Virtual IoT Device Representation for Cross-Platform Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The adoption of IoT devices is hindered by issues related to connectivity, power supply, and lack of standardization, requiring developers to design entire IoT platforms from scratch, including network protocols and infrastructure, and proprietary techniques, making it burdensome for end users to connect and power multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A standardized IoT platform with a base hardware/software platform, predefined networking protocol stack, and an IoT hub that allows developers to design and build new IoT devices and applications, enabling easy connectivity and management of devices through an IoT service accessible via an app or web application, with features like low-power operation, Bluetooth Low Energy communication, and secure key exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If developers design entire IoT platforms from scratch including network protocols and infrastructure, then device functionality and customization are improved, but development time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The IoT platform is segmented into modular components: a standardized base platform layer and device-specific application layers. This allows developers to build upon pre-established infrastructure rather than designing everything from scratch, reducing development complexity while maintaining device functionality through modular extensions
Solution Approach 2:
The base platform performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing network protocols, security frameworks, and infrastructure components before device deployment. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for developers to redesign these fundamental elements, reducing development time and complexity while preserving adaptability through configurable device layers
2Reliability
If proprietary techniques are used for designing and connecting IoT devices, then device-specific optimization is improved, but ease of use and interoperability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The base platform provides universal connectivity protocols and communication standards that enable different device types to interoperate seamlessly. This universal layer handles the complexity of proprietary techniques internally while presenting a simplified, standardized interface to users, reducing the burden of connecting multiple device types
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized base platform acts as an intermediary between proprietary device implementations and the user environment. It translates and mediates between different device protocols and user-facing interfaces, allowing device-specific optimization to be maintained while presenting uniform ease of use to end users
3Use of energy by moving object
If electrical sources are required for each IoT device, then device power requirements are met, but installation complexity and accessibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple IoT devices are merged into a single hub-based system where power management is centralized. The hub consolidates power supply functionality, allowing multiple devices to share common power infrastructure rather than requiring individual electrical sources, thereby simplifying installation while maintaining adequate power delivery to each device
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are described for virtualizing Internet of Things (IoT) devices and hubs. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: a primary Internet of Things (IoT) cloud service to register IoT devices owned by users who have subscribed with the primary IoT cloud service; IoT device management logic on the primary IoT cloud service to provide access to data generated by the primary IoT devices and to control the IoT devices responsive to user input; the IoT device management logic to establish a communication channel with an external IoT cloud service responsive to a user registering one or more external IoT devices controlled by the external IoT cloud service; and wherein upon the external IoT cloud service providing the IoT device management logic with access to the one or more external IoT devices, the IoT device management logic to generate virtual representations of the one or more external IoT devices to allow user access to information generated by the external IoT devices and to allow the user to control the external IoT devices through the virtual representations.