Systems and methods for retrieving customer premise equipment data

• US 8,250,190 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2007
• Issued: 08/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Jiang, Baofeng, Chen, Kaiyan, Lim, Michael Yew-Aik
• Primary Examiner(s): HOANG, HIEU T
• Application Number:
  US11/729,682
• Publication Number:
  US 20080240089A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,972 Days
• Field of Search: 709/223, 709/224, 709/227
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2859 Point-to-point connection between the data network and the subscribers encapsulation H04L12/4633; virtual LANs H04L12/4641; routing of packets H04L45/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2898 Subscriber equipments DSL modems H04M11/062; cable modems H04L12/2801
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0809 Plug-and-play configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0866 Checking the configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/24 using dedicated network management hardware
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/50 Network service management, e.g. ensuring proper service fulfilment according to agreements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1023 Media gateways
• 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: H04M 11/062 using different frequency bands for speech and other data
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0069 comprising a residential gateway, e.g. those which provide an adapter for POTS or ISDN terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer readable medium storing a computer executable program for retrieving customer premise equipment (CPE) data are disclosed. A first communication channel is established with a first CPE device via a first node element. The first node element is operable to route data to and from the first CPE device in an Internet network. A request for CPE data is issued to the first CPE device via the first communication channel. The requested CPE data is received from the first CPE device via the first communication channel.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a trigger event at a customer premise equipment management system from a service provider system, wherein the trigger event comprises a request for retrieval of first customer premise equipment data from a first customer premise equipment device;

identifying, by the customer premise equipment management system, responsive to the trigger event, a first application program interface, wherein the first application program interface is supported by the first customer premise equipment device;

establishing, by the customer premise equipment management system, a first communication channel between the customer premise equipment management system and the first customer premise equipment device using the first application program interface;

issuing, from the customer premise equipment management system, a first request for first customer premise equipment data to the first customer premise equipment device via the first communication channel in response to receiving the trigger event; and

receiving, at the customer premise equipment management system, the first customer premise equipment data from the first customer premise equipment device via the first communication channel in response to the first request.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the trigger event further comprises a request for retrieval of second customer premise equipment data from a second customer premise equipment device, the method further comprising:

identifying, responsive to the trigger event, a second application program interface supported by the second customer premise equipment device;

establishing a second communication channel with the second customer premise equipment device using the second application program interface;

issuing a second request for second customer premise equipment data to the second customer premise equipment device via the second communication channel; and

receiving the second customer premise equipment data from the second customer premise equipment device via the second communication channel corresponding to the second request.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first application program interface is distinct from the second application program interface.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein a local area network includes at least one of the first customer premise equipment device and the second customer premise equipment device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein one or more of the first customer premise equipment data and the second customer premise equipment data comprises, local area network performance parameters, local area network usage parameters, local area network performance statistics, service provider usage statistics, or a combination thereof.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the first customer premise equipment device corresponds to a first service provider and wherein the second customer premise equipment device corresponds to a second service provider that is different from the first service provider.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the trigger event includes a request for a bulk download of the customer premise equipment data.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

performing the bulk download of the customer premise equipment data; and

maintaining the bulk downloaded customer premise equipment data in a database for a pre-defined period of time.

9. A method comprising:

receiving a trigger event at a customer premise equipment data retrieval system from a service provider system, wherein the trigger event comprises a request for retrieval of customer premise equipment data from a first customer premise equipment device and from a second customer premise equipment device;

identifying, by customer premise equipment data retrieval system, responsive to the trigger event;

a first application program interface, wherein the first application program interface is supported by the first customer premise equipment device; and

a second application program interface, wherein the second application program interface is supported by the second customer premise equipment device;

in response to receipt of the trigger event, issuing, from the customer premise equipment data retrieval system;

a first command to establish a first communication channel to the first customer premise equipment device using the first application program interface; and

a second command to establish a second communication channel to the second customer premise equipment device using the second application program interface;

in response to receipt of the trigger event, issuing a first request for first customer premise equipment data to the first customer premise equipment device via the first communication channel and issuing a second request for second customer premise equipment data to the second customer premise equipment device via the second communication channel; and

receiving the first customer premise equipment data from the first customer premise equipment device via the first communication channel in response to the first request and receiving the second customer premise equipment data from the second customer premise equipment device via the second communication channel in response to the second request.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein a local area network comprises the first customer premise equipment device and the second customer premise equipment device.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein receiving the first customer premise equipment data comprises receiving a customer premise equipment access certificate associated with the first customer premise equipment device.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the customer premise equipment data comprises customer premise equipment wide area network performance parameters, customer premise equipment wide area network performance statistics, customer premise equipment wide area network usage parameters, customer premise equipment downstream Dynamic Spectrum Management statistics, customer premise equipment upstream/downstream wide area network usage parameters, customer premise equipment wide area network upstream/downstream performance statistics, local area network performance parameters, local area network usage parameters, local area network performance statistics, service provider service usage statistics, or a combination thereof.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the trigger event comprises a periodic request for customer premise equipment data, a bulk customer premise equipment download data request, or a combination thereof.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

issuing a third request for a first customer premise equipment access data parameter to a customer premise equipment management system in response to receiving the trigger event; and

receiving the first customer premise equipment access data parameter from the customer premise equipment management system in response to the third request.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein selection of the first customer premise equipment device and the second customer premise equipment device for data retrieval is included in at least one of a trouble-shooting procedure and a maintenance procedure.

16. The method of claim 9 wherein the first command and the second command are issued contemporaneously.

17. The method of claim 9 wherein the first request and the second request are issued contemporaneously.

18. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

receive a trigger event from a service provider system, wherein the trigger event comprises a request for retrieval of customer premise equipment data from a first customer premise equipment device;

identify, responsive to the trigger event, a first application program interface, wherein the first application program interface is supported by the first customer premise equipment device,

establish a first communication channel with the first customer premise equipment device using the first application program interface;

issue a first request for customer premise equipment data to the first customer premise equipment device via the first communication channel in response to receipt of the trigger event; and

receive the customer premise equipment data from the first customer premise equipment device via the first communication channel in response to the first request.

19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 18, further comprising instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to establish the first communication channel based on a first customer premise equipment access data parameter in response to receipt of the trigger event.

20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 19, further comprising instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to:

issue, to a customer premise equipment management system, a second request for the first customer premise equipment access data parameter; and

receive, from the customer premise equipment management system, the requested first customer premise equipment access data parameter in response to the second request.

21. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 19, further comprising instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to receive the first customer premise equipment access data parameter from the first customer premise equipment device during activation of the first customer premise equipment device.

22. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the first customer premise equipment access data parameter comprises a customer premise equipment identification tag, a customer premise equipment access certificate, a customer premise equipment type, or a combination thereof.

23. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the first customer premise equipment device comprises an asymmetric digital subscriber line modem, a set top box, a residential gateway, or a combination thereof.

24. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the customer premise equipment data comprises customer premise equipment wide area network performance parameters, customer premise equipment wide area network performance statistics, customer premise equipment wide area network usage parameters, customer premise equipment downstream Dynamic Spectrum Management statistics, customer premise equipment upstream/downstream wide area network usage parameters, customer premise equipment wide area network upstream/downstream performance statistics, local area network performance parameters, local area network usage parameters, local area network performance statistics, service provider service usage statistics, or a combination thereof.

25. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 18, further comprising instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to:

contemporaneously issue a first command to establish the first communication channel and issue a second command to establish a second communication channel with a second customer premise equipment device;

issue a second request for second customer premise equipment data to the second customer premise equipment device via the second communication channel; and

receive the first customer premise equipment data from the first customer premise equipment device via the first communication channel in response to the first request and receive the second customer premise equipment data via the second communication channel in response to the second request.

26. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the first command and the second command are issued contemporaneously.

27. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the first request and the second request are issued contemporaneously.

28. A system comprising:

a communication module operable to;

receive a trigger event from a service provider system, wherein the trigger event comprises a request for retrieval of customer premise equipment data from a first customer premise equipment device;

identify, responsive to the trigger event, a first application program interface, wherein the first application program interface is supported by the first customer premise equipment device,

establish a first communication channel with a first customer premise equipment device using the first application program interface; and

a customer premise equipment data collection module communicatively coupled to the communication module, the customer premise equipment data collection module to;

issue a first request for the customer premise equipment data to the first customer premise equipment device via the first communication channel in response to receipt of the trigger event at the communication module; and

receive the requested customer premise equipment data from the first customer premise equipment device via the first communication channel in response to the first request.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the communication module is further operable to establish the first communication channel responsive to receipt of the trigger event.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the first communication channel is established by the communication module based on a first customer premise equipment access data parameter.

31. The system of claim 30, further comprising a customer premise equipment access data collection module communicatively coupled to the communication module, the customer premise equipment access data collection module being operable to:

issue a second request for the first customer premise equipment access data parameter to a customer premise equipment management system in response to receipt of the trigger event at the communication module; and

receive the requested first customer premise equipment access data parameter from the customer premise equipment management system in response to the second request.

32. The system of claim 30, further comprising a customer premise equipment access data collection module communicatively coupled to the communication module, the customer premise equipment access data collection module being operable to receive the first customer premise equipment access data parameter from the first customer premise equipment device during activation of the first customer premise equipment device.

33. The system of claim 30, wherein the first customer premise equipment access data parameter comprises a customer premise equipment identification tag, a customer premise equipment access certificate, a customer premise equipment type, or a combination thereof.

34. The system of claim 28, wherein the first customer premise equipment device includes an asymmetric digital subscriber line modem, a set top box, a residential gateway, or a combination thereof.

35. The system of claim 28, wherein the customer premise equipment data comprises customer premise equipment wide area network performance parameters, customer premise equipment wide area network performance statistics, customer premise equipment wide area network usage parameters, customer premise equipment downstream Dynamic Spectrum Management statistics, customer premise equipment upstream/downstream wide area network usage parameters, customer premise equipment wide area network upstream/downstream performance statistics, local area network performance parameters, local area network usage parameters, local area network performance statistics, service provider service usage statistics, or a combination thereof.