Abstract: An integrated network receiver includes a first universal resource identifier for a first channel and an input suitable for receiving a first input video content from the Internet based upon the first universal resource identifier. The integrated network receiver provides the first input video content for the first channel to a head end connected to a plurality of customer devices through a transmission network. The integrated network receiver updating the first universal resource identifier based upon data obtained from a video address server.

Abstract: An integrated network receiver includes a first universal resource identifier for a first channel and an input suitable for receiving a first input video content from the Internet based upon the first universal resource identifier. The integrated network receiver provides the first input video content for the first channel to a head end connected to a plurality of customer devices through a transmission network. The integrated network receiver updating the first universal resource identifier based upon data obtained from a video address server.

Abstract: An integrated network receiver includes a first universal resource identifier for a first channel and an input suitable for receiving a first input video content from the Internet based upon the first universal resource identifier. The integrated network receiver provides the first input video content for the first channel to a head end connected to a plurality of customer devices through a transmission network. The integrated network receiver updating the first universal resource identifier based upon data obtained from a video address server.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of providing preset video processor configuration information in a video program stream is disclosed, the method including: identifying event boundaries of a video program; classifying the video program as an event type based on program title; selecting a preset from a list of at least two video processor configuration information presets for the event type; and delivering the program stream to one or more subscribers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of providing preset video processor configuration information in a video program stream is disclosed, the method including: identifying event boundaries of a video program; classifying the video program as an event type based on program title; selecting a preset from a list of at least two video processor configuration information presets for the event type; and delivering the program stream to one or more subscribers.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention relates to a method and apparatus for multiplexing content. In one example, a first transport stream is received. The first transport stream includes a sequence of burst cycles, each of the burst cycles having a plurality of packet bursts respectively associated with a plurality of primary services. In one example, a primary service is a national service. A packet burst stream is received that is associated with a secondary service. In one example, a secondary service is a regional service. The first transport stream is multiplexed with the packet burst stream to produce a second transport stream. The second transport stream includes a deterministic relationship between the plurality of packet bursts in each of the burst cycles and packet bursts of the packet burst stream. Additional packet burst streams associated with additional secondary services may be received and multiplexed in a similar manner.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a video program are disclosed. For example, the method receives a video program. The method receives a delayed version of the video program. The method decodes the delayed version of the video program until a corresponding anchor frame is found in the video program and in the delayed version of the video program. The method concludes by switching from decoding the delayed version of the video program to decoding the video program beginning with the corresponding anchor frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for reconfiguring protocol data for a multiplexed data stream which is reduced to carry fewer services for cable-side transmission in a cable television plant or the like. More particularly, the present invention provides methods and apparatus for reconfiguring protocol data for a desired combination of data streams contained within an incoming high data rate multiplexed data stream, such as a high data rate Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) modulated multiplexed data stream, when the incoming multiplexed data stream is reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting multimedia content to a network communication device, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN) device, via one or more IP-based networks, in a manner that reduces power consumption by the network communication device. A system stream server, such as a set-top box, transmits content using a burst transmission mode. The transmitted content includes control information indicating the time of the next transmission burst, thus allowing the device to go into a sleep mode when the content stream is not being burst. Operation of the device in this manner reduces power consumption by the device. The stream server can switch dynamically between burst and non-burst transmission modes according to the needs of the network communication device. The IP-based network is bi-directional, thus the network communication device can communicate to the stream server the manner in which transmission bursts can be received by the device.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for dynamic management of a plurality of integrated receiver decoders (IRDs) based implicitly on the uplink's knowledge of an identity pre-assigned to each IRD. Thus, the IRD association or other IRD configurations may be maintained by a uplink controller and need not be disseminated to each IRD a priori. This eliminates the need to expend network bandwidth and extra time to send out IRD configurations to individual IRDs prior to commanding or controlling the IRDs as desired.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention relates to a method and apparatus for statistically multiplexing content from a plurality of encoders. In one example, a respective need data value from each of the encoders is received. A separate bandwidth allocation is designated for each of the encoders based on the respective need data value, wherein the separate bandwidth allocations do not collectively exceed an aggregate bandwidth threshold level. Afterwards, a burst identifier and the separate bandwidth allocations are transmitted to each of the encoders.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention relates to a method and apparatus for multiplexing content. In one example, a first transport stream is received. The first transport stream includes a sequence of burst cycles, each of the burst cycles having a plurality of packet bursts respectively associated with a plurality of primary services. In one example, a primary service is a national service. A packet burst stream is received that is associated with a secondary service. In one example, a secondary service is a regional service. The first transport stream is multiplexed with the packet burst stream to produce a second transport stream. The second transport stream includes a deterministic relationship between the plurality of packet bursts in each of the burst cycles and packet bursts of the packet burst stream. Additional packet burst streams associated with additional secondary services may be received and multiplexed in a similar manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing at least one packet stream at a regional site is described. In one embodiment, at least one packet stream is multicast from a master headend. A request is then submitted to access one of the packet stream(s) located at a multicast endpoint. The packet stream(s) is subsequently received at the regional site. The packet stream(s) is then processed and subsequently provided to a delivery network.

Abstract: In a broadband communication network, a method (400) for delivering content to a consumer network device. The method includes: managing (402) an original data stream carrying the content, the original data stream having original recurring access units (“RAUs”) usable by the consumer network device to acquire the content; replicating (404) the original data stream to form a replicated data stream having replicated RAUs; offsetting the replicated data stream (and the replicated RAUs) relative to the original data stream by an amount of time; and arranging (408) for communication of the amount of time to the consumer network device. The amount of time is usable (410) by the consumer network device to determine a next available RAU from among at least one of the original RAUs and at least one of the replicated RAUs, and the next available RAU is usable by the consumer network device to acquire the content.

Abstract: A statistical multiplexer is provided for multiplexing at least two bit streams, which each comprise video signals, into a single multiplexed encoded bit stream. The statistical multiplexer includes a plurality of primary encoders 120 each receiving one of the bit streams and generating an encoded bit stream and at least one backup encoder 130 that is activated and on-line in the event of a failure of one of the plurality of primary encoders 120. The backup encoder 130 receives the bit stream that would otherwise be directed to the failed primary encoder 120. The statistical multiplexer also includes at least two multiplexers 140,160 such that at any given time one of the multiplexers 140,160 is in an active state and the other is in a backup state. The multiplexer in the active state receives each of the encoded bit streams from the encoders and generates a multiplexed encoded bit stream.

Abstract: A method for authorizing a computer program having a number of features for use with a product includes: receiving license data generated using a first key, the license data specifying a unique identifier associated with the product and specifying at least one feature authorized for use with the product; using a second key associated with the first key, obtaining the unique identifier from the license data; retrieving a product identifier from the product; determining whether the unique identifier corresponds to the product identifier; and based on the determination, authorizing use of the at least one feature with the product.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for creating a Program Association Table (PAT) for a reduced portion of a multiplexed data stream, when the multiplexed data stream has been reduced, for example, to carry fewer services over a cable television plant. More particularly, the present invention provides methods and apparatus for creating a PAT for a desired combination of multiplexed data stream subgroups contained within an incoming data stream, when the incoming multiplexed data stream is reduced. The invention enables a new PAT to be output which correctly corresponds to the services in a reduced data stream (e.g., for cable-side transmissions). The present invention is particularly useful when reducing high data rate satellite television data streams for cable-side transmission.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for reconfiguring protocol data for a multiplexed data stream which is reduced to carry fewer services for cable-side transmission in a cable television plant or the like. More particularly, the present invention provides methods and apparatus for reconfiguring protocol data for a desired combination of data streams contained within an incoming high data rate multiplexed data stream, such as a high data rate Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) modulated multiplexed data stream, when the incoming multiplexed data stream is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for reconfiguring protocol data for a multiplexed data stream which is reduced to carry fewer services for cable-side transmission in a cable television plant or the like. More particularly, the present invention provides methods and apparatus for reconfiguring protocol data for a desired combination of multiplexed data stream subgroups contained within an incoming high data rate data stream, such as a high data rate Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) modulated multiplexed data stream, when the incoming multiplexed data stream is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for creating a Program Association Table (PAT) for a reduced portion of a multiplexed data stream, when the multiplexed data stream has been reduced, for example, to carry fewer services over a cable television plant. More particularly, the present invention provides methods and apparatus for creating a PAT for a desired combination of multiplexed data stream subgroups contained within an incoming data stream, when the incoming multiplexed data stream is reduced. The invention enables a new PAT to be output which correctly corresponds to the services in a reduced data stream (e.g., for cable-side transmissions). The present invention is particularly useful when reducing high data rate satellite television data streams for cable-side transmission.