Abstract: An electronic programming guide (EPG) may be efficiently distributed through a CDN by breaking the EPG into elements including EPG info element that provides an indication of the current EPG version and a length of schedule blocks within the EPG. The EPG info can be retrieved periodically, and when a change of the EPG version is detected, EPG Channels info can be retrieved that provides a list of all channels in the EPG as well as an indication for each schedule block of the channel of the EPG version in which the schedule block was last changed. The schedule block version information may be used to retrieve the particular schedule block information when required, and if the correct version of the schedule block is not available at the device. The individual schedule block provides an indication of what programs are airing during the schedule block. Further details of each program may be retrieved as required for each program.

Abstract: The invention provides a method comprising, receiving an indication of a desire for contact information associated with given media content, obtaining the contact information associated with the given media content in response to the indication and causing the obtained contact information to be stored in a database associated with a given party.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method, system and apparatus for causing a communication client to join a media-over-packet communication session. The method comprises receiving from a communication client an indication indicative of a desire of the communication client to establish a communication session, the communication client being registered in association with a user account. The method further comprises determining if there exists at least one active communication session established with at least one other communication client registered in association with the user account. Responsive to determining that there does exist at least one active communication session, the method further comprises causing the communication client to join at least one of the at least one active communication session.

Abstract: Methods and systems to notify a party at a given premise when a particular event, such as a fire, an intrusion, an emergency or another event, occurs at another premise. One method comprises: obtaining an indication of a particular event at a first end-user premise, the first end-user premise including first end-user equipment connected to a communications network via a first communication link; establishing a wireless communication link between the first end-user equipment and second end-user equipment at a second end-user premise, the second end-user equipment being connected to the communications network via a second communication link; and causing the first end-user equipment to transmit information to the second end-user equipment via the wireless communication link to instruct the second end-user equipment to issue a notification concerning the particular event. Also provided are apparatus and computer-readable media containing a program element executable by a computing system to perform such a method.

Abstract: A method implemented by a set top box that encrypts communications for a channel stacking switch (CS) using a public key of the CSS, the method comprising: obtaining a message from a head end; extracting electronic counter measure (ECM) data from the message; sending the ECM data to the CSS; receiving, in response to the sending, a new public key of the CSS; encrypting communications for the CSS using the new public key of the CSS. Also, a method for implementation by a CSS, comprising: maintaining a private key and a public key; obtaining ECM data sent by a set top box in communication with the CSS; obtaining an identifier of the CSS; formulating a new public key based on the private key, the identifier and the ECM; rendering the new public key available to the set top box.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring a service provided over a packet-switched network, such as an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) service, an Internet access service, or a voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) telephony service. Various parameters related to the service (e.g., parameters indicative of packet loss, packet corruption or other packet error) are determined and used to assess various aspects of the service and/or network over which the service is delivered, including a quality of experience (QoE) of subscribers.

Abstract: A content ingestion system and method allows a single pitch of media content and associated metadata to be provided by a content provider and processed into appropriate packages for different content distribution services or delivery platforms.

Abstract: A method, which comprises determining a logical identifier used for communication over a network portion managed by a service provider and transmitting to a computing apparatus adapted to effect online transactions involving a payer and a payee an indication of the service provider having agreed to act as the payer for at least one online transaction requested by a requesting device that uses the logical identifier. Also, a method, which comprises determining a logical identifier used to identify a device during a request for an online transaction; identifying, based on the logical identifier, a third party that has agreed to act as a payer for the online transaction; providing a user of the device with an opportunity to confirm the third party as the payer for the online transaction; and completing the online transaction based on input from the user.

Abstract: A method and network element for implementing a virtual PBX feature for a customer associated with a plurality of endpoints. The method comprises receiving information regarding a call. Based on the information regarding the call, it is determined if the call is an external inbound call or an internal call that identifies a particular one of the endpoints. Responsive to determining that the call is an external inbound call, the call is caused to be routed to the plurality of endpoints associated with the customer, while responsive to determining that the call is an internal call that identifies a particular one of the endpoints, the call is caused to be routed to the particular one of the endpoints. This allows members of a small business or household to share a common external subscriber line, while also allowing the members to reach one another with ease.

Abstract: Provided are methods, apparatuses and systems for providing prioritized data distribution at a customer premise. A network access component may determine a particular hardware identifier associated with data received from a communication entity. The hardware identifier may uniquely identifying a piece of hardware originating data. The network access component may also determine a particular priority level associated with the data based on the particular hardware identifier. The network access component may also prioritize at least a portion of the data on a basis of the particular priority level.

Abstract: A trigger manager and related processes and systems for managing triggers for a plurality of subscribing set-top boxes in an interactive television environment are provided. In response to receipt of a configuration update request originating from a specific set-top box, the trigger manager accesses a database of subscribing set-top box profiles associating subscribing set-top boxes with respective sets of triggers. The database is processed based on the configuration update request to identify a profile associated with the specific set-top box from which the configuration update request originated. Trigger update information associated with the identified profile is transmitted over a network to the specific set-top box from which the configuration update request originated. In response to receipt at the specific set-top box of the trigger update information, the set of current triggers in the memory unit is updated at least in part based on the information received.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a method for communicating data associated with a user of a voice device is disclosed. A server receives a first identifier associated with a first device, the first device comprising one of the voice device and the data device. The server determines a second identifier associated with a second device based on the first identifier, the second device comprising the other one of the voice device and the data device. The server then establishes a connection with the second device using the second identifier and communicates data associated with the user of the voice device between the server and the data device. The communicated data can represent a user identifier (such as a user identifier stored on a smart card, the user's iris scan, the user's fingerprint scan and the like).

Abstract: A system, a mobile device and method for wireless public alerting services is provided. The mobile device is configured to receive public alert services over a home network and a roaming network. Geographical location information associated with the mobile device and/or a subscriber of the mobile device is extracted. Based on the geographical location information, the mobile device's behavior associated with the public alert services is configured.

Abstract: Methods and systems for presenting online content elements based on information known to a service provider. One of the methods is a method for presenting online content at a communication apparatus, the communication apparatus being assigned an identifier. The method comprises: obtaining information that pertains to a profile associated with the identifier and provided by a service provider involved in assigning the identifier to the communication apparatus; determining an online content element to be presented at the communication apparatus based on the information; and causing the communication apparatus to present the online content element. Another one of the methods is a method for facilitating determination of online content to be presented at a communication apparatus. Servers for implementing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: An ice bridge system for a cellular transmissions site assembled with a ladder frame section to support cabling laid on top of the and a ladder support with a preformed base for resting on a ground surface, a preformed set of mounting points for securing one or more sections of the ladder frame, such that the ladder frames mate end to end with each other and a structural support section between the base and mounting points to support the weight of the ladder frame and supported cables.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are described herein that comprise a multi-screen application which allows users to establish communication sessions with other users of the multi-screen application as well as allowing the user to request multimedia content using the same multi-screen application interface. The user makes a connection request to establish a multimedia session by entering a name or phone number. The multi-screen application uses a request string from the connection request to search a user's contact directory in order to determine possible user connection identifiers associated with the request string. The multi-screen application may additionally or alternatively transmit the request string to a directory server maintained by a service provider. The directory server may provide an endpoint for retrieving multimedia content associated with the string. The multi-media application may be used to allow a user to ‘call’ multimedia content using the same user interface used for calling another user.

Abstract: A method that comprises obtaining a currently received signature from a device; obtaining a candidate identifier associated with the device; consulting a database to obtain a set of previously received signatures associated with the candidate identifier; and validating the currently received signature based on a comparison of the currently received signature to the set of previously received signatures associated with the candidate identifier. Also, a method that comprises obtaining a currently received signature from a device; decrypting the currently received signature to obtain a candidate identifier; and a candidate scrambling code; consulting a database to obtain a set of previously received scrambling codes associated with the candidate identifier; and validating the currently received signature based on a comparison of the candidate scrambling code to the set of previously received scrambling codes associated with the candidate identifier.

Abstract: A method involving a communication device, which comprises sending a request to a communication device; receiving a response from the communication device over a local communication path; deriving a received data set from said response; determining at least one data set that had been previously transmitted to the communication device over a wireless portion of a second communication path different from the local communication path; and validating the response based on the received data set and the at least one previously transmitted data set.

Abstract: Methods and systems to notify a party at a given premise when a particular event, such as a fire, an intrusion, an emergency or another event, occurs at another premise. One method comprises: obtaining an indication of a particular event at a first end-user premise, the first end-user premise including first end-user equipment connected to a communications network via a first communication link; establishing a wireless communication link between the first end-user equipment and second end-user equipment at a second end-user premise, the second end-user equipment being connected to the communications network via a second communication link; and causing the first end-user equipment to transmit information to the second end-user equipment via the wireless communication link to instruct the second end-user equipment to issue a notification concerning the particular event. Also provided are apparatus and computer-readable media containing a program element executable by a computing system to perform such a method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a beacon light shield or an obstruction light shield. The beacon or obstruction light shield includes a base for receiving the light fixture, a plurality of ribs mounted on the base, and concentrically rings mounted to the ribs. The concentric rings include an inner ring mounted at a first distance away from the center of the base and an outer ring mounted at a second distance away from the center of the base. The beacon or obstruction light shield masks light from the ground at both distances and at locations close to the tower, and does not interfere with the function of the required lighting for the aircraft.