Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus that addresses and resolves the issues currently affecting the ability to offer Enhanced TV, in particular, those issues concerning timing and synchronization, interaction with other modules in the STB, and distribution.

Abstract: A generally rectangular flexible elastic article retainer for retaining articles in a dishwasher rack has laterally opposed longitudinal sides, each having a plurality apertures configured to securely engage selected upstanding or horizontal wire-like members of the dishwasher rack frame and a center portion formed of a plurality of transverse thin elastic bands disposed in parallel spaced relation for engaging and securing articles loaded into the rack. When the elastic bands are stretched across the articles, some of the bands may be positioned to extend across the upward facing bottom surface of shorter inverted articles, such as cups, bowls or short containers, to prevent vertical movement and overturning; while at the same time other pairs of the bands of the same article retainer may be positioned on the lateral sides of adjacent taller inverted objects, such as drinking glasses, to securely grip the sides of the taller articles to prevent vertical movement and overturning.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus that addresses and resolves the issues currently affecting the ability to offer Enhanced TV, in particular, those issues concerning timing and synchronization, interaction with other modules in the STB, and distribution.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus that addresses and resolves the issues currently affecting the ability to offer Enhanced TV, in particular, those issues concerning timing and synchronization, interaction with other modules in the STB, and distribution.

Abstract: A tree tie and method of use is disclosed. The tree tie comprises a member. The tie member including a first end portion; a first tab coupled to the first end portion; a middle portion and one end of a middle portion coupled to the first tab. The tie member also includes an opposite end of the middle portion coupled to a second tab, a second end portion coupled to the second tab and a head portion coupled to the second end portion. The tree tie including a flexible hose surrounding the middle portion of the first member and being substantially held in place by the first and second tabs. Only flexible hose contacts the tree when the first member surrounds the tree.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus that addresses and resolves the issues currently affecting the ability to offer Enhanced TV, in particular, those issues concerning timing and synchronization, interaction with other modules in the STB, and distribution.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus that addresses and resolves the issues currently affecting the ability to offer Enhanced TV, in particular, those issues concerning timing and synchronization, interaction with other modules in the STB, and distribution.

Abstract: A tree tie and method of use is disclosed. The tree tie comprises a member. The tie member including a first end portion; a first tab coupled to the first end portion; a middle portion and one end of a middle portion coupled to the first tab. The tie member also includes an opposite end of the middle portion coupled to a second tab, a second end portion coupled to the second tab and a head portion coupled to the second end portion. The tree tie including a flexible hose surrounding the middle portion of the first member and being substantially held in place by the first and second tabs. Only flexible hose contacts the tree when the first member surrounds the tree.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus that addresses and resolves the issues currently affecting the ability to offer Enhanced TV, in particular, those issues concerning timing and synchronization, interaction with other modules in the STB, and distribution.

Abstract: A voice-over instructional system comprising an instructional recording having a plurality of completed works, each completed work including an example section as an example for the student to follow, and a performance section consisting of a background-only track; and a script including the words and director's notes for each of the plurality of works. The performance section preferably immediately follows the example section for each work. It is also preferable to divide the recording into separate works including a first selection that includes both the example section and the performance section; and a second selection immediately following the first selection having only the performance section for the work. In a second aspect of the invention a voice-over instruction method is provided that utilizes the voice-over instructional system.

Abstract: An audio track disabling system and method wherein the track disabling system includes a disk holding assembly, for holding an audio compact disk, and a marking mechanism that includes a marking tip and a marking tip positioning mechanism; and the track disabling method includes the steps of 1) providing a track disabling system that includes a disk holding assembly, for holding an audio compact disk, and a marking mechanism that includes a marking tip and a marking tip positioning mechanism; 2) positioning an audio compact disk onto the disk holding assembly; 3) manipulating the positioning mechanism in a manner to position the marking tip onto a surface of the audio compact disk that is above the audio track to be disabled; and 4) manipulating the marking tip in a manner to create a disabling mark that provides a light blocking obstruction on the surface of the audio compact disk above the audio track to be disabled.

Abstract: A system for recognizing handwritten characters, including pre-processing apparatus for generating a set of features for each handwritten character, a neural network disposed for operating on sparse data structures of those features and generating a set of confidence values for each possible character symbol which might correspond to the handwritten character, and post-processing apparatus for adjusting those confidence values and for selecting a character symbol consistent with external knowledge about handwritten characters and the language they are written in. The pre-processing apparatus scales and re-parameterizes the handwritten strokes, encodes the scaled and re-parameterizd strokes into fuzzy membership vectors and binary pointwise data, and combines the vectors and data into a sparse data structure of features.

Abstract: The invention provides a photographic light sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith a pyrazolotriazole dye-forming coupler having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 is a substituent bonded to the pyrazolotriazole nucleus by a fully substituted carbon atom;X is hydrogen or a coupling-off group;R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, and R.sub.6 are independently hydrogen or substituent groups;R.sub.5 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, and aryloxy groups;R.sub.7 is an alkyl group; andY is a substituent group where m is 0 to 4.The invention also provides a coupler compound, a photographic element containing the emulsion layer of the invention, and an imaging process.

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, discloses a closure device for a container and a container with such a device. The device has a body with a top fluid pour opening and with a top air vent opening. Preferably the air vent extends through a vent extension which projects downwardly from the body. A hinged lid releasably seals the fluid pour opening shut and the air vent shut. The lid is held within a top recess over the two openings and is, in one preferred embodiment, releasable by squeezing a container on which the device is disposed.

Abstract: A novel tool for both removing and inserting a plumbing fixture seal structure. The tool comprises an outer housing, an inner member having a tapered end, this inner member being reciprocably disposed at least partially within outer housing, and a means for retracting the tapered end of the inner member at least partially into the outer housing. The tool may also have a means for providing fluid communication between a hole in the seal structure and the ambient.

Abstract: A device for preventing or minimizing spillage of liquid from an inverted container of liquid, and containers with such a device the device, in one embodiment, having a body for securement to the container, the body having a fluid channel therethrough through which the liquid can flow and a movable closure member which, if not held against the body, moves away from the fluid channel so that fluid flow is not impeded and which, if pressure is placed against it, is held against the body to prevent fluid flow. In one embodiment, an air vent is provided through the body to facilitate flow. Another embodiment provides a frangible cover for an opening of a container of liquid and a container with such a cover. Another embodiment provides a container with a closure adhesively attached sealingly across its opening, the cover secured in one area by adhesive so that it will separate from the container in that area upon the application of force to the cover permitting fluid flow from the container.

Abstract: Paper is unwound from the inside diameter of a tubular roll of paper in a dispensing container, is threaded downwardly through a dispensing funnel installed in a hole in the bottom wall of the container, and is adapted to be pulled downwardly from the funnel and torn into individual hand wipers. The funnel is formed with three dispensing ports of different sizes to accommodate paper of different thicknesses and includes an angled lower end portion which promotes reliable tearing of the paper and causes a tail of predetermined length to be left extending from the funnel for use in the next dispensing operation. The angled lower end portion of the funnel may be pointed forwardly if the dispenser is mounted at a relatively high elevation and may be pointed rearwardly if the dispenser is mounted at a relatively low location. The funnel may be installed securely in holes of different diameters and used with bottom walls of different thicknesses.

Abstract: A device for preventing or minimizing spillage of liquid from an inverted container of liquid, and containers with such a device the device, in one embodiment, having a body for securement to the container, the body having a fluid channel therethrough through which the liquid can flow and a movable closure member which, if not held against the body, moves away from the fluid channel so that fluid flow is not impeded and which, if pressure is placed against it, is held against the body to prevent fluid flow. In one embodiment, an air vent is provided through the body to facilitate flow. Another embodiment provides a frangible cover for an opening of a container of liquid and a container with such a cover. Another embodiment provides a container with a closure adhesively attached sealingly across its opening, the cover secured in one area by adhesive so that it will separate from the container in that area upon the application of force to the cover permitting fluid flow from the container.

Abstract: A flexible accessory bag (35) for releasable attachment to a lid or cover (20) on a container (10), such as an ice chest or cooler, which is pivoted between open and closed positions of the container (10). The accessory bag (35) has a pair of opposed ends (36, 38) which are secured by elastic bands (54, 56) to opposed lid ends (27, 28) and a pair of zippered pockets (40, 42) secured to the bag ends (36, 38) extend over the lid (20).