Abstract: Distributing communication of a data stream among multiple devices is disclosed. Example methods include sending a message from a first electronic device to a second electronic device to announce the first electronic device is available for inclusion in a shared connection to be established by the second electronic device with a service provider, the shared connection to split a first data stream from a source into a plurality of partial data streams to be distributed among a plurality of electronic devices. Example methods also include establishing a data connection with the service provider to receive a first one of the partial data streams associated with the shared connection. Example methods further include relaying the first one of the partial data streams associated with the shared connection from the service provider to the second electronic device.

Abstract: Distributing communication of a data stream among multiple devices is disclosed. Example methods include sending a message from a first electronic device to a second electronic device to announce the first electronic device is available for inclusion in a shared connection to be established by the second electronic device with a service provider, the shared connection to split a first data stream from a source into a plurality of partial data streams to be distributed among a plurality of electronic devices. Example methods also include establishing a data connection with the service provider to receive a first one of the partial data streams associated with the shared connection. Example methods further include relaying the first one of the partial data streams associated with the shared connection from the service provider to the second electronic device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for distributing communication of a data stream among multiple devices are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein include sending a message from a first electronic device to a second electronic device to announce the first electronic device is available for inclusion in a shared connection to be established by the second electronic device with a service provider, the shared connection to split a first data stream from a source into a plurality of partial data streams to be distributed among a plurality of electronic devices. Disclosed example methods also include establishing a data connection with the service provider to receive a first one of the partial data streams associated with the shared connection. Disclosed example methods further include relaying the first one of the partial data streams associated with the shared connection from the service provider to the second electronic device.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for direct interaction between an individual and a communication network. Captured data is received of the individual in an environment to be analyzed by a network management computer. The data is captured by network sensors. The network management computer determines that the individual is a subscriber to services of the communication network by identifying the subscriber from the data that has been captured. The subscriber is registered with a network carrier that operates and provides the services on the communication network. The data is obtained without assistance from a subscriber owned device providing the data. The data is analyzed to interpret commands when presented by the subscriber via the network sensors. The commands include gesture commands from the subscriber. An action is performed for the subscriber based on the commands.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for distributing communication of a data stream among multiple devices are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein include sending a message from a first electronic device to a second electronic device to announce the first electronic device is available for inclusion in a shared connection to be established by the second electronic device with a service provider, the shared connection to split a first data stream from a source into a plurality of partial data streams to be distributed among a plurality of electronic devices. Disclosed example methods also include establishing a data connection with the service provider to receive a first one of the partial data streams associated with the shared connection. Disclosed example methods further include relaying the first one of the partial data streams associated with the shared connection from the service provider to the second electronic device.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, detecting a first action at a first time during a first presentation of video content of a multimedia stream. The first action is coincident with a visual aspect of an event observable in the video content. A second action is detected at a second time during a second presentation of audio content of an audio stream, wherein the second action is coincident with an audible aspect of the event observable in a the second presentation of the audio content. A time difference is determined between the first time and the second time, wherein the first presentation of the video content and the second presentation of the audio content are synchronized based on the time difference. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for distributing communication of a data stream among multiple devices are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein include receiving a request from a first one of a plurality of devices to establish a shared connection to distribute communication of a first data stream among the plurality of devices. Such example methods also include establishing, in response to the request, respective data connections with the plurality of devices based on device capability information obtained from a system providing service for the plurality of devices. Such example methods further include splitting the first data stream into a plurality of partial data streams to be communicated to the plurality of devices via the respective data connections, the partial data streams, when aggregated, forming the first data stream.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for distributing communication of a data stream among multiple devices are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein include receiving a request from a first one of a plurality of devices to establish a shared connection to distribute communication of a first data stream among the plurality of devices. Such example methods also include establishing, in response to the request, respective data connections with the plurality of devices based on device capability information obtained from a system providing service for the plurality of devices. Such example methods further include splitting the first data stream into a plurality of partial data streams to be communicated to the plurality of devices via the respective data connections, the partial data streams, when aggregated, forming the first data stream.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for distributing communication of a data stream among multiple devices are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein include receiving a request from a first one of a plurality of devices to establish a shared connection to distribute communication of a first data stream among the plurality of devices. Such example methods also include establishing, in response to the request, respective data connections with the plurality of devices based on device capability information obtained from a system providing service for the plurality of devices. Such example methods further include splitting the first data stream into a plurality of partial data streams to be communicated to the plurality of devices via the respective data connections, the partial data streams, when aggregated, forming the first data stream.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for direct interaction between an individual and a communication network. Captured data is received of the individual in an environment to be analyzed by a network management computer. The data is captured by network sensors. The network management computer determines that the individual is a subscriber to services of the communication network by identifying the subscriber from the data that has been captured. The subscriber is registered with a network carrier that operates and provides the services on the communication network. The data is obtained without assistance from a subscriber owned device providing the data. The data is analyzed to interpret commands when presented by the subscriber via the network sensors. The commands include gesture commands from the subscriber. An action is performed for the subscriber based on the commands.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for direct interaction between an individual and a communication network. Captured data is received of the individual in an environment to be analyzed by a network management computer. The data is captured by network sensors. The network management computer determines that the individual is a subscriber to services of the communication network by identifying the subscriber from the data that has been captured. The subscriber is registered with a network carrier that operates and provides the services on the communication network. The data is obtained without assistance from a subscriber owned device providing the data. The data is analyzed to interpret commands when presented by the subscriber via the network sensors. The commands include gesture commands from the subscriber. An action is performed for the subscriber based on the commands.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for distributing communication of a data stream among multiple devices are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein include receiving a request from a first one of a plurality of devices to establish a shared connection to distribute communication of a first data stream among the plurality of devices. Such example methods also include establishing, in response to the request, respective data connections with the plurality of devices based on device capability information obtained from a system providing service for the plurality of devices. Such example methods further include splitting the first data stream into a plurality of partial data streams to be communicated to the plurality of devices via the respective data connections, the partial data streams, when aggregated, forming the first data stream.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, detecting a first action at a first time during a first presentation of video content of a multimedia stream. The first action is coincident with a visual aspect of an event observable in the video content. A second action is detected at a second time during a second presentation of audio content of an audio stream, wherein the second action is coincident with an audible aspect of the event observable in a the second presentation of the audio content. A time difference is determined between the first time and the second time, wherein the first presentation of the video content and the second presentation of the audio content are synchronized based on the time difference. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, selecting a first multimedia stream including a first video stream and selecting a second audio stream associated with common subject matter. A timing offset is determined according to a time difference between a first input coincident with a visual aspect of an event observable in playback of the first video stream and a second input coincident with an audible aspect of the event observable in playback of the second audio stream. One of the first input, the second input, or the first and second inputs comprises performing an action during playback of the first video stream and the second audio stream at a multimedia center. The first video stream and the second audio stream are synchronized in in real-time according to the timing offset. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for direct interaction between an individual and a communication network. Captured data is received of the individual in an environment to be analyzed by a network management computer. The data is captured by network sensors. The network management computer determines that the individual is a subscriber to services of the communication network by identifying the subscriber from the data that has been captured. The subscriber is registered with a network carrier that operates and provides the services on the communication network. The data is obtained without assistance from a subscriber owned device providing the data. The data is analyzed to interpret commands when presented by the subscriber via the network sensors. The commands include gesture commands from the subscriber. An action is performed for the subscriber based on the commands.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, selecting a first multimedia stream including a first video stream and selecting a second audio stream associated with common subject matter. A timing offset is determined according to a time difference between a first input coincident with a visual aspect of an event observable in playback of the first video stream and a second input coincident with an audible aspect of the event observable in playback of the second audio stream. One of the first input, the second input, or the first and second inputs comprises performing an action during playback of the first video stream and the second audio stream at a multimedia center. The first video stream and the second audio stream are synchronized in in real-time according to the timing offset. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A video stream from a first source and an audio stream from a second source are received at a multimedia processing device such as a set-top box for play back. A first offset time is determined based upon user input, whereby playback of the video stream relative to playback of the audio stream is adjusted to facilitate synchronization of the audio and video stream.

Abstract: A video stream from a first source and an audio stream from a second source are received at a multimedia processing device such as a set-top box for play back. A first offset time is determined based upon user input, whereby playback of the video stream relative to playback of the audio stream is adjusted to facilitate synchronization of the audio and video stream.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for protecting equipment sensitive to electro-static discharge is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an Electro-Static Discharge (ESD) key entry system for providing access to a restricted area that includes a locking element, a wireless element, and a controller element to manage operations of the locking element and the wireless element. The controller element can wirelessly detect an ESD protector in a vicinity to the ESD key entry system and enable the locking element to provide access to the restricted area. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for dual ringing of a Centrex line and a wireless extension of the Centrex line. With dual ringing functionality, a single destination number dialed by a calling party results in ringing of both a Centrex line and a wireless extension of the Centrex line. In one preferred embodiment described herein, the dual ringing functionality is implemented with a network element (e.g., a service node) separate from a switch (e.g., a service signal point). In this way, the dual ringing functionality is available to users of any end office switch that uses the separate network element—not only to those users of a particular type of end office switch. Furthermore, unlike switches, network elements, such as service nodes, typically do not require vendor approval for modification. Additionally, the dual ringing functionality of these preferred embodiments is switch independent and provides an open platform.