Centurylink Intellectual Property LLC

Embarq Holdings Company, LLC

Qwest Communications International Inc.

Jamie Christopher Howarter

Charles Michael Lesher

Douglas Bruce Ceballos

Heather Ann Hull

Richard G Bradford

Jeffrey Michael Sweeney

Doug Ceballos

Robert J Morrill

Michael Lesher

Kelsyn Donel Rooks

Michael C Robinson

Robert J Morill

Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and method for recording television content. For example, in one embodiment, a method performed by a digital video recorder is disclosed that includes communicating with a home gateway to determine whether a device connected to the home gateway has enough free storage space to store a television program in the event that the digital video recorder determines that an internal data storage unit associated with the digital video recorder has enough free storage space to store the television program. In one embodiment, the method routes the storage of a recording of the television program to the device via the home gateway in response to a determination that the device connected to the home gateway has enough free storage space on the data storage unit associated with the device to store the television content.

Media content shifting

A system and method for communicating with traffic detectors. A location of a vehicle is determined. A search is performed continuously for any of a number of traffic detectors in a wireless environment. A communication session is established with one of the number of traffic detectors in response to entering a range of one of the number of traffic detectors. A message associated with the one of the number of traffic detectors is communicated to the vehicle while the vehicle is within the range of one or more traffic detectors.

System and method for traffic condition communications

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

Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a method and apparatus for communicating data via a cable card having a network interface. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed for playing an external media content file routed through the network interface of the cable card. In another embodiment, a method is disclosed for utilizing a single cable card on multiple media devices for enabling access to protected media content on the multiple media devices.

Method and apparatus for communicating data via a cable card

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

Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and a method for bypassing an emergency alert break-in for a recorded event. For example, in one embodiment, a set top box is disclosed that includes a memory component for storing computer executable instructions; a communication interface for receiving media content data from a cable service provider; a decoder module for decoding the received media content data; an emergency alert break-in monitoring module for identifying an emergency alert break-in from the received data; a digital video recorder controller module for determining whether the identified emergency alert break-in affects a recording of a program on a recorded channel; and an emergency alert break-in bypass module for bypassing the identified emergency alert break-in for enabling the digital video recorder controller module to record the program without the identified emergency alert break-in.

System and method for bypassing an emergency alert break-in for a television program

Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and method for recording media content. For example, in one embodiment, a method for recording media content is disclosed that includes communicating with a home gateway to determine whether a device connected to the home gateway has enough free storage space to store a media content in response to a determination that an internal data storage unit of a set top box does not have sufficient free storage space to store the media content. In one embodiment, the method routes the storage of the media content to the device via the home gateway in response to a determination that the device connected to the home gateway has sufficient free storage space to store the media content.

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 updating media content for a vehicle. Media content for a vehicle is received through a home network. The media content is stored for playback by one or more devices of the vehicle. A selection of additional media content available through the home network listed in an index is received. The additional media content selected from the index is queued for download based on access to an available network. An available network is searched for. The additional media content is downloaded to the vehicle through the available network and the home network in response to detecting the available network.

System and method for updating vehicle media content

Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and a method for transferring a partially viewed media content file from a digital video recorder to a mobile device. In one embodiment, the method transfers only a remaining portion of a partially viewed media content file to the mobile device. In other embodiments, the method may transfer the entire partially viewed media content file with an indicator of the current viewing point of the partially viewed media content file. The indicator enables the mobile device to begin playing of the partially viewed media content file starting at the current viewing point.

System and method for transferring a partially viewed media content file

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

Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for distributing media content to a plurality of display devices. For instance, in one embodiment, a computer implemented method for distributing media content to a display device is disclosed. The method comprises configuring a middleware device to provide media content to the display device and to a set of display devices. In response to the middleware device receiving a request for media content from the display device, the method determines whether the there is sufficient bandwidth to provide a requested media content to the display device. In one embodiment, if the method determines that there is insufficient bandwidth to provide the requested media content to the display device, the method provides the requested media content to the display device based on a set of preconfigured user preferences.

Middleware bandwidth shifting

A system and method for providing Internet access via a set top box may include operating, on the set top box, a browser configured to display data associated with a website. A command may be received from a wireless communications device via a communications network. The command may include a network address of the website. In response to receiving the command, the website data may be displayed on a television to which the set top box is in communication.

Growing community of inventors

Denver, CO, United States of America

Jamie Christopher Howarter