D e s c r i p t i o n

The present invention relates to a device for establishing interpersonal communications and/or relations, preferably in a social environment in which a group of persons is present that can have more or less corresponding tastes and/or opinions and/or attitudes; at the same time, the present invention is concerned with a method of establishing/maintaining/ interrupting communications and/or interpersonal relations between two or more persons within a social group.

It is known that when persons are within a social sphere (such as in a discotheque, a sport facility or ■ on the road and so on) in the presence of a given mass of persons that are more or less known, it may be useful or merely pleasant trying to find one or more persons within the same social environment which have a community of aesthetic tastes and/or opinions and/or purposes or at least some affinity between each other.

Obviously, interpersonal communications in these spheres cannot be always easily achieved in a direct manner due either to factors of environmental character ■(too much crowd, noise, impossibility of moving and physically approaching the wished conversation partners, for example) or also to factors of emotional character (shyness, an introvert character, and so on) .

Therefore different systems have been developed to help the different persons implicated in these social environments in selecting and possibly identifying other subjects or persons "compatible" with them, in order to facilitate interpersonal relations and/or to enable establishment of an easier communication without mutual embarrassments and difficulties, at least as much as possible.

Among the systems of known type, a short-range communication network has recently emerged in which different mobile phones continuously and directly communicate with each other according to the "bluetooth" protocol; in other words, when two or more telephone sets having such a capacity are in the mutual transmission and reception radius, a signal is emitted by one of the apparatus which is picked up by the other apparatus in a completely automatic manner and stimulates generation of a reply signal in a similar automatic manner as well.

The two signals thus exchanged are then received by the users of the two apparatus that in this manner become acquainted with the fact that in a given social environment a subject "compatible" with their present requirements can be found.

The above described known art has some non negligible drawbacks.

In fact, in the just described system reception takes place in an automatic manner and occurs in all apparatus provided with a "bluetooth" capacity located in the transmission radius of the apparatus that is the first to send the signal; it is therefore necessary for all the devices present in a given environment to remain turned on and always ready for reception; this involves high energy consumption and more complications in the transceiver devices.

At the same time, taking into account the above described reception modes, a situation may occur in which a user provided with a "bluetooth" device actually does not wish to be reached by any type of signal (for example, he/she does not wish to participate in a relational exchange) , but in any case he/she will be obliged to "undergo" the signal reception (or at all events to receive relational signals from other users that instead should not be compatible) . In order to avoid undesirable communications, it will be at most possible to insert qualitative indications into the transmitted signal that therefore must be estimated and compared with a respective database in the reception device; once again this fact negatively affects the device structure making it more complicated and at the same time the device can be used in an inappropriate manner (or at least in a boring manner for some users and/or at given moments of the day) .

For the above reasons, therefore it is possible to understand that the system presently known has a high degree of complications and is characterised in that it has high purchase costs as regards the individual transceiver devices, because usually the devices provided with a short-range transmission capacity with the "bluetooth" protocol usually are high-quality mobile phones that consequently have high costs; this in conclusion prevents a wide spreading (with a high number of possible users) of this communication network and ultimately invalidates the true efficiency thereof in performing the different functions. In this context, the main technical task of the present invention is to conceive a device for establishing communications/relations between people as well as a correlated method of utilising and establishing interpersonal communications/relations which enable the above mentioned drawbacks to be eliminated.

In particular, it is an aim of the present invention to make available a device that is very simple from a construction point of view, in order to minimise the production costs and therefore facilitate a wide spread of same.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a device that can really keep into account the users' true and instantaneous intentions, so that establishment of the interpersonal communication/relations can only occur if at least two users simultaneously agree on signal exchange.

Finally, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a device and a correlated method that can be enriched with optional functions by adopting few and simple modifications in terms of structure and/or transmission protocol.

The technical task mentioned and the aims specified are substantially achieved by a device for establishing communications/relations between people, as well as by a correlated method of establishing interpersonal communications/relations, which comprise the technical features set out in one or more of the appended claims.

Further features and the advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description given by way of non-limiting example of a preferred but not-exclusive embodiment of a device for establishing communications/relations between people as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: - Fig. 1 is a structural/functional diagram of a transceiver unit being part of the device in accordance with the present invention; and - Figs. 2, 3, .4 and 5 show different possible operating situations of two transceiver units in accordance with the present invention.

With reference to the drawings, a transceiver unit to be conveniently used within the scope of the present invention has been generally identified by reference numeral 1; it is to be noted at this point that the term "device" more appropriately means an assembly of transceiver units 1 that can be found in a given "public" environment, or in other words in a given social environment; these transceiver units 1 therefore can be in different possible operating conditions depending on the choices/preferences carried out by the respective users, and therefore they will be able to exchange suitable signals within a given operating radius.

In other words, the device for establishing interpersonal communications/relations in accordance with the present invention comprises at least one, and preferably two transceiver units 1, each of which will be adapted for use by one user, respectively. Each transceiver unit 1 substantially comprises transmission means 2, adapted to send a first signal 2a to an environment, and reply means 4 adapted to send at least one second signal 4a (into the same environment) under predetermined operating conditions. Advantageously, one or more transceiver units 1 further comprise simultaneous-agreement means 5 which is configured in a reversible manner (by the user owning unit 1) between at least one insulation condition in which the transceiver unit does not receive (or in other words is not enabled to receive) the first signal 2a and a communication condition in which on the contrary the unit receives (or is enabled to receive) the mentioned first signal 2a; conveniently, in the communication condition unit 1 having received the first signal 2a will send the above mentioned second signal 4a, thereby establishing a "bi-directional" communication between two users.

According to an alternative embodiment of the. present invention, in a transceiver unit 1 can be present the already mentioned transmission means 2 and reception means 3 and the simultaneous-agreement means will be active on these components.

In the just described construction architecture therefore a single signal (the first signal 2a) will be emitted which can be received (through the reception means 1) only by units 1 within a given transmission range and for which the simultaneous-agreement means has been conveniently operated.

In a convenient manner, the present invention can contemplate the co-presence of the transmission means 2, the reception means 3 and the reply means 4 in a single embodiment and at the same time the first signal 2a and the second signal 4a if present, can be substantially identical (and therefore can be emitted by the same transmitting apparatus of known type) or even coincident (as can be for example verified in the case the transmission means 2 and reply means 4 will coincide) .

In more detail, it is to be pointed out that the simultaneous-agreement means 5 is operatively active at least on the transmission means 2 and/or the reception means 3 and/or the reply means 4, so that the' communication condition occurs at a simultaneous operation of the simultaneous-agreement means 5 by at least two users.

At this point the difference of the present device from the previously discussed known art is to be highlighted, since due to the presence of the simultaneous-agreement means 5 which must be operated instantaneously and manually by each user (that therefore will be potentially interested in 'other subjects present in the same social environment), an easier identification is possible and above all there is a certitude that the two users wishing to communicate with each other/to come into mutual relationship are mutually compatible.

The present invention therefore also conceives an innovatory and original method of establishing interpersonal communications/relations which essentially comprises a step of transmitting a first signal 2a into an environment and a correlated step of receiving a second signal 4a from said environment; conveniently, said first and/or second signal 2a and/or 4a will correspond to predetermined choice and/or preference parameters of respective users, and more particularly can correspond to choice and/or preference parameters shared by (or in common with) two distinct users. Advantageously, the step of receiving the first signal 2a and/or the second signal 4a comprises a sub-step of enabling a simultaneous agreement between at least two users; in other words, the reception step is subordinated to the agreement enabling step and is carried out manually by a user; in this way said agreement enabling contemplates that at least two users should act in a suitable (and direct) manner on the respective units 1 so that a time instant occurs in which the same two users are simultaneously operating the respective units 1.

In short, in accordance with the present method the simultaneous-agreement enabling sub-step is carried out by simultaneous operation, by at least two users, of suitable simultaneous agreement means 5 associated with respective transceiver units 1, each of which is in turn associated with a user.

The possible operation conditions of the present method can be represented in the accompanying figures 2, 3, 4 and 5.

With reference to Fig. 2, a hypothetical situation has been shown in which only a transceiver unit 1 is in a condition to communicate (if a user for example has pressed the switch 5a operating the transmission means 2) , and in which the second unit 1, staying in an insulation condition, does not receive signal 2a and therefore is not able to re-emit signal 4a in reply.

On the other hand, with reference to Fig. 3, a hypothetical situation has been shown in which both units 1 are in a communication condition since both users have operated the respective switches 5a; each of the two units will emit the first signal 2a that will be mutually received by the other unit which in turn will re-emit the second signal 4a in reply. Under this condition signalling means 6 will be activated (being lightened or emitting a sound or vibrating signal, for example) to inform the users about the simultaneous presence of a unit operated by a user, the choice and/or preference parameters of the two users being compatible with each other.

In parallel, shown in Figs. 4 and 5 are the situations of "insulation" and "communication" that can take place between two transceiver units 1 present within the same environment if only the respective first signals 2a are emitted.

From a structural point of view, the present device further -comprises reception means 3 that is associated with at least one transceiver unit 1 to receive at least the first signal 2a and/or the second signal 4a. This reception means can be shared (at least from a functional point of view) with the transmission means and/or the reply means; for instance, should signals 2a and 4a be radio-frequencies, the reception means 3 will consists of an antenna, that therefore can be suitably shaped and connected to the transmission and/or reply means too.

In order to ensure the maximum simplicity of the transceiver units 1, the transmission means 2 and reply means 4 can be coincident; in this manner the qualitative and/or quantitative coincidence of the first and second signals can even occur, which is advantageous for the simplicity of the communication protocol. Still as regards the exchanged signals between the transceiver units 1, it is possible to see that such a signal can be very simple, because the latter will be efficiently received only on occurrence of a very precise "operating command" from at least two users. In this way it is not necessary for signal 2a and/or signal 4a to carry quantitative or qualitative data, since practically they only act as "status indicators" between the two units 1 that are communicating or not with each other.

As already said before, the first signal 2a and/or the second signal 4a can be radio-frequency signals but, depending on current requirements, they can also be replaced by other types of signals and/or vectors, such as visible or not light pulses.

In order to ensure the necessary operability by the user, the simultaneous-agreement means 5 must comprise a suitable operation interface, such as an operation push-button 5a connected in circuit to the transmission means 2 and the reply means; when a user presses such a push-button 5a, the reply means 4 will be enabled to emit the second signal 4a that can conveniently be emitted in reply to reception of a first signal 2a by another transceiver unit 1 (that has been suitably operated in a clear manner by a user that at the same moment has expressed the same choices or preferences) .

Each user that is operating his/her transceiver unit 1 can be conveniently informed about the occurrence of a communication condition started between his/her unit 1 and a unit 1 of another user by the presence of suitable signalling means 6; this signalling means 6 is therefore associated with at least one transceiver unit 1 and is inactive in an insulation condition (while on the contrary said means is active in a communication condition) .

Depending on current requirements, the signalling means 6 can be obtained in the most different manners; for instance said means may comprise luminous elements that can be displayed by one or more users (coloured LEDs, beams of consistent monochromatic light) and/or sound elements (buzzers, particular bells, etc.) and/or vibrating elements (which have the characteristic of being only perceived by the user that is in tight contact with his/her unit 1, and therefore are particularly appreciated when establishing interpersonal relationships is strongly influenced by discretion and privacy, said relations being of confidential nature) . A- Conveniently, a unit 1 can have several types of signalling means 6 that will be able to be operated simultaneously or selectively depending on the user's wishes.

In order to ensure more operating flexibility to the present device, selection means 7 may also be present; this selection means 7 is associated with at least one transceiver unit 1 and can be operated by a user to vary choice and/or preference parameters.

This selection means 7 can be structurally made in any manner, provided the possibility of putting the "communication condition" into effect can be changed depending on the user's different intentions; in other words, the selection means 7 is active on the transmission means 2 and/or the reply means 4 to quantitatively and/or qualitatively vary signals emitted by the latter.

Note that depending on the variation carried out on signals 2a and/or 4a, a user changing his/her preferences or wishing to come into relationship with users different from those he/she got in touch with until a given moment, will be able to simply and quickly modify operation of the present device.

By way of example, if operation takes place with radio- frequency signals, the first and/or second signals 2a and/or 4a will be made frequency-variable (and/or also amplitude- and/or phase-variable) depending on the choice and/or preference parameters that can selected by a user.

Still for the purpose of ensuring greater operating flexibility to the present device, the presence of storage means and means for quantitative and/or qualitative data correlation can be provided, which means will be active at least on the transmission means 2 and/or the reply means 4 to transmit, through the first and/or second signals, additional information (that in turn can consist of personal information, such as a name or a nickname, or a text string or also an image and so on) .

The transceiver units 1 can conveniently constitute independent objects or can be integrated, in a structural or functional manner, into other accessories and/or personal objects, such as watches, portable audio/music/video players, mobile phones and so on, depending on the market requirements. The present invention achieves different interesting advantages .

In fact, due to the great construction simplicity of each individual transceiver unit, an exchange of short- range signals can be established through exploitation of simple and reliable components; in addition the present device has a very reduced energy consumption since the generated signal is very simple and short and can stay in a condition of complete inactivity, depending on the user's free will.

At the same time, the particular operating modes of the transceiver units, on the one hand ensure a great structural simplicity (since 'there are no functional sub-assemblies adapted to ensure an automatic operation or that in any case 'must be maintained on load over an undetermined period of time) , and on the other hand surely enable the perfect and simultaneous mutual consent or agreement of two or more users residing in the same social environment.

In addition, it is also possible, with few cheap modifications to the transceiver units, to change the type of signal sent, by a mere frequency change for example (or at all events avoiding complicated signals being built that carry information of the qualitative type to be compulsorily received and decoded by suitable analogue and/or digital electronic circuits) ; it is therefore possible to express , different preferences/attitudes depending on current requirements, and at the same time to maintain the simultaneous mutual consent between users having the same "opinions" (although changeable over time) and, when needed, also to maintain the necessary confidential nature or "privacy".

In addition, the intrinsic construction simplicity of the device brings about a corresponding simplicity in putting into effect the method of establishing interpersonal communications/relationships.

It will be finally recognised that, due to the simplicity of the- device in reference, it can be integrated with additional functions of the most dissimilar type, while still maintaining low overall costs.