Centurylink Intellectual Property LLC

Embarq Holdings Company, LLC

Charles Michael Lesher

Jamie Christopher Howarter

Heather Ann Hull

Jeffrey Michael Sweeney

Robert J Morrill

Douglas Bruce Ceballos

Michael C Robinson

Robert J Morill

Novel tools and techniques to enable video enhancements identifying the calling party of an incoming telephone call. In an aspect of some such tools, a video message from the calling party is sent to the receiving party through a communication channel in the provider network. Upon receiving an incoming telephone call at the provider network, the video message can be associated with the incoming telephone call, and routed to a video screen associated with the receiving party to show the video message for the receiving party as an indication of the incoming telephone call and identification of the calling party.

On-screen caller ID with video playback and storage capability

A system and method for distribution of media signals. Wireless communications are established between a set-top box and a wireless adapter in communication with a television. The wireless adapter is powered by the television. A signal is received from the set-top box at the wireless adapter. The signal is formatted for wireless communication. The signal is converted to a format displayable by the television. The formatted signal is communicated from the wireless adapter to the television.

System and method for distribution of a television signal

A system and method for conserving bandwidth for a data connection. A television is detected to have been turned off. Recording information is requested from a digital video record. A content stream to the digital video recorder and the television is terminated in response to receiving the recording information and determining the DVR is inactive.

System and method for dynamic bandwidth allocation

Novel tools and techniques to enable video enhancements identifying the calling party of an incoming telephone call. In an aspect of some such tools, a video message from the calling party is sent to the receiving party through a communication channel in the provider network. Upon receiving an incoming telephone call at the provider network, the video message can be associated with the incoming telephone call, and routed to a set-top unit (also referred to herein as a 'set-top box') associated with the receiving party. The set-top unit might communicate with a visual display screen (e.g., a television), and/or cause the visual display screen to show the video message for the receiving party as an indication of the incoming telephone call and identification of the calling party.

A system and method for acknowledging an incoming communication. An incoming communication request destined for a first communication device from a second communication device is received. The incoming communication request is forwarded to the first communication device. An acknowledgment indication is received from the first communications device that the incoming communication request has been received by a user of the first communication device. An acknowledgment communication associated with the acknowledgment indication is sent from the media server to the second communications device in response to receiving the acknowledgment indication. The acknowledgment communication is selectable from a number of acknowledgment communications including at least default communications and user entered communications.

System and method for acknowledging incoming communications

A method and database management system for controlling the operability of a mobile communications device. A geographic location of a vehicle is determined. A position of the mobile communications device with in the vehicle is determined. Conditional parameters of the mobile communications device are determined. Database records correlating location information with restrictions are accessed. A determination is made whether use of the mobile communications device should be restricted within the vehicle in response to the geographical location, the position of the mobile communications device within the vehicle, the conditional parameters, and the database records The capabilities of the mobile communications device are configured in response to the restrictions.

System and method for controlling wireless communications

A system and method for displaying security content from a set top box to a television. In one embodiment, the television receives media content for display. Security content from one or more wireless cameras replaces the media content in response to receiving an alert from the one or more wireless cameras.

System and method for home monitoring using a set top box

An embodiment of a method, system, and apparatus for acknowledging an incoming call includes receiving an incoming call request addressed to a first communication device from a second communication device, and forwarding the incoming call request to the first communication device. The method further includes receiving an acknowledgment indication from the first communication device that the incoming call request has been received by a user of the first communication device. The method still further includes connecting a call between the second communication device and a media server in response to receiving the acknowledgment indication. In at least one embodiment, the media server is configured to play an acknowledgment voice message to the second communication device. A further embodiment includes sending a reminder message to the first communication device if the user of the first communication device has not initiated a return call to the second communication device within a predetermined time period.

System, method and apparatus for acknowledging an incoming phone call

A method and database management system for controlling the operability of a mobile communications device. A geographical location of a vehicle may be determined. A database comprising records correlating location information with mobile communications device laws may be accessed. Based upon the determined geographical location and accessed database record, a determination may be made as to whether the use of a mobile communications device within the vehicle should be restricted. The capabilities of the mobile communications device that are currently available may be configured, in response to the restriction determination.

Wireless handset vehicle safety interlock database

A method and device for controlling the operability of a transmitter on a mobile communications device by determining if the mobile communications device is located within the cabin of an airplane. A condition parameter of the mobile communications device may be determined. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be disabled in response to the mobile communications device being located within an airplane and further in response to the determined condition parameter.

Wireless handset airplane safety interlock

An outage notification system is provided which includes a first communication network, a second communication network, a plurality of first communication units communicatively coupled to the first communication network and the second communication network, a network monitoring unit communicatively coupled to the first communication network and configured to detect a failure in at least one of the plurality of first communication units or the first communication network, a plurality of second communication units communicatively coupled to the second communication network and associated with corresponding first communication units, and a message alert unit communicatively coupled to the first and second communication networks and configured to receive an alert notification from the network monitoring unit via the first communication network indicating a failure in at least one of the first communication units or the first communication network.

Automatic outage alert system

A method and device for controlling the operability of a transmitter on a mobile communications device by determining if the mobile communications device is located proximate to an operator's seat of a vehicle. A condition parameter of the mobile communications device may be determined. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be disabled in response to the mobile communications device being located proximate to an operator's seat of a vehicle and further in response to the determined condition parameter. The transmitter on the mobile communications device may be enabled, in response to determining that the mobile communications device is not located in a restricted location.

Growing community of inventors

Louisburg, KS, United States of America

Charles Michael Lesher