Abstract: A method is disclosed for monitoring data packet traffic in a communication network for at least two of a plurality of subscriber devices associated with a subscriber; developing a holistic subscriber profile for the subscriber based on the monitored data packet traffic; selecting advertisement data for a current one of the plurality of subscriber devices based on the holistic subscriber profile and sending the selected advertising data to the current subscriber device. A system is disclosed for performing the method. A data structure is disclosed for use in performing the method.

Abstract: A method includes determining a data capacity of a first network device of a plurality of network devices that provide content to a set-top box device. In response to the data capacity satisfying a first threshold and a second threshold, sending a first command to the first network device. The first command instructs the first network device to store media content associated with a particular channel corresponding to a predicted channel change request at the first network device. In response to the data capacity satisfying the first threshold and failing to satisfy the second threshold, sending a second command to the first network device and sending a third command to a second network device. The third command instructs the second network device to store the media content associated with the particular channel.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a controller to determine a behavioral profile of an end user from packet traffic generated by activities of the end user, and share the behavioral profile with a network element for distributing targeted advertisements to the end user according to the behavioral profile. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of delivering video content are provided. A method of delivering video content is provided that includes predicting a channel change request at a network device. The predicted channel change request indicates a predicted stream of video content. The method also includes generating a control signal at the network device related to the predicted channel change request and storing the control signal at a data storage device associated with the network device. In an illustrative embodiment, the network device stores the control signal when the network device is associated with a first data capacity. Additionally, the network device sends a video content request to a service provider server when the network device is associated with a second data capacity. The video content request is related to the predicted stream.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for monitoring data packet traffic in a communication network for at least two of a plurality of subscriber devices associated with a subscriber; developing a holistic subscriber profile for the subscriber based on the monitored data packet traffic; selecting advertisement data for a current one of the plurality of subscriber devices based on the holistic subscriber profile and sending the selected advertising data to the current subscriber device. A system is disclosed for performing the method. A data structure is disclosed for use in performing the method.

Abstract: A particular method includes receiving a request to access a secured wireless local network at a security device of the secured wireless local network from a wireless-enabled device that is not authorized to access the secured wireless local network when the request is received. The method includes receiving identification information from the wireless-enabled device at the security device. The method also includes automatically sending an access request message from the security device to at least one messaging address. The access request message provides a recipient of the access request message with at least a portion of the identification information and a selectable option to allow the wireless-enabled device access to the secured wireless local network without requiring user input of a network password associated with the secured wireless local network via the wireless-enabled device.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a packet stream via a wireless signal from a device of a wireless information delivery system. The method includes determining wireless signal data associated with the wireless signal during a particular time interval, determining packet stream data associated with the packet stream during the particular time interval, and analyzing the wireless signal data and the packet stream data to produce an assessment of at least a portion of the wireless information delivery system.

Abstract: A particular method includes communicating a media stream in response to receiving a channel change request (e.g., a request to view an interactive health channel) from a first device associated with a patient. The media stream is received from a second device associated with a healthcare provider and is communicated to the first device via an internet protocol television (IPTV) network. The method further includes communicating patient data received from the first device associated with the patient to the second device associated with the healthcare provider via the IPTV network.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed to support multiple wireless account for a given subscriber. A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, linking various accounts to a wireless enabled device of a wireless service subscriber. In one embodiment, device addresses like telephone numbers and electronic mail addresses for devices that may call or be called by the subscriber may be associated one of the various accounts. In operation, a call may be completed between the subscriber's wireless enabled device and one of the other devices, and a call metric for the call may be tracked. A billing entry for the call may be generated from the call metric and the call may be charged to an appropriate account selected from the various accounts. The process of determining the appropriate account may include, for example, determining if the device address for the other device is associated with one of the accounts linked to the subscriber's wireless enabled device.

Abstract: A set-top box device includes a network interface module and a client interface module. The network interface module is configured to receive interactive content instructions and an interactive content notification over an Internet protocol data connection, and to receive an associated on-demand content video stream from a television service provider. The network interface module is also configured to connect to a website containing product information for a product associated with the on-demand content video stream. The client interface module is configured to output the on-demand content video stream, to output the interactive content notification concurrently with the on-demand content video stream in response to outputting a portion of the on-demand content video stream and based on the interactive content instructions, and to output the website currently with the on-demand content video stream in response to a selection of the interactive content notification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring a network topology with alternative communication paths. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network management system (NMS) having a network identification element that identifies a tree topology of network elements in a communication system comprising a root node and a plurality of leaf nodes, a network configuration element that specifies a desired number of alternative communication paths between each of the plurality of leaf nodes and the root node, and a network restructuring element that determines a configuration of additional lateral and vertical communication paths superimposed on a portion of the plurality of leaf nodes that achieves a desired cost objective according to the desired number of alternative paths and associated cost attributes. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A dual-mode broadband modem operative to operate in a service mode and a surveillance mode is disclosed. Generally, the dual-mode broadband modem comprises a primary communication device; a secondary communication device; a central processing unit in communication with the primary and secondary communication devices; and a memory unit in communication with the central processing unit. In the service mode, the primary communication device communicates with a broadband service provider and the central processing unit stores historical information regarding performance of the primary communication device in the memory unit. If an interruption in broadband service is detected, or the performance of the primary communication device falls below a predetermined threshold, the dual-mode broadband modem switches to surveillance mode and the secondary communication device is activated.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a controller to determine a behavioral profile of an end user from packet traffic generated by activities of the end user, and share the behavioral profile with a network element for distributing targeted advertisements to the end user according to the behavioral profile. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of delivering video content are provided. A method of delivering video content is provided that includes predicting a channel change request at a network device. The predicted channel change request indicates a predicted stream of video content. The method also includes generating a control signal at the network device related to the predicted channel change request and storing the control signal at a data storage device associated with the network device. In an illustrative embodiment, the network device stores the control signal when the network device is associated with a first data capacity. Additionally, the network device sends a video content request to a service provider server when the network device is associated with a second data capacity. The video content request is related to the predicted stream.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for monitoring data packet traffic in a communication network for at least two of a plurality of subscriber devices associated with a subscriber; developing a holistic subscriber profile for the subscriber based on the monitored data packet traffic; selecting advertisement data for a current one of the plurality of subscriber devices based on the holistic subscriber profile and sending the selected advertising data to the current subscriber device. A system is disclosed for performing the method. A data structure is disclosed for use in performing the method.

Abstract: A method of processing online advertisement selections includes detecting an electronic selection of an online advertisement, where the electronic selection is issued from a user computing device. The method also includes identifying an online site with which the user computing device is communicating at a time of the electronic selection of the online advertisement. The method also includes storing a fraudulent click indicator in association with an identifier of the user computing device, when the user computing device has not communicated with the online site a threshold number of times within a first pre-defined period preceding the electronic selection.

Abstract: In a particular illustrative embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving data at a central server system from multiple customer premises equipment (CPE) devices. The CPE devices are located at subscriber premises remote from one another. The method further includes associating the received data from geographically-related CPE devices and comparing the associated data to determine a problem related to one or more of the geographically-related CPE devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to manage bandwidth utilization in an access network are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus comprises an access multiplexer communicatively coupled to a services network via a communication path, and configured to communicate with a first user device via a first connection and with a second user device via a second connection; and a bandwidth manager to set a first bandwidth profile for the first connection and a second bandwidth profile for the second connection based on a utilization of the communication path.

Abstract: Methods and systems of billing for video content are disclosed. The methods include determining a viewing duration. The viewing duration includes an amount of time that a device displays or has access to display video content. The method also includes determining a billing rate for the viewing duration. The billing rate includes a cost per unit of time. The method also includes generating a billing record including the viewing duration and the billing rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for presenting advertisements is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having an inspection element that monitors packet traffic associated with an end user, and determines a behavioral profile of the end user from the monitored packet traffic, a publisher element that detects an end user visiting a website managed thereby, and generates an advertisement request associated with the website, and advertisement element that selects one or more advertisements according to the behavioral profile of the end user, and submits said one or more advertisements to the publisher element for presentation thereof to the end user. Additional embodiments are disclosed.