Abstract: Certain embodiments herein relate to optimizing the efficiency of video coding. Such optimization may be based on characteristics of video content, such as the size and type of video frames. The size of video frames may be compared to a threshold size to determine whether an intracoded frame should be inserted into a Group of Pictures (GOP) instead of a predetermined type of video frame. As an example, an intracoded video frame may be inserted into the GOP when an abrupt or gradual size change in the sequence of video frames is determined. As another example, unipredicted frames may also be inserted into the GOP instead of bipredicted frames using a similar comparison.

Abstract: A network taxonomy indicating relative locations of network access device within an access network is determined using timing data, performance data such as equalization coefficient data, and/or various other types of data. The timing data may indicate a travel time for a pair of network messages (e.g., network packets) between two network nodes such as two network access devices within the access network. A distance between the two network nodes may then be determined using this time of travel and a propagation velocity of signals transmitted through a transmission media via which the network nodes are connected.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the disclosure may include systems, methods and apparatuses for recording and viewing content items on multiple devices. According to an example embodiment, a method is provided for displaying recorded content to a user. The method includes receiving, from a playback device and by a service provider system comprising at least one processor, a request to retrieve a recorded content item, wherein the recorded content item is recorded on a recording device. The method further includes identifying, by the service provider system, based at least in part upon the received request, at least a portion of the recorded content item as a unique recording specific to the recording device. The method also includes facilitating, by the service provider system, access of the unique recording to the playback device.

Abstract: Transparent scalable video coding may be provided. Upon receiving a request for a content asset, such as from a subscriber's premises, a quality level associated with the content asset may be identified. A video coding layer and/or a plurality of layers associated with the content asset may be selected according to the identified quality level. The selected video coding layer(s) may be encoded into a video stream and provided to a display device (e.g., a television) associated with the request for the content asset.

Abstract: Certain embodiments herein relate to reducing impairments in signals transmitted over a service provider network. A selective filtering device may be placed at various locations in the service provider network to reduce the noise. For example, the devices may be located in, coupled to, or otherwise associated with a tap, an optical node, an amplifier, or other location in the service provider network that may be upstream from user devices at customer premises locations. The selective filtering device may be selective in the way that it may use various types of filtering techniques to eliminate or reduce the noise in a signal. Such techniques may be based on the power densities of carriers and noise in the signal, as well as information associated with scheduled communications in the service provider network.

Abstract: Certain embodiments herein relate to reducing impairments in signals transmitted over a service provider network. A selective filtering device may be placed at various locations in the service provider network to reduce the noise. For example, the devices may be located in, coupled to, or otherwise associated with a tap, an optical node, an amplifier, or other location in the service provider network that may be upstream from user devices at customer premises locations. The selective filtering device may be selective in the way that it may use various types of filtering techniques to eliminate or reduce the noise in a signal. Such techniques may be based on the power densities of carriers and noise in the signal, as well as information associated with scheduled communications in the service provider network.

Abstract: Dynamic content stream management of may be provided. A selection of a content element may be received and an encoding scheme may be selected. The content element may be transmitted to the requesting client in the selected encoding scheme. During transmission, a different encoding scheme may be selected according to changing conditions, such as network congestion. The client may be switched over to receive the content element in the new encoding scheme instead of the originally selected encoding scheme.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for intelligent caching of content items are provided. A content item may be received by a caching device from a content provider based at least in part on a first request from a user. The caching device may determine a content viewing profile. The caching device may direct storage of the received content item for later retrieval. Additionally, the caching device may provide the stored content item to the user in response to a second request for the content.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for network-based storage of requested content are provided. A request for a content item may be received by a content storage device from a customer. Portions of the content item may be extracted from the content item. The content storage device may store the extracted portions of the content item specific to the customer. Additionally, the remainder of the content item may be stored by the content storage device separately from the stored extracted portion. The content item may be reconstructed for the customer using the extracted portions of the content item specific to the customer and the remainder of the content item.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for delivering content are provided. A request for desired content may be received by a content management server from a customer device associated with a customer. The content management server may include one or more computers. Additionally, the content management server may determine whether the customer device is in communication with one or more additional devices associated with the customer. Based at least in part upon the communication determination, the content management server may determine whether the customer device is located within a subscription area for the customer. Based at least in part upon the determination of whether the customer device is located within the subscription area, the content management server may determine access rights to the desired content.

Abstract: A network taxonomy indicating relative locations of network access device within an access network is determined using timing data, performance data such as equalization coefficient data, and/or various other types of data. The timing data may indicate a travel time for a pair of network messages (e.g., network packets) between two network nodes such as two network access devices within the access network. A distance between the two network nodes may then be determined using this time of travel and a propagation velocity of signals transmitted through a transmission media via which the network nodes are connected.

Abstract: Certain embodiments herein relate to optimizing the efficiency of video coding. Such optimization may be based on characteristics of video content, such as the size and type of video frames. The size of video frames may be compared to a threshold size to determine whether an intracoded frame should be inserted into a Group of Pictures (GOP) instead of a predetermined type of video frame. As an example, an intracoded video frame may be inserted into the GOP when an abrupt or gradual size change in the sequence of video frames is determined. As another example, unipredicted frames may also be inserted into the GOP instead of bipredicted frames using a similar comparison.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for providing terminal devices configured to collect network performance data, communicate the network performance data to one or more neighboring devices, and analyze the collected performance data and/or the received network performance data to identify anomalous data. The anomalous data may be communicated to a network management system which may, in turn, analyze the anomalous data to identify one or more network impairments. Additionally, or alternatively, a terminal device may be configured to identify a network impairment by correlating anomalous collected data to data received from neighboring terminal devices.

Abstract: Secured broadband devices and methods for providing broadband communication are provided. A broadband device may include a housing, at least one broadband component, and a securing mechanism. The at least one broadband component may be situated within the housing and configured to receive a broadband signal. Additionally, the at least one broadband component may be configured to output at least a portion of the broadband signal for receipt by one or more external devices. The securing mechanism configured to secure the housing to an electrical outlet.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for delivering content are provided. A request for desired content may be received by a content management server from a customer device associated with a customer. The content management server may include one or more computers. Additionally, the content management server may determine whether the customer device is in communication with one or more additional devices associated with the customer. Based at least in part upon the communication determination, the content management server may determine whether the customer device is located within a subscription area for the customer. Based at least in part upon the determination of whether the customer device is located within the subscription area, the content management server may determine access rights to the desired content.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for recording broadband content are provided. A user command to record desired content included in broadband content output by a service provider may be received by a programming processing component configured to receive the output broadband content. The programming processing component may determine whether the desired content will be recorded by the programming processing component. If it is determined that the desired content will be recorded by the programming processing component, then the desired content may be stored by the programming processing component in at least one memory. If it is determined that the desired content will not be recorded by the programming processing component, then a request to record the desired content may be communicated by the programming processing component to a content recording server.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for delivering content are provided. A request for desired content may be received by a content management server from a customer device associated with a customer. The content management server may include one or more computers. Additionally, the content management server may determine whether the customer device is in communication with one or more additional devices associated with the customer. Based at least in part upon the communication determination, the content management server may determine whether the customer device is located within a subscription area for the customer. Based at least in part upon the determination of whether the customer device is located within the subscription area, the content management server may determine access rights to the desired content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for customizing broadband content based upon passive presence detection of users are provided. A user device in proximity to a customer premise device may be detected. The customer premise device may be configured to output programming content received from a service provider. An identifier of the detected user device may be determined. Based at least in part on the identifier, an identity of a user may be determined. Based at least in part on the identity of the user, content that is output by the customer premise device may be customized.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the disclosure may include systems, methods and apparatuses for recording and viewing content items on multiple devices. According to an example embodiment, a method is provided for displaying recorded content to a user. The method includes receiving, from a playback device and by a service provider system comprising at least one processor, a request to retrieve a recorded content item, wherein the recorded content item is recorded on a recording device. The method further includes identifying, by the service provider system, based at least in part upon the received request, at least a portion of the recorded content item as a unique recording specific to the recording device. The method also includes facilitating, by the service provider system, access of the unique recording to the playback device.

Abstract: Secured broadband devices and methods for providing broadband communication are provided. A broadband device may include a housing, at least one broadband component, and a securing mechanism. The at least one broadband component may be situated within the housing and configured to receive a broadband signal. Additionally, the at least one broadband component may be configured to output at least a portion of the broadband signal for receipt by one or more external devices. The securing mechanism configured to secure the housing to an electrical outlet.