Premises gateway apparatus and methods for use in a content-based network

• US 7,954,131 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2007
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Time Warner Cable Inc. (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Helms, William L., Williamson, Louis D., Cholas, Chris, Markley, Jeffrey P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lonsberry; Hunter B
• Application Number:
  US11/818,236
• Publication Number:
  US 20080313691A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,448 Days
• Field of Search: 725/34, 725/44, 725/112, 725/114
• US Class Current: 725/112
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/622 Layer-2 addresses, e.g. medium access control [MAC] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5007 Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/325 in the network layer [OSI layer 3], e.g. X.25 H04L69/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/326 in the transport layer [OSI layer 4] H04L69/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42676 for modulating an analogue carrier signal to encode digital information or demodulating it to decode digital information, e.g. ADSL or cable modem
• 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 21/438 Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. retrieving encoded video stream packets from an IP network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4433 Implementing client middleware, e.g. Multimedia Home Platform [MHP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4627 Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6168 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

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.

Claims

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 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 second band that it would otherwise have to transmit via a separate interface to said network;

wherein said third signals comprise a plurality of fourth signals received at said premises gateway from said at least one consumer premises device, said premises gateway further configured to consolidate said plurality of fourth signals into said third signals prior to said transmission thereof.

2. The gateway device of claim 1, wherein the gateway device further comprises a converged premises device having a cable LAN interface and an Ethernet LAN interface.

3. The gateway device of claim 1, wherein the gateway device further comprises a digital video recorder, and said another device comprises a set-top box (STB).

4. The gateway device of claim 1, wherein said first signals comprise in-band downstream signals received over a coaxial cable, and said second signals comprise downstream data signals also received over said coaxial cable, and said third signals comprise out-of-band upstream signals.

5. The gateway device of claim 4, wherein the gateway device further comprises a digital video recorder, and said another device comprises a set-top box (STB).

6. The gateway device of claim 4, wherein said second apparatus comprises a DOCSIS-compliant cable modem having at least a demodulator.

7. The gateway device of claim 1, wherein said at least one consumer premises device comprises a set-top box having only an in-band tuner, and not capable of communicating over said second frequency band directly.

8. The gateway device of claim 1, further comprising a trusted domain (TD) adapted to maintain at least one security policy within said premises gateway device and one or more other consumer premises devices in data communication with said gateway device.

9. The gateway device of claim 1, further comprising a secure microprocessor (SM) adapted to obtain both a common and personalized software image for use with a conditional access system.

10. A consumer premises gateway device for use in communicating upstream signals from first and second consumer premises devices to at least one headend device of a content-based network, comprising:

first transceiver adapted to receive upstream signals transmitted over a first frequency band via said network from at least one of said first and second consumer premises devices, and transmit said received signals upstream to said at least one headend device over said first band also via said network;

a first data interface to said first consumer premises device; and

a second data interface to said second consumer premises device;

wherein said first frequency band comprises a band used for either out-of-band (OOB) signaling or cable modem operation;

wherein said first and second consumer premises devices each utilize said first transceiver as a communications proxy for transmitting respective first and second upstream signals to said at least one headend device; and

wherein said consumer premises gateway device provides centralized management of said transmission of said first and second signals upstream to said at least one headend device.

11. The consumer premises gateway device of claim 10, wherein said content-based network comprises a cable network, and said first consumer premises device comprises a set-top box (STB), and said second consumer device comprises a digital video recorder (DVR).

12. The consumer premises gateway device of claim 11, wherein said STB and said DVR comprise only in-band tuners.

13. The consumer premises gateway device of claim 10, wherein said first transceiver comprises a DOCSIS compliant cable modem.

14. The consumer premises gateway device of claim 10, wherein said first and second consumer premises devices each communicate with said first transceiver using an internet protocol (IP).

15. The consumer premises gateway device of claim 14, wherein said first transceiver comprises a DOCSIS compliant cable modem with media access controller (MAC).

16. The consumer premises gateway device of claim 10, wherein said first consumer premises device comprises a personal computer, and said first interface comprises an Ethernet card.

17. The consumer premises gateway device of claim 10, wherein at least one of said first and second interfaces comprises a coaxial cable interface to a MoCA-compliant local area network (LAN).

18. The consumer premises gateway device of claim 10, wherein said consumer premises gateway device comprises network address translation (NAT) capability.

19. The consumer premises gateway device of claim 10, wherein said consumer premises gateway device comprises a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server.

20. The consumer premises gateway device of claim 10, wherein said consumer premises gateway device comprises a codec adapted to encode a signal.

21. The consumer premises gateway device of claim 10, wherein said consumer premises gateway device comprises a transcoder apparatus adapted to encode a signal encoded according to a first format into a second format different from the first.

22. The consumer premises gateway device of claim 10, wherein said first and second consumer premises devices comprise IP-enabled devices, and said consumer premises gateway device is adapted to communicate IP protocol data with said first and second consumer premises devices via said first and second interfaces.

23. The consumer premises gateway device of claim 22, wherein said consumer premises gateway device comprises a transcryption apparatus adapted to transcrypt data from a first security environment to a second security environment.

24. The consumer premises gateway device of claim 23, wherein said first security environment comprises a conditional access environment, and said second security environment comprises a digital rights management environment.

25. Set-top box apparatus, comprising:

first apparatus adapted to receive, demodulate, and decode encoded video signals sent via a content based network; and

second apparatus configured to communicate data or signals with a consumer premises device via a communication channel, said consumer premises device being adapted to provide out-of-band (OOB) communication with one or more other entities on said content based network based at least in part on said data or signals;

wherein said consumer premises device acts as an OOB communication proxy for said set-top box apparatus; and

wherein said consumer premises device identifies downstream OOB communication from said content based network intended for said set-top box and not any other of a plurality of second consumer devices in communication therewith and transmits said OOB communication to only said set-top box over said communication channel.

26. The set-top box apparatus of claim 25, wherein said first apparatus comprises an in-band tuner, and said second apparatus comprises an OOB signaling interface.

27. The set-top box apparatus of claim 25, wherein said first apparatus comprises an in-band tuner, and said second apparatus comprises an IP-based media access controller (MAC).

28. The set-top box apparatus of claim 25, wherein said consumer premises device comprises an out-of-band tuner.

29. Digital video recorder apparatus, comprising:

first apparatus adapted to receive, demodulate, and decode encoded video signals sent via a content based 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 consumer premises device via a communication channel, said consumer premises device being adapted to provide out-of-band (OOB) communication with one or more other entities on said content based network based at least in part on said data or signals;

wherein said digital video recorder apparatus relies solely on communication with said consumer premises device for transmission and receipt of OOB communication to said content based network; and

wherein said consumer premises device is configured to facilitate OOB communication to said content based network for a plurality of connected devices, said digital video recorder among said plurality, said consumer premises device further configured to identify an intended one of said plurality of connected devices to which a downstream OOB communication received from said content based network is intended and transmit said OOB communication thereto.

30. The digital video recorder apparatus of claim 29, wherein said first apparatus comprises an in-band tuner, and said third apparatus comprises an OOB signaling interface.

31. The digital video recorder apparatus of claim 29, wherein said first apparatus comprises an in-band tuner, and said third apparatus comprises an IP-based media access controller (MAC).

32. The digital video recorder apparatus of claim 29, wherein said consumer premises device comprises an out-of-band tuner.

33. The digital video recorder apparatus of claim 32, wherein said second apparatus comprises a hard-disk drive, and said recorder apparatus enforces at least one of a trusted domain (TD) or authorized service domain (ASD) content protection policy.

34. The digital video recorder apparatus of claim 29, wherein said consumer premises device and said digital video recorder comprise a unified form factor.

35. The digital video recorder apparatus of claim 29, wherein said consumer premises device further comprises a video interface to a monitor or set-top box.

36. The digital video recorder apparatus of claim 29, wherein said consumer premises device further comprises an interface to a set-top box having only an in-band tuner, said consumer premises device acting as an OOB communication proxy for said set-top box.

37. Premises gateway apparatus located at a first location proximate a user for use with a content-based network, the apparatus comprising:

a first tuner adapted to receive in-band signals from said network, and obtain first data from said first signals;

a second tuner adapted to;

receive out of band signals from said network, said out of band signals being identified as intended for a first one of a plurality of consumer premises devices in communication with said premises gateway apparatus located at said first location proximate a user; and

obtain second data from said out of band signals;

a first interface adapted to format said first data according to a protocol, and distribute said formatted data to said plurality of consumer premises devices in data communication with said gateway apparatus; and

a second interface adapted to at least distribute said second data to said first one of said plurality of consumer premises devices in data communication with said gateway apparatus located at said first location proximate a user.

38. The gateway apparatus of claim 37, wherein said network comprises a cable television network, and said first signals are delivered over said network associated with in-band QAMs.

39. The gateway apparatus of claim 38, wherein said out of band signals are delivered over said network associated with out-of-band QAMs.

40. The gateway apparatus of claim 39, wherein said first interface is adapted to format data packets received via said in-band QAMs according to an internet protocol (IP).

41. The gateway apparatus of claim 40, wherein said second interface comprises a TCP transport layer protocol and an IP network layer protocol, and said at least one second consumer premises device comprises a personal computer.

42. The gateway apparatus of claim 40, wherein said at least one first premises device comprises an IP-enabled digital set-top box.

43. The gateway apparatus of claim 42, wherein said second tuner apparatus is further adapted to transmit out of band signals over said network to a distant entity.

44. The gateway apparatus of claim 43, wherein said transmitted signals comprise signals originated from said digital set-top box.

45. A method of delivering video services over a network, comprising:

receiving video signals 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;

receiving a plurality of upstream data signals from a respective plurality of second devices at said first location;

consolidating said received 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.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein said first device comprises a set-top box or digital video recorder (DVR), and said second device comprises a premises gateway device.

47. The method of claim 45, wherein said network comprises a cable network, said first device comprises a set-top box or digital video recorder (DVR), and said plurality of second devices comprises a premises gateway devices.

48. The method of claim 47, further comprising receiving, via said second network interface of said first device, downstream signals from said network entity, said signals destined for a particular one of said plurality of second devices.

49. The method of claim 45, wherein said first device and said plurality of second devices comprise a trusted security domain, and said method further comprises enforcing at least one security policy with respect to at least said video signals within said domain.

50. The method of claim 45, wherein at least one of said first device and said plurality of second devices comprise a secure microprocessor, and said method further comprises downloading at least a common image and a personalized software image to said secure microprocessor pursuant to establishing a conditional access privilege.