Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a plurality of segments of media content, each of the plurality of segments including a plurality of media frames, generating segment metadata for each of the plurality of segments, the segment metadata including a segment identifier, transmitting a broadcast stream including the plurality of segments and the segment metadata for each of the plurality of segments, and making the plurality of segments available for retrieval via a unicast stream using the segment identifiers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a plurality of segments of media content, each of the plurality of segments including a plurality of media frames, generating segment metadata for each of the plurality of segments, the segment metadata including a segment identifier, transmitting a broadcast stream including the plurality of segments and the segment metadata for each of the plurality of segments, and making the plurality of segments available for retrieval via a unicast stream using the segment identifiers.

Abstract: Server-side trick mode restrictions in a stream may be provided. The stream may comprise, for example, a Video on Demand (VOD) Adaptive Bitrate (ABR) stream. First, a playlist request corresponding to a stream may be received from a user device. Next, a current stream position in the stream may be determined. In response to receiving the playlist request and when the current stream position corresponds to a non-skip segment, a playlist may be created having a last chunk comprising a next chunk of the stream from the current stream position. The playlist may then be provided to the user device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a plurality of segments of media content, each of the plurality of segments including a plurality of media frames, generating segment metadata for each of the plurality of segments, the segment metadata including a segment identifier, transmitting a broadcast stream including the plurality of segments and the segment metadata for each of the plurality of segments, and making the plurality of segments available for retrieval via a unicast stream using the segment identifiers.

Abstract: A system can include a reconciliation engine configured to evaluate metadata in a given manifest file of a plurality of manifest files generated for redundant copies of a given media asset. The metadata describes a condition of a given chunk of media content in one of the redundant copies of the given media asset. The system can also include a manifest modification function configured to modify the given manifest file for the given chunk of media content in response to the reconciliation engine detecting that the given chunk of media content is damaged based on the evaluation of the metadata associated with the given chunk of media content in the given manifest file.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method performed by a content server with one or more processors and non-transitory memory includes: receiving a first view request from a first client device; determining a first view group associated with the first client device in response to receiving the first view request; identifying a first view hierarchy based on the first view group, where the first view hierarchy includes a first plurality of pointers to a first plurality of content sub-tree hierarchies associated with content items and the first view hierarchy also includes a first order schema; obtaining the first plurality of content sub-tree hierarchies based on the first plurality of pointers; and transmitting display data associated with a first user interface to the first client device based on the first order schema and the first plurality of content sub-tree hierarchies.

Abstract: Server-side trick mode restrictions in a stream may be provided. The stream may comprise, for example, a Video on Demand (VOD) Adaptive Bitrate (ABR) stream. First, a playlist request corresponding to a stream may be received from a user device. Next, a current stream position in the stream may be determined. In response to receiving the playlist request and when the current stream position corresponds to a non-skip segment, a playlist may be created having a last chunk comprising a next chunk of the stream from the current stream position. The playlist may then be provided to the user device.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method performed by a content server with one or more processors and non-transitory memory includes: receiving a first view request from a first client device; determining a first view group associated with the first client device in response to receiving the first view request; identifying a first view hierarchy based on the first view group, where the first view hierarchy includes a first plurality of pointers to a first plurality of content sub-tree hierarchies associated with content items and the first view hierarchy also includes a first order schema; obtaining the first plurality of content sub-tree hierarchies based on the first plurality of pointers; and transmitting display data associated with a first user interface to the first client device based on the first order schema and the first plurality of content sub-tree hierarchies.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a plurality of segments of media content, each of the plurality of segments including a plurality of media frames, generating segment metadata for each of the plurality of segments, the segment metadata including a segment identifier, transmitting a broadcast stream including the plurality of segments and the segment metadata for each of the plurality of segments, and making the plurality of segments available for retrieval via a unicast stream using the segment identifiers.

Abstract: In some implementations, a method includes establishing a communication channel with a server via an internet protocol (IP) network interface. The method also includes communicating client private data with the server via the communication channel. The method further includes transmitting one or more interest messages to the server via an information centric networking (ICN) network interface based on the client private data. In other implementations, a method includes establishing a communication channel with a client device via an internet protocol (IP) network interface. The method also includes communicating client private data with the client device via the communication channel. The method further includes receiving one or more interest messages from the client device via an information centric networking (ICN) network interface.

Abstract: A method of decrypting a scrambled digital data item at a client is disclosed, the method including: receiving actual control messages at the client, wherein each actual control message includes control word generating information for generating a control word associated with the actual control message; storing the actual control messages at the client; receiving the scrambled digital data item at the client independently of the actual control messages, wherein the scrambled digital data item includes a plurality of segments of scrambled digital data, each segment of scrambled digital data being associated with one of the actual control messages and being scrambled with the control word associated with the one of the actual control messages, and wherein the scrambled digital data item further includes a plurality of reference control messages, each segment of scrambled digital data comprising one of the reference control messages, each of the reference control messages including a control message reference va

Abstract: A lenticular lens case for a tablet computer, including first and second base plates that open to enable insertion of a tablet computer, and that close to firmly lock the tablet computer into place, first and second end caps connected to the first and second base plates, including tracks for sliding a frame inwards and outwards, and a lens frame for holding a lenticular lens, including extruding pins that slide along the tracks, such that when the pins reach the end of the tracks, the lens frame can be flipped approximately 180° over the base plates so as to tightly overlay a screen of the tablet computer, when the tablet computer is firmly locked in the base plates.

Abstract: A Headend system including a encoder to encode input data yielding a plurality of data packets, each of the packets having a header and a payload, a post encoding processor to identify ones of the data packets having a payload with a suspected known plaintext, and modify at least some of the identified packets, and an encryption processor to encrypt at least some of the data packets yielding encrypted data packets. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A system can include a reconciliation engine configured to evaluate metadata in a given manifest file of a plurality of manifest files generated for redundant copies of a given media asset. The metadata describes a condition of a given chunk of media content in one of the redundant copies of the given media asset. The system can also include a manifest modification function configured to modify the given manifest file for the given chunk of media content in response to the reconciliation engine detecting that the given chunk of media content is damaged based on the evaluation of the metadata associated with the given chunk of media content in the given manifest file.

Abstract: A method of content sub-item substitution is described. The method includes: receiving from a headend a description of a plurality of virtual channels, the description defining each virtual channel on the basis of one or more metadata attributes associated with that virtual channel; receiving one or more content sub-item substitution opportunities for each virtual channel, each content sub-item substitution opportunity specifying one or more content sub-items for use in the content sub-item substitution; and receiving and recording a content item, the content item including metadata associated with the content item and one or more substitutable content sub-items.

Abstract: A Headend system including a encoder to encode input data yielding a plurality of data packets, each of the packets having a header and a payload, a post encoding processor to identify ones of the data packets having a payload with a suspected known plaintext, and modify at least some of the identified packets, and an encryption processor to encrypt at least some of the data packets yielding encrypted data packets. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A Headend system including a video codec to encode a video sequence yielding an encoded video sequence having video packets, a multiplexer, a signal generator to receive a notification of a splice point, analyze at least some of the encoded video packets based on the notification in order to find a random-access-point-packet, the random-access-point being a point from which to start decoding the encoded video sequence by the rendering device so that the video sequence may be rendered for output from the splice point, create a timing signal estimating a location of the random-access-point-packet in the encoded video sequence, and output the timing signal to the multiplexer or transmission equipment. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A method including providing a first content item for consumption, the first content item having a content placement opportunity at which a second content item can be consumed, dividing the first content item into a plurality of chunks, the placement opportunity being temporally disposed after a first one of the chunks and/or before a second one of the chunks, after a first point where the first chunk is operative to finish being rendered and/or before a second point where the second chunk is operative to start being rendered, and encoding the chunks yielding a plurality of encoded chunks, wherein the encoding includes performing, for each one of the chunks of the first content item encoding the audio/video frames of the one chunk at a first audio/video quality, and repeating encoding of the audio/video frames of the one chunk at a second audio/video quality. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A Headend system including a video codec to encode a video sequence yielding an encoded video sequence having video packets, a multiplexer, a signal generator to receive a notification of a splice point, analyze at least some of the encoded video packets based on the notification in order to find a random- access-point-packet, the random-access-point being a point from which to start decoding the encoded video sequence by the rendering device so that the video sequence may be rendered for output from the splice point, create a timing signal estimating a location of the random-access-point-packet in the encoded video sequence, and output the timing signal to the multiplexer or transmission equipment. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A method of receiving content at a user unit is disclosed. The method includes: receiving at the user unit a transmission stream, the transmission stream including: (a) a content item followed by a following content sub-item set, the following content sub-item set including one or more following content sub-items, and (b) following start time data indicating a following start point of the following content sub-item set, wherein the following start time is received in advance of the following start point during reception of the content item. The method further includes continuing to receive the following start time data periodically throughout reception of the following content sub-item set. Related methods are also disclosed.