System and method to provide a unified video signal for diverse receiving platforms

• US 9,338,490 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2015
• Issued: 05/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ansari, Ahmad C., Nadarajah, Dinesh, Hartman, David Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Goodarzi, Nasser
• Assistant Examiner(s): Peng, Fred
• Application Number:
  US14/598,983
• Publication Number:
  US 20150135210A1
• Time in Patent Office: 480 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234327 by decomposing into layers, e.g. base layer and one or more enhancement layers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234363 by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for clients with a lower screen resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23439 for generating different versions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2393 involving handling client requests scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25825 involving client display capabilities, e.g. screen resolution of a mobile phone optimising the visualisation of content during browsing in the Internet G06F16/9577; processing of terminal status or physical abilities in wireless networks H04W8/22; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4353 involving decryption of additional data arrangements using cryptography for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/23
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4358 for generating different versions, e.g. for different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440227 by decomposing into layers, e.g. base layer and one or more enhancement layers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44029 for generating different versions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4408 involving video stream encryption, e.g. re-encrypting a decrypted video stream for redistribution in a home network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6334 for authorisation, e.g. by transmitting a key wireless communications network key management H04W12/04; wireless communications network access security H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6336 directed to decoder
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

A method includes receiving a request for media content at a residential gateway from a device coupled to the residential gateway and sending a media content request to a server based on the request. The method includes receiving a video data stream of the media content at the residential gateway. Data packets of the video data stream enable generation of the media content at a first resolution. A first subset of the data packets include tags that enable identification of particular data packets usable to generate the media content at a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution. The method also includes determining a display characteristic of a display device coupled to the device and sending the particular data packets to the device when the display characteristic indicates that the device is to receive the media content at the second resolution.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a request for media content at a residential gateway from a device associated with the residential gateway;

sending a media content request from the residential gateway to a server based on the request;

receiving a video data stream of the media content at the residential gateway responsive to the media content request, wherein data packets of the video data stream enable generation of the media content at a first resolution, and wherein a first subset of the data packets include tags that enable identification of particular data packets usable to generate the media content at a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution;

determining, at the residential gateway, a display characteristic of a display device coupled to the device; and

sending the particular data packets from the residential gateway to the device when the display characteristic indicates that the device is to receive the media content at the second resolution.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular data packets include the tags.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular data packets do not include the tags.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending all of the data packets to the device when the display characteristic indicates that the device is to receive the media content at the first resolution.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the particular data packets includes:

encrypting the particular data packets to generate encrypted data packets; and

sending the encrypted data packets to the device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the media content includes media-on-demand content.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular data packets of the data packets include second tags, and wherein the tags and the second tags enable the residential gateway to provide the media content to the device at a third resolution that is lower than the second resolution when the display characteristic indicates that the device is to receive media content at the third resolution.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first resolution corresponds to a high definition resolution, wherein the second resolution corresponds to a standard definition resolution, and wherein the third resolution corresponds to a resolution for a portable communication device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the portable communication device includes a mobile communications device, a personal digital assistant, or a video game device.

10. A computer-readable storage device comprising instructions executable by a processor of a residential gateway to perform operations including:

receiving a request for media content from a device associated with the residential gateway;

sending a media content request to a server based on the request;

receiving a video data stream of the media content responsive to the media content request, wherein data packets of the video data stream enable generation of the media content at a first resolution, and wherein a first subset of the data packets include tags that enable identification of particular data packets usable to generate the media content at a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution;

determining a display characteristic of a display device coupled to the device; and

sending the particular data packets to the device when the display characteristic indicates that the device is to receive the media content at the second resolution.

11. The computer-readable storage device of claim 10, wherein the particular data packets include the tags.

12. The computer-readable storage device of claim 10, wherein the particular data packets do not include the tag.

13. The computer-readable storage device of claim 10, wherein the operations further include:

receiving a registration request from the device; and

sending an encryption key to the device.

14. The computer-readable storage device of claim 13, wherein sending the particular data packets includes:

encrypting the particular data packets to generate encrypted data packets; and

sending the encrypted data packets to the device, wherein the encryption key enables the device to decode the encrypted data packets.

15. The computer-readable storage device of claim 10, wherein determining the display characteristic of the display device includes receiving information from the device, wherein the information include a screen size, a minimum display resolution, a preferred display resolution, or a combination thereof.

16. A media device comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including instructions executable by the processor to perform operations including;

receiving a request for media content from a device coupled to the media device;

sending a media content request to a server based on the request;

receiving a video data stream of the media content responsive to the media content request, wherein data packets of the video data stream enable generation of the media content at a first resolution, and wherein a first subset of the data packets include tags that enable identification of particular data packets usable to generate the media content at a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution;

determining a display characteristic of a display device coupled to the device; and

sending the particular data packets to the device when the display characteristic indicates that the device is to receive the media content at the second resolution.

17. The media device of claim 16, wherein the device is wirelessly coupled to the media device.

18. The media device of claim 16, wherein the media device comprises a set-top box device.

19. The media device of claim 16, wherein the particular data packets include the tags.

20. The media device of claim 16, wherein the particular data packets do not include the tags.