Abstract: Including a disk, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart airfoils extending radially outwardly from the disk, a plurality of shroud segments being disposed circumferentially between the plurality of airfoils and configured to attach to a corresponding airfoil of the plurality of airfoils and a plurality of wear surfaces, where at least one wear surface of the plurality of wear surfaces is configured and disposed to prevent excessive wear between the adjacent shroud segments. Each shroud segment of the plurality of shroud segments may be attached to a corresponding airfoil by weld connections to permit clearance during translation friction welding of the airfoil to the disk hub are located to avoid high stress areas.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for logging triggers in a video data stream the method including but not limited to monitoring a video data stream at an multimedia processor end user device; receiving from a data distribution server, the video data stream at the multimedia processor end user device; detecting a trigger in the video data stream at the multimedia processor end user device; logging a time for the trigger detected in the video data stream in a trigger log at the multimedia processor end user device; and sending the trigger log an advertising verification system in the data distribution system for correlating the time the trigger occurred with an Advertising Schedule.

Abstract: A method and system for reporting incidents on a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes generating user service alerts when a disruption to a channel of the multimedia content is observed. The user service alert may be generated at a client of the MCDN and recorded along with a timestamp and a channel indicator. A remote control device may be equipped to generate the user service alert. A support event may be generated in response to receiving the user service alert. The support event may cause the disruption to be investigated and a status report to be sent back to the client.

Abstract: A system, computer program product and method are disclosed for sending advertising data to an end user device. The system includes but is not limited to a processor in data communication with a computer readable medium; and a computer program embedded in the computer readable medium, the computer program comprising instructions to monitor video data for advertising key data, instructions to monitor end user data exchanged between end user devices for the advertising key data, instructions to receive data from an end user device indicating a product selected from a selected data segment in the video data and instructions to send advertising data relating to key data in the selected data segment to the end user device. The computer program product executes a computer program to perform the method.

Abstract: A method of controlling vehicle functions is provided that includes receiving at a service provider, security data from a vehicle function system. The security data is related to a security code required to activate one or more functions controlled by the vehicle function system. The method also includes receiving a vehicle function request at the service provider from a remote device. The vehicle function request indicates a request to activate a particular function of a vehicle. In addition, the method includes sending a vehicle function command from the service provider to a mobile wireless device. The vehicle function command is adapted to cause the mobile wireless device to transmit a wireless signal to activate the particular function of the vehicle and the vehicle function command includes the security code or authentication information related to the security code.

Abstract: An audible menu system associated with distribution of television content over a service provider network is disclosed. The menu system includes a speech synthesizer and screen reader. Electronic programming guide (EPG) elements are read by a screen reader and provided to a speech synthesizer for presenting audible representations of EPG elements to a user. The user may provide inputs to a remote control device to navigate an EPG that may also be presented through a graphical user interface. As a user navigates a cursor over selectable EPG elements, disclosed embodiments provide audible outputs that correspond to the selectable EPG elements. In some embodiments, users may provide customized audio inputs that are played as audio outputs during future menu navigation sessions.

Abstract: A system measures viewership of multimedia programs such as television programs, pay-per-view sporting events, and video-on-demand movies. Viewership data from a plurality of multimedia programs may be compared to determine ratings for the multimedia programs. Multimedia streams en route to set top boxes may be monitored using packet inspection to identify the multimedia program or programs included in the multimedia streams. An electronic table or array may be stored and updated with viewership statistics of monitored multimedia programs. Some embodiments track the total number of households or televisions that are powered on in a viewing area. Ratings are available substantially in real time by accessing a stored table with viewership information or by frequently polling a plurality of stored values to determine which multimedia program is being viewed by all or substantially all viewers in an area.

Abstract: A method of detecting potential video traffic interference at a video head-end of a video distribution network is disclosed and includes detecting, at a video head-end, a signal populating an ultra high frequency (UHF) white space frequency. The method also includes determining that a strength of the signal is equal to or greater than a threshold signal strength. Further, the method includes sending an alert from the video head-end to a network management system. The alert indicates that the UHF white space frequency is populated by a signal having a potential to interfere with video traffic delivered via the video head-end.

Abstract: A disclosed multimedia signal monitoring unit includes a chassis and, within the chassis, a processor, a multimedia signal receiver for receiving an encoded multimedia stream, and a plurality of decoders. Each of the decoders can decode an encoded multimedia signal, where at least two of the plurality of decoders is operable to decode the multimedia signal using different decoding algorithms. The decoder includes a switch under control of the processor. In some embodiments, the switch is configured to connect the receiver to a selected one of the decoders. A user input interface is connected to the microprocessor and is operable to manually operate the switch. Each decoder may be attached to a corresponding circuit board. Each of the circuit boards is received within a corresponding slot defined within the chassis. The circuit boards may be swapped among the slots. Each decoder may be operable to decode a multimedia signal modulated using 8-level vestigial sideband modulation.

Abstract: A method for delivering advertising data, comprising receiving end user data at a server, the data indicating available advertising spots in content data stored at an end user device; and updating from the server advertising data in the available advertising spots for presentation of the advertising data during replay of the content data at the end user device. A system is disclosed for performing the method. A data structure embedded in a computer readable medium is disclosed for containing data for performing the method.

Abstract: A set top box (STB) device receives a data stream comprising video content data and meta data. The data stream can include, for example, an H.264-compliant data stream transmitted to the STB device via a packet-switched network, such as an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network. The meta data comprises an indicator of a display format for the video content data. The STB device accesses the indicator from the data stream and processes the video content data to generate a first display data having the first display format. The STB device can include a preset static display format configuration that is overridden by the STB device in response to accessing the indicator.

Abstract: Including a disk, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart airfoils extending radially outwardly from the disk, a plurality of shroud segments being disposed circumferentially between the plurality of airfoils and configured to attach to a corresponding airfoil of the plurality of airfoils and a plurality of wear surfaces, where at least one wear surface of the plurality of wear surfaces is configured and disposed to prevent excessive wear between the adjacent shroud segments. Each shroud segment of the plurality of shroud segments may be attached to a corresponding airfoil by weld connections to permit clearance during translation friction welding of the airfoil to the disk hub are located to avoid high stress areas.

Abstract: A micromirror array 110 fabricated on a semiconductor substrate 11. The array 110 is comprised of three operating layers 12, 13, 14. An addressing layer 12 is fabricated on the substrate. A hinge layer 13 is spaced above the addressing layer 12 by an air gap. A mirror layer 14 is spaced over the hinge layer 13 by a second air gap. The hinge layer 13 has a hinge 13a under and attached to the mirror 14a, the hinge 13a permitting the mirror 14a to tilt. The hinge layer 13 further has spring tips 13c under the mirror 14a, which are attached to the addressing layer 12. These spring tips 13c provide a stationary landing surface for the mirror 14a.

Abstract: A method of providing a reticle layout for a die having at least three patterns, namely a right pattern, a center pattern, and a left pattern, where the center pattern is oversized relative to the photolithography step size. To avoid the non-uniformity effects resulting from stitching the center pattern, the center pattern size is minimized. This is accomplished by moving portions of the center pattern to the left and right patterns.

Abstract: A micromirror array 110 fabricated on a semiconductor substrate 11. The array 110 is comprised of three operating layers 12, 13, 14. An addressing layer 12 is fabricated on the substrate. A hinge layer 13 is spaced above the addressing layer 12 by an air gap. A mirror layer 14 is spaced over the hinge layer 13 by a second air gap. The hinge layer 13 has a hinge 13a under and attached to the mirror 14a, the hinge 13a permitting the mirror 14a to tilt. The hinge layer 13 further has spring tips 13c under the mirror 14a, which are attached to the addressing layer 12. These spring tips 13c provide a stationary landing surface for the mirror 14a.

Abstract: A VDSL based broadband data communication network system is provided that utilizes ATM/IP all the way to an end user PC, thereby allowing selectable bit rate delivery to the end users, with a Class of Service (COS) and Quality of Service (QOS) selection. A headend is connected to external Internet service providers and a network central office, and is arranged to receive and send multi-protocol signals to the Internet service provider, and receive and send ATM signals to the central office. This VDSL data architecture is very functional and flexible with the capability of supporting such services as streaming video and audio, voice over IP, digital advertisements, videoconferencing, gaming, business-to-business service, E-commerce, video-on-demand, and interactive TV. The VDSL data network will support very high-speed two-way data services over fiber optics using SONET, Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing, IP, ATM, and other transport systems.

Abstract: An igniter for a combustor of a gas turbine comprises a ground shell electrical conductor which provides the electrical ground path back to the spark source. The spark source connects to the conductor and a ground return path connects to the ground shell. Multiple ignition spark source electrical conductors are used in the single igniter. At least one insulator isolates the spark sources from each other and from the ground shell conductor. An electrical connection, typically a connector that would mate with an ignition source electrical lead having a source conductor, a ground conductor, and insulation to separate these conductors, mates with a spark source to operate the igniter.

Abstract: A control system and method provide thrust droop compensation in a gas turbine engine. A droop compensation signal is generated for increasing turbine exit temperature T.sub.5 based on a predetermined model, and is selectively reduced for limiting the increase in temperature T.sub.5 when the temperature T.sub.5 is above a predetermined threshold temperature for a predetermined time. The reduced droop signal is added as a bias signal into an error signal which effects thrust droop concentration in a variable area exhaust nozzle of the engine.

Abstract: A method and system are provided to bias a control subsystem of a gas turbine engine having a fan and compressor. The method includes the steps of measuring an operating parameter of the engine and differentiating this parameter over time to obtain a derivative thereof. A bias signal is generated in a predetermined bias schedule in response to the parameter derivative, and provided to the control subsystem for biasing the subsystem. The bias signal has a zero value for values of the parameter derivative from zero to a first value thereof at a first time. The bias signal has a maximum value for values of the parameter derivative between second and third values thereof corresponding with second and third times. And, the bias signal returns to a value of zero after a fourth time greater than the third time.

Abstract: A robot arm attachment tool for handling workpieces, such as information recording disks. The tool is self aligning, has enhanced load handling load capacities and is able to handle workpieces having sensitive surfaces without damage to same. The tool is attached to the robot arm so as to allow the main portion of the tool to translate freely in a horizontal plane and to freely pivot about a center axis of the tool. The tool centers itself over a workpiece to be lifted, and has a pressurizable chamber having a piston for allowing powered removal of workpieces which is connected to housings which in turn engage workpieces to be lifted. In operation, the robot arm first generally centers and lowers the tool over the workpiece. The tool then precisely centers itself over the workpiece. The free attachment of the tool allows the tool to tilt and translate in a horizontal plane as the tool comes in contact with the workpiece, for a precise fit.