METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY REPORTING AN EVENT FROM FILES RECEIVED ON A COMPUTER SERVER

The invention relates to a method for automatically reporting an event based on files received on a computer server, the aforementioned method comprising:          acquiring, in digital file form, a photograph and/or video,     linking the acquired file with: a geo-location datum and a timestamp datum,     transferring the file and the linked geo-location and timestamp data to a remote computer server,     creating an analysis window that determines:           a geographic zone defined around the place where the photograph and/or video was acquired,       a temporal zone defined based on the time when the photograph and/or video was acquired,              acquiring other photograph and/or video digital files and linking them with geo-location and timestamp data, and then transferring these files and this data to the remote server,     analyzing the variation of the frequency of the number of files received by the remote server within the analysis window, in order to automatically report an event.

PREFERRED IMPLEMENTATION MODES OF THE INVENTION

The method object of the invention enables automatic reporting of an event. It is preferably applied to user communities, for example social communities such as Facebook®, Twitter®, FlickR®, instant messaging communities for example YAHOO or MSN®, etc. In acquiring photographs and/or videos, the members U1, U2, U3in this community contribute to defining an event. And when an event is detected, each of the members of the community can be automatically alerted.

Referring toFIG. 1, a first user U1who is situated at a given time and a given place, acquires, in form of digital file F1, a photograph and/or video (or media) from a mobile terminal T1. The latter, as well as the terminals T2and T3which are described later, are mobile phones, touch tablets, apparatus such as personal digital assistant (PDA), cameras, digital cameras, portable computers, or any other terminal equipped with an apparatus C1, C2, C3to capture photograph and/or video capable recording a photograph and/or video in form of digital file. This digital file F1(respectively F2, F3) can be stored in a memory M1(respectively M2, M3) readable from the mobile terminal T1(respectively T2, T3), and can be copied and distributed via electronic channel. The memories M1, M2, M3, are for example of the type flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM, removable memory card, CD-ROM, etc. This type of terminal is well known to the person of skill in the art.

The terminal T1(as well as the other terminals T2, T3) incorporate a processor or microprocessor, one or multiple memory areas and any other components enabling to make it function. In particular, it comprises one or multiple computer programs stored in its memory areas, the aforementioned program(s) comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, enable carry out of the different steps and/or functions described below. These computer programs (also called programs, computer applications, lines of code, software) can be written in any form of programming language suitable for the person of skill in the art.

The T1terminal incorporates in particular a computer program whose instructions enable linkage of the acquired file F1with: a geo-location data l1and timestamp data t1(or Time stamping in English). This program also enables connection to the remote server S in order to transfer all this data as it is explained further in the description

According to a preferred implementation mode, this specific computer program can be initially stored in the memory area of the mobile terminal T1from the design of the latter, or be downloaded later. For example, this program can be downloaded into the mobile terminal after connection of the latter to an Internet server. In particular, it can be downloaded in response to the registration of the user U1with a community of users. And more generally, the mobile terminal T1, T2, T3of each member U1U2, U3of the community includes this specific computer program.

A function of the geo-location data l1is to locate the place where the photograph and/or video was acquired. This data l1can for example comprise GPS coordinates defined using a satellite positioning system and a GPS receiver incorporated into the terminal.

The timestamp data t1enables linkage of a date and time when the photograph and/or video was acquired. This data t1can for example comprise a date and time of acquisition defined using a clock incorporated into the terminal T1.

These geo-location l1and timestamp t1data comprise digital data that are preferentially automatically linked with the file F1upon its acquisition. However, it can be planned that this linkage can only be initiated by pressing a specific key of the terminal T1.

The file F1and linked geo-location l1and timestamp data t1are then transmitted to a remote computer server S from the mobile terminal T1. The T1terminal connects in a conventional manner to the server S, using means of communication such as: Internet, GSM (for the English acronym Global System for Mobile communication), SMS (for the English acronym Short Message Service), MMS (for the English acronym for Multimedia Messaging Service), or any other similar network. The terminal T1and the server S each incorporate all the material resources, in particular transmission/reception means, and program enabling an exchange of data between them, by radio waves, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, VPN private channel, or other, which exchange can be secured or unsecured. The transmission of the file F1and its geo-location l1and timestamp data t1, can be performed automatically, without user intervention, when the latter acquired the aforementioned file. Alternatively, it is also possible to perform the transmission of file F1in the same way as a publication of photographs and/or videos on a social network, for example by selecting a function and/or a button “PUBLISH” on the terminal T1.

Complementing the geo-location data l1and timestamp data t1, other data can be linked with the file F1. Commentary data in particular can be linked with the aforementioned file. The U1user can for example comment on his photograph and/or video by indicating the conditions of acquisition (ex: “The Eiffel Tower under the snow,” “David Bowie concert at the foot of the Eiffel Tower”, “Marriage of Mary and Paul at the foot of the Eiffel Tower”, etc.). Data enabling identification of the user U1can additionally be linked with the file F1, in particular a unique identifier that belongs to him. All these additional data are also in the form of digital data.

The remote server S is typically a computer connected to a communications network and incorporating a processor or microprocessor CPU, one or multiple memory areas (for example: Flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM, removable memory card, CD-ROM, . . . ) and any other component enabling it to function. In particular, it comprises one or multiple computer programs stored in one of its memory areas Sm, the aforementioned program(s) comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor CPU, enable performance of various steps and/or functions described below. These computer programs (also called programs, computer applications, lines of code, software) can be written in any form of programming language suitable for the person of skill in the art.

In particular, upon reception of the file F1and geo-location l1and timestamp data t1, the remote server S implements a program to create an analysis window FA that determines: a geographic zone ZG and a temporal zone ZT.

Referring toFIG. 2, the geographic zone ZG is defined around the location where the photograph and/or video was acquired, taking as reference the geo-location data l1. For example, the geographic zone ZG is defined within a radius of 100 m and 10 km around the point l1. On the diagram ofFIG. 2, the geographic zone ZG is delimited by the limits l1min and l1max around the point l1.

Likewise, the temporal zone ZT is defined based on the time when the photograph and/or video was acquired, taking as reference the timestamp data t1. For example, the temporal ZT area is between 1 min and 24 h based on the instant t1. On the diagram ofFIG. 2, the temporal zone ZT is bounded by the limits t1and t1max.

The other users U2, U3acquire other digital files F2, F3photographs and/or videos, to which are linked geo-location l2, l3and timestamp t2, t3data. These other files F2, F3and linked data, respectively l2, t2and l3, t3, are then transferred to the remote server S (FIG. 1). These steps are implemented by means of mobile terminals T2, T3, in a manner similar to that described above with reference to the mobile terminal T1.

To automatically report an event, the remote server S will analyze the variation of the frequency of the number of files received by the server within the analysis window FA. The detection of an event is thus based on the concentration of files received by the server S, within the analysis window FA. In other words, the activity of users within the analysis window will be studied. This analysis is preferably carried out by means of an analysis program stored in the remote server S and whose instructions enable implementation of the operations described below.

Referring to the example illustrated inFIG. 2, the remote server S verifies whether the files F2and F3must be taken into account or not. For example, for the file F2, if the geo-location datum l2is included in the segment [l1min-1max] and the time t2datum is included in the segment [t1-t1max], then the file F2will be accounted for. In the opposite case, if does l2not in [l1min-1max] and/or the temporal datum t2is not in [t1-t1max], then the file F2will be excluded from the analysis. The same verification is imposed on the file F3and generally on all files received by the remote server S.

In order to refine the analysis of the frequency variation, it can be advantageous to take into account certain habits linked with specific sights or linked with certain users.

For example, the number of files previously sent to the remote server S, from a pre-localized geographic location, and outside the analysis window FA is a parameter taken into account by the analysis program during the identification of a significant variation in the mean frequency. These pre-localized geographic locations are typically tourist sites, sports stadiums, performance halls, etc. In the case of the Eiffel Tower, it has previously entered, in the server5, that a frequency of approximately 150 photographs/hour is a frequency representative of normal activity, not significative of an event. On the other hand, for a non-touristic geographic location, such a frequency would be representative of an abnormal activity, and therefore significative of an event.

Likewise, the number of files previously sent by a user (for example the user U2) to the remote server S, and outside the analysis window FA can be a parameter taken into account by the analysis program during the identification of a significant variation in the mean frequency. Indeed, if the user U2has the habit of having a high transfer frequency of files, for example if he has the custom acquiring50photographs/hour at each visit to a geographic location, apart from a particular event, the files that he will emit could distort the analysis of the frequency variation of the number of files received by the server S. In fact, the files emitted by the user U2can: be excluded from the analysis, or be assigned a weighted coefficient. For example, the server S will take into account only one file per group of 50 files received from the user U2. On the other hand, if the habitual normal activity of this user is relatively low, for example, if he has the habit of acquiring5photographs/hour at each visit to a geographic location, apart from a particular event, then a frequency of 50 photographs/hour linked with this user would be representative of an abnormal activity, and therefore a significative of an event.

FIG. 3shows an example of changing the frequency of the number of files received by the server S within the analysis window of FA. More particularly, the diagram shows, for a given geographic zone (for example the Eiffel Tower), an example of variation of the frequency (Hz) of files received by the remote server S as a function of time (t).

In the temporal zone ZT1, the files are received by the server S at a mean frequency Hz2. This frequency is calculated by the server S, for example by means of a probabilities analysis algorithm. Returning to the case of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (France), the server S receives for example normally between 100 photographs/hour and 200 photographs/hour. The mean frequency Hz2is thus in this case approximately 150 photographs/hour. This mean frequency being typical of a normal activity, no event is detected.

In the temporal zone ZT2, a concert (or a sporting event, for example) takes place at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. The frequency of files received then suddenly increases to reach a frequency Hz3(with Hz3>Hz2) between for example 1000 photographs/hour and 1500 photographs/hour. This significant increase of the frequency drives the server S to automatically report an event.

According to a preferred implementation mode, the server S identifies a significant variation in the mean frequency Hz2when the frequency varies from predefined percentage relative to the aforementioned mean frequency. For example when the frequency is higher (or lower) than 100% of the mean frequency Hz2.

Within the temporal zone ZT3, the concert (or sporting event) ends. The frequency of received files then decreases suddenly dropping to come back down the mean normal value Hz2. This significant decrease in the frequency can optionally drive the server S to automatically report the end of the event. In any case, this significant decrease does not cause the server S to report an event, since the frequency returns to normal.

In the temporal zone ZT4, nothing special happens at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. The files are received by the server S at the mean normal frequency Hz2. The server S will not report any event.

Within the temporal zone ZT5, access to the Eiffel Tower is blocked so that tourist cannot access it. The frequency of received files then decreases suddenly to attain a frequency Hz1(with Hz1<Hz2) between for example 0 photographs/hour and 10 photographs/hour. This significant decrease in the frequency drives the S server to automatically report an event.

Within the temporal zone ZT6, access to the Eiffel Tower is again allowed so that tourists flock back again. The frequency of files received then suddenly increases to reach the mean normal value Hz2. This significant increase in the frequency can optionally drive the server S to automatically report the end of the event but will not cause the server S to report a distinctive new event, since the frequency returns to normal.

When the remote server S detects an event, it can link a signature datum with all the files F1, F2, F3received within the analysis window FA, after and/or immediately prior to such event. For example, descriptive digital data, such as corresponding to the term “EVENT”, can be linked with each of these files. Referring to the example shown inFIG. 3, all files received within the temporal zone ZT2and within temporal zone ZT5are linked with a signature datum. All these marked files can subsequently be grouped together in an area of the remote server S, for example in the memory area Sm.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention enabling users U1, U2, U3to be notified of an event, the remote server S generates a notification signal Sa and, as shown inFIG. 1, transmits it to all the mobile terminals T1, T2, T3from which are emitted the files F1, F2, F3received within the analysis window FA. More generally, this notification signal Sa can be transmitted to all members of the community having downloaded in their mobile terminal, the specific computer program cited above. In this way, even the members of the community who did not actively participate in the signaling of an event (in particular those who are not at the place of the event, and/or those not having acquired or transferred to the server S, a photograph and/or video file), are notified of this event. The notification signal Sa can, manifest itself in the form of an audible or visual message, of to an email, of an SMS, of an MMS, of a selectable link, or in any other similar form.

The signaling of an event can comprise an alternative or complementary step of generating, from the remote server S, a web page Pi dedicated to the event (FIG. 1). This web page Pi is accessible to all users and/or to all members of the community. It can be viewable directly from a screen of the terminals T1, T2, T3, or from any other computer terminal screen. The screen can be of the plasma screen, LCD screen type, etc. The users U1, U2, U3can access this page by selecting a selectable link transmitted by the server S, the link of which corresponds to the notification signal Sa, or by connecting to the web server dedicated to the user community. This server can be the remote server S or another server interconnected to the aforementioned remote server.

Referring toFIG. 4, the web page Pi comprises an interface lt on which are viewable all the photographs p1, p2and/or videos v3from files F1, F2, F3received within the analysis window FA during the event. A map Mp enabling precise localization of the event can also be displayed in a specific region of the interface lt. The commentaries c1, c2, c3, linked with the photographs p1, p2and/or videos v3and that are transmitted at the same time as the other geo-location and temporal data of the files, can also be viewed.

The interface lt can also include an area zg enabling users U1, U2, U3or other members of the community to rate and/or comment on the event. They can, in particular, confirm that it is in fact an event or to the contrary rule it out invalidate it One or multiple other areas z1, z2, z3are again envisaged in order to comment on the photographs and/or videos that are viewable. This is in practice areas and accessible and selectable using a pointer, a mouse or a touchpad, and where each user can write a comment by using a keyboard or a voice command. Each comment can be optionally be previously controlled, by a moderator body, before being published on the web page Pi.

The arrangement of the various elements of the system in the implementation modes described above should not be understood as requiring such an arrangement in all implementations. In any case, it will be understood that various modifications can be made to the system and method without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.