Abstract: A file allocation system for a hard disk drive includes a memory with driver logic and a processor configured with the driver logic to receive a request to allocate hard disk space of a defined size for a buffer file. In some embodiments, the processor is configured with the driver logic to allocate clusters for the buffer file from a plurality of clusters on the hard disk, wherein the clusters for the buffer file store media content instances. In some embodiments, the processor is configured with the driver logic to designate a portion of the clusters of the buffer file for at least one non-buffer file such that the non-buffer file is permitted to share the portion of the clusters of the buffer file with the buffer file.

Abstract: A system that downloads device drivers for peripheral devices to a media client device includes, among other things, a memory with logic, and a processor configured with the logic to download a peripheral device driver to a media client device in response to a peripheral device interfacing with the media client device.

Abstract: Systems and methods, including methods performed by a processing device, are disclosed herein for filling the unused or blank spaces of a display screen. In one exemplary system, among others, the system comprises a display screen configured to display video images and a display screen controller configured to control the display screen. The display screen controller comprising a device for sampling a plurality of pixels from a stream of video images and a device for calculating an average color of the plurality of sampled pixels. Also, the display screen controller includes a device for adding color bands in unused portions of the display screen, the color bands comprising a color corresponding to the calculated average color. With the present system, the difference between the burn-in pattern of a video image and the unused portions of the display screen is reduced, thereby preserving the integrity of the display screen.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing multicast IP packet bandwidth in a local area network carrying Internet protocol television (IPTV) traffic are disclosed. One embodiment of a system comprises: a layer-2 switch; a slave digital home communication terminal (DHCT); and a master DHCT. The layer-2 switch has a control channel and a plurality of data ports. The slave DHCT is coupled to a first data port of the plurality. The master DHCT is coupled to the layer-2 switch control channel. The master DHCT comprises logic for requesting the layer-2 switch, over the control channel, operate in a first configuration. In the first configuration, the layer-2 switch associates a layer-2 multicast address with the first data port, examines layer-2 multicast packets, and forwards the examined layer-2 multicast packets on the first data port only if the layer-2 destination address is the first layer-2 multicast address.

Abstract: Systems and methods for decoding and processing back-to-back transactions for an addressable cable television tap. The addressable tap includes an input port for receiving an input signal and output ports for providing outgoing signals to receiving equipment and a controller for providing addressable per port (RF) switching. The controller is adapted to communicate with multiple addressable ports. The controller also includes storage for storing the remaining portions of partially processed commands. Further, the addressable tap includes a relay for enabling or disabling signals to the addressable output ports. Processing commands in the addressable tap includes receiving continuous commands having back-to-back transactions, from a headend and forwarding signals to receiving equipment.

Abstract: Quality of service management in a switched digital video environment. The devices in a user's home can be given quality of service priority statuses by a system operator. In the event of oversubscription, the quality of service management allows the user to determine which services will have priority over others if more bandwidth is requested than available.

Abstract: A system is presented having a graphical indicator in an interface screen of an electronic program guide. The graphical indicator is configured to focus a user's attention on a selectable program instance field. The indicator has a length that depends on the duration of the selectable program instance, thereby conveying the start and stop times of the selectable instance. At least one indicator attribute is controllable by the user. For example, the user may control the indicator height, weight, width or brightness.

Abstract: An architecture for providing high-speed access over frequency-division multiplexed (FDM) channels allows transmission of ethernet frames and/or other data across a cable transmission network or other form of FDM transport. The architecture involves downstream and upstream FDM multiplexing techniques to allow contemporaneous, parallel communications across a plurality of frequency channels. Each downstream data flow is fragmented into individual octets that are multiplexed into MPEG packets. An MPEG packet may carry the octets for a plurality of individual data flows. Furthermore, the MPEG packets may be frequency-division multiplexed across and may be contemporaneously communicated over a plurality of frequency channels. Also, the octets from a data flow do not necessarily have to use consecutive octets in an MPEG packet. Instead, consecutive octets in an MPEG packet may carry information for two different data flows.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for transmitting data packets through a communication system. In one of several embodiments, a communication device in the communication system comprises a buffer configured to store a stream of data packets and forward error correction (FEC) code associated with the stream of data packets. The communication device also includes a processor configured to control the transmission of the stream of data packets and FEC code to a receiver device located downstream on the communication system. The processor is further configured to wait a predetermined period of time, after transmitting the stream of data packets and a portion of the FEC code, to determine whether or not the receiver device requests for additional FEC code.

Abstract: Uplink signaling for controlling a plurality of decoders at a remote site. An uplink has a control server for controlling a storage system of the decoders at the remote site. The control server of the uplink controls the storage system by injecting at least one global control stream multiplexed with a transport stream. The transport multiplexed with the global control stream is formed at the uplink for controlling the decoders simultaneously.

Abstract: Included are systems and methods for providing access of test points. An embodiment of a system includes an electrical module including at least one electrical circuit configured to communicate at least one electrical signal, the electrical module further including at least one multiple access test point configured to provide access for measurements of the electrical circuit. Some embodiments include an environmental housing that includes at least one access port, the environmental housing configured to receive the electrical module such that at least one access port provides access to at least one multiple access test point.

Abstract: In a digital network that includes a plurality of devices, which include multiple devices that transmit transport streams, a system and method are provided for discovering and mapping the transport streams and the plurality of devices included in the digital network. One such method sends a transport stream map request to a plurality of network devices. The network devices include a plurality of network transport stream sources and a plurality of network transport stream handlers. The method receives a plurality of replies to the transport stream map request. Each reply includes information associated with the respective network device. The method generates a transport stream map based on the received replies. The transport stream map represents a flow of transport streams among the plurality of network devices.

Abstract: Included are systems and methods for data authentication. At least one embodiment of a system includes a secure processor configured as a physically secure environment, the secure processor further configured to receive a control word from a headend, the secure processor further configured to encrypt the received control word using a first encryption key. Other embodiments of a system includes a transport processor configured to receive the encrypted control word, the transport processor further configured to decrypt the received control word using a first decryption key, wherein the first decryption key is compatible with the first encryption key.

Abstract: In one embodiment a fiber tray include an arrangement of retaining slots configured to receive retaining clips in a variety of different orientations and sizes. Retaining clips may have standardized sizes to correspond with the arrangement of retaining slots and to secure a variety of components to the fiber tray in different locations and orientations. Fiber management means may be provided to guide fiber optic cable from the components in a variety of orientations and locations. The fiber tray may be configured to move between a stowed position within a node housing in which the mounting surface of the tray faces downward and an access position in which the tray faces upward. The tray may be transparent to allow a technician to view the fiber arrangement without moving the tray from the stowed position.

Abstract: A method for protecting contacts within a receptacle housing of a connector assembly from becoming contaminated. An example method includes inserting a connector insert into the receptacle housing, the connector insert includes a body portion having an exterior configured to correspond to at least a portion of the interior of the receptacle housing of the connector assembly. The body portion of the insert includes an opening which extends into the body portion to receive the contacts and protect the contacts from the exterior environment surrounding the receptacle housing when at least a portion of the body portion is received within the receptacle housing.

Abstract: An enclosure assembly for protecting and housing fiber optic cable within fiber optic equipment. The enclosure assembly includes a housing having an open end for detachably receiving a tray. The tray is configured to retain a portion of the length of the fiber optic cable in a coiled manner.

Abstract: An electronic program guide (EPG) having a variable indicator to focus a user's attention upon a corresponding field of a selectable program instance The EPG includes a user interface screen for providing a plurality of television program instances by time and channel in a grid menu. Each television program becomes selectable from the EPG based upon user interaction. The indicator is depicted in association with each television program when it becomes selectable as a result of user interaction. The indicator is configured based upon attributes of the currently selectable program instance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting signals according to service flows are described herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a routing device, such a cable modem, comprises memory configured to store a configuration file. The cable modem also comprises a network port and a plurality of input ports. The network port is configured to communicate with a cable network via a cable modem termination system (CMTS). The input ports are each configured to communicate with a communication device. The configuration file includes logic for defining a service flow for data transmission on the network port based on one or more input ports.

Abstract: A system for controlling viewer access to media content, the system comprising a memory with logic and a processor configured by the logic to provide interactive user interfaces that enable an administrator to positively define media content for access by a user. The processor is further configured by the logic to enable the user to access the media content as defined by the administrator.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for reserve allocation of event data. A request event is received. The request event is associated with memory storing request event data. Memory for response event data is allocated from a first pool. The response event data is associated with a response, and the response is associated with the request. Upon failure of the allocation of memory for the response event data, memory is obtained for out-of-memory response event data. The out-of-memory response event data is associated with the response event. The request event is completed using the response event.