Abstract: A system and method for distribution of media signals. Wireless communications are established between a set-top box and a wireless adapter in communication with a television. The wireless adapter is powered by the television. A signal is received from the set-top box at the wireless adapter. The signal is formatted for wireless communication. The signal is converted to a format displayable by the television. The formatted signal is communicated from the wireless adapter to the television.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and method for recording media content. For example, in one embodiment, a method for recording media content is disclosed that includes communicating with a home gateway to determine whether a device connected to the home gateway has enough free storage space to store a media content in response to a determination that an internal data storage unit of a set top box does not have sufficient free storage space to store the media content. In one embodiment, the method routes the storage of the media content to the device via the home gateway in response to a determination that the device connected to the home gateway has sufficient free storage space to store the media content.

Abstract: A system and method for acknowledging an incoming communication. An incoming communication request destined for a first communication device from a second communication device is received. The incoming communication request is forwarded to the first communication device. An acknowledgment indication is received from the first communications device that the incoming communication request has been received by a user of the first communication device. An acknowledgment communication associated with the acknowledgment indication is sent from the media server to the second communications device in response to receiving the acknowledgment indication. The acknowledgment communication is selectable from a number of acknowledgment communications including at least default communications and user entered communications.

Abstract: A method and database management system for controlling the operability of a mobile communications device. A geographic location of a vehicle is determined. A position of the mobile communications device with in the vehicle is determined. Conditional parameters of the mobile communications device are determined. Database records correlating location information with restrictions are accessed. A determination is made whether use of the mobile communications device should be restricted within the vehicle in response to the geographical location, the position of the mobile communications device within the vehicle, the conditional parameters, and the database records The capabilities of the mobile communications device are configured in response to the restrictions.

Abstract: A system and method for acknowledging an incoming communication. An incoming communication request destined for a first communication device from a second communication device is received. The incoming communication request is forwarded to the first communication device. An acknowledgment indication is received from the first communications device that the incoming communication request has been received by a user of the first communication device. An acknowledgment communication associated with the acknowledgment indication is sent from the media server to the second communications device in response to receiving the acknowledgment indication. The acknowledgment communication is selectable from a number of acknowledgment communications including at least default communications and user entered communications.

Abstract: A method and database management system for controlling the operability of a mobile communications device. A geographic location of a vehicle is determined. A position of the mobile communications device with in the vehicle is determined. Conditional parameters of the mobile communications device are determined. Database records correlating location information with restrictions are accessed. A determination is made whether use of the mobile communications device should be restricted within the vehicle in response to the geographical location, the position of the mobile communications device within the vehicle, the conditional parameters, and the database records The capabilities of the mobile communications device are configured in response to the restrictions.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method, system, and apparatus for acknowledging an incoming call includes receiving an incoming call request addressed to a first communication device from a second communication device, and forwarding the incoming call request to the first communication device. The method further includes receiving an acknowledgment indication from the first communication device that the incoming call request has been received by a user of the first communication device. The method still further includes connecting a call between the second communication device and a media server in response to receiving the acknowledgment indication. In at least one embodiment, the media server is configured to play an acknowledgment voice message to the second communication device. A further embodiment includes sending a reminder message to the first communication device if the user of the first communication device has not initiated a return call to the second communication device within a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method and database management system for controlling the operability of a mobile communications device. A geographical location of a vehicle may be determined. A database comprising records correlating location information with mobile communications device laws may be accessed. Based upon the determined geographical location and accessed database record, a determination may be made as to whether the use of a mobile communications device within the vehicle should be restricted. The capabilities of the mobile communications device that are currently available may be configured, in response to the restriction determination.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling the operability of a transmitter on a mobile communications device by determining if the mobile communications device is located within the cabin of an airplane. A condition parameter of the mobile communications device may be determined. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be disabled in response to the mobile communications device being located within an airplane and further in response to the determined condition parameter.

Abstract: An outage notification system is provided which includes a first communication network, a second communication network, a plurality of first communication units communicatively coupled to the first communication network and the second communication network, a network monitoring unit communicatively coupled to the first communication network and configured to detect a failure in at least one of the plurality of first communication units or the first communication network, a plurality of second communication units communicatively coupled to the second communication network and associated with corresponding first communication units, and a message alert unit communicatively coupled to the first and second communication networks and configured to receive an alert notification from the network monitoring unit via the first communication network indicating a failure in at least one of the first communication units or the first communication network.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling the operability of a transmitter on a mobile communications device by determining if the mobile communications device is located proximate to an operator's seat of a vehicle. A condition parameter of the mobile communications device may be determined. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be disabled in response to the mobile communications device being located proximate to an operator's seat of a vehicle and further in response to the determined condition parameter. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be enabled, in response to determining that the mobile communications device is not located in a restricted location.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling the operability of a transmitter on a mobile communications device by determining if the mobile communications device is located within the cabin of an airplane. A condition parameter of the mobile communications device may be determined. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be disabled in response to the mobile communications device being located within an airplane and further in response to the determined condition parameter.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling the operability of a transmitter on a mobile communications device by determining if the mobile communications device is located proximate to an operator's seat of a vehicle. A condition parameter of the mobile communications device may be determined. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be disabled in response to the mobile communications device being located proximate to an operator's seat of a vehicle and further in response to the determined condition parameter. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be enabled, in response to determining that the mobile communications device is not located in a restricted location.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling the operability of a transmitter on a mobile communications device by determining if the mobile communications device is located within the cabin of an airplane. A condition parameter of the mobile communications device may be determined. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be disabled in response to the mobile communications device being located within an airplane and further in response to the determined condition parameter.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling the operability of a transmitter on a mobile communications device by determining if the mobile communications device is located proximate to an operator's seat of a vehicle. A condition parameter of the mobile communications device may be determined. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be disabled in response to the mobile communications device being located proximate to an operator's seat of a vehicle and further in response to the determined condition parameter. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be enabled, in response to determining that the mobile communications device is not located in a restricted location.

Abstract: A user is provided with the ability to request the re-transmission of a content selection that is determined to not be locally stored, while the same content is currently being broadcasted. A system and method for replaying content is provided, where a receiver (e.g., car radio) initially receives a command from a user to replay a content selection. A determination may be made as to whether the content selection is locally stored. If it is determined that the content selection is not locally stored, a request is re-communicated for the content selection to be communicated from a service provider. The requested content selection may be received and/or played.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling the operability of a transmitter on a mobile communications device by determining if the mobile communications device is located proximate to an operator's seat of a vehicle. A condition parameter of the mobile communications device may be determined. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be disabled in response to the mobile communications device being located proximate to an operator's seat of a vehicle and further in response to the determined condition parameter. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be enabled, in response to determining that the mobile communications device is not located in a restricted location.

Abstract: A method and database management system for controlling the operability of a mobile communications device. A geographical location of a vehicle may be determined. A database comprising records correlating location information with mobile communications device laws may be accessed. Based upon the determined geographical location and accessed database record, a determination may be made as to whether the use of a mobile communications device within the vehicle should be restricted. The capabilities of the mobile communications device that are currently available may be configured, in response to the restriction determination.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling the operability of a transmitter on a mobile communications device by determining if the mobile communications device is located within the cabin of an airplane. A condition parameter of the mobile communications device may be determined. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be disabled in response to the mobile communications device being located within an airplane and further in response to the determined condition parameter.

Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus for distributing a digital audio signal includes a digital audio to packet data converter configured to receive a digital audio signal and convert the digital audio signal to a packetized audio data stream. The embodiment of the apparatus further includes a wireless packet data transmitter configured to transmit the packetized audio data stream over a wireless connection, and a wired packet data transmitter configured to transmit the packetized audio data stream over a wired network connection. The embodiment of the apparatus further includes a powerline packet data transmitter configured to transmit the packetized audio data stream over a powerline network connection.