Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for receiving and displaying cellular television content. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a wireless communication device for establishing a connection to a wireless telecommunications network and for receiving video content over the connection. The apparatus includes a processor for receiving the cellular television content and the television signal. The processor generates a signal for display on a video display screen from the television signal and the video content. A video display screen is also provided in the apparatus for displaying the signal. The apparatus may also include a remote control interface and a remote control device that includes a keypad for establishing a wireless telephone call through the apparatus over the wireless telecommunications network.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for receiving and displaying cellular television content. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a wireless communication device for establishing a connection to a wireless telecommunications network and for receiving video content over the connection. The apparatus includes a processor for receiving the cellular television content and the television signal. The processor generates a signal for display on a video display screen from the television signal and the video content. A video display screen is also provided in the apparatus for displaying the signal. The apparatus may also include a remote control interface and a remote control device that includes a keypad for establishing a wireless telephone call through the apparatus over the wireless telecommunications network.

Abstract: A location and mapping application takes device information and produces location information for display on a communication-enabled computing device (e.g., a personal digital assistant or wireless phone). A current location of a wireless device may be provided with an announcement of an incoming call or message and may be in the form of a street address or a map. Location information for a wired (or fixed-location) device may be provided in the form of a map. Location information for nearby wireless and wired devices may also be provided. Location information may be updated for wireless devices that are moving.

Abstract: A location and mapping application takes device information and produces location information for display on a communication-enabled computing device (e.g., a personal digital assistant or wireless phone). A current location of a wireless device may be provided with an announcement of an incoming call or message and may be in the form of a street address or a map. Location information for a wired (or fixed-location) device may be provided in the form of a map. Location information for nearby wireless and wired devices may also be provided. Location information may be updated for wireless devices that are moving.

Abstract: A location and mapping application takes device information and produces location information for display on a communication-enabled computing device (e.g., a personal digital assistant or wireless phone). A current location of a wireless device may be provided with an announcement of an incoming call or message and may be in the form of a street address or a map. Location information for a wired (or fixed-location) device may be provided in the form of a map. Location information for nearby wireless and wired devices may also be provided. Location information may be updated for wireless devices that are moving.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for receiving and displaying cellular television content. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a wireless communication device for establishing a connection to a wireless telecommunications network and for receiving video content over the connection. The apparatus includes a processor for receiving the cellular television content and the television signal. The processor generates a signal for display on a video display screen from the television signal and the video content. A video display screen is also provided in the apparatus for displaying the signal. The apparatus may also include a remote control interface and a remote control device that includes a keypad for establishing a wireless telephone call through the apparatus over the wireless telecommunications network.

Abstract: A location and mapping application takes device information and produces location information for display on a communication-enabled computing device (e.g., a personal digital assistant or wireless phone). A current location of a wireless device may be provided with an announcement of an incoming call or message and may be in the form of a street address or a map. Location information for a wired (or fixed-location) device may be provided in the form of a map. Location information for nearby wireless and wired devices may also be provided. Location information may be updated for wireless devices that are moving.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing substitute content. Tagged content is received and compared to a user profile. When a determination is made that the tagged content should be blocked, substitute content is retrieved that replaces the tagged content.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for managing advertisements. An advertisement time slot is categorized as overrideable or non-overrideable. The overrideable advertisement time slot categorization allows an associated advertisement to be replaced with a different advertisement. The non-overrideable advertisement time slot may not allow replacement of the associated advertisement. When an advertiser requests to replace the advertisement, and when the advertisement time slot is categorized as overrideable, then the advertisement is replaced with the different advertisement.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for evaluating the performance of a viewer watching media programming. The media programming is received and includes at least one of a live media program and a recorded media program. Display is caused of the media programming and a cue. The cue prompts the viewer during presentation of the media programming to provide a response to the cue within a time period. Upon receiving the response to the cue within the time period, then the response is detected and a response time of the response is measured. The response time is a time between occurrence of the cue and receipt of the response. The viewer's performance is evaluated by comparing the response time to a reference response time.

Abstract: According to exemplary embodiments, a content-access information database and a subscriber attribute database are merged to create a subscriber information database. A data analyzer, such as a data mining application, provides tools for identifying desirable subscribers within the merged database.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling traffic on a communications network include dynamic and flexible control plans that enable service providers to control or influence customer access to communications facilities. Communications facilities are monitored to identify network elements, such as cell sites, that are overloaded. When the traffic intensity on a particular facility exceeds a predetermined level, either active or passive control is imposed on subscribers that are in the geographic area of the facility. Active control involves blocking, delaying or disrupting subscriber calls during the critical time period. Passive control involves providing cost incentives or disincentives during low or peak periods of traffic intensity. Customers are notified of the commencement and/or termination of active or passive control preferably via SMS.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products describe customizing the presentation of a content-access list based on subscriber-specific information, such as historic viewing preferences and related information. Preferences of a subscriber are received. A subscriber-specified time period is also received, with the time period specifying a time for which the subscriber wishes the preferences to be analyzed. A content database is queried for content related to the preference occurring within the time period. A first option list is received from the content database, wherein the first option list comprises content options related to the preference. The first option list is delivered to the subscriber.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide an incentive for a viewer to watch and react to audio/video programming. For example, the viewer may be prompted during a program to provide an indicated response to an event within an indicated time period. Thereafter, the indicated response to the event may be detected, a response time of the indicated response to the event may be measured, viewer performance may be evaluated based upon the response time, and the incentive may be presented to the viewer based upon the response time. According to an exemplary embodiment, a viewer actuates a pushbutton key of a set-top box remote control unit and a signal that corresponds with the key is transmitted to and recorded by the set-top box. Other exemplary embodiments include a media delivery device for providing incentives, rewards, discounts, marketing data, and/or measurements to the viewer and a media delivery network.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a service provider determines whether to inform one or more users of an interactive television service of available content. Responsive to determining to inform the one or more users of the available content, a hot key signal is generated. The hot key signal is sent to the users via a side channel out-of-band with one or more channels for content. The hot key signal from the out-of band side channel is received by a terminal device. The terminal device determines whether the hot key signal is relevant to a user currently viewing content from the service provider. Responsive to determining the hot key signal is relevant to the user, an indication that the hot key signal has been received is displayed. Responsive to receiving an indication that the hot key is accepted, the user is directed to the available content indicated by the hot key signal.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that promotes finding the device when lost. The device includes means for engaging a lock and means for receiving an activation signal from a remote transmitter. When the activation signal is received, the device also includes means for emitting an output signal that promotes finding the device when lost.

Abstract: Systems and methods of presenting channel content in a distributed network having a client device and a server device, the method comprising the acts of evaluating tagged content, e.g., from the server device and creating a personalized channel at the client device. The personalized channel comprises content from two or more predetermined channels, i.e., channels received from the server device. Last, the system and method displays the content on the personalized channel. Also, systems and methods may be employed to display a personalized programming guide, using profile information to select a preferred subset of information to display such that the user is better able to discern desirable content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating tailored media-content and related offerings based on subscriber-specific data are described. In one embodiment of the present invention, a television content provider, such as a programming or advertising provider, uses subscriber-specific data to create offerings including unique programs or program packages or unique bundles of programs other products and services. The content provider may also use the subscriber-specific data to determine the price a subscriber is willing to pay for specific content or content-related offering.

Abstract: A method for receiving and distributing content-choice information includes collecting subscriber content-choice data from a plurality of subscriber content-choice databases and storing the subscriber content-choice data in a clearinghouse database. The stored subscriber content-choice data may selected and provided to a requesting party. A system for receiving and distributing content-choice information comprises a content-choice information clearinghouse and a plurality of subscriber content-choice databases.

Abstract: A method for blocking content from being presented at a client device based on a user profile and content tags. Content having descriptive tags is delivered to a client device from a server device. The descriptive tags classify the content. A user profile at the client device contains tag data for identifying categories of content that the user does not want presented on the client device. The client device recognizes and evaluates the tags of received content and blocks content based on the user profile. The blocked content will not be presented to the user. The user profile may be created automatically or manually by the user. The user profile is automatically created based on usage history or demographic information. The client device has a tag dictionary that may be updated to correspond to tags utilized by content delivery systems.