System and Method for Automatic Configuration and Management of Home Network Devices Using a Hierarchical Index Model
First Claim
1. A method of automatically detecting issues and facilitating the transmission of alert messages in a home network consisting of a plurality of consumer electronic devices coupled to a service node, the method comprising:
- storing information regarding home entities in an inventory database, the entities comprising the household, one or more users within the household, devices in the household, applications running on the devices, and a community of which the household is included;
defining usage classes for each entity, the usage classes denoting a primary function associated with an entity, and comprising networking, productivity, and entertainment;
assigning an index value to each usage class for each entity, the index value comprising an integer value within a fixed range, and reflecting a relative level of satisfaction associated with the entity for each respective usage class;
monitoring data regarding usage trends, performance characteristics, and external variables associated with the entities;
modifying one or more of the index values based on the monitored data; and
facilitating the transmission of messages regarding services or products related to the entities of the home from one or more parties, wherein the messages are conformed to index values.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for automatically installing and managing devices in a home network implements automated configuration and maintenance of devices and peripherals. A service platform facilitates automated discovery and deployment of home networks and devices that interact with the network. The system includes a monitoring and learning processes for automatic issue detection and alerting. Activity of users and devices within the home are monitored, usage patterns are learned and applied back to the system to improve the digital performance of the home. This system leverages data center, service node, and agent software in the devices to access a knowledge base storing data regarding home entities. A hierarchical index model is used to assign intelligence levels to these entities based on certain parameters. The indices are used to direct alert messages, take an action, and implement a targeted facility for providing communications from network managers or service providers.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of automatically detecting issues and facilitating the transmission of alert messages in a home network consisting of a plurality of consumer electronic devices coupled to a service node, the method comprising:
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storing information regarding home entities in an inventory database, the entities comprising the household, one or more users within the household, devices in the household, applications running on the devices, and a community of which the household is included; defining usage classes for each entity, the usage classes denoting a primary function associated with an entity, and comprising networking, productivity, and entertainment; assigning an index value to each usage class for each entity, the index value comprising an integer value within a fixed range, and reflecting a relative level of satisfaction associated with the entity for each respective usage class; monitoring data regarding usage trends, performance characteristics, and external variables associated with the entities; modifying one or more of the index values based on the monitored data; and facilitating the transmission of messages regarding services or products related to the entities of the home from one or more parties, wherein the messages are conformed to index values. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for facilitating management of a home network including consumer devices, comprising:
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a service node including one or more communication links to a plurality of devices deployed in a home environment, wherein each of the plurality of devices executes a respective agent process that provides configuration information regarding the device to the service node, and wherein the configuration information is stored in a device registry; a data center coupled to the service node and configured to store device parameter information in the device registry, and to generate a network topology representing operational characteristics of the devices and interconnection information among the devices; and an index generation process configured to define one or more entities within the home network and one or more usage classes for each entity, extract data from the network corresponding to usage characteristics, and operational issues associated with the entities, assign an index value to each usage class for each entity based on the extracted data to generate a profile index matrix, obtain market data for at least one of the one or more entities, and modify the index value for the at least one entity based on the market data. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. (canceled)
Specification