Abstract: A streaming policy management system and method wherein bandwidth may be allocated based on external device information received from a streaming client device connected to one or more external audio/video (A/V) devices. When a streaming network back office receives a request from the streaming client device for delivery of a particular content, wherein the request includes external device information of one or more external A/V devices connected to the streaming client device, a bandwidth is determined for streaming the particular content to the streaming client device and a request may be made to a content delivery network to create a distribution pipe having the bandwidth to accommodate the delivery of the particular content. A manifest file is provided to the streaming client device that includes one or more pointers that point to content segments of the particular content.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a method performed by a pipe control node for managing network resources that are used to transport network traffic. The method includes allocating network resources to a virtual pipe for transporting a plurality of multimedia streams through the network. Utilization of the network resources by the plurality of multimedia streams transported through the virtual pipe is monitored relative to the network resources allocated to the virtual pipe. The network resources that are used by the plurality of multimedia streams transported through the virtual pipe are managed in response to the monitored utilization. Some other embodiments are directed to a corresponding pipe control node that manages network resources which are used to transport network traffic.

Abstract: A system (e.g., content management system, content delivery system) and method are described herein which are configured for receiving one or more source descriptor files (e.g., MPD files, HLS m3u8 files, HTTP manifest files) along with associated adaptive bit rate segments. The system and method are also configured for receiving rules (e.g., content ratings, timing information, user profiles, regional and demographic information) and then creating multiple descriptor files based on the received rules and the source descriptor file(s). The system and method are further configured for distributing the multiple descriptor files to one or more downstream systems (e.g., content to delivery systems, users).

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and computer-readable medium providing licensing rights for media content that follows a subscriber so that the subscriber may experience the media content on various content distribution platforms. In particular embodiments, the systems, methods, and computer-readable medium transfer licensing rights for a user for particular media content that is associated with a first device on a first distribution platform so that the rights are associated with a second device on a second distribution platform. As a result, in various embodiments, the user is able to experience the particular media content with the use of the second device on the second distribution platform.

Abstract: A content delivery method and system based on popularity-driven pre-provisioning of content in a content delivery network (CDN). In one method, a network element may obtain trend data relative to a particular content to be distributed by the CDN. The network element may also obtain demographic data of subscribers serviced by the CDN. An expected popularity distribution of the particular content is forecasted based on a metric derived from at least one of the trend data and the demographic data. A push policy for pushing and/or pre-provisioning of the content to one or more nodes of the CDN is effectuated at the network element based on the expected popularity distribution of the content relative to the geographical region serviced by the CDN.

Abstract: An adaptive streaming server and a method are described herein for determining if a congestion level within a network exceeds a predetermined threshold and when this occurs then one or more lower bit rate segments of a content stream will be transmitted to a client.

Abstract: A network personal video recorder (NPVR) system, method and associated subscriber device. In one method operating at an NPVR element, a request for recording a program asset may be received from a first subscriber. Responsive thereto, the NPVR element verifies whether the requested program asset is available in an external content system associated with the NPVR element. The requested program asset is recorded in a content database if there is no equivalent copy of the program asset available in the associated external content system or in the NPVR system for another subscriber.

Abstract: A network personal video recorder (NPVR) system, method and associated subscriber device. In one method operating on an NPVR element, a request for playing back a program asset is received from a first subscriber. If the program asset is determined to be in an associated content system, the method includes performing retrieving the program asset's location information from the associated content system, retrieving external media content from at least one of a local media campaign management system and a national media campaign management system wherein the external media content was included in a broadcast transmission of the program asset, building a playlist including the program asset and inserting the external media content into the playlist at appropriate insertion points, and transmitting the playlist including the program asset and the inserted external media content to the first subscriber.

Abstract: A system is provided for controlling the transmission of best-effort filed data or programs on channels from one of plural controllers to one or more client nodes. A program is a group of files and has program information indicating to a client node how to use the files of the program. A channel is a virtual path, wherein a client node can receive program files from different channels in a separable fashion. Channels also have channel information. Multiple controllers are provided which self configure in rank order to control the scheduled transmission of programs files on channels. Client nodes receive announcements of programs and channels from the controllers and selectively subscribe to the channels and programs. Client nodes can be instructed to positively acknowledge receipt of programs and also send back negative acknowledgements for ranges of data words in program files not received. The negative acknowledgements can be consolidated to reduce the number of packets on the network.

Abstract: A method for communicating content files based on destination priority includes processing a content file to determine a plurality of destination sites to which the content file is to be transmitted, assigning priority levels to the plurality of destination sites, allocating a plurality of bandwidth portions on a communication link to the plurality of destination sites, respectively, based on the priority levels assigned to the plurality of destination sites, and transmitting the content file to the plurality of destination sites using the plurality of bandwidth portions allocated to the plurality of destination on the communication link, respectively.

Abstract: A method of operating a content delivery network includes assigning priority levels to push and pull content requests, respectively, for a communication link connecting a first server and a second server in the content delivery network and allocating a push portion of outgoing bandwidth from the first server to the second server for push content requests and a pull portion of the outgoing bandwidth from the first server to the second server for pull content requests based on the priority levels assigned to the push and pull content requests for the communication link, respectively.

Abstract: A system, method, and device for adjusting display luminance based upon luminance control information associated with content being presented on a display associated with a computing device. A luminance module in the computing device determines luminance control information for the content. The luminance control information is used to control a luminance of a display. The luminance control information corresponds to brightness values of the content. A display driver adjusts a luminance of the display during presentation of the content based upon control signals received from the luminance module. The luminance module uses the luminance control information to generate the control signals.

Abstract: A method, Over-The-Top (OTT) content provider server, Content Delivery Network (CDN) Redirector server, and CDN delivery server for managing bandwidth while delivering electronic content utilizing OTT adaptive streaming to a plurality of client devices at a customer premises. The OTT content provider server receives client device priorities from a customer and stores in a customer profile, a device weighting for each of the plurality of client devices. The OTT content provider server also stores an indication of an available bandwidth of a premises connection at the customer premises. When each client device requests OTT content, a delivery server in a CDN allocates a bitrate for the requesting client device based on the available bandwidth for the premises connection and the device weighting of the requesting client device, and delivers the requested OTT content to the requesting client device at the allocated bitrate.

Abstract: An adaptive streaming server, a method, and a system are described herein that create a content stream to be delivered to one or more clients by segmenting the content into data structures which are stored in random access memory (volatile storage) rather than segmenting the content into segment files which are stored on a disk or database (non-volatile storage).

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for providing distributed authentication of subscribers of a content operator to a content provider. In particular instances, a subscriber of the content operator may visit a website of the content provider and various embodiments of the systems and methods facilitate providing the subscriber with a customized website based on the subscription of the subscriber with the content operator and/or content provider. Further, various embodiments of the systems and methods facilitate streaming high quality content to the subscriber while the subscriber is visiting the website.

Abstract: A “pause live television” service is implemented, where in one embodiment, a continuously streaming video from a broadcast programming source is copied into a circular buffer. A set top box (“STB”) requests a trick function, such as “pause,” by sending a message to the system, which in this case suspends the present broadcast video in the STB. The system determines an offset and when the user requests resumption of the broadcast video (e.g., “play”), the system uses the offset for that particular STB to determine the appropriate resumption point in the particular buffer to resume streaming of the video for that STB. In various embodiments, the network may begin streaming of the video at the resumption point on another channel and direct the STB to then tune to that channel. Thus, the program appears to have been seamless suspended and resumed using a network based capability.

Abstract: An adaptive streaming server, a method, and a system are described herein that create a content stream to be delivered to one or more clients by segmenting the content into data structures which are stored in random access memory (volatile storage) rather than segmenting the content into segment files which are stored on a disk or database (non-volatile storage).

Abstract: An adaptive streaming server and a method are described herein for determining if a congestion level within a network exceeds a predetermined threshold and when this occurs then one or more lower bit rate segments of a content stream will be transmitted to a client.

Abstract: A system and a method are described herein for enabling a user with a location-aware mobile device to have at least partial control of a closest set top box associated with a closest television. The closest set top box does not need to be associated with the user's home television but instead can be any set top box that is associated with a television located for instance at a stranger's house, an airport, a bar, or wherever.

Abstract: A stream manager and a method are described herein for creating an adaptive stream manifest file (e.g., HTTP adaptive stream manifest file) associated with original content where the original content is subsequently modified while being streamed based on input from a user of a user device. The user device is configured to request, receive and playback the original content and the modified content associated with the adaptive stream manifest file.