FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to the control and supervision of
connected objects.
BACKGROUND
With the exponential deployment of connected objects, control and
monitoring systems are facing new challenges and new difficulties, in
particular for mobile objects connected to Internet via a wireless connection
of a network operator.
Such systems are facing two main problems:
- to monitor thousands of objects in real time without permanently
polling them;
- to reach these objects when they are connected with a private IP
address that need to use either a network address translator (NAT)
gateway or a proxy server to connect to the Internet;
- to reach these objects by bypassing inbound firewall rules.
One existing system is based on a periodic "polling" of the remote
target object and interrogates the target object to get values about its status.
This system demands a lot of network resources and requires the target
object to have a public IP address.
Another existing system is based on a real time telemetry broadcast
from the target object to the monitoring system. A network channel must be
dedicated to the target object to broadcast the information. This system is
not applicable to a fleet of thousand of objects.
There is a need for a control and monitoring system which is not
based on the polling or broadcast techniques and which can communicate in
real time with any remote client.
SUMMARY
This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to the
present inventive subject matter. This summary is not intended to identify
essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in
determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided for a
supervision and control of connected objects registered in an IP Multimedia
Subsystem (IMS) network, comprising the following steps in an application
server:
receiving a first message containing an identifier of a connected
object from a supervision server,
retrieving a SIP number of the connected object associated with the
identifier of the connected object,
sending a second message containing the identifier of the connected
object to a messaging server of the IMS network, the second message
further containing instructions interpreted by the messaging server to send a
control message to an instant messaging client of the connected object using
the SIP number of the connected object, the second message and the
control message containing a command that is executed by the connected
object to trigger an action on at least one sensor of the connected object or
the activation of a resource of the connected object,
receiving an update message from the connected object, the update
message containing at least one value of a sensor of the connected object or
an acknowledgment of said activation of a resource.
Advantageously, the invention provides a real time control and
monitoring system which is not based on the techniques of polling of the
connected object or broadcast and which can communicate in real time with
any remote client, even if behind a private IP address or a firewall which
filters and drops all inbound traffic.
In an embodiment, the application server interrogates a presence
server of the IMS network with the identifier of the connected object to
retrieve the SIP number of the connected object, the presence server being
able to find the SIP number of the connected object associated with the
identifier of the connected object stored in a database.
In an embodiment, said action on at least one sensor of the
connected object is a monitoring of said at least one sensor of the connected
object.
In an embodiment, the application server forwards the update
message to a presence server of the IMS network that stores said at least
one value of a sensor of the connected object in correspondence with the
identifier of the connected object in a database.
In an embodiment, the method further comprises:
receiving an update request sent from the supervision server, the
update request containing the identifier of the connected object,
interrogating a presence server of the IMS network with the identifier
of the connected object and retrieving at least one last updated value of a
sensor of the connected object stored in a database,
sending an update response to the supervision server, the update
response containing the identifier of the connected object and said at least
one last updated value of a sensor of the connected object.
In an embodiment, the method further comprises:
receiving a third message containing an identifier of a connected
object from a supervision server,
retrieving a SIP number of the connected object associated with the
identifier of the connected object,
sending a fourth message containing the identifier of the connected
object to the messaging server of the IMS network, the fourth message
further containing instructions interpreted by the messaging server to send a
termination message to the instant messaging client of the connected object
using the SIP number of the connected object, the fourth message and the
termination message containing a command that is executed by the
connected object to stop the monitoring of said at least one sensor of the
connected object.
In an embodiment, said action on at least one sensor of the
connected object is a configuration control of said at least one sensor of the
connected object to define a value for said at least one sensor of the
connected object, and said at least one value of a sensor of the connected
object contained in the update message is a confirmation of the defined
value.
In an embodiment, the first message is received by a dedicated web
service of the application server.
The invention also pertains to a server for a supervision and control
of connected objects registered in an IMS network, comprising:
means for receiving a first message containing an identifier of a
connected object from a supervision server,
means for retrieving a SIP number of the connected object
associated with the identifier of the connected object,
means for sending a second message containing the identifier of the
connected object to a messaging server of the IMS network, the second
message further containing instructions interpreted by the messaging server
to send a control message to an instant messaging client of the connected
object using the SIP number of the connected object, the second message
and the control message containing a command that is executed by the
connected object to trigger an action on at least one sensor or the activation
of a resource of the connected object of the connected object,
means for receiving an update message from the connected object,
the update message containing at least one value of a sensor of the
connected object or an acknowledgment of said activation of a resource.
The invention also pertains to computer program capable of being
implemented within a server, said program comprising instructions which,
when the program is executed within said server, carry out steps according
to the method according to the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Some embodiments of the present invention are now described, by
way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The same reference number represents the same element or the same type
of element on all drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system
according to one embodiment of the invention for a supervision of connected
objects.
FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for a supervision of
connected objects according to one embodiment of the invention.
The same reference number represents the same element or the
same type of element on all drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
The figures and the following description illustrate specific exemplary
embodiments of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in
the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not
explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention
and are included within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, any
examples described herein are intended to aid in understanding the
principles of the invention, and are to be construed as being without
limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. As a result,
the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments or examples
described below, but by the claims and their equivalents.
Referring to FIG. 1, a communication system comprises an
application server AS, a supervision server SS, a presence server PS, a
messaging server MS and a set of connected objects CO that are able to
communicate with the servers through at least a telecommunication network
TN.
The telecommunication network TN may be a wired or wireless
network, or a combination of wired and wireless networks.
For example, the telecommunication network TN is a digital cellular
radio communication network of the GSM (Global System for Mobile
communications) or UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System)
or even CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) type or even LTE (Long
Term Evolution) type. The GSM type network may be coupled with a GPRS
(General Packet Radio Service) network for the transmission of data by
packets with mobility and access management via radio.
Furthermore, the telecommunication network TN can be accessed
via a wireless network, such as a WIFI network.
The telecommunication network TN can be associated with a packet
network, for example, an IP ("Internet Protocol") high-speed network such as
the Internet or an intranet, or even a company-specific private network.
According to one embodiment of the invention that will be referred to
throughout the remainder of the description, the telecommunication network
TN comprises a packet network, for example, an IP ("Internet Protocol")
high-speed network such as the Internet or an intranet, or even a companyspecific
private network. An IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network is
deployed over the IP network. The IMS network makes use of the Session
Initiation Protocol (SIP) to set up and control calls or sessions between
communication devices, such as user terminals and application servers.
The control of a communication related to a connected object is
performed within the IMS network, particularly by three Call State Control
Function (CSCF) control entities: the entities Proxy CSCF (P-CSCF),
Interrogating CSCF (l-CSCF), and Serving-CSCF (S-CSCF).
The entity P-CSCF is the first point of contact in the IMS network,
and its address is discovered by the user terminal when a Packet Data
Protocol (PDP) context is activated to exchange SIP messages.
A connected object CO comprises a network interface Nl connected
to the telecommunication network TN. The network interface is part of a data
processing unit that may be directly embedded in the connected object CO.
Alternatively, an interface device that forms a gateway may be arranged
between a plurality of connected objects and the telecommunication network
TN.
The connected objects CO may be of different nature. For instance,
the connected objects CO may be devices such as an advertisement board,
a television set, a household appliance, a communication terminal, a fridge,
a camera, a media drive, an information display etc. The connected objects
CO may be present in the user's home but also in public environments or
other locations, for instance the user's workplace.
Moreover, each connected object CO may offer a plurality of
services via its data processing unit having a network interface. A service is a
function offered by a connected object which is available through the
telecommunication network and therefore may be used or activated by using
a communication terminal or server. For instance, a connected object such
as a lamp provides a switch-on/switch-off service that permits a
communication terminal to switch on or off the lamp remotely through the
telecommunication network. Depending on the service, a connected object
contains also at least one internal sensor that can be associated with
different values or a resource that can be activated remotely.
On each connected object is deployed a presence client able to
provide presence information to the presence server PS.
On each connected object is deployed an instant messaging client
IMC able to receive and send messages, such as instant messages.
A connected object comprises also a command interpreter CI able to
translate a received message into local commands.
A connected object comprises also a monitoring unit ML) that is a
data-sources grabber able to constantly monitor internal sensors values and
to send these values to the application server AS. These values can be sent
on request via a dedicated API.
Each connected object owns a unique identifier, like a serial number,
and a unique SIP number.
The supervision server SS is an entity dedicated to the supervision
and control of connected objects.
The supervision server SS implements a control agent CA that is an
interface with the telecommunication network and interrogates the
application server AS.
Optionally, the supervision server SS implements an instant
messaging agent IMA and a value interpreter VI. The instant messaging
agent IMA is permanently connected to the application server in order to
receive sensors values in real time messages without having to poll a
dedicated service of the application server.
The value interpreter VI is able to translate received sensors values
in correctly formatted inputs for the supervision server.
The supervision server SS commands a supervision of a connected
object by sending a command message destined to the connected object
that triggers a monitoring of sensors.
The supervision server SS commands also a configuration of a
connected object by sending a command message destined to the
connected object that defines a given value for a sensor.
The supervision server SS commands also an activation of a
resource of a connected object by means of a command message.These
command messages are sent towards the connected object via the
application server AS.
The presence server PS is included in the IMS network and
manages a database storing information about connectivity of
communication devices, for example presence information of connected
object.
This database can be linked to a centralized directory XDMS (XML
Database Management Server).
The presence server PS is part of a Rich Communication Suite
(RCS) that uses the capabilities of IMS core system as the underlying
service platform taking care of issues such as authentication, authorization,
registration, charging and routing.
In one variant, the presence server and the centralized directory
XDMS are implemented in different network servers included in the IMS
network.
The messaging server MS implements a real time instant messaging
system able to communicate with the instant messaging clients of the
connected objects, and optionally with the instant messaging client of the
supervision server.
The application server AS is an API (Application Programming
Interface) gateway, and may use open standard applications such as HTTP
(Hypertext Transfer Protocol), SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), JSON
(JavaScript Object Notation), XML (Extensible Markup Language), and
REST (Representational state transfer), .
In another embodiment, the application server AS acts as or may
take advantage of an API gateway connected to application server AS to
access IMS network services.
An Application Programming Interface (API) is a specification that
defines an interface for software components to communicate with each
other. An API may include specifications for functions, data structures, object
classes, and variables. Some examples of API specifications include the
standard template library in C++, the Microsoft Windows API, libraries in C,
and the Java API. When an API specifies a function, the API provides
information about how the function is called, what parameters are included in
calling the function, and the format and type of data returned by the function.
For example, the application server AS identifies and deploys code
objects to implement web services.
The application server AS comprises a first network interface NI1
and a second network interface NI2.
The first network interface NI1 comprises a first set of application
programming interfaces to communicate with applications developed and
used by the set of connected objects CO and the supervision server SS.
The second network interface NI2 comprises a second set of
application programming interfaces to communicate with applications on the
side of the IMS network, especially with the presence server PS and the
messaging server MS.
For example, the first network interface NI1 implements web services
that are exposed REST web services.
In one embodiment, both first network interface NI1 and second
network interface NI2 implement two web services.
A first web service, called "SETDATASOURCEVALUE" service,
receives sensors values from the connected objects via the first network
interface and stores the sensors values in the database of the presence
server.
A second web service, called "GETDATASOURCEVALUE" service,
gives access to the sensors values stored in the database to the supervision
server SS.
A connected object registers on the IMS network via the
telecommunication network. It can use its own network interface Nl to obtain
an IP address or can be located behind a gateway having a public or private
IP address. The connected object keeps an open session with the IMS
network, the presence server PS having stored an identifier of the connected
object in correspondence with a SIP number attributed to the connected
object. Even if the connected object is located behind a private IP address,
the connected object is still accessible via its SIP number.
With reference to FIG. 2, a method for a supervision of connected
objects according to one embodiment of the invention comprises steps S 1 to
S 13 executed within the communication system.
In step S 1, a set of connected objects CO registers on the IMS
network, each connected object obtaining a SIP number.
For each connected object, the presence server PS stores an
identifier of the connected object in correspondence with a SIP number
attributed to the connected object.
In step S2, the supervision server SS interrogates the application
server AS about a connected object in order to obtain information on the
operating status of the connected object.
For that, the supervision server sends a request Req to the
application server AS, the request containing an identifier of the connected
object CO.
In step S3, the application server AS interrogates the presence
server by means of the identifier of the connected object CO. The presence
server looks into the database to find, if any, the SIP number attributed to the
connected object that is associated with the identifier of the connected
object. The presence server returns presence information of the connected
object to the application server.
In step S4, the application server AS sends a response Res to the
supervision server SS, the response containing the identifier of the
connected object CO and the presence information of the connected object.
It means that the connected object CO is active and can be remotely
monitored.
In step S5, the supervision server SS sends a first command
message CMesl to the application server AS in order to start the monitoring
of the connected object.
The first command message CMesl is a HTTP request and contains
the identifier of the connected object and instructions to be interpreted by the
application server AS to produce a second command message CMes2.
In step S6, the application server AS retrieves a SIP number of the
connected object CO associated with the identifier of the connected object.
To that end, the application server AS interrogates the presence server PS
with the identifier of the connected object, the presence server being able to
find the SIP number of the connected object associated with the identifier of
the connected object stored in the database.
In step S7, the application server AS produces and sends the
second command message CMes2 to the messaging server MS. The
second command message CMes2 contains the SIP number of the
connected object and instructions to be interpreted by the messaging server
MS to produce a control message MesC.
The second command message CMes2 contains a command
destined to the connected object. The command can be an initialization
command such as "START SENDING DATA" or a control command such as
"DEFINE SENSOR X WITH VALUE Y" or "ACTIVATE RESOURCE Z".
In step S8, the messaging server MS produces the control message
MesC as an instant message and converts the content of the second
command message CMes2 into a format compatible with the instant
message format.
The messaging server MS sends the control message MesC towards
the instant messaging client of the connected object CO, using the SIP
number of the connected object.
The control message MesC contains the command, of initialization
command type like "START SENDING DATA" or of control command type
like "DEFINE SENSOR X WITH VALUE Y" or "ACTIVATE RESOURCE Z",
that is interpreted and executed by the command interpreter of the
connected object in order to trigger an action on at least one sensor or
resource of the connected object.
In step S9, if the control message MesC contains the initialization
command, the triggered action is the starting of a monitoring of sensors of
the connected object and the monitoring unit MU of the connected object CO
starts a monitoring of the sensors of the connected object in order to get
updated values of the sensors.
For example, the connected object is a car having sensors for tire
pressure and the engine temperature. Every minute, the monitoring unit ML)
can get the last value of the sensors.
If the control message MesC contains the control command, the
triggered action is a configuration control of sensors of the connected object
or an activation of a resource of the connected object.
For the configuration control of sensors, the monitoring unit ML) of
the connected object CO defines a value for at least one sensor according to
the control command contained in the control message. For instance for a
connected car, a value for a sensor could be defined for the maximal
temperature of an engine, or set for a rotation speed of a fan or for the
volume of an alarm.
For an activation of a resource of the connected object, the
monitoring unit ML) of the connected object CO activates the resource
identified in the control command contained in the control message. For
instance for a connected car, such control command could be "START
ENGINE" or OPEN LEFT FRONT DOOR".
In step S 10, the monitoring unit ML) of the connected object CO
sends an update message MesU to the application server AS, the update
message MesU containing the identifier of the connected object and at least
one updated value of a sensor or an acknowledgment of the activation of the
resource. The updated message is sent towards the dedicated web service
of the first network interface NI1 , called "SETDATASOURCEVALUE" service.
If the control message MesC contains the control command, the
update message MesU contains said at least one updated value of a sensor
that is a confirmation of the value defined for the sensor or an
acknowledgment of the activation of the resource. Said acknowledgment
could be provided by the resource under the form of a code.
If the control message MesC contains the control command, the
method stops at step S 10.
If the control message MesC contains the initialization command, the
method continues with step S 11 to step S 14.
In step S 11, the application server AS forwards the update message
MesU via the second interface NI2 to the presence server PS that stores the
updated values in correspondence with the identifier of the connected object
in the database.
The application server AS permits to the supervision server SS to
access the sensors values via the second web service, called
"GETDATASOURCEVALUE" service.
In step S 12, the supervision server SS polls the application server
via the "GETDATASOURCEVALUE" service. To that end, the supervision
server sends an update request ReqU to the application server, the update
request ReqU containing the identifier of the connected object. The
application server interrogates the presence server PS with the identifier of
the connected object and retrieves the last updated values stored in the
database. The application server sends an update response ResU to the
supervision server SS, the update response ResU containing the identifier of
the connected object and the retrieved updated values.
The application server converts messages received from the
presence server PS into format readable by the supervision server SS.
The polling can be done between the supervision server and the
application server located on the same network part or behind an accessible
IP address.
In one variant for step S 12, the supervision server SS implements an
instant messaging agent IMA that is able to receive data in real time from the
messaging server, avoiding thus the polling operation.
To that end, the instant messaging agent IMA registers in the
presence server by means of an identifier of the instant messaging agent
IMA and the identifier of the connected object in order to receive data related
to the connected object. Thus the instant messaging agent IMA subscribes
to a service of receiving last updated values stored by the presence server
PS. The instant messaging agent IMA can subscribe for several or all the
connected objects it is aware of. Each time an updated value or a set of
updated values is stored in the database by the presence server, the
updated value or set of updated values is retrieved by the messaging server
MS that sends an instant message containing the updated value or set of
updated values to the supervision server SS.
The value interpreter VI of the supervision server translates the
content of the received instant message in correctly formatted inputs for the
supervision server.
In step S 13, the supervision server terminates the monitoring of the
connected object.
To that end, the supervision server SS sends a third command
message CMes3 to the application server AS in order to stop the monitoring
of the connected object. The third command message CMes3 is a HTTP
request and contains the identifier of the connected object instructions
interpreted by the application server AS to produce a fourth command
message CMes4. The application server AS retrieves the SIP number of the
connected object associated with the identifier of the connected object via
the presence server, as in step S6.
Then, the application server AS sends the fourth command message
CMes4 to the messaging server MS. The fourth command message CMes4
contains instructions interpreted by the messaging server MS to produce a
termination message MesT.
In step S 14, the messaging server MS sends the termination
message MesT towards the instant messaging client of the connected
object.
The termination message MesT contains a command, such as
"STOP SENDING DATA", that is interpreted and executed by the command
interpreter of the connected object.
The monitoring unit ML) of the connected object stops the monitoring
of the sensors of the connected object and does not send message to the
application server anymore.
The invention described here relates to a method and a server for a
supervision and control of connected objects. According to one
implementation of the invention, steps of the invention are determined by the
instructions of a computer program incorporated into a server, such as the
application server. The program comprises program instructions which, when
said program is loaded and executed within the server, carry out the steps of
the method.
Consequently, the invention also applies to a computer program,
particularly a computer program on or within an information medium, suitable
to implement the invention. This program may use any programming
language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate
code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled
form, or in any other form desirable for implementing the method according
to the invention.

CLAIMS
1. A method for a supervision and control of connected objects
registered in an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network, comprising the
following steps in an application server (AS):
receiving (S5) a first message (CMesl ) containing an identifier of a
connected object (CO) from a supervision server (SS),
retrieving (S6) a SIP number of the connected object associated with
the identifier of the connected object,
sending (S7) a second message (CMes2) containing the identifier of
the connected object (CO) to a messaging server (MS) of the IMS network,
the second message further containing instructions interpreted by the
messaging server (MS) to send a control message (MesC) to an instant
messaging client of the connected object (CO) using the SIP number of the
connected object, the second message (CMes2) and the control message
(MesC) containing a command that is executed by the connected object to
trigger an action on at least one sensor of the connected object or the
activation of a resource of the connected object,
receiving (S1 0) an update message (MesU) from the connected
object (CO), the update message (MesU) containing at least one value of a
sensor of the connected object or an acknowledgment of said activation of a
resource.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the application server (AS)
interrogates a presence server (PS) of the IMS network with the identifier of
the connected object to retrieve the SIP number of the connected object, the
presence server being able to find the SIP number of the connected object
associated with the identifier of the connected object stored in a database.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said action on at least
one sensor of the connected object is a monitoring of said at least one
sensor of the connected object.
4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the application server
forwards the update message (MesU) to a presence server (PS) of the IMS
network that stores said at least one value of a sensor of the connected
object in correspondence with the identifier of the connected object in a
database.
5. A method according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising:
receiving (S1 2) an update request (ReqU) sent from the supervision
server (SS), the update request (ReqU) containing the identifier of the
connected object,
interrogating (S1 2) a presence server (PS) of the IMS network with
the identifier of the connected object and retrieving at least one last updated
value of a sensor of the connected object stored in a database,
sending (S1 2) an update response (ResU) to the supervision server
(SS), the update response (ResU) containing the identifier of the connected
object and said at least one last updated value of a sensor of the connected
object.
6. A method according to any of claims 3 to 5, further comprising:
receiving (S1 3) a third message (CMes3) containing an identifier of a
connected object (CO) from a supervision server (SS),
retrieving (S1 3) a SIP number of the connected object associated
with the identifier of the connected object,
sending (S1 3) a fourth message (CMes4) containing the identifier of
the connected object (CO) to the messaging server (MS) of the IMS network,
the fourth message further containing instructions interpreted by the
messaging server (MS) to send (S14) a termination message (MesT) to the
instant messaging client of the connected object (CO) using the SIP number
of the connected object, the fourth message (Mes4) and the termination
message (MesT) containing a command that is executed by the connected
object to stop the monitoring of said at least one sensor of the connected
object.
7. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said action on at least
one sensor of the connected object is a configuration control of said at least
one sensor of the connected object to define a value for said at least one
sensor of the connected object, and said at least one value of a sensor of
the connected object contained in the update message is a confirmation of
the defined value.
8. A method according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first
message (Mes1 ) is received by a dedicated web service of the application
server (AS).
9. An application server (AS) for a supervision and control of connected
objects registered in an IMS network, comprising:
means (NI1 ) for receiving a first message (CMesl ) containing an
identifier of a connected object (CO) from a supervision server (SS),
means (NI2) for retrieving a SIP number of the connected object
associated with the identifier of the connected object,
means (NI2) for sending a second message (CMes2) containing the
identifier of the connected object (CO) to a messaging server (MS) of the
IMS network, the second message further containing instructions interpreted
by the messaging server (MS) to send a control message (MesC) to an
instant messaging client of the connected object (CO) using the SIP number
of the connected object, the second message (CMes2) and the control
message (MesC) containing a command that is executed by the connected
object to trigger an action on at least one sensor or the activation of a
resource of the connected object of the connected object,
means (NI1 ) for receiving an update message (MesU) from the
connected object (CO), the update message (MesU) containing at least one
value of a sensor of the connected object or an acknowledgment of said
activation of a resource.
10. A computer program capable of being implemented within an
application server (AS) for a supervision and control of connected objects
registered in an IMS network, said program comprising instructions which,
when the program is loaded and executed within said server (AS), carry out
the following steps:
receiving (S5) a first message (CMesl ) containing an identifier of a
connected object (CO) from a supervision server (SS),
retrieving (S6) a SIP number of the connected object associated with
the identifier of the connected object,
sending (S7) a second message (CMes2) containing the identifier of
the connected object (CO) to a messaging server (MS) of the IMS network
the second message further containing instructions interpreted by the
messaging server (MS) to send a control message (MesC) to an instant
messaging client of the connected object (CO) using the SIP number of the
connected object, the second message (CMes2) and the control message
(MesC) containing a command that is executed by the connected object to
trigger an action on at least one sensor or the activation of a resource of the
connected object of the connected object,
receiving (S1 0) an update message (MesU) from the connected
object (CO), the update message (MesU) containing at least one value of a
sensor of the connected object or an acknowledgment of said activation of a
resource.