System and method for controlling internet of things devices using namespaces

Abstract

A server includes a processor to associate a first permissions record to a first plurality of Internet of Things (IoT) devices operating based on a first protocol, and associate a second permissions record to a second plurality of IoT devices operating based on a second protocol different from the first protocol. Each first and second IoT device has a namespace and a unique sub-namespace assigned thereto. The processor cooperates with a device that generates commands for controlling the first and second plurality of IoT devices based on the first and second permission records and the assigned namespaces and sub-namespaces.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A server comprising:
 a processor configured to perform the following:
 associate a first permissions record to a first plurality of Internet of Things (IoT) devices operating based on a first protocol, and associate a second permissions record to a second plurality of IoT devices operating based on a second protocol different from the first protocol, with each first and second IoT device having a namespace and a unique sub-namespace assigned thereto, and 
 cooperate with a device that is configured to generate commands for controlling the first and second plurality of IoT devices based on the first and second permission records and the assigned namespaces and sub-namespaces. 
   
     
     
         2 . The server according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second plurality of IoT devices are at different locations, with each IoT device having a universal unique identifier (UUID) associated therewith; and wherein each unique sub-namespace is assigned based on its location. 
     
     
         3 . The server according to  claim 2  wherein said processor is further configured to map the UUID associated with each IoT device to both the namespace and the corresponding unique sub-namespace assigned thereto. 
     
     
         4 . The server according to  claim 3  wherein the generated commands are further based on the namespaces and the unique sub-namespaces mapped to the respective UUIDs. 
     
     
         5 . The server according to  claim 4  wherein the generated commands only include the assigned namespaces and sub-namespaces. 
     
     
         6 . The server according to  claim 1  wherein said processor is further configured to generate the first and second permission records based on identifying which IoT devices can communicate with other IoT devices. 
     
     
         7 . The server according to  claim 1  wherein the first plurality of IoT devices are associated with a first IoT platform operating based on the first protocol, and the second plurality of IoT devices are associated with a second IoT platform operating based on the second protocol different from the first protocol, with the first permissions record being associated with the first IoT platform and the second permissions record being associated with the second IoT platform. 
     
     
         8 . The server according to  claim 1  wherein a portion of the first and second plurality of IoT devices are grouped together based on performing a same function, and wherein the generated commands include a wildcard command to simultaneously control each IoT device within the grouped together IoT devices. 
     
     
         9 . The server according to  claim 1  wherein the generated commands include a shared command to control multiple IoT devices performing a same function at different locations, and wherein the device comprises a mobile device configured to provide its location to said processor when generating the shared command, with said processor selecting one of the multiple IoT devices to control based on the location of the mobile device. 
     
     
         10 . The server according to  claim 1  wherein said processor is further configured to generate at least one restrictions record associated with the first and second plurality of IoT devices, with the at least one restrictions record allowing said processor to control access to the first and second plurality of IoT devices based on at least one of timing restrictions, location restrictions, presence restrictions and path restrictions. 
     
     
         11 . The server according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second permission records allow said processor to detect unauthorized commands for controlling the first and second plurality of IoT devices. 
     
     
         12 . The server according to  claim 11  wherein identifying which IoT devices can communicate with other IoT devices corresponds to a whitelist, and identifying which IoT devices cannot communicate with other IoT devices corresponds to a blacklist. 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising:
 associating a first permissions record to a first plurality of Internet of Things (IoT) devices operating based on a first protocol, and associating a second permissions record to a second plurality of IoT devices operating based on a second protocol different from the first protocol, with each first and second IoT device having a namespace and a unique sub-namespace assigned thereto; and   cooperating with a device that is configured to generate commands for controlling the first and second plurality of IoT devices based on the first and second permission records and the assigned namespaces and sub-namespaces.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13  wherein the first and second plurality of IoT devices are at different locations, with each IoT device having a universal unique identifier (UUID) associated therewith; and wherein each unique sub-namespace is assigned based on its location. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14  further comprising mapping the UUID associated with each IoT device to both the namespace and the corresponding unique sub-namespace assigned thereto. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein the generated commands are further based on the namespaces and the unique sub-namespaces mapped to the respective UUIDs. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein the generated commands only include the assigned namespaces and sub-namespaces. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 13  further comprising generating the first and second permission records based on identifying which IoT devices can communicate with other IoT devices. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 13  wherein the first plurality of IoT devices are associated with a first IoT platform operating based on the first protocol, and the second plurality of IoT devices are associated with a second IoT platform operating based on the second protocol different from the first protocol, with the first permissions record being associated with the first IoT platform and the second permissions record being associated with the second IoT platform. 
     
     
         20 . A system comprising:
 a server configured to associate a first permissions record to a first plurality of Internet of Things (IoT) devices operating based on a first protocol, and associate a second permissions record to a second plurality of IoT devices operating based on a second protocol different from the first protocol, with each first and second IoT device having a namespace and a unique sub-namespace assigned thereto; and   a device cooperating with said server to generate commands for controlling the first and second plurality of IoT devices based on the first and second permission records and the assigned namespaces and sub-namespaces.