Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for promoting a data item within a data distribution network. In one embodiment, a method includes monitoring at least one parameter for the data item where the data item is associated with an application or service, propagating the data item from a first data server toward a second data server based on the monitoring of the at least one parameter for the data item, and propagating, toward at least one device, a message indicative of the propagation of the data item from the first data server toward the second data server. The message is for adapting the at least one device to identify the second data server as a source of the data item capable of serving future requests for the data item.

Abstract: A network may include a plurality of nodes forming a first layer and a sub-set of the plurality of nodes forming a second layer. The first layer may follow a first routing objective in routing traffic, and the second layer may develop constraints based on the first routing objective and follow a second routing objective within the developed constraints in routing traffic. In another network, the second layer may follow a second routing objective in routing traffic, and the first layer may develop constraints based on the second routing objective and follow a first routing objective within the developed constraints in routing traffic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing template-based prefix caching advantageously identifies common prefixes (i.e., initial video segments) in video titles, stores common prefixes only once in a prefix cache, and uses these common prefixes when serving requests for video content. This advantageously enables a prefix cache to scale to a large number of video titles, since the cache stores each common prefix only once. A new video title that uses an already existing prefix may be advantageously added without requiring additional storage in the prefix cache. Template-based prefix caching also advantageously reduces the bandwidth required to distribute prefixes when new titles are ingested into the system—if the required template is already available in the prefix cache, prefix-caching is enabled instantly for this title and no additional bandwidth is required to distribute the prefix.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for configuring a self-learning network using feedback information received from an end user terminal communicating via the self-learning network. A method includes receiving feedback information from the end user terminal, generating configuration information for at least one network element of the self-learning network using the received feedback information, and configuring the at least one network element using the generated configuration information. The at least one network element of the self-learning network is configured by executing commands on each of the at least one network element and/or by propagating configuration information to each of the at least one network element. The feedback information may include user and/or terminal feedback information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing template-based prefix caching advantageously identifies common prefixes (i.e., initial video segments) in video titles, stores common prefixes only once in a prefix cache, and uses these common prefixes when serving requests for video content. This advantageously enables a prefix cache to scale to a large number of video titles, since the cache stores each common prefix only once. A new video title that uses an already existing prefix may be advantageously added without requiring additional storage in the prefix cache. Template-based prefix caching also advantageously reduces the bandwidth required to distribute prefixes when new titles are ingested into the system—if the required template is already available in the prefix cache, prefix-caching is enabled instantly for this title and no additional bandwidth is required to distribute the prefix.

Abstract: A method and communication network for providing a subscriber with a blend of services of the communication network delivered to the subscriber through a telephone and services delivered to the subscriber through a TV delivery system in communication with the network. Upon receipt of a message from a calling party, a service broker function may be configured to execute service package information associated with services of the TV delivery system subscription to include obtaining and delivering caller ID information of the calling party. The service broker function may be configured to alter the message request to generate a modified message request in respect to information affecting alerting of the subscriber's phone. The modified message is sent to the subscriber's phone so that, while information of the calling party is displayed on the TV delivery system, alerting of the phone is modified.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for coordinating transfer of information between ones of a plurality of devices including a coordinating device and at least one other device. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting selection of an item available at a first one of the devices, detecting a gesture-based command for the selected item, identifying a second one of the devices based on the gesture-based command and a spatial relationship between the coordinating device and the second one of the devices, and initiating a control message adapted for enabling the first one of the devices to propagate the selected item toward the second one of the devices. The control message is adapted for enabling the first one of the devices to propagate the selected item toward the second one of the devices. The first one of the devices on which the item is available may be the coordinating device or another device.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for promoting a data item within a data distribution network. In one embodiment, a method includes monitoring at least one parameter for the data item where the data item is associated with an application or service, propagating the data item from a first data server toward a second data server based on the monitoring of the at least one parameter for the data item, and propagating, toward at least one device, a message indicative of the propagation of the data item from the first data server toward the second data server. The message is for adapting the at least one device to identify the second data server as a source of the data item capable of serving future requests for the data item.

Abstract: A network may include a plurality of nodes forming a first layer and a sub-set of the plurality of nodes forming a second layer. The first layer may follow a first routing objective in routing traffic, and the second layer may develop constraints based on the first routing objective and follow a second routing objective within the developed constraints in routing traffic. In another network, the second layer may follow a second routing objective in routing traffic, and the first layer may develop constraints based on the second routing objective and follow a first routing objective within the developed constraints in routing traffic.

Abstract: The concept of “roaming” is extended to wireline networks with a network hosted technique which emulates a wireline telecommunications network user's environment when the user is using a wireline telecommunications device located at a physical location other than his or her “home” location, or when using a wireline or wireless telecommunications device other than his or her own regardless of the location. Any telephone or other telecommunications device being used by the user advantageously appears to be logically connected directly to his or her home telecommunications network, irrespective of the location of the telephone or other telecommunications device being used and the telecommunications network to which that device is actually connected.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for configuring a self-learning network using feedback information received from an end user terminal communicating via the self-learning network. A method includes receiving feedback information from the end user terminal, generating configuration information for at least one network element of the self-learning network using the received feedback information, and configuring the at least one network element using the generated configuration information. The at least one network element of the self-learning network is configured by executing commands on each of the at least one network element and/or by propagating configuration information to each of the at least one network element. The feedback information may include user and/or terminal feedback information.

Abstract: A new architecture and operational techniques for supporting high quality live and on-demand streaming multimedia on a data network. By using Helper machines inside the network as data forwarding, caching, and buffering agents, and by forming meshes among Helper machines, advantages of homogeneous, synchronous multicast transmission and of heterogeneous, asynchronous reception are achieved. The architecture provides essentially transparently support to the receivers for near-zero start-up latency, improved playback quality, improved CR-like operations. These are achieved while reducing network and server load compared to today's multimedia networking techniques.

Abstract: The present invention supports services that span multiple service domains. In one embodiment, the present invention provides service-level interaction between an enterprise network and a non-enterprise network (or networks), thereby enabling enterprise users at remote locations (i.e., at home, on vacation, or at other locations remote from the enterprise location) to use services typically only available to the enterprise users while at the enterprise location (e.g., while in the office). The present invention provides a calendar notification service, whereby a calendar notification originating in an enterprise network is provided to a remote enterprise user via a non-enterprise network. The present invention provides an enterprise dialing plan service, whereby a remote enterprise user may register a remote user device to be able to use an enterprise dialing plan.

Abstract: When an intelligent VoIP endpoint terminal on a VoIP network becomes inoperative for any reason and can't respond to a service request that it had been programmed for, rather than leaving that service request unfulfilled, a VoIP network-hosted instance of that primarily endpoint terminal-provided service is invoked to handle that request and provide the service that would have otherwise been provided by the endpoint terminal. The network-hosted instance thus executes the requested service on behalf of the unavailable endpoint terminal.

Abstract: A click-to-contact service automatically and uniformly converts all types of contact information embedded in any Web page into click-to-contact links. This user-oriented service is realized with a click-to-contact agent, which takes any Web page as an input and adds click-to-contact links to the contact information located within that Web page. This agent can be invoked from the Web browser running on an end-user's client system or from within the network. This click-to-contact agent performs the tasks of searching an incoming Web page for contact information by applying a grammar for such contacts. When contact information is found, the Web page is modified to include a link in association with that contact information within the Web page. When the end-user subsequently clicks on or otherwise selects such a click-to-contact link, one or two-way telephonic or electronic communication is established between the end-user and an address associated with the contact information within the Web page.

Abstract: A new architecture and operational techniques for supporting high quality live and on-demand streaming multimedia on a data network. By using Helper machines inside the network as data forwarding, caching, and buffering agents, and by forming meshes among Helper machines, advantages of homogeneous, synchronous multicast transmission and of heterogeneous, asynchronous reception are achieved. The architecture provides essentially transparently support to the receivers for near-zero start-up latency, improved playback quality, improved CR-like operations. These are achieved while reducing network and server load compared to today's multimedia networking techniques.

Abstract: A new architecture and operational techniques for supporting high quality live and on-demand streaming multimedia on a data network. By using Helper machines inside the network as data forwarding, caching, and buffering agents, and by forming meshes among Helper machines, advantages of homogeneous, synchronous multicast transmission and of heterogeneous, asynchronous reception are achieved. The architecture provides essentially transparently support to the receivers for near-zero start-up latency, improved playback quality, improved CR-like operations. These are achieved while reducing network and server load compared to today's multimedia networking techniques.