Abstract: The present invention provides for a system and method for providing a signal to a communication system comprising an interface between a communication link and the communication system, like an alarm system, wherein the interface receives a signal from the communication link and provides a signal indicative of the availability of the communication link for use by the communication system. Alarm systems operations may be facilitated so that Residential Gateway components (such as voice terminal adapters) may simulate traditional telephone network systems that run on 48 VDC powered telephone lines. The system also comprises an input port associated with the interface for receiving the signal from the communication link, a transformer or a voltage regulator and an output port associated with the interface for providing the conditioned signal to the communication system. A ring voltage received from the communication link may be passed through to the alarm system.

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: 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: In the present invention, one or more switches (100) can be interconnected to one or more Public Safety Answering Points (202, 302). Each switch has a switching element (102) for interconnecting a first PSAP to one among a plurality of central offices (210, 310), a memory (104) for storage, and a processor (106) for controlling operations of the switching element and the memory. The processor is programmed to detect (408) a service interruption between the first PSAP and a first central office, and cause (412) the switching element to switch the first PSAP to a second central office selected among the plurality of central offices.

Abstract: The present invention discusses a method and apparatus for providing customer information, such as a physical address etc., to a call destination, such as a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), over an Internet Protocol (IP) communication link. A mediation layer maintains a table tracking information such as IP address, physical location of the customer, and MAC (Media Access Control) Address. When a call is placed, an IP address is sent to the mediation layer. The mediation layer selects appropriate caller information and routes the information to the network, which routes the information to the PSAP. The mediation layer maintains customer information through a Virtual Central Repository (VCR), and IP addresses through a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server on an ongoing basis. The mediation layer can comprise multiple interconnected mediation layers in cooperation.

Abstract: A method and system of securing electronic data. A protection feature may be included with the data to securing the user thereof. The protection feature may become active upon a triggering event to secure the data.

Abstract: A technique that allows a recipient of an electronic message to be notified that the electronic message has been received for the recipient. A notification message containing an address of the recipient is used to notify an intelligent gateway in a communications network that an electronic message has been received for the recipient. The intelligent gateway uses the notification message to identify a telephone number associated with the recipient. The intelligent gateway uses the identified telephone number to call the recipient and rings the recipient's telephone using a distinctive ring to notify the recipient that an electronic message has been received for the recipient.

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 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 method of providing a combined content guide for a home entertainment system is provided and includes polling a first electronic device to receive a first set of content associated with the first electronic device. Further, a second electronic device is polled to receive a second set of content associated with the second electronic device. The first set of content is merged with the second set of content and with a third set of content associated with an on-screen programming guide from a content provider to yield a combined content guide for the home entertainment system. The method further includes polling a third electronic device to receive a fourth set of content associated with the third electronic device. The fourth set of content can be incorporated into the combined content guide.

Abstract: A portable communication device is provided and includes a display. At least one remote control soft button is presented at the display and an electronic device control command is associated with each remote control soft button. Further, the electronic device control command is enabled in response to a code received at the portable communication device from a service provider. The portable communication device also includes a keypad that can be used to select the remote control soft button. Further, the electronic device control command is selected from the group consisting of: play, stop, pause, volume up, volume down, record, channel up, channel down, fast forward, and rewind. Additionally, the portable communication device includes a text input field and a send button that are presented at the display. The portable communication device selectively can control a selected remote electronic device using the at least one electronic device control command.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for facilitating enhanced call awareness. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include an interface that receives a signal associated with a call to a telephone number. A call information engine may be coupled to the interface and may recognize that a party to the call subscribes to an enhanced call activity service. In some cases, the party may be a called party or a calling party, and the activity may include an incoming call to the telephone number, an outgoing call, a missed call, or a waiting voicemail message. A memory may maintain a data network address for the party, and a messaging engine may initiate sending of a message containing call information to the data network address. The message may be sent in response to a trigger signal output by a notification engine without consideration for whether or not a telephone line associated with the telephone number is busy.