Sensor Data Broker Virtualization for IoT Failover and Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IoT sensor data management systems lack flexibility and failover mechanisms, leading to inefficiencies and potential data loss when sensors become faulty, and do not provide secure and private data access for applications.
Innovation Solution
A sensor data broker infrastructure that publishes sensor data to virtual sensors, allowing for flexible data sharing, failover protection, and secure isolation between applications and sensors, using a publish-subscribe messaging pattern and service agreements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensor data is directly accessed by applications, then data access is simple, but security and privacy are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces virtual sensors as intermediary components between physical sensors and applications. These virtual sensors act as mediators that receive data from physical sensors and selectively publish it to subscribed applications, thereby securing direct sensor access while maintaining simple data consumption interfaces. The virtual sensors implement access control policies and data filtering without exposing the underlying sensor infrastructure to applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data access architecture into distinct layers: physical sensors, virtual sensors, and applications. This segmentation isolates applications from direct sensor access while maintaining data flow. Virtual sensors are created as separate entities that can independently manage data publication, providing both security and architectural simplicity through layered design.
2Reliability
If multiple applications directly access sensor data, then data sharing is efficient, but failover mechanisms are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual sensor copies that can substitute for physical sensors during failures. When a physical sensor fails, the system can activate backup virtual sensors that replicate the failed sensor's data publication functionality. This copying mechanism provides failover protection without requiring complex redundant physical sensor infrastructure, maintaining system availability through software-based redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
Virtual sensors serve as intermediary buffer layers between physical sensors and applications, enabling failover mechanisms. When physical sensors fail, the virtual sensor layer can redirect data flow to alternative sources or generate placeholder data, preventing application disruptions. This intermediary layer absorbs failures without propagating them to applications, providing resilience with moderate infrastructure complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sensor data is published to all applications, then data sharing is maximized, but data privacy and access control are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by allowing each virtual sensor to have customized publication policies tailored to specific application groups. Instead of uniform data distribution, virtual sensors can selectively publish different data subsets to different applications based on their needs and authorization levels. This enables flexible data sharing while maintaining privacy through localized access control rules at each virtual sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data publication process into multiple virtual sensor instances, each responsible for specific data streams and application groups. This segmentation allows fine-grained control over which applications receive which data, enabling both flexible sharing and privacy protection. Each virtual sensor can independently implement its own access policies, providing adaptable data distribution with built-in privacy safeguards.
Data Source
AI summary
First sensor data generated by a first of a plurality of sensors and at least second sensor data generated by at least a second of the plurality of sensors can be received by a sensor data broker executed by a processor. The sensor data broker can publish to at least a first virtual sensor the first sensor data as first published sensor data. The sensor data broker can publish to at least a second virtual sensor the second sensor data as second published sensor data.