Abstract: A method for positioning a user interface of a computing device is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computing device having a user interface (UI), a counterweight, and a housing assembly that houses the UI with one or more exposed portions, and the counterweight. The counterweight can be positioned in the housing assembly to cause a desired position of at least one of the one or more exposed portions of the UI when a select one of a plurality of surfaces of the housing assembly rests on a nearly planar surface. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Unique content generated by a group of individual users is evaluated. First unique content provided by a first user via a social networking website interface is collected at a tangible host server. Second unique content provided by a second user via the social networking website interface is collected at the tangible host server. User input ratings from individual users of the social networking website interface are collected so as to rate the first unique content and second unique content. In a first evaluation stage, the first unique content and second unique content are evaluated based on user input from individual users of the social networking website interface so as to comparatively rank the first unique content and second unique content.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a forwarded call. The forwarded call corresponds to a call forwarded from a first redirecting telephone device to a second redirecting telephone device. The forwarded call has an associated data message that includes a calling number of an originating telephone device and a first redirecting number of the first redirecting telephone device. The method also includes selecting a destination voice mailbox. The destination voice mailbox is selected from a plurality of voice mailboxes associated with a user. The destination voice mailbox is selected based on an evaluation of the first redirecting number and a second redirecting number of the second redirecting telephone device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing multimedia signals is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an adjunct device coupled between a Set-Top Box (STB) and a media device. The adjunct device can have a controller element that receives a telephony signal from a communication system and an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) multimedia signal supplied by the STB, monitors call origination activities in the telephony signal, and presents at the media device in whole or in part the telephony and the IPTV multimedia signal according to the call origination activities monitored. 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 non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in a communication device which includes computer instructions at least for matching a caller identifier associated with a messaging event and entries in a plurality of contact books corresponding to a plurality of users, and identifying a plurality of parties to whom the messaging event is potentially directed based on the matching. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A video distribution system includes a local network interface operable to modulate video data to frequency blocks for communication via a local network. A first frequency block of the frequency blocks is associated with a first user. The video distribution system also includes a metrics engine operable to track at least one metric associated with the first user based on the video data modulated to the first frequency block.

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: 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. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: A portal uses portlets to provide a session to a user. Based on portlet events that occur in the session, portlet log entries are sent from the portlets to a log server. The log server stores log entries comprising the portlet log entries and the portal log entries. A customer service representative in communication with the user is provided a display of an activity of the user in the session based on the log entries from the log server.

Abstract: Information is gathered regarding a first party. Social relationships between the first party and other parties are determined by transforming the gathered information into the social relationships. Relationship types of the social relationships between the first party and the other parties are determined by transforming the gathered information into the relationship types. Relationship strengths of the social relationships between the first and the other parties are determined by transforming the gathered information into the relationship strengths. The social utility grid is generated based on the social relationships between the first party and the other parties, the relationship types of the social relationships, and the relationship strengths of the social relationships.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a device including a base station communicatively coupled to a communication system, and a communicative device communicatively coupled to the base station for providing voice communication services to a user, wherein the communicative device serves as a proxy to make telephone calls on behalf of a set-top box presenting media services to a presentation device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products for changing alert setting of a communication device are provided. An operative connection of a communication device to a connected device is detected. Based on the operative connection to the connected device, it is determined whether an alert setting for the communication device should be changed. In response to determining that the alert setting should be changed, the alert setting for the communication device is automatically changed.

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 system and method of storing contact information is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a request from a user at a web server of an Internet Protocol (IP) network to view call log data stored at a call log data store of the IP network. The method also includes issuing a request to obtain the call log data from the call log data store, wherein the call log data includes contact information associated with a call. The method also includes receiving a selection of the contact information from the user and sending the contact information to a network address book server of the IP network, where the contact information is stored in association with a network address book of the user.

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 distributed computer system is disclosed and includes a plurality of identity provider servers and a plurality of service provider servers coupled to a data network. Further, an identity provider locator server is coupled to the data network. In response to a request from one of the plurality of service provider servers, the identity provider locator server can provide an identifier of at least one of the plurality of identity provider servers. The identity provider locator server can include a memory that stores a list of active identity provider servers for a particular end-user having access to the data network. Further, one or more of the plurality of identity provider servers is able to add or remove itself from the list of active identity provider servers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide voice control of dial tone and audio message in a telephone in an initial off-hook period. A telephone system has a telephone with a receiver having an off-hook position. The telephone system provides a user with control of a telephone function. The telephone system includes an audio output to provide an audio message to the receiver in the off-hook position. The audio message includes an option for playing the audio message or a dial tone the next instance the receiver is in the off-hook position. A control interface receives a selected option in response to a user command.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method of providing a distinctive call waiting tone based on a redirecting number. The method includes receiving a call from an originating device at a redirecting device; forwarding the call from the redirecting device to a destination device; and applying a distinctive type of call waiting tone to the destination device based upon determining that a data message includes a redirecting number. The forwarded call has an associated data message that includes a calling number of the origination device, a called number of the destination device, and a redirecting number of the redirecting device.

Abstract: An action is initiated based on data collected from a social network of a user. User data is collected automatically from activity of the user. Social data is collected from the user's social network. The social data includes information obtained from the activity of at least one second or greater order indirect member of the social network relative to the user. The user data, social data, and the psycho-demographic data are correlated to initiate the action.