Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for provisioning network services, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing intelligent network services automation. In various embodiments, a computing system might receive one or more network performance metrics of one or more networks, might receive network usage data associated with the one or more networks, and might analyze, using one or more machine learning techniques, the received one or more network performance metrics and the received network usage data to determine whether the one or more networks can be improved in terms of network efficiency or network operations. Based on a determination that the one or more networks can be improved, the computing system might dynamically reconfigure at least one of one or more network connections within the one or more networks or one or more network resources within the one or more networks.

Abstract: A system for intelligent video streaming a video controller having at least one processor and non-transitory computer readable media having a set of instructions executable by the at least one processor to receive a playback request from a user device for a live stream, determine, from the playback request, whether source streaming content for the live stream is being transcoded, and allocate an available transcoder to transcode the source streaming content. The system further includes a transcoding having at least one processor and non-transitory computer readable media having a set of instructions executable by the at least one processor to join the multicast stream, retrieve the source streaming content, and transcode the source streaming content, and provide transcoded streaming content for delivery to the user device.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for invoking virtualized network functions. In some embodiments, a programmable service backbone might comprise at least one virtualized network function, and might provide virtualized network functions required to provision a service offering. In some cases, at least one application programming interface might be configured to invoke the at least one virtualized network function of the programmable service backbone. An application programming interface gateway might be configured to manage access to the at least one application programming interface, and the application programming interface gateway might comprise a security layer.

Abstract: Tools are provided for distributing access-restricted content in an internet protocol television (“IPTV”) environment based on portable entitlement keys. Such tools can include a decoder, an encoder, and a network entitlement handler. The decoder may be configured to receive a key associated with entitlement information, and transmit the entitlement information over a network. The encoder may be configured to receive content from content providers, and to encode the content to create IP-compatible content, with access restrictions based on entitlement. The network entitlement handler may be configured to receive a request for requested content from the decoder; receive the access-restricted content (including the requested content) from the encoder; and transmit the requested content over the network to the decoder using IP, when the decoder is entitled to receive the requested content.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for entertainment printables are provided. A system includes a printables server, design database, 3-D printer, and media player. The media player may include a processor, and a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions executable by the processor to obtain a content stream including at least one of an audio stream or a video stream, and a data stream including a trigger associated with a printable model. The instructions may further be executable to transmit trigger information to the printables server, obtain a 3-D model file associated with the printable model, and print the printable model based on the 3-D model file.

Abstract: A system for intelligent video streaming a video controller having at least one processor and non-transitory computer readable media having a set of instructions executable by the at least one processor to receive a playback request from a user device for a live stream, determine, from the playback request, whether source streaming content for the live stream is being transcoded, and allocate an available transcoder to transcode the source streaming content. The system further includes a transcoding having at least one processor and non-transitory computer readable media having a set of instructions executable by the at least one processor to join the multicast stream, retrieve the source streaming content, and transcode the source streaming content, and provide transcoded streaming content for delivery to the user device.

Abstract: Tools are provided for distributing access-restricted content in an internet protocol television (“IPTV”) environment based on portable entitlement keys. Such tools can include a decoder, an encoder, and a network entitlement handler. The decoder may be configured to receive a key associated with entitlement information, and transmit the entitlement information over a network. The encoder may be configured to receive content from content providers, and to encode the content to create IP-compatible content, with access restrictions based on entitlement. The network entitlement handler may be configured to receive a request for requested content from the decoder; receive the access-restricted content (including the requested content) from the encoder; and transmit the requested content over the network to the decoder using IP, when the decoder is entitled to receive the requested content.

Abstract: A license manager includes a processor and non-transitory computer readable media having encoded thereon a set of instructions executable by the at least one processor to receive a request, from a virtual machine, to reserve an individual license of the set of authorized licenses for a vendor software instance, determine the availability licenses for the requested vendor software, register a unique identifier of the virtual machine in association with an available individual license, grant the individual license to the virtual machine, and prevent the granted individual license from concurrent use by other virtual machines or devices.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for invoking virtualized network functions. In some embodiments, a programmable service backbone might comprise at least one virtualized network function, and might provide virtualized network functions required to provision a service offering. In some cases, at least one application programming interface might be configured to invoke the at least one virtualized network function of the programmable service backbone. An application programming interface gateway might be configured to manage access to the at least one application programming interface, and the application programming interface gateway might comprise a security layer.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for remotely configuring and orchestrating multifunctional cloud devices located on customer premises, in some cases, using a smart cloud adaptive device. In some embodiments, the smart cloud adaptive device, which might have one or more wireless programmable radios configured to communicate with a network termination device, might communicate with a cloud configuration server over a network via the one or more wireless programmable radios (and, in some embodiments, through the network termination device). The smart cloud adaptive device might transmit device identification information associated with a customer and/or service codes indicative of services to be provided to the customer. The smart cloud adaptive device might receive one or more configuration files from the cloud configuration server based on the service codes, and enable functionality among a plurality of functionalities to provision the services, based on the one or more configuration files.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for an IoT shell are provided. A system includes an internet of things (IoT) device, a database, and a license manager. The database may include one or more sets of authorized licenses, each set of authorized licenses associated with a respective vendor software. The license manager may be in communication with the IoT device and the database, and further include a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions executable by the processor. The license manager may be configured to receive a request to reserve a license for a first vendor software, determine an availability of the license associated with the first vendor software, register a unique identifier of the IoT device in association with the license, and grant the license to the IoT device.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are described for providing media content to a plurality of set-top boxes (“STBs”) over a licensed spectrum and over an unlicensed spectrum. In an aspect, each of the plurality of STBs might comprise a first transceiver configured to receive media content or data over a licensed spectrum and a second transceiver configured to receive and send media content or data over an unlicensed spectrum. The first STB of the plurality of STBs might receive a first portion of the media content at the first transceiver and receive a second portion of the media content at the second transceiver from a second STB of the plurality of STBs. The plurality of STBs might query each other to determine available frequencies and/or bandwidth, and might store results of the query in a table in local memory or in a database accessible by all of the plurality of STBs.

Abstract: A license manager includes a processor and non-transitory computer readable media having encoded thereon a set of instructions executable by the at least one processor to receive a request, from a virtual machine, to reserve an individual license of the set of authorized licenses for a vendor software instance, determine the availability licenses for the requested vendor software, register a unique identifier of the virtual machine in association with an available individual license, grant the individual license to the virtual machine, and prevent the granted individual license from concurrent use by other virtual machines or devices.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques to enable more robust electronic program guides in television distribution systems. Some solutions can obtain data (e.g., from the Internet) about a program listed on an electronic program guide and integrate that data with electronic program guide. In some cases, this information can be obtained and/or updated dynamically, in real-time or near real-time, for example to provide, up-to-date information can be provided in the electronic program guide, rather than requiring the viewer to tune to an information channel. In some cases, the system can provide a generalized electronic program guide that can be rendered by the system to be displayed on a plurality of different devices.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for remotely configuring and orchestrating multifunctional cloud devices located on customer premises, in some cases, using a smart cloud adaptive device. In some embodiments, the smart cloud adaptive device, which might have one or more wireless programmable radios configured to communicate with a network termination device, might communicate with a cloud configuration server over a network via the one or more wireless programmable radios (and, in some embodiments, through the network termination device). The smart cloud adaptive device might transmit device identification information associated with a customer and/or service codes indicative of services to be provided to the customer. The smart cloud adaptive device might receive one or more configuration files from the cloud configuration server based on the service codes, and enable functionality among a plurality of functionalities to provision the services, based on the one or more configuration files.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are described for auto-summarizing video and/or audio content. In some embodiments, a summary server might retrieve one or more time codes from a time code database, and might analyze the one or more time codes to determine at least one selected time code among the one or more time codes that exceeds a predetermined number of selections. The one or more time codes might correspond to one or more triggers, which might include user-inputted triggers, triggers associated with actions by a live audience, or broadcaster/distributor/producer-provided triggers (i.e., cue tones). The summary server might determine one or more selected segments of video or audio content corresponding to the at least one selected time code, and might create one or more summary tracks, where each of the one or more summary tracks might comprise each of the one or more selected segments of the video or audio content.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting an initial bandwidth setting. A determination is made that a client is initiating a communication session. Network conditions for the client are determined. A bandwidth setting for the client is selected utilizing the network conditions and a previous bandwidth setting saved in a memory. The communication session for the client is initiated utilizing the bandwidth seating.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing video qualification, which might include implementing video quality measurements at a subscriber premises and qualification of the subscriber premises for particular levels of video data transmission. In some cases, one or more customer premises equipment might comprise video quality chips that might perform measurements of the telecommunications links, and might send the results to a server associated with the service provider. The server might determine available video services, based on the results of the measurements, and might send the subscriber notifications indicating that the subscribers qualify for particular video services. In some cases, implementing video qualification might include the server determining that video service levels provided to a customer premises has been decreased or otherwise negatively affected.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are described for providing media content to a plurality of set-top boxes (“STBs”) over a licensed spectrum and over an unlicensed spectrum. In an aspect, each of the plurality of STBs might comprise a first transceiver configured to receive media content or data over a licensed spectrum and a second transceiver configured to receive and send media content or data over an unlicensed spectrum. The first STB of the plurality of STBs might receive a first portion of the media content at the first transceiver and receive a second portion of the media content at the second transceiver from a second STB of the plurality of STBs. The plurality of STBs might query each other to determine available frequencies and/or bandwidth, and might store results of the query in a table in local memory or in a database accessible by all of the plurality of STBs.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are described for auto-summarizing video and/or audio content. In some embodiments, a summary server might retrieve one or more time codes from a time code database, and might analyze the one or more time codes to determine at least one selected time code among the one or more time codes that exceeds a predetermined number of selections. The one or more time codes might correspond to one or more triggers, which might include user-inputted triggers, triggers associated with actions by a live audience, or broadcaster/distributor/producer-provided triggers (i.e., cue tones). The summary server might determine one or more selected segments of video or audio content corresponding to the at least one selected time code, and might create one or more summary tracks, where each of the one or more summary tracks might comprise each of the one or more selected segments of the video or audio content.