Abstract: Systems and methods to download digital data files are provided. A particular method includes sending authentication data and a request to download a digital data file from a portable computing device to a remote network device via a first network access point. A first portion of the digital data file is received at the portable computing device. The first portion does not include a remaining portion of the digital data file. Communication is established between the portable computing device and a second network access point after communication is lost between the portable computing device and the first network access point and before the remaining portion of the digital data file is received. The remaining portion of the digital data file is received at the portable computing device without sending a second request related to downloading the digital data file.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally to a method and system to handle downloads of digital data files to portable computing devices. In a particular embodiment, the system includes a first system access point responsive to a first wireless access point at a first location; a second system access point responsive to a second wireless access point at a second location; and a central facility. The central facility includes a computer having a user sign-on module to permit wireless download access to digital data files by a portable device within communication range of at least one of the first wireless access point and the second wireless access point. The central facility includes a digital data file download status memory, the status memory including an indication of download status and including an indication of the portion of a requested digital data file that has been downloaded.

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: 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 method of facilitating targeted content delivery is disclosed and includes receiving a request from a third-party to deliver targeted content to a plurality of customers of a service provider, where the request includes a plurality of customer profile parameters. The method also includes aggregating profile data associated with at least some of the plurality of customers of the service provider to produce collective customer profile information corresponding to the request. The aggregated profile data matches at least some of the customer profile parameters. The method also includes communicating service terms to the third-party, wherein the service terms are determined for the request based at least partially on a type of the targeted content. Further, the method includes receiving the targeted content from the third-party after the service provider receives data indicating acceptance of the service terms.

Abstract: A purchase key is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a purchase fulfillment device can have a storage medium to store a plurality of purchase fulfillment identifiers (IDs) issued by a corresponding plurality of credit providers, and a biometric reader to enable access to a point of sale (POS) device to retrieve at least one among the plurality of purchase fulfillment IDs in the storage medium. Additional 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 method and system for network communication. A first content type is identified for a communication stream of a nonaggregated communication session. A target of the communication stream is identified. The communication stream is transcoded into a second content type compatible with the target. The transcoded communication stream of the nonaggregated communication session is provided to the target.

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: 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: In one embodiment, a method for selecting targeted advertising, is disclosed including monitoring subscriber event data from a first and a second access subscriber device, calculating a product interest correlation score in a plurality of product categories for the subscriber based on the subscriber event data, reviewing an advertiser database to select an advertisement in the product categories, and selecting a format to deliver the selected advertisement to a third subscriber access device. In another embodiment, a system is disclosed for selecting an advertisement to send to a subscriber, including an internet profiling module that monitors subscriber event data, an internet profiling database for storing and classifying the event data monitored by the internet profiling module, an advertiser index database for storing advertiser detail information, and an intelligent correlation scoring system (ICSS) processor coupled to the internet profiling database, user profile and the advertiser index database.

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 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: In a particular embodiment, the disclosure is directed to a system including a customer authentication and payment server, a merchant data server, a merchant network, and a merchant station. The merchant data server is coupled to a public data network and the public data network is coupled to the customer authentication and payment server. The merchant network is coupled to the merchant data server and the merchant station. The merchant station includes a communication interface to provide for wireless communication with customers located within a wireless coverage area using an ad hoc connection.

Abstract: A system and method of managing delivery of content is disclosed. The method includes receiving a first request for delayed broadcast of a content item at a first time. The first request is from a first user having access to broadcast content. The method further includes receiving a second request for delayed broadcast of the content item at a second time. The second request is from a second user having access to broadcast content. The method further includes scheduling the content item for broadcast to a plurality of users at a third time. The third time is after the first time and after the second time. The plurality of users includes the first and second user.

Abstract: A phone system can include a phone terminal that includes a biometric data input device. Methods of using the phone terminal can include receiving biometric data of a user at the phone terminal and comparing the biometric data to saved biometric data. A comparison of the received and saved biometric data can be performed to locate one or more configuration files for a user, to authenticate or otherwise confirm the identity of a party, perform another activity, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the biometric data, other data, or a combination thereof can be used to access one or more configuration files that can be used to configure a phone terminal or a data processing system outside of the phone terminal. In another embodiment, the identity of a calling party, a called party, one or more other parties, or any combination thereof can be authenticated or otherwise confirmed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention beneficially allow greater flexibility in the choice of alert modes for an electronic calendar system. Email messages, SMS, EMS or MMS messages, telephone calls and the like are used to replace or supplement the alerts generated by the electronic calendar. In various embodiments, the user is allowed to select the alert mode as well as alert features and priorities in addition to escalation procedures so that appropriate alert messages are generated at the appropriate times and alert messages have a greater chance of reaching the user. The use of the telephone ring tone, optionally with a distinctive ring, also provides greater notice to a user who is more attuned to reacting to a ringing telephone.

Abstract: A network digital video recorder has a number of set top boxes each having an individual digital video recorder. A peer-to-peer network connects the set top boxes. A digital rights management client operates on the set top boxes. An electronic rights server is coupled to the peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: A service enhancement to emergency-911 capability involves a new entity termed an EESP which implements and operates a system that communicates subscriber-specific emergency information portably linked to subscriber identity in a timely fashion to emergency care providers.