Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for providing content providers with a secure way to multicast their data flows only to legitimate end users. By making a specific decision for each potentially legitimate end user requesting a specific data flow, differing subscriber profiles may be taken into account. Furthermore, end to end encryption is avoided by having a switch and/or router control the specific data flow to a specific end user. Each end user sends a request DTU to the switch and/or router asking for permission to join a multicast group. The switch and/or router extracts identification data from the request data transmission unit (DTU) and determines whether the requesting end user is cleared for the requested specific data flow. This determination may be made by sending a query DTU containing the identification data to a policy server which checks the identification data against preprogrammed criteria in its databases.

Abstract: Systems and devices for providing multiple video signals simultaneously to an end user. Multiple video tuners are each tuned to a different video signal at a content provider's location. The output of each tuner is then received by a video multiplexer which multiplexes the disparate video signals into a single composite video signal. The resulting composite video signal, which presents the different video signals in a grid pattern with each sector in the grid phoning a different video signal, is then provided with a suitable user interface. The user interface provides such information such as the source of each of the video signals and allows an end user to navigate between the different video signals. The resulting composite video signal with its user interface, is then encoded and transmitted to an end user device by way of a network. An end user, using the end user device, can therefore simultaneously view multiple video signals without the need for switching channels.

Abstract: Methods and devices for navigating locations containing multimedia content. A control device for multimedia access apparatus is equipped with user activatable controls. A dedicated navigation control button, when activated by an end user of the apparatus presents a navigation menu of possible locations which may be accessed by the end user. These locations are presented to the end user regardless of the mode (e.g. TV, Video on Demand, Pay Per View, or the Internet) in which the multimedia access apparatus operating. The end user can then choose a destination from the navigation menu and the apparatus accesses the location selected by the end user, again, regardless of the mode required for the selected location. A dedicated execution control button, when activated, presents an execution menu of possible actions or functions which may be activated by the end user for the particular location the end user is currently accessing.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for providing content providers with a secure way to multicast their data flows only to legitimate end users. By making a specific decision for each potentially legitimate end user requesting a specific data flow, differing subscriber profiles may be taken into account. Furthermore, end to end encryption is avoided by having a switch and/or router control the specific data flow to a specific end user. Each end user sends a request DTU to the switch and/or router asking for permission to join a multicast group. The switch and/or router extracts identification data from the request data transmission unit (DTU) and determines whether the requesting end user is cleared for the requested specific data flow. This determination may be made by sending a query DTU containing the identification data to a policy server which checks the identification data against preprogrammed criteria in its databases.