Generation And Management Of Network Connectivity Information

• US 20160095081A1
• Filed: 09/28/2015
• Published: 03/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Patrick F.
• Granted Patent: US 9,635,635 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• 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: Y04S 40/00 Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to generation of network topology information for a network of assets, and management of such information. The management can comprise analysis and/or diagnostics of topology condition of a plurality of assets. In addition or in the alternative, the management can comprise consolidation of at least a portion of the network topology information in a data layer of the network of assets, or a network functionally coupled thereto. Integration of at least some of the network topology information with higher network layers also is disclosed.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving data from a current plurality of wireless devices, wherein at least one of the current plurality of wireless devices is coupled to a selected location in a network;

determining if the current plurality of wireless devices has an additional device with respect to a previously detected plurality of wireless devices;

generating a network topology of the current plurality of wireless devices based at least on a portion of the data in response to determining that the current plurality of wireless devices does have the additional device with respect to the previously detected plurality of wireless devices; and

transmitting topology data indicative of at least a portion of the network topology to a network node.