System and method for distributed storage and presentation of multimedia in a cable network environment
US7080400B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 6, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 18, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/632
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for distributing multimedia content (such as video, games, music, pictures), where the multimedia content is stored in a plurality of set-top boxes that are connected to a cable network. A controller unit located at a central cable station manages the multimedia content. The multimedia content stored in the set-top boxes is made available to any set-top box on request to the controller in the central cable station. The controller unit also interfaces with a plurality of multimedia owners, many situated on the Internet, to source the multimedia content and to source service properties associated with the multimedia content. The controller unit informs the content owners and appropriate billing systems when a multimedia content has been delivered to a remote set-top box and has been consumed by an end user. The end user accesses the multimedia content through a television, a personal computer, or other multimedia appliance.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.