Abstract: A system and method for managed peer-to-peer (p2p) file sharing. The peer nodes can include a web browser and a p2p agent. The web browser can connect to the Internet and can interface with the p2p agent. The p2p agent provides the file sharing utilities for implementing the p2p network. A web server connected to the Internet can monitor and manage p2p activity, including providing persistent storage for the p2p networks. The web server can interface with a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to provide access to the p2p network for PSTN peer nodes that do not have web browsing capabilities. A method of implementing managed p2p file sharing includes registering users; providing login and logout functions; creating p2p sessions; preparing, forwarding, receiving, accepting and/or rejecting invitations to join p2p sessions; quitting p2p sessions; deleting p2p sessions or selected members of p2p sessions; and sharing and transferring files.

Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a monitoring portal configured to receive state information descriptive of usage of a plurality of communication services provided on a plurality of communication networks of different types and to make the state information available to a subscriber of the plurality of communication services, in substantially real time.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides systems and methods for accommodating a diversity of services (e.g., telephone, video broadcasting, email, etc.) using a fixed connection of a certain service type. A method and system of communicating data using a fixed connection, including, based on at least two service data units (SDUs), associating a priority and a channel identifier with the at least two SDUs, iteratively (i) selecting one of the at least two SDUs based on priority to provide a selected SDU, and, (ii) forming at least one data packet, the at least one data packet including (a) data associated with the selected SDU, and, (b) the channel identifier associated with the selected SDU; and, transmitting the formed at least one data packet using the fixed connection.

Abstract: A hierarchy of nodes is created, each node being one of associated with an item retrieved according to a condition and associated with a category of information including the item. It is determined whether at least one of the nodes is redundant in the hierarchy. The at least one of the nodes is pruned from the hierarchy if the at least one of the nodes is redundant.

Abstract: A system may present video content with a data scroll on a video display device. The data scroll may include data scroll items that are automatically and consecutively presented on the video display device. Each of the data scroll items may include information associated with a particular topic. The system may receive a selection of a softkey corresponding to one of the data scroll items, retrieve, in response to receiving the selection of the softkey, additional content corresponding to the particular topic associated with the one of the data scroll items, and present the additional content on the video display device.

Abstract: A system and method can enable a user of a communications network, such as a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), wireless and/or voice over IP network to participate in Presence Availability Management (PAM) and Instant Messaging (IM) activities of a PAM/IM network. In response to phone network triggers, a phone network Service Control Point (SCP) can generate requests to a web server. The web server can translate the requests to presence information that can be forwarded to presence user agents for participants of the PAM/IM network. The presence user agents can present the user's presence information to participants having the user on their “buddy list”. In turn, the presence user agent for the user can forward the presence information for participants on the user's “buddy list” to a media server that can communicate the information to the user through Automatic Speech Recognition, Text to Speech and/or Dual Tone MultiFrequency technology.

Abstract: Techniques are described for enabling authentication and/or key agreement between communications network stations and service networks. The techniques described include the negotiation and use of a cryptographic primitive shared between a service network and a home environment of a station. The techniques described also feature a key usage indicator, such as a sequence number, maintained by the service network and a station. Comparison of the key usage indicators can, for example, permit efficient authentication of the service network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention may be used to provide an authentication and key agreement protocol that is more robust against base station, replay and other attacks compared to previously known systems. The nonce-based authentication and key agreement protocol provides security against such attacks while avoiding the problems that arise in systems that use sequence number counters on the home environment and mobile station-sides. In an embodiment, a nonce that is transmitted from the user to the home environment through the serving network, as well as subsequent values for the nonce that are derived from the initial nonce, are used as indices for authentication vectors.

Abstract: A data link layer switch includes a switching mechanism coupled to a plurality of port interface controllers. Each of the port interface controllers comprises a multicast address table, a multicast matcher, and a timer. The multicast address table stores multicast addresses for hosts attached to the port interface controller. The multicast matcher matches an incoming packet to a target pattern, generates a multicast address from the incoming packet if the incoming packet matches the target pattern, and stores the generated multicast address in the multicast address table. The timer determines an amount of time that the generated multicast address remains in the multicast address table.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention may be used to provide an authentication and key agreement protocol that is more robust against base station, replay and other attacks compared to previously known systems. The nonce-based authentication and key agreement protocol provides security against such attacks while avoiding the problems that arise in systems that use sequence number counters on the home environment and mobile station-sides. In an embodiment, a nonce that is transmitted from the user to the home environment through the serving network, as well as subsequent values for the nonce that are derived from the initial nonce, are used as indices for authentication vectors.

Abstract: Voicemail systems and methods can provide a user with means for receiving categorized messages from parties. The categories can be independent of the intended recipients of the messages, such that multiple users can receive the same message. A user can subscribe to receive categorized messages within selected categories or from selected parties. A registered party, including a merchant, an organization, a government agency and/or another party, can input messages to selected categories and can input distribution parameters for the messages. Expiration dates can be associated with the messages such that messages can be deleted once expired.

Abstract: A method for estimating end-to-end quality of service (QOS), such as packet loss, delay, and delay jitter, in a packet-switched communications network includes steps for calculating packet loss and packet delay each router output link in a network path and using the packet loss and packet delay calculations for each individual router output link to estimate end-to-end QOS. The method includes calculating the loss probability for all possible numbers of active sources to take into account changes in the number of active sources as active sources connect to and disconnect from the network. As a result, the inventive method allows the number of active sources to vary in its estimation of end-to-end packet loss, delay, and delay jitter for enhanced Internet Protocol network planning.

Abstract: A method for generating business targets includes accessing data (300) corresponding to a number of customers. The data includes variables (310-330) associated with each of the customers and an observed value for each of the customers. The observed value for a customer may represent revenue associated with that particular customer. The method also includes identifying a neighborhood that includes a first customer and a number of the other customers. The method further includes calculating a target for each of the customers in the neighborhood, where the target may represent the potential revenue from each of the customers.

Abstract: An approach is provided for developing customized games. Customization information is obtained from a user (or someone preparing the game for the user) in response to a menu of options relating to a game, or is automatically collected from customization information already collected. Gaming information, including rules and design layout, is output in response to the customization information for playing the game.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for sharing images using a mobile device. An image is captured by the mobile device, which can establish a voice call over a wireless network. A menu of options is presented to a user for sharing the image with other users, wherein one of the options includes uploading the image to a remote platform configured to store the image in a folder among a plurality of folders. A text message is generated, in response to selection of the one option, according to a messaging protocol for transmitting the image over the wireless network to a gateway coupled to the remote platform. The text message includes information specifying one of the folders for storing the image. At least one of the folders is identified to indicate how the image is to be shared.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the installation of a fiber optic cable to a house or other building structure are provided. The method may include identifying a preferred location of a customer through an indication left by the customer either on the interior side or exterior side of a wall, forming a through opening in the wall near or at the preferred location, and installing the in-wall termination device in the opening. The in-wall termination device may include a wall plate for attaching to an interior surface of the wall. The wall plate includes one or more connectors for receiving ends of cables extending from the exterior and connecting those cables to other cables extending through the interior of the building structure. The method may allow for the installation of the cable without requiring the presence of the customer or requiring access to the interior of the building structure.

Abstract: A system identifies a location of a user based on a location of a mobile device associated with the user, associates the location of the user to a location having a collection of attractions relating to shopping or entertainment, retrieves layout information associated with the location having the collection of attractions, and provides the layout information to the user on the mobile device.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and systems can employ internet messaging protocols to transmit an alphanumeric message to one or more destination addresses in response to a telephone service customer's notification service request. The request can include a string having a feature code trigger and one or more digits. The destination address can be an electronic mail address, an instant messaging address, a pager number, and/or a telephone number.

Abstract: A food ordering system may receive, from a user, a request to place a food order, identify the user, identify a type of user device used by the user to place the request, identify a user interface client that is tailored to the type of the user device, receive, via the user interface client, input from the user to establish the food order, and provide the food order to a restaurant.

Abstract: A system (130) improves network management. The system (130) associates an event in the network with a network device and provides a geographical map (710). The geographical map (710) displays locations of network devices and indicates which network devices are associated with at least one event.