Abstract: An interactive television system has a centrally located head end server coupled to service multiple, remotely located set-top boxes. Each set-top box runs an electronic programming guide that provides an on-screen program grid listing program titles in relation to their scheduled viewing times and channel numbers. The viewer is permitted to scroll through the program grid to list titles of past, current, and future programs. A database, resident at the head end server, supplies the program titles and scheduled viewing times of the past, current, and future programs to the electronic programming guide. The head end server transmits real-time video data streams of the available programs to the EPG. A continuous media server, resident at the head end server, stores the video data streams to build a reserve of previously played programs. The media server can also store video preview clips of future programs.

Abstract: The device for disconnecting a releasable connector for connecting a flexible connecting element (3) of an umbilical tower to a launcher (2) of the type comprising a base (5) fixed on the launcher (2) and adapted to receive a plug (6) connected to the flexible connecting element (3) and comprising pullaway means (7) for releasing the plug upon firing the launcher connected to an end of a pulling element (8), is characterized in that it comprises an element (10) capable of breaking upon firing the launcher for fastening the flexible connecting element (3) to the launcher.

Abstract: An intercommunication device mounted between the two oppositely-facing open ends of two coupled railway cars is constituted by a series of rings of generally rectangular shape consisting alternately of rigid rings and flexible rings suitably attached to each other so as to constitute a flexible intercommunication tunnel, the open ends of which are attached respectively to the open ends of the railway cars. The tunnel permits free and unrestricted movement of passengers from one car or vehicle to another in all types of coupled wheeled units such as railway trains, articulated road vehicles, airport passenger bridges and the like.