Abstract: Systems and methods for providing preview samples of media content, such as early window movies, which is secure against unauthorized copying of the media content. The system includes a media receiving server configured to receive secure media content, such as early window movies, from a movie provider. The media receiving server generates a preview sample including a video sample including a series of still digital images from the video file, each separated by a time interval in the video file from the other still digital images in the series of still digital images; and an audio sample including a series of audio clips from the video file, each separated by a time interval in the video file from the other audio clips in the series of audio clips. A customer of the media content can review the sample preview on a customer portal, but cannot access the original media content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing preview samples of media content, such as early window movies, which is secure against unauthorized copying of the media content. The system includes a media receiving server configured to receive secure media content, such as early window movies, from a movie provider. The media receiving server generates a preview sample including a video sample including a series of still digital images from the video file, each separated by a time interval in the video file from the other still digital images in the series of still digital images; and an audio sample including a series of audio clips from the video file, each separated by a time interval in the video file from the other audio clips in the series of audio clips. A customer of the media content can review the sample preview on a customer portal, but cannot access the original media content.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for sizing and sorting articles in an article stream. A scanning station includes a plurality of laser line beam generators and a linear array including a plurality of photo detectors. A first group of generators and detectors is horizontally oriented, and second group is vertically oriented. The area between the generators and the detectors defines an exposure window through which the articles are passed. Each line beam generator has a respective cylindrical lens for collimating its output across the exposure window. The output information is sampled, digitized, stored, and analyzed. Computer-based determinations are made regarding the size, configuration, and weight of the articles. Articles determined to have predetermined physical characteristics are selectively removed from the article stream, and directed to diverting conveyors carrying articles having like characteristics.

Abstract: system of helically coiled air hoses (18) supports a printed circuit board (14) in an assembly station, and allows the conveyor rails (15, 16) to adjust in and out, accommodating various widths of printed circuit boards (PCB). One of the conveyor rails is fixed and the other is movable. Air hoses are each formed in a helix and placed below the PCB and above the upper work surface of the assembly station, and arranged so that when the air hoses are pressurized the helix expands in diameter to become wedged between the work surface and the PCB to support it from below. One end of each of the air hoses is connected to the fixed rail and the other end is connected to the movable rail. The hoses are sufficiently flexible so as to be free to move about in a lateral direction, but they are diametrically rigid to prevent the diameter of each hose from changing substantially when the hoses are pressurized.