Patent ID: 8160073

Claim:
An initiating media processor comprising a memory coupled to a controller, wherein the controller is operable to: select media content and a recipient media processor to present the selected media content; transmit signaling information to a local resource manager in proximity to a private premises via a gateway, wherein the signaling information identifies the recipient media processor and contains information describing a plurality of media characteristics of the selected media content, wherein the signaling information is transmitted to the local resource manager for the local resource manager to inform a global resource manager operating in an interactive television network and located remotely from the private premises of a need to present at the recipient media processor the selected media content having at least a portion of the plurality of media characteristics, wherein the signaling information is transmitted to the local resource manager for the global resource manager to identify a location of the recipient media processor and a media capability of the recipient media processor, wherein the signaling information is transmitted to the local resource manager for the global resource manager to compare the media capability of the recipient media processor to the plurality of media characteristics of the selected media content, wherein the signaling information is transmitted to the local resource manager for the global resource manager to identify a media configuration of one or more network elements of the interactive television network according to the foregoing comparison to enable presentation of the selected media content at the recipient media processor, wherein the signaling information is transmitted to the local resource manager for the global resource manager to establish a virtual private network connection in the interactive television network for supporting media communications between the initiating media processor and the recipient media processor, wherein the signaling information is transmitted to the local resource manager for the global resource manager to configure one or more network elements of the virtual private network according to the media configuration, and wherein the signaling information is transmitted to the local resource manager for the global resource manager to transmit other signaling information to the local resource manager associated with the configured virtual private network; receive from the local resource manager the other signaling information to enable the initiating media processor to present at the recipient media processor the selected media content over the configured virtual private network; and present the selected media content at the recipient media processor via the configured virtual private network.