Multi-services gateway device at user premises

• US 10,785,050 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2016
• Issued: 09/22/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kip Prod P1 LP
• Original Assignee: Kip Prod P1 LP
• Inventors: Ansari, Amir, Cowgill, George A., Nicholls, Leon E., Ramayya, Jude P., Masina, Ramprakash, McQuarters, Alvin R., Raissyan, Atousa, Clavenna, II, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Li, Guang W
• Application Number:
  US15/011,843
• Publication Number:
  US 20160226920A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,695 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/64 Browsing; Visualisation therefor generation of a list or set of audio data G06F16/638
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/68 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19656 Network used to communicate with a camera, e.g. WAN, LAN, Internet
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/22 Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialogue
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 2015/223 Execution procedure of a spoken command
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2807 Exchanging configuration information on appliance services in a home automation network arrangements for maintenance or administration involving network analysis for automatically determining the actual topology of a network H04L41/12; hardware or software tools for network management using graphical user interfaces H04L41/22; address allocation H04L61/50
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2812 describing content present in a home automation network, e.g. audio video content retrieval from the Internet G06F16/95
• 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 12/2816 Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities 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 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/80 : Actions related to the user profile or the type of traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/83 : based on usage prediction
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/25 : Routing or path finding in a switch fabric
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4552 : Lookup mechanisms between a plurality of directories; Synchronisation of directories, e.g. metadirectories
• 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 63/0876 : based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 : for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 : for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/102 : Gateways arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways, H04L12/66
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 : Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1108 : Web based protocols, e.g. webRTC
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/104 : Peer-to-peer [P2P] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 : involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/141 : Setup of application sessions admission control or resource allocation in data switching networks H04L47/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 : Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/53 : using third party service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/325 : in the network layer [OSI layer 3], e.g. X.25 H04L69/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/00 : Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD] real-time bi-directional transmission of motion video data H04N7/14 ; broadcast or conference over packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/40 : Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 : for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/00 : Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/033 : of the user plane, e.g. user's traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/0431 : Key distribution or pre-distribution; Key agreement
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/065 : Continuous authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 : Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/35 : Protecting application or service provisioning, e.g. securing SIM application provisioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 370/911 : Bridge, e.g. brouter, bus extender

Abstract

An application gateway including application service programming positioned at a user premises can provide voice controlled and managed services to a user and one or more endpoint devices associated with the application gateway. The application gateway can be controlled remotely by the application service provider through a service management center and configured to execute an application service provided from the application service provider. The application gateway can execute the application service at the user premises upon voice command by a user and independent of application services executing on the application service provider'"'"'s network. An application service logic manager can communicate with an application service enforcement manager to verify that the request conforms with the policy and usage rules associated with the application service in order to authorize execution of the application service on the application gateway, either directly or through endpoint devices.

Claims

1. A communication device for operation at a user premises, the communication device comprising:

a first interface configured for wireless communication between endpoint devices associated with the user premises;

a second interface configured for bi-directional communications, via a wide area network, with at least one of a service management center or an application service provider located externally to the user premises, wherein an application service enforcement manager is controlled by the application service provider through the service management center and configured to provide at least one policy rule or usage rule associated with an application service provided by the application service provider, and wherein the application service provider through the service management center provides the at least one policy rule or usage rule associated with the application service to the communication device;

a voice-based user interface enabling management and control of application services, executed by the communication device, via one or more voice commands from a user present at the user premises;

a graphical user interface rendered on a display associated with at least one of the communication device for enabling management and/or control of the application services executed by the communication device;

one or more processors coupled to the first and second interfaces;

storage coupled to the one or more processors, and

programming in the storage for execution, wherein the programming, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the communication device to process at least one voice command from the user to;

cause authentication and/or authorization to be performed by the application service provider and, upon successful authentication and/or authorization, to stream audible media from a server associated with the application service provider to at least one of the endpoint devices,

wherein, in response to the processed at least one voice command,

cause authentication and/or authorization to be performed by another application service provider from which the communication device is programmed to stream media upon successful authentication and/or authorization,

wherein the programming includes—

(a) the application service received from the application service provider; and

(b) a communication device program, managed by the application service provider and configured to execute the application service provided from the application service provider, wherein the communication device executes the application service at the user premises independent of any application service that is executing on a networm of the application service provider, wherein, upon receiving a voice command request from the user to execute the application service at the communication device, an application service logic manager communicates with the application service enforcement manager to verify that the request conforms with the at least one policy rule and/or usage rule associated with the application service in order to authorize execution of the application service by the communication device.

2. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the application service executed at the communication device enables management of at least one of:

digital rights of media utilized by at least one of the endpoint devices at or within the user premises or context sensitive advertising that is available for rendering on the at least one endpoint device at or within the user premises.

3. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the application service executed at the communication device enables automation of associated endpoint devices within the user premises including management of digital rights utilized by endpoint devices at or within the user premises.

4. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the application service executed at the communication device enables home automation and/or control of at least one of:

the associated endpoint devices located within the user premises or endpoint devices located remote from the user premises.

5. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the application service executed at the communication device enables at least one of:

home automation of connected devices within the user premises;

home security of the user premises via connected devices within the user premises;

management of video cameras and associated video data captured within the user premises;

management of sensors located at or within the user premises;

management of monitors at or within the user premises;

management, including monitoring, of medical devices within the user premises;

management of wired and wireless connections to endpoint devices at or within the user premises;

management of digital rights utilized by endpoint devices at or within the user premises;

or

management of context sensitive advertising that is available for rendering on endpoint devices at or within the user premises.

6. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the service application executed at the communication device enables management including monitoring of medical devices within the user premises.

7. A method performed at user premises by a communication device, the method comprising:

providing, via a first interface, wireless communication between endpoint devices associated with the user premises;

providing, via a second interface, bi-directional communications via a wide area network with at least one of a service management center or an application service provider located externally to the user premises,

wherein an application service enforcement manager is controlled by the application service provider through the service management center and configured to provide at least one policy rule or usage rule associated with an application service provided by the application service provider, and

wherein the application service provider, through the service management center, provides, to the communication device, the at least one policy rule or usage rule associated with the application service;

enabling management and control of application services, executed by the communication device, via one or more voice commands from a user present at the user premises and via a graphical user interface rendered on a display associated with the communication device;

in response to processing at least one voice command from the user

causing authentication and/or authorization to be performed by the application service provider and, upon successful authentication and/or authorization, streaming audible media from a server associated with the application service provider to at least one endpoint device; and

causing authentication and/or authorization to be performed by another application service provider from which the communication device is programmed to stream media upon successful authentication and/or authorization,

wherein;

(a) the application service was received from the application service provider; and

(b) a communication device program is managed by the application service provider and is configured to execute the application service provided from the application service provider, wherein the communication device executes the application service at the user premises independent of an application service that is executing on a network of the application service provider, wherein, upon receiving a voice command request from the user to execute the application service at the communication device, an application service logic manager communicates with the application service enforcement manager to verify that the request conforms with the at least one policy rule and/or usage rule associated with the application service in order to authorize execution of the application service by the communication device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the application service executed at the communication device enables management of at least one of:

digital rights of media utilized by at least one of the endpoint devices at or within the user premises or context sensitive advertising that is available for rendering on the at least one endpoint device at or within the user premises.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the application service executed at the communication device enables automation of associated endpoint devices within the user premises including management of digital rights utilized by endpoint devices at or within the user premises.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the application service executed at the communication device enables home automation and/or control of at least one of:

the associated endpoint devices located within the user premises or endpoint devices located remote from the user premises.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the application service executed at the communication device enables at least one of:

home automation of connected devices within the user premises;

home security of the user premises via connected devices within the user premises;

management of video cameras and associated video data captured within the user premises;

management of sensors located at or within the user premises;

management of monitors at or within the user premises;

management, including monitoring, of medical devices within the user premises;

management of wired and wireless connections to endpoint devices at or within the user premises;

management of digital rights utilized by endpoint devices at or within the user premises;

or

management of context sensitive advertising that is available for rendering on endpoint devices at or within the user premises.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the application service executed at the communication device enables management including monitoring of medical devices within the user premises.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a communication device at a user premises, cause the communication device to perform operations comprising:

providing, via a first interface, wireless communication between endpoint devices associated with the user premises;

providing, via a second interface, bi-directional communications via a wide area network with at least one of a service management center or an application service provider located externally to the user premises,

wherein an application service enforcement manager is controlled by the application service provider through the service management center and configured to provide at least one policy rule or usage rule associated with an application service provided by the application service provider, and

wherein the application service provider, through the service management center, provides, to the communication device, the at least one policy rule or usage rule associated with the application service;

enabling management and control of application services, executed by the communication device, via one or more voice commands from a user present at the user premises and via a graphical user interface rendered on a display associated with the communication device;

in response to processing at least one voice command from the user;

causing authentication and/or authorization to be performed by the application service provider and, upon successful authentication and/or authorization, streaming audible media from a server associated with the application service provider to at least one endpoint device; and

causing authentication and/or authorization to be performed by another application service provider from which the communication device is programmed to stream media upon successful authentication and/or authorization,

wherein;

(a) the application service was received from the application service provider; and

(b) a communication device program is managed by the application service provider and is configured to execute the application service provided from the application service provider, wherein the communication device executes the application service at the user premises independent of an application service that is executing on a network of the application service provider, wherein, upon receiving a voice command request from the user to execute the application service at the communication device, an application service logic manager communicates with the application service enforcement manager to verify that the request conforms with the at least one policy rule and/or usage rule associated with the application service in order to authorize execution of the application service by the communication device.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the application service executed at the communication device enables management of at least one of:

digital rights of media utilized by at least one of the endpoint devices at or within the user premises or context sensitive advertising that is available for rendering on the at least one endpoint device at or within the user premises.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the application service executed at the communication device enables automation of associated endpoint devices within the user premises including management of digital rights utilized by endpoint devices at or within the user premises.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the application service executed at the communication device enables home automation and/or control of at least one of:

the associated endpoint devices located within the user premises or endpoint devices located remote from the user premises.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the application service executed at the communication device enables at least one of:

home automation of connected devices within the user premises;

home security of the user premises via connected devices within the user premises;

management of video cameras and associated video data captured within the user premises;

management of sensors located at or within the user premises;

management of monitors at or within the user premises;

management, including monitoring, of medical devices within the user premises;

management of wired and wireless connections to endpoint devices at or within the user premises;

management of digital rights utilized by endpoint devices at or within the user premises;

or

management of context sensitive advertising that is available for rendering on endpoint devices at or within the user premises.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the application service executed at the communication device enables management including monitoring of medical devices within the user premises.