Abstract: Embodiments related to electrical connectors including superelastic components are described. The high elastic limit of superelastic materials compared to conventional connector materials may allow for designs which provide reliable connections and high frequency operation. Superelastic components also may enable connector designs with higher densities of connections. In some embodiments, a connector includes one or more superelastic elongated members forming the mating contacts of the connector. The superelastic elongated members deform within one or more conductive receptacles to generate a suitable contact force. The conductive receptacles may include a plurality of protrusions arranged to deflect the superelastic elongated members during mating. A superelastic component may also be provided in a receiving portion of a connector, and may form a portion of a conductive receptacle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a menu vision aid. In one embodiment, a menu vision aid comprises a frame, a lens disposed within the frame adapted to enhance the visibility of a menu page, a light source attached to the frame adapted to provide light to a menu page; and an attachment member attached to at least one of the frame and the light source, the attachment member adapted to attach the menu vision aid to a menu page.

Abstract: A printed circuit board includes a plurality of layers including attachment layers and routing layers; first and second signal vias forming a differential signal pair, the first and second signal vias extending through the attachment layers and connecting to respective signal traces on a breakout layer of the routing layers; an antipad of a first type around and between the first and second signal vias in one or more of the attachment layers; and antipads of a second type around the first and second signal vias in at least one routing layer adjacent to the breakout layer.

Abstract: A printed circuit board includes a plurality of layers including attachment layers and routing layers; and via patterns formed in the plurality of layers, each of the via patterns including first and second signal vias forming a differential signal pair, the first and second signal vias extending through at least the attachment layers; ground vias extending through at least the attachment layers, the ground vias including ground conductors; and shadow vias located adjacent to each of the first and second signal vias, wherein the shadow vias are free of conductive material in the attachment layers. The printed circuit board may further include slot vias extending through the attachment layers and located between via patterns.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods are disclosed for providing an online solar marketplace. In an embodiment, a geolocation may be received corresponding to a property. Available equipment, installation, and financing offerings may be retrieved from a marketplace repository. The marketplace repository may store a plurality of service and equipment offerings from one or more equipment providers, installation providers, or financing providers. An integrated solar energy offering may be generated based on the retrieved equipment, installation or financing offerings, and a solar energy simulation may be performed for the solar energy offering to estimate energy production over a predetermined time period. The solar energy offering and energy production estimates may then be presented to a user of the solar marketplace.

Abstract: A system and method for modeling resource availability includes a data collection system including one or more data collection devices configured to collect and collecting information pertaining to resource availability in a geographic region, and a modeling system, coupled to the data collection system, including one or more computing devices configured to process and processing the collected information to generate data that identifies one or more development sites specific to the geographic region, based on resource availability and add-on information specific to the geographic region.

Abstract: A method of managing bandwidth usage at a customer premises includes receiving a content stream at a set-top box device coupled to a display device. The method also includes receiving a power-off command for the display device. Furthermore, the method includes displaying a prompt on the display device, wherein the prompt comprises an instruction to confirm that the display device is active via a confirmation input. The method further includes directing, responsive to the determining that the confirmation input has not been received, a source device to cease sending the content stream to the set-top box.

Abstract: Job tickets with banner descriptions and document descriptions are automatically generated by a print shop's DMS. The banner descriptions and the document descriptions are composed of PDL instructions. Document descriptions can be managed and altered without necessarily affecting the job ticket. The banner page PDL instructions are specially designated so that banner pages cannot be managed without also managing the job ticket. Preserving the banner page within a job ticket prevents unwanted side effects from disturbing the print shop's work flow.

Abstract: A method and system for remote control of multimedia content using a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) is configured to establish a connection between a customer premises equipment (CPE) gateway and a local area network (LAN) device that is a personal user device. A user of the LAN device may be authenticated. Responsive to user input, the LAN device may send remote control messages corresponding to remote control functions for an MCDN terminal device. The CPE gateway may determine a network address for the MCDN terminal device, and forward the remote control messages to the addressed MCDN terminal device. The LAN device may so remotely control the addressed MCDN terminal device.

Abstract: A method of managing bandwidth usage at a customer premises includes receiving a content stream at a set-top box device coupled to a display device. The method also includes receiving a signal at the set-top box device from an external power interface. The signal indicates that a low power state has been detected at a power outlet of the external power interface, the power outlet associated with the display device. Further, the method includes sending a signal to a source of the content stream in response to receiving the signal indicating the low power state. The signal indicates that the source is to cease sending the content stream to the set-top box device.

Abstract: A method and system implements supplementary media channels to Internet-protocol television (IPTV) channels. An IPTV user may receive a selected IPTV program on an IPTV channel. The IPTV program may be correlated in time with metadata describing the content of the IPTV program. At a point in the IPTV program, the metadata may match with user configuration information for receiving supplemental content. A supplementary media channel may be used at such point to provide the supplemental content to the IPTV user during the IPTV program. Supplemental content may include additional storyline content for the IPTV program or an advertising message, a redeemable coupon, a promotional offer, or an order invitation. The supplementary media channel may include a telephone connection with the IPTV user, an email message, a text message, or an instant message sent to the IPTV user, or a voice-over-Internet-protocol (VoIP) connection with the IPTV user.

Abstract: A communication network includes a switching system, an application server, and a softswitch that communicatively couples the application server to the switching system. The switching system is configured to detect a first call to a primary directory number associated with a phone line and to forward the first call to the application server. The application server is configured to instruct the softswitch to generate a second call to a RingMaster directory number associated with the phone line. And the softswitch is configured to bridge the first and second calls responsive to detection of a communication path completion to the phone line.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a menu vision aid. In one embodiment, a menu vision aid comprises a frame, a lens disposed within the frame adapted to enhance the visibility of a menu page, a light source attached to the frame adapted to provide light to a menu page; and an attachment member attached to at least one of the frame and the light source, the attachment member adapted to attach the menu vision aid to a menu page.

Abstract: A method and system for remote control of multimedia content using a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) is configured to establish a connection between a customer premises equipment (CPE) gateway and a local area network (LAN) device that is a personal user device. A user of the LAN device may be authenticated. Responsive to user input, the LAN device may send remote control messages corresponding to remote control functions for an MCDN terminal device. The CPE gateway may determine a network address for the MCDN terminal device, and forward the remote control messages to the addressed MCDN terminal device. The LAN device may so remotely control the addressed MCDN terminal device.

Abstract: A method and system implements supplementary media channels to Internet-protocol television (IPTV) channels. An IPTV user may receive a selected IPTV program on an IPTV channel. The IPTV program may be correlated in time with metadata describing the content of the IPTV program. At a point in the IPTV program, the metadata may match with user configuration information for receiving supplemental content. A supplementary media channel may be used at such point to provide the supplemental content to the IPTV user during the IPTV program. Supplemental content may include additional storyline content for the IPTV program or an advertising message, a redeemable coupon, a promotional offer, or an order invitation. The supplementary media channel may include a telephone connection with the IPTV user, an email message, a text message, or an instant message sent to the IPTV user, or a voice-over-Internet-protocol (VoIP) connection with the IPTV user.

Abstract: A method includes identifying, at a media device, a viewing zone of a plurality of viewing zones associated with a display device. Each viewing zone of the plurality of viewing zones corresponds to a different spatial region of a plurality of spatial regions relative to the display device, where each viewing zone has a corresponding spatial region. The method further includes selecting a video stream based on the viewing zone. The method further includes sending the video stream from the media device to the display device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are described herein for providing flight director guidance throughout a flare maneuver during landing operations. A pre-flare flight path to a runway may be received, and a flare engage altitude calculated. A flare command path may be calculated having a slope associated with a desired descent rate at a desired touchdown location on a runway. An aircraft flare trajectory may be calculated that transitions the aircraft from the flare engage altitude on the pre-flare flight path to the flare command path at the desired touchdown location. A flight director command may be provided during the flare maneuver that aligns a current flight path with the aircraft flare trajectory.

Abstract: A method includes receiving media content of a particular program at a media device. The media content of the particular program is received via a plurality of video streams, where each of the plurality of video streams is associated with a different viewing perspective. The method includes determining locations of one or more viewers of a display device relative to a plurality of viewing zones of the display device. The method also includes selecting a video stream of the particular program to display to each viewer of the one or more viewers based on the location of each viewer. One video stream is selected for each viewer, and different video streams are selected for viewers in different viewing zones. The method further includes sending the selected video streams to the display device from the media device.

Abstract: Various aspects relate to using structured messages within one or more systems that implement instant messaging function in a distributed computing environment. In particular, structured information may be encoded and embedded in unstructured instant messages and communicated among one or more computer systems, networks, applications or other entities. In one aspect, instant messaging may be leveraged as middleware for application integration. Other aspects relate to using structured message information to perform functions in a distributed instant messaging system. For example, structured message information may be used to control the display of instant message information to a user, or may be used to control how the instant message information is distributed, processed, or otherwise handled by a receiving system, application or process. Other aspects relate to an interface for displaying information relating to a number of instant messaging conversations to a user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain methods and systems for promoting the sale of goods and services. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, such methods generally comprise the steps of (1) selling a first good or service to a customer for a discounted price that is less than a standard price, (2) establishing a sales goal (which represents an amount of desired sales of a second good or service to customers during a promotional period), and (3) issuing a credit to, or receiving a payment from, each participating customer based on a level of success achieved towards the sales goal. The invention provides that the extent to which the sales goal is achieved depends on the aggregate sales of the second good or service to the public at large, and is not dependent upon the sales or activity of any single customer.