Configurable device, a configuration method and system

Abstract

The invention relates to a configurable device 1 , a system comprising such a device and a configuration method particularly suitable for allowing configuration by the general public of devices comprising at least one microprocessor and a non-volatile memory.

1 . A device comprising at least one microprocessor and one non-volatile memory, further comprising:
 means for receiving at least one piece of information in relation with its configuration, said at least one piece of information being emitted by an external piece of equipment.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the information received by the device is emitted via means at least partly capable of reproducing sound in relation with an external piece of equipment. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an acoustic coupling part having a face capable of being placed in contact with a wall and a bore capable of receiving an earphone.   
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the means applied for receiving the information emitted via means at least partly capable of reproducing sound in relation with an external piece of equipment, are further capable of emitting sounds. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein all or part of its configuration is prepared from an external piece of equipment distinct from said device, said external piece of equipment being capable of interacting with the user, the information in relation with the configuration being transmitted via an external piece of equipment to the device which stores it, possibly after transformation, in a non-volatile memory, the device adapting all or part of its functional characteristics accordingly. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 means for autonomously configuring at least one of its functional characteristics.   
     
     
         7 . A method for configuring a device comprising:
 a step for preparing said at least one piece of information in relation with the configuration of the device, this step being executed from resources of a piece of equipment, distinct from said device, said piece of equipment being capable of interacting with the user; and   a step for emitting at least one piece of information in relation with the configuration of the device by a piece of equipment which may coincide with or be distinct from the one having executed the step for preparing the configuration; and   a step for receiving by the device at least one piece of information in relation with its configuration; and   a step for storing in a non-volatile memory of the device all or part of said at least one piece of information in relation with its received configuration, after partial or total transformation if necessary; and   a step for executing functions of the device applying all or part of said at least one piece of information in relation with its received configuration, after partial or total transformation if necessary.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the execution of said preparation step or said step for emitting at least one piece of information in relation with the configuration of the device further comprises a step for identifying said device. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the execution of the step for emitting at least one piece of information in relation with the configuration of the device is conditioned by the execution of a preliminary step for explicitly requesting emission of said at least one piece of information in relation with the configuration of the device. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the step for emitting said at least one piece of information in relation with the configuration of the device and the step for preparing the configuration are automatically executed as a loop and that said at least one piece of information in relation with the configuration of the device is automatically updated accordingly. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the step for emitting said at least one piece of information in relation with the configuration of the device is associated with the reading of a piece of sound or visual information intended for the user. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the consequences on the device of the execution of said preparation step or said step for emitting said at least one piece of information in relation with the configuration of the device is conditioned by the execution of a preliminary step for opening a configuration session executed in the device. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the reception or the storage or the application of all or part of said at least one piece of information in relation with the received configuration of the device, after partial or total transformation if necessary, is conditioned by the reception of a characteristic piece of information of the device. 
     
     
         14 . A system for implementing a method for configuring a device comprising:
 a device to be configured; and   at least one piece of equipment for producing at least one piece of information in relation with the configuration of the device; and   
       a piece of equipment for emitting at least one piece of information in relation with the configuration of the device, said at least one piece of equipment for producing said at least one piece of information in relation with the configuration may coincide with, or be distinct from, the one for emitting it.