The Directv Group, Inc.

At&t Intellectual Property I, LP

Directv, LLC

Richard B Tatem

Sayedalireza Pezeshki

Drew T Chen

Jorge H Guzman

Horia-Mihai Popa

Reza Pezeshki

Wassim Daccache

John L Norin

Kuriacose Joseph

Vishal Arya

Ranny Q Sue

Michael A Makhijani

Luan Le-Chau

Ronald J Hubach

Joseph Z Fung

Xin Wang

Bogdan Livadariu

John L Pang

Paul O Viazcan

Dana Greer

Brian Moore

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a local server coupled to a plurality of client devices. The local server may receive encrypted content from one or more content sources and provide the content to the client devices. The local server and client devices may be part of a multi-client environment such as a hotel or conference center. The local server does not decrypt and re-encrypt content, thereby allowing the use of low cost equipment. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Secure content delivery to multiple client devices via a local server

Systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and methods are disclosed to synchronize media playback at devices in a multicast environment. Disclosed is a system to synchronize media playback, the system comprising programmable circuitry, and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed or instantiated by the programmable circuitry, facilitate performance of operations, comprising transmitting, using a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), a first request in a first HTTP message to a first client device and to a second client device, receiving, from the first client device in response to the first request. a first time stamp associated with a first presentation, the first time stamp representing a first playback time within the first presentation, receiving, from the second client device in response to the first request, a second time stamp associated with a second presentation, the second time stamp representing a second playback time within the second presentation, calculating a time difference between the first time stamp and the second time stamp, determining whether the time difference satisfies a threshold, transmitting a second HTTP message to the first client device and the second client device in response to a determination that the time difference fails to satisfy the threshold, the second HTTP message to cause the first client device to pause the first presentation and the second client device to pause the second presentation, transmitting seek instructions in a third HTTP message to the second client device, the seek instructions to cause the second client device to synchronize the second presentation to the first presentation by setting the first and second playback times equal, and transmitting a fourth HTTP message to cause the first client device to resume the first presentation and the second client device to resume the second presentation.

Methods and apparatus for synchronous HTTP media playback

Systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and methods are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a first hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) communication, the first HTTP communication including a first request for a media segment from a first client device; transmitting metadata in a second HTTP communication to the first client device, the metadata corresponding to the media segment; transmitting a datagram using User Datagram Protocol (UDP), the datagram transmitted to the first client device and a second client device, the first client device and the second client device causing presentation of a same media stream; receiving a third HTTP communication after the transmissions, the third HTTP communication including a second request for the media segment, the third HTTP communication from the second client device; and transmitting, by executing an instruction with a processor, the metadata in a fourth HTTP communication to the second client device.

Methods and apparatus for asynchronous media requests

A content signal switching controller receives first signal information about a first content signal provided by a first satellite antenna and received by a trunk distribution system. The first signal information indicates the quality of a satellite signal that is received by the first satellite antenna and that is converted to the first content signal. The content signal switching controller receives second signal information about a second content signal provided by a second satellite antenna. The second signal information indicates the quality of the satellite signal that is received by the second satellite antenna. In response to the content signal switching controller determining that the first signal information and the second signal information satisfy a first signal switching condition, a content signal switch instruction is provided to a switch device to switch the trunk distribution system from being provided the first content signal to being provided the second content signal.

Satellite signal switching system

A multi-switch module expander includes a chassis that includes signal input ports and signal output ports configured to couple with signal input ports provided on a first multi-switch module and couple with signal input ports provided on a second multi-switch module. A splitting circuit is housed in the chassis and coupled to the signal input ports and the signal output ports. The splitting circuit is configured to provide signals received at each signal input port of the multi-switch module expander to respective signal input ports of the first multi-switch module and the second multi-switch module that are coupled with the signal output ports of the multi-switch module expander.

Multi-switch module expander

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, apparatus that includes a first port that receives a radio frequency signal input, a second port that provides a high-speed Internet connection and the radio frequency signal input and receives a power supply current, and a third port that receives the high-speed Internet connection and receives the power supply current and that the first port is isolated from the power supply current. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Triplexer signal combiner

A method and system for suspending channel signals includes a network, a plurality of terminals in communication with the network and a receiving unit in communication with the plurality of terminals through the network. The receiving unit receives a channel signal and communicates the channel signal to the plurality of terminals through the network. The receiving unit monitors inactivity at the plurality of user terminals. The receiving unit discontinues distributing the channel signal when channel inactivity is determined by monitoring the plurality of user terminals.

Method and system for discontinuing a channel stream in a multi-terminal system

A method and system for providing local content in a local network includes a plurality of terminals and a receiving unit in communication with the plurality of terminals receiving first program guide data and communicating the first program guide data to the plurality of terminals. The system also includes a local video source generating a video signal. The system also includes a local server in communication with the plurality of terminals and the local video source generating second program guide data corresponding to local content and communicating the second program guide data to the plurality of terminals. The plurality of terminals displays a grid guide comprising the first program guide data modified by the second program guide data.

Method and system for inserting local channel insertion in a multi-terminal system

A receiving unitincludes a tuner that receives a first signal that may include a satellite signal. A demodulator demodulates the satellite signal to form a second signal. The second signal may be internet protocol (IP) encapsulated to form an IP encapsulated signal. The IP encapsulated signal may be communicated through an IP network to a decoder. The decoderdecodes the second signal or the IP encapsulated signal. A modulatormodulates the decoded signal which is communicated to user devices through a network. In addition, IP encapsulated signals may also be communicated to various user devices through the network.

SMATV headend using IP transport stream input and method for operating the same

A switching splitter and method of operating the same comprises a first port, a second port in communication with the first port and a third port in communication with the first port. A switching module is in communication with the second port and the third port. The switching module switches in response to a direct current voltage at the second port. The switching module communicates a control signal from the second port to the first port or from the third port to the first port in response the direct current voltage.

Switching splitter and method of operating the same

A mounting bracket mounting to a mounting surface includes a back plate having a first side and second side. The second side is adjacent to the mounting surface. A shelf portion extends outward from the first surface of the back plate. A retainer portion extends from the shelf portion.

Bracket for mounting a user receiving device

A method and system for controlling a controlled device includes a display device and a remote control device generating a key code and communicating the first key code signal corresponding to the key code to the display device. The display device Communicates the key code of the key code signal through the display device without changing the key code and communicates a second key code signal from the display device to a controlled device. The controlled device is controlled in response to the key code in the second key code signal.

Method and system for controlling a controlled device with a remote control device through a display device

Bracket with upper extension for holding a user receiving device

A system for viewing on-demand content includes a user receiving device and a local head end in communication with the receiving device that communicates metadata and material identifiers for on-demand content. Each on-demand content is associated with one of the material identifiers. The user receiving device stores the metadata and the material identifiers for the on-demand content. The local head end receives content. Each content is associated with one of the material identifiers. The user receiving device communicates a request for on-demand content data signal to the local head end. The local head end communicates a manifest comprising material identifiers for content stored at the head end. The user receiving device, after receiving the manifest, displays metadata from the memory of the user receiving device corresponding to the material identifiers.

Method and system for prepositioning content and distributing content in a local distribution system

An enclosure for a television distribution component and method for assembling the same includes a mounting plate, a plurality of extensions extending from the mounting plate and a housing receiving the electrical component. The housing has a plurality of openings aligned with the extensions. The housing having a cover wall generally parallel to the mounting plate and a plurality of side walls, said cover wall includes a first plurality of openings aligned with the plurality of extensions, a first side wall of the plurality of side walls includes a plurality of openings for electrically connecting to the electrical component.

Growing community of inventors

Middletown, MD, United States of America

Richard B Tatem