System, method and integrated circuit chip for wireless multi- network telemetry.

(54) Title: SYSTEM, METHOD AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT CHIP FOR WIRELESS MULTI-NETWORK TELEMETRY. (54) Title: SYSTEM, METHOD AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT CHIP FOR WIRELESS MULTI- NETWORK TELEMETRY.

(57) Summary

A wireless monitoring system comprising a remote resource on which data is collected and a wireless data transfer device connected to the remote resource. The wireless device includes a radio frequency transceiver and a chip that has a memory to store a plurality of subscriber or subscriber identifiers corresponding to the different wireless networks and also for logical storage that constitutes the network selection rules, to select one of the wireless networks to be used for data transmission. In a GSM / UMTS implementation of this technology, the subscriber or subscriber identifier is the IMSI and the chip is a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) chip or card. By using multiple IMSIs, the wireless data transfer device connected to the remote resource can seamlessly switch or switch (optimally) between wireless networks. A new IMSI (for a new network) can be supplied over the air to allow the device to communicate over a new network, for which there was no prior IMSI.

(57) Abstract

A wireless monitoring system comprises a remóte asset about which data is to be collected and a wireless data-transfer device connected to the remóte asset. The wireless device ineludes a radiofrequeney transceiver and a chip having a memory for storing a plurality of subscriber identifiers corresponding to different wireless networks and for further storing logic that constituting network selection rules for selecting one of the wireless networks to use for transmission of the data. In a GSM / UMTS implementation of this technology, the subscriber identifier is the IMSI and the chip is a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) chip or card. By using multiple IMSI 's, the wireless data-transfer device connected to the remote asset may switch seamlessly between wireless networks. A new IMSI (for a new network) may be provisioned over the air to enable the device to communicate over a new network for which it did not previously have an IMSI.

INTEGRATED CIRCUIT SYSTEM, METHOD AND CHIP FOR TELEMETRY

WIRELESS MULTI-NETWORK

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to telemetry and telematics, and in particular to wireless device reading systems, where the device data is transmitted over the air.

BACKGROUND

There are several technologies for the collection and communication of measurement data from a meter to a receiver located remotely on a wireless communication link. Some examples are described in US Patent No. 6,369,719 (Tracy et al.), Titled Apparatus and Method for Collecting and Transmitting Utility Meter Data and Other Information via gíreles Network, US Patent No. 6,657,552 (Belski et al.), Titled System and Method for Communicating and Control of Automated Meter Reading, US Patent No. 7,202,800 (Choi), entitled Mobile Communication-Based Remóte Meter

Reading System and Method, UK Patent Application Publication No. GB2450880 (Middleton et al.), Titled Device for Remotely Monitoring a Utility Meter, Canadian Patent Application 2,624,033 (Bakken et al.), Titled Method and System for Collecting Meter Reading in

Turn them Transmissions from Unlisted Customers, China's patent application publication CN201203460 titled Remote Vehicle Mounted Metering and Monitoring Instrument, and PCT Patent Application publication W02009 / 084016 (Hari et al.), Titled A Device with a GSM Chip for Measuring and Recording and Transferring the Electrical Parameters and Burning Hours of CFL Lamp. .

Although the use of a cellular network is known, such as, for example, a GSM network to transmit measurement data, this technology suffers from a substantial drawback that the data transfer device is linked to a specific network or carrier. If the network is not operational for some reason, the device cannot transmit your data. If the user of the measurement device wants to switch to a different carrier that offers better service or lower cost, it conventionally requires that the SIM card be replaced to provide the device with a new IMSI. This has proven to be a major hurdle in adoption by cellular services companies based on remote measurement, as these services may be reluctant to commit to a long-term contract with a particular wireless carrier. To date there has been no wireless measurement reading technology that addresses and overcomes these shortcomings.

Analogous technical problems arise in a myriad of other applications where a remote wireless enabled resource must be monitored. For example, remote or remote monitoring of cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, boats or other vehicles is also limited in that the data transfer device in the vehicle is linked to a specific network or carrier.

Similarly, in the areas of smart home surveillance and telehealth applications, data transfer devices are tied to a specific network or carrier.

If the application is for automotive, tele-health or utility measurement reading, the same problem persists: if the current network is not operational, the device cannot transmit its data. If the user wishes to switch to a different carrier, it conventionally requires that the SIM card be replaced to provide the device with a new IMSI.

Therefore, there remains a need for a system and method that overcomes, or at least partially mitigates, the shortcomings of the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, the present invention provides an innovative integrated circuit system, method, and chip for wireless multi-network data collection, device control, telemetry, and telematics. This is accomplished by providing a wireless data transfer device with identifiers from multiple subscribers (eg multiple IMSI's) to access different wireless networks. In operation, the wireless data transfer device is connected or linked, via wired or wireless interfaces, to one or more remote resources, such as utility meters, vehicles, appliances, or tele-health monitors, to name just a few applications. The resource data (or meter data) is collected from one or more resources or meters and transmitted to a data receiver using one of a plurality of different wireless networks that are potentially available to the device. The wireless data transfer device contains a chip that has a memory that stores more than one subscriber or subscriber identifier (eg IMSI). Each IMSI allows access to a different wireless network. Various subscriber or subscriber identifiers (eg, multiple IMSI's) are provided on the chip to allow the wireless data transfer device to select which of one of a plurality of wireless networks to use to transmit the resource data. Because the chip contains multiple subscriber or subscriber identifiers (eg multiple IMSIs), the wireless data transfer device is capable of selecting a particular network from among the plurality of wireless networks. Network selection rules can be provided as logical on the chip to allow the chip to select which network to use for data transmission. Multiple IMSI's (or other subscriber or subscriber identifiers) can be pre-loaded on the chip for each of the wireless networks or, alternatively, they can be supplied over the air.

Accordingly, a main aspect of the present invention is a wireless data collection system comprising - a remote resource for data collection of the resource and a wireless data transfer device connected to the resource. The wireless data transfer device includes a radio frequency transceiver for wirelessly transmitting the resource data and an integrated circuit chip that has a memory for storing a plurality of subscriber or subscriber identifiers corresponding to different wireless networks and for further storing logicians who apply network selection rules to select one of the wireless networks to be used for the transmission of the resource data.

The chip in the wireless data transfer device may be, or include, an Identity Module of the

Subscriber (SIM) or its equivalent, in which case each subscriber or subscriber identifier is an IMSI (or equivalent).

The system may include a device management platform for receiving the resource data from the wireless data transfer device connected to the remote resource and for communicating control commands to the remote resource through the wireless transfer device. of data.

The system may also include a subscriber or subscriber management platform for subscriber or subscriber provisioning, the subscriber or subscriber management platform that enables the creation, activation, deactivation and deletion of subscriber or subscriber accounts.

Another major aspect of the present invention is a method of using a wireless data transfer device to transmit remote resource data from a remote resource to a data receiver. The method is based on the steps of collecting data from the remote resource through an interface of the wireless data transfer device that connects to the remote resource, determining which of one of a plurality of wireless networks to use for the transmission of the resource data to the receiver, and establishing wireless communication with one of the wireless networks by selecting a subscriber or subscriber identifier stored in a memory of the wireless data transfer device.

For major implementations of this method, the subscriber or subscriber identifier is an IMSI stored on a SIM chip, SIM card, or the like.

The method may involve receiving subscriber or subscriber identifiers over the air for new, or previously unavailable, wireless networks.

Still a major additional aspect of the present invention is an integrated circuit chip for use in a wireless resource monitoring or data collection system. The chip has a memory for storing a plurality of different subscriber or subscriber identifiers and the logic for selecting a subscriber or subscriber identifier from among the plurality of subscriber or subscriber identifiers stored in the chip's memory, each subscriber identifier or subscriber corresponds to a different wireless network on which the remote resource data of a remote resource could be communicated to a data receiver. In major implementations, as noted above, the subscriber ID is an IMSI or its equivalent, and the chip can be or include a

Subscriber or Subscriber (SIM) or equivalent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic overview of the system, · for reading wireless multi-networks of data transfer devices on remote resources according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of certain major components of the wireless data transfer device as it could be used in the system presented in FIG. one.

Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the main steps in a method of using a wireless data transfer device to transmit data from a remote resource to a data receiver.

Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating additional steps of data transmission over the wireless network that has been selected based on the network selection rules.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of a method of remotely controlling the data transfer device.

Figure 6 is a schematic overview of the multi-network wireless meter reading system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of certain major components of the wireless data transfer device as it could be used in the system presented in FIG. 6.

Fig. 8 is a schematic overview of the multi-network wireless reading system of a data transfer device installed in a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of certain major components of the wireless data transfer device as it could be used in the system presented in FIG. 8.

Figure 10 is a schematic overview of the multi-network wireless reading system of data transfer devices used for tele-health and smart home applications in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 is a schematic illustration of certain major components of the wireless data transfer device as it could be used in the system presented in FIG. 10.

It will be appreciated that throughout the accompanying drawings, similar features are identified by similar reference numbers. Also, it should be noted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

<td>DETAILED DESCRIPTION</td><td>OF THE INVENTION</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>In general, and</td><td>By way of introduction,</td><td>the</td><td>Present</td>

<td>invention enables</td><td>data collection</td><td>of</td><td>multi-network</td>

wireless, resource monitoring, telemetry and telematics. A wireless data transfer device contains an integrated circuit chip that has a memory that stores multiple subscriber or subscriber identifiers (eg multiple IMSI's for a GSM, UMTS or LTE implementation). These multiple subscriber or subscriber identifiers (eg multiple IMSI's) allow access to a plurality of different wireless networks, one of which can be selected at any time by the wireless data transfer device (based on network selection rules) or by any external agent that controls said device in order to transmit the resource data on any desired network for the which a valid IMSI (or other subscriber or subscriber identifier) ​​has been provided. This allows the wireless data transfer device to instantly and intelligently switch between carriers, thereby providing communication redundancy and the ability to optimize data transmission charges, or the use of different networks for different types of resources and / or ¹ receivers. This radical new approach represents a great improvement over prior art wireless measurement technologies, which are conventionally carrier-linked. The remote resource may be a utility meter, a vehicle (such as a car, truck, bus, motorcycle, ATV, snowmobile, jet ski, aircraft, etc.), machinery, equipment, or appliances (for example, units HVAC, Point of Sale (POS) devices, smart appliances, etc.) or any type of monitoring device (alarm system, telehealth monitor, etc.) In other words, This technology can be applied to virtually any remote resource that is deployed globally or at least over a wide area.

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a novel wireless data collection, monitoring, telemetry, or telematics system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The system, which is generally designated by reference number 100, operates in a wireless or mobile communication environment such as, for example, a GSM / UMTS 110 network. A plurality of different network operators 112 (or wireless carriers or mobile network operators) operate in the environment to provide wireless communications and connectivity. For the specific example presented in Figure 1, three network operators / carriers are shown (Network 1 operator, Network 2 operator, and Network 3 operator) although, in theory, it could be any number of mobile network operators.

As the picture shows. 1, system 100 includes a remote resource 120 (eg, utility meter, automobile, smart appliance, tele-health monitor, etc.) for resource data collection. Other remote resources 125 may be present, as shown by way of example in Figure 1. The technology will be described generally with reference to a generic remote resource, which is illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2. However, it should be appreciated that the technology can be applied to utility meters, for example, as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7, these resources may be utility meters, eg, residential electricity consumption meters or commercial, gas consumption meters, water consumption meters, etc. The meters can also be meters for specific household appliances, such as a meter in a hot water tank, air conditioning unit, refrigerator, etc. This new technology can be used to transmit data from one meter or from a plurality of different meters. As another tangible example, the technology can also be applied to monitoring vehicles (or other telematic vehicles) as shown in Figure '8 and Figure 9. As yet another example, the technology can also be applied to smart devices at home and / or for tele-health monitors as shown in Figure 10 and Figure 11. As such, it should be understood that a remote resource can be a mobile resource or a stationary resource. The remote resource may have its own sensors or transducers to generate its own data and to share this data with the data transfer device. Alternatively, the data transfer device may include one or more sensors to collect its own data on the resource. For example, the resource may have its own internal GPS chipset to determine its geographic position. This GPS data could then be shared with the data transfer device. Alternatively, the data transfer device may have a GPS chipset to determine the location of the resource. In the event that both the resource and the data transfer device have the same sensor, the data transfer device could either disable its own sensor and obtain only the data from the resource, or it may choose to use only its own data.

Referring again to figure 1 and figure

2, system 100 also includes a wireless data transfer device 200 (labeled as a remote device in Figure 1) connected to remote resource 120. The wireless data transfer device can optionally also be connected to the others. remote resources 125. In theory, any number of remote resources 120, 125 can be connected to, or in communication with, data transfer device 200. Data can be collected by wired or wireless links between device 200 and various resources.

The wireless data transfer device 200 has a radio frequency (wide area network wireless interface) transceiver for transmitting the data wirelessly and an integrated circuit chip (to be described in more detail later) which has a memory for storing a plurality of subscriber or subscriber identifiers corresponding to different wireless networks and for further logical storage that applies the network selection rules to select one of the wireless networks to use for data transmission.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, system 100 may include a device management platform 130. This device management platform 130 receives data reports from device 200 and issues device management commands. These communications can use SMS, USSD or GPRS / EDGE / 3G technologies.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, system 100 may further include a subscriber or subscriber management platform 140 for subscriber or subscriber provisioning. This subscriber or subscriber management platform 140 allows the creation, activation, deactivation and deletion of subscriber or subscriber accounts. Subscriber or subscriber account data may be stored in a central subscriber or subscriber database 150.

The system illustrated in Figure 1 is presented by way of example only and it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and additions can be made without departing from the underlying general inventive concept.

Wireless data transfer device 200 is presented in greater detail in FIG. 2. In the embodiment presented in FIG. 2, this device 200 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 202 (also referred to herein as a processor or microprocessor). and a memory 204 to store the raw and transformed data, as the case may be. CPU 202 can interact, as shown, with input / output modules (I / O ports) 206 for data acquisition and control. The CPU can also interface with Local Area Network (LAN) interfaces 208 for data acquisition and control. As shown as an example, LAN interfaces can be Bluetooth^(R), ZigBee (R), WLAN (IEEE 802.11), USB, Firewire^(TM), Power Line Communication, Eternet (IEEE 802.3), WPAN, or any other equivalent or suitable interface.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the wireless data transfer device 200 includes a wireless wide area network (WWAN) interface 210 for interconnection with the station towers of the various networks. 112 of the GSM / UMTS network 110. The WWAN interface 210 includes a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM / USIM) 220 and an air interface 230. The air interface 230 in this example is configured for GSM / UMTS mobile communications. The air interface includes a radio frequency transceiver to send and receive data over the air. SIM / USIM 220 includes a memory for storing subscriber or subscriber identifiers 222 (eg multiple IMSI's) and the logic defining a set of network selection rules 224. The network selection rules are applied to determine that network 112 will be used for data transmission. The network selection rules can be configurable and / or reconfigurable either on device 200 and / or over-the-air by an external agent such as, for example, by the subscriber or subscriber management platform 140. The great flexibility of This system is derived from the ingenious inclusion in the SIM / USIM 222 of a plurality of different IMSI's, each IMSI allowing the device to connect to a different wireless network 112. The device can thus deliver the data reports to a remote data receiver without restrictions by a carrier or a mobile network operator (MNO). The device can change to a different MNO if the default MNO has a service interruption or simply to avail of a better price (reduction in data charges). In addition, a new IMSI can be over the air to device 200 if it is desired to provide access to a new MNO or previously unavailable MNO.

As will be appreciated, this technology can be adapted for use with 4G LTE networks as they come on the line.

INTEGRATED CIRCUIT CHIP

From the above it will be evident that the core of the inventive system presented above is the chip, which could also be in the form of a card or integrated circuit.

All of these are intended to be within the term integrated circuit chip used in this document. This integrated circuit chip contains the multiple subscriber or subscriber identifiers. For GSM / UMTS / LTE, the chip may simply be a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC), which stores the multiple UMSI's in the SIM / USIM.

Therefore, the chip contains the storage memory of the IMSI's or other subscriber or subscriber identifiers and the logic to implement the network selection rules. In an example embodiment, the chip is a UICC (or equivalent chip) smart card that has ITS own CPU, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, and I / O circuits.

In the main implementations of this technology, a single chip (for example, a UICC with a single SIM) is used for multiple IMSI's or other stored subscriber or subscriber identifiers. However, it might be possible to provide the same multi-IMSI capability using multiple SIM cards on the same device where the IMSI on each SIM card is accessible by a central controller or administrator.

Optionally, the chip may comprise the logic to allow an IMSI to be added to memory or to be removed from memory, either locally or via an over-the-air command, for example, from the management or administration platform Of the device.

METHOD

Another aspect of this invention is a method of using a wireless data transfer device to communicate data from a remote resource to a remote receiver. A first aspect of this method is the selection of the network. This aspect of the method is generally summarized by the flow diagram presented in Figure 3. As shown in this flowchart, the method selection network aspect in general terms involves a first step of determining which of one of a plurality of wireless networks will be used for transmission of the resource data to the receiver. Accordingly, in step 310, the network selection rules are applied to select a wireless network for data transmission. This can be based on the type of data (which resource has provided the data), the intended receiver, the time of day, the costs of data transmission, or any other factor. In step 320, the IMSI (or other subscriber or subscriber identifier) ​​is then selected from the chip (eg SIM) corresponding to the chosen wireless network. In step 330, a wireless link is established with the selected wireless network using the IMSI for you to select or choose the network.

Figure 4 illustrates, in general terms, the data transmission of the resource. In general, this involves a step 400 of collecting data from the resource. This is accomplished through an interface of the wireless data transfer device that is connected to the resource. Once the resource data has been received (i.e., collected), it can be stored, cached, or buffered for later transmission in step 410. The transmission of the resource data can be carried out periodically (at predetermined intervals or at the request of an external agent). The device can transmit the resource data using a default network, which has been previously selected using the network selection rules, or by reapplying the network selection rules before transmission to ensure that the network selection is updated.

Figure 5 illustrates a remote command and control capability, whereby the data transfer device and / or its associated resource can be controlled over the air by issuing commands (signals or messages) to the device and / or its associated resource using a predetermined protocol. As illustrated in Figure 5, at step 500 the data transfer device receives a command. In step 510, the data transfer device reacts or responds to the command. This command can prompt the data transfer device to, for example, transmit a report immediately, reconfigure itself, change the type of data that is collected, change the frequency or format of periodic reports, etc. The command can also be a command intended for the same remote resource. For example, the command can be to disable or deactivate the resource, or activate the resource, adjust its operation parameters, etc.

The subscriber or subscriber identifier for a GSM or UMTS implementation is the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI). As is well known in the art, an IMSI typically contains fifteen digits. The first three digits represent the Mobile Country Code (MCC). The next two or three digits represent the Mobile Network Code (MNC) (two for the European standard or three for the North American standard). The remaining digits represent the Mobile Station Identification Number (MSIN) within the network's customer base. Therefore, the network selection rules can identify which network to use based on the MNC portion of the IMSI.

Once the IMSI has been selected, the wireless data transfer device 200, like a GSM / UMTS telephone, performs an IMSI Attach. As is well understood in the art, IMSI Attach implies that device 200 requests a channel and sends either IMSI or a Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) to the base station after which the base station recognizes the message and sends the request (and IMSI) to the Switching Center

Mobile / Visitor Location Record (MSC / VLR). MSC / VLRs send IMSI to the Local Location Register (HLR) for verification. The HLR sends the IMSI to the Authentication Center (AuC) for authentication triplets (RAND, Kc, SRES). The AUC generates the triplets and sends them back with the IMSI to the HLR. The HLR then validates the IMSI to ensure that the device with it

IMSI actually has the right to be online. Unlike an ordinary GSM phone, with the new multi-IMSI 200 device of the present invention, if the

Selected IMSI is not authorized for the given network and verification fails, device 200 can automatically process a different IMSI stored on the SIM chip. This provides another form of backup or redundancy in the event of an administrative or subscription expiration failure causing the first selected IMSI to be rejected. On the other hand, this rejection may be communicated to the subscribers or subscribers management platform so that the platform immediately provides a new IMSI over the air. If, on the other hand, the validation is successful, the HLR then sends the IMSI and the authentication triplets to the MSC / VLR. Authentication is then performed with the RAND challenge or doubt and the signed response (SRES) as you would with a single IMSI device (i.e. a regular GSM phone). If SRES matches the pre-computed value at the base station, the device can then communicate using an algorithm encrypted on the SIM card (eg A5) for which the base station has received the key Kc session. The encrypted portion is therefore also the same as for regular GSM / UMTS communications. The logic for implementing the A3, A8 and A5 encryption algorithms is also provided on the device's SIM / USIM card 200, as it would be with any other GSM / UMTS phone.

In a particular implementation of this technology, the subscriber or subscriber management platform can act as an HLR (Local Location Register) in the sense that network validation could be carried out on that platform.

From the foregoing, it should be borne in mind that data collection, monitoring, measurement, telemetry and telematics are not limited solely to obtaining customer or consumer data. For example, in the context of public service meters, obtaining measurement data is not limited only to measuring the consumption of a given resource, for example, electricity, gas, water, etc., but is generally applied. to the measurement of any parameter or parameters that is relative to an apparatus, system, machine, etc. from distance.

In general, it should be borne in mind that data collection, telemetry and measurement may involve the measurement, detection and transduction of any quantity, value or parameter or the obtaining of any type of data or feedback signals from any device, apparatus (for example, smart appliances), equipment, machines, systems, power plants, vehicles, etc. from which the wireless device 200 can obtain the data. It should be evident that this technology has wide applicability in numerous areas of activity beyond the examples presented in this document. For example, the technology can be used to monitor and control household appliances, home security systems, HVAC systems, power generators, cars, planes, ships, trains, to name a few.

In addition to transmitting measurement data, the wireless communication link can also be used to receive commands from an end user, utility, administrator, owner, or any other entity that has an interest in regulating or controlling the device, appliance, vehicle , household appliance, machine, etc., from which the measurement data has been obtained. In addition to controlling or monitoring, the end user can dictate which data network will be delivered. Changes can be accomplished instantly by sending a command over the air. This enables a completely network independent or network agnostic solution for wireless measurement that has not hitherto been possible to use with prior art technologies.

Finally, it should be noted that this new multi-IMSI technology allows different services to be delivered through different networks. For example, a multiIMSI device installed in a smart home would allow a different IMSI to be used for different services, for example, an IMSI could be used for the home security system, a separate IMSI could be used for a medical monitor to a patient confined to the home, and another IMSI could be used to manage the energy consumption of the home.

The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, examples, implementations, and configurations that are intended to be examples or illustrations only. Other variants, modifications, improvements, and applications of this innovative technology will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art who have had the benefit of reading this description. Such variants, modifications, improvements, and applications fall within the scope and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the exclusive right sought by the Applicant of the present invention is' intended to be limited only by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.