WO2003069515A1

WO2003069515A1 - A processing apparatus and system

Info

Publication number: WO2003069515A1
Application number: PCT/AU2003/000197
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Trefry; Glen Hunter; Scott Simms; David Herne; Jack Smith
Original assignee: Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation; Beacon Technology Pty Limited; International Environmental Management Pty Limited
Priority date: 2002-02-15
Filing date: 2003-02-14
Publication date: 2003-08-21
Also published as: AUPS056402A0

Abstract

A processing apparatus (10) is disclosed which includes processing means (14), interface means (12) connectable to at least one agent device (24) and arranged, in use, to operatively connect the at least one agent device (24) to the processing means (14) so as to facilitate reception of first input data from the at least one agent device (24) and/or transmission of first output data to the at least one agent device (24), and network communications means (18) arranged to facilitate reception of second input data from a networked location and to facilitate transmission of second output data to a networked location. The processing apparatus (10) is arranged to receive processing instructions indicative of processing actions to be carried out in relation to at least one of the first and second input data, and the processing means (14) is arranged to carry out the processing instructions so as to produce at least one of the first and second output data. A system including a plurality of processing apparatus connected in networked relationship is also disclosed.

Description

A PROCESSING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a processing apparatus for processing input data. The present invention also relates to a corresponding processing system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At present, commercial, governmental and/or scientific data gathering is carried out using arrays of passive and/or active sensors and data loggers. A conventional data logger includes a simple microprocessor or microcontroller arranged to poll sensors attached to the data logger and to store the sample data for transmission to a database. However, such data loggers are designed and configured for one or more particular applications using specific sensors, and functionality of the data logger is restricted to the one or more applications. As a consequence, it is difficult to modify the data logger to gather data from other types of sensors or to carry out additional functions not already incorporated into the data logger design.

In addition, current data collection, transmission, storage, distribution, analysis and management tasks are generally undertaken by a variety of service providers. As a consequence, the hardware and software used for each stage of the data handling process are generally based on different standards, communication protocols, software configurations, and so on, which are often incompatible with each other, and the whole data handling and analysis process is cumbersome and expensive as a result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In this specification, it will be understood that the term "agent device" means any device which is capable of receiving and acting upon control instructions or of providing data on request. Examples of agent devices are sensors and controllable devices such as pumps, valves, heaters and so on. In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing apparatus including: processing means; interface means connectable to at least one agent device and arranged, in use, to operatively connect the at least one agent device to the processing means so as to facilitate reception of first input data from the at least one agent device and/or transmission of first output data to the at least one agent device; and network communications means arranged to facilitate reception of second input data from a networked location and to facilitate transmission of second output data to a networked location; wherein the processing apparatus is arranged to receive processing instructions indicative of processing actions to be carried out in relation to at least one of the first and second input data, and the processing means is arranged to carry out the processing instructions so as to produce at least one of the first and second output data.

In one arrangement, the processing apparatus is arranged to receive processing instructions through the network communications means from other processing apparatus and to initiate communications to other processing apparatus.

In an alternative arrangement, the processing apparatus is arranged to receive processing instructions from a remote networked terminal.

In an alternative arrangement, the network communications means is arranged to connect to a local terminal and the processing apparatus is arranged to receive processing instructions from the local terminal connected, in use, to the network communications means.

In one embodiment, the at least one agent device including at least one sensor and the processing instructions cause the processing apparatus to gather data, in use, from the at least one sensor, and to output the gathered data to the network communications means. In one embodiment, the processing instructions cause the processing apparatus to forward the gathered data directly to at least one other processmg apparatus.

In a further embodiment, the processing instructions cause the processing apparatus to forward the gathered data to a remote location for storage in a database.

In addition or alternatively, the processing instructions may also cause the processing apparatus to instruct at least one other processing apparatus connected in networked relationship to the processing apparatus through the network communications means to gather data from at least one sensor connected, in use, to the at least one other processing apparatus. The processing instructions may cause the at least one other processing apparatus to forward the gathered data directly back to the processing apparatus.

In one embodiment, the at least one agent device includes at least one controllable device and the processing instructions cause the processing apparatus to carry out a device control task to the at least one controllable device connected, in use, to the interface means.

In one arrangement, the device control task is dependent on second input data received through the network communications means directly from at least one other processing apparatus.

In an alternative arrangement, the device control task is dependent on second input data received through the network communications means from a remote database.

In one arrangement, the processing instructions are in the form of at least one software program executable by the processing means.

Preferably, the at least one software program includes a data gathering program arranged to cause the processing apparatus to gather data from at least one sensor connected, in use, to the interface means of the processing apparatus or connected, in use, to the interface means of other processing apparatus, and to output the gathered data through the network communications means.

In addition or alternatively, the at least one software program includes a device control program arranged to cause the processing means to carry out a desired device control task, which may be dependent on first input data from at least one agent device connected, in use, to the interface means and/or on second input data received from a networked location.

The controllable device may be a pump, fan, valve, heater or any other device capable of carrying out an action in response to a control input.

In one arrangement, the interface means is arranged to interface with an agent device arranged to generate location, direction of travel and/or speed information using GPS.

Preferably, the processing apparatus includes a data storage means arranged to store processing instructions. The data storage means may be a non-volatile RAM.

Preferably, the processing apparatus is arranged to enable detection of the identity of a sensor or controllable device when the sensor or controllable device is connected to the processing apparatus. The apparatus may be arranged to forward a request through the network communications means to a remote repository to download the required sensor or controllable device configuration information when the sensor or controllable device is not recognised by the apparatus.

Preferably, the interface means is arranged to connect to agent devices by hard-wired connections and/or by wireless connections, such as by radio communications.

Preferably, the interface means includes means for converting analogue signals received from the at least one agent device connected, in use, to the interface means to digital signals, and/or for converting digital signals from the processing means to analogue signals.

Preferably, the network communications means is arranged to facilitate communications with the Internet.

In one arrangement, the processing apparatus is arranged to locally store data and to periodically forward the stored data to a remote location through the network communications means.

Preferably, the second output data is tagged with an identifier and encrypted using an encryption key, the encrypted second output data being decryptable only by a user in possession of the encryption key.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for processing information, said processing system having a plurality of processing apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, said processing aappppaarraattuuss bbeeiinngg iinn nneettwwoorrkkeedd ccoommmmuunniiccaattiioonn wwiitthh eeaacchh o < ther.

In one embodiment, the system includes: at least one first processing apparatus including first processing means, first interface means, first network communications means and first processing instructions arranged to cause the first processing means to gather data from at least one sensor connected to the first interface means and to forward the gathered data through the first network communications means; and at least one second processing apparatus including second processing means, second interface means, second network communications means and second processing instructions arranged to cause the second processing apparatus to gather data from at least one sensor connected to the second interface means and to forward the gathered data through the second network communications means.

With this embodiment, the system may further include a remote database and the data gathered by the first and second processing apparatus may be forwarded to the remote database.

In one application, each of the first and second processing apparatus is located on a train and the data gathered by each processing apparatus is indicative of at least the location and direction of travel of a respective train, the system being arranged to analyse the gathered data and to cause operation of a warning signal to drivers of the respective trains when the respective trains are at risk of colliding.

Preferably, the gathered data is forwarded to a remote location for analysis.

Alternatively, the gathered data is forwarded directly to other processing apparatus for analysis.

In one arrangement, during a first mode of operation the gathered data is forwarded to a remote location for analysis and, during a second mode of operation when hard- wired network communications between the processing apparatus are unavailable the gathered data is forwarded directly to other processing apparatus by wireless networked communication.

In an alternative embodiment, the system includes: at least one first processing apparatus including first processing means, first interface means and first processing instructions arranged to cause the first processing means to gather data from at least one sensor connected to the first interface means; and at least one second processing apparatus including second processing means, second interface means and second processing instructions arranged to cause the second processing means to control a controllable device connected to the second interface means; wherein control of the controllable device is dependent on the data gathered by the first processing apparatus.

With this embodiment, the first processing apparatus may include first network communications means, and the first processing instructions are arranged to cause the first processing means to forward the gathered data to a remote database through the first network communications means, and the second processing apparatus may include second network communications means and the second processing instructions are arranged to cause the second processing means to retrieve the gathered data from the remote database.

In one application, the at least one sensor is arranged to monitor the temperature in a building and temperature-affecting characteristics in the building and the at least one controllable device is arranged to modify at least one temperature-affecting characteristic in the building.

Preferably, the temperature-affecting characteristics include ventilation shutter deployment angle, ventilation rate, climate control system fuel burn rate, heat production of building equipment.

Alternatively, the first processing apparatus may include first network communications means and the second processing apparatus includes second network communications means, the first processing instructions being arranged to forward the gathered data directly to the second processing means through the first and second network communications means.

In an alternative embodiment, the processing system includes: at least one first processing apparatus including first processing means, first interface means and first network communications means; and at least one second processing apparatus including second processing means, second interface means, second network communications means and second processing instructions arranged to cause the second processing means to instruct the first processing apparatus to gather data from at least one sensor connected to the first interface means and to forward the gathered data to the second processing apparatus through the first and second network communications means

Preferably, the system further includes at least one user terminal in networked communication with the plurality of processing apparatus.

In one arrangement, the processing system includes a plurality of processing apparatus connected in a LAN.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a processing apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a block diagram of a system for monitoring and gathering data from a plurality of sensors in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the system including several processing apparatus shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a block diagram of a system for monitoring and gathering data from a plurality of sensors and for controlling an agent device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the system including several processing apparatus shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 4 is a block diagram of a system for monitoring and gathering data from a plurality of sensors and for controlling an agent device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the system including several processing apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating a system in accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, the system including three processing apparatus shown in Figure 1 operating in a peer-to-peer relationship to control a controllable device;

Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating a system in accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, the system including three processing apparatus shown in Figure 1 operating in a peer-to-peer relationship to optimise climate control in a building;

Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating a system in accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, the system including two processing apparatus shown in Figure 1 operating in a peer-to-peer relationship to provide a collision avoidance mechanism for rail transport; and

Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example software architecture of the systems shown in Figures 2 and 3.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention broadly relates to a processing apparatus and corresponding processing system which simplifies data handling and control processes in a distributed system by network enabling sensors and controllable devices in the system, by facilitating reception of input signals both from a networked location and from a local sensor or controllable device, and by providing processors associated with the sensors and controllable devices which are capable of receiving processing instructions and of executing the processing instructions to carry out desired actions on the input signals. In this way, a powerful data handling and device control system can be created which is capable of operating in several modes, including peer-to-peer.

Such processing instructions may take the form of software programs arranged to carry out a variety of data handling and device control tasks. For example, data gathering programs may be forwarded to appropriate processors for execution, the data gathering programs causing the processors to gather data from sensors operatively associated with the processors, and/or device control programs may be forwarded to appropriate processors for execution, the device control programs causing the processors to control a controllable device in response to sample data gathered from sensors operatively associated with any other processing apparatus in the network. The processing instructions may also cause several processing apparatus to directly interact with each other in peer-to-peer relationship so as to share information, such as data gathered from sensors, instruct each other to carry out actions, and so on.

Additionally, information collected by the processors may be interpreted using software to create software associations, referred to in this specification as "virtual devices", between any of the devices disposed throughout the network.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a processing apparatus 10 for processing information.

The processing apparatus 10 includes an agent interface 12 for connecting to and receiving sample data from a plurality of agent devices such as sensors (not shown) or controllable devices (not shown), a processor 14 for controlling and coordinating operation of the apparatus 10, data storage means, in this example a memory 16, a network communications interface 18 for enabling remote communications between the apparatus 10 and other networked devices such as a remotely located server (not shown), user terminals, and other processing apparatus 10, and a power supply 20 for supplying power to operative components of the processing apparatus 10.

The agent interface 12 is arranged to connect to a plurality of agent devices such as sensors and controllable devices. When the agent devices include sensors, the agent interface 12 converts analogue signals from the sensors where necessary into digital signals, and communicates the signals from the sensors to the processor 14. When the agent devices include controllable devices, the agent interface 12 converts digital signals from the processor 14 to analogue signals, and transfers control instructions from the processor 14 to the controllable device. In some cases, the controllable devices may also be capable of returning status and/or sensor information to the processor.

The agent interface 12 may also include logic in the form of dedicated circuitry and/or software arranged to enable pluggability of agent devices, that is, to enable detection of the identity of an agent device when the agent device is connected to the agent interface 12 and, in response to the detection, to automatically reconfigure the agent device configuration information stored in the memory 16 as required. When an agent device is not recognised by the agent interface 12, a communication is sent through the network interface 18 to download the required configuration information for the new agent device from a central data warehouse. The agent interface 12 may also be arranged to connect to agent devices by hard- wired connections or may be arranged to connect to agent devices using wireless communications, such as radio frequency transmissions, or in any other suitable way.

The agent interface 12 may also be arranged to connect to a LAN having several associated agent devices.

The processor 14 is arranged to carry out processing actions in response to processing instructions stored in the memory 16 or received directly through the network communications means. Such processing actions may be to monitor and control sensors and/or controllable devices connected to the agent interface 12. Various arrangements for carrying out processing actions are possible. In a first arrangement, processing instructions, for example in the form of a data gathering program or control program as appropriate, are downloaded through the network interface 18 and stored in the memory 16 for subsequent execution by the processor 14, the downloaded data processing instructions being appropriate for the particular sensors and/or particular controllable devices connected to the agent interface 12, and being appropriate for the desired task to be carried out by the processing apparatus 10. In a second arrangement, processing instructions are transferred directly to the processor through the network interface 18 from another processing apparatus or from a separate networked terminal and the processor 14 carries out processing actions in response to the processing instructions.

The processing instructions may also include configuration data useable by the processor 14 to modify device operating schedules, settings, and so on, or to install and/or upgrade software objects in the memory 16.

The processor 14 may also be arranged to safeguard against lost data, for example due to a networking failure during a data gathering operation, by incorporating a mechanism for storing sample data in the memory 16 and automatically forwarding the stored sample data to the server at predetermined time intervals. This may be implemented by instructing the processor 14 to forward sample data after expiration of a predetermined period of time, or by instructing the processor 14 to forward the sample data whenever the memory 16 is at or approaches full capacity. Once confirmation is received that the sample data has reached its destination, the sample data stored in the memory 16 is deleted.

The memory 16 in this example is in the form of a non-volatile RAM. The memory 16 is arranged to store agent device configuration information, processing instructions such as processing apparatus program software including data gathering programs and control programs, and sample data received from the sensors.

The network interface 18 is arranged to facilitate communications between the processor 14 and a communications network, in this example the Internet. The communications may be between the processor 14 and a central server, between the processor 14 and at least one processor of at least one other processing apparatus 10, or between the processor 14 and a networked terminal either located adjacent or remotely relative to the processing apparatus 10.

It will be understood that by providing the processing apparatus 10 with a network interface 18, it becomes possible to construct a system including several networked processing apparatus 10 with no geographic restriction to the location of each processing apparatus 10.

It will also be understood that as a consequence of providing the network interfaces 18 arranged to facilitate transmission and reception of data and programmable processors 14, the processing apparatus 10 are able to initiate and engage in two-way dialogue with other processing apparatus, and in this way to enable data sharing between processing apparatus to create a powerful data handling system.

Referring to Figure 2, a.processing system 22 for monitoring a plurality of sensors 24 is shown.

The system 22 includes five processing apparatus 10a, 10b, 10c, lOd and lOe, each of which is connected to a group of four sensors 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d and 24e respectively through an agent interface 12 of a respective processing apparatus 10 so as to forward sample data from the sensors 24 to a processor 14. In the example shown in Figure 2, a first group of sensors 24a communicates with a first processing apparatus 10a using radio frequency transmissions, and second, third, fourth and fifth groups of sensors 24b, 24c, 24d and 24e communicate with respective second, third, fourth and fifth processing apparatus 10b, 10c, lOd and lOe using hard- wired connections. However, it will be understood that any suitable communication arrangement may be used.

The system also includes a server 28 arranged to serve data to terminals 32, 34 associated with end users and a system manager respectively, to serve data to the processing apparatus 10, to store sample data received from the processing apparatus 10 in a database 30, and to manage communications through the Internet 26 with the terminals 32, 34 and the processing apparatus 10.

The database 30 in this example is a relational SQL type database which is arranged to store sample data with one or more identifiers, each identifier being associated with a user or any other state variable. In this way, it is possible to facilitate sharing of data whilst ensuring that data is only accessed by the correct users. Equally, data from the processing system may be collated and stored according to any state variable or combination of state variables.

The database 30 is arranged to store information indicative of the status of the processing apparatus 10, current apparatus configurations, predefined agent device configurations for subsequent selection, and sample data.

The user terminals 32 associated with end users are arranged to download selected sample data stored on the database 30, the selected sample data being served to the user terminal 32 by the server 28, and to execute application programs served to the user terminal 32 by the server 28, the application programs being used by a user to display and analyse the sample data.

The system manager terminal 34 associated with a system manager is arranged to facilitate creation and/or updating of processing apparatus programs executable by the processors 14, to forward instructions, including direct instructions and processing apparatus programs, to the appropriate processing apparatus 10 for storage in the respective memories 16, to download and display information indicative of the configuration of the processing apparatus 10, and to facilitate on-line monitoring of operation of the processing apparatus 10.

In use, if not already available in memory at the system manager terminal 34, a system manager first operates the system manager terminal 34 to create a data gathering program for a processing apparatus 10, the data gathering program containing instructions to effect a desired data gathering task for the particular sensors connected to the processing apparatus, and to cause the processing apparatus to gather data in a desired manner from sensors. When the data gathering program has been created, it is forwarded from the system manager terminal 34 through the Internet 26 to the server 28 which then serves the data gathering program to the appropriate processing apparatus 10. On receipt of the data gathering program through the respective network interface 18, the respective processor 14 of the processing apparatus stores the data gathering program in the memory 16. Alternatively, the data gathering process may be created on a separate terminal not associated with the system 22, transferred to the system manager terminal 34, then forwarded to the server 28 for serving to the appropriate processing apparatus 10.

It will be understood that the same data gathering program may be forwarded to each processing apparatus or different data gathering programs may be used for the other processing apparatus, depending on the required data gathering task.

Under control of the data gathering programs stored in the respective memories 16 of the processing apparatus 10, the respective processors 14 gather sample data from the respective sensors 24 and forward the sample data through the respective network interfaces 18 and the Internet 26 to the server 28. The server 28 then stores the received sample data in the database 30. To view the sample data, a user operating a user terminal 32 is able to communicate with the server 28 to download desired sensor data for review and analysis. In this example, in order to facilitate ease of use, applications required to download, display and analyse sensor data are served to the user terminal 32 by the server 28. It will be understood that by storing data from all sensors 24 connected to the network in the database 30, an arrangement is created whereby multiple users are able to share the same sample data for the same or different purposes.

Likewise, a system manager operating the system manager terminal 34 is able to communicate with the server 28 to download desired sensor data for review and analysis and to monitor operation of the processing apparatus on the fly. As with the user terminal 32, required applications to carry out these actions are served to the system manager terminal 34 by the server 28 when required.

In order to ensure security of data transfer between the server 28 and the user terminals 32, the data requested by each user terminal 32 may be tagged with an appropriate community identifier, and the data encrypted using an encryption algorithm that only the appropriate community in possession of the community identifier can decrypt using an encryption key. Similarly, communications between the server and processors may be encrypted to prevent publication of data and data gathering processes on the intervening network.

Although this example has been described in relation to data gathering programs forwarded from a remote terminal for storage in the memory 16, it will be understood that other arrangements for instructing the processing apparatus are possible. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the user terminals 32 and/or the system manager terminal 34 may generate processing instructions for direct execution by the appropriate processing apparatus 10 under control of a user, or a separate terminal on which processing instructions are stored may be transferred directly to the processing apparatus 10 by connecting the separate terminal to the network interface 18 of an appropriate processing apparatus 10. A further example of a processing system 36 incorporating three processing apparatus 10 is shown in Figure 3. Like features are indicated with like reference numbers.

As with the processing system 22 shown in Figure 2, first and second processing apparatus 10a and 10b are connected to respective first and second groups of sensors 24a and 24b. However, with this embodiment, a third processing apparatus lOf is connected to a controllable device, in this example a pump 38, although it will be understood that other controllable devices capable of responding to a control signal are envisaged, such as fans, valves, heaters and so on.

Using the processing system 36, a system manager is able to operate the system manager terminal 34 so as to forward processing instructions in the form of data gathering programs to the processing apparatus 10a and 10b and to forward processing instructions in the form of a device control program to the processing apparatus lOf.

In use, as with the system shown in Figure 2, if not already available in memory at the system manager terminal 34, a system manager first operates the system manager terminal 34 to create a data gathering program, and to forward the data gathering program from the system manager terminal 34 through the Internet 26 to the server 28 which then serves the data gathering program to the appropriate first or second processing apparatus 10a, 10b. On receipt of the data gathering program through the respective network interface 18, the data gathering program is stored in the respective memory 16. The same or a different data gathering program may be used for the other first or second processing apparatus 10a, 10b, depending on the required data gathering task.

In addition, if not already available in memory at the system manager terminal 34, the system manager then operates the system manager terminal 34 to create a control program, the control program containing instructions to effect appropriate operation of the controllable device 38 in response to sample data gathered from the first and second groups of sensors 24a, 24b by the first and second processing apparatus 10a, 10. The control program is then forwarded from the system manager terminal 34 through the Internet 26 to the server 28 which then serves the control program to the third processing apparatus lOf. On receipt of the control program the data gathering program is stored in the respective memory 16.

Alternatively, the data gathering program and/or the device control program may be created on a separate terminal not associated with the system 36, transferred to the system manager terminal 34, then forwarded to the server 28 for serving to the appropriate processing apparatus 10.

Under control of the data gathering programs stored in the respective memories 16 of the first and second processing apparatus 10a, 10b, the respective processors 14 gather sample data from the sensors 24a, 24b and forward the sample data through the respective network interfaces 18 and the Internet 26 to the server 28. The server 28 then stores the received sample data in the database 30.

Under control of the control program stored in the memory 16 of the third processing apparatus lOf, the processor 14 of the third processing apparatus lOf retrieves the sample data gathered by the first and second processing apparatus 10a, 10b from the database 30 and, in response to predetermined rules dependent on the data gathered and defined by the control program, controls operation of the controllable device 38.

For example, if the first and second groups of sensors are temperature sensors located adjacent the building, the data gathering programs may cause temperature readings to be gathered every hour by the first and second processing apparatus and stored in the database 30, and the control program may cause the pump 38 to activate and effect ejection of water over a particular area of the building if temperature sensors associated with the area indicate that the temperature adjacent the area has risen above predetermined temperature.

It will be understood that in this way it is possible to construct from a remote location an arrangement wherein the outcome of one apparatus is dependent on data sensed by other apparatus. As with the embodiment shown in Figure 2, although this example has been described in relation to data gathering programs and device control programs forwarded from a remote terminal for storage in the memory 16, it will be understood that other arrangements for instructing the processing apparatus are possible. For example, the user terminals 32 and/or the system manager terminal 34 may generate processing instructions for direct execution by the appropriate processing apparatus 10 under control of a user, or a separate terminal on which processing instructions are stored or transferred directly to the processing apparatus by connecting the separate terminal to the network interface 18 of an appropriate processing apparatus 10.

A further example of a processing system 76 incorporating three processing apparatus lOg, lOh, lOi operating in peer-to-peer relationship is shown in Figure 5. The example shown in Figure 5 is for controlling operations of a coal furnace, although it will be understood that other applications of this embodiment are envisaged. Like features are indicated with like reference numerals.

As with the processing systems 22, 36 shown in Figures 2 and 3, in order to establish a desired operation framework for each processing apparatus lOg, lOh, lOi, processing instructions are forwarded to the processing apparatus lOg, lOh, lOi, in this example through the Internet 26, for storage in the processing apparatus lOg, lOh, lOi. In this example, the processing instructions associated with a first processing apparatus lOg causes the first processing apparatus lOg to initiate a request directly to second and third processing apparatus lOh, lOi for data from specific sensors 24h, 24i connected to the second and third processing apparatus lOh, lOi. In this example, the sensors 24h are arranged to measure the coal supply rate in a coal furnace, and the sensors 24i are arranged to measure the temperature and moisture of the coal. As sample data is gathered from the sensors 24h, 24i, the sample data is forwarded directly to the processing apparatus lOg through the Internet 26. On receipt of the sample data at the first processing apparatus lOg, the processing instructions associated with the first apparatus lOg causes the first processing apparatus lOg to analyse the sample data and adjust the settings of a furnace 78 if necessary so as to minimise emissions. Although the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 5 include processing apparatus 10 connected only to sensors and processing apparatus 10 connected only to a controllable device, it will be understood that each processing apparatus 10 may be connected to any combination of sensors 24 and controllable devices 38.

The peer-to-peer functionality of the processing apparatus 10 is also useful in the event that a network connection between the processing apparatus 10 and a central server is temporarily broken and the processing apparatus is unable to request and obtain necessary information such as controllable device configuration information. In such a situation, the processing apparatus 10 may broadcast a request for information directly from other processing apparatus 10 and receive the requested data through the network interface 18.

A further example of a processing system 80 incorporating several processing apparatus lOj, 10k, 101 operating in peer-to-peer relationship is shown in Figure 6. The system 80 is for controlling temperature in a building. Like features are indicated with like reference numerals.

As with the processing systems described above, in order to establish a desired operation framework for each processing apparatus lOj, 10k, 101, processing instructions are forwarded to the processing apparatus, in this example through the internet 26, for storage in the processing apparatus lOj, 10k, 101. In this example, the processing instructions associated with a first processing apparatus lOj causes the first processing apparatus lOj to forward data from sensors 24j, 24k to a third processing apparatus 101, and the processing instructions associated with a second processing apparatus 10k causes the second processing apparatus 10k to forward data from sensors 241, 24m to the third processing apparatus 101. Processing instructions associated with the third processing apparatus 101 causes the third processing apparatus 101 to analyse the data received from the first and second processing apparatus lOj, 10k and carry out actions dependent on the received data. In this example, the sensors 24j are arranged to measure the angle of deployment of external shutters in a building, the sensors 24k are arranged to measure the ventilation rate in the building, the_, sensors 241 are arranged to monitor heat-producing equipment, and the sensors 24m are arranged to monitor the building temperature and the fuel burn rate of a climate control system.

The actions carried out by the third processing apparatus 101 include forwarding configuration information to the first and second apparatus lOj, 10k so as to modify shutter angle, ventilation rate, and so on as appropriate to achieve precise temperature control in the building. By monitoring live demographic, shutter angle, building temperature, fuel burn rate, and ventilation rate information and analysing the information at the third processing apparatus 101 using a standard genetic or learning algorithm, it is possible to generate a temperature distribution inside the building that is comfortable to the inhabitants, is within safe operating ranges for machinery, and which minimises cost to the building owners over daily, seasonal and annual cycles.

It will be understood that the above described system is able to operate as a self-learning control system which is capable of controlling the climate in a building to minimise costs and maximise comfort for the building inhabitants.

A further example of a processing system 82 incorporating two processing apparatus 10m, lOn operating in peer-to-peer relationship is shown in Figures 7a and 7b. The example shown in Figures 7a and 7b is for use in the reducing the risk of collision in rail transport. Like features are indicated with like reference numerals.

As with the processing systems described above, in order to establish a desired operation f amework for each processing apparatus 10m, lOn, processing instructions are forwarded to the processing apparatus 10m, lOn in any suitable way for storage in the relevant memory 16 of the processing apparatus 10m, lOn. The processing instructions are arranged to cause the processing apparatus 10m, lOn to operate as described below. Each of the processing apparatus 10m, lOn is connected to sensors 24n and 24o. The sensor 24n is arranged to generate accurate location, direction of travel and speed information using differential GPS technology. The sensors 24o are arranged to monitor operation of selected hardware on the train.

During normal operation, each of the processing apparatus 10m, lOn is located on a train and each processing apparatus 10m, lOn continuously, receives information from the sensors 24n, 24o including information indicative of the location, direction of travel and speed of the train on which the processing apparatus 10m, lOn is located. As shown in Figure 7a, the retrieved information is ordinarily ^•forwarded to a central data warehouse 84 for analysis. In the event that two trains are at risk of collision, appropriate alarms are forwarded to the appropriate processing apparatus for generation of audible and/or visible warnings to train drivers.

In the event that network connectivity between the processing apparatus 10m, lOn and the central data warehouse 84 is temporarily lost, information indicative of the train identity, location, track number and speed is broadcast from each processing apparatus 10m, lOn to other processing apparatus within a predetermined distance (such as 10 kms) using a transceiver 86 connected to the respective network interface 18 of the processing apparatus. On receipt of the broadcast information at the other processing apparatus, the information is analysed to determine whether a collision is possible. If so, an audible and/or visible warning is generated to alert the driver of the train. Additionally, if a collision is determined to be likely and no driver response is detected, a train breaking sequence may be initiated.

It will be understood that the system 82 is symmetrical between the trains with each processing apparatus acting as a peer to prevent the respective trains colliding.

An example software architecture for components of a processing system is shown in Figure 8.

In this embodiment, each user terminal 32 is provided with a web browser 40 arranged to display HTML pages, and a user application 42, in this example a Java application, that runs within the web browser 40. The user application 42 is downloaded automatically from the server 28, thereby avoiding the need for configuration of the user terminal 32 by a user, and is responsible for creating an interface to the system for users. The user application 42 may be utilised by a user to create periodical reports of sample data. Also provided on the user terminal 32 is an operating system 44, and a security program, in this example a firewall 46, for preventing unauthorised access to the user terminal 32.

The system manager terminal 34 is provided with a manager application 48, in this example a Java application, responsible for creating an interface to the system for system managers. The manager application also enables a system manager to create processing apparatus programs such as data gathering programs and control programs to create and send direct processing instructions to the processing apparatus 10, and to carry out on-line monitoring of the processing apparatus 10. The system manager terminal 34 also includes an operating system 44, an application run-time environment 50, in this example Java Run-Time Environment (JRE) and Virtual Machine (VM), used to develop and run the manager application 48, and a security program, in this example a firewall 46, for preventing unauthorised access to the system manager terminal 34.

The server 28 includes a web server program 52 for serving HTML pages and Java applications on request; a server control application 54 arranged to serve processing instructions including processing apparatus programs such as data gathering programs and control programs, and to direct instructions to the processing apparatus 10 in response to instructions from the manager application 48. In this example, the server control application 54 is also written in Java.

The server 28 also includes an application run-time environment 56 used to develop and run the Java application, in this example Java Run-Time Environment (JRE) and Virtual Machine (VM), an operating system 58, and a security program, in this example a firewall 46, for preventing unauthorised access to the server 28. The server 28 also includes a database program 60 for coordinating and controlling storage of information including sample data received from the apparatus 10 and standard apparatus configuration information.

The server 28 also includes a modelling application 64 and a report generation application 66, and an administration application 62 which are served to the user terminals 32 and system manager terminals 34 respectively as required.

The modelling application 64 is a tool which allows users to model processing apparatus and sensors in software and for the interaction between the apparatus and sensors to be assessed. The report generation application 66 is a reporting tool for generating reports, charts, and so on, representative of selected sample data stored in the database 30. The administration application 62 is responsible for monitoring, controlling and configuring the processing apparatus 10.

Each apparatus 10 includes an apparatus application 68, in this example a Java application, arranged to effect collection of sample data from sensors 24 connected to the apparatus 10, to calibrate the sample data, and to forward the sample data through the respective network interface 18 of the apparatus 10 to the server 28. The apparatus application 68 is in communication with the server control application 54 and receives and acts on configuration requests from the server control application 54.

The apparatus 10 also includes an application run-time environment 70, in this example Java Run-Time Environment (JRE) and Virtual Machine (VM), an operating system 72 and a security program, in this example a firewall 74, for preventing unauthorised access to the apparatus 10.

It will be understood that the apparatus operating system 72 is desirably highly configurable and able to run in a small amount of memory, such as Linux.

Communications between the terminals 32, 34 and the server 28, between the server 28 and the processing apparatus 10, and between individual processing apparatus 10 are standardised, in this example over a TCP/IP network, with access to the server by the terminals 32,34 being controlled by Remote Method Invocation (RMI) and servelets in HTTP format. Access to the server by the device and vice versa is also by RMI. A connection to the server is established either by opening a URL or by performing a name look-up in an RMI register.

It will be appreciated that for security purposes, communications between the processing apparatus 10 and the server 28 and between the server 28 and the terminals 32, 34 may be encrypted using any suitable encryption mechanism.

It will also be appreciated that in any one of the above embodiments the information collected by the processing apparatus 10 in a processing system may be interpreted using software to create software associations between devices connected to several processing apparatus. Such software associations are termed "virtual devices". For example, a virtual traffic flow device for Sydney may be created by summing the traffic flow rates at selected traffic intersections measured at each intersection by sensors, in this example by pressure sensors connected to processing apparatus 10 located at the intersection. Using software, the virtual device may be arranged to sample the intersection data at a rate appropriate to the whole of Sydney or, alternatively, the intersection data may be sampled at a rate appropriate for more local applications. The ability to collate and interpret data in this way is extremely powerful and flexible, since it is embodied purely in software. Arbitrary data sources from any location on the network may be integrated, analysed and reported in real time for any purpose. In addition, outputs of virtual devices may be used to operate controllable devices, or as inputs to other virtual devices.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A processing apparatus including: processing means; interface means connectable to at least one agent device and arranged, in use, to operatively connect the at least one agent device to the processing means so as to facilitate reception of first input data from the at least one agent device and/or transmission of first output data to the at least one agent device; and network communications means arranged to facilitate reception of second input data from a networked location and to facilitate transmission of second output data to a networked location; wherein the processing apparatus is arranged to receive processing instructions indicative of processing actions to be carried out in relation to at least one of the first and second input data, and the processing means is arranged to carry out the processing instructions so as to produce at least one of the first and second output data.

2. A processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing apparatus is arranged to receive processing instructions from other processing apparatus and to initiate communications to other processing apparatus.

3. A processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the processing apparatus is arranged to receive processing instructions from a remote networked terminal.

4. A processing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the network communications means is arranged to connect to a local terminal and the processing apparatus is arranged to receive processing instructions from the local terminal connected, in use, to the network communications means.

5. A processing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one agent device including at least one sensor and the processing instructions cause the processing apparatus to gather data, in use, from the at least one sensor, and to output the gathered data to the network communications means.

6. A processing apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the processing instructions cause the processing apparatus to forward the gathered data directly to at least one other processing apparatus.

7. A processing apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the processing instructions cause the processing apparatus to forward the gathered data to a remote location for storage in a database.

8. A processing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the processing instructions cause the processing apparatus to instruct at least one other processing apparatus connected in networked relationship to the processing apparatus through the network communications means to gather data from at least one sensor connected, in use, to the at least one other processing apparatus.

9. A processing apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the processing instructions also cause the at least one other processing apparatus to forward the gathered data directly back to the processing apparatus.

10. A processing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one agent device includes at least one controllable device and the processing instructions cause the processing apparatus to carry out a device control task to the at least one controllable device connected, in use, to the interface means.

11. A processing apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the device control task is dependent on second input data received through the network commumcations means directly from at least one other processing apparatus.

12. A processing apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the device control task is dependent on second input data received through the network communications means from a remote database.

13. A processing apparatus as claimed in any one of. the preceding claims wherein the processing instructions are in the form of at least one software program executable by the processing means.

14. A processing apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the at least one software program includes a data gathering program arranged to cause the processor to gather data from at least one sensor connected, in use, to the interface means of the processing apparatus or connected, in use, to the interface means of other processing apparatus, and to output the gathered data through the network communications means.

15. A processing apparatus as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the at least one software program includes a device control program arranged to cause the processing means to carry out a desired device control task on a controllable device connected, in use, to the interface means.

16. A processing apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the controllable device is a pump, fan, valve, or heater.

17. A processing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interface means is arranged to interface with an agent device arranged to generate location, direction of travel and/or speed information using GPS.

18. A processing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing apparatus includes a data storage means arranged to store the processing instructions.

19. A processing apparatus as claimed in any one of -the preceding claims, wherein the processing apparatus is arranged to enable detection of the identity of a sensor or controllable device when the sensor or controllable device is connected to the processing apparatus.

20. A processing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing apparatus is arranged to forward a request through the network communications means to a remote repository to download agent device configuration information when the agent device is not recognised by the apparatus.

21. A processing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interface means is arranged to connect to agent devices by hard-wired connections and/or by wireless connections.

22. A processing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interface means includes means for converting analogue signals received from the at least one agent device connected, in use, to the interface means to digital signals, and for converting digital signals from the processing means to analogue signals.

23. A processing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the network communications means is arranged to facilitate communications with the Internet.

24. A processing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing apparatus is arranged to locally store data and to periodically forward the stored data to a remote location through the network communications means.

25. A processing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second output data is tagged with an identifier and encrypted using an encryption key, the encrypted second output data being decryptable only by a user in possession of the encryption key.

26. A processing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing apparatus includes an application run-time environment.

27. A processing apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein the application run-time environment includes Java Run-Time Environment and Virtual Machine.

28. A processing apparatus as claimed in claim 26 or 27, further including a Linux operating system.

29. A processing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein communications through the network communications means are over a TCP/IP network.

30. A system for processing information, said processing system having a plurality of processing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, said plurality of processing apparatus being in networked communication with each other.

31. A system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the system includes: at least one first processing apparatus including first processing means, first interface means, first network communications means and first processing instructions arranged to cause the first processing means to gather data from at least one sensor connected to the first interface means and to forward the gathered data through the first network communications means; and at least one second processing apparatus including second processing means, second interface means, second network communications means and second processing instructions arranged to cause the second processing apparatus to gather data from at least one sensor connected to the second interface means and to forward the gathered data through the second network communications means.

32. A system as claimed in claim 31, wherein the system further includes a remote database and the data gathered by the first and second processing apparatus is forwarded to the remote database.

33. A system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the system includes: at least one first processing apparatus including first processing means, first interface means and first processing instructions arranged to cause the first processing means to gather data from at least one sensor connected to the first interface means; and at least one second processing apparatus including second processing means, second interface means and second processing instructions arranged to cause the second processing means to control a controllable device connected to the second interface means; wherein control of the controllable device is dependent on the data gathered by the first processing apparatus.

34. A system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the first processing apparatus includes first network communications means and the first processing instructions are arranged to cause the first processing means to forward the gathered data to a remote database through the first network communications means, and wherein the second processing apparatus includes second network communications means and the second processing instructions are arranged to cause the second processing means to retrieve the gathered data from the remote database.

35. A system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the first processing apparatus includes first network communications means and the second processing apparatus includes second network communications means, the first processing instructions being arranged to forward the gathered data directly to the second processing means through the first and second network communications means.

36. A system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the processing system includes: at least one first processing apparatus including first processing means, first interface means and first network communications means; and at least one second processing apparatus including second processing means, second interface means, second network communications means and second processing instructions arranged to cause the second processing means to instruct the first processing apparatus to gather data from at least one sensor connected to the first interface means and to forward the gathered data to the second processing apparatus through the first and second network communications means.

37. A system as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 36, further including at least one user terminal in networked communication with the plurality of processing apparatus.

38. A system as claimed in claim 31, wherein each of the first and second processing apparatus is located on a train and the data gathered by each processing apparatus is indicative of at least the location and direction of travel of a respective train, the system being arranged to analyse the gathered data and to cause operation of a warning signal to drivers of the respective trains when the respective trains are at risk of colliding.

39. A system as claimed in claim 38, wherein the gathered data is forwarded to a remote location for analysis.

40. A system as claimed in claim 38, wherein the gathered data is forwarded directly to other processing apparatus for analysis.

41. A system as claimed in claim 38, wherein during a first mode of operation the gathered data is forwarded to a remote location by hard-wired network communication for analysis and, during a second mode of operation when hard-wired network communications between the processing apparatus are unavailable the gathered data is forwarded directly to other processing apparatus by wireless networked communication.

42. A system as claimed in claim 34, wherein the at least one sensor is arranged to monitor the temperature in a building and temperature-affecting characteristics in the building and the at least one controllable device is arranged to modify at least one temperature-affecting characteristic in the building.

43. A system as claimed in claim 42, wherein the temperature-affecting characteristics include ventilation shutter deployment angle, ventilation rate, climate control system fuel burn rate, heat production of building equipment.