IoT Testing Device Using Proxy IP and Virtual Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Interfacing with IoT devices, especially those without display capabilities or bandwidth limitations, poses challenges for testing due to the lack of user interface components, making it difficult to test protocols and use cases effectively.

Innovation Solution

A testing environment with an interface module that communicates with a mobile carrier network, providing a testing communication pathway between the IoT device and a test server, and allowing for the use of interfaces like keyboards, touchscreens, and displays to facilitate testing, even for non-IP IoT devices by assigning a proxy IP address.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If IoT devices are designed with primary functions independent of network connectivity, then device functionality is maintained, but testing and interface capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidtesting capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A testing interface device is introduced as an intermediary between the IoT device and the tester. This mediator provides virtual interface components (display, keyboard, touchscreen) that simulate the IoT device's interface, enabling comprehensive testing without requiring the IoT device itself to have full interface capabilities. The mediator translates test commands into appropriate communication protocols for the IoT device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If IoT devices lack user interface components, then device simplicity and bandwidth usage are reduced, but testing complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth usageVSAvoidtesting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The testing interface device creates virtual copies of interface components (display, keyboard, touchscreen) that mirror the IoT device's interface. These virtual copies allow testers to interact with and observe device behavior as if direct interface access were available, significantly reducing testing time without requiring additional bandwidth from the IoT device itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If standard interface components are added to IoT devices, then testing capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting capabilityVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than adding physical interface components to the IoT device, a separate testing interface device serves as an intermediary. This mediator provides all necessary interface components (display, keyboard, touchscreen) externally, allowing comprehensive testing while keeping the IoT device itself simple and cost-effective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11263099B2Testing device for testing internet-of-things device

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 T MOBILE US INC

AI summary

Technologies for providing a testing environment to an Internet-of-Things (IoT) device, including a narrow band IoT device, are discussed herein. A testing device is connected to the IoT device and establishes a test data link with a testing environment, allowing for a test communication pathway that operates in parallel to the main communication link used by the IoT device. The testing device may use various communication protocols to perform testing on the IoT device. The testing device may also provide Internet capabilities by providing an Internet Protocol address to the data provided by the IoT device, allowing the IoT device to act as an Internet-enabled IoT device during testing.