Abstract: Methods and apparatus for customizing content navigation. In one embodiment, a user navigates through pre-recorded or cached content in accordance with on one or more user preferences. Such user preferences may include one or more of content cache size, instant replay time, advance time, FF/REV speeds, slow motion speed and overshoot correction. In one embodiment, a DVR setup menu may be used to enter the user preferences via a remote control device. The user preferences may then be saved in non-volatile memory and used for navigation of subsequent content playback.

Abstract: A refrigerated liquid dispenser is disclosed. The dispenser has a pump configured for being in fluid communication with a source of a liquid product; a dispensing faucet configured for being in fluid communication with the pump, the dispensing faucet including a cold maintenance device located near the distal end of the dispensing faucet and an insulator device disposed adjacent to the cold maintenance device. The cold maintenance device has a distal end that projects beyond a lower surface of the insulator device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an entertainment system and method for selectively storing broadcast channels by the entertainment system. To store a broadcast channel, the system first receives programming data associated with the channel. A show associated with the channel is displayed and a menu associated with the storing of the channel in memory may also be displayed. The viewer may then select to add to or remove from memory the programming data associated with the currently tuned channel via a one-step process, and the programming data is subsequently loaded into the memory.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the preparation of ?,?-unsaturated acids, esters and amides from ?- or ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids or esters or precursors in high yields and high selectivity. The ?,?-unsaturated acids or esters are optionally prepared in the presence of specific dehydration and/or esterification catalysts. The ?,?-unsaturated amides or substituted amides are prepared optionally in the presence of a dehydration and/or amidation catalyst. The source of ?- or ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids or precusor is preferably from a renewable resource. The precursor is defined herein.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the preparation of ?,?-unsaturated acids, esters and amides from ?- or ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids or esters or precursors in high yields and high selectivity. The ?,?-unsaturated acids or esters are optionally prepared in the presence of specific dehydration and/or esterification catalysts. The ?,?-unsaturated amides or substituted amides are prepared optionally in the presence of a dehydration and/or amidation catalyst. The source of ?- or ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids or precusor is preferably from a renewable resource. The precursor is defined herein.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating program data acquisition. In one embodiment, a set-top box is set to enter an auto-off state based on a user-defined auto-off time. Once the set-top box has entered the auto-off state, a channel from which program guide data may be obtained may be automatically tune to. The auto-off state may be automatically exited in order to either respond to a user interaction or to avoid missing previously-programmed recordings. Upon exiting the auto-off state, the set-top box may be tuned back to the channel that it was tuned to prior to entering the auto-off state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating program data acquisition. In one embodiment, a set-top box is set to enter an auto-off state based on a user-defined auto-off time. Once the set-top box has entered the auto-off state, a channel from which program guide data may be obtained may be automatically tune to. The auto-off state may be automatically exited in order to either respond to a user interaction or to avoid missing previously-programmed recordings. Upon exiting the auto-off state, the set-top box may be tuned back to the channel that it was tuned to prior to entering the auto-off state.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the preparation of ?,?-unsaturated acids, esters and amides from ?- or ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids or esters or precursors in high yields and high selectivity. The ?,?-unsaturated acids or esters are optionally prepared in the presence of specific dehydration and/or esterification catalysts. The ?,?-unsaturated amides or substituted amides are prepared optionally in the presence of a dehydration and/or amidation catalyst. The source of ?- or ?-hydroxycarboxylic acids or precusor is preferably from a renewable resource. The precursor is defined herein.

Abstract: A method to enable multiple TV viewers in discrete physical and/or temporal locations, to share the TV viewing experience by using audio and/or visual comments triggered by a remote control in conjunction with a TV which may be connected to one or more other TVs. The connection may be wireless (such as IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, etc.) or wired means (such as POTS line, Ethernet cabling, coax cabling, etc.). The TVs may furthermore communicate directly with each other on a peer-to-peer basis or via an intermediary server(s). Alternate embodiments permit time-shifting comments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an entertainment system and method for selectively storing broadcast channels by the entertainment system. To store a broadcast channel, the system first receives programming data associated with the channel. A show associated with the channel is displayed and a menu associated with the storing of the channel in memory may also be displayed. The viewer may then select to add to or remove from memory the programming data associated with the currently tuned channel via a one-step process, and the programming data is subsequently loaded into the memory.

Abstract: Hydrogen evolution in an optical fibre is suppressed by the incorporation of a hydrogen absorbent material in a water blocking compound with which the cable is filled. Typically the absorbent material is a silver substituted zeolite.

Abstract: Selective and controlled dealumination of an aluminosilicate zeolite is achieved by filling the pore system of the zeolite with a foreign material, for example coke, removing part of the foreign material from the outer portion of the zeolite, for example by heating in a gas stream comprising oxygen, dealuminating the outer portion, and then removing the remainder of the foreign material. Use of such a partially dealuminated zeolite as catalyst in a toluene disproportionation reaction leads to greater selectivity to paraxylene.

Abstract: Selective and controlled dealumination of an aluminosilicate zeolite is achieved by filling the pore system of the zeolite with a foreign material, for example coke, removing part of the foreign material from the outer portion of the zeolite, for example by heating in a gas stream comprising oxygen, dealuminating the outer portion, and then removing the remainder of the foreign material. Use of such a partially dealuminated zeolite as catalyst in a toluene disproportionation reaction leads to greater selectivity to paraxylene.