Abstract: A set of application program interfaces is embodied on a computer readable medium for execution on a computer in conjunction with an application program that integrates smart tags related to a video program with a payload of video data packets. A first interface receives an input from a tag database related to video program content. A second interface receives an input integrating a smart tag with a video data payload packet. A third interface receives an input providing integrated smart tag and video data to a network. Another interface receives an input from a customer segmentation database, for example for targeting information to specific customers or customer groups.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system and method wherein a streaming ticker information relating to a video content is integrated with the video content and transmitted to a customer device over a communication network.

Abstract: A material content setting adjustment system (10) includes a computer (16) and an interface (14). The interface (14) facilitates communication between the computer (16) and a network (18). An interface mode adjustment switch (12) has multiple physical operating mode positions. A controller (30) is coupled to the interface mode adjustment switch (12). The controller (30) selectively determines passage of material content between the computer (16) and the interface (14) in response to position of the interface mode adjustment switch (12).

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 for providing access to internet services includes displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising a first pane configurable to display internet connection identifiers. The method also includes connecting simultaneously to the internet through a non-secure internet service provider and through a secure virtual private network over a single network access link, based on input to the first pane entered by at least one user of the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method of presenting instructions to a user sending an incoming communication to a service center includes presenting a menu to the user. The menu includes a plurality of procedure descriptors to the user. The user is presented, according to a selection of one of the procedure descriptors by the user, a sequence of instructions which enable completion of a procedure described by the selected procedure descriptor. The incoming communication is transferred at a position in the sequence of instructions to a representative. The incoming communication is also transferred back to the same position in the sequence of instructions.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for processing calls in a communication device (102, 104). A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller (206) for managing operations of a transceiver (202) that exchanges messages with third party communication devices in a communication system, and a user interface (UI) (204) for exchanging messages with an end user of the communication device. The controller can be programmed to receive (310) an incoming call from a calling party by way of a third party communication device, notify (311) the end user of the incoming call, receive (314) a selection from the end user corresponding to one among a plurality of recorded messages, accept (318) the incoming call, and present (324) the selected recorded message to the calling party. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

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: 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: A scene of an image sequence is transmitted that has been compressed using a number of foveation zones, each foveation zone being weighted based on a probability of a viewer looking at a corresponding portion of the first scene.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system and method wherein a streaming ticker information relating to a video content is integrated with the video content and transmitted to a customer device over a communication network.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing content is provided. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a housing and a wide area network (WAN) connector extending from the housing. The system may also include a graphical user interface (GUI) engine located within the housing. In practice, the GUI engine may be operable to initiate an outputting of a first list navigable with a remote control and a second list navigable with the remote control. The remote control may be a Set Top Box (STB) remote control and the first list may be configured to facilitate remote control-based navigation. The first list may contain an identifier for at least one piece of selectable content, which may be, for example, photographs, videos, songs, etc. The second list may include an alias for at least one available share partner. In practice, a user of the system may want to give a share partner revocable access to some portion of selectable content.

Abstract: A set of application program interfaces is embodied on a computer readable medium for execution on a computer in conjunction with an application program that integrates smart tags related to a video program with a payload of video data packets. A first interface receives an input from a tag database related to video program content. A second interface receives an input integrating a smart tag with a video data payload packet. A third interface receives an input providing integrated smart tag and video data to a network. Another interface receives an input from a customer segmentation database, for example for targeting information to specific customers or customer groups.

Abstract: Television sound themes for a set-top box interactive television system may be customized for each member of a household. Machine-readable media may provide customization logic and user interface logic. Sounds for a user-customized television system sound theme may be drawn from a digital audio file source. Logic components and the digital sound file source for a television sound theme system may reside locally at the set-top box, or may be accessed remotely over a network.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method to manage calls in a call center. The method includes receiving a call from a caller. The method also includes transmitting an estimated wait time to the caller. The method also includes prompting the caller with a wait option and a receive return call option. The method also includes prompting the caller with a schedule return call option when the caller selects the receive return call option.

Abstract: Research of television viewing behavior shows that there is a population of television users who tune the television to a particular channel but do not attentively watch the resulting broadcast. In a typical broadcast television system, this poses no additional loads on the system and does not incur additional cost for the content provider. In IPTV, however, these unattended content streams consume valuable bandwidth. A bandwidth management process for television content transmitted via Internet Protocol involves accepting a user designation of identified content as being content that will not be attentively viewed, or that will not be viewed at all during transmission, and reducing the bandwidth for the transmission of the designated content. One approach involves adjusting the video component of the transmitted content to reduce the bandwidth. Another approach involves recording the content to a DVR and automatically playing back the recorded content in a loop.

Abstract: A method of managing video streams is disclosed and includes monitoring the power to a display device coupled to a set top box. Also, the method includes determining whether the display device is in a low power mode and requesting that a content provider turn off a video stream to the set top box, after determining that the display device is in the low power mode.

Abstract: A user interface for a receiver of a streaming music service simultaneously displays a current-song display, a past-song display and a future-song display. The current-song display indicates a current song being broadcast to a plurality of subscribers in a channel of the streaming music service. The past-song display indicates at least one past song which was broadcast in the channel of the streaming music service prior to broadcast of the current song. Each song in the past-song display is selectable by a user of the receiver to initiate playback of a recording thereof by the receiver. The future-song display indicates at least one future song which is scheduled to be broadcast in the channel of the streaming music service after broadcast of the current song.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of delivering message content to a television monitor. The method includes merging a first electronic signal with a second electronic signal. The first electronic signal transmits recorded message content. The second electronic signal includes video content. The method may also include communicating the merged signal to a television monitor. The method can also include displaying the television content and content of the recorded message at the television monitor.

Abstract: A variable-bit-rate (VBR)-encoding of a plurality of clips from a plurality of video content items is performed to produce a VBR-encoded aggregated video content item. The VBR-encoding of each of the clips is based on an encoding complexity of at least one other one of the clips. This can be performed by combining the clips into aggregated video content and two-pass VBR-encoding the aggregated video content. A video quality test may be performed using the VBR-encoded aggregated video content item.