Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can enhance and/or simplify tactile-based I/O transactions in connection with a user-interface (UI) of limited form factor. In particular, the architecture can monitor a position of a selector object such as an operator's finger relative to a UI display as the selector object hovers or moves above the UI display. Based upon this position, an analogous coordinate in the UI display can be determined, and a portion of the UI display substantially centered at the coordinate can be modified. As one example, the UI display can be modified to increase the magnification scale (e.g., a virtual magnifying glass) of the portion of the display indicated by the selector object.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a portable communication device having a controller to request location information from one or more non-portable wireless access points, receive one or more location coordinates from the one or more non-portable wireless access points, determine which of the one or more non-portable wireless access points is closest to the portable communication device according to one or more wireless signals generated by the one or more non-portable wireless access points, and record the location coordinate supplied by the closest non-portable wireless access point. Each of the one or more non-portable wireless access points can determine its location coordinate with a location receiver. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A multimedia content delivery resource suitable for supporting a video on demand service to a plurality of users substantially simultaneously. The multimedia content delivery resource includes a reception interface for receiving a video content item selection signal associated with a primary subscriber; and a subscriber selection signal indicative of a secondary subscriber associated with the primary subscriber; a shared video module operable to identify a selected video content item associated with the video content item selection signal and define recipients of the identified video content item based at least in part on the subscriber selection signal; and a transmission interface operable to transmit the identified video content item substantially simultaneously to the defined recipients.

Abstract: A disclosed set top box or other multimedia receiver suitable for use in a multimedia distribution network includes a remote control interface operable to receive a signal from a remote control device and extract a remote control command from the signal, a processor coupled to the remote control interface and operable to detect the remote control command, and a machine readable storage resource containing computer executable instructions operable to: invoke an aural indication application that returns an audio stream suitable for processing by an audio output device, wherein the audio stream, when processed by the audio output device, causes the audio output device to produce an audibly detectable signal indicative of a function corresponding to the remote control command. The application may generate the audio stream by invoking a speech synthesis module or by retrieving an audio file.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for supplying media content to portable communication devices is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure can include, for example, a Set-Top Box (STB) having a cellular transceiver and a controller element to direct the cellular transceiver to transmit a media guide for the STB to a terminal device for presentation on a display unit of the terminal device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine when to deflect callers to websites are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein to deflect a caller to a webpage comprises receiving a call from the caller, determining a performance metric associated with processing the call, and determining whether to offer the caller an option to terminate the call and access the webpage based on the at least one performance metric.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor conference call activity with Internet protocol (IP) networks are disclosed. An example method comprises monitoring a network for a first conference call participant connection request, prompting the first conference call participant for authentication credentials, and when the first conference call participant is authorized based on the credentials, associating an Internet protocol (IP) address with the first conference call participant for use in place of the authentication credentials.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to deflect callers to websites are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein to deflect a caller to a webpage comprises receiving a call from the caller, identifying a webpage based on information characterizing the call, and providing an address of the webpage to the caller when the caller consents to terminate the call.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide incentives to deflect callers to websites are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein to deflect a caller to a webpage comprises receiving a call from the caller, offering an incentive to the caller to terminate the call and access the webpage, and providing an address of the webpage to the caller after the caller consents to terminate the call.

Abstract: Techniques for call integration with a television set-top box (STB) are provided. Call logs associated with multiple voice accounts are acquired and integrated as an integrated call log. The integrated call log is presented within a display to a user. The user can take a variety of actions on the integrated call log as a whole or on individual entries within the integrated call log.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first identification signal, where the first identification signal corresponds to a first control. The method also includes determining an active device function to which the first control corresponds, where the active device function is a first function of a first device when the first device is active and where the active device function is a second function of a second device when the second device is active. The method also includes triggering emission of an audible signal identifying the active device function.

Abstract: A method of testing computer software. A test computer has a base configuration, which is imaged to a removable hard drive. The base configuration is then stored in data storage of a master computer, as a master configuration image. The software is then tested on the test computer, and after the testing, a portable boot drive is used to acquire the master image and to restore the base configuration to the test computer.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an integrated belt machine. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an integrated belt puller and 3D forming machine for continuously forming 3D products from plastic materials.

Abstract: A system and method of publishing contact information is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a command to publish a collection of contacts to a plurality of recipients, where the collection of contacts is associated with a network address book of a sender. The method also includes receiving a distribution list that identifies the plurality of recipients. Additionally, the method includes sending a notification to each of the plurality of recipients, where the notification includes an invitation to subscribe to the collection of contacts. The method also includes sending the collection of contacts to at least one of the plurality of recipients who subscribes to the collection of contacts.

Abstract: A method for configuring a VoIP system for pre-defined call parameters includes storing call setting parameters associated with a VoIP call session in an address book, where the parameters are associated with called party identification records stored in the same address book characterizing the called parties; transmitting, to a called party, a call from a calling party, where a called party identification record associated with the calling party is stored in the address book; determining the call setting parameters associated with the called party identification record; initiating a call session based on the call from the calling party; and adjusting one or more call session settings based on the determined call setting parameter.

Abstract: A method for customized messaging presentation based on called-party voice-over IP (VoIP) settings in a VoIP telephony system includes determining settings for a calling party based on parameters associated with the calling party, where the parameters are stored in an address book accessible to a called party; storing the settings for the calling party; identifying the calling party calling the called party when the calling party initiates a call to the called party; applying the determined settings for the calling party to configure the call session; and responding to the calling party based on the applied settings.

Abstract: A method for interacting with a calling party during a call session in a VoIP system includes determining rules to apply to the call session before, during, and after the call based on parameters associated with the calling party or a called party, where the called party and the calling party participate in the call session; storing the rules in a database such as an address book; applying the determined rules to the calling party's incoming call; outputting a prompt to the calling party; and receiving the calling party's incoming call.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for providing an indication of the busy condition to a calling party on a telecommunications system. The calling party may be the user of a text telephone device such as a TTY device. When a called party's line is busy, the method and system send a text message to the calling party that indicates that the called party's line is busy.

Abstract: Outgoing call log data associated with a call from a subscriber's terminal is provided by a system including a switch, which receives the call from the subscriber's terminal and launches a query in response to the call, and a service controller, which receives the query and forwards call data to an interface server in response to the query. The switch continues to process the telephone call after querying the service controller. The interface server obtains additional information from a directory database based on at least the received call data. An outgoing call log database receives and stores the call data and the additional information from the interface server as the outgoing call log data. A web server retrieves the outgoing call log data from the outgoing call log database, in response to a query from a web client, and displays the outgoing call log data at the web client.

Abstract: A method is provided for customizing a call control rule by a subscriber at a graphical user interface. The method includes providing a first display, including multiple conditions relating to identifying calls involving the at least one telephone number, and receiving a first selection of at least one identifying condition. The method further includes providing a second display, including multiple call dispositions relating to processing the calls based on the at least one selected condition, and receiving a second selection of at least one call disposition. The identifying condition and the call disposition are stored as the call control rule in association with the telephone number, and calls involving the telephone number are processed in accordance with the stored call control rule. The method may also include providing a third display describing the call control rule contemporaneously with receiving the first and second selections.