Abstract: An approach is provided for a method including initiating an information distribution session based on instructions from a first participant of a plurality of participants. The method also includes assigning access information and a passcode to the information distribution session, receiving posting information sent from two or more active participants of the plurality of participants using the access information with the passcode, and transmitting to the active participants the posting information of other active participants.

Abstract: An exemplary malware detection device includes a data pathway provided between a first data transfer device and a second data transfer device and a processor attached to the data pathway. A memory accessible by the processor contains at least one malware signature and instructions for controlling the processor to interconnect the first and second data transfer devices, direct at least a portion of a data transfer across the data pathway to the processor for analysis, independently analyze the portion of the data transfer using the malware signature, identify malware contained in the portion of the data transfer, and interrupt the data transfer based on the identification of malware.

Abstract: An approach is provided for interworking traffic onto a composite transport group (CTG). An attribute associated with a composite transport group is determined based on a characteristic of a traffic flow associated with a label-switched network. The traffic flow is mapped to one or more component connections of the composite transport group based on the attribute.

Abstract: An approach is provided for performing fault recovery using composite transport groups (CTGs). A first logical channel is established within a composite transport group, wherein the first logical channel is established over a first link associated with a first service provider to a customer premise equipment (CPE) node configured to transport packets. A second logical channel is established within the composite transport group, wherein the second logical channel is established over a second link associated with a second service provider to an optical node. Packets are received over the first logical channel. Packets are received over the second logical channel if the first logical channel experiences a fault condition, wherein switching to the second logical channel is transparent to the CPE node.

Abstract: A device may receiving alarms identifying failures of network elements, create a site table that includes a list of sites at which the alarms are generated and a number of alarms for each of the sites, determine whether an outage has occurred based on the alarms, analyze whether the outage is a false outage based on a failure of a probe that generates the alarms, and provide a notification that includes the site table, an indication of whether the outage has occurred, or an indication whether the outage is a false outage.

Abstract: Systems, modules, computer-readable mediums and methods for multi-layer interworking are provided. An identified traffic path is selected from one or more traffic paths. The identified traffic path is selected based on information indicative of traffic path parameter information associated with the identified traffic path relative to traffic path parameter information associated with the other traffic paths. A transport trail is identified from one or more transport trails. Whether the identified transport trail from one or more transport trails is suitable for assignment is determined. The determination is made based on information indicative of the transport trail parameter information associated with the identified transport trail relative to transport trail parameter information associated with the other transport trails. The selected identified traffic path is assigned to the identified transport trail if the identified transport trail is determined to be suitable for assignment.

Abstract: A system and method in accordance with exemplary embodiments may include receiving, from a customer, limitation data associated with managing telephone number allocation, determining a limitation threshold based on at least the limitation data, allocating one or more telephone numbers to a customer based on at least the limitation threshold, and providing the one or more telephone numbers to a customer.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing and/or maintaining one or more disparate connection paths from a originating mobile user device to a base station via a mobile peer-to-peer (PTP) network including an originating mobile user device configured to broadcasting at least one of a path establishment request signal and one or more path confirmation request signals to one or more intermediate mobile user devices; a mobile peer-to-peer network including the one or more intermediate mobile user devices configured to forwarding the at least one of the path establishment request signal, one or more path establishment response signals, the one or more path confirmation request signal, and one or more path confirmation response signals, via one or more disparate connection paths; and a base station configured to broadcasting at least one of the one or more path establishment response signals and the one or more path confirmation response signals to the originating mobile user device via the one or more disparate connec

Abstract: A computing device is configured to receive media content and determine if the received media content includes a stego message. If the media content includes a stego message, then the computing device is further configured to decode at least a portion of the stego message, and perform a task based in part on the decoded portion of the stego message.

Abstract: Methods relating to the generation of service level agreement (SLA) performance report include measuring, over a service period, at least one service level measurement related to a provision of service. A measurable SLA commitment may include service level goals, with each goal containing a performance criterion, a target, and a comparison technique. A performance report may be generated based on the measurable SLA commitment and the at least one service level measurement and may include a goal analysis for each service level goal of the measurable SLA commitment. A system including a database and a report processor may be configured to generating a performance report including determining an actual level of service provided, comparing the measurable SLA commitment to the actual level of service provided, and determining a missed goal based on the actual level of service provided not realizing the SLA goal.

Abstract: An approach is provided for managing bandwidth utilization. A networking device (e.g., router) corresponding to a customer is audited to determine utilization of a communication link serving the customer. A determination is made whether bandwidth, allocated to the customer, of the communication link is under-utilized. A notification is generated to inform the customer of the under-utilization based on the determination. Further, a determination can be made whether the allocated bandwidth of the communication link is over-utilized, in which case, the notification includes an indication of one or more sources of traffic through the networking device.

Abstract: Methods relating to device level performance monitoring and analysis include accessing device data including a listing of network devices, with each network device having a device profile. The methods further include accessing service reports, with each report related to a service issue. A set of devices profiles from the listing of network devices may be identified based on a particular device being associated with a particular service issue. The method further includes determining a set of problem prone device profiles from the set of devices profiles. A system including at least one database and a report processor may be configured to associate device data with service reports, identify service issue trends from service reports, identify at least one at risk device susceptible to future service issues related to service issue trends, and provide preventative support to the identified at least one at risk device.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for detecting fraud in financial records of a network subscriber. Financial records are received and impersonal data are extracted. Financial record data are processed to conform to a normalized format. Normalized records can be correlated into groups linked to respective sources such as, for example, an individual, a business entity, or a healthcare practitioner. Digits contained in this data are analyzed to determine a pattern that is indicative of fraud. An alert, to the fact that fraud has been detected with respect to an identified plurality of records if such determination has been made, is then generated.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include methods and systems for receiving a signal at a monitoring station, determining a transmit cross-polarization isolation value and/or 1 dB gain compression point based at least in part on the signal having one or more polarities; and outputting at about real-time the determination of the transmit cross-polarization isolation value and/or the 1 dB gain compression point to a user.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for providing a managed language translation service. A request, from a source station, is received, at a switch, to establish a voice call with a destination station. A determination is made whether the request includes an indicator specifying invocation of a translation service managed by a service provider. If the request includes the indicator, the voice call is directed to a gateway that transmits the voice call over a data network to a translation application. The translation application translates, in real-time, speech associated with the voice call from a first language to a second language. The translated speech is transmitted to the destination station.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for alerting a pedestrian, such as a visually impaired pedestrian, of a vehicle in the vicinity. In general, signals are transmitted from a vehicle to a device carried by a pedestrian, such as a mobile terminal. In response, the pedestrian's device may generate an alarm, such as a vibration or an audible alarm, informing the pedestrian that a vehicle is nearby. In some cases, the pedestrian's device may transmit activation signals to the vehicle after receiving the signals from the vehicle. The activation signals may cause speakers on the vehicle to emit an audible alarm, alerting the pedestrian of the presence of the vehicle.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for alerting a driver that a potential hazard is in the vicinity of the driver's vehicle. In general, activation signals transmitted from a vehicle are received at a potential hazard, and hazard signals are, in response, transmitted from the potential hazard to the vehicle. The hazard signals provide an indication of the potential hazard to the driver so that he may be aware of the potential hazard and react accordingly. The indication may be provided to the driver visually, such as on a display of the vehicle, and/or audibly, such as in the form of an audible alert issued by a speaker. The hazard signals may also include one or more characteristics of the potential hazard to provide more information about the potential hazard to the driver, such as the type of potential hazard and/or the degree of danger associated with the potential hazard.

Abstract: A device connects to a male network connector of a network conduit, and connects to a female network connector of the network conduit. The female network connector is capable of communicating with the male network connector. The device also measures outputs of the male network connector and the female network connector.