Abstract: A medical catheter extrusion forms a sheath around a wire. The extrusion is coupled to a steering and motivating handle. The handle is part of a housing that houses a motivation component fixed to the housing, a crankshaft, or similar eccentric component, couples to the motivation component, which is coupled to a proximal end of the wire. At the wire's distal end, a cutting tip with canted teeth couples to the wire. The cutting tip is capable of cutting bone when moving axially toward the catheter extrusion but glides across the bone without cutting it when moving axially away from the catheter extrusion. The motivation component can be a motor or buttons or a trigger, that couple to the wire and converts manual movement into reciprocating motion of the flexible shaft. The shaft's reciprocating motion moves the flexible and steerable shaft back and forth to move the cutting tip.

Abstract: A novel advanced set top terminal capable of digital decompression, menu generation, interactivity and other advanced functional capabilities for use in a television program delivery system (200) is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for upgrading existing set top terminals (220) to provide menu generation capability and advanced functional capabilities. The invention is particularly useful in television program delivery systems (200) with hundreds of channels of programming, providing (i) menu driven program selection through the addition of an upgrade module (300) or menu generation card and (ii) advanced functional capabilities using a set of hardware upgrades (e.g., 130) and/or an expansion card. Specifically, the invention is an upgradeable system that supports advanced set top functionality through the use of internal software, hardware upgrades, an upgrade module and/or expansion cards. The upgraded hardware generally includes a microprocessor, various input/output ports (e.g.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for a television terminal with a modem. The television terminal may be a set top terminal for use with a cable television program delivery system. The modem may be integral to the terminal or may be provided as a hardware upgrade unit or expansion card connected to the terminal to modularly enhance the functionality of the terminal. The modem enables the terminal to communicate with interactive services and on-line databases, including services and databases outside of the television program delivery system. The services and databases may provide home shopping, airline reservations, news, financial information, classified advertisements, home banking, and/or interactive teletext.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for a television terminal with data storage. The television terminal may be a set top terminal for use with a cable television program delivery system. The data storage may be integral to the terminal or may be provided as a hardware upgrade unit or expansion card connected to the terminal to modularly enhance the functionality of the terminal. The data storage may be in the form of a disc, such as a compact disc storage device or a CD-ROM. The data stored on the storage device may relate to games, education, encyclopedias, reference, or economics. The television terminal may additionally include a microprocessor that is programmed to react to information within a television signal to access the data stored on the storage device.

Abstract: A medical catheter extrusion forms a sheath around a wire. The extrusion is coupled to a steering and motivating handle. The handle is part of a housing that houses a motivation component fixed to the housing, a crankshaft, or similar eccentric component, couples to the motivation component, which is coupled to a proximal end of the wire. At the wire's distal end, a cutting tip with canted teeth couples to the wire. The cutting tip is capable of cutting bone when moving axially toward the catheter extrusion but glides across the bone without cutting it when moving axially away from the catheter extrusion. The motivation component can be a motor or buttons or a trigger, that couple to the wire and converts manual movement into reciprocating motion of the flexible shaft. The shaft's reciprocating motion moves the flexible and steerable shaft back and forth to move the.

Abstract: A novel advanced set top terminal having electronic mail capable of digital decompression, menu generation, interactivity, and other advanced functional capabilities for use in a television program delivery system (200) is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for upgrading existing set top terminals (220) to provide electronic mail capability and advanced functional capabilities. The invention is particularly useful in television program delivery systems (200) providing (i) menu driven program selection through the addition of an upgrade module (300) or menu generation card and (ii) advanced functional capabilities using a set of hardware upgrades (e.g., 130) and/or an expansion card. Specifically, the invention is an upgradeable system that supports electronic mail through the use of internal software, hardware upgrades, an upgrade module and/or expansion cards. The upgraded hardware generally includes a microprocessor, various input/output ports (e.g., 308), processing circuitry (e.g.

Abstract: A novel network manager for use with a cable television system headend capable of monitoring and managing headend components and set top terminals in a television delivery system. The invention relates to methods and apparatus that manage and coordinate the reception of requested video on demand programs.

Abstract: Several cable headend configurations that utilize digital technology are disclosed. The present invention provides greater capability and flexibility than existing cable headends. Specifically, a modular design for a cable headend and a combiner component for cable headends are disclosed. The invention is particularly useful in cable television program delivery systems transponding large numbers of digitally compressed program signals. The combiner disclosed allows cherry-picking of programs from transponded signals.

Abstract: A novel advanced set top terminal capable of digital decompression, displaying picture-on-picture, outputting multiple video channels, outputting multiple audio signals, outputting multiple audio channels corresponding to a single video channel, and other advanced functional capabilities for use in a television program delivery system is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for upgrading existing set top terminals to provide these advanced functional capabilities. The invention is particularly useful in television program delivery systems providing advanced functional capabilities using a set of hardware upgrades and/or an expansion card. Specifically, the invention is an ungradable system that supports displaying picture-on-picture, multiple video channels, multiple audio signals and multiple audio signals corresponding to a single video channel, among other features and capabilities through the use of internal software, hardware upgrades, an upgrade module and/or expansion cards.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for upgrading a set top terminal for use with a cable television program delivery system. A hardware upgrade or expansion card is connected to a set top terminal to enhance the functionality of the set top terminal and to allow the set top terminal to receive digital audio programs. The hardware upgrade includes audio signal processing circuitry such as a tuner, demodulator, demultiplexor, decryptor, and decompressor. A microprocessor in the hardware upgrade enables the upgrade to accept subscriber inputs so as to select a particular digital audio program for listening. Subscriber inputs may be generated from a remote control and a menu system of the set top terminal.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus suggests programs for viewing by a subscriber. Terminals installed at a subscriber's home and at central locations, such as bookstores, video rental stores and libraries, provide responsive or intelligent search functions to suggest programs for viewing according to a subscriber's viewing preferences. Responsive searching includes posing questions to and receiving answers from the subscribers. Intelligent searching includes gathering historical data, such as the subscriber's history of programs watched. The programs include videotapes, videodiscs, television programs and electronic books. Subscribers indicate their selection and order the programs using a menu system. An automated billing system tracks the programs ordered.

Abstract: A system for locating a vehicle among a large number of vehicles. A lock box unit is mounted on a vehicle and includes a key box for storing a vehicle key and a locator unit. The locator unit receives a polling signal from a central base station which includes an address for the particular locator unit to be located. The locator unit decodes the polling signal to determine whether the signal is includes its unique address. If the polling signal is meant for the locator unit then the locator unit transmits a spread spectrum to at least three receiving antennas. The location of the locator unit and therefore the vehicle is determined based upon time arrival data generated by the receiving antennas. The lock box unit may also include an identification device which records who accesses the key box to retrieve the vehicle key. This information is stored in a memory device.

Abstract: A novel reprogrammable set top terminal for a television program delivery system which suggests programs for viewing is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for reprogramming set top terminals, and selecting and displaying programs to suggest to subscribers for viewing. The invention is particularly useful in television program delivery systems with hundreds of channels of programming, a menu driven program selection system, and a program control information signal which carries data and identifies the available program choices. Specifically, the invention relates to remote reprogramming of terminal memory and the gathering and analysis of data for selecting programs to suggest to a subscriber. The invention is a terminal which includes a means for receiving incoming signals, a processor, memory, and a means to generate menu screens for display on a TV or monitor. Various data gathering and analysis techniques are used to customize selection of programs for display on a menu.

Abstract: A novel network manager for use with a cable television system headend capable of monitoring and managing headend components and set top terminals in a television delivery system is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus that manage and coordinate the reception of various programming and control signals at a headend. The invention manages and coordinates the storage of such signals for intelligent selection and distribution to set top terminals. The invention makes use of a receiver or set of receivers, a work station, a program control information processing component, a network management CPU, databases, control software and an instruction memory. The invention uses these components to manage and monitor certain headend components, such as signal reception equipment, an authorization component, a file server, MPEG decoders, a digital buffer with frame repeat and channel modulators.

Abstract: A novel advanced set top terminal capable of digital decompression, menu generation, interactivity and other advanced functional capabilities for use in a television program delivery system is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for upgrading existing set top terminals to provide menu generation capability and advanced functional capabilities. The invention is particularly useful in television program delivery systems with hundreds of channels of programming, providing (i) menu driven program selection through the addition of an upgrade module or menu generation card and (ii) advanced functional capabilities using a set of hardware upgrades and/or an expansion card. Specifically, the invention is an upgradeable system that supports advanced set top functionality through the use of internal software, hardware upgrades, an upgrade module and/or expansion cards. The upgraded hardware generally includes a microprocessor, various input/output ports, processing circuitry and memory.

Abstract: A novel reprogrammable set top terminal for a television program delivery system which suggests programs for viewing is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for reprogramming set top terminals, and selecting and displaying programs to suggest to subscribers for viewing. The invention is particularly useful in television program delivery systems with hundreds of channels of programming, a menu driven program selection system, and a program control information signal which carries data and identifies the available program choices. Specifically, the invention relates to remote reprogramming of terminal memory and the gathering and analysis of data for selecting programs to suggest to a subscriber. The invention is a terminal which includes a circuit for receiving incoming signals, a processor, memory, and a circuit to generate menu screens for display on a TV or monitor. Various data gathering and analysis techniques are used to customize selection of programs for display on a menu.

Abstract: The present invention provides greater capability and flexibility than existing cable headends. Specifically, the invention comprises a modular design for a cable headend and a combiner component for cable headend. The invention is particularly useful in cable television program delivery systems transponding large numbers of digitally compressed program signals. The combiner allows cherry-picking of programs from transponded signals.

Abstract: An on demand services feature for the provision of video, audio, and data services for a subscription system of the CTV type, or the like. The system comprises a headend coupled to a distribution network having a multiplicity of subscribers. Standard service signals forming scheduled program channels are coupled commonly with on demand service signals forming on demand program channels in a frequency division multiplexed system. The demand services are provided by a demand service processor having an input processor which stores programs for the demand services in a file server or other massive memory and a plurality of output processors which retrieve the programs on demand and convert them to the demand service signals for application to the distribution network. In the illustrated embodiment the input processor scrambles, digitizes and compresses real time or other stored analog programming for storage in the file server.

Abstract: The present invention is an operations center that organizes and packages television programs for transmission in a television delivery system. The center is capable of receiving, storing, packaging and delivering countless programs in various signal formats. The center is a particularly useful invention for program delivery systems which will provide subscribers with video on demand, near video on demand and/or the ability to select programs from on-screen menus. The center's primary components are a receiver, system controller, video storage, computer assisted packaging system (CAP) and output equipment. The components can receive, convert, store, select, retrieve, encode and otherwise process multiple program signals, gather program identities of analog and/or digital programs, generate menus, package programs efficiently based on subscriber needs and the available bandwidth, and output packaged program products to multiple remote sites.

Abstract: An on demand services feature for the provision of video, audio, and data services for a subscription system of the CTV type, or the like. The system comprises a headend coupled to a distribution network having a multiplicity of subscribers. Standard service signals forming scheduled program channels are coupled commonly with on demand service signals forming on demand program channels in a frequency division multiplexed system. The demand services are provided by a demand service processor having an input processor which stores programs for the demand services in a file server or other massive memory and a plurality of output processors which retrieve the programs on demand and convert them to the demand service signals for application to the distribution network. In the illustrated embodiment the input processor scrambles, digitizes and compresses real time or other stored analog programming for storage in the file server.