BLE Tag Resource Directory Decoupling for IoT Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tag solutions misuse the concept of URL and REST by appending actual resource values, leading to unreliable connections and increased battery usage, as well as requiring internet connectivity to display measurements, which can be costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where BLE tags broadcast a resource directory reference using Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP) URLs, allowing local communication without internet connectivity, enhancing security and user experience by decoupling URL links from actual measurement values, enabling direct access to IoT resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If BLE tags broadcast URLs with appended measurement values, then the resource information can be displayed on smartphone, but the connection becomes unreliable and battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solution segments the URL into two parts: a stable base URL containing the resource identifier and a separate measurement value. The smartphone first retrieves the base URL from the beacon, then independently queries the measurement data from the specified resource, avoiding the need to broadcast complete URLs with appended values.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement values are extracted from the URL structure and handled as separate data. Instead of embedding measurement values in the URL (which causes reliability and energy issues), the system extracts the resource identifier from the URL and separately retrieves measurement data from the resource endpoint.
2Measurement precision
If BLE tags broadcast URLs with appended measurement values, then the current measurement can be displayed, but reloading the page returns the same previous value
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the resource identification function (handled by the stable URL) from the data retrieval function (handled by separate GET requests to the measurement resource). This segmentation ensures that reloading the page triggers a fresh measurement query rather than returning cached or stale data from the URL.
3Loss of information
If internet connectivity is required to display measurements, then vendor location data can be obtained, but user costs increase and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism where the beacon provides a local resource identifier (URL) that points to measurement data accessible through local or low-power communication channels. This intermediary approach reduces dependency on continuous internet connectivity while maintaining access to measurement and location information.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (30) of providing access to IoT resources (9) is provided. The method (30) is performed by a Bluetooth low energy, BLE, tag (2) supporting a Bluetooth wireless technology standard. The method (30) comprises broadcasting (31) a reference to a resource directory (5) comprising reachability information to one or more Internet of Things, IoT, resources (9) and supporting a Constrained Application Protocol, CoAP. A corresponding method (60) performed by a communications device (4) is also provided, and a BLE tag (2), a communications device (4), computer programs and computer program products.