Publish-Subscribe Broker Network for IoT Data Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional IP networking for IoT systems with large numbers of sensors is inefficient and insecure, leading to network overload and high costs due to unnecessary data transmission to uninterested devices, while existing wireless networks struggle to meet bandwidth demands for video services and lack prioritization for government use during emergencies.
Innovation Solution
A publish-subscribe broker network that routes sensor data and management data only to authorized entities, using a secure multi-party channel and brokers to manage credentials and prevent unauthorized access, while also optimizing server placement to reduce latency and improve network efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multicast IP networking is used to reduce the number of socket connections, then device complexity is reduced, but network efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary data transmission to uninterested devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a publish-subscribe broker as an intermediary component that sits between sensor devices and sensor processing applications. The broker receives published sensor data and selectively distributes it only to authorized subscriber applications that have expressed interest in that specific data type. This mediator architecture eliminates the need for multicast broadcasting to all devices while maintaining reduced connection complexity, as each application connects only to the broker rather than to every sensor device.
2Loss of information
If traditional socket connections are established between each sensor and processing application, then data routing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to large number of connections required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual sensor-device connections into a single centralized broker connection point. Instead of establishing separate socket connections between each sensor device and each processing application (which would create thousands of connections), all sensors publish to the broker and all applications subscribe to the broker through single connection points. This consolidation maintains precise data routing through subscription-based filtering while dramatically reducing the total number of socket connections required in the system.
3Ease of operation
If multicast IP networking is used for data transmission, then ease of operation is improved, but network reliability deteriorates due to network overload
Solution Approach 1:
The broker acts as an intelligent intermediary that simplifies data transmission operations through automated publish-subscribe mechanics while simultaneously preserving network capacity. Applications simply publish or subscribe to data types without needing to manage individual connections or routing logic. The broker handles selective distribution efficiently, transmitting only relevant data to interested parties, thereby maintaining operational simplicity while avoiding network overload that would result from broadcasting to all devices.
4Adaptability or versatility
If data is broadcast to all devices in the network, then adaptability is improved, but loss of substance increases due to unnecessary data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by making data distribution selective rather than uniform. The broker applies different distribution rules based on subscription interests: data is transmitted only to specific subscriber applications that have expressed local interest in that data type, rather than broadcasting uniformly to all network devices. This localized, demand-driven distribution maintains adaptability to different data consumption needs while minimizing unnecessary network traffic volume by eliminating transmissions to uninterested devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for a publish-subscribe broker network that distributes data packets between authorized entities and includes one or more publish-subscribe brokers. Each publish-subscribe broker is reachable by an entity attempting to connect thereto via a transport network configured to transport IP packets. The publish-subscribe brokers are configured to check credentials of entities attempting to connect to the publish-subscribe broker network and ensure that first and second entities are authorized for publishing packets on the secured named channel or for receiving published packets via the secured named channel. Cipher keys are used by the first and second authorized entities to encrypt and decrypt messages distributed via the publish-subscribe broker network and the publish-subscribe brokers are configured to route encrypted messages as data packets on behalf of the first authorized entity to the second authorized entity using the secured named channel.