Abstract: A method and apparatus for streaming Over-the-Top (OTT) content on a network to subscribers is described. A digital video transport stream of an item of the OTT content is obtained via unicast streaming methods of a resolution and bit rate selected from an available set of different resolutions and bit rates for the digital video transport stream. The digital video transport stream of the selected resolution and bit rate is transmitted in the form of an IP multicast over the network to subscribers. Bandwidth utilization of the network is monitored so that switching of the bit rate to a different bit rate for the digital video transport stream can be controlled to provide adaptive rate control of the IP multicast.

Abstract: A set top box is provided that includes an RF front-end for receiving programming content over a distribution communication network. A processor is operatively associated with the RF front-end and a storage device is operatively associated with the processor. An interface is provided for establishing communication with an external device. In response to a signal received from the distribution network over the RF front-front identifying at least one programming object to be downloaded thereto, the processor is configured to locate and receive the programming object from the external device through the interface.

Abstract: In response to receiving from a subscriber both a request to record content and a unique requester key, a network DVR identifies an asset associated with the request. The network DVR segments the asset in to a series of segments, assigns a mediaword to each segment for compression, encrypts each of the segments using an encryption key, and records the encrypted asset segments in an encrypted dictionary storage as definitions, i.e., dictionary entries. The encrypted key and the mediaword are forwarded to a requester handler flow in the network DVR that generates requester-specific encrypted copies using the requester key received from the subscriber. The mediaword, encrypted encryption key, and the encrypted asset segments are stored in and retrievable for the corresponding requester.

Abstract: In accordance with a method for communicating a control word (CW) from a client such as an encryptor to a server such as the entitlement control message generator (ECMG) of a conditional access system (CAS), communication is established between the client and server over a secure connection. A control word to be encrypted is received by the client and encrypted using a first and second key. The first key is a global secret key (GSK) that is known to the client and the server without being communicated over the secure connection. The second key is a control word encryption key (CWEK) that is derived from a locally generated client nonce (CN) and a server nonce (SN) obtained from the server over the secure connection. The encrypted control word (ECW) is sent to the server over the secure connection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for streaming Over-the-Top (OTT) content on a network to subscribers is described. A digital video transport stream of an item of the OTT content is obtained via unicast streaming methods of a resolution and bit rate selected from an available set of different resolutions and bit rates for the digital video transport stream. The digital video transport stream of the selected resolution and bit rate is transmitted in the form of an IP multicast over the network to subscribers. Bandwidth utilization of the network is monitored so that switching of the bit rate to a different bit rate for the digital video transport stream can be controlled to provide adaptive rate control of the IP multicast.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for streaming Over-the-Top (OTT) content on a network to subscribers is described. A digital video transport stream of an item of the OTT content is obtained via unicast streaming methods of a resolution and bit rate selected from an available set of different resolutions and bit rates for the digital video transport stream. The digital video transport stream of the selected resolution and bit rate is transmitted in the form of an IP multicast over the network to subscribers. Bandwidth utilization of the network is monitored so that switching of the bit rate to a different bit rate for the digital video transport stream can be controlled to provide adaptive rate control of the IP multicast.

Abstract: Systems and methods for blackout management in media distribution systems may include a central data center in a service provider's domain. The central data server may coordinate with a blackout manager that implements control features for blackout. In contrast to (or to supplement) blackout control solutions that require integrated receiver decoders (IRD)s to be physically installed at each of the regional headends in the service provider network, the blackout manager may provide three functions: 1) a Virtual IRD (VIRD) function 2) access control functions via access control component, and 3) VIRD-to-EndPoint mapping function in the linkage manager.

Abstract: In response to receiving from a subscriber both a request to record content and a unique requester key, a network DVR identifies an asset associated with the request. The network DVR segments the asset in to a series of segments, assigns a mediaword to each segment for compression, encrypts each of the segments using an encryption key, and records the encrypted asset segments in an encrypted dictionary storage as definitions, i.e., dictionary entries. The encrypted key and the mediaword are forwarded to a requester handler flow in the network DVR that generates requester-specific encrypted copies using the requester key received from the subscriber. The mediaword, encrypted encryption key, and the encrypted asset segments are stored in and retrievable for the corresponding requester.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing seamless failover to a redundant stream at an edge device is disclosed. A plurality of identical streams are received via a plurality of paths at a plurality of synchronization buffers. Each synchronization buffer receives one of the plurality of identical streams from a corresponding path of the plurality of paths. The plurality of streams are synchronized. A composite stream is generated from the plurality of identical streams according to a packet selection process.

Abstract: A media content broadcast blackout control method, comprising receiving a retune message requesting a blackout of a primary media content broadcast in specific regions, generating a playlist for each region comprising a content key wrapped in a region-specific media key, wherein the content key in the playlists for regions that are not subject to the blackout is configured to access the primary media content broadcast, and the content key in the playlists for regions that are subject to the blackout is configured to access an alternate media content broadcast, providing the playlists to client devices within each region, providing the primary media content broadcast to client devices whose region-specific media key unwraps the content key for the primary media content broadcast, and providing the alternate media content broadcast to client devices whose region-specific media key unwraps the content key for the alternate primary media content broadcast.

Abstract: A method for delivering encrypted content to a subscriber terminal on-demand through a communication network is provided. The method begins when SRM receives a request for content from the subscriber terminal. In response to the request, the SRM directs a video server to transmit the content as an unencrypted transport stream to an encryptor. The packets in the unencrypted transport stream include a header with a destination address associated with the subscriber terminal. The encryptor encrypts the content in the unencrypted transport stream to generate an encrypted transport stream. The encryptor also inserts in the packet headers of the packets in the encrypted transport stream the destination address associated with the subscriber terminal obtained from the packet headers in the unencrypted transport stream. Finally, the encrypted transport stream is transmitted to the subscriber terminal over the communication network.

Abstract: A media content broadcast blackout control method, comprising receiving a retune message requesting a blackout of a primary media content broadcast in specific regions, generating a playlist for each region comprising a content key wrapped in a region-specific media key, wherein the content key in the playlists for regions that are not subject to the blackout is configured to access the primary media content broadcast, and the content key in the playlists for regions that are subject to the blackout is configured to access an alternate media content broadcast, providing the playlists to client devices within each region, providing the primary media content broadcast to client devices whose region-specific media key unwraps the content key for the primary media content broadcast, and providing the alternate media content broadcast to client devices whose region-specific media key unwraps the content key for the alternate primary media content broadcast.

Abstract: In accordance with a method for communicating a control word (CW) from a client such as an encryptor to a server such as the entitlement control message generator (ECMG) of a conditional access system (CAS), communication is established between the client and server over a secure connection. A control word to be encrypted is received by the client and encrypted using a first and second key. The first key is a global secret key (GSK) that is known to the client and the server without being communicated over the secure connection. The second key is a control word encryption key (CWEK) that is derived from a locally generated client nonce (CN) and a server nonce (SN) obtained from the server over the secure connection. The encrypted control word (ECW) is sent to the server over the secure connection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for blackout management in media distribution systems may include a central data center in a service provider's domain. The central data server may coordinate with a blackout manager that implements control features for blackout. In contrast to (or to supplement) blackout control solutions that require integrated receiver decoders (IRD)s to be physically installed at each of the regional headends in the service provider network, the blackout manager may provide three functions: 1) a Virtual IRD (VIRD) function 2) access control functions via access control component, and 3) VIRD-to-EndPoint mapping function in the linkage manager.

Abstract: A system (10), method (90) and apparatus (14) are provided for provisioning a multicast stream, such as an IP multicast stream, in a network. The system includes a first tier (12), such as a national backbone, with a first Multicast Address Discovery (MCAD) directory (34), and at least one second tier having a headend, such as a regional headend (14), with a second MCAD directory (36, 38). The system (10) includes a tiered MCAD directory network that allows the assignment of multicast addresses to multicast streams received from an upper tier MCAD directory. The tiered MCAD directory structure allows for requesting and storing stream descriptors and delivering stream descriptors on-demand to MCAD-enabled devices throughout the system. The system (10) also allows for stream provisioning maintenance and validation at lower tier headends via MCAD-enabled device queries or re-queries of upper tier MCAD directories.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for decrypting an encrypted transport stream, comprising. The method includes receiving the encrypted transport stream over a content delivery network. The encrypted transport stream is encrypted using a first control word that serves as an encryption/decryption key. A variable control word is received over the content delivery network. The variable control word is mathematically constrained to create a second control word. The encrypted transport stream is decrypted using the second control word if the second control word is the same as the first control word.

Abstract: A system and method for media content delivery is described. One implementation of the system and method allows for interactive services to be ordered and delivered to a limited-capability set-top box. A gateway unit receives interactive service commands from the remote control of the set-top box through one communication path (such as a wireless path) and relays those commands to a media content network. The media content network then delivers media content in response to the interactive service commands through another communication path (such as a wired path).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for streaming Over-the-Top (OTT) content on a network to subscribers is described. A digital video transport stream of an item of the OTT content is obtained via unicast streaming methods of a resolution and bit rate selected from an available set of different resolutions and bit rates for the digital video transport stream. The digital video transport stream of the selected resolution and bit rate is transmitted in the form of an IP multicast over the network to subscribers. Bandwidth utilization of the network is monitored so that switching of the bit rate to a different bit rate for the digital video transport stream can be controlled to provide adaptive rate control of the IP multicast.

Abstract: A system (10), method (90) and apparatus (14) are provided for provisioning a multicast stream, such as an IP multicast stream, in a network. The system includes a first tier (12), such as a national backbone, with a first Multicast Address Discovery (MCAD) directory (34), and at least one second tier having a headend, such as a regional headend (14), with a second MCAD directory (36, 38). The system (10) includes a tiered MCAD directory network that allows the assignment of multicast addresses to multicast streams received from an upper tier MCAD directory. The tiered MCAD directory structure allows for requesting and storing stream descriptors and delivering stream descriptors on-demand to MCAD-enabled devices throughout the system. The system (10) also allows for stream provisioning maintenance and validation at lower tier headends via MCAD-enabled device queries or re-queries of upper tier MCAD directories.

Abstract: A digital information stream communication (DISC) system within a first conditional access system (CAS) is disclosed. The DISC system communicates information from a digital information stream (DIS) having DIS attributes for accessibility using the first CAS or associated with a digital media (DM) content in the DIS. The DISC system includes a monitoring module configured to receive the DIS and identify one or more of the DIS attributes for accessibility using the first CAS. The DISC system also includes a processing module configured to identify one or more of the DIS attributes associated with the DM content and analyze the DIS attributes. It does this to determine whether to send DIS data from the DIS to a second CAS based upon the DIS data being included in the DIS attributes. The DISC system also includes a processor configured to operate the monitoring module and the processing module.