Abstract: A method of recognizing an event transpiring at a terminal device is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a terminal device having a User Interface (UI) element that radiates at least one among a light emission pattern and a tactile emission pattern for recognizing one among a caller ID during an incoming call initiated by a calling party and a voicemail associated with the calling party when the incoming call is unanswered. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and an apparatus for providing contact management with directory assistance. An example method obtains a directory assistance service record associated with a user, wherein the directory assistance service record includes at least a first data object associated with a directory listing and a second data object associated with the user; queries a first directory with the first data object to obtain listing information associated with the directory listing; and stores the obtained listing information in a second directory as one or more contact records associated with the second data object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for abstracting Internet content is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a terminal device having a User Interface (UI) element that links a Graphical User Interface (GUI) element to each Internet resource identifier (IRI) of one or more subject matters of interest defined in a profile by an end user, and presents said one or more GUI elements in a GUI window without association to an Internet browser. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing memos is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a terminal device having User Interface (UI) element that presents a plurality of Graphical User Interface (GUI) elements each associated with one among a plurality of GUI categories, and a memo element that links a generated memo with a select GUI element of the plurality of GUI categories. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for notifying an end user of a messaging event in a multi-user setting is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a terminal device having a User Interface (UI) element that selectively identifies one or more parties to whom a messaging event is directed according to one or more matches between a caller identifier associated with the messaging event and one or more entries in a plurality of contact books corresponding to a plurality of users of the terminal device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving identification of a party in a communication transaction is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a terminal device having a User Interface (UI) element that presents an image identifier that identifies one among a calling party in at least one among an unanswered call and a voicemail message, and a called party in a dialed call. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for viewing information in a communication device is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a communication element that supports Voice over IP (VoIP) communications with a communication system, a User Interface (UI) element that presents a plurality of Graphical User Interface (GUI) elements for controlling operations of the communication device, and a navigation element that performs non-linear navigation between GUI elements presented by the UI element in response to detecting one or more navigation conditions. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a telephone customer to configure telephone service for multiple users at a single location associated with the customer. The location has at least two telephones, at least two phone numbers and a voice mail box. The telephone customer is visually provided an option to assign one of the phone numbers to one of the telephones. The telephone customer is visually provided an option to assign each of the multiple users exclusive access to at least one of the telephone numbers via their account identifier. The telephone customer is visually provided the option to, for each of the multiple users, allow access or deny access via their account identifier to the voicemail box.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for abstracting telephony functions is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a terminal device having a User Interface (UI) element that presents a plurality of Graphical User Interface (GUI) elements that abstract a corresponding plurality of telephony functions, and a telephony element that initiates a telephony process in response to a selection by an end user of the terminal device of two or more of the plurality of GUI elements to form a combined telephony function. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for provisioning a terminal device in a multi-user setting is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a terminal device having a provisioning element that selectively establishes a telephony usage profile for each of a plurality of users sharing the terminal device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing voicemail messages in a multi-user setting is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Call Processing System (CPS) having a processing element that receives a redirected call initiated by a calling party attempting to communicate with at least one among a plurality of users sharing one or more terminal devices associated with a targeted communication identifier, presents the calling party an option to select one or more among the plurality of users, and directs the calling party to a voicemail system for storing a voicemail message in one or more voicemail accounts associated with the one or more users selected. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of sharing private content. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a designation of a share location from which private content of a first user of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) system can be obtained. The method also includes receiving identifications of a plurality of other users of the IPTV system. The method also includes notifying a video server to include an indicator of the private content with video content sent to a plurality of set-top box devices, where each of the plurality of other users is associated with one of the plurality of set-top box devices.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for proximity-based call management that includes sensing a proximity event between a first device associated with a first network and a second device associated with a second network, sending a first communication address for the first device from the first device to the second device over a wireless communication path between the first device and the second device, and signaling the second network from the second device to establish a conference call between the first device and the second device. A proximity based call management apparatus is disclosed including a processor coupled to a memory, a proximity sensor in data communication with the processor, a network interface in data communication with the processor, and a computer program stored in the memory for execution by the processor, the computer program comprising instructions proximity-based call management.

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: In a particular embodiment a system and method for processing a tag carried by a video stream are disclosed. The method includes accessing the tag in the video stream, reading a time stamp associated with the tag and processing the tag based on a time indicated by the time stamp. The system accesses a tag in a video stream, reads a time stamp associated with the tag, and runs a script associated with the tag.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, the disclosure is directed to a system for identifying redirected calls that includes a service switch point and a service control point. The service switch point is coupled to a communications network. The service switch point is configured to receive a call termination request that indicates call redirection. The service control point is coupled to the service switch point and is configured to direct the service switch point to utilize a distinctive ring in response to receiving the call termination request.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to activate or deactivate a web interface to a voicemail system through a telephone user interface to the voicemail system. During a setup procedure that runs on the first use of the telephone user interface, the method and apparatus asks the subscriber if the subscriber wants the web interface activated. The method and apparatus then activates the web interface and allows the subscriber to specify a sequence of both digits and letters as the subscriber's initial web password and username. The present invention also provides the capability to activate or deactivate the web interface via the telephone user interface at any time after the initialization.