An apparatus, method and computer program product for: receiving information relating to data consumption characteristics of at least one user device, predicting, based on the received information, at least one data consumption area at a first point in time, determining one or more data transmission modes based on the received information and the predicted at least one data consumption area and instructing at least one communication network element to provide data transmission at the first point in time according to the determined data transmission mode.

The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for video processing. In one aspect, the apparatus may configure at least one frame of plurality of frames in a video stream. The apparatus may also divide the at least one frame into one or more slices, each of the one or more slices including one or more data packets. The apparatus may also map each of the one or more slices to one of one or more communication channels. The apparatus may also transmit each of the one or more slices including the one or more data packets via the one of the one or more communication channels. In another aspect, the apparatus may receive each of one or more slices via one of one or more communication channels. The apparatus may also decode each of the one or more slices including one or more data packets.

The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for video processing. In one aspect, the apparatus may configure at least one frame of plurality of frames in a video stream. The apparatus may also divide the at least one frame into one or more slices, each of the one or more slices including one or more data packets. The apparatus may also map each of the one or more slices to one of one or more communication channels. The apparatus may also transmit each of the one or more slices including the one or more data packets via the one of the one or more communication channels. In another aspect, the apparatus may receive each of one or more slices via one of one or more communication channels. The apparatus may also decode each of the one or more slices including one or more data packets.

Systems, methods and computer-readable storage media for allocating content elements addressed for a content opportunity in a transport stream within a household-addressable media network. A content opportunity may include an advertising slot in a programming stream. The content elements may include advertising content configured to be run during the advertising slot. The advertising slot may be transmitted in a programming stream providing television programming and the advertising content may be provided in a commercial feed. The media network may be configured to transmit various content formats, such as high definition (HD), standard definition (SD), and variations thereof. Systems may be configured to allocate the highest profile corresponding content elements if there is sufficient resources available. If sufficient resources are not available, the system may allocate lower profile versions of the content elements.

Systems, methods and computer-readable storage media for allocating content elements addressed for a content opportunity in a transport stream within a household-addressable media network. A content opportunity may include an advertising slot in a programming stream. The content elements may include advertising content configured to be run during the advertising slot. The advertising slot may be transmitted in a programming stream providing television programming and the advertising content may be provided in a commercial feed. The media network may be configured to transmit various content formats, such as high definition (HD), standard definition (SD), and variations thereof. Systems may be configured to allocate the highest profile corresponding content elements if there is sufficient resources available. If sufficient resources are not available, the system may allocate lower profile versions of the content elements.

A method of and system for handling latency issues encountered in producing real-time entertainment such as games of skill synchronized with live or taped televised events is described herein. There are multiple situations that are dealt with regarding latencies in receiving a television signal with respect to real-time entertainment based on the unfolding games played along with the telecasts. Systemic delays, arbitrarily imposed delays of a broadcast signal and variances in the precise broadcast times of taped television programs have to be equalized so as to provide fair entertainment.

A method of and system for handling latency issues encountered in producing real-time entertainment such as games of skill synchronized with live or taped televised events is described herein. There are multiple situations that are dealt with regarding latencies in receiving a television signal with respect to real-time entertainment based on the unfolding games played along with the telecasts. Systemic delays, arbitrarily imposed delays of a broadcast signal and variances in the precise broadcast times of taped television programs have to be equalized so as to provide fair entertainment.

Methods and devices for dynamically designated first and second subsets of a plurality of frequency channels as upstream and downstream channels, respectively, for performing wired communications using virtual segmentation between a network controller and an endpoint device. performing virtual segmentation to service an endpoint device. Communications are performed between the network controller and the endpoint device through a wired communication medium using the upstream and downstream channels. The first subset and second subsets of the plurality of channels are designated as upstream channels and downstream channels, respectively, based at least in part on one or both of upstream and downstream channel demand and channel availability.

A method and apparatus for dynamic quality adjustment of digital media based on changing streaming constraints is provided. A digital media server sends a digital media stream according to a set of streaming constraints to a requesting client. Audio and visual information may be sent to a requesting client together in a single stream, or separately in multiple streams. A client sends a request over a control network to the digital media server indicating information of a particular type is no longer desired. In response to receiving the signal, the video server ceases transmission of that particular type of information to the signaling client, thus relaxing streaming constraints. As a result of the techniques described herein, an improved quality digital presentation is available for the client and, consequently, when a viewer signals that a particular type of information is not desired, that particular type of information is not transmitted to the client, which thereby reduces the streaming constraints on a video streaming service, and improved quality digital media information may be sent to any client using the freed-up portion of the bandwidth previously allocated to the signaling client.

A method and apparatus for dynamic quality adjustment of digital media based on changing streaming constraints is provided. A digital media server sends a digital media stream according to a set of streaming constraints to a requesting client. Audio and visual information may be sent to a requesting client together in a single stream, or separately in multiple streams. A client sends a request over a control network to the digital media server indicating information of a particular type is no longer desired. In response to receiving the signal, the video server ceases transmission of that particular type of information to the signaling client, thus relaxing streaming constraints. As a result of the techniques described herein, an improved quality digital presentation is available for the client and, consequently, when a viewer signals that a particular type of information is not desired, that particular type of information is not transmitted to the client, which thereby reduces the streaming constraints on a video streaming service, and improved quality digital media information may be sent to any client using the freed-up portion of the bandwidth previously allocated to the signaling client.