Systems and methods are provided for utilizing ideal taps in coaxial networks. An ideal tap may have a plurality of ports that include at least an input port configured for receiving downstream (DS) signals from and transmitting upstream (US) signals to nodes upstream from the tap within the coaxial network; an output port configured for transmitting downstream (DS) signals to and receiving upstream (US) signals from nodes downstream from the tap within the coaxial network; and one or more drop ports for receiving signal from and transmitting signals to customer premise equipment (CPE) in the coaxial network. The ideal tap may further include processing circuits for handling signals received and transmitted via the tap, with the one or more processing circuits being configured to meet particular predefined tap performance criteria, where the particular predefined tap performance criteria comprise one or more of high return loss, high port-to-port isolation, and high port-to-port gain.

Systems and methods are provided for utilizing ideal taps in coaxial networks. An ideal tap may have a plurality of ports that include at least an input port configured for receiving downstream (DS) signals from and transmitting upstream (US) signals to nodes upstream from the tap within the coaxial network; an output port configured for transmitting downstream (DS) signals to and receiving upstream (US) signals from nodes downstream from the tap within the coaxial network; and one or more drop ports for receiving signal from and transmitting signals to customer premise equipment (CPE) in the coaxial network. The ideal tap may further include processing circuits for handling signals received and transmitted via the tap, with the one or more processing circuits being configured to meet particular predefined tap performance criteria, where the particular predefined tap performance criteria comprise one or more of high return loss, high port-to-port isolation, and high port-to-port gain.

Alternative approaches to the insertion of local commercials and messages into networks feeds are provided. Embodiments include digital commercial insertion for cable operators and others that not only offer more flexibility and features, but may also be significantly cheaper to implement. The actual insert of the local commercial or message into the digital program is performed by a standard set top box, with several methods of providing the local commercial to the set top box at the proper insertion time. Another embodiment allows a cable operator to significantly save on equipment in the form of splicers and ad inserters, by allowing easy and dynamic mapping of local commercials to insertion zones.

Alternative approaches to the insertion of local commercials and messages into networks feeds are provided. Embodiments include digital commercial insertion for cable operators and others that not only offer more flexibility and features, but may also be significantly cheaper to implement. The actual insert of the local commercial or message into the digital program is performed by a standard set top box, with several methods of providing the local commercial to the set top box at the proper insertion time. Another embodiment allows a cable operator to significantly save on equipment in the form of splicers and ad inserters, by allowing easy and dynamic mapping of local commercials to insertion zones.

A user receiving device including at least one transceiver module, an output module, a control module, and a transaction module. The at least one transceiver module is configured to receive an ad or an offer transmitted from at least one backend device to the user receiving device. The offer is directed to a product and/or service referred to in the ad. The output module is configured to display the ad or the offer on a display. The display is connected to the user receiving device. The at least one transceiver module is configured to receive a response signal transmitted from a mobile device to the user receiving device. The response signal is in response to the offer. The transaction module is configured to perform a transaction between the at least one backend device and a user of the mobile device based on the response signal.

A user receiving device including at least one transceiver module, an output module, a control module, and a transaction module. The at least one transceiver module is configured to receive an ad or an offer transmitted from at least one backend device to the user receiving device. The offer is directed to a product and/or service referred to in the ad. The output module is configured to display the ad or the offer on a display. The display is connected to the user receiving device. The at least one transceiver module is configured to receive a response signal transmitted from a mobile device to the user receiving device. The response signal is in response to the offer. The transaction module is configured to perform a transaction between the at least one backend device and a user of the mobile device based on the response signal.

Interactive computing systems and methods are provided which enable simple and effective interaction with a user device, which increases interest and improves user experience. The interactive system comprises a user device including a motion sensor, for receiving motion-based gestures through motion of the user device; and a controller, coupled to the motion sensor, configured to control one or more aspects of the system according to the motion-based gestures. Advantageously, the system enables single handed operation of the user device.

Interactive computing systems and methods are provided which enable simple and effective interaction with a user device, which increases interest and improves user experience. The interactive system comprises a user device including a motion sensor, for receiving motion-based gestures through motion of the user device; and a controller, coupled to the motion sensor, configured to control one or more aspects of the system according to the motion-based gestures. Advantageously, the system enables single handed operation of the user device.

Provided is novel technology for secure security data transmission and more particularly for registering network-enabled security devices such as IP cameras to a security server over a public network such as to a cloud-based security service. An enrolment server is provided that is logged into using a computing device to request and receive an activation code for the security device. The activation code is then provided to the security device, e.g. directly by the computing device. The Security device authenticates itself based on the activation code and in one example provides a public key that will be used to verify its registration. Data transmissions by the device are secured in part on the basis of its registration.

Provided is novel technology for secure security data transmission and more particularly for registering network-enabled security devices such as IP cameras to a security server over a public network such as to a cloud-based security service. An enrolment server is provided that is logged into using a computing device to request and receive an activation code for the security device. The activation code is then provided to the security device, e.g. directly by the computing device. The Security device authenticates itself based on the activation code and in one example provides a public key that will be used to verify its registration. Data transmissions by the device are secured in part on the basis of its registration.