Database Sensors and Business Applications

>concurrency and then to tree routing.  Users can
While a sensor database is something that may bemake event-based, actuation, lifetime-based,
available in the future, there are a number ofmonitoring, networking, and exploratory or
software solutions that allow today’saggregation queries.
businesses to create an effective database that suitsIn 2004, the idea of using a sensor database for
their needs.  As new research unfolds, the softwarehuman-robot interactions was introduced by
procedures and project management solutions areKawashima at the Graduate School of Keio
being streamlined.  Even a small business can takeUniversity.  The researcher identified three problems
advantage of systems that were at one timewith existing systems.  One concerned the
reserved for major industrial applications. The idea offreshness and persistence of the sensor data to
using sensors in a database is attractive.  Severalmonitor the current condition of the robots and to
groups are working on ways to implement theanalyze the stored sensor data.  He proposed a
sensor network approach in such a way that datasystem called KRAFT (Kernel of Real-time Active and
can be retrieved with more flexibility.Fresh Time-series data manager) to solve that
The existing networks are being used primarily forproblem.
scientific measurements, law enforcement, militaryWhile a sensor database is something that may be
and surveillance applications.  But, that’savailable in the future, there are a number of
where most of our database models originated. software solutions that allow today’s
Eventually, they are used by other industries andbusinesses to create an effective database that suits
finally make it into the private sector.their needs.  As new research unfolds, the software
The system developed at Cornell University is moreprocedures and project management solutions are
flexible in terms of devices that can be used. being streamlined.  Even a small business can take
Current databases like that flexibility, because largeadvantage of systems that were at one time
volumes of raw data are transferred regardless ofreserved for major industrial applications.
the queries submitted.  With the Cornell concept ofIn order to remain competitive, businesses large and
sensor database systems, queries dictate which datasmall need database software that allows them to
is extracted from the sensors.  Stored data areoperate smoothly throughout the world.  Primarily
represented as relations, while sensor data arebecause of the internet, global trading has grown
represented as time series.  Their system is calledtremendously over the last decade.
the COUGAR.If you are a small business owner, you can keep up
The Cougar makes use of sensors that allow forwith the latest innovations by visiting software blogs
abstract data type functions, in-network processingand other websites.  You can subscribe to business
and a gateway node.  A query proxy is used todatabase program publications.  You can sign up for
provide a small database component.e-mail alerts from the database software providers. 
From Berkley University comes the “Tiny DB”. When sensors become available and applicable in your
The query processor leads to multiple querybusiness, you’ll know.