Media extension apparatus and methods for use in an information network
First Claim
1. A method of operating client equipment in operative communication with a content distribution network, said method comprising:
- receiving at said client equipment a first application configured to implement a network-specific protocol, said first application comprising one or more media-based interfaces;
storing said first application within a storage device of said client equipment;
causing said client equipment and said first application to configure at least one path to said one or more media-based interfaces within said client equipment;
said at least one path allowing an on-demand application configured according to a client equipment-specific protocol resident on said client equipment to communicate with a head-end entity via said one or more media-based interfaces according to said network-specific protocol using said client equipment-specific protocol; and
operating said client equipment and said first application to provide on-demand services to a user;
wherein said on-demand application is enabled to make use of said one or more media-based interfaces via a signed certificate of permission from a network entity.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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 cilia, 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.
106 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of operating client equipment in operative communication with a content distribution network, said method comprising:
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receiving at said client equipment a first application configured to implement a network-specific protocol, said first application comprising one or more media-based interfaces; storing said first application within a storage device of said client equipment; causing said client equipment and said first application to configure at least one path to said one or more media-based interfaces within said client equipment; said at least one path allowing an on-demand application configured according to a client equipment-specific protocol resident on said client equipment to communicate with a head-end entity via said one or more media-based interfaces according to said network-specific protocol using said client equipment-specific protocol; and operating said client equipment and said first application to provide on-demand services to a user; wherein said on-demand application is enabled to make use of said one or more media-based interfaces via a signed certificate of permission from a network entity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. Client equipment comprising middleware in operative communication with a content distribution network, said client equipment comprising:
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a storage device; a 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; receive a software packet configured to enable a plurality of applications resident on said client equipment to provide network services according to a network specific protocol; store said first application within said storage device; run said software packet to configure said client equipment according to said network-specific protocol; and selectively allow said plurality of applications resident on said client equipment to access and utilize said software packet via one or more application programming interfaces (APIs), said selective allowance based upon a determined permission of a respective trusted monitor application of said plurality of applications to access and utilize said software packet. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of operating consumer premises equipment (CPE) adaptable for use in any one of a plurality of different content distribution networks within a particular content distribution network, said CPE comprising an application configured with an extension to a protocol, said extension being adapted for use in said particular content distribution network, said method comprising:
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running said application to configure said CPE according to said protocol, said application comprising a plurality of components, said plurality of components having prefixes; selectively allowing at least one second application resident on said CPE to access said extension, said at least one second application configured to utilize device-specific protocols; and enabling services provided by said particular content distribution network based on said selective allowance, said enablement allowing said at least one second application said services according to first network-specific protocols using said device-specific protocols; wherein said at least one second application utilizes a Java virtual machine (JVM) and said prefixes to access said extension. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. Client equipment for use in a content distribution network, said client equipment comprising:
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first apparatus configured to receive a first application, said first application configured to implement a network-specific protocol to enable one or more second applications on said client equipment to provide network services according to said network specific protocol, said one or more second applications configured according to a client equipment-specific protocol; storage apparatus in communication with said first apparatus and configured to store said application; and logic configured to cause said client equipment to; determine one or more access permissions for said one or more second applications to utilize one or more functions of said first application; and configure at least one path according to said determined one or more access permissions such that said one or more second applications may access one or more customized media-based interfaces using at least said network-specific protocol; wherein said configuration permits said one or more second applications access to network services via a client equipment-specific protocol and further permits said one or more second applications to run simultaneously on said client equipment; and wherein said one or more customized media-based interfaces are customized based particularly on said client equipment or individual ones of said one or more second applications. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification