Abstract: A method of updating a common provisioning system (CPS) service is provided that includes: selecting a DRM service level from a DRM provider and a corresponding CPS service for said DRM service level; determining if the CPS service is associated with one or more CPS packages; for each associated CPS package, determining if the association is in a corrupt state, wherein the association is in a corrupt state if at least one package content collection (PCC) for the CPS package does not correctly include or exclude the DRM service level that corresponds to said CPS service; and for each associated CPS package in a non-corrupt state, updating a package content collection (PCC) in the DRM provider.

Abstract: A method of updating a common provisioning system (CPS) service is provided that includes: selecting a DRM service level from a DRM provider and a corresponding CPS service for said DRM service level; determining if the CPS service is associated with one or more CPS packages; for each associated CPS package, determining if the association is in a corrupt state, wherein the association is in a corrupt state if at least one package content collection (PCC) for the CPS package does not correctly include or exclude the DRM service level that corresponds to said CPS service; and for each associated CPS package in a non-corrupt state, updating a package content collection (PCC) in the DRM provider.

Abstract: A broadcast system and method that includes a video content network that connects a video server, a discovery server, a switched digital video service, a switched video manager, and a set-top box. The set-top box receives and stores an assigned location identifier, and receives a mapping from the discovery server, where the mapping includes records, each record associating a location identifier and a service group. The set-top box matches the assigned location identifier to the mapping to determine an assigned service group for the set-top box. The set-top box receives an address from the discovery server that identifies the switched video manager that is associated with the assigned service group. The set-top box operates in the broadcast system by communicating with the switched digital video service, and the switched video manager.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method determines an audience rule to be applied for delivering content. The audience rule specifies an audience that is defined based on a combination of device properties, content properties, and digital rights management (DRM) properties. A device group associated with a group of devices is determined where devices in the device group are associated with content authorization properties, device properties, and digital rights management (DRM) properties. The method then applies the audience rule to the device group to determine any devices in the group of devices in which a content authorization for a device should be altered based on analyzing the content authorization properties, device properties, and digital rights management (DRM) properties of the device group and the combination of device properties, content properties, and digital rights management (DRM) properties of the audience rule.

Abstract: A system (10), method (90) and apparatus (14) are provided for provisioning a multicast stream, such as an IP multicast stream, in a network. The system includes a first tier (12), such as a national backbone, with a first Multicast Address Discovery (MCAD) directory (34), and at least one second tier having a headend, such as a regional headend (14), with a second MCAD directory (36, 38). The system (10) includes a tiered MCAD directory network that allows the assignment of multicast addresses to multicast streams received from an upper tier MCAD directory. The tiered MCAD directory structure allows for requesting and storing stream descriptors and delivering stream descriptors on-demand to MCAD-enabled devices throughout the system. The system (10) also allows for stream provisioning maintenance and validation at lower tier headends via MCAD-enabled device queries or re-queries of upper tier MCAD directories.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method determines an audience rule to be applied for delivering content. The audience rule specifies an audience that is defined based on a combination of device properties, content properties, and digital rights management (DRM) properties. A device group associated with a group of devices is determined where devices in the device group are associated with content authorization properties, device properties, and digital rights management (DRM) properties. The method then applies the audience rule to the device group to determine any devices in the group of devices in which a content authorization for a device should be altered based on analyzing the content authorization properties, device properties, and digital rights management (DRM) properties of the device group and the combination of device properties, content properties, and digital rights management (DRM) properties of the audience rule.

Abstract: A system (10), method (90) and apparatus (14) are provided for provisioning a multicast stream, such as an IP multicast stream, in a network. The system includes a first tier (12), such as a national backbone, with a first Multicast Address Discovery (MCAD) directory (34), and at least one second tier having a headend, such as a regional headend (14), with a second MCAD directory (36, 38). The system (10) includes a tiered MCAD directory network that allows the assignment of multicast addresses to multicast streams received from an upper tier MCAD directory. The tiered MCAD directory structure allows for requesting and storing stream descriptors and delivering stream descriptors on-demand to MCAD-enabled devices throughout the system. The system (10) also allows for stream provisioning maintenance and validation at lower tier headends via MCAD-enabled device queries or re-queries of upper tier MCAD directories.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing a metadata database of descriptor of use information relative to video and multimedia transport streams capable of being distributed across a network are provided. The method includes scanning a transport stream to detect metadata directly from the transport stream and collecting additional metadata of the transport stream from at least one headend network device. The metadata and additional metadata obtained for the transport stream is stored in the metadata database. The apparatus may include at least one module for scanning for metadata directly from a video transport stream, for collecting additional metadata known by other network devices, and for populating the metadata database with descriptor of use information for the video transport stream.

Abstract: A broadcast system and method that includes a video content network that connects a video server, a discovery server, a switched digital video service, a switched video manager, and a set-top box. The set-top box receives and stores an assigned location identifier, and receives a mapping from the discovery server, where the mapping includes records, each record associating a location identifier and a service group. The set-top box matches the assigned location identifier to the mapping to determine an assigned service group for the set-top box. The set-top box receives an address from the discovery server that identifies the switched video manager that is associated with the assigned service group. The set-top box operates in the broadcast system by communicating with the switched digital video service, and the switched video manager.

Abstract: A method and system for managing a blackout of media content data includes receiving a media content stream at a local media content device. The media content stream includes the media content data and blackout data related to the blackout of the media content data. The local media content device is operable to implement the blackout of the media content data with the blackout data in the media content stream.