WoT Thing Descriptions for Interoperable Legacy IIoT Assets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial devices often communicate using proprietary protocols, limiting interoperability, accessibility, and security, and existing IoT systems rely on centralized cloud processing, leading to latency issues.
Innovation Solution
Utilize the Web of Things (WoT) Thing Description to enable direct communication and interaction between IIoT devices, applications, and services, employing AI/ML engines to map protocol-specific device descriptions to WoT Thing Descriptions, facilitating interoperability and connectivity through web technologies like HTTP and RESTful APIs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary protocols are used for device communication, then device-specific functionality is optimized, but interoperability and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer that converts proprietary device protocols into standardized Web of Things (WoT) descriptions using AI/ML models. This mediator enables communication between devices using different proprietary protocols and web-based systems, resolving the interoperability issue while preserving device-specific functionality through accurate protocol translation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes communication parameters by transforming device descriptions from proprietary protocol formats into standardized WoT JSON-LD formats. The AI/ML engine adapts translation parameters based on the specific device protocol being converted, enabling flexible interoperability across multiple proprietary protocols while maintaining optimal device functionality.
2Ease of operation
If centralized cloud processing is used, then system management is simplified, but response time and accessibility deteriorate due to latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized cloud processing architecture into distributed edge computing nodes deployed at various levels of the industrial system. This segmentation allows local processing of device communications and control operations, reducing dependency on centralized cloud infrastructure and minimizing response time while maintaining simplified management through hierarchical coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a spatial dimension to system management by deploying WoT-enabled devices and edge computing capabilities across multiple locations rather than relying solely on centralized cloud processing. This dimensional change enables local real-time operations while maintaining centralized oversight through web-based interfaces, simultaneously improving response time and preserving ease of management.
3Extent of automation
If device description files are used, then device integration is automated, but dependency on vendor-specific formats increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal translation framework that handles multiple vendor-specific device description formats (EDDL, DDL, GDL, FDT DTM) and converts them into a single standardized WoT format. This universal approach maintains automated device integration capabilities while eliminating vendor-specific format dependencies, as the AI/ML engine can translate from any proprietary format to the standardized WoT representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates standardized WoT JSON-LD copies of device descriptions from various proprietary formats. Instead of requiring systems to understand multiple vendor-specific formats, the patent generates universal WoT format copies that preserve all necessary device information while enabling standardized processing and integration, thereby maintaining automation while reducing vendor dependency.
4Reliability
If web technologies are adopted for IIoT connectivity, then interoperability and accessibility improve, but integration complexity with legacy systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where the AI/ML engine automatically translates legacy device descriptions into WoT formats without requiring manual configuration or complex integration efforts. The system autonomously generates the necessary web technology interfaces and communication protocols, reducing integration complexity while maintaining improved interoperability and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary translation and adaptation of legacy device descriptions into WoT formats before actual integration occurs. By pre-processing device descriptions and generating standardized interfaces in advance, the patent simplifies the subsequent integration process with web technologies, reducing on-site complexity while preserving interoperability benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
System and method of interoperability for managing assets of an industrial process. An artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) engine receives a protocol-specific device description associated with each of the assets, maps the protocol-specific device description associated with each of the assets to a corresponding Web of Things (WoT) Thing Description, and generates code enabling Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) connectivity of the asset to a control system and/or to other assets of the industrial process via the Web.