Abstract: System, method, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed for integrated diagnosis and debugging of content distribution systems. A system includes a networking module that receives, from a central server, instructions for running network diagnostics on a cable headend. A diagnostics environment module is configured to perform diagnostic operations based on the received instructions. The networking module transmits results of the diagnostic operations to the central server.

Abstract: In a video network context, video sessions can be aggregated and delivered to users, and smart replay can be provided responsive to user commands. Various and different commands are received from users at different times. Video sessions (e.g., program streams) are identified and/or created based on the commands. Video sessions are multicasted to the users. Joining multiple users to a video session reduces a need to create multiple identical or similar individual sessions, thereby increasing session capacity. Delivering a video session to users likely to be seeking a particular moment of interest in a video, based on an increased tolerance of received user commands, increases the user experience by delivering the moment of interest directly, without requiring multiple commands from users attempting to navigate towards the moment of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling media devices are provided. A device controller includes a device control module. The device control module identifies media devices in a local network, such as a LAN. The device control module selects a media device from the identified media devices. Next the device control module selects content to be displayed on the selected media device. The device control module uses the local network to cause the selected media device to display the selected content.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for the display of a multi-screen virtual billboard. The virtual billboard utilizes individual mobile devices as portions of a display screen (e.g., as individual pixels or groups of pixels). Each mobile device is configured to display a portion of the virtual billboard corresponding to a location of the mobile device. The mobile devices forming the virtual billboard are triggered in order to display a graphic or other visual information in synchronization with the other mobile devices.

Abstract: A heterogeneous parallel processing system that includes a computer cluster system and a device cluster system is provided. The computer cluster system includes a computer cluster node that includes at least one cluster node processor. The device cluster system includes a cluster device that includes a cluster device processor, and is substantially different from the computer cluster nodes. The system includes a heterogeneous cluster node that includes a computer cluster node from the computer cluster system and a cluster device from the device cluster system. The heterogeneous cluster node includes a runtime environment module for transmitting data between the computer cluster node and the cluster device in the heterogeneous cluster node, such that at least one process executing on the device cluster system is transparent in its operation to a plurality of processes executing in the computer cluster system.

Abstract: A wireless access point (WAP) determines whether to switch from one or more first communication channels to one or more second communication channels when the one or more first communication channels are experiencing congestion. The WAP determines an amount of congestion the one or more first communication channels are experiencing. When the one or more first communication channels are experiencing congestion, the WAP determines whether one or more communication devices can support, or reliably support, a channel switching announcement signal using the one or more first communication channels. If a sufficient number of communication devices from among the one or more communication devices can support, or reliably support, the channel switching announcement signal, the WAP broadcasts the channel switching announcement signal to the one or more communication devices to announce its intention to switch from the one or more first communication channels to the one or more second communication channels.

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: Disclosed herein is a system, method, and computer program product for dynamically altering message rates through a transport. The system, method, and computer program product continually operates a transport and analyzes trend data using a moving average of producer rates and consumer rates. Keeping message flow at an optimal rate as system conditions vary throughout time enables efficient delivery of messages through multiple subsystems and intermediary transports to the messages' manifold endpoints.

Abstract: A system and method for polling a plurality of client devices of different types are provided. A reboot and polling tool pre-polls client devices, where the pre-poll is specific to a type of client device and identifies a state of the client devices. The reboot and polling tool then executes a script on the client devices that changes the state of the plurality of client devices. After the script is executed, the reboot and polling tool post-polls the client devices where the post-poll is specific to the type of client device and the post-poll provides information that identifies changes in the state of the client devices caused by the script.

Abstract: A method and system to create a mapping of non-attached subnetworks to a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) associated with the non-attached subnetwork is provided herein. The method includes transmitting a query to the CMTS for an identification of the non-attached subnetwork and receiving the identification from the CMTS. The method further includes parsing the identification to determine an address of the non-attached subnetwork and mapping an association of the CMTS to the non-attached subnet in a database based on the address.

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 signal is present at a cable-television frequency. The trap-detection object is configured to store data as to whether the signal is present and support polling by providing the stored data in response to a received polling command.

Abstract: Methods and systems to determine a change in a location of a device relative to an initial location of the device are provided. The method includes periodically receiving a parameter of the device and determining the change in the location of the device relative to an initial location of the device based on a change in the parameter over a period of time. In an example, the method includes determining a first trend in the parameter over a first period of time, determining a second trend in the parameter over a second period of time, and determining a change in the location of the device from a first location to a second location by comparing the first trend to the second trend.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for adaptive control of scanning by a communications device, such as a mobile handset, for an available communication network based on a status of the communications device, user behavior, and signal status. A new time interval used for scanning for communications networks and access points is calculated responsive to a detected change in condition.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system, method, and a computer program product for identifying a cause of return system degradation. Embodiments include monitoring a network to identify a distressed node impacted by return system degradation, polling a plurality of cable modem devices serviced by the distressed node for transmission parameter values, scoring the transmission parameter values for each of the plurality of cable modem devices, identifying a cable modem device from among the plurality of cable modem devices causing the return system degradation based on the scores of each of the plurality of cable modem devices, and initiating a work order to repair the cable modem device from among the plurality of cable modem devices causing the return system degradation.

Abstract: An automatic overshoot control system and method can enable a user to more easily terminate a trick mode (e.g., fast forward or rewind) at an intended point in program material. For example, after a trick mode, a user can initiate display of audio or video at a particular intended point in the program material while minimizing a need to manually adjust. The system determines an offset and tracks a preview position within the program material displayed as a trick mode preview incorporating the offset. The system also tracks an actual position within the program material based on the preview position and offset. The actual position corresponds to a predicted location that the user desires upon terminating the preview trick mode. When the preview trick mode is terminated, normal playback of the program material is resumed at the actual location corresponding to the user's intended location in the program material.

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: 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: Embodiments include originating and terminating a short message service (SMS) message using an IP network. Delivery of an SMS message is attempted on a first network a first predetermined number of times according to a first predetermined time schedule. Delivery of the SMS message on a second network is attempted after a failure to deliver the SMS message on the first network. Reattempted delivery of the SMS message on the first network is followed by reattempted delivery of the SMS message on the second network, according to a second predetermined time schedule. Embodiments also include monitoring registration of a recipient of the SMS message, receiving a new registration, and attempting delivery of the SMS message on the network associated with the new registration.

Abstract: A system for assisted device recovery is provided. The system includes an assisted device recovery module configured to determine an associated recovery action associated with an identification of a client device. The assisted device recovery module includes a client device identifier that is configured to identify a client device on a network and is further configured to detect that the client device is configured incorrectly in response to change of a configuration of the network. The assisted device recovery module also includes a recovery determiner configured to choose a chosen recovery action based on priority information received. The assisted device recovery module further includes a recovery performer configured to perform the chosen recovery action on the client device.

Abstract: A system for assisted device recovery is provided. The system includes a database including a plurality of client device identifications and associated recovery actions having priority information. The system also includes an assisted device recovery module. The assisted device recovery module includes a client device identifier configured to identify a client device on a network using an identification of the client device, wherein the client device identifier is further configured to detect that the client device is configured incorrectly in response to change of a configuration of the network. The assisted device recovery module also includes a recovery determiner configured to choose a chosen recovery action based on priority information received in response to a query to the database. The assisted device recovery module further includes a recovery performer configured to send information about the chosen recovery action to the client device.