Abstract: A disclosed service management system communicates via wide area network (WAN) (99) with gateway devices (10) at various user premises, to remotely manage delivery of application services and/or features thereof by the gateway device(s), based on service subscriptions of customers associated with the gateway devices. In the examples, a subscription manager (73) provides information through the WAN identifying the applications services or features to be enabled, to each respective gateway device. Also, a service manager (75), controlled by the subscription manager, distributes service specific configuration data to logic implementing server functionality for the application services in the gateway devices, responsive to requests from the gateway devices.

Abstract: A disclosed digital media device operational at user premises to receive media signals from a media source for presentation via endpoint devices such as a television display. The digital media device can include gateway and digital media management functionality and can be referred to as a gateway and digital media device. The device offers application services obtained over a wide area network and a user premises network. The digital media device may form a composite signal from the media signal and application service information, for example, for a composite audio and/or video signal for television type presentation to the user. The digital media device may receive a selection signal based on the presentation, for transmission to the application service provider device or to the media source. The media device also offers a GUI presenting a moveable arrangement of icons for selectively accessing application services.

Abstract: Among other things, a wireless device is disclosed for enabling communication with a gateway device within a user premises. The wireless device includes a wireless local area network transceiver for bidirectional wireless data communication at the premises, an interface for wired communication, a processor for converting data between the wireless and wired interfaces. The wireless device receives instructions from the gateway device via the transceiver or the interface and implements conversion and communication control functions to implement a selected one of a plurality of wireless-wired adaptations for communications flowing between the selected one of the transceiver and the interface and the other of the transceiver and the interface for communication within the user premises for application service delivered by the gateway device.

Abstract: A product ordering device provided at a digital home system at a user premises. The digital home system comprises a user terminal and a gateway device. The gateway device is coupled for communication with the user terminal and operable for communication with a wide area network outside the premises. The gateway device is configured for obtaining product data via the wide area network and providing the product data to the terminal for display on the display device. Upon placement of a product order by a user input through the terminal, the gateway device sends an order message outside of the integrated multimedia service system to request a corresponding vendor for the ordered product to deliver the ordered product at the premises. The product ordering service and the product data are provided and updated by a management server located outside of the premises.

Abstract: An intelligent gateway device provided at a premises (home or business) for providing and managing application services associated with use and support of a plurality of digital endpoint devices associated with the premises. The device implements includes a communications and processing infrastructure integrated with a peer and presence messaging based communications protocol for enabling communications between the device and an external support network and between the device and connected digital endpoint devices. A services framework at the gateway device implements the communications and processing infrastructure for enabling service management, service configuration and authentication of user of services at the intelligent gateway. The framework providing a storage and execution environment for supporting and executing received service logic modules relating to use, management and support of the digital endpoint devices.

Abstract: A gateway device at a user premises edge of a wide area network implements a method for rapidly routing a media session. for an application layer service. The gateway device receivers a request from a first endpoint device to create the media session with a second device. The request includes an application layer identifier for the second device. The method involves accessing a routing table within the gateway device using the application layer identifier and obtaining, from the internal routing table a network layer address for communication with the second device. The gateway device then creates a route for the media session for the application layer service via bi-directional network layer communications through at least one of its interfaces using the network layer address.

Abstract: A disclosed digital media device at user premises receives a media signal from a media source for presentation via a television display. The exemplary device also supports bi-directional communications with an application service provider device via user premises data communications network. The provider device, which is independent from the media source, offers an application service from a wide area network via the digital media device and user premises network. The digital media device may form a composite signal from the media signal and application service information, for example, for a composite audio and or video signal for television type presentation to the user. The digital media device may receive a selection signal based on the presentation, for transmission to the application service provider device or to the media source. The media device also offers a GUI presenting a moveable arrangement of icons for selectively accessing application services.

Abstract: A service management system communicates via wide area network with gateway devices located at respective user premises. The service management system remotely manages delivery of application services by the gateway device(s), e.g. by selectively activating or deactivating service logic modules in the gateway devices. The service management system also may selectively provide secure communications and exchange of information among gateway devices and among associated endpoint devices. An exemplary service management system includes a router connected to the network and one or more computer platforms, for implementing management functions. Examples of the functions include a connection manager for controlling system communications with the gateway devices, an authentication manager for authenticating each gateway device and controlling the connection manager and a subscription manager for managing applications services and/or features offered by the gateway devices.

Abstract: A system for decreasing the perceived end user latency while interacting with a database. The system comprises the database storing metadata associated with one or more of media, files, data, devices and services, a user interface operable to receive a user generated query selected from a plurality of user generated query options, the plurality of user generated query options representing at least one of a user selectable object displayed by the user interface, and a processor having a predictive module operable to generate at least one background query of the database prior to the user interface receiving the user generated query, the at least one background query correlating to at least one of the user generated query options.

Abstract: A gateway device is disclosed for deployment at user premises, which offers applications services similar to those of a server from the premises, albeit managed by a service management center via the network. For each application service, gateway programming provides application server communication with a client functionality of an endpoint device, for the respective service, communicated on top of network layer communications within the premises and through the wide area network. The application service logic in the gateway device also enforces authorization, authentication, configuration, or use of the service via the endpoint device. Management of the application service is responsive to communications with the service management center via the wide area network. A gateway device of this type, for example, may offer PC or TV type user interfaces. The gateway also may establish peer-to-peer communications with other similar devices.

Abstract: An application gateway including application service programming logically positioned on a user premises side of a network demarcation forming an edge of the wide area network at a user premises can provide managed services to a user and one or more endpoint devices associated with the application gateway. The application gateway can be controlled remotely by the application service provider through a service management center and configured to execute an application service provided from the application service provider. The application gateway executes the application service at the user premises independent of application services executing on the application service provider's network.

Abstract: A disclosed, service management system (50) communicates via wide area network (99) with gateway devices (10), located at respective user premises. The service management system (50) remotely manages delivery of application services by the gateway device(s) (1 On), e.g. by selectively activating or deactivating service logic modules in the gateway devices. The service management system (50) also may selectively provide secure communications and exchange of information among gateway devices (10) and among associated endpoint devices (30). An exemplary service management system (50) includes a router connected to the network and one or more computer platforms, for implementing management functions.

Abstract: The disclosed examples of a multi-services gateway device (10) comprise application service programming (140) logically positioned on a user premises side of a logical network demarcation forming an edge of the wide area network at the user premises. The programming also defines a logical service provider-user demarcation between the user premises and the application service provider. The application service programming (110, 120, 130) resides on the service provider side of the service provider-user demarcation and only provides a logical application service interface across that demarcation to deliver an application service to an endpoint device.

Abstract: A method of putting a first gateway device into service, the first gateway device having an application service module and a network module enabling communications between the first gateway device and the activation manager, the application service module residing on a user premises side of a network service provider demarcation. The method comprises identifying, at the first gateway device disposed at a user premises, an activation manager in communication with the first gateway device, transmitting, from the first gateway device, an activation certificate to the activation manager for verification and authentication, generating a service authentication key associated with the first gateway device, storing the service authentication key and an indication that the associated gateway device status is activated in a database, determining the services available to the first gateway device, and transmitting the service authentication key and an identification of the available services to the first gateway device.

Abstract: A product ordering device provided at a digital home system at a user premises. The digital home system comprises a user terminal and a gateway device. The gateway device is coupled for communication with the user terminal and operable for communication with a wide area network outside the premises. The gateway device is configured for obtaining product data via the wide area network and providing the product data to the terminal for display on the display device. Upon placement of a product order by a user input through the terminal, the gateway device sends an order message outside of the integrated multimedia service system to request a corresponding vendor for the ordered product to deliver the ordered product at the premises. The product ordering service and the product data are provided and updated by a management server located outside of the premises.

Abstract: The disclosed examples of a system for providing and managing backup and restore services of one or more endpoint devices include at least one gateway device at a user premises and a service management center. The gateway device has a first interface for enabling bi-directional communications with one or more of the endpoint devices associated with the gateway device, a second interface for enabling bi-directional communications for the one or more endpoint devices via a wide area network, and for enabling at least some bidirectional communications with at least one storage area external to the user premises via the wide area network. The gateway device also has a processor configured to manage backups and restores of data between the one or more of the endpoint devices and the at least one storage area. The service management center is external to the user premises and communicates with the gateway device via the wide area network, and controls access by the gateway device to the at least one storage area.

Abstract: A product ordering device provided at a digital home system at a user premises is disclosed. The digital home system comprises a user terminal and a gateway device within the premises. Occupants at the premises enjoy the product ordering service on an interactive user interface displayed via the user terminal. The gateway device is coupled for communication with the user terminal via a local area network, and for communication with a wide area network outside the premises; and the gateway device is configured for obtaining product data via the wide area network and providing the product data to the terminal for display on the display device. Upon placement of a product order by a user input through the terminal, the gateway device sends an order message outside of the integrated multimedia service system to request a corresponding vendor for the ordered product to deliver the ordered product at the premises.

Abstract: A system for providing and managing file sharing services of one or more endpoint devices comprise a first interface for enabling bi-directional communications with one or more of the endpoint devices associated with the gateway device, and a second interface for enabling bi-directional communications via a wide-area network, for the one or more endpoint devices associated with the gateway device. A processor is coupled to the interfaces and is configured to manage file sharing through presence and networking messaging communication between the one or more endpoint devices associated with the gateway device and at least another endpoint device (associated with the gateway device or not), to access a file to share received from the one or more end-point devices associated with the gateway device or from endpoint devices not associated with the gateway device. The processor selectively makes the accessed file available to the one or more endpoint devices.

Abstract: A gateway device for operation at a user premises having at least one endpoint device associated with the gateway device, the gateway device being in communication with a remote service manager comprises an application service module having at least one application, the application service module being remotely managed by a remote service manager via a connection, the application service module residing on a user premises side of a network service provider demarcation, a user module having a user interface that is associated with the at least one application, wherein the user module enables bi-directional communications with the at least one endpoint device, a network module having the connection that enables bi-directional communications with the remote service manager, a processor coupled to the user module, application service module, and network module, and a storage device coupled to the processor operable to store operational information generated by and related to the gateway device, and having a manag

Abstract: A method of establishing a voice communication session with a multimedia access device employable in a multimedia communication system. In one embodiment, the method includes initiating a session request from a first endpoint communication device employing an instant messaging client and coupled to a packet based communication network. The method also includes processing the session request including emulating the instant messaging client for a second endpoint communication device coupled to said packet based communication network. The second endpoint communication device is a non-instant messaging based communication device. The method still further includes establishing a voice communication session between the first and second endpoint communication devices in response to the session request.