Efficient communication for devices of a home network

• US 9,629,193 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2014
• Issued: 04/18/2017
• 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:
  US14/506,199
• Publication Number:
  US 20150023339A1
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 370389, 370392
• 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 tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to communicate a status of an electronic device of a fabric network of devices, comprising instructions stored thereon, that when executed on a processor, perform:

receiving, from another electronic device in the fabric network, a request for a status report message having a status reporting format, the status report being indicative of an operational status of the electronic device;

in response to receiving the request, sending to the other electronic device the status report message using the status reporting format, utilized in conjunction with a messaging protocol, wherein the status reporting format comprises;

a profile field configured to indicate a profile identifier and a vendor identifier, wherein the profile identifier indicates a vendor-specific identifier for a profile in which a value of a status code is defined, and the vendor identifier indicates a vendor providing the profile identified by the profile identifier; and

the status code is configured to indicate the status being reported, wherein the status code is interpreted, at least in part, in relation to the profile field.

2. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the status code comprises an encoded value to indicate the status being reported.

3. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the profile field comprises a profile ID field and a vendor ID field.

4. The computer-readable medium of claim 3, wherein the profile ID field comprises two bytes of data and the vendor ID field comprises two bytes of data.

5. The computer-readable medium of claim 3, wherein the status code is interpreted in relation to the profile ID field and the vendor ID field.

6. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, comprising instructions configured to communicate a status of a light switch as the electronic device.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, comprising instructions configured to communicate a status of a door lock as the electronic device.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, comprising instructions configured to communicate a status of a plug interface as the electronic device.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein one or more status codes are associated with the profile.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein one or more profiles are associated with the electronic device.

11. An electronic device comprising:

a network interface for communication in a fabric network;

a processor; and

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

receive, from another electronic device in the fabric network, a request for a status report message having a status reporting format, the status report being indicative of an operational status of the electronic device;

in response to the received request, communicate to the other electronic device the status report message using the status reporting format, utilized in conjunction with a messaging protocol, wherein the status reporting format comprises;

a profile field configured to indicate a profile identifier and a vendor identifier, wherein the profile identifier indicates a vendor-specific identifier for a profile in which a value of a status code is defined, and the vendor identifier indicates a vendor providing the profile identified by the profile identifier; and

the status code is configured to indicate a status being reported, wherein the status code is interpreted, at least in part, in relation to the profile field.

12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the profile field comprises a profile ID field and a vendor ID field.

13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the profile ID field comprises two bytes of data and the vendor ID field comprises two bytes of data.

14. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the status code is interpreted in relation to the profile ID field and the vendor ID field.

15. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the status code comprises an encoded value to indicate the status being reported.

16. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the electronic device is a doorbell, and wherein the processor of the doorbell is configured to communicate a message in the status reporting format to the other device of the fabric network, wherein the other device is a camera.

17. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the electronic device is a doorbell, and wherein the processor of the doorbell is configured to communicate a message in the status reporting format the other device of the fabric network, wherein the other device is a security system.

18. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the electronic device is a light switch, and wherein the processor of the light switch is configured to communicate a message in the status reporting format to the other device of the fabric network, wherein the other device is a fan.

19. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the electronic device is a light switch, and wherein the processor of the light switch is configured to communicate a message in the status reporting format to the other device of the fabric network, wherein the other device is a camera.

20. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the electronic device is a plug interface, and wherein the processor of the plug interface is configured to communicate a message in the status reporting format to the other device of the fabric network, wherein the other device is a hazard detection unit.

21. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the electronic device is a sensor, and wherein the processor of the sensor is configured to communicate a message in the status reporting format to the other device of the fabric network, wherein the other device is an alarm.

22. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the electronic device is a garage device, and wherein the processor of the garage device is configured to communicate a message in the status reporting format to the other device of the fabric network, wherein the other device is a light switch.

23. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein one or more status codes are associated with the profile.

24. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein one or more profiles are associated with the electronic device.

25. A method of communicating an operational status of an electronic device over a fabric network, the method comprising:

receiving, from another electronic device in the fabric network, a request for a status report message having a status reporting format, the status report being indicative of the operational status of the electronic device;

in response to said receiving the request, sending to the other electronic device the status report message using the status reporting format, wherein the status reporting format is utilized, in conjunction with a messaging protocol, wherein the status reporting format comprises;

a profile field configured to indicate a profile identifier and a vendor identifier, wherein the profile identifier indicates a vendor-specific identifier for a profile in which a value of a status code is defined, and the vendor identifier indicates a vendor providing the profile identified by the profile identifier; and

the status code is configured to indicate a status being reported, wherein the status code is interpreted, at least in part, in relation to the profile field.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the status code comprises an encoded value to indicate the status being reported.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the profile field comprises a profile ID field and a vendor ID field.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the profile ID field comprises two bytes of data and the vendor ID field comprises two bytes of data.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the status code is interpreted in relation to the profile ID field and the vendor ID field.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the electronic device is a pool heater, and wherein the method comprises communicating, via the pool heater, a message in the status reporting format to an irrigation system.

31. The method of claim 25, wherein the electronic device is a washer, and wherein the method comprises communicating, via the washer, a message in the status reporting format to a dryer.

32. The method of claim 25, wherein the electronic device is a ceiling fan, and wherein and wherein the method comprises communicating, via the ceiling fan, a message in the status reporting format to an air conditioner.

33. The method of claim 25, wherein the electronic device is a security system, and wherein the method comprises communicating, via the security system, a message in the status reporting format to a light.

34. The method of claim 25, wherein the electronic device is a television, and wherein the method comprises communicating, via the television, a message in the status reporting format to the other device of the fabric network, wherein the other device is a tablet.

35. The method of claim 25, wherein one or more status codes are associated with the profile.

36. The method of claim 25, wherein one or more profiles are associated with the electronic device.