Model-Driven Ontology Library Generation for IoT Interoperability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The adoption and development of ontology-based IoT applications are hindered by the need for ontology experts, as existing methodologies and tools are not accessible to non-experts, leading to interoperability challenges in heterogeneous IoT systems.

Innovation Solution

A model-driven methodology and software module approach are introduced, enabling the definition, generation, deployment, and management of ontology libraries and instances, allowing IoT developers to create ontology-based applications without requiring ontology expertise, using tools like OLGA (Ontology Library Generator) to abstract away complexity and provide libraries for embedded and cloud-based applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If semantic technology and ontology-based approaches are used to tackle interoperability challenges in heterogeneous IoT systems, then interoperability and cooperation between diverse endpoints are improved, but the complexity and difficulty of development increase, requiring specialized ontology expertise that is not accessible to most developers

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinteroperabilityVSAvoidontology development complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer consisting of pre-defined ontology libraries and model-driven development tools that mediate between the heterogeneous IoT endpoints and the semantic technology infrastructure. This intermediary abstraction allows developers to work with standardized ontological models rather than directly managing complex ontology semantics, thereby maintaining interoperability benefits while reducing development complexity and eliminating the need for specialized ontology expertise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the ontology development process into reusable, modular components through pre-defined ontology libraries organized by domain (e.g., smart home, industrial IoT). Instead of requiring developers to create complete ontologies from scratch, the system provides segmented, domain-specific ontological models that can be selectively applied and composed, significantly reducing the complexity barrier while preserving interoperability capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If ontology experts are involved in developing ontology-based IoT applications, then the quality and correctness of semantic modeling is improved, but the productivity and adoption rate decrease due to the scarcity and high cost of expert resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveontology modeling qualityVSAvoidapplication development speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having ontology experts pre-define, validate, and optimize domain-specific ontology libraries before deployment. These pre-prepared ontological models encapsulate best practices and domain knowledge, allowing non-expert developers to achieve high-quality semantic modeling without direct expert involvement during application development, thereby maintaining modeling quality while dramatically improving productivity and adoption rates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables copying and reuse of validated ontological models across multiple applications and domains. Once an ontology library is created and validated for a particular domain, it can be copied and adapted for similar applications, eliminating the need for repeated expert intervention and accelerating development while maintaining consistent quality standards across the ecosystem

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If existing ontology development tools and methodologies are used, then semantic technology capabilities are maintained, but the ease of operation and accessibility to non-expert developers deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesemantic technology capabilityVSAvoiddeveloper accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates universal ontology libraries that serve multiple functions and domains through a single standardized interface. These multi-functional ontological models can be applied across different IoT application types (smart home, industrial, healthcare) while maintaining semantic correctness, allowing non-expert developers to access powerful semantic capabilities through a unified, easy-to-use framework rather than learning multiple specialized tools

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

Data Source

PatentUS11797275B2Model driven methods for ontology based application development
Publication Date: 2023.10.24 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA INC
  • US11797275B2 patent drawing
  • US11797275B2 patent drawing
  • US11797275B2 patent drawing

AI summary

System and methods of ontology model development are disclosed. An example system and method may comprise, defining, an ontological model, generating, an ontology library based on the ontological model, deploying, the ontology library to an IoT system, generating, an ontology instance based on the ontology library deployed to the IoT system, modifying, an IoT application based on the ontology instance, and managing the IoT system utilizing the IoT application.