Re: Remote Monitoring of embedded devices

From: Leon Heller (leon_heller_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 11/03/04 

Date: Wed, 3 Nov 2004 14:05:00 -0000

"Mike V." <valemike@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:8188616d.0411030440.6f248c4b@posting.google.com...
>I have an application where I there may be several automatic
> pedestrian doors (the sliding and swinging doors you see in airports,
> supermarkets, department stores, etc.).
>
> Each installation shall be able to communicate to some
> gateway/logger/concentrator/router, whatever you call it, whether it
> be via CAN, RS232, and one day, even wireless, to the gateway. This
> gateway then will communicate certain alarms and status announcements
> to a remote workstation, whether it be via GSM/cellular, broadband,
> website, fax, dialup, e-mail, pager, you name it.
>
> I know such an app is technically feasible, but...
> For those who have such remote monitoring applications, what are the
> challenges in getting your customer to adopt it? For example, I don't
> think a customer would always be willing to give you access to their
> intranet/internet to get the messages across.
>
> Also, say I go the GSM/cellular route -- is there a subscription
> service meant for such applications?
>
> Is the gateway best to be its own standalone device with a web server
> and capable of its own communications? Or better to keep it simple,
> and just let the gateway/logger talk to a PC, which then assumes the
> actual gateway functions to the outside world. I'm sure a customer
> would not want to buy his/her own PC dedicated solely for my remote
> monitoring solution.
>
> The only places I see such solutions are in ESP magazine - I have yet
> to see vending machines, washing machines, etc. adopt a remote
> monitoring solution. Who knows, maybe because of privacy issues?
> Costs?
>
> Anyone with opinions or experiences in remote monitoring of embedded
> devices, please chime in.

Where I used to work (we made people counters using a passive IR imaging
array) I developed a prototype GSM interface for the people counter which
allowed a customer to monitor the unit remotely using a PC with a standard
modem. I shall be continuing work on this project, for the original
application and for other similar applications.

Leon

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