Afero, Inc.

Houman Forood

Joe Britt

Shin Matsumura

Omar Fawazhashim Zakaria

Scott Zimmerman

Sean Zawicki

Daisuke Kutami

Phillip Myles

Justin Lee

Shannon Holland

Kerry Quinn

Eduardo Del Rio

Gilbert Gallardo

Philip Myles

Joel Black

An IoT-based system and method are described having an IoT hub including an accelerometer. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: an Internet of Things (IoT) service, a plurality of IoT devices, each IoT device comprising a first secure communication module, and an IoT hub in communication with the plurality of IoT devices. The IoT hub comprising: a microcontroller unit to execute application-specific program code, a second secure communication module to establish a first secure communication channel with the IoT service and a plurality of second secure communication channels with the plurality of IoT devices, and a sensor to detect physical movements of the IoT hub and to change an operating mode of the IoT hub from a first operating mode to a second operating mode based on the physical movements.

Internet of things (IOT) apparatuses, systems and methods

Internet of things (IoT) apparatuses, systems and methods

A system and method are described for sharing IoT devices. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises an Internet of Things (IoT) service in communication with a plurality of IoT devices over a network; a device sharing module to receive an indication from a first user of one or more IoT devices associated with an account of the first user to be shared with a second user; the device sharing module to responsively associate the one or more IoT devices with an account of the second user and to subsequently allow the second user to access the one or more IoT devices.

System and method for sharing internet of things (IOT) devices

An embedded Internet of Things (IoT) hub for integration with an appliance and associated systems and methods. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus comprises: an embedded Internet of Things (IoT) hub comprising a wide area network (WAN) interface to couple the embedded IoT hub to an IoT service over a network, and a local wireless communication interface to communicatively couple the IoT hub to one or more IoT devices; an IoT hub slot interface coupled to the embedded IoT hub and comprising a first plurality of pins or pads to interface with corresponding pins or pads within an IoT hub slot of an appliance when the embedded IoT hub is inserted into the IoT hub slot; and a modular antenna interface coupled to the embedded IoT hub and comprising a second plurality of pins or pads to interface with corresponding pins or pads on a modular antenna to be coupled to the embedded IoT hub.

Embedded internet of things (IoT) hub for integration with an appliance and associated systems and methods

A platform, apparatus and method for disabling IoT-enabled home devices. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: an Internet of Things (IoT) hub comprising a network interface to couple the IoT hub to an IoT service over a wide area network (WAN), and an IoT device communicatively coupled to the IoT hub over a wireless communication channel; the IoT device comprising a sensor to measure a local condition affected by a local device in a user's home, the local device being potentially hazardous if accidentally left on, the IoT device communicating one or more measurements of the local condition to the IoT hub over the wireless communication channel; control logic on the IoT hub to receive the one or more measurements of the local condition from the sensor and to evaluate the one or more measurements to determine whether the local device has been accidentally left on, the control logic to general a signal to turn off the local device in response to a determination that the local device has been accidentally left on.

System and method for using data collected from internet-of-things (IoT) sensors to disable IoT-enabled home devices

An embedded Internet of Things (IoT) hub for integration with modular antennae and associated systems and methods. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus includes: an embedded IoT hub comprising a wide area network (WAN) interface to couple the embedded IoT hub to an IoT service over a network and a local wireless communication interface to communicatively couple the IoT hub to one or more IoT devices; an IoT hub slot interface coupled to the embedded IoT hub and comprising a first plurality of pins or pads to interface with corresponding pins or pads within an IoT hub slot of an appliance when the embedded IoT hub is inserted into the IoT hub slot; and a modular antenna interface coupled to the embedded IoT hub and comprising a second plurality of pins or pads to interface with corresponding pins or pads on the interface component of the modular antenna.

Modular antenna for integration with an internet of things (IoT) hub and associated systems and methods

A platform, apparatus and method for Internet of Things Implementations. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: an Internet of Things (IoT) hub comprising a network interface to couple the IoT hub to an IoT service over a wide area network (WAN), and programming logic to program an identification device with one or more encryption keys usable to establish encrypted communication with an IoT device; and at least one IoT device interfacing with the identification device following programming of the identification device by the IoT hub; wherein once the identification device is programmed and interfaced with the IoT device, the IoT device uses the one or more keys to establish a secure communication channel with the IoT hub and/or the IoT service.

System and method for securely connecting network devices

A system and method are described for performing asset and user tracking. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: an Internet of Things (IoT) device or hub ('IoT device/hub') comprising authorized user detection logic to detect a security IoT device of a user in wireless proximity to the IoT device/hub, the IoT device/hub to be affixed or integrated within a data processing asset; location detection logic to determine a current location of the IoT device/hub based on signals received from one or more wireless devices within its wireless range; wherein the authorized user detection logic is to arm the location detection logic upon detecting that the security IoT device has moved out of wireless proximity to the IoT device/hub; and wherein the location detection logic is to generate an alert and/or notification after being armed by the authorized user detection logic upon detecting that the IoT device/hub has moved outside of a designated protected location, the alert and/or notification being transmitted from the IoT device/hub to an IoT service.

System and method for performing asset and crowd tracking in an IoT system

A system and method are described for Internet of Things (IoT) shelf tags. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: a shelf tag IoT device comprising a local wireless communication interface to establish a local wireless communication link with one or more IoT hubs or client devices, the shelf tag IoT device further comprising a secure communication module to establish a secure communication channel with an IoT service over the Internet using the local wireless communication link; a low power display coupled to the shelf tag IoT device to display product information related to retail products placed on shelves at a retail location; a products database maintained on the IoT service and/or an external retail service, the products database to store an association between each IoT device and each of a plurality of products sold by a retailer; shelf tag management logic executed on the IoT service and/or the external retail service and configured to push pricing updates for products to each respective shelf tag IoT device upon detecting a change in price for the products associated with the shelf tag IoT devices.

Internet of things (IOT) apparatus and method for electronic shelf tags

An apparatus and method are described for an IoT interface slot for an IoT hub. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus comprises: an Internet of Things (IoT) hub interface slot to be fixedly coupled to an appliance, the IoT hub interface slot having an internal chamber, a bottom portion and a top portion, the top portion having an aperture exposing the interface slot to be accessible from outside of the appliance; the internal chamber sized to accommodate an IoT hub device to provide wireless communication functionality to the appliance; and the bottom portion having an embedded IoT hub interface fixedly coupled thereto, the embedded IoT hub interface having a first set of electrical contact portions facing the internal chamber to provide electrical connectivity to a corresponding set of electrical contact portions of an appliance interface on the IoT hub device when the IoT hub device is inserted into the internal chamber, the embedded IoT hub interface having a second set of electrical contact portions facing outwards from the bottom portion of the IoT hub interface slot, one or more of the second set of electrical contact portions to be electrically coupled to a power supply system within the appliance to provide power to the IoT hub device when inserted into the chamber and another one or more of the second set of electrical contact portions to be electrically coupled to a ground plane within the appliance to electrically ground the IoT hub device when inserted into the chamber.

Embedded internet of things (IOT) hub slot for an appliance and associated systems and methods

An apparatus and method are described for an IoT security system. For example, one embodiment of the IoT security system comprises: one or more attachable security devices, each comprising an IoT device to establish local wireless connections with one or more IoT hubs within a location, each attachable security device to be attached to a child registered with the security system and comprising a switch to trigger upon detachment of the attachable security device from the child; a plurality of kiosks, each kiosk comprising: a monitor to provide instructions to parents for registering and de-registering children with the security system; an input device to receive input from the parents during a registration process and a de-registration process to register and de-register the children, respectively; a camera to capture a photo of a child to be registered with the security system; an IoT hub to establish a first set of local wireless communication channels with the IoT devices of the security bracelets, the IoT hub to further provide connectivity among each of the kiosks through a second set of one or more communication channels; the IoT hub to associate the photo of the child with an IoT device of a security bracelet provided to the child, the association being stored in one or more of the kiosks or in a network service; an IoT device of an attachable security device to transmit a first alarm to a first kiosk responsive to the switch triggering upon detachment of the attachable security device; the first kiosk to communicate the first alarm with other kiosks and the plurality of kiosks to display the photo.

Internet of things (IoT) child tracking system

Embedded internet of things (IOT) hub for integration with an appliance and associated systems and methods

A platform, apparatus and method are described for pairing devices. For example, one embodiment of a system for pairing devices comprises: a first data processing device having a machine-readable optical label associated therewith and including a first wireless communication interface; a second data processing device having a second wireless communication interface and an optical reader for reading identification data from the optical label associated with the first data processing device, the second wireless communication interface including pairing logic to use the identification data to pair with the first data processing device by establishing a secure communication channel between the first and second wireless communication interfaces.

System and method for securely connecting network devices using optical labels

A platform, apparatus and method for Internet of Things Implementations for selecting a cellular carrier. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: an Internet of Things (IoT) hub comprising a network interface to couple the IoT hub to an IoT service through a cellular (cell) carrier, the IoT hub further comprising a local communication interface to communicatively couple the IoT hub to a plurality of IoT devices over local communication channels; cell carrier selection logic on the IoT hub to implement a set of rules to select between two or more cell carriers through which to connect the IoT hub to the IoT service, the rules being based, at least in part, on a cost associated with connecting to each of the two or more cell carriers and connectivity data associated with cell connections between the IoT hub and each of the two or more cell carriers.

System and method for selecting a cell carrier to connect an IOT hub

An modular antenna for integration with an Internet of Things (IoT) hub and associated systems and methods. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus comprises: a modular antenna to be used with an embedded Internet of Things (IoT) hub having a plurality of wireless communication interfaces, the modular antenna comprising an interface component and an antenna component; the interface component comprising a first plurality of pins or pads to electrically couple the module antenna to the embedded IoT hub; and the antenna component comprising a plurality of antennas to be electrically coupled to the first plurality of pins or pads, thereby electrically coupling each of the plurality of antennas to one of the plurality of wireless communication interfaces of the embedded IoT hub.

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Houman Forood