Abstract: A method and apparatus for authenticating a communication device is disclosed. An system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an authentication system having a controller element that receives from a communication device over a packet-switched network a terminal ID and a request to authenticate said communication device, generates a first registration ID, stores the first registration ID and a first communication identifier, transmits the first registration ID to the communication device, receives from an interactive response system a second communication identifier and a second registration ID that the interactive response system received during a communication session with the communication device over a circuit-switched network, and authenticates the communication device in response to detecting a match between the first and second communication identifiers and the first and second registration IDs. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An implement adapted to be combined with a prime mover vehicle. The implement comprises a piece of equipment such as a rotary broom sweeper. The implement generally comprises a frame carried by wheels, an axle combined with the wheels, and a hydraulic system that includes a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor. As the prime mover moves the implement, the wheels of the implement turn. The wheels are operatively combined with the hydraulic pump to actuate the flow of hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic system. The hydraulic system actuates the piece of equipment carried by the implement.

Abstract: The present invention discusses a method and apparatus for providing customer information, such as a physical address etc., to a call destination, such as a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), over an Internet Protocol (IP) communication link. A mediation layer maintains a table tracking information such as IP address, physical location of the customer, and MAC (Media Access Control) Address. When a call is placed, an IP address is sent to the mediation layer. The mediation layer selects appropriate caller information and routes the information to the network, which routes the information to the PSAP. The mediation layer maintains customer information through a Virtual Central Repository (VCR), and IP addresses through a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server on an ongoing basis. The mediation layer can comprise multiple interconnected mediation layers in cooperation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for data communication in an internet protocol television (IPTV) system. The method includes receiving at a first end user device remote advertising data associated with a remote zone and home content data, wherein the home content data is not available in the remote zone and merging the remote advertising data and the home video data at the first end user device. A system is disclosed for performing the method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a cellular zone is disclosed. A communication link connects a cellular base station and a wireless access point. A typical communication link can be a wire-based communication network, such as the Internet, using IP telephony protocol. The wireless access point communicates with a cell phone over a cellular frequency and thereby establishes the cellular zone. Where the area of the cellular zone and the coverage area of the cellular base station overlap, continuous arbitration is performed to select a communications channel. The strength of a first signal received from the cellular base station is compared to the strength of a second signal received from the wireless access point. Selection criteria include signal strength and a time-oriented criteria to maintain continuity of communication channel.

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: A method of providing interactive video content is presented that includes receiving video content from a video content source. An initial interactive content indicator is encoded within a closed-captioning portion of the video content at the video content source. The method also includes selecting a substitute uniform resource locator (URL) associated with interactive content related to the video content. Further, the method includes replacing the initial interactive content indicator with the substitute URL within the closed-captioning portion of the video content.

Abstract: A method of recognizing an event transpiring at a terminal device 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 radiates at least one among a light emission pattern and a tactile emission pattern for recognizing one among a caller ID during an incoming call initiated by a calling party and a voicemail associated with the calling party when the incoming call is unanswered. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of providing emergency information. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a video emergency alert at a set-top box device from a video head-end. The method also includes receiving a command at the set-top box device to request information related to the video emergency alert. The method also includes receiving the information at the set-top box device from the video head-end, where the information includes data retrieved via a public data network.

Abstract: An Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Set Top Box (STB) provides an option to skip one or more advertisements in an IPTV video broadcast, and receives input from a subscriber relating to the option. The IPTV STB transmits the input to an IPTV server, and then receives back from the IPTV server a payment plan for the IPTV service as a function of the input. The IPTV STB receives additional input regarding the acceptance or rejection of the plan by the subscriber. The payment plan determines the advertisements to be skipped.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for notifying an end user of a messaging event 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 User Interface (UI) element that selectively identifies one or more parties to whom a messaging event is directed according to one or more matches between a caller identifier associated with the messaging event and one or more entries in a plurality of contact books corresponding to a plurality of users of the terminal device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

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 and apparatus for managing memos is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a terminal device having User Interface (UI) element that presents a plurality of Graphical User Interface (GUI) elements each associated with one among a plurality of GUI categories, and a memo element that links a generated memo with a select GUI element of the plurality of GUI categories. 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 apparatus for improving identification of a party in a communication transaction 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 presents an image identifier that identifies one among a calling party in at least one among an unanswered call and a voicemail message, and a called party in a dialed call. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for viewing information in a communication device is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a communication element that supports Voice over IP (VoIP) communications with a communication system, a User Interface (UI) element that presents a plurality of Graphical User Interface (GUI) elements for controlling operations of the communication device, and a navigation element that performs non-linear navigation between GUI elements presented by the UI element in response to detecting one or more navigation conditions. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

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: Methods and apparatus to provide services over integrated broadband communication systems are disclosed. An example method to manage access to a communication link provided to a customer premises disclosed herein comprises determining a data rate for the communication link, determining whether the customer premises utilizes a predetermined service, identifying the communication link as disabled when the customer premises does not utilize the predetermined service and the data rate is below a first rate, and identifying the communication link as enabled for the predetermined service and disabled for at least one other service when the customer premises utilizes the predetermined service and the data rate is below the first rate and above a second rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for abstracting telephony functions 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 presents a plurality of Graphical User Interface (GUI) elements that abstract a corresponding plurality of telephony functions, and a telephony element that initiates a telephony process in response to a selection by an end user of the terminal device of two or more of the plurality of GUI elements to form a combined telephony function. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing voicemail messages in a multi-user setting is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Call Processing System (CPS) having a processing element that receives a redirected call initiated by a calling party attempting to communicate with at least one among a plurality of users sharing one or more terminal devices associated with a targeted communication identifier, presents the calling party an option to select one or more among the plurality of users, and directs the calling party to a voicemail system for storing a voicemail message in one or more voicemail accounts associated with the one or more users selected. Additional embodiments are disclosed.