GSM Signalling for M2M Communications

• US 20140370878A1
• Filed: 01/30/2013
• Published: 12/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eseye Limited
• Original Assignee: Eseye Limited
• Inventors: Marshall, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 9,313,649 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/419
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0258 controlling an operation mode according to history or models of usage information, e.g. activity schedule or time of day
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0274 by switching on or off the equipment or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/28 Discontinuous transmission [DTX]; Discontinuous reception [DRX]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A remote machine (10) communicates with a server (24). A mobile telecommunications module (14) is used to send a unstructured supplementary services data (USSD) message from the remote machine, and the remote machine then switches off. By polling the server (24), using USSD, the mobile telecommunications module (14) can be kept normally off, saving power.

Claims

1. A method of operating intermittently a remote apparatus (10) comprising a data system (12) for capturing data, displaying data and/or actuating based on data, a wireless modem (14) and a controller (16), the remote machine being able to communicate with a server (24) through a mobile telecommunications network, the method comprising:

(a) leaving the wireless modem (14) switched off; and

when data has been captured by the data system (12) and is ready to send to the server and/or at intervals carrying out steps (b) to (d);

(b) automatically, in the controller (16), switching on the wireless modem (14);

(c) sending a signal from the remote apparatus (10) to the server (24) using a signalling channel message, including the data that is ready to send if the amount of data that is ready to send is sufficiently small to include in the signalling channel message; and

(d) automatically in the controller (16) switching off the wireless modem to release network resources and conserve power.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the signalling channel message is an unstructured supplementary services data, USSD, message.

3. A method according to claim 1 including in step (d) waiting for a response message from the server (24) before switching off the wireless modem (14).

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein in step (b) the controller (16) causes the modem (14) to send a location update message to a home location register (26),

the home location register (26) sends a message to the server (24);

and

the server (24) generates the response message from the server in response to the message received from the home location register.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein the response message is a message indicating whether the server (24) has data to send to the remote apparatus (10), the method further comprising:

if the message indicates that the server (24) has no data to send to the remote apparatus (10), using the controller (16) to switch off the wireless modem (14);

or

if the message indicates that the server (24) has data to send to the remote apparatus, receiving the data from the server (24) and then switching off the wireless modem.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the step of receiving the data from the server (24) includes setting up a data channel between the remote apparatus (10) and the server (24) and completing data transfer through the data channel, before switching off the wireless modem (14).

7. A method according to claim 3, wherein the response message from the server (24) includes a time indicating the current time and/or when the remote sensor is next to communicate with the server, the method further comprising next carrying out steps (b) to (d) at the time indicated in the message.

8. A method according to claim 3, wherein the data system (12) is a data capture system, including at least one of a location data capture system for capturing location data, such as a GPS system, a status reporting system for monitoring the status of vending systems, storage systems, remote dispensing or vending equipment or cold chain management systems, or a card reader.

9. A remote apparatus (10), for intermittently communicating with a server, the remote apparatus comprising:

a data system (10) for capturing data, displaying data and/or actuating based on data;

a wireless modem (14) that can be independently switched on and off; and

a controller (16), arranged to control the wireless modem (14);

wherein the controller (16) is arranged to control the wireless modem (14) to be normally switched off, the controller being arranged, when data has been captured by the data capture system (12) and is ready to send to the server and/or at intervals;

to control the remote apparatus (10) to automatically switch on the wireless modem (14);

to send a signal from the remote apparatus (10) to the server (24) using a signalling channel message, including the data that is ready to send if the amount of data that is ready to send is sufficiently small to fit in the signalling channel message; and

to automatically switch off the wireless modem (14) to release network resources and conserve power.

10. A remote apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the signalling channel message is an unstructured supplementary services data, USSD, message.

11. A remote apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the controller (16) is further arranged, after sending the signal, to wait for a response from the server (24) before switching off the wireless modem (14).

12. A remote apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the response is a message indicating whether the server (24) has data to send to the remote sensor, the controller (16) being further arranged:

if the message indicates that the server (24) has no data to send to the remote apparatus (10), to switch off the wireless modem (14);

or

if the message indicates that the server (24) has data to send to the remote apparatus (10), to receive the data from the server (24) and then to switch off the wireless modem (14).

13. A remote apparatus according to claim 12 wherein if the message indicates that the server (24) has data to send to the remote apparatus (10), the controller (16) is arranged to set up a data channel between the remote apparatus (10) and the server (24) and to complete data transfer through the data channel, before switching off the wireless modem (14).

14. A network comprising a remote apparatus (10), for intermittently communicating with a server, the remote apparatus comprising:

a data system (10) for capturing data, displaying data and/or actuating based on data;

a wireless modem (14) that can be independently switched on and off; and

a controller (16), arranged to control the wireless modem (14);

wherein the controller (16) is arranged to control the wireless modem (14) to be normally switched off, the controller being arranged, when data has been captured by the data capture system (12) and is ready to send to the server and/or at intervals;

to control the remote apparatus (10) to automatically switch on the wireless modem (14);

to send a signal from the remote apparatus (10) to the server (24) using a signalling channel message, including the data that is ready to send if the amount of data that is ready to send is sufficiently small to fit in the signalling channel message; and

to automatically switch off the wireless modem (14) to release network resources and conserve power;

and a server (24), wherein

the server (24) is arranged to store data for the remote apparatus (14); and

on receipt of a signal from the remote apparatus (10) through the USSD channel, the server (24) is arranged to send a message back to the remote apparatus (10) indicating whether the server (24) has data to send to the remote apparatus (10), and

if the message indicates that the server (24) has data to send to the remote apparatus (10), to send the data to the remote apparatus (10).

15. A network according to claim 14 further comprising a home location register (26), the home location register (26) being arranged to send a message to the server (24) when the remote apparatus (10) registers on the home location register (26),

wherein the server (24) is arranged to send a message back to the remote apparatus.