PREMISES GATEWAY APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR USE IN A CONTENT-BASED 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
77 Claims
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1-55. -55. (canceled)
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56. A premises gateway device for use in a content distribution network, comprising:
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first apparatus adapted to receive first video content signals encapsulated using an Internet Protocol (IP) and packetized using a first packetization protocol, then transmitted over a first transport via said network; second apparatus adapted to receive second video content signals transmitted over a second transport via said network, a third apparatus adapted to transmit third signals over a third transport also via said network; and at least one interface to at least one consumer premises device; wherein said at least one consumer premises device utilizes said second apparatus as a communications proxy for transmitting said third signals via said third transmit. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62)
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63. A consumer premises gateway device capable of communicating upstream signals from first and second Internet Protocol (IP)-enabled consumer premises devices to at least one network device of a content distribution network, comprising:
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a first interface configured to receive at least first and second upstream signals from said first and said second consumer premises devices, respectively; and a transceiver configured to; aggregate said first and second upstream signals; and transmit said aggregated signals upstream to said at least one network device over a first frequency band via said network wherein said transmission of said aggregated signals upstream enables said transceiver to act as a communications proxy for said first and second consumer premises devices for the communication of said upstream signals. - View Dependent Claims (64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70)
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71. A method of delivering video services over a network, comprising:
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receiving video content signals encapsulated using an Internet Protocol (IP) and packetized using a packetization protocol, at a first network interface of a first device at a first location; receiving data signals at a second network interface of said first device; delivering said data signals and said video content signals to individual ones of a plurality of second devices in communication with said first device; receiving upstream data signals from respective ones of said plurality of second devices at said first device; consolidating said plurality of upstream data signals; and sending said consolidated upstream data signals destined for a network entity from said first device via said second network interface. - View Dependent Claims (72, 73, 74)
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75. Consumer premises apparatus capable of delivering video content received over a network to said premises, the apparatus comprising:
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a first interface for receiving video content signals encapsulated using an Internet Protocol (IP) and packetized using a packetization protocol from said network; a second interface for receiving data signals from said network at said apparatus; a third interface configured to; deliver said data signals and said video content signals to individual ones of a plurality of devices in communication with said first device; and receive upstream data signals from said plurality of devices at said first device; and apparatus configured to consolidating said plurality of upstream data signals when needed and send said consolidated upstream data signals destined for a network entity from said first device via at least one of said first and second interfaces. - View Dependent Claims (76, 77)
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Specification