Abstract: The present embodiments methods and systems for use in providing supplemental content to be played back with a portable storage medium through a playback device that conforms to a fixed length content framework, by receive request for supplemental content from a playback device; identifying the supplemental content; retrieve supplemental content; accessing a predefined clip template defined prior to receiving the request; processing the supplemental content and generating a plurality of clips of supplemental content that have a playback length that is a fraction of a playback length of the supplemental content; and forward supplemental content clips to the requesting playback device.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide methods and systems for use in providing supplemental content to be played back with a portable storage medium. Some embodiments retrieve supplemental content associated with a portable storage medium distributed to be played back by a playback device; access a predefined clip template; process the supplemental content in accordance with the predefined clip template; and generate a plurality of clips of supplemental content in accordance with the predefined clip template, such that the plurality of clips of supplemental content have a playback length that is a fraction of a playback length of the supplemental content.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided a for manipulating data sets. In accordance with one implementation, a computerized system is provided storing, managing, indexing, interrelating, and/or retrieving data sets in a manner independent of the data model. The system includes an element module configured to store and uniquely identify elements and an element relation module configured to store relationships between the elements in the element module. The computerized system may also comprise a class module configured to store attributes of elements in a class and a type definition module configured to define the class and the attributes related to the class. The computerized system may further comprise a state machine module, the state machine module including a state machine transition module and a status module.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, data on a mobile device may be secured by receiving mobile device data to be secured from a personal computer in communication with the mobile device, securing the mobile device data with the personal computer, and backing up the secured mobile device data to a remote database coupled to a remote server or to a local database coupled to the personal computer. In accordance with one or more other embodiments, data on a personal computer may be secured by communicating with a mobile device, receiving an identifier associated with the mobile device, securing selected data on the personal computer using at least the identifier or a user provided code, or combinations thereof, and backing up the secured personal computer data to a remote database coupled to a remote server or to a local database coupled to the personal computer.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a bird feeder having a removable tray. The removable tray may be generally circular and may have an opening that wraps around a telescoping support section. Further, the removable tray may have a convex portion which acts to counter-balance the bird feeder. The removable tray is especially useful for cleaning and/or refilling the bird feeder. The bird feeder may be collapsed in a first position for storage or transportation or may be opened telescopically in a second position for use. The bird feeder may further have a perch to allow a bird to rest while visiting the bird feeder and/or may have a concave portion on the top surface which may be used to prevent insects or other animals from accessing the bird food.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a bird feeder having an adjustable sealing feeding port. The feeding port may be moved from a first position to a second position with respect to the rest of the feeder. More specifically, the bird food may be secured within the bird feeder when the adjustable sealing feeding port is in the second position and the bird food may be accessible to birds while the adjustable sealing feeding port is the first position. The adjustable sealing feeding port may have a stopper made from, for example, plastic or rubber which may create a liquid tight seal with the body of the bird feeder.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a bird feeder having a removable tray. The removable tray may be generally circular and may have an opening that wraps around a telescoping support section. Further, the removable tray may have a convex portion which acts to counter-balance the bird feeder. The removable tray is especially useful for cleaning and/or refilling the bird feeder. The bird feeder may be collapsed in a first position for storage or transportation or may be opened telescopically in a second position for use. The bird feeder may further have a perch to allow a bird to rest while visiting the bird feeder and/or may have a concave portion on the top surface which may be used to prevent insects or other animals from accessing the bird food.

Abstract: An assay for testing a subject for diabetes or a predisposition to diabetes including analyzing a biological fluid from a subject for the presence of one or more proteins selected from the group consisting of Alpha 2 macroglobulin, Apolipoprotein AII, Immunoglobulin alpha heavy chain constant region, Immunoglobulin mu chain C region, Chain A of Human IgA1, Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 precursor, and Apolipoprotein B11; wherein detection of the protein is indicative of diabetes or a predisposition to diabetes in the subject.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for use in maintaining data quality upon conversion to a different data format. Some embodiments provide methods that receive media data in a first format, initiate a first conversion of the media data at the first format to a second converted format, identify parameters dictating the conversion to the second converted format, record the parameters, and distribute the recorded parameters to remote systems such that the parameters at least in part control the remote systems during a conversion of the media data to the second converted format.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, systems for use in encoding and/or formatting content, such as multimedia content. Some embodiments provide methods for use in encoding content.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide methods and systems for use in generating, organizing, and/or playing back multimedia content. Some embodiments provide methods for use in organizing source content by accessing a plurality of media content having parameter data associated with each of the media content, identifying a first organizational style, identifying a first parameter data according to the first organizational style, analyzing the parameter data of each of the plurality of media content relative to the first parameter data, organizing the plurality of media content as the parameter data for each of the plurality of media content relates to the identified first parameter data according to the first organizational style, and generating an output content incorporating the plurality of media content as organized according to the first organizational style.

Abstract: Strategies for effectively discovering, selecting, configuring, and controlling components used in media processing applications are described. According to one exemplary implementation, the strategies described configure the components based on profile information, configuration information, and a hierarchical ordering of configuration parameters. The hierarchical ordering may combine different coding paradigms, where one or more high level nodes in the ordering may define configuration parameters which are common to multiple coding paradigms. In this ordering, selection of a configuration parameter may cascade down to affect lower-ranking dependent parameters in the hierarchical ordering. According to one advantage, the hierarchical ordering provides a more uniform, extensible, and problem-free approach to configuring components than unstructured approaches to configuration. Moreover, applications can utilize the hierarchical ordering at different levels of granularity.

Abstract: A method compensates for measurement errors of an external transformer coupled between an electricity meter and one or more power lines. The method includes a first step of obtaining at least one error rating for the external transformer. The method also includes the step of storing data representative of the at least one error rating in a memory within the meter. At some point the electricity meter is coupled to the external transformer. The method further includes the step of employing the meter to obtain at least one electricity consumption measurement value, the at least one electricity consumption value comprising either a sampled current value or a sampled voltage value. Finally, the method includes the step of causing the meter to adjust the at least one electricity consumption measurement value using at least a portion of the stored data.

Abstract: An arrangement for providing power in an RF transmitter includes a first power supply and a bank of capacitors. The RF transmitter is operably connected to receive commodity consumption information from a measurement circuit of a utility meter. The first power supply is operable to provide power to metering circuitry within the utility meter. The metering circuitry includes an analog to digital converter and at least one processor. The bank of capacitors is operably coupled to provide power to the RF transmitter at least when power requirements of the RF transmitter exceed an amount of power available from the first power supply.

Abstract: A device for imitating the sound of a footfall or stomp of an animal. The device includes a blunt for selectively striking the ground. The blunt can be engaged with a spring and an anchor. A cord can be attached to the spring to draw the blunt back from the ground. The cord can be released and the energy stored in the spring can move the blunt to strike the ground.

Abstract: A blend useful as a diesel fuel, as well as a method for its production, comprising a high quality Fischer-Tropsch derived distillate boiling in the range of a diesel fuel blended with a cracked stock boiling in the range of a diesel fuel wherein the final blend contains 10-35 wt. % aromatics and 1-20 wt. % polyaromatics and produces low regulated emissions levels.

Abstract: A blend useful as a diesel fuel, as well as a method for its production, comprising a high quality Fischer-Tropsch derived distillate boiling in the range of a diesel fuel blended with a cracked stock boiling in the range of a diesel fuel wherein the final blend contains 10-35 wt. % aromatics and 1-20 wt. % polyaromatics and produces low regulated emissions levels.

Abstract: A process for reducing the amount of mercaptan sulfur in a petroleum stream without significantly changing its octane value. The process comprising a three-phase system wherein the petroleum stream to be treated is passed through a fixed bed of catalyst in the presence of a stripping gas. The stripping gas can be either hydrogen containing gas or an method wherein the composition of the catalyst utilized varies according to the stripping gas.

Abstract: Diesel fuels or blending stocks having excellent lubricity, oxidative stability and high cetane number are produced from non-shifting Fischer-Tropsch processes by separating the Fischer-Tropsch product into a lighter and heavier fractions, e.g., at about 700° F., subjecting the 700° F.+ fraction to hydro-treating, and combining the 700° F.− portion of the hydrotreated product with the lighter fraction that has not been hydrotreated.

Abstract: Discloses environmentally friendly, low temperature base oils and drilling fluids. The drilling fluid is constituted of one or more of weighting agents, emulsifiers, wetting agents, viscosifiers, fluid loss control agents, proppants, and other particulates such as used in a gravel pack, emulsified with a paraffinic solvent composition which forms a continuous oil phase, or water-in-oil invert phase. The solvent composition is constituted of a mixture of C10-C24 n-paraffins and isoparaffins having an isoparaffin:n-paraffin molar ratio ranging from about 0.5:1 to about 9:1, the isoparaffins of the mixture contain greater than 30 percent, preferably from about 30 percent to about 50 percent, of mono-methyl species, and greater than 30 percent, preferably from about 30 percent to about 50 percent of multi-methyl branched species and isoparaffins which contain one or more branches of carbon number higher than methyl, based on the total weight of the isoparaffins in the mixture.