FR3057421A1 - NETWORK EQUIPMENT ALERT AND MAINTENANCE DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING THE SAME - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention proposes a device for alerting and maintaining (100) network equipment (21-22-23) of a network infrastructure (20) of a professional connected to network equipment (10) of a client. (1c) for transmitting a network signal According to the invention, the device comprises an alert and maintenance module (120) and an alert button (110), the module comprising: • a power supply (121); • A microcontroller (125); A first wireless transceiver (132), connected to the microcontroller (125), and capable of transmitting and receiving data over a LPWAN / LPLAN low power wireless network; the warning button (110) being programmed to control the transmission of an alert message automatically addressed to the customer service (31b) via an LPWAN network.

Description

057 421

59829 ® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

COURBEVOIE © Publication number:

(to be used only for reproduction orders)

©) National registration number

©) Int Cl ⁸ : H 04 L 12/24 (2017.01), H 04 L 29/06, G 08 B 1/08, G 06 Q 90/00

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

©) Date of filing: 11.10.16. (30) Priority: © Applicant (s): CORREIA MANUEL - FR. ©) Inventor (s): CORREIA MANUEL. @) Date of public availability of the request: 04/13/18 Bulletin 18/15. (56) List of documents cited in the preliminary search report: See the end of this brochure (© References to other related national documents: ©) Holder (s): CORREIA MANUEL. ©) Extension request (s): @) Agent (s): BE LEADER INNOVATION.

/ G DEVICE FOR ALERTING AND MAINTAINING NETWORK EQUIPMENT, AND IMPLEMENTATION METHOD.

FR 3 057 421 - A1 _ The invention provides an alert and maintenance device (100) for network equipment (21-22-23) of a network infrastructure (20) of a professional connected to network equipment (10) of a client (1c) to transmit a network signal

According to the invention, the device comprises an alert and maintenance module (120) and an alert button (110), the module comprising:

An electrical supply (121);

A microcontroller (125);

A first wireless transmitter / receiver (132), connected to the microcontroller (125), and capable of transmitting and receiving data over a low power wireless network LPWAN / LPLAN;

the alert button (110) being programmed to command the emission of an alert message automatically addressed to customer service (31b) via an LPWAN network.

NETWORK EQUIPMENT ALERT AND MAINTENANCE DEVICE, AND IMPLEMENTATION METHOD.

The invention relates to the field of communication networks, and more specifically to the administration and maintenance of communication network equipment.

In particular, the invention relates to a device for alerting and maintaining network equipment of a professional network infrastructure, such as an Internet and / or telephone service provider (hereinafter ISP) connected to customer service of a professional network management center, the network infrastructure being connected, via a router and a communication network, such as an ATM, ETHERNET, FIBER OPTIC or PSTN TELEPHONE network, to network equipment a client to transmit a network signal.

The invention also relates to an implementation method for the remote maintenance by the ISP of the network equipment of the network infrastructure.

The current architecture of an ISP network is illustrated in Figure 1 which illustrates the state of the art.

The network equipment 1 0 of clients 1 a and 1 b (for example a server 10) are connected to the network management center 30 of the ISP via the network infrastructure 20 of the ISP comprising a router 21 (or a CPE, for Customer-premises equipment in English) and a communication network 23 such as an ATM, ETHERNET, FIBER OPTIC or TELEPHONE PSTN network. Generally, the router 21 belongs to the ISP which lends it to the client as part of its Internet / telephone subscription to allow the client to connect its equipment 10 to the ISP network.

The router 21 is connected by wired connection to a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer, called “DSLAM”, 22 itself connected to the network management center 30 of the ISP by the communication network 23.

When ISP customers la-lb (general public or business) encounter a network signal problem (electrical for a copper link, or optical for a fiber optic link), they request the customer services 31a of the network management center 30 of the ISP, either by telephone 3 through the telephone network 4, or by Internet.

Telephone support, illustrated in FIG. 1, requires a significant infrastructure of customer service 31a comprising interlocutors of different skill levels: low-level interlocutors who ask basic questions to the customer, before putting him in contact with interlocutors of high technical level if the technical problem could not be resolved.

Telephone support is expensive for ISPs.

In the event that a high-level interlocutor is asked, the latter is not yet aware of certain technical data which he must request from the client, who is generally not able to respond. It may then be necessary to dispatch a technician to the site who must carry out the diagnosis and, if necessary, the repair.

This whole chain of information is also long, and the customer often has to wait between his different interlocutors.

Some customer services may offer the customer to be called back so that they do not waste time, but this call management has a significant cost. This is all the more true when the customer has a limited time support contract for which the operator must resolve the problem very quickly.

In order to shorten the processing time, online assistance is also often offered. This assistance consists in enabling the customer to contact technical support via a Web interface.

However, such assistance is not available if the Internet connection is broken or faulty, which is often the cause of the assistance request.

DARTY® has already offered, in another area, a physical button for automatic customer service calls to start up an appliance or to troubleshoot household appliances. Once installed, this button can be activated by the customer who needs help. This activation generates a help request message which is transmitted over the Internet to customer service. Customer service then calls the customer back to try to resolve the problem over the phone.

The main disadvantage of this button is that its installation is very complex: the customer must access the management menu of his Internet box (or router, or "Internet box" according to the trade name generally devoted to this type of material constituting the network termination equipment that an ISP provides to its subscribers) to pair the button by wifi to said box, then it must configure it (information of the customer identifier in particular) via a computer connected to the Internet box.

This installation requires a certain skill in terms of network that people interested in this type of button and service do not have.

Another disadvantage of this button is that the customer service does not have any technical information before calling the customer: it does not know which appliance is concerned, nor the nature of the problem (breakdown, new installation).

Finally, this button does not work when the Internet connection is cut. It is then necessary for the customer to find the telephone number for customer service, then to reach the right contact by telephone after numerous selection steps on the customer service automatic responder.

It is therefore desirable to allow the customer to very simply notify the ISP of a problem (for example absence of Internet connection or absence of telephone signal), and to allow the ISP to have automatic and easy access to certain data without having to notify the customer or without having to ask him to perform certain technical actions to obtain this data.

However, simplifying the experience of both while achieving the same technical result, or even improving it, is very complex and requires a specific architecture of the communication network between the two actors.

The present invention aims to allow rapid, efficient and inexpensive technical assistance for the operator, while assuring the customer of a quick and very simple service for him, even in the event of a break in the Internet or telephone link, it that is to say, not asking him to contact the operator by telephone or the Internet, or any particular technical skill, or even basic intervention on the equipment, or to spend time with technical assistance .

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a solution compatible with existing installations, that is to say not requiring a major modification of the existing infrastructure (creation of communication lines for example). The objective is also to offer a compact solution so as not to have to rearrange existing infrastructure, and to be able to quickly distribute the solution to customers.

To this end, the invention proposes to remove constraints from the client and the ISP, and to group these constraints in a compact device, arranged between the network equipment belonging to the client and the network equipment belonging to the ISP, and designed to perform, automatically and in a determined sequence, certain technical tasks currently devolved to the customer and the operator's customer service.

Thus, the invention proposes an electronic device to be easily integrated into the network infrastructure of the ISP, capable of reaching customer service without the user needing to establish this contact (finding and dialing a telephone number, sending an electronic message or go to the operator's website), capable of providing the ISP with network signal diagnostic information within the network infrastructure, and capable of performing maintenance operations on instructions received from customer service without the customer needing to intervene.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for alerting and maintaining network equipment of a professional network infrastructure connected to a customer service of a professional network management center, the network infrastructure. being connected, via a router and a communication network, to customer network equipment to transmit a network signal, the device being characterized in that it comprises an alert and maintenance module and an alert button , the module comprising:

• An electrical supply intended to be connected to the mains, a female electrical outlet connected to the electrical supply and intended for the electrical connection of the router, and to a battery;

• A microcontroller connected to the power supply and to the battery by a relay, and comprising a processor, an internal clock, a memory for storing at least one computer program, a memory for storing data;

ό • A first wireless transmitter / receiver, connected to the microcontroller, and capable of transmitting and receiving data on a wireless wide area network with low energy consumption, known as “LPWAN” and / or on a wireless local area network with low energy consumption, known as “LPLAN”;

• An Ethernet port connected to the microcontroller and intended to connect the alert and maintenance module to the customer's router;

the alert button being programmed to command the emission of an alert message automatically addressed to customer service via an LPWAN network.

According to particular embodiments:

• the alert button can be a button independent of the alert and maintenance module;

• the alert button can be carried by a box comprising an actuatable button, a battery, a microcontroller, a wireless transmitter capable of transmitting via an LPWAN network, the microcontroller of the alert button being programmed to transmit, by l wireless transmitter and via an LPWAN network, an alert message intended for customer service, when the button is pressed, the microcontroller of the alert and maintenance module being programmed to execute a command to diagnose the network signal within network infrastructure, received from customer service, by the first wireless transceiver via an LPWAN network;

The button can be a virtual button on a touch interface of a cordless telephone device, programmed to transmit, via a cordless telephone network and / or via a radio network and / or via an LPWAN / LPLAN network, a message of alert sent to customer service when the virtual button is selected on the interface, the microcontroller of the alert and maintenance module being programmed to transmit to customer service, by the module's first wireless transmitter / receiver via an LPWAN network, network signal diagnostic data within the network infrastructure;

• the alert button can be carried by a box comprising an actuable button, a battery, a microcontroller, a wireless transmitter capable of transmitting via a LPLAN network, the microcontroller of the alert button being programmed to transmit, by the wireless transmitter and via an LPLAN network, an alert message to the first wireless transmitter / receiver of the alert and maintenance module, when the button is pressed, and in which the microcontroller of the alert module and is programmed to send, by the first wireless transceiver, the alert message to customer service via an LPWAN network, the microcontroller of the alert and maintenance module also being programmed to transmit, with the message alert, diagnostic data of the network signal within the network infrastructure;

• the button can be an actuatable button incorporated into the alert and maintenance module and linked to the module microcontroller, said microcontroller being programmed to send, by the first wireless transmitter and via an LPWAN network, an alert message when the button is pressed, and to transmit, with the alert message, diagnostic data of the network signal within the network infrastructure;

• the microcontroller of the alert and maintenance module can be programmed:

to be able to diagnose the network signal within the professional network infrastructure including:

o A time stamp of power outages from the module and the router and a storage of time stamp data;

o A Ping command to a so-called "core network" equipment, and / or to a predetermined website and / or to the customer's router, and a recording of the results of the Ping command; and to transmit the result of the diagnosis via the first wireless transmitter / receiver LPWAN / LPLAN of the module to customer service;

• the microcontroller of the alert and maintenance module can be programmed:

to be able to diagnose the network signal within the professional network infrastructure including:

o A time stamp of power outages and a storage of time stamp data;

o A Ping command to a so-called "core network" equipment, and / or to a predetermined website and / or to the customer's router, and a recording of the results of the Ping command; to store and execute commands received by the module's first wireless LPWAN / LPLAN transceiver and issued by customer service;

and for transmitting the result of the diagnosis and of the commands via the first wireless transmitter / receiver (132) LPWAN / LPLAN of the module to the customer service;

• the customer's router being connected to a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer, called “DSLAM”, the microcontroller of the alert and maintenance module can be programmed to perform a signal continuity check command network between the router at the customer and the DSLAM port;

• the microcontroller of the alert and maintenance module can be programmed to time stamp power outages and Ping command at predetermined intervals, and to store the latest time stamping and Ping command data for transmission in at the same time as an alert message for customer service;

• the microcontroller of the alert and maintenance module can be programmed to send automatically, by the first wireless transmitter / receiver and via an LPWAN network, an alert message to the customer service in the event of a power failure of the module;

• the router can be fitted with a power supply connected to the female electrical socket of the alert and maintenance module;

• the microcontroller of the alert and maintenance module may be able to control the relay to cut and then restore the electrical current in the female electrical socket of the module;

• the customer's router being connected to a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer, called "DSLAM", by a DSLAM port, the microcontroller of the alert and maintenance module can be programmed to request from the center network management professional verification and restart of the DSLAM port;

• the microcontroller of the alert and maintenance module can be connected, in addition, to a second wireless transmitter / receiver associated with a SIM card, capable of transmitting and receiving data via a wireless telephone network such as GSM , GPRS, UMTS or LTE, the microcontroller of the alert and maintenance module being programmed to execute a complete maintenance command received from customer service by the second wireless transmitter / receiver via the telephone network; and / or • the alert and maintenance module can also include at least one LED, the microcontroller of the alert and maintenance module (1 20-220) being programmed to power said at least one LED according to a coverage of the LPWAN network, and / or a state of advancement of the alert message and / or a state of advancement of the diagnosis and / or a state of advancement of maintenance.

The invention also relates to a method for maintaining network equipment of a professional network infrastructure provided with a previous alert and maintenance device, the professional network infrastructure being connected to network equipment of '' a client (the) for transmitting a network signal, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

(a) Receive an alert message from the alert and maintenance system, via an LPWAN network;

(b) Obtain diagnostic data of the network signal carried out by the alert and maintenance module;

(c) Transmit to the alert and maintenance module maintenance commands, via the LPWAN network, according to the diagnostic information of the network signal obtained in the previous step;

(d) Transmit to the customer the result of the maintenance following his alert message via the alert button.

According to particular embodiments:

• step (a) can consist in receiving an alert message directly from the alert button, and via an LPWAN / LPLAN network or via a wireless telephone network or via a radio network, and step (b ) may consist of transmitting, via an LPWAN network, a command to diagnose the network signal to the alert and maintenance module and receiving diagnostic information of the network signal from the alert and maintenance module via the network LPWAN;

• steps (a) and (b) can be carried out at the same time, the alert message transmitted by the alert and maintenance module being accompanied by diagnostic information of the network signal; and / or • the maintenance commands transmitted in step (c) to the alert and maintenance module, can be taken from:

A request to check the continuity of the network signal between the router at the customer and the DSLAM port and to initialize the DSLAM port on which the customer's router is connected, addressed to dedicated core network equipment of the professional network management center .

A client authentication verification / initialization command on a “service access” device in the professional network infrastructure;

A command to reset the router electrically, consisting in commanding, at the relay of the module, to cut the power supply to the router for a determined period, then to restore the power supply to the router.

Other characteristics of the invention will be set out in the detailed description below, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which respectively represent:

Figure 1, a schematic view of a current architecture of a network of an Internet service provider already commented;

FIG. 2, a schematic view of a network architecture from a client to the Internet or telephony access provider, equipped with a first embodiment of an alert and maintenance device according to the invention;

Ια Figure 3, a schematic plan view of the architecture of an alert and maintenance module equipping an alert and maintenance device according to the invention;

FIG. 4, a schematic plan view of the architecture of an alert button fitted to an alert and maintenance device according to the invention; Figure 5, a schematic perspective view of an example of implementation of the second embodiment of the alert and maintenance device according to the invention;

FIG. 6, a schematic view of a network architecture from a client to the Internet or telephony access provider, equipped with a second embodiment of an alert and maintenance device according to the invention;

Figure 7, a schematic view of a first embodiment of an alert and maintenance method according to the invention; and FIG. 8, a schematic view of a second embodiment of an alert and maintenance method according to the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a network architecture from an ISP (Internet service provider or telephony) 2 to a client le. Only one customer has been represented in FIG. 2 for the sake of clarity.

The client's network equipment includes it for example a server 10 connected to the network management center 30 of the ISP via the network infrastructure 20 of the ISP comprising a router 21 and a communication network 23 such as an ATM, ETHERNET, FIBER OPTIC network or PSTN TELEPHONE.

The router 21 is connected by wired connection to a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer, called “DSLAM”, 22 itself connected to the network management center 30 of the ISP by the communication network 23.

Unlike the architecture known and illustrated in FIG. 1, the network infrastructure 20 is equipped with a first embodiment of an alert and / or maintenance device 100 according to the invention, comprising a button d alert 1 10 and / or an alert and maintenance module 120.

According to the invention, the module 120, illustrated in more detail in FIG. 3, comprises a box provided with an electrical supply 121 intended to be connected to the mains, a female electrical outlet 122 connected to the electrical supply 121 and intended for the electrical connection of the router 21, and to a battery 123.

The electrical supply 121 and the battery 123 are connected to a relay 124, itself connected to a microcontroller 125.

The battery 123 is connected to the power supply 121 by a power manager 126 capable of maintaining the charge of the battery when the current passes through the power supply 1 21, and of supplying the microcontroller, via the relay, when the current no longer goes through the power supply 121, for example during a power failure. The power manager 126 is also connected to the other components of the module 120 to supply them with energy.

The microcontroller 125 comprises a processor 127, an internal clock 128 a memory 129 for storing at least one computer program, and a memory 130 for storing data. Advantageously, the microcontroller can comprise a component called "Watchdog" 131, which is a hardware and software device which makes it possible to protect the module 120 against accidental blockages of the microprocessor.

The module 120 also includes a first wireless transmitter / receiver 132, connected to the microcontroller 125, and capable of transmitting and receiving data over a wireless wide area network with low energy consumption, called "LPWAN" and / or over a network wireless local low energy consumption, called "LPLAN".

Advantageously, the transceiver 132 is capable of transmitting and receiving according to the LoRa ™ or UNB Sigfox ™ communication protocols which are radio protocols around the 868 MHz band.

These protocols are low speed (up to 1 kbit / s), long range (up to 30 km), and very energy efficient (a button battery is enough to power the transmitter / receiver for several years).

The use of these protocols is particularly useful in the module according to the invention, since they make it possible to communicate with the customer service of the FAI equipped accordingly (LPWAN transmitter / receiver, dedicated servers) even in the absence of a telephone network and Internet connection. Low speed is not a problem since very little information is transmitted.

The module according to the invention also includes an Ethernet port 133 connected to the microcontroller 125 by a circuit 134 (layer 4 of the OSI model) and intended to connect the alert and maintenance module 120 to the router 21. Thus, the module 120 is connected to the network infrastructure 20 of the ISP via the router 21, which makes it possible to carry out certain diagnoses and certain maintenance remotely, as will be described later.

The alert and maintenance module 120 may also include at least one LED 135, the microcontroller 125 being programmed to power at least one of the LEDs 1 35 as a function of the progress of the alert message, coverage of the LPWAN network, etc. The user can then see if the alert message is gone, if it has been received, if it is being processed, or even if it has already been processed by the customer service 31b.

By the visual state of the LED (s), the user can check the proper functioning and sending of his request, the coverage of the LPLAN / LPWAN network, the incident creation request, etc.

The module 120 can also include actuatable buttons 1 36, such as a pairing button with the button 1 1 0, a power-on button, etc.

In addition to the module 120, the alert and maintenance device according to the invention comprises an alert button 110 programmed to order the emission of an alert message automatically addressed to the customer service 31b via an LPWAN network.

Two embodiments of the alert and maintenance device according to the invention are possible.

In a first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the alert button 110 is a button independent of the alert and maintenance module 120.

This configuration allows two different operating modes, the first illustrated by the arrow F1 and the second illustrated by the arrow F2, the details of which will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. In general, the first operating mode , materialized by the arrow Fl, consists in transmitting an alert message directly to the ISP customer service 31b when the button 110 is pressed. The second operating mode, materialized by the arrow F2, consists in sending an activation command to the module 120, when the button is paired with the module and actuated by the user, the module 120 then itself sending the message d alert to ISP customer service 31b.

The structure of an independent button 110 is illustrated in FIG. 4.

It comprises a box 1 1 0a provided with an actuatable button 1 1 8 for triggering the alert, a battery 111, typically batteries, and a

Ιό 1 1 2 power manager connected to the other components of the 1 1 0 button to supply them with energy.

The button also comprises a microcontroller 1 1 3 provided with a processor 1 14, with a memory 1 15 for storing at least one computer program, and, advantageously, with a “watchdog” component 110.

The button 1 10 also includes a wireless transmitter 1 17, connected to the microcontroller 1 1 3.

In a first variant, the transmitter 113 is capable of transmitting data over an LPWAN network (first operating mode according to the arrow F1 in FIG. 2). In a second variant, the transmitter 1 1 3 is capable of transmitting data over a LPLAN network (second operating mode according to arrow F2 in FIG. 2).

Advantageously, the transmitter 117 is designed to transmit according to the LoRa ™ or UNB Sigfox ™ communication protocols.

In the first variant (first operating mode), the microcontroller 1 1 3 is programmed to send, via the wireless transmitter 117 and an LPWAN network, an alert message directly to customer service 31 b, when the button is activated. The diagnosis of the network signal within the network infrastructure by the module 120 will be carried out after the emission of the alert message, when the module 120 has received from customer service 31b (arrow F3), via the LPWAN network, a diagnostic command executable by the microcontroller 125 of the alert and maintenance module 120. The module will then transmit the diagnostic data to customer service 31b via the wireless transmitter 117 and the LPWAN network (arrow F4).

In the second operating mode, the microcontroller 1 1 3 is programmed to transmit, by the wireless transmitter 117 and via a LPLAN network (arrow F2), an alert message intended for the first wireless transmitter / receiver 132 of the alert and maintenance module 120, when the button is pressed. The microcontroller 125 of the alert and maintenance module 120 is programmed to send, by the first wireless transmitter / receiver 132, the alert message to the customer service 31b via an LPWAN network (arrow F4), and to transmit , with the alert message, diagnostic data of the network signal within the network infrastructure.

The button 110 can also include other actuatable buttons, such as a pairing button with the module 120.

It can also include one or more LEDs 119 making it possible to verify the correct operation and the sending of its request, by the visual state of the LED or LEDs. For example, the LEDs can indicate LPLAN / LPWAN network coverage, request for incident creation etc.

In addition, as the alert button 110 is independent of the module 120, it is possible to install the button 110, for example, in office B (see FIG. 5) of a person responsible for the customer's IT department and the module 120 in the technical room where the router (CPE) 21 and the server 10 of the customer's network installation are located.

Advantageously, the button 110 can have a size similar to a car remote control, and it can be installed up to 50 meters around the telephony and fixed internet equipment located in the technical room.

In addition to its great autonomy, the advantage of using LPWAN / LPLAN is its penetrating power, especially in buried premises or in concrete structures. It is therefore possible to install the alert and maintenance device according to the invention in places where other wireless networks do not pass, which is often the case for technical premises hosting servers and routers.

In an embodiment not illustrated, the button 1 1 0 can be a virtual button on a touch interface of a cordless telephone device, programmed to transmit, via a cordless telephone network, and / or via a radio network (Wifi ) and / or via an LPWAN / LPLAN network, an alert message addressed to customer service 31 b when the virtual button is selected on the interface. Such a button operates according to the first operating mode materialized by the arrow F1.

In a second embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 6, the alert and maintenance device 200 according to the invention comprises an alert button 21 0 incorporated in the housing of the alert and maintenance module 220.

An actuatable button 210 is then directly connected by wiring to the microcontroller 125 of the module, said microcontroller being programmed to transmit, by the first wireless transmitter and via the LPWAN network (arrow F5), an alert message when the button 210 is actuated. , and to transmit, with the alert message, diagnostic data of the network signal within the network infrastructure.

According to the invention, the microcontroller 125 of the alert and maintenance module 1 20-220 is programmed:

to be able to diagnose the network signal within the network infrastructure comprising at least:

o Timestamping of power outages from module 120, 220 and router 21 and storage of timestamp data;

o A Ping command to a so-called “core network” equipment, and / or to a predetermined website and / or to the router 21 at the customer, and a recording of the results of the Ping command;

and to transmit the result of the diagnosis via the first wireless transmitter / receiver LPWAN / LPLAN 132 to customer service 31b (arrows F4-F5).

The Ping command to the “core network” equipment is advantageously made to an LNS server (for L2TP Network Server in English) from the ISP. This command is used to test the network signal including for clients which are not connected to the Internet.

The Ping command to a website is made, for example, to the Google® site. It is used to test the client's Internet access.

Of course, other network commands can be performed according to the needs of the ISP and the settings of the alert and maintenance module.

The microcontroller 125 of the module 120-220 can be programmed to time stamp the power outages and the Ping command at predetermined intervals, and to store the latest time stamp and Ping command data for transmission at the same time as '' an alert message intended for customer service 31b (second operating mode) or at the request of customer service 31b (first operating mode).

Thus, the transmission of the diagnostic data is done either concomitantly with the alert message (second operating mode; arrow F2-F4), or on command received by the first wireless transmitter / receiver LPWAN / LPLAN and sent by the service. client 31b (first operating mode; arrows F1-F3). In this case, the microcontroller 125 of the alert and maintenance module 120 is also programmed to store and execute commands received by the first wireless transmitter / receiver LPWAN / LPLAN 1 32 and sent by the customer service 31 b (arrows F3 -F6);

The alert message contains an identifier of the button (serial number, for example) and / or of the client (client number), and in the second operating mode of the network signal diagnostic data within the network infrastructure .

The mere receipt of data from the alert and maintenance system can be considered a request for assistance. However, it is preferable to add an alert message identifier to the identifier, which will make it possible to differentiate this alert message from any data subsequently received at the request of ISP customer service 31b (arrow F6) .

Once the diagnostic information has been received (arrows F4-F5), the ISP customer service 31b can decide on new tests to be performed.

Thanks to the module 120-220 according to the invention, it can transmit simple commands to the microcontroller 125 by the LPWAN network (arrows F3-F6).

Advantageously, the microcontroller 125 of the alert and maintenance module 120-220 is programmed to carry out a command to verify continuity of the network signal between the router 21 at the customer and the DSLAM port.

Advantageously, the microcontroller can be programmed to request from the professional network management center 30 a verification and a restart of the DSLAM port.

In an advantageous embodiment, the microcontroller 125 of the alert and maintenance module is programmed to automatically send, by the first wireless transmitter / receiver 1332 and via an LPWAN network, an alert message to the customer service 31b in the event of a power supply interruption to the module. This is allowed by the presence of the battery. Preferably, the alert message also includes the data of the last diagnosis carried out at predetermined intervals. This embodiment is compatible with the two operating modes described above.

Thus the ISP is notified immediately in the event of a breakdown and can alert its client, by SMS for example, that it is informed of the breakdown and that the electrical supply to the installation must be checked.

The customer service 31b can then send commands to the module 120-220 via the LPWAN network, and thanks to the battery which keeps it on, to check, when the power is restored, that the network installation of the customer has correctly restarted. This will be enabled in particular by the Ping command to router 21, the backbone router or a website.

The alert and maintenance device according to the invention therefore allows remote maintenance, even in the absence of an Internet or telephone link to the customer's ISP.

According to the invention, the router is connected not to the mains but to the electrical socket 122 of the alert and maintenance module, the latter itself being connected to the mains by its electrical supply 121.

Thanks to the presence of the relay 124 controlled by the microcontroller 125 and arranged between the electrical supply 121 and the socket 1 22, the ISP customer service 31b can send a command to the microcontroller 125 to cut and then restore the electrical current in the socket female electrical 122 of module 120-220, possibly with a predefined cut-off time.

Thus, the ISP's customer service 31b can perform basic technical actions remotely, including in the absence of an Internet or telephone link, without involving the customer. The latter therefore no longer has to move to the technical room, identify the router 21 among all the elements of the network installation, disconnect it and reconnect it.

It also doesn’t have to do Ping or other network commands, nor find and give information about power outages or micro-cuts, etc.

These actions are carried out automatically by the alert and maintenance device according to the invention and by high-level technical contacts, without the client having to do anything other than activate the button. 'alert.

Low-level contacts who ask the customer basic questions are therefore no longer necessary, which reduces customer service costs 31 b and speeds up maintenance.

According to an embodiment of the invention not illustrated, the module can advantageously also include a second wireless transmitter / receiver associated with a SIM card, and capable of transmitting and receiving data via a GSM, GPRS wireless telephone network , UMTS or LTE and their different versions.

This second wireless transmitter / receiver is connected to the microcontroller 125 which is then programmed to execute a complete maintenance command received from the customer service 31b by the second wireless transmitter / receiver via the telephone network.

In fact, unlike the LPWAN network, the telephone network is capable of transporting a large quantity of data very quickly, complete maintenance at a distance requiring the ability to rapidly transport a large quantity of data. This complete maintenance can be carried out after the basic maintenance described above.

Basic maintenance orders can easily be routed through the LPWAN network.

FIG. 7 illustrates the operating tree of a first embodiment of an alert and maintenance method according to the invention, in which the button 1 1 0 is independent of the module and operates according to the first operating mode materialized by the arrow Fl.

In step 1000, the client's computer system is out of service. The user then actuates the alert button 110, which sends an alert message via an LPWAN network (or a wireless telephone network if the button is a virtual button in an application for smartphone or tablet) to customer service 31 b of the ISP in step 1 001. An incident ticket is then created by the customer service 31 b.

In step 1002, the ISP's customer service 31b then sends a diagnostic command to the module 120 via the LPWAN network to obtain diagnostic data of the network signal within the network infrastructure.

In step 1 003, the module checks whether the current is cut. If this is the case, the module transmits the information to the customer service 31b of the ISP which sends an SMS to the customer in step 1004 so that the latter verifies the state of its electrical supply.

Alternatively and optionally, the microcontroller 125 of the module 120 can be programmed to automatically detect a power failure (the customer's computer system is out of service) in step 1003, which directly sends an alert message to the customer service 31b of the ISP in step 1 001. The latter can then send the SMS directly to the customer in step 1 004 so that he can check the status of his electrical supply.

If the power supply is restored, the system restarts by itself (router 21, server 1 0) and becomes operational again.

If the system is still not operational, or if the power supply was not in question, the module 120 diagnoses the network signal within the network infrastructure (time stamping of power outages, network commands such as: Ping to check access to the CPE (router 21), access to the LNS or WAN (Google), etc. in step 1005.

The module then sends the diagnostic data, in step

1006, at the ISP customer service 31b where a technician will be able to consult the results: absence / presence of mains supply, Ping to the CPE, Ping to Google or LNS, etc.

The customer service 31b then transmits to the module 120, at step

1007, maintenance commands, via the LPWAN network, according to the diagnostic information obtained in the previous step.

The command consists in starting by checking the continuity of the network signal between the router 21 at the customer and the DSLAM port. If the continuity of the network signal is good, the command also consists in verifying / resetting the authentication of the client on access equipment to the service of the network infrastructure of the ISP (RADIUS server).

If these checks note the continuity of the network signal, the ISP customer service 31b contacts the customer in step 1008 to inform them of the result of the maintenance following their alert message via the alert button.

If these checks note the break in network signal continuity (step 1009), a request is sent by the alert and maintenance module 120-220 to a dedicated core network equipment of the network management center 30 to reset the DSLAM port. in step 1010. Once this DSLAM port has been reset, the module 1 20-220 checks, in step 1 01 1, the continuity of the network signal between the router 21 at the customer and the DSLAM port. If the continuity of the network signal is good, the command also consists in verifying / resetting the authentication of the client on access equipment to the service of the network infrastructure of the ISP (RADIUS server).

If these resets restore network signal continuity, the ISP customer service 31b contacts the customer in step 1012 to inform them of the success of the maintenance following their alert message via the alert button.

If these resets are unsuccessful and do not restore network signal continuity (step 1013), the command performs an electrical reset of the router in step 1014, consisting in commanding the relay 124 of the module 120-220 to cut the power supply to the router 21 for a specified period of time, then restore power to router 21.

The command then checks, in step 1015, the continuity of the network signal between the router 21 at the customer and the DSLAM port. If the continuity of the network signal is good, the command also consists in verifying / resetting the authentication of the client on access equipment to the service of the network infrastructure of the ISP (RADIUS server).

If these resets reestablish the connection, the ISP customer service 31b contacts the customer in step 1016 to inform them of the success of the maintenance following their alert message via the alert button.

If these resets are unsuccessful and do not reestablish the connection (step 1,017), the result is transmitted via the LPWAN network to the ISP customer service 31b, who then contacts the customer (by telephone, by SMS, or by email ) to inform him of the negative maintenance result following his alert message via the alert button, and to send a technician to the site.

Figure 8 illustrates the operating tree of a second embodiment of an alert and maintenance method according to the invention, in which the button 1 1 0 is independent of the module and operates according to the second operating mode materialized by arrow F2.

In step 2000, the client's computer system is out of service. The user then actuates the alert button 110, which sends, in step 2001, via the LPLAN network, a command to the module 120 in order to transmit an alert message to the ISP customer service 31b. This message also includes diagnostic information from the diagnostic performed by the module, either at the command of the alert button, or previously at predefined intervals.

Thus, the alert message transmitted by the alert and maintenance module is accompanied by diagnostic information immediately available to the ISP customer service 31b.

Steps 2003 to 2018 are identical to steps 1003 to 1018 of the first embodiment.

From the customer's point of view, the system is very simple since he just has to activate his alert button, and he receives either a problem resolution message or a call from a technician for an appointment. you to solve his problem. He does not need to find the contact details for customer service 31b, nor to wait on the phone, nor to perform technical actions that he cannot control.

From the point of view of the ISP's customer service 31b, the system is also very simple since it has all the diagnostic and maintenance data which can be processed directly by highly technical personnel. It also allows customer service 31b to perform remote maintenance (reset, configuration), including an electrical reset of the router (CPE) 21.

In the second embodiment in which the button communicates via the LPLAN network with the module to send the alert message via the LPWAN network, a step of pairing the button and the module is necessary.

It can be done before delivery of the equipment to the customer.

It can also be made by the customer when he receives the alert and maintenance device according to the invention. To this end, the button and the module each advantageously have a pairing button. This is done by communicating to the module a button identifier, for example the button serial number. Thus, during the subsequent actuation of the button, the signal sent to the module via the LPLAN network comprising this identifier, the module recognizes the button and performs the actions programmed in the microcontroller 125.

The customer service 31b also has a database associating the identifier of the buttons with each customer. Thus, when it receives an alert message, either from the button directly (first operating mode), or through a module (second operating mode), the customer service 31b can ensure that identity of the client, his authorization to use this service, etc.

The alert and maintenance device according to the invention therefore allows:

tracing power outages, and caching the time stamp; remote shutdown and electrical restart of the CPEs (router 21); network signal diagnostics within the network infrastructure, on the client LAN and / or on the WAN;

creating incident tickets independently.

It facilitates access to technical services in the event of breakdown or degradation of Fixed or Mobile access, with the guarantee of a rapid recall of the services requested.

The alert and maintenance device according to the invention makes it possible to enhance the first contact of the customer with the technician, thanks to an upstream and immediate recognition of the customer, of his equipment and of the malfunctions encountered.

It also makes it possible to limit the customer's efforts in resolving his incident by using the remote reset possibilities of the equipment.

It is also possible to ensure permanent supervision of the equipment, thanks to the periodic reception of technical data, and to initiate proactive and preventive actions thanks to the detection of equipment malfunction.

The 120-220 module can be incorporated in a specific housing, which allows to equip existing installations.

Alternatively, the 120-220 module can be incorporated directly into the router or Internet access box provided by the ISP to its customer. In this case, the power supply cable must be made to allow the microcontroller to control the relay to cut and then restore the electrical current in the components of the router to allow the router to restart.

Claims (20)

1. Device for alerting and maintaining (100) network equipment (21-22-23) of a network infrastructure (20) of a professional connected to a customer service (31b) of a management center network (30) of the professional, the equipment being connected, via a router (21) and a communication network (23), to network equipment (1 0) of a client (1 c) for transmitting a network signal, characterized in that the device comprises an alert and maintenance module (120, 220) and an alert button (110, 210), the module comprising: • an electrical supply (121) intended to be connected to the mains, a female electrical outlet (122) connected to the electrical supply (121) and intended for the electrical connection of the router (21), and to a battery (12) ; • A microcontroller (125) connected to the power supply (121) and to the battery (123) by a relay (124), and comprising a processor (127), an internal clock (128), a memory (129) for storing at least one computer program, a memory (130) for storing data; • A first wireless transmitter / receiver (132), connected to the microcontroller (1 25), and capable of transmitting and receiving data on a wide wireless network with low energy consumption, called "LPWAN" and / or on a wireless local area network with low energy consumption, called "LPLAN"; • An Ethernet port (1 33) connected to the microcontroller (1 25) and intended to connect the alert and maintenance module (1 20) to the router (21) at the customer; the alert button (110, 210) being programmed to command the emission of an alert message automatically addressed to customer service (31b) via an LPWAN network. 2. Alert and maintenance device according to claim 1, in which the alert button is an independent button (1 10) of the alert and maintenance module (1 20). 3. Alert and maintenance device according to claim 2 in which the alert button is carried by a housing (1 10a) comprising an actuatable button (118), a battery (111), a microcontroller (113), a wireless transmitter (117) capable of transmitting via a LPWAN network, the microcontroller (113) of the alert button being programmed to transmit, by the wireless transmitter (117) and via an LPWAN network, an alert message intended for customer service (31b), when the button is actuated, the microcontroller (125) of the alert and maintenance module (120) being programmed to execute a command to diagnose the network signal within the network infrastructure, received from customer service (31b), by the first transmitter / wireless receiver (1 32) via an LPWAN network. 4. Alert and maintenance device according to claim 2, in which the button is a virtual button on a touch interface of a cordless telephone apparatus, programmed to transmit, via a cordless telephone network and / or via a radio network and / or via an LPWAN / LPLAN network, a alert message addressed to customer service when the virtual button is selected on the interface, the microcontroller (125) of the alert and maintenance module being programmed to transmit to customer service (31b), by the first transmitter / receiver wireless (132) of the module via an LPWAN network, diagnostic data of the network signal within the network infrastructure. 5. Alert and maintenance device according to 2 in which the alert button is carried by a housing (1 1 0a) comprising an actuatable button (1 18), a battery (111), a microcontroller (1 13), a wireless transmitter (1 17) capable of transmitting via a LPLAN network, the microcontroller (113) of the alert button being programmed to transmit, by the wireless transmitter (1 17) and via a LPLAN network, a message alert to the first wireless transmitter / receiver (13) of the alert and maintenance module (120), when the button is pressed, and in which the microcontroller (125) of the alert and maintenance (120) is programmed to send, by the first wireless transmitter / receiver (132), the alert message to the customer service (2a) via an LPWAN network, the microcontroller (125) of the alert module and maintenance (120) also being programmed to transmit, with the alert message, diagnostic data of the res signal water within the network infrastructure. 6. Alert and maintenance device according to claim 1, in which the button is an actuatable button (210) incorporated into the alert and maintenance module (220) and connected to the microcontroller (125) of the module, said microcontroller ( 125) being programmed to transmit, by the first wireless transmitter (1 32) and via an LPWAN network, an alert message when the button (210) is pressed, and to transmit, with the alert message, data network signal diagnostic within the network infrastructure. 7. Alert and maintenance device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the microcontroller (12) of the alert and maintenance module (120-220) is programmed: to be able to carry out a diagnosis of the network signal within the network infrastructure (20) of the professional comprising: o Timestamping of power supply outages of the module (120, 220) and of the router (21) and storage of the timestamp data; o A Ping command to a so-called "core network" equipment, and / or to a predetermined website and / or to the router (21) at the customer, and a recording of the results of the Ping command; and for transmitting the diagnostic result via the first wireless transmitter / receiver (132) LPWAN / LPLAN of the module to customer service (31b). 8. Alert and maintenance device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the microcontroller (12) of the alert and maintenance module (120-220) is programmed: to be able to carry out a diagnosis of the network signal within the network infrastructure (20) of the professional comprising: o A time stamp of power outages and a storage of time stamp data; o A Ping command to a so-called "core network" equipment, and / or to a predetermined website and / or to the router (21) at the customer, and a recording of the results of the Ping command; to store and execute commands received by the first wireless transmitter / receiver (1 32) LPWAN / LPLAN of the module and issued by the customer service (31 b); and to transmit the result of the diagnosis and of the commands via the first wireless transmitter / receiver (132) LPWAN / LPLAN of the module to the customer service. 9. Alert and maintenance device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which the router (21) at the customer's premises being connected to a Multiplexer for Accessing the Digital Subscriber Line, known as "DSLAM" (22), the microcontroller (125) of the alert and maintenance module (120-220) is programmed to perform a command to verify the continuity of the network signal between the router (21) at the customer and the DSLAM port. 1 0. alert and maintenance device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the microcontroller (1 25) of the alert and maintenance module (120-220) is programmed to carry out the time stamping of the power outages and the Ping command at predetermined intervals, and for storing the latest time stamp and Ping command data for transmission along with an alert message to customer service (31b). 1 1. Warning and maintenance device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the microcontroller (125) of the warning and maintenance module (120-220) is programmed to send automatically, by the first transmitter / receiver wirelessly (132) and via an LPWAN network, a warning message to customer service (31b) in the event of a power cut to the module. 1 2. Alert and maintenance device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, in which the router (21) is provided with an electrical supply connected to the female electrical outlet (122) of the alert module and maintenance (120-220). 13. Alert and maintenance device according to claim 12, in which the microcontroller (125) of the alert and maintenance module (120-220) is capable of controlling the relay (124) to cut and then restore the electric current. in the female electrical socket (122) of the module. 14. Alert and maintenance device according to claim 12 or 13, in which the router (21) at the customer's premises being connected to a Multiplexer for Accessing the Digital Subscriber Line, known as “DSLAM” (22), by a DSLAM port, the microcontroller (125) of the alert and maintenance module (1 20-220) is programmed to request from the professional network management center (30) a verification and a restart of the DSLAM port. 1 5. Warning and maintenance device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the microcontroller (125) of the warning and maintenance module (120-220) is further connected to a second wireless transmitter / receiver associated with a SIM card, capable of transmitting and receiving data via a wireless telephone network such as GSM, GPRS, UMTS or LTE, the microcontroller (125) of the alert and maintenance module ( 120-220) being programmed to execute a complete maintenance command received from customer service by the second wireless transceiver via the telephone network. 1 6. Alert and maintenance device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, in which the alert and maintenance module (120-220) also comprises at least one LED (135), the microcontroller (125 ) of the alert and maintenance module (120-220) being programmed to supply said at least one LED (135) as a function of coverage of the LPWAN network, and / or of a progress state of the message of alert and / or diagnostic progress and / or maintenance progress. 17. A method of maintaining network equipment (21-22-23) of a network infrastructure (20) of a professional provided with an alert and maintenance device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, the network infrastructure (20 of the professional being connected to network equipment (10) of a client (the) to transmit a network signal, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: (a) Receive an alert message from the alert and maintenance system (1 00), via an LPWAN network; (b) Obtain network signal diagnostic data from the alert and maintenance module (120-220); (c) Transmit to the alert and maintenance module (120-220) maintenance commands, via the LPWAN network, according to the diagnostic information of the network signal obtained in the previous step; (d) Transmit to the client (2c) the result of the maintenance following his alert message via the alert button (1 10-210). 18. The method of claim 17, of network equipment maintenance (21-22) of a network infrastructure (20) of a professional provided with an alert and maintenance device (100) according to any one claim 3 or 4, wherein step (a) consists in receiving an alert message directly from the alert button (110), and via an LPWAN / LPLAN network or via a wireless telephone network or via a radio network, and step (b) consists in transmitting, via an LPWAN network, a command for diagnosing the network signal to the alert and maintenance module (120) and in receiving diagnostic information for the network signal from the of the alert and maintenance module (120) via the LPWAN network. 19. The method of claim 17, of network equipment maintenance (21-22) of a network infrastructure (20) of a professional provided with an alert and maintenance device (100) according to any one claims 5 or 6, in which steps (a) and (b) are carried out at the same time, the alert message transmitted by the alert and maintenance module being accompanied by diagnostic information of the network signal. 20. Method according to any one of claims 1 7 to 19, in which the maintenance commands transmitted in step (c) to the alert and maintenance module are taken from: A request for verification of continuity of the network signal between the router (21) at the customer and the DSLAM port and for initialization of the DSLAM port on which the customer's router is connected, addressed to a dedicated core network equipment of the management center network (30) of the professional. A client authentication verification / initialization command on a “service access” device in the professional network infrastructure; A command to reset the router electrically, consisting in commanding, at the relay of the module, to cut the power supply to the router for a determined period, then to restore the power supply to the router. 1/3 Fl 2/3 220 LPWAN