Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC

Matthew Zelesko

James S Manchester

Ethan Wolf

Peter Stern

Wilfred Jaime Miles

Ranga Muvavarirwa

An encoder resource receives segments of content on one or more data feeds. The encoder resource receives and/or produces encoder control information specifying multiple different bit rate data streams on which to encode the segments of content. As specified by the encoder control information, in accordance with encoding rules, the encoder resource adaptively encodes the segments of content into a varying number of different bit rate data streams. Clients in a network environment initiate retrieval of the varying number of different bit rate data streams to playback content.

Situation-dependent dynamic bit rate encoding and distribution of content

Methods and apparatus for automatically transitioning program delivery/reception between alternative sources, e.g., from a non-IP channel to an IP video source or between two alternative IP sources are described. The transition maybe triggered by a detected problem with the delivery via the non-IP channel or because of scheduled service. The transition may be in response to a command sent to a device or because the receiving device detects a problem with one of the content sources triggering an automatic switch to the alternative content source. In at least some embodiments the different content sources corresponding to different coding methods, e.g., with MPEG-2 encoded and packetized content being delivered by a non-IP content delivery channel and MPEG-4 being delivered using unicast IP content delivery techniques. The methods facilitate deployment of new services with IP content delivery being deployed initially on a regional basis with non-IP content delivery gradually being rolled out.

Methods and apparatus for enhancing network reliability and/or enabling phased deployment of video services

A content manager initiates play back of corresponding content on a display screen. The corresponding content is received on a primary broadcast channel selected amongst multiple available channels. During play back of the corresponding content, the content manager receives selection of over-the-top content available over a secondary channel with respect to the primary broadcast channel. The over-the-top content includes supplemental content associated with the corresponding content. In response to receiving the selection of over-the-top content, the content manager: i) retrieves the over-the-top content, and ii) initiates play back of the over-the-top content on the display screen. Accordingly, the user can selectively retrieve and play back supplemental content associated with a primary broadcast channel.

Multi-option sourcing of content

Methods and apparatus for collecting program viewership information are described. A viewership monitoring module is provided access to decrypted program content allowing program information to be recovered without having to capture output program content using a microphone or camera. The monitoring module is loaded onto a secure device, e.g., a home network device, such as a router used to deliver content to a secure playback device. Alternatively the secure device which performs the monitoring maybe the secure playback device. Since a user of the secure device or a company implementing the viewership monitoring process loads the monitoring module onto the secure device, the network used to deliver the secure content need not be informed of which network customers are contributing to the viewership information which is being collected.

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Doylestown, PA, United States of America

Matthew Zelesko