Abstract: A server system determines, for a group of user sessions assigned to a single modulator, that an aggregate bandwidth for a first frame time exceeds a specified budget for the modulator. The user sessions comprise data in a plurality of classes, each class having a respective priority. In response to a determination that the aggregate bandwidth exceeds a specified budget, the server system allocates a portion of the aggregate bandwidth, including allocating a first portion of the data for a first user session in the group of user sessions and allocating a second portion of the data for a second user session in the group of user sessions, where both the first portion and the second portion are allocated in accordance with the class priorities. The server system transmits the allocated portions of the data for the group of user sessions through the modulator during the first frame time.

Abstract: A server computing device receives, from a client device, a digest segment generated by the client device. The digest segment corresponds to a first media stream segment received by the client device, and the digest segment includes a representation of the first media stream segment. The server computing devices determines, using the digest segment, a playback command that corresponds to the first media stream segment and transmits, to the client device, the playback command.

Abstract: An electronic device sends a content stream, via an unmanaged network, toward a client device and monitors the capacity of the unmanaged network. The device determines whether an aggregate bandwidth of an upcoming portion of the content stream fits the capacity. The upcoming portion of the content stream includes video content and user-interface data. In response to a determination that the aggregate bandwidth of the upcoming portion of the content stream does not fit the capacity, when the user-interface data is not the result of a user interaction: the device prioritizes a frame rate of the video content over latency for the user-interface data, and in accordance with a determination that the aggregate bandwidth of the upcoming portion of the content stream does not fit the capacity, sends ahead one or more frames of the video content in the upcoming portion, and delays the user-interface data in the upcoming portion.

Abstract: A method of adapting content-stream bandwidth includes generating a content stream for transmission over an unmanaged network with varying capacity and sending the content stream toward a client device. The method includes monitoring the capacity of the unmanaged network and determining whether an aggregate bandwidth of an upcoming portion of the content stream fits the capacity. The upcoming portion of the content stream includes video content and user-interface data. The method further includes, in response to a determination that the aggregate bandwidth of the upcoming portion of the content stream does not fit the capacity, prioritizing low latency for the user-interface data over maintaining a frame rate of the video content when the user-interface data is the result of a user interaction and reducing a size of the upcoming portion of the content stream in accordance with the prioritizing. The reducing comprises decreasing the frame rate of the video content.

Abstract: A server system assigns a group of user sessions to a single modulator. The user sessions comprise data in a plurality of classes, each class having a respective priority. The plurality of classes includes, in order of priority from highest priority to lowest priority, audio data, video data, and user-interface graphical elements. The server system determines that an aggregate bandwidth for a first frame time exceeds a specified budget for the modulator. In response to determining that the aggregate bandwidth for the first frame time exceeds the specified budget, the server system transmits an allocated portion of the data for the group of user sessions through the modulator onto a channel corresponding to the modulator during the first frame time in accordance with the class priorities.

Abstract: A server remote from a client device executes an HTML-based virtual client application. The server uses the HTML-based virtual client application to traverse a Document Object Model (DOM) tree to identify differences between a set of sequential images in sequential video frames of a sequence of video frames to render a rendered image corresponding to a video frame, the rendered image associated with HTML commands. The server uses the HTML-based virtual client application to generate an HTML wrapper for the rendered image that includes data encoded in accordance with the differences identified by traversing the DOM tree. The server sends the HTML wrapper to the client device to be processed by an HTML-based application on the client device to enable the image to be displayed at a display coupled to the client device.

Abstract: A method is performed at a client device distinct from an application server. In the method, a first key is stored in a secure store of the client device. A wrapped second key is received from the application server. The first key is retrieved from the secure store and used to unwrap the second key. Encrypted media content and a media control command to control playback of the media content is received from the application server. The content is decrypted using the unwrapped second key, and decoded for playback. During playback of the media content, a play position of the decrypted media content is transmitted to the application server and the decrypted media content is transmitted to a display device that is coupled to the client device. The decrypted media content is displayed in accordance with the received media control command.

Abstract: A server remote from client device executes an HTML-based virtual client application. Using the HTML-based virtual client application, the server renders an image corresponding to a video frame. The rendered image includes HTML commands. The server generates an HTML wrapper for the rendered image. Generating the HTML wrapper includes converting the HTML commands to HTML primitives that are selected from a subset of available HTML commands. The server sends the HTML wrapper to the client device to be processed by an HTML-based application on the client device to enable the image to be displayed.

Abstract: A method is performed at a client device distinct from an application server. In the method, a first key is stored in a secure store of the client device. A wrapped second key is received from the application server. The first key is retrieved from the secure store and used to unwrap the second key. Encrypted media content is received from the application server, decrypted using the unwrapped second key, and decoded for playback.

Abstract: A method of generating a blended output including an interactive user interface and one or more supplemental images. At a client device, a video stream containing an interactive user interface is received from a server using a first data communications channel configured to communicate video content and a command is transmitted to the server that relates to a user input received through the interactive user interface. In response to the transmitting, an updated user interface is received using the first data communications channel, and one or more supplemental images are received using a second data communications channel. Each supplemental image is associated with a corresponding transparency coefficient. The updated user interface and the one or more supplemental images are blended according to the transparency coefficient for each supplemental image to generate a blended output and the blended output is transmitted toward the display device for display thereon.

Abstract: A server remote from client device executes an HTML-based virtual client application. Using the HTML-based virtual client application, the server renders an image corresponding to a video frame. The rendered image includes HTML commands. The server generates an HTML wrapper for the rendered image. Generating the HTML wrapper includes converting the HTML commands to HTML primitives that are selected from a subset of available HTML commands. The server sends the HTML wrapper to the client device to be processed by an HTML-based application on the client device to enable the image to be displayed.

Abstract: A method of adapting content-stream bandwidth includes generating a content stream for transmission over an unmanaged network with varying capacity and sending the content stream toward a client device. The method includes monitoring the capacity of the unmanaged network and determining whether an aggregate bandwidth of an upcoming portion of the content stream fits the capacity. The upcoming portion of the content stream includes video content and user-interface data. The method further includes, in response to a determination that the aggregate bandwidth of the upcoming portion of the content stream does not fit the capacity, prioritizing low latency for the user-interface data over maintaining a frame rate of the video content when the user-interface data is the result of a user interaction and reducing a size of the upcoming portion of the content stream in accordance with the prioritizing. The reducing comprises decreasing the frame rate of the video content.

Abstract: A server system assigns a group of user sessions to a single modulator. The user sessions comprise data in a plurality of classes, each class having a respective priority. The plurality of classes includes, in order of priority from highest priority to lowest priority, audio data, video data, and user-interface graphical elements. The server system determines that an aggregate bandwidth for a first frame time exceeds a specified budget for the modulator. In response to determining that the aggregate bandwidth for the first frame time exceeds the specified budget, the server system transmits an allocated portion of the data for the group of user sessions through the modulator onto a channel corresponding to the modulator during the first frame time in accordance with the class priorities.

Abstract: Switched digital television programming for video-on-demand and other interactive television services are combined utilizing class-based, multi-dimensional decision logic to simultaneously optimize video quality and audio uniformity while minimizing latency during user interactions with the system over an unmanaged network. For example, a method of adapting content-stream bandwidth includes generating a content stream for transmission over an unmanaged network with varying capacity; sending the content stream, via the unmanaged network, toward a client device; monitoring the capacity of the unmanaged network; determining whether an aggregate bandwidth of an upcoming portion of the content stream fits the capacity, wherein the upcoming portion of the content stream corresponds to a respective frame time and includes video content and user-interface data; and, in response to a determination that the aggregate bandwidth does not fit the capacity, reducing a size of the upcoming portion of the content stream.

Abstract: Switched digital television programming for video-on-demand and other interactive television services are combined utilizing a class-based, multi-dimensional decision logic to simultaneously optimize video quality and audio uniformity while minimizing latency during user interactions with the system over managed networks such as cable and satellite television networks. A group of user sessions are assigned to a single modulator. The user sessions include data in a plurality of classes, each class having a respective priority. In response to a determination that an aggregate bandwidth of the group of user sessions for a first frame time exceeds a specified budget, bandwidth is allocated for the group of user sessions during the first frame time in accordance with the class priorities. The group of user sessions is multiplexed onto a channel corresponding to the modulator in accordance with the allocated bandwidth and transmitted over a managed network.

Abstract: Encrypted content from a content provider is received at a central location of a multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD). The content provider is distinct from the MVPD. The content is decrypted and processed in a virtual set-top application associated with a set-top of a customer of the MVPD. The set-top of the customer is located in a customer premises remote from the central location. The processed content is provided over a secure data link to a conditional-access encoder at the central location. The conditional-access encoder encrypts the processed content, which is then transmitted to the set-top of the customer.

Abstract: A method of generating a blended output including an interactive user interface and one or more supplemental images. At a client device, a video stream containing an interactive user interface is received from a server using a first data communications channel configured to communicate video content and a command is transmitted to the server that relates to a user input received through the interactive user interface. In response to the transmitting, an updated user interface is received using the first data communications channel, and one or more supplemental images are received using a second data communications channel. Each supplemental image is associated with a corresponding transparency coefficient. The updated user interface and the one or more supplemental images are blended according to the transparency coefficient for each supplemental image to generate a blended output and the blended output is transmitted toward the display device for display thereon.

Abstract: A method is performed at a client device distinct from an application server. In the method, a first key is stored in a secure store of the client device. A wrapped second key is received from the application server. The first key is retrieved from the secure store and used to unwrap the second key. Encrypted media content is received from the application server, decrypted using the unwrapped second key, and decoded for playback.

Abstract: A method of combining an interactive user interface for generating a blended output that includes the interactive user interface and one or more supplemental images. At a client device remote from a server, a video stream that contains an interactive user interface is received from the server using a first data communications channel configured to communicate video content, and a command that relates to an interactive user interface is transmitted to the server. In response to the transmitting, an updated user interface is received from the server using the first data communications channel, and one or more supplemental images for supplementing the interactive user interface are received using a second data communications channel different from the first data communications channel. The updated user interface and the one or more supplemental images are blended to generate a blended output, which is transmitted toward the display device for display thereon.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing and controlling playback latency in an unmanaged, buffered data network. A delay cost function is determined, the function representing the effect of playback latency on end user experience. An encoder transmits audiovisual data through the network to a client device. Network latency is measured, and the delay cost function is evaluated to establish an encoding bitrate for the encoder. The encoding of the audiovisual data is altered in response to dynamic network conditions, thereby controlling end-to-end playback latency of the system, which is represented by the playout length of data buffered between the encoder and the client device.