Patent ID: 8181209

Claim:
A content distribution system, the system comprising: a video on demand server; an IP business management module for performing at least one of billing and authorization functions relating to content delivery requests initiated by an IP customer premise device which supports a first protocol; a cable network business management module for performing billing functions relating to services provided by said video on demand server, said cable network business management module supporting a second protocol which is different from said first protocol; and a protocol converter module in communication with said cable network business management module, said IP business management module, said IP customer premise device and said video on demand server, said protocol converter module configured to convert command signals which are in accordance with the first protocol which is used by said IP customer premise device, but which is not supported by said video on demand server, to command signals to which said video on demand server is responsive, said command signals to which said video on demand server is responsive being in accordance with the second protocol and including a content delivery command signal, said protocol converter module being further configured to convert signals from said IP business management module directed to said cable business network management module from said first protocol to said second protocol and to convert signals sent from said cable network business management module to said IP business management module from said second protocol to said first protocol thereby allowing said IP business management module and said cable network business management module to interoperate using said first and second protocols.