Abstract: A system (100) and method (300) are disclosed for exchanging content between communication devices. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device (200) having a transceiver (202) for exchanging messages with alternate communication devices (104-112), and a controller (214) for managing operations of the transceiver. The controller is programmed to scan (302) for an alternate communication device, detect (302, 304) the alternate communication device, request (306) from the alternate communication device a log of subscribed content acquired by the alternate communication device from an alternate source, identify (312) a desirable portion of the subscribed content, transmit (316) to the alternate communication device a peer-to-peer request for the desirable portion of the subscribed content according to one or more available subscriptions, and receive (320) from the alternate communication device the desired portion of the subscribed content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-rate media data delivery using multiple IP multicast streams are provided. According to example embodiments disclosed herein, the method may include determining a plurality of stream bit rates based on a plurality of demanded bit rates of a plurality of output media data streams and a first algorithm. The method may further include receiving an input media signal and generating a plurality of encoded data streams using the input media signal. The encoded data streams may have encoded bit rates, substantially the same as the stream bit rates. The example method may also include, using a second algorithm and the encoded data streams to generate output data streams at the demanded bit rates. In an example embodiment, the system may comprise a multi-rate encoder and a stream generator, to generate a plurality of encoded streams at the encoded bit rates.

Abstract: There are provided a method, a system and machine-readable medium for encoding a video broadcast. The method includes obtaining one or more first compression settings for the video broadcast from an electronic program guide (EPG), the EPG associating the video broadcast with the one or more first compression settings. The method further includes compressing the video broadcast using the one or more first compression settings into a distribution broadcast. Yet further, the method includes distributing the distribution broadcast. There is also provided a method, system and machine readable medium to provide compression settings for encoding a video broadcast. The method includes inserting one or more compression settings into an electronic program guide (EPG) in association with the video broadcast based on a content type of the video broadcast. The method further includes distributing the EPG.

Abstract: A method and system for multicasting video signals over a network. A standard definition (SD) picture-in-picture (PIP) multicast video signal is encoded from a video signal. A common network address is assigned to the SD PIP multicast video signal for both SD PIP video content and high definition (HD) video content.

Abstract: Techniques for linking and browsing media on a television (TV) are provided. A selected program, which is associated with a channel of the TV, is detected and additional content, which is associated with that channel and/or the selected program, is dynamically acquired from one or more external sources. The additional content is formatted as links and simultaneously presented within a display of the TV along with the selected program that continues to play on the TV. Furthermore, activation of any link results in the additional content being dynamically acquired and presented within the display.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for receiving a group of video channels at a client device, selecting a display set from the group of channels, and sending a communication to a display for displaying each channel in the display set in parallel wherein each one of the channels in the display set is displayed in one of a plurality of picture in picture (PIP) displays for a predetermined time.

Abstract: A system and method of processing a satellite signal is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a satellite signal at a receiver, where the satellite signal includes a Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) portion and a radio frequency (RF) portion. The method also includes decoding the satellite signal to produce a digital MPEG transport stream signal that includes the MPEG portion, by removing the RF portion from the satellite signal without substantially altering the MPEG portion. The method also includes transmitting the digital MPEG transport stream signal to a vestigial sideband (VSB) modulator, where the VSB modulator transmodulates the digital MPEG transport stream signal to a VSB signal.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for acquiring services on a multiplicity of devices. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a service management center (SMC) (100) that has a plurality of service centers (102-110) for supplying services to a corresponding plurality of devices (120-128), and a controller (112) for managing operations of the service centers. The controller is programmed to receive (202) from a select one of the devices an identification reference in response to a request for service by an end user, search (210) for one or more services associated with the identification reference, select (212) from the search results one or more services appropriate for the requesting device, and enable (220) the one or more services on the selected device.

Abstract: An apparatus (100, 200) and method are disclosed for managing voicemail messages. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a voicemail system (100) having a communications interface (110) and a controller (102) for managing operations of the communications interface. The controller is programmed to store (310) voicemail messages corresponding to a communication device (102), transmit (316) a log of the voicemail messages to the communication device, and receive (318) from the communication device a request to delete a voicemail message selectively chosen from a user interface corresponding to the voicemail log. The present disclosure further describes embodiments for the communication device.

Abstract: A system (100) and method (300) are disclosed for exchanging content between communication devices. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device (200) having a transceiver (202) for exchanging messages with alternate communication devices (104-112), and a controller (214) for managing operations of the transceiver. The controller is programmed to scan (302) for an alternate communication device, detect (302, 304) the alternate communication device, request (306) from the alternate communication device a log of subscribed content acquired by the alternate communication device from an alternate source, identify (312) a desirable portion of the subscribed content, transmit (316) to the alternate communication device a peer-to-peer request for the desirable portion of the subscribed content according to one or more available subscriptions, and receive (320) from the alternate communication device the desired portion of the subscribed content.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for maintaining continuity of a multimedia session between media devices. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computer-readable storage medium in a multimedia server (112) operating in a service management center (SMC) (100) for managing operations of a plurality of service centers (102-110). The storage medium has computer instructions for receiving (210) a departure mark associated with a multimedia session being presented at a first media device, and transmitting (216) to a second media device from a select one of the service centers the multimedia session starting from the departure mark.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing a unified video data stream for diverse receiving platforms. In some embodiments, the unified data stream can provide video data to multiple receiving devices with diverse video data input requirements. The communication system can include a digitizer that converts an analog video to a high resolution (HR) digital video signal. The communication system can also include a signal processing engine that receives the HR digital video signal, compress the video signal, creates video packets from the compressed signal, and identifies at least a portion of the video packets for distribution to lower resolution devices. The HR data stream can be sent to high resolution devices wherein the identified packets can be “copied” from the HR data stream and sent to devices having lower resolution requirements.

Abstract: A system and method for managing video content streams are disclosed. The method includes receiving a plurality of multicast video streams at a server and buffering each video stream within a memory at the server. The method also includes generating a multicast video output at the server and a unicast video output at the server.

Abstract: A network digital video recorder has a number of set top boxes each having an individual digital video recorder. A peer-to-peer network connects the set top boxes. A digital rights management client operates on the set top boxes. An electronic rights server is coupled to the peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: A satellite transponder switch (STS) maintains a table that maps set-top boxes (STBs) to carrier frequencies. The STS receives a first request from a first STB for a first transponder band and a second request from a second STB for a second transponder band. The STS accesses a first satellite feed and polarity based on the first request, and a second satellite feed and polarity based on the second request. The STS band-pass filters the first and second transponder bands from the first and second satellite feed and polarity, respectively. The STS frequency shifts the first transponder band to a first carrier frequency assigned to the first STB and the second transponder band to a second carrier frequency assigned to the second STB. The STS outputs a signal that comprises the frequency-shifted first and second transponder bands to the first STB and the second STB.

Abstract: A method of distributing content includes receiving at least one request for a particular content item. Based on the at least one request, a number of users who are to receive the particular content item and are capable of receiving the particular content item via a wireless link is determined. Based on the number of users, at least one of a wireline link and the wireless link from which the users are to receive the particular content item is selected. The particular content item is distributed to the users via the selected at least one link.

Abstract: A content broker hosting service is disclosed that includes a broker module configured to facilitate the management of digital content of an Internet user. The content broker hosting service supports a single sign-on user account that permits a subscriber to login to the content broker hosting service and other third party content providers that permit the sign-on credentials to be “federated” and used on their respective sites. Users may purchase content on the content hosting service site or from third party providers. The content hosting service maintains a directory of the devices a subscriber owns and of the content purchased. The rights usage policies and associated license keys are maintained on the hosting service to provide a digital “proof of purchase” for the content.

Abstract: A method of distributing content includes receiving at least one request for a particular content item. Based on the at least one request, a number of users who are to receive the particular content item and are capable of receiving the particular content item via a wireless link is determined. Based on the number of users, at least one of a wireline link and the wireless link from which the users are to receive the particular content item is selected. The particular content item is distributed to the users via the selected at least one link.

Abstract: A communications system serves as a proxy for a user device in a communications network. The communications system includes a network gateway that receives content in response to a user initiated content utilization attempt from a user device. A computer receives the content from the network gateway and, in response to receiving the content, determines whether the content utilization by the user can be permitted. The computer can also determine whether the content utilization by the user can be completed.

Abstract: A dynamic repository (either storing digital data content or pointers to stored digital data content) works in conjunction with a plurality of interfaces to manage digital content and digital rights policies associated with one or more users. Digital rights policies are unique to each user and such policies define access to digital content in the repository. The user's digital rights policy indicates the level of access a user has to digital content in the repository (e.g., the policy could indicate that the user has authorized access to a particular file for a period of seven days). The interfaces linked with the content repository are used to access and manipulate the digital data content (based upon each user's digital rights policy) and the digital rights policies stored in the content repository.