Unicasting and multicasting multimedia services

• US 20070220573A1
• Filed: 03/20/2006
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ericsson Evdo, Inc. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson Evdo, Inc. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rao, Roshan, Chiussi, Fabio
• Granted Patent: US 11,477,617 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1016 IP multimedia subsystem [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6405 Multicasting data broadcast and multicast in packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6408 Unicasting
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/186 Processing of subscriber group data

Abstract

A network entity controls delivery of information to user devices over bearer paths including unicast channels and multicast channels. The network entity may interoperate in any of a number of network architectures, including 3GPP Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) and 3GPP2 Multimedia Domain (MMD). The network entity may provide functionality of a modified 3GPP2 Broadcast and Multicast Service (BCMCS) controller component configured to enable BCMCS signaling protocol transactions to occur over 3GPP IMS interfaces and/or 3GPP2 MMD interfaces. A network entity configured to interoperate in a 3GPP IMS and/or 3GPP2 MMD network architecture may provide network-mobile multimedia services to user devices. Content associated with the multimedia services may be stored in storage devices in the network. A common interface through which a network operator defines service-specific parameters of a number of unicast and multicast multimedia services deployed in a distribution network may be provided.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

enabling a network entity to control delivery of information to user devices over bearer paths, the bearer paths comprising unicast channels and multicast channels.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the enabling comprises:

provisioning a multimedia service so that one or more multimedia programs are available for delivery to the user devices.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the provisioning comprises:

for each of the one or more multimedia programs, receiving program-related parameters, network-related parameters, and user-related parameters from a network operator.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the provisioning comprises:

adding the one or more multimedia program to a list of multimedia programs available for delivery to the user devices.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the enabling comprises:

generating a program guide that provides a list of multimedia programs available for delivery to the user devices.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the enabling comprises:

sending to a distribution network control information for use in setting up the bearer paths with the user devices.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the enabling comprises:

sending to at least one of the user devices a program guide that provides a list of multimedia programs available for delivery.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the program guide is sent upon registration of the at least one of the user devices with a distribution network.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the program guide is sent in response to a program guide request by the at least one of the user devices.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the at least one of the user devices is associated with a service profile that identifies one or more multimedia services the at least one of the user devices has access to.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the enabling comprises:

receiving a request for a program from at least one of the user devices; and

identifying a transport mode associated with the requested program, the transport mode being one of unicast or multicast.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the identified transport mode is multicast, and the enabling further comprises:

determining whether the requested program is currently being delivered over a multicast channel to which the at least one of the user devices has access, and if so, sending information to the at least one of the user devices to enable the at least one of the user devices to extract the requested program from that multicast channel.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the identified transport mode is multicast, and the enabling further comprises:

determining whether the requested program is currently being delivered over a multicast channel to which the at least one of the user devices has access to, and if not, sending a notification to another network entity to start delivering the requested program over a multicast channel to which the at least one of the user devices has access.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the enabling further comprises:

retrieving a service profile associated with the at least one of the user devices; and

taking an action based on the retrieved service profile.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein taking an action comprises one or more of the following:

determining whether the at least one of the user devices is capable of accessing the requested program; and

identifying a quality of service the at least one of the user devices is subscribed to receive.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the enabling comprises:

maintaining a count of a number of user devices to which a program is being delivered over unicast channels; and

dynamically establishing a multicast channel when the count exceeds a threshold value.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the enabling further comprises:

sending a notification to another network entity to start delivering the program over the newly-established multicast channel; and

sending information to the user devices to enable the user devices to extract the program from the newly-established multicast channel.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the bearer paths are set up over a plurality of distribution networks, the distribution networks using different access technologies.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the bearer paths comprise unicast channels and the distribution networks comprise a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), an Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) network, a High-Speed Downlink Packet Access network, and a High-Speed Uplink Packet Access network.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the bearer paths comprise multicast channels and the distribution networks comprise:

a cellular multicast network that comprises a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network implementing a Broadcast-Multicast Service (BCMCS) service, and a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network implementing a Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) service;

a broadband wireless network that comprises a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) network, and a Wireless Broadband (WiBro) network;

a wireless multicast network that comprises a MediaFLO network, a Digital Video Broadcasting—

Handheld (DVB-H) network, and a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting network (DMB); and

a wired network that comprises a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) network, a Gigabit Ethernet network, a Frame Relay network, and a cable network.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the bearer paths used to deliver a multicast service to the user devices originate at one of the user devices.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the network entity is configured to interoperate in one of a 3GPP Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture and a 3GPP2 Multimedia Domain (MMD) network architecture.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the enabling comprises:

provisioning a multimedia service so that one or more multimedia programs are available for delivery to the user devices.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the provisioning comprises:

for each of the one or more multimedia programs, receiving program-related parameters, network-related parameters, and user-related parameters from a network operator.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the provisioning comprises:

adding the one or more multimedia program to a list of multimedia programs available for delivery to the user devices.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the enabling comprises:

generating a program guide that provides a list of multimedia programs available for delivery to the user devices.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the enabling comprises:

sending to a distribution network control information for use in setting up the bearer paths with the user devices.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein the enabling comprises:

sending to at least one of the user devices a program guide that provides a list of multimedia programs available for delivery.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the program guide is sent upon registration of the at least one of the user devices with a distribution network.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the program guide is sent in response to a program guide request by the at least one of the user devices.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the at least one of the user devices is associated with a service profile that identifies one or more multimedia services the at least one of the user devices has access to.

32. The method of claim 22, wherein the enabling comprises:

receiving a request for a program from at least one of the user devices; and

identifying a transport mode associated with the requested program, the transport mode being one of unicast or multicast.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the identified transport mode is multicast, and the enabling further comprises:

determining whether the requested program is currently being delivered over a multicast channel to which the at least one of the user devices has access, and if so, sending information to the at least one of the user devices to enable the at least one of the user devices to extract the requested program from that multicast channel.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the identified transport mode is multicast, and the enabling further comprises:

determining whether the requested program is currently being delivered over a multicast channel to which the at least one of the user devices has access to, and if not, sending a notification to another network entity to start delivering the requested program over a multicast channel to which the at least one of the user devices has access.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the enabling further comprises:

retrieving a service profile associated with the at least one of the user devices; and

taking an action based on the retrieved service profile.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein taking an action comprises one or more of the following:

determining whether the at least one of the user devices is capable of accessing the requested program; and

identifying a quality of service the at least one of the user devices is subscribed to receive.

37. The method of claim 22, wherein the enabling comprises:

maintaining a count of a number of user devices to which a program is being delivered over unicast channels; and

dynamically establishing a multicast channel when the count exceeds a threshold value.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the enabling further comprises:

sending a notification to another network entity to start delivering the program over the newly-established multicast channel; and

sending information to the user devices to enable the user devices to extract the program from the newly-established multicast channel.

39. The method of claim 22, wherein the bearer paths are set up over a plurality of distribution networks, the distribution networks using different access technologies.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the bearer paths comprise unicast channels and the distribution networks comprise a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), an Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) network, a High-Speed Downlink Packet Access network, and a High-Speed Uplink Packet Access network.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the bearer paths comprise multicast channels and the distribution networks comprise:

a cellular multicast network that comprises a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network implementing a Broadcast-Multicast Service (BCMCS) service, and a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network implementing a Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) service;

a broadband wireless network that comprises a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) network, and a Wireless Broadband (WiBro) network;

a wireless multicast network that comprises a MediaFLO network, a Digital Video Broadcasting—

Handheld (DVB-H) network, and a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting network (DMB); and

a wired network that comprises a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) network, a Gigabit Ethernet network, a Frame Relay network, and a cable network.

42. The method of claim 22, wherein the bearer paths used to deliver a multicast service to the user devices originate at one of the user devices.

43. The method of claim 22, wherein the network entity provides functionality of a modified 3GPP2 Broadcast and Multicast Service (BCMCS) controller component configured to enable BCMCS signaling protocol transactions to occur over interfaces of one of a 3GPP IMS network architecture and a 3GPP2 MMD network architecture.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the enabling comprises performing 3GPP2 BCMCS service discovery and announcement functionality by generating a program guide and delivering the program guide to the user devices.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the enabling comprises performing 3GPP2 BCMCS content subscription and information functionality by authenticating and authorizing the user devices and delivering encryption keys and control information in a way compatible to 3GPP2 BCMCS transactions performed over interfaces of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein the enabling comprises performing 3GPP2 BCMCS content delivery functionality by having a MRFC functional entity of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture send control information to a MRFP functional entity of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture so as to enable content to be sent content to user devices through a distribution network.

47. The method of claim 43, wherein the enabling comprises performing 3GPP2 BCMCS controller discovery functionality by having a S-CSCF functional entity of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture send user requests to a network entity.

48. The method of claim 43, wherein the enabling comprises performing 3GPP2 BCMCS accounting functionality by having an HSS functional entity of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture collect accounting records in a manner compatible with BCMCS transactions performed over the interfaces of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture.

49. The method of claim 43, wherein the enabling comprises performing 3GPP2 BCMCS subscription profile manager functionality by having a network operator configure user subscription information in a HSS functional entity of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture.

50. The method of claim 43, wherein:

an interface between a 3GPP2 BCMCS controller and a user device is implemented with a SIP Interface between the network entity and the user device;

an interface between a 3GPP2 BCMCS controller and a broadcast serving node is implemented with a Mb Interface;

an interface between a 3GPP2 BCMCS controller and a content server is implemented with a Mp Interface;

an interface between a 3GPP2 BCMCS controller and an authenticate, authorize, and accounting (AAA) server is implemented with a Sh Interface; and

an interface between a 3GPP2 BCMCS controller and a subscription profile manager is implemented with a Sh interface,

wherein each of the SIP Interface, Mb Interface, Mp Interface, Sh Interface is an interface of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture.

51. A machine-readable medium including machine-executable instructions to cause the machine to:

enable a network entity to control delivery of information to user devices over bearer paths, the bearer paths comprising unicast channels and multicast channels.

52. The machine-readable medium of claim 51, wherein the instructions to cause the machine to enable comprise one or more of the following:

instructions to provision a multimedia service so that one or more multimedia programs are available for delivery to the user devices;

instructions to generate a program guide that provides a list of multimedia programs available for delivery to the user devices;

instructions to send to a distribution network control information for use in setting up the bearer paths with the user devices; and

instructions to send to at least one of the user devices a program guide that provides a list of multimedia programs available for delivery.

53. The machine-readable medium of claim 51, wherein the instructions to cause the machine to enable comprise instructions to:

receive a request for a program from at least one of the user devices; and

identify a transport mode associated with the requested program, the transport mode being one of unicast or multicast.

54. The machine-readable medium of claim 51, wherein the instructions to cause the machine to enable comprise instructions to:

maintain a count of a number of user devices to which a program is being delivered over unicast channels; and

dynamically-establish a multicast channel when the count exceeds a threshold value.

55. The machine-readable medium of claim 51, wherein the bearer paths are set up over a plurality of distribution networks, the distribution networks using different access technologies.

56. The machine-readable medium of claim 51, wherein the bearer paths used to deliver a multicast service to the user devices originate at one of the user devices.

57. The machine-readable medium of claim 51, wherein the network entity is configured to interoperate in one of a 3GPP Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture and a 3GPP2 Multimedia Domain (MMD) network architecture.

58. The machine-readable medium of claim 51, wherein the network entity is configured to provide functionality of a modified 3GPP2 Broadcast and Multicast Service (BCMCS) controller component so as to enable BCMCS signaling protocol transactions to occur over interfaces of one of a 3GPP Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture and a 3GPP2 Multimedia Domain (MMD) network architecture.

59. The machine-readable medium of claim 58, wherein the instructions to cause the machine to enable comprise one of more of the following:

instructions to perform 3GPP2 BCMCS service discovery and announcement functionality by generating a program guide and delivering the program guide to the user devices;

instructions to perform 3GPP2 BCMCS content subscription and information functionality by authenticating and authorizing the user devices and delivering encryption keys and control information in a way compatible to 3GPP2 BCMCS transactions performed over interfaces of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture;

instructions to perform 3GPP2 BCMCS content delivery functionality by having a MRFC functional entity of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture send control information to a MRFP functional entity of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture so as to enable content to be sent content to user devices through a distribution network;

instructions to perform 3GPP2 BCMCS controller discovery functionality by having a S-CSCF functional entity interfaces of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture send user requests to a network entity;

instructions to perform 3GPP2 BCMCS accounting functionality by having a HSS functional entity of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture collect accounting records in a manner compatible with BCMCS transactions performed over the interfaces of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture; and

instructions to perform 3GPP2 BCMCS subscription profile manager functionality by having a network operator configure user subscription information in a HSS functional entity of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture.

60. An apparatus comprising:

means for controlling delivery of information to user devices over bearer paths, the bearer paths comprising unicast channels and multicast channels.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, further comprising:

means for provisioning a multimedia service so that one or more multimedia programs are available for delivery to the user devices;

means for generating a program guide that provides a list of multimedia programs available for delivery to the user devices;

means for sending to a distribution network control information for use in setting up the bearer paths with the user devices; and

means for sending to at least one of the user devices a program guide that provides a list of multimedia programs available for delivery.

62. The apparatus of claim 60, further comprising:

means for receiving a request for a program from at least one of the user devices; and

means for identifying a transport mode associated with the requested program, the transport mode being one of unicast or multicast.

63. The apparatus of claim 60, further comprising:

means for maintaining a count of a number of user devices to which a program is being delivered over unicast channels; and

means for dynamically establishing a multicast channel when the count exceeds a threshold value.

64. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the bearer paths are set up over a plurality of distribution networks, the distribution networks using different access technologies.

65. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the bearer paths used to deliver a multicast service to the user devices originate at one of the user devices.

66. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the apparatus is configured to interoperate in one of a 3GPP Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture and a 3GPP2 Multimedia Domain (MMD) network architecture.

67. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the apparatus is configured to provide functionality of a modified Broadcast and Multicast Service (BCMCS) controller component so as to enable 3GPP2 BCMCS signaling protocol transactions to occur over interfaces of one of a 3GPP Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture and a 3GPP2 Multimedia Domain (MMD) network architecture.

68. The apparatus of claim 67, further comprising:

means for performing 3GPP2 BCMCS service discovery and announcement functionality by generating a program guide and delivering the program guide to the user devices;

means for performing 3GPP2 BCMCS content subscription and information functionality by authenticating and authorizing the user devices and delivering encryption keys and control information in a way compatible to BCMCS transactions performed over the IMS interfaces or the MMD interfaces;

means for performing 3GPP2 BCMCS content delivery functionality by having a MRFC functional entity of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture send control information to a MRFP functional entity of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture so as to enable content to be sent content to user devices through a distribution network;

means for performing 3GPP2 BCMCS controller discovery functionality by having a S-CSCF functional entity of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture send user requests to a network entity;

means for performing 3GPP2 BCMCS accounting functionality by having a HSS functional entity of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture collect accounting records in a manner compatible with BCMCS transactions performed over the interfaces of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture; and

means for performing 3GPP2 BCMCS subscription profile manager functionality by having a network operator configure user subscription information in a HSS functional entity of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture.

69. The apparatus of claim 67, further comprising:

means for implementing an interface between a 3GPP2 BCMCS controller and a user device with a SIP Interface between the network entity and the user device;

means for implementing an interface between a 3GPP2 BCMCS controller and a broadcast serving node with a Mb Interface;

means for implementing an interface between a 3GPP2 BCMCS controller and a content server with a Mp Interface;

means for implementing an interface between a 3GPP2 BCMCS controller and an authenticate, authorize, and accounting (AAA) server with a Sh Interface; and

means for implementing an interface between a 3GPP2 BCMCS controller and a subscription profile manager with a Sh interface,

wherein each of the SIP Interface, Mb Interface, Mp Interface, Sh Interface is an interface of one of the 3GPP IMS network architecture and the 3GPP2 MMD network architecture.

70. A method comprising:

enabling a network entity configured to interoperate in one of a 3GPP Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture and a 3GPP2 Multimedia Domain (MMD) network architecture to provide network-mobile multimedia services to user devices, wherein content associated with the multimedia services are stored in a plurality of storage devices in the network.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein a bearer path used to deliver a multimedia service to the user devices is established before an explicit service request is received from a user device.

72. The method of claim 70, wherein enabling comprises receiving from at least one of the user devices a request for authorization to access at least one of the multimedia services.

73. The method of claim 70 further comprising:

establishing a multicast channel of a distribution network over which the content is simultaneously delivered to the user devices.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein the establishing is performed by another network entity in response to a request for the content received from at least one of the user devices.

75. A machine-readable medium including machine-executable instructions to cause the machine to:

enable a network entity configured to interoperate in one of a 3GPP Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture and a 3GPP2 Multimedia Domain (MMD) network architecture to provide network-mobile multimedia services to user devices, wherein content associated with the multimedia services are stored in a plurality of storage devices in the network.

76. The machine-readable medium of claim 75, wherein a bearer path used to deliver a multimedia service to the user devices is established before an explicit service request is received from a user device.

77. The machine-readable medium of claim 75, wherein the instructions to cause the machine to enable comprise instructions to receive from at least one of the user devices a request for authorization to access at least one of the multimedia services.

78. An apparatus comprising:

means for enabling a network entity configured to interoperate in one of a 3GPP Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture and a 3GPP2 Multimedia Domain (MMD) network architecture to provide network-mobile multimedia services to user devices, wherein content associated with the multimedia services are stored in a plurality of storage devices in the network

79. The apparatus of claim 78, wherein a bearer path used to deliver a multimedia service to the user devices is established before an explicit service request is received from a user device.

80. The apparatus of claim 78, wherein the means for enabling comprise means for receiving from at least one of the user devices a request for authorization to access at least one of the multimedia services.

81. A method comprising:

providing a common interface through which a network operator-defines service-specific parameters of a plurality of unicast and multicast multimedia services deployed in a distribution network.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein the service-specific parameters are common to all programs associated with the multimedia service.

83. The method of claim 81, wherein the service-specific parameters comprise one or more of the following:

transport mode parameters, geographical area parameters, encryption mode parameters, quality of service parameters, network configuration parameters, security and access parameters, announcement parameters, and charging model parameters.

84. The method of claim 81, wherein through the common interface, the network operator defines program-specific parameters of a program associated with the multimedia service.

85. The method of claim 84, wherein the program-specific parameters comprise one or more of the following:

a program name, a program identifier, a program availability time, a program start time, a program end time, transport mode parameters, encryption mode parameters, quality of service parameters, application bit rate parameters, and user information that specifies a service profile associated with the program.

86. The method of claim 84, wherein one or more of the program-specific parameters overrides corresponding one or more of the service-specific parameters.

87. The method of claim 81, wherein through the interface, the network operator defines information to generate a program guide that provides a list of programs available for delivery to user devices in communication with the distribution network.

88. The method of claim 81, wherein through the common interface, the network operator defines rendering parameters of a program guide to be displayed on user devices in communication with the distribution network, parameters associated with program guide delivery, and parameters associated with program guide geography.

89. The method of claim 81, wherein the common interface resides on a network entity that is configured to interoperate in a 3GPP Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture or a 3GPP2 Multimedia Domain (MMD) network architecture.

90. A machine-readable medium including machine-executable instructions to cause the machine to:

provide a common interface through which a network operator defines service-specific parameters of a plurality of unicast and multicast multimedia services deployed in a distribution network.

91. The machine-readable medium of claim 90, wherein through the common interface, the network operator defines one or more of the following:

program-specific parameters of a program associated with the multimedia service;

information to generate a program guide that provides a list of programs available for delivery to user devices in communication with the distribution network; and

rendering parameters of a program guide to be displayed on user devices in communication with the distribution network, parameters associated with program guide delivery, and parameters associated with program guide geography.

92. The machine-readable medium of claim 90, wherein the common interface resides on a network entity that is configured to interoperate in one of a 3GPP Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture and a 3GPP2 Multimedia Domain (MMD) network architecture.

93. An apparatus comprising:

means for providing a common interface through which a network operator defines service-specific parameters of a plurality of unicast and multicast multimedia services deployed in a distribution network.

94. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein through the common interface, the network operator defines one or more of the following:

program-specific parameters of a program associated with the multimedia service;

information to generate a program guide that provides a list of programs available for delivery to user devices in communication with the distribution network; and

rendering parameters of a program guide to be displayed on user devices in communication with the distribution network, parameters associated with program guide delivery, and parameters associated with program guide geography.

95. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein the common interface resides on a network entity that is configured to interoperate in one of a 3GPP Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture and a 3GPP2 Multimedia Domain (MMD) network architecture.