U.S. patent application number 14/245645 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-07 for method and system for providing directory services for peer-to-peer communications.
This patent application is currently assigned to Broadcom Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Broadcom Corporation. Invention is credited to Xuemin Chen, Wael William Diab, David Garrett, Jeyhan Karaoguz, David Lundgren, Rich Prodan.
Application Number | 20140219136 14/245645 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45064389 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140219136 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Karaoguz; Jeyhan ; et
al. |
August 7, 2014 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING DIRECTORY SERVICES FOR PEER-TO-PEER
COMMUNICATIONS
Abstract
A broadband gateway, which enables communication with a
plurality of devices and handles at least one physical layer
connection to at least one corresponding network access service
provider. A user may be associated with one or more of the
plurality of devices. A directory may be generated by the broadband
gateway for the peer-to-peer communications based on the identified
one or more individuals. The directory may comprise name
information, location information, contact information,
communication device information, and/or content sharing
information. The broadband gateway may communicate the directory to
one or more network access service providers and/or one or more
content providers. Peer-to-peer exchanges and/or network resource
allocations for the peer-to-peer communications may be controlled
and/or monitored by the network access services providers and/or
the content providers based on information in the directory.
Inventors: |
Karaoguz; Jeyhan; (Irvine,
CA) ; Chen; Xuemin; (San Diego, CA) ; Diab;
Wael William; (San Francisco, CA) ; Garrett;
David; (Tustin, CA) ; Lundgren; David; (Mill
Valley, CA) ; Prodan; Rich; (Niwot, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Broadcom Corporation |
IRVINE |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Broadcom Corporation
IRVINE
CA
|
Family ID: |
45064389 |
Appl. No.: |
14/245645 |
Filed: |
April 4, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12982022 |
Dec 30, 2010 |
8693484 |
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14245645 |
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61351696 |
Jun 4, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/259 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 12/66 20130101;
H04L 63/10 20130101; H04N 21/454 20130101; H04L 67/10 20130101;
H04L 2012/2849 20130101; H04N 21/632 20130101; G06Q 30/04 20130101;
H04L 12/2838 20130101; H04L 67/12 20130101; H04L 67/2842 20130101;
Y02D 30/70 20200801; G06Q 30/0215 20130101; H04L 29/06095 20130101;
H04L 41/0816 20130101; H04L 67/1078 20130101; H04L 41/32 20130101;
H04L 65/1023 20130101; H04W 52/265 20130101; G06Q 20/10 20130101;
G06F 21/10 20130101; H04L 63/20 20130101; Y04S 40/20 20130101; H04L
63/0281 20130101; H04L 67/1095 20130101; H04L 63/02 20130101; H04W
12/0806 20190101; H04L 65/1033 20130101; H04N 21/43615 20130101;
H04N 21/6373 20130101; G06Q 30/0226 20130101; H04L 65/1036
20130101; G06Q 40/12 20131203; H04L 65/40 20130101; H04L 65/4084
20130101; H04N 5/445 20130101; H04L 12/6402 20130101; G06F 2221/07
20130101; H04L 12/1453 20130101; Y02D 30/00 20180101; H04L 67/16
20130101; H04N 21/482 20130101; H04N 21/6543 20130101; H04L 12/2801
20130101; H04N 21/258 20130101; H04N 21/47202 20130101; G05B 13/02
20130101; H04L 47/2491 20130101; H04L 47/805 20130101; H04L 63/205
20130101; H04L 65/102 20130101; H04L 67/104 20130101; H04N 21/6371
20130101; G06F 21/6245 20130101; H04L 41/5019 20130101; H04L 65/103
20130101; H04L 45/302 20130101; G05F 1/66 20130101; H04L 69/16
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/259 |
International
Class: |
H04L 29/06 20060101
H04L029/06 |
Claims
1. A method of communication between a plurality of devices, the
method comprising, identifying a first device of the plurality of
devices for peer-to-peer communication; identifying a second device
of the plurality of devices for the peer-to-peer communication;
generating by a gateway a directory supporting the peer-to-peer
communications, the directory comprising at least one of name
information, location information, contact information,
communication device information, or content sharing information
associated with the first device and at least one of name
information, location information, contact information,
communication device information, or content sharing information
for the second device; and communicating, by the broadband gateway,
the directory to at least one network access service provider, for
allocating at least one network resource to support the
peer-to-peer communications.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the gateway is a broadband
gateway configured to handle at least one physical layer connection
associated with the at least one network access service
provider.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the network access service
provider comprises a plurality of corresponding network access
service providers, and the at least one of the physical layer
connection comprises a plurality of physical layer connections, and
each of the plurality of physical layer connections corresponds to
a respective one of the plurality of corresponding network access
service providers.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the
directory based at least in part on at least one input received
from the first device.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the
directory based at least in part on at least one input from at
least one other gateway.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the
directory based on at least in part on at least one input from at
least one network access service provider.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the
directory based on at least in part on at least one input from at
least one content provider.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating, by the
gateway, the directory to comprise the name information, the
gateway being a broadband gateway.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating, by the
gateway, the directory to comprise the content storing information,
the gateway being a broadband gateway.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating the
directory to at least one content provider.
11. A system for communication, the system comprising: a device
interface for communication with a plurality of devices; a provider
interface for communication with at least one network access
service provider; a directory service module for generating a
directory supporting communications between a first device and a
second device, the directory comprising at least one of name
information, location information, contact information,
communication device information, or content sharing information
for the first device and at least one of name information, location
information, contact information, communication device information,
or content sharing information for the second device; and wherein
the directory is communicated to at least one network access
service provider via the provider interface for allocating at least
one network resource to support the communications between the
first device and the second device.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein at least one physical layer
connection is coupled to the provider interface.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein the directory service module is
configured to generate the directory based at least in part on the
at least one input associated with the first device.
14. The system of claim 11, wherein the directory service module is
configured to generate said the directory based at least in part on
at least one input from at least one other broadband gateway.
15. The system of claim 11, wherein the directory service module is
configured to generate the directory at least in part on at least
on input from the at least one network access service provider.
16. A method for communication, the method comprising: receiving by
a network access service provider a directory supporting
peer-to-peer communications between a first device and a second
device, the directory comprising at least one of name information,
location information, contact information, communication device
information, or content sharing information for the first device
and at least one of name information, location information, contact
information, communication device information, or content sharing
information for the second device; and allocating by the network
access service provider, based at least in part on the directory,
at least one network resource to support peer-to-peer
communications between the first device and the second device.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the network service provider is
coupled to at least one physical layer connection.
18. The method of claim 16, further comprising communicating the
directory to the at least one network resource.
19. The method of claim 17 where the at least one network resource
comprises a content provider.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein the network access service
provider receives the directory from a broadband gateway.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY
REFERENCE
[0001] This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/982,022, filed Dec. 30, 2010, which claims
the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.
61/351,696, filed on Jun. 4, 2010. Both U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/982,022 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/351,696
are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
[0002] This application also makes reference to: U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/355,377 filed on Jan. 16, 2009; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/355,413 filed on Jan. 16, 2009; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/355,480 filed on Jan. 16, 2009; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/395,383 filed on Feb. 27, 2009; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/982,321 (Attorney Docket No. 23397US02)
filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/982,355
(Attorney Docket No. 23398US02) filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/298,971 (Attorney Docket No. 23399US02)
filed on Nov. 3, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/981,993
(Attorney Docket No. 23400US02) filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/982,216 (Attorney Docket No. 23401 US02)
filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/982,433
(Attorney Docket No. 23402US02) filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/982,205 (Attorney Docket No. 23403US02)
filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/982,353
(Attorney Docket No. 23404US02) filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/981,966 (Attorney Docket No. 23405US02)
filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/982,453
(Attorney Docket No. 23406US02) filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/982,172 (Attorney Docket No. 23407US02)
filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/982,429
(Attorney Docket No. 23408US02) filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/981,990 (Attorney Docket No. 23409US02)
filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/982,442
(Attorney Docket No. 23410US02) filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/982,000 (Attorney Docket No. 23411US02)
filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/982,010
(Attorney Docket No. 23412US02) filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/981,986 (Attorney Docket No. 23414US02)
filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/982,236
(Attorney Docket No. 23415US02) filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/982,091 (Attorney Docket No. 23416US02)
filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/982,213
(Attorney Docket No. 23417US02) filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/982,166 (Attorney Docket No. 23418US02)
filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/982,340
(Attorney Docket No. 23419US02) filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/982,073 (Attorney Docket No. 23420US02)
filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/982,501
(Attorney Docket No. 23421US02) filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/982,206 (Attorney Docket No. 23422US02)
filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/982,440
(Attorney Docket No. 23423US02) filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/982,171 (Attorney Docket No. 23424US02)
filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/982,223
(Attorney Docket No. 23425US02) filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/982,305 (Attorney Docket No. 23426US02)
filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/982,477
(Attorney Docket No. 23427US02) filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/982,331 (Attorney Docket No. 23428US02)
filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/982,036
(Attorney Docket No. 23429US02) filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/982,196 (Attorney Docket No. 23430US02)
filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/982,391
(Attorney Docket No. 23431US02) filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/982,405 (Attorney Docket No. 23432US02)
filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/981,753
(Attorney Docket No. 23433US02) filed on Dec. 30, 2010; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/982,414 (Attorney Docket No. 23434US02)
filed on Dec. 30, 2010; and U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/981,753 (Attorney Docket No. 23435US02) filed on Dec. 30,
2010;
[0003] Each of the above stated applications is hereby incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Certain embodiments of the invention relate to communication
systems. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention
relate to a method and system for providing directory services by a
gateway for peer-to-peer communications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Telecommunication technologies have evolved from analog to
digital technologies, and continues to evolve from circuit switched
to packet switched, from connection oriented packet switching to
connectionless packet switching, and from narrow band application
to broadband applications. The accompanied evolution in
telecommunication technologies has significantly advanced
operators' capability to offer broadband, IP-based multimedia
services ranging from entertainment and lifestyle applications such
as mobile TV and mobile payment to professional services such as
video conferencing and real-time data exchange.
[0006] 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 display devices 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 equipment
such as 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 home networks for the same purpose.
[0007] 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 the present invention
as set forth in the remainder of the present application with
reference to the drawings.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A system and/or method for providing directory services by a
gateway for peer-to-peer communications, substantially as shown in
and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as
set forth more completely in the claims.
[0009] Various 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
[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
communication system that is operable to provide directory services
by a gateway for peer-to-peer communications, in accordance with an
embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
broadband gateway that is operable to provide directory services
for peer-to-peer communications, in accordance with an
embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
directory for peer-to-peer communications, in accordance with an
embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for
providing directory services by a gateway for peer-to-peer
communications, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for
controlling and/or monitoring peer-to-peer communications based on
information in directory, in accordance with an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Certain embodiments can be found in a method and system for
providing directory services by a gateway for peer-to-peer
communications. In various embodiments, a broadband gateway, which
enables communication with a plurality of devices and handles at
least one physical layer connection to at least one corresponding
network access service provider, may be operable to identify one or
more individuals with whom a particular user may desire to engage
in peer-to-peer communications. The particular user may be
associated with one or more of the plurality of devices. A
directory or listing associated with the identified one or more
individuals may be generated by the broadband gateway for
supporting the peer-to-peer communications based on the identified
one or more individuals. The peer-to-peer communications may
comprise, for example, content sharing, files sharing, website
hosting and/or video gaming.
[0016] The at least one physical layer connection may comprise, for
example, a plurality of physical layer connections and the at least
one corresponding network access service provider may comprise a
plurality of corresponding network access service providers. In
this regard, each of the plurality of physical layer connections
may correspond to a respective one of the plurality of
corresponding network access service providers.
[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the directory may comprise name
information, location information, contact information,
communication device information, content sharing information
and/or other related information which are associated with the
particular user and each of the one or more individuals. The one or
more individuals may be identified and/or the directory may be
generated, based on inputs or suggestions from, for example, the
particular user, one or more other broadband gateways, one or more
network access service providers and/or one or more content
providers.
[0018] The broadband gateway may be operable to communicate the
generated directory to one or more network access service providers
and/or one or more content providers, for example. Accordingly,
peer-to-peer exchanges and/or network resource allocations for
supporting the peer-to-peer communications may be controlled and/or
monitored by the one or more network access service providers
and/or the one or more content providers based on information in
the directory, for example.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
communication system that is operable to provide directory services
by a gateway for peer-to-peer communications, in accordance with an
embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a communication
system 100. The communication system 100 may comprise a plurality
of broadband gateways of which broadband gateways 102, 103 are
illustrated, a plurality of distribution networks 110, a plurality
of devices 104a-104d, 105a-105d, which are collectively referred to
herein as devices 104 and 105 respectively, a plurality of network
access service providers 120 of which network access service
providers 120a-120c are illustrated and a plurality of content
providers 130 of which content providers 130a-130c are illustrated.
The devices 104a-104d may be serviced by the broadband gateway 102.
A user 114 may be associated with one or more of the devices
104a-104d. The devices 105a-105d may be serviced by the broadband
gateway 103. A user 115 may be associated with one or more of the
devices 105a-105d.
[0020] A content provider such as the content provider 130a may
comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may
be operable to generate, capture and/or package content such as,
for example, multimedia content that may be distributed to one or
more of the devices 104a-104d, 105a-105d via one or more of the
network access service providers 120a-120c and the corresponding
broadband gateways 102, 103. The content may be, for example,
downloadable or streaming, and/or rented or purchased. In one
embodiment, a content provider, such as the content provider 130a,
may provide inputs to the broadband gateway 102 for identifying one
or more individuals such as the user 115, and/or for generating a
directory for peer-to-peer communications between the user 114 and
one or more of the identified individuals such as the user 115. The
content provider 130a may then control and/or monitor peer-to-peer
exchanges or content sharing based on information provided in the
directory.
[0021] A network access service provider such as the network access
service provider 120a may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,
interfaces and/or code that may be operable to provide services
using different access technologies to one or more of the devices
104a-104d, 105a-105d for end-users via the corresponding broadband
gateways 102, 103. The services may include, but are not limited
to, multimedia, television, Internet, phone, Ethernet, multimedia
over coax alliance (MoCA), passive optical network (PON), and/or
cellular services, for example. The network access service
providers 120 may provide physical layer connections to the
broadband gateways 102, 103. Such physical layer connections may
then be utilized by the broadband gateways 102, 103 to access
content provided by the content providers 130, to access services
provided by other service providers, and/or to 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. Cable television (CATV)
providers, plain old telephone service (POTS) providers, digital
subscriber line (DSL) providers, cellular service providers, WiMAX
providers and/or satellite providers are examples of the network
access service providers 120. In some instances, a network access
service provider such as the network access service provider 120c
may be a provider that provides both content and services.
[0022] In one embodiment, a network access service provider, such
as the network access service provider 120c, may provide inputs to
the broadband gateway 102 for identifying one or more individuals
such as the user 115, and/or for generating a directory for
peer-to-peer communications between the user 114 and one or more of
the identified individuals such as the user 115. The network access
service provider 120c may then control and/or monitor peer-to-peer
exchanges and/or network resource allocations for supporting the
peer-to-peer communications based on information provided in the
directory.
[0023] A broadband gateway such as the broadband gateway 102 may
comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may
be operable to provide an interface and connectivity between one or
more of the devices 104a-104d and one or more of the distribution
networks 110. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may support
configuring and/or using a plurality of broadband connections 108
to the distribution networks 110. The broadband connections 108 may
comprise wired and/or wireless connections between the broadband
gateway 102 and the distribution networks 110. 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 such as multimedia content from one or more of
the content providers 130a-130c. The content may be delivered
through one or more of the network access service providers 120.
The broadband gateway 102 may communicate with various devices
104a-104d using wired, optical and/or wireless communication links
106. Similarly, the broadband gateway 103 may support configuring
and/or using a plurality of broadband connections 109 to the
distribution networks 110. The broadband gateway 103 may
communicate with various devices 105a-105d using wired, optical
and/or wireless communication links 107.
[0024] A single broadband gateway such as the broadband gateway 102
may be operable to handle a plurality of physical layer connections
to the distribution networks 110, where different ones or portions
of the distribution networks 110 may be owned, operated, leased or
associated with different ones of the network access service
providers 120. A physical layer may refer to an open systems
interconnection (OSI) layer 1. In this regard, for example, a first
network access service provider such as network access the service
provider 120a may provide network access to the broadband gateway
102 via a DSL connection over twisted-pair cabling, and a second
network access service provider such as the network access service
provider 120b may provide network access to the broadband gateway
102 via a cable television connection over coaxial cabling. In some
instances, the broadband gateway 102 may be operable to
concurrently communicate over the plurality of physical layer
connections provided by the plurality of network access service
providers 120.
[0025] A broadband gateway such as the broadband gateway 102 may be
located at a residential location such as a home. The broadband
gateway 102 may also be located in non-residential location
comprising, for example, a commercial building, an office, an
office complex, an apartment building and/or a factory. While the
broadband gateway 102 may be illustrated as a single and separate
device in FIG. 1, other embodiments may not use such a device. In
one embodiment, some functionalities of the broadband gateway 102
may be implemented in a distributed manner over two or more devices
locally and/or remotely. For example, some of the functionalities
of the broadband gateway 102 may be implemented within one of the
televisions available in the home. Furthermore, the broadband
gateway 102 may be implemented as a virtual platform, for
example.
[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, a broadband gateway such as the
broadband gateway 102 may be operable to generate a directory for
the user 104 for supporting peer-to-peer communications with other
individuals such as the user 115. The broadband gateway 102 may
share the directory information with one or more network access
service providers such as the network access service provider 120c
and/or one or more content providers such as the content provider
130a. The directory information may then be utilized by the one or
more network access service providers such as the network access
service provider 120c and/or the one or more content providers such
as the content provider 130a for controlling and/or monitoring
peer-to-peer exchanges and/or network resource allocations.
[0027] A device such as the device 104a may comprise suitable
logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to
interact with the broadband gateway 102. The devices 104a-104d
serviced by, and/or connected with the broadband gateway 102 may
comprise content consuming devices and/or non-content consuming
household devices. For example, the devices 104 may comprise a
television, a set-top box (STB), a laptop computer, a smoke
detector, a carbon monoxide detector, a security alarm, a desk top
computer and/or server, a mobile phone, a speaker, an AM/FM radio,
a phone, and/or an appliance such as a refrigerator. The devices
104a-104d may interact with the broadband gateway 102 via the links
106 utilizing various wired and/or wireless communication
technologies such as, for example, Bluetooth, LTE, WiFi and/or
Ethernet. Similarly, the devices 105a-105d may interact with the
broadband gateway 103 via the links 107 utilizing various wired
and/or wireless communication technologies. One or more of the
devices 104a-104d may be associated with the user 114, and one or
more of the devices 105a-105d may be associated with the user
115.
[0028] In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, although the
devices 104a-104d communicate with only the broadband gateway 102
as shown and the devices 105a-105d communicate with only the
broadband gateway 103 as shown, other embodiments devices 104a-104d
and 105a-105d may communicate with other gateways. Accordingly, the
devices 104a-104d may communicate with multiple broadband gateways
in a local or home network and the devices 105a-105d may
communicate with multiple broadband gateways in a local or home
network without departing from the spirit and scope of various
embodiments.
[0029] The distribution networks 110 may comprise suitable logic,
circuitry, communication devices, interfaces and/or code that may
be operable to enable wireless and/or wired communication among a
plurality of local and/or remote entities, based on one or more
networking and/or communication infrastructures. In this regard,
one or more of the distribution networks 110 may be utilized to
enable distribution of content such as multimedia content generated
by one or more of the content providers 130a-130c, via one or more
of the network access service providers 120a-120c, to one or more
of the devices 104a-104d, 105a-105d. The network connectivity
available via the distribution networks 110 may be based on one or
more communication standards and/or protocols. The distribution
networks 110 may comprise, for example, Internet, cable television
(CATV) network, satellite television (TV) network, wired or
wireless local area network (LAN), wired or wireless wide area
network (WAN), personal area network (PAN) and/or cellular network.
In one embodiment, the distribution networks 110 may provide
resources to support peer-to-peer communications between, for
example, a communication device such as the device 104a associated
with the user 114 and a communication device such as the device
105a associated with the user 115, as illustrated by the link 140.
For example, the distribution networks 110 may allocate necessary
network communication devices to establish the link 140 for
supporting the peer-to-peer communications. The network
communication devices may comprise, for example, layer 1 hubs,
layer 2 or layer 3 switches, routers and/or other network
communication devices.
[0030] In operation, the broadband gateway 102 may be operable to
identify one or more individuals such as the user 115 with whom the
user 114 may desire to engage in peer-to-peer communications. A
directory which comprises information related to the user 114 and
each of the one or more individuals may be generated by the
broadband gateway 102 for supporting the peer-to-peer
communications. In this regard, the peer to-peer communications may
comprise, for example, content sharing, files sharing, website
hosting and/or video gaming. The directory may comprise name
information, location information, contact information,
communication device information, content sharing information
and/or other related information which are associated with the user
114 and each of the one or more individuals such as the user 115.
For example, the directory may comprise a communication device such
as the device 104a which is associated with the user 114. The
directory may provide information indicating that the device 104a
comprises some particular video content which may be shared via
peer-to-peer communications with each of the one or more
individuals in the directory such as the user 115.
[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more individuals may
be identified and/or the directory may be generated, based on
inputs or suggestions from the user 114, one or more other
broadband gateways such as the broadband gateway 103, one or more
network access service providers such as the network access service
provider 120c and/or one or more content providers such as the
content provider 130a.
[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the broadband gateway 102 may be
operable to communicate and/or share the generated directory to one
or more network access service providers such as the network access
service provider 120c and/or one or more content providers such as
the content provider 130a. Accordingly, peer-to-peer exchanges
and/or network resource allocations for supporting the peer-to-peer
communications may be controlled and/or monitored by the one or
more network access service providers such as the network access
service provider 120c and/or the one or more content providers such
as the content provider 130a, based on information in the
directory. In this regard, for example, the content provider 130a
may control and/or monitor the content sharing between the device
104a associated with the user 114 and the device 105a associated
with the user 115, based on the content sharing information
provided in the directory. The content sharing information may
provide the content provider 130a with information such as
availability and/or permission of the content sharing. The network
access service provider 120c may control and/or monitor the network
resource allocations associated with the peer-to-peer link 140 for
supporting the peer-to-peer content sharing, based on the location
information provided in the directory, for example. The location
information may provide the network access service provider 120c
with physical locations or addresses associated with the device
104a and the device 105a. Accordingly, the network access service
provider 120c may allocate available network communication devices
and/or resources such as bandwidth and cache stores, to establish
the peer-to-peer link 140. In instances when one or more network
communication devices such as a switch in the link 140 become
unavailable during the peer-to-peer content sharing, the network
access service provider 120c may switch the unavailable switch to
other available switch so as to keep the peer-to-peer link 140
available for the peer-to-peer content sharing, for example.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
broadband gateway that is operable to provide directory services
for peer-to-peer communications, in accordance with one embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a broadband gateway 200. The
broadband gateway 200 may be substantially similar to the broadband
gateway 102 in FIG. 1. The broadband gateway 200 may comprise a
provider interface module 202, a processor 204, a memory 206, a
client device interface module 208 and a directory service module
210.
[0034] The provider interface module 202 may comprise suitable
logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to
receive data from one or more network access service providers
220a-220b. The provider interface module 202 may also be operable
to send data to one or more network access service providers
220a-220b. The provider interface module 202 may be operable to
support multiple communication protocols, standards, and/or data
transport technologies. The provider interface module 202 may be
communicatively coupled to one or more network access service
providers 220a-220b via one or more physical layer connections
230a-230b. In this regard, each of the physical layer connections
230a-230b may connect the broadband gateway 200 to one of different
network access service providers 220a-220b. Each of the physical
layer connections 230a-230b may comprise a wired, optical and/or
wireless connection. For example, the physical layer connection
230a may comprise a DSL over twisted-pair connection while the
physical layer connection 230b may comprise a CATV over coaxial
cable connection.
[0035] The processor 204 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,
interfaces and/or code that may be operable to process data
received from the network access service providers 220a-220b and/or
the content providers 130a-130c and/or data received from one or
more of the devices 104a-104d. In this regard, the processor 204
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.
[0036] The directory service module 210 may comprise suitable
logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to
identify one or more individuals for a user such as the user 114,
where the user 114 may desire to engage in peer-to-peer
communications with each of the one or more individuals such as the
user 115. The directory service module 210 may generate or
construct a directory based on information associated with the
identified one or more individuals. The directory service module
210 may share the directory information with one or more network
access service providers such as the network access service
provider 220a and/or one or more content providers such as the
content provider 130a for controlling and/or monitoring
peer-to-peer exchanges and/or network resource allocations.
[0037] The memory 206 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,
interfaces and/or code that may be operable to store data utilized
in the operations of the broadband gateway 200. For example, the
memory 206 may be utilized to store configuration data, parameters,
device information, tracking and/or monitoring information,
security information, and intermediate processing data, for
example. In one embodiment, the memory 206 may be operable to store
a directory generated by the directory service module 210. The
memory 206 may comprise storage media integrated in the broadband
gateway 200 and/or a removable storage device.
[0038] The client device interface module 208 may comprise suitable
logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to
send data to one or more of the devices such as the devices
104a-104d in a local or home network. The client device interface
module 208 may also be operable to receive data from one or more of
the devices 104a-104d in the local or home network. The client
device interface module 208 may be operable to support multiple
communication protocols, standards, and/or data transport
technologies.
[0039] In operation, a broadband gateway such as the broadband
gateway 200 may provide connections and/or interfaces for various
devices such as the devices 104a-104d to distribution networks such
as the distribution networks 110. One or more of the devices
104a-104d may be associated with a user such as the user 114. The
directory service module 210 in the broadband gateway 200 may be
operable to identify one or more individuals such as the user 115
with whom the user 114 may have a desire to engage in peer-to-peer
communications. A directory which comprises information related to
the user 114 and each of the one or more individuals may be
generated by the directory service module 210 for supporting the
peer-to-peer communications. The directory may comprise, for
example, name information, location information, contact
information, communication device information, content sharing
information and/or other related information which are associated
with the user 114 and each of the one or more individuals such as
the user 115. For example, the directory may comprise a
communication device such as the device 104a which is associated
with the user 114 and a communication device such as the device
105a which as associated with the user 115. The directory
information may indicate that the device 104a comprises some
particular content file which may be shared, via peer-to-peer
communications, with the device 105a associated with the user 115,
for example.
[0040] In one embodiment, the directory service module 210 may
identify the one or more individuals and/or construct the directory
based on inputs and/or suggestions from the user 114, from one or
more other broadband gateways such as the broadband gateway 103,
from one or more network access service providers such as the
network access service provider 220a and/or from one or more
content providers such as the content provider 130a.
[0041] In one embodiment, the directory service module 210 may
communicate and/or share the generated directory to one or more
network access service providers such as the network access service
provider 220a and/or one or more content providers such as the
content provider 130a. Accordingly, peer-to-peer exchanges and/or
network resource allocations for supporting the peer-to-peer
communications may be controlled and/or monitored by the one or
more network access service providers such as the network access
service provider 220a and/or the one or more content providers such
as the content provider 130a, based on information in the
directory. In this regard, for example, a content file that is
exchanged between the device 104a associated with the user 114 and
the device 105a associated with the user 115 may be controlled
and/or monitored by the content provider 130a, based on the content
sharing information provided in the directory. The network resource
allocations associated with the peer-to-peer communication link
such as the link 140 for supporting the peer-to-peer content file
exchanges may be controlled and/or monitored by the network access
service provider 220a, based on the location information associated
with the device 104a and the device 105a.
[0042] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
directory for peer-to-peer communications, in accordance with one
embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a directory 300.
The directory 300 may comprise a user name 301, one or more
individual names of which individual name 311 is illustrated, a
plurality of contact information of which contact information 302,
312 are illustrated, a plurality of communication devices of which
communication devices 303a-303c, 313a-313b are illustrated, a
plurality of location information of which location information
304a-304c, 314a-314b are illustrated, and a plurality of content
sharing information of which content sharing information 305a,
305c, 315a are illustrated. A user with the user name 301 may be
substantially similar to the user 114 in FIG. 1. An individual with
the individual name 311 may be substantially similar to the user
115 in FIG. 1. The contact information 302 and the communication
devices 303a-303c are associated with the user name 301. The
contact information 312 and the communication devices 313a-313b are
associated with the individual name 311. The location information
304a and the content sharing information 305a are associated with
the communication devices 303a. The location information 304b is
associated with the communication device 303b. The location
information 304c and the content sharing information 305c are
associated with the communication device 303c. The location
information 314a and the content sharing information 315a are
associated with the communication device 313a. The location
information 314b is associated with the communication device 313b.
The content sharing information such as the content sharing
information 305a may comprise, for example, a name, a type and/or a
provider of the content in the communication device 303a and may
comprise information pertaining to availability and/or permission
for peer-to-peer content sharing or exchange with other
communication devices in the directory, such as the communication
devices 303b, 303c, 313a and/or 313b.
[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the directory service module 210
in the broadband gateway 200 may be operable to identify one or
more individuals such as an individual with the individual name 311
for peer-to-peer communications with a user such as a user with the
user name 301. The directory 300 may be generated or constructed by
the directory service module 210 for supporting the peer-to-peer
communications among the user with the user name 301 and one or
more identified individuals such as the individual with the
individual name 311. The directory service module 210 may
communicate or share the directory 300 with one or more network
access service providers such as the network access service
provider 220a and/or one or more content providers such as the
content provider 130a. In this regard, for example, the content
sharing or exchange between the communication device 303a and the
communications device 313b may be controlled and/or monitored by
the content provider 130a, based on the content sharing information
305a in the directory 300. The network resource allocations for
supporting the peer-to-peer communications between the
communication device 303a and the communication device 313b may be
managed by the network access service provider 220a, based on the
location information 304a and the location information 314b in the
directory 300.
[0044] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, only the
contact information 302, 312, the communication devices 303a-303c,
313a-313b, the location information 304a-304c, 314a-314b and the
content sharing information 305a, 305c, 315a are shown.
Notwithstanding, the embodiments are not so limited and other
related information may also be illustrated without departing from
the spirit and scope of various embodiments.
[0045] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for
providing directory services by a gateway for peer-to-peer
communications, in accordance with an embodiment. Referring to FIG.
4, the exemplary steps start at step 401. In step 402, the
directory service module in the broadband gateway 200 may be
operable to identify one or more individuals with whom a user such
as the user 114 may have a desire to engage in peer-to-peer
communications. The identification of the one or more individuals
such as the user 115 may be initiated or suggested by the user 114.
In step 403, the directory service module 210 may generate or
construct a directory 300 which may comprise information related to
the user 114 and each of the identified one or more individuals
such as the user 115 for supporting the peer-to-peer
communications. The generation of the directory 300 may be based on
inputs and/or suggestions from, for example, the user 114, one or
more other broadband gateways such as the broadband gateway 103,
one or more network access service providers such as the network
access service provider 220a, and/or one or more content providers
such as the content provider 130a.
[0046] In step 404, the directory service module 210 may
communicate or share the directory 300 to the one or more network
access service providers such as the network access service
provider 220a and/or the one or more content providers such as the
content provider 130a. In this regard, peer-to-peer exchanges
and/or network resource allocations for supporting the peer-to-peer
communications may be controlled and/or monitored based on
information in the directory 300. The exemplary steps may proceed
to the end step 405.
[0047] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary operations for
controlling and/or monitoring peer-to-peer communications based on
information in directory, in accordance with one embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 5, the exemplary operations start at operation
501. In operation 502, a network access service provider such as
the network access service provider 120c may be operable to receive
a directory 300 for supporting peer-to-peer communications for a
user such as the user 114 from a broadband gateway 102 associated
with the user 114. In operation 503, the network access service
provider 120c may manage network resource allocations for
supporting the peer-to-peer communications for the user 114 based
on information such as location information 304a, 314b in the
directory 300. In operation 504, the network access service
provider 120c, which also provides content services, may be
operable to control and/or monitor content exchanges for the
peer-to-peer communications for the user 114 based on information
such as content sharing information 305a in the directory 300. The
exemplary operations may proceed to the end operation 505.
[0048] In various embodiments, a broadband gateway 102, 200 may
communicate with a plurality of devices 104a-104d and may handle at
least one physical layer connection to at least one corresponding
network access service provider. In this regard, for example, the
at least one physical layer connection may comprise, for example, a
plurality of physical layer connections 230a-230b and the at least
one corresponding network access service provider may comprise a
plurality of corresponding network access service providers
220a-220b. Each of the plurality of physical layer connections
230a-230b may correspond to a respective one of the plurality of
corresponding network access service providers 220a-220b.
[0049] A directory service module 210 in the broadband gateway 200
may be operable to identify one or more individuals with whom a
particular user such as the user 114 may desire to engage in
peer-to-peer communications. The user 114 may be associated with
one or more of the plurality of devices 104a-104. A directory or
listing associated with the identified one or more individuals such
as the user 115 may be generated by the directory service module
210 for supporting the peer-to-peer communications based on the
identified one or more individuals. In this regard, for example,
the peer-to-peer communications may comprise content sharing, files
sharing and/or video gaming.
[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, the directory 300 may comprise
name information 301, 311, location information 304a-304c,
314a-314b, contact information 302, 312, communication device
information 303a-303c, 313a-313b, content sharing information 305a,
305c, 315a, and/or other related information which are associated
with the user 114 and each of the one or more individuals such as
the user 115. The one or more individuals may be identified and/or
the directory 300 may be generated, based on inputs or suggestions
from, for example, the user 114, one or more other broadband
gateways such as the broadband gateway 103, one or more network
access service providers such as the network access service
provider 120c and/or one or more content providers such as the
content provider 130a.
[0051] The directory service module 210 may be operable to
communicate the generated directory 300 to one or more network
access service providers such as the network access service
provider 220a and/or one or more content providers such as the
content provider 130a, for example. Accordingly, peer-to-peer
exchanges and/or network resource allocations for supporting the
peer-to-peer communications may be controlled and/or monitored by
the one or more network access service providers such as the
network access service provider 220a and/or the one or more content
providers such as the content provider 130a, based on information
in the directory 300, for example.
[0052] Other embodiments 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 providing directory services by a gateway for
peer-to-peer communications.
[0053] Accordingly, embodiments of the components in the features
1-3 may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of
hardware and software. The embodiments of the components in the
features 1-3 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.
[0054] The components of features 1-3 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.
[0055] 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.
* * * * *