Premises gateway apparatus and methods for use in a content-based network
US8438607B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 27, 2011 |
| Grant date | May 7, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 19, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W84/12
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.