Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method of voting via an interactive television system. In a particular embodiment, the method includes identifying data embedded within video content sent to a set-top box device via an access network of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) system, the data indicating a voting event related to the video content. The method also includes sending data related to a voting indicator to the set-top box device, wherein the voting indicator includes a selectable indicator of an option to cast a vote related to the video content. The method also includes determining whether payment information is required in order to accept a vote related to the video content. The method also includes sending data related to a voting interface to the set-top box device and receiving a voting selection from the set-top box device.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for sending stored IPTV advertisement data from an IPTV network end user network interface device. The method includes receiving the IPTV advertisement data from an IPTV network server at the IPTV end user network interface device; storing the IPTV advertisement data in a memory of the IPTV network end user network interface device; determining at the IPTV network end user network interface device whether an IPTV subscription is active for the IPTV network end user device; and sending the advertisement data from the IPTV network device to a client device for display when the IPTV subscription is not active for the IPTV end user network interface device. The system includes a processor, memory and instruction for performing the method.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) telephone apparatus and a communication system for carrying VoIP traffic. In a particular embodiment, the VoIP telephone apparatus includes an encoder and decoder module responsive to a handset of the VoIP telephone apparatus, a data processor responsive to the encoder and decoder module, a point to point over Ethernet (PPPoE) client software module responsive to the data processor; a memory to store PPPoE session information, and a PPPoE function key that is used to launch a PPPoE communication session.

Abstract: A computer readable medium stores a program for managing multiple types of middleware transport modules for accessing business logic. The computer readable medium includes a first starting code segment for starting a first middleware transport module of the multiple types of middleware transport modules as a main thread; a second starting code segment for starting a second middleware transport module as a slave thread; and a managing code segment for managing the main thread and the slave thread. The slave thread is managed in accordance with the managing of the main thread, and a functionality of the slave thread remains independent of a functionality of the main thread. Managing the slave thread may include shutting down the slave thread in response to shutting down the main thread.

Abstract: A system and method of security monitoring is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method includes determining a channel of a television system associated with video content from a security camera. In a particular embodiment, a method includes sending a first alert to a display device and sending a second alert to a remote control device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of communicating emergency alerts. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a multicast emergency alert message at a set-top box device via a multicast-enabled network, where the multicast emergency alert message includes data related to a location code and data related to a set-top box action. The method also includes executing the set-top box action when the location code matches location information stored at the set-top box device.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering targeted advertising data over an internet protocol television (IPTV) network are disclosed for multicasting from an IPTV server a group of targeted advertising data to a group of end user client devices; receiving at the IPTV server from an end user client device in the group of end user client devices selection data indicating selected targeted advertising data from the group data; and unicasting from the IPTV server to the end user client device follow-on advertising data related to the selected targeted advertising data. A client device is disclosed for receiving a multicast group of targeted advertising data, selecting one of the group of targeted advertising data and receiving follow-on advertising data related to the selected advertising data.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering data via an internet protocol television (IPTV) network are disclosed. In a method disclosed, a first data packet of a first data stream is received. The method determines whether a corresponding second data packet of a second data stream has been forwarded. The corresponding second data packet includes a second payload substantially the same as a first payload of the first data packet. When the corresponding second data packet has not been forwarded, the method forwards the first data packet.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for monitoring a communication link between a first apparatus and a second apparatus, the method comprising receiving concurrently from the first apparatus (e.g., a central office) at the second apparatus (e.g., an optical demarcation point at a customer premises) a communication signal at a communication wavelength, ?1 and a test signal at a test wavelength ?t, permanently separating the test signal from the communication signal at the second apparatus and sending to the first apparatus on a return path between the first apparatus and the second apparatus a signal indicating whether the test signal was received at the second apparatus. An apparatus is disclosed including an interface for receiving concurrently the communication signal and the test signal, a filter for permanently separating the test signal from the communication signal and a coupler for permanently placing a signal on a return path.

Abstract: A method of measuring a one-way packet travel time from a first communication system to a second communication system comprises receiving a Real-time Transport Control Protocol (RTCP) packet outputted by the second communication system. A Network Time Protocol (NTP) timestamp value is extracted from the RTCP packet, and a time value, T, is determined based on the NTP timestamp value. A Last Sender Report (LSR) value and a Delay since LSR (DLSR) value are extracted from the RTCP packet. A value L=T?LSR?DLSR is determined to measure the one-way packet travel time from the first communication system to the second communication system.

Abstract: A video distribution system is provided. The video distribution system includes a receiver to receive a plurality of video data streams. The video distribution system also includes a splitter to separate a first video data stream and a second video data stream from the plurality of video data streams. The video distribution system further includes a combiner to output a composite signal for communication via a first network. The composite signal includes the first video data stream modulated to a first radio frequency band associated with a first user and the second video data stream modulated to a second radio frequency band associated with a second user.

Abstract: A first copy and a second copy of a signal, which comprises a plurality of TDMA frames, are transmitted from the same antenna. Relative to the first copy, the second copy of the signal has a fixed delay and a random phase. The random phase changes from one of the TDMA frames to another of the TDMA frames. A group of hopping carrier frequencies are partitioned into at least two sets of carrier frequencies. The first copy and the second copy of the signal are transmitted using a sequence of the hopping carrier frequencies, wherein consecutive pairs of the hopping carrier frequencies for consecutive pairs of the TDMA frames are not from the same one of the at least two sets.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a policy server is disclosed that includes a network device interface adapted to communicate with a set of wireless access points via a short range wireless network. Each of the wireless access points has a coverage area. The policy server also includes a processor and a memory accessible to the processor. The memory includes instructions executable by the processor to determine whether at least one wireless device is located within a boundary area, to apply a first policy when the at least one wireless device is located within the boundary area, and to apply a second policy when the at least one wireless device is located outside of the boundary area. The boundary area covers an area that is different from the coverage area of any one wireless access point.

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: 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 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: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of selecting a virtual private network access server. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a request from a client device to access a network resource via a virtual private network (VPN). The method also includes sending operational data related to each of a plurality of VPN access servers to the client device. The method also includes receiving a selection of one of the plurality of VPN access servers from the client device and communicatively connecting the client device with the selected one of the VPN access servers.

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 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.