Abstract: A method using a wireless telephone (102) for placing a call is provided. The method includes receiving (202) a media stream over a first channel (110). The method also includes rendering (204) the media stream on the wireless telephone. Moreover, the method opens (206) a second channel (116) for a voice call while receiving the media stream over the first channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for allowing a recipient to reply to an inbound message. The method begins by receiving a message from a sender using a first communication service. The message includes a first contact identifier for the sender. A plurality of user-selectable contact identifiers is presented to the recipient for communicating with the sender using a plurality of different communication services associated therewith. A selected one of the plurality of contact identifiers other than the first contact identifier is selected or otherwise identified by the recipient. A second message is transmitted to the sender using the selected contact identifier and the communication service associated therewith.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method and apparatus for providing caller identification information is disclosed. One or more valid alternate phone numbers is configured using a remote interface. The one or more valid alternate phone numbers are then stored. In another embodiment, a method and apparatus for providing caller identification information is disclosed. One or more valid alternate phone numbers is configured using a local interface. The one or more valid alternate phone numbers are then stored. In another embodiment, a method and apparatus for providing caller identification information is disclosed. A phone number is selected from a plurality of valid phone numbers comprising a primary phone number and one or more alternate phone numbers. The selected phone number is sent when placing a call.

Abstract: A method for receiving a caller identification (ID) number on an electronic device in a communication network (100) is provided. The communication network includes a plurality of electronic devices (104 and 106) and a plurality of network elements (102). The method includes receiving a signal from a first electronic device. The first electronic device has a primary caller ID number and at least one alternate caller ID number. The method also includes sending the alternate caller ID number to a second electronic device, based on the signal received from the first electronic device.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a network address for an Media Terminal Adapter (MTA) associated with a given Cable Modem (CM) in a cable data network. The CM is embedded in the MTA. The method begins by providing a network address for the CM and identifying a first Management Information Base (MIB) table for the CM and MTA that includes information pertaining to interfaces of the CM and the MTA. Next, a first entry is located in the first MIB table, which first entry denotes an MTA-type interface. Based on the first entry, a second entry is located in the first MIB table associated with the MTA. The second entry uniquely identifies an interface of the MTA. A second MIB table is identified for the CM and MTA that includes addressing information pertaining to network addresses of the CM and MTA. A third entry is located in the second MIB table that is equal in value to the second entry in the MIB table. Based on the third entry, a fourth entry is located in the second MIB table.

Abstract: A method using a wireless telephone (102) for placing a call is provided. The method includes receiving (202) a media stream over a first channel (110). The method also includes rendering (204) the media stream on the wireless telephone. Moreover, the method opens (206) a second channel (116) for a voice call while receiving the media stream over the first channel.

Abstract: A system and method for performing Lifetest over a cable network system is provided which minimizes bandwidth usage by the Lifetest procedure while increasing the number of devices that the EMS may support. In accordance with the system and method, the EMS obtains device state information from the CMTS. Since the CMTS is constantly ranging its device population for state information, and since this information is stored in the DOCSIS Radio Frequency MIB, the EMS may obtain device state information by going to the MIB instead of directly to the device. This approach utilizes the distributed process inherently built into the system by taking advantage of the ranging that is already being performed by the CMTS. Since the EMS does not have to interact with every device in the system while performing Lifetest, consumption of bandwidth and processing resources is minimized.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a network address for an Media Terminal Adapter (MTA) associated with a given Cable Modem (CM) in a cable data network. The CM is embedded in the MTA. The method begins by providing a network address for the CM and identifying a first Management Information Base (MIB) table for the CM and MTA that includes information pertaining to interfaces of the CM and the MTA. Next, a first entry is located in the first MIB table, which first entry denotes an MTA-type interface. Based on the first entry, a second entry is located in the first MIB table associated with the MTA. The second entry uniquely identifies an interface of the MTA. A second MIB table is identified for the CM and MTA that includes addressing information pertaining to network addresses of the CM and MTA. A third entry is located in the second MIB table that is equal in value to the second entry in the MIB table. Based on the third entry, a fourth entry is located in the second MIB table.

Abstract: A system and method for performing Lifetest over a cable network system is provided which minimizes bandwidth usage by the Lifetest procedure while increasing the number of devices that the EMS may support. In accordance with the system and method, the EMS obtains device state information from the CMTS. Since the CMTS is constantly ranging its device population for state information, and since this information is stored in the DOCSIS Radio Frequency MIB, the EMS may obtain device state information by going to the MIB instead of directly to the device. This approach utilizes the distributed process inherently built into the system by taking advantage of the ranging that is already being performed by the CMTS. Since the EMS does not have to interact with every device in the system while performing Lifetest, consumption of bandwidth and processing resources is minimized.