Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090089856 | AURAL INDICATION OF REMOTE CONTROL COMMANDS - A disclosed set top box or other multimedia receiver suitable for use in a multimedia distribution network includes a remote control interface operable to receive a signal from a remote control device and extract a remote control command from the signal, a processor coupled to the remote control interface and operable to detect the remote control command, and a machine readable storage resource containing computer executable instructions operable to: invoke an aural indication application that returns an audio stream suitable for processing by an audio output device, wherein the audio stream, when processed by the audio output device, causes the audio output device to produce an audibly detectable signal indicative of a function corresponding to the remote control command. The application may generate the audio stream by invoking a speech synthesis module or by retrieving an audio file. The application may retrieve electronic programming guide (EPG) data associated with a remote control command and incorporate at least some of the EPG data in the audibly detectable output. | 04-02-2009 |
20090180596 | System and method for broadcasting packetized voice messages - A system and method are disclosed for broadcasting Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) messages. A method incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include receiving an indication that a message should be delivered to a plurality of recipients. In response, contact information for the plurality of recipients may be identified, and an outbound packetized call to each of the recipients may be launched. In practice, the packetized call may be in a VoIP form or some other appropriate packetized form. If a call is answered, the call may be connected to a multicast server capable of playing the to-be-delivered message. | 07-16-2009 |
20090249429 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to present a media program with associated thematic metadata, and modify a design of one or more on-screen controls that manage a presentation of the media program according to the thematic metadata. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 10-01-2009 |
20100020957 | System and Method for Facilitating a Custom Ring in Connection with a Call - A system and method are disclosed for facilitating a custom ring in connection with a call. A ring tone delivery system may include an interface operable to receive a calling signal that indicates a request to place a call from a calling party to a communication device of a called party. The system may also include a network node communicatively coupled to the interface. The network node may be operable to determine whether the calling party is able to use a calling party selected ring tone. The network node may also be operable to determine whether the communication device will accept the calling party selected ring tone. The network node sends the calling party selected ring tone to the communication device when the calling party is able to use the calling party selected ring tone and when the communication device will accept the calling party selected ring tone. | 01-28-2010 |
20100106769 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING MEDIA CONTENT DELIVERY FOR MULTIPLE COMMUNICATION DEVICES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to monitor for a first adjustment made by a first communication device associated with a user where the first communication device is capable of presenting media content and where the first adjustment is associated with the presentation of the media content, determine a second adjustment to be made to a second communication device associated with the user where the determination is based at least in part on the monitored first adjustment where the second adjustment is associated with the presentation of the media content, and wirelessly communicate adjustment information to the second communication device that is representative of the second adjustment, where the adjustment information is adapted for allowing the second communication device to perform the second adjustment. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 04-29-2010 |
20120300918 | System and Method for Facilitating a Custom Ring in Connection with a Call - A system and method are disclosed for providing a custom ring tone in connection with a call. In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving, at a communication system, an indication to provide a customized ring tone associated with a call to a callee device. The method further includes delivering at least a portion of the customized ring tone to the callee device from the communication system when the callee device is determined to be operable to output the customized ring tone. | 11-29-2012 |
20130028402 | System and Method for Broadcasting Packetized Voice Messages - A particular method includes initiating outbound calls associated with at least two recipients that are to receive a notification message. The outbound calls include a first call to a first telephone address associated with a first recipient of the at least two recipients. The method further includes, in response to a determination that the first call is unanswered, initiating a second call to a second telephone address associated with the first recipient and initiating generation of an email message to an electronic mail address associated with the first recipient. | 01-31-2013 |
20130236001 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO PROVIDE INCENTIVES TO DEFLECT CALLERS TO WEBSITES - Methods and apparatus to provide incentives to deflect callers to websites are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein to deflect a caller to a webpage include receiving a call from the caller, offering an incentive to the caller to terminate the call and access the webpage, and providing an address of the webpage to the caller after the caller consents to terminate the call. | 09-12-2013 |
20130263204 | AURAL INDICATION OF REMOTE CONTROL COMMANDS - A disclosed set top box or other multimedia receiver suitable for use in a multimedia distribution network includes a remote control interface operable to receive a signal from a remote control device and extract a remote control command from the signal, a processor coupled to the remote control interface and operable to detect the remote control command, and a machine readable storage resource containing computer executable instructions operable to: invoke an aural indication application that returns an audio stream suitable for processing by an audio output device, wherein the audio stream, when processed by the audio output device, causes the audio output device to produce an audibly detectable signal indicative of a function corresponding to the remote control command. The application may generate the audio stream by invoking a speech synthesis module or by retrieving an audio file. The application may retrieve electronic programming guide (EPG) data associated with a remote control command and incorporate at least some of the EPG data in the audibly detectable output. | 10-03-2013 |
20140380383 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING MEDIA CONTENT DELIVERY FOR MULTIPLE COMMUNICATION DEVICES - A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to monitor for a first adjustment made by a first communication device associated with a user where the first communication device is capable of presenting media content and where the first adjustment is associated with the presentation of the media content, determine a second adjustment to be made to a second communication device associated with the user where the determination is based at least in part on the monitored first adjustment where the second adjustment is associated with the presentation of the media content and where the second communication device is a battery-operated mobile device, and wirelessly communicate adjustment information to the second communication device that is representative of the second adjustment, where the adjustment information is adapted for allowing the second communication device to perform the second adjustment. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 12-25-2014 |