A fuzzy description logic based IoT framework: Formal verification and end user programming

PLoS One. 2024 Mar 22;19(3):e0296655. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296655. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

The Internet of Things (IoT) has become one of the most popular technologies in recent years. Advances in computing capabilities, hardware accessibility, and wireless connectivity make possible communication between people, processes, and devices for all kinds of applications and industries. However, the deployment of this technology is confined almost entirely to tech companies, leaving end users with only access to specific functionalities. This paper presents a framework that allows users with no technical knowledge to build their own IoT applications according to their needs. To this end, a framework consisting of two building blocks is presented. A friendly interface block lets users tell the system what to do using simple operating rules such as "if the temperature is cold, turn on the heater." On the other hand, a fuzzy logic reasoner block built by experts translates the ambiguity of human language to specific actions to the actuators, such as "call the police." The proposed system can also detect and inform the user if the inserted rules have inconsistencies in real time. Moreover, a formal model is introduced, based on fuzzy description logic, for the consistency of IoT systems. Finally, this paper presents various experiments using a fuzzy logic reasoner to show the viability of the proposed framework using a smart-home IoT security system as an example.

MeSH terms

  • Cold Temperature
  • Communication
  • Fuzzy Logic
  • Household Articles*
  • Humans
  • Internet of Things*

Grants and funding

JG, EB, FG: IA104122, IA105420, IA102822; UNAM-PAPIIT program. JG: 0320403; Ciencia de Frontera CONAHCyT. MPG: Estancia-Posdoctoral; UNAM-DGAPA program. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.