IoT Device Provisioning via Event Schema Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manual and oversimplified methods of provisioning IoT devices are inefficient and ineffective, especially with the exponential growth of billions of devices, as they fail to accurately identify device types for secure and relevant data processing and security updates.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that automatically provisions IoT devices by analyzing sample event data to identify device types, using a schema list to match event types and assign corresponding device types, enabling secure and accurate provisioning through an automated process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual provisioning methods are used for IoT devices, then device types can be identified through human review, but the process becomes inefficient and ineffective with billions of devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice type identification accuracyVSAvoidprovisioning process efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual human review (mechanical system) with an automated machine learning system that uses event schema analysis to identify device types. The system automatically compares event schemas against a device type schema list to classify devices, eliminating the need for manual provisioning while maintaining or improving identification accuracy through consistent algorithmic application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If oversimplified provisioning methods are used, then the process can be completed quickly, but device types cannot be accurately identified for secure data processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprovisioning process speedVSAvoiddevice type identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces oversimplified manual methods with an automated event schema analysis system that quickly processes device event schemas through algorithmic comparison with device type schemas. This automated approach maintains high provisioning speed while achieving accurate device type identification through systematic pattern recognition rather than simplified heuristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables devices to self-identify their types by analyzing their own event schemas and automatically matching them against the device type schema list. This self-service approach allows devices to be accurately classified without requiring external manual intervention or oversimplified provisioning processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If automated provisioning is implemented, then processing speed increases, but complexity of the provisioning system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprovisioning processing speedVSAvoidprovisioning system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal device type schema list that serves multiple functions: it defines device types, specifies event schemas for each type, and provides the basis for automatic classification. This multi-functional schema list reduces overall system complexity by consolidating device type definitions and classification logic into a single reusable framework that can be applied across all IoT devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system manages complexity by changing parameters from manual configuration to automated algorithmic processing. The provisioning system transforms unstructured device event schemas into structured device type classifications through parameter-based comparison with the device type schema list, enabling high-speed automated processing without requiring complex manual intervention systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If device types are not accurately identified, then provisioning can be completed without detailed analysis, but security updates and data processing become ineffective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprovisioning simplicityVSAvoidsecurity update effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces simple but ineffective manual provisioning with automated event schema analysis that accurately identifies device types. The system processes device event schemas through algorithmic comparison with device type schemas to reliably determine device types, ensuring that security updates and data processing are tailored to the correct device types without requiring complex manual analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11956639B2Internet of things device provisioning

Publication Date: 2024.04.09 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for provisioning an Internet of Things (IoT) device comprises receiving, at a device provisioning system, an event schema for the IoT device. The method further comprises comparing the one or more event types from the event schema with a plurality of combinations of one or more event types in a device type schema list to identify a match between the one or more event types in the event schema from the IoT device and one of the plurality of combinations of one or more event types in the device type schema list; in response to identifying a match, assigning a device type to the IoT device based on a correlation in the device type schema list for the device type and the matched combination of one or more event types; and provisioning the IoT device with validated credentials based on the assigned device type.