Abstract: An edge device for controlling provisioning of data streams to a network includes a primary channel for receiving a primary stream and a secondary channel for receiving a secondary stream. A scheduler selects between the primary stream and the secondary stream. Timers quantify an elapsed time between a triggering event and a previous switch by the scheduler from the secondary stream to the primary stream and quantify a wait time. When the primary stream does not meet the predetermined criteria and the secondary stream does meet the predetermined criteria, the scheduler switches to the secondary stream. The scheduler and switches back to the primary stream after an exponentially increasing wait time has elapsed and the primary stream meets the predetermined criteria.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provides access to interactive features of an electronic program guide by a user from within a broadcast advertisement. The method of the present invention comprises receiving the broadcast advertisement comprising audio, video and promotional metadata over a broadcast distribution network. The received promotional metadata is analyzed to determine one or more valid electronic program guide features and present options on a display device corresponding to the one or more valid electronic program guide features. The user selects a presented option for execution.

Abstract: Content scheduling may be provided. First, a media guide may be displayed. Next, a plurality of asset selection input data respectively corresponding to a plurality of assets selected from the displayed media guide may be received. Then the plurality of asset selection input data may be stored in a playlist database. The playlist database may then be executed.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for a television terminal with data storage. The television terminal may be a set top terminal for use with a cable television program delivery system. The data storage may be integral to the terminal or may be provided as a hardware upgrade unit or expansion card connected to the terminal to modularly enhance the functionality of the terminal. The data storage may be in the form of a disc, such as a compact disc storage device or a CD-ROM. The data stored on the storage device may relate to games, education, encyclopedias, reference, or economics. The television terminal may additionally include a microprocessor that is programmed to react to information within a television signal to access the data stored on the storage device.

Abstract: A service soft disconnection may be provided. First, a first user interface screen may be provided: i) in response to determining that a payment has not been received for a service after a date for which an account holder responsible for the service has been sent a disconnection notice; and ii) in response to receiving a user initiated request for the service. Next, identification data may be received in response to the provided first user interface screen. Then the identification data may be determined to be valid. In response to determining that the identification data is valid, a second user interface screen may be provided. Payment data may then be received in response to the provided second user interface screen. Consequently, the payment data may be determined to be valid and the service may be reinstated in response to determining that the payment data is valid.

Abstract: Automatic access to a secondary or alternate voicemail box while operating or using a first or primary voicemail box is provided. One touch access to an alternate voicemail box from a wireless telephone device is further provided, and access to a given voicemail box from a number of trusted telephone devices is provided without requiring users of the trusted devices to authenticate into the voicemail box (e.g., provide a password).

Abstract: A system and method for efficient delivery of video segments. One embodiment relates to the delivery of short-time duration video segments. The video segments may be delivered as part of a media-rich interactive program guide (IPG) or for some other application. The system and method provides a viewer with access to a video segment starting at its beginning (or any other selectable point within the video segment). Such access may be provided using a server-centric interactive technique. The server-centric technique may involve use of a demand-cast system and method. Demand-cast messaging may occur between a session manager, transport stream generator, and terminal. For example, a video object on a screen may be activated by a viewer using a remote control for a terminal. Activation of the object may cause transmission of a request from the terminal to a session manager for a video segment corresponding to the object.

Abstract: An improved visual voicemail system is provided. When a call is made to a wireless telephone device and a voicemail message is deposited for the called party, the voicemail message is transcribed to generate a text version of the deposited voicemail message. The transcribed voicemail message is sent to the called mobile telephone device to allow the user to read the text version of the voicemail message. Embedded with transcribed text voicemail message is a link that maps to a unique telephone number that is assigned to the original audio voicemail message from the text voicemail message was transcribed. If the called party selects the link, the called party's mobile telephone device or other receiving computing device places a call to the storage location of the original audio version of the voicemail message to listen to the audio version of the voicemail message.

Abstract: Techniques to remotely monitor and control operations performed by one or more head-ends (or servers) in an information distribution system. In one implementation, a monitor and control unit communicates with various elements (e.g., an IPG service manager and a session manager) within each head-end to receive information relating to the operations of the head-end. This information may include status and/or indications of possible error conditions relating to (1) various operations (e.g., encoding, multiplexing, and so on) performed by the head-end, and (2) the transport streams being transmitted from the head-end. The received information may then be forwarded to one or more remote devices (e.g., pagers, cellular phones, PDAs) designated to receive the information. Response messages may also be received from the remote devices and forwarded to the appropriate head-end, which may adjust its operation as indicated by commands included in the messages.

Abstract: An improved visual voicemail system is provided. When a call is made to a wireless telephone device and a voicemail message is deposited for the called party, the voicemail message is transcribed to generate a text version of the deposited voicemail message. The transcribed voicemail message is sent to the called mobile telephone device to allow the user to read the text version of the voicemail message. Embedded with transcribed text voicemail message is a link that maps to a unique telephone number that is assigned to the original audio voicemail message from the text voicemail message was transcribed. If the called party selects the link, the called party's mobile telephone device or other receiving computing device places a call to the storage location of the original audio version of the voicemail message to listen to the audio version of the voicemail message.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing multiple session-based services at a terminal, an exemplary apparatus includes a memory configured to support a plurality of software layers including a service layer communicating with terminal resources via a root layer disposed therebetween; and a processor, for executing instructions associated with a plurality of service layer applications, a root layer application and a control mechanism; each of the service layer applications communicating with terminal resources to provide thereby a respective user interface; wherein the control mechanism selectively causing at least one of the service layer applications to enter an active state, the user interface associated with a service layer application being adapted in response to the service layer application entering the active state.

Abstract: Automated device/system setup based on user presence information is provided. When a user of one or more electronic devices or systems moves into the presence of the one or more devices or systems, detection or determination of the user's presence may be used to apply setup or settings changes to the one or more devices or systems. The user's presence relative to the one or more devices or systems may be detected according to a variety of means. A wireless device carried by the user may be detected by a wireless presence detector. Online/offline status of a user with respect to an Internet connection may be used to detect/determine presence of the user. Use of a wireline or wireless telephone, cable television set-top box or other device connected to a services provider may be used to determine presence information for the user.

Abstract: Hybrid communications voicemail systems and methods are disclosed. A wireline telephone number may be operatively associated with a wireless telephone voicemail box such that calls placed to the wireline telephone number and subsequently routed to voicemail may be routed to the wireless telephone voicemail box. Thus, the user of both wireline and wireless telephones may check voicemail messages at a single wireless voicemail box. Parents or supervisors may check voicemail messages or converted text messages deposited for children or employees at the single wireless voicemail box. A wireless telephone user may allow calls to be routed to his/her wireless telephone from his/her wireline telephone if he/she cannot be reached at the wireline telephone or as designated by the user.

Abstract: A recommendation may be provided. First, program content may be determined to suggest to a user. Next, it may be determined that the program content is currently unavailable on a content delivery system. Then a recommendation may be made to a provider of the program content to provide the currently unavailable program content to the content delivery system.

Abstract: Cross product/service management of subscriber products/services is provided. When multiple product/services orders or instructions are received for a shared service or resource (e.g., a unified voicemail box/system) from two or more order or instruction entry systems (e.g., wireline and wireless telephone systems), the multiple orders or instructions are passed to a shared product/services provisioning manager for management of the orders or instructions with respect to the shared service or resource. If the orders require a change to the shared service or resource, the orders or instructions are mediated for concurrent or otherwise conflicting requests to the shared service or resource. Mediated requests are formatted for receipt and use by the shared service or resource and are then passed to a network element responsible for the shared service or resource for implementation.

Abstract: A smart audio guide system for use in conjunction with an interactive content distribution system is disclosed. The smart audio guide system includes a recommendation engine for providing a customized viewing-recommendations list for a viewer subsystem based upon the programming available from an interactive content distribution system and a customized viewing profile developed for the viewer subsystem. In response to one or more predetermined conditions, a smart guide actuator activates a processing unit, which is used to implement the smart audio guide system functions, which include causing a plurality of smart audio guide audio clips corresponding to the customized viewing-recommendations list to be uttered in a predetermined mode at the viewer subsystem.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing switched broadband. The disclosed systems and methods may include creating a traffic signature corresponding to a network element connected to a network, the network element having a network element ID and being addressable on the network by the network element ID. Furthermore, the disclosed systems and methods may include optimizing a quality of service for the network element based on the created traffic signature.

Abstract: Methods and computer-readable media are provided for presenting program guide information using a mosaic of video sources broadcast in a television services system. An application program executed on a television services set-top box generates a matrix of still images representing multiple video sources presently being broadcast in the television services system. The matrix of still images is presented as a video mosaic representing current program guide information in the television services system.