Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a first communication device, signals from communication devices. Each signal of the signals includes information associated with a particular communication device of the communication devices. The information includes location coordinates of a corresponding communication device of the communication devices. The method includes determining, at the first communication device, a characteristic associated with each signal of the signals. The method also includes determining, at the first communication device, estimated location coordinates of the first communication device based on the location coordinates and based on characteristics associated with the signals.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure include, for example, selecting a first communication device of the plurality of communication devices to analyze activities of the first communication device, presenting at a device activity information associated with the activities of the first communication device, facilitating an exchange of messages between the device and the first communication device, receiving a request from the device to transfer control of the first communication device to the device responsive to the device receiving an unsatisfactory response from the first communication device, and receiving control information from the device to adjust an operational aspect of the first communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for providing a virtual, universal remote control feature includes displaying a virtual remote interface for an electronic device. A user interaction with an element of the virtual remote interface is detected. The virtual remote interface element is mapped to a device-function code. The device-function code is provided to a code transmitter. The device-function code corresponds to a control command associated with the electronic device.

Abstract: Signals from a remote control device may be received in a first viewing area and retransmitted to a second viewing area to control customer premises equipment (CPE) devices in the second viewing area. In some embodiments, signals are translated for compatibility with the CPE devices in the second viewing area. A repeater in the first viewing area may receive infrared signals encoded with a remote control command and retransmit the remote control command with an RF signal to a receiver in the second viewing area. The repeater may be incorporated into a multimedia processing resource such as a set-top box.

Abstract: A method and system for programming a universal remote control (URC) to operate with a new remote controlled device having a digital mark is disclosed. A digital representation of the mark is generated and sent to a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) server, along with MCDN account information. The digital mark may be used to retrieve programming codes, which are sent to client-premises equipment (CPE) at an MCDN client identified by the MCDN account information. The CPE may be instructed to reprogram the URC to control the new device using the programming codes. The digital mark may be scanned and sent to the server using wireless telephony service provided by the MCDN service provider.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a device including a base station communicatively coupled to a communication system, and a communicative device communicatively coupled to the base station for providing voice communication services to a user, wherein the communicative device serves as a proxy to make telephone calls on behalf of a set-top box presenting media services to a presentation device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining audiovisual output preference. The method comprises providing first and second stimuli having respective sets of audio and visual characteristics. The method receives a user selection between the first and second stimuli, and includes the set of audio and visual characteristics corresponding to the selected stimuli in the audiovisual output preference.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method includes requesting, at a first communication device, location information from multiple communication devices. The method also includes recording, at the first communication device, a particular location coordinate received from a closest communication device of the multiple communication devices. The method further includes adjusting the particular location coordinate based on triangulation data associated with the closest communication device.

Abstract: A multimedia processing resource (MPR) includes interactive voice response capabilities. A user may control MPR commands and functions over a telephone interface. For example, through a telephone connection a user may receive a listing of electronic programming guide data, may schedule a multimedia program for recording, or may receive a report related to a multimedia program that is viewed at the present time.

Abstract: Ring tones and other alerts are processed based on social networks. A person's contact information, as an example, may be associated with a social network. Each different social network may also have its own custom ringtone or other alert. Calls, texts, and other electronic messages may thus processed with the alert of the social network.

Abstract: Signals from a remote control device may be received in a first viewing area and retransmitted to a second viewing area to control customer premises equipment (CPE) devices in the second viewing area. In some embodiments, signals are translated for compatibility with the CPE devices in the second viewing area. A repeater in the first viewing area may receive infrared signals encoded with a remote control command and retransmit the remote control command with an RF signal to a receiver in the second viewing area. The repeater may be incorporated into a multimedia processing resource such as a set-top box.

Abstract: Ring tones and other alerts are processed based on social networks. A person's contact information, as an example, may be associated with a social network. Each different social network may also have its own custom ringtone or other alert. Calls, texts, and other electronic messages may thus processed with the alert of the social network.

Abstract: A method and system for programming a universal remote control (URC) to operate with a new remote controlled device having a digital mark is disclosed. A digital representation of the mark is generated and sent to a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) server, along with MCDN account information. The digital mark may be used to retrieve programming codes, which are sent to client premises equipment (CPE) at an MCDN client identified by the MCDN account information. The CPE may be instructed to reprogram the URC to control the new device using the programming codes. The digital mark may be scanned and sent to the server using wireless telephony service provided by the MCDN service provider.

Abstract: A method and system for programming a universal remote control (URC) to operate with a remote-controlled device is disclosed. Programming codes for the remote-controlled device may be transferred from an original remote control using a programming interface. The transfer may be performed directly with the URC. The transfer may also be performed using consumer-premises equipment of a multimedia content distribution network. The URC may be configured to use at least one of the programming codes to remotely control the remote-controlled device.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for determining a tag based on an interaction of a mobile device with a media processor. The tag is associated with a number of options of video content received at the media processor. A request is determined from the media processor for the number of options of video content associated with the tag. A transfer of the plurality of options of video content is initiated from a video source to the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure include, for example, selecting a first communication device of the plurality of communication devices to analyze activities of the first communication device, presenting at a device activity information associated with the activities of the first communication device, facilitating an exchange of messages between the device and the first communication device, receiving a request from the device to transfer control of the first communication device to the device responsive to the device receiving an unsatisfactory response from the first communication device, and receiving control information from the device to adjust an operational aspect of the first communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Information is gathered regarding a first party. Social relationships between the first party and other parties are determined by transforming the gathered information into the social relationships. Relationship types of the social relationships between the first party and the other parties are determined by transforming the gathered information into the relationship types. Relationship strengths of the social relationships between the first and the other parties are determined by transforming the gathered information into the relationship strengths. The social utility grid is generated based on the social relationships between the first party and the other parties, the relationship types of the social relationships, and the relationship strengths of the social relationships.

Abstract: A method of tagging video content includes receiving video content at a set-top box device via a private video distribution access network. The method also includes receiving a tag associated with the video content at the set-top box device and sending the tag to a tag management system via the private video distribution access network. Further, the method includes sending a request for content associated with the tag to the tag management system and receiving the video content at the set-top box device.

Abstract: Ring tones and other alerts are processed based on social networks. A person's contact information, as an example, may be associated with a social network. Each different social network may also have its own custom ringtone or other alert. Calls, texts, and other electronic messages may thus processed with the alert of the social network.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a presence system having a controller to transmit to a calendar system presence information of a subscriber of the presence system for recording said presence information in a calendar event. Other embodiments are disclosed.