Method and device for communication between a device and a server

Translation of description of equivalent WO 2007104868 A2

METHOD AND COMMUNICATION DEVICE BETWEEN EQUIPMENT AND

SERVER

p0003The present invention relates to a method and a communication of programming device between a device and a server through a communicatio module and a method for programming such a device. It applies, in particular, Control & and control, remote, office equipment, household and industrial, e vehicles or buildings. Traditionally, these facilities are not equipped to remote parts communication interfaces (Ethernet or wireless type) may instead communication bus (Serial, RS485, ...) and inputs / outputs for communication to the I elements near the equipment.

p0004In the area of ​​control and remote control of generally visual equipment, an operator monitoring regularly maintenanc a passage to verify proper operation of the equipment and, in case of default, alerting a technical served. This procedure has numerous drawbacks. First, the time of detection of a failure can be significant and, secondly, the quality of technical intervention served is subject to the quality of the report submitted by the operator monitoring.

p0005In more automated systems, it is known to provide equipment for a remote communication modul for monitoring the status of the equipment and that, on the basis of threshold limits, triggers an alarm on a remote terminal, e example emitting a mini message known as SMS (short Message system for o short message system) to the mobile telephone of a responsible entretier These systems have many drawbacks. On the one hand, they do not allow a centralized management of a set of equipment. Furthermore, they are subject to availability of the I alarm communication network. In addition, they ask, to lei programming, the intervention of a qualified computer. Finally, they can not ETR reprogrammed remotely.

p0006The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks. To this end, the present invention provides, in a first aspect, a device of - Means for associating said electronic module with a device such that said module receives signals representative of conditions or operating parameters of said device through at least one connector, - a communication server application on said electronic module, said communication server application being adapted for automatically communicating with said equipment and with said remote server through at least one communication means and a communication server application on said remote server for to adapt automatically communicating with said electronic module so through at least one communication channel through at least one communication medium; each of said server applications being adapted: to determine the transmission of a request to the other server application, based on a predetermined criterion, said remote server and said module being well adapted to transmit a request to said module or said remote server, respectively, as a result of that decision and receipt of said request, to transmit a response to the other server application, said module and said remote server thus being adapted to transmit to said remote server or said module, respectively, said response encapsulating information representative said states or parameters of said device.

p0007Thanks to these provisions, each of the two server applications can query each other and get in return instructions or status information. According to particular features, at least one of said server applications comprises an automatic means for selecting a communication channel between the electronic module and said remote server, depending on characteristics of the data to be transmitted and available communications channels, at least one of the steps of transmitting a request and response to said request is performed by using the selected communication channel.

p0008According to particular features, at least one of said applications comprises a storage medium of the information to be transmitted as a request cycle / complete response has not been completed positively.

p0009According to particular characteristics, one of the communication means is a wireless network for GSM / GPRS.

p0010According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of communication between an electronic module and a remote server, characterized in that it comprises: - A step of associating said electronic module with a programmable controller with a device such that said module receives signals representative of conditions or operating parameters of said equipment through at least one connector; - A step of implanting a communication server application on said electronic module, said communication server application being adapted for automatically communicating with said equipment and with said remote server through at least one means Communication ; a step of implanting a communication server application on said remote server to fit automatically communicating with said electronic module through at least one communication channel through at least one communication means ;

p0011- A step of transmitting a request from said remote server or to said module of said module or said remote server, respectively, as a result of an automatic decision to use an available communication means and

p0012- On receipt of said request, a step of transmitting a response from said module or said remote server to said remote server and said module, respectively, said response encapsulating information representative said states or parameters of said device. According to particular features, the process as briefly described above comprises an automatic step of selecting a communication channel between the electronic module and said remote server, depending on characteristics of the data to be transmitted and available communication channels, at least one of the steps of transmitting a request and response to said request being made by implementing the selected communication channel.

p0013According to particular features, the method as briefly described above includes a step conservation information to be transmitted as a request cycle / complete response has not been completed positively, to send again, said information via one of the other communication means. According to particular characteristics, one of the communication means is a wireless network for GSM / GPRS.

p0014According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of developing a machine application machine between a communication module adapted to be associated to a device and a computer system, characterized in that it comprises: - a step of defining logical data of an application to run on the communication module, the logical data being a representation of the functionality offered by the equipment, - A mapping step of each logical data at least one acquisition means or control in relation to this data, thereby allowing effective data manipulation,

p0015- A step of defining the communication module configuration parameters which allow it to interface with the equipment, change of the communication means and to define other parameters specific to the communication module selected during the selection step,

p0016- A step of defining the communication between the module and the computer system - an application generating step to run on the module, this generation is specific to the settings and data previously performed or defined and

p0017- A step of downloading the application to the module.

p0018According to particular features, the method of the third aspect further comprises a step of selecting a communication module type, for example through its brand and model, the generation of the application for s execute on the module being further specific choice of module type.

p0019According to particular features, the method of the third aspect further comprises a step of defining an event logic for interacting logical data between them, the generation of the application designed to run on the module being Furthermore, specific to the defined event logic.

p0020According to particular features, the method of the third aspect further comprises:

p0021- A logical data step of defining an application to run on the computer system,

p0022- A matching step of each logical data to at least one computer system storage means, a step of defining the event logic for interacting logical data from the application of computer system - a configuration step the computer system parameters, an application generation step to run on the computer system, this generation is specific to the settings, choices, and logic previously performed or defined and

p0023- A step of downloading the application on the computer system. According to particular features, during at least one step of defining logical data, define logical devices handled by an application, then added their representative logical variables to their logical features. According to particular characteristics, during at least the logical data definition step, implements an editor that lets you create, edit and delete logical devices, without reference to their electronic realization, defining its variables , through parameters, this definition of variables and parameters being constrained through the editor by the compatibility with the communication module type selected in the selecting step.

p0024According to particular features, said editor with the logical data definition is done using graphical screens guide the user by offering specific choices for the type of communication module selected for certain parameters and leaving it free for web other.

p0025According to particular features, at least one of the steps of mapping and communication of definition is achieved by means of binding the user GUIs on the type of communication module it uses. According to particular features, during at least one mapping step, we put out an editor that allows to associate each variable defined in the logical data defining step with average acquisition control or storage, that publisher limiting the choice depending on the parameters, variables and functions offered by the type of communication module which is programmed.

p0026According to particular features, at least one event logic defining step is graphically selecting logical data control, combining a concept of binary logic and choosing an action to perform a plurality of actions, data logic control, the binary logic of relations and actions to perform are represented by specific graphics.

p0027According to particular features, during the step of defining the communication between the module and the computer system, if two communication channels have been defined, we define the dynamic range of the communication channel to be used according to the states possible of each other communication channel.

p0028According to particular features, the method of the third aspect does not require writing code in computer language and only involves the manipulation of graphical interfaces.

p0029Other advantages, objects and features of the invention emerge from the description which follows, given, for explanatory purposes and in no way limiting in the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 shows schematically an implementation of a particular embodiment of the device object of Ia present invention,

p0030- Figure 2 shows, in the form of a flowchart, an embodiment of the method of the present invention and - Figure 3 shows in the form of a flowchart, one embodiment of a method for programming the device of the present invention.

p0031Is observed in Figure 1, a device to monitor 100, a communication module 110 associated with the device 100 comprising a controller 115 and, preferably, at least two communication means 120 and 125, two communication channels 130 and 135 , an operating server 140, comprising two communication means 155 and 160, a controller 170 and a storage means information 145, a programming terminal 150 having a communication means 165 and a client terminal 180. the module communication 110 is, for example, a Q2686 module Wavecom (registered trademarks) or TC65 Siemens (registered trademarks). The equipment to monitor 100 may be fixed, for example, a boiler, an office automation equipment or an electronic display panel, or mobile, such as a vehicle. These facilities are generally numerous and we talk in terms of fleet equipment that you wish to monitor or control. Preferably, the equipment 100 includes a controller 101 and implements software, in particular to monitor the status of sensors 102 and / or actuators 104 and to communicate via at least one connector 103.

p0032The communication module 110 is adapted to receive, via the connector 103, data from the equipment 100 and in particular signals representative of conditions or operating parameters of said equipment 100. The communication module 110 is also adapted to send commands to the device 100 via the connector 103.

p0033Furthermore, the communication means 120 and 125 allow the communication module 110 to communicate, via two communication channels 130 and 135, with the server 140 and optionally with the programming terminal 150, knowing that another channel (not shown) may be used for communication between the communication module 110 and the programming terminal 150. 130 and 135 are communication channels, e.g., wireless telephone networks, for example GSM and GPRS, respectively.

p0034The communication module 110 is adapted to download software through one, at least, networks 130 and 135 from the server 140 and / or the programming terminal 150, under external control, such as third-party software or SMS. The server 140 is of known type and is adapted to poll each module 110, to receive his answers, aggregating the data received and to trigger alarms or instructions, depending on the data received or aggregated data. The server 140 is also adapted to provide data to the client terminals by behaving as a server of the fabric.

p0035The programming terminal 150 is adapted to program applications for each module 110 and applications for each server 140. The programming terminal 150 implements a more detailed development later in the description. The communication module 110 and the server 140 and, specifically, the controllers 115 and 170 are adapted to implement, among them, the object communication method of the present invention, as shown with reference to the flowchart of Figure 2 after a programming phase illustrated in FIG 3.

p0036The client terminal 180, of any type, mobile phone, PDA, PC or network server, for example, allows a user or operator to access the data storage medium 145 stored by the server 140 in particular, the data concerning each of the modules 110, possibly after authentication. In this communication, the server 140 acts as server of the web to allow access to data with a familiar interface for any user, ie an internet browser.

p0037Is observed in Figure 2, a step 205 of association, according to known techniques, the communication module 110 with the programmable controller 115 with said 100 so that equipment said communication module 110 receives signals representative of conditions or of operation of said equipment parameters 100. Then, during a step 210, implements a communication server application, of similar type to those of the web server on the communication module 110. for example, the server board is programmed in Java (trademark) and has a very small size. It is observed that this embedded server, feature of the present invention can supervise the module of the remote control 110 and associated equipment 100. It is further observed that this communication module 110 is not adapted to receive shelf components available in the art (typically, servers traditionally canvas available on-board equipment), and due to the strong constraints imposed by the communication modules. From step 210, the communication module 110 behaves as a communication server, for example a web server, or "web" server. Recall that a communication server includes software which responds to requests from customers, for example with so-called media http (Acronym for hypertext transfer protocol for hypertext transfer protocol) or short messages, known as SMS (Short Message System acronym for short message system). It is noted that, preferably, the communication module 110 provides no page but the data server 140 Ie integrate into pages that provides customers 180. These data can be provided, eg by SMS.

p0038A trigger communication between the module 110 and the server 140 may take place in different circumstances: in case of detection of events triggering, by the module 110, for example based on thresholds applied to sensors associated with the equipment 100, step 212, according to a predetermined schedule communications between the module 110 and the server 140, this schedule can be managed by the module 110 or the server 140 (case described in Figure 2, in step 255),

p0039- Depending on requests transmitted by the client terminal 180, if the data stored in the database 145 would be considered obsolete in view of the request received, step 250.

p0040During a step 215, the server wants to initiate communication with the other server, that is to say either the communication server module 110 or the server 140, determines the best communication medium between the module communication 110 and the server 140. in this step 215, it may in particular consider the following criteria in descending order of priority: availability of communication channels, the urgency of transmission of the data stream to be transmitted, pricing operators who manage the different communication channels.

p0041Through this step, virtually assures maintenance of the communication capability between the communication module 110 and the server 140, even if one of the channels is unavailable.

p0042Depending on the selected communication channel during step 215, during step 220, is performed Ia corresponding communication protocol switching, or if applicable. Then, during a step 225, is brought into communication the communication module 110 and said remote server 140, for example by using the Hypertext Transfer Protocol http.

p0043During a step 230, the initiator server of the communication transmits a recipient's destination request receiving it, for example by using the Hypertext Transfer Protocol http. Preferably, for each request received, the communication module 110 or the server 140 check, for safety reasons, in step 230, the address of the server sending the request. In a step 235, the recipient analysis Ia received request, retrieves the required data, especially from the equipment 100 or storage medium 145 data, processes the data and sends a response to the initiator the request. This response thus encapsulates including information representative of the conditions or parameters of equipment 100 or the communication module 110.

p0044For the description of steps 230 and 235, it was considered if the server 140 initiates communication. In the other case, wherein it is the communication server of the communication module 110 initiates the communication, step 230 does not occur and, during step 235, the module communica tion 110 retrieves the data to be transmitted, especially with the equipment 100, processes the data and transmits a message from the server 140. This response thus encapsulates information representing states or parameters of equipment 100 or the communication module 110.

p0045During a step 240, server 140 gathers and distributes the data collected from the various communication modules 110 to the people client terminals, databases and computer applications concerned. This aggregation can have the constitution of a historic state 100 associated with electronic equipment modules 110 and emergency alert in case of failure, required preventive maintenance, for example, need to supply consumable. These alerts are determined based on information representative of the conditions or equipment parameters 100 received in step 235 or aggregated in step 240.

p0046In a request arriving at the server 140 from a client terminal 180, a database or an application, during a step 245, it is verified that the issuer of this request is authorized to issue , according to known techniques. We observe that the request sent by the client terminal 180 is a request from a browser, Ie server 140 then acting server of the web.

p0047Then, during a step 250, it is determined whether a request to the device 110 is required, according to the request received and the elapsed time since the last update data concerning the module and at least a server configuration setting. This avoids reading the memory of the relay module or the memory of the equipment if we have enough recent information, for example in the case of a request for data whose value is known and possible changes. For example, a refresh the toner level state every week may be sufficient.

p0048If the result of step 250 is positive, a request to the device 100 is necessary, proceed to step 215. Otherwise, it proceeds to step 255 at which the next deadline is determined a request to make to the equipment 100, it reads the data required by the user, in the database 145 and / or one directs extrapolating recent data stored in the database and provides the client terminal 180 in the form of a web page of Ia, the data required by the client terminal.

p0049In response to requests received, the server 140 aggregates data from physical dynamic data and databases provided by the electronic modules 110, for example, define customer records it transmits to the transmitter Ia request received in step 245.>

p0050In a step 255, request the next date is determined to address the communication module and when that time comes, it goes to step 212. Preferably, the duration considered sufficient between two updates is configurable.

p0051It is observed in Figure 3, the implementation of a quick and easy software development process to develop, build and deploy machine to machine applications and programming, connect and manage remote equipment 100 for one or more application servers 140 .

p0052The process is implemented in a graphical development environment and powerful to develop, build and deploy applications Machine machine much faster than a traditional development and without knowledge of programming languages ​​approach. This minimizes development costs and maximizes productivity Ia.

p0053During an optional step 305, it selects the communication module 110 which is to be programmed, provided that the physical interface of the module with an equipment 100 was performed previously, or for example during physical installation. During a step 310, it defines an application of logical data model designed to run on the communication module 110. This model is realized by defining logical devices manipulated by the application, and then by adding proxies for their logical characteristics. This definition is by means of graphical display guides users by offering choices to certain parameters and leaving it free for others. The logical data model is completely independent of the physical acquisition of existing real data. Eg an alarm center will represent a logical device "CentraleAlarme" with its logical variables "State" (boolean representing the running state or the alarm stop) and "EnAlarme" (boolean representing the trigger or not the 'alarm). It implements an editor that lets you create, edit and delete logical devices (without reference to its electronic execution) by defining its variables, through parameters such as data type (string, digital or Boolean), access mode (writing and / or reading), variation limits (maximum value or length and minimum).

p0054This definition of variables and parameters is constrained by compatibility with the features offered by the publisher. For example, the type of data can be limited to three examples given above and therefore does not allow a table.

p0055In a step 315, it performs a "Mapping" or matching to each logic variable logic of the application data model can be acquired (play) and / or controlled (write) on physical media or software. Furthermore, this configuration is performed using GUI binding the user with respect to the physical reality of the communication module 110 it uses.

p0056It implements an editor that allows to associate each logical variable defined in step 310 with an average acquisition or control supported by the environment. The editor limits choices based on the parameters of the previously defined logical variables and the features offered by the module 110 is programmed.

p0057For example, the logic variable "state" of Ia alarm center will be associated with the GPIO pin (General Purpose Input Output) 4 communication module, the user can not choose the pins 0-3 as those -ci do not exist on the module used. So it is here, a specific association to the communication module and equipment involved in programming.

p0058In a step 320, event logic is defined, that is to say the operation of the computer application and the conditions for carrying out its actions. For example, this event shows which logical combinations of equipment states what actions lead by the associated communication module. This definition is performed graphically by selecting the logical data to be controlled (shown, for example, rectangles), associating a concept of binary logic (represented, for example, by the relationship between the previously selected rectangles) and finally choosing an action to perform from those available (represented by icons). Thus, the logical data control, binary logic of relationships and actions to be performed are preferably represented by specific graphics.

p0059In a step 325, it defines the configuration settings of the communication module 110 to enable its interfacing equipment 100 as well as the functioning of the communication module 110 itself.

p0060This configuration is done through graphical interfaces restricting the user with respect to the physical realities of the components of the communication module 110. example, you can configure the communication speed of an existing serial port on the module.

p0061During steps 330-345, is carried out the same steps as the steps 310 to 325, respectively, for the programming of the communication application to implement the server side as considered preselected common to different modules 110.

p0062Thus, in step 330, it defines the application of logical data model designed to run on the server 140. This model is realized by defining hardware and software logic manipulated by the application, then adding their proxies for their logical characteristics. This definition is by means of graphical display guides users by offering choices to certain parameters and leaving it free for others. This logic model is completely independent of the physical processing or storage of existing real data. This definition of variables and parameters is constrained by compatibility with the features offered by the publisher. In a step 335, it performs a "Mapping" or matching for each variable in the logic of the application data model can be acquired (play) and / or controlled (write) or on physical media software. Furthermore, this configuration is performed using GUI binding the user with respect to the physical reality of the server 140 and its peripherals it uses.

p0063We put out an editor that allows to associate each variable defined in step 330 with an average acquisition or control supported by the environment. The editor limits choices based on predefined parameters and variables of the features offered by the server 140 that is programmed. So it is here, a specific association server 140 and its peripherals involved in programming.

p0064In a step 340, event logic is defined, that is to say the operation of the computer application and the conditions for carrying out its actions. For example, this event shows which logical combinations of states which cause actions from the server 140 or its peripherals. This definition is performed graphically by selecting the logical data control (represented by rectangles), associating a concept of binary logic (represented by the relationship between the previously selected rectangles) and finally by choosing an action to perform among those available (represented by icons). In a step 345, it defines the server configuration parameter 140 and its peripherals that enable its interfacing with the module 110. This configuration is done through graphical interfaces restricting the user with respect to the physical realities of the server 140 and its peripherals. For example, we can configure the communication speed of an existing serial port on the server.

p0065Then, during a step 365, it sets the communication between the module and the server. It implements an editor for selecting the means of communication depending on the communication capabilities of the communication module 110.

p0066If at least two communication channels are defined, step 365 also allows you to organize the dynamic range of the communication channel to use. This organization aims to maintain a link between the communication module and the server, even if a means of communication was lacking.

p0067For example, the choice depends on the available channels and / or price of the communication channels. During this stage, the choices are made graphically thanks to the multiple choice boxes, text fields and refreshing interfaces depending on the choices made previously.

p0068Then, during a step 370, the application is generated that will run on the module 110 and which will run on the server 140. This application is an assembly of bricks or generic software components, for example the server communication server of the web or "web", or specifically generated by the device described. Bricks and software components are selected based on the choices made previously, deterministically. These choices made previously also constrain the order of execution of these bricks or components, which ensures the proper functioning of the generated application.

p0069For example, bricks relate to the communication server, server or the web server SMS, the other GPRS communication, ...

p0070The generated application to be executed on the communication module 110 is generated in the native language thereof.

p0071In a step 375 is downloaded each application on the module and the server, it launches applications, with or without reset. The main advantages of this development process are as follows:

p00721 / ease of use: a graphical programming approach guiding the development of the user choice;

p0073- A high-level programming approach: o use of effective data model of bricks to define the logic of the application and link it to a communication device; o Using a combination of device logical and physical parameters

p0074(Through acquisition) of the application; o provision of a configuration wizard to set all communication parameters between the module 110 and the server 140; - An automatic computer code generation; a set of application components ready to use: o an embedded web server; o a library of application protocols (Modbus, Nmea, for example) for easy interconnection with specific equipment such as PLC (acronym for Programmable Logic Controller for, French, PLC), telemetry device, GPS modules (acronym for Global

p0075Positioning System for Global Positioning System), for example; o a "classic" web server for accessing the application of business information developed; o application templates, presentation pages, graphics components (known as widgets).

p00762 / A connection from one end to the other to develop and deploy complete machine to machine solution from remote equipment to the application servers, allowing communication via networks, for example GSM (Global System Acronym for Mobile communication, French, comprehensive communications system for mobile devices), GPRS (acronym for Global packet radio Service, French, packet radio communication system), Edge, WiFi (short for Wireless Fidelity to in French Wireless Fidelity), LAN (local Area network for by French local network). 3 / Safety through integrated security mechanisms: the implementation of secure data transfer protocol https, people of authentication devices, terminals or applications, user profile management; 4 / performance through: optimization of embedded codes for minimal control over resources, especially memory resources, electronic modules and maximum reliability and optimization of bandwidth used on communication networks, compression data to minimize the cost of data traffic between electronic modules 110 and 140 servers; 5 / Maintenance and updating: supply, diagnostics, maintenance and remote downloading applications through remote communication capabilities provided by the module 110 and 6 / Data Recovery from remote electronic modules 110 for storage in the information processing system (server 140), for carrying reports, billing, knowledge base, for example.

p0077With the implementation of this development environment, we develop a comprehensive and centralized solution. Practically, development suite organizes the development and abstract of the embodiment. A graphical macro language overcomes knowledge of computer language.

p0078It is observed that the elements and programming are held in memory of the programming terminal 150 and can be edited and downloaded remotely on the module 110 and / or server 140 at any time.

p0079The graphical macro language and the graphical environment and use both, generic parts and specific parts for specific modules. Thanks to these features, the programming language is independent of the communication module and its supplier, the BSP (Board Support Package acronym, in French, card bracket assembly) or MSP (package carrier module in French module support assembly) or of the set of drivers for their control.