U.S. patent application number 12/982166 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-08 for method and system for managing bandwidth by a broadband gateway.
Invention is credited to Xuemin (Sherman) Chen, Wael William Diab, David Garrett, Jeyhan Karaoguz, David Lundgren, Rich Prodan.
Application Number | 20110299544 12/982166 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45064389 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110299544 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lundgren; David ; et
al. |
December 8, 2011 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING BANDWIDTH BY A BROADBAND GATEWAY
Abstract
Aspects of a method and system for managing bandwidth by a
broadband gateway are provided. In this regard, broadband gateway
may, upon receiving a request for content from a user of the
communication device, present, via a graphical user interface, a
message that offers a benefit to the user in exchange for deferring
consumption of the content until a later time. The gateway may then
deliver the content to the communication device at a time
determined by a response to the message received from the
communication device. The message may provide several times at
which the content may be delivered and a corresponding benefit
available for each of the times. The times may correspond to times
at which it is expected there will be less traffic in the network
over which the content is to be delivered.
Inventors: |
Lundgren; David; (Mill
Valley, CA) ; Karaoguz; Jeyhan; (Irvine, CA) ;
Chen; Xuemin (Sherman); (San Diego, CA) ; Diab; Wael
William; (San Francisco, CA) ; Garrett; David;
(Tustin, CA) ; Prodan; Rich; (Niwot, CO) |
Family ID: |
45064389 |
Appl. No.: |
12/982166 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61351696 |
Jun 4, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/401 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 41/0816 20130101;
H04L 41/5019 20130101; H04L 2012/2849 20130101; Y04S 40/20
20130101; H04L 12/66 20130101; H04L 67/2842 20130101; H04N 21/482
20130101; H04L 12/6402 20130101; H04L 29/06095 20130101; H04N
21/6543 20130101; G05F 1/66 20130101; H04L 63/20 20130101; H04L
65/102 20130101; H04L 67/1095 20130101; G06Q 20/10 20130101; H04L
47/2491 20130101; H04L 65/1023 20130101; H04L 65/1033 20130101;
H04N 21/632 20130101; H04L 67/104 20130101; H04L 65/1036 20130101;
H04N 21/454 20130101; G05B 13/02 20130101; H04L 63/205 20130101;
H04N 21/6373 20130101; H04L 67/10 20130101; H04L 45/302 20130101;
H04L 63/10 20130101; H04L 65/103 20130101; H04L 69/16 20130101;
H04W 52/265 20130101; G06Q 30/0226 20130101; H04L 41/32 20130101;
H04L 63/0281 20130101; G06F 21/10 20130101; H04L 65/4084 20130101;
H04L 12/2838 20130101; H04N 21/6371 20130101; G06Q 30/04 20130101;
H04N 5/445 20130101; H04L 63/02 20130101; H04L 12/1453 20130101;
H04L 67/1078 20130101; G06F 2221/07 20130101; H04L 67/12 20130101;
Y02D 30/70 20200801; H04L 67/16 20130101; H04W 12/086 20210101;
H04L 47/805 20130101; H04N 21/258 20130101; H04N 21/47202 20130101;
H04L 65/40 20130101; H04N 21/43615 20130101; G06Q 40/12 20131203;
G06F 21/6245 20130101; G06Q 30/0215 20130101; H04L 12/2801
20130101; Y02D 30/00 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/401 |
International
Class: |
H04L 12/56 20060101
H04L012/56 |
Claims
1. A method for networking, the method comprising: in a broadband
gateway that enables communication with a plurality of
communication devices, wherein said broadband gateway is operable
to handle at least one physical layer connection to at least one
corresponding network access service provider: upon receiving a
request for content from a user of one of said communication
devices, presenting a message that offers a benefit to said user in
exchange for deferring consumption of said content until a later
time; and delivering said content to said one of said one or more
communication devices at a time determined by a response to said
message received from said one of said one or more communication
devices.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one
physical layer connection comprises a plurality of physical layer
connections and said at least one corresponding network access
service provider comprises a plurality of corresponding access
service providers, and wherein each of said plurality of physical
layer connections corresponds to a respective one of said plurality
of corresponding access service providers.
3. The method of claim 1, comprising presenting said message after
determining current and/or historical usage of a network over which
said content is to be delivered.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein said message provides several
times at which said content may be delivered and a corresponding
benefit available for each of said times.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein said times correspond to times at
which it is expected there will be less traffic in said network
over which said content is to be delivered.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said benefit comprises a credit
to a subscriber account associated with said broadband gateway.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein said credit is redeemable for
free or discounted services and/or content.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein said credit is redeemable for
access to other content before said other content is available via
other broadband gateways.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein said benefit is a monetary amount
added to a subscriber account associated with said broadband
gateway.
10. The method of claim 1, comprising, in instances that delivery
of said content is deferred, downloading said content to local
storage at a time or times that historically correspond to periods
of relatively light traffic in a network via which said content is
to be downloaded.
11. A system for networking, the system comprising: one or more
circuits for use in a broadband gateway that enables communication
with a plurality of communication devices, said one or more
circuits being operable to: handle at least one physical layer
connection to at least one corresponding network access service
provider; and upon receiving a request for content from a user of
one of said communication devices, present a message that offers a
benefit to said user in exchange for deferring consumption of said
content until a later time; and deliver said content to said one of
said one or more communication devices at a time determined by a
response to said message received from said one of said one or more
communication devices.
12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said at least one
physical layer connection comprises a plurality of physical layer
connections and said at least one corresponding network access
service provider comprises a plurality of corresponding access
service providers, and wherein each of said plurality of physical
layer connections corresponds to a respective one of said plurality
of corresponding access service providers.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits are
operable to present said message after determining current and/or
historical usage of a network over which said content is to be
delivered.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein said message provides several
times at which said content may be delivered and a corresponding
benefit available for each of said times.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein said times correspond to times
at which it is expected there will be less traffic in said network
over which said content is to be delivered.
16. The system of claim 11, wherein said benefit comprises a credit
to a subscriber account associated with said broadband gateway.
17. The system of claim 6, wherein said credit is redeemable for
free or discounted services and/or content.
18. The system of claim 16, wherein said credit is redeemable for
access to other content before said other content is available via
other broadband gateways.
19. The system of claim 11, wherein said benefit is a monetary
amount added to a subscriber account associated with said broadband
gateway.
20. The system of claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits are
operable to, in instances that delivery of said content is
deferred, download said content to local storage at a time or times
that historically correspond to periods of relatively light traffic
in a network via which said content is to be downloaded.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This patent application makes reference to, claims priority
to and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 61/351,696 filed on Jun. 4, 2010.
[0002] The above stated application is hereby incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0003] This application also makes reference to [0004] U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23397US02) filed
on even date herewith; [0005] U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______ (Attorney Docket No. 23398US02) filed on even date herewith;
[0006] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.
23399US02) filed on even date herewith; [0007] U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23400US02) filed
on even date herewith; [0008] U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______ (Attorney Docket No. 23401US02) filed on even date herewith;
[0009] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.
23402US02) filed on even date herewith; [0010] U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23403US02) filed
on even date herewith; [0011] U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______ (Attorney Docket No. 23404US02) filed on even date herewith;
[0012] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.
23405US02) filed on even date herewith; [0013] U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23406US02) filed
on even date herewith; [0014] U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______ (Attorney Docket No. 23407US02) filed on even date herewith;
[0015] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.
23408US02) filed on even date herewith; [0016] U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23409US02) filed
on even date herewith; [0017] U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______ (Attorney Docket No. 23410US02) filed on even date herewith;
[0018] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.
23411US02) filed on even date herewith; [0019] U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23412US02) filed
on even date herewith; [0020] U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______ (Attorney Docket No. 23413US02) filed on even date herewith;
[0021] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.
23414US02) filed on even date herewith; [0022] U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23415US02) filed
on even date herewith; [0023] U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______ (Attorney Docket No. 23416US02) filed on even date herewith;
[0024] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.
23417US02) filed on even date herewith; [0025] U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23418US02) filed
on even date herewith; [0026] U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______ (Attorney Docket No. 23419US02) filed on even date herewith;
[0027] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.
23420US02) filed on even date herewith; [0028] U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23421US02) filed
on even date herewith; [0029] U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______ (Attorney Docket No. 23422US02) filed on even date herewith;
[0030] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.
23423US02) filed on even date herewith; [0031] U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23424US02) filed
on even date herewith; [0032] U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______ (Attorney Docket No. 23425US02) filed on even date herewith;
[0033] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.
23426US02) filed on even date herewith; [0034] U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23427US02) filed
on even date herewith; [0035] U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______ (Attorney Docket No. 23428US02) filed on even date herewith;
[0036] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.
23429US02) filed on even date herewith; [0037] U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23430US02) filed
on even date herewith; [0038] U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______ (Attorney Docket No. 23431US02) filed on even date herewith;
[0039] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.
23432US02) filed on even date herewith; [0040] U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23433US02) filed
on even date herewith; [0041] U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______ (Attorney Docket No. 23434US02) filed on even date herewith;
[0042] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.
23435US02) filed on even date herewith;
[0043] Each of the above stated applications is hereby incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0044] Certain embodiments of the invention relate to a broadband
gateway. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention
relate to a method and system for managing bandwidth by a broadband
gateway.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0045] With the continuous growth of digital television or
broadcast multimedia, and/or broadband access, which may be used in
conjunction with online businesses, social networks, and/or other
online services and applications, users may desire having access to
a larger number of providers and/or a broader range of content in a
manner that is flexible and/or suits the users' lifestyles. Most
users connect to the Internet using web browsers running on
personal computers (PCs). Furthermore, most households may have one
or more televisions that may be used to view television and/or
multimedia broadcasts. Television broadcasts may include
terrestrial TV, Cable-Television (CATV), satellite TV and/or
Internet Protocol television (IPTV) based broadcasts. To ensure
against unauthorized reception and/or use of TV and/or multimedia
broadcast, service providers may require use of dedicated set-top
boxes (STBs) that may be used to encrypt broadcast signals
communicated from the service providers to generate suitable video
and/or audio streams that may be played via televisions and/or
other display/playback devices in the household. Furthermore, STBs
and/or TVs may support Internet access. Thus, rather than using a
computer to access the Internet, a user may find it more convenient
to use the flat screen televisions and/or monitors in homes for the
same purpose. To do so, for example, an STB connected to a flat
screen television may be provided with web browsing software and
protocols, and Internet connectivity, which may enable the user to
easily access the Internet or check their electronic mail (email),
for example, from a convenient and comfortable location such as
their living room.
[0046] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and
traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the
art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the
present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present
application with reference to the drawings.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0047] A system and/or method is provided for managing bandwidth by
a broadband gateway, substantially as illustrated by and/or
described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set
forth more completely in the claims.
[0048] These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of
the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated
embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the
following description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0049] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
communication system that comprises a home network serviced by a
broadband gateway, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
[0050] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
broadband gateway, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
[0051] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary message via
which a gateway may offer a user a benefit in exchange for
deferring consumption of content, in accordance with an embodiment
of the invention.
[0052] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for
managing a load on a network by incentivizing deferral of content
consumption, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0053] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for
managing a load on a network by incentivizing deferral of content
consumption, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0054] Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a
method and system for managing bandwidth by a broadband gateway. In
various embodiments of the invention, a broadband gateway may
enables communication with a plurality of communication devices,
and be operable to handle at least one physical layer connection to
at least one corresponding network access service provider. The
gateway may, upon receiving a request for content from a user of
the communication device, present, via a graphical user interface,
a message that offers a benefit to the user in exchange for
deferring consumption of the content until a later time. The
gateway may then deliver the content to the communication device at
a time determined by a response to the message received from the
communication device. The broadband gateway may be operable to
handle a plurality of physical layer connections to a corresponding
plurality of network access service providers. The message may be
presented after determining current and/or historical usage of a
network over which the content is to be delivered. The message may
provide several times at which the content may be delivered and a
corresponding benefit available for each of the times. The times
may correspond to times at which it is expected there will be less
traffic in the network over which the content is to be delivered.
The benefit may comprise a credit to a subscriber account
associated with the broadband gateway. The credit may be redeemable
for free or discounted services and/or content. The credit may be
redeemable for access to other content before the other content is
available via other broadband gateways. The benefit may be a
monetary amount added to a subscriber account associated with the
broadband gateway. In instances that delivery of the content is
deferred, the content may be downloaded to local storage at a time
or times that may actually or historically correspond to periods of
relatively light traffic in a network via which the content is to
be downloaded.
[0055] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
communication system that comprises a home network serviced by a
broadband gateway, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a home network 100a,
a plurality of distribution networks 110, a plurality of service
providers 120, and a plurality of content providers 130. The home
network 100A may be serviced by a broadband gateway 102. Also shown
in FIG. 1 are additional home networks 100b, . . . , 100n, and an
emergency services provider network 140. Each of the home networks
100b, . . . , 100n may also be serviced by a broadband gateway
102.
[0056] The service providers 120 may comprise various entities
which may provide various services to the devices 104 via the
gateway 102 and/or to the gateway 102 itself. Some of the service
providers 120 may comprise network access service providers which
provide physical layer connections to the gateway 102. Such
physical layer connections may then be utilized to access, and/or
may be part of, one or more of the distribution networks 110. In
this regard, "network access service provider" as utilized herein,
is distinguished from the more generic term "service provider"
which may encompass services other than providing physical layer
access to a network. Cable television providers, plain old
telephone service (POTS) providers, digital subscriber line (DSL)
providers, cellular providers, WiMAX providers, and satellite
providers are examples of network access service providers.
[0057] The content providers 130 may generate, capture, and/or
package content, such as multimedia content, that may be
distributed to end-users. The content may comprise, for example,
audio, video, e-book, gaming, and/or other content. The content may
be, for example, downloadable and/or streaming, rented and/or
purchased. In some instances, a content provider and a service
provider may be separate. In some instances, a single provider may
provide both content and services. For example, an entity that
functions as a network access service provider may also provide
content and/or services other than network access and, thus, that
entity may also be accurately referred to as a "content provider"
and/or a "service provider." Content and/or services that are
provided by a content provider 130 and/or a service provider 120
may be provided to the gateway 102 via a physical connection
provided by a network access service provider 120.
[0058] The plurality of distribution networks 110 may comprise one
or more networks that may be operable to enable wireless, optical,
and/or wired communication among a plurality of entities based on
one or more networking and/or communication infrastructures. In
this regard, the plurality of distribution networks 110 may be
utilized to enable distributing multimedia content generated by the
content providers 130, directly and/or via the service providers
120, to end-users. The network connectivity available via the
plurality of distribution networks 110 may be based on one or more
communication standards and/or protocols. The plurality of
distribution networks 110 may comprise, for example, the Internet
110a, a CATV network 110b, a satellite television (TV) network
110c, a wireless local area network/wide area network (LAN/WAN)
110d, and/or a cellular network 110e.
[0059] The Internet 110a may comprise a system of interconnected
networks to enable exchange of data between a plurality of nodes,
based on one or more networking standards, including, for example,
the Internet Protocol (IP). For example, the Internet 110a may
enable connectivity among a plurality of private and public,
academic, business, and/or government nodes and/or networks. The
physical connectivity may be provided in the Internet 110a via, for
example, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), copper
wires, fiber-optic cables, wireless interfaces, and/or other
protocols and/or standards-based interfaces. The transport
functionality may be performed in the Internet 110a based on, for
example, one or more protocols, such as the Transmission Control
Protocol/IP (TCP/IP), for example. The CATV network 110b may
comprise suitable distribution nodes, systems, and/or subnetworks
that may enable forwarding of communication between CATV providers
and a plurality of cable-TV consumers. For example, the CATV
network 110b may comprise a network of fiber optics and/or coaxial
cables for use in CATV broadcasts. The satellite TV network 110c
may comprise suitable distribution nodes, systems, and/or
subnetworks that may enable communication of satellite TV broadcast
by satellite TV providers to a plurality of consumers. For example,
the satellite network 110c may comprise a plurality of orbiting
satellite nodes and/or one or more terrestrial centers in a
satellite-TV system.
[0060] The LAN/WAN network 110d may comprise suitable logic,
circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to enable
implementation of one or more wired and/or wireless LAN or WAN
standards and/or protocols. Exemplary WAN technologies comprise,
for example, WiMAX-based networks. Exemplary LAN technologies may
comprise, for example, those based on IEEE 802.11 standards,
including, for example, WiFi-based networks. The cellular network
110e may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code
that may be operable to enable communication via one or more
cellular technologies. Exemplary cellular technologies may comprise
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA),
CDMA1000, High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), Global System
for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Services
(GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE), and/or
Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). The cellular
network 110e may comprise, for example, a plurality of control
and/or switching nodes, and a plurality of base stations that
enable transmission and/or reception of cellular based
communications between the cellular network 110e and cellular
capable devices.
[0061] The home network 100a may correspond to a location that may
comprise a plurality of devices 104 which may be serviced and/or
managed by the broadband gateway 102. In this regard, the location
may be a residence (e.g., home, apartment), a small business, a
school, a library, and/or other like settings in which users may
want to obtain access to service and/or to content provider
networks. The broadband gateway 102 may be utilized in the home
network 100a to provide connectivity between the home network 100a
and the service providers 120 (and/or the content providers 130)
via the distribution networks 110.
[0062] The broadband gateway 102 may comprise suitable logic,
circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to provide
connectivity between one or more devices in a home network, such as
the home network 100a, and a plurality of external networks. For
example, the broadband gateway 102 may handle a plurality of
broadband physical layer connections 108 to the distribution
networks 110. The broadband physical layer connections 108 may
comprise wired, optical, and/or wireless connections between the
broadband gateway 102 and the distribution networks 110. The
broadband gateway 102 may operate as an interface device that may
allow one or more service and/or content providers to interact with
various devices in the home network. In this regard, the broadband
gateway 102 may be operable to perform and/or provide various
services that may pertain to enabling and/or facilitating reception
of content from one or more content providers, wherein the content
may be delivered through one or more services providers. For
example, the broadband gateway 102 may be operable to perform such
operations as network access related processing (e.g., PHY/MAC,
transport layer processing), encryption and/or decryption, user
and/or account authentication, and/or at least some of video and/or
audio processing operations that may be needed for consumption of
multimedia content. The broadband gateway 102 may communicate with
various devices in the home network 100, using wired and/or
wireless communication links.
[0063] A single gateway 102 may be operable to handle multiple
physical layer (i.e., layer 1 of the open-systems interconnection
model (OSI)) connections 108 to multiple ones, or portions, of the
distribution networks 110, where different ones or portions of the
distribution network(s) 110 are owned, operated, leased, or
otherwise associated with different network access service
providers 120. For example, a first network access service provider
120 may provide network access to the gateway 102 via a DSL
connection over twisted-pair cabling, and a second network access
service provider 120 may provide network access to the gateway 102
via a cable television connection over coaxial cabling. In some
instances, the gateway 102 may be operable to concurrently
communicate over multiple physical layer connections 108 provided
by multiple network access service providers 120.
[0064] The broadband gateway 102 may also be operable to provide
and/or support various other, non-content related services in the
home network 100. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may be
operable to provide energy management in the home network 100a, by
controlling and/or adjusting configuration of one or more devices
in the home network to reduce power consumption for example.
[0065] Devices serviced by, and/or connected with the broadband
gateway 102 may comprise content consuming devices and/or other,
non-content consuming household or home devices that may be
operable to interact with the broadband gateway 102. For example,
the broadband gateway 102 may service, and/or may communicate with
a plurality of home devices 104a-104j in the home network 100a. The
devices 104a-104j may each be referred to as a communication device
or an electronic device. The home devices may comprise, for
example, one or more of a television 104a, a laptop computer 104b,
a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector, and/or a security
alarm 104c, a computer and/or server 104d, a mobile phone 104e, a
speaker 104f, an AM/FM radio 104g, a phone 104h, an appliance 104i
(e.g., refrigerator), and a digital video recorder (DVR) or
personal video recorder (PVR) 104j. The broadband gateway 102 may
interact with each of the home devices 104a-104j via links
106a-106j, which may be supported by the broadband gateway 102 and
the corresponding home device. For example, the link 106a between
the broadband gateway 102 and the television 104a may comprise a
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable. The link 106b
may comprise, for example, a wired Ethernet link, a wireless
Ethernet link, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) link, or an IEEE 1394
link. The link 106c may comprise, for example, a two-wire link or a
wireless link. The link 106d may comprise, for example, a wired
Ethernet link, a wireless Ethernet link, a USB link, or an IEEE
1394 link. The link 106e may comprise, for example, a wireless
Ethernet link, a USB link, or a cellular link. The link 106f may
comprise speaker wire and/or a wireless link. The link 106g may
comprise, for example, AM and/or FM radio transmissions broadcast
received using the broadband gateway 102. The link 106h may
comprise, for example, a phone line. The link 106i may comprise,
for example, a wired or wireless Ethernet link. The link 106j may
comprise, for example, a wired or a wireless link.
[0066] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of home networks 100b,
. . . , 100n, may also be connected to the distribution networks
110. These home networks 100b, . . . , 100n may operate in
substantially the same manner as the home network 100a. By having
multiple home networks connected to the distribution networks 110,
various applications, such as peer-to-peer communication and/or
data aggregation operations may be possible by utilizing the
broadband gateways 102 in the home networks.
[0067] In operation, a user of one or more of the devices 104,
e.g., a television viewer, may request content via the broadband
gateway 102. For example, the user may select a television program
by browsing an electronic programming guide (EPG) displayed on the
television 104a by the gateway 102. Selection of the television
program may, in effect, request that a content provider 130
associated with the television program deliver the television
program to the gateway 102 via one or more of the networks 110.
[0068] Upon the user requesting the television program, the gateway
102 may, prior to requesting the content from the associated
content provider 130, determine the load on the one or more
networks 110 via which the television program is to be delivered.
The load on the network(s) 110 may be determined based on past
network statistics and/or current network activity. The network
statistics may be collected by the gateway 102 and/or may be
collected by one or more service providers 120 and/or content
providers 130 and may be communicated to the gateway 102
occasionally, periodically, and/or upon request. Current network
activity may be determined by, for example, sending test packets
into the network and/or querying various entities in the
network.
[0069] In instances that the network over which the television
program is to be delivered is currently congested or experiencing a
relatively high volume of traffic, and/or instances that the high
volumes of traffic are expected at some point during the television
program, the gateway 102 may offer the user a benefit in exchange
for deferring viewing of the television program until later. In
this regard, it may be advantageous to the service and/or content
providers to defer transmission of the content so as not to further
add to the already high load on the network at that time. This may,
for example, reduce costs of operation and/or enable ensuring
adequate quality of service to customers. For example, a pop-up
window, as is described with respect to FIG. 3, may be displayed
and the viewer may have the option of viewing the television
program at its regularly scheduled time, or agreeing to view the
television later when the network is less congested and/or at a
time which would otherwise be more advantageous for the content
and/or service provider(s). Additionally or alternatively,
configured user preferences, configured device preferences, and/or
default settings may determine whether to accept the benefit in
exchange for deferring consumption without having to request
approval from the user. In this manner, the load on the network may
be managed so that a load on the network may be more evenly
distributed, thus reducing peak loads on the network and,
therefore, costs associated with owning and operating the
network.
[0070] Examples of benefits which may be offered to a user
comprise, monetary credits to a subscriber account associated with
the broadband gateway 102, and credits added to a subscriber
account associated with the broadband gateway. Such credits may,
for example, be redeemable for free and/or discounted content
and/or services. Such credits may, for example, be redeemable to
give the broadband gateway 102 priority access to other content.
Priority access may comprise being allowed to view or consume
certain content before other users and/or subscribers are allowed
to view or consume that certain content. That is, the credits may
be redeemable to give broadband gateway 102 access to particular
content before the particular content is available to other
broadband gateways.
[0071] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
broadband gateway, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the broadband gateway 102 may
comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that
may be operable to provide connectivity between one or more
networks, such as the distribution networks 110 shown in FIG. 1,
for example, and one or more devices in a home network, such as the
home devices 104a-104j in the home network 100a shown in FIG. 1. In
this regard, the broadband gateway 102 may operate as an interface
device that allows one or more devices in the home network to
access one or more networks, and to access various services and/or
content via those one or more networks. For example, the broadband
gateway 102 may be utilized to enable interaction between the
plurality of service providers 120 and/or the plurality of content
providers 130, and the home devices 104a-104j.
[0072] The broadband gateway 102 may communicate with the various
devices via a home network that may comprise wired, optical, and/or
wireless communication links, such as the home network 100a. In
this regard, the broadband gateway 102 may comprise suitable
hardware and/or software to provide some or all of the functions
and/or operations of one or more of a modem, a router, and a
switch. The modem functions and/or operations may be those of a
digital subscribed line (DSL) modem, a cable modem, and/or a
wireless cable modem, for example. The router functions and/or
operations may be those of a wireless router, for example. The
switch functions and/or operations may be those of a network
switch, or a local area network (LAN) switch, for example. In some
instances, the broadband gateway 102 may communicate with the
various devices in the home via more than one home network.
[0073] The broadband gateway 102 may comprise one or more modules.
Each of these modules may comprise hardware, software, or a
combination thereof that may be utilized to perform various
operations associated with the broadband gateway 102. In an
embodiment of the invention, the broadband gateway 102 may comprise
a provider interface module 202, a processor module 204, a memory
module 206, and a client network interface module 208. In some
instances, the broadband gateway 102 may be such that the various
modules listed above may be distributed over multiple devices.
Moreover, the modules listed above are provided by way of
illustration and not of limitation. Other configurations and/or
architectures of the broadband gateway 102 may also be implemented.
For example, the broadband gateway 102 may be a virtual gateway
that is setup in a network by utilizing virtual machines (VMs)
and/or next-generation (NG) data centers.
[0074] The provider interface module 202 may comprise suitable
logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be operable to
receive data from and/or send data to one or more service/content
providers via one or more physical layer connections 108 to one or
more network access service providers. In this regard, each of the
physical layer connections 108.sub.1-108.sub.J may connect the
gateway 110 to a different network access service provider. Each of
the physical layer connections 108 may comprise a wired, optical,
or wireless connection. Each of the physical layer connections 108
may utilize different physical media and/or different physical
layer protocols. For example, the connection 108.sub.1 may comprise
a DSL over twisted-pair connection and the connection 108.sub.j may
comprise a CATV over coaxial cable connection.
[0075] The processor module 204 may comprise suitable logic,
circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be operable to process
data received from the service/content providers and/or data
received from one or more devices 104 in the home. Data from one or
more devices 104 may comprise user input such as feedback regarding
consumed content and responses to questionnaires, surveys, and
polls. Data received from the service/content providers via one or
more the physical layer connections 108.sub.1-108.sub.J may be
processed to make it suitable for communication to a device 108 and
data from the one or more devices 104 may be processed to make it
suitable for communication to the service/content providers via one
or more the physical layer connections 108.sub.1-108.sub.J. In this
regard, the processor module 124 may comprise one or more portions
that are suitable to handle certain types of data such as video
data and/or audio data, for example. The processor module 204 may
also be operable to generate a graphical user interface (GUI) which
may be manipulated via which a user may provide input. The GUI may
be displayed as part of an OSD on a local device 104, such as a
monitor or television, and may be manipulated via a remote control
and/or other input device that communicates directly with the
gateway 102. The GUI may be a web-based interface, and a user may
interact with it via a computer and web browser. The GUI may be
customized based on characteristics of the gateway 102, the device
104 coupled to the gateway, and the service and/or content
providers associated with the gateway 102. The processors module
124 may utilize the memory 206 in performing its functions.
[0076] The memory module 206 may comprise suitable logic,
circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be operable to store
data utilized in the operations of the broadband gateway 102. For
example, the memory module 206 may be utilized to store
configuration data, parameters, device information, tracking and/or
monitoring information, security information, and intermediate
processing data, for example. The memory module 206 may comprise
storage media that may be integrated in the broadband gateway 102
and/or may be removable such as a removable storage device.
[0077] The client network interface module 208 may comprise
suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be
operable to receive data from and/or send data to one or more
devices in the home network. The client network interface module
208 may be operable to support multiple communication protocols,
standards, and/or data transport technologies. In this regard, the
client network interface module 208 may handle one or more physical
layer connections to one or more devices 104. For example, the
client network interface module 208 may comprise, one or more wired
and/or wireless Ethernet interfaces, one or more analog and/or
digital audio outputs, one or more audio/video interfaces such as
such as HDMI and DisplayPort, one or more USB interfaces, one or
more IEEE 1394, and/or one or more telephone jacks.
[0078] The broadband gateway 102 may be operable to provide energy
management by varying the configuration of one or more devices in
the home network. The broadband gateway 102 may collect and/or
store energy-related information of the devices in the home network
and/or of the links in the home network, and may utilize such
information to control the operation of the home devices. For
example, the broadband gateway 102 may utilize channel capacity
flexibility and content coding options to minimize and/or optimize
power utilization. The broadband gateway 102 may also configure
and/or manage the configuration of the network between the
broadband gateway 102 and one or more service/content providers
based on the energy-related information associated with the devices
in the home. For example, at least a portion of the distribution
networks 100 may be configured and/or managed in this manner. The
broadband gateway 102 may be utilized to display energy-related
metrics, including consumption trends and/or costs, for example,
and to display any available credits/rewards that may be redeemed
by an account holder. In some instances, when a device in the home
network is a certified device, such as a California efficient
display, for example, the broadband gateway 102 may be utilized to
provide that information to a service/content provider and obtain
rewards/credits associated with the use of such certified devices.
Moreover, overall network power consumption may be managed by
sharing information among multiple interconnected broadband
gateways.
[0079] The broadband gateway 102 may be operable to adapt and/or
enable changes in a subscription model and/or in multimedia
delivery characteristics based on the capabilities of the various
devices in the home network. For example, high-definition video
content may be delivered to certain type of devices, such as
digital televisions (DTVs), while low-definition video content
and/or text may be delivered to a different type of devices, such
as personal mobile devices. In this regard, the broadband gateway
102 may be utilized to reduce bandwidth and/or power consumption in
the home network. The broadband gateway 200 may also support and/or
use multi-transport processing, which may be performed
sequentially, in parallel, and/or utilizing distributed
processing.
[0080] The gateway functionality associated with a user, such as
security features, preferences, applications, electronic
programming guides (EPGs), and user profile, for example, may be
ported from the broadband gateway 102 to one or more other
broadband gateways 102 in other locations. In some instances, a
visitor may be allowed access to their content outside their
service/content provider service area by, for example, classifying
the access level for different users and/or by providing limited
access to content. Moreover, the broadband gateway 102 may allow
multiple user interface software structures by, for example,
standardizing an interface to service/content providers and devices
in the home network.
[0081] The broadband gateway 102 may be operable to broker and/or
arbitrate with service/content providers the consumption of certain
services, such as music and video, for example. In some instances,
the broadband gateway 102 may perform content search, transport
discovery, ranking, and/or sorting. These operations may be
performed based on content quality, price, quality-of-service
(QOS), and network protocols supported by the devices in the home
network, such as service level agreements (SLAs), for example.
[0082] Various emergency-related services in the home network may
be supported by the broadband gateway 102, including allowing first
responders to provide alerts to a select group of users by
accessing the broadband gateway 102 via secure links provided by
the service/content providers. For example, the broadband gateway
102 may enable an emergency service provider, such as those
associated with the emergency service provider network 140
described above in FIG. 1, to access one or more devices in the
home network.
[0083] For peer-to-peer communication, the broadband gateway 102
may be utilized to allow enhanced content sharing in a
service/content provider network. In this regard, the broadband
gateway 102 may be utilized to construct a directory service for
peer-to-peer connectivity with friends and family, for example. The
broadband gateway 102 may be utilized to provide incentives to
users who engage in peer-to-peer communication through, for
example, the distribution networks 110. Moreover, the broadband
gateway 102 may be utilized to match the content coding to the
service type being consumed by the user and to make the necessary
allocations through the network with respect to peer-to-peer or
conventional Internet programming or broadcast programming.
[0084] The broadband gateway 102 may be utilized in connection with
constrained network resources, such as time of day, traffic
congestion, and the like, for example, to provide incentives for a
user to accept a lower cost, lower quality of service that is
dynamically configured for current network conditions. In some
instances, the broadband gateway 102 may allow enhanced low latency
service delivery to client devices in a home network.
[0085] The broadband gateway 102 may be operable to run or execute
an agent to extract content, rating, copyright, language, privacy
rules, and automatically add user-generated content, for example.
Such agent may be run or executed in connection with the processor
module 204 of the broadband gateway 102, for example. In some
instances, the broadband gateway 102 may be operable to provide
rating-related information or channel prediction to a
service/content provider to assist with fast channel change.
[0086] Bandwidth optimization by, for example, placing future
requests for bandwidth to a service/content provider and accepting
the best timeslots provided in return may be enabled by the
broadband gateway 102.
[0087] The broadband gateway 102 may be operable to combine and/or
blend multiple contents for use as single content in the home
network. Such combination may be performed in one or more of the
modules of the broadband gateway 102. For example, the broadband
gateway 102 may blend different video and audio contents for an
event by accessing one or more service/content providers and
providing automatic and/or manual content synchronization.
[0088] The protection, management, and/or tracking of confidential
data, such as health and financial records, for example, by tagging
the data may be provided by the broadband gateway 102. Only when a
user authorizes the transfer of the confidential data will such
data be stored and/or aggregated. The broadband gateway 102 may be
operable to create a trusted rating mechanism for content. The
broadband gateway 102 may be secure against external threats that
may be downloaded from outside the home network and may provide a
secure domain distribution in the home network. Automated and
secured billing and payment services may also be provided by the
broadband gateway 102.
[0089] The broadband gateway 102 may be operable to utilize client
or home device profile information to select layered video
service(s) and/or transmission. Such information may be stored, at
least temporarily, in the memory module 206 of the broadband
gateway 102. In some instances, the programming and/or enhanced
video layers received by the broadband gateway 102 may be
aggregated midstream by one or more network or routing nodes.
[0090] The broadband gateway 102 may support a reduction in the
cost of unwatched content by using multi-tier billing for
downloaded content, such as video content. The broadband gateway
102 may be utilized to provide a unified payment portal for
collecting and/or aggregating charges from multiple service and/or
content providers.
[0091] In operation, a request for content may be received from a
user of a device 104 via the home network interface module 208. The
processor module 204, upon receiving the request, may determine
whether it would be advantageous to defer delivery of the content
to a later time. For example, deferring delivery may reduce cost of
operating the network(s) via which the content is to be delivered
and/or may enable more efficient utilization of network and/or
gateway resources. In this regard, the processor module 204 may
determine a load on the network(s) via which the content is to be
delivered. The processor module 204 may determine the load on the
network by, for example, querying service and/or content providers
via the provider interface module 202. The processor module 204 may
determine the load on the network based on, for example, network
statistics collected in the memory module 206 based on
communications with the network(s).
[0092] In instances that it would be advantageous to defer delivery
of the content until a later time, the processor module 204 may
generate a message that gives the user the option of receiving a
benefit in exchange for deferring consumption of the content until
later. The message may be communicated to the user via the home
network interface module 208. The user may provide input in
response to the message, and the input may be received via the home
network interface module 208. In instances that the input indicates
that the user would like to consume the content immediately and/or
at the regularly scheduled time, the processor module 204 may
request the content from the content provider via the provider
interface module 202. In instances that the input indicates that
the user would like to defer consumption of the content, the
processor module may determine an optimal time for delivery of the
content. At the determined optimal time, the content may be
downloaded via the provider interface module 202 and delivered to
the user and/or stored to the memory 206.
[0093] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary message via
which a gateway may offer a user a benefit in exchange for
deferring consumption of content, in accordance with an embodiment
of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the exemplary message
comprises a pop-up dialog box 300 displayed on a television 104a by
the gateway 102. The exemplary message informs the user that
benefits are available for deferring viewing the desired content
and enables the user to select between: viewing the content now (or
at its regularly scheduled time) and foregoing any benefit,
deferring viewing until "time 1" in exchange for "benefit 1", and
deferring viewing until "time 2" in exchange for "benefit 2". The
benefits may vary based on the inconvenience to the user and/or on
the benefit to the service and/or content provider(s). For example,
"time 1" may be more convenient, from the user's perspective, than
"time 2", but delivering the content at "time 2" versus delivering
the content at "time 1," may be more beneficial in terms of
alleviating congestion and/or demand on network resources.
Accordingly, "benefit 2" may be a bigger benefit to the user than
"benefit 1," in an attempt to entice the user to view the content
at less-convenient "time 2." The user may make his selection using,
for example, a television remote control.
[0094] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for
managing a load on a network by incentivizing deferral of content
consumption, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 4, the exemplary steps may begin with step 402 in
which a user may select content for consumption via the gateway
102. For example, the user may select video content via an EPG
generated by the gateway 102 and displayed on a television 104a. In
step 404, the gateway 102 may determine that delaying delivery of
the content may be more efficient and/or cost-effective for the
content and/or service provider(s) providing the content. In step
406, the gateway 102 may present the user with the option to defer
viewing in exchange for receiving one or more benefits. In this
regard, the user may be presented with one or more alternate times
at which he can consume the content and the corresponding benefits
being offered for choosing those times.
[0095] In step 408, the user may select one of the deferred times.
In step 410, prior to the deferred time of content consumption, the
gateway 410 may download the content to a local storage.
Accordingly, the gateway 102 may download the content slowly and/or
in segments such that network resources may be utilized more
efficiently than if the content had to be downloaded at a rate
suitable for real-time consumption. For example, if the content is
regularly scheduled at 7:00 pm on Monday and the user agrees to
view it at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, then the gateway 102 can determine
the optimum time(s) during that 24-hour period at which to download
the content. In step 412, at the time selected in step 408, the
user may consume the content via the gateway 102.
[0096] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for
managing a load on a network by incentivizing deferral of content
consumption, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 5, the exemplary steps may begin with step 502 in
which a user of a device 104 may select content for consumption via
the gateway 102. For example, the user may select video content via
an EPG generated by the gateway 102 and displayed on a television
104a. In step 504, it may be determined whether it would be
sub-optimal or inefficient, from the perspective of content and/or
service provider(s) providing the content, to deliver the content
at the time it is requested. In instances that delivery of the
content at the time of request is not inefficient or sub-optimal,
the exemplary steps may advance to step 514 and the content may be
delivered to the device 104 via the gateway 102.
[0097] Returning to step 504, in instances that delivery of the
content at the time of request is inefficient or sub-optimal, the
exemplary steps may advance to step 506. In step 506, the gateway
102 may present the user with the option to defer viewing in
exchange for receiving one or more benefits. In this regard, the
user may be presented with one or more alternate times the content
may be consumed and the corresponding benefits being offered for
choosing those times. In step 508, in instances that the user wants
to consume the content now and forego the benefit, the exemplary
steps may advance top step 514 and the content may be delivered to
the device 104 via the gateway 102.
[0098] Returning to step 508, in instances that the user does
accept a benefit in exchange for deferring consumption of the
content, the exemplary steps may advance to step 510. In step 510,
the benefit may be provided. For example, a subscriber account
associated with the gateway 102 may have a monetary amount credited
to it and/or may have one or more credits or "rewards" added to it.
The credits or "rewards" may, for example, be redeemable for free
and/or discounted content and/or services. The credits or "rewards"
may, for example, be redeemable for upgrades to premium content
and/or services. The credits or "rewards" may, for example, be
redeemable for priority access to other content.
[0099] In step 512, the gateway 102 may wait until the time
selected for consumption of the content. In some instances, the
gateway 102 may download the content prior to the selected time. In
step 514, the content may be delivered and/or made available to the
device 104
[0100] Various aspects of a method and system for managing
bandwidth by a broadband gateway are provided. In an exemplary
embodiment of the invention, a broadband gateway 102 may enables
communication with a communication devices 104, and be operable to
handle at least one physical layer connection 108 to at least one
corresponding network access service provider. The gateway 102 may,
upon receiving a request for content from a user of the
communication device 104, present, via a graphical user interface
and/or an audio notification, a message 300 that offers a benefit
to the user in exchange for deferring consumption of the content
until a later time. The gateway 102 may then deliver the content to
the communication device 104 at a time determined by a response to
the message received from the communication device 104.
[0101] The broadband gateway 102 may be operable to handle a
plurality of concurrent physical layer connections 108 to a
corresponding plurality of network access service providers. The
message may be presented after determining current and/or
historical usage of a network 110 over which the content is to be
delivered. The message may provide several times at which the
content may be delivered and a corresponding benefit available for
each of the times. The times may correspond to times at which it is
expected there will be less traffic in the network 110 over which
the content is to be delivered.
[0102] The benefit may comprise a credit to a subscriber account
associated with the broadband gateway 102. The credit may be
redeemable for free or discounted services and/or content. The
credit may be redeemable for access to other content before the
other content is available via other broadband gateways. The
benefit may be a monetary amount added to a subscriber account
associated with the broadband gateway 102. In instances that
delivery of the content is deferred, the content may be downloaded
to local storage, such as memory module 206 or a DVR 104, at a time
or times that historically correspond to periods of relatively
light traffic in a network 110 via which the content is to be
downloaded.
[0103] Other embodiments of the invention may provide a
non-transitory computer readable medium and/or storage medium,
and/or a non-transitory machine readable medium and/or storage
medium, having stored thereon, a machine code and/or a computer
program having at least one code section executable by a machine
and/or a computer, thereby causing the machine and/or computer to
perform the steps as described herein for managing bandwidth by a
broadband gateway.
[0104] Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in
hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The
present invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at
least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where
different elements are spread across several interconnected
computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus
adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A
typical combination of hardware and software may be a
general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when
being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that
it carries out the methods described herein.
[0105] The present invention may also be embedded in a computer
program product, which comprises all the features enabling the
implementation of the methods described herein, and which when
loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods.
Computer program in the present context means any expression, in
any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended
to cause a system having an information processing capability to
perform a particular function either directly or after either or
both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or
notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.
[0106] While the present invention has been described with
reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents
may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present
invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a
particular situation or material to the teachings of the present
invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is
intended that the present invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention
will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *