Abstract: A method for allowing user selection of interactive video software components in a television STB operatively coupled to a video content network includes the steps of: affording the user a selection of interactive video software components to run on the set-top box; and loading selected interactive video software components onto the set-top box. The selected interactive video software components are delivered from a remote node over the video content network to which the STB is coupled.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for optimizing network bandwidth utilization by delivering to users only the minimum number of programs required by service provider policies. In one embodiment, the method comprises switching some users from lower quality versions of programs to higher quality versions of the same programs, and removing those lower quality versions of programs from a given service group. In another embodiment, some users are switched from higher quality versions of programs to lower quality versions of those same programs, and the higher quality versions of programs removed from a given service group.

Abstract: A MAC-to-IP system receives IP and/or MAC lease information of network end-points from one or more DHCP servers providing services to a region of a multi-system subscriber access network. The lease information includes the MAC and IP addresses of devices that can be provisioned by a DHCP server serving the particular region as well as lease expiration information (i.e., time and date). The lease information can be extracted from issued leases and does not affect the issuance of leases by the DHCP server. A DNS-to-MAC-to-IP query interface receives a DNS lookup request for a network end-point from a network device and converts the DNS lookup request into a MAC-to-IP database query. Data is obtained from the MAC-to-IP database to fulfill the DNS lookup request and DNS lookup response is created and sent to the requesting network device.

Abstract: A system and method for determining if DOCSIS-enabled devices connected to an HFC cable network are co-located. Subscriber account data is acquired to determine the DEDs associated with a subscriber account. The MAC address of a DED is used to obtain the MAC domain to which the DED is assigned and a ranging offset value associated with the DED. An alert is issued if multiple DEDs associated with a subscriber account are associated with different MAC domains. The alert signifies that DEDs associated with the account are not co-located. Where DEDs associated with an account are associated with the same MAC domain, the normalized ranging offset values associated with the subscriber's DEDs are compared to determine if the difference in any two ranging offset values exceeds a predetermined threshold. If the difference in any two ranging offset values exceeds a predetermined threshold, an alert is issued. The alert again signifies that DEDs associated with the account are not co-located.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing a dynamic domain name system (DDNS). Updated domain name information is received at a first datastore and sent to a second datastore. Updated domain name information is also received at the second datastore and sent to the first datastore. Either datastore determines whether the other datastore is available to receive the updated domain name information. If the receiving datastore is not available, the sending datastore waits until the receiving datastore is available. The first datastore is connected to a first master DNS server and the second datastore is connected to a second master DNS server. The first and second master servers share an IP address. When a request for domain name information is received at a router, the request is sent to a master DNS server selected from the first and second master DNS servers using the shared IP address. A master DNS server is selected to respond to the DNS request only if that master server is able to respond to the request.

Abstract: A telephone service interface (TSI) for accessing a network connection from the subscriber side of a network interface device. A TSI modular plug is adapted to mate with the security monitoring system jack. The TSI jack is connected to a TSI modular plug via first and second conductors. The first conductor establishes a first circuit between contact 1 on the TSI modular plug and contact 1 on the TSI jack and wherein the second conductor establishes a second circuit between contact 8 on the TSI modular plug and contact 8 on the TSI jack. First and second leads are connected to contact 4 and contact 5 of the TSI jack. The TSI jack receives the security monitoring system connection plug from the security monitoring system. The security monitoring system is connected to the telephone service provider network NID via contacts 4 and 5 of the security monitoring system connection plug.

Abstract: A fault isolation system and method. A hierarchical numbering system is applied to devices within a subscriber network. The number system comprises a continuously concatenated string that provides a relative location of each active device with a subscriber network. The numbering system provides “genealogical” information about network devices and their location with the network and facilitates the correlation of non-responsive CPE data with faults in network devices.

Abstract: An STB analysis system comprises an STB checker client and an STB analysis server. The STB checker client comprises an STB query interface to communicate with the STB analysis server to acquire information indicative of the operational status of an STB and to display the information graphically. A user requests data relating to a particular STB by entering the MAC address of an STB into a query field. The STB checker client interacts with an STB analysis server to acquire information relating to the subscriber associated with the STB MAC address, the services authorized for the STB, and data indicative of the status and performance of the STB. In addition, the STB analysis server interacts with the STB operating system to retrieve diagnostic data from the STB logs. The STB checker client further is adapted to permit remotely resetting the STB regardless of its current status.

Abstract: A personal video recording (PVR) system and method for allocating limited memory space to multiple users for recording programming content. A selected amount of storage space for storing programing content is allocated for each PVR user. Based on a storage priority protocol, such storage space allocation may change (i.e., increase or decrease) dynamically for additional PVR users. Further, the accessibility of recorded programming content by one or more PVR users and viewing thereof may be subject to different access rights accorded to the users. Based on predetermined storage access and content access protocols associated with each PVR user, certain restrictions may be placed on one or more of these users. For example, a first restriction may relate to the type of programming content that can be recorded or displayed by the PVR for specific user(s). A second restriction may limit designated users from accessing programming content that is stored but associated with another user.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for optimizing network bandwidth utilization by delivering to users only the minimum number of programs required by service provider policies. In one embodiment, the method comprises switching some users from lower quality versions of programs to higher quality versions of the same programs, and removing those lower quality versions of programs from a given service group. In another embodiment, some users are switched from higher quality versions of programs to lower quality versions of those same programs, and the higher quality versions of programs removed from a given service group.

Abstract: The present invention teaches methods and systems for subscriber blocking of unauthorized network traffic in a cable data network. The cable modem termination system (CMTS) incorporates a data gateway agent that filters unauthorized traffic thereby eliminating consumption based subscribers from being responsible for related service charges. Embodiments incorporate the use of packet filtering, hybrid stateful packet filtering, content filtering, application layer filtering and time based filtering. Greater acceptance of consumption based billing is achieved by having the filter settings directed by the subscriber.

Abstract: To effectively utilize the bandwidth of a cable TV network, which is limited, analog TV program material is digitized and compressed before its transmission over the network. The resulting signals consume only part of the analog TV band traditionally needed for transmission of the analog TV program material. The newly available bandwidth in the analog TV band may be utilized for other cable TV services, e.g., video-on-demand (VOD) services. A reception gateway is employed at a user location to frequency-translate any VOD signals, transmitted through the analog TV band, to another frequency band, thereby avoiding disturbing the normal operation of a set-top terminal in receiving the analog TV program material through the analog TV band at the user location.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for optimizing network bandwidth utilization by delivering to users only the minimum number of programs required by service provider policies. In one embodiment, the method comprises switching some users from lower quality versions of programs to higher quality versions of the same programs, and removing those lower quality versions of programs from a given service group. In another embodiment, some users are switched from higher quality versions of programs to lower quality versions of those same programs, and the higher quality versions of programs removed from a given service group.

Abstract: Telephone numbering data comprising an NPA code associated with an NXX code that is associated with a rate center identifier is received at a dial plan instruction writer. Local call data relative to a home rate center is also received. The local call data determine whether a call originating in the home rate center is charged as a local call, a toll call, or a long distance call. Routing rules to be applied to a called telephone number originating from the home rate center are determined based on the telephone numbering data and the local call data. Instructions executable by the telephone switch that implement the routing rules are generated.

Abstract: A video content network having a plurality of program channels is operated, and a target time slot for an enhanced advertisement is identified. At least some of the plurality of program channels have programs scheduled during the target time slot. The target time slot is signaled to a plurality of terminals connected to the video content network. Each of the terminals is viewing a given one of the program channels prior to the signaling. Responsive to the signaling, the programs scheduled during the target time slot are effectively paused at a program time corresponding to a beginning of the time slot, and the enhanced advertisement is caused to be displayed on the terminals. Responsive to an end of the enhanced advertisement, the programs scheduled during the target time slot are resumed at the program time corresponding to the beginning of the time slot.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for delivering data including graphical components to user terminals through a communications network, e.g., a cable TV network. In one embodiment, multiple versions of a graphical component of a program guide, each formatted for a respective aspect ratio of a user's TV, are generated. On the other hand, a single version of non-graphical program guide data may also be generated. A data stream containing the non-graphical data and the multiple versions of the graphical component is transmitted to set-top terminals in the network via a transmission channel. If a graphical component is desired, the set-top terminal retrieves from the data stream a selected version of the graphical component that is compatible with the aspect ratio of the TV to which it is connected.

Abstract: A system and method for programming a digital video recorder (DVR) over a scheduling network. Program schedule information is provided to a user of a DVR via the scheduling network. A program selection is received from the scheduling client associated with a subscriber via the scheduling network. State information indicative of a state of a program provisioning system is used to determine whether the program selection is deliverable to the DVR via the program provisioning system. If the program selection is deliverable to the DVR via the program provisioning system, then the program is scheduled for recording by the DVR. The subscriber is notified if the program selection is deliverable or undeliverable.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing a return path in a cable television test environment. A cable television test environment comprising a plurality of head-ends connected to a plurality of set top boxes through a one-way forward matrix switch having “M” inputs and “N” outputs is adapted to provide a reverse path for each of the available “N” outputs. A low band reverse signal is received from each of a plurality of set top boxes. The low band reverse signal from each of the plurality of set top boxes is combined to produce a composite signal. The composite signal is split into a plurality of composite signal sources. Each of the composite signal sources is sent to each of the plurality of head-ends (M) via the transmission means connecting that head-end to the matrix switch. The low band composite QPSK signal from the source diplexer travels in the reverse direction to the head-end. Each head-end is assigned a unique set of frequencies for return communications from the STBs serviced by that head-end.

Abstract: A fault location system (FLS) for a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable network. The FLS comprises an interactive map, a datastore, an object generator, and a display server. The datastore receives identifying information and status information of customer premises equipment (CPE) units connected to the HFC cable network. The object generator associates the identifying information and the status of CPE units with an object and further associates graphical attributes with the object. The display server graphically displays the object on the interactive map at location coordinates indicative of the street address, and graphically displays the object according to its graphical attributes. When used with a processor, the FLS applies algorithms to non-responsive CPE units selected from the interactive map to identify possible common sources of a fault.

Abstract: A digital video program is obtained. The program includes: (i) at least one broadcast segmentation message specifying at least one location for at least one broadcast advertisement, and (ii) at least one time-shifted segmentation message specifying at least one location for at least one time-shifted advertisement. The program is broadcast with at least one broadcast advertisement in accordance with the at least one broadcast segmentation message, and is made available to a subscriber at a time after the broadcasting, with at least one time-shifted advertisement in accordance with the at least one time-shifted segmentation message.