Abstract: Multicast transmissions do not allow for individual receivers to acknowledge that data was received by each receiver in the network. This is not acceptable for isochronous systems that require specific levels of QoS for each device. A multimedia communications protocol supports using multicast transmissions (one-to-many) in multimedia isochronous systems. A transmitter establishes a Multi-ACKed Multicast protocol within which a group of receiving devices can acknowledge the multicast transmission during a multi-acknowledgment period.

Abstract: Multicast transmissions do not allow for individual receivers to acknowledge that data was received by each receiver in the network. This is not acceptable for isochronous systems that require specific levels of QoS for each device. A multimedia communications protocol supports using multicast transmissions (one-to-many) in multimedia isochronous systems. A transmitter establishes a Multi-ACKed Multicast protocol within which a group of receiving devices can acknowledge the multicast transmission during a multi-acknowledgment period.

Abstract: Multicast transmissions are efficient but do not allow for individual acknowledgement that the data was received by each receiver. This is not acceptable for isochronous systems that require specific levels of QoS for each device. A multimedia communications protocol is provided that uses a novel multi-destination burst transmission protocol in multimedia isochronous systems. The transmitter establishes a bi-directional burst mode for multicasting data to multiple devices and receiving Reverse Start of Frame (RSOF) delimiters from each multicast-destination receiver in response to multiple SOF delimiters, thus providing protocol-efficient multi-destination acknowledgements.

Abstract: Multicast transmissions do not allow for individual receivers to acknowledge that data was received by each receiver in the network. This is not acceptable for isochronous systems that require specific levels of QoS for each device. A multimedia communications protocol supports using multicast transmissions (one-to-many) in multimedia isochronous systems. A transmitter establishes a Multi-ACKed Multicast protocol within which a group of receiving devices can acknowledge the multicast transmission during a multi-acknowledgment period.

Abstract: Multicast transmissions are efficient but do not allow for individual acknowledgement that the data was received by each receiver. This is not acceptable for isochronous systems that require specific levels of QoS for each device. A multimedia communications protocol is provided that uses a novel multi-destination burst transmission protocol in multimedia isochronous systems. The transmitter establishes a bi-directional burst mode for multicasting data to multiple devices and receiving Reverse Start of Frame (RSOF) delimiters from each multicast-destination receiver in response to multiple SOF delimiters, thus providing protocol-efficient multi-destination acknowledgements.

Abstract: A golf club pointing device to aid in aligning and developing a better putting stroke is disclosed. The golf club pointing aid simply attaches to a golfer's putting shaft by clamping means which allow the pointing aid to slide a positioning rod having a pointer attached to a location centered over the “sweet spot” of the putter and at an adjustable angle to the putter face. To practice and perfect a good putting stroke, the golfer keeps the pointer centered over the middle of the golf ball during the backward movement of the putter and also during the forward movement of the putter. When properly executed, the putter face will contact the golf ball in the same position as originally aligned. The result is that with practice, a consistent putting stroke may be developed with improved results in making putts.

Abstract: A container that facilitates dispensing food items or other products that may have a liquid component and a solid component even when those contents are mostly depleted. Within the container is a platform which is rotated manually to propel the contents upward.

Abstract: In a typical powerline communications environment, all electrical outlets and branches are connected to a load center. In this type of electrical system, all communication devices will share the same frequency spectrum, limiting the maximum bandwidth of the network, where all nodes are in contention with each other. In the inventive system, the electrical load center would provide filtering to isolate all branches off the load center into different network segments all capable of carrying the maximum bandwidth allowed by the physical layer technology. The advantages of the method described by this invention will be most noticeable when high bandwidth devices are communicating with each other on the same electrical segment, for example a HDTV receiver communicating with a HDTV monitor in the same room.

Abstract: The trend toward moving to digital content is progressing and expanding every day. With that trend comes the availability of a multitude of content from many content sources. There is a need for this content to be distributed to multiple destinations, and there is a further need to have the content synchronized among those multiple destinations. Embodiments described herein detail a method of synchronizing this content in an asynchronous environment, such as a powerline network, including using a PHY timing flag that is used to compensate for PHY-to-channel-to-PHY delays.

Abstract: The trend toward moving to digital content is progressing and expanding every day. With that trend comes the availability of a multitude of content from many content sources. There is a need for this content to be distributed to multiple destinations, and there is a further need to have the content synchronized among those multiple destinations. Embodiments described herein detail a method of synchronizing this content in an asynchronous environment, such as a powerline network, including using a PHY timing flag that is used to compensate for PHY-to-channel-to-PHY delays.

Abstract: A system and method of delivering synchronized audio and audio/video signals in the form of analog signals and streamed data over networks such a hybrid power line communications network is described. Signal magnitude matching by monitoring directly feed audio outputs is also provided.

Abstract: Powerline networks are inherently noisy and subject to power surges, spikes, and other events. Devices exist to combat these issues and protect electrical appliances that are connected downstream from the power sources for theses devices, but these devices usually also severely limit data communication that may also be desired on this network. This invention provides an intelligent, self-aware powerline conditioning and communication node that allows for, or even improves, data communication on the network, and still provides for noise reduction, line filtering, and surge protection for downstream electrical appliances.

Abstract: When an audio distribution system is installed, it is normally required to install wiring between the audio source or sources, and all of the speakers that are installed throughout a building or structure. The installation of this wiring is normally time consuming and difficult, and can be a large cost component of the system installation. Therefore, there is a need for an audio distribution system that makes use of, and takes a benefit from, already installed electrical power wiring, or allows a lesser number of wires to be run where new installations are necessary, through the means of upgrading the system to provide uninterrupted power to the powered speakers while maintaining the ability to control lighting fixtures powered through the same wiring infrastructure.

Abstract: A power line communications (“PLC”) transmitter and receiver device includes a physical communications protocol layer that provides for dynamic selection of a communications signal transmission operating mode from a plurality of such modes, where each has a corresponding transmission data structure that is based on characteristics of the electric power distribution network to which the PLC device is to be coupled and also the communications protocol profile requirements for the network.

Abstract: An integrated power line communications (“PLC”) interface is coupled to a power line communications network and can simultaneously process a plurality of classes of communications data for automatically and dynamically establishing class-specific communications interfaces with communications network appliances or communications device coupled to the PLC network.

Abstract: A system and method of delivering synchronized audio and audio/video signals in the form of analog signals and streamed data over networks such a hybrid power line communications network is described. Signal magnitude matching by monitoring directly feed audio outputs is also provided.

Abstract: When an audio distribution system is installed, it is normally required to wiring between the audio source or sources, and all of the speakers that are installed throughout a building or structure. The installation on this wiring is normally time consuming and difficult, and can be a large cost component of the system installation. Therefore, there is a need for an audio distribution system that makes use of, and takes a benefit from, already installed electrical power wiring, or allows a lesser number of wires to be run where new installations are necessary, through the means of upgrading the system to provide uninterrupted power to the powered speakers while maintaining the ability to control lighting fixtures powered through the same wiring infrastructure.

Abstract: Powerline networks are inherently noisy and subject to power surges, spikes, and other events. Devices exist to combat these issues and protect electrical appliances that are connected downstream from the power sources for theses devices, but these devices usually also severely limit data communication that may also be desired on this network. This invention provides an intelligent, self-aware powerline conditioning and communication node that allows for, or even improves, data communication on the network, and still provides for noise reduction, line filtering, and surge protection for downstream electrical appliances.

Abstract: In a typical powerline communications environment, all electrical outlets and branches are connected to a load center. In this type of electrical system, all communication devices will share the same frequency spectrum, limiting the maximum bandwidth of the network, where all nodes are in contention with each other. In the inventive system, the electrical load center would provide filtering to isolate all branches off the load center into different network segments all capable of carrying the maximum bandwidth allowed by the physical layer technology. The advantages of the method described by this invention will be most noticeable when high bandwidth devices are communicating with each other on the same electrical segment, for example a HDTV receiver communicating with a HDTV monitor in the same room.

Abstract: A device supporting the arm of a fisherman using a spinning-type fishing rod having a cylindrical rod handle providing a gripping area for the hand of the fisherman, comprising a cradle member supporting the upper forearm of the fisherman and a rod handle support member holding the fishing rod handle in alignment with the cradle member. The rod handle support member is positioned below and rotatably connected with the cradle member about a horizontal axis of rotation. The handle support member and the cradle member are each rotable about the horizontal axis to a plurality of positions in response to pressure applied to said cradle member and the rod handle support member. A clamp attached to the rod handle support member removably grips the rod handle to the handle support member.