The Internet of Things (IoT) is highly heterogeneous regarding smart sensors/devices, connectivity, communication protocols, and data formats. The major challenges of IoT ecosystems are fragmentation (or disintegration) and cross-domain interoperability. To overcome the challenges of interoperability, standardized interfaces and protocols, harmonized interactions, and interoperability testing are essential. This paper introduces a harmonization model of interactions among IoT devices with diverse interfaces/connectivity and communication protocols to achieve interoperability by harmonizing their interactions. A harmonization implementation of interactions of the IEEE 1451-based IoT devices and MODBUS devices has been provided in the paper to test and verify that the proposed harmonization model works well. This harmonization model and implementation of interactions among IoT devices will provide a solid foundation for the IEEE P1451.99 standard specification.

This paper presents a new method for discovering Connected Things in a universal way. The method is designed to be used in all kinds of networks, from the smallest sensor networks to the largest interconnected cloud networks. The method allows different technologies to identify entities in different ways. It allows for full or partial identification. It does not rely on collecting information into central repositories, whether such repositories reside on central nodes, or are mirrored on distributed nodes, such as in a distributed ledger of blockchain type or similar. Instead, the method presented relies on local governance of local information and interoperability between nodes across the Internet for finding entities.

The world of Internet of Things (IoT) is comprised of a multitude of incompatible islands, separated by different protocols and communication patterns. Harmonizing these different islands while ensuring security and data ownership in such heterogeneous networks is complex and requires a well-defined network architecture together with a commonly agreed standard not aiming to substitute them, but allowing them to coexist in an interoperable ecosystem. This position paper describes how IEEE P1451.99 IoT standard, together with the eXtensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP), can be used to bridge in real-time these seemingly incompatible islands thus achieving the harmonization of IoT; all of this regardless of underlying technologies, while also promoting the seamless integration of the IEEE 1451 family of standards-based devices. XMPP is standardized by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and provides an open and free alternative to commercial or bespoke middleware platforms. XMPP Standards Foundation (XSF) provides standardization of extensions for XMPP, that are widely in use. XMPP also provides a method to inject trust on which security decisions can be made, in globally scalable and decentralized networks, letting users play a central role in data ownership. Using this trust, moreover, resources can be monetized, promoting interoperation and guaranteeing a level of privacy that may extend up to sensitive data management.

Tokenization is a new means to monetize assets in new decentralized economies. New types of tokens allow for the tokenization of physical assets and real-world projects. They can also be used to monetize digital assets in Cyber-Physical Systems, as well as provide a decentralized means to authorize access to such devices and systems. This paper describes one such effort, where this new type of tokens acts as the basis for financing the construction of sustainable real estate (smart buildings), as well as provide a means for private investors (owners) and other interested third parties to gain access to revenue, as well as cyber-physical systems and digital twins within the constructed smart buildings, in an interoperable and transparent manner. Inter-operability with underlying systems and equipment is performed using IEEE P1451.99 IoT Harmonization interfaces. Monetization of underlying resources allows for advanced optimization of the process, in accordance with principles defined within Industry 4.0, smart cities, sustainability and quality of life for citizens.