Patent Application
20050108504
The present invention generally relates to systems and processes for monitoring and controlling devices that include a collection of sensors and actuators and services related thereto.
As described throughout this disclosure, a machine generally refers to a hardware/software combination, the hardware comprising a computer, controller or micro-controller having at least a processor, memory, data busses and input/output (“I/O”). Generally, a first set of machines comprising at least one first machine, which are distal from a device, sensor or actuator may be referred to as a server(s) or the server side. Coupled to the I/O of at least one of such second set of machines is a device, sensor or actuator, such second set of machines comprising at least one second machine, and which may be referred to generically as a device, sensor or actuator, or the device side. Such second set of machines are generally adapted to, among other things, sense a condition or state, and/or control or actuate another device or mechanism, including but not limited to at least one valve, switch, relay, potentiometer, pump, seal, sensor, actuator and the like. While the hardware comprising the first and second set of machines may be hardwired to perform their activities, in the present invention, such hardware preferably has its physical states and characteristics defined by machine code which may be stored or embedded in memory and processed by the processor. The machine code derives from source code that is compiled. The machine code, the source code and programs from which it is derived, the protocols necessary to transmit and receive information, any applicable operating system and device drivers and the like, may be referred to generally as software, programs or application(s).
There exist a number of machine to machine (“M2M”) vertical applications, including but not limited to meter reading, vending machine monitoring, oil and gas well monitoring, industrial automation and remote servicing. Each of such vertical applications require custom program code both on the server side and on the device side in order to configure and enable the specific activities required by the vertical application.
Equipment in a wide range of industries is increasingly “smart,” with on-board intelligent devices that use embedded sensing and control to operate the equipment more effectively. These devices correlated to the equipment frequently has I/O that is adapted to transfer data serially for local configuration and diagnostics. Such equipment is “telemetry-ready,” which advantageously permits the devices to be coupled into an M2M solution comprising at least one server over a communication means.
With respect to the communications means, wireless carriers and radio module manufacturers have significantly reduced the cost of their components used in wireless telemetry applications. As used herein, communication means refers to the wired and wireless components and modules necessary to transmit and receive data between machines. Carriers have deployed new and improved wireless networking technologies that permit data to be carried much less expensively. Radio manufacturers have benefited from the component volumes and integration driven by the cellular handset industry to develop telemetry-oriented radio modems that are much less expensive.
Nevertheless, developing M2M applications that include a global network of devices, including sensors and actuators, is extremely complex and requires the custom programming of applications. The complexities of M2M applications include programming to integrate protocols at many layers. Further, each application must have customized server logic and device programming to accomplish its objectives. Disadvantageously, each vertical application is typically developed and maintained independently which can result in significant development and maintenance costs. One example of a conventional Behavior based architecture is AFSM (Augmented Finite State Machines) for robotics.
What is desired is a system and method that uses embedded and server intelligence to permit the development of custom applications for vertical use in the M2M context without the need for traditional or direct programming. Such a system and method would use a behavior based agent architecture for M2M communication using globally networked devices. What is also desired are business methods that permit the quick and inexpensive deployment of these applications in the M2M market.
The present invention comprises a system and method that uses intelligence comprising a behavior based agent architecture at the server side and embedded at the device side that enables users to develop custom applications for vertical applications. Such a system and method quickly and inexpensively enables M2M communication using globally networked devices, sensors or actuators. The Behavior concept refers to the use of at least one stimulus-response pair. A self-contained message is an example of a stimulus (such as a telemetry reading, alarm and the like), for a Behavior created by a user, such as an end-user. If the Behavior resides on a server it is referred to as an “off-board” Behavior and if the Behavior resides on the device, it is referred to as “on device” Behavior. In an embodiment of the present invention, the application comprises a proxy representation and real onboard representation of Behaviors and agents.
M2M systems are typically comprised of several hardware and software components, including machines having hardware running an operating system and driver software, a wireless telemetry modem, communication service from a wireless network, general telemetry application software, and vertical application software. The many interfaces between these components are often not standardized, or may be poorly understood or documented.
The wireless link is an essential component of any remote telemetry application, but it is only a part of the overall system. A significant amount of engineering design, development and integration must occur around the wireless network to create a working telemetry application. As a result, application development and system integration is often cost prohibitive. For wireless links, the appropriate network technology must be selected to provide reliable coverage at the lowest cost. Once communications is accomplished, telemetry data is processed and retained in a way that is both organized and accessible. The telemetry system presents the data on demand, to users and applications, in formats that are meaningful and customized for each.
Building an end-to-end wireless M2M application requires selecting and integrating the correct components. This is a difficult, complex undertaking that requires technical mastery in several areas beyond the basic application itself. Few companies are able to afford to undertake such development and integration of the components despite the attractive return on investment.
As seen generally in
In one aspect, the present invention comprises an overall application and data communications architecture designed specifically for the unique requirements of M2M applications. In another aspect of the present invention, the design framework and highly functional platform of the present invention significantly reduces the development effort and difficulty required to create a remote telemetry application. The present invention enables telemetry applications having “off-the-shelf” characteristic allowing M2M solution developers the option to “buy” a complex part of the solution rather than having to design and build it themselves.
The architecture of the present invention is essentially the same, regardless of the specific vertical industries or remote equipment involved, as M2M applications are built as layers of capabilities. The foundation capabilities must be developed before higher layer functionality can be added. The functionality of one layer is built on and depends on the functionality of the layers below it.
The next level of M2M application functionality is the ability to analyze and interpret data to note events and exceptions with varying levels of significance. When appropriate, notifications of these events are sent automatically to applications on the server side and then to forwarded to recipients, if necessary, in forms that can be customized for each situation.
Whether automatically responding to telemetry data or to manual operator intervention, the next level of functionality of an M2M application is to adjust remote equipment settings to achieve performance targets. At its highest level of functionality, an M2M application automatically and continuously regulates the performance of multiple devices in an overall business operational process to minimize costs, maximize performance and achieve optimal profitability.
The platform of the present invention provides each of these functions in a generic, template form that an M2M application developer can configure to serve their specific application without having to do any programming. A Behavior based M2M platform is a combination of hardware and software that connects an active global network of devices that use Behavior composing, transmission and sequencing to avoid the need for direct programming.
Behaviors differ from rules as Behaviors comprises a stimulus response pair, not an IF/THEN statement. The response may consist of many IF/THEN statements and the Behavior may consist of many other Behaviors, in the case of a composite Behavior. A Behavior agent consists of the following: (1) a queue of stimuli to process; (2) a sequence of Behaviors; and (3) a logical thread of execution.
Referring to
BehaviorSpec 202 represents a specification that can be used to create a Behavior. It contains all the information that is needed such as UUID, Behavior settings, and Behavior class name. UUID refers to the Universally Unique Identifier and class name is the name of the actual class name that represents the Behavior. BehaviorDescriptor 203 represents a description of a BehaviorSpec 202 that is suitable for user manipulation. A BehaviorDescriptor 203 contains an ordered sequence PropertyDescriptors. These PropertyDescriptors form a sentence for the user to manipulate that directs the agent.
Referring now to the Behavior Class diagram of
Behavior 201 is codified in the following general form:
As used herein, the term “entity” refers to a group, device, sensor, or actuator. Each entity can have two representations, a first representation that runs on a centralized server, a proxy representation, and a second representation that can runs on the device. Certain Behaviors can exist in either location; or be transmitted wirelessly to the device. When transmitted to the device, the Behaviors can run without the need of further communication in order for the device to execute. In yet another aspect, Behaviors can be transmitted over a wired interface from the server side representation to a remote device so that device communicates less and can continue to process when communication cannot be established. Each entity has a logically separate thread of execution, so each entity can respond to stimuli independently of the other entities.
As seen in
The present invention enables several Behavior related actions or states: Behavior sequencing, Behavior inhibition; Behavior transmission; Behavior disablement; and Behavior settings. For example, once Behaviors are added, the Behavior Composer 401 allows the user to control the sequence of Behaviors, which comprises the order that the Behaviors are evaluated. This sequencing combined with the ability to inhibit Behaviors allows a user to add sophisticated logic and code to a device, sensor, or actuator without the need for direct or traditional programming. Behavior sequencing is the order that Behaviors are given a chance to respond to a stimulus. Behavior inhibition is the ability for a single Behavior to inhibit Behaviors later in the sequence from getting a chance to respond to a stimulus. This gives a Behavior the ability to take control and to avoid other Behaviors from making conflicting control decisions. Each entity has a separate thread of execution (logically), so each entity can respond to stimuli independently of the other entities. In addition, a Behavior may be disabled by the user or disabled by the Behavior itself. The advantage of disabling a Behavior is that it can be enabled at a later time without having to create the Behavior again. It can be enabled by a user or another Behavior. Finally, the Behavior Composer 401 allows Behaviors to be edited or removed after a Behavior has been created.
The present invention enables several novel business methods useful in a variety of vertical contexts. The M2M Portal comprises three major applications: an M2M application delivered over the web configured to provide data management and presentation for telemetry applications, a standardized, web-based front end for interfacing to a wireless carrier for data transport, provisioning and billing, and a “bill-on-behalf” service to create private labeled recurring invoices from application developer customers for invoicing end user customers. The M2M Portal can be an internet-based data management and communications platform in which a user (which may not be the end-user) can build a complete, end-to-end wireless telemetry solution. Such a communications platform would include basic telemetry functions, data collection and presentation capabilities, alarming and notification capabilities, control functions and a communications means through either a wireless or wire-line network by which M2M communication occurs.
All of the functionality of the M2M Portal is accessed through a web browser on any Internet connected personal computer. This permits access anytime and anywhere access with no software to install or internal IT support requirements. This M2M Portal solves complex problems common to all M2M applications and comes pre-built with powerful tools to configure operations for any vertical industry application. The M2M Portal provides an interface configured specifically for a specific user. The user can configure the specific M2M application with a number of options, including: naming and labels; data presentation and graphical display format; data collection frequency and method; data transformation and calibration; definition of exception conditions; alarm notification and processing; account organization and equipment management; and authentication & access control.
The M2M Portal platform handles all telemetry requirements from the wireless modem to the enterprise. With these telemetry capabilities, the M2M Portal enables application developers to quickly connect to their remote equipment, monitor, control, and optimize performance. The following functions are enabled: communication; data logging and storage; data analysis & display; alarming & notification; control and optimization. Fully integrated with voice capabilities, M2M Portal communicates alarms and notifications to any telephone number or Email address. A wide range of sensor values can be detected, including: analog values, digital values; text; image and location coordinates. Using actions common to PC-based applications, M2M Portal enables users to drag and drop graphics that create unique data displays, monitoring, and control panels.
The present invention is adapted to handle all of the data requirements from the modem to the enterprise. The present invention uses secure transport solutions over common carrier wireless technologies, including GSM/GPRS; SMS; CDMA 1X RTT; two-way paging; packet data; AMPS control channel; LEO satellite; GEO satellite; Internet and analog dial-in.
The present invention, as embodied by the M2M Portal, enables a managed service, allowing M2M solution developers to pay for the services they use, as they use them, which enables the developers to minimize their upfront investment and system maintenance costs. M2M application developers thus can “buy” an alternative to building an application and wireless communications interface, thereby reducing the time, cost and risk of M2M application development.
This novel service permits application developers to create integrated, end-to-end solutions efficiently and quickly. Such developers thus can address difficult and application specific challenges of integrating remote equipment with, for example, a wireless modem. Application developers can also configure the M2M Portal of the present invention for specific application and hardware configurations. While the M2M Portal must be configured to be aware of the remote hardware, the present invention does not provide hardware solutions. But application developers who design and integrate hardware solutions can use the novel service of the present invention as the “back end” platform for the rest of the end-to-end application solution.
Independent system integrators are enabled by the present invention to create specific vertical applications to be sold to other companies who will use the application in their business. The present invention is also adapted to be used by application developers who are equipment manufacturers or OEMs, who desire a telemetry-based information service for their products. Such a service can be an enhancement to sell to a customer, a product differentiator, or a mechanism for improving internal operations, such as preventive maintenance, or field service efficiency. The present invention is adapted to be used by application developers in end use companies who will deploy the application internally to provide their company a competitive advantage.
The service component of the present invention advantageously lowers the barriers to developing M2M solutions. In this way dedicated solution integrators, OEMs and end users can develop M2M systems quickly and easily in contrast to conventional methods in which significant technical capabilities and time resources are needed to build complex M2M systems.
The system and method of the present invention has several advantages over the conventional art. These include the ability to develop or customize M2M application without direct programming; ability to save communication costs if Behaviors are resident on the device as each reading does not have to be transmitted; ability to continue to operate even when communication is lost if Behaviors are resident on the device; reduction in the amount of sensor data needed to be sent remotely without programming; and it is not necessary to send code over wired interfaces.
The present invention enables a user to build an end-to-end remote telemetry system. Incorporated into this service model is a monthly billing service for those M2M application providers who do not already have such a system in place. The present invention also incorporates the functionality for managing accounts and invoicing for telemetry services. Such functionality includes an automated provisioning interface to wireless carriers. The present invention enables an application provider to privately label the M2M Portal, allowing it to monitor, control, activate, provision, and bill M2M services.
In a first embodiment of the service aspect of the present invention, the M2M Portal, system and method enables instrumentation manufacturers to charge its customers a service fee for the ability to remotely collect data on flow rates, pressures, temperatures, tank levels and equipment status using the M2M Portal, system and method as an alternative to manual, on-site data collection.
In a second embodiment of the service aspect of the present invention, the M2M Portal, system and method enables a manufacturer of injection pumps for producing wells to charge its customers a service fee for the ability of such customers using the M2M Portal, system and method to adjust the pump operation remotely in response to well and weather conditions as an alternative to on-site adjustment.
In a third embodiment of the service aspect of the present invention, the M2M Portal, system and method enables a manufacturer of machinery for preparing shipping packages to remotely monitor its equipment to detect failures, to schedule optimal preventive maintenance, and to track consumption of packaging chemicals as an alternative to manual inspection by its field service technicians or the customer's equipment operators.
In a fourth embodiment of the service aspect of the present invention, the M2M Portal, system and method enables a system integrator to retrofit department of transportation roadside signs with a means to remotely add federally emergency alerts and Amber Alerts to multiple signs at the same time as an alternative to manually programming signs on-site.
In a fifth embodiment of the service aspect of the present invention, the M2M Portal, system and method enables a manufacturer of telecommunications infrastructure equipment to charge a “pay-as-you-go” service fee for allowing its customers to remote configure and monitor smart antenna systems using the M2M Portal, system and method as an alternative to site visits by a customer field engineer.
In a sixth embodiment of the service aspect of the present invention, the M2M Portal, system and method enables a system integrator under a government contract to collect data from remote diagnostic equipment in a patient's home (i.e., blood pressure, weight, glucose level) as an alternative to the patient visiting a medical facility or a medical paraprofessional visiting the patient in the home.
In a seventh embodiment of the service aspect of the present invention, the M2M Portal, system and method enables a system integrator to use “on device” Behaviors and the M2M Portal to optimize efficiency of product that contains an embedded device that uses “on device” Behaviors and communication to the M2M Portal to continually optimize the sequence of Behaviors over the lifetime of the product; thus improving efficiencies over time and providing anticipated remote servicing.
In an eighth embodiment of the service aspect of the present invention, the M2M Portal, system and method enables a system integrator to use the M2M platform as a telematic application that includes exception handling, telemetry visualization, and event notification that enables dynamic changes based on geo-Behaviors.
n a ninth embodiment of the service aspect of the present invention, the M2M Portal, system and method enables a reseller to embed Behaviors to control fine grain entities in the home where “on device” Behaviors could provide intelligent control.
In a tenth embodiment of the service aspect of the present invention, the M2M Portal, system and method enables a series of mesh networks that use “on device” Behaviors to more intelligently manage traffic of sensors and ability to handle exceptions and escalations and environmental needs.
As can be seen, each remote telemetry application is different and addresses a specific vertical industry problem. The present application comprises a single platform to enable each of these telemetry applications. Components of this extendable development platform include an integrated rapid prototyping service that provides the GSM/GPS-enabled tools and application logic necessary to get a working solution up and running quickly. The M2M application development platform of the present invention enables developers to prototype, pilot and deploy full M2M applications across a range of vertical industries and applications.
Although an exemplary embodiment of the system and method of the present invention, and several exemplary embodiments of the services enabled by the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.
This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/512,668, filed on Oct. 20, 2003, entitled “Behavior Based Architecture For Machine to Machine Applications”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference. The Applicant hereby claim the benefits of this earlier pending provisional application under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e).
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60512668 | Oct 2003 | US |
