Abstract: Methods and apparatus for content based notification using hierarchical groups. In an aspect, a method is provided that operates to provide an event notification. The method includes maintaining an event description dictionary comprising one or more event descriptors, and associating content with a selected event descriptor. The method also includes compressing the selected event descriptor to generate a compressed event descriptor, and transmitting the compressed event descriptor on a notification channel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for maintaining program-guide records comprises the steps of requesting a program-guide index, receiving the program-guide index, and determining whether there exists any new program-guide record based on the received program-guide index. The method further comprises requesting a new program-guide record and receiving the program-guide record. In one aspect, a method for maintaining program-guide records comprises the steps of receiving a program-guide update indication, and determining any new program-guide record based on the received program-guide update indication. The method further comprises requesting an updated program-guide record, receiving the updated program-guide record, and updating the program-guide records.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for service planning and analysis. In an aspect, a method is provided for scheduling a presentation for delivery over a distribution network. The method comprises generating a contact window that comprises a selected time duration, performing an allocation cycle to allocate the presentation to the contact window, determining whether the presentation can be allocated, adjusting the selected time duration of the contact window if the presentation cannot be allocated, and repeating said performing, determining and adjusting until the presentation can be allocated.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for managing device operations. The method includes dividing control information into two or more portions, each portion being associated with a unique control sequence number. Each of the associated control sequence numbers is examined during an update cycle to determine which of the portions must be updated. The control sequence number includes information related to control information updates.

Abstract: System for creation and transport of multimedia content flows. The system includes a method for transporting a content flow to a wireless access network for broadcast to devices coupled to the wireless access network. The method includes transmitting a request message to add the content flow to the wireless access network, wherein the request message includes a scheduled delivery time. The method also includes receiving a response message indicating that the content flow will be added to the wireless access network, waiting until the scheduled delivery time, and delivering the content flow to the wireless access network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a control channel in a data network. A method is provided that operates to provide a control channel in a data network. The method includes receiving one or more server digests, and generating a control channel digest from the one or more server digests. The method also includes communicating with a device, and transmitting the control channel digest to the device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for over-the-air (OTA) subscriptions. A method is provided for performing over-the-air subscriptions in a data network. The method comprises establishing an overhead notification mechanism, and transmitting a package database to a device using the overhead notification mechanism, wherein the package database identifies one or more service packages. The method also comprises receiving a request from the device to subscribe to one or more selected service packages.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing guide state information to a device. A method is provided for updating a program guide that comprises one or more sections. The method includes determining that a selected section of the program guide has changed, and generating a program guide state notification message that identifies the selected section of the program guide. The method also includes transmitting the program guide state notification message, and transmitting the selected section of the program guide.

Abstract: System for providing hierarchical services in a data network. A method is provided for rendering hybrid presentations. The method includes caching one or more content items, and detecting a presentation event associated with a real-time service. The method also includes retrieving a selected content item from the one or more content items based on the presentation event, and rendering the selected content item.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for rendering information on a device. A method is provided for rendering programming information on a device. The method includes obtaining the programming information, and applying one or more rendering techniques to the programming information to produce a program guide, wherein the amount of programming information included in the program guide is optimized. The method also includes rendering the program guide on the device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creation and transport of multimedia content flows to a distribution network. The system includes a method for transporting a content flow to an access network for distribution to devices coupled to the access network. The method includes transmitting a request message to add the content flow to the access network, wherein the request message comprises one or more flow parameters associated with the content flow. The method also includes receiving a response message indicating that the content flow associated with the one or more flow parameters will be added to the access network, and delivering the content flow to the access network.

Abstract: System for layering content for scheduled delivery in a data network. A method is provided for transmitting content from a distribution server in a data network. The method includes encoding the content into a base layer and one or more enhancement layers, and transmitting the base layer. The method also includes receiving a request to receive one or more enhancement layers, and transmitting the one or more enhancement layers.

Abstract: A system and method for downloading graphical images to a display device from a server through a wireless communications network within a predetermined time interval. In one embodiment, a docking station for a wireless device is provided with a connector for connecting the display device, and docking station provides a dial tone to the display device within the predetermined time interval and requests connection to the server through the wireless device. The docking station will not provide the dial tone outside of the predetermined time interval.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for content delivery to a mobile device. A method is provided for receiving content in a wireless data network. The method includes initiating a content download over a first connection that supports a first data rate, wherein the content has a selected quality level, and establishing a second connection that supports a second data rate. The method also includes comparing the first data rate to the second data rate, and processing the content download based on the result of said comparing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for hybrid multicast and unicast transmissions in a data network. A method is provided for operating a server on a data network. The method includes computing a multicast cost indicator and a unicast cost indicator that are associated with multicast and unicast transmission of data. The method also includes determining that the multicast cost indicator is less than the unicast cost indicator, and generating a transmission schedule that describes when the data will be multicasted on the data network.

Abstract: System for scalable transmission of content in a data network. A method is provided for transmitting a plurality of content clips. The method includes determining QoS factors for the content clips, and grouping the content clips into groups based on the determined QoS factors. The method also includes coding the content clips in the groups to form coded content clips, interleaving the coded content clips to create a clip stream, and transmitting the clip stream.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to optimize delivery of multicast content using probabilistic feedback. A method is provided for transmitting data from a server to a plurality of receiving terminals. The method includes transmitting the data from the server to the plurality of receiving terminals, and generating a random response value at each receiving terminal. The method also includes comparing the response value to an acknowledgement value at each receiving terminal, and transmitting an acknowledgment signal to the server from selected receiving terminals. The selected receiving terminals are a portion of the plurality of receiving terminals where the response value has a selected relationship to the acknowledgement value.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for billing wireless device subscribers based upon billable interaction with applications and services resident on third party computer devices that are accessible through a wireless network. The system uses authenticatable transaction data that is created when a wireless device conducts a billable transaction whereby the data is a secure indication that a wireless device has performed a specific billable transaction event. The transaction data can be authenticated and then aggregated to generate billing for billable transaction events that occur on the wireless network. The billing can occur from a billing computer on the network or the aggregated data can be sent to a wireless service provider for ultimate billing to the wireless device subscriber.

Abstract: A system, method, and program for optimizing a wireless network having at least data communication between computer devices selectively connected thereto, and at least one of the computer devices is a remotely located wireless device. The wireless device has a resident network optimization application that causes the selective transmission of network status data to at least one other computer device on the wireless network, and either the data-receiving computer device or another computer device on the wireless network optimizes the wireless network based upon the received network status data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining a requester of a desired service to a local group of providers for the desired service allows the requester of the desired service to instantly get in touch with the local group of providers for the desired service. The group of service providers is dynamically determined based on the current location vector of the service requester, regardless of the current location of the service requester, and without requiring the service requester to individually contact each provider of the desired service.