APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR CONTENT DISTRIBUTION TO PACKET-ENABLED DEVICES VIA A NETWORK BRIDGE
First Claim
1. An apparatus for receiving content from a managed network and providing said content to at least one Internet protocol (IP)-enabled client device, the apparatus comprising:
- a network interface;
a client interface;
a storage device having at least one computer program stored thereon; and
a processor in communication with said network and client interfaces and said storage device, said processor configured to run said at least one computer program thereon, said at least one computer program configured to, when executed;
receive a request for content via said client interface;
provide at least one address within said managed network for said request; and
transmit said request to said at least one address via said network interface and a high-speed data channel of said managed network;
wherein said provision of said at least one address is performed so that only said content can be retrieved via said high-speed data channel, and no high-speed data services can be provided via said high-speed data channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for providing content to packet-enabled devices in a content distribution network. In one embodiment, a network architecture is disclosed which enables delivery of content to IP-enabled devices such as mobile smartphones and tablet computers using a traditional high-speed data connection. This capability allows the managed network operator to provide content services to an IP-enabled device associated with a non-data subscriber. In one variant, a cable modem is provided which is limited to only retrieve content for delivery to the devices, yet which performs no other functions/services (including provision of high-speed data services). Alternatively, a “media server” modem is utilized to enable delivery of content from the managed network to a client or user device which is also able to obtain high-speed data service from a non-managed or third party managed network via a third-party access point. Security and authentication mechanisms for the transmitted content are also disclosed.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. An apparatus for receiving content from a managed network and providing said content to at least one Internet protocol (IP)-enabled client device, the apparatus comprising:
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a network interface; a client interface; a storage device having at least one computer program stored thereon; and a processor in communication with said network and client interfaces and said storage device, said processor configured to run said at least one computer program thereon, said at least one computer program configured to, when executed; receive a request for content via said client interface; provide at least one address within said managed network for said request; and transmit said request to said at least one address via said network interface and a high-speed data channel of said managed network; wherein said provision of said at least one address is performed so that only said content can be retrieved via said high-speed data channel, and no high-speed data services can be provided via said high-speed data channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for providing content to an Internet protocol (IP)-enabled consumer device, the method comprising:
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receiving at a first apparatus a request to access content from said IP-enabled consumer device; providing said request and a plurality of information necessary to verify permission of said consumer device to access said content to at least one network entity, said at least one entity verifying said permission of said consumer device; and upon verification of said permission of said consumer device, receiving data relating to said content, said data enabling said consumer device to obtain at least portions of said content for delivery; wherein said delivery comprises providing said content to said consumer device via said first apparatus over a repurposed high-speed data channel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for providing packetized content provided from a content distribution network to at least one Internet protocol (IP)-enabled client device, said apparatus comprising:
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a first interface for communication with said content distribution network; a second interface for communication with a third party access point, said access point configured to provide data from a third party network at least to said IP-enabled client device; and a processor in communication with said first and second interfaces and configured to run at least one computer program thereon, said at least one computer program comprising a plurality of commands which, when executed on said processor, cause said apparatus to; receive via the second interface a request issued from said client device for delivery of packetized content from the content distribution network; cause routing of the request via the first interface to an entity of the content distribution network for servicing the request; receive the requested content from the content distribution network; and cause forwarding the received content to the IP-enabled client device for rendering. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A client apparatus for receiving content from a managed network, the client apparatus comprising:
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a communications interface; a display device; and a processor in communication with said display device and said communications interface, said processor configured to run at least one computer application thereon, said at least one computer application configured to, when executed; display a listing of a plurality of content elements available for download from said network on said display device; receive a selection of at least one of said content elements from a user; issue a request to an entity for said at least one selected content element via said communications interface; receive a plurality of segments from said entity via said interface; receive a playlist from said entity via said interface; and use said playlist to utilize said segments to render said at least one content element on said display device. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method of providing packetized media over a managed network having a first channel configured for delivery of media content, and a second channel configured for delivery of high-speed data service, the method comprising enabling a user to receive only said media content otherwise available on said first channel as packetized media via the second channel.
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37. A method of providing packetized media over a managed network having a first channel configured for delivery of media content, and a second channel configured for delivery of high-speed data service, the method comprising:
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enabling a user to receive said media content via said first channel, or as packetized content via the second channel; and restricting a user from receiving any of said high speed data service via said second channel. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A method of providing Internet Protocol (IP) content delivery services to mobile device users via a managed content distribution network having both a first media delivery channel and a second high speed data channel, said method comprising:
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associating a mobile device with an apparatus capable of accessing the second channel; issuing a request to receive IP content from said mobile device to said network via said apparatus; receiving said requested content at said mobile device from said network via said apparatus and said second channel; and rendering said content on said mobile device; wherein said apparatus restricts said mobile device from otherwise receiving any high speed data services via said apparatus and said second channel.
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Specification