IoT Device Configuration via Cloud SDK and Virtual Proxies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IoT devices lack standard mechanisms for integration into enterprise-level applications and workflows, leading to inefficiencies in data management and control, particularly in large-scale environments, due to fragmented software versions, unreachable locations, and varied communication protocols.
Innovation Solution
A standardized interface, implemented through a software development kit (SDK), is integrated into IoT devices at the manufacturing stage, enabling automatic connection to cloud-based management servers, facilitating communication and control, and allowing for virtual IoT devices to act as proxies for unavailable or future devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom applications are built for each IOT device, then device-specific functionality is achieved, but scalability and ease of operation deteriorate in enterprise environments with hundreds of devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal cloud-based platform that can manage multiple IOT devices with different functionalities through a single interface. The platform provides standardized mechanisms for device discovery, configuration, monitoring, and control that work across diverse device types, eliminating the need for separate custom applications for each device while maintaining device-specific capabilities through standardized APIs and protocols.
2Adaptability or versatility
If IOT devices use varied communication protocols, then device compatibility and adaptability improve, but integration complexity and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud-based platform as an intermediary layer between IOT devices with varied communication protocols and enterprise applications. The platform includes protocol translation capabilities and standardized APIs that mediate between different device protocols and uniform data formats, allowing devices to communicate using their native protocols while presenting a consistent interface to the enterprise system, thereby reducing integration complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If IOT devices are placed in physically unreachable locations, then deployment flexibility and adaptability improve, but ease of repair and manual updates deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual physical access and mechanical update processes with automated remote management capabilities. The cloud-based platform provides over-the-air (OTA) update mechanisms, remote configuration, and automated software deployment that eliminate the need for physical device access. Devices can be updated, configured, and repaired remotely through wireless communication, maintaining deployment flexibility in hard-to-reach locations while eliminating manual update requirements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If fragmented software versions are used across IOT devices, then adaptability to different device requirements improves, but reliability and measurement precision of data deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements centralized software version management and parameter standardization through the cloud-based platform. The platform maintains a registry of approved software versions, enforces version consistency across device fleets, and standardizes data parameters and formats. This allows the system to accommodate different device requirements through configurable parameters while ensuring data consistency and reliability through centralized control and validation rules.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for management of Internet of Things (IOT) devices are disclosed. IOT devices may be manufactured with a pre-installed software development kit (SDK) (e.g., in firmware or other storage). At initial startup time (e.g., after device placement), IOT devices may execute the firmware code as provided by the SDK to connect to a corporate network or other network-based control environment, such as a cloud-based service provider infrastructure. Once connected, IOT devices may participate in enterprise computing applications as a consumer or provider of information. Updates to IOT devices and their SDKs may be periodically provided. Virtual IOT devices may be used as placeholders or emulators for unavailable or future IOT devices, such that enterprise applications may be configured and executed without an actual physical IOT device in existence. Virtual IOT devices may also be used to assist with overall device provisioning.