Abstract: A scrubbing tool for cleaning a surface that has a handle for holding by a user in a cleaning operation. The handle has a first connector. The scrubbing tool also has a cleaning head having a second connector configured to mate with the first connector in order to attach the cleaning head to the handle in an engaged position. The cleaning head is comprised entirely of a material configured to dissolve in water and has a cleaning agent.

Abstract: A method for securing a plurality of compute nodes includes authenticating a hardware architecture of each of a plurality of components of the compute nodes. The method also includes authenticating a firmware of each of the plurality of components. Further, the method includes generating an authentication database comprising a plurality of authentication descriptions that are based on the authenticated hardware architecture and the authenticated firmware. Additionally, a policy for securing a specified subset of the plurality of compute nodes is implemented by using the authentication database.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a reconfigurable variable voltage battery. One or more variable voltage battery (VVB) modules are connected in series to form a stacked variable voltage battery (SVVB or Stacked VVB). A variable voltage battery module may comprise at least one battery cell and processor controlled switches adapted to vary the output of the variable voltage battery module. By separately configuring the switches of each VVB module, the output of the stacked VVB module can produce any voltage up to the full sum of the voltages of all the cells in the individual VVB modules. In addition, charge balancing can easily be achieved with a stacked VVB configuration, as some VVB modules can be bypassed (e.g., by setting select switches to simulate a short condition) either to prioritize the discharging of stronger VVB modules, or to prioritize the charging of weaker VVB modules.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a reconfigurable variable voltage battery. One or more variable voltage battery (VVB) modules are connected in series to form a stacked variable voltage battery (SVVB or Stacked VVB). A variable voltage battery module may comprise at least one battery cell and processor controlled switches adapted to vary the output of the variable voltage battery module. By separately configuring the switches of each VVB module, the output of the stacked VVB module can produce any voltage up to the full sum of the voltages of all the cells in the individual VVB modules. In addition, charge balancing can easily be achieved with a stacked VVB configuration, as some VVB modules can be bypassed (e.g., by setting select switches to simulate a short condition) either to prioritize the discharging of stronger VVB modules, or to prioritize the charging of weaker VVB modules.

Abstract: A server interactively serves client applications and client applications make estimates until updates are received from the server based on user input from the client. Processors on both the server and client execute applications with images. A video encoder in the server estimates images in response to the client user input and forwards a compressed data stream to the client. A video decoder of the client obtains images from memory and estimates images and reconstructs images from a compressed data stream in synchronization with an encoder of the server using the user input. A client display displays a region from memory of the one or more estimated images.

Abstract: A system has an application host and a remote host with a touch-sensitive display. Video from the application host is extracted, compressed, forwarded, decompressed and reproduced on a touch-sensitive display. Touch information from the touch-sensitive display is received by the remote host and forwarded to the application host. A plurality of remote devices each hosts one or more sensors. Information from the one or more sensors on each remote device is forwarded to the application host and becomes usable to applications as if they were native sensors. Two or more sensors are of the same type, where each of said same sensors is hosted by a different remote device, and each of said same sensors is accessible to a single application running on the application host.

Abstract: An agent manages multipath communications between a first network and a second network. The first network and a second network are wirelessly coupled by links through a plurality of wireless cellular devices. A link status monitor maintains a list of wireless cellular devices with bridging capability available for multipath communications between the first and second networks. A packet scheduler identifies segments of received packets originating from the second network and assigns one or more wireless cellular devices selected from the list to the identified segments. A packet transmitter encapsulates the segments of packets so identified and addresses the encapsulated segments to the assigned wireless cellular devices.

Abstract: Methods are provided for inserting advertisements or the like and/or to perform grooming functions for a video, audio and/or data stream. Video programming is received in a network stream. Alternate content, such as advertisements, is received in content stream. The content stream is preconditioned to provide an entrance point therein for splicing the network stream to the content stream. Preconditioning of the content stream can also be performed to provide an exit point for splicing back to the network stream when the alternate content (e.g., advertisements) has concluded.

Abstract: A system for conveying and reproducing images for use with interactive applications is described. The system includes one or more application modules producing images for a display, and a display server for deriving encoded representations of the images and forwarding them to one or more clients. The client includes one or more user input devices such as a touchpad or touchscreen, and forwards information derived from the data received from these devices to the display server. The information is also used locally to modify reconstructed images derived from the encoded image representations received from the display server. The modified reconstructed images are displayed on a video screen.

Abstract: Both live and offline transcoding of media is managed for storage in a cache. Requests for media are made by a client on a network and media taken from the cache and transcoded for delivery to the client. Media is also transcoded and stored in memory during idle request in anticipation of future requests during idle transcoder time between client requests. A prioritizer manages at least offline transcoding requests. A high priority queue operates at a higher priority than the low priority queue. The high priority queue receives live transcoding requests from a client on the network. A low priority queue receives offline transcoding requests. A media transcoder primarily transcodes media in accordance with requests from the high priority queue for delivery to a client on the network and then secondarily transcodes media in accordance with requests from the low priority queue when the high priority queue is empty.

Abstract: An agent (150 or 190) manages multipath communications between a first network and a second network, wherein the first network and a second network are wirelessly coupled therebetween by links through a plurality of wireless cellular devices (101). A link status monitor maintains a list of wireless cellular devices with bridging capability available for multipath communications between the first and second networks. A packet scheduler identifies segments of received packets originating from the second network and assigns one or more wireless cellular devices (101) selected from the list to the identified segments. A packet transmitter encapsulates the segments of packets so identified and addresses the encapsulated segments to the assigned wireless cellular devices (101).

Abstract: An advanced multiplexer designed and optimized for next generation on-demand video distribution is described. Features and capabilities include low-latency client interactions, quality of service management, session based encryption management, support for multiple video formats, and support for multiple video decoding standards. Indicators are embedded in new video segments to identify start-of-segment transition points, enabling rapid transitions from one video segment to another. Low-latency operation is achieved by rapid switching, and by coordinating flushing of video buffers and buffer restoration.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for managing the insertion of overlay content into a video signal are provided. A video signal is received from a video source. In addition, overlay content is provided in one or more overlay content signals. A tag is appended to the video signal and/or the overlay content signals. The tag contains identifying information. Overlay content selected from one of the overlay content signals may then be inserted into the video signal in accordance with the identifying information to produce a modified video content. The identifying information may comprises various types of information identifying the source or subject matter of the overlay content or video signal, the destination of the overlay content or video signal, information identifying the geographic region where the overlay content is to be inserted, or key words or other information to enable matching of the overlay content with an appropriate video signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a balanced video distribution system, as well as corresponding methods and apparatus, which utilize feedback from the channel multiplexers as well as rate estimation and predictive rate control. Packets of a video stream are received at an input buffer. A transmission deadline is determined for the packets. A fullness level of the input buffer is also determined. A future time at which said packets can be transmitted may be estimated based on the buffer fullness level. A bit rate of the video stream can be adjusted based on the estimated future time and the transmission deadline. For example, the bit rate may be adjusted in proportion to a difference between the estimated future time and the transmission deadline.

Abstract: An advanced video multiplexer system designed and optimized for next generation on-demand video distribution is described. The system optimizes identifies a multi-program transport stream best able to accommodate new sessions based upon Quality of Service (QoS) and QAM utilization ratios. MPTS channels are rebalanced via re-grouping and transrating as necessary to optimize bandwidth utilization. Multiple video formats are supported via built-in transcoding. The multiplexer manages encryption resources and supports new sessions using previously allocated encryption resources where possible. Sessions can be grouped into encryption channels either by using a single authorization tier per channel policy, or by requiring all clients of the group to be in physically separated service groups. Encryption channels can be released when a channel no longer serves any clients or when one or more other channels that have been assigned the same entitlement can accommodate any remaining clients.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the processing of multiple data streams with common resources. More particularly, this invention relates to a technique for time-multiplexed processing of, for example, multiple digital video programs. In one embodiment, an exemplary method provides for time-multiplexed processing of a set of digital streams includes storing each received packet in a random access memory. For each stream, the deadline for the arrival of the next packet at the receiver is determined and a priority based on the deadline is assigned. The stream with the highest assigned priority is identified as an identified stream. In some embodiments, the processing state of the identified stream is then restored. One or more packets of data corresponding to the identified stream are retrieved from random access memory to produce retrieved packets. The processing state is saved after the retrieved packets have been processed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for inserting advertisements and/or to perform grooming functions after a video, audio and/or data stream has been transrated and/or encrypted. In this manner, ad insertion and grooming can be performed close to the edge of a video distribution network. Transrating and encryption of a program into which content is to be later inserted can be accomplished before the program is transmitted. Thus, a single encrypted version of a program can be transmitted from a central point in the network to multiple recipients, while providing the benefits of subsequent targeted ad insertion or grooming downstream of the central point.

Abstract: An advanced video multiplexer system designed and optimized for next generation on-demand video distribution is described. The system optimizes identifies a multi-program transport stream best able to accommodate new seesions based upon Quality of Service (QoS) and QAM utilization ratios. MPTS channels are rebalanced via re-grouping and transrating as necessary to optimize bandwidth utilization. Multiple video formats are supported via built-in transcoding. The multiplexer manages encryption resources and supports new sessions using previously allocated encryption resources where possible. Sessions can be grouped into encryption channels either by using a single authorization tier per channel policy, or by requiring all clients of the group to be in physically separated service groups. Encryption channels can be released when a channel no longer serves any clients or when one or more other channels that have been assigned the same entitlement can accommodate any remaining clients.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for modifying the data rate of a video signal are provided. A compressed video signal is received. A closed-loop transrating path for modifying a data rate of the video signal and an open-loop transrating path for modifying the data rate of the video signal are provided. One of the open-loop transrating path or the closed-loop transrating path is selected for modifying the data rate of at least a portion of the video signal. Pixel quantization error control may be provided in the closed loop transrating path.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for inserting overlay content into a video signal are provided. An overlay content signal containing overlay content is received. In addition, a compressed video signal is received from a video source and decoded. An insertion window portion of the decoded video signal is identified. The overlay content signal and the insertion window portion of the decoded video signal are processed to produce a modified insertion window portion of the video signal. The video signal and the modified insertion window portion are then processed to produce a modified video signal. The data rate of the video signal may be modified during the overlay content insertion process.