Methods and apparatus for packetized content delivery over a content delivery network
First Claim
1. Network apparatus in communication with a node of a network, said node configured to provide content to a plurality of heterogeneous types of user devices, comprising:
- one or more first interfaces configured to receive a plurality of content;
a second interface configured to provide content to one or more of said user devices via said node;
a storage apparatus; and
a digital processor configured to run at least one computer program thereon, said computer program comprising a plurality of instructions configured to, when executed by said processor;
responsive to a request for one or more content elements by a user device which is not of a first type, deliver said requested one or more content elements via a first transport stream protocol; and
deliver said requested one or more content elements via a second transport stream protocol, wherein said first transport stream protocol is specific to a first of said heterogeneous types of user devices, and wherein said second transport stream protocol is agnostic to said plurality of types of user devices.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for delivery of packetized content (e.g., video, audio, data, etc.) over a content delivery network. In one embodiment, the content is packetized using an Internet Protocol (IP), and delivered by a service provider over both managed and unmanaged networks to subscribers of the provider, so as to provide delivery at any time, at any location, and via any designated user device. The delivered content may originate from the service provider, third-party content sources (e.g., networks or studios), the subscriber(s) themselves, or other sources including the Internet. Use of a common control and service functions within the network afford the ability to integrate or blend services together, thereby affording the service provider and subscriber new service and economic opportunities. Content delivery sessions may also be migrated from one device to another. A network-based user interface infrastructure, and gateway-based client-side architecture, are also disclosed.
312 Citations
41 Claims
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1. Network apparatus in communication with a node of a network, said node configured to provide content to a plurality of heterogeneous types of user devices, comprising:
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one or more first interfaces configured to receive a plurality of content; a second interface configured to provide content to one or more of said user devices via said node; a storage apparatus; and a digital processor configured to run at least one computer program thereon, said computer program comprising a plurality of instructions configured to, when executed by said processor; responsive to a request for one or more content elements by a user device which is not of a first type, deliver said requested one or more content elements via a first transport stream protocol; and deliver said requested one or more content elements via a second transport stream protocol, wherein said first transport stream protocol is specific to a first of said heterogeneous types of user devices, and wherein said second transport stream protocol is agnostic to said plurality of types of user devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. Gateway apparatus, comprising:
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a first interface configured to receive a plurality of content, said plurality of content comprising at least one of audio, video, and data content; a plurality of second interfaces; a storage apparatus; and a digital processor configured to run at least one computer program thereon, said computer program comprising a plurality of instructions configured to, when executed by said processor; enable generation of a user-specific user interface; and provide said plurality of content to one or more heterogeneous types of user devices via said plurality of second interfaces. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. User premises apparatus for use with a distribution network, comprising:
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a first interface comprising a demodulator capable of demodulating modulated signals, said modulated signals comprising content encapsulated using an Internet Protocol (IP); a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)/IP stack capable of de-encapsulating said IP-encapsulated content; at least one first computer program configured to provide user-specific user interface generation; at least one second computer program configured to provide Quality-of-Service (QoS) management functions for data encapsulated using said Internet Protocol; and at least one third computer program configured to provide blending of at least two IP-based services delivered to said apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. Premises apparatus for use within a distribution network, comprising:
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one or more first interfaces configured to receive a plurality of content, said content comprising at least one of audio, video, and data content, at least portions of said content being encapsulated using an Internet Protocol (IP) and said plurality of content being exposed via one or more services; a second interface configured to provide said content to one or more of a plurality of user devices; a storage apparatus; and a digital processor configured to run at least one computer program thereon, said computer program comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed by said processor, combine first ones of said plurality of content exposed as a first one of said one or more services with second ones of said plurality of content exposed as a second one of said one or more services to produce a new service not previously enabled by either of said first or second services alone. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification