Abstract: Server software is utilized as a fundamental building block for the software architecture of digital television terminals (DCTs) and related devices (remote clients). For example, a web page may be stored on a digital terminal for access by a user of a client device to request specific actions to be performed or to request information. The client device communicates user requests to the digital terminal, whereupon an appropriate web page is retrieved by the server software and transmitted to and displayed on the client device. The user may subsequently make a selection via the web page, whereupon the client device sends the request back to the digital terminal. The client device can be used, e.g., to request a specific television channel via a web-type interface, in response to which the server software in the terminal will tune an associated television and return a new web page to the client device, indicating that the channel was successfully tuned.

Abstract: The Domain Name System (DNS), which has been used for mapping names to Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, is adapted to a broadcast environment, such as a broadband cable or satellite television network. A number of master files are stored on a broadcast name server that define zones of domains in a domain name space, which may include a television-related domain, with sub-domains for different service providers (e.g., ABC, HBO), and a cable domain, with sub-domains for applications, administrative functions and operating system-functions, e.g., at a set-top terminal. The television sub-domains may have their own sub-domains. For example, “ABC” may have the sub-domains “NEWS”, “WEATHER”, and “SPORTS.” The master files are used to form broadcast resource records, which include an identifier for broadcast services (e.g., “ABC”) or other data sources, and which are transmitted to end user terminal devices periodically, or in response to a query.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for selecting head-end equipment and services for digital cable service distribution systems. Enhancing CATV service capabilities to include digital services can be expensive, especially since design and configuration of head-end equipment requires a great deal of engineering expertise. The invention improves efficiency by providing an automated rule-based system and method to help ease that task. The invention also functions to present the listing of required components in a Bill of Material (BOM) format that could be implemented with customer specific pricing structures to facilitate purchase requisition and order fulfillment. Another function of the invention is to facilitate mapping between an end-user display channel, a terrestrial broadcast frequency, and a satellite communications frequency.

Abstract: A device for adapting a cartridge having a bottleneck casing to be fired in a standard revolver includes a cylindrical sleeve received about the bottleneck portion to provide a smooth cylindrical exterior for the cartridge. The sleeve bore includes a tapered portion to impinge on the oblique portion of the bottleneck. The sleeve is retained by a press fit on the cartridge.