IoT Hub Intermediary Relay for Bluetooth LE Range Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Internet of Things (IoT) development and adoption are hindered by issues related to connectivity, power supply, and lack of standardization, with proprietary techniques for IoT devices making multi-device adoption burdensome for end users, and short-range wireless technologies limiting data transmission between IoT devices and hubs.
Innovation Solution
A standardized IoT platform with a predefined networking protocol stack, an IoT hub, and an IoT service that enables secure communication channels, data collection, and management, using low-power wireless technologies like Bluetooth LE, and intermediary mobile devices to extend range, along with secure key exchange and encryption methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary techniques are used for each IoT device provider, then device functionality can be customized, but system complexity and difficulty of adoption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal IoT platform that provides standardized networking protocols, infrastructure, and services that can be used by any IoT device provider. This allows multiple proprietary devices to interoperate through a common platform, reducing system complexity while maintaining the ability for individual devices to have customized functionalities through the standardized interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The IoT system is segmented into distinct layers: a standardized platform layer providing networking protocols and infrastructure, and device-specific layers handling proprietary functionalities. This segmentation allows customization at the device level while maintaining standardization at the platform level, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If short-range wireless technologies like Bluetooth LE are used, then power consumption is reduced, but communication range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) that act as mediators between short-range IoT devices and the remote IoT hub. The IoT device communicates with the mobile device using low-power Bluetooth LE, and the mobile device relays communications to the hub over longer distances using its own communication capabilities, thus extending the effective range while maintaining low power consumption for the IoT device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a direct point-to-point communication model to a multi-hop communication model, adding the dimension of intermediate relay nodes. This allows the IoT device to maintain low-power short-range communication while achieving long-range connectivity through the network of intermediary devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standardized protocols are implemented, then interoperability improves, but development flexibility may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing standardized protocols at the network and data transmission layers while permitting proprietary implementations at the application and device control layers. This enables interoperability for basic communication while maintaining development flexibility for device-specific functionalities and business logic.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for establishing socket-based communication between wireless communication circuits without formally pairing the wireless communication circuits. For example, if a Bluetooth® (e.g., BTLE) wireless channel is used, a BTLE data structure comprising a set of characteristics may be used to manage bi-directional communication. Each characteristic, identified with an characteristic ID, has a value buffer associated therewith. A first characteristic/value buffer is defined for incoming data traffic and a second characteristic/value buffer is defined for outgoing data traffic. A layer of encryption and other security techniques may also be applied to protect the data transmitted between the wireless communication circuits.