Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090007171 | DYNAMIC INTERACTIVE ADVERTISEMENT INSERTION INTO CONTENT STREAM DELIVERED THROUGH IP NETWORK - Tools are provided for supporting dynamic insertion of advertisements into a content stream delivered to a viewer through an Internet Protocol (“IP”) network. A viewer profile that includes at least one item of interest and an advertisement profile that includes a mapping from one or more items to at least one advertisement are maintained. An item in the viewer profile is matched to one or more advertisements based on the advertisement profile. The content stream is retrieved and an advertisement slot into which an advertisement should be inserted is identified. The advertisement to be inserted is selected from the one or more advertisements and the content of the advertisement is inserted into the advertisement slot in the content stream. A video component of the content stream with the content of the advertisement inserted is displayed on a display device. | 01-01-2009 |
20090007176 | CONTENT SYNDICATION TO SET TOP BOX THROUGH IP NETWORK - Tools are provided for supporting content syndication to a set top box. The set top box requests a syndicated feed at regularly scheduled times, and receives the syndicated feed through an Internet Protocol (“IP”) network. Hence, a syndicated feed is distributed to the set top box that subscribes to the syndicated feed. Additionally, the set top box converts the syndicated feed for use by the set top box, and causes at least one image based at least in part on the syndicated feed to be displayed on a display device for a user. | 01-01-2009 |
20090063645 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUPPORTING MESSAGING USING A SET TOP BOX - Tools are provided for supporting messaging about a video program using a set top box. Video information related to the video program is received and converted at the set top box and a display device is caused to display the video program. A message to be sent from a first user to a second user is created in accordance with input from the first user. The message is related to the video program. A set of at least one Internet Protocol (“IP”) packets comprising the message is generated. The set of at least one IP packets is transmitted from the set top box through an IP network to be received by an external device that is separate from the set top box. | 03-05-2009 |
20090212971 | TRANSMITTING UTILITY USAGE DATA VIA A NETWORK INTERFACE DEVICE - Tools and techniques for transmitting utility usage data. In some cases, the tools receive utility usage data provided by a utility meter and transmit that data for reception by a utility provider. In particular cases, the utility usage data may be received at a network interface device. The network interface device might, in some instances, include a broadband modem, such as a digital subscriber line modem, which can be used to transmit the utility usage data to the utility provider. | 08-27-2009 |
20090252329 | IPTV FOLLOW ME CONTENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - Tools are provided for distributing access-restricted content in an internet protocol television (“IPTV”) environment based on portable entitlement keys. Such tools can include a decoder, an encoder, and a network entitlement handler. The decoder may be configured to receive a key associated with entitlement information, and transmit the entitlement information over a network. The encoder may be configured to receive content from content providers, and to encode the content to create IP-compatible content, with access restrictions based on entitlement. The network entitlement handler may be configured to receive a request for requested content from the decoder; receive the access-restricted content including (including the requested content) from the encoder; and transmit the requested content over the network to the decoder using IP, when the decoder is entitled to receive the requested content. | 10-08-2009 |
20090292710 | MANAGEMENT OF MOBILE-DEVICE DATA - Information is maintained on a mobile client device. A delete command is received at the mobile client device over a wireless mobile network from a mobile-device data management server configured to provide mobile-device service to multiple mobile client devices over the wireless mobile network. The information is deleted from the mobile client device automatically and without user interaction in accordance with the delete command. | 11-26-2009 |
20090322556 | TRANSMISSION OF UTILITY DATA - Certain embodiments are directed at methods and systems for transmitting utility usage data using a public switched telephone network (“PSTN”). The methods and systems may include collecting utility usage data pertaining to a customer premises with a utility meter at the customer premises. The utility usage data may be transmitted automatically from the utility meter to an access point of a public broadband network. The utility usage data may be received at the access point. A digital subscriber line (“DSL”) modem in communication with the access point may modulate the utility usage data at the access point. The utility usage data may be transmitted securely through the public switched telephone network to an Internet point of presence. The utility usage data may be received at the Internet point of presence. The utility usage data may be transmitted from the Internet point of presence to a utility provider via the Internet. | 12-31-2009 |
20100074123 | DYNAMIC MODEM BANDWIDTH CHECKING - Methods, systems, devices, and software are disclosed for providing controlled access to network characteristic data stored at a subscriber premises. In one embodiment, Internet services are provided to a subscriber through a subscriber's modem, connected to the Internet through an access network, and to a number of data terminals on a local network. The modem is adapted to receive and/or generate data from the connected networks and devices for use in generating network characteristic data. This data is stored in an access-controlled data storage module. Content providers may then login to the modem and query network characteristic data. The modem is configured to authenticate the content provider, and, if authorized and available, return the queried data to the content provider. The content provider may then communicate information to the subscriber's data terminal through the modem, according to the network characteristic data returned by the query. | 03-25-2010 |
20100157802 | TRANSPARENT NETWORK TRAFFIC INSPECTION - Methods and systems are disclosed for providing parties with levels of transparency into filtering functionality of network traffic inspection implementations. Embodiments include receiving a filter change request from a subscriber over a network that defines a modification to a set of filter criteria for filtering network traffic, the filter criteria being stored in association with the subscriber in a filter criteria data store; updating the set of filter criteria in the filter criteria data store as a function of the filter change request; receiving a content dataset relating to the network traffic; identifying the content dataset as being associated with the subscriber; retrieving the set of filter criteria associated with the subscriber from the data store; and filtering the network traffic as a function of the set of filter criteria. Embodiments further provide layers of access for different entities to the filtered traffic. | 06-24-2010 |
20100162359 | NETWORK USER USAGE PROFILING - Methods, systems, devices, and software are disclosed for generating a network usage profile. Certain embodiments of the network usage profile include a devices-by-node profile, indicating the set of customer devices available for use in communicating with a customer-side network node located at a customer side of an access network over a period of time, where some of the customer devices are not in operative communication with the customer-side network node during a portion of that time. Other embodiments associate the network usage profile with customer information to generate device-by-customer profiles. Still other embodiments associate the network usage profile with network traffic information to generate traffic-by-device profiles. Even other embodiments associate the multiple sources and types of information to generate traffic-by-customer profiles and/or traffic-by-device-by-customer profiles. Any of the profiles may then be accessed by one or more parties for use in affecting various network services, including targeting content delivery. | 06-24-2010 |
20100293599 | Systems and Methods for Controlled Transmittance in a Telecommunication System - Systems and methods for authenticating digital assets in relation to a telecommunications network. In various cases, the systems include a network interface device associated with a customer premises. The network interface device includes a local authentication authority operable to authenticate one or more digital assets maintained in relation to the customer premises. In some cases, a global authentication authority can authenticate the network interface device, and implicitly authenticate the one or more digital assets. Many other cases and/or embodiments are disclosed herein. | 11-18-2010 |
20100299407 | Systems and Methods for Integrating Microservers with a Network Interface Device - A network interface device has an isolation device adapted to isolate a transport medium internal to a customer premises from a transport medium external to the customer premises such that operational changes to one of the internal and external transport media do not affect the other of the internal and external transport media. A first interface is coupled with the isolation device and adapted to communicate with the external transport medium, which is in communication with a distribution point. A second interface is coupled with the isolation device and adapted to communicate with the internal transport medium. A microserver is disposed external to the customer premises and coupled with the first and second interfaces. The microserver is adapted to receive telecommunication information from the external transport medium and includes software for implementing a predetermined function over the internal transport medium by processing the received telecommunication information. | 11-25-2010 |
20100328097 | UTILITY DATA OVER BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE - A method for reading a utility meter utilizing broadband infrastructure is provided. The method may include transmitting utility usage data from a plurality of customer premises to a remote enclosure, coupled with a utility pole, using a power line communications infrastructure. The utility usage data may be received at the remote enclosure. The remote enclosure may include a digital subscriber line (“DSL”) modem for modulating the utility usage data. The modulated utility usage data may be transmitted over a public broadband network infrastructure to a utility provider. | 12-30-2010 |
20110080843 | Transparent Network Traffic Inspection - Methods and systems are disclosed for providing parties with levels of transparency into filtering functionality of network traffic inspection implementations. Embodiments include receiving a filter change request from a subscriber over a network that defines a modification to a set of filter criteria for filtering network traffic, the filter criteria being stored in association with the subscriber in a filter criteria data store; updating the set of filter criteria in the filter criteria data store as a function of the filter change request; receiving a content dataset relating to the network traffic; identifying the content dataset as being associated with the subscriber; retrieving the set of filter criteria associated with the subscriber from the data store; and filtering the network traffic as a function of the set of filter criteria. Embodiments further provide layers of access for different entities to the filtered traffic. | 04-07-2011 |
20110081921 | User Defined Location Based Notification for a Mobile Communications Device Systems and Methods - Embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods related to the provision of location based services via a mobile communications device. In different embodiments, a communication system is described, comprising a mobile communications device, a mobile communications base station, and a server computer system. The location of the device may be correlated with certain user preferences stored on the server computer system. In various embodiments, components of the larger system are described. In some cases, various location related mapping functions for a device are discussed. In other embodiments, systems and methods which provide for activities to be undertaken based on the location of a device are described. In still other embodiments, the disclosure addresses systems and methods of efficiently determining the location of a mobile device. In some embodiments, different notification schemes based on the location of a device and specified preferences are described. In various other embodiments, the disclosure addresses systems and methods for keyword monitoring based on the location of a device. | 04-07-2011 |
20110103561 | Dynamic Modem Bandwidth Checking - Methods, systems, devices, and software are disclosed for providing controlled access to network characteristic data stored at a subscriber premises. In one embodiment, Internet services are provided to a subscriber through a subscriber's modem, connected to the Internet through an access network, and to a number of data terminals on a local network. The modem is adapted to receive and/or generate data from the connected networks and devices for use in generating network characteristic data. This data is stored in an access-controlled data storage module. Content providers may then login to the modem and query network characteristic data. The modem is configured to authenticate the content provider, and, if authorized and available, return the queried data to the content provider. The content provider may then communicate information to the subscriber's data terminal through the modem, according to the network characteristic data returned by the query. | 05-05-2011 |
20110254697 | Utility Monitoring - Novel tools and techniques that can allow utility customers, utility providers, and/or other parties to more effectively monitor utility usage at a customer premises utilizing utility monitoring devices, systems, and methods. A utility monitoring device might provide real time (or non-real time) data regarding utility usage for one or more different types of utilities, such as natural gas, electricity, and/or water, to name but a few examples. In some cases, a utility monitoring device can receive and/or process usage data directly from a utility meter (and/or might be incorporated within a utility meter). In other cases, such a device can receive and/or process data from smart appliances, smart power distribution devices, etc. Utility monitoring devices in accordance with various embodiments can send and/or receive using a variety of techniques and/or media, including without limitation via a broadband network, via a wireless network, and/or the like. | 10-20-2011 |
20110299494 | Mobile Caching and Data Relay Vectoring Systems and Methods - The present invention provides systems and methods for providing mobile users with requested resources. In one such method, first and second location indicators for the mobile user are received, with each of the location indicators having a time associated therewith. The method includes calculating a mobile vector of the mobile user using the first and second location indicators, and associating the mobile vector with a first network region and a second network region. A first portion of the requested resource is sent to a first storage device in the first network region, and a second portion of the requested resource is sent to a second storage device in the second network region. The first and second resource portions are sent to the user when the user is in the first and second network regions, respectively. | 12-08-2011 |
20120013451 | Alert Gateway, Systems and Methods - Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for distributing urgent public information. Merely by way of example, urgent public information, such as an alert message, may be received by, inter alia, an alert gateway device. The alert message may then be distributed to a subscriber in any of a variety of ways, including by telephone, by data message (e.g., to a computer), by video message (e.g., via a television), by display on an alert notification device. In some embodiments, the alert gateway device may process the alert message and/or may determine how to provide the alert message to the subscriber. | 01-19-2012 |
20120230203 | Network User Usage Profiling - Methods, systems, devices, and software are disclosed for generating a network usage profile. Certain embodiments of the network usage profile include a devices-by-node profile, indicating the set of customer devices available for use in communicating with a customer-side network node located at a customer side of an access network over a period of time, where some of the customer devices are not in operative communication with the customer-side network node during a portion of that time. Other embodiments associate the network usage profile with customer information to generate device-by-customer profiles. Still other embodiments associate the network usage profile with network traffic information to generate traffic-by-device profiles. Even other embodiments associate the multiple sources and types of information to generate traffic-by-customer profiles and/or traffic-by-device-by-customer profiles. Any of the profiles may then be accessed by one or more parties for use in affecting various network services, including targeting content delivery. | 09-13-2012 |
20120272260 | IPTV Follow Me Content System and Method - Tools are provided for distributing access-restricted content in an internet protocol television (“IPTV”) environment based on portable entitlement keys. Such tools can include a decoder, an encoder, and a network entitlement handler. The decoder may be configured to receive a key associated with entitlement information, and transmit the entitlement information over a network. The encoder may be configured to receive content from content providers, and to encode the content to create IP-compatible content, with access restrictions based on entitlement. The network entitlement handler may be configured to receive a request for requested content from the decoder; receive the access-restricted content including (including the requested content) from the encoder; and transmit the requested content over the network to the decoder using IP, when the decoder is entitled to receive the requested content. | 10-25-2012 |
20130238430 | Transparent Network Traffic Inspection - Methods and systems are disclosed for providing parties with levels of transparency into filtering functionality of network traffic inspection implementations. Embodiments include receiving a filter change request from a subscriber over a network that defines a modification to a set of filter criteria for filtering network traffic, the filter criteria being stored in association with the subscriber in a filter criteria data store; updating the set of filter criteria in the filter criteria data store as a function of the filter change request; receiving a content dataset relating to the network traffic; identifying the content dataset as being associated with the subscriber; retrieving the set of filter criteria associated with the subscriber from the data store; and filtering the network traffic as a function of the set of filter criteria. Embodiments further provide layers of access for different entities to the filtered traffic. | 09-12-2013 |
20130273962 | Methods, Systems and Apparatus for Selectively Distributing Urgent Public Information - Embodiments of the invention provide apparatuses, systems and methods for distributing public information. For example, some embodiments of the invention provide methods for determining an appropriate set of addresses to which to distribute an alert. One such exemplary method comprises maintaining a directory of alert gateways. The directory can comprise a plurality of directory entries, and each directory entry can be associated with a particular alert gateway. Each directory entry can also comprise at least one gateway characteristic associated with that alert gateway. In some cases, a gateway characteristic can include information to enable the alert distribution device to determine whether a given alert should be transmitted to the alert gateway. | 10-17-2013 |
20130286252 | Systems and Methods for Location Based Image Telegraphy - Systems and methods for associating images with location and/or other information. In some cases, the systems include an image sensor, a location sensor, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is communicably coupled to a computer readable medium that includes instructions executable by the microprocessor to: receive a location from the location sensor; receive an image from the image sensor; and associate the location with the image. Some of the methods provide for capturing an object image of an object using an image sensor; capturing a location of the image sensor; and associating the location with the object image. Other methods and systems are also disclosed. | 10-31-2013 |
20130329745 | Multiple-Enclosure Residential Gateways - Embodiments of the invention provide network interface devices and systems and methods for using them. For instance, a system in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention comprises a network interface device adapted to receive a plurality of sets of telecommunication information (telecommunication can include, inter alia, voice signals, Internet Protocol data, audio signals, data representing encoded audio signals, video signals and data representing encoded video signals) and distribute at least one of the plurality to a customer premises. The system can further include a control point operable to transmit configuration information to the network interface device. The configuration information can be operable to configure the behavior of the network interface device with respect to one or more of the information sets. | 12-12-2013 |
20140032781 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING OPTIMAL BANDWIDTH FOR STREAMING TO A CLIENT DEVICE IN AN ADJUSTABLE BIT RATE VIDEO SYSTEM - A system and method for selecting an initial bandwidth setting. A determination is made that a client is initiating a communication session. Network conditions for the client are determined. A bandwidth setting for the client is selected utilizing the network conditions and a previous bandwidth setting saved in a memory. The communication session for the client is initiated utilizing the bandwidth seating. | 01-30-2014 |
20140082672 | Metadata System for Real-Time Updates to Electronic Program Guides - Novel tools and techniques to enable more robust electronic program guides in television distribution systems. Some solutions can obtain data (e.g., from the Internet) about a program listed on an electronic program guide and integrate that data with electronic program guide. In some cases, this information can be obtained and/or updated dynamically, in real-time or near real-time, for example to provide, up-to-date information can be provided in the electronic program guide, rather than requiring the viewer to tune to an information channel. In some cases, the system can provide a generalized electronic program guide that can be rendered by the system to be displayed on a plurality of different devices. | 03-20-2014 |
20140096162 | Automated Social Media and Event Driven Multimedia Channels - Novel tools and techniques are described for generating or extracting keywords based on trend data related to contemporary news events, social media topics, and/or Internet searches, etc. Local and/or remote content catalogs, which are respectively associated with local and remote content libraries, are searched for relevant multimedia content (e.g., video, audio, and/or written content) using the generated or extracted keywords. Dynamic automated on-demand and/or broadcast channels are generated that incorporate the relevant multimedia content, and streamed and/or broadcast to one or more user devices (including PCs, televisions, and mobile devices). User-interactive selection capabilities are optionally provided during the channel generation process. | 04-03-2014 |
20140181849 | System and Method for Utilizing Set-top Box Testing in Television Distribution Network - Novel tools and techniques to enable data to be tested on subscriber set-top boxes. Some solutions can connect a sever with a group of subscriber set-top boxes through a television distribution network. In some cases, a plurality of set-top boxes are selected, and at least one set-top box is determined to be inactive. In some cases, data are loaded and tested on the inactive set-top. | 06-26-2014 |
20140206317 | Location Based Notification - Embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods related to the provision of location based services via a mobile communications device. In different embodiments, a communication system is described, comprising a mobile communications device, a mobile communications base station, and a server computer system. The location of the device may be correlated with certain user preferences stored on the server computer system. In various embodiments, components of the larger system are described. In some cases, various location related mapping functions for a device are discussed. In other embodiments, systems and methods which provide for activities to be undertaken based on the location of a device are described. In still other embodiments, the disclosure addresses systems and methods of efficiently determining the location of a mobile device. In some embodiments, different notification schemes based on the location of a device and specified preferences are described. In various other embodiments, the disclosure addresses systems and methods for keyword monitoring based on the location of a device. | 07-24-2014 |
20140206398 | Correlating Mobile Device Locations - Embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods related to the provision of location based services via a mobile communications device. In different embodiments, a communication system is described, comprising a mobile communications device, a mobile communications base station, and a server computer system. The location of the device may be correlated with certain user preferences stored on the server computer system. In various embodiments, components of the larger system are described. In some cases, various location related mapping functions for a device are discussed. In other embodiments, systems and methods which provide for activities to be undertaken based on the location of a device are described. In still other embodiments, the disclosure addresses systems and methods of efficiently determining the location of a mobile device. In some embodiments, different notification schemes based on the location of a device and specified preferences are described. In various other embodiments, the disclosure addresses systems and methods for keyword monitoring based on the location of a device. | 07-24-2014 |
20140206402 | Correlating Mobile Device Locations - Embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods related to the provision of location based services via a mobile communications device. In different embodiments, a communication system is described, comprising a mobile communications device, a mobile communications base station, and a server computer system. The location of the device may be correlated with certain user preferences stored on the server computer system. In various embodiments, components of the larger system are described. In some cases, various location related mapping functions for a device are discussed. In other embodiments, systems and methods which provide for activities to be undertaken based on the location of a device are described. In still other embodiments, the disclosure addresses systems and methods of efficiently determining the location of a mobile device. In some embodiments, different notification schemes based on the location of a device and specified preferences are described. In various other embodiments, the disclosure addresses systems and methods for keyword monitoring based on the location of a device. | 07-24-2014 |
20140258517 | Network User Usage Profiling - Methods, systems, devices, and software are disclosed for generating a network usage profile. Certain embodiments of the network usage profile include a devices-by-node profile, indicating the set of customer devices available for use in communicating with a customer-side network node located at a customer side of an access network over a period of time, where some of the customer devices are not in operative communication with the customer-side network node during a portion of that time. Other embodiments associate the network usage profile with customer information to generate device-by-customer profiles. Still other embodiments associate the network usage profile with network traffic information to generate traffic-by-device profiles. Even other embodiments associate the multiple sources and types of information to generate traffic-by-customer profiles and/or traffic-by-device-by-customer profiles. Any of the profiles may then be accessed by one or more parties for use in affecting various network services, including targeting content delivery. | 09-11-2014 |
20140270699 | Auto-Summarizing Video Content System and Method - Novel tools and techniques are described for auto-summarizing video and/or audio content. In some embodiments, a summary server might retrieve one or more time codes from a time code database, and might analyze the one or more time codes to determine at least one selected time code among the one or more time codes that exceeds a predetermined number of selections. The one or more time codes might correspond to one or more triggers, which might include user-inputted triggers, triggers associated with actions by a live audience, or broadcaster/distributor/producer-provided triggers (i.e., cue tones). The summary server might determine one or more selected segments of video or audio content corresponding to the at least one selected time code, and might create one or more summary tracks, where each of the one or more summary tracks might comprise each of the one or more selected segments of the video or audio content. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282705 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING ALERTS THROUGH A SET-TOP BOX - A system and method for distributing an alert to a set-top box. Media content is received for communication to one or more set-top boxes. Data is extracted from the media content. A determination is made whether the extracted data is associated with one or more alert profiles. The alert is generated in response to the extracted data being associated with the one or more alert profiles. The alert is distributed to one or more set-top boxes in response to generating the one or more alert profiles. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282754 | Licensed and Unlicensed Spectrum Set-Top Box - Novel tools and techniques are described for providing media content to a plurality of set-top boxes (“STBs”) over a licensed spectrum and over an unlicensed spectrum. In an aspect, each of the plurality of STBs might comprise a first transceiver configured to receive media content or data over a licensed spectrum and a second transceiver configured to receive and send media content or data over an unlicensed spectrum. The first STB of the plurality of STBs might receive a first portion of the media content at the first transceiver and receive a second portion of the media content at the second transceiver from a second STB of the plurality of STBs. The plurality of STBs might query each other to determine available frequencies and/or bandwidth, and might store results of the query in a table in local memory or in a database accessible by all of the plurality of STBs. | 09-18-2014 |
20140300757 | VIDEO QUALIFICATION DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD - Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing video qualification, which might include implementing video quality measurements at a subscriber premises and qualification of the subscriber premises for particular levels of video data transmission. In some cases, one or more customer premises equipment might comprise video quality chips that might perform measurements of the telecommunications links, and might send the results to a server associated with the service provider. The server might determine available video services, based on the results of the measurements, and might send the subscriber notifications indicating that the subscribers qualify for particular video services. In some cases, implementing video qualification might include the server determining that video service levels provided to a customer premises has been decreased or otherwise negatively affected. The server might order diagnosis and repairs of the affected equipment, and might send a notification to the subscriber indicating that repairs are underway. | 10-09-2014 |
20140310039 | Automated Cloud Expansion and Ordering System and Method - Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing automated cloud expansion and ordering. Implementing automated cloud expansion and ordering might include monitoring cloud services and hardware operated by a cloud service provide. In some cases, monitoring may be periodically performed, while in other cases monitoring may be triggered by ordering of new cloud services by a subscriber. Based on a determination that hardware utilization is likely to exceed a predetermined threshold amount, the system might determine a number and type of new equipment, and to automatically generate and send purchase orders to vendor(s) for the new equipment. The system may also send work orders to technicians that include the site location, rack and slot identifiers, estimated equipment delivery dates and times, or the like. The system might also remotely (over a network) install software (including operating systems, software applications, and configuration files) on the new equipment. | 10-16-2014 |
20140325570 | Methods, Systems and Apparatus for Providing Video Transmissions over Multiple Media - Various embodiments of the invention provide novel apparatus, methods and systems for providing relatively high-speed bandwidth to enable, inter alia, video transmission services over media previously unable to support such services. In accordance with certain embodiments, a device located at the telecommunication service provider can logically couple two or more physical media to provide a single, consolidated source of bandwidth, which can be used to transmit data, which can represent a video signal. In accordance with other embodiments, a device located at the subscriber's location can be used to receive the data from each of the two physical media and recreate the video signal from the data, such that the video signal can be transmitted to a display device, such as a television, monitor, etc. | 10-30-2014 |
20140337877 | IPTV Follow Me Content System and Method - Tools are provided for distributing access-restricted content in an internet protocol television (“IPTV”) environment based on portable entitlement keys. Such tools can include a decoder, an encoder, and a network entitlement handler. The decoder may be configured to receive a key associated with entitlement information, and transmit the entitlement information over a network. The encoder may be configured to receive content from content providers, and to encode the content to create IP-compatible content, with access restrictions based on entitlement. The network entitlement handler may be configured to receive a request for requested content from the decoder; receive the access-restricted content including (including the requested content) from the encoder; and transmit the requested content over the network to the decoder using IP, when the decoder is entitled to receive the requested content. | 11-13-2014 |
20150033270 | Licensed and Unlicensed Spectrum Set-Top Box - Novel tools and techniques are described for providing media content to a plurality of set-top boxes (“STBs”) over a licensed spectrum and over an unlicensed spectrum. In an aspect, each of the plurality of STBs might comprise a first transceiver configured to receive media content or data over a licensed spectrum and a second transceiver configured to receive and send media content or data over an unlicensed spectrum. The first STB of the plurality of STBs might receive a first portion of the media content at the first transceiver and receive a second portion of the media content at the second transceiver from a second STB of the plurality of STBs. The plurality of STBs might query each other to determine available frequencies and/or bandwidth, and might store results of the query in a table in local memory or in a database accessible by all of the plurality of STBs. | 01-29-2015 |
20150035997 | Video Qualification Device, System, and Method - Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing video qualification, which might include implementing video quality measurements at a subscriber premises and qualification of the subscriber premises for particular levels of video data transmission. In some cases, one or more customer premises equipment might comprise video quality chips that might perform measurements of the telecommunications links, and might send the results to a server associated with the service provider. The server might determine available video services, based on the results of the measurements, and might send the subscriber notifications indicating that the subscribers qualify for particular video services. In some cases, implementing video qualification might include the server determining that video service levels provided to a customer premises has been decreased or otherwise negatively affected. The server might order diagnosis and repairs of the affected equipment, and might send a notification to the subscriber indicating that repairs are underway. | 02-05-2015 |