Abstract: An exemplary method of monitoring operational statuses of network services includes a monitoring probe that is deployed in a media service network accessing test configuration data from a control server, testing the network services based on the test configuration data, determining operational statuses of the network services based on the testing, and reporting the operational statuses of the network service to the control server. In certain examples, the test configuration data indicates a media resource locator (“MRL”) network service to be tested, and the monitoring probe accesses MRL data from the MRL network service and parses the MRL data to identify one or more additional network services to be tested. The monitoring probe tests the additional network services and reports the operational statuses of the additional network services to the control server.

Abstract: An exemplary method of monitoring operational statuses of network services includes a monitoring probe that is deployed in a media service network accessing test configuration data from a control server, testing the network services based on the test configuration data, determining operational statuses of the network services based on the testing, and reporting the operational statuses of the network service to the control server. In certain examples, the test configuration data indicates a media resource locator (“MRL”) network service to be tested, and the monitoring probe accesses MRL data from the MRL network service and parses the MRL data to identify one or more additional network services to be tested. The monitoring probe tests the additional network services and reports the operational statuses of the additional network services to the control server.

Abstract: Content (e.g., files such as streaming audio or video) may be efficiently cached and delivered in a network. In one implementation, a method may include receiving, from a requesting computing device, a request for a segment of a content item, the request indicating one or more positions in the content item that define the segment of the content item. The method may further include determining a second segment of the content item, different from the first segment of the content item, in which the second segment of the content item is aligned so that an end position of the second segment of the content item matches an end position of one of a number of predetermined segments for the content item. The method may further include obtaining the second segment of the content item and transmitting the obtained second segment of the content item to the requesting computing device.

Abstract: Based on a request for media content from a media client, a device identifies one or more: segments of encrypted media content; encryption keys for decrypting the segments of encrypted media content; and segments of unencrypted media content. The device determines an order for sending the one or more segments of encrypted and unencrypted media content. The device sends, to the media client, a segment of encrypted media content, according to the order for sending, along with an encryption key for decrypting the segment of encrypted media content being sent. The device sends, to the media client, a segment of unencrypted media content, according to the order for sending, along with a subsequent encryption key for decrypting a subsequent segment of encrypted media content to be sent after the segment of unencrypted content. The subsequent encryption key permits the media client to decrypt the subsequent segment of encrypted media content.

Abstract: A system and method for are provided for common distribution and rendering of communications capability for emergency alert services. A zone headend device, for a local zone, receives a local emergency alert service (EAS) message that is intended for a particular geographic locality. The zone headend device processes the local EAS message for delivery over a television conditional access system and sends the local EAS message to a regional headend device for a region of multiple zones including the local zone. The regional headend device receives the local EAS message and another local EAS message from another zone headend device. The regional headend device processes the local EAS message and the other local EAS message for in-band delivery with regional programming for broadcast quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) and over-the-top streaming.

Abstract: Based on a request for media content from a media client, a device identifies one or more: segments of encrypted media content; encryption keys for decrypting the segments of encrypted media content; and segments of unencrypted media content. The device determines an order for sending the one or more segments of encrypted and unencrypted media content. The device sends, to the media client, a segment of encrypted media content, according to the order for sending, along with an encryption key for decrypting the segment of encrypted media content being sent. The device sends, to the media client, a segment of unencrypted media content, according to the order for sending, along with a subsequent encryption key for decrypting a subsequent segment of encrypted media content to be sent after the segment of unencrypted content. The subsequent encryption key permits the media client to decrypt the subsequent segment of encrypted media content.

Abstract: A system and method for are provided for common distribution and rendering of communications capability for emergency alert services. A zone headend device, for a local zone, receives a local emergency alert service (EAS) message that is intended for a particular geographic locality. The zone headend device processes the local EAS message for delivery over a television conditional access system and sends the local EAS message to a regional headend device for a region of multiple zones including the local zone. The regional headend device receives the local EAS message and another local EAS message from another zone headend device. The regional headend device processes the local EAS message and the other local EAS message for in-band delivery with regional programming for broadcast quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) and over-the-top streaming.

Abstract: Content (e.g., files such as streaming audio or video) may be efficiently cached and delivered in a network. In one implementation, a method may include receiving, from a requesting computing device, a request for a segment of a content item, the request indicating one or more positions in the content item that define the segment of the content item. The method may further include determining a second segment of the content item, different from the first segment of the content item, in which the second segment of the content item is aligned so that an end position of the second segment of the content item matches an end position of one of a number of predetermined segments for the content item. The method may further include obtaining the second segment of the content item and transmitting the obtained second segment of the content item to the requesting computing device.

Abstract: A system and method for extending recording time over an allocated time slot for a A/V recording device including receiving, at a programming content server, a request for one or more programs and transmitting, via the programming content server, the request for one or more programs to at least one of a linear content system and a digital content system. Also, the system and method may include receiving, at the programming content server, the one or more requested programs from at least one of the linear content system and the digital content system; and transmitting, via the programming content server, one or more programming content identification messages to a set-top box in the event that the one or more requested programs extend over an allocated time slot.

Abstract: Systems for testing set-top boxes and content distribution networks are provided. In general, systems and methods are described for simulating a set-top box subscriber base, remotely controlling the operations of the set-top boxes of the simulated subscriber base, and analyzing the quality of transmissions received by the set-top boxes. Houses, streets, and towns are simulated using multiple set-top boxes connected to a network. A controller is configured to remotely instruct the set-top boxes to access content from the network and to monitor the operations of the set-top boxes, and an analyzer is configured to monitor the quality of the transmissions received. Methods are also provided for testing set-top boxes and content distribution networks and for testing the quality of transmissions from one source as compared to another source.

Abstract: A system and method for extending recording time over an allocated time slot for a AN recording device including receiving, at a programming content server, a request for one or more programs and transmitting, via the programming content server, the request for one or more programs to at least one of a linear content system and a digital content system. Also, the system and method may include receiving, at the programming content server, the one or more requested programs from at least one of the linear content system and the digital content system; and transmitting, via the programming content server, one or more programming content identification messages to a set-top box in the event that the one or more requested programs extend over an allocated time slot.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering VOD content during emergency alert system events including receiving a request for a programming session at VOD system and transmitting the requested programming content from the VOD system. Also, the system and method may include transmitting one or more emergency alert system messages from an emergency alert system, and receiving one or more sustain messages at the VOD system and in response the VOD system continually providing the requested programming content during the one or more emergency alert system messages based at least in part on the one or more sustain messages.

Abstract: Systems for testing set-top boxes and content distribution networks are provided. In general, systems and methods are described for simulating a set-top box subscriber base, remotely controlling the operations of the set-top boxes of the simulated subscriber base, and analyzing the quality of transmissions received by the set-top boxes. Houses, streets, and towns are simulated using multiple set-top boxes connected to a network. A controller is configured to remotely instruct the set-top boxes to access content from the network and to monitor the operations of the set-top boxes, and an analyzer is configured to monitor the quality of the transmissions received. Methods are also provided for testing set-top boxes and content distribution networks and for testing the quality of transmissions from one source as compared to another source.

Abstract: There is provided a system for testing modem training of a first modem and a second modem. The system includes a line simulator interposed between the first and second modems, and a processor for (a) controlling the line simulator to simulate a line length, (b) controlling the first modem to train with the second modem, and (c) saving data related to the modem training.