Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for allocating resources in an efficient manner in a gateway service device. The apparatus includes of a gateway server or head end unit connected to a plurality of end user terminals. The gateway server contains a controller for managing the allocation of receiving resources used for providing services to the end user terminals. The method includes receiving a service request, comparing the request to services already in use and, if a match is found, providing an updated data stream containing new information regarding the service to the end user terminals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses provide load balanced signal distribution to client devices in a network, such as a digital home network. According to an exemplary embodiment, one of the methods includes the steps of receiving a request from a client device for downloading video from one of a plurality of video sources, receiving respective load indicators from first and second video receiving devices capable of receiving the plurality of video sources, selecting one of the first and second video receiving devices according to the load indicators, and instructing the selected video receiving device to transmit the video from the one of the plurality of video sources using an address known by the client device.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for compensating for a satellite gateway failure. There is provided a system comprising a first satellite gateway, and a second satellite gateway (14) coupled to the first satellite gateway and configured to automatically redistribute transponders assigned to the first satellite gateway to create a new transponder allocation if the first satellite gateway fails.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for grouping program identifiers into multimast groups. More specifically, there is provided a method comprising receiving a request for satellite services from a requester device, wherein the request includes at least one program identifier, creating a second group of program identifiers, comparing the requested program identifier with a first group of previously requested program identifiers stored on a satellite service providing device, and moving the matching program identifier from the first group of program identifiers to the second group of program identifiers if the requested program identifier matches one of the program identifiers in the first group of program identifiers, wherein a multicast of the second group of program identifiers is adapted to be shared by the requester device and another device.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for selecting a multicast IP address. More specifically, there is provided a method comprising selecting a first IP address from a plurality of IP addresses, hashing the first IP address to create a first hash value corresponding to the first IP address, determining whether the first hash value corresponds to a second IP address that is in use, and allocating the first IP address if the first hash value does not correspond to the second IP address that is in use.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses provide load balanced signal distribution to client devices in a network, such as a digital home network. According to an exemplary embodiment, one of the methods includes the steps of receiving a request from a client device for downloading video from one of a plurality of video sources, receiving respective load indicators from first and second video receiving devices capable of receiving the plurality of video sources, selecting one of the first and second video receiving devices according to the load indicators, and instructing the selected video receiving device to transmit the video from the one of the plurality of video sources using an address known by the client device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for transcoding within the distribution chain and remotely controlling transcoding. A method includes receiving (210) a first program and an in-band signal with respect to the first program at a signal processing facility. The method further includes transcoding (215) the first program at the signal processing facility according to at least one parameter specified by the in-band signal.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for compensating for a satellite gateway failure. There is provided a system comprising a first satellite gateway, and a second satellite gateway (14) coupled to the first satellite gateway and configured to automatically redistribute transponders assigned to the first satellite gateway to create a new transponder allocation if the first satellite gateway fails.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for selecting a signal input. More specifically, there is provided a receiver comprising an Ethernet input, a video input, and a selection device coupled to the Ethernet input and the video input and configured to select either the Ethernet input or the video input based on the application of a selection rule, wherein the receiver is configured to utilize the selected input to receive a signal for display.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium box is disclosed for determining a networked device connection status of an IP set top. A signal strength parameter request is generated associated with the networked device's operation. This request is transmitted to a specific point in a network system where it is received at specific hardware and/or software point. Then a reply or signal strength parameter is generated in response to the signal strength parameter request. This reply or signal strength parameter is transmitted across the network system from the specific hardware and/or software point back to the networked device. There it is loaded into a signal strength parameter variable and displayed to the user.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for advertising the availability of a software upgrade. More specifically, there is provided a method comprising determining a version of software that supports a set top box, adding information indicative of whether the set top box is running the supporting version of the software to a packet, wherein the packet contains data representative of a satellite service, and transmitting the packet to the set top box.

Abstract: A content distribution system employs IP multicast techniques to facilitate in identifying software dynamically, and to facilitate in downloading the software from the appropriate server to diverse client receivers. The clients monitor multicasts from a server and utilize a master/slave hierarchy technique to assist in requesting desired software blocks. The server sends out multicasts with payloads that identity, for example, manufacturers and model numbers of client receivers. The client receivers can then listen and download the payloads that pertain to their specific models. The master/slave technique allows only a master client receiver to request software blocks. Once fulfilled, the master status can be passed to another client receiver to request software blocks.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for grouping program identifiers into multimast groups. More specifically, there is provided a method comprising receiving a request for satellite services from a requester device, wherein the request includes at least one program identifier, creating a second group of program identifiers, comparing the requested program identifier with a first group of previously requested program identifiers stored on a satellite service providing device and moving the matching program identifier from the first group of program identifiers to the second group of program identifiers if the requested program identifier matches one of the program identifiers in the first group of program identifiers, wherein a multicast of the second group of program identifiers is adapted to be shared by the requester device and another device.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for selecting a multicast IP address. More specifically, there is provided a method comprising selecting a first IP address from a plurality of IP addresses, hashing the first IP address to create a first hash value corresponding to the first IP address, determining whether the first hash value corresponds to a second IP address that is in use, and allocating the first IP address if the first hash value does not correspond to the second IP address that is in use.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for allocating resources in an efficient manner in a gateway service device. The apparatus includes of a gateway server or head end unit connected to a plurality of end user terminals. The gateway server contains a controller for managing the allocation of receiving resources used for providing services to the end user terminals. The method includes receiving a service request, comparing the request to services already in use and, if a match is found, providing an updated data stream containing new information regarding the service to the end user terminals.

Abstract: A method and a system for performing trick mode features in a personal video recorder without introducing a channel change delay during normal viewing. The method includes the steps of recording a video source signal and concurrently bypassing the video source signal to a display device, without experiencing any buffering delay associated with the recording step. During trick mode operation the bypassing step can be automatically terminated and a recorded version of the video source signal can be substituted and sent to the display. The bypassing step further can include substituting, without any buffering delay, an alternate video source signal in response to a user selection of an alternate video source signal channel. A user notification can be generated to acknowledge receipt of a trick mode command. The user notification can be terminated once the step of substituting the recorded version of the video source signal has been completed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for parameter borrowing for network address translator (NAT) configuration by receiving, at a first dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) device, a DHCP lease request from a client, determining, from the DHCP lease request, first communication parameters of the client, and enabling the determined first communication parameters to be used by a second DHCP device, the determined first communication parameters adapted for use in upstream DHCP lease requests by the second DHCP device.

Abstract: A method and a system for performing trick mode features in a personal video recorder without introducing a channel change delay during normal viewing. The method includes the steps of recording a video source signal and concurrently bypassing the video source signal to a display device, without experiencing any buffering delay associated with the recording step. During trick mode operation the bypassing step can be automatically terminated and a recorded version of the video source signal can be substituted and sent to the display. The bypassing step further can include substituting, without any buffering delay, an alternate video source signal in response to a user selection of an alternate video source signal channel. A user notification can be generated to acknowledge receipt of a trick mode command. The user notification can be terminated once the step of substituting the recorded version of the video source signal has been completed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for parameter borrowing for network address translator (NAT) configuration by receiving, at a first dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) device, a DHCP lease request from a client, determining, from the DHCP lease request, first communication parameters of the client, and enabling the determined first communication parameters to be used by a second DHCP device, the determined first communication parameters adapted for use in upstream DHCP lease requests by the second DHCP device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamic host configuration protocol lease time determination by receiving at a first dynamic host configuration protocol device, a message requesting allocation of an IP address to a client, and allocating to the requesting client a relatively short lease time, if a second dynamic host configuration protocol device does not contain the requested IP address lease.