System for regulating access to and distributing content in a network

Abstract

There is provided a system for regulating access and managing distribution of content in a network, such as the Internet. The system includes communication gateways, installed at a subscriber site, internet control points, installed remotely, and various network elements installed throughout the network. The communication gateways and network elements operate in conjunction with the internet control points to restrict or allow access to specified Internet sites and to manage efficient distribution of content such as music, video, games, broadband data, real-time audio and voice applications, and software to subscribers.

1 .- 115 . (canceled) 
     
     
         116 . A system comprising:
 a controller node coupled to a service provider network, the controller node comprising:
 a processor configured to generate controller instructions; and 
 a network interface configured to:
 transmit the generated controller instructions through the service provider network to a plurality of gateway units; 
 receive content requests selectively transmitted by at least one of the plurality of gateway units in accordance with the controller instructions; and 
 transmit through the service provider network content data responsive to the content requests. 
 
   
     
     
         117 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein the content data corresponds to a movie. 
     
     
         118 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein the service provider network comprises a cable network. 
     
     
         119 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein the service provider network comprises a satellite network. 
     
     
         120 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein the service provider network is owned or operated by a service provider, and wherein the service provider network excludes equipment at subscriber premises. 
     
     
         121 . The system of  claim 120 , wherein at least one network element is outside the service provider network and is disposed between the service provider network and a subscriber premises that includes the at least one of the plurality of gateway units. 
     
     
         122 . The system of  claim 120 , wherein the controller instructions correspond to commands to be performed by the at least one of the plurality of gateway units. 
     
     
         123 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein hardware and software of each of the plurality of gateway units are substantially protected from subscriber tampering. 
     
     
         124 . The system of  claim 116 , wherein each of the plurality of gateway units has a corresponding unique identifier. 
     
     
         125 . The system of  claim 124 , wherein each of the plurality of gateway units has an internet protocol (IP) address distinct from its unique identifier. 
     
     
         126 . A method comprising:
 generating, by a processor of a controller node coupled to a service provider network, controller instructions;   transmitting, by a network interface of the controller node, the generated controller instructions through the service provider network for receipt at a plurality of gateway units;   receiving, by the network interface, content requests selectively transmitted by at least one of the plurality of gateway units in accordance with the controller instructions; and   transmitting, by the network interface, content data through the service provider network responsive to the content requests.   
     
     
         127 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein transmitting the content data comprises transmitting a movie. 
     
     
         128 . The system of  claim 126 , wherein transmitting through the service provider network comprises transmitting through a cable network. 
     
     
         129 . The system of  claim 126 , wherein transmitting through the service provider network comprises transmitting through a satellite network. 
     
     
         130 . The system of  claim 126 , wherein the service provider network is owned or operated by a service provider, and wherein the service provider network excludes equipment at subscriber premises. 
     
     
         131 . The system of  claim 130 , wherein at least one network element is outside the service provider network and is disposed between the service provider network and a subscriber premises that includes the at least one of the plurality of gateway units. 
     
     
         132 . The system of  claim 130 , wherein the controller instructions correspond to commands to be performed by at the least one of the plurality of gateway units. 
     
     
         133 . The system of  claim 126 , wherein hardware and software of each of the plurality of gateway units are substantially protected from subscriber tampering. 
     
     
         134 . The system of  claim 126 , wherein each of the plurality of gateway units has a corresponding unique identifier. 
     
     
         135 . The system of  claim 134 , wherein each of the plurality of gateway units has an internet protocol (IP) address distinct from its unique identifier. 
     
     
         136 . A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program comprising instructions operable to cause a processor in a controller node that is coupled to a service provider network to perform a method, the method comprising:
 generating controller instructions;   causing transmission of the generated controller instructions onto the service provider network for receipt by a plurality of gateway units;   receiving content requests selectively transmitted by at least one of the plurality of gateway units in accordance with the controller instructions; and   causing transmission of content data onto the service provider network responsive to the content requests.