Sensor Data Distribution Gateway for Low-Energy IoT
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of short distance wireless technology capable devices increases, so does the power consumption required for communication, necessitating solutions to reduce energy expenditure, particularly in low-energy devices like Bluetooth low energy sensors.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a network system where sensors transmit a single stream of data to a gateway device, which then distributes it to multiple services, offloading high power consumption tasks and allowing for secure connections and configuration management, thereby reducing the complexity and energy consumption of low-energy sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If low energy sensors transmit multiple copies of sensor data to each requesting Internet service, then all services receive the required data, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between the low energy sensor and multiple Internet services. The sensor transmits a single data stream to the gateway, which then distributes copies to all requesting services. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for the energy-constrained sensor to maintain multiple simultaneous connections, while ensuring reliable data delivery to all services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple data transmission paths into a single connection from the sensor to the gateway. Instead of establishing separate communication channels to each Internet service, the sensor consolidates all data transmissions through one gateway interface, significantly reducing its power consumption while the gateway handles the multiplication and distribution of data copies to multiple services.
2Reliability
If low energy sensors establish secure connections with multiple Internet services directly, then data security is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as a security intermediary, establishing secure connections with Internet services on behalf of the sensor. The sensor only needs to trust and maintain a secure connection with the gateway, which then handles secure communication with multiple services. This reduces the sensor's complexity while maintaining security through the gateway's mediation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway performs multiple functions including secure connection management, data distribution, and service coordination. By consolidating these functions in a single multi-functional device, the sensor's complexity is reduced while security is maintained through the gateway's universal role in managing all service connections.
3Reliability
If sensors transmit data at the highest frequency requested by any service, then all services receive data, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway applies partial action by selectively forwarding data to services based on their specific frequency requirements. Instead of the sensor transmitting at the maximum frequency needed by any single service, the gateway receives the sensor's data stream and distributes copies to services at their respective required frequencies, reducing the sensor's transmission energy while ensuring each service receives data at its needed rate.
Data Source
AI summary
Various methods for distributing a single stream of sensor data to one or more services are provided. One example method may include maintaining an association between sensor data and one or more services requesting the sensor data. The method of this example embodiment may further comprise receiving the sensor data. The example method may further comprise generating one or more copies of the sensor data. The example method may also comprise providing for distribution of the copies of the sensor data to the services requesting the sensor data, such that a copy of the sensor data is provided for distribution to each of the services requesting the sensor data. Similar and related example methods, example apparatuses, and example computer program products are also provided.