Abstract: A method includes receiving search criteria from a media device associated with a user account. The method includes performing a first search of media content information. The method includes in response to identifying particular media content that satisfies the search criteria, sending a first notification identifying a first occurrence of the particular media content to a device associated with the user account. The method includes, at a time indicated by the search criteria, performing a second search of updated media content information. The method includes in response to the second search identifying a second occurrence of the particular media content, determining whether the second occurrence matches the first occurrence. The method also includes sending a second notification when the second occurrence does not match the first occurrence and refraining from sending the second notification when the second occurrence matches the first occurrence.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide service assurance for communication networks are disclosed. An example apparatus comprises a service provisioning server to initiate provisioning of a service to a user device, and a service testing server to perform a test of the service and to report a service test result to the service provisioning server, the service testing server responsive to a request from the user device to initiate the test of the service, the user device automatically generating the request in response to the service provisioning.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, identifying a first user initiating control of a media processor device, determining a startup media program according to one or more startup media preferences associated with the identified first user and one or more characteristics corresponding to the first user initiating control, and transmitting to a display device the startup media program derived from a media stream. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A graphical interactive visual response system and method is provided in which a graphical user interface provides such interactivity and visual response. A user can initiate contact with a representative using an application residing on a personal device, such as a mobile telephone or computer. The application (graphical interface) allows the user to interactively select options on a displayed menu, arrive at the appropriate service and initiate a connection with the representative. The connection is established when the user and representative are available, thereby avoiding hold and wait times typically associated with conventional interactive voice response system.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides automatic response to localized input. Where a first user equipment enters a service area, the presence of the first user equipment can be determined from an identification information. The identification information can be employed to access information relating to the identification information. Where either the identification information or the information associated with the identification information satisfy one or more predetermined rules, a response can be determined. The determined response can be made accessible. As such, a second user equipment can receive the response based, at least in part, on the first user equipment entering the service area.

Abstract: User input defining criteria for including a multimedia presentation event in an event report is received. The criteria include a maximum retention period, a threshold presentation duration, and a report condition. When a user receives a multimedia program for a time at least as great as the threshold presentation duration, data indicating receipt of the multimedia program is stored. The receipt data is used to determine whether the receipt of the multimedia program meets the report condition. Access to the event report is provided to a user in response to a user input. The event report indicates receipt of the multimedia program if the receipt data meets the report condition. The receipt data is purged when an age of the receipt data equals or exceeds a maximum retention period.

Abstract: Reducing connection overhead in a communications network includes reusing at least one cached communication channel connecting a source and a destination. The at least one cached communication channel is cached for a variable duration.

Abstract: An analog telephone adapter (ATA) comprises a dial tone generator, control logic and a packet generator. The dial tone generator generates a dial tone when the ATA is in an unregistered state. The control logic processes a dial-out request when the ATA is in the unregistered state. The control logic directs the packet generator to generate an invite packet for an emergency proxy to handle the dial-out request on behalf of the ATA when the ATA is in the unregistered state.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to receive a call request from a set top box that is remote from the server where the call request identifies a telephone number that is displayed in video content presented by the set top box where the telephone number was detected based on at least one of image pattern recognition and voice recognition and where the telephone number is associated with a marketing entity of the video content, establish a voice communication with a first telephone device associated with the set top box, and establish the voice communication with a second telephone device associated with the telephone number and the marketing entity if the first telephone device accepts the voice communication. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to receive a call request from a set top box that is remote from the server where the call request identifies a telephone number that is presented from video content presented by the set top box where the telephone number is detected based on a combination of image pattern recognition and speech recognition and where the telephone number is associated with a marketing entity, establish a voice communication with a first telephone device associated with the set top box, and establish the voice communication with a second telephone device associated with the telephone number and the marketing entity if the first telephone device accepts the voice communication. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for providing recommendation icons associated with a television program on an electronic program guide is disclosed. A selection is received of a television program listed in the electronic programming guide. A recommendation graphical user interface associated with the selected television program is provided. A selection is received of a recommendation soft button displayed on the recommendation graphical user interface. The electronic programming guide is displayed with the recommendation icons. A selection is received of one of the recommendation icons in the electronic programming guide. Information associated with the selected one of the recommendation icons is displayed.

Abstract: Narrowband signaling from a transfer node for a call originating at an end office is received at a centralized control and signaling interworking function device in an asynchronous transfer mode switching network. The received narrowband signaling is converted to broadband signaling. The broadband signaling is provided to a plurality of trunk interworking function devices via the asynchronous transfer mode switching network, to establish a connection across the asynchronous transfer mode switching network, when the centralized control and signaling interworking function device and the plurality of trunk interworking function devices are determined to be members of a closed user group.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top-box (STB) having a controller to operate the STB coupled to an interactive television network as an audio visual answering machine using a digital video recorder forming a part of the STB, use at least one camera coupled to the STB to capture video, use at least one microphone coupled to the STB to capture audio, present video from at least a calling party on a television set coupled to the STB, and present audio from at least the calling party on speakers coupled to the STB. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A user is provided a report based on data collected from multimedia content or channels that are most scheduled for recording by users. User defined criteria specify a period used for filtering qualifying recording events for inclusion in the report. The report may be provided on an information channel accessible from a multimedia content distribution network.

Abstract: Users provide preferred multimedia programs types and receive electronic messages with recommendations for recording upcoming broadcasts. In response to receiving reply messages to the recommendations, the recommended multimedia programs may be scheduled for transport to the user. Example multimedia programs that may be recommended include without limitation television shows, sporting events, and pay-per-view events.

Abstract: Users are provided real time reports of the most popular multimedia programs or channels. Users may select an information channel provided by a multimedia content distribution network that provides the report. User criteria may determine the organization of the report and the selection of elements for the report. For example, the top ten most popular multimedia programs or channels in a particular genre may be displayed in the report.

Abstract: Selections of multimedia programs are monitored and indications of the selections are included in a report if user specified criteria are met. Example criteria include a minimum presentation duration, a report condition, and a maximum retention period. Access to the reports may be limited to administrators.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) communication system having at least one network element to receive from an Set-Top Box (STB) a communication identifier of a targeted communication device (TCD) to conduct a communication session utilizing a real-time Text over Internet Protocol (ToIP), determine whether the TCD operates according to one of a circuit-switched protocol (CSP) or ToIP, responsive to detecting that the TCD operates according to the CSP, establish the communication session between the STB and the TCD, transcode for the TCD ToIP communications initiated by the STB to CSP communications, and transcode for the STB CSP communications initiated by the TCD to ToIP communications. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Reducing connection overhead in a communications network includes reusing at least one cached communication channel connecting a source and a destination. The at least one cached communication channel is cached for a variable duration.

Abstract: Virtual circuits are dynamically established in a telecommunications network. A cache duration is adaptively determined based on at least one characteristic of the telecommunications network. A virtual circuit is established for a connection between a source and a destination. The virtual circuit is cached when the connection between the source and the destination terminates. The cached virtual circuit is reused when a new connection request occurs during the cache duration. The cached virtual circuit is released after the cache duration when no new connection request occurs during the cache duration.