Abstract: A transmitter device of the content distribution system transmits content portions of a content message to a receiver device using respective multicast channels within a network. In such an arrangement, by using multiple multicast channels for transmission of the content portions forming the content message, the transmitter device limits the ability for an unauthorized user, monitoring a particular multicast channel, to distinguishing the content portions from noise or to retrieve the complete content message from the transmitter device, thereby providing security to the content message. Furthermore, the content distribution system utilizes multicast channels within a network to deliver the content portions to all receiver devices in communication with the network, thereby minimizing the power requirements needed by the transmitter device to deliver the content portions to a receiver device farthest from the transmitter device.

Abstract: Presently disclosed are apparatus and methods for coordinating the delivery of messages and/or message notifications among multiple messaging media and message services so that the successful delivery of one copy of a message results in the deletion of other, redundant message copies still in transit to the recipient and the cancellation of any other message waiting notifications still pending. The system may be implemented with a network-connected device (such as but not limited to a server, switch, or router) containing or having connected to it a user interface, a coordination server, and a plurality of message services. Embodiments of the invention thus provide message delivery management that is more user-friendly, computationally- and resource-efficient and more adaptable to changing user preferences and user locations/addresses.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for performing time interval processing and annotation in presence systems includes obtaining presence information attributes relating to a presentity. The presence information for the presentity is modified with presence information attributes to provide annotated presence information for the presentity. The annotated presence information is then forwarded to at least one subscriber.

Abstract: A data processing device, such as a television set top box, receives user-selected content data from a remote source over a network in response to user initiated content selection information. The data processing device stores the user-selected content data (e.g., readable or playable content data such as movies, text, audio, etc.) in an appropriate storage location of the data processing device. The data processing device enables a user to access only a portion of the user-selected content data stored therein. If the user forgoes a right to selectively retrieve certain content data, the data processing device enables user access to other user-selected content data in the storage location. Thus, if a user experiences a “change in heart,” the user may forgo a right to play back certain content data for a right to selectively retrieve different portions of user-selected content data in the data processing device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for identifying teleconference participants. More particularly, the invention relates to a conference system that includes an initialization means for initializing a call between participants located in at least two remote stations and an identification means for identifying one of the participants in one remote station responsive to a request from another of the participants in another remote station. The initialization means comprises table means for creating a table associating each of the participants to a position in a particular remote station and including a recorded voice segment of each of the participants. The identification means uses the table to identify the participant last to speak by looking up the position of the last speaker on the table and playing back the recorded voice segment of the participant associated with that position.

Abstract: A system transmits a plurality of media programs in a network. In one embodiment of the invention, a media program distribution system determines a first resource attribute of a first media program and a second resource attribute of a second media program. The distribution system compares the first resource attribute with the second resource attribute to determine a relative value. In turn, the media server assigns a first distribution resource to the first media program and a second distribution resource to the second media program in response to the relative value and applies one of a plurality of transmission modes to each media program in response to the resource attribute and distribution resource type. Examples of distribution resources include unicast, multicast and broadcast channels. Examples of transmission modes include various protocols such as error checking protocols and encoding mechanisms such as codecs.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques, in a first content distribution node, for maintaining a first catalog of a first content distribution node. The first content distribution node detects a modification condition associated with the first catalog of the first content distribution node. The modification condition identifies a potential requirement to modify the first catalog. In response to detecting the modification condition, the first content distribution node performs a version-based comparison technique on the first catalog. The version-based comparison technique compares at least one of gap version information and entry version information associated with the modification condition to gap version information and entry version information associated with the first catalog to identify a catalog change condition.

Abstract: A power source is configured to notify an external monitoring device of a condition such as a low power condition of the power source. The power source has an associated controller that monitors the condition of the power source. The power source receives a first threshold condition for a power source, establishes a communications channel with an external monitoring device, transmits a notification related to the first threshold condition of the power source to the external monitoring device through the communications channel and discontinues the established communications channel based on a reception condition of the external monitoring device. The controller terminates notification after reception of an acknowledgment sent by the external monitoring device or after an elapsed time. The communications channel can be a wireless communications channels or can be a network such as the Internet.

Abstract: A system controller selects a transmission mode for content distribution based upon the relative popularity of the content within the content distribution system. The system controller receives a content distribution request from a content source and detects a content distribution characteristic for content to be distributed by the content source, in response to receiving the content distribution request. When the content distribution characteristic indicates the content as being relatively popular, or frequently requested by receivers in the content distribution system, the system controller selects a one-to-many transmission mode for the content. When the content distribution characteristic indicates the content as being relatively unpopular, or infrequently requested by receivers in the content distribution system), the system controller selects a one-to-one transmission mode for the content.

Abstract: A system incorporates notification aspects of a presence system with content distribution capabilities of a content delivery network to both notify subscribers of the presence of content from a host and provide relatively fast and efficient delivery of the content to the user. A content host provides content, such as streaming audio or video media, to a content delivery network. The content host also provides notification of the availability of the content to a central site or presence server. A subscriber to the content host receives, from the presence server, notification as to the availability of content by the content host. The subscriber also receives notification as to the location of the content in the content delivery network. Based upon the notification, the subscriber retrieves the content from the content delivery network.