Methods and apparatus for selecting digital interface technology for programming and data delivery
First Claim
1. A system for distributing video programming on-demand, comprising:
- a plurality of video signal processing devices, each said device having a plurality of network interface capabilities, and configured to generate a capabilities profile relating at least in part to said network interface capabilities, and receive video programming signals;
a video-on-demand server configured to receive said capabilities profile from individual ones of said devices and identify on-demand video programming that is compatible with individual ones of said capabilities profiles; and
a network connecting said video signal processing devices to said video on-demand server, said network being capable of transmitting said capabilities profiles between said video signal processing devices and said video on-demand server, and transmitting information relating to said identified compatible on-demand video programming to said devices over a network interface compatible with said network interface capabilities identified in said profile.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for selecting digital (network) interface technology for programming and data delivery over, e.g., a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises an HFC cable or satellite network that includes a server process interfacing with a plurality of customer premises equipment (CPE), and/or associated client devices, each having different capabilities profiles. The server determines the one or more capabilities possessed by the CPE, and evaluates one or more program or content choices for possible delivery to that CPE based on its profile. The server generates a list of programs or content based on this evaluation, and transmits this list to the CPE, which displays the list for viewing by a user. The user is therefore offered a list of available content that is compatible with their specific configuration. A business and operational rules engine is also optionally employed to control the operation of the foregoing processes to accomplish particular business or operational goals.
-
Citations
39 Claims
-
1. A system for distributing video programming on-demand, comprising:
-
a plurality of video signal processing devices, each said device having a plurality of network interface capabilities, and configured to generate a capabilities profile relating at least in part to said network interface capabilities, and receive video programming signals; a video-on-demand server configured to receive said capabilities profile from individual ones of said devices and identify on-demand video programming that is compatible with individual ones of said capabilities profiles; and a network connecting said video signal processing devices to said video on-demand server, said network being capable of transmitting said capabilities profiles between said video signal processing devices and said video on-demand server, and transmitting information relating to said identified compatible on-demand video programming to said devices over a network interface compatible with said network interface capabilities identified in said profile. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A method of operating client equipment in communication with a content-based network, said equipment comprising a plurality of supported network interface options and at least one application, the method comprising:
-
running said at least one application; providing at least one hardware or software interface capable of communication with said network interface options; discovering said network interface options; and reporting said network interface options to a process. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method for operating a video processing device for use in a content-based network, comprising:
-
polling a set of components of said video processing device for network interface capabilities; receiving one or more network interface capabilities in response to said polling; and generating information describing the network interface capabilities supported. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. Apparatus for receiving digital information from a network, said digital information being encoded, said apparatus comprising a microprocessor for running software modules, said apparatus further comprising:
-
a plurality of network interface components, each comprising a substantially distinct communication channel; an application for determining a network interface profile; and an operating system for communicating with said plurality of network interface components in order to generate information for said network interface profile. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
-
31. Network server apparatus, comprising:
-
a processor; a storage device in data communication with said processor; and a computer program configured to run on said processor, said program being adapted to; receive network interface profile information from at least one network client device; determine at least one content element delivery option compatible with said profile information; and generate information for transmission to said at least one client device relating to said at least one content element delivery option. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
-
-
35. A method of configuring programming deliverable over a network that is available for on-demand viewing by at least one CPE, the method comprising:
-
receiving from said at least one CPE first information relating to at least one network interface over which said programming is to be delivered; receiving from said at least one CPE second information relating to at least one of;
(i) the decoding capabilities, or (ii) the conditional access (CA) capabilities, of said at least one CPE;selecting at least one of a plurality of variants of said programming based at least in part on said second information; and transmitting said selected variant of said programming over said at least one network interface based at least in part on said first information.
-
-
36. A method of doing business over a cable television network, comprising:
-
receiving first information relating to the network interface capabilities of a plurality of CPE operatively communicating with said network; receiving second information relating to the respective subscription level of subscribers associated with said plurality of CPE; and selecting, based at least in part on said first and second information, one of a plurality of network interfaces for delivery of content to each of said plurality of CPE. - View Dependent Claims (37)
-
-
38. In a broadcast switched content delivery network having a node and a switching mechanism controlling delivery of programs to said node, a method of operating said network comprising:
-
providing a plurality of programs to said switching mechanism; obtaining first information relating to the network interface capabilities of particular client devices serviced by said node; obtaining second information relating to program requests from said plurality of client devices; and based at least in part on said first and second information, selectively switching at least one of said programs for delivery to said node using at least said switching mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (39)
-
Specification