SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING MANAGED REMOTE MONITORING SERVICES

• US 20100214090A1
• Filed: 02/20/2009
• Published: 08/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Sartini, Robert A., Schultz, Paul T., McKee, Martin W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,125,328 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/517
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/54 Presence management, e.g. monitoring or registration for receipt of user log-on information, or the connection status of the users
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services

Abstract

An approach is provided for a managed heterogeneous sensor service. A plurality of signals are received over a communication network from, respectively, a plurality of heterogeneous sensors. A plurality of instant communication sessions are established over the communication network corresponding to each of the sensors. Presence of each of the sensors is indicated over the instant communication sessions. Sensor data is generated in response to the received signals. The sensor data is transmitted over the corresponding instant communication sessions.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a plurality of signals over a communications network from, respectively, a plurality of heterogeneous sensors;

establishing, over the communications network, a plurality of instant communication sessions corresponding to each of the sensors;

indicating presence of each of the sensors over the instant communication sessions;

generating sensor data in response to the received signals; and

transmitting the sensor data over the corresponding instant communication sessions.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

storing the sensor data in a repository that is accessible via the communications network.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the sensor data is transmitted to an end-user device that includes either a multimedia device, a wireless terminal, a mobile terminal, a personal computer, or a portable computer.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a report request, from an end user device, to generate a report based on the sensor data; and

generating the report for transmission to the end user device in response to the report request.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the sensor data includes real-time data, historical data, or a combination thereof.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein the report request includes a criterion for the report generation.

7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

generating a notification for alerting an end user about the sensor data.

8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

correlating the sensor data based on a criteria specified by an end user.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein presence of each of the sensors includes rich presence.

10. An apparatus comprising:

a communication interface configured to establish a plurality of instant communication sessions corresponding to a plurality of heterogeneous sensors and to receive a plurality of signals from, respectively, one or more of the sensors; and

a processor configured to indicate presence of each of the sensors over the instant communication sessions and to generate sensor data in response to the received signals,

wherein the communication interface is further configured to transmit the sensor data over the corresponding instant communication sessions.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the sensor data is stored in a repository.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the sensor data is transmitted to an end user device that includes a multimedia device, a wireless terminal, a mobile terminal, a personal computer, or a portable computer.

13. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the communication interface is further configured to receive a report request from an end user device, and the processor is further configured to, in response to the report request, generate a report based on the sensor data for transmission to the end user device.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the sensor data includes real-time data, historical data, or a combination thereof.

15. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the report includes a criterion for the report generation.

16. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to generate a notification for alerting an end user about the sensor data.

17. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to correlate the sensor data based on a criteria specified by an end user.

18. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein presence of each of the sensors includes rich presence.

19. A method comprising:

establishing, over a communications network, a plurality of instant communication sessions with a respective plurality of heterogeneous sensors; and

receiving, via the instant communication sessions, presence of each of the heterogeneous sensors,

wherein sensor data associated with a particular heterogeneous sensor is received over a particular corresponding instant communication session.

20. A method according to claim 19, further comprising:

receiving a notification for alerting an end user about the sensor data,

wherein the notification is generated based on criteria stored to a user profile associated with the end user.

21. A method according to claim 19, wherein an online interface is provided over the communications network to enable the end user to interact with the particular heterogeneous sensor.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the online interface is provided by the particular heterogeneous sensor or a networked application.

23. A method according to claim 19, wherein presence of each of the heterogeneous sensors includes rich presence.