Policy-Driven IoT Relationship Management for Scalable Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing complex relationships between IoT entities in large-scale deployments is burdensome and inefficient, particularly in scenarios where relationships are short-lived and dynamic, relying on user configuration is not scalable, and existing IoT platforms lack the capability to define and manage relationship criteria.
Innovation Solution
A Relationship Management Service (RM Service) automates the establishment, modification, and tear-down of relationships between IoT entities based on predefined policies, using RM Policies to manage compatibility, dependency, state, location, and schedule relationships, and dynamically collecting context to trigger these actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If user configuration is used to manage relationships between IoT entities, then ease of operation is maintained for simple cases, but scalability deteriorates in large-scale deployments
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the relationship management service automatically establishes, modifies, and tears down relationships between IoT entities based on predefined policies and dynamically collected context, eliminating the need for manual user configuration in large-scale deployments while maintaining simplicity through policy-based rules
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-defining relationship management policies that specify criteria for establishing, modifying, and tearing down relationships. These policies are configured in advance and automatically executed when contextual conditions are met, enabling scalable automation without real-time user intervention
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual relationship management is used, then flexibility in handling complex scenarios is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to user burden
Solution Approach 1:
The relationship management service performs self-service automation by automatically collecting contextual information, evaluating it against predefined policies, and executing relationship management actions without user intervention, thereby maintaining flexibility through policy-based decision-making while dramatically improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by dynamically collecting contextual information about IoT entities and their environments, continuously evaluating this feedback against predefined policies, and automatically adjusting relationship states accordingly. This closed-loop approach maintains flexibility while eliminating manual management overhead
3Device complexity
If existing IoT platforms are used without relationship management capability, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to define and manage relationship criteria
Solution Approach 1:
The relationship management service acts as an intermediary layer between IoT entities and the underlying platform, providing relationship management capabilities without increasing device complexity. It collects contextual information, evaluates policies, and manages relationships at the service layer, leaving devices simple while enhancing overall system adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments relationship management functionality into a separate service layer component that operates independently from IoT devices. This segmentation allows the platform to remain simple while the relationship management service provides sophisticated adaptability through policy-based control and contextual evaluation
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described to automate managing of relationships between IoT entities (e.g., devices, apps, users) and offloading the burden of managing these relationships from users. A Relationship Management Service (RM Service) is described herein for the autonomous establishment, modification, and tear-down of relationships between IoT entities.