Apparatus and methods for providing content to an IP-enabled device in a content distribution network

US9992520B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC · US

Inventors

• Louis D. Williamson · Denver, US
• William L. Helms · Longmont, US
• Howard Pfeffer · Reston, US
• Noah Paci · Westminster, US
• Tushar Nakhre · Herndon, US
• Andrew Danforth · Chantilly, US
• Charles Hasek · Broomfield, US
• Shan Huang · Shanghai, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 30, 2015
• Grant date: Jun 5, 2018
• Expiry date: Nov 30, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04L2209/603
• WIPO field: Audio-visual technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for providing content to IP-enabled devices in a content distribution network. In one embodiment, a network architecture is disclosed which enables delivery of content to such IP-enabled devices without the use of a high-speed data connection This capability allow the managed network operator to provide content services to an IP-enabled device associated with a non-data subscriber. In one implementation, requests for content from user IP-enabled devices are received, authenticated, and content processed into a series of encrypted segments. Once the requesting user/device is authenticated, the segments are provided with a playlist. The rendering device is also provided access to a decryption key (e.g., via a URL to a managed key server). Variants providing (i) user access to the MSO distribution network via an indigenous modem or gateway; and (ii) user access to the MSO core via a gateway and a third party unmanaged network are described.