Abstract: Embodiments of techniques, apparatuses and systems associated with media playback are disclosed. In some embodiments, a computing device may receive information about a media file, the information representative of one or more of a plurality of elapsed time points corresponding to buffer checkpoints in playback of the media file. The computing device may determine an amount of the media file that has been cached in a buffer, and may determine, prior to commencing playback of a portion of the media file between two of the elapsed time points, whether the cached amount includes the portion. In response to determining that the cached amount does not include the portion, the computing device may increase the cached amount to include the portion before commencing playback of the portion. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, encoded information associated with an image is received at a decoder. The encoded information may be decoded at the decoder to generate full-sized first image pixels representing a full-sized version of the image. Moreover, the full-sized pixels may be scaled at the decoder to generate scaled image pixels representing a scaled version of the image.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, encoded information associated with an image is received at a decoder. The encoded information may be decoded at the decoder to generate full-sized first image pixels representing a full-sized version of the image. Moreover, the full-sized pixels may be scaled at the decoder to generate scaled image pixels representing a scaled version of the image.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, encoded information associated with an image is received at a decoder. The encoded information may be decoded at the decoder to generate full-sized first image pixels representing a full-sized version of the image. Moreover, the full-sized pixels may be scaled at the decoder to generate scaled image pixels representing a scaled version of the image.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, encoded information associated with an image is received at a decoder. The encoded information may be decoded at the decoder to generate full-sized first image pixels representing a full-sized version of the image. Moreover, the full-sized pixels may be scaled at the decoder to generate scaled image pixels representing a scaled version of the image.

Abstract: A method includes storing a frame of video data in a location in a memory. A pointer to the location is transmitted to a queue manager circuit. The pointer is stored in a queue. The pointer is transmitted from the queue to an interface unit. The pointer is then transmitted from the interface unit to a video display controller.

Abstract: A trailer axle has steerable wheels that rotate on hub assemblies pivotally mounted to the axle. Connected to the axle is a mechanism for controlling the pivoting of the hub assemblies and thereby limiting the extent to which the steerable wheels turn. The mechanism has a rod disposed along the axle and pivotally connected to the hub assemblies. A bracket on the axle has an aperture through which the rod passes, the aperture permitting the rod's motion both parallel to the axle and transverse to the axle. Flanges on the rod span an opening of the aperture and slidingly engage the bracket. The flanges are translatable on the bracket transversely to the axle but are immobile in a direction parallel to the axle. The mechanism has collars at the ends of the rod and two elongate coil springs encircling the rod. One end of each spring is affixed to the collar and the other end of each spring is affixed to the flange.

Abstract: A trailer axle has steerable wheels that rotate on hub assemblies pivotally mounted to the axle. Connected to the axle is a mechanism for controlling the pivoting of the hub assemblies and thereby limiting the extent to which the steerable wheels turn. The mechanism has a rod disposed along the axle and pivotally connected to the hub assemblies. A bracket on the axle has an aperture through which the rod passes, the aperture permitting the rod's motion both parallel to the axle and transverse to the axle. Flanges on the rod span an opening of the aperture and slidingly engage the bracket. The flanges are translatable on the bracket transversely to the axle but are immobile in a direction parallel to the axle. The mechanism has collars at the ends of the rod and two elongate coil springs encircling the rod. One end of each spring is affixed to the collar and the other end of each spring is affixed to the flange.

Abstract: An improved battery case for armored vehicles the case having an inlet and outlet, the case halving means that opens the case for airflow when the interior temperature of the case reaches a predetermined value. The case is further insulated so it will minimize the transfer of heat from the surrounding engine components and armor plate.

Abstract: An improved gun cleaning system for use in cleaning the bore of a firearm, the system is disclosed for use with a rigid cleaning rod, having one end adapted for the attachment of cleaning elements to be moved longitudinally within the bore to remove contaminates. The system has a cleaning rod centering guide, formed as hollow frustoconical member with a closed smaller end and an open larger end, and a smooth outer surface. The interior of the guide has a series of concentric annular, triangular cross sections projections pointing inward towards the longitudinal axis of the guide so as to form a series of annular stops of decreasing diameter. The closed end of the guide has a relatively thick portion with a cylindrical opening to allow the insertion of the rigid cleaning rod and allow longitudinal motion of the cleaning rod while the maintaining the cleaning rod essentially centered within the bore.

Abstract: A shock absorbing, tracked wheel assembly of an off-road vehicle has a set f spoke-like structures radiating from the assembly's center or spider. The spoke-like structures include cylinders affixed to the spider and pistons axially translatable in the cylinders. The pistons are biased radially outward by coil springs in the cylinders. The springs' action is dampened by a flow restrictive collar girding the piston and separating fluid in the cylinder into separate chambers. Struts extend from the pistons and the struts have track engagement shoes on their outer ends. The shoes have a generally arcuate sector that engages a track or band in tractive contact with the ground. Rotating the struts about their longitudinal axis will vary the distance between the cylinder and the track shoe so that tension on the track can be adjusted. Sufficient strut rotation allows the track to be removed from the assembly for purposes of track repair or replacement.

Abstract: A system provides a controlled supply of heat from an automotive engine to attery on board the vehicle. The system has a fluid circuit, a portion of which passes through an insulated box containing the battery and thereby heats the battery. Another portion of the fluid circuit bypasses the box. The fluid circuit has one or more valves for selectively interrupting flow of heated fluid to the box, the valves operating in response to driver input or signals sent by a temperature sensor in the box. The box itself is comprised of rigid side walls of insulative material, a floor of the same material and a lid that closely fits to the side walls in only one orientation relative to the box. On the box's inner peripheral surface is a heat reflective layer to which is mounted the battery heating coil of the fluid circuit. A low heat conductive spacer borders air gaps between the battery and the heating coil.

Abstract: A tow bar connecting a towed vehicle a towing vehicle has a shaft forking to tines whose hooks to engage the axle or undercarriage of the towed vehicle. A cradle or bracket slidable on the shaft engages the frame, bumper or other part of the towed vehicle. An arm is pivoted to the shaft by the arm's disk-like termini, which rotatingly sandwich the shaft's disk-like terminus. The arm's termini have satellite apertures which register with complementary satellite apertures in the shaft's terminus. Registering of the respective satellite apertures occurs at selected relative angular portions of the arm and shaft. Pins through the registered satellite apertures lock the arm and shaft in a given relative angular position. A jack raises the shaft once the tow bar is on the towed vehicle. The tow bar includes an eye or the like for attaching the tow bar to the hitch of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: An auxiliary traction device for use with a wheeled vehicle to be attached o the vehicle wheels for additional traction during traverse of soft terrain. The traction device includes a spider adapted for attachment to the wheel hubs of the vehicle with a frusto-conical shaped web extending away from the wheel. An annular spool traction member having a diameter less than the diameter of the tire is mounted on the frusto-conical shaped web to provide additional traction for the vehicle in soft terrains.

Abstract: The invention provides a structure mounted on the front of a vehicle to cteract wire booby traps set to disable vehicle drivers. The wire cutter has an upright cutting bar mounted on the front of a vehicle and a second cutting bar extending back from the first cutting bar at an angle. The second cutting bar has a cutting hook attached to the end so as to catch and sever any wire which remains uncut when the end of the second bar is reached.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved structure for rubber bodies such as pads on track units or tires on road wheels for tracked vehicle such as tanks. The rubber bodies have an array of bores with metallic inserts recessed in the bores. The inserts stiffen the pad or tire to reduce deformation under load and the heat produced thereby, and also transfer the heat to the surrounding air. In one embodiment, the inserts are cups closely fitting in the bores and having fins or other protrusions extending from the cup into the rubber body. In other embodiments, the inserts comprise heads near an exposed surface of the rubber body and shanks extending from the heads to a metal substrate underlying the rubber body and forming part of the track unit or road wheel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flash suppressor for guns which controlledly vents ignited high pressure gas exiting a gun muzzle. The gas is vented essentially radially outward through coils or rings of the suppressor in a 360 flow degree pattern away from a longitudinal axis of the suppressor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flash suppressor for guns which controlledly vents ignited high pressure gas exiting a gun muzzle. The gas is vented essentially radially outward through coils or rings of the suppressor in a 360 flow degree pattern away from a longitudinal axis of the suppressor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flash suppressor for guns which controlledly vents ignited gh pressure gas exiting a gun muzzle. The gas is vented essentially radially outward through coils or rings of the suppressor in a 360 flow degree pattern away from a longitudinal axis of the suppressor.

Abstract: The invention is an improved assembly of a bracket and pin for connecting a hock absorber to the road arm of a vehicle.