Abstract: A method of routing video data includes receiving data from a Video on Demand (VoD) content source at a network management system, the data indicating a first set-top box device requesting VoD content. The method also includes identifying an end node group associated with the first set-top box device. The end node group includes a plurality of set-top box devices that share a resource at the VoD content source. Further, the method includes selecting a network path between the VoD content source and the first set-top box device from a set of prospective network paths associated with the first set-top box device. The set of prospective network paths associated with the first set-top box device and network path sets associated with other set-top box devices of the end node group simultaneously satisfy a plurality of constraints related to network path delay and jitter.

Abstract: A method of managing protected video content is presented that includes inspecting a packet stream received from a subscriber broadband interface, where the packet stream includes video content. The method also includes generating a signature based on the video content and comparing the generated signature with a stored signature corresponding to protected video content. In a particular embodiment, the method can include storing data indicating that the protected video content has been re-distributed from the subscriber broadband interface when the generated signature matches the stored signature.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to manage bandwidth in a wireless network are disclosed. For a wireless network that includes a wireless access point supporting a private service set identifier (SSID) and a public SSID, a disclosed example apparatus comprises a policy interface to receive a value representative of a permissible public bandwidth accessible via the public SSID, and a bandwidth allocator to control usage of the permissible public bandwidth, wherein the bandwidth allocator and the policy interface are physically separate from the wireless access point.

Abstract: Methods and systems of billing for video content are disclosed. The methods include determining a viewing duration. The viewing duration includes an amount of time that a device displays or has access to display video content. The method also includes determining a billing rate for the viewing duration. The billing rate includes a cost per unit of time. The method also includes generating a billing record including the viewing duration and the billing rate.

Abstract: A method and system for content distribution. A scheduler for determining content to be sent to one or more devices and for creating a schedule to transmit the content. A content server for accessing content to be sent to one or more devices. A delivery modules to effectuate delivery of the content via at least one transmission protocol to the one or more devices according to the schedule.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide apparatus, methods, and systems including an input to receive data associated with a channel viewership of a network; a distribution unit coupled to the input, the distribution unit to determine one or more relative viewership distributions based on the data; and a configuration unit coupled to the distribution unit, the configuration unit to provide one or more reconfiguration settings for one or more reconfigurable servers coupled to the network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for presenting advertisements is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having an inspection element that monitors packet traffic associated with an end user, and determines a behavioral profile of the end user from the monitored packet traffic, a publisher element that detects an end user visiting a website managed thereby, and generates an advertisement request associated with the website, and advertisement element that selects one or more advertisements according to the behavioral profile of the end user, and submits said one or more advertisements to the publisher element for presentation thereof to the end user. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring a network topology with alternative communication paths. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network management system (NMS) having a network identification element that identifies a tree topology of network elements in a communication system comprising a root node and a plurality of leaf nodes, a network configuration element that specifies a desired number of alternative communication paths between each of the plurality of leaf nodes and the root node, and a network restructuring element that determines a configuration of additional lateral and vertical communication paths superimposed on a portion of the plurality of leaf nodes that achieves a desired cost objective according to the desired number of alternative paths and associated cost attributes. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for method and apparatus for maintaining network performance in a communication system. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network management system (NMS) that manages operations of a communication system including a mobile telephone switching office (MTSO) coupled to a plurality of wireless base terminals (WBTs) by way of a corresponding plurality of network elements, having a network configuration element that identifies for each of the plurality of WBTs a plurality of resultant communication paths to the MTSO according to a plurality of differential delays calculated from alternative communication paths connecting combinations of the WBTs to the MTSO for each of a plurality of change scenarios affecting the plurality of network elements. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for improving network performance in a communication system. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network management system (NMS) that manages operations of a communication system including a mobile telephone switching office (MTSO) coupled to a plurality of wireless base terminals (WBTs) by way of a corresponding plurality of network elements, having a network configuration element that identifies for each of the plurality of WBTs a resultant communication path to the MTSO according to a plurality of performance characteristics calculated from alternative communication paths connecting combinations of the WBTs to the MTSO. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A wireless local area network (WLAN) control system includes network elements (such as access points and clients) and a centralized dynamic performance management system. The network elements measure signal attenuation in communications with other WLAN network elements. The dynamic performance management system receives signal attenuation data from the network elements, and determines a frequency and/or transmission power level for each of the network elements to reduce interference with the other WLAN network elements. The dynamic performance management system also transmits instructions to each network element to control the frequency and/or transmission power level of the network elements.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide methods and systems to automatically identify preferred distributed programming content based on subscriber-specific profile information generated at least in part from a subscriber's viewing history of viewing broadcast television programs delivered via a television distribution system, automatically store information indicative of the identified preferred distributed programming content, and generate a personalized list of the identified preferred distributed programming content, the personalized list, displayed on initial activation of a video system, including at least one image of the identified preferred distributed programming content.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide methods and systems to generate node-disjoint routing paths from a root node to each node in a network node set, identify potential intermediate office node (IO) candidate pairs from the generated node-disjoint routing paths, generate a per central office node (CO) serving cost estimate for each IO candidate pair, and identify a low cost IO candidate pair having at least two node-disjoint paths to the root node without traversing nodes along a diverse path between the low cost IO candidate pair and subtending CO nodes.

Abstract: In one illustrative embodiment a system for maintaining a communication link over a network includes a processor adapted to be coupled to a first communication link, the first communication link connected to a customer premises equipment (CPE), wherein the processor transmits data over the first link and switches to transmit data over the second link in response to a signal that is indicative of a degradation of service over the first link. In one aspect the system may include a switch at a service provider Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) for switching to a spare pair communication link when a degradation of service signal is received. In another aspect at least one spare pair communication link may be associated with a plurality of primary communication pairs.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide methods and systems to automatically identify popular television programs based on the viewing of broadcast television programs by at least some of the subscribers of a television distribution system. One or more of the popular television programs identified are stored and offered to one or more of the subscribers on-demand. Subscribers can obtain delivery of at least one of the stored popular television programs for viewing on a subscriber television.

Abstract: A system and method of providing television ratings information is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes determining aggregated audience data associated with a program carried over a channel. The aggregated audience data is collected from a number of set-top box devices associated with a multicast group of the channel. The method also includes receiving a request for real-time ratings information from a set-top box device and transmitting the real-time ratings information to the set-top box device. The real-time ratings information includes the aggregated audience data.

Abstract: Methods and systems to determine pricing for an Internet protocol media service are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes determining a first Internet protocol television service plan based on a first media presentation device type and a second Internet protocol television service plan based on a second media presentation device type. The first Internet protocol television service plan is offered to a user of the first media presentation device type and the second Internet protocol television service plan is offered to a user of the second media presentation device type.

Abstract: A dual-mode broadband modem operative to operate in a service mode and a surveillance mode is disclosed. Generally, the dual-mode broadband modem comprises a primary communication device; a secondary communication device; a central processing unit in communication with the primary and secondary communication devices; and a memory unit in communication with the central processing unit. In the service mode, the primary communication device communicates with a broadband service provider and the central processing unit stores historical information regarding performance of the primary communication device in the memory unit. If an interruption in broadband service is detected, or the performance of the primary communication device falls below a predetermined threshold, the dual-mode broadband modem switches to surveillance mode and the secondary communication device is activated.

Abstract: A system for configuring an IPTV network is provided. The system includes a computer program accessible to a video server that includes instructions to configure the network to a first state, collect subscriber data for a plurality of geographical regions, correlate the subscriber data to available channels, compute video server and transport costs, and configure the network to a second state to provide video servers in one or more of the geographical regions.

Abstract: According to one example embodiment the placement of video distribution servers and acquisition servers in a live television IPTV network is considered to be a separate process. This process may be based, for example, on historical data, number of subscribers, subscribers' service quality, some video distribution servers may be selectively placed closer to the subscribers, i.e., at some central offices or intermediate offices, instead of at the video hub office. These local video distribution servers (those video distribution servers not located at video hub office) may selectively receive popular TV channel streams just like regular video subscribers based on the multicasting protocol from the acquisition server. Whenever a subscriber wants to switch to a channel (or recover packet loss for an on-going channel), if the channel is on the popular channel list, the service may be accomplished by the local video distribution servers.