Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses that operate with different communications devices, different users, and/or different communications networks to generate, enable, disable, transmit, and/or otherwise control an Emergency Third Party Communications Signal. According to embodiments of this invention, a communications network establishes an emergency communications link between a calling party and an emergency response call center. Thereafter, the communications network automatically associates a third party to add to the emergency communications link and uses the Emergency Third Party Communications Signal to establish an emergency conferencing communications link between the third party, the calling party, and/or the emergency response call center.

Abstract: Systems and methods for timed ring suppression are disclosed. After a communications device receives an incoming call and the ringer is activated to produce an initial audible alert, the ringer of the communications device may be silenced for subsequent audible alerts until the calling party hangs up or until the call is further processed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a desirable subscriber by utilizing past subscriber content choices as well as subscriber is described. In one embodiment of the present invention, 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: A remote control device including a processor and a motion detector in communication with the processor. The device also includes at least one in put device in communication with the processor and a directional mode indicator in communication with the processor, the directional mode indicator for indicating the mode of operation of the device based on a signal generated by the motion detector.

Abstract: This document discloses systems and methods for enabling viewers to control and manage programming and to control external consumer electronic devices through the use of a STB or other device. This invention provides command information that is embedded into an EPG signal and transmitted from a headend or transmission facility through a distribution network to the end user. By way of example, the program data includes volume, lighting, internet or environmental tag information for controlling external devices, such as a surround sound entertainment system, home environment system, personal computer, etc. A set top box or other properly configured consumer electronics device either receives data from the external device to effect programming or transmits data to the external device to optimize the viewing experience or to supplement information produced by the EPG.

Abstract: A privacy management system is disclosed for when a calling party has a private telephone number. Privacy screening services allow a subscriber to manage and monitor incoming telephone calls, such that unwanted calls are not terminated to the subscriber. When a calling party calls the subscriber to this privacy screening service, the privacy management system manages the call according to whether the calling party number is known and public, known and private, or unknown. If the calling party number is known and public, the call is routed to the subscriber. If, however, the calling party is known and private, an announcement is played to the calling party, asking the calling party for permission to override his or her privacy. If the calling party is unknown, the calling party is asked to record his/her name.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for selecting the content of Internet Call-Waiting messages. One method includes providing a selection of content for an Internet Call-Waiting message and allowing a customer/user to select the content of the Internet Call-Waiting message. The customer/user may select graphics, animation, and sound to accompany the Internet Call-Waiting message. Once the content is selected, the customer/user may then associate the content with a telephone number.

Abstract: A personal interactive voice response system with a web-based interface allowing the user to specify treatment of incoming calls based on voice or touchtone responses provided by the calling party. A graphical user interface available over a computer network, such as the Internet, allows the user to personalize greetings that callers hear, as well as customizing treatment of callers based on the caller's response. The user may record an initial greeting or other messages, either over the telephone or over the Internet, so that the messages are played to callers in the user's voice. Additionally, the user may enter text, via a PC or wireless device connected to the Internet, that is played back for the caller, based on the caller's response, via text-to-speech conversion using voice extensible markup language technology. Resulting actions, such as call forwarding, distinctive ringing, or remote notification of the incoming call may also be included.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing advanced telephony services to telephone numbers served by telecommunications networks lacking the infrastructure to provide these advanced services directly are described. In an embodiment of the present invention, a service-providing network, which has the capability of providing advanced telephony services to a service subscriber for calls that traverse it, provides advanced telephony services to calls directed to a telephony device on a native transport network. The native transport network is a network that naturally carries a subscriber's calls but does not have the capabilities required to provide advanced services. In one embodiment, the system uses a virtual number to map a service in the service-provider network with a device in the native transport network.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the auditory differentiation among forwarded phone calls within a phone network, and in particular an advanced intelligent phone network. Unique distinctive forwarded ring alerts and distinctive forwarded call waiting alerts are assigned to selected subscriber phone numbers in the phone network. Upon the forwarding of one or more of these subscriber phone numbers to a target phone number within the telephone network, auditory differentiation between the forwarded phone numbers and the target phone number can be achieved by a customer.

Abstract: The driver cap assembly of this invention includes a tubular body and a driver sleeve that may be positioned over and/or about an end of a shafted body. A force is applied to the driver cap such that the other end of the shafted body is driven into a surface. The driver cap facilitates a variety of shaft sizes and shapes. Alternate embodiments of this invention disclose a driver cap assembly that includes a tubular body and an H-shaped sleeve.

Abstract: Systems and methods for timed ring suppression are disclosed. After a communications device receives an incoming call and the ringer is activated to produce an initial audible alert, the ringer of the communications device may be silenced for subsequent audible alerts until the calling party hangs up or until the call is further processed.

Abstract: A network-based personal dialing plan that allows a user to associate dialing strings of any length with easy-to-remember, user-selected aliases. A user may also define dialing rules, such as automatically adding digits to the directory number when the called number would be a long distance call from the calling location. A user may access the system to create or modify the user's personal dialing plan by voice telephone call (in a network having VXML capability), web interface, or other device, such as a wireless application protocol (WAP) phone or wireless personal digital assistant (PDA).

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for enhancing telephone line records with Global Positioning System coordinates. One embodiment acquires Global Positioning System information and provides the Global Positioning System information to assemble a telephone line record.

Abstract: Data is transmitted to and obtained by selected wireless devices in a wireless network without assignment of a unique network address (UNA) to the wireless devices. The data is transmitted over a broadcast and the wireless device obtains the data from the broadcast. Specifically, a wireless device is provisioned with a hardware serial number (HSN) and generic access numbers (GANs). The wireless device registers using the HSN and a randomly selected GAN. The service provider assigns and transmits a broadcast access number (BAN). The wireless device uses the BAN to access data from a broadcast from the service provider.

Abstract: A method for providing an incentive for a viewer to watch and react to audio/video programming. The method includes prompting the viewer during a television programming stream to provide an indicated response to an event within an indicated time period, detecting the indicated response to the event, measuring a response time of the indicated response to the event, evaluating viewer performance based upon the response time, and providing the incentive to the viewer based upon the response time. The method involves a viewer actuating a pushbutton key of a set-top box remote control unit and transmitting and recording the response via the set-top box. A media delivery device for providing incentives, rewards, discounts, marketing data, and measurements to a viewer and a media delivery network.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for routing a communication cable within a crawlspace. The apparatus has a chain dangling from a means for supporting the apparatus. A generally hook-shaped saddle supports a communications cable thereacross. The saddle has a crown, a stem downwardly extending from the crown, and a generally semi-circular section outwardly extending from the stem and forming the saddle. The crown includes an open-ended slot for sliding onto a link of the chain. The crown can be positioned along the chain, thus varying the height of the saddle along the chain and helping maintain a desired routing of the communication cable.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for accessing a Network Interface Device of a telecommunications network. The apparatus has a main body and a wrench. The main body has a first end, a second end, and an interior cavity. The interior cavity is open at the first end and extends into an interior region of the main body. The interior cavity is bound by a side wall and terminates within the main body at an end wall. The wrench is a 216-Type can wrench extending from the second end of the main body. The 216-Type can wrench has a thin-walled, polygonally-shaped interior cross-section.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a notification of an email arrival to one or more customer premises equipment to alert users that an email has been received at a mail server. The systems and methods comprise receiving a message on an application server where the message includes at least an email addressee. The application server uses the email addressee to lookup a subscriber's directory number or an internet protocol address and user name associated with the email addressee. Based at least in part on this information, the application server sends an instruction a service control point (if the lookup returns a directory number) or to the internet protocol address (if the lookup returns such an address). If the instruction is sent to a service control point, then the service control point causes an advanced intelligent node to initiate a call to the subscriber directory number and send a signal to the telephone customer premises equipment.

Abstract: A system routes local toll-free calls dialed to a toll-free number via local switches and network onto interconnecting local providers with local access settlement rates, thereby allowing a local rather than toll cost structure. The system operates with existing a subscriber's existing toll-free service provider. When an originating number is identified as an LCA or intraLATA call, the system routes the local toll-free call from the SCP network to participating local switches that service the subscriber's terminating number. The originating calls are separated between the LCA and the rest of the LATA based upon the NPA-NXXs that are considered local to the subscriber's terminating number. The system also provides for routing local toll free calls and for reporting each local toll free call to the subscriber.