Premises gateway apparatus and methods for use in a content distribution network
First Claim
1. A premises gateway apparatus located at a first location proximate a user for use with a content distribution network, said apparatus comprising:
- a first tuner configured to receive in-band signals from said network, and obtain first data from said in-band signals, said first data comprising first Internet Protocol (IP) packets;
a second tuner configured to receive out-of-band signals from said network, and obtain second data from said out-of-band signals, said second data comprising second IP packets;
a multiplexer, configured to multiplex said first data and said second data to form third signals; and
an interface configured to;
format said third signals; and
distribute said formatted signals to a plurality of consumer premises devices in data communication with said gateway apparatus.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
72 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A premises gateway apparatus located at a first location proximate a user for use with a content distribution network, said apparatus comprising:
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a first tuner configured to receive in-band signals from said network, and obtain first data from said in-band signals, said first data comprising first Internet Protocol (IP) packets; a second tuner configured to receive out-of-band signals from said network, and obtain second data from said out-of-band signals, said second data comprising second IP packets; a multiplexer, configured to multiplex said first data and said second data to form third signals; and an interface configured to; format said third signals; and distribute said formatted signals to a plurality of consumer premises devices in data communication with said gateway apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A premises gateway apparatus located at a first location proximate a user for use with a content delivery network, said apparatus comprising:
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a tuner configured to; receive in-band signals from said network comprising a Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) transport stream; obtain first data from said in-band signals; receive out-of-band signals from said network comprising an MPEG transport stream encapsulated in Internet Protocol (IP) packets, said out-of-band signals 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 configured to demultiplex and format said first data according to a protocol, and distribute said formatted first data to said plurality of consumer premises devices in data communication with said gateway apparatus; and a second interface configured to demultiplex and 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. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of operating a premises gateway apparatus, said method comprising:
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receiving in-band signals via a first tuner from said network; obtaining first data from said in-band signals, said first data comprising first Internet Protocol (IP) packets; receiving out-of-band signals, via a second tuner, from said network; obtaining second data from said out-of-band signals, said second data comprising second IP packets; multiplexing said first data and said second data to form third signals; formatting said third signals; and distributing, via an interface, said formatted signals to a plurality of consumer premises devices in data communication with said gateway apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification