Cross-Network Device Pairing via Identifier Matching and Gateway Relay

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network device management systems struggle to effectively manage communications between devices connected via multiple network types, such as IP and RF4CE networks, leading to inefficiencies and challenges in device association and authentication.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for managing network devices that utilize device identifiers across multiple networks, enabling devices to associate and authenticate through both IP and RF4CE networks by matching identifiers received via both paths, and facilitating communication through a third device that relays and authenticates user information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If devices communicate via multiple network types (IP and RF4CE), then communication versatility is improved, but device management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication versatilityVSAvoiddevice management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between IP network devices and RF4CE network devices. The gateway performs protocol translation and message routing, allowing devices on different networks to communicate without direct complex multi-network configuration. This mediator handles the complexity of multi-network management centrally, while individual devices only need to understand their native network protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If devices are associated across multiple networks, then communication capability is improved, but authentication difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-network communication capabilityVSAvoidauthentication difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway serves as an authentication intermediary that verifies device identities across networks. When a device from one network needs to communicate with a device on another network, the gateway authenticates the requesting device and mediates the connection, simplifying the authentication process compared to requiring direct peer-to-peer authentication across multiple networks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway implements universal authentication mechanisms that work across different network types. It maintains device identity mappings and authentication credentials for both IP and RF4CE networks, providing a unified authentication approach that simplifies cross-network device association while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260006528A1Systems and methods for managing network devices

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 COMCAST CABLE COMM LLC

AI summary

Methods and systems for pairing two or more devices are described. A user device may pair with one or more other devices. An identifier may be utilized to pair the user device with the one or more other devices.