Abstract: A server includes a processor configured to execute instructions stored on a memory to cause the server to: receive a client position signal; predict a future position of a client device based on a client device position signal providing location and velocity information about the client device; instruct a first access point device to provide a first Wi-Fi hotspot network with a first SSID, currently in use by the client device with another access point device, based on the predicted future position of the client device; and instruct a second access point device, which was previously providing a second Wi-Fi hotspot network with the first SSID, to stop providing the second Wi-Fi hotspot network with the first SSID after instructing the first access point device to provide the first Wi-Fi hotspot network with the first SSID.

Abstract: A server includes a processor configured to execute instructions stored on a memory to cause the server to: receive a client position signal; predict a future position of a client device based on a client device position signal providing location and velocity information about the client device; instruct a first access point device to provide a first Wi-Fi hotspot network with a first SSID, currently in use by the client device with another access point device, based on the predicted future position of the client device; and instruct a second access point device, which was previously providing a second Wi-Fi hotspot network with the first SSID, to stop providing the second Wi-Fi hotspot network with the first SSID after instructing the first access point device to provide the first Wi-Fi hotspot network with the first SSID.

Abstract: A server includes a processor configured to execute instructions stored on a memory to cause the server to: receive a client position signal; predict a future position of a client device based on a client device position signal providing location and velocity information about the client device; instruct a first access point device to provide a first Wi-Fi hotspot network with a first SSID, currently in use by the client device with another access point device, based on the predicted future position of the client device; and instruct a second access point device, which was previously providing a second Wi-Fi hotspot network with the first SSID, to stop providing the second Wi-Fi hotspot network with the first SSID after instructing the first access point device to provide the first Wi-Fi hotspot network with the first SSID.

Abstract: A method is provided for recording a switched digital video (SDV) program received over a content delivery system. The method includes receiving a single program digital transport stream on a first SDV channel. The single program digital transport stream includes at least one program elementary stream and associated program specific information. The program elementary stream and the associated program specific information are stored. In response to a force tune request, a second SDV channel is tuned to on which a subsequent portion of the single program digital transport stream will be provided. After tuning to the second SDV channel, subsequent portions of the program elementary stream are stored in a content file in which previous portions of the program elementary stream are stored.

Abstract: A software interface (26) is provided to enable television settop middleware (14) and operating system (OS) software (16) to control and interact with core settop system software (20) in a subscriber television terminal to facilitate the provision of desirable digital television services, including authentication and authorization.

Abstract: A method is provided for recording a switched digital video (SDV) program received over a content delivery system. The method includes receiving a single program digital transport stream on a first SDV channel. The single program digital transport stream includes at least one program elementary stream and associated program specific information. The program elementary stream and the associated program specific information are stored. In response to a force tune request, a second SDV channel is tuned to on which a subsequent portion of the single program digital transport stream will be provided. After tuning to the second SDV channel, subsequent portions of the program elementary stream are stored in a content file in which previous portions of the program elementary stream are stored.

Abstract: A software interface (26) is provided to enable television settop middleware (14) and operating system (OS) software (16) to control and interact with core settop system software (20) in a subscriber television terminal to facilitate the provision of desirable digital television services, including service acquisition (e.g., acquisition of a pay-per-view movie), system information management, settop configuration and control, return path for polling, download capability, and non-volatile memory management.

Abstract: The present invention enables software and firmware downloads to high definition television (HDTV) appliances via a television terminal. A download control message received at the terminal may comprise: (i) a first version identifier identifying a version of an available software or firmware download; (ii) a first type identifier identifying a particular type of HDTV appliance for which the download is intended; and (iii) a download object containing the software or firmware to be downloaded. The terminal obtains a second type identifier from the HDTV appliance that identifies a type of the HDTV appliance. If the type identifiers correspond, the terminal obtains a second version identifier from the HDTV appliance, which identifies a current version of software or firmware of the HDTV appliance. If the version identifiers do not correspond, the terminal may pass the download object to the HDTV appliance.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for passing an on-screen display (OSD) from a source device, such as a television terminal, to a sink device, such as a high definition television (HDTV), over a serial interface, such as an IEEE-1394 interface. The source device includes a tuner adapted for receiving an active isochronous MPEG data stream and graphic data for an OSD. A serial interface at the source device enables communication with a sink device. A processor at the source device detects an action requiring an OSD at the sink device. The source device also includes an MPEG encoder adapted for encoding the graphic data as an isochronous MPEG data stream carrying the OSD. The isochronous MPEG data stream carrying the OSD may then be passed to the sink device via the serial interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing abstraction layers in the hierarchical structure of a set-top terminal to enable the set-top's firmware to be compatible with different operating systems. An operating system (OS) kernel interface is provided using a first OS abstraction layer that is OS-independent, and a second abstraction layer that is OS-dependent. The interface enables the terminal's firmware to access the kernel's set of functions independently of the OS. The abstraction layers provide an interface for kernel functions for the following kernel constructs: Timers, Threads, Memory, Synchronization and Messaging. The invention benefits terminal manufacturers and developers as well as network operators by allowing set-top firmware to run without modifications due to a change in the set-top's OS.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for distributing software code to particular end user terminals in a broadband network. Code images are provided to the broadband terminals via a collection of objects structure. In an illustrated embodiment a network system controller, such as a CATV headend, transmits an image that includes a Code Section Lookup Table followed by a common code section. The common code section is followed by specific code sections for the broadband terminals coupled to the network. For example, specific code sections can be provided for (i) different hardware configurations in the broadband terminal operator's population, (ii) different device driver code necessary to support primary and second-sourced broadband terminals, (iii) a plurality of different broadband terminal models coupled to the network; (iv) different software features available to the broadband terminals, and/or (v) different protocols supported in the field.

Abstract: A central control system is provided for broadband communication terminals. A message source generates control information adapted to provide different functionality to different broadband communication terminals or populations of such terminals. At least one transmitter is adapted to transmit control information generated by the message source to the terminals on different control channels. The message source provides control channel configuration messages targeted to different terminal populations or to individual terminals. The control channel configuration messages designate a particular control channel from which the targeted terminal population or individual terminal should thereafter acquire the control information required to control the functionality of the respective terminal(s).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a hardware configuration in a digital terminal, and, in response, selecting a corresponding executable software path for initializing the hardware. All terminals in a digital communication network, such as a television network, are provided with a single common set-top firmware/software object that contains all software components required to run on all hardware platforms. The total amount of software needed at the terminals is reduced over prior art schemes since the common software object includes software that is common to the different hardware component types only once, instead of providing a different object for each hardware type which results in duplication of the common software. The software from the software object can execute on platforms with different hardware components and circuits. This provides freedom to the network operator to select terminals with reduced cost components, e.g., from different manufacturers.

Abstract: A broadband terminal device that receives messages containing data destined for client applications running on the terminal. The messages are received by a control channel router via one or more input ports. The router removes the payload data from the messages and distributes the data to client applications in accordance with a predetermined priority of the ports which receive messages and requests made by client applications for the data. The terminal also includes a service acquisition interface that enables the client applications to establish connections to receive the data such that the requests made by applications for data may be hardware and protocol independent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an operating system abstraction interface for a set-top television terminal used within a broadband environment. The interface defines an OS independent layer that abstracts the services that are needed to implement the set-top firmware in an OS independent manner. The present invention provides several constructs that are unique to the broadband environment. These include a synchronization feature, a clock feature and Inter-process naming tags that are provided such that the interface of the present invention may be adapted for both process based operating systems and non-process based operating systems.