Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a remote camera is described. The apparatus includes a housing and a processor positioned within the housing. A transceiver coupled to the processor communicates with a remote server. The remote server is coupled to the remote camera. A motion tracking component is mechanically coupled to the housing and electrically coupled to the processor. The motion tracking component generates a motion signal. The remote server controls a parameter of the remote camera in response to the motion signal. A display is coupled to the processor for displaying the output signal from the remote camera. The output signal is associated with the parameter of the remote camera.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes generating a key associated with a virtual asset associated with content to be provided to a client device, where the key indicates at least one parameter for accessing the content; generating the virtual asset; receiving a request for the content; identifying a format being requested for the content; using the virtual asset to identify common format content to be retrieved and to identify the key; using the key to retrieve the common format content; and transforming the common format content such that it can be delivered to the client device in the format that was requested.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving media content including timed metadata, generating a common format asset including the timed metadata and a timed metadata index including at least one reference point corresponding to the common format asset. Each reference point includes state context information of the timed metadata at a particular instance of time. The method may further include receiving a request for the timed metadata from a particular client device, and retrieving a determined amount of the timed metadata from the common format asset using the timed metadata index. In a particular example, the determined amount of the timed metadata is an amount sufficient to display a current timed metadata context corresponding to the request.

Abstract: Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, a system may be provided to provide per-subscriber stream management comprising: a client capable of receiving a playlist containing a subset of segments associated with a video asset; a video application server to request subscriber state information and to build state representations in a subscriber database on a per-subscriber basis; a media segmenter capable of providing the video asset in multiple bit rates; a subscriber state manager capable of managing the current state of one or more subscribers in a subscriber database; and a stream manager capable of requesting the assignment of bandwidth from a wireless infrastructure on a per-subscriber basis.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a client device queries a location server using a client-selected interface for content retrieval from a content distribution network (CDN), and receives a location attribute from the location server based on a location of the client device. The client device then presents the location attribute to a CDN selector within a first content retrieval request, and may receive a redirection from the CDN selector to a selected content source based on the location attribute. As such, the client device may then initiate a second content retrieval request to the selected content source. In another embodiment, a CDN selector receives a content retrieval request from a client device, and determines that the content retrieval request contains a location attribute indicating a location of the client device. Based on the location attribute, the CDN selector selects a content source, and redirects the client device to the selected content source.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes generating a key associated with a virtual asset associated with content to be provided to a client device, where the key indicates at least one parameter for accessing the content; generating the virtual asset; receiving a request for the content; identifying a format being requested for the content; using the virtual asset to identify common format content to be retrieved and to identify the key; using the key to retrieve the common format content; and transforming the common format content such that it can be delivered to the client device in the format that was requested.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving common format media including timed metadata associated with a timed metadata event. The method further includes extracting timed metadata information from the timed metadata, and generating a manifest corresponding to the common format media including the timed metadata information. The timed metadata information includes an indicator of a start time and an indicator of a duration of the timed metadata event. The method further includes generating a common format asset including the manifest.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving, at a virtual server, a request for video content from a client device; identifying a policy for a set of transform sessions; accessing a resource monitor in order to evaluate current load conditions associated with the virtual server; and determining an action to take based on the current load conditions.

Abstract: Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, a system may be provided to provide per-subscriber stream management comprising: a client capable of receiving a playlist containing a subset of segments associated with a video asset; a video application server to request subscriber state information and to build state representations in a subscriber database on a per-subscriber basis; a media segmenter capable of providing the video asset in multiple bit rates; a subscriber state manager capable of managing the current state of one or more subscribers in a subscriber database; and a stream manager capable of requesting the assignment of bandwidth from a wireless infrastructure on a per-subscriber basis.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a client device queries a location server using a client-selected interface for content retrieval from a content distribution network (CDN), and receives a location attribute from the location server based on a location of the client device. The client device then presents the location attribute to a CDN selector within a first content retrieval request, and may receive a redirection from the CDN selector to a selected content source based on the location attribute. As such, the client device may then initiate a second content retrieval request to the selected content source. In another embodiment, a CDN selector receives a content retrieval request from a client device, and determines that the content retrieval request contains a location attribute indicating a location of the client device. Based on the location attribute, the CDN selector selects a content source, and redirects the client device to the selected content source.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving media content including timed metadata, generating a common format asset including the timed metadata and a timed metadata index including at least one reference point corresponding to the common format asset. Each reference point includes state context information of the timed metadata at a particular instance of time. The method may further include receiving a request for the timed metadata from a particular client device, and retrieving a determined amount of the timed metadata from the common format asset using the timed metadata index. In a particular example, the determined amount of the timed metadata is an amount sufficient to display a current timed metadata context corresponding to the request.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a request for video content from a client device and accessing a common format representation for a requested chunk within the video content. The common format representation is provided in one or more files that include metadata indicative of one or more counters. The method can also include using the common format representation in conjunction with a deterministic equation to identify a predicted size of an output to be sent to the client device; and using the predicted size of the output to initiate transmitting at least a portion of a response to the client.

Abstract: Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, a system may be provided to provide per-subscriber stream management comprising: a client capable of receiving a playlist containing a subset of segments associated with a video asset; a video application server to request subscriber state information and to build state representations in a subscriber database on a per-subscriber basis; a media segmenter capable of providing the video asset in multiple bit rates; a subscriber state manager capable of managing the current state of one or more subscribers in a subscriber database; and a stream manager capable of requesting the assignment of bandwidth from a wireless infrastructure on a per-subscriber basis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transparently transforming a multicast stream is provided. The method includes transforming the multicast stream in a content engine. The multicast stream has a first bandwidth. The content engine receives a request for the multicast stream from a multicast receiver with a second bandwidth availability. Thereafter, the content engine transforms the multicast stream to a multicast stream with a third bandwidth. The third bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth. The transformed multicast stream is sent to the multicast receiver.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for a service provider to stream user-customized information. In an embodiment, the user-customized information includes tickers, advertisements and other types of user-specific information. Users can register for categories that interest them, from an available set of categories. The service provider can then stream the user-customized information on the basis of registration information. A parent service provider streams a main event and gives the service provider control of streaming the user-customized information during still periods of the main event. The service provider can also stream tickers, based on the registered categories, during the main event.

Abstract: Methods and systems have been provided for preempting a secondary service provider from streaming information. The primary service provider sends an Ad-insert control packet for giving control of the streaming to the secondary service provider, during still periods determined on the basis of the Ad-insert control packet. When the primary service provider wants to take back control of streaming from the secondary service provider during the still periods, the primary service provider sends an Ad-insert preempt message. The secondary service provider is then preempted during the periods that are determined on the basis of the Ad-insert preempt message.

Abstract: Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, a system may be provided to provide per-subscriber stream management comprising: a client capable of receiving a playlist containing a subset of segments associated with a video asset; a video application server to request subscriber state information and to build state representations in a subscriber database on a per-subscriber basis; a media segmenter capable of providing the video asset in multiple bit rates; a subscriber state manager capable of managing the current state of one or more subscribers in a subscriber database; and a stream manager capable of requesting the assignment of bandwidth from a wireless infrastructure on a per-subscriber basis.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a remote camera is described. The apparatus includes a housing and a processor positioned within the housing. A transceiver coupled to the processor communicates with a remote server. The remote server is coupled to the remote camera. A motion tracking component is mechanically coupled to the housing and electrically coupled to the processor. The motion tracking component generates a motion signal. The remote server controls a parameter of the remote camera in response to the motion signal. A display is coupled to the processor for displaying the output signal from the remote camera. The output signal is associated with the parameter of the remote camera.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transparently transforming a multicast stream is provided. The method includes transforming the multicast stream in a content engine. The multicast stream has a first bandwidth. The content engine receives a request for the multicast stream from a multicast receiver with a second bandwidth availability. Thereafter, the content engine transforms the multicast stream to a multicast stream with a third bandwidth. The third bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth. The transformed multicast stream is sent to the multicast receiver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transparently transforming a multicast stream is provided. The method includes transforming the multicast stream in a content engine. The multicast stream has a first bandwidth. The content engine receives a request for the multicast stream from a multicast receiver with a second bandwidth availability. Thereafter, the content engine transforms the multicast stream to a multicast stream with a third bandwidth. The third bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth. The transformed multicast stream is sent to the multicast receiver.