IoT Message Translation for Mixed-Device Group Notifications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IoT communication systems are limited by assumptions of a small number of members in a group, users belonging to a limited number of groups, and the use of similar IoT devices, leading to operational failures when these conditions are violated, such as confusion in large groups or mixed device types.
Innovation Solution
A Smart Communicative IoT System (SCIS) that translates data objects between IoT devices with disparate characteristics, using a server, translator, and IoT App to ensure compatible communication, including non-human-generated triggers and multiple networks for enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional IoT communication system is used with group-based messaging, then communication is simple for small homogeneous groups, but the system fails when groups become large or include diverse device types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a message broker as an intermediary component that receives messages from publishers and routes them to appropriate subscribers. This broker acts as a mediator between diverse IoT devices, translating and forwarding messages between different device types and protocols, thereby enabling heterogeneous device communication without direct device-to-device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a universal message format and protocol that can accommodate multiple device types, communication patterns, and data formats. The message broker and subscription mechanism provide multi-functional capabilities to handle various IoT communication scenarios (one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-many) through a single unified framework
2Loss of information
If direct device-to-device communication is implemented, then communication is efficient for small groups, but user identification and message routing become ambiguous in large groups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a subscription-based feedback mechanism where devices subscribe to specific topics or message types they are interested in. The message broker maintains subscription information and automatically routes messages back to the appropriate subscribers, providing feedback loops that ensure messages reach the correct devices while maintaining clear context about message origins and destinations
Solution Approach 2:
The message broker serves as an intermediary that manages the complexity of routing and user identification. It maintains message context information including sender identifiers, recipient subscriptions, and message metadata, thereby preventing information loss while avoiding the need for individual devices to manage complex routing logic
3Adaptability or versatility
If homogeneous device groups are used, then communication protocol matching is easy, but the system cannot accommodate mixed device types with different capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter-based message formatting where messages include metadata parameters that describe the device type, capabilities, and communication requirements. The message broker uses these parameters to dynamically adjust routing behavior, translation rules, and protocol handling, thereby maintaining communication reliability across diverse device types through parameter-driven adaptation
Data Source
AI summary
An IoT communication system and method with a network-connected server running an IoT application. And connected to one or more originating IoT devices and target IoT devices having first and second responses, respectively. The IoT application generates a data object containing information of at least one of text, the first response, video, and image corresponding to an initiating user's action, and has a translator, converting information in the data object to a form operable by the target IoT device(s) if the second response does not match the first response. The system also has an IoT App installed on a target user's smart device, connected to network and provides a notification to the target user of information in the data object. The system and method can also receive machine/API input and forward (with or without translation) to the respective IoT devices. As well as coordinate secure communication via an encrypted network.