Media exchange network supporting consumption of broadcast and user captured media

• US 8,209,382 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2003
• Issued: 06/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Karaoguz, Jeyhan, Bennett, James D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayard, Djenane
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cheema, Umar
• Application Number:
  US10/667,833
• Publication Number:
  US 20040148353A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,200 Days
• Field of Search: 709/205, 709/206, 709/230, 725/98
• US Class Current: 709/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2834 Switching of information between an external network and a home network access arrangements H04L12/2856
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2836 Protocol conversion between an external network and a home network controlling appliance services of a home automation network from a device located outside the home and the home network H04L12/2818; protocol conversion H04L69/08; adaptation of digital video signals for transport over a specific home network H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/104 Peer-to-peer [P2P] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/62 Establishing a time schedule for servicing the requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/63 Routing a service request depending on the request content or context
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/222 Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server, cable television Head-end provisioning of proxy services in data packet switching networks H04L67/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23106 involving caching operations prefetching while addressing of a memory level in which the access to the desired data or data block requires associative addressing means within memory systems or architectures G06F12/0862; caching at an intermediate stage in a data network H04L67/568
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2343 involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements video transcoding H04N19/40; media packet handling at the source H04L65/762
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234363 by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for clients with a lower screen resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2408 Monitoring of the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. client requests monitoring data switching networks utilization H04L43/0876; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/254 Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server, rights management server arrangements for maintenance or administration in data networks H04L41/00; network services using third party service providers H04L67/53
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 : Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; 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 21/2542 : for selling goods, e.g. TV shopping payment schemes, payment architectures or payment protocols for electronic shopping systems G06Q20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 : Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25435 : involving characteristics of content or additional data, e.g. video resolution or the amount of advertising
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2547 : Third Party Billing, e.g. billing of advertiser
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/258 : Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data arrangements for services using the result on the distributing side of broadcast systems H04H60/66; profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25808 : Management of client data terminal profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/303
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 : involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25833 : involving client hardware characteristics, e.g. manufacturer, processing or storage capabilities allocation of resources considering hardware capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5044; allocation of resources considering software capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5055
• 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 21/25891 : being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26266 : for determining content or additional data repetition rate, e.g. of a file in a DVB carousel according to its importance arrangements for broadcast or for distribution of identical information repeatedly in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2668 : Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2743 : Video hosting of uploaded data from client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2747 : Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/411 : having similar hardware or software capabilities as the client device itself, e.g. a first STB connected to a second STB
• 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 21/4131 : home appliance, e.g. lighting, air conditioning system, metering devices home automation data switching networks exchanging configuration information on appliance services H04L12/2807
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4135 : external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 : embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41422 : located in transportation means, e.g. personal vehicle arrangements specially adapted for transportation systems in broadcast systems H04H20/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 : embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4182 : for identification purposes, e.g. storing user identification data, preferences, personal settings or data restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code in combination with an additional device, e.g. dongle or smart card G06F21/123
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4185 : for payment
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/422 : Input-only peripherals , i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS] input devices also receiving signals from specially adapted client devices H04N21/4104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 : User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 : Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4227 : Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 : Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42684 : Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 : involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 : for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 : for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 : by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 : Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• 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 21/436 : Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
• 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 21/43632 : involving a wired protocol, e.g. IEEE 1394 high-speed IEEE 1394 serial bus H04L12/40052
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 : involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• 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 21/440281 : by altering the temporal resolution, e.g. by frame skipping television signal recording using magnetic recording on tape for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate H04N5/783
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/442 : Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed, the storage space available from the internal hard disk arrangements for monitoring broadcast services or broadcast-related services H04H60/29; arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information H04H60/35; monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; monitoring in wireless networks H04W24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44222 : Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4433 : Implementing client middleware, e.g. Multimedia Home Platform [MHP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/458 : Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules ; time-related management operations arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or during the distribution H04H20/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 : Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• 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 21/4668 : for recommending content, e.g. movies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47211 : for requesting pay-per-view content payment schemes payment architectures or payment protocols G06Q20/00, G07F
• 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 21/4751 : for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4753 : for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 : for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4758 : for providing answers, e.g. voting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47815 : Electronic shopping payment schemes, payment architectures or payment protocols for electronic shopping systems G06Q20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4786 : e-mailing message switching systems, e.g. electronic mail systems H04L51/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 : communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 : using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4826 : using recommendation lists, e.g. of programs or channels sorted out according to their score
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 : for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4856 : for language selection, e.g. for the menu or subtitles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 : for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6143 : involving transmission via a satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6187 : involving transmission via a telephone network, e.g. POTS
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/632 : using a connection between clients on a wide area network, e.g. setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet for retrieving video segments from the hard-disk of other client devices broadcast-related systems characterised by transmission among terminal devices H04H60/80; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6332 : directed to client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/637 : Control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6402 : Address allocation for clients address allocation in data networks H04L61/50
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 : IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6543 : for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording remote booting in general G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 : Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 : Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6583 : Acknowledgement
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 : Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 : comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/814 : comprising emergency warnings arrangements specially adapted for emergency or urgency in broadcast systems H04H20/59; arrangements for providing alarms, notifications, alerts to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8146 : involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 : Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/141 : between two video terminals, e.g. videophone telephonic communication systems combined with television receiver for reception of entertainment or information matter H04M11/085
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 : Transmission or handling of upstream communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 : Handling of requests in head-ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 : Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A network and methods for supporting concurrent consumption of broadcast and user captured media content are disclosed. Various embodiments of the present invention permit a first user to concurrently consume media content from a server and a second user of a media exchange network. The first user may also concurrently provide media content to the second user of the media exchange network. The media content shared by users may be stored at a user'"'"'s location, stored on a server at a third location in the media exchange network, or may originate from a media peripheral device, and may be audio, a still image, video, or data.

Claims

1. A system supporting concurrent consumption of media from multiple sources, the system comprising:

at least one processor operably coupled to a first television in a first home and to a first storage in the first home that stores a first media, the first storage having a first network protocol address, the at least one processor communicatively coupled, via a communication network, to a second television in a second home and a second storage in the second home, the second storage having a second network protocol address, the at least one processor communicatively coupled, via the communication network, to at least one server for storing and distributing 3rd party media, the at least one processor operable to, at least;

communicate with first software that maintains a user defined association of the first and second network protocol addresses, that receives a request that identifies one of the associated first and second network protocol addresses and responds by identifying the other of the associated first and second network protocol addresses to support delivery via the communication network of the 3rd party media from the at least one server, and the first media from the first storage, to the second home, and the 3rd party media from the at least one server, to the first home, for concurrent consumption of the 3rd party media by the first television, and the 3rd party media and the first media by the second television; and

communicate with second software configured to enable a user at the first home to construct, at the first home, at least one user defined media channel, the second software also configured to enable closed and secure communication of the at least one user defined media channel to others within a user defined group that are at separate and distinct locations from the first home, in a peer-to-peer manner, from the first home.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first media comprises one or more of audio, a still image, video, and/or data.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first media is real-time video.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the 3rd party media comprises one or more of audio, a still image, video, and/or data.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second network protocol addresses are one of an Internet protocol (IP) address, a media access control (MAC) address, or an electronic serial number (ESN).

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one server comprises one or more of a 3rd party media provider, a 3rd party service provider, and/or a broadband head end.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication network comprises one or more of a cable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, and/or a wireless infrastructure.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the communication network is the Internet.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the consuming comprises one or more of playing digitized audio, displaying a still image, displaying video, and/or displaying data.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is operably coupled to at least one first media peripheral communicatively coupled to the first storage.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one first media peripheral comprises one or more of a digital camera, a digital camcorder, a television, a personal computer, a CD player, a home juke-box, a mobile multi-media gateway, a multi-media personal digital assistant, a DVD player, a tape player, and/or a MP3 player.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is operably coupled to at least one second media peripheral communicatively coupled to the second storage, and communicates with server software supporting delivery of the second media from the second storage to the first home for concurrent consumption of the 3rd party media and the second media by the first television display.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one second media peripheral comprises one or more of a digital camera, a digital camcorder, a television, a personal computer, a CD player, a home juke-box, a mobile multi-media gateway, a multi-media personal digital assistant, a DVD player, a tape player, and/or a MP3 player.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is operably coupled to a media guide interface for displaying media availability.

15. A system supporting concurrent consumption of media from multiple sources, the system comprising:

at least one processor operably coupled to a first storage in a first home that stores a first media, the first storage having a first protocol address, the at least one processor communicatively coupled, via a communication network, to a second television in a second home, the second storage having a second protocol address, the at least one processor communicatively coupled, via the communication network, to at least one server for storing and distributing 3rd party media, the at least one processor operably coupled to set to box circuitry in the first home, the set to box circuitry communicatively coupled to deliver, via the communication network, the first media from the first storage to the second television concurrent with consumption, at the first home, of at least the 3rd party media, the at least one processor operable to, at least;

communicate with first software that maintains a user defined association of the first and second protocol addresses, that receives a request that identifies one of the associated first and second protocol addresses and responds by identifying the other of the associated first and second protocol addresses to support delivery via the communication network of the 3rd party media from the at least one server and the first media from the first storage, to the second television for concurrent consumption of the 3rd party media and the first media; and

communicate with second software configured to enable a user at the first home to construct, at the first home, at least one user defined media channel, the second software also configured to enable closed and secure communication of the at least one user defined media channel to others within a user defined group that are at separate and distinct locations from the first home, in a peer-to-peer manner, from the first home.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first media comprises one or more of audio, a still image, video, and/or data.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the first media is real-time video.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the 3rd party media comprises one or more of audio, a still image, video, and/or data.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the first and second protocol addresses are one of an Internet protocol (IP) address, a media access control (MAC) address, or an electronic serial number (ESN).

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one server comprises one or more of a 3rd party media provider, a 3rd party service provider, and/or a broadband head end.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the communication network comprises one or more of a cable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, and/or a wireless infrastructure.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the communication network is the Internet.

23. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one processor is operably coupled to at least one first media peripheral communicatively coupled to the first storage.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the at least one first media peripheral comprises one or more of a digital camera, a digital camcorder, a television, a personal computer, a CD player, a home juke-box, a mobile multi-media gateway, a multi-media personal digital assistant, a DVD player, a tape player, and/or a MP3 player.

25. A system supporting concurrent consumption of media from multiple sources, the system comprising:

at least one processor operably coupled to a first storage in a first home that stores a first media, the at least one processor communicatively coupled, via a communication network, to a second television in a second home, the at least one processor communicatively coupled, via the communication network, to at least one server for storing and distributing 3rd party media, the at least one processor operably coupled to set to box circuitry in the second home, the set to box circuitry communicatively coupled to receive the first media from the first storage and the 3rd party media from the at least one server, for concurrent consumption by the second television, the at least one processor operable to, at least;

communicate with first software that coordinates delivery via the communication network of the first media from the first storage and the 3rd party media from the at least one server to the set top box circuitry; and

communicate with second software configured to enable a user at the first home to construct, at the first home, at least one user defined media channel, the second software also configured to enable closed and secure communication of the at least one user defined media channel to others within a user defined group that are at separate and distinct locations from the first home, in a peer-to-peer manner, from the first home.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the first media and the 3rd party media comprise one or more of audio, a still image, video, and/or data.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the communication network comprises one or more of a cable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, and/or a wireless infrastructure.

28. The system of claim 25, wherein the at least one processor is operably coupled to at least one media peripheral communicatively coupled to the first storage, the at least one media peripheral comprising one or more of a digital camera, a digital camcorder, a television, a personal computer, a CD player, a home juke-box, a mobile multi-media gateway, a multi-media personal digital assistant, a DVD player, a tape player, and/or a MP3 player.

29. The system of claim 25, wherein the at least one processor is operably coupled to a media guide interface for displaying and coordinating media availability.

30. A system supporting concurrent consumption of media from multiple sources, the system comprising:

at least one processor arranged for operably coupling to set top box circuitry, in a second home, the set top box circuitry communicatively coupled to receive first media from a first storage located in a first home and to receive 3rd party media from at least one server, for concurrent consumption by a second television in the second home;

the at least one processor communicating with first software that coordinates delivery via a communication network of the first media from the first storage and the 3rd party media from the at least one server to the set top box circuitry; and

the at least one processor communicating with second software configured to enable a user at the first home to construct, at the first home, at least one user defined media channel, the second software also configured to enable closed and secure communication of the at least one user defined media channel to others within a user defined group that are at separate and distinct locations from the first home, in a peer-to-peer manner, from the first home.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the first media and the 3rd party media comprise one or more of audio, a still image, video, and/or data.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the communication network comprises one or more of a cable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, and/or a wireless infrastructure.

33. The system of claim 30, wherein the at least one processor is operably coupled to at least one media peripheral communicatively coupled to the first storage, the at least one media peripheral comprising one or more of a digital camera, a digital camcorder, a television, a personal computer, a CD player, a home juke-box, a mobile multi-media gateway, a multi-media personal digital assistant, a DVD player, a tape player, and/or a MP3 player.

34. The system of claim 30, wherein the at least one processor is operably coupled to a media guide interface for displaying and coordinating media availability.

35. A system supporting concurrent consumption of media from multiple sources, the system comprising:

at least one processor arranged for operably coupling to at least one server for storing and distributing 3rd party media;

the at least one processor communicating with first software that maintains a user defined association of a first network protocol address of a first storage in a first home and second network protocol address of a second storage in a second home, the first software configured to receive a request that identifies one of the associated first and second network protocol addresses and respond by identifying the other of the associated first and second network protocol addresses to support delivery via a communication network of the 3rd party media from the at least one server, and the first media from the first storage, to the second home, and the 3rd party media from the at least one server to the first home, for concurrent consumption of the 3rd party media by a first television at the first home and the 3rd party media and the first media by a second television at the second home; and

the at least one processor communicating with second software configured to enable a user at the first home to construct, at the first home, at least one user defined media channel, the second software also configured to enable closed and secure communication of the at least one user defined media channel to others within a user defined group that are at separate and distinct locations from the first home, in a peer-to-peer manner, from the first home.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the first media comprises one or more of audio, a still image, video, and/or data.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the first media is real-time video.

38. The system of claim 35, wherein the 3rd party media comprises one or more of audio, a still image, video, and/or data.

39. The system of claim 35, wherein the first and second network protocol addresses are one of an Internet protocol (IP) address, a media access control (MAC) address, or an electronic serial number (ESN).

40. The system of claim 35, wherein the at least one server comprises one or more of a 3rd party media provider, a 3rd party service provider, and/or a broadband head end.

41. The system of claim 35, wherein the communication network comprises one or more of a cable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, and/or a wireless infrastructure.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the communication network is the Internet.

43. The system of claim 35, wherein the consumption comprises one or more of playing digitized audio, displaying a still image, displaying video, and/or displaying data.

44. The system of claim 35, wherein the at least one processor is operably coupled to at least one first media peripheral communicatively coupled to the first storage.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the at least one first media peripheral comprises one or more of a digital camera, a digital camcorder, a television, a personal computer, a CD player, a home juke-box, a mobile multi-media gateway, a multi-media personal digital assistant, a DVD player, a tape player, and/or a MP3 player.

46. The system of claim 35, wherein the at least one processor is operably coupled to at least one second media peripheral communicatively coupled to the second storage, and the at least one processor communicates with the software supporting delivery of the second media from the second storage to the first home for concurrent consumption of the 3rd party media and the second media.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the at least one second media peripheral comprises one or more of a digital camera, a digital camcorder, a television, a personal computer, a CD player, a home juke-box, a mobile multi-media gateway, a multi-media personal digital assistant, a DVD player, a tape player, and/or a MP3 player.

48. The system of claim 35 comprising a media guide interface for displaying media availability.