Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100097940 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SERVICING A NETWORK - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to receive first operational data from a portable testing device that is temporarily connected to a network interface device of a network where the network interface device is customer premises equipment and where the first operational data is associated with an undesired condition being experienced by the customer premises equipment, determine a service action to be performed by a technician associated with the portable testing device based at least in part on the first operational data, and transmit service information that is representative of the service action to the testing device for servicing the customer premises equipment where the service information is adapted for presentation by the testing device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 04-22-2010 |
20100111277 | INTUITIVE SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM FOR ACCESSING CUSTOMER SUPPORT - A system for providing user support includes a setter configured to set up at least one communication service for a user including providing a unique communication identifier of character strings to access the communication services, and an accessor configured to access customer support including providing a unique customer support identifier character string to the user, the customer support identifier character string comprising at least a portion of the unique communication identifier character string. | 05-06-2010 |
20100115605 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO DELIVER MEDIA CONTENT ACROSS FOREIGN NETWORKS - Example methods and apparatus to deliver media content across foreign networks are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a request from a subscriber of a media provider, the media provider associated with a native network and identifying a foreign network associated with a current location of the subscriber. The example method also includes identifying at least one quality of service (QoS) parameter associated with the foreign network, comparing the at least one foreign network QoS parameter with a first threshold value, and at least one of prohibiting a service delivered by the media provider when the at least one foreign network QoS parameter fails to meet the first threshold value, or enabling the service when the at least one foreign network QoS parameter meets the first threshold value. | 05-06-2010 |
20100149989 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO TRIGGER MAINTENANCE AND UPGRADES OF ACCESS NETWORKS - Example methods and apparatus to trigger maintenance and upgrades of access networks are disclosed. An example method comprises obtaining a first value representing a number of unassigned ports associated with a first digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), obtaining a second value representing a projected number of ports associated with the first DSLAM needed to satisfy at least one of anticipated, projected or pending service requests, and determining whether to automatically submit a preventative maintenance trouble ticket for the first DSLAM based on the first and second values. | 06-17-2010 |
20100149999 | Methods and Apparatus to Pre-Qualify User Communities for Communication Services - Example methods and apparatus to pre-qualify user communities for communication services are disclosed. An example method comprises configuring a first remote network demarcation associated with a first loop to a loop-back state, interrogating the first loop to determine a first parameter representative of the first loop, configuring a second remote network demarcation associated with a second loop to the loop-back state, interrogating the second loop to determine a second parameter representative of the second loop, and compiling a report based on the first and second parameters, the report containing a value that represents a degree to which a communication service can be provided to a user community associated with the first and second loops. | 06-17-2010 |
20100150018 | System and Method for Testing User Connections in an Internet Protocol Television System - A method for providing a cable service dispatch ticket is disclosed. A new user installation request is received at a server in an Internet Protocol television system. An upstream data rate test is performed for each of a plurality of user connections in the Internet Protocol television system in response to the new user installation request. An upstream data rate that is determined for each of the user connections during the upstream data rate test is recorded. A cable service dispatch ticket for each of the plurality of user connections is provided when a number of the upstream data rates are below a threshold upstream data rate. A device that implements the method is also disclosed. | 06-17-2010 |
20100153787 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO DETECT AN ERROR CONDITION IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK - Methods and apparatus to detect an error condition in a communication network are disclosed herein. An example method of detecting an error condition in a communication network includes collecting first metric data from a first endpoint device, the first metric data being related to a first connection between the first endpoint device and a communication network; collecting second metric data from a second endpoint device, the second metric data being related to a second connection between the second endpoint device and the communication network; determining if at least one of the first and second metric data are indicative of the error condition; when the at least one of the first and second metric data are indicative of the error condition, identifying a point of correlation between the first and second connections; identifying a network element based on the point of correlation; and performing an evaluation of the network element. | 06-17-2010 |
20100161827 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO MANAGE PORT RESOURCES - Example methods and apparatus to manage port resources are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a static threshold associated with a network parameter and receiving a current value associated with the network parameter. The example method also includes invoking a first response when the current value exceeds the static threshold, when the current value does not exceed the static threshold, receiving a second threshold associated with a rate of change value of the network parameter, and invoking a second response when the rate of change value exceeds the second threshold. | 06-24-2010 |
20110055884 | System and Method for Mapping Potential Internet Protocol Television Interference - A method is disclosed for determining a mitigation strategy to limit a potential source of interference on an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) system. A new user installation request is received at a server in the IPTV system. A first geographical location of a customer premises associated with the new user installation request is received. A second geographical location of an amplitude modulation broadcasting facility is received. The first geographical location and the second geographical location are plotted. A first distance between the first geographical location and the second geographical location is determined. A first signal transmission power rating for the amplitude modulation broadcasting facility is retrieved. A first mitigation strategy to limit a first interference of the amplitude modulation broadcasting facility on an IPTV signal provided to the first geographical location when the first distance is less than the first threshold distance is determined. | 03-03-2011 |
20110078513 | Methods, Systems & Products for Detecting Failing Power Supplies - Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for predicting failures in power supplies. A count of exception messages is set to zero. When a exception message is received, the count of exception messages is incremented and compared to a threshold value. When the count of exception messages equals the threshold value, a cooling fan is determined to be failed, and a prediction is made that a power supply is proceeding towards failure. | 03-31-2011 |
20110103231 | System and Method for Mapping Internet Protocol Television Interference - A method in a server for monitoring an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) service for a customer premises is disclosed. A first geographical location of a customer premises is retrieved, and a second geographical location of an amplitude modulation broadcasting facility within a threshold distance from the customer premises is retrieved. A first signal transmission power rating for the amplitude modulation broadcasting facility during daytime hours is retrieved, as is second signal transmission power rating for the amplitude modulation broadcasting facility during nighttime hours. A time of day that the IPTV service failure occurs is determined based on the first signal transmission power rating for the daytime hours and the second signal transmission power rating for the nighttime hours. | 05-05-2011 |
20110106588 | System and Method to Facilitate Installation of a Digital Subscriber Line - Systems and methods to facilitate installation of a digital subscriber line are provided. A particular computer-implemented method includes receiving an installation request for a digital subscriber line. The method includes determining performance data associated with one or more active digital subscriber lines that are located near an installation location of the digital subscriber line. The method includes comparing the performance data to installation criteria. The method also includes sending an installation notice to an installer. The installation notice includes a special installation instruction when the performance data satisfies at least one installation criterion of the installation criteria. | 05-05-2011 |
20110122246 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to receive media content from a content provider operating in an interactive television (iTV) network, wherein the media content is associated with a plurality of channels, wherein the media content comprises audio and video content, change each channel of the plurality of channels based on a time interval provided by a monitoring system, analyze audio content of the media content for each channel for detecting an undesired condition associated with the video content, wherein the audio content is encoded by an iTV audio encoder, and transmit the media content to the monitoring system if the undesired condition is detected, the media content being transmitted for analysis by the monitoring system and for creation of a trouble ticket if a qualitative threshold for the media content is determined to not be satisfied. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 05-26-2011 |
20110122768 | Management of Network Capacity to Mitigate Degradation of Network Services During Maintenance - In accordance with a method of managing network capacity, simulation data is received from a simulation system based on at least one metric associated with a plurality of communication links interconnecting at least two endpoints. The simulation data indicates impact of a communication link to be taken offline a plurality of alternate communication links. It is determined whether the simulation data associated with at least one communication link satisfies at least one predetermined criterion. Further, at least one metric of the simulation system is periodically updated based on real-time data associated with the plurality of communication links. The simulation data from the simulation system based on the updated at least one metric is received. Thereafter, load from the communication link to be taken offline is selectively moved to an alternate communication link based on whether the simulation data associated with the alternate communication link satisfies the at least one predetermined criterion. | 05-26-2011 |
20110122776 | Method, Apparatus, and Computer Program Product for Traffic Simulation Tool for Networks - Method, apparatus, and computer products are provided for creating a network design and simulating communication traffic over the network design on a computer. Input of network elements is received, and the network elements are operatively connected by links to form a network design. Each network element and each link include parameters representative of software and hardware. Input is received of a test condition for a simulation of communication traffic over the network design. The test includes the type of communication traffic, the amount of communication traffic, and the times at which the communication traffic occurs. The computer executes the simulation of the test condition for the network design to determine a survivability for the network elements and the links connecting the network elements. The computer executes an impact analysis on the output of the simulation to determine if there are excessive loads on the network elements and links. | 05-26-2011 |
20110126241 | System and Method for Layered Delivery of Media Content Quality - A method in a server for providing various Internet Protocol television signal qualities involves an IPTV signal having a first signal quality that is transmitted over a first network connection to a first device. A request to receive the IPTV signal over a second network connection at a second device with the IPTV signal having a second signal quality is received. A determination is made that the second network connection has sufficient bandwidth to transmit the IPTV signal at the second signal quality, and that the second device is capable of receiving IPTV signal. The transmission of the IPTV signal over the first network connection to the first device is ended. An endpoint for the transmission of the IPTV signal to the first device is determined. The IPTV signal is transmitted over the second network connection to the second device at the second signal quality beginning at the determined endpoint. | 05-26-2011 |
20110136486 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING SILENT GAPS IN WIRELESS NETWORK SERVICE - In one embodiment, the present disclosure is a method and apparatus for detecting silent gaps in wireless network service. In one embodiment, a method for detecting gaps in the service of a wireless network includes monitoring a series of control messages exchanged between a first mobile switching center and a second mobile switching center in the wireless network, where the series of control messages relate to a handoff of a wireless device being served by the wireless network and logging any errors detected during the exchange of the control messages. | 06-09-2011 |
20120005332 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO PROACTIVELY IDENTIFY DEGRADED NETWORK PERFORMANCE - A method and system for managing performance of a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN), such as a digital subscriber line network, involves monitoring maximum data transfer rates and current data transfer rates for one or more MCDN clients. A ratio of the current data transfer rate to the maximum data transfer rate may be evaluated with respect to a threshold. When the ratio is less than the threshold, an associated MCDN node may be designated as a degraded node and subject to enhanced surveillance by an MCDN operator. | 01-05-2012 |
20120005333 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO DETECT A PREDICTIVE NETWORK SIGNATURE - A method and system for monitoring a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes receiving an indication that a network impairment has been detected at an MCDN node. MCDN clients associated with the MCDN node may be analyzed to detect an impairment signature, representing correlated impairments among the MCDN clients. Subsequent incoming service requests for the MCDN node may be bundled into a master service ticket. Users of the MCDN clients may be notified of the detected network impairment and of a status of ongoing remediation efforts. | 01-05-2012 |
20120005536 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO PREVENT CHRONIC NETWORK IMPAIRMENTS - A method and system for managing performance over a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN), such as a digital subscriber line network, involves accessing a record of historical values of a network service parameter for a plurality of MCDN clients. The historical values may be analyzed to detect network impairment associated with an MCDN node. Network diagnostics may be initiated for MCDN clients associated with the MCDN node. The result of the network diagnostics may result in localizing a source of the network impairment. | 01-05-2012 |
20120009904 | Systems, Methods, and Computer Program Products for Determining a Location of a Tracked Device After a Device or Network Failure - Systems, methods, and computer program products are for receiving a tracking failure notification including a device identifier of a tracked device that is unavailable because of a failure condition, determining the failure condition as being one of a network failure and a tracked device failure, retrieving known location data of the tracked device including a last known location of the tracked device, determining a potential location of the tracked device, and notifying an entity of the failure condition, the device identifier, and the potential location. | 01-12-2012 |
20120030523 | Alarm Threshold For BGP Flapping Detection - Methods and systems are described that improve the alarming logic for Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) flapping events. Embodiments provide an alarm threshold on BGP flapping conditions and alert on BGP related events. A reduction in silent failures and network outage minutes is achieved. | 02-02-2012 |
20120089683 | AUTOMATED ASSISTANCE FOR CUSTOMER CARE CHATS - An apparatus provides automated assistance to an agent. The apparatus includes a receiver that receives a client communication from a client terminal via a network. A processor processes the client communication and determines a plurality of agent statements based on the client communication. The plurality of agent statements is displayed on a display. An input receives an agent communication from the agent. The agent communication is selected from a custom statement input by the agent and one of the plurality of agent statements selected by the agent. A transmitter transmits the agent communication to the client terminal via the network. | 04-12-2012 |
20120149328 | Devices, Systems, and Methods for Sharing Network Services - Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to mobile communication device users sharing their subscribed network services with other mobile communication device users. A borrowing mobile communication device is provided with the ability to remotely connect to a lending mobile communication device and use the subscribed network services of the lending mobile communication device when needed. This method allows the user of the lending mobile communication device to share subscribed network services. Besides using network services, it is possible to share displays between two mobile communication devices. A user of a lending mobile communication device shares the current display with a borrowing mobile communication device and vice-versa. This allows sharing among people who are not family members. Any registered user may subscribe to this network service sharing service and create a peer network. Users have the option to turn sharing on or off in the lending preferences. | 06-14-2012 |
20120149404 | Enhanced Delivery of Messaging Data Traffic - Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for delivering enhanced message content to subscribers and for overcoming common incompatibilities found in message delivery mechanisms. Exemplary embodiments, of the present subject disclosure profile an intended recipient's network capabilities, the intended recipient's device, and/or the recipient's service feature profile. This profile is leveraged to predictively and adaptively adjust the subsequent enhanced message content delivery process. Further, content modification can be applied for those cases where there is a defined mismatch that can be handled in order to facilitate delivery of the substance of the enhanced content. Finally, in cases where the content needs to be delivered intact to the intended recipient, but where the recipient network, the recipient's device and/or the recipient's service profile do not allow for delivery, the content may be delivered to an alternative device or system. An informational reference vector, such as a Universal Resource Locator (URL), is delivered to the intended recipient's device to locate the content. These alternative devices or systems may be managed by the sender, the recipient, or a service provider's network. | 06-14-2012 |
20120244833 | Methods, Devices, and Computer Program Products for Tracking Receipt and Determining Effectiveness of Radio Broadcast Signals - Receipt of a radio broadcast signal by a mobile communication device is tracked based on a signal strength measurement signal and location information. The signal strength measurement signal indicate a signal strength of the radio broadcast signal, received via a communication channel and measured at the mobile communication device, over a particular time period. The location information indicates a location of the mobile communication device within a geographic area over the particular time period. Effectiveness of the radio broadcast signal is determined with respect to receipt of the radio broadcast signal by a plurality of mobile communication devices within the geographic area over the particular time period. | 09-27-2012 |
20120314845 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO TRIGGER MAINTENANCE AND UPGRADES OF ACCESS NETWORKS - Example methods and apparatus to trigger maintenance and upgrades of access networks are disclosed. An example method comprises obtaining a first value representing a number of unassigned ports associated with a first digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), obtaining a second value representing a projected number of ports associated with the first DSLAM needed to satisfy at least one of anticipated, projected or pending service requests, and determining whether to automatically submit a preventative maintenance trouble ticket for the first DSLAM based on the first and second values. | 12-13-2012 |
20120327776 | Alarm Threshold For BGP Flapping Detection - Methods and systems are described that improve the alarming logic for Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) flapping events. Embodiments provide an alarm threshold on BGP flapping conditions and alert on BGP related events. A reduction in silent failures and network outage minutes is achieved. | 12-27-2012 |
20130054634 | Cloud-To-Cloud Peering - A method includes receiving an input at a first cloud from a first device associated with a first user. The input indicates that an item stored in the first cloud is accessible to a second device associated with a second user via a second cloud that is coupled to the first cloud. The first cloud is associated with the first user and the second cloud is associated with the second user. | 02-28-2013 |
20130061277 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAPPING POTENTIAL INTERNET PROTOCOL TELEVISION INTERFERENCE - A method is disclosed for determining a mitigation strategy to limit a potential source of interference on an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) system. A new user installation request is received at a server in the IPTV system. A first geographical location of a customer premises associated with the new user installation request is received. A second geographical location of an amplitude modulation broadcasting facility is received. A first distance between the first geographical location and the second geographical location is determined. A first signal transmission power rating for the amplitude modulation broadcasting facility is retrieved from a database. A first mitigation strategy causing filters to filter an IPTV signal according to a frequency range associated with the amplitude modulation broadcasting facility to limit a first interference on the IPTV signal provided to the first geographical location when the first distance is less than the first threshold distance is determined. | 03-07-2013 |
20130077480 | MANAGEMENT OF NETWORK CAPACITY TO MITIGATE DEGRADATION OF NETWORK SERVICES DURING MAINTENANCE - A method, system and machine-readable storage device to manage network capacity are provided. In accordance with the method, simulation data is received periodically according to a metric based on data associated with a plurality of communication links interconnecting endpoints. Specially, the simulation data is received according to a periodicity adjusted selectively based on an interval of time between a current date and time and a date and time that a communication link is to be taken offline. The simulation data indicates impact of the communication link to be taken offline on a plurality of alternate communication links. Thereafter, load is moved selectively from the communication link to be taken offline to an alternate communication link of the plurality of alternate communication links based on whether the simulation data associated with the alternate communication link satisfies a predetermined criterion. | 03-28-2013 |
20130094631 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO PRE-QUALIFY USER COMMUNITIES FOR COMMUNICATION SERVICES - Example methods and apparatus to pre-qualify user communities for communication services are disclosed. An example method comprises configuring a first remote network demarcation associated with a first loop to a loop-back state, interrogating the first loop to determine a first parameter representative of the first loop, configuring a second remote network demarcation associated with a second loop to the loop-back state, interrogating the second loop to determine a second parameter representative of the second loop, and compiling a report based on the first and second parameters, the report containing a value that represents a degree to which a communication service can be provided to a user community associated with the first and second loops. | 04-18-2013 |
20130230151 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO TRIGGER MAINTENANCE AND UPGRADES OF ACCESS NETWORKS - Example methods and apparatus to trigger maintenance and upgrades of access networks are disclosed. An example method comprises obtaining a first value representing a number of unassigned ports associated with a first digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), obtaining a second value representing a projected number of ports associated with the first DSLAM needed to satisfy at least one of anticipated, projected or pending service requests, and determining whether to automatically submit a preventative maintenance trouble ticket for the first DSLAM based on the first and second values. | 09-05-2013 |
20130325700 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SHARING A SERVICE IN A WIRELESS NETWORK - A method and apparatus for sharing a service in a wireless network are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request for sharing a service from a first user endpoint device associated with a first customer, wherein the request is directed to a second user endpoint device associated with a second customer, performs an authentication of the first user endpoint device, determines whether the first user endpoint device has a subscription to a sharing service, determines whether the second user endpoint device has a subscription to the sharing service, attempts to obtain an authorization to enable the first user endpoint device to access the service that is associated with the second user endpoint device, wherein the service is related to a financial transaction privilege and provides a response granting the request for the sharing of the service, if the authorization is received. | 12-05-2013 |
20140059608 | System and Method of Content Acquisition and Delivery - A method includes receiving, at an electronic device, a first input from a user identifying a program and a viewing time and creating a first calendar event corresponding to the viewing time in an electronic calendar associated with the user. The method also includes determining a first device to deliver the program to, where the first device is associated with the user. The determination is based on the viewing time and a second calendar event in the electronic calendar. Further, the method includes delivering the program to the first device. | 02-27-2014 |
20140089821 | On-Demand Multi-Screen Computing - Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are for on-demand multi-screen computing. According to one aspect disclosed herein, a method for multi-screen computing includes establishing a multi-screen computing session, establishing communication with a primary computing device and an auxiliary device to be included in the multi-screen computing session, creating a web container for the auxiliary device, and propagating the web container to the auxiliary device for presentation on a display of the auxiliary device. | 03-27-2014 |
20140325562 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTENT ACQUISITION AND DELIVERY - A method includes creating a first calendar event in an electronic calendar associated with a user. The first calendar event corresponds to a first viewing time and is associated with delivery of media content to a first device associated with the user. The method further includes rescheduling the first calendar event in response to determining that a scheduling conflict exists between the first calendar event and a second calendar event. Rescheduling the first calendar event includes modifying the first calendar event to correspond to a second viewing time and determining, based on the second viewing time, a second device to deliver the media content to. The second device is associated with the user. | 10-30-2014 |