Personal content server apparatus and methods

• US 20080209491A1
• Filed: 02/28/2007
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Time Warner Cable Inc. (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hasek, Charles A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,181,206 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2221 being a cable television head-end CATV in broadcast systems H04H20/78
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2225 Local VOD servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2393 involving handling client requests scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2402 Monitoring of the downstream path of the transmission network, e.g. bandwidth available traffic monitoring in data switching networks H04L43/00; monitoring data switching networks utilization H04L43/0876
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25841 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; arrangements for identifying locations of receiving stations in broadcast systems H04H60/51; location of the user terminal in data switching networks H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2665 Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2668 Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4332 by placing content in organized collections, e.g. local EPG data repository interfaces, Database management systems or updating for information retrieval G06F16/23; details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video database G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6143 involving transmission via a satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/632 using a connection between clients on a wide area network, e.g. setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet for retrieving video segments from the hard-disk of other client devices broadcast-related systems characterised by transmission among terminal devices H04H60/80; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

Personal content server apparatus and associated methods that allow a user (e.g., cable or satellite network subscriber) to access content, such as a video program, from a location outside the subscriber'"'"'s network. In one embodiment, a personal content server streams the content to the subscriber over a network connection from the local e.g., (subscription) network to a remote network upon authorization by a content manager process. Various access, business or operational rules are applied depending on the content and delivery mode; e.g., to live video broadcast, video-on-demand (VOD), or archived content from the subscriber'"'"'s digital video recorder (DVR) or networked PVR. In another variant, reservation information (for example program or asset ID information) is cached at a headend or hub server, thereby obviating the subscriber (or the network) having to access the subscriber'"'"'s premises device. In yet another variant, a “virtual” CPE experience is provided for the remote user.

Claims

1. A personal content distribution system, comprising:

a first network for distribution of content to a first device at a first location;

a personal content server operatively communicating with said first network; and

a second network in data communication with said content server and adapted to receive a request to access particular content from a second device at a second location remote from said first location;

wherein said personal content server is further operative to receive reservation data from at least said first device, and utilize said reservation data in the delivery of reserved content to at least said second device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said first device and second device have at least one relationship, said relationship comprising said first device and said second device being associated with a common user or owner.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said first network comprises a content-based cable or satellite network having a plurality of subscribers, said common user or owner comprising one of said plurality of subscribers.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said association of said first and second devices with said at least one common subscriber is identified by said server by accessing a subscriber database having data relating uniquely to said first and second devices.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said first device and second device have at least one relationship, said relationship comprising said first device having said particular content disposed thereon in either substantially permanent or ephemeral storage.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said first network comprises a cable or satellite content-based network, and said second network comprises a cellular network adapted to distribute content to a plurality of mobile users, said second device comprising a mobile device.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said first device and said second device are associated with a common user that is subscribed to receive first service over said cable or satellite network, and second service over said cellular network.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said first network comprises a plurality of subscribers, and said first device and said second device are associated with at least a common one of said plurality of subscribers, said association being determined at least in part by said at least one user providing authentication information via said second device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said access comprises delivery of said content to said second device, and said personal content server is operative to dynamically select at least one of the following for delivery of said content to said second device:

(i) encoding/decoding format;

(ii) conditional access format; and

(iii) the network interface over which said content is delivered to said second device.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first network or second network comprises apparatus adapted to mitigate spoofing of said personal content server by an unauthorized device or user.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said apparatus adapted to mitigate spoofing of said personal content server by an unauthorized device or user comprises a network apparatus utilizing an IEEE Std. 802.1x protocol and in communication with a RADIUS server.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said second device is capable of moving to a plurality of different locations within said second network, and said personal content server is adapted to authenticate said second device at each of said different locations.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third network in communication with said first network;

wherein said second device is capable of moving between said second and third networks, and said personal content server is adapted to authenticate said second device at each of said second and third networks.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said personal content server is further operative to perform rate shaping on said delivered content.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said personal content server comprises a first portion of a distributed software application, and said second device comprises a second portion of said distributed software application, said first and second portions of said application being in communication with one another over at least said second network in order to provide said delivery to said content.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein said reservation data comprises asset ID information relating to a program or service.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein said reservation data comprises data indicating a particular date and time for viewing a program or using a service.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein said delivery of content to at least said second device comprises delivery of said content to both said first and second devices.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein said receipt of reservation data from at least said first device comprises receipt of said reservation data from both said first and second devices.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein content delivery specified by reservation data received from said first device can be serviced independently of that specified by reservation data received from said second device.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein said reservation data is segregated or organized into a multi-level hierarchy and stored on a storage device associated with said server.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein said reservation data is user-specific.

23. A method of delivering content over a network, comprising:

receiving a request to reserve content for future delivery via a first network from a first device;

determining whether said content has previously been or is contemporaneously being delivered via a second network and a second device; and

where said act of determining indicates that said content has been or is being delivered over said second network, allowing said content to be reserved for said first device.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said first device and said second device are associated with a common user, yet disposed at substantially remote locations.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said first device and said second device are disposed at a substantially common location.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein said content is reserved by said first device via a third network that is substantially independent of said first network.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein said second device comprises a content recording device, and said act of determining comprises determining if said content has been recorded via said recording device.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein first device and said recording device are associated with a common user, yet disposed at substantially remote locations.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein said act of determining comprises determining if said content has been purchased using a subscription account associated with a user of said first device.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein said first network comprises the Internet, and said second network comprises a cable television network, and said act of allowing comprises allowing reservation data to be sent over the Internet to a storage location associated with a content server disposed at a node of said cable television network.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said reservation comprises a reservation for future delivery of said content over said cable television network using a video-on-demand (VOD) session.

32. A network architecture adapted for delivery of content over a network, comprising:

a server disposed substantially within a cable television network and adapted to serve a content request from a client device in communication with said cable television network;

a content source in data communication with said server for providing content thereto; and

a management process in operative communication with said server, said management process being adapted to service content delivery requests from a second device logically associated with but disposed remotely from said client device;

wherein said management process is further adapted to;

receive content reservation data from said client device;

store said reservation data at a location accessible to said server;

and deliver content to said second device directly or indirectly from said source based at least in part on said reservation data.

33. The architecture of claim 32, wherein said delivery of said content based at least in part on said reservation data comprises delivering content specified by said reservation data to said second device at a first time also specified by said data.

34. The architecture of claim 33, wherein said delivering content specified by said reservation data to said second device at a first time also specified by said data comprises delivering said specified content over an internet using a codec-over-IP format.

35. The architecture of claim 33, wherein said delivering content specified by said reservation data to said second device at a first time also specified by said data precludes delivery of said content to said client device at a second time that is the same or similar to said first time.

36. The architecture of claim 32, wherein said logical association comprises association of both said client device and second device to a common cable network subscriber account.

37. The architecture of claim 32, wherein said receipt of content reservation data comprises receipt of data that is anonymously associated with said client device.

38. The architecture of claim 37, wherein said received data that is anonymously associated with said client device comprises a cryptographic hash of data particular to said client device.

39. The architecture of claim 38, wherein said logical association comprises association of both said client device and second device using at least said cryptographic hash.

40. A client device architecture adapted for delivery of content over a network, comprising:

a server disposed substantially within a cable television network and adapted to serve a content request from a client device in communication with said cable television network; and

a management process in operative communication with said server, said management process being adapted to service content delivery requests from a second device logically associated with but disposed remotely from said client device;

wherein said management process is further adapted to;

receive content reservation data from said client device;

store said reservation data at a location accessible to said server; and

permit said second device to access said reservation data after it has been authenticated to said management process.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said access by said second device comprises delivery of content reserved by said reservation data at a time specified by said reservation data.

42. A method optimizing bandwidth usage within a cable television network capable of delivery of content to a first client device disposed within said network and a second, associated client device disposed remote from said first client device, the method comprising:

receiving content reservation data at a node of said network from said first client device, said data indicating content that is desired to be delivered at a given time to said first device;

subsequently determining a condition when delivery of said reserved content is to be made to said second device instead of said first device; and

allocating bandwidth within said cable network from at least one portion of said network based at least in part on said determining.

43. A server adapted for delivery of content over a network, comprising:

a computerized device disposed substantially within a cable television network and adapted to serve a content request a client device in communication with said cable television network; and

a computer program operative to run on said computerized device, said program adapted to service content delivery requests from a second device logically associated with but disposed remotely from said client device;

wherein said computer program is further adapted to;

receive content reservation data from said client device;

store said reservation data at a location accessible to said program; and

deliver content to said second device based at least in part on said reservation data.

44. A method of delivering content to a first device over a first network, said first network in data communication with a second network, said second network comprising at least one client device having a plurality of hardware control functions related thereto, said plurality of functions comprising a first user interface, the method comprising:

emulating at least a portion of said hardware control functions at said first device as part of a second user interface so as to at least partly emulate said first user interface;

receiving at least one control command via said second user interface; and

delivering said content at said first device according to said at least one control command.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein said act of emulating comprises performing a software emulation, and wherein display structures corresponding to at least a portion of said hardware control functions are generated for display on a display device associated with said first device.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein said act of generating display structures comprises generating structures that are also user-interactive, and said act of receiving comprises receiving input from a user via at least one of said structures.

47. The method of claim 44, wherein said act of emulating comprises performing a software and hardware emulation, and wherein a physical input device having functions corresponding to at least a portion of said hardware control functions is used with said first device, and said functions of said physical input device are emulated in software.

48. The method of claim 44, wherein said first device comprises a portable computerized device, said first network comprises the Internet, said second network comprises a cable television network, and said second device comprises a cable set-top box (STB).

49. Computerized apparatus adapted for receiving content over a first network, said first network in data communication with a second network, said second network comprising at least one client device having a plurality of hardware control functions related thereto, said plurality of functions comprising a first user interface, the apparatus comprising:

a host computer;

a network interface operative to communicate data with said first network; and

software operative to run on said host computer and in communication with said interface, said software adapted to;

emulate at least a portion of said hardware control functions at said first device as part of a second user interface so as to at least partly emulate said first user interface;

receive at least one control command via said second user interface; and

receive said content at said first device via said network interface based at least in part on said at least one control command.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said apparatus comprises a portable personal computer, and said first network comprises the Internet, said second network comprises a cable television network, said at least one client device comprises a set-top box or digital video recorder, and said plurality of hardware control functions comprise functions associated with a hand-held remote control unit operative to control said set-top box or video recorder.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said interface comprises an interface selected from the group consisting of:

(i) an Ethernet interface; and

(ii) a WiFi interface.

52. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said emulation of at least a portion of said hardware functions is performed using software emulation, and wherein display structures corresponding to at least a portion of said hardware control functions are generated for display on a display device associated with said personal computer.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein said generation of display structures comprises generating structures that are also user-interactive, and said receipt comprises receiving input from a user via at least one of said structures.