Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a network device of a media content distribution system, data indicating a media content item to be recorded and a number of requests to record the media content item received at a first service office of the media content distribution system. The method also includes scheduling, via the network device, recording of the media content item at a first network recorder associated with the first service office when a value associated with recording the media content item with the first network recorder is less than or equal to a cost threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing playback of audio content during a trick-play mode in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. Media content can include audio content and video content. The audio content is divided into segments and the video content includes frames. Synchronization information associates a presentation time of each of the segments of the audio content with a presentation time of one or more frames associated with the images of the video content. When a trick-play mode is requested, the next frame from the video content to present is determined. The synchronization information is used to determine the segments of the audio content associated with the next frame. The determined segments audio content are presented as the frames are displayed in trick-play mode.

Abstract: An operating method of a broadcast reception device, according to an embodiment of the present invention includes receiving a broadcast signal; receiving media content presentation information including information necessary to present media content based on the broadcast signal; and presenting the media content based on the media content presentation information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for push-based dynamic bandwidth allocation deliver addressable, advertising content in a digital network. Bandwidth is allocated on a push basis in response to receiving a trigger from a content distribution stream. The trigger contains data indicating an addressable break. A portion of bandwidth is then allocated to an addressable content stream based on the data of the trigger. The addressable content stream is then streamed to a receiver during the addressable break and the receiver is tuned from the broadcast stream to the addressable content stream for the duration of the addressable break. The additional bandwidth is de-allocated at the end of the addressable break.

Abstract: A method includes storing multicast transmission data at a peer-to-peer server. The multicast transmission data indicates multicast groups to which network elements are joined. The method includes receiving, at the peer-to-peer server from a first network element, a request related to a previously sent data packet of media content. The method includes determining, at the peer-to-peer server, whether a second network element can be identified, where the second network element was joined to a multicast group associated with the media content when the previously sent data packet was sent. The method also includes, in response to identifying the second network element, sending information identifying the second network element from the peer-to-peer server to the first network element.

Abstract: A device may be configured to receive a low level signaling emergency alert message fragment from a broadcast stream. The device may parse syntax elements included in the emergency alert message fragment. The device may determine whether to retrieve a media resource associated with the emergency alert message based on the parsed syntax elements.

Abstract: A hybrid ecosystem of peer to peer streaming and download, combining semi-centralised (cloud) media distribution and management servers and super-pops (points of presence) with distributed intelligent edge nodes in a mesh network forming a distributed storage network for optimal distribution of encrypted media content via the Internet utilising full network knowledge to provide comprehensive quality of service (QoS) monitoring, control and optimisation of the entire network.

Abstract: Disclosed are a dynamic multi-mode service (MMS) transmission apparatus, a dynamic MMS reception apparatus, and a method for providing a dynamic MMS.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system configured to receive one or more radio frequency signals comprising a UHF frequency range comprising a plurality of UHF channels. The system comprises: one or more corresponding analog to digital converters, configured to convert the corresponding RF signal after which a digital multi-switch module and a corresponding plurality of digital channelizers generate modified digital RF signals preferably comprising a digital signal comprising at least one selected, frequency translated and leveled UHF channel.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for Network Address Translation (NAT) traversal that couples a first device behind a NAT device to a second device is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving a first request from the first device to open a connection with the second device, receiving a second request from the second device to open a connection with the first device, where the second request includes the connection address of the second device, and sending the connection address of the second device to the first device which allows the first device to connect to the second device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for connecting a user with a sports competitor whose athletics the user is not interested in, but with whom the user shares a personal connection. In some embodiments, a media guidance application determines that a user is viewing playback of a media asset comprising a sporting event, identifies competitors featured in the sporting event, and retrieves, from a information identifying competitors in which the user is interested. The media guidance application determines therefrom competitors featured in the sporting event in which the user is not interested, and compares interests of the user that are not commonly shared by a general population to interests of the determined competitors. An uncommon interest is identified as common between a competitor and the user, and the user is provided an option to perform an action associated with the competitor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining an error value based on comparing an expected media asset similarity value corresponding to a first media asset and a second media asset, as determined using a model, to a media asset similarity value determined from user preference information associated with multiple data spaces. User preference information is received from two data spaces that are managed by different content providers. User preference information from the two data spaces is normalized and an indication of similarity between two media assets is determined. The indication of similarity is compared to an expected similarity value received from a model and an error value is determined based on the comparison of the expected similarity value and the similarity value.

Abstract: There is provided a device comprising a non-transitory memory storing an executable code, a hardware processor executing the executable code to receive Internet protocol (IP) packets encapsulating a video content, the IP packets including a frame having a header storing header information relating to the video content, retrieve at least one portion of the header information relating to the video content from the header, retrieve the video content from the IP packets, prepare the retrieved video content for transmission using serial digital interface (SDI) protocol, insert the at least one portion of the header information into at least one of a vertical ancillary (VANC) data space and a horizontal ancillary (HANC) data space of the prepared video content using the SDI protocol, and transmit the prepared video content using the SDI protocol, including the at least one portion of the header information in the VANC space.

Abstract: In order to maximize the availability of a television receiver/decoder housing, the invention enables the download of updates while said housing is being used. In order to do so, when the housing detects that an update is available, the housing allocates itself a portion of the acquisition resources of the update in order to store this update in a housing storage memory. Once the download is complete, the user can either activate the update or carry on using a former version of the housing application, the user thus being able to select a microcode version which is activated by default on switching on the receiver/decoder housing.

Abstract: Video content is uploaded via the Internet to a video-on-demand (VOD) server identified by a title and a hierarchical address of categories and subcategories for categorizing the title. The VOD server converts and stores the video content at a storage address in a video content database linked to the title. The title is listed in a location of an electronic program guide (EPG) using the same categories and subcategories as in its hierarchical address. Any TV subscriber can access the EPG and navigate through its categories and subcategories to find a title for viewing on the TV. This can enable many new blogging or podcasting-like programs by popular “Hosts” to be self-published on the Internet and readily navigated for display on TV. The EPG can also store TV program addresses as bookmarks and allow them to be shared with other subscribers or with friends and contacts online by sending to their email addresses.

Abstract: A video-on-demand (VOD) content delivery system has a VOD Application Server which manages a database of templates for presentation of video content elements of different selected types categorized in hierarchical order. A web-based Content Management System receives content uploaded online in file formats with metadata for title and topical area, and automatically converts it into video data format compatible with the VOD content delivery system indexed by title and topical area. A User Interface for the system delivers listings data to the viewer's TV indexed by title and topical area specified by the uploaded metadata.

Abstract: A video-on-demand (VOD) content delivery system has a VOD Application Server which manages a database of templates for presentation of video content elements of different selected types categorized in hierarchical order. A web-based Content Management System receives content uploaded online in file formats with metadata for title and topical area, and automatically converts it into video data format compatible with the VOD content delivery system indexed by title and topical area. A User Interface for the system delivers listings data to the viewer's TV indexed by title and topical area specified by the uploaded metadata.

Abstract: Systems and methods for targeting advertisements to particular zones within a content distribution region are disclosed. One or more zone signals may be generated and distributed by combining media content with a respective advertisement corresponding to each of the zones within the distribution region. In some example cases, the media content may be received from a broadcaster. The systems and methods may further include the capability to determine zone based and/or advertisement based viewing metrics for one or more of the zones within the content distribution region by polling client devices within the one or more zones.

Abstract: An automated test platform is disclosed for use in developing and troubleshooting customized software for multimedia content receivers. The automated test platform allows developers to script test cases that permit interaction with multiple content receivers at the same time. The test platform can be applied generally to any client-server system. The automated test platform is used to create scripts, run the scripts on multiple content receivers, and view test results. A graphical user interface (GUI) is provided that allows technicians without any programming experience to build and run complex interactive test sequences in a modular fashion. Such an automated test platform can be used to test cable and satellite television set top boxes, as well as DVD players, streaming media receivers, and game consoles.

Abstract: Video content is uploaded via the Internet to a video-on-demand (VOD) server identified by a title and a hierarchical address of categories and subcategories for categorizing the title. The VOD server converts and stores the video content at a storage address in a video content database linked to the title. The title is listed in a location of an electronic program guide (EPG) using the same categories and subcategories as in its hierarchical address. Any TV subscriber can access the EPG and navigate through its categories and subcategories to find a title for viewing on the TV. This can enable many new blogging or podcasting-like programs by popular “Hosts” to be self-published on the Internet and readily navigated for display on TV. The EPG can also store TV program addresses as bookmarks and allow them to be shared with other subscribers or with friends and contacts online by sending to their email addresses.