U.S. patent application number 12/982206 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-08 for method and system for trusted ratings for content consumption via a broadband gateway.
Invention is credited to Xuemin Sherman Chen, Wael William Diab, David Garrett, Jeyhan Karaoguz, David Lundgren, Rich Prodan.
Application Number | 20110302596 12/982206 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45064389 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110302596 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lundgren; David ; et
al. |
December 8, 2011 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRUSTED RATINGS FOR CONTENT CONSUMPTION VIA A
BROADBAND GATEWAY
Abstract
Aspects of a method and system for trusted ratings for content
consumption via a broadband gateway are provided. A first broadband
gateway may collect information regarding users of a first one or
more electronic devices and information regarding content handled
by the first broadband gateway. The first broadband gateway may
utilize the collected information to generate ratings for content.
The ratings may be customized for one or more users of the first
electronic device(s). The first broadband gateway may be operable
to restrict, promote, or otherwise govern access to content based
on the generated ratings. The ratings may be generated based on
criteria input by users of the first electronic device(s). The
first electronic device(s) may be coupled to the first gateway. The
first broadband gateway may also collect information from users of
a second one or more electronic device(s) which may be coupled to a
second broadband gateway.
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.: |
12/982206 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61351696 |
Jun 4, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 12/2838 20130101;
H04L 63/10 20130101; H04L 65/102 20130101; H04N 21/482 20130101;
H04L 2012/2849 20130101; G06Q 20/10 20130101; Y04S 40/20 20130101;
H04L 65/4084 20130101; H04L 67/2842 20130101; H04N 5/445 20130101;
H04N 21/47202 20130101; G06F 21/10 20130101; H04L 67/104 20130101;
Y02D 30/00 20180101; Y02D 30/70 20200801; G05F 1/66 20130101; H04L
47/805 20130101; H04L 67/1078 20130101; H04L 63/20 20130101; H04N
21/6543 20130101; G06Q 30/04 20130101; G06Q 40/12 20131203; H04L
65/1023 20130101; H04N 21/6371 20130101; H04W 12/086 20210101; H04N
21/454 20130101; H04L 41/5019 20130101; H04L 47/2491 20130101; H04L
67/12 20130101; H04L 63/02 20130101; H04L 65/40 20130101; H04W
52/265 20130101; H04L 12/2801 20130101; H04L 65/1033 20130101; H04N
21/6373 20130101; H04L 12/6402 20130101; H04L 63/0281 20130101;
H04N 21/258 20130101; H04L 41/0816 20130101; H04L 41/32 20130101;
G05B 13/02 20130101; H04L 29/06095 20130101; H04N 21/43615
20130101; H04L 67/10 20130101; G06F 2221/07 20130101; H04L 67/16
20130101; H04L 65/103 20130101; H04L 65/1036 20130101; H04L 67/1095
20130101; H04N 21/632 20130101; H04L 12/1453 20130101; H04L 63/205
20130101; G06F 21/6245 20130101; H04L 12/66 20130101; G06Q 30/0226
20130101; H04L 69/16 20130101; G06Q 30/0215 20130101; H04L 45/302
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/9 |
International
Class: |
H04H 60/33 20080101
H04H060/33 |
Claims
1. A method for content distribution and consumption, the method
comprising: in a first broadband gateway that enables communication
with a first one or more electronic devices, wherein said first
broadband gateway is operable to handle at least one physical layer
connection to at least one corresponding network access service
provider: collecting information from or regarding users of said
first one or more electronic devices; and collecting information
regarding content handled by said first broadband gateway; and
generating ratings for content utilizing said collected
information, wherein said ratings are customized for one or more
users of said first one or more electronic 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 according to claim 1, comprising: collecting
information from or regarding users of a second one or more
electronic devices coupled to one or more second broadband
gateways; and collecting information regarding content handled by
said one or more second broadband gateways; and generating said
ratings for content utilizing: said collected information from or
regarding said users of said second one or more electronic devices;
and said collected information regarding content handled by said
one or more second broadband gateways.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: said collected
information regarding content handled by said broadband gateway
comprises feedback from said users of said first one or more
electronic devices; and said collected information regarding
content handled by said one or more second broadband gateways
comprises feedback from said users of said second one or more
electronic devices.
5. The method according to claim 4, comprising restricting access
to particular content by said users of said first one or more
electronic devices in instances that: one or more of said users of
said first one or more electronic devices have not provided
feedback on said particular content; or one or more of said users
of said second one or more electronic devices have not provided
feedback on said particular content.
6. The method according to claim 4, comprising generating a
graphical user interface via which said users of said one or more
first electronic devices may input said feedback.
7. The method according to claim 1, comprising governing access to
content by said users of said first one or more electronic devices
based on said generated ratings.
8. The method according to claim 1, comprising: collecting
information from or regarding said first one or more electronic
devices; and generating said ratings for content utilizing said
collected information from or regarding said first one or more
electronic devices.
9. The method according to claim 8, comprising governing access to
content by said first one or more electronic devices based on said
generated ratings.
10. The method according to claim 8, comprising governing access to
content by said first one or more electronic devices in instances
that one or more of said generated ratings associated with said
particular content meets particular criteria.
11. The method according to claim 1, comprising: generating said
ratings based on criteria input by users of said first one or more
electronic devices; and generating a user interface based on which
of said users of said first one or more electronic devices may
input said criteria.
12. A system for content distribution and consumption, the method
comprising: one or more circuits for use in a first broadband
gateway that enables communication with a first one or more
electronic 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: collect information
from or regarding users of said first one or more electronic
devices; and collect information regarding content handled by said
first broadband gateway; and generate ratings for content utilizing
said collected information, wherein said ratings are customized for
one or more users of said first one or more electronic devices.
13. The system according to claim 12, 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.
14. The system according to claim 12, wherein said one or more
circuits are operable to: collect information from or regarding
users of a second one or more electronic devices coupled to one or
more second broadband gateways; and collect information regarding
content handled by said one or more second broadband gateways; and
generate said ratings for content utilizing: said collected
information from or regarding said users of said second one or more
electronic devices; and said collected information regarding
content handled by said one or more second broadband gateways.
15. The system according to claim 14, wherein: said collected
information regarding content handled by said broadband gateway
comprises feedback from said users of said first one or more
electronic devices; and said collected information regarding
content handled by said one or more second broadband gateways
comprises feedback from said users of said second one or more
electronic devices.
16. The system according to claim 15, wherein said one or more
circuits are operable to restrict access to particular content by
said users of said first one or more electronic devices in
instances that: one or more of said users of said first one or more
electronic devices have not provided feedback on said particular
content; or one or more of said users of said second one or more
electronic devices have not provided feedback on said particular
content.
17. The system according to claim 15, wherein said one or more
circuits are operable to generate a graphical user interface via
which said users of said one or more first electronic devices may
input said feedback.
18. The system according to claim 12, wherein said one or more
circuits are operable to govern access to content by said users of
said first one or more electronic devices based on said generated
ratings.
19. The system according to claim 12, wherein said one or more
circuits are operable to: collect information from or regarding
said first one or more electronic devices; and generate said
ratings for content utilizing said collected information from or
regarding said first one or more electronic devices.
20. The system according to claim 19, wherein said one or more
circuits are operable to govern access to content by said first one
or more electronic devices based on said generated ratings.
21. The system according to claim 19, wherein said one or more
circuits are operable to govern access to content by said first one
or more electronic devices in instances that one or more of said
generated ratings associated with said particular content meets
particular criteria.
22. The system according to claim 12, wherein said one or more
circuits are operable to: generate said ratings based on criteria
input by users of said first one or more electronic devices; and
generate a user interface based on which of said users of said
first one or more electronic devices may input said criteria.
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 U.S. patent
application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket No. 23397U502)
filed on even date herewith;
[0004] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23398U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0005] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23399U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0006] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23400U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0007] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23401 U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0008] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23402U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0009] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23403U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0010] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23404U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0011] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23405U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0012] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23406U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0013] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23407U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0014] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23408U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0015] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23409U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0016] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23410U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0017] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23411 U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0018] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23412U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0019] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23413U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0020] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23414U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0021] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23415U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0022] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23416U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0023] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23417U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0024] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23418U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0025] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23419U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0026] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23420U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0027] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23421 U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0028] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23422U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0029] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23423U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0030] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23424U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0031] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23425U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0032] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23426U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0033] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23427U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0034] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23428U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0035] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23429U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0036] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23430U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0037] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23431 U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0038] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23432U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0039] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23433U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0040] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23434U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0041] U.S. patent application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx (Attorney Docket
No. 23435U502) filed on even date herewith;
[0042] Each of the above stated applications is hereby incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0043] Certain embodiments of the invention relate to broadband
gateways. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention
relate to a method and system for trusted ratings for content
consumption via a broadband gateway.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0044] 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.
[0045] 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
[0046] A system and/or method is provided for trusted ratings for
content consumption via 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.
[0047] 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
[0048] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary communication system
comprising one or more broadband gateways operable to provide
trusted ratings, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
[0049] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a broadband
gateway via which multiple service/content provider accounts may be
managed, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0050] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an electronic programming
guide (EPG) that provides customized and/or trusted content
ratings, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0051] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for a
gateway providing trusted and/or customized content ratings, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0052] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for
controlling access to content based on trusted and/or customized
content ratings generated by a broadband gateway, in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0053] Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a
method and system for trusted ratings for content consumption via a
broadband gateway. In various embodiments of the invention, a first
broadband gateway may collect information from users of a first one
or more electronic devices, information regarding users of the
first one or more electronic devices, and/or information regarding
content handled by the first broadband gateway. The first broadband
gateway may utilize the collected information to generate ratings
for content. The ratings may be customized for one or more users of
the first one or more electronic devices. The first broadband
gateway may be operable to restrict, promote, or otherwise govern
access to content based on the generated ratings. The ratings may
be generated based on criteria input by users of the first one or
more electronic devices. The first broadband gateway may generate a
graphical user interface via which the criteria can be input.
[0054] The first broadband gateway may also collect information
regarding the first one or more electronic devices, and the
collected information regarding the first one or more electronic
devices may be utilized in generating the ratings. The first
broadband gateway may be operable to restrict, promote, or
otherwise govern access to the content by the first one or more
electronic devices based on the generated ratings. The first
broadband gateway may be operable to restrict, promote, or
otherwise govern access to the content by the first one or more
electronic devices in instances that one or more of the generated
ratings associated with the particular meets particular criteria.
The first broadband gateway may also collect information from or
regarding users of a second one or more electronic devices, such as
the devices in the location. The first broadband gateway may also
collect information regarding content handled by one or more second
broadband gateways. The information regarding users of the second
one or more electronic devices and the information regarding
content handled by the second one or more broadband gateways may be
utilized for generating the ratings.
[0055] Collected information may comprise feedback from users of
the first one or more electronic devices and/or from the second one
or more electronic devices. The first broadband gateway may be
operable to restrict, promote, or otherwise govern access to
particular content in instances that one or more users of the first
one or more electronic devices and/or in instances that one or more
users of the second one or more electronic devices have not
provided feedback on the particular content. The first broadband
gateway may be operable to generate a graphical user interface via
which the users of the first one or more electronic devices can
input feedback.
[0056] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary communication system
comprising one or more broadband gateways operable to provide
trusted and/or customized ratings, in accordance with an embodiment
of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a broadband
gateway 110a in a location 114a and a broadband gateway 110b in a
location 114b. Each of the broadband gateways 110a and 110b are
coupled to a plurality of electronic devices 112.sub.1-112.sub.K,
where K is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Each of the
broadband gateways 110a and 110b is also coupled to one or more
service providers 102.sub.1-102.sub.N and/or one or more content
providers 104.sub.1-104.sub.m via one or more distribution networks
108, where N and M are integers greater than or equal to 1.
[0057] The service providers 102.sub.1-102.sub.N may comprise
various entities which may provide various services to the devices
112 via the gateway 110 and/or to the gateway 110 itself. Some of
the service providers 102.sub.1-102.sub.N may comprise network
access service providers which provide physical layer connections
to the gateway 110. Such physical layer connections may then be
utilized to access content provided by the content providers 104,
access services provided by other ones of the service providers
102.sub.1-102.sub.N, and/or access an intranet or the Internet
at-large. 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.
[0058] The content providers 104.sub.1-104.sub.m may comprise
various entities and/or networks which provide, for example, audio,
video, e-book, gaming, and/or other content via the network(s) 108.
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, as indicated
by the dashed line 106, 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 and/or a service provider may be provided to the gateway
110 via a physical connection provided by a network access service
provider.
[0059] The gateways 110a and 110b may each comprise suitable logic,
circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to
implement various aspects of the invention. The gateways 110a and
110b may each may be operable to communicate with the content
providers 104.sub.1-104.sub.M, the service providers
102.sub.1-102.sub.N, and the devices 112.sub.1-112.sub.K. In this
manner, the gateways 110a and 110b may each enable bidirectional
communication of content and/or other information between the
content providers 104.sub.1-104.sub.M, the service providers
102.sub.1-102.sub.N, and the devices 112.sub.1-112.sub.K.
Communications between the broadband gateways 110 and 110b and the
content providers 104.sub.1-104.sub.M and service providers
102.sub.1-102.sub.N may be carried over optical, wired, and/or
wireless links of the distribution network(s) 108. Similarly,
communications between each of the broadband gateways 110a and 110b
and devices 112 may be carried over optical, wired, and/or wireless
links.
[0060] A single gateway 110 may be operable to handle multiple
physical layer (i.e., layer 1 of the open-systems interconnection
model (OSI)) connections to multiple ones, or portions, of the
distribution network(s) 108, where different ones or portions of
the distribution network(s) 108 are owned, operated, leased, or
otherwise associated with different ones of the network access
service providers 102.sub.1-102.sub.N. For example, a first network
access service provider may provide network access to the gateway
110 via a DSL connection over twisted-pair cabling, and a second
network access service provider may provide network access to the
gateway 110 via a cable television connection over coaxial cabling.
In some instances, the gateway 110 may be operable to concurrently
communicate over the multiple physical layer connections provided
by the multiple network access service providers.
[0061] The storage elements 120 depicted in various portions of the
system of FIG. 1 may represent storage or memory utilized to
collect information that may be utilized to generate trusted and/or
customized content ratings. In this regard, information for
generating trusted and/or customized content ratings may be stored
in one or more places and not all of the storage elements 120
depicted in FIG. 1 are need to be present. For example, in one
embodiment of the invention, information may be stored in the
gateways 110a and 110b and each of the gateways 110a and 110b may
collect information from each other and other gateways via gateway
to gateway communications. In another embodiment of the invention,
information collected by each of the gateways 110a and 110b may be
communicated to one or more storage elements 120 residing in the
network(s) 108 and/or in data centers of one or more of the content
providers 104 and/or one or more of the service providers 102. In
such an embodiment, the gateways 110a and 110b may collect
information from each other and/or from other gateways (not shown)
by retrieving the information from the storage element(s) 120 in
the network and/or in the data centers.
[0062] The electronic devices 112.sub.1-112.sub.K in each of the
locations 114a and 114b may comprise, for example, one or more
instances of one or more of the following: a television, a laptop
computer, a tablet of "pad" device, a computer and/or server, a
personal media player, a digital video recorder, an optical media
player, a mobile phone, a speaker, a AM/FM radio, a terrestrial
phone, and an appliance. Each of the devices 112.sub.1-112.sub.K
may also be referred to as a communication device.
[0063] In operation, the gateway 110a may collect information from
the devices 112.sub.1-112.sub.K in location 114a and the collected
information may be utilized to generate ratings for content handled
by the gateway 110a. That is, content consumed by the device(s)
112.sub.1-112.sub.K via the gateway 110a. The gateway 110a may
track which content is consumed by which users and/or which content
is consumed via which of the devices 112.sub.1-112.sub.K.
Additionally or alternatively, the gateway 110a may receive
feedback from users of the devices 112.sub.1-112.sub.K in the
location 114a regarding content they consume via the gateway 110a.
In this regard, the gateway 110a may prompt users for feedback
and/or allow users to enter feedback via a graphical user interface
(GUI).
[0064] The gateway 110a may associate the received feedback with
the user and/or device 112 from which the feedback was received.
Feedback from various users may then be combined to generate
customized and/or trusted ratings. Which feedback is utilized for
generating a particular rating may be based on the particular users
providing the feedback, based on characteristics of the users
providing the feedback, the particular device 112 providing the
feedback, and/or characteristics of the particular device providing
the feedback.
[0065] The gateway 110a may also be operable to collect information
from other gateways, such as the gateway 110b. In this manner,
ratings generated by the gateway 110a may be based, not only on
content handled by the gateway 110a and feedback provided via the
gateway 110a, but also on content handled by the gateway 110b and
feedback provided via the gateway 110b. That is, the gateway 110b
may collect feedback from users of the devices 112.sub.1-112.sub.K
in the location 110b. The gateways 110a and 110b may exchange the
collected information such that each one of the gateways 110a and
110b is enabled to generate ratings based on feedback from users
associated with the other one of the gateways 110a and 110b. In
other words, ratings generated by the gateway 110a may be based on
feedback provided to the gateway 110a from users in the location
114a and/or based on feedback provided to the gateway 110b from
users in the location 114b. Ratings generated for content may be
displayed to a user via an on-screen display (OSD), such as an
electronic programming guide (EPG), and/or be available via a
web-based interface. Ratings generated for content may be utilized
to control access to content.
[0066] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a broadband
gateway via which multiple service/content provider accounts may be
managed, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The
broadband gateway 110 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code,
and/or interfaces that may be operable to provide connectivity
between a network, such as the Internet or other wide area network,
for example, and one or more devices in a home. In this regard, the
broadband gateway 110 may operate as an interface device that
allows one or more devices in the home to access one or more
networks, and to access various services and/or content via those
one or more networks.
[0067] The broadband gateway 110 may communicate with the various
devices in the home via a local network in the location 114 in
which the gateway is installed, which may comprise wired, optical,
and/or wireless communication links. In this regard, the broadband
gateway 110 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, broadband gateway 110 may communicate with the
various devices in the home via more than one home network.
[0068] The broadband gateway 110 may comprise one or more modules.
Each of these modules may comprise hardware, software, or a
combination thereof. In an embodiment of the invention, the
broadband gateway 110 may comprise a provider interface module 202,
a processor module 204, a memory module 206, and a home network
interface module 208. In some instances, the broadband gateway 110
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
110 may be implemented. For example, the broadband gateway 110 may
be a virtual gateway setup in a network by utilizing virtual
machines (VMs) and/or next-generation (NG) data centers.
[0069] 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 130 to one or
more network access service providers. In this regard, each of the
physical layer connections 130.sub.1-130.sub.J may connect the
gateway 110 to a different network access service provider. Each of
the physical layer connections 130 may comprise a wired, optical,
or wireless connection. Each of the physical layer connections 130
may utilize different physical media and/or different physical
layer protocols. For example, the connection 130.sub.1 may comprise
a DSL over twisted-pair connection and the connection 130.sub.J may
comprise a CATV over coaxial cable connection.
[0070] 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 110. 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 integrated in the broadband gateway 110 and/or a
removable storage device.
[0071] 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 112. In this regard, data
received from the service/content providers via one or more the
physical layer connections 130.sub.1-130.sub.J may be processed to
make it suitable for communication to a device 112 and data from
the one or more devices 112 may be processed to make it suitable
for communication to the service/content providers via one or more
the physical layer connections 130.sub.1-130.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 124 may also be
operable to generate a graphical user interface (GUI) which may be
manipulated via input from a user. The GUI may be displayed as part
of an OSD on a local device 112, 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 110. The GUI may
be a web-based interface, and a user may interact with it via a web
browser. The processors module 124 may utilize the memory 126 in
performing its functions.
[0072] The client network interface module 128 may comprise
suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be
operable to send data to one or more devices 112 in the location
114 via the local network. The client network interface module 128
may also be operable to receive data from one or more devices in
the location 114 via the local network. The client network
interface module 128 may be operable to support multiple
communication protocols, standards, and/or data transport
technologies. In this regard, the home network interface module 208
may handle one or more physical layer connections to one or more
devices 112. For example, the home 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.
[0073] The broadband gateway 110 may be operable to provide energy
management by varying the configuration of one or more devices in
the home network. The broadband gateway 110 may collect and/or
store energy-related information for one or more devices and/or for
the home network, and may utilize such information to control the
operation of those devices. For example, the broadband gateway 110
may utilize channel capacity flexibility and content coding options
to minimize and/or optimize power utilization. The broadband
gateway 110 may also configure and/or manage the configuration of
the network between the broadband gateway 110 and one or more
service/content providers based on the energy-related information
associated with the devices in the home. The broadband gateway 110
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 a user. 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 110 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.
[0074] The broadband gateway 110 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
110 may be utilized to reduce bandwidth and/or processing power
consumption in the home network. The broadband gateway 110 may also
support and/or use multi-transport processing, which may be
performed sequentially, in parallel, and/or utilizing distributed
processing.
[0075] 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 110 to one or more other
broadband gateways 110. 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 110 may allow multiple user
interface software structures by, for example, standardizing an
interface to service/content providers and devices in the home
network.
[0076] The broadband gateway 110 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 110 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.
[0077] Various emergency-related services in the home network may
be supported by the broadband gateway 110. For example, the
broadband gateway 110 may enable first responders to provide alerts
to a select group of users by accessing the broadband gateway 110
via secure links provided by the service/content providers.
[0078] For peer-to-peer communication, the broadband gateway 110
may be utilized to allow enhanced content sharing in a
service/content provider network. In this regard, the broadband
gateway 110 may be utilized to construct a directory service for
peer-to-peer connectivity with friends and family, for example. The
broadband gateway 110 may be utilized to provide incentives to
users who engage in peer-to-peer communication. Moreover, the
broadband gateway 110 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.
[0079] The broadband gateway 110 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 110 may allow enhanced low latency
service delivery to client devices in a home network.
[0080] The broadband gateway 110 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.
In some instances, the broadband gateway 110 may provide
rating-related information or channel prediction to a
service/content provider to assist with fast channel change.
[0081] 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 110.
[0082] The broadband gateway 110 may be operable to combine and/or
blend multiple contents for use as single content in the home
network. For example, the broadband gateway 110 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.
[0083] 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 110. Only when a
user authorizes the transfer of the confidential data will such
data be stored and/or aggregated. The broadband gateway 110 may be
operable to create a trusted rating mechanism for content. The
broadband gateway 110 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 110. Moreover, the broadband gateway 110 may be
operable to filter and/or block specific content or portions
thereof, and may also be utilized to govern client content access,
which may be based on controlled user profiles and/or authorization
requests to one or more additional client devices.
[0084] The broadband gateway 110 may be operable to utilize client
profile information to select layered video service(s) and/or
transmission. In some instances, the programming and/or enhanced
video layers received by the broadband gateway 110 may be
aggregated midstream by one or more network or routing nodes.
[0085] The broadband gateway 110 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
110 may be utilized to provide a unified payment portal for
collecting and/or aggregating charges from multiple service and/or
content providers.
[0086] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an electronic programming
guide (EPG) that provides customized and/or trusted content
ratings, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown the gateway 110a displaying an
EPG via a monitor 306, where the monitor 306 corresponds to one of
the devices 112.sub.1-112.sub.K in the location 114a. The exemplary
EPG comprises control 304 which enables the user to customize the
EPG to their user profile. In an embodiment of the invention, when
a user attempts to select a different user profile, the gateway
110a may prompt the user to enter a password or some other security
information. This required entry of security information may ensure
that a user, for example, a child, may consume only appropriately
rated content. The EPG may comprise a list view which displays
content available and also displays one or more customized and/or
trusted ratings associated with that content. The EPG may also
comprise a detail view which displays additional information, such
as a synopsis of the content selected in the list view, and one or
more ratings associated with the highlighted content. A user may
utilize a remote control to navigate the list view and select
particular content. In the example scenario depicted in FIG. 3,
content on channel 5 at 11:30 is selected.
[0087] In an embodiment of the invention, the list view may display
a default or composite rating and the details view may display
additional ratings 302. The additional ratings may, for example,
break down ratings of the highlighted content into one or more
sub-categories. For example, criteria for rating content for a
particular user may be set up such that feedback regarding the
highlighted content from the user's best friend, feedback from
people in the user's neighborhood, feedback from people in the
user's age bracket, and feedback from people the user is friends
with on a social networking site are all factored into the
composite rating. The details view may then break down the ratings
into the sub-groups that factored into the composite rating. That
is, rating 302.sub.1 may be a rating of the highlighted content
based on feedback from the user's best friend, rating 302.sub.2 may
be a rating of the highlighted content based on feedback from
people in the user's neighborhood, rating 302.sub.3 may be a rating
of the highlighted content based on feedback from people in the
user's age bracket, and rating 302.sub.4 may be a rating of the
highlighted content based on feedback from social networking
friends of the user.
[0088] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for a
gateway providing trusted and/or customized content ratings, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG.
4, the exemplary steps begin with step 402 when an administrator of
the broadband gateway 110a accesses a graphical user interface
(GUI) of the gateway 110a. The user may access the GUI via an
on-screen display (OSD) or a web-based interface.
[0089] In step 404, the administrator of the gateway 110a may
interact with the GUI to reconfigure criteria of existing ratings
and/or establish criteria for a new rating. Criteria for a rating
may comprise, for example, characteristics of the content such as
the source of the content and ratings given to the content by one
or more regulatory or consumer interest bodies. Criteria for a
rating may comprise, for example, which particular users of the
gateway 110a or other gateways, such as the gateway 110b,
contribute to the rating. Additionally or alternatively, criteria
for a rating may comprise, for example, which categories of users
of the devices 112 coupled to the gateway 110a and/or to other
gateways contribute to the rating. That is, a particular rating may
be determined based on input from one or more particular users
and/or from users sharing particular characteristics. Examples of
user characteristics comprise demographic information such as age,
place of residence, whether the person is a parent, ethnicity, and
religion. Other examples of user characteristics comprise whether
the user is a friend of, family member of, member of the same
community group, educational, or other institution, or is otherwise
associated with the administrator of the gateway 110a.
[0090] In step 406, the gateway 110a and other gateways, such as
the gateway 110b, may gather information pertaining to content
consumed. In an embodiment of the invention, the information may be
communicated to a network-based database such that information from
one gateway may be accessible to other gateways. In step 408, the
gateway 110a may generate the one or more ratings based on the
criteria established in step 404. In an embodiment of the
invention, the ratings may be generated by retrieving information
collected by other gateways, such as the gateway 110b, and
combining that information with information collected by the
gateway 110a.
[0091] In step 410, a user of a device 112 coupled to the gateway
110a may bring up an EPG. The EPG may display what is playing on,
or available from, various channels or content sources, and the
generated ratings may be displayed in the EPG along with the
content. In an embodiment of the invention, the EPG may be sorted
and/or filtered based on the ratings. For example, content may be
sorted from highest rating(s) to lowest rating(s). This may enable
a user to quickly find desired content. As another example, content
having particular ratings may be removed from the EPG and made
inaccessible. In this regard, accessibility may depend on the user.
For example, the ratings may be utilized to identify content which
children are not permitted to watch.
[0092] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for
controlling access to content based on trusted and/or customized
content ratings generated by a broadband gateway, in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the
exemplary steps begin with step 502 when an administrator of the
broadband gateway 110a accesses a graphical user interface (GUI) of
the gateway 110a. The user may access the GUI via an on-screen
display or a web-based interface. In step 504, the administrator
may enable ratings-based content restrictions. With ratings-based
content restrictions enabled, the gateway 110a may control access
to content by various users and/or devices 112 based on a
customized and/or trusted rating generated by the gateway 110a. In
step 506, the administrator may configure the criteria utilized in
determining what content a particular user and/or device is
permitted to access. In this regard, the administrator may
configure which rating or ratings are utilized to determine a
particular user's access to content and which values of the
utilized rating(s) correspond to accessible content. In step 508, a
user may attempt to access content from a device 112 coupled to the
gateway 110a. In step 510, a rating for the content being accessed
may be generated based on criteria associated with the user and/or
the device attempting to access the content. In step 512, the
gateway 110a may grant or deny access based on the rating generated
in step 510.
[0093] An example scenario is now described. In step 506 an
administrator may configure the gateway 110a such that a child
user's access to content is based on a rating that is determined by
feedback from parent users. For example, the rating may correspond
to an aggregate, average, or weighted average of ratings provided
by parent users of the gateways 110a and 110b. Each parent may rate
the content on a scale of 1 to 5 and the child may be allowed to
access content having a rating of at least 3 out of 5. In step 508,
a child user may attempt to access "show x" via the gateway 110a.
In step 510, the gateway 110a may determine the average, aggregate,
or weighted average rating that the parents gave to "show x." In
step 512, if the rating of "show x" based on the parental feedback
is below 3, the child user may be denied access to "show x."
Additionally or alternatively, if one or more parents have not yet
provided feedback on the show, the child user may be denied access
to "show x" at least until the parents provide feedback on "show
x."
[0094] Various aspects of a method and system for trusted ratings
for content consumption via a broadband gateway are provided. In an
example embodiment of the invention, a first broadband gateway 110a
may collect information from users of a first one or more
electronic devices 112.sub.1-112.sub.K, such as the devices
112.sub.1-112.sub.K in the location 114a. The first broadband
gateway 110a may also collect information regarding users of the
first one or more electronic devices 112.sub.1-112.sub.K, and/or
information regarding content handled by the first broadband
gateway 110a. The first broadband gateway 110a may utilize the
collected information to generate ratings for content. The ratings
may be customized for one or more users of the first one or more
electronic devices 112.sub.1-112.sub.K. The first broadband gateway
110a may be operable to restrict, promote, or otherwise govern
access to content based on the generated ratings. The ratings may
be generated based on criteria input by users of the first one or
more electronic devices 112.sub.1-112.sub.K. The first broadband
gateway 110a may generate a graphical user interface via which the
criteria can be input.
[0095] The first broadband gateway 110a may also collect
information regarding the first one or more electronic devices
112.sub.1-112.sub.K, and the collected information regarding the
first one or more electronic devices 112.sub.1-112.sub.K may be
utilized in generating the ratings. The first broadband gateway
110a may be operable to restrict, promote, or otherwise govern
access to the content by the first one or more electronic devices
112 based on the generated ratings. The first broadband gateway
110a may be operable to restrict, promote, or otherwise govern
access to the content by the first one or more electronic devices
112 in instances that one or more of the generated ratings
associated with the particular meets particular criteria. The first
broadband gateway 110a may also collect information from or
regarding users of a second one or more electronic devices
112.sub.1-112.sub.K, such as the devices 112.sub.1-112.sub.K in the
location 114b. The first broadband gateway 110a may also collect
information regarding content handled by one or more second
broadband gateways 110b. The information regarding users of the
second one or more electronic devices 112.sub.1-112.sub.K and the
information regarding content handled by the second one or more
broadband gateways 110b may be utilized for generating the
ratings.
[0096] Collected information may comprise feedback from users of
the first one or more electronic devices 112.sub.1-112.sub.K and/or
from the second one or more electronic devices 112.sub.1-112.sub.K.
The first broadband gateway 110a may be operable to restrict,
promote, or otherwise govern access to particular content in
instances that one or more users of the first one or more
electronic devices 112.sub.1-112.sub.K and/or in instances that one
or more users of the second one or more electronic devices
112.sub.1-112.sub.K have not provided feedback on the particular
content. The first broadband gateway 110a may be operable to
generate a graphical user interface via which the users of the
first one or more electronic devices 112.sub.1-112.sub.K can input
feedback.
[0097] 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 trusted ratings for
content consumption via a broadband gateway.
[0098] 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.
[0099] 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.
[0100] 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.
* * * * *