Abstract: These exemplary embodiments utilize Sessions Initiation Protocol (SIP) for admission control among a plurality of multimedia devices. The use of the SIP allows a SIP server to perform admission control functions. The use of RSVP linkages is reduced. The use of SIP for admission control allows an application to communicate, or “talk,” to a network and other multimedia devices and to request that resources within the network be reserved. Any communications device that uses sessions may utilize the SIP protocol for admission control. The SIP protocol may be used for unicast and multicast media sessions including video-on-demand and/or multicast video access control.

Abstract: These exemplary embodiments utilize Sessions Initiation Protocol (SIP) for admission control. The use of the SIP allows a SIP server itself to perform the admission control function. The use of RSVP linkages is reduced. The use of SIP for admission control allows an application to communicate, or “talk,” to a network and to request that resources within the network be reserved. Any communications device that uses sessions may utilize the SIP protocol for admission control. The SIP protocol may be used for unicast and multicast media sessions including video-on-demand and/or multicast video access control.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide for the aggregation of Ethernet communications. An Ethernet switch communicates with a network device such as a router or a computer over an Ethernet connection and also communicates with two communications devices such as DSL and/or cable modems over Ethernet connections. Thus, the upload and download speeds available for transporting communications to and from the network device result from the upload and download speeds of the two communications devices in aggregate, as opposed to the upload and download speeds of a single communications device. The two communications devices may communicate with two more communications devices such as those of a service provider network that also have Ethernet connections aggregated at an Ethernet switch to provide access to an Ethernet network for a subscriber. Additionally, the Ethernet switching and communications devices may be incorporated into a single Ethernet aggregation device.

Abstract: These exemplary embodiments utilize Sessions Initiation Protocol (SIP) for admission control. The use of the SIP allows a SIP server itself to perform the admission control function. The use of RSVP linkages is reduced. The use of SIP for admission control allows an application to communicate, or “talk,” to a network and to request that resources within the network be reserved. Any communications device that uses sessions may utilize the SIP protocol for admission control. The SIP protocol may be used for unicast and multicast media sessions including video-on-demand and/or multicast video access control.

Abstract: These exemplary embodiments utilize Sessions Initiation Protocol (SIP) for admission control among a plurality of multimedia devices. The use of the SIP allows a SIP server to perform admission control functions. The use of RSVP linkages is reduced. The use of SIP for admission control allows an application to communicate, or “talk,” to a network and other multimedia devices and to request that resources within the network be reserved. Any communications device that uses sessions may utilize the SIP protocol for admission control. The SIP protocol may be used for unicast and multicast media sessions including video-on-demand and/or multicast video access control.

Abstract: Communication devices may utilize services of multiple communication networks to obtain service for the various applications that the communication device provides. The communication device and/or one or more communication networks may determine which network is best suited to each application based on dynamic information regarding the service provided by each communication network. The application may be associated with a network at various times, such as upon the communication device encountering a network that supports a service needed by the application and/or upon initial invocation of the application. The communication device may be communicating with several communication networks simultaneously so that a single application may make use of multiple communication networks and/or so that multiple applications may each utilize different networks.

Abstract: Provided are methods, systems and devices for pre-positioning data objects on a group or sub-group of mobile communication device which comprises receiving a datagram containing a data object and a multicast address via a multicast by a network node within a mobile communications network and satisfying at least one of a set of logic rules concerning the delivery of the datagram to the group of mobile communication devices by the network node based at least on the multicast address. A determination is made by the network node if a last hop node within the mobile communications network has an active MCD within broadcast range. If the last hop node has an active MCD within broadcast range, then multicasting the datagram to the last hop node for physical broadcast.

Abstract: Advertisements are dynamically selected for incorporation into programs utilizing information about available spots and demographics associated with a program. An individual consumer may view or hear advertisements which have been incorporated into the program. The consumer can rate the advertisements and/or programs, and the information is tracked, possibly modifying the way advertisements are selected in the future. Advertisers may be given the opportunity to bid for advertising rights for particular demographic categories of consumers watching particular programs.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for targeting advertising to customers requesting content from a service provider are provided. Upon receiving a request for content from a customer of a service provider, advertising to be delivered with the requested content is selected. The requested content and selected advertising are delivered to the customer and feedback is obtained from the customer regarding the selected advertising. A customer preference knowledge base is built/maintained for use in selecting advertising to be delivered with subsequently requested content.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide network access service for a subscriber by utilizing multiple asymmetric DSL modems per service point such that the available bandwidth is the aggregation of the multiple asymmetric DSL modems. One asymmetric DSL modem of a service point has a faster upload speed than download speed while another asymmetric DSL modem of the service point has a faster download speed than upload speed. The two asymmetric DSL modems are aggregated together at the service endpoint so that the service endpoint benefits from the upload and download bandwidth available from both asymmetric DSL modems. The two asymmetric DSL modems at one service point communicate with two asymmetric DSL modems aggregated at another service point to complete the exchange of data.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for delivering content to customers of a service provider are provided. Upon receiving a request for content from a customer of a service provider, a position of the requested content on a content demand curve is determined. A business model to be associated with the requested content is selected, wherein the business model defines how the requested content is to be delivered to the customer and how the customer is to be billed for the requested content. The requested content is delivered to the customer according to the selected business model and the customer is billed according to the selected business model.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for synchronizing a media experience. A request is received from a host device for a shared collaborative session between the host device and an invitee device. An invitation is sent to the invitee device to join the shared collaborative session. A common control is established between the host device and the invitee device such that a shared content stream is synchronously controlled by inputs from both the host device and from the invitee device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing personalized internet protocol (IP) services to an IP enabled device residing on a local area network (LAN) are disclosed. The systems and methods utilize an access device in communication with an access provider network, and involve communicating a first IP address to the access device, the first address allowing the access device to communicate with a first plurality of IP service devices through an Internet service provider (ISP), and communicating a second IP address to the access device, the second address allowing the access device to communicate with a second plurality of IP service devices in the access provider network. When the access device receives IP traffic from the IP enabled device it determines whether the IP traffic is addressed to one of the second IP service devices. If yes, the IP traffic is forwarded to the one of the second IP service devices with the second address as a return address.

Abstract: A communication network is operated by performing forward error correction (FEC) and/or interleaving of frames associated with a plurality of different network forwarding classes based on forwarding information associated with a network layer of an Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) protocol model. The frames are forwarded on a common data link layer of the OSI protocol model.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for providing error correction in a communication network. A frame including a retransmission class of service indication in associated network layer forwarding information is received. It is determined if the received frame has been corrupted. Retransmission of the received frame is requested if it is determined that it the received framed has been corrupted. An uncorrupted version of the received frame is retransmitted responsive to the retransmission request, over a data link.

Abstract: A method for providing a plurality of service classes in a network for transporting a data packet. The managed elements in a network are partitioned into a plurality of element instances, each element instance is engineered to provide one of the service classes, and the data packet is handled by each managed element with the element instance corresponding to the service class of the data packet. The service classes that may be provided are unlimited. The method may further comprise determining the service class of the data packet, typically at the first managed element lying near the edge of the network to handle the data packet. After the first managed element to handle the data packet determines its service class and the appropriate element instance forwards the data packet the subsequent managed elements to handle the data packet need not identify its service class but simply utilize the same element instance as that utilized by the forwarding managed element.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for providing shared file back-ups in a repository. Methods include receiving metadata of a file to be backed-up from a client. A global directory of back-up files is accessed. The global directory includes back-up file metadata and back-up file pointers corresponding to each of the back-up files in the repository. It is determined if the metadata matches one of the back-up file metadatas. If the metadata matches one of the back-up file metadatas, then the back-up file pointer corresponding to the matching back-up file metadata is added to a client directory of client back-up files in the repository.

Abstract: Bandwidth and/or Quality of Service (QoS) may be modified in a Regional/Access Network (RAN) that includes a core network, the RAN facilitating differentiated end-to-end data transport between an enterprise, a Network Service Provider (NSP), and/or an Application Service Provider (ASP) and a customer Premises Network (CPN). Application Programming Interface (API) calls are used at the enterprise, NSP, and/or the ASP to communicate with the RAN to query a resource allocation in the core network that is assigned to the enterprise, NSP, and/or the ASP. API calls are also used at the enterprise, NSP, and/or the ASP to communicate with the RAN to modify the bandwidth and/or the QoS of the resource allocation in the core network that is assigned to the enterprise, NSP, and/or the ASP.

Abstract: A communication network includes a hosting server and a plurality of data processing systems and is operated by uploading a coordination module from one of the plurality of data processing systems to the hosting server. The game hosting server coordinates peer-to-peer communication sessions among a plurality of users associated with the plurality of data processing systems.

Abstract: These exemplary embodiments utilize Sessions Initiation Protocol (SIP) for admission control among a plurality of multimedia devices. The use of the SIP allows a SIP server to perform admission control functions. The use of RSVP linkages is reduced. The use of SIP for admission control allows an application to communicate, or “talk,” to a network and other multimedia devices and to request that resources within the network be reserved. Any communications device that uses sessions may utilize the SIP protocol for admission control. The SIP protocol may be used for unicast and multicast media sessions including video-on-demand and/or multicast video access control.