iNode Gateway for Secure Legacy Sensor Data Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) networks with legacy systems pose a challenge as they generate valuable data but are at risk of security threats when connected to the internet, necessitating a method to extract this data without exposing these systems to internet-connected security risks.
Innovation Solution
A localized sensor network management system using iNode instances, where a local iNode with a sensor management operating system is installed in a gateway, aggregates legacy sensor data and communicates it to remote iNodes, while an Orchestrator implements analytics operations, ensuring secure data extraction and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If legacy systems are connected to the internet to extract and utilize their data, then data accessibility and business value are improved, but security risks and vulnerability to internet threats increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of edge gateways and a cloud platform that acts as a mediator between legacy systems and the internet. The edge gateway collects data from legacy sensors locally, processes it through edge computing functions, and then communicates with the cloud platform. This intermediary architecture enables data extraction and utilization without directly exposing legacy systems to internet-connected security risks, as the gateway and cloud platform serve as secure buffer zones between the legacy infrastructure and external networks.
2Reliability
If legacy systems remain isolated from the internet to maintain security, then system security is preserved, but data extraction and business value generation are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system architecture into distinct functional layers: legacy sensor systems, edge gateways with local processing capabilities, and a cloud-based platform. This segmentation allows legacy systems to remain isolated and secure while data is extracted at the edge gateway layer, processed locally, and then transmitted to the cloud. The segmentation enables data extraction capability without compromising legacy system security, as each layer operates independently with controlled data flow between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The edge gateway serves as an intermediary device that bridges the isolated legacy systems and the external cloud infrastructure. It collects data from legacy sensors, performs local processing and filtering, and communicates with the cloud platform only when necessary. This intermediary approach enables data extraction and business value generation while maintaining the security isolation of legacy systems, as the gateway handles all data extraction operations without requiring legacy systems to be directly internet-connected.
3Speed
If data is collected and processed locally at edge gateways, then response time and data processing speed are improved, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides data processing functions across multiple segments: edge-level processing at gateways for immediate response, and cloud-level processing for comprehensive analytics. This segmentation enables fast local processing of time-critical data while complex analytical tasks are handled by the cloud platform. The segmented architecture achieves high processing speed for local operations without requiring the entire system to be overly complex, as each segment handles appropriate workloads independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The edge gateway performs partial data processing locally rather than complete processing, sending only essential processed data to the cloud. This partial action approach achieves improved response time for local operations while avoiding the excessive complexity of implementing full processing capabilities at every edge device. The gateway handles time-critical processing locally and offloads comprehensive analytics to the cloud, balancing speed requirements with system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a computerized method for managing an iNode system includes the step of obtaining, with a local iNode, a legacy sensor data of a legacy sensor. The local iNode includes an instance of a sensor management operating system that is installed in a local gateway and communicatively coupled with the legacy sensor. The computerized method includes the step of aggregating the legacy sensor data with at least one application in the local iNode. The computerized method includes the step of communicating the aggregated legacy sensor data to a set of remote iNodes. The computerized method includes the step of implementing, with an Orchestrator, a specified legacy sensor data analytics operation with the set of remote iNodes.