IoT Virtualization Broker Service Layer Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing M2M/IoT architectures lack service-layer common functionalities for efficient and flexible IoT resource virtualization, which is essential for integrating and managing IoT resources effectively.
Innovation Solution
A framework for IoT virtualization services is introduced, utilizing a RESTful architecture with virtualization managers, servers, clients, and brokers to create, manage, and interoperate virtual resources across different resource domains, enabling transparent access and sharing of physical resources as virtual services through service layer interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If resource virtualization is implemented in IoT systems, then resource utilization and scalability are improved, but service-layer common functionalities for managing virtual resources are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service layer as an intermediary between physical resources and IoT entities. This service layer includes service providers that manage virtual resources and service consumers that access them, providing common functionalities for resource virtualization without increasing complexity at the physical device level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the IoT architecture into distinct layers: physical resources, service layer (with service providers and consumers), and application layer. This segmentation allows resource virtualization functionalities to be isolated in the service layer, improving resource utilization without complicating individual device implementations.
2Ease of operation
If multiple IoT entities access physical resources directly, then resource access is achieved, but resource sharing and transparent access are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of physical resources through the service layer. Service providers expose virtual representations of physical resources that multiple IoT entities can access simultaneously, enabling transparent resource sharing without direct physical access conflicts.
Solution Approach 2:
The service layer provides universal access mechanisms that allow diverse IoT entities to access different physical resources through a common interface. This multi-functional service layer enables resource sharing across multiple applications and devices while maintaining ease of access.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and entities for virtualizing resources by receiving a first virtualization request from a first entity at a virtualization broker in a network of connected entities, wherein the first virtualization request comprises context information associated with the first entity, transmitting a request from the virtualization broker to a virtualization manager for a virtualization server identifier, and receiving a virtualization server identifier from the virtualization manager. A second virtualization request may be transmitted to a virtualization server associated with the virtualization server identifier, and a first response may be received from the virtualization server comprising an indication that a resource has been virtualized. A second response comprising the indication from the virtualization broker may be transmitted to the first entity. The method is applied in the context of the Internet of Things (loT).