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

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.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 determining, by a first computing device, a physical address associated with a second computing device;   translating the physical address to a virtual address associated with a first local area network;   establishing a first communication channel between the second computing device and an endpoint in the first local area network; and   in response to establishing the first communication channel, utilizing the virtual address to establish a first communication session between the second computing device and a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) device associated with the endpoint in the first local area network.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 during the first communication session, associating the second computing device with the virtual address.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the virtual address is within a same address space as the DLNA device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 establishing a second communication channel between a third computing device and an endpoint in a second local area network; and   establishing a second communication session between the third computing device and a DLNA device associated with the endpoint in the second local area network.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first computing device, the second computing device, and the third computing device reside in a service provider network. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second computing device is located within a second local area network. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first communication channel comprises a layer 2 tunneling protocol (L2TP) communication tunnel. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the endpoint in the first local area network comprises at least one of a cable modem and a local area network router. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the virtual address is within a same address space as the endpoint in the first local area network. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 determining, by a first computing device, a physical address associated with a second computing device;   translating the physical address to a virtual address associated with a first local area network;   establishing a first communication channel between the second computing device and an endpoint in the first local area network;   in response to establishing the first communication channel, utilizing the virtual address to establish a communication session between the second computing device and a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) device associated with the endpoint in the first local area network;   receiving, from the DLNA device, a content item transmitted via the first communication channel;   transcoding the content item from a first format to a second format compatible with a terminal located in the first local area network, resulting in a transcoded content item;   establishing a session between the second computing device and a video-on-demand (VOD) controller based on a content request from the terminal; and   transferring the transcoded content item to the terminal, via the VOD controller, in accordance with the content request from the terminal.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 during the communication session, associating the second computing device with the virtual address.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the virtual address is within a same address space as the DLNA device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second computing device is located within a second local area network. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the endpoint in the first local area network comprises at least one of a cable modem and a local area network router. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the virtual address is within a same address space as the endpoint in the first local area network. 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 determining, by a first computing device, a physical address associated with a second computing device;   translating the physical address to a virtual address associated with a first local area network;   establishing a first communication channel between the second computing device and an endpoint in the first local area network;   in response to establishing the first communication channel, utilizing the virtual address to establish a first communication session between the second computing device and a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) device associated with the endpoint in the first local area network;   providing a user application interface to the DLNA device;   receiving, via the user application interface, user input selection indicating a content request for a video-on-demand (VOD) content asset;   establishing a session between the second computing device and a video-on-demand (VOD) controller based on the content request;   retrieving, via the VOD controller, the VOD content asset;   transcoding the VOD content asset from a first format to a second format compatible with the DLNA device, resulting in a transcoded VOD content asset; and   transferring the transcoded VOD content asset to the DLNA device.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 establishing a second communication channel between a third computing device and an endpoint in a second local area network; and   establishing a second communication session between the third computing device and a DLNA device associated with the endpoint in the second local area network.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first computing device, the second computing device, and the third computing device reside in a service provider network. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the endpoint in the first local area network comprises at least one of a cable modem and a local area network router. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the virtual address is within a same address space as the endpoint in the first local area network.