Method and apparatus for network content download and recording
First Claim
1. A method of providing content delivery over a network using at least existing network infrastructure, comprising:
- causing said content to be transmitted from a server entity associated with said infrastructure to consumer premises equipment (CPE) operatively coupled to said network;
receiving and storing said transmitted content at said CPE; and
recording at least portions of said content onto a fixed medium using said CPE.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for providing content to users of a network that can be selectively recorded via the user'"'"'s equipment. In an exemplary embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network, and on-demand (OD) sessions are used to provide high-speed download of the requested content to the users. The user'"'"'s equipment (e.g., set-top box) is equipped with a high-density recording device which can both record the content onto a selected medium (e.g., DVD) and optionally provide copyright protection via one or more means such as limiting the number of copies that can be made, and/or digital watermarking. The network operator can also restrict the establishment of the on-demand sessions and/or release of the content to subscribers based on parameters including prior purchase of the content by the user, and the timing of the release of the same content via other distribution channels such as rental and retail.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. A method of providing content delivery over a network using at least existing network infrastructure, comprising:
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causing said content to be transmitted from a server entity associated with said infrastructure to consumer premises equipment (CPE) operatively coupled to said network;
receiving and storing said transmitted content at said CPE; and
recording at least portions of said content onto a fixed medium using said CPE. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of providing new release content via a network, comprising:
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delivering said content to a first network entity;
transmitting said content over said network to a second network entity via a session established between said first entity and said second entity; and
enabling the recording at least a portion of said content at said second entity;
wherein said session is established only after a user of said second entity purchases said content. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. Network apparatus adapted to obtain and record content, the apparatus comprising:
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a processor;
a storage device in data communication with said processor;
a network interface in data communication with said processor, said network interface being adapted to at least receive said content from said network via a session; and
a recording device in data communication with at least one of said processor and storage device, said recording device being adapted to record at least portions of said content received via said interface onto a recording medium. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of doing business, comprising:
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making protected content available for download to a plurality of subscribers of a network;
selectively transmitting said content to at least one of said plurality of subscribers only when at least one precondition has been met; and
enabling said at least one subscriber to record said content onto a high-density storage medium, said subscriber retaining ownership of said recorded medium. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method of providing content over a content-based network, comprising:
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making content available only for media purchase and viewing, or media purchase only, during a first time period; and
making said content available for media purchase and viewing, or media purchase only, or viewing only, during a second and subsequent time period. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41)
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42. A method of providing content over a network, comprising:
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providing a first form of said content over a first distribution channel of said network;
providing a second form of said content over a second distribution channel of said network;
wherein said first form of said content is viewed; and
wherein said second form of said content is recorded. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification