Internet of things platforms, apparatuses, and methods

1. An Internet of Things (IoT) system comprising:

an IoT hub comprising a WAN interface to couple the IoT hub to an IoT service over the WAN, and a local communication interface to communicatively couple the IoT hub to a plurality of different types of IoT devices; and

at least one IoT device having a memory for storing program code and a microcontroller for executing the program code, wherein the program code includes library program code comprising basic building blocks usable by a developer to implement any IoT device by creating application program code which utilizes the library program code, wherein at least one of the basic building blocks comprises a communication stack to enable communication with the IoT hub, the library program code provided to the developer in a software development kit (SDK) with the microcontroller.

2. The system as in claim 1 wherein the IoT device comprises a sensor to collect local data in accordance with the application program code and/or an output control device to perform an output control function in accordance with the application program code.

3. The system as in claim 1 wherein the application program code executable by the microcontroller to cause the IoT device to perform one or more application-specific functions, at least one of the functions including collecting local data or performing a local control function.

4. The system as in claim 1 wherein the IoT device further comprises a low power communication interface for establishing a local communication channel with the IoT hub in accordance with the library program code.

5. The system as in claim 3 wherein the local communication interface comprises a Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) radio for establishing a Bluetooth LE communication channel with the IoT hub.

6. The system as in claim 1 wherein the WAN comprises the Internet.

7. The system as in claim 1 wherein the SDK includes the IoT hub and provides the developer with access to the IoT service.

8. A method comprising:

providing an IoT hub comprising a WAN interface to couple the IoT hub to an IoT service over the WAN, and a local communication interface to communicatively couple the IoT hub to a plurality of different types of IoT devices; and

providing at least one IoT device having a memory for storing program code and a microcontroller for executing the program code;

providing the program code including library program code comprising basic building blocks usable by a developer to implement any IoT device by creating application program code which utilizes the library program code, wherein at least one of the basic building blocks comprises a communication stack to enable communication with the IoT hub, the library program code provided to the developer in a software development kit (SDK) with the microcontroller.

9. The method as in claim 8 wherein the IoT device comprises a sensor to collect local data in accordance with the application program code and/or an output control device to perform an output control function in accordance with the application program code.

10. The method as in claim 8 wherein the application program code executable by the microcontroller to cause the IoT device to perform one or more application-specific functions, at least one of the functions including collecting local data or performing a local control function.

11. The method as in claim 8 wherein the IoT device further comprises a low power communication interface for establishing a local communication channel with the IoT hub in accordance with the library program code.

12. The method as in claim 10 wherein the local communication interface comprises a Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) radio for establishing a Bluetooth LE communication channel with the IoT hub.

13. The method as in claim 8 wherein the WAN comprises the Internet.

14. The method as in claim 8 wherein the SDK includes the IoT hub and provides the developer with access to the IoT service.