Abstract: Novel tools and techniques to provide an online file locker system. Some such tools can employ a USB memory drive, a residential gateway, and/or a data server over a network. In some cases, when the USB memory drive is inserted into a USB port of the RG, data stored on the USB memory drive is automatically uploaded to, and/or synchronized with data stored on, the data server, which is in communication with the RG over the network. In other cases, data deletion is accomplished in a similar manner, for example, upon removal of the USB drive and/or upon detection of files deleted from the USB drive.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques to enable video enhancements identifying the calling party of an incoming telephone call. In an aspect of some such tools, a video message from the calling party is sent to the receiving party through a communication channel in the provider network. Upon receiving an incoming telephone call at the provider network, the video message can be associated with the incoming telephone call, and routed to a set-top unit (also referred to herein as a “set-top box”) associated with the receiving party. The set-top unit might communicate with a visual display screen (e.g., a television), and/or cause the visual display screen to show the video message for the receiving party as an indication of the incoming telephone call and identification of the calling party.

Abstract: A method for establishing a communications session includes receiving a request to initiate a communications session. The request is associated with an end-user and the end-user is associated with at least two identifiers. The method also includes selecting one of the at least two identifiers in response to performance information associated with the selected one of the at least two identifiers. The method also includes establishing a communications session with the end-user in response to selecting the one of the at least two identifiers.

Abstract: A system and method for projecting information from a wireless messaging device. User preferences are received for projecting the information. An event is detected. Information regarding the event is projected onto a surface in response to detecting the event.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling the operability of a transmitter on a mobile communications device by determining if the mobile communications device is located proximate to an operator's seat of a vehicle. A condition parameter of the mobile communications device may be determined. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be disabled in response to the mobile communications device being located proximate to an operator's seat of a vehicle and further in response to the determined condition parameter. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be enabled, in response to determining that the mobile communications device is not located in a restricted location.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring performance of a packet network may include storing network performance information collected from a packet network, where the network performance information may distinguish network performance information associated with communications of data packets including real-time content and data packets including non-real-time content. A graphic user interface including a graphical representation of the network performance information distinguishing the network performance information associated with communications of data packets including real-time content and network performance information including non-real-time content with a node segment over a time duration may be generated.

Abstract: A system and method for generating one-way speech signal samples may include, in a telecommunications network, establishing a call connection between a far-end telephone and a near-end telephone. A resistance component may be selectively configured in parallel with the far-end telephone, where the resistance component has a value representative of resistance produced by the far-end telephone being off hook. A speech signal being communicated from the near-end telephone may be recorded.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for providing a larger display area for viewing pictures and/or videos on a communication device. For example, in one embodiment, a communication device is disclosed comprising a plurality of display components for displaying an image that covers a plurality of sides of the communication device. In certain embodiments, a user specified image is displayed in response to receiving an incoming call for providing a more visible indicator for alerting the user of an incoming call.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling subscribers of a communications carrier to communicate over a network of wireless access points of other consumer subscribers of the communications carrier is provided. In response to a wireless device of a user attempting to access a wireless access point of a subscriber, a database may be queried to determine whether the user of the wireless device is a subscriber of the communications carrier and has a subscription agreement enabling the subscriber to access a communications network via the network of wireless access points of other consumer subscribers. The subscriber may be enabled to access the wireless access point within the network of wireless access points in response to determining that the subscriber has a subscription agreement enabling communication over the communications network via the network of wireless access points of other consumer subscribers.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing a price for communicating over a communications network may include initiating a bandwidth occupancy query message to at least one network node along a traffic path to which a user is communicating. A highest bandwidth occupancy of the network nodes along the traffic path may be determined. A current price may be computed for a user communicating over the traffic path based on the highest bandwidth occupancy. The user may be notified of the current price for communicating over the traffic path, thereby enabling the user to adjust network usage.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and optimizing interlayer network performance including generating network performance information data indicative of network transmission characteristics from one of a data link layer device, physical layer device, network layer device, transport layer device, session layer device, presentation layer device, and application layer device; including the network performance information data in a data packet; communicating the network performance information data in the data packet from one of the data link layer device, physical layer device, network layer device, transport layer device, session layer device, presentation layer device, and application layer device to a data link layer device; and in response to receiving the network performance information data, optimizing network performance by performing a function by the data link layer device. A system for monitoring and optimizing interlayer network performance is also included.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating data packets over packet network owned by different communications carriers. Rate information may be stored in a first packet network for communicating data packets over at least two other packet networks. A determination over which of the at least two other packet networks to communicate data packets based on a lowest billing rate for communicating the data packets may be made. The data packets may be communicated over a packet network determined to have the lowest billing rate for communicating the data packets.

Abstract: A system and method for gating calls. A list of one or more callers that may contact a user at any time is received. A selection to activate call gating is received. A determination is made whether an identifier associated with a caller is on the list in response receiving a call. The call is connected to a communications device in response to determining the identifier is on the list.

Abstract: A multimode handset and method that includes a first communications path adapted to communicate using a mobile telephone communications protocol, a second communications path adapted to communicate using a local, cordless communications protocol, and a processing unit in communication with the first and second communications paths and configured to switch between the first and second communications path during a telephone call.

Abstract: A system for managing radio frequency windows including a wireless router in communication with the wireless device for transmitting and receiving RF signals between the wireless router and the wireless device, the wireless router configured to determine network performance information of the wireless network; concatenate the network performance information into data packets; a packet network switch in communication with the wireless router for communicating the data packets between the wireless router and the packet network switch; and a network management device in communication with the packet network switch for instructing wireless router to adjust RF modulation between the wireless router and the wireless device based on the network performance information to optimize the network performance to the wireless device. A method for managing radio frequency windows is also included.

Abstract: A system and method for switching between radio systems of a wireless device. The wireless device may include a first radio, a second radio, and a third radio. The radios may be configured to communicate using a first, a second, and a third communications protocol, respectively. Circuitry in communication with the radios may be configured to activate the first radio when a signal using the second communications protocol is not detected and to switch activation of the first radio to the third radio in response to detecting a signal using the second communications protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for provisioning resources of a packet network, including monitoring at least one network performance information parameter associated with communications of data packets. The at least one network performance information parameter(s) may be compared with at least one respective threshold value indicative of degradation of communications of the data packets. A determination may be made that the network performance information parameter(s) crosses the respective threshold value(s). In response to determining that the network performance information parameter(s) crosses the respective threshold value(s), a network resource may be provisioned to compensate for the degradation of communications of the data packets.

Abstract: An application-specific integrated circuit for use in optimizing a packet network including a processing unit that processes defined sequences of assembler language and executes defined sequences of assembler instructions; program and data memory that stores the defined sequences of assembler instructions; an internal data bus; and an input/output (I/O) interface arranged between the internal data bus and at least one external network device for communicating data packets containing network performance information between the internal data bus and the at least one external network device.

Abstract: A method of initiating a call includes receiving an identifier associated with a called party, the identifier being generated by a telephone handset. The method further includes determining a network category associated with the called party and generating an instruction to initiate a call by the telephone handset on one of at least two networks accessible for communication by the telephone handset. The one of at least two networks is selected by the instruction in response to the determined network category associated with the called party.