Abstract: A system and method of handling communication information associated with a communication request is disclosed. The system includes a computer readable memory that includes a data file that represents one or more documents that may be viewed by a plurality of users associated with the document, and a computer system having access to the computer readable memory and including logic to access the data file so that the one or more documents can be displayed and viewed by at least one of the plurality of users. Upon accessing the data file, presence information for at least a subset of the plurality of users associated with the one or more documents is provided to at least one of the plurality of users. In a particular embodiment, the one or more documents include a subject, and the subject is extracted from the data file and is communicated to another user after the document is displayed.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, the disclosure is directed to a system including a customer authentication and payment server, a merchant data server, a merchant network, and a merchant station. The merchant data server is coupled to a public data network and the public data network is coupled to the customer authentication and payment server. The merchant network is coupled to the merchant data server and the merchant station. The merchant station includes a communication interface to provide for wireless communication with customers located within a wireless coverage area using an ad hoc connection.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method to configure and operate a residential local area network (LAN) based telephone system. The illustrated system provides a residential gateway configured to receive a telephone call and process the call based on user configured options. The user-configured options can be provided by telephony feature processing modules (TFPM)s that operate in a Session Initiated Protocal Proxy Framework (SIP-PF). The TFPMs can send, receive and process calls and call data to control network devices such as network telephones.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are used to obtain a credit report. The system comprises at least one input device, a credit agency system, and a credit requesting system. The input device receives a partial identification number (e.g., social security number (SSN)) and additional information from an individual. The credit agency system receives the partial SSN and at least a portion of the additional information from the input device and generates a comparison result. The credit requesting system is coupled to the credit agency system and the at least one input device. The credit requesting system controls transmission of the partial SSN and the portion of the additional information to the credit agency system and receives the comparison result from the credit agency system.

Abstract: A network digital video recorder has a number of set top boxes each having an individual digital video recorder. A peer-to-peer network connects the set top boxes. A digital rights management client operates on the set top boxes. An electronic rights server is coupled to the peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: A method of providing access to content is described and includes receiving a selection of content. The method includes determining whether access is allowed to the content. A PIN entry screen is presented at a television. Further, a request permission soft button is presented at the television. When a correct PIN is received, access is provided to the content. The method also includes receiving a request for permission to access the content. Particularly, the request for permission is received after the request permission soft button is selected. Also, the method includes determining whether a guardian is available to receive the request for permission. The request can be transmitted to an end user terminal of the guardian after determining that the guardian is available. The method can also include indicating that access to the content is denied after determining that the guardian is not available.

Abstract: An application that resides on a subscriber PC with a constantly updated back-end knowledge base provides solutions to specific problems. The resident application, termed Computer Health and Performance Check (“CHPC”), performs preventative maintenance tasks on the subscriber's PC, such as checking for adware/spyware, viruses, determining whether the disk needs to be defragmented, and the like. In its various embodiments, the system includes a client-side resident PC diagnostic and health performance check tool that is used in conjunction with live customer assistance to provide in-home managed PC support services. Additionally, or in the alternative, customer support is automated with a knowledge base. The system supports VoIP SIP clients to automate and set up certain features.

Abstract: A third-party profile service based on a proxy server model is described, where a user's profile service resides at a URL, in contrast to a profile service that requires federation identity. A profile service is provided that augments location-based services offered by service providers targeting mobile users via, for example, wireless and Wifi Networks. Additional personalization is driven by identity/profile services. Participants in the scenario are not required to share an identity or profile (i.e., static federation is not required). The user establishes a single profile with a trusted provider, hands-off solicitations to a profile agent that operates on behalf of the user to apply policies and preferences. The agent also provides privacy and anonymity (opaqueness).

Abstract: A system and method for accessing network and data services are disclosed. In one embodiment of a system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure, a wireless networking hub may be communicatively coupled to a global communications network. A remote authentication engine may be communicatively coupled to the wireless networking hub. The authentication engine may be capable of receiving an initial set of credentials from a user seeking access to network transport services and data services. In preferred embodiments, the system may include an authorization engine capable of granting access to both the network transport services and the data services in response to authorization of the first set of credentials.

Abstract: A request is received from a parent or guardian of a minor to sign up for an Instant Messaging (IM) service on behalf of the minor. The parent or guardian creates a profile comprising one or more control policies for usage of the IM service by the minor using a Web-based profile administrator interface. Thereafter, a request is received by an IM server from the minor to log on to the IM service using a client device. The IM server communicates information from the profile to the client device to modify the functionality of the client device to comply with at least one policy in the profile.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, the disclosure is directed to a system including a customer authentication and payment server, a merchant data server, a merchant network, and a merchant station. The merchant data server is coupled to a public data network and the public data network is coupled to the customer authentication and payment server. The merchant network is coupled to the merchant data server and the merchant station. The merchant station includes a communication interface to provide for wireless communication with customers located within a wireless coverage area using an ad hoc connection.

Abstract: A plurality of wireless network access points (NAPs) each having a known location are provided. The wireless NAPs comprise shorter-range NAPs and longer-range NAPs. An associated precedence is assigned to each of the NAPs. A history database is to track a sequence of the NAPs accessed by a wireless device in a session. If a request for information from the wireless device is received by at least two of the NAPs, a processor determines which of the at least two NAPs has a greatest precedence and assigns same as a current NAP. The processor estimates a current location of the wireless device based on the known location of the current NAP and the known location of a previously-current NAP for the wireless device from the history database.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally to a method and system to handle downloads of digital data files to portable computing devices. In a particular embodiment, the system includes a first system access point responsive to a first wireless access point at a first location; a second system access point responsive to a second wireless access point at a second location; and a central facility. The central facility includes a computer having a user sign-on module to permit wireless download access to digital data files by a portable device within communication range of at least one of the first wireless access point and the second wireless access point. The central facility includes a digital data file download status memory, the status memory including an indication of download status and including an indication of the portion of a requested digital data file that has been downloaded.

Abstract: A list of video programs downloadable via a digital subscriber line, including a presently-unavailable video program and its associated date of download availability, is presented to a user. A user selection of the video program is received. Based on the user selection, an entry is added to a download schedule to schedule downloading the video program on or after its associated date of download availability. The video program is downloaded via the digital subscriber line based on the download schedule.

Abstract: A dynamic repository (either storing digital data content or pointers to stored digital data content) works in conjunction with a plurality of interfaces to manage digital content and digital rights policies associated with one or more users. Digital rights policies are unique to each user and such policies define access to digital content in the repository. The user's digital rights policy indicates the level of access a user has to digital content in the repository (e.g., the policy could indicate that the user has authorized access to a particular file for a period of seven days). The interfaces linked with the content repository are used to access and manipulate the digital data content (based upon each user's digital rights policy) and the digital rights policies stored in the content repository.

Abstract: A system for storing subscriber information in a centralized location includes a processor, memory coupled to the processor, and a data storage device coupled to the processor. The data storage device includes a subscriber profile portion for storing personal information about a subscriber. The subscriber profile portion includes a subscriber identification portion for storing an identification string. The subscriber profile portion is associated with an account type portion for storing account information, a portal portion for storing portal information, and an account status portion for storing account status information. The data storage device further includes a subscription portion for storing subscription information. The subscription portion is associated with a device portion for storing device information, a services portion for storing services information, and a mobile subscription portion for storing mobile subscription information.

Abstract: A system for communicating a message between a first device and a second device in a telecommunications system. The system includes a first adapter, a second adapter, and a bus. The first adapter is in communication with the first device and is operable to receive a first formatted message in a first messaging format from the first device. The first adapter translates the first formatted message into a common format as a common formatted message and provides the common formatted message to a bus within the telecommunications system. The second adapter is in communication with the bus and the second device. The second adapter is operable to receive the common formatted message from the bus, translate the common formatted message into a second messaging format as a second formatted message, and provide the second formatted message to the second device.