FR3095913A1 - Method for identifying a connected object in a network infrastructure - Google Patents

Abstract

There is proposed a method of identifying a connected object in a network infrastructure comprising at least two networks of connected objects interconnected via a data transport network. The method enables a connected object to search for and identify one or more other connected objects of the network infrastructure on the basis of determined search criteria. In particular, a connection gateway can, firstly, receive (201) and process (202) a request, which contains the search criteria, coming from a connected object and, secondly, transmit (203 ) said connected object identifying information of other connected objects which meet these criteria. Figure to be published with the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Method for identifying a connected object in a network infrastructure

The present invention relates to the field of connected objects and, in particular, the exchange of data in a network infrastructure comprising connected objects. It relates in particular to a method for identifying a connected object in a network infrastructure which comprises at least two networks of connected objects interconnected via a data transport network.

The Internet of Things (IoT), or Internet of Things (IoT) refers to all objects connected to the Internet and is a rapidly expanding field of Information and Communication Technologies (or ICT). Indeed, the IoT finds applications in increasingly varied fields such as, for example: the smart city, autonomous cars, home automation or even smart home management.

The electronic devices concerned by these applications are called connected objects, in the sense that they interact through local sub-networks which can be connected to a central high-speed network such as the Internet. Several local subnets can be integrated into the same network of connected objects. Such a network of connected objects, also called a local network in the following, then comprises several connection gateways, specific to each subnet, to which one or more connected objects are respectively connected. Each connection gateway ensures the routing of messages which transit, on the one hand, between the various connected objects of the local network and, on the other hand, between the connected objects of the local network and a data transport network (such as for example Internet).

In addition, several local networks can be interconnected, through a data transport network. In this case, the connection gateways of the interconnected local networks are connected to connection gateways of the data transport network. Messages can thus pass between connected objects of distinct connected object networks. In other words, a message can be sent by a source connected object of a given network of connected objects and pass through several connection gateways, including at least one connection gateway of a data transport network, up to a destination connected object from another network of connected objects.

In such a configuration, it is particularly useful for a determined connected object to have precise knowledge of the various connected objects of the network infrastructure to which it belongs and with which it can exchange messages. This knowledge assumes that the connected object in question can regularly obtain updated information on all the other connected objects with which it can exchange messages. In particular, a connected object is all the more capable of exchanging messages in an efficient and relevant manner within such a network infrastructure if it can identify the other connected objects with which it can do so and determine related characteristics. to these other connected objects. For example, who is the manufacturer of another connected object, what is its field of functionality or at what distance is it located in the network infrastructure. Thus each connected object, before becoming the source of a message, can search to whom and how it can transmit a message.

Finally, in addition to the fact that each sub-network can rely on its own technology for its Internet connectivity (for example with an ADSL Box, a 4G BOX, a WiMax connection, a Satellite connection, a telephone portable…), each connection gateway potentially uses one or more different communication interfaces. Typically, the connection gateways of a network of connected objects can use Ethernet interfaces, WIFI interfaces, Bluetooth interfaces, RF433 interfaces or even IrDA interfaces. Thus, a connected object must be able to exchange messages with another connected object in a network infrastructure which interconnects connection gateways which use different communication interfaces. In other words, each message exchanged is likely to pass through several of the connection gateways which use different communication interfaces.

The patent application WO2007055689 discloses in particular a source node of a wireless network capable of sending a request (RREQ – Route Request) comprising for example: the address of the source node, the sequence number, the address of the node destination address and sequence number, RREQ identifier, message ID, message length, time to live (TTL), hop count, routing metric, and an "Intermediate Response" flag ( IR). The first intermediate node with a valid route to the destination node responds to the RREQ with an RREP (Route Response) message. The RREP message is unicast to the source node and thus quickly establishes a temporary forwarding route to the destination. The intermediate node then forwards the RREQ message to the destination node. When the source node receives the RREP message, it creates a forwarding route to the destination node. Also, if the destination node receives other RREQ messages with better metrics (better route), the destination node updates its route to the source node with the new route. The source node then updates its own routing table. However, the system described in this document does not allow a connected object to identify other connected objects with which it can exchange messages.

There is no means or method allowing a connected object, whatever it is, to know in all the network infrastructure to which it belongs, all the connected objects in order for example to initiate a cooperation between the objects which can be connected in particular within different and fluctuating communication networks. Thus, there is a need for the optimization of data exchanges in a network or several networks of connected objects.

[Technical problem]

The object of the invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, the aim of the invention is to propose a method which allows a connected object to search for and identify one or more other connected objects on the basis of determined search criteria. In addition, the method applies to a connected object belonging to a network infrastructure composed of several networks of connected objects interconnected via a data transport network. Finally, the method also applies in such a network infrastructure in which the different connection gateways of the different networks use different communication interfaces.

[Brief description of the invention]

To this end, a first aspect of the invention proposes a method for identifying a connected object in a network infrastructure, said network infrastructure comprising at least two networks of connected objects which are interconnected via a network of data transport, said networks of connected objects each comprising a plurality of gateways for connection to the data transport network supporting respective communication interfaces, said method comprising the following steps, executed by a first connection gateway of one networks of connected objects:

- the receipt of a request from a source connected object of the network infrastructure, said request comprising determined search criteria;

- the analysis of the correspondence of the search criteria of the request with information relating to connected objects of the network infrastructure which are included in a routing list of the connection gateway;

and, in the event of identification of one or more other connected objects for which a match is established,

- the transmission, to the source connected object, of information characteristic of one or more other identified connected objects.

Such a method according to the invention is particularly suitable for implementation in an environment comprising a plurality of connected objects, each of which may have functionalities and needs. In order to ensure optimal cooperation between the connected objects which may in particular be connected within different and fluctuating communication networks, the invention proposes a mechanism for centralizing at the level of the gateways the functionalities and the needs of the local or remote connected objects to which they can be connected (directly or indirectly).

Thus, the method according to the invention comprises a dissemination of search and publication data at the level of the gateways and the identification, by gateways, of correspondence between the search information on the one hand and the publication information on the other. go.

Furthermore, a method according to the invention is particularly suitable when the connection gateways support respective communication interfaces and when these respective communication interfaces use different communication protocols. Indeed, one of the interests of the invention is to allow objects using heterogeneous protocols and which therefore cannot normally communicate with each other, to do so and, moreover, to share functionalities.

In one embodiment, the search criteria for a request from a source connected object includes one or more of the following criteria:

- a unique universal identifier, UUID, of a connected object;

- identification data of the functional domain of a connected object;

- identification data of a manufacturer of a connected object; and,

- a targeted maximum distance, in the network infrastructure, in relation to the source connected object.

In one embodiment, the information included in the connection gateway routing list includes one or more of the following information:

- unique universal identifiers, UUID, of local or remote connected objects, to which the connection gateway can transmit messages;

- identification data of respective functional domains, of local or remote connected objects, to which the connection gateway can transmit messages;

- identification data of respective manufacturers, of local or remote connected objects, to which the connection gateway can transmit messages; and,

- respective distances, in the network infrastructure, separating the connection gateway from local or remote connected objects, to which said connection gateway can transmit messages.

In one mode of implementation, a correspondence of the search criteria of the request is established with information relating to a determined connected object, local or remote, of the network infrastructure when:

- a unique universal identifier, UUID, of a connected object included in the search criteria is identical to a unique universal identifier, UUID, of a connected object, local or remote, included in the routing list of the connection gateway ;

or when,

- the identification data of the functional domain and the identification data of the manufacturer of a connected object, included in the search criteria, are identical to the functional domain and the manufacturer of the connected object, local or remote, included in the connecting gateway's routing list and, if applicable,

- the targeted maximum distance, in the network infrastructure, with respect to the source connected object included in the search criteria is greater than or equal to the distance, in the network infrastructure, which separates a remote connected object from the first gateway connection.

In one mode of implementation, the characteristic information of an identified connected object includes one or more of the following information:

- the unique universal identifier, UUID, of the identified connected object;

- the identification data of the functional domain of the identified connected object;

- the identification data of the manufacturer of the identified connected object;

- the distance, in the network infrastructure, which separates the identified connected object from the source connected object; and,

- the latency associated with a data transmission from the connection gateway to the identified connected object.

In one mode of implementation, the value of the distance separating a connection gateway from a remote connected object is determined by the number of connection gateways separating said gateway from a connection gateway directly connected to said connected object.

In one mode of implementation, the information included in a routing list of a connection gateway is stored in a memory of said connection gateway and is updated upon receipt, by said connection gateway, of a message response from a connected object or a mesh message from another network infrastructure connection gateway.

In one mode of implementation, a response message, received by a connection gateway, from a determined connected object of the network infrastructure comprises:

- the unique universal identifier, UUID, of said connected object;

- the identification data of the functional domain of said connected object;

- the identification data of the manufacturer of said connected object;

- the distance, in the network infrastructure, which separates said connected object from the source connected object; and,

- a list of unique universal identifiers of other connected objects in the network of connected objects with which said connected object is likely to communicate.

It may also include data relating to the functional domain, to the manufacturer and to the distance associated with these said connected objects with which said connected object is capable of communicating.

In one mode of implementation, a mesh message, received by a connection gateway, coming from a second determined connection gateway of the network infrastructure includes the information included in the routing list of said second connection gateway .

In one mode of implementation, the communication interfaces used by the connection gateways include Ethernet interfaces, WIFI interfaces, Bluetooth interfaces, RF433 interfaces or IrDA interfaces.

According to a second aspect, the invention also relates to a connection gateway for a network of connected objects suitable for implementing the method according to the first aspect, said network of connected objects being interconnected to another network of objects connected via at least one data transport network within a network infrastructure and comprising connection gateways supporting respective communication interfaces, said connection gateway being characterized in that it comprises:

- a reception module configured to receive requests from source connected objects of the network infrastructure, said requests comprising determined search criteria;

- an analysis module configured to analyze the correspondence of the search criteria of each request with information relating to connected objects of the network infrastructure which are included in a routing list of the connection gateway; and,

- an identification module configured to transmit to source connected objects, for each identified connected object for which a correspondence is established, information characteristic of the identified connected object.

According to a third aspect, the invention further relates to a data communication system comprising at least two networks of connected objects interconnected via a data transport network within a network infrastructure, said networks of connected objects comprising a plurality of connection gateways according to the second aspect.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention finally relates to a connected object of a network of connected objects, said network of connected objects being interconnected to at least one second network of connected objects via a network of transport of data within a network infrastructure and comprising connection gateways supporting respective communication interfaces, said connected object being connected to a connection gateway suitable for implementing the method according to the first aspect and being characterized in that that it includes:
- a request transmission module configured to transmit a request comprising determined search criteria; and,
- an information reception module configured to receive characteristic information from identified connected objects.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the figures of the appended drawings in which:

is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a network infrastructure within which the method can be implemented;

is a diagram of steps of an embodiment of the method; and,

is a functional diagram of an embodiment of a connection gateway and of a connected object according to the invention.

[Description of the invention]

With reference to the diagram of FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a network infrastructure in which the method can be implemented will first be described.

In the rest of the description, a "connected object" is an electronic object connected, by a wired or wireless connection, to a data transport network, so that the connected object can share data with another connected object. , a server, a fixed or mobile computer, an electronic tablet, a smartphone or any other device connected to a given network. In a manner known per se, such connected objects can be, for example, home automation devices, smart lighting devices, connected speakers or even smartphones. In addition, in the rest of the description, the term "local" or "source" connected object designates a connected object which is connected to the connection gateway which executes the method without the connection using an intermediate connection gateway. On the other hand, the term "remote" connected object designates a connected object which is connected to the connection gateway which executes the process via at least one other connection gateway.

The term "gateway" or "connection gateway" within the meaning of the invention means equipment ensuring the connection between equipment belonging to different local networks or sub-networks, for example ensuring the connection between equipment of a network of connected objects (local IP addresses) and internet services (public IP addresses). Therefore, such a gateway has two types of IP addresses. Its public IP address, assigned by the ISP, allows it to exchange data with the Internet network. Its local IP address allows it to exchange data with the devices on its local subnet. It is generally specific and assigned by default by the ISP.

The expression “sub-network” or “local network” within the meaning of the invention corresponds for example to local networks each served by at least one connection gateway to another network such as the Internet and to which connected objects are connected. .

Within the meaning of the invention, "message" or "message to be transmitted" corresponds to a message sent between objects connected through at least one gateway or between connected object and gateway or even between gateways and comprising data which may include information relating to their condition and that of their environment. The format of this data can for example correspond to files, to media streams (video, sound) or even to coded values.

Within the meaning of the invention, "request" or "request message" corresponds to a message sent between two objects connected through at least one gateway and comprising data from a connected object. A request message can also include an identifier of the selected reception gateway, message parameters and possibly a time slot for the transmission of a response message.

Within the meaning of the invention, "response message" corresponds to a message sent by a connected object, preferably recipient, to another connected object, preferably source in response to a request or a request message sent by the source connected object. A response message may be stored or recorded on a storage medium.

Within the meaning of the invention, "mesh message" corresponds to a message sent by gateways in response to a request. A mesh message preferably includes information included in a routing list.

Within the meaning of the invention, "list" corresponds to a plurality of data making it possible to indicate specific information, in particular in connection with one or more connected objects or with one or more connection gateways.

The expression “communication protocols” within the meaning of the invention corresponds for example to rules for exchanging data between different entities. The communication protocols correspond for example to wifi, wired network, Bluetooth, Infra-red, Zigbee, LTE, 5G, and 3G.

The term “process”, “calculate”, “determine”, “display”, “extract”, “compare” or more broadly “executable operation”, within the meaning of the invention, means an action performed by a device or a processor except if the context indicates otherwise. In this regard, operations refer to actions and/or processes of a data processing system, for example a computer system or an electronic computing device, which manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic ) in computer system memories or other information storage, transmission or display devices. These operations can be based on applications or software.

The terms or expressions "application", "software", "program code", and "executable code" mean any expression, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause data processing to perform a particular function directly or indirectly (eg after a conversion operation to another code). Sample program code may include, but is not limited to, a subroutine, function, executable application, source code, object code, library, and/or any other sequence of instructions designed for the running on a computer system.

The term "processor", within the meaning of the invention, means at least one hardware circuit configured to execute operations according to instructions contained in a code. The hardware circuit may be an integrated circuit. Examples of a processor include, but are not limited to, a central processing unit, a graphics processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a programmable logic circuit. A single processor or several other units can be used to implement the invention.

By "substantially identical" is meant within the meaning of the invention a correspondence of the search criteria and the information of the routing list varying by less than 30% with respect to the search criteria and the information compared, preferably by less than 20% , even more preferably less than 10%.

In the example represented in FIG. 1, the networks of connected objects 101 and 107 each make it possible to connect the various connected objects that they comprise to the data transport network 104, for example to the Internet, via of their connection gateways 102, 103 and 108, respectively. In particular, the connection gateways 102, 103 and 108 are adapted to establish a connection with a connection gateway of the data transport network 104. This connection can, for example, use a wired technology, such as Ethernet technology, or a wireless technology, such as 4G technology or WiMax technology. In the example shown, the connection gateways 102 and 108 establish a communication link with the connection gateway 105 while the connection gateway 103 establishes a communication link with the connection gateway 106 of the data transport network 104.

Each of the three connection gateways 102, 103 and 108 is directly connected to a plurality of connected objects of the network of connected objects to which it belongs. In particular, the connection gateway 102 is directly connected with the connected objects 102a, 102b and 102c, the connection gateway 103 is directly connected with the connected objects 103a and 103b and the connection gateway 108 is directly connected with the connected objects 108a and 108b. By the expression “directly connected” we designate a connection of an object connected to the connection gateway which does not pass through any intermediate entity whatsoever.

In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various connected objects which are directly connected to a connection gateway are, in fact, also connected to each other via said connection gateway. Finally, each connected object is likely to establish other connections, i.e. other communication links, with other connected objects that are not directly connected to the same connection gateway. In other words, a connected object can then be connected to a connection gateway without being directly connected to said gateway. Indeed, in this case, it is connected via its communication link, which is itself directly connected to said connection gateway.

In general, in networks of connected objects, each connection gateway uses one or more communication interfaces of its own to communicate with the connected objects that are directly connected to it. It can, for example, be an Ethernet interface, a WIFI interface, a Bluetooth interface, an RF433 interface or even an IrDA interface. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of a connection gateway in which the invention can be implemented are not limited by the number or by the type or the nature of the connection interfaces which are supported. In all cases, an advantage of the method according to modes of implementation is based in particular on the fact that said method applies in interconnected networks of connected objects which may include several connection gateways which use different communication interfaces.

In summary, the connection gateways 102, 103 and 108 of the networks of connected objects 101 and 107 ensure the routing of data, and in particular of messages, between the various connected objects of the network infrastructure 109 formed by the two networks of connected objects 101 and 107 which are interconnected via the data transport network 104. In addition, these connection gateways are also suitable for ensuring the routing of messages, via them, of a source connected object which is connected, directly or not, to a destination connected object which is connected to another connection gateway of the network infrastructure 109. Thus, in the example presented in FIG. 1, the connection gateway 102 ensures the routing of messages exchanged with the data transport network 104 and, if applicable, with a connected object which is connected to the connection gateway 103 or to the connection gateway 108.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the example described with reference to Figure 1 is not limiting. In particular, implementations of the method can be applied to a network infrastructure formed by a number of connected object networks greater than two and a number of data transport networks greater than 1. In addition, each connection gateway can be connected, directly or indirectly, with one or more connected objects with no limit on the number of connection gateways through which messages can be transmitted to a destination connected object within the same network of objects connected or another network of connected objects.

The method according to the invention aims to identify, by a source connected object, particular connected objects within the network infrastructure. In other words, the process allows any source connected object to find out, throughout the network infrastructure to which it belongs, all the connected objects that meet specific search criteria. As a reminder, source connected object means a connected object that sends or will send a message to another connected object in the network infrastructure, called the recipient connected object.

Referring to Figure 2 , there will now be described a step diagram of an implementation mode of the method. The steps of the method are executed by a connection gateway of a connected object network of a network infrastructure such as that which has been described with reference to FIG. 1. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the method can be execute as soon as a connected object sends, to a connection gateway, a request which includes search criteria. Each connected object is thus able to initiate the execution of the steps of the method by a connection gateway to regularly update its knowledge of the other elements of the network infrastructure to which it belongs.

Thus, during a first step 201, the connection gateway receives a request coming from a source connected object of the network infrastructure. This request includes determined search criteria. As a reminder, the connected object sending the request is called a source connected object in the sense that it can and/or will transmit a message, via one or more network infrastructure connection gateways, to another connected object.

The search criteria can be, for example and without limitation, a unique universal identifier, UUID, of a connected object, a functional domain of a connected object, a manufacturer of a connected object or even a maximum distance targeted, in the network infrastructure, in relation to the source connected object. Typically, these search criteria allow the source connected object to subsequently identify other connected objects with which it can exchange messages. For example, because there is compatibility of the manufacturer(s) of the connected objects involved or because they are at a distance, in the network infrastructure, which makes this exchange of messages possible. As a reminder, in a manner known per se by those skilled in the art, a UUID is a unique identifier assigned to a connected object which is generated by the manufacturer of said connected object.

Step 202 consists, for its part, in analyzing the correspondence of the search criteria of the request with information included in a routing list of the connection gateway. “Correspondence” means the fact that certain parameters of the search criteria and of the routing list are substantially identical or sufficiently close within the limit of predetermined differences.

Additionally, the information included in a connection gateway's routing list may be, for example, one or more of the following information:

- unique universal identifiers, UUID, of local or remote connected objects, to which the connection gateway can transmit messages;

- respective functional domains, of local or remote connected objects, to which the connection gateway can transmit messages;

- the respective manufacturers of local or remote connected objects to which the connection gateway can transmit messages; and,

- respective distances, in the network infrastructure, separating the connection gateway from local or remote connected objects, to which said connection gateway can transmit messages.

This information is non-limiting example of information included in a routing list. Such a list may also include other information relating to the communication interfaces used by the connection gateway concerned for these various connections with connected objects.

Finally, the correspondence can mean, for example, the fact of finding identically, in the routing list, a unique universal identifier of a connected object included in the search criteria of the request received by the connection gateway.

In addition, in a particular mode of implementation of the method, the correspondence analysis establishes that there is indeed a correspondence of the search criteria with information from the routing list if:

- a unique universal identifier, UUID, of a connected object included in the search criteria is identical to a unique universal identifier, UUID, of a connected object, local or remote, included in the routing list of the connection gateway ;
or if,

- the functional domain and the manufacturer of a connected object, included in the search criteria, are identical to the functional domain and the manufacturer of a connected object, local or remote, included in the routing list of the connection gateway and , if applicable, the targeted maximum distance, in the network infrastructure, with respect to the source connected object included in the search criteria is greater than or equal to the distance, in the network infrastructure, which separates a remote connected object of the first connecting gateway.

Finally, step 203 is executed as soon as a match is established for a determined connected object. This connected object is designated as an identified connected object in the sense that it meets all or part of the query search criteria issued by the source connected object. In particular, step 203 consists in transmitting, to the source connected object which sent the request, information characteristic of the identified connected object. This characteristic information is that available to the connection gateway which received the request.

Thus, without limitation, the characteristic information of an identified connected object may include one or more of the following information:

- the unique universal identifier, UUID, of the identified connected object;

- the functional domain of the identified connected object;

- the manufacturer of the identified connected object;

- the distance, in the network infrastructure, which separates the identified connected object from the source connected object; and,

- the latency associated with a data transmission from the connection gateway to the identified connected object.

Advantageously, this characteristic information allows the source connected object to update the information available to it with a view to exchanging messages with one or more other connected objects of the network infrastructure.

In embodiments of the method, the distance values used (for the distance parameter included in the routing list and for the targeted distance parameter included in the search criteria), that is to say the distance separating a connection gateway from a remote connected object corresponds to the number of connection gateways which separates said gateway from a connection gateway which is directly connected to said connected object. By “directly connected” we mean being connected without any intermediary element.

With regard to the routing list of the connection gateway, those skilled in the art will appreciate that this can, for example, be generated and updated regularly by said connection gateway. In particular, in one embodiment of the method, the information included in a routing list of a connection gateway can be stored in a memory of said connection gateway and updated upon receipt, by said connection gateway , a response message from a connected object or a mesh message from another network infrastructure connection gateway. A response message or a mesh message that can be transmitted, respectively by a connected object or by a connection gateway in response to a request received from the connection gateway concerned. Advantageously, each connection gateway of a connected network can thus request the obtaining of updated information on all the other entities of the network infrastructure to which it has access.

In addition, a response message received by a connection gateway from a determined connected object of the network infrastructure may, for example, include:

- the unique universal identifier, UUID, of said connected object;

- the functional domain of said connected object;

- the manufacturer of said connected object;

- the distance, in the network infrastructure, which separates said connected object from the source connected object; and,

- a list of unique universal identifiers of other connected objects in the network of connected objects with which said connected object is likely to communicate.

In addition, a mesh message received by a connection gateway from a second determined connection gateway of the network infrastructure can include all the information included in the routing list of said second connection gateway.

With reference to FIG. 3 , a functional diagram will now be described illustrating an embodiment of a connection gateway and a connected object according to another aspect of the invention. The gateway is particularly suitable for carrying out the implementation of the method which has been described above. In the example represented, the connection gateway 102 thus comprises a reception module 301, an analysis module 302 and an identification module 303. The steps of the method executed by the connection gateway involve an interaction of said connection with the source connected object 102a. In particular, in the example represented, the source connected object 102a comprises a transmission module 305 and a reception module 306 which allow this interaction. Each module (of the connection gateway and of the source connected object) comprises means which allow it to perform its functions. These means can be combinations of processors, RAM, ROM, cache memory, as well as the codes (software) supporting instructions to operate these hardware elements.

The roles of the different modules of the source connected object and of the connection gateway which interact are described later in the chronological order of the interaction associated with the execution of the steps of the method by the connection gateway.

The transmission module 305 of the source connected object 102a is thus advantageously configured to transmit a request which includes determined search criteria. This request is for the connection gateway.

The reception module 301 of the connection gateway 102 is therefore configured to allow the connection gateway 102 to receive requests coming from source connected objects of the network infrastructure. These queries include search criteria as described above.

The analysis module 302 of the connection gateway 102 is configured to analyze the correspondence of the search criteria of each request with information included in the routing list of the connection gateway. In particular, the analysis module 302 verifies that the correspondence is established between at least one search criterion and information from the routing list of the connection gateway before the identification module intervenes.

The identification module 303 of the connection gateway 102 is configured to transmit to source connected objects, for each identified connected object, for which a correspondence is established, information characteristic of the identified connected object.

Finally, the information reception module 306 of the source connected object 102a is configured to receive information characteristic of one or more connected objects identified by the connection gateway on the basis of the search criteria.

Furthermore, the search criteria received by the connection gateway and its routing list can be stored by a storage module 304 of the connection gateway. Similarly, the information received from the connection gateway by the information reception module of the source connected object can be stored for a storage module 307. For this, each storage module can include any known readable medium in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as ROM, flash memories, hard drives , optical discs and magnetic tapes or in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) and/or cache memory.

The present invention has been described and illustrated in this detailed description and in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in possible embodiments. The present invention is not, however, limited to the embodiments shown. Other variants and embodiments can be deduced and implemented by those skilled in the art on reading this description and the accompanying drawings.

As described above, the present invention proposes solutions allowing the identification of one or more connected objects on the basis of specific search criteria. A connection gateway of a connected object network is thus able to transmit to a source connected object information characteristic of other connected objects of the same network infrastructure with which it is likely to exchange messages. In addition, the identification can be operated by the analysis of correspondences of the search criteria with information included in a routing list of the gateway which can be updated regularly. Finally, the method applies in a network infrastructure composed of several networks of connected objects interconnected via a data transport network and in which the different connection gateways of the different networks use different communication interfaces.

Claims (13)

Method for identifying a connected object in a network infrastructure (109), said network infrastructure comprising at least two networks of connected objects (101, 107) which are interconnected via a data transport network ( 104), said networks of connected objects each comprising a plurality of connection gateways (101, 102, 108) to the data transport network supporting respective communication interfaces, said method comprising the following steps, executed by a first connection of one of the connected object networks:
- the reception (201) of a request originating from a source connected object of the network infrastructure, said request comprising determined search criteria;
- the analysis (202) of the correspondence of the search criteria of the request with information relating to connected objects of the network infrastructure which are included in a routing list of the connection gateway;
and, in the event of identification of one or more other connected objects for which a correspondence is established,
- the transmission (203), to the source connected object, of information characteristic of one or more other identified connected objects. Identification method according to claim 1, in which the search criteria of a request originating from a source connected object comprise one or more of the following criteria:
- a unique universal identifier, UUID, of a connected object;
- identification data of the functional domain of a connected object;
- identifier data of a manufacturer of a connected object; and,
- a targeted maximum distance, in the network infrastructure, with respect to the source connected object. Identification method according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the information relating to connected objects which are included in the routing list of the connection gateway comprises one or more of the following information:
- unique universal identifiers, UUID, of local or remote connected objects, to which the connection gateway can transmit messages;
-data identifying respective functional domains, local or remote connected objects, to which the connection gateway can transmit messages;
- identification data of respective manufacturers, of local or remote connected objects, to which the connection gateway can transmit messages; and,
- respective distances, in the network infrastructure, separating the connection gateway from local or remote connected objects to which said connection gateway can transmit messages. Identification method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which a correspondence of the search criteria of the request is established with information relating to a determined connected object, local or remote, of the network infrastructure when:
- a unique universal identifier, UUID, of a connected object included in the search criteria is identical to a unique universal identifier, UUID, of the connected object included in the routing list of the connection gateway;
or when,
- the identification data of the functional domain and the identification data of the manufacturer of a connected object, included in the search criteria of the request, are identical respectively, to the functional domain and to the manufacturer of the connected object, which are included in the connection gateway's routing list and, if applicable,
- the targeted maximum distance, in the network infrastructure, with respect to the source connected object included in the search criteria is greater than or equal to the distance, in the network infrastructure, which separates the connected object from the first gateway connection. Identification method according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the characteristic information of an identified connected object comprises one or more of the following information:
- the unique universal identifier, UUID, of the identified connected object;
- the functional domain of the identified connected object;
- the manufacturer of the identified connected object;
- the distance, in the network infrastructure, which separates the identified connected object from the source connected object; and,
- the latency associated with a data transmission from the connection gateway to the identified connected object. Identification method according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the value of the distance separating a connection gateway from a remote connected object is determined by the number of connection gateways separating said gateway from a connection directly connected to said connected object. Identification method according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the information included in a routing list of a connection gateway is stored in a memory of the said connection gateway and is updated on receipt, by the said connection gateway, a response message from a connected object or a mesh message from another network infrastructure connection gateway. Identification method according to claim 7, in which a response message received by a connection gateway from a determined connected object of the network infrastructure comprises:
- the unique universal identifier, UUID, of said connected object;
- the identification data of the functional domain of said connected object;
- the identification data of the manufacturer of said connected object;
- the distance, in the network infrastructure, which separates said connected object from the source connected object; and,
- a list of unique universal identifiers of other connected objects of the network of connected objects with which said connected object has an established communication link as well as the functional domain, the manufacturer and the distance associated with said other connected objects. Identification method according to claim 7, in which a mesh message, received by a connection gateway, originating from a second determined connection gateway of the network infrastructure comprises the information included in the routing list of the said second connection gateway. Identification method according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, in which the communication interfaces used by the connection gateways comprise Ethernet interfaces, WIFI interfaces, Bluetooth interfaces, RF433 interfaces or IrDA interfaces. Connection gateway for a network of connected objects suitable for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, said network of connected objects being interconnected to another network of connected objects via at least one data transport network within a network infrastructure and comprising connection gateways supporting respective communication interfaces, said connection gateway being characterized in that it comprises:
- a reception module (301) configured to receive requests coming from source connected objects of the network infrastructure, said requests comprising determined search criteria;
- an analysis module (302) configured to analyze the correspondence of the search criteria of each request with information relating to connected objects of the network infrastructure which are included in a routing list of the connection gateway; and,
- an identification module (303) configured to transmit to source connected objects, for each identified connected object for which a correspondence is established, information characteristic of the identified connected object. Data communication system comprising at least two networks of connected objects interconnected via a data transport network within a network infrastructure, said networks of connected objects comprising a plurality of connection gateways according to the claim 11. Connected object of a network of connected objects, said network of connected objects being interconnected to at least one second network of connected objects via a data transport network within a network infrastructure and comprising connection gateways supporting respective communication interfaces, said connected object being connected to a connection gateway suitable for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and being characterized in that it comprises:
- a request transmission module (305) configured to transmit a request comprising determined search criteria; and,
- an information reception module (306) configured to receive information characteristic of identified connected objects.