Help Center> IoT Device Access> Developer Guide> Product Development> Developing a Product Model> Definition
View PDF

Definition

A product model describes the capabilities and features of a device. You can build an abstract model of a device by defining a product model on the IoT platform so that the platform can know what services, properties, and commands are supported by the device, such as its color and on or off switches it might have. After defining a product model, you can use it during device registration.

A product model consists of product details and service capabilities.

  • Product details

    Product details describe basic information about a device, including the manufacturer ID, manufacturer name, device type, and protocol.

    For example, for a water meter, the manufacturer name could be HZYB, manufacturer ID TestUtf8ManuId, device type WaterMeter, and protocol CoAP.

  • Service capabilities

    The service capabilities of a device are divided into several services. Properties, commands, and command parameters are defined for each service.

    For example, a water meter has multiple capabilities. It reports the water flow, alarms, battery life, and connection data, and it receives commands too. When describing the capabilities of a water meter, the profile includes five services, and each service has its own properties or commands.

    Service Type

    Description

    WaterMeterBasic

    Defines parameters reported by the water meter, such as the water flow, temperature, and pressure. If these parameters need to be controlled or modified using commands, parameters in the commands need to be defined.

    WaterMeterAlarm

    Defines various scenarios where the water meter will report an alarm. Commands need to be defined if necessary.

    Battery

    Defines the voltage and current intensity of a water meter.

    DeliverySchedule

    Defines transmission rules for water meters. Commands need to be defined if necessary.

    Connectivity

    Defines connectivity parameters of the water meter.

    Note: You can define the number of services as required. For example, the WaterMeterAlarm service can be further divided into WaterPressureAlarm and WaterFlowAlarm services or be integrated into the WaterMeterBasic service.

The platform provides multiple methods for developing product models. You can select a method as required.
  • Custom Model (online development): Build a product model from scratch. For details, see Developing a Product Model Online.
  • Import Local Profile (offline development): Upload a local product model to the platform. For details, see Developing a Product Model Offline.
  • Import from Excel: Define product functions by importing an Excel file. This method can lower the product model development threshold for developers because they only need to fill in parameters based on the Excel file. It also helps high-level developers and integrators improve the development efficiency of complex models in the industry. For example, the auto-control air conditioner model contains more than 100 service items. Developing the product model by editing the excel file greatly improves the efficiency. You can edit and adjust parameters at any time. For details, see Import from Excel.
  • Import Library Model: You can use a preset product model to quickly develop a product. The platform provides standard and manufacturer-specific product models. Standard product models comply with industry standards and are suitable for devices of most manufacturers in the industry. Manufacturer-specific product models are suitable for devices provided by a small number of manufacturers. You can select a product model as required.