Abstract: A method for creating a customized TV/radio service from user-selected contents is disclosed. The method is applied to a playback device for receiving a number of digital audio/video services. The method includes decoding the received digital audio/video services to obtain a plurality of content elements and metadata corresponding to the content elements; examining the digital audio/video services to determine breaks between the content elements; checking the associated metadata for each content element against a list of user-provided keywords/genres corresponding to the user-selected contents; recording the content elements, a plurality of advertisements and associated keywords describing contents of the advertisements when the corresponding metadata substantially match at least one of the user-selected contents; and constructing a playlist of the recorded contents for the user to create the customize TV/radio service when the user wishes to play the recorded contents.

Abstract: A narrow profile surgical ligation clip has two legs with clamping surfaces joined by a hinge near the proximal ends, allowing the clip to reversibly open and close. A locking mechanism is proximal to the hinge to bias or lock the clip closed, including first and second jaw structures spaced on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the clip thereby defining a locking space therebetween. In one embodiment, a wedge or buttress body pivots by application of an external force applied to a proximal end of the clip towards the hinge to move into the locking space such that one or more outer surfaces or projections of portions of the body fit into or abut against complementary surfaces or other parts of the locking mechanism or clip assembly to bias or lock the clip in a closed position and provide additional closing force to the inner clamping surfaces.

Abstract: An isolated, altered fibronectin-binding protein (Fnb) of S. aureus having at least one mutation in an amino acid selected from residues corresponding to Gln103, Gln105, Lys157, Lys503, Lys620, Lys702, Lys762, Gln783 and Gln830 of FnbA of S. aureus strain ATCC49525 is described. Replacement of these reactive residues within the fibronectin-binding protein renders this protein less capable than wild-type Fnb of covalently cross-linking with fibronectin and fibrin. The altered fibronectin-binding protein effectively interferes with adhesion of S. aureus to fibronectin and fibrin, and therefore, an immunogenic composition comprising such altered Fnb exhibits improved immunogenic properties and is safer to use.

Abstract: A method for determining slippage of at least one wheel of at least one vehicle having a motor and a processor that communicates velocity commands to the motor for varying a velocity of the vehicle is presented. The method includes determining an actual velocity of the vehicle over regular intervals; comparing, over regular intervals, the actual velocity of the vehicle to the expected velocity from the magnitude of the velocity commands to determine whether there is slip of the wheel of the vehicle; and reducing the magnitude of the velocity commands to equal approximately the actual velocity of the vehicle where there is slip of the wheel. A system and circuit carrying out the method are also presented.

Abstract: A system for confirming authorization of a operator for controlling a vehicle on fixed paths, the system having at least one ride vehicle with an onboard control system being configured to confirm operator authorization prior to allowing operator control thereof and an electronic device dimensioned and configured to be supported by an operator, the electronic device being further configured to remotely authorize operator control of the onboard control system. A method for confirming authorization of an operator for controlling a vehicle on fixed paths is also provided.

Abstract: A ride control system for controlling a plurality of vehicles on a path includes a path processor and a bi-directional voting circuit in circuit with the path processor. Each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles may include a vehicle processor supported by the at least one vehicle and shunt relays in circuit with the at least one vehicle processor. Each vehicle processor may be configured to close a respective shunt relay upon a predetermined condition of the vehicle whereby the bi-directional voting circuit is activated to notify all other vehicles.

Abstract: A method for creating a customized TV/radio service from user-selected contents is disclosed. The method is applied to a playback device for receiving a number of digital audio/video services. The method includes decoding the received digital audio/video services to obtain a plurality of content elements and metadata corresponding to the content elements; examining the digital audio/video services to determine breaks between the content elements; checking the associated metadata for each content element against a list of user-provided keywords/genres corresponding to the user-selected contents; recording the content elements, a plurality of advertisements and associated keywords describing contents of the advertisements when the corresponding metadata substantially match at least one of the user-selected contents; and constructing a playlist of the recorded contents for the user to create the customize TV/radio service when the user wishes to play the recorded contents.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of recording from an audio stream are provided. The method receives and caches the audio stream. It is determined whether a track corresponding to at least an attribute begins by detecting a period of silence and by analyzing metadata of the audio stream. If so, a start is marked in the cached audio stream. Next, it is determined whether the track ends by detecting a period of silence and by analyzing metadata of the audio stream. If so, an end is marked in the cached audio stream. Finally, an audio file is created based on a section of the cached audio stream indicated by the start and end marked in the cached audio stream.

Abstract: A content protection system for enabling secure sharing of a piece of content encrypted for copy-protection and a method therefor. The system includes a first processing unit and a license management unit. The first processing unit is for enabling the first user to send a request for sharing the piece of content with at least a second user. The license management unit, in response to the request, is used for generating a second license file for the second user which is associated with the first license file, the piece of content, and the second user, wherein the second license file securely includes a second decryption key needed to decrypt the piece of content and restrictions on the piece of content with respect to the second user. The second user is authorized to use a shared copy of the piece of content according to the restrictions in the second license file.

Abstract: A vehicle sun visor comprises a support frame pivotally connected to the vehicle roof. A sun visor panel is chosen from any array of different available sun visor panels having different occupant convenience features. An attachment is provided for removably attaching the chosen sun visor panel onto the support frame and enables subsequent removal of that chosen sun visor panel from the support and then the attachment to the support frame of a different chosen sun visor panel having different convenience feature content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording according to a recording schedule for a processing unit. (a) Service information including schedule information for a current show and a next show to be provided in a digital broadcast stream is acquired. (b) A determination is made as to whether there is a difference, in terms of the current and the next shows, between the schedule information included in the acquired service information and a program schedule database, such as an EPG database. (c) A determination is made as to whether at least one of the current show and the next show is scheduled to be recorded according to the recording schedule. (d) If so in step (b) and step (c), the recording schedule is modified according to the difference in step (b). (e) The processing unit is controlled according to the difference in step (b) and the modified recording schedule.

Abstract: A seat adjustment system for a vehicle includes a seat, a controller, and an occupant sensing system. The controller adjusts a pressure distribution of the seat in response to signals from the occupant sensing system to facilitate entry and/or egress from the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and conversion kits, that include all necessary components, to convert any style existing prior art fume hood into a stable vortex high performance low airflow fume hood that can accommodate varying size prior art fume hoods without altering the fume hood envelope or customizing the conversion kit. The articulating rear baffle can be lifted out for cleaning debris that collects in baffle conduit. The conversion can be accomplished without drilling mounting holes into an asbestos liner and can be applied on any size or style prior art fume hood. The present invention also provides a new fume hood incorporating the features of the method and kit.

Abstract: A polymeric, surgical clip having first and second curved leg members joined at their proximal end by a hinge portion and movable from an open position to a closed position for clamping a vessel between curved opposing inner surfaces. The clip includes a coating on its exterior which reduces the friction between the leg members and complementary locking mechanisms disposed at the distal end portions of the leg members, and stabilizes closing of the clip. The coating can be any coating, including a polymer coating such as one which includes polytetrafluoroethylene. The coating may be applied using a solvent such as HFC43-10.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching a seat to a vehicle body having a floor panel beneath the seat, a rocker panel outboard the seat and a tunnel inboard the seat. An outboard seat adjuster track has a lower track slideable with an upper track and having a forward end and a rearward end. A rearward outboard mounting bracket is attached to the rocker panel and extends inboard to underlie and attach to the rearward end of the lower track of the outboard seat adjuster track. A longitudinal extending inboard seat adjuster track has a lower track that is slideable with an upper track and having a forward end and a rearward end. A rearward inboard mounting bracket is attached to the tunnel and extends outboard to underlie the rearward end of the lower track of the inboard seat adjuster track and having the rearward end of the lower track attached thereto.