Abstract: In embodiments of the disclosed technology, a plurality of ratings of websites is received, wherein each rating is associated with a category and a rater and each rater is associated with at least one group. A selection of a category is received from the user, wherein the user is associated with at least one group. One website location (or a plurality of website locations) is provided in the category to the user based on at least one rating of the plurality of ratings provided by at least one of the raters, wherein at least one group associated with the rater and at least one the group associated with the user are the same group.

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: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for processing a ring tone. A communication is processed from a calling number to a called number. An electronic database is queried for the calling number, and contact information associated with the calling number is retrieved. A ring tone database is queried for the contact information, and the ring tone database stores an association between the contact information and a ring tone. The ring tone associated with the contact information is retrieved and processed to alert the called number to the communication from the calling number.

Abstract: A security processing element stores authentication data corresponding to a plurality of possible authentication modes. At a time of activation, the security processing element randomly selects one of the authentication modes for presentation to the user. The user must successfully enter data corresponding to the randomly selected authentication mode. In an alternative embodiment, the security processing element can randomly select a plurality of authentication modes that are sequentially presented to the user. The user must successfully respond to each of the plurality of requested authentication modes. In another embodiment, for high security communications, the security processing element may select from a subset of authentication modes that are considered to be more robust. Conversely, the security processing element may select from a subset of randomly presented authentication modes that are considered less robust when used in a low security setting.

Abstract: A video distribution system is provided. The video distribution system includes a receiver to receive a plurality of video data streams. The video distribution system also includes a splitter to separate a first video data stream and a second video data stream from the plurality of video data streams. The video distribution system further includes a combiner to output a composite signal for communication via a first network. The composite signal includes the first video data stream modulated to a first radio frequency band associated with a first user and the second video data stream modulated to a second radio frequency band associated with a second user.

Abstract: A client enables filing sharing from within an email application. The client includes a receiver that receives an instruction to share at least one file via an email application. The client also includes a transmission system that transfers the at least one file to a web server. The client further includes an email application component that embeds a link to a handle into an email to be sent, the handle identifying the file(s) on the web server.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to activate or deactivate a web interface to a voicemail system through a telephone user interface to the voicemail system. During a setup procedure that runs on the first use of the telephone user interface, the method and apparatus asks the subscriber if the subscriber wants the web interface activated. The method and apparatus then activates the web interface and allows the subscriber to specify a sequence of both digits and letters as the subscriber's initial web password and username. The present invention also provides the capability to activate or deactivate the web interface via the telephone user interface at any time after the initialization. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide voice control of dial tone and audio message in a telephone in an initial off-hook period. A telephone system has a telephone with a receiver having an off-hook position. The telephone system provides a user with control of a telephone function. The telephone system includes an audio output to provide an audio message to the receiver in the off-hook position. The audio message includes an option for playing the audio message or a dial tone the next instance the receiver is in the off-hook position. A control interface receives a selected option in response to a user command.

Abstract: In one particular embodiment, a method includes receiving at a set-top box a call signal including a caller identifier from a network, where the caller identifier includes a calling number and a billing name associated with the calling number. An alias (or display name) associated with the calling number is retrieved from a personal address book stored in a memory of the set-top box. A modified caller identifier including the calling number and the alias is provided to a display device.

Abstract: A system and method of providing selectable video content is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a selection of a first mnemonic input at a set-top box device. The method also includes receiving a plurality of numeric input selections at the set-top box device, where each of the plurality of numeric input selections corresponds to at least one character. The method also includes determining a channel name based on a sequence of the plurality of numeric input selections.

Abstract: A system for sending an email through a web based email provider while using a web application includes a web application server and a web based email application server. The web application server displays a web page at a client having at least one selectable link, receives an instruction from the client requesting an email through selection of the selectable link, creates a redirect message for accessing the web based email provider, and sends the redirect message to the client. The web based email application server receives the redirect message, displays an email composition web page at the client, receives a completed email from the client, and sends the completed email to an email server for delivery.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of generating an aggregated cascading style sheet (CSS) for display of a web page are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a first cascading style sheet (CSS) including a first element name related to the display of web page content. A second CSS including a second element name related to the display of web page content is also received.

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: A system and method of storing contact information is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a request from a user at a web server of an Internet Protocol (IP) network to view call log data stored at a call log data store of the IP network. The method also includes issuing a request to obtain the call log data from the call log data store, wherein the call log data includes contact information associated with a call. The method also includes receiving a selection of the contact information from the user and sending the contact information to a network address book server of the IP network, where the contact information is stored in association with a network address book of the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying redirected calls are provided. A method may include receiving data related to a call termination request. The call termination request may indicate call redirection. The method may also include selecting one of a plurality of distinctive rings in response to the data related to the call termination request. A first distinctive ring is selected when a redirect number address associated with the call termination request does not match a specified redirect number address.

Abstract: A system and method (300) are disclosed for selective call-waiting in a communication system. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device (102) having a controller (206) that manages operations of a transceiver (202) for exchanging messages in a communication system, and a user interface (UI) (204) for exchanging messages with an end user of the communication device. The controller can be programmed to establish (302) voice communications with a first party, receive (308) a caller ID associated with a call from a second party while voice communications are taking place with the first party, compare (314) the caller ID with a phonebook, and if an entry in the phonebook matches the caller ID, submit (316, 320) a notification to the end user of the communication device that identifies the call from the second party. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method of publishing contact information is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a command to publish a collection of contacts to a plurality of recipients, where the collection of contacts is associated with a network address book of a sender. The method also includes receiving a distribution list that identifies the plurality of recipients. Additionally, the method includes sending a notification to each of the plurality of recipients, where the notification includes an invitation to subscribe to the collection of contacts. The method also includes sending the collection of contacts to at least one of the plurality of recipients who subscribes to the collection of contacts.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for an email service in a visual voicemail system (VVM) (110). A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include a VVM having a controller (102) coupled to a communication network (101) that manages operations of the VVM, populates (304) an end user profile as directed by an end user, records (306) a voicemail supplied by a calling party, stores the voicemail, populates (308) a “To” field of SMTP headers with a forwarding email address of the end user profile, populates (310) a “From” field of the SMTP headers with an email address of the VVM, populates (312) a “Reply to” field of the SMTP headers with a reply email address of the end user profile, generates (314) an email with the foregoing SMTP headers, a file corresponding to the voicemail, and instructions for disabling further forwarding of voicemails, and transmits (316) the email to the forwarding email address. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the A system and method of resetting authentication tokens is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes prompting a user of a computing device to transmit a first authentication token associated with an Internet account. The method also includes prompting the user to transmit a second authentication token associated with the Internet account. Further, the method includes receiving the second authentication token via the computing device and transmitting a temporary authentication token to a set-top box device of the user.

Abstract: A method is provided for customizing a call control rule by a subscriber at a graphical user interface. The method includes providing a first display, including multiple conditions relating to identifying calls involving the at least one telephone number, and receiving a first selection of at least one identifying condition. The method further includes providing a second display, including multiple call dispositions relating to processing the calls based on the at least one selected condition, and receiving a second selection of at least one call disposition. The identifying condition and the call disposition are stored as the call control rule in association with the telephone number, and calls involving the telephone number are processed in accordance with the stored call control rule. The method may also include providing a third display describing the call control rule contemporaneously with receiving the first and second selections.