Software Model Versioning for IoT Interoperability

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the IoT environment, software solutions for IoT devices often face interoperability issues and increased development times due to frequent revisions and modifications, making it challenging to adapt software solutions across different IoT device types.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of software model versioning with interaction contracts and versioning rules allows for efficient integration and adaptation of software services across IoT devices, enabling data continuity and non-breaking upgrades by defining lineages between software interfaces and maintaining telemetry and property data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If software models are frequently revised and modified to add functionality and fix bugs, then software functionality and performance are improved, but interoperability issues increase and development time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoftware functionalityVSAvoiddevelopment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by establishing versioning rules and interaction contracts before software model revisions occur. The versioning framework pre-defines compatibility checks, data mapping rules, and validation criteria that automatically execute during the build process, preventing breaking scenarios before they affect deployment. This upfront preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming manual compatibility testing during subsequent revisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through automated build validation that detects breaking scenarios and provides immediate feedback to developers. The system continuously monitors software model changes against versioning rules, identifies compatibility issues, and reports them in real-time during the build process. This feedback loop enables rapid iteration while maintaining interoperability, as developers can quickly adjust their changes based on automated validation results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If software models are frequently revised and modified, then software functionality is improved, but interoperability issues between device code and backend increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoftware functionalityVSAvoidworkload
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service through automated validation and detection mechanisms that operate independently during the build process. The versioning framework automatically checks for breaking scenarios, validates data continuity, and ensures compatibility without requiring manual intervention from developers. This self-validating system reduces the workload on development teams while maintaining high interoperability standards across frequent software revisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If software solutions are developed for specific IoT device types, then device-specific functionality is optimized, but adaptability to other device types is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice-specific functionalityVSAvoiddevice type adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality through a device-agnostic versioning framework that defines interaction contracts and data models independent of specific device types. The versioning rules and validation mechanisms are designed to work across diverse IoT devices by focusing on standardized data continuity and compatibility checks rather than device-specific implementations. This universal approach allows the same software solution to adapt to multiple device types while maintaining optimized functionality for each.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4004714B1Software versioning for network connected devices
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP4004714B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4004714B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4004714B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computing system includes a logic subsystem and memory storing instructions executable by the logic subsystem. The instructions are executable by the logic subsystem to store, in the memory, a plurality of software models that each describe aspects of a network connected device or a software service, the plurality of software models comprising a first version of a selected software model. The logic subsystem is configured to receive a second version of the selected software model and validate the second version of the selected software model via validation logic by applying one or more versioning rules to the second version of the selected software model. Based on the application of the one or more versioning rules, the logic subsystem is configured to execute a versioning action on the selected software model.