ES2321774B1 - SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF A PLATFORM THAT ALLOWS TO COMMUNICATE MACHINES LOCATED IN REMOTE PLACES WITH LOCAL APPLICATIONS OF CONTRL OR MEASUREMENT, ON MOBILE NETWORKS. - Google Patents

Abstract

System and method for implementing a platform that allows machines located in remote locations to be communicated with local control or measurement applications, on mobile networks, which allows applications to be created that integrate information and control of remote sensors that connect through mobile networks using mobile devices (PDA, mobile) or personal computers (PC), which requires the following elements for their development: - at least one network of sensors / controls that collect measurements of various types of parameters, or control certain mechanisms; - a communications platform; - applications and services for each of the users; - mobile devices to access the sensor / controller network through the web interface or through the mobile interface; and / or - a personal computer to access the sensor / controller network through the web interface.

Description

System and method for implementing a platform that allows to communicate machines located in places remote with local control or measurement applications, over networks mobile phones

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method for the implementation of a platform for M2M services (for communicate machines located in remote places with applications local control or measurement) on mobile networks. A company You can create applications that integrate information and control of remote sensors that connect through mobile networks so simple and fast, using the functionalities of a intermediate platform that allows data processing sent by the different sensors for conversion into accessible information, or sending control data to those sensors, through mobile devices (PDA, mobile) or personal computers (PC).

In this way an infrastructure is created Reusable for many M2M services in different markets, such such as vending, irrigation, traffic, transportation, environment, security, etc., without having to make an investment high.

Background of the invention

M2M technology is one of the solutions most recent technological market, emerged thanks to the evolution of mobile communications, cost reduction of certain type of hardware, and the evolution of services of mobile operators.

M2M means Machine to Machine, and it comes to refer to those solutions that allow machines to communicate located in remote locations with local control applications or measurement. Although this type of activity has been carried out since quite a while ago, M2M is differentiated by the use of Standard wireless communications, type GPRS, UMTS, WIFI in instead of using cable or proprietary systems based on classical radio frequency.

The use of such technologies allows the reduction of maintenance costs in many sectors where It is necessary to control several devices remotely. The disadvantage is that the development of such systems requires many times an investment not encompassed by companies of size small. Also the development time of this type of service increases considerably if you start from scratch, developing from the beginning all the specific software and hardware.

The present invention creates an infrastructure general that offers the necessary tools for any company that wants to develop M2M services can do it without high investments and taking advantage of everything developed in a way generic This platform will allow, through various interfaces the connection of different types of sensors / controls and the connection with applications that will use the data and tools it offers  this one for the development of services. You will also have tools that allow the sending of control orders from those same applications. It will also offer generic interfaces of Web access and control accessible by PC or mobile devices for those companies that cannot have the resources necessary to develop the applications themselves.

Description of the invention

The present invention relates to a method for the implementation of a platform for M2M services on mobile networks. A company can create applications that integrate the information and control of remote sensors that connect through mobile networks easily and quickly, using it the functionalities of an intermediate platform that allows the treatment of the data sent by the different sensors to its conversion into accessible information, or the sending of data from control towards those sensors, through mobile devices (PDA, mobile) or personal computers (PC).

The present invention requires several elements:

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\ vtcortauna Sensor / control networks: group of sensors / controls that collect measurements of various types of parameters and send them through a mobile network to the platform, or that control certain mechanisms (such as doors, barriers, heating, etc.) from of the orders sent from the platform through the same mobile network. Also, depending on the type of sensor / control they can receive orders from the platform that modify their behavior. The data generated by the sensors / controllers can be sent periodically or sent when an established conditions are met (what is commonly called alarms). Other types of sensors may not have the functionality of periodic or alarm data sending, but they need the platform to initiate the request for data request in order to send them.

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\ vtcortauna Platform: is the center of the system. It is composed of various hardware and software that allows the logical connection between sensors / controls, applications and services, and mobile devices and PCs. To create this connection it offers several interfaces: for applications it offers the monitoring interface, used to receive the data from the sensors / controls, the control interface, used to send orders to them, and the alarm interface, used for configuration and communication of alarms generated by the platform; for the sensors it offers similar monitoring and control interfaces (for those sensors that do not have periodic or alarm sending, the data collected will be requested periodically from the platform); Finally, for mobile devices, it offers a mobile interface that allows access via any mobile technology (SMS, MMS, WAP, WAP Push, etc.) to the monitoring, control and alarm interfaces. The platform stores the information sent from these sensors in databases, and also specific information on each of the sensors (such as type, location, etc.) that can be used by applications to develop M2M services. The platform will be designed to support various types of sensors / controllers, and different sensor networks and applications belonging to various companies or customers. For those clients or companies that do not have sufficient resources or as an alternative channel for mobile devices, the platform develops various web tools (through a dedicated web server) for the control, monitoring and alarm generation of sensors / controls. They will be accessible through PC or mobile devices.

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\ vtcortauna Applications and services: for each of the clients or companies, services tailored to their needs will be developed specifically. These services or applications will use the tools offered by the platform through the control, monitoring and alarm interfaces to obtain data from the sensors / controls, send orders and receive alarms.

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\ vtcortauna Mobile devices: they will be used to access through the generic web interface and be able to obtain the monitoring, control and generation information of the alarms of the sensor / controller network. They can also be used to access the monitoring, control and alarm interfaces through the mobile interface.

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\ vtcortauna PC: It will also be used to access through the generic web interface and to obtain the monitoring, control and alarm generation information of the sensor / controller network.

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The method consists of several processes:

one)

Data acquisition : the platform collects the data from the sensors for processing. It consists of the following stages:

to)

The sensors collect the parameters to to size.

b)

The sensors send the data to the platform to through the monitoring interface using the means offered over the mobile network.

C)

The platform collects the data and stores it in Your databases.

2)

Data processing : the data collected from the sensors, are processed by the platform to prepare them for later phases. In this way, access to this data by applications will be easier and faster. This processing will also facilitate the creation of the generic access web interface accessible from a PC or mobile device.

3)

Access to data from applications : applications will collect data through a connection to the platform. This process consists of the following stages:

to)

\ vtcortauna The application is connected through the monitoring interface with the platform, requesting access to certain types of data.

b)

The platform sends the data requested.

4)

Access to data from mobile devices : a user may request through an SMS, MMS, or via WAP the data stored on the platform. This process consists of the following stages:

to)

The user sends an SMS, MMS or access WAP requesting access to certain types of data.

b)

The mobile interface translates this request and the route through the monitoring interface to the platform.

C)

The platform sends this data.

d)

The mobile interface translates this data and adapts it to the mechanism (SMS, MMS, WAP, WAP Push, ...) configured by the User for reception.

5)

Access to data from the web : for users who do not have the necessary resources to make applications or as an alternative channel for mobile devices, the platform will give access to the data through a specific web server. This process consists of the following stages:

to)

The user connects to the web server through an Internet connection, using a PC or a device mobile.

b)

The user requests access to data.

C)

The web server collects the platform data and adapts them to present to the user.

6)

Sending orders from applications : applications can send orders to the sensor networks. This process consists of the following stages:

to)

The application through the control interface, send the orders to be sent to the platform and the devices to the It affects.

b)

The platform collects this data, processes it and adapt (taking into account the information of the devices stored in its databases gives data), and sends them to sensors / controls through the control interface.

C)

The different sensors / controls receive the data and act accordingly.

7)

Sending orders from mobile devices : customers and users can send via SMS, MMS, or via WAP orders to the sensor networks. This process consists of the following stages:

to)

The user sends an SMS, MMS or access WAP introducing the orders and devices to which it affects.

b)

The mobile interface translates this request and the route through the control interface to the platform.

C)

The platform collects this data, processes it and adapt (taking into account the information of the devices stored in its databases gives data), and sends them to sensors / controls through the control interface.

d)

The different sensors / controls receive the data and act accordingly.

8)

Sending orders from the web : for users who do not have the necessary resources to make applications or as an alternative channel for mobile devices, the platform will offer the possibility of sending orders to the sensors through a specific web server. This process consists of the following stages:

to)

The user connects to the web server through an Internet connection, using a PC or a device mobile.

b)

The user enters the orders and devices which it affects.

C)

The web server collects this data and sends it to the platform.

d)

The platform collects this data, processes it and adapt (taking into account the information of the devices stored in its databases gives data), and sends them to sensors / controls through the control interface.

and)

The different sensors / controls receive the data and act accordingly.

9)

Configuration and generation of alarms from applications : applications can configure alarms and receive notifications when the established conditions are met. There are two ways of generating alarms. Those devices that can generate alarms by themselves will be configured to do so when the established conditions are met. If the sensors do not have the capacity to generate alarms or do not have the automatic sending of the data, the same platform will review the collected data and compare them with the conditions established to generate the alarms. This process consists of the following stages:

to)

The application sends, through the interface of alarms, alarm conditions.

b)

The platform stores them. If necessary and the device allows, the platform sends data from configuration of alarms to the device through the interface of control.

C)

An alarm is generated. Two situations:

one.

A sensor generates an alarm and sends it through the platform monitoring interface.

2.

After collecting data from a sensor, the platform verifies that the necessary conditions for generate the alarm

quad

Then the platform generates the alarm with the data collected from the sensors, and sends it through the interface of alarms to the application.

d)

The application receives the alarm and acts on consequence.

10)

Configuration and generation of alarms from mobile devices : customers from mobile devices can configure alarms and receive notifications when the established conditions are met. The same conditions described in the previous process regarding the type of alarms are also met in this process. It consists of the following stages:

to)

The client sends through an SMS, MMS, or accessing the alarm conditions to WAP.

b)

The mobile interface translates this request and sends it to the platform through the alarm interface to the platform.

C)

The platform stores them. If necessary and the device allows, the platform sends data from configuration of alarms to the device through the interface of control.

d)

An alarm is generated, under the same conditions as those exposed in the previous process. Then the platform generates the alarm with the data collected from the sensors, and sends it to through the alarm interface and mobile interface to the device mobile.

and)

The client receives the alarm and acts on consequence.

eleven)

Configuration and generation of alarms from the web : Through the web interface, customers can configure alarms and receive notifications when the established conditions are met. The same conditions described in previous processes regarding the type of alarms are also met in this process. It consists of the following stages:

to)

The client through an Internet connection will connect to the web server using a PC or device mobile. Through this interface it sends the conditions of the alarm.

b)

The web server translates this request and sends it to the platform.

C)

The platform stores it. If necessary and the device allows, the platform sends data from configuration of alarms to the device through the interface of control.

d)

An alarm is generated, under the same conditions as those exposed in previous processes. Then the platform generates the alarm with the data collected from the sensors, and sends it to the Web server.

and)

The web server receives the alarm and refreshes the website to indicate such situation. The client receives the alarm and act accordingly.

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For the best understanding of how much is left described herein are accompanying drawings in the which shows the system structure and the message flow exchanged between different parties.

Description of the figures

Figure 1 schematically shows the diagram  of the infrastructure used in the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the logical flow and the message exchange between different parties in the process one.

Figure 3 shows the logical flow and the message exchange between different parties in the processes 3. 4. 5.

Figure 4 shows the logical flow and the message exchange between different parties in the processes 6, 7 and 8.

Figure 5 shows the logical flow and the message exchange between different parties in the processes 9, 10 and 11.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

In the case represented in Figure 1, shows the logical structure of the system described in the invention. As you can see there are several different parts: the device mobile, computer, sensor / controller network, platform and the different applications and services.

The sensor / controller network is responsible for collect measurements of various types of parameters and send them to through a mobile network to the platform, or they control certain mechanisms (such as doors, barriers, heating, etc.) to from the orders sent from the platform through the Same mobile network.

The platform is the center of the system. This composed of different hardware and software that allows connection logic between sensors / controls, applications and services, and Mobile devices and PC. To create this connection offers various interfaces: for applications it offers the interface of monitoring, control interface, and alarm interface; for the sensors it offers similar monitoring interfaces and control; finally, for mobile devices it offers a mobile interface that allows access through any technology mobile (SMS, MMS, WAP, WAP Push, etc.) to the interfaces of monitoring, control and alarm. The platform stores the information sent from these sensors in databases, and also specific information of each of the sensors (as type, location, etc.) that may be used by applications to develop M2M services. The platform will be designed to support various types of sensors / controllers, and different sensor networks and applications belonging to various companies or customers For those clients or companies that do not have the sufficient resources or as an alternative channel for devices mobile, the platform develops various web tools (to through a dedicated web server) for control, monitoring and alarm generation of sensors / controls. Will be accessible via PC or mobile devices.

For each of the clients or companies specifically develop services or applications adjusted to your needs. These services or applications they will use the tools that the platform offers through the control, monitoring and alarm interfaces to obtain sensor / control data, send orders and receive alarms

Mobile devices will be used to access through the generic web interface and get the monitoring, control and alarm generation information the network of sensors / controllers. They can also be used for  access the monitoring, control and alarm interfaces to through the mobile interface. Finally the PC will also be used to access through the generic web interface and get the monitoring, control and alarm generation information the network of sensors / controllers.

The following figures show the processes of the invention. Figure 2 shows the process of Data acquisition. The sensors collect the parameters to be measured (step 1) and send the data to the platform through the interface monitoring using the means offered by the mobile network (Step 2). The platform collects the data and stores it in its databases (step 3).

Figure 3 shows the processes of access to data from applications, from devices Mobile and from the web. The application connects through the platform monitoring interface, requesting access to a certain type of data (step 4). If it is about access from mobile devices, the user sends an SMS, MMS or access WAP requesting access to certain types of data. Interface mobile translates this request and routes it through the interface of platform monitoring (step 5). If accessed through web server, the user connects to the web server through a Internet connection, using a PC or mobile device, and request access to the data (step 6). In all cases the platform sends the data, which are transmitted and adapted by the appropriate interfaces (steps 7, 8, 9).

Figure 4 shows the process of sending  orders from applications, from mobile devices or from Web. If it is done from an application, it, through the control interface, send the orders to be sent to the platform and the devices it affects (step 10). If a mobile device, the user sends an SMS, MMS or access WAP introducing the orders and the devices it affects. He mobile interface translates this request and routes it through the platform control interface (step 11). If done to through the web, the user connects to the web server through an Internet connection, using a PC or a mobile device, and enter the orders and devices it affects (step 12). The web server collects this data and sends it to the platform. Once the platform has the data of alarm settings, processes them (step 13) and adapts them (taking into account the information of the stored devices in its databases gives data), and sends them to the sensors / controllers through the control interface (step 14).

Figure 5 shows the process of configuration and generation of alarms from applications, from Mobile and web devices. If it is done from the application, it sends, through the alarm interface, the alarm conditions (step 15). If the device is used mobile, the client sends via SMS, MMS, or accessing WAP The alarm conditions. The mobile interface translates this request and send it to the platform through the alarm interface to the platform (step 16). If it is done through the web, the client through an internet connection connects to the Web server using a PC or mobile device. Through that interface sends the alarm conditions (step 17). He Web server translates this request and sends it to the platform. A Once you have all the data, the platform stores them. Yes it is necessary and the device allows it, the platform sends the alarm configuration data to the device through the control interface (step 18).

When an alarm is generated, if it has its origin  in a sensor / controller, this is the one that sends the data of the platform alarm (step 19). The alarm can also be generated on the same platform, when collecting data from some sensor and compare them with those established as an alarm condition (step 20). In either case the platform sends to the application, mobile device or web server (depending on access used by the client) the alarm data, and the interfaces or web server transfer information properly (steps 21, 22, and 23).

Claims (5)

1. System for the implementation of a platform that allows machines located in remote locations to be communicated with local control or measurement applications, on mobile networks, which allows applications to be created that integrate information and control of remote sensors, which are connected through mobile networks using mobile devices (PDA, mobile) or personal computers (PC), characterized in that, for its development, it requires the following elements:

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\ vtcortauna at least one network of sensors / controls that collect measurements of various types of parameters, or control certain mechanisms from the orders sent from the platform, through a mobile network, and that can receive orders that modify their behavior from the platform ;

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\ vtcortauna a platform that constitutes the center of the system and is composed of various hardware and software that allows the logical connection between sensors / controls, applications and services, and mobile devices and personal computers, offering various monitoring interfaces, used to receive data from sensors / controls, control, used to send orders to them, and alarm, used for the configuration and communication of alarms generated by the platform; It also offers monitoring and control interfaces for sensors and mobile access for mobile devices, storing the information sent from these sensors in databases;

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\ vtcortauna applications and services for each of the users, which the platform offers through the control, monitoring and alarm interfaces to obtain data from the sensors / controls, send orders and receive alarms;

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\ vtcortauna mobile devices that are used to access through the web interface or the mobile interface and to obtain the monitoring, control and generation information of the alarms of the sensor / controller network; I

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\ vtcortauna a personal computer (PC) to access through the web interface and to obtain the monitoring, control and alarm generation information of the sensor / controller network.

2. Method for implementing a platform that allows machines located in remote locations to be communicated with local control or measurement applications, on mobile networks, characterized in that it consists of the following stages or processes:

one)

acquisition of sensor data, by the platform for processing, through the interface of monitoring using the means offered by the mobile network, and storage in your databases;

2)

processing of the data collected from the sensors, by the platform to prepare them for phases later;

3)

access to data stored in the platform;

4)

Sending orders to sensors / controls through of the control interface, through the platform that collects these data, processes and adapts them, and sends them;

5)

configuration and alarm generation, as well as receiving notifications when conditions are met established.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the access to the data can be carried out:

to)

from applications through the interface of platform monitoring;

b)

from a user's devices through a SMS, MMS, or via WAP; I

C)

from the web, for users who do not have the resources needed to make applications for mobile devices.

4. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the sending of orders to the sensors / controls through the control interface, through the platform that collects this data, processes and adapts it, and sends it, can be carried out:

to)

from applications;

b)

from mobile devices, through an SMS, MMS, or via WAP; I

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C)

from the web, for users who do not have mobile devices capable of making applications, connecting to through an internet connection, using a computer personal or a mobile device.

5. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the configuration and generation of alarms, as well as receipt of notifications when the established conditions are met, can be carried out:

to)

from applications;

b)

from mobile devices, through an SMS, MMS, or accessing WAP the alarm conditions; I

C)

from the web, through an Internet connection, using a personal computer or a mobile device.