Method for naming sensor devices in a local network, service
gateway and remote management server
Technical field
The present disclosure relates to the field of methods for
naming and authorising sensor devices in a local network, as
for instance a home network.
Background
In domotics systems, sensor devices are typically added to
the home environment. These sensor devices can communicate
by means of a wide range of available communication
technologies with a service gateway, and need to be
authenticated before being allowed into the home network.
Sensor typically have a unique MAC address identifier, which
is not a clear identification for an average user. Therefore
it is preferred to give sensor devices in the home a name
which is easily recognized by the user.
Today, different methods for naming sensor devices exist.
For instance a web-interface can be used. The presence of a
PC is then required. According to another solution, the
names can be automatically generated, which typically
results in unclear naming.
Summary
It is an object of embodiments of the present invention, to
provide an alternative method for naming and authorising
sensor devices.
According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a
method is disclosed for associating name information to a
sensor device in a local network, the local network being
connected to an access network by means of a service
gateway, and the service gateway being adapted for
communicating with the sensor device, comprising performing
at the service gateway:
- receiving sensor identification information for the sensor
device ;
- forwarding the sensor identification information to a
mobile device of a user, through a wireless
telecommunication network;
- receiving naming information for the sensor device from
the mobile device through the telecommunication network;
- storing the naming information for the sensor device.
The method allows naming sensor devices in the local network
by means of a mobile device, such as a mobile phone or PDA,
over a mobile network. No personal computer is thus
necessary, and the user can easily give a name to the
sensor. The user can do this remotely, e.g. when not being
in a home associated to said local network.
According to preferred embodiments, the method further
comprises :
- retrieving contact information for the mobile device;
- forwarding sensor identification information to the mobile
device, based on the contact information.
The service gateway can therefore for instance consult a
memory or name server, comprising said contacting
information, as for instance the mobile phone number of the
mobile device. The memory or name server may also comprise
authorization capability information for the mobile device.
The authorization capability information can for instance
define which type of authorization technology the mobile
device is supporting.
According to preferred embodiments, the method further
comprises forwarding a request for receiving authentication
information for the sensor device, to the mobile device, and
receiving the authentication information. These steps can
for instance be based on the authorization capability
information .
The result of these steps is that a user can easily
authorize a sensor node to access his local, e.g. home
network .
According to preferred embodiments, the forwarding a request
for receiving authentication information and forwarding the
sensor identification information are performed at the same
time, and wherein receiving naming information and receiving
the authentication information are performed at the same
time .
This reduces the number of interaction with the mobile
device and user.
According to preferred embodiments, forwarding the sensor
identification information to a mobile device, and receiving
naming information for the sensor device from the mobile
device comprises sending and receiving text messages, such
as SMS or email. Text messages can easily be communicated,
by means of state of the art technology. Therefore use can
be made of a message-gateway as for instance an SMS gateway
or email-gateway. A user can easily read and generate such
type of messages on state of the art mobile devices.
According to alternative embodiments of the first aspect of
the present disclosure, the method comprises
- sending service gateway identification information and the
sensor identification information to a remote management
server, for performing authentication for the sensor
device, based on the service gateway identification
information and the sensor identification information, and,
if it is found that the sensor can be authenticated, for
retrieving contact information for the mobile device, based
on service gateway information, and for interacting with the
mobile device in order to retrieve sensor naming
information, by the remote management server; and
- receiving at least one of authentication information and
naming information for the sensor device from the remote
management server.
According to this type of embodiments, the authorization
process is diverted to a remote management server for the
service gateway. The remote management server may then take
care of the authorization before an interaction is set up
with the mobile device, in which naming information is
retrieved from the user. The service gateway can than
receive at least one of authentication information and
naming information from the remote management server.
According to preferred embodiments, interacting with the
mobile device in order to retrieve sensor naming information
by the remote management server, comprises exchanging text
messages with the mobile device.
Also here, interacting with the mobile device in order to
retrieve sensor naming information by the remote management
server can comprise sending and receiving text messages,
such as SMS or email. Again, use can be made of a messagegateway
as for instance an SMS gateway or email-gateway.
According to preferred embodiment of the present disclosure,
the method further comprises interfacing with the user using
the naming information for referring to the sensor device.
As the naming information has been actively provided by the
user, no doubt should exist on which sensor device is
corresponding to which sensor device.
According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a
service gateway is described for use as a gateway between a
local network being connected to an access network, the
local network comprising at least one sensor device, wherein
the service gateway is adapted for;
- communicating with the sensor device;
- receiving sensor identification information for the sensor
device ;
- forwarding the sensor identification information to a
mobile device associated to a user through a wireless
telecommunication network;
- receiving naming information for the sensor device from
the mobile device through the wireless communication
network ;
- storing the naming information for the mobile device.
According to preferred embodiments, the service gateway is
further adapted for
- retrieving contact information for the mobile device,
based on the sensor identification information;
- forwarding sensor identification information to the mobile
device, based on the contact information.
According to preferred embodiments, the service gateway is
further adapted for forwarding a request for receiving
authentication information for the sensor device, to the
mobile device, and for receiving the authentication
information.
According to preferred embodiments, the service gateway is
adapted for performing forwarding a request for receiving
authentication information and forwarding the sensor
identification information at the same time, and for
performing receiving the naming information and receiving
the authentication information are performed at the same
time .
According to preferred embodiments, the service gateway is
adapted for forwarding the sensor identification information
to a mobile device, and for receiving naming information for
the sensor device from the mobile device, by sending and
receiving text messages.
According to preferred embodiments, the service gateway is
further adapted for;
- sending service gateway identification information and the
sensor identification information to a remote management
server, for performing authentication for the sensor device,
based on the service gateway identification information and
the sensor identification information, and, if it is found
that the sensor can be authenticated, for retrieving contact
information for the mobile device, based on service gateway
information, and for interacting with the mobile device in
order to retrieve sensor naming information, based on said
contact information, by the remote management server; and
- receiving at least one of authentication information and
naming information for the sensor device from the remote
management server.
According to preferred embodiments, the service gateway is
further adapted for using the naming information when
referring to the sensor device while interfacing with the
user .
According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, the
remote management server is disclosed adapted for remotely
managing a service gateway according the second aspect,
further adapted for
- receiving service gateway identification information
and the sensor identification information from the
service gateway;
- performing authentication for the sensor device, based
on the service gateway identification information and
the sensor identification information; and,
- if it is found that the sensor can be authenticated,
for retrieving contact information for a mobile device,
based on service gateway information; and
- for interacting with the mobile device in order to
retrieve sensor naming information, based on the
contact information; and
- for sending at least one of authentication information
and naming information for the sensor device to the
service gateway.
According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a
computer program is disclosed comprising a code for
performing the methods according to the first aspect, when
run on a computer. Also a data storage comprising such a
program is disclosed.
Further aspects of the present disclosure are described by
the dependent claims. The features from the dependent
claims, features of any of the independent claims and any
features of other dependent claims may be combined as
considered appropriate to the person of ordinary skill, and
not only in the particular combinations as defined by the
claims .
Brief description of the drawings
The accompanying drawings are used to illustrate embodiments
of the present disclosure.
Fig. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present
disclosure .
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate more specific embodiments
according to the present disclosure.
Figures 4 and 5 illustrate more detailed call flows
corresponding to the embodiments of the present disclosure.
Description of illustrative embodiments
The description of aspects of the present invention is
performed by means of particular embodiments and with
reference to certain drawings but the invention is not
limited thereto. Depicted figures are only schematic and
should not be considered as limiting.
For the purpose of the present disclosure, the following
terms are defined below.
The OSGi framework is a module system and service platform
for the Java programming language that implements a complete
and dynamic component model, something that does not exist
in standalone Java/VM environments. Applications or
components (coming in the form of bundles for deployment)
can be remotely installed, started, stopped, updated and
uninstalled without requiring a reboot; management of Java
packages/classes is specified in great detail. Life cycle
management is done via APIs which allow for remote
downloading of management policies. The service registry
allows bundles to detect the addition of new services, or
the removal of services, and adapt accordingly.
An SMS gateway is an apparatus which allows sending a text
message with or without using a mobile (cell) phone.
Specifically, it is a device or service offering SMS
transit, transforming messages to mobile network traffic
from other media, or vice versa, allowing transmission or
receipt of SMS messages with or without the use of a mobile
phone. Typical use of a gateway would be to forward simple
e-mail to a mobile phone recipient.
The TR-069 Remote Management Protocol comprises an objectmodel
on which Remote Procedure Calls (RPC's) are invoked.
TR-069 defines through the usage of RPC's, a generic
mechanism by which an HDM(Home Device Manager) can read or
write Parameters to configure a CPE and monitor CPE status
and statistics. The TR-069 protocol has been defined by the
Broadband Forum. The latest public version of the protocol
is issue 1 , amendment 3 , Issue Date: November 2010 Protocol
Version : 1.2.
A home service gateway (HSG) is a home networking device,
used as a gateway to connect devices in the home to the
Internet or other WAN with the possibility to enable
services in the home e.g. domotics, ...
The Sensor Abstraction Layer (SAL) is a functionality which
groups and makes abstraction of different sensor-specific
properties and communication details within a common
framework, thereby providing a simple programming interface
to access and pilot sensors, regardless of their specific
technology .
Fig. 1 illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure. A
sensor device is added into a home network. The home service
gateway detects the presence of the new sensor, and receives
or retrieves identification information from said sensor
device (1) . The use of a Sensor Abstraction Layer can make
the detection of the new sensor and the communication
between the sensor and the HSG formally independent of the
actual network technology by which the sensor is attached or
communicating to the home service gateway. The HSG then
forwards the sensor identification information to the mobile
device (2) . This can be performed for instance through a
mobile telecommunication network. A short messaging service
(SMS) message may for instance be sent to the mobile device.
The user or the mobile device then responds by indication
the requested name for the respective sensor (3) . The HSG
then stores the designated name (naming information) in
database (DB) (4) for further use. When the HSG needs to
interface with the user, and referring to the sensor node is
appropriate, the HSG can retrieve and use the name
designated by the user.
Fig. 2 illustrates embodiment of a first type according to
the present disclosure. The HSG comprises a memory of data
storage in which predetermined information has been stored
and from which it can be retrieved, the predetermined
information comprising contact information for a mobile
device. The mobile device can for instance be associated to
a user which has network configuration and management
privileges. The HSG can then directly send the sensor
device identification information retrieved from said sensor
device to the mobile device, for instance by sending a text
message such as for instance an SMS message to the mobile
device over a wireless telecommunication network (2) . For
instance an SMS gateway functionality may be involved. The
mobile device then replies by sending a text message (e.g.
SMS message) back to the HSG, specifying the name requested
by the user for the sensor device. The name (naming
information) is stored in a database for further use when
interfacing with the user is required and reference is to be
made to a particular sensor device.
Fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the second type
according to the present disclosure. Here, the new sensor
device is detected by the SAL in the HSG, and sensor
identification information (e.g. MAC address) of the device
is retrieved by the HSG (1) . The HSG also comprises HSG
identification information. Both HSG identification
information and sensor identification information are
forwarded to a remote management server for said HSG (2) .
The remote management server, for instance a TR-069
compatible automatic configuration server (ACS), then
performs authorization of the sensor, based on HSG
identification information and sensor node identification
information. He can therefore consult a dedicated database
(ACS-DB) (3) . If the sensor device can be authorised for
access to the local network, the remote management server
exchanges text messages with the mobile device in order to
retrieve the requested naming information for the already
authorised sensor (4,5 - 6,7) . The ACS forwards the naming
information to the HSG (8), which stores it in a database
for later use (9) .
Fig. 4 illustrates a first example, corresponding
substantially with the scenario described in Fig. 3 .
The HSG is installed at the premises of the user. On the HSG
the TR-069 management agent is up and running with
connection to the back end. The SAL is up and running
listing to new sensor device add events. The user is
configured in the Home Sensor Manager (HSM) with a list of
sensor devices that are allowed to be connect in his home.
The user brings a new sensor device for installation in his
house, for example weight scale with Bluetooth capabilities.
The following steps can be performed:
(1) User activates the sensor device in his home, and
the HSG SAL is detecting the new sensor device;
(2) SAL sends the MAC address of the scale to
TR069mAgent as new sensor device added;
(3) TR069mAgent sends active notification to HDM/ALM
(e.g. ACS) ;
(4) HSM (Home Sensor Manager, for instance comprised
in the ACS, but can also be a standalone application
further in the IP cloud that communicates with the ACS)
checks whether the MAC Address is allowed at the user
(Authorization) . HSM retrieves this information out of
the database. There exist a coupling or association of
user information! HSG identification information!
allowed sensor devices information in the database.
If authorization fails, information indicating an
unsuccessful naming is send back to HSG. The result is
that the sensor device will not be recognized and will
be rejected by SAL. The application can then not access
the sensor device.
(5) If the authorization is successful, the HSM
retrieves the SMS number of user and sends SMS to his
mobile requesting a name for the sensor device, the
message preferably comprising MAC address and HSG
identification information.
(6) The user/ mobile device replies with naming
information. When the HSM receives naming information
back e.g. by SMS, the name (naming information) is
stored in a database associated with the HSM.
(7) HSM sets the name in the HSG trough the HDM/ALM
(application lifecycle management )/TR069mAgent in the
SAL;
(8) When the SAL receives the set request, it will
allow application to access the sensor device in the
home .
Fig. 5 illustrates a second example, corresponding
substantially with the scenario described in Fig. 2 .
The sensor abstraction layer is up and running. An TR-069
management agent (TR-069mAgent ) is present and performed the
configuration of the SAL to send new sensor events to NSSMS
(Name Server) application running on the OSGi platform.
The NS-SMS (Name Server) is configured with user
data (example : GSM number) .
A user brings a new sensor device for installation in his
house, for example a weight scale with Bluetooth
capabilities .
(1) User activates the sensor device in his home, and the
HSG SAL is detecting the new sensor device;
(2) SAL sends the MAC address of the scale to name server
(NS-SMS) as new sensor device added;
(3) NS-SMS sends SMS to mobile of user with MAC Address of
sensor device;
(4) NS-SMS server receives SMS back from user and informs
SAL with the name of the sensor;
(5) SAL accepts the new sensor devices: all application
can from now on access the new sensor device in the home,
which can be identified by the naming information provided
by the user.
It can be noted than instead of using SMS, email messages
could be used in the alternative.
Claims
1 . A method for associating name information to a sensor
device in a local network, said local network being
connected to an access network by means of a service
gateway, and said service gateway being adapted for
communicating with said sensor device, comprising performing
at said service gateway:
- receiving sensor identification information for said
sensor device;
- forwarding said sensor identification information to a
mobile device of a user, through a wireless
telecommunication network;
- receiving naming information for said sensor device from
said mobile device through said telecommunication network;
- storing said naming information for said sensor device.
2 . A method according to claim 1 , further comprising
- Retrieving contact information for said mobile device;
- forwarding sensor identification information to said
mobile device, based on said contact information.
3 . A method according to claim 2 , further comprising
forwarding a request for receiving authentication
information for said sensor device, to said mobile device,
and receiving said authentication information.
4 . A method according to claim 3 , wherein said forwarding a
request for receiving authentication information and
forwarding said sensor identification information are
performed at the same time, and wherein receiving naming
information and receiving said authentication information
are performed at the same time.
5 . A method according to any of the previous claims, wherein
forwarding said sensor identification information to a
mobile device, and receiving naming information for said
sensor device from said mobile device comprises sending and
receiving text messages, such as SMS or email.
6 . A method according to claim 1 , comprising
- sending service gateway identification information and
said sensor identification information to a remote
management server, for performing authentication for said
sensor device, based on said service gateway identification
information and said sensor identification information, and,
if it is found that said sensor can be authenticated, for
retrieving contact information for said mobile device, based
on service gateway information, and for interacting with
said mobile device in order to retrieve sensor naming
information, by said remote management server;
- receiving at least one of authentication information and
naming information for said sensor device from said remote
management server.
7 . A method according to claim 6 , wherein interacting with
said mobile device in order to retrieve sensor naming
information by said remote management server, comprises
exchanging text messages with said mobile device.
8 . A method according to any of the previous claims, further
comprising interfacing with said user using said naming
information for referring to said sensor device.
9 . A service gateway for use as a gateway between a local
network being connected to an access network, said local
network comprising at least one sensor device, wherein said
service gateway is adapted for;
- communicating with said sensor device;
- receiving sensor identification information for said
sensor device;
- forwarding said sensor identification information to a
mobile device associated to a user through a wireless
telecommunication network;
- receiving naming information for said sensor device from
said mobile device through said wireless communication
network ;
- storing said naming information for said mobile device.
10. A Service gateway according to claim 9 , further being
adapted for
- retrieving contact information for said mobile device;
- forwarding sensor identification information to said
mobile device, based on said contact information.
11. A Service gateway according to any of claims 9 or 10,
which is further adapted for forwarding a request for
receiving authentication information for said sensor device,
to said mobile device, and for receiving said authentication
information .
12. A Service gateway according to any of claims 9 to 11,
adapted for performing forwarding a request for receiving
authentication information and forwarding said sensor
identification information at the same time, and for
performing receiving said naming information and receiving
said authentication information are performed at the same
time .
13. A Service gateway according to claim 9 , further being
adapted for
- sending service gateway identification information and
said sensor identification information to a remote
management server, for performing authentication for said
sensor device, based on said service gateway identification
information and said sensor identification information, and,
if it is found that said sensor can be authenticated, for
retrieving contact information for said mobile device, based
on service gateway information, and for interacting with
said mobile device in order to retrieve sensor naming
information, by said remote management server;
- receiving at least one of authentication information and
naming information for said sensor device from said remote
management server.
14. A remote management server adapted for remotely managing
a service gateway according to any of the claims 9 to 13,
further adapted for
- receiving service gateway identification information and
said sensor identification information from said service
gateway;
- performing authentication for said sensor device, based on
said service gateway identification information and said
sensor identification information; and,
- if it is found that said sensor can be authenticated, for
retrieving contact information for a mobile device, based on
service gateway information; and
- for interacting with said mobile device in order to
retrieve sensor naming information, based on said contact
information; and
- sending at least one of authentication information and
naming information for said sensor device to said service
gateway .
15. A computer program comprising a code for performing the
methods according to any of the claims 1 to 8 , when run on a
computer .