WO2013124582A1 - Method for generating an electronic coupon in the form of an electronic file evidencing a right to a user holding same - Google Patents

Description

 METHOD FOR GENERATING AN ELECTRONIC COUPON IN ELECTRONIC FILE FORMATTING A RIGHT TO

 THE USER WHO TAKES IT

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method for generating an electronic coupon in the form of an electronic file attesting a right to the user who holds it. The field of the invention is that of commercial promotion, essentially that of the distribution of coupons on identified products.

State of technical ja.

It is common that when you buy a magazine or any article, you get a coupon on another item. The distribution of these vouchers is done by means of a material support.

Whether it is a coupon or any message of the same nature, it seems desirable to remove this material support for reasons well known to everyone. The present invention proposes to transmit a message (or discount coupon) without resorting to hardware support.

The patent document WO 01/93473 (OPTINETIX) describes a technique for distributing information, and in particular reduction coupons, in particular by means of a television. This coupon is integrated in a stream of digital information and is displayed on the screen of a television. The OPTINETIX document describes several techniques for acquiring the coupon that appears on the television screen. According to a first technique, the coupon is transmitted to a mobile terminal through a specific reader connected to said terminal. The acquisition of the coupon is therefore done on the mobile terminal specifically equipped for this purpose. This mobile terminal is however unable to directly process the digital stream containing the coupon. According to a second technique, to acquire the coupon that is displayed on the television screen, the user must here call directly a call center. It is this call center that generates the coupon and sends it to an address entered by the user.

The patent document WO 2010/048997 (ERICSSON) relates to an interactive television technique. An interactive object is transmitted to a user terminal. After the interactive object is displayed on the television screen, the user can acquire it by selecting an entry. This entry is then passed to an evaluation server. After a series of checks on the user, the server validates the entry and returns a result to the terminal. The result that is returned to the terminal can take the form of a discount coupon. The ERICSSON document teaches to generate a discount coupon in the evaluation server.

Document US 2007/157251 (SHRIVATAVA) describes a method for making a purchase on a product related to a television program. A message is displayed on the television screen to warn the viewer of the availability of the product. By pressing the button on a remote control (ie by generating an activation signal), the user can purchase the product. It is not a question of generating a discount coupon.

The object of the invention is to provide a method which simplifies the generation of an electronic coupon with respect to the methods known from the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to facilitate the acquisition of the electronic coupon. The invention also aims to provide a simple design method, easy to use and inexpensive.

Disclosure of the invention.

The solution proposed by the invention is a method for generating an electronic coupon in the form of an electronic file attesting a right to the user who holds it, said method successively comprising:

 a step of transmitting a digital information stream, which stream comprises a broadcast signal containing a television program and one or more commercials, said stream also comprising for each advertising flash: a synchronization signal and a message which message comprises one or more information relating to a right conferred on the user and is in the form of digital data, said message being transmitted within said digital information flow,

 a step of receiving the digital information stream on a digital receiver configured to process said broadcast digital information stream, said receiver receiving the broadcast signal, the synchronization signal, and the message,

a step of acquiring the message conditioned by the reception of an activation signal, which activation signal must be triggered by the user during the occurrence of the synchronization signal to allow the acquisition of said message by said digital receiver _s

 - A step of generating an electronic coupon containing the message acquit, a digital signature for authenticscation said message and a time stamp comprising information relating to the acquisition time of said message, which generation step is performed by the digital receiver.

Such a method makes it possible to simply and securely generate an electronic coupon in the form of an electronic file. In addition, the acquisition of the coupon is facilitated over the known methods of the prior art.

Other characteristics and advantages of the method which is the subject of the invention are listed, each of these characteristics being able to be considered alone or in combination with the remarkable steps defined above:

- The activation signal is initiated by pressing an identified key or any key on the remote control of the digital receiver.

 the method further comprises a step for transferring the message from the digital receiver to a portable terminal, which message is contained in the coupon.

the method further comprises a step for transferring the message from the portable terminal to a payment terminal, which terminal analyzes the information recorded in said message and calculates the amount of what remains to be paid taking into account the reduction specified by: decrypting the electronic coupon, - extracting the data contained in said message relating to the right conferred on the user, - calculating the amount that the user must pay according to his purchases and the right conferred on the user.

- before proceeding to the collection, the payment terminal verifies the authenticity of the electronic coupon by checking the validity of the digital signature. - Before proceeding to the cashing, the payment terminal checks the timestamp of the electronic coupon by verifying that the message has been acquired during the broadcast of the advertising flash.

 - Before proceeding to the collection, Se payment terminal verifies the uniqueness of the electronic coupon by controlling that said coupon has not already been used.

 - The payment terminal is authorized to use the message to generate the invoice when the electronic coupon is authentic, that it has never been used, and that its timestamp coincides with the time slots during which the advertising flash has been broadcast.

the digital information stream further comprises, for each advertisement flash, a validation signal, which signal is generated from one or more information relating to a procedure to be followed by the user to generate an electronic coupon and emits within the digital information stream.

the acquisition of the message is conditioned by its reception of the activation signal, which signal must conform to the validation signal.

Description of the figures. Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better on reading the description of a preferred embodiment which will follow, with reference to the accompanying drawings, carried out as indicative and non-limiting examples and in which:

 FIG. 1 schematically represents a broadcasting system for implementing the invention,

 FIG. 2 represents a time diagram of the digital information flow,

 FIG. 3 represents a first embodiment of an acquisition circuit making it possible to implement the invention, and

FIG. 4 represents a second embodiment of an acquisition circuit for implementing the invention. The identical elements present in several figures are assigned a single reference.

Preferred embodiments of the invention

The method which is the subject of the invention makes it possible to generate an electronic coupon (C). Electronic coupon (C) means any electronic file evidencing a right to the user who holds it such as a discount on a particular purchase, or a gift offered for a particular purchase, etc.

Referring to Figure 1, the system for generating an electronic coupon, for implementing the method of the invention comprises firstly a broadcast equipment (1 1). The latter is configured to broadcast, through a broadcast network, a digital information stream (I) containing television programs. The term "broadcast network" means a network on which audiovisual content is broadcast by television channels and of the digital radio network, satellite network, cable network or other type. "Television program" means all or part of audiovisual content broadcast on a television channel, for example a film, television news, weather reports, game shows, etc. In practice, the broadcast equipment (1 1) comprises an electronic circuit which may comprise a microprocessor (13), one or more flash-type memories (14) of the flash, magnetic, optical or other type, and any other electronic component suitable for the skilled person. This broadcasting equipment (1 1) comprises, in particular, a transmission means (12) configured to broadcast these television programs over the air, satellite, internet, cable or other. This transmission means (12) can be in the form of an antenna, a dish, a telephone line, a cable line, etc. Referring to Figure 2, the digital information stream (I) transmitted by the broadcast equipment comprises a broadcast signal (D) containing a television program (E). During a television program (E), one or more commercials (P) may pause said television program or appear superimposed on said television program. The broadcast signal (D) therefore also contains the advertising flash (s) (P). Thus, the broadcast equipment comprises a broadcasting means for transmitting the diffusion signal (D) of known type.

For each advertisement flash (P), the digital information stream (I) transmitted by the broadcast equipment also comprises a synchronization signal (S). The latter is generated simultaneously with the advertising flash (P). This synchronization signal (S) comprises one or more time information in the form of digital data. For example, a data "start time" and data "end time", or data "start time" and data "duration", or several data pairs "start time" and "end time" or "start time" and "duration", or any other data or group of data suitable to those skilled in the art. The broadcast equipment (11) then comprises a transmission means. In practice, this transmission means comprises a microprocessor which, when it executes the steps of a computer program stored in the memory integrated in the broadcasting equipment (11), is configured to:

 generating a synchronization signal (S) from one or more predetermined time information,

 transmitting the synchronization signal (S) within the digital information stream (I), via the transmission means (12).

For each advertisement flash (P), the digital information stream (I) transmitted by the broadcast equipment (11) further comprises a message (M). The latter (or coupon) includes one or more information relating to a right conferred on the user and being in the form of digital data. By for example, a "reduction" data item corresponding to a reduction on a purchase, or a "free" item corresponding to a gift offered for a purchase, or any other data or group of data that is suitable for the person skilled in the art. the transmission means of the broadcast equipment (11) comprises a microprocessor which, when executing the steps of a computer program stored in the memory integrated in said broadcast equipment, is configured to:

 generating a message (M) from one or more information relating to a right conferred on the user,

- Emit the message (M) in the digital information stream (I), via the transmission means (12).

The message (M) is transmitted beforehand simultaneously or as a result of the synchronization signal (S).

For each advertisement flash (P), the digital information stream (I) may optionally comprise, in addition to the signals previously described, a validation signal (V). The latter, if any, is preferably produced before or at the beginning of the advertising flash (P), but may also be produced at different or several times of said advertising flash (P), the validation signal (V) comprises one or more information relating to a procedure for the user to generate an electronic coupon (C), in the form of digital data. For example, a data item "instruction" corresponding to the procedure to be followed by the user to generate an electronic coupon (C). In practice, the transmission means of the broadcast equipment (11) comprises a microprocessor which, when it executes the steps of a computer program stored in the memory integrated in said broadcast equipment, is configured to:

generating a validation signal (V) from one or more information relating to a procedure for the user to generate an electronic coupon (C), transmitting the validation signal (V) within the digital information stream (S), via the transmission means (12).

 The transmission means optionally transmits the enable signal (V) before the synchronization signal (S).

With reference to FIG. 1, the system for generating an electronic coupon comprises, on the other hand, a digital receiver (13) generally connected to a means (14) for receiving the digital information stream (I) broadcast from the type antenna, dish, telephone line, cable line, or others. The digital information flow (I) is therefore transmitted by the broadcast equipment (1 1) to a digital receiver (13). The digital receiver (13), which can be integrated with the digital television, is configured to process the broadcast digital information stream (I). This processing is generally of the demodulation, decoding, decryption or other type. Once the digital information stream (I) has been processed, it is sent to a means for rendering said digital information stream generally integrated with the television. This means of reproduction is of the LCD screen, plasma, OLED, SED, or other type, for the video components, and the type of amplifier and speakers for the audio components. In practice, the digital receiver (13) comprises an electronic circuit that may include a tuner, a demodulator, a decoder, a microprocessor, one or more memories of the flash, magnetic, optical or other type, etc.

This digital receiver (13) is generally provided with a control member (15), such as an infrared or wifi remote control, a mobile phone communicating via wifi and equipped with software for controlling said digital receiver, a means of voice control, gesture control means, or any other control device suitable for those skilled in the art. According to a first option, this digital information stream (I) does not include a validation signal (V). Receiving a digital information stream (I), the digital receiver (13) receives the broadcast signal (D) containing a television program (E) and one or more commercials (P). For the sake of simplicity, we will speak only of an advertising flash (P) in the following description, but the process can be applied independently for each of the advertising flashes. To do this, the digital receiver (13) comprises a reception means configured to receive the broadcast signal (D). This receiving means is generally in the form of a tuner connected to the broadcast network via the receiving means (14).

The digital receiver (13) also receives the synchronization signal (S). To do this, the digital receiver (13) comprises receiving means configured to receive the synchronization signal (S). This receiving means is generally in the form of a tuner connected to the broadcast network via the receiving means (14). The digital receiver (13) then detects the synchronization signal (S) via a detection means. In practice, the detection means of the digital receiver (13) comprises a microprocessor which, when it executes the steps of a computer program stored in a mass memory, is configured to:

 finding in the digital information flow (I) a possible synchronization signal (S),

 - if necessary, extract the data contained in the synchronization signal (S).

Upon receiving the digital information stream (I), the digital receiver (13) also receives the message (M). To do this, the digital receiver comprises a reception means configured to receive the message (M). This receiving means is generally in the form of a tuner connected to the broadcast network via the receiving means (14). However, the acquisition of the message (M) is conditioned by the receipt of a signa! activation (A). The user must then trigger the activation signal (A) during the occurrence of the synchronization signal (S) to authorize the acquisition of the message (M). The activation signal (A) is initiated by an activation means. In particular, the activation signal (A) can be initiated by pressing an identified key or any key on the remote control, the digital receiver (13), a mobile phone, or any other electronic equipment. suitable for those skilled in the art. The activation signal (A) can also be initiated orally by pronouncing defs words recognized as an activation signal by a voice recognition means integrated in the digital receiver (13), an expansion card, an a remote box, etc. The activation signal (A) can still be initiated by means of gestures, by executing gestures recognized as an order by a gesture recognition means integrated into the digital receiver (13), an expansion card, a box deported, on the remote control, to a telephone, etc. The activation signal (A) thus materializes an action on the part of a person watching the television program, a necessary action during the synchronization signal (S) to obtain the message (M).

Upon receipt of the activation signal (A), the digital receiver (13) acquires the message (M). To do this, the digital receiver comprises an acquisition means configured to extract the message (M) from the digital information stream (S). In practice, the acquisition means of the digital receiver (13) comprises a microprocessor which, when it executes the steps of a computer program stored in a memory, is configured to:

 finding in the digital information flow (I), the message (M),

 extract the data contained in the message (M).

By way of example, with reference to FIG. 3, this message acquisition function (M) can be realized simply by means of an acquisition logic circuit. The synchronization signal (S) and the activation signal (A) are applied as inputs to an AND gate (21). A switch (22) receives as input the message (M), has its output connected to a memory (23) and is controlled by the output of the AND gate (21).

The acquisition of the message (M) can thus be done in a memory (23). The memory (23) in which the data of the message (M) is stored can be of the flash, magnetic, optical or other type and for example be in the form of a hard disk, a USB key, a memory card, etc. The memory can be integrated in the digital receiver, the television, an expansion card, or be transferred to equipment available on a telecommunication network (18), etc. The term telecommunications network (18) is understood to mean a network of the intranet network, Internet network, telephone network or other type.

According to a second option, the digital information flow (I) comprises a validation signal (V).

The digital receiver receives the broadcast signal (D), the synchronization signal (S), and the message (M) in the same manner as previously described for the first option. The digital receiver (13) then detects the synchronization signal (S) as previously described for the first option. Again, the acquisition of the message (M) is conditioned by the receipt of an activation signal (A) triggered by the user as described above. However, unlike the first option, the activation signal must conform to the enable signal (V).

Therefore, by receiving the digital information stream (I), the digital receiver (13) also receives the validation signal (V). To do this, the digital receiver comprises a reception means configured to receive the validation signal (V). This means of reception is generally under the form of a tuner connected to the broadcast network via the receiving means (14).

Then, the digital receiver (13) acquires the validation signal (V). To do this, the digital receiver comprises an acquisition means configured to extract the signal! of validation (V) of the digital information flow (I), It goes without saying that the digital receiver renders either directly the validation signal, a number or a symbol for example, or indirectly by means of an announcement which identifies this validation signal, a sentence containing this number or symbol, for example. In practice, the acquisition means of the digital receiver (13) comprises a microprocessor which, when it executes the steps of a computer program stored in a memory, is configured to:

 - find in the digital information flow (I), the validation signal (V),

- extract the data contained in the signa! validation (V), typically the data "instruction",

 sends the data contained in the validation signal (V) to the rendering means to generate an announcement concerning the procedure for generating an electronic coupon (C).

 This announcement may be audible or readable and indicate to the user the key on which to press, the gesture to be performed, the voice command to be spoken, or other, so as to generate the electronic coupon (C). When this message is readable, it can obscure all or part of the screen, be generated superimposed or be directly integrated with the advertising flash. The announcement is made in a manner at the beginning or during the occurrence of the synchronization signal (S) so that the user can trigger the activation signal (A) pending said occurrence of the synchronization signal.

As an example, it may be, to trigger the activation signal (A), to press the key on the remote control on which is written the symbol "*", the announcement generated by the means of rendition in the form of an inscription overlaid on the advertising flash (P) on which you want to benefit from this voucher, press the * key on your remote control. In this case, the activation signal and the validation signal correspond to an identified key of the remote control. Therefore, to authorize the acquisition of the message (M), the user must trigger an activation signal (A) which is identical to the validation signal (V) during the occurrence of the synchronization signal (S). Upon receipt of the activation signal, the digital receiver (13) therefore compares the activation signal (A) with the enable signal (V). If these correspond, the digital receiver (13) acquires the message (M). To do this, the digital receiver comprises an acquisition means configured to compare the activation signal (A) and the validation signal (V), and extract the message (M) from the digital information stream (I). In practice, the acquisition means of the digital receiver (13) comprises a microprocessor which, when it executes the steps of a computer program stored in a memory, is configured to:

 comparing the activation signal (A) with the validation signal (V),

 - and if the activation signal (A) with the validation signal (V):

 o find in the digital information stream (S), the message (M),

 extracting the message (M) from the digital information stream (I).

By way of example, with reference to FIG. 4, this message acquisition function (M) can be realized simply by means of another acquisition logic circuit. The enable signal (V) and the acquisition signal (A) are applied as inputs to a comparator (31). An AND gate (32) receives as inputs the output signal of the comparator (31) and the synchronization signal (S). A switch (33) receives at the input the message (M), at its output connected to a memory (34) and is controlled by the output of the AND gate (32).

The acquisition of message M can thus be done in a memory (34) of the type previously described. In alternative embodiments, the activation signal (A) may comprise several actions in response to several announcements contained in the validation signal (V) during the occurrence of the synchronization signal (S). For example, to trigger the activation signal (A), may need to press:

- at the beginning of the advertising flash (P), on the key of the remote control on which the character "a" is written,

 - at the end of the advertising flash (P), on the key of the remote control on which the character "b" is written.

 The procedure to be followed by the user contained in the validation signal (V) can then contain two announcements. A first announcement, generated by the means of reproduction, is in the form of an inscription, superimposed, at the beginning of the advertising flash (P), on which appears: "if you wish to profit from this coupon, press the a key on your remote. A second announcement, generated by the means of reproduction, is in the form of an inscription, superimposed, at the beginning of the advertising flash (P), on which appears: "if you wish to profit from this coupon, press the a key on your remote.

In order to avoid the duplication of the message and therefore the rights associated with it, it may be interesting to secure the message (M). Thus, once the message (M) acquired, the digital receiver (13) can generate an electronic coupon (C) containing said message and a digital signature for authenticating said message (M). The digitally signed electronic coupon (C) then becomes unique and tamper-proof. The digital signature is generated by an encryption function based on a digital encryption algorithm using a private encryption key and may include hashing steps using MD5 or SHA type hash functions. In order to increase the security of the message (M), the file can also be encrypted. In practice, a generation means equipping the digital receiver (13) comprises a microprocessor which, when executing the steps of a computer program stored in a memory, is configured to: generate a digital signature associated with the message (M),

 generate a file containing the message (M) and the digital signature,

 - possibly, encrypt the file.

Still with the aim of increasing the security of the message (M), the digital receiver (13) may also include means for time stamping said acquired message (M). This time stamp later makes it possible to verify that the message has been acquired when it was to be, that is to say during the advertising flash (P). The time stamp comprises information relating to the moment of acquisition of the message (M), said information being in the form of digital data. The latter can, for example, be a datum "date" and a datum "hour". In practice, a time stamping means equipping the digital receiver (13) comprises a microprocessor which, when it performs the steps of a computer program stored in a memory, is configured to retrieve the data "date" and "time" relating to the moment of acquisition of the message (M). The generation means equipping the digital receiver (13) will then generate a file containing the message (M), the digital signature and the time stamp, that is to say the data "date" and "time".

The electronic coupon (C) is then stored in a memory of the type previously described. The electronic coupon (C) is then in the form of a file, encrypted or not, and containing:

 the message (M),

 the digital signature,

 possibly the timestamp.

Returning to Figure 1, the digital receiver (13) is also adapted to communicate with a portable terminal (16), a smartphone ("Smartphone" in English) for example. This digital receiver (13) is therefore provided with a wired transfer means (network card, USB card, card HDMI, or others) or wireless (Wifi chip, Bluetooth chip, NFC chip, infrared transmitter, or others.)

It should be noted that all or only some of the means mentioned previously and equipping the digital receiver (13) can be integrated into a PCMCIA type expansion card intended to be inserted into a common interface port present on said receiver digital, or be integrated in a remote electronic box and be connected to said digital receiver by a wireless connection (Wifi, Bluetooth, infrared, NFC, or other) or by a wired connection (USB, Ethernet, or other). Similarly, the microprocessors of the various means equipping the digital receiver (13) can be in the form of a single microprocessor that can fulfill all the functions associated with all the means, or several microprocessors can each perform several functions different ways.

The portable terminal (16) then comprises a communication means adapted to cooperate with the transfer means, and of the same type as the transfer means described above. Thus, the connection between the transfer means and the communication means can be of any kind:

- wired link such as USB, Ethernet cable, etc.

 - Wireless link such as radio, infrared or generally any electromagnetic connection as the so-called "NFC" for "Near Field Communication" in English.

 The transfer of the message from the digital receiver (13) to the portable terminal (16) can be initiated by one or other of these devices.

Optionally, when the connection is established, the digital receiver (13) can perform authentication of the portable terminal (16), said portable terminal having been previously registered with said digital receiver. From now on, the portable terminal (16) is in possession of the message (M). The latter is generally contained in the electronic coupon (C). The portable terminal (16) can in turn transfer the message (M) to a payment terminal (17). To do this, the payment terminal (17) comprises a transfer means of the same type as that described above.

Remember that the message in question is a coupon, a promotional offer, or other. Thus, the payment terminal (17) analyzes the information recorded in the message and calculates the amount of what remains to be paid given the specified reduction. In practice, a means of analysis equipping the payment terminal (17) comprises a microprocessor which, when it performs the steps of a computer program stored in a memory, is configured to:

 - possibly, decrypt the electronic coupon (C),

extracting the data contained in the message (M) relating to the right conferred on the user,

 - calculate the amount that the user must pay according to his purchases and the right granted to the user.

 For example, if the message contains a "Z% voucher on product X". If the user buys the product X having an advertised price Y, and said user transfers the electronic coupon (C) of his mobile terminal to the payment terminal (17), the latter calculates the amount that the user must pay in deducting Z% of the advertised price Y of the product X. Optionally, before proceeding to the collection, the payment terminal (17) can carry out certain checks. These verifications can be carried out locally by the payment terminal (17), or from a remote server (19) connected to said payment terminal via a telecommunications network (18). These verifications concern one or more of the following operations:

- verification of the authenticity of the electronic coupon (C), - checking the timestamp of the electronic coupon (C),

• verification of the uniqueness of the electronic coupon (C),

 - registration of the use of the electronic coupon (C),

 - confirmation of the validity of the electronic coupon (C).

The verification of the authenticity of the electronic coupon (C) consists of verifying the validity of the digital signature. In practice, a verification means equipping the payment terminal (17) or the remote server (19) comprises a microprocessor which, when executing the steps of a computer program stored in a memory, is configured to:

 - extract the digital signature from the electronic coupon (C),

 - verify the authenticity of the digital signature, in practice by means of a decryption function and the private encryption key. The verification of the timestamp of the electronic coupon (C) consists in verifying that the message (M) has been acquired during the broadcasting of the advertising flash. In practice, a means of verification equipping the payment terminal (17) or the remote server (19) comprises a microprocessor which, when executing the steps of a computer program stored in a memory, is configured to:

 - extract the timestamp of the electronic coupon (C),

 - Compare the time stamp with the time or slots during which the advertising flash P associated with the message has been broadcast, the time period or times being previously recorded in a database.

The verification of the uniqueness of the electronic coupon (C) consists in checking that the electronic coupon (C) has not already been used. In practice, a verification means equipping the payment terminal (17) or the remote server (19) comprises a microprocessor which, when it performs the steps of a computer program stored in a memory, is configured to check that the coupon electronic (C) is not listed in a database listing electronic coupons already in use.

The registration of the use of the electronic coupon (C) consists in recording the electronic coupon in a database so that it can no longer be used later. In practice, a means of registration equipping the payment terminal (17) or the remote server (19) comprises a microprocessor which, when executing the steps of a computer program stored in a memory, is configured to record the memory. use of the electronic coupon (C) in the database listing the electronic coupons already used.

The confirmation of the validity of the electronic coupon (C) consists in authorizing the payment terminal (17) to use the message (M) to generate the invoice when said electronic coupon is authentic, that it has never been used, and that its timestamp coincides with the time slots during which the advertising flash P has been broadcast. Ultimately, the payment terminal (17) can calculate the amount according to the right conferred to the user only if the electronic coupon (C) is valid, otherwise, the price to be paid by the user being the price announced Y of the product X. In practice, a validation means equipping the payment terminal (17) or the remote server (19) comprises a microprocessor which, when it executes the steps of a computer program stored in a memory , is configured to give the order to calculate the amount according to the right conferred to the user when the electronic coupon (C) is authentic, that it has never been used, and that its time stamp coincides with the time slots during which the advertising flash P has been broadcast.

The embodiments of the invention presented above have been chosen in view of their concrete nature. It would not be possible, however, to exhaustively list all the embodiments covered by this invention. In particular, any step or any means described may be replaced by a step or equivalent means without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

claims A method for generating an electronic coupon (C) in the form of an electronic file attesting a right to the user who holds it, said method comprising successively: a step of transmitting a digital information stream (I), which stream comprises a broadcast signal (D) containing a television program (E) and one or more commercials (P), said stream also comprising for each advertising flash: a synchronization signal (S) and a message (M), which message includes one or more information relating to a right conferred on the user and is in the form of digital data _! said message (M) being transmitted within said digital information stream (I),  a step of receiving the digital information flow (I) on a digital receiver (13) configured to process said digital information flow (I) broadcast, said receiver receiving the broadcast signal (D), the synchronization signal (S), and the message (M),  a step of acquiring the message (M) conditioned by the reception of an activation signal (A), which activation signal must be triggered by the user during the occurrence of the synchronization signal (S) for authorizing the acquisition of said message (M) by said digital receiver (13),  a step of generating an electronic coupon (C) containing the message (M) acquires, a digital signature enabling the authentication of said message (M) and a timestamp comprising information relating to the moment of acquisition of said message (M); which generation step is performed by the digital receiver (13). 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the activation signal (A) is initiated by pressing an identified key or any key on the remote control (15) of the digital receiver (13), 3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a step for transferring the message (M) of the digital receiver (13) to a portable terminal (16), which message is contained in the coupon (C). The method according to claim 3, further comprising a step for transferring the message (M) from the portable terminal (18) to a payment terminal (17), which terminal analyzes the information recorded in said message and calculates the amount thereof. which remains to be paid by: - decrypting the electronic coupon (C), - extracting the data contained in said message (M) relating to the right conferred on the user, - calculating the amount that the user must pay according to his purchases and the right conferred on the user, 5. Method according to claim 4, wherein before proceeding to encashment, the payment terminal (17) verifies the authenticity of the electronic coupon (C) by verifying the validity of the digital signature. 6. Method according to one of claims 4 or 5, wherein before proceeding to the collection, the payment terminal (17) checks the timestamp of the electronic coupon (C) by verifying that the message (M) has well been acquired during the broadcast of the advertising flash (P). 7. Method according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein before proceeding to encashment, the payment terminal (17) verifies the uniqueness of the electronic coupon (C) by controlling that said coupon has not been Already used. 8. A method according to claims 4 to 7 taken in combination, of allowing the payment terminal (17) to use the message (M) to generate the invoice when the electronic coupon (C) is authentic, it has not never used, and that its timestamp coincides with the time slots during which the advertising flash (P) has been broadcast. 9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the digital information flow (i) further comprises, for each advertising flash (P), a validation signal (V), which signal is generated from one or more information relating to a procedure for the user to generate an electronic coupon (C) and issued in the digital information stream (I). 10, The method of claim 9, wherein the acquisition of the message (M) is conditioned by the receipt of the activation signal (Â), which signal must be in accordance with the enable signal (V).