| Cox Communications, Inc Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120131629 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR RECORDING BROADBAND CONTENT - Systems, methods, and apparatus for recording broadband content are provided. A user command to record desired content included in broadband content output by a service provider may be received by a programming processing component configured to receive the output broadband content. The programming processing component may determine whether the desired content will be recorded by the programming processing component. If it is determined that the desired content will be recorded by the programming processing component, then the desired content may be stored by the programming processing component in at least one memory. If it is determined that the desired content will not be recorded by the programming processing component, then a request to record the desired content may be communicated by the programming processing component to a content recording server. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120124632 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CUSTOMIZING CHANNEL MAPS - Systems and methods for modifying channel maps are provided. A predetermined channel map for a customer of a service provider may be identified. The predetermined channel map may include information mapping at least one of frequencies and program identifiers included in a broadband communications signal to a plurality of channels. The broadband communications signal may be output by the service provider. Based upon information associated with the customer, the predetermined channel map may be modified. Information associated with the modified channel map may then be output for communication via a service provider network to a programming processing component associated with the customer. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120115451 | Systems and Methods for Dynamically Forwarding Wireless Communications on Mobile Communications Devices - Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for dynamically forwarding incoming calls and/or messages to different mobile communications devices (“MCDs”). In one embodiment, a method may include: storing associations between multiple MCDs and a user and identifying that at least one of the MCDs is inactive and that at least one of the MCDs is active. The method may further include: receiving an incoming call or message intended for the at least one inactive MCD; and if only one of the MCDs is active, causing the incoming call or message to be forwarded to the one active MCD; and if more than one of the MCDs is active, either: (a) causing the incoming call or message to be forwarded to at least one of the active MCDs or (b) not causing the incoming call or message to be forwarded. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120115444 | Hybrid Communications Mailbox - Hybrid communications voicemail systems and methods are disclosed. A wireline telephone number may be operatively associated with a wireless telephone voicemail box such that calls placed to the wireline telephone number and subsequently routed to voicemail may be routed to the wireless telephone voicemail box. Thus, the user of both wireline and wireless telephones may check voicemail messages at a single wireless voicemail box. Parents or supervisors may check voicemail messages or converted text messages deposited for children or employees at the single wireless voicemail box. A wireless telephone user may allow calls to be routed to his/her wireless telephone from his/her wireline telephone if he/she cannot be reached at the wireline telephone or as designated by the user. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120112877 | Automated Device/System Setup Based On Presence Information - Automated device/system setup based on user presence information is provided. When a user of one or more electronic devices or systems moves into the presence of the one or more devices or systems, detection or determination of the user's presence may be used to apply setup or settings changes to the one or more devices or systems. The user's presence relative to the one or more devices or systems may be detected according to a variety of means. A wireless device carried by the user may be detected by a wireless presence detector. Online/offline status of a user with respect to an Internet connection may be used to detect/determine presence of the user. Use of a wireline or wireless telephone, cable television set-top box or other device connected to a services provider may be used to determine presence information for the user. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120096164 | Cross Product/Service Management - Cross product/service management of subscriber products/services is provided. When multiple product/services orders or instructions are received for a shared service or resource (e.g., a unified voicemail box/system) from two or more order or instruction entry systems (e.g., wireline and wireless telephone systems), the multiple orders or instructions are passed to a shared product/services provisioning manager for management of the orders or instructions with respect to the shared service or resource. If the orders require a change to the shared service or resource, the orders or instructions are mediated for concurrent or otherwise conflicting requests to the shared service or resource. Mediated requests are formatted for receipt and use by the shared service or resource and are then passed to a network element responsible for the shared service or resource for implementation. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120095833 | Recommendation Engine - A recommendation may be provided. First, program content may be determined to suggest to a user. Next, it may be determined that the program content is currently unavailable on a content delivery system. Then a recommendation may be made to a provider of the program content to provide the currently unavailable program content to the content delivery system. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120093157 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING PERFORMANCE IN AN HFC ARCHITECTURE - Systems and methods for improving performance in an HFC architecture are provided. Incoming data associated with a plurality of signals to be included in a downstream data signal may be received, and the incoming data may be mapped to a plurality of symbols representative of the signals. Data bits for each symbol may be mapped to at least one data register. The contents of the at least one register may be read by one or more digital-to-analog converters to facilitate a direct radio frequency synthesis, and the output of the one or more digital-to-analog converters may be provided to one or more electro-optic conversion devices configured to output a downstream data signal. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120090020 | SIDE LOADING - Side loading of content elements is provided. A selection of a content element from a terminal device may be received and a content format associated with the terminal device may be identified. If the content element is not available in the identified content format, the content element may be transcoded from a current content format to the identified content format and the content element may be transferred to the terminal device in the identified content format. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120088527 | Systems and Methods for Sharing Threaded Conversations on Mobile Communications Devices - Embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for sharing threaded conversations on mobile communications devices. In one embodiment, a method may include: receiving, at a service provider system, a message containing a thread file associated with a forwarded message thread from a forwarding party mobile communications device, wherein the thread file comprises message text and sender information obtained from each of multiple text messages in the forwarded message thread, and wherein the message identifies at least one new recipient; identifying the message as containing a thread file; generating and associating a unique thread identifier with the thread file; and transmitting the thread file with the unique thread identifier over a wireless network for delivery to the at least one new recipient for display of the forwarded message thread. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120086851 | SIDE LOADING - Side loading of content elements is provided. A selection of a content element from a terminal device may be received and a content format associated with the terminal device may be identified. If the content element is not available in the identified content format, the content element may be transcoded from a current content format to the identified content format and the content element may be transferred to the terminal device in the identified content format. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120082302 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING EMERGENCY CALLBACKS - Systems and methods for facilitating emergency callbacks are provided. A request to permit the connection of a telephone call originated by a user device may be received by a call processing system. The call processing system may include any number of computers or computing devices. The telephone call may be identified by the call processing system as an emergency call. Based upon the identification, the call processing system may override one or more incoming call parameters to permit connection of a return call to the user device. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120079548 | MANAGEMENT AND UTILIZATION OF RECORDED VIDEO CONTENT - Management of and utilization of information related to recorded video content are provided. For any given piece of recorded content, identification information for any of a number of interested persons may be associated with the recorded content. After each interested person associated with a given piece of recorded content views or watches the content or decides he or she is not interested in the recorded content, the recorded content may be deleted. A graphical user interface may be provided for showing the viewing status of persons associated with a given piece of recorded content and for allowing each person associated with the recorded content to manage their individual viewing status. Information about content viewed by identified persons may be used to direct advertising or suggested content to one or more identified persons. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120072958 | METHOD FOR REDUCING LATENCY IN AN INTERACTIVE INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM - A method and apparatus for reducing latency caused by information server processing of subscriber request wherein a plurality of content streams defined by a playlist are sequentially provided to a subscriber in a substantially seamless manner and wherein the playlist is updated and otherwise maintained in response to subscriber commands and requests. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120063585 | INTEGRATION OF CONTACT INFORMATION ACROSS MULTIPLE COMMUNICATION DEVICES - Automatically created and dynamically updated lists of a user's frequently called contacts and favorite calling numbers may be provided via a frequently called contacts and favorite calling numbers application. If a call usage count associated with a particular phone number meets a prescribed threshold, the phone number may be added to a frequently called contacts list. Given a user's call frequency and type, the frequently called contacts list may be updated dynamically. A favorite calling numbers list may be generated manually or automatically based on various criteria for adding contact numbers to the list. Both the frequently called contacts list and the favorite calling numbers list may be tied in with a service provider's billing system, wherein special rates or discounts may be applied to calls made to or received from phone numbers in the frequently called contacts list or favorite calling numbers list. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120059680 | Systems and Methods for Facilitating Information Technology Assessments - Embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for facilitating IT assessments. According to one embodiment, a method for representing information technology impact on an enterprise is provided. The method may include characterizing each of multiple IT applications according to multiple factors; and generating an operational impact index value for each of the IT applications based at least in part on the characterization of the respective IT application. Each operational impact index value may relate to an impact index scale representing a relative impact of the respective IT application on an enterprise. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120057690 | IDENTIFYING ACTIONS TO TAKE WITH REGARD TO REPEAT CALLERS - A call handling system receives an incoming call from a caller. In response to receiving the incoming call, the call handling system determines a call count for the caller. The call count for the caller is based on a number of calls in a sequence of calls received by the call handling system from the caller, including the incoming call. A maximum amount of time between any of the calls in the sequence of calls does not exceed an expiration period. Based on the call count for the caller, the call handling system identifies and performs an action to take with regard to the incoming call. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120046052 | Text Messaging To And From Cable Services System Devices - Routing of short message service (SMS) communications from a networked communication device to a networked cable television (CATV) services system device (e.g., set-top box STB) is provided. SMS messages may be sent to a user's wireline phone, mobile phone, or other communication device as identified by a unique identification number (UIN). Upon identifying if the intended destination device is operative to receive SMS messages or if a provision has been made to route an incoming SMS message, the SMS message may be routed to a networked cable services system device (e.g., a set-top box or CATV-enabled telephone) associated with an account of the intended destination device. The cable services system device may receive an SMS message and may be operative to render the message on a display. In addition, the device may also be operative to send SMS messages. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120044147 | Split Keyboard and Handles for Mobile Devices - Embodiments of the invention include split keyboard and handles adaptable for use with mobile devices. According to one embodiment, a mobile device is provided that includes a body, which houses a display, and a split keyboard configured as a first keypad half and a second keypad half. The first keypad half and the second keypad half are configured to separately extend and retract from the body. In addition, each keypad half may include a retractable handle. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120041830 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING PURCHASES OF BROADBAND CONTENT AND SERVICES - Systems and methods for facilitating purchases of broadband content and services are provided. A request to purchase broadband content or a broadband service may be received by a server from a customer device. A transaction associated with the received purchase request may be completed in real-time. Based upon the completion of the transaction, one of (i) access rights associated with the broadband content or (ii) a feature set associated with the broadband service may be altered. The requested broadband content or broadband service is then made available to the customer. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120041829 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING RIGHTS TO BROADBAND CONTENT - Systems and methods for managing rights to broadband content are provided. A request for broadband content may be received by a server. The received request may include a client identifier associated with a customer device from which the request is received and a content identifier associated with the requested broadband content. Based at least in part upon the client identifier, a billing account associated with the customer device may be identified, and one or more users associated with the billing account may be identified. A set of access rights for the one or more users may be determined and, based upon an analysis of the set of access rights, a determination may be made as to whether access to the broadband content is authorized. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120030119 | SECURITY SYSTEM AND METHOD THAT ALLOWS USERS TO SECURELY SETUP AND MAINTAIN SYSTEM SECURITY FOR ALL BUSINESS SYSTEMS - A system, method and computer-readable medium for providing comprehensive security to business systems by distributing the security for accessing the business systems across databases at a plurality of locations. The distributed security simplifies security maintenance and is used to control all aspects of a business. The generation of bills, pings converter boxes, schedules pay per view, etc. are handled by the distributed security. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023590 | Systems and Methods Providing a Separable Digital Rights Management Application - Systems and methods providing content having digital rights management (DRM) applications separable from other authorization applications are provided. A system may include a distribution service provider system in communication with a content provider system and consumer premise equipment (CPE) for the transmission of content from the content provider system to the CPE device. The distribution service provider system may: receive A/V content provided by the content provider system, wherein the A/V content includes a DRM application; apply a conditional access system (CAS) application to the A/V content that is independent of the DRM application; and transmit the A/V content including the CAS and the DRM applications to the CPE for presentation. The CPE device can perform DRM authorizations with the content provider or a third-party DRM provider. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120023525 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR ASSOCIATING APPLICATIONS WITH AN ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE - Systems and methods for associating applications with an electronic program guide are provided. An electronic program guide that includes television schedule information organized in a grid by time and channel may be generated. The electronic program guide may be configured for presentation to a user by an electronic program guide application executed by a programming processing component associated with the user. A second application different from the electronic program guide application may be associated with an entry in the grid of the electronic program guide. The second application may be configured for execution by the programming processing component based at least in part upon the user selecting the entry. Once generated, the electronic program guide may be output for receipt by the programming processing component. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120020472 | Call Routing Monitoring, Control and Reporting - Management of call center call routing is provided. Service calls directed to a call center may be monitored according to a variety of parameters such as associated line of business, date, time, and call volume. Calls directed to an internal call center may be routed to an alternate call center for processing as required or needed by the provider of the internal call center. For each type of incoming service call, a maximum call count or percentage-based call count may be established to facilitate efficient routing of service calls to the internal call center or to an alternate call center to ensure that no more than a specified number of calls are routed to a given call center. Real time and summary reporting may be generated to allow call center management personnel to monitor and manage service call routing to one or more internal and/or alternate call centers. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120011541 | Systems and Methods for Delivering Additional Content Utilizing a Virtual Channel - Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for delivering additional content utilizing a virtual channel. According to one embodiment, a method for delivering additional content to a viewer is provided. The method may include: associating at least one virtual channel with additional content, wherein the additional content comprises one of: one or more on-demand assets or an on-demand portal designating one or more on-demand assets. The method may further include: delivering initial content to a viewer and providing advertisement content including instructions for accessing the virtual channel or channels. The method may then include: receiving an upstream command from a viewer indicating a virtual channel and halting delivery of the initial content and delivering the additional content associated with the virtual channel indicated to the viewer system responsive to the receipt of the upstream command. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120008665 | Secured Broadband Device - Secured broadband devices and methods for providing broadband communication are provided. A broadband device may include a housing, at least one broadband component, and a securing mechanism. The at least one broadband component may be situated within the housing and configured to receive a broadband signal. Additionally, the at least one broadband component may be configured to output at least a portion of the broadband signal for receipt by one or more external devices. The securing mechanism configured to secure the housing to an electrical outlet. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120003989 | Location Status Update Messaging - Provision of a location status update for a mobile computing device to a recipient based on navigation information is disclosed. The location status update may be sent to one or more recipients based on a predetermined criterion or upon user command. According to embodiments, a mobile device's GPS and/or network-based location technologies may be utilized to provide information as to whether a predetermined criterion is met. The location status update may be an SMS or MMS message, an e-mail, a text message, a voice call, a voice message, or a posting to a social networking site. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120001843 | Mobile Device User Interface Change Based On Motion - Adapting a user interface of a mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is in a motion state is provided. Upon detecting that a mobile computing device is in motion by utilization of a location or motion determining system, such as a GPS navigation and/or accelerometer system, a motion mode UI may be activated on the device, wherein a display of device functionalities may be simplified by modifying one or more displayed elements of the device user interface. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110320631 | PRELOADING TOKEN BUCKETS FOR DYNAMICALLY IMPLEMENTING SPEED INCREASES - Providing a dynamic bandwidth increase using at least one token bucket is disclosed. At least one token bucket is pre-loaded to capacity using PCMM commands to dynamically implement speed increases in the network. By pre-loading the at least one token bucket to capacity, the rate cap assigned to the customer is overridden. When the token bucket is exhausted the customer continues at their provisioned rate cap. Only a configuration file has to be changed to implement the temporary bandwidth increase. The token buckets may be implemented on a per service flow basis. Further, a plurality of token buckets may be provided, wherein a first token bucket is configured to control a total burst size and a second token bucket is configured to control an individual flow burst rate up until the first token bucket is depleted. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110318012 | COMBINED OPTICAL AND COAXIAL HUB FOR ROUTING AN UPSTREAM SIGNAL FROM A TWO-WAY DIGITAL OUTPUT TO AN EXISTING HYBRID FIBER COAX NETWORK - A device for routing an upstream signal from a two-way digital output to an existing hybrid fiber coax network. A first path includes an input for receiving downstream optical signals associated with data and a two-way digital port for communicating the data of the downstream optical signals to a subscriber. A second path includes a hybrid fiber coax input and a two-way hybrid fiber coax port for communicating with the subscriber. A filter is disposed in the first path for routing an upstream signal from the subscriber at the two-way digital port to the second path for forwarding upstream via the hybrid fiber coax input. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110317979 | BOOKMARK EXCHANGE - A bookmark communicates precisely the location within an asset where a video clip referenced by the bookmark can be found as well as the start and stop times of the video clip. A subscriber watches a program on a video device or other platform. When the subscriber decides to create a bookmark, the subscriber pauses the program. A bookmark interface is initiated, wherein the subscriber creates a bookmark references a video clip of the program. The first subscriber then selects at least one other subscriber to send the bookmark to. A second subscriber receives the bookmark. The receipt of the bookmark activates a bookmark interface that is displayed on the video device of the second subscriber. The second subscriber initiates an action associated with the bookmark, which may include selecting to watch the video clip associated with the bookmark. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110317717 | DYNAMIC ADJUSTMENT OF BANDWIDTH FOR PROVIDING INCREASED BANDWIDTH DURING BUSINESS HOURS - Providing increased bandwidth to business subscribers during business hours. A determination is made whether a subscriber is eligible for application of a business boost. Business boost to the subscriber is activated when the subscriber is eligible for business boost. An increased bandwidth is provided to the activated subscriber during business hours to provide the business boost to the subscriber. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110314378 | Content Purchases and Rights Storage and Entitlements - Storing asset ID and entitlement data of purchased and rented media from various sources in a media contents account and allowing access to the stored asset ID and entitlement data from various devices is provided. A user may access a media contents account via a network-connected device to view his/her purchased and rented media. The network-connected device may be a device that has been registered with the account. A user may select a title of purchased or rented media to stream or download. Upon verification of entitlement rights, the media may be streamed or downloaded to the user. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110314086 | SECURE DYNAMIC QUALITY OF SERVICE USING PACKETCABLE MULTIMEDIA - A secure mechanism for third party hosted services to communicate with networks to allow dynamic quality of service to be provisioned for content of the third parties is disclosed. By authenticating the third party hosted services, the service provider is able to enter into business arrangements to share revenue with the third party content providers based on the premium service. A subscriber issues a request to a third party server. In response to issuing the request to the third party server, a dynamic quality of service request is received from the third party server. The dynamic quality of service request is validated and a session is provisioned between the client and the third party server implementing the requested dynamic quality of service. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110306368 | Systems and Methods for Facilitating a Commerce Transaction Over a Distribution Network - Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for facilitating a commerce transaction over a distribution network. According to one embodiment, a method for facilitating a purchase transaction over a distribution network is provided. The method may include transmitting advertisement content associated with at least one product or service to a viewer device associated with a viewer, wherein the advertisement content presents at least one commerce command. The method may further include receiving a selection of the at least one commerce command selected by the viewer and transmitting at least one message to initiate a commerce transaction for the at least one product or service with a marketplace system responsive to receiving the selection of the at least one commerce command. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110305441 | Multi-Room Recorder - Scheduling may be provided. First, a first request to record a first program content may be received. The first request may be received from a first device and initiated by a first user. Next, in response to the received first request, a first entry may be added to a scheduling list. The first entry may correspond to the first request. Then, the first program content may be recorded according to the first entry in the scheduling list. In response to recording the first program content, a first indication may then be added to a recording list. The first indication may indicate that the first program content has been recorded. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110305244 | GATEWAY CONFIGURATION UPDATING - The configuration of a gateway in a communications network may be updated. Provisioning data may be extracted from a gateway management server. The extracted provisioning data may be filtered against a list of target gateways. Upon determining an equipping status of endpoints associated with the target gateways in the list, the configuration of one or more target gateways may be updated utilizing existing endpoint provisioning associated with the one or more target gateways. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110302236 | DYNAMIC CONTENT STREAM MANAGEMENT - Dynamic content stream management of may be provided. A selection of a content element may be received and an encoding scheme may be selected. The content element may be transmitted to the requesting client in the selected encoding scheme. During transmission, a different encoding scheme may be selected according to changing conditions, such as network congestion. The client may be switched over to receive the content element in the new encoding scheme instead of the originally selected encoding scheme. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110299851 | RING IN RING PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING FIBER TO THE HOME WITH REDUCED NUMBER OF FIBERS - A mini-optical line termination (OLT) includes at least one management card for providing control and management functions. A plurality of network cards having a predetermined number of ports are configured to support a predetermined number of subscribers by providing a gigabit passive optical network to the subscribers. At least one network device is coupled to an upstream device and the plurality of network cards. The at least one network device is configured to control the forwarding of data between the upstream device and the subscribers. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110283313 | Content Placeholder Markers - Content placeholder markers may be provided. A request to insert a placeholder marker may be received during output of a content asset to a device. If memory storage is available to record the content asset, the asset may be recorded. Otherwise, the placeholder marker may be stored and/or used to resume playback of the content asset from another source. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110280574 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING BROADBAND COMMUNICATION - Systems and methods for providing broadband communication are provided. A source component may be configured to provide a downstream broadband signal to one or more customer devices and receive upstream signals from the customer devices, including a first upstream signal having a frequency lower than the downstream broadband signal and a second upstream signal having a frequency higher than the downstream broadband signal. An optical fiber node in communication with the source component may be configured to receive and convert downstream and upstream broadband signals from radio frequency signals to light signals and vice versa. A terminator in communication with the optical fiber node via one or more cable lines may be configured to output the radio frequency downstream signal for receipt by the customer devices and to direct the communication of the upstream signals to the optical fiber node via the one or more cable lines. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110280249 | Service Gateways for Providing Broadband Communication - Systems, methods, and apparatus for providing broadband communication are described. A service gateway may be situated outside of one or more households. The service gateway may include a termination component and a broadband modem. The termination component may be configured to connect to a source of a broadband data signal and receive the signal from the source. The broadband modem may be configured to receive the signal from the termination component and output at least a portion of the signal for receipt by a remote device situated within a household. Additionally, the service gateway may optionally include a router in communication with the broadband modem. The router may be configured to function as an intermediary between the modem and the remote device. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110267945 | Parameterized Quality of Service for Multimedia in a Coaxial Network - Parameterized Quality of Service (QoS) may be provided. In response to receiving a registration request from a device, a determination of resource availability may be made. If resources are available to satisfy data flows to the device, a flow priority may be established and the device may be added to the priority queue configuration. If the device later requests establishment of a data flow, the data flow may be transmitted at the established flow priority. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110265165 | Automated User Authentication Identification for Customized Converged Services - Systems and methods are disclosed for providing automated user authentication utilizing available authentication data associated with a computing device. By utilizing a mobile identification number verified during an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) process performed when a mobile computing device is powered on, access to a privileged content or service may be granted, allowing a user to bypass manual entry of user authentication information (user ID and password). Utilizing a verified mobile identification number, service features and functionalities may be communicated between billing systems of a service provider, which may provide for further converged, customized services. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110265131 | Recording and Playback of Video Using A Live TV Buffer - Methods and systems for live recording of video on a set-top box of a cable television system include receiving a video signal on a first channel of the set-top box. The set-top box does not include a hard disk drive. Video is displayed on a television corresponding to the video signal. The video signal received on the first channel is recorded in a buffer memory in the set-top box. The display of video on the television is then paused, the video signal being recorded in the buffer memory when the display of video is paused. The display of video on the television is then resumed, the display of the video on the television being resumed from the point at which the display of the video was paused. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110265111 | Broadcast Remote Control - Identifying user behaviors via remote control signal broadcasts may be provided. A content element such as a video may be displayed on a display device. During display of the content, a control signal may be received and deciphered. The deciphered control signal may be used to determine whether the content is being consumed by a user, and this determination may be logged and/or reported to the content provider. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110261945 | Intelligent Disposition Manager - When a communication is directed to an intended recipient, a determination may be made by an intelligent communication disposition manager as to whether one or more available communication devices of the intended recipient are available for routing the incoming communication either based on device availability or routing previously defined by the intended recipient. The intelligent communication disposition manager may utilize presence data of the intended recipient for sending a notification of the incoming communication to one or more of the intended recipient's available communication devices. The intended recipient may select a preferred call routing option for the incoming call/message to be sent. Based on the real-time response from the intended recipient, the call/message may be routed to his/her preferred communication device. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110261942 | Device-to-Device Call Disposition - Device-to-device call disposition is provided. When a call is received at a first telecommunications device, a determination may be made as to whether a second device has been designated to receive a notification of the inbound call and to allow for call disposition at the second device. At the second device, the user may be notified of the incoming call at the first device, and the user may be provided with a number of options for disposing of the incoming call. While the user is positioned at a location having a wireline or wireless communications device associated with the location, and the user receives a call on his/her personal wireless device, a call to the personal wireless device may be automatically routed to the wireline or wireless device associated with the user's location (e.g., home or office). | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110239251 | Electronic Program Guide Generation - An electronic program guide may be provided. A plurality of encoded content streams may be received along with associated program guide information. The content streams may be re-modulated and associated with new channel assignments. Program guide entries for the content streams may be created and/or updated to reflect the new channel assignments. The re-modulated content streams and program guide entries may then be distributed to a plurality of display devices. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110231874 | Smart Address Book - A database of a user's contacts and associated contact addresses and real-time presence data may be received and stored in a network-based smart address book. A smart address book application may receive and store one or more contact names, one or more contact addresses for each contact name, and presence data for each contact address. Contact and presence information stored in a smart address book may be transmitted via a network to an endpoint computing device and displayed thereon. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110205329 | Video Conferencing Utilizing A Cable Set-Top Box - Video conferencing using a set-top box in a cable television services system is provided. A video call may be received over a network connection from a calling party device at a receiving set-top box in the cable television services system. The video call may be displayed on a display device connected to the receiving set-top box. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110202945 | Personalizing TV Content - Storing information associated with content may be provided. First, information associated with available content may be presented to a user via a user device. Next, a user selection for an item of content may be received. In a dedicated memory location for the user, identifying information for the selected item of content may then be stored. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110191799 | Communications between networked cable services system devices - Communication methods between networked cable services system devices are provided. Two or more cable services system set-top boxes may be networked together in a house, business or other facility. Alternatively, two or more set-top boxes may be networked together where the two or more set-top boxes are located remotely from each other and are networked via a cable services system. A first set-top box may be designated and equipped as a proxy server for managing communications between networked set-top boxes and one or more other set-top boxes may be designated and equipped as client devices for communicating with other networked set-top boxes via the proxy server set-top box. One or more communication applications may be deployed on each of the networked set-top boxes for allowing user-to-user communications via the networked set-top boxes, as well as, user-to-set-top box communication via the networked set-top boxes. Communications between set-top boxes that may be enabled include, but are not limited to, text communications, voice communications, video communications, set-top box control communications, real time gaming, and the like. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110185383 | Enhanced Interactive Television - Interactive programming advertising methods and systems are provided. A selectable menu may be provided with a broadcast programming advertisement. The selectable menu may include one or more selectable functions that may allow for a user to interact with the broadcast programming advertisement. Data regarding the user's interaction or non-interaction with the interactive programming advertisement may be collected and utilized for providing a user with a more customized television viewing experience, for targeted programming advertisements, for measurement of new viewer generation data, as well as for other marketing activities directed to the user. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110179443 | Conditional Access Network Handler Emulator - Methods and systems for emulating cable services delivery are disclosed. One system includes a conditional access network handler emulator comprising a conditional access network handler simulator addressable by one or more applications within an emulation environment. The conditional access network handler emulator also includes a library of conditional access configuration data accessible to a conditional access network handler simulator, the configuration data unassociated with a physical cable card. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110151843 | Asynchronous Activation of Wireless Devices Within A Real Time Billing Infrastructure - Services associated with an order for a wireless device of a wireless subscriber are decomposed into core services and non-core services. Separate provisioning jobs are provided for asynchronously provisioning the core services and the non-core services. Upon successful completion of the provisioning of the core services and without regard to completion of the provisioning of the non-core services, an account for the subscriber is established in a billing system to allow immediate use of the core services by the wireless subscriber and immediate billing for usage of the core services by the wireless subscriber. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110138423 | Content Recommendations - Content recommendations may be provided. First, in response to a received input and concurrent with a shrunken programming content, a media guide may be displayed. The media guide may comprise a first card, a second card, and a third card. The first card may comprise a plurality of recommendation types. The second card may comprise a plurality of subcategories corresponding to a selected one of the plurality of recommendation types. The third card may comprise a plurality of content program names corresponding to a selected one of the plurality of subcategories. The plurality of content program names may be in an order. Next, in response to a selection of a one of the plurality of content program names, an action card maybe displayed. Then a selected one of the plurality of actions may be executed. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110119517 | Systems and Methods for Classifying Power Network Failures - Systems and methods for classifying a possible failure in a power network are provided. In one embodiment, a method may include receiving network device status information for multiple network devices in communication with a communications network and capable of receiving primary power from a power network; and determining that a possible power network failure exists based on a first portion of the network devices associated with an inactive status and a second portion of the network devices associated with an active status, wherein the first portion comprises network devices without battery back-up capabilities and the second portion comprises network devices with battery back-up capabilities. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110119375 | Systems and Methods for Analyzing the Health of Networks and Identifying Points of Interest in Networks - Systems and methods for analyzing the health of networks and identifying Points of Interest in networks are provided. In one embodiment, a method for analyzing the health of a network is provided. The method may include: receiving status information for multiple network devices associated with a network; and analyzing the status information for at least a portion of the network devices by comparing the statuses of one or more network devices that are located downstream on the network relative to the statuses of one or more network devices that are located upstream on the network. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110116387 | Systems and Methods for Locating Power Network Failures on a Network - Systems and methods for locating a possible failure on a power network are provided. In one embodiment, a method may include determining that a possible power network failure exists based on a first group of network devices without battery back-up capabilities having an inactive status and a second groups of network devices with battery back-up capabilities having an active status on a communications network, wherein each of the network devices are adapted for receiving at least primary power from a power network; determining addresses for at least a portion of the first or the second groups of network devices; locating the addresses on a power network grid topology; and identifying at least one power network component or power network segment as a possible power network failure location based on locations of the at least a portion of the first or the second groups of network devices. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110105091 | INTERMEDIARY MONITORING CONTROL - Systems and methods are disclosed for allowing a monitoring party to have intermediary control over a communication between a calling party and a called party. A notification may be sent to a monitoring party of an incoming communication attempt to a called party, and the monitoring party may control the routing and/or processing of the communication based on a real-time response to the notification. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110072455 | Providing a Media Guide Including Parental Information - A user interface may be provided including a media guide. The media guide may comprise at least two display elements. One of the displayed at least two display elements may comprise an action card. The action card may be configured to display a plurality of actions that can be taken with respect to the one of the plurality of programs. The plurality of actions may include a parental information action. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110052157 | Modular Digital Video Recorder Storage - Modular storage functionality is provided for a digital video recorder (DVR), which may be configured in such a way as to limit a user's access to the whole storage capacity, and wherein a user may choose to increase or decrease the amount of accessible storage capacity of the internal storage medium. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110040894 | Side Loading - Side loading of content elements is provided. A selection of a content element from a terminal device may be received and a content format associated with the terminal device may be identified. If the content element is not available in the identified content format, the content element may be transcoded from a current content format to the identified content format and the content element may be transferred to the terminal device in the identified content format. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110040748 | Technical Electronic Discovery Action Model - Embodiments of the present invention provide for an end-to-end system and method for identifying custodians, preserving, collecting, processing, reviewing, analyzing, producing, presenting, and dispositioning data responsive to a legal discovery request. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110032429 | Video transmission using video quality metrics - Video traffic transmission using video quality metrics may be provided. A video stream comprising a plurality of frames may be received. For each frame, a determination may be made whether or not to drop the frame rather than saving and/or transmitting it to an end user, thereby conserving network bandwidth. This determination may be made on the basis of a threshold metric, such as a size ratio between frames, an average frame size, an average quality metric. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110032428 | VIDEO TRAFFIC SMOOTHING - Video traffic smoothing may be provided. A video stream may be divided into segments for transmission. For each segment, a desired transmission rate and a range of possible transmission rates may be established. The desired transmission rate may be evaluated to determine whether the rate may result in an overflow and/or a starvation of a memory buffer associated with a receiver. The transmission rate and/or the segment size may be varied to avoid these scenarios. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110014893 | PAYBACK CALLING PLAN - A method for paying back customers for unused service units remaining after a billing cycle. A payback amount is determined by the product of the number of unused service units remaining and the payback rate amount. The payback amount credited to the customer is the calculated payback rate or a maximum payback amount, wherever is smaller. A total payback amount can be determined based on a combination of payback amounts for various services, including voice services, texting services, email services, and/or data storage services. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20100333128 | Control and Monitoring of Content by Access Devices - A device for controlling access to content. The device includes memory for storing data, a processor, coupled to the memory, for authorizing a user and presenting to the authorized user identification of access devices and information regarding the content being accessed by the access devices and a communications interface, coupled to the processor, for enabling data exchange between the processor and the access devices in the network. The processor is configured to initiate a selected control function of a chosen access device upon receiving a command from the authorized user based on the identification of the chosen access device and the information regarding the content being accessed by the chosen access device. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100299236 | TEMPORARY INTERNET SPEED INCREASE - A temporary Internet bandwidth increase is provided. A speed preview interface is presented for obtaining a request for an Internet bandwidth increase from a customer. The eligibility of the customer for the requested increase of the Internet bandwidth is verified. The increase of Internet bandwidth for the customer is provisioned for a predetermined period of time based on the verification of eligibility of the customer. The predetermined period of time may be a temporary fixed period of time or a period of time based on billing status. When the predetermined period of time is a temporary fixed period of time, the increase in Internet bandwidth is terminated after lapse of the temporary fixed period of time. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100290350 | Capacity Planning Using User-Level Data and Upward Projections - A telecommunications network capacity planning system. The telecommunications network capacity planning system includes a telecommunications network including a telecommunications services provider, subscribers and a network coupling the telecommunications services provider and the subscribers for provisioning of the telecommunications services. A database system is used for collecting and storing data at the user-level associated with provisioning of telecommunication services over the telecommunications network. A processor is coupled to the database system. The processor models the telecommunications network by generating upward projections from the stored user-level data and transforms the modeling of the network to a visual display of capacity information and network parameters for manipulation to evaluate capacity planning scenarios. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100287609 | CONTENT PROTECTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A content protection management system that enables interoperability with other Content Protection and DRM technologies. A managed security domain provides a simple, consistent and reliable experience to whole-home network subscribers. The architectural concept for the whole-home network includes an underlying control plane with an overlaying content security control plane running a particular DRM technology. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100251311 | Method for Providing Subscripton-On-Demand Services - A method for providing subscription-on-demand services for video-on-demand programs within an interactive information distribution system. The method includes associating a plurality of video-on-demand programming packages as a programming bundle and identifying a number of video-on-demand programming packages within the programming bundle that a subscriber has subscribed. When the number of video-on-demand programming packages exceeds a pre-specified number of programming packages, the subscriber is automatically subscribed to all the video-on-demand programming packages in the programming bundle. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100235869 | DEVICE MANAGEMENT FOR MEDIA NETWORK - A multi-room media network includes a network for providing device interconnectivity for receiving and sending data and a plurality of content control devices coupled to the network. Device management for multiple room-digital video recording is provided by a trusted device list. The trusted device list allows the configuration of a plurality of media devices in a media network to be managed and controlled. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100235867 | Password Control for Multi-Room Digital Video Recorder - A multi-room media network includes a network for providing device interconnectivity for receiving and sending data and a plurality of content control devices coupled to the network. Password control for multi-room digital video recorder is provided through the resetting and/or resynchronization of a password for a multi-room digital video recorder. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100235386 | MULTI-USER FILE SYSTEM FOR MULTI-ROOM DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDING - Content is provided for viewing by a plurality of media devices. The content is stored on the using a file system that includes metadata regarding the content and the users. The metadata is organized according to programs and user metadata. The metadata is used to manage provisioning of the at lest one media file by a plurality of users. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100214912 | MITIGATING NETWORK IMPAIRMENTS - An edge device for controlling provisioning of data streams to a network includes a primary channel for receiving a primary stream and a secondary channel for receiving a secondary stream. A scheduler selects between the primary stream and the secondary stream. Timers quantify an elapsed time between a triggering event and a previous switch by the scheduler from the secondary stream to the primary stream and quantify a wait time. When the primary stream does not meet the predetermined criteria and the secondary stream does meet the predetermined criteria, the scheduler switches to the secondary stream. The scheduler and switches back to the primary stream after an exponentially increasing wait time has elapsed and the primary stream meets the predetermined criteria. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100180034 | In-Network Online Storage With Increased Session Bandwidth - A system includes a private communications network to provide content to a user using a first, base amount of bandwidth, a policy server, coupled to the network, for managing services provided to a user of the communications network and a data center, coupled to the network, for providing online storage to the user by the communications network, wherein the first, base bandwidth of the communication network is increased to a second, increased bandwidth for a data upload made by the user. The use of a private network addresses the security and efficiency issues of transmitting data over a public network and increased bandwidth enables data transmission between a user and a data center to be completed in a timely manner. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100167700 | DYNAMIC MESSAGING ROUTING AND AUDIO-TO-TEXT LINKING FOR VISUAL VOICEMAIL - An improved visual voicemail system is provided. When a call is made to a wireless telephone device and a voicemail message is deposited for the called party, the voicemail message is transcribed to generate a text version of the deposited voicemail message. The transcribed voicemail message is sent to the called mobile telephone device to allow the user to read the text version of the voicemail message. Embedded with transcribed text voicemail message is a link that maps to a unique telephone number that is assigned to the original audio voicemail message from the text voicemail message was transcribed. If the called party selects the link, the called party's mobile telephone device or other receiving computing device places a call to the storage location of the original audio version of the voicemail message to listen to the audio version of the voicemail message. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100158214 | VISUAL VOICEMAIL - An improved visual voicemail system is provided. When a call is made to a wireless telephone device and a voicemail message is deposited for the called party, the voicemail message is transcribed to generate a text version of the deposited voicemail message. The transcribed voicemail message is sent to the called mobile telephone device to allow the user to read the text version of the voicemail message. Embedded with transcribed text voicemail message is a link that maps to a unique telephone number that is assigned to the original audio voicemail message from the text voicemail message was transcribed. If the called party selects the link, the called party's mobile telephone device or other receiving computing device places a call to the storage location of the original audio version of the voicemail message to listen to the audio version of the voicemail message. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100054333 | VIDEO TRAFFIC BANDWIDTH PREDICTION - Video traffic bandwidth prediction may be provided. Frames of a video stream may be encoded according to a compression scheme. The encoded frames may be received and, depending on the type of frame, may be used to predict the size of other frames of the stream. The predicted frame sizes may then be used to allocate bandwidth for transmission of the video stream. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100034538 | Hardened, Wavelength Enabled Optical Capacity - Providing bandwidth expansion in existing HFC infrastructures. A break in a fiber ring is established. A temperature hardened demultiplexer is coupled at the break to an input side of the fiber ring. A temperature hardened multiplexer is coupled at the break to an output side of the fiber ring. The temperature hardened demultiplexer is configured to pass-through a first predetermined wavelength to the temperature hardened multiplexer and to drop out a second predetermined wavelength. The second predetermined wavelength is extended from the demultiplexer for providing a first predetermined wavelength to an expansion node. The temperature hardened multiplexer is configured to receive the first predetermined wavelength from the temperature hardened demultiplexer and to receive the second predetermined wavelength from the expansion node. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100011403 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING FILES FROM A SENDER TO A RECEIVER IN A TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION NETWORK - A system and method for transmitting files from a sender to a receiver in a television distribution system, for example, a cable television distribution network, is provided. The files are transmitted without the need for transmitting a directory over an out of band communications link. In an exemplary embodiment, a filename corresponding to a file to be transmitted is provided to a transform. The transform calculates a PID based on the filename. The calculated PID is incorporated into the MPEG2 data stream carrying the corresponding file contents. When an application program running in the receiver requests a file, the filename of the requested file is provided to a transform operating in the receiver. The transmitter and receiver transforms are identical. The transform provides a corresponding PID at its output. The PID is used to tune a PID filter on the receiver end such that the requested file is selected from the incoming MPEG bit stream for processing by the processor. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20090313664 | Providing a Video User Interface - Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a user interface. First, a first content type may be displayed on a display device in a full mode. Next, a first user input may be received. In response to the received first user input, a shrunken version of the first content type may be displayed on the display device and at least one content element corresponding to a second content type may be displayed on the display device. Then a second user input selected from the at least one content element corresponding to the second content type may be received. The second content type may then be displayed on the display device in the full mode in response to the received second user input. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090094643 | Providing a Customized User Interface - Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a user interface. First, a first input may be received and a currently displayed programming content may be shrunken. Next, the shrunken programming content may be displayed. Then, in response to the received first input and concurrent with the shrunken programming content, a media guide comprising at least three display elements may be displayed. At least one of the three display elements may be customized for a user. Each one of the three display elements may include a first content element, a second content element, a third content element, a fourth content element, or a fifth content element. The first content element may display available programming channels. The second content element may display programs available on the available programming channels. The third content element may display description information. The fourth content element may display actions that can be taken. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090063994 | Providing a Content Mark - A content mark may be provided. First, an invitation input may be received from a first user. The invitation input may comprise a recommendation to a second user to take an action regarding content to be delivered over a content delivery system. In addition, the invitation input may include a pointer corresponding to a predetermined point in the content to be delivered. Next, the invitation input may be transmitted to the second user. Then an acceptance of the invitation input may be received from the second user. In response to the received acceptance, the content may be transmitted to the second user. The content may be configured to start at the predetermined point determined, for example, by the first user. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090055743 | Providing a User Interface - A user interface may be provided. First, a first input may be received, and in response to the received first input, at least a portion of a plurality of content elements may be displayed. Then, a second input indicating a selection of a one of the displayed plurality of content elements may be received. In response to the received second input, a displayed full version of a programming content and the displayed plurality of content elements may be removed. Also, in response to the received second input, a shrunken version of the full version of the programming content and a more detailed version of the selected one of the plurality of content elements may be displayed. Next, in response to a received third input, the more detailed version and the displayed shrunken version may be removed and the full version of the programming content may be redisplayed. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090049473 | Providing a Video User Interface - Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a user interface. First, a first input may be received and a currently displayed programming content may be shrunken. Next, the shrunken programming content may be displayed. Then, in response to the received first input and concurrent with the shrunken programming content, a media guide comprising at least three display elements may be displayed. Each one of the three display elements may respectively include a first content element, a second content element, and a third content element. The first content element may display a plurality of available on-demand programming groups. The second content element may display further information with respect to a selected any of the plurality of available on-demand programming groups. The third content element may display cover art corresponding to content available within the selected any of the plurality of available on-demand programming groups. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090049098 | Providing a Social Network - A social network may be provided. First, a content group comprising a list of a plurality of content programs may be received. Next, a user selectable element corresponding to the content group may be made available to a plurality of users. A first request may then be received associated with the user selectable element from a one of the plurality of users. The first request may indicate that the one of the plurality of users wants to receive the content group. Next the content group may be provided to the one of the plurality of users in response to the first request. A second request may then be received from the one of the plurality of users for content corresponding to a one of the plurality of content programs. Then the content may be provided to the one of the plurality of users in response to the second request. | 02-19-2009 |
