Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing an alternate content delivery mechanism available to content-based network users. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable television network, and subscribers are able to retrieve requested content from one or more other subscriber's storage medium and without going outside the cable network (or accessing the network core in any significant capacity) using a peer-to-peer (P2P) network protocol. Using this approach, bandwidth consumption is advantageously pushed out to the edge of the network from the core, also obviating content requests outside the network (e.g., to third-party servers on the Internet). Methods of operating the aforementioned P2P network, and various business paradigms relating thereto, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of discovering and registering with a WiFi controller by a wireless access point that can provide location awareness in the WiFi controller discovery and registration process. The systems and methods employ a DNS server that can receive a DNS query containing the FQDN of a WiFi controller from an access point, and compare the FQDN of the WiFi controller and the source IP address of the DNS query against a mapping table, which maps FQDNs of WiFi controllers and ranges of source IP addresses of DNS queries to groups of WiFi controllers. By comparing the FQDN of the WiFi controller and the source IP address against the mapping table, the DNS server can resolve the FQDN to IP addresses of a group of WiFi controllers, which can belong to a particular broadband service provider, and/or serve a target market of mobile subscribers located within a geographical area.

Abstract: A technique for securely transferring content from a first device in a first layer to a second device in a second layer. In one embodiment, the first device is a device in a trusted domain and the second device is outside of the trusted domain. Transfer of protected content to another device may require authentication of the receiving device. A rights file which specifies the rights of the receiving device to use the protected content, according to its security level is also transferred. These rights may concern, e.g., the number of times the receiving device may transfer the protected content to other devices, the time period within which the receiving device may play the protected content, etc. The higher the security level of the receiving device, the more rights accorded thereto. A minimum security level requirement may be imposed in order for protected content to be transferred to a device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selecting and delivering advertising or promotional content based on, e.g., the attributes of a desired demographic. In one embodiment, the invention enhances advertising or promotional penetration into a particular demographic of a network subscriber pool by correlating the advertising/promotion (and even the contextual program content) with specific users or groups of users within the pool. This approach decouples the advertising or promotion from any given program or lineup, and gives the network operator flexibility in deciding where, when, and how often to insert advertisements or promotions in order to achieve the desired result. Dynamic network architectures such as broadcast switched architectures can also be leveraged to further enhance flexibility and targeting precision. In effect, the network advertising or promotion model is made results-driven (versus program-centric).

Abstract: A DVR controller in network communication with a digital video recorder receives an instruction from a user directing the digital video recorder to perform a function among a set of available functions. The set of available functions comprises a record function operative to cause the digital video recorder to record content and store that content on the digital video recorder, and a playback function operative to cause the digital video recorder to play back content stored on the digital video recorder. Subsequently, at least in part in response to the instructions from the user, the DVR controller issues a command to the digital video recorder to perform the function. The digital video recorder is operative to present content on a presentation device controlled by the user. The DVR controller, in turn, is remotely disposed from the digital video recorder in a facility of a content provider.

Abstract: A configuration resource automatically synchronizes configuration settings associated with one or more communication resources disposed in a respective subscriber domain. For example, a communication resource such as communication device operated by the subscriber initiates a change to configuration settings associated with a first communication resource disposed in a subscriber domain. The first communication resource notifies the auto-configuration resource of the new configuration settings applied to the first communication resource. The auto-configuration resource identifies one or more other communication resources disposed in the subscriber domain.

Abstract: A content manager receives a request to display a content guide of available content. In response to receiving the request, the content manager initiates display of the content guide on a display screen. In the displayed content guide, the content manager initiates display of multiple selectable content viewing options. A first selectable channel viewing option of the multiple content viewing options can be configured to correspond to a television channel from which to view content originating from a content sponsor. A second channel viewing option of the multiple content viewing options can be configured to correspond to an auxiliary channel with respect to the television channel from which to access available over-the-top content associated with the content originating from the content sponsor. Accordingly, a user can be easily notified of the availability of content on a television channel and over-the-top content associated with the television channel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting and correlating content consumption, e.g., viewing of programs and/or accessing websites, across platforms of different types are described. Content consumption, e.g., requests and/or streaming is monitored and recorded on a per subscriber basis for a wide variety of platforms, e.g., set boxes, IP content playback devices such as cell phones or pad devices with IP streaming support, and/or other devices. Web site access and corresponding content consumption is determined based on DNS requests thereby avoiding the need for monitoring at web site servers and allowing centralized monitoring of web site access operations in the form of DNS requests to be detected by a Web service provider who, at least in some embodiments, is also a content provider.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing reduced channel switching delays in a content distribution network. In one embodiment, switching delays are reduced by caching background content at reduced quality and/or resolution. A manager entity is provided which manages which, and how many, background channels are cached. Additionally, the manager entity may classify each device in the network according a status thereof. When a particular device is in one status or mode, background content is cached; however, when the device is in another status or mode, it will no longer require background content caching. The provision of background content and the determination of a status may be based on for example the user or device behavior and patterns, user preferences or favorites, bandwidth availability, time of day, subscription level, type of program, recentness of channel change requests on the device (or associated devices), etc.

Abstract: An intermediary between a remote control device and a remotely controllable device implements identification and/or authentication. The intermediary is, e.g., a node or set of nodes within a head end of a cable network service provider. A remote control device at a customer premise sends a command intended to control a remotely controllably device which is also located at the same customer premise. The customer premise includes a network interface, e.g., a cable modem, which has associated identification information. The command and the associated network interface identification information are communicated to the intermediary, e.g., via a cable modem. The intermediary accesses a subscriber record corresponding to the location based on the network interface identification information. The intermediary identifies the device to be controlled, e.g., a particular set top box and/or authenticates the remote control device. A command is sent via the network to the device to be controlled.

Abstract: A data analyzer engine receives feedback associated with delivery of content (such as streaming content) to multiple subscriber domains in a cable network environment. The data analyzer engine analyzes the feedback to identify attributes of current content consumption by playback devices operated in the subscriber domains. Based on the analyzed feedback, the data analyzer engine produces control information specifying data flow control rates in which the playback devices are assigned to retrieve content over a shared communication link in the cable network environment. Accordingly, data flow rates in a network environment (such as a subscriber domain) can be controlled to promote fairness and optimal use of available bandwidth amongst multiple playback devices sharing a respective communication link.

Abstract: In accordance with one configuration, a server resource forwards map information to a client device. The map information maps a respective title of available content to a corresponding network address from which the respective title of available content is assigned to be retrievable from a server resource. In response to receiving a content request directed from the client device to the corresponding network address of the server resource: the server resource tunes to a corresponding channel to obtain and buffer requested content as specified by the content request and delivers the buffered requested content to the client device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selecting digital access technology for programming and data delivery over, e.g., a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises an HFC cable or satellite network that includes a server process interfacing with a plurality of customer premises equipment (CPE), and/or associated client devices, each having different capabilities profiles. The server determines one or more capabilities possessed by the CPE, and evaluates one or more program or content choices for possible delivery to that CPE based on its profile. The server generates a list of programs or content based on this evaluation, and transmits this list to the CPE, which displays the list for viewing by a user. The user is therefore offered a list of available content that is compatible with their specific configuration. A business and operational rules engine is also optionally employed to control the operation of the foregoing processes to accomplish particular business, or operational goals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identification and characterization of latency in a content delivery network. In one embodiment, interaction of users with content is recorded via the collection of a plurality of tuning records; the latency is then utilize to adjust the timing on the tuning records to account for lapses in time for sending these from between entities of the network and the user devices, and for processing occurring at the devices as required. The latency is determined by taking into account an experimentally or manufacturer-derived device specific latency component, and a network latency component. The network latency component is determined in one variant by sending a message to the device from the network requesting a current system time (or other response). Once the timing of the tuning records is adjusted, these tuning records may be relied upon as being accurate representations of subscriber interaction with content on a second-by-second basis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selectively enforcing required insertion or viewing of secondary content, such as advertisements or promotions, in a content distribution network. In one embodiment, the network is a managed network (e.g., cable television, satellite, or the like), and the method includes identifying secondary content with a particular attribute or property (e.g., an advertisement that a user has watched before), and selectively enabling one or more “trick mode” functions relating to that secondary content. In one implementation, audio codes or watermarks are inserted into the secondary content and detected when the content is accessed or rendered; if the detected content matches a database or listing of previously played content for that user or premises, the trick mode functionality (e.g., FF or “skip”) is enabled, thereby allowing the user to bypass the content.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for enabling location identification and related services in a premises. In one embodiment, location identification services are provided via a gateway device using data extracted from a wireless signal. The data is used to estimate a location of a device (based on comparison to previously gathered and/or reference data). In another embodiment, infrared (IR) or other short range wireless signals are broadcast from the client devices to a set-top-box (STB), and the STB or gateway correlates the signals to a location within the premises. A profiling process is used to establish specific locations within a premises, and associate location-specific services therewith.

Abstract: An encoder resource receives segments of content on one or more data feeds. The encoder resource receives and/or produces encoder control information specifying multiple different bit rate data streams on which to encode the segments of content. As specified by the encoder control information, in accordance with encoding rules, the encoder resource adaptively encodes the segments of content into a varying number of different bit rate data streams. Clients in a network environment initiate retrieval of the varying number of different bit rate data streams to playback content.

Abstract: A connection management resource receives performance information indicating bandwidth availability associated with multiple wireless access points in a wireless network. The connection management resource analyzes the performance information to identify an ability of each of the multiple wireless access points in the wireless network to provide a prospective new user access to a remote network. Based on the analysis of the performance information, the connection management resource produces a notification indicating the ability of each of the multiple access points to provide wireless bandwidth to the prospective new user to access the remote network. Via the notification, the prospective new user of a wireless access point is able to determine what to expect for bandwidth after establishing a respective link with the wireless access point.

Abstract: A data analyzer engine can be configured to receive feedback indicating different content currently consumed by subscribers in a cable network environment. The data analyzer engine analyzes the feedback to identify most popular consumed content amongst the different content and produces a content guide to include multiple selectable channels from which content is available for retrieval over a shared communication link in the cable network environment. The content guide can include one or more selectable viewing options to view a rendition of content being identified as more or most popular. Each of one or more playback devices or other suitable resources retrieves and initiates display of the content guide on a display screen. Accordingly, a subscriber can view different available content options as well as an identification of content that is currently the most popular consumed content amongst viewers.

Abstract: Multicast video program switching architecture. In one embodiment, a user makes a request for service. A controller determines whether the channel is currently broadcast. When the channel is currently broadcast, redirect the user to an address of the channel. When the channel is not currently broadcast, query a storage apparatus to find a currently broadcast channel that has no current viewership, send, a request to a multicast network address translation (MNAT) router comprising a multicast address of the currently broadcast channel and an identifier of the requested channel to modify MNAT settings on the MNAT router and redirect the user to the multicast address, the multicast address associated with the requested channel.