Abstract:
Systems and methods may provide for communication between a plurality of client devices of a broadcast system. The communication may be, for example, a recommendation of a program that is communicated from one subscriber to another subscriber or subscribers via their client devices. The communication also may be a comment regarding a program, for example, recently viewed at the client device of the one subscriber. In general, the communication may be a message from one subscriber to another subscriber or subscribers. Further, the communication may be configured to perform a function on one or more other client devices. Such a function may include, but is not limited to, setting a timer to record a program, ordering or purchasing a program or service, cancelling an ordered/purchased program or service, setting or altering user preferences, controlling access to channels, etc
Abstract:
A method/system for accounting for viewing/recording of programs via a client device may include: generating an account associated with a client device, the account including a balance; monitoring viewing/recording of programs via the client device; and deducting from the balance based on the viewing/recording of programs via the client device. A method/system for providing viewing/recording of programs via a client device may include: receiving a request to view/record a program via a client device; evaluating the request in view of an account associated with the client device; and allowing the program to be viewed/recorded via the client device based on the evaluation. A method of generating such an account may include: receiving a user request for an account associated with a client device; and setting an initial balance of the account based on the user request, the initial balance including an amount of viewing/recording of programs via the client device.
Abstract:
Various embodiments described herein relate to apparatus for executing software in a secure computing environment (100), A secure processor (104) can be used and configured to request a context swap from s first context to a second context when switching execution from a first portion of software to a second portion of software, A context manager (106), which can be in communication with the secure processor, can be configured to receive and initials a requested context swap, A trust vector verifier (108), which can be in communication with the secure processor and the context manager, can be configured to load a trust vector descriptor upon command from a context manager.
Abstract:
Described herein are systems and methods for providing hardware based security to software applications in a television receiver. The system can include a television receiver having a trusted hardware environment that includes a security processor and a standard environment that includes an application processor. The security processor can ensure that at least a portion of the software application executed by the application processor is secure. A portion of the software application code can be placed in an interrupt service routine memory space. During execution of the software application, the security processor can security check the portion of the software application in the interrupt service routine memory space, making it trusted code. The security processor can force the application processor to execute the trusted code by triggering an interrupt. Such forced execution can allow the security processor to not only ensure that code is trusted, but that it is executed.
Abstract:
Various arrangements for servicing autonomous devices via satellite-based communication links are detailed herein. A satellite transponder stream of data may be monitored via a tuner for an identifier indicative of an autonomous device. An update linked with the identifier may be acquired from the satellite-transmitted transponder stream of data. The acquired update may be stored at least until the autonomous device communicatively pairs with the network-independent maintenance device. The autonomous device may be communicatively paired with the system or device that received the satellite-broadcast update. In response to having acquired the update linked with the identifier from the transponder stream of data and the autonomous device being communicatively paired with the system or device, the acquired update may be transmitted to the autonomous device.
Abstract:
Described are systems and methods for providing improved indoor reception of OTA (Over-the-Air) broadcast signals. The systems described include antenna systems with one or more network interfaces for providing a transport stream received by an antenna to a network.
Abstract:
Embodiments described herein provide various techniques for programming and authorizing television receivers and other subscriber equipment via Internet Protocol (IP) networks. In some embodiments, a television receiver device (e.g., a satellite television receiver, cable television receiver, etc.) may detect and establish a connection to an IP network. After connecting to an IP network, the receiver may transmit identification data to a backend computer server of a cable or satellite television provider. The backend server may use the receiver identification data to determine television subscription(s) associated with the receiver and/or customer, and may determine and transmit one or more authorization codes back to the television receiver over the IP network. The television receiver may use the authorization codes to program the receiver device to decode and output the television channels and programs corresponding to the subscription.
Abstract:
A method for estimating bandwidth associated with an oscillating network includes determining a set of first average bandwidths within a corresponding set of first sliding windows, wherein each of the first sliding windows has a first duration. A second sliding window is defined such that it includes the set of first sliding windows, the second sliding window having a second duration that is larger than the first duration. The system then determines whether a bandwidth oscillation (as illustrated) is occurring based on the first set of first average bandwidths within the second sliding window.
Abstract:
Systems, devices, and methods for streaming media content over a network are provided. One exemplary method of streaming media content over a network involves transmitting one or more portions of the media content to a client device via a delivery route between a content delivery source and the network, determining a performance metric associated with the transmitting of the one or more portions via the delivery route, and dynamically adjusting the delivery route between the content delivery source and the network based at least in part on the performance metric.
Abstract:
Systems, devices, and methods for streaming media content over a network are provided. One exemplary method of assisted streaming of media content over a network involves detecting, by a media player at a client device coupled to the network, a first condition with respect to streaming the media content, and in response to the first condition, requesting, by the media player, a first portion of the media content from a first content delivery source on the network. After requesting the first portion of the media content, the method further comprises detecting, by the media player, a second condition with respect to streaming the media content, and in response to detecting the second condition, requesting, by the media player, a subsequent portion of the media content from a second content delivery source on the network. The first content delivery source transmits the media content using a modified transport layer protocol.