Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a local content to a viewer in the form of an animation sequence. A micro program may be data-cast to a receiver to provide national and local content to a number of receiver units that may be located at, e.g., a cable headend or other distribution point. The micro program executes, at least in part, on each receiver unit. If the micro program is relevant to the receiver unit, then the micro program executes to completion. The micro program may include a code representative of local conditions that is mapped by the local receiver unit to a library of animation graphics used to create an animation sequence to convey the local conditions to a viewer. For example, the local conditions may be weather conditions and the animation sequence conveys how the weather will feel or affect a viewer.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically formulating and delivering a video program that includes perishable information is provided. The system includes a video server that creates a video program using one or more recent video segments in combination with other video segments. The recent video segments are typically generated in a studio, whereas the other video segments are obtained from a variety of sources, including databases and live feeds. An audio system stores pre-recorded audio and is used to create audio for certain video segments. The video server enables an organization to deliver more customized video programs to more users and to update those video programs more frequently without requiring additional studio time or resources.

Abstract: Information is provided to on-air personnel that is synchronized to a playlist executed by a broadcast automation system. A type is defined within a broadcast automation system and is associated with studio segments and non-studio segments that follow studio segments in a playlist. As the playlist is executed, the broadcast automation system provides a count until the next segment with the specified type. The count is monitored and if the count matches a predetermined value, then a trigger is generated based on the predetermined value and the playlist. Each trigger is associated with a particular action, such as the display of a message on certain display units. Once the trigger is generated, the action is performed. The invention can be used to automatically provide countdown information to on-camera personnel based on the playlist.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing a desktop framework. The desktop framework may include an application framework component that includes a set of core libraries that provide desktop applications access to data and services, a download component that maintains versions of the desktop applications and core libraries installed on a computer, and a license component that tracks data use and access. The application framework exposes APIs to provide the desktop applications with access to the data and services. The application framework serves as a platform upon which the desktop applications share common data and logic.

Abstract: Methods and system for preventing or allowing an installer application from installing applications based on a comparison of the installer application actions to profiles and rules. The profiles and rules are established (and periodically updated) to identify a particular software installation process as undesirable and stop, it from occurring. An install blocker processes the profiles and rules and compares them against what the installer is trying to do as part of its installation process. If the installer is attempting to install an application deemed undesirable, the user could then be notified, provided all of the information about what the installer was trying to do, and provided choice to allow the installation to continue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating one or more playlists of a predefined length. The invention allows dynamic creation of different playlists for differing times, locations, and other circumstances and also provides for the dynamic selection of products for inclusion in a playlist based on the content of one or more of the individual products. Creation of a playlist may be based on a priority scheme with priority values indicating the relative importance of the products. Creation may also involve determining or adjusting the lengths of one or more products selected for the playlist so that the total length of the playlist will equal a set, predetermined, or otherwise predefined playlist length. Methods and systems according to the present invention provide flexible, efficient, and manageable techniques for creating different playlists of similar product types for both varying circumstances (e.g., time, location, etc.) and varying products of those product types (e.g.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing a desktop framework. The desktop framework may include an application framework component that includes a set of core libraries that provide desktop applications access to data and services, a download component that maintains versions of the desktop applications and core libraries installed on a computer, and a license component that tracks data use and access. The application framework exposes APIs to provide the desktop applications with access to the data and services. The application framework serves as a platform upon which the desktop applications share common data and logic.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting, sequencing, and presenting traffic events to viewers. This may involve using a prioritizing scheme that estimates the proximity or relevance of the event to the viewers by associating the event with a geographic zone and the viewer with a localized service area served by a particular distribution points of the television content distribution system. In some cases, for each localized service area, zones are given priority values that are used when prioritizing the relevance of traffic events associated with those zones. For viewers in a given localized service area, a first zone may have a higher priority than a second zone, such that in prioritizing traffic events, events associated with the first zone are given a higher priority than events occurring in the second zone. Different zone priority schemes may be associated with a given localized service area at different times of day, week, or year.

Abstract: An interactive map may be provided. The map may include weather information such as temperature information, precipitation information, radar information, or the like, street information such as road information, traffic information, or the like, and/or advertising information for a particular area that may be chosen by the user. The map may also display information related to points of interest such as schools, golf courses, entertainment, or the like that may be chosen by the user. The map may be dynamic such that the weather information, street information, and/or advertising information may be dynamically updated on the map.

Abstract: Methods for altering content on a Web site in accordance with triggering events. Normal and alternate versions of Web site content are created, where the alternate version is a less complex and computationally expense and utilizes a reduced amount of bandwidth to be transmitted to users. When an event occurs, all or portions of the Web site are switched from the normal version to their respective alternate versions to reduce server load and bandwidth requirements so a high number of users can be served the pages. The switch from normal to alternate versions may be for all visitors of selected classes of visitors, such as those from certain geographic regions.

Abstract: The method of providing a web page that uses geographic and/or weather-related information from definitions in the page in a graphical advertising message. The ad can be dynamically altered based on a wide variety of variables that are defined on a web page. By being able to change ad messaging and visuals in real time based on the presence of variables in web pages ADapters can prove to be extremely contextually relevant as well as operationally efficient.

Abstract: A current synthetic UV index is developed and successfully verified against direct surface measurements of UV index values. The purpose of this invention is to distribute this current synthetic UV index through cell phones nationwide. This will inform cell phone users for the first time about the current UV index value when they carry their cell phones. The current UV index will be calculated using the geographical location of the cell phone, the time of the day, and the cloud cover conditions in that area. The algorithm will then use this information to calculate the solar elevation needed to determine the amount of UV radiation reaching the earth's surface at any given time. The total column ozone for that particular day will be taken into account for each calculation. This mechanism of dissemination of the actual/current UV index values will be an important achievement with the intention of raising the public's awareness of the harmful effects of the sun's ultraviolet rays.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a desktop wallpaper map on a user's PC desktop to provide an indication of weather conditions. The map displays weather information such as local, regional or national radar, satellite map, five day forecast, current conditions, etc. In a passive mode, the map is displayed in the background on a user's desktop. In an interactive mode, the map is preferably moved up to the foreground and additional weather data is provided, which may be customized by the user. The user may pan, zoom and change locations via controls that are provided on the desktop. A control icon is provided to toggle the map to and from passive and interactive modes.

Abstract: A weather-based activity advisor that provides activity recommendations to a user based on location and a time parameters. The activity recommendations are based on assessments of the desirability of potential activities such as weather-based index values. The weather-based activity advisor may present recommended activities, facilities offering the activities, information about the activities, and information about weather conditions influencing the desirability of the activities. The activity advisor may also present supplemental information such as advertisements and related web links.

Abstract: Methods and articles of manufacture for providing an indication or representation that describes the state of weather over a period in the past for a particular location. Observation data for the location is accumulated and stored over the period. Because forecast engines exist and can be adapted for use in determining the indication of weather, the observation data is converted into a format of forecast data. The data is then grouped into subsets and processed as forecast data. For each subset, a representation of weather is determined. The representations of weather for each subset are then processed to determine the representation of weather for the period of time.

Abstract: Methods and articles of manufacture for estimating or deriving weather observations for any given location. Using weather radar data, a correspondence between the weather radar coverage, intensity and the precipitation type may be monitored. From that, a measure of corroboration between the radar data and surface weather conditions may be established. Through radar calibration statistics and estimates of ground-based precipitation, the corroboration can be iteratively tuned, resulting in a final improved estimate of the present weather and associated meteorological fields. The associated meteorological fields may include at least one of a probability of precipitation, precipitation accumulation, precipitation rate, and horizontal visibility.

Abstract: A method of using climate data to determine activity index values for a given activity. One embodiment provides a method of more objectively determining the desirability of an activity based on climate data by determining an activity index value using a weighted-element type analysis. Multiple activity index values may be determined for different time periods and used to provide information useful in comparing the desirability of the different time periods for a given activity. The activity index values may be used to answer questions such as “what is the best month to visit Kingston, Jamaica” and “what is the worst season for allergies in Atlanta.

Abstract: Methods and articles of manufacture for estimating or deriving weather observations/conditions for any given location using observed weather conditions from neighboring locations, radar data, lightning data, satellite imagery, etc. An initial estimate of weather conditions for a location is made based on a downscaling process using the current conditions the neighboring locations. A measure of corroboration between the radar data and surface weather conditions at official observing stations may be established. Through the results of the downscaling process, radar calibration statistics and estimates of ground-based precipitation, the corroboration can be iteratively tuned, resulting in a weather conditions vector containing associated meteorological fields for locations that lie between or near the sparse network of official observing sites from which an estimate of the weather conditions may be made.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an improved pollen forecast for tree, grass, and ragweed pollen levels. The system provides a searchable, two-day forecast for zip codes and cities within the continental United States. The forecast is based on observed and forecast weather conditions and observed pollen conditions. A growing degree day value is determined that is used to represent trends in pollen activity. From this information, a pollen forecast is presented on a “Low-Moderate-High-Very High” scale in order to quickly convey to the user the forecasted pollen count.

Abstract: Methods and articles of manufacture for estimating or deriving weather observations/conditions for any given location using observed weather conditions from neighboring locations, radar data, lightning data, satellite imagery, etc. An initial estimate of weather conditions for a location is made based on a downscaling process using the current conditions the neighboring locations. A measure of corroboration between the radar data and surface weather conditions at official observing stations may be established. Through the results of the downscaling process, radar calibration statistics and estimates of ground-based precipitation, the corroboration can be iteratively tuned, resulting in a weather conditions vector containing associated meteorological fields for locations that lie between or near the sparse network of official observing sites from which an estimate of the weather conditions may be made.