Premises gateway apparatus and methods for use in a content-based network

A consumer premises gateway device for use in communicating upstream signals from first and second consumer premises devices to at least one headend device of a content-based network, comprising:

• first transceiver adapted to receive upstream signals transmitted over a first frequency band via said network from at least one of said first and second consumer premises devices, and transmit said received signals upstream to said at least one headend device over said first band also via said network;
• a first data interface to said first consumer premises device;
• and
• a second data interface to said second consumer premises device;
• wherein said first frequency band comprises a band used for either out-of-band (OOB) signaling or cable modem operation;
• wherein said first and second consumer premises devices each utilize said first transceiver as a communications proxy for transmitting respective first and second upstream signals to said at least one headend device;
• and
• wherein said consumer premises gateway device provides centralized management of said transmission of said first and second signals upstream to said at least one headend device.

Set-top box apparatus, comprising:

• first apparatus adapted to receive, demodulate, and decode encoded video signals sent via a content based network;
• and
• second apparatus configured to communicate data or signals with a consumer premises device via a communication channel, said consumer premises device being adapted to provide out-of-band (OOB) communication with one or more other entities on said content based network based at least in part on said data or signals;
• wherein said consumer premises device acts as an OOB communication proxy for said set-top box apparatus;
• and
• wherein said consumer premises device identifies downstream OOB communication from said content based network intended for said set-top box and not any other of a plurality of second consumer devices in communication therewith and transmits said OOB communication to only said set-top box over said communication channel.

Digital video recorder apparatus, comprising:

• first apparatus adapted to receive, demodulate, and decode encoded video signals sent via a content based network;
• second apparatus adapted to record said decoded video signals for subsequent playback or transmission;
• and
• third apparatus configured to communicate data or signals with a consumer premises device via a communication channel, said consumer premises device being adapted to provide out-of-band (OOB) communication with one or more other entities on said content based network based at least in part on said data or signals;
• wherein said digital video recorder apparatus relies solely on communication with said consumer premises device for transmission and receipt of OOB communication to said content based network;
• and
• wherein said consumer premises device is configured to facilitate OOB communication to said content based network for a plurality of connected devices, said digital video recorder among said plurality, said consumer premises device further configured to identify an intended one of said plurality of connected devices to which a downstream OOB communication received from said content based network is intended and transmit said OOB communication thereto.

Premises gateway apparatus located at a first location proximate a user for use with a content-based network, the apparatus comprising:

• a first tuner adapted to receive in-band signals from said network, and obtain first data from said first signals;
• a second tuner adapted to:
• receive out of band signals from said network, said out of band signals being identified as intended for a first one of a plurality of consumer premises devices in communication with said premises gateway apparatus located at said first location proximate a user;
• and
• obtain second data from said out of band signals;
• a first interface adapted to format said first data according to a protocol, and distribute said formatted data to said plurality of consumer premises devices in data communication with said gateway apparatus;
• and
• a second interface adapted to at least distribute said second data to said first one of said plurality of consumer premises devices in data communication with said gateway apparatus located at said first location proximate a user.

A method of delivering video services over a network, comprising:

• receiving video signals at a first network interface of a first device at a first location;
• receiving data signals at a second network interface of said first device;
• receiving a plurality of upstream data signals from a respective plurality of second devices at said first location;
• consolidating said received plurality of upstream data signals;
• and
• sending said consolidated upstream data signals destined for a network entity from said first device via said second network interface.