Abstract: Recommendation engine apparatus and associated methods provide content compiled from various sources and selected to match user preferences. In one embodiment, the recommendation apparatus comprises a headend entity; in another, it is co-located on a user's CPE. In one embodiment, the recommendation engine creates content records from content metadata for comparison to a user profile. The user profile is pre-programmed; however has the ability to dynamically shift toward a user's preferences as the user takes actions regarding content. Client applications are utilized to compile and present content; feedback mechanisms are utilized to enable “learning” from user activities to generate more precise recommendations as well as to “unlearn” stale preferences. Recommended content is displayed in the form of a playlist, or as a continuous stream on a virtual channel, or presented in an electronic program guide. A business rules “engine” useful in implementing operational or business goals is also disclosed.

Abstract: Briefly, the disclosure relates to films, such as polyurethane films, which may be utilized to coat a windshield of an aircraft, such as a rotary-wing or a fixed-wing aircraft. In particular implementations, prior to application of a polyurethane film to an aircraft windshield, the polyurethane film may be exposed to an elevated temperature for an appropriate duration, which may operate to decrease stresses internal to the polyurethane film as well as to soften the polyurethane film. A slip solution may be applied to the aircraft windshield, so as to permit sliding of the polyurethane film relative to the windshield. After application of the slip solution, a tack solution may be applied, which may operate to remove the slip solution, thereby permitting the polyurethane film to be affixed to the windshield.

Abstract: Recommendation engine apparatus and associated methods provide content compiled from various sources and selected to match user preferences. In one embodiment, the recommendation apparatus comprises a headend entity; in another, it is co-located on a user's CPE. In one embodiment, the recommendation engine creates content records from content metadata for comparison to a user profile. The user profile is pre-programmed; however has the ability to dynamically shift toward a user's preferences as the user takes actions regarding content. Client applications are utilized to compile and present content; feedback mechanisms are utilized to enable “learning” from user activities to generate more precise recommendations as well as to “unlearn” stale preferences. Recommended content is displayed in the form of a playlist, or as a continuous stream on a virtual channel, or presented in an electronic program guide. A business rules “engine” useful in implementing operational or business goals is also disclosed.

Abstract: Recommendation engine apparatus and associated methods provide content compiled from various sources and selected to match user preferences. In one embodiment, the recommendation apparatus comprises a headend entity; in another, it is co-located on a user's CPE. In one embodiment, the recommendation engine creates content records from content metadata for comparison to a user profile. The user profile is pre-programmed; however has the ability to dynamically shift toward a user's preferences as the user takes actions regarding content. Client applications are utilized to compile and present content; feedback mechanisms are utilized to enable “learning” from user activities to generate more precise recommendations as well as to “unlearn” stale preferences. Recommended content is displayed in the form of a playlist, or as a continuous stream on a virtual channel, or presented in an electronic program guide. A business rules “engine” useful in implementing operational or business goals is also disclosed.

Abstract: An air cannon has a barrel and a sabot sized to fit within the barrel and configured to engage a projectile located within the barrel forward of the sabot. A flexible cord connects the sabot to a fixed location relative to the barrel. Forward motion of the sabot is decelerated by the cord after the sabot exits the forward end of the barrel, and the sabot is retained by the cord near the forward end of the barrel.

Abstract: An air cannon has a barrel and a sabot sized to fit within the barrel and configured to engage a projectile located within the barrel forward of the sabot. A flexible cord connects the sabot to a fixed location relative to the barrel. Forward motion of the sabot is decelerated by the cord after the sabot exits the forward end of the barrel, and the sabot is retained by the cord near the forward end of the barrel.

Abstract: Recommendation engine apparatus and associated methods provide content compiled from various sources and selected to match user preferences. In one embodiment, the recommendation apparatus comprises a headend entity; in another, it is co-located on a user's CPE. In one embodiment, the recommendation engine creates content records from content metadata for comparison to a user profile. The user profile is pre-programmed; however has the ability to dynamically shift toward a user's preferences as the user takes actions regarding content. Client applications are utilized to compile and present content; feedback mechanisms are utilized to enable “learning” from user activities to generate more precise recommendations as well as to “unlearn” stale preferences. Recommended content is displayed in the form of a playlist, or as a continuous stream on a virtual channel, or presented in an electronic program guide. A business rules “engine” useful in implementing operational or business goals is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and a computer-readable storage media for placing a plurality of calls with a common message to a plurality of subscribers are provided. The systems, methods, and a computer-readable storage media include receiving an instruction to place the plurality of calls with the common message to the plurality of subscribers. The instruction includes call information that identifies the plurality of subscribers. One of the plurality of auto-dialers for placing each of the plurality of calls based on the call information is determined, and an instruction is transmitted to each of the plurality of auto-dialers based on results of the determination. The plurality of auto-dialers places the plurality of calls to the plurality of subscribers based on the instruction transmitted to each of the plurality of auto-dialers.

Abstract: A system and method for commanding a controlled device. An intelligent navigation server detects a transition from a current state of a remote control device. A context for transition is also determined. The current state, the new current state and the context are evaluated to select a set of commands appropriate to the context and the new current state. The selected commands determine behavior options for the controlled device. The set of selected commands are sent to the remote control device. Text and/or graphical data appropriate to the new current state may also be sent to the remote control device. The remote control device may generate display data based on the selected commands to provide one or more soft buttons linked to one or more of the selected commands. The remote control device may also display the text and/or graphical data.

Abstract: A system and method for commanding a controlled device. An intelligent navigation server detects a transition from a current state of a remote control device. A context for transition is also determined. The current state, the new current state and the context are evaluated to select a set of commands appropriate to the context and the new current state. The selected commands determine behavior options for the controlled device. The set of selected commands are sent to the remote control device. Text and/or graphical data appropriate to the new current state may also be sent to the remote control device. The remote control device may generate display data based on the selected commands to provide one or more soft buttons linked to one or more of the selected commands. The remote control device may also display the text and/or graphical data.

Abstract: A system and method for commanding a controlled device. An intelligent navigation server detects a transition from a current state of a remote control device. A context for transition is also determined. The current state, the new current state and the context are evaluated to select a set of commands appropriate to the context and the new current state. The selected commands determine behavior options for the controlled device. The set of selected commands are sent to the remote control device. Text and/or graphical data appropriate to the new current state may also be sent to the remote control device. The remote control device may generate display data based on the selected commands to provide one or more soft buttons linked to one or more of the selected commands. The remote control device may also display the text and/or graphical data.

Abstract: A communications system for placing a plurality of calls with a common message to a plurality of subscribers via a public switched telephone network is provided. The communications system includes an end office switch disposed in an end office and in communication with the public switched telephone network. The communications system further includes an auto-dialer disposed in the end office and interconnected with the end office switch for placing the plurality of calls to the plurality of subscribers via the end office switch.

Abstract: A system and method for commanding a controlled device. An intelligent navigation server detects a transition from a current state of a remote control device. A context for transition is also determined. The current state, the new current state and the context are evaluated to select a set of commands appropriate to the context and the new current state. The selected commands determine behavior options for the controlled device. The set of selected commands are sent to the remote control device. Text and/or graphical data appropriate to the new current state may also be sent to the remote control device. The remote control device may generate display data based on the selected commands to provide one or more soft buttons linked to one or more of the selected commands. The remote control device may also display the text and/or graphical data.

Abstract: A system of evaluating automatic message accounting records associated with telephony calls is disclosed. The system includes correlation logic to collect originating AMA records having an originating call code to identify a record of an originating long distance call and further to collect terminating AMA records that correspond to the collected originating automatic message accounting records. The system also includes evaluation logic to determine when a call may be by-passing terminating access charges by identifying calls that have been correlated with an originating AMA record having the originating code and with a terminating AMA record having a local termination code.

Abstract: A method for calculating availability in line power systems composed of power circuit modules determines power circuit parameters associated with the power circuits, accepting input from central databases. The method calculates a required number of power circuits to complete the line power system, and calculates the total power to be delivered over the power system, based on a power calculator. The method calculates individual power circuit availabilities based on the power circuit compositions and external variables. The method then calculates an overall system availability based on the power circuit availabilities and other external variable inputs. The method may compare the calculated line power system availability with a target availability, revise the power circuit parameters, and recalculate the system availability to meet the target availability.

Abstract: In delivering an entertainment program over a communications network, e.g., a cable TV network, interactive application data for realizing interactive features in the entertainment program are interjected into the program stream carrying the entertainment program on an as needed basis. Because the entire channel bandwidth is temporarily dedicated for transmission of the interactive application data, whose amount is relatively small compared with that of the video and audio data of the programming content, the interactive application data when transmitted appears as a short “burst,” causing a virtually unnoticeable interruption in the programming content delivery.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for analyzing an oil and gas production project with a computer system. Using a computer program, a user inputs characteristics of systems for the project and inputs characteristics of the expected production of the project, such as production life (years) and the production rate of the project. Based on the characteristics, the program generates a plurality of projected case profiles, each of which defines characteristics of the systems for a period of the production life of the project. A controlling case is then created using information from the plurality of case profiles. In the controlling case, each of the systems is analyzed to determine in which profile the system has the greatest cost, weight, area, or other criterion. From the analysis, characteristics of the systems are generated for the project that best meet the expected production over the entire production life of the project.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for installing a backup power source (200) in a service access interface, also known as a cross-connect interface (CCI) (110). A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method having the steps of searching (306) for topology information of a selected CCI coupled to a central office for distributing telecommunication services to one or more buildings, and identifying (310-318) according to said topology information a backup power source capable of supporting a load requirement of the CCI.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method for monitoring usage of a channel, including monitoring upstream information, and determining usage of the channel in response to the monitoring is disclosed. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a service module for monitoring usage of a channel includes a data input operative to monitor upstream information, and a processor that determines usage of the channel in response to the data input is disclosed. In accordance with another aspect of present invention, the method and module also include monitoring video delivery path performance and detecting potential denial-of-service (DoS) attacks to video servers is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for imputing data into a database includes an imputing system operable to impute data based on outside plant construction principles. The imputing system includes an inventory database, a data engine, a search engine, and a loop engine. The inventory database includes a plurality of distribution records each associated with one or more cable pairs. The data engine determines if a desired distribution record corresponding to a desired cable pair includes missing data. The search engine searches a known class of serving terminals for complete distribution records and iteratively searches a sized binder group within the inventory database for one or more complete distribution records where the size of the binder group searched increases with each iterative search. The loop engine determines an imputed value for the desired distribution record based on the searching and imputes the value into the desired distribution record.