Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a system and method for recovery of a broadcast source. Television data is received from the source and encoded. The encoded television data is stored by either (1) appending the encoded television data to programs on a data storage or (2) overwriting an oldest program with the encoded television data if the data storage does not have capacity to append. The source is monitored for a broadcast failure. As long as the broadcast source is operational, television data is received, encoded, and stored. Once a broadcast failure is detected, selected programs on the data storage are decoded and broadcast. This decoding and broadcasting continues until the broadcast failure at the broadcast source is repaired.

Abstract: An efficient system and process is utilized to achieve encoding, decoding and transcoding of audio/visual signals, as desired within an audio/visual processing system. The system coordinates the operations of several optimum components to achieve the necessary encoding/decoding/transcoding operations. Most significantly, the coordinated use of both a parallel processor and a bitstream processor, along with most effective interface techniques, are utilized to most efficiently carry out processing operations. The bitstream processor generally carries out those operations which include timing and sequence information, while the parallel processor is available to perform processing steps which are most efficiently carried out in parallel. Such processing steps include the actual compression/decompression of video signals.

Abstract: A roof spoiler to protect a roof and house from hurricane wind. The spoiler can automatically extend in the event of wind pressure and can re-direct airflow away from the roof. When wind is no longer present, the spoiler can automatically retract to a retracted position.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a system for application-layer monitoring of communication between one or more database clients and one or more database servers. The system includes one or more decoders residing at a decoding layer above a network layer. The decoders reside at a first network location between one or more database clients residing at one or more second network locations and one or more database servers residing at one or more third network locations. The decoders receive database messages communicated from the database clients and intended for the database servers and database messages communicated from the database servers and intended for the database clients, decode the database messages, and extract query-language statements from the database messages. The system also includes a monitoring application residing at an application layer above the decoding layer. The monitoring application resides at the first network location.

Abstract: Methods for manipulating a plurality of layered windows on a display are described. Specifically, the manipulation of layered windows includes moving a pointer to a visible portion of a partially hidden window and holding the pointer at the visible portion for a predetermined period of time. Responsive to the holding for a predetermined period of time, the partially hidden window is revealed. The manipulation of the layered windows can be used to drag and drop an icon from an active window to an inactive window. During the drag of an object, holding down a predetermined key on the keyboard can send the top-most-layered window to the back thereby disclosing other windows. If no drop occurs at the end of a drag operation, windows are returned to their original layers. However, if a drop occurs, the window in which the object is dropped becomes the topmost layer while other windows return to their original layers.

Abstract: A hoisting system is disclosed which includes a hoisting drum around which two hoisting ropes are wound in respective hoist rope grooves. The hoisting ropes are secured to the hoisting drum at one end, and extend down to a suspended device, such as an elevator, or a crane hook. The hoisting drum also includes a cable groove, which is located between the two hoist rope grooves. An electrical cable is secured at one end to the hoist drum, is wound around the hoist drum in the cable groove, and extends down to the suspended device. A slip-ring assembly establishes an electrical connection to the cable, so as to permit power to be supplied to the suspended device.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting a multiplexed analog component television signal. The apparatus includes a signal source generator for generating a signal source having information regarding the number of lines per frame. A multiplexed analog component television signal generator generates a multiplexed analog component television signal having a varying number of lines per frame and including information regarding the number of lines per frame. A transmitter coupled to the multiplexed analog component television signal generator transmits the television signal to at least one remote terminal.