Importance

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Abstract

Disclosed is a system for use in remotely monitoring and controlling devices. The system provides bi-directional control and monitoring functions to allow devices that cannot currently be managed remotely to be monitored and controlled in near real-time from a remote location. Sensors embedded in or on the device, asset or process being monitored record operating and device status data. These sensors transmit device conditions to a communications device (referred to herein as a 'communicator') through a variety of industry-standard device control protocols. The communicator then evaluates the data and, if necessary, converts the data to a compressed protocol for transmission to a centralized gateway server. The compressed protocol has a structure tailored to the needs of monitoring remote devices. At the centralized gateway server, the compressed protocol is converted to an industry-standard device management protocol. The data is then useable by any device management software using that industry standard device management protocol. Preferably, the system provides for the conversion of data streams in near real-time between an industry-standard device control protocol such as, for example, Modbus or BACNet, and the compressed protocol, as well as the conversion of data streams in near real-time between the compressed protocol and an industry-standard device management protocol such as, for example, SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). The remote devices that can be managed and/or controlled include but are not limited to HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) devices and other devices used in refrigeration applications (e.g., commercial refrigerators, freezers and refrigerated display cases). Therefore, in preferred embodiments, the system provides for bi-directional data conversion to allow devices not currently manageable by SNMP to be monitored and controlled in near, real-time.

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First Claim