System for regulating access to and distributing content in a network
OwnerRobert M. Burke, II, David Z. Carmaninventors
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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.
Claims42
A system for regulating access to a service provider network, the system comprising:
- a controller node coupled to the service provider network, the controller node comprising:
- a first processor configured to generate controller instructions, and
- a first network interface configured to transmit the controller instructions over the service provider network to a plurality of gateway units;
- and
- the plurality of gateway units, each of the plurality of gateway units comprising:
- a user interface configured to receive user-entered content requests for the service provider network;
- a second network interface coupled to the service provider network and configured to receive the controller instructions from the controller node through the service provider network;
- and
- a second processor coupled to the user interface and the second network interface, wherein the second processor is configured to selectively transmit the content requests to the service provider network in accordance with the controller instructions, and transfer received content data responsive to the transmitted content requests from the service provider network via the second network interface.
A method for regulating access to a service provider network, the method comprising:
- generating, by a controller node coupled to the service provider network, controller instructions;
- transmitting the controller instructions, by the controller node, to a plurality of gateway units of the service provider network;
- receiving, by the gateway units, user-entered content requests for the service provider network;
- receiving, by the gateway units, from the controller node, the controller instructions;
- selectively transmitting, by the plurality of gateway units, the content requests to the service provider network in accordance with the controller instructions;
- and
- transferring, by the gateway units, received content data responsive to the transmitted content requests from the service provider network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.