Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for Network Address Translation (NAT) traversal that couples a first device behind a NAT device to a second device is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving a first request from the first device to open a connection with the second device, receiving a second request from the second device to open a connection with the first device, where the second request includes the connection address of the second device, and sending the connection address of the second device to the first device which allows the first device to connect to the second device.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for processing video content, associated with a source image, for display on a television. The source image, such as a web page, and its associated (e.g., linked) video content are retrieved and separately encoded. The encoded source image and the encoded video content are composited together to form a sequence of encoded video frames, where a frame type of the video content is used to determine a type of a composited frame. For example, if all displayed frames of the video content are MPEG I-frames, then the composited frame also may be an I-frame. However, if any displayed frame of video content is an MPEG P-frame or B-frame, then the composited frame may be a P-frame.

Abstract: A system and method for providing video content associated with a source image to a television that is part of a communication network is provided. At least a portion of the source image and the video content are displayed on the television. A request at a content distribution platform in the communication network is received for display of the source image from a communication device associated with the television. In certain embodiments, the communication network is cable television network. In other embodiments, the communication network may be a television over IP network. The requested source image is retrieved by the content distribution platform. The source image is displayed on a user's television, and the user may desire to have video content associated with a link displayed on the user's television. A request for video content associated with the link is then received. The content distribution platform then retrieves the video content that is associated with the link.

Abstract: A method for regulating bandwidth usage in an output data stream transmitted on an analog channel from a cable head end. The output data stream comprises a plurality of input information content signals. For each input information content signal, a series of images are captured, compressed and formed into an input digital data stream. The bandwidth of each input digital data stream is regulated by associating the stream with a current bit allocation total. During each frame time: a bit allocation increment is added to the current bit allocation total for each input digital data stream. When a data packet to be transmitted for an input digital data stream is received by the multiplexer, the data packet is stored.

Abstract: A system and method for providing video content associated with a source image to a television that is part of a communication network is provided. At least a portion of the source image and the video content are displayed on the television. A request at a content distribution platform in the communication network is received for display of the source image from a communication device associated with the television. In certain embodiments, the communication network is cable television network. In other embodiments, the communication network may be a television over IP network. The requested source image is retrieved by the content distribution platform. The source image is displayed on a user's television, and the user may desire to have video content associated with a link displayed on the user's television. A request for video content associated with the link is then received. The content distribution platform then retrieves the video content that is associated with the link.

Abstract: A system and method for providing encoded audio content associated with visual source material in a communication network to a communication device associated with a television is disclosed. An interactive session is first established between the communication device and a content distribution platform in the communication network. A processor at the content distribution platform is assigned to the interactive session. The user may then request interactive content wherein the communication device sends a request for content to the content distribution platform and the content distribution platform retrieves the content. The visual source material may be a web page or other visual content. In order to display the web page on the television, the web page is encoded in a format that a decoder associated with the television can decode. For example, the web page may be encoded as an MPEG video stream wherein the decoder can decode an MPEG stream.

Abstract: A method for providing interactive information content in an analog cable system having only a one-way communication path from a cable head end to a communication device, such as a set-top box that is associated with a television is disclosed. A set-top box receives a plurality of interactive information content signals on at least one analog channel from the cable head end. In certain embodiments the interactive information content signals are data streams that sent over an analog carrier channel. The set-top box provides a selection screen to the television for display. A user can then use a user-input device, such as, a remote control to make a selection. In general, the user will select a key, such as a directional key and the remote control will provide the selection/directional signal to the set-top box. The set-top box then outputs a new information content signal based the received selection signal without having to transmit to the head end.