Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating configuration information for a communication system is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network policy manager can have a collection element that receives a plurality of service component definitions associated with a corresponding plurality of services of a communication system, a service bundle generation element that generates a plurality of service bundles from the plurality of service component definitions, and a policy element that determines a network configuration for each of the plurality of service bundles. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for determining independent authorization levels. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a controlling element that manages operations of a virtual private network. The controlling element manages operations of a virtual private network (VPN) by validating that a call belongs to an ISDN access type of the VPN, retrieving from a look-up table a private number associated with a switch identifier, a trunk group identifier, and an Originating Station Number (OSN) corresponding to the call in response to determining that the call belongs to the ISDN access type of the VPN, and identifying a first authorization level associated with the private number. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An automated system enables presenting bills and paying bills in a convenient, secure and timely manner. The automated system stores user information in a database, the user information including account information for each user. Based on the user account information, the system generates a bill for services rendered during a predetermined time period. Once the bill has been generated, the system automatically initiates communication with the user through a call generator. Once a communication line has been established, the system may authenticate the user and then provides option information to the user, the option information including at least one of a payment option, a detailed bill information option, and a deferred payment option.

Abstract: A method for distributing geographical restriction data in an internet protocol television (IPTV) system is disclosed. The method includes accepting at an IPTV server, a request from an IPTV client for the geographical restriction data related to geographically restricted video data, determining at the server, a plurality of geographic restriction zones for the geographically restricted video data and sending from the server to the client a message containing the restriction data related to at least one of the restriction zones.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for sending video data over an internet protocol (IPTV) network. The method includes receiving an emergency call from a remote client IPTV device over the IPTV network at a video monitoring system (VMS), receiving over the IPTV network at VMS video data from a video camera at the remote client, locating a mobile video device (MVD) proximate of the remote client and sending the video data to the MVD.

Abstract: A configuration test set is used for testing a configuration of a tie pair. A first line is configured to connect to a first pin-input of a first connector that connects to the tie pair under test. A second line is configured to connect to a second pin-input of the first connector that connects to the tie pair under test. At least one indicator indicates when voltage is applied to the tie pair under test via the first line and applied to the second line via the tie pair under test.

Abstract: Prioritized user interfaces are disclosed. A user interface may include a menu including a plurality of selectable items displayed in respective menu positions. A menu position of at least one of the plurality of selectable items is assigned based on a prioritization level of the at least one selectable item. The prioritization level is based at least partially on a selection metric for the at least one selectable item. The user interface may also include a menu locator indicating a location of a menu within a multi-level menu structure. The menu locator may include a first indicator of a position within a first level of the multi-level menu structure and a second indicator of a position within a second level of the multi-level menu structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for providing community content. The method can include making content received from a first user via a data network available to a second user via a video distribution service. The system can include a selective transmission and filtering module to control transmission of content between an interface to a public data network and a private video distribution system.

Abstract: A system for analyzing multiple network system designs includes a database and a processor. The database stores a multiple components in association with data indicating a type of component, a component provider and at least one component characteristic. The processor receives a first design that includes a first component of the multiple components, identifies the first component, and accesses the database to select a second component comparable to the first component based on at least one of the component type and the component provider of the second component, and a specific characteristic of the second component corresponding to a specific characteristic of the first component. The processor indicates at least one difference between the first component and the second component.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of providing a set-top box application. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a request from a set-top box device to launch a set-top box application. The method also includes determining whether a processing system of the set-top box device supports execution of the set-top box application. The method also includes sending the set-top box application to the set-top box device after determining that the processing system of the set-top box device can support execution of the set-top box application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sharing end user feedback is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system can have a collection element that receives a vendor identifier and a measure of satisfaction associated therewith, and a storage element that stores the measure of satisfaction in a telephone directory of commercial vendors according to the vendor identifier. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for distributing advertisement in an internet protocol television (IPTV) system. The method includes accepting at an IPTV server, targeted advertisement data from an advertisement client targeting a segment selected from an IPTV subscriber population based on IPTV subscriber profile data; inserting the targeted advertisement data into video data; sending the video data from the IPTV server to client devices associated with members of the selected segment of the IPTV subscriber population; and reporting to the advertisement client a quantity of members of the targeted segment that received the targeted advertisement data. The system includes an IPTV system processor for performing the method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing ENUM records is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a broker having a detection element that detects a Resource Record (RR) submission made by an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), and a comparison element that retrieves from an object-oriented data storage element a zone associated with the RR, identifies a Domain Name Server (DNS) responsible for processing said zone, compares the zone with a volatile memory of the DNS, and updates the volatile memory according to one or more differences detected. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of providing interactive content. The method can include receiving a video signal from a first source of a television system, where the video signal includes video content but does not include data relating to an interactive application. The method can also include retrieving an interactive application from a second source of the television system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring data rates is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a diagnostic system having a Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) element that submits a signal over a cable and determines from its reflection in the cable a length of the cable and a length of a bridged tap, and a diagnostic element that determines downstream and upstream bit rates for the cable according to the length of the cable and the length of the bridged tap. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a system, method and apparatus for monitoring telecommunication components. The invention provides a switch placed at a remote location, wherein the switch includes a converter that converts power from a first voltage to a second voltage, a plurality of communication lines for a connection to a plurality of end users; and an interface that establishes a communication link with a central office. A transmitter is associated with the converter or other switch component; the transmitter transmits a wireless signal relating to a converter or other switch component operating condition. A receiving device receives wireless signals from the transmitter and provides the signals to a serving area interface for processing and/or transmission of the signals to a Central Office for monitoring. A transmitter may initiate transmission upon the occurrence of a change in operating condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for presenting advertisements is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having an inspection element that monitors packet traffic associated with an end user, and determines a behavioral profile of the end user from the monitored packet traffic, a publisher element that detects an end user visiting a website managed thereby, and generates an advertisement request associated with the website, and advertisement element that selects one or more advertisements according to the behavioral profile of the end user, and submits said one or more advertisements to the publisher element for presentation thereof to the end user. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing services in a communication system is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a collection element that receives a plurality of service component definitions associated with a corresponding plurality of services of a communication system, a service bundle generation element that generates a plurality of service bundles from the plurality of service component definitions, a policy element that determines a network configuration for each of the plurality of service bundles, a loop rate determination element that determines a data rate for a communication loop coupled to the communication system, and a service offering element that presents one or more service bundles selected from the plurality of service bundles according to the data rate. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A one-piece keyboard includes a compressible body having a plurality of depressible key areas, each associated with a first spring constant, and a wrist support area of the body associated with a second spring constant. By selecting appropriate spring constants, stresses on a user's fingers, hands and wrists may be reduced.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing access to an interactive service offering. A method incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include receiving a first communication in a format that complies with a first protocol. The first communication may be associated with a desired interaction between a first device and a voice activated service (VAS) platform. The method may also include receiving a second communication in a different format that complies with a different protocol. The second communication may be associated with a desired interaction between a different device and the VAS platform. A system implementing the method may recognize that a platform does not support the first protocol, and translate the first communication to a platform-supported format to facilitate the desired interaction.