Abstract: Techniques are described for enabling authentication and/or key agreement between communications network stations and service networks. The techniques described include the negotiation and use of a cryptographic primitive shared between a service network and a home environment of a station. The techniques described also feature a key usage indicator, such as a sequence number, maintained by the service network and a station. Comparison of the key usage indicators can, for example, permit efficient authentication of the service network.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for performing online data queries and purchasing advertisements associated with business listings. The system for performing online data queries is a distributed computer system with a plurality of server nodes each fully redundant and capable of processing a user query request. Each server node includes a data query cache and other caches that may be used in performing data queries. The data query, as well as request allocation, is performed in accordance with an adaptive partitioning technique with a bias towards an initial partitioning scheme. Generic objects are created and used to represent business listings upon which the user may perform queries. Various data processing and integration techniques are included which enhance data queries. An update technique is used for synchronizing data updates as needed in updating the plurality of server nodes.

Abstract: In a node (110) communicating with other nodes in a network (150), a system and method for performing cryptographic-related functions is provided. The node (110) receives and transmits inputs and outputs requiring cryptographic-related processing. When cryptographic processing is required, the node (110) transmits a predefined message to a cryptographic processing component in the node (110) that then performs the desired cryptographic-related processing.

Abstract: Policy-based, on-demand provisioning of optical transport bandwidth is disclosed. In one of many possible embodiments, a system is provided for policy-based, on-demand provisioning of optical transport bandwidth. The system includes a layer-specific operation support subsystem (OSS) configured to manage network elements that form a sub-network over an optical transport network. The optical transport network provides bandwidth-on-demand provisioning capabilities. The layer-specific OSS includes one or more predefined bandwidth provisioning policies. The layer-specific OSS is configured to selectively request on-demand provisioning of bandwidth on the sub-network based on the predefined bandwidth provisioning policies.

Abstract: An enhanced television service provides a shared folder over a television network, such as a fiber optic network. Users, the service provider, or trusted sources, share use of a program folder via television. A user recommends content, such as a program listing, to other geographically dispersed subscribers, by sending the content to the subscribers' shared folder. Users may create a personal content guide for use instead of a standard program guide that contains identical listings for all subscribers. The shared folder may consist of programs from a variety of channels as well as other content and may be populated by trusted sources in remote locations. Users may search for content that matches search criteria and may delete or edit listings from the shared folder. The contents of the folder may not only include program listings, but also other content such as movies, television shows, web sites, photos, home videos, etc.

Abstract: A video signal is provided to a set top box. An instruction to record a specified portion of the video signal, thereby creating a video sample, is provided to the set top box. The video sample is received from the set top box. Reference video corresponding to the video sample is obtained. A comparison of the video sample and the reference video is performed.

Abstract: A system (130) for monitoring a denial of service attack upon a target network resource includes a memory (210) and a processor (205). The memory (210) stores instructions. The processor (205) executes the instructions in the memory (210) to receive one of a plurality of denial of service attack profiles, each profile identifying the target network resource and to execute a denial of service attack against the target network resource in accordance with the received profile. The processor (205) further executes the instructions in the memory (210) to scan one or more ports of the target network resource to determine an effect of the executed denial of service attack.

Abstract: Methods and systems described herein can allow for a service provider, such as an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to provide Web pages to users' Web browsers at periodic intervals. The content can include graphics, text, audio and video clips. In contrast to the traditional banner or pop-up advertisements available today, the methods and systems can allow content Web pages to be displayed on users' Web browsers without the user requesting specific Web sites. The ISPs can become distributors of advertising content, potentially gaining new revenue streams.

Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, an exemplary system includes a driving directions subsystem configured to provide data representative of driving directions to an access device communicatively coupled to the driving directions subsystem. The driving directions subsystem is further configured to provide at least one selection tool to the access device. The selection tool enables a user of the access device to select a subset of the driving directions for printing. In certain embodiments, the driving directions include a plurality of driving steps, and the selection tool enables the user of the access device to select, for each driving step, between including the driving step in and omitting the driving step from the printing.

Abstract: A communications system (100) includes a packet switching network (130) configured to transfer a stream of information packets from a source (110) to a destination (120). The communications system (100) also includes at least one loss concealment processor (140) configured to perform packet loss concealment on the stream of information packets as the stream passes through an intermediate point within the packet switching network (130).

Abstract: A master scheduler system and method automatically operate and/or coordinate operation of a plurality of relatively independent systems, including manual systems, to function as an NVOD system to provide automating diverse operations for supporting and maintaining an NVOD system. The master scheduler system and method may also be applied to automate manual processes of analog-based and digital broadcast based service. The master scheduler receives, processes, and disseminates NVOD schedule-related information for end-to-end NVOD service; that is, sending video from a back-end which stores video data to a head-end for viewing by a user. The master scheduler also provides operations support for the NVOD system, such as maintaining the head-end configuration, allocating channels, performing asset management, performing content management, etc.

Abstract: An enhanced television service provides a shared folder over a television network, such as a fiber optic network. Users, the service provider, or trusted sources, share use of a program folder via television. A user recommends content, such as a program listing, to other geographically dispersed subscribers, by sending the content to the subscribers' shared folder. Users may create a personal content guide for use instead of a standard program guide that contains identical listings for all subscribers. The shared folder may consist of programs from a variety of channels as well as other content and may be populated by trusted sources in remote locations. Users may search for content that matches search criteria and may delete or edit listings from the shared folder. The contents of the folder may not only include program listings, but also other content such as movies, television shows, web sites, photos, home videos, etc.

Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, an exemplary system includes a landmark data subsystem providing landmark data and a driving directions subsystem communicatively coupled to the landmark data subsystem. The driving directions subsystem is configured to generate driving directions in response to a request received from an access device. The driving directions include a least a subset of the landmark data, which is representative of one or more landmarks located along a route defined by the driving directions. The driving directions subsystem is further configured to provide data representative of the driving directions to the access device. In certain embodiments, the driving directions subsystem is configured to provide to the access device a selection tool enabling a user of the access device to select between displaying and hiding the landmark data.

Abstract: A system may provide a client device with a persistent wireless network browser toolbar for use in, for example, a network browser. The persistent wireless network browser toolbar is provided with a login status indicator, a logout option, and a wireless network signal strength indicator.

Abstract: Policy-based, on-demand provisioning of optical transport bandwidth is disclosed. In one of many possible embodiments, a system is provided for policy-based, on-demand provisioning of optical transport bandwidth. The system includes a layer-specific operation support subsystem (OSS) configured to manage network elements that form a sub-network over an optical transport network. The optical transport network provides bandwidth-on-demand provisioning capabilities. The layer-specific OSS includes one or more predefined bandwidth provisioning policies. The layer-specific OSS is configured to selectively request on-demand provisioning of bandwidth on the sub-network based on the predefined bandwidth provisioning policies.

Abstract: A system (130) improves network management. The system (130) associates an event in the network with a network device and provides a geographical map (710). The geographical map (710) displays locations of network devices and indicates which network devices are associated with at least one event.

Abstract: A speech conversion system facilitates voice communications. A database comprises a plurality of conversion heuristics, at least some of the conversion heuristics being associated with identification information for at least one first party. At least one speech converter is configured to convert a first speech signal received from the at least one first party into a converted first speech signal different than the first speech signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for analyzing risk. An embodiment of this invention comprises determining a deployment cost and an outage cost for each of a plurality of portfolios. The portfolio comprises one or more elements with a predetermined capacity. Total cost, which is an indicator of deployment cost and risk, for each portfolio is then determined by summing the deployment cost and the outage cost. The total cost of at least two portfolios is compared.

Abstract: A system may provide a client device with a persistent wireless network browser toolbar for use in, for example, a network browser. The persistent wireless network browser toolbar is provided with a login status indicator, a logout option, and a wireless network signal strength indicator.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for facilitating communications among persons sharing a common interest. Customers of a telecommunications provider are notified about the service via a notification included in a billing statement. A customer uses the information to access a web site capable of registering the customer and connecting the customer to other persons sharing a common interest. The service assigns aliases to respective participants so that the true identity of each person is not made available to others in the group.