Abstract: Various menu and cursor arrow navigation aids are disclosed for television systems. A removable memory medium can be engaged with the TV to cause the TV to automatically display content as dictated by the medium.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method backs up computer data by organizing update requests into groups. All update requests in one group complete concurrently before requests of a subsequent group complete.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for validating and ranking of resources that may be switched between a primary system and one or more backup systems at a single site. One embodiment provides a method for ensuring accessibility of one or more disk units by a system, comprising: configuring a disk pool for the system; validating availability of the one or more disk units for the disk pool; verifying that the disk units are at the same site as the system, and selecting one or more valid disk units for the disk pool. The method may further comprise ranking of each disk unit for the disk pool and selecting one or more valid disk units for the disk pool according to ranking.

Abstract: An audiovisual device in communication with at least one recording device includes a user input device and a user interface displayed on the audiovisual device. The user interface includes a first window associated with a source of audiovisual programming and a second window associated with the recording device.

Abstract: Failover processing that accommodates failures of backup computing nodes and resources, such as data storage units and printers. Failure of a computing node that controls resources causes another computing node to assume control of the resources controlled by the failed node. Failure of the primary computing node causes another computing node, at either the same or at a different site, to be selected as the new primary node. Failure of a resource at the primary site causes the site with the next highest priority backup resource to become the new primary site. Failure of a backup computing node causes a new backup node at the same site as the failed backup node to replace the failed backup node as host for the site's resources. Backup mirroring data flows are then adjusted to reflect the new functions of the affected nodes.

Abstract: A determinate positioner assembly comprises a helical cam, such as a threaded lead screw, a follower element which continuously contacts the lead screw in a predetermined number of places for a determinate condition (neither over- nor underconstrained), an elastic member connecting the follower element to the leadscrew, and a driven element. The elastic member maintains continuous contact between the follower element and the cam, yet the combination of the elastic member and the follower element exert substantially zero net force on the cam in the x and y directions. The follower element is attached to the driven element with pivot structures which transmit axial movement from the follower element to the driven element and permit the follower element to “float” in the x and y directions while prohibiting its rotation about the x, y and z axes.

Abstract: A current interrupt mechanism for electrochemical cells is disclosed. A thermally activated current interrupt mechanism is integrated into an end cap assembly for an electrochemical cell. The thermally responsive mechanism preferably includes a free floating bimetallic disk or shape memory alloy member which deforms when exposed to elevated temperature causing a break in an electrical pathway within the end cap assembly. This prevents current from flowing through the cell and effectively shuts down an operating cell. The thermally responsive mechanism may include a heat producing electrical resistance means, preferably a Zener diode, to enhance thermal sensitivity. The end cap assembly may include a pressure responsive mechanism which ruptures when there is extreme gas pressure buildup. Gas is allowed to escape from the cell interior to the external environment through a series of vent apertures within the end cap assembly.

Abstract: A current interrupt assembly for electrochemical cells is disclosed. The current interrupter assembly may be a self-contained, sealed unit which may be separately inserted into the cell during cell construction. Several current interrupt assemblies may be inserted in the cell. The current interrupter assembly has particular utility for thin rechargeable cells and when inserted in the cell forms a portion of the electrical pathway between a cell electrode and corresponding terminal. The current interrupt mechanism comprises a thin thermally responsive member preferably comprising a disk of a shape memory metal alloy having a curved surface. The current interrupt mechanism may include a heat producing electrical resistance means, preferably a Zener diode in proximity to the thermally responsive member. When cell temperature exceeds a predetermined value the disk deflects to cause a break in the electrical pathway within the assembly.

Abstract: A compound having the formula:((CH.sub.2 .dbd.CR.sup.1 --C(O)O--) .sub.x R.sup.2 --(O--C(O)R.sup.3).sub.y --O--C(O)).sub.n --R.sup.4 --(C(O)OM) .sub.mwherein:R.sup.1 is hydrogen or methyl,R.sup.2 is an alkylene group or substituted alkylene group (typically having less than six carbon atoms, more typically two or three carbon atoms),R.sup.3 is an alkylene group or substituted alkylene group (typically having less than ten carbon atoms, more typically from four to six carbon atoms),R.sup.4 is an aromatic radical (e.g. the residue of an aromatic polycarboxylic polyanhydride having a functionality of one half the sum of n and m),n and m are integers from two to four (typically two or three),x is an integer from one to three, andy is an integer from one to five.Among the compounds which fall within the above formula are those in which R.sup.1 is hydrogen, R.sup.2 is an ethylene group, R.sup.3 is a pentamethylene group, and R.sup.