https://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/IMOP/publications/IOM-109_TECO-2012/Session5/O5_08_Hartley_Internet_of_Things.pdf

A vision that is being implemented by many in the world is an extensive range of everyday objects connected and communicating cheaply with each other across a global network - "the Internet of Things." The electronic devices in our world generate enormous amounts of data and thanks to the Internet the possibilities for interaction between devices is almost endless. These devices can be data sources (sensors), end user devices (displays, databases), and even a data source and sink (an actuator, smart phone).