Abstract: A method and system for recommending multimedia content includes collecting consumption information for a plurality of consumers. The consumption information may be used to generate collections of recommended multimedia content, including obtainable multimedia assets. The collections may be offered to a consumer for purchase. The consumer may be provided access to the multimedia assets. A unified storefront application, providing access to multimedia content via an Internet-protocol television portal, a web portal, and a mobile portal, may be used to offer and provide access to the multimedia assets.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling viewing of multimedia content includes collecting viewing control profiles and associated viewing control passwords via an Internet-protocol television portal, a web portal, and a mobile portal. The viewing control profile may be usable to restrict access to certain multimedia programs. The viewing control may be applied using a unified storefront application, providing access to multimedia content via the Internet-protocol television portal, the web portal, and the mobile portal, to offer and provide controlled access to the multimedia assets.

Abstract: A particular method includes receiving, at a device, an identifier of a set top box. The method also includes determining, at the device, based on the identifier of the set top box, whether the set top box is capable of supporting a high-definition television service or a digital video recording service. The method further includes selectively sending a power-up event to a service provider based on determining whether the capabilities of the set top box match a pending order.

Abstract: A system facilitates a first user providing a second user with a gift through a service provider network. A first user may provide an asset such as a ring tone for use on the second user's mobile device. Alternatively, the first user may provide a monetary credit to the second user. Embodied systems are enabled for charging or billing an account associated with the first user and notifying the first user of a successful transaction including receipt or use of the gift. In some embodiments, a service delivery platform communicates with a unified storefront and a payment module for receiving and processing gift requests and payments. Gifts may be requested through an interface associated with the first user's IPTV set-top box. In addition, gifts may be presented to the second user by an interface associated with the second user's set-top box. The unified storefront allows access to gifting through mobile devices and other networked data processing systems in addition to set-top boxes.

Abstract: Users are assigned to virtual groups. Virtual groups are associated with server assets. Achieving load-balancing during the delivery of linear multimedia content, for example, may be achieved through reassigning users to different virtual groups. Server assets can include server clusters that are assigned to the virtual groups. New hardware can be added to server assets without having to directly associate users to the new hardware.

Abstract: A service provisioning method includes providing a differentiated set of information exchange services to a user. In some embodiments, differentiation between or among the provided services may include differentiated access networks, differentiated physical network layers, and/or differentiated service providers. An integrated service identity may be generated and/or maintained by the service provider(s) or by a third party. The integrated services identity may enable the user to define preference settings applicable to the information exchange services, to process billable events and activity and to issue integrated statements encompassing all of the information exchange services provided to the user, and enabling the user to access customer support services for any of the information exchange services and further enabling the logging of all customer support activities to the integrated service identity.

Abstract: Access to transactional multimedia content may be based on network routing. Some multimedia content may be best delivered via a private network. Other multimedia content may be best delivered via a public network. A type of the multimedia content may thus determine network routing.

Abstract: A method and system for recommending multimedia content includes collecting consumption information for a plurality of consumers. The consumption information may be used to generate collections of recommended multimedia content, including obtainable multimedia assets. The collections may be offered to a consumer for purchase. The consumer may be provided access to the multimedia assets. A unified storefront application, providing access to multimedia content via an Internet-protocol television portal, a web portal, and a mobile portal, may be used to offer and provide access to the multimedia assets.

Abstract: A method and system for managing access to transactional multimedia content based on hardware identification codes can include determining whether a user is entitled to a first service level or to a second service level and directing requests for transactional multimedia content to an appropriate server. The user of a client device can be authenticated by a certificate sent by the client device and received by a service provider. The certificate includes an indication of a unique hardware identifier for the client device. Access to the transactional content may occur over a public Internet protocol network if the client device is not directly connected to the service provider's private network and if the hardware identifier indicates the client device is authorized.

Abstract: A method and system for recommending multimedia content includes collecting consumption information for a plurality of consumers. The consumption information may be used to generate collections of recommended multimedia content, including obtainable multimedia assets. The collections may be offered to a consumer for purchase. The consumer may be provided access to the multimedia assets. A unified storefront application, providing access to multimedia content via an Internet-protocol television portal, a web portal, and a mobile portal, may be used to offer and provide access to the multimedia assets.

Abstract: Users are assigned to virtual groups. Virtual groups are associated with server assets. Achieving load-balancing during the delivery of linear multimedia content, for example, may be achieved through reassigning users to different virtual groups. Server assets can include server clusters that are assigned to the virtual groups. New hardware can be added to server assets without having to directly associate users to the new hardware.

Abstract: Electronic multimedia content is recommended based on personal preferences. Consumption information may be collected to generate recommended multimedia content. Electronic storefronts may also be selected based on the consumption information. Different portals and access points may be used based on IPTV assets, mobile assets, and mobile assets.

Abstract: A method and system for recommending multimedia content includes collecting consumption information for a plurality of users. The consumption information, along with real-time contextual information, may be used to generate collections of recommended multimedia content, including obtainable multimedia assets. The collections may be offered to a user for purchase. The user may be provided access to the multimedia assets. A unified storefront application, providing access to multimedia content via an Internet-protocol television portal, a web portal, and a mobile portal, may be used to offer and provide access to the multimedia assets.

Abstract: Users are assigned to virtual groups. Virtual groups are associated with server assets. Achieving load-balancing during the delivery of linear multimedia content, for example, may be achieved through reassigning users to different virtual groups. Server assets can include server clusters that are assigned to the virtual groups. New hardware can be added to server assets without having to directly associate users to the new hardware.

Abstract: A method includes determining, at a server, whether to send a media content item to a media device based on a recommendation, where the media content item is associated with a time period. The method also includes, in response to a determination to send the media content item, sending the media content item from the server to the media device, where the media content item is unplayable at the media device when attempted to be played at a time outside of the time period.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media including instructions for processing and distributing video-on-demand (VOD) content items are disclosed. A particular method selects a group of electronic devices to receive a VOD content item. The selection is based on group-level information associated with the group of electronic devices and based on user-level information associated with individual electronic devices of the group of electronic devices. The VOD content item is transmitted to each electronic device of the group via multicast. The VOD content item has an associated validity time period, and the encrypted VOD content item is automatically made unplayable at each electronic device in the group when the validity time period has elapsed.

Abstract: A communication device includes a memory storing computer instructions and a processor coupled to the memory to execute the computer instructions to provide a graphical user interface at a display coupled to the communication device. The graphical user interface includes a visual navigation trail having a selectable category. The memory also includes instructions executable by the processor to receive a signal at the communication device indicating a selection of the selectable category. Further, the memory includes instructions executable by the processor to cause the graphical user interface to display, in response to the signal, a menu including the selectable category and a peer category related to the selectable category. The menu automatically becomes navigable via directional keys at a remote control device when the menu is displayed.

Abstract: A service provisioning method includes providing a differentiated set of information exchange services to a user. In some embodiments, differentiation between or among the provided services may include differentiated access networks, differentiated physical network layers, and/or differentiated service providers. An integrated service identity may be generated and/or maintained by the service provider(s) or by a third party. The integrated services identity may enable the user to define preference settings applicable to the information exchange services, to process billable events and activity and to issue integrated statements encompassing all of the information exchange services provided to the user, and enabling the user to access customer support services for any of the information exchange services and further enabling the logging of all customer support activities to the integrated service identity.

Abstract: A method includes determining, at a receiving device, a first connection speed of a data connection from host equipment. The method includes selecting a media content delivery method based on the first connection speed and user preference information. The media content delivery method is one of streaming and download. The method includes requesting delivery of media content from the host equipment using the media content delivery method. The method also includes determining, during delivery of the media content to the receiving device, whether to modify the media content delivery method based on a change of the first connection speed to a second connection speed and based on the user preference information.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for managing digital video recording of alternative event data during a blackout of primary event data at a client device, the method including but not limited to receiving notification data indicating that a blackout has been cancelled for a primary event; proceeding with recording the scheduled digital video recording for the primary event; and graphically presenting the notification data of the cancelled blackout for the primary event at the client device. A system is disclosed for performing the method.