Patent Publication Number: US-2009228940-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for managing telephone communications

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems and more specifically to a method and apparatus for managing telephone communications. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Television viewing is part of daily life. Some individuals prefer not to be disturbed while watching television, while other individuals will pause the media content or will miss a portion of the content to accomplish a task. When notice of an incoming call is received, some of these individuals prefer to allow the call to go unanswered or into voice mail, while other individuals prefer to answer the call. 
     Meeting the needs of these preferences can be difficult. The difficulty can be exacerbated where the preferences change, such as based on the identity of the caller. Systems that forward unanswered calls to voice mail can accumulate a number of messages to be reviewed which can be a time-consuming process. These systems can also fail to discriminate amongst more important incoming calls. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1-4  depict exemplary embodiments of communication systems that provide media services; 
         FIG. 5  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a portal interacting with at least one among the communication systems of  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
         FIG. 6  depicts an exemplary method operating in portions of the communication systems of  FIGS. 1-4 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One embodiment of the present disclosure entails a computer-readable storage medium, having computer instructions for receiving a call at a set top box from a communication device, presenting notice of receipt of the call on a display device coupled to the set top box, providing a message to the communication device that a user of the set top box will provide a return call at a specified time, and initiating the return call from the set top box to the communication device at the specified time. 
     Another embodiment of the present disclosure entails a set top box having a controller to receive a call from a communication device where the set top box is in communication with an internet protocol television system for presenting media content on a display device, present notice of receipt of the call on the display device, retrieve a call management function from a profile associated with a user of the set top box, apply the call management function to the call, and initiate a return call from the set top box at a pre-determined time. 
     Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure entails a set top box having a controller to receive a call from a communication device, present notice of receipt of the call on a display device coupled to the set top box, provide a message to the communication device that a user of the set top box will provide a return call at a pre-determined time, and initiate the return call from the set top box at the pre-determined time. 
     Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure entails a set top box having a controller to receive a call from a communication device where the set top box is in communication with an internet protocol television system, present notice of receipt of the call on a display device coupled to the set top box, present a list of call management functions on the display device where the call management functions include initiating a return call at a predetermined time, receive a selection of a call management function from a user of the set top box, and apply the selected call management function to the call. 
     Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure entails a method including receiving a call at a set top box from a communication device where the set top box is in communication with an internet protocol television system, presenting notice of receipt of the call on a display device coupled to the set top box, retrieving a call management function from a web page associated with the set top box where the call management function is adjustable by a plurality of devices in communication with the web page over the internet and where the plurality of devices include a remote controller of the set top box and a mobile phone, and applying the call management function to the call. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a first communication system  100  for delivering media content. The communication system  100  can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) broadcast media system. In a typical IPTV infrastructure, there is at least one super head-end office server (SHS) which receives national media programs from satellite and/or media servers from service providers of multimedia broadcast channels. In the present context, media programs can represent audio content, moving image content such as videos, still image content, and/or combinations thereof. The SHS server can forward IP packets associated with the media content to video head-end servers (VHS) via a network of aggregation points such as video head-end offices (VHO) according to a common multicast communication method. 
     The VHS can then distribute multimedia broadcast programs via a local area network (LAN) to commercial and/or residential buildings  102  housing a gateway  104  (e.g., a residential gateway or RG). The LAN can represent a bank of digital subscriber line access multiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service area interface that provide broadband services over optical links or copper twisted pairs to buildings  102 . The gateway  104  can distribute broadcast signals to media processors  106 , such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs), which in turn present broadcast selections to media devices  108 , such as computers or television devices, managed in some instances by a media controller  107  (e.g., an infrared or RF remote control). Unicast traffic can also be exchanged between the media processors  106  and subsystems of the IPTV media system for services such as video-on-demand (VoD). It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the media devices  108  and/or portable communication devices  116  shown in  FIG. 1  can be an integral part of the media processor  106  and can be communicatively coupled to the gateway  104 . In this particular embodiment, an integral device such as described can receive, respond, process and/or present multicast or unicast media content. 
     The IPTV media system can be coupled to one or more computing devices  130  a portion of which can operate as a web server for providing portal services over an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network  132  to fixed line media devices  108  or portable communication devices  116  by way of a wireless access point  117  providing Wireless Fidelity or WiFi services, or cellular communication services (e.g., GSM, CDMA, UMTS, WiMAX, etc.). 
     A satellite broadcast television system can be used in place of, or in combination with, the IPTV media system. In this embodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite  115  can be intercepted by a satellite dish receiver  131  coupled to building  102  which conveys media signals to the media processors  106 . The media receivers  106  can be equipped with a broadband port to the ISP network  132 . Although not shown, the communication system  100  can also be combined or replaced with analog or digital broadcast distributions systems, such as cable TV systems. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a second communication system  200  for delivering media content. Communication system  200  can be overlaid or operably coupled with communication system  100  as another representative embodiment of said communication system. The system  200  can include a distribution switch/router system  228  at a central office  218 . The distribution switch/router system  228  can receive video data via a multicast television stream  230  from a second distribution switch/router  234  at an intermediate office  220 . The multicast television stream  230  can include Internet Protocol (IP) data packets addressed to a multicast IP address associated with a television channel. The distribution switch/router system  228  can cache data associated with each television channel received from the intermediate office  220 . 
     The distribution switch/router system  228  can also receive unicast data traffic from the intermediate office  220  via a unicast traffic stream  232 . The unicast traffic stream  232  can include data packets related to devices located at a particular residence, such as the residence  202 . For example, the unicast traffic stream  232  can include data traffic related to a digital subscriber line, a telephone line, another data connection, or any combination thereof. To illustrate, the unicast traffic stream  232  can communicate data packets to and from a telephone  212  associated with a subscriber at the residence  202 . The telephone  212  can be a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone. To further illustrate, the unicast traffic stream  232  can communicate data packets to and from a personal computer  210  at the residence  202  via one or more data routers  208 . In an additional illustration, the unicast traffic stream  232  can communicate data packets to and from a set-top box device, such as the set-top box devices  204 ,  206 . The unicast traffic stream  232  can communicate data packets to and from the devices located at the residence  202  via one or more residential gateways  214  associated with the residence  202 . 
     The distribution switch/router system  228  can send data to one or more access switch/router systems  226 . The access switch/router system  226  can include or be included within a service area interface  216 . In a particular embodiment, the access switch/router system  226  can include a DSLAM. The access switch/router system  226  can receive data from the distribution switch/router system  228  via a broadcast television (BTV) stream  222  and a plurality of unicast subscriber traffic streams  224 . The BTV stream  222  can be used to communicate video data packets associated with a multicast stream. 
     For example, the BTV stream  222  can include a multicast virtual local area network (VLAN) connection between the distribution switch/router system  228  and the access switch/router system  226 . Each of the plurality of subscriber traffic streams  224  can be used to communicate subscriber specific data packets. For example, the first subscriber traffic stream can communicate data related to a first subscriber, and the nth subscriber traffic stream can communicate data related to an nth subscriber. Each subscriber to the system  200  can be associated with a respective subscriber traffic stream  224 . The subscriber traffic stream  224  can include a subscriber VLAN connection between the distribution switch/router system  228  and the access switch/router system  226  that is associated with a particular set-top box device  204 ,  206 , a particular residence  202 , a particular residential gateway  214 , another device associated with a subscriber, or any combination thereof. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, a set-top box device, such as the set-top box device  204 , can receive a channel change command from an input device, such as a remoter control device. The channel change command can indicate selection of an IPTV channel. After receiving the channel change command, the set-top box device  204  can generate channel selection data that indicates the selection of the IPTV channel. The set-top box device  204  can send the channel selection data to the access switch/router system  226  via the residential gateway  214 . The channel selection data can include an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) Join request. In an illustrative embodiment, the access switch/router system  226  can identify whether it is joined to a multicast group associated with the requested channel based on information in the IGMP Join request. 
     If the access switch/router system  226  is not joined to the multicast group associated with the requested channel, the access switch/router system  226  can generate a multicast stream request. The multicast stream request can be generated by modifying the received channel selection data. In an illustrative embodiment, the access switch/router system  226  can modify an IGMP Join request to produce a proxy IGMP Join request. The access switch/router system  226  can send the multicast stream request to the distribution switch/router system  228  via the BTV stream  222 . In response to receiving the multicast stream request, the distribution switch/router system  228  can send a stream associated with the requested channel to the access switch/router system  226  via the BTV stream  222 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a third communication system  300  for delivering media content. Communication system  300  can be overlaid or operably coupled with communication systems  100 - 200  as another representative embodiment of said communication systems. As shown, the system  300  can include a client facing tier  302 , an application tier  304 , an acquisition tier  306 , and an operations and management tier  308 . Each tier  302 ,  304 ,  306 ,  308  can be coupled to a private network  310 , such as a network of common packet-switched routers and/or switches; to a public network  312 , such as the Internet; or to both the private network  310  and the public network  312 . For example, the client-facing tier  302  can be coupled to the private network  310 . Further, the application tier  304  can be coupled to the private network  310  and to the public network  312 . The acquisition tier  306  can also be coupled to the private network  310  and to the public network  312 . Additionally, the operations and management tier  308  can be coupled to the public network  322 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the various tiers  302 ,  304 ,  306 ,  308  can communicate with each other via the private network  310  and the public network  312 . For instance, the client-facing tier  302  can communicate with the application tier  304  and the acquisition tier  306  via the private network  310 . The application tier  304  can communicate with the acquisition tier  306  via the private network  310 . Further, the application tier  304  can communicate with the acquisition tier  306  and the operations and management tier  308  via the public network  312 . Moreover, the acquisition tier  306  can communicate with the operations and management tier  308  via the public network  312 . In a particular embodiment, elements of the application tier  304 , including, but not limited to, a client gateway  350 , can communicate directly with the client-facing tier  302 . 
     The client-facing tier  302  can communicate with user equipment via an access network  366 , such as an IPTV access network. In an illustrative embodiment, customer premises equipment (CPE)  314 ,  322  can be coupled to a local switch, router, or other device of the access network  366 . The client-facing tier  302  can communicate with a first representative set-top box device  316  via the first CPE  314  and with a second representative set-top box device  324  via the second CPE  322 . In a particular embodiment, the first representative set-top box device  316  and the first CPE  314  can be located at a first customer premise, and the second representative set-top box device  324  and the second CPE  322  can be located at a second customer premise. 
     In another particular embodiment, the first representative set-top box device  316  and the second representative set-top box device  324  can be located at a single customer premise, both coupled to one of the CPE  314 ,  322 . The CPE  314 ,  322  can include routers, local area network devices, modems, such as digital subscriber line (DSL) modems, any other suitable devices for facilitating communication between a set-top box device and the access network  366 , or any combination thereof. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the client-facing tier  302  can be coupled to the CPE  314 ,  322  via fiber optic cables. In another exemplary embodiment, the CPE  314 ,  322  can include DSL modems that are coupled to one or more network nodes via twisted pairs, and the client-facing tier  302  can be coupled to the network nodes via fiber-optic cables. Each set-top box device  316 ,  324  can process data received via the access network  366 , via a common IPTV software platform. 
     The first set-top box device  316  can be coupled to a first external display device, such as a first television monitor  318 , and the second set-top box device  324  can be coupled to a second external display device, such as a second television monitor  326 . Moreover, the first set-top box device  316  can communicate with a first remote control  320 , and the second set-top box device  324  can communicate with a second remote control  328 . The set-top box devices  316 ,  324  can include IPTV set-top box devices; video gaming devices or consoles that are adapted to receive IPTV content; personal computers or other computing devices that are adapted to emulate set-top box device functionalities; any other device adapted to receive IPTV content and transmit data to an IPTV system via an access network; or any combination thereof. 
     In an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, each set-top box device  316 ,  324  can receive data, video, or any combination thereof, from the client-facing tier  302  via the access network  366  and render or display the data, video, or any combination thereof, at the display device  318 ,  326  to which it is coupled. In an illustrative embodiment, the set-top box devices  316 ,  324  can include tuners that receive and decode television programming signals or packet streams for transmission to the display devices  318 ,  326 . Further, the set-top box devices  316 ,  324  can each include a STB processor  370  and a STB memory device  372  that is accessible to the STB processor  370 . In one embodiment, a computer program, such as the STB computer program  374 , can be embedded within the STB memory device  372 . 
     In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier  302  can include a client-facing tier (CFT) switch  330  that manages communication between the client-facing tier  302  and the access network  366  and between the client-facing tier  302  and the private network  310 . As illustrated, the CFT switch  330  is coupled to one or more distribution servers, such as Distribution-servers (D-servers)  332 , that store, format, encode, replicate, or otherwise manipulate or prepare video content for communication from the client-facing tier  302  to the set-top box devices  316 ,  324 . The CFT switch  330  can also be coupled to a terminal server  334  that provides terminal devices with a point of connection to the IPTV system  300  via the client-facing tier  302 . 
     In a particular embodiment, the CFT switch  330  can be coupled to a video-on-demand (VOD) server  336  that stores or provides VOD content imported by the IPTV system  300 . Further, the CFT switch  330  is coupled to one or more video servers  380  that receive video content and transmit the content to the set-top boxes  316 ,  324  via the access network  366 . The client-facing tier  302  may include a CPE management server  382  that manages communications to and from the CPE  314  and the CPE  322 . For example, the CPE management server  382  may collect performance data associated with the set-top box devices  316 ,  324  from the CPE  314  or the CPE  322  and forward the collected performance data to a server associated with the operations and management tier  308 . 
     In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier  302  can communicate with a large number of set-top boxes, such as the representative set-top boxes  316 ,  324 , over a wide geographic area, such as a metropolitan area, a viewing area, a statewide area, a regional area, a nationwide area or any other suitable geographic area, market area, or subscriber or customer group that can be supported by networking the client-facing tier  302  to numerous set-top box devices. In a particular embodiment, the CFT switch  330 , or any portion thereof, can include a multicast router or switch that communicates with multiple set-top box devices via a multicast-enabled network. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the application tier  304  can communicate with both the private network  310  and the public network  312 . The application tier  304  can include a first application tier (APP) switch  338  and a second APP switch  340 . In a particular embodiment, the first APP switch  338  can be coupled to the second APP switch  340 . The first APP switch  338  can be coupled to an application server  342  and to an OSS/BSS gateway  344 . In a particular embodiment, the application server  342  can provide applications to the set-top box devices  316 ,  324  via the access network  366 , which enable the set-top box devices  316 ,  324  to provide functions, such as interactive program guides, video gaming, display, messaging, processing of VOD material and other IPTV content, etc. In an illustrative embodiment, the application server  342  can provide location information to the set-top box devices  316 ,  324 . In a particular embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway  344  includes operation systems and support (OSS) data, as well as billing systems and support (BSS) data. In one embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway  344  can provide or restrict access to an OSS/BSS server  364  that stores operations and billing systems data. 
     The second APP switch  340  can be coupled to a domain controller  346  that provides Internet access, for example, to users at their computers  368  via the public network  312 . For example, the domain controller  346  can provide remote Internet access to IPTV account information, e-mail, personalized Internet services, or other online services via the public network  312 . In addition, the second APP switch  340  can be coupled to a subscriber and system store  348  that includes account information, such as account information that is associated with users who access the IPTV system  300  via the private network  310  or the public network  312 . In an illustrative embodiment, the subscriber and system store  348  can store subscriber or customer data and create subscriber or customer profiles that are associated with IP addresses, stock-keeping unit (SKU) numbers, other identifiers, or any combination thereof, of corresponding set-top box devices  316 ,  324 . In another illustrative embodiment, the subscriber and system store can store data associated with capabilities of set-top box devices associated with particular customers. 
     In a particular embodiment, the application tier  304  can include a client gateway  350  that communicates data directly to the client-facing tier  302 . In this embodiment, the client gateway  350  can be coupled directly to the CFT switch  330 . The client gateway  350  can provide user access to the private network  310  and the tiers coupled thereto. In an illustrative embodiment, the set-top box devices  316 ,  324  can access the IPTV system  300  via the access network  366 , using information received from the client gateway  350 . User devices can access the client gateway  350  via the access network  366 , and the client gateway  350  can allow such devices to access the private network  310  once the devices are authenticated or verified. Similarly, the client gateway  350  can prevent unauthorized devices, such as hacker computers or stolen set-top box devices from accessing the private network  310 , by denying access to these devices beyond the access network  366 . 
     For example, when the first representative set-top box device  316  accesses the client-facing tier  302  via the access network  366 , the client gateway  350  can verify subscriber information by communicating with the subscriber and system store  348  via the private network  310 . Further, the client gateway  350  can verify billing information and status by communicating with the OSS/BSS gateway  344  via the private network  310 . In one embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway  344  can transmit a query via the public network  312  to the OSS/BSS server  364 . After the client gateway  350  confirms subscriber and/or billing information, the client gateway  350  can allow the set-top box device  316  to access IPTV content and VOD content at the client-facing tier  302 . If the client gateway  350  cannot verify subscriber information for the set-top box device  316 , e.g., because it is connected to an unauthorized twisted pair, the client gateway  350  can block transmissions to and from the set-top box device  316  beyond the access network  366 . 
     As indicated in  FIG. 3 , the acquisition tier  306  includes an acquisition tier (AQT) switch  352  that communicates with the private network  310 . The AQT switch  352  can also communicate with the operations and management tier  308  via the public network  312 . In a particular embodiment, the AQT switch  352  can be coupled to one or more live Acquisition-servers (A-servers)  354  that receive or acquire television content, movie content, advertisement content, other video content, or any combination thereof, from a broadcast service  356 , such as a satellite acquisition system or satellite head-end office. In a particular embodiment, the live acquisition server  354  can transmit content to the AQT switch  352 , and the AQT switch  352  can transmit the content to the CFT switch  330  via the private network  310 . 
     In an illustrative embodiment, content can be transmitted to the D-servers  332 , where it can be encoded, formatted, stored, replicated, or otherwise manipulated and prepared for communication from the video server(s)  380  to the set-top box devices  316 ,  324 . The CFT switch  330  can receive content from the video server(s)  380  and communicate the content to the CPE  314 ,  322  via the access network  366 . The set-top box devices  316 ,  324  can receive the content via the CPE  314 ,  322 , and can transmit the content to the television monitors  318 ,  326 . In an illustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of the content can be streamed to the set-top box devices  316 ,  324 . 
     Further, the AQT switch  352  can be coupled to a video-on-demand importer server  358  that receives and stores television or movie content received at the acquisition tier  306  and communicates the stored content to the VOD server  336  at the client-facing tier  302  via the private network  310 . Additionally, at the acquisition tier  306 , the VOD importer server  358  can receive content from one or more VOD sources outside the IPTV system  300 , such as movie studios and programmers of non-live content. The VOD importer server  358  can transmit the VOD content to the AQT switch  352 , and the AQT switch  352 , in turn, can communicate the material to the CFT switch  330  via the private network  310 . The VOD content can be stored at one or more servers, such as the VOD server  336 . 
     When users issue requests for VOD content via the set-top box devices  316 ,  324 , the requests can be transmitted over the access network  366  to the VOD server  336 , via the CFT switch  330 . Upon receiving such requests, the VOD server  336  can retrieve the requested VOD content and transmit the content to the set-top box devices  316 ,  324  across the access network  366 , via the CFT switch  330 . The set-top box devices  316 ,  324  can transmit the VOD content to the television monitors  318 ,  326 . In an illustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of VOD content can be streamed to the set-top box devices  316 ,  324 . 
       FIG. 3  further illustrates that the operations and management tier  308  can include an operations and management tier (OMT) switch  360  that conducts communication between the operations and management tier  308  and the public network  312 . In the embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 3 , the OMT switch  360  is coupled to a TV2 server  362 . Additionally, the OMT switch  360  can be coupled to an OSS/BSS server  364  and to a simple network management protocol monitor  386  that monitors network devices within or coupled to the IPTV system  300 . In a particular embodiment, the OMT switch  360  can communicate with the AQT switch  352  via the public network  312 . 
     The OSS/BSS server  364  may include a cluster of servers, such as one or more CPE data collection servers that are adapted to request and store operations systems data, such as performance data from the set-top box devices  316 ,  324 . In an illustrative embodiment, the CPE data collection servers may be adapted to analyze performance data to identify a condition of a physical component of a network path associated with a set-top box device, to predict a condition of a physical component of a network path associated with a set-top box device, or any combination thereof. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, the live acquisition server  354  can transmit content to the AQT switch  352 , and the AQT switch  352 , in turn, can transmit the content to the OMT switch  360  via the public network  312 . In this embodiment, the OMT switch  360  can transmit the content to the TV2 server  362  for display to users accessing the user interface at the TV2 server  362 . For example, a user can access the TV2 server  362  using a personal computer  368  coupled to the public network  312 . 
     It should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the foregoing media communication system embodiments that other suitable media communication systems for distributing broadcast media content as well as peer-to-peer exchange of content can be applied to the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 4  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system  400  employing a IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture. Communication system  400  can be overlaid or operably coupled with communication systems  100 - 300  as another representative embodiment of said communication systems. 
     The communication system  400  can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)  440 , a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server  430 , and network elements of an IMS network  450 . The IMS network  450  can be coupled to IMS compliant communication devices (CD)  401 ,  402  or a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CD  403  using a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF)  420  that connects the call through a common PSTN network  460 . 
     IMS CDs  401 ,  402  register with the IMS network  450  by contacting a Proxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with a corresponding Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) support by the HSS  440 . To accomplish a communication session between CDs, an originating IMS CD  401  can submit a SIP INVITE message to an originating P-CSCF  404  which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF  406 . The originating S-CSCF  406  can submit the SIP INVITE message to an application server (AS) such as reference  410  that can provide a variety of services to IMS subscribers. For example, the application server  410  can be used to perform originating treatment functions on the calling party number received by the originating S-CSCF  406  in the SIP INVITE message. 
     Originating treatment functions can include determining whether the calling party number has international calling services, and/or is requesting special telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73 cancel call forwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on). Additionally, the originating S-CSCF  406  can submit queries to the ENUM system  430  to translate an E.164 telephone number to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the targeted communication device is IMS compliant. If the targeted communication device is a PSTN device, the ENUM system  430  will respond with an unsuccessful address resolution and the S-CSCF  406  will forward the call to the MGCF  420  via a Breakout Gateway Control Function (BGCF)  419 . 
     When the ENUM server  430  returns a SIP URI, the SIP URI is used by an Interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF)  407  to submit a query to the HSS  440  to identify a terminating S-CSCF  414  associated with a terminating IMS CD such as reference  402 . Once identified, the I-CSCF  407  can submit the SIP INVITE to the terminating S-CSCF  414  which can call on an application server  411  similar to reference  410  to perform the originating treatment telephony functions described earlier. The terminating S-CSCF  414  can then identify a terminating P-CSCF  416  associated with the terminating CD  402 . The P-CSCF  416  then signals the CD  402  to establish communications. The aforementioned process can be symmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” in  FIG. 4  can be interchanged. 
       FIG. 5  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a portal  530 . The portal  530  can be used for managing services of communication systems  100 - 400 . The portal  530  can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with a common Internet browser such as Microsoft&#39;s Internet Explorer using an Internet-capable communication device such as references  108 ,  116 , or  210  of  FIGS. 1-2 . The portal  530  can be configured to access a media processor such as references  106 ,  204 ,  206 ,  316 , and  324  of  FIGS. 1-3  and services managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), VOD catalog, a personal catalog stored in the STB (e.g., personal videos, pictures, audio recordings, etc.), and so on. 
       FIG. 6  depicts an exemplary method  600  operating in portions of one or more of the communication systems  100 - 400 . Method  600  has variants as depicted by the dashed lines. It would be apparent to an artisan with ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments not depicted in  FIG. 6  are possible without departing from the scope of the claims described below. For convenience, reference to one or more features of communication system  100  as used in the following paragraphs can mean one or more features of the communication systems  100 ,  200 ,  300  and  400  singly or in combination, including STBs  106 ,  204 ,  206 ,  316  and/or  324 . 
     Method  600  can begin with step  602  where the STB  106  receives an incoming telephone call. For example, the call can be sent to the STB  106  by the gateway  104  or another server, including a server outside of the residence  102 . In one embodiment, the presentation of the call to the STB  106  can be pursuant to a user profile or user pre-designation that is applied by the gateway  104  for choosing calls to be sent to the STB  106  rather than another communication device associated with the residence. In another embodiment, the STB  106  can have its own telephone number, internet address or other communication identification for direct communication with other communication devices. The incoming call can be from various communication devices, including fixed and/or roaming devices, and can be by way of various modes of communication, including VoIP, cellular, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), and so forth. 
     In step  604 , the STB  106  can retrieve or otherwise determine call management rules or functions associated with calls. In one embodiment, the retrieval of the call management rules can be based on a user profile associated with the STB  106 . For example, a user at the start of a media viewing session can be required to enter his or her user profile. The STB  106  can then retrieve stored call management rules associated with the user profile. The particular call management function applied to the incoming call based on the user profile can vary, such as forwarding all calls to voicemail or accepting all calls. In one embodiment, the retrieval of the call management rules can be based on a type of media being presented. For example, the user profile or another designation by a user can indicate that all calls received during viewing of a movie are to be sent to voicemail while all calls received during viewing of the news can be accepted. 
     In one embodiment, the retrieval of the call management rules can be performed pursuant to a presentation and selection of management options. For example, upon receipt of an incoming call, the STB  106  can present a list of options on a display device, such as in a pop-up window or semi-transparent text. The particular method of presentation can vary and can be pre-selected by a user, including by designation in a user profile. The user of the STB  106  can then choose the call management option desired, such as accepting the call, returning the call at a later time, transferring the call to another communication device, sending the call to voice mail and/or not accepting the call. The selection of the particular option can be controlled by a number of devices, such as the STB remote control or another communication device (e.g., mobile phone) that is also in communication with the STB  106 . 
     In step  606 , the STB  106  can determine from the call management rules whether the incoming call is to be accepted and if so, in step  608  can establish the communication or otherwise allow for establishing of the communication by another apparatus or system, such as a network proxy. A speaker phone or other component of the STB  106  can be utilized for voice communication between the user of the STB and the caller. 
     If the STB  106  determines that the call is not to be accepted then in step  610  the STB can determine from the call management rules whether a subsequent communication is to be established with the caller and if so, in step  612  can provide a message to the caller and establish the subsequent communication or otherwise allow for establishing of the subsequent communication by another apparatus or system, such as a network proxy. For example, the STB  106  can present a message to the caller indicating that the callee will return the call at a specified time, such as after the presentation of the media content is finished or in a selected amount of time (e.g., in fifteen minutes). At the specified time, the STB  106  can attempt to establish a communication with the previous caller. In one embodiment, the communication can be made to the same device that the caller utilized to place the original call. In another embodiment, the caller can designate a communication device that is to receive the call from the STB  106  in response to the message from the STB indicating a return call will be provided. 
     In yet another embodiment, the STB  106  or other apparatus and/or system can utilize presence information associated with the caller to establish the subsequent communication. The presence information can be derived from various sources, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinate information received by a network proxy directly from one or more of the callers communication devices. The presence information can also include device activity information which can be used to hone in on which device is most likely used by the caller at the designated time for the return communication. The presence information can be derived by numerous techniques, and can vary depending upon the particular type of communication device. For example, monitoring of various communication devices associated with the user, such as a cellular phone in transit which is being detected by a series of base stations or a computer that is exhibiting network activity, can be performed. Such activities, as well as others, can be indicative of use by the caller or a likelihood of success in contacting the caller. In one embodiment, the presence information can be retrieved or otherwise determined by a presence server or system in communication with the STB  106 . 
     If the STB  106  determines that a return call is not to be set up then in step  614  the STB can determine from the call management rules whether the call is to be transferred and if so, in step  616  can transfer the call to another communication device. In one embodiment, the STB  106  can transfer the call to another communication device associated with the user of the STB  106 , which can be determined based on the user profile. In another embodiment, the user of the STB  106  can designate a communication device that is to receive the transferred call, such as by selecting from a list of devices or entering a communication device identifier (e.g., through entering data using the STB remote controller). In yet another embodiment, the STB  106  can establish multiple-way calling between the caller, the STB  106  and one or more other communication devices, such as according to a selection by the user of the STB. 
     If the STB  106  determines that the call is not to be transferred to another communication device then in step  618  the STB can determine from the call management rules whether the call is to be placed into voice mail and if so, in step  620  can transfer the call to the desired voice mail. In one embodiment, the STB  106  can transfer the call to the voice mail of a communication device associated with the user of the STB, which can be determined based on the user profile. In another embodiment, the user of the STB  106  can designate the voice mail that is to receive the transferred call, such as by selecting from a list of devices or entering a communication device identifier (e.g., through entering data using the STB remote controller). In yet another embodiment, the STB  106  can transfer the call into a voice mail of the STB, where the user of the STB and/or others can selectively access the voice mail, such as using a password or the like. In step  622 , the communication between the caller and the user of the STB  106  can be disconnected. 
     In one embodiment, the STB  106  can monitor for a request for a call management function during the call. For example, a user of the STB  106  can request implementation of a call management function by the STB, such as by selecting from an option list using the STB remote controller. If such a request is made by the user of the STB  106  during the call then the method  600  can return to steps  606  through  620  for managing the on-going call. 
     From the foregoing descriptions, it would be evident to an artisan with ordinary skill in the art that the aforementioned embodiments can be modified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope and spirit of the claims described below. For example, the call management rules can be established by a user for an STB or for a user profile associated with an STB using a web page. The web page can be adjusted or otherwise populated with data using a number of devices, including the remote controller of the STB, a mobile phone, a personal computer, and so forth (e.g., over the internet). Other remote communication devices and modes can also be used to establish the call management rules that are to be implemented by the STB. In one embodiment, the call management rules can be based at least in part on the media content being presented. For example, one call management rule can implement a return call only after a VOD movie is over, while another call management rule can implement the call return during a commercial of regularly scheduled programming. 
     In one embodiment, implementation of the call management rules can be selected using a number of different devices, including the STB remote controller, a mobile phone and/or a personal computer. For example, a user of the STB can communicate a call management selection to the STB using his or her mobile phone, such as in response to a list of call management options presented on the display device. The mobile phone can communicate directly with the STB using various modes of communication. In one embodiment, the STB can include multi-mode communication components to detect the presence and/or communication mode of a mobile phone, and then transmit and/or receive communication signals using that mode of communication (e.g., cordless phone technology (e.g., DECT), Bluetooth™, Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Ultra Wide Band (UWB), software defined radio (SDR), and/or cellular access technologies such as CDMA-1X, W-CDMA/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, and EVDO). In another embodiment, the STB can initiate return calls to multiple parties, which can include the original caller. The return call can be placed using various mode of communication which can include VoIP or which can be another mode, including IMS, POTS, and so forth. The present disclosure also contemplates the use of presence information, such as maintained by a presence server and communicated to the STB, for initiating return calls to other parties (e.g., three-way calling) and/or for forwarding the incoming call to another communication device. 
     These are but a few examples of the modifications that can be applied to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the reader is directed to the claims for a fuller understanding of the breadth and scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 7  depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system  700  within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine in server-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. 
     The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will be understood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video or data communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. 
     The computer system  700  may include a processor  702  (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a main memory  704  and a static memory  706 , which communicate with each other via a bus  708 . The computer system  700  may further include a video display unit  710  (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system  700  may include an input device  712  (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device  714  (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit  716 , a signal generation device  718  (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interface device  720 . 
     The disk drive unit  716  may include a machine-readable medium  722  on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software  724 ) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions  724  may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory  704 , the static memory  706 , and/or within the processor  702  during execution thereof by the computer system  700 . The main memory  704  and the processor  702  also may constitute machine-readable media. 
     Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement the methods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardware implementations. 
     In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein are intended for operation as software programs running on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementations can include, but not limited to, distributed processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the methods described herein. 
     The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containing instructions  724 , or that which receives and executes instructions  724  from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a network environment  726  can send or receive voice, video or data, and to communicate over the network  726  using the instructions  724 . The instructions  724  may further be transmitted or received over a network  726  via the network interface device  720 . 
     While the machine-readable medium  722  is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present disclosure. 
     The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile) memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape; and carrier wave signals such as a signal embodying computer instructions in a transmission medium; and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives is considered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a machine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein and including art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which the software implementations herein are stored. 
     Although the present specification describes components and functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards and protocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) represent examples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same functions are considered equivalents. 
     The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 
     Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. 
     The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.