IoT Hub Standardized Protocol Stack for Device Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The slow adoption of IoT technologies is hindered by issues related to connectivity, power, and lack of standardization, requiring developers to design entire IoT platforms from scratch, including proprietary network protocols and infrastructure, making it burdensome for end users to connect and power various IoT devices.
Innovation Solution
An IoT platform with a base hardware/software platform, predefined networking protocol stack, and an IoT hub that enables IoT devices to connect to the Internet, using low-power wireless communication technologies like Bluetooth Low Energy, and a service for managing connected devices, along with an app or web application for user access and configuration, facilitating standardization and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If developers design entire IoT platforms from scratch including proprietary network protocols and infrastructure, then device functionality and customization are improved, but device complexity and development time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The IoT platform is segmented into standardized modular components including pre-defined network protocol stacks, hardware abstraction layers, and service frameworks. These modules can be independently developed, tested, and reused across different device types, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A universal base platform is created that provides common functionality for all IoT devices including standardized connectivity protocols, power management interfaces, and communication frameworks. This universal layer allows developers to build specialized devices without redesigning the entire platform, thus reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability.
2Reliability
If proprietary connection techniques are used for each IoT device provider, then device-specific optimization is improved, but ease of operation for end users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A standardized intermediary platform layer is introduced between proprietary device implementations and end-user interfaces. This intermediary handles device-specific protocols and translations, presenting a unified simplified interface to users while maintaining optimized connections to various device types behind the scenes.
3Use of energy by moving object
If electrical sources are required for each IoT device, then device power requirements are met, but ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of convenient power locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-powered operation where devices harvest energy from their operating environment through mechanisms such as energy harvesting from ambient electromagnetic fields, thermal gradients, or mechanical motion. This eliminates the need for external electrical sources and convenient power locations, allowing devices to be installed anywhere in the environment.
Data Source
AI summary
An Internet of Things system and method are described. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: an IoT hub comprising a WAN interface to couple the IoT hub to an IoT service over the WAN, and a local communication interface to communicatively couple the IoT hub to a plurality of different types of IoT devices; and at least one IoT device having a memory for storing program code and a microcontroller for executing the program code, wherein the program code includes library program code comprising basic building blocks usable by a developer to implement any IoT device by creating application program code which utilizes the library program code, wherein at least one of the basic building blocks comprises a communication stack to enable communication with the IoT hub, the library program code provided to the developer in a software development kit (SDK) with the microcontroller.