Methods, systems, and related architectures for managing network connected devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10142421-B2
Application number	US-201514984876-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 30, 2015
Priority date	Sep 14, 2010
Publication date	Nov 27, 2018
Grant date	Nov 27, 2018

Abstract

A device management system facilitates an automatic pairing of an electronic device with a management account. The device management system receives a public network address associated with a computer device on a private network accessing the management account. The system retrieves the metadata including a public network address associated with a registration of the electronic device with the device management system. The public network address registered with the metadata is provided by a router on the private network and therefore should match the public network address used by computer devices on the private network. The management account is paired with the electronic device if the electronic device has the same public network address as the computer device accessing the management account. Pairing the management account to the electronic device allows the management account to communicate with the electronic device over the public network through the device management system.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device management system that manages a plurality of electronic devices over a network, comprising:
a registration server configured to execute on one or more computers that receives metadata associated with an electronic device over a public network portion of the network and provisions an entry in a device registration pool referenced by the metadata that includes a device identifier and a public network address associated with the electronic device awaiting to be paired with a management account, wherein the electronic device comprises a thermostat, a smoke detector, a hazard detector, a carbon monoxide detector, a component of a home security system, a door-entry system, a smart appliance, an electrical outlet, or a light-control system;
an update server configured to execute on the one or more computers that attempts to update software of each of the electronic devices registered with the registration server if newer versions of the software exist than is currently running on each of the electronic devices corresponding to each entry in the device registration pool;
a pairing server configured to execute on the one or more computers that facilitates associating the electronic device with a management account and authorizes communication with the electronic device using the management account;
a front end user-interface server configured to execute on the one or more computers that facilitates generation of a user-interface for accessing one or more electronic devices from a computer device accessing the management account on the device management system; and
a backend server configured to execute on the one or more computers that manages access to data related to electronic devices registered with the device management system and organizes information received over the network related to conditions that are controlled or monitored by the registered electronic devices.

2. A device management system that manages a plurality of electronic devices over a network, comprising:
a registration server configured to execute on one or more computers that receives metadata associated with an electronic device over a public network portion of the network and provisions an entry in a device registration pool referenced by the metadata that includes a device identifier and a public network address associated with the electronic device awaiting to be paired with a management account, wherein the device identifier identifies the electronic device and a public network address used by the electronic device to communicate over the public network portion of the network to the device management system;
an update server configured to execute on the one or more computers that attempts to update software of each of the electronic devices registered with the registration server if newer versions of the software exist than is currently running on each of the electronic devices corresponding to each entry in the device registration pool;
a pairing server configured to execute on the one or more computers that facilitates associating the electronic device with a management account and authorizes communication with the electronic device using the management account;
a front end user-interface server configured to execute on the one or more computers that facilitates generation of a user-interface for accessing one or more electronic devices from a computer device accessing the management account on the device management system; and
a backend server configured to execute on the one or more computers that manages access to data related to electronic devices registered with the device management system and organizes information received over the network related to conditions that are controlled or monitored by the registered electronic devices.

3. A device management system that manages a plurality of electronic devices over a network, comprising:
a registration server configured to execute on one or more computers that receives metadata associated with an electronic device over a public network portion of the network and provisions an entry in a device registration pool referenced by the metadata that includes a device identifier and a public network address associated with the electronic device awaiting to be paired with a management account;
an update server configured to execute on the one or more computers that attempts to update software of each of the electronic devices registered with the registration server if newer versions of the software exist than is currently running on each of the electronic devices corresponding to each entry in the device registration pool, wherein the update server accesses each entry in the device registration pool and then uses the metadata in each entry, including a public network address and a private network address, to connect to the corresponding electronic device over the public network portion of the network and a private network portion of the network;
a pairing server configured to execute on the one or more computers that facilitates associating the electronic device with a management account and authorizes communication with the electronic device using the management account;
a front end user-interface server configured to execute on the one or more computers that facilitates generation of a user-interface for accessing one or more electronic devices from a computer device accessing the management account on the device management system; and
a backend server configured to execute on the one or more computers that manages access to data related to electronic devices registered with the device management system and organizes information received over the network related to conditions that are controlled or monitored by the registered electronic devices.

4. A device management system that manages a plurality of electronic devices over a network, comprising:
a registration server configured to execute on one or more computers that receives metadata associated with an electronic device over a public network portion of the network and provisions an entry in a device registration pool referenced by the metadata that includes a device identifier and a public network address associated with the electronic device awaiting to be paired with a management account;
an update server configured to execute on the one or more computers that attempts to update software of each of the electronic devices registered with the registration server if newer versions of the software exist than is currently running on each of the electronic devices corresponding to each entry in the device registration pool, wherein the update server performs a query to the electronic device for a current version of installed software then proceeds to send software updates to the electronic device over the network if the electronic device authorizes the software updates;
a pairing server configured to execute on the one or more computers that facilitates associating the electronic device with a management account and authorizes communication with the electronic device using the management account;
a front end user-interface server configured to execute on the one or more computers that facilitates generation of a user-interface for accessing one or more electronic devices from a computer device accessing the management account on the device management system; and
a backend server configured to execute on the one or more computers that manages access to data related to electronic devices registered with the device management system and organizes information received over the network related to conditions that are controlled or monitored by the registered electronic devices.

5. A device management system that manages a plurality of electronic devices over a network, comprising:
a registration server configured to

Assignees

• Google Llc

Inventors

• Mighdoll Lee
• Fadell Anthony Michael
• Steele Oliver W

Classifications

• G05D23/00 Primary

  Control of temperature · CPC title

• F24F11/56

  Remote control · CPC title

• H04L12/2818

  from a device located outside both the home and the home network (access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007) · CPC title

• F24F11/30

  for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring · CPC title

• Y02B30/13

  Hot air central heating systems using heat pumps · CPC title