Abstract: Supported stereospecific catalysts and processes for the stereotactic propagation of a polymer chain derived from ethylenically unsaturated monomers which contain three or more carbon atoms or which are substituted vinyl compounds, specifically alpha olefins, particularly the polymerization of propylene to produce syndiotactic or isotactic polypropylene. The supported metallocene catalyst comprises a stereospecific metallocene catalyst and a co-catalyst component comprising at least one of an alkyl alumoxane and an alkylaluminum compound. Both the metallocene catalyst and the co-catalyst are supported on a particulate silica support comprising silica particles having an average particle size of 5–40 microns and an average effective pore size of 50–200 angstroms. The silica support further has a differential pore size distribution of a pore volume of at least 0.01 cm3/g. within a range having a maximum pore width of no more than 300 angstroms.

Abstract: Efficient messaging techniques that facilitate interactive program guide (IPG) delivery and allow a terminal to specifically designate requested items of information from a server. The IPG can be provided via a number of IPG pages, with each page including a number of defined regions. In one method, selection for a particular region of a particular page is received at a terminal and a determination is made whether the selected region is currently received. If the answer is no, a request for the selected region is generated and sent to a server. The request can conform to a particular message format that includes a number of fields, e.g., a region ID field that identifies the selected region, a subtype field that identifies a particular type, a time slot field that identifies a specific time slot, and a page offset field that identifies a specific page from among many.

Abstract: Soil and water dispersible plant nutrients in the form of metal carboxylates (sucrates) are formed from the combination of metal oxides and saccharides. A method of preparing granular metal carboxylates (sucrates) is provided. Metal oxides, lime, clay and aqueous beet sugar extract are combined and fed through a roll press compactor with 100 tons of pressure which elevates the material temperature to approximately 170° F., driving the reaction to completion. The compacted metal carboxylates (sucrates) are milled, screened, and wax coated.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing multiple session-based services at a terminal, an exemplary apparatus includes a memory configured to support a plurality of software layers including a service layer communicating with terminal resources via a root layer disposed therebetween; and a processor, for executing instructions associated with a plurality of service layer applications, a root layer application and a control mechanism; each of the service layer applications communicating with terminal resources to provide thereby a respective user interface; wherein the control mechanism selectively causing at least one of the service layer applications to enter an active state, the user interface associated with a service layer application being adapted in response to the service layer application entering the active state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining video frame sequences with a video display of an interactive program guide (IPG). The apparatus comprises a plurality of compositors that combine background information, video frame sequences and program guide graphics into a single video frame sequence. The sequence is then digitally encoded to form an MPEG-like bitstream. The same background information and informational video is composited with a different program guide graphic to form another video sequence that is also encoded. A plurality of such sequences are produced with each sequence having a different program guide graphic. Each sequence is encoded and then multiplexed into a transport stream such that all the encoded sequences are transmitted to a subscriber's terminal using a single transport stream. As such, the subscriber can transition from one program guide to the next without interruption of the background or video display as the program guide graphic is changed.

Abstract: A system and method for efficient delivery of video segments. One embodiment relates to the delivery of short-time duration video segments. The video segments may be delivered as part of a media-rich interactive program guide (IPG) or for some other application. The system and method provides a viewer with access to a video segment starting at its beginning (or any other selectable point within the video segment). Such access may be provided using a server-centric interactive technique. The server-centric technique may involve use of a demand-cast system and method. Demand-cast messaging may occur between a session manager, transport stream generator, and terminal. For example, a video object on a screen may be activated by a viewer using a remote control for a terminal. Activation of the object may cause transmission of a request from the terminal to a session manager for a video segment corresponding to the object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an interactive menu structure within an interactive information distribution system. The menu structure is embodied in a combination of software, which provides a so-called navigator and a set top terminal that provides certain functionality for the navigator and a video session manager which provides support functionality for the set top terminal. The menu structure has each menu (e.g., menu instructions, graphics and video) contained in downloadable applets which are sent upon request from the service provider equipment to the set top terminal for display. As such, the navigator functions are actually distributed between the service provider equipment and the subscriber's equipment. Such distribution provides an enjoyable, real-time interactive session that allows the user to rapidly navigate through a plethora of menus to find particular information, which they desire to view.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of preparing films and multilayers comprising polymerized liquid crystal material with uniform orientation, to films and multilayers obtained by said process and their use for optical and electrooptical applications.

Abstract: A birefringent film comprising at least one birefringent layer of liquid crystal material forming multi domains with a splayed structure may be coated onto a reflective substrate, e.g., with an aluminium surface. The birefringent film is particularly suited for decorative, security, authentification or identification applications.

Abstract: Techniques to create, generate, and deliver customized interactive program guide (custom-IPG). In one embodiment, selections indicative of a set of channels to be included in the custom-IPG are received. In response, one or more custom-IPG screens including the set of selected channels are rendered at a headend. Custom-IPG screens can be formed as subsets of the regular IPG screens, or as new screens. The rendered custom-IPG screens are provided from the head end to a set top terminal upon receiving a viewer request for the custom-IPG. Commands indicative of a particular location at which to overlay the custom-IPG screens may also be received, and the custom-IPG screens are re-rendered at the indicated location. Custom-IPG screens can be overlaid on a video sequence provided on a particular channel being viewed, used to carry regular program guide, or a channel independent of the channel used to carry regular programming and program guide.

Abstract: Soil and water dispersable plant nutrients in the form of metal carboxylates (sucrates) are formed from the combination of metal oxides and saccharides. A method of preparing granular metal carboxylates (sucrates) is provided. Metal oxides, lime, clay and aqueous beet sugar extract are combined and fed through a roll press compactor with 100 tons of pressure which elevates the material temperature to approximately 170° F., driving the reaction to completion. The compacted metal carboxylates (sucrates) are milled, screened, and wax coated.

Abstract: A terminal for decoding and presenting encoded realtime and non-realtime interactive program guide (IPG) content including a realtime video portion and a non-realtime guide graphics portion. The terminal includes a demodulator operative to receive and demodulate a modulated signal to provide a transport stream, and a transport demultiplexer coupled to the demodulator and operative to receive and process the transport stream to provide a sequence of transport packets re-timestamped to synchronize encoded realtime content and encoded non-realtime content included therein. At least one video decoder is coupled to the transport demultiplexer and operative to receive and decode the encoded realtime and non-realtime contents to recover the realtime and non-realtime contents for the user interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of preparing films and multilayers comprising polymerized liquid crystal material with uniform orientation, to films and multilayers obtained by said process and their use for optical and electrooptical applications.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a supported metallocene catalyst incorporating metallocene and co-catalysts components on a support. There is provided a particulate catalyst support material in which an alumoxane co-catalyst is incorporated onto the support particles and contacted with a dispersion of a metallocene catalyst in an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent. The metallocene solvent dispersion and the alumoxane-containing support are mixed at a temperature of about 10° C. or less for a period sufficient to enable the metallocene to become reactively supported on the alumoxane support material. The supported catalyst is recovered from the aromatic solvent and then washed optionally with an aromatic hydrocarbon and then sequentially with a paraffinic hydrocarbon solvent at a temperature of about 10° C. or less. The washed catalyst is dispersed in a viscous mineral oil having a viscosity which is substantially greater that the viscosity of the paraffinic hydrocarbon solvent.

Abstract: A birefringent film comprising at least one birefringent layer of liquid crystal material forming multi domains with a splayed structure may be coated onto a reflective substrate, e.g., with an aluminium surface. The birefringent film is particularly suited for decorative, security, authentification or identification applications.

Abstract: A trim strip for use around window and door opening and a method of installing the same. The trim strip includes a unitary body having an elongate first planar portion and an elongate second planar portion in parallel spaced relation. A second edge of the second planar portion is connected to a second edge of the first planar portion. A third planar portion is secured substantially perpendicularly to a first edge of the first planar portion and extends transversely in spaced relation past a first end of the second planar portion. The trim strip is intended for installation onto any building after a “J” strip trim or equivalent has been secured around the window and door openings. It is particularly suited for retrofitting a building that has exterior siding.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a supported metallocene catalyst incorporating metallocene and co-catalysts components on a support. There is provided a particulate catalyst support material in which an alumoxane co-catalyst is incorporated onto the support particles and contacted with a dispersion of a metallocene catalyst in an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent. The metallocene solvent dispersion and the alumoxane-containing support are mixed at a temperature of about 10° C. or less for a period sufficient to enable the metallocene to become reactively supported on the alumoxane support material. The supported catalyst is recovered from the aromatic solvent and then washed optionally with an aromatic hydrocarbon and then sequentially with a paraffinic hydrocarbon solvent at a temperature of about 10° C. or less. The washed catalyst is dispersed in a viscous mineral oil having a viscosity which is substantially greater that the viscosity of the paraffinic hydrocarbon solvent.

Abstract: A system for transferring power between a first electrical system and a second electrical system comprises a rotary transformer (105) comprising a rotor (110) having rotor windings and a stator (112) having stator windings. The windings of at least one of the rotor and the stator are high power cables utilized to obviate employment of a transformer between the one of the rotor and the stator and one of the first electrical system and the second electrical system.

Abstract: A system for transferring power between a first electrical system and a second electrical system comprises a rotary transformer (105) comprising a rotor (110) having rotor windings and a stator (112) having stator windings. The windings of at least one of the rotor and the stator are high power cables utilized to obviate employment of a transformer between the one of the rotor and the stator and one of the first electrical system and the second electrical system.

Abstract: A trim strip for use around window and door opening and a method of installing the same. The trim strip includes a unitary body having an elongate first planar portion and an elongate second planar portion in parallel spaced relation. A second edge of the second planar portion is connected to a second edge of the first planar portion. A third planar portion is secured substantially perpendicularly to a first edge of the first planar portion and extends transversely in spaced relation past a first end of the second planar portion. The trim strip is intended for installation onto any building after a “J” strip trim or equivalent has been secured around the window and door openings. It is particularly suited for retrofitting a building that has exterior siding.