Systems and methods for increasing robustness of a system with a remote server

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016226702-A1
Application number	US-201615078623-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 23, 2016
Priority date	Mar 12, 2013
Publication date	Aug 4, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems and methods for increasing robustness of a system with a remote server are provided. Some methods can include a first system remotely controlling a second system, detecting a failure in the first system or in a communication link between the first system and the second system, and temporarily removing control of the second system from the first system.

First claim

1 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . A method comprising:
a first system of a first type remotely controlling a second system of a second type by controlling or retrieving data from the second system or by making control or processing decisions for the second system, the first type being different from the second type; the second system detecting a failure in the first system or in a communication link between the first system and the second system; and the second system temporarily removing control of the second system from the first system.

22 . The method of claim 21 wherein the first system remotely controlling the second system includes the first system executing control logic for the second system.

23 . The method of claim 21 wherein detecting the failure in the first system or in the communication between the first system and the second system includes detecting a lack of communication from the first system for a predetermined period of time.

24 . The method of claim 21 wherein temporarily removing control of the second system from the first system includes:
providing fallback logic in the second system; and
enabling the fallback logic in the second system to locally control the second system.

25 . The method of claim 21 wherein temporarily removing control of the second system from the first system includes:
providing a peripheral device in the second system;
providing fallback logic in the peripheral device; and
enabling the fallback logic in the peripheral device to control the peripheral device.

26 . The method of claim 21 further comprising the first system providing a notification of the failure in the first system or in the communication link between the first system and the second system.

27 . The method of claim 21 wherein temporarily removing control of the second system from the first system includes:
the second system receiving input;
caching the received input during the failure in the first system or in the communication link between the first system and the second system; and
upon a reconnection between the first system and the second system, the second system transmitting the cached input to the first system.

28 . The method of claim 21 further comprising:
providing a secondary device with an internal processing unit; and
enabling the internal processing unit to replace at least some functions executed by the first system.

29 . The method of claim 21 wherein temporarily removing control of the second system from the first system includes enabling a differential data exchange between the first system and the second system.

30 . The method of claim 29 wherein enabling the differential data exchange between the first system and the second system includes transmitting only changes in a state of data between the first system and the second system.

31 . The method of claim 21 wherein temporarily removing control of the second system from the first system includes the second system caching user interface input.

32 . The method of claim 21 wherein temporarily removing control of the second system from the first system includes:
providing a backup communication path between the first system and the second system; and
the first system communicating with the second system via the backup communication path.

33 . The method of claim 32 wherein a first technology supports the communication link, wherein a second technology supports the backup communication path, and wherein the first technology is dissimilar from the second technology.

34 . The method of claim 21 wherein temporarily removing control of the second system from the first system includes:
providing a backup first system with backup control logic, the backup control logic being a duplicate of control logic in the first system; and
enabling the backup control logic in the backup first system to control the second system.

35 . A system comprising:
a first system of a first type; a second system of a second type remotely located from the first system, the first type being different from the second type; and a communication link connecting the first system and the second system, wherein the first system executes control logic to remotely control the second system by controlling or retrieving data from the second system or by making control or processing decisions for the second system, and wherein, upon the second system detecting a failure in the first system or in the communication link, the second system temporarily removes control of the second system from the first system.

36 . The system of claim 35 wherein the second system includes fallback logic, and wherein, upon the failure in the first system or in the communication link, the second system enables the fallback logic in the second system to locally control the second system.

37 . The system of claim 35 further comprising a backup communication path connecting the first system and the second system, wherein, upon the failure in the first system or in the communication link, the first system communicates with the second system via the backup communication path.

38 . The system of claim 35 further comprising a backup first system, wherein the backup first system includes backup control logic, the backup control logic being a duplicate of the control logic in the first system, and wherein, upon the failure in the first system or in the communication link, the backup control logic is enabled to control the second system.

Assignees

• Honeywell Int Inc

Inventors

• Probin Robert John
• Davidson Gavin Fraser
• Crisp Martin Leonard

Classifications

• G08B29/16

  Security signalling or alarm systems, e.g. redundant systems · CPC title

• G06F11/0751

  Error or fault detection not based on redundancy (power supply failures G06F1/30; network fault management H04L41/06) · CPC title

• G08B25/10

  using wireless transmission systems {(G08B25/009 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• H04L43/0817

  by checking functioning · CPC title

• G08B25/014

  Alarm signalling to a central station with two-way communication, e.g. with signalling back · CPC title