公开(公告)号：US20090210912A1

公开(公告)日：2009-08-20

申请号：US12070560

申请日：2008-02-19

申请人： Chris Cholas ,  William L. Helms ,  George W. Sarosi

发明人： Chris Cholas ,  William L. Helms ,  George W. Sarosi

IPC分类号： H04N7/18

CPC分类号： H04N21/47214 ,  H04N5/4401 ,  H04N5/50 ,  H04N21/4263 ,  H04N21/43615 ,  H04N21/4583 ,  H04N21/462

摘要： Apparatus and methods for enhanced tuner efficiency, wherein tuner resources function to permit multiple content streams to be demultiplexed and thus made available for subsequent display. In one embodiment, Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) comprises a resource manager on which a guide application is run to control the tuning of an available tuner resource. This approach obviate reliance on OCAP or other proprietary vendor architecture applications. In another variant, the CPE is adapted to receive RF source data from a wideband tuner, or multiple tuners. The CPE may also be utilized in conjunction with other system configurations designed to enforce a security or other policies within a premises network. The CPE may also employ ‘look ahead’ capabilities to anticipate a QAM stream content before it is received.

摘要翻译： 用于增强调谐器效率的装置和方法，其中调谐器资源用于允许多个内容流被解复用，从而使其可用于随后的显示。 在一个实施例中，客户驻地设备（CPE）包括资源管理器，在其上运行引导应用以控制可用调谐器资源的调谐。 这种方法避免依赖于OCAP或其他专有供应商架构应用程序。 在另一变型中，CPE适于从宽带调谐器或多个调谐器接收RF源数据。 CPE还可以与设计用于在房屋网络内实施安全性或其他策略的其他系统配置一起使用。 在接收到QAM流内容之前，CPE还可以采用“前瞻性”功能来预测QAM流内容。

公开(公告)号：US20080247541A1

公开(公告)日：2008-10-09

申请号：US12060852

申请日：2008-04-01

申请人： Chris Cholas ,  George Sarosi ,  William Helms ,  Louis D. Williamson

发明人： Chris Cholas ,  George Sarosi ,  William Helms ,  Louis D. Williamson

IPC分类号： G06F15/16 ,  H04N7/167

CPC分类号： H04N21/64707 ,  H04L63/0464 ,  H04L69/08 ,  H04L2463/101 ,  H04N21/43615 ,  H04N21/43637 ,  H04N21/440218 ,  H04N21/4408

摘要： Methods and apparatus for connecting, e.g., bridging, a cable network to other networks and/or devices is described. A bridge device facilitates the distribution of cable provider content to end users operating IP based devices. The bridge device performs one of more of the following: interface protocol conversions, user device controlled tuner selection, transcoding of data, transrating of a data stream, decryption in accordance with a conditional access protocol and re-encryption in accordance with an authorized service domain protocol.

摘要翻译： 描述了将电缆网络连接（例如，桥接）到其他网络和/或设备的方法和装置。 桥接设备有助于将电缆提供商内容分发给运行基于IP的设备的终端用户。 桥接器件执行下列其中之一：接口协议转换，用户设备控制的调谐器选择，数据的代码转换，数据流的转换，根据条件访问协议的解密以及根据授权服务域的重新加密 协议。

公开(公告)号：US20060203844A1

公开(公告)日：2006-09-14

申请号：US11078811

申请日：2005-03-10

申请人： Curtis Knittle ,  Chris Cholas

发明人： Curtis Knittle ,  Chris Cholas

IPC分类号： H04J3/16

CPC分类号： H04B10/272 ,  H04J14/0226 ,  H04J14/0238 ,  H04J14/0247 ,  H04J14/0252 ,  H04J14/0282

摘要： In optical telecommunications networks using passive optical networks (PON), an optical wavelength band called the enhancement band (1539 to 1565 nm) is typically used to carry broadcast video signals in either analog television or QAM Digital Video form. This enhancement band is used here to carry a unidirectional baseband Ethernet signal, such as Gigabit Ethernet, in the optical domain to all or a subset of subscriber premises to carry broadband services from, for instance, a video on demand distribution facility. This results in a network with all digital baseband signaling and simplifies the network architecture so as to be all Internet Protocol and/or all Ethernet compatible.

摘要翻译： 在使用无源光网络（PON）的光通信网络中，通常使用称为增强频带（1539至1565nm）的光波长带，以携带模拟电视或QAM数字视频形式的广播视频信号。 该增强频带在此用于将光域中的单向基带以太网信号（例如千兆以太网）传送到用户驻地的所有或一部分，以承载例如视频点播分发设施的宽带服务。 这导致具有所有数字基带信号的网络，并且简化了网络架构，以便是所有互联网协议和/或所有以太网兼容的。

公开(公告)号：US09866609B2

公开(公告)日：2018-01-09

申请号：US12480591

申请日：2009-06-08

申请人： George W. Sarosi ,  Chris Cholas

发明人： George W. Sarosi ,  Chris Cholas

IPC分类号： H04L29/06

CPC分类号： H04L65/605 ,  H04L65/4084

摘要： Apparatus and methods for transfer and management of protected content in a network. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises server and renderer devices including, for example, consumer premise equipment (CPE) having a content handler application adapted to run thereon. The content handler directs requests for content, directs searches of a device's storage, and directs transfers of content into the device as well as within the device. The content handler may, in another embodiment, be adapted to include a scheduler entity which maintains a schedule of upcoming content, and is adapted to maintain and manage requests for the upcoming content by reserving tuner resources. The content handler may be further adapted to implement authentication and authorization procedures.

公开(公告)号：US09614686B2

公开(公告)日：2017-04-04

申请号：US12611041

申请日：2009-11-02

申请人： Scott W. Ramsdell ,  Jeffrey P. Markley ,  Renee Storosh ,  Chris Cholas ,  Srinivas Guduru

发明人： Scott W. Ramsdell ,  Jeffrey P. Markley ,  Renee Storosh ,  Chris Cholas ,  Srinivas Guduru

IPC分类号： H04L12/14 ,  H04L12/28

CPC分类号： H04L12/14 ,  H04L12/1403 ,  H04L12/2801

摘要： Apparatus and methods for enabling protected premises networking capabilities. In one embodiment, the premises network is a Multimedia over Coaxial Alliance (MoCA) network, and is secured by a requirement that devices use a password or key to access the network. The password may be given only to authorized devices. Information regarding a device may be utilized to associate the device with a particular premises network, and provide a password to authorized devices. The password is unique to the premises in one variant by being derived from a subscriber account. At least one of the devices requesting access to the premises network may comprise a gateway device. A home network utilizing existing coaxial cable in the premises is created between a plurality of authorized devices each receiving the password.

公开(公告)号：US09342661B2

公开(公告)日：2016-05-17

申请号：US12716131

申请日：2010-03-02

申请人： Chris Cholas ,  Jeffrey P. Markley ,  Vipul Patel ,  Christopher Marsh

发明人： Chris Cholas ,  Jeffrey P. Markley ,  Vipul Patel ,  Christopher Marsh

IPC分类号： G06F21/00 ,  H04L29/06 ,  H04L9/32

CPC分类号： G06F21/10 ,  G06F21/00 ,  G06Q30/0633 ,  H04L9/32 ,  H04L63/08 ,  H04L63/102 ,  H04L63/20

摘要： Methods and apparatus for providing access to content across a plurality of devices and environments. In one embodiment, a downloadable rights profile is utilized in order for a user device to determine whether to provide content to a subscriber. The user device is first registered to content delivery the network; the device then requests a rights profile indicating the rights of the subscriber associated with the device to access content. The rights profile is transmitted to the device. The rights profile may be configured to be valid only for a pre-determined time, thus enabling a subscriber's rights to be updated (including revoked). Security mechanisms may also be utilized to ensure access to content is limited only to authorized subscribers. In another embodiment, a user-based authentication procedure is utilized, thereby making the rights determination and content provision process completely agnostic to the underlying hardware.

摘要翻译： 用于在多个设备和环境中提供对内容的访问的方法和装置。 在一个实施例中，使用可下载的权限简档来使用户设备确定是否向用户提供内容。 用户设备首先被注册到内容传送网络; 设备然后请求指示与设备相关联的用户的权限访问内容的权限简档。 权限配置文件被传送到设备。 权利简档可以被配置为仅对于预定时间有效，从而使订阅者的权限能够被更新（包括被撤销）。 还可以使用安全机制来确保对内容的访问仅限于授权订户。 在另一个实施例中，利用基于用户的认证过程，从而使权利确定和内容提供过程完全不符合底层硬件。

公开(公告)号：US08924999B1

公开(公告)日：2014-12-30

申请号：US13355235

申请日：2012-01-20

申请人： Bryan Santangelo ,  Chris Cholas ,  George Sarosi ,  Albert William Straub

发明人： Bryan Santangelo ,  Chris Cholas ,  George Sarosi ,  Albert William Straub

IPC分类号： H04N7/16

CPC分类号： H04N21/6582 ,  H04N21/25875 ,  H04N21/25891 ,  H04N21/2668

摘要： Methods and apparatus for providing individual customized content delivery features and services to service subscribers are described. Individual service subscribers are issued devices such an RFID chip or IR device such as a remote control capable of transmitting service subscriber identification signals and/or records. A set top box detects signals used to identify individual subscribers and determines a subscriber identifier corresponding to each of the identified subscriber(s) and/or receives service profile record and/or service preference information from the user device. Service and/or other customer records corresponding to detected service subscriber(s) are used to determine what services and/or features are to be provided, what program channels may be accesses, what recorded programs corresponding to a subscriber may be accessed and, in some embodiments, service preference information such as personal preferences/settings relating to program guide presentation.

摘要翻译： 描述了为服务用户提供单独的定制内容传送功能和服务的方法和装置。 个体服务用户被发布诸如能够发送服务用户识别信号和/或记录的遥控器的RFID芯片或IR设备。 机顶盒检测用于识别单个订户的信号，并确定与所识别的订户中的每一个相对应的订户标识和/或从用户设备接收服务简档记录和/或服务偏好信息。 使用与检测到的服务订户相对应的服务和/或其他客户记录来确定要提供哪些服务和/或特征，哪些节目频道可以被访问，可以访问对应于订户的记录节目，并且 一些实施例，诸如与节目指南呈现相关的个人偏好/设置的服务偏好信息。

公开(公告)号：US08300541B2

公开(公告)日：2012-10-30

申请号：US12070666

申请日：2008-02-19

申请人： Chris Cholas ,  Charles A. Hasek

发明人： Chris Cholas ,  Charles A. Hasek

IPC分类号： G01R31/08

CPC分类号： H04N21/2541 ,  H04L12/2801 ,  H04N21/23655 ,  H04N21/4307 ,  H04N21/4383 ,  H04N21/44209

摘要： Methods and apparatus for utilizing bitrate or other data associated with statistically multiplexed video (e.g., programs) or other content within a network to ensure quality of service (QoS) at a subscriber premises or local network. In one embodiment, the present invention provides improved multiplexing apparatus and methods that allow a consumer premises device to obtain QoS data and employ that data to enforce and maintain one or more QoS policies. In another embodiment of the present invention, an improved consumer premises device is provided which is adapted to receive a multiplexed program stream and subsequently demultiplex and time stamp the resulting single program streams. The time stamps are then utilized to generate QoS data which is utilized to enforce and maintain a QoS policy. Business methods associated with the various features described above are also disclosed.

摘要翻译： 用于利用与统计复用的视频（例如，节目）或网络内的其他内容相关联的比特率或其他数据的方法和装置，以确保用户驻地或本地网络处的服务质量（QoS）。 在一个实施例中，本发明提供改进的多路复用装置和方法，其允许消费者房屋设备获得QoS数据并且采用该数据来强制和维护一个或多个QoS策略。 在本发明的另一个实施例中，提供了改进的消费者住宅设备，其适于接收复用的节目流，并且随后解复用并对所得到的单个节目流进行时间戳。 然后利用时间戳来生成用于强制和维护QoS策略的QoS数据。 还公开了与上述各种特征相关联的业务方法。

公开(公告)号：US07954131B2

公开(公告)日：2011-05-31

申请号：US11818236

申请日：2007-06-13

申请人： Chris Cholas ,  William L. Helms ,  Louis D. Williamson ,  Jeffrey P. Markley

发明人： Chris Cholas ,  William L. Helms ,  Louis D. Williamson ,  Jeffrey P. Markley

IPC分类号： H04N7/10 ,  H04N7/173

CPC分类号： H04N21/43615 ,  H04L12/2856 ,  H04L61/2007 ,  H04L61/6022 ,  H04L69/325 ,  H04L69/326 ,  H04N21/4147 ,  H04N21/42676 ,  H04N21/438 ,  H04N21/4433 ,  H04N21/4627 ,  H04N21/6118 ,  H04N21/6168 ,  H04N21/64322 ,  H04W84/12

摘要： Apparatus and methods for premises gateway functions that integrate or unify functions typically distributed across multiple devices within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the out-of-band (OOB) signaling functionality normally provided in each of a set-top-box (STB) and digital video recorder (DVR) are unified into a common OOB (e.g., DOCSIS) capable premises gateway device, thereby obviating OOB tuners and related components from each device. In another variant, the premises gateway is adapted for all-IP operation, such as for use with IP-based computers and IP set-top boxes, etc. Fully unified variants are also disclosed, wherein the DVR and/or STB functions are physically integrated within the premises gateway.

摘要翻译： 用于整合或统一通常分布在基于内容的网络内的多个设备上的功能的房屋网关功能的装置和方法。 在一个实施例中，通常在机顶盒（STB）和数字视频记录器（DVR）中的每一个中提供的带外（OOB）信令功能被统一为具有能力的公共OOB（例如，DOCSIS）的房屋网关 设备，从而避免每个设备的OOB调谐器和相关组件。 在另一个变型中，房屋网关适用于全IP操作，例如用于基于IP的计算机和IP机顶盒等。还公开了完全统一的变体，其中DVR和/或STB功能是物理上的 集成在房屋网关内。

公开(公告)号：US20110116419A1

公开(公告)日：2011-05-19

申请号：US12620134

申请日：2009-11-17

申请人： Chris Cholas ,  John Carlucci ,  Jeffrey P. Markley

发明人： Chris Cholas ,  John Carlucci ,  Jeffrey P. Markley

IPC分类号： H04L12/16 ,  H04L12/66

CPC分类号： H04L65/105 ,  H04L12/2801 ,  H04L65/1006 ,  H04L65/1016 ,  H04L65/1036 ,  H04L65/1063 ,  H04L65/4061 ,  H04M3/533 ,  H04M7/1215 ,  H04N21/2381 ,  H04N21/43615 ,  H04N21/4788 ,  H04N21/6118 ,  H04N21/6168 ,  H04N21/64322

摘要： At least one voice server uses a voice protocol requiring both a server component and a client component. At least one client device lacks the client component. The at least one client device is located in a premises remote from the voice server. A translator device is located in the premises, and a video content network, configured for communication in accordance with the voice protocol, interconnects the voice server and the translator device. A premises network interconnects the translator device and the at least one client device. The premises network is configured in accordance with a premises network protocol. The translator is provided with the client component of the voice protocol and is configured to translate between the voice protocol and the premises network protocol. In some instances, the voice server is a voice mail server and the voice protocol is a voice mail protocol. In other cases, the voice server is a session initiation protocol (SIP) server and the voice protocol is SIP.

摘要翻译： 至少一个语音服务器使用需要服务器组件和客户端组件的语音协议。 至少一个客户端设备缺少客户端组件。 至少一个客户端设备位于远离语音服务器的房屋中。 翻译设备位于房屋内，并且配置为根据语音协议的通信的视频内容网络将语音服务器和翻译器设备互连。 房屋网络将翻译器设备和至少一个客户端设备互连。 房屋网络根据房屋网络协议进行配置。 翻译器被提供有语音协议的客户端组件，并且被配置为在语音协议和房屋网络协议之间进行转换。 在某些情况下，语音服务器是语音邮件服务器，语音协议是语音邮件协议。 在其他情况下，语音服务器是会话发起协议（SIP）服务器，语音协议是SIP。