IoT Gateway for Third-Party Data Communication Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the Internet of Things (IoT) environment, users lack control over which entities and what data are communicated by Internet-connected devices, leading to security concerns as payment tokens/credentials may be inadvertently shared with unintended third-party entities.

Innovation Solution

A system with a communications management module that polls devices to determine which entities they are communicating with and what data is being shared, allowing users to block or limit data transmission, categorize entities, authenticate third-party entities, and select additional communication partners and data types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If automated determination of device communications is implemented, then user control and security are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A gateway device is introduced as an intermediary between IoT devices and third-party entities. The gateway polls devices to determine communication entities, manages communication rules, and authenticates third-party entities, thereby centralizing control and reducing individual device complexity while improving overall system security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous polling of IoT devices by the gateway to determine which entities they are communicating with. This feedback mechanism enables the gateway to maintain updated information about device communications and enforce security policies dynamically, improving reliability without requiring complex embedded logic in each device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If user customization of data communication is enabled, then data security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway automatically polls devices and determines their communication entities without requiring user intervention. The system self-configures communication management rules based on polled information, reducing operational burden on users while maintaining data security through automated entity verification and rule enforcement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If authentication of third-party entities is required, then data security is improved, but communication efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoidcommunication efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway performs authentication of third-party entities in advance before data communication occurs. By verifying entity credentials beforehand and establishing communication rules proactively, the system ensures security without requiring time-consuming authentication during actual data transmission, thus maintaining communication efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If continuous polling of devices is performed, then communication control is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication controlVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway serves multiple functions simultaneously: it polls devices to determine communication entities, manages communication rules, authenticates third-party entities, and blocks unauthorized communications. This multi-functionality consolidates control operations in a single energy-efficient location rather than requiring each IoT device to perform complex polling and decision-making operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway performs polling of IoT devices on a periodic basis rather than continuously. This periodic action balances the need for updated communication control information with energy conservation, allowing the system to maintain adaptability while minimizing energy consumption during polling intervals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10080132B2System for adaptation of multiple digital signatures in a distributed network

Publication Date: 2018.09.18 BANK OF AMERICA CORP

AI summary

The present invention provides for managing communication of data from Internet-connected devices, such as those devices within an IoT environment. Specifically, the invention provides automated determination of which devices are communicating to which third-party entities and, in some embodiments, the type of data being communicated to such third-party entities. Once such information is known, the third-party entity can be automatically placed into a designated third-party category, which defines the type of data that the third-party entity is authorized to receive. In addition, a user can manage the communications from such devices by selecting to prohibit (i.e., block) or limit, based on data type, which data is communicated to which third-party entities. Additionally, the identity of the third-party entities can be authenticated/verified, such that if the third-party entity cannot be verified, communication of data to that entity is blocked or limited.