Abstract: A smoking article production apparatus and method for producing smoking articles is provided, each smoking article including serially engaged filter rod and tobacco rod sections. A rotatable drum includes a longitudinally-extending receiving surface defining a plurality of channels for receiving smoking articles arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum. An inspection device is arranged to inspect each smoking article in the channels of the drum and to determine whether any of the smoking articles are defective. Any defective smoking articles are directed away from the drum. A rotatable sampling drum is in communication with the drum and is configured to receive defective smoking articles therefrom. A severing device is disposed adjacent the sampling drum to sever each defective smoking article to separate a portion of the tobacco rod section from the remainder of the defective smoking article including the filter section. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for communication between a plurality of client devices of a broadcast system. The communication may be, for example, a recommendation of a program that is communicated from one subscriber to another subscriber or subscribers via their client devices. The communication also may be a comment regarding a program, for example, recently viewed at the client device of the one subscriber. In general, the communication may be a message from one subscriber to another subscriber or subscribers. Further, the communication may be configured to perform a function on one or more other client devices. Such a function may include, but is not limited to, setting a timer to record a program, ordering or purchasing a program or service, cancelling an ordered/purchased program or service, setting or altering user preferences, controlling access to channels, etc.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed transmit a composite channel to a receiver. The composite channel may be a static channel that contains different original channels of content in different locations on a displayed page, or may be a dynamic channel that is processed by the receiver to display a multiple different video streams on a single display device.

Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for communication between a plurality of client devices of a broadcast system. The communication may be, for example, a recommendation of a program that is communicated from one subscriber to another subscriber or subscribers via their client devices. The communication also may be a comment regarding a program, for example, recently viewed at the client device of the one subscriber. In general, the communication may be a message from one subscriber to another subscriber or subscribers. Further, the communication may be configured to perform a function on one or more other client devices. Such a function may include, but is not limited to, setting a timer to record a program, ordering or purchasing a program or service, cancelling an ordered/purchased program or service, setting or altering user preferences, controlling access to channels, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for forming a rod for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements. A continuous supply of a filter material is formed into a continuous filter rod by a rod-forming unit. An object insertion unit is configured to insert a plurality of first objects and a plurality of second objects into the continuous filter rod. A rod-dividing unit is configured to subdivide the continuous filter rod, at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal axis thereof, into a plurality of filter rod portions such that each filter rod portion includes at least one first object and at least one second object disposed therein, with the first objects being different from the second objects.

Abstract: Apparatuses are provided for manufacturing a rod member for a cigarette filter element. Each rod member defines a longitudinal axis and includes a generally longitudinally-extending filter material and a plurality of objects disposed therein along the longitudinal axis. Such an apparatus comprises a rod-forming unit configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member. An object insertion unit is configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the rod member. A rod-dividing unit is configured to divide the rod member into a plurality of rod portions such that each rod portion includes a plurality of the objects. Associated methods are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses are provided for manufacturing a rod member for a cigarette filter element. Each rod member defines a longitudinal axis and includes a generally longitudinally-extending filter material and a plurality of objects disposed therein along the longitudinal axis. Such an apparatus comprises a rod-forming unit configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member. An object insertion unit is configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the rod member. A rod-dividing unit is configured to divide the rod member into a plurality of rod portions such that each rod portion includes a plurality of the objects. Associated methods are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for implementing and using interactive information. In one embodiment, a user may specify certain information that should be collected by the embodiment. The embodiment may monitor or search through one or more data streams for all information matching or corresponding to the user's specifications.

Abstract: A scheme for providing access to 6LoWPAN data in a wireless access network. In one embodiment, a Digital Unit (DU) of the wireless access network is provided with IP bridging functionality for packaging 6LO data as a control channel message. When the DU element receives 6LO data from an external router, the data is packaged in a format specified for a control channel associated with a CPRI link coupling to a Radio Unit (RU). The bridging functionality is operative to transmit the control channel message (including the packaged 6LO data packets) to the RU element based on an address mapping between the destination IP address of the 6LO data packets and an address of the 6LO endpoint coupled to the RU element.

Abstract: A scheme for providing access to 6LoWPAN data in a wireless access network. In one embodiment, a Radio Unit (RU) of the access network is provided with IP bridging functionality for packaging 6LO data as a control channel message. When the RU element receives 6LO data from an external router, the data is packaged in a format specified for a control channel associated with an Ethernet cable link coupling the RU element to a 6LO endpoint of the access network. The bridging functionality is operative to transmit the control channel message (including the packaged 6LO data packets) to the 6LO endpoint based on an address mapping between the destination IP address of the 6LO data packets and the 6LO endpoint's address.

Abstract: A scheme for providing access to 6LoWPAN data in a Pico-Remote Radio Unit (PRRU)-based wireless access network. In one embodiment, the PRRU network comprises a Baseband Unit (BBU) coupled to one or more remote Radio Hub (RHUB) elements via a first set of CPRI links, each RHUB element in turn coupled to one or more PRRU elements via corresponding second sets of CPRI links. The BBU element comprises an interface for communicating 6LoWPAN data to and from a router coupled to an IPv6 network. The BBU element also includes a bridging functionality operative to determine endpoint PRRU elements' addresses and corresponding RHUB elements' addresses by querying an address mapping database.

Abstract: A scheme for providing access to 6LoWPAN data in a wireless access network comprising a Digital Unit (DU) coupled to one or more Radio Units (RU) via CPRI links, each RU in turn coupled to one or more radio dot (RD) elements via Ethernet cable links. In one embodiment, an RD element includes a cable front-end interfaced with the Ethernet cable link, a radio front-end interfaced between the cable front-end and an antenna or a suitable access point. A sensor component may be included that is configured to generate sensor data with respect to a measurement variable, which sensor data may be packaged in a 6LoWPAN data format for transmission to the RU element coupled to the RD element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substituted thienyl- and furanyl-isoquinolinones that act, for example, as modulators of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). The present invention also relates to processes for the preparation of substituted thienyl and furanyl-isoquinolinones and to their use in treating various diseases and disorders.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for implementing and using interactive information. In one embodiment, a user may specify certain information that should be collected by the embodiment. The embodiment may monitor or search through one or more data streams for all information matching or corresponding to the user's specifications.

Abstract: In one form, the present teachings provide a method and apparatus for broadcasting an event. The method includes receiving data related to an event via an uplink. Another aspect of the method includes determining whether the data is broadcast on a recurring basis. The method also includes determining whether a transponder channel associated with multiplexed program channels has any unused data or bandwidth to broadcast a portion of the data along with the multiplexed program channels. Additionally, the method includes broadcasting the portion of the data in a data stream.

Abstract: In one form, the present teachings provide a method and apparatus for broadcasting an event. The method includes receiving data related to an event via an uplink. Another aspect of the method includes determining whether the data is broadcast on a recurring basis. The method also includes determining whether a transponder channel associated with multiplexed program channels has any unused data or bandwidth to broadcast a portion of the data along with the multiplexed program channels. Additionally, the method includes broadcasting the portion of the data in a data stream.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a protective headpiece for an athlete of a game using a projectile to protect at least a portion of the brow, temple and jaw of the athlete's head against impacts by the projectile. The protective head piece is releasably securable to the athlete's head and includes a mask portion comprising an impact resistant material. The mask portion includes a brow portion adapted to substantially shield the athlete's brow area and having opposed sides. A temple portion is positioned at each side of the brow portion and adapted to substantially shield the athlete's temple areas. The mask portion also includes a jaw portion extending from each of the temple portions and adapted to substantially shield at least the athlete's lower jaw. The jaw portion includes a front portion which defines an opening sized to permit frontal viewing of the athlete's mouth.

Abstract: Compositions containing apocynin and paeonol. The compositions may be used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a protective headpiece for an athlete of a game using a projectile to protect at least a portion of the brow, temple and jaw of the athlete's head against impacts by the projectile. The protective head piece is releasably securable to the athlete's head and includes a mask portion comprising an impact resistant material. The mask portion includes a brow portion adapted to substantially shield the athlete's brow area and having opposed sides. A temple portion is positioned at each side of the brow portion and adapted to substantially shield the athlete's temple areas. The mask portion also includes a jaw portion extending from each of the temple portions and adapted to substantially shield at least the athlete's lower jaw. The jaw portion includes a front portion which defines an opening sized to permit frontal viewing of the athlete's mouth.

Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for selectively recording of at least part of a program based on an occurrence of at least one video or audio characteristic in the program. The systems and methods may involve receiving or transmitting a program including a video stream and an audio stream, and monitoring at least one of the video stream and the audio stream for at least one video or audio characteristic. Based on the occurrence of the video or audio characteristic, at least part of the program may be recorded or instructions for recording at least part of the program may be transmitted. In some embodiments, only a segment of the program may be recorded or instructed to be recorded. In some embodiments, segments from a plurality of programs may be recorded and associated together. In such embodiments, the segments may be presented as a single recording.