FR3149744A1 - Method for providing, to a conversational agent, at least one piece of user identification data. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for providing, to a conversational agent, at least one identification data item of a user of said conversational agent, said method being implemented by a provision device and characterized in that it comprises the following steps: receiving, from said conversational agent, a request for said at least one identification data item of said user; obtaining said at least one identification data item; sending said at least one identification data item to said conversational agent. Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Method for providing, to a conversational agent, at least one piece of user identification data.

1. Field of the invention

The invention relates to the field of telecommunications and more particularly concerns digital services provided to a user by a conversational agent.

2. Prior Art

The RCS (Rich Communication Suite) rich messaging protocol and its RBM (Rich Business Messaging) component define the possible interactions between a user and a conversational agent. Thanks to this protocol, a conversational agent is able to interpret the user's messages in order to provide an appropriate response (proposals, actions, etc.). The connection between the conversational agent and the terminal does not imply a prior link between the user and the service provided by the conversational agent.

However, there are use cases where the user already has a link with the service. This is the case, for example, when the user joins a loyalty program or when he or she has a payment card dedicated to the service. In these cases, it is desirable for the service to be aware of the existence of this link so that the transaction/dialogue of the conversational agent is adapted to the user's profile.

To do this, the conversational agent can, during a preliminary step, ask the user to provide an identifier. However, this step can be tedious for the user. This is the case, for example, when the user's terminal used to communicate with the conversational agent corresponds to a dashboard of a connected vehicle. The associated ergonomics are not or are poorly adapted to this.

There is therefore a need for a technical solution allowing a conversational agent, and more particularly the associated service, to obtain a user's identity in an ergonomic and secure manner.

3. Statement of the invention

• réception, en provenance dudit agent conversationnel, d’une demande de ladite au moins une donnée d’identification dudit utilisateur ;
• obtention de ladite au moins une donnée d’identification ;
• émission de ladite au moins une donnée d’identification à destination dudit agent conversationnel.

The invention improves the state of the art and proposes for this purpose a method for providing, to a conversational agent, at least one item of identification data of a user of said conversational agent, said method being implemented by a provision device and characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

• receiving, from said conversational agent, a request for said at least one identification data of said user;
• obtaining said at least one identification data;
• transmission of said at least one identification data to said conversational agent.

Advantageously, this implementation method allows a conversational agent to know the identity of a user of said conversational agent and thus to adapt the dialogue/customer journey according to the user profile. Concretely, the method receives from a conversational agent a request for identification data of a user. The method then obtains the identification data (for example from a database or from a server located in a computer network) and sends the identification data to the conversational agent.

Identification data means data that allows the identification of a user (person or machine). This data may include a sequence of characters such as a code, an electronic address (email, URL, etc.), a customer number, a MAC address (Media Access Control), an IP address, a telephone number, a session number or any other data that allows the user or a group of people including the user to be identified.

A conversational agent is understood to be a computerized dialog automaton capable of dialoguing with a user and/or a connected object. The conversational agent generates messages intended for the user/a user terminal and interprets the responses sent in return in order to meet the user's requests/needs. The conversational agent can include the dialog interface but also the application logic of an associated service, for example executed on a server located in a computer network.

• une étape de découverte d’au moins un dispositif d’identification apte à fournir ladite au moins une donnée d’identification ;
• une étape d’émission de ladite demande audit au moins un dispositif ;
• une étape de réception, en provenance dudit au moins un dispositif, de ladite au moins une donnée d’identification.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, a method as described above is characterized in that the obtaining step comprises:

• a step of discovering at least one identification device capable of providing said at least one item of identification data;
• a step of sending said request to said at least one device;
• a step of receiving, from said at least one device, said at least one item of identification data.

This embodiment allows the provision method to obtain the user identification data from an identification device. To do this, the method checks the availability (nearby and/or remotely) of an identification device capable of processing the request for identification data (discovery step). When a suitable device is available, the method sends the request for user identification data to this device and receives one or more user identification data in return.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, a method as described above is characterized in that the discovery step is followed by a step of selection, by the user, of an identification device.

This embodiment allows the user to select the desired identification device.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, a method as described above is characterized in that said request is received in a conversational session established with said conversational agent.

Advantageously, this embodiment makes it possible to provide the user identification data(s) during a conversational session established between the user/a user terminal and the conversational agent. Thus, the request and the provision of the identification data may be conditioned by the context of the dialogue carried out between the user/a user terminal and the conversational agent. The conversational session may for example correspond to a communication session of the RCS (Rich Communication Services) type.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, a method as described above is characterized in that said request comprises at least one parameter and in that the obtaining of said at least one identification data is carried out as a function of said at least one parameter.

This embodiment makes it possible to select a user identity from a plurality of identities based on one or more parameters. The parameter(s) may correspond to an identifier of the conversational agent or to an attribute of an identity (a time range of validity, a geographic area of validity, etc.).

In the event that the parameter includes the identifier of a conversational agent, the method may select the identity associated with the loyalty program of the service provided by the conversational agent.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, a method as described above is characterized in that said request further comprises at least one first authentication data item and in that the transmission step comprises the transmission to said conversational agent of a second authentication data item obtained from said first authentication data item.

This embodiment allows the conversational agent to authenticate the method/device that provides the identification data (trusted device). To do this, the method receives from the conversational agent, in the identification request, a message to be encrypted via a secret encryption key previously shared between the conversational agent and the method. During the sending step, the method sends to the conversational agent an identity of the user but also the encrypted message via the secret encryption key. If the conversational agent decrypts the encrypted message then the method can be considered trusted and the identity of the user received as certified.

Alternatively, the message may be encrypted via a third-party method/device. In this case, the secret encryption key is shared between the third-party method/device and the chatbot. Furthermore, the encrypted message is obtained by the provisioning method from the third-party method/device.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, a method as described above is characterized in that said request comprises at least one element to be rendered graphically and/or vocally to said user.

This embodiment makes it possible, for example, to vocally and/or graphically notify the user that the conversational agent is requesting the user's identity.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, a method as described above is characterized in that the transmission step is conditioned by the result of a validation step by said user.

This embodiment makes it possible to condition the sending of a user identity by the result of an explicit validation request from the user (user consent). Note that the validation can also correspond to the selection by the user of an identity from a plurality of identities rendered graphically and/or vocally by the method.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, a method as described above is characterized in that the transmission step further comprises the transmission of at least one authentication data item of said user associated with said at least one identification data item.

This embodiment allows the conversational agent and the underlying service to authenticate the user via, for example, a secret code or a password associated with the received identity.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, a method as described above is characterized in that said at least one identification data sent to said conversational agent is encrypted.

This embodiment makes it possible to secure the sending of data to the conversational agent. The encryption is for example carried out via a symmetric and/or asymmetric encryption process.

• un module de réception, en provenance dudit agent conversationnel, d’une demande de ladite au moins une donnée d’identification dudit utilisateur ;
• un module d’obtention de ladite au moins une donnée d’identification ;
• un module d’émission de ladite au moins une donnée d’identification à destination dudit agent conversationnel.

The invention also relates to a device for providing, to a conversational agent, at least one item of identification data of a user of said conversational agent, characterized in that it comprises:

• a module for receiving, from said conversational agent, a request for said at least one piece of identification data from said user;
• a module for obtaining said at least one identification data;
• a module for transmitting said at least one identification data to said conversational agent.

The term module may correspond to a software component as well as to a hardware component or a set of hardware and software components, a software component itself corresponding to one or more computer programs or subprograms or more generally to any element of a program capable of implementing a function or a set of functions as described for the modules concerned. In the same way, a hardware component corresponds to any element of a hardware assembly capable of implementing a function or a set of functions for the module concerned (integrated circuit, smart card, memory card, etc.).

The invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the above method according to any of the particular embodiments described above, when said program is executed by a processor. The method can be implemented in various ways, in particular in hard-wired form or in software form. This program can use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

The invention also relates to a recording medium or information medium readable by a computer, and comprising instructions of a computer program as mentioned above. The recording media mentioned above can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium can comprise a storage means, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or a magnetic recording means, for example a hard disk. Furthermore, the recording media can correspond to a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which can be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by radio or by other means. The programs according to the invention can in particular be downloaded on a network such as the Internet.

Alternatively, the recording media may correspond to an integrated circuit in which the program is incorporated, the circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the method in question.

This supply device and this computer program have characteristics and advantages similar to those described above in relation to the supply method.

4. List of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of particular embodiments, given as simple illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the appended drawings, among which:

There illustrates an example of an environment for implementing the invention according to a particular embodiment of the invention,

There schematically illustrates an example of architecture of a device suitable for implementing the supply method according to a particular embodiment of the invention;

There illustrates the main steps of the supply method according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

5. Description of an embodiment of the invention

There illustrates an example of an environment for implementing the invention according to a particular embodiment of the invention. The more particularly illustrates a terminal 102 capable of implementing the supply method according to a particular embodiment.

It should be noted here that Terminal 102 shown on the corresponds to a dashboard-type terminal of a connected electric car but that the invention can also be applied to any type of terminal having the architecture of a computer such as, for example, and in a non-limiting manner, a games console, a television, an ATM, connected terminals/objects, a router, a tablet, a connected watch, a personal computer, a smartphone, etc.

The terminal 102 has capabilities for identifying and optionally authenticating a user of the connected electric vehicle (biometrics, secret code, etc.)

The terminal 102 can communicate according to state-of-the-art technologies with a plurality of connected objects such as for example the terminal 100 which corresponds in our example to a smartphone (in English smart phone) or to an electronic tablet of the user of the electric car. The communication between the dashboard of the vehicle 102 and the terminal 100 can for example be done via a wired and/or wireless network (Bluetooth®, WiFi® cellular radiotelephony, LoRa®, etc.), IP and/or circuit.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the terminal 100 can correspond to any type of terminal having the architecture of a computer such as a server, a games console, a connected watch/bracelet, a television, an audio system, etc.

The terminal 102 can also communicate with the terminal 104 which corresponds in our example to a conversational agent hosted at an electric charging station. The communication between the dashboard of the vehicle 102 and the charging station 104 can be wired (for example via PLC or Power Line Communication technology) and/or wireless (for example via Bluetooth®, WiFi® cellular radiotelephony, LoRa®, etc.), IP and/or circuit technology. The communication protocol used between the charging station and the dashboard can be the RCS (Rich Communication Services) protocol and more precisely the GSMA FNW.11 (RCS Business Messaging) protocol or any other protocol capable of allowing communication between a conversational agent and a user of the conversational agent.

Note that the application/service logic of the conversational agent can be hosted partially or totally at a server (103) located in the network 101 or locally at the electric charging station (104). The server 103 can communicate with the charging station 104 for example via the IP network and/or circuit 101.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the conversational agent can be partially or totally distributed between the electric charging station 104 and the server 103.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the terminal 102 and the terminal 100 are one and the same terminal.

There illustrates a device 200 configured to implement the provision method according to a particular embodiment. The device 200 has the conventional architecture of a computer, and notably comprises a memory MEM, a processing unit UT, equipped for example with a processor PROC, and controlled by the computer program PG stored in memory MEM. The computer program PG comprises instructions for implementing the steps of the provision method as described above, when the program is executed by the processor PROC.

At initialization, the code instructions of the computer program PG are for example loaded into a memory before being executed by the processor PROC. The processor PROC of the processing unit UT notably implements the steps of the supply method according to any one of the particular embodiments described in relation to FIGS. 1 and 3, according to the instructions of the computer program PG.

The device 200 comprises a RECV1 module capable of receiving from the conversational agent 104 a request for identification data from the user of the vehicle 102.

The device 200 further comprises an OBT module capable of obtaining identification data of the user of the vehicle 102 and an SND1 module capable of transmitting to the conversational agent 104 the identification data(s) of the user of the vehicle 102 obtained by the OBT module.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the device 200 also comprises an SDP module enabling the discovery of one or more identification devices capable of providing one or more identification data of the user of the vehicle 102. The device 200 may also comprise an SND2 transmission module capable of transmitting to the identification device(s) discovered via the SDP module the request for identification data of the user of the vehicle 102 and a RECV2 reception module capable of receiving the identification data(s) of the user of the vehicle 102 obtained from the identification device(s) discovered via the SDP module.

According to a particular embodiment, the RECV1 module and the RECV2 module are one and the same module.

According to a particular embodiment, the SND1 module and the SND2 module are one and the same module.

According to a particular embodiment, the SDP, SND2 and RECV2 modules are included in the OBT module.

There illustrates steps of the supply method according to one of the particular embodiments of the invention presented previously, the method being executed on the terminal 102 described in .

In this embodiment, the smartphone 100 includes a wallet of certified identities of the user. According to a particular embodiment, the wallet is connected to a server located in the network that hosts the certified identities of the user (not shown).

During a first step 300, the method receives, from the conversational agent 104, within a conversational transaction or at the initialization of a conversational transaction, a request for identification data of the user of the electric vehicle (102).

According to a particular embodiment, the request may comprise one or more parameters. The parameter(s) may correspond to an identifier of the conversational agent 104 and/or to an attribute of an identity such as a time range of validity, and/or a geographic area of validity.

Alternatively or cumulatively, the request may include one or more elements to be rendered graphically and/or vocally to the user via a dashboard screen and/or via the vehicle's audio system. These elements may, for example, allow the generation of a visual and/or audio interface capable of collecting the user's confirmation/agreement/consent to process the request received.

Alternatively or cumulatively, the request may include authentication data. This authentication data may for example correspond to a message (sequence of characters) encrypted via a secret encryption/decryption key (symmetric cryptography) previously shared between the conversational agent and the dashboard 102. If the method decrypts the message encrypted with the secret key then the method may consider the conversational agent as trusted. Note that the message encryption/decryption method may use one or more symmetric or asymmetric encryption keys or any encryption/decryption method according to the state-of-the-art encryption technologies for authenticating the conversational agent.

In step 301, the method verifies the availability nearby and/or remotely (for example in the network) of an identification device capable of processing the request for identification data. Specifically, the method searches for compatible devices (identification of the devices and associated services). This search can for example be done via the SDP (Service Discovery Protocol) protocol of the Bluetooth® telecommunications standard. In the example described here, the method detects that the terminal 100 comprises an identity wallet and that it is capable of processing the request for identification data from the user.

According to a particular embodiment, in the case where several devices/apparatus capable of processing the request for identification data are detected by the method, a graphical and/or voice interface can be returned by the method to the user so that the latter can choose the desired device/apparatus. The selection by the user of the device/apparatus can for example be done via a press on the touch screen of the dashboard, a voice command or a steering wheel control.

During step 302, the method sends the request for identification data(s) to the terminal 100 and receives in return (step 303) one or more user identification data.

According to a particular embodiment, the identification data is obtained according to the parameter(s) included in the request. For example, when the request includes an identifier of the service provided by the conversational agent (parameter within the meaning of the invention), the user identification data may correspond to a customer/loyalty number associated with the identifier of the service stored in the identity wallet of the terminal 100. When the parameter corresponds to an attribute of an identity (time slot of validity, geographical area of validity, etc.) the user identification data may correspond to an identifier of an access control (for example the entrance to a car park) valid for a given geographical area or for a particular time slot.

According to a particular embodiment, the user identification data may correspond to an electronic address, for example accessible via the Internet, and capable of receiving an identity request from the user. In addition to the electronic address, the identification data may also comprise an authorization code (series of characters) allowing connection to the electronic address. The electronic address may for example identify a computer resource (web page, mailbox, application, etc.) exposed by the terminal 100 (for example by the identity wallet), or by a computer server located in the network. The electronic address may also identify an API (Application Programming Interface) of an identity wallet.

In step 304, the method sends to the conversational agent the user identification data obtained in step 303.

According to a particular embodiment, the identification data sent by the method to the conversational agent are encrypted.

According to a particular embodiment, the sending by the method of one or more user identification data to the conversational agent is conditioned by an explicit validation of the user, for example obtained via a voice command and/or a graphical interface.

According to a particular embodiment, in addition to the identification data, the method sends to the conversational agent an authentication data (second authentication data within the meaning of the invention). This authentication data is for example obtained via the application of a cryptographic function (secret key previously shared between the conversational agent and the method) to a message received in the request for identification data (first authentication data within the meaning of the invention). Thus when the conversational agent receives the authentication data, if it decrypts the encrypted message with the secret key then the conversational agent can consider the method/terminal 102 as trusted. Note that the message encryption/decryption method can use one or more symmetrical or asymmetrical encryption keys or any encryption/decryption method according to the state-of-the-art encryption technologies for authenticating the vehicle method/dashboard.

According to a particular embodiment, the method can, in addition to the identification data, emit data relating to the acceptance by the user of the provision of a user identity by the terminal 102.

After step 304, the conversational agent receives the user's identification data(s) and then obtains a user profile based on the identification data received. Thus, the conversational agent and more precisely the associated service logic adapts the dialogue (context, proposals, etc.) based on the user profile obtained.

According to a particular embodiment, when the identification data corresponds to an electronic address associated with an authorization code, the conversational agent connects to the electronic address and submits the authorization code in order to authenticate itself and thus obtain one or more identification data of the user as a user identity adapted to the service.

According to a first variant of this particular embodiment, the electronic address may correspond to an address exposed by the identity wallet of the terminal 100. In this case, the conversational agent sends a request for the user's identity(ies) to the identity wallet. In response to the request for identity(ies), the identity wallet provides one or more identities of the user (for example selected during step 302). Note that the identity wallet may ask the user to validate (vocally or via a graphical interface via the human-machine interfaces of the terminal 100) the sending, to the conversational agent, of the user's identities. The identity wallet may also ask the user to select the identity of the user to transmit to the conversational agent when a plurality of identities correspond to a possible result of the request for identity(ies).

According to a second variant of this particular embodiment, the identity request(s) may comprise one or more parameters. The parameter(s) of the identity request(s) may correspond to an identifier of the conversational agent 104 and/or to an attribute of an identity such as a time range of validity, and/or a geographical area of validity. The identity(ies) of the user are then obtained by the identity wallet according to the parameters received in the identity request(s). For example, when the parameter of the identity request(s) corresponds to an identifier of the service provided by the conversational agent, the identity of the user may correspond to a customer/loyalty number associated with the identifier of the service stored in the identity wallet of the terminal 100. When the parameter of the identity request(s) corresponds to an attribute of an identity (time slot of validity, geographical zone of validity, etc.) the identity of the user may correspond to an identifier of an access control (for example the entrance to a car park) valid for a given geographical zone or for a particular time slot.

Alternatively or cumulatively, the identity request(s) may comprise an authentication parameter. The authentication parameter of the identity request(s) may for example correspond to a message (series of characters) encrypted via a secret encryption/decryption key (symmetric cryptography) previously shared between the conversational agent and the identity wallet of the terminal 100. If the identity wallet decrypts the encrypted message with the secret key then the identity wallet can consider the conversational agent as trusted. Note that the message encryption/decryption method may use one or more symmetric or asymmetric encryption keys or any encryption/decryption method according to the state-of-the-art encryption technologies for authenticating the conversational agent.

• un guichet bancaire en libre-service ;
• une borne apte à prendre une commande (par exemple pour un fast-food) ;
• une borne apte à vendre des titres de transport ;
• etc.

It goes without saying that the embodiment described above has been given for purely indicative purposes and is in no way limiting, and that many modifications can easily be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. According to other particular embodiments, the invention also applies to a public automaton with free access, which connects a user with a remote conversational service, such as:

• a self-service banking machine;
• a terminal capable of taking an order (for example for fast food);
• a terminal capable of selling transport tickets;
• etc.

• un canal de discussion (par exemple via une messagerie instantanée) pour un service après-vente ou une assistance client ;
• un moteur de recherche qui restitue à l’utilisateur une liste de services conversationnels ;
• un canal d’information d’une application de navigation qui procure de l’information interactive sur des « points d’intérêt » ;
• etc.

or to an application on a user's smartphone, which allows a conversational mode with a remote service. Indeed, in this second case, the service may need to know an identity of the user, when this is not provided by the application. The conversational mode of an application may for example correspond to:

• a chat channel (e.g. via instant messaging) for after-sales service or customer support;
• a search engine that returns to the user a list of conversational services;
• an information channel of a navigation application that provides interactive information on “points of interest”;
• etc.

Claims (13)

Method for providing, to a conversational agent, at least one item of identification data of a user of said conversational agent, said method being implemented by a provisioning device and characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
- reception (300), from said conversational agent, of a request for said at least one identification data of said user;
- obtaining (303) said at least one identification data;
- transmission (304) of said at least one identification data to said conversational agent. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that the obtaining step comprises:
- a step of discovering (301) at least one identification device capable of providing said at least one identification data;
- a step of transmitting (302) said request to said at least one device;
- a step of receiving (303), from said at least one device, said at least one item of identification data. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the discovery step is followed by a step of selection, by the user, of an identification device. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that said request is received in a conversational session established with said conversational agent. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that said request comprises at least one parameter and in that the obtaining of said at least one identification data is carried out as a function of said at least one parameter. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that said request further comprises at least one first authentication data item and in that the transmission step comprises the transmission to said conversational agent of a second authentication data item obtained from said first authentication data item. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that said request comprises at least one element to be rendered graphically and/or vocally to said user. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that the emission step is conditioned by the result of a validation step of said user. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that the transmission step further comprises the transmission of at least one authentication data item for said user associated with said at least one identification data item. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that said at least one identification data sent to said conversational agent is encrypted. Device for providing, to a conversational agent, at least one item of identification data of a user of said conversational agent, characterized in that it comprises:
- a receiving module (RECV1), from said conversational agent, of a request for said at least one identification data of said user;
- a module for obtaining (OBT) said at least one identification data;
- a transmission module (SND1) of said at least one identification data to said conversational agent. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, when the program is executed by a processor. Information carrier readable by a radio unit of a cellular network, and comprising instructions of a computer program according to claim 12.