Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090198777 | System and method for a messaging assistant - A system and method for utilizing a message assistant. A contact list is updated by retrieving one or more contact lists. Preferences are received for communicating with contacts on the contact list. A message is received to be sent to a group listed in the contact list including one or more contacts at a time specified by a user. The message is sent to the group at the time specified by the user based on the preferences. | 08-06-2009 |
20090207984 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VISUAL VOICEMAIL UTILIZING A SET-TOP BOX - A system and method for managing voicemail locally through a set-top box. A call is received from a caller. The call is intercepted utilizing a set-top box. An indicator is displayed to a television in communication with the set-top box. The indicator being indicative of the message being recorded. One or more messages are visually represented to a user in response to the user selecting a channel of the set-top box, the channel being associated with voicemail. The one or more messages are managed in response to user input received through a re remote control in communication with the set-top box. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210917 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY MANAGING VOICEMAIL UTILIZING A SET-TOP BOX - A system and method for managing a voicemail system through a set-top box. A call may be received from a caller. The call is intercepted utilizing a voicemail system available through a network. The voicemail system is operable to store one or more messages. A user selection is received to access the voicemail system utilizing a set-top box. An interface for the voicemail system is displayed to a user. The interface is displayed on a display in communication with the set-top box. The one or more voicemail accounts are managed based on user input. | 08-20-2009 |
20100054436 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SET-TOP BOX CALL CONNECTION - A system for initiating a voice call includes a set-top box operable to control a selection of a television channel for display on a television. The set-top box is further operable to initiate a voice call between a first telephone and a second telephone. The first telephone is associated with a first telephone network and the second telephone is associated with a second telephone network. The system includes a remote control in communication with the set-top box. The remote control is operable to receive a first input associated with the selection of the television channel from a user and a second input associated with the voice call. The voice call is initiated by the set-top box in response to the second input being received by the set-top box. | 03-04-2010 |
20100058375 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING USAGE INFORMATION FOR A SET-TOP BOX - A method and system for providing usage information for a set-top box is disclosed. An embodiment is disclosed that receives a request for usage information for a set-top box and the usage information has media content received by the set-top box, queries a database with a query based upon the request and the request has criteria for usage information, and sends a query result for the query. | 03-04-2010 |
20100058394 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING A REMINDER NOTIFICATION FOR A SET-TOP BOX - A method and system for providing a reminder notification for a set-top box is disclosed. An embodiment is disclosed that determines a reminder notification rule for a recipient with at least one descriptor of media content received by a set-top box, queries a database for one or more selections of scheduled media content in accordance with the reminder notification rule, and sends a reminder notification to the recipient based on a query result. Another embodiment is disclosed that receives a request for a usage information of a set-top box in accordance with a reminder notification preference that has a reminder notification rule with at least one descriptor of media content received by a set-top box, and sends the usage information for the set-top box based upon the reminder notification preference. | 03-04-2010 |
20100058395 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING A CONTENT NOTIFICATION FOR A SET-TOP BOX - A method and system for providing a content notification for a set-top box is disclosed. An embodiment is disclosed that receives security information at a web portal and the security information has identification information for a user assigned to a set-top box, services a request to create a content notification preference for the set-top box at the web portal in response to successful entry of security information, determines media content received by the set-top box and the media content selected for display, determines the content notification preference associated with the set-top box, the content notification preference has a content notification rule to monitor media content received by the set-top box, and sends a content notification to a recipient based on the content notification preference. | 03-04-2010 |
20100058407 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SET-TOP BOX BASE STATION INTEGRATION - A system for conducting a voice call includes a set-top box operable to control the selection of a television channel for display on a television. The set-top box is also operable to initiate a voice call in response to a selection of a user-interface displayed on the television. The system also includes a wireless set in communication with the set-top box, the wireless set operable to establish a portion of the voice path for the voice call. Signaling for the voice call is initiated by the set-top box. | 03-04-2010 |
20100058408 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING OUTBOUND TELEPHONE CALLS VIA A SET-TOP BOX - A system and method for providing outbound telephone calling through an integrated set-top box includes a telephone connection, a media signal connection, and a modem. A user may input a telephone number to the set-top box to initiate an outbound telephone call. The set-top box modem dials the telephone number via the telephone connection to the publicly switched network. Once the call is connected, the user may take the call using a telephone connected to the home telephone network or through a speaker and microphone integrated with or connected to the set-top box. A status of the outbound telephone call may be displayed on a screen connected to the set-top box. A user may also initiate a telephone call to a number displayed on the screen as part of media signal. The on-screen telephone number may be provided along with the media signal or may be extracted from the media signal using character recognition software. | 03-04-2010 |
20100058415 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATION WITH A SET-TOP BOX - A method and system for communication with a set-top box is disclosed. An embodiment is disclosed that receives security information and the security information has identification information for a user assigned to a set-top box, services a request to create a notification preference for the set-top box in response to successful entry of security information, establishes the notification preference for the set-top box and the notification preference has a rule for providing information in a notification on media content available to be received by the set-top box, sends the notification to the recipient in accordance with a notification preference, receives a communication for the set-top box from a user device and the communication comprises a partial command for a set-top box, interprets the partial command in view of the notification, and sends a command to the set-top box based on the partial command and the notification. | 03-04-2010 |
20100058416 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING A WEB-BASED CONTENT FEED FOR A SET-TOP BOX - A method and system for providing a web-based content feed for a set-top box is disclosed. An embodiment is disclosed that receives a web-based content feed at a set-top box, receives a television broadcast at the set-top box and the television broadcast has audio and visual content for one or more television programs, identifies a television program from the one or more television programs related to a portion of the web-based content feed, determines if the portion of the web-based content feed is selected for display at a time that coincides with a broadcast time for the television program, and associates a television content identifier with the portion of the web-based content feed and the television content identifier allows for retrieval of the television program in the television broadcast, and retrieves the television content identifier in response to a request to link to the television program within the web-based content feed. Another embodiment is disclosed that receives a web-based content feed with a link to a television program, transmits the web-based content feed for display, receives an indication that the link has been selected, and sends a request to receive the audio and visual content for the television program at the set-top box. | 03-04-2010 |
20100058417 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING A SOCIAL NOTIFICATION FOR A SET-TOP BOX - A method and system for providing a social notification for a set-top box is disclosed. An embodiment is disclosed that determines media content received by a set-top box and the media content selected for display by a first member of a social network, determines a social notification preference associated with a second member of the social network and the social notification preference has a social notification rule to monitor the media content received by the set-top box and sends a social notification to a recipient based on the social notification preference. Another embodiment is disclosed that determines media content received by a set-top box and the media content selected for display by a first member of a social network, determines a social notification preference associated with a second member of a social network and the social notification rule comprises at least one descriptor of media content, queries a database for usage information for the first member of the social network in accordance with the social notification rule, and sends a social notification to a recipient based on the social notification preference. | 03-04-2010 |
20100189231 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING BROADBAND NOTIFICATION - Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and a method for providing, among other things, local calling name caller identification to a broadband phone, personalized user-specified actions associated with a plurality of users based on an incoming caller identification number to a broadband phone, and remote access to locally stored data on a broadband phone. | 07-29-2010 |
20100306815 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHARING USER CONTENT THROUGH A SET-TOP BOX - A system and method for managing video content through a set-top box. User input is received to record the video content to a set-top box. Digital rights management parameters associated with the set-top box are determined. The video content is recorded directly to the set-top box in response to the DRM parameters. The video content is edited based on selections by a user in response to receiving a selection to edit the video content. Preferences for distributing the video content are determined. The video content is distributed from the set-top box to a number of addresses in response to the preferences. | 12-02-2010 |
20100315227 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION OF A LOCATION THROUGH A SET-TOP BOX - A system and method for determining a location of a set-top box. An indicator of an emergency is received through the set-top box. The location of the set-top box is determined utilizing global positioning information. A message indicating the emergency and the location is sent through a satellite in communication with the set-top box. | 12-16-2010 |
20100319021 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH A SET-TOP BOX - A system and method for sending an emergency communication from a set-top box. A user and location of the user is associated with the set-top box. An indicator of an emergency is received through the set-top box. The user and the location associated with the set-top box are determined in response to receiving the indicator. A database returns the user and the location utilizing an identifier of the set-top box. An emergency communication is sent indicating the location through a media network in communication with the set-top box. | 12-16-2010 |
20110010431 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A MEDIA CONTENT RECONCILER - A system and method for reconciling media content available through a number of service providers. A request is received to identify media content. One or more characteristics of the media content are determined. A determination is made whether the media content is associated with an identifier in response to the one or more characteristics. An identifier is associated with the media content in response to determining there is not an existing identifier associated with the media content. The media content is cross referenced between the number of service providers utilizing the identifier and time zones. A database is updated to include the identifier and the one or more characteristics associated with the media content. | 01-13-2011 |
20110110508 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TELEPHONE CALL CONTROL - A system for controlling incoming and/or outgoing calls on a telephone system having a single incoming/outgoing telephone line to which multiple telephone ports are connected. The system includes a database of instructions for processing calls, with the instructions being determined by the line owner. The system also includes a central processing unit for applying one or more of the user-specified instructions to selectively process an incoming or outgoing telephone call. The system may additionally include a caller identification device for identifying incoming caller numbers, and may process incoming calls according to the identity of the caller. The system may also include instructions for processing calls according to the time of day, or other user-specified parameters. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for controlling incoming and/or outgoing telephone calls, using the system and instructions described above. | 05-12-2011 |
20110119697 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IN-HOME SET TOP BOX MANAGEMENT - A video services control system comprises a set top box coupled to a television and a video services network configured to provide video services to the television via the set top box. The video services network includes an application program operable to develop and implement individualized usage restriction profiles for users of the set top box to control video services viewing. The application program is configured to provide a designated administrator with authority to dictate the usage restriction profile for non-designated users. The individualized usage restriction profiles include restrictions on the content of video services shown on the television for viewing by the users. The application program is configured to receive information input by the designated administrator, develop each usage restriction profile based on the input information unique to each user, and implement each usage restriction profile to control video services viewing by the users. | 05-19-2011 |
20110124314 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING MOBILE TELEPHONES - Disclosed are a system and method for associating a plurality of telephone numbers with a mobile telephone that includes a database of a plurality of telephone numbers linked to a plurality of codes and a mobile telephone network configured and arranged to associate the mobile telephone with a particular telephone number when the network receives the code linked to the particular telephone number. | 05-26-2011 |
20110124315 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING INDIVIDUAL USE OF A MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCOUNT - Disclosed are a system and method for managing access to a mobile telecommunication account by disabling use of a mobile device associated with a mobile telecommunication account or sub account when the mobile network detects that a restriction contained in a restriction database is violated. | 05-26-2011 |
20110126251 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE EXCHANGE AND STORAGE OF SET-TOP BOX DATA - A system and method for updating viewing status between a set-top box and one or more social networks. User preferences are set for communicating a viewing status between the set-top box and one or more social networks. A determination of media content viewed by a user is made by a user utilizing the set-top box. The viewing status of the user is posted in response to the user preferences and the determined media content. | 05-26-2011 |
20110126257 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TUNING A SET-TOP BOX REMOTELY VIA A SOCIAL NETWORK - A system and method for controlling a set-top box through a social network. Access is granted to control the set-top box to one or more contacts of a user. The one or more contacts being associated with one or more social networks. Access to control the set-top box is granted to one or more contacts of one or more social networks. A request to change media content is received from one of the one or more contacts. The one or more contacts are authenticated to ensure they are authorized to tune the set-top box to the media content. The media content is tuned in for communication to a display in response to authenticating the request from the one of the one or more contacts. | 05-26-2011 |
20110126258 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SOCIAL NETWORK CHAT VIA A SET-TOP BOX - A system and method for chatting between a set-top box and one or more social networks. One or more social networks is associated with a set-top box. User preferences are set for communications with one or more contacts included in the one or more social networks. A chat interface is displayed to a user on a display associated with the set-top box in response to the user preferences and activity trigger determined in response to activity detected by the set-top box. Communications occurs with the one or more contacts using the chat interface. | 05-26-2011 |
20110173659 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED ENTERTAINMENT DATA ON A SET TOP BOX - Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for distributing media content to a plurality of display devices. For instance, in one embodiment, a computer implemented method for distributing media content to a display device is disclosed. The method comprises configuring a middleware device to provide media content to the display device and to a set of display devices. In response to the middleware device receiving a request for media content from the display device, the method determines whether the there is sufficient bandwidth to provide a requested media content to the display device. In one embodiment, if the method determines that there is insufficient bandwidth to provide the requested media content to the display device, the method provides the requested media content to the display device based on a set of preconfigured user preferences. | 07-14-2011 |
20120317599 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS - A system and method for sending emergency communications. An indicator of an emergency is received through a set-top box. A location associated with the emergency is determined. A message indicating the emergency and the location associated with the emergency is sent from the set-top box. | 12-13-2012 |
20130305275 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHARING USER CONTENT THROUGH A SET-TOP BOX - The disclosed embodiments include a system, computer readable medium, and method for recording and distributing video content based on DRM parameters. For example, in one embodiment, a set-top box is disclosed that includes a processor for executing a set of instructions. The set-top box also includes memory in communication with the processor. The processor is configured to execute the set of instructions to receive user input to record a video content; determine DRM parameters associated with the video content, wherein the DRM parameters are established by at least of a content owner and a communications service provider, the DRM parameters indicating designated portions of the video content that is recordable; and record the video content based on the DRM parameters. | 11-14-2013 |
20130326550 | SYSTEM & METHOD FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED ENTERTAINMENT DATA ON A SET TOP BOX - Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for providing enhanced entertainment data. For instance, in one embodiment, a computer implemented method for providing enhanced entertainment data includes receiving a request for additional information related to a selected show and displaying the additional information, which includes a list of selectable merchandise associated with the selected show, in response to the request. In one embodiment, the method presents information related to a selected merchandise and an option for a user to purchase the selected merchandise. The method may further include retrieving a billing address associated with a subscriber account associated with the user in response to receiving a purchase request for the selected merchandise and placing an order for the selected merchandise using the billing address. The method may also include billing the order as part of a monthly service charge to the user. | 12-05-2013 |
20140066003 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL GATEWAY - A system and method for sending an emergency communication from a residential gateway. A user and location of the user is associated with the residential gateway. An indicator of an emergency is received through the residential gateway. The user and the location associated with the residential gateway are determined in response to receiving the indicator. A database returns the user and the location utilizing an identifier of the residential gateway. An emergency communication is sent indicating the location through a network in communication with the residential gateway. | 03-06-2014 |
20140106716 | System and Method for Managing Individual Use of a Mobile Telecommunications Account - Disclosed are a system and method for managing access to a mobile telecommunication account by disabling use of a mobile device associated with a mobile telecommunication account or sub account when the mobile network detects that a restriction contained in a restriction database is violated. | 04-17-2014 |
20140130093 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING VIEWING NOTIFICATIONS FOR A SET-TOP BOX - The disclosed embodiments include a method for providing viewing notifications for a set-top box that includes the steps of: storing usage information associated with a media content received by the set-top box, the usage information containing a length of time that the media content was displayed; determining, using a processor, whether a viewing notification is to be sent to a particular user based on user preferences and the usage information; responsive to a determination that the viewing notification is to be sent to the particular user, retrieving a notification identifier associated with the particular user and sending the viewing notification regarding the usage information; receiving a response to the viewing notification from the particular user, wherein the response includes a partial command that is interpreted based on the viewing notification as a requested command to be performed by the set-top box; and performing, using the processor, the requested command. | 05-08-2014 |