AT&T KNOWLEDGE VENTURES, L.P. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120317000 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO VISUALIZE LOCATIONS OF RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) TAGGED ITEMS - Methods and apparatus to visualize locations of radio frequency identification (RFID) tagged items are described. One example method includes receiving a request from a portable electronic device to access product information associated with an individual radio frequency identification (RFID) tagged item, determining a location of the product information in a database, transmitting the located product information to the portable electronic device for display thereon, receiving modified product information associated with the individual RFID tagged item from the portable electronic device, and storing the modified product information to the location of the product information in the database. | 12-13-2012 |
20120262628 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HOME AUTOMATION - A home automation system and method are disclosed for configuring a device state including but not limited to receiving an input from the client device at the server, configuring the device state in the database at the server in accordance with the input, and sending the configured device state from the server to the client device. | 10-18-2012 |
20120011002 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTEXTUAL VIRTUAL LOCAL ADVERTISEMENT INSERTION - A system and method for presenting advertising, the method including but not limited to presenting on a first end user device, a first personalized advertisement in a first avatar's view of a virtual world and presenting on a second end user device, a second personalized advertisement in a second avatar's view of the virtual world. | 01-12-2012 |
20110222677 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NOTIFYING AN END USER OF A MESSAGING EVENT IN A MULTI-USER SETTING - A method and apparatus for notifying an end user of a messaging event in a multi-user setting is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in a communication device which includes computer instructions at least for matching a caller identifier associated with a messaging event and entries in a plurality of contact books corresponding to a plurality of users, and identifying a plurality of parties to whom the messaging event is potentially directed based on the matching. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 09-15-2011 |
20110154391 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR AN EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM FOR AUDIO ANNOUNCEMENT - A method is disclosed for distributing emergency alert audio data, the method including but not limited to receiving emergency alert message (EAM) data at an encoder/decoder in an internet protocol television (IPTV) system; sending the EAM to an emergency alert control (EAC) server in the IPTV system; verifying at the EAC that a valid audio message is received in the EAM; if the EAM contains an audio file, creating a MP3 audio file from or another acceptable format for the audio file; and if the received EAM is a state/local alert, placing the EAM in first-in-first-out order in a message delivery queue for delivery to end user devices in the order of the message delivery queue, else, if a streaming playback of state/local alert message is in progress, suspending the streaming playback of the state/local alert message, and continuously streaming the received EAM to end user device in the IPTV system. | 06-23-2011 |
20110019661 | METHOD AND APPARATUS RESOLVING ENUM DATA COLLISIONS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a telephone Number Mapping (ENUM) system having a subsystem to monitor one or more operations of the ENUM system, determine if ENUM data packets that are received are one of provisioning packets or query packets, send the query packets to a Virtual Internet Protocol (VIP) address of an ENUM domain name system (DNS) server when the ENUM data packets are query packets, send the provisioning packets to a VIP address of an ENUM Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) server when the ENUM data packets are provisioning packets, and cause the subsystem to wait and send traffic to one LDAP server at a time after determining if the ENUM data packets are one of provisioning packets or query packets. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 01-27-2011 |
20100272101 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF COMMUNICATION IN AN IP MULTIMEDIA SUBSYSTEM NETWORK - A system and method of communication in an IMS network is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a call processing server having a controller element that receives from a terminal device a calling ID for establishing communications with a called party, submits to a telephone number mapping (ENUM) server a query corresponding to the calling ID, receives from the ENUM server a plurality of communication identifiers retrieved from a Naming Authority Pointer record according to a grade of service (GoS) of the called party, and selects according to the GoS of the called party a communication identifier from the plurality of communication identifiers to establish communications with the called party. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 10-28-2010 |
20100030642 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERNET PROTOCOL TELEVISION PRODUCT PLACEMENT DATA - A system, computer program product and method are disclosed for sending advertising data to an end user device. The system includes but is not limited to a processor in data communication with a computer readable medium; and a computer program embedded in the computer readable medium, the computer program comprising instructions to monitor video data for advertising key data, instructions to monitor end user data exchanged between end user devices for the advertising key data, instructions to receive data from an end user device indicating a product selected from a selected data segment in the video data and instructions to send advertising data relating to key data in the selected data segment to the end user device. The computer program product executes a computer program to perform the method. | 02-04-2010 |
20090325713 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING PRIORITIZED ADVERTISING DATA IN A PICTURE IN PICTURE DISPLAY WINDOW DURING EXECUTION OF VIDEO TRICK PLAY COMMAND DATA - A computer readable medium is disclosed containing computer executable instructions that when executed by a computer perform a method, the method including but not limited to receiving trick play command data at an end user device; receiving a advertising data at the end user device; correlating the advertising data with penetration data for an end user associated with the end user device; prioritizing the advertising data for the end user device based on the correlation; and presenting a portion of the advertising data in a picture in picture display window on the end user device based on the prioritizing of the advertising data during execution of the trick play command data. A system is disclosed that is useful in performing the method. A data structure embedded in a computer readable medium is disclosed that contains data used by the system and method. | 12-31-2009 |
20090319350 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING PRIORITIZED ADVERTISING DATA DURING EXECUTION OF VIDEO TRICK PLAY COMMAND DATA - A computer readable medium is disclosed containing computer executable instructions that when executed by a computer perform a method, the method including but not limited to receiving trick play command data at an end user device; receiving a plurality of advertising data at the end user device; correlating the plurality of advertising data with penetration data for an end user associated with the end user device; prioritizing the advertising data for the end user device based on the correlation; and presenting a portion of the advertising data on the end user device based on the prioritizing of the advertising data during execution of the trick play command data. A system is disclosed that is useful in performing the method. A data structure embedded in a computer readable medium is disclosed that contains data used by the system and method. | 12-24-2009 |
20090300695 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF IDENTIFYING EVENTS SCHEDULED AT A MEDIA RECORDER - A system and method of identifying events scheduled at a media recorder. In a particular embodiment, a system to identify events scheduled at a media recorder is disclosed. The system includes an identification module to determine a time interval and an address and to identify one or more media content items scheduled for recording within the time interval. The system also includes a notification module to send a message to the address, the message including scheduling information related to the one or more media content items scheduled for recording within the time interval. | 12-03-2009 |
20090300671 | Controlling Access to Multimedia Content - A disclosed access control application and an associated method for managing access to multimedia content include enabling an administrator, e.g., a parent, to create a user account for a user, e.g., a child, and a password and a profile for the user account. The method further includes assigning an access level to the user and generating an initial set of content access indicator (CAIs) based on the access level. The initial CAI influences or determines the user's ability to access content associated with the access level. The method further includes modifying at least one of the CAIs in response to a request from the administrator. When a user subsequently send a navigation signal or command while the user account is active, the navigation signal is processed based at least in part on the CAIs to prevent the user from accessing content that the applicable CAI indicates as being restricted. | 12-03-2009 |
20090297131 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENCODING VIDEO STREAMS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an encoder having a controller adapted to receive a Digital Video (DV) stream with metadata, retrieve from at least a portion of the metadata a native video format, configure encoding of at least a portion of the DV stream according to the retrieved native video format, generate from at least the portion of the DV stream an encoded video stream conforming to a Moving Picture Experts Group format and the native video format, and submit the encoded video stream to an Acquisition server for multicast distribution. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 12-03-2009 |
20090292777 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING A MESSAGING SYSTEM - Systems and methods of controlling a messaging system are provided. A particular method includes generating an n-times-use network address to access a control interface in response to receipt of a message addressed to a subscriber at a messaging system. The method further includes determining a notification address associated with the subscriber and generating a notification message addressed to the notification address. The notification message includes at least a portion of content of the message and the n-times-uses network address. The n-times-use network address is selectable a predetermined number of times at a browser application to send a control message to the control interface to control disposition of the message. | 11-26-2009 |
20090290856 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING VIDEO CONTENT RECORDINGS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a digital video recorder (DVR) having a controller to record video content supplied by a media communication system, establish a threshold for utilization of a memory resource of the DVR, detect a utilization of the memory resource that exceeds the threshold, generate a notice describing the utilization of the memory resource at or after the time the threshold was exceeded, identify a communication identifier associated with a portable communication device, transmit the notice to the portable communication device according to the identified communication identifier, and receive a response message from the portable communication device that includes one or more instructions to manage the memory resource of the DVR. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 11-26-2009 |
20090290690 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING MESSAGES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Unified Messaging System (UMS) having a controller to receive one or more voicemail, video, or text messages directed to a subscriber of the UMS, present the subscriber one of a first option to convert one of the one or more voicemail messages received in a first media playback format to a second media playback format, and a second option to transfer at least a portion of one or more of the received voicemail, video or text messages received by the UMS to one of a set top box or digital video recorder. The controller is adapted to detect a selection of one of said options, and execute the selected option. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 11-26-2009 |
20090285392 | Real-Time Help Services for Web Applications - A help service includes proxying a web application page between a user web browser and a web application server. The help service includes providing the web application page to a customer service representative (CSR) web browser and opening a live communication channel for human communication between a user and a customer service representative. In some embodiments, from within a user network, a user help request is generated from a user web browser and received from a help server. The web application page may be transmitted over the Internet to the CSR web browser. In some embodiments, the CSR web browser may operate as a COMET client, the user web browser may act as an AJAX server-side processor, and the user web browser may operate as a COMET client for receiving updates to the web application page. | 11-19-2009 |
20090282438 | Community Content Ratings System - Community content ratings are provided to users for one or more multimedia programs. The community content ratings are generated from appropriateness data collected from members of one or more community groups. The members of the community groups may be selected automatically based on stored profiles that include demographic data. Alternatively, community group membership may occur by choice and at the request of potential members. The community content ratings may be presented using appropriateness indicators (e.g., checkmarks or numerical scores) that are presented to a user in response to the user selecting the multimedia program from an electronic programming guide. | 11-12-2009 |
20090282435 | Video Program Sequenced Output - A method is disclosed and includes receiving a selection of a first video program, receiving a selection of a linking command to link the first video program to a second video program, receiving a user request to output the first video program to a display device, and outputting the first video program in response to the user request. The method further includes after displaying the first video program, automatically outputting the second video program to the display device without an additional user action. | 11-12-2009 |
20090282137 | DISTRIBUTING USER ENDPOINT REGISTRATIONS AMONG BORDER ELEMENTS IN A NEXT GENERATION NETWORK - Disclosed methods of achieving load balancing among a plurality of border elements in a next generation networks (NGN) communication network include a method for processing and user endpoint originated messages (UEOM), such as a register or invite message, generated by a user endpoint. A work load information data structure indicative of a first border element's work load and a second border element's work load is maintained when the border elements exchange work load information. Based on the work load information, a first border element responds to a UEOM by either (1) accepting the UEOM for first border element processing, (2) determining whether to accept the UEOM for first border element processing or redirect the UEOM to a second border element for second border element processing, or (3) rejecting the UEOM. | 11-12-2009 |
20090276821 | DYNAMIC SYNCHRONIZATION OF MEDIA STREAMS WITHIN A SOCIAL NETWORK - A method of synchronizing first and second streams of a multimedia content program is operable for determining a temporal difference indicative of a relative timing between first and second streams of the program, the first stream being provided to a first multimedia processing resource (MPR) and the second stream being provided to a second MPR. The method includes manipulating at least one of the streams to reduce the temporal difference until the temporal difference is less than a predetermined threshold and enabling a viewer of the first stream to interact with a viewer of the second stream regarding the program. Interactions are visually detectable on a first display screen corresponding to the first MPR. | 11-05-2009 |
20090276820 | DYNAMIC SYNCHRONIZATION OF MULTIPLE MEDIA STREAMS - A disclosed method for synchronizing different streams of a multimedia content program includes providing the multimedia content program to a first viewer via a first multimedia stream in response to receiving a first request to view the multimedia content program from the first viewer and providing the multimedia content program to a second viewer via a second multimedia stream in response to a second request from the second viewer. The method includes determining a temporal or synchronization difference that indicates a temporal relationship between the first and second streams. A timing of at least one of the streams is altered to reduce the synchronization difference. When the synchronization difference drops below a specified threshold, the multimedia content program may be provided to the first and second viewers via a multimedia stream that is common to the first and second viewers. | 11-05-2009 |
20090276802 | AVATARS IN SOCIAL INTERACTIVE TELEVISION - Virtual environments are presented on displays along with multimedia programs to permit viewers to participate in a social interactive television environment. The virtual environments include avatars that are created and maintained in part using continually updated animation data that may be captured from cameras that monitor viewing areas in a plurality of sites. User input from the viewers may be processed in determining which viewers are presented in instances of the virtual environment. Continually updating the animation data results in avatars accurately depicting a viewer's facial expressions and other characteristics. Presence data may be collected and used to determine when to capture background images from a viewing area that may later be subtracted during the capture of animation data. Speech recognition technology may be employed to provide callouts within a virtual environment. | 11-05-2009 |
20090276224 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING DELIVERY OF MEDIA CONTENT BY A MEDIA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may operate according to, for example, a method involving recording audio feedback from a plurality of subscribers commenting on media content supplied by a media communication system on at least one of a plurality of media channels, detecting one or more trigger words in the recorded audio feedback having an association with a disruption of one or more media services supplied by the media communication system, selecting one or more network elements of the media communication system in at least one transmission path that supplies media services to one or more of the plurality of subscribers that supplied audio feedback matching the one or more trigger words, and directing the selected one or more network elements to record media content on one or more media channels selected from the plurality of media channels. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 11-05-2009 |
20090274285 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTING COMMUNICATION IDENTIFIERS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to retrieve a targeted party telephone number, retrieve a telephone number assigned to the communication device, submit to a system at least a portion of the targeted party telephone number and at least a portion of the telephone number assigned to the communication device, receive from the system information indicating a dialing format for the targeted party telephone number, and initiate communications according to the information supplied by the system. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 11-05-2009 |
20090271819 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SENDING ADVERTISING DATA BASED ON DATA ASSOCIATED WITH VIDEO DATA - A computer readable medium is disclosed containing computer executable instructions that when executed by a computer perform a method, the method including but not limited to monitoring video data for advertising data keys; correlating the advertising data keys with penetration data for an end user; and selecting advertising data for the end user based on the correlation. A system is disclosed that is useful in performing the method. A data structure embedded in a computer readable medium is disclosed that contains data used by the system and method. | 10-29-2009 |
20090259821 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MULTIMEDIA COMMUNICATION - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to receive media content from a communication device where the media content is to be accessed by one or more recipients, determine a memory capacity available for storage of the media content where the memory capacity is associated with a mailbox of the one or more recipients, and allocate additional memory for storage of at least a portion of the media content, where at least a portion of the additional memory is allocated from memory of a mailbox associated with a sender of the media content. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 10-15-2009 |
20090252309 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTHENTICATING A COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to transmit to a communication system a PKI certificate, and engage in encrypted communications responsive to receiving a public key from the communication system. The communication system can have a plurality of network elements that integrate operations of a circuit-switched communication network and a packet-switched communication network. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 10-08-2009 |
20090252033 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DISTRIBUTING MEDIA CONTENT - Systems and methods to distribute media content are provided. A particular method includes receiving first link weighting factors and second link weighting factors at a router of a node of a multicast network and determining a primary path to a next hop node based on the first link weighting factors. Additionally, the method includes determining a backup path from a router of the primary path to the next hop node based on the second link weighting factors. The backup path does not overlap any primary path between two nodes of the network. Further, the method includes receiving a data packet from a parent node and routing a copy of the data packet from the router to the next hop node via the backup path, when a network link related to the router has failed. The method also includes routing data packets via a re-configured multicast tree that excludes the failed link. | 10-08-2009 |
20090249429 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to present a media program with associated thematic metadata, and modify a design of one or more on-screen controls that manage a presentation of the media program according to the thematic metadata. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 10-01-2009 |
20090249428 | System and method of interacting with home automation systems via a set-top box device - A method of interacting with home automation systems via a set-top box device is disclosed and includes receiving data at a set-top box device from one of a plurality of home automation systems communicating with the set-top box device. The data indicating that a triggering event has been detected at the home automation system. The method also includes sending an alert to a display device coupled to the set-top box device indicating that the triggering event has occurred. | 10-01-2009 |
20090249416 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING SUPPORT SERVICES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, system having a controller to receive from a set-top box (STB) a request for assistance, identify a subscriber account associated with the STB, identify from the subscriber account a subscription grade, select one of a plurality of subscriber support services according to the subscriber grade, and establish communications between the STB and the selected subscriber support service. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 10-01-2009 |
20090249242 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRESENTING A GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE IN A MEDIA PROCESSOR - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to present one of a plurality of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) with a keyboard for entering characters in a GUI field element presented in the GUI, identify a library of possible word constructs, detect a character selected from the keyboard, predict from the character selection one or more word constructs from the library of possible word constructs, present the one or more word constructs in the GUI, eliminate one or more characters from the keyboard according to the predicted one or more word constructs, and reduce a size of the keyboard responsive to removing the one or more characters. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 10-01-2009 |
20090245495 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRESENTING COMMUNICATION IDENTIFIERS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to retrieve a telephone number having an area code, an exchange code, and an extension code, generate from the telephone number at least one additional dialing format, present a plurality of dialing formats comprising the telephone number in its original dialing format and the at least one additional dialing format, detect a selection from the plurality of dialing formats, and initiate communications according to the selected dialing format. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 10-01-2009 |
20090245494 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECORDING COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to monitor incoming and outgoing calls associated with one or more communication devices, identify communication identifiers initiating the incoming calls and communication identifiers targeted by the outgoing calls, determine one or more related communication identifiers for each of the initiating and targeted communication identifiers, record in a communications log the incoming calls with the initiating communication identifiers and one or more related communication identifiers, and record in the communications log the outgoing calls with the targeted communication identifiers and one or more related communication identifiers. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 10-01-2009 |
20090235307 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPENSATING USERS FOR ADVERTISING DATA IN A COMMUNITY OF END USERS - A computer readable medium is disclosed, containing instructions useful in performing a method for sending advertising data, the method comprising measuring user-to-user connectivity between users within a community of users; determining a plurality of highly connected users (HCUs) based on the user-to-user connectivity; and sending advertising data to selected HCUs based on a zone of influence (ZOI) for each HCU. A system useful in performing the method is disclosed. | 09-17-2009 |
20090222868 | SERVICE FOR PROVIDING SHARED MULTIMEDIA CONTENT - A multimedia content delivery resource suitable for supporting a video on demand service to a plurality of users substantially simultaneously. The multimedia content delivery resource includes a reception interface for receiving a video content item selection signal associated with a primary subscriber; and a subscriber selection signal indicative of a secondary subscriber associated with the primary subscriber; a shared video module operable to identify a selected video content item associated with the video content item selection signal and define recipients of the identified video content item based at least in part on the subscriber selection signal; and a transmission interface operable to transmit the identified video content item substantially simultaneously to the defined recipients. | 09-03-2009 |
20090222854 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING ADVERTISING DATA DURING TRICK PLAY COMMAND EXECUTION - A computer readable medium is disclosed containing instructions that when executed by a computer perform a method for presenting advertising data, the method including but not limited to receiving a video data stream at an end user device, receiving a video data stream at an end user device; recognizing a pattern in the video data stream indicating a particular arrangement of objects in the video data stream as scene start data; placing scene start marker data in the video data stream at the scene start data; receiving end user trick play command data during presentation of the video data stream at the end user device; and moving to the scene start marker data in the video data in response to the end user trick play command data. A system is disclosed for executing the method. A data structure is disclosed for containing data used by the system and method. | 09-03-2009 |
20090222853 | Advertisement Replacement System - An advertisement replacement system monitors a multimedia stream containing digital television content and advertisements for indicators of objectionable advertisement content. Replacement content is substituted for all or part of an advertisement that has at least one indicator (or a threshold level) of objectionable content. Analysis of stored content may also be performed and stored objectionable content may be replaced with approved content. Blank screens, user-provided photographs, user-provided videos, advertiser-provided still images, and substitute advertisements are examples of replacement content. | 09-03-2009 |
20090217356 | Electronic permission slips for controlling access to multimedia content - An administrator controls viewer access to restricted multimedia programs using electronic permission slips. In response to a viewer's request to view a restricted multimedia program, the viewer may initiate the generation of an electronic permission slip that is sent to an electronic device associated with the administrator. The electronic permission slip may include text-based information, graphical information, audio information, and the like. The electronic permission slip may enable input of permission data regarding whether the viewer is allowed to receive the blocked program. In response to the administrator granting permission, a service provider network allows the viewer to access the restricted multimedia program. | 08-27-2009 |
20090217321 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONDUCTING CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box (STB) operating in an interactive television communication system having a controller to receive metadata describing a charitable media program associated with a charitable organization, present images of the charitable media program and a selectable graphical user interface (GUI) element, detect a transition event in the presentation of the charitable media program according to the metadata or a selection of the GUI element, and present a GUI to enable a viewer to make a charitable contribution by way of the STB. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-27-2009 |
20090217317 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROMOTING MARKETABLE ITEMS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to receive from a media communication system metadata describing one or more marketable items depicted in a media program supplied by the media communication system, present images of the media program at a media presentation device without highlighting the one or more marketable items, present an icon at least at one of a remote controller managing operations of the media processor or the media presentation device to indicate a presence of the one or more marketable items in one or more of the images presented at the media presentation device, detect a selection of the icon, and highlight the one or more marketable items. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-27-2009 |
20090217097 | PORTAL FACILITATING TELECOMMUNICATION INSTALLATION AND REPAIR SERVICES - A web server includes software to support a remotely accessible web portal for installation and repair services in conjunction with a telecommunication service provided to a customer by a provider. The software includes instructions to provide a first I&R user interface, including a plurality of selectable I&R objects in response to a first input from a remote field device, receive a second input from the remote field device indicating a user's selection of one of the I&R objects, generate a request to invoke an I&R application in response to receiving the input, transmit the request to invoke the I&R application to an I&R system, receive I&R data generated by the I&R application from the I&R system, and convey information indicative of the I&R data to the remote field device. | 08-27-2009 |
20090210922 | SYSTEM FOR CONFIGURING SOFT KEYS IN A MEDIA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, set top box (STB) having a controller to record one or more soft key preferences associated with a user of the STB for each of a plurality of media presentation states of a media communication system, receive a request for presentation of a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with one of the media presentation states, select one or more soft keys according to the one or more soft key preferences assigned to the requested media presentation state, and present the selected one or more soft keys in the GUI. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210907 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RECOMMENDING MULTIMEDIA CONTENT - A system and method are disclosed for providing recommendations of multimedia programs broadcast over a provider network using contact lists. For IPTV broadcast programs, recommendations by users may be for pay-per-view or on-demand programs. Upon ordering a multimedia program, a user may select from a contact list one or more other users for receiving a recommendation. Users receiving recommendations may configure a receiving filter to block or allow recommendations based on the identity of the sending user, a time period, the number or type of multimedia programs recommended, or other criteria. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210903 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to present a graphic user interface (GUI) for customizing an electronic programming guide (EPG), the GUI including a plurality of scrollable media channels, each media channel accompanied by an image, a description of the media channel, an option to select the media channel for inclusion in the EPG, a first button to customize the EPG according to one or more media channels selected, and a second button to request additional information about a media channel highlighted in the GUI. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210477 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media distribution system having a controller to identify a plurality of media presentation devices of a user of the MDS, identify one or more distribution preferences supplied by the user for distributing media content to the plurality of media presentation devices, receive media content from one of a plurality of media sources of the user, determine a media content type from the received media content, and distribute the received media content to one or more of the plurality of media presentation devices according to the one or more distribution preferences and the media content type. The one or more distribution preferences comprise in part media content distribution arrangements assigned by the user between the plurality of media sources of the user and the plurality of media presentation devices of the user. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210300 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING ADVERTISING DATA BASED ON END USER TRICK-PLAY TREND DATA - A computer readable medium is disclosed containing a computer program including but not limited to computer executable instructions that when executed by a computer are useful in performing a method for presenting advertising data, the method including but not limited to sensing current trick-play command data at an end user device; updating trick-play trend data for the end user device based on the current trick-play command data; and adjusting a number of advertising data items in an advertising data buffer presented at the end user device based on the trick-play trend data. A system is disclosed useful for performing the method. A data structure is disclosed for containing data used by the system and method. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210229 | Processing Received Voice Messages - A voice message processing system shortens received voice messages to reduce the time a user must spend in reviewing the user's voice messages. In some embodiments, a data file associated with a caller is created and updated with words and associated audio files that may be used to replace longer words or phrases in future voice messages from the caller. A user may manually configure preferences to aggressively shorten messages in some embodiments. A speech synthesizer may be employed to replace text in messages when sufficient audio files are not stored to provide sufficient processing of messages. An audible indicator may be played with a revised message to allow a user to play back at least a portion of the original, received message without the substituted portions. Such systems provide a user the opportunity to review messages in a reduced time. | 08-20-2009 |
20090205008 | SYNCHRONIZING PRESENTATIONS OF MULTIMEDIA PROGRAMS - Synchronization is provided for set-top boxes that display multiple instances of a single multimedia program. Embodied set-top boxes request the transmission of a multimedia program and determine the play point of a remote set-top box. Embodied set-top boxes set a local play point to correspond to the remote set-top box's play point. More than two set-top boxes may be synchronized in accordance with disclosed embodiments, and some systems implement master and slave set-top boxes for purposes of synchronization. | 08-13-2009 |
20090204993 | System and Method of Applying User Profiles at a Set-Top Box Device - A method of applying user profiles at a set-top box device includes receiving data associated with each of a plurality of user profiles at the set-top box device, the plurality of user profiles including a default profile and a supplemental profile. The method also includes automatically applying the supplemental profile to at least one set-top box action after a start time associated with the supplemental profile occurs. Further, the method includes automatically applying the default profile to the at least one set-top box action after an end time associated with the supplemental profile occurs. | 08-13-2009 |
20090204991 | Systems and Methods for Sorting Programming Search Results - A set top box includes a processor. The processor is configured to identify first and second instances of a show, and retrieve feature information for the first and second instances. The processor is further configured to sort the first and second instances into a list based on the feature information according to a user defined criteria and display the list. | 08-13-2009 |
20090204989 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRESENTING MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to obtain display parameters associated with a display device, adjust a format of media content at the set top box based at least in part on the display parameters where the adjustment is of one or more portions of a display of the media content, and transmit the media content from the set top box to the display device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-13-2009 |
20090204487 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING PARTIAL ADVERTISING DATA DURING TRICK PLAY - A method is disclosed including but not limited to initiating a trick play command having a trick play duration at the end user device during replay of video data an end user device main display; presenting an advertising data item having an advertising duration during execution of the trick play command; and presenting a remaining portion of the advertising data on a picture in picture (PIP) display on the main display after expiration of the trick play duration. A system is provided for executing the method. A data structure is provided in a computer readable medium for containing data used by the system and method. | 08-13-2009 |
20090199257 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING MEDIA CONTENT FROM AN OPTICAL DRIVE - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to read media content from an optical storage medium inserted into an optical drive of the communication device, obtain one or more preferences of a set top box for presentation of the media content, adjust the media content from a current format into a target format based at least in part on the one or more preferences, and transmit the media content in the target format to the set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-06-2009 |
20090199256 | System and Method of Receiving Over-The-Air Television Content - A method of receiving over-the-air television content is disclosed and includes receiving input indicating a requested channel at a set-top box device. The set-top box device is coupled to a television via a first connection adapted to send television content to the television and via a second connection adapted to send data to, and receive data from, the television. The method also includes sending a control command from the set-top box device to the television via the second connection. The control command indicates that the television is to tune an over-the-air tuner at the television to the requested channel. | 08-06-2009 |
20090199255 | Device and Methods for Customization of Communication Notification In A Converged Network - A method for customization of communication session request notifications based on user preference information includes receiving a communication session invitation at a service provider. The service provider determines the intended target of the invitation, and identifies preference information associated with the target. In an embodiment, the preference information is associated with a user of the target communication device. The preference information includes a set of identifiers for multimedia content associated with particular users, groups, regions, or the like, or any combination thereof. Based on the session invitation, the service provider determines a particular identifier and provides the associated multimedia content to the target device. The preference information can be adjusted by a user to customize notifications for requests from particular users, groups, or regions, or any combination thereof. | 08-06-2009 |
20090199254 | MANAGING MEDIA CONTENT FOR A PERSONAL TELEVISION CHANNEL - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to categorize media content of a subscriber according to one or more image features, and present at least a portion of the categorized media content in a personal television channel procured by the subscriber from a service provider of a media communication system. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-06-2009 |
20090199245 | System and Method of Delivering Television Content - A computer-readable medium is disclosed and includes processor-readable instructions executable by a processor to perform a method. The method includes sending a request for television content from a first device that is not equipped with a television tuner to a second device that is equipped with at least one television tuner via a wireless local area network (WLAN). The method also includes receiving the television content at the first device directly from the second device via the WLAN. The television content is received at the second device via the at least one television tuner. Further, the method includes outputting the television content at the first device. | 08-06-2009 |
20090199237 | System and Method of Recording Television Content - A method of recording television content is disclosed and includes receiving one or more television program search criteria from a set-top box device at a recurrent searching system. The method also includes storing the one or more search criteria at the recurrent searching system. Further, the method includes performing a first search of electronic program guide (EPG) data accessible to the recurrent searching system based on the television program search criteria and performing at least one additional search of EPG data accessible to the recurrent searching system based on the television program search criteria after the first search. | 08-06-2009 |
20090199234 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING MARKETING CONTENT IN A PERSONAL TELEVISION CHANNEL - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to receive media content from a subscriber of a media communication system, receive marketing content from a marketing information source, and present the media content and the marketing content in a personal TV channel. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-06-2009 |
20090198588 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a registration system having a controller to register a purchase of media content housed in a physical medium with one or more media sources to authorize a consumer of the purchased media content to electronically access from the one or more media sources at least a portion of media content that is similar to or a replica of the purchased media content. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-06-2009 |
20090197574 | System and Method for Reliable Mobile Communication in Areas with Sporadic Signal Reception - A method of operating a cellular telephone comprises presenting a user with an option of a first rule or a second rule, and accepting a selection of the first rule or the second rule. The first rule relates to a voice message, and the second rule relates to a text message. The method determines that reception is not sufficient to establish communication, and stores an address of an intended recipient. The method also stores the voice message if the first rule was selected or the text message if the second rule was selected. When reception is sufficient to establish communication, the stored message is sent to the address. | 08-06-2009 |
20090197563 | EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computer-readable storage medium including computer instructions for receiving an emergency request to assist a subscriber, retrieving presence information of each of a plurality of parties that serve as emergency contacts for the subscriber, selecting a communication identifier of at least one of the plurality of parties according to the presence information, and notifying the at least one party of the emergency request. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 08-06-2009 |
20090195370 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING VEHICLE FUNCTIONS - A method of controlling vehicle functions is provided that includes receiving at a service provider, security data from a vehicle function system. The security data is related to a security code required to activate one or more functions controlled by the vehicle function system. The method also includes receiving a vehicle function request at the service provider from a remote device. The vehicle function request indicates a request to activate a particular function of a vehicle. In addition, the method includes sending a vehicle function command from the service provider to a mobile wireless device. The vehicle function command is adapted to cause the mobile wireless device to transmit a wireless signal to activate the particular function of the vehicle and the vehicle function command includes the security code or authentication information related to the security code. | 08-06-2009 |
20090193482 | System and Method of Scheduling Recording of Media Content - A method at a set-top box. The method includes receiving a signal including media content. The method also includes determining a signal quality metric of the first signal. The method also includes scheduling recording of the media content via a second signal after determining that the signal quality metric of the first signal is below a specified threshold. | 07-30-2009 |
20090193453 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HARVESTING ADVERTISING DATA FOR DYNAMIC PLACEMENT INTO END USER DATA STREAMS - A method is disclosed for selecting advertising data at an end user device, the method comprising monitoring a plurality of advertising data items in a first video data stream at the end user device; correlating advertising characterization data for the advertising data item with end user profile data for an end user at the end user device; and selecting based on the correlating at least one of the plurality of advertising data items for presentation during display of a second video data stream at the end user device. A system is disclosed for performing the method. A data structure is disclosed for containing data used by the system and method. | 07-30-2009 |
20090193071 | Facilitating Deployment of New Application Services in a Next Generation Network - A disclosed application docking module (ADM) for use in a communication network includes a message monitor, an application monitor, and an anomaly handler. The message monitor monitors messages exchanged between a monitored application server and a session control layer resource of the network and the application monitor monitors a heartbeat of the application server. Based on the monitoring, the module determines when the application server is in an anomaly state. The anomaly state may indicate abnormal or otherwise unexpected application server messaging activity and/or an unexpected heartbeat status. The ADM processes application server messages on behalf of the application server when the application server is operating in an anomaly state. The ADM may, for example, block messages outgoing from the application server and process messages incoming to the application server by redirecting messages, returning messages to their sender, or generating an error code. | 07-30-2009 |
20090192870 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING CONSUMPTION OF MARKETING CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a monitoring system having a controller to receive a consumption notice indicating whether marketing content supplied by a media communication system to a media processor has been properly consumed by the media processor according to a presentation time indicator associated with the marketing content. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 07-30-2009 |
20090190737 | Caller Authentication System - A disclosed method of authenticating a telephone caller includes receiving an authentication request for the telephone caller that includes a voice recording of the caller and household information indicative of a household, creating a first voice pattern based on the voice recording of the caller, retrieving a second voice pattern using at least some of the household information, comparing the two voice patterns, and transmitting information indicative of the results of the comparison. The transmitted information may include information that the telephone caller is authenticated, is not authenticated, or that the comparison results were inconclusive. The method may include monitoring telephone calls with the household, and if it is determined that a voice on at least some of the telephone calls is associated with the household, creating the second voice pattern based on the voice, and associating the second voice pattern to the household. The method may further include disassociating the second voice pattern from the household if it is determined that a change of household has occurred. | 07-30-2009 |
20090190734 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CALL HANDLING - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a call processing element in a communication system having a controller to detect an incoming call directed to a called party, retrieve presence information associated with a plurality of communication devices of the called party, retrieve presence information of a calling party initiating the incoming call, and determine from the presence information of the called party, the presence information of the calling party, and a call processing profile of the called party how to respond to the incoming call. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 07-30-2009 |
20090187958 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING VIDEO TRANSPORT - A method and apparatus for managing video transport is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to predict visibility to a viewer of packet loss impairment for communicated video content based at least in part on scene information for one or more packets of the video content. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 07-23-2009 |
20090187955 | Subscriber Controllable Bandwidth Allocation - A disclosed computer program product includes computer executable instructions, stored on a computer readable medium, for allocating bandwidth among various network provided communication services. The executable instructions include instructions to process a subscriber request to specify a bandwidth allocation, determine a multimedia bandwidth allocation indicative of bandwidth allocated to multimedia content, and generate a multimedia content request. The multimedia content request is influenced by the multimedia bandwidth allocation. In some embodiments, for example, the multimedia content request includes multimedia bandwidth information determined at least in part by the multimedia bandwidth allocation. The multimedia bandwidth information may indicate the bandwidth available for multimedia content, which may be determined from the multimedia bandwidth allocation less any bandwidth allocated to or otherwise consumed by other multimedia layers. In these embodiments, a multimedia delivery server may determine how much bandwidth to allocate to the requested multimedia content from information contained in the request itself. | 07-23-2009 |
20090187951 | SYSTEM FOR PREVENTING DUPLICATE RECORDINGS - Disclosed embodiments help prevent recording duplicate instances of multimedia programs on digital video recorders (DVRs). In response to a request to schedule the broadcast and recording of a multimedia event, a network-based scheduler pings a DVR to determine whether a duplicate instance of the requested multimedia program is stored on the DVR. In some cases, metadata associated with recorded programs on the DVR is analyzed and compared to metadata associated with the requested multimedia event. If an exact match, or a match that meets a threshold value, is determined by comparing the metadata, the scheduler may notify the user of the potential for storing the duplicate instance of the multimedia program. In some embodiments, the scheduler processes user requests to override the prevention of recording duplicates. | 07-23-2009 |
20090187950 | AUDIBLE MENU SYSTEM - An audible menu system associated with distribution of television content over a service provider network is disclosed. The menu system includes a speech synthesizer and screen reader. Electronic programming guide (EPG) elements are read by a screen reader and provided to a speech synthesizer for presenting audible representations of EPG elements to a user. The user may provide inputs to a remote control device to navigate an EPG that may also be presented through a graphical user interface. As a user navigates a cursor over selectable EPG elements, disclosed embodiments provide audible outputs that correspond to the selectable EPG elements. In some embodiments, users may provide customized audio inputs that are played as audio outputs during future menu navigation sessions. | 07-23-2009 |
20090187945 | CUSTOMIZED ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDE - A customizable electronic programming guide (CEPG) is hosted on a residential gateway. The CEPG includes user-defined folders that may be populated with other folders (i.e., sub-folders), program identifiers, or both. Electronic programming guide data arrive at the residential gateway in a standard form and are reformatted by the residential gateway for display according to the user-defined folders and sub-folders. In some embodiments, the CEPG is accessible by multiple set-top boxes that are communicatively coupled to the residential gateway. For ease of configuration, the residential gateway may provide access to a locally-hosted configuration web page. | 07-23-2009 |
20090187944 | System and Method of Providing Recommendations Related to a Service System - A method of providing recommendations related to a service is disclosed and includes receiving data from a device associated with a service subscriber, the data identifying an individual. The method also includes creating a personalization profile associated with the service subscriber. The personalization profile is populated with information included in a profile of the identified individual. The method further includes providing at least one recommendation based on the personalization profile of the service subscriber. | 07-23-2009 |
20090187943 | PERSONALIZED MEDIA CHANNEL - A multimedia processing device (MPD) includes a relevance engine that is adapted to track a user's viewing preferences over time and to automatically determine which of the programs available in a given time slot is most probably preferred by that user. The relevance engine can then create a sequential play list, with each entry in the list corresponding to the program the user most likely wants to watch at that time. The user can thus be provided with a personalized multimedia channel (PMC) with the play list providing the program for each time slot. The user may be enabled to “tune” to the PMC like any other channel. When the user “tunes” to the PMC, the MPD will take the appropriate action to display the program selected by the PMC. | 07-23-2009 |
20090187941 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TARGETED ADVERTISING - A computer readable medium is disclosed containing embedded computer executable instructions that when executed by a computer or router or switch are useful in performing a method for sending targeted advertising data, the computer program comprising instructions to receive a first data set at a server; instructions to duplicate the data to form N duplicated data sets; instructions to replace a source address in each of the N duplicated data sets with a different one of a number, N data source addresses; and instructions to send each of the N duplicated data sets to a different end user zone. A system and method for sending targeted advertising data are disclosed. A data structure for containing data used by the system and method is also disclosed. | 07-23-2009 |
20090178088 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DELIVERING VIDEO CONTENT - A method of delivering video content includes receiving a request for a video stream at a network device of a video distribution network. The request is received via a network link associated with a link aggregation group. The method includes determining a current real-time traffic load at each of a plurality of physical interfaces associated with the link aggregation group at the network device. Further, the method includes identifying an interface having a lowest traffic load of the plurality of physical interfaces. The lowest traffic load is lower than a pre-defined threshold. The method includes determining a total traffic load for the identified interface. The total traffic load includes an estimated traffic load corresponding to the requested video stream and including the lowest traffic load. The method also includes sending the requested video stream via the identified interface when the total traffic load is lower than the pre-defined threshold. | 07-09-2009 |
20090178075 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF DIAGNOSING A VIDEO CONDITION EXPERIENCED AT A CUSTOMER PREMISES - A test controller can be operable to diagnose a video condition experienced at a customer premises. The test controller can include a port coupled to the customer premises. The test controller can also include a processor operable to activate a diagnosis sequence, send a set of questions to equipment at the customer premises, and isolate a cause of the video condition to a portion of the network, in response to receiving test a video access device can include a first port coupled to particular test equipment and a second port coupled to video access devices. The test controller can be part of a system that includes methods used to diagnose the video condition experienced at the customer premises. | 07-09-2009 |
20090176480 | APPARATUS FOR MANAGING COMMUNICATION DEVICE IDENTIFIERS - An apparatus for managing communication device identification is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a multimode communication device having a controller to wirelessly transmit a device identifier of the multimode communication device to another multimode communication device, where the device identifier is transmitted using a short distance mode of communication, where the device identifier is transmitted without retrieving data from an address book of the multimode communication device, and where the device identifier is transmitted in response to actuation of at least one of a dedicated button or a code on a keypad of the multimode communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 07-09-2009 |
20090175180 | Method and System of Addressing a Condition Experienced by a Customer When Using A Network - A method can be used to address a condition experienced by a customer when using a network. The method can include receiving a first communication from the customer, wherein the first communication is related to the condition of a video content as experienced by the customer, reviewing a log for an alarm, and testing a portion of the network that would process the video content, wherein testing generates a test result. The method can also include correlating the condition to a service parameter, an alarm, a maintenance event, a test result, or any combination thereof. The method can further include sending a second communication to the customer related to the condition. In one embodiment, the method can be fully or partly automated using a system. | 07-09-2009 |
20090172767 | System and Method for Restricting Access to a Set-Top Box - A system and method is disclosed for restricting a remote control interface port of a set-top box configured to broadcast multimedia programs over a provider network. A change schedule that changes communication parameters may restrict the remote control interface port. The operating frequency or the code set used to transmit data and commands may be changed at random or at predefined intervals. The set-top box, the remote control, or an external network device may initiate the change schedule. Encryption of communications between the set-top box and the remote control unit may also be performed to protect the set-top box from unauthorized access. | 07-02-2009 |
20090168658 | Method and System of Testing Video Access Devices - A test controller operable to test a video access device can include a first port coupled to particular test equipment and a second port coupled to video access devices. Each video access device can include a wideband link and a test port. The particular test equipment and each of the video access devices can be remotely located as compared to one another. The test controller can include a processor that is operable to send a command to connect the test port of a first particular video access device of the video access devices to its corresponding wideband link, and establish connectivity between the test equipment and a second particular video access device of the video access devices. The test controller can be part of a system that includes methods used to test video access devices. | 07-02-2009 |
20090167543 | Configurable Battery End-of-Life Indicator - A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed for providing end-of-life indicators for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems. User input is received regarding designated conditions for activating the end-of-life indicator. The UPS system monitors itself to determine whether monitored conditions correspond to the designating conditions. Upon the monitored conditions corresponding to the designating conditions, an audible or visible end-of-life indicator is activated. For critical systems, a user may specify conservative settings for the designated conditions. For other systems, a user may provide a designated condition (i.e., user input) that results in maximizing service life for the UPS system or associated batteries and reducing costs of ownership and operation. | 07-02-2009 |
20090165043 | System and Method of Delivering Video Content - Systems and methods of delivering video content are provided. A method of delivering video content is provided that includes predicting a channel change request at a network device. The predicted channel change request indicates a predicted stream of video content. The method also includes generating a control signal at the network device related to the predicted channel change request and storing the control signal at a data storage device associated with the network device. In an illustrative embodiment, the network device stores the control signal when the network device is associated with a first data capacity. Additionally, the network device sends a video content request to a service provider server when the network device is associated with a second data capacity. The video content request is related to the predicted stream. | 06-25-2009 |
20090165031 | Systems and Methods to Identify Target Video Content - A method of identifying target video content is provided. The method includes accessing content metadata of a video content item at a content storage. The method also includes determining at least one content signature based on the video content item and determining whether the video content item includes target content based at least partially on the content signature and the content metadata. | 06-25-2009 |
20090164970 | System for Managing Automated Report Versions - Disclosed systems manage the modification of objects such as automated reports. Access to modified versions of an automated report is controlled during the modification life cycle. A developer checks out a copy of an automated report and stores minor versions of the automated report during modification. A major version of the automated report is backed up and a copy of the modified automated report is transported to a quality control agent, which may be given substantially exclusive access to the modified automated report. Upon the quality control agent indicating the automated report is a quality-compliant automated report, the quality-compliant automated report is transported to a release manager. The release manager is for determining whether the quality-compliant automated report is a releasable automated report. Upon the release manager determining the quality-compliant automated report is a releasable automated report, the releasable automated report is released to production and replaces the original automated report. | 06-25-2009 |
20090164316 | System and Method for Search, Recommendation, and Advertisement Through a Unified Storefront - A system includes an asset database, a search engine, a recommendation engine, and an advertisement module. The search engine is adapted to search for a first asset, stored in the asset database, based on a metadata search inquiry received from one of a plurality of access devices. The recommendation engine is adapted to recommend a second asset based on the metadata search inquiry, adapted to recommend a third asset based on customer usage information, and adapted to recommend the second asset and the third asset also based on an access device in communication with the recommendation engine. The advertisement module is adapted to provide an asset advertisement based upon the customer usage information and one of the asset categories being searched. Methods for searching, recommending, advertising assets to the plurality of access devices are also disclosed. | 06-25-2009 |
20090161854 | System and Method of Providing Ringback Video - A system and method of providing ringback video are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a connection request at an originating serving call session control function (S-CSCF) network element. The connection request indicates that a caller device has placed a call to a destination device associated with a ringback video service subscriber. The method also includes receiving a plurality of naming authority pointer (NAPTR) records at the originating S-CSCF network element from a telephone number mapping (ENUM) server. The NAPTR records include a plurality of ringback video uniform resource indicators (URIs) associated with the destination device. The method also includes modifying the connection request to include the plurality of ringback video URIs and sending the modified connection request to a terminating S-CSCF that communicates with the destination device. | 06-25-2009 |
20090161853 | System and Method of Delivering Ringback Audio Content - A system and method of delivering ringback audio content are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a connection request at an originating serving call session control function (S-CSCF) network element. The connection request indicates that a caller device has placed a call to a destination device associated with a ringback audio content service subscriber. The method also includes receiving a plurality of naming authority pointer (NAPTR) records at the originating S-CSCF network element from a telephone number mapping (ENUM) server. The NAPTR records include a plurality of ringback audio uniform resource indicators (URIs) associated with the destination device. The method also includes modifying the connection request to include the plurality of ringback audio URIs. | 06-25-2009 |
20090161550 | Home Phoneline Network Alliance Responder for IPTV Installations - A device for testing a home phoneline network alliance performance of a local network is disclosed. The device includes a first network interface, a second network interface, a test module, and a processor. The first network interface is adapted to connect with the local network through a first type of cable. The second network interface is adapted to connect with the local network through a second type of cable. The test module is connected to the first network interface and to the second network interface, the test module is adapted to receive a test signal transmitted over a cable in the local network. The processor is connected to the test module and is adapted to execute a plurality of program instructions to determine a signal quality for the test signal received over the cable and to output a performance result signal for the cable in the local network based on the signal quality. | 06-25-2009 |
20090161530 | Method and System of Addressing A Problem Associated With A Network Including A Video Access Ready Device - A method can be used to detect a problem, isolate the cause of the problem to a particular device in which the cause resides, and potentially repairing the particular device. In one embodiment, the method can be fully automated using a system. In another embodiment, the method may be partly automated. In this particular embodiment, the system can perform most or all of the testing or diagnosis automatically. The system can perform the method until a point where human intervention is required. The problem, the cause, and particular device may be known at the time notification is sent to customer care, a workcenter, or another network operations center. With the information regarding the problem, cause and particular device, a technician or other personnel can be dispatched and repair the problem more quickly than if only the problem is provided and the technician needs to perform the testing and diagnosis. | 06-25-2009 |
20090158373 | System And Method Of Delivering Video Content - A method of delivering video content is disclosed and includes sending data from a set-top box device to a video head-end of a video distribution network. The data indicates that the set-top box device has received a channel change command and identifies a requested channel. The method includes receiving video content associated with a program provided via the requested channel at the set-top box device, beginning at a set-top box receipt time, and retrieving a portion of backfill content from a digital video recorder (DVR) in response to a reverse command received at the set-top box device. The backfill content includes video content associated with the program extending from a start time of the program to the set-top box receipt time. The backfill content is sent from a buffer server at the video head-end to the DVR in response to the data sent by the set-top box device. | 06-18-2009 |
20090158370 | Set-Top Box-Based TV Streaming and Redirecting - A method for redirecting video content includes receiving a video signal at the set-top box and decoding the video signal to produce unrendered video data. The unrendered video data is encoded and provided to the remote device via a wide area network. By encoding unrendered, rather than rendered, video data for transmission to the remote device, the need for an encoding device external to the set-top box is obviated. | 06-18-2009 |
20090158369 | System and Method to Display Media Content and an Interactive Display - A method of displaying an interactive display at a set top box (STB) device is disclosed. The method includes receiving a media content stream. The media content stream includes a first content segment and a second content segment, where the second content segment is received at the STB device after the first content segment. The method also includes displaying a first interactive display, where the first interactive display includes at least one field to receive user input. The method also includes displaying a second interactive display after displaying the first interactive display but before displaying the second content segment. The method also includes performing a user-designated transition with respect to the second content segment based on a user input received via the second interactive display. | 06-18-2009 |
20090157473 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SENDING TARGETED MARKETING DATA USING PROXIMITY DATA - A method for selecting advertising data is disclosed, the method comprising monitoring proximity data indicating proximity between a first end user device and at least one second device; examining historical behavior profile data for the second device; placing data from the historical behavior profile data into an opportunity profile for the first end user based on the proximity data; and sending advertising data to the first end user device relating to the data in the opportunity profile. A system is disclosed for performing the method. A data structure embedded in a computer readable medium is disclosed for containing data used by the system and method. | 06-18-2009 |
20090156171 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROCESSING MESSAGES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to retrieve a communication identifier from a communication session, match an entry in an address book with the communication identifier, and store in one or more categories associated with the matched entry a message received by way of the communication session. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 06-18-2009 |
20090154559 | Redundant Data Dispersal In Transmission Of Video Data Based On Frame Type - The transmitting end of a content distribution system selectively employs a redundancy mechanism to encoded video data based on the frame type of each frame being transmitted. In the event that a particular frame contains information upon which the decoding of multiple frames may depend, the transmitting end can apply a redundancy mechanism to redundantly distribute the data of the frame throughout a set of data segments, each of which is separately transmitted via the network to the receiving end. Otherwise, in the event that a particular frame to be transmitted does not contain substantial information upon which the decoding of multiple frames may depend, the loss of some or all of the data of the frame may not appreciably affect the presentation of the video content at the receiving end and thus the transmitting end can forgo application of the redundancy mechanism to such frames so as to avoid unnecessarily processing and reduce the overall network bandwidth used to transmit the encoded video data. | 06-18-2009 |
20090154452 | Method and System to Provide Contact Services in a Communication Network - A communication system includes an application server including logic to receive preference data for each of a plurality of data record entries of a subscriber record from a telephone number mapping (ENUM) server, and to determine a contact sequence including a plurality of Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs). The contact sequence is based at least in part on the received preference data. | 06-18-2009 |
20090154451 | Method and System to Provide Contact Services in a Communication Network - A communication system includes an application server that includes logic to recognize that preference data in each of a plurality of data record entries of a subscriber record has a common value. Each data record entry includes a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), and the subscriber record is stored in a telephone number mapping (ENUM) server. The application server also includes logic to issue a command to initiate contact concurrently with devices identified by URIs in the subscriber record via an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). | 06-18-2009 |
20090150951 | ENHANCED CAPTIONING DATA FOR USE WITH MULTIMEDIA CONTENT - An enhanced captioning module suitable for use in a multimedia reception and display system includes an interface to receive a set of multimedia elements representative of at least a portion of multimedia content, a detection unit to determine a type of at least a portion of the multimedia elements and to assert a trigger signal when the multimedia element has a selected type, and a hash unit to generate a hash value corresponding to the “triggering” multimedia element. The module may further include a message unit to generate an enhanced captioning message that is deliverable to an enhanced captioning database. The enhanced captioning message may include information indicative of the hash value and the enhanced captioning database may include enhanced captioning data corresponding to the multimedia content. The enhanced captioning database may be configured to be indexed by the hash value. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150917 | RATING MULTIMEDIA PROGRAMS ACCESSED FROM A PROVIDER NETWORK - A system measures viewership of multimedia programs such as television programs, pay-per-view sporting events, and video-on-demand movies. Viewership data from a plurality of multimedia programs may be compared to determine ratings for the multimedia programs. Multimedia streams en route to set top boxes may be monitored using packet inspection to identify the multimedia program or programs included in the multimedia streams. An electronic table or array may be stored and updated with viewership statistics of monitored multimedia programs. Some embodiments track the total number of households or televisions that are powered on in a viewing area. Ratings are available substantially in real time by accessing a stored table with viewership information or by frequently polling a plurality of stored values to determine which multimedia program is being viewed by all or substantially all viewers in an area. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150513 | Method and System for Gathering Network Data - A system comprises a portal which, for each of a plurality of requests for network data from a plurality of parties, is to: determine which server of a plurality of servers is responsible for gathering data from a network element that has the network data being requested, send a data-gathering task to the server, receive the network data gathered from the network element by the server, and provide the network data to its requesting party. | 06-11-2009 |
20090147770 | System and Method of Routing Voice Communications Via Peering Networks - A method of routing voice communications is disclosed and includes receiving network event data at a telephone number mapping (ENUM) server of an originating network from a plurality of peering border elements associated with a plurality of peering communication networks. The network event data indicates a health status of each of the peering communication networks. The method also includes determining a network weight related to each of the peering communication networks based on the network event data, wherein each network weight indicates a proportion of calls that are to be routed from the originating network via the related peering communication network. The method further includes dynamically assigning a plurality of preference field values to session initiation protocol (SIP) addresses of the peering border elements within a plurality of naming authority pointer (NAPTR) records, based on the network weights. | 06-11-2009 |
20090144791 | System and Method of Detecting Potential Video Traffic Interference - A method of detecting potential video traffic interference at a video head-end of a video distribution network is disclosed and includes detecting, at a video head-end, a signal populating an ultra high frequency (UHF) white space frequency. The method also includes determining that a strength of the signal is equal to or greater than a threshold signal strength. Further, the method includes sending an alert from the video head-end to a network management system. The alert indicates that the UHF white space frequency is populated by a signal having a potential to interfere with video traffic delivered via the video head-end. | 06-04-2009 |
20090144776 | Support for Personal Content in a Multimedia Content Delivery System and Network - A disclosed set top box (STB) suitable for use in presenting multimedia content is operable to receive multimedia content from a provider content source that is remotely connected to the STB via a provider network. The STB is also operable to receive multimedia content from a personal content source. The personal content source is locally connected to the STB or connected to the STB via a public network. The STB is operable to identify a channel indicated by a remote control signal and determine whether the indicated channel is a provider content channel or a personal content channel. The STB streams multimedia content from the first source when the indicated channel is a provider content channel and from the personal source when the indicated channel is a personal channel. The content from the provider content source and the personal content may be received through different STB interfaces. The personal content may be received from a locally connected source. | 06-04-2009 |
20090144764 | BILLING ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM FOR MULTIMEDIA CONTENT - A system and method is disclosed for processing refund requests. For IPTV broadcast programs, refund requests initiated by users may be for pay-per-view or on-demand programs. After accepting the refund request, user information and historical event information for the provider network are collected and analyzed using a set of rules. The refund request may be granted or denied, either in whole or in part, based on the user information and the historical event information. In addition, detection of network outages and service interruptions is correlated to the refund requests, whereby remediation service may be initiated for network components determined to be in a fault condition. | 06-04-2009 |
20090144396 | PRELOADER EMPLOYING ENHANCED MESSAGES - A disclosed method of serving web page requests includes detecting a client request for a web page that contains an object. A preloader application is invoked to execute while the object is downloading to the client. The preloader application displays a preloader message during at least part of the downloading interval. At least a part of the preloader message is an advertisement or is otherwise unrelated to a progress of the downloading of the object. A size of the object may exceed a specified threshold and/or a type of the object may match any of a set of predetermined object types. The set of predetermined object types may include a Java® object type, a Flash® object type, or another object type suitable for implementing motion graphics. In some embodiments, the preloader application resides on a third party web site. | 06-04-2009 |
20090141879 | Message Forwarding System - There is described herein a message forwarding system that is easily adaptable to evolving technologies. In one embodiment, a first user attempts to place a telephone call to a second user, and caller identification (CID) data are encoded into the outgoing call. The call is directed into a public switched telephone network (PSTN) servicing the second user. The PSTN may operate on a modern telephony protocol such as Signaling System #7 and may be equipped with an Advanced Intelligent Network. If the call is not completed, a message including CID information is sent via means such as short messaging service. Because the equipment resides in the PSTN, it is independent of the technology used to receive the transmitted data. Furthermore, the information may be provided even in times of emergency, such as when telephone service to the second user has been disrupted. | 06-04-2009 |
20090138460 | System and Method of Determining Relationship Information - Systems and methods of determining relationship information are provided. A system may include processing logic and memory accessible to the processing logic. The memory may include instructions executable by the processing logic to access communication data associated with at least one first party. The memory may also include instructions executable by the processing logic to analyze a plurality of communications between the at least one first party and at least one second party to determine relationship information descriptive of a relationship between the at least one first party and the at least one second party. The communication data may include a call log and an email log, and the plurality of communications may include at least one call and at least one email message. | 05-28-2009 |
20090138459 | System and Method of Searching for Video Content - A method of searching video content includes searching the video content according to criteria defined by a user, and sending a notice to an electronic calendar with at least one entry that meets the criteria. A graphical user interface performing the method is also disclosed. | 05-28-2009 |
20090133089 | System and Methods for Advanced Parental Control - A set top box includes a processor. The processor is configured to receive a digital video stream and identify an I-Frame within the digital video stream. The processor is further configured to receive rating information for the I-Frame and to block playback a portion of the digital video stream in response to the rating information. | 05-21-2009 |
20090133085 | Systems and Method for Determining Visual Media Information - A set top box includes a processor. The processor is configured to receive a digital video stream, calculate a hash of an I-Frame within the digital video stream, and submit the hash to a server. The processor is further configured to receive location information in response to submitting the hash to the server. | 05-21-2009 |
20090133079 | Detecting Distribution of Multimedia Content - A system and method is disclosed for detecting distribution of multimedia content. The volume level of data traffic is monitored for a plurality of users to select any users with high-bandwidth usage. The time of day and the day of the week may be considered when determining whether a user is a high-bandwidth user. Upon selecting a user as one with high-bandwidth usage, such user may be subject to packet inspections of data traffic streams. In some embodiments, content identification parameters or watermarks are added to one or more packets in a data traffic stream carrying multimedia content. | 05-21-2009 |
20090132989 | Method of Determining Minimum Cost Path - A network is represented using a graph. The graph comprises a plurality of vertices and a plurality of edges. The vertices comprise a source vertex, a destination vertex and a vertex u. The edges link corresponding adjacent pairs of the vertices. A minimum cost path in the graph is determined from the source vertex to the destination vertex, wherein the vertex u is in the minimum cost path. An edge from the vertex u in the minimum cost path introduces an additional capital expenditure cost that is dependent on how the minimum cost path traverses from the source vertex to the vertex u. | 05-21-2009 |
20090132632 | Accessing Communication History Using Identification Information from Received Communication - The communication history associated with a contacting party is accessed using identification information provided with an incoming communication. The incoming communication may have a different service type (e.g., email, telephone call, instant message chat) compared to stored communications that make up the communication history for a contacting party. Multiple uniform resource identifiers may be accessed upon processing of identification information associated with the contacting party's incoming communication. Communication histories associated with each uniform resource identifier may be accessed and combined to provide a party receiving the communication with a complete communication history including stored communications having differing service types. | 05-21-2009 |
20090132438 | PARCEL CARRIER BILLING SERVICE - A parcel carrier billing service includes a mobile unit for processing received parcels. Shipment parameters are received and used in calculating a postage that is assessed to a user account. The user account may be for a service provider network account that provides multimedia content such as Internet protocol based television services or broadband services. Notifications to the shipping party and recipient of the parcel may be sent upon receiving the parcel by the service and upon delivery of the parcel. Notifications may be sent via email, text message, or instant message chat sessions, as examples. | 05-21-2009 |
20090132383 | PURCHASING A GIFT USING A SERVICE PROVIDER NETWORK - A system facilitates a first user providing a second user with a gift through a service provider network. A first user may provide an asset such as a ring tone for use on the second user's mobile device. Alternatively, the first user may provide a monetary credit to the second user. Embodied systems are enabled for charging or billing an account associated with the first user and notifying the first user of a successful transaction including receipt or use of the gift. In some embodiments, a service delivery platform communicates with a unified storefront and a payment module for receiving and processing gift requests and payments. Gifts may be requested through an interface associated with the first user's IPTV set-top box. In addition, gifts may be presented to the second user by an interface associated with the second user's set-top box. The unified storefront allows access to gifting through mobile devices and other networked data processing systems in addition to set-top boxes. | 05-21-2009 |
20090132358 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY SELECTING ADVERTISING DATA FOR STORED CONTENT - A method for delivering advertising data, comprising receiving end user data at a server, the data indicating available advertising spots in content data stored at an end user device; and updating from the server advertising data in the available advertising spots for presentation of the advertising data during replay of the content data at the end user device. A system is disclosed for performing the method. A data structure embedded in a computer readable medium is disclosed for containing data for performing the method. | 05-21-2009 |
20090132355 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY SELECTING ADVERTISING FOR VIDEO DATA - A method is disclosed for selecting advertising data, comprising detecting a plurality of different scenes in a video data stream; correlating each of the scenes with a plurality of advertising data classes; and selecting advertising data for one of the scenes based on the correlation. A system is disclosed for performing the method. A data structure embedded in a computer readable medium is disclosed for containing data for performing the method. | 05-21-2009 |
20090132327 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELLING COMMUNICATION SERVICES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to receive from a service center a request directing a field service agent utilizing the communication device to fulfill a service order of a customer, receive from the service center information identifying one or more services of the communication system to which the customer has not subscribed, and present the one or more unsubscribed services to assist the field service agent in selling the customer at least one among the one or more unsubscribed services. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 05-21-2009 |
20090129567 | CALL PROCESSING IN A VOICEMAIL SYSTEM - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method that involves receiving an indication that communications with a subscriber have been interrupted while engaged in voicemail processing, and recording a pointer to a last state of voicemail processing. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 05-21-2009 |
20090129382 | Method and System of Routing a Communication within a Network - A method can be used to route a communication within a network. The method can include receiving a first communication at a first edge router, wherein the first communication is a Layer 2 communication. The method can also include determining that the first communication has a destination that includes a first multicast group and a second multicast group different from the first multicast group. The method can also include encapsulating the first communication within a second communication, wherein the second communication is a Layer 3 communication, and wherein the second communication is a single communication. The method can further include sending the second communication towards the first multicast group and the second multicast group. A system can be configured to carry out the method. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128708 | MONITORING UNIT FOR USE IN A SYSTEM FOR MULTIMEDIA CONTENT DISTRIBUTION - A disclosed multimedia signal monitoring unit includes a chassis and, within the chassis, a processor, a multimedia signal receiver for receiving an encoded multimedia stream, and a plurality of decoders. Each of the decoders can decode an encoded multimedia signal, where at least two of the plurality of decoders is operable to decode the multimedia signal using different decoding algorithms. The decoder includes a switch under control of the processor. In some embodiments, the switch is configured to connect the receiver to a selected one of the decoders. A user input interface is connected to the microprocessor and is operable to manually operate the switch. Each decoder may be attached to a corresponding circuit board. Each of the circuit boards is received within a corresponding slot defined within the chassis. The circuit boards may be swapped among the slots. Each decoder may be operable to decode a multimedia signal modulated using 8-level vestigial sideband modulation. | 05-21-2009 |
20090125971 | Systems and Method of Controlling Access to Media Content - A system and method of controlling access to media content are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a viewing request at a set-top box device at a user premises. The method also includes retrieving a permission policy stored at the set-top box device and identifying a wireless device associated with the permission policy. Further, the method includes fulfilling the viewing request when the wireless device is present at the user premises and is within a first relative proximity to the set-top box device, and not fulfilling the viewing request when the wireless device is present at the user premises and is within a second relative proximity to the set-top box device. | 05-14-2009 |
20090125953 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACES FOR MONITORING AN INTERNET PROTOCOL TELEVISION (IPTV) NETWORK - Systems, methods and graphical user interfaces monitoring an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network are provided. A particular method includes receiving IPTV process data. The IPTV process data includes information about a plurality of processes executing at a plurality of servers of an IPTV distribution network. The method also includes analyzing the IPTV process data to determine process operational information. The process operational information is descriptive of the operation of at least a first process of the plurality of processes and operation of at least a second process of the plurality of processes. The method also includes generating a display based on the operational information. The display includes an aggregate display element representing the operation of the at least one first process and the operation of the at least one second process. | 05-14-2009 |
20090125613 | Network Router Employing Enhanced Prefix Limiting - A disclosed method of managing a provider edge (PE) router includes defining a neighbor specific prefix limit and a neighbor specific restart parameter applicable to a neighbor of the PE router. The neighbor may be a customer edge (CE) router connected to the PE router. A neighbor specific count of prefixes advertised by the CE router is monitored against the prefix limit. When a neighbor specific prefix limit violation occurs, the PE-to-CE connection is suspended for a duration determined at least in part by the restart parameter and then automatically resumed. The PE router may define an address family prefix limit and an address family restart parameter applicable to the CE router's address family. Violations of the address family prefix limit may result in temporary suspension of all connections between the PE router and the members of the address family. | 05-14-2009 |
20090119703 | Mosaic of Alternate Programming During a Blackout - In response to a user requesting content that has been blacked out, a mosaic is presented having images or data indicative of alternate programming. The mosaic may contain a plurality of viewports that each includes streaming video of currently available content. In conjunction with or in addition to the viewports, the mosaic may present metadata having statistics, cast information, program duration, time remaining, or other data associated with the alternate programming. In some embodiments, a set-top box employs a web-based template to present a mosaic that accesses multimedia content for display using at least one uniform resource locator. | 05-07-2009 |
20090119696 | System and Method of Restricting Access to Media Content - A method of restricting access to content delivered via a video distribution network is disclosed and includes receiving a control stream at a service delivery platform. The control stream is related to media content delivered via a video distribution network. The method also includes parsing the control stream and determining, from the parsed control stream, at least one geographical area in which access to programming associated with the video content channel is to be restricted. The method also includes automatically scheduling a conditional access event associated with the media content at least one video head-end of the video distribution network, the at least one video head-end serving the at least one geographical area. In a particular embodiment, the video distribution network can be an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network. | 05-07-2009 |
20090119181 | POINT OF SALE TRANSACTION PROCESSING - A disclosed transaction processing method includes transmitting a request to a credit aggregator in response to a message from a point of sale device to a wireless communication device of a user. Responsive to receiving credit account information from the credit aggregator, a user interface indicative of at least some of the credit account information including account identification information for a plurality of user credit accounts is displayed. Responsive to detecting a user selecting one of the plurality of credit accounts, credit account information is transmitted to the point of sale device. The request may include information identifying the user. The message from the point of sale device may indicate a price associated with the transaction. The credit account information may include available credit information, current balance information, closing date information, payment date information, annual percentage rate information, and so forth. | 05-07-2009 |
20090116623 | Method and System to Provision Emergency Contact Services in a Communication Network - A method includes receiving a query at a telephone number mapping (ENUM) server, the query identifying an emergency telephone number associated with a subscriber to an emergency contact service. The method also includes retrieving from the ENUM server, in response to the query, one or more emergency contact Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) associated with the subscriber, where each of the emergency contact URIs has an associated emergency contact indicator. The method also includes initiating routing of a communication to destination devices associated with each retrieved emergency contact URI via an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). | 05-07-2009 |
20090116379 | Insufficient bandwidth notification for transmission of multimedia program - A network connection is established between a multimedia viewer at a viewer's premises and a service provider. The viewer requests presentation of a multimedia channel via the multimedia viewer. In response to the request, an available bandwidth of the network connection is determined, as is a bandwidth requirement of the requested multimedia channel. In response to determining the bandwidth requirement is inconsistent with the available bandwidth, the viewer is provided with an indicator that the first multimedia channel is unavailable for presentation by the multimedia receiver. In response to determining the bandwidth requirement is consistent with the available bandwidth, data representing the content of the requested multimedia channel is transmitted to the multimedia receiver for presentation to the viewer. | 05-07-2009 |
20090113472 | System and Method of Delivering Personal Video Content - A method of delivering personal video content via a video head-end office is provided that includes receiving a personal video content upload request at a notification server from a first set-top box device. The personal video content upload request relates to personal video content to be uploaded from the first set-top box device. The method also includes receiving a personal video content sharing request at the notification server from the first set-top box device. The personal video content sharing request identifies a second set-top box device designated to receive the uploaded personal video content. In addition, the method includes sending notification information from the notification server to the second set-top box device. The notification information indicates a first option to store the uploaded personal video content at a data storage device and a second option to stream the uploaded personal video content to the second set-top box device upon selection of the second option. | 04-30-2009 |
20090113036 | System and Method for Logging Communications - A method for logging communication includes determining when a target user is active and identifying an access device and private Internet Protocol (IP) address associated with the target user when the target user is active. The method further includes causing the access device to provide traffic information associated with the target user to a logging device. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112808 | Metadata Repository and Methods Thereof - A repository receives metadata from databases associated with different service providers. The repository converts the received metadata to a common format, such as MPEG7, and stores the converted metadata in a central database. The repository can also receive a query from a client device. The repository retrieves metadata associated with the query from the central database and provides it to the requesting client device. The repository can also convert the provided metadata to an appropriate format for the requesting device. Because the metadata is stored at a common location in a common format, content from different providers can be efficiently identified. | 04-30-2009 |
20090111656 | NETWORKED EXERCISE MACHINE - Exercise machines are networked together to provide a user with an indication of the user's performance level compared to the performance levels of other users. Simulated characters corresponding to the users are shown on one or more displays viewable by the users. The simulated characters have a primary movement that may differ in type from the primary movement used in achieving the exercise by the corresponding user. Further, the primary movement used to achieve exercise by one user may differ from the primary movement used to achieve exercise by another user. Exertion transducers provide signals that are used in calculating parameters such as speed and acceleration. Biometric data may be measured from the users during exertion and displayed or uploaded onto the network. | 04-30-2009 |
20090111452 | STANDARDIZED CONTROL OF WIRELESS DEVICES - A disclosed service for managing mobile and wireless communication devices (MWCDs) includes enabling a server to generate a standard remote configuration command (RCC) and enabling a transmitter coupled to the server to transmit the RCC wirelessly. The RCC configures a feature on a first MWCD of a first supplier and a second MWCD of a second supplier. The RCC may disable one or more of a set of selected MWCD peripheral devices. For example, the RCC may disable an MWCD camera, an MWCD microphone, and/or an MWCD speaker. In some embodiments, the RCC transitions the MWCD to a restricted state in which the MWCD is unable to record multimedia content including audio and video content. In these embodiments, the RCC may configure one or more of the features on each of a set of MWCDs within a defined geographic region. | 04-30-2009 |
20090111442 | System and Method for Playing User-Defined Ring Tones Over a Cellular Telephone Headset - A caller identification system comprises a headset and a mobile communication device. The headset is operably configured to play a ring tone caller identification to a user. The mobile communication device is operably configured to send the ring tone caller identification to the headset upon a determination that the headset is in communication with the mobile communication device. | 04-30-2009 |
20090109921 | Content-Based Handover Method and System - A handover of a wireless communication device is performed between a first wireless band and a second wireless band when a detected feature occurs within a content stream being communicated with the wireless communication device. | 04-30-2009 |
20090109859 | Method and System for Detecting a Fault Condition Based on Failed IGMP Join Attempts - A fault condition is detected based on determining that a number of failed Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) join attempts from at least one end device is greater than or equal to a threshold. | 04-30-2009 |
20090109278 | Integrated Devices for Multimedia Content Delivery and Video Conferencing - A receiver device for use in conjunction with an MCDN includes a computer readable storage resource, a controller to execute stored instructions, a network interface coupling the device to the MCDN, and a decoder to decode streaming multimedia content received via the network interface. The receiver includes a remote control interface to detect a remote control command from a remote control device and a handset interface to communicate audio data with a handset device. A local video interface receives video data from a camera or other local video resource. The stored instructions include, a remote control application to execute remote control commands, a handset module to communicate audio date with the handset device, and a session initiation module to establish a video conferencing session. A video conferencing module integrates the audio data and the video data and communicates the integrated data via the video conferencing session. | 04-30-2009 |
20090109050 | System and Method for Illumination of a Data Cable - A data cable includes a plurality of illumination devices, an application module, and a lighting control module. The plurality of illumination devices are adapted to receive a control signal to change an illumination characteristic of the plurality of illumination devices, and the control signal is indicative of a signal characteristic for data to be transmitted over the data cable. The application module is adapted to analyze the data communicated over the data cable to determine the signal characteristic. The lighting control module is connected to the application module and adapted to light the plurality of illumination devices at the data cable based on the signal characteristic. | 04-30-2009 |
20090106809 | SYSTEM FOR FAULT DETECTION IN AN INTERNET PROTOCOL TELEVISION COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network element can have a wireless transceiver, a wireline transceiver, and a controller. The controller can be adapted to process multimedia signals received from an upstream IPTV network element, transmit the processed multimedia signals to one or more downstream IPTV network elements, monitor communications on a wireline interface capable of accessing a fault management system (FMS), and cause the wireless access transceiver to wirelessly transmit to the FMS telemetry information collected responsive to detecting one or more faults in the wireline interface. The controller can also cause the wireline transceiver to transmit to the FMS over the wireline interface the telemetry information responsive to detecting no fault in the wireline interface that impedes communication with the FMS over the wireline interface. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 04-23-2009 |
20090100493 | System and Method for Display Format Detection at Set Top Box Device - A set top box (STB) device receives a data stream comprising video content data and meta data. The data stream can include, for example, an H.264-compliant data stream transmitted to the STB device via a packet-switched network, such as an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network. The meta data comprises an indicator of a display format for the video content data. The STB device accesses the indicator from the data stream and processes the video content data to generate a first display data having the first display format. The STB device can include a preset static display format configuration that is overridden by the STB device in response to accessing the indicator. | 04-16-2009 |
20090100152 | SYSTEM FOR SELECTING A NETWORK ELEMENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a client terminal having a controller to transmit a request for a communication identifier of each of a plurality of network elements in a proximity to the client terminal, receive the communication identifier of each of the plurality of network elements, initiate a quality assurance test with a quality assurance client of each of the plurality of network elements according to the communication identifier of the respective network element, compare telemetry information derived from the quality assurance test for each of the plurality of network elements to a desired operational criterion, select one of the plurality of network elements according to said comparison, and consume one or more services provided by the selected network element. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 04-16-2009 |
20090100019 | Multi-Dimensional Search Results Adjustment System - A search query comprising a plurality of search terms is used to generate a plurality of search results. The search query, in its entirety, is represented by an object in multi-dimensional space. The multi-dimensional space comprises a plurality of dimensions to represent a plurality of search criteria, respectively. The object has a position in the multi-dimensional space based on values of the search criteria. The object is manipulated simultaneously in at least two dimensions of the multi-dimensional space to simultaneously modify respective values of at least two of the search criteria. The search results are filtered based on the modified values of the search criteria to produce a subset of the search results, and the subset is displayed. | 04-16-2009 |
20090097619 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONVEYING END-TO-END CALL STATUS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Unified Messaging System having a controller element to submit to a Calling Card Server (CCS) over a primary call leg a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) SUBSCRIBE message requesting outdial event notification for a call placed on a secondary call leg responsive to a reply of a voicemail message, and receive over the primary call leg a SIP NOTIFY message from the CCS indicating outdial events associated with placing the call over the secondary call leg. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 04-16-2009 |
20090097471 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CALL PROCESSING FOR SIP AND ISUP INTERWORKING - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to adjust a call processing logic for Session Initiated Protocol to Integrated Services Digital Network User Part (ISUP) calls based at least in part on interworking profiles assigned to ISUP trunk groups supporting the calls. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 04-16-2009 |
20090094662 | SYSTEM FOR MANAGING MEDIA SERVICES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Media Content Processor (MCP) having a controller to detect a communication device roaming into a personal area network, receive a communication identifier from the communication device, authenticate the communication device responsive to validating the communication identifier, and enable the communication device to manage operations of the MCP according to a profile of a subscriber of said communication device responsive to a successful authentication of said communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 04-09-2009 |
20090094654 | Television Channel Display Device and Method Thereof - An Internet Protocol television system includes a set-top box that receives requests to display video streams being transmitted to a household. In response to the request, the set-top box provides a list of the video streams to a display device. The list includes options to terminate transmission of one or more of the streams. This allows a user to determine which video streams should be transmitted when bandwidth limitations are reached. | 04-09-2009 |
20090094641 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SERVING ADVERTISING DATA FROM THE INTERNET - A system and method are disclosed including a computer program, the computer program comprising instructions to receive at an IPTV system node, advertising tokens data having advertising characteristics data and address data; instructions to filter at the IPTV system node the advertising tokens based on a correlation between the advertising characteristic data and filtering criteria data; instructions to extract from the filtered advertising tokens, address data representing at least two advertising addresses on the Internet World Wide Web; instructions to concatenate at the IPTV node the address data for the advertising addresses to form a uniform resource indicator (URI) for a resource on the Internet resource; and instructions to send advertising data from the Internet resource to an end user device through the IPTV node. | 04-09-2009 |
20090094630 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EVALUATING AUDIENCE REACTION TO A DATA STREAM - A computer readable medium is disclosed containing a computer program useful for performing a method for estimating an audience reaction to a data stream, the computer program comprising but not limited to instructions to send data containing a plurality of filter objects data to a plurality of filtered sensors associated with end user devices, instructions to receive response data from the filtered sensor in response to the data stream in accordance with the plurality of filter objects and instructions to estimate an audience reaction to the video data from the response data. A system is disclosed including a processor for performing a method for estimating an audience reaction to video data. A data structure is disclosed for containing data useful for performing the computer program and method. | 04-09-2009 |
20090093250 | SYSTEM FOR ALTERNATE COMMUNICATIONS IN AN INTERNET PROTOCOL MULTIMEDIA SUBSYSTEM NETWORK - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Unified Messaging System (UMS) having a Session Border Controller (SBC) to receive a Session Initiation Protocol Uniform Resource Identifier (SIP URI), detect from a host portion of the SIP URI that the SIP URI is associated with a failover communication session, update a user portion of the SIP URI to indicate a failure disposition, and route the updated SIP URI to a call agent of the UMS. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 04-09-2009 |
20090092183 | Video Content Monitoring Device and Methods Thereof - A method of providing video content includes monitoring packets communicated between data processing devices in a network. The packets are monitored at a third data processing device in the network backbone. Based on the monitored packets, statistics are collected that indicate the popularity of video content items available via the network. The most popular video content items, as indicated by the collected statistics, are made available via a web page. | 04-09-2009 |
20090089852 | Automated Multimedia Channel Error Reporting from Viewer Premises - Multimedia data representative of a multimedia channel is received at a set top box (STB) device located at a viewer's premises from a service provider. The multimedia data is processed at the STB device for presentation of the multimedia channel at a display device located at the viewer's premises. The STB device identifies an artifact during the processing of the multimedia data that is expected to affect the presentation of the multimedia channel and generates an error indicator based on the artifact. The STB device provides the error indicator for reception by the service provider. The error indicator then may be used by the service provider to identify and correct any related errors or malfunctions. | 04-02-2009 |
20090089839 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF PROCESSING PROGRAMMING WISH LIST DATA - Systems and methods to process program wish list data are provided. A system includes a media receiver adapted to receive media content from a media distribution system and a recording module responsive to the media receiver. The system also includes a program guide module to receive a published program guide identifying media content available to be distributed via the media distribution system. The system further includes a wish list module to generate wish list data including identifying information associated with at least one program. The at least one program is not listed in the published program guide when the wish list data is generated. The system also includes a reporting module to report information related to the wish list data to a remote network element. | 04-02-2009 |
20090089667 | Application Content Format Based on Display Resolution - An apparatus includes an interface to receive a first indicator representative of a display resolution of a display device and a second indicator representative of an application content file and an application content store configured to select the application content file from a plurality of application content files based on the second indicator. The apparatus further includes an application style store configured to select an application style file from a plurality of application style files based on the first indicator, an interpreter application configured to generate a visual representation of an application using the application content file and the application style file, the visual representation being formatted for the display resolution of the display device. The application further includes an interface to provide the visual representation of the application for display at the display device. | 04-02-2009 |
20090089158 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SENDING ADVERTISING DATA - A computer readable medium is disclosed containing a computer program useful for performing a method for sending advertising data, the computer program comprising instructions to send a video data stream comprising advertising data from an IPTV server to a first end user device, instructions to receive at the IPTV server selection data from the first end user device selecting the advertising data and a second end user device and instructions to send from the IPTV server a data associated with the advertising data to the second end user device. A system is disclosed for performing the method. A data structure is disclosed for use by the system and method. | 04-02-2009 |
20090088873 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a thermal management device having a controller to monitor pressure parameters for hot and cold rooms where the hot and cold rooms are divided by a rack for electronic devices and are substantially isolated from each other, and adjust a flow of cooling air to the cold room where the adjustment of the flow of cooling air to the cold room is based at least in part on the pressure parameters and maintaining a target pressure differential between the hot and cold rooms and where the target pressure differential induces a flow of the cooling air through one or more electronic devices in the rack. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 04-02-2009 |
20090088125 | System and Method for Locating a Cellular Telephone in an Emergency - A system and method are disclosed for providing information about a cellular telephone. The method comprises determining that an emergency condition exists, and acquiring a location of the cellular telephone. Audio, a still image, or a video image are also acquired from the cellular telephone, and provided with the location of the cellular telephone on a server. | 04-02-2009 |
20090080667 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING CALL QUALITY - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to monitor ambient noise in proximity to the communication device, monitor a transmitted voice signal associated with the communication device, adjust a receiver volume for the transmitted voice signal based at least in part on a comparison of the transmitted voice signal with the ambient noise, monitor a received voice signal associated with the communication device, and adjust a speaker volume for the received voice signal based at least in part on a comparison of the received voice signal with the ambient noise, where the adjusting of the receiver volume is independent of the adjusting of the speaker volume. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-26-2009 |
20090080624 | System and Method for Rules-Based Caller ID Notification - A method for caller identification notification, including determining caller identification information associated with a telephone call to a first device. The method further includes sending a notification to a second device when the caller identification information matches a user defined list of caller identification information. | 03-26-2009 |
20090080328 | SYSTEM AND METHOD of COMMUNICATING A MEDIA STREAM - In an embodiment, a method of allocating media streams includes measuring real-time port usage data related to each of a plurality of physical ports associated with a link aggregation group. The method further includes selecting at least one, but not all, of the plurality of physical ports based on the real-time port usage data and sending a media stream to a network via the physical port. | 03-26-2009 |
20090077614 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING SET TOP BOXES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to eliminate a scheduled recording of a targeted media program, where the scheduled recording is a redundant recording of the targeted media program that is determined based upon monitoring of recordings of media programs by a group of set top boxes in communication with each other over a network, where another set top box of the group of set top boxes is designated as a host set top box to record the targeted media program, and where the controller is provided access to the targeted media program by the host set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-19-2009 |
20090077613 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to present media content to a user, and provide the user with access to related media content based upon access information, where the related media content is determined based upon monitoring of the media content, where the related media content is retrieved based on a query of a plurality of sources over the Internet, and where the access information is associated with each of the plurality of sources. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-19-2009 |
20090077610 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to generate a playlist that identifies multimedia content and to provide access to the playlist in response to a request for access, where the request for access is transmitted over the Internet, and where the multimedia content is stored remotely from the set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-19-2009 |
20090077579 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING AN EFFECTIVITY INDEX FOR TARGETED ADVERTISING DATA IN A COMMUNITCATION SYSTEM - A computer readable medium containing a computer program is disclosed for performing a method for estimating an effectivity index for targeted advertising data in a communication network, the computer program including but not limited to instructions to correlate impression quality factors categories data with a subscriber activity data profile for purchases and consumption related to an advertising category for the targeted advertising data and instructions to estimate from the correlation the effectivity index in the advertising category for the targeted advertising data. A system for performing the method is also disclosed. A data structure embedded in computer readable medium is disclosed for containing data used by the system and method in estimating an effectivity index for targeted advertising data in a communication network. | 03-19-2009 |
20090077257 | System and Method for Trouble Detection, Isolation, and Management - A method of detecting and isolating a fault includes collecting information regarding utilization of a resource of a device. The method further includes predicting the fault based on the information and modifying operation of the device in response to the fault. | 03-19-2009 |
20090077206 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF INSTALLING A NETWORK DEVICE - A method of installing a network device is disclosed that includes downloading installation data at a portable computing device from a communications provider server via an Internet Protocol (IP) network connection. The installation data includes a script that is adapted to establish IP connectivity between a first network device and at least a second network device. The method also includes determining, at the portable computing device, when the first network device is configured according to a communications provider specification while the portable computing device is disconnected from communicating with the communications provider server. The communications provider specification relates to providing at least one communications service to one or more customer premises. In addition, the method includes sending the script from the portable computing device to the first network device via the local connection after determining that the first network device is configured according to the communications provider specification. | 03-19-2009 |
20090077179 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERSONALIZED MESSAGING - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to capture a voice recording, add the voice recording to a greeting to produce a personalized message, and deliver the personalized message upon scheduled delivery to at least one recipient based on a communication identifier of the at least one recipient, where the greeting includes at least one among audio, video, and image data, and where the communication device communicates with a notification server for creating the personalized message. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-19-2009 |
20090076700 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING VEHICLE SPEED - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to receive speed limit information from a remote wireless transmitter where the speed limit information comprising a speed limit and an applicable speed area, receive location information associated with a vehicle, determine a location of the vehicle based at least in part on the location information, determine a speed of the vehicle, determine an excessive speed when the speed of the vehicle exceeds the speed limit and when the location of the vehicle is within the applicable speed area, and provide a driver notification of the excessive speed according to a user profile associated with a driver of the vehicle. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-19-2009 |
20090074164 | SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING A CALLING PARTY - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media content processor having a controller adapted to establish communications with a voicemail system, receive a caller identification (ID) associated with a voicemail message stored in the voicemail system, detect a match between the caller ID and one among one or more communication identifiers recorded in an entry of an address book, retrieve an image excerpt associated with the entry of the address book, present the image excerpt at a media device to identify a calling party that recorded the voicemail message. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-19-2009 |
20090073987 | Methods and Systems for Network Address Translation Management - A method for network address translation (NAT) includes providing a first and a second NAT table. The method further includes receiving a network packet and classifying the network packet based on a type of network traffic. Additionally, an entry is added to the first NAT table based on the classification of the network packet. | 03-19-2009 |
20090070845 | SYSTEM FOR EXCHANGING MEDIA CONTENT BETWEEN A MEDIA CONTENT PROCESSOR AND A COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media content processor having a controller adapted to detect an event associated with recorded media content derived from one among a plurality of media content sources, select a communication device of a subscriber of the media content processor, retrieve a portion of the recorded media content, generate a notice describing the event, and transmit the notice with the portion of the recorded media content to the communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-12-2009 |
20090070839 | SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTING ENCODING RATES BETWEEN COMMUNICATION DEVICES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a first communication device having a controller adapted to determine whether a second communication device is operating within or remote to a local area network of the first communication device, determine an encoding rate according to said determination, and transmit to the second communication device streamed media content according to said encoding rate. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-12-2009 |
20090070696 | System and Method for Programming a Remote Control Device - A method for programming a remote control device is disclosed and can include displaying a virtual remote control device at a display device. The virtual remote control device is a virtual rendition of a first remote control device to be programmed. The method can further include detecting when a first button is pressed on the first remote control device and indicating a corresponding button on the virtual remote control device. | 03-12-2009 |
20090070408 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING DELIVERY OF MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to receive primary multimedia content from available multimedia content where a determination of the primary multimedia content is based at least in part on monitored user activity associated with the set top box, store the primary multimedia content, and present the primary multimedia content in response to a request from a user. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-12-2009 |
20090068985 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR END-TO-END MOBILE USER SECURITY - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to implement an Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH) cryptosystem and manage a key exchange, authentication, and certificate exchange with a communication device also implementing the ECDH cryptosystem, wherein the server communicates over a network that provides an encrypted communication link for the communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-12-2009 |
20090067591 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING A NETWORK - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network element having a controller to obtain network information associated with establishing a network among a group of communication devices, and provide the network information to a plurality of network set-up devices removably connected to the network element, where each of the plurality of network set-up devices is connectable with a communication device of the group of communication devices to provide at least a portion of the network information to the communication device, and where the network is established based at least in part on the at least a portion of the network information. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-12-2009 |
20090067409 | SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATING BETWEEN INTERNET PROTOCOL MULTIMEDIA SUBSYSTEM NETWORKS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Telephone Number Mapping system operating in a first IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) communication system having a controller adapted to receive first contact information of a communication device registered through a terminating Serving Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF) operating in a second IMS communication system and second contact information of at least one among an Interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) of the second IMS communication system and the terminating S-CSCF. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 03-12-2009 |
20090066795 | Community Internet Protocol Camera System - An apparatus comprises a server in communication with a camera located on a customer premises. The server is adapted to transmit Internet Protocol formatted video, containing a surveillance portion from the camera and an advertisement portion, to a customer premises device. A method for sending the Internet Protocol formatted video is also disclosed. | 03-12-2009 |
20090066781 | SYSTEM FOR MANAGING VIDEO VOICEMAIL - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller adapted to establish communications with a voicemail system over a Public Switched Telephone Network port of the communication device, receive from the voicemail system by way of a broadband port of the communication device an invitation to switch to a video call over the broadband port, transmit a Session Initiation Protocol message to establish video communications with the voicemail system, and transmit to the voicemail system a video message to be recorded by the voicemail system as a video voicemail message. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 03-12-2009 |
20090064313 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING COMMUNICATIONS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to transmit a tracking request to a session information retriever for a targeted user of a network with the session information retriever storing session information for users of the network and with the tracking request having identification information associated with the targeted user, transmit a query to the session information retriever for relevant session information associated with the targeted user with the relevant session information being selected by the session information retriever from the session information based at least in part on the identification information associated with the targeted user and with the relevant session information being stored in a single file associated with the targeted user, and receive at least a portion of the relevant session information transmitted from the session information retriever. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-05-2009 |
20090064259 | System and Method for Providing Feedback from a Set-Top Box - A method for monitoring video delivery performance at an IPTV receiver is disclosed and can include recording video delivery performance data in a memory buffer at the IPTV receiver. Further, the method can include displaying a problem report window at a display device coupled to the IPTV receiver when a problem button is pressed. The trouble report window is configured to allow real-time reporting of trouble from a user. | 03-05-2009 |
20090064258 | System and Method for Sending and Receiving Text Messages via a Set Top Box - A method for sending text messages from an IPTV receiver is disclosed and includes detecting that a text button is pressed at an IPTV remote control device associated with the IPTV receiver and displaying a text window at a display device coupled to the IPTV receiver. Text messages can be sent and received via the text window. | 03-05-2009 |
20090064255 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROVIDING PERFORMANCE DATA - A method of providing performance data is disclosed that includes sending a data packet from customer premises equipment to a set-top box device via a network path at a transmission rate. The transmission rate is based on Network Layer performance metrics associated with the network path. The method also includes receiving performance data at the customer premises equipment from the set-top box device. The performance data relates to Physical Layer measurements. In addition, the performance data indicates a condition of a physical component of the network path. | 03-05-2009 |
20090064251 | System and Method for Troubleshooting a Set Top Box - A method for troubleshooting a set top box is disclosed and can include receiving a trouble ticket from a set top box and initiating a self test at the set top box. The method can also include receiving test results from the set top box and analyzing the test results to isolate a problem. | 03-05-2009 |
20090064248 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MONITORING VIDEO DATA PACKET DELIVERY - Systems and methods of monitoring packet delivery are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes querying multiple network devices for performance metrics corresponding to video data packets sent from a video server. The network devices may include multicast branching points between the video server and the destination. A delivery failure may be identified based on the performance metrics, and a response to the delivery failure may be initiated. | 03-05-2009 |
20090064240 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING STATUS INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH A MEDIA CONTENT PROCESSOR - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computing device having a controller adapted to monitor one or more activities taking place at a media content processor, and present an iconic symbol in a graphical user interface window adjusted according to the one or more activities being monitored. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-05-2009 |
20090064238 | SYSTEM FOR MITIGATING SIGNAL INTERRUPTION IN A SATELLITE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a satellite media receiver having a controller adapted to detect a service outage associated with a media program derived from satellite signals supplied to a satellite port of the satellite media receiver, and transmit a request for a portion of the media program for delivery to a broadband port of the satellite media receiver to mitigate the service outage. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-05-2009 |
20090064220 | Set-Top Box Emergency Alert System Alarm - A customer premises device includes a receiving module, a visual module, and an audible module. The receiving module is configured to receive an Internet protocol emergency alert system message. The visual module is in communication with the receiving module, and the visual module is configured to provide a visual alarm based on the Internet protocol emergency alert system message. The audible module is in communication with the receiving module, and the audible module is configured to provide an audible alarm based on the Internet protocol emergency alert system message. A method for outputting the visual and audible alarms is also disclosed. | 03-05-2009 |
20090064188 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF VERIFYING A VIDEO BLACKOUT EVENT - A method of verifying a blackout event is disclosed that includes receiving blackout event data from an event log database of a video distribution platform at a subscriber event transmission interface (SETI) communicating with an electronic data warehouse (EDW) system. The method also includes creating at least one EDW load-ready file that includes at least a portion of the blackout event data. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063969 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING SET TOP BOX ASSISTANCE - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to monitor for a tutorial request from a set top box coupled to a monitor display where the tutorial request is associated with use of the set top box, determine a tutorial type based on the tutorial request, and establish real time communication using a first webcam coupled to the set top box and a second webcam coupled to a communication device at a support center when the tutorial type is a video conference. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063581 | SYSTEM FOR TRACKING MEDIA CONTENT TRANSACTIONS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a web server having a controller adapted to manage an archive of media content for a subscriber, and record a transaction description and a corresponding tracking identifier for a transaction that manipulates the archive. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-05-2009 |
20090061942 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a wireless communication device including a housing assembly formed from a first section that is rotatably coupled about an axis to a second section such that the first and second sections are movable between a closed position in which a first side of the first section is aligned with and in close proximity to a first side of the second section. The wireless communication device can also include a first display screen positioned in the first section and a second display screen positioned in the second section. The first and second display screens can be configured to display images. The wireless communication device can also include a keypad including keys on the first and second sections, thereby creating a foldable keypad rotatable about the axis between the first and second sections. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 03-05-2009 |
20090061900 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MULTIMEDIA COMMUNICATION - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to transmit to a media server a request for distribution of media content to one or more targeted recipients according to a user profile associated with the communication device that is stored in the media server. The format of the media content can be adjusted by the media server based at least in part on the user profile. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-05-2009 |
20090061872 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SHARING AND ASSIGNING MULTIPLE NUMBERS TO A COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to associate two or more phone numbers with two or more phone bills, where the controller is adapted to send outgoing phone calls and receive incoming phone calls on multiple telephone numbers assigned to the mobile communication device in accordance with at least one user profile. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-05-2009 |
20090060028 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DELIVERING VIDEO CONTENT - A method to deliver video content is disclosed and includes sending a bandwidth change request from a set-top box device associated with a home network to a server via an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) access network. The bandwidth change request includes a requested bandwidth change event and an upper limit overhead bandwidth factor. The method also includes receiving video packets related to the bandwidth change event from the server at an increased rate corresponding to the upper limit overhead bandwidth factor. | 03-05-2009 |