Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating within a wireless microphone system having a plurality of audio channels. The method includes the steps of dividing a small block of radio frequency spectrum associated with a single television broadcast channel into a plurality of at least 20 contiguous subchannels that are also contiguous with the boundaries of the television broadcast channel where each of the subchannels is less than 75 kHz and transmitting an audio signal from a microphone transmitter on one the plurality of subchannels through a transmitter with a radio frequency isolator or other means for suppressing intermodulation energy coupled to an antenna, the radio frequency isolator having a bandwidth no larger than any one of the plurality of divided subchannels; and receiving the audio signal through a microphone receiver.

Abstract: Methods for entertainment-programming distribution are provided. A set of entertainment programs is transmitted in real time over a public network for display on user computers in communication with the public network and identified as subscribers to the set of entertainment programs. A notification signal is transmitted with at least one of the entertainment programs to identify that entertainment program as available for download. A request is received from one of the user computers over the public network to download that entertainment program. It is verified that the user computer is authorized to receive downloaded entertainment programs in accordance with a subscriber agreement. The identified entertainment program is then downloaded to the user computer.

Abstract: According to the invention, a video system for playing licensed video content is disclosed. The video system includes a video, a video selection interface, a video storage device, and a license control process. The video is selected from a plurality of videos stored on the video storage device. There is a plurality of content licenses for the video, where the plurality of content licenses is comprised of at least a first content license and a second content license. The first content license has a first time period where viewing is allowed and the second content license has a second time period where viewing is allowed, where the first time period is different from the second time period. The license control process enforces the content licenses.

Abstract: A drawing take off system itemizes components shown on a paper drawing. The take off system includes a sleeve for holding a standard pen, a computer having a software module, and an interface connection between the sleeve and the computer. The software module maintains a list of each component model shown on the drawing. The sleeve includes a pen stroke switch for counting pen strokes and a component selection switch for selecting a component model from the component model list compiled in the software module. As an estimator marks components on the paper drawing, the take off system counts pen strokes for each individual component of each model of component marked on the paper project drawing by the estimator and calculates the cost for all of the components taken off of the paper drawing.

Abstract: Methods for entertainment-programming distribution are provided. A set of entertainment programs is transmitted in real time over a public network for display on user computers in communication with the public network and identified as subscribers to the set of entertainment programs. A notification signal is transmitted with at least one of the entertainment programs to identify that entertainment program as available for download. A request is received from one of the user computers over the public network to download that entertainment program. It is verified that the user computer is authorized to receive downloaded entertainment programs in accordance with a subscriber agreement. The identified entertainment program is then downloaded to the user computer.

Abstract: According to the invention, a video system for playing licensed video content is disclosed. The video system includes a video, a video selection interface, a video storage device, and a license control process. The video is selected from a plurality of videos stored on the video storage device. There is a plurality of content licenses for the video, where the plurality of content licenses is comprised of at least a first content license and a second content license. The first content license has a first time period where viewing is allowed and the second content license has a second time period where viewing is allowed, where the first time period is different from the second time period. The license control process enforces the content licenses.

Abstract: A microphone in which a diaphragm which is vibrated by a sound wave received, and a conversion portion such as a magnetic circuit for electrically acting on the diaphragm to convert the vibration into an electric signal are incorporated into a unit case, wherein a first elastic body and a second elastic body are arranged on the upper surface and the lower surface, respectively, of an peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm, the diaphragm is mounted on the unit case through the first elastic body on the upper surface of the peripheral edge portion thereof, and one end side of the conversion portion is placed in contact with the second elastic body arranged on the lower surface of the peripheral edge portion of diaphragm to encase the conversion portion into the unit case.

Abstract: A microphone in which a diaphragm which is vibrated by a sound wave received, and a conversion portion such as a magnetic circuit for electrically acting on the diaphragm to convert the vibration into an electric signal are incorporated into a unit case, wherein a first elastic body and a second elastic body are arranged on the upper surface and the lower surface, respectively, of an peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm, the diaphragm is mounted on the unit case through the first elastic body on the upper surface of the peripheral edge portion thereof, and one end side of the conversion portion is placed in contact with the second elastic body arranged on the lower surface of the peripheral edge portion of diaphragm to encase the conversion portion into the unit case.