System and method of visualizing network layout and performance characteristics in a wireless network

• US 20050278440A1
• Filed: 06/15/2004
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elster Electricity LLC (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Elster Electricity LLC (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Scoggins, Sean M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,142,106 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/00 Network data management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal

Abstract

A system for visually detailing the layout of a wireless network and for providing performance statistics regarding the network. Graphical diagrams are generated in accordance with a request wherein the diagrams illustrate nodes and data collectors in the wireless network. The nodes record data related to a commodity usage and transmit the data to the collectors, which in turn transmit aggregated data from a plurality of nodes to a central data collection server.

Claims

1. A wireless network and management system to provide a graphical view of a network layout, comprising:

a local area network comprising wireless nodes;

a data collection server that receives operational data from one of said wireless nodes; and

a network management system that maintains a database of states of said wireless nodes,

wherein state changes of said wireless nodes are received by said data collection server and forwarded to said network management system, and wherein said network management system provides reports on said wireless network in accordance with said state changes.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said database maintained by said network management system comprises a current network state database and a historical network state database.

3. The system of claim 2, said network management system comprising:

a user interface for receiving requests; and

a graph rendering tool that receives said requests and renders a graphical view of said network layout.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said network management system retrieves network state information from said historical network state database to produce said graphical view.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein said graphical view is configurable via said user interface to visually identify predetermined performance parameters.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein said graph rendering tool operates independent of said user interface and produce said graphical view in response to said state changes, and

wherein said network management system stores said graphical view until requested.

7. A system for providing a graphical view of a network layout, comprising:

a data collection server that receives operational data from wireless nodes;

a network management system that maintains a database of states of said wireless nodes; and

a graph rendering tool that renders a graphical view of said network layout in accordance with said states of said wireless nodes.

wherein state changes of said wireless nodes are received by said data collection server and forwarded to said network management system, and wherein said network management system provides reports on said network layout in accordance with said state changes.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said database maintained by said network management system comprises a current network state database and a historical network state database.

9. The system of claim 8, said network management system further comprising a user interface for receiving requests for said graphical view.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said network management system retrieves network state information from said historical network state database to produce said graphical view.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said graphical view is configurable via said user interface to visually identify predetermined performance parameters.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said graph rendering tool operates independent of said user interface and produce said graphical view in response to said state changes, and

wherein said network management system stores said graphical view until requested.

13. A method for providing a graphical view of a network layout, comprising:

receiving operational data from wireless nodes;

maintaining a database of states of said wireless nodes in accordance with said operational data; and

rendering a graphical view of said network layout in accordance with said states of said wireless nodes.

14. The method of claim 13, maintaining said database includes maintaining a current network state database and a historical network state database.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

retrieving network state information from said historical network state database; and

producing said graphical view.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising configuring said graphical view via a user interface to visually identify predetermined performance parameters.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

automatically producing said graphical view in response to state changes; and

storing said graphical view until requested.