Abstract: Tools are provided for distributing access-restricted content in an internet protocol television (“IPTV”) environment based on portable entitlement keys. Such tools can include a decoder, an encoder, and a network entitlement handler. The decoder may be configured to receive a key associated with entitlement information, and transmit the entitlement information over a network. The encoder may be configured to receive content from content providers, and to encode the content to create IP-compatible content, with access restrictions based on entitlement. The network entitlement handler may be configured to receive a request for requested content from the decoder; receive the access-restricted content including (including the requested content) from the encoder; and transmit the requested content over the network to the decoder using IP, when the decoder is entitled to receive the requested content.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for providing a subscriber with converged voice services, in which calls to one of the subscriber's telephone numbers is routed to some or all of the subscriber's telephone numbers (e.g., sequentially or simultaneously, depending on system configuration and/or subscriber preference). Some implementations employ a VoIP switch to handle call distribution among the subscriber's various phone lines, even if some (or all) of the subscribers telephone lines are not VoIP lines. In such implementations, upon receiving an incoming call directed to one of the subscriber's lines, a service switching point will route the call to a VoIP switch. Instructed by an application server, the VoIP switch will set up call legs (e.g., via the PSTN) to one or more of the subscribers' telephone numbers. Optionally, when one of the call legs is answered, the application server will instruct the VoIP switch to disconnect the other call legs.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide novel apparatus, methods and systems for providing relatively high-speed bandwidth to enable, inter alia, video transmission services over media previously unable to support such services. In accordance with certain embodiments, a device located at the telecommunication service provider can logically couple two or more physical media to provide a single, consolidated source of bandwidth, which can be used to transmit data, which can represent a video signal. In accordance with other embodiments, a device located at the subscriber's location can be used to receive the data from each of the two physical media and recreate the video signal from the data, such that the video signal can be transmitted to a display device, such as a television, monitor, etc.

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 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: Systems, methods, and machine-readable media are disclosed to provide cross-platform support for a variety of media types. In one embodiment, a method of providing cross-platform support for a variety of media types can comprise translating content provided by one or more servers from one or more media types to one or more common language messages. Each common language message can be one of a plurality of message types. Each message type can represent a different user-facing service provided by the server. The one or more common language messages can be sent to one or more end devices of one or more different device types. The common language messages can be translated to a format specific to one or more of the end devices based on the device type.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed at methods and systems for transmitting utility usage data using a public switched telephone network (“PSTN”). The methods and systems may include collecting utility usage data pertaining to a customer premises with a utility meter at the customer premises. The utility usage data may be transmitted automatically from the utility meter to an access point of a public broadband network. The utility usage data may be received at the access point. A digital subscriber line (“DSL”) modem in communication with the access point may modulate the utility usage data at the access point. The utility usage data may be transmitted securely through the public switched telephone network to an Internet point of presence. The utility usage data may be received at the Internet point of presence. The utility usage data may be transmitted from the Internet point of presence to a utility provider via the Internet.

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 public wireless network has authorized wireless access points through which users connect to the network. A system for detecting the unauthorized access points comprises a monitoring client simulating a user and detecting available access points. The system further comprises an authentication server that maintains a configuration file with an identifier associated with each authorized access point. The system is adapted to compare the identity of any available access point(s) to those maintained by the authentication server to detect unauthorized access points.

Abstract: Tools are provided for supporting content syndication to a set top box. The set top box requests a syndicated feed at regularly scheduled times, and receives the syndicated feed through an Internet Protocol (“IP”) network. Hence, a syndicated feed is distributed to the set top box that subscribes to the syndicated feed. Additionally, the set top box converts the syndicated feed for use by the set top box, and causes at least one image based at least in part on the syndicated feed to be displayed on a display device for a user.

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: A wireless telecommunication system that automatically enforces a quiet time 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 time controller configured to disable the wireless handset from issuing the audible notification during scheduled quiet time periods.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to the provision of location based services via a mobile communications device. A particular system comprises a mobile communications device, a mobile communications base station, and a server computer system. The location of the device may be correlated with certain user preferences stored on the server computer system. Components of the larger system are also described. In some cases, various location related mapping functions for a device are discussed. Systems and methods can also provide for activities to be undertaken based on the location of a device are described. The disclosure also addresses systems and methods of efficiently determining the location of a mobile device. Different notification schemes might be based on the location of a device and specified preferences are described. There can also be keyword monitoring based on the location of a device.

Abstract: An isolation device isolates a transport medium internal to a customer premises from a transport medium external to the customer premises such that operational changes to one of the internal and external transport media do not affect the other of the internal and external transport media. A first interface communicates with the external transport medium and a second interface communicates with the internal transport medium. An addressable set-top box external to the customer premises receives encoded telecommunication information from the external transport medium and generates television signals from the encoded telecommunication information for transmission over the internal transport medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for associating images with location and/or other information. In some cases, the systems include an image sensor, a location sensor, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is communicably coupled to a computer readable medium that includes instructions executable by the microprocessor to: receive a location from the location sensor; receive an image from the image sensor; and associate the location with the image. Some of the methods provide for capturing an object image of an object using an image sensor; capturing a location of the image sensor; and associating the location with the object image. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and software are disclosed for providing application levels of service over a network. Embodiments of the invention maintain a list of registered applications (or application providers) that have registered with a network resources provider. Customers of the network resources provider may authenticate some or all of the registered applications, indicating a desire to allow traffic relating to those applications over their access networks. Customers may further set application levels of service with respect to those authenticated applications. Certain embodiments may manage network traffic to accord with the application levels of service.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for wireless communication over unlicensed spectrum using a femto cell. In an implementation of the system, a dualmode mobile device adapted to communicate over a licensed frequency spectrum and over an unlicensed frequency spectrum is provided. The dual-mode mobile device detects the presence of a femto cell communicating over an unlicensed spectrum and in response, initiates a communication connection with the unlicensed spectrum femto cell. Subsequently, the connection over a license spectrum may be disconnected upon successful establishment of the connection over the unlicensed spectrum. In yet another implementation, a femto cell communicating over an unlicensed spectrum may be adapted to communicate with a mobile switching center and/or with a voice over IP switch.

Abstract: A method of replacing a network demarcation device that isolates an internal transport medium from an external transport medium includes establishing a connection from a service computer to the demarcation device via a service interface of the demarcation device and accessing a storage arrangement of the demarcation device with the service computer. The method also includes using the service computer to select configuration information of the demarcation device and establishing a connection between the service computer and a service interface of the replacement demarcation device. The method also includes using the service computer to cause the selected configuration information to be transferred from the demarcation device to the replacement demarcation device interfacing the replacement demarcation device to the internal transport medium and the external transport medium.

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: According to the invention, a system for covering the docking port of an optical communication device and protecting a terminating end of an optical fiber at the optical communication device is disclosed. The system may include body, where the body is configured to be at least partially received by the docking port of the optical communication device. The body may also be configured at partially receive the optical fiber. The body may not allow communication between the optical fiber and the optical communication device.