Premises gateway apparatus and methods for use in a content-based network
First Claim
1. A premises gateway device for use in a content-based network, comprising:
- first apparatus adapted to receive first signals transmitted over a first frequency band via said network;
second apparatus adapted to receive second signals transmitted over a second frequency band via said network, and transmit third signals over said second band also via said network; and
an interface to another premises device;
wherein said another premises device utilizes said second apparatus as a communications proxy for transmitting said third signals via said second band that it would otherwise have to transmit via a separate interface to said network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for premises gateway functions that integrate or unify functions typically distributed across multiple devices within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the out-of-band (OOB) signaling functionality normally provided in each of a set-top-box (STB) and digital video recorder (DVR) are unified into a common OOB (e.g., DOCSIS) capable premises gateway device, thereby obviating OOB tuners and related components from each device. In another variant, the premises gateway is adapted for all-IP operation, such as for use with IP-based computers and IP set-top boxes, etc. Fully unified variants are also disclosed, wherein the DVR and/or STB functions are physically integrated within the premises gateway.
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Citations
55 Claims
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1. A premises gateway device for use in a content-based network, comprising:
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first apparatus adapted to receive first signals transmitted over a first frequency band via said network; second apparatus adapted to receive second signals transmitted over a second frequency band via said network, and transmit third signals over said second band also via said network; and an interface to another premises device; wherein said another premises device utilizes said second apparatus as a communications proxy for transmitting said third signals via said second band that it would otherwise have to transmit via a separate interface to said network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12)
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10. A gateway device for use in a content-based network, comprising:
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first apparatus adapted to receive first signals transmitted over a first frequency band via said network, and transmit second signals over said first band also via said network; a first data interface to a first premises device; and a second data interface to a second premises device; wherein said first frequency band comprises a band used for either out-of-band (OOB) signaling or cable modem operation; and wherein said first and second premises devices each utilize said first apparatus as a communications proxy for transmitting said second signals. - View Dependent Claims (11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. Set-top box apparatus, comprising:
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first apparatus adapted to receive, demodulate, and decode encoded video signals sent via a cable television network; and second apparatus configured to communicate data or signals with a premises device via a communication channel, said premises device being adapted to provide out-of-band (OOB) communication with one or more other entities on said cable television network based at least in part on said data or signals; wherein said premises device acts as an OOB communication proxy for said set-top box apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. Digital video recorder apparatus, comprising:
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first apparatus adapted to receive, demodulate, and decode encoded video signals sent via a cable television network; second apparatus adapted to record said decoded video signals for subsequent playback or transmission; and third apparatus configured to communicate data or signals with a premises device via a communication channel, said premises device being adapted to provide out-of-band (OOB) communication with one or more other entities on said cable television network based at least in part on said data or signals; wherein said premises device acts as an OOB communication proxy for said digital video recorder apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. Premises gateway apparatus for use with a content-based network, the apparatus comprising:
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a first tuner adapted to receive first signals in a first frequency band from said network, and obtain first data from said first signals; a second tuner adapted to receive second signals in a second frequency band from said network, and obtain second data from said second signals; a first interface adapted to format said first data according to a protocol, and distribute said formatted data to at least one first premises device in data communication with said gateway apparatus; and a second interface adapted to at least distribute said second data to at least one second premises device in data communication with said gateway apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A method of delivering video and data services over a cable network, comprising:
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receiving video and data signals at a gateway device from a common coaxial cable; using at least a first tuner to extract said video signals; using at least a second tuner to extract said data signals; processing said video signals according to a network layer protocol to produce a plurality of protocol packets; and delivering said protocol packets to a packet-enabled client device for viewing, said packet-enabled device being in data communication with said gateway device. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48)
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49. A method of delivering video services over a network, comprising:
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receiving video signals at a first device using a first network interface apparatus; receiving data signals at a second device using a second network interface apparatus, said first and second devices being in data communication with one another; and sending upstream signals destined for a network entity from said first device via said second network interface apparatus of said second device. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. A method of doing business, comprising:
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providing a premises gateway device having at least an out-of-band (OOB) network interface to a subscriber; providing a video rendering or recording device to said subscriber, said rendering or recording device having no out-of-band network interface; and causing said subscriber to use said at least OOB interface of said gateway device for OOB communications between said rendering or recording device and said network.
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Specification