Service layer methods for offloading iot application message generation and response handling

Abstract

A service layer may be configured to offload requests and responses on behalf of IoT applications in order to reduce congestion and/or overhead on underlying networks, applications and devices. The service layer may be enabled with the capability to script and generate IoT application requests such that the requests can be initiated by the service layer without the IoT application having to re-issue the same request repeatedly (e.g., to periodically retrieve a sensor reading). This scripting may be initiated by request originators. The service layer may support the capability to monitor and detect repetitive request patterns and initiate the scripting itself. This scripting functionality may enable the service layer to perform operations on behalf of IoT applications. As a result, the messaging overhead on IoT applications and devices as well as underlying networks can be minimized.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method implemented by a service layer entity supporting an Internet of Things (IoT) service through a set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), the method comprising:
 detecting a first device to connect to the IoT service;   identifying a first API by performing a lookup to a library based on a type of device or service of the first device, wherein the library comprises RESTful APIs for publicly available devices;   instantiating a first scripted request resource defined in the first API, wherein the first scripted request resource defines how the IoT service interacts with the first device;   configuring an attribute of the scripted request resource with target information for the first device; and   controlling behaviors of the first device based on the first scripted request resource.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first scripted request resource comprises one or more conditions for triggering requests to the first device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the controlling behaviors of the first device comprising communicating information automatically to the first device based on the one or more conditions being met. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first scripted request resource is generated based on a pre-provision policy in the service layer entity. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a request to update an attribute of the first scripted request resource; and   updating, based on the request to update the attribute of the scripted request resource, the attribute of the scripted request resource.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 detecting a condition of the first scripted request resource has been met, based on the updated attribute of the first scripted request resource, for triggering a request to the first device.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 sending a request to the first device, wherein the target information of the request comprises the updated attribute and the target information configured in the scripted request resource.   
     
     
         8 . An apparatus comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by the processor, implement a service layer entity supporting an Internet of Things (IoT) service through a set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and cause the service layer entity to perform operations comprising:
 detecting a first device to connect to the IoT service;   identifying a first API by performing a lookup to a library based on a type of device or service of the first device, wherein the library comprises RESTful APIs for publicly available devices;   instantiating a first scripted request resource defined in the first API, wherein the first scripted request resource defines how the IoT service interacts with the first device;   configuring an attribute of the scripted request resource with target information for the first device; and   controlling behaviors of the first device based on the first scripted request resource.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first scripted request resource comprises one or more conditions for triggering requests to the first device. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the controlling behaviors of the first device comprising communicating information automatically to the first device based on the one or more conditions being met. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first scripted request resource is generated based on a pre-provision policy in the service layer entity. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the service layer entity to perform operations comprising:
 receiving a request to update an attribute of the first scripted request resource; and   updating, based on the request to update the attribute of the scripted request resource, the attribute of the scripted request resource.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the service layer entity to perform operations comprising:
 detecting a condition of the first scripted request resource has been met, based on the updated attribute of the first scripted request resource, for triggering a request to the first device.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the service layer entity to perform operations comprising:
 sending a request to the first device, wherein the target information of the request comprises the updated attribute and the target information configured in the scripted request resource.   
     
     
         15 . A computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor of a service layer entity supporting an Internet of Things (IoT) service through a set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), cause the service layer entity to perform operations comprising:
 detecting a first device to connect to the IoT service;   identifying a first API by performing a lookup to a library based on a type of device or service of the first device, wherein the library comprises RESTful APIs for publicly available devices;   instantiating a first scripted request resource defined in the first API, wherein the first scripted request resource defines how the IoT service interacts with the first device;   configuring an attribute of the scripted request resource with target information for the first device; and   controlling behaviors of the first device based on the first scripted request resource.   
     
     
         16 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the first scripted request resource comprises one or more conditions for triggering requests to the first device. 
     
     
         17 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein the controlling behaviors of the first device comprising communicating information automatically to the first device based on the one or more conditions being met. 
     
     
         18 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the first scripted request resource is generated based on a pre-provision policy in the service layer entity. 
     
     
         19 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the service layer entity to perform operations comprising:
 receiving a request to update an attribute of the first scripted request resource; and   updating, based on the request to update the attribute of the scripted request resource, the attribute of the scripted request resource.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the service layer entity to perform operations comprising:
 detecting a condition of the first scripted request resource has been met, based on the updated attribute of the first scripted request resource, for triggering a request to the first device.