Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for creating a residential units data set that provides light detection and ranging (LIDAR) data for a service area including data representative of rooftops of residential units and their location is provided. Based on the residential units data set, a series of embodiments are provided. In an embodiment, a method for transmitter site selection for a line of sight (LOS) radio service is provided. In another embodiment a method for identifying a location for a transmitter site for a LOS radio service is provided. In another embodiment, a method for determining whether a residential unit is capable of receiving a LOS radio service from one or more radio transmitters providing line of sight radio service within a service area is provided. In another embodiment, a method for determining the placement of an antenna on a rooftop to receive LOS radio service is provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a service are provided. A request is received to provide the service to a device. A location of the device, or a network interface through which the device is coupled, is determined. Finally, the delivery of the service is authorized based on the determined location of the device, or the determined network interface.

Abstract: A distributed stochastic learning agent analyzes viewing and/or interactive service behavior patterns of users of a managed services system. The agent may operate on embedded and/or distributed devices such as set-top boxes, portable video devices, and interactive consumer electronic devices. Content may be provided with services such as video and/or interactive applications at a future time with maximum likelihood that a subscriber will be viewing a video or utilizing an interactive service at that future time. For example, user impressions can be maximized for content such as advertisements, and content may be scheduled in real-time to maximize viewership from across all video and/or interactive services.

Abstract: A duration of time a communications device is connected to a first network is monitored. A signal of a second network is detected. Next, it is determined whether a predetermined amount of time has elapsed such that the communications device makes efficient use of the first network, and in response to a determination that the predetermined amount of time has elapsed, a connection of the communications device to the second network is initiated.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for determining whether a residential unit is capable of receiving a line of sight (LOS) radio service from one or more radio transmitters providing line of sight radio service within a service area is provided. In another embodiment, a method for determining the placement of an antenna on a rooftop to receive LOS radio service is provided. In each embodiment, methods for creating a residential units data set for a service area including data representative of rooftops of residential units and their location is provided. In an embodiment, the residential units data set is based on light detection and ranging (LIDAR) data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are used to provide distributed processing on a service provider network that includes a plurality of remotely located consumer devices. Each of the remotely located consumer devices includes a processing device. A service is provided from the service provider network to the remotely located consumer devices. Distributed processing of a task on the processing devices of the remotely located consumer devices occurs, the distributed processing being unrelated to the service provided to the consumers. The distributed processing occurs even when the processing devices are in use by corresponding remotely located consumer devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to collect and update data on client devices connected to WiFi access points is provided. An inventory of WiFi cable modems and WiFi access points coupled to the WiFi cabled modems within a specific network is periodically collected. Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of WiFi cable modems and WiFi access points coupled to the WiFi cabled modems are periodically updated. Traps are periodically received from the WiFi access points. The traps are parsed to collect an inventory of client devices wirelessly connected to the WiFi access points and a time at which a client device connected to the WiFi access point. The WiFi access points are periodically polled to collect data on client devices, the data including a period of time that a client device has been connected to a WiFi access point and a physical location of the client device.

Abstract: A social networking system enables cable television viewers to watch television programs as a virtual group, each watching within his/her own home, while simultaneously communicating with one another, for example, via voice and/or video chat. The system enables a viewer to find friends, or other like-minded viewers not acquainted with the viewer, for virtual communal viewing parties. The system can enable participants in a viewing party to synchronize viewing sessions enabling each participant to share in a common viewing experience. The system can also enable a system operator to recognize communal viewing groups and enable more effective advertisement targeting.

Abstract: A flexible video-on-demand viewing period is varied depending on whether the customer has completed viewing the entire program, allowing the viewing period to be extended if the customer has not completed viewing the entire program. The approach better assures the customer that they will have the opportunity to complete viewing the entire program, compared to a fixed rental period, while assuring program copyright owners that the utility of the rental is limited, fundamentally as intended, preserving the future value of the asset. The approach also enables viewers to retain bookmarks as needed for content that is not naturally tied to a rental period, such as subscription video-on-demand, without unnecessarily enlarging their list of active rentals.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for detecting hacked modems in a cable network system. A cable Internet service provider can provide the disclosed heuristic to determine whether a particular cable modem has likely been hacked by obtaining a score corresponding to this likelihood. This score, as well as information regarding failure and success of various tests, can be used to generate a report identifying the likelihood that various modems have been hacked.

Abstract: Methods and systems to detect topographic fraud are provided herein. The system includes a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) to periodically poll active cable modems and generate polling data. The system also includes a processor and a memory coupled to the CMTS. The processor is configured to, based on instructions in the memory, periodically determine a current geographic location for each polled cable modem based on the polling data from the CMTS, determine a geographic radius within which each polled cable modem is to be operated in and determine cable modems whose current geographic location is outside of their geographic radius.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enables a feature among a plurality of features in an application loaded on a client, with the client located remotely from a sewer. The server receives a data profile request from the client. In response to the data profile request, a data profile is sent from the server to the client, the data profile including a profile key to identify the client, an application identification to identify the application, and a feature selector. The application uses the feature selector to enable the feature among the plurality of features.

Abstract: A method of redirecting network traffic from a first, uncontrolled network to a second, controlled network by rewriting the Type of Service field in the header information of an Internet Protocol (IP) packet so as to include a service code indicating that the IP packet cannot access the uncontrolled network, thereby redirecting the network traffic to a second network element.

Abstract: A system, computer-implemented method and a computer-readable medium for accessing content on a plurality of computing devices from a plurality of independent frameworks. The system includes a virtual backend service (VBS) platform. A plurality of independent frameworks hosted on the VBS platform, where each independent framework is configured to provide access to an independent set of applications that provide a service over a network. The system also includes a configuration module for configuring each computing device in the plurality of computing devices to access the set of applications particular to the independent framework, wherein the configuring dynamically switches access of each computing device between the independent frameworks, and access the service from each framework by the configured computing device.

Abstract: Firmware is installed in a cable modem, enabling detection of the presence or absence of a cable trap in the feed of a customer location. Such a cable modem includes a trap-detection module and a trap-detection object. The trap-detection module is configured to determine whether a video signal is present at a cable-television frequency. The trap-detection object is configured to store data as to whether the video signal is present. For example, a first piece of data is stored if the video signal is present, indicating absence of a properly functioning cable trap between a cable head-end and the cable modem. A second piece of data is stored if the video signal is absent, indicating presence of a properly functioning cable trap between the cable head-end and the cable modem.

Abstract: Systems and methods are used to provide distributed processing on a service provider network that includes a plurality of remotely located consumer devices. Each of the remotely located consumer devices includes a processing device. A service is provided from the service provider network to the remotely located consumer devices. Distributed processing of a task on the processing devices of the remotely located consumer devices occurs, the distributed processing being unrelated to the service provided to the consumers. The distributed processing occurs even when the processing devices are in use by corresponding remotely located consumer devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enables a feature among a plurality of features in an application loaded on a client, with the client located remotely from a server. The server receives a data profile request from the client. In response to the data profile request, a data profile is sent from the server to the client, the data profile including a profile key to identify the client, an application identification to identify the application, and a feature selector. The application uses the feature selector to enable the feature among the plurality of features.

Abstract: A method of redirecting network traffic from a first, uncontrolled network to a second, controlled network by rewriting the Type of Service field in the header information of an Internet Protocol (IP) packet so as to include a service code indicating that the IP packet cannot access the uncontrolled network, thereby redirecting the network traffic to a second network element.

Abstract: Methods and systems to detect topographic fraud are provided herein. The system includes a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) to periodically poll active cable modems and generate polling data. The system also includes a processor and a memory coupled to the CMTS. The processor is configured to, based on instructions in the memory, periodically determine a current geographic location for each polled cable modem based on the polling data from the CMTS, determine a geographic radius within which each polled cable modem is to be operated in and determine cable modems whose current geographic location is outside of their geographic radius.

Abstract: A system, computer-implemented method and a computer-readable medium for accessing content on a plurality of computing devices from a plurality of independent frameworks. The system includes a virtual backend service (VBS) platform. A plurality of independent frameworks hosted on the VBS platform, where each independent framework is configured to provide access to an independent set of applications that provide a service over a network. The system also includes a configuration module for configuring each computing device in the plurality of computing devices to access the set of applications particular to the independent framework, wherein the configuring dynamically switches access of each computing device between the independent frameworks, and access the service from each framework by the configured computing device.