Gateway registry methods and systems

• US 9,621,408 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2013
• Issued: 04/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: iControl Networks, Inc. (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: iControl Networks, Inc. (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Gutt, Gerald, Wood, Aaron
• Primary Examiner(s): Joo, Joshua
• Application Number:
  US13/932,837
• Publication Number:
  US 20140143397A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,380 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/00 Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/042 comprising distributed management centres cooperatively managing the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4557 Directories for hybrid networks, e.g. including telephone numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles

Abstract

A gateway device for managing a set of two or more local management devices at a location. A system for networks at a plurality of locations. A method of operating a gateway device in a control network. A method for storing information to operate a gateway device in a control network. A method for storing information to operate a replacement gateway device in a control network.

Claims

1. A gateway at a location, the gateway comprising:

at least one interface coupled to a processor, wherein the at least one interface is coupled to a local network including local devices, wherein the at least one interface is coupled to remote systems that are remote to the location; and

wherein the processor is configured to send a request to a registry, the request specifying gateway data of the gateway, receive an address of a server that has an account associated with the gateway and an identification of the account, send to the server the identification, and manage the local devices using account information received in response to the identification.

2. A system comprising:

a plurality of control networks, wherein each control network includes a gateway coupled to local devices at a location, wherein each gateway is configured to manage the corresponding local devices using account information of an account that corresponds to the location;

a gateway registry configured to determine an identification of the account using data of each gateway, and communicate to each gateway the identification and a server address of a server that includes the account information; and

a server configured to provide the account information to each gateway based on the identification received from each gateway.

3. A method of operating a gateway, the method comprising:

establishing communication between the gateway at a location and a registry using an address of the registry;

sending a request to the registry specifying gateway data of the gateway;

receiving from the registry an address of a server that includes an account comprising account information that corresponds to the gateway;

receiving an identification of the account;

sending to the server the identification and receiving in response the account information; and

managing a set of local devices coupled to the gateway and located at the location using the account information.