Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product are provided in connection with facilitating hybrid unicast/broadcast service distribution. In one example, a communications device is equipped to provide a parity portion of titles in a channel of a service to a plurality of UEs at a first time, receive, from a UE at a second time, a request to access a title of the one or more titles, and provide an enablement item, to the requesting UE, which is a portion of the requested title that, when processed with the provided parity portion of the requested title, is sufficient to allow the requesting UE to decode and access to the requested title. In an aspect, the parity portion may be a parity portion of a fountain code encoded title, and the enablement item may be repair symbols of the fountain code encoded title.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for smooth transition between broadcast/multicast transmission and unicast transmission. A method for managing unicast and multicast services switching in a multi-band/multi-frequency wireless communications system (WCS) capable of both unicast and multicast signaling includes determining whether an aggregate demand for a content provided via dedicated unicast transmissions exceeds a threshold. The method includes switching transmission of the content from the dedicated unicast transmissions on one frequency to a multicast transmission on a second or more frequencies in response to determining that the aggregate demand exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: Techniques for sending and receiving broadcast information are described. In an aspect, broadcast metadata may be generated for broadcast information and may include location and time criteria used by terminals to filter the broadcast information. Each location and time criterion may include (i) a location criterion given by a target location and a presence or absence requirement and (ii) a time criterion given by a time period in which the location criterion applies. A terminal may receive the broadcast metadata prior to or with the broadcast information, obtain location and time criteria from the broadcast metadata, and filter the broadcast information based on the location and time criteria. The terminal may evaluate each location and time criterion by determining its location within a specified time period and determining whether its location is within or outside a specified target location, as indicated by the presence or absence requirement.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and receiver devices enable broadcasters with restricted content license areas (e.g., Designated Market Areas (“DMAs”) to distribute content via Over the Top (“OTT”) IP networks. Embodiments enable client reporting and authentication as well as broadcast content encryption. In an embodiment, information from the client may be reported back to the broadcasters, such as a view history/use report. In an embodiment, hand off between DMAs may be enabled. In an embodiment, local advertisement insertion in network content may be enabled. Embodiments may enable Multicast-Broadcast Single Frequency Network (“MBSFN”) operation across DMA boundaries.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and receiver devices enable broadcasters with restricted content license areas (e.g., Designated Market Areas (“DMAs”) to distribute content via Over the Top (“OTT”) IP networks. Embodiments enable client reporting and authentication as well as broadcast content encryption. In an embodiment, information from the client may be reported back to the broadcasters, such as a view history/use report. In an embodiment, hand off between DMAs may be enabled. In an embodiment, local advertisement insertion in network content may be enabled. Embodiments may enable Multicast-Broadcast Single Frequency Network (“MBSFN”) operation across DMA boundaries.

Abstract: Embodiments enable HTTP servers to pass incomplete and/or corrupted files in response to file requests from clients. In the various embodiments, HTTP servers may be enabled to generate status codes identifying that an incomplete version of a file is being returned in response to a file request. In an embodiment, an HTTP server may be enabled to determine the ability of a client to handle incomplete versions of files.

Abstract: This application relates to systems and methods for recovering data in multimedia file segments. A communication device may receive a multimedia file segment that includes damaged data. The communication device may replace the damaged data with dummy data to reconstruct the multimedia file segment. The communication device may then play the reconstructed multimedia file segment. Thus, by replacing the damaged data with dummy data, the communication device may play a multimedia file segment even when part of the segment may be damaged.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods operable to distribute targeted content. Additionally, disclosed are corresponding apparatus and methods operable to selectively choose and cache selected ones from among the distributed targeted content, and to further choose ones from among the cached content to present on a device. In some aspects, selective caching of content may be based upon a match between predetermined content attribute information and predetermined profile information. Further, in some aspects, an indicator is operable to trigger the selective inclusion of one or more of the cached content in a presentation of other content, which may be based on a match between a desired content attribute associated with the indicator and the respective predetermined content attribute information of the cached content.

Abstract: A service distribution system supports creation of a personalized and virtual service broadcast that can be selectively clipped and cached based on content descriptors of popularity, freshness, etc. A method for selectively receiving broadcast of one or more content items associated with a service to provide a unicast or multicast user experience is described. The method may comprise: detecting a characteristic of a service, or detecting a characteristic of one or more content items, wherein the one or more content items are associated with the service, and wherein the characteristic is generated by a mobile operator and pertains to an objective measure of current user interest, selectively receiving by broadcast, to the mobile device, one or more content items associated with the service based on the characteristic, and storing the one or more content items associated with the service for access through a user interface of the mobile device.

Abstract: In one example, a device includes one or more processing units configured to send, via a network, a request to retrieve at least a portion of media content, wherein the media content conforms to dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP (DASH), and wherein the request comprises a request that the at least portion be delivered according to a file delivery service, and, in response to the request, to receive streaming data for the at least portion of the media content in accordance with the file delivery service over the network. The device may prepopulate a browser cache with the received data, such that a browser can, in effect, stream data using the file delivery service. The device may initially retrieve data of the media content using unicast, until a switch point of the data received via the file delivery service is reached.

Abstract: Parents can desire to limit content viewable upon a mobile device and a universal integrated circuit card can be programmed to limit viewing upon the mobile device. A user completes a service request form that includes an allowable view threshold for content upon the mobile device. The request can transfer to a service provider, sometimes via a base station. A subscription manager can forward the threshold back to the mobile device and the mobile device can program the threshold upon secure storage. When content is received, it can be compared against the threshold and a determination can be made on if the content is allowable to view in light of the threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems enable application content for use by an application running on a receiver device to be broadcast by a mobile multimedia broadcast network for energy-efficient reception and use by receiver devices. Information about application content that will be broadcast is broadcast in application metadata messages. Receiver devices may receive such application metadata messages in a broadcast receiver client which passes the information to the application. The application may inform the broadcast receiver client of particular application content or filtering attributes to use in selecting application content to be received. The broadcast receiver client receives the indicated application content at the designated broadcast time and passes the received content to the application for processing. In an embodiment the application is a Mobile Billboard Advertising (MobAd) application, the application metadata includes attributes about ad content and the broadcast application content includes ad content.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods operable to distribute targeted content. Additionally, disclosed are corresponding apparatus and methods operable to selectively choose and cache selected ones from among the distributed targeted content, and to further choose ones from among the cached content to present on a device. In some aspects, selective caching of content may be based upon a match between predetermined content attribute information and predetermined profile information. Further, in some aspects, an indicator is operable to trigger the selective inclusion of one or more of the cached content in a presentation of other content, which may be based on a match between a desired content attribute associated with the indicator and the respective predetermined content attribute information of the cached content.

Abstract: Techniques for performing location logging and location and time based filtering are described. In one design of location logging, a terminal periodically determines its location, e.g., during its paging slots. The terminal determines whether there is a change in its location and stores its location if a change in location is detected. In one design of location and time based filtering, the terminal obtains a location and time criterion with a target area and a time period. The terminal determines its location during the time period, e.g., based on the location log. The terminal evaluates the location and time criterion based on the target area and its location during the time period, e.g., based on at least one sector ID for the target area and one or more sector IDs for its location. The terminal determines whether to download and/or present broadcast information based on the result of the evaluation.

Abstract: A service distribution system supports creation of a personalized and virtual service broadcast that can be selectively clipped and cached based on content descriptors of popularity, freshness, etc. A method for selectively receiving broadcast of one or more content items associated with a service to provide a unicast or multicast user experience is described. The method may comprise: detecting a characteristic of a service, or detecting a characteristic of one or more content items, wherein the one or more content items are associated with the service, and wherein the characteristic is generated by a mobile operator and pertains to an objective measure of current user interest, selectively receiving by broadcast, to the mobile device, one or more content items associated with the service based on the characteristic, and storing the one or more content items associated with the service for access through a user interface of the mobile device.

Abstract: Methods and systems enable receiver devices to receive electronic coupons from mobile TV broadcast service providers. Coupon templates may be broadcasted to mobile devices. Coupon templates may be used to communicate with coupon managers to receive digitally signed coupons. Coupon managers may use received data to create digitally signed coupons for delivery to receiver devices via a unicast networks. Digitally signed coupons may also be broadcasted to receiver devices. A receiver device may verify received electronic coupons using the digital signature to identify those coupons intended for them. The electronic coupons may be redeemed at a point of sale. Merchants may locally verify coupons using their digital signature. Coupon digital signatures may be generated using a chain of X.509 certificates leading to a root X.509 coupon-signing authority to enable recipients to confirm that coupons originated from a trustworthy entity.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods operable to distribute targeted content. Additionally, disclosed are corresponding apparatus and methods operable to selectively choose and cache selected ones from among the distributed targeted content, and to further choose ones from among the cached content to present on a device. In some aspects, selective caching of content may be based upon a match between predetermined content attribute information and predetermined profile information. Further, in some aspects, an indicator is operable to trigger the selective inclusion of one or more of the cached content in a presentation of other content, which may be based on a match between a desired content attribute associated with the indicator and the respective predetermined content attribute information of the cached content.

Abstract: Methods and systems enable mobile TV broadcast service providers to allow dynamic pricing for access to broadcast programs. A server within a mobile TV broadcast network may negotiate the price for accessing a broadcast program with individual users via their mobile devices. The server may receive requests to access broadcast programs with price offers from mobile devices. The server may respond to price offers by accepting the price offer or by making a counter offer until a mutually agreeable price is identified. Alternatively, the server may implement any of a number of types of auctions for access rights to broadcast programs. Similar to negotiable dynamic pricing methods, once purchase requests for viewing access to broadcast content programs at current asking prices are accepted, the mobile TV broadcast service provider may transmit the appropriate decryption keys to the users who made accepted offers or bids.

Abstract: Methods and systems enable receiving on mobile devices credits, tokens or coupons from mobile TV broadcast service providers. Credits may be delivered via direct unicast messages such as SMS or e-mail, or via broadcast provisioning messages. Subscription response messages may be used to deliver credits to mobile devises which transmit a request for service. Broadcast service providers may push credits to mobile devices by transmitting a solicited pull message or a credit grant push message. Credits may be sent to mobile devices within a credit response message or a long term decryption key message. Credits may be used a purchase transaction, with the broadcast service provider controlling redemption of credits by sending an a long term decryption key message via a unicast network or a short term decryption key message via the broadcast network to cause mobile devices to decrement their stored credits.

Abstract: A user-generated content (UGC) mobile distribution system supports creation of a personalized and virtual UGC broadcast channel that can be selectively clipped and cached by filtering based inter alia on content descriptors of popularity and freshness. A broadcast service provider can further provide meta data categorization for filtering that is more objective than what is supplied by a posting user of UGC content items. A broadcast program guide enables mobile devices to schedule clip downloads. Popularity, which can be sorted by applicable demographic, represents a criterion (e.g., rating scores, number of views, quantity of online discussion, etc.) whether associated content item should be downloaded for subsequent accessibility by a user, enhancing filtering based upon user profile and genre. Freshness represents how recent the associated content was made available for download by the broadcast service provider. Popularity can also be used as weighting to sort a display of cached content items.