Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed. One embodiment is a method of synchronizing media streams among a plurality of digital home communication terminals (DHCTs). The method comprises the steps of: decoding a stream of encoded media frames; receiving an indication of a desired playout time; determining a variation between the target playout time and the desired playout time; and adjusting the decoder playout speed to reduce the variation. At least a first portion of the frames have a target playout time conveyed in the stream. The indication of desired playout time is received for at least a second portion of the frames.

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: Systems and methods of assembling an elementary stream from an encapsulated multimedia transport stream are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method is performed in a digital home communication terminal (DHCT). This method comprises the steps of: receiving a layer-2 packet through a binding to a network interface driver; applying at least one filter to the received packet to determine whether the received packet contains one or more multimedia transport packets meeting criteria associated with the filter; and for each multimedia transport packet meeting the applied filter criteria, copying the respective multimedia transport packet to an elementary stream buffer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for signal conversion with smart multitap are disclosed. Embodiments of the systems can be scalable to model different signal topologies, transmission frequencies, bandwidths, and distances. An exemplary embodiment of the systems and methods includes a fiber optic to RF converter and a smart multitap. Although a fiber optic to RF converter is used in exemplary embodiments throughout the disclosure, conversion between other signal topologies is within the scope of the disclosure. The smart multitap includes a multiple tap for distributing a signal to multiple terminals and a microprocessor to select a particular terminal for a signal. Exemplary embodiments include downstream implementations in which a stream is typically sent from a service provider server to a user. Alternative embodiments include downstream implementations as well as upstream implementations in which a user typically sends a stream to a service provider server.

Abstract: A digital media device having selectable media content storage locations, and associated methods, are disclosed. One exemplary method includes displaying a plurality of instances of media content available to be stored to a plurality of storage locations associated with a digital media device in a graphical user interface provided by the digital media device and receiving a user selection of an instance of media content from the plurality of instances of media content displayed in the graphical user interface. The exemplary method further includes displaying, in response to receiving the user selection of the instance of media content from the plurality of instances of media content, a selection of one of the plurality of storage locations to which to store the selected instance of media content. The method further includes receiving a user selection of one the plurality of storage locations to which to store the selected instances of media content.

Abstract: Included are systems and methods for testing functionality of a set top terminal (STT). At least one embodiment of a method includes retrieving a test pattern from a storage device, the test pattern being configured to facilitate testing of at least one component of the STT, decoding the retrieved test pattern, and converting the decoded test pattern to at least one analog signal.

Abstract: Included are systems and methods for performing an internal operations test to a set top terminal (STT). At least one embodiment of a method includes creating a test pattern for testing video functionality of the STT, sending the created test pattern to a digital encoder, and converting the test pattern to an analog signal.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system that receives speech commands at a remote control device microphone, digitizes those input speech commands, compresses the digitized speech commands, multiplexes control commands with the compressed digitized speech commands, and transmits the compressed digitized speech commands to an electronic device, such as a digital home communication terminal (DCHT). The electronic device decompresses and interprets the speech commands to allow the remote control operator to control the electronic device. Because speech recognition is performed at the electronic device, rather than at the remote control device, the remote control does not have to interpret and transmit infrared signals that represent user commands. This simplifies the processing and voice recognition capabilities required by the remote control.

Abstract: An internal seizure assembly for providing connectivity with a conductor of a stinger without having access to the seizure assembly itself from the exterior. The seizure assembly includes a seizure lock nut for securing the seizure assembly within an opening within the interior of a housing. A seizure holder for receives a plunger therethrough and the plunger urges the conductor of the stinger into electrical contact with the seizure lock nut. In one embodiment, the plunger has an end keyed to the bottom of the opening in the housing to prevent the plunger from turning.

Abstract: Systems and methods for signal conversion with smart multitap are disclosed. Embodiments of the systems can be scalable to model different signal topologies, transmission frequencies, bandwidths, and distances. An exemplary embodiment of the systems and methods includes a fiber optic to RF converter and a smart multitap. Although a fiber optic to RF converter is used in exemplary embodiments throughout the disclosure, conversion between other signal topologies is within the scope of the disclosure. The smart multitap includes a multiple tap for distributing a signal to multiple terminals and a microprocessor to select a particular terminal for a signal. Exemplary embodiments include downstream implementations in which a stream is typically sent from a service provider server to a user. Alternative embodiments include downstream implementations as well as upstream implementations in which a user typically sends a stream to a service provider server.

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: Systems and methods for signal conversion with smart multitap are disclosed. Embodiments of the systems can be scalable to model different signal topologies, transmission frequencies, bandwidths, and distances. An exemplary embodiment of the systems and methods includes a fiber optic to RF converter and a smart multitap. Although a fiber optic to RF converter is used in exemplary embodiments throughout the disclosure, conversion between other signal topologies is within the scope of the disclosure. The smart multitap includes a multiple tap for distributing a signal to multiple terminals and a microprocessor to select a particular terminal for a signal. Exemplary embodiments include downstream implementations in which a stream is typically sent from a service provider server to a user. Alternative embodiments include downstream implementations as well as upstream implementations in which a user typically sends a stream to a service provider server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for profiling power cycle characteristics in a device powered at least by a battery are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: detecting a series of power cycle events, examining the series of power cycle events for at least one indication of reduced life of the battery; storing the indication; and notifying a user of the device about the indication. Each power cycle event indicates a transition between line power and battery power.

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: Disclosed herein are circuits and methods for reducing a thermally dependent gain swing. Exemplary embodiments include a resonant notch filter in parallel with a thermistor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for correcting errors. In one embodiment, among others, a method comprises receiving a plurality of error indications from a plurality of respective receivers. The receivers are configured to receive a data stream of packets transmitted within a multicast channel. Each error indication indicates which ones of a number of the packets were not received. The method further comprises analyzing the error indications to determine a first set of receivers to which forward error correction (FEC) code is transmitted and a second set of receivers to which unicast data is transmitted.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing time-shift buffering in a digital media recording device are disclosed. One embodiment of a method comprises receiving media content through at least a first tuner of the digital media recording device, the media content comprising at least a first instance of media content received consecutive to a second instance of media content. The method further includes directing the first instance of media content into a first time-shift buffer, the first instance of the media content received through the first tuner of the digital media recording device. After directing the first instance of the media content into the first time-shift buffer, the second instance of media content is directed into one of the first time-shift buffer and a second time-shift buffer while continuing to direct media content received through the first tuner of the digital media recording device into the first time-shift buffer for at least a predetermined duration of time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for applying media retention rules are disclosed. One embodiment of a method for applying media retention rules comprises recording instances of media content to a first storage medium associated with a digital media recorder, detecting that a second storage medium is available for storing and maintaining additional instances of media content associated with the digital media recorder and, at a time after detecting that the second storage medium is available for storing and maintaining additional instances of media content, determining at least one of the instances of media content stored to the first storage medium or second storage medium can be deleted based on a retention policy that applies selected media retention rules associated with the instances of media content based on the storage medium to which the media content is stored.

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: Included are systems and methods for providing access. At least one embodiment of a system includes a host configured to receive at least one tool for providing conditional access and a secure processor configured to receive conditional access logic. Some embodiments of the conditional access logic are configured to send at least one configuration message for configuring the at least one tool at the host component for operation with the received access logic.