Abstract: Systems and methods related to a mobile device video wall are disclosed. In some embodiments, a mobile device operates to obtain one or more media files that contain partial-frame video content for a grid location in a video grid for a mobile device video wall. The mobile device further operates to provide playout of partial-frame video content for the grid location such that the playout of the partial-frame video content for the grid location by the mobile device is synchronized to playout of partial-frame video content for other grid locations in the video grid by other mobile devices in the mobile device video wall.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to a mobile device video wall are disclosed. In some embodiments, a mobile device operates to obtain one or more media files that contain partial-frame video content for a grid location in a video grid for a mobile device video wall. The mobile device further operates to provide playout of partial-frame video content for the grid location such that the playout of the partial-frame video content for the grid location by the mobile device is synchronized to playout of partial-frame video content for other grid locations in the video grid by other mobile devices in the mobile device video wall.

Abstract: In one aspect, the method and apparatus disclosed herein enable a high-quality content viewing experience for users viewing user-specific content via their mobile devices operating within a mobile communication network, based on intelligently caching the content in the network using one or more distributed caches. For example, in one or more embodiments, a cache management server dynamically manages the distribution of user-specific content to one or more of the distributed caches, based on known or expected user locations, so that the content resides in the distributed cache or caches closest to the user locations.

Abstract: This disclosure provides example details for a method and apparatus for controlling the transmission of streaming content from a wireless communication network to a wireless device, including temporarily increasing the size of a buffer used at the device for streaming content buffering and correspondingly initiating a transmission burst of the streaming content towards the device. These operations are undertaken responsive to determining that there is an expectation that a required QoS will be violated with respect to the device and among their several advantages, they lessen the likelihood that the expected QoS violation will disrupt streaming content playback at the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to these exemplary embodiments provide active call concierge services wherein a network tracks users' behaviors with respect to, for example, supplementary services. When a user invokes a supplementary service toward a called party, the network captures this data. The network informs an agent on the user's device that it should prompt the user to reuse the same supplementary service the next time that the user dials the same called party. If the user inputs an acceptance of this suggestion, the user's device automatically appends or adds the service code associated with the repeated supplementary service to the outgoing call setup signal.

Abstract: This disclosure provides example details for a method and apparatus for controlling the transmission of streaming content from a wireless communication network to a wireless device, including temporarily increasing the size of a buffer used at the device for streaming content buffering and correspondingly initiating a transmission burst of the streaming content towards the device. These operations are undertaken responsive to determining that there is an expectation that a required QoS will be violated with respect to the device and among their several advantages, they lessen the likelihood that the expected QoS violation will disrupt streaming content playback at the device.

Abstract: In one aspect, the method and apparatus disclosed herein enable a high-quality content viewing experience for users viewing user-specific content via their mobile devices operating within a mobile communication network, based on intelligently caching the content in the network using one or more distributed caches. For example, in one or more embodiments, a cache management server dynamically manages the distribution of user-specific content to one or more of the distributed caches, based on known or expected user locations, so that the content resides in the distributed cache or caches closest to the user locations.

Abstract: Machine-to-machine communication is employed to allow an image recording device to capture identifying information about objects in the field of view. This captured information can be stored as metadata associated with the recorded image. The metadata can be used for a number of different purposes including tagging of content to allow for classification and retrieval, as well as being used in post processing to allow for identification of particular objects based on the recorded metadata.

Abstract: An application server includes a Semantic Analysis Core Service (SACS) function that communicates with a Semantic Analysis Client (SAC) in a Set Top Box (STB). The SACS groups programs available for rendering to a subscriber into program clusters. The SACS generates the program clusters based on a determined semantic similarity between the programs, and on parameters that indicate a subscriber's preference for certain program content. The program that are semantically similar to existing clusters within a predetermined viewing window are provided to the STB and output to the subscriber on a display as a program preference list or channel line-up. The STB also monitors the subscriber's interaction with the programs and calculates a preference score for each program indicating the subscriber's continuing, or waning, interest in a given program. The preference score is used to update the score of the program cluster to which the program belongs.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing external content through an IPTV network is provided. An IPTV user can request access to content offered by an external content provider. An IPTV middleware can negotiate and create an ad hoc Service Level Agreement with the external content provider in response to the content request, in order to provide access to the external content. These mechanisms can allow an IPTV network operator to build a library of Video on Demand content based on requests issued by the subscribers.

Abstract: The use of an image capture device with a IPTV Set Top Box allows for the STB to detect a plurality of viewers, and to then provide access conditions that are appropriate to the detected viewers. In cases where a viewer has not been profiled this may include creating a profile for the user, while in cases where a plurality of users are detected, a set of access rights and permissions determined in accordance with the plurality of users can be provided.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically storing a geographic position, without requiring user interaction, makes use of the ability of a location-aware mobile device to detect its state of motion using velocity or type of movement information. A transition between motion states is used to determine a parking location of a vehicle.

Abstract: An application server includes a Semantic Analysis Core Service (SACS) function that communicates with a Semantic Analysis Client (SAC) in a Set Top Box (STB). The SACS groups programs available for rendering to a subscriber into program clusters. The SACS generates the program clusters based on a determined semantic similarity between the programs, and on parameters that indicate a subscriber's preference for certain program content. The program that are semantically similar to existing clusters within a predetermined viewing window are provided to the STB and output to the subscriber on a display as a program preference list or channel line-up. The STB also monitors the subscriber's interaction with the programs and calculates a preference score for each program indicating the subscriber's continuing, or waning, interest in a given program. The preference score is used to update the score of the program cluster to which the program belongs.

Abstract: A node in home network serves as a coordinator to coordinate the use of bandwidth by clients that voluntarily cooperate with one another to share bandwidth on different network connections. Specifically, the coordinator maintains information for these network connections that logically represents the different connections as independent pools of usable bandwidth. This bandwidth information also indicates the amount of bandwidth available for use from each pool. The coordinator receives advertisements from clients advertising tentative use of a specified amount of bandwidth drawn from each of one or more pools. Responsive to these advertisements, the coordinator notifies clients regarding whether or not, according to the bandwidth information, the one or more pools from which their respective advertised uses would draw from each have the specified amount of bandwidth available.

Abstract: Temporal metadata associated with media content drives bilateral interaction between a media server and an IPTV control server during streaming of that content from the media server. Specifically, the metadata is encoded to indicate, and associate together, a defined point in the media content's presentation timeline and a defined operation, such as the fetching of supplemental media content or the sending of a notification. The media server inspects this metadata and, based on that inspection, notifies the IPTV control server when the defined point has been reached in the context of streaming the media content. Responsive to receiving this notification, the IPTV control server inspects the metadata to identify the operation associated with the notified point in the content's timeline. The IPTV control server then initiates the performance of the identified operation and returns a response to the media server that pertains to such performance.

Abstract: An apparatus herein coordinates streaming of multimedia content from a streaming server to a client device. While the client device is receiving a first multicast stream from the streaming server, the apparatus receives notification of the recent or impending occurrence of a defined event of interest characteristic of the multimedia content in a second multicast stream. Responsive to receiving such notification, the apparatus directs the streaming server to stream to the client device a third stream whose video content comprises windowed video content of both the first and second multicast streams. This windowed video content comprises video content from the first and second multicast streams arranged in respective windows. Such event-triggered streaming thus enables a user of the client device to simultaneously watch both the first and second streams, as desired, by efficiently receiving only a single third stream.

Abstract: An IPTV filter node in an IPTV network is operative to control the delivery of multimedia content to a plurality of rendering units in a home network by comparison of various multimedia rendering criteria to predetermined subscriber information maintained in a subscriber profile. In some embodiments, the IPTV filter node is further operative to control the delivery of multimedia content via dynamic interaction with an authorization user.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically storing a geographic position, without requiring user interaction, makes use of the ability of a location-aware mobile device to detect its state of motion using velocity or type of movement information. A transition between motion states is used to determine a parking location of a vehicle.

Abstract: The use of an image capture device with a IPTV Set Top Box allows for the STB to detect a plurality of viewers, and to then provide access conditions that are appropriate to the detected viewers. In cases where a viewer has not been profiled this may include creating a profile for the user, while in cases where a plurality of users are detected, a set of access rights and permissions determined in accordance with the plurality of users can be provided.

Abstract: The use of an image capture device with a IPTV Set Top Box allows for the STB to detect a plurality of viewers, and to then provide access conditions that are appropriate to the detected viewers. In cases where a viewer has not been profiled this may include creating a profile for the user, while in cases where a plurality of users are detected, a set of access rights and permissions determined in accordance with the plurality of users can be provided.