Abstract: A device may estimate a probability that each video recording, of a group of video recordings, will be played back at the device during a time interval. The group of video recordings may include video recordings stored locally at the device and video recording stored at a remote location. The device may also determine whether to transfer a video recording to the remote location or retrieve a video recording from the remote location based on the estimated probabilities.

Abstract: A system and method for providing adaptive backoff including one or more transmitters configured to transmit a first data request to a media module at a scheduled time, poll the media module to determine accessibility of the media module, and transmit a second data request to the media module at a rescheduled time determined by the one or more processors. The system and method may also include one or more processors configured to determine that the media module is inaccessible and set the rescheduled time for the media box to transmit a second data request to the media module when the media module is accessible, wherein the rescheduled time is based at least in part on optimizing system capacity of the media module. The system and method may also include one or more receivers configured to receive one or more responses to the polling indicating accessibility of the media module and receive data from the media module based on the second data request.

Abstract: A tank level alarm system in which all of the electrical components are located in a sealed housing above the tank's upper surface. There is no direct electrical connection between the tank liquid level detector within the tank interior and the alarm electrical components in the housing. A magnetic switch opens and closes based upon the proximity of a magnet mounted to a vertical rod to which a float is attached within the tank. The magnetic switch is positioned electronically in series with a battery and then in parallel with each of a plurality of alarm devices which in the preferred embodiment include a flashing light, an audio generator and a transmitter. When the tank's liquid level is below a selected maximum “safe” level, the magnet mounted to the upper end of a vertical rod is separated from the magnetic switch by a sufficient distance to keep the switch in its “open” state.

Abstract: A method may include storing a number of programs on a digital video recorder (DVR) and assigning a score or ranking to each of the programs. The method may also include receiving a request to store another program on the DVR and determining whether the DVR has adequate storage space for the other program. The method may further include forwarding, when the DVR does not have adequate storage space for the other program, one of the programs having a lowest score or ranking to a secondary storage located remotely from the DVR.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a water bubbler sprinkler head for a drop hose to produce bubbling water to reduce the destructive force of the water landing on the surrounding land.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for facilitating communications among persons sharing a common interest. Customers of a telecommunications provider are notified about the service via a notification included in a billing statement. A customer uses the information to access a web site capable of registering the customer and connecting the customer to other persons sharing a common interest. The service assigns aliases to respective participants so that the true identity of each person is not made available to others in the group.

Abstract: The METHODS, SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR A PEER-TO-PEER CACHE CONTENT REPLACER (“P2PCCR”) rates the value of storing specified existing content and replaces the lowest rated existing content with the requested new content. In one embodiment, a method for content replacement that may be used in a peer to peer video on demand system is described. The method includes receiving a request for new content, obtaining usage and availability data, determining a value rating based on the usage and availability data, and replacing lowest value rated content with said new content.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for facilitating communications among persons sharing a common interest. Customers of a telecommunications provider are notified about the service via a notification included in a billing statement. A customer uses the information to access a web site capable of registering the customer and connecting the customer to other persons sharing a common interest. The service assigns aliases to respective participants so that the true identity of each person is not made available to others in the group.

Abstract: A system and method for providing adaptive backoff including one or more transmitters configured to transmit a first data request to a media module at a scheduled time, poll the media module to determine accessibility of the media module, and transmit a second data request to the media module at a rescheduled time determined by the one or more processors. The system and method may also include one or more processors configured to determine that the media module is inaccessible and set the rescheduled time for the media box to transmit a second data request to the media module when the media module is accessible, wherein the rescheduled time is based at least in part on optimizing system capacity of the media module. The system and method may also include one or more receivers configured to receive one or more responses to the polling indicating accessibility of the media module and receive data from the media module based on the second data request.

Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler head has an auxiliary nozzle carrier for carrying extra nozzles. Each nozzle is held on a flexible and resilient nozzle carrier and supported on a sprinkler head by one of the nozzles on the nozzle carrier being operatively attached to the sprinkler head. The nozzles are rapidly exchanged on the sprinkler head by disconnecting one nozzle from the sprinkler head, and connecting a second nozzle to the sprinkler head without removing either nozzle from the carrier and without the use of tools. The nozzle carrier is flexible between the nozzle holding ends so that the nozzle carrier can flex between the ends thereof to absorb impact without damage and can be used below a crop line.

Abstract: A method for estimating end-to-end quality of service (QOS), such as packet loss, delay, and delay jitter, in a packet-switched communications network includes steps for calculating packet loss and packet delay each router output link in a network path and using the packet loss and packet delay calculations for each individual router output link to estimate end-to-end QOS. The method includes calculating the loss probability for all possible numbers of active sources to take into account changes in the number of active sources as active sources connect to and disconnect from the network. As a result, the inventive method allows the number of active sources to vary in its estimation of end-to-end packet loss, delay, and delay jitter for enhanced Internet Protocol network planning.

Abstract: A single switch springless motorized door latch assembly for locking an oven door in a locked and sealed position for purposes of cleaning the oven. The switch is a single pole single throw switch. A motor and cam cause a latch member to move between three different positions. In one position the latch member prevents the oven door from opening. From this position, the latch member is pulled inwardly so the oven door is in a locked and sealed position. In its locked and sealed position the door may not be opened.

Abstract: A springless motorized door latch assembly for locking an oven door in a locked and sealed position for purposes of cleaning the oven. A motor and cam cause a latch member to move between three different positions. In one position the latch member prevents the oven door from opening. From this position, the latch member is pulled inwardly so the oven door is in a locked and sealed position. In its locked and sealed position the door may not be opened.

Abstract: A method is provided for enabling a customer to activate a call waiting feature for a list of caller numbers specified by the user. Calls from numbers on the list generate call waiting tones if they call while the customer is talking to someone. Other callers will hear a busy signal or may be routed to voicemail. The customer can activate the feature and add numbers to, or can remove numbers from, the list by entering one or more codes and interacting with prompts from a network server to enter the numbers to be added or deleted. A method for administering the feature on the network can include administering user charges for activating and maintaining the feature and deleting a number from the list when the user receives a call from the number.

Abstract: A combination grinder and brewer for grinding of coffee beans and delivering ground coffee to a brewing chamber for the brewing of a coffee beverage includes a fan for creating a positive pressure air blanket at the interface between the delivery system and the brewing chamber so as to minimize movement of moistened air from the brewing chamber into the delivery system.

Abstract: A multiple band transceiver (10) uses a fixed frequency oscillator (34) to generate a reference signal in both receive, mode and transmit mode for each frequency band. A dual-band variable oscillator (26) is used to tune signals in receive and transmit mode. The use of the fixed frequency oscillator in both modes and in each band reduces the number of oscillating components, simplifying the circuit and reducing power requirements.

Abstract: A method for estimating end-to-end quality of service (QOS), such as packet loss, delay, and delay jitter, in a packet-switched communications network includes steps for calculating packet loss and packet delay each router output link in a network path and using the packet loss and packet delay calculations for each individual router output link to estimate end-to-end QOS. The method includes calculating the loss probability for all possible numbers of active sources to take into account changes in the number of active sources as active sources connect to and disconnect from the network. As a result, the inventive method allows the number of active sources to vary in its estimation of end-to-end packet loss, delay, and delay jitter for enhanced Internet Protocol network planning.

Abstract: A chair for transporting a patient includes a base frame, a plurality of casters mounted to the base frame, a patient support, and a push bar mounted to a back section of the patient support for use when transporting the patient. A wheel is coupled to the base frame for movement between a downward brake-steer position, facilitating steering the chair during transport of the patient, and an upward neutral position. The patient support includes articulated leg and seat sections. A handle is coupled to the patient support and is movable between a position in which movement of the handle moves the leg section relative to the seat section and a position in which movement of the handle does not move the leg section relative to the seat section.

Abstract: A motorized door latch assembly for locking an oven door in a locked and sealed position for purposes of cleaning the oven. A motor assembly causes a latch rod to translate, causing a latch plate to move between different positions. In a first position, the latch plate allows the oven door to open. In a second position, the latch plate prevents the oven door from opening. In a third position, the oven door is pulled inwardly to a locked and sealed position. During shipment, the latch plate is locked in its first position by a fixer. The distance between the latch plate and the motor assembly may be adjusted for ranges of different sizes.

Abstract: A patient-support apparatus comprises a lower frame having a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side. The patient-support apparatus also has an upper frame supported above the lower frame and movable relative to the lower frame. A plurality of casters are coupled to the lower frame. A mattress is carried by the upper frame. Elevation adjustment pedals are adjacent both of the first and second sides of the lower frame and are adjacent only one of the first and second ends of the lower frame. The elevation adjustment pedals are movable to change the elevation of the upper frame relative to the lower frame.