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: 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 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 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 router provides a respective primary IP termination point for each of a plurality of users including a first user and a second user. The router comprises a data-link-layer component to replicate IP traffic between the first user and the second user.

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 content management system including an audience profile is disclosed. The content management system includes a database having a plurality of records. At least one record of the plurality of records includes a plurality of fields storing a plurality of grammatical syntax elements associated with a content subject. Each of the plurality of grammatical syntax elements has a rhetorical structure to facilitate selective assembly into at least one sentence. The content management system also includes an audience profile stored in a memory, the audience profile including a plurality of audience factors related to desired presentation of the content subject.

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.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for inserting advertising and content in an internet protocol (IP) network, the method including accepting a request at an IP travel server associated with a travel zone from a traveling client device in the travel zone to receive home advertising content associated with a home zone and receiving the home advertising content from the home server at the IP travel server associated with the travel zone.

Abstract: A first interface is connected to a first network element having a first Internet Protocol (IP) address. A second interface is connected to a second network element having a second IP address. Traffic is passed between the first interface and the second interface, and performance data is measured based on the traffic. A packet, that is addressed to the second IP address and includes a predetermined port identifier, is received by the first interface. In response to determining that the packet is addressed to the second IP address and includes the predetermined port identifier, the packet is inhibited from being passed to the second interface, and a response that includes the performance data is outputted via the first interface.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of sharing private content. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a designation of a share location from which private content of a first user of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) system can be obtained. The method also includes receiving identifications of a plurality of other users of the IPTV system. The method also includes notifying a video server to include an indicator of the private content with video content sent to a plurality of set-top box devices, where each of the plurality of other users is associated with one of the plurality of set-top box devices.

Abstract: A method for near real time data communication is disclosed. The method includes discovering a first device associated with a first location, determining available data from the first discovered device, and inserting a listing for the first discovered device into an electronic program guide (EPG). A data structure in memory is disclosed that includes a device identifier field for containing data indicating an identifier for a discovered device, a name field for containing data indicating a name associated with the discovered device, a receiver available field for containing data indicating a data receiver is available for the discovered device location, an electronic program guide (EPG) field for containing data indicating an EPG and an EPG2 field for inserting listings for discovered device data into the EPG for display to a user at an STB. A system is disclosed for near real time data communication is also disclosed.

Abstract: A set-top box (STB) is disclosed. The STB includes a network interface to send signals to and receive signals from a network. The STB also includes a tuner to send a display signal to a display device based on a signal received by the STB. The STB also includes a user interface display module to send a user interface display to the display device and to receive user input. The STB also includes a diagnostic module to generate a network diagnostic command and to send the network diagnostic command to a first network device. The network diagnostic command is configured to solicit a response from the first network device. The diagnostic module is configured to determine a status of a network connection from the STB to a remote network device based on the network diagnostic command and the response received from the first network device.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, the disclosure is directed to a telecommunications billing system that includes an interface, a customer database, a usage database and a billing module. The interface is configured to receive subscription data associated with a subscription and a first set of telecommunications service usage data. The subscription data identifies a pricing plan that includes an allotment of shared telecommunications units for use in connection with at least one of the first telecommunications service and a second telecommunications service. The usage database is configured to store the first set of telecommunications service usage data and a second set of telecommunications service usage data. The billing module is configured to access the usage database and the customer database.

Abstract: A client enables filing sharing from within an email application. The client includes a receiver that receives an instruction to share at least one file via an email application. The client also includes a transmission system that transfers the at least one file to a web server. The client further includes an email application component that embeds a link to a handle into an email to be sent, the handle identifying the file(s) on the web server.

Abstract: A system monitors signaling data transmitted between routers. The system includes at least one router that communicates signaling data via a session with at least one other router. The system also includes a network element that receives a copy of the signaling data via a control session established with the at least one router. The sessions, including the control session, can be border gateway protocol (BGP) sessions. The network element can also operate as a BGP control server or a centralized policy manager.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of controlling access to an entrance. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a first signal, first data, or any combination thereof, at an audio video transport system indicating that a request to access an entrance has been received via a security system. The method also includes determining a set-top box device associated with the request. Further, the method includes sending a second signal, second data, or any combination thereof, to a network terminal indicating that the request has been received, wherein the network terminal communicates video content of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) system to the set-top box device. The network terminal communicates an alert to the set-top box device indicating that the request has been received, the alert overlaying the video content at a display device coupled to the set-top box device.

Abstract: A load balancer assigns a mobile registration request to a mobile communication processing server (MCPS) based on an amount of free space in a visitor location register (VLR) of the MCPS. In an embodiment, the load balancer assigns the mobile registration request to the MCPS with a probability equal to the amount of free space in the VLR divided by a total amount of free space in a plurality of VLRs of a plurality of MCPSs, the plurality of MCPSs including the MCPS.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for processing calls in a communication device (102, 104). A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller (206) for managing operations of a transceiver (202) that exchanges messages with third party communication devices in a communication system, and a user interface (UI) (204) for exchanging messages with an end user of the communication device. The controller can be programmed to receive (310) an incoming call from a calling party by way of a third party communication device, notify (311) the end user of the incoming call, receive (314) a selection from the end user corresponding to one among a plurality of recorded messages, accept (318) the incoming call, and present (324) the selected recorded message to the calling party. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An identification tag includes a microchip to store identification information. The identification information includes a model number of an item associated with the identification tag and location information associated with a manufacturer of the item. The identification tag also includes an antenna adapted to communicate with a receiver via radio frequencies.