FR3109253A1 - Communication scheduling process and Communication device for connected objects - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (1) for scheduling communications of applications (14) within an infrastructure comprising a plurality of connected objects (IoT1, IoT2, IoT3) through a communication network ( 12,13), said infrastructure of connected objects comprising at least one communication device (10) and at least one connected object on which is installed an on-board software (11) configured to communicate with the at least one communication device ( 10), said method of scheduling communications of connected object applications comprising: - a network monitoring step (200), - a usage monitoring step (300), - a receiving step (400), a communication request message, - a reception step (500), of an application communications scheduling message - a selection step (600), of at least one time slot, - a transmission step (700), from said at least one time slot to said application of the object c onnected. Figure to be published with the abstract: FIGURE 3.

Description

Method for scheduling communications and Communication device for connected objects

The invention relates to the field of connected objects, and more particularly to the field of communication of connected objects through a communication network. The invention relates to a method for scheduling communications. The invention further relates to a communication device. The invention also relates to software embedded in a connected object.

Historically, addressable entities on the Internet were only digital elements of information, namely HTML pages or other files accessible online, and identifiable by URL addresses of websites, for example. Considered the third Internet revolution, the Internet of Things or IoT can be seen as the extension of the Internet to physical elements.

The Internet of Things refers to all objects connected to the Internet and corresponds to the rapidly expanding field of Information and Communication Technologies (or ICT). The electronic devices concerned by these applications are called connected objects, in the sense that they can interact through a plurality of local sub-networks that can be connected to a central high-speed network such as the Internet. Thus, a definition of the Internet of Things is proposed in the work entitled L'INTERNET DES OBJETS, by Pierre-Jean Benghozi, Sylvain Bureau, and Françoise Massit-Folléa published by Éditions de la Maison des sciences de l'homme, Chapter 1, p. 15-23, as being "a network of networks that allows, via standardized and unified electronic identification systems, and wireless mobile devices, to directly and unambiguously identify digital entities and physical objects and thus to be able to retrieve, store, transfer and process, without discontinuity between the physical and virtual worlds, the related data. »

The uses of connected objects are very varied and can range from the field of e-health to that of home automation and mobile phones. Connected objects are invading our daily lives a little more every day and they are also involved in the concept of the intelligent environment and in particular of the smart city (or "Smart City"), the surveillance (in English: "monitoring") of industrial facilities, transport and logistics, self-driving cars, agriculture, etc. In 2015, there were 4.9 billion “connected objects”. We are talking about 25 to 150 billion connected objects in 2025 associated with a very wide variety of application fields: health, transport, commerce, home automation... Moreover, in addition to the increase in the number of connected objects, it is possible to observe a proliferation of functionalities or applications associated with these connected objects.

This number and this diversity constitute a real technical challenge, in particular for the data exchange of all these connected objects. Indeed, the number of data exchanged between IoTs is then also destined to increase exponentially with regard to the increase in the number of connected objects.

Typically, these exchanges can represent hundreds or even thousands of data that a connected object can regularly send and/or receive to communicate. Due to the amount of data and the frequency of exchanges, this can quickly represent a significant volume of data, especially since the Internet of Things can include a large number of applications). This results in a considerable increase in the volume of data exchanged on the communication networks. In addition, their network communication is generally unregulated and more particularly the communication of their applications that they support. This can lead to saturation of the communication networks over certain periods of time. In addition, this also leads to total or partial unavailability of connected objects, their applications and services. In addition, with the increase in the volume of data the risk of network overload, bad transmission or absence of data transmission or even malfunction increases. At the same time, there are also increasing risks to the security of said communications.

There are systems to optimize communications between connected objects. For example, document WO02/091685 proposes to optimize the use of the transmission capacities of connection gateways. The document KR101618856 proposes a processor for allocating time slots for a plurality of communication modules of a communication unit communicating with a plurality of connected objects to reduce the costs and the energy consumption of the communications of several IoTs with the Internet.

However, these solutions do not take into account communications on a communication network or the environment of a connected object, in particular its use, whether human or virtual.

Thus, there is a need for new methods, devices, systems or connected objects to optimize the communication of a connected object through a communication network.

[Technical problem]

The object of the invention is therefore to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, the aim of the invention is to propose a method for scheduling the communication of applications within an infrastructure comprising a plurality of objects connected through a communication network, said method being quick and simple to implement, with a reduced number of steps. The method makes it possible in particular to optimize the communications of an object connected through a communication network so as to reduce latency, avoid saturation and increase the security of communications.

The invention also aims to propose a communication device configured to schedule the communications of applications of objects connected in an infrastructure, communicating through a communication network, said device making it possible to optimize the communications of objects connected through a communication network.

[Brief description of the invention]

To this end, the invention relates to a method for scheduling communications of applications within an infrastructure comprising a plurality of objects connected through a communication network, said infrastructure of connected objects comprising at least a communication device and at least one connected object on which is installed embedded software configured to communicate with the at least one communication device, said method for scheduling communications of applications of connected objects comprising:

- a network monitoring step, by the communication device, comprising the establishment of a communications repository, preferably for each connected object,

- a usage monitoring step, by the software embedded in the connected object, including the establishment of a usage repository for the connected object,

- a step of reception, by the communication device, of a communication request message, said communication request message comprising communication data of an application of the connected object wishing to establish a communication,

- a step of reception, by the software embedded on the connected object, of an application communications scheduling message comprising at least one time slot of network availability according to the communications repository,

- a step of selection, by the software embedded on the connected object, of at least one time slot according to the use reference of the connected object and of the at least one time slot of network availability, and

- a step of transmission, by the software embedded on the connected object, of said at least one time slot to said application of the connected object.

This method makes it possible in particular to optimize the communication of a connected object through a communication network by offering at least one available time slot. This available slot takes into account the environment of the connected object, i.e. the use of the network by the other connected objects but also the use of the connected object. In particular, the connected object can be used by other connected objects or by the guest application or even during an interaction with a human (configuration, consultation, etc.). The process makes it possible to avoid total or partial unavailability of a connected object. In addition, the method makes it possible to propose a less disruptive time slot for a user. Furthermore, the method makes it possible to adapt the time slot to the uses of the connected objects and also to adapt the time slot to the communications of the objects connected on the communication network to avoid a reduction in the performance of the network.

Thus, thanks to the method according to the invention, it is possible to carry out a self-adaptation of the communications, a decongestion of the networks and an optimization of the exchanges. Advantageously, this also allows optimization of message transport costs and communication costs.

In addition, the method makes it possible to make the best use of the different communication potentials of the applications of the same connected object. Indeed, this allows a connected object to be able to connect successively to several sub-networks without the risk of losing messages on the one hand and to increase the operating time of connected objects thanks to a one-time connection on the other hand. There is then a reduction in consumption, an increased stability of the networks as well as a decongestion of the said networks. Thus, the process is part of a logic of optimizing communications between connected objects while increasing the lifespan of connected objects, reducing the risk of attacks and reducing energy consumption.

Furthermore, the method allows an improvement of the security in the communications. Indeed, this security is increased by the fact that the communications pass through the communication device and/or the embedded software.

The inventors therefore propose a solution making it possible to meet the challenges of connectivity by proposing a method that can adapt to the diversity of connected objects, that can cover all the applications of connected objects deployed, whether or not they are directly accessible by a centralized system, and able to optimize exchanges while increasing network stability.

Depending on other optional features of the method, the latter may optionally include one or more of the following features, alone or in combination:

• it further comprises a step of selection, by the application, of an optimal time slot according to the at least one time slot transmitted and operating data of the application of the connected object. This advantageously makes it possible to improve the decongestion of communication networks, to avoid any total or partial unavailability of a connected object. In addition, this also makes it possible to select an optimal available time slot during which a total or partial unavailability of the application or the connected object would be the least disruptive for a user and/or the services. Furthermore, the selection by the application allows said application to choose the time slot that is best suited to it, which translates both into a reduction in the disruption of the use of the connected object, the reduction network saturation and the possibility for the application to choose its niche and therefore to opt for the best communication characteristics.
• it also includes an initialization phase of the embedded software with the communication device. This phase makes it possible to secure exchanges and therefore improves the safety of communications.
• it further comprises a step of subscribing the applications to the embedded software comprising an implementation of the communication protocol of each application and the identification of each application by the embedded software by means of an identifier. This makes it possible to secure the exchanges but also to save time during future communications of the application. The applications which have subscribed to the embedded software will therefore be recognized by said embedded software. This embedded software can therefore recognize the subscribed applications and authorize communications, unlike applications which will not be subscribed to the embedded software. In addition, the implementation of the communication protocol of each application allows on the one hand the adaptability of each application to the embedded software and the applications to modify their communication protocol to include said embedded software. This improves the self-adaptation of the method according to the invention.
• it includes a step of memorization, by the embedded software, of each application identifier. This saves time during future communications of the application. In addition, this storage also makes it possible to improve the security of communications. An unidentified application can then be detected as a potential threat.

• the network monitoring step is carried out continuously by the communication device. Continuous monitoring makes it possible on the one hand to ensure total and complete monitoring of communications for better monitoring of said communications and on the other hand a judicious and precise selection of a time slot.
• it includes a step of identification, by the embedded software, of the recurring uses of the connected object. This makes it possible to adjust the selection of a time slot, to ensure the least disruptive available slot for services or users. In addition, this identification also makes it possible not to overload the method with said recurring uses and to carry out steps that may prove to be useless due to the recurrence of said uses.
• it includes a stage of classification by the embedded software, of the uses of the connected object. Classification improves usage monitoring. Indeed, the uses of a connected object can be varied and diversified, their classification allows sorting according to their uses and therefore improved usage monitoring.
• It comprises a step of identifying a recurring communication, by the embedded software, said identification comprising a comparison of the communication data of the application with the data of an exchange repository and, when a match is identified, the adding a predefined exchange identifier to the communication data of the application. Furthermore, when the application communication data received by the communication device includes a predefined exchange identifier, the application communications scheduling message sent by the communication device to the embedded software includes at least one range network availability schedule associated with the predefined exchange identifier. This saves time for the implementation of the method. In addition, the recurrent communication identification makes it possible to relieve the communication device.

Other implementations of this aspect include computer systems, apparatus, and corresponding computer programs stored on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of a method according to the invention. In particular, a system of one or more computers can be configured to perform particular operations or actions, in particular a method according to the invention, thanks to the installation of software, firmware, hardware or a combination software, firmware or hardware installed on the system. Further, one or more computer programs may be configured to perform particular operations or actions through instructions which, when executed by a data processing device, cause the device to perform the actions.

The invention further relates to a communication device intended to schedule communications of applications of connected objects, in an infrastructure of connected objects, communicating through a communication network, said infrastructure of connected objects comprising in addition to at least one connected object on which is installed embedded software configured to communicate with the communication device, and preferably to monitor the use of the connected object in order to establish a repository of use of the connected object, said device communications being configured for:

• Monitor the communication network in order to establish a preferred communication repository for each connected object,
• Receive a communication request message, said communication request message comprising communication data from an application of the connected object wishing to establish communication with the communication network,
• Send to the connected object an application communication scheduling message comprising at least one time slot of network availability according to the communications repository, to allow the embedded software to transmit to the application of the connected object the at least one time slot, said embedded software being for this purpose configured to select at least one time slot according to said repository use of the connected object and the at least one time slot of network availability according to the communication repository.

The communication device makes it possible to optimize the communications of the applications of the connected objects. Indeed, the communication device allows the transmission of a scheduling message and at least one availability time slot allowing embedded software to select a time slot for the communication of an application of a connected object . This therefore makes it possible to improve the communications of the applications of connected objects, to unclog the communication networks. In addition, the communication device makes it possible to reduce the number of messages that can be sent by an application to communicate when the networks or the connected objects are unavailable. Thanks to the communication device, the application only sends a single communication request message. In addition, the communication device saves time during communications of connected object applications, said communications no longer being carried out in an anarchic manner but in an organized manner according to at least one time slot of network availability. This also advantageously allows a one-time connection. There is then a reduction in consumption, an increased stability of the networks as well as a decongestion of the said networks. Thus, the device is part of an optimization of communications between connected objects while increasing the lifespan of connected objects, and reducing energy consumption.

Depending on other optional features of the device, the latter may optionally include one or more of the following features, alone or in combination:

• It is configured to compare an exchange identifier of recurring communications with a database and to determine at least one time slot of network availability according to the communication repository and according to the exchange identifier. This also makes it possible to ensure, even for recurring communications, that any changes to communications are always taken into account in order to ensure the availability of the time slot. Thus, this allows continuous and real-time adaptability to communications on the network in order to reinforce the security of the availability of the time slot.

The invention further relates to software embedded in a connected object in a connected object infrastructure intended for scheduling the communications of applications of connected objects through a communication network, said connected object infrastructure further comprising at least one communication device capable of communicating with the embedded software, and configured to monitor the communication network in order to establish a communications repository of preference for each connected object, said embedded software being configured to:

• Monitor the use of the connected object in order to establish a repository of use of the connected object,
• Transmit a communication request message to the communication device, said communication request message comprising communication data from an application of the connected object wishing to establish communication through the communication network,
• Receive an application communication scheduling message including at least one network availability time slot based on the communications repository,
• Select at least one time slot according to the use reference of the connected object and the at least one network availability time slot, and
• Transmit at least one time slot to said application of the connected object.

The embedded software optimizes the communications of the applications of the connected objects. Indeed, the embedded software makes it possible to select a time slot for the communication of an application of a connected object. This therefore makes it possible to improve the communications of the applications of connected objects, to unclog the communication networks. Furthermore, the embedded software makes it possible to offload the communication device. The embedded software also makes it possible to reduce the communication queues that can be established when all the applications of the connected objects establish communications at the same time. In addition, the embedded software saves time during communications of connected object applications, said communications no longer being carried out in an anarchic manner but in an organized manner according to at least one time slot. This also advantageously allows a one-time connection. There is then a reduction in consumption, an increased stability of the networks as well as a decongestion of the said networks. Thus, the embedded software is also part of an optimization of communications between connected objects while increasing the lifespan of connected objects, and reducing energy consumption.

The invention further relates to a system for scheduling communications of applications of connected objects, in an infrastructure of connected objects, communicating through a communication network, said infrastructure of connected objects further comprising at least a connected object on which is installed embedded software according to the invention configured to communicate with a communication device according to the invention.

Such a system makes it possible to optimize communications through a communication network. In addition, such a system makes it possible to secure communications. In addition, the system makes it possible to avoid saturation of the communication network. In addition, it also makes it possible to avoid any total or partial unavailability of the connected object and therefore to ensure continuity of the services of the connected objects.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on reading the following description given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the appended Figures:

Figure 1 shows a diagram of an infrastructure according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figures 2A and 2B represent the different steps of a method according to one embodiment of the invention, the dotted steps being optional with in particular:

an embodiment of the initialization steps; network monitoring and usage monitoring;

an embodiment of the steps of request message reception, scheduling message reception, selection and transmission of at least one time slot.

Figure 3 shows a diagram of a method according to another embodiment of the invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described with reference to flow charts and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention.

In the figures, flowcharts and block diagrams illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowcharts or block diagrams may represent a system, device, module, or code, which includes one or more executable instructions to implement the specified logical function(s). In some implementations, the functions associated with the blocks may appear in a different order than that shown in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved. Each block in the block diagrams and/or flowchart, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart, can be implemented by special hardware systems that perform the specified functions or acts or perform combinations of special equipment and computer instructions.

Thus, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a device, system, method, or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an all-hardware embodiment, an all-software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or an all-software mode. particular embodiment such as a "circuit", "module" or "system". Further, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer-readable media having computer-readable program code embedded therein.

Any combination of one or more computer-readable media may be used. In the context of this document, a computer-readable medium can be any tangible medium that can contain, or store, a program for use by or in connection with an instruction executing system, apparatus, or device. A computer-readable medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable storage medium would include: hard drive, random access memory (RAM).

Computer program code for performing operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object-oriented programming language such as Java, C++ or similar, the "C" programming language or similar programming languages, a scripting language such as Perl, or similar languages, and/or functional languages such as Meta Language. Program code may run entirely on a user's computer, partly on a user's computer and partly on a remote computer, or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer can be connected to a user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN).

These computer program instructions may be stored on a computer-readable medium capable of driving a computing device (e.g. computer, server, etc.), such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce a computing device configured to implement the invention.

[Description of the invention]

In the remainder of the description, the term “ application ” or “application” is understood to mean all or part of a program, of an instruction sequence, used in order to offer and/or produce business, generic or system services.

The term " connected objects " within the meaning of the invention means an electronic device or system connected, preferably wirelessly, to a network and able to share information with a server, a computer, an electronic tablet, a smartphone or any other device. electronic.

The term " connected object infrastructure " within the meaning of the invention means a set of computer structures (ie connected objects) capable of communicating together through a communication network and which may include a plurality of gateways for connection to sub data transport networks that may have different communication standards.

“ Communication network ” is understood to mean in the sense of the invention a sub-network, a local network, a company network or even a network such as the Internet and to which connected objects are connected. It can be an extended, high-speed network, using a reliable transport protocol in connected mode, such as the TCP/IP protocol (TCP or "Transmission Control Protocol" being a layer 4 protocol of the OSI model or " Open Systems Interconnection” according to Anglo-Saxon terminology, over IP which is a layer 3 protocol of the OSI model). The TCP/IP protocol is documented in RFC 7931 of the IETF (“Internet Engineering Task Force” according to English terminology). It may for example be an Internet network.

“ Communication repository ” is understood to mean in the sense of the invention a repository making it possible to reference the communications on a communication network. It may in particular include a map of the connections of each IoT to the communication network, preferably crossing the different gateways and this as a function of time. Thus, from such a repository it is possible to obtain several time slots of network availability, during which certain exchanges of data or communications are the most favorable.

The term " use repository " or " use repository " in the sense of the invention means a repository making it possible to reference the time periods of use of a connected object and/or its applications. It may in particular include a map of the use of each IoT, whether this use is human by a user or virtual by another connected object or computer component. Thus, from such a use repository it is possible to obtain one or more time slots during which certain exchanges of data or communications are the most favorable.

Within the meaning of the invention " message " corresponds to a message sent between connected objects through at least one gateway or between connected object and gateway or between connected object and device or software and comprising data which may include information relating to their condition and that of their environment. The format of this data can for example correspond to files, to media streams (video, sound) or even to coded values.

The term “ communication request message ” is understood within the meaning of the invention to mean a message sent by an object connected through at least one gateway and comprising data from a connected object and/or from an application of the connected object.

“ Scheduling message ” is understood to mean in the sense of the invention a message sent by the communication device comprising a hierarchy or a chronology or even information scheduled according to a predetermined method. Said method can for example correspond to a hierarchy of time slots from the most favorable to the least favourable.

The term “ network availability time slot ” is understood within the meaning of the invention to mean one or more periods of time, which can be defined in seconds, minutes, hours or date and comprising a start and end indicator or a start or end accompanied by a duration

By “ time slot ” is meant in the sense of the invention a space-time, limited in time between two instants. A time slot can correspond to one or more days, one or more weeks, one or more months, one or more years, but also to shorter periods such as one or more hours, one or more minutes, one or more seconds . Preferably a time slot comprises a start and end indicator accompanied by a duration or else a time slot comprises a start or end indicator, the indicator being accompanied by a duration

By “ optimal time slot ” is meant in the sense of the invention a time slot having the best space-time for communicating.

The term " pattern " within the meaning of the invention corresponds to a plurality of values, for example in the form of a group of data corresponding to a precise instant for various parameters or in the form of a sequence of values for one or more parameters that can correspond to a time interval.

By " probe " or " computer probe ", we mean within the meaning of the invention a device, software or process associated with equipment which makes it possible to carry out, manage and/or send back to computer equipment measurements, values intended to inform, among other things, of the operating status of the application chain and, for example, of the resources or resource level. This can correspond in the broad sense to values on the use of resources, values of application execution parameters or even values of the operating state of the resources. A probe according to the invention therefore also encompasses software or processes capable of generating application logs or event histories (“log file” in English terminology). In addition, the probes can also correspond to physical sensors such as temperature, humidity, water leaks, power consumption, motion, air conditioning, and smoke sensors.

The term “ process ”, “ calculate ”, “ determine ”, “ display ”, “ extract ”, “ compare ” or more broadly “ executable operation ”, within the meaning of the invention, means an action performed by a device or a processor except if the context indicates otherwise. In this respect, operations refer to actions and/or processes of a data processing system, for example a computer system or an electronic computing device, such as a computer, which manipulates and transforms the data represented in as physical (electronic) quantities in computer system memories or other information storage, transmission or display devices. These operations can be based on applications or software.

The terms or expressions " application ", " software ", " program code ", and " executable code " mean any expression, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause data processing to perform a particular function directly or indirectly (eg after a conversion operation to another code). Sample program code may include, but is not limited to, a subroutine, function, executable application, source code, object code, library, and/or any other sequence of instructions designed for the running on a computer system.

“ Embedded software ” means software capable of implementing the functionalities provided for according to the method of the invention by using the hardware and software resources of the connected object on which it is installed independently.

The term “ processor ”, within the meaning of the invention, means at least one hardware circuit configured to execute operations according to instructions contained in a code. The hardware circuit may be an integrated circuit. Examples of a processor include, but are not limited to, a central processing unit, a graphics processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a programmable logic circuit.

The term “ coupled ”, within the meaning of the invention, is understood to mean connected, directly or indirectly, with one or more intermediate elements. Two elements can be coupled mechanically, electrically or linked by a communication channel.

The expression " man-machine interface " within the meaning of the invention corresponds to any element allowing a human being to communicate with a particular computer and without this list being exhaustive, a keyboard and means allowing in response to the orders entered the keyboard to perform displays and possibly to select using the mouse or a touchpad elements displayed on the screen. Another exemplary embodiment is a touch screen making it possible to select directly on the screen the elements touched by the finger or an object and possibly with the possibility of displaying a virtual keyboard.

In the remainder of the description, the same references are used to designate the same elements. In addition, the different characteristics presented and/or claimed can be advantageously combined. Their presence in the description or in different dependent claims does not exclude this possibility.

The objects of our daily life or our industries are more and more often connected and capable of exchanging data with other devices. In addition, there are more and more connected objects and connected object applications that present a great diversity and variability. Thus, communications are constantly growing on communication networks. In addition, connected objects or connected object applications have equally varied communication needs, the communication frequencies of which can range from a simple one-time communication to recurring communications. All of these communications are therefore mostly anarchic on the networks, which can then lead to network saturation, total or partial unavailability of connected objects and applications, service disruptions. Moreover, these incessant communications lead proportionally to an increase in intrusions, attacks, hijackings, in other words to a reduction in the security of communications. Finally, the increase in the number of connected objects and connected object applications is also reflected in a diversification of communication protocols specific to each connected object or application. This diversity makes communications even more complex.

But today, there is no solution to optimize the communications of its applications of connected objects while taking into account on the one hand the communication network and on the other hand the environment of the object. connected.

Thus, the inventors have developed a new solution for scheduling application communications within an infrastructure comprising a plurality of objects connected through a communication network considering all communications on a communication network as well as the uses of connected objects that are impacted by the communications of their applications.

Thus, according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method 1 for scheduling communications . The method is preferably implemented within an infrastructure comprising a plurality of connected objects IoT1, IoT2, IoT3 through a communication network12,13. The communication network can be a local network, a remote network, an internal network, a company network or even a particular network.

As shown in Figure 1 , the infrastructure includes a plurality of objects connected through a communication network 12,13. The connected object infrastructure comprises at least one communication device 10 and at least one connected object IoT1, IoT2, IoT3. The at least one connected object comprises embedded software 11, preferably installed on said connected object. Preferably the embedded software 11 is configured to communicate with the communication device 10.

In addition, connected objects include one or more applications 14. Applications may correspond to means making it possible to provide one or more services to a user or to any other computing device.

It should be noted that the invention is not limited to this embodiment, and that it would be easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the invention may comprise one or more communication networks, one or more connected objects each comprising one or more applications, one or more communication devices and one or more embedded software. Thus the invention is not limited by its architecture or by its layout.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B , an application communications scheduling method according to the invention comprises a network monitoring step 200, a usage monitoring step 300, a reception step 400 of a request message , a step 500 for receiving a scheduling message, a step 600 for selecting at least one time slot, a step 700 for transmitting the at least one time slot.

Advantageously, the application communication scheduling method may include an initialization step or initialization phase 100,

Thus the application communications scheduling method can include an initialization phase 100 . The initialization phase 100 can be implemented by the embedded software. Alternatively, the initialization phase can be implemented by the communication device. Preferably, the initialization phase comprises the establishment of a link between the communication device and the embedded software. This notably allows the implementation of the communication between the communication device and the embedded software.

The method for scheduling application communications may further comprise a step 110 of subscribing applications to the on-board software. This subscription step 110 can in particular allow applications wishing to perform a communication to register with the embedded software. Thus, subscriber applications see their communications pass through the embedded software. This makes it possible to improve the security of the exchanges. For example, the embedded software could identify a non-subscribed application trying to communicate or the frequency of a subscribed application could change, a sudden increase in communication then being able to testify to a corruption of the application.

Advantageously, the subscription step can include an implementation of the communication protocol of each application. Thus the applications modulate their communication protocol to adapt to the embedded software. The embedded software is thus included in the applications. This reflects a self-adaptation of the process. In addition, this facilitates exchanges between the applications and the embedded software.

The application communications scheduling method may include a step 120 of identifying each application 14 by the embedded software 11 by means of an identifier. An identifier can typically be an application UUID (for Universally Unique Identifier in English terminology). Thus, when an application subscribes to the embedded software, the embedded software transmits an identifier to it. Preferably, this identifier can be transmitted subsequently with the communications. Advantageously, this identifier may also be transmitted subsequently to the communication device.

Advantageously, the method according to the invention can comprise a step 130 of memorizing the application identifier by the embedded software, preferably each application identifier. Preferably, this storage is carried out on a database of the embedded software. Thus, once the application wishing to communicate is registered, it can carry out its communications by contacting the embedded software by indicating its identifier to it. Preferably, the method according to the invention comprises verification by the embedded software of the identifier in its database. If the latter exists in the database of the embedded software, then the embedded software adds this identifier to the metadata of the communication request.

Furthermore, the method according to the invention may comprise a step 140 of updating the on-board software. Indeed, the identification or the verification of identifier by the embedded software are subject to the correct revision of the database. This makes it possible, for example, to avoid the assignment of two identical identifiers to two different applications, to the absence of recognition of an application already registered or to the correct implementation of the database of the embedded software. In addition, updating the embedded software also makes it possible to ensure the smooth running of the process.

The application communications scheduling method may include a network monitoring step 200 . The network monitoring step 200 can be implemented by the communication device. The network monitoring step makes it possible to map the communications on the communication network. In addition, network monitoring helps to monitor the activity on the communication network. Thus, it is possible to have at any time the activity in progress on the communication network. It should be noted that the network monitoring can be done for example by monitoring the network usage band consumption, network connectivity, incoming volume, outgoing volume. Advantageously, the network monitoring can also comprise the monitoring of communication times or activity of the communication network.

The network monitoring step may include the establishment of a communications repository, preferably for each connected object. This repository makes it possible to memorize the activity on the communication network. Thus the communication device can determine which are the most requested time slots or on the contrary the least requested.

Advantageously, the network monitoring step is performed continuously by the communication device. Additionally, continuous monitoring includes real-time mapping of the network, preferably uninterrupted. Continuous monitoring thus allows a complete and total mapping of the communication network and its activity.

In addition, the network monitoring step may include a step 210 of identifying recurring communications. In order to determine a recurring communication, this can be predefined. Thus, the definition of a recurring communication can be stored beforehand on the communication device so that the communication device, during monitoring, identifies communications according to pre-established recurrence rules. For example, it can be an activity repeating every day, every hour or according to a time range, a time series. For example, the network usage band consumption is higher on a certain day according to a certain time slot in a repetitive manner. Likewise ; it may be a matter of low network usage band consumption but this consumption is repeated every hour on the communication network.

Furthermore, the recurring communications may correspond to one or more thresholds relating to parameters of the communication network as a function of time at a specific instant or as a function of a time slot. In this case, the method according to the invention may comprise beforehand a step of determining threshold and storing said thresholds. The thresholds could for example correspond to minimum and/or maximum values of percentage of use of the communication network over time. Thresholds can be written in a configuration file

Advantageously, the recurring communications may also correspond to communication patterns of a communication network. In this case, the method according to the invention may comprise beforehand a step of determining 215 communication patterns and of storing said patterns. Thus, the identification of recurring communications may also include the identification of patterns corresponding to recurring communications on the communication network. Moreover, the determination of reasons makes it possible to facilitate the identification of recurring communication and therefore, consequently, network monitoring.

Advantageously, when a recurring communication is identified, the method according to the invention can include its identification by means of an exchange identifier. This identification can be implemented by the communication device. According to one example, the exchange identifier may correspond to a universally unique exchange identifier UUID (Universally Unique Identifier). In addition, advantageously, this identification can take into account the application UUID.

The application communications scheduling method can include a usage monitoring step 300 . The usage monitoring step 300 can be implemented by the embedded software. The use monitoring step 300 makes it possible to map the uses of the applications of a connected object and consequently of a connected object. In a particularly advantageous manner, the usage monitoring step can include the solicitation of the connected object by the other computing devices, for example the other connected objects, but also the solicitations of a user, such as for example seasonality. Thus, it is possible to have the use of the connected object at any time. It should be noted that usage monitoring can be done for example by monitoring bandwidth consumption, incoming volume, outgoing volume. Advantageously, the usage monitoring can also include the monitoring of the durations of use of the connected object.

The usage monitoring step may include the establishment of a preferred usage repository for each connected object. This repository is used to memorize the activity and use of the connected object. Thus the embedded software can determine which time slots are the most requested or on the contrary the least requested.

Advantageously, the usage monitoring step is carried out continuously by the embedded software. Continuous monitoring thus allows a complete and total mapping of the use of the connected object.

In addition, the usage monitoring step can include a step 310 for identifying recurring uses. In order to determine a recurring use, this can be predefined. Thus, the definition of a recurring use can be memorized beforehand by the embedded software, preferably by the database of the embedded software. The embedded software can then be configured to identify recurring uses during monitoring according to pre-established rules. For example, it may be a use repeated every day, every hour or according to a time range, a time series. For example, the incoming volume increases on day 1 at 9 am, on day 2 at 10 am, the outgoing volume increases on day 1, on day 3 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am etc…. Likewise ; it can be a decrease in incoming volume or outgoing volume.

In addition, recurring uses may correspond to one or more thresholds relating to parameters of use of a connected object as a function of time at a specific moment or according to a time slot. In this case, the method according to the invention may comprise beforehand a step of determining threshold and storing said thresholds. The thresholds could for example correspond to minimum and/or maximum values of the percentage of use of the connected object over time. Thresholds can be written in a configuration file.

Advantageously, the recurring uses may also correspond to patterns of recurring use of a connected object. In this case, the method according to the invention may comprise beforehand a step of determining 315 patterns of use and of memorizing said patterns. Thus, the identification of recurring uses can also include the identification of patterns corresponding to recurring uses of the connected object. Furthermore, the determination of reasons facilitates the identification of recurring uses and therefore, consequently, the monitoring of use.

The application communications scheduling method can include a step 320 of classifying the uses of the connected object. The classification step 320 can be implemented by the embedded software. The classification makes it possible to categorize the uses of the connected object. Thus, usage monitoring is improved. Indeed, the uses of a connected object can be varied and diversified, their classification allows sorting according to their uses and therefore improved usage monitoring.

For example, it may be a classification according to the uses of the connected object by other computing devices (i.e.: other connected objects), according to the uses of the connected object by one or more users of the connected object, depending on usage niches; depending on incoming volumes, depending on outgoing volumes…

Advantageously, the classified uses (i.e. categorized) can be stored, preferably on the embedded software.

The application communication scheduling method comprises a step 400 of receiving a communication request message . The communication request message is preferably received by the communication device. The communication request message may include communication data from an application of the connected object wishing to establish communication. Thus, the communication request message can include the application UUID, the type of exchange to be carried out, the address of the recipient, a desired time slot, a desired volume, a desired flow, an exchange duration, a data urgency or importance and, where applicable, a frequency of communication.

The method according to the invention may comprise a step 410 of analyzing the communication request message . This analysis step can be implemented by the communication device. This analysis may include analyzing the communication data of the communication request message. Preferably, the analysis step can include verifying the presence of an exchange identifier.

It should be noted that the absence of an exchange identifier may reflect a one-off communication.

However, in the case where the communication request message includes a communication frequency analyzed as a recurring frequency, the method can also implement the step 210 of identifying recurring communications and provide an exchange identifier. This ensures the identification of all exchanges, in particular recurring exchanges, and therefore allows the process to be robust and reliable.

Furthermore, the analysis step 410 can include a search for one or more time slots. The time slot(s) are preferably available time slots that may be free of access for the communication network, or where the communication network is less in demand or less in demand. The search step may correspond to the search for one or more time slots that may correspond to the communication data and preferably to the desired time slot communicated by the application. This search is preferably carried out by the communication device thanks to its communications repository.

Alternatively, if no time slot can be available depending on the communication data, a queue can be set up. Furthermore, the process can also loop back.

Advantageously, the analysis step 410 can also include a step for scheduling the at least one time slot. This step can be implemented by the communication device. The scheduling step may correspond to the prioritization of the available time slots according to the communication repository and the communication data of the communication request message. Preferably the prioritization is carried out, from the most favorable time slot, (i.e.: available) to the least favorable.

Alternatively, when only one time slot is available, this will automatically be the most favourable.

The method according to the invention may comprise a step 500 of receiving an application communications scheduling message. This scheduling message is preferably received by the embedded software. Also, it was usually sent by the communication device. The scheduling message can include at least one network availability time slot based on the communications repository. Preferably, the scheduling message may include the at least one scheduled network availability time slot. Advantageously, the scheduling message can include the exchange identifier supplied by the communication device. The method according to the invention can then comprise a step of storing the exchange identifier. Preferably, this storage step is carried out by the embedded software and for example by using a database of the embedded software.

Furthermore, the scheduling message can also include all or part of the communication data of the communication request message.

The method according to the invention may comprise a step 510 of analyzing the scheduling message . This analysis step can be implemented by the embedded software. This analysis can comprise the analysis of the at least one time range of availability of the communication request message. Preferably, the analysis step can include verifying the presence of an exchange identifier and/or an application identifier.

Advantageously, the verification is implemented by the embedded software, thanks in particular to a database. Thus, the verification can also include the verification of the data set.

Furthermore, the analysis step can take into account the communication data of the communication request message. For example, it may be taking into account the frequency of communication, the desired time slot.

Furthermore, the analysis step may include a search for one or more time slots. The time slot(s) are preferably time slots corresponding both to the at least one available time slot and to the availability of the connected object. Preferably also depending on the communications data. The availability of the connected object can be determined according to the usage repository. Thus, the search step can correspond to the search for one or more time slots that can correspond to the communication data and preferably to the desired time slot communicated by the application, to the at least one time slot of availability and the availability of the connected object. The availability of the connected object, includes, as disclosed above, the availability of the connected object according to its use whether it is human (i.e. a user) or by any other computing device (i.e. other connected objects ).

This search is preferably carried out by the on-board software thanks to its usage repository.

Alternatively, if no time slot can be available depending on the communication data and the at least one time slot of availability, a queue can be set up. Furthermore, the process can also loop back.

Advantageously, the analysis step 510 can also include a step for scheduling the communications of the connected object.

This scheduling step can be performed by the embedded software or by the communication device.

The scheduling of communications (i.e. exchanges) of the connected object can correspond to the scheduling of all the exchanges of the connected object. In other words, this scheduling may include a scheduling of the communications of the connected object with other computing devices (i.e. connected objects) and with the uses of one or more users of said connected object.

Furthermore, the scheduling can be weighted according to the communication data. For example, the scheduling can be a function of the urgency of the communication. The scheduling can also be weighted based on the exchange ID. For example, the scheduling can be a function of the recurrence of communications.

Advantageously, the scheduling step can also prioritize the communications of the connected object from the least disruptive to the most disruptive. For example depending on the duration of the communication, the volume of the communication, the frequency of communication.

Thus, the scheduling of communications allows obtaining hierarchical communications.

The method according to the invention comprises a step 600 of selecting at least one time slot as a function of the use reference of the connected object and of the at least one time slot of network availability. Preferably, the selection step can also be a function of the communication data. The selection step can be implemented by the software embedded in the connected object.

Advantageously, the selection step can comprise the selection of one or more time slots. Furthermore, the selection of one or more time slots may depend on the scheduling of communications.

Furthermore, the selection may correspond to the election of a predetermined number of time slots.

The step of selecting one or more time slots may correspond to the search for one or more time slots for which a match can be established. The correspondence is preferably established when at least one time slot of availability, the communication data, the use repository of the connected object include a common time. In addition, this search can be weighted for example by the scheduling of communications or by any other pre-established weighting.

The selection step 600 can include a hierarchy of the time slots according to the usage reference, the at least one time slot of availability and the communication data of the communication request message and the weightings. Preferably, the ranking is carried out from the most favorable time slot to the less favorable time slot. In general, the time slot or slots therefore correspond to part of the time range.

Alternatively, when only one time slot is available, this will automatically be the most favorable.

The communications scheduling method according to the invention may comprise a step 700 of transmitting said at least one time slot to the application of the connected object. This transmission step can be performed by the software embedded in the connected object.

Alternatively, the method according to the invention may comprise direct communication between the application and the embedded software when the request message from an application includes an exchange identifier. Indeed, if an exchange identifier is present then, the related communication is already known by the embedded software and the communication device. Furthermore, the communications data of a recurring communication is also known by the communication device and the embedded software. Thus, the direct communication may include the transmission of at least one time slot to the application of the connected object. In this case, the time slot(s) available are preferably also recurring.

Alternatively, the method according to the invention may comprise direct communication between the application and the communication device when the request message from an application includes an exchange identifier. Indeed, if an exchange identifier is present then, the related communication is already known by the embedded software and the communication device. In addition, the communications data of a recurring communication is also known by the communication device and the embedded software. Thus, the direct communication may include the transmission of at least one time slot to the application of the connected object. In this case, the time slot or slots are preferably also recurring. This direct communication can for example ensure that the network availability time slot(s) are indeed recurrent and identical over time.

The method according to the invention may comprise a step 710 of selecting an optimal time slot as a function of the at least one time slot transmitted and operating data of the application of the connected object. This selection step is preferably and advantageously implemented by the application.

The selection of an optimal time slot by the application makes it possible to avoid saturation of the network and disruption of the use of the connected object. In addition, selecting an optimal time slot allows the application to select a slot that is suitable for it. This then allows him to avoid his own total or partial unavailability.

Thus the selection can be based on the operating data specific to the application. It can for example be a degree of urgency, a degree of expectation, a degree of disruption of the application for services and users.

The method according to the invention therefore makes it possible to schedule the communications of an application of a connected object by relating the activity on the network, the use of a connected object, the use of the application in order to ensure at least one time slot during which total or partial unavailability is the least disruptive. The process therefore makes it possible to optimize exchanges and communications within a connected object infrastructure.

Thus, the method according to the invention makes it possible to search for each application of a connected object wishing to carry out a communication, a time slot and advantageously an optimal time slot to carry out this communication. Advantageously, the time slot corresponds to the least disruptive time slot for a user and for any other computer devices.

An exemplary implementation of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 3 .

In this example, an application 14 of a connected object IoT1, IoT2, IoT3 wishes to set up an exchange and communicate with the communication network.

Beforehand, embedded software is deployed on the connected object hosting the application.

The embedded software 11 is initialized 100 to recognize the communication device; so that the embedded software and the communication device can communicate with each other. Preferably, the initialization and the communication of the embedded software with the communication device is implemented by means of connection gateways GW1, GW2. For example, a connection gateway can be equipment ensuring the connection between equipment belonging to different networks, for example ensuring the connection of the equipment of a local network (local IP addresses, for “Internet Protocol” according to English terminology). Saxon) and/or internet services (public IP addresses). Therefore, such a gateway has both types of IP addresses. Its public IP address, assigned by the Internet service provider, more commonly referred to by the acronym “ISP”, allows it to exchange data with the Internet network. Its local IP address allows it to exchange data with the equipment on the local network. It is usually specific and assigned by default by the ISP.

In parallel, the communication device 10 can set up a monitoring 200 of the activity on the network (illustrated SR for network monitoring in FIG. 3) making it possible to map the current exchanges on the network in order to establish a communication reference , preferably for each connected object IoT1, IoT2, IoT3. The establishment of a communication, by the communication device 10, through the communication network 12, 13 can be implemented by a connection gateway GW3.

The objective is to be able to have access at any time to the activity in progress and to determine, when possible, recurring exchanges and the information concerning them (volume, incoming, outgoing volume, average duration, frequency of communication, etc.) . Said recurring exchanges can be identified by the communication device. This provides an exchange ID for each recurring exchange.

In parallel with this step, the embedded software 11 can set up usage monitoring 300 (illustrated SU in FIG. 3 for usage monitoring) making it possible to map the uses of the connected object by users and by other computing devices in order to establish a usage repository, preferably for each connected object.

The objective is to be able to have current use at any time and to determine, when possible, recurring uses and the information concerning them (incoming volume, outgoing volume, average duration, recipient, etc.). Said recurring uses can be identified by the embedded software. In parallel, the embedded software can classify the uses in order to categorize them according to their uses. For example, their recurrence, their human use, their use by other computing devices.

In addition, the embedded software can provide, during an identification step 120, an application identifier UUID for each application. The application can then contact the embedded software in order to register on said embedded software. The embedded software provides it in response with an application identifier. Advantageously, this application identifier will be used by the application for all its exchanges.

Once registered, it can carry out its exchanges by contacting the embedded software. The application can send a communication request message comprising communication data, in particular its application identifier, the type of exchange to be carried out, the recipient's IP, the estimated incoming volume, the estimated outgoing volume, an estimated duration of the exchange, a desired time slot and, where appropriate, a communication frequency.

The embedded software then checks in its database whether or not this type of exchange exists for the application. The embedded software can thus check, preferably in its database, if there is an exchange identifier for the application.

The embedded software can also check in its database whether or not there is an application identifier. If it does exist, then the embedded software 11 can add the application identifier to the metadata of the communication request message.

It should be noted that the embedded software 11 can also check whether an exchange identifier exists. In which case, he may also add this exchange identifier to the metadata of the communication request message.

The embedded software can offer an API application programming interface (for "Application Programming Interface" according to English terminology) allowing applications to use its services in order to be able to schedule their exchanges with the outside world.

The embedded software 11 then contacts the communication device by transmitting the communication request message and its metadata.

Upon receipt 400 of the communication request message, the communication device analyzes 410 the communication request message. For example it can check if an exchange identifier is present or not.

If it is not present, it creates a new exchange identifier and searches for the best available time slot(s) to carry out the exchange according to the communication reference and preferably according to the time range indicated in the communication data of the communication request message.

If it is present, the communication device 10 can check whether the best time slot(s) available to perform the exchange according to the communication reference and preferably according to the time indicated in the communication data of the communication request message are identical. Thus, the communication device can be configured to compare a recurrent communication exchange identifier with a database and determine whether the presence of the at least one time slot of network availability of the recurrent communication corresponds to the at least a time slot of availability according to the communication repository

Otherwise, it can parse the request message again based on the communication repository.

Alternatively, if it is present, it can send directly to the application the best time slot(s) available to carry out the exchange according to the communication reference and preferably according to the time range indicated in the communication data of the communication request message.

Alternatively, if present, the communication device can be configured to identify a modification of the communications in the communication repository, and to determine at least one new time slot available. This at least one new time slot available will therefore depend on the modifications of the communication repository. For example, it can be a change in communications, a change in the recurrence of communications. These changes are recorded in the network repository through continuous network monitoring. Thus, the communication device can take these modifications into account and integrate them in real time into the determination of the available time slot.

In addition, the communication device can schedule the time slot(s) available from the most favorable to the least favourable.

The communication device 10 returns this (these) time range(s) preferably scheduled(s) to the embedded software, preferably also providing the exchange identifier.

The embedded software 11 then receives 500 the scheduling message. Advantageously, the embedded software can store the exchange identifier in its database and analyze 510 among the time slot(s) received for this exchange the one that should be the least disruptive for the use of the IoT and/or the application according to its usage repository.

Thus, the embedded software can select 600 at least one time slot and transmit 700 this or these time slot(s) to the application.

Depending on the degree of urgency of the exchange, the application can select 710 an optimal time slot and thus choose whether or not to follow the slot(s) proposed by the on-board software.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a communication device 10.

Referring again to Figure 1, a communication device 10 can communicate through a communication network 12 of the local or corporate network type. Alternatively, a communication device can be between a communication network 12 of the local or corporate network type and a communication network 13 of the remote network type. The invention does not intend to be limited to a single type of location of the communication device. Those skilled in the art will be able to determine where the communication device can take place depending on the architecture of the infrastructure of connected objects and the communication network(s) at their disposal.

The communication device 10 is intended to schedule communications of applications of connected objects, in an infrastructure comprising a plurality of connected objects communicating through a communication network 12,13.

Further, the communication device may include a database (not shown). Such a database can be configured to store data, identifiers, values, etc.

Advantageously, the communication device can be any module, unit, combination of software, firmware or hardware used to perform the specified function or functions. The communication device may be implemented as software modules, but may be represented partially or entirely as hardware or firmware. It is contemplated that the functions performed by the communication device 10 could also be incorporated into more or fewer modules than described. For example, a single function may be performed by the operation of multiple communication devices or multiple functions may be performed by the same communication device. The communication device may be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. Additionally, the communication device may reside in various locations connected via a wired or wireless network, or via the Internet. Advantageously; the communication device can be linked to one or more connection gateways.

In addition, the communication device 10 may be capable of, preferably configured to communicate with embedded software 11.

The communication device 10 may be capable of, preferably configured to, monitor the communication network . The communication device may be capable of, preferably configured to, probe communications using the communication network. The communication device can then be capable of, preferably configured to identify the incoming volume, the outgoing volume, the communication times passing through the communication network.

Thus the communication device 10 can be capable of, preferably configured to establish a communication repository, preferably for each connected object. That is to say for each connected object communicating through the communication network.

The link between the communication device and the communication network can be wired or wireless. Furthermore, connection gateways are capable of, preferably configured to support the different types of communication protocols between the communication device and the communication network.

The communication device 10 may be capable of, preferably configured to identify recurring communications. The communication device may be capable of, preferably configured to memorize pre-established recurrence rules. This allows for improved, simpler and faster monitoring and identification.

In addition, advantageously, the communication device 10 can be capable of, preferably configured to monitor the communication network according to thresholds relating to parameters of the communication network. Alternatively or additionally, the communication device may be able to, preferably configured to monitor the communication network according to communication patterns of a communication network. Thus, the communication device may also be capable of, preferably configured to identify recurring communications according to patterns corresponding to patterns of recurring communications on the communication network.

Furthermore, the communication device may be capable of, preferably configured to provide an exchange identifier to an identified recurring communication.

The communication device 10 may be capable of, preferably configured to receive a communication request message .

The communication request message may include communication data from an application of the connected object wishing to establish communication with the communication network.

The communication device 10 may be capable of, preferably configured to analyze the communication request message. The analysis may include in particular the search for an exchange identifier, the search for one or more time slots, and/or the scheduling of at least one time slot.

Thus, the communication device 10 is capable of, preferably configured to compare the communication data of the communication request message with its communication repository. The communication device can then be capable of, preferably configured to identify at least one time slot available according to the communication data, the communication repository and preferably, according to the scheduling.

In addition, the communication device 10 can be configured to compare a recurrent communication exchange identifier with a database and determine whether the presence of the at least one time slot of recurrent communication network availability corresponds to the other. least one time slot of availability according to the communication repository.

Furthermore, the communication device 10 can be configured to identify a modification of the communications in the communication repository, and to determine at least one new time slot of availability.

The communication device 10 may be capable of, preferably configured to send an application communication scheduling message comprising at least one network availability time slot as a function of the communications repository.

Preferably, the communication between the embedded software 11 and the communication device 10 allows the embedded software to receive the scheduling message.

Thus, according to another aspect, the invention relates to embedded software 11 .

The embedded software 11 is preferably on each connected object IoT1, IoT2, IoT3 of the infrastructure. However, the invention is not limited either to the number of software embedded on one or more connected objects or to its location. Thus, according to alternatives, several embedded software can be present on a single connected object, an embedded software can be present on each connected object.

The embedded software 11 on a connected object in a connected object infrastructure is intended to schedule communications of applications of connected objects through a communication network in an infrastructure comprising a plurality of connected objects communicating through a communications network 12.13.

The embedded software 11 is able to, preferably configured to communicate with a communication device 10.

Further, the embedded software may include a database (not shown). Such a database can be configured to store data, identifiers, values, etc.

Preferably, the embedded software 11 is capable of, preferably configured so that each application subscribes to it. The embedded software 11 may be able to, preferably configured to identify each application by means of an application identifier.

This application identifier may be provided by the application for each of its interactions with the embedded software, and/or during each of its communications.

The embedded software 11 may be able to, preferably configured to monitor the use of the connected object IoT1, IoT2, IoT3. Thus the embedded software can be capable of, preferably configured to map the uses of the applications of a connected object and consequently of a connected object. It can for example be the incoming volume, the outgoing volume, the duration of use.

Furthermore, the on-board software 11 may be capable of, preferably configured to establish a reference use preference for each connected object. Thus the embedded software can determine which time slots are the most requested or, on the contrary, the least requested.

Furthermore, the embedded software 11 may be capable of, preferably configured to identify recurring uses. In order to determine a recurring use, this can be predefined. Advantageously, the database can be configured to memorize the definition of a recurring use by means of pre-established rules.

In addition, advantageously, the embedded software can be capable of, preferably configured to monitor the use of a connected object according to relative thresholds of the parameters of use of a connected object.

Alternatively or additionally, the embedded software 11 may be capable of, preferably configured to monitor the use of a connected object according to patterns of recurring use of a connected object. Thus, the embedded software can also be capable of, preferably configured to identify recurring communications according to patterns corresponding to recurring patterns of use of the connected object.

Furthermore, the embedded software 11 may be capable of, preferably configured to classify uses of the connected object. Indeed, the uses of a connected object can be varied and diversified, their classification allows sorting according to their uses and therefore improved usage monitoring. The classification can for example be a function of the type of use (human or by another computer device), the incoming volume, the outgoing volume, the duration of use, etc.

The on-board software 11 may be capable of, preferably configured to transmit a communication request message . The communication request message may include communication data from an application of the connected object wishing to establish communication with the communication network.

Thus, an application wishing to communicate through the communication network can send a request message, preferably comprising the application identifier to the embedded software. The embedded software can then transmit this message preferably with the application identifier to the communication device.

The embedded software 11 may be able to, preferably configured to receive an application communication scheduling message . The scheduling message preferably includes at least one network availability time slot as a function of the communications repository.

The embedded software 11 may be able to, preferably configured to analyze the scheduling message. This analysis may include the analysis of the at least one time slot of availability of the communication request message, the presence of an exchange identifier and/or an application identifier, the communication data of the communication request.

The on-board software 11 can be capable of, preferably configured to search for one or more time slots according to its usage repository. The time slot(s) are preferably time slots corresponding both to the at least one preferably scheduled available time slot and to the availability of the connected object according to the usage repository, and preferably communications data.

Advantageously, the embedded software 11 can be capable of, preferably configured to schedule communications of the connected object. In order to obtain hierarchical communications.

The embedded software can be capable of, preferably configured to select at least one time slot as a function of the use reference of the connected object and of the at least one time slot of network availability.

Thus, the embedded software 11 is capable of, preferably configured to compare the data of the scheduling message with its usage repository. The embedded software can then be capable of, preferably configured to identify at least one time slot.

Furthermore, the embedded software 11 is capable of, preferably configured to transmit the at least one time slot to said application of the connected object.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a system for scheduling communications of applications of connected objects, in an infrastructure of connected objects, communicating through a communication network, said infrastructure of connected objects further comprising at least one connected object on which is installed embedded software according to the invention configured to communicate with the communication device according to the invention.

A system for scheduling communications according to the invention may in particular include a client (not shown). The client generally corresponds to any hardware and/or software capable of accessing the system and allowing for example its configuration or the consultation of data via a dedicated man-machine interface.

A client may also be able to allow the configuration of the communication device, and/or of the embedded software.

Claims (12)

Method (1) for scheduling communications of applications (14) within an infrastructure comprising a plurality of connected objects (IoT1, IoT2, IoT3) through a communication network (12,13), said connected object infrastructure comprising at least one communication device (10) and at least one connected object on which is installed embedded software (11) configured to communicate with the at least one communication device (10), said method of communications scheduling of connected object applications comprising:
- a network monitoring step (200), by the communication device (10), comprising the establishment of a communications repository, preferably for each connected object (IoT1, IoT2, IoT3);
- a usage monitoring step (300), by the embedded software (11) on the connected object, comprising the establishment of a usage repository for the connected object;
- a step of reception (400), by the communication device (10), of a communication request message, said communication request message comprising communication data of an application (14) of the connected object wishing to establish communication;
- a step of reception (500), by the embedded software (11) on the connected object, of an application communications scheduling message (14) comprising at least one time slot of network availability according to the repository communications;
- a selection step (600), by the embedded software (11) on the connected object, of at least one time slot according to the use reference of the connected object and of the at least one time slot of availability network ; And
- a transmission step (700), by the embedded software (11) on the connected object, of said at least one time slot to said application (14) of the connected object. Scheduling method (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a step of selecting (710), by applying (14), an optimal time slot as a function of the at least one slot transmitted timetable and operating data of the application of the connected object Scheduling method (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of subscription (110) of the applications (14) to the embedded software (11) comprising an implementation of the communication protocol of each application and the identification of each application by the embedded software by means of an identifier. Scheduling method (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the network monitoring step (200) is carried out continuously by the communication device (10). Scheduling method (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of identification (310), by the embedded software (11), of the recurring uses of the connected object. Scheduling method (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of classification (320) by the embedded software, of the uses of the connected object. Scheduling method (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step of identifying a recurring communication, by the on-board software (11), said identification comprising a comparison of the communication data from the application (14) to the data of an exchange repository and, when a match is identified, adding a predefined exchange identifier to the communication data of the application (14). Scheduling method (1) according to Claim 7, characterized in that when the communication data of the application (14) received, by the communication device (10), comprise a predefined exchange identifier, the message d The application communications schedule (14) sent by the communication device (10) to the embedded software (11) includes at least one network availability time slot associated with the predefined exchange identifier. Communication device (10) intended to schedule communications of applications (14) of connected objects (IoT1, IoT2, IoT3), in an infrastructure of connected objects, communicating through a communication network (12,13 ), said connected object infrastructure further comprising at least one connected object on which is installed embedded software (11) configured to communicate with the communication device (10), said communication device being configured to:

• Monitor the communication network (12,13) in order to establish a reference of preference communications for each connected object (IoT1, IoT2, IoT3),
• Receive a communication request message, said communication request message comprising communication data from an application (14) of the connected object (IoT1, IoT2, IoT3) wishing to establish communication with the communication network (12, 13),
• Send to the connected object (IoT1, IoT2, IoT3) an application communication scheduling message (14) comprising at least one network availability time slot according to the communications repository to allow the embedded software (11) to transmit to the application (14) of the connected object (IoT1, IoT2, IoT3) the at least one time slot, said embedded software being for this purpose configured to select at least one time slot according to said repository use of the connected object (IoT1, IoT2, IoT3) and at least one network availability time slot according to the communication repository.

Communication device (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that it is configured to compare a recurring communications exchange identifier with a database and determine at least one network availability time slot as a function of the communication reference and depending on the exchange identifier. Embedded software (11) on a connected object (IoT1, IoT2, IoT3) in a connected object infrastructure intended for scheduling communications of applications (14) of connected objects (IoT1, IoT2, IoT3) through a communication network (12,13), said connected object infrastructure further comprising at least one communication device (10) able to communicate with the embedded software, and configured to monitor the communication network in order to establish a preference communications repository for each connected object, said embedded software (11) being configured for:

• Monitor the use of the connected object (IoT1, IoT2, IoT3) in order to establish a reference for the use of the connected object,
• Transmitting a communication request message to the communication device (10), said communication request message comprising communication data from an application (14) of the connected object (IoT1, IoT2, IoT3) wishing to establish communication with the through the communication network (12, 13),
• Receive an application communication scheduling message (14) comprising at least one network availability time slot based on the communications repository,
• Select at least one time slot based on the connected object usage repository (IoT1, IoT2, IoT3) and the at least one network availability time slot,
• Transmit the at least one time slot to said application of the connected object (IoT1, IoT2, IoT3).

System for scheduling communications of applications (14) of connected objects (IoT1, IoT2, IoT3), in an infrastructure of connected objects, communicating through a communication network (12,13), said infrastructure of connected objects further comprising at least one connected object (IoT1, IoT2, IoT3) on which is installed embedded software (11) according to claim 11 configured to communicate with a communication device (10) according to one of claims 9 or 10.