Abstract: A system and method for managing performance of a mobile device. A current runtime list and a measure of performance are determined. A request to execute a new application not on the current runtime list is received. A determination is made whether executing the new application will cause the performance measure to be equal to or less than a threshold level. When executing the new application will not cause the performance measure to be equal to or less than a threshold level, the request to execute the new application is granted. When executing the new application will cause the performance measure to be equal to or less than a threshold level, the request to execute the new application is declined.

Abstract: A system and method for determining network relationships with unreliable data. An identifier of an addressable network element may be associated with a non-addressable network element. A first set of data is generated that associates a first identifier of each of a plurality of first addressable network elements in the network to one of a plurality of non-addressable network elements in the network to which the first addressable network elements are connected. A second data is generated that associates the first identifier of each of the plurality of the first addressable network elements to one of a plurality of second identifiers of a second addressable network element. When at least a threshold measure of the first set of first identifiers matches the second set of first identifiers, the second identifier is associated with the non-addressable network element.

Abstract: A system and method for commanding a controlled device. An intelligent navigation server detects a transition from a current state of a remote control device. A context for transition is also determined. The current state, the new current state and the context are evaluated to select a set of commands appropriate to the context and the new current state. The selected commands determine behavior options for the controlled device. The set of selected commands are sent to the remote control device. Text and/or graphical data appropriate to the new current state may also be sent to the remote control device. The remote control device may generate display data based on the selected commands to provide one or more soft buttons linked to one or more of the selected commands. The remote control device may also display the text and/or graphical data.

Abstract: An application is signaled to a host device using descriptors incorporated into an application information table. Only applications intended for a certain host device are downloaded to that host device. The descriptors allow the host to identify applications that are addressed to the host based on attributes of the host. When addressing is performed at the level of an application, the application signaling is accomplished using a single application information table and the evaluation of logical parameters against selected host attributes to identify all of the applications addressed to the host. When addressing is performed at the level of a table, multiple tables are evaluated using logical parameters applied to selected host attributes to determine which table is addressed to the host. Addressing conflicts are resolved using priority measures assigned to selected host attributes.

Abstract: A system and method for commanding a controlled device. An intelligent navigation server detects a transition from a current state of a remote control device. A context for transition is also determined. The current state, the new current state and the context are evaluated to select a set of commands appropriate to the context and the new current state. The selected commands determine behavior options for the controlled device. The set of selected commands are sent to the remote control device. Text and/or graphical data appropriate to the new current state may also be sent to the remote control device. The remote control device may generate display data based on the selected commands to provide one or more soft buttons linked to one or more of the selected commands. The remote control device may also display the text and/or graphical data.

Abstract: A cross-platform advertising system utilizes viewing data, browsing data, and telephone call data to establish subscriber account profile and, optionally, user profiles for users at the subscriber account. An ad selection processor selects ads based on subscriber account profile and, optionally, the user profile. An ad delivery processor delivers the selected ads to a device associated with the subscriber account.

Abstract: A system and method for managing the delivery of targeted content. When a user desires to opt-out of receiving targeted content, the user registers with a do-not-target (DNT) registry and is issued a DNT cookie. The DNT cookie is a domain cookie that is stored on a user network access device. A provider of targeted content may look for the DNT cookie stored on the user's network access device. When the DNT cookie is not found, then the provider may deliver targeted content to the user. When the DNT cookie is found, then the provider may not deliver targeted content to the user. A Web site may offer the user an “override” cookie that allows that Web site to provide targeted content, or selected targeted content, even when the user has a DNT cookie. Alternatively, a DNT header can be added to a Web page request that indicates that the user does not want to receive targeted content. The DNT header may be overridden by an override cookie.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically configuring a switched digital video (SDV) system. An SDV server is configured to generate logs, including logs of program information, stream information and client information. A listener is configured to monitor the logs generated by the SDV server, generate state data indicative of a desired state of the SDV system, and generate state data indicative of an actual state of the SDV system. The listener compares the desired state data to the actual state data and determines whether the actual state data in view of the desired state data are indicative of an aberrant state of the SDV system. When the actual state data are indicative of an aberrant state of the SDV system, the listener determines a remedial action to change the operation of the SDV system and configures the SDV server to implement the remedial action.

Abstract: A system and method for determining entitlement to content residing on a server. A subscriber computing device operated by a subscriber generates a request for access to a requested content residing on a content access provider server. The subscriber has an account with a multi-channel video program distributor (MVPD) and the account comprises subscription information indicative of the services provided by the MVPD to the subscriber. The content request is received by the content access provider and forwarded to an entitlements server. The entitlement determines whether the subscriber is entitled to receive the requested content based on the subscription information and sends an access granted message to the content access provider server when the subscriber is entitled to receive the requested content.

Abstract: In response to a request initiated by a user at a user terminal, selected entertainment programming content, when broadcast, is recorded at a location remote from the user terminal. The request is communicated through a communications network, e.g., cable TV network, which is also used for transmission of entertainment programming content to user terminals. The recorded programming content is stored in a storage space at the remote location, which is allocated to the user terminal. In response to a review request from the user terminal, the recorded programming content is retrieved from the storage space allocated thereto, and transmitted to the user terminal through the communications network. The presentation of the recorded programming content may be manipulated by the user to perform rewinding, pausing and fast-forwarding thereon.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for logging, analysis, and reporting of events such as reboots in a client device (e.g., consumer premises equipment in a cable network) using applications. In one aspect, an improved event logging and monitoring system is provided within the device with which the application(s) can interface to record event or error data. In one exemplary embodiment, the client device comprises a digital set-top box having Java-enabled middleware adapted to implement the various functional aspects of the event logging system, which registers to receive event notifications (including resource exhaustion data) from other applications running on the device. The network operator can also optionally control the operation of the logging system remotely via a network agent. Improved client device and network configurations, as well as methods of operating these systems, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A telephone subscriber registers with a digital telephone service provider (DTSP) to obtain telephone service. The telephone subscriber also registers with an instant messaging service provider (IMSP) and receives a screen name. The telephone subscriber registers the screen name with the DTSP to receive caller identifying information (CID) via instant messaging (IM) (sometimes referred to herein as “CID IM service”). When a call to the telephone number of the telephone subscriber is received at a switch operated by the DTSP, the DTSP confirms that the telephone subscriber has registered a screen name with the DTSP and then sends the caller identification information to the IMSP. The IMSP then sends an instant message containing the caller identification information to the telephone subscriber's instant message client.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing a rule for an end device connected to a subscriber network. The subscriber network is connected to a service provider network via a local gateway. The subscriber network receives services from a remote operations center via a service provider network. Capability information indicative of a service that the end device is capable of receiving is acquired by the local gateway from the end device. The capability information is sent to the remote operations center via the service provider network. The remote operations center uses the capability information to identify a subscriber service that is supported by the end device. The remote operations center uses the capability information to determine if the end device requires an application to provide a service and, if so, provides the application to the end device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sharing a payload among mobile devices in a wireless network. A first mobile device is configured to communicate with an access device via a first wireless path and with a media gateway server via a second wireless path. One or more other mobile devices are configured to communicate with the media gateway server via the second wireless path and with the first mobile device via a third wireless path. A payload is received at the first mobile device from the access device via the first wireless path and is partitioned into portions. One portion is assigned to the first mobile device, and the remaining portions are assigned to each of the one or more other mobile devices. The assigned payload portions are sent to the media gateway server via the second wireless path. The assigned payload portions are received at the media gateway server, and the payload is reconstructed from the received payload portions. The payload is sent to a destination address via a network.

Abstract: A “trusted domain” is established within which content received from a communications network, e.g., a cable TV network, is protected from unauthorized copying thereof, in accordance with the invention. In an illustrative embodiment, the trusted domain includes a device associated with a user which receives content from the cable TV network. The content may be encrypted using a content key in accordance, e.g., with a 3DES encryption algorithm before it is stored in the device. In addition, a first encrypted content key version and a second encrypted content key version are generated by respectively encrypting the content key with a public key associated with the device and another public key associated with the user, in accordance with public key cryptography. The first and second encrypted content key versions are stored in association with the encrypted content in the device storage.

Abstract: The detection of devices with duplicate media access controller (MAC) addresses in a cable network may be accomplished by reference to a value indicative of a DOCSIS version supported by the device or by reference to a having a MAC address/giaddr pair. Where a version value is used, the detection of devices having duplicate MAC addresses looks for changes in the reported version value from a higher version to a lower version. Where MAC address/giaddr pairs are used, a centralized storage of historical cable modem MAC address/giaddr pair data is used to identify cable modems (CM's) that report duplicate MAC addresses. If duplication is detected, an appropriate remedial response is taken.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selecting, purchasing and delivering content to users of a network so that the user has “virtual” ownership of and access to the content, thereby obviating the need for physical media (e.g., DVDs or CDs). In an exemplary embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network, and on-demand (OD) sessions or broadcast modes are used to deliver the virtual content stored at the head-end (or hub site) to the requesting owner. The purchased content is associated with one or more users when stored, thereby providing the owner(s) unlimited access thereto, without the costs and effort associated with renting/purchasing and maintaining DVDs. The content may also comprise new release content, which would otherwise not be available over the network at that time but for the purchase and delivery mechanisms of the invention. Various other complementary features for enhancing the user's virtual ownership experience are also disclosed.

Abstract: A subscriber access control system (SACS) configures a network device connected to cable network to affect the behavior of that device. The SACS comprises a rules engine and a datastore that stores the current state of subscribers known to the SACS and historical request information. When the SACS receives a request to quarantine a device, it assigns attributes to a subscriber record accessed by a DHCP server to affect the configuration and behavior of that device. The actual behavior of the quarantined device is determined by the presence of the attribute and the value of the attribute.

Abstract: In an entertainment service providing on-demand programs over a broadband communications network, a user is allowed to view multiple programs in a continuous manner. The user's enjoyment of the entertainment service is enhanced especially when the on-demand programs are short, e.g., on-demand music videos which typically are a few minutes long. The user is provided with graphical user interfaces for selecting the desired programs to watch, and also allowed to determine the order in which the selected programs are to be played, which may be random.

Abstract: A system and method for creating, scheduling, and managing time slots for installation appointments. Embodiments of the present invention permit a trading partner to offer a customer the ability to schedule installation of cable services on-line. A cable operator maintains an inventory of time slots. One or more time slots from the time slot inventory are offered to a customer based on ordering information received from the customer. A customer selects a time slot from the one or more offered time slots. A cable operator then assigns an installation appointment to the customer within the time slot selected by the customer. A cable operator may also determine the status of the inventory of time slots (e.g., time slots allocated, time slots consumed, and time slots available) for a system, a location, or a trading partner.