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

• US 10,085,054 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2016
• Issued: 09/25/2018
• 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 II LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ansari, Ahmad C., Nadarajah, Dinesh, Hartman, David Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, Fred
• Application Number:
  US15/075,667
• Publication Number:
  US 20160205425A1
• Time in Patent Office: 918 Days
• Field of Search: 725 74, 725 90, 725 93, 725 95- 96, 725114, 725116, 725141
• 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, by a system including a processor, a request for media content from a device;

receiving, by the system, a video data stream including the media content, wherein the video data stream includes a plurality of data packets, wherein a first data packet of the plurality of data packets includes first media data and a first tag identifying a first resolution, wherein a second data packet of the plurality of data packets includes second media data and a second tag identifying a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution, wherein a third data packet of the plurality of data packets includes third media data and the first tag, and wherein a fourth data packet of the plurality of data packets includes fourth media data, the first tag, and a fourth tag identifying the second resolution;

determining, by the system, a display characteristic of a display device coupled to the device; and

sending, by the system to the device, a subset of the plurality of the data packets in response to the display characteristic indicating that the display device has a presentation capability less than the first resolution, wherein the subset includes the second data packet and the fourth data packet.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending the subset of the plurality of the data packets includes:

identifying the second data packet based on the second tag; and

in response to identifying the second data packet;

sending the second data packet;

sending subsequent data packets received temporally after the second data packet until a third tag of a fifth data packet of the plurality of data packets is detected, the fifth data packet including fifth media data and the third tag indicating that the fifth media data corresponds to the first resolution; and

in response to detecting the third tag, ceasing to send subsequent data packets.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the subset does not include the first data packet.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending, by the system, the plurality of data packets to the device in response to the display characteristic indicating that the device has a presentation capability at the first resolution.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the subset of the plurality of data packets is encrypted prior to being sent 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 a fifth data packet of the plurality of data packets includes fifth media data and a third tag identifying a third resolution that is lower than the second resolution, and wherein the subset of the plurality of the data packets does not include the fifth data packet.

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 comprises a mobile communications device, a personal digital assistant, or a video game device.

10. A machine-readable hardware storage device storing executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:

obtaining a video data stream associated with media content responsive to receiving a request from a device, wherein the video data stream includes a plurality of data packets, wherein a first data packet of the plurality of data packets includes first media data and a first tag identifying a first resolution, wherein a second data packet of the plurality of data packets includes second media data and a second tag identifying a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution, wherein a third data packet of the plurality of data packets includes third media data and the first tag, and wherein a fourth data packet of the plurality of data packets includes fourth media data, the first tag, and a fourth tag identifying the second resolution;

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

sending to the device a subset of the plurality of the data packets in response to the display characteristic conforming to the second resolution, wherein the subset includes the second data packet and the fourth data packet.

11. The machine-readable hardware storage device of claim 10, wherein the operations further include:

determining a second display characteristic of a second display device coupled to a second device responsive to receiving a second request from the second device; and

sending to the second device a second subset of the plurality of the data packets in response to the second display characteristic conforming to the first resolution, wherein the second subset includes the first data packet and does not include the second data packet.

12. The machine-readable hardware storage device of claim 11, wherein the second subset includes the third data packet and the fourth data packet.

13. The machine-readable hardware storage device of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving a registration request from the device; and

sending an encryption key to the device.

14. The machine-readable hardware storage device of claim 13, wherein each particular data packet of the subset of the plurality of data packets is encrypted, and wherein the device decrypts the subset of the plurality of data packets with the encryption key.

15. The machine-readable hardware storage device of claim 10, wherein the determining the display characteristic of the display device includes receiving information from the device, wherein the information includes parametric data associated with the display device.

16. A media device comprising:

a processor;

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

obtaining a video data stream associated with media content responsive to receiving a request from a communication device, wherein the video data stream includes a plurality of data packets, wherein a first data packet of the plurality of data packets includes first media data and a first tag identifying a first resolution, wherein a second data packet of the plurality of data packets includes second media data and a second tag identifying a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution, wherein a third data packet of the plurality of data packets includes third media data and the first tag, and wherein a fourth data packet of the plurality of data packets includes fourth media data, the first tag, and a fourth tag identifying the second resolution;

determining a display characteristic of the communication device; and

sending to the communication device a subset of the plurality of the data packets in response to the display characteristic of the communication device corresponding to a resolution less than the first resolution, wherein the subset includes the second data packet and the fourth data packet.

17. The media device of claim 16, wherein the communication 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 subset does not include the third data packet.

20. The media device of claim 16, wherein the subset does not include the first data packet.