Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080201765 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTHENTICATING A COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A method and apparatus for authenticating a communication device is disclosed. An system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an authentication system having a controller element that receives from a communication device over a packet-switched network a terminal ID and a request to authenticate said communication device, generates a first registration ID, stores the first registration ID and a first communication identifier, transmits the first registration ID to the communication device, receives from an interactive response system a second communication identifier and a second registration ID that the interactive response system received during a communication session with the communication device over a circuit-switched network, and authenticates the communication device in response to detecting a match between the first and second communication identifiers and the first and second registration IDs. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 08-21-2008 |
20080235743 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING MULTIMEDIA SIGNALS - A method and apparatus for processing multimedia signals is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an adjunct device coupled between a Set-Top Box (STB) and a media device. The adjunct device can have a controller element that receives a telephony signal from a communication system and an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) multimedia signal supplied by the STB, monitors call origination activities in the telephony signal, and presents at the media device in whole or in part the telephony and the IPTV multimedia signal according to the call origination activities monitored. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 09-25-2008 |
20080235768 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTHENTICATION OF A COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A system and method for authentication of a communication device is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an authentication system can have a controller element that receives from a communication device by way of a packet-switched network an authentication request comprising a first identification (ID) of a gateway and a second ID of the communication device. The gateway and at least one network element of the packet-switched network can be provisioned to have a physical association with each other such that other network elements of the packet-switched network deny services to the gateway when the gateway attempts to operate outside of said physical association. From said physical association and the aforementioned IDs the controller element can authenticate the communication device. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 09-25-2008 |
20080259810 | Broadband Service Applications Test Tool - A broadband internet system comprises a speed test tool, a database, and an internet portal. The speed test tool determines available bandwidth for a communication link. The database stores the available bandwidth for the communication link from the speed test tool. The internet portal offers a service to the customer based on the available bandwidth of the communication link stored in the database, therefore allowing the customer the most efficient usage of the bandwidth of the communication link. | 10-23-2008 |
20080274688 | Method and system for mobile vehicle content management - A method and system for mobile vehicle content management. Content may be received wireless from a plurality of access technologies within a mobile vehicle. The content may be balanced from the plurality of access technologies to select the content from at least one access technology for decryption. The selected content may be provided to a receiver device for presentation. | 11-06-2008 |
20080281926 | STB messaging system - There are provided a method, a system and a machine-readable medium for video terminal device messaging. In one embodiment, a method includes querying a user associated with a mobile device whether to receive one or more mobile messages destined for the mobile device at a video terminal device; and selectively receiving the one or more mobile messages at the video terminal device based on a response to the querying. | 11-13-2008 |
20080288996 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVISIONING MEDIA CONTENT IN A MULTI-USER ENVIRONMENT - A method and apparatus for provisioning media content in a multi-user environment is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Set-Top Box having a controller element to: receive multimedia content from a communication system; configure individual access to the multimedia content among a group of users in accordance with individual user profiles, wherein each of the individual user profiles has a separate service package provided by one or more broadband providers; and provision a delivery of the multimedia content to a media device in accordance with access settings defined at least in part in the individual user profiles. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 11-20-2008 |
20080305764 | SYSTEM FOR MANAGING A SCOPE OF COMMUNICATIONS OF A COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A system for managing a scope of communications of a communication device is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, communication device having a controller element to receive one or more entries in a contact book of a second communication device, and limit a scope of communications with other communication devices according to the one or more contact book entries received. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 12-11-2008 |
20090094646 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTENT MAPPING - Methods and systems for content mapping are described. Information regarding available content may be received from a plurality of content sources. A plurality of available content selections may be provided for presentation. The plurality of available content selections may be in accordance with the received information. A selection of content may be received from a user. The selection may be from the plurality of available content selections. The content may be associated with a selected content source from the plurality of content sources. The selected content source may be of a source type. A channel may be mapped to the content in accordance with the source type to create a mapped channel. The mapped channel may be added to an electronic program guide. | 04-09-2009 |
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 |
20100048057 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING DIGITAL PACKET-BASED DATA - In accordance with a disclosed example method, a first coaxial port is connected to a connector casing. The first coaxial port is connectable to a first section of coaxial cable and the first port to receive digital packet-based data from a first device. A second coaxial port is connected to the connector casing. The second coaxial port is connectable to a second section of coaxial cable. A first impedance is electrically connected to the first coaxial port. The first impedance located in the connector casing. A second impedance is electrically connected to the second coaxial port. The second impedance is located in the connector casing and is different from the first impedance to create an impedance imbalance between the second port and the second section of the coaxial cable. | 02-25-2010 |
20100103943 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO PROVIDE POWER OVER AN ETHERNET-BASED NETWORK TO A WIDE AREA NETWORK ACCESS DEVICE - Methods and apparatus to provide power over an Ethernet-based network to a wide area network access device are described. In some example systems, a local area network (LAN) access point is configured to provide power to a gateway device, such as an optical network termination (ONT), via a wired Ethernet connection. The example LAN access points provide power via a wide area network (WAN) Ethernet port, through which the LAN access points receive WAN access from a gateway. The example gateway provides WAN access to a LAN access point, and receives power sufficient to operate the gateway via an Ethernet port. The example gateway also includes a WAN port, such as a fiber connection, through which the gateway connects to a service provider. The example systems allow a gateway to be powered without a traditional dedicated power connection. | 04-29-2010 |
20100144350 | METHODS, DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR REGISTRATION OF MULTI-MODE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES - A method of registering a multi mode communications device for service can include registering a multi-mode communications device by receiving and transmitting registration information over separate communications networks. | 06-10-2010 |
20100158525 | MODULAR NETWORK TERMINALS AND METHODS TO USE THE SAME - Example modular optical network terminals (ONTs) and methods to implement the same are disclosed. A disclosed example ONT includes a base unit having an integral optical interface to optically couple the ONT to an optical network, and to convert an optical signal received from the optical network to form an electrical signal, a plug-in service module to distribute the electrical signal within a customer premises, and a modular interface connector configured to receive the plug-in service module and to couple the electrical signal from the base unit to the plug-in service module. | 06-24-2010 |
20100177896 | COMMUNICATING VIA A WIRELESS GATEWAY DEVICE AND SSL - Systems (and corresponding methodologies) of deploying an enhanced access point (or an integrated router/access point) with embedded secure socket layer (SSL) tunneling capabilities are provided. The innovation enables users to initiate or prompt secure SSL tunnels between a wireless computer or device (and browser session) and the wireless gateway device (WGD). In particular, off-the-shelf web browser applications can be used to effect secure communication between a wireless mobile device and a SWAT-(Secure Wireless Application Tunnel-) equipped access point. | 07-15-2010 |
20100180308 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONSUMING CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a controller to search a portal in response to a user query for a plurality of related content items of disparate formats accessible across a plurality of platforms, present search results and a graphical user interface for the consumption of the plurality of related content items of disparate formats from the single portal in response to the searching, and select a set of the plurality of related content items of disparate formats from the single portal for provisioning on a first device with a first disparate format and at least a second device with a second disparate format. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 07-15-2010 |
20100217661 | System and Method for Advertising to a Wi-Fi Device - A method is disclosed for providing information related to goods available for purchase in a building. The method includes establishing a plurality of boundary zones where each of the plurality of boundary zones corresponding to a physical boundary zone within a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) network. The method also includes storing product information related to the goods available for purchase that are located within at least one boundary zone of the plurality of boundary zones. | 08-26-2010 |
20100287586 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DISTRIBUTING MULTIMEDIA CONTENT - A method includes receiving, at a first server, data from a set-top box device including login information for a user to establish a first session with a multimedia distribution system. The method includes determining at the first server that the user belongs to at least one presence group when the login information is verified. The method includes identifying one or more on-line members that are members of the at least one presence group and have established sessions with the multimedia distribution system. The method also includes sending information from the first server to the set-top box device, the information corresponding to session activity of each of the one or more on-line members. The information includes video content selected by a user of a particular set-top box corresponding to one of the one or more on-line members, where the video content is concurrently sent to the particular set-top box device. | 11-11-2010 |
20110039531 | Method for Announcing a Calling Party From a Communication Device - A system and method are disclosed for announcing a calling party from a communication device. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a call processing system can have a controller for processing calls in a communication system. The controller can be programmed to detect an incoming call initiated by a third party communication device over a first voice channel, transmit to a communication device over a control channel a notification signal associated with the incoming call, detect a connection made by the communication device to a second voice channel, transmit to the communication device over the second voice channel audio signals that identify a calling party, and link the first and second voice channels upon detecting over the control channel a call acceptance action by the communication device. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 02-17-2011 |
20110070879 | STB MESSAGING SYSTEM - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a video terminal device having a processor adapted to submit a query to a mobile device to determine whether to redirect one or more mobile messages destined for the mobile device to the video terminal device, receive from the mobile device an affirmative response to the query, transmit a request to a wireless carrier system to redirect transmission of the one or more mobile messages to the video terminal device, receive from the wireless carrier system the one or more mobile messages while the mobile device remains communicatively coupled to the video terminal device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-24-2011 |
20110103298 | Systems and Methods for Wireless Transmission of Packet-Based Data to One or More Residential Gateways - Methods and systems are disclosed that include receiving packet-based data at residential gateway from a service provider unit. In one embodiment, a location of a residential gateway is determined and at least a portion of the packet-based data is transmitted wirelessly to the residential gateway when the residential gateway is at an approved location. | 05-05-2011 |
20110107372 | Near-Real Time Internet Protocol Television - A set top box includes a processor configured to provide an electronic programming guide to available television programming. The available television programming includes previously-aired content, currently-airing content, and to-be-aired content. The processor is further configured to receive a selection indicating selected content, and determine if the selected content is previously aired content, currently airing content, or to-be-aired content. The processor is still further configured to request the selected content from a distribution server when the selected content is previously aired content, and provide playback of the selected content. | 05-05-2011 |
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 |
20120005709 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to provide a media processor with a description of available channels, receive from the media processor a request for EPG data and a selection of channels from the available channels where the selection of channels is based on a user's input at the media processor in response to a presentation of the description of the available channels at a display device operably connected to the media processor, and provide to the media processor the requested EPG data representing programming for the selection of channels without programming for remaining channels from the available channels that were not selected, where the media processor presents an EPG based on the provided EPG data, and where a portion of the EPG data is obtained by the controller from a first service provider network that is different from a second service provider network in which the server operates. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 01-05-2012 |
20120072964 | STB Messaging System - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a video terminal device having a processor adapted to submit a query to a mobile device to determine whether to redirect one or more mobile messages destined for the mobile device to the video terminal device, receive from the mobile device an affirmative response to the query, transmit a request to a wireless carrier system to redirect transmission of the one or more mobile messages to the video terminal device, receive from the wireless carrier system the one or more mobile messages while the mobile device remains communicatively coupled to the video terminal device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-22-2012 |
20120159551 | System and Method for Providing a Unified Programming Guide - A method includes receiving data associated with a plurality of multimedia channels. The data includes a multimedia channel numbering set. The method includes presenting the data at a display device communicatively coupled to the set-top box device via an electronic programming guide that includes an option to customize the electronic programming guide by genre. The method includes receiving a selection of one or more genres and a particular multimedia content source. The method includes automatically replacing the multimedia channel numbering set with a renumbered multimedia channel numbering set. Multimedia channels that are associated with the one or more selected genres and that are associated with the particular multimedia content source are assigned a lower channel number in the renumbered multimedia channel numbering set than other multimedia channels that are associated with the one or more selected genres and that are associated with other multimedia content sources. | 06-21-2012 |
20120243675 | Method for Announcing a Calling Party From a Communication Device - A system and method are disclosed for announcing a calling party from a communication device. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a call processing system can have a controller for processing calls in a communication system. The controller can be programmed to detect an incoming call initiated by a third party communication device over a first voice channel, transmit to a communication device over a control channel a notification signal associated with the incoming call, detect a connection made by the communication device to a second voice channel, transmit to the communication device over the second voice channel audio signals that identify a calling party, and link the first and second voice channels upon detecting over the control channel a call acceptance action by the communication device. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 09-27-2012 |
20120320835 | Methods, Devices, Systems, and Computer Program Products for Registration of Multi-Mode Communications Devices - A method of registering a multi mode communications device for service can include registering a multi-mode communications device by receiving and transmitting registration information over separate communications networks. | 12-20-2012 |
20120329437 | Method and Apparatus for Event Notification | 12-27-2012 |
20130012318 | Multimedia-Based Video Game Distribution - A method includes receiving a multimedia data stream at a device and sending data of a first channel of the multimedia data stream to a display device to generate a presentation of available video games. The method includes receiving user input selecting a first video game of the available video games and sending an identification of the device and a channel indicator corresponding to an encrypted second channel having video game data associated with the first video game to a content provider. The method includes receiving a decryption key for the encrypted second channel in response to verification of the identification of the device. The method also includes decrypting the encrypted second channel, beginning storage of the video game data in response to detecting a starting byte of the video game data, and ending storage of the video game data when the starting byte is redetected. | 01-10-2013 |
20130042182 | Method And Apparatus For Abstracting Internet Content - A method and apparatus for abstracting Internet content is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a terminal device having a user interface element that links a graphical user interface element to each internet resource identifier of one or more subject matters of interest defined in a profile by an end user, and presents the one or more graphical user interface elements in a graphical user interface window without association to an Internet browser. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 02-14-2013 |
20130055329 | Close-Captioning Uniform Resource Locator Capture System and Method - A particular method includes extracting uniform resource locator data from closed-captioning content using a set-top box. The closed-captioning content is included in a broadcast signal received by the set-top box. The method includes generating a web page using the set-top box. The web page includes a portion of the uniform resource data as one or more selectable links. A check box is associated with each of the one or more selectable links The web page includes a first selectable option to enable each selectable link associated with a checked check box to be added to a uniform resource locator address book. The method also includes sending the web page from the set-top box via a local area network to a device coupled to the set-top box by the local area network in response to a request from the device for the web page. | 02-28-2013 |
20130070909 | System and Method for Electronic Message Notification - A system includes an interface to receive a signal associated with a call from a first communication device to a second communication device. The system also includes a call suspension mechanism to suspend the call. The system further includes a call disposition engine to send an electronic mail message associated with the suspended call to a device identified by a subscriber address. | 03-21-2013 |
20130079129 | Networked Television and Method Thereof - A television includes a display, a first network interface to a packet-based network, and a decoder operable to process a multimedia data stream received via the first network interface. The television is operable to display content of the multimedia data stream on the display promptly upon receipt of a user request to power up the television. A method includes receiving a multimedia data stream at a network interface of a television, processing the multimedia data stream to generate content, and providing the video content to a display of the television. | 03-28-2013 |
20130083905 | Method for Announcing a Calling Party From a Communication Device - A system and method are disclosed for announcing a calling party from a communication device. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a call processing system can have a controller for processing calls in a communication system. The controller can be programmed to detect an incoming call initiated by a third party communication device over a first voice channel, transmit to a communication device over a control channel a notification signal associated with the incoming call, detect a connection made by the communication device to a second voice channel, transmit to the communication device over the second voice channel audio signals that identify a calling party, and link the first and second voice channels upon detecting over the control channel a call acceptance action by the communication device. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 04-04-2013 |
20130132984 | Set Top Box Device and Method of Distributing Multimedia Content - A method includes receiving first, second, and third content streams at a first device via a distribution system. The second content stream is selected by a second device and the third content stream is selected by a third device. The method also includes sending data to a display device to concurrently present the first, second, and third content streams and first, second, and third regions, respectively. A content control and buffer module is instructed to request a fourth content stream in response to receiving a request made at the second device. The method further includes sending data to the display device to display the fourth content stream in the first region. In response to the request, the first content stream replaces the second content stream in the second region. | 05-23-2013 |
20130263175 | Locally Originated IPTV Programming - In an embodiment, a third party video content database is coupled to an IPTV network. The IPTV network includes a plurality of set top boxes (STBs). The third party video content database is mapped to the IPTV network via an IP address of the third party content database, and it is associated with an assigned channel on the IPTV network. One or more STBs of the IPTV network have access to the assigned channel. | 10-03-2013 |
20130276018 | System and Method of Restricting Access to Video Content - Disclosed are a system and method of restricting access to video content. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a request for video content at a set-top box located at a first location, the request received from a remote user device located at a second location. The method also includes initiating recording of the video content at the set-top box when the video content is unrestricted at the first location and when the video content is restricted at the second location. The method also includes, when the video content is unrestricted at the second location, initiating sending the video content to the remote user device. | 10-17-2013 |
20130276032 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING MEDIA CONTENT - A system and apparatus for managing media content is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a terminal device can have a controller element that receives a media guide from a set-top box, and presents on a display unit of the terminal device the media guide without presentation of said media guide on a media device coupled to the set-top box. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 10-17-2013 |
20130294442 | VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL MULTI-ROUTING WITH PACKET INTERLEAVING - A method and system for processing data packets is described within. The method executed by the system includes the steps of receiving a first data packet, determining if the first data packet is a first expected data packet, determining if the first data packet is a next expected date packet, storing the first data patent if the first data packet is the next expected data packet and waiting a period of time for a second data packet. | 11-07-2013 |
20130303116 | METHOD FOR SEGREGATING BILLABLE TRANSACTIONS IN A MULTIMODE COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A system and method are disclosed for segregating transactions in a multimode communication device. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device ( | 11-14-2013 |
20140196088 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING USER-DEFINABLE AUDIO INDICATORS FOR MULTIMEDIA CHANNEL SELECTIONS - A method includes providing a user interface to a set-top box. The user interface facilitates an association of an audio indicator with a channel selection action. The method includes receiving, via the user interface at the set-top box, a first user input indicating an association of a selected audio indicator with a selected channel selection action. The method also includes providing the selected audio indicator for audible output via the set-top box in response to receiving a second user input corresponding to the selected channel selection action. | 07-10-2014 |
20140237532 | CLOSED-CAPTIONING UNIFORM RESOURCE LOCATOR CAPTURE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A particular method includes extracting, at a computing device, uniform resource locator data from closed-captioning content. The method further includes receiving, at the computing device, user settings via a network interface. The user settings include an organizational preference corresponding to the uniform resource locator data. The method also includes generating, at the computing device, a web page that includes a portion of the uniform resource locator data as selectable links. The selectable links are organized according to the organizational preference. | 08-21-2014 |