Abstract: Processing quality of service data to provide a prediction of quality of experience is disclosed. States for a plurality of parameters affecting a level of service being provided to a set of subscribers are varied. While varying the states of the plurality of parameters, feedback from the set of subscribers is obtained indicating a level of satisfaction with the service being provided to the set of subscribers. The feedback is statistically analyzed to identifying a correlation between the states for the plurality of parameters and the level of satisfaction with the service being provided to the set of subscribers. Scores representing a predicted quality of experience for the subscribers based upon the statistically analyzed feedback are produced.

Abstract: Systems and methods for buffering or delaying data packets to facilitate optimized distribution of content associated with the data packets are disclosed. Data packets sent from content providers may be received by a service provider, where information associated with the data packets may be identified. The identified information may be used to associate the data packets with an intended destination for the data packets and identify a type of the data packets, such as a video data packet. Video data packets (and other data packets) may be buffered or delayed such that more time-critical data packets may be accelerated into one or more QAM channels carrying the content. The delayed data packets may be time-sliced into the one or more QAM channels, which may displace empty slots or gaps that may waste bandwidth associated with the QAM channels.

Abstract: A unified control (UC) interface is configured for use with a portable computing device in part to manage and control access and personalization of a service network including managing automatic user and device access to subscribed to services. The UC interface of an embodiment can be used to display an overview of a service network, including authorized users, authorized devices, and/or associated settings. The UC interface of one embodiment can be used with a portable computing device in part to enable an authorized user to manage access and/or programming personalization on a per user and/or device basis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for measuring audience participation over a distribution network. An example method may include delivering media content to a viewer's CPE over a distribution network and delivering an audience measurement application associated with the media content over the distribution network. The audience measurement application can be configured for execution by the viewer's CPE, and can be programmed to generate at least one inquiry for display to the viewer in association with viewing the media content and to request at least one response by the viewer to be entered via the viewer's CPE. The method may further include receiving response information associated with the response to the inquiry from the viewer's CPE over the distribution network, and determining the viewer's participation level associated with the media content based at least in part on the response information received from the viewer's CPE.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include generation of organizational intelligence, such as organizational features, associated with an organization. In one aspect, an organizational feature can be based at least on organizational and non-organizational information. In another aspect, certain organizational features can be obtained, for example, from correlations present in the organizational and/or non-organizational information. At least one of such features can may be referred to as organizational insight, and can be represented with a function and/or a group of concepts drawn from the information relied on or otherwise leveraged for determination of the insight. Regardless of complexity, in yet another aspect, certain features of the disclosure can be analyzed, modeled, and/or simulated. In addition or in the alternative, in at least certain aspects, operational recommendations for the organization can be generated.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a system and method for validating adcopy instructions. A user selection of an advertising client may be received. One or more advertising orders associated with the advertising client are identified in an order management system. A selection of an advertising order is received from the user. A set of adcopy instructions to be associated with the selected advertising contract is received from the user. The set of adcopy instructions are validated based on one or more rules associated with each of the order management system and a traffic and billing system. When the adcopy instructions are validated, the adcopy instructions are stored in a database associated with the traffic and billing system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing user communication. First an invitation input may be received from a first user. The invitation input may comprise a recommendation to a second user to take an action regarding content to be delivered over a content delivery system. Then, the invitation input may be transmitted to the second user. Next, an acceptance input may be received from the second user. The acceptance input may comprise an acceptance to the invitation input. The acceptance input may then be transmitted to the first user in response to receiving the acceptance input.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for recording time offset for video recording devices and services including receiving a request to record a program, wherein the program is associated with show schedule information including a start time and a channel identifier, determining that the channel identifier is associated with at least one offset value, calculating an offset start time based at least in part on the start time and the offset value, and storing a scheduled record time for the program using the offset value.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to scheduled media transmissions which may be implemented in a hospitality setting as wake-up calls. A request for a scheduled media transmission may be received. The request includes a desired time for the scheduled media transmission and a requested content item. The scheduled media transmission is scheduled for a user at the desired time. At the user's desired time, a media device associated with the user is activated, and the user's requested content item is transmitted to the media device.

Abstract: Management of and utilization of information related to recorded video content are provided. For any given piece of recorded content, identification information for any of a number of interested persons may be associated with the recorded content. After each interested person associated with a given piece of recorded content views or watches the content or decides he or she is not interested in the recorded content, the recorded content may be deleted. A graphical user interface may be provided for showing the viewing status of persons associated with a given piece of recorded content and for allowing each person associated with the recorded content to manage their individual viewing status. Information about content viewed by identified persons may be used to direct advertising or suggested content to one or more identified persons.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing broadband communication are provided. A source component may be configured to provide a downstream broadband signal to one or more customer devices and receive upstream signals from the customer devices, including a first upstream signal having a frequency lower than the downstream broadband signal and a second upstream signal having a frequency higher than the downstream broadband signal. An optical fiber node in communication with the source component may be configured to receive and convert downstream and upstream broadband signals from radio frequency signals to light signals and vice versa. A terminator in communication with the optical fiber node via one or more cable lines may be configured to output the radio frequency downstream signal for receipt by the customer devices and to direct the communication of the upstream signals to the optical fiber node via the one or more cable lines.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing content recommendations or advertisements based at least in part on the identity of users that are within an experiential range of a primary device for rendering the content recommendation or advertisement are disclosed. A home service gateway may be configured to identify users within the experiential range of the primary device and generate a content recommendation request and/or an advertisement request identifying the users within the experiential range. A content delivery system may receive the recommendation request and/or ad request and provide content recommendations and/or advertisements to the home service gateway based at least in part on the identity of the users that are within the experiential range of the primary device.

Abstract: A remote time shift buffer system with shadow tuning. The remote time shift buffer system includes a client in communication with a remote video recorder. The client tunes to a channel from a television signal source and sends the channel content to a television. When a channel change occurs at the client, the remote video recorder tunes to the same channel as the client and buffers the content. When a pause live television (PLTV) function is initiated, the remote video recorder generates an independent RTSB content stream using the buffered content. Once the RTSB content stream is available, the client switches inputs and displays the RTSB content stream from the remote video recorder. Manipulating the position within the RTSB content stream does not affect buffering of the live content. The remote time shift buffer system provides pause live television functionality with minimal loss of content.

Abstract: User-based parental controls (UBPC) are provided. UBPC are provided to users according to a user profile associated with a specific user. Parental controls may be tailored to meet a parental control need according to each user. User profiles may be created by one or more administrative users and may include restrictions according to a TV, movie, application, or game rating system, specific channels, or specific programs. User profiles may be stored in a remote database allowing for various media content receiving and/or viewing devices to access the user profiles for applying parental control features according to a specific user profile. A user profile may be altered by one or more administrative users who may create an override access code which may allow the administrative user to manage other users' parental controls.

Abstract: A cable television system with integrated social streaming. The cable television system with integrated social streaming includes a set-top box in communication with a camera and/or a microphone that allows video and/or audio communication over a social streaming channel offered by the cable provider. The cable television system with integrated social streaming provides an interactive experience for a set-top box user by allowing the user to participate in video and/or audio conversations with friends on supported social streaming services.

Abstract: Statistically determining the average network speed in a communications network is disclosed. A network is analyzed to determine an arrangement for speed test servers to collect network speed data. A plurality of speed test servers is dispersed in the network according to the determined arrangement. Speed tests are performed using the plurality of speed test servers to gather the network speed data for a plurality of network elements. The network speed data gathered from the plurality of speed servers is provided to a central database. The gathered network speed data in the central database is statistically analyzed to generate a model of average network speed for each of the plurality of network elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing content over various mediums in a service provider network are disclosed. Such mediums may include an optical fiber and a cable line having a bandwidth less than that associated with the optical fiber. In certain embodiments herein, content may be distributed over the cable line, or relatively low bandwidth medium, according to characteristics of the optical fiber, or relatively high bandwidth medium. In one embodiment, data packets may be scheduled using first in first out (FIFO) scheduling for distribution over the cable line using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). Using this approach, increased bandwidths may be achieved over cable lines. Additionally, certain embodiments herein are directed to maintaining a forward/reverse channel split, which may exist in a PON, over a cable line. Further, certain embodiments herein may relate to dynamic allocation of subcarriers in an OFDM signal in response to changes in quality of service.

Abstract: Allowing a user of a mobile computing device to link the mobile computing device and its associated network or system to a subject piece of hardware operating via a second network or system is provided. After the mobile computing device is linked to a given hardware device, functional operation of the hardware device and access to accounts associated with the hardware device may be provided to the linked mobile computing device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating, selling, executing terms of ad demographic bins are disclosed. Ad demographic bins may be sold to ad buyer and may represent a variety of parameters and/or terms to which the ad demographic bin seller may have to perform. The ad demographic bins may specify a number of views, a targeted geography of those views, and/or a targeted demographic of those views. Once an ad demographic bin is sold, one or more ad avails, spots, and/or other ad assets may be acquired, such as from media and/or content providers for the purpose of rendering one or more ads on behalf of the ad buyer. The ad avails, spots, and/or other ad assets may be selected and/or acquired in a manner as to perform to the parameters of the ad demographic bin.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selling unsold ad (advertisement) avails as individual ad avails or as bundled with other unsold ad avails in a demographic bin. Ad avails and ad demographic bins may be sold to an ad buyer and may represent a variety of parameters and/or terms to which the ad demographic bin seller may have to perform. The ad demographic bins may specify a number of views, a targeted geography of those views, and/or a targeted demographic of those views. The unsold ad avails may be offered for sale without indicating the content, content providers, or the time slot associated with the ad avail. These ad avails may be offered for sale if it is determined that the ad avails are about to expire, such as within a threshold number of days. In the cases, where the ad avails are sold as a demographic bin (i.e. bundled with other ad avails), the aggregate demographic parameters associated with the demographic bin may be indicated when offering the ad avails for sale.