Abstract: Web-based royalty system and user interface is described. In one embodiment, for example, a Web-based royalty system of the present invention is described that comprises: an interface for receiving product information comprising products subject to royalties; an interface for receiving sales data comprising sales records for the products; an interface for receiving royalty terms for the products; a calculation engine for calculating royalties due for the sales data, by matching each sales record with a given product listed in the product information, and determining for each matched product royalties due based on royalty terms applicable to sales of that product; and a statement generator for generating royalty reports of the calculated royalties.

Abstract: A digital content management system with methodologies for lifecycle management of digital content is shown and described. In one embodiment, for example, a digital content management system is described that comprises: an ingestion module for receiving from clients various components used to create digital content releases; a polishing module for matching received components to a particular release being created; a packaging module for encoding the received components that were matched for the particular release into a digital package suitable for delivery to one or more digital content providers; and a delivery module for delivering the digital package of the particular release to one or more digital content providers.

Abstract: A method of encoding a digital data stream which comprises providing a first stream of clock pulses at a first rate; deriving a second stream of clock pulses from the first stream at a second rate which is an integer sub-multiple of the first rate and less than the minimum bit rate in the data stream; monitoring the data stream for changes in level therein; counting pulses in the first stream starting with the occurrence of a pulse in the second stream; capturing the pulse count when a change in level in the data stream is detected or when the next pulse in the second stream of clock pulses occurs; and upon the occurrence of this pulse in the second stream producing a time domain descriptor of the data by combining the count obtained with information as to the direction of the change in level in the data input stream.

Abstract: A method of encoding a digital data stream which comprises providing a first stream of clock pulses at a first rate; deriving a second stream of clock pulses from the first stream at a second rate which is an integer sub-multiple of the first rate and less than the minimum bit rate in the data stream; monitoring the data stream for changes in level therein; counting pulses in the first stream starting with the occurrence of a pulse in the second stream; capturing the pulse count when a change in level in the data stream is detected or when the next pulse in the second stream of clock pulses occurs; and upon the occurrence of this pulse in the second stream producing a time domain descriptor of the data by combining the count obtained with information as to the direction of the change in level in the data input stream.

Abstract: Data recording apparatus including the plurality of removable hard disk drives (3) for recording data thereon, at least two said drives (3) being located on a removable carrier (2) which facilitates the insertion and removal thereof from the apparatus, a zero insertion force connector (4, 6) which provides electrical connections between the drives (3) on the carrier (2) and the apparatus, a switch (22) for connecting an disconnecting power to the disc drives (3) on the carrier (2), and interlock (12) for preventing the zero insertion force connector (4, 6) being connected or disconnected without the switch (22) having first been operated to disconnect power fron the disc drives (3).

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for integrating a user's access to electronic works from multiple services or sources. The invention is preferably practiced at a content location, a host location and/or a user location. In a preferred embodiment, the user has access to works at the host through an account and access to additional works at the content location. To integrate access to works available from the host location and the content location, the content location searches its own memory for electronic works available to the user. When the search is complete, the content location transmits a message to the host. The message preferably includes user identification information needed to access the user's account with the host, an address of the content location and an identifier or work code for each work identified in the search. The message may also include some meta-data. In response, the host links the information received with the user's account.

Abstract: A retainer for a pneumatic tool and assembly therefor is disclosed. The retainer includes a tool body having an internal surface defining a bore and an external surface having a threaded portion. A retainer cap is used with the tool body and includes an internal surface having a threaded portion adapted to engage the threaded portion of the tool body. An insert having an outer surface is rotatably mounted in the retainer cap. The insert includes an inner surface with a first inner surface portion adapted for conforming with a non-circular lug surface of a tool shank and a second inner surface portion radially offset from the first portion adapted for conforming with the non-circular lug surface.

Abstract: The invention is a pneumatic impact hammer in which the vibrations created in the motor portion of the tool are substantially reduced prior to reaching the tool's handle portion. The motor portion is allowed to move relative to the tool's handle portion and is located within a handle-attached cylindrical housing. Low-friction plastic bearings are located between the motor portion and the surrounding housing. The cycling valve that controls the reciprocating movement of the tool's piston is attached to the motor and receives air from a flexible air inlet tube that is slidably engaged to the motor and is secured to the tool's handle portion.

Abstract: The invention is a safety mechanism for an air-powered tool. The mechanism senses the position of the tool's implement retainer and disables the air flow to the tool's motor if the retainer is not in its locked position. The mechanism employs a pushrod that has one end adapted to contact a rear surface of the retainer when the retainer is in its lock position. The other end of the pushrod is adapted to contact a spring-biased ball-type check valve located within the air inlet to the tool's motor. When the retainer is removed from the tool, the pushrod moves forwardly under the urging of the valve and at the same time allows the valve to move to its closed position to thereby prevent any flow of pressurized air to the motor.

Abstract: A spool mounting apparatus, particularly suitable for automatic, unbuffered tape transport systems, permits a reduction in the handling of spools during loading sequences.A spool inserted through an opening into a cavity within a housing, is guided into a preliminary position by a detent pin. The opening possesses a spring biassed closure member, which is mechanically linked to a free running disc member within the cavity situated opposite a shaped cylindrical hub over which the spool may locate.Motion of the spring biassed closure member towards a closed position effects displacement of the free running disc member towards the hub, thereby clamping the spool disposed therebetween. Subsequent rotation applied to the hub is therefore transferred to the clamped spool and the free running member.

Abstract: A tape tension arm arrangement for selectively disposing a pair of tension rollers supported by respective tension arms in positions appropriate for tape loading or tape drive. Each tension arm is mounted on a pivoted rocker member which is coupled to a driving crank member by a connecting rod. The connecting rod engages the rocker member in such a manner that in the tape drive position the tension arm may move against a resilient bias towards the tape threading position, in response to an increase in the tension of the tape. A tape transport system is also described which includes a tape tension arm arrangement of the type described above and a reel mounting device for supporting a reel having an internal support surface. The reel mounting device includes three resiliently coupled reel mounting members each supported between symmetrically disposed pivot points.