. Apps stored on the database can be set as public, to work for a specific u ser, a group, a printed article name etc. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method comprising receiving, from a device, data identifying a network-enabled printed article which has a set of switches, retrieving first data identifying switches and second data identifying content in dependence upon the data identifying a network-enabled printed article.

The method may further comprise a receiving, from a device, configuration data linking a switch and content and storing the configuration data. The configuration data may comprise in a mobile application ("app") . The configuration data and/ or app may include an identifier. The configuration data and/ or app may include a version number.

The method may comprise receiving, from a device (such as a mobile communication device) , data identifying a network-enabled printed article and/ or a user, determining configuration data and/ or app independence upon the data identifying a network- enabled printed article and transmitting the configuration data and/ or app to the device. The method may comprise receiving, from the device, a version number, determining whether the received version number is newer or the same as a stored version number, and, in dependence on the received version number being newer, informing the device without transmitting the configuration data and/ or app and in dependence on the received version number being older, transmitting the configuration data and/ or app.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program comprises instructions which , when executed by a computing device, causes the computing device to perform the method.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium , which may be non - transitory, storing the computer program.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a device (such as mobile communications device) configured, in response to receiving from a wireless network-enabled printed article which has a set of switches, data identifying the network-enabled printed article, to transmit the data identifying the network-enabled printed article to a remote server, to receive from the remote server first data identifying the switches and second data identifying content, to display to a user, links for selecting the switches and, for one or more switches, to receive, from the u ser, a selection of a switch and selection of content to be linked to the switch , to generate configuration data linking the switch and the content and to transmit the configuration data to the remote server.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a server (or "database") configured, in response to receiving from a device, data identifying a network-enabled printed article which has a set of switches, to retrieve first data identifying switches and second data identifying content in dependence upon the data identifying a network-enabled printed article, and to transmit the first and second data to the device.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided the device and the remote (which may be remote from the device).

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention there is provided a system comprising a device (such as mobile communications device) and a printed article a wireless network-enabled printed article which has a set of switches, wherein the device is controlled by a wireless network-enabled printed article according to the

configuration data.

Brie f De scription of th e Drawings

Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :

Figure 1 illustrates a system including a printed article, a mobile communications device and a database;

Figure 2 illu strates interaction of a printed article, a mobile communications device and database shown in Figure 1 to create an app ;

Figures 3a, 3b and 3c are screen shots of a display of a mobile communications device during a registration phase;

Figures 4a, 4b and 4c are screen shots of a display of a mobile communications device at a start of an app building phase;

Figures 5a and 5b are screen shots of a display of a mobile communications device during an optional MIDI offset setting phase;

Figure 6 a and 6b are screen shots of a display of a mobile communications device when selecting a background image for an app ;

Figures 7a, 7b and 7c illustrate powering a printed article;

Figures 8 a and 8 b are screen shots of a display of a mobile communications device during a first part of a pairing phase;

Figure 9a and 9b are screen shots of a display of a mobile communications device during a second part of a pairing phase;

Figure 10 a and 10b are screen shots of a display of a mobile communications device during a first part of a function-setting phase;

Figures 11a, lib, 11c and lid are screen shots of a display of a mobile communications device during a second part of a function-setting phase;

Figure 12a, 12b and 12c are screen shots of a display of a mobile communications device during a third part of a function-setting phase;

Figure 13 is a screen shot of a display of a mobile communications device at the end of a function-setting phase for a first button ;

Figure 14 is a screen shot of a display of a mobile communications device after having set functions for four buttons ; and

Figure 15 illustrates interaction of a printed article, a mobile communications device and database shown in Figure 1 to download and u se an app which allows the printed article to control the mobile communications device. Detailed Description of Certain Em bodim ents

Referring to Figure 1, a system 1 is shown in which a u ser (not shown) of a mobile communications device 2 is able write a mobile application ("app") 3 whereby output of the device 2 can be controlled by a wireless network-enabled printed article 4 u sing the app .

The mobile communications device 2 takes the form of a smart phone and includes a controller 5, memory 6 , non-volatile memory 7, a display 8 , user input devices 9 including a touch sensitive array which is integrated into the display 8 to form a touch screen 10 , a speaker 11 and wireless network interfaces 12, 13. The wireless network interfaces 12, 13 include a mobile network interface 12 and a short-range wireless network interface 13 , such as Bluetooth LE (RTM) interface.

The printed article 4 comprises a substrate 21 which may comprise one or more layers which may include one or more layers of paper, card, cardboard or other similar wood- fibre-based material and/ or one or more layers of plastic. The substrate 2 may be flexible.

The substrate 21 supports on at least one face (not shown) one or more capacitive touch switches 22 and conductive tracks 23 which connect the directly or via capacitive coupling regions (not shown) to contact pads of a PCB (not shown) or pins of a microcontroller 24. The capacitive touch switches 22 and conductive tracks 23 comprise carbon and/ or metallic conductive ink which may be printed u sing, for example, ink jet, offset, lithographic or gravure printing processes.

The microcontroller 24 comprises a CPU 25, memory 26 , non-volatile memory 27, input/ output ports 28 and a short-range wireless network interface 29 , such as Bluetooth LE (RTM) interface. The microcontroller 24 stores a name 30 and a serial number 31, e.g. a MAC address.

The user (not shown) can build an app 3 by downloading a builder app 44 from an app store 41 via wireless network 33. The app store 41 includes a controller (or manager) 42 for interfacing with the device 2 and storage 43 storing downloadable software such as the builder app 44 and a player app 45. The system 1 includes one or more servers 51 (herein referred to as "databases") which is (are) accessible via wireless network 33 includes a controller (or manager) 52 for interfacing with the device 2 and a set of databases (or "data stores") 53 , 54, 55, 56. A first database 53 holds a list of identities 57 corresponding to printed articles 4 together with information 58 regarding, for example, the number of switches. The instructions 58 are used by the device 2 to map switches to actions (e.g. play audio content, video etc.). A second database 54 stores content 58 which may include audio content, image content and/ or video content, or links 59 to sources of the content. Other external databases (not shown) may also store content 59. A third database 55 stores apps 3 which have been built by users. A fourth database 60 may store events and information relating to use of the apps, such as when devices are paired, a switch or button is touched, and the like.

Referring also to Figure 2, a method of building an app 3 will now be described.

Referring also to Figures 3a to 3c, the user (not shown) signs up to a web portal (not shown) (step SI).

Referring also to Figures 4a to 4c, an email is sent which is used to confirm the user's account. The device 2 then downloads and installs the app builder 44 from the app store 41 (step S2).

The user logs in and then selects "Create New App" (step S3).

Referring also to Figures 5a and 5b, the user gives the app a name. Optionally, the user is prompted to enter a MIDI offset value between 0 and 47.

Referring also to Figures 6a and 6b, optionally, the user is prompted to select a background image for the app.

Referring also to Figures 7a, 7b and 7c, the user then pairs the printed article 4 with the app 2. With Bluetooth switched on is on, the user can insert a coin cell battery into the printed article 4. Referring also to Figures 8 a and 8b, the user is prompted to "Pair Device". The user touches you switch 22 and selects "Start Scan" on the device.

Referring to Figures 9a and 9b, the name of the control module (i.e. the printed article) appears on the display 8 , for example, in red. If the user presses the name, it turns green. Returning to the main screen, the module name is now visible just under the button offset control.

During this process, the name 30 and serial number 31 of the printed article is sent to the device 2 (step S5). The device 2 in turn can forward these to the database 51. The database 51 searches the device database 53 to identify the microcontroller 24 (and, thus, the printed article 41) and if a match is found (step S8 , the database controller 52 retrieves and sends instructions 58 and appropriate content 59 (step S7). Referring also to Figures 10a and 10b, the user can now set the functionality of the app 3. This will enable the user to touch switches on your project and launch sounds and images from the app 3. The can use this to build a story, explore sounds and images or make something musical. The user selects "Set Functionality". This takes the user through to a screen (shown in Figure 10b) which shows you a range of touchpoints 71. The number of touchpoints that can be configured depends on the printed article 4 and is specified in the instructions 58. Referring also to Figures 11a to lid, the user touches a hotspot (representative of a switch 22) which then changes colour, for example, purple, on screen. Selecting the button again, the user is presented with options to select images and audio to play when that hotspot (i.e. switch 22) on the print. Referring also to Figures 12a to 12c, the user selects "Audio" and chooses audio from the library (i.e. content 59). Sounds can be overplayed, which allows the user to layer audio he or she presses different buttons. It left unselected, audio will stop and interrupt any other audio playing at the time. The user selects "Save". Referring to Figure 13 , the button will now be highlighted, for example, green to show that the button is in use.

Referring to Figure 14, the process is repeated for several buttons.

The user can then select "Trial App". Touching hotspots on the printed article causes the device 2 to launch and play content.

When the user is satisfied with the app, they can "Save as Draft". The app appears under "My Apps" on the main screen. The app 3 is uploaded to the database 51 and stored in database 55. The app 3 is stored with a version number.

Referring to Figure 14, to use the app 3, the user opens a player app 45 on their device 2. The user need not be same user that created the app and the device 2 need not be the same device 2 that created the app 3.

The user logs into the database 4. The player app 45 searches for printed articles that are advertising, i.e. transmitting its name 30 and serial number 31. If the player app 45 finds a printed article, it transmits the name 30 and serial number 31 to the database 41.

The database controller 52 searches to see if there is match and, if so, transmits the app 3 to the device 2. The database controller 52 can perform version control whereby it only sends the app 3 if the device does not already have a copy of the app or if has an earlier version.

The player app 3 then executes the app 3, i.e. uses the configuration data, to interpret switches 22 and cause the appropriate action, i.e. playback of audio.

The player app 45 may signal events back to the database 41, such as when a device pairs or even which switches are used.

It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the embodiments hereinbefore described. Such modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the design, manufacture and use of interactive printed articles, mobile communication devices and mobile applications or parts thereof and which may be u sed instead of or in addition to features already described herein .

Features of one embodiment may be replaced or supplemented by features of another embodiment. The app may be built on the server using the device as client.

Although claims have been formulated in this application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel features or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention . The applicants hereby give notice that new claims may be formulated to such features and/ or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom .