Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for allocating resources in an efficient manner in a gateway service device. The apparatus includes of a gateway server or head end unit connected to a plurality of end user terminals. The gateway server contains a controller for managing the allocation of receiving resources used for providing services to the end user terminals. The method includes receiving a service request, comparing the request to services already in use and, if a match is found, providing an updated data stream containing new information regarding the service to the end user terminals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses provide load balanced signal distribution to client devices in a network, such as a digital home network. According to an exemplary embodiment, one of the methods includes the steps of receiving a request from a client device for downloading video from one of a plurality of video sources, receiving respective load indicators from first and second video receiving devices capable of receiving the plurality of video sources, selecting one of the first and second video receiving devices according to the load indicators, and instructing the selected video receiving device to transmit the video from the one of the plurality of video sources using an address known by the client device.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for delivering satellite services at multiple security levels. More specifically, there is provided a method comprising determining a level of security supported by a first set top box (22a), encoding a first IP packet containing a satellite service using the level of security supported by the first set top box (22a), transmitting the first IP encoded packet to the first set top box (22a), determining a level of security supported by a second set top box (22b), wherein the level of security supported by the second set top box (22b) is different from the level of security of the first set top box (22a), encoding a second IP packet containing a satellite service using the level of security supported by the second set top box (22b); and transmitting the second encoded IP packet to the second set top box (22b).

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for delivering satellite services at multiple security levels. More specifically, there is provided a method comprising determining a level of security supported by a first set top box (22a), encoding a first IP packet containing a satellite service using the level of security supported by the first set top box (22a), transmitting the first IP encoded packet to the first set top box (22a), determining a level of security supported by a second set top box (22b), wherein the level of security supported by the second set top box (22b) is different from the level of security of the first set top box (22a), encoding a second IP packet containing a satellite service using the level of security supported by the second set top box (22b); and transmitting the second encoded IP packet to the second set top box (22b).

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for compensating for a satellite gateway failure. There is provided a system comprising a first satellite gateway, and a second satellite gateway (14) coupled to the first satellite gateway and configured to automatically redistribute transponders assigned to the first satellite gateway to create a new transponder allocation if the first satellite gateway fails.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a time shifting approach for utilizing multiple tuners. The present disclosure makes use of a temporary buffer to record programs that a user may be interested in by having a variable buffer which stores programming which can be received from multiple tuners. The buffer space allocation per channel is variable so that the time duration recorded for the buffer changes.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for delivering satellite services at multiple security levels. More specifically, there is provided a method comprising determining a level of security supported by a first set top box, encoding a first IP packet containing a satellite service using the level of security supported by the first set top box, transmitting the first IP encoded packet to the first set top box, determining a level of security supported by a second set top box, wherein the level of security supported by the second set top box is different from the level of security of the first set top box, encoding a second IP packet containing a satellite service using the level of security supported by the second set top box; and transmitting the second encoded IP packet to the second set top box.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for grouping program identifiers into multimast groups. More specifically, there is provided a method comprising receiving a request for satellite services from a requester device, wherein the request includes at least one program identifier, creating a second group of program identifiers, comparing the requested program identifier with a first group of previously requested program identifiers stored on a satellite service providing device, and moving the matching program identifier from the first group of program identifiers to the second group of program identifiers if the requested program identifier matches one of the program identifiers in the first group of program identifiers, wherein a multicast of the second group of program identifiers is adapted to be shared by the requester device and another device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for searching for a media content related to a selected media service. A selected media service, as selected by a user operable indicator, has related metadata that is used as the basis of a search query. Once the search query is formulated, the query is submitted to a search engine that returns search results of media content related to the selected media service. Media content then may be selected from the returned search results for rendering in a rendering environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for searching for a media content related to a selected media service. A selected media service, as selected by a user operable indicator, has related metadata that is used as the basis of a search query. Once the search query is formulated, the query is submitted to a search engine that returns search results of media content related to the selected media service. Media content then may be selected from the returned search results for rendering in a rendering environment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system including a plurality of modulators for receiving at least one of first data signals from a termination and for receiving at least one of second data signals from other than the termination and for combining the at least one of first data signals and the at least one second data signals into an output signal having a plurality of data channels for delivery to a plurality of modems where the at least one of second data signals bypass the termination.

Abstract: An architecture for inserting listener targeted advertisements into Internet retransmission of terrestrial radio broadcasts is provided. An Internet server provides aggregation of a plurality of radio broadcast programming for dissemination over the Internet to a plurality of listeners/users. Each Internet provided radio broadcast includes advertisements targeted for each individual listener/user based on a demographics profile. The demographics profile for each listener/user provides a basis for the targeted advertisements. A readily scaleable architecture is capable of supporting rapid growth in listeners/users. Scheduling data is used to predict and prestage advertising content. Timestamping of the radio broadcast aids in calculating where in the broadcast data sequence to pick up after an advertisement. Scalability is preferably achieved by a multiplexer in order to support large numbers of listener connections for streaming audio.

Abstract: An architecture for inserting listener targeted advertisements into Internet retransmission of terrestrial radio broadcasts is provided. An Internet server provides aggregation of a plurality of radio broadcast programming for dissemination over the Internet to a plurality of listeners/users. Each Internet provided radio broadcast includes advertisements targeted for each individual listener/user based on a demographics profile. The demographics profile for each listener/user provides a basis for the targeted advertisements. A readily scaleable architecture is capable of supporting rapid growth in listeners/users. Scheduling data is used to predict and prestage advertising content. Timestamping of the radio broadcast aids in calculating where in the broadcast data sequence to pick up after an advertisement. Scalability is preferably achieved by a multiplexer in order to support large numbers of listener connections for streaming audio.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for inserting sync bytes into a video transport stream. More specifically, there is provided a method comprising determining a parsing procedure supported by a first set top box, appending a first transport packet to comply with the parsing procedure of the first set top box, and transmitting the first transport packet to the first set top box.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses provide load balanced signal distribution to client devices in a network, such as a digital home network. According to an exemplary embodiment, one of the methods includes the steps of receiving a request from a client device for downloading video from one of a plurality of video sources, receiving respective load indicators from first and second video receiving devices capable of receiving the plurality of video sources, selecting one of the first and second video receiving devices according to the load indicators, and instructing the selected video receiving device to transmit the video from the one of the plurality of video sources using an address known by the client device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system including a plurality of modulators for receiving at least one of first data signals from a termination and for receiving at least one of second data signals from other than the termination and for combining the at least one of first data signals and the at least one second data signals into an output signal having a plurality of data channels for delivery to a plurality of modems where the at least one of second data signals bypass the termination.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a system and process for navigating through a large amount of information (e.g., audio files, text files, video files, device functions, etc.) using audio cues representative of the information. The audio cues are arranged in a multi-level tree data structure such that the user can select general categories (e.g., music classification) and navigate down to a specific data segment (e.g., a particular song or song list). Each audio cue is a brief burst of sound (e.g., a lyric from a particular song) representative of a predetermined number of additional audio cues or a particular data segment. The audio cues are selectable by a user and permit the user to navigate through the information or data segments without having to remember visual or alphanumeric elements (e.g., song title, artist name, or track number). The audio cues are stored in a storage device that can be accessed using a wireless device (e.g., a remote control or wireless mouse) or a wired device (e.g.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for compensating for a satellite gateway failure. There is provided a system comprising a first satellite gateway, and a second satellite gateway (14) coupled to the first satellite gateway and configured to automatically redistribute transponders assigned to the first satellite gateway to create a new transponder allocation if the first satellite gateway fails.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium box is disclosed for determining a networked device connection status of an IP set top. A signal strength parameter request is generated associated with the networked device's operation. This request is transmitted to a specific point in a network system where it is received at specific hardware and/or software point. Then a reply or signal strength parameter is generated in response to the signal strength parameter request. This reply or signal strength parameter is transmitted across the network system from the specific hardware and/or software point back to the networked device. There it is loaded into a signal strength parameter variable and displayed to the user.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for delivering satellite services at multiple security levels. More specifically, there is provided a method comprising determining a level of security supported by a first set top box, encoding a first IP packet containing a satellite service using the level of security supported by the first set top box, transmitting the first IP encoded packet to the first set top box, determining a level of security supported by a second set top box, wherein the level of security supported by the second set top box is different from the level of security of the first set top box, encoding a second IP packet containing a satellite service using the level of security supported by the second set top box; and transmitting the second encoded IP packet to the second set top box.