Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for segregating transactions in a multimode communication device. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device (102) has a controller (206) for managing operations of a wireless transceiver (202) that supports a plurality of access technologies. The controller can be programmed to update (301) a phonebook stored in the communication device, wherein each entry in the phonebook comprises a calling number and one among a plurality of account designations, and submit (344) the phonebook to a network management system (110) for segregating (514) billing of incoming and outgoing calls directed to and from the communication device on each of the access technologies according to a corresponding account designation retrieved (510) from the phonebook according to said calls.

Abstract: A method for provisioning a terminal device in a multi-user setting is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a terminal device having a provisioning element that selectively establishes a telephony usage profile for each of a plurality of users sharing the terminal device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method of restricting access to video content. In a particular embodiment, the method includes sending a request for video content to a set-top box device from a remote user device via a video distribution network. The method also includes receiving location data at the remote user device via the video distribution network, the location data indicating a location of the remote user device. The method also includes indicating at the remote user device that the video content is inaccessible, when access to the video content is restricted within a region that includes the location.

Abstract: A method and system for processing data packets is described within. The method executed by the system includes the steps of receiving a first data packet, determining if the first data packet is a first expected data packet, determining if the first data packet is a next expected date packet, storing the first data patent if the first data packet is the next expected data packet and waiting a period of time for a second data packet.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for managing media content is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a terminal device can have a controller element that receives a media guide from a Set-Top Box (STB), and presents on a display unit of the terminal device the media guide without presentation of said media guide on a media device coupled to the STB. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a third party video content database is coupled to an IPTV network. The IPTV network includes a plurality of set top boxes (STBs). The third party video content database is mapped to the IPTV network via an IP address of the third party content database, and it is associated with an assigned channel on the IPTV network. One or more STBs of the IPTV network have access to the assigned channel.

Abstract: A signal testing apparatus includes a transmitter, a first receiver, a second receiver, a first indicator and a second indicator. The transmitter transmits over a wired communications link a first signal having a corresponding first frequency representative of a first frequency range of the wired communications link, and that transmits over the wired communications link a second signal having a corresponding second frequency representative of a second frequency range of the wired communications link. Signal losses for the first signal and second signal are measured, and indicators indicate whether the signal losses are acceptable.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclose for processing an object in a video data stream. The method runs on a processor programmed to execute the method and includes but is not limited to receiving at a client device, the video data stream from a server; displaying the video data stream at the client device on a client device display; receiving input data at the client device for rendering on the client device display a first functional indicator indicating one of a plurality of functions and surrounding a first region of pixel locations representing a first image object in the video data stream; and performing a function indicated by the first functional indicator on meta data for the first image object in the first region of pixel locations.

Abstract: A personal transportation device comprises a riding platform supported by one or more wheels, a steering mechanism at least partially embedded in the riding platform and a drive wheel assembly. A first wheel may be steerable while a second wheel is a slave wheel. The steering mechanism may be foot-operated. The drive wheel may be hand-propelled and non-steerable. The drive wheel is operatively connected to a drive sprocket and chain and is coupled to the riding platform by a platform frame. The personal transportation device may comprise one or more track arm assemblies coupled to the drive wheel assembly such that movement of the track arm assemblies operates the drive wheel assembly and rotates a drive wheel to propel the vehicle.

Abstract: A television and a method thereof are provided. The television includes a display, a first network interface to a packet-based network, and a decoder operable to process a multimedia data stream received via the first network interface, wherein the television is operable to display video content of the multimedia data stream on the display promptly upon receipt of a user request to power up the television. The method includes receiving a multimedia data stream at a network interface of a television, wherein the network interface is coupled to a packet-based network, processing the multimedia data stream at a decoder of the television to generate video content and providing the video content to a display of the television, wherein the television displays video content of the multimedia data stream promptly upon receipt of a request to power up the television.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for announcing a calling party from a communication device. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a call processing system can have a controller for processing calls in a communication system. The controller can be programmed to detect an incoming call initiated by a third party communication device over a first voice channel, transmit to a communication device over a control channel a notification signal associated with the incoming call, detect a connection made by the communication device to a second voice channel, transmit to the communication device over the second voice channel audio signals that identify a calling party, and link the first and second voice channels upon detecting over the control channel a call acceptance action by the communication device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a multimedia data stream at a device and sending data of a first channel of the multimedia data stream to a display device to generate a presentation of available video games. The method includes receiving user input selecting a first video game of the available video games and sending an identification of the device and a channel indicator corresponding to an encrypted second channel having video game data associated with the first video game to a content provider. The method includes receiving a decryption key for the encrypted second channel in response to verification of the identification of the device. The method also includes decrypting the encrypted second channel, beginning storage of the video game data in response to detecting a starting byte of the video game data, and ending storage of the video game data when the starting byte is redetected.

Abstract: A method (300) and apparatus are disclosed for event notification. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a presence services system (PSS) (102) can have a controller (104) that manages operations of a communications interface (110). The controller can be programmed to monitor (302) presence information of a plurality of communication devices of an end user operating in a communications system, and receive (316) a request from a calendar reminder system (CRS) for access to the presence information. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for processing vote-by-mail ballot envelopes is disclosed. The system comprises a processor operable to asynchronously process each of a plurality of ballot envelopes by (i) verifying that the registered voter associated with the ballot envelope is eligible to vote, (ii) verifying that a signature written on the ballot envelope corresponds to the signature of the registered voter, (iii) verifying that personal information written on the ballot envelope corresponds to the personal information of the registered voter, and (iv) generating batch information if the ballot envelope passes all of the verification steps or exception information if the ballot envelope fails any one of the verification steps. The system also comprises a storage device operable to store the batch information or exception information, as applicable, for each of the ballot envelopes.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a first server, data from a set-top box device including login information for a user to establish a first session with a multimedia distribution system. The method includes determining at the first server that the user belongs to at least one presence group when the login information is verified. The method includes identifying one or more on-line members that are members of the at least one presence group and have established sessions with the multimedia distribution system. The method also includes sending information from the first server to the set-top box device, the information corresponding to session activity of each of the one or more on-line members. The information includes video content selected by a user of a particular set-top box corresponding to one of the one or more on-line members, where the video content is concurrently sent to the particular set-top box device.

Abstract: A method of registering a multi mode communications device for service can include registering a multi-mode communications device by receiving and transmitting registration information over separate communications networks.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for facilitating enhanced call awareness. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include an interface that receives a signal associated with a call to a telephone number. A call information engine may be coupled to the interface and may recognize that a party to the call subscribes to an enhanced call activity service. In some cases, the party may be a called party or a calling party, and the activity may include an incoming call to the telephone number, an outgoing call, a missed call, or a waiting voicemail message. A memory may maintain a data network address for the party, and a messaging engine may initiate sending of a message containing call information to the data network address. The message may be sent in response to a trigger signal output by a notification engine without consideration for whether or not a telephone line associated with the telephone number is busy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for abstracting Internet content is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a terminal device having a User Interface (UI) element that links a Graphical User Interface (GUI) element to each Internet resource identifier (IRI) of one or more subject matters of interest defined in a profile by an end user, and presents said one or more GUI elements in a GUI window without association to an Internet browser. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes receiving at a set-top box a broadcast signal including closed-captioning content. The closed-captioning content includes subtitles related to the broadcast signal and uniform resource locator (URL) data. The URL data is extracted from the closed-captioning content. The URL data is stored in a memory of the set-top box.

Abstract: Systems (and corresponding methodologies) of deploying an enhanced access point (or an integrated router/access point) with embedded secure socket layer (SSL) tunneling capabilities are provided. The innovation enables users to initiate or prompt secure SSL tunnels between a wireless computer or device (and browser session) and the wireless gateway device (WGD). In particular, off-the-shelf web browser applications can be used to effect secure communication between a wireless mobile device and a SWAT-(Secure Wireless Application Tunnel-) equipped access point.