Abstract: A system for protecting the digital rights of content owners allows digital media to be delivered to only those media rendering client devices that have been approved for the media content. Before delivering requested media, the media service provider may determine whether the media rendering client device that requested the media is the type of device that is authorized to receive the request media. If it is, the media service provider may transmit the media to a middleman server over a network (such as the Internet). A middleman server may then serve the media to the client device over a local network. By allowing the media content to be distributed to approved devices only, the media service provider can prevent a user from using the media in a way that is not authorized by the content owner.

Abstract: The present invention involves a computer implemented system and method which assists querying against a data space using visualization. The method uses a computer to visualize a query of the data space by an initial search parameter. A first set of objects resulting from the initial search parameter is displayed, and the first set of objects on the display is graphically manipulated. A second set of objects is then created from a new query based on the initial search parameter and the graphic manipulation of the first set of objects. The user may link various objects, and assign a quantitative or qualitative value with each link. Information spaces may be created based on such manipulations and/or links, and portions of the information spaces may be extracted and/or inserted into or out of external information spaces.

Abstract: A system for protecting the digital rights of content owners allows digital media to be delivered to only those media rendering client devices that have been approved for the media content. Before delivering requested media, the media service provider may determine whether the media rendering client device that requested the media is the type of device that is authorized to receive the request media. If it is, the media service provider may transmit the media to a middleman server over a network (such as the Internet). A middleman server may then serve the media to the client device over a local network. By allowing the media content to be distributed to approved devices only, the media service provider can prevent a user from using the media in a way that is not authorized by the content owner.

Abstract: A supplemental impact protection system for an automotive vehicle includes an external energy management structure having a first position for normal vehicle operation and a second position for deployment during an impact event. A mounting system allows selective positioning of the energy management structure in either the first or second position, as determined by a controller which assesses an impact potential of the vehicle and operates the mounting system to move the energy management structure to the second, or deployed, position in the event that the assessed impact potential satisfies a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to provide a multi-criteria rating and search system is described. Users can provide ratings along multiple axes, which can then be used for searching.

Abstract: A system for protecting the digital rights of content owners allows digital media to be delivered to only those media rendering client devices that have been approved for the media content. Before delivering requested media, the media service provider may determines whether the media rendering client device that requested the media is the type of device that is authorized to receive the request media. If it is, the media service provider may transmit the media to a middleman server over a network (such as the Internet). A middleman server may then serves the media to the client device over a local network. By allowing the media content to be distributed to approved devices only, the media service provider can prevent a user from using the media in a way that is not authorized by the content owner.

Abstract: System and method for collecting information pertaining to a defeated electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag are disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a recording unit for collecting data pertaining to missing merchandise having at least one user interface, recording the data into the recording unit in response to a series of user interface prompts displayed on the recording unit, the interface prompts being programmed according to a predetermined user input sequence, the recording unit being adapted to transmit the data through a communications network, and transmitting the data through the communications network to a data processing unit, the data processing unit being configured to analyze the data and to generate a report based on the data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle airbag assembly and method for deployment. An inflator is connected to an airbag wherein the inflator generates gases that cause inflation of the airbag. A housing substantially encloses the airbag and the inflator. The housing includes a vent hole for venting gases. An airbag tether is included having at least a first and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the airbag and the second end is attached to a venting member. The venting member, being configured to cover the vent hole, is moveable with respect to the housing. During a first airbag deployment stage, the venting member is forced away from the vent hole as the inflator generates gases. An actuator releases the second end of the airbag tether from the venting member during a second airbag deployment stage for the passage of gases through the vent hole.

Abstract: A system and method for venting an airbag is provided. The system includes a set of vent doors, thereby reducing the overall package spaced that would otherwise be required to allow the doors to swing open. The vent doors are connected by a single tether or by multiple tethers to the primary surface of the airbag cushion.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the deployment of an airbag. The system includes a sensor adapted to generate a signal and a flexible member having an indicator portion. The indicator portion inhibits at least a portion of the signal from transmitting through the flexible member.

Abstract: Systems and methods allow an analog phone line to concurrently carry both non-packetized data from a telephone handset and packetized data from a computer to a common network access number. An access device is provided to connect the handset and the computer to a common phone line, which provides both VoIP connectivity and Internet access. Since the access number is located within the user's local calling area, the inventive system avoids long distance charges that would otherwise be applied to Internet connectivity and long distance phone calls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to provide a multi-criteria rating and search system is described. Users can provide ratings along multiple axes, which can then be used for searching.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle airbag assembly and method for deployment. An inflator is connected to an airbag wherein the inflator generates gases that cause inflation of the airbag. A housing substantially encloses the airbag and the inflator. The housing includes a vent hole for venting gases. An airbag tether is included having at least a first and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the airbag and the second end is attached to a venting member. The venting member, being configured to cover the vent hole, is moveable with respect to the housing. During a first airbag deployment stage, the venting member is forced away from the vent hole as the inflator generates gases. An actuator releases the second end of the airbag tether from the venting member during a second airbag deployment stage for the passage of gases through the vent hole.

Abstract: System and method for collecting information pertaining to a defeated electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag are disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a recording unit for collecting data pertaining to missing merchandise having at least one user interface, recording the data into the recording unit in response to a series of user interface prompts displayed on the recording unit, the interface prompts being programmed according to a predetermined user input sequence, the recording unit being adapted to transmit the data through a communications network, and transmitting the data through the communications network to a data processing unit, the data processing unit being configured to analyze the data and to generate a report based on the data.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting an occupant in a vehicle seat, through the use of an occupant protection system is disclosed, wherein the vehicle seat includes a backrest section and a seat section. The occupant protection system includes a first airbag assembly having a first inflatable airbag, wherein the first airbag assembly is containable within an airbag recess located within a vehicle roof portion. A second airbag assembly is included having a second inflatable airbag and a deployment location. The second airbag assembly is mounted to a frame that is integrated with the seat while being external to a seat cushion. The first inflatable airbag is configured to extend downward from the roof portion to below a passenger shoulder-thorax protection region while in an inflated state. The second inflatable airbag is configured to extend upward from the deployment location through a passenger pelvic-thorax protection region while in an inflated state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle airbag assembly and method for deployment. An inflator is connected to an airbag wherein the inflator generates gases that cause inflation of the airbag. A housing substantially encloses the airbag and the inflator. The housing includes a vent hole for venting gases. An airbag tether is included having at least a first and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the airbag and the second end is attached to a venting member. The venting member, being configured to cover the vent hole, is moveable with respect to the housing. During a first airbag deployment stage, the venting member is forced away from the vent hole as the inflator generates gases. An actuator releases the second end of the airbag tether from the venting member during a second airbag deployment stage for the passage of gases through the vent hole.

Abstract: A system and method for venting an airbag is provided. The system includes a set of vent doors, thereby reducing the overall package spaced that would otherwise be required to allow the doors to swing open. The vent doors are connected by a single tether or by multiple tethers to the primary surface of the airbag cushion.

Abstract: A system and method for regulating the deployment of an airbag inflator in response to an out-of-position occupant is provided. An airbag tether is operatively associated with a tether position sensor which is itself operatively associated with a restraints control module (RCM) through an interface. Upon normal in-position deployment, the primary surface of the airbag cushion deploys car-rearward. In this event the tether acts on the tether position sensor at a normal time. If the airbag cushion contacts an out-of-position occupant, the expansion of the airbag cushion will be slowed and the tether will act on the tether position sensor at a later time. The resistor element signals the RCM of the slowed airbag expansion and, with this information, the RCM may decide to modify the deployment of the airbag by adjusting the inflator's second stage deployment time delay. The decision criteria for the deployment of the second inflator are thus time-based.

Abstract: The invention provides marketing a telephone service that has an adapter or dongle that is functionally interposed between a telephone and a telephone utility line. The adapter is programmed to receive a voice signal and telephone number transmitted by the telephone. Based on the telephone number, the adapter determines whether to (i) pass the telephone number through to the utility line, or (ii) pass a different access number through to the utility line. A first server then receives voice signal through the telephone utility line, and to send the voice signal as a series of packets through a packet switched network to a second server. The second server is programmed to transmit and receive the voice signal to a second telephone via another telephone utility line. The service is based on a flat-fee subscription.

Abstract: A designer tool is provided to assist a user in creating and modifying business process workflows. The user can select a data entity as a focal point for a workflow and a user friendly design experience is provided that takes advantage of semantic relationships between the entity and other elements such as entities and business logic operations that are part of a relationship model. For example, given a selected entity, the application design module can present related operations for the entity on a user interface where the entity is an input parameter.