Methods and apparatus for providing delivery of content to client devices of a network via both multicast and unicast mechanisms. In one embodiment, a system for use in a managed content delivery network is described to bridge multicast to unicast, so that the total network bandwidth consumption is significantly lower than a corresponding unicast-only delivery solution, yet which still provides improved quality of service and user viewing experience as compared to a multicast-only delivery solution. In addition, various exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are readily adapted for real-time multicast to unicast streaming of audio and data to, among other things, minimize network bandwidth usage, while maintaining the guaranteed delivery of unicast streams with little or no modification to the existing client device logic.
H04N 21/647 - Control signaling between network components and server or clients; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. controlling the quality of the video stream, by dropping packets, protecting content from unauthorised alteration within the network, monitoring of network load or bridging bet
H04L 65/611 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for multicast or broadcast
H04L 65/612 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for unicast
H04N 21/24 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth or upstream requests
H04N 21/266 - Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system or merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel
Methods and apparatus for providing a messaging server within a premises device e.g., a home or enterprise gateway device. In one embodiment, a system is described that includes a premises device that acts as a centralized client messaging platform providing messaging services between a content provider and client devices, and also between client devices within a premises network. The premises device enables client-to-client communication that bypasses the long trip and propagation delay over the Internet by connecting the message across the premises network within the home or building. The premises device enables messages to be communicated between a content provider outside the premises network and the client devices via a single connection to minimize the number of Internet connections that need to be opened, and the number of messages communicated with servers outside of the premises network via both upstream aggregation and downstream dis-aggregation, which collectively save both network bandwidth and device reaction time.
H04L 65/611 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for multicast or broadcast
H04L 65/612 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for unicast
H04L 67/02 - Protocols based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
H04L 67/145 - Termination or inactivation of sessions, e.g. event-controlled end of session avoiding end of session, e.g. keep-alive, heartbeats, resumption message or wake-up for inactive or interrupted session
H04L 67/289 - Intermediate processing functionally located close to the data consumer application, e.g. in same machine, in same home or in same sub-network
H04L 67/568 - Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching
3.
APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR RECORDING, ACCESSING, AND DELIVERING PACKETIZED CONTENT
Apparatus and methods to manage recording of streaming packetized content (such as for example live IP packetized content) for access, retrieval and delivering thereof to one or more users. In one embodiment, the foregoing is accomplished via communication between a recording manager and a receiver/decoder device. The recording manager manages and schedules recording of content on behalf of the receiver/decoder device (and/or mobile devices) disposed at a user's premises. The recording manager runs one or more computer programs designed to receive requests to record packetized content from one or more consumer devices, and use metadata contained within the requests to cause a cloud storage entity or premises storage device to record the content at its scheduled date/time (either via the receiver/decoder device itself, or another network entity). In this manner, the recording manager provides digital video recording (DVR) functionality to devices that would be otherwise incapable of scheduling a recording and/or recording such content.
H04N 21/2747 - Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/433 - Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request or caching operations
H04N 21/458 - Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/6587 - Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands or viewpoint selection
H04N 21/235 - Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
H04N 21/2387 - Stream processing in response to a playback request from an end-user, e.g. for trick-play
H04N 21/25 - Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication or learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/254 - Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server or rights management server
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
4.
APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR RECORDING A MEDIA STREAM
Apparatus and methods for recording a media stream for use by a rendering device. In one embodiment, a client device records live, unbound streaming media content from a Content Delivery Network (CDN) in “chunks” according to a data structure such as a manifest file. The live media content stream chunks are compressed and stored for later playback. The client device uses information regarding the chunks to generate a local manifest file, which it then uses to reconstruct the media stream. A video client may also dynamically insert and account for updated secondary content (such as advertisements) during each playback instance, thus enabling the service provider to realize commercial opportunities which were previously not possible. Various operational/business rules are also disclosed for e.g., enabling and disabling functions with respect to playback of the content.
H04N 21/433 - Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request or caching operations
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/61 - Network physical structure; Signal processing
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
H04N 21/2668 - Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. by inserting targeted commercials into a video stream based on end-user profiles
Apparatus and methods for providing information via an open-access network such as a wireless local area network (WLAN). In one embodiment, the information provided is contextually relevant to one or locations, more users or devices receiving the information. In one implementation, the information is provisioned by a network entity (for example, from a service provider network operator) and provided to one or more access points (APs) of the service provider network. The information is bit-stuffed into Wi-Fi beacon frames or other data structures that are broadcast by the APs to nearby client devices. A receiving client device extracts the information using a protocol embodied in application software on the client, and may also initiate a dedicated wireless connection with the AP for e.g., transmission of content related to the context and/or the bit-stuffed information, access of related Internet addresses, etc.
H04W 4/06 - Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
H04W 4/90 - Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
6.
SITUATION-DEPENDENT DYNAMIC BIT RATE ENCODING AND DISTRIBUTION OF CONTENT
An encoder resource receives segments of content on one or more data feeds. The encoder resource receives and/or produces encoder control information specifying multiple different bit rate data streams on which to encode the segments of content. As specified by the encoder control information, in accordance with encoding rules, the encoder resource adaptively encodes the segments of content into a varying number of different bit rate data streams. Clients in a network environment initiate retrieval of the varying number of different bit rate data streams to playback content.
H04N 21/2662 - Controlling the complexity of the video stream, e.g. by scaling the resolution or bitrate of the video stream based on the client capabilities
H04N 21/845 - Structuring of content, e.g. decomposing content into time segments
Network content delivery apparatus and methods based on content compiled from various sources and particularly selected for a given user. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable television network, and the content sources include DVR, broadcast, nPVR, and VOD. The user-targeted content is assembled into a playlist, and displayed as a continuous stream on a virtual channel particular to that user. User interfaces accessible through the virtual channel present various functional options, including the selection or exploration of content having similarity or prescribed relationships to other content, and the ability to order purchasable content. An improved electronic program guide is also disclosed which allows a user to start over, record, view, receive information on, “catch up”, and rate content. Apparatus for remote access and configuration of the playlist and virtual channel functions, as well as a business rules “engine” implementing operational or business goals, are also disclosed.
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/2668 - Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. by inserting targeted commercials into a video stream based on end-user profiles
H04N 21/475 - End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. PIN [Personal Identification Number] or preference data
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
8.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SECONDARY CONTENT MANAGEMENT AND FRAUD PREVENTION
Methods and apparatus for secondary content management, including preventing viewing fraud, are disclosed. In one embodiment, apparatus of the present disclosure includes an Advertisement Decisioning Service (ADS) and Manifest Manipulator (MM) configured cooperate to receive client requests for secondary content, select one or more secondary content elements (e.g., advertisements), and generate and transmit one or more identifiers that uniquely identify the client's request for a session. The selected advertisements in one implementation include embedded beacons or tags used to ensure accurate accounting with regards to the amount or quality of consumption of the advertisement by a user.
Methods and apparatus for delivering content to a user so as to optimize and enhance the “experience” of the content. In one embodiment, an optimization and monitoring entity (OME) is used which determines, evaluates, and provides notification and/or recommendation of alternative content delivery platforms which are available to a user. The OME receives requests for content forwarded from a content server containing information identifying requesting devices and/or subscriber accounts. The OME examines the capabilities of the registered devices, and identifies/recommends alternative devices based on e.g., video/audio quality, picture size, bandwidth availability, and/or any other additional capabilities of the client devices. A notification is then sent to the client devices indicating which of the user's devices may receive the content alternatively, or in addition to, the requesting device. The notifications may be interactive, allowing the user to select one or more of the devices for delivery.
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
G06F 16/957 - Browsing optimisation, e.g. caching or content distillation
H04N 21/433 - Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request or caching operations
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
10.
APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT OF SECONDARY CONTENT VIEWING
Methods and apparatus for selectively enforcing required insertion or viewing of secondary content, such as advertisements or promotions, in a content distribution network. In one embodiment, the network is a managed network (e.g., cable television, satellite, or the like), and the method includes identifying secondary content with a particular attribute or property (e.g., an advertisement that a user has watched before), and selectively enabling one or more “trick mode” functions relating to that secondary content. In one implementation, audio codes or watermarks are inserted into the secondary content and detected when the content is accessed or rendered; if the detected content matches a database or listing of previously played content for that user or premises, the trick mode functionality (e.g., FF or “skip”) is enabled, thereby allowing the user to bypass the content.
H04N 21/236 - Assembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. transport stream, by combining a video stream with other content or additional data, e.g. inserting a URL [Uniform Resource Locator ] into a video stream, multiplexing software data into a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Insertion of stuffing bits into the multiplex stream, e.g. to obtain a constant bit-rate; Assembling of a packetised elementary stream
H04N 21/222 - Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server or cable television Head-end
H04N 21/24 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth or upstream requests
H04N 21/2668 - Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. by inserting targeted commercials into a video stream based on end-user profiles
H04N 21/2747 - Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
Methods and apparatus for providing protected content to subscribers of a managed (e.g., MSO) network via a content source accessible via an internetwork such as the Internet. In one embodiment, a user accesses a programmer website website, and requests content. The programmer determines whether the requesting user is permitted to access the content, and what rights or restrictions are associated with the user. This includes authenticating the user as a subscriber of the MSO, and determining the subscriber's subscription level. In another embodiment, a user's account with the MSO and programmer may be federated, thus a given user will have MSO-specific information regarding its identity (such as login information, GUID, etc.) and/or information regarding subscription level and service details, stored at the programmer. Messages received from the MSO representing permission for the user to access content may also be stored at the programmer site for later reference.
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/254 - Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server or rights management server
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/475 - End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. PIN [Personal Identification Number] or preference data
H04N 21/61 - Network physical structure; Signal processing
H04N 21/658 - Transmission by the client directed to the server
Apparatus and methods for thumbnail generation. In one embodiment, a thumbnail stream is generated where one or more bits are assigned to key frames and minimizes the number of bits assigned to delta frames. Each key frame may be used to extract a still image for use in thumbnails during trick mode operation (e.g., fast forward, rewind, pause, or random seek operation). When the encoded video file is given to a Just in Time Packager (JITP), the JITP extracts the image files (via the key frames). Information regarding how to reference these files is stored in generated manifest file and may be reformatted by the JITP to fit the needs of the current product. In a variant, the JITP reformats the image files extracted from the encoded video for operation on a number of devices.
H04N 21/845 - Structuring of content, e.g. decomposing content into time segments
H04N 21/4402 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display
H04N 21/8549 - Creating video summaries, e.g. movie trailer
H04L 65/611 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for multicast or broadcast
H04L 65/612 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for unicast
Apparatus and methods to manage recording of streaming packetized content (such as for example live IP packetized content) for access, retrieval and delivering thereof to one or more users. In one embodiment, the foregoing is accomplished via communication between a recording manager and a receiver/decoder device. The recording manager manages and schedules recording of content on behalf of the receiver/decoder device (and/or mobile devices) disposed at a user's premises. The recording manager runs one or more computer programs designed to receive requests to record packetized content from one or more consumer devices, and use metadata contained within the requests to cause a cloud storage entity or premises storage device to record the content at its scheduled date/time (either via the receiver/decoder device itself, or another network entity). In this manner, the recording manager provides digital video recording (DVR) functionality to devices that would be otherwise incapable of scheduling a recording and/or recording such content.
H04N 21/2747 - Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
H04N 21/433 - Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request or caching operations
H04N 21/458 - Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules
H04N 21/6587 - Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands or viewpoint selection
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/274 - Storing end-user specific content or additional data in response to end-user request
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/235 - Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
H04N 21/41 - Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/2387 - Stream processing in response to a playback request from an end-user, e.g. for trick-play
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/254 - Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server or rights management server
H04N 21/25 - Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication or learning user preferences for recommending movies
14.
APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED SECONDARY CONTENT MANAGEMENT IN A DIGITAL NETWORK
Apparatus and methods for generating secondary content scheduling and product offerings for users of a managed content distribution network, such as a cable, satellite, of HFCu network. In one embodiment, the secondary content comprises advertising content to be distributed across a plurality of content networks carried by the managed content distribution network. A plurality of computerized models (including various simulations) are generated based on various data sources, including historical tuning event data for the managed network's subscribers), and subsequently implemented to structure advertising schedules or campaigns (“bundles”) for each customer in a substantially automated fashion, and that will achieve the desired level of performance specified by the customer, consistent with their budget. Hence, the customer is relieved of having to possess any intrinsic knowledge of advertising channels, demographics (and their correlation to certain content networks), and can merely specify a desired result in terms of e.g., reach and/or viewing frequency.
H04N 21/458 - Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
Methods and apparatus for providing a messaging server within a premises device e.g., a home or enterprise gateway device. In one embodiment, a system is described that includes a premises device that acts as a centralized client messaging platform providing messaging services between a content provider and client devices, and also between client devices within a premises network. The premises device enables client-to-client communication that bypasses the long trip and propagation delay over the Internet by connecting the message across the premises network within the home or building. The premises device enables messages to be communicated between a content provider outside the premises network and the client devices via a single connection to minimize the number of Internet connections that need to be opened, and the number of messages communicated with servers outside of the premises network via both upstream aggregation and downstream dis-aggregation, which collectively save both network bandwidth and device reaction time.
H04L 67/02 - Protocols based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
H04L 67/145 - Termination or inactivation of sessions, e.g. event-controlled end of session avoiding end of session, e.g. keep-alive, heartbeats, resumption message or wake-up for inactive or interrupted session
H04L 67/289 - Intermediate processing functionally located close to the data consumer application, e.g. in same machine, in same home or in same sub-network
H04L 65/611 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for multicast or broadcast
H04L 65/612 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for unicast
H04L 67/568 - Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
Apparatus and methods to manage recording of streaming packetized content (such as for example live IP packetized content) for access, retrieval and delivering thereof to one or more users. In one embodiment, the foregoing is accomplished via communication between a recording manager and a receiver/decoder device. The recording manager manages and schedules recording of content on behalf of the receiver/decoder device (and/or mobile devices) disposed at a user's premises. The recording manager runs one or more computer programs designed to receive requests to record packetized content from one or more consumer devices, and use metadata contained within the requests to cause a cloud storage entity or premises storage device to record the content at its scheduled date/time (either via the receiver/decoder device itself, or another network entity). In this manner, the recording manager provides digital video recording (DVR) functionality to devices that would be otherwise incapable of scheduling a recording and/or recording such content.
H04N 21/2747 - Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/433 - Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request or caching operations
H04N 21/458 - Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/6587 - Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands or viewpoint selection
H04N 21/235 - Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
H04N 21/2387 - Stream processing in response to a playback request from an end-user, e.g. for trick-play
H04N 21/25 - Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication or learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/254 - Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server or rights management server
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
17.
Apparatus and methods for data collection, analysis and service modification based on online activity
Methods and apparatus for evaluating collected data relating to online activity, and modification of services within a service provider network. In one embodiment, a service provider collects data relating to the online activity of users of third-party services and correlates the data with subscribers of the service provider to generate useful products and analytics (e.g., classifications, behavioral models, etc.) containing information relating to the subscribers' online activity. The generated products may be used to determine whether and how to modify services provided to individual subscribers, exported for use by third parties, or for other purposes.
Methods, systems and devices are provided for communicating multimedia content over a service provider network. A network server may receive an audio-video stream from a content provider server, relaying the audio-video stream to a receiver device via the service provider network, receive an operating mode notification identifying a user behavior from the receiver device, and ceasing the relaying of the audio-video stream to the receiver device based on the user behavior. The network server may also alter the audio-video stream based on the received operating mode notification and send the altered audio-video stream to the receiver device via the service provider network.
H04H 60/32 - Arrangements for monitoring conditions of receiving stations, e.g. malfunction or breakdown of receiving stations
H04N 21/2668 - Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. by inserting targeted commercials into a video stream based on end-user profiles
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/24 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth or upstream requests
19.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AND UPLOADING CONTENT TO PERSONALIZED NETWORK STORAGE
Methods and apparatus for delivering, uploading, and storing content for users of a network so that the user has “virtual” ownership of and access to the content, thereby obviating the need for additional storage space at the client premises and offering seamless compliance with copyright laws. In an exemplary embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network, and sessions are used to deliver content to the requesting owner and then back to storage space associated with the head-end where the content remains available for future subscriber requests. Various other complementary features for enhancing the user's virtual ownership experience are also disclosed.
H04N 21/2743 - Video hosting of uploaded data from client
G06F 21/10 - Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
H04N 21/443 - OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
H04N 21/44 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs
A data analyzer engine can be configured to receive feedback indicating different content currently consumed by subscribers in a cable network environment. The data analyzer engine analyzes the feedback to identify most popular consumed content amongst the different content and produces a content guide to include multiple selectable channels from which content is available for retrieval over a shared communication link in the cable network environment. The content guide can include one or more selectable viewing options to view a rendition of content being identified as more or most popular. Each of one or more playback devices or other suitable resources retrieves and initiates display of the content guide on a display screen. Accordingly, a subscriber can view different available content options as well as an identification of content that is currently the most popular consumed content amongst viewers.
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
H04N 7/173 - Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
H04N 21/231 - Content storage operation, e.g. caching movies for short term storage, replicating data over plural servers or prioritizing data for deletion
H04N 21/239 - Interfacing the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. prioritizing client requests
H04N 21/25 - Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication or learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/2665 - Gathering content from different sources, e.g. Internet and satellite
H04N 21/431 - Generation of visual interfaces; Content or additional data rendering
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/475 - End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. PIN [Personal Identification Number] or preference data
H04N 21/658 - Transmission by the client directed to the server
H04N 21/84 - Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors
21.
Methods and apparatus for communicating messages between mobile communications devices and internet enabled devices
Methods and apparatus for allowing a mobile device user to forward one or more messages which are received on the user's mobile device, to a television or a set top box are described. The user is able to view the forwarded messages on the television and can also reply to such received messages from the television. The methods and apparatus may be implemented using a message forwarding application installed on a user's cell phone and a server responsible for forwarding messages and replies between the user's Internet capable TV or set top box and mobile telephone. To the party sending a message, replies appear to have originated from the user's cell phone making the use of the service transparent to individuals other than the user to which the message is sent. Message received and sent logs are maintained in the user's phone so the message record is complete.
H04N 21/4788 - Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification or shopping application communicating with other users, e.g. chatting
H04M 1/72436 - User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality with interactive means for internal management of messages for text messaging, e.g. SMS or e-mail
22.
Apparatus and methods for content management and account linking across multiple content delivery networks
Methods and apparatus for providing protected content to subscribers of a managed (e.g., MSO) network via a content source accessible via an internetwork such as the Internet. In one embodiment, a user accesses a service provider portal (e.g., website), and requests content. The service provider determines whether the requesting user is permitted to access the content, and what rights or restrictions are associated with the user. This includes authenticating the user as a subscriber of the MSO, and determining the subscriber's subscription level. In another embodiment, a user's account with the MSO and service provider may be federated, thus a given user will have MSO-specific information regarding its identity (such as login information, GUID, etc.) and is able to perform a single sign on to request and receive content.
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/658 - Transmission by the client directed to the server
23.
Apparatus and methods for managing service delivery telemetry
Apparatus and methods for managing service delivery quality levels and telemetry. In one embodiment, an entity (such as a Session Resource Manager or SRM) receives network layout data from the network. The SRM uses the layout data to generate a mapping of the network. The SRM also receives performance data related to the interconnections of the network. The performance data is then applied to the mapping such that, in one variant, an visual overlay showing network flow and/or performance analytics is created. Based on this mapping showing layout and corresponding performance, the SRM generates rules for delivery of services. The rules may detail preferred routes and service level information. The rules are the distributed to nodes along the delivery route and delivery is executed in compliance with the rules.
Apparatus and methods for extending and enhancing wireless networks. An exemplary wireless network configured according to the disclosure uses in-service Wireless Network Clients (WNCs), such as mobile phones, laptops, etc., to extend and enhance the wireless network coverage via peer-to-peer sub-networks. In one implementation, each WNC is configured to operate as a Service Access Node (SAN) to other wireless client devices in the same network. The SAN provides peer-to-peer communications capabilities (to communicate with wireless clients) and gateway functionality (to aggregate data traffic over its own uplink communications), thereby enabling wireless clients to “piggyback” their data link onto the WNC. Peer Control Manager (PCM) software on each WNC enables, disables, and controls the service functions for that WNC in accordance with an overarching Peer Controller (PC) entity operated by an Access Point Controller/Core Network.
A network environment includes a message-processing resource that receives a communication originated by a communication device and transmitted from the communication device over a wireless communication link. By way of non-limiting example, the communication can be a request for retrieval of content from server resource disposed in the network environment. The message-processing resource processes the communication transmitted over the wireless communication link to identify a network address assigned to the communication device. The message-processing resource maps the network address to corresponding status information associated with the communication device. In response to detecting status information indicating that the communication device has not yet been configured with configuration information supporting secured wireless communications of a particular type, the message-processing resource: initiates generation of configuration information supporting subsequent secured wireless communications between the communication device and a corresponding wireless access point, and forwards the configuration information to the communication device.
Methods and apparatus for supporting content delivery service are described. In accordance with the invention content can be supplied to temporary storage of a regional or local server used to supply the content to a customer's premises when the requested content is not already available in the regional or local server. A content server hierarchy may be implemented with servers higher up in the hierarchy including more content, e.g., titles, than the number of titles stored in the lower level servers. By storing less frequently accessed content in servers higher in the hierarchy and frequently requested titles lower in the hierarchy, a vast number of titles can be supported without overburdening the storage available at local and regional servers. In addition, a national or other server high in the hierarchy can be used to store, move, and distribute local or other content as part of an on demand service.
H04N 7/173 - Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
H04N 21/222 - Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server or cable television Head-end
H04N 21/231 - Content storage operation, e.g. caching movies for short term storage, replicating data over plural servers or prioritizing data for deletion
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
H04N 21/61 - Network physical structure; Signal processing
A network management application creates one or more maps representing social networks of participants that currently reside, have resided, or plan to reside in a region of wireless coverage provided by a wireless access point. The network management application updates a map to reflect changes in the social network in accordance with movement of the participants in and out of the region of wireless coverage. For example, if a subscriber moves outside the region, the respective subscriber is removed from the social network. If the subscriber moves into the region of wireless coverage, the respective subscriber is added to the social network. Inclusion of a subscriber in the social network can depend on factors such as whether a subscriber is a member of an organization. The wireless base station communicates information to the participants of the social network in accordance with one or more rules.
Methods and apparatus for identification and characterization of latency in a content delivery network. In one embodiment, interaction of users with content is recorded via collection of tuning records; the latency is then utilized to adjust the timing on the tuning records to account for lapses in time for sending these between entities of the network and the user devices, and for processing occurring at the devices. The latency is determined by taking into account a device specific latency component, and a network latency component. The network latency component is determined in one variant by sending a message to the device from the network requesting a response. Once the timing of the tuning records is adjusted, these tuning records may be relied upon as being accurate on a second-by-second basis. Accordingly, tuning records may be obtained and analyzed for content which lasts for a very short period of time.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
H04N 21/6587 - Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands or viewpoint selection
H04L 7/00 - Arrangements for synchronising receiver with transmitter
H04H 20/12 - Arrangements for monitoring, testing or troubleshooting
H04H 60/33 - Arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions
H04N 21/20 - Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
29.
Apparatus and methods for selective enforcement of secondary content viewing
Methods and apparatus for selectively enforcing required insertion or viewing of secondary content, such as advertisements or promotions, in a content distribution network. In one embodiment, the network is a managed network (e.g., cable television, satellite, or the like), and the method includes identifying secondary content with a particular attribute or property (e.g., an advertisement that a user has watched before), and selectively enabling one or more “trick mode” functions relating to that secondary content. In one implementation, audio codes or watermarks are inserted into the secondary content and detected when the content is accessed or rendered; if the detected content matches a database or listing of previously played content for that user or premises, the trick mode functionality (e.g., FF or “skip”) is enabled, thereby allowing the user to bypass the content.
H04N 7/10 - Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable
H04N 7/025 - Systems for transmission of digital non-picture data, e.g. of text during the active part of a television frame
H04N 21/236 - Assembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. transport stream, by combining a video stream with other content or additional data, e.g. inserting a URL [Uniform Resource Locator ] into a video stream, multiplexing software data into a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Insertion of stuffing bits into the multiplex stream, e.g. to obtain a constant bit-rate; Assembling of a packetised elementary stream
H04N 21/222 - Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server or cable television Head-end
H04N 21/24 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth or upstream requests
H04N 21/2668 - Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. by inserting targeted commercials into a video stream based on end-user profiles
H04N 21/2747 - Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
Methods and apparatus for detecting and correlating content consumption, e.g., viewing of programs and/or accessing websites, across platforms of different types are described. Content consumption, e.g., requests and/or streaming is monitored and recorded on a per subscriber basis for a wide variety of platforms, e.g., set boxes, IP content playback devices such as cell phones or pad devices with IP streaming support, and/or other devices. Web site access and corresponding content consumption is determined based on DNS requests thereby avoiding the need for monitoring at web site servers and allowing centralized monitoring of web site access operations in the form of DNS requests to be detected by a Web service provider who, at least in some embodiments, is also a content provider.
Multicast video program switching architecture. In one embodiment, a user makes a request for service. A controller determines whether the channel is currently broadcast. When the channel is currently broadcast, redirect the user to an address of the channel. When the channel is not currently broadcast, query a storage apparatus to find a currently broadcast channel that has no current viewership, send, a request to a multicast network address translation (MNAT) router comprising a multicast address of the currently broadcast channel and an identifier of the requested channel to modify MNAT settings on the MNAT router and redirect the user to the multicast address, the multicast address associated with the requested channel.
Apparatus and methods for the storage and delivery of content over a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a managed content distribution network, and the apparatus comprises a “cloud” digital video recorder (cDVR) server which stores, processes and assembles content prior to its delivery in a way that obviates superfluous storage, and gains significant network efficiencies. This approach also facilitates various pre-streaming processing in the video recording (e.g., cDVR) system. One or more content libraries adapted to facilitate cDVR content assembly and access are also disclosed. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively inserted into cDVR content. Various access, business or operational rules and methods implementing the foregoing are also described.
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/2343 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating MPEG-4 scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements
H04N 21/8543 - Content authoring using a description language, e.g. MHEG [Multimedia and Hypermedia information coding Expert Group] or XML [eXtensible Markup Language]
H04N 21/2747 - Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
Methods and apparatus for distributing content using a spectrum generation device. In one embodiment, digital content is received via a time-multiplexed network transport (such as Gigabit Ethernet), and converted to frequency channels suitable for transmission over a content distribution (e.g., Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC)) network. In one variant, the conversion is performed using digital domain processing performed by a full spectrum generation device. Additionally, methods and apparatus for selectively adding, removing, and/or changing digital content from the full spectrum device are also disclosed. Various aspects of the present invention enable physical (infrastructure) consolidation, and software-implemented remote management of content distribution.
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
H04N 7/10 - Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable
H04N 21/2389 - Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream encrypting
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/2343 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating MPEG-4 scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements
A configuration resource automatically synchronizes configuration settings associated with one or more communication resources disposed in a respective subscriber domain. For example, a communication resource such as communication device operated by the subscriber initiates a change to configuration settings associated with a first communication resource disposed in a subscriber domain. The first communication resource notifies the auto-configuration resource of the new configuration settings applied to the first communication resource. The auto-configuration resource identifies one or more other communication resources disposed in the subscriber domain. To ensure synchronization of the communication resources in the subscriber domain, in response to receiving notification of the new configuration settings applied to at least one communication resource and the subscriber domain, the auto-configuration resource initiates modification of configuration settings associated with the one or more other communication resources in the subscriber domain.
Apparatus and methods for presentation of key frames. In one embodiment, an encoded video file is generated where one or more bits are assigned to key frames and minimizes the number of bits assigned to delta frames. Each key frame may be presented to a user during trick mode operation (e.g., fast forward, rewind, pause, or random seek operation). When the encoded video file is given to a packager, the packager generates a manifest file listing the byte information (byte offset and number of bytes) for each key frame in the encoded video file. When a user inputs a trick play mode command, the packager provides the manifest file to the client device of the user and the client device requests the bytes for the key frames of the video file from the content delivery network.
H04N 21/2347 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating MPEG-4 scene graphs involving video stream encryption
H04N 21/2662 - Controlling the complexity of the video stream, e.g. by scaling the resolution or bitrate of the video stream based on the client capabilities
H04N 21/254 - Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server or rights management server
An encoder resource receives segments of content on one or more data feeds. The encoder resource receives and/or produces encoder control information specifying multiple different bit rate data streams on which to encode the segments of content. As specified by the encoder control information, in accordance with encoding rules, the encoder resource adaptively encodes the segments of content into a varying number of different bit rate data streams. Clients in a network environment initiate retrieval of the varying number of different bit rate data streams to playback content.
H04N 21/2662 - Controlling the complexity of the video stream, e.g. by scaling the resolution or bitrate of the video stream based on the client capabilities
H04N 21/845 - Structuring of content, e.g. decomposing content into time segments
Methods and apparatus for secondary content management, including preventing viewing fraud, are disclosed. In one embodiment, apparatus of the present disclosure includes an Advertisement Decisioning Service (ADS) and Manifest Manipulator (MM) configured cooperate to receive client requests for secondary content, select one or more secondary content elements (e.g., advertisements), and generate and transmit one or more identifiers that uniquely identify the client's request for a session. The selected advertisements in one implementation include embedded beacons or tags used to ensure accurate accounting with regards to the amount or quality of consumption of the advertisement by a user.
Methods and apparatus for providing protected content to subscribers of a managed (e.g., MSO) network via a content source accessible via an internetwork such as the Internet. In one embodiment, a user accesses a programmer website, and requests content. The programmer determines whether the requesting user is permitted to access the content, and what rights or restrictions are associated with the user. This includes authenticating the user as a subscriber of the MSO, and determining the subscriber's subscription level. In another embodiment, a user's account with the MSO and programmer may be federated, thus a given user will have MSO-specific information regarding its identity (such as login information, GUID, etc.) and/or information regarding subscription level and service details, stored at the programmer. Messages received from the MSO representing permission for the user to access content may also be stored at the programmer site for later reference.
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/658 - Transmission by the client directed to the server
H04N 21/254 - Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server or rights management server
H04N 21/475 - End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. PIN [Personal Identification Number] or preference data
H04N 21/61 - Network physical structure; Signal processing
Apparatus and methods for delivery of content in a packetized network. In one embodiment, content and/or services can be associated with an IP address. The IP address may be assigned to multiple server devices disposed at geographically diverse locations. Delivery caches may advertise, via a routing protocol, one or more addresses to clients of the network. Route selection may be configured based on one or more rules such as geographical proximity, available bandwidth, server availability, server load, delivery cost, client subscription level, licensing rules, and/or other metric. Delivery caches may be configured to control their availability and/or load through IP address withdrawals and announcements. When the “closest” delivery cache may become unavailable (e.g., it is not announcing the IP address for the content the client is trying to obtain, a route to the next “closest” available delivery cache may be utilized.
H04N 21/236 - Assembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. transport stream, by combining a video stream with other content or additional data, e.g. inserting a URL [Uniform Resource Locator ] into a video stream, multiplexing software data into a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Insertion of stuffing bits into the multiplex stream, e.g. to obtain a constant bit-rate; Assembling of a packetised elementary stream
H04N 21/61 - Network physical structure; Signal processing
H04N 21/231 - Content storage operation, e.g. caching movies for short term storage, replicating data over plural servers or prioritizing data for deletion
H04N 21/24 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth or upstream requests
H04L 67/1097 - Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]
H04L 67/52 - Network services specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
H04L 67/568 - Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching
In accordance with one configuration, a server resource forwards map information to a client device. The map information maps a respective title of available content to a corresponding network address from which the respective title of available content is assigned to be retrievable from a server resource. In response to receiving a content request directed from the client device to the corresponding network address of the server resource: the server resource tunes to a corresponding channel to obtain and buffer requested content as specified by the content request and delivers the buffered requested content to the client device.
H04N 21/266 - Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system or merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel
H04N 21/438 - Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. retrieving MPEG packets from an IP network
H04N 21/236 - Assembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. transport stream, by combining a video stream with other content or additional data, e.g. inserting a URL [Uniform Resource Locator ] into a video stream, multiplexing software data into a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Insertion of stuffing bits into the multiplex stream, e.g. to obtain a constant bit-rate; Assembling of a packetised elementary stream
H04N 21/462 - Content or additional data management e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end or controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabi
H04N 21/434 - Disassembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. demultiplexing audio and video streams or extraction of additional data from a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Extraction or processing of SI; Disassembling of packetised elementary stream
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
41.
Apparatus and methods for selective data network access
Wireless data network access architecture and methods enabling location-specific and/or user-specific provision of services or resources. In one embodiment, an end-user device makes a request for service within a wireless LAN (WLAN). A wireless access point (WAP) controller/policy server determines whether the user device meets criteria for a first user status or a second user status, and assigns the appropriate status to an identifier of the end-user device. When the user device is assigned the first user status, the user device is provided network access according to e.g., a first permissible bandwidth allocation. Otherwise, the user device is provided network access according to a second, different bandwidth allocation. The first and second user status may be assigned based on a location of the user device within e.g., a venue, a class of end-user device, end user application, an access pass associated with the user device, or yet other criteria.
H04W 60/00 - Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration
H04L 61/2514 - Translation of Internet protocol [IP] addresses between local and global IP addresses
B29C 33/38 - SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING - Details thereof or accessories therefor characterised by the material or the manufacturing process
H04W 4/06 - Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
A domain management resource monitors a behavior of a user controlling multiple resources disposed in a domain of a network environment. Based on the monitored behavior, the domain management resource identifies a repeated pattern of control in which the user controls a particular resource in the domain. The domain management resource derives a proposed control rule based on the repeated pattern of control. The proposed control specifies how to control the particular resource. The domain management resource presents the control rule for review and possible editing prior to programming the domain management resource to execute the control rule.
Apparatus and methods for ensuring delivery of geographically relevant content to IP-enabled user devices associated with a content distribution network. In one embodiment, the network (or designated content source) determines a geographic context or location of the user device, and uses this information to manage the packaging and delivery of content thereto so as to obey blackout restrictions and/or provide content which is relevant to the geographic context/location. In one variant, the user device comprises a mobile device such as a tablet computer or smartphone, and the content is delivered thereto over either a managed or unmanaged network infrastructure.
H04N 21/254 - Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server or rights management server
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/61 - Network physical structure; Signal processing
G06F 21/10 - Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material
H04L 67/60 - Scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests, e.g. requests for application data transmissions using the analysis and optimisation of the required network resources
H04L 65/612 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for unicast
H04L 67/52 - Network services specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
44.
USER INTERFACE WITH CONTENT FILTERING AND/OR SOCIAL NETWORKING INTEGRATION
On a device with an internet protocol network connection, an application is provided that allows a user to watch internet protocol television on the device. While the user is watching a first live internet protocol television program via the application on the device, an accurate current list of second through Nth live internet protocol television programs that are available to be watched by the user is displayed. The device could include, for example, a gaming console, a media streamer, or the like.
H04N 21/431 - Generation of visual interfaces; Content or additional data rendering
A63F 13/335 - Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers using wide area network [WAN] connections using Internet
A63F 13/795 - Game security or game management aspects involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories for providing a buddy list
A63F 13/533 - Controlling the output signals based on the game progress involving additional visual information provided to the game scene, e.g. by overlay to simulate a head-up display [HUD] or displaying a laser sight in a shooting game for prompting the player, e.g. by displaying a game menu
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/478 - Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification or shopping application
H04N 21/4788 - Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification or shopping application communicating with other users, e.g. chatting
H04N 21/61 - Network physical structure; Signal processing
H04L 29/08 - Transmission control procedure, e.g. data link level control procedure
45.
Apparatus and methods for efficient delivery of electronic program guide data
Apparatus and method for improving the bandwidth efficiency of delivering electronic program guide (EPG) data to consumer premises equipment (CPE). In one exemplary embodiment, electronic guide data is rendered by devices away from the CPE, shifting the executing data- and bandwidth-heavy operations away from the CPE. In particular, one or more gateways at the user's home bears the processing, memory, bandwidth load to reduce the inefficiency of delivering redundant information to CPE(s) interfacing with the gateway(s). Using guide data it receives from the cloud, the gateway produces and delivers to the CPE one or more “simple views” of the guide data, including a video stream, still image, or simple HTML or other renderable formats. As the end user interacts with the CPE, the user receives a series of the simple views, allowing the rich experience that is typically given by EPG rendered directly by the CPE.
H04N 21/235 - Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
H04N 21/435 - Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data or reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/222 - Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server or cable television Head-end
46.
Registration of devices for use of one or more services
A device profile manager receives notification of a user operating a mobile communication device in a subscriber domain. In response to detecting authorized usage of the mobile communication device in the subscriber domain, the device profile manager initiates registering of the mobile communication device and/or corresponding non-head of household user for subsequent use of incremental subscription services assigned to the subscriber domain. Subsequent to auto-registration of the mobile communication device to use services associated with the subscriber domain, the non-head of household user operating the mobile communication device is able to use the incremental subscription services assigned to the subscriber domain based on the identifier value of the mobile communication device without submission of access credentials.
Methods and apparatus for providing delivery of content to client devices of a network via both multicast and unicast mechanisms. In one embodiment, a system for use in a managed content delivery network is described to bridge multicast to unicast, so that the total network bandwidth consumption is significantly lower than a corresponding unicast-only delivery solution, yet which still provides improved quality of service and user viewing experience as compared to a multicast-only delivery solution. In addition, various exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are readily adapted for real-time multicast to unicast streaming of audio and data to, among other things, minimize network bandwidth usage, while maintaining the guaranteed delivery of unicast streams with little or no modification to the existing client device logic.
H04N 21/647 - Control signaling between network components and server or clients; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. controlling the quality of the video stream, by dropping packets, protecting content from unauthorised alteration within the network, monitoring of network load or bridging bet
H04L 65/611 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for multicast or broadcast
H04L 65/612 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for unicast
H04N 21/24 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth or upstream requests
H04N 21/266 - Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system or merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel
Apparatus and methods for providing information via an open-access network such as a wireless local area network (WLAN). In one embodiment, the information provided is contextually relevant to one or locations, more users or devices receiving the information. In one implementation, the information is provisioned by a network entity (for example, from a service provider network operator) and provided to one or more access points (APs) of the service provider network. The information is bit-stuffed into Wi-Fi beacon frames or other data structures that are broadcast by the APs to nearby client devices. A receiving client device extracts the information using a protocol embodied in application software on the client, and may also initiate a dedicated wireless connection with the AP for e.g., transmission of content related to the context and/or the bit-stuffed information, access of related Internet addresses, etc.
H04W 4/00 - Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
H04W 4/06 - Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
H04W 4/90 - Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
49.
Apparatus and methods for monitoring and optimizing delivery of content in a network
Methods and apparatus for delivering content to a user so as to optimize and enhance the “experience” of the content. In one embodiment, an optimization and monitoring entity (OME) is used which determines, evaluates, and provides notification and/or recommendation of alternative content delivery platforms which are available to a user. The OME receives requests for content forwarded from a content server containing information identifying requesting devices and/or subscriber accounts. The OME examines the capabilities of the registered devices, and identifies/recommends alternative devices based on e.g., video/audio quality, picture size, bandwidth availability, and/or any other additional capabilities of the client devices. A notification is then sent to the client devices indicating which of the user's devices may receive the content alternatively, or in addition to, the requesting device. The notifications may be interactive, allowing the user to select one or more of the devices for delivery.
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
G06F 16/957 - Browsing optimisation, e.g. caching or content distillation
H04N 21/433 - Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request or caching operations
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
50.
System and method for delivering media based on viewer behavior
Methods, systems and devices are provided for communicating multimedia content over a service provider network. A network server may receive an audio-video stream from a content provider server, relaying the audio-video stream to a receiver device via the service provider network, receive an operating mode notification identifying a user behavior from the receiver device, and ceasing the relaying of the audio-video stream to the receiver device based on the user behavior. The network server may also alter the audio-video stream based on the received operating mode notification and send the altered audio-video stream to the receiver device via the service provider network.
H04H 60/32 - Arrangements for monitoring conditions of receiving stations, e.g. malfunction or breakdown of receiving stations
H04N 21/2668 - Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. by inserting targeted commercials into a video stream based on end-user profiles
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/24 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth or upstream requests
51.
Communication management and wireless roaming support
A user-operated communication device stores security association information that is initially used to wirelessly connect the user-operated communication device to a first wireless access point made available by a first private wireless network service provider. Assume that the user-operated communication device roams out of a first wireless coverage region supported by the first wireless access point into wireless range of a second wireless access point operated by a second private wireless network service provider. Instead of performing full authentication to establish a wireless communication link with the second wireless access point, the user-operated communication device requests authentication resumption and utilizes the stored security association information (provided by the first service provider) to more quickly, wirelessly connect the communication device to the second wireless access point. Accordingly, techniques herein support authentication resumption across different service providers' wireless networks.
Apparatus and methods for provisioning of customer premise equipment (CPE) equipped with a secure microprocessor to receive e.g., digital video content by entering unique identification of the CPE at one or more servers located at the headend or other location of a content-based network. In one embodiment, the CPE comprises a download-enabled (e.g., DCAS) host with embedded cable modem and embedded set-top box functionality, and the provisioning includes enabling DOCSIS functionality of the CPE, assigning an IP address to the CPE and providing the CPE with a client image for the conditional access system chosen by the network operator. In one variant, the network operator can deactivate a provisioned device while connected to the network, as well when disconnected from the network. The network operator can also add, delete or replace conditional access client image in a provisioned device.
H04N 21/475 - End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. PIN [Personal Identification Number] or preference data
H04N 21/61 - Network physical structure; Signal processing
H04N 21/6334 - Control signals issued by server directed to the network components or client directed to client for authorisation, e.g. by transmitting a key
H04N 21/8355 - Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
53.
Digital domain content processing and distribution apparatus and methods
Methods and apparatus for distributing content using a spectrum generation device. In one embodiment, digital content is received via a time-multiplexed network transport (such as Gigabit Ethernet), and converted to frequency channels suitable for transmission over a content distribution (e.g., Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC)) network. In one variant, the conversion is performed using digital domain processing performed by a full spectrum generation device. Additionally, methods and apparatus for selectively adding, removing, and/or changing digital content from the full spectrum device are also disclosed. Various aspects of the present invention enable physical (infrastructure) consolidation, and software-implemented remote management of content distribution.
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
Methods and apparatus for processing requests for content received from customer devices are described. A decision on how to respond to a request for content is made at an edge node based on a locally maintained popularity list. The local popularity list reflects the local popularity of individual pieces of content at the edge node. A white list of content to be cached and served irrespective of popularity is sometimes used in combination with the local popularity list to make decisions as to how to respond to individual requests for content. In some embodiments the edge node decides on one of the following responses to a content request: i) cache and serve the requested content; ii) serve but don't cache the requested content; or iii) redirect the content request to another node, e.g., an alternate serving node, which can respond to the content request.
Methods and apparatus for providing a messaging server within a premises device e.g., a home or enterprise gateway device. In one embodiment, a system is described that includes a premises device that acts as a centralized client messaging platform providing messaging services between a content provider and client devices, and also between client devices within a premises network. The premises device enables client-to-client communication that bypasses the long trip and propagation delay over the Internet by connecting the message across the premises network. The premises device enables messages to be communicated between a content provider outside the premises network and the client devices via a single connection to minimize the number of Internet connections that need to be opened, and the number of messages communicated with servers outside of the premises network via both upstream aggregation and downstream dis-aggregation, which collectively save both network bandwidth and device reaction time.
H04L 67/02 - Protocols based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
H04L 67/145 - Termination or inactivation of sessions, e.g. event-controlled end of session avoiding end of session, e.g. keep-alive, heartbeats, resumption message or wake-up for inactive or interrupted session
H04L 65/612 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for unicast
H04L 67/289 - Intermediate processing functionally located close to the data consumer application, e.g. in same machine, in same home or in same sub-network
H04L 67/568 - Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching
H04L 65/611 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for multicast or broadcast
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
Apparatus and methods for providing content to packet-enabled devices in a content distribution network. In one embodiment, a network architecture is disclosed which enables delivery of content to IP-enabled devices such as mobile smartphones and tablet computers using a traditional high-speed data connection. This capability allows the managed network operator to provide content services to an IP-enabled device associated with a non-data subscriber. In one variant, a cable modem is provided which is limited to only retrieve content for delivery to the devices, yet which performs no other functions/services (including provision of high-speed data services). Alternatively, a “media server” modem is utilized to enable delivery of content from the managed network to a client or user device which is also able to obtain high-speed data service from a non-managed or third party managed network via a third-party access point. Security and authentication mechanisms for the transmitted content are also disclosed.
G06F 21/10 - Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material
H04N 21/647 - Control signaling between network components and server or clients; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. controlling the quality of the video stream, by dropping packets, protecting content from unauthorised alteration within the network, monitoring of network load or bridging bet
Methods and apparatus for generating and delivering selected primary content and contextually-related, targeted secondary content to users of a network. In an exemplary embodiment, the network comprises a packet-switched data (e.g., IP) network such as the Internet, and the primary content comprises video or media clips that are user-selectable via a network site or web page. The primary content carries with it descriptive metadata that is accessed by a distribution server and forwarded to a secondary content source. The secondary content source (or its proxy) utilizes the metadata to identify and return contextually-related secondary content such as advertising links. This secondary content is then presented to the user in conjunction with the primary content, such as in a common display window and in a seamless fashion, thereby avoiding distractions to the user associated with generating ancillary windows or other display mechanisms, and providing the user with highly relevant secondary content choices.
A wireless access point receives configuration information assigned to a particular service provider. The configuration information includes information indicating a wireless network identifier (such as a network name or SSID value) assigned to the service provider. The wireless network identifier is available for use by communication devices to establish a wireless connection with the wireless access point and perform multiple different functions. For example, the configuration information can include multiple resource links assigned to the particular service provider. Via use of the wireless network identifier, a communication device can establish a wireless communication link with the wireless access point. The communication device communicates a selected one of the multiple links to the wireless access point to indicate which of multiple functions (such as online sign-up or actual use of wireless network services) can is being requested.
Apparatus and methods for lightweight transcoding. In one embodiment, a minimal function transcoder is disclosed which supports multiple devices requiring various video formats. Transcoding functionality may be downloaded to an existing device and comprises using an intermediate set of data resulting from a partial decode of an input stream that is temporarily stored until all transformation operations have completed. Premises devices register to the transcoder and the transcoder transcodes content requested by the registered devices (i) upon detection that the registered device is “in use”; (ii) at the time of original content playback or broadcast; and/or (iii) at a time prior to a previously scheduled time of intended use. The transcoder exploits the similarities between the mechanisms by which the various encoding formats and, in one variant, ignores some of the features of the more advanced content formats to arrive at a “just-in-time” or “near real-time” transcoded content.
G06F 16/11 - File system administration, e.g. details of archiving or snapshots
H04N 19/23 - Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using video object coding with coding of regions that are present throughout a whole video segment, e.g. sprites, background or mosaic
H04N 19/46 - Embedding additional information in the video signal during the compression process
H04N 19/40 - Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using video transcoding, i.e. partial or full decoding of a coded input stream followed by re-encoding of the decoded output stream
G06F 16/178 - Techniques for file synchronisation in file systems
Apparatus and methods for thumbnail generation. In one embodiment, a thumbnail stream is generated where one or more bits are assigned to key frames and minimizes the number of bits assigned to delta frames. Each key frame may be used to extract a still image for use in thumbnails during trick mode operation (e.g., fast forward, rewind, pause, or random seek operation). When the encoded video file is given to a Just in Time Packager (JITP), the JITP extracts the image files (via the key frames). Information regarding how to reference these files is stored in generated manifest file and may be reformatted by the JITP to fit the needs of the current product. In a variant, the JITP reformats the image files extracted from the encoded video for operation on a number of devices.
H04N 21/845 - Structuring of content, e.g. decomposing content into time segments
H04N 21/4402 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
H04N 21/8549 - Creating video summaries, e.g. movie trailer
H04L 65/611 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for multicast or broadcast
H04L 65/612 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for unicast
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus relating to content streaming, e.g., in a home network, in a manner that reduces the chance of streaming of content to a device which is not authorized to receive the content. In an exemplary method of controlling content streaming on a home network in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the method involves receiving at a home network gateway a first video on demand service request message from a first device coupled to the home network, storing a portion of said first video on demand service request message in memory, receiving at said home network gateway a second message, and determining based on a portion of said second message and a portion of said stored first video on demand service request message whether to provide the requested video on demand service.
H04N 21/658 - Transmission by the client directed to the server
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
62.
Downloadable security and protection methods and apparatus
Methods and apparatus for control of data and content protection mechanisms across a network using a download delivery paradigm. In one embodiment, conditional access (CA), digital rights management (DRM), and trusted domain (TD) security policies are delivered, configured and enforced with respect to consumer premises equipment (CPE) within a cable television network. A trusted domain is established within the user's premises within which content access, distribution, and reproduction can be controlled remotely by the network operator. The content may be distributed to secure or non-secure “output” domains consistent with the security policies enforced by secure CA, DRM, and TD clients running within the trusted domain. Legacy and retail CPE models are also supported. A network security architecture comprising an authentication proxy (AP), provisioning system (MPS), and conditional access system (CAS) is also disclosed, which can interface with a trusted authority (TA) for cryptographic element management and CPE/user device authentication.
G06F 7/04 - Identity comparison, i.e. for like or unlike values
G06F 15/16 - Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
H04N 7/167 - Systems rendering the television signal unintelligible and subsequently intelligible
H04N 21/2347 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating MPEG-4 scene graphs involving video stream encryption
H04N 21/235 - Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
H04N 21/254 - Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server or rights management server
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/266 - Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system or merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel
H04N 21/435 - Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data or reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
H04N 21/4363 - Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a IEEE 1394 or Bluetooth® network
H04N 21/4405 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs involving video stream decryption
H04N 21/4623 - Processing of entitlement messages, e.g. ECM [Entitlement Control Message] or EMM [Entitlement Management Message]
H04N 21/61 - Network physical structure; Signal processing
H04N 21/6334 - Control signals issued by server directed to the network components or client directed to client for authorisation, e.g. by transmitting a key
A mesh network management resource receives connectivity status information indicating wireless connectivity amongst multiple wirelessly interconnected access points in a mesh network and multiple clients. Based on the received connectivity status information, the mesh network management resource allocates portions of wireless bandwidth in the mesh network to wirelessly communicate between a root access point in the mesh network and each of the multiple interconnected access points. The root access point transmits messages over the allocated portions of wireless bandwidth from the root access point through the multiple interconnected access points to the multiple clients. According to one configuration, the mesh network management resource allocates use of wireless bandwidth amongst the wirelessly interconnected access points in the mesh network based at least in part on class of service information assigned to different subscribers in the mesh network environment.
Recommendation engine apparatus and associated methods provide content compiled from various sources and selected to match user preferences. In one embodiment, the recommendation apparatus comprises a headend entity; in another, it is co-located on a user's CPE. In one embodiment, the recommendation engine creates content records from content metadata for comparison to a user profile. The user profile is pre-programmed; however has the ability to dynamically shift toward a user's preferences as the user takes actions regarding content. Client applications are utilized to compile and present content; feedback mechanisms are utilized to enable “learning” from user activities to generate more precise recommendations as well as to “unlearn” stale preferences. Recommended content is displayed in the form of a playlist, or as a continuous stream on a virtual channel, or presented in an electronic program guide. A business rules “engine” useful in implementing operational or business goals is also disclosed.
H04N 21/466 - Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/2668 - Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. by inserting targeted commercials into a video stream based on end-user profiles
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
H04N 21/658 - Transmission by the client directed to the server
H04N 7/173 - Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
65.
Apparatus and methods for rights-managed data delivery
Methods and apparatus for providing access to content across a plurality of devices and environments. In one embodiment, a downloadable rights profile is utilized in order for a user device to determine whether to provide content to a subscriber. The user device is first registered to content delivery the network; the device then requests a rights profile indicating the rights of the subscriber associated with the device to access content. The rights profile is transmitted to the device. The rights profile may be configured to be valid only for a pre-determined time, thus enabling a subscriber's rights to be updated (including revoked). Security mechanisms may also be utilized to ensure access to content is limited only to authorized subscribers. In another embodiment, a user-based authentication procedure is utilized, thereby making the rights determination and content provision process completely agnostic to the underlying hardware.
H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system
G06F 21/00 - Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
Apparatus and methods for mitigating network attacks, such as by dynamically re-routing traffic. Various disclosed embodiments manipulate path-based routing of the backbone network to insert a scrubbing appliance within the backbone network topology, rather than using traditional network addressed tunnels in the edge network. In one implementation, traffic entering the backbone network ingress peer routers (from either another backbone network, or an edge network) is normally destination-address routed via the backbone to its appropriate egress router based on a path label; however, when a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is detected, the ingress peer router inserts an additional hop into the path label that redirects dirty traffic to a substantially centralized scrubbing appliance. The benefits of the disclosed solutions include, among other things, significantly reduced attack response/recovery times without significant capital outlays.
Methods and apparatus for distributing content using a spectrum generation device. In one embodiment, digital content is received via a time-multiplexed network transport (such as Gigabit Ethernet), and converted to frequency channels suitable for transmission over a content distribution (e.g., Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC)) network. In one variant, the conversion is performed using digital domain processing performed by a full spectrum generation device. Additionally, methods and apparatus for selectively adding, removing, and/or changing digital content from the full spectrum device are also disclosed. Various aspects of the present invention enable physical (infrastructure) consolidation, and software-implemented remote management of content distribution.
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
H04N 7/10 - Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable
H04N 21/2389 - Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream encrypting
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/254 - Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server or rights management server
H04N 21/239 - Interfacing the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. prioritizing client requests
H04N 21/2343 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating MPEG-4 scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements
Apparatus and methods for providing enhanced or interactive features over a network. In one embodiment, the exemplary apparatus and methods leverage extant high-bandwidth capabilities of a managed network, and are implemented to enable a user to create a playlist of content, clips, advertisements, from among currently broadcast content, stored content, user generated content, web or other network content. The user can upload user-generated or other content to the network such as for selection into a playlist at higher rates using a network operator-provided wireless dongle. Additional interactive features include, among other, enhancements which enable user participation individually or with other subscribers in live or recorded content-based group activities (such as e.g., cooking, exercising, group viewing, dating, and learning/teaching). Further interactive gaming and couponing options are also provided. Still further, the present apparatus and methods may be used to provide general public use wireless access from existing private user devices.
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/454 - Content filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/4784 - Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification or shopping application receiving rewards
H04N 21/254 - Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server or rights management server
H04N 21/4788 - Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification or shopping application communicating with other users, e.g. chatting
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
69.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING PROGRAM CHANNEL STATUS INFORMATION AND/OR FOR CONTROLLING CHANNEL SWITCHING
Methods and apparatus for detecting whether a commercial is ongoing on a program channel and indicating commercial status of a program channel in a program guide are described. Also described are channel surfing methods and apparatus where a user is allowed to automatically skip channels with ongoing commercials and is provided with an indicator of the commercial status on one or more previous program channels while viewing content of program channel to which the user switched.
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
H04N 21/438 - Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. retrieving MPEG packets from an IP network
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/44 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
70.
Gateway apparatus and methods for use in a content distribution network
Apparatus and methods for premises gateway functions that integrate or unify functions typically distributed across multiple devices within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the out-of-band (OOB) signaling functionality normally provided in each of a set-top-box (STB) and digital video recorder (DVR) are unified into a common OOB (e.g., DOCSIS) capable premises gateway device, thereby obviating OOB tuners and related components from each device. In another variant, the premises gateway is adapted for all-IP operation, such as for use with IP-based computers and IP set-top boxes, etc. Fully unified variants are also disclosed, wherein the DVR and/or STB functions are physically integrated within the premises gateway.
H04L 12/28 - Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
H04L 69/325 - Intralayer communication protocols among peer entities or protocol data unit [PDU] definitions in the network layer [OSI layer 3], e.g. X.25
H04L 69/326 - Intralayer communication protocols among peer entities or protocol data unit [PDU] definitions in the transport layer [OSI layer 4]
H04L 101/622 - Layer-2 addresses, e.g. medium access control [MAC] addresses
Apparatus and methods for extending and enhancing wireless networks. An exemplary wireless network configured according to the disclosure uses in-service Wireless Network Clients (WNCs), such as mobile phones, laptops, etc., to extend and enhance the wireless network coverage via peer-to-peer sub-networks. In one implementation, each WNC is configured to operate as a Service Access Node (SAN) to other wireless client devices in the same network. The SAN provides peer-to-peer communications capabilities (to communicate with wireless clients) and gateway functionality (to aggregate data traffic over its own uplink communications), thereby enabling wireless clients to “piggyback” their data link onto the WNC. Peer Control Manager (PCM) software on each WNC enables, disables, and controls the service functions for that WNC in accordance with an overarching Peer Controller (PC) entity operated by an Access Point Controller/Core Network.
Methods and apparatus for providing indications of received emergency alert messages to devices within a consumer premises are disclosed. In one embodiment, a consumer premise equipment (CPE) receiving one or more emergency alert messages from a content provider or managed network determines one or more alert responses for one or more devices of the consumer premise network. In one implementation, the responses are based at least in part on the received emergency alert messages themselves. The CPE issues one or more commands to one or more devices present within the consumer premises (which may be for example a home automation system), to indicate the one or more determined alert indication responses, such as auditory alert and visual alert by the one or more devices. Thus, users in the consumer premises may be made aware of an alert message outside of the typical means in which an alert is displayed, such as via a television.
Methods and apparatus for the automated creation of targeted or focused content extractions and/or compilations (e.g., highlight reels). In one embodiment, the extractions or compilations are created for use in a content delivery network. In one variant, incoming live feeds are recorded. Time-stamped metadata from sources (either internal or external) able to identify moments and events of interest is used to parse or select portions of the live feeds to generate clips related thereto. Those clips are then sent to users (including optionally their mobile devices) for viewing. In some embodiments, a recommendation engine is used to select clips matching interests of a particular user or group of users. Varied sources of metadata may be used, and networked resources may be utilized to in the implementation of internal “excitement” monitoring systems. Myriad configurations may be implemented including server or head-end based configurations, consumer premises based deployments, and/or distributed implementations.
G06F 21/00 - Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
H04N 21/2668 - Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. by inserting targeted commercials into a video stream based on end-user profiles
G11B 27/031 - Electronic editing of digitised analogue information signals, e.g. audio or video signals
G11B 27/32 - Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel by using information detectable on the record carrier by using information signals recorded by the same method as the main recording on separate auxiliary tracks of the same or an auxiliary record carrier
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/658 - Transmission by the client directed to the server
H04N 21/8549 - Creating video summaries, e.g. movie trailer
H04N 21/25 - Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication or learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/235 - Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
H04L 29/08 - Transmission control procedure, e.g. data link level control procedure
In an embodiment, a computing device may display a video browser screen on an output device. The video browser screen may include a list of video programs arranged as a carousel. The carousel may have a plurality of entries, where an entry may represent a video program that may be provided by a service provider. A video program represented by an entry may be, for example, a live video program, a video program available on demand, or a video program that may have been recorded by a device that may be provided by the service provider. The computing device may acquire an indication to navigate to an entry in the carousel. The computing device may navigate to the entry and acquire an indication to select the entry. The computing device may select the entry and display the video program associated with the selected entry on the output device.
To facilitate a handoff of a communication session in a wireless network, a first wireless access point at least temporarily emulates a second wireless access point, spoofing a target communication device that communications transmitted from the first wireless access point appear to be transmitted from the second wireless access point. According to a first configuration, the communication session is handed off from the first wireless access point to the second wireless access point. According to another configuration, the communication session is handed off from the second wireless access point to the first wireless access point.
A request is received from one of a plurality of terminals in a service group of a video content network. The request is to establish a session with a head end of the network. The video content network provides at least first and second different categories of sessions to the service group. The request is evaluated against a policy. The policy specifies a maximum utilization threshold for sessions of the first category and a maximum utilization threshold for sessions of the second category. The request is granted if it is in conformance with the policy. The method may be carried out, for example, with a session resource manager apparatus.
Methods and apparatus for providing an alternate content delivery mechanism available to content-based network users. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable television network, and subscribers are able to retrieve requested content from one or more other subscriber's storage medium and without going outside the cable network (or accessing the network core in any significant capacity) using a peer-to-peer (P2P) network protocol. Using this approach, bandwidth consumption is advantageously pushed out to the edge of the network from the core, also obviating content requests outside the network (e.g., to third-party servers on the Internet). Methods of operating the aforementioned P2P network, and various business paradigms relating thereto, are also disclosed.
H04N 21/25 - Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication or learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/254 - Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server or rights management server
H04N 7/173 - Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
H04N 21/435 - Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data or reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
H04N 21/61 - Network physical structure; Signal processing
H04N 21/63 - Control signaling between client, server and network components; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB's; Communication protocols; Addressing
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
Methods and apparatus for selecting and delivering advertising or promotional content based on, e.g., the attributes of a desired demographic. In one embodiment, the invention enhances advertising or promotional penetration into a particular demographic of a network subscriber pool by correlating the advertising/promotion (and even the contextual program content) with specific users or groups of users within the pool. This approach decouples the advertising or promotion from any given program or lineup, and gives the network operator flexibility in deciding where, when, and how often to insert advertisements or promotions in order to achieve the desired result. Dynamic network architectures such as broadcast switched architectures can also be leveraged to further enhance flexibility and targeting precision. In effect, the network advertising or promotion model is made results-driven (versus program-centric). Subscriber privacy is also optionally maintained, thus ensuring that stored data is not traceable to a specific user.
G06Q 30/02 - Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
H04N 7/173 - Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
H04N 21/234 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating MPEG-4 scene graphs
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/44 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs
H04N 21/845 - Structuring of content, e.g. decomposing content into time segments
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
79.
Apparatus and methods for enabling location-based services within a premises
Apparatus and methods for enabling location identification and related services in a premises. In one embodiment, location identification services are provided via a gateway device using data extracted from a wireless signal. The data is used to estimate a location of a device (based on comparison to previously gathered and/or reference data). In another embodiment, infrared (IR) or other short range wireless signals are broadcast from the client devices to a set-top-box (STB), and the STB or gateway correlates the signals to a location within the premises. A profiling process is used to establish specific locations within a premises, and associate location-specific services therewith. The location-based services include for example (i) loading particular applications and/or content when the user enters a particular location, (ii) providing information and/or advertisement opportunities when the user is near a particular public or business location, and (iii) content delivery optimization among multiple user devices.
H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services
H04W 4/18 - Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
H04L 12/28 - Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
H04W 4/33 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for indoor environments, e.g. buildings
80.
Apparatus and methods for dynamic secondary content and data insertion and delivery
Apparatus and methods for providing primary and secondary content and data to users. In one embodiment, management entities at a content delivery network core cooperate to provide primary content with contextually related or germane inserted secondary content to user devices. Inserted secondary content may include e.g., advertisements, multimedia applications, interactive programming, and scheduled programming. A network entity monitors user-specific data such as demographics, geographic location, and viewing patterns, and facilitates content selection and delivery based thereon. Content insertion may further be managed by a campaign manager according to business rules. In another embodiment, the primary and secondary content is pushed to a device at or near the network edge based on the applicability thereof to devices serviced by the edge device.
H04N 21/44 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs
H04N 21/458 - Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules
H04L 65/611 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for multicast or broadcast
H04L 65/612 - Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for unicast
A method for provisioning consumer premises equipment includes communicating identification information to a software management system via a network interface, receiving a list of bundles in response to communicating the identification to the software management system via the network interface, determining a location of a repository storing at least one bundle in the list, wherein the software management system includes a plurality of repositories storing a plurality of bundles at different locations, and installing, by the consumer premises equipment, the at least one bundle from the repository having the location.
Methods and apparatus for distributing content using a spectrum generation device. In one embodiment, digital content is received via a time-multiplexed network transport (such as Gigabit Ethernet), and converted to frequency channels suitable for transmission over a content distribution (e.g., Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC)) network. In one variant, the conversion is performed using digital domain processing performed by a full spectrum generation device. Additionally, methods and apparatus for selectively adding, removing, and/or changing digital content from the full spectrum device are also disclosed. Various aspects of the present invention enable physical (infrastructure) consolidation, and software-implemented remote management of content distribution.
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
H04N 7/10 - Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable
H04N 21/2389 - Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream encrypting
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/2343 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating MPEG-4 scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements
A playlist server application is provided on a server at a first network node. A playlist local application is provided for a remote device. An indication of a change to a playlist on one of the server and the remote device is obtained from a corresponding one of the playlist server application and the playlist local application. The change is synchronized to another one of the server and the remote device.
H04N 21/466 - Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04N 21/458 - Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
84.
Apparatus and methods for managing quality of experience during the delivery of content
Apparatus and methods for managing the quality of experience of delivery of content to end-point or user devices. In one embodiment, metrics data pertaining to network conditions being experienced by consumer devices attached to a managed network are monitored by a network entity. The monitored metrics are analyzed to determine if a consumer device is experiencing poor network conditions, such as network congestion. A consumer device that is identified as experiencing poor network conditions is reported to a content delivery network (CDN) entity responsible for providing IP-based content. The CDN entity adjusts content delivery files used by the consumer device to request particular IP-based content and to select a version of the content suitable for delivery over consumer device's existing network condition. The adjustment may include for instance removing formats deemed unsupportable for delivery over the existing network condition or identify a default format for the consumer device to use.
Methods and apparatus for providing protected content to subscribers of a managed (e.g., MSO) network via a content source accessible via an internetwork such as the Internet. In one embodiment, a user accesses a programmer website website, and requests content. The programmer determines whether the requesting user is permitted to access the content, and what rights or restrictions are associated with the user. This includes authenticating the user as a subscriber of the MSO, and determining the subscriber's subscription level. In another embodiment, a user's account with the MSO and programmer may be federated, thus a given user will have MSO-specific information regarding its identity (such as login information, GUID, etc.) and/or information regarding subscription level and service details, stored at the programmer. Messages received from the MSO representing permission for the user to access content may also be stored at the programmer site for later reference.
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/658 - Transmission by the client directed to the server
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
H04N 21/475 - End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. PIN [Personal Identification Number] or preference data
H04N 21/61 - Network physical structure; Signal processing
H04N 21/254 - Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server or rights management server
86.
Apparatus and methods for managing delivery of content in a network with limited bandwidth using pre-caching
Apparatus and methods for managing provision of content to devices in a content delivery network. In one exemplary embodiment, content with a high probability of viewership is sent to consumer premises equipment (CPE) during off-peak periods and stored prior to viewing. An application is utilized to manage decisions related to content provision. The computer program will identify content that is likely to be of interest users associated with respective CPE, and schedule provision of that content in advance of viewing. Then, the system will develop a plan for optimal scheduling of transmission of content to CPEs, often including the use of trickle downloads. The scheduling plan is based collected statistical and historical data on network resource demand to make scheduling decisions. The system allows for the shifting of bandwidth utilization from periods of high demand to those of low demand, and increased performance with regard to user experienced latency.
H04N 7/173 - Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
H04N 21/647 - Control signaling between network components and server or clients; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. controlling the quality of the video stream, by dropping packets, protecting content from unauthorised alteration within the network, monitoring of network load or bridging bet
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
H04L 29/08 - Transmission control procedure, e.g. data link level control procedure
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/6543 - Transmission by server directed to the client for forcing some client operations, e.g. recording
H04N 21/24 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth or upstream requests
87.
Methods and apparatus for presenting social network content in conjunction with video content
Methods and apparatus for generating, distributing, and/or presenting social networking content in conjunction with video content are described. In accordance with various embodiments, social networking related information, e.g., comments, remarks and/or a twitter feed, are displayed in conjunction with the display of video to which the social networking information relates. The social networking related information may be displayed on the same or a different device from that which is used to display the video comments. In some embodiments, the social networking information, e.g., comments on a program, event or broadcast, are displayed on a personal computer or other device such as a mobile telephone, while video content is being viewed, e.g., on a television which is provided video content via a set top box. A knowledgeable moderator can review, supplement, add and delete comments in real time enhancing the overall social networking session.
H04N 21/4788 - Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification or shopping application communicating with other users, e.g. chatting
H04N 21/41 - Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04L 65/401 - Support for services or applications wherein the services involve a main real-time session and one or more additional parallel real-time or time sensitive sessions, e.g. white board sharing or spawning of a subconference
H04W 4/21 - Services signalling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel for social networking applications
88.
Neighbor list management and connection control in a network environment
A first wireless access point receives communications from multiple candidate wireless access points in a monitored region in which the first wireless access point resides. The communications indicate presence of the multiple candidate wireless access points in the monitored region. A processing resource associated with the first wireless access point processes the communications to identify which of the multiple candidate wireless access points are trusted wireless access points belonging to a network in which the first wireless access point resides. To facilitate a wireless link handoff from the given wireless access point to one of the trusted wireless access points, the given wireless access point provides notification of identities of the trusted wireless access points to a communication device in communication with the given wireless access point. The communication device selects one of the trusted wireless access points in which to handoff the respective wireless communication link.
A connection management resource receives performance information indicating bandwidth availability associated with multiple wireless access points in a wireless network. The connection management resource analyzes the performance information to identify an ability of each of the multiple wireless access points in the wireless network to provide a prospective new user access to a remote network. Based on the analysis of the performance information, the connection management resource produces a notification indicating the ability of each of the multiple access points to provide wireless bandwidth to the prospective new user to access the remote network. Via the notification, the prospective new user of a wireless access point is able to determine what to expect for bandwidth after establishing a respective link with the wireless access point.
Apparatus and methods to manage recording of streaming packetized content (such as for example live IP packetized content) for access, retrieval and delivering thereof to one or more users. In one embodiment, the foregoing is accomplished via communication between a recording manager and a receiver/decoder device. The recording manager manages and schedules recording of content on behalf of the receiver/decoder device (and/or mobile devices) disposed at a user's premises. The recording manager runs one or more computer programs designed to receive requests to record packetized content from one or more consumer devices, and use metadata contained within the requests to cause a cloud storage entity or premises storage device to record the content at its scheduled date/time (either via the receiver/decoder device itself, or another network entity). In this manner, the recording manager provides digital video recording (DVR) functionality to devices that would be otherwise incapable of scheduling a recording and/or recording such content.
H04N 21/2747 - Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/433 - Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request or caching operations
H04N 21/458 - Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/6587 - Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands or viewpoint selection
H04N 21/235 - Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
H04N 21/2387 - Stream processing in response to a playback request from an end-user, e.g. for trick-play
H04N 21/25 - Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication or learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/254 - Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server or rights management server
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
91.
Apparatus and methods ensuring data privacy in a content distribution network
Methods and apparatus for ensuring the privacy of users and/or devices in a content delivery network from which data regarding the users' interaction with content is collected and distributed. In one embodiment, “tuning” records which describe the interaction of users with content or other activities of interest are collected. It is determined whether an opportunity for compromise of the user's privacy (e.g., by derivative association) is present. If it is determined that such an opportunity exists, at least portions of the data are modified (e.g., collapsed). The modification may comprise replacing a first explicit data value with a second descriptive data value, increasing a range for the value, generalizing the value, removing the value, or encoding the value. Further processing of the collected tuning records may include, validating the data, accounting for latency, and generating reports based thereon.
Systems and methods of discovering and registering with a WiFi controller by a wireless access point that can provide location awareness in the WiFi controller discovery and registration process. The systems and methods employ a DNS server that can receive a DNS query containing the FQDN of a WiFi controller from an access point, and compare the FQDN of the WiFi controller and the source IP address of the DNS query against a mapping table, which maps FQDNs of WiFi controllers and ranges of source IP addresses of DNS queries to groups of WiFi controllers. By comparing the FQDN of the WiFi controller and the source IP address against the mapping table, the DNS server can resolve the FQDN to IP addresses of a group of WiFi controllers, which can belong to a particular broadband service provider, and/or serve a target market of mobile subscribers located within a geographical area.
A method including collecting, from a cable modem termination system (CMTS), counter data corresponding to usage of a network resource, wherein the counter data includes timestamp data, converting the counter data into timestamp normalized counter data by dividing the counter data among a plurality of buckets according to the timestamp data, and storing the timestamp normalized counter data.
Apparatus and methods for recording a media stream for use by a rendering device. In one embodiment, a client device records live, unbound streaming media content from a Content Delivery Network (CDN) in “chunks” according to a data structure such as a manifest file. The live media content stream chunks are compressed and stored for later playback. The client device uses information regarding the chunks to generate a local manifest file, which it then uses to reconstruct the media stream. A video client may also dynamically insert and account for updated secondary content (such as advertisements) during each playback instance, thus enabling the service provider to realize commercial opportunities which were previously not possible. Various operational/business rules are also disclosed for e.g., enabling and disabling functions with respect to playback of the content.
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
H04N 21/845 - Structuring of content, e.g. decomposing content into time segments
H04N 21/278 - Content descriptor database or directory service for end-user access
H04N 21/433 - Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request or caching operations
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/61 - Network physical structure; Signal processing
H04N 21/2668 - Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. by inserting targeted commercials into a video stream based on end-user profiles
H04N 21/44 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
95.
Methods and apparatus for providing virtual content over a network
Methods and apparatus for selecting, purchasing and delivering content to users of a network so that the user has “virtual” ownership of and access to the content, thereby obviating the need for physical media (e.g., DVDs or CDs). In an exemplary embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network, and on-demand (OD) sessions or broadcast modes are used to deliver the virtual content stored at the head-end (or hub site) to the requesting owner. The purchased content is associated with one or more users when stored, thereby providing the owner(s) unlimited access thereto, without the costs and effort associated with renting/purchasing and maintaining DVDs. The content may also comprise new release content, which would otherwise not be available over the network at that time but for the purchase and delivery mechanisms of the invention. Various other complementary features for enhancing the user's virtual ownership experience are also disclosed.
H04N 21/254 - Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server or rights management server
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/478 - Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification or shopping application
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
H04N 7/167 - Systems rendering the television signal unintelligible and subsequently intelligible
H04N 7/173 - Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
H04N 21/4788 - Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification or shopping application communicating with other users, e.g. chatting
96.
Apparatus and methods for monitoring and diagnosing a wireless network
Apparatus and methods for monitoring a wireless local area network (WLAN) to identify inoperative or degraded devices and restore network connectivity to end users. In one embodiment, the network includes one or more access points (APs) in data communication with a cable modem, which in turn communicates with managed network entities via a backhaul connection. Each AP is configured to provide connectivity to client devices, as well as monitor the operation of other network components including the cable modem, via logic indigenous to the AP, and invoke corrective action when failures or degraded performance is detected. In one variant, the logic operative to run on the AP includes both diagnostic and self-healing functionality, so as to enable at least partial automated diagnosis, localization, and recovery from faults, thereby obviating costly troubleshooting by the network operator or service personnel.
A technician assistance application aids installation and diagnostics for an automated home monitoring system often referred to as an “Intelligent Home” system. The monitoring system includes a plurality of security sensor devices deployed around a dwelling and responsive to a monitoring application on a central computing device. The central computing device provides an on-site console for gathering signals from the security sensors and forwarding the gathered signals to a monitoring station or central office. The central office interprets the received signals to identify an anomaly or other signal consistent with a need to notify first responders or otherwise trigger an alarm. In addition to basic intrusion and fire protection, the monitoring system may monitor a variety of other non-emergency aspects such as lights, visual camera signals, door locks and environmental conditions.
H04W 4/38 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for collecting sensor information
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services
G08B 25/14 - Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
G08B 23/00 - Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions
G08B 5/36 - Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources
G08B 7/06 - Signalling systems according to more than one of groups ; Personal calling systems according to more than one of groups using electric transmission
G08B 1/08 - Systems for signalling characterised solely by the form of transmission of the signal using electric transmission
H04L 12/28 - Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
H04L 29/08 - Transmission control procedure, e.g. data link level control procedure
H04W 4/18 - Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
G08B 25/08 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using communication transmission lines
A transcoder resource retrieves content stored in a repository. The stored content can be encoded in accordance with a first encoding format. The transcoder resource transcodes the retrieved content into a second encoding format. To increase available capacity, the transcoder resource stores the content in the second encoding format as a replacement to the content encoded according to the first encoding format. The second encoding format can support a higher compression ratio than the first encoding format. Additionally, the transcoding can be performed as one of multiple tasks executed in parallel. In such an instance, during parallel processing, a content management resource interleaves execution of the main processing task and the background task of transcoding the content into the second encoding format. The transcoding task can be assigned a lower execution priority than one or more other tasks executed in parallel.
H04N 19/40 - Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using video transcoding, i.e. partial or full decoding of a coded input stream followed by re-encoding of the decoded output stream
H04N 9/804 - Transformation of the television signal for recording, e.g. modulation, frequency changing; Inverse transformation for playback involving pulse code modulation of the colour picture signal components
H04N 5/775 - Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
H04N 9/82 - Transformation of the television signal for recording, e.g. modulation, frequency changing; Inverse transformation for playback the individual colour picture signal components being recorded simultaneously only
H04N 21/4402 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display
H04N 21/432 - Content retrieval operation from a local storage medium, e.g. hard-disk
H04N 21/433 - Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request or caching operations
99.
Apparatus and methods for device authorization in a premises network
Apparatus and methods for enabling protected premises networking capabilities. In one embodiment, a white list of devices authorized to access a premises network and a black list of device not authorized to access a premises network are utilized. The black and white lists may be stored at a database in communication with an authorization manager or may be stored at the manager itself. When a client device is connected to a premise, the manager determines, based on the premises and/or device identity, whether the device is entitled to access. The authorization manager makes this determination based on whether the device is on the white or black list. If the device is on neither list, the manager may add the device to the white list upon appropriate verification. The manager may also facilitate removal of a device from the white list to the black list upon request or automatically.
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
H04N 21/254 - Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server or rights management server
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
100.
System and method for tailored video-on-demand catalogs
A video-on-demand server, having a plurality of audiovisual assets stored in association therewith, and an application server module, are interconnected with a first group of consumer premises equipment (CPE) associated with a first group of subscribers and a second group of CPE associated with a second (different) group of subscribers, via a video content network. The application server module, the first group of CPE, and the second group of CPE are cooperatively configured to prepare a first video-on-demand catalog comprising a first group of the audiovisual assets and a second video-on-demand catalog comprising a second (different) group of the audiovisual assets. The application server module, the first group of CPE, and the second group of CPE are further cooperatively configured to make the first video-on-demand catalog available to the first group of subscribers and to make the second video-on-demand catalog available to the second group of subscribers.
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
patents
