Abstract: Access to network elements of a telecommunications network is integrated through a common access point by an integrated access application which receives a request for communication with a network element. An element management system (EMS) group, including at least one EMS server, associated with the network element is identified. The at least one EMS server is queried to identify an active EMS server and to determine whether the active EMS server has an available connection sufficient to support the request. When the active EMS server has the available connection, the request is sent over the available connection. When the active EMS server does not have the available connection, the request may be buffered and, after a predetermined time, it is again determined whether the active EMS server has the available connection. When the request is sent, it may be multiplexed with other requests over the same available connection.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for facilitating local video distribution. A method incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include linking a plurality of users with associated carrier frequencies. The associated frequencies may be given approximately six MHz slices of the radio frequency spectrum that correspond to portions of the very high frequency (VHF) ranges assigned to television channels. A user may input a command identifying a desired video stream, which may be encoded in an MPEG format. In response to the command, the desired video stream may be decoded and modulated on the carrier frequency associated with the user. The modulated signal may be output to a premise network such that the user can access the modulated stream by tuning a premise network connected television to the appropriate carrier frequency.

Abstract: A circuit component tester includes a portable casing and a circuit provided within the casing. A plurality of leads are provided to electrically connect the circuit to a gate and two terminals of a circuit component under test. A test switch provided on the casing initiates application of test voltage to at least one of the two terminals of the circuit component under test. A gate switch provided on the casing initiates application of gate voltage to the gate of the circuit component under test. At least one of the test switch and the gate switch are operable to verify functionality of the circuit component under test.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for processing a communication request from a roaming VoIP terminal. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network proxy having a controller that manages a communications interface in a communication system. The controller can be programmed to receive from a Voice over IP (VoIP) terminal a request to communicate with a destination point, wherein the request comprises an identification (ID) of the destination point, an ID of the VoIP terminal, and a media access control (MAC) address of a gateway providing the VoIP terminal communication access to the network proxy, and determine from the MAC address of the gateway and the ID of the VoIP terminal whether the VoIP terminal is roaming outside of a home network. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for processing session initiation protocol (SIP) messages associated with a Voice over IP (VoIP) terminal. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network proxy having a controller that manages a communications interface in a communication system. The controller can be programmed to receive from a VoIP terminal a SIP message comprising a request to communicate with a destination point, detect from the SIP message a lack of location information associated with the VoIP terminal, and transmit a location query to one among the VoIP terminal, and a gateway connecting the VoIP terminal to the network proxy. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for billing data services. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller that manages a communications interface coupled to a communication system. The controller can be programmed to calculate a charge for service according to a degree of asymmetric bandwidth usage of upstream and downstream data traffic consumed by customer premise equipment (CPE). Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A portable device for collecting data at a geographic location and providing accurate, comprehensive, efficient and timely work prints. The portable device for collecting data at a geographic location, the device including a memory that stores preliminary site information associated with the geographic location; a receiver that receives geographic position data of at least one point at the geographic location; an interface that enables a user to input data corresponding to the received geographic position data; and a processor that supplements the preliminary site information with the received geographic position data and the corresponding input data.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for reliable communications in a packet network. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network management system (NMS) having a controller programmed to establish between first and second customer edge (CE) routers in a full mesh packet network first and second logical data tunnels conforming to an isolation protocol, synchronize packet data in the first and second logical data tunnels, enable packet data exchanges between the first and second CE routers over the first logical data tunnel, direct the first and second CE routers to duplicate the packet data exchanged between them over the second logical data tunnel, and direct the first and second CE routers to synchronously switch to the second logical data tunnel upon detecting a fault in the first logical data tunnel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for migrating between terminals. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network proxy having a controller that manages a communications interface in a communication system. The controller can be programmed to receive a request to migrate a first terminal to a third terminal while active communications are taking place on a first voice channel connecting the first terminal to a second terminal, establish a second voice channel with the third terminal, connect the first and second voice channels, and terminate without action of an end user of the first terminal a connection between the first terminal and the first voice channel. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A security system with call management functionality is disclosed and includes a security controller having at least one first interface to at least one user identification device and a second interface to a call management controller. The security controller also includes logic to determine a security status of a user based on identification information received from the at least one user identification device and to communicate the security status of the user to the call management controller, where the call management controller enables, disables, or modifies a communication service based on the security status of the user.

Abstract: A method includes provisioning a mobile user with usage minutes for usage calls. The method includes determining whether the mobile user and a telephone user either belong to the same provider or different providers after a call between the users is initiated. The call is designated as a usage call if the users belong to different providers. If the call is a usage call, then the mobile user is advised that the call is a usage call and the number of usage minutes remaining and an affirmation from the mobile user is required to complete the call.

Abstract: In a first embodiment a method for distributing video data from an originating device in a communication network is disclosed including storing metadata at the originating device describing the video data; selecting at the originating device, a plurality of candidate devices to receive the video data based on a correlation between the metadata and subscriber profiles for the plurality of candidate devices; and distributing the video data to a first set selected from the plurality of candidate devices in the communication network based on the correlation.

Abstract: A spool assembly includes a spool supported on a mount. The mount has an adhesive covered by a cover capable of being peeled off from the adhesive. The adhesive is attached to a structure such as a trough or a panel in order to attach the spool to the structure such that the spool stores slack of jumpers adjacent to the structure upon the jumpers being wrapped around the spool.

Abstract: A broadcast overlay network has a ring topology to carry broadcast traffic from a head-end network. A digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) has a network interface in communication with the broadcast overlay network. The DSLAM is to receive a request for a particular video channel from a customer premise via a line interface and to deliver the particular video channel from the network interface to the line interface.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems to deliver electronic mail using payments are disclosed. An example method involves receiving an electronic mail message at a server. It is then determined whether the electronic mail message includes information indicative that a sending entity has posted an electronic mail delivery payment to enable delivery of the electronic mail message. When the electronic mail message includes the information indicative that the sending entity has pasted the electronic mail delivery payment, a funds account of an intended recipient of the electronic mail message is polled to determine whether the electronic mail delivery payment has been deposited in the funds account. The electronic mail message is not sent to a mailbox of the intended recipient unless the electronic mail delivery payment has been deposited in the funds account regardless of whether the sending entity is on a permissions list.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, the disclosure is directed to an integration service. The integration service includes an interface layer, a logic layer, an object layer, and a resource layer. The interface layer includes a plurality of communications adapters. The logic layer includes a first interface and has access to a rules engine. The object layer includes a second interface, a transformation service, and an object. The resource layer includes a plurality of resource interface modules. The resource interface modules have access to a plurality of diverse resource systems. The resource interface modules may acquire a first data from the plurality of diverse resource systems. The transformation service transforms the data into the object. The logic layer accesses the object and provides a second data through one of the plurality of interface layer communications adapters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing integrity of a wired communication link includes receiving a plurality of signals, sent by at least one transmitter over the wired communications link, at corresponding multiple receivers. The signals have corresponding frequencies within a frequency range of the wired communication link, such that the frequencies are representative of the frequency range. A signal loss corresponding to each of the frequencies is measured, and an indication of whether each measured signal loss is within an acceptable range is provided. The wired communication link may be a coaxial cable.

Abstract: A content management system including an audience profile is disclosed. The content management system includes a database having a plurality of records. At least one record of the plurality of records includes a plurality of fields storing a plurality of grammatical syntax elements associated with a content subject. Each of the plurality of grammatical syntax elements has a rhetorical structure to facilitate selective assembly into at least one sentence. The content management system also includes a server responsive to the database and an audience profile relating to a desired presentation of the content subject. The server is configured to selectively retrieve at least one grammatical syntax element of the plurality of grammatical syntax elements and to provide a data file including at least one grammatical syntax element. At least a portion of the data file is constructed based upon the audience profile.

Abstract: A method of routing telephone calls is disclosed that includes receiving Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) packets at an integrated access device (IAD) from a VoIP remote worker feature server. The IAD communicates with a first private branch exchange (PBX) located at a first location. The VoIP packets are related to a VoIP call intended for a telephone number assigned by a second PBX at a second location.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to distribute media content are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a request for media content from a mobile device, determining an identity of at least one of the mobile device or a consumer using the mobile device, comparing the identity to subscription records associated with the distribution of media content to a geographically fixed consumer location; and based on the comparison, determining if the mobile device is authorized to receive the media content.