METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING BANDWIDTH BY A BROADBAND GATEWAY

Aspects of a method and system for managing bandwidth by a broadband gateway are provided. In this regard, broadband gateway may, upon receiving a request for content from a user of the communication device, present, via a graphical user interface, a message that offers a benefit to the user in exchange for deferring consumption of the content until a later time. The gateway may then deliver the content to the communication device at a time determined by a response to the message received from the communication device. The message may provide several times at which the content may be delivered and a corresponding benefit available for each of the times. The times may correspond to times at which it is expected there will be less traffic in the network over which the content is to be delivered.

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Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY

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.

The above stated application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application also makes reference to

  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23397US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23398US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23399US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23400US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23401US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23402US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23403US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23404US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23405US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23406US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23407US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23408US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23409US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23410US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23411US02) filed on even date herewith;
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  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23413US02) filed on even date herewith;
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  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23418US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23419US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23420US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23421US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23422US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23423US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23424US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23425US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23426US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23427US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23428US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23429US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23430US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23431US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23432US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23433US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23434US02) filed on even date herewith;
  • U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 23435US02) filed on even date herewith;

Each of the above stated applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to a broadband gateway. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for managing bandwidth by a broadband gateway.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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.

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

A system and/or method is provided for managing bandwidth by a broadband gateway, substantially as illustrated by and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary communication system that comprises a home network serviced by a broadband gateway, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary broadband gateway, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary message via which a gateway may offer a user a benefit in exchange for deferring consumption of content, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for managing a load on a network by incentivizing deferral of content consumption, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for managing a load on a network by incentivizing deferral of content consumption, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for managing bandwidth by a broadband gateway. In various embodiments of the invention, a broadband gateway may enables communication with a plurality of communication devices, and be operable to handle at least one physical layer connection to at least one corresponding network access service provider. The gateway may, upon receiving a request for content from a user of the communication device, present, via a graphical user interface, a message that offers a benefit to the user in exchange for deferring consumption of the content until a later time. The gateway may then deliver the content to the communication device at a time determined by a response to the message received from the communication device. The broadband gateway may be operable to handle a plurality of physical layer connections to a corresponding plurality of network access service providers. The message may be presented after determining current and/or historical usage of a network over which the content is to be delivered. The message may provide several times at which the content may be delivered and a corresponding benefit available for each of the times. The times may correspond to times at which it is expected there will be less traffic in the network over which the content is to be delivered. The benefit may comprise a credit to a subscriber account associated with the broadband gateway. The credit may be redeemable for free or discounted services and/or content. The credit may be redeemable for access to other content before the other content is available via other broadband gateways. The benefit may be a monetary amount added to a subscriber account associated with the broadband gateway. In instances that delivery of the content is deferred, the content may be downloaded to local storage at a time or times that may actually or historically correspond to periods of relatively light traffic in a network via which the content is to be downloaded.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary communication system that comprises a home network serviced by a broadband gateway, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a home network 100a, a plurality of distribution networks 110, a plurality of service providers 120, and a plurality of content providers 130. The home network 100A may be serviced by a broadband gateway 102. Also shown in FIG. 1 are additional home networks 100b, . . . , 100n, and an emergency services provider network 140. Each of the home networks 100b, . . . , 100n may also be serviced by a broadband gateway 102.

The service providers 120 may comprise various entities which may provide various services to the devices 104 via the gateway 102 and/or to the gateway 102 itself. Some of the service providers 120 may comprise network access service providers which provide physical layer connections to the gateway 102. Such physical layer connections may then be utilized to access, and/or may be part of, one or more of the distribution networks 110. In this regard, “network access service provider” as utilized herein, is distinguished from the more generic term “service provider” which may encompass services other than providing physical layer access to a network. Cable television providers, plain old telephone service (POTS) providers, digital subscriber line (DSL) providers, cellular providers, WiMAX providers, and satellite providers are examples of network access service providers.

The content providers 130 may generate, capture, and/or package content, such as multimedia content, that may be distributed to end-users. The content may comprise, for example, audio, video, e-book, gaming, and/or other content. The content may be, for example, downloadable and/or streaming, rented and/or purchased. In some instances, a content provider and a service provider may be separate. In some instances, a single provider may provide both content and services. For example, an entity that functions as a network access service provider may also provide content and/or services other than network access and, thus, that entity may also be accurately referred to as a “content provider” and/or a “service provider.” Content and/or services that are provided by a content provider 130 and/or a service provider 120 may be provided to the gateway 102 via a physical connection provided by a network access service provider 120.

The plurality of distribution networks 110 may comprise one or more networks that may be operable to enable wireless, optical, and/or wired communication among a plurality of entities based on one or more networking and/or communication infrastructures. In this regard, the plurality of distribution networks 110 may be utilized to enable distributing multimedia content generated by the content providers 130, directly and/or via the service providers 120, to end-users. The network connectivity available via the plurality of distribution networks 110 may be based on one or more communication standards and/or protocols. The plurality of distribution networks 110 may comprise, for example, the Internet 110a, a CATV network 110b, a satellite television (TV) network 110c, a wireless local area network/wide area network (LAN/WAN) 110d, and/or a cellular network 110e.

The Internet 110a may comprise a system of interconnected networks to enable exchange of data between a plurality of nodes, based on one or more networking standards, including, for example, the Internet Protocol (IP). For example, the Internet 110a may enable connectivity among a plurality of private and public, academic, business, and/or government nodes and/or networks. The physical connectivity may be provided in the Internet 110a via, for example, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), copper wires, fiber-optic cables, wireless interfaces, and/or other protocols and/or standards-based interfaces. The transport functionality may be performed in the Internet 110a based on, for example, one or more protocols, such as the Transmission Control Protocol/IP (TCP/IP), for example. The CATV network 110b may comprise suitable distribution nodes, systems, and/or subnetworks that may enable forwarding of communication between CATV providers and a plurality of cable-TV consumers. For example, the CATV network 110b may comprise a network of fiber optics and/or coaxial cables for use in CATV broadcasts. The satellite TV network 110c may comprise suitable distribution nodes, systems, and/or subnetworks that may enable communication of satellite TV broadcast by satellite TV providers to a plurality of consumers. For example, the satellite network 110c may comprise a plurality of orbiting satellite nodes and/or one or more terrestrial centers in a satellite-TV system.

The LAN/WAN network 110d may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to enable implementation of one or more wired and/or wireless LAN or WAN standards and/or protocols. Exemplary WAN technologies comprise, for example, WiMAX-based networks. Exemplary LAN technologies may comprise, for example, those based on IEEE 802.11 standards, including, for example, WiFi-based networks. The cellular network 110e may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to enable communication via one or more cellular technologies. Exemplary cellular technologies may comprise Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA1000, High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE), and/or Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). The cellular network 110e may comprise, for example, a plurality of control and/or switching nodes, and a plurality of base stations that enable transmission and/or reception of cellular based communications between the cellular network 110e and cellular capable devices.

The home network 100a may correspond to a location that may comprise a plurality of devices 104 which may be serviced and/or managed by the broadband gateway 102. In this regard, the location may be a residence (e.g., home, apartment), a small business, a school, a library, and/or other like settings in which users may want to obtain access to service and/or to content provider networks. The broadband gateway 102 may be utilized in the home network 100a to provide connectivity between the home network 100a and the service providers 120 (and/or the content providers 130) via the distribution networks 110.

The broadband gateway 102 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to provide connectivity between one or more devices in a home network, such as the home network 100a, and a plurality of external networks. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may handle a plurality of broadband physical layer connections 108 to the distribution networks 110. The broadband physical layer connections 108 may comprise wired, optical, and/or wireless connections between the broadband gateway 102 and the distribution networks 110. The broadband gateway 102 may operate as an interface device that may allow one or more service and/or content providers to interact with various devices in the home network. In this regard, the broadband gateway 102 may be operable to perform and/or provide various services that may pertain to enabling and/or facilitating reception of content from one or more content providers, wherein the content may be delivered through one or more services providers. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may be operable to perform such operations as network access related processing (e.g., PHY/MAC, transport layer processing), encryption and/or decryption, user and/or account authentication, and/or at least some of video and/or audio processing operations that may be needed for consumption of multimedia content. The broadband gateway 102 may communicate with various devices in the home network 100, using wired and/or wireless communication links.

A single gateway 102 may be operable to handle multiple physical layer (i.e., layer 1 of the open-systems interconnection model (OSI)) connections 108 to multiple ones, or portions, of the distribution networks 110, where different ones or portions of the distribution network(s) 110 are owned, operated, leased, or otherwise associated with different network access service providers 120. For example, a first network access service provider 120 may provide network access to the gateway 102 via a DSL connection over twisted-pair cabling, and a second network access service provider 120 may provide network access to the gateway 102 via a cable television connection over coaxial cabling. In some instances, the gateway 102 may be operable to concurrently communicate over multiple physical layer connections 108 provided by multiple network access service providers 120.

The broadband gateway 102 may also be operable to provide and/or support various other, non-content related services in the home network 100. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may be operable to provide energy management in the home network 100a, by controlling and/or adjusting configuration of one or more devices in the home network to reduce power consumption for example.

Devices serviced by, and/or connected with the broadband gateway 102 may comprise content consuming devices and/or other, non-content consuming household or home devices that may be operable to interact with the broadband gateway 102. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may service, and/or may communicate with a plurality of home devices 104a-104j in the home network 100a. The devices 104a-104j may each be referred to as a communication device or an electronic device. The home devices may comprise, for example, one or more of a television 104a, a laptop computer 104b, a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector, and/or a security alarm 104c, a computer and/or server 104d, a mobile phone 104e, a speaker 104f, an AM/FM radio 104g, a phone 104h, an appliance 104i (e.g., refrigerator), and a digital video recorder (DVR) or personal video recorder (PVR) 104j. The broadband gateway 102 may interact with each of the home devices 104a-104j via links 106a-106j, which may be supported by the broadband gateway 102 and the corresponding home device. For example, the link 106a between the broadband gateway 102 and the television 104a may comprise a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable. The link 106b may comprise, for example, a wired Ethernet link, a wireless Ethernet link, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) link, or an IEEE 1394 link. The link 106c may comprise, for example, a two-wire link or a wireless link. The link 106d may comprise, for example, a wired Ethernet link, a wireless Ethernet link, a USB link, or an IEEE 1394 link. The link 106e may comprise, for example, a wireless Ethernet link, a USB link, or a cellular link. The link 106f may comprise speaker wire and/or a wireless link. The link 106g may comprise, for example, AM and/or FM radio transmissions broadcast received using the broadband gateway 102. The link 106h may comprise, for example, a phone line. The link 106i may comprise, for example, a wired or wireless Ethernet link. The link 106j may comprise, for example, a wired or a wireless link.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of home networks 100b, . . . , 100n, may also be connected to the distribution networks 110. These home networks 100b, . . . , 100n may operate in substantially the same manner as the home network 100a. By having multiple home networks connected to the distribution networks 110, various applications, such as peer-to-peer communication and/or data aggregation operations may be possible by utilizing the broadband gateways 102 in the home networks.

In operation, a user of one or more of the devices 104, e.g., a television viewer, may request content via the broadband gateway 102. For example, the user may select a television program by browsing an electronic programming guide (EPG) displayed on the television 104a by the gateway 102. Selection of the television program may, in effect, request that a content provider 130 associated with the television program deliver the television program to the gateway 102 via one or more of the networks 110.

Upon the user requesting the television program, the gateway 102 may, prior to requesting the content from the associated content provider 130, determine the load on the one or more networks 110 via which the television program is to be delivered. The load on the network(s) 110 may be determined based on past network statistics and/or current network activity. The network statistics may be collected by the gateway 102 and/or may be collected by one or more service providers 120 and/or content providers 130 and may be communicated to the gateway 102 occasionally, periodically, and/or upon request. Current network activity may be determined by, for example, sending test packets into the network and/or querying various entities in the network.

In instances that the network over which the television program is to be delivered is currently congested or experiencing a relatively high volume of traffic, and/or instances that the high volumes of traffic are expected at some point during the television program, the gateway 102 may offer the user a benefit in exchange for deferring viewing of the television program until later. In this regard, it may be advantageous to the service and/or content providers to defer transmission of the content so as not to further add to the already high load on the network at that time. This may, for example, reduce costs of operation and/or enable ensuring adequate quality of service to customers. For example, a pop-up window, as is described with respect to FIG. 3, may be displayed and the viewer may have the option of viewing the television program at its regularly scheduled time, or agreeing to view the television later when the network is less congested and/or at a time which would otherwise be more advantageous for the content and/or service provider(s). Additionally or alternatively, configured user preferences, configured device preferences, and/or default settings may determine whether to accept the benefit in exchange for deferring consumption without having to request approval from the user. In this manner, the load on the network may be managed so that a load on the network may be more evenly distributed, thus reducing peak loads on the network and, therefore, costs associated with owning and operating the network.

Examples of benefits which may be offered to a user comprise, monetary credits to a subscriber account associated with the broadband gateway 102, and credits added to a subscriber account associated with the broadband gateway. Such credits may, for example, be redeemable for free and/or discounted content and/or services. Such credits may, for example, be redeemable to give the broadband gateway 102 priority access to other content. Priority access may comprise being allowed to view or consume certain content before other users and/or subscribers are allowed to view or consume that certain content. That is, the credits may be redeemable to give broadband gateway 102 access to particular content before the particular content is available to other broadband gateways.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary broadband gateway, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the broadband gateway 102 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be operable to provide connectivity between one or more networks, such as the distribution networks 110 shown in FIG. 1, for example, and one or more devices in a home network, such as the home devices 104a-104j in the home network 100a shown in FIG. 1. In this regard, the broadband gateway 102 may operate as an interface device that allows one or more devices in the home network to access one or more networks, and to access various services and/or content via those one or more networks. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may be utilized to enable interaction between the plurality of service providers 120 and/or the plurality of content providers 130, and the home devices 104a-104j.

The broadband gateway 102 may communicate with the various devices via a home network that may comprise wired, optical, and/or wireless communication links, such as the home network 100a. In this regard, the broadband gateway 102 may comprise suitable hardware and/or software to provide some or all of the functions and/or operations of one or more of a modem, a router, and a switch. The modem functions and/or operations may be those of a digital subscribed line (DSL) modem, a cable modem, and/or a wireless cable modem, for example. The router functions and/or operations may be those of a wireless router, for example. The switch functions and/or operations may be those of a network switch, or a local area network (LAN) switch, for example. In some instances, the broadband gateway 102 may communicate with the various devices in the home via more than one home network.

The broadband gateway 102 may comprise one or more modules. Each of these modules may comprise hardware, software, or a combination thereof that may be utilized to perform various operations associated with the broadband gateway 102. In an embodiment of the invention, the broadband gateway 102 may comprise a provider interface module 202, a processor module 204, a memory module 206, and a client network interface module 208. In some instances, the broadband gateway 102 may be such that the various modules listed above may be distributed over multiple devices. Moreover, the modules listed above are provided by way of illustration and not of limitation. Other configurations and/or architectures of the broadband gateway 102 may also be implemented. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may be a virtual gateway that is setup in a network by utilizing virtual machines (VMs) and/or next-generation (NG) data centers.

The provider interface module 202 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be operable to receive data from and/or send data to one or more service/content providers via one or more physical layer connections 108 to one or more network access service providers. In this regard, each of the physical layer connections 1081-108J may connect the gateway 110 to a different network access service provider. Each of the physical layer connections 108 may comprise a wired, optical, or wireless connection. Each of the physical layer connections 108 may utilize different physical media and/or different physical layer protocols. For example, the connection 1081 may comprise a DSL over twisted-pair connection and the connection 108j may comprise a CATV over coaxial cable connection.

The processor module 204 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be operable to process data received from the service/content providers and/or data received from one or more devices 104 in the home. Data from one or more devices 104 may comprise user input such as feedback regarding consumed content and responses to questionnaires, surveys, and polls. Data received from the service/content providers via one or more the physical layer connections 1081-108J may be processed to make it suitable for communication to a device 108 and data from the one or more devices 104 may be processed to make it suitable for communication to the service/content providers via one or more the physical layer connections 1081-108J. In this regard, the processor module 124 may comprise one or more portions that are suitable to handle certain types of data such as video data and/or audio data, for example. The processor module 204 may also be operable to generate a graphical user interface (GUI) which may be manipulated via which a user may provide input. The GUI may be displayed as part of an OSD on a local device 104, such as a monitor or television, and may be manipulated via a remote control and/or other input device that communicates directly with the gateway 102. The GUI may be a web-based interface, and a user may interact with it via a computer and web browser. The GUI may be customized based on characteristics of the gateway 102, the device 104 coupled to the gateway, and the service and/or content providers associated with the gateway 102. The processors module 124 may utilize the memory 206 in performing its functions.

The memory module 206 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be operable to store data utilized in the operations of the broadband gateway 102. For example, the memory module 206 may be utilized to store configuration data, parameters, device information, tracking and/or monitoring information, security information, and intermediate processing data, for example. The memory module 206 may comprise storage media that may be integrated in the broadband gateway 102 and/or may be removable such as a removable storage device.

The client network interface module 208 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, code, and/or interfaces that may be operable to receive data from and/or send data to one or more devices in the home network. The client network interface module 208 may be operable to support multiple communication protocols, standards, and/or data transport technologies. In this regard, the client network interface module 208 may handle one or more physical layer connections to one or more devices 104. For example, the client network interface module 208 may comprise, one or more wired and/or wireless Ethernet interfaces, one or more analog and/or digital audio outputs, one or more audio/video interfaces such as such as HDMI and DisplayPort, one or more USB interfaces, one or more IEEE 1394, and/or one or more telephone jacks.

The broadband gateway 102 may be operable to provide energy management by varying the configuration of one or more devices in the home network. The broadband gateway 102 may collect and/or store energy-related information of the devices in the home network and/or of the links in the home network, and may utilize such information to control the operation of the home devices. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may utilize channel capacity flexibility and content coding options to minimize and/or optimize power utilization. The broadband gateway 102 may also configure and/or manage the configuration of the network between the broadband gateway 102 and one or more service/content providers based on the energy-related information associated with the devices in the home. For example, at least a portion of the distribution networks 100 may be configured and/or managed in this manner. The broadband gateway 102 may be utilized to display energy-related metrics, including consumption trends and/or costs, for example, and to display any available credits/rewards that may be redeemed by an account holder. In some instances, when a device in the home network is a certified device, such as a California efficient display, for example, the broadband gateway 102 may be utilized to provide that information to a service/content provider and obtain rewards/credits associated with the use of such certified devices. Moreover, overall network power consumption may be managed by sharing information among multiple interconnected broadband gateways.

The broadband gateway 102 may be operable to adapt and/or enable changes in a subscription model and/or in multimedia delivery characteristics based on the capabilities of the various devices in the home network. For example, high-definition video content may be delivered to certain type of devices, such as digital televisions (DTVs), while low-definition video content and/or text may be delivered to a different type of devices, such as personal mobile devices. In this regard, the broadband gateway 102 may be utilized to reduce bandwidth and/or power consumption in the home network. The broadband gateway 200 may also support and/or use multi-transport processing, which may be performed sequentially, in parallel, and/or utilizing distributed processing.

The gateway functionality associated with a user, such as security features, preferences, applications, electronic programming guides (EPGs), and user profile, for example, may be ported from the broadband gateway 102 to one or more other broadband gateways 102 in other locations. In some instances, a visitor may be allowed access to their content outside their service/content provider service area by, for example, classifying the access level for different users and/or by providing limited access to content. Moreover, the broadband gateway 102 may allow multiple user interface software structures by, for example, standardizing an interface to service/content providers and devices in the home network.

The broadband gateway 102 may be operable to broker and/or arbitrate with service/content providers the consumption of certain services, such as music and video, for example. In some instances, the broadband gateway 102 may perform content search, transport discovery, ranking, and/or sorting. These operations may be performed based on content quality, price, quality-of-service (QOS), and network protocols supported by the devices in the home network, such as service level agreements (SLAs), for example.

Various emergency-related services in the home network may be supported by the broadband gateway 102, including allowing first responders to provide alerts to a select group of users by accessing the broadband gateway 102 via secure links provided by the service/content providers. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may enable an emergency service provider, such as those associated with the emergency service provider network 140 described above in FIG. 1, to access one or more devices in the home network.

For peer-to-peer communication, the broadband gateway 102 may be utilized to allow enhanced content sharing in a service/content provider network. In this regard, the broadband gateway 102 may be utilized to construct a directory service for peer-to-peer connectivity with friends and family, for example. The broadband gateway 102 may be utilized to provide incentives to users who engage in peer-to-peer communication through, for example, the distribution networks 110. Moreover, the broadband gateway 102 may be utilized to match the content coding to the service type being consumed by the user and to make the necessary allocations through the network with respect to peer-to-peer or conventional Internet programming or broadcast programming.

The broadband gateway 102 may be utilized in connection with constrained network resources, such as time of day, traffic congestion, and the like, for example, to provide incentives for a user to accept a lower cost, lower quality of service that is dynamically configured for current network conditions. In some instances, the broadband gateway 102 may allow enhanced low latency service delivery to client devices in a home network.

The broadband gateway 102 may be operable to run or execute an agent to extract content, rating, copyright, language, privacy rules, and automatically add user-generated content, for example. Such agent may be run or executed in connection with the processor module 204 of the broadband gateway 102, for example. In some instances, the broadband gateway 102 may be operable to provide rating-related information or channel prediction to a service/content provider to assist with fast channel change.

Bandwidth optimization by, for example, placing future requests for bandwidth to a service/content provider and accepting the best timeslots provided in return may be enabled by the broadband gateway 102.

The broadband gateway 102 may be operable to combine and/or blend multiple contents for use as single content in the home network. Such combination may be performed in one or more of the modules of the broadband gateway 102. For example, the broadband gateway 102 may blend different video and audio contents for an event by accessing one or more service/content providers and providing automatic and/or manual content synchronization.

The protection, management, and/or tracking of confidential data, such as health and financial records, for example, by tagging the data may be provided by the broadband gateway 102. Only when a user authorizes the transfer of the confidential data will such data be stored and/or aggregated. The broadband gateway 102 may be operable to create a trusted rating mechanism for content. The broadband gateway 102 may be secure against external threats that may be downloaded from outside the home network and may provide a secure domain distribution in the home network. Automated and secured billing and payment services may also be provided by the broadband gateway 102.

The broadband gateway 102 may be operable to utilize client or home device profile information to select layered video service(s) and/or transmission. Such information may be stored, at least temporarily, in the memory module 206 of the broadband gateway 102. In some instances, the programming and/or enhanced video layers received by the broadband gateway 102 may be aggregated midstream by one or more network or routing nodes.

The broadband gateway 102 may support a reduction in the cost of unwatched content by using multi-tier billing for downloaded content, such as video content. The broadband gateway 102 may be utilized to provide a unified payment portal for collecting and/or aggregating charges from multiple service and/or content providers.

In operation, a request for content may be received from a user of a device 104 via the home network interface module 208. The processor module 204, upon receiving the request, may determine whether it would be advantageous to defer delivery of the content to a later time. For example, deferring delivery may reduce cost of operating the network(s) via which the content is to be delivered and/or may enable more efficient utilization of network and/or gateway resources. In this regard, the processor module 204 may determine a load on the network(s) via which the content is to be delivered. The processor module 204 may determine the load on the network by, for example, querying service and/or content providers via the provider interface module 202. The processor module 204 may determine the load on the network based on, for example, network statistics collected in the memory module 206 based on communications with the network(s).

In instances that it would be advantageous to defer delivery of the content until a later time, the processor module 204 may generate a message that gives the user the option of receiving a benefit in exchange for deferring consumption of the content until later. The message may be communicated to the user via the home network interface module 208. The user may provide input in response to the message, and the input may be received via the home network interface module 208. In instances that the input indicates that the user would like to consume the content immediately and/or at the regularly scheduled time, the processor module 204 may request the content from the content provider via the provider interface module 202. In instances that the input indicates that the user would like to defer consumption of the content, the processor module may determine an optimal time for delivery of the content. At the determined optimal time, the content may be downloaded via the provider interface module 202 and delivered to the user and/or stored to the memory 206.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary message via which a gateway may offer a user a benefit in exchange for deferring consumption of content, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the exemplary message comprises a pop-up dialog box 300 displayed on a television 104a by the gateway 102. The exemplary message informs the user that benefits are available for deferring viewing the desired content and enables the user to select between: viewing the content now (or at its regularly scheduled time) and foregoing any benefit, deferring viewing until “time 1” in exchange for “benefit 1”, and deferring viewing until “time 2” in exchange for “benefit 2”. The benefits may vary based on the inconvenience to the user and/or on the benefit to the service and/or content provider(s). For example, “time 1” may be more convenient, from the user's perspective, than “time 2”, but delivering the content at “time 2” versus delivering the content at “time 1,” may be more beneficial in terms of alleviating congestion and/or demand on network resources. Accordingly, “benefit 2” may be a bigger benefit to the user than “benefit 1,” in an attempt to entice the user to view the content at less-convenient “time 2.” The user may make his selection using, for example, a television remote control.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for managing a load on a network by incentivizing deferral of content consumption, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the exemplary steps may begin with step 402 in which a user may select content for consumption via the gateway 102. For example, the user may select video content via an EPG generated by the gateway 102 and displayed on a television 104a. In step 404, the gateway 102 may determine that delaying delivery of the content may be more efficient and/or cost-effective for the content and/or service provider(s) providing the content. In step 406, the gateway 102 may present the user with the option to defer viewing in exchange for receiving one or more benefits. In this regard, the user may be presented with one or more alternate times at which he can consume the content and the corresponding benefits being offered for choosing those times.

In step 408, the user may select one of the deferred times. In step 410, prior to the deferred time of content consumption, the gateway 410 may download the content to a local storage. Accordingly, the gateway 102 may download the content slowly and/or in segments such that network resources may be utilized more efficiently than if the content had to be downloaded at a rate suitable for real-time consumption. For example, if the content is regularly scheduled at 7:00 pm on Monday and the user agrees to view it at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, then the gateway 102 can determine the optimum time(s) during that 24-hour period at which to download the content. In step 412, at the time selected in step 408, the user may consume the content via the gateway 102.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for managing a load on a network by incentivizing deferral of content consumption, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the exemplary steps may begin with step 502 in which a user of a device 104 may select content for consumption via the gateway 102. For example, the user may select video content via an EPG generated by the gateway 102 and displayed on a television 104a. In step 504, it may be determined whether it would be sub-optimal or inefficient, from the perspective of content and/or service provider(s) providing the content, to deliver the content at the time it is requested. In instances that delivery of the content at the time of request is not inefficient or sub-optimal, the exemplary steps may advance to step 514 and the content may be delivered to the device 104 via the gateway 102.

Returning to step 504, in instances that delivery of the content at the time of request is inefficient or sub-optimal, the exemplary steps may advance to step 506. In step 506, the gateway 102 may present the user with the option to defer viewing in exchange for receiving one or more benefits. In this regard, the user may be presented with one or more alternate times the content may be consumed and the corresponding benefits being offered for choosing those times. In step 508, in instances that the user wants to consume the content now and forego the benefit, the exemplary steps may advance top step 514 and the content may be delivered to the device 104 via the gateway 102.

Returning to step 508, in instances that the user does accept a benefit in exchange for deferring consumption of the content, the exemplary steps may advance to step 510. In step 510, the benefit may be provided. For example, a subscriber account associated with the gateway 102 may have a monetary amount credited to it and/or may have one or more credits or “rewards” added to it. The credits or “rewards” may, for example, be redeemable for free and/or discounted content and/or services. The credits or “rewards” may, for example, be redeemable for upgrades to premium content and/or services. The credits or “rewards” may, for example, be redeemable for priority access to other content.

In step 512, the gateway 102 may wait until the time selected for consumption of the content. In some instances, the gateway 102 may download the content prior to the selected time. In step 514, the content may be delivered and/or made available to the device 104

Various aspects of a method and system for managing bandwidth by a broadband gateway are provided. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a broadband gateway 102 may enables communication with a communication devices 104, and be operable to handle at least one physical layer connection 108 to at least one corresponding network access service provider. The gateway 102 may, upon receiving a request for content from a user of the communication device 104, present, via a graphical user interface and/or an audio notification, a message 300 that offers a benefit to the user in exchange for deferring consumption of the content until a later time. The gateway 102 may then deliver the content to the communication device 104 at a time determined by a response to the message received from the communication device 104.

The broadband gateway 102 may be operable to handle a plurality of concurrent physical layer connections 108 to a corresponding plurality of network access service providers. The message may be presented after determining current and/or historical usage of a network 110 over which the content is to be delivered. The message may provide several times at which the content may be delivered and a corresponding benefit available for each of the times. The times may correspond to times at which it is expected there will be less traffic in the network 110 over which the content is to be delivered.

The benefit may comprise a credit to a subscriber account associated with the broadband gateway 102. The credit may be redeemable for free or discounted services and/or content. The credit may be redeemable for access to other content before the other content is available via other broadband gateways. The benefit may be a monetary amount added to a subscriber account associated with the broadband gateway 102. In instances that delivery of the content is deferred, the content may be downloaded to local storage, such as memory module 206 or a DVR 104, at a time or times that historically correspond to periods of relatively light traffic in a network 110 via which the content is to be downloaded.

Other embodiments of the invention may provide a non-transitory computer readable medium and/or storage medium, and/or a non-transitory machine readable medium and/or storage medium, having stored thereon, a machine code and/or a computer program having at least one code section executable by a machine and/or a computer, thereby causing the machine and/or computer to perform the steps as described herein for managing bandwidth by a broadband gateway.

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.

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.

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.

Claims

1. A method for networking, the method comprising:

in a broadband gateway that enables communication with a plurality of communication devices, wherein said broadband gateway is operable to handle at least one physical layer connection to at least one corresponding network access service provider: upon receiving a request for content from a user of one of said communication devices, presenting a message that offers a benefit to said user in exchange for deferring consumption of said content until a later time; and delivering said content to said one of said one or more communication devices at a time determined by a response to said message received from said one of said one or more communication devices.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one physical layer connection comprises a plurality of physical layer connections and said at least one corresponding network access service provider comprises a plurality of corresponding access service providers, and wherein each of said plurality of physical layer connections corresponds to a respective one of said plurality of corresponding access service providers.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising presenting said message after determining current and/or historical usage of a network over which said content is to be delivered.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said message provides several times at which said content may be delivered and a corresponding benefit available for each of said times.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said times correspond to times at which it is expected there will be less traffic in said network over which said content is to be delivered.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said benefit comprises a credit to a subscriber account associated with said broadband gateway.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said credit is redeemable for free or discounted services and/or content.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said credit is redeemable for access to other content before said other content is available via other broadband gateways.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said benefit is a monetary amount added to a subscriber account associated with said broadband gateway.

10. The method of claim 1, comprising, in instances that delivery of said content is deferred, downloading said content to local storage at a time or times that historically correspond to periods of relatively light traffic in a network via which said content is to be downloaded.

11. A system for networking, the system comprising:

one or more circuits for use in a broadband gateway that enables communication with a plurality of communication devices, said one or more circuits being operable to:
handle at least one physical layer connection to at least one corresponding network access service provider; and upon receiving a request for content from a user of one of said communication devices, present a message that offers a benefit to said user in exchange for deferring consumption of said content until a later time; and deliver said content to said one of said one or more communication devices at a time determined by a response to said message received from said one of said one or more communication devices.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said at least one physical layer connection comprises a plurality of physical layer connections and said at least one corresponding network access service provider comprises a plurality of corresponding access service providers, and wherein each of said plurality of physical layer connections corresponds to a respective one of said plurality of corresponding access service providers.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits are operable to present said message after determining current and/or historical usage of a network over which said content is to be delivered.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said message provides several times at which said content may be delivered and a corresponding benefit available for each of said times.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said times correspond to times at which it is expected there will be less traffic in said network over which said content is to be delivered.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein said benefit comprises a credit to a subscriber account associated with said broadband gateway.

17. The system of claim 6, wherein said credit is redeemable for free or discounted services and/or content.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein said credit is redeemable for access to other content before said other content is available via other broadband gateways.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein said benefit is a monetary amount added to a subscriber account associated with said broadband gateway.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits are operable to, in instances that delivery of said content is deferred, download said content to local storage at a time or times that historically correspond to periods of relatively light traffic in a network via which said content is to be downloaded.

Patent History
Publication number: 20110299544
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 30, 2010
Publication Date: Dec 8, 2011
Inventors: David Lundgren (Mill Valley, CA), Jeyhan Karaoguz (Irvine, CA), Xuemin (Sherman) Chen (San Diego, CA), Wael William Diab (San Francisco, CA), David Garrett (Tustin, CA), Rich Prodan (Niwot, CO)
Application Number: 12/982,166
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Bridge Or Gateway Between Networks (370/401)
International Classification: H04L 12/56 (20060101);