Multi-access gateway for direct to residence communication services

Different residences can be communicatively linked to a communication backbone via a multi-access gateway, where each residence comprises an adapter through which a set of IP devices directly connect to the multi-access gateway via IPSec compliant communication channels. The multi-access gateway can connect each of the IP devices to remotely located resources. Telecommunication services can be provided to the IP devices in the residences for fees. The multi-access gateway can controls specifics of the telecommunication services, which can include emergency (e.g., 911) services, home control services, and residential administration services. Any of the telecommunication services can be initiated, modified, or terminated by a carrier maintaining the multi-access gateway on a per residence basis for any of the different residences.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to the field of residential telecommunication services and, more particularly, to a multi-access gateway for direct to residence communication services.

Residential communication services are generally provided in accordance with an end point architecture. In this architecture, for each service, a “last mile” line is established between the carrier and the residence in question. Different types of services can require different lines. This has historically the case with different types of broadcasting media (e.g., television, wireline voice telephony, wireless voice telephony, Internet services, etc.), where each type of media was provided by different providers. Each different type media has even been regulated by different agencies and governing laws. Telecommunication convergence has lowered many of these barriers, and now multiple different media services can be provided by a common provider over a single external line (wired or wireless). In an end-point architecture, a provider is responsible for connectivity issues to a residence, and intra-residence communications have been the responsibility of a home owner.

For example, broadband internet connections require a user to purchase, deploy, and maintain a home based gateway, such as a router. Each in-residence IP device then uses the home router as a gateway. The gateway is connected to a modem, which is linked to the provider's gateway. This arrangement often results in home users having difficulty setting up their household devices. This difficulty continues to increase, as a number of intra-home devices linked to a gateway increases.

Thus, as IP devices in the home continue to proliferate, architectures dependent upon home routers (e.g., end point architectures) are expected to increasingly experience problems. For example, many residences that receive voice over internet protocol (VOIP) based services experience degradation of service quality due to use of routers, which may fail to provide preferential treatment to voice communications. Video-on-demand and streaming services similarly suffer from improper router configurations and/or from home routers lacking necessary features to provide adequate performance for these services. Problems occurring within the home network (downstream from a home router) often lead to home user dissatisfaction and frustration, with their service provider (i.e., internet or VOIP carrier). Further, service providers incur significant costs to provide technological support, which includes sending agents to homes, for resolving issue beyond their control (i.e., presently providers are largely not responsible for home routers and/or in-home architectures, networking devices, etc.).

One contributing factor of in-residence telecommunication problems is due to providers biasing communication lines for downstreaming (e.g., receiving content from the provider's network) verses upstreaming (sending content from the residence to the provider). The available bandwidth for upstreaming is typically a fraction of that for downstreaming. In residence devices and emerging services that require significant upstream bandwidth (e.g., VOIP devices, in-home media servers like SLINGBOX and WINDOWS HOME SERVER (WHS) devices, security cameras, etc.) can strangle the available upstream bandwidth. Cloud computing services, online backup solutions, and other emerging technologies also consume significant upstream bandwidth. Problems with these devices or services, again lead to decreased user satisfaction with their service provider/carrier, even through often there is little a service provider can do.

Further complications and residence experienced problems result from use of third party services. That is, residences are increasing subscribing to third party services for telecommunications, which require communications with in-residence devices. These services can be implemented in an extremely inefficient manner and/or can consume an inordinate amount of available bandwidth in a non-cooperative way, which results in an end-user experiencing problems. These problems are often not attributed to their proper source (especially when experienced by non-technical users), which results in trouble calls to a telecommunication service provider and/or customer dissatisfaction with the service provider/carrier.

The above problems are often not ones resulting from inherent capacity or performance limitations of a line from a residence to the service provider (the last mile of communications). These problems often result from the home router acting as a bottleneck to the external line and/or by communication conflicts (including prioritization conflicts) occurring among intra-residence devices. Problems of this nature are controlled by intra-home equipment, such as home based gateways.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The disclosure can be implemented in accordance with a variety of aspects and configurations. For instance, one aspect of the disclosure is for providing a method, computer program, system, and artifact for providing telecommunication services. In the aspect, different residences can be communicatively linked to a communication backbone via a multi-access gateway. Each residence can include an adapter through which a set of one or more IP devices directly connect to the multi-access gateway via IPSec compliant communication channels. The multi-access gateway can perform TCP/IP network level routing for the IP devices. The highest TCP/IP level communication performed by the adapter is at the link level of the TCP/IP stack. The multi-access gateway can connect each of the IP devices to remotely located resources, which comprise remotely located IP resources, which communicate to the IP devices via IP addresses maintained by the multi-access gateway. Telecommunication services can be provided to the IP devices in the residences for fees. The multi-access gateway can control specifics of the telecommunication services. The telecommunication services can include emergency (e.g., 911) services for the IP devices, home control services, and residential administration services. Any of the telecommunication services can be initiated, modified, or terminated by a carrier, which maintains the multi-access gateway, on a per residence basis for any of the different residences.

One aspect of the disclosure is for providing a method, computer program, system, and artifact for providing residential telecommunication services. Different internet protocol (IP) devices within hundreds of different residences can be connected to a multi-access gateway through a plurality of in-residence adaptors. Each of the in-residence adaptors can correspond in a one-to-one fashion to each of the hundreds of different residences. Each adaptor can be customer premise equipment (CPE) lacking routing capabilities. The adaptor can be positioned inside the residence or outside the residence (e.g., in a locked box only accessible by a service provider and not by the residents). Each of the adaptors can be communicatively linked to a remotely located multi-access gateway. The multi-access gateway can be part of the middle-mile of a communication network. The multi-access gateway can provide routing directly to IP addresses of each of the IP devices without any intermediate gateways. TCP/IP based communications can be conducted between each of the IP devices and the multi-access gateway. The communications can occur through the adapters at the link level of the TCP/IP stack, where the conducted TCP/IP based communications through the adaptor do not occur above the link layer of the TCP/IP stack. A carrier controlling the multi-access gateway can provide telecommunication services to residential subscribers of the residences for fees. Customizable residence specific settings can be stored for each of the residences in a data store accessible by computing equipment able to control residence specific behavior of the multi-access gateway. The customizable residence specific settings can determine details of the telecommunication services as provided to specific ones of the residences. A user interface accessible by client-side browsers can be provided. The user interface can permit authorized users to modify at least a portion of the customizable residence specific settings for the one of the residences in which the authorized user resides.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure eliminates a need for home based gateways by establishing a multi-access gateway at a carrier's location. That is, the multi-access gateway is not positioned within the last mile, but can instead be positioned at the edge of the middle-mile, in a communication network. This multi-access gateway can perform routing functions for tens or hundreds of thousands of in-residence devices. Within a residence, a single, non-routing adaptor (e.g., a modem) can be installed, which links the in-home devices to the multi-access gateway. Converters, which include a network transponder able to connect to the adapter, can be optionally used to enable non-IP devices (e.g., POTS phones) lacking an internal network transponder to function.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, each in-residence device can be assigned a unique IP address (an IPv6 address, for example), which the multi-access gateway uses when routing communications. Communications between each in-residence device and the multi-access gateway can be secure communications, such as conforming to the IPSec standard. A number of services, such as emergency (e.g., 911) services, home control services, residential administration services, and the like can be implemented at the multi-access gateway for the residences. Use of the multi-access gateway is more cost efficient compared to the aggregate costs of providing in-residence home gateways. Additionally, a service provider/carrier is granted increased control of communications all the way to the end-user device, which permits intelligent and controlled use of available bandwidth of physical communication pathways (which includes wirelines and wireless spectrum).

Referring now toFIG. 1,FIG. 1is a diagram of a telecommunications system100using a multi-access gateway130for residential communication services132in accordance with a disclosure. System100represents an application of telecommunication technologies that utilize network-based gateway architecture, as opposed to an end-point architecture that is commonly today. In system100, functionality typically implemented within home based gateways, such as customer premise equipment (CPE) routers, can be replaced by functionality (e.g., routing162functionality) of the multi-access gateway130.

Thus, the gateway130can communicate with a variety of in-residence (110) network devices120-126through adaptor129using an internet protocol (IP) addresses154. In one embodiment, the IP address154can be a public, static address, such as an IPv6 address. In another embodiment, the IP address154can be a dynamic private address assigned by gateway130as needed. IP address154can also be a partial IP address154in one embodiment, which is assigned and able to be uniquely identified by gateway130, which performs routing functions in system100. Regardless of the type of address154used, the arrangements shown in system100can result in a substantial reduction of overall costs, as home based gateways (e.g., CPE routers) are in aggregate more expensive to procure, setup, and maintain than the gateway130—yet gateway130is able to provide equivalent to superior functionality compared to the aggregated home-based gateways. Further, gateway130permits a carrier112to exert more fine-grained control over residential services132, which can result in residential (110) customers being able to receive a greater variety of services132at lower costs due to economies of scale. Further, service providers can be provided opportunities at larger markets and carriers112can be granted new avenues to leverage their assets.

To elaborate, in system100, IP devices120-124in a residence110can be connected through an adaptor129to a carrier's112multi-access gateway130. Each IP device120-124(shown also as device150) can include a network interface card (NIC)152with a unique Media Access Control (MAC) address153. Further, each device150can be assigned an IP address154(static or dynamic; public or private, depending on implementation choices) as well as an optional hardware device identifier155. In one embodiment, the IP address154can be an IPv6 address, which permits substantially greater unique addresses than previous standards. In one embodiment, the hardware device identifier155can be used for hardware-mating services, so that services lacking the identifier155, even if they are assigned the correct IP address154will not be able to communicate with media access gateway130. This optional, additional level of security permits tight control of certain ones of the services132, which may be a requirement of a service provider (such as television, on-demand, and/or pay-per-view providers, which often are contractually bound to only provide media over highly secure channels, which may require hardware-mating, and/or hardware based security schemes.).

Additionally, one or more non-IP devices126can connect to adaptor129through a converter127, where the converter127can include a network interface connector (NIC), MAC address, and the like. One or more converters127can optionally be built into the adaptor129. A residence110(or even a set of multiple residences110, in one embodiment) only requires a single adaptor129, although use of additional adaptors129for fault tolerance (or bandwidth enhancement) purposes are contemplated.

Residence110is used generically throughout this disclosure to refer to a site in which adapter129is positioned. In one embodiment, a residence110can refer to a unique and independent household, which functions as a domicile for a family of one or more people. Different residences110are independent of other residences110. Despite this independence, hundreds to thousands of residences110can be served by a single multi-access gateway130. This situation is to be contrasted with business or entity owned properties, which are often served by a company determined infrastructure. The telecommunication services132provided to the residences110can fall under one or more federal statutes (e.g., Telecommunications Act of 1996). Embodiments of the disclosure are meant to include definitions for residential telecommunication service provided within any federal or state statute for regulatory purposes.

Each device150can be communicatively linked to the gateway130through IP connection156, which can be a private channel between device150and gateway130, can be a secure IPv6 connection, or can be an IPv4 connection that implements IPSec standards. The connection156can have one endpoint (NIC152) at device150and the other (endpoint164) at gateway130. In one embodiment, the connection156can comply with IPSec standards. Gateway130can use routing component162to route communications between device150and IP resources170, Plain old telephone service (POTS) resources172, and/or other communication resource174. The IP resource170can be a resource of a public140or private142IP network. POTS resource172can be a resource of POTS network144. A communication between gateway130and a POTS resource172can be circuit-based.

Communication resource174can be a resource of other network146. The other network146can include any type of signaling network, which can be directed to IP device120within an IP based communication. Other services137can include services specifically designed to permit access to other resources174, which a sufficient quantity of residences110desire to justify expenditures of providing these resources174as a service137. Additionally, services132implemented at the gateway130can be linked to the middle-mile of the communication network, as opposed to the last mile. Thus, these services132can have substantially greater bandwidth available to them compared to those which travel to the more bandwidth constrained devices120-126over the last mile of the communication network.

This emphasizes that economies of scale achieved through use of the multi-access gateway130can open new markets for communication services132, enriching service providers, residences (110), and carriers112alike. Some of the services132besides the other services137contemplated in system100include emergency (e.g., 911) services134, home control services135, residential administration services136, and data services133. The emergency services134can represent emergency services, which can be initiated from any of the IP devices120-126or even from the adaptor129, itself. Previously configured messages (in settings139) can be triggered as part of emergency services134, as can automatically providing and confirming address information, and the like. The emergency services134can be triggered manually by a user action and/or automatically by in-home conditions determined home based sensors. These home based sensors can be ones utilized by one or more home control services135.

Services132can interoperate with each other, and can optionally share and utilize a common set of residential information139maintained in a data store138accessible by the gateway130. In one embodiment, particular datum elements (139) of data store138can be protected or kept confidential per residence110configurable settings (via administration services136) to ensure residential information is confidentially, securely, and appropriately maintained. Services132include carrier112provided services as well as third-party services. In one embodiment, the carrier112may be able to offer residents (110) favorable rates on third party services132, largely to economies of scales and resulting efficiencies achievable by use of the multi-access gateway130for implementing residential110routing functions.

Diagram118shows device150can be connected through adaptor129, through gateway130, through an optional remote router180, to resource182(which can be any of resources170-174). Looking at a TCP/IP stack116stack for the connections of diagram118, it can be seen that the device150and the resource182can each connect through the application182, transport184, network (e.g., internet)185, and link186layers. The adaptor129communicates at the link186layer (or the physical and data Link layers using the OSI model). The gateway130and the optional router180communicate at the link186and network185layers. The TCP/IP stack116layers are shown for convenience and equivalent layers of other communication stack models are to be considered within scope of the disclosure.

Diagram118shows that the data link layer of the TCP/IP stack116is the lowest defined layer, which by design is hardware independent. Thus, TCP/IP can be implemented on top of virtually any hardware networking technology in existence. Consequently, any of a variety of different physical network architectures190,192,194,196(e.g., Ethernet, Token Ring, hub, repeater,) can be implemented to connect the hardware components of device150, adaptor129, gateway130, router180, and resource182. The processes of transmitting and receiving packets on a given link (link layer186) is able to be controlled by software device drivers for network cards (eg., NIC152), by firmware, or by specialized chipsets. Any of these can perform the data link functions, such as adding and preparing frames header, data, and footers and transmitting these frames over a physical medium.

The network layer185solves the problem of sending packets across one or more networks. Internetworking requires sending data from the source network to the destination network, which is the process of routing. As noted gateway130is component connected through adapter129to device120-126, which performs the routing function (e.g., routing162), which is why diagram118shows network layer185communications for gateway130and not for adaptor129.

In the event that two devices120-126, which may or may not reside in the same residence110, are communicating with each other via gateway130, the optional router180shown in diagram118can be replaced with adaptor129. When communicating devices150are in a single residence110, a single adapter129can be used. When devices120-126in different residences110communicate, then a second adaptor129can be utilized. Either way, both adaptors129will only communicate at the link layer and all routing (e.g., routing component162) will be performed by the gateway130. Optimizations can be optionally implemented to expedite communications.

Alternatively (and as shown in diagram118), an in-residence device120-126connected to gateway130can connect to a network (e.g., network114) resource182(e.g., resource170-174). This resource182can be connected to a router180, which may be a carrier-grade router, a business-grade router, or even a home router. Either way, the communication from device150will be routed to resource182, which can respond back (using TCP/IP standards, for example), by traversing the network connection pathway shown in diagram118in reverse.

The network190between device150and adaptor129is an in-residence network, which can utilize wireless or wireline communication pathways, as is network196. Wiring of the network190can be adapted for specific home devices150, such as CPE phones, televisions, security cameras, radios, photo-frames, MP3 players, game consoles, and the like.

The specific wireless or wireline pathways connecting a device150to the adaptor129can conform to any of a variety of communication standard, including but not limited to BLUETOOTH, WIRELESS USB, Wi-Fi (any of the 802.1x family of protocols), power line communications (e.g., HOMEPLUG), ZIGBEE (and other mesh network communication technologies), Z-WAVE, POTS phone lines (i.e., over Cat 3 wires), Ethernet (i.e., over Cat 5 or 6 wires), USB, FIREWIRE, ESATA, and the like. Traditionally, the devices150in residence110and the communication lines and protocols used by them fall into the category of CPE and CPE-based wiring. Typical CPE components, such as device150, can conform to home or business class equipment standards.

Network192is a network connecting a residence110to a carrier112. This type of network can be referred to as a last mile (mobile mile or wireless local look in the case of wireless telephony), a local loop, or a subscriber line. Thus, network192connects a residence to an edge of a carrier's112network. Network192can be an Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN30) connection delivered through copper of fibre cable. Additionally, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Broadband over power line (BPL), and other such technologies can be used for providing the last mile services of network192. Communications over network190and/or network192may be conducted within discrete channels, which have not been multiplexed with other channels at a content level (e.g., simple signal processing techniques can extract each discrete channel, and can extract a single discrete channel without having to extract others.).

Network194can represent the middle-mile connecting the carrier's core network (networks114) to the local network plant (the beginning of the last mile, where the local loop begins). Network194can include the backhaul network. Communications over network194will typically be multiplexed at a content level with other communications (e.g., complex signal processing techniques may be need to extract a single channel, which requires multiple channels be de-muxed before a single desired one can be extracted). Network194(as shown) also includes the backbone network (e.g., network114), which ultimately connects to a router180(which is positioned within a local loop). Network196can be the local network between the router180and resource182. In some embodiments, the resource (e.g., resource170,172,174) linked to device150can be implemented close to the network backbone or close to gateway130for improved performance, such as performance needed for many popular services132.

It should be emphasized that system100permits the multi-access gateway130to control communications between devices120-126in a residence110at a configurable level of granularity, which provides substantially greater control than available for existing systems. One level of control can exist on a per channel (e.g., IPv6 Sec channel156) basis. These per device channels can be selectively throttled (bandwidth limited), suspended (then reinitiated from the suspended state), disabled, and the like. For example, when an in-residence110security incident or emergency event is detected, non-essential channels can be halted to ensure maximum throughput exists for those devices120-126involved in handling the security incident/emergency event. Additionally, in one embodiment, procedures can be implemented within the multi-access gateway130(for security purposes) to change the IP addresses154of each device120-126in a predefined timely fashion controlled by the multi-access gateway130and computerized procedures built therein.

In one implementation of system100that uses IPv6 communications, a certain block of IPv6 addresses can be assigned to each multi-access gateway130. A computerized system can then assign the addresses in the block to different channels of different ports of the multi-access gateway130, where the ports are connected to various ones of the devices120-126. A database of the gateway130can be maintained and upgraded to ensure the ports of the gateway130are matched to corresponding ones of the devices120-126. As devices120-126are removed, the ports and/or IP addresses used can be returned to the block, where they can be reassigned by the multi-access gateway130to new/different devices120-126in the future. The size of the block of addresses assigned to the gateway130can be increased whenever gateway130capacity increases. In one embodiment, procedures can be implemented to change IP addresses associated with ports and devices120-126in a predefined, timely fashion for purposes of enhancing security.

In one embodiment, a software implemented push can be implemented for communications between the devices120-126and the multi-access gateway130. The push can utilize queuing techniques and prioritization techniques to ensure the most critical information is conveyed between residence110and gateway130in a timely fashion. Procedures can be implemented for manual as well as automated interruptions of pushes as required. For example, a push can be interrupted for a substantial amount of time upon identification of an appropriate emergency event. Additionally, functionality to restart (resume), reinitiate, or continue normal operations can be implemented. For example, a restart of a push can be controlled automatically following resolution of an emergency condition.

The various IP devices120-126can have active and idle states. In one embodiment, an indicator (audible/visible) can be provided on the devices120-126to display to a user a state of the IP device120-126(active/inactive), a connection state (active, suspended, inactive), a status of messages (delivered, queued, disabled), and the like. In one embodiment, the device120-126specific display data can be accessed from a display of the adapter129, or via a user interface that is provided as part of the residential administration services136. A level of details available through a device status display can vary from device to device. Thus, some devices120-126can include a basic state (connected, idle, active, inactive), while others will include more robust indicators. Devices120-126can also include special controls/indications for initiating and/or receiving notice of emergency situations.

The devices120-126and administration thereof (via residential administration services136) can be tailored for specific users of the residence110. For example, every member of a family (living in residence110) can have their own password (and optional user id) for accessing the administration services136and associated user interfaces. Different users can have different user privilege levels, so that a parent can override settings established by a child, for example. User privileges can be used to permit online changing of configuration (residential settings139) for specific operations, devices120-126, for maintaining privacy of data (conveyed during communications or within metadata about communications), and the like.

In other words, database138can be controlled by multiple different users (e.g., parents in one example) of a residence110. The control of residential settings139can be performed locally (using in-residence110controls) or remotely. A procedure can be implemented for the multi-access gateway130for giving an audible/visible “busy” indication to other authorized database controllers (e.g., users). That is, residential settings139can be locked during editing (or checked in and out) to prevent contention issues. The busy or in-use signal can provide an administrator with feedback that another is changing residential settings139. In one embodiment, a super user (e.g., main administrator) can request messages be sent to him/her when any residential settings139are changed (i.e., the administrator can receive and email message whenever setting139changes occur). Access to database138information, such as residential settings139can be interrupted or prevented upon identification of an emergency or high priority event. A priority of an event can be determined by a separate database (from database138) in one embodiment. Also, device120-126usage can be halted when residential settings139are being changed, which may require the device120-126be restarted, reconnected, or otherwise reset before changes reflected in settings139can be implemented.

Previously non-available emergency procedures can be implemented for system100. For example, in one embodiment, the adapter129can be equipped with an auto dialer for making an emergency call. Upon receiving an indication of an emergency (from a user or connected device120-126), the adapter129can get a dial tone from the gateway130(or from an alternative line connected to adapter129and reserved for emergencies) and can dial out 911 or other number to provide emergency services.

In one embodiment, system100can pre-store an address for residence110(within adaptor129, device120-126, and/or data store138) as well as audio, text, and video information. A procedure associated with the emergency services134can be implemented to feed this stored information during a 911 call or other emergency service134invocations. In one embodiment, when devices120-126and/or adapter129include emergency service information (which is able to be manually or automatically fed responsive to an emergency call), an indication of success or a lack of success for uploading the emergency information can be presented upon the appropriate device120-126and/or adapter129.

In one embodiment, a procedure and/or actuator to initiate (e.g., dial out) 911 or other emergency calls can be placed in any of the home devices120-126. These procedures can include overriding existing usages of the device120-126to display emergency information and/or to interact with a user concerning an emergency situation. For example, an IP device121that is a television can be overridden so that a user is informed of an emergency situation and is prompted with a set of pre-configured responses to initiate via a TV remote control unit. In one embodiment, a dial-out device (e.g., a phone or other audio transducer) can be connected to any of the devices120-126through an appropriate connection (e.g., an USB port, for example). In such an embodiment, the multi-access gateway130can provide a dial tone to the appropriate connected home device for dialing out 911, upon indication of an emergency event. For example, an internal intercom system can be provided a dial tone and used to dial out during an emergency event in one embodiment.

Further, master and slave devices120-126can be defined per residence110for emergency services124to avoid multiple emergency call outs from within the same household or residence110. Alternatively, an indicator presented on the devices120-126that indicates an emergency service has been initiated can also help avoid excessive and duplicative call-outs during an emergency situation.

In one embodiment, an automated report about one or more emergency events can be generated and provided to an account Web page. This report and/or information can be shared by all household users. Depending on the severity and type of emergency event, a text message or email can also be sent to a master controller's (super user) mobile phone or other designated receiving devices. Emergency events can be defined as part of the residential settings139and/or can be defined by the gateway130and its administrators. In one embodiment, an additional Web site can be used to present residence110specific information to responders for an emergency event. The residence information110can be gathered from in-residence110sensors, data feeds, and the like and provided to responders in real-time or near real time.

System100can provide any number of different customizable procedures for uploading and otherwise storing emergency location information into one or more of the devices120-126on the premises (residence110). Standard formats can be used for different emergency messages, which include audio content, text, audio, and other media. Versions of this emergency information can be stored on the gateway130. Upon receiving an indication of an emergency event, the multi-access gateway130can take appropriate actions. For example, the gateway130can send a specific set of pre-stored messages with location information of the calling party to an emergency responder. The data store138containing customer information (including settings139) (e.g., name, address, etc.) that is indexed against household connection port can be used. In one embodiment, when a port to a residence110device is unexpected severed, as detected by gateway130, and emergency action can be automatically initiated by gateway130.

FIG. 2provides additional views and diagrams for embodiments of system100. Diagram202shows a residence110view, where the residence110includes multiple devices120-124positioned in different rooms. Each device120-124can be communicatively linked to the residence's adaptor129, via wireless or wireline pathways (i.e., is connected via network190). In one embodiment, only one adaptor129is needed to support a residence110regardless of the number of devices120-124or rooms of the residence110.

The adapter129can be intended for residence access (physically) and placed inside the residence110, in one embodiment of the disclosure. In another, the adapter129can be placed on the exterior of the residence110, and physical access may be restricted to carrier personnel. For example, the exterior positioned adapter129can be placed inside a locked box, which only agents of the carrier112possess keys to (i.e., residents may lack direct access to the locked box).

The adapter129can be linked to the multi-access gateway130via network192. Services132can be provide through the gateway130as can access to a data store138, which includes residential settings139. In one embodiment, one or more communication pathways203can exist from adapter129to network114, such as POTS network144, which do not pass through the gateway130. Communication pathway203can be used for emergency services134and/or can be utilized as a communication failsafe or fall back. Communication pathway203may be provided by a different carrier112, than that which provides gateway130. Communication pathway203may permit circuit based or packet switched communications. Further, pathway203can use a wireline or wireless medium for communicating data.

Diagram206shows that multiple residences110are connected via a single network192to the gateway130. More than one distinct last mile network linked to a different set of residences110can be connected to the same gateway130, as expressed by the last mile network208also being connected to gateway130. Further, one or more residences110may connect to the gateway130via more than one network. For example, network207can be an additional last mile network distinct from network192, which connects one or more residences110to the gateway130. Use of multiple networks (i.e., a WiMAX network and a copper network, for example) can provide a level of redundancy, which may be useful in ensuring residences110experience a desired threshold of uptime. It is also a means of increasing bandwidth to one or more residences, as well as a means for leveraging different fixed assets available to a carrier112. In one embodiment, an adapter129can support multiple different protocols (wireline and wireless) connecting a residence110to the gateway130. A residence110receiving services132may not even be aware (or care) which of a set of one or more physical networks and link-layer186protocols are being used for communications between the gateway130and adapter129.

Diagram210shows a residential network212, which includes a set of residences110served (receiving routing162functionality from) by a common gateway130. Since the same gateway130controls the routing of communications, it can permit (assuming permissions are granted by residences as recorded in residential settings139) a device150positioned in one residence (e.g., residence110A) to communicate with a device150in another residence (e.g., residence110B). Communications can be conducted securely, such as in compliance with IPSec156standards. Thus, different family members (or friends) in the same neighborhood (or within the same residential network212) can utilize each other's devices150, in accordance with permissions established by the residential settings139. Thus, a person using a computer in residence110A can print a document to a printer located in residence110B.

The capability of sharing access to network attached devices120-126over a residential network212can be considered a service132(e.g., other service137) provided by the carrier112. Notably, communications between different residences110A and110B in the same residential network212can be substantially equivalent (from a technology viewpoint) as permitting communications between two devices150in the same residence110. The routing in both cases, is controlled by gateway130and is between devices150having unique IPv6 Addresses154. Any desired level of access control and restrictions to devices150managed by gateway130can be implemented.

Diagram214shows that a person215using a mobile device can move about a residential network212without losing connectivity. That is, internet level185settings need not change, since the same gateway130is being used by the device150(having a stable IP address) regardless of where in the residential network212a person215is located. It should be noted, that physical level and link level186handoffs may be required within network212, as the person215moves about. That is, different adapters129positioned within different residences110may be used, such as when the communication is Wi-Fi (802.11) based and the adapters129include a Wi-Fi transceiver. Security is not compromised even though different adapters129are used, as communications between person215and gateway130can be secured by IPSec156. In one embodiment, geofences can be implemented to limit a person's215communication capability within residential network212. Similarly, an ability to roam within a residential network212can be provided as an optional service132(e.g., other service137) available to subscribers.

Diagram216illustrates that different residential networks212A,212B,212C can exist in different geospatial positions. Each of the residential networks212A,212B,212C can be managed by a network specific gateway130. These gateways130can be interconnected at low levels, using open or proprietary technologies and communication pathways. Interconnecting these residential networks212A,212B,212C permits a creation of a virtual residential network, which includes a geographical region covered by an aggregate of multiple residential networks212A,212B,212C. Any services132implemented for or available to a residential network212, can be implemented for or made available to a virtual residential network. Thus, device sharing shown in diagram210and roaming shown in diagram214can be implemented within a virtual residential area, as shown by diagram216. Virtual residential networks can be implemented by configuring gateway130software/firmware without negatively impacting other components of a telecommunications network100. In one embodiment, communications between gateways130can occur at the physical/link186layer.

Diagram220shows IP device150, gateway130, and a computing system of a service provider222, each connected to a service infrastructure250. The infrastructure250supports the providing of services. In one embodiment, infrastructure250can conform to an IP Multimedia subsystem (IMS) framework for delivering IP multimedia services in compliance with architectural specifics defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). As such, infrastructure250can have a horizontal control layer that isolates the access network from the service layer. Thus, from a logical architecture perspective, services132compliant with an IMS framework (one embodiment of infrastructure250) need not have their own control functions, as the control layer is a common horizontal layer. In another embodiment, the service infrastructure250can be a 3GPP Generic Access Network (GAN), which provides system100with an ability to use the Internet to provide the “last mile” connection for a telephony device.

In one embodiment, the infrastructure250can conform to standards of a (SOA) for providing services, such as Web services. In such an embodiment, the SOA infrastructure250provides a loosely-integrated suite of services132that can be used within multiple business domains. SOA separates functions into distinct units (e.g., services132), which developers make accessible over a network in order to allow users to combine and reuse them in the production of applications. These services and their corresponding consumers communicate with each other by passing data in a well-defined, shared format, or by coordinating an activity between two or more services. In an SOA embodiment, a wide range of technologies can be used in the infrastructure250including, but not limited to, Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), Remote procedure call (RPC), Representational State Transfer (REST), Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM), The Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA), Data Distribution Service for Real-time Systems (DDS), Web services, Windows Communication Foundation (or WCF), and/or combinations and derivatives thereof.

In one embodiment, the infrastructure250can be an Intelligent Network (IN) infrastructure. In an IN embodiment, services can execute at the service layer, which is distinct from the switching layer of the core network. Services implemented in an IN framework can conform to the Signaling System 7 (SS7) protocol. An IN infrastructure (an embodiment of infrastructure250) as used herein includes IN derivatives and extensions, such as an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN), Customised Applications for Mobile networks Enhanced Logic (CAMEL), Next Generation Intelligent Network (NGIN), and the like.

Regardless of specifics, the service infrastructure250can include numerous components, such as a service bus252, usage meters253, performance monitors254, performance adjusters255, and the like, which facilitate the use, monitoring, and monetization of services132. Further, in one embodiment, the service infrastructure250can support and enforce service level agreements (SLA)223for services132. Each SLA223can be a service contract, where a level of service132is formally defined. Infrastructure250can be an adaptive one, which ensures SLA223contracts are upheld by providing priority handling of services132. SLA223may specify the levels of availability, serviceability, performance, operation, or other attributes of the service, such as billing.

As noted from the various embodiments of infrastructure250, services132can take many different forms. They can include IN services, SOA services, IMS services, Web services, and the like. Further, services132can be provided by a carrier112and/or by an independent service provider222. Services132can be implemented at the gateway130, which may involve use of plug-ins242and communications across APIs244. Thus, services132can establish, modify, interoperate with, and extend applications240running on gateway130.

Services132can also be designed for specific IP devices150, and can therefore establish, modify, interoperate with, and extend client-side applications230. Device150applications can also use plug-ins232, APIs234, and the like. Further, services132can execute in network attached servers operating independently of and remote from device150and/or gateway130.

The various computing devices121-126, resource170-174, gateway130, service provider220devices, network components, and the like can include hardware270and computer program products280, as shown by device260. Device260can represent general purpose machines (e.g., running a general purpose operating system (OS)283having functionality determined largely by applications284and modules285running on top of the OS283) as well as special purposed machines (e.g., having custom hardware, electronic circuits, firmware, and software tailored for a specialized purpose, which may be designed to prevent significant post-sale modifications). The computing devices260can include distributed devices formed from a plurality of discrete machines, which may be geographically separated from one another, yet which function as a single device. A distributed device can have optionally implement fault-tolerance, fail-over, and load balancing technologies. Additionally, the computing device260can include a virtual device (created using virtualization technologies), which emulates a physical device within a layer of abstraction functioning above a hardware layer. As such, multiple virtual devices can be formed from a single physical device (or from a set of M physical devices to N virtual devices).

The hardware270can include a processor272, non-volatile memory273, volatile memory274, network transceiver275, input/output (I/O) peripherals276, and/or the like. The components272-276can be connected to each other via bus277.

Computer program products280can include software, firmware, and combinations thereof. The computer program products280can be stored in a tangible storage medium (e.g., memory273,274) and can be executed on the hardware270(e.g., instructions of the products280can execute within the processor272). The computer program products280can include boot firmware282, an operating system283, a set of applications284, zero or more modules285, an optional user interface286, and combinations thereof. In some device260embodiments, functionality of the firmware282, operating system283, applications284, and/or module285can be joined into a single unit, which may be implemented in hardware or firmware.

FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating emergency (e.g., 911) services134provided in accordance with an embodiment the disclosure. Specifically, any of the IP devices150(including devices126connecting to an adapter129via a converter127) can permit a user to contact emergency response agencies314. The emergency services134include 911 services, equivalent (or even the same as) dialing “911” from a POTS connected telephone. In the disclosure, however, all IP devices150can be enabled for the emergency services134. These services134can be dependent upon the adapter129can be conveyed through the multi-access gateway130, where configured settings139can be accessed and applied.

The devices312of responders can include telephony devices, computers, and any other configured resource170-174, designed to inform emergency response agencies314of a situation. The emergency response agencies314can include public agencies (police316, fire317, hospital318agencies, etc.) as well as private ones (e.g., security company, a home maintenance service, notify one or more proximate neighbor(s), inform a remotely located home-owner, etc.). Different agencies314can be notified of different emergency situations, and multiple different agencies314can be informed of a single emergency event. Designation of the agencies314and emergency events can be configured by an authorized resident, such as through user interface330, in one embodiment of the disclosure.

Emergency events can be manually triggered by a device150user and/or can be automatically triggered by a detected or sensed situation (such as a smoke detector or security alarm within a residence110—each of which can be in-residence devices150—being activated). In one embodiment, some automatically triggered emergency actions can concurrently initiate a designated resident to be notified. In one embodiment, this notification can occur a fixed period before emergency service agencies314are contacted so that the designated resident can explicitly authorize or refute an emergency service action. In such a situation, if a designated resident fails to respond within a designed time period, the emergency response action can be automatically initiated.

In one embodiment, an emergency response agency314can be automatically provided with in-residence information (e.g., a camera feed, a status of in-residence sensors, etc.) whenever an emergency response communication is sent to that agency314. A previously established address364of the residence110from which the emergency service134communication was placed can be part of provided in-residence information. This address364can be based on the adapter129location, the device150location (e.g., especially for GPS equipped devices), or a combination thereof. Providing the in-residence information can minimize an amount of time potentially distressed residents spend on an emergency response communication and can substantially aid responders314in taking appropriate and timely actions, which represents a win-win situation for both residents and responders.

In one embodiment, indicated by diagram310, the in-residence110device150can connect through the adapter129over network192to gateway130. Gateway130can enable the emergency services134, which provides a connection to emergency response agency314devices312.

In one embodiment, indicated by diagram320, the adapter129can be linked to multiple networks192,144; one (192) connected to the gateway130; the other (144) connecting directly to an emergency response agency314device312. This permits emergency response calls to be made, directly from the adapter129, even when connectively to network192is compromised. This arrangement (of diagram320) can also negate traditional location problems with making 911 calls from IP devices150, as the alternate communication203can be via a traditional mechanism, such as a land telephony line. This is not an imposed limitation of communication203, which can include a wireless telephony service (perhaps conducted via an in-residence device150, like a cell phone, liked to adapter129), and other alternative communication lines. When an alternative communication line203is used, in-residence information can still be provided by the gateway130to one or more agencies314, such as over a public142or private140IP network. In one embodiment, 911 calls can be placed directly from the adapter129or from any IP device150connected to the adapter129, either situation resulting in line203being used during the emergency service communication.

As previously noted, emergency service134can be highly configurable by a designated resident having administrative privileges. Residence specific settings139can be stored in a data store138accessible by the multi-access gateway130. In one embodiment, a Web server304can provide a Web page332or other user interface330, which an authorized user can utilize to modify the residential settings139. For example, the interface330can permit a user to designate a set of emergency response agencies350(e.g., agencies314), as well as a set of conditions352under which specific response agencies314will be contacted. Further, actions354to be taken in response to an emergency situation satisfying the conditions352can be customized via interface330. Additionally, one or more customized messages340, which can include audio342, text344, or other content can be established, which are to be automatically conveyed upon an occurrence of a related emergency situation.

For example, in a health related emergency338, the text344can include to a responder318medical facts about residents, such as blood type, health conditions, drug allergies, current prescription medications, etc. In another example, in a police situation334, the actions354can authorize police316to receive presence information (such as user location as determined by GPS components of a mobile device, or scheduled locations from calendaring programs) related to the residents of the residence110, which would be otherwise unavailable to the police316. In another example, in a fire situation336, the message340can selectively provide response personnel317with residence110layouts, access codes, and other such information.

Information established via interface330can be stored in appropriate tables360,370. In one embodiment, some of the information in tables360,370can be established by a carrier112or a provider220of an emergency service, and may not be modifiable by a resident.

As indicated in table360, physical locations364of adaptors362can be maintained, which provides a reliable means for locating where an emergency response service134was initiated. In one embodiment, this information can be supplemented by GPS information of in-residence devices150(where adapter129can optionally include a GPS component), and may be stored in a memory of adapter129and/or in data store138.

As indicated in table370, residence372specific information can be maintained. For each residence372a set of conditions374, actions376, messages378, and the like can be maintained, which are utilized when an emergency service134is activated.

FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating home control services135provided in accordance with an embodiment the disclosure. The home services135are provided to the residences110over network192, which is connected to adapter129and gateway130. In-residence devices150can include sensors, actuators, and the like, which monitor and control in-residence110devices. For example, electric outlets, heating/cooling devices, lights, cameras, and the like can all be controlled by the home control services135. A device416(which can be an in-residence device150or not) can include a user interface430through which settings139of home control services135can be viewed and edited. In one embodiment, a number of servers412connected to gateway130via network114can provide one or more services414. These services414can enhance basic home control services135, and/or can be third party home control services (135), which are made available to residents via gateway130.

In one embodiment, the user interface430for services135can be provided within a Web browser of a client416device, where the interface430includes a Web page432served by a Web server404. This server404can access residence110specific settings139and can even permit a designated resident to modify the settings139. A home control432interface can aggregate different services414provided by different providers, each of which can include a link434to the relevant content. For example, a device control440section can permit a user to view in-residence devices150by room442. Settings per device150can then be adjusted via interface controls444.

Various specialized sections can exist within the interface430for specific types of in-residence devices. For example, a video section450can permit viewing of video captured by in-residence110cameras (each of which can be an IP device150or connected to one). Thus, a user can view454any room452of a residence110via a browser, and use controls456to control the in-residence110devices150. A level of control and the number of home control services135for each residence110is arbitrary and can be tailored to suit market and residence needs.

The residential settings139for home control services135can include any of a variety of data elements, a few of which are expressed by tables460and470. Table460shows a set of in-residence devices462and their current settings464. Table470shows a set of different residences472, conditions474related to home control devices that are enabled, and actions476to be taken upon the satisfaction of these conditions474.

It should be appreciated that the configurations, interfaces, and services134,135expressed inFIGS. 3 and 4are presented to illustrate concepts expressed herein and are not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the disclosure.

In one embodiment, the residential administration services136can provide a mechanism for residents, carrier112administrators, service providers220, and other authorized persons to modify residence specific settings139and other details of the services132. As such, user interfaces330,430represent two contemplated interfaces that are provided as part of the residential administration services136. In one embodiment, services136permit a resident to subscribe to new services, to modify behavior of existing services, and/or to cancel services received. These services can include Web services, IMS services, and/or IN services provided by the carrier112and by any of a variety of third party providers220.

The data services133can take advantage of the preferred positioning of the gateway130compared to the IP devices150relative to a communication backbone. As such, a data storage space positioned at the gateway130, or within a network114close to the communication backbone and having significant bandwidth (relative to network129) can assist in reducing traffic over the last-mile of the communication backbone. This can be advantageous to the carrier112, who receives efficiencies by minimizing last-mile traffic and the residents, who experience increased performance, a reduction of latencies, and the like. Data services133can be provided by carrier112and by service providers220for a fee. Data services133can include AMAZON'S S3 service, data backup services, cloud-based storage drives, and the like. Customizable cloud-based application services (not shown) can also be integrated with the data services133in one contemplated embodiment.

Other services137can be designed to take advantage of the positioning of the multi-access gateway130and the quantity of residences110and devices150accessible via the gateway130. There is virtually no limit on the types and configuration of these services, which represent an emerging new market.

In one illustration, the other services137can include a baby monitoring service. This assumes a microphone and/or camera is positioned within a room of a residence110proximate to a baby. These devices (camera/microphone) can be connected directly to the gateway130, as can output devices, such as a television, a computer, a speaker, cell phone, etc. Sound/video from the devices in the baby's room can be directed to any of the output devices, as determined by the routing functionality162of the gateway130. The output devices need not be in the same physical location as the residence110. For example, a mother visiting a neighbor can receive baby monitoring output via a mobile phone, or even through an IP device located in the neighbor's home (assuming it is also linked to gateway130). Additionally, programmatic services, which trigger alerts when a baby is crying, leaving a room, falling from a crib, etc. can be implemented by service providers220to enhance a basic baby monitoring service (other service137). As can be seen, any type of service137can be implemented, which takes advantage of multiple residences110and devices150being linked to the multi-access gateway130.