Home-networking

• US 20010036192A1
• Filed: 03/19/2001
• Published: 11/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AOL LLC (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bosco, Eric, Chiles, David Clyde
• Granted Patent: US 7,359,973 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4633 Interconnection of networks using encapsulation techniques, e.g. tunneling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/2514 between local and global IP addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5014 using dynamic host configuration protocol [DHCP] or bootstrap protocol [BOOTP]
• 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 63/02 for separating internal from external traffic, e.g. firewalls
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226

Abstract

Home-networked client devices are connected to a host system that assigns independent Internet addresses to the client devices using a home gateway device that is connected to the home-networked client devices through a network. The home gateway device, which may be physically located in a personal residence, generally includes a communication device to communicate with the host system over a single communication tunnel established between the home gateway device and the host system. The home gateway device also may include a PPPoE access concentrator and an L2TP access concentrator. The client devices communicate with the host system through the home gateway device over the single communication tunnel. This enables the host system to establish individual communication sessions with the client devices over the single communication tunnel and to assign independent Internet addresses to the client devices.

Claims

1. A system for connecting multiple home-networked client devices to a host system, wherein the host system assigns independent Internet addresses to the home-networked client devices, the system comprising:

a home gateway device which includes a communication device to communicate with the host system over a single communication tunnel established between the home gateway device and the host system; and

multiple home-networked client devices connected to the home gateway device via a network and that communicate with the host system through the home gateway device over the single communication tunnel,

wherein the system is configured to enable the host system to establish individual communication sessions with the multiple home-networked client devices over the single communication tunnel and to assign independent Internet addresses to the multiple home-networked client devices.

2. The system of

claim 1

wherein the home gateway device is physically located in a personal residence.

3. The system of

claim 2

wherein the personal residence is a single family dwelling.

4. The system of

claim 1

wherein the home gateway device and the home-networked client devices are physically located in a personal residence.

5. The system of

claim 4

wherein the personal residence is a single family dwelling.

6. The system of

claim 2

wherein the home-networked client devices include wireless client devices that are connected to the home gateway device via a wireless network.

7. The system of

claim 6

wherein the wireless client devices operate outside of the personal residence.

8. The system of

claim 1

wherein the home-networked client devices establish simultaneous individual communication sessions with the host system over the single communication tunnel and each home-networked client device is assigned an independent Internet address by the host system.

9. The system of

claim 1

wherein the host system includes an Internet Service Provider.

10. The system of

claim 1

wherein the home gateway device communicates with the multiple home-networked client devices using a first protocol and communicates with the host system using a second protocol.

11. The system of

claim 10

wherein the first protocol and the second protocol are the same.

12. The system of

claim 10

wherein the second protocol differs from the first protocol.

13. The system of

claim 12

wherein the home gateway device includes one or more modules that are structured and arranged to convert between the first protocol and the second protocol.

14. The system of

claim 12

wherein:

the home-networked client devices are PPP enabled;

the first protocol is PPPoE; and

the second protocol is L2TP.

15. The system of

claim 14

wherein the home gateway device emulates a PPPoE access concentrator and an L2TP access concentrator.

16. The system of

claim 1

wherein the communication device includes a modem.

17. The system of

claim 16

wherein the communication device includes a cable modem.

18. The system of

claim 16

wherein the communication device includes a satellite modem.

19. The system of

claim 16

wherein the communication device includes a DSL modem.

20. The system of

claim 1

wherein the multiple home-networked client devices include client devices having computer software that enable the client devices to interface with the home gateway device and to communicate with the host system through the home gateway device, such that the host system is able to recognize independent client devices.

21. The system of

claim 20

wherein the independent client devices are recognized by the host system through the use of unique identifiers assigned to each of the client devices by the host system during the established communication session.

22. The system of

claim 21

wherein the unique identifiers are unique to the client devices.

23. The system of

claim 21

wherein the unique identifiers include independent Internet addresses.

24. The system of

claim 21

wherein the unique identifiers are unique to users of the client devices.

25. The system of

claim 24

wherein at least one of the unique identifiers includes a unique identifier for a user of the client devices combined with an independent Internet address assigned to a client device.

26. The system of

claim 25

wherein at least one of the unique identifiers for the user of the client devices includes a screen name.

27. The system of

claim 1

wherein the multiple home-networked client devices are each assigned an independent Internet address by the host system that enables the host system to recognize a user of a home-networked client device, the user having a unique identifier that is which combined with the independent Internet address to allow the user access to individual information maintained by the host system for that user.

28. The system of

claim 27

wherein the user having the unique identifier combined with the independent Internet address allows the host system to enforce host-based parental controls.

29. The system of

claim 27

wherein the individual information maintained by the host system includes wallet information.

30. The system of

claim 27

wherein the individual information maintained by the host system includes calendar information.

31. The system of

claim 27

wherein the individual information maintained by the host system includes personalized web page information.

32. The system of

claim 1

wherein the home gateway device includes a personal computer.

33. The system of

claim 1

wherein the home gateway device includes a server.

34. The system of

claim 1

wherein the network includes a wired network.

35. The system of

claim 1

wherein the network includes a wireless network.

36. The system of

claim 1

wherein the network includes a wired and a wireless network.

37. The system of

claim 1

wherein the network includes an Ethernet network.

38. The system of

claim 1

wherein the home gateway device includes a dynamic host configuration protocol module.

39. The system of

claim 1

wherein:

the home gateway device includes;

a dynamic host configuration protocol module; and

an L2TP access concentrator; and

the home-networked client devices communicate with the home gateway device using the dynamic host configuration protocol module.

40. The system of

claim 39

wherein:

the network between the home gateway device and the home-networked client devices uses the dynamic host configuration protocol module to enable the home gateway device to assign unique addresses to the home-networked client devices;

the single communication tunnel established between the home gateway device and the host system is established over a broadband network; and

the dynamic host configuration module is configured to facilitate communications between the host system and the home-networked client devices to enable the host system to enforce host-based parental controls.

41. The system of

claim 40

wherein the assignment of unique addresses is performed upon bootup of the home-networked client devices.

42. The system of

claim 1

wherein the home gateway device and the multiple home-networked client devices communicate over the network using DHCP and the multiple home-networked client devices are each assigned a single address that is used in communications with the home gateway device and the host system.

43. A method for connecting multiple home-networked client devices to a host system, wherein the host system assigns independent Internet addresses to the home-networked client devices, the method comprising:

using the home gateway device to receive a request from at least one home-networked client device to communicate with the host system, wherein the home-networked client device is connected to the home gateway device via a network;

using the home gateway device to establish communications with the host system over a single communication tunnel;

using the home gateway device to establish with the host system an individual communication session over the single communication tunnel, wherein the individual communication session is based on an independent Internet address assigned to the home-networked client device that requested to communicate with the host system; and

using the home gateway device to process communications between the home-networked client device and the host system.

44. The method of

claim 43

further comprising physically locating the home gateway device in a personal residence such that the request is received in the personal residence.

45. The method of

claim 44

wherein the personal residence is a single family dwelling such that the request is received in the single family dwelling.

46. The method of

claim 43

further comprising physically locating the home gateway device and the home-networked client devices in a personal residence such that the request is received in the personal residence.

47. The method of

claim 46

wherein the personal residence is a single family dwelling such that the request is received in the single family dwelling.

48. The method of

claim 43

further comprising:

using the home gateway device to establish with the host system multiple simultaneous individual communication sessions over the single communication tunnel, wherein the multiple simultaneous individual communication sessions are each based on an independent Internet address assigned to the home-networked client devices that request to communicate with the host system; and

using the home gateway device to process communications between the home-networked client devices and the host system.

49. The method of

claim 43

wherein the host system includes an Internet Service Provider.

50. The method of

claim 43

wherein using the home gateway device to process communications between the home-networked client device and the host system includes:

using the home gateway device to communicate with the home-networked client device using a first protocol; and

using the home gateway device to communicate with the host system using a second protocol.

51. The method of

claim 50

wherein the first protocol and the second protocol are the same.

52. The method of

claim 50

wherein the second protocol differs from the first protocol.

53. The method of

claim 50

wherein the first protocol includes PPPoE and the second protocol includes L2TP.

54. The method of

claim 53

wherein the home gateway device includes a PPPoE access concentrator and an L2TP access concentrator.

55. The method of

claim 50

wherein using the home gateway device to process communications includes:

removing a first header from the communications received from the home-networked client device destined for the host system;

adding a second header to the communications; and

sending the communications with the second header to the host system.

56. The method of

claim 55

wherein using the home gateway device to process communications includes:

removing a third header from the communications received from the host system destined for the home-networked client device;

adding a fourth header to the communications; and

sending the communications with the fourth header to the home-networked client device.

57. The method of

claim 43

wherein the home gateway device includes a dynamic host configuration protocol module.

58. The method of

claim 43

wherein using the home gateway device to process communications between the home-networked client device and the host system includes:

using the home gateway device to communicate with the home-networked client device using DHCP; and

using the home gateway device to communicate with the host system using L2TP.

59. The method of

claim 43

wherein:

using the home gateway device to establish communications with the host system includes establishing communications with the host system over a broadband network; and

using the home gateway device to process communications between the home-networked client device and the host system includes the home gateway device using the host-assigned independent Internet address to communicate over the network with the home-networked client device.

60. The method of

claim 59

wherein the independent Internet address is assigned to the home-networked client device upon bootup.

61. A method for connecting multiple home-networked client devices to a host system, wherein the host system assigns independent Internet addresses to the home-networked client devices, the method comprising:

using the host system to receive a request for an individual communication session with a home-networked client device;

using the host system to establish communications with the home gateway device over a single communication tunnel;

using the host system to establish with the home gateway device the individual communication session over the single communication tunnel, wherein establishing the individual communication session includes assigning an independent Internet address to the home-networked client device that requested to communicate with the host system; and

communicating between the host system and the home-networked client device through the home gateway device over the individual communication session.

62. The method of

claim 61

further comprising physically locating the home gateway device in a personal residence such that the request is received in the personal residence.

63. The method of

claim 62

wherein the personal residence is a single family dwelling such that the request is received in the single family dwelling.

64. The method of

claim 61

further comprising physically locating the home gateway device and the home-networked client devices in a personal residence such that the request is received in the personal residence.

65. The method of

claim 64

wherein the personal residence is a single family dwelling such that the request is received in the single family dwelling.

66. The method of

claim 61

further comprising:

using the host system to establish multiple simultaneous individual communication sessions with the home gateway device over the single communication tunnel, wherein establishing the multiple simultaneous individual communication sessions includes assigning an independent Internet address to each home-networked client device that requests to communicate with the host system; and

communicating between the host system and the home-networked client devices through the home gateway device over the multiple simultaneous individual communication sessions.

67. The method of

claim 66

further comprising having the host system use the assigned independent Internet address to communicate individual information maintained by the host system to the home-networked client devices.

68. The method of

claim 67

wherein the individual information includes host-based parental controls.

69. The method of

claim 67

wherein the individual information includes wallet information.

70. The method of

claim 67

wherein the individual information includes calendar information.

71. The method of

claim 67

wherein the individual information includes personalized web page information.

72. The method of

claim 61

wherein the host system includes an Internet Service Provider.