Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to maintain content rights parameters associated with media content and a user where the content rights parameters include limits to distribution of the media content to a plurality of communication devices associated with the user and where a portion of the plurality of communication devices use different communication protocols from another portion of the plurality of communication devices, monitor for access to the media content by one communication device of the plurality of communication devices of the user, and obtain rights control data that is adapted to allow for presentation of the media content by the one communication device of the user where the rights control data is generated based on the content rights parameters. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to maintain content rights parameters associated with media content and a user where the content rights parameters include limits to distribution of the media content to a plurality of communication devices associated with the user and where a portion of the plurality of communication devices use different communication protocols from another portion of the plurality of communication devices, monitor for access to the media content by one communication device of the plurality of communication devices of the user, and obtain rights control data that is adapted to allow for presentation of the media content by the one communication device of the user where the rights control data is generated based on the content rights parameters. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a process for restoring a version of a virtual machine using a data storage system comprises identifying a particular version of a virtual machine to be restored, determining a base image from which the particular version may be derived, determining a set of incremental files for generating the particular version, generating a file associated with the particular version using the base image and the set of incremental files, and outputting at least a portion of the file.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a service delivery platform system from a first video source, a control stream associated with a media content stream delivered via a media distribution network. The control stream includes conditional access information for the media content stream including a restriction condition to delivery of the media content stream. The method includes parsing, at the service delivery platform system, the conditional access information to create a substitute table for a head end of the media distribution network that will implement the restriction condition. The substitute table indicates a condition for delivery of a substitute media content stream, a start time, an end time, and a second content source for the substitute media content stream. The method also includes sending the substitution table to the head end from the service delivery platform system to automatically schedule a conditional access event that implements the restriction condition.

Abstract: A capillary ionic transistor and method of using is disclosed. The method including providing a capillary pipette (100) having an inner surface defining a channel, and a conductive layer disposed (102) about electrode the channel; filling at least a portion of the channel with an ionic solution (110) such that an electrical double layer forms on the inner surface of the pipette; inducing an electric potential within the ionic solution sufficient to generate a longitudinal flow of ions within the channel; and inducing an electric potential in the conductive layer sufficient to alter the zeta potential of the electrical double layer and adjust the flow of ions within the ionic solution.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to maintain content rights parameters associated with media content and a user where the content rights parameters include limits to distribution of the media content to a plurality of communication devices associated with the user and where a portion of the plurality of communication devices use different communication protocols from another portion of the plurality of communication devices, monitor for access to the media content by one communication device of the plurality of communication devices of the user, and obtain rights control data that is adapted to allow for presentation of the media content by the one communication device of the user where the rights control data is generated based on the content rights parameters. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to maintain content rights parameters associated with media content and a user where the content rights parameters include limits to distribution of the media content to a plurality of communication devices associated with the user and where a portion of the plurality of communication devices use different communication protocols from another portion of the plurality of communication devices, monitor for access to the media content by one communication device of the plurality of communication devices of the user, and obtain rights control data that is adapted to allow for presentation of the media content by the one communication device of the user where the rights control data is generated based on the content rights parameters. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A test pin for a test device for electrically contacting a device under test to be tested, wherein the test pin comprises an electrically conductive base structure for electrically conducting a test signal between the device under test and the test device, and an exchangeable electrically conductive pin tip body configured to directly contact the device under test and to be exchangeably assembled with the base structure.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a service delivery platform system from a first video source, a control stream associated with a media content stream delivered via a media distribution network. The control stream includes conditional access information for the media content stream including a restriction condition to delivery of the media content stream. The method includes parsing, at the service delivery platform system, the conditional access information to create a substitute table for a head end of the media distribution network that will implement the restriction condition. The substitute table indicates a condition for delivery of a substitute media content stream, a start time, an end time, and a second content source for the substitute media content stream. The method also includes sending the substitution table to the head end from the service delivery platform system to automatically schedule a conditional access event that implements the restriction condition.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a service delivery platform from a first video source, a control stream associated with primary media content delivered via a video distribution network, where the control stream includes conditional access information associated with a second video source, wherein the conditional access information of the control stream indicates a restriction of the primary media content. The method also includes creating a substitution table, at the service delivery platform, based on the conditional access information including an indication of a geographic area, where the substitution table correlates the primary media content with substitute media content of the second video source, and when the restriction prevents access to the primary media content, the substitute media content is provided via the video distribution network. The method further includes sending the substitution table to the second video source.

Abstract: A test pin for a test device for electrically contacting a device under test to be tested, wherein the test pin comprises an electrically conductive base structure for electrically conducting a test signal between the device under test and the test device, and an exchangeable electrically conductive pin tip body configured to directly contact the device under test and to be exchangeably assembled with the base structure.

Abstract: A capillary ionic transistor and method of using is disclosed. The method including providing a capillary pipette (100) having an inner surface defining a channel, and a conductive layer disposed (102) about electrode the channel; filling at least a portion of the channel with an ionic solution (110) such that an electrical double layer forms on the inner surface of the pipette; inducing an electric potential within the ionic solution sufficient to generate a longitudinal flow of ions within the channel; and inducing an electric potential in the conductive layer sufficient to alter the zeta potential of the electrical double layer and adjust the flow of ions within the ionic solution.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to maintain content rights parameters associated with media content and a user where the content rights parameters include limits to distribution of the media content to a plurality of communication devices associated with the user and where a portion of the plurality of communication devices use different communication protocols from another portion of the plurality of communication devices, monitor for access to the media content by one communication device of the plurality of communication devices of the user, and obtain rights control data that is adapted to allow for presentation of the media content by the one communication device of the user where the rights control data is generated based on the content rights parameters. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to maintain content rights parameters associated with media content and a user where the content rights parameters include limits to distribution of the media content to a plurality of communication devices associated with the user and where a portion of the plurality of communication devices use different communication protocols from another portion of the plurality of communication devices, monitor for access to the media content by one communication device of the plurality of communication devices of the user, and obtain rights control data that is adapted to allow for presentation of the media content by the one communication device of the user where the rights control data is generated based on the content rights parameters. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving a first media stream comprising a first media program by way of a first wireless communication link. Establishment of a second wireless communication link is facilitated with a media processor communicatively coupled to a display device; receiving a request for a second media stream comprising a second media program, wherein the request is received from the media processor by way of the second wireless communication link A transfer is negotiated of operational control of the display device from the media processor to the mobile communication device, and transmitting the second media program to the display device by way of the media processor using the second wireless communication link. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, detecting at a mobile communication device a presence of a set-top box communicatively coupled to a display device, negotiating a transfer of operational control of the display device from the detected set top box to the mobile communication device, receiving a media stream at the mobile communication device by way of wireless communication with a media source, and transmitting a selected media program from the mobile communication device to the display device by way of a wireless communication link between the mobile communication device and the detected set-top box for presentation at the display device without decoding of the selected media program being performed by the set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a service delivery platform from a first video source, a control stream associated with primary media content delivered via a video distribution network, where the control stream includes conditional access information associated with a second video source, wherein the conditional access information of the control stream indicates a restriction of the primary media content. The method also includes creating a substitution table, at the service delivery platform, based on the conditional access information including an indication of a geographic area, where the substitution table correlates the primary media content with substitute media content of the second video source, and when the restriction prevents access to the primary media content, the substitute media content is provided via the video distribution network. The method further includes sending the substitution table to the second video source.

Abstract: A method of restricting access to content delivered via a video distribution network is disclosed and includes receiving a control stream at a service delivery platform. The control stream is related to media content delivered via a video distribution network. The method also includes parsing the control stream and determining, from the parsed control stream, at least one geographical area in which access to programming associated with the video content channel is to be restricted. The method also includes automatically scheduling a conditional access event associated with the media content at least one video head-end of the video distribution network, the at least one video head-end serving the at least one geographical area. In a particular embodiment, the video distribution network can be an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, detecting at a mobile communication device a presence of a set-top box communicatively coupled to a display device, negotiating a transfer of operational control of the display device from the detected set top box to the mobile communication device, receiving a media stream at the mobile communication device by way of wireless communication with a media source, and transmitting a selected media program from the mobile communication device to the display device by way of a wireless communication link between the mobile communication device and the detected set-top box for presentation at the display device without decoding of the selected media program being performed by the set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes sending video content from a server system to a mobile device and receiving first data from the mobile device. The first data includes an identifier of the video content. The method also includes, in response to receiving the first data, identifying the video content based at least in part on the identifier and sending second data to the mobile device regarding an asset. The asset is related to the video content, downloadable at a second device that is distinct from the mobile device, and associated with a subscriber account of the mobile device. The method further includes receiving an indication of a purchase of the asset from the mobile device and in response to receiving the indication, automatically sending a grant message authorizing downloading of the asset by the second device.