Providing automatic format conversion via an access gateway

摘要

A system and method supporting the automatic conversion of multimedia information from a first format to a second format in a broadband access gateway and/or network-based server are disclosed. The broadband access gateway and/or network-based server may convert multimedia information that is in a format that an access device is not capable of processing. The gateway and/or server may automatically detect the format incompatibility, and may automatically convert or arrange for conversion of the multimedia information to a format that is compatible with the access device, based upon compatibility information associated with the access device. The conversion may be based upon a set of user-defined quality of service criteria, and may be subject to the control of digital rights management parameters associated with the requested multimedia information. The user of the access device may be prompted when the conversion is expected to impact the quality of the multimedia information being played, and the user may be offered options that permit the user to minimize the impact upon the user.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
at a gateway operable to communicate data between a broadband modem which is configured for communication with a broadband network and a wireless communication interface which is configured for communication with wireless devices in a coverage area,
initiating communication with an access device in the coverage area;receiving from the access device a set of quality of service criteria for use in selecting conversion of multimedia information in the access device, the quality of service criteria indicating relative importance or priority of aspects of consumption of audio or video information for the access device;receiving from the access device a request for an audio clip or a video clip;comparing format information for the requested audio clip or video clip with audio or video processing capabilities of the access device; andif the access device cannot process the requested audio clip or video clip, using the quality of service criteria to convert the data for the audio clip or the video clip to a format which can be processed by the access device.