Sensor network controllers
First Claim
1. A computerised method for operating a first control element for a sensor network including a set of different types of sensors, said method comprising the steps of:
- controlling transfer connections between said first control element and said set of different types of sensors, said transfer connections being compliant with respective sensor-specific protocols;
adding one or more new types of sensors to the set of different types of sensors;
generating a new sensor controller corresponding to each new type of the added sensors by modifying existing sensor controllers or components of the existing sensor controllers;
establishing transfer connections between said first control element and said new type of sensors in runtime;
converting information obtained in a sensor-specific protocol format from said new type of sensors into a common format in said corresponding sensor controller;
processing said information in said common format by a set of common control components of said first control element;
providing a service based on said information in said common format to at least one consumer;
updating said service in accordance with the new type of sensors present in said sensor network;
providing sensor configuration information of the new type of sensors, which are connected to said first control element, to at least one further control element;
providing a first sensor controller to said further control element in response to said further control element requesting said first sensor controller;
requesting, in response to a new sensor connected to said first control element, whether said new sensor was previously connected to said further control element; and
requesting, in response to said new sensor having been previously connected to said further control element, said generated new sensor controller and said sensor configuration information from said further control element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control element for a sensor network having a set of different sensors. In operation, the control element transfers connections between the control element and the set of different sensors, where the transfer connections are compliant with respective sensor-specific protocols. A sensor controller element is provided for each sensor, and establishes transfer connections between the control element and new sensors in runtime. Information obtained in a sensor-specific protocol format from the sensors is converted into a common format in the sensor controller elements. The common format information is processed by a set of common control components of the control element. The control element provides a service based on the information in the common format to at least one consumer, and updates the service in accordance with the sensors present in the sensor network.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A computerised method for operating a first control element for a sensor network including a set of different types of sensors, said method comprising the steps of:
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controlling transfer connections between said first control element and said set of different types of sensors, said transfer connections being compliant with respective sensor-specific protocols; adding one or more new types of sensors to the set of different types of sensors; generating a new sensor controller corresponding to each new type of the added sensors by modifying existing sensor controllers or components of the existing sensor controllers; establishing transfer connections between said first control element and said new type of sensors in runtime; converting information obtained in a sensor-specific protocol format from said new type of sensors into a common format in said corresponding sensor controller; processing said information in said common format by a set of common control components of said first control element; providing a service based on said information in said common format to at least one consumer; updating said service in accordance with the new type of sensors present in said sensor network; providing sensor configuration information of the new type of sensors, which are connected to said first control element, to at least one further control element; providing a first sensor controller to said further control element in response to said further control element requesting said first sensor controller; requesting, in response to a new sensor connected to said first control element, whether said new sensor was previously connected to said further control element; and requesting, in response to said new sensor having been previously connected to said further control element, said generated new sensor controller and said sensor configuration information from said further control element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15)
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8. A first control element for a sensor network including a set of different types of sensors, said first control element comprising:
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at least one processor; at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor, wherein said first control element is configured to; control transfer connections between said first control element and said set of different sensors, said transfer connections being compliant with respective sensor-specific protocols; add one or more new types of sensors to the set of different types of sensors; generate a new sensor controller corresponding to each new type of the added sensors by modifying existing sensor controllers or components of the existing sensor controllers; establish transfer connections between said first control element and said new type sensors in runtime; convert information received in a sensor-specific protocol format from said new type of sensors into a common format in said corresponding sensor controller; process said information in said common format by a set of common control components of said first control element; provide a service based on said information in said common format to at least one consumer; updating said service in accordance with the new type of sensors present in said sensor network; provide sensor configuration information of the new type of sensors to at least one further control element; provide a first sensor controller to said further control element in response to said further control element requesting said first sensor controller; request, in response to a new sensor connected to said first control element, whether said new sensor was previously connected to said further control element; and request, in response to said new sensor having been previously connected to said further control element, said generated new sensor controller and said sensor configuration information from said further control element.
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9. A first control element for a sensor network including a set of different sensors, said control element comprising:
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at least one processor; at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor, wherein said first control element is configured to; add one or more new types of sensors to the set of different types of sensors; a sensor configuration repository and a sensor controller generator for generating a new sensor controller corresponding to each new type of the added sensors by modifying existing sensor controllers or components of the existing sensor controllers; said generated new sensor controller for each new type of sensors in said set of different type of sensors, said generated new sensor controller configured to; control transfer connections between said first control element and said new type of sensors, establish transfer connections to said new type of sensors in runtime, control said new type of sensors, and convert information received in a sensor-specific protocol format into a common format; a set of common control components for processing said information in said common format; a service unit operably connected to at least one of said common control components for providing a service based on said information in said common format to at least one consumer and for updating said service in accordance with the new type of sensors present in said sensor network; and said first control element further configured to; provide sensor configuration information of the new type of sensors to at least one further control element; provide a first sensor controller to said further control element in response to said further control element requesting said first sensor controller; request, in response to a new sensor connected to said first control element, whether said new sensor was previously connected to said further control element; and request, in response to said new sensor having been previously connected to said further control element, said generated new sensor controller and said sensor configuration information from said further control element.
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10. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for operating a first control element for a sensor network including a set of different types of sensors, said method steps comprising:
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controlling transfer connections between said first control element and said set of different types of sensors, said transfer connections being compliant with respective sensor-specific protocols; adding one or more new types of sensors to the set of different types of sensors; generating a new sensor controller corresponding to each new type of the added sensors by modifying existing sensor controllers or components of the existing sensor controllers; establishing transfer connections between said first control element and said new type of sensors in runtime; converting information obtained in a sensor-specific protocol format from said new type of sensors into a common format in said corresponding sensor controller; processing said information in said common format by a set of common control components of said first control element; providing a service based on said information in said common format to at least one consumer; updating said service in accordance with the new type of sensors present in said sensor network; providing sensor configuration information of the new type of sensors to at least one further control element; providing a first sensor controller to said further control element in response to said further control element requesting said first sensor controller; requesting, in response to a new sensor connected to said first control element, whether said new sensor was previously connected to said further control element; and requesting, in response to said new sensor having been previously connected to said further control element, said generated new sensor controller and said sensor configuration information from said further control element. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of deploying a computer program product for operating a first control element for a sensor network including a set of different types of sensors, wherein, when executed, the computer program performs the steps of:
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controlling transfer connections between said first control element and said set of different types of sensors, said transfer connections being compliant with respective sensor-specific protocols; adding one or more new types of sensors to the set of different types of sensors; generating a new sensor controller corresponding to each new type of the added sensors by modifying existing sensor controllers or components of the existing sensor controllers; establishing transfer connections between said first control element and said new type of sensors in runtime; converting information obtained in a sensor-specific protocol format from said new type of sensors into a common format in said corresponding sensor controller; processing said information in said common format by a set of common control components of said first control element; providing a service based on said information in said common format to at least one consumer; updating said service in accordance with the new type of sensors present in said sensor network; providing sensor configuration information of the new type of sensors, which are connected to said first control element, to at least one further control element; providing a first sensor controller to said further control element in response to said further control element requesting said first sensor controller; requesting, in response to a new sensor connected to said first control element, whether said new sensor was previously connected to said further control element; and requesting, in response to said new sensor having been previously connected to said further control element, said generated new sensor controller and said sensor configuration information from said further control element.
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Specification