Abstract: A load distributing and absorbing system that lies below a barrier layer that is exposed to percussive and/or point-applied forces. The load distributing and absorbing system has one or more load distributing and absorbing tiles. At least some of the tiles have an underlayment infrastructure positioned below a barrier layer. The underlayment infrastructure includes one or more hat-shaped absorbing members. Each has a ceiling primarily for load distribution and a curvilinear wall primarily for load absorption extending from the ceiling. A transition feature is provided to smoothly graduate from one height and type of load distributing and absorbing tile to a load distributing and absorbing tile of another type and height. He system distributes and absorbs forces applied to the barrier layer over a broad area when applied either on a seam between adjacent tiles or within a tile.

Abstract: A metallic product such as an audio speaker cover and a related method of manufacturing that has a surface with a cloth-like appearance, yet allows the passage of sound. The metallic audio speaker cover has a base of expanded metal with polygonal openings or woven wire through which the sound may pass, the openings being defined by filaments that provide structural strength; a pretreatment film that adheres to the expanded metal base, and one or more multi-color powder coating films that adhere to the pretreatment film. In some embodiments, the film also has anti-microbial properties.

Abstract: A metallic audio speaker cover and a related method of manufacturing that has a surface with a cloth-like appearance. The metallic audio speaker cover has a base of expanded metal through which sound may pass; a pretreatment film which adheres to the expanded metal base; and one or more multi-color powder coating films that adhere to the pretreatment film. In some embodiments, the surface also has anti-microbial properties.

Abstract: A metallic audio speaker cover and a related method of manufacturing that has a surface with a cloth-like appearance. The metallic audio speaker cover has a base of expanded metal through which sound may pass; a pretreatment film which adheres to the expanded metal base; and one or more multi-color powder coating films that adhere to the pretreatment film. In some embodiments, the surface also has anti-microbial properties.

Abstract: A load distributing and absorbing system that lies below a superstructure material which is exposed to percussive forces. The load distributing and absorbing system is interposed between the superstructure material and a foundation. The system has a barrier layer that lies below the superstructure material and an underlayment infrastructure positioned below the barrier layer. Included in the underlayment infrastructure are hat-shaped absorbing members.

Abstract: An audio speaker cover with a central region and a peripheral region. The central region has a surface that faces an observer and a speaker cover body below the surface. The audio speaker cover body defines a plurality of apertures with lands between the apertures. The apertures have cylindrical walls that meet the surface orthogonally. Precisely engineered apertures permit minimal sound transmission loss and allow a high aperture density without sacrificing the ability of intervening lands in the audio speaker cover to protect an underlying speaker.

Abstract: A load distributing and absorbing system that lies below a barrier layer that is exposed to percussive and/or point-applied forces. The load distributing and absorbing system has one or more load distributing and absorbing tiles. At least some of the tiles have an underlayment infrastructure positioned below a barrier layer. The underlayment infrastructure includes one or more hat-shaped absorbing members. Each has a ceiling primarily for load distribution and a curvilinear wall primarily for load absorption extending from the ceiling. A transition feature is provided to smoothly graduate from one height and type of load distributing and absorbing tile to a load distributing and absorbing tile of another type and height. He system distributes and absorbs forces applied to the barrier layer over a broad area when applied either on a seam between adjacent tiles or within a tile.

Abstract: A method of making a monolithic multi-tone audio speaker cover and the product made thereby. The method involves creating a hole pattern in a blank; providing a ditch inside a periphery of the blank; forming a shape in the blank to make a shaped blank; treating or painting at least some of the surface of the shaped blank with a primary treatment or color to prepare a treated or painted shaped blank; masking an area of the treated or painted shaped blank with a masking material along a portion of the ditch to cover at least a portion of the treated or painted shaped blank; and applying a secondary color to the unprotected area. The audio speaker cover made thereby has a distinct unwavering separation between the respective treated areas that is visually pleasing.

Abstract: A method of making a monolithic multi-tone audio speaker cover. The method involves creating a hole pattern in a blank; forming a shape in the blank to make a shaped blank; treating or painting at least some of the surface of the shaped blank with a primary treatment or color to prepare a treated or painted shaped blank; masking an area of the treated or painted shaped blank with a masking material to cover at least a portion of the treated or painted shaped blank; and applying a secondary color to the unprotected area.

Abstract: An audio speaker cover with a central region and a peripheral region. The central region has a surface that faces an observer and a speaker cover body below the surface. The audio speaker cover body defines a plurality of apertures with lands between the apertures. The apertures have cylindrical walls that meet the surface orthogonally. Precisely engineered apertures permit minimal sound transmission loss and allow a high aperture density without sacrificing the ability of intervening lands in the audio speaker cover to protect an underlying speaker.

Abstract: A progressive stage load distributing and absorbing system that lies below a superstructure material which is exposed to percussive forces. The progressive stage load distributing and absorbing system is interposed between the superstructure material and a foundation. The system has a barrier layer that lies below the superstructure material and an underlayment infrastructure positioned below the barrier layer. Included in the underlayment infrastructure are hat-shaped absorbing members that have a relatively compliant stage subsystem and one or more relatively stiff stage subsystems.

Abstract: A progressive stage load distributing and absorbing system that lies below a superstructure material which is exposed to percussive forces. The progressive stage load distributing and absorbing system is interposed between the superstructure material and a foundation. The system has a barrier layer that lies below the superstructure material and an underlayment infrastructure positioned below the barrier layer. Included in the underlayment infrastructure are hat-shaped absorbing members that have a relatively compliant stage subsystem and one or more relatively stiff stage subsystems.

Abstract: A load distributing and absorbing system that lies below a superstructure material which is exposed to percussive forces. The load distributing and absorbing system is interposed between the superstructure material and a foundation. The system has a barrier layer that lies below the superstructure material and an underlayment infrastructure positioned below the barrier layer. Included in the underlayment infrastructure are hat-shaped absorbing members.

Abstract: An energy absorber includes a base sheet and a plurality of energy absorbing units with domed countermeasures extending from the base sheet. The countermeasures have slits in a domed portion thereof. The side walls of the energy absorbing units protect an adjacent object by cushioning the blow following repeated impacts in both vehicular and non-vehicular (e.g. helmets) environments. Preferably the side walls are oriented to buckle or bend after absorbing energy when impacted. The countermeasures primarily deaden any associated buzzes, squeaks or rattles. The integrally-formed countermeasures have a lower standing strength than the energy absorbing units. Methods related to the above are also described.

Abstract: An energy absorber includes a base sheet and a plurality of energy absorbing units with domed countermeasures extending from the base sheet. The countermeasures have slits in a domed portion thereof. The side walls of the energy absorbing units protect an adjacent object by cushioning the blow following repeated impacts in both vehicular and non-vehicular (e.g. helmets) environments. Preferably the side walls are oriented to buckle or bend after absorbing energy when impacted. The countermeasures primarily deaden any associated buzzes, squeaks or rattles. The integrally-formed countermeasures have a lower standing strength than the energy absorbing units. Methods related to the above are also described.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products and apparatus for providing broadband television service (BTS) are provided. The method includes receiving a channel selection at a receiver located at a service location. The channel selection is correlated to an Internet address. Data is requested from the Internet address. The request is made to a digital subscriber line (DSL) network via a modem. Video data packets containing live streaming video content are received from the Internet address in response to the requesting. The video data packets are received from the DSL network via the modem. The video data packets are assembled into video signals for display on a television and the video signals are transmitted to the television.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products and apparatus for providing broadband television service (BTS) are provided. The method includes receiving a channel selection at a receiver located at a service location. The channel selection is correlated to an Internet address. Data is requested from the Internet address. The request is made to a digital subscriber line (DSL) network via a modem. Video data packets containing live streaming video content are received from the Internet address in response to the requesting. The video data packets are received from the DSL network via the modem. The video data packets are assembled into video signals for display on a television and the video signals are transmitted to the television.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products and apparatus for providing broadband television service (BTS) are provided. The method includes receiving a channel selection at a receiver located at a service location. The channel selection is correlated to an Internet address. Data is requested from the Internet address. The request is made to a digital subscriber line (DSL) network via a modem. Video data packets containing live streaming video content are received from the Internet address in response to the requesting. The video data packets are received from the DSL network via the modem. The video data packets are assembled into video signals for display on a television and the video signals are transmitted to the television.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for providing reliable redundant data communications. The mechanism issues a request for data to a set of powered elements using a set of secondary communication channels in response to a reduction in a level of communications being detected. The set of secondary communication channels comprises one or more alternating current power lines and the request is sent as data injected onto the alternating current power lines to the set of powered elements. The mechanism receives the data using the set of secondary communication channels from the set of powered elements, analyzes the data to determine a set of recovery actions to restore the level of communications, and issues the set of recovery actions to the set of powered elements using the set of secondary communication channels.