Abstract: An alert notification is received and evaluated by a processor. An identifier of a subscriber who is registered to receive the first alert notification is identified. The subscriber identifier is used to select assessment rules corresponding to the first alert notification. The assessment rules are applied to the alert notification to determine whether the receipt of the alert notification satisfies a condition for taking one or more actions. If the condition is met, one or more commands are issued to effectuate the one or more actions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing backhaul access connectivity to e.g., a vehicular hotspot. In one embodiment, a wireless network of access points comprises so-called “parent access points” (PAPs), “child access points” (CAPs), and “transit access points” (TAPs). Each PAP operates as a service gateway and provides a wireless coverage area, which is further augmented by the coverages of its subsidiary CAPs. Each TAP can connect to either a PAP or a CAP for backhaul access. During exemplary operation, a user's Wi-Fi client device connects to a TAP located in the vehicle (e.g., car, train, bus, etc.), and provides connectivity to a host managed content distribution network to which the user subscribes.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the storage and delivery of content over a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a managed content distribution network, and the apparatus comprises a “cloud” digital video recorder (cDVR) server which stores, processes and assembles content prior to its delivery in a way that obviates superfluous storage, and gains significant network efficiencies. This approach also facilitates various pre-streaming processing in the video recording (e.g., cDVR) system. One or more content libraries adapted to facilitate cDVR content assembly and access are also disclosed. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively inserted into cDVR content. Various access, business or operational rules and methods implementing the foregoing are also described.

Abstract: A first wireless access point receives communications from multiple candidate wireless access points in a monitored region in which the first wireless access point resides. The communications indicate presence of the multiple candidate wireless access points in the monitored region. A processing resource associated with the first wireless access point processes the communications to identify which of the multiple candidate wireless access points are trusted wireless access points belonging to a network in which the first wireless access point resides. To facilitate a wireless link handoff from the given wireless access point to one of the trusted wireless access points, the given wireless access point provides notification of identities of the trusted wireless access points to a communication device in communication with the given wireless access point. The communication device selects one of the trusted wireless access points in which to handoff the respective wireless communication link.

Abstract: A playlist server application is provided on a server at a first network node. A playlist local application is provided for a remote device. An indication of a change to a playlist on one of the server and the remote device is obtained from a corresponding one of the playlist server application and the playlist local application. The change is synchronized to another one of the server and the remote device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing content using a spectrum generation device. In one embodiment, digital content is received via a time-multiplexed network transport (such as Gigabit Ethernet), and converted to frequency channels suitable for transmission over a content distribution (e.g., Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC)) network. In one variant, the conversion is performed using digital domain processing performed by a full spectrum generation device. Additionally, methods and apparatus for selectively adding, removing, and/or changing digital content from the full spectrum device are also disclosed. Various aspects of the present invention enable physical (infrastructure) consolidation, and software-implemented remote management of content distribution.

Abstract: At least a first goal is assigned to a media asset including content and metadata. For at least two of a plurality of processes of a workflow engine relevant to said at least first goal, said media asset is simultaneously polled from time-to-time to determine whether prerequisites of said at least two of said plurality of processes have been met. For at least one of said plurality of processes of said workflow engine for which said prerequisites have been met, said media asset is acted on to achieve at least a portion of said at least first goal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for managing provision of content to devices in a content delivery network. In one exemplary embodiment, content with a high probability of viewership is sent to consumer premises equipment (CPE) during off-peak periods and stored prior to viewing. An application is utilized to manage decisions related to content provision. The computer program will identify content that is likely to be of interest users associated with respective CPE, and schedule provision of that content in advance of viewing. Then, the system will develop a plan for optimal scheduling of transmission of content to CPEs, often including the use of trickle downloads. The scheduling plan is based collected statistical and historical data on network resource demand to make scheduling decisions. The system allows for the shifting of bandwidth utilization from periods of high demand to those of low demand, and increased performance with regard to user experienced latency.

Abstract: A wireless access point employs a wireless configuration database for retrieving a stored wireless profile corresponding to a subscriber device from a remote location that enables the user to establish an Internet connection using their subscriber device with the same network identifiers and settings employed from the home wireless profile. The network identifier is typically an SSID (Service Set Identification), and labels the wireless configuration using a mnemonic name familiar to the user. The wireless configuration also denotes authentication and security (passphrase) tokens required for access, and would therefore enable the user to sign on at the remote wireless access point using the passphrase already known from their home WiFi arrangement. Subsequent attempts automatically establishing a connection to the subscriber device upon detection and authentication using the retrieved wireless profile without broadcasting an open SSID receivable by other wireless devices within range.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for presentation of key frames. In one embodiment, an encoded video file is generated where one or more bits are assigned to key frames and minimizes the number of bits assigned to delta frames. Each key frame may be presented to a user during trick mode operation (e.g., fast forward, rewind, pause, or random seek operation). When the encoded video file is given to a packager, the packager generates a manifest file listing the byte information (byte offset and number of bytes) for each key frame in the encoded video file. When a user inputs a trick play mode command, the packager provides the manifest file to the client device of the user and the client device requests the bytes for the key frames of the video file from the content delivery network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing enhanced optical networking service and performance which are particularly advantageous in terms of low cost and use of existing infrastructure, access control techniques, and components. In the exemplary embodiment, current widespread deployment and associated low cost of Ethernet-based systems are leveraged through use of an Ethernet CSMA/CD MAC in the optical domain on a passive optical network (PON) system. Additionally, local networking services are optionally provided to the network units on the PON since each local receiver can receive signals from all other users. An improved symmetric coupler arrangement provides the foregoing functionality at low cost. The improved system architecture also allows for fiber failure protection which is readily implemented at low cost and with minimal modification.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for content, media and data delivery and access between devices of a premises and one or more portable media devices. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a media bridge between a portable media device (PMD) and a user's home network and/or home devices (e.g., set-top boxes, DVRs, etc.)). The apparatus is adapted to convert content stored on a PMD to a format capable of being rendered on a home device which may then store or playback the content. Control of the presentation is also provided by the bridging apparatus. The apparatus may also be adapted to transfer content from the home device to the PMD for storage or playback. In another embodiment, the apparatus may function within a home network having a trusted domain to provide content between a plurality devices on the network (and in the domain) and the PMD.

Abstract: A domain management resource monitors a behavior of a user controlling multiple resources disposed in a domain of a network environment. Based on the monitored behavior, the domain management resource identifies a repeated pattern of control in which the user controls a particular resource in the domain. The domain management resource derives a proposed control rule based on the repeated pattern of control. The proposed control specifies how to control the particular resource. The domain management resource presents the control rule for review and possible editing prior to programming the domain management resource to execute the control rule.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a technique is implemented to effectively receive streaming multimedia content in digital form, parse and segment the received transport stream and process the segmented content. Such treatment of received programming content provides for efficient storage of such programming content, and effectively provides for access to such content by administrators of a broadband system as well as users of such systems. In accordance with the invention, a technique enables, among other things: the creation of reference frames for, e.g.

Abstract: According to one configuration, an access point control resource receives channel allocation information indicating a change to allocation of channels in a wireless band currently used by multiple wireless access points to communicate with multiple communication devices in a network. The access point control resource uses the channel allocation information to identify a particular wireless channel (such as a de-allocated wireless channel) to be terminated from use by the multiple wireless access points. In accordance with the channel allocation information, when vacating use of the de-allocated channel, the access point control resource controls an order of terminating use of the particular wireless channel by the multiple wireless access points.

Abstract: Personal content server apparatus and associated methods that allow a user (e.g., cable or satellite network subscriber) to access content, such as a video program, from a location outside the subscriber's network. In one embodiment, a personal content server streams the content to the subscriber over a network connection from the local e.g., (subscription) network to a remote network upon authorization by a content manager process. Various access, business or operational rules are applied depending on the content and delivery mode; e.g., to live video broadcast, video-on-demand (VOD), or archived content from the subscriber's digital video recorder (DVR) or networked PVR. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively replaced if desired in order to make the remotely delivered content more appropriate to the remote user's context.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inserting local content of interest in an all digital content delivery network. In one embodiment, the content delivery network comprises a cable television or satellite network, and an RF channel thereof is separated or isolated from an incoming multiplex of all-digital content transmission. The separated RF channel is demodulated to provide a multiplexed transport stream, and packets corresponding to one or more programs from the transport stream are replaced with packets obtained from local compression and encoding of analog programming such as e.g., personal, educational and government (PEG) programming. The inserted programming may also contain closed captioning and emergency data alerts. The resulting encoded transport stream is then re-inserted into the multiplex, modulated, and put back onto the RF channel. In an alternate embodiment, space is reserved within the downstream multiplex so as to avoid having to remove an existing program stream.

Abstract: A broadband provisioning system configured for bulk provisioning of communications services is provided. The system includes an order manager that includes machine executable instructions stored on machine readable media, the instructions for: receiving a request to provision a plurality of telephone numbers with communications services; creating details for the request and setting an initial state for the request; and upon commencement of processing of the request, updating the state of the request to indicate ongoing processing, provisioning each telephone number in the request by associating resources therewith, and updating a status for each telephone number provisioned; and upon completion of processing, changing the state of the request to indicate completion.

Abstract: On a device with an internet protocol network connection, an application is provided that allows a user to watch internet protocol television on the device. While the user is watching a first live internet protocol television program via the application on the device, an accurate current list of second through Nth live internet protocol television programs that are available to be watched by the user is displayed. The device could include, for example, a gaming console, a media streamer, or the like.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for secondary content management, including preventing viewing fraud, are disclosed. In one embodiment, apparatus of the present disclosure includes an Advertisement Decisioning Service (ADS) and Manifest Manipulator (MM) configured cooperate to receive client requests for secondary content, select one or more secondary content elements (e.g., advertisements), and generate and transmit one or more identifiers that uniquely identify the client's request for a session. The selected advertisements in one implementation include embedded beacons or tags used to ensure accurate accounting with regards to the amount or quality of consumption of the advertisement by a user.