Efficient communication for devices of a home network

• US 10,320,763 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2017
• Issued: 06/11/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Erickson, Grant M., Logue, Jay D., Boross, Christopher A., Smith, Zachary B., Hardison, Osborne B., Schultz, Richard J., Gujjaru, Sunny P., Neeley, Matthew G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Faroul, Farah
• Application Number:
  US15/612,823
• Publication Number:
  US 20170272416A1
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0415 detecting absence of activity per se
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/28 characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks] wireless communication networks H04W ; arrangements for dividing the transmission path H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2814 Exchanging control software or macros for controlling appliance services in a home automation network arrangements for maintenance or administration involving configuration of the network and network elements H04L41/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2823 Reporting information sensed by appliance or service execution status of appliance services in a home automation network device-related reporting H04L43/065; arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom H04Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/56 Packet switching systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/604 Address structures or formats
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/659 Internet protocol version 6 [IPv6] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/00 Routing or path finding of packets in data switching networks routing or path finding in wireless networks H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/74 Address processing for routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/254 Centralised controller, i.e. arbitration or scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5038 for local use, e.g. in LAN or USB networks, or in a controller area network [CAN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/061 for key exchange, e.g. in peer-to-peer networks cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key agreement H04L9/0838
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 : involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 : specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 : Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/165 : Combined use of TCP and UDP protocols; selection criteria therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/22 : Parsing or analysis of headers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0861 : Generation of secret information including derivation or calculation of cryptographic keys or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/14 : using a plurality of keys or algorithms
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/30 : Public key, i.e. encryption algorithm being computationally infeasible to invert or user's encryption keys not requiring secrecy
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/32 : including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system or for message authentication, e.g. authorization, entity authentication, data integrity or data verification, non-repudiation, key authentication or verification of credentials
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 : involving digital signatures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3263 : involving certificates, e.g. public key certificate [PKC] or attribute certificate [AC]; Public key infrastructure [PKI] arrangements network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using certificates in a packet data network H04L63/0823
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3265 : using certificate chains, trees or paths; Hierarchical trust model
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/0471 : Key exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 : using certificates or pre-shared keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/04 : Arrangements for maintaining operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 : Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/246 : Connectivity information discovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0212 : managed by the network, e.g. network or access point is master and terminal is slave
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/383 : power control in peer-to-peer links
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/00 : Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/53 : based on regulatory allocation policies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 : Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 : Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/045 : involving different protocol versions, e.g. MIPv4 and MIPv6
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 : Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 : adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/18 : Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 : Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for efficient communication through a fabric network of devices in a home environment or similar environment. For example, an electronic device may efficiently control communication to balance power and reliability concerns, may efficiently communicate messages to certain preferred networks by analyzing Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) packet headers that use an Extended Unique Local Address (EULA), may efficiently communicate software updates and status reports throughout a fabric network, and/or may easily and efficiently join a fabric network.

Claims

1. A method of joining a first device and a second device in a fabric network, the method comprising:

creating, by the first device, a first joining network, the first joining network having a network name comprising an identifier of the first device that includes a string identifying the first joining network as a joining network and a flag indicating whether the first device is part of the fabric network;

scanning for a second joining network;

in response to the scanning, detecting the second joining network, the second joining network having been created by the second device, the second joining network having a network name comprising an identifier of the second device; and

determining, by the first device, whether to join the second joining network, or to join the second device to the first joining network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining whether to join the second joining network, or to join the second device to the first joining network comprises:

comparing, by the first device, the identifiers of the first device and the second device;

joining the second joining network if a value of the identifier of the first device is less than a value of the identifier of the second device;

or

joining the second device to the first joining network if the value of the identifier of the first device is greater than the value of the identifier of the second device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first device is joining the second joining network, the method further comprising:

terminating the first joining network;

sending a solicit joining message to the second device;

receiving a solicit joining request from the second device; and

sending fabric network information to the second device in a join existing fabric network request.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the second device is joining the first joining network, the method further comprising:

receiving a solicit joining message from the second device;

creating the fabric network;

joining the first device to the fabric network; and

sending a join existing fabric network request that is effective to join the second device to the fabric network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first joining network and the second joining network are IEEE 802.15.4 networks.

6. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising activating the first device to begin the joining the first device and the second device in the fabric network.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein activating the first device to begin the joining comprises receiving a user input, by the first device, to activate the first device.

8. An electronic device configured to join an additional device in a fabric network, the electronic device comprising:

a processor; and

a memory comprising instructions executable by the processor that configure the electronic device to;

create a joining network, the joining network having a network name comprising an identifier of the electronic device that includes a string identifying the joining network as a joining network and a flag indicating whether the electronic device is part of the fabric network;

scan for another joining network;

in response to the scan, detect the other joining network, the other joining network having been created by the additional device, the other joining network having a network name comprising an identifier of the additional device; and

determine whether to join the other joining network, or to join the additional device to the joining network.

9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein, to determine whether to join the other joining network or to join the additional device to the joining network comprises the electronic device configured to:

compare the identifiers of the electronic device and the additional device;

join the electronic device to the other joining network if a value of the identifier of the electronic device is less than a value of the identifier of the additional device;

or

join the additional device to the joining network if the value of the identifier of the electronic device is greater than the value of the identifier of the additional device.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein, for the electronic device to join the second joining network, the electronic device is configured to:

terminate the joining network;

send a solicit joining message to the additional device;

receive a solicit joining request from the additional device; and

send fabric network information to the additional device in a join existing fabric network request.

11. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein, for the additional device to join the joining network, the electronic device is configured to:

receive a solicit joining message from the additional device;

create the fabric network;

join the electronic device to the fabric network; and

send a join existing fabric network request that is effective to join the additional device to the fabric network.

12. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the joining network and the other joining network are IEEE 802.15.4 networks.

13. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the electronic device is configured to receive an input to activate the electronic device to begin joining the electronic device and the additional device in the fabric network.

14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the input to activate the electronic device to begin joining the electronic device is a push, by a user, of a button on the electronic device.

15. A system for creating a fabric network, the system comprising:

an electronic device configured to;

create a joining network, the joining network having a network name comprising an identifier of the electronic device that includes a string identifying the joining network as a joining network and a flag indicating whether the electronic device is part of the fabric network;

scan for another joining network;

in response to the scan, detect the other joining network; and

determine whether to join the other joining network, or to join an additional device to the joining network; and

the additional device configured to;

create the other joining network, the other joining network having a network name comprising an identifier of the additional device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein, to determine whether to join the other joining network or to join the additional device to the joining network comprises the electronic device configured to:

compare the identifiers of the electronic device and the additional device;

join the other joining network if a value of the identifier of the electronic device is less than a value of the identifier of the additional device;

or

join the additional device to the joining network if the value of the identifier of the electronic device is greater than the value of the identifier of the additional device.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein, for the electronic device to join the other joining network, the electronic device is configured to:

terminate the joining network;

send a solicit joining message to the additional device;

receive a solicit joining request from the additional device; and

send fabric network information to the additional device in a join existing fabric network request.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein, for the additional device to join the joining network, the electronic device is configured to:

receive a solicit joining message from the additional device;

create the fabric network;

join the electronic device to the fabric network; and

send a join existing fabric network request that is effective to join the additional device to the fabric network.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the joining network and the other joining network are IEEE 802.15.4 networks.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the electronic device is configured to receive an input to activate the electronic device to begin joining the electronic device and the additional device in the fabric network.