Method and apparatus for communicating data via a cable card
AssigneeEmbarq Holdings Company, LLC
InventorsJamie Howarter, Michael Lesher, Doug Ceballos
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Abstract
Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a method and apparatus for communicating data via a cable card having a network interface. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed for playing an external media content file routed through the network interface of the cable card. In another embodiment, a method is disclosed for utilizing a single cable card on multiple media devices for enabling access to protected media content on the multiple media devices.
Claims20
A method for communicating data via a cable card interface, the method comprising:
- establishing a connection between an external data source and a media device using the cable card interface, the external data source and the media device being located within the same residential location;
- presenting a user interface on a display screen associated with the media device that enables a user to select a media content file stored on the external data source;
- and
- responsive to receiving a user selection of the media content file, executing playing of the media content file on the media device.
A method for utilizing a cable card on multiple media devices, the method comprising:
- establishing a connection between a cable card and a second media device, the cable card being utilized by a first media device, wherein the connection is established using a network interface of the cable card, and wherein the first device and the second device are located within the same residential location;
- utilizing data provided by the cable card to decode media content signals received by the second media device,
- displaying the decoded media content on a display screen associated with the second media device.
A cable card comprising:
- memory for storing decryption data and computer executable instructions;
- an interface for coupling the cable card to a first media device located at a residential location;
- a network interface for communicatively coupling the cable card to a second device located at the residential location;
- and
- a processing unit that utilizes the decryption data to decode media content signals to display media content on a display screen associated with the first media device, and wherein the processing unit executes the computer executable instructions to communicate data between the cable card and the second device via the network interface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.