US2010281508A1PendingUtilityA1

Internet Protocol (IP) to Video-on-Demand (VOD) Gateway

56
Assignee: COMCAST CABLE HOLDINGS LLCPriority: May 4, 2009Filed: May 4, 2009Published: Nov 4, 2010
Est. expiryMay 4, 2029(~2.8 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Jim PoderMichael J. Cook
H04L 61/103H04N 21/6118H04N 21/2225H04L 12/4633H04N 21/43615H04L 12/2801H04L 65/1069H04N 21/47202H04N 21/64322H04N 21/6125H04N 21/6405H04N 21/2343H04N 21/23106H04N 21/2221
56
PatentIndex Score
0
Cited by
0
References
0
Claims

Abstract

A media server is hosted in a service provider's network so that media content can be stored from or rendered to a private network such as a Digital Living Network Alliance network. Media content may be stored by accessing the media server or by downloading the media content to the media server. Support of set top boxes interacting with voice-on-demand (VOD) controllers and computers interacting with IP-based video content servers are integrated through the media server. Consequently, VOD assets can be played on IP-based devices and IP-based content can be played on set top boxes. A gateway function converts IP-based content to a VOD asset, and renders the VOD asset to a set top box while mapping digital rights management information for the VOD asset. Conversely, the gateway function may convert a VOD asset to IP-based content that can be played on an IP-based device.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a memory; and   a processor configured to retrieve executable instructions from the memory and to perform:
 connecting to a private network; 
 storing Internet Protocol (IP)-based content in response to receiving a request from a device in the private network; 
 converting the IP-based content to a video on demand (VOD) asset; and 
 rendering the VOD asset to a set top box. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the processor further configured to perform:
 mapping digital rights management information from the IP-based content to the VOD asset.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the processor further configured to perform:
 mapping profile management information from the IP-based content to the VOD asset.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to connect to the private network via a cable modem termination system (CMTS). 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the private network comprises a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) network. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the VOD asset has a MPEG- 2  format. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the VOD asset is rendered through a VOD controller. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus comprising:
 a memory; and   a processor configured to retrieve executable instructions from the memory and to perform:
 connecting to a private network; 
 receiving a request for a video-on-demand (VOD) asset from a first device in the private network; 
 accessing the VOD asset in response to receiving the request; 
 converting the VOD asset to IP-based content; and 
 rendering the IP-based content to a second device through an IP network. 
   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , the processor configured to further perform:
 mapping digital rights management information from the VOD asset to the IP-based content.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , the processor further configured to:
 mapping profile management information from the VOD asset to the IP-based content.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the second device is a same device as the first device. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the private network comprises a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) network. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the apparatus is configured to connect to the private network via a cable modem termination system (CMTS). 
     
     
         14 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 converting, in response to receiving a request from a device, Internet Protocol (IP)-based content to a video on demand (VOD) asset; and   rendering the VOD asset to a set top box.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 connecting to a private network; and   wherein the device is on the private network.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the private network comprises a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) network. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 mapping digital rights management information from the IP-based content to the VOD asset.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 mapping profile management information from the IP-based content to the VOD asset.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 storing the IP-based content.   
     
     
         20 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 receiving a request for a video-on-demand (VOD) asset from a first device;   accessing the VOD asset in response to receiving the request;   converting the VOD asset to IP-based content; and   rendering the IP-based content to a second device through an IP network.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 connecting to a private network; and   wherein the first device is on the private network.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the private network comprises a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) network. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 mapping digital rights management information from the VOD asset to the IP-based content.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 mapping profile management information from the VOD asset to the IP-based content.   
     
     
         25 . A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that when executed cause a computer device to perform the method comprising:
 connecting to a private network;   storing Internet Protocol (IP)-based content in response to receiving a request from a device in the private network;   converting the IP-based content to a video on demand (VOD) asset; and   rendering the VOD asset to a set top box.   
     
     
         26 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 25 , wherein the instructions further cause the computer device to perform:
 mapping digital rights management information from the IP-based content to the VOD asset.   
     
     
         27 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 25 , wherein the instructions further cause the computer device to perform:
 mapping profile management information from the IP-based content to the VOD asset.   
     
     
         28 . A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that when executed cause a computer device to perform the method comprising:
 connecting to a private network;   receiving a request for a video-on-demand (VOD) asset from a first device in the private network;   accessing the VOD asset in response to receiving the request;   converting the VOD asset to IP-based content; and   rendering the IP-based content to a second device through an IP network.   
     
     
         29 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 28 , wherein the instructions further cause the computer device to perform:
 mapping digital rights management information from the VOD asset to the IP-based content.   
     
     
         30 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 28 , wherein the instructions further cause the computer device to perform:
 mapping profile management information from the VOD asset to the IP-based content.

Cited by (0)

No later patents cite this yet.

References (0)

No backward citations on record.