MEDIA BRIDGE APPARATUS AND METHODS

• US 20100313225A1
• Filed: 06/08/2009
• Published: 12/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Cholas, Chris, Helms, William L., Markley, Jeffrey P.
• Granted Patent: US 9,602,864 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/62
• 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 21/26258 for generating a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlist, or scheduling item distribution according to such list retrieval of multimedia data based on playlists G06F16/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• 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 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• 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 21/4402 involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display details of conversion of video standards at pixel level H04N7/01; video transcoding H04N19/40; adapting incoming signals to the display format of the display terminal G09G5/005; media handling at the source in data packet switching networks H04L65/764
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for content, media and data delivery and access between devices of a premises and one or more portable media devices. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a media bridge between a portable media device (PMD) and a user'"'"'s home network and/or home devices (e.g., set-top boxes, DVRs, etc.)). The apparatus is adapted to convert content stored on a PMD to a format capable of being rendered on a home device which may then store or playback the content. Control of the presentation is also provided by the bridging apparatus. The apparatus may also be adapted to transfer content from the home device to the PMD for storage or playback. In another embodiment, the apparatus may function within a home network having a trusted domain to provide content between a plurality devices on the network (and in the domain) and the PMD.

Claims

1. Apparatus adapted to distribute media content within a network, the apparatus comprising:

a first interface adapted to communicate with a first device, said first device capable of outputting or receiving media content in a first format;

a second interface adapted to communicate with a second device, said second device capable of outputting or receiving media content in a second format;

at least one converter apparatus adapted to convert media content between said first format and said second format; and

at least one translator apparatus adapted to translate one or more commands for controlling manipulation of said media content between a first protocol utilized by said first device and a second protocol utilized by said second device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said media content comprises digitally compressed video content.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an IEEE Std. 802.3af PoE compliant power distribution apparatus adapted to provide power at least to said first device.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first device comprises a portable media device (PMD), said first format comprises an analog format, said second device comprises a customer premises equipment (CPE), and said second format comprises a digital format.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said PMD comprises at least one of:

a video player application;

cellular telephony interface;

or

a music player application.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein:

said first interface is adapted to receive media content from said first device in analog format;

said converter apparatus is adapted to convert said media content from said analog format to digital format; and

said second interface is adapted to transmit said digital format media content to said second device.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said first interface comprises at least one of a composite output interface or a stereo output interface, and said second interface comprises an Ethernet interface.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said second device is further associated with a premises network comprising a plurality of devices, said media content in said second format being made available to said plurality of devices via said second device.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein:

said second interface is further adapted to receive from said second device one or more commands for controlling playback of said media content according to said first protocol; and

said first interface is further adapted to transmit said one or more commands according to said second protocol; and

wherein said first interface comprises at least one of a USB interface or a RS232 interface, and second interface comprises an Ethernet interface.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second formats comprise first and second digital encodings, and said converter comprises a processor having a transcoding algorithm adapted to transcode one of said first and second formats to said second and first formats, respectively.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second device is further associated with a premises network comprising a plurality of devices storing a plurality of media content thereon, individual ones of said plurality of media content comprising said media content in said first format received at said apparatus via said second device.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein said local entity comprises a database configured to contain a plurality of links, said links enabling said bridge to retrieve said content elements corresponding with said records.

12. Apparatus adapted to distribute media content within a premises network, said apparatus comprising:

a processor;

an analog output interface in communication with a portable media device (PMD), said analog output interface adapted to at least receive analog content from said PMD;

an network interface in communication with a premises device, said network interface adapted to deliver digital content to said premises device; and

at least one converter apparatus adapted to convert said analog content received from said PMD to digital content for transmission to said premises device.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:

said network interface is further adapted to receive digital content from said premises device;

said converter is further adapted to convert said digital content received from said premises device into analog content for transmission to said PMD; and

said analog output interface is farther adapted to deliver analog content to said PMD.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:

said network interface is further adapted to receive one or more commands according to a first protocol, said one or more commands being utilized to control playback of said delivered content;

said processor is further adapted to transcode said one or more commands from said first protocol to a second protocol utilized by said PMD; and

said apparatus further comprises an interface for controlling said PMD using said second protocol.

15. A system for the distribution of media content, said system comprising:

a first device associated with a content distribution network and adapted to utilize said media content in a first format;

a second device adapted to utilize said media content in a second format; and

a bridging apparatus, said bridging apparatus adapted to;

convert said media content between said first and second formats; and

deliver said media content from one of said first or second devices to he other of said first or second devices in a format capable of being received thereon.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said first device comprises consumer premises equipment (CPE), and said media content comprises content received from a content source within said content distribution network to which said CPE is in communication.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said CPE comprises a coaxial cable interface to exchange said media content with other CPE within a premises served by a local network formed at least in part by said coaxial cable.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein said second device comprises a portable media device (PMD), and said media content comprises digitally compressed content stored thereon.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein said bridging apparatus further comprises a storage entity adapted to store said media content from at least one of said first and second devices, and said act of delivering said content comprises delivery from said storage entity.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein said bridging apparatus is further adapted to enable said first device to utilize one or more trick mode operations in playback of said media content from said second device.

21. A method of distributing content within a premises network via a bridge, said method comprising:

establishing communication with a first device at said bridge;

accessing a list of content elements associated with said first device;

creating a local directory structure comprising a plurality of records relating to said content elements;

making said local directory structure accessible to a second device in communication with said bridge, said second device selecting at least one of said plurality of records;

retrieving one of said content elements corresponding to said selected one of said plurality of records;

converting said retrieved content element into a format suitable for transmission to said second device; and

transmitting said converted content element to said second device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein communication with said first device comprises communication via a first interface, and communication with said second device comprises communication via a second and different interface.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein said content elements associated with said first device comprises content stored thereon.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein said content elements associated with said first device comprises content stored on a third device in communication with said first device.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein said act of converting said content element comprises determining at least one content format type that said second device is capable of both receiving and utilizing.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said act of determining comprises receiving a profile comprising one or more compatible formats from said second device.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein said bridge further comprises a web server process, and said local directory structure comprises a web page established by said web server.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein said content element comprises an associated security data, said security data being used authenticate at least one of said first and second devices to said bridge before said content element can be rendered or recorded by said first or said second device.

30. A method of controlling playback of media content on a first device according to one or more commands received from a second device, said method comprising:

providing media content to said first device from said second device via at least a content bridge;

receiving at said content bridge said one or more commands from said first device, said one or more commands being associated with one or more actions for controlling the use of said media content, said first device transmitting said one or more commands in a first protocol;

translating said one or more commands from said first protocol to a second protocol, said second protocol comprising at least a protocol utilized by said second device; and

transmitting said translated one or more commands to said second device, said second device executing said one or more actions.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein:

said first device comprises a cable or satellite network customer premises equipment (CPE);

said first protocol comprises Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) protocol;

said second devices comprises a portable media device (PMD); and

said second protocol comprises a serialized accessory protocol.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said act of receiving said one or more commands comprises receiving said one or more commands via an Ethernet interface;

and said act of transmitting said translated one or more commands to said second device comprises transmitting via at least one of;

(i) an RS232 interface, and/or (ii) a USB interface.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein:

said first device comprises a portable media device (PMD);

said first protocol comprises a serialized accessory protocol;

said second device comprises a customer premises equipment (CPE); and

said second protocol comprises Universal Plug and Play (UPnp) protocol.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said act of receiving said one or more commands comprises receiving at least one of an 30-pin connector interface, and said act of transmitting said translated one or more commands to said second device comprises transmitting via a MoCA or Ethernet interface.

35. A method of doing business in a content distribution network, comprising:

providing a subscriber with an interface to said network over which content can be received;

providing said subscriber with apparatus configured to bridge between said interface and a media device;

delivering content to said subscriber via said interface as part of a subscription plan;

storing content on said interface or a device in data communication therewith; and

transferring at least a portion of said stored content to said media device via said apparatus.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

determining one or more restrictions associated with said media device with respect to said recorded content; and

enforcing said restrictions as part of said act of transferring.

37. The method of claim 35, further comprising controlling the operation of said media device via a user interface associated with said interface.