Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide novel solutions for providing real-time content in an on-demand environment. In a novel aspect of some embodiments, a real-time on demand server may be configured to integrate real-time content with on-demand content. This can allow a subscriber to enjoy the benefits of on-demand programming without having to forego access to real-time news, sports, weather information and/or the like.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems for managing the reception and/or recording of video content on a wireless digital video recorder. In certain embodiments, the wireless digital video recorder comprises a wireless phone with video reception and video recording capabilities. One set of embodiments provides a reception manager for managing the reception of video content by the wireless digital video recorder. Merely by way of example, embodiments of the present invention may provide for monitoring of the signal strength of broadcast video content, and certain embodiments may provide for receiving and displaying information concerning video content available to the wireless digital video recorder. Other embodiments of the present invention may provide for the management of recording and/or storing video content on the wireless digital video recorder e.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide network interface devices and systems and methods for using them. For instance, a system in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention comprises a network interface device adapted to receive a plurality of sets of telecommunication information (telecommunication can include, inter alia, voice signals, Internet Protocol data, audio signals, data representing encoded audio signals, video signals and data representing encoded video signals) and distribute at least one of the plurality to a customer premises. The system can further include a control point operable to transmit configuration information to the network interface device. The configuration information can be operable to configure the behavior of the network interface device with respect to one or more of the information sets.

Abstract: A wireless telecommunication system that automatically enforces a quiet mode of operation for a wireless handset comprises a cellular telecommunication network, and a wireless handset configured to transmit voice and data information to, and configured to receive voice and data information from the cellular telecommunication network. The wireless handset comprises a quiet mode controller configured to disable the wireless handset from issuing the audible notification when the wireless handset is in a designated quiet zone location.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems for receiving and recording video content on a wireless phone. Merely by way of example, one set of embodiments provides a wireless phone with the capability to receive a broadcast video signal and to decode, digitize and record the broadcast video signal. In other embodiments, the wireless phone has the capability to receive broadcast video signals and/or video signals streamed over a network and to record these signals. In still further embodiments, the wireless phone may receive video content transmitted over a wireless network and may format and/or encode the video content and record the video content. In some embodiments the wireless phone comprises a video player for playing video content.

Abstract: A method of delivering location-specific information to a wireless subscriber includes receiving one or more rules from an information distribution entity. The one or more rules define a geographic area related to the information distribution entity and define information to be distributed to the wireless subscriber when a wireless device of the wireless subscriber is in the geographic area. The method also includes receiving a registration message from the wireless subscriber, determining that the wireless device of the subscriber is in the geographic area, and delivering the information to the wireless device of the wireless subscriber.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide solutions for converting content, such as audio files and/or streams, video files and/or streams, other data files and/or the like. In an aspect, embodiments of the invention thus provide novel solutions to facilitate the provision of media services to one or more subscribers. In a set of embodiments, for example, media conversion services might be performed according to a subscriber's profile, such that the conversion services can be provided, in some cases, on the fly while providing the media to the subscriber, allowing the subscriber to obtain content in the necessary format without having to specify in each instance the formats in which various content should be provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for interconnecting two optical fibers using a protective insert, wherein the protective insert includes a connective segment that provides optical communication connection between the two optical fibers. Furthermore the protective insert includes two attachment mechanisms adjacent to the connective segment with each of the two attachment mechanisms adapted to removably attach one of the two optical fibers to the connective segment. Such a protective insert may be implemented inside a network interface device (NID) or with a wall-plate to be installed inside customer premises in a manner that allows a customer to easily interconnect a home network cable to an optical network terminal.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the reliability of a network includes a network management system that gathers information relating to modules, nodes and paths in the network. The information includes the configuration, history and status of the modules and paths, and the failure states of the paths and the modules responsible for any failed paths. Based on the information, a reliability monitoring tool produces output that includes the condition of network paths and the actual reliability of one or more paths. Embodiments of the invention include storage arrangements that store the module and path information, in which case the output may include time-based reliability of network paths. The output may be available via the Internet. Methods of monitoring the reliability of a network are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide network interface devices and systems and methods for using them. For instance, a system in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention comprises a network interface device adapted to receive a plurality of sets of telecommunication information (telecommunication can include, inter alia, voice signals, Internet Protocol data, audio signals, data representing encoded audio signals, video signals and data representing encoded video signals) and distribute at least one of the plurality to a customer premises. The system can further include a control point operable to transmit configuration information to the network interface device. The configuration information can be operable to configure the behavior of the network interface device with respect to one or more of the information sets.

Abstract: A network management system and graphical user interface for configuring a network connection between first and second service access points utilizes a configuration manager and information manager to provide a generic set of models so that different manufacturer's nodal processors and other network hardware can be inserted into the network with minimal changes to the software which controls the device. The system comprises an information manager including routing information for the network. The configuration manager operates to establish a connection across each subnet on the route by sending requests to element managers to program the subnet elements.

Abstract: A method of creating a network architecture planning tool includes receiving at a host computer system a request from a user computer to display a first object template, transmitting an electronic file comprising the object template to a user computer, receiving at the host computer system information defining a first object comprising at least a function defining a next object, receiving at the host computer system a request from a user computer to display at least a second object template, transmitting an electronic file comprising the at least a second object template to the user computer, receiving at the host computer system information defining at least a second object relating to a network, and storing the information defining the first object and the information defining at least the second object.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing parties with levels of transparency into filtering functionality of network traffic inspection implementations. Embodiments include receiving a filter change request from a subscriber over a network that defines a modification to a set of filter criteria for filtering network traffic, the filter criteria being stored in association with the subscriber in a filter criteria data store; updating the set of filter criteria in the filter criteria data store as a function of the filter change request; receiving a content dataset relating to the network traffic; identifying the content dataset as being associated with the subscriber; retrieving the set of filter criteria associated with the subscriber from the data store; and filtering the network traffic as a function of the set of filter criteria. Embodiments further provide layers of access for different entities to the filtered traffic.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for identifying location based rules related to a network connected device are described. A network connected device may transmit a set of data identifying the location of the device and an identifier unique to the device to a server. The server may also receive an action request, wherein the action request is associated with the identifier. The server may select a rule in a database to address the action request, the rule applicable to the identifier and location of the device. Various embodiments related to financial card transactions, access to financial information, emergency services contact, and electronic message filtering are also addressed.

Abstract: A system and method for providing video signals wherein the video signals from a single video source may be separately passed over two different transmission paths. Each transmission path includes an encoder, a communications channel and a decoder. The output of each communications path at the decoder provides the video signals and an alarm signal. The alarm signal indicates an error or disruption of the video signals over the corresponding communications path. The outputted video and alarm signals are provided to a video protection switch (VPS) device which provides the video signal from the second transmission path if the alarm signals indicates an error or disruption in the first transmission path. In one embodiment, the VPS has multiple switches, one for each of plural video sources, and a redundant switch and protection ports. The redundant switch and protection ports may be connected to receive the video and alarm signals if one of the switches in the VPS fails.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide apparatuses, systems and methods for distributing public information. For example, some embodiments of the invention provide methods for determining an appropriate set of addresses to which to distribute an alert. One such exemplary method comprises maintaining a directory of alert gateways. The directory can comprise a plurality of directory entries, and each directory entry can be associated with a particular alert gateway. Each directory entry can also comprise at least one gateway characteristic associated with that alert gateway. In some cases, a gateway characteristic can include information to enable the alert distribution device to determine whether a given alert should be transmitted to the alert gateway.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing mobile users with requested resources. In one such method, first and second location indicators for the mobile user are received, with each of the location indicators having a time associated therewith. The method includes calculating a mobile vector of the mobile user using the first and second location indicators, and associating the mobile vector with a first network region and a second network region. A first portion of the requested resource is sent to a first storage device in the first network region, and a second portion of the requested resource is sent to a second storage device in the second network region. The first and second resource portions are sent to the user when the user is in the first and second network regions, respectively.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are described for protecting camera components on a surface and/or within an internal portion of a portable electronic device. In one aspect, an electronic device might comprise a camera mount, which might comprise a camera barrel assembly configured to have a camera affixed thereto, the camera barrel assembly being rotatably coupled with one of a front panel, a rear panel, or a chassis of the electronic device. The camera mount may further comprise a set of cantilever springs affixed to one of the front panel, the rear panel, or the chassis and biased against the camera barrel assembly to provide rotational friction on the camera barrel assembly. The set of cantilever springs might have sufficient compliance to allow the camera to retract into a body of the portable electronic device upon encountering an external force, which may include an impact force or a dropping force.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are described for protecting an electronic device. In one aspect, an electronic device might comprise a housing defining an open front face, a chassis disposed within the housing, a panel disposed within the open front face of the housing and supported on the chassis, and an elastomeric overmold surrounding at least a portion of a perimeter of the panel and disposed between at least a portion of the chassis and at least a portion of the housing. In some cases, the overmold might be configured to provide a perimeter seal around the panel and to deform upon a frontal impact to the panel or housing. The overmold might be configured to prevent intrusion of liquids or particulates within the electronic device. In another aspect, a protective housing, which might comprise the housing, the chassis, and the overmold, may be provided for protecting a stand-alone electronic device.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are described for coupling electronic devices with docking stations. In one aspect, a coupling system comprises a first material in the docking station and a second material in the electronic device. The first material and the second material may each comprise at least one magnet and/or at least one ferromagnetic material that interact magnetically to align the electronic device in an appropriate position with respect to the docking station. The docking station comprises a first set of electrical contacts and the electronic device comprises a second set of electrical contacts. When in the appropriate position, the first set of electrical contacts electrically couples with the second set of electrical contacts. The shapes of the first and second electrical contacts, and the polarities of the magnets/ferromagnetic materials, may be configured to facilitate electrical coupling while avoiding mismatching of the positive/negative terminals of the electrical contacts.