HK1165134B - Method and system for networking - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method and system for customized acquisition of content by a broadband gateway. The broadband gateway may be operable to determine options for acquiring particular content. The broadband gateway may be operable to rank the determined options. The ranking may be based on one or more characteristics of the options and based on user-specified criteria. The broadband gateway may be operable to select one of the options for acquiring the content based on results of the ranking. One or more of the options may be available via a first physical layer connection and one or more of the options may be available via a second physical layer connection. The gateway may rank the determined options based on attributes of one or more devices via which the particular content will be consumed.

Description

Networking method and system

Technical Field

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to broadband gateways. More particularly, certain embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for customized acquisition of content through a broadband gateway.

Background

With the continued growth of digital television or broadcast multimedia, and/or broadband access, which may be used in conjunction with online commerce, social networking, and/or other online services and applications, users may desire to have access to a greater number of providers and/or a wider range of content in a manner that is flexible and/or tailored to the user's lifestyle. Most users connect to the internet using a web browser running on a Personal Computer (PC). In addition, most may have one or more televisions that may be used to view television and/or multimedia. Television broadcasts may include terrestrial (terrestrial) television, cable television (CATV), satellite television, and/or Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) based broadcasts. To ensure that there is no unauthorized reception and/or use of TV and or multimedia broadcasts, service providers may require the use of a dedicated set-top box (STB), which may be used to encrypt broadcast signals propagated from the service provider to generate suitable video and/or audio streams that may be played via a television and/or other display/playback device in the home. In addition, the STB and/or TB may support internet access. Thus, rather than using a computer to access the internet, users may find it easier to use a flat panel television and/or monitor in the home for the same purpose. To do so, for example, an STB communicatively coupled to a flat panel television may be provided with web browsing software and protocols and an internet connection that may enable a user to access the internet or check their email, for example, from a convenient and comfortable location (e.g., their living room).

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

Disclosure of Invention

A system and/or method for customized acquisition of content via a broadband gateway, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

According to an aspect, there is provided a networking method, the method comprising:

in a broadband gateway for handling at least one physical layer connection to at least one respective network access service provider:

determining an option for capturing specific content;

ranking (ranking) the determined options; and

based on the rating, selecting one of the options for capturing at least a portion of the content.

Preferably, the at least one physical layer connection comprises a plurality of physical layer connections and the at least one respective network access service provider comprises a plurality of respective access service providers, and wherein each of the plurality of physical layer connections corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of respective access service providers.

Preferably, one or more of the options are available via a first one of the plurality of physical layer connections and one or more of the options are available via a second one of the plurality of physical layer connections.

Preferably, said ranking said determined option is based on one or more characteristics of said option, said one or more characteristics including one or more of:

a provider associated with each of the options;

a time of availability of each of the options;

a quality of the particular content associated with each of the options;

a power consumption associated with each of the options; and

a price associated with each of the options.

Preferably, said ranking said determined options is based on user-specified criteria, said user-specified criteria including one or more of:

criteria for selecting between the options based on a provider associated with the options;

a criterion for selecting between the options based on a time at which each of the options can be collected;

criteria for selecting between the options based on a quality of the particular content version associated with each of the options;

criteria for selecting between the options based on power consumption associated with capturing and/or consuming the content; and

criteria for selecting between the options based on a price associated with each of the options.

Preferably, the method further comprises storing the user-specified criteria in a memory in the broadband gateway.

Preferably, the method further comprises ranking the determined options based on attributes of one or more devices that the particular content is to be consumed by.

Preferably, the attributes include one or more of:

a display resolution of the one or more devices;

decoding techniques supported by the one or more devices; and

bandwidth of a connection between the one or more devices and the broadband gateway.

Preferably, the method further comprises storing the attribute in a memory in the broadband gateway.

Preferably, the method further comprises:

generating a score (score) for each of the options by:

assigning one or more coefficients to the one or more characteristics of the one of the options;

weighting the one or more coefficients by one or more respective weighting factors, wherein the weighting factors are determined based on user-specified criteria and/or based on attributes of a device by which the particular content is to be consumed; and

summing the weighting coefficients;

ranking the options based on the generated scores.

According to one aspect, a networked system comprises:

one or more circuits for use in a broadband gateway for handling at least one physical layer connection to at least one corresponding network access service provider, the one or more circuits for:

determining an option for capturing specific content;

grading the determined option; and

based on the rating, selecting one of the options for capturing at least a portion of the content.

Preferably, the at least one physical layer connection comprises a plurality of physical layer connections and the at least one respective network access service provider comprises a plurality of respective access service providers, and wherein each of the plurality of physical layer connections corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of respective access service providers.

Preferably, one or more of the options are available via a first one of the plurality of physical layer connections and one or more of the options are available via a second one of the plurality of physical layer connections.

Preferably, said ranking said determined option is based on one or more characteristics of said option, said one or more characteristics including one or more of:

a provider associated with each of the options;

a time of availability of each of the options;

a quality of the particular content associated with each of the options;

a power consumption associated with each of the options; and

a price associated with each of the options.

Preferably, said ranking said determined options is based on user-specified criteria, said user-specified criteria including one or more of:

criteria for selecting between the options based on a provider associated with the options;

a criterion for selecting between the options based on a time at which each of the options can be collected;

criteria for selecting between the options based on a quality of the particular content version associated with each of the options;

criteria for selecting between the options based on power consumption associated with capturing and/or consuming the content; and

criteria for selecting between the options based on a price associated with each of the options.

Preferably, the one or more circuits are operable to store the user-specified criteria in a memory of the broadband gateway.

Preferably, the one or more circuits are operable to rank the determined options based on attributes of one or more devices by which the particular content is to be consumed.

Preferably, the attributes include one or more of:

a display resolution of the one or more devices;

decoding techniques supported by the one or more devices; and

bandwidth of a connection between the one or more devices and the broadband gateway.

Preferably, the one or more circuits are operable to store the attribute in a memory in the broadband gateway.

Preferably, the one or more circuits are operable to:

generating a score for each of the options by:

assigning one or more coefficients to the one or more characteristics of the one of the options;

weighting the one or more coefficients by one or more respective weighting factors, wherein the weighting factors are determined based on user-specified criteria and/or based on attributes of a device by which the particular content is to be consumed; and

summing the weighting coefficients;

ranking the options based on the generated scores.

These and other advantages, aspects, and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary communication system including a home network served by a broadband gateway in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary broadband gateway in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a broadband gateway for customized transmission of content in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps for customized acquisition and delivery of content, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps for customized acquisition and delivery of content, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps for customized acquisition and delivery of content, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps for rating content options according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for customized acquisition of content through a broadband gateway. In various embodiments of the present invention, a broadband gateway may be used to determine options for capturing particular content. A broadband gateway may be used to level the determined options. The ranking may be based on one or more characteristics of the options, as well as based on user-specified criteria. The broadband gateway may be used to select one of the options for capturing content based on rating. The broadband gateway may support multiple physical layer connections to a corresponding plurality of network access service providers. One or more of the options may be available via a first of the plurality of physical layer connections and one or more of the options may be available via a second of the plurality of physical layer connections. The one or more characteristics may include one or more of the following: a provider associated with each of the options; a time of availability of each of the options; a quality of the particular content associated with each of the options; a power consumption associated with each of the options; and a price associated with each of the options.

The user-specified criteria may include one or more of the following: criteria for selecting between the options based on a provider associated with the options; a criterion for selecting between the options based on a time at which each of the options can be collected; criteria for selecting between the options based on a quality of the particular content version associated with each of the options; criteria for selecting between the options based on power consumption associated with capturing and/or consuming the content; and criteria for selecting between the options based on the price associated with each of the options. The user-specified criteria may be stored in a memory of the broadband gateway. The gateway may rank the determined options based on attributes of one or more devices that the particular content is to be consumed by. The attributes may include one or more of the following: a display resolution of the one or more devices; decoding techniques supported by the one or more devices; and a bandwidth of the connection between the one or more devices and the broadband gateway. The attributes are stored in a memory of the broadband gateway.

The broadband gateway may be operable to generate a score for each of the options, and the options may be ranked based on the scores. The score for an option may be determined by assigning one or more coefficients to the one or more characteristics of the one of the options; the one or more coefficients are weighted with one or more respective weighting factors and the weighting factors are summed to generate. The weighting factor may be determined based on user-specified criteria and/or based on attributes of one or more devices by which the particular content is to be consumed.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary communication system including a home network served by a broadband gateway according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 1, a home network 100a, a plurality of distribution networks 110, a plurality of service providers 120, and a plurality of content providers 130 are shown. The home network 100a may be served by a broadband gateway 102. Fig. 1 also shows further home networks 100b, … …, 100n, an emergency service provider network 104, and a grid management entity network 142. Each of the home networks 100b, … …, 100n may also be served by a broadband gateway 102.

Service provider 120 may include various entities that may provide various services to devices 104 via gateway 102 and/or to gateway 102 itself. Some service providers 120 may include network access service providers that provide a physical layer connection to gateway 102. Such a physical-layer connection may then be used to access one or more of distributed networks 110 and/or become part of one or more of distributed networks 110. In this regard, a "network access service provider" as used herein is distinguished from the more general term "service provider" which may encompass services other than providing physical layer access to a network. Cable television providers, Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) providers, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) providers, cell phone providers, WiMAX providers, and satellite providers are examples of network access service providers.

The content provider 130 may generate, capture and/or package content, such as multimedia, that may be distributed to end users. The content may include, for example, audio, video, electronic books, games, and/or other content. Content may be, for example, downloadable and/or streamed, rentable, and/or purchased. In some cases, the content provider and the service provider may be separate. In some cases, a single provider may provide both content and services. For example, an entity of a network access service provider function may also provide content and/or services other than network access, and thus, the entity may also be referred to precisely as a "content provider" and/or a "service provider". Content and/or services provided by content provider 130 and/or service provider 120 may be provided to gateway 102 via a physical layer connection provided by network access service provider 120.

The plurality of distributed networks 110 may include one or more networks that may be used to allow wireless, optical, and/or wireline communication between a plurality of entities based on one or more networking and/or communication facilities. In this regard, multiple distribution networks 110 may be used to allow distribution of multimedia content generated by content providers 130 to end users directly, and/or via service providers 120. The network connections available via the multiple distribution networks 110 may be based on one or more communication standards and/or protocols. The plurality of distributed networks 110 may include, for example, the internet 110a, a CATV network 110b, a satellite Television (TV) network 110c, a wireless local area network/wide area network (LAN/WAN)110d, and/or a cellular network 110 e.

The internet 110a may include interconnected network systems to allow data to be exchanged between nodes based on one or more networking standards, including, for example, the Internet Protocol (IP). For example, the internet 110a may allow connectivity between multiple private and public, academic, business, and/or government nodes and/or networks. The physical connections may be provided in the internet 110a via, for example, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) -based, copper wire, fiber optic cable, wireless interface, and/or other protocol and/or standard interfaces. The transport function may be performed in the internet 110a based on, for example, one or more protocols, such as transmission control protocol/IP (TCP/IP). The CATV network 110b may include suitable distribution nodes, systems, and/or sub-networks that may allow communication forwarding between a CATV provider and a plurality of cable TV consumers. For example, the CATV network 110b may include a network of optical and/or coaxial cables used in CATV broadcasting. The satellite TV network 110c may include suitable distribution nodes, systems, and/or sub-networks that may allow communication of satellite TVs broadcast by a satellite TV provider to multiple consumers. For example, the satellite network 110c may include a plurality of orbiting satellite nodes and/or one or more terrestrial centers in a satellite TV system.

The LAN/WAN network 110d may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable implementation of one or more wired and/or wireless LAN or WAN standards and/or protocols. Exemplary WAN technologies include, for example, WiMAX-based networks. Exemplary LAN technologies may include, for example, those based on the IEEE 702.11 standard, including, for example, WiFi-based networks. The cellular network 110e may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable communication via one or more cellular technologies. Exemplary cellular technologies may include Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (wcdma), CDMA1000, High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), global system for mobile communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE), and/or Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). Cellular network 110e may include, for example, a plurality of control and/or switching nodes, and a plurality of base stations that allow for the transmission and/or reception of cellular-based communications between cellular network 110e and cellular-enabled devices.

The home network 100a may correspond to a location that may include a plurality of devices that may be serviced and/or managed by the broadband gateway 102. In this regard, the location may be a residence (e.g., a residence, apartment), small business, school, library, and/or venue for which access to a service and/or content provider network may be desired. The broadband gateway 102 may be used in the home network 110a to provide connectivity between the home network 110a and the service provider 120 (and/or the content provider 130) via the distribution network 110.

The broadband gateway 102 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to provide connectivity between one or more devices in a home network (e.g., the home network 110a) and a plurality of external networks. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may process a plurality of broadband physical layer connections 108 to the distributed network 110. The broadband physical layer connection 108 may include wired, optical, and/or wireless connections between the broadband gateway 102 and the distribution network 110. The broadband gateway 102 may operate as an interface device that allows one or more service and/or content providers to interact with various devices in the home network. In this regard, the broadband gateway 102 may be used to perform and/or provide various services that may be related to allowing and/or facilitating the receipt of content from one or more content providers, where the content may be delivered through the one or more service providers. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may be used to perform operations such as network access related processes (e.g., PHYIMAC, transport layer processing), encryption and/or decryption, user and/or account authentication, and/or at least some video and/or audio processing operations that may be required for consumption of multimedia content. The broadband gateway 102 may communicate with various devices in the home network 100 using wired and/or wireless communication links.

A single gateway 102 may be used to handle multiple physical layer (i.e., layer 1 of the open systems interconnection model (OSI)) connections 108 to multiple or portions of a distributed network 110, where different ones or portions of the distributed network(s) 110 are owned, operated on, leased, or otherwise associated by different network access service providers 120. For example, a first network access service provider 120 may provide network access to gateway 102 via a DSL connection over a twisted pair cable, and a second network access service provider 120 may provide network access to gateway 102 via a cable television connection over a coaxial cable. In some cases, gateway 102 may be used to communicate in parallel over multiple physical layer connections 108 provided by multiple network access service providers 120.

The broadband gateway 102 may also be used to provide and/or support other, non-content related services in various home networks 100. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may be used to provide power management in the home network 100a by controlling and/or mediating the configuration of one or more devices in the home network, e.g., to reduce power consumption.

Devices served by the broadband gateway 102 and/or communicatively coupled with the broadband gateway 102 may include content-consuming devices and/or other non-content-consuming home or home devices that may be used to interact with the broadband gateway 102. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may serve, and/or may communicate with, a plurality of home devices 104a-104m in the home network 100 a. The devices 104a-104m may each be referred to as a communication device, or electronic device. The home devices may include, for example, one or more televisions 104a, laptops 104b, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and/or security alarms 104c, computers and/or servers 104d, mobile phones 104e, speakers 104f, AM/FM radios 104g, phones 104h, home appliances 104i (e.g., a refrigerator), digital video cameras (DVR) or personal video cameras (PVR)104j, temperature control or other environmental control(s) 104k, patch panels 1041, and lighting systems and/or controls 104 m. The broadband gateway 102 may interact with each of the home devices 104a-104m via the broadband gateway 102 and the corresponding home device supported links 106a-106 m. For example, the link 106a between the broadband network card 102 and the television 104a may include a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) cable. The link 106b can include, for example, a wired Ethernet link, a wireless Ethernet link, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) link, or an IEEE 1394 link. The link 106c may comprise, for example, a two-wire link or a wireless link. The link 106d may include, for example, a wired Ethernet link, a wireless Ethernet link, a USB link, or an IEEE 1394 link. The link 106e may comprise, for example, a wireless ethernet link, a USB link, or a cellular link. The link 106f may include a speaker line and/or a wireless link. The link 106g may include, for example, AM and/or FM radio transmissions broadcast received using the broadband gateway 102. The link 106h may comprise, for example, a telephone line. The link 106i may comprise, for example, a wired or wireless ethernet link. The link 106j may comprise, for example, a wired or wireless link. The link 106k may comprise, for example, a wired or wireless link. The link 106m may comprise, for example, a wired or wireless link.

The patch panel 1041 may comprise one or more outlets and may comprise one or more plugs or other means of connecting to a power source, such as a wall outlet. The patch panel 1041 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable measurement and/or monitoring of one or more energy consumptions via its receptacle, enable or disable one or more of the energy consumptions via its receptacle, and/or limit the introduction of electrical current via its one or more receptacle. The patch panel 1041 may be used to communicate energy measurements via the link 1061. Further, allowing, disallowing, limiting, or otherwise controlling the power consumed via one or more outlets of the patch panel 1041 may be performed in response to a message received via the link 1061. The link 1061 may include a wired or wireless link. The patch panel 1041 may be used to communicate with the gateway 102 using power line communication. For example, the gateway 102 may be plugged into a socket of the patch panel 1041 and communicate with the gateway 102 via the socket, or the gateway 102 and patch panel 1041 may each be plugged into a common power distribution system.

As illustrated in fig. 1, a plurality of home networks 100b, … …, 100n may also be connected to the distribution network 110. These home networks 100b, … …, 100n may operate in substantially the same manner as the home network 100 a. By having multiple home networks connected to the distributed network 110, various applications, such as point-to-point communication and/or data aggregation operations are possible through the use of the broadband gateway 102 in the home network.

In operation, gateway 102 may be used to discover various options for obtaining particular content for the particular content to be sent from providers 120 and/or 130 to device 104. Gateway 102 may be used to rank the available options and select the highest ranked option.

In embodiments of the invention, different options for obtaining particular content may have characteristics such as different prices, different power requirements, different providers, different versions or qualities of the content, and/or different times at which the content is available. For example, the search performed by gateway 102 may discover two available options for viewing a "TV program". A first option may allow a lower quality version of a "TV program" to be streamed from a first provider at a first price, and a second option may provide a waiting day and downloading a higher quality version of a "TV program" from a second provider at a second price. Gateway 102 may rank the options based on the characteristics of the options. Although five features are described for illustration, the invention is not limited to any particular feature or number of features.

In embodiments of the present invention, the options for receiving particular content may be ranked based on how well their characteristics meet user-specified criteria. For example, the user may specify the highest quality version of content that he wants to have available, regardless of price, delivery time, or provider. Quality may refer to, for example, resolution, frame rate, 2D video versus 3D video, lost frames, and/or compression level. Accordingly, gateway 102 may, for example, rank the options from the highest quality content to the lowest quality content. As another example, the user may specify that if he can obtain content within 24 hours, he is willing to pay up to $ X for the content or he is only willing to pay $ X. Accordingly, gateway 102 may, for example, order content by time of availability and then rate those content available in the next 24 hours by price. These examples of user specified criteria are merely examples for illustration. In practice, the user may specify arbitrary materialized and/or quantized values, or ranges of values, for the criteria by which the content options are rated.

In embodiments of the invention, the options for receiving particular content to be consumed by one or more devices 104 may be ranked based on how well the characteristics of the options conform to the attributes and/or capabilities of the one or more devices 104. For example, in the case where the content is to be sent to a home theater with a high resolution display and surround sound, the gateway 102 may, for example, rate the options from highest quality content to lowest quality content. Conversely, in the case where content is to be sent to the handheld device, gateway 102 may sort the content options by resolution and then sort them for content options that match the resolution of the handheld device, charging and/or time available.

In some cases, the selected option may provide pay-as-you-go, or pre-download, or pre-access payment. In this case, gateway 102 may pay for the content and then download or stream the content.

In some cases, the selected option may be from a subscription class provider. In this scenario, gateway 102 may be used to negotiate and/or sign up for a deal ("micro lease") that provides a subscription that is limited in scope and/or duration relative to the subscription typically provided by the provider. In embodiments of the present invention, micro-leases may be used in place of and/or in conjunction with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to allow control and/or modification of service performance parameters based on actual needs and/or requirements. In this aspect, the SLA may include fixed, non-adjustable service contracts of long duration (e.g., one or more years), while the micro-leases may include service contracts that are dynamically established for much shorter durations (e.g., hourly, daily, or weekly) to be applicable only to the negotiable performance requirements (e.g., delay and/or quality of service) of these shorter durations. Accordingly, in addition to long-term SLA constraints that are configured in a fixed manner based on the maximum possible performance requirements, and/or warrant the maximum possible performance requirements, a subscriber may configure and/or use micro-leases only for the duration of the actual requirements when service is actually needed, and/or only based on the actually needed performance requirements. Accordingly, broadband gateway 102 may configure different micro-leases for managed devices based on the determined actual needs and/or limitations. In this regard, broadband gateway 102 may establish micro-leases based on negotiations with the service provider. When the request may include obtaining content, the negotiation may be applied to parameters such as transmission bit rate, transmission time and/or quality of service, and/or apportionment, and/or characteristics of the content. For example, a cable provider may provide content, typically on a monthly or yearly subscription basis, but gateway 102 may be used to negotiate micro-rentals for shorter amounts of time and/or for particular content.

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary broadband gateway in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 2, the broadband gateway 102 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be operable to provide connectivity between one or more networks (e.g., the distributed network 110 shown in fig. 1, and one or more devices in a home network, such as the home devices 104a-104j in the home network 110a shown in fig. 1). In this regard, the broadband gateway 102 may operate as an interface device that allows one or more devices in the home network to access one or more networks, as well as various services and/or content via those one or more networks. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may be used to allow interaction between multiple service providers 120 and/or multiple content providers 130 and the home devices 104a-104 h.

The broadband gateway 102 may communicate with various devices via a home network (e.g., the home network 100a) that may include wired, optical, and/or wireless communication links. In this regard, the broadband gateway 102 may include suitable hardware and/or software to provide some or all of the functionality and/or operation of one or more modems, routers, and switches. The modem functions and/or operations may be those of, for example, a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem, a cable modem, and/or a wireless cable modem. The router functions and/or operations may be, for example, those of a wireless router. The switch functions and/or operations may be, for example, those of a network switch or a Local Area Network (LAN) switch. In some cases, the broadband gateway 102 may communicate with various devices in the home via more than one home network.

The broadband gateway 102 may include one or more modules. Each of these modules may include hardware, software, or a combination thereof that may be used to perform various operations associated with the broadband gateway 102. In an embodiment of the present invention, the broadband gateway 102 may include a provider interface module 202, a processor module 204, a memory module 206, and a customer network interface module 208. In some cases, broadband gateway 102 may enable the various modules listed above to be distributed across multiple devices. Further, the above modules are provided by way of example and not limitation. Other configurations and/or architectures of the broadband gateway 102 may also be implemented. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may be a virtual gateway disposed in a network by using a Virtual Machine (VM) and/or a Next Generation (NG) data center.

The provider interface module 202 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be operable to receive data from and/or transmit data to one or more service/content providers via one or more physical layer connections to one or more network access service providers. In this regard, each of the physical layer connections 1081-. Each of the physical layer connections 108 may include wired, optical, or wireless connections. Each of the physical layer connections 108 may use a different physical medium and/or a different physical layer protocol. For example, connection 108 may comprise DSL over a twisted pair connection, and connection 108 may comprise CATV over a coaxial cable connection.

The processor module 204 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may enable processing of data received from a service/content provider and/or data received from one or more devices in a home. Data from one or more devices 104 may include user input, such as feedback regarding consumed content and responses to questionnaires, polls, and votes. Via physical layer connections 108₁-108_jMay be processed to make it suitable for communication to device 108, and data from one or more devices 104 may be processed to make it suitable for communication via 108 to device 108₁-108_jTo a service/content provider. In this regard, the processor module 124 may include one or more portions adapted to process certain types of data (e.g., video data and/or audio data). The processor module 204 may also be used to generate a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that may be manipulated through which a user may provide input. The GUI may be displayed as part of an OSD on the local device 104 (e.g., a display or television) and may be manipulated via a remote control and/or other input device in direct communication with the gateway 102. The GUI may be a web interface and the user may interact with it via a computer and web browser. The GUI may be customized based on the characteristics of the gateway 102, the devices 104 coupled to the gateway, and the service and/or content providers associated with the gateway 102. The processor module 124 may utilize the memory 206 to perform its functions.

The memory module 206 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may enable storage of data used in the operation of the broadband gateway 102. For example, the memory module 206 may be used to store, for example, configuration data, parameters, device information, tracking and/or monitoring information, security information, and intermediate processing data. The memory module 206 may include a storage medium, such as a hard drive that may be integrated into the broadband gateway 102, and/or may be a removable storage device.

The client network interface module 208 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code and/or interfaces that may be operable to receive data from and/or transmit data to one or more devices in a home network. The client network interface module 208 may be used to support a variety of communication protocols, standards, and/or data transmission techniques. In this regard, the client network interface module 208 may handle one or more physical layer connections to one or more devices 104. For example, the client network interface module 208 may include one or more wired and/or wireless Ethernet interfaces, one or more analog and/or digital audio outputs, one or more audio/video interfaces (e.g., HDMI and display ports), one or more USB interfaces, one or more IEEE 1394, and/or one or more telephone boxes.

The broadband gateway 102 may be used to provide energy management by changing the configuration of one or more devices in the home network. The broadband gateway 102 may collect and/or store energy-related information for devices in the home network and/or links in the home network, and may utilize this information to control the operation of the home devices. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may utilize channel capacity flexibility and content encoding options to minimize and/or optimize power utilization. The broadband gateway 102 may also configure and/or manage the configuration of the network between the broadband gateway 102 and one or more service/content providers based on energy-related information associated with devices in the home. For example, at least a portion of distributed network 100 may be configured and/or managed in this manner. Broadband gateway 102 may be used to display energy-related metrics including, for example, consumption trends and/or fees, as well as any available credit/consideration that may be redeemed by the account holder. In some cases, when a device in the home network is an authentication device (e.g., California effective display), broadband gateway 102 may be used to provide this information to service/content providers and obtain rewards/credits associated with use of such authentication device. In addition, overall network power consumption may be managed by sharing information among multiple interconnected broadband gateways.

The broadband gateway 102 may be used to adapt and/or allow changes in subscription mode and/or multimedia transmission characteristics based on the capabilities of various devices in the home network. For example, high-resolution video content may be transmitted to certain types of devices, such as Digital Television (DTV), while low-resolution video content and/or text may be transmitted to different types of devices, such as personal mobile devices. In this regard, the broadband gateway 102 may be used to reduce bandwidth and/or handle power consumption in the home network. The broadband gateway 200 may also support and/or use multi-transport processing, which may be performed sequentially, in parallel, and/or with distributed processing.

Gateway functions associated with the user, such as security features, preferences, applications, Electronic Program Guides (EPGs), and user profiles, may be moved from the broadband gateway 102 to one or more other broadband gateways 102 in other locations. In some cases, visitors may be allowed access to their content outside of their service/content provider service area by, for example, categorizing the access levels of different users, and/or by providing limited access to the content. In addition, the broadband gateway 102 may allow for multiple user interface software architectures by, for example, standardizing the interface to service/content providers in the home network.

The broadband gateway 102 may be used to disconnect and/or arbitrate consumption of certain services, such as music and video, with service/content providers. In some cases, the broadband gateway 102 may perform content retrieval, transport discovery, ranking, and/or ordering. These operations may be performed based on content quality, price, quality of service (QOS), and protocols supported by devices in the home network (e.g., service level protocols).

Various emergency-related services in the home network may be supported by the broadband gateway 102, including allowing first responders to provide alerts to select groups of users by accessing the broadband gateway via secure links provided by the service/content provider. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may allow an emergency service provider, such as those associated with the emergency service provider network 140 described above in fig. 1, to access one or more devices in the home network.

For peer-to-peer communications, the broadband gateway 102 may be used to allow enhanced content sharing in a service/content provider network. In this regard, the broadband gateway 102 may be used to construct directory services for peer-to-peer connections with friends and family, for example. The broadband gateway 102 may be used to provide incentives to users to participate in peer-to-peer communications over, for example, the distribution network 110. In addition, the broadband gateway 102 may be used to match content encodings to the type of service being consumed by the user, and to make the necessary distribution among networks for point-to-point or conventional internet programming or broadcast programming.

The broadband gateway 102 may be used in connection with restricted network resources, such as time of day, traffic congestion, etc., to provide a user with incentive to receive lower cost, lower quality services that are dynamically configured for current network conditions. In some cases, the broadband gateway 102 may allow enhanced low-latency service delivery to client devices in the home network.

The broadband gateway 102 may be used to run or execute proxies to extract content, rating (rating), copyright, language, privacy rules, and automatically add, for example, user generated content. Such a proxy may operate or execute in conjunction with, for example, the processor module 204 of the broadband gateway 102. In some cases, the broadband gateway 102 may be used to provide rating related information or channel prediction to the service/content provider to facilitate rapid channel changes.

Broadband optimization may be performed by the broadband gateway 102, such as by placing future requests for bandwidth to the service content provider and accepting the best time slot back for bandwidth optimization.

The broadband gateway 102 may be used to merge and/or mix multiple content for use as a single content in a home network. This merging may be performed in one or more modules of the broadband gateway 102. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may mix different video and audio content for an event by accessing one or more service/content providers and providing automatic and/or manual content synthesis.

Protection, management, and/or tracking of confidential data, such as health and financial records, may be provided by the presence of the broadband gateway 102 by tagging the data. Only when the user authorizes the transfer of confidential data will such data be stored and/or aggregated. The broadband gateway 102 may be used to create a trusted level mechanism for content. The broadband gateway 102 may be secured from external threats that may be downloaded from outside the home network and may provide security domain distribution within the home network. Automatic and secure billing and payment services may also be provided by the broadband gateway 102.

The broadband gateway 102 may be used to use the customer or home device model information to select layered video service(s) and/or transport. Such information may be stored, at least temporarily, in the memory module 206 of the broadband gateway 102. In some cases, the programmed and/or enhanced video layer received by the broadband gateway 102 may be an aggregate midstream (aggregatedmidstream) that is aggregated by one or more network or routing nodes.

Broadband gateway 102 may support cost reduction of unviewed content by using multiple tiers of billing for downloaded content (e.g., video content). The broadband gateway 102 may be used to provide a unified payment port for collecting and/or aggregating charges from multiple service and/or content providers.

In operation, gateway 102 may connect via provider interface module 202 and one or more physical layer connections 108₁-108_JContent is requested and received from one or more providers. The content may be requested and received from a network access provider (e.g., a cable or satellite company), and/or may be received from a network access provider such as YouTube, HuThe lu or content provider of the broadcast network requests and is received via the physical layer connection(s) 108 provided by the network access service provider. In some cases, different options for receiving particular content may be via different one of the physical layer connections 108₁-108_JThus obtaining the product. Content received via interface 202 may be stored to memory module 206 and/or to other local storage coupled to interface 208, such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR). The processor module 204 may transcode and/or otherwise process the content as it is received, and/or as it is output to one or more devices 104 via the interface 208.

Upon determining that content is to be sent to one or more devices 104 via interface 208, processing module 204 may initiate retrieval of available options for content via interface 202. Upon discovering the various options for receiving content, the processor 204 may rank the options and select the highest ranked option to capture content.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a broadband gateway for customized transmission of content in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a plurality of providers 302₁-302_NA broadband gateway 102, and a plurality of devices 304₁-304_NWherein N is any positive integer and M is any positive integer. Provider 302₁-302_NMay be substantially similar to the service provider 120 and/or the content provider 130 described with respect to fig. 1 and 2. Each of the devices may be substantially similar to each of the devices 104a-104m described with respect to fig. 1.

In operation, when it is determined that particular content is to be sent to the device 304, the gateway 102 may retrieve options for capturing the particular content. For example, gateway 102 may query a search engine and/or send a separate request to one or more providers 302₁-302_NEach of (a). The options found for capturing particular content may be in item 307₁-307_PIs stored in table 306, where P is any positive integer, corresponding to a different option. Each entry 307_pWherein P is an integer between 1 and P,the characteristics of the corresponding option may be stored. In embodiments of the present invention, each entry 307 may include a field indicating the provider associated with the option, a field indicating the quality of service associated with the option, a field indicating when the option is available, and a field indicating the price of the option.

Gateway 102 may also discover devices 304 to which it is communicatively coupled₁-304_MWhere M is any positive integer, and the properties of those devices. Attributes may be associated with each entry 309_mStored in table 308, includes corresponding devices 302_mWherein M is an integer between 1 and M. The attributes of the device may include, for example, display resolution, the number of audio channels supported, the encoding and decoding techniques supported, the bandwidth of the connection between the device and the gateway 102, and whether the device is operating using battery voltage and/or in a low power mode.

Gateway 102 may also store a table 310 of user criteria for rating and selecting content options. In embodiments of the invention, table 310 may include entries 311₁Which includes power consumption criteria. The power consumption criteria may indicate, for example, whether power savings is important in deciding between options for receiving particular content. In embodiments of the invention, table 310 may include entries 311₂Which includes quality of service (QoS) criteria. The quality of service criteria may indicate, for example, an acceptable delay and/or an acceptable error rate. Exemplary error rates may include bit error rate, packet error rate, and/or frame error rate. In embodiments of the invention, table 310 may include entries 311₃Which includes criteria to support when content is available. The availability criteria may indicate, for example, whether the content is desired as soon as possible, or whether the user is willing to wait to obtain a lower price. In embodiments of the invention, table 310 may include entries 311₄Which includes a criterion for the price of the content. The price criteria may indicate, for example, how much the user is willing to pay for a particular type of content for a particular content. In embodiments of the invention, table 310 may include entries 311₅Which includes criteria for which provider to use to obtain the content. The provider criteria may refer toFor example, the user prefers the provider.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps for customized acquisition and delivery of content in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 4, exemplary steps begin at step 403 or step 404. In step 402, the content may be scheduled (scheduled) for consumption by the device 304 via the gateway 102. For example, a user may set gateway 102 to record a television program or tune to a channel at the beginning of a television program.

In step 404, the user may enter and/or update criteria for rating and selecting content options. Following step 404, exemplary steps may proceed to step 406 or to step 408 depending on various circumstances (e.g., what the prior criteria was, what the new criteria was, and what content was scheduled for transmission via gateway 102).

In step 406, gateway 102 may retrieve an option to receive the scheduled content. Retrieval may include, for example, querying various providers and/or designs to retrieve the provided content search engine not only via a public network such as the internet, but also via a private network such as a cable television or satellite network. In embodiments of the invention, a first of the one or more options may be via the first physical-layer connection 108₁May be discovered and one or more options may be via the physical layer connection 108₂To discover. For example, the first physical layer connection 108₁May be a DSL connection to the internet and the second physical layer connection 108₂May be a DOCSIS connection to a cable provider. Accordingly, the gateway 102 may discover content available via the internet and may discover content available from a cable provider.

In step 408, gateway 102 may rank the content options found in step 406. An exemplary grading technique will be described below with reference to fig. 7. In step 410, gateway 102 may select the highest ranked content option. In step 412, gateway 102 may receive content according to the selected option. In step 414, gateway 102 may determine whether the received content is compatible with the device(s) 304 to which it was sent and whether the device received. For example, encoding, compression, and/or resolution of the content is supported by the target device(s) 304.

Additionally or alternatively, the gateway may determine whether the received content is compatible with user-specified criteria in step 414. For example, the content may have been downloaded based on a first set of criteria, but the criteria may have changed from that. Thus, the content may be transcoded to make it compatible, or more compatible, with newer standards. In embodiments of the present invention, content may be transcoded to meet quality standards. For example, the resolution, frame rate, and/or amount of compression may be adjusted to meet user-specified criteria. In embodiments of the invention, content may be transcoded to meet power consumption criteria. For example, the content may be transcoded into a format that requires less energy to send onto the network and/or to be present on the device 304.

In the event that the received content is not compatible with target device(s) 304 and/or user-specified criteria, the exemplary steps may proceed to step 416 and gateway 102 may transcode, reformat, and/or otherwise process the content to make it compatible or otherwise suitable for processing and/or consumption by target device(s) 304. For example, the resolution of the content may be scaled to adjust, compress, decompress, decode, and/or encode its frame rate. In the event that the received content is compatible with the target device(s) 301 and the user-specified criteria, exemplary steps may skip step 416 and proceed to step 418. In step 418, gateway 102 may send the content to target device(s) 304.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps for customized acquisition and delivery of content, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, steps 502-510 are the same as steps 402-410, respectively. In step 512, gateway 102 may download the content for subsequent consumption. That is, the content may be downloaded before the time it is scheduled for consumption. Accordingly, the content may need to be stored locally in gateway 102 and/or in a storage device coupled to gateway 102. In step 514, gateway 102 may determine whether the received content is compatible with device(s) 304, which the content is consumed by. Additionally or alternatively, the gateway may determine whether the received content is compatible with user-specified criteria in step 514. For example, the content may have been downloaded based on a first set of criteria, but the criteria have changed since. Thus, the content may be transcoded to make it compatible, or more compatible, with newer standards. In the event that the content is not compatible with the target device(s) 304 and/or user-specified criteria, then in step 516, the gateway 102 may transcode, reformat, and/or otherwise process the content as it is received and before storing the content. By transcoding and/or reformatting the content before downloading it, storage space may be saved when the transcoded and/or reformatted content is smaller. In step 518, gateway 102 may store the content to a local memory and/or to a storage device, such as a digital video recorder, communicatively coupled to gateway 102.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps for customized acquisition and delivery of content in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, steps 602-612 are respectively the same as steps 502-512. In step 614, the downloaded content may be stored locally in gateway 102 and/or in a storage device communicatively coupled to gateway 102. In step 616, the device 304 may request content from storage. In step 618, gateway 102 may determine whether the stored content is compatible with the device(s) 304 requesting it. Accordingly or alternatively, the gateway may determine whether the received content is compatible with the user-specified criteria in step 618. For example, the content may have been downloaded based on a first set of criteria, but the criteria may have changed from that point forward. Thus, the content may be transcoded to make it compatible or suitable for newer standards. In the event that the received content is not compatible with the requesting device 304 and/or user-specified criteria, the exemplary steps can proceed to step 620, and the gateway 102 can transcode, reformat, and/or otherwise process the content to make it suitable for the requesting device 304. In the event that the received content is compatible with the requesting device 304, exemplary steps may skip step 620 and proceed to step 622. In step 622, gateway 102 may send the content to requesting device 304.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps for rating content options according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 8, exemplary steps begin with step 702, when gateway 102 begins retrieving available options for receiving particular content, gateway 102 may discover a selection for receiving the particular content and may determine characteristics of the discovered options in step 704. For example, the gateway may determine a quality of content associated with the option, a time for which the option is available, a price of the option, a provider associated with the option, and/or a power consumption for obtaining the content using the option.

In step 706, gateway 102 may assign one or more coefficients to one or more characteristics of the content options. In an embodiment of the present invention, the options may be assigned a quality factor, a time factor, a price factor, a provider factor, and a power factor.

In step 708, gateway 102 may weight, i.e., scale or adjust, the plurality of assigned coefficients by a corresponding plurality of weighting factors. The weighting factors may be determined based on, for example, user-specified criteria and/or based on attributes of the device to which the content is to be transmitted. Accordingly, the weighting factors may change as user criteria change and/or device attributes change. Furthermore, the discovered options may be re-ranked when one or more weighting factors change. In an embodiment of the present invention, gateway 102 may determine a quality weighting factor, a time weighting factor, a price weighting factor, a provider weighting factor, and a power weighting factor. For example, in an emotion where the user wants the lowest-priced option available, the price weighting factor may be set at a high value, and the other weighting factors may be set at a lower value. As another example, in the case where the device supports only standard definition video, the quality weighting factor may be set at a low value and the other factors may be set at a higher value.

In step 710, the weighting coefficients for the options may be summed together to obtain a score for the option. In step 712, the options for the particular content and other options may be ranked based on their respective scores.

Various aspects of a method and system for customized acquisition of content by a broadband gateway are provided. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the broadband gateway 102 may be used to determine options for capturing particular content. The broadband gateway 102 may be used for rating determined options. The rating may be based on one or more characteristics of the user-specified standard options. The broadband gateway 102 may be configured to select one of the options for capturing content based on the results of the ranking. The broadband gateway 102 may support multiple physical layer connections 108 to a corresponding plurality of network access service providers 120. One or more of the options may be connected via multiple physical layer connections 108₁-108_JAnd one or more of the options may be available via multiple physical layer connections 108₁-108_JThe second one of (a) is available. The one or more characteristics may include a provider associated with each of the options, a time of availability of each of the options, a quality of the particular content associated with each of the options, a power consumption associated with each of the options, and a price associated with each of the options.

The user-specified criteria may include one or more of the following: criteria for selecting between the options based on a provider associated with the options; a criterion for selecting between the options based on a time at which each of the options can be collected; criteria for selecting between the options based on a quality of the particular content version associated with each of the options; criteria for selecting between the options based on power consumption associated with capturing and/or consuming the content; and criteria for selecting between the options based on the price associated with each of the options. The user-specified criteria may be stored in a memory of the broadband gateway 102. The gateway 102 may rank the determined options based on the attributes of one or more devices 304 that the particular content is to be consumed by the one or more devices 304. The attributes may include one or more of the following: display resolution of one or more devices 304; decoding techniques supported by one or more devices 304; and the bandwidth of the connection 106 between the one or more devices 304 and the broadband gateway. The attributes may be stored in a memory of the broadband gateway 304.

The broadband gateway 102 may be operable to generate a score for each of the options, and the options may be ranked based on the scores. The score for an option may be generated by assigning one or more coefficients to one or more characteristics of the option, scaling or weighting the one or more coefficients by one or more desired weighting factors, and summing the weighting factors. The weighting factor may be determined based on user-specified criteria and/or based on attributes of the device by which the particular content is to be consumed.

Another embodiment of the present invention may provide a machine and/or computer readable storage and/or medium storing a machine code and/or a computer program comprising at least one code section executable by a machine and/or computer to cause the machine and/or computer to perform the above-described steps for custom harvesting content via a broadband gateway.

Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present invention can be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software could be a general purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.

The present invention may also be implemented by a computer program product, comprising all the features enabling the implementation of the methods of the invention, when loaded in a computer system. The computer program in this document refers to: any expression, in any programming language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to other languages, decoding or notation; b) reproduced in a different format.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (8)

1. A method of networking using a broadband gateway operable to handle at least one physical layer connection to at least one respective network access service provider, the method comprising:

determining different options for capturing particular content, wherein the different options are associated with different providers via which the particular content is captured; it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

ranking the determined different options for receiving the content is based on how well characteristics of the determined options meet user-specified criteria; and

selecting one of the options for capturing at least part of the content based on the rating,

processing a plurality of physical layer connections and a plurality of respective access service providers, each of the plurality of physical layer connections corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of respective access service providers; wherein

One or more of the options are available via a first one of the plurality of physical layer connections and one or more of the options are available via a second one of the plurality of physical layer connections.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ranking the determined option is based on one or more characteristics of the option, the one or more characteristics including one or more of:

a provider associated with each of the options;

a time of availability of each of the options;

a quality of the particular content associated with each of the options;

a power consumption associated with each of the options; and

a price associated with each of the options.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the ranking the determined options is based on user-specified criteria, the user-specified criteria including one or more of:

criteria for selecting between the options based on a provider associated with the options;

a criterion for selecting between the options based on a time at which each of the options can be collected;

criteria for selecting between the options based on a quality of the particular content version associated with each of the options;

criteria for selecting between the options based on power consumption associated with capturing and/or consuming the content; and

criteria for selecting between the options based on a price associated with each of the options.

4. The method of claim 2, comprising storing the user-specified criteria in a memory in the broadband gateway.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising ranking the determined options based on attributes of one or more devices that the particular content is to be consumed by.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the attributes comprise one or more of:

a display resolution of the one or more devices;

decoding techniques supported by the one or more devices; and

bandwidth of a connection between the one or more devices and the broadband gateway.

7. The method of claim 1, comprising:

generating a score for each of the options by:

assigning one or more coefficients to one or more characteristics of said one of said options;

weighting the one or more coefficients by one or more respective weighting factors, wherein the weighting factors are determined based on user-specified criteria and/or based on attributes of a device by which the particular content is to be consumed; and

summing the weighting coefficients; and

ranking the options based on the generated scores.

8. A networked system, the system comprising:

one or more circuits for use in a broadband gateway for handling at least one physical layer connection to at least one corresponding network access service provider, the one or more circuits for:

determining different options for capturing particular content, wherein the different options are associated with different providers via which the particular content is captured, wherein the one or more circuits are configured to;

ranking the determined different options for receiving the content is based on how well characteristics of the determined options meet user-specified criteria; and

selecting one of the options for capturing at least part of the content based on the rating,

processing a plurality of physical layer connections and a plurality of respective access service providers, each of the plurality of physical layer connections corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of respective access service providers; wherein

One or more of the options are available via a first one of the plurality of physical layer connections and one or more of the options are available via a second one of the plurality of physical layer connections.