FR2761842A1 - Transmission of data from distributed automata - Google Patents

Abstract

Organisations carrying out large scale chemical or medical analyses at different locations (Z1,Z2) may send the resulting data to a central processing unit (SC) in two steps. At each location (Z1,Z2) the various analytical automata (A11-13, A21-23) are connected to radio terminals (HTU11-13,HTU21-23). The radio terminals send data to concentrators (C1,C2) via concentrator terminals (HCU1,HCU2) and the concentrators use a local high speed network (2) to deliver their information to a central processing station (SC) at another location (ZI). The automata radio terminals (HTU11-13,HTU21-23) work in time divisions between transmission to the concentrators and reception from the automata.

Description

"SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING OUTCOME DATA
OF A SET OF AUTOMATONS "
The present invention relates to a data transmission system from a set of automata.

It also relates to a transmission method implemented in this system.

 The transmission of data from chemical or medical analysis machines scattered in a laboratory or in a hospital center to a central treatment site located locally or remotely currently requires a significant infrastructure of cables and connectors which entails heavy investments in particular for the equipment of old establishments which were not designed with an initial integration of internal communication systems. The current digital data transmission systems proposed for the equipment of laboratories and hospital structures implement cable links and connection interfaces between the various controllers and data concentrators.

 The aim of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a data transmission system making it possible to equip laboratories and hospital structures at a lower cost than existing systems, while offering superior possibilities for the evolution of the system and for mobility of automata.

 This is obtained with a system for transmitting data from a set of machines, in particular analysis machines, to a central processing site, comprising first means for connecting these machines to local means for concentrating data, and second means for connecting these local data concentration means to a central data processing site.

 According to the invention, the first connection means comprise radio (radio) communication means comprising, for each automaton, radio communication terminal means connected to said automaton and local radio communication means connected to local data concentration means.

 Thanks to this radio transmission link, the wiring and connectivity problems are considerably simplified since it is sufficient to provide each PLC located in a room with a radio communication terminal module which is in data exchange relationship with a local radio communication module which is responsible for receiving data from all the PLCs present in this room.

 I1 follows from this a great ease of installation of new automata, a possibility of mobility of automata within a room and more generally within a structure, and open perspectives of evolution since it suffices to change PLC without having to change connectors.

 In a practical embodiment of a transmission system according to the invention, the radio communication terminal means are connected to the controllers by a serial link, for example of the RS232C type.

 The local data concentration means are preferably connected to the central processing site by a high speed network, such as an Ethernet network (registered trademark) at 100 Mbits / s.

 In the typical case of a structure comprising a set of zones each comprising a plurality of automata, each zone is provided with local means of data concentration associated with means for managing the various automata of the zone connected to these local means of data concentration.

 Each zone is advantageously equipped with a concentration and management station arranged to manage the data transmissions from the automata of said zone.

 According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for transmitting data from automata, in particular automata for chemical or medical analysis, implemented in the system according to the invention, this method comprising sequences of transmission of data from the automatons to data concentration stations and the sequences of transmission of the data processed in these data concentration stations to a central processing site.

 This method is characterized in that the data transmission sequences between the automata and data concentration stations include a phase of transmission by radio (radio). I1 also includes sequences for installing and configuring the radio communication terminal modules associated with each PLC.

 At each data concentration station, an identification is made of the radio communication terminal modules associated with each PLC connected by radio (radio) to this data concentration station.

 The transmission method can advantageously further comprise, at each data concentration station, a time division multiplex between the data transmitted by the various radio (radio) communication terminal modules associated with the automata connected to this data concentration station.

 It is advantageously possible to provide, at each data concentration station, synchronization between the different radio communication modules (radio) so that each radio communication terminal module has a time window in which it can transmit data. and, the rest of the time, scans messages coming either from the data concentration station with which it communicates, or from the automaton to which it is connected.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the description below. In the appended drawings given by way of nonlimiting examples:
- Figure 1 illustrates an example of setting
work of a transmission system according to
the invention;
- Figure 2 illustrates an implementation of
wireless connection boxes in a room
automatons;
- Figure 3 illustrates the organization of a
communication frame implemented in the method
transmission according to the invention; and
- Figure 4 shows the internal structure
of communication modules implemented in a
transmission system according to the invention.

 We will now describe an embodiment of a data transmission system according to the invention, with reference to FIG. 1.

The data transmission system 1 according to the invention is for example installed in a building occupied by a medical analysis laboratory comprising in particular several stages Z1, Z2 dedicated to analysis operations and a computer stage ZI housing a central processing site SC data. The laboratory rooms of each operational stage Z1, Z2 contain a set of automatic analyzers Aii-l3;
A21-23 each provided with a radio communication terminal module or box HTU11-13; HTU21-23 to which each Ai13 automaton; A21-23 is connected by a serial link LS. Each laboratory room Z1, Z2 is equipped with a station Cl, C2 for managing and concentrating data, in practice a microcomputer or any other equivalent equipment, which is connected via a serial link LS1 LS2 to a module or box. radio communication room HCU1 HCU2 designed to carry out communications with each of the HTU11-13 communication terminal modules; HTU21-23 connected to the various All-13 analysis machines; A21-23. The different C1 management and concentration stations,
C2 of the transmission system 1 according to the invention, which are connected by a high speed network 2 such as an Ethernet network at 100 Mbits / second to the central processing site SC, combine functions for managing the automata associated with it , concentration of data from these automata, validation of transmission and installation operations and configuration of new communication terminal modules. In practice, the data from each All-13 PLC; A21-23 are processed locally at the C1 management and concentration station,
C2 before being transmitted to the central processing site
SC. Specific processing and management software can be installed on these management and concentration stations. They are preferably developed in a standard operating environment and graphical interface, in order to allow the use of standard software.

 We will now describe a practical embodiment of terminal and local radio communication modules implemented in a transmission system according to the invention, with reference to Figures 2 and 4. In a laboratory room equipped with a set of stations analysis P1, Pi comprising automata Al, Ai, the radio communication terminal modules HTU1, HTUi connected by serial link to each of these automata Al, Ai constitute with the local communication module HCU connected by serial link to a management and concentration 210, a local radio communication subsystem 20. The management and concentration station 210 is in practice a microcomputer connected to a high speed network R.

Each HTU1 HTUi communication terminal module is in the form of a small autonomous unit comprising a standard serial connector to allow a serial link with the analysis automaton A1,
Ai with which it is associated, a radio reception / transmission antenna 11, and light indicators 31 arranged on a front face, as illustrated in FIG. 2. By way of nonlimiting exemplary embodiment, the external dimensions of a module communication terminal can be a length of 160mm, a width of 90mm and a maximum height of the box without antenna of 60mm. It is possible, for example, to provide light indicators to indicate that the communication terminal module is powered up, a data transmission state to the local communication module, and a state for receiving commands from this local communication module.

 The local communication module HCU can have an outer shape of substantially equivalent housing, and comprises two antennas 22, 23 arranged according to conventional techniques in radio communication.

The communication terminal modules HTU1, HTUi and the local communication module HCU have, with reference to FIG. 4, a conventional internal structure comprising, on the one hand, a serial reception function
RX-UART, a TX-Buffer, and a TX-Radio radio transmission function to the antenna, and, on the other hand, a RX-Radio radio reception function, an RX- reception buffer function Buffer, and a TX-UART serial transmission function to the analysis automaton. A coupler 15 allows the link between the antenna 11 and the RX-Radio reception and TX-Radio transmission circuits. A controller circuit provides control of radio transmission and reception functions, control of buffer functions, and control of serial reception and transmission functions. A serial interface RS232C circuit 13 ensures the transmission, by a connection cable 14, of the data between the communication module and the automaton or the management and concentration station. It should be noted that the abovementioned functions can be integrated into a single circuit produced for example in the form of an ASIC circuit or else be carried out in the form of several discrete circuits.

The choice of embodiment is directly linked to the quantity of communication terminal modules, the ASIC solutions being economically justified only for mass production of modules.

 A local HCU communication module can manage up to eight HTU communication terminal modules. A management and concentration station can therefore manage eight machines simultaneously.

By way of nonlimiting example, the local communication modules HCU and terminals HTU can have the following technical characteristics:
- frequency band: 433,100 to 434,700 Mhz,
- 16 channels of 100 Khz,
- visibility range: 500 m,
- PAR power: 10 mW (+10 dBm),
- FM modulation (GMSK),
- sensitivity: -110 dBm for a Signal / Noise ratio of 16 dB,
- dynamic: 90 dB,
- user interface: RS232C
- NRZ coding,
- source mode: asynchronous,
- enclosure supply: 220 V AC,
- consumption: 1 VA,
- operating temperature: -10 to + 500C.

 We will now describe a practical example of implementation of the transmission method according to the invention.

This process performs time multiplexing between eight modules. Each communication terminal module has 15.625 ms to send its message over the radio channel. A timing system synchronized between the communication modules allows each module to know the time window during which it must transmit its stored message to the recipient. During the rest of the time, the module scans the messages coming by the hertzian way or those coming from the user way.

 Radio messages, traveling at a higher speed (64 kB / s), are stored and played back at a programmed speed of the user equipment.

 The operations set during commissioning are saved in an EPROM memory. This operation is carried out by the RS232C interface by means of a microcomputer. A strap allows for example to place the module in configuration mode. This setting is made at 9600 baud, without parity, and a stop bit in ASCII mode.

A TC communication frame includes, with reference to Figure 3:
- a CSY synchronization field,
- a CSU supervision field,
- status bits of the SLI lines,
- a user message MU, and
- a break in RSY synchronization.

The configuration of the communication modules implemented in a transmission system according to the invention comprises the following elements:
- a network address, which makes it possible to recognize the elements of the same network, contained in the frame of each message,
- a module address, which makes it possible to recognize a module in a network,
- a source address, which identifies the network element as the message source,
- a recipient address, which identifies the destination module of the message,
- flow control, which validates the copying of line states from the source to the recipient,
- a channel number, which defines the working channel of the network,
- a transmission speed with the user equipment,
- a parity bit,
- a character length.

 The data transmission system according to the invention can be implemented in medical or chemical analysis laboratories, in research centers, in hospital centers and, more generally, in any establishment equipped with automatic devices.

 The automata concerned by the data transmission system according to the invention can be of any kind and of any function. They mainly include analysis machines but also measurement machines, in particular physical measurement machines, automated sensors, and more generally any automated equipment designed to deliver data intended to be collected and processed.

The system and method for transmitting data according to the invention are in practice associated with a general software for managing the connection of the automata, which in particular supports:
- the configuration of each PLC managed by a data concentration station,
- the configuration of a logical protocol (nature of the information) for each PLC communication,
- management of connected PLCs (addition, deletion),
- the management as a functional unit of a set of automata and a central computer system, and
- management and archiving of data within a connection database.

 Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, the aforementioned technical characteristics of the radio communication modules do not constitute a limitation for the invention. Likewise, the number of controllers that can be connected to a data management and concentration station can only be limited by practical considerations and technical and economic constraints.

Claims (11)

A21-23), radio communication terminal means (HTU11-13; HTU21-23) connected to said PLC (A11-13; A21-23) and local radio communication means (HCU1; HCU2) respectively connected to local communication means data concentration (Ci, C2).  CLAIMS 1. System (1) for transmitting data from a set of automatic machines (A11-13; A21-23), in particular automatic analysis machines, to a central processing site (SC), comprising first means to connect these automata (A11-13; A21-23) to local data concentration means (C1, C2), and second means (2) to connect these local data concentration means (Cl, C2) to the site central processing unit (SC), characterized in that the first connection means comprise radio (radio) communication means comprising, for each automaton (A11-13; 2. Transmission system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the radio communication terminal means (HTU11-13; HTU21-23) are connected to the automata (A11-13; A21-23) by a serial link. 3. Transmission system (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the local data concentration means (C1, C2) are connected to the central processing site (SC) by a high speed network (2). 4. Transmission system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, implemented in a structure comprising a set of zones (Zi, Z2) each comprising a plurality of automata (All-13; A21-23), characterized in that each zone (Zi, Z2) is provided with local data concentration means (Ci, C2) associated with means for managing the various automata (A11-13; A21-23) of said zone (Z1, Z2) connected to these local means of data concentration (C1, C2). 5. Transmission system (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that each zone (Z1, Z2) is equipped with a concentration and management station (C1, C2) arranged to manage the data transmissions from the automata (All-13; A21-23) of the said zone (Z1, Z2). 6. Method for transmitting data from automata (A11-13; A21-23), in particular automata for chemical or medical analysis, implemented in the system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, this process comprising data transmission sequences from the automata (A11-13; A21-23) to data concentration stations (C1, C2) and data transmission sequences processed in these data concentration stations (C1, C2) to a central processing site (SC), characterized in that the data transmission sequences between the machines (A11-13; A21-23) and the data concentration stations (C1, C2) include a phase of transmission by radio (radio). 7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises sequences for installing and configuring radio communication terminal modules (HTU11-13; HTU21-23) associated with each automaton (A11-13, A21-23). 8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises, at each data concentration station (C1, C2), an identification of the radio communication terminal modules (HTU11-13; HTU21-23) associated with each automaton (A11-13; A21-23) connected by radio (radio) to this data concentration station (Cl, C2). 9. Method according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that it further comprises, at each data concentration station (Ci, C2), a time multiplexing between the data transmitted by the different terminal modules radio communication (over-the-air) (HTU11-13; HTU21-23) associated with the automata (All-13; A21-23) connected to this data concentration station (Ci, C2). 10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises, at each data concentration station (Ci, C2), synchronization between the various radio (radio) communication terminal modules (HTU11-13 ; HTU21-23) so that each radio communication terminal module (HTU11-13; HTU21-23) has a time window in which it can transmit data and, for the rest of the time, scan messages coming either from the data concentration station (C1, C2) with which it communicates, that is to say of the automaton (All-13; A21-23) to which it is connected. 11. Method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized by a general software for managing the connection of the automata, which in particular supports:  - the configuration of each PLC managed by a data concentration station,  - the configuration of a logical communication protocol for each PLC,  - management of connected PLCs (addition, deletion),  - the management as a functional unit of a set of automata and a central computer system, and  - management and archiving of data within a connection database.