Abstract: A set-top terminal and related methods is provided that, in one embodiment, comprises a memory with proactive reboot logic and a processor configured with the proactive reboot logic to detect an indication of a critical condition associated with the set-top terminal, determine based on a current status of resources in the set-top terminal if a current time provides an opportunity for a reboot of the set-top terminal in a manner that reduces user intrusiveness, and effect a rebooting of the set-top terminal if the current time provides the opportunity, otherwise postponing the reboot.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for electrically connecting a stinger into a network node may include installing a non-conductive force exerting means through a port of a closed node housing of a network node. The method may include extending the force exerting means from outside the node housing to within the interior of the network node and adjusting the force exerting means without accessing the interior of the node housing to exert a force on the conductor of a stinger installed within the interior of the network node to contact and forcibly bring the conductor of the stinger into electrical contact with an interface means installed within the interior of the network node to establish an electrical interface and seize the conductor of the stinger within the interior of the network node.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a communication mode for a communication terminal are provided. An embodiment of a method for implementing a communication mode includes receiving a plurality of messages from a remotely located network control system and implementing one of a plurality of communication modes responsive to the plurality of messages.

Abstract: Switch and MAC layer components are located at a headend and PHY layer components for connecting a plurality of end-user devices are located remotely at nodes. Using SSMII technology, MAC layer ports can communicate with an equal number of PHY layer interface ports serially. Thus, the MAC layer connects to the PHY layer via fiber links, a separate link being used for each direction of traffic data flow. Information data is encoded along with a frame sync signal and a clock signal into a serial stream for transmission across the network. The serial stream is decoded at the other end, and the frame sync signal is extracted to provided timing functionality. This allows full duplex operation with the MAC layer separated from the PHY layer at distances greater than a few inches. Also, user device status may be monitored at the single switch location.

Abstract: An electronic program guide (EPG) having a spotlight effect to focus a user's attention upon a selectable item. The EPG includes a user interface screen for providing a plurality of television programs by time and channel in a grid format. Each television program becomes selectable from the EPG based upon user interaction. The spotlight effect is depicted in association with each television program when it becomes selectable as a result of user interaction. The spotlight effect is defined by non-uniform color which at least partially surrounds and extends from the selectable television program.

Abstract: A system and method for retrieval and transfer of encrypted content from a failed set-top box. When content is recorded to the storage device of a set-top box, the content is encrypted with a content instance key. This content instance key is encrypted with the public key of the set-top box and a duplicate of the content instance key is encrypted by another public key other than the public key of the set-top. In the event the set-top fails, the encrypted content on the storage device may be retrieved from the storage device by decrypting the duplicate content instance key with the private key that corresponds with the public key that encrypted the duplicate of the content instance key.

Abstract: An apparatus in a digital network receives digital packets, such as MPEG packets, included in at least one input transport stream and outputs a plurality of modulated output transport streams. The apparatus determines whether the input transport streams include packets that are for multicasting from a plurality of the modulators included within the apparatus. The apparatus also determines whether the input transport streams include unicast packets that are transmitted from only one of the output modulators of the apparatus. The apparatus identifies the unicast and multicast packets of the input transport streams and associates a modulator for each unicast packet. The associated modulator of a unicast packet is the particular modulator from which the packet is modulated and transmitted. The apparatus also associates a plurality of modulators with each multicast packet, wherein the associated plurality of modulators are the modulators from which the multicast packet is transmitted.

Abstract: A method for providing television functionality includes tracking viewing parameters corresponding to services that are provided to a user, determining a user preference for a viewing parameter, receiving user input requesting television functionality, and providing a user with a result that is responsive to the user input and to the user preference.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for accessing services in a television system. In one embodiment, a DHCT presents a subscriber an EPG presentation containing a plurality of selectable bi-directional services that are purchasable for a period of time and rendered to a buying subscriber on an individualized basis as offered by the cable television system. The subscriber navigates an EPG menu presentation with an input device such as a remote control device and selects a purchasable service by choosing the visual representation that corresponds to the desired service. The DHCT receives the user input, translates the selected command into an executable program call that queries service availability and, if the service is available, initiates the selected bi-directional audiovisual service on a personalized session.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for updating a temperature table for a disk subsystem in a client system using information provided by a server system. In one embodiment, among others, the client receives an update command from the server system. The update command comprises instructions to update the temperature table. The client updates the temperature table in the disk subsystem in accordance with the update command. The client selects one of the write current values in the temperature table based on a disk subsystem temperature, and writes data to the disk subsystem using the selected write current values.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing device drivers, or software drivers, which enable a device, such as a peripheral device, to perform a particular task. One such method, among others, includes receiving a request for a task to be performed by a peripheral device. In response to receiving the request, the method further includes downloading a peripheral device driver that is configured to enable the peripheral device to perform the requested task.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for accessing services in a television system. In one implementation, a DHCT presents a user a menu containing a plurality of selectable link representations corresponding to separate services or applications offered by the cable television system. The user navigates the menu with a remote device and selects a desired service by choosing the selectable link representation corresponding to the desired service or application. The DHCT receives the user input, translates the selectable link command into an executable call, and activates the service or application corresponding to the selected link representation from the menu chosen by the user.

Abstract: A transmitter (305) for transmitting reverse optical signals in a broadband communications system (300) that includes a converter (320) for digitizing the analog RF signals and a carrier-detect circuit (330) coupled to the converter (320) for detecting when digital RF signals are present at the output of the converter (320). When the carrier-detect circuit (330) detects digital RF signals, the carrier-detect circuit (330) allows the digital RF signals to be transmitted upstream through the broadband communications system (300). A digital network (310) then combines the received digital RF signals with other digital RF signals from additional transmitters (305). The combined digital signals are then provided to a receiver (315) that includes a converter (335) for returning the digital RF signals to analog RF signals and then providing the analog signals to a headend for further processing.

Abstract: A back-up power supply system includes, in one embodiment, a threshold detector circuit; a first switching circuit for enabling access to a back-up power source, the first switching circuit comprising at least a first transistor; and an inverting switch coupled between the first switching circuit and the threshold detector circuit, the inverting switch comprising an input and an output, the inverting switch configured to receive a signal at the input, invert the signal, and provide the inverted signal from the output to the first switching circuit, the inverting switch further comprising a delay circuit, the delay circuit configured to provide a substantially-immediate high-output during an off-to-on transition at the output of the inverting switch and a switching delay during an on-to-off transition at the output of the inverting switch, the inverting switch comprising a first resistive branch in parallel to a second branch comprising the delay circuit, the first resistive branch and the second branch connec

Abstract: A system and method for retrieval and transfer of encrypted content from a first set-top box utilizing a second set-top box. When content is recorded to the storage device of the first set-top box, the content is encrypted with a content instance key. This content instance key is encrypted with the public key of the first set-top box and a duplicate of the content instance key is encrypted by the public key of the second set-top box. The encrypted content on the storage device may be retrieved by decrypting the duplicate content instance key with the private key that corresponds with the public key of the second set-top box that encrypted the duplicate of the content instance key.

Abstract: A system and method for encrypting and recording content to removable storage media for use by multiple set-tops. When content is recorded to the storage media, the content is encrypted with a content instance key. This content instance key is encrypted with the public key of one set-top box and a duplicate of the content instance key is encrypted with the public key of another set-top box. Either set-top box may decrypt the content instance key with the private key that corresponds with its public key so that the encrypted content from the removable storage media may be made available in the clear.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an optical receiver including an open loop automatic gain control (AGC) circuit. Optical signals received by the optical receiver are converted to electrical signals via a photodiode. The electrical signals are subsequently amplified through an input and an output amplifier stage. The amplified signal is then converted to RF signals and provided to an output port for further transmission. Concurrently, the AGC circuit senses the input optical power level at the input photodiode. The input optical power level is compared with a reference voltage, thereby providing a difference voltage. The difference voltage is applied to input and output amplifier stages for correcting the electrical signals to ensure a constant output power level.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing reverse signals from a plurality of DHCTs to a downstream modulator that is located in the headend facility. The present invention includes a single wire return device (SWRD) that receives RF modulated signals, dynamically determines the address of the associated modulator, and converts the signals into Ethernet signals. The Ethernet signals are subsequently provided to the headend facility via fiber cable.

Abstract: Multiplexing of information from a plurality of information flows into fixed-length packets such as, but not limited to, MPEG packets allows efficient utilization of bandwidth and also can be used to reduce transmission latency. In addition, utilizing MPEG packets and transport streams for octet multiplexing allows the packets carrying octet-multiplexed data to easily be integrated with other MPEG packets for other services that are commonly found in cable transmission networks of all coax, hybrid fiber coax, and/or all fiber. Moreover, the multiplexing techniques described herein will work in both wired (or constrained media) and wireless (or free-space propagation) environments. The multiplexing/demultiplexing of octets using MPEG packets generally is described by mappings that specify the use of octets in MPEG packets. Changes to allocations in a map generally should be propagated in a way that reliably ensures that both the transmitter and receiver have a consistent view of the octet mappings.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing a time-shift buffer (TSB) that is used for buffering video presentations. One such method includes receiving user input identifying a storage capacity for the TSB and modifying a storage capacity of the TSB such that it is at least substantially equal to the storage capacity identified by the user input.