Abstract: Methods and systems for aiding with dynamic compression of venous tissue enable improved blood movement, reducing edema, reducing leg cramping, treating plantar fasciitis in the extremities, and/or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, a therapy shoe entirely contains a therapy device which provides a compressive force to the venous plexus region of the foot. The system may assist blood circulation which may reduce the occurrence of undesirable complications such as deep vein thrombosis, ulcers, and the like.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamic compression of venous tissue enable improved blood movement in the extremities. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a pressure pad provides a compressive force to the venous plexus region of the foot. The pressure pad is successively withdrawn and re-pressed against the foot. Improved blood circulation may reduce the occurrence of undesirable complications such as deep vein thrombosis, ulcers, and the like.

Abstract: A system and method for determining entitlement to content residing on a server. A subscriber computing device operated by a subscriber generates a request for access to a requested content residing on a content access provider server. The subscriber has an account with a multi-channel video program distributor (MVPD) and the account comprises subscription information indicative of the services provided by the MVPD to the subscriber. The content request is received by the content access provider and forwarded to an entitlements server. The entitlement determines whether the subscriber is entitled to receive the requested content based on the subscription information and sends an access granted message to the content access provider server when the subscriber is entitled to receive the requested content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for isolating a noise intolerant device, e.g., a phase-lock loop of a tuner within a television receiver, from source of noise. In one embodiment, the apparatus isolates a phase-lock loop integrated circuit (IC) from the bus, by providing an isolation buffer that allows the receiver to only pass data to the tuner's phase-lock loop IC when a tune command is issued by a processor. When not being tuned, the IIC lines to the tuner are held HIGH by a buffer until needed again to perform the tuning function. This allows the demodulation circuitry to use a setting for a carrier tracking-loop that optimizes bit error rate performance.

Abstract: Signal processing apparatus (100) such as a television signal receiver provides automatic gain control (AGC) in a manner that avoids excessive tuner gain reduction and compensates for interference from both analog and digital signals. According to an exemplary embodiment, the signal processing apparatus (100) includes a tuner (10) operative to tune an RF signal to generate an IF signal. A first filter (20) is operative to filter the IF signal to generate a filtered IF signal. An AGC detector (30) is operative to enable generation of an AGC signal for the tuner (10) responsive to the filtered IF signal. The AGC detector (30) includes a second filter (35) operative to attenuate a predetermined carrier frequency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for isolating a noise intolerant device, e.g., a phase-lock loop of a tuner within a television receiver, from source of noise. In one embodiment, the apparatus isolates a phase-lock loop integrated circuit (IC) from the bus, by providing an isolation buffer that allows the receiver to only pass data to the tuner's phase-lock loop IC when a tune command is issued by a processor. When not being tuned, the IIC lines to the tuner are held HIGH by a buffer until needed again to perform the tuning function. This allows the demodulation circuitry to use a setting for a carrier tracking-loop that optimizes bit error rate performance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for isolating a noise intolerant device, e.g., a phase-lock loop of a tuner within a television receiver, from source of noise. In one embodiment, the apparatus isolates a phase-lock loop integrated circuit (IC) from the bus, by providing an isolation buffer that allows the receiver to only pass data to the tuner's phase-lock loop IC when a tune command is issued by a processor. When not being tuned, the IIC lines to the tuner are held HIGH by a buffer until needed again to perform the tuning function. This allows the demodulation circuitry to use a setting for a carrier tracking-loop that optimizes bit error rate performance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reliably detecting MPEG-2 packet sync-byte positions received via a digital transmission system in the event of a packet stream containing a plurality of null packets or a plurality of packets containing a fixed repeating bit pattern and for reliably synchronizing and delivering the MPEG-2 stream broadcast to the receiver transport layer. A Null-Packet Detector compares the content of the current packet with a fixed (or predetermined) bit pattern to detect a null packet to reliably identify the location of the sync-byte of the null packet. A sync-byte position is identified based upon the position of the predetermined fixed bit pattern in the header portion of a plurality of null-packets in the stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating the adaptive gain control signals in a communications receiver is disclosed. The present invention can be used with existing two stage gain architectures, and overcomes many undesirable characteristics of the previous mechanism. An apparatus is presented wherein each of a plurality of RF AGC gain controllable amplifiers are individually controlled by individual AGC control signals generated by an AGC controller so that the level of the output signal from each of the RF AGC gain controllable amplifiers is individually optimized for tuner performance.

Abstract: A financial securitization transaction, such as a collateralized debt obligation (CDO) transaction, that (i) is at least partially collateralized by a plurality of net lease assets where the tenants to the leases are financial institutions generally with assets of less than $10 billion, and (ii) where such securitization may not be fully collateralized by such net lease assets, in which case the remainder of the collateral for such securitization may consist predominantly of obligations (including trust preferred securities, debt and/or surplus notes) of financial institutions, and/or traunches of CDOs backed predominantly by such obligations. By restricting the assets to net lease assets in which the tenants are financial institutions and restricting the remaining assets to predominately obligations of financial institutions or tranches of CDOs backed by such obligations, more favorable ratings are obtainable from the ratings agencies for the securities backed by the net lease assets.

Abstract: A technique for performing channel detection in a device such as a television signal receiver is capable of quickly determining the analog and/or digital broadcast channels available in a given area. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for performing channel detection includes tuning a first frequency channel, determining whether a signal parameter associated with the first frequency channel exceeds a predetermined threshold, and enabling a first channel acquisition operation responsive to determining that the signal parameter exceeds the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Channel acquisition in a digital television signal receiver is improved by determining the carrier tracking loop frequency offsets and the symbol timing recovery offsets for each channel in the television receiver. Offsets are stored in respective EEPROMs for each channel. When a channel is to be acquired in the TV receiver the tune command will be applied to the appropriate EEPROMs and the respective values are conveyed to the VSB demodulator to start acquisition of the channel.

Abstract: A system is described for establishing timing synchronism between a local receiver symbol clock and a transmitter symbol clock. A prescribed number of offset values are calculated for desired symbol timing range, the offset values being grouped substantially symmetrically about a central offset value. Each of the preselected offset values are tested to see if symbol timing recovery lock can be achieved by starting at the central offset value and gradually moving away from such value. Finally, two timing detection algorithms are used and switched between the two algorithms is carried out as desired to maximize the possibility of STR lock.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for interconnecting and streamlining the customer service and management functions of a restaurant. The system comprises a collection of handheld devices, software for operating the system, and a networking means such as a server intended to contain the information necessary for the operation of a restaurant's functions, including creation and maintenance of available menu items, inventory, customer seating, ordering, and billing.