Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080247541 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONNECTING A CABLE NETWORK TO OTHER NETWORK AND/OR DEVICES - Methods and apparatus for connecting, e.g., bridging, a cable network to other networks and/or devices is described. A bridge device facilitates the distribution of cable provider content to end users operating IP based devices. The bridge device performs one of more of the following: interface protocol conversions, user device controlled tuner selection, transcoding of data, transrating of a data stream, decryption in accordance with a conditional access protocol and re-encryption in accordance with an authorized service domain protocol. | 10-09-2008 |
20080313691 | Premises gateway apparatus and methods for use in a content-based network - Apparatus and methods for premises gateway functions that integrate or unify functions typically distributed across multiple devices within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the out-of-band (OOB) signaling functionality normally provided in each of a set-top-box (STB) and digital video recorder (DVR) are unified into a common OOB (e.g., DOCSIS) capable premises gateway device, thereby obviating OOB tuners and related components from each device. In another variant, the premises gateway is adapted for all-IP operation, such as for use with IP-based computers and IP set-top boxes, etc. Fully unified variants are also disclosed, wherein the DVR and/or STB functions are physically integrated within the premises gateway. | 12-18-2008 |
20100050218 | Technique for effectively providing various entertainment services through a communications network - A switched broadcast service and a network personal video recorder (NPVR) service are provided synergistically in a cable TV system having limited resources. For example, in providing the switched broadcast service, a resource manager allocates network bandwidth for broadcast of materials from selected program channels on an as needed basis. Such allocation is conducive to an effective provision of the NPVR service which requires dedicated bandwidth for transmitting recorded broadcast program material in a headend to each set-top terminal requesting the NPVR service. Thus, unlike the switched broadcast service where a program stream containing program material is shared by one or more set-top terminals, the NPVR service provides a dedicated program stream to each set-top terminal so that a user at the terminal may manipulate (e.g., rewind, pause and/or fast-forward) a presentation of program material at will. | 02-25-2010 |
20100169914 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING CONTENT DISTRIBUTION - Methods and apparatus for controlled distribution of program content are described where program content for certain regions may be selectively blocked. The described methods and apparatus allow content distribution to authorized regions while providing control to the content provider to effectively block program content delivery to regions not entitled to receive the program content. | 07-01-2010 |
20110296481 | PREMISES GATEWAY APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR USE IN A CONTENT-BASED NETWORK - Apparatus and methods for premises gateway functions that integrate or unify functions typically distributed across multiple devices within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the out-of-band (OOB) signaling functionality normally provided in each of a set-top-box (STB) and digital video recorder (DVR) are unified into a common OOB (e.g., DOCSIS) capable premises gateway device, thereby obviating OOB tuners and related components from each device. In another variant, the premises gateway is adapted for all-IP operation, such as for use with IP-based computers and IP set-top boxes, etc. Fully unified variants are also disclosed, wherein the DVR and/or STB functions are physically integrated within the premises gateway. | 12-01-2011 |
20120131603 | Network based digital information and entertainment storage and delivery system - Live television broadcast and other information and entertainment programs, e.g., videos-on-demand (VOD), are provided to a user through a communications network, e.g., a cable network. A processing unit is employed at an headend of the communications network to respond to user requests for PVR-like functions, e.g., pausing, rewinding and fast-forwarding, to be performed on the program content being viewed. The processing unit in accordance with the invention causes a delivery of an appropriate version of the program content to meet such user requests. | 05-24-2012 |
20130074113 | Program Storage, Retrieval and Management Based on Segmentation Messages - Segmentation messages indicative of locations of upcoming events, such as the start and end of programs and program portions, and/or rights related to the programs and program portions, are used by cable systems and the like to store programs and program portions for later retrieval and transmission to customers on request. Storage, retrieval and management of programming is thereby facilitated. Methods and systems are disclosed. | 03-21-2013 |
20130179932 | Programming Content Processing and Management System and Method - In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a technique is implemented to effectively receive streaming multimedia content in digital form, parse and segment the received transport stream and process the segmented content. Such treatment of received programming content provides for efficient storage of such programming content, and effectively provides for access to such content by administrators of a broadband system as well as users of such systems. In accordance with the invention, a technique enables, among other things: the creation of reference frames for, e.g., effective segmentation of programming content; encapsulation of programming content data as a UDP/IP datagram; associating programming content with provider and dedicated resource attributes; monitoring staging processor activity; effectively segmenting programming content that is scrambled; developing a unicast and multicast; compensating for missing or delayed programming content; and propagating video servers of varying manufacturers. | 07-11-2013 |
20130205329 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CENTRALIZED CONTENT AND DATA DELIVERY - Methods and apparatus for centralized content, media and data delivery and access within a premises such as, e.g., a residence. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a remotely manageable premises device that acts as a centralized client networking platform, providing gateway services such as network management as well as traditional content and high-speed data delivery functions. The device also acts as the shared interne connection for all devices in the premises via a cable modem, sharing personal and DVR content such as video, music and photos (and any associated metadata) throughout the premises, and providing both a wired and wireless network in the home. Telephony services utilizing e.g., embedded multimedia terminal adapter (eMTA) and/or Wi-Fi architectures may also be provided via the device. The device can also provide a trusted domain for content or data, as well as allowing a subscriber total mobility in the home. | 08-08-2013 |
20140047471 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONNECTING A CABLE NETWORK TO OTHER NETWORK AND/OR DEVICES - Methods and apparatus for connecting, e.g., bridging, a cable network to other networks and/or devices is described. A bridge device facilitates the distribution of cable provider content to end users operating IP based devices. The bridge device performs one of more of the following: interface protocol conversions, user device controlled tuner selection, transcoding of data, transrating of a data stream, decryption in accordance with a conditional access protocol and re-encryption in accordance with an authorized service domain protocol. | 02-13-2014 |
20140351845 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING CONTENT DISTRIBUTION - Methods and apparatus for controlled distribution of program content are described where program content for certain regions may be selectively blocked. The described methods and apparatus allow content distribution to authorized regions while providing control to the content provider to effectively block program content delivery to regions not entitled to receive the program content. | 11-27-2014 |
20150040151 | PROGRAM STORAGE, RETRIEVAL AND MANAGEMENT BASED ON SEGMENTATION MESSAGES - Segmentation messages indicative of locations of upcoming events, such as the start and end of programs and program portions, and/or rights related to the programs and program portions, are used by cable systems and the like to store programs and program portions for later retrieval and transmission to customers on request. Storage, retrieval and management of programming is thereby facilitated. Methods and systems are disclosed. | 02-05-2015 |
20150074712 | PROGRAM STORAGE, RETRIEVAL AND MANAGEMENT BASED ON SEGMENTATION MESSAGES - Segmentation messages indicative of locations of upcoming events, such as the start and end of programs and program portions, and/or rights related to the programs and program portions, are used by cable systems and the like to store programs and program portions for later retrieval and transmission to customers on request. Storage, retrieval and management of programming is thereby facilitated. Methods and systems are disclosed. | 03-12-2015 |