EP1295446A1

EP1295446A1 - System and method for handling of connections between connection points

Info

Publication number: EP1295446A1
Application number: EP01926273A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Erik Wistrand; Jan Sparud; Tommy Bohlin; Per Lundgren; Gunnar Ekolin
Original assignee: Gatespace AB
Current assignee: Gatespace AB
Priority date: 2000-05-02
Filing date: 2001-04-20
Publication date: 2003-03-26
Also published as: SE0001629L; SE514928C2; SE0001629D0; AU2001252806A1; WO2001084793A1

Abstract

A system and a method for handling connections between connection points (1, 2) in a communication network for controlling physical or software-based units comprising connection points (1, 2) for supply and reception of data, a filter bank (3) having filters (4, 5) for translation between the different data types (6) of connection points (1, 2) or for selection of transferred data, and a connecting unit (7) for providing a connection either without application of filters (4, 5), in the case where the data types (6) of the connection points (1, 2) for supply and reception match, or, in the case where they do not match, with application of a filter (4, 5) selected from the filter bank (3) or a sequence of filters (4, 5) selected from the filter bank (3) between at least one connection point (1) for supply of data and at least one connection point (2) for reception of data, said filter(s) being capable of translating data or selecting data between connection points (1, 2) for supply and reception of data.

Description

System and method for handling of connections between connection points

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system and a method for handling connections between connection points in a communication network for controlling physical or 5 software-based units. Technical Background

Few areas are as exposed to new technology and industrial deregulation as the market for services related to home environment or the workplace as well as the 0 control/monitoring of machines and other devices over large distances. The term services should here be given a wide interpretation. These are examples of areas where a rapid development is taking place, with computer technology offering solutions for new services. The fact that 5 electronic home devices are provided with more and more computing power and are increasingly interconnected will make the home environment the next target for the network industry. The term home devices covers here also devices that can be found in the workplace etc . Once a domain 0 mainly for people with an interest in technology, the

Internet is today a tool used by a large part of the population, who increasingly have access to the Internet from their own homes. Moreover, it is estimated that there will be more than one PC in more than 20 % of 5 American homes. The use of computers at home, for instance in the form of Internet-based television, telephone and game station services, is also expected to increase. In addition, the computing power of electronic home devices such as white goods and entertainment appli- 0 ances continues to increase. This provides an opportunity for increased network communication between various electronic components such as the Internet, telephones (sta- tionary as well as mobile) , white goods, control/monitoring of home devices (e.g. lamps, electricity meters, temperature and water meters) . Having access to a communication network, for example the Internet, makes it possible to control and/or monitor devices from other locations than the actual location of a device.

EP 0,967,815 A2 discloses a radio communication apparatus and a communication network, which allow selection of an optimal connection destination in an arbitrar- ily selected area and establishment of a connection with the selected destination. For example, the apparatus may connect with a connection destination at the lowest possible cost, and it can establish connections with the Internet or the like. This document thus concerns the establishment of a connection with a selected destination. One of the things that may be required in this context is identification information. This prior art technology concerns the technical problem of selecting destinations and defining criteria for the selection of desti- nations in radio communication.

US 5,920,197 discloses a sensor for detecting the presence of an electronic device. The sensor comprises a receiving connector, which receives a mating connector associated with the electronic device to electrically and physically connect the device to the sensor. This invention is limited to detecting only the electrical presence of a device by means of a sensor circuit, which includes, inter alia, a low-pass filter. A disadvantage of this invention is that it can only determine whether a device is connected or not. It may however constitute a terminal point, to which the present invention can be connected. Summary of the Invention

A first object of the present invention is to provide a system for handling connections between connection points in a communication network for controlling physical or software-based units. According to the invention, this object is achieved by giving a device of the type described by way of introduction the features defined in claim 1.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for handling connections between at least one connection point for supply of data and at least one connection point for reception of data in a communications network for controlling physical or software-based units. According to the invention, this object is achieved by the method comprising the features defined in claim 6.

The present invention may also be provided in the form of a software product, which can be downloaded directly into the internal memory of a computer and which comprises programme code segments for carrying out the steps in any one of claims 6-10 during execution in said computer. It should be noted that the term connection point, within the scope of the present invention, also covers a logic connection point for accomplishing the present invention in the form of software combined with suitable hardware. This form has the advantage that it becomes easier to handle the present invention, for example when distributing it .

Non-limiting examples of fields of use of the present invention are given below: • Remote control of devices in home environment or in the workplace.

• Retrieval of status information for devices in home environment or in the workplace. More specifically, this concerns electricity and water status. • Control of physical units. Examples of physical units are vehicles and ships, but also other physical units are conceivable.

• Communication between software products. An example of communication is filtering of incoming electronic mail. Again, it should be noted that the examples in this paragraph are only illustrative. Furthermore, the present invention for handling connections between different physical or software-based units is intended to be used primarily by both programmers, or the like, and users of the physical or software- based units. An object of the present invention is to provide a simple and secure way of handling connections.

The present invention in the form of the system, method and software product in executable form allows handling of connections between connection points, which can be of different data types. Data type describes the data-value range . Examples of value ranges may be integers, Boolean values, text strings or types defined solely on an individual basis. The ability of the present invention to handle different data types facilitates the establishment of a market for services related to home environment or the workplace as well as the control/monitoring of machines and other devices over possibly large distances. An object of the present invention is to facilitate the handling of connections between data sup- pliers and data consumers. It should be noted, however, that the distance is not essential for an appropriate use of the present invention.

One advantage of having a filter bank in the present invention is that it forms a base for allowing selection of a filter for translation between connection points of different data types or for selection of transferred data. It also makes it possible to select a number of filters, which when arranged in sequence can provide a connection allowing the transfer of data. Without the filter bank or the possibility of selecting one filter or a sequence of filters, there is a risk that a connection cannot be established, which means that no communication across the connection points is achieved. An object of the invention is to increase the possibilities of commu- nication across connection points.

The connecting unit, which is logically connected to the filter bank and the connection points, is arranged to establish a connection. In those cases where no filter is needed between the connection points, i.e. when the connection points are of the same data type and no selection has to be made, a connection is established without ap- plying a filter between the connection points . On the other hand, if the connection points are not of the same data type, a filter or a sequence of filters from the filter bank (which may be composed of a plurality of different filter sets, possibly arranged at different loca- tions) is applied, which makes it possible to provide a connection between the connection points of different data types by means of filters. If a filter or a sequence of filters cannot provide a connection, a user is notified. An object of the system according to the invention is to make the use thereof more flexible, by providing a system, which has the ability to interconnect devices that may be of different data types and which works with different selections of transferred data, thereby allowing connections between different devices of the types mentioned previously.

By providing the invention with a filter selector, which is logically connected to the connecting unit and the filter bank, the system can automatically select a filter or a sequence of filters. This selection is pri- marily made from the filter bank. The purpose is to increase the performance of the present invention, since it increases the inherent ability of the system to search for connections that can interconnect connection points of different data types or of different selection. Alter- natively, a user may manually select the filter (s) considered to be suitable in a given situation by using a computer interface that is logically connected to the configurator. Within the scope of the present invention it is also possible to interactively collaborate with the system in such manner that a computer interface is adapted to present, propose or recommend a selection of a filter or a sequence of filters. The purpose is to achieve increased flexibility and user-friendliness by allowing a simpler handling of connections, both for programmers and laymen.

The present invention also comprises a configurator, which is logically connected to the connecting means and which contains a set of current connections. Here, the expression current connections means either connections that are to be established by the connecting means or connections that have already been established. An object of the configurator is to ensure the system status. Another object of the configurator is to facilitate a restart of the system.

The present invention further comprises a disconnecting means, which is logically connected to the con- figurator and said connection points, for disconnecting a connection. When disconnecting a connection the content of the configurator is updated.

In addition, the present invention comprises a method for handling connections between at least one con- nection point for supply of data and reception of data in a communication network for controlling physical or software-based units. The method also includes the step of having a filter selector automatically select a filter or a sequence of filters. It further includes the step of presenting available connection points and their data types, for interactive collaboration between the user and the system in the selection of a filter or a sequence of filters from the filter bank. Finally, the method comprises the steps of updating a configurator containing a set of current connections and of disconnecting a connection.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of embodiments and with reference to the accompa- nying drawings .

Fig. 1 is a schematic sketch of the system according to the invention. Figs 2A and 2B illustrate two preferred embodiments regarding remote control of home devices .

Figs 3A and 3B illustrate two other preferred embodiments regarding data collection. Fig. 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment regarding remote control of physical units.

Fig. 5 illustrates a further preferred embodiment regarding communication between software products, more specifically examples of filtering incoming electronic mail.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

The system according to the present invention for handling connections between connection points 1, 2 in a communication network for controlling physical or soft- ware-based units comprises one or more connection points 1 for supply of data and one or more connection points 2 for reception of data; a filter bank 3 with filters 4, 5 for translation of transferred data between connection points 1, 2 of different data types 6 or for selection of transferred data, and a connecting unit 7, which is logically connected to the filter bank 3 and the connection points 1, 2. In addition, the system comprises a configurator 8, which is logically connected to the connecting means 6 and which contains a set of current connections 9. The system may also comprise a filter selector 10, which is logically connected to the connecting unit 7 and the filter bank 3, either for automatic selection or for recommendation of a filter 4, 5 or a sequence of filters, and a computer interface 11, which is logically connected to the configurator 8 and which presents available connection points 1, 2 and their data types 6, for interactive collaboration between users and the system in the selection of a filter 4, 5 or a sequence of filters from the filter bank 3. Naturally, it is conceivable, and sometimes necessary, that the filter bank 3 should comprise more than the two filters shown in Fig. 1. It is also possible to include a disconnecting means 12, which is logically connected to the configurator 8 and said connection points 1, 2, for disconnecting a connection. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described below. The data types 6 of the connection points 1_/ 2 and filters 4 are marked with different kinds of arrows in Fig. 1. FIRST EMBODIMENT. Remote control of home devices

Home devices, which can be controlled by the present invention in a first embodiment, may have control func- tions such as on/off, level, etc. as connection points 1, 2 within the scope of the present invention. The connections are shown in more detail in Fig. 2A. The data types 6 of connection points 1, 2 and filters 4, 5 are marked with different kinds of arrows in Figs 2A and 2B. The following connection points are available for supply of data:

• A wall switch 21, which is a wall-mounted terminal that supplies on/off-data.

• A WAP telephone 22, which allows the user to send on/off-data by means of WAP (Wireless Application

Protocol) .

• A dimmer 23, which is a wall-mounted dimmer that supplies integers between 0 and 100 %.

The following connection points 2 are available as data consumers:

• A lamp A 24 is a lamp that can be switched on/off by means of on/off-data.

• A lamp with a dimmer 25, where the lamp can be both switched on and off by means of on/off-data and give a varying light level depending on an integer between 0-100 %.

• A volume control 26 of a stereo, which can be controlled by means of an integer between 0-100%.

A number of different connections can thereby be established with the aid of the connecting means, for example :

• Wall switch 21 <-> lamp with dimmer 25 • WAP telephone <-> lamp A 24

• Dimmer 23 <-> lamp with dimmer 25

The establishment of these connections will be described in more detail below. It is assumed that the ne- cessary filters are available in the filter bank 3. In this embodiment, the filter selector 10 is arranged to search for and combine different filters in order to offer the user a filter or a sequence of filters. The system 27 presents conceivable filter configurations to a user, who selects configurations from a computer interface 11. The connecting unit 7, which is logically connected to the filter bank 3 and said connection points 1, 2, is arranged to apply the selected filter configurations to provide connections between the connection points 1, 2. The configurator 8 is updated so that it also contains the newly established connections 9. It should be pointed out that this embodiment could be implemented by means of software in combination with professional computer hardware. The result of such connec- tions is that the lamp A 24 can be turned on with the aid of the WAP telephone 22, the lamp with the dimmer 25 can be turned on/off with the aid of the wall switch 21, and the lamp with the dimmer 21 can be dimmed with the aid the dimmer 23. The following alternative connections within the scope of the present invention are shown in Fig. 2B:

• Wall switch 21 <-> lamp A 24

• WAP telephone 22 <-> lamp A 24

• Dimmer 23 <-> lamp with dimmer 25 The result of such connections is that the lamp A 24 can be turned on by means of both the wall switch 21 and the WAP telephone 22 and that the volume control 26 can be controlled by means of the dimmer 23. In this case, the lamp with the dimmer 25 cannot be remote-controlled at all by using the invention. The system can, after a possible disconnection of the appropriate previous con- nections carried out by the disconnecting means 12, connect these alternative connections instead. SECOND EMBODIMENT. Data Collection

The connection points 1, 2 can be used for data col- lection and supply of data in larger entities. This embodiment has two collectors of measured values and two units for supplying measured values, for example, to an electricity company. Figs 3A and 3B show the connections in more detail. The data types 6 of connection points 1, 2 and filters 4, 5 are marked with different kinds of arrows in Figs 3A and 3B .

This embodiment comprises the following connection points 1 for data supply:

• Electricity meter 31 comprising a physical elec- tricity meter, which supplies integer data at regular intervals.

• Temperature meter 32 comprising a physical temperature meter, which supplies integer data at regular intervals . It also comprises the following connection points 2 for data consumption:

• Log for company A 33, which comprises a unit that supplies an accumulation of measured values to company A. • Log for company B 34, which comprises a unit that supplies an accumulation of measured values to company B. There is also a filter:

• Integer accumulator 35, which filter is a data con- sumer that receives integers and delivers them when a certain amount of data has been collected.

The connecting means 36 could in this case establish connections directly between the electricity meter 31 and the temperature meter 32 as a log for company A 33 and company B 33 as follows:

• Electricity meter 31 <-> integer accumulator 35

• Integer accumulator 35 <-> log for company A 33 These connections are shown in Fig. 3A.

• Temperature meter 32 <-> integer accumulator 35

• Integer accumulator 35 <-> log for company B 34 These connections are shown in Fig. 3B. The establishment of these connections will be described in more detail below. It is assumed that the necessary filters 35 are available in the filter bank 3. In this embodiment, the filter selector 10 is arranged to search for and combine different filters in order to offer a user a filter or a sequence of filters. The system presents conceivable filter configurations to a user, who selects configurations from a computer interface 11. The connecting unit 36, which is logically connected to the filter bank 3 and said connection points 31, 32, 33, 34, is arranged to apply the selected filter configurations to provide connections between the connection points 31, 32, 33, 34. The configurator 8 is updated so that it also contains the newly established connections 9. It should be pointed out that also this embodiment could be implemented with software in combination with professional computer hardware. The result of such connections is that the log for company A receives data from the electricity meter 31 and the log for company B receives data from the temperature meter 32. THIRD EMBODIMENT. Control of physical units: Ships

It is assumed that a ship can be controlled solely on the basis of the following parameters:

• Engine power 41, represented here by integers in the range -100 % to +100 %, where -100 % is full speed reverse and +100 % is full speed ahead.

• Rudder angle 42, represented here by an integer between 90 degrees port and 90 degrees starboard.

In reality, the control of ships is more complicated than what follows from the above description. It should be noted however that this presentation is highly simplified for the purpose of conveying the principles behind the present invention. However, it is possible to pro- vide, within the scope of the present invention, a tool for steering ships for instance, considering the complexity that this implies. This embodiment is shown in Fig. 4. The data types 6 of connection points 1, 2 and filters 4, 5 are marked with different kinds of arrows in Fig. 4.

These connection points 41, 42 can be considered to be data consuming. The controls of the ship, on the other hand, have one or more input means, which supply data of the same types.

Possible connection points for the supply of data are :

• Physical steering wheel 43 supplying rudder angles.

• Physical power control 44 supplying engine power. • Computer-based graphical interface 45 supplying both power and rudder data.

In this case, the system could provide the following connections directly between physical input devices of the rudder and the engine respectively: • Steering wheel 43 <-> rudder 42

• Power control 44 <-> engine 41

The establishment of these connections will be described in more detail below. It is assumed that the necessary filters 46, 47 are available in the filter bank 3. In this embodiment, the filter selector 10 is arranged to search for and combine different filters in order to offer the user a filter or a sequence of filters. The system presents conceivable filter configurations to a user, who selects configurations from a computer inter- face 11. The connecting unit 7, 48, which is logically connected to the filter bank 3 and said connection points 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, is arranged to apply the selected filter configurations to provide connections between the connection points 41, 42, 43, 44, 45. The configurator 8 is updated so that it also contains the newly established connections 9. It should be pointed out that also this embodiment could be implemented by means of software in combination with professional computer hardware.

By means of selected and applied filters, a selection of data can be made and the graphical interface con- nected as follows:

• Graphical interface <-> [rudder angle]

• [rudder angle] <-> rudder and

• Graphical interface <-> [engine power] • [engine power] <-> engine

In both cases, both the rudder and the engine could be controlled without any particular knowledge of how steering data was supplied. FOURTH EMBODIMENT. Communication between software products: Examples of filtering incoming electronic mail Connection points 1, 2 can be used for filtering incoming electronic mail, where some mail messages are to be forwarded to one receiver while others are to be forwarded to another receiver. This example has a connection point 51, which delivers incoming mail and two connection points, which receive mail and make the mail messages available to different receivers. This embodiment is shown in Fig. 5. The data types 6 of the connection points 1, 2 and filters 4, 5 are marked with different kinds of arrows in Fig. 5.

In this example, the following connection points for data supply exist:

• Inbox 51 for incoming mail. An incoming e-mail message has a sender, an addressee, a heading and a main text.

It includes also the following connection point for data consumption:

• Mail view A 52 for viewing mail that can be read by user A. • Mail view B 53 for viewing mail that can be read by user B. There is also a filter 54: Advertisement filter 54 when a consumer receives mail, but delivers mail messages the headings of which do not contain, for instance, the word "advertisement" .

The system provides a connection so that the mail view A 52 receives all mail messages, whereas the mail view B 53 only receives mail messages, which do not contain the word "advertisement" . The following connections apply:

• Inbox 51 <-> mail view A 52 • Inbox 51 <-> advertisement filter 54

• Advertisement filter 54 <-> mail view B 53

The establishment of these connections will be described in more detail below. It is assumed that the necessary filters 45 are available in the filter bank 3. In this embodiment, the filter selector 10 is arranged to search for and combine different filters in order to offer the user a filter or a sequence of filters. The system presents conceivable filter configurations to a user, who selects configurations from a computer inter- face 11. The connecting unit 7, which is logically connected to the filter bank 3 and said connection points 51, 52, 53, is arranged to apply the selected filter configurations to provide connections between the connection points 51, 52, 53. The configurator 8 is updated so that it also contains the newly established connections 9. It should be pointed out that this embodiment is primarily implemented by means of software in combination with professional computer hardware. The result of these connections is that B does not receive any electronic mail raes- sages containing the word "advertisement" .

Claims

1. A system for handling connections between connec- tion points (1, 2) in a communication network for controlling physical or software-based units, comprising:

- at least one connection point (1) for supply of data;

- at least one connection point (2) for reception of data;

- a filter bank (3) with filters (4, 5) for translation of transferred data between connection points (1, 2) of different data types (6) or for selection of transferred data, and - a connecting unit (7) , which is logically connected to the filter bank (3) and said connection points (1, 2) , for making a connection either without application of filters (4, 5), in the case where the data types (6) of the connection points (1, 2) for supply and recep- tion match, or, in the case where they do not match, with application of a filter (4, 5) selected from the filter bank (3) or a sequence of filters (4, 5) selected from the filter bank (3) between at least one connection point (1) for supply of data and at least one connection point (2) for reception of data, said filter being capable of translating data or selecting data between the connection points (1, 2) for supply and reception of data, and for providing users with the information that provision of a connection has failed to occur.

2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a filter selector (10) , which is logically connected to the connecting unit (7) and the filter bank (3) , for automatic selection of a filter (4, 5) or a sequence of filters (4, 5) .

3. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a configurator (8) , which is logically connected to the connecting unit (7) and which contains a set of current connections (9) .

4. A system according to claim 3, further comprising a computer interface (11) , which is logically connected to the configurator (8) and which presents available connection points (1, 2) and their data types (6) , for interactive collaboration between users and the system in the selection of a filter (4, 5) or a sequence of filters (4, 5) from the filter bank (3) .

5. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a disconnecting means (12) , which is logically connected to the configurator (8) and to said connection points (1, 2) for disconnecting a connection.

6. A method for handling connections between at least one connection point (1) for supply of data and at least one connection point (2) for reception of data in a communication network for controlling physical or software-based units, comprising the steps of

- selecting, from a filter bank (3) consisting of filters (4, 5) for translation or selection of transferred data, a filter (4, 5) or a sequence of filters (4, 5), said filter (s) being capable of translating between the data types (6) of the connection points (1, 2) ; - generating a connection either without the application of filters (4, 5), in the case where the data types (6) of the connection points (1, 2) for supply and reception match, or, in the case where they do not match, with application of a filter (4, 5) selected from the filter bank (3) or a selected sequence of filters (4, 5) between at least one connection point (1) for supply of data and at least one connection point (2) for reception of data, said filter (s) being capable of translating data or selecting data between the connection points (1, 2) for supply and reception of data, or providing users with the information that provision of a connection has failed to occur.

7. A method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of

- automatically selecting a filter (4, 5) or a sequence of filters (4, 5), carried out by a filter selec- tor (3) .

8. A method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of

- presenting available connection points (1, 2) and their data types (6) , for interactive collaboration between users and the system in the selection of a filter (4, 5) or a sequence of filters (4, 5) from the filter bank (3) .

9. A method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of - updating a configurator (8) containing a set of current connections (9) .

10. A method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of

- disconnecting a connection.

11. A software product, which can be downloaded directly into the internal memory of a computer and which comprises programme code segments for carrying out the steps in any one of claims 6-10 during execution in said computer.

12. Use of the system according to claims 1-5 or the method according to claims 6-10 for remote-controlling devices in home environment or in the workplace .

13. Use of the system according to claims 1-5 or the method according to claims 6-10 for retrieving status in- formation for devices in home environment or in the workplace .

14. Use of the system according to claims 1-5 or the method according to claims 6-10 for controlling physical units such as vehicles and ships.

15. Use of the system according to claims 1-5 or the method according to claims 6-10 for communication between software products.