Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a drive housing, a spline, a carriage, an elongate shaft assembly, an end effector, and an activating mechanism. The at least one spline includes a drive gear rotatable with the spline. The elongate shaft assembly extends from the carriage. The activating mechanism includes a barrel cam extending along a rotational axis and having a first cam profile radially extending about the rotational axis. The barrel cam is operatively coupled to the drive gear such that rotation of the drive gear is configured to actuate the activating mechanism to move at least a portion of the end effector. The first cam profile defines a plurality of slopes relative to the rotational axis such that the first cam profile is configured to drive movement of the end effector or the elongate shaft assembly at different rates according to the plurality of slopes.

Abstract: A method of processing television content metadata in a communications system. The system includes a consumer device (e.g., a set-top box and/or television) in communication with an auxiliary display device (e.g., webpad). A broadcast television channel video image signal and the metadata are received by the consumer device. A single video image frame of the broadcast television channel video image signal is captured when a predefined indicator is detected in the metadata. The metadata is modified by changing the predefined indicator to an image identifier associated with the single video image frame. The single video image frame is converted to a well-known format, and the consumer device sends the modified metadata and the converted single video image frame to the auxiliary display device for display thereon.

Abstract: A method of processing television content metadata in a communications system. The system includes a consumer device (e.g., a set-top box and/or television) in communication with an auxiliary display device (e.g., webpad). A broadcast television channel video image signal and the metadata are received by the consumer device. A single video image frame of the broadcast television channel video image signal is captured when a predefined indicator is detected in the metadata. The metadata is modified by changing the predefined indicator to an image identifier associated with the single video image frame. The single video image frame is converted to a well-known format, and the consumer device sends the modified metadata and the converted single video image frame to the auxiliary display device for display thereon.

Abstract: A method of processing television content metadata in a communications system. The system includes a consumer device (e.g., a set-top box and/or television) in communication with an auxiliary display device (e.g., webpad). A broadcast television channel video image signal and the metadata are received by the consumer device. A single video image frame of the broadcast television channel video image signal is captured when a predefined indicator is detected in the metadata. The metadata is modified by changing the predefined indicator to an image identifier associated with the single video image frame. The single video image frame is converted to a well-known format, and the consumer device sends the modified metadata and the converted single video image frame to the auxiliary display device for display thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for recording a program being advertised during a broadcast of another program. The method begins by receiving a user request to record the program being advertised in an advertisement appearing in a broadcast of the other program. The other program is embodied in a video signal received from an external broadcasting source. At least one prescribed keyword is identified in a locally stored segment of the video signal that contains the advertisement. The prescribed keyword(s) pertains to a time at which the program being advertised is to be broadcast. A recording session is established in accordance with the prescribed keyword(s) to record the program being advertised. Finally, the program being advertised is recorded during the established recording session.

Abstract: A method (40), system (10) and control device (14) are provided for delivering information, such as Emergency Alert System (EAS) information, to one or more client devices (16) in a network, e.g., a home network or business network. The control device (14), which is connected to the client devices (16) via a suitable home or business network connection, receives information, such as EAS information, from an appropriate transmission source (22). The control device (14) performs any one or more of a number of functions that allows the information to be properly received by appropriate client devices (16). Such functions include formatting or encoding the information as needed by the client devices (16) to properly receive the information. Also, using a tuner (38), the control device (14) can be tuned to an appropriate channel for providing the information to the appropriate client devices (16).

Abstract: An auxiliary display device, capable of remotely controlling a set-top box (STB) and/or television to select a program channel, is used to navigate a web browser in the auxiliary display device to a web site associated with the selected channel. A web page associated with the selected channel is presented on a display of the auxiliary display device. When the channel is selected, current tuned channel information is transmitted by the set-top box (STB) and/or television to the auxiliary display device, irrespective of whether the auxiliary display device was used to select the channel. In an alternate embodiment, the STB and/or television forward channel information to the auxiliary display device via a cable head-end.

Abstract: A skylight includes at least one glass section supported by an intermediate member. The intermediate member includes a beam supporting the glass section, a cap disposed above the glass section and an insulator disposed between and attaching the beam to the cap. The insulator forms a thermal break to impede heat transfer through the skylight in either direction.

Abstract: A media presentation device converts media signals based on stored output settings. The media presentation device includes a sink-interaction port to at least partially receive device-specific information of a sink device, a data storage and a processor. The processor determines whether one of the plurality of at least partially stored device-specific information matches the received device-specific information of the sink device, and selects output settings corresponding to the stored device-specific information that matches the received device-specific information of the sink device for use in converting the media signals to an output format supported by the sink device.

Abstract: A set top box is provided that includes a receiver/tuner for receiving programming content over a broadband communications network, a secure memory configured to store at least a first cryptography key to be used to encrypt and decrypt the programming content, and a digital storage medium for storing encrypted programming content. The set top box also includes a multimedia processor operationally associated with the receiver/tuner, the secure memory, and the digital storage medium. The multimedia processor is configured to: encrypt programming content using the first cryptography key stored in the secure memory and uniquely associated with the set top box; store the encrypted content on the digital storage medium; encrypt the first cryptography key using an asymmetric public encryption key to form an encrypted first cryptography key; and store the encrypted first cryptography key on the digital storage medium.

Abstract: A set top box is provided that includes a receiver/tuner for receiving programming content over a broadband communications network, an encrypter/decrypter for encrypting and decrypting the programming content, and a secure memory configured to store at least a first cryptography key to be used by the encrypter/decrypter to encrypt and decrypt the programming content. The set top box also includes a digital storage medium for storing encrypted programming content, a multimedia processor operationally associated with the receiver/tuner, the decrypter, and the digital storage medium, and a user interface operationally associated with the multimedia processor.

Abstract: A method (400) for managing a data stream (30) encoded according to a digital transmission protocol and configured for broadcasting to a consumer network device (14) within a broadband communications network (10). A message relating to the data stream is encapsulated (402) within a transport layer data packet (502). The packet has a destination port number field. A value associated with a predetermined parameter of the digital transmission protocol is created (404) within the field. Based on the value, the packet is forwarded (406) to the consumer network device according to a network layer protocol. When the forwarded message is received by the consumer network device, the consumer network device processes the data stream based on the message, and establishes an application layer communication socket based on the destination port number value. The socket is usable to receive further messages associated with the predetermined parameter of the digital transmission protocol.

Abstract: A skylight includes at least one glass section supported by an intermediate member. The intermediate member includes a beam supporting the glass section, a cap disposed above the glass section and an insulator disposed between and attaching the beam to the cap. The insulator forms a thermal break to impede heat transfer through the skylight in either direction.

Abstract: A method for transmitting content (12) via a digital video interface (15) using a high-bandwidth digital content protection system (50). The content (12) has a first format in a first state, a second format in a second state, and vertical blanking intervals associated therewith. In the first state, the method includes: authenticating (302) that the receiver (25) is licensed to receive the content, signaling (304) that the content will be encrypted, and transmitting (306) the encrypted content in the first format. A transition of the content from the first format to the second format is detected (308), and the encrypted content continues (310) to be transmitted in the first format.

Abstract: A system (100) and method (200) for delivering conditional access information to a conditional access controlled device (120) incompatible with the conditional access transmission protocol. The conditional access information is delivered through a conditional access controlled device (110) compatible with the conditional access transmission protocol via a home network connection (130) between the conditional access controlled devices and according to a home network transmission protocol with which both conditional access controlled devices are compatible.

Abstract: A method (400) for managing a data stream (30) encoded according to a digital transmission protocol and configured for broadcasting to a consumer network device (14) within a broadband communications network (10). A message relating to the data stream is encapsulated (402) within a transport layer data packet (502). The packet has a destination port number field. A value associated with a predetermined parameter of the digital transmission protocol is created (404) within the field. Based on the value, the packet is forwarded (406) to the consumer network device according to a network layer protocol. When the forwarded message is received by the consumer network device, the consumer network device processes the data stream based on the message, and establishes an application layer communication socket based on the destination port number value. The socket is usable to receive further messages associated with the predetermined parameter of the digital transmission protocol.

Abstract: Simultaneous display of multiple audio/video (AV) programs transmitted over a digital link is described. At a source device, at least one non-composited digital transport stream is generated from the plurality of AV programs. The at least one non-composited digital transport stream is augmented with control information. The control information is operative to invoke simultaneous display of the plurality of AV programs on a display device. The at least one non-composited digital transport stream is then transmitted as augmented over the digital link. At a sink device, at least one non-composited digital transport stream having the plurality of AV programs is received over the digital link. Control information is extracted from the at least one non-composited digital transport stream. The plurality of AV programs are identified within said non-composited digital transport stream in response to the control information. The identified AV programs are then simultaneously displayed on the display device.

Abstract: A method of processing television content metadata in a communications system. The system includes a consumer device (e.g., a set-top box and/or television) in communication with an auxiliary display device (e.g., webpad). A broadcast television channel video image signal and the metadata are received by the consumer device. A single video image frame of the broadcast television channel video image signal is captured when a predefined indicator is detected in the metadata. The metadata is modified by changing the predefined indicator to an image identifier associated with the single video image frame. The single video image frame is converted to a well-known format, and the consumer device sends the modified metadata and the converted single video image frame to the auxiliary display device for display thereon.

Abstract: A method (400) for managing a data stream (30) encoded according to a digital transmission protocol and configured for broadcasting to a consumer network device (14) within a broadband communications network (10). A message relating to the data stream is encapsulated (402) within a transport layer data packet (502). The packet has a destination port number field. A value associated with a predetermined parameter of the digital transmission protocol is created (404) within the field. Based on the value, the packet is forwarded (406) to the consumer network device according to a network layer protocol. When the forwarded message is received by the consumer network device, the consumer network device processes the data stream based on the message, and establishes an application layer communication socket based on the destination port number value. The socket is usable to receive further messages associated with the predetermined parameter of the digital transmission protocol.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system that configures a first DSG capable computing device that is connected to a home network, and includes a conditional access system that communicates data with the home network, and commits the first DSG capable computing device as a DSG proxy server. The method advertises DSG services to a second DSG capable computing device connected to the home network. The method establishes a tunnel for the second DSG capable computing device to filter DSG data for the second DSG capable computing device from the data, and forwards the DSG data to the second DSG capable computing device via the tunnel.