Abstract: A service model, integrated system, and method for enabling a service provider to deliver an integrated web hosting and content distribution service offering, which affords assured operational performance service levels, regardless of whether the customer's web site is served by the service provider's hosting center, the service provider's content distribution network (CDN), by a third party web host, or by a third party CDN. A monitoring system of the primary service provider receives detailed capacity and health statistics from any CDN under the operational control of the primary service provider, receives aggregate capacity and health statistics from other CDNs not under the operational control of the primary service provider. A redirection system then decides to which web host, content distribution network, or combination thereof, user requests for content are directed in order that operational performance service levels are maintained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing broadband signals to a portable user device is disclosed. Broadband signals, such as satellite radio signals, are received at a base station having a plurality of antennas. The content of the broadband signals are then encoded using space time coding (STC), and the STC encoded broadband content is transmitted from the plurality of antennas via a first wireless network protocol. The STC encoded broadband content can be received at a portable user device having a plurality of antennas or at a wireless access point having a plurality of antennas, which then transmit the broadband signals via a second wireless network protocol.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable medium for controlling devices connected to a network. The method includes receiving an utterance from a user for remotely controlling a device in a network; converting the received utterance to text using an automatic speech recognition module; accessing a user profile in the network that governs access to a plurality of devices on the network and identifiers which control a conversion of the text to a device specific control language; identifying based on the text a device to be controlled; converting at least a portion of the text to the device control language; and transmitting the device control language to the identified device, wherein the identified device implements a function based on the transmitted device control language.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable medium for controlling devices connected to a network. The method includes receiving an utterance from a user for remotely controlling a device in a network; converting the received utterance to text using an automatic speech recognition module; accessing a user profile in the network that governs access to a plurality of devices on the network and identifiers which control a conversion of the text to a device specific control language; identifying based on the text a device to be controlled; converting at least a portion of the text to the device control language; and transmitting the device control language to the identified device, wherein the identified device implements a function based on the transmitted device control language.

Abstract: A method, computer readable medium and apparatus for providing control of social networking sites are disclosed. For example, the method establishes an owner profile, receives a request form a third party user to post information on a social networking site associated with an owner, determines if the request should be granted in accordance with the owner profile and posts the information on the social networking site associated with the owner if the request is granted.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and tangible computer-readable media for placing an order for a user. The method includes receiving a search from a user, identifying a product category based on the search, presenting to the user a general ordering screen based on the identified product category, selecting and activating a speech recognition grammar tuned for the identified product category, recognizing a first received user utterance with the activated tuned grammar to identify a vendor who offers items in the identified product category, recognizing a second received user utterance with the activated tuned grammar to identify a specific item from the identified vendor, and placing an order for the specific item with the identified vendor for the user. In one aspect, the method further offers to sell the user additional items ancillary to the specific item.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer-readable media for browsing based on user recognition. The method includes receiving input from a user, verifying a user identity based on the input, identifying a browsing device of the user, retrieving a user profile associated with the user and the identified browsing device, the profile storing browser settings, and launching a browser on the identified browsing device with browser settings from the retrieved user profile. The input can be speech. The user identity can be verified by network-based speaker recognition. The method can further automatically update the user profile based on user actions. In one aspect, the method further identifies a preferred browser in the user profile, provisions a version of the preferred browser adapted to the identified browsing device, and launches the provisioned preferred browser on the identified browsing device with settings from the retrieved user profile.

Abstract: A service model, integrated system, and method for enabling a service provider to deliver an integrated web hosting and content distribution service offering, which affords assured operational performance service levels, regardless of whether the customer's web site is served by the service provider's hosting center, the service provider's content distribution network (CDN), by a third party web host, or by a third party CDN. A monitoring system of the primary service provider receives detailed capacity and health statistics from any CDN under the operational control of the primary service provider, receives aggregate capacity and health statistics from other CDNs not under the operational control of the primary service provider. A redirection system then decides to which web host, content distribution network, or combination thereof, user requests for content are directed in order that operational performance service levels are maintained.

Abstract: A service model, integrated system, and method for enabling a service provider to deliver an integrated web hosting and content distribution service offering, which affords assured operational performance service levels, regardless of whether the customer's web site is served by the service provider's hosting center, the service provider's content distribution network (CDN), by a third party web host, or by a third party CDN. A monitoring system of the primary service provider receives detailed capacity and health statistics from any CDN under the operational control of the primary service provider, receives aggregate capacity and health statistics from other CDNs not under the operational control of the primary service provider. A redirection system then decides to which web host, content distribution network, or combination thereof, user requests for content are directed in order that operational performance service levels are maintained.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable medium for controlling devices connected to a network. The method includes receiving an utterance from a user for remotely controlling a device in a network; converting the received utterance to text using an automatic speech recognition module; accessing a user profile in the network that governs access to a plurality of devices on the network and identifiers which control a conversion of the text to a device specific control language; identifying based on the text a device to be controlled; converting at least a portion of the text to the device control language; and transmitting the device control language to the identified device, wherein the identified device implements a function based on the transmitted device control language.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing broadband signals to a portable user device is disclosed. Broadband signals, such as satellite radio signals, are received at a base station having a plurality of antennas. The content of the broadband signals are then encoded using space time coding (STC), and the STC encoded broadband content is transmitted from the plurality of antennas via a first wireless network protocol. The STC encoded broadband content can be received at a portable user device having a plurality of antennas or at a wireless access point having a plurality of antennas, which then transmit the broadband signals via a second wireless network protocol.

Abstract: An intelligent roadway system is configured to detect and track a usage of a roadway by a vehicle by identifying a wireless device carried on the vehicle. The account of the user, associated with the wireless device, is charged for the usage of the roadway based on the detected information through the wireless device. Road services, such as directions, road conditions, weather forecast and traffic status may also be provided interactively through the wireless device while the vehicle is on the roadway.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing fully readable email and attachments where senders and receivers are connected by less than fully compatible email providers or have less than fully compatible software. For example, where a sender employs word processing or graphics software not employed by the intended recipient, a network service provider downloads a loaner or loaners to the recipient so that the recipient can fully read or utilize the email and attachments. Preferably, the loaner or loaners are destroyed once the email and attachments have received. Alternatively, rather than downloading a loaner, access to a web site may be provided to the recipient who can download a fully utilizable copy of the email and attachments by facsimile, for example. In either case, senders and receivers no longer need to have the same software programs to fully communicate utilizing email.