Abstract: A “pause live television” service is implemented, where in one embodiment, a continuously streaming video from a broadcast programming source is copied into a circular buffer. A set top box (“STB”) requests a trick function, such as “pause,” by sending a message to the system, which in one embodiment suspends the display of the present broadcast video in the STB. The system determines an pointer and when the user requests resumption of the broadcast video (e.g., “play”), the system uses the pointer for that particular STB to determine the appropriate resumption point in the particular buffer to resume streaming of the video for that STB. In various embodiments, the network may begin streaming of the video at the resumption point on another channel and direct the STB to then tune to that channel. Thus, the program appears to have been seamless suspended and resumed using a network based capability.

Abstract: A “pause live television” service is implemented, where in one embodiment, a continuously streaming video from a broadcast programming source is copied into a circular buffer. A set top box (“STB”) requests a trick function, such as “pause,” by sending a message to the system, which in one embodiment suspends the display of the present broadcast video in the STB. The system determines an pointer and when the user requests resumption of the broadcast video (e.g., “play”), the system uses the pointer for that particular STB to determine the appropriate resumption point in the particular buffer to resume streaming of the video for that STB. In various embodiments, the network may begin streaming of the video at the resumption point on another channel and direct the STB to then tune to that channel. Thus, the program appears to have been seamless suspended and resumed using a network based capability.

Abstract: A remote access to video on-demand (“VOD”) system provides a user with the ability to retrieve VOD content from a remote service location. The user first registers for this service and receives a mobile application downloaded to a mobile device. The user subsequently requests VOD content in one embodiment by accessing a web site, identifying themselves and the requested VOD content. The system provides a visual token to the user, where the mobile device uses the camera function to transmit a corresponding token value to a remote access VOD server. Upon determining the values correlated, the system provides the requested VOD content in accordance with the user's subscription profile for receiving VOD services. A remote access server in one embodiment provides the mobile application download, receives the request; generated the visual token, receives the response, and causes the selected VOD program to be streamed.