Abstract: A set top box includes an interface to a video system configured to deliver data to an individual subscriber or subset of subscribers that are part of a larger group of subscribers, wherein the data is not delivered to the other subscribers of the larger group, the interface adapted to receive communications from one or more modulators of a modulator group of the video system. The set top further includes a decoder configured to extract a modulator group identifier periodically inserted into communications directed to the set top box from the one or more modulators, the modulator group identifier unique to a physical transmission path from a headend of the video system to the one or more modulators. The set top includes a video request interface to the video system, the video request interface configured to output a request for video data including the modulator group identifier.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the delivery of content over a content delivery network to client devices in accordance with optimization rules is provided. Requests for allocation and release of content delivery resources over a content delivery network are monitored, and the processing capabilities of client devices receiving content over the content delivery network are determined. Network resources are re-allocated based on optimization rules and the processing capabilities, and the client devices are directed to use re-allocated resources for reception of content. Apparatus and client devices for performing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A set top box includes an interface to a narrowcast video system, the interface adapted to receive communications from one or more modulators of a modulator group of the narrowcast video system. The set top further includes a decoder configured to extract a modulator group identifier periodically inserted into communications directed the set top box from the one or more modulators, the modulator group identifier unique to a physical transmission path from a headend of the narrowcast video to the one or more modulators. The set top includes a narrowcast video request interface to the narrowcast video system, the narrowcast video request interface configured to output a request for narrowcast video data including the modulator group identifier.

Abstract: A video-on-demand (VOD) service provider is configured to select advertising to provide with video-on-demand content, the advertising selected at least in part according to at least one of content metadata, ad schedules, or subscriber profile information, and to signal when the advertising is unavailable. The VOD service provider is configured to identify ad break points for the video-on-demand content to generate a playlist identifying the video-on-demand content and when the video-on-demand content is to be provided, and identifying content corresponding to selected advertising and when the content corresponding to the selected advertising is to be provided.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the delivery of content over a content delivery network to client devices in accordance with optimization rules is provided. Requests for allocation and release of content delivery resources over a content delivery network are monitored, and the processing capabilities of client devices receiving content over the content delivery network are determined. Network resources are re-allocated based on optimization rules and the processing capabilities, and the client devices are directed to use re-allocated resources for reception of content. Apparatus and client devices for performing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A set top box includes an interface to a video on demand system, the interface adapted to receive communications from one or more modulators of a modulator group of the video on demand system. The set top further includes a decoder configured to extract a modulator group identifier periodically inserted into communications directed the set top box from the one or more modulators, the modulator group identifier unique to a physical transmission path from a headend of the video on demand system to the one or more modulators. The set top includes a video-on-demand request interface to the video on demand system, the video on demand request interface configured to output a request for video on demand data including the modulator group identifier.

Abstract: A custom ad selection and delivery system may include an ad selector to select candidate ads for one or more ad avail opportunities, a bandwidth resource manager to provide information about available bandwidth in a content delivery system, and a policy manager to weight ad avail opportunity versus bandwidth costs to delivery customized advertising to subscribers, and to cause allocation of bandwidth and insertion of customized ads into multiple program streams comprising the same program content but different ad content, and to cause different subscriber equipment to map different program frequencies to similar content streams having advertising content inserted therein that is customized to different subscriber demographics.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying an appropriate video signal path is provided for delivery of video-on-demand (VOD) data to a subscriber in a VOD system. The signal path may be a portion of an hybrid fiber optic and cable (HFC) network so that other signal paths in the HFC network may service subscribers in other areas. Because each path need not service every area, the total bandwidth provided by the VOD server need not be provided to every area so that the bandwidth provided to each area can be commensurate with the needs of that area. When a subscriber requests VOD programming, the identification received by the subscriber's terminal from the VOD server is returned to the server along with the request. From the identification, the VOD server may determine the area in which the requesting subscriber is located and the VOD server may then transmit the requested programming to the area in which the subscriber is located for reception by the subscriber.

Abstract: A method including identifying one or more ad break points within digital video and/or audio content, selecting ad content to provide with the video and/or audio content, and generating a playlist referencing the ad content at the one or more ad break points.

Abstract: A custom ad selection and delivery system may include an ad selector to select candidate ads for one or more ad avail opportunities, a bandwidth resource manager to provide information about available bandwidth in a content delivery system, and a policy manager to weight ad avail opportunity versus bandwidth costs to delivery customized advertising to subscribers, and to cause allocation of bandwidth and insertion of customized ads into multiple program streams comprising the same program content but different ad content, and to cause different subscriber equipment to map different program frequencies to similar content streams having advertising content inserted therein that is customized to different subscriber demographics.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying an appropriate video signal path is provided for delivery of video-on-demand (VOD) data to a subscriber in a VOD system. The signal path may be a portion of an hybrid fiber optic and cable (HFC) network so that other signal paths in the HFC network may service subscribers in other areas. Because each path need not service every area, the total bandwidth provided by the VOD server need not be provided to every area so that the bandwidth provided to each area can be commensurate with the needs of that area. When a subscriber requests VOD programming, the identification received by the subscriber's terminal from the VOD server is returned to the server along with the request. From the identification, the VOD server may determine the area in which the requesting subscriber is located and the VOD server may then transmit the requested programming to the area in which the subscriber is located for reception by the subscriber.