connector

Abstract

The connector (1), in particular an electrical connector and / or a fluid connector, comprises at least one sensor (2) configured to measure a physical property of the connector (1) and provide a sensor signal (S) based on the measured physical property, at least one microcontroller (3) configured to receive the sensor signal (S), pre-process the sensor signal, and provide a pre-processed data package (D) including the sensor signal (S), and at least one communication module (15) configured to receive the pre-processed data package (D) from the at least one microcontroller and provide the pre-processed data package (D). 1. A system comprising: a computer network (4) configured to receive a pre-processed data package (D) and further process the pre-processed data package (D') to provide a processed data package (D'); and a computer (5) configured to receive the processed data package (D'), the computer (5) comprising a processor (6) configured to process the processed data package (D') to obtain information (I) related to the sensor signal (S), and a display (7) to display the information related to the sensor signal, wherein the microcontroller (3) is further configured to encrypt the pre-processed data package (D) such that the pre-processed data package (D) is encrypted before transmission to the computer network (4).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system with a connector, in particular to an electrical and / or fluidic connector according to claim 1. [Background technology]

[0002] From the prior art, it is known to integrate data modules and sensors into connectors. Typically, such connectors have the main function of transmitting energy, such as fluid and / or pneumatic energy, or signals. Furthermore, such connectors are equipped with sensors for obtaining sensor data related to physical parameters of the connector.

[0003] An example showing data transmission from a plug is given in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus for transmitting data from a plug connector housing, which comprises a data module for storing and transferring data, a plug connector housing with a cable exit opening and a screw-type cable connection, and an adapter module with at least one cable passage area. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2017 / 059843 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system having at least one connector that provides sensor data securely. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The above object is achieved by a system as claimed in claim 1. The system therefore comprises: at least one connector, in particular an electrical connector and / or a fluid connector, at least one sensor configured to measure a physical characteristic of the connector and provide a sensor signal based on the measured physical characteristic; at least one microcontroller configured to receive the sensor signal, pre-process the sensor signal, and provide a pre-processed data package including the sensor signal; at least one communication module configured to receive the preprocessed data package from the at least one microcontroller and to provide the preprocessed data package; a connector comprising: a computer network configured to receive preprocessed data packages from the at least one communication module and further process the preprocessed data packages to provide processed data packages; a computer configured to receive the processed data package, the computer including a processor configured to process the processed data package to obtain information related to the sensor signal; and a display configured to display the information related to the sensor signal; Equipped with.

[0007] The microcontroller is further configured to encrypt the preprocessed data package, such that the preprocessed data package is encrypted before transmission to the computer network.

[0008] Encrypting the preprocessed data package at the connector level is advantageous because it protects the sensor data in the preprocessed data package from unauthorized access and use. Furthermore, the data contained in the preprocessed data package cannot be manipulated because it is encrypted.

[0009] The preprocessed sensor signal is preferably a voltage value obtained from the sensor. The voltage value correlates to a physical property, examples of which are described below. During further processing of the data package, the voltage value is converted to a physical value, which is then displayed. Alternatively, the preprocessed sensor signal may be converted so that the voltage value is converted to a physical value within the microcontroller.

[0010] The term "sensor signal" is understood to encompass one sensor signal or at least one sensor signal.

[0011] Encryption of data packages is provided at the connector level, with the advantage that the data is transmitted from the connector to the computer network in encrypted form, thus protecting the data packages from unauthorized changes and making unauthorized access to them impossible.

[0012] The microcontroller of the connector is preferably connected to a computer network via a data connection, which may be a wireless connection, for example WLAN, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or other wireless protocol, or a wired connection, for example a LAN connection.

[0013] The computer network is preferably connected to the computer via a data connection, which may be a wireless connection, for example WLAN, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or other wireless protocol, or a wired connection, for example a LAN connection.

[0014] The computer network is preferably a cloud structure.

[0015] The computer is preferably a personal computer, laptop, smartphone, tablet, or other computer configured to display information through a computer program, such as an application, a web-based front end, or a website.

[0016] The displayed data can be real-time and / or historical data. In other embodiments, measurements are performed periodically at specific time intervals, and a pre-processed data package can be submitted immediately after the measurement, or multiple measurements can be submitted together in a single pre-processed data package.

[0017] The connector is preferably equipped with a unique certificate that is used in the encryption process. The encryption is preferably done using the PGP protocol or a similar protocol, although other protocols can also be used.

[0018] The sensor, microcontroller, and communication module are preferably powered by a power source, which may be a battery located in the connector or an electrical cable connected to the connector, although in other embodiments the battery may be charged by energy harvesting.

[0019] In a first embodiment, the communication module is directly connected to the computer network, which allows data to be transferred independently and does not require synchronization with respect to transfer speed.

[0020] In a second embodiment, the system includes a gateway. The gateway is located between the communication module and the computer network, and the preprocessed data package is sent from the communication module to the computer network via the gateway. This has the advantage that there is no need to connect connectors to the computer network individually; everything is controlled via the gateway. This greatly simplifies device management in the computer network and reduces the required bandwidth.

[0021] The microcontroller preferably includes a time element configured to timestamp the sensor signal, whereby the sensor signal and the timestamp are provided together with the pre-processed data package.

[0022] The time element may be embedded in or integrated into the microcontroller. The time element may also be designated as a clock.

[0023] The benefit of adding a timestamp is that it allows the user to see when the data was captured, allowing the user to identify a measured condition or a specific event among all events that occurred, down to the time that the condition was measured.

[0024] The computer network preferably comprises a network processor configured to process the preprocessed data packages and / or a data storage device configured to store the preprocessed data packages.

[0025] The data store may be provided as a cache and / or a buffer and / or a long term store.The received pre-processed data packages are preferably stored in the data store in an encrypted form.

[0026] The network processor configured to decrypt the pre-processed data package for storing and / or processing the decoded sensor data; and / or configured to process the sensor data; Preferably, the system is arranged to encrypt the decrypted or processed sensor data so that the processed data package is encrypted before transmission over the computer network to the computer.

[0027] Preferably, the computer comprises a data storage device, and a processor of the computer is configured to decrypt the processed data package and / or process the sensor data for storing and / or processing the decrypted sensor data; and / or is configured to encrypt the decrypted or processed sensor data.

[0028] The data storage may be provided as a cache and / or a buffer and / or a long-term storage device.

[0029] The computer is preferably connected to a further separate processing unit.

[0030] The computer preferably comprises a user interface configured to receive user input.

[0031] Preferably, the at least one sensor and / or microcontroller and / or communication module are provided on a printed circuit board mounted on the connector.

[0032] The connector preferably comprises a connection interface via which the connector can be connected to another connector having a connection interface corresponding to the connection interface of the connector.

[0033] The connection interface is preferably an electrical connection interface for establishing an electrical connection between the connector and another connector, and is preferably a fluid connection interface for establishing a fluid connection between the connector and another connector, although the electrical connection interface and the fluid connection interface may be provided on the same connector and on another connector.

[0034] The connection interface is preferably a plug and / or socket structure.

[0035] Preferably, the connector with the electrical connection interface comprises a further electrical connection interface to which at least one cable is connected, and preferably, the connector with the fluid connection interface comprises a further fluid connection interface to which at least one pipe is connected, and preferably, the further connection interface is connected to the connection interface by at least one internal connector element.

[0036] The other connector preferably does not include a sensor or a microcontroller. That is, only one connector includes an element for measuring a physical property. In other embodiments, the other connector may have the same structure as the connector. In this embodiment, redundant or additional sensor data may be acquired.

[0037] The sensor is preferably selected from the following group: a temperature sensor configured to measure the physical property, ambient temperature; and / or a temperature sensor configured to measure a specific temperature, which is a physical property; and / or a humidity sensor configured to measure the physical property ambient humidity; and / or a barometric pressure sensor configured to measure the physical property, ambient barometric pressure; and / or an altitude sensor configured to measure the physical property altitude; and / or a vibration sensor configured to measure the physical property vibration; and / or a light sensor configured to measure the physical property illuminance; and / or a tilt sensor configured to measure the physical property tilt; and / or an acceleration sensor configured to measure the physical property acceleration; and / or a mating cycle sensor configured to measure the number of mating cycles, which is a physical property; and / or A flow sensor configured to measure a physical property, volumetric flow rate.

[0038] The mating cycle sensor is preferably a near field communication sensor or a radio frequency identification device, which is also capable of identifying the connector.

[0039] In certain embodiments, some sensors may be provided in a single sensor device, for example, a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor may be integrated into a single sensor device.

[0040] The ambient temperature is preferably the ambient temperature within the housing.

[0041] The term "specific temperature" is understood to mean that the temperature is measured at a specific location, for example the temperature of a contact element of a connection interface or the temperature at a specific location on a housing.

[0042] The acceleration sensor preferably measures acceleration along at least one axis, and preferably three axes.

[0043] Although the above list includes one sensor per characteristic, it is possible to add more than one sensor to measure the same characteristic.

[0044] A method of operating the system according to the above description comprises: measuring a physical property with at least one sensor and providing a sensor signal based on the measured physical property; transmitting sensor signals from the at least one sensor to the at least one microcontroller; receiving, by at least one microcontroller, a sensor signal; preprocessing and encrypting, by at least one microcontroller, the received sensor signals to provide a preprocessed data package containing the sensor signals; receiving, by at least one communication module, the preprocessed data package; transmitting the preprocessed data package to a computer network by at least one communication module; receiving the preprocessed data package over a computer network; further processing the pre-processed data package into a processed data package to provide the processed data package; transmitting the processed data package to a computer; receiving, by the computer, the processed data package; processing the processed data package to obtain information related to the sensor signal; displaying information related to the sensor signal on a display unit; Includes:

[0045] Preferably, the pre-processed data package is further processed into a processed data package, and the pre-processed data package or the processed data package is stored in a data storage device before and / or during and / or after the step of providing the processed data package.

[0046] Preferably the method includes the step of decrypting the preprocessed data package prior to further processing the preprocessed data package into a processed data package within the computer network, the decryption preferably being performed by the network processor.

[0047] Alternatively, data processing can be performed on encrypted data and then decrypted in a separate step within the computer network.

[0048] Preferably, the method includes the steps of encrypting the processed data package within the computer network and decrypting the processed data package by the computer.

[0049] Further embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0050] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, which are intended to illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0051] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a system according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams of systems according to a first embodiment and a second embodiment of the present invention, respectively.

[0053] The system comprises at least one connector 1 , a computer network 4 and a computer 5 .

[0054] Preferably, the at least one connector 1 is a fluid connector and / or an electrical connector. The at least one connector 1 comprises a connection interface 12. The connection interface 12 is configured to provide fluid and / or electrical contact with a corresponding connection interface 14 of another connector 13. The electrical components of the connection interfaces 12, 14 are preferably provided as a plug and socket structure. The fluid components of the connection interfaces 12, 14 are preferably provided as a fluid coupling. The at least one connector 1 preferably further comprises another connection interface 19 to which an external connector 20, such as a cable or pipe, is electrically or fluidly connected. Furthermore, the connector comprises at least one internal connector element connecting the connection interface 12 and the other connection interface 19 within the connector 1. The at least one internal connector element is preferably an electrical or fluid connector element. The at least one internal connector element 21 and the above-mentioned connection interfaces 12, 19 can be part of a connector module that can be assembled to a connector frame structure or a connector housing.

[0055] Furthermore, the at least one connector 1 comprises at least one sensor 2 , at least one microcontroller 3 and at least one communication module 15 .

[0056] The at least one sensor 2 is configured to measure a physical characteristic of the connector 1 and provide a sensor signal S based on the measured physical characteristic. Examples of the physical characteristic are described below. The at least one sensor 2 is physically located on the connector 1, preferably on a printed circuit board 11 located within the housing of the connector 1. The at least one sensor 2 is located based on the physical characteristic to be measured. The sensor signal S is preferably a voltage that correlates to the physical characteristic.

[0057] The at least one microcontroller 3 is configured to receive the sensor signal S, pre-process the sensor signal S, and provide a pre-processed data package D containing the sensor signal S. The at least one sensor is thereby in electrical signal communication with the microcontroller, and the sensor signal S is transmitted from the at least one sensor 2 to the microcontroller 3 via this connection.

[0058] The at least one microcontroller 3 is further configured to encrypt the preprocessed data package D, such that the preprocessed data package D is encrypted before transmission to the computer network 4 .

[0059] At least one communication module 15 is configured to receive the preprocessed data package D from the at least one microcontroller and provide the preprocessed data package D for further use. The communication module 15 can be a wireless communication module and / or a wired communication module. The wireless communication module transmits the preprocessed data package D to the computer network 4 via a wireless connection according to a respective protocol such as WLAN, Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc. The wired communication module uses a physical wired connection to transmit the preprocessed data package D to the computer network 4 via a wired connection.

[0060] The at least one microcontroller 3 and the at least one communication module 15 are also preferably located on the same printed circuit board 11 as the at least one sensor 2 .

[0061] The computer network 4 is configured to receive pre-processed data packages D from at least one communication module 15 and further process them to provide processed data packages D'.

[0062] The computer 5 is configured to receive the processed data package D'. The computer 5 comprises a processor 6 configured to process the processed data package D' to obtain information I related to the sensor signal S, and a display 7 for displaying the information related to the sensor signal.

[0063] As mentioned above, the preprocessed data package D is encrypted. Preferably, the preprocessed data package D is decrypted by the computer network 4 before further processing the preprocessed data package D to obtain the processed data package D'. Furthermore, the processed data package D' may be re-encrypted within the computer network 4 before transmitting the processed data package D' to the computer 5. In this case, the processed data package D' must be decrypted by the computer 5. Alternatively, the encrypted preprocessed data package D may be processed without prior decryption to obtain the processed data package D'.

[0064] In the first embodiment according to FIG. 1, the communication module 15 is directly connected to the computer network 4 .

[0065] In a second embodiment according to Fig. 2, the system comprises a gateway 16. The gateway 16 is arranged between the communication module 15 and the computer network 4. The preprocessed data packages D are transmitted from the communication module 15 to the computer network 4 via the gateway 16. The gateway 16 comprises a communication module 17 and an optional data processing unit 18. In this embodiment, one connector 1 is connected to the gateway 16, but it is also possible to connect two or more connectors to the gateway 16.

[0066] In either embodiment, the microcontroller 3 preferably includes a time element configured to timestamp the sensor signal, such that the sensor signal and timestamp are provided together with the pre-processed data package.

[0067] In either embodiment, the computer network 4 comprises a network processor 8 configured to process the preprocessed data packages D. The network processor 8 is preferably configured to decrypt the preprocessed data packages D, process the preprocessed data packages D into processed data packages D', and, as an optional step, encrypt the processed data packages D'.

[0068] The computer network preferably also comprises a data store 9 arranged to store the data packages D. The data store 9 may be a buffer, a cache or a long-term storage element.

[0069] The computer 5 preferably comprises a data storage device 10 .

[0070] The processor 6 of the computer 5 is configured to decrypt the processed data package D' for storing or processing the decrypted sensor data. Generally, the processor 6 of the computer 5 is configured to process the sensor data. Furthermore, the processor 6 of the computer 5 is configured to encrypt the decrypted or processed sensor data.

[0071] As mentioned above, several different sensors can be deployed. The sensors are preferably selected from the following group: a temperature sensor configured to measure the physical property, ambient temperature; and / or a temperature sensor configured to measure a specific temperature, which is a physical property; and / or a humidity sensor configured to measure the physical property ambient humidity; and / or a barometric pressure sensor configured to measure the physical property, ambient barometric pressure; and / or an altitude sensor configured to measure the physical property altitude; and / or a vibration sensor configured to measure the physical property vibration; and / or a light sensor configured to measure the physical property illuminance; and / or a tilt sensor configured to measure the physical property tilt; and / or an acceleration sensor configured to measure the physical property acceleration; and / or a mating cycle sensor configured to measure the number of mating cycles, which is a physical property; and / or A flow sensor configured to measure a physical property, volumetric flow rate.

[0072] A method of operating the system according to the above description comprises: measuring a physical property with at least one sensor 2 and providing a sensor signal S based on the measured physical property; transmitting a sensor signal S from at least one sensor 2 to at least one microcontroller 3; receiving, by at least one microcontroller 3, a sensor signal S; - preprocessing and encrypting the received sensor signal S by at least one microcontroller 3 to provide a preprocessed data package D containing the sensor signal S; receiving, by at least one communication module 15, a preprocessed data package D; transmitting the preprocessed data package D to a computer network 4 by at least one communication module 15; receiving a preprocessed data package D by a computer network 4; further processing the pre-processed data package D into a processed data package D' to provide the processed data package D'; sending the processed data package D' to a computer 5; receiving, by the computer 5, the processed data package D'; processing the processed data package D' to obtain information I related to the sensor signal S; a step of displaying information I related to the sensor signal S on a display unit 7; Includes:

[0073] Optionally, the method includes the step of decrypting the preprocessed data package D prior to further processing the preprocessed data package D into a processed data package D within the computer network 4 .

[0074] Optionally, the method includes the step of encrypting the processed data package D' in the computer network 4 and decrypting the processed data package D' by the computer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1...Connector 2...Sensor 3...Microcontroller 4. Computer Networks 5. Computer 6...Processor 7...Display section 8...Network processor 9...Data storage device 10...Data storage device 11...Printed circuit board 12...Connection interface 13...Another connector 14...Connection interface 15...Communication module 16...Gateway 17...Communication module 18...Data processing unit 19...Another connection interface 20...Cable / Pipe 21...Internal connector element D…Preprocessed data package D´…Processed data package I…Information S: Sensor signal

Claims

1. At least one connector (1), in particular an electrical and / or fluidic connector, at least one sensor (2) configured to measure a physical property of the connector (1) and to provide a sensor signal (S) based on the measured physical property; at least one microcontroller (3) configured to receive said sensor signal (S), pre-process said sensor signal, and provide a pre-processed data package (D) comprising said sensor signal (S); at least one communication module (15) configured to receive the preprocessed data package (D) from at least one of the microcontrollers and to provide the preprocessed data package (D); A connector (1) comprising: a computer network (4) configured to receive the preprocessed data packages (D) from at least one of the communication modules (15) and to further process the preprocessed data packages (D) to provide processed data packages (D'); a computer (5) configured to receive the processed data package (D'), the computer (5) comprising a processor (6) configured to process the processed data package (D') to obtain information (I) related to the sensor signal (S), and a display (7) to display the information related to the sensor signal; A system comprising: The microcontroller (3) is further configured to encrypt the preprocessed data package (D) such that the preprocessed data package (D) is encrypted before transmission to the computer network (4).

2. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication module (15) is directly connected to the computer network (4); or the system includes a gateway (16), the gateway (16) being arranged between the communication module (15) and the computer network (4), and the preprocessed data package (D) is transmitted from the communication module (15) to the computer network (4) via the gateway (16).

3. 3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the microcontroller (3) comprises a time element configured to time stamp the sensor signal, whereby the sensor signal and the time stamp are provided together with the pre-processed data package.

4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the computer network (4) comprises a network processor (8) configured to process the preprocessed data packages (D) and / or a data storage device (9) configured to store the data packages (D).

5. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the network processor (8) is configured to decrypt the preprocessed data package (D) for storing and / or processing the decrypted sensor data and / or the network processor (8) is configured to process the sensor data; and / or the network processor (8) is configured to encrypt the decrypted sensor data or the processed sensor data such that the processed data package (D') is encrypted before transmission from the computer network (4) to the computer (5), and / or the network processor (8) stores the received preprocessed data package (D) in an encrypted state in the data storage device.

6. 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the computer (5) comprises an optional data storage device (10), and the processor (6) of the computer (5) is configured to decrypt the processed data package (D') for storing and / or processing decrypted sensor data and / or the processor (6) of the computer (5) is configured to process the sensor data; and / or the processor (6) of the computer (5) is configured to encrypt the decrypted or processed sensor data.

7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the computer (5) is connected to a further processing unit and / or the computer (5) comprises a user interface configured to receive user input.

8. 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the sensors (2) and / or the microcontroller (3) and / or the communication module (15) is provided on a printed circuit board (11) mounted on the connector (1).

9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the connector (1) comprises a connection interface (12), and the connector (1) is connectable via the connection interface (12) to another connector (13) having a connection interface (14) corresponding to the connection interface (12) of the connector (1).

10. 10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the connector (1) comprises a further connection interface (19) to which an external connector (20) is connected, the further connection interface (19) being connected to the connection interface (12) by at least one internal connector element (21).

11. The sensor a temperature sensor configured to measure the physical property, the ambient temperature; and / or a temperature sensor configured to measure the specific temperature of the physical property; and / or a humidity sensor configured to measure the physical property, ambient humidity; and / or an air pressure sensor configured to measure the physical property, the ambient air pressure; and / or an altitude sensor configured to measure the physical property altitude; and / or a vibration sensor configured to measure the physical property, vibration; and / or an optical sensor configured to measure the physical property illuminance; and / or a tilt sensor configured to measure the physical property tilt; and / or an acceleration sensor configured to measure the physical property acceleration; and / or a mating cycle sensor configured to measure the number of mating cycles, the physical property; and / or a flow sensor configured to measure the physical property, volumetric flow rate; The system of any one of claims 1 to 10, selected from the group consisting of:

12. A method of operating a system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising: measuring said physical property by at least one said sensor (2) and providing a sensor signal (S) based on said measured physical property; transmitting said sensor signal (S) from at least one said sensor (2) to at least one said microcontroller (3); receiving, by at least one said microcontroller (3), said sensor signal (S); - preprocessing and encrypting the received sensor signal (S) by at least one said microcontroller (3) to provide a preprocessed data package (D) containing said sensor signal (S); receiving said preprocessed data package (D) by at least one said communication module (15); transmitting said preprocessed data package (D) to said computer network (4) by at least one said communication module (15); receiving said preprocessed data package (D) by said computer network (4); further processing said pre-processed data package (D) into a processed data package (D') to provide said processed data package (D'); sending said processed data package (D') to said computer (5); receiving, by said computer (5), said processed data package (D'); processing said processed data package (D') to obtain information (I) related to said sensor signal (S); a step of displaying the information (I) related to the sensor signal (S) on the display unit (7); A method comprising:

13. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of decrypting the preprocessed data package (D) prior to the step of further processing the preprocessed data package (D) into the processed data package (D') within the computer network (4).

14. 14. A method according to claim 13, comprising the step of encrypting said processed data package (D') within said computer network (4) and decrypting said processed data package (D') by said computer.

15. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by said computer network or said computer, cause said computer network or said computer to carry out the steps of the method of any one of claims 12 to 14.

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