WO2016156656A2

WO2016156656A2 - Arrangement for implementation of scalable the internet of things platform

Info

Publication number: WO2016156656A2
Application number: PCT/FI2015/050218
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jarkko Vatjus-Anttila; Ville MICKELSSON
Original assignee: Cyberlightning Oy
Priority date: 2015-03-27
Filing date: 2015-03-27
Publication date: 2016-10-06
Also published as: WO2016156656A3

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement, a server, method and a computer program product for implementation of scalable the Internet of Things, the IoT, platform. The arrangement according to the invention comprises at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources configured to connect with at least one server and the at least one server configured to run a configurable instance of the Io T platform comprising data processing and collection rules for acting as a data processing node of the IoT platform wherein the configurable instance of the IoT platform is adapted by the least one server to run on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources to allow the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources act as a data processing node for the IoT platform.

Description

Arrangement for Implementation of Scalable the Internet of Things Platform

Technical field of the invention The invention relates to an arrangement for implementation of scalable the Internet of Things Platform. Also, the invention relates to a server for implementation of scalable the Internet of Things Platform. Further, the invention relates to a method for implementation of scalable the Internet of Things Platform. Finally, the invention relates to a computer program product for implementation of scalable the Internet of Things Platform.

Background of the invention

The Internet of Things (" the loT") is a concept understood as the network of physical objects or "things" embedded with electronics, software, sensors and connectivity, such as routers, to enable it to achieve greater value and service by exchanging data with the manufacturer, operator or other connected devices. Each "thing" is uniquely identifiable through its embedded computing system and, at the same time, is able to interoperate within the existing Internet infrastructure.

The loT aims to offer advanced connectivity of devices, systems, and services. The advanced connectivity that the loT targets to goes beyond traditional machine-to- machine communications. It covers a variety of protocols, domains, and applications. The things in the loT can refer, for example, to a wide variety of devices such as heart monitoring implants, biochip transponders, monitoring sensors embedded to electricity or heating systems, automobiles with built-in sensors, or field operation devices that assist in logistics or local monitoring purposes, for example. These devices collect data with the help of various existing technologies and then autonomously flow the data between other devices.

The loT provides a plurality of new application areas for Internet connected automation to expand into and brings the Internet to industrial operation. The loT will also to generate large amounts of data from diverse locations that is aggregated at a very high-velocity. Hence, the loT increases the need to better index, store and process such data to avoid severe malfunctioning of the loT based systems. Edge Computing may be understood as pushing applications, data and computing power away from centralized points to the logical extremes of a network. Edge computing replicates fragments of data across distributed networks of web servers, which may be vast and include many networks. Edge Computing covers a wide range of technologies including wireless sensor networks, mobile data acquisition, distributed data storage and retrieval, autonomic self-healing networks, virtual cloudlets, remote cloud services and augmented reality, for example.

Edge computing as such has known advantages. Edge application services decrease the data volume that must be moved, the consequent traffic, and the distance the data must go. Therefore, edge computing reduces transmission costs, reduces latency and improves quality of service (QoS). Edge computing eliminates the core computing environment, limiting or removing a major bottleneck and a potential point of failure. The ability to logically group CPU capabilities on an as-needed, real-time basis, extends scalability.

In the context of implementing the loT networks one of present the key problems to be solved is to provide practical arrangements that enable combining loT networks with the advantages of the edge computing. A platform for implementation of the loT networks that is scalable to the edge is needed. A flexible, scalable, implementation for an loT platform that enables building loT networks on top the platform is needed. Also, loT platform for building loT networks needed must be capable to operate on as limited computing resources as possible to allow full scalability on varying types of computing hardware.

List of Terms

Certain terms are used to describe the present invention and the following explanations of the terms are given for convenience in the context of the present invention:

A data processing node ("data processing node") in the context of the present invention means a computing device, which is capable in receiving data from at least one sensor or other data processing nodes. The data processing node is able to store the data in persistent memory and is able to perform computations based on the re- ceived data. A sensor ("sensor") means a measurement device, which is capable of measuring one dedicated value of environment and report the measured data to the device hosting the sensor. A sensor can be, for example, an NTC resistor measuring air temperature, a weather camera capturing environmental images, or database client downloading new data from dedicated open data set. In the context of the present invention the device hosting the sensor is called a computing device connected directly to the sensor.

A computing apparatus with limited computing resources ("computing apparatus with limited computing resources ") in the context of the present invention means a computing device, which has limited resources in terms of available CPU processing power, available RAM memory, available persistent storage space and limited bandwidth for communication with other entities. From the computing requirements perspective, the CPU is performing the actual computations. The CPU uses RAM for parallel processing and for storing intermediate computation results and finally persistent storage for the final computation results. A computing apparatus may be considered limited when its available resources are significantly lower compared to commodity personal computer hardware. Such computing apparatuses may comprise mobile devices, small personal computing devices such as tablets, laptops or embed- ded computing devices that have limitations on hardware due their operating environment or conditions, for example. loT platform (the "loT platform") in the context of the present invention is to be understood as an arrangement of software and hardware comprising a software pack- age, which further comprises of a minimum of one computing device software, which can be installed as an autonomous installation to run on a varying kind of computing device hardware.

Summary of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement, a server, a method and a computer program product for implementation of scalable loT platform. The object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement, a server, a method and a computer program product for implementation of scalable loT platform that allows building a flexible loT network by utilizing the said platform. Also, the object of the present invention is to provide a flexible method for creating distributed data processing nodes for implementation of the scalable loT platform to be utilized in creation of loT based networks on top of the said platform. The object of the present invention is also to provide a server for adapting distributed data pro- cessing nodes for the scalable loT platform which can be utilized in creation of loT based networks on top of the said platform.

Moreover, the object of the present invention is to enable implementation of a distributed loT network with a single software stack with little or no modification by utilizing implementation for the scalable loT platform.

Finally, the object of the present invention is to enable similar data collection and processing environment for developers in each data processing node in a distributed loT network regardless of the said node's data processing capabilities or available com- puting resources.

The objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing an arrangement for implementation of scalable the Internet of Things, hereinafter the loT, platform, comprising

-at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources configured to connect with at least one server, and

- the at least one server configured to run a configurable instance of the loT plat-form comprising data processing and collection rules for acting as a data processing node of the loT platform

wherein the configurable instance of the loT platform is adapted by the at least one server to run on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources according to at least one of the following: data processing capacity of the said computing apparatus, data storing capacity of the said computing apparatus and operating system of the said computing apparatus, to allow the at least one compu- ting apparatus with limited computing resources act as a data processing node for the loT platform.

Also, the objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing a server for implementation of scalable the Internet of Things, hereinafter the loT, platform, comprising - at least one processor, - at least one data communication interface,

- at least one memory including a computer program code, and

- the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the server at least to run a configurable instance of the loT platform comprising data processing and collection rules for acting as a data processing node of the loT platform

wherein the server is further configured to adapt the configurable instance of the loT platform to run on at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources according to at least one of the following: data processing capacity of the said compu- ting apparatus, data storing capacity of the said computing apparatus and operating system of the said computing apparatus, to allow the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources act as a data processing node for the loT platform. Moreover, the objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing a method for implementation of scalable the Internet of Things, the loT, platform, comprising

- connecting at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources to at least one server over a data communication interface, and

- running a configurable instance of the loT platform by the at least one server acting as a data processing node for the loT platform and comprising data processing and collection rules for the loT platform

wherein the method further comprises adapting the configurable instance of the loT platform by the at least one server to run on at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources according to at least one of the following: data pro- cessing capacity of the said computing apparatus, data storing capacity of the said computing apparatus and operating system of the said computing apparatus, to allow the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources act as a data processing node for the loT platform. Finally, the objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing a computer program product on a non-transitory media for implementation of scalable the Internet of Things, hereinafter the loT, platform comprising

- a computer readable code for connecting at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources to at least one server over a data communication in- terface, and - a computer readable code for running a configurable instance of the loT platform by the at least one server acting as a data processing node for the loT platform and comprising data processing and collection rules for the loT platform

wherein the computer program product further comprises a computer readable code for adapting the configurable instance of the loT platform by the at least one server to run on at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources according to at least one of the following: data processing capacity of the said computing apparatus, data storing capacity of the said computing apparatus and operating system of the said computing apparatus, to allow the at least one computing apparatus with lim- ited computing resources act as a data processing node for the loT platform.

The basic idea of the invention is to create a flexible, scalable, arrangement implementing a runtime environment defining and implementing basic requirements of a single data processing node in a distributed loT network. In terms of computing re- sources required, the said arrangement may advantageously be as small as possible. The present invention may collect sensor data available locally on a data processing node or from another distributed data processing node. Also, the present invention may report sensor data to another distributed node. Further, the present invention may serve the available sensor data upon external request. Moreover, the present in- vention may host data processing algorithms implemented by a computer program product for aggregation of the collected sensor data and an allow dynamic program- mability of the data processing algorithms commanded by another distributed data processing node. By providing a practical arrangement to implementation of the previously listed qualities for a data processing node for an loT network and by optimiz- ing the said node to fit into hardware and software installations with very limited computing resources, the present invention allows implementation of the distributed loT network with single software stack on heterogeneous types of computing devices.

Considering the technical effects of the invention, they may be viewed through an ex- ample of practical implementation. Considering the edge computing, it is understood to happen by using a computing hardware with limited computing resources. As an example, computing devices, which act as a gateway or router, are often built using embedded hardware, which rarely includes CPU processing power or RAM memory to perform computationally complex tasks. In order to able to run operate in an loT networks, these devices need to be able to be compatible with the said network and run a similar loT platform as other computing in the network. They need to be able to do it with less computing resources.

For example, using commercially available commodity hardware, such as Raspberry Pi 2, one has a quad-core CPU clocked at 900MHz together with 1 GB RAM memory available. Such hardware runs a Linux operating system, of which various variants are available. These various variants of Linux operating system also comprise miniaturized versions, which boot the hardware fast and leave much of the hardware resources free for the applications.

As an example, the edge data-processing may be implemented in practice by utilizing Python3 programming language. The Python3 programming language allows very small footprint applications. At the same time the Python3 programming language also allows the applications to be run as a regular Linux service. Data-processing tasks may be run on-demand based on explicit queries. The data-processing tasks may also be run periodically. Further, the data processing tasks may be run on-demand based on explicit queries or periodically. Periodicality may be managed, for example, by using Cron jobs, which are, for example, used in such cases on Linux platforms. Other solutions for managing the said periodicality are also available. Practical cir- cumstances may impact the decision of how the periodicality is managed.

The available data storage space is limited in the example of the Raspberry Pi as hardware, but it can be expanded in practice with SD cards, for example. Other solutions for expanding the storage space are also available. Practical circumstances may impact the choice of expansions of storage space. The expansions of storage space together with RAM caching mechanisms provide a cost-effective platform for the amounts of processing needed in the edge, before submitting the aggregated sensor data to the cloud platform for further processing. The expansions of storage space together with RAM caching mechanisms provide a practical platform for the amounts of processing needed in the edge, before submitting the aggregated sensor data to the cloud platform for further processing. The expansions of storage space together with RAM caching mechanisms provide a cost-effective and practical platform for the amounts of processing needed in the edge, before submitting the aggregated sensor data to the cloud platform for further processing. Practicality is defined by real life sit- uations in which, for example, costs, data transfer capacity, data storage capacity and data processing capacity may have impact. However, capability to detect and utilize the expansions available to the data storage capacity is of importance.

In one advantageous embodiment of the invention at least one server is configured to receive data from at least one computing device with limited computing resources and connect to a network of one or more other servers that run similar configurable instances of the loT platform with the first said server and adapting the configurable instance of the loT platform on at least one of the servers of the network to the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources expands the network. Further, the at least on server is configured to receive data from the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources and process the data from the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources on the at least one server connected to the network according to the data processing and collection rules of the at least one server to compensate the limited data processing capacity of the said apparatus to make use of full data processing capacity of the network.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention a configurable instance of the loT platform is adapted by the at least one server to run on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources as a small-scale version of the similar loT platform.

In a third advantageous embodiment of the invention at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources is configured to monitor and gather data from at least one point of interest and to push the gathered data to the network for data processing to make use of full data processing capacity of the network wherein the network compensates the limited computing resources of the said apparatus. Further, the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources running the configurable instance of the loT platform comprises the data processing and data collection rules for the loT platform and the said data processing and data collection rules are altered by at least one server or at least one other computing apparatus of the network according to results of data processing carried out by at least one server or at least one other computing apparatus of the network.

In a fourth advantageous embodiment of the invention at least one computing appa- ratus with limited computing resources is configured to monitor and gather data from at least one point of interest and to push the gathered data to the network for data processing to make use of full data processing capacity of the network wherein the network compensates the limited computing resources of the said apparatus. Further, the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources running the configurable instance of the loT platform comprises the data processing and data collection rules for the loT platform and while pushing the gathered data to the network for data processing the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources alters the data processing and data collection rules for the loT platform running on the at least one server connected to the network according to its needs for data processing to compensate its limited computing resources over the network.

In a fifth advantageous embodiment of the invention a configurable instance of the loT platform is adapted by at least one server on a user interface provided by the at least one server and the user interface enables adaptation of configurable instance of the loT platform according to specific properties of the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereafter. However, it should be understood that the de- tailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention and wherein

Fig. 1 shows a schematical representation of the main components of an arrangement according to the invention by way of an example;

Fig. 2 shows an exemplary flow chart for method stages according to the invention; and Fig. 3 shows another exemplary flow chart for another set of method stages according to the invention.

Detailed description

In the following description, considered embodiments are merely exemplary, and one skilled in the art may find other ways to implement the invention. Although the specification may refer to "an", "one; or "some" embodiment(s) in several locations, this does not necessarily mean that each such reference is made to the same embodi- ment(s), or that the feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single feature of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.

Figure 1 shows a schematical representation of the main components of an arrangement according to the invention by way of an example only. The arrangement according to the present invention has at least one server 10 referred as "the server" later in the description regarding Figure 1. The arrangement according to the present invention also comprises at least one computing device with limited computing resources 12. The arrangement according to the present invention may also comprise at least one sensor 11.

The server 10 essentially comprises of at least one processor 102, at least one memory unit 103 containing a computer program code 1031 for an arrangement for implementation of scalable the Internet of Things, loT, platform and at least one data communication interface 101 ("the data communication interface"). The server 10 im- plements the logic of the arrangement for implementation of scalable loT platform.

The server 10 implements the logic of the arrangement for implementation of scalable loT platform that allows one or more computing devices with limited computing resources 12 run an loT platform similar to devices with high data processing capabili- ties. The server 10 executes data processing tasks for the loT platform as a data processing node for the loT platform. The server 10 is configured to run a configurable instance of the loT platform comprising data processing and collection rules for acting as a data processing node of the loT platform. The server 10 may also comprise a user interface provided with the computer program code 1031 for adaptation of a configurable instance of the loT platform on the server 10 according to specific properties of the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 to which the configurable instance of the loT plat- form should be adapted to. The user interface for adaptation of a configurable instance of the loT platform on the server 10 allows a user to configure the configurable instance of the loT platform on server 10 according to at least of the following: data processing capacity of the said computing apparatus 12, data storing capacity of the said computing apparatus 12 and operating system of the said computing apparatus 12, to allow the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 act as a data processing node for the loT platform.

The computer program code 1031 for is contained on the at least one memory unit 103 of the server 10. The computer program code 1031 comprises programmable logic for implementation of the arrangement according to the invention. The computer program code 1031 comprises programmable logic for implementation of the scalable loT platform that may run on varying kind of computing device hardware. Also, the computer program code 1031 comprises implementation for a configurable instance of the loT platform on the server 10. The loT platform is an arrangement of software and hardware comprising a software package, which further comprises of a minimum of one computing device software, which can be installed as an autonomous installation to run on varying kind of computing device hardware.

The data communication interface 101 enables the server 10 to communicate over a network connection 14 with one or more servers 10 and one or more computing devices with limited computing resources 12. The data communication interface 101 enables the server 10 to communicate over the Internet 14 with one or more servers 10 and one or more computing devices with limited computing devices 12. The data communication interface 101 may also enable the server 10 to communicate with other computing devices connected to the server 10 locally and with one or more sensors 11.

The at least one sensor 11 according to the present invention is a measurement device, which is configured to monitor a point of interest. The at least one sensor 11 ac- cording to the present invention is configured to monitor a point of interest and gather data from the point of interest. The at least one sensor 11 according to the arrangement is capable of measuring one dedicated value of environment and report the measured data to the computing device hosting the sensor. A sensor 11 can be, for example, an NTC resistor measuring air temperature, a weather camera capturing environmental images, or database client downloading new data from a dedicated open data set. The computing device connected directly to the at least one sensor is a device, which is capable to receive data from one or more sensors 11 , is able to store data in persistent memory and is able to perform computations based on the received data. The computing device connected directly to the at least one sensor 11 may be a computing device with limited computing resources 12.

Figure 2 shows an exemplary flow chart for method steps according to the present invention and references are made to Figure 1 regarding the main components of the arrangement according to reference numbers. In step 200 the process of creating a small-scale version of an loT platform running on at least one server 10 is started. The small-scale version of an loT platform running on at least one server 10 is created during the process for at least one computing device with limited computing resources 12 to allow the said device 12 connect to an loT network built on top of the loT platform and expand the network.

According to step 201 at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 is connected with the at least server 10 that runs a configurable instance of the loT platform that is to be scaled down to a smaller version to run on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12. The configurable in- stance of the loT platform comprises data processing and collection rules for acting as a data processing node of the loT platform. The at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 as the data processing node for the loT platform may be described as a device capable in receiving data from at least one sensor 11 or one or more other data processing nodes such as one or more servers 10 or an- other computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12. The data processing node is able to store the data in persistent memory and is able to perform computations based on the received data. According to the present invention the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 is configured to connect with the at least one server 10 and the at least one server 10 is configured to run the configurable instance of the loT platform comprising data processing and collection rules for acting as a data processing node of the loT platform.

According to the present invention either of the steps 202 and 203, or both of the steps, may be taken next. Advantageously, according to step 202 a user interface is provided by the at least one server 10 for adapting the configurable instance of the loT platform running on the at least one server 10 for the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12. The user interface for adaptation of the configurable instance of the loT platform on the at least one server 10 allows a user to configure the configurable instance of the loT platform on the server 10 according to at least of the following: data processing capacity of the said computing apparatus 12, data storing capacity of the said computing apparatus 12 and operating system of the said computing apparatus 12, to allow the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 act as a data processing node for the loT platform. Advantageously, the configurable instance of the loT platform may be adapted by the at least one server 10 through a user interface provided by the at least one server 10 and the user interface enables adaptation of the configurable instance of the loT platform according to specific properties of the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12. Advantageously, the user interface may be accessed from another computing device connected to the at least one server 10 running the configurable instance of the loT platform. The user interface enables the loT platform to be adapted according to the properties of the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 in a flexible manner. In step 203 the server 10 adapts the configurable instance of the loT platform to run on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12. The adaptation by the server 10 is executed according to at least one of the following: data processing capacity of the said computing apparatus 12, data storing capacity of the said computing apparatus 12 and operating system of the said computing appa- ratus 12, to allow the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 act as a data processing node for the loT platform. While adapting the configurable instance of the loT platform to run on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12, the server 10 turns the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 into a distributed data pro- cessing node for the loT platform. Thus, the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 is capable to act as a data processing node in the same loT network with the at least one server 10. According to present invention the configurable instance of the loT platform is adapted by the server 10 to run on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 according to at least one of the following: data processing capacity of the said computing apparatus 12, data storing capacity of the said computing apparatus 12 and operating system of the said computing apparatus 12, to allow the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 act as a data processing node for the loT platform. In step 204 the creating the small-scale version of the loT platform for the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 is complete. The configurable instance of the loT platform has been adapted by the at least one server 10 according to properties of the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12. According to the present invention the configurable instance of the loT platform is adapted by the server 10 to run on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 as a small-scale version of the similar loT platform. Thus, the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 is capable to act as a data processing node in the same loT network with the at least one server 10 and operate on the similar loT platform.

Figure 3 shows an exemplary flow chart for method steps according to the present invention and references are made to Figure 1 regarding the main components of the arrangement according to reference numbers. In step 300 the process of creating a small-scale version of an loT platform running on at least one server 10 as a configu- rable instance of the loT platform is started. The small-scale version of an loT platform running on at least one server 10 is created during the process for at least one computing device with limited computing resources 12 to allow the said device 12 connect to an loT network built on top of the loT platform and expand the loT network.

According to step 301 at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 is connected with the at least server 10 that runs a configurable instance of the loT platform that is to be scaled down to a smaller version to run on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12. The configurable in- stance of the loT platform comprises data processing and collection rules for acting as a data processing node of the loT platform. The at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 as the data processing node for the loT platform may be described as a device capable in receiving data from at least one sensor 11 or one or more other data processing nodes such as one or more servers 10 or an- other computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12. The data processing node is able to store the data in persistent memory and is able to perform computations based on the received data. According to the present invention the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 is configured to connect with the at least one server 10 and the at least one server 10 is configured to run the configurable instance of the loT platform comprising data processing and collection rules for acting as a data processing node of the loT platform.

In step 302 the server 10 adapts the configurable instance of the loT platform to run on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12. The adaptation by the server 10 is executed according to at least one of the following: data processing capacity of the said computing apparatus 12, data storing capacity of the said computing apparatus 12 and operating system of the said computing apparatus 12, to allow the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 act as a data processing node for the loT platform. While adapting the configurable instance of the loT platform to run on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12, the server 10 turns the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 into a distributed data processing node for the loT platform. Thus, the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 is capable to act as a data processing node in the same loT network with the at least one server 10. According to present invention the configurable instance of the loT platform is adapted by the server 10 to run on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 according to at least one of the following: data processing capacity of the said computing apparatus 12, data storing capacity of the said computing apparatus 12 and operating system of the said computing apparatus 12, to allow the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 act as a data processing node for the loT platform.

In step 304 the creating the small-scale version of the loT platform for the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 is complete and the pro- cess may end here. Alternatively, the process may still continue with step 305. In step 304 the configurable instance of the loT platform has been adapted by the at least one server 10 according to properties of the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 to run on the said computing apparatus 12. According to the present invention the configurable instance of the loT platform is adapted by the server 10 to run on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 as a small-scale version of the similar loT platform. Thus, the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 is capable to act as a data processing node in the same loT network with the at least one server 10 and operate on the similar loT platform.

Instead of step 304, step 305 may be taken. According to step 305 the at least one server is connected to a network of one or more other servers 10 that run similar configurable instances of the loT platform with the first said server 10 and adapting the configurable instance of the loT platform on one of the servers 10 to the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 expands the network. The network to which the one or more servers 10 are connected is an loT network built on top of the loT platform of which instance are run by the one or more servers 10. Expanding the network with the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 now running a small-scale version of the loT platform on top of which the network is built, allows flexibility of the network needed for adapting the network to changing operational environments. Advantageously, the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 may connect to at least one sensor 11. More advantageously, the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 may connect to at least one sensor 11 and by connecting to the sensor 11 , allow data gathering and monitoring to such types of point of interest that required small-scale computing hardware due to physical operating environment.

In step 306 the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 is configured to monitor and gather data from at least one point of interest. As the said computing apparatus 12 is limited by data processing and data storing capacity, it may take advantage of the connection with the network that is built on top the similar loT platform by at least one server 10 that the said computing apparatus 12 itself runs. The at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 may push the gathered data to the network for data processing to make use of full data processing capacity of the network. The data processing and data storing capacity of the network is defined by the data processing and data storing capacity of all servers 10 of the network. The network compensates the limited computing resources of the said computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 by data processing and data storing for the data gathered by the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12.

According to the present invention in step 306 the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 is configured to monitor and gather data from at least one point of interest and to push the gathered data to the network for data pro- cessing to make use of full data processing capacity of the network wherein the network compensates the limited computing resources of the said apparatus 12. Advantageously the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 is configured to monitor and gather data from at least one point of interest through at least one sensor 11 and to push the gathered data to the network for data processing to make use of full data processing capacity of the network wherein the network compensates the limited computing resources of the said apparatus 12. More advantageously, the said sensor 11 is embedded to the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12. Either of the steps 307 and 308 may be taken next. Also both of the steps 307 and 308 may be taken in parallel at the same time. Also step 309 may be executed in parallel with steps 307 and 308. Instead of step 309, also step 310 may be taken.

According to step 307 the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 running the configurable instance of the loT platform comprises the set of data processing and data collection rules for the loT platform and for the loT network built upon the loT platform. The said data processing and data collection rules are altered by at least one server 10 or at least one other computing apparatus of the network according to results of data processing carried out by at least one server 10 or at least one other computing apparatus of the network. The at least one other computing apparatus of the network may be another computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12. According to the present invention, in step 307, the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 running the configurable instance of the loT platform comprises the data processing and data collection rules for the loT platform and the said data processing and data collection rules are altered by at least one server 10 or at least one other computing apparatus 12 of the network according to results of data processing carried out by at least one server 10 or at least one other computing apparatus 12 of the network. The results of data processing used for altering the said data processing and data collection rules may com- prise at least one of the following: sensor 11 data, aggregated sensor 11 data, processing algorithms, configuration instruction to computing device connected directly into at least one sensor 11 , combined elements of sensor data available with the at least one server 10 itself or on the network, computations on the basis of data available with the at least one server 10 itself or on the network and computations on the basis of combined elements of data available with the at least one server 10 itself or on the network.

According to step 308 the at least one server 10 receives data from the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12. The at least one server 10 receives data from the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resource 12 to process the data gathered by the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 and connects to a network of one or more other servers 10 that run similar configurable instances of the loT platform with the first said server 10. Further, the at least one server 10 processes the data pushed to the net- work by the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 according to the data processing and collection rules of the server 10 to compensate the limited data processing capacity of the said apparatus 12 to make use of full data processing capacity of the network. According to the present invention, the at least on server 12 is configured to receive data from the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources12 and process the data from the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 on the at least one server 10 connected to the network according to the data processing and collection rules of the at least one server 10 to compensate the limited data processing capacity of the said apparatus 12 to make use of full data processing capacity of the network.

According to step 309 the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 running the configurable instance of the loT platform comprises the data processing and data collection rules for the loT platform. While pushing the gathered data to the network for data processing, the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 may alter the data processing and data collection rules for the loT platform running on the at least one server 10. While pushing the gathered data to the network for data processing, the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 may alter the data processing and data collection rules for the loT platform running on the at least one server 10 connected to the network according to its needs for data processing to compensate its limited computing resources over the network as described previously. According to the present invention the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 running the configurable instance of the loT platform comprises the data processing and data collection rules for the loT platform and while pushing the gathered data to the network for data processing the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 alters the data processing and data collection rules for the loT platform running on the at least one server 10 connected to the network according to its needs for data processing to compensate its limited computing resources over the network. The results of data processing used to altering the said data processing and data collection rules may comprise at least one of the following: sensor 11 data, aggregated sensor 11 data, processing algorithms, configuration instruction to computing device connected directly into at least one sensor 11 , combined elements of sensor data available with the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12, computations on the basis of data available with the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 and computations on the basis of combined elements of data available with the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12.

Finally in step 310 the creating the small-scale version of the loT platform for the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 is complete. The configurable instance of the loT platform has been adapted by the at least one server 10 according to properties of the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 to run on the said computing apparatus 12. According to the present invention the configurable instance of the loT platform is adapted by the server 10 to run on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 as a small-scale version of the similar loT platform. Thus, the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 is capable to act as a data processing node in the same loT network with the at least one server 10 and operate on the similar loT platform. Further, the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources 12 is able to compensate its limited computing resources by pushing the data it has gathered for further data processing to the network. The network is formed by at least servers 10 running the configurable instances of an loT platform and acting as the data processing nodes for an loT network built on top of the loT platform.

Any of the steps described or illustrated herein may be implemented using executable instructions in a general-purpose or special-purpose processor and stored on a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., disk, memory, or the like) to be executed by such a processor. References to 'computer-readable storage medium' and 'computer' should be understood to encompass specialized circuits such as field-programmable gate arrays, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), USB flash drives, signal processing devices, and other devices

Indeed, some significant detail regarding the computer must be provided, such as regarding: (i) a "memory" and a "processor" and regarding other elements of the computer and processor, (ii) what specific steps of the pertinent method the processor, memory, and these other elements can perform, and (iii) how the processor and memory and other components of the computer interrelate and work together. At a minimum, the description should also include a block diagram and flow charts illustrating this interrelationship. For a process invention where, for example, a "processor" carries out all the steps of the process, it is insufficient to say merely that the process can be implemented by a "processor." The processor needs to be divided into at least a few functional modules, each such module implementing one step of the process. Further, some details regarding the processor modules should be provided in the description, such as regarding what specific steps of the process the modules can perform, and how the modules interrelate and work together to perform the process.

Some advantageous embodiments of the arrangement, the method, the server and the computer program product for data distribution in an IP management system according to the invention have been described above. The invention is not limited to the solutions described above, but the inventive idea can be applied in numerous ways within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An arrangement for implementation of scalable the Internet of Things, hereinafter the loT, platform, the arrangement comprising

-at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) configured to connect with at least one server (10) (201 ,301 ); and

- the at least one server (10) configured to run a configurable instance of the loT platform comprising data processing and collection rules for acting as a data processing node of the loT platform (201 ,301 )

characterized in that the configurable instance of the loT platform is adapted by the at least one server (10) to run on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) according to at least one of the following: data processing capacity of the said computing apparatus (12), data storing capacity of the said computing apparatus (12) and operating system of the said computing apparatus (12), to allow the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) act as a data processing node for the loT platform (203-204, 302-304).

2. The arrangement according to claim 1 characterized in that the at least one server (10) is configured to

- connect to a network of one or more other servers (10) that run similar configurable instances of the loT platform with the first said server (10) (305); and

- adapting the configurable instance of the loT platform on at least one of the servers (10) of the network to the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) expands the network (305).

3. The arrangement according to claim 1 characterized in that the configurable instance of the loT platform is adapted by the at least one server (10) to run on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) as a small-scale version of the similar loT platform (204, 304, 310).

4. The arrangement according to claim 2 characterized in that the at least one server (10) is configured to

- receive data (308) from the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12); and - process the data received (308) from the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) on the at least one server (10) connected to the network according to the data processing and collection rules of the at least one server (10) to compensate the limited data processing capacity of the said apparatus (12) to make use of full data processing capacity of the network.

5. The arrangement according to claim 2 characterized in that the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) is configured to monitor and gather data from at least one point of interest and push the gathered data to the network for data processing to make use of full data processing capacity of the network wherein the network compensates the limited computing resources of the said apparatus (306).

6. The arrangement according to claim 5 characterized in that the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) running the configurable instance of the loT platform comprises the data processing and data collection rules for the loT platform and the said data processing and data collection rules are altered by at least one server (10) or at least one other computing apparatus of the network (12) according to results of data processing carried out by at least one server (10) or at least one other computing apparatus (12) of the network (309).

7. The arrangement according to claim 5 characterized in that the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) running the configurable instance of the loT platform comprises the data processing and data collection rules for the loT platform and while pushing the gathered data to the network for data processing the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) alters the data processing and data collection rules for the loT platform running on the at least one server (10) connected to the network according to its needs for data processing to compensate its limited computing resources over the network (307).

8. The arrangement according to claim 3 characterized in that the configurable instance of the loT platform is adapted by the at least one server (10) on a user interface provided by the at least one server (10) and the user interface enables adaptation of configurable instance of the loT platform according to specific properties of the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) (202).

9. A server (10) for implementation of scalable the Internet of Things, hereinafter the loT, platform, the server (10) comprising:

- at least one processor (102);

- at least one data communication interface (101 );

- at least one memory (103) including a computer program code (1031 ); and

- the at least one memory (103) and the computer program code (1031 ) configured to, with the at least one processor (102), cause the server (10) at least to run a configurable instance of the loT platform comprising data processing and collection rules for acting as a data processing node of the loT platform (201 , 301 )

characterized in that, the server (10) is further configured to adapt the configurable instance of the loT platform to run on at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) according to at least one of the following: data processing capacity of the said computing apparatus (12), data storing capacity of the said com- puting apparatus (12) and operating system of the said computing apparatus (12), to allow the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) act as a data processing node for the loT platform (203-204, 302-304).

10. The server (10) according to claim 9 characterized in that the server (10) is fur- ther configured to connect to a network of one or more other servers (10) that run similar configurable instances of the loT platform with the first said server 10 (10) and adapting the configurable instance of the loT platform on at least one of the servers (10) of the network to the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) expands the network (305).

1 1. The server (10) according to claim 9 characterized in that, the server (10) is further configured to adapt the configurable instance of the loT platform to run on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) as a small-scale version of the similar loT platform that the server (10) itself is configured to run (204, 304, 310).

12. The server (10) according to claim 10 characterized in that, the server (10) is further configured to

- receive data (308) from the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12); and - process the data received (308) from the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) on the server (10) connected to the network according to the data processing and collection rules of the server (10) to compensate the limited data processing capacity of the said apparatus (12) to make use of full data pro- cessing capacity of the network.

13. The server (10) according to claim 10 characterized in that the server (10) alters the data processing and data collection rules for the configurable instance of the loT platform running on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) according to results of data processing carried out by the server (10) or at least one other computing apparatus (12) of the network (309).

14. The server (10) according to claim 12 characterized in the data processing and data collection rules for the loT platform running on the server (10) connected to the network are altered according to the needs for data processing of the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) by the said apparatus while the said apparatus (12) pushes the gathered data to the network for data processing (307).

15. The server (10) according to claim 1 1 characterized in that the server (10) is configured to provide a user interface for adaptation of the configurable instance of the loT platform according to specific properties of the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) to which the configurable instance of the loT platform is adapted to (202).

16. A method for implementation of scalable the Internet of Things, the loT, platform, the method comprising:

- connecting at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) to at least one server (10) over a data communication interface (101 ) (201 , 301 ); and - running a configurable instance of the loT platform by the at least one server (10) acting as a data processing node for the loT platform and comprising data processing and collection rules for the loT platform (201 , 301 )

characterized in that the method further comprises adapting the configurable instance of the loT platform by the at least one server (10) to run on at least one com- puting apparatus with limited computing resources (12) according to at least one of the following: data processing capacity of the said computing apparatus (12), data storing capacity of the said computing apparatus (12) and operating system of the said computing apparatus (12), to allow the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) act as a data processing node for the loT platform (203-204, 302-304).

17. The method according to claim 16 characterized in that, the method further comprises

- connecting the at least one server (10) to a network formed with at least one other server (10) running a similar configurable instance of the loT platform over a data communication interface (101 ) (305); and

- adapting the configurable instance of the loT platform on the at least one of the servers (10) of the network to the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) expands the network (305).

18. The method according to claim 17 characterized in that the method further comprises receiving on the at least one server (10) data pushed to the network by the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) to compensate the limited computing resources of the said apparatus (308).

19. The method according to claim 16 characterized in that the method further comprises adapting on the at least one server (10) the configurable instance of the loT platform to run on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) as a small-scale version of the similar loT platform that the said at least one server (10) itself is configured to run (204, 304, 310).

20. The method according to claim 18 characterized in that the method further comprises processing the data pushed to the network by the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) on the at least one server (10) con- nected to the network according to the data processing and collection rules of the at least one server (10) to compensate the limited data processing capacity of the said apparatus (12) to make use of full data processing capacity of the network (308).

21. The method according to claim 20 characterized in that the method further comprises altering the data processing and data collection rules for the configurable instance of the loT platform running on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) according to results of the data processing carried out by the at least one server (10) or the at least one other computing apparatus (12) of the network (309).

22. The method according to claim 18 characterized in the method further comprises altering the data processing and data collection rules for the loT platform running on the at least one server (10) connected to the network by the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) according to the needs for data processing of by the said apparatus (12) while the said apparatus pushes the gathered data to the network for data processing (307).

23. The method according to claim 19 characterized in the method further comprises providing a user interface for adaptation of the configurable instance of the loT platform by the at least one server (10) according to specific properties of the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) to which the configurable instance of the loT platform is adapted to (202).

24. A computer program product on a non-transitory media for implementation of scalable the Internet of Things, hereinafter the loT, platform, the computer program product (1031 ) comprising:

- a computer readable code (1031 ) for connecting at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) to at least one server (10) over a data communication interface (101 ) (201 , 301 ); and

- a computer readable code (1031 ) for running a configurable instance of the loT platform by the at least one server (10) acting as a data processing node for the loT platform and comprising data processing and collection rules for the loT platform (201 , 301 )

characterized in that the computer program product further comprises a computer readable code (1031 ) for adapting the configurable instance of the loT platform by the at least one server (10) to run on at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) according to at least one of the following: data processing capacity of the said computing apparatus (12), data storing capacity of the said computing apparatus (12) and operating system of the said computing apparatus (12), to al- low the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) act as a data processing node for the loT platform (203-204, 302-304).

25. The computer program product according to claim 24 characterized in that the computer program product further comprises a computer readable code for connecting the at least one server to a network formed with at least one other server running a similar configurable instance of the loT platform over a data communication interface and adapting on the at least one server the configurable instance of the loT platform to the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources to ex- pand the network by allowing the said apparatus to push data to the network (305).

26. The computer program product according to claim 24 characterized in that the computer program product further comprises a computer readable code (1031 ) for adapting on the at least one server (10) the configurable instance of the loT platform to run on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) as a small-scale version of the similar loT platform that the said at least one server (10) itself is configured to run (204, 304, 310).

27. The computer program product according to claim 25 characterized in that the computer program product further comprises a computer readable code (1031 ) for

- receiving on the at least one server (10) data pushed to the network by the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) (308); and

- processing the data pushed to the network by the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) on the at least one server (10) connected to the network according to the data processing and collection rules of the at least one server (10) to compensate the limited data processing capacity of the said apparatus (12) to make use of full data processing capacity of the network (308).

28. The computer program product according to claim 25 characterized in that the computer program product further comprises a computer readable code for altering the data processing and data collection rules for the configurable instance of the loT platform running on the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) according to results of data processing carried out by the at least one server (10) or at least one other computing apparatus (12) of the network (309).

29. The computer program product according to claim 27 characterized in that the computer program product further comprises a computer readable code (1031 ) for altering the data processing and data collection rules for the loT platform running on the at least one server (10) connected to the network by the at least one computing appa- ratus with limited computing resources (12) according to the needs for data processing of by the said apparatus (12) while the said apparatus pushes the gathered data to the network for data processing (307).

30. The computer program product according to claim 26 characterized in that the computer program product further comprises a computer readable code (1031 ) for providing a user interface for adaptation of the configurable instance of the loT platform by the at least one server (10) according to specific properties of the at least one computing apparatus with limited computing resources (12) to which the configurable instance of the loT platform is adapted to (202).