Media extension apparatus and methods for use in an information network
First Claim
1. A head-end apparatus for providing a network-specific on-demand application to consumer premises equipment (CPE) of said network, the apparatus comprising:
- at least one computer; and
at least one computer program having a plurality of instructions for developing a specific protocol useful in implementing said on-demand application according to the method comprising;
developing a set of first components to communicate between said head-end and said CPE, said communication comprising;
establishing a communications session between said head-end and said CPE;
specifying to said CPE a channel on which on-demand content may be accessed by said CPE; and
sending or receiving at least one message regarding functional modes;
developing a set of second components to process said on-demand content delivered to said CPE; and
developing a set of third components to cooperate with individual ones of said first and second components to control said functional modes specific to said on-demand application;
wherein each component of said set of first components, said set of second components, and said set of third components is associated with an individual one of a plurality of different multiple systems operator (MSO) environments; and
wherein, in response to a request for a particular application from a CPE within an individual one of said plurality of different MSO environments, said computer program of said head-end apparatus further selects for assembly and delivery individual ones of said set of first components, said set of second components, and said set of third components said selection comprising selection of individual ones of said sets specific to said individual one of said plurality of different MSO environments.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for extending the capabilities of a client device (e.g., consumer premises equipment in a cable network) using one or more on-demand applications. In one aspect, an improved media handling extension is provided within the device with which the various application(s) can interface to facilitate on-demand interaction between the CPE and the head end or other network entity. In one exemplary embodiment, the client device comprises a digital set-top box (DSTB) having Java-enabled middleware adapted to implement the OCAP/ACAP/MHP mandated Java Media Framework (JMF) APIs. A specially configured application is downloaded to the DSTB and run, the application configuring the paths within the device to provide, inter alia, media access to the on-demand application(s) according to one or more network specific protocols. Accordingly, the network MSO can also uniquely configure the CPE within its network for on-demand capability according to its own specific protocols from the head-end. Improved client device and head-end configurations, as well as methods of operating these systems, are also disclosed.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A head-end apparatus for providing a network-specific on-demand application to consumer premises equipment (CPE) of said network, the apparatus comprising:
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at least one computer; and at least one computer program having a plurality of instructions for developing a specific protocol useful in implementing said on-demand application according to the method comprising; developing a set of first components to communicate between said head-end and said CPE, said communication comprising; establishing a communications session between said head-end and said CPE; specifying to said CPE a channel on which on-demand content may be accessed by said CPE; and sending or receiving at least one message regarding functional modes; developing a set of second components to process said on-demand content delivered to said CPE; and developing a set of third components to cooperate with individual ones of said first and second components to control said functional modes specific to said on-demand application; wherein each component of said set of first components, said set of second components, and said set of third components is associated with an individual one of a plurality of different multiple systems operator (MSO) environments; and wherein, in response to a request for a particular application from a CPE within an individual one of said plurality of different MSO environments, said computer program of said head-end apparatus further selects for assembly and delivery individual ones of said set of first components, said set of second components, and said set of third components said selection comprising selection of individual ones of said sets specific to said individual one of said plurality of different MSO environments. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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2. Customer premises equipment (CPE) for operation within a content based network offering on-demand services according to at least one network-specific protocol, said CPE comprising:
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a storage device; and a digital processor operatively coupled to said storage device, said digital processor for running at least one first software application stored on said storage device, said first software application having permissions from an OpenCable Application Platform (OCAP) monitor and comprising a plurality of components which, when executed on said processor; communicate between said CPE and another entity of said network; process the content delivered to said CPE; and enable a user of said CPE to control, via a user interface, playback of said content according to said network-specific protocol; wherein at least one of said plurality of components comprises a shared component which is utilized by one or more second applications also having permissions from an OCAP monitor and simultaneously running on said CPE. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of developing the specific protocol useful for delivery of content from a first node of a network to a second node thereof via a server entity of said first node, the method comprising:
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receiving a plurality of media interface components, wherein individual ones of said components implement different ones of a plurality of network-specific protocol; developing a configured application by selecting individual ones of said plurality of components to be utilized within a single software application; and developing at least one path to said selected individual ones of said plurality of media interface components, said path being accessible only to authorized entities; wherein said at least one path and said media interface components cooperate to provide network specific on-demand services; and wherein multiple paths to said individual ones of said plurality of media interface components may be utilized to enable simultaneous use of said individual ones of said plurality of media interface components in multiple distinct software applications. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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15. Customer premises equipment (CPE) for operation within a content delivery network offering one or more services each utilizing a network-specific protocol, said CPE comprising:
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a storage device, said storage device for storing a plurality of components utilized by said one or more services thereon; and a digital processor in data communication with said storage device, said digital processor running a first software application and a plurality of second software applications, said first and said second software applications stored on said storage device; wherein said first software application has permissions from an OCAP monitor application to permanently identify individual ones of said plurality of components within said CPE by attachment of prefixes to each; and wherein said plurality of second software applications utilize said prefixes to make use of said individual ones of said plurality of components, thereby sharing these across multiple applications. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of developing one or more specific protocols useful for delivery of media content from a network, said method comprising:
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receiving at a consumer premises device a plurality of media interface components; modifying a path identifier of individual ones of said plurality of media interface components; and enabling said individual ones of said media interface components to be called by more than one software application via said modified path identifiers; wherein said individual ones of said plurality of media interface components are each useful with individual ones of said one or more specific protocols; wherein redundancy is eliminated by enabling said more than one software applications to be developed by calling one or more of said individual ones of said components via respective ones of said path identifiers simultaneously. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification