Abstract: A self service gateway and method of operation that allows a user on a network to interface with the provisioning and billing systems of the network. The self service gateway is controlled by a user interface program that interfaces the user with the provisioning and billing systems. User identifications, passwords, and other user related data are stored in a record database. A tool database holds a set of tools used to instruct or enable the user interface program to invoke, present, and process information provided to and received from the users. Web pages are stored in another database. A web server program provides a standard set of protocols for communicating on the network. In operation, the user logs into the self service gateway and provides commands and inputs that may result in changes in the provisioning and billing systems and the record database.

Abstract: A policy management system for an Internet service provider having standalone Internet provisioning servers in different regions includes a central policy database (CPD) for providing centralized configuration and local management of the policies which control aspects of service and level qualities of the Internet servers and for distributing central product definitions to the Internet servers. In addition to the central policy database, the policy management system includes a plurality of regional policy databases each associated with the Internet servers in a respective region. The central policy database is operable with each of the regional policy databases for providing central definitions to the Internet servers. The central policy database stores product, feature, subscriber, and device objects. The objects of the central policy database are operable with the regional policy databases for providing the central definitions to the Internet servers.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for assisting users of a given service. When a request for assistance from a user is received by a service employee, an interaction is initiated between the user and the service employee. A transcript of the interaction is generated during the interaction, and the transcript is transmitted to the user at the end of the interaction. The interaction between the user and the service employee may take place via telephone or electronic mail, and the transcript may be transmitted to either an electronic or physical address associated with the user. The transcript provides a reference for problem resolution, so that the user should not need to request assistance for the same problem in the future.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting programs based on the past selection history of an identified user that allows the identified user to “surf” directly between desired programs. The system includes a head-end server operable to receive program signals from a programming source, and a user input apparatus, such as a remote controller, which is operable to generate an input signal indicating the identity of a user and an input signal indicating a degree of a selection preference. The system further includes at least one set-top box having a program receiver to receive the program signals from the head-end server, and a user input receiver for receiving the input signals from the user input apparatus.

Abstract: A system and associated method for delivering a data stream to an audience member a communications device associated with an audience member. A hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network is connected to the communications device for communicating data with the audience member. A synchronization processor receives broadcast event data of event objects of an event, live event data of event objects of the event, and static event data of event objects of the event. The synchronization processor generates a synchronized data stream having broadcast, live, and static event data for an event object of the event. The synchronization processor transmits the synchronized data stream to the communications device for access by the audience member via the HFC network. The synchronization processor processes the broadcast event data to determine an event object being broadcasted. The synchronization processor selects the live event data and the statice event data corresponding to the determined event object.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for describing functionality of an interactive multimedia application for use on an interactive network. The method includes the step of storing at least one composite description in an ASCII text file. The composite description describes a single multimedia presentation. The composite description includes at least one composite item selected from the group consisting of text, box, font, graphic, video, audio, animation and list. A system is also disclosed for implementing the steps of the method.

Abstract: An apparatus. and method of powering a cable telephony service platform (CTSP) in a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network are provided which utilizes a combination of power from a local AC driven power source having a back-up battery for powering the CTSP within a network interface unit (NIU) during interruptions in normal AC power, and a network generated charging current which maintains the battery at full float voltage charge irrespective of the duration of any such interruptions in AC power delivery. Thus, the present invention minimizes power required to be delivered by the network while still ensuring support of reliable lifeline telephony service for cable telephony on an HFC network.

Abstract: A system and method for troubleshooting devices on a network where each device is identifiable by a medium access control address. Personnel interact with the system from a browser using hypertext markup language pages. A search capability allows the personnel to find a particular device based upon its medium access control address, and display device specific data. The device specific data is kept in a database internal to the system. Update functions are provided to change the data in the internal database. Utility functions are also provided to aid in troubleshooting, maintenance, and verification.

Abstract: A method for managing MAC messages is provided which supports dynamic resource reservation for upstream data traffic in a broadband cable system. Three specialized MAC management messages of Dynamic Session Addition, Dynamic Session Deletion, and Dynamic Session Acknowledgment are used to control setting of a filter spec parameter in a cable modem. The present invention provides upstream bandwidth resource reservation which allows packet scheduling to occur at a CMTS, and packet classification to occur at a cable modem. Such an arrangement allows the RSVP protocol to be adapted for use at the OSI protocol layer of a typical cable modem, thereby improving efficiency of network bandwidth/resource allocation.

Abstract: A system and method for content-based television program selection are provided that allow a viewer to “surf” directly between programs of a desired content category. The system includes a head-end server operable to receive program signals from a programming source, and a viewer input apparatus, such as a remote controller, which is operable to generate an input signal indicating a viewer's desired program content category. The system further includes at least one set-top box, where the set-top box has a program receiver for receiving program signals from the head-end server, and a viewer input receiver for receiving the input signal from the viewer input apparatus. In addition, the set-top box includes a processor that determines whether any channels are currently showing a program of the desired content category at the time the input signal is received.

Abstract: An interactive television system includes a remote control unit and a set top box. The remote control unit includes an input device and control logic. The control logic processes input signals to transmit television control signals to control television programming. Further, the control logic is configured to execute game software instructions stored on a local medium, and process input signals to play the game. In some embodiments, the set top box interacts with the remote control unit during gaming.

Abstract: An integrated service management architecture supporting configuration and accounting management functions for multiple services includes a database for storing configuration and accounting data. At least one service application independent from the database has the ability to use, act upon, change, and update the data stored in the database for facilitating service delivery and control of service provided by at least one service application. A predefined application program interface is utilized having a set of communication rules and protocols permitting two-way exchange of information between the database and at least one service application.

Abstract: An integrated service management architecture supporting configuration and accounting management functions for multiple services includes a database for storing configuration and accounting data. At least one service application independent from the database has the ability to use, act upon, change, and update the data stored in the database for facilitating service delivery and control of service provided by the at least one service application. A predefined application program interface is utilized having a set of communication rules and protocols permitting two-way exchange of information between the database and the at least one service application.

Abstract: An interactive television system includes a remote control unit and a set top box. The remote control unit includes an input device and control logic. The control logic processes input signals to transmit television control signals to control television programming. Further, the control logic is configured to execute game software instructions stored on a local medium, and process input signals to play the game. In some embodiments, the set top box interacts with the remote control unit during gaming.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a software program over a cable network includes a head-end server operative to compress a plurality of software programs and transmit the compressed software programs over the cable network at a plurality of corresponding predetermined scheduled times. A primary processor in communication with the cable network receives a selected one of the plurality of software programs at the corresponding predetermined scheduled time, decompresses the program and stores it. A secondary processor in communication with the primary processor includes navigational software and drivers to enable the primary processor to select and receive the software program from the cable network without upstream communication to the head-end server.

Abstract: An interface for an electronic classified advertising system. The interface includes the capability for the user to enter search criteria for an item of interest, to playback ads meeting the search criteria and to manipulate playback by pausing, skipping forward or backward, and saving or deleting ads from a list.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling network provisioning servers. Users are provided with a common user interface that is independent of each provisioning server vendor's unique user interface. Tools are provided to allow the user to add, view, modify and delete parameters for network definitions, headend nodes, network policies, custom devices and static Internet Protocol addresses used by the provisioning servers. Tools are also provided to view, and modify top level network policy group definitions. The parameters are stored in a database. Locks are provided on the database as a whole, and for individual records within the database to prevent simultaneous changes by multiple users. Requested changes to the database are validated before being implemented. Reports can be generated from the information within the database. Access to various tool features is limited based upon a user level assigned to each user. A log file provides a history of all user initiated transactions.

Abstract: A method and system for web site construction using HTML fragment caching includes embedding particular tags in a stored HTML page, and when a request for distribution of the HTML page is received from a user, replacing each tag with content information in the form of HTML fragments previously created based on user preference information. The HTML fragments are stored in a tag cache, thereby decreasing the amount of time necessary to construct and distribute customized Web pages. Creation of the HTML fragments can be based on topic information supplied by the user to form a user customizable key through which content is retrieved from the tag cache.

Abstract: A method and system for designing a cell for a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) communication system and the like. The method includes measuring error rate as a function of signal level at a selected radio frequency, and determining a signal level corresponding to a selected error rate based on the measurements of error rate as a function of signal level. The method also includes determining a coverage area based on the signal level determined and a voice quality factor. The system includes input and output devices, a processor, memory and software for performing the method.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a predetermined message during selected calls-in-progress utilizes a communication station to detect a connection being attempted between a subscriber telephony device and a second telephony device. An adjunct processor determines whether the connection between the subscriber telephony device and the second telephony device requires call-attendant monitoring and if so, monitors the connection between the subscriber telephony device and the second telephony device to identify a predetermined event. An intelligent peripheral unit generates the predetermined message based on the predetermined event and a subscriber profile associated with the subscriber telephony device.