IP Gateway for Companion Services to Customer Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for providing companion services to customer premises equipment (CPE) are limited by outdated controllers, cumbersome usage, inability to share content and functions between devices, insecure data transmission, and difficulty supporting multiple device platforms, leading to suboptimal user experiences and limited access to remote system functionality.
Innovation Solution
An IP-based service infrastructure that includes a gateway server providing web services, network management, authentication, and secure message transmission, allowing IP-enabled devices to control and interact with CPE devices through a companion application client, eliminating the need for external hardware and supporting multiple device platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated hardware and proprietary interfaces are used for device control, then device functionality is limited to specific platforms, but device complexity and incompatibility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal IP-based service infrastructure with standardized web services and companion application clients that can control multiple types of CPE devices from different manufacturers. The gateway server provides common authentication, pairing, and message routing functions that work across diverse device platforms, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware and proprietary interfaces for each device type.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway server acts as an intermediary between IP-enabled devices and CPE devices, providing standardized web services that translate between different device protocols. This intermediary layer handles authentication, pairing, and message routing, simplifying the integration complexity while maintaining broad device compatibility.
2Ease of operation
If traditional remote control interfaces are used, then device control is available, but ease of operation and user experience are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical remote controls with IP-based wireless communication using standard protocols (WiFi, Bluetooth). The companion application clients running on IP-enabled devices provide intuitive graphical user interfaces that communicate with CPE devices through the gateway server, eliminating the need for physical buttons and improving ease of operation while reducing control system complexity.
3Reliability
If insecure data transmission is used for device communication, then communication simplicity is maintained, but security and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway server performs preliminary authentication and pairing actions before allowing communication between IP-enabled devices and CPE devices. Device authentication certificates and pairing information are verified in advance, establishing secure communication channels before data transmission begins. This preliminary security setup ensures reliable data transmission while managing security complexity centrally.
4Adaptability or versatility
If limited access to remote system functionality is provided, then system security is maintained, but functionality and versatility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway server provides feedback mechanisms that monitor and control access to CPE device functionality based on authentication results and user permissions. The system dynamically adjusts the level of access granted to companion application clients, allowing versatile functionality for authenticated devices while maintaining security through continuous verification and controlled function exposure.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for providing companion services to customer premises equipment (CPE) using an IP-based service infrastructure. The infrastructure allows IP-enabled devices such as tablet PCs, smart phones, PDAs, and laptop computers to provide supplementary services to target systems and devices located at customer premises. Target systems and devices (CPE) may be TVs, PCs, set-top boxes, digital video recorders, or other electronics. An embodiment is disclosed which allows a mobile device to provide companion services to a television through a link with a set-top box in a cable TV network using the Internet.