Abstract: A congestion controller for a media server monitors both the buffer status of the client device as well as the network performance. The congestion controller may increase or decrease the pacing of packets transmitted over the network based on the fullness of a buffer on the client device, but may also change the bit rate of the packets based on the network performance. By monitoring both the client device status and network performance, the pacing and bit rate of the packets may be varied together to achieve an optimized throughput and maximized user experience of the media.

Abstract: While streaming media content, trick mode operation is optimized to a level that can be readily accommodated by available resources of a media delivery system. In one possible strategy, a trick mode optimization module may decrease the bit rate of the media content stream by progressively dropping delta frames and then a fraction of the remaining key frames as needed. According to another possible strategy, the trick mode optimization module may decrease the bit rate of the media content by progressively dropping sequences of frames between successive key frames. In addition, the trick mode optimization module may combine strategies and drop sequences between key frames, as well as dropping delta frames from the remaining sequences.

Abstract: Defects and errors detected in media content supplied by a content source are corrected before the media content is delivered to a decoder. In one possible implementation, the detection and correction of defects and errors in the media content is conducted within a media stream analysis module. Correction of defects and errors may include the insertion, deletion or correction of headers, the insertion of broken link flags into the media content, the throttling of audio content in the media content versus video content in the media content, and the dropping of frames from the media content.

Abstract: A means by which to adjust the angle of a handle. The device is comprised of two components. The body, made of a semi rigid material having a shape that is capable of being inserted into a typical paint brush ferrule. From this section, a “U” shaped component having a cylindrical cross section, and having a width of the attaching section. The handle of this design is composed of a suitable material having a varying thickness along its length. The handle having a section that partially encircles the “U” shaped component. The handle component has a hook at one end of one of the legs that receives the end of the other leg. This locks the handle in place on the “U” shaped component. When unlocked, the handle is capable of being moved along the length of the “U” shape to achieve the desired angle.

Abstract: A media experience policy engine includes three components: an information manager, a policy evaluator, and an enforcement module. The information manager collects information regarding the current state of a media delivery system, such as, for example, usage of a CPU, memory, hard disk, (I/O) interface, and a network. This collected data is then verified by the policy evaluator to see if resource contention is, or is close to, occurring. If so, existing or potential conflicts are dealt with by the enforcement module, which applies corrections, such as, for example, limiting the access of later chronologic users, or degrading the user experience of all users, in accordance with a desired policy in order to vitiate the resource contention and maintain a user experience consistent with the desired policy.

Abstract: System(s) and/or method(s) (“tools”) are described that present indicia for implicitly and explicitly user-associated web pages of a network browser application. The tools can present these indicia in a single graphic user interface, in response to a user's selection of a single unified access point, or in response to a search of the browser's user-associated web pages.

Abstract: Real-time streaming of media content from a server to a device and reduction of startup latencies during distribution are described. In one configuration, once a latency inducing event is initiated (i.e. a channel change, a stopping and starting of the streaming of live media content, or transrating to different streaming rates) a pre-roll process includes decreasing the frame rate of the media content being streamed to the monitor from an initial rate to a reduced rate. Simultaneously, a jitter buffer is flushed and rebuilt with media content samples arriving at a decoder at the initial rate, and being used for playback at the reduced rate.

Abstract: Using declarative language application instructions, actions associated with playing interactive content of an interactive multimedia presentation are triggered based on a state change of a particular media object. Certain application instructions specify the characteristic of the media object, while other application instructions specify the actions associated with playing the interactive content (for example, when media objects are renderable, event generation, script execution, or changes in variables) based on a state change of the characteristic. The state change is detected by querying a structured representation of the application such as a document object model, which includes nodes associated with the application instructions, the media object, and/or the characteristic. When state changes are detected, one or more of the specified actions are triggered to thereby declaratively respond to the state change.

Abstract: A handle for a medical instrument includes an elongate structure with a longitudinal axis, a central portion, and at least one end portion configured to receive a working element. The end portion includes a rigid core and a sleeve configured to fit over the rigid core, and the sleeve includes a rounded gripping surface having a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and an anti-roll structure having a substantially non-circular cross-sectional configuration. The sleeve may further include a groove extending around its periphery and configured to receive a replaceable identifying element, such as a color-coded band or o-ring. The sleeve may also include a slot that intersects the groove and is configured to receive the tip of a tool used to remove the replaceable identifying element from the groove.

Abstract: Program code enabling the streaming of HD content in real-time to a game console is stored on a storage medium remote from the game console. The game console executes software that facilitates transfer of the program code from the remote storage medium to the game console. The program code ensures that sufficient bandwidth exists on a network between the game console and a HD tuner, and enables the streaming of HD content in real-time to the game console.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a system and method for facilitating discovery and promotion of musical works via an electronic network. Broadly, the method comprises the steps of receiving the musical works from artists; establishing a virtual room; allowing a user to enter the virtual room and select one or more of the musical works to play; and allowing the user to chat with a second user within the virtual room. To this broad idea can be added, as desired, any one or more of a large number of enhancement features that further facilitate the discovery and promotion of the works.

Abstract: Adware and viruses are examples of objects that may be embedded in a webpage or linked to a webpage. When such an object is detected to be associated with a webpage loading on a browser, an analysis may be performed to determine a trust level for the object. The object may be blocked in accordance with the trust level. A prompt may be displayed to advise a user that the object is being blocked, provide a description of the object, and to provide an opportunity to interactively accept or decline activation of an action for the object.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing the pumping duty cycle of a pump assembly associated with an oil, natural gas, or water well with a concomitant reduction in the wear associated with the pump down hole components. An engine is connected with a pump assembly through a pneumatically actuated clutch and a selected event is determined to actuate the clutch to connect the engine with the pump assembly. The selected events may be a timed cycle determined from observations or a direct determination of liquid level in the well bore so that hydrocarbon production is maintained from the well bore. A pressurized gas is supplied on the occurrence of the selected event to actuate the clutch to connect the pump assembly with the engine to remove liquid from the gas well to maintain hydrocarbon production from the well.

Abstract: An apparatus for presenting each of a first face and a second face of a document to a processing element to facilitate processing of the document thereby. The apparatus includes a first transport subassembly for moving the document along a first document path to present the first face of the document to the processing element. The apparatus also includes a gate adapted to permit movement of the document from the first document path to the second document path. In addition, the apparatus has a second transport subassembly for moving the document in the second document path in a reverse direction until the document engages a downstream side of the gate. The gate directs the document, upon engagement thereof with the downstream side, into the first document path with the second face of the document positioned for presentation to the processing element.

Abstract: A digital media system uses client buffer fullness reports to detect clock drift between a clock on a host/source device that delivers streaming media content and a clock on a client playback device that receives the streaming media content. The system provides a reduction in playback interruptions during playback of streaming media content and a greater potential that “live” content encoded by a host/source device can actually be experienced as “live” content through playback on a client device.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing system for wafers or other semiconductor articles. The system uses an interface section at an end of the machine accessible from the clean room. A plurality of processing stations are arranged away from the clean room interface. A transfer subsystem removes wafers from supporting carriers, and positions both the wafers and carriers onto a carrousel which is used as an inventory storage. Wafers are shuttled between the inventory and processing stations by a robotic conveyor which is oriented to move toward and away from the interface end. The system processes the wafers without wafer carriers.

Abstract: An interface for personal communications systems is described which provides rapid identification of a caller and limited access based on a variety of parameters obtained from caller identification information encoded by the telephone company. The incoming telephone call information is compared to a preprogrammed access matrix to determine if the caller is authorized to access the personal communications system connected to the interface. A telephone call screening method and apparatus which incorporates the encoded caller identification is also described.

Abstract: A system receives multiple data samples and determines time stamp values associated with each of the multiple data samples. The system identifies an earliest time stamp value and uses that time stamp value as an initial system clock value. The system may also subtract a delay factor from the earliest time stamp value to account for delay in decoding the multiple data samples. The earliest time stamp value is also communicated to an audio decoder and a video decoder. The audio and video decoders provide clock data back to a component that maintains the system clock value. If the difference between the clock data received from the decoders and the system clock value exceeds a threshold value, the system clock value is recalculated.

Abstract: Strategies are described for coalescing the processing tasks associated with a series of control events that occur relatively close together in time. The coalescing can involve eliminating redundant tasks by more directly advancing to a terminal control state. One exemplary application of the control coalescing is in the playback of media content information in a networked environment. When a user enters a series of commands to repeatedly change the channel, or repeatedly seek new positions within a single stream, the control coalescing comes into play by aggregating these control events so that it requires fewer control processing tasks to perform. This provision helps reduce the latency associated with handling multiple control events that occur close together in time.

Abstract: A transrate manager on a host computer determines if there is a limitation in network bandwidth and controls the bit-rate of streaming media content accordingly. The bit-rate is controlled by excluding types of video frames from the streaming media content and then reintroducing excluded types of video frames back into the streaming video content once the network has recovered.