Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for establishing a context-centric shared-viewing party. A processor in a network server may determine content for shared viewing based on inputs received from a user via a user device, and select a context participant group. Each of the user and participants in the selected group may share a commonality with the other participants in that group. The processor may receive complementary context from at least one or more of the user device or user devices of participants in the selected group. The processor may generate a context stream based on the received contextualized content, and send the context stream to the user device.

Abstract: Automatic network device identification and presentation of network information via augmented reality is disclosed. Real time imagery of a scene within a field of view of a camera is received. It is determined that the imagery depicts a first object. It is determined that the first object comprises a first network-attached device attached to a network. Information that corresponds to the first network-attached device is obtained, and the information is presented in conjunction with a real time view of the scene.

Abstract: A master node (MN) communicating with a UE using resource of a first band of unlicensed spectrum sends an addition request to a selected secondary node, to request resources for supporting the UE in a second band of unlicensed spectrum. The addition request includes minimum frequency separation information and optionally a baseline reference frequency. The minimum frequency separation information communicated in the addition request, indicates a minimum amount of frequency separation to be maintained between the communication resources in the first band of unlicensed spectrum used for communications with the UE and communication resource in the second band of unlicensed spectrum to be used for communications with the UE. The secondary node selects a channel within the second band of unlicensed spectrum to use for communications with the UE, which will satisfy the minimum frequency separation requirement communicated in the addition request and avoid IDC problems for the UE.

Abstract: Redundant configuration and testing for flexible nodal layer 3 overlay of layer 2 traffic. A network deployed at a site includes a local network to carry layer 2 traffic, a pair of layer 3 tunnel instantiation devices in a failover configuration. Each layer 3 tunnel instantiation device encapsulates the layer 2 traffic into layer 3 traffic and forwards the layer 3 traffic to a network gateway using a configurable layer 3 tunnel. A virtual client on each layer 3 tunnel instantiation device sends simulated client traffic to the network gateway via the local network and a partner layer 3 tunnel instantiation device to check end-to-end operability of the local network, the partner layer 3 tunnel instantiation device, and the network gateway. A testing layer 3 tunnel instantiation device initiates an action with respect to the partner layer 3 tunnel instantiation device based on a response to the simulated client traffic.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus used to facilitate preparation of one or more target base stations for possible UE handoffs, e.g., conditional handoffs, which may or may not occur depending on whether or not various handoff conditions are satisfied are described. A handoff message, e.g., a conditional handoff message, including a validity time is generated and sent to each selected target base stations to which a UE may be handed off. The validity time indicates to the target base station a time window, e.g., a time duration for which the handoff target message is to be considered valid. In response to the handoff message, the target base station, receiving the handoff message, allocates resources to the UE and starts a countdown validity timer based on the indicated length of the validity time. When the validity timer expires without handoff to the target base station, the target base station releases the allocated resources.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining and adjusting subcarrier spacing (SCS) to be used by a base station, e.g., a CBSD, for transmitting downlink data to one or more wireless devices, e.g., UEs, are described. A subcarrier spacing (SCS) level to be used by the base station is determined based on information relating to buffering of downlink data supplied to the base station via a cable, e.g., data accumulation rate (DAR) and/or average data arrival time (ADAT). Measured cable modem (CM) to base station latency is also used in the SCS determination. The amount of time for which a determined SCS level is to be used by the base station is set based on measured latency between a CMTS and the CM.

Abstract: According to one configuration, a system includes a mobile communication device in communication with a wireless base station. During operation, the mobile communication device detects one or more conditions associated with the wireless network environment. Based on the one or more detected conditions, the mobile communication device selects amongst multiple channel access procedures to communicate with the wireless base station and establish a wireless communication link. The mobile communication device can be configured to include supplemental data in a message to the wireless base station to indicate a reason for the mobile communication device selecting a particular channel access procedure of the multiple channel access procedures.

Abstract: Obtain, by a controller, from at least one provisioning database of an internet service provider, assigned bandwidth per customer for a plurality of internet service provider customers. Obtain, by the controller, from a plurality of peering entry points of the internet service provider, currently used bandwidth per customer for the plurality of internet service provider customers. Compare, by the controller, for the plurality of internet service provider customers, the assigned bandwidth per customer to the currently used bandwidth per customer, to determine at least one given customer of the plurality of internet service provider customers putatively suffering from a distributed denial of service attack. Initiate at least one remedial action for the at least one given customer of the plurality of internet service provider customers putatively suffering from the distributed denial of service attack.

Abstract: A network services provider delivers bandwidth services to users in relation to a dynamic limit based on an average user consumption, rather than a fixed amount per subscriber. An average user consumption is employed to compute a consumption limit from relative portions of a user community substantially exceed the average, typically defined as “heavy users.” Usage levels below the consumption limit have an increased availability up to the consumption limit. The consumption limit may vary from a total capacity of the service infrastructure, which changes, generally in an increasing manner, as additional resources are added to the network. The consumption limits may be defined over different service intervals, such as daily, weekly or monthly, and for different groups of users depending on network layout.

Abstract: A video processing system receives primary video capturing movement of a first object, the first object defined in the primary video by multiple contours of the first object. The video processing system receives selection information indicating a contour of interest associated with the first object; the contour of interest may be one of the multiple contours of the first object. Based on the selection information, the video processing system monitors the contour of interest. The video processing system analyzes variations in the monitored contour of interest over multiple frames of the primary video to produce magnified motion associated with the monitored contour of interest of the first object.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for predicting communications resources which will be needed at a venue and then controlling the amount of available resources dynamically are described. In various embodiments real time or near real time video of areas of the venue are used to predict the number of people in a portion of a venue and/or the direction of movement. Along with other information such as the type of event and/or event schedule collected information is supplied to a set of trained resource requirement models which are used to predict future resource needs at a venue, e.g., while an event is ongoing. Commands are sent to dynamically vary the amount of communications resources provided to one or more portions of the venue. Resources which can be varied included but are not limited to fixed wired WAN bandwidth, WiFi bandwidth, cellular bandwidth, network based on-demand services, transcoding services, firewall services, etc.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for managing content delivery in a packetized network. In one embodiment, the network provide content to a plurality of clients via a plurality of nodes and origin points, and resources are discreetly represented (e.g., with IP addresses, such as those afforded under the IPv6 protocol) to allows for direct advertisement of resources. Exemplary solutions described herein further advantageously leverage extant architectures and protocols (such as BGP), and make use of a common control plane, which can be utilized for example by different content delivery network (CDN) operators and different delivery components to advertise resources. Internally within a given CDN, increased granularity of resource addressing and advertisement may provide benefits including: (i) resource affinity; (ii) resource-level balancing; (iii) dynamic resource scoping; and (iv) “zero-touch” provisioning and resource relocation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing data services to devices at a customer premises. An exemplary method embodiment includes the steps of: switching from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation with respect to providing data services to a user equipment device located at a customer premises upon detection of a first condition at the customer premises by a wireless base station; receiving, after switching into the second mode of operation, at the wireless base station a first data service request from the user equipment device; transmitting, in response to the first data service request, one or more data packets of a first data packet stream to the user equipment device via a first transmission path and transmitting one or more additional data packets of the first packet stream to the user equipment device via a second transmission path.

Abstract: A Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) communications link between a wireless access point of a non-cellular network and a cellular base station of a cellular network is implemented and used to support load management operations in a communications system including a cellular network and a non-cellular network. A service management system uses UE performance information and network statistics communicated over the NB-IoT communications link to evaluate network loading with regard to congestion in the non-cellular network. The session management system initiates a communications session for congestion control to offload a session from a congested network to a less congested network. The NB-IoT link is used to communicate session handoff related signaling.

Abstract: Gateway apparatus and methods for providing data services (including IoT data services) which leverage existing managed network (e.g., cable network) infrastructure. The disclosed methods and apparatus enable, among other things, delivery of IoT data services in a unified manner via a common portal or IoT gateway (IoTG) which may be both remotely accessed by a user, and remotely controlled/configured by the host network operator (e.g., MSO). In one variant, the premises devices include RF-enabled receivers (enhanced consumer premises equipment, or CPEe) configured to receive (and transmit) OFDM waveforms via a coaxial cable drop to the premises, and interface with the aforementioned IoTG to enable provision of both 5G high-speed data services and lower bandwidth IoT services to the premises, all via a single coaxial cable drop in the exemplary embodiment.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically optimizing power utilization in a network. A method for automatically optimizing power utilization in a network includes obtaining, by a network controller from a database, systems provisioned in the network, wherein a system includes one or more actionable components and wherein the systems and associated one or more actionable components are actional elements, obtaining predictive traffic model statistics for a circuit under evaluation, wherein the circuit transits between at least two systems of the systems in the network, obtaining real-time traffic statistics for the circuit under evaluation; and disabling, by the network controller when the real-time traffic model statistics are within a threshold of the predictive traffic model statistics, one or more actional elements to optimize power utilization while factoring in fate sharing dependencies associated with the one or more actional elements and while maintaining minimum utilization requirements of the network.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for guaranteeing a quality of experience (QoE) associated with data provision services in an enhanced data delivery network. In one embodiment, a network architecture having service delivery over at least portions of extant infrastructure (e.g., a hybrid fiber coax infrastructure) is disclosed, which includes standards-compliant ultra-low latency and high data rate services (e.g., 5G NR services) via a common service provider. In one exemplary implementation, “over-the-top” voice data services may enable exchange of voice traffic with client devices in the aforementioned network. A distribution node may use a detection rule to identify received packets as voice traffic, and cause a dedicated bearer to attach to the default bearer, thereby enabling delivery of high-quality voice traffic by at least prioritizing the identified packets thereafter and sustaining the delivery even in a congested network environment, and improving the quality of service (QoS) and QoE for the user(s).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhancing performance of a wireline communication network backhaul for a wireless node. In one embodiment, the node comprises a small-cell or other wireless base station that is backhauled by a DOCSIS system within a managed HFC network, and the methods and apparatus enable enhanced communication between the small cell/base station and the backhaul network so as to support adaptation by the wireline network for frequencies used by the node so as to mitigate interference or other issues. In one implementation, enhanced cable modem (CM), cable modem termination system (CMTS) and node devices coordinate to inform the CMTS of use of potentially interfering frequencies by the base station so that the CMTS can monitor, and reconfigure as necessary, any affected wireline RF channels.

Abstract: A control device receives information, e.g., network status information and network loading information, from a plurality of service provider networks and device capability information and status information, from a plurality of user equipment (UE) devices. UEs subscribe to multiple service provider networks. In some geographical regions, coverage is provided by more than one network. The control device generates and sends device profile to network mapping information to UEs on an individual UE basis, e.g., for geographic regions, e.g., 3D regions, where multiple networks are available. Device profile to network mapping information sometimes includes criteria, e.g. rules, parameter, limits, etc. An application on the UE uses the received device profile to network mapping information, along with position information, to select a network/profile to use at a given time. Altering the information provided to one or more UEs allows the control device to perform load balancing between networks.

Abstract: Prior to associating with a wireless network, a wireless device receives from a network access point, a message containing information identifying (i) identity of the network and (ii) network policies; retrieves the information from the message; based on the network identity, determines whether a network attributes record for the network already exists in the device. If not, the device creates a temporary network attributes record for the network. Based on the network policies, the device attempts to associate to and authenticate the network. After successfully associating to and authenticating the network, the device determines whether the network attributes record for the network has expired. If not, the device renews the network attributes record and implements the network policies stored in the network attributes record If the network attributes record has expired, then the device deletes the network attributes record and implements default network policies for the wireless network.