Abstract: A client-side FEC selection system involves pre-generating FEC data for a plurality of media segment streams based on a number of FEC configuration settings at a server. Metadata relative to the FEC data may be provided to a client device via appropriate manifest files or other mechanisms, whereupon the client device is operative to select and request a suitable FEC data fragment responsive to monitoring various network characteristics.

Abstract: A client-side FEC selection system involves pre-generating FEC data for a plurality of media segment streams based on a number of FEC configuration settings at a server. Metadata relative to the FEC data may be provided to a client device via appropriate manifest files or other mechanisms, whereupon the client device is operative to select and request a suitable FEC data fragment responsive to monitoring various network characteristics.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing playback of a media asset between a first playback device and one or more other playback devices includes synchronizing an initial playback timeline of a media asset with a reference clock, and then playing the media asset with the initial playback timeline on each of the two or more playback devices. In response to a playback-alteration command, an updated playback timeline of the media asset is synchronized with the reference clock, and the media asset is then played with the updated playback timeline on each of the two or more playback devices.

Abstract: User-specific attribute customization is provided by an entertainment system including a user identification module to identify one or more users within an operative range of the entertainment system, and a dominant attribute module to automatically express exclusive user-specific attributes of a dominant user when the dominant user is one of two or more identified users within the operative range of the entertainment system. The entertainment system further includes a cooperative attribute module to automatically express merged user-specific attributes of a first user and a second user when the first user and the second user are two of two or more identified users within the operative range of the entertainment system.

Abstract: User-specific attribute customization is provided by an entertainment system including a user identification module to identify one or more users within an operative range of the entertainment system, and a dominant attribute module to automatically express exclusive user-specific attributes of a dominant user when the dominant user is one of two or more identified users within the operative range of the entertainment system. The entertainment system further includes a cooperative attribute module to automatically express merged user-specific attributes of a first user and a second user when the first user and the second user are two of two or more identified users within the operative range of the entertainment system.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing playback of a media asset between a first playback device and one or more other playback devices includes synchronizing an initial playback timeline of a media asset with a reference clock, and then playing the media asset with the initial playback timeline on each of the two or more playback devices. In response to a playback-alteration command, an updated playback timeline of the media asset is synchronized with the reference clock, and the media asset is then played with the updated playback timeline on each of the two or more playback devices.

Abstract: A fan shroud assembly for use with a cooling system of a vehicle, the cooling system comprising at least one of a radiator and a fan, the fan shroud assembly comprising: a shroud having a first surface, a second surface, and a sidewall extending therebetween, the first surface connected to at least a portion of the vehicle such that the shroud is at least partially positioned behind the radiator; a shroud nozzle extending from the second surface of the shroud, wherein the shroud nozzle houses at least a portion of the fan; and wherein the fan shroud assembly provides fluid communication between the fan and the radiator, and further wherein the fluid communicated through the fan shroud assembly is substantially evenly distributed over the radiator.

Abstract: An improved vehicle having a hydrogen generator providing a mixture of hydrogen and/or oxygen to a combustion chamber of a diesel powered engine which is combined with diesel fuel for improving the efficiency of the diesel powered engine and substantially preventing unwanted organic residue produced by the combustion of the diesel fuel, a secondary cooling fan connected to the diesel powered engine; and a control system controlling the operation of at least one of the generator, the primary cooling fan and the secondary cooling fan to enhance the performance of the vehicle.

Abstract: A first device receives a message over a wired connection from a second device seeking to establish a secure wireless connection with the first device. In response to the received message, the first device exchanges information with the second device and automatically selects a wireless connection configuration. The first device then sends wireless connection information, including information identifying at least a portion of the wireless connection configuration, to the second device over the wired connection. The wireless connection with the second device is enabled in accordance with the selected wireless connection configuration.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting bacteria in a perishable food product includes a gas-permeable material including a pH indicator carried by a housing for placement in a spaced relation to food product or packaging surfaces for effectively detecting a change in carbon dioxide levels within the package. One acid-base pH indicator comprises a mixture of Bromothymol Blue and Methyl Orange with the sensor having an initial green color indicating an alkaline pH of approximately 7.2. The indicator turns orange with a decrease in pH resulting from a presence of carbon dioxide due to bacterial growth, such an indicator reflecting a universally recognizable safe to caution color change.

Abstract: A device for detecting bacteria in a perishable food product includes a gas-permeable sensor housing positionable within an interior of food packaging. A pH indicator is positioned within the housing for detecting a change in a gaseous bacterial metabolite concentration that is indicative of bacterial growth, wherein a pH change is effected by a presence of the metabolite. The housing and the pH indicator are preferably safe for human consumption. A method for detecting bacteria in a perishable food product includes supporting a food product by a food packaging element and positioning a gas-permeable sensor housing within an interior of the food packaging element, the sensor including a pH indicator. The food product and the housing are sealed within the food packaging, and the pH indicator is monitored for a bacterial concentration in the food product in excess of a predetermined level.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a set of configured applications for a device with a specified hardware configuration. The configuration system receives an indication of the applications that are to be supplied with the device and receives an indication of the hardware configuration of that device. The applications are to execute in the hardware environment specified by the hardware configuration of the device. Initially, the configuration system generates binary code for each of the applications. The configuration system then retrieves a configuration definition for each of the applications. The configuration system then generates configuration data in accordance with the configuration definitions and the specified hardware environment. The configuration system then combines the generated binary code and the generated configuration data to form a set of configured applications.

Abstract: A method for managing resources in a computer system. According to one embodiment of the invention, a resource manager receives a first request of a first operation. The first request identifies a first resource and specifies an amount of the first resource needed to execute the first operation. In response, a resource manager determines if the amount of the first resource requested by the first request is available to be reserved. In response to the amount of the first resource requested by the first request being available to be reserved, the resource manager reserves the amount of the first resource requested by the first request in advance of allocating the first resource to the first operation.

Abstract: A client/server computer apparatus includes a large number of client computers connected to a transmission channel. The client computers generate method calls that are applied to the transmission channel. Each method call may be encoded with a different communication protocol. A server computer processes each method call from the transmission channel by initially locating within each method call a method descriptor specified in a protocol-dependent format. The method descriptor is then compared to a list of protocol-dependent values stored in the memory of the server computer. An index value is assigned upon matching the method descriptor to a selected protocol-dependent value in the list of protocol-dependent values. The index value is passed to a protocol-independent portion of the server computer. The protocol-independent portion of the server computer executes the method corresponding to the index value to generate a reply.