Abstract: A technique for enabling a plurality of software components to communicate in a software component matrix environment is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized by a method for enabling a plurality of software components to communicate in a software component matrix environment comprising the steps of encoding a request at a client side; communicating the request to a server at a server side via a communication interface; comparing the request to a plurality of operations supported at the server side; determining whether a function match exists at the server side; and returning a response comprising the function match to the client side in response to the request via the communication interface wherein the response is mapped to a data model of a client.

Abstract: Subscribers request programs from a network based content server and view the requested programs via their customer equipment. The content server receives various programs and breaks the program content for each program into a sequence of program segments, which are logically linked by program association indicia. The content server also receives advertisements and stores the advertisements as advertising segments, which generally contain at least one complete advertisement, but the invention is not limited thereto. Upon receiving a program request from a subscriber, the content server will identify advertising segments to provide along with the program segments for the requested program, and where to place the advertising segments among the program segments.

Abstract: Buried object locator systems including transmitters and associated buried object locators using phase-synchronized signals are disclosed. A transmitter may generate output current signals that are phase-synchronized such that an associated locator may receive magnetic field signals from the output current signal and determine information about the current flow based on independent phase-synchronization timing information.

Abstract: In a streaming media environment in which multiple channels of media content are available, the present invention reduces the time interval between a user requesting a new channel and the media content of the requested channel being made available to the user.

Abstract: A technique for enabling a plurality of software components to communicate in a software component matrix environment is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized by a method for enabling a plurality of software components to communicate in a software component matrix environment comprising the steps of encoding a request at a client side; communicating the request to a server at a server side via a communication interface; comparing the request to a plurality of operations supported at the server side; determining whether a function match exists at the server side; and returning a response comprising the function match to the client side in response to the request via the communication interface wherein the response is mapped to a data model of a client.

Abstract: A high-Q human-portable, battery-powered self-correcting tunable resonator in a transmitter apparatus for inducing alternating currents of high quality in buried conductors to facilitate their location. The transmitter apparatus employs an FET-driven capacitive tuning circuit and a coil design that achieves high precision, high-quality transmission signals, and which is equipped with a high-voltage booster for facilitating fault-localization applications.

Abstract: A sonde includes an elongate flexible ferromagnetic core and a coil surrounds an intermediate segment of the core. A housing surrounds and supports the coil. An electronic drive circuit is mounted in the housing for supplying the coil with an electric signal that will induce the core to emit electromagnetic signals at a predetermined strength and frequency that can be remotely detected. Self-contained battery powered float-type and pill-type sondes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of locating a buried conductor such as a pipe uses an electronic transmitter to generate a signal having a predetermined frequency with is applied to the pipe via an alligator clip or other appropriate connector. A ground connection to the transmitter is established by connecting another alligator clip or other appropriate connector to a grounding sheet made of chain mail or metal cloth. A electrolyte solution is poured on the grounding sheet and/or around a portion of the surface region adjacent the grounding sheet. The signal that is re-radiated by the buried pipe is detected with a man portable locator which determines the location of the buried pipe and displays the same to a user.

Abstract: A method for providing error correction of media packets. Service nodes associated with a core network segment use a first error correction process, and service nodes associated with an access network segment use a second error correction process. Service nodes associated with a local network segment may use a third error correction process. The present invention utilizes different error correction processes on different network segments as appropriate. Service nodes may receive indicators from monitoring agents that error correction is insufficient and, in response, a service node may increase an amount of error correction associated with a network segment. Media packets may be interleaved in a forward error correction (FEC) block in a manner that increases an amount of packet recovery.

Abstract: A compact line illuminator for applying an oscillating signal to buried or otherwise inaccessible pipes, cables and conductors so that their location can be traced by detecting an electromagnetic signal emitted by these buried objects. The illuminator includes a circuit for generating a signal suitable for tracing a buried conductor and a holder for a portable power source that can energize the circuit. First and second leads each have a first end connected to the circuit and a second end connected to a corresponding mechanism such as an alligator clip for attaching to a buried conductor. A case encloses the circuit and the portable power source holder and is configured for having the first and second leads wrapped around an exterior of the case. Mechanisms are provided for holding the leads wrapped around the exterior of the case.

Abstract: A compact line illuminator for applying an oscillating signal to buried or otherwise inaccessible pipes, cables and conductors so that their location can be traced by detecting an electromagnetic signal emitted by these buried objects. The illuminator includes a circuit for generating a signal suitable for tracing a buried conductor and a holder for a portable power source that can energize the circuit. First and second leads each have a first end connected to the circuit and a second end connected to a corresponding mechanism such as an alligator clip for attaching to a buried conductor. A case encloses the circuit and the portable power source holder and is configured for having the first and second leads wrapped around an exterior of the case. Mechanisms are provided for holding the leads wrapped around the exterior of the case.

Abstract: A load balancer is capable of receiving and identifying multicast streams associated with a multicast session, and selecting at least one of the multicast streams for delivery to a selected stream processor. The selected stream processor is selected from a group of stream processors that are capable of providing the Layer 4-7 processing required for the multicast stream. The load balancer will monitor the processed multicast stream provided by the output of the selected stream processor, and send the processed multicast stream toward its destination. The load balancer can detect a failure in the selected stream processor by monitoring the output of the selected stream processor. If there is a failure of the selected stream processor, the load balancer will select another stream processor for processing the multicast stream, and redirect the multicast stream from the failed stream processor to the selected stream processor, wherein the process continues.

Abstract: Subscribers request programs from a network based content server and view the requested programs via their customer equipment. The content server receives various programs and breaks the program content for each program into a sequence of program segments, which are logically linked by program association indicia. The content server also receives advertisements and stores the advertisements as advertising segments, which generally contain at least one complete advertisement, but the invention is not limited thereto. Upon receiving a program request from a subscriber, the content server will identify advertising segments to provide along with the program segments for the requested program, and where to place the advertising segments among the program segments.

Abstract: The present invention re-encrypts encrypted content on a Video-on Demand (VoD) system. A device on the VoD system, such as a server, obtains the encrypted version of the content on the VoD system and the key, the first key, that was used to encrypt that version. The server decrypts the encrypted content using that key, re-encrypts the decrypted content using a second key, and provides the re-encrypted content to the VoD system, which provides it to a user. The server then deletes from its files any other version of the content, including any unencrypted, decrypted and re-encrypted version, and all keys, including the first and second key.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hyperlinking convention for Internet Protocol (IP) Television (TV) program content. A hyperlink comprises a resource identifier that identifies a location of the program content, and an index to a content segment within the program content. The content segment corresponds to a portion of the program content that is not directly addressable using a resource identifier from a defined content source at which the program content is stored. When user equipment receives the hyperlink, a user may select the hyperlink, and a request is routed based on the resource identifier to a content server where the program content is stored. The content server uses the resource identifier and the index to identify the content segment. The content server accesses the program content based on the resource identifier and selects the content segment based on the index. The content server sends the content segment to the user equipment in response to the request.

Abstract: A rights management technique allows user terminals to share usage rights that are necessary for accessing associated media content, while ensuring that the media content is not accessed in violation of the usage rights. A content provider may deliver the media content and the associated usage rights to a first user terminal. The usage rights may be sharable as well as divisible. The first user terminal will account for all or that portion of the usage rights that are subsequently transferred, and may retain any remaining usage rights. The first user terminal may transfer all or a portion of any usage rights at the first user terminal to a second user terminal, wherein the transferred usage rights allow the second user terminal to access the media content. The second user terminal may also transfer the usage rights, and perhaps the media content, to other user terminals.

Abstract: A sonde includes an elongate flexible ferromagnetic core and a coil surrounds an intermediate segment of the core. A housing surrounds and supports the coil. An electronic drive circuit is mounted in the housing for supplying the coil with an electric signal that will induce the core to emit electromagnetic signals at a predetermined strength and frequency that can be remotely detected. Self-contained battery powered float-type and pill-type sondes are also disclosed.

Abstract: An inductive clamp includes a pair of jaws configured to surround a conductor, and a pair of handles, each connected to a corresponding jaw. A pivotal connection is provided that allows the jaws to close around a conductor. The jaws are optionally biased to hold them closed around the conductor. A ferromagnetic core is mounted in each jaw and a coil surrounds at least one of the cores. An indicator is provided that tells a user that a signal has been applied to at least one of the cores.

Abstract: A sonde includes an elongate flexible ferromagnetic core and a coil surrounds an intermediate segment of the core. A housing surrounds and supports the coil. An electronic drive circuit is mounted in the housing for supplying the coil with an electric signal that will induce the core to emit electromagnetic signals at a predetermined strength and frequency that can be remotely detected. Self-contained battery powered float-type and pill-type sondes are also disclosed.

Abstract: An inductive clamp includes a pair of jaws configured to surround a conductor, and a pair of handles, each connected to a corresponding jaw. A pivotal connection is provided that allows the jaws to close around a conductor. The jaws are optionally biased to hold them closed around the conductor. A ferromagnetic core is mounted in each jaw and a coil surrounds at least one of the cores. An indicator is provided that tells a user that a signal has been applied to at least one of the cores.