Abstract: Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands.

Abstract: In order to efficiently utilize the limited transmission bandwidth of a communications network, e.g., a cable network, guide data for constructing an interactive program guide (IPG) is delivered to a set-top terminal using different methodologies. For example, the guide data associated with those programs which are likely of interest to a user is automatically provided piecemeal in a broadcast stream. The set-top terminal, along with other terminals, may retrieve from such a broadcast stream some or all of the guide data therein over time, which is cached in the terminal in anticipation of a user's invocation of an IPG. On the other hand, the guide data associated with those programs which are less likely of interest to a user is furnished upon request by the set-top terminal needing such guide data to realize an IPG desired by the user. In addition, guide data for each program may be divided into detail guide data providing details of the program (e.g.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling electric power supplied to one or more electrical devices from a power source are disclosed. Measurements of the supplied electricity are detected. Estimated deviant voltage levels that the supplied electricity will not drop below or exceed as a result of varying electrical consumption by the one or more electrical devices is computed based on a predetermined confidence level and the detected measurements. A voltage level output of the electricity supplied to the electrical device is adjusted based on the computed deviant voltage level.

Abstract: In order to efficiently utilize the limited transmission bandwidth of a communications network, e.g., a cable network, guide data for constructing an interactive program guide (IPG) is delivered to a set-top terminal using different methodologies. For example, the guide data associated with those programs which are likely of interest to a user is automatically provided piecemeal in a broadcast stream. The set-top terminal, along with other terminals, may retrieve from such a broadcast stream some or all of the guide data therein over time, which is cached in the terminal in anticipation of a user's invocation of an IPG. On the other hand, the guide data associated with those programs which are less likely of interest to a user is furnished upon request by the set-top terminal needing such guide data to realize an IPG desired by the user. In addition, guide data for each program may be divided into detail guide data providing details of the program (e.g.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling electric power supplied to one or more electrical devices from a power source are disclosed. Measurements of the supplied electricity are detected. Estimated deviant voltage levels that the supplied electricity will not drop below or exceed as a result of varying electrical consumption by the one or more electrical devices is computed based on a predetermined confidence level and the detected measurements. A voltage level output of the electricity supplied to the electrical device is adjusted based on the computed deviant voltage level.

Abstract: In accordance with one configuration, a network communication manager identifies an expected duration of time to complete playback of the streaming content. Subsequent to receiving a do not disturb command, the network communication manager prevents visual notifications of future phone calls during the estimated duration of time to provide undisturbed playback of the streaming content on the display screen. Accordingly, embodiments herein support a do not disturb function in which a subscriber can prevent display of visual notifications such as phone call alerts (e.g., pop-up text messages) on the display screen during playback of the streaming content. The do not disturb functionality can be disabled in response to any suitable trigger such as that the subscriber has terminated playback of the streaming content, playback of the streaming content completed, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling electric power supplied to one or more electrical devices from a power source are disclosed. Measurements of the supplied electricity are detected. Estimated deviant voltage levels that the supplied electricity will not drop below or exceed as a result of varying electrical consumption by the one or more electrical devices is computed based on a predetermined confidence level and the detected measurements. A voltage level output of the electricity supplied to the electrical device is adjusted based on the computed deviant voltage level.

Abstract: In order to efficiently utilize the limited transmission bandwidth of a communications network, e.g., a cable network, guide data for constructing an interactive program guide (IPG) is delivered to a set-top terminal using different methodologies. For example, the guide data associated with those programs which are likely of interest to a user is automatically provided piecemeal in a broadcast stream. The set-top terminal, along with other terminals, may retrieve from such a broadcast stream some or all of the guide data therein over time, which is cached in the terminal in anticipation of a user's invocation of an IPG. On the other hand, the guide data associated with those programs which are less likely of interest to a user is furnished upon request by the set-top terminal needing such guide data to realize an IPG desired by the user. In addition, guide data for each program may be divided into detail guide data providing details of the program (e.g.

Abstract: In accordance with one configuration, a network communication manager identifies an expected duration of time to complete playback of the streaming content. Subsequent to receiving a do not disturb command, the network communication manager prevents visual notifications of future phone calls during the estimated duration of time to provide undisturbed playback of the streaming content on the display screen. Accordingly, embodiments herein support a do not disturb function in which a subscriber can prevent display of visual notifications such as phone call alerts (e.g., pop-up text messages) on the display screen during playback of the streaming content. The do not disturb functionality can be disabled in response to any suitable trigger such as that the subscriber has terminated playback of the streaming content, playback of the streaming content completed, etc.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands.

Abstract: A system and process includes continuously determining an applied armature voltage supplied to a polyphase synchronous machine for which a maximum mechanical load is characterized by a pull-out torque. The armature voltage is supplied from a power source via one of many taps of a regulating transformer. The armature voltage being supplied from the power source to the machine is changed by selecting one of the voltage levels from the taps of the regulating transformer. The tap voltage levels are selected based on the determined applied armature voltage to minimize power consumption of the machine while ensuring based on a predetermined confidence level that the pull-out torque of the machine will not be exceeded.

Abstract: In a broadband communications system, information is collected which relates to user-issued commands for accessing programming content and manipulating recorded programming content. The commands are monitored to determine when such content is accessed (i.e., requested, selected or played) and manipulated (i.e., rewound, fast-forwarded, paused, etc.) by a user. Data associated with a command to request, select or manipulate programming content is read from the user-issued command and forwarded to a processor for presentation of the programming content. The read data is stored and made available for analyzing user activity respecting programming content provided by the broadband communication system. Such analysis may relate to the popularity of specific programs, the frequency in which specific commercials are skipped or played, the most popular times that a specific program or type of program is accessed, and the like.

Abstract: Method and systems for editing data from a query result include requesting a query result using a unique collection identifier for a collection of individual files and a unique identifier for a configuration file that specifies a data structure for the query result. A query result is generated that contains a plurality of fields as specified by the configuration file, by combining each of the individual files associated with a unique identifier for a collection of individual files. The query result data is displayed with a plurality of labels as specified in the configuration file. Edits can be performed by querying a collection of individual files using the configuration file, editing a portion of the query result, and transmitting only the edited information for storage back into a data repository.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting local video insertion into a content delivery signal are described. PIDs are assigned at a headend to identify locally inserted content. A QAM carrier used for content insertion may be fully utilized between the headend and multiple customer premises. Upon receipt of a content delivery signal the QAM carrier to be used for content insertion is filtered out and, optionally, some packets are recovered. Video from a local source is digitized, packetized, identified by a PID specified by the headend to be used to identify locally inserted content, multiplexed with recovered packets obtained from the QAM carrier to be used for local content insertion and then modulated onto the QAM carrier to be used for local content insertion. The QAM carrier is then combined with the other carrier signals recovered from the content delivery signal to generate a signal including both the locally provided content and the remotely supplied content.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands.