Abstract: A help service includes proxying a web application page between a user web browser and a web application server. The help service includes providing the web application page to a customer service representative (CSR) web browser and opening a live communication channel for human communication between a user and a customer service representative. In some embodiments, from within a user network, a user help request is generated from a user web browser and received from a help server. The web application page may be transmitted over the Internet to the CSR web browser. In some embodiments, the CSR web browser may operate as a COMET client, the user web browser may act as an AJAX server-side processor, and the user web browser may operate as a COMET client for receiving updates to the web application page.

Abstract: Community content ratings are provided to users for one or more multimedia programs. The community content ratings are generated from appropriateness data collected from members of one or more community groups. The members of the community groups may be selected automatically based on stored profiles that include demographic data. Alternatively, community group membership may occur by choice and at the request of potential members. The community content ratings may be presented using appropriateness indicators (e.g., checkmarks or numerical scores) that are presented to a user in response to the user selecting the multimedia program from an electronic programming guide.

Abstract: A method is disclosed and includes receiving a selection of a first video program, receiving a selection of a linking command to link the first video program to a second video program, receiving a user request to output the first video program to a display device, and outputting the first video program in response to the user request. The method further includes after displaying the first video program, automatically outputting the second video program to the display device without an additional user action.

Abstract: Disclosed methods of achieving load balancing among a plurality of border elements in a next generation networks (NGN) communication network include a method for processing and user endpoint originated messages (UEOM), such as a register or invite message, generated by a user endpoint. A work load information data structure indicative of a first border element's work load and a second border element's work load is maintained when the border elements exchange work load information. Based on the work load information, a first border element responds to a UEOM by either (1) accepting the UEOM for first border element processing, (2) determining whether to accept the UEOM for first border element processing or redirect the UEOM to a second border element for second border element processing, or (3) rejecting the UEOM.

Abstract: A disclosed method for synchronizing different streams of a multimedia content program includes providing the multimedia content program to a first viewer via a first multimedia stream in response to receiving a first request to view the multimedia content program from the first viewer and providing the multimedia content program to a second viewer via a second multimedia stream in response to a second request from the second viewer. The method includes determining a temporal or synchronization difference that indicates a temporal relationship between the first and second streams. A timing of at least one of the streams is altered to reduce the synchronization difference. When the synchronization difference drops below a specified threshold, the multimedia content program may be provided to the first and second viewers via a multimedia stream that is common to the first and second viewers.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may operate according to, for example, a method involving recording audio feedback from a plurality of subscribers commenting on media content supplied by a media communication system on at least one of a plurality of media channels, detecting one or more trigger words in the recorded audio feedback having an association with a disruption of one or more media services supplied by the media communication system, selecting one or more network elements of the media communication system in at least one transmission path that supplies media services to one or more of the plurality of subscribers that supplied audio feedback matching the one or more trigger words, and directing the selected one or more network elements to record media content on one or more media channels selected from the plurality of media channels. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to retrieve a targeted party telephone number, retrieve a telephone number assigned to the communication device, submit to a system at least a portion of the targeted party telephone number and at least a portion of the telephone number assigned to the communication device, receive from the system information indicating a dialing format for the targeted party telephone number, and initiate communications according to the information supplied by the system. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Virtual environments are presented on displays along with multimedia programs to permit viewers to participate in a social interactive television environment. The virtual environments include avatars that are created and maintained in part using continually updated animation data that may be captured from cameras that monitor viewing areas in a plurality of sites. User input from the viewers may be processed in determining which viewers are presented in instances of the virtual environment. Continually updating the animation data results in avatars accurately depicting a viewer's facial expressions and other characteristics. Presence data may be collected and used to determine when to capture background images from a viewing area that may later be subtracted during the capture of animation data. Speech recognition technology may be employed to provide callouts within a virtual environment.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing first and second streams of a multimedia content program is operable for determining a temporal difference indicative of a relative timing between first and second streams of the program, the first stream being provided to a first multimedia processing resource (MPR) and the second stream being provided to a second MPR. The method includes manipulating at least one of the streams to reduce the temporal difference until the temporal difference is less than a predetermined threshold and enabling a viewer of the first stream to interact with a viewer of the second stream regarding the program. Interactions are visually detectable on a first display screen corresponding to the first MPR.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to receive media content from a communication device where the media content is to be accessed by one or more recipients, determine a memory capacity available for storage of the media content where the memory capacity is associated with a mailbox of the one or more recipients, and allocate additional memory for storage of at least a portion of the media content, where at least a portion of the additional memory is allocated from memory of a mailbox associated with a sender of the media content. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to transmit to a communication system a PKI certificate, and engage in encrypted communications responsive to receiving a public key from the communication system. The communication system can have a plurality of network elements that integrate operations of a circuit-switched communication network and a packet-switched communication network. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods to distribute media content are provided. A particular method includes receiving first link weighting factors and second link weighting factors at a router of a node of a multicast network and determining a primary path to a next hop node based on the first link weighting factors. Additionally, the method includes determining a backup path from a router of the primary path to the next hop node based on the second link weighting factors. The backup path does not overlap any primary path between two nodes of the network. Further, the method includes receiving a data packet from a parent node and routing a copy of the data packet from the router to the next hop node via the backup path, when a network link related to the router has failed. The method also includes routing data packets via a re-configured multicast tree that excludes the failed link.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, system having a controller to receive from a set-top box (STB) a request for assistance, identify a subscriber account associated with the STB, identify from the subscriber account a subscription grade, select one of a plurality of subscriber support services according to the subscriber grade, and establish communications between the STB and the selected subscriber support service. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to retrieve a telephone number having an area code, an exchange code, and an extension code, generate from the telephone number at least one additional dialing format, present a plurality of dialing formats comprising the telephone number in its original dialing format and the at least one additional dialing format, detect a selection from the plurality of dialing formats, and initiate communications according to the selected dialing format. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to present one of a plurality of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) with a keyboard for entering characters in a GUI field element presented in the GUI, identify a library of possible word constructs, detect a character selected from the keyboard, predict from the character selection one or more word constructs from the library of possible word constructs, present the one or more word constructs in the GUI, eliminate one or more characters from the keyboard according to the predicted one or more word constructs, and reduce a size of the keyboard responsive to removing the one or more characters. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to present a media program with associated thematic metadata, and modify a design of one or more on-screen controls that manage a presentation of the media program according to the thematic metadata. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to monitor incoming and outgoing calls associated with one or more communication devices, identify communication identifiers initiating the incoming calls and communication identifiers targeted by the outgoing calls, determine one or more related communication identifiers for each of the initiating and targeted communication identifiers, record in a communications log the incoming calls with the initiating communication identifiers and one or more related communication identifiers, and record in the communications log the outgoing calls with the targeted communication identifiers and one or more related communication identifiers. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a proxy system having a controller to submit to law enforcement agency an identity of a source that conceals its identity with one or more anonymous Internet Protocol addresses. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to select a portion of content servers among a plurality of content servers for delivery of media content to the set top box, where the selection is based on server metrics associated with the plurality of content servers and received by the set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to detect a portable media storage device (PMSD), present media content supplied by the PMSD, present a survey to appraise the media content; receive a survey response, and transmit the survey response to a survey collection system identified by the PMSD. Other embodiments are disclosed.