WO2000074340A1

WO2000074340A1 - Arrangement for distributing device management information and device management system

Info

Publication number: WO2000074340A1
Application number: PCT/EP1999/003821
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ralph Wols
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson
Priority date: 1999-05-31
Filing date: 1999-05-31
Publication date: 2000-12-07
Also published as: AU4604799A

Abstract

This invention relates to the provision of supplementary telecommunications services, and more particularly, to a new type of solution for distributing device management information. The invention relates also to a new type of device management system. The solution according to the invention can be used for example as a biological filter management system and can be implemented as a service solution in telecommunications networks.

Description

ARRANGEMENT FOR DISTRIBUTING DEVICE -MANAGEMENT INFORMATION AND DEVICE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

This invention relates to the provision of supplementary telecommunication services, and more particularly, to a new type of solution for distributing device managements- information. The invention also relates to a new type of device management system. The solution according to the invention can be used, for example, as a biological filter management system and can be implemented as a service solution in telecommunication networks.

There are a lot of different systems for managing and maintaining a number of devices situated in a larger geographical area. An example of this is a system for managing and maintaining a number of biological filters could be mentioned. Other examples are, for instance, different automates and vending machines or the managing and maintaining of a number of bearings or valves in a factory or in a multitude of factories.

When managing and maintaining a number of devices, a lot of checking is required in order to maintain a reasonable quality of service. There are a lot of unnecessary checks and even if the checks are frequent there still are a number of faults occurring. To overcome these problems one needs to acquire information regularly on the status of the devices.

There are several systems available for managing and maintaining a number of devices, which systems have a means for getting alarm information from the devices in the field. These systems usually have a wireline connection between the devices and the management system. The systems according to the prior art are troublesome to build up and maintain because of the wireline connections . The systems according to the prior art do not provide a fast handling and distribution of the alarms that is necessary in order to reach a good quality of service. There is clearly an increasing demand for a solution for distributing device management information that would overcome the aforementioned problems.

There is, especially in the field of environmental technology a clear demand for an efficient solution for managing devices such as biological filters. The biological filters are special types of filters that allow the filtered wastewater to drain off directly into the environment. By introducing these filters, a connection to the regular sewerage is no longer necessary. Especially for outlying houses and industries a connection to the regular sewerage is very expensive .

In order to have permission to use such biological filters one must have a secure device management system in place. Constant quality of the filtered wastewater is essential, so that no pollution of the environment will occur. A fast and efficient maintenance service is necessary in order to be able to reach the high demands of purification control.

The aim of this invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art solutions and to provide a new solution for distributing device management information and a new type of device management system, that can be used, for example, as a biological filter management system.

According to the first aspect of the present invention there is provided an arrangement for distributing device management information, which is characterized by that the arrangement comprises a number of managed devices, microprocessors, that are connected to the devices, transceivers for Data and SMS-messages, a Fixed headquarters -unit, that is connected to a mobile network and to Public Switched Telecommunications Network, Fixed regional center- -units, and servicing units, so that whenever a device needs maintenance, it produces an alarm, thereafter microprocessor, which is connected to the device generates an SMS-message, transceiver sends the SMS-message over the GSM network to the headquarters, the headquarters stores the alarms and sends the alarms over a network on to the responsible regional center, and that the regional center distributes the alarm to the responsible servicing unit . Furthermore there is provided a device management system, which is characterized by that the system comprises a number of managed devices, microprocessors, that are connected to the devices, transceivers for Data and SMS-messages, a means for sending and receiving messages, that is connected to a mobile network and to an Public Switched

Telecommunications Network, a means for handling administrative processes, such as an administration server, that is connected to the a means for sending and receiving messages, Regional center -units, and a management terminal, so that the means for sending and receiving messages of the device management system has transceivers for handling the communication via the mobile network with the transceivers of microprocessors connected to the devices .

A more complete understanding of the system and method of the present invention may be obtained by the preferred embodiments that follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an illustrative diagram showing the general architecture of the network arrangement according to the present invention,

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the headquarters unit of the information distribution arrangement according to the present invention,

Figure 3 is a flowchart diagram of the alarm handling process in the headquarters unit of the information distribution arrangement according to the present invention,

Figure 4 is a flowchart diagram of the GSM-availability monitoring process in the headquarters unit of the information distribution arrangement according to the present invention,

Figure 5 is a flowchart diagram of the alarm handling process in the regional center of the information distribution arrangement according to the present invention,

Figure 6 is an illustrative diagram showing a device management system according to the present invention.

Figure 1 is an illustrative diagram showing the general architecture of the network arrangement according to the present invention. The network arrangement comprises: a number of managed devices 1, 4 such as biological filter elements (IBA) 1, 4,

Microprocessors (P C) 2, 5, that are connected to the devices 1, 4, transceivers 3, 6 for Data and SMS-messages (SMS, Short Message Service) ,

Fixed headquarters -unit 8, that is connected to a mobile network 7, 12, 13 and to a network 9 that can be Public Switched Telecommunications Network (PSTN) 9, Internet 9 or GSM network 7, 9, 12, 13, Fixed regional center -units 10, 11, servicing units 14, 15.

Whenever the device 1, 4 needs maintenance, there will be an alarm produced by it . For example when there is a need to replace a biological filter 1, 4, an alarm will be produced. Thereafter the Microprocessor 2, 5, that is connected to the device 1, 4 will generate a SMS-message which is then sent out by a transceiver 3, 6 over the GSM^"1 network 7 to the headquarters 8. The alarms are stored and sent over a network 9 on to the responsible regional center 10, 11. The regional center 10, 11 will then distribute the alarm to the responsible servicing unit 14, 15, for example, as an SMS-message over the GSM network 12, 13 to the servicing unit 14, 15, which will immediately know the status of the device.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the headquarters unit of the arrangement for distributing information to users according to the present invention. The headquarters unit 8 of the information distribution arrangement according to the present invention comprises: a central database 16, which stores all retrieved alarms together with their status of solving the problem, a message database 17, which contains the prepared messages e.g. SMS-messages or Data messages, that are to be distributed to the different media, a SMS message database 18, which contains all incoming alarms and prepared SMS messages that have to be distributed to the Regional centres 10, 11 for solving the alarms, all the feedback status information received from the Regional centres 10, 11 via SMS, as well as GSM- availability check messages and the response received from the devices 1, 4, a Data message database 19, which contains all data messages received from the devices 1, 4 on location and the messages that are to be distributed to the Regional centres 10, 11, a History information database 20, which contains the device history information and the responsible Regional center 10, 11 for a specific device as well as the alarms and data messages, a System info database 21, which contains all system parameters for tuning the system, a Regional center information database 22, which contains the regional centers with related addresses, and specific information such as which categories of Data messages will be sent per regional centers 10, 11, a process for classifying and updating history information 23, which stores the updated information to the history information database 20, a message generator 24, which selects an alarm from the Central database 16, creates a new message for distribution by one of the selected media, and stores the prepared message in the Message database 17 for further distribution, a message sender 25, which selects the available messages from the Message database 17 and distributes the different messages types to the different distribution media, a SMS sender 26, which distributes SMS-messages to the Regional Centers 10, 11, - a SMS receiver 27, which receives SMS-messages as alarm messages from the Microprocessors (PLC) 2, 5 and confirmation messages from the Regional Centers 10, 11, a Data message sender 28, which distributes Data messages from the devices 1, 4 to the responsible Regional center 10, 11, a Data message receiver 29, which receives Data messages from the Microprocessors (PLC) 2, 5, a message status handler 30, which reads out new information received in the medium databases to keep the Central database 16 up to date, and a Presentation layer 31, which is used to maintain and monitor the service and as an interface for accessing all databases and processes.

The Central database 16 is the input towards the Message generator 24, the Presentation layer 31 and the Process for classifying and updating history information 23. It also handles notifications based on priority and time of receipt. The Message database 17 is the input towards the different media types 18, 19. Message sender 25 and will handle notifications in sequence according to the First In, First Out principle. The SMS Message database 18 is the input towards the SMS sender application 26 and the messages are handled according to time of receipt and status. The SMS message receiver 27 stores the status information of the feedback from the Regional center and from the devices 1, 4 in the SMS Message database 18. The Data Message database 19 is the input towards the Data message sender 28 and Data message receiver 29 and the messages are handled according to time of receipt and status. The Data message receiver 29 stores data information received from the devices 1, 4 in the Data Message database 19. The Message status handler 30 reads the status and data information from databases 18, 19 for further processing.

The History Info database 20 is the output of the Process for classifying and updating history information 23 for device history storage and the input towards the Unit 23 for assigning the message to the responsible Regional center 10, 11. In case of an alarm the process for classifying and updating history information 23 will start with classifying the incoming alarm. An alarm is classified by comparing the error code with the known error codes. The classified problems are assigned either to the responsible regional center 10, 11 or to the Central Service Operator. After classification of the alarm, the application 23 will read the related device from the History Info database 20 and update the history report of the device 1 , 4.

The System Info database 21 is the input for the Message Generator application 24 for assigning system parameters for sending a message. The Regional Center Info database 22 is the input for the Message Generator application 24 and Central operator for assigning an address of the responsible regional center 10, 11 to a message. The Message generator 24 is the application to translate the information from the Central database 16 into the Message database 17.

The SMS sender 26 and the SMS receiver 27 are applications that will communicate with the PLC's 2, 5 connected to the filter and the SMS senders and the SMS receivers of the Regional Centers 10, 11. The SMS sender application 26 distributes the outgoing SMS-messages to the Regional Centers 10, 11 and the outgoing GSM-availability check messages to the Microprocessors (PLC's) 2, 5. The SMS receiver application 27 receive asynchronous incoming alarm messages from the Microprocessors (PLC's) 2, 5 and confirmation messages from the Regional Centers 10, 11.

The Message status handler 30 is the application to distribute new information from the media databases to the Central database 16 to keep the Central database 16 up to date. The Message status handler 30 consists of a clock to check whether the confirmation messages are received in time. In case feedback is not received in time, the message is read from the media database and the status is presented to the Central Operator.

The Presentation layer 31 has the purpose of monitoring and controlling the alarm handling and remote monitoring process. The Presentation layer 31 has a window to monitor and control the overall process of alarm handling and GSM- availability monitoring supported by simple management overviews like total number of alarms, number of open alarms, number of alarms solved, number of alarms solved in-time, number of alarms escalated. This overview is presented on a geographical map, organized per region. The Presentation layer 31 has also a window to present the alarms which need to be solved by the Central Service Operator and a window for sending data messages to the specified regional centers 10, 11. Device management system headquarters 8 actively report alarms on malfunctioning in the devices by using SMS- messages via the GSM-network 7, 12, 13. All alarms will be automatically administrated, classified, assigned to the Central operator or responsible regional center 10, 11 and next distributed to the responsible regional center 10, 11 for notification or solving. The monitoring of alarm handling will be supported by a graphical overview of the filter performance.

Figure 3 is a flowchart diagram of the alarm handling process in the headquarters unit of information distribution arrangement according to the present invention. Devices 1, 4 are monitored constantly 32 and all device alarms will be reported directly to headquarters 8 using SMS-messages 33. All device alarms are automatically registered 34 in the History information database 20 at headquarters 8. All device alarms will be automatically classified 35 and re-routed according to whether the problem is considered to be a regional problem 36 or a central problem 37. Regional center 38 or the central service 39 confirms the reception of the alarm, monitors the alarm status 40, 41 and confirms when the problem is solved 42. The automatic monitoring of the alarm handling process is also supported with a lot of device specific data and overviews .

To check problems with the GSM-connection, which might result in missing incoming alarms, the GSM-connection needs to be checked regularly. In case alarms have been reported recently by a certain device, this check is not necessary.

Figure 4 is a flowchart diagram of the GSM-availability monitoring process in the headquarters unit of information distribution arrangement according to the present invention. In the headquarters unit 8 the availability of SMS-message transceivers 3, 6 is constantly monitored 43. This is done by composing 44 a distribution list of all the available SMS-message transceivers 3, 6. After composing 44 a distribution list, SMS-messages are created 45, and then the GSM-availability of all the transceivers 3 , 6 on the distribution list is checked by sending 46 them SMS-messages. After this there is the reception 47 of SMS-messages from contacted transceivers 3 , 6 as confirmation of GSM-availability. After finding out the available SMS-message transceivers 3, 6 there is created 48 an overview of the GSM-availability and alarms are sent to the responsible regional centers 10, 11 on the devices 1, 4 with the transceivers 3, 6 having no GSM- availability. The devices 1, 4 with problems, such as filters, are automatically assigned to a regional center and the fault solving is monitored 49. In the headquarters unit 8 there can be several methods of checking on the alarms and on the alarm handling based on the data received from the devices 1, 4 and from the regional centers 10, 11 securing the required service levels.

The Microprocessors (PLC's) 2, 5 set up data connections with the back-office system of headquarters 8 to download measurements done over a period of time. The data is automatically administrated and distributed by the back- office system of headquarters 8 to the responsible regional center 10, 11 back-office system. The PLC 2, 5 sets up a data connection with the Data message receiver 29 of the back-office system to distribute all measurements done during a period of time. The Message status handler 30 stores the data from the Data message database 19 into the Central database 16. The process for classifying and updating history information 23 stores the data in the History information database 20 and notifies the operator via the Presentation layer 31 about the data. In parallel the information is distributed via the Message generator 24, Message sender 25 and Data message sender 28 to the responsible Regional center 10, 11. The alarms distributed to a regional center 10, 11 are automatically administrated, classified and presented to a planner for assignment or automatically assigned by the back-office system to a service engineer. The monitoring of alarm handling will be supported by a geographical presentation of the device performance per region.

Figure 5 is a flowchart diagram of alarm handling process in the regional center of information distribution arrangement according to the present invention. First there is a device alarm sent 50 by the headquarters unit 8 to the regional center 10, 11 by means of an SMS-message or a data message. The regional center 10, 11 registers 51 automatically all device alarms. All device alarms will be automatically classified 52 and re-routed according whether the alarm is considered to require servicing 53 or a planning 54 to be contacted. After receiving a message sent 53 by the regional center 10, 11, the servicing unit 14, 15 confirms the reception of the alarm 55, monitors the alarm status 57 and confirms when the problem is solved 59. After receiving a message sent 54 by the regional center 10, 11, the planning unit plans servicing, assigns a servicing unit 14, 15 and confirms 56 to the regional center 10, 11 that servicing has been assigned. The servicing unit 14, 15 monitors the alarm status 58 and confirms when the problem is solved 59.

The headquarters system can be extended with monitoring views for third parties, like Purification control and Municipality control, which need to know the performance of the devices. The system is able to automatically reconfigure all specified devices 1, 4 on location, based on a centrally prepared reconfiguration script sent by SMS. The system supports the Service Engineers on site with corporate access to databases 20 and knowledgebases to support repairing on site. Figure 6 is an illustrative diagram showing a device management system according to the present invention. The device management system according to the invention comprises - a number of devices 62, 64 such as biological filter elements (IBA) 62, 64,

Microprocessors 63, 65, that are connected to the devices 62, 64, transceivers 66 , 67 for Data and SMS-messages (SMS, Short Message Service) , a means 68 for sending and receiving messages, such as a media server 68, that is connected to a mobile network 60 and to an Public Switched Telecommunications Network (PSTN) 61, - a means 69 for handling administrative processes, such as an administration server 69, that is connected to the media server 68,

Regional center -units 70, and a management terminal 71.

The media server 68 of the device management system has transceivers 67 for handling the communication via the mobile network 60 with the transceivers 66 of Microprocessors 63, 65 connected to the devices 62, 64. The media server 68 is also connected via Public Switched Telecommunications Network (PSTN) 61 to the Regional centers 70. The administration server 69 handles the administrative processes with the databases. The management terminal 71 is the terminal used in the management of the devices.

System solution according to the invention is flexible and scaleable because of the modular, process oriented design. System has a secure and easy connection to the network by using an open architecture.

With the help of the solution according to the invention one is able to offer extremely high service level and efficiency, which are demanded by purification control. The advantage of solution according to the invention is that one is able to continuously monitor the performance of the regional centers . The advantage of the regional centers of having a back-office system is a faster and more efficient service and an automatic log of all events.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS :

1 . An arrangement for distributing device management information, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a number of managed devices (1) , (4) , Microprocessors (2) , (5) , that are connected to the devices (1) , (4) , transceivers (3) , (6) for Data and SMS-messages, - a Fixed headquarters -unit (8) , that is connected to a mobile network (7) , (12) , (13) and to Public Switched Telecommunications Network (9) ,

Fixed regional center -units (10) , (11) , and servicing units (14) , (15) , so that whenever a device (1) , (4) needs maintenance, it produces an alarm, thereafter Microprocessor (2) , (5) , which is connected to the device (1) , (4) generates an SMS-message, - transceiver (3) , (6) sends the SMS-message over the GSM network (7) to the headquarters (8) , the headquarters (8) stores the alarms and sends the alarms over a network (9) on to the responsible regional center (10) , (11) , and that - the regional center (10) , (11) distributes the alarm to the responsible servicing unit (14) , (15) .

2. An information distribution arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the network (9) used is Public Switched Telecommunications Network (9) .

3. An information distribution arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the network (9) used is Internet (9) .

4. An information distribution arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the network (9) used iε GSM Network (7), (9), (12), (13).

5. An information distribution arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the headquarters unit (8) comprises a central database (16) , which stores all retrieved alarms together with their status of solving the problem, - a message database (17) , which contains the prepared messages, that are to be distributed to the different media,

- - a SMS message database (18) , which contains all incoming alarms and prepared SMS messages, that are to be distributed to the Regional centres (10) , (11) for solving the alarms, all the feedback status information received from the Regional centres (10) , (11) , as well as GSM- availability check messages and the response received from the devices (1) , (4) , - a Data message database (19) , which contains all data messages received from the devices (1) , (4) on location and the messages that are to be distributed to the Regional centres (10) , (11) , a History information database (20) , which contains the device history information and the responsible

Regional center (10) , (11) for a specific device as well as the alarms and data messages, a System info database (21) , which contains all system parameters for tuning the system, - a Regional center information database (22) , which contains the regional centers with related addresses, and specific information like which categories of Data messages will be sent per regional centers (10) , (11) , a process for classifying and updating history information (23) , which stores the updated information to the history information database (20) , a message generator (24) , which selects an alarm from the Central database (16) , creates a new message for distribution by one of the selected media, and stores the prepared message in the Message database (17) for further distribution, a message sender (25) , which selects the available messages from the Message database (17) and distributes the different messages types to the different distribution media, - a SMS sender (26) , which distributes SMS-messages to the Regional Centers (10) , (11) , a SMS receiver (27) , which receives SMS-messages as alarm messages from the Microprocessors (2) , (5) and confirmation messages from the Regional Centers (10) , (11), a Data message sender (28) , which distributes Data messages from the devices (1) , (4) to the responsible Regional center (10) , (11) , a Data message receiver (29) , which receives Data messages from the Microprocessors (2) , (5) , a message status handler (30) , which reads out new information received in the medium databases to keep the Central database (16) up to date, and a Presentation layer (31) , which is used to maintain and monitor the service and as an interface for accessing all databases and processes.

6.^' An information distribution arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the process for classifying and updating history information (23) classifies the alarms and assigns the classified problems to the responsible regional center (10) , (11) or to the Central Service Operator.

7. An information distribution arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the Presentation layer (31) has a window to monitor and control the overall process of alarm handling and GSM-availability monitoring supported by management overviews, a window to present the alarms which need to be solved by the Central Service Operator, and a window for sending data messages to the specified regional centers (10) , (11) .

8. An information distribution arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the headquarters unit (8) automatically registers (34) , classifies (35) , assigns (36) , (37) all alarms to the Central operator or responsible regional center (10) , (11) , and next distributes the alarms to the responsible regional center (10) , (11) for notification or solving.

9. An information distribution arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the headquarters unit (8) constantly monitors (43) the GSM-connection availability of SMS-message transceivers (3) , (6) .

10. An information distribution arrangement according to Claim 9, characterized in that the headquarters unit (8) composes (44) a distribution list of all the available SMS-message transceivers (3) , (6) , checks the GSM- availability of all the transceivers (3) , (6) on the distribution list by sending (46) them SMS-messages, and creates (48) an overview of GSM-availability.

11. An information distribution arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that a regional center (10), (11) automatically registers (51) the distributed alarms, classifies (52) the alarms, and either presents the alarms to a planner for assignment or automatically assigns the alarms to a servicing.

12. An information distribution arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the arrangement has monitoring views for third parties.

13. An information distribution arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the arrangement has the possibility of automatically reconfiguring specified devices 1, 4 on location, based on a centrally prepared reconfiguration script sent by SMS.

14. An information distribution arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the arrangement provides on site a corporate access to databases 20 and knowledgebases to support repairing on site.

15. An information distribution arrangement according to any of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the monitored devices are biological filters .

16. A device management system, characterized in that the system comprises a number of managed devices (62) , (64) , - Microprocessors (63) , (65) , that are connected to the devices (62) , (64) , transceivers (66) , (67) for Data and SMS-messages, a means (68) for sending and receiving messages, that is connected to a mobile network (60) and to an Public Switched Telecommunications Network (61) , a means (69) for handling administrative processes, such as an administration server (69) , that is connected to the a means (68) for sending and receiving messages, Regional center -units (70) , and - a management terminal (71) , so that the means (68) for sending and receiving messages of the device management system has transceivers (67) for handling the communication via the mobile network (60)) with the transceivers (66) of Microprocessors (63) , (65) connected to the devices (62) , (64) .