WO2013091656A1

WO2013091656A1 - Dynamic data collection system

Info

Publication number: WO2013091656A1
Application number: PCT/DK2012/050495
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leif Mikael MØLLER
Original assignee: Itxpress A/S
Priority date: 2011-12-22
Filing date: 2012-12-21
Publication date: 2013-06-27

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of establishing data collection from one or more sensor devices (SD1-SDn) by means of a data collection system (DCS), said data collection system comprising: -a user interface (UI), -a sensor device database (SDD) comprising sensor device information (SDI) describing characteristics of a plurality of individual sensor devices (SD1- SDn), and -a data collection database (DCD) comprising data collected by a plurality of sensor devices (SD1-SDn), said method comprisingthe steps of: establishing one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCR1-DCRn) on basis of user input from said user interface (UI) and said sensor device information (SDI) from said sensor device database (SDD), said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCR1-DCRn) comprising information relating to collecting input data (IDA; IDA1-IDAn) by means of one or more selected sensor devices (SD1-SDn) selected from said sensor device database (SDD),transmitting said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCR1-DCRn) to one or more clients (C1-Cn) configured for receiving said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCR1-DCRn), establishing a data communication between at least one of said clients (C1-Cn) and at least one of said selected sensor devices (SD1-SDn) based on said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCR1-DCRn) so as to transfer input data (IDA1-IDAn) collected by means of said at least one of said selected sensor devices (SD1-SDn) to said at least one of said clients (C1-Cn), transmitting a input data result (IDAR IDAR1-IDARn) derived from said collected input data (IDA, IDA1-IDAn) to be stored in said data collection database (DCD), andstoring said result (IDAR, DAR1- IDARn) in said data collection database (DCD).The invention furthermore relates to a data collection system.

Description

DYNAMIC DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM

The invention relates to a method of establishing data collection from one or more sensor devices, and a data collection system.

Background

Collecting data by means of various sensor-equipment has an important role in relation to establishing valid results during e.g. research and surveillance.

However, the data collection from various geographical distributed locations may be time consuming and be exposed to various factors that can have negative or even fatal consequences on the research and surveillance. For example, incorrect measuring and/or use of measurement equipment, incorrect selection of data to be collected, time lag between collecting the data and making it available for further processing etc. may result in such negative or even fatal consequences.

Presently, e.g. if measurement equipment is to be brought to a site for performing measuring of e.g. environmental conditions, this is a time consuming process where several sources of error may have a negative impact on the measurement result.

It is an object of the invention to provide a dynamic solution to reduce or even avoid one or more of the above mentioned drawbacks.

The invention

The invention relates to a method of establishing data collection from one or more sensor devices by means of a data collection system, said data collection system comprising:

-a user interface,

-a sensor device database comprising sensor device information describing characteristics of a plurality of individual sensor devices, and -a data collection database comprising data collected by a plurality of sensor devices,

said method comprising the steps of: establishing one or more data collection requests on basis of user input from said user interface and said sensor device information from said sensor device database, said one or more data collection requests comprising information relating to collecting input data) by means of one or more selected sensor devices selected from said sensor device database, transmitting said one or more data collection requests to one or more clients configured for receiving said one or more data collection requests, establishing a data communication between at least one of said clients and at least one of said selected sensor devices based on said one or more data collection requests so as to transfer input data collected by means of said at least one of said selected sensor devices to said at least one of said clients, transmitting a input data result derived from said collected input data to be stored in said data collection database, and storing said result in said data collection database.

It is understood that the sensor device database in aspects of the invention may comprise a plurality of geographically distributed sensor device databases accessible by means of the data collection system so as to allow establishment of data collection requests based on data from these sensor device databases. Also, the sensor device database may in embodiments of the invention be a central sensor device database arrangement. Preferably, said sensor device information in the sensor device database describes the characteristics of a plurality of sensor devices distributed over a geographical area. For example, the sensor devices may be distributed geographically over a part of a country, over a plurality of countries, states and/or the like.

By the above, several advantages may be obtained. The sensor device database together with the user interface e.g. facilitates selecting between a plurality of sensor devices for collecting input data registered in the sensor device database. Furthermore, this in combination with that the data collection request is based on user input in the user interface and is transmitted to clients for facilitating communication with the selected sensor device(s) for collecting input data, results in a dynamic data collection system.

Presently, a large amount of sensor devices are distributed around the world. These sensor devices often only facilitate transmitting the collected data by means of one or a few communication interfaces. By the data collection system of the present invention, a dynamic solution may be obtained that facilitates implementation of a large amount of existing sensor devices. Also, by the data collection system, a user that has access to the user interface may get an overview of relevant sensor devices, preferably at/near a given geographical location. Thus, an individual data collection request may be generated based on the characteristics of a given individual sensor device and/or client, to enable that a client may communicate with the sensor device to collect the input data representing measured by the sensor device.

At least a part of the user input that the user may input in the user interface may be considered as search criteria that enables the data collection system to identify relevant sensor devices, clients, information and/or the like that may be relevant in relation to collecting the input data. By the term "sensor device" is to be understood a device that is capable of measuring one or more physical quantities and converting it into input data that can be received and interpreted by a client. For example, the input data may e.g. comprise an analog signal from the sensor device, it may comprise a digital signal from the sensor device and/or a combination thereof. The input data is received by the client and may e.g. be processed by the client to extract the part of the received data representing the data comprising the measurement. It is understood that some input data from a sensor device in aspects of the invention comprise data representing derivatives of more than one physical parameter, for example if two physical parameters has to be measured and processed by the sensor device to give the input data.

It is understood that one or more sensor devices in aspects of the invention may comprise sensors incorporated in the client receiving the data collection request(s), for example if the client is a smart phone or another device comprising sensors. Such sensors may e.g. be a temperature sensor, a camera, a vibration sensor, an orientation sensor (e.g. an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope), a position determining device such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) arrangement and/or any other suitable sensor arrangement. So a client receiving a data collection request may in aspects of the invention comprise one or more of the individual sensor devices that may be available in the sensor device database. The data communication established between the client and a selected sensor device based on one or more data collection requests to transfer input data collected by means of the sensor device to the client may hence e.g. comprise that the user collects data by means of the sensor in the client (e.g. a digital camera), and the collected data is then transferred to (or accessed by) a software application installed at the client which is configured for transmitting the input data result to store the result in the data collection database. In other aspects, the sensor device(s) may comprise one or more sensors external to the client where a data communication is established between the client and the external sensor. A data collection request may be considered as an order to a client/user of a client for collection of input data by means of a sensor device.

The transmittance of an input data result derived from said collected input data by means of a client to be stored in said data collection database may be performed automatically by the client in aspects of the invention.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, said data collection system comprises a data collection request server, and wherein said step of establishing one or more data collection requests is handled by means of said data collection request server. Hereby a very dynamic data collection system may be achieved. The data collection request server preferably facilitates communicating with databases of the data collection system, with clients to which a data collection request is transmitted and/or the like. Thus, the data collection request server is able to establish an individual data collection request based on at least user input inputted by means of the user interface and data from one or more databases of the data collection system. Alternatively, the data collection request may in aspects of the invention be handled and/or established at a user unit and/or the like

Furthermore, in a preferred aspect of the invention, said establishment of one of more of said one or more data collection requests comprises automatically correlating said user input inputted by means of said user interface with sensor device information of a plurality of individual sensor devices in said sensor device database.

Thus, a very dynamic solution may be achieved that e.g. may facilitate pairing of one or more clients and one or more sensor devices, and thus, based thereon, establishing a suitable data collection request that matches a user's needs for data collection. Also, based on the correlation, relevant sensor devices for the individual task of collecting input data may be identified.

Furthermore in aspects of the invention, by means of the correlation, sensor device information may be identified and used by the system for identifying criteria to e.g. a client to allow a data collection. Thus, individual data collection request may be established based on the characteristics of e.g. clients and/or sensor devices.

For example, if a user and/or the data collection system selects and/or suggests a sensor device that seems to match the user's needs based on the user input, the system may automatically process further parts of the sensors sensor device information of the selected and/or suggested sensor device so as to identify suitable clients and/or establish a list of criteria for a suitable client. As another example, if a user inputs search criteria in the user interface such as for example a geographical destination for collecting input data, and the type of data to be collected, the system may correlate this data with sensor device information to identify possible sensor devices matching these criteria. Such sensor devices may however have some further demands defined in the sensor device information that have to be complied with to facilitate input data to be collected. For example, a specific device driver version may need to be installed at a client, a specific data communication interface needs to be utilized between the sensor device and the client for collecting the data , an ambient temperature demand may be needed to be complied with to enable the sensor device to establish reliable input data etc. This information may by the system be utilized for the establishing of the individual data collection request, for defining/identifying a relevant device driver for a client, for identifying a client that by proper adaption facilitates communicating with the sensor device etc. The correlation may in a preferred aspect of the invention be handled by a processing arrangement of the data collection request server. However at least parts of the correlation may also in aspects of the invention be performed by e.g. the user unit accessing the relevant resources such as databases of the system directly.

The said data collection system may in aspects of the invention be configured for continuously monitoring the status of data collection related to transmitted data collection requests.

It is understood that any other relevant means for performing a satisfactory monitoring may be utilized in aspects of the invention. In preferred aspects of the invention, the data collection request server may be adapted to perform the monitoring of the status of collection of input data.

The said data collection system may furthermore in aspects of the invention be configured for informing a user requesting a data collection when the result of the data collection is available in said data collection database.

Thus, a user may be rapidly informed when relevant data has been collected. The user may in aspects of the invention select in the user interface that it is requested that a message is sent to e.g. the user device of the user, to an email address of the user or the like when the result of the data collection is available in the data collection database.

In preferred aspects of the invention, said establishment of one or more of said one or more data collection requests comprises a user by means of said user interface inputting one or more location informations.

For example, location information may relate to location information of a sensor device, the geographical location/area of client, location relevant information for the task of collecting the input data, location information relating to the location for collecting the input data etc. Thus, the data collection system may correlate the location information to identify relevant sensor devices, clients and/or the like relevant ion relation to collect the input data. Also, the location information may be advantageous in relation to rapidly identify relevant clients and/or sensor devices to be utilized for collection of input data.

In an aspect of the invention, said establishment of one or more of said one or more data collection requests comprises a user by means of said user interface selecting one or more geographical locations for collection of said input data.

Also, in aspects of the invention, said establishment of one or more of said one or more data collection requests may comprise by means of said user interface selecting one or more geographical locations of one or more of said one or more clients. Thus several advantages may be achieved by the system facilitating that a user may select one or more geographical locations for collection of input data, one or more geographical locations of one or more clients, one or more geographical locations of one or more sensor devices and/or the like. For example, fast identification of relevant clients and/or sensor devices may be achieved by the system correlating geographical location information inputted/selected by the user.

In general, it is to be understood that user input in the user interface that relates to geographical locations may comprise various input features. For example, it may comprise coordinates, selections by means of a graphically represented map in the user interface that may be accessed by a "point and click" feature, it may comprise a search feature so that the user may input countries, cities, addresses etc. that the data collection system facilitates processing to identify relevant sensor devices and/or clients, and/or any combinations thereof. In preferred aspects of the invention, said establishment of one or more of said one or more data collection requests comprises identifying one or more clients intended for receiving one or more of said one or more data collection request. The identifying of one or more one or more clients may e.g. be performed by the data collection system correlating user input, sensor device information of selected and/or suitable sensor devices and/or the like.

In aspects of the invention, said establishment of one or more of said one or more data collection requests comprises said data collection system automatically selecting and/or suggesting one or more clients for receiving said data collection request based on user input in said user interface.

This may e.g. be advantageous in that the system may e.g. facilitate that

advantageous pairing of suitable clients and sensor devices may be achieved. This may e.g. be based on correlating user input, sensor device information of selected and/or suitable sensor devices and/or the like with client information of clients in e.g. a client database as described later on in this document. Alternatively and/or additionally, a user may in aspects of the invention suggest and/or select clients for receiving the data collection request(s).

Furthermore, said establishment of one or more of said one or more data collection requests may in aspects of the invention comprise said data collection system automatically selecting and/or suggesting one or more sensor devices based on said user input.

Thus, a user may in a fast way identify relevant sensor devices that may be utilized for collection of input data. Such automatic selections and/or suggestions of clients and/or sensor devices may e.g. be displayed to the user of the user interface. E.g. by means of a display of the user unit. In aspects of the invention, said establishment of one or more of said one or more data collection requests may comprise a user by means of said user interface selecting one or more sensor devices in said sensor device database for collection of said input data.

Thus, a user may for example access sensor device information of sensor devices represented in the sensor device database that matches the user input, and based on this select a sensor device for collection of said input data.

Preferably, in aspects of the invention, said establishment of said data collection request comprises a user by means of said user interface defining input data to be collected. E.g., the user may select predefined types of input data to be collected, for example: selecting water related measurements, electric power related measurements, gas related measurements, fluid related measurement, substance composition related measurements etc. Also, the user defining input data to be collected may comprise the user selecting/inputting relevant units of measurements, the method of collecting the input data and/or the like.

In preferred aspects of the invention, said established data collection request may at least comprise sensor device identification identifying one or more individual sensor devices to be utilized for collecting said input data.

The sensor device identification may comprise data relevant for the user of the client to identify the individual sensor device, and/or relevant to enable the client identifying the sensor device. For example sensor device identification may comprise a serial number of the sensor device, a type identification, brand information, address information (E.g. an IP-address or the like if the sensor device is connected to a data network), and/or any other suitable information making identification of the sensor device possible.

In aspects of the invention, one or more of said one or more data collection requests may comprise location information regarding the location of said one or more selected sensor devices, said location information being displayed to a user of said client.

The location information may for example comprise information regarding the geographical location of the sensor device (e.g. addresses, coordinates, locations graphically represented on a map etc.) it may comprise IP address information and/or any other information relevant to enable a user of a client and/or a client to identify the location of the sensor device. In aspects of the invention, one or more of said one or more data collection requests may comprise information regarding the geographical location where said input data is to be collected by means of one or more of said selected sensor devices.

Such information may e.g. comprise coordinates, addresses, locations graphically represented on a map etc. Based hereon, the user of the client may e.g. be able to travel to the correct location to collect the input data by means of sensor device(s) identified in the received data collection request(s).

In aspects of the invention, at least one of said at least one clients may be adapted to automatically obtain verification data for verifying the collection of input data.

This may e.g. be relevant to verify that the input data is collected at the right location, in the right way to assure more reliable data collection results. The verification data may comprise data communication logs retrieved and/or established by the client and relating to the data communication between a sensor device and the client, it may comprise time information relating to the time that the input data was collected, it may comprise GPS information and/or any other information relevant in relation to verifying collected input data. In aspects of the invention, the client may furthermore be adapted to transmit this verification data to be stored in e.g. the data collection database.

In advantageous aspects of the invention, one or more of said one or more data collection requests may be automatically adapted to one or more clients for communicating with said one or more sensor devices.

Thus, the data collection system may e.g. facilitate that a plurality of different types of clients may be used for communication with sensor devices to collect the input data.

The automatic adaption of a data collection request may be based on e.g. client information such as the operating system of the client, it may be based on interface features of the client, it may be based on the type of client and/or any other relevant information. For example, if the client is of a specific brand, operating by means of a specific operating system, and facilitating data communication by means of a number of specified communication interface features, the system may adapt the data collection request to fit the brand, operating system, the communication interface features. This may e.g. be achieved by a correlation of sensor device information and/or user input with data from a client database as described later on.

Advantageously, one or more of said one or more data collection request may in aspects of the invention comprise task information to be displayed to a user of said one or more clients receiving said one or more data collection requests.

Thus, a more reliable data collection may be facilitated in that specific information relating to the specific task of collecting the input data may displayed to the user of the client. Also, there is a better chance that a user of the client, if the user is e.g. a layman, by accessing the task information, can collect the input data in a proper way, even though the user is not an expert within the field of the data collection that the task relates to.

A non-limiting example of task information may be that the task information may comprise the following information: select/collect sensor devices x, y, z at a first defined geographical location and collect data by means of the sensor device at the second geographical location.

Another example may be that the user is informed by the task information to place a sensor device in a given way, and establish the data connection between the sensor device and the client by having the client connected to an IP address of the sensor device.

In an aspect of the invention, the task information may comprise instructions to be displayed to the user of the client regarding the task of collecting said input data.

The task information may for example be displayed directly by displaying the received task information and/or based on the task information, e.g. in the form of the received task information comprising a code/information that enables the client to identify proper task information stored on the client to be displayed.

In preferred aspects of the invention, said data collection system comprises a client database comprising client information, said client information comprising information of the characteristics of a plurality of clients.

As explained earlier, clients may be selected and/or suggested automatically by the data collection system and/or selected manually by the user of the user interface. However, it may be advantageous that the data collection system may comprise information of relevant clients to be utilized for receiving the data collection request. The system may thus in aspects of the invention correlate user input, sensor device information and/or the like with the client information in the client database to suggest and/or automatically select a proper client for the data collection. In advantageous aspects of the invention one or more clients may be adapted so as to enable said adapted one or more clients to communicate with one or more of said one or more selected sensor devices.

Preferably, at least a part of the adaption is performed automatically by means of the data collection request system, but it may also in aspects of the invention be performed in interaction with the user of the client.

An adaption of clients may e.g. comprise updating and/or installing one or more device drivers at the client, it may comprise accessing allocating one or more data storages of the client for purposes relating to the collection of the input data, it may comprise manipulating with data communication interfaces of the client to enable proper data communication between the client and sensor device(s), the data collection database, the data collection request server, a driver database and/or the like, it may comprise adapting and/or installing application software installed at the client with the purpose of receiving data collection requests as described below and/or any other suitable adaption.

In aspects of the invention, the method may comprise transmitting software to one or more clients which when being installed at said one or more clients enables said one or more clients to receive and process one or more data collection requests so as to facilitate collection of input data to which the received data collection request relates.

The application software may e.g. be a Java executable application, an APP, a program based on a predefined operating system of the client (e.g. Windows, Android, iOS and/or the like), it may be a widget, etc. and/or the like. In aspects of the invention, said installation of said software at said one or more clients results in said one or more clients being registered in said client database.

Thus, an advantageous way of registering clients in the client database may be achieved. The registering of the clients may e.g. comprise the application software processing hardware and software information of the client, it may comprise a user inputting data relating to the client in a user interface of the application software, it may comprise the user inputting data relating to the user him-/herself in a user interface of the application software and/or the like. This information may be transmitted to the client database and may this be implemented as client information in the client database.

In aspects of the invention, said method may comprise automatically adapting one or more of said one or more selected sensor devices.

Such adaption may e.g. be that a firmware update is transmitted to a client, and the client is then used for establishing a data connection to the sensor device so as to update software of the sensor device by means of the firmware. In an aspect of the invention, said data collection system comprises a driver database comprising a plurality of device drivers, wherein said method comprises the steps of: identifying one or more device drivers in said driver database based on said one or more selected sensor devices to be installed at a client, said identification of one or more device drivers being based on at least sensor device information of said one or more selected sensor devices, and transferring said one or more identified device drivers from said driver database to one or more clients intended for communicating with said selected one or more sensor devices. By the term device driver is to be understood one or more software applications that allows the client to communicate properly with a sensor device to which the device driver is related/dedicated, when the device driver is installed and/or executed at the client.

Thus, a plurality of advantages may be obtained. For example dynamic clients may be utilized for communicating with sensor devices that was otherwise limited in use due to e.g. communication interface restrictions of the sensor devices. Also, a very dynamic system is achieved in that a plurality of clients may be adapted in a plurality of ways to enable proper data collection.

In aspects of the invention, one or more of said device drivers may be device drivers which when installed at a client is utilized for establishing said data communication between at least one of said clients and at least one of said selected sensor devices so as to collect said input data.

In aspects of the invention, said identification of one or more device drivers is further based on client information of the said one or more clients for receiving said one or more data collection requests.

The client information may e.g. be client information from the client data base as explained I this document. Alternatively and/or additionally, the client information may be entered/ inputted by a user by means of the user interface. In aspects of the invention, said establishment of said data communication between at least one of said clients and at least one of said selected sensor devices to retrieve said input data may comprise a user interaction from the user of the client so as to establish said data communication. A user interaction in this relation may e.g. comprise the user of the client performing actions to connect the sensor device and the client to facilitate the data communication between these, it may comprise the user entering instructions by means of a keyboard or the like at the client, it may comprise that the user travels to a predefined location to collect the input data and/or the like. In aspects of the invention, said method may comprise that a user of a client brings one or more of said selected sensor devices identified by means of one or more of said one or more received data collection requests to a geographical location for collecting said input data, said geographical location being defined by means said information of said one or more data collection requests.

Thus, data collections at remote locations may be achieved in a fast way. For example, if a user at a first location in a first country wishes to collect data at a specific geographical location in e.g. a second country at a second geographical location, the user may by means of the data collection system identify relevant sensor devices for this purpose in the second country. A data collection request may hence be transmitted to a user of a suitable client in the second country, and the user of the client may hence travel to the location for collecting the data/setting up collection of the data by means of the client. So for example, the user may take a photography in accordance with the data collection request (.e.g by means of a camera feature of the client if the client is a smart phone or the like) by means of an external sensor or the like, and the collected data is then transmitted to the data collection database.

In preferred aspects of the invention, said sensor devices represented in said sensor device database and/or said clients represented in said client database are

geographically distributed.

Hence, a very dynamic data collection feature is facilitated.

In aspects of the invention, at least one of said at least one data collection requests may comprise a set of rules that has to be complied with before input data can be collected by a sensor device. The invention furthermore relates to a data collection system for collection data by means of one or more sensor devices, said data collection system (DCS) comprising:

-a user interface,

-a sensor device database comprising sensor device information describing characteristics of a plurality of individual sensor devices, and

-a data collection database comprising data collected by a plurality of sensor devices,

said data collection system being adapted to operate in accordance with the method of one or more of claims 1-31.

By the data collection system, one or more advantages such as e.g. one or more advantages mentioned in this document may be achieved. Furthermore, the invention relates to use of one or more sensor devices in accordance with the method of one or more of claims 1-31.

Also, the invention relates to use of one or more clients in accordance with the method of one or more of claims 1-31.

Also, the invention relates to a client being adapted for receiving one or more data collection requests, said one or more data collection requests being established on basis of user input from a user interface and sensor device information from a sensor device database of a data collection system, said one or more data collection requests comprising information relating to collecting input data by means of one or more selected sensor devices selected from said sensor device database, said client being configured for enabling a data communication between said client and at least one of said selected sensor devices based on said one or more data collection requests so as to transfer input data collected by means of said at least one of said selected sensor devices to said at least one of said clients, and said client being configured for transmitting a input data result derived from said collected input data to be stored in a data collection database of said data collection system. By the client as described above, one or more advantages such as e.g. one or more advantages mentioned in this document may be achieved.

The invention furthermore relates to a computer program product which when installed at a client enables:

said client to operate in accordance with the method of one or more of the claims 1-31, enables a data collection system according to claim 32 to collect data by means of one or more clients and one or more sensor devices, enables use of one or more sensor devices according to claim 33, and/or enables use of one or more clients according to claim 34. For the purpose of this document, the computer program product may also be referred to as application software to be installed at the client as described in this document.

Figures

Aspects of the present disclosure will be described in the following with reference to the figures in which: fig. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the invention, fig 2. illustrates a further embodiment of the invention where a plurality of data collection requests are established, fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the sensor device database comprising sensor device information, fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where a data collection request server handles transmittance of data collection requests and receipt of the data representing/derived from collected input data, fig. 5 illustrates an example of data of a data collection request, fig. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a user interface, fig. 7 illustrates an example of a flowchart relating to establishing a data collection request relating to collecting input data, fig. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the data collection system comprising a driver database, fig. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where a client receives a data collection request, and fig. 10 illustrates a plurality of sensor devices distributed over a large

geographical area. Detailed description Fig 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the invention. The data collection system DCS comprises a user interface IU to be utilized by a user for establishing a data collection request DCR, a sensor device database SDD comprising data describing characteristics of a plurality of available individual sensor devices SDl-SDn, a data collection request server and a data collection database DCD.

A user U accesses the user interface UI by means of a user unit UU. The user interface UI may e.g. be accessed by means of a home page on an internet, it may be a user interface UI implemented on a user unit UU such as a handheld device or a stationary device where the user interface is established by means of a software program installed on the user unit UU and/or the like.

A stationary device may be e.g. understood as a personal computer (PC) such as a desktop computer and/ or a laptop, and a handheld device may be any suitable handheld device which may enable proper access to the user interface UI. A handheld device may e.g. be a cell phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a PDA, and/or the like.

The user U accesses the user interface UI by means of a user unit UU and by different selections in the user interface UI, a data collection request DCR is established. The data collection request DCR may be established directly and/or indirectly by means of the data collection request server DCRS, it may be established at the user unit UU and transmitted to the data collection request server DCRS and/or the like.

In preferred embodiments, the user U utilizing the user interface UI for establishing a data collection request DCS may be considered as an expert user within/substantially within the field to which the established data collection request relates. A data collection request DCR comprises a set of data relating to collection of input data IDA by means of one or more selected sensor devices SDl-SDn selected from the sensor device database SDD. The sensor device database SDD comprises data which describes characteristic of a plurality of individual sensor devices SD available in the system for collecting input data IDA. The data collection request DCR is transmitted to one or more clients Cl-Cn. The clients Cl-Cn may also be referred to as user devices. A client Cl-Cn may e.g. be a client device such as personal computers such as desktop computers and/or laptops, it may be a handheld devices such as e.g. smartphones, cell phones, tablets, PDAs, and/or any other suitable types of client devices.

Ins embodiments of the invention, one or more of the clients Cl-Cn is/are located at another geographical location than the user unit UU, e.g. at another part of the country than the country that the user unit UU is located in, at another country than the user unit UU and/or the like. In other embodiments, one or more of clients may however also be located at the same location or near the same location as the location that user unit UU utilized for establishing the data collection request is located.

In an embodiment of the invention, a client Cl-Cn selected for collecting input data may also be a user unit UU facilitating access to the user interface UI to establish a data collection request.

In general, it is to be understood that the user interface UI may be accessed in a plurality of ways. For example, the user interface UI may be an application running on/controlled by a web server so that it may be accessed by means of a web browser, it may be accessed by means of a dedicated software application at the user unit UU and/or the like. It is furthermore understood that a client Cl-Cn in embodiments of the invention may regarded as a user unit UU facilitating accessing the user interface UI. In general, it is understood that the user unit(s) UU, the clients Cl-Cn and/or the sensor devices SDRl-SDn may be located at a plurality of different geographical locations. A data collection request DCR enables the client(s) Cl-Cn receiving the data collection request DCR to receive input data IDA based on the data collection request. Thus, based on a data collection request DCR, a data communication between the clients (in fig. 1 it is the client CI) and one or more selected sensor devices SDl-SDn defined/identified in the data collection request DCR may be established. Hereby, an automatic transfer of input data IDA collected by means of the selected sensor devices SDl-SDn to the clients Cl-Cn is/can be established based on the data collection request.

This input data IDA, and/or data based on the input data IDA from the sensor device(s) is then transferred from the Clients Cl-Cn to the data collection database DCD as input data results IDAR. Hence, the data is now accessible to database users DU accessing the data in the data collection database DCD.

The data collection database DCD is in a preferred embodiment of the invention a SQL based database, but it is understood that it in other embodiments may be any suitable database.

In general it is understood that an input data results IDAR may comprise the raw data from the sensor device(s), it may comprise input data modified to be in a predefined data format fitting to /compatible with the data collection database DCD, and/or the like. However, it is in general understood that an input data result IDAR reflects the result of the measurement performed by the respective sensor device.

In fig. 1, the sensor device database SDD is illustrated as communicating with the user interface UI. It is however understood that the sensor device database in embodiments of the invention may be accessed in any suitable way so that a data collection request DCR can be established based on sensor device data from the sensor device database SDD. For example, the sensor device database SDD may be accessed directly by the user interface UI, it may be accessed by means of the data collection request server DCRS (as illustrated in figure 2) by any combinations thereof and/or by any other proper means.

It is understood that it in embodiments of the invention may be possible to establish data collection requests for "one time" interactive data collections as well as for continuous data collections over a time period.

An example of a "one time" data collection request may be that the data collection request relates to that a user of the client Cl-Cn receiving the data collection request DCRl-DCRn should travel to a predefined geographical location identified by/in the data collection request. The data collection request may also specify where to collect the sensor device(s) for collecting the data. Thus, a user of the client may travel to collect the data at the predefined location, and the client then transmits an input data result IDAR to be stored at the data collection database DCD.

In embodiments of the invention, the client may be adapted to verify the

geographical location where the input data is collected, e.g. by a global position system (GPS) feature, by location tracing by means of a cell phone network and/or by any other means for identifying a geographical location facilitated by the client. This information may be transmitted to the database and/or the data collection request server for verification of the data collection. Also, the verification may be performed by the client correlating the geographical data of the data collection request with the geographical data at the location where the data is collected.

An example of continuous data collections over a time period may be that the user U of the user inter UI selects a time span such as e.g. start year, month, data and/or time for starting the collection of input data, as well as e.g. selecting e.g. end year, month, data and/or time for ending the data collection. Also, the user may specify a "sampling rate" relating to how often the data should be collected in the time span, e.g. each second, minute, hour, day and/or the like. This information may be transmitted to the client by means of a data collection request, and based thereon the client is set up to automatically perform the data collection by means of a

predetermined sensor device in the time span at the said sampling rate. The collected input data may be transmitted to the data collection database DCD continuously during the data collection, upon ending the data collection at the end time and/or the like. Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where a plurality of data collection requests DCRl-DCRn are established. In the present embodiment, the data collection requests are established by different users U accessing a user interface UI in one or the other way to request collection of input data IDAl -ID An. Based on this, data collection requests DCRl-DCRn are established and transmitted to the suitable clients Cl-Cn, e.g. by means of the data collection request server DCRS.

In the embodiment of fig. 2, a first data collection request DCR1 relates to collecting input data IDAl, IDA 2 from two sensor devices SDl, SD2 by means of a first client CI, a second data collection request DCR relates to collecting data ID A3 from a sensor device SD3 by means of a second client C2, and a further data collection request DCRn relates to collecting data ID An from a further sensor device SDn by means of a further client Cn.

When the input data IDAl -ID An has been collected from the sensor devices SD1- SDn by utilizing the client Cl-Cn, the data is transmitted from the clients Cl-Cn to the data collection database DCD as input data results IDARl, IDAR 2, IDARn and is stored in the data collection database DCD to be accessible to database users DU accessing data in the data collection database DCD. In the present example of fig. 2, the first input data result IDARl reflects the first input data IDAl collected by means of the first sensor device SDl and the second input data IDA2 collected by means the second sensor device SD2. The second input data result IDAR2 reflects the third input data ID A3 collected by means the third sensor device SD3, and the further input data result IDARn reflects the further input data ID An collected by means of the further sensor device SDn. It is in generally understood that a user U of the user interface UI in embodiments of the invention may request data from a plurality of clients Cl-Cn, and that such request(s) may be divided into a plurality of suitable data collection requests DCR by the user and/or automatically by the data collection system DCS based on the data inputted by means of the user interface UI.

Fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the sensor device database SDD according to embodiments of the invention. The sensor device database SDD comprises sensor device information SDIl-SDIn describing characteristic of a plurality of available individual sensor devices SDl-SDn. It is understood that a plurality of different types of individual sensor devices SDl-SDn may be added to the sensor device database SDD. When a sensor device SD is added to the database SDD, sensor device information SDI relating to each sensor device is added to the database so that the sensor device information SDI of the respective sensor device SD describes the characteristic of the sensor device.

Examples of sensor device information SDI may be:

The geographical location of the individual sensor device

The type of individual sensor device

The setup of the individual sensor device

Input data type information relating to the type of data that the individual sensor device is adapted to collect/facilitates collecting (e.g.

o Electricity measurements (voltage, electric current, power factor etc.), o Temperature measurements

o Flow measurements

o Chemical composition measurements o Digital photography by recording electromagnetic radiation such as visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light etc. by means of an electronic image sensor

o Humidity measurements

o Pressure measurements

o And/or any other suitable input data type information that any sensor device may facilitate collecting

- Data output type information. For example measuring unit information (unit of measurement), range of measurement information, etc.

Output data format information defining in which data format the output data from the sensor device is to be expected.

- Relevant sensor device driver information

Firmware information

Communication interface information (E.g. USB, WLAN, LAN, Zigbee, Bluetooth, Infrared communication, Optic)

Communication enabling information (e.g. IP address(es) of the device, identification information of the device etc.) suggesting how to communicate with the device

Calibration information (e.g. when was the last date for calibrating the sensor device)

If the sensor device is presently available or if it is occupied

- Etc.

Also, it is understood that information of sensor devices in the sensor device database may be updated over time.

In embodiments of the invention, the data collection system DCS may automatically suggest and/or select sensor devices SDl-SDn based on data inputted by the user U in the user interface UI. E.g. by correlating a plurality of sensor device information SDI in the sensor device database SDD with data selected/inputted in the user interface UI by the user U of the user interface UI. In the example of fig. 3, each individual sensor device SDI in the sensor device database SDD is represented in the database SDD by sensor device information SDI comprising a number or sensor device parameters SDPl-SDPn describing characteristics of each individual sensor devices in the/added to database SDD.

For example, the sensor device parameter SDP1 may relate to the country in which the respective sensor device SDl-SDn is located. The sensor device parameter SDP2 may relate to the specific address of the sensor device, e.g. an IP address or the like for the individual sensor device on a data network, a unique identification of the device, the postal number and building address etc. of the device and or the like. Thus, based on e.g. sensor device parameters SDP1 and SDP2, (and/or possibly further sensor device parameters) it is preferably possible to identify the specific location of each individual sensor device SDl-SDn. The sensor device parameter SDP3 in the present example relates to the

measurement capabilities MC of each individual sensor device. For example, sensor device parameter SDP3 of the sensor devices SDI and SD4 may specify that these sensor devices are flow sensors for measuring a fluid flow, sensor device parameter SDP3 of the sensor devices SD2 and SD3 may specify that these sensor devices relates to temperature measurements, sensor device parameter SDP3 of the sensor devices SD5 may specify that this sensor devices facilitates measuring the wavelength of light, sensor device parameter SDP3 of the sensor devices SD6, SD7 and SD8 may specify that these sensor devices facilitates measuring voltage (electrical potential difference), etc.

The sensor device parameter SDP4 in the present example relates to measuring ranges RA the individual sensor device. For example the range of a voltage sensor device SD may be 0V AC - 600V AC. The sensor device parameter SDPn may relate to data output format DOF of the individual sensor device SDl-SDn in the sensor device database SDD. For example, a sensor device may generate a digital output in a predefined data format that may furthermore be divided into one or more predefined binary data strings according to a pre-specified data standard. Also, a sensor device may generate an output within e.g. 0-10V DC corresponding to 0-100% of the measuring range of the sensor device. Likewise, an output of a sensor device may be an optical signal that should be interpreted in a certain predefined way. Thus, the data output format DOF provides information regarding how the output from the individual sensor device should be interpreted correctly to properly collect the output IDA of the sensor devices. It is naturally understood that sensor device information SDI in the sensor device database may comprise any suitable information regarding the respective sensor device to sufficiently describe the sensor device SDl-SDn in the database. In Fig. 3, the sensor device information SDI is illustrated as entries in a table, but it is understood that the sensor device information in embodiments of the invention may be stored in the database SDD in any suitable way.

Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the data collection request server DCRS handles transmittance of the data collection requests DCRl-DCRn and receipt of the data representing the collected input data IDA from the client(s) Cl-Cn as illustrated by the arrow from the user devices to the data collection request server DCRS.

Also, it is in general understood that the data collection request server DCRS may monitor the data collection process of a data collection request DCRl-DCRn and handle storage of the collected data in the data collection database DCD.

Also, it is understood that in embodiments of the invention, at least some of the clients Cl-Cn may be adapted to transmit data representing the collected input data IDAl-IDAn to the data collection database DCD. Furthermore, one or more of the clients Cl-Cn may in embodiments of the invention be adapted to transmit one or more status messages to the data collection request server DCRS, e.g. to enable a central handling and monitoring of transmitted data collection requests DCR.

In embodiments of the invention, the data collection system may be configured for informing a user requesting a data collection, by means of using the user interface UI, when the result of the data collection is available in said data collection database. E.g. by email, by Short Message Service (SMS), by a notification at application software installed at the users user unit UU and/or the like. This may in embodiments of the invention e.g. be handled by the data collection request server DCRS, it may be handled by a client transmitting information to a user that the result of the data collection is available in the data collection database and/or the like. Fig. 5 illustrates an example of data of a data collection request DCR.

The data collection request in the present example comprises identification of a client C1 ID. Client identification enables the system to transmit the data collection request DCR to the correct user device UD ID. The client identification may be implemented in any suitable way enabling identification of the client. A non limiting example of a client identification CI ID may be e.g. a phone number, an

identification of application software installed at a client, a unique identification assigned to a client, an IP address or any other suitable data network identification and/or the like.

The data collection request DCR furthermore comprises identification of sensor devices SDI ID, SD2 ID for collecting the input data IDA that the data collection request relates DCR to. In the present embodiment, the data collection request DCR as illustrated relates to collecting data by means of two sensor devices SD1, SD2. The identifications SDI ID, SD2 ID of the sensor may e.g. be selected from and/or based on identification information of the respective sensor device in the sensor device database SDD, but it may also in further embodiments be based on various other data selected from other data sources.

Furthermore, a data collection request DCR may comprise connection instructions CN INST comprising information regarding how a data connection should be established between the respective client CI, and the sensor devices SD1, SD2 to collect of the input data from the sensor devices. The connection instructions CN INST may e.g. comprise information to a user of the client regarding how to establish the data connection.

Also, the data collection request DCR may comprise task information TA INF to be displayed to the user of the client. This task information TA INF describes the task of collecting the input data. For example, if a user of the client needs to perform a series of actions to enable the collection of the input data IDA, the task information TA INF may describe such actions to enable that the user by reading this information will be able to collect the data correctly.

The data collection request DCR may furthermore comprise delivery information IDA DI comprising information enabling a client to transmit the collected data to a proper receiver, so that the input data results can be stored in the data collection database DCD. The delivery information IDA ID preferably comprises data enabling the client CI to automatically transmit the data to the proper destination, e.g. to the above mentioned data collection request server DCRS, directly to the above mentioned data collection database DCD and/or the like.

In general, it is to be understood that the data collection system in embodiments of the invention may be adapted to utilize metadata in any advantageous situation. For example, the data collection system DCS may be adapted to utilize metadata defining who is allowed to access collected input data in the data collection database DCD. For example, a user may identify, by means of the user interface UI, who to access the data, and/or the data collection system may at its own motion assign who is able to access the collected data.

Furthermore, the metadata may in embodiments of the invention relate to data regarding how the received input data should be formatted by a client C, Cl-Cn before it is transmitted as input data results IDAR so as to be stored in the data collection database. Also, the metadata may relate to data regarding how received input data results from clients should be handled by the data collection request server DCRS, the data collection database DCD and/or the like.

In embodiments of the invention where a client is to be configured for automatically adapting the collected input data IDA, the data collection request DCR may comprise metadata defining how the received input data should/could be formatted/adapted correctly by the client C, Cl-Cn before it is transmitted as input data results IDAR so as to be stored in the data collection database DCD. Thus, the client may, based on the metadata, perform such an adaption/formatting of the collected input data and in embodiments also other data such as e.g. verification information of where the data was collected and/or the like. The metadata may be structural metadata, it may be descriptive metadata and/or combinations thereof. The metadata may for example comprise information regarding:

Means of creation of a data collection request

Purpose of the data of a data collection request

Who is allowed to access results of the collected data

Time and date of creation of a data collection request

Creator or author of data

Placement on a computer network where the data was created

Standards used

Etc. The metadata may be stored at the data collection request server, it may be comprised in a data collection request so that a client and/or a later recipient of data collected based on the data collection request may receive the meta data, and/or the like.

Also, input data results IDAR may be adapted to comprise descriptive and/or structural metadata e.g. so as to enable that e.g. the data collection request server DCRS may interpret the data of the input data result correctly. For the purpose of handling metadata, the data collection system may comprise one or more metadata registries where metadata definitions may be stored and preferably also maintained and/or adapted over time. The registry may be accessed by e.g. the data collection request server DCRS during creation of data collection requests DCR, during receipt of input data results IDAR and/or by any other part/arrangement of the data collection system.

It is in general understood that a data collection request DCR may be adapted automatically by the data collection system DCS to be compatible with the client(s) to which it is to be transmitted.

A data collection request DCR may be a data package/message in a predefined format being compatible and thus interpretable/readable with/by a software application/application software installed on the client. For example, a data collection request may be any suitable a message and/or data package, it may be a JAVA executeable data structure, it may be ".net" based (e.g. C++, C#, VB.net based etc.) and/or the like. In general, it is understood that a data collection request may be any suitable data structure.

In an embodiment of the invention, a data collection request DCR may comprise a set of rules regarding collection of input data. The set of rules may comprise a number of situations/sceneries/data inputs that has to be complied with before input data IDA can be collected, verified and/or accepted by a client CI . For example, if input data IDA has to be collected at a predefined time, the client may (e.g. by means of application software on the client) set up the rule that the time as defined in the set of rules is complied with. This predefined time may thus be correlated with a timer/clock function of the client so as to only allow data collection at the time defined by the rule.

Another example of rules of the set of rules may be that the data collection request DCR comprises a set of rules defining that a first sensor device coupled to the client needs to provide input data IDA at a specific value before other input data from another sensor device connected to the client is collected and/or accepted. For example, a non limiting example may be that the first sensor device is a temperature sensor, and that the rule(s) defines that this temperature sensor needs to provide input data telling that a temperature measured by the first sensor device is above e.g. 5°C before input data from the other sensor device is accepted.

A further example of rules of the set of rules may be that a specific user interaction between the client and the user has to be performed before the input data is collected and/or accepted. For example the user of the client has to press a predefined password, the user of the client has to register biometric data such as e.g. finger print, eye identification, voice recognition, etc. and/or the like. The user interaction may also be that the user of the client has to press a predefined physical key at the client and/or the sensor device (if the client is able to detect this by means of the communication between the client and the sensor device).

Fig. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a user interface UI. The user interface UI comprises a number of input fields IFI-IFIX for inputting data. In the present example, the input fields IF1-IF6 are representing input fields IF1-IF6 for inputting sensor device related information SRI. For example: The input field IF1 may be utilized for selecting specific sensor device type(s) STY,

The input field IF2 may be utilized for inputting Input data units IDAU, e.g. a unit of measurement which the sensor device is expected to deliver the input data IDA, e.g. International System of Units (SI units) and/or derivable thereof.

The input field IF3 may be utilized for inputting location information LOI of the sensor device, i.e. where the sensor is/should be/could be located geographically and/or in a data network.

- The input field IF4 may be utilized for inputting/selecting a measuring range

RA of the sensor device.

The input field IF5 may be utilized for selecting/inputting/ measurement capabilities for a sensor device,

- Etc.

Furthermore, the user interface UI may also in embodiments of the invention comprise the possibility of selecting client related information CRI in one or more Input fields. In the present example, the input fields IF7-IF10 represent input fields for inputting/selecting client related information CRI. In embodiments of the invention, the client related information may be correlated with data from a client database as described later on.

For example, users U may by means of one or more input fields IF 7 select a client type CTY that should be used for communicating with the relevant sensor devices SD. E.g. by selecting a laptop, a smartphone of a specific type, brand and/or the like, a specific tablet type etc.

A further input field IF8 may be utilized for inputting/selecting client operating system information COS, e.g. selected from a predefined list of operating systems that the relevant client C is presently utilizing. Another input field IF9 may be utilized for inputting/selecting client interface information CIF, e.g. USB (Universal Serial Bus), WLAN (Wireless local area network), LAN (Local Area Network), 3G (third generation mobile

telecommunications), WAP (Wireless Application Protocol), IEEE 1394 interface, serial port interface, (e.g. comiectable via DE-9 connectors or DIN-8), optical interface or any other relevant interface information that may be relevant in relation to transmitting the data collection request to the client and/or establishing a data connection between the client and one or more sensor devices. Other further input field(s) IF 10 may be utilized for selecting/inputting geographical location/area information CGLO of one or more clients C, e.g. by inputting/selecting a country, a state, a city, an address and/or the like.

Also, the user interface UI may in embodiments of the invention comprise the possibility of selecting/inputting location relevant information LRI relating to where the input data should be collected from. In the present example, the input fields IFl 1- IF13 represent input fields for inputting/selecting location relevant information LRI for the task of collecting the input data. For example, the user U of the user interface UI may by means of an input field IFl 1 select one or more countries CNTR comprising the location from where the input data IDA should be collected. Also, the user may by means of an input fields IF 12 and IF 13 select coordinates, address, geographical area and/or the like where the input data is to be collected. It is also to be understood that any other relevant location information in embodiments of the invention may be selected/inputted by means of the user interface UI.

It is understood that the data inputted and/or selected in the input fields IFl-IFX may be implemented in any suitable way. For example by inputting data into a field IFl- IF13 by means of a keyboard (e.g. a physical keyboard, a keyboard represented on a display and/or the like), by selecting a parameter from a predetermined list of parameters, e.g. by means of a drop-down menu or the like as illustrated in the fields IFl, IF3, IF4, IF5, IF7, IF9, IF 10, IF11, IFX. In an embodiment of the invention the user interface UI may be arranged to correlate data inputted/selected by means of the user interface UI with sensor device information SDI from the sensor device database SDD. It may also in embodiments be arranged to correlate data inputted/selected by means of the user interface UI with data from a client database as described in this document and/or any other relevant databases such as e.g. data sources comprising geographical map data, databases comprising meteorological data and/or the like. Also, it is understood that the user interface UI in embodiments of the invention may make only sensor devices SD, clients Cl-Cn and/or the like complying with data inputted by means of the user interface UI available to the user U.

Also the user interface may comprise further fields for inputting and/or selecting task relevant information to be displayed to a user of a client receiving a data collection request established based on the user input from the user interface UI.

It is understood that the input fields IFl-IFn may also be referred to as user control interface, and may be considered as constituent parts of the user interface UI.

Also, it is understood that at least some of the user input in the user interface UI is utilized as search criteria for searching for e.g. relevant clients represented in a client database of the data collection system, and/or sensor devices represented in the sensor device database SDD.

Fig. 7 illustrates an example of a flowchart relating to establishing a data collection request DCR relating to collecting input data IDA. It is understood that the example of fig. 7 is only established with the purpose of describing embodiments of the data collection system according to embodiments of the invention, and that the specific example of polluted drinking water is only for explanatory purpose. In the present non-limiting example, an expert user wishes to collect data from three different geographical locations. The background for the data collection may e.g. be that it is detected that a number of citizens living in a building in New York seems to be ill due to a harmful chemical after drinking water from taps in the building. Now it is wished to find/locate the origin/location of the source of the chemical.

Thus, an expert user identifies three relevant locations where relevant measurements can be collected. E.g. based on a map illustrating the piping system of the public water supply in the specific area.

The first data collection that the expert user selects relates to a water quality measurement collected from a predefined water work in New York that supplies water to the building. The second data collection that the expert user selects relates to a water quality measurement collected from a pumping station located in the piping system between the above mentioned water work and the building where the citizens live.

The third data collection related to a water quality measurement collected from a specific tap receiving water from the above mentioned water work.

Now, the expert user may utilize the system of the present invention for collecting the data from sensors as explained in the following. At step SI, for establishing the first data collection from the water work, the expert user defines a number of search criteria SCI in the user interface UI. These search criteria may e.g. comprise that:

- the measurements relates to water measurements,

- to which chemical(s) the measurement(s) relates, and

- that the measurements should be collected from a specific geographical area in New York. The system at step S2 correlates the search criteria SCI with a plurality of sensor device information SDI data in the sensor device database SDD to see if the database SDD comprises any sensor devices complying with the search criteria SCI . The system may hence, based on the correlation, identify and display a number of sensor devices SD in the sensor device data base complying with the search criteria SCI selected/inputted by the expert user.

In the present example, at step S3, the system identifies three sensor devices complying with the search criteria SCI, and information of these sensor devices is displayed to the expert user. The expert user sees from the displayed data that two of the identified sensor devices are portable sensor devices that are located at store rooms some kilometers away from the water work. However, it turns out that the third identified suitable sensor device is actually located and installed at the water work from where the measurement should be collected, and is furthermore a sensor device that is not directly accessible external to the water station but needs to be collected by means of an internal data network of the water work.

At step S4, by means of the user interface, the expert user by means of the user interface selects the sensor device SD at the water work for collection of input data.

At step S5, the expert user may define a client that should connect to the sensor device at the water work. In the present example it may be a laptop of an employee at the water work. Alternatively, the system may suggest one or more clients.

Also, the expert user may by the user interface rate the task of collecting the data, e.g. by defining that it is urgent task, and/or a time for when the task should be completed. Furthermore, the expert user may enter task information to be displayed to the user of the client, e.g. regarding how, where and/or when to collect the data.

Based on the above, the data collection system at step S6 establishes a data collection request DCR to be transmitted to the selected client, and at step S7 the data collection request DCR is transmitted to the client.

At step S8, the client receives the data collection request DCR. The information of the data collection request DCR is processed by the client and enables the user of the client to, by means of the client, automatically collect the correct input data from the sensor device at step S9.

The input data collected from the sensor device at the water work is afterwards in step S10 automatically arranged in a data package by means of the client and is automatically transmitted as input data result to be stored in the data collection database DCD where the expert user can access the result. Also, the result of the measurement and/or status regarding the data collection may in embodiments of the invention be transmitted to the expert user's mobile phone, laptop, and/or the like.

The establishment of a data collection request relating to collect data from the pumping station and the tap as described above, and the collection of this data may be performed in substantially the same way as described in relation to steps Sl-10 of fig. 7.

For example, the expert user may input search criteria in the user interface defining that the measurements relates to water measurements, to which chemical(s) the measurement(s) relates, and the geographical area of the pumping station and the tap respectively. In some situations, the act of collecting the measurement may demand that the user of the client travels to a location of the selected sensor device, collects the sensor device and brings it to a predefined geographical location together with the client to collect the input data, connects the sensor device and the client so as to collect the input data by means of the client and the collected sensor device.

For example, when collecting the measurement at the tap, a user of a client most likely needs to bring a portable sensor device to the tap. In such an embodiment, the data collection request DCR may comprise information for the user of the client regarding where to collect the sensor device and where and how to perform the measurement by means of the collected sensor device. This data may be displayed by means of the client.

Fig. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the data collection system DCS comprising a driver database DRD A.

As illustrated in fig. 8, the data collection system DCS may in embodiments of the invention comprise a driver database DRDA. The driver database DRDA comprises a plurality of device drivers (may also be known as software drivers) compatible with individual types of sensor devices SDl-SDn registered in the sensor device database SDD. A device driver of the driver database DRDA may be a software application which when installed at the client is configured for communicating with one or more specific types of sensor devices. For example, a device driver may issue commands to the sensor device based on e.g. instructions that are based on the received data collection request and/or user input from the user of a client. Also, when a sensor device transmits input data to the client CI, the device driver may be adapted to automatically interpret the received input data correctly.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the data collection system DCS facilitates automatic identification of driver software for selected sensor devices SDl-SDn. E.g. by correlating data inputted/selected by means of the user interface UI, by identifying a selected sensor device in an established data collection request DCR, and/or by any other suitable means.

For example, if an expert user selects a specific sensor from the sensor device database SDD, the data collection system DCS may correlate sensor device information SDI of the selected sensor device in the sensor device database SDD with data in the driver database DRDA so as to automatically identify a proper device driver that facilitates correct data transfer between the selected sensor device and the selected client. Also, information relating to the client for communicating with the selected sensor device may be correlated with data from the driver database DRDA to select the proper device driver.

The device driver(s) is afterwards transmitted from the driver database (DRDA) to the relevant user device(s) intended for communicating with the sensor device. In an embodiment of the invention, the user of the client may be asked by a software application of the client to accept download of the device driver. In other

embodiments of the invention, the device driver may be downloaded automatically without user interaction. In an embodiment of the invention, the data collection request server facilitates handling the transmittance of the device driver to a suitable client. Also, in embodiments of the invention, a transmitted data collection request DCR may comprise data facilitating identifying a specific driver that should be downloaded from the driver database DRDA. Thus, a software application/application software at the client receiving the data collection request may process this data and based thereon enable download of the correct device driver.

In embodiments of the invention, a software application installed at the client may be able to interpret data from the data collection request, and process it together with client specific data such as client operating system version, client interface features, client hardware configuration and/or the like to identify a proper driver to be downloaded.

As an example, an expert user may select a specific sensor device to collect input data at a specific location. However, the expert user may be unsure regarding the setup of a selected client, e.g. regarding the version of the operating system of a client and the interface features of the client. Also and/or alternatively, the data collection system may comprise outdated and/or insufficient data regarding the client to receive the data collection request. However, a data collection request may still be established. The data collection request DCR in such an example identifies the sensor device to be used for collecting the input data, and may also comprise suggestions regarding one or more device drivers to be downloaded. The client may thus be adapted to automatically correlate this data with the specific operating system information and the interface features of the client to select the most proper device driver to be downloaded from the driver database DRDA.

The device drivers may thus facilitate, e.g. together with data contained in the data collection request facilitate automatic adaption of the client(s) so as to enable the client to communicate with the selected sensor devices automatically to collect the input data from the sensor device.

Fig. 8 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention wherein the data collection system DCS comprises a client database CD A. The client database CDA comprises client information comprising information of the characteristics of a plurality of clients Cl-Cn. The client database CDA facilitates that the data collection system DCS comprises client information relating to a plurality of clients Cl-Cn previously registered in the data collection system and describing the characteristic of a plurality of individual clients. Hence, the data collection system may in embodiments of the invention automatically suggest and/or select clients to receive the data collection request based on data inputted by the expert user U in the user interface UI. The client information may comprise individual information of a client such as: The geographical location of the individual client

The type of client (e.g. Smartphone, laptop, PDA, Tablet)

The setup of the client

- Hardware information of the client

The brand and/or version of the client

User information of the user(s) of the client. For example owner information, who are enabled to use the client etc.

- History information relating to information of previous data collection

requests transmitted to the client.

Relevant driver information

Operating system information

Communication interface features (E.g. USB, WLAN, LAN, Zigbee, Bluetooth, Infrared communication, Optic)

- Etc.

This client information may in embodiments of the invention automatically be correlated with data inputted by means of the user interface UI and/or data from the sensor device database during establishment of data collection requests DCR.

In embodiments of the invention, the data collection system DCS may automatically select one or more clients for receiving the data collection request DCR, e.g. based on geographical information selected by the expert user, based on sensor device information SDI of one or more selected sensor devices SD, based on the client setup and/or the like. In such embodiments, the data collection system may be configured for automatically transmitting data collection requests DCR without the expert user selecting/suggesting clients for receiving the data collection request.

Fig. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where a client receives a data collection request. For example, the data collection request DCR may comprise:

Client identification information CI -ID so that the client CI is able to receive data collection request.

Sensor device identification information SD1 ID that enables the client CI and/or the user of the client CI to identify the correct sensor device SD1 for collection of input data IDA.

Connection instruction information CN-INST to the user of the client CI regarding how to connect the sensor device SD1 and the sensor device SD1 to retrieve the input data

- Task information TA-INF comprising information to the user of the client CI regarding the specific task. E.g. where to collect the input data, when and/or how to collect the input data etc.

Device driver information DR INF identifying a relevant device driver to be downloaded from the device driver database DRDA.

- Etc.

The client CI comprises a data processor arrangement CDP, data storage means CST, a display CDISP and communication interface features CIF1-CIF3, for example WLAN, USB and a serial port.

The client CI is, when receiving the data collection request DCR, configured for processing the data collection request DCR in conjunction with a software program code installed on the client CI . For example, the client 1 hereby display at least a part of the sensor device identification information SDI ID to e.g. enable the user of the client CI to identify the correct sensor to be used.

Also, the client CI may display at least a part of the connection instruction information CN-INST to inform the user of the client that the second communication interface feature CIF2 (e.g. a USB port) should be used for communicating with the sensor device. Furthermore task information TA-INF may be displayed to the user of the client regarding where and how to collect the input data. Still further, the client CI may process the device driver information DR_INF and based thereon, e.g. automatically download and install the correct device driver from the driver database DRDA so as to enable that the client CI can communicate correctly with the sensor device SD1 to retrieve the input data. Based on this, the user of the client CI is now able to collect the input data IDA by connecting the sensor device to the USB port CIF2 and follow the displayed instructions, whereby the input data IDA can be collected.

Hereafter, the collected input data is automatically transmitted to the data collection database DCD as input data results IDAR.

The transmitted input data results IDAR may also in embodiments of the invention comprise further data such as logged information relating to the collection of the input data. The logged information my e.g. comprise the time that the measurement was performed, the geographical location that the data was collected and/or other further data (e.g inputted by means of the user of the client) that may be relevant in relation to verify and/or determine the reliability of the collected input data. The further data may e.g. be retrieved automatically by means of the client CI, by interaction with the user of the client CI by the user inputting the further data and/or the like. Such further data may be transmitted together with the input data result IDAR to the data collection database and may be used for verification of the data result and/or determine the reliability of the data result at a later stage. For example by automatic correlation of the further data with data inputted by the expert user by means of the user interface during establishment of the data collection request DCR, by an expert user reviewing the further data, and/or the like. Some of the further data may also in embodiments of the invention be incorporated as metadata in the input data result.

In general, it is to be understood that data collection requests and/or input data results IDARl-IDARn in embodiments of the invention may be transmitted to and/or from the clients Cl-Cn in any suitable way by means of any suitable data communication means. Examples hereof may be the internet, by means of (a) xG (e.g. 2G, 3G, 4G etc.) telecommunication network(s), by means of Bluetooth, by means of ZigBee, by means of WLAN data networks, by means of LAN networks and/or any other suitable communication means and/or any suitable combination of communication means.

Fig. 10 illustrates a plurality of sensor devices SD geographically distributed over a large geographical area. In the example of fig. 10, the sensor devices SD are distributed over the most of the world. Also, a plurality of clients C are distributed over a large geographical area. In Fig 10 all clients have the reference "C", and all sensor devices have the reference "SD" it is however understood that the sensor devices and clients are to be considered as individual sensor devices and clients as described earlier in this document in relation to e.g. figs. 1, 2, 4 and 8.

The plurality of sensor devices SD are registered in the sensor device database SDD that comprises sensor device information SDI describing characteristics of the individual sensor devices SD as described earlier in this document. Thus, a user U of the user interface may be means of the user interface request for a data collection at a given geographical location by means of a sensor device, and the data collection system DCS may comprise information regarding relevant sensor devices SD and/or clients C at, near and/or nearest this geographical location suitable for this task.

Also, in embodiments of the invention, the system may comprise a client database CDA (not illustrated in fig. 10) comprising client information. In embodiments of the invention, the data collection system automatically selects and/or suggests one or more clients from the client database for receiving the data collection request based on user input from the user U.

Also, in an embodiment of the invention, the data collection system DCS may comprise one or more client application databases comprising one or more application software to be downloaded and installed on clients. The one or more client application databases may comprise application software designed for different types/characteristics of clients (e.g. as defined In a client database), and may thus be designed for/adapted to e.g. client operating systems, client brands, client interface features and/or the like.

It is generally understood that the data collection request server DCRS as described in one or more of the embodiments of this document preferably is a web server application. It may comprise one or more service interfaces to one or more clients Cl-Cn, to the data collection database DCD, to the sensor device database SDD, to a client database CDB, to a driver database DRDA, to a client application database ADB and/or the like.

Also, it is to be understood that the data collection system DCS in embodiments of the invention may be based on and utilize e.g. a XML standard (extensible markup language) such as e.g. SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol). For example, communication in the system between e.g. the data collection request server DCRS and one or more databases SDD, DCD, CDB, ADB, between clients and the data collection database and/or data collection request server and/or the like may be based on a XML standard. However, it is to be understood that any suitable standard and/or standards may be utilized in embodiments of the invention.

It is generally to be understood that databases described in this document such as the sensor device database SDD, the driver database DRDA, the client database CDB, the client application database ADB, and/or the like each may comprise a plurality of data storages at one or more geographical locations. The storages may be accessible over the internet and /or by means of any other suitable data network, and may thus be considered as one database even though the data storages of the individual database may distributed geographically. Also, one or more databases and/or servers of the data collection system and/or other processing

units/parts/components of the data collection system may in embodiments of the invention e.g. be cluster-based so as to form one or more groups of linked computing units linked over a data communication network such as for example the internet, a cell phone network and/or any other suitable data network. Thus, it is to be understood that the data collection system may comprise one or more data storages, one or more data processing units, one or more software applications, one or more displays and/or the like that allows the system to operate in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. Also, it is understood that e.g. correlation of data mentioned in this document such as e.g. correlation of data from e.g. the sensor device database, client database, driver database, user input inputted in a user interface of the system and/or other relevant data in embodiments of the invention may be performed at least by the data collection system by one or more predefined algorithms according to one or more methods and/or standards. In general, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular examples described above but may be adapted in a multitude of varieties within the scope of the invention as specified in the claims. Furthermore, it is to be understood that two or more embodiments and/or features illustrated in one or more figures may also be combined in a multitude of varieties to achieve different embodiments not directly described in this document.

For example, it is understood that figs. 1, 2, 4, 8 and 9 among others illustrates various communication paths between the data collection request server DCRS, the sensor device database SDD, client database CDB, driver database DRDB, user units UU, sensor devices, clients etc. It is naturally understood that such communication paths may be combined in any suitable way in further embodiments of the invention. Also, as an example, different combinations of the data collection request server DCRS, the sensor device database SDD, client database CDB, driver database DRDB, user units UU, sensor devices, clients etc. may result in further embodiments of the invention not directly illustrated in figs 1, 2, 4, 8 and 9. For example, the embodiments of figs, 1, 2, 4 and/or 9 may be amended to comprise a client database the embodiments of figs, 1, 2 and/or 4 may be amended to comprise a driver database and/or the like.

List

U : User

UI : User interface

DU : Database user

DCD : Data collection database

DCRS : Data collection request server

SDD : Sensor device database

DCR : Data collection request

C, Cl-Cn : Clients

SD, SDl-SDn : Sensor device

IDA : Input data

UU : User unit

SDI : Sensor device information

SDPl-SDPn : Sensor device parameters

MC : Measurement capability of a sensor device

RA : Measurement range of sensor device

DOF : Data output format of sensor device

C1 ID : Client identification

SD1 ID, SD2 ID : Sensor device identification

CNJNST : Connection instructions

TA INF : Task information

IDA DI : Input data delivery information

IF1-IF13 : Input fields of user interface

SRI : Sensor device related information to be inputted and/or selected by means of the user interface.

STY : Sensor device type

IDAU : Information relating to the Unit(s) of measurement of a sensor device.

LOI : Location information of a sensor device

CRI : Client related information

CTY : Client type information COS : Client operating system information

CIF : Client interface information

CGLO : geographical location/area information of client.

CNTR : Country/ies to be selected by means of user interface

LRI : Location relevant information for the task of collecting the input data

DRDA : Driver database comprising a plurality of device drivers

CDA : Client database

IDAR, IDARl-IDARn : Input data results to be transmitted to data collection server from client.

DOF : Data output format

Claims

1. A method of establishing data collection from one or more sensor devices (SD1- SDn) by means of a data collection system (DCS), said data collection system comprising:

-a user interface (UI),

-a sensor device database (SDD) comprising sensor device information (SDI) describing characteristics of a plurality of individual sensor devices (SD1- SDn), and

-a data collection database (DCD) comprising data collected by a plurality of sensor devices (SDl-SDn),

said method comprising the steps of: establishing one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn) on basis of user input from said user interface (UI) and said sensor device information (SDI) from said sensor device database (SDD), said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn) comprising information relating to collecting input data (IDA; IDAl-IDAn) by means of one or more selected sensor devices (SDl-SDn) selected from said sensor device database (SDD), transmitting said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn) to one or more clients (Cl-Cn) configured for receiving said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn), establishing a data communication between at least one of said clients (Cl-Cn) and at least one of said selected sensor devices (SDl-SDn) based on said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn) so as to transfer input data (IDAl-IDAn) collected by means of said at least one of said selected sensor devices (SDl-SDn) to said at least one of said clients (Cl-Cn), transmitting a input data result (IDAR IDARl-IDARn) derived from said collected input data (IDA, IDAl-IDAn) to be stored in said data collection database (DCD), and storing said result (IDAR, DARl-IDARn) in said data collection database (DCD).

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said data collection system (DCS) comprises a data collection request server (DCRS), and wherein said step of establishing one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn) is handled by means of said data collection request server (DCRS).

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said establishment of one of more of said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn) comprises automatically correlating said user input inputted by means of said user interface (UI) with sensor device information (SDI) of a plurality of individual sensor devices (SD, SDl-SDn) in said sensor device database (SDD).

4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said data collection system (DCS) is configured for continuously monitoring the status of data collection related to transmitted data collection requests (DCR. DCRl-DCRn).

5. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said data collection system (DCS) is configured for informing a user (U) requesting a data collection when the result of the data collection is available in said data collection database (DCD).

6. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said establishment of one or more of said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn) comprises a user (U) by means of said user interface UI inputting one or more location informations (LOI, CGLO, LRI).

7. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said establishment of one or more of said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn) comprises a user (U) by means of said user interface (UI) selecting one or more geographical locations for collection of said input data (IDA, IDAl-IDAn).

8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said establishment of one or more of said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn) comprises by means of said user interface (UI) selecting one or more geographical locations of one or more of said one or more clients (Cl-Cn).

9. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said establishment of one or more of said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn) comprises identifying one or more clients (Cl-Cn) intended for receiving one or more of said one or more data collection request (DCR).

10. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said establishment of one or more of said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn) comprises said data collection system (DCS) automatically selecting and/or suggesting one or more clients (Cl-Cn) for receiving said data collection request (DCR) based on user input in said user interface (UI).

11. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said establishment of one or more of said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn) comprises said data collection system (DCS) automatically selecting and/or suggesting one or more sensor devices (SDl -SDn) based on said user input.

12. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said establishment of one or more of said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn) comprises a user (U) by means of said user interface (UI) selecting one or more sensor devices (SDl -SDn) in said sensor device database (SDD) for collection of said input data (IDAl-IDAn).

13. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said establishment of said data collection request (DCR) comprises a user (U) by means of said user interface (UI) defining input data (IDA, IDAl-IDAn) to be collected.

14. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said established data collection request (DCRl-DCRn) at least comprises sensor device identification (SD1 ID, SD2 ID) identifying one or more individual sensor devices (SDl -SDn) to be utilized for collecting said input data (IDA, IDAl-IDAn).

15. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn) comprise location information regarding the location of said one or more selected sensor devices (SD1- SDn), said location information being displayed to a user (U) of said client (Cl-Cn).

16. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of said one or more data collection requests (DCRl-DCRn) comprise information regarding the geographical location where said input data (IDA) is to be collected by means of one or more of said selected sensor devices (SDl -SDn).

17. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said at least one clients (C, Cl-Cn) is adapted to automatically obtain verification data for verifying the collection of input data.

18. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of said one or more data collection requests (DCRl-DCRn) is/are automatically adapted to one or more clients (Cl-Cn) for communicating with said one or more sensor devices (SDl -SDn).

19. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of said one or more data collection request (DCRl-DCRn) comprise task information (TA INF) to be displayed to a user (U) of said one or more clients (Cl-Cn) receiving said one or more data collection requests (DCRl-DCRn).

20. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said data collection system comprises a client database (CD A) comprising client information, said client information comprising information of the characteristics of a plurality of clients (Cl-Cn),

21. A method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising adapting one or more clients (C, Cl-Cn) so as to enable said adapted one or more clients (C, Cl-Cn) to communicate with one or more of said one or more selected sensor devices (SD1- SDn).

22. A method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising transmitting software to one or more clients (Cl-Cn) which when being installed at said one or more clients (Cl-Cn) enables said one or more clients (Cl-Cn) to receive and process one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn) so as to facilitate collection of input data (Idal-IDAn) to which the received data collection request ( DCRn DCRl-DCRn) relates.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein said installation of said software at said one or more clients (C, Cl-Cn) results in said one or more clients being registered in said client database (CDB).

24. A method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising automatically adapting one or more of said one or more selected sensor devices (SDl-SDn).

25. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said data collection system (DCS) comprises a driver database (DRDA) comprising a plurality of device drivers, wherein said method comprises the steps of: identifying one or more device drivers in said driver database (DRDA) based on said one or more selected sensor devices (SDl-SDn) to be installed at a client (Cl-Cn), said identification of one or more device drivers being based on at least sensor device information (SDI) of said one or more selected sensor devices (SDl-SDn), and transferring said one or more identified device drivers (SDl-SDn) from said driver database (DRDA) to one or more clients (Cl-Cn) intended for communicating with said selected one or more sensor devices (SDl-SDn).

26. A method according claim 25, wherein one or more of said device drivers are device drivers which when installed at a client (Cl-Cn) is utilized for establishing said data communication between at least one of said clients (Cl-Cn) and at least one of said selected sensor devices (SDl-SDn) so as to collect said input data (IDA1- ID An).

27. A method according claim 26 or 27, wherein said identification of one or more device drivers is further based on client information of the said one or more clients (Cl-Cn) for receiving said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCR1- DCRn).

28. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said establishment of said data communication between at least one of said clients (Cl-Cn) and at least one of said selected sensor devices (SDl-SDn) to retrieve said input data (IDA, IDAl-IDAn) comprises a user interaction from the user (U) of the client (Cl-Cn) so as to establish said data communication.

29. A method according to any of the preceding claims, said method comprising that a user (U) of a client (Cl-Cn) brings one or more of said selected sensor devices identified by means of one or more of said one or more received data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn) to a geographical location for collecting said input data (IDA, IDAl-IDAn), said geographical location being defined by means said information of said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn) .

30. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said sensor devices (SD, SDl-SDn) represented in said sensor device database (SDD) and/or said clients

(C, Cl-Cn) represented in said client database are geographically distributed.

31. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said at least one data collection request (DCR, DCRl-DCRn) comprises a set of rules that has to be complied with before input data can be collected by a sensor device.

32. A data collection system (DCS) for collection data by means of one or more sensor devices (SD, SDl-SDn), said data collection system (DCS) comprising:

-a user interface (UI),

-a sensor device database (SDD) comprising sensor device information (SDI) describing characteristics of a plurality of individual sensor devices (SDl- SDn), and

33. Use of one or more sensor devices (SD, SDl-SDn) in accordance with the method of one or more of claims 1-31.

34. Use of one or more clients (C, Cl-Cn) in accordance with the method of one or more of claims 1-31.

35. A client (C, Cl-Cn) being adapted for receiving one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn), said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn) being established on basis of user input from a user interface (UI) and sensor device information (SDI) from a sensor device database (SDD) of a data collection system (DCS), said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn) comprising information relating to collecting input data (IDA 1 -ID An) by means of one or more selected sensor devices (SDl-SDn) selected from said sensor device database (SDD), said client (C, CI, Cn) being configured for enabling a data communication between said client (C, C 1 -Cn) and at least one of said selected sensor devices (SD 1 -SDn) based on said one or more data collection requests (DCR, DCRl-DCRn) so as to transfer input data (IDAl-IDAn) collected by means of said at least one of said selected sensor devices (SD, SDl-SDn) to said at least one of said clients (Cl-Cn), and said client (C, Cl-Cn) being configured for transmitting a input data result (IDAR IDARl-IDARn) derived from said collected input data (IDA, IDAl-IDAn) to be stored in a data collection database (DCD) of said data collection system.

36. A computer program product which when installed at a client (C, C 1 -Cn) enables:

said client to operate in accordance with the method of one or more of the claims 1-31, enables a data collection system (DCS) according to claim 32 to collect data by means of one or more clients (C, Cl-Cn,) and one or more sensor devices (SDl-SDn), enables use of one or more sensor devices according to claim 33, and/or enables use of one or more clients according to claim 34.