EP2010975A2

EP2010975A2 - Method and device for communication between a device and a server

Info

Publication number: EP2010975A2
Application number: EP07731145A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Simon Bretin
Original assignee: Anyware Technologies SA
Current assignee: Sierra Wireless Solutions and Services SA
Priority date: 2006-03-15
Filing date: 2007-03-15
Publication date: 2009-01-07
Also published as: WO2007104868A2; WO2007104868A3; US20090216344A1; US8484285B2

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for communication between an electronic module (110) provided with a programmable controller and a remote server (140), comprising: means for associating the electronic module with a device (100) such that said module receives signals representing operating states or parameters of said device via at least one connector (103), a communication server application on said electronic module, said communication server application being capable of automatically communicating with said device as well as with said remote server via at least one communication means (120, 125) and a communication server application on said remote server for making it capable of automatically communicating with said electronic module via at least one communication channel via at least one communication means (155, 160). Each of the server applications is capable: of deciding the transmission of a request to the other server application, based on a predetermined criterion, said remote server and said module being thus capable of transmitting a request addressed to said module or to said remote server, respectively, following said decision; and upon receiving said request, to cause a reply to be transmitted to the other server application, said module and said remote server being thus capable of transmitting to said remote server or said module, respectively, said reply encapsulating data or parameters of said device.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR COMMUNICATING BETWEEN EQUIPMENT AND A

SERVER

The present invention relates to a method and a device for programming communication between an equipment and a server through a communicatio module and a programming method of such a device. It applies, in particular, to remote control and control of office, household or industrial equipment, vehicles or buildings. Traditionally, these devices are not equipped with communication interfaces to remote elements (of the Ethernet or Wi-Fi type), but rather communication buses (Serial, RS485, etc.) and inputs / outputs allowing communication to elements close to the equipment.

In the field of control and remote control of equipment generally, a monitoring operator regularly makes a maintenance pass to verify the proper operation of the equipment and, in case of default, alert a technical service. This procedure has many disadvantages. On the one hand, the delay of detection of a failure can be important and, on the other hand, the quality of intervention of the technical service is subject to the quality of the report transmitted by the surveillance operator.

In more automated systems, it is known to provide the equipment with a remote communication module which monitors the state of the equipment and which, as a function of crossing thresholds, triggers an alarm on a remote terminal, by example e emitting a mini-message, known as SMS (short message system or short message system) to the mobile phone of a maintainer These systems have many disadvantages. On the one hand, they do not allow centralized management of a set of equipment. On the other hand, they are subject to the availability of the communication network of the alarm. In addition, they request, for the programming, the intervention of a qualified computer scientist. Finally, they can not be reprogrammed remotely.

The present invention aims to remedy these disadvantages. For this purpose, the present invention aims, in a first aspect, a device d means for associating said electronic module with an equipment such that said module receives signals representing states or operating parameters of said equipment through at least one connector; a communication server application on said module; electronic module, said communication server application being adapted to communicate automatically with said equipment as well as with said remote server through at least one communication means and a communication server application on said remote server for the adapt to automatically communicate with said electronic module through at least one communication channel through at least one communication means; each of said server applications being adapted: to decide the transmission of a request to the other server application, according to a predetermined criterion, said remote server and said module being thus adapted to transmit a request to said module or said remote server, respectively, following said decision and upon receipt of said request, to transmit a response to the other server application, said module and said remote server being thus adapted to transmit to said remote server or said module, respectively, said response encapsulating information representative of said states or parameters of said equipment.

With these provisions, each of the two server applications can interrogate the other and obtain, in return, instructions or status information. According to particular features, at least one of said server applications comprises means for automatically selecting a communication channel between the electronic module and said remote server, according to characteristics of the data to be transmitted and the available communication channels, at least one of the steps of transmitting a request and responding to said request being performed by implementing the selected communication channel.

According to particular characteristics, at least one of said applications comprises means for storing the information to be transmitted as long as a complete request / response cycle has not been positively completed.

According to particular characteristics, one of the means of communication is a GSM / GPRS wireless network.

According to a second aspect, the present invention aims at a method of communication between an electronic module and a remote server, characterized in that it comprises: a step of associating said electronic module provided with a programmable controller with an equipment such that said module receives signals representative of states or operating parameters of said equipment through at least one connector; a step of implementing a communication server application on said electronic module, said communication server application being adapted to communicate automatically with said equipment as well as with said remote server through at least one means; Communication ; a step of implementing a communication server application on said remote server to adapt it to communicate automatically with said electronic module through at least one communication channel through at least one communication means ;

a step of transmitting a request from said remote server or said module to said module or said remote server, respectively, following an automatic decision to use an available communication means and

- On receipt of said request, a step of transmitting a response from said module or said remote server and to said remote server or said module, respectively, said response encapsulating information representative of said states or parameters of said equipment. According to particular features, the method as briefly described above comprises a step of automatically selecting a communication channel between the electronic module and said remote server, according to the characteristics of the data to be transmitted and the available communication channels, at least one of the steps of transmitting a request and responding to said request being performed by implementing the selected communication channel.

According to particular features, the method as briefly described above includes a step of storing the information to be transmitted as long as a complete request / response cycle has not been completed positively, in order to be able to send, again, said information through one of the other means of communication. According to particular characteristics, one of the means of communication is a GSM / GPRS wireless network.

According to a third aspect, the present invention aims at a method of developing a machine-to-machine application between a communication module intended to be associated with an equipment and a computer system, characterized in that it comprises: a definition step logical data of an application intended to run on the communication module, the logical data being a representation of the functionalities offered by the equipment, a step of matching each logical data element to at least one acquisition or control means in relation to this datum, thus allowing the actual manipulation of the data,

a step of defining configuration parameters of the communication module that enable it to be interfaced with the equipment, to set up communication means and to define other parameters specific to the communication module chosen during the selection step,

a step of defining the communication between the module and the computer system; a step of generating the application intended to execute on the module, this generation being specific to the settings and data previously made or defined and

- a step of downloading the application on the module.

According to particular features, the method which is the subject of the third aspect further comprises a step of selecting a type of communication module, for example through its make and model, the generation of the application intended for executing on the module being, moreover, specific to the choice of the type of module.

According to particular features, the method that is the subject of the third aspect further comprises a step of defining an event logic that makes it possible to interact the logical data with one another, the generation of the application intended to execute on the module being in addition, specific to the defined event logic.

According to particular features, the method that is the subject of the third aspect further comprises:

a step of defining logical data of an application intended to execute on the computer system,

a step of mapping each logical data to at least one storage means of the computer system, a step of defining the event logic for making the logical data of the application of the computer system interact, a configuration step computer system parameters, a step of generating the application intended to run on the computer system, this generation being specific to the settings, choices, and logics previously made or defined and

- A step of downloading the application on the computer system. According to particular characteristics, during at least one logical data definition step, logical devices manipulated by an application are defined, and logic variables representative of their logical characteristics are added to them. According to particular characteristics, during at least one logical data definition step, an editor is implemented which makes it possible to create, modify and delete logical equipments, without reference to their electronic realization, by defining its variables. , through parameters, this definition of variables and parameters being constrained through the editor by the compatibility with the type of communication module chosen during the selection step.

According to particular characteristics, with said editor, the definition of logical data is done by means of graphic screens guiding the user by proposing him / her choices specific to the type of communication module chosen for certain parameters and leaving him free to use. other.

According to particular characteristics, at least one of the communication mapping and definition steps is performed by means of graphic interfaces constraining the user with respect to the type of the communication module that he uses. According to particular characteristics, during at least one mapping step, an editor is implemented which makes it possible to associate each variable defined during the step of defining logical data with an acquisition means, control or storage, this editor limiting the choices according to the parameters, variables and functions offered by the type of communication module that is programmed.

According to particular features, at least one event logic definition step is done graphically by selecting the logical data to be controlled, by associating a notion of binary logic and by choosing an action to be executed from among a plurality of actions, the data logic to control, the binary logic relationships and the actions to be executed being represented by specific graphic elements.

According to particular characteristics, during the step of defining the communication between the module and the computer system, if at least two communication channels have been defined, the dynamic choice of the communication channel to be used according to the states is defined. possible from each other communication channel.

According to particular features, the method object of the third aspect does not require writing code in computer language and consists solely in the manipulation of graphical interfaces.

Other advantages, aims and features of the present invention will emerge from the description which follows, made for an explanatory and non-limiting purpose with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 represents, schematically, an implementation of a particular embodiment of the device that is the subject of the present invention,

FIG. 2 represents, in the form of a logic diagram, a particular embodiment of the method that is the subject of the present invention; and FIG. 3 represents, in the form of a logic diagram, a particular embodiment of a programming method. of the device object of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a device to be monitored 100, a communication module 110 associated with the equipment 100 and comprising a controller 115 and, preferably, at least two communication means 120 and 125, two communication channels 130 and 135 , an operating server 140, comprising two communication means 155 and 160, a controller 170 and an information storage means 145, a programming terminal 150 comprising a communication means 165 and a client terminal 180. 110 is, for example, a Q2686 module from Wavecom (registered trademarks) or TC65 from Siemens (registered trademarks). The equipment to be supervised 100 may be stationary, such as, for example, a boiler, an office equipment or an electronic billboard, or mobile, such as a vehicle. This equipment is, in general, numerous and we speak in terms of fleet of equipment that we want to monitor or control. Preferably, the equipment 100 comprises a controller 101 and implements software, in particular for monitoring the state of sensors 102 and / or actuators 104 and for communicating via at least one connector 103.

The communication module 110 is adapted to receive, via the connector 103, data from the equipment 100 and in particular signals representative of states or operating parameters of said equipment 100. The communication module 110 is also adapted to send commands to the equipment 100 via the connector 103.

Furthermore, the communication means 120 and 125 enable the communication module 110 to communicate, via the two communication channels 130 and 135, with the server 140 and, optionally, with the programming terminal 150, knowing that another channel (not shown) can be used for the communication between the communication module 110 and the programming terminal 150. The communication channels 130 and 135 are, for example, wireless telephony networks, for example of the GSM type. and GPRS, respectively.

The communication module 110 is adapted to download software via at least one of the networks 130 and 135 from the server 140 and / or the programming terminal 150, under external control, such as a third-party software or an SMS. The server 140 is of known type and is adapted to interrogate each module 110, to receive its responses, to aggregate the received data and to trigger instructions or alarms, according to the data received or the aggregated data. The server 140 is also adapted to provide data to client terminals by acting as the server of the web.

The programming terminal 150 is adapted to program applications for each module 110 and applications for each server 140. The programming terminal 150 implements a development suite detailed later in the description. The communication module 110 and the server 140 and, more precisely, the controllers 115 and 170 are adapted to implement between them the communication method that is the subject of the present invention, as presented with regard to the logic diagram of FIG. 2. , after a programming phase illustrated in Figure 3.

The client terminal 180, of any type, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer or a network server, for example, enables a user or operator to access the data storage means 145 kept by the server 140 and in particular, the data relating to each of the modules 110, possibly after authentication. In this communication, the server 140 behaves as server of the web to allow access to data with an interface well known to any user, ie a browser software on the internet.

FIG. 2 shows a step 205 of association, according to known techniques, of the communication module 110 equipped with the programmable controller 115 with said equipment 100 in such a way that said communication module 110 receives signals representative of states or of operating parameters of said equipment 100. Then, during a step 210, a communication server application of a type similar to those of the server of the fabric is implemented on the communication module 110. For example, the server Embedded is programmed in Java (registered trademark) and has a very small size. It is observed that this embedded server, characteristic of the present invention, allows the remote supervision and control of the module 110 and the associated equipment 100. It will also be observed that this communication module 110 is not adapted to receive data. components available on the shelf to the skilled person (typically, web servers traditionally available on embedded equipment), and this due to the strong constraints imposed by the communication modules. From step 210, the communication module 110 behaves like a communication server, for example a server of the web, or "web" server. It is recalled that a communication server includes software that responds to requests from clients, for example with so-called communication means http (hypertext transfer protocol acronym for hypertext transfer protocol) or minimessages, known as SMS (acronym for Short Message System). It is observed that, preferably, the communication module 110 does not provide a page but data that the server 140 will integrate into pages that it provides to the clients 180. This data can be provided, for example, in SMS.

A communication trigger between the module 110 and the server 140 can take place under different circumstances: in the event of detection of triggering events, by the module 110, for example as a function of thresholds applied to sensors associated with the equipment 100, step 212, according to a predetermined schedule of communications between the module 110 and the server 140, this calendar being able to be managed by the module 110 or by the server 140 (case exposed in FIG. 2, in step 255),

according to requests transmitted by the client terminal 180, in the case where the data stored in the database 145 would be considered obsolete in view of the request received, steps 250.

During a step 215, the server that wants to initiate a communication with the other server, that is to say either the communication server of the module 110 or the server 140, determines the best communication medium between the module. communication 110 and the server 140. During this step 215, the following criteria may be considered in the order of decreasing priority: the availability of the communication channels, the urgency of transmission of the data stream to be transmitted, the pricing operators who manage the different communication channels.

With this step, it is practically guaranteed to maintain the communication capacity between the communication module 110 and the server 140, even if one of the channels is unavailable.

Depending on the communication channel selected in step 215, in step 220, the corresponding communication protocol switching, if any, is performed. Then, during a step 225, communicating the communication module 110 and said remote server 140, for example by implementing the hypertext transfer protocol http.

During a step 230, the initiator server of the communication transmits a request to the recipient who receives it, for example by implementing the hypertext transfer protocol http. Preferably, for each request received, the communication module 110 or the server 140 checks, for security reasons, during step 230, the address of the server issuing the request. During a step 235, the recipient analyzes the received request, retrieves the required data, in particular from the equipment 100 or the data storage means 145, processes this data and sends a response to the initiator of the data request. the request. This response thus encapsulates in particular information representative of the states or parameters of the equipment 100 or the communication module 110.

For the description of steps 230 and 235, the case where the server 140 initiates the communication has been considered. In the other case, in which it is the communication server of the communication module 110 which initiates the communication, the step 230 does not take place and, during the step 235, the communication module 110 retrieves the data to be transmitted, especially to the equipment 100, processes this data and sends a message to the server 140. This response thus encapsulates information representative of the states or parameters of the equipment 100 or the communication module 110.

During a step 240, the server 140 aggregates and distributes the data collected from the various communications modules 110 to the persons, client terminals, databases and computer applications concerned. This aggregation can comprise the constitution of a state of equipment history 100 associated with the electronic modules 110 and the triggering of alert in case of failure, the need for preventive maintenance, for example the need for supply of consumable. These alerts are determined according to the information representative of the states or parameters of the equipment 100 received during the step 235 or aggregated during the step 240.

During a request arriving at the server 140 from a client terminal 180, a database or an application, during a step 245, it is verified that the sender of this request is authorized to issue it. according to known techniques. It is observed that the request sent by the client terminal 180 is a request sent by a browser, the server 140 then acting server web.

Then, during a step 250, it is determined whether a request to the equipment 110 is necessary, according to the request received and the time elapsed since the last update of the data concerning this module and at least a server configuration parameter. Thus, the reading of the memory of the equipment module or the memory of the equipment is avoided if there is sufficiently recent information available, for example in the case of a query concerning data whose value and value are known. possible evolution. For example, a refresh of the state of the toner level each week may be sufficient.

If the result of the step 250 is positive, a request to the equipment 100 being necessary, one proceeds to the step 215. Otherwise, one proceeds to the step 255 during which one determines the next expiry of a a request to be sent to the equipment 100, the data required by the user are read in the database 145 and / or extrapolates the recent data stored in the database and provides the client terminal 180, in the form of a web page, the data required by the client terminal.

In response to the requests it receives, the server 140 aggregates data from databases and physical dynamic data transmitted by the electronic modules 110, for example, to define customer records that it transmits to the issuer. The request received during step 245.>

During a step 255, the next request date to be addressed to the communication module is determined and when this date occurs, proceed to step 212. Preferably, the duration considered sufficient between two updates is configurable.

FIG. 3 shows the implementation of a quick and easy software development method for developing, generating and deploying machine-to-machine applications and programming, connecting and managing remote equipment 100 from one or more application servers 140 .

The method is implemented in a graphical and powerful development environment to develop, generate and deploy machine-to-machine applications much faster than with a traditional development approach and without knowledge of programming languages. This minimizes development costs and maximizes productivity.

During an optional step 305, the communication module 110 is selected which will be programmed, it being understood that the physical interface of this module with a device 100 has been made beforehand, for example or during its physical installation. During a step 310, a logical data model of the application intended to execute on the communication module 110 is defined. This model is realized by defining logical devices handled by the application and then adding them. variables representative of their logical characteristics. This definition is done by means of a graphic screen guiding the user by offering him choices for certain parameters and leaving him free for others. This logical data model is totally independent of the actual data acquisition physics existing. For example, an alarm center will be represented by a "CentralAlarm" logical device with its logical "State" variables (boolean representing the on or off state of the alarm) and "InAlarm" (boolean representing the triggering or not of the alarm). 'alarm). We implement an editor that allows to create, modify and delete logical devices (without reference to its electronic realization) by defining its variables, through parameters such as data type (string, numeric or Boolean), access mode (write and / or read), variation limits (value or maximum and minimum length).

This definition of variables and parameters is constrained by the compatibility with the features offered by the editor. For example, the data type may be limited to the three examples given above and thus not allow a table.

During a step 315, a "mapping" or a mapping is performed so that each logic variable of the logical data model of the application can be acquired (read) and / or controlled (write) on physical media. or software. Moreover, this configuration is achieved by means of graphic interfaces constraining the user with respect to the physical reality of the communication module 110 that he uses.

An editor is implemented which makes it possible to associate each logical variable defined during step 310 with an acquisition or control means supported by the environment. This editor limits the choices according to the parameters of the previously defined logical variables and the functionalities offered by the module 110 which is programmed.

For example, the logical variable "State" of the alarm center may be associated with the GPIO pin (General Purpose Input Output) No. 4 of the communication module, the user can not choose the pins 0 to 3 because those they do not exist on the module used. Here, therefore, there is an association specific to the communication module and equipment involved in the programming.

During a step 320, the event logic is defined, that is to say the operation of the computer application and the conditions of realization of its actions. For example, this event logic indicates which combinations of states of the equipment cause which actions on the part of the associated communication module. This definition is done graphically by selecting the logical data to control (represented, for example, by rectangles), by associating a notion of binary logic (represented, for example, by relations between the previously selected rectangles) and finally by choosing an action to execute from those available (represented by icons). Thus, the logical data to be controlled, the binary logic relations and the actions to be executed are preferably represented by specific graphic elements.

During a step 325, the configuration parameters of the communication module 110 are defined which will allow its interface with the equipment 100, as well as the proper operation of the communication module 110 itself.

This configuration is achieved through graphical interfaces limiting the user with respect to the physical realities of the components of the communication module 110. for example, it will be possible to configure the communication speed of an existing serial port on the module.

During steps 330 to 345, the same steps as steps 310 to 325, respectively, are performed for the programming of the communication application to be implemented on the server side considered preselected as common to different modules 110.

Thus, during step 330, a logical data model of the application intended to execute on the server 140 is defined. This model is realized by defining logical hardware and software manipulated by the application, then by adding variables representative of their logical characteristics. This definition is done by means of a graphic screen guiding the user by offering him choices for certain parameters and leaving him free for others. This logic model is totally independent of the physics of processing or storing existing real data. This definition of variables and parameters is constrained by the compatibility with the features offered by the editor. During a step 335, a "mapping" or mapping is performed so that each variable of the logical data model of the application can be acquired (read) and / or controlled (written) on physical media or software. Moreover, this configuration is achieved by means of graphical interfaces constraining the user with respect to the physical reality of the server 140 and its peripherals that it uses.

An editor is implemented which makes it possible to associate each variable defined during step 330 with a means of acquisition or command supported by the environment. This editor limits the choices according to the parameters of the predefined variables and the functionalities offered by the server 140 which is programmed. Here, therefore, there is an association specific to the server 140 and its peripherals involved in the programming.

During a step 340, the event logic is defined, that is to say the operation of the computer application and the conditions of realization of its actions. For example, this event logic indicates which state combinations cause which actions on the part of the server 140 or its peripherals. This definition is done graphically by selecting the logical data to control (represented by rectangles), by associating a notion of binary logic (represented by relations between the previously selected rectangles) and finally by choosing an action to execute from those available. (represented by icons). During a step 345, the configuration parameters of the server 140 and its peripherals are defined which will allow its interface with the module 110. This configuration is achieved through graphical interfaces limiting the user with respect to the physical realities of the server 140 and its peripherals. For example, it will be possible to configure the communication speed of an existing serial port on the server.

Then, during a step 365, the communication between the module and the server is defined. An editor is implemented which makes it possible to select the communication means according to the communication capabilities offered by the communication module 110.

If at least two communication channels have been defined, step 365 also makes it possible to organize the dynamic choice of the communication channel to be used. This organization aims to maintain a link between the communication module and the server, even if a means of communication was faulty.

For example, the choice depends on the available channels and / or the price of the communication channels. During this step, the choices are made graphically thanks to multiple choice boxes, text fields and interfaces refreshing according to the choices made previously.

Then, during a step 370, the application that will run on the module 110 and the one that will run on the server 140 is generated. This application is an assembly of bricks or generic software components, for example the server. communication, web server or "web", or specifically generated by the device described. The bricks and software components are selected according to the choices made previously, in a deterministic manner. These choices made previously also constrain the order of execution of these bricks or components, which ensures the proper functioning of the application generated.

For example, the bricks concern one the communication server, web server or SMS server, the other the GPRS communication, ...

The generated application intended to be executed on the communication module 110 is generated in the native language thereof.

During a step 375 we download each of the applications on the module and the server, we launch its applications, with or without reinitialization. The main advantages of this development process are:

1 / ease of use: a graphical programming approach guiding the user's development choices;

- a high-level programming approach: o use of efficient data model bricks to define the logic of the application and link it to a communication device; o use of a device for associating logical and physical parameters

(means of acquisition) of the application; o provision of a configuration wizard to define all the communication parameters between the module 110 and the server 140; - a generation of automatic computer code; a set of ready-to-use application components: o an embedded web server; o a library of application protocols (Modbus, Nmea, for example) for easy interconnection with specific equipment such as PLC (acronym for Programmable Logic Controller for, in French, PLC), telemetry device, GPS modules (acronym for Global

Positioning System for global positioning system), for example; o a "classic" web server allowing access to the business information of the developed application; o application templates, presentation pages, graphic components (known as widgets).

2 / An end-to-end connection to develop and deploy a complete machine-to-machine solution from remote devices to application servers, enabling communication over networks, for example GSM (acronym for Global System for Mobile communication for, in French, global communication system for mobile devices), GPRS (acronym for Global Packet Radio Service for, in French, packet radio communication system), Edge, Wifi (acronym for Wireless Fidelity for, in French , Loyalty Wireless), LAN (Local Area Network for, in French Local Area Network). 3 / Security through integrated security mechanisms: the implementation of the https secure data transfer protocol, personal authentication devices, terminals or applications, management of user profiles; 4 / The performances thanks to: the optimization of embedded codes for a minimal influence on the resources, in particular resources of memory, electronic modules and a maximum reliability and the optimization of bandwidth used on the communication networks, by compression data to minimize the cost of data traffic between the electronic modules 110 and the servers 140; 5 / Maintenance and update: provision, diagnosis, maintenance and download of applications remotely, thanks to remote communication capabilities provided by the module 110 and 6 / Data recovery from the remote electronic modules 110 for storage in the information processing system (server 140), for reporting, billing, knowledge base, for example.

Thanks to the implementation of this development environment, we develop a global and centralized solution. Practically, the development suite organizes the development and abstracts from the form of execution. A graphical macro-language makes it possible to dispense with knowledge of computer language.

It is observed that the elements and the programming are stored in the memory of the programming terminal 150 and can be edited and remotely downloaded to the module 110 and / or the server 140 at any time.

The graphical macro-language and the graphical environment thus use, at the same time, generic parts and specific parts for particular modules. Thanks to these characteristics, the programming language is independent of the communication module and its provider, the BSP (acronym for Board Support Package for, in French, card support package) or MSP (module support package for, in French, module support package) or the set of drivers for their command.

Claims

1 - Communication device between an electronic module (110) having a programmable controller and a remote server (140), characterized in that it comprises: - means for associating said electronic module with a device (100) of such that said module receives signals representative of states or operating parameters of said equipment through at least one connector (103), a communication server application on said electronic module, said communication server application being adapted communicating automatically with said equipment as well as with said remote server through at least one communication means (120, 125) and a communication server application on said remote server to adapt it to communicate automatically with said electronic module through at least one communication channel through at least one communication means (155, 160); each of said server applications being adapted:

- to decide the transmission of a request to the other server application, according to a predetermined criterion, said remote server and said module being thus adapted to transmit a request to said module or said remote server, respectively, to following that decision and

- upon receipt of said request, to send a response to the other server application, said module and said remote server being thus adapted to transmit to said remote server or said module, respectively, said response encapsulating information representative of said states or parameters of said equipment.

2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said server applications comprises means for automatically selecting a communication channel between the electronic module and said remote server, according to characteristics of the data to be transmitted and communication channels available, at least one of the steps of transmitting a request and responding to said request being performed by implementing the selected communication channel.

3 - Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of said applications comprises a means of retaining the information to be transmitted until a complete request / response cycle has not been completed positively.

4 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that one of the communication means is a wireless network type GSM / GPRS. 5 - Method of communication between an electronic module (110) and a remote server (140), characterized in that it comprises:

a step of associating said electronic module provided with a programmable controller with a device (100) such that said module receives signals representative of states or operating parameters of said equipment through at least one connector ( 103);

a step of implementing a communication server application on said electronic module, said communication server application being adapted to communicate automatically with said equipment as well as with said remote server through at least one means; communication (120, 125);

a step of implementing a communication server application on said remote server to adapt it to communicate automatically with said electronic module through at least one communication channel through at least one means of communication; communication (155, 160); a step of transmitting a request from said remote server or said module to said module or said remote server, respectively, following an automatic decision to use an available communication means and

- On receipt of said request, a step of transmitting a response from said module or said remote server and to said remote server or said module, respectively, said response encapsulating information representative of said states or parameters of said equipment.

6 - Process according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a step of automatically selecting a communication channel between the electronic module and said remote server, according to characteristics of the data to be transmitted and the available communication channels, at least one of the steps of transmitting a request and responding to said request being performed by implementing the selected communication channel.

7 - Process according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that it comprises a conservation step of the information to be transmitted until a complete request / response cycle has been completed positively, in order to able to send, again, said information through one of the other means of communication.

8 - Process according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that one of the communication means is a wireless network type GSM / GPRS.