Abstract: A dispersion compensation system comprises a detector for receiving an optical input signal and a compensator for processing the detector outputs and re-constituting the original signal. The detector generates at least two signals which depend on the instantaneous amplitude and frequency of the distorted signal in different ways, and the compensator electrically processes the detector outputs. The detector comprises a wavelength selective device (such as an asymmetric MZI) and two or more opto electronic detectors providing the electrical signals. The detector subtracts outputs of the MZI to provide frequency information and sums MZI outputs to provide amplitude information. The detector may have a dedicated amplitude detector. The compensator may have a local oscillator which is modulated by amplitude and phase or frequency information of the detector output signals, and the local oscillator may operate in the range of 11 to 100 GHz.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing subscription data are described. Subscription data may be received from a subscription data source. The video content may be provided for presentation. A determination may be made of whether the subscription data is contextually relevant to the video content. The subscription data may be provided for presentation in accordance with the determination and the providing of the video content.

Abstract: A set-top box generates a multimedia signal that includes streaming video for a plurality of currently available multimedia channels. A user configures a plurality of favorite channels. Streaming video from the favorite channels is provided in a plurality of viewports on a display. A user presses a favorites button on a remote control to prompt an application server to signal a content server to provide a compound video signal including streaming video from each favorite channel. The set-top box produces a resultant video signal including the streaming video from each favorite channel in a corresponding viewport. The viewports correspond to a mosaic template that may be hosted by the application server and accessed by the content server.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide methods and systems to support a karaoke system provided via a set-top box and internet protocol television system. An example embodiment includes an apparatus and system to receive a karaoke content user selection through a user interface of a set-top box, send the karaoke content user selection to a VOD server via a network, enable access to selected karaoke content corresponding to the karaoke content user selection from the VOD server, and to enable viewing of the selected karaoke content on a display device via the set-top box. The set-top box further includes a karaoke input interface and a storage device operable to store karaoke input received via the karaoke input interface.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide methods and systems to support the purchase and downloading of console games via a set-top box and internet protocol television system. An example embodiment includes an apparatus and system to receive a console game user selection through a user interface of a set-top box, to send the console game user selection to a VOD server via a network, to enable purchase of a selected console game corresponding to the console game user selection from the VOD server, and to download the selected console game to a console device via an interface provided by the set-top box.

Abstract: An embolic coil delivery system includes a catheter and an embolic coil disposed within the catheter, the embolic coil including a coil wire and a fiber bundle. A method of producing an embolic coil delivery system includes: advancing a delivery sheath over a distal end of an embolic coil while applying tension to the embolic coil via a retaining device that is attached to the distal end of the embolic coil.

Abstract: A method to deliver a notification of receipt of an e-mail includes associating a set-top box identifier with at least one e-mail account. Through a mail server external to an IPTV network, it is determined whether an e-mail has been received for the at least one e-mail account. In response to determining that an e-mail has been received for the at least one e-mail account, an e-mail delivery notification is generated and transmitted to the e-mail delivery notification to a set-top box device identified by the set-top box identifier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method of providing public video content. The method includes receiving video content of a public video content channel at a set-top box device via a private access network of a video distribution system, where the video content is accessible to the video distribution system via a web page associated with the public video content channel.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide methods and systems to support interactive games on a television via internet protocol. An example embodiment includes receiving a game selection from a remote user through a set-top box via a network, activating the selected game on a games server, and communicating game rendering information to the set-top box via the network thereby enabling remotely playing the selected game via a television monitor and a remote control device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of providing system information. The method can include sending system content to display concurrently with video content on a display device. The video content may be associated with a last selected channel of a set-top box prior to a trigger event.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for providing community content. The method can include making content received from a first user via a data network available to a second user via a video distribution service. The system can include a selective transmission and filtering module to control transmission of content between an interface to a public data network and a private video distribution system.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of providing a set-top box application. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a request from a set-top box device to launch a set-top box application. The method also includes determining whether a processing system of the set-top box device supports execution of the set-top box application. The method also includes sending the set-top box application to the set-top box device after determining that the processing system of the set-top box device can support execution of the set-top box application.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of providing interactive content. The method can include receiving a video signal from a first source of a television system, where the video signal includes video content but does not include data relating to an interactive application. The method can also include retrieving an interactive application from a second source of the television system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting notification messages is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a storage element that stores contact information for one or more messaging devices of one or more parties associated with an end user, a detection element that detects an emergency call initiated by the end user, and a transmission element that transmits a notice associated with the detected emergency call to at least one among the one or more messaging devices. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to distribute and present media content including triggers are disclosed. An example method includes receiving media content including triggers at a consumer location, determining that the media content includes triggers, presenting an indicator, receiving a request to activate the trigger, and performing an action associated with the trigger. Example actions include initiating a voice enabled telecommunication session, initiating a recording of the media content at a video recorder, initiating a playback of media content at a video recorder, and subscribing to a service.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes transmitting a video stream to a set-top box. The video stream may include a targeted advertisement with a user selectable indicator to identify supplemental video content related to the targeted advertisement based on a subscriber profile associated with the set-top box. The method further includes receiving a request from the set-top box based on the user selectable indicator and transmitting the supplemental video content to a memory of the set-top box independently from the video stream and without interrupting display of the video stream.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of providing targeted advertisements. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving video content of television programming at a set-top box device from a video server of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) system. The method also includes receiving video content of a targeted advertisement at the set-top box device from the video server with the video content of the television programming, where an advertisement server of the IPTV system selects the targeted advertisement based on a customer profile associated with an identifier of the set-top box device. The method also includes recognizing an advertisement insertion point in the video content of the television programming. The method also includes inserting the video content of the targeted advertisement into the video content of the television programming at the advertisement insertion point.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to distribute media content are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a request for media content from a mobile device, determining an identity of at least one of the mobile device or a consumer using the mobile device, comparing the identity to subscription records associated with the distribution of media content to a geographically fixed consumer location; and based on the comparison, determining if the mobile device is authorized to receive the media content.

Abstract: A television content provider can reserve and use a television channel can be used to provide interactive content to a user device. Unlike conventional broadcast channels, a user at the user device may view content to an extent (length, depth, or both) that the user desires. The user can pick and choose content to view, may drill down to whatever level of detail that the user desires, contact an originating source of the content, interact with the content in another manner, or the like. Unlike the Internet, the content can be customized for transmission over a television channel, which may allow higher quality and potentially a larger array of content than may otherwise be provided over the Internet. The transmission may be performed over a private network, so that security concerns are reduced.

Abstract: A method includes determining a content type of a multimedia program at a first time for each of a plurality of multimedia channels and associating, during a first channel navigation period, each multimedia channel of a first subset of the plurality of multimedia channels with a corresponding channel number of a channel numbering sequence. The method additionally includes determining a content type of a multimedia program at a second time for each of the plurality of multimedia channels and associating, during a second channel navigation period, each multimedia channel of a second subset of the plurality of multimedia channels with a corresponding channel number of the channel numbering sequence. Each multimedia program of the first subset includes a first content type at the first time and each multimedia program of the second subset includes the first content type at the second time.