Gateway apparatus and methods for use in a content distribution network

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016269775-A1
Application number	US-201615063304-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 7, 2016
Priority date	Jun 13, 2007
Publication date	Sep 15, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 .- 55 . (canceled)

56 . A gateway device for use in a network, comprising:
first apparatus adapted to receive first signals transmitted over a first channel via said network; second apparatus adapted to receive second signals transmitted over a second channel via said network, and transmit third signals over said second channel also via said network; and an interface to another device in proximity to the gateway device; wherein said another device utilizes said second apparatus as a communications proxy for transmitting said third signals via said second channel that it would otherwise have to transmit via a separate interface to said network.

57 . The gateway device of claim 56 , wherein the first channel and the second channel each comprise different physical radio frequency channels.

58 . The gateway device of claim 57 , wherein the gateway device is disposed at a user premises and has a wireless local area network (WLAN) interface and an Ethernet LAN interface.

59 . The gateway device of claim 56 , further comprising a trusted domain (TD) adapted to maintain at least one security policy within said gateway device and one or more other devices in data communication with said gateway device.

60 . The gateway device of claim 56 , further comprising a secure microprocessor (SM) adapted to obtain both a common and personalized software image for use with a conditional access or digital rights management (DRM) system.

61 . Digital video recorder apparatus, comprising:
first apparatus adapted to receive, demodulate, and decode encoded video signals sent via a network; second apparatus adapted to record said decoded video signals for subsequent playback or transmission; and third apparatus configured to communicate data or signals with a premises device via a communication channel, said premises device being adapted to provide communication with one or more other entities of said network based at least in part on said data or signals; wherein said premises device acts as a communication proxy for said digital video recorder apparatus.

62 . The digital video recorder apparatus of claim 61 , wherein said first apparatus comprises a radio frequency interface, and said third apparatus comprises an IP-based media access controller (MAC).

63 . The digital video recorder apparatus of claim 61 , wherein said second apparatus comprises a hard-disk drive, and said recorder apparatus enforces at least one of a trusted domain (TD) or authorized service domain (ASD) content protection policy.

64 . Gateway apparatus for use with a content delivery network, the apparatus comprising:
a first tuner adapted to receive first signals via a first communications channel from said network, and obtain first data from said first signals; a second tuner adapted to receive second signals via a second communications channel from said network, and obtain second data from said second signals; a first interface adapted to format said first data according to a protocol, and distribute said formatted data to at least one first premises device in data communication with said gateway apparatus; and a second interface adapted to at least distribute said second data to at least one second premises device in data communication with said gateway apparatus.

65 . The gateway apparatus of claim 64 , wherein said first interface is adapted to format data packets received via said first communications channel according to an internet protocol (IP).

66 . The gateway apparatus of claim 65 , wherein said second interface is configured to utilize a transport layer protocol and a network layer protocol, and said at least one second premises device comprises a mobile user device capable of recognizing said transport and network layer protocols.

67 . The gateway apparatus of claim 64 , wherein said at least one first premises device comprises an IP-enabled digital receiver.

Assignees

• Time Warner Cable Entpr Llc

Inventors

• Cholas Chris
• Helms William L
• Williamson Louis
• Markley Jeffrey P

Classifications

• H04N21/4433

  Implementing client middleware, e.g. Multimedia Home Platform [MHP] · CPC title

• H04N21/6168

  involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem · CPC title

• H04L69/326

  in the transport layer [OSI layer 4] (H04L69/16 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H04N21/4147 Primary

  PVR [Personal Video Recorder] (H04N5/76 takes precedence {; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40}) · CPC title

• H04N21/43615 Primary

  Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals (home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805) · CPC title