Abstract: Systems and methods of deferred multimedia content delivery are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving a request from a first customer premises equipment (CPE) device to receive multimedia content. The method also includes selectively recording the multimedia content at a server based on a comparison of a measured bandwidth associated with the first CPE device and a bandwidth threshold. The method may also include delivering the multimedia content to the first CPE device from a network when measured bandwidth is available.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to request from an alternate communication device a log of subscribed content acquired by the alternate communication device from an alternate source, identify from the log a desired portion of the subscribed content, and transmit to the alternate communication device a peer-to-peer request for the desired portion of the subscribed content according to one or more available subscriptions. Additional embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for expanding a targeted service includes a subscription expansion application determining the information exchange services that an existing service user (ESU) uses. The application may then access the ESU's various contacts lists and/or address books to develop an initial list of prospective service users (PSUs). The ESU may specify which contact lists the application is authorized to access. The application may then filter the PSUs based on geographic availability of the targeted service. The application may then generate and send invitations to PSUs inviting PSUs to subscribe to the targeted service. The invitations may identify the ESU and may be sent electronically or by mail. The application may monitor new subscription requests attributable to an ESU's invitations. The ESU may be compensated by the service provider based on the number of new service requests. The compensation may include direct monetary compensation and/or reward points in an affinity program.

Abstract: A method for scheduling a remote recording includes receiving a selection by a user of a web interface element associated with an Internet protocol television program to be broadcast by a provider. Additionally, determining that the user does not subscribe to the provider of the Internet protocol television program, providing the user with an ability to subscribe to the provider; and scheduling the television program to record.

Abstract: A communication device such as a smart phone is enabled for remotely controlling set-top boxes (STBs) over Internet protocol networks using an applet running on the communication device. Authentication from within a multimedia content distribution network may be achieved by verifying that a network identifier associated with the communication device is associated with an account that has granted access to the smart phone and that is associated with the controlled STB. A viewing pane on the communication device permits a user to remotely view content received on or available to the controlled STB.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to a system and method of managing and deploying Internet protocol television (IPTV) services. The method includes a service product offer management and deployment system. The method further includes a service product ordering subsystem to receive and process a service product order in response to service product offer. The service product order identifies a particular communication service subscriber, a service area, a service control group, a service product attribute, a facility deployment component, and a set of permitted end user device types. The method also includes a service delivery platform subsystem coupled to the service product ordering subsystem. Further, the method includes an Internet protocol television deployment subsystem coupled to the service delivery platform. The Internet protocol television deployment subsystem includes a plurality of video content packages.

Abstract: A method of delivering event notifications includes receiving data from a network-based calendar system at a notification system. The data indicates that a notification related to a calendar-based event is to be sent to a subscriber. The method also includes receiving presence information related to the subscriber from a presence system. The presence information indicates whether the subscriber is present at one or more of a plurality of subscriber devices. The plurality of subscriber devices includes a set-top box device. Further, the method includes sending an event notification related to the calendar-based event to the set-top box device when the presence information indicates that the subscriber is present at the set-top box device.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing recommendations of multimedia programs broadcast over a provider network using contact lists. For IPTV broadcast programs, recommendations by users may be for pay-per-view or on-demand programs. Upon ordering a multimedia program, a user may select from a contact list one or more other users for receiving a recommendation. Users receiving recommendations may configure a receiving filter to block or allow recommendations based on the identity of the sending user, a time period, the number or type of multimedia programs recommended, or other criteria.

Abstract: A method of delivering content related to a media channel to a wireless device is disclosed and includes receiving a request to access a web portal. The request is received from a wireless device at a portal server associated with a video distribution network. The method also includes receiving data at the portal server from a network element associated with the video distribution network, the data indicating a media channel associated with media content currently received at a set-top box device. The set-top box device and the wireless device are associated with a media service subscriber. Further, the method includes automatically sending content related to the media channel to the wireless device via the web portal, in response to the access request.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to request from an alternate communication device a log of subscribed content acquired by the alternate communication device from an alternate source, identify from the log a desired portion of the subscribed content, and transmit to the alternate communication device a peer-to-peer request for the desired portion of the subscribed content according to one or more available subscriptions. Additional embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system (100) and method (300) are disclosed for exchanging content between communication devices. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device (200) having a transceiver (202) for exchanging messages with alternate communication devices (104-112), and a controller (214) for managing operations of the transceiver. The controller is programmed to scan (302) for an alternate communication device, detect (302, 304) the alternate communication device, request (306) from the alternate communication device a log of subscribed content acquired by the alternate communication device from an alternate source, identify (312) a desirable portion of the subscribed content, transmit (316) to the alternate communication device a peer-to-peer request for the desirable portion of the subscribed content according to one or more available subscriptions, and receive (320) from the alternate communication device the desired portion of the subscribed content.

Abstract: Systems and methods of deferred multimedia content delivery are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving a request from a first customer premises equipment (CPE) device to receive multimedia content. The method also includes selectively recording the multimedia content at a server based on a comparison of a measured bandwidth associated with the first CPE device and a bandwidth threshold. The method may also include delivering the multimedia content to the first CPE device from a network when measured bandwidth is available.

Abstract: Systems and methods receive data representing geographic areas and blackout events. The data is used by a software module in an IPTV system to determine whether content is to be provided to subscribers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a portable lighting device and method thereof. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a portable lighting device having a housing comprising a power supply, controller, and light-emitting diode (LED) panel. In one embodiment of the present invention, a portable lighting device comprises a housing having a base and a lid, a power supply and a controller disposed within the base, and at least one light-emitting diode (LED) panel disposed on an inner surface of the lid.

Abstract: In a method of profiling a website, an information server receives multiple search queries from a website submitted by different users. Different search results responsive to the search queries are provided to the requesting users. The information server monitors activities of the users on the search results and generates a profile for the website using the search queries and the user activities. When the information server receives a same search query from two different websites, it identifies a plurality of information items associated with the search query. The information server uses profiles of the two websites to customize the information items into two different orders and serves the information items to the two websites in the two different orders.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method associates a plurality of groups with a user. Each group may have at least one profile. The method also includes receiving a search query from the user and identifying information items associated with the search query. The method computes adjusted scores for the information items based on the groups' profiles, and ranks the information items accordingly before providing the ranked information items to the user. Alternately, a computer-implemented method associates a group having a plurality of profiles with a user. The method also includes receiving a search query from the user and identifying information items associated with the search query. The method computes adjusted scores for the information items based on the group's profiles, and ranks the information items accordingly before providing the ranked information items to the user.

Abstract: A system (100) and method (300) are disclosed for exchanging content between communication devices. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device (200) having a transceiver (202) for exchanging messages with alternate communication devices (104-112), and a controller (214) for managing operations of the transceiver. The controller is programmed to scan (302) for an alternate communication device, detect (302, 304) the alternate communication device, request (306) from the alternate communication device a log of subscribed content acquired by the alternate communication device from an alternate source, identify (312) a desirable portion of the subscribed content, transmit (316) to the alternate communication device a peer-to-peer request for the desirable portion of the subscribed content according to one or more available subscriptions, and receive (320) from the alternate communication device the desired portion of the subscribed content.

Abstract: An apparatus (100, 200) and method are disclosed for managing voicemail messages. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a voicemail system (100) having a communications interface (110) and a controller (102) for managing operations of the communications interface. The controller is programmed to store (310) voicemail messages corresponding to a communication device (102), transmit (316) a log of the voicemail messages to the communication device, and receive (318) from the communication device a request to delete a voicemail message selectively chosen from a user interface corresponding to the voicemail log. The present disclosure further describes embodiments for the communication device.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for maintaining continuity of a multimedia session between media devices. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computer-readable storage medium in a multimedia server (112) operating in a service management center (SMC) (100) for managing operations of a plurality of service centers (102-110). The storage medium has computer instructions for receiving (210) a departure mark associated with a multimedia session being presented at a first media device, and transmitting (216) to a second media device from a select one of the service centers the multimedia session starting from the departure mark.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to a system and method of managing and deploying Internet protocol television (IPTV) services. The method includes a service product offer management and deployment system. The method further includes a service product ordering subsystem to receive and process a service product order in response to service product offer. The service product order identifies a particular communication service subscriber, a service area, a service control group, a service product attribute, a facility deployment component, and a set of permitted end user device types. The method also includes a service delivery platform subsystem coupled to the service product ordering subsystem. Further, the method includes an Internet protocol television deployment subsystem coupled to the service delivery platform. The Internet protocol television deployment subsystem includes a plurality of video content packages.