Method and system for generic ip multimedia residential gateways

Abstract

A common IP layer client device interface within an IP multimedia gateway (IMG) is configured to connect client devices to broadband IP networks such as the Internet based on determined device capabilities. Broadband IP network interfaces within the IMG are configured to enable communication between the IMG and broadband IP networks based on the determined device capabilities. Content provided by various service managers are communicated with the client devices utilizing the common IP layer client device interface and the configured network interfaces. Network capabilities may be determined during the device and network discovery. Protocol translation, media transcoding and/or dynamic device configuration may be performed based on the determined device capabilities, and based on the determined network capabilities. The IMG may adjust system timing and manage power consumptions for service deployment over corresponding client devices. Information may be routed or distributed by the IMRG among the client devices when needed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 identifying, by a network device in communication with a service manager via a communication network, a first device capability of a first communication device and a second device capability of a second communication device, the first communication device associated with a first protocol and the second communication device associated with a second protocol;   performing, by the network device, at least one of protocol translation, content transcoding or dynamic device configuration using at least one of the first device capability, the second device capability or a network capability of the communication network; and   communicating, by the network device based on the at least one of protocol translation, content transcoding or dynamic device configuration, content between the service manager and at least one of the first communication device or the second communication device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing, by the network device, discovery of the communication network to determine the network capability of the communication network. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising communicating content of a service offered by the service manager, between the service manager and at least one of the first communication device or the second communication device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising performing the protocol translation using one or more of the first device capability and the second device capability of the communication network, the first device capability specifying the first protocol and the second device capability specifying the second protocol. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising adjusting or setting a system timing using one or more of the first device capability, the second device capability or the network capability of the communication network. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , comprising communicating content with at least one of the first communication device or the second communication device using the system timing. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising determining a power level for the network device, the first communication device or the second communication device using one or more of the first device capability, the second device capability or the network capability of the communication network. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , comprising communicating content with the first communication device or the second communication device using the determined power level. 
     
     
         9 . A system, comprising:
 a network device in communication with a service manager via a communication network, the network device comprising circuitry configured to:
 identify a first device capability of a first communication device, the first device capability specifying a first protocol, 
 identify a second device capability of a second communication device, the second device capability specifying a second protocol; 
 perform at least one of protocol translation, content transcoding or dynamic device configuration using at least one of the first device capability, the second device capability or a network capability of the communication network; 
 communicate, based on the at least one of protocol translation, content transcoding or dynamic device configuration, content between the service manager and at least one of the first communication device or the second communication device. 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to perform discovery of the communication network to determine the network capability of the communication network. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the circuitry is configured to communicate content of a service offered by the service manager, between the service manager and at least one of the first communication device or the second communication device. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the circuitry is configured to perform the protocol translation using one or more of the first device capability and the second device capability of the communication network. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the circuitry is configured to adjust or set a system timing using one or more of the first device capability, the second device capability or the network capability of the communication network. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the circuitry is configured to communicate content with at least one of the first communication device or the second communication device using the system timing. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the circuitry is configured to determine a power level for the network device, the first communication device or the second communication device using one or more of the first device capability, the second device capability or the network capability of the communication network. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the circuitry is configured to communicate content with the first communication device or the second communication device using the determined power level. 
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 determining, by a network device in communication with a service manager via a network, a first device capability of a first communication device and a second device capability of a second communication device, the first device capability specifying a first protocol, the second device capability specifying a second protocol;   storing, by the network device, the first device capability and the second device capability;   performing, by the network device, at least one of protocol translation, content transcoding or dynamic device configuration using at least one of the first device capability, the second device capability or a network capability of the communication network; and   managing, by the network device via the at least one of protocol translation, content transcoding or dynamic device configuration, the communication of content from the service manager between the network device, and at least one of the first communication device or the second communication device.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising configuring an interface of the network device based on the first device capability and the second device capability, wherein the interface is configured to handle at least the first protocol and the second protocol. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising configuring a network interface of the network device to enable communication between the network device and the service manager via the communication network based on the first device capability and the second device capability. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first device capability specifies a first transport protocol and the second device capability specifies a second transport protocol.