The Internet of Things (IoT), by definition, is a wide array of “things†that can connect and exchange data over a network. This “network†can take many forms to include the “big†internet, an enterprise network, and in most places where we work, a closed network “bubbleâ€. The reality is that once many organizations begin to leverage “sensingâ€, it becomes clear very quickly that exchanging data between dissimilar sensors and recognitional algorithms becomes complex very quickly. The sea of sensors, systems, protocols, algorithms, data structures, and proprietary visualization, each vendor delivers an island that wreaks havoc on rapid decision support. Silos are THE enemy of rapid decision making, which makes autonomous cueing and orchestration that much more difficult.
The building blocks of an orchestrated IoT platform is a core ability to ingest data while also providing an ability to cue any sensor, regardless of protocol or data structure. Yet, we work in a world where companies are incented by the capital markets to build monolithic platforms that are “interoperable, as long as it is our stackâ€. Agencies and enterprises should demand the ability to integrate existing/legacy sensors, add new best-in-class sensors on top of existing infrastructure, but also expand to any new sensor off the shelf when needed without a need for armies of developers and NRE. Even then, the most overlooked requirement is a means to “drop in†algorithms that make sense of multi-sensor fusion, while also delivering an ability to orchestrate actions with multimedia, autonomous platforms, building systems, and even communications workflows. TRUE orchestration must be enabled by mosaic systems that support dynamic composition and recomposition of disaggregated IoT sensors and decision support algorithms.
So, what is meant by the term “orchestration†in the context of sensors and AI? Orchestration, as supported by the Blueforce software platform, is a means for one of more sensors, combined with recognitional logic (i.e., rules, multi-variant threat detection, and even machine learning models) to autonomously trigger content, broadcasts, and even physical actions to occur based on threat severity. TRUE mosaic systems like Blueforce, enable any open/standards-based sensors to dynamically communicate with other sensors, but also in-stream analytics and/or AI driven recognitional driven algorithms. THEN deliver one or more coordinated actions that drive safety, survivability, and operational efficiencies.  Here are a few examples of orchestration available out of the box, today…
Samsung MagicINFO
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Visuals are easily the most triggering per the human experience. Any sensor and any array of sensors can now trigger content via Samsung’s MagicINFO CMS, which can be presented in real time to increase the spend, convert, and/or create a brand “moment”. BlueforceEDGE provides a “future proof” platform for dynamically changing audiences who can be influenced for a few seconds. Demographics, sentiment, interaction: All of these actions can be trapped to affect content presentation.
Products: BlueforceEDGE Windows
Public Address
A gunshot sensor fires, IP enabled public address can fire an array of canned audible instructions based on AI. The Blueforce Demographics plugin detects a store at 70% of buyers in the 34-49 age group, let’s play a different soundtrack. Or, a group of people are forming at the counter at the movie theatre, let’s play the sound of popcorn popping. Whatever the trigger, we can play a sound via the Axis Network Speaker Plugin for BlueforceEDGE.
Products: BlueforceEDGE for Windows
Lighting
Need to signal lighting to indicate a shift from DEFCON4 to DEFCON3, the Busylight is the perfect solution. The new httpAPI plugin for BlueforceEDGE Windows allows any sensor in the ecosystem to trigger a change in lighting. A buyer loitering at that endcap for the new chainsaw at Home Depot? The light flashes BLUE indicating a buyer is ready to buy but needs help. A empty conference room based on PIR, change the light to GREEN.
Products: BlueforceEDGE for Windows
Access Control
Using the new BarricAid Plugin for BlueforceEDGE, any sensor(s) and/or recognitional support AI outcomes can autonomously trigger a lockdown of a part, or the entire campus, when a threat is detected. With support for more than 350 sensors from more than 120 manufacturers amongst the Blueforce IoT and AI ecosystem, Wi-Fiber MECs, arrays of gunshot sensors, environmental sensors, ALPR, and even object identification AI models can trigger lockdown when used with BarricAid Technologies door locks. Now, with new BarricAid Plugin for BlueforceEDGE, single or arrays of sensors combined with multi-variant threat detection from the Blueforce IoT ecosystem can autonomously trigger a lockdown when seconds matter.
Products: BlueforceEDGE for Windows
Network Switching
The uSwitch plugin for BlueforceEDGE provides yet another method to trigger actions based on Blueforce multi-sensor fusion and orchestration. BlueforceEDGE plus the uSwitchPro provides a multitude of solutions for industrial, security and personal applications. BlueforceEDGE plus the uSwitchPro can be deployed to monitor and control everything from IP cameras, kiosks, web signs, cellular routers, servers, DSL and cable modems, RTUs, control sensors, safety equipment, Smart Grid components and much more.
Products: BlueforceEDGE (Windows)
For more information or to request a demo, visit us at https://www.blueforcedev.com, or send an email to info@blueforcedev.com.