Abstract: In one embodiment, a method determines an encoded plurality of layers for a scalable video stream for a video where each of the plurality of layers includes a respective layer parameter setting. An additional layer for the plurality of layers is determined where the additional layer enhances a base layer in the plurality of layers and the respective layer parameter settings for the encoded plurality of layers do not take into account the additional layer. The method then determines an additional layer parameter setting for the additional layer. The additional layer parameter setting specifies a relationship between the additional layer and at least a portion of the plurality of layers where the additional layer parameter setting is used to decode the additional layer and the at least a portion of the plurality of layers.

Abstract: Creating a filtered adaptive streaming playlist in a content delivery network. The playlist is for delivery of a plurality of chunks of stored video content to a streaming client device. The filtering is based on a determination of whether information associated with each chunk is in compliance with a personalized rule set associated with the streaming client device.

Abstract: A device is provided for use with an encoder, source video data and a source video clock. The encoder can encode video data at a timebase corrected video clock and can encode audio data at a timebase corrected audio clock. The source video data includes a video data portion and an audio data portion. The device includes a video processing portion, an audio processing portion and a clock generating portion. The video processing portion is arranged to receive the source video data based on the source video clock. The audio processing portion is arranged to receive the source video data based on the source video clock. The clock generating portion can generate the timebase corrected video clock and can generate the timebase corrected audio clock. The video processing portion can provide, to the encoder, the video data portion of the source video data based on the timebase corrected video clock.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for image processing a lens-distorted image (e.g., a fisheye image) is provided. The method includes partitioning coordinate points in a selected output image into tiles. The output image is an undistorted rendition of a subset of the lens-distorted image. Coordinate points on a border of the tiles in the output image are selected. For each tile, coordinate points in the lens-distorted image corresponding to each selected coordinate point in the output image are calculated. In addition, for each tile, a bounding box on the lens-distorted image is selected. The bounding box includes the calculated coordinates in the lens-distorted image. The bounding boxes are expanded so that they encompass all coordinate points in the lens-distorted image that map to all coordinate points in their respective corresponding tiles. Output pixel values are generated for each tile from pixel values in their corresponding expanded bounding boxes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining a transport bit rate for a multiprogram transport stream (MPTS) is described. In one example, a plurality of transport bit rates is computed for a respective plurality of programs in the MPTS. A highest transport bit rate and a lowest transport bit rate are selected from the plurality of transport bit rates. An average transport bit rate is computed from the highest transport bit rate and the lowest transport bit rate. The average transport bit rate is provided as an initial transport bit rate for the MPTS. Jitter in the MPTS may be compensated using the initial transport bit rate.

Abstract: A method of exchanging configuration information needed to authenticate an unregistered Wi-Fi client device to an access point of a wireless local area network is described. A SSID of the AP and a temporary hidden secondary SSID of the AP are enabled for a preset time period with a residential gateway providing the AP of the WLAN. A message is received in the form of IP UDP packets by the residential gateway to the temporary hidden secondary SSID of the AP during the preset time period requesting network configuration information. The residential gateway transmits the requested network configuration information via return message in the form of IP UDP packets on the temporary hidden secondary SSID of the AP. Additional methods and apparatus are described.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for processing social media posts. The methods may include certain multimedia content being identified as multimedia content for which social media posts relating to a broadcast of that multimedia content are to be stored. Using this identifying information, one or more filtering criteria may be provided for use by a filtering module. The filtering module may receive (e.g., from a social networking service) a stream of social media posts, filter the received stream to extract social media posts that relate to the broadcast of the certain multimedia content, and stores the extracted social media posts. Alternatively, a storage module may store the stream of social media posts, and a filtering module may filter the stored social media posts to identify social media posts that relate to the broadcast of the certain multimedia content.

Abstract: Segments of plural media expressions of a narrative are defined and linked by metadata enabling substitution of a segment of one medium expression of the narrative for a segment of another medium expression the narrative when requested by a user.

Abstract: An interactive interface for a computing device enables a user to select the medium of expression in which a segment of a narrative will be presented.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for determining contexts and determining associated demographic profiles using information received from multiple demographic sensor enabled electronic devices, are disclosed. Contexts can be defined by a description of spatial and/or temporal components. Such contexts can be arbitrarily defined using semantically meaningful and absolute descriptions of time and location. Demographic sensor data is associated with or includes context data that describes the circumstances under which the data was determined. The demographic sensor data can include demographic sensor readings that are implicit indications of a demographic for the context. The sensor data can also include user reported data with explicit descriptions of a demographic for the context. The demographic sensor data can be filtered by context data according a selected context.

Abstract: An internet protocol multicast provider is disclosed, which includes a bootstrap code component, a transcoder generator component, a content module and a packetizing module. The bootstrap code component can generate a bootstrap code. The transcoder generator component can generate a transcoder module. The content module can generate content in a first format. The packetizing module can generate internet protocol multicast packets, based on the bootstrap code, the transcoder module and the content. The bootstrap code can determine a second format for which an internet protocol multicast receiver can decode and render the content. The transcoder module can instruct the internet protocol multicast receiver to play the content when the first format is the second format. The transcoder module can instruct the internet protocol multicast receiver to transcode the content from the first format to the second format when the first format is not the second format.

Abstract: A video processing system is provided to create quantization data parameters based on human eye attraction to provide to an encoder to enable the encoder to compress data taking into account the human perceptual guidance. The system includes a perceptual video processor (PVP) to generate a perceptual significance pixel map for data to be input to the encoder. Companding is provided to reduce the pixel values to values ranging from zero to one, and decimation is performed to match the pixel values to a spatial resolution of quantization parameter values (QP) values in a look up table (LUT). The LUT table values then provide the metadata to provide to the encoder to enable compression of the original picture to be performed by the encoder in a manner so that bits are allocated to pixels in a macroblock according to the predictions of eye tracking.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter. The transmitter preferably monitors performance attributes of a transmitted signal and selectively configures the transmitter based on the monitored attributes.

Abstract: A media content broadcast blackout control method, comprising receiving a retune message requesting a blackout of a primary media content broadcast in specific regions, generating a playlist for each region comprising a content key wrapped in a region-specific media key, wherein the content key in the playlists for regions that are not subject to the blackout is configured to access the primary media content broadcast, and the content key in the playlists for regions that are subject to the blackout is configured to access an alternate media content broadcast, providing the playlists to client devices within each region, providing the primary media content broadcast to client devices whose region-specific media key unwraps the content key for the primary media content broadcast, and providing the alternate media content broadcast to client devices whose region-specific media key unwraps the content key for the alternate primary media content broadcast.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for processing social media posts. The methods may include a filtering module receiving a stream of social media posts. The filtering module may acquire one or more filtering criteria. The filtering module may, using the acquired filtering criteria, filter the received stream to extract, from the stream, those social media posts that relate to the certain multimedia content. The filtering module may then, without providing the extracted social media posts for playback, at a current time, on a client device, store (e.g., within a database) the extracted social media posts for future provision to the client device.

Abstract: A method includes: storing, via a network storage device, information related to the playback history of a content playing device; receiving, via a network digital video recorder scheduler, a request to record requested content; receiving, via a network digital video recorder, the requested content in a first format and the requested content in a second format; and storing, via the network digital video recorder, only one of the requested content in the first format or the requested content in a second format based on the information related to the playback history.

Abstract: A method of operating an IP client device for presentation of video content to a viewer includes the step of transmitting a trickplay request to a server. The client device receives from the server a manifest that references at least first and second consecutive video content fragments. The first fragment contains a sequence of N1 frames and the second fragment contains a sequence of N2 frames, and defines a set of M1 frames of the first fragment, where M1 is less than N1, and a set of M2 frames of the second fragment, where M2 is less than N2. The client device transmits a request for the M1 frames and the M2 frames and receives the M1 frames and the M2 frames. The client device presents the M1 frames and the M2 frames consecutively at the uniform, predetermined frame rate. The sequence of the M1 frames and the M2 frames has a presentation duration of (M1+M2)/F.

Abstract: A method for providing identity data to network-enabled devices includes receiving a request for identity data from a network-enabled device that is deployed to an end-user. The network-enabled device is pre-provisioned with a PIN, a global key pair, a user-accessible first device identifier, and a second device identifier usable by a service provider delivering a service to the device. The identity data request includes the first and second identifiers, a protected rendition of the PIN, and an encryption key or other data from which an encryption key is derivable. The identifiers, the protected rendition of the PIN, and the encryption key or the other data are signed by a private key in the global key pair. The validity of the PIN included in the request is verified to authenticate the device. If the PIN is valid, identity data for the device is generated, encrypted and sent to the network-enabled device.

Abstract: A process for converting a DTCP-IP transport stream into HLS format, comprising receiving an encrypted DTCP-IP transport stream comprising DTCP frames at a secondary device from a source device, with each of the plurality of DTCP frames comprising encrypted 16-byte portions, forming chunks from the DTCP frames by grouping encrypted 16-byte portions into a chunk, adding HLS padding bytes to the end of each chunk and encrypting the HLS padding bytes to form an encrypted chunk, loading each of the encrypted chunks and a playlist to a media proxy server at the secondary device, loading a DTCP key onto a security proxy server, and providing the playlist, each of the encrypted chunks, and the DTCP key to a native media player on the secondary device, such that the native media player follows the playlist to decrypt the encrypted chunks using the DTCP key and plays back the chunks.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter by compensating for optical dispersion over the fiber optic network.