IoT Unifier Service Standardizing Data Formats for Network Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

The diversity of IoT devices from different manufacturers leads to non-uniformity in compatibility, communication protocols, and data formats, making it challenging for IoT developers and network service providers to ensure seamless data transmission and compatibility between IoT devices and network devices.

Innovation Solution

An IoT platform provides an IoT unifier service that classifies IoT devices based on type or data provided, selects a standard format for data, converts non-compliant data to the standard format, and includes error handling procedures, while also offering an IoT portal service with SDKs for testing and debugging to ensure compliance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If IoT devices from different manufacturers use diverse communication protocols and data formats, then device functionality and innovation are enhanced, but compatibility and uniformity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidcompatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an IoT gateway as an intermediary device that bridges diverse IoT devices and the network. The gateway translates various communication protocols and data formats into a unified standard, enabling devices from different manufacturers to communicate reliably without sacrificing their unique functionalities. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining device diversity while ensuring network compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting communication parameters such as data formats, protocols, and transmission standards based on the specific device type and network requirements. The system modifies these parameters to achieve optimal compatibility while preserving device-specific functionalities, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If data formats are standardized across all IoT devices, then compatibility and ease of integration are improved, but flexibility and device-specific optimizations are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration easeVSAvoiddevice-specific optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data transmission process into multiple layers: a standardized interface layer for network communication and device-specific layers for maintaining unique functionalities. This segmentation allows standardization at the integration point while preserving device-specific optimizations, resolving the contradiction between ease of integration and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The IoT gateway is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a standardization engine for network integration and a translator for device-specific protocols. This universal device handles both standardized and customized data formats, enabling easy integration while maintaining device-specific optimizations simultaneously.

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

3Reliability

If comprehensive verification and conversion processes are implemented for all IoT data, then data quality and compatibility are improved, but processing time and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata qualityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by performing data verification and format conversion at the source device or edge gateway before data enters the main network. This advance processing ensures data quality and compatibility are established upfront, reducing the need for time-consuming verification and conversion operations during data transmission and processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10848944B2Internet of things communication unification and verification
Publication Date: 2020.11.24 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC
  • US10848944B2 patent drawing
  • US10848944B2 patent drawing
  • US10848944B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium provides to receive a packet from an Internet of Things (IoT) device, wherein the packet carries IoT data; determine a classification of the IoT device from which the first packet is received, in response to a receipt of the packet, wherein the classification indicates a type of IoT device; select standard data types assigned to the classification of the IoT device, in response to a determination of the classification of the IoT device; determine whether the IoT data includes all of the standard data types based on the standard data types selected; convert the IoT data into an IoT standard format in response to a determination that the IoT data includes all of the standard data types; generate another packet that includes the IoT data in the IoT standard format in response to a conversion of the IoT data; and transmit the other packet to a network device.