Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a digital video recording (DVR) system having a controller to record video content supplied by an interactive television (iTV) communication system as directed by a plurality of users of the iTV communication system, receive from a communication device of one of the plurality of users a request for a portion of the recorded video content, identify a need to transcode the requested portion of the recorded video content according to one or more operating characteristics of the communication device, transcode the requested portion of the recorded video content to conform with the one or more operating characteristics of the communication device, and transmit to the communication device the transcoded video content. The DVR system can be located outside of the premises of each of the plurality of users. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium operating in a mobile device server. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can include computer instructions to execute a web server application in the mobile device server. The web server application can be operable cause the mobile device server to detect a media resource center while roaming in a communication zone of the media resource center, transmit a pairing key to the media resource center, and receive from the media resource center authorization to pair with one or more resources selected by the media resource center according to the pairing key. In one embodiment a billing system can be operable to determine whether to apply a monetary charge to a subscriber account based on the pairing key. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system may include, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium operating in a mobile device server having computer instructions to execute a web server application at the mobile device server. The web server application can be operable to cause the mobile device server to detect a media resource center, to transmit a pairing key to the media resource center, and to receive authorization from the media resource center to pair with one or more resources selected by the media resource center according to the pairing key. The web server application can be further operable to identify a location of the one or more resources, to select a software application according the location of at least one of the resources, and to execute the software application in the portable communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In an Internet protocol television network, a set-top box includes a social network interface module and a remote control interface module. The social network interface module receives a first selection of a content item from the remote control interface module, and receives a second selection of a comment from the remote control interface module. The social network interface module also posts the second selection on a social network system.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium operating in a mobile device server. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can include computer instructions to execute a web server application in the mobile device server. The web server application can be operable cause the mobile device server to detect a media resource center while roaming in a communication zone of the media resource center, transmit a pairing key to the media resource center, and receive from the media resource center authorization to pair with one or more resources selected by the media resource center according to the pairing key. In one embodiment a billing system can be operable to determine whether to apply a monetary charge to a subscriber account based on the pairing key. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium operating in a mobile device server having computer instructions to execute a web server application at the mobile device server. The web server application can be operable to cause the mobile device server to detect a media resource center, to transmit a pairing key to the media resource center, and to receive authorization from the media resource center to pair with one or more resources selected by the media resource center according to the pairing key. The web server application can be further operable to identify a location of the one or more resources, to select a software application according the location of at least one of the resources, and to execute the software application in the portable communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In an Internet protocol television network, a set-top box includes a social network interface module and a remote control interface module. The social network interface module receives a first selection of a content item from the remote control interface module, and receives a second selection of a comment from the remote control interface module. The social network interface module also posts the second selection on a social network system.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for monitoring performance of a network providing content to an Internet Protocol device are provided. The method includes assigning an Internet Protocol address to a network monitoring system to establish a communication between the network monitoring system and an Internet Protocol device associated with the Internet Protocol address. The method also includes gathering performance data corresponding to the network and providing the Internet Protocol device with access to the performance data corresponding to the network via the Internet Protocol address.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a digital video recording (DVR) system having a controller to record video content supplied by an interactive television (iTV) communication system, receive from a communication device of one of said users a request for a portion of the recorded video content, identify a need to transcode the requested portion of the recorded video content according to one or more operating characteristics of the communication device, transcode the requested portion of the recorded video content to conform with the one or more operating characteristics of the communication device, partition the transcoded video content into a plurality of transcoded portions, and transmit to the communication device the plurality of transcoded portions. The communication device can begin a presentation of the transcoded video content before all of the plurality of transcoded portions have been received. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a digital video recording (DVR) system having a controller to record video content supplied by an interactive television (iTV) communication system as directed by a plurality of users of the iTV communication system, receive from a communication device of one of the plurality of users a request for a portion of the recorded video content, identify a need to transcode the requested portion of the recorded video content according to one or more operating characteristics of the communication device, transcode the requested portion of the recorded video content to conform with the one or more operating characteristics of the communication device, and transmit to the communication device the transcoded video content. The DVR system can be located outside of the premises of each of the plurality of users. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A privacy management system is disclosed for when a calling party has a private telephone number. Privacy screening services allow a subscriber to manage and monitor incoming telephone calls, such that unwanted calls are not terminated to the subscriber. When a calling party calls the subscriber to this privacy screening service, the privacy management system manages the call according to whether the calling party number is known and public, known and private, or unknown. If the calling party number is known and public, the call is routed to the subscriber. If, however, the calling party is known and private, an announcement is played to the calling party, asking the calling party for permission to override his or her privacy. If the calling party is unknown, the calling party is asked to record his/her name.

Abstract: A privacy management system is disclosed for when a calling party has a private telephone number. Privacy screening services allow a subscriber to manage and monitor incoming telephone calls, such that unwanted calls are not terminated to the subscriber. When a calling party calls the subscriber to this privacy screening service, the privacy management system manages the call according to whether the calling party number is known and public, known and private, or unknown. If the calling party number is known and public, the call is routed to the subscriber. If, however, the calling party is known and private, an announcement is played to the calling party, asking the calling party for permission to override his or her privacy. If the calling party is unknown, the calling party is asked to record his/her name.

Abstract: An advanced intelligent network telephone system for terminating calls to subscribers to a privacy screening service, when the calling party has a private telephone number. Privacy screening services allow a subscriber to manage and monitor incoming telephone calls, such that unwanted calls are not terminated to the subscriber. When a calling party dials the telephone number of a subscriber to a privacy screening service, the system manages the call according to whether the calling party number is known and public, known and private, or unknown. If the calling party number is known and public, the call is routed to the subscriber. If the calling party is known and private, the call is routed to a service node, which plays an announcement to the calling party, asking the calling party for permission to override his or her privacy.

Abstract: An advanced intelligent network telephone system for terminating calls to subscribers to a privacy screening service, when the calling party has a private telephone number. Privacy screening services allow a subscriber to manage and monitor incoming telephone calls, such that unwanted calls are not terminated to the subscriber. When a calling party dials the telephone number of a subscriber to a privacy screening service, the system manages the call according to whether the calling party number is known and public, known and private, or unknown. If the calling party number is known and public, the call is routed to the subscriber. If the calling party is known and private, the call is routed to a service node, which plays an announcement to the calling party, asking the calling party for permission to override his or her privacy.