Premises Gateway Service Modules for Secure Voice-Controlled Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current service management systems for digital homes and enterprises are complex, requiring sophisticated user intervention for managing voice-controlled application services, and existing architectures often centralize application service logic in network operations centers, making it difficult to provide and support new services at user premises.
Innovation Solution
A service management system with gateway devices at user premises that provide voice-controlled application services, including authentication, service management, and configuration, allowing for decentralized execution of application services and secure communication, enabling voice-controlled management of connected devices and services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If application service logic is centralized in network operations centers, then network control and security are improved, but service deployment flexibility and user premises autonomy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments service logic into modular service logic modules that can be selectively distributed to gateway devices at user premises while maintaining centralized management. This allows the system to maintain centralized control for security and reliability while enabling flexible deployment of specific service modules at the edge, resolving the contradiction between centralized control and deployment flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a service manager as an intermediary component that mediates between the centralized network operations center and distributed gateway devices. The service manager handles service module distribution, configuration, and updates, enabling autonomous operation at user premises while maintaining centralized oversight and control policies.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gateway devices provide robust functionality with multiple services, then service capability is improved, but system complexity and user management burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the service manager automatically discovers, downloads, configures, and deploys appropriate service logic modules to gateway devices based on user needs and network policies. This automation eliminates the need for users to manually configure complex multi-service gateways, reducing management burden while maintaining robust functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring and pre-testing service logic modules in the network operations center before distributing them to user premises. Service modules are prepared, validated, and packaged in advance, so that deployment at user locations is simplified and does not require complex on-site configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users directly manage and provision digital devices and networks, then customization and control are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates for technologically challenged users
Solution Approach 1:
The service manager acts as an intermediary that shields users from technical complexity while enabling customization. Users can request services through simple interfaces, and the service manager handles the complex tasks of service module selection, configuration, and deployment, maintaining both ease of operation and customization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automated self-service provisioning where service configurations are automatically generated and deployed based on user selections or service policies, eliminating the need for users to manually manage complex device settings while still allowing customization through user-friendly service selection interfaces.
4Productivity
If service logic is distributed to user premises, then service deployment speed and local autonomy are improved, but network security and centralized control may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where distributed gateway devices continuously report their status, service module configurations, and operational data back to the service manager and network operations center. This enables real-time monitoring and centralized security policies to be enforced, maintaining network security while allowing fast local service deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
Service logic modules are pre-validated, pre-configured with security policies, and pre-approved by the network operations center before being distributed to user premises. This preliminary security validation ensures that only authorized and secure service modules are deployed locally, maintaining centralized security control while enabling fast deployment.
Data Source
AI summary
A service management system communicates via wide area network with gateway devices located at respective user premises. The service management system remotely manages delivery of application services, which can be voice controlled, by a gateway, e.g. by selectively activating/deactivating service logic modules in the gateway. The service management system also may selectively provide secure communications and exchange of information among gateway devices and among associated endpoint devices. An exemplary service management system includes a router connected to the network and one or more computer platforms, for implementing management functions. Examples of the functions include a connection manager for controlling system communications with the gateway devices, an authentication manager for authenticating each gateway device and controlling the connection manager and a subscription manager for managing applications services and/or features offered by the gateway devices. A service manager, controlled by the subscription manager, distributes service specific configuration data to authenticated gateway devices.