Abstract: System, methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media to facilitate expansion of media device interface capabilities are provided. A first media device may be configured to be communicatively couplable to a second media device. A first set of one or more interface ports that are configured to interface with one or more multimedia devices may be recognized. The second media device may be recognized when the second media device is communicatively coupled to the first media device. A second set of one or more interface ports provided by the second media device may be determined. A third set of interface ports may be determined based on the first set and the second set. Configuration information may be generated and provided to facilitate indication of interface options. Content may be provided via at least one interface port of the second set of one or more interface ports provided by the second media device.

Abstract: System, methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media to facilitate expansion of media device interface capabilities are provided. A first media device may be configured to be communicatively couplable to a second media device. A first set of one or more interface ports that are configured to interface with one or more multimedia devices may be recognized. The second media device may be recognized when the second media device is communicatively coupled to the first media device. A second set of one or more interface ports provided by the second media device may be determined. A third set of interface ports may be determined based on the first set and the second set. Configuration information may be generated and provided to facilitate indication of interface options. Content may be provided via at least one interface port of the second set of one or more interface ports provided by the second media device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus to facilitate wireless device monitoring and control are provided. A first device controller may be adapted to be disposed within a power connector, in series with conductors of the power connector. The power connector may be adapted to provide power from a power source to a device. The first device controller may include two terminals to electrically couple the first device controller with the conductors of the power connector. The first device controller may further include a power component to power the first device controller. The first device controller may be configured to monitor one or more conditions of the device, control one or more functions of the device, and wirelessly communicate with a system controller that is remote from the power connector and the device. The power connector may correspond to a power plug and/or a terminal block.

Abstract: In a home network a number of receiving devices are connected to receive streamed audio visual content from one or more sources by way of a network hub. One source is a set top box, having a hard disc drive, which provides a real time broadcast stream, stream 1, as well as a recorded output stream, stream 2. Another source is local storage which is capable of outputting its stored content, stream 3, at ×32 normal speed, that is, fast forward. If there are bandwidth limitations on the network then the receiver (receiving the fast forward stream 3 will experience errors. When errors are detected, the receiver sends a message back to the source which then takes action to reduce the bit rate of its output stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for recording transmitted data items, and particularly television and radio programmes. The data items are received at one or more inputs along with ID data identifying the transmitted data items and the programme series to which the data item belongs. An input interface receives input indicating whether one or more received transmitted data items have been viewed or recorded by a user and a processor generates values for ranking the series to which each of the received data items belong based upon the received input. Subsequently received transmitted data items are stored in a storage device based on the generated values, the stored data items belonging to a series for which a value has been generated.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for recording transmitted data items, and particularly television and radio programmes. The data items are received at one or more inputs along with ID data identifying the transmitted data items and the programme series to which the data item belongs. An input interface receives input indicating whether one or more received transmitted data items have been viewed or recorded by a user and a processor generates values for ranking the series to which each of the received data items belong based upon the received input. Subsequently received transmitted data items are stored in a storage device based on the generated values, the stored data items belonging to a series for which a value has been generated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing undesirable noise generated by a vacuum pumping system. The vacuum system operates to reduce the pressure in a chamber to a first pressure value. The system then detects that the pressure at the vacuum pump system's inlet is about to change to a second higher pressure and, in response, the speed of a booster pump in the vacuum pump system is reduced below the rated speed for the pump. When the pressure at the vacuum pump's inlet is above the second pressure, the speed of the booster pump is increased to the rated speed. Thus, the booster pump is slowed down prior the pump system becoming exposed to a rapid increase in inlet pressure.

Abstract: Debris removal systems and methods are operable to remove debris, such as snow, from a surface. An exemplary embodiment has a wiper blade configured to remove debris from a surface in response to a movement of the wiper blade; a spring coupled to the wiper blade, wherein the spring is configured to store potential energy as the spring is biased from a relaxed position to a biased position; and a motor coupled to the spring, wherein the motor is configured to convert received electrical power into mechanical power that biases the spring. The spring is released from the biased position to release the stored potential energy as the spring returns to the relaxed position. The released potential energy from the spring is converted to mechanical energy that moves the wiper blade.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for recording transmitted data items, and particularly television and radio programmes. The data items are received at one or more inputs along with ID data identifying the transmitted data items and the programme series to which the data item belongs. An input interface receives input indicating whether one or more received transmitted data items have been viewed or recorded by a user and a processor generates values for ranking the series to which each of the received data items belong based upon the received input. Subsequently received transmitted data items are stored in a storage device based on the generated values, the stored data items belonging to a series for which a value has been generated.

Abstract: Debris removal systems and methods are operable to remove debris, such as snow, from a surface. An exemplary embodiment has a wiper blade configured to remove debris from a surface in response to a movement of the wiper blade; a spring coupled to the wiper blade, wherein the spring is configured to store potential energy as the spring is biased from a relaxed position to a biased position; and a motor coupled to the spring, wherein the motor is configured to convert received electrical power into mechanical power that biases the spring. The spring is released from the biased position to release the stored potential energy as the spring returns to the relaxed position. The released potential energy from the spring is converted to mechanical energy that moves the wiper blade.

Abstract: In a home network a number of receiving devices are connected to receive streamed audio visual content from one or more sources by way of a network hub. One source is a set top box, having a hard disc drive, which provides a real time broadcast stream, stream 1, as well as a recorded output stream, stream 2. Another source is local storage which is capable of outputting its stored content, stream 3, at x32 normal speed, that is, fast forward. If there are bandwidth limitations on the network then the receiver (receiving the fast forward stream 3 will experience errors. When errors are detected, the receiver sends a message back to the source which then takes action to reduce the bit rate of its output stream.

Abstract: One embodiment of an apparatus for switching a transistor includes a first current mirror providing iB=K1i1, as a transistor base current, wherein the first current mirror is selectively driven by a current source i B ? ? MAX K 1 . A second current mirror providing a feedback signal i2=K2iD to the first current mirror such that i 1 + i 2 = i B ? ? MAX K 1 , wherein iD contributes to the transistor collector current, wherein iB=iBMAX?K1K2iD.

Abstract: One embodiment of an apparatus for switching a transistor includes a first current mirror providing iB=K1i1, as a transistor base current, wherein the first current mirror is selectively driven by a current source i B ? ? MAX K 1 . A second current mirror providing a feedback signal i2=K2iD to the first current mirror such that i 1 + i 2 = i B ? ? MAX K 1 , wherein iD contributes to the transistor collector current, wherein iB=iBMAX?K1K2iD.

Abstract: A switching regulator apparatus includes an inductor coupling an input node to a switching node. A first capacitor couples the switching node to a diode node. A first diode couples the diode node to a common node. A second diode couples the diode node to an output node. A second capacitor couples the output node to the common node. A switch couples the switching node to the common node, wherein the first capacitor transfers energy from the input node to the output node in accordance with the commutation of the switch.

Abstract: A low cost mechanism that may be used to extend Ethernet capability to low end devices provides sufficient capacity to support Ethernet communications using only a single twisted pair medium. Because only a single twisted pair is used, the overall cost, complexity and size associated with the integrating Ethernet functionality into an end device is reduced. A distributed power system delivers power to a Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) device over the single twisted pair medium. With such an arrangement, Ethernet capability and power may be simultaneously delivered to low end devices at a reduced cost.