Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC

Time Warner Cable Inc.

T-mobile Usa, Inc.

Chris Cholas

Jeffrey Paul Markley

William Lynn Helms

George W Sarosi

Louis Dew Williamson

Vipul B Patel

David Bell

Wilfred Jaime Miles

Charles A Hasek

Kenneth Gould

Howard Pfeffer

John B Carlucci

Glen Hardin

Peter Stern

Michael L LaJoie

Roger Graham Stafford

Christopher Marsh

Jason Gaedtke

Vedavati Hegde

Scott William Ramsdell

Eric D Hybertson

Matthew Osminer

Sherisse Hawkins

Jeffery P Markley

Jeffrey Binder

Jay Thomas

Charles A Hasek, Iv

Eduardo Cardona

David M Fellows

Michael B Detty

Wilfrid Aissi

Joel C Tyus

Bryan Santangelo

Albert Straub

Srinivas Guduru

John Carlucci

Wilfrid Alssi

Stacey Stockburger

Eliza Kelly

Wilfird Aissi

Renee Storosh

Jeffrey P Markley

Apparatus and methods to manage recording of streaming packetized content (such as for example live IP packetized content) for access, retrieval and delivering thereof to one or more users. In one embodiment, the foregoing is accomplished via communication between a recording manager and a receiver/decoder device. The recording manager manages and schedules recording of content on behalf of the receiver/decoder device (and/or mobile devices) disposed at a user's premises. The recording manager runs one or more computer programs designed to receive requests to record packetized content from one or more consumer devices, and use metadata contained within the requests to cause a cloud storage entity or premises storage device to record the content at its scheduled date/time (either via the receiver/decoder device itself, or another network entity). In this manner, the recording manager provides digital video recording (DVR) functionality to devices that would be otherwise incapable of scheduling a recording and/or recording such content.

Apparatus and methods for storing, accessing, and delivering data

Apparatus and methods for recording, accessing, and delivering packetized content

A content access device uses local audio translation for content presentation. The content access device receives video and first audio data associated with a first language. The content access device uses translation software and/or other automated translation services to translate the first audio data to second audio data associated with a second language. The content access device synchronizes the video with the second audio data and outputs the video and the second audio data for presentation. The first audio data may be audio, text, and so on. The second audio data may be output as audio, text, and so on.

Content access devices that use local audio translation for content presentation

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.

Gateway apparatus and methods for use in a content distribution network

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.

Apparatus and methods for rights-managed data delivery

Methods and apparatus for delivery of packetized content (e.g., video, audio, data, etc.) over a content delivery network. In one embodiment, the content is packetized using an Internet Protocol (IP), and delivered by a service provider over both managed and unmanaged networks to subscribers of the provider, so as to provide delivery at any time, at any location, and via any designated user device. The delivered content may originate from the service provider, third-party content sources (e.g., networks or studios), the subscriber(s) themselves, or other sources including the Internet. Use of a common control and service functions within the network afford the ability to integrate or blend services together, thereby affording the service provider and subscriber new service and economic opportunities. Content delivery sessions may also be migrated from one device to another. A network-based user interface infrastructure, and gateway-based client-side architecture, are also disclosed.

Methods and apparatus for packetized content delivery over a content delivery network

A system for location verification and enforcement receives an authorization request to access content from a content access device. The authorization request includes and/or is associated with location information obtained from a gateway device via a local area network and determined using multiple communication networks. The location information is compared to a record indicating that the content access device and the gateway device were both present at a location. When the location information matches the record, an authorization is transmitted to the content access device. The content access device may be operative to access the content upon receiving the authorization.

Location verification and enforcement for content access devices

Apparatus and methods for enabling protected premises networking capabilities. In one embodiment, a white list of devices authorized to access a premises network and a black list of device not authorized to access a premises network are utilized. The black and white lists may be stored at a database in communication with an authorization manager or may be stored at the manager itself. When a client device is connected to a premise, the manager determines, based on the premises and/or device identity, whether the device is entitled to access. The authorization manager makes this determination based on whether the device is on the white or black list. If the device is on neither list, the manager may add the device to the white list upon appropriate verification. The manager may also facilitate removal of a device from the white list to the black list upon request or automatically.

Apparatus and methods for device authorization in a premises network

Apparatus and methods for downloading selected multimedia content and applications. In one embodiment, the apparatus and methods enable various options or functionalities for programming content over a home network. A web-based user interface on a consumer device controls a set-top box (STB) over a local home network is utilized. An initial process connects the consumer device to an application server for the necessary web software. After discovery of both the consumer device and the STB on the local home network, an initial page of the application is loaded and the application calls the web services on the STB via the home network to retrieve data and control the STB with a compatible web browser on the consumer device.

Method and system for device discovery and content management on a network

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.

Methods and apparatus for premises content distribution

A DVR controller in network communication with a digital video recorder receives an instruction from a user directing the digital video recorder to perform a function among a set of available functions. The set of available functions comprises a record function operative to cause the digital video recorder to record content and store that content on the digital video recorder, and a playback function operative to cause the digital video recorder to play back content stored on the digital video recorder. Subsequently, at least in part in response to the instructions from the user, the DVR controller issues a command to the digital video recorder to perform the function. The digital video recorder is operative to present content on a presentation device controlled by the user. The DVR controller, in turn, is remotely disposed from the digital video recorder in a facility of a content provider.

Apparatus and methods for controlling digital video recorders

Apparatus and methods for enabling location identification and related services in a premises. In one embodiment, location identification services are provided via a gateway device using data extracted from a wireless signal. The data is used to estimate a location of a device (based on comparison to previously gathered and/or reference data). In another embodiment, infrared (IR) or other short range wireless signals are broadcast from the client devices to a set-top-box (STB), and the STB or gateway correlates the signals to a location within the premises. A profiling process is used to establish specific locations within a premises, and associate location-specific services therewith. The location-based services include for example (i) loading particular applications and/or content when the user enters a particular location, (ii) providing information and/or advertisement opportunities when the user is near a particular public or business location, and (iii) content delivery optimization among multiple user devices.

Apparatus and methods for enabling location-based services within a premises

Growing community of inventors

Frederick, CO, United States of America

Chris Cholas