Patents Assigned to Cox Communications
  • Mobile telephone call forwarding management
    Patent number: 8909205
    Abstract: An indication of an activated call forwarding feature is provided for a mobile telephone/computing device. When a call forwarding feature is activated, an indication may be presented on the device to indicate the call forwarding feature is currently active. The indication may be visual, audible or tactile. The indication serves as a reminder to the user of the device that the call forwarding feature is active. The indication may be presented on the device continuously until the user deactivates the feature, or the indication may be presented only when incoming calls are actually forwarded. Selectable functions may be enabled on the device for changing the call forwarding activation state and for overriding call forwarding for an in-progress forwarding call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Lawrence Davis, Douglas David Gravino, Radhakrishnan Gopinath, Michael L. Poffenberger
  • Application and server based control of dynamic channel mapping
    Patent number: 8910224
    Abstract: A system, method and computer readable media for overcoming the inherent limitations on the number of possible channels in a channel map. An enhanced channel launch application is used for adding channels to a channel map. A network couples a headend to a conditional access device. The headend includes a profile services server and the conditional access device includes a channel addition interface. The channel addition interface is used by a user to add a channel to a channel map associated with the conditional access device, the channel addition interface adding the channel to the channel map when the channel addition interface receives user input to create the channel, the created channel being added to a channel map to create an modified channel map individualized for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Calzone, Philip Stroffolino
  • Systems and methods for improving performance in an HFC architecture
    Patent number: 8908718
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving performance in an HFC architecture are provided. Incoming data associated with a plurality of signals to be included in a downstream data signal may be received, and the incoming data may be mapped to a plurality of symbols representative of the signals. Data bits for each symbol may be mapped to at least one data register. The contents of the at least one register may be read by one or more digital-to-analog converters to facilitate a direct radio frequency synthesis, and the output of the one or more digital-to-analog converters may be provided to one or more electro-optic conversion devices configured to output a downstream data signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Alan Rothschild
  • Customer/subscriber/user identification via utilized service node/point
    Patent number: 8903075
    Abstract: Management of call center call routing is provided. Service calls directed to a call center may be routed for processing based on an identification of a service node of a caller. The service node may be identified by parsing a database for a calling customer's node ID, determining a format of the node ID, and converting the node ID into a numeric value that represents the node ID associated with the calling customer. If the numeric node ID value meets a predetermined criterion, the service call may be processed according to a priority call routing instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis Joseph Cutajar
  • Systems and methods for dynamically forwarding wireless communications on mobile communications devices
    Patent number: 8897759
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for dynamically forwarding incoming calls and/or messages to different mobile communications devices (“MCDs”). In one embodiment, a method may include: storing associations between multiple MCDs and a user and identifying that at least one of the MCDs is inactive and that at least one of the MCDs is active. The method may further include: receiving an incoming call or message intended for the at least one inactive MCD; and if only one of the MCDs is active, causing the incoming call or message to be forwarded to the one active MCD; and if more than one of the MCDs is active, either: (a) causing the incoming call or message to be forwarded to at least one of the active MCDs or (b) not causing the incoming call or message to be forwarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Pujan K. Roka
  • Systems, methods, and apparatus for delivering content
    Patent number: 8898692
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for delivering content are provided. A request for desired content may be received by a content management server from a customer device associated with a customer. The content management server may include one or more computers. Additionally, the content management server may determine whether the customer device is in communication with one or more additional devices associated with the customer. Based at least in part upon the communication determination, the content management server may determine whether the customer device is located within a subscription area for the customer. Based at least in part upon the determination of whether the customer device is located within the subscription area, the content management server may determine access rights to the desired content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Edgar V. Shrum, Jr., Francisco Gonzalez, John Civiletto, Steve Watkins
  • Systems and methods for combining user profiles
    Patent number: 8893185
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for combining user profiles. According to an example embodiment, a method is provided for refining group content choices. The method includes identifying that at least two users are accessing media content on a same device, wherein each of the at least two users is associated with a different set of profile attributes; generating a spliced user profile having spliced profile attributes based at least in part on at least a portion of the set of profile attributes associated with at least one of the at least two users; determining at least one content recommendation based on the spliced profile attributes; and delivering the at least one content recommendation over a content distribution channel to the at least two users on the media device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Louise Mary Wasilewski
  • Multiple system and presence-based call processing
    Patent number: 8884736
    Abstract: Processing communications to and from multiple communications systems based on user preferences and based on presence information for one or more users of the communications systems is provided. A user who operates multiple communications systems may set preferences with each of the systems individually or through a centralized communications management system to control call processing to each of the systems based on prescribed user preferences and based on presence information for the user. In addition, communications applications associated with one or more communications systems may be automatically activated or functionally modified based on user preferences and/or user presence information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas David Gravino, Radhakrishnan Gopinath, Michael Lee Poffenberger
  • Systems, methods, and apparatus for attacking digital watermarks
    Patent number: 8881190
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for attacking digital watermarks are provided. A system or apparatus may include at least one interface and at least one processing component. The at least one interface may be configured to receive digital content output by a service reception device. The service reception device may be configured to receive the digital content from a service provider prior to the receipt of the digital content by the at least one interface. The at least one processing component may be configured to attack a digital watermark incorporated into the digital content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Alan Rothschild, Julius Bert Bagley
  • Providing a media guide including parental information
    Patent number: 8869191
    Abstract: A user interface may be provided including a media guide. The media guide may comprise at least two display elements. One of the displayed at least two display elements may comprise an action card. The action card may be configured to display a plurality of actions that can be taken with respect to the one of the plurality of programs. The plurality of actions may include a parental information action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa A. Pickelsimer, Anant Patil, Catherine Thompson, Yousef Wasef Nijim
  • Method and apparatus for providing targeted advertisements
    Patent number: 8863190
    Abstract: Techniques to deliver targeted advertisements and multimedia contents to viewers. Various types of advertisements are encoded and transmitted. The advertisements may be targeted for different coverage areas (e.g., national and local levels) and may further include various categories (e.g., kids, sports, business, and so on). At the terminal, one or more advertisements may be selected for display based on various selection schemes. The particular advertisement to be selected for display at a terminal may be based on the terminal's assigned profile or user interaction at the terminal. The profile may be assigned based on the last program viewed at the terminal, a particular filter icon selected at the terminal, the observed television viewing habits of the viewer at the terminal, and so on. The techniques may also be advantageously used for delivery of other multimedia contents and for other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald F. Gordon, Sadik Bayrakeri, Edward A. Ludvig, John P. Comito
  • Intelligent disposition manager
    Patent number: 8855271
    Abstract: When a communication is directed to an intended recipient, a determination may be made by an intelligent communication disposition manager as to whether one or more available communication devices of the intended recipient are available for routing the incoming communication either based on device availability or routing previously defined by the intended recipient. The intelligent communication disposition manager may utilize presence data of the intended recipient for sending a notification of the incoming communication to one or more of the intended recipient's available communication devices. The intended recipient may select a preferred call routing option for the incoming call/message to be sent. Based on the real-time response from the intended recipient, the call/message may be routed to his/her preferred communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Brock, Brandon Hall Goode, Robert C. Whitten
  • Systems and methods for facilitating emergency callbacks
    Patent number: 8848878
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating emergency callbacks are provided. A request to permit the connection of a telephone call originated by a user device may be received by a call processing system. The call processing system may include any number of computers or computing devices. The telephone call may be identified by the call processing system as an emergency call. Based upon the identification, the call processing system may override one or more incoming call parameters to permit connection of a return call to the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Timm Peddie, Michael Poffenberger
  • Systems and methods for sharing threaded conversations on mobile communications devices
    Patent number: 8849322
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for sharing threaded conversations on mobile communications devices. In one embodiment, a method may include: receiving, at a service provider system, a message containing a thread file associated with a forwarded message thread from a forwarding party mobile communications device, wherein the thread file comprises message text and sender information obtained from each of multiple text messages in the forwarded message thread, and wherein the message identifies at least one new recipient; identifying the message as containing a thread file; generating and associating a unique thread identifier with the thread file; and transmitting the thread file with the unique thread identifier over a wireless network for delivery to the at least one new recipient for display of the forwarded message thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Pujan K. Roka
  • Systems and methods for customizing broadband content based upon passive presence detection of users
    Patent number: 8849199
    Abstract: Systems and methods for customizing broadband content based upon passive presence detection of users are provided. A user device in proximity to a customer premise device may be detected. The customer premise device may be configured to output programming content received from a service provider. An identifier of the detected user device may be determined. Based at least in part on the identifier, an identity of a user may be determined. Based at least in part on the identity of the user, content that is output by the customer premise device may be customized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Edgar V. Shrum, Jr., John Civiletto
  • SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR ACCESSING RECORDINGS OF CONTENT ITEMS ON MULTIPLE CUSTOMER DEVICES
    Publication number: 20140282750
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the disclosure may include systems, methods and apparatuses for recording and viewing content items on multiple devices. According to an example embodiment, a method is provided for displaying recorded content to a user. The method includes receiving, from a playback device and by a service provider system comprising at least one processor, a request to retrieve a recorded content item, wherein the recorded content item is recorded on a recording device. The method further includes identifying, by the service provider system, based at least in part upon the received request, at least a portion of the recorded content item as a unique recording specific to the recording device. The method also includes facilitating, by the service provider system, access of the unique recording to the playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: John Civiletto
  • PUSH NOTIFICATIONS FOR LOCATION-BASED CONTENT DELIVERY
    Publication number: 20140279014
    Abstract: Certain embodiments herein may be directed to push notifications for location-based content delivery. Many merchants use coupon printers to print post-purchase coupons. The systems and methods described herein are directed to generating incentives, such as coupons or loyalty points which may be based at least in part on purchases, the current location of the user in proximity to items or stores, and associating the incentives to a user profile associated with the user. The incentives may then later be retrieved by a point of sale (POS) system of a merchant and then applied to any future purchase transactions the customer may desire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: COX COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Pujan Roka, Radhakrishnan Gopinath, Andrew Goldberg, Mike Pons
  • Systems and Methods of Bundled Label Switch Path for Load Splitting
    Publication number: 20140269296
    Abstract: In example embodiments of the systems and methods of multipath load balancing disclosed herein, a bundle of packets for transmission over a network backbone is transformed into N parallel bundles. The multi-path model is composed of its N constituent legs that are signaled between the same ingress/egress node pair such that each leg can potentially carry 1/N of the traffic rate of the original route. The multi-path legs can be easily identified based on their placement or power in the backbone due to their ability to carry the largest traffic volume between important or critical nodes. The number of parallel legs that the bundle is composed of may be set based on the average nodal degree of connectivity in the network backbone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: COX COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Mazen Khaddam
  • Systems and Methods of Hybrid DWDM Aggregation and Extension for Time Division Multiplexing Passive Optical Networks
    Publication number: 20140270774
    Abstract: Example embodiments of the systems and methods of hybrid DWDM aggregation and extension for time division multiplexing passive optical networks as disclosed herein solves problems facing cable operators and telecommunications operators by using WDM and DWDM technologies for time division multiplexing passive optical network aggregation and by extending the reach of the TDM PON beyond standard reach limits. An example system uses a downstream optical amplifier and an upstream repeater to extend the reach and for DWDM aggregation of the time division passive optical network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuxin Dai
  • Systems and Methods of Virtual Marketplace of Reward/Loyalty Points
    Publication number: 20140278886
    Abstract: Example embodiments of systems and methods of a virtual marketplace for reward/loyalty points disclosed herein may use geo-fencing to create a marketplace of reward points. The disclosed embodiments may use geo-fencing, coupons, and reward points to draw customers to a target location. Reward points are typically specific to and redeemable at the target location. A customer may use a mobile application to receive location based coupons that are laden with reward points. For example, a customer is walking past a retailer, such as non-limiting examples of a restaurant, a drug store, a grocery store, a department store, and a gas station, among others. In an example embodiment, she carries a location determination device which notifies the system of her geographic location or that her location is within a predetermined distance from a predetermined location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: COX COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Pujan Roka