Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing integrity of a wired communication link includes receiving a plurality of signals, sent by at least one transmitter over the wired communications link, at corresponding multiple receivers. The signals have corresponding frequencies within a frequency range of the wired communication link, such that the frequencies are representative of the frequency range. A signal loss corresponding to each of the frequencies is measured, and an indication of whether each measured signal loss is within an acceptable range is provided. The wired communication link may be a coaxial cable.

Abstract: A system and method of editing video content is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a command at a set-top box device, wherein the command includes a request to edit at least one objectionable audio portion associated with video content. The method also includes receiving the video content at the set-top box device, wherein the video content includes a closed-caption component. The method also includes determining whether the closed-caption component of the video content includes text related to the at least one objectionable audio portion.

Abstract: A method (300) and apparatus are disclosed for event notification. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a presence services system (PSS) (102) can have a controller (104) that manages operations of a communications interface (110). The controller can be programmed to monitor (302) presence information of a plurality of communication devices of an end user operating in a communications system, and receive (316) a request from a calendar reminder system (CRS) for access to the presence information. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method of receiving video content is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving video content at a set-top box device via an access network. The method also includes writing the video content onto a removable secondary storage medium received at a secondary storage media interface of the set-top box device.

Abstract: A method includes determining a content type of a multimedia program at a first time for each of a plurality of multimedia channels and associating, during a first channel navigation period, each multimedia channel of a first subset of the plurality of multimedia channels with a corresponding channel number of a channel numbering sequence. The method additionally includes determining a content type of a multimedia program at a second time for each of the plurality of multimedia channels and associating, during a second channel navigation period, each multimedia channel of a second subset of the plurality of multimedia channels with a corresponding channel number of the channel numbering sequence. Each multimedia program of the first subset includes a first content type at the first time and each multimedia program of the second subset includes the first content type at the second time.

Abstract: According to a first aspect there is provided a method for associating a file that contains the image with a second file that is identified by input received at a set-top box from a user. According to a second aspect there is provided a method for capturing an image that is displayed on a display device that is associated with the set-top box; and communicating the image over a network. According to a third aspect there is provided a method for adjusting a frame that is displayed on a display device that is associated with the set-top box; capturing an image that is displayed inside the frame on the display device; and processing the image. According to a fourth aspect there is provided a method for capturing an image displayed on a display device associated with the set-top box; associating the image with a rule; and processing the rule to prevent the image from being printed.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for reducing radio interference between wireless access points. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network management system (NMS) (102) having a controller (103) that manages operations of a plurality of wireless access points (WAPs) (108) by way of a communication system (100) coupled thereto. The plurality of WAPs can conform to one among IEEE's 802.11 a, b, g and n protocols. The controller can be programmed to determine (302) a mode of operations for each of the plurality of WAPs, and selectively reconfigure (308) operations of at least one of the plurality of WAPs to reduce radio interference therebetween. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes associating a first channel identifier of an electronic programming guide with a first multimedia channel from a first content source and associating a second channel identifier of the electronic programming guide with a second multimedia channel from a second content source. The second content source is different from the first content source. A computer readable medium embodies a set of executable instructions that manipulate a processor to generate an electronic programming guide. The electronic programming guide includes a first set of one or more channel identifiers and a second set of one or more channel identifiers. Each channel identifier in the first set is associated with one or more multimedia channels of a cable television transmission and each channel identifier in the second set is associated with a multimedia channel of a packet-based network transmission.

Abstract: A content delivery system is described that includes a processing unit and a remote device. A signal injector located in proximity to the remote device is coupled to the processing unit via a wired connection. The signal injector collects and filters RF signals from a remote control device and communicates the filtered RF signal to the processing unit over the wired connection.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for receiving a plurality of cellular telephone signals over an RF communication system. The present invention receives at least one signal at a cellular frequency, identifies a user associated with the cellular signal, converts the signal to an RF signal, and sends the converted RF signal to the RF communication system. The call is received at wireless RF handset. A removable Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) of a cell phone docked and integrated with the present invention to route the cellular call to RF receiver. Multiple RF communication lines are managed. Various methods of notifying the intended recipient are disclosed, such as textual display and distinctive ring tones.

Abstract: A television and a method thereof are provided. The television includes a display, a first network interface to a packet-based network, and a decoder operable to process a multimedia data stream received via the first network interface, wherein the television is operable to display video content of the multimedia data stream on the display promptly upon receipt of a user request to power up the television. The method includes receiving a multimedia data stream at a network interface of a television, wherein the network interface is coupled to a packet-based network, processing the multimedia data stream at a decoder of the television to generate video content and providing the video content to a display of the television, wherein the television displays video content of the multimedia data stream promptly upon receipt of a request to power up the television.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to self-configure a flexible residential gateway providing access to an external communications network, and providing communications with an in home network. An example flexible residential gateway may include at least one voice over Internet protocol (IP) (VoIP) processor, at least one VoIP coupler connecting VoIP signals between at least one VoIP processor and at least one telephone line. In such an arrangement, the VoIP coupler may be configurably capable to disconnect a battery feed voltage and ring voltages from a telephone line. The gateway may further include a switch controller capable of disconnecting the battery feed voltage and the ring voltages from at least one telephone line if POTS signals are detected on at least one telephone line.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to self-configure a flexible residential gateway providing access to an external communications network, and providing communications with an in home network. An example flexible residential gateway may include an xDSL (“x” variety of Digital Subscriber Line) processor that processes xDSL signals communicated with the external network via a first telephone line, a Home PhoneLine Networking Alliance (HomePNA) processor that processes HomePNA signals communicated with the in home network using at least one of the first or additional telephone lines, and a switch controller capable of disconnecting the HomePNA processor from at least one telephone line if Very high speed Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL) signals that interfere with the HomePNA signals are present on at least one telephone line.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to self-configure a flexible residential gateway providing access to an external communications network, and providing communications with an in home network. An example flexible residential gateway may include an xDSL (“x” variety of Digital Subscriber Line) processor that processes xDSL signals communicated with the connected external communications network; a Wide area network (WAN) Ethernet transceiver that processes Ethernet signals communicated with the connected external communications network; and a switch controller that is capable of selecting either the xDSL processor or the WAN Ethernet transceiver, and if the xDSL processor is selected whether the xDSL processor is connected to a first telephone line or a coaxial cable.

Abstract: A simplified field testing tool integrates signal-strength and error-rate testing for a variety of networking technologies prevalent for home networking, including but not limited to Multimedia over Coax (or applicable coax standard), HomePNA 2, VDSL, 10OBaseT Ethernet, 802.11 Wi-Fi, and analog/coaxial RF signals.

Abstract: A combination VDSL Splitter/Balun, Low pass filter converts a copper pair containing VDSL signals and PSTN service to be compatible with home coaxial and twisted pair wiring. A device of the invention performs the following functions: accepts VDSL and PSTN service in on a single twisted pair; provides front end voltage spike protection and test resistance circuit; and splits off the PSTN service to a connector compatible with a twisted copper pair; prevents signals above the voice spectrum from entering back through the twisted copper pair by filtering it to an RF level below the VDSL signal. The VDSL signal continues through the device and through a voltage blocker preventing the line and ring voltage from continuing. The impedance of the twisted pair is matched, through a balun, to a coaxial output on the device.

Abstract: A system and method of networking with configurable data mapping is disclosed. Data mapping can be utilized to match data transmission types with devices that can efficiently utilize the data transmission type. In one configuration, the data mapping teachings disclosed herein may be utilized to increase the processing efficiency of a home network and insure correct programming is allowed to pass to the correct device by applying a set of data transmission rules to data transmissions between a residential gateway and it's clients. An exemplary method may include receiving a communication at a residential gateway from a client and identifying the client or the source of the transmission. The client may be identified by recognizing one or more of a data transmission type, a client identifier embedded in the transmission, and an identification of a network device hosting the client. The identification may, in some cases, be made automatically upon reception of a data transmission.

Abstract: A network access module having a dongle-type housing is provided. The dongle-type housing is coupleable to a computer port and when coupled to a communications network, the dongle-type network access module provides an efficient plug-and-play network connection. The network access module can be powered by a USB-port on a subscriber's computer. The subscriber can connect to a communications network using the network access module over digital subscriber lines (DSL) that use optical fiber transmission lines and optical network terminals. The network access module contains a processor for performing point-to-point access negotiation with the authentication server such that the subscriber can access the communications network without having to provide/load software.

Abstract: A wireless access point is deployed at a business location to provide a public wireless local area network (PWLAN) having access to the Internet. A computer at the business location facilitates transactions of selling access to the PWLAN and facilitates transactions of goods or services other than access to the PWLAN. An on-site software component receives an amount paid for PWLAN access either by polling a point-of-sale software component of the computer or by receiving a manually-entered input of the amount paid. An on-site password generator issues a password to access the PWLAN based on a transaction for PWLAN access. An on-site authentication component and an on-site timeout component act to determine whether to allow or deny an attempt to access the PWLAN based on a password received by the wireless access point and based on whether the received password has an associated amount of remaining time of PWLAN access.

Abstract: A method of deploying a synchronous optical network (SONET) terminal is provided. The SONET terminal includes a management interface and an Ethernet port. A layer 2/3 data switch is connected to the management interface and the Ethernet port. Data associated with the SONET terminal is received at the layer 2/3 data switch. Further, the management data from the SONET terminal is converted from STS-1 data to DSx data at the layer 2/3 data switch. In a particular embodiment, the DSx data is routed to a DS1 channel within the SONET terminal. Also, the converted management data is transported over a data network as part of a SONET signal payload.