Internet of things (IoT)

Editor's Notes

• #4: Intelligent sensor takes some predefined action when it senses the appropriate input (light, heat, sound, motion, touch, etc.).
• #5: Machine to machine (M2M) is a broad label that can be used to describe any technology that enables networked devices to exchange information and perform actions without the manual assistance of humans. M2M communication is often used for remote monitoring. In product restocking, for example, a vending machine can message the distributor when a particular item is running low. M2M communication is an important aspect of warehouse management, remote control, robotics, traffic control, logistic services, supply chain management, fleet management and telemedicine.  It forms the basis for a concept known as the Internet of Things (IoT). 
• #6: To be able to define IoT, let's first look at how the term was coined. Kevin Ashton noted that most data on the Internet was at the time originally entered or captured into the system by human beings. From a system point of view, a human is nothing more than a slow, error-prone, and inefficient router of data that puts limits on quality and quantity of data available and sometimes even dares to interpret data or correct it. As an alternative, it would be more efficient if these systems could connect to sensors that measure these real-world events or properties directly.
• #7: A thing, in the Internet of Things, can be a person with a heart monitor implant, a farm animal with a biochip transponder, an automobile that has built-in sensors to alert the driver when tire pressure is low -- or any other natural or man-made object that can be assigned an IP address and provided with the ability to transfer data over a network. So far, the Internet of Things has been most closely associated with machine-to-machine (M2M) communication in manufacturing and power, oil and gas utilities. Products built with M2M communication capabilities are often referred to as being smart. (See: smart label, smart meter, smart grid sensor)
• #8: The Internet of Things can also assist people with their personal safety.  ADT, which is a home security system, allows individuals to monitor their security systems at home through their phones, with the ability to control it.  Also, another technology that has already been released is GM OnStar.  This is a system that is embedded in GM cars that can detect if a crash has occurred and it automatically calls 9-1-1.  It can also track the movement of the car.  Transportation: We have been using GPS to track movement of delivery trucks for years. IOT eases and simplifies the entire process by introducing a monitory sensor that helps to track distance and time locations and other contributing factors. Inventory management: As managing fleet, inventory management and tracking is also a major task. IOT is used to tag radio frequency sensors to track the location of products in real time. It has been instrumental in tracking the level of inventory and to stock it in advance, making alerts for unforeseen stoppages, automatically placing orders, etc. Promotions: Many businesses use IOT to send mobile promotions to frequent shoppers. This is done by keeping track of the shoppers history and shopping interests. It utilizes location-based tracking of the physical shoppers as well as those shopping over the internet. Assessing web user intelligence: IOT is used by third party web data aggregators to have a better understanding of their customer by tracking them on social media networks. This is essential to identify the key customers and their preferences.  
• #9: Why now? Enablers of the IoT A number of significant technology changes have come together to enable the rise of the IoT. These include the following.  Cheap sensors – Sensor prices have dropped to an average 60 cents from $1.30 in the past 10 years.  Cheap bandwidth – The cost of bandwidth has also declined precipitously, by a factor of nearly 40X over the past 10 years.  Cheap processing – Similarly, processing costs have declined by nearly 60X over the past 10 years, enabling more devices to be not just connected, but smart enough to know what to do with all the new data they are generating or receiving.  Smartphones – Smartphones are now becoming the personal gateway to the IoT, serving as a remote control or hub for the connected home, connected car, or the health and fitness devices consumers are increasingly starting to wear.  Ubiquitous wireless coverage – With Wi-Fi coverage now ubiquitous, wireless connectivity is available for free or at a very low cost, given Wi-Fi utilizes unlicensed spectrum and thus does not require monthly access fees to a carrier.  Big data – As the IoT will by definition generate voluminous amounts of unstructured data, the availability of big data analytics is a key enabler.  IPv6 – Most networking equipment now supports IPv6, the newest version of the Internet Protocol (IP) standard that is intended to replace IPv4. IPv4 supports 32-bit addresses, which translates to about 4.3 billion addresses – a number that has become largely exhausted by all the connected devices globally. In contrast, IPv6 can support 128-bit addresses, translating to approximately 3.4 x 1038 addresses – an almost limitless number that can amply handle all conceivable IoT devices.
• #10: The Security Risks with IoT DevicesAs with any Internet-connected device, IoT appliances and gadgets have potential security vulnerabilities. Here are a few incidents: In a January 2014 global IoT cyber-attack, hackers compromised more than 100,000 everyday consumer smart devices and used the devices to launch more than 750,000 malicious email communications in an attempt to expand the size of their botnet. Some of these IoT devices include smart TVs, wireless speaker systems, network routers, and even refrigerators. Earlier this year, U.K. researchers demonstrated how security vulnerabilities in WiFi connected light bulbs could be exploited to control all the connected bulbs on a home network—and to expose the user’s network configurations. More recently, an August 2014 study from Hewlett-Packard found that 70 percent of all IoT devices are vulnerable to being hacked or compromised. The study examined 10 smart devices such as thermostats, webcams, and smart TVs and found that each had about 25 potential vulnerabilities. What You Can Do• Examine the privacy policies and security features of any new smart gadget or appliance before you buy it. If you don’t understand the privacy or security features, contact the manufacturer. Many device makers offer Web chat with tech support or customer service reps. • Look for software tools designed to protect your personal data and privacy across the Internet. One tool is MyPermissions, which offers free Android and iOS apps as well as a browser toolbar. MyPermissions alerts you when an app gains access to your personal information and will prompt you to revoke or accept the permission. • Keep your devices updated with the latest software, as the updates may include new security patches. • Consider putting your home’s connected devices behind a Virtual Private Network (VPN). This can require a home network router with custom firmware, so the job may be best configured by someone with advanced networking skills. • It’s also important to secure your PC with adequate firewall and antivirus protection. In the event your IoT device is compromised by malware, your PC could be infected since it is on the same network. >>>>>>>>>>. new smart televisions enable consumers to surf the Internet, make purchases, and share photos, similar to a laptop or desktop computer. 42 Like a computer, any security vulnerabilities in these televisions could put the information stored on or transmitted through the television at risk. If smart televisions or other devices store sensitive financial account information, passwords, and other types of information, unauthorized persons could exploit vulnerabilities to facilitate identity theft or fraud.43 Thus, as consumers install more smart devices in their homes, they may increase the number of vulnerabilities an intruder could use to compromise personal information
• #11: Deployment of IPv6: The world ran out of IPv4 addresses in February 2010. While no real impact has been seen by the general public, this situation has the potential to slow IoT’s progress since the potentially billions of new sensors will require unique IP addresses. In addition, IPv6 makes the management of networks easier due to auto configuration capabilities and offers improved security features. > Sensor energy: For IoT to reach its full potential, sensors will need to be self-sustaining. Imagine changing batteries in billions of devices deployed across the planet and even into space. Obviously, this isn’t possible. What’s needed is a way for sensors to generate electricity from environmental elements such as vibrations, light, and airflow. > Standards. While much progress has been made in the area of standards, more is needed, especially in the areas of security, privacy, architecture, and communications. IEEE is just one of the organizations working to solve these challenges by ensuring that IPv6 packets can be routed across different network types. It is important to note that while barriers and challenges exist, they are not insurmountable. Given the benefits of IoT, these issues will get worked out. It is only a matter of time.
• #12: Additional: 3G 4G LTE ANT Dash7 Ethernet GPRS PLC / Powerline QR Codes, EPC WiMax X-10 802.15.4 Z-Wave Zigbee
• #13: RFID stands for Radio-Frequency IDentification. The acronym refers to small electronic devices that consist of a small chip and an antenna. The chip typically is capable of carrying 2,000 bytes of data or less. The RFID device serves the same purpose as a bar code or a magnetic strip on the back of a credit card or ATM card; it provides a unique identifier for that object. And, just as a bar code or magnetic strip must be scanned to get the information, the RFID device must be scanned to retrieve the identifying information.
• #21: http://postscapes.com/internet-of-things-technologies
• #22: >>>> Health Some uses of healthcare IoT are mobile medical applications that allow patients to capture their health data. Hospitals use IoT to keep tabs on the location of medical devices, personnel and patients. internet-connected devices have been introduced to patients in various forms. Whether data comes from fetal monitors, electrocardiograms, temperature monitors or blood glucose levels, tracking health information is vital for some patients. Many of these measures require follow-up interaction with a healthcare professional. This creates an opening for smarter devices to deliver more valuable data, lessening the need for direct patient-physician interaction. > Transport and Logistics One of the first business sectors interested in IoT technologies Currently two systems are already available and deployed: ConLock and ContainerSafe Integration of light sensors, GPS and GSM >>>>>>>>>> Daily Life and Domotics Many possible developments to Domotics There are no standard and widely accepted solutions yet for Domotics A framework has been developed for Home Automation applications: FreeDom >>>>>>>>>>>>