Internet Protocol (IP) to Video-on-Demand (VOD) Gateway

• US 20100281508A1
• Filed: 05/04/2009
• Published: 11/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Comcast Cable Holdings LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Cook, Michael J., Poder, Jim
• Application Number:
  US12/435,059
• Publication Number:
  US 20100281508A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/93
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4633 Interconnection of networks using encapsulation techniques, e.g. tunneling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/103 across network layers, e.g. resolution of network layer into physical layer addresses or address resolution protocol [ARP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• 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 21/23106 involving caching operations prefetching while addressing of a memory level in which the access to the desired data or data block requires associative addressing means within memory systems or architectures G06F12/0862; caching at an intermediate stage in a data network H04L67/568
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2343 involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements video transcoding H04N19/40; media packet handling at the source H04L65/762
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• 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 21/6405 Multicasting data broadcast and multicast in packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 IP

Abstract

A media server is hosted in a service provider'"'"'s network so that media content can be stored from or rendered to a private network such as a Digital Living Network Alliance network. Media content may be stored by accessing the media server or by downloading the media content to the media server. Support of set top boxes interacting with voice-on-demand (VOD) controllers and computers interacting with IP-based video content servers are integrated through the media server. Consequently, VOD assets can be played on IP-based devices and IP-based content can be played on set top boxes. A gateway function converts IP-based content to a VOD asset, and renders the VOD asset to a set top box while mapping digital rights management information for the VOD asset. Conversely, the gateway function may convert a VOD asset to IP-based content that can be played on an IP-based device.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a memory; and

a processor configured to retrieve executable instructions from the memory and to perform;

connecting to a private network;

storing Internet Protocol (IP)-based content in response to receiving a request from a device in the private network;

converting the IP-based content to a video on demand (VOD) asset; and

rendering the VOD asset to a set top box.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, the processor further configured to perform:

mapping digital rights management information from the IP-based content to the VOD asset.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, the processor further configured to perform:

mapping profile management information from the IP-based content to the VOD asset.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to connect to the private network via a cable modem termination system (CMTS).

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the private network comprises a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) network.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the VOD asset has a MPEG-2 format.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the VOD asset is rendered through a VOD controller.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a memory; and

a processor configured to retrieve executable instructions from the memory and to perform;

connecting to a private network;

receiving a request for a video-on-demand (VOD) asset from a first device in the private network;

accessing the VOD asset in response to receiving the request;

converting the VOD asset to IP-based content; and

rendering the IP-based content to a second device through an IP network.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, the processor configured to further perform:

mapping digital rights management information from the VOD asset to the IP-based content.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, the processor further configured to:

mapping profile management information from the VOD asset to the IP-based content.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second device is a same device as the first device.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the private network comprises a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) network.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus is configured to connect to the private network via a cable modem termination system (CMTS).

14. A computer-implemented method comprising:

converting, in response to receiving a request from a device, Internet Protocol (IP)-based content to a video on demand (VOD) asset; and

rendering the VOD asset to a set top box.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

connecting to a private network; and

wherein the device is on the private network.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the private network comprises a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) network.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

mapping digital rights management information from the IP-based content to the VOD asset.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

mapping profile management information from the IP-based content to the VOD asset.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

storing the IP-based content.

20. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving a request for a video-on-demand (VOD) asset from a first device;

accessing the VOD asset in response to receiving the request;

converting the VOD asset to IP-based content; and

rendering the IP-based content to a second device through an IP network.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

connecting to a private network; and

wherein the first device is on the private network.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the private network comprises a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) network.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

mapping digital rights management information from the VOD asset to the IP-based content.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

mapping profile management information from the VOD asset to the IP-based content.

25. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that when executed cause a computer device to perform the method comprising:

connecting to a private network;

storing Internet Protocol (IP)-based content in response to receiving a request from a device in the private network;

converting the IP-based content to a video on demand (VOD) asset; and

rendering the VOD asset to a set top box.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the instructions further cause the computer device to perform:

mapping digital rights management information from the IP-based content to the VOD asset.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the instructions further cause the computer device to perform:

mapping profile management information from the IP-based content to the VOD asset.

28. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that when executed cause a computer device to perform the method comprising:

connecting to a private network;

receiving a request for a video-on-demand (VOD) asset from a first device in the private network;

accessing the VOD asset in response to receiving the request;

converting the VOD asset to IP-based content; and

rendering the IP-based content to a second device through an IP network.

29. The computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein the instructions further cause the computer device to perform:

mapping digital rights management information from the VOD asset to the IP-based content.

30. The computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein the instructions further cause the computer device to perform:

mapping profile management information from the VOD asset to the IP-based content.