System and method for providing network support services and premises gateway support infrastructure

• US 10,897,373 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2019
• Issued: 01/19/2021
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Minh Chau
• Application Number:
  US16/291,856
• Publication Number:
  US 20190372797A1
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 709225
• 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

A service management system communicates via wide area network with gateway devices located at respective user premises. The service management system remotely manages delivery of application services, which can be voice controlled, by a gateway, e.g. by selectively activating/deactivating service logic modules in the gateway. The service management system also may selectively provide secure communications and exchange of information among gateway devices and among associated endpoint devices. An exemplary service management system includes a router connected to the network and one or more computer platforms, for implementing management functions. Examples of the functions include a connection manager for controlling system communications with the gateway devices, an authentication manager for authenticating each gateway device and controlling the connection manager and a subscription manager for managing applications services and/or features offered by the gateway devices. A service manager, controlled by the subscription manager, distributes service specific configuration data to authenticated gateway devices.

Claims

1. A home-automation apparatus for use at a user premises, the home-automation apparatus comprising:

at least one interface configured to communicate with one or more endpoint devices at the user premises and with a remote computing device;

one or more processors in communication with the at least one interface; and

one or more memories, storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause a process that includes;

detecting an endpoint device, wherein the detected endpoint device has been authenticated;

establishing a wireless, two-way connection with the detected endpoint device;

receiving one or more commands based on communications from a device at the user premises executing a third-party service application that enables control of the authenticated endpoint device; and

transmitting the one or more commands to the authenticated endpoint device to control operation of the authenticated endpoint device.

2. The home-automation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one interface includes:

a first interface that communicates, via a local wireless network, with one or more additional endpoint devices; and

a second interface that communicates, via a wide area network, with the remote computing device.

3. The home-automation apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more commands are transmitted to the authenticated endpoint device over the first interface.

4. The home-automation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device is a mobile phone.

5. The home-automation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third-party service application is retrieved, by the device, from the remote computing device.

6. The home-automation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third-party service application enables voice-control of the detected endpoint device.

7. The home-automation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the authentication of the detected endpoint device was performed by a control device, at the user premises, other than the home-automation apparatus.

8. The home-automation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the authentication of the detected endpoint comprises receiving data, from the detected endpoint device, specifying an identifier for the detected endpoint device.

9. A device for home-automation for use at a user premises, the device comprising:

at least one interface configured to communicate with one or more endpoint devices at the user premises and a remote computing device;

one or more processors in communication with the at least one interface; and

memory with instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the device to perform operations including;

receiving notification of detecting an endpoint device, wherein the detecting caused authenticating of the detected endpoint device,

retrieving a third-party service application that enables control of the authenticated endpoint device,

locally executing the retrieved third-party service application to generate commands, and

transmitting the commands to the authenticated endpoint device to control operation of the authenticated endpoint device.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the memory stores a plurality of additional third-party service applications each distinct from the retrieved third-party service application and locally executable to control one or more additional authenticated endpoint devices at the user premises, and wherein the one or more additional authenticated endpoint devices are distinct from the detected and authenticated endpoint device.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the retrieved third-party service application is updated by a third-party service device remote from the user premises, wherein the third-party service device is distinct and remote from the remote computing device.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the memory stores a plurality of additional third-party service applications each distinct from the retrieved third-party service application and locally executable to control a corresponding authenticated endpoint device at the user premises, wherein each of the additional third-party service applications is updated by a corresponding remote third-party service device.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the operations further include generating a network key used for

(a) encrypted communications between the device and the authenticated endpoint device, and

(b) encrypted communications between the device and additional authenticated endpoint devices at the user premises.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the operations further include:

generating a network key used for encrypted communications across a wireless network at the user premises, wherein the commands are transmitted via the encrypted communications; and

storing at least one additional third-party service application executable to control, via the encrypted communications across the wireless network, additional authenticated endpoint devices at the user premises.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the at least one interface includes:

a first interface that communicates, via a local wireless network, with one or more authenticated endpoint devices; and

a second interface that communicates, via a wide area network, with the remote computing device.

16. The device of claim 9, wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the one or more processors to control the authenticated endpoint device and additional authenticated endpoint devices according to different protocols.

17. The device of claim 9, wherein the operations further include providing server/client functionality, between one or more endpoint devices, wherein providing the server/client functionality includes enabling communication between one or more endpoint devices using network layer communications via the at least one interface, wherein the one or more endpoint devices include the authenticated endpoint device.

18. The device of claim 9, wherein the operations further include receiving a request for managing application specific resources from, the authenticated endpoint device.

19. The device of claim 9, wherein the operations further include selecting a communication channel from a group of available communication channels and communicating, via the selected communication channel, with the detected and authenticated endpoint device.

20. The device of claim 9, wherein the operations further include executing the third-party service application to manage services for a television.

21. The device of claim 9, wherein the notification of detecting the endpoint device is received from an automatic discovery manager executed by the device.

22. The device of claim 9, wherein the authenticating of the detected endpoint device was performed by a control device, at the user premises, other than the device.

23. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:

receiving notification of detecting an endpoint device at a user'"'"'s premises;

wherein the detecting caused authenticating of the detected endpoint device;

retrieving a third-party service application that enables control of the authenticated endpoint device;

locally executing the retrieved third-party service application to generate commands; and

transmitting the commands to the authenticated endpoint device to control operation of the authenticated endpoint device.

24. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23, further storing a plurality of additional third-party service applications each distinct from the retrieved third-party service application and locally executable to control one or more additional authenticated endpoint devices at the user'"'"'s premises, wherein the one or more additional authenticated endpoint devices are distinct from the detected and authenticated endpoint device.

25. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the operations further include updating the retrieved third-party service application by a third party service device remote from the user'"'"'s premises.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23, further storing a plurality of additional third-party service applications each distinct from the retrieved third-party service application and locally executable to control a corresponding authenticated endpoint device at the user'"'"'s premises, and wherein each of the additional third-party service applications is updated by a corresponding remote third party service device.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the operations further include:

generating a network key used for encrypted communications with the authenticated endpoint device.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the operations further include:

generating a network key used for encrypted communications across a wireless network at the user'"'"'s premises; and

storing at least one additional third-party service application usable to control, via the wireless network, authenticated endpoint devices at the user'"'"'s premises, and wherein the authenticated endpoint devices include the detected and authenticated endpoint device.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the operations are performed by a home automation device and wherein the notification of detecting the endpoint device is received from an automatic discovery manager executed by the home automation device.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the operations are performed by a home automation device, and wherein the authenticating of the detected endpoint device was performed by a control device, at the user premises, other than the home automation device.

31. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the notification of detecting the endpoint device is received from by a first software component of a home automation device from a second software component of the home automation device.

32. A method for home-automation for use at a user premises, the method comprising:

communicating, via one or more communication interfaces, with one or more endpoint devices at the user premises and with a remote computing device;

receiving, via the one or more communication interfaces, a notification of a detected endpoint device, wherein the detected endpoint device has been authenticated;

enabling control of the authenticated endpoint device via a service application obtained from a source external to the user premises; and

locally executing the received service application to cause commands to be generated and sent to the authenticated endpoint device to control operation of the authenticated endpoint device.

33. The method for home-automation of claim 32, wherein the method is performed by a home-automation device, and wherein locally executing the service application comprises the home-automation device executing the service application at the user premises without requiring a connection to the source external to the user premises.

34. The method for home-automation of claim 32, wherein the method is performed by a mobile device.

35. The method for home-automation of claim 32, wherein the service application is retrieved from the remote computing device.

36. The method for home-automation of claim 32 further comprising:

storing multiple additional service applications, each distinct from the service application and locally executable to control one or more additional authenticated endpoint devices;

wherein the one or more additional authenticated endpoint devices are distinct from the detected endpoint device.

37. The method for home-automation of claim 32, wherein the one or more communication interfaces comprise:

a first communication interface that communicates, via a local wireless network, with one or more additional endpoint devices; and

a second communication interface that communicates, via a wide area network, with the remote computing device.

38. The method for home-automation of claim 32 further comprising:

selecting a communication channel from a plurality of available communication channels; and

communicating, via the selected communication channel, with the detected endpoint device.

39. The method of claim 32, wherein the method is performed by a home automation device, and wherein the authentication of the detected endpoint device was performed by a control device, at the user premises, other than the home automation device.

40. The method of claim 32, wherein the method is performed by a home automation device, and wherein the notification of detecting the endpoint device is received from an automatic discovery manager executed by the home automation device.

41. The method of claim 32, wherein the notification of the detected endpoint device is received by a first software component of a home automation device from a second software component of the home automation device.

42. A home-automation apparatus for use at a user premises, the home-automation apparatus comprising:

at least one interface configured to communicate with one or more endpoint devices at the user premises and with a remote computing device;

one or more processors in communication with the at least one interface; and

one or more memories, storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause a process that includes;

detecting an endpoint device, wherein the detected endpoint device has been authenticated and

establishing a wireless, two-way connection with the detected endpoint device,

wherein a device at the user premises;

uses a retrieved a third-party service application that enables control of the authenticated endpoint device, and

locally executes the third-party service application to enable generating commands, and

wherein the commands are transmitted to the authenticated endpoint device to control operation of the authenticated endpoint device.

43. The home-automation apparatus of claim 42, wherein locally executing the received service application comprises the home-automation apparatus executing the received service application at the user premises without requiring an internet connection.

44. The home-automation apparatus of claim 42, wherein the home-automation apparatus is a mobile device.

45. The home-automation apparatus of claim 42, wherein the third-party service application is retrieved from the remote computing device.

46. The home-automation apparatus of claim 42, wherein locally executing the received service application comprises the device executing the received service application at the user premises without requiring a connection to a device from which the third-party service application was retrieved.

47. The home-automation apparatus of claim 42, wherein the device is a mobile device.

48. The home-automation apparatus of claim 42, wherein the third-party service application is an application that enables voice-control of the detected endpoint device.

49. The home-automation apparatus of claim 42,

wherein the memory stores multiple additional service applications, each distinct from the retrieved third-party service application and locally executable to control one or more additional authenticated endpoint devices, and

wherein the one or more additional authenticated endpoint devices are distinct from the detected and authenticated endpoint device.

50. The home-automation apparatus of claim 42, wherein the at least one interface includes:

a first interface that communicates, via a local wireless network, with one or more additional endpoint devices; and

a second interface that communicates, via a wide area network, with the remote computing device.

51. The home-automation apparatus of claim 42, wherein the process further includes:

selecting a communication channel from a group of available communication channels; and

communicating, via the selected communication channel, with multiple authenticated endpoint devices, which include the detected and authenticated endpoint device.

52. The home-automation apparatus of claim 42, wherein the authentication of the detected endpoint device was performed by a control device, at the user premises, other than the home-automation apparatus.

53. The home-automation apparatus of claim 42, wherein the authentication of the detected endpoint comprises receiving data, from the detected endpoint device, specifying an identifier for the detected endpoint device.

54. The home-automation apparatus of claim 42, wherein the device at the user premises is a control device, other than the home-automation apparatus, that issues commands to the home-automation apparatus.

55. The home-automation apparatus of claim 42, wherein the commands are transmitted to the authenticated endpoint via the home-automation apparatus.