Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for mobile content delivery. A method includes, in a mobile network, maintaining a database of mobile subscriber information for mobile subscribers derived from the mobile network, receiving a request for content from a mobile subscriber, loading the requested content, processing the requested content in conjunction with mobile subscriber information in the database of mobile subscriber information, and delivering the processed requested content to the mobile subscriber.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for packet gateway and content management integration are disclosed. An integrated gateway and content management module provides content to mobile user equipment from a content delivery network. The module operates on the content based on information about the mobile user equipment and/or network entities with which the mobile user equipment is communicating and information about the content being provided. The integrated gateway and content management module discovers said information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for integral controller based pacing for HTTP pseudo-streaming. A method includes receiving a request portions of a multimedia clip residing in the content server from a media player residing in the user equipment and delivering the requested portions of the multimedia clip to the media player while maintaining a target bitrate in a presence of control noises in the network. Delivering the requested portions of the multimedia clip can include estimating a target transmission rate, determining a target elasticity buffer, and estimating a number of bytes to send in a current transmission epoch.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for mobile video delivery. A method includes, in a mobile network comprising at least a core element and one or more evolved Node Bs (eNBs), receiving a request to initiate a progressive download of a video object, splitting the requested video object into self-contained independent video segments, transrating each of the self-contained independent video segments for different rates, and delivering a segment from a rate bucket that matches a current network condition determined by bandwidth estimation.

Abstract: A technique for managing session setup for video on demand sessions involves caching information related to session setup for a session manager and then utilizing the cached information to setup a video on demand session for a client in response to a session setup request that is received from the client. Because information related to session setup is cached for the session manager, the session manager can utilize the information to establish a session without having to exchange messages with other video on demand elements, in particular other servers in the video on demand network. Reducing or eliminating the number of messages exchanged between video on demand elements enables video on demand sessions to be quickly and efficiently setup.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for aggregating multiple functions into a single platform. A communications system includes at least one processor, at least one computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, implement components including a workflow module comprising sets of workflow instructions for processing different types of information packets, and selectable communication function modules, the workflow module coordinating processing of a received packet using selected ones of the selectable communication function modules.

Abstract: A technique for streaming digital video content to a client involves providing a new stream of digital video content to the client using forward error correction (FEC) for a limited initial period and then ending the use of FEC after the limited initial period has ended. In an embodiment, during the limited initial period, the digital video content is provided to the client at a rate that is slightly higher than the playout rate in order to allow a client buffer to accumulate digital video content. FEC continues to be used until the client buffer is sufficiently populated such that lost or damaged frames can be retransmitted to the client before the corresponding digital video content is needed for playout. Once the client buffer is sufficiently populated, FEC is ended and retransmission is used to maintain the quality of the streamed digital video content.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for an expansion of a stream set and transcoding of Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) adaptive streaming videos in a mobile network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for integral controller based pacing for HTTP pseudo-streaming. A method includes receiving a request portions of a multimedia clip residing in the content server from a media player residing in the user equipment and delivering the requested portions of the multimedia clip to the media player while maintaining a target bitrate in a presence of control noises in the network. Delivering the requested portions of the multimedia clip can include estimating a target transmission rate, determining a target elasticity buffer, and estimating a number of bytes to send in a current transmission epoch.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for packet gateway and content management integration are disclosed. An integrated gateway and content management module provides content to mobile user equipment from a content delivery network. The module operates on the content based on information about the mobile user equipment and/or network entities with which the mobile user equipment is communicating and information about the content being provided. The integrated gateway and content management module discovers said information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for mobile video delivery. A method includes, in a mobile network comprising at least a core element and one or more evolved Node Bs (eNBs), receiving a request to initiate a progressive download of a video object, splitting the requested video object into self-contained independent video segments, transrating each of the self-contained independent video segments for different rates, and delivering a segment from a rate bucket that matches a current network condition determined by bandwidth estimation.

Abstract: A technique for managing the streaming of digital video content involves providing a unicast stream to a client in response to the playout status of the unicast stream at the client. In particular, a unicast stream is provided to a client based on whether or not the unicast stream is intended for real-time playout at the client. In order to preserve valuable network resources, if the client does not intend the unicast stream for real-time playout, the unicast stream is not provided to the client. Network resources can also be conserved by utilizing one session between a stream server and a client to support more than one active unicast stream between the stream server and the client in the case where at least one of the active unicast streams is not intended for real-time playout at the client.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for a packet gateway integrated with content management for 3G and 4G mobile networks. A network server includes a processor, a memory, a packet gateway module integrated with a content management module, the content management module including mobile subscriber information, and communication links to one or more of a mobile network operator's Online Charging System (OCS), an Offline Charging Subsystem (OFCS) and Policy Control and Charging Function (PCRF).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for mobile content delivery. A method includes, in a mobile network, maintaining a database of mobile subscriber information for mobile subscribers derived from the mobile network, receiving a request for content from a mobile subscriber, loading the requested content, processing the requested content in conjunction with mobile subscriber information in the database of mobile subscriber information, and delivering the processed requested content to the mobile subscriber.

Abstract: A technique for managing the streaming of digital video content to multiple clients involves identifying an attribute of a content element that is streamed to a client and selecting a protection mechanism for the content element as a function of the attribute, wherein the protection mechanism enables streaming of the content element to the clients in the event of a resource failure. In an example, the identified attribute is an indication of the popularity of the content element (e.g., as measured by the number of active streams), such that the protection mechanism is selected as a function of the popularity of the content element. In an embodiment, protection mechanisms that offer a higher level of protection are selected for the more popular content elements and protection mechanisms that offer a lower level of protection are selected for the less popular content elements.

Abstract: A technique for streaming digital video content to multiple clients involves establishing a logical group of IP-connected stream servers, generating state information at multiple stream servers within the logical group, sharing the state information amongst stream servers in the logical group, and using the shared state information to respond to resource failures within the logical group. By sharing state information within the logical group of stream servers, stream servers with the shared state information can quickly take over the active streams from a failed stream server within the logical group. The quick transition of responsibility from one stream server to another enables the streaming network to provide continuous streaming of digital video content to the viewer without interruption.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for aggregating multiple functions into a single platform. A communications system includes at least one processor, at least one computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, implement components including a workflow module comprising sets of workflow instructions for processing different types of information packets, and selectable communication function modules, the workflow module coordinating processing of a received packet using selected ones of the selectable communication function modules.

Abstract: A technique for transitioning streamed digital video content between stream servers involves identifying a transition identifier that indicates a point at which streaming of the digital video content transitions from a first stream server to a second stream server and then transitioning the streaming from the first stream server the second stream server at a point in the digital video content that corresponds to the transition identifier. For example, the first stream server stops streaming the digital video content at a point in the digital video content that corresponds to the transition identifier and the second stream server starts streaming the digital video content at a point in the digital video content that corresponds to the transition identifier.

Abstract: Switching a client from unicasting back to multicasting involves simultaneously providing the digital video content to the client via unicasting and multicasting until the client has buffered duplicate frames (i.e., frames that contain the same digital video content). Once the client has buffered duplicate frames, the client can transition from playing out of a buffer that holds frames received via unicasting to playing out of a buffer that holds frames received via multicasting without skipping a frame. Once the transition back to multicasting is complete, unicasting is terminated and any frames remaining in the unicast buffer are flushed.

Abstract: In a digital video network that is capable of distributing digital video content to a client via multicasting and unicasting, servicing a channel change request from a client involves switching from providing the digital video content to the client via multicasting to providing the digital video content to the client via unicasting and continuing to provide digital video content to the client via unicasting until a pre-established condition is met. Continuing to provide digital video content to the client via unicasting until a pre-established condition is met allows the network to opportunistically switch the client from unicasting back to multicasting.