IoT Asset Data Collection via Unified SIM and Device Provisioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IoT systems face challenges in efficiently managing and integrating communication devices, SIMs, and assets for global data collection and analysis, lacking a unified service infrastructure to streamline the selection of communication lines, device provisioning, and data collection processes.

Innovation Solution

An IoT system comprising a communication device with an identification module, an asset connected to the device, and a control server managing communication settings, along with a data distribution service infrastructure including a master data management RDB server, device firmware/configuration file storage server, and IoT data lake server, to facilitate integrated management and data transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple communication devices and SIMs are managed separately for global IoT data collection, then device provisioning and communication line selection can be handled individually, but the system complexity and management overhead increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglobal data collection capabilityVSAvoidmanagement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple management functions (SIM management, device provisioning, communication line selection, and asset management) into a single integrated control server. This consolidation reduces management complexity by providing a unified interface and centralized control, while maintaining the ability to handle global IoT data collection across multiple devices and communication networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control server is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle diverse management tasks including SIM card management, device provisioning, communication line selection, and asset management. This universal approach allows a single system to adapt to various communication requirements and device types deployed globally, reducing the need for multiple specialized management systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If integrated management of SIM, communication device, and asset is implemented, then one-stop service is achieved, but system configuration and setup become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice delivery efficiencyVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated self-service operations where the control server automatically performs SIM provisioning, device registration, and communication line allocation based on pre-configured policies and parameters. This automation reduces manual configuration complexity while improving service delivery efficiency, as the system can independently manage the integrated elements without requiring complex manual setup for each new device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary configuration and setup of communication parameters, SIM card settings, and device profiles in advance through centralized management. By pre-configuring these elements and storing them in the control server, the system simplifies the actual deployment process, as new devices can be quickly provisioned using pre-prepared configurations rather than requiring complex real-time setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If centralized control server manages all communication settings, then unified control is achieved, but data transfer and communication setup time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunified control capabilityVSAvoidcommunication setup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control server performs preliminary configuration of communication parameters, SIM card settings, and device profiles in advance. By pre-configuring these elements and storing them in the control server, the system simplifies the actual deployment process, as new devices can be quickly provisioned using pre-prepared configurations rather than requiring complex real-time setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automated self-service operations where the control server automatically performs SIM provisioning, device registration, and communication line allocation based on pre-configured policies and parameters. This automation reduces manual configuration complexity while improving service delivery efficiency, as the system can independently manage the integrated elements without requiring complex manual setup for each new device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4239488B1IoT system and data collection control method
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 HITACHI LTD
  • EP4239488B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4239488B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4239488B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

It is provided an IoT system, comprising: a communication device in which an identification module for controlling a communication requirement is installed, and which is configured to communicate to/from a cloud server; an asset which is connected to the communication device; and a control server which is configured to manage setting of the communication between the communication device and the cloud server, wherein the control server is configured to: manage a relationship between the identification module and the communication device and a relationship between the communication device and the asset; and set the communication between the communication device and the cloud server in order to transfer information from the asset to the cloud server.