Method and apparatus for delivering consumer entertainment services using virtual devices accessed over a high-speed quality-of-service-enabled communications network

• US 20020199205A1
• Filed: 06/25/2002
• Published: 12/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: PhyFlex Networks, Inc. (Ciena Corporation)
• Original Assignee: PhyFlex Networks, Inc. (Ciena Corporation)
• Inventors: Sonawane, Nitin, Saksena, Vikram
• Application Number:
  US10/180,950
• Publication Number:
  US 20020199205A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/115
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2381 Adapting the multiplex stream to a specific network, e.g. an Internet Protocol [IP] network transmission of MPEG streams over ATM H04L12/5601
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2747 Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4381 Recovering the multiplex stream from a specific network, e.g. recovering MPEG packets from ATM cells transmission of MPEG streams over ATM H04L12/5601
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/643 Communication protocols network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP], H04L65/65
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

A virtual storage adapter provides networked data storage to a data processing device for delivering consumer entertainment services using virtual devices accessed over a high-speed quality-of-service-enabled communications network. A data storage device emulation unit emulates the functionality of a data storage device (e.g., a DVD or a CD) and a network interface comprising an IP Small Computer System Interface (“iSCSI”) compatible interface connects the data storage device emulation unit to an iSCSI storage gateway. The virtual storage adapter provides video on demand (“VoD”) services using a video on demand server comprising a video on demand portal for selection and an administration unit for billing. Personal video recorder services are also provided, including data expiration, capacity on demand, consolidated recording and community recording features.

Claims

1. A virtual storage adapter providing networked data storage to a data processing device for delivering consumer entertainment services using virtual devices accessed over a high-speed quality-of-service-enabled communications network, comprising:

a data storage device emulation unit emulating the functionality of a data storage device; and

a network interface comprising an iSCSI compatible interface connecting the data storage device emulation unit to an iSCSI storage gateway on the quality of service enabled communications network.

2. The virtual storage adapter of claim 1 wherein the high-speed quality-of-service-enabled communications network provides at least a Constant Bit Rate Real-Time Services level of quality-of-service.

3. The virtual storage adapter of claim 1 wherein the high-speed quality-of-service-enabled communications network is a hybrid-fiber/cable network.

4. The virtual storage adapter of claim 1 wherein the data storage device emulation unit emulates a digital versatile disk (DVD) drive of a DVD player.

5. The virtual storage adapter of claim 1 wherein the data storage device emulation unit emulates a compact disk (CD) drive of a CD player.

6. A system for delivering consumer entertainment services using virtual devices, comprising:

a high-speed quality-of-service-enabled communications network;

a set top box comprising;

a data storage device emulation unit emulating the functionality of a data storage device; and

a network interface comprising an iSCSI compatible interface connecting the data storage device emulation unit to the high-speed quality-of-service-enabled communications network; and

an iSCSI storage gateway connected to the high-speed quality-of-service-enabled communications network.

7. The system of claim 6 further comprising a video on demand server, the video on demand server comprising:

a video on demand portal providing selection of data for a specific user; and

a video on demand administration unit providing data billing and data access expiration management.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the video on demand portal provides a listing feature to enumerate the currently available data.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the data access expiration management includes an automatic data access expiration feature.

10. The system of claim 6 further comprising a personal video recorder server, the personal video recorder server comprising:

a personal video recorder administration unit.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the personal video recorder administration unit provides a data expiration feature.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the personal video recorder administration unit provides a capacity on demand feature.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein the personal video recorder administration unit provides a consolidated recording feature

14. The system of claim 10 wherein the personal video recorder administration unit provides a community recording feature.

15. A virtual storage adapter providing networked data storage to a data processing device for delivering consumer entertainment services using virtual devices accessed over a high-speed quality-of-service-enabled communications network, comprising:

means for data storage device emulation; and

means for networking an iSCSI compatible interface to connect the data storage device emulation unit to an iSCSI storage gateway on the quality of service enabled communications network.