Abstract: A system and process for pre-distorting TV shows and/or movie media enables digital transmission of the media via MPEG4/AC3 (or AAC) or MPEG4/AC4 codec for broadcast or streaming over the Internet with enhanced speech intelligibility. Processing of the entire media file is performed using pre-distortion techniques and algorithms including NN models (which includes DNN, RNN, CNN, and similar NN models) that are trained on perceptual codec induced noise, quantization noise, dynamic power level adjustment, frequency response adjustment, pitch and glottal impulse response adjustment, and other techniques. The pre-distortion process is iterative, and all combinations of pre-distortions to combat perceptual codec noise are attempted, and the result scored by an automatic speech recognition engine. The best speech recognition results and highest intelligibility scores are considered to indicate the best pre-distortion to be applied.

Abstract: A method and device for transferring viscous fluid between bottles includes an upper section for receiving and engaging a first bottle to be emptied in an inverted orientation, and a lower section having a polyhedral prism exterior profile of smaller transverse section adapted to be received and engaged in the neck of a second bottle to receive the viscous fluid. An air flow exhaust path is provided between the upper section and the second bottle. A plurality of air passages conduct displaced air from the interior of the second bottle to the exhaust path, each configured with a circular segment cross-section defined between a respective face of the polyhedral prism and a respective arcuate section of the neck of the second bottle facing and spaced from that face. The upper and lower sections are configured to engage differently sized and configured bottle necks.

Abstract: An infinitely variable diameter beverage sleeve includes a first surface configured to contact the container and extend around a circumference of the container, and a second surface configured to extend around the circumference of the container and face away from the container, and a securing device to hold the sleeve to the outside surface of the container. A first portion of the securing device is provided on one end of the sleeve on the first surface, and a second engaging portion of the securing means is provided as the second surface of the sleeve. The top edge of the sleeve is non-planar and the bottom edge of the sleeve is formed of a plurality of segments with at least two segments having a different radius of curvature.

Abstract: An infinitely variable diameter beverage sleeve includes a first surface configured to contact the container and extend around a circumference of the container, and a second surface configured to extend around the circumference of the container and face away from the container, and a securing device to hold the sleeve to the outside surface of the container. A first portion of the securing device is provided on one end of the sleeve on the first surface, and a second engaging portion of the securing means is provided as the second surface of the sleeve. The top edge of the sleeve is non-planar and the bottom edge of the sleeve is formed of a plurality of segments with at least two segments having a different radius of curvature.

Abstract: A limited-use Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) includes a storage layer for storing content data and control key data. At least one mark of photosensitive dye is disposed on the disc exterior to the storage layer and over at least a portion of the control key data. In one embodiment, the mark is initially transparent to allow a DVD player to read the control key data. The mark changes from clear to become opaque when it is exposed to DVD reader laser light for a cumulative period of time. This change in the optical property of the mark and the configuration of the control key data prevents further reading of the content data after predetermined reading and playback usage of at least some of the content data is permitted. In another embodiment, the mark is initially opaque to initially prevent the successful reading of the control key data, and permanently changes to transparent when exposed to DVD reader laser light for a cumulative period of time.

Abstract: A limited-use Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) includes a storage layer for storing content data and control key data. At least one mark of photosensitive dye is disposed on the disc exterior to the storage layer and over at least a portion of the control key data. In one embodiment, the mark is initially transparent to allow a DVD player to read the control key data. The mark changes from clear to become opaque when it is exposed to DVD reader laser light for a cumulative period of time. This change in the optical property of the mark and the configuration of the control key data prevents further reading of the content data after predetermined reading and playback usage of at least some of the content data is permitted. In another embodiment, the mark is initially opaque to initially prevent the successful reading of the control key data, and permanently changes to transparent when exposed to DVD reader laser light for a cumulative period of time.

Abstract: A wireless video-on-demand system has controlled access and/or full VCR functionality. One or more low bandwidth wireless broadcast channels (e.g., associated with FM broadcast stations, or paging band spectra) is used to transmit encrypted high resolution video data in non-real time (low-data rate) to a plurality of receiver units. Received video information is gradually accumulated and stored in a local high capacity storage device and then processed to create a full length high resolution movie. An authorized user has controlled real time access viewing with VCR capability. If desired, each receiver unit may be sold with pre-loaded movies for immediate viewing of a selected pre-loaded movie while the receiver is still downloading other broadcast movies.

Abstract: A limited use tape cassette comprising a housing enclosing a tape spooled to pass from a rotatable supply reel to a rotatable take-up reel during tape play, and from the take-up reel to the supply reel during tape rewind. A follower arm is pivotally mounted on the housing and is biased to engage spooled tape on the one of the reels, preferably the supply reel. An erase arm is pivotally mounted on the housing and is movably and releasably connected to the follower arm. The erase arm has a tape erase head thereon and is biased toward the take-up reel. Upon predetermined movement of the follower arm which results from predetermined tape movement between the reels, the erase arm is released from the follower arm to move the erase head into engagement with the tape on the take-up reel to erase it as it is being rewound onto the supply reel. After the erased tape is rewound onto the supply reel, the erase arm moves the erase head to an inoperative position to enable the erased tape to be reused.

Abstract: A limited use tape cassette comprising a housing enclosing a tape spooled to pass from a rotatable supply reel to a rotatable take-up reel during tape play, and from the take-up reel to the supply reel during tape rewind. A follower arm is pivotally mounted on the housing and is biased to engage spooled tape on the one of the reels, preferably the supply reel. An erase arm is pivotally mounted on the housing and is movably and releasably connected to the follower arm. The erase arm has a tape erase head thereon and is biased toward the take-up reel. Upon predetermined movement of the follower arm which results from predetermined tape movement between the reels, the erase arm is released from the follower arm to move the erase head into engagement with the tape on the take-up reel to erase it as it is being rewound onto the supply reel. After the erased tape is rewound onto the supply reel, the erase arm moves the erase head to an inoperative position to enable the erased tape to be reused.

Abstract: A limited-use tape cassette includes a follower arm pivotally secured to the housing at one end while abutting the spooled tape of a cassette reel at a distal end. A use-limiting mechanism is provided by the follower arm or another inter-related arm to control rewinding and/or playback of the tape based on follower arm position and/or positional history. In one embodiment, a second rotatable arm is located in controlled interference with the follower arm so as to cause it to "lock up" after a predetermined number of unfettered play back/rewind cycles have taken place. In other embodiments, the arrangement utilizes existing brake teeth of a tape cassette reel to prevent rewinding after a predetermined amount of the video has been viewed. In other arrangements, an over-center follower arm position is utilized together with a stop abutment to bind the tape against complete rewinding only after the video has been substantially completely once viewed.

Abstract: An anonymous interactive telephone system for connecting a caller to a subscriber without divulging the identity or telephone number of either unless voluntarily revealed. The subscriber publishes an advertisement together with a telephone number of a system controller station. A subscriber reference number is embedded within the telephone number of the system controller station as a DID number. The subscriber also supplies information to the system controller station related to time periods during which calls may be directly forwarded to the subscriber or intercepted by the system controller. The system controller repeatedly accesses the central switching station or local switching station of the public telephone company to activate and de-activate the call forwarding function of the switching station for controlling call forwarding to the subscriber on the basis of the subscriber's published DID number. A call screening system having answer machine style interfacing is further provided.

Abstract: An anonymous interactive telephone system for connecting a caller to a subscriber without divulging the identity or telephone number of either unless voluntarily revealed. The subscriber publishes an advertisement together with a telephone number of a system controller station. A subscriber reference number is embedded within the telephone number of the system controller station as a DID number. The subscriber also supplies information to the system controller station related to time periods during which calls may be directly forwarded to the subscriber or intercepted by the system controller. The system controller repeatedly accesses the central switching station of local switching station of the public telephone company to activate and de-activate the call forwarding function of the switching station for controlling call forwarding to the subscriber on the basis of the subscriber's published DID number.

Abstract: An anonymous interactive telephone system for connecting a caller to a subscriber without divulging the identity or telephone number of either unless voluntarily revealed. The subscriber publishes an advertisement together with a telephone number of a system controller station. A subscriber reference number is embedded within the telephone number of the system controller station as a DID number. The subscriber also supplies information to the system controller station related to time periods during which calls may be directly forwarded to the subscriber or intercepted by the system controller. The system controller repeatedly accesses the central switching station or local switching station of the public telephone company to activate and de-activate the call forwarding function of the switching station for controlling call forwarding to the subscriber on the basis of the subscriber's published DID number.

Abstract: An anonymous interactive telephone system for connecting a caller to a subscriber without divulging the identity or telephone number of either unless voluntarily revealed. The subscriber publishes an advertisement together with a telephone number of a system controller station. A subscriber reference number is embedded within the telephone number of the system controller station as a DID number. The subscriber also supplies information to the system controller station related to time periods during which calls may be directly forwarded to the subscriber or intercepted by the system controller. The system controller repeatedly accesses the central switching station or local switching station of the public telephone company to activate and de-activate the call forwarding function of the switching station for controlling call forwarding to the subscriber on the basis of the subscriber's published DID number.

Abstract: An anonymous interactive telephone system for connecting a caller to a subscriber without divulging the identity or telephone number of either unless voluntarily revealed. The subscriber publishes an advertisement together with a telephone number of a system controller station. A subscriber reference number is embedded within the telephone number of the system controller station as a DID number. The subscriber also supplies information to the system controller station related to time periods during which calls may be directly forwarded to the subscriber or intercepted by the system controller. The system controller repeatedly accesses the central switching station or local switching station of the public telephone company to activate and de-activate the call forwarding function of the switching station for controlling call forwarding to the subscriber on the basis of the subscriber's published DID number.

Abstract: An anonymous interactive telephone system for connecting a caller to a subscriber without divulging the identity or telephone number of either unless voluntarily revealed. The subscriber publishes an advertisement together with a telephone number of a system controller station. A subscriber reference number is embedded within the telephone number of the system controller station as a DID number. The subscriber also supplies information to the system controller station related to time periods during which calls may be directly forwarded to the subscriber or intercepted by the system controller. The system controller repeatedly accesses the central switching station or local switching station of the public telephone company to activate and de-activate the call forwarding function of the switching station for controlling call forwarding to the subscriber on the basis of the subscriber's published DID number.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing telephone communications between anonymous service subscribers and responding callers over public telephone lines employing the Direct Inward Dialing (DID) feature to enable complete confidentiality and mutual anonymity between a caller and a subscriber and to effect immediate connecting to a subscriber without touch tone or verbal input. The system also is used as an unpublished telephone number service to enable a caller to place a message that is relayed to a subscriber. The subscriber, based on the caller's message, then can return the call to communicate with the caller. Further, the system may be used to enable a subscribing caller to place calls to persons having caller identification telephone equipment capable of identifying the telephone numbers of callers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for establishing anonymous telephone communications between service subscribers and responding callers over public telephone lines controlled by a public telephone company central switching office having the capability of interlinking select public telephone lines. Communications between the subscribers and responding callers can be performed with complete confidentiality and mutual anonymity. Incoming calls from callers are transferred by a system controller and an additional subsystem to a message recording facility or directly to the desired subscriber. When a call is transferred directly to a subscriber, the static connection is made and maintained by the public telephone company's central switching office, and the system controller is disconnected from both caller and subscriber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing telephone communications between service subscribers and responding callers through a central system while preserving confidentiality and mutual anonymity of the subscribers and callers. Incoming calls from callers intended for subscribers identified by coded entries, are transferred by the system controller and a digital switch either to a message recording facility or directly to the subscriber. If the subscriber is unavailable, a message can be left by the caller, but does not need to include the telephone number of the caller. The subscriber then is able to call the caller, through the central system controller, without breaching anonymity of either the caller or the subscriber.