Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for receiving on a control channel signaling software for scanning portions of a television spectrum, where the control channel operates in a portion of the television spectrum. The method further includes scanning for services operating in the television spectrum according to the received signaling software, detecting one or more services operating in the television spectrum, and selecting a service of the detected one or more services operating in the television spectrum. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to present presence information are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a request from a first user for presence information associated with a second user, analyzing information from a monitoring sensor associated with the second user to determine that the second user is available for communication with the first user using a first communication method and is unavailable for communication with the first user using a second communication method, and sending a message to the first user indicating that the second user is available for communication using the first communication method and is unavailable for communication using the second communication method.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for acquiring services on a multiplicity of devices. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a service management center (SMC) (100) that has a plurality of service centers (102-110) for supplying services to a corresponding plurality of devices (120-128), and a controller (112) for managing operations of the service centers. The controller is programmed to receive (202) from a select one of the devices an identification reference in response to a request for service by an end user, search (210) for one or more services associated with the identification reference, select (212) from the search results one or more services appropriate for the requesting device, and enable (220) the one or more services on the selected device.

Abstract: A method includes sending a user interface to a device associated with a content source. The user interface includes a listing of media content recorded by a network recorder. The media content is associated with the content source. The network recorder recorded the media content in response to requests received from subscriber devices. The user interface also includes a selectable element associated with each item of the listing. The selectable element for a particular item enables configuration of digital rights of recorded media content associated with the particular item to enable distribution of the recorded media content to subscribers that did not send requests to record the recorded media content via the network recorder. The method also includes receiving user input from the device via the user interface for a selected item. The user input associates a particular offer profile with first media content associated with the selected item.

Abstract: A method of managing digital rights is disclosed that includes recording media content at one or more servers supporting a multimedia content distribution service. The one or more servers are configured to transmit multimedia data to multiple customer premises equipment (CPE) devices. The method further includes determining recorded media content at the one or more servers that is associated with a content source and providing a graphical user interface (GUI) accessible to a content manager at the content source to manage digital rights. The GUI includes a list of the recorded media content and at least one selectable element associated with each item of the list accessible to select media content and to configure digital rights associated with the selected media content.

Abstract: A method includes recording multimedia content at a server and receiving, at the server while the multimedia content is being recorded at the server, a request from a customer premise equipment device to initiate transmission of a stream of the multimedia content. The method also includes granting the request from the customer premise equipment device and providing the customer premise equipment device access to the multimedia content.

Abstract: Data content providers transfer data content (including DRM protected content) over a broadband network onto one or more information filling stations (IFSs) situated at one or more physical locations. Users are able to wirelessly communicate with the IFSs via one or more of portable devices that are operable in close proximity to the IFS. Data content requested by the portable devices include, but are not limited to: multimedia files, WWW data, real-time and interactive games, e-mail (with or without attachments), electronic newspapers, news and sports information, traffic and weather information, e-books, interactive messaging, and/or data files. Additionally, the portable devices are also capable of facilitating point-of-sale purchases and electronic funds transfers. Optionally, the IFS also forwards advertisements promoting products and services to the portable devices.

Abstract: Provided are a method and a system for recording a video broadcast using a video recording device. A system can extract in-band scheduling data and generate scheduling information based on the extracted in-band scheduling data, received scheduling data, and transactional scheduling update. The system can update a recording schedule for a broadcast in response to a determined scheduling update.

Abstract: A method includes recording multimedia content at a server and receiving, at the server while the multimedia content is being recorded at the server, a request from a customer premise equipment device to initiate transmission of a stream of the multimedia content. The method also includes granting the request from the customer premise equipment device and providing the customer premise equipment device access to the multimedia content.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to present presence information are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a request from a first user for presence information associated with a second user, analyzing information from a monitoring sensor associated with the second user to determine that the second user is available for communication with the first user using a first communication method and is unavailable for communication with the first user using a second communication method, and sending a message to the first user indicating that the second user is available for communication using the first communication method and is unavailable for communication using the second communication method.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a system and method for recording and accessing multimedia data. In a particular embodiment, a method includes determining a first number of requests to record specific multimedia content at a first server supporting a multimedia content distribution service. The first server may be configured to transmit multimedia data to multiple customer premises equipment (CPE). The method may also include recording the specific multimedia content at a second server when the first number of requests is greater than or equal to a threshold. The second server may be configured to transmit the multimedia data to the first server.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for receiving on a control channel signaling software for scanning portions of a television spectrum, where the control channel operates in a portion of the television spectrum. The method further includes scanning for services operating in the television spectrum according to the received signaling software, detecting one or more services operating in the television spectrum, and selecting a service of the detected one or more services operating in the television spectrum. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to present presence information are disclosed. An example method includes requesting presence information associated with a first user, receiving the presence information from the first user, receiving information from a monitoring sensor associated with the first user, and sending a first message indicating that a communication session is permissible when the presence information and the information from the monitoring sensor indicates that a communication session is permissible.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for scanning services with a multimode communication device. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device (102) having a controller (206) for managing operations of a user interface (UI) (204), and a wireless transceiver (202). The UI conveys messages to an end user and facilitates manipulating operations of the communication device. The wireless transceiver supports software defined radio (SDR) communications and communications on at least one other access technology. The controller is programmed to scan (312, 314) for services in a television (TV) spectrum and at least one among a cellular spectrum, an ultra wideband (UWB) spectrum, a WiFi spectrum and a WiMax spectrum, detect (316) one or more services, and present (318) one or more of the detected services to the end user. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A location services controller (104) for locating multimode communication devices (MCDs) (102) has a communication element (302) for communicating with two or more communication networks (106) and MCDs coupled thereto, a memory (304), and a processor (306) for controlling operations thereof. The processor is programmed to request (402) location information of an MCD from at least two sources selected among a group that can include the MCD and one or more communication networks coupled to the MCD, and determine (426) from the sources of location information the location of the MCD.

Abstract: A list of video programs downloadable via a digital subscriber line, including a presently-unavailable video program and its associated date of download availability, is presented to a user. A user selection of the video program is received. Based on the user selection, an entry is added to a download schedule to schedule downloading the video program on or after its associated date of download availability. The video program is downloaded via the digital subscriber line based on the download schedule.

Abstract: A location services controller (104) for locating multimode communication devices (MCDs) (102) has a communication element (302) for communicating with two or more communication networks (106) and MCDs coupled thereto, a memory (304), and a processor (306) for controlling operations thereof. The processor is programmed to request (402) location information of an MCD from at least two sources selected among a group that can include the MCD and one or more communication networks coupled to the MCD, and determine (426) from the sources of location information the location of the MCD.

Abstract: One or more content providers push data related to: movies, movie products, digital movie content over a network (e.g., a LAN, a WAN, the Internet, or a wireless network) onto an information filling station which, in turn, wirelessly transacts (over a network based on the 802.11b protocol) and transmits any requested data to a portable computer-based device (e.g., laptop, a pen-based computer device, a PDA, a wireless phone, or a pager). The portable device performs financial transactions for: purchasing movie tickets (directly or via auctions), downloading digital entertainment content of interest (e.g., copy of a movie of interest, copy of a movie identified based on a pre-stored profile, copy of soundtrack of a movie of interest), or movie related products. Any purchased digital content is either transferred wirelessly onto the portable device or, optionally, sent on a storage medium to a physical address associated with the profile.

Abstract: A location services controller (104) for locating multimode communication devices (MCDs) (102) has a communication element (302) for communicating with two or more communication networks (106) and MCDs coupled thereto, a memory (304), and a processor (306) for controlling operations thereof. The processor is programmed to request (402) location information of an MCD from at least two sources selected among a group that can include the MCD and one or more communication networks coupled to the MCD, and determine (426) from the sources of location information the location of the MCD.

Abstract: One or more content providers push data related to: movies, movie products, digital movie content over a network (e.g., a LAN, a WAN, the Internet, or a wireless network) onto an information filling station which, in turn, wirelessly transacts (over a network based on the 802.11b protocol) and transmits any requested data to a portable computer-based device (e.g., laptop, a pen-based computer device, a PDA, a wireless phone, or a pager). The portable device performs financial transactions for: purchasing movie tickets (directly or via auctions), downloading digital entertainment content of interest (e.g., copy of a movie of interest, copy of a movie identified based on a pre-stored profile, copy of soundtrack of a movie of interest), or movie related products. Any purchased digital content is either transferred wirelessly onto the portable device or, optionally, sent on a storage medium to a physical address associated with the profile.