IoT Communication Module with Intermediary Relay and SPI Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The adoption of IoT devices is hindered by issues related to connectivity, power supply, and lack of standardization, with existing technologies facing challenges in range limitations of wireless communication protocols like Bluetooth LE, requiring innovative solutions for efficient communication and data transmission between IoT devices and hubs.
Innovation Solution
An IoT platform is developed, featuring a predefined networking protocol stack, an IoT hub for internet connectivity, and an app or web application for device management, along with intermediary mobile devices to extend communication range and enable secure data transmission using secure key exchange and encryption techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless technologies like Bluetooth LE are used to interconnect IoT devices, then communication between devices is enabled, but the communication range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary devices (such as smartphones, tablets, or gateway devices) that act as mediators between IoT devices and the central hub. These intermediaries receive data from out-of-range IoT devices via short-range wireless communication and forward it to the hub through alternative communication paths, thereby extending the effective communication range without requiring the hub to be within direct wireless range of all devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs mesh networking topology where communication paths are distributed across multiple devices in a three-dimensional space. Instead of requiring direct line-of-sight communication between each device and hub, the system creates a distributed communication fabric that routes data through intermediate nodes, effectively extending range by utilizing spatial distribution of communication relays
2Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary techniques are used for designing and connecting IoT devices, then device-specific functionality is optimized, but adoption of multiple types of IoT devices becomes burdensome for end users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication platform with standardized protocols that enable different types of IoT devices to interoperate through a common interface. The system provides a unified hub that can communicate with various device types using standardized data formats and communication protocols, eliminating the need for users to configure proprietary connection methods for each device type while maintaining device-specific functionality through standardized abstraction layers
3Extent of automation
If the data collection hub is placed outside the range of an IoT device, then centralized data collection is enabled, but the IoT device cannot transmit data to the hub directly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes intermediary devices as relay points that bridge the gap between out-of-range IoT devices and the centralized hub. These intermediaries establish short-range wireless connections with nearby IoT devices and simultaneously maintain communication paths to the hub, enabling automated data collection from devices that are physically distant from the hub without requiring direct line-of-sight transmission
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method are described for implementing efficient communication between a microcontroller and a communication module. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus comprises: a secure communication module to establish a secure communication channel with an IoT service; and a microcontroller unit (MCU) to execute application-specific program code to implement an application-specific function of an Internet of Things (IoT) device; a serial peripheral interface (SPI) bus to communicatively couple the secure communication module to the MCU; and a control line residing in a first state or being transitioned to a second state by either the MCU or the secure communication module, wherein when performing a transaction over the SPI bus, either the MCU or the secure communication module is configured to transition the control line to the second state, thereby informing the MCU or the secure communication module that a transaction is occurring, wherein upon completing the transaction, the MCU or the secure communication module is configured to release the control line, thereby allowing the control line to transition back to the first state.