Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a technical solution that enables various passive optical network (PON) type infrastructures to coexist with dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) network infrastructures. According to an embodiment, an optical communication network framework uses an optical coexistence topology to enable coexistence of PON type components and DWDM components. An optical coexistence system uses an optical coexistor to convey an upstream optical signal to one of an arrayed wave grating (AWG) of a DWDM system and an optical line terminal (OLT) of a PON by conveying unfiltered portions of the upstream optical signal to the OLT and filtered portions of the upstream optical signal to the AWG.

Abstract: Systems and methods for targeting advertisements to particular zones within a content distribution region are disclosed. One or more zone signals may be generated and distributed by combining media content with a respective advertisement corresponding to each of the zones within the distribution region. In some example cases, the media content may be received from a broadcaster. The systems and methods may further include the capability to determine zone based and/or advertisement based viewing metrics for one or more of the zones within the content distribution region by polling client devices within the one or more zones.

Abstract: This disclosure describes devices and methods related to multiplexing optical data signals. A method may be disclosed for multiplexing one or more optical data signals. The method may comprise receiving, by a dense wave division multiplexer (DWDM), one or more optical data signals. The method may comprise combining, by the DWDM, the one or more optical data signals. The method may comprise outputting, by the DWDM, the combined one or more optical data signals to one or more wave division multiplexer (WDM). The method may comprise combining, by the one or more WDM, the combined one or more optical data signals and one or more second optical data signals, and outputting an egress optical data signal comprising the combined one or more optical data signals and one or more second optical data signals.

Abstract: This disclosure describes devices and methods related to multiplexing optical data signals. A method may be disclosed for multiplexing one or more optical data signals. The method may comprise receiving, by a dense wave division multiplexer (DWDM), one or more optical data signals. The method may comprise combining, by the DWDM, the one or more optical data signals. The method may comprise outputting, by the DWDM, the combined one or more optical data signals to one or more wave division multiplexer (WDM). The method may comprise combining, by the one or more WDM, the combined one or more optical data signals and one or more second optical data signals, and outputting an egress optical data signal comprising the combined one or more optical data signals and one or more second optical data signals.

Abstract: Dynamic uniform resource locator (URL) transmission may be provided for allowing a user to view a non-linear video content item along with additional content in order to provide a richer and deeper viewing experience giving more control to the user during video viewing. An indication may be provided to the user indicating the availability of additional interactive content associated with the non-linear video in a variety of different ways. Upon user request, the content associated with the URL may be updated or historic content presented to the user in order to present the non-linear video content combined with the additional content in a hybrid fashion. The transmitted URL may be static, or the URL may be dynamically updated based on one or more factors, such as time of day or action by the user or content provider.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products for facilitating communications between a plurality of devices and subsystems on a first network (for example, a first cable network) and one or more devices and subsystems on a second network (for example, a second cable network) using an integration system on the first network. In one embodiment, the integration system may allow for deployment of new systems or infrastructures that can cooperatively operate with legacy systems already deployed on the first or second networks. Particular embodiments of the subject matter may reduce the cost associated with deploying, upgrading and/or maintaining the devices and systems on the first and/or second networks.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods related to a network-based digital video recorder playback adapter. In some embodiments, a request for digital content may be received from a customer device. A plurality of segments associated with the digital content may be received. A content stream may be generated based at least in part on the plurality of segments associated with the digital content. The content stream may be transmitted. Additionally, load balancing may be implemented to optimally select a source of digital content. Additional load balancing may further be performed at a customer premises between multiple communicative connections to provide requested content to the client device.

Abstract: Social network friend-based recommendations are provided. Based on user consumption data provided by one or more service providers, a determination may be made as to which social network contacts a user has who may have preferences for video, music, and other media that are close to the user's. The determination of social network contacts who share a common interest and the user consumption data of those social network contacts may be utilized to infer recommendations for the user. Other functionalities may be provided, such as manual recommendations, placing emphasis on recommendations from particular friends, email notifications of content that a friend has consumed that the user has not, an option to view what a social network contact is viewing, providing a list of programs that the user and a social network contact have both seen, and providing advertisements based on consumption data, recommendations, and/or discovered areas of interest.

Abstract: Pairing between mobile devices and set-top boxes of the same household may be provided such that set-top box may be automatically configured to the mobile user's preferences. This enables seamless sharing of content between various devices and personalized user experience. When a mobile device is identified as entering the household or use location, the set-top box sends a signal which may then be broadcasted. The mobile device may then pick up the signal when it is in close proximity of the set-top box and start the pairing and provide personalized user experience. Once the mobile device has been paired with the set-top box, every time the user of that mobile device comes close to the paired set-top box, it may seamlessly be paired again to provide personalized user experience. Targeted/personalized advertising may also be inserted.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to configuration of content and consumption thereof content in a networked environment. In certain aspects, the consumed content can be coordinated or otherwise synchronized between disparate consumption devices, which may be served content via different content platforms. In another aspect, the consumed content can be customized for a specific device and/or an end-user thereof. In yet another aspect, recommendations for content and/or products associated with at least a portion of the content can be provided.

Abstract: On demand content is delivered to a network edge server based on rules. A central storage, disposed at a head end of a content distribution system, stores content for distribution to users. A decision server, coupled to the central storage, collects information regarding business rules and usage of content by users and processes the collected business rules and usage of content by users to identify content for reprovisioning. A network edge server, coupled to the decision server, and which includes storage, receives and stores content identified by the decision server for reprovisioning from the central storage for distribution from the network edge server directly to the users.

Abstract: Automatic identification and creation of user profiles is provided. Interaction data for various users within a subscriber account is collected. Unique user profiles are automatically identified and created based on the interaction data. The identified user profiles are then matched against a plurality of available pre-categorized profiles. A unique set of settings and preferences may be applied to the user profile based on the matched pre-categorized profile and the collected interaction data. Personalization may be provided to the user upon establishment of the user profile. After creation of the user profile, additional user actions taken and the user's viewer history may be collected for further use. According to some aspects, when a user accesses a content item, notification is sent to the user to confirm a matched profile as an active profile. Once confirmation is received, associated settings and preferences are set according to the active profile.

Abstract: Content is provided from a source device to a target device using a trusted domain. A customer calls customer service of a service provider to provide information for registering a target device. The service provider enters the information in a billing system. The billing system provides the data to a profile management server. The service provider instructs the customer to install an application on the target device and the content source device. The profile of the target device is provided to the content source device. The customer connects with the content source device to establish a trusted network. Then, after receiving a request for content from the target device, the content source device decrypts the requested content to remove existing encryption, transcodes the requested content according to the profile of the target device and streams the content to the target device.

Abstract: Storing asset ID and entitlement data of purchased and rented media from various sources in a media contents account and allowing access to the stored asset ID and entitlement data from various devices is provided. A user may access a media contents account via a network-connected device to view his/her purchased and rented media. The network-connected device may be a device that has been registered with the account. A user may select a title of purchased or rented media to stream or download. Upon verification of entitlement rights, the media may be streamed or downloaded to the user.

Abstract: In various embodiment, the disclosed systems, methods, and apparatuses describe the application of a pre-distortion at a transmitting device, such as a headend or a remote PHY device, to modify signals to be transmitted on a cable network in order to account for the distortions to the signals received by one or more devices on the network. In an embodiment, the pre-distortions can be implemented in the analog domain or in the digital domain, for example, using analog filters, or digital signal processing (DSP) devices. In an embodiment, the pre-distortion can be applied on particular subcarriers associated with the signals, without being applied to other subcarrier associated with the signals.

Abstract: The modular assignment of storage space provides consumers with greater access to cDVR systems and to more efficiently allocate storage within the cDVR system. When a record command is received, it will be determined whether sufficient storage space is available to the consumers. When it is determined that the consumer does not have enough storage space to record the content item in the cDVR system, additional storage space may be allocated modularly to the consumer. Consumers will select how storage space is to be modularly allocated for their use (either via preset options or at the time or recording) and the service provider or operator of the cDVR will provide the set amount in accordance with the consumer's preferences.

Abstract: Securing access to content provided over a distributed network is provided. A user desiring content from a given content source may provide login credentials via a downloaded content source application that will be used to authenticate the requesting user's access to the requested content item via a content services provider. When the access request is received, the content source application passes to the content services provider login/authentication credentials, location information and access attempt frequency information. If the location information and/or access attempt frequency information for the requesting user and/or user device raises suspicion that the requested access may be unauthorized, an automated notification can be passed to a primary services account holder associated with an account through which the requested content is received to request permission or denial from the primary account holder to allow the requested content access.

Abstract: Systems and methods enable the use of biometric information to access personalized services provided by a service provider, but are not so limited. A disclosed system operates to receive biometric information in the form of fingerprint detection data from a fingerprint detection sensor and use fingerprint mapping parameters to provide personalizations to an associated user. A disclosed method operates to use fingerprint detection data associated with a detection of a user fingerprint by a fingerprint detection sensor and provide personalizations based on the fingerprint detection data.

Abstract: Exposing consumers to content of secondary interest via a content distribution network is becoming increasingly difficult as Video on Demand gains popularity and consumers isolate themselves from secondary content, including: new programs, emergency alerts, etc. Additionally, ensuring that the consumers are consuming secondary content that is provided to them via the content distribution network poses technical difficulties for the service provider. Therefore, systems and methods that encourage consumers to consume secondary content and verify its consumption non-intrusively are of increasing importance to service providers. Providing consumers with the ability to opt in and out of tracking and verification for the promotion of content allows consumers to be provided secondary content and for the service provider to appropriately reward the consumers for consuming the content to encourage additional consumption of secondary content.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products for an improved communication network. In one embodiment, a method is provided comprising receiving, at a first device, a first signal over a first medium, the signal comprising a first portion and a second portion, and extracting by a processor a third portion of the first signal, the third portion being at least a portion of the first portion of the first signal, the third portion being intended for receipt by a second device associated with a particular user account. The method may further include combining at least a fifth portion of the first signal with the third portion of the first signal to generate a second signal, the fifth portion of the first signal being at least a portion of the second portion of the first signal and providing the second signal to the second device.