Page 23 - Unleashing the potenti al of the Internet of Things

Unleashing the potential of the Internet of Things 1

Any TIME communication

- on the move
- night - outdoor
- daytime - indoor (away from the computer)
- at the computer
Any PLACE communication
- between computers
- human to human, not using a computer
- human to thing, using generic equipment
- thing to thing

Any THING communication
Y.2060(12)_F01

Figure 1 – The new dimension introduced in the Internet of things [b-ITU Report]

Regarding the IoT, things are objects of the physical world (physical things) or of the information
world (virtual world) which are capable of being identified and integrated into communication
networks. Things have associated information, which can be static and dynamic.

Physical things exist in the physical world and are capable of being sensed, actuated and connected.
Examples of physical things include the surrounding environment, industrial robots, goods and
electrical equipment.

Virtual things exist in the information world and are capable of being stored, processed and
accessed. Examples of virtual things include multimedia content and application software.

6.2 Technical overview of the IoT
Figure 2 shows the technical overview of the IoT.

Physical world Information world

device
a communication
networks gateway
physical thing
virtual thing
b
c communication
mapping
a communication via gateway
b communication without gateway
c direct communication

Figure 2 – Technical overview of the IoT

Rec. ITU-T Y.4000/Y.2060 (06/2012) 9