Methods and apparatus for delivery of packetized content (e.g., video, audio, data, etc.) over a content delivery network. In one embodiment, the content is packetized using an Internet Protocol (IP), and delivered by a service provider over both managed and unmanaged networks to subscribers of the provider, so as to provide delivery at any time, at any location, and via any designated user device. The delivered content may originate from the service provider, third-party content sources (e.g., networks or studios), the subscriber(s) themselves, or other sources including the Internet. Use of a common control and service functions within the network afford the ability to integrate or blend services together, thereby affording the service provider and subscriber new service and economic opportunities. Content delivery sessions may also be migrated from one device to another. A network-based user interface infrastructure, and gateway-based client-side architecture, are also disclosed.

Methods and apparatus for packetized content delivery over a content delivery network

Control apparatus and method including a first control device, located at the vehicle or premises, for monitoring or detecting an event, which generates and/or transmits a first notification signal containing event information to a second control device located remote from the vehicle or premises. The second control device generates and/or transmits a second notification signal to a remote communication device for providing notification of the event occurrence. Control apparatus and method including a first control device, located at a vehicle or premises, which generates and/or transmits a first signal for activating, deactivating, enabling, or disabling, a vehicle or a premises system, equipment system, subsystem, device, component, appliance, a vehicle, or a premises, in response to a signal generated and/or transmitted from a remote second control device. The second control device is responsive to a third signal generated and/or transmitted by a remote third control device.

Control, monitoring and/or security apparatus and method

Personal content server apparatus and associated methods that allow a user (e.g., cable or satellite network subscriber) to access content, such as a video program, from a location outside the subscriber's network. In one embodiment, a personal content server streams the content to the subscriber over a network connection from the local e.g., (subscription) network to a remote network upon authorization by a content manager process. Various access, business or operational rules are applied depending on the content and delivery mode; e.g., to live video broadcast, video-on-demand (VOD), or archived content from the subscriber's digital video recorder (DVR) or networked PVR. In another variant, reservation information (for example program or asset ID information) is cached at a headend or hub server, thereby obviating the subscriber (or the network) having to access the subscriber's premises device. In yet another variant, a “virtual” CPE experience is provided for the remote user.

Personal content server apparatus and methods

An integrated system includes a system user interface (SUI) that provides an iconic, at-a-glance representation of integrated security system status. The SUI is for use across all client devices including mobile or cellular telephones, a mobile portal, a web portal, and a touchscreen device. The SUI includes a number of display elements presented across all types of client devices for monitoring status of the integrated security system. The display elements of the SUI include an orb icon, text summary, security button, device warnings, system warnings, interesting sensors, and quiet sensors. The SUI thus provides system status summary information agnostically across all clients. Additionally, the SUI provides consistent iconography, terminology, and display rules across all clients as well as consistent sensor and system detail across clients.

Cross-client sensor user interface in an integrated security network

Personal content server apparatus and associated methods that allow a user (e.g., cable or satellite network subscriber) to access content, such as a video program, from a location outside the subscriber's network. In one embodiment, a personal content server streams the content to the subscriber over a network connection from the local e.g., (subscription) network to a remote network upon authorization by a content manager process. Various access, business or operational rules are applied depending on the content and delivery mode; e.g., to live video broadcast, video-on-demand (VOD), or archived content from the subscriber's digital video recorder (DVR) or networked PVR. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively replaced if desired in order to make the remotely delivered content more appropriate to the remote user's context.

A home server (61) controls a security system (63) and electronic devices (62) accommodated in a home network (6). A home network management facility (5), on receiving a request of a terminal (1) of the user of the electronic devices (62), acquires the status information representing the statuses of the electronic devices (62) from the home server (61), displays the image showing the statuses of the electronic devices (62) on the display part of the terminal (1) according to the acquired status information, creates display information for displaying an image for prompting the user to input a control command to control an electronic device on the display part, sends it to the terminal (1), receives a control command from the terminal (1), and performs remote control of the electronic devices (62) according to the received control command through the home server (61).

Electronic device remote control method and electronic device management facility

A security system 63 and an electronic device group 62 to be stored in a home network 6 are controlled by a home server 61 . A home network management facility 5 obtains status information of the electronic device group 62 from home server 61 . Home network management facility 5 displays the status of electronic device group 62 on a display unit of a terminal 1 based on the received status information. Home network management facility 5 also displays a screen for prompting input of a control instruction of the home-located electronic devices that are included in the electronic device group 62 . Based on control instruction received via home server 61 , home network management facility 5 performs remote control of electronic device group 62.

Method for remote control of home-located electronic devices and a management facility

A broadcast from a broadcasting station (1) is received by an STB (Settop Box) (2). Next, a service request based on the broadcast data received by the STB (2) and the personal information stored in a mobile terminal (5) is transferred through a public network (3) to a TMS (transaction managing system) (4). Information (e.g., coupon data) corresponding to that service request is transferred through a mobile communication network (6) to the mobile terminal (5). The user of the mobile terminal (5) acquire the benefits of the coupon by going to a use facility (7) while carrying the mobile terminal (5) holding the coupon data and by presenting the coupon data at the facility.

Broadcast using method, receiver, mobile terminal, and service providing device

A mobile broadcast MB multiplexed to a general broadcast GB is broadcast from a broadcast station (1), received by a mobile server (5), and converted into data reproducible by a portable terminal (7) by the mobile server (5). The converted data is transferred to the portable terminal (7) from the mobile server (5) through a mobile communication network (6), reproduced, and displayed on a display unit (7b).

Data transfer method and mobile server

The present invention enables participation of a large number of widely dispersed viewers in an auction program while maintaining a real time feeling of the program. A broadcast station 2 broadcasts program data of a pre-recorded auction program and report information data and EPG data for the information to be reported to the viewers in the program multiplexed as broadcast data. A TMS 3 system receives the broadcast data broadcast from the broadcast station 2 and distributes it to mobile phones 1. When the users of the mobile phones 1 input bids etc. for the auction while viewing the program, the mobile phones 1 transmit input price information to the TMS 3. The TMS 3 transfers the input price information to the broadcast station 2, and the broadcast management server 21 of the broadcast station 2 updates the report information data based on the information.

Yutaka Hiruma

Papers

Electronic device remote control method and electronic device management facility

Method for remote control of home-located electronic devices and a management facility

Broadcast using method, receiver, mobile terminal, and service providing device

Data transfer method and mobile server

Method for provision of program and broadcasting system and server