SE524764C2 - Transmission of data - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a system for automatically transmitting information between at least one remotely located control and/or monitoring unit (2) for at least one information-generating device (1) and at least one central device (3) for receiving and processing the said information, where the system comprises equipment (24) for converting the information into SMS (Short Message service) format and a first calling/receiving unit (4) for SMS. Via a connection to a fixed telephony network (6), which telephony network (6) is equipped for transmission of information via SMS (Short Message Service, the said transmission is carried out via SMS to a so-called gateway (8) in the fixed telephony network (6) when certain predetermined criteria are fulfilled.

Description

25 30. . n f no m r- a .r> \ 1 ti! o Modems for a fixed telephone network o Mobile networks such as GSM / GPRS (GSM stands for "Global System for Mobile communication", GPRS stands for "Global Packet Radio Service"). why a limited range occurs. When using low-frequency transmission via the mains, the information may pass through transformer stations than in the high-frequency case, but the information transmission will still be slow. In these cases, investments are also required in fixed equipment for handling the information transfer, equipment that requires periodic maintenance and service.

When using radio transmitters, problems arise due to limited range. Here, too, investments are required in fixed equipment for handling the information transfer, equipment that requires periodic maintenance and service.

Modems require that there be a direct connection open between transmitter and receiver at the moment of transmission, in other words the receiver must respond, and cannot receive the transmitted information at a later time. The transfer is thus relatively slow and also includes so-called handshaking.

When using a mobile network (such as GSM / GPRS), built-in mobile modems such as GSM modems are required, which means a high cost per unit.

Then there is also a monthly charge for subscriptions and running costs for talk time via the mobile network. If there is a need for a change of operator, it is required that SIM cards are changed in all GSM modems. When using the mobile network, system resources are also taken up in a system where there is competition for time and place in the system. This type of application often uses SMS (Short Message Service) for information transfer. 10 15 20 25 30 | u r v an As equipment for the above-mentioned variants is commercially available, it is these that are naturally at hand when such a system is to be installed today.

The so-called SMS technology is used to a very large extent for sending text messages between mobile phones, but also for sending text messages via a fixed telephone network. Document WO 00/36854 A1 describes the transmission of SMS between analogue terminals in a fixed telephone network.

SMS can also be sent to a fax, DE 10114950 A1 describes a system where SMS is sent and received to and from a telecommunication terminal, where the SMS is converted between SMS and fax format.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION A main object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for cost-effective and fast transfer of information from an information-generating device to a central device for receiving and processing said information.

A method according to the invention is characterized in that the control and / or monitoring unit is connected to a fixed telephone network, which telephone network is equipped for transmitting information via SMS (Short Message Service) where said transmission takes place via SMS to a so-called "gateway" in the fixed telephone network when certain predetermined criteria are met.

A system according to the invention is characterized in that said first dialing / receiving unit for SMS is connected to a fixed telephone network which comprises a so-called "gateway" for SMS, the system being arranged to transmit said information via SMS (Short Message) when fulfilling predetermined criteria. Service) in the fixed telephone network. Furthermore, said information is transmitted in the fixed telephone network from said "gateway" to said central device, which central device is connected to said fixed telephone network via a second dialing / receiving unit for SMS.

Alternatively, said information is transmitted from said "gateway" in the fixed telephone network to a "gateway" which is connected to a wireless mobile network and further to said central device. A further alternative is that said information is transmitted from said "gateway" in the fixed telephone network to said central device via some form of data communication, such as the Internet. the information flow may be bidirectional, a presentation unit being connected to said information generating device for presenting information transmitted from said central device to said information generating device.

Said information is in a preferred embodiment of such a kind that it is possible to interpret only for one machine. In a particular embodiment, at least two such outsourced information generating devices are connected to a common dial-up / reception unit.

There are several advantages of the present invention in relation to the prior art, among others, the equipment required is much cheaper. In this way, the present invention constitutes an advantageous alternative for application in price-sensitive contexts, for example when it comes to large quantities of information-generating device. With the use of the present invention, the investments can then be drastically reduced. 10 15 20 25 30 5 In addition, the information transmission takes place via a fixed telephone network, whereby the information transmission takes place both quickly and at a low cost. Since you use existing equipment owned by an operator, you do not need to invest in such equipment or perform maintenance and service of the same.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will in the following be described in more detail in the form of preferred embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a control and / or monitoring unit according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a block diagram of a dialing / receiving unit according to the invention; Figure 4 shows a block diagram of an extended system according to the invention, and Figure 5 shows a system according to the invention which is connected to a mobile network.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As schematically shown in Figure 1, today located information generating devices 1, such as energy meters, vending machines, event alarms such as burglar alarms, other types of monitoring units etc. where machines create information, in many cases equipped with some kind of control and / or monitoring. This monitoring unit can be arranged so that it can communicate with a central device 3 for receiving and processing said information, which receiving device 3 is located in another place, for example a The receiving and processing device 3 is a machine, such as a computer, which processes received information, which may be in plain text or possible to interpret only for a machine, such as a computer.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention with further reference to Figure 1, the information generating device 1 is connected to a nearby first dialing / receiving unit 4 for SMS. This connection 5 is preferably wireless, i.e. consists of, for example, a radio connection or optical connection, but can also be wired.

Said first dialing / receiving unit 4 is arranged to be able to dial a predetermined telephone number for transmitting information. It is also arranged to be able to "answer" and receive an incoming transmission of information. Since the first dialing / receiving unit 4 is installed in the vicinity of the information generating device 1, the connection 5 between them is neither complicated nor expensive. The dialing / receiving unit 4 is in turn connected to an available fixed telephone line which is part of a fixed telephone network 6. When the information created by the information generating device 1 and extracted by the associated control and / or monitoring unit 2 is to be sent to a predetermined receiver 7 , this information is sent out on the fixed telephone network 6 via the dialing / receiving unit 4 in the form of an SMS.

SMS format of the reception unit 4, which includes equipment (not shown) for translation The information is translated into dialing of information into SMS format and vice versa. In the telephone network 6, said SMS is received by a so-called "gateway" 8 for SMS, from where the SMS is then forwarded to the predetermined recipient 7. There the message is received by a corresponding second dialing / receiving unit 9 for SMS connected to the fixed telephone network 6. , which second dialing / receiving unit 9 is arranged for dialing and reception for 10 15 20 25 30 oo | ø now 7 a; 7 information transmission and for translation of information into SMS format and vice versa, in the same way as said first dialing / receiving unit 4. Furthermore, in turn said second dialing / receiving unit 9 is connected to the nearby receiving device 3 via a wireless or wired connection 9.

This receiving device 3 consists of some kind of machine such as a computer which interprets the information and, where appropriate, translates it into plain text and processes the received information. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the information generating device 1 in Figure 1 represents an energy meter placed at a consumer. At a predetermined time each month, preferably at night, the control and / or monitoring unit 2 connected to the energy meter 1 sends a signal via the wireless connection 5 containing information on consumed energy in the last month to the nearby first dialing / receiving unit 4 for SMS which is connected to the fixed telephone network 6. This information is not in plain text, but can only be clarified for a machine, such as a computer. The information is translated into SMS format and sent on the consumer-friendly telephone line included in the fixed telephone network 6 as an SMS by the dialing / receiving unit 4, which as previously mentioned includes equipment (described later) for translating information into SMS format. The SMS reaches the recipient 7, which is located at the current energy supplier, via a "gateway" 8 for SMS. The time required for this call from the consumer is very short, on the order of five seconds. As the transmission takes place at night, the consumer's telephone line and the fixed telephone network 6 are loaded at a time when it is not otherwise exposed to a significant load of voice telephone lines. The cost of such an SMS via a fixed telephone network 6 has a fixed price which is very low. At the receiver 7 the information is received by the corresponding second dialing / receiving unit 9 which is connected to said fixed telephone network 6, which second dialing / receiving unit 9 is in turn connected via a wired connection 10 to the automatic Qfl F 'O .Km -JC \ »f 8 central device 3 for receiving and processing received information, for example a computer, at the energy supplier. This receiving device 3 interprets and processes received information, which is then stored to form the basis for future invoicing.

In a variant of said embodiment, which can also be represented by Figure 1, information is sent from the receiving device 3, which in this case is arranged to also generate information, to the consumer control and / or monitoring unit 2, which in this case is arranged to also receive and process information. In this way, it is possible to send information in return to the consumer, whereby the information transfer takes place in the same way as previously described, but in the opposite direction. The receiving device 3 of the energy supplier is thus connected to the second dialing / receiving unit 9 via a in this case bidirectional wired connection 10. Information is transmitted via this wired connection 10 from the receiving device 3 to the second dialing / receiving unit 9 for transmission to the consumer via the gateway. "8 in the fixed telephone network 6, the consumer's dialing / receiving unit 4 and further to the consumer's control and / or monitoring unit 2 via the wireless connection 5. Information received from the consumer's control and / or monitoring unit 2, which is preferably in the form of messages, is presented via a separate presentation unit 11, for example a display, preferably accessiblely placed so that it is easy to read, for example on the refrigerator or in a telephone. Said display 11 is connected to the consumer control and / or monitoring unit 2 with a connection 12 which may be wired or wireless. In this way, the energy supplier can send messages about interruptions in energy supply, special offers and more to the consumer, or show the current electricity price so that a consumer can locate their electricity consumption at times with low prices, which benefits society at large. The energy supplier can also send commands to the consumer's equipment, for example that in future another number should be dialed by the dialing / receiving unit 4 at 10 15 20 25 30 m in the J .ts »a c: 9 information transmission times, or that the tariff should be changed. In this case, the energy supplier can very easily choose another operator for the SMS service, in contrast to the case of information transfer via a mobile network where the SIM card must be changed in each device.

The components included in the system will now be described in more detail. The control and / or monitoring unit 2 belonging to the energy meter 1 is first described, with reference to Figure 2. Event-controlled information 14 and pulses 13 corresponding to a certain energy consumption are delivered from the energy meter 1. These inputs are received by an adaptation unit 15 which is further connected to a microcontroller 16 which can for instance consist of a so-called PlC processor which comprises a real-time clock, which real-time clock is used to provide the correct time and date. The microcontroller 16 is in turn connected to a memory 17 of the EEPROM type and an RS232 interface 18 for communication with an external unit such as for example a laptop or some kind of handheld computer (not the microcontroller 16 is a communication unit 19 which comprises means (not shown) ) for establishment shown). further also connected to one of said wireless connections 5, 12 to both said display unit and said first dialing / receiving unit 3. In addition, the control and / or monitoring unit 2 also includes a power supply unit 20 with backup function. Pulses 12 corresponding to instantaneous energy consumption registered by the energy meter 1 are normally received. The information is translated into a suitable format by the adaptation unit 15, which acts as an interface between different information formats, for further transmission to memory 17. described to the first dialing / receiving unit 3 via a wireless connection established by the communication unit 19. Furthermore, via said communication unit 19 instantaneous energy consumption or energy consumption is transmitted over a certain period of time from the memory 17 to the display 11 when requested by the user, for example by means of control (not shown) on the display 11. Similarly, messages from the power supply are transmitted to the display 11 as previously described to the display 11. The RS232 interface can be used, for example, for initial programming of the control and / or monitoring unit. 2. The above-mentioned information flows are controlled by the microcontroller 16 according to the programming supplied to it.

Event-controlled information from the energy meter 1 is received in the same way and processed by the microcontroller 16 which performs the action associated with the current event in the microcontroller's program. For example, such commercially controlled information may include a power outage. The described units include electronics known to those skilled in the art, which is why this is not described here. For example, a real-time clock is included in the microcontroller, but this real-time clock can also instead occur as a discrete component.

Figure 3 schematically shows the structure of the first and second dialing / receiving units 4, 9, which are identical. For transmitting information to and from said control and / or monitoring unit 2 or receiving unit 3, there is a communication unit 21 for establishing a wireless connection. Information transmitted is processed by a microcontroller 22 which may, for example, consist of a so-called PIC processor which real-time clock, which provide the correct time and date. The microcontroller 22 is further connected to a memory 23 of the EEPROM type and an SMS / telephone unit 24 comprising a microprocessor programmed for translation, comprising a real-time clock used for information to and from SMS format, and means for accessing the fixed telephone network 6. In addition included in the dialing / receiving unit 4, 9 is also a power supply unit 20 with backup function. When information from the control and / or monitoring unit 2 or the receiving unit 3 is received by the microcontroller 22 via the communication unit 21, it is forwarded to the SMS / telephone unit 24 for conversion to SMS format and is transmitted from there to the fixed telephone network 6 after correct dialing procedure. . Upon receipt of information, the SMS / telephone unit 24 "answers" and receives incoming SMS, which is then translated from SMS format for further transmission to the communication unit 21 via the microcontroller 22. The memory 23 stores, among other things, presets, such as which telephone number to be dialed. These described units also include electronics known to those skilled in the art, which is why this is not described here. For example, a real-time clock is also included in the microcontroller, but this real-time clock can also instead occur as a discrete component.

The above detailed descriptions of the control and / or monitoring unit 2 and the dialing / receiving units 4, 9 should only be seen as exemplary, as they can be varied in different ways with maintained or varied function depending on the current application. For example, the respective communication units 19, 21 are, where applicable, arranged for the transmission of wired information. Later in the description follow examples where the information generating device is other than an electricity meter. There, the included control and / or monitoring unit as well as described dialing / reception units are adapted for those applications. Figure 4 schematically shows a preferred embodiment where an installation at a consumer comprises an energy meter 1 with an associated control and / or monitoring unit 2 which has a wireless connection 5 to a dialing / receiving unit 4 as previously described. Furthermore, said installation comprises a corresponding gas meter 26, water meter 27 and district heating meter 28 which have corresponding control and / or monitoring units 29, 30, 31 comprising adaptation units (not shown) adapted to function as an interface for incoming information formats, which may differ from the pulses described for the energy meter case.

Said control and / or monitoring units 29, 30, 31 have wireless connections 32, 33, 34 to said dialing / receiving unit 4, which is thus common. Here, previously described operations can be performed for 10 15 20 25 30 Cfï l 3 (f; \ ua: e ao x .fm \, __ '7,. _ ,, 12 both electricity, gas water and district heating. shown here) is as previously described connected, here to all included control and / or monitoring units 2, 29, 30, 31, whereby also the display becomes common.This is an example of connection of fl your information generating devices 1, 26, 27, 28 to a common dial-up / reception unit 4 which forwards information to and from the respective supplier, of course the connected information-generating devices may be of a different nature and be more or less in number than indicated here. In another preferred embodiment, again with reference to Figure 1 , the information generating device 1 is a vending machine which, in the same manner as described above, transmits a signal via a control and / or monitoring unit 2 via the wireless connection 5, which signal comprises information on, to a first dialing / reception unit 4 at certain times, for example once an hour. The information is translated into SMS format and sent as an SMS by the dialing / receiving unit 4. The SMS reaches the receiving device 3, which may be a computer, via a "gateway" 8 for SMS in the fixed telephone network 6 and the other dialing / receiving the receiving unit 9 which is connected to said receiving device 3 with the connection 10. Said receiving device 3 interprets and processes received information which is then stored. The said information may consist of sales statistics or of account numbers registered by the vending machine when paying by credit card. Furthermore, the vending machine 1 can send information that service is required, for example that some sales goods have run out or are about to run out, or that a fault has occurred on the vending machine. Information about the impact can also be sent, for example that a burglary attempt is in progress, if the vending machine 1 is equipped with a detector for this.

In a further preferred embodiment, the information generating device 1 is an event alarm such as a burglar alarm which in the event of an alarm 10 15 20 25 30 1 L'- (TI a u. 13 according to the above procedure contacts a receiving device 3 such as a computer at a | arm centers |).

Figure 5 schematically shows a variant of the present invention where information generating device 1 is described to a gateway 8 in the fixed information just as previously transmitted from a telephone network 6 via a control and / or monitoring unit 2 and a dialing / receiving unit 4. Here the "Gateway" 8 in the fixed telephone network 6 connected to a corresponding "gateway" 35 in a wireless mobile network 36, such as GSM, for transmitting the information from the fixed telephone network 6 to the mobile network 36. From this corresponding "gateway" 35 in the mobile network 36 is received and information is transmitted in the same manner as previously described. According to another variant, information can be forwarded to the fixed telephone network 6 to the receiving device 3 via some form of data communication, such as from said "gateway" 8 in the Internet (not shown).

The invention is not limited to what is stated above, but various embodiments are possible within the scope of the claims. The periodicity of information transmission is suitably adapted to prevailing conditions and circumstances, and need not be linked to the intervals specified above. In all cases, all local connections 5, 10, 12, 32, 33, 34 can be wired or wireless, that transmitted information can be in plain text or coded, ie it is possible to interpret only for a machine such as a computer, and that the information flow can be one-way or two-way. Furthermore, for all cases where bidirectional communication is implemented, the invention can be adapted so that the information generating device 1 can be given a command from the central receiving device 3 that another telephone number should be dialed by the associated first dialing / receiving unit for SMS 4 at the information transmission times, whereby an operator change for the SMS service is easily carried out. Other updates can also be made in this way, such as changing intervals for u u n - | o. v u u »» now 14 information transfer, exchange of so-called firmware, and more.

The set-up of the following units; an information generating device 1, a dialing / receiving unit 4 and a possible presentation unit 11 can be more or less integrated and integrated. There are also more areas of application than those specified here, both industrial and for the private household, which are covered by the following patent requirements, for example a status report from ATMs for the purpose of paying a return deposit and reading counter data for copiers.

Claims (15)

10 15 20 25 30 t rt | J -, r. =. ~ Q i, 116045 JST 2004-02-05 15 PATENT REQUIREMENTS Method for automatically transmitting information between at least one outsourced control and / or monitoring unit (2) for at least one information generating device (1) and at least one central device (3) for characterized in that the control and / or monitoring unit (2 ) is connected to an existing telephone network (6) at the premises, which telephone network (6) is receiving and processing said information equipped for transmitting information via SMS (Short Message Service) where said transmission takes place via SMS to a so-called "gateway". '(8) in the fixed telephone network (6) when certain predetermined criteria are met, such as the occurrence of a predetermined time. Method according to claim 1, information is transmitted in the fixed telephone network (6) from said characterized in that said "gateway" (8) to said central device (3) which is connected to said fixed telephone network (6). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said information is transmitted from said "gateway" (8) in the fixed telephone network (6) to a "gateway" (35) which is connected to a wireless mobile network (36) and further to said central device (3). Method according to claim 1, information is transmitted from said characterized in that said fixed telephone network (6) to said central device (3) via some form of "gateway" (8) in data communication, such as the Internet. Method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that said transmission of information is bidirectional. 10 15 20 25 30 C, “1 [WO 16 Method Method characterized in that said information is of such a kind that according to any of the preceding claims, it is possible to interpret only for one machine. 7. A method according to which said criteria for said transmission according to any one of the preceding claims, comprises that the transmission takes place with a predetermined periodicity. Method, characterized in that according to one of the preceding claims, at least two localized information-generating devices (1, 26, 27, 28) are connected to a common dial-up / reception unit (4). A system for at least one outsourced control and / or monitoring unit (2) for automatically transmitting information between at least one information generating device (1) and at least one central device (3) for receiving and processing said information, which system comprises: - equipment (24) for translating information into SMS format - a first dial-up / reception unit (4) for SMS is characterized in that said first dial-up / reception unit (4) for SMS is connected to a telephone network existing on the premises. (6) which comprises a so-called "gateway" (8) for SMS, wherein the system is arranged to transmit said information via SMS (Short Message Service) in the fixed telephone network (6) when fulfilling predetermined criteria, which criteria may include the incidence of a predetermined time. System according to claim 9, characterized in that the system is arranged to transmit said information in the fixed telephone network (6) from said gateway (8) to said central device (3), which central device (3) is connected to said fixed telephone network (6) via a second calling / receiving unit (9) for SMS. 10 15 20 n,, «: ao 17 System according to claim 9, characterized in that the system is arranged to transmit said information from said "gateway" (8) in the fixed telephone network (6) to a "gateway" (35) which is connected to a wireless mobile network. (36) and on to said central device (3). System according to claim 9, characterized in that the system is arranged to transmit said information from said "gateway" (8) in the fixed telephone network (6) to said central device (3) via some form of data communication, such as the Internet . System according to any one of claims 9-12, characterized in that it further comprises a presentation unit (11), connected to said control and / or monitoring unit (2) for presentation of information transmitted from said central device (3). ) to said control and / or monitoring unit (2). 14. A system according to any one of claims 9-13, characterized in that said information is of such a type that it is possible to interpret only for one machine. System according to one of Claims 9 to 14, characterized in that at least two localized information-generating devices (1, 26, 27, 28) are connected to a common dial-up / reception unit (4).