Methods and apparatus for centralized content and data delivery

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for centralized content, media and data delivery and access within a premises such as, e.g., a residence. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a remotely manageable premises device that acts as a centralized client networking platform, providing gateway services such as network management as well as traditional content and high-speed data delivery functions. The device also acts as the shared interne connection for all devices in the premises via a cable modem, sharing personal and DVR content such as video, music and photos (and any associated metadata) throughout the premises, and providing both a wired and wireless network in the home. Telephony services utilizing e.g., embedded multimedia terminal adapter (eMTA) and/or Wi-Fi architectures may also be provided via the device. The device can also provide a trusted domain for content or data, as well as allowing a subscriber total mobility in the home.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . A system for media distribution over a network having at least first and second nodes, comprising:
 a first interface disposed at said first node;   an authentication server in communication with said first interface;   a gateway management server in communication with said first interface;   a protocol server in communication with said first interface;   a network interface in communication with said first interface and configured to provide access to an internet; and   a substantially converged gateway apparatus disposed at said second node, said gateway apparatus comprising:
 a second interface for communication with said first interface over said network; 
 a wireless interface adapted for wireless communication at least proximate said second node; 
 a wireline interface adapted for communication of data over wiring disposed at said second node; and 
 a telephony interface in data communication with said second interface, said telephony interface being configured to transmit packetized voice data to said first interface via said second interface. 
   
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein said first node comprises a cable system head-end or switching hub, and said first interface comprises a cable modem termination system (CMTS). 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 53 , wherein said second node comprises a residence or business enterprise, and said second interface comprises a DOCSIS-compliant cable modem. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein said wireline interface comprises a MoCA-compliant Ethernet-over-cable interface. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein said wireless interface comprises an IEEE Std. 802.11-compliant interface configured to act as an Access Point (AP). 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein said first node comprises a hub within a broadcast-enabled network. 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein said gateway apparatus further comprise a powerline interface configured to exchange data over power lines present at said second node. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein said powerline interface operates in accordance with a HomePlug A/V standard. 
     
     
         60 . Content distribution apparatus adapted to deliver media content to a plurality of media devices within a premises, comprising:
 a network interface apparatus configured to operatively connect said distribution apparatus with a network, said distribution apparatus further configured to receive at least a portion of said media content over said interface; and   a media server apparatus adapted to distribute said media content to a plurality of media devices within said premises.   
     
     
         61 . The distribution apparatus of  claim 60 , wherein said media server apparatus comprises a Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) media server. 
     
     
         62 . The distribution apparatus of  claim 61 , wherein said media content comprises content which does not require rights management or copy protection. 
     
     
         63 . The distribution apparatus of  claim 60 , wherein said network interface comprises an Internet or wireless network interface, and said media content comprises personal content received from a mobile personal media device (PMD). 
     
     
         64 . The distribution apparatus of  claim 60 , further comprising at least one radio frequency tuner configured to interface with a content delivery network, said tuner being configured to receive rights management data and/or copy protection data. 
     
     
         65 . The distribution apparatus of  claim 64 , wherein said media content comprises an associated security data, said security data being used to authenticate a content source to at least one of said media devices. 
     
     
         66 . The distribution apparatus of  claim 60 , wherein said media content comprises associated security data, said security data being used to authenticate at least one of said media devices to said distribution apparatus before said media content can be rendered or recorded by said at least one device. 
     
     
         67 . A method of providing data services within a substantially localized premises, comprising:
 providing a substantially centralized gateway in data communication with a content delivery network, said gateway comprising a mass storage device and a plurality of data interfaces;   disposing content on said mass storage device; and   selectively distributing said content via at least one of said plurality of interfaces to one or more media devices disposed within said premises.   
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein said at least one of said plurality of interfaces comprises a coaxial cable interface, and said act of distributing comprises distributing packetized data over coaxial cabling installed within said premises to said one or more media devices. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein said act of disposing content comprises:
 receiving content requiring protection via an interface with said content delivery network; and   disposing said content on said mass storage device such that said content cannot be accessed by said one or more media devices without proper authentication.   
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein said plurality of data interfaces comprise a wireless interface and a cable modem interface to said content delivery network, said wireless interface being in data communication with said cable modem interface; and
 wherein said method further comprises passing IP data packets between a wireless mobile device and said content delivery network via said wireless and cable modem interfaces.   
     
     
         71 . A method of operating a content delivery network, comprising:
 providing a plurality of substantially centralized gateways, each of said plurality of gateways in data communication with a content delivery network and comprising at least one network interface and a plurality of interfaces configured to communicate with media devices within a respective premises where said gateway is installed; and   selectively configuring at least a one of said plurality of gateways, said act of configuring said at least one of said plurality of gateways being based at least in part on subscriber preferences and capabilities within said premises.   
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71 , further comprising bundling services associated with two or more of said plurality of interfaces together into at least one common service subscription package. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein said act of selectively configuring comprises remotely configuring, from a network operator facility, one or more operational parameters of said at least one network interface of said at least one of said plurality of gateways. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein said act of selectively configuring comprises remotely enabling, from a network operator facility, a voice-over-packet telephony interface via said at least one network interface. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein said act of selectively configuring comprises remotely assigning, from a network operator facility, at least one network address within a coaxial cable network in signal communication with a respective one of said plurality of gateways; and
 wherein said coaxial cable network is disposed at a premises at which said respective one of said plurality of gateways is installed.