Abstract: In one embodiment, a communication system transmits video content in a looped manner using wireless communications to a cell phone capable of playing the content in a streaming manner. The cell phone is capable, after the playing of the received video content has been interrupted during a current transmission of the content, of resuming play of the content during a subsequent transmission of the looped content, based on the timing of the interruption. The timing of the interruption is compared to a schedule of content transmissions to determine when to resume the playing of the content, e.g., to enable the playing to resume from the location of the interruption.

Abstract: A system and method for providing quality assurance for interactive television and software application data packages delivered via a network. By employing “code checks” that determine “code points” based on the original package, content or data packages may be checked for errors at any later point within the network path from the provider to the subscriber. The data package can be checked for errors by performing some or all of the code checks and comparing the current code point values to the original code point values. If the current values differ from the original values, then the data package has changed and an error is likely to have occurred. Further action may then be taken to determine the nature of the error and to respond to it.

Abstract: A system and method for providing quality assurance for interactive television and software application data packages delivered via a network. By employing “code checks” that determine “code points” based on the original package, content or data packages may be checked for errors at any later point within the network path from the provider to the subscriber. The data package can be checked for errors by performing some or all of the code checks and comparing the current code point values to the original code point values. If the current values differ from the original values, then the data package has changed and an error is likely to have occurred. Further action may then be taken to determine the nature of the error and to respond to it.

Abstract: An image and audio degradation simulator simulates in real time selected degradation effects on images and audio of a film or television production. The degradation effects, which can include those incurred after the electronic capture of the production to its display at a final destination, are performed on electrical signals representing pictures and sound. Simulations can be displayed in real time either substantially immediately upon completion of a portion of the production or at any stage thereafter. Such real-time degradation simulations give a producer an opportunity to see and hear what an end-user (e.g., a television viewer or moviegoer) would see and hear, thus allowing the producer to make typically cost-effective production changes (e.g., to lighting, audio, wardrobe, background, etc.) while that production is still in progress.

Abstract: A system and method for providing quality assurance for interactive television and software application data packages delivered via a network. By employing “code checks” that determine “code points” based on the original package, content or data packages may be checked for errors at any later point within the network path from the provider to the subscriber. The data package can be checked for errors by performing some or all of the code checks and comparing the current code point values to the original code point values. If the current values differ from the original values, then the data package has changed and an error is likely to have occurred. Further action may then be taken to determine the nature of the error and to respond to it.

Abstract: A telecasting service is provided that offers video programs upon viewer demand, and which includes an interactive interface for facilitating viewer selection of video programs. The interactive interface allows the viewer to scan through a list of video programs available on the demand telecasting service. The interactive interface also provides the viewer with still images, full-motion previews, and textual descriptions of the available programs. The demand telecasting service distinguishes subscribers from non-subscribers, and provides an interactive facility for allowing non-subscribers to subscribe to the system.

Abstract: An image and audio degradation simulator simulates in real time selected degradation effects on images and audio of a film or television production. The degradation effects, which can include those incurred after the electronic capture of the production to its display at a final destination, are performed on electrical signals representing pictures and sound. Simulations can be displayed in real time either substantially immediately upon completion of a portion of the production or at any stage thereafter. Such real-time degradation simulations give a producer an opportunity to see and hear what an end-user (e.g., a television viewer or moviegoer) would see and hear, thus allowing the producer to make typically cost-effective production changes (e.g., to lighting, audio, wardrobe, background, etc.) while that production is still in progress.

Abstract: A telecasting service is provided that offers video programs upon viewer demand, and which includes an interactive interface for facilitating viewer selection of video programs. The interactive interface allows the viewer to scan through a list of video programs available on the demand telecasting service. The interactive interface also provides the viewer with still images, full-motion previews, and textual descriptions of the available programs. The demand telecasting service distinguishes subscribers from non-subscribers, and provides an interactive facility for allowing non-subscribers to subscribe to the system.

Abstract: A telecasting service is provided that offers video programs upon viewer demand, and which includes an interactive interface for facilitating viewer selection of video programs. The interactive interface allows the viewer to scan through a list of video programs available on the demand telecasting service. The interactive interface also provides the viewer with still images, full-motion previews, and textual descriptions of the available programs. The demand telecasting service distinguishes subscribers from non-subscribers, and provides an interactive facility for allowing non-subscribers to subscribe to the system.

Abstract: In the method of protecting cultivated plants from the harmful effects of agrochemicals, quinoline derivatives of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 independently of one another are hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, alkyl or alkoxy, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 independently of one another are hydrogen, halogen or alkyl, X is an aliphatic, acyclic, saturated hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 3 carbon atoms and Y is a carboxyl group, or a salt thereof, a mercaptocarbonyl group or a salt thereof, a carboxylic acid ester group, a carboxylic acid thiolester group, an unsubstituted or substituted carboxylic acid amide group, a cyclised, unsubstituted or substituted derivative of a carboxylic acid amide group or a carboxylic acid hydrazide group, or X and Y together are an unsubstituted or substituted tetrahydrufuran-2-one ring, including acid addition salts and metal complexes thereof, a compositions containing such derivatives, are used.