Abstract:
An apparatus in one example has: at least one watcher and at least one subject; a presence server operatively coupled to the at least one watcher; at least one location infrastructure operatively coupled to the presence server; location information associated with the at least one subject and formed by the location infrastructure; a presentity presence document associated with the at least one subject, the presentity presence document being stored in the presence server; at least one sensor presence adaptor operatively coupled to the presence server; at least one sensor system having at least one sensor in a respective coverage area; and at least one sensor location database operatively coupled to the sensor presence adaptor, the sensor location database storing respective location data of the sensors; wherein the presence server, utilizing the location information of the subject and the respective location data of the sensors, effects monitoring of the subject by the watcher.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates generally to communication systems, and in particular to linking a sensor network to a presentity. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    In general a presence server is a software platform that gathers presence information from multiple sources, aggregates it, and then shares it to clients and applications that are interested in it, and it does it all in real-time. The presence server may have a presence manager, which manages the flow of presence information maintaining the most up-to-date status on presence. In order to do this it may consults an availability rules manager which holds a set of logical rules that allows the presence manager to estimate “presence”. The presence server may be operatively coupled to at least one sensor system. 
         [0003]    Sensor systems are designed to accomplish vertical applications. Those applications are not designed to provide information dynamically linked to the variety of people or objects that come into the area it is sensing. At best, a cumbersome manual process is used to link sensor information to subjects that are in the range of that sensor system. 
         [0004]    The known art involves non-dynamic linking of an application to sensors. The following are examples. If a parent (at work) wants to check on the visual status of a child (at home), the parent must check each camera in a house until the child is in the picture. If a person wants to be notified when there is a fire in the building where they or their family members are currently (department store, high school, hospital, etc.) it would take a manual checking of an incoming fire sensor, know its location, and then determine if it matches the location of the people. For advertising purposes, a tire store would like to be notified when a particular person&#39;s car tires are worn. However, presently it is up to the car owner to notify the tire store that new tires are needed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    One embodiment according to the present method and apparatus is an apparatus that may comprise: at least one watcher and at least one subject; a presence server operatively coupled to the at least one watcher; at least one location infrastructure operatively coupled to the presence server; location information associated with the at least one subject and provided by the location infrastructure; a presentity presence document associated with the at least one subject, the presentity presence document being stored in the presence server; at least one sensor presence adaptor operatively coupled to the presence server; at least one sensor system having at least one sensor in a respective coverage area; and at least one sensor location database operatively coupled to the sensor presence adaptor, the sensor location database storing respective location data of the sensors; wherein the presence server, utilizing the location information of the subject and the respective location data of the sensors, effects monitoring of the subject by the watcher. 
         [0006]    Another embodiment according to the present method and apparatus is an apparatus that may comprise: at least one watcher and at least one subject; a presence server operatively coupled to the at least one watcher via an IMS network; the presence server having a sensor presence network adapter and a location presence network adapter; at least one location infrastructure operatively coupled to the location presence network adapter; location information associated with the at least one subject and provided by the location infrastructure; a presentity presence document associated with the at least one subject, the presentity presence document being stored in the presence server; at least one sensor system having at least one sensor in a respective coverage area; and at least one sensor location database operatively coupled to the sensor presence network adapter, the sensor location database storing respective location data of the sensors; wherein the presence server, utilizing the location information of the subject and the respective location data of the sensors, effects monitoring of the subject by the watcher via the presence server. 
         [0007]    Another embodiment according to the present method and apparatus is a method that may comprise the steps of: requesting by a watcher sensor information from a presence server about a presentity; obtaining by presence server a current location of the presentity; determining by the presence server an identity and type of sensors that are close to the presentity; creating a notify message with sensor characteristics and sending, by the presence server, the notify message to the watcher; and utilizing location information of the presentity and respective location data of the sensors, to effect monitoring of the presentity by the watcher. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The features of the embodiments of the present method and apparatus are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. These embodiments may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts a sensor system for use in an embodiment according to the present method and apparatus. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a general diagram that depicts one embodiment according to the present method and apparatus. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a more detailed diagram that depicts another embodiment according to the present method and apparatus. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is another detailed diagram that depicts an alternative embodiment according to the present method and apparatus. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a more detailed diagram that depicts another embodiment according to the present method and apparatus. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram that depicts a method embodiment according to the present method and apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Some of the basic concepts of the present method and apparatus are as follows. 
         [0016]    1) A subject (“presentity” in presence terminology) has a location that is known and that changes. 
         [0017]    2) A set of sensors (whose location and coverage are known) provides information about the environment in the neighborhood of the sensor. 
         [0018]    3) A client (person or application—“watcher” in presence terminology) desires context (presence) information about the subject. 
         [0019]    These concepts are embodied in the present method and apparatus such that the “watcher” person/application is provided the context of the subject from the sensors in the vicinity of that subject. The watcher and systems that obtain the context of the subject may be operatively couple via a communication system. As used herein the watcher is the client that is requesting presence information, and the presentity is the entity (subject) described by the presence information. 
         [0020]    In general a communication system may be an IMS network system, a SIP network system, a web services system, or any other type of communication system that operatively couples terminals and other systems and devices to one another. A terminal, as used herein, may refer to a landline terminal, a wireless terminal, a VoIP phone, a personal data assistant, a personal computer, etc. In the examples described below an IMS network is used. 
         [0021]    The depicted embodiments involve mobile persons or any device that is mobile enabled and, in particular, whose location can be determined. Sensor networks may be used to track or monitor a subject. Such sensors may be any type of sensor, such as, audio microphones, video cameras, temperature sensors, pollen sensors, radiation sensors, chemical sensors, etc. Also, various systems may be used to find the subject, such as global positioning systems (GPS), geo-fencing systems, and cell sector location that reports the center of a cell/sector as a mobile terminal position. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  depicts in general a sensor system for use in an embodiment according to the present method and apparatus. The sensor system  101  may be as simple as a single sensor, or may have a plurality of sensors  103  operatively coupled to the sensor system  101 . The sensors  103  may all be of one type, or may be composed of different types of sensors. 
         [0023]    In the  FIG. 1  diagram the sensor system  101  and the sensors  103  are operational in a defined geographical area  105 . In this example, a first person  107  is inside of the area  105 , and a second person  109  is outside of the area  105 . Even though the locations of both the first and second persons  107 ,  109  may be identified, the present embodiments can add context to the first person&#39;s  107  situation. However, there is no sensor data for the second person  109 . 
         [0024]    In embodiments of the present method and apparatus may be used in a large number of different applications. For example, 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a general diagram that depicts one embodiment according to the present method and apparatus. In this embodiment a watcher  201  is operatively coupled to a presence server  203 . The presence server  203  is also operatively coupled to a location infrastructure  205  (example: GMLC/SLMC in GSM network). Location information received from the location infrastructure  205  is added to a presentity presence document  207 . A sensor presence adaptor  209  is operatively coupled to a sensor location database  211 , a sensor system  213 , and the presence server  203 . The sensor system  213  may be operatively coupled to one or more sensors, such as sensors  215 ,  217 . The sensor system  213  has a coverage area  219 , which is a function of the number and locations of the sensors  215 ,  217 . In general they form a sensor network. The sensor location database  211  may contain the locations covered by the sensors/sensor networks. The “presence watchers” use the sensor data in the context of the presentity. 
         [0026]    A presence server is assumed to contain context information about the subject (“Presentity” in presence terminology) and part of this context information is the subject&#39;s location. This location is then compared to location coverage area of sensors as part of the sensor system. Sensors that are currently in the range of the presentity would have either their identity/address and/or information added to the presentity&#39;s presence document. External entities (“Watchers” in presence terminology), when requesting presence information about the presentity (and properly passing the privacy screening) will receive presence information that contains the data from the applicable sensors. This has a benefit of greater context provided about the subject to external entities (either human or application) 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a more detailed diagram that depicts another embodiment according to the present method and apparatus. In this embodiment a watcher  301  is operatively coupled to a presence server  303 . The presence server  303  is also operatively coupled to a location infrastructure  305  (example: GMLC/SMLC in GSM network). Location information received from the location infrastructure  305  is added to a presentity presence document  307 . A sensor presence adaptor  309  is operatively coupled to a sensor location database  311 , a sensor system  313 , and the presence server  303 . The sensor system  313  may be operatively coupled to one or more sensors, such as sensors  315 ,  317 . The sensor system  313  has a coverage area  319 , which is a function of the number and locations of the sensors  315 ,  317 . In general they form a sensor network. The sensor location database  311  may contain the locations covered by the sensors/sensor networks. 
         [0028]    The following example depicts a use of the  FIG. 3  embodiment in which the following steps are marked: 
         [0029]    1. A parent (Bob) indicates to an application on their Personal Computer that he would like to be notified on changes to his child&#39;s (Alice) location. 
         [0030]    2. The Personal Computer application  301  acts as a “presence watcher” and subscribes to Alice&#39;s presence. 
         [0031]    3. As Alice moves to the playground, the location infrastructure  305  indicates to the presence server  303  that a location change has occurred. 
         [0032]    4. The presence server  303  changes the location in Alice&#39;s presence document  307 . 
         [0033]    5. The sensor presence adaptor  309  (SPA) is notified of the change (and the new location). 
         [0034]    6. The SPA  309  accesses the sensor location database  311  and determines that there is a video camera, sensor  315  that covers the playground. 
         [0035]    7. The SPA  309  “publishes” the video camera identifier/address to the presence server  303 . 
         [0036]    8. The presence server  303  updates the video camera  315  identifier/address in Alice&#39;s presence document  307 . 
         [0037]    9. Bob&#39;s Personal Computer application  301  receives a presence update with the new location and the identifier/address of the video camera  315 . 
         [0038]    10. The application on Bob&#39;s Personal Computer  301  shows that Alice is in the playground and also streams the video from that camera  315 . 
         [0039]    The following is another example that depicts another use of the  FIG. 3  embodiment in which the following steps are marked: 
         [0040]    1. The plant superintendent (Carl) would like to talk to one of his supervisors (Dave), but at certain times and locations the plant is too noisy to facilitate voice calls. 
         [0041]    2. An application on Carl&#39;s phone  301  acts as a “Presence Watcher” and subscribes to Dave&#39;s presence. 
         [0042]    3. Dave&#39;s location within the plant is captured by the location infrastructure  505  and passed to the presence server  309 . 
         [0043]    4. The presence server  309  updates the location in Dave&#39;s presence document  307 . 
         [0044]    5. The sensor presence adaptor  309  is notified of the change (and the new location). 
         [0045]    6. The sensor presence adaptor  309  accesses the sensor location database  311  and determines that there is a noise level sensor  317  for the location that Dave is currently at. 
         [0046]    7. The sensor presence adaptor  309  accesses the sensor system  313  to retrieve the absolute level of noise. 
         [0047]    8. The sensor presence adaptor  309  “publishes” the noise level sensor identifier/address and absolute level to the presence server  309 . 
         [0048]    9. The presence server  309  updates the noise sensor identifier/address and absolute level in Dave&#39;s presence document  307 . 
         [0049]    10. Carl phone application  301  receives a presence update with the noise level for Dave. 
         [0050]    11. The application on Carl&#39;s phone  301  shows that Dave is in a low noise context and hence it is feasible to talk to him. 
         [0051]      FIG. 4  is another detailed diagram that depicts an alternative embodiment according to the present method and apparatus. In this embodiment a watcher  401  is operatively coupled to a presence server  403 . The presence server  403  is also operatively coupled to a location infrastructure  405  (example: GMLC/SMLC in GSM network). Location information received from the location infrastructure  405  is added to a presentity presence document  407 . A sensor presence adaptor  409  is operatively coupled to a sensor location database  411 , a sensor system  413 , and the presence server  403 . The sensor system  413  may be operatively coupled to one or more sensors, such as sensors  415 ,  417 . The sensor system  413  has a coverage area  419 , which is a function of the number and locations of the sensors  415 ,  417 . In general they form a sensor network. The sensor location database  411  may contain the locations covered by the sensors/sensor networks. 
         [0052]    In the alternative embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4  instead of using a location matching mechanism to determine when the subject is in range of the sensor system  413 , a device, such as watcher  401  (for example, the device may be a mobile phone) may interact directly with the sensor system  413  when within the coverage area  419  and that may trigger the sensor presence adaptor  409  to publish the identity/address and/or sensor value to the presence server  403 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 5  is another detailed diagram that depicts another embodiment according to the present method and apparatus. In this embodiment the presence server  501  may have multiple components, two of which are the sensor presence network adaptor  503  and location presence network adaptor  505 . A watcher  507  is operatively coupled to the presence server  501  via an IMS standard network architecture  509 . 
         [0054]    Initially the watcher  507  requests sensor information about a presentity from the presence server  501 . SIP/SIMPLE may be used as the base protocol (IETF RFC 2778, 3856, 3863, etc.) over a 3GPP specified IMS network (S-CSCF, HSS, etc.). A SIP subscribe message may be sent to the presence server  501  with the presenty&#39;s URI. As part of the subscribe request, a filter is specified (RFC 4661, 4662) so that sensor information at the device level is requested. The presence server  501  then evaluates the filter rules and sends the subscribe message to a sensor presence network adaptor  503  (PNA) (following the model within 3GPP Presence Standards—23.141) that would deal with sensors  515 ,  517 . 
         [0055]    Next, the presence server  501  obtains the current location of the presentity. The location presence network adaptor  521  (in the presence server  501 ) either uses internal presence server documents or subscribes for location for the presentity. If the presence server  501  has the information available, then a presence document with location is provided. But more likely, sensor presence network adaptor  503  within the presence server  501  sends a SIP subscribe message (or uses internal messaging within the presence server  501 ) to the location presence network adaptor  521 . The location presence network adaptor  521  queries a MPC (3GPP2) or a GLMC (3GPP) to obtain the location of the subscriber using a protocol such as LIF MLP. Location determination may be performed using widely deployed location technology such as A-GPS, triangulation, or Secure User Plane Location. The location presence network adaptor  521  creates the presence document with the subscriber&#39;s location (for example in (lat, long) PIDLO format as specified in RFC 4079) and is sent to the sensor presence network adaptor  503 . 
         [0056]    Next, the presence server  501  determines the identity and type of sensors that are close to the presentity. The sensor presence network adaptor  503  searches a geospatial database  511  of available sensors  515 ,  517  for sensors that are “close” to the Presentity&#39;s coordinates. Close will depend of the type of sensor. The database  511  is assumed to have been previously populated with the information on the applicable set of sensors. If there are sensors that are close, depending upon the sensor type, the sensor is queried by the sensor presence network adaptor  503  for its current value(s). 
         [0057]    Finally, the presence server  501  responds to the Watcher  507 . The sensor presence network adaptor  503  creates a notify message with the sensor characteristics (type of sensor, capabilities of sensor, address of sensor, sensed data, etc.). The presence server  501  (after applying proper authorization rules as per IETF, 3GPP, and OMA standards) sends the notify message to the watcher  507  via the IMS network  509 . The watcher  507  receives the notify message and performs application logic. 
         [0058]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram that depicts a method embodiment according to the present method and apparatus. The method may have the following steps: requesting by a watcher sensor information from a presence server about a presentity (step  601 ); obtaining by presence server a current location of the presentity (step  602 ); determining by the presence server an identity and type of sensors that are close to the presentity (step  603 ); creating a notify message with sensor characteristics and sending, by the presence server, the notify message to the watcher; and utilizing location information of the presentity and respective location data of the sensors, to effect monitoring of the presentity by the watcher (step  604 ). 
         [0059]    Other embodiments of the present method and apparatus may provide a variety of different ways of observing a subject, tracking a subject, and/or observing parameters relative to a subject by a watcher (which in general may be referred to as monitoring). In an alternative embodiment the watcher may receive information from a plurality of sensors that may be displayed simultaneously in a plurality of windows on, for example, a laptop computer. 
         [0060]    The present apparatus in one example may comprise a plurality of components such as one or more of electronic components, hardware components, and computer software components. A number of such components may be combined or divided in the apparatus. 
         [0061]    The present apparatus in one example may employ one or more computer-readable signal-bearing media. The computer-readable signal-bearing media may store software, firmware and/or assembly language for performing one or more portions of one or more embodiments. The computer-readable signal-bearing medium for the apparatus in one example may comprise one or more of a magnetic, electrical, optical, biological, and atomic data storage medium. For example, the computer-readable signal-bearing medium may comprise floppy disks, magnetic tapes, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, hard disk drives, and electronic memory. In another example, the computer-readable signal-bearing medium may comprise a modulated carrier signal transmitted over a network comprising or coupled with the apparatus, for instance, one or more of a telephone network, a local area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), the Internet, and a wireless network. 
         [0062]    The steps or operations described herein are just exemplary. There may be many variations to these steps or operations without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the steps may be performed in a differing order, or steps may be added, deleted, or modified. 
         [0063]    Although exemplary implementations of the invention have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the following.