Intra-premises content and equipment management in a femtocell network

• US 8,787,342 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2012
• Issued: 07/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mansfield, William Gordon, Flynn, Judson John, Huber, Kurt Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): Mills, Donald
• Assistant Examiner(s): Baron, Henry
• Application Number:
  US13/554,710
• Publication Number:
  US 20120289221A1
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 370/338, 370/230, 455/436
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2614 HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3223 Realising banking transactions through M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/405 Establishing or using transaction specific rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0222 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless network architectures or network communication protocols for wireless network security H04W12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0048 Allocation of pilot signals, i.e. of signals known to the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/04 for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• 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 63/101 : Access control lists [ACL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 : Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/108 : when the policy decisions are valid for a limited amount of time
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/73 : Validating charges
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/082 : using revocation of authorisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/088 : using filters or firewalls
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 : using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 : using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 : Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 : for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 : Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/02 : Access restriction performed under specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 : based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 : Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 : Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 : Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/006 : with additional information processing, e.g. for direction or speed determination
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/02 : Arrangements for increasing efficiency of notification or paging channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 : Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 : Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 : using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• 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: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices

Abstract

System(s) and method(s) are provided to route traffic and signaling between a set of networked femto access points (APs) and devices served there from, and enable management of content and equipment that is part of a network functionally coupled to the set of networked femto APs. Networked equipment spans a network deployed within the coverage area spanned by the set of femto APs. A routing platform functionally couples the networked equipment and the femto AP to enable content manipulation amongst a mobile device and the equipment. Routing platform also affords remote control of the networked equipment. Delivery of advertisement and monetary incentive(s) can be provided through the routing platform to the equipment. Routing platform further provides security features related to operation of specific equipment and wireless services supplied via the routing platform.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

determining, by a routing device of an enterprise femto network that comprises a processor, that a mobile device is coupled to a femto access point device of femto access point devices that are deployed in the enterprise femto network, wherein the femto access point devices are coupled to a network gateway device via a common backhaul link;

subsequent to the determining, receiving, by the routing device, control data indicative of a set of commands to control an operation of an intra-premises device of an intra-premises network that is coupled to the enterprise femto network and deployed within a coverage area of the femto access point devices, wherein the receiving comprises receiving the control data from the mobile device via the femto access point device; and

facilitating, by the routing device, a transmission of the control data to the intra-premises device independent of utilizing the network gateway device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

analyzing, by the routing device, information stored within an access control data structure associated with the femto access point devices; and

based on the analyzing, determining, by the routing device, that the mobile device is authorized to control the operation of the intra-premises device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmission is a first transmission and the method further comprises:

based on monitoring profile data, receiving, by the routing device, status data from the intra-premises device, wherein the status data is indicative of an operating status associated with the intra-premises device; and

facilitating, by the routing device, a second transmission of the status data to the mobile device via the femto access point device and independent of utilizing the network gateway device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the intra-premises device comprises a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment and the receiving the status data comprises receiving temperature data indicative of a temperature of an area within the coverage area of the femto access point devices.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, by the routing device, commerce profile data associated with the mobile device;

determining, by the routing device, transaction data indicative of a transaction effected through the mobile device; and

determining, by the routing device, charge data indicative of a charge associated with the transaction based on the commerce profile data.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

based on a location of the mobile device, accessing, by the routing device, content from a content source device of the intra-premises network; and

facilitating, by the routing device, a transfer of the content to the mobile device independent of utilizing the network gateway device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the facilitating the transfer comprises facilitating the transfer of the content via a text message.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

assigning a first fee to the transmission of the control data that is less than a second fee assigned to communication data that is routed between the mobile device and the network gateway device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the intra-premises device comprises a security device and the method further comprises:

restricting, by the routing device, physical access of the mobile device to a specified location comprising instructing the security device to close a set of locks that control access to the specified location, wherein the instructing is independent of utilizing the network gateway device.

10. A system comprising:

a memory to store executable instructions; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, that facilitates execution of the executable instructions to perform operations, comprising;

subsequent to a determination that a communication device is coupled to a femto access point device of femto access point devices deployed in an enterprise femto network, receiving, by a routing device of the enterprise femto network, control data from the communication device, wherein the routing device couples the femto access point devices to a network gateway device via a common backhaul link and couples the femto access point devices to an intra-premises device of an intra-premises network that is coupled to the enterprise femto network and is located within a coverage area of the femto access point devices and wherein the control data is indicative of an instruction to control an operation of the intra-premises device, and

facilitating a communication of the control data from the routing device to the intra-premises device independent of utilization of the network gateway device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the intra-premises device is a locking device that restricts access to a physical area within the coverage area and the operations further comprise:

determining location data that represents a location of the communication device within the coverage area; and

in response to determining that the location data satisfies a location criterion, instructing the locking device to unlock and allow the communication device to enter the physical area.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving, from the intra-premises device, status data indicative of a status of the intra-premises device, wherein the receiving is independent of the utilization of the network gateway device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the operations further comprise:

based on receiving input data, facilitating a configuration of monitoring profile data indicative of an operational parameter associated with the intra-premises device, wherein the monitoring profile data is utilized to facilitate a determination of the status data.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the intra-premises device comprises a security device that monitors activity data representing an interaction with the intra-premises device and wherein the operations further comprise:

directing the activity data from the intra-premises device to the communication device via the routing device and independent of utilization of the network gateway device.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage device having executable instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution, cause a routing device of an enterprise femto network that comprises a processor to perform operations, comprising:

subsequent to determining that a communication device is coupled to a femto access point device of femto access point devices deployed in the enterprise femto network, receiving control data from the first communication device, wherein the routing device couples the femto access point devices to a network gateway device via a common backhaul link and couples the femto access point devices to an intra-premises device of an intra-premises network that is coupled to the enterprise femto network and is deployed within a coverage area of the femto access point devices, and wherein the control data is indicative of an instruction to control an operation of the intra-premises device; and

directing the control data from the routing device to the intra-premises device independent of routing the control data via the network gateway device.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:

facilitating a communication of content from the intra-premises device to the communication device via the routing device and independent of routing the communication via the network gateway device.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:

facilitating a communication of status data from the communication intra-premises device to the communication device, wherein the status data is indicative of an operating status of the intra-premises device.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the intra-premises device comprises a sensor device and the operations further comprise:

determining location data that represents a location of the communication device within the coverage area; and

in response to determining that the location data satisfies a location criterion, instructing the sensor device to record activity data associated with the communication device.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the directing comprises directing the control data subsequent to verifying that the communication device is authorized to communicate with the intra-premises device.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the communication intra-premises device comprises a lock control device that controls access to a location within the coverage area and the operations further comprise:

determining location data that represents a location of the communication device within the coverage area; and

in response to determining that the location data satisfies a location criterion, instructing the lock control device to close a lock that restricts access to the location.