IoT Device Digital Account Control Method for Shared Usage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IoT device control methods, such as those disclosed in PTL 1, are inefficient when the owner of an IoT device is not fixed, leading to increased power consumption and difficulties in managing usage fees when the device is shared among multiple users or when profit distribution is involved.
Innovation Solution
A control method where each IoT device and its user have a digital account, allowing for the transfer of usage amounts directly to the IoT device's account, eliminating the need for owner identification and reducing processing power consumption, while enabling the IoT device to manage earnings like usage fees.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the owner identification process is performed when the owner is replaced or removed or an owner is added, then the relationship between the IoT device and the owner can be updated, but the power consumption of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The IoT device autonomously manages its own digital account and earnings without requiring external owner identification processes. The device can independently receive payments, manage multiple users, and distribute earnings through automated smart contracts, eliminating the need for manual owner replacement procedures that consume power.
Solution Approach 2:
A digital account system acts as an intermediary between the IoT device and multiple users/owners. Instead of directly managing owner relationships, the system uses digital accounts and blockchain-based smart contracts to handle payments and earnings distribution, reducing the computational overhead of owner identification and management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the traditional owner-based control method is used, then the IoT device can be owned by a fixed entity, but it cannot be shared and used on a pay-per-use basis or distribute profit to multiple owners
Solution Approach 1:
The digital account system provides universal functionality that supports multiple usage models simultaneously - fixed ownership, pay-per-use sharing, and profit distribution to multiple owners. The same infrastructure handles all these scenarios without requiring separate management systems, reducing overall complexity despite increased adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to different ownership and usage models. The IoT device can switch between being owned by a single entity or shared among multiple users on a pay-per-use basis, with the digital account system automatically adjusting the payment and earnings distribution mechanisms according to the current configuration.
3Reliability
If the owner identification process is performed frequently, then the relationship between the IoT device and the owner can be maintained, but the processing power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The IoT device maintains accurate owner relationships through its autonomous digital account system, which automatically tracks users, payments, and earnings distribution without requiring frequent external verification processes. The blockchain ledger provides immutable records that ensure reliability without continuous processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A control method in which each of an Internet of things (IoT) device and a user who uses the IoT device has a digital account includes: obtaining first transaction data for allowing the user who used the IoT device to transfer a first amount corresponding to a usage amount of the IoT device; specifying, from the first transaction data obtained, the digital account of the IoT device that is associated with an identifier uniquely assigned to hardware of the IoT device; and transferring the usage amount of the IoT device to the digital account of the IoT device by deducting the first amount from the digital account of the user and adding the first amount to the digital account of the IoT device based on the first transaction data obtained.