Abstract: A pile is comprised of a pipe, i.e., a hollow tube or hollow cylinder, with a coextensive internal reinforcement comprised of a plurality of intersecting walls. The pile is comprised of a blend of a thermoplastic and 20 to 50% (pbw) pelletized chopped strand glass fibers. The outer surface includes a co-extruded cap stock that is relatively smooth and exhibits a relatively low coefficient of friction. Internal walls define a central channel useful for water jetting, and peripheral channels useful for electrical, plumbing and mechanical lines. The internal structures exhibit roughness, bumpiness and a relatively high coefficient of friction for an extruded plastic. A groove may be formed in the pile adjacent to an end for resistance to uplift.

Abstract: A pile is comprised of a pipe, i.e., a hollow tube or hollow cylinder, with a coextensive internal reinforcement comprised of a plurality of intersecting walls. The pile is comprised of a blend of a thermoplastic and 20 to 50% (pbw) pelletized chopped strand glass fibers. The outer surface includes a co-extruded cap stock that is relatively smooth and exhibits a relatively low coefficient of friction. The internal structures exhibit roughness, bumpiness and a relatively high coefficient of friction for an extruded plastic. A groove may be formed in the pile adjacent to an end for resistance to uplift.

Abstract: A pile is comprised of a pipe, i.e., a hollow tube or hollow cylinder, with a coextensive internal reinforcement comprised of a plurality of intersecting walls. The pile is comprised of a blend of a thermoplastic and 20 to 50% (pbw) pelletized chopped strand glass fibers. The outer surface includes a co-extruded cap stock that is relatively smooth and exhibits a relatively low coefficient of friction. The internal structures exhibit roughness, bumpiness and a relatively high coefficient of friction for an extruded plastic. A groove may be formed in the pile adjacent to an end for resistance to uplift.

Abstract: A pile is comprised of a pipe, i.e., a tube or hollow cylinder of annular cross-section, with a coextensive internal reinforcement comprised of a plurality of intersecting walls forming a plurality of vertices. Each vertex intersects the pipe. Adjacent intersections are evenly spaced around the annular cross-section. The pile is comprised of a blend of PVC and 20 to 50% (pbw) chopped strand glass fibers. A groove is cut into the pile adjacent to an end for frictional retention in a sea bed.

Abstract: A pile is comprised of a pipe, i.e., a tube or hollow cylinder of annular cross-section, with a coextensive internal reinforcement comprised of a plurality of intersecting walls forming a plurality of vertices. Each vertex intersects the pipe. Adjacent intersections are evenly spaced around the annular cross-section. The pile is comprised of a blend of PVC and 20 to 50% (pbw) chopped strand glass fibers. A groove is cut into the pile adjacent to an end for frictional retention in a sea bed.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide an approach for analyzing statements of work (SOWs), and identifying applicable services to offer in response thereto. Among other things, a file may be converted from a first format to a second format, and then utilized to determine a scope of: at least one strategic outsourcing service being requested in the SOW; at least one service delivery tower of the services delivery organization that may have a responsibility for delivering a strategic outsourcing service to the potential client; and/or a set of requirements for the at least one service delivery tower to deliver the at least one strategic outsourcing service. A report identifying at least one of the determined scope, the at least one service delivery tower, and the set of requirements may then be generated.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide an approach for analyzing statements of work (SOWs), and identifying applicable services to offer in response thereto. Among other things, a file may be converted from a first format to a second format, and then utilized to determine a scope of: at least one strategic outsourcing service being requested in the SOW; at least one service delivery tower of the services delivery organization that may have a responsibility for delivering a strategic outsourcing service to the potential client; and/or a set of requirements for the at least one service delivery tower to deliver the at least one strategic outsourcing service. A report identifying at least one of the determined scope, the at least one service delivery tower, and the set of requirements may then be generated.

Abstract: A method and system for automating the processes of organizing and analyzing client inventory data. Inventory data in a first worksheet format and user-defined mappings between columns in the first worksheet format and columns in a standard format worksheet are received from a client. The inventory data is organized by copying inventory data columns to corresponding mapped columns in the standard format worksheet. A first set of independent subroutines analyzes the organized data by standardizing text in the data and populating columns in the standard format worksheet with data derived from the inventory data. A second set of independent subroutines is applied to the analyzed inventory data to sort inventory assets listed in the standard format worksheet by asset type and determine a total count of types of assets. The sorted asset type data is displayed to a user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamic quality adjustment based on changing streaming constraints is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, a video stream is sent to a client according to a set of streaming constraints. At least a subset of the video information in the video stream is sent from a first source. Next, a signal is received indicating a relaxation of streaming constraints corresponding to the video stream. In one embodiment, the signal is a freeze frame signal. In another embodiment, the signal is a slow motion signal. In response to the signal, a set of improved quality video information from a second source is accessed and sent to the client. According to one embodiment, the set of improved quality video information comprises a still image. According to another embodiment, the set of improved quality video information comprises a set of preprocessed video information ready to be streamed.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering a live feed to a client is provided. According to one aspect of the invention, content data is generated by an encoder. Tag data that indicates locations of video frame data within the content data is generated while the content data is being generated. According to one embodiment, the tag data is generated by the encoder. According to an alternative embodiment, the tag data is generated by parsing the content data. The content data is at a location from which the content data is delivered to the client. The tag data is stored at a location from which the tag data may be used to provide the client non-sequential access to the content data. Before the encoder finishes generating the content data, a request is received for non-sequential access to the content data by the client, second content data is constructed based on the content data, the tag data and the request for non-sequential access, and the second content data is sent to the client.

Abstract: A method and system for providing non-sequential access to visual information that is being digitally encoded in a digital data stream is provided. The digital data stream includes a sequence of video frame data. Each video frame data in the sequence of video frame data corresponds to a video frame of the visual information. The digital data stream is generated with an encoder. The encoder generates tag data that indicates locations of the video frame data within the digital data stream. The digital data stream is stored at a location from which the digital data stream is delivered to a client. Tag data is stored at a location from which the tag data may be used to provide the client non-sequential access to the digital data stream. A selected set of video frames within the digital data stream is selected based on the tag data in response to a request for non-sequential access by the client.

Abstract: A data transport system has application for transferring binary large objects (blobs) to one or more clients. The data transport system includes a mass storage device, a high bandwidth network, a blob server and an applications server. The blobs are pre-packetized in a general format compatible with a network protocol in that the packets do not include specific control information that identifies a particular client and a particular request for a blob. At run time, a requesting client generates a request to the applications server to request a blob stored in the mass storage device. In turn, the applications server generates a request, that includes control information to identify the requesting client and the particular request, to the blob server. The blob server accesses the mass storage device to retrieve packets corresponding to the blob requested, and transfers the packets and the control information from the blob server to the requesting client.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a digital video delivery system is provided. A digital representation of an audio-visual work, such as an MPEG file, is parsed to produce a tag file. The tag file includes information about each of the frames in the audio-visual work. During the performance of the audio-visual work, data from the digital representation is sent from a video pump to a decoder. Seek operations are performed by causing the video pump to stop transmitting data from the current position in the digital representation, and to start transmitting data from a new position in the digital representation. The information in the tag file is inspected to determine the new position from which to start transmitting data. To ensure that the data stream transmitted by the video pump maintains compliance with the applicable video format, prefix data that includes appropriate header information is transmitted by said video pump prior to transmitting data from the new position.

Abstract: An improved system and method for providing multimedia data in a networked system is disclosed. The present invention provides a platform for distributed client-server computing and access to data over asymmetric real-time networks. A service mechanism allows applications to be split such that client devices (set-top boxes, personal digital assistants, etc.) can focus on presentation, while backend services running in a distributed server complex, provide access to data via messaging across an abstracted interface.

Abstract: A food container consisting of a top and a bottom having obliquely angled side elements is disclosed. The container may be cut from a single blank of container material and formed into a hingedly connected top and bottom. When the top and bottom are open and substantially coplanar the obliquely angled sides permit multiple boxes or containers to be nested within one another for efficient stacking. A preferred embodiment includes tops and bottoms with eight side elements comprising one piece side elements and side elements having overlapping panels. When closed, the top side elements overlap the bottom side elements. The container also includes a locking tongue and opening which receives the tongue. A tab may be provided to assist in moving the tongue to disengage it from the opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a digital video delivery system is provided. A digital representation of an audio-visual work, such as an MPEG file, is parsed to produce a tag file. The tag file includes information about each of the frames in the audio-visual work. During the performance of the audio-visual work, data from the digital representation is sent from a video pump to a decoder. Seek operations are performed by causing the video pump to stop transmitting data from the current position in the digital representation, and to start transmitting data from a new position in the digital representation. The information in the tag file is inspected to determine the new position from which to start transmitting data. To ensure that the data stream transmitted by the video pump maintains compliance with the applicable video format, prefix data that includes appropriate header information is transmitted by said video pump prior to transmitting data from the new position.

Abstract: A swimming pool backwash filter which separates backwash contaminates from the backwash water so that the may be discarded separately, for connecting to a standard pool filtration system, having a pump with a pump inlet and a pump outlet, a sand filter having a sand filter inlet and a sand filter outlet, and having a pool return and a pool skimmer connected to the pump inlet, comprising: a backwash valve and a backwash filtering system. The backwash filtering system having an inlet and an outlet and a filter element disposed between the inlet and outlet, the outlet connected to the pump inlet. The backwash valve having a normal position and a backwash position. When in the normal position, the backwash valve connects the pump outlet and sand filter inlet, and connects the sand filter outlet and pool return. When in the backwash position, the backwash valve connects the pump outlet and sand filter outlet, and connects the sand filter inlet and backwash filtering system inlet.

Abstract: A display and storage stand for recorded media containers includes a case having one or more slotted racks which support a plurality of discrete media containers. The case has an opening through which containers are inserted into and removed from the racks. A slot, which surrounds the periphery of the opening, supports a container so that printed material on the face of the container is visible. In one embodiment a door covers the opening. A window extends through the door, and the slot is located in the door such that the printed material is visible through the window. In another embodiment a window is in the face of the drawer that carries the racks. In a third embodiment a window is in a drawer which carries a portion of the racks.