Abstract: A method and system for providing a service session using a call include: initiating a first call between a caller and a callee according to a callee address record; establishing a voice communication session during the call; modifying the caller address record; and initiating a second call between the caller and the callee according to the modified callee address record. A behavior of the second call differs from a behavior of the first call. In one embodiment, the callee address record is modified according to a modification request. In one embodiment, the callee address record includes at least one session initiation entry. The session initiation entry includes a session address attribute with information for establishing the communication session, a session communication method with a protocol used for the communication session, and a session data attribute with data information for sending over the communication session based on the session address attribute.

Abstract: When a voice call is made between two users (Caller and Callee), both of which may have access to multiple voice communication services, the connection is made automatically by the communication equipment through a selectable communication service, based upon characteristics of connection. Those characteristics may include the services available to the users, the day of the week, the time of day, the availability of the Callee on a service, the geographic locations of the Caller and Callee, and Caller pre-established service preferences. Preferably, Caller preferences and associations of callees with unique destination identifiers are stored in a database created for the Caller and available to his communication equipment. An ultimate callee identifier selected for a particular call includes an indication of communication service, and connection an appropriate interface for that service is then provided automatically for the Caller.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for customizing a telephone are disclosed in which preferred communication services are conveniently accessible to a user, in which a telephone is tailored to the specific requirements of a user.

Abstract: A system includes a television set for displaying a video for a viewer. The television set connects to a persona television system over a data network and sends a request for a television show for a persona to the persona television system. A “persona” includes a character representation of a person other than the viewer, an event, or a group. The persona television system selects a television show based on the persona. The persona television system sends to the television set a show description of the television show. The show description includes video source information about video source such that the television set can obtain television show from video source. In this manner, a data network video is automatically selected as a television show based on a persona and provided to the television set, increasing the ease with which the viewer can identify video choices of interest.

Abstract: Systems and methods for switching a voice call from an Instant Messaging (IM) based voice network to a second voice network. A telephone adapted to switch a voice call from an Instant Messaging (IM) based voice network to a second voice network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for customizing a telephone are disclosed in which preferred communication services are conveniently accessible to a user, in which a telephone is tailored to the specific requirements of a user.

Abstract: In providing a music program, a personal music player displays personal activity choices. A user selects a personal activity and provides a time duration for the activity. The player sends a request to a music program server for a music program. The request includes the personal activity and the time duration. The music program server selects a music program record from a plurality of music program records that has an activity attribute which matches the personal activity and a program duration which matches or is less than the time duration. The server extracts location information for the music program from the program entry in the music program record, and sends this to the player. The player uses the location information to obtain the music program. In this manner, a music program is provided to a user based on the personal activity of the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems for obtaining the location of a caller during an emergency or other telephone call. Before or during a call, a phone system can obtain from one or more sources a subscriber access line identity associated with a subscriber location record that includes a subscriber access line identity attribute and a subscriber location attribute. A phone system can send a query that includes the subscriber access line identity to a subscriber location query system that returns a subscriber location record or a subscriber location to the phone system. The phone system can then display the caller location information to a phone system, an agent or operator so that emergency services can be quickly and accurately dispatched. Using similar procedure and a memory, phone systems can also determine if a subscriber phone has or is changing location. Methods for testing the emergency call capabilities of a subscriber access line.

Abstract: A method and system for authenticating delivery including the steps of receiving by a receiver a delivery information package from a deliverer over a network during a communication between the receiver and the deliverer, wherein the delivery package includes deliverer identity information, sending an authentication request of the received delivery package from the receiver to an authentication module having a hardware processor, over at least one of a call network and an additional network, and authenticating the received delivery package using the deliverer identity information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods, systems and apparatuses for conducting secure transactions over a call. Users can initiate a secure transaction over a call, such as a telephone call, in which the identities of up to all participants can be validated prior to sending or receiving of payment, financial or other sensitive information. A transaction module collects and verifies all necessary transaction information and resources. User can be prompted to confirm or approve the transaction prior to completion of the transaction. Summaries of the transaction can be sent to users or stored in record keeping.

Abstract: A method and system includes: one or more phone systems; a policy processor coupled to the phone systems; and a voice identity mapping policy stored in a data storage, the data storage being accessible to the policy processor. The voice identity mapping policy includes: a plurality of search voice identities mapped to one or more target voice identities, where the plurality of the search voice identities are applicable to a plurality of users, where each of the search voice identities and the target voice identities comprises a username for one of the plurality of users, and time attributes indicating when the voice identity mapping policies are valid. When a voice identity for a recipient of a call is received, the policy processor checks for the voice identity mapping policy associated with the voice identity. The call is then forwarded to the target voice identity in the voice identity mapping policy.

Abstract: A method and system for recording a media file, include a recorder and a player. The recorder receives in real time a first content of the media file; stores the first content in a recorded media file; and determines that the recorded media file includes a hole. The player plays in real time the recorded media file including the hole. The recorder then receives a second file data packet which includes a second content of the media file to fill the hole, and stores the second content in the recorded media file. The recorded media file can be replayed with the filled hole. During the replay, more content of the media file is played than during the first play.

Abstract: In a method and system for selecting an advertisement for video on demand, a video player is connected to a video content provider over a network via an access gateway. The video content provider receives a request for a video content from the video player, determines a popularity count for the video content and a geographical area for the video player, selects the advertisement based on the popularity count and the geographical area, and sends the video content combined with the advertisement to the video player. In one embodiment, the advertisement has a corresponding advertisement rule with an advertising condition which specifies a required popularity count and geographical area. If the advertisement condition is satisfied, then the advertisement is selected. In this manner, an advertisement for video on demand is selected based upon both demographics information and location of the video player increasing the effectiveness of the advertisement.

Abstract: In providing a music program, a personal music player displays personal activity choices. A user selects a personal activity and provides a time duration for the activity. The player sends a request to a music program server for a music program. The request includes the personal activity and the time duration. The music program server selects a music program record from a plurality of music program records that has an activity attribute which matches the personal activity and a program duration which matches or is less than the time duration. The server extracts location information for the music program from the program entry in the music program record, and sends this to the player. The player uses the location information to obtain the music program. In this manner, a music program is provided to a user based on the personal activity of the user.

Abstract: A method and system for determining if a phone has changed locations includes a subscriber phone equipment coupled to a phone system through a subscriber access line. The subscriber phone equipment includes a location test module and a datastore. The location test module includes a first subscriber access line identity for the subscriber access line. The datastore includes a first subscriber location for the first subscriber access line identity. The location test module obtains a second subscriber access line identity for the subscriber access line, obtains a second subscriber location for the second subscriber access line identity, and compares the first subscriber location and the second subscriber location. If the first subscriber location does not match the second subscriber location, then the subscriber phone equipment has changed locations. If the first subscriber location matches the second subscriber location, then the subscriber phone equipment has not changed locations.

Abstract: A method and system for recording a media content onto a media player are disclosed. A recording interface of the media player is unlocked by a media recorder using a key. Next, the media player receives the media content from the media recorder through the recording interface. The media content is stored onto a storage of the media player, where the storage resides within the media player prior to receiving the media content from the media recorder. The media player includes a mechanism for playing the media content. Then, the recording interface of the media player is locked by the media recorder. In this manner, a way is provided to distribute media content while also protecting against the improper copying of media content.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for displaying video from a plurality of video streams on a display. It includes an input interface for receiving video data from a plurality of video streams and transferring the video data to a frame controller in communication with a television display. The frame controller causes the video data from each of the plurality of different video streams to be displayed in a separate frame on the television display, and each frame occupying an area of the television display separate from an area occupied by any other frame. A system for displaying video from a plurality of video stream using the correct aspect ratio and resolution is also provided.

Abstract: A system includes a television set for displaying a video for a viewer. The television set connects to a persona television system over a data network and sends a request for a television show for a persona to the persona television system. A “persona” includes a character representation of a person other than the viewer, an event, or a group. The persona television system selects a television show based on the persona. The persona television system sends to the television set a show description of the television show. The show description includes video source information about video source such that the television set can obtain television show from video source. In this manner, a data network video is automatically selected as a television show based on a persona and provided to the television set, increasing the ease with which the viewer can identify video choices of interest.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for displaying video from a plurality of video streams on a display. It includes an input interface for receiving video data from a plurality of video streams and transferring the video data to a frame controller in communication with a television display. The frame controller causes the video data from each of the plurality of different video streams to be displayed in a separate frame on the television display, and each frame occupying an area of the television display separate from an area occupied by any other frame. The frame controller displays a channel group on the television display. The channel group comprises a list of channels sharing at least one common attribute.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for refreshing a display of a telephone. A telephone apparatus includes a telephone having a display panel and function by which a user can access a plurality of communication services provided over a communication network. The function may represent a given set of conditions associated with a user, such as static and variable conditions. The function is typically associated with one or more commonly used communication services that would be used by a user under a given set of conditions. A method for automatically refreshing a screen on a display panel of a telephone based on a function change includes displaying on a telephone display a first screen based on a function, the display representing a commonly used communication service associated with the function, and selecting a function based on information.