Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a method for administering devices. Typical embodiments include creating a user metric vector comprising a plurality of disparate user metrics, creating a user metric space comprising a plurality of metric ranges, receiving, from a user, a value for a user preference for a device, and determining whether a user metric vector is outside the user metric space. If the user metric vector is outside a user metric space, such embodiments include identifying an action, executing the action, and setting the value of a user preference for a device in dependence upon the value received from the user.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a method for administering devices. Such exemplary methods include receiving a plurality of user metrics, creating a relational metric in dependence upon the plurality of user metrics, creating a user metric vector comprising at least one user metric and at least one relational metric, creating a user metric space comprising a plurality of metric ranges, and determining whether the user metric vector is outside the user metric space. If the user metric vector is outside a user metric space, exemplary embodiments include identifying an action, and executing the action.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include methods for administering devices. Such exemplary embodiments include creating a user metric vector comprising a plurality of disparate user metrics, creating a user metric space comprising a plurality of metric ranges, and determining whether the user metric vector is outside the user metric space. If the user metric vector is outside a user metric space, such embodiments include creating in dependence upon the user metric vector, a dynamic action list, identifying at least one action in the dynamic action list, executing the action, and determining whether a value of a user metric of the user metric vector that was outside a metric range of the user metric space before executing the action is outside the metric range after executing the action.

Abstract: Methods for administering devices including creating a user metric vector including a plurality of disparate user metrics, selecting a generic metric space including a plurality of generic metric ranges, and determining whether the user metric vector is outside the generic metric space. Embodiments include identifying an action and executing the identified action, if the user metric vector is outside the generic metric space.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a method for administering devices. Such exemplary embodiments include receiving a domain state object, identifying an action in dependence upon the domain state object, and executing the action. In many exemplary embodiments, receiving a domain state object includes receiving a signal to download the domain state object from a mobile sensor, and downloading the domain state object from the mobile sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for distributing information. The system can include one or more set top boxes that can function as normal set top boxes, but can also conduct two way communications with other set top boxes. Users can send text, audio, and/or video messages to other users. The set top boxes can include provisions that permit two way communications, using video cameras, microphones and other inputs that can receive keyboard or text information.

Abstract: A digital video broadcast (DVB) device decoder as part of a digital residential entertainment system (DRES) is disclosed. A media server, such as a broadband multimedia gateway (BMG), sends an entire transport layer, rather than a single program stream, over a Network Bus to a digital video broadcast (DVB) device decoder. The transport layer includes multiple program, data and information streams. For example, the transport layer may include multiple MPEG signals, such as MPEG-2 signals. The media server provides the DVB tuning function with integrated Personal Video Recording (PVR) functionality. The DVB device decoder provides decrypting, demultiplexing, decoding and digital-to-analog conversion. The complexity of the media server is minimized because it only has to decode a transport layer rather than decoding a single stream of data. The combination of entertainment video and data streams on the same transport is also optimized for the purpose of providing enhanced multimedia services.

Abstract: A set top box with a firewall is disclosed. The set top box uses two separate ports to communicate with two respective communications networks. The first port communicates with the first network to receive programming information and the second port communicates with the second network to receive information. A firewall, in communication with one of the ports, is capable of receiving and analyzing information from the port. The firewall helps to prevent harmful or unauthorized information from reaching other components of the set top box. The firewall can receive information before other components associated with the set top box and the firewall can include various different forms of filtering.

Abstract: A system and method enables a set-top box to share the processing, communications, and storage resources of another local device, such as a personal computer, other set-top box, or an electronic appliance. The set-top box is interconnected with the other local devices using a “transmission medium such as wire, concentric cable, or a wireless medium. The interconnected devices form a resource sharing group that includes a control member. The control member receives a request for a resource from a requesting member, and then determines whether the resource is available from a set-top box that is a member of the resource sharing group. If the resource is available, the set-top box shares the resource, and uses the shared resource to perform a task. The system and method also enables members of the resource sharing group to share video, audio, and related content.

Abstract: A method of assembling a tire carcass comprising applying a cord reinforced rubber ply to a toroidal-shaped former such that the edges of the ply are located on radially inner portions of the former, placing a circular bead component adjacent to each edge and stitching each ply edge to its said circular bead component to secure the ply edge in the region of the tire bead.

Abstract: A robotic containerization and palletizing system having a multiple-fingered end effector. The system includes a frame that defines one or more cells. Each cell has one gantry-type robot, which is mounted in a set of tracks on top of the frame. The robot is movable along two axes and has an arm to which the end effector is mounted. The end effector is designed to grasp trays, tubs, and similar items from a conveyor system running through the cell and load them in a cart or on a pallet. The items are gripped by two sets of fingers. One set of fingers may be mounted to a first plate and another set of fingers may be mounted to a carriage that moves in a horizontal direction, either toward or away from the first set of fingers. Each finger has a main shaft and a bent tip. The shafts are rotatable such that the tips can be moved underneath or out from under a load, depending upon whether a pick-up or drop-off operation is being performed.

Abstract: Portable devices and associated methods for orienting a receiver that is supported on a mast by a mounting bracket in a desired orientation. In one embodiment, the portable device includes an actuator that is removably coupled to the mounting bracket and, upon actuation thereof, rotates the mounting bracket and the receiver about the mast to the desired orientation and, upon deactivation thereof, may be decoupled from the mounting bracket while the mounting bracket retains the receiver in the desired orientation.

Abstract: A robotic containerization and palletizing system having a multiple-fingered end effector. The system includes a frame that defines one or more cells. Each cell has one gantry-type robot, which is mounted in a set of tracks on top of the frame. The robot is movable along two axes and has an arm to which the end effector is mounted. The end effector is designed to grasp trays, tubs, and similar items from a conveyor system running through the cell and load them in a cart or on a pallet. The items are gripped by two sets of fingers. One set of fingers may be mounted to a first plate and another set of fingers may be mounted to a carriage that moves in a horizontal direction, either toward or away from the first set of fingers. Each finger has a main shaft and a bent tip. The shafts are rotatable such that the tips can be moved underneath or out from under a load, depending upon whether a pick-up or drop-off operation is being performed.

Abstract: Portable alignment devices for orienting a receiver such as an antenna in a desired elevation and methods for orienting a receiver in a desired elevation orientation. In other embodiments, portable alignment devices for orienting a receiver in a desired elevation orientation and in a desired azimuth orientation and methods for orienting an antenna in desired elevation and azimuth orientations.

Abstract: A warewasher jam detection system includes a conveyor drive arrangement having a drive motor assembly including a drive motor and an output shaft, and a slip clutch including an input side moved via the output shaft and an output side operatively connected for driving a conveyor. At least one sensor is provided for producing an output indicative of movement/non-movement of the output side of the clutch. Preferably the sensor is a non-contact type sensor such as a magnetic sensor, optical sensor or proximity sensor. A controller may be provided for receiving the sensor output signals and identifying a jam condition based upon the same, such that the controller can responsively stop the drive motor.

Abstract: A portable alignment device for orienting an antenna in a desired azimuth orientation and methods for orienting an antenna in a desired azimuth orientation. In one embodiment, the device comprises a portable motor unit that is removably affixed to a portion of the antenna such as a portion of the antenna mounting bracket. A gear assembly is clamped to a portion of a mast to which the antenna mounting bracket is attached. The gear assembly is in meshing engagement with a driver gear attached to the motor's output shaft. By powering the motor, the antenna is pivoted about the mast until it is moved to a desired azimuth orientation. After the antenna has been oriented to a desired orientation and locked in that orientation, the portable motor unit is removed from the antenna and the gear assembly is removed from the mast to permit those devices to be used to orient other antennas.

Abstract: A media delivery service provider has a customer account management center associated with it. The customer account management center has a customer account database for maintaining account information and billing information for all subscribers to the Media Delivery Service Provider. The customer account management center is operative to communicate with a local account manager in a Media Distribution Device (MDD) over a broadband connection. Because a broadband connection can maintain an always-on status, the local account manager can autonomously send local account data to the customer account management center during off-peak hours of operation, thereby reducing the impact on system resources. Any changes made by the customer to a local account data can be immediately effective to modify the media delivered to the MDD. The local account data can be later packaged and transmitted by the local manager to the customer account management center.

Abstract: A Media Delivery Diagnostic System can be deployed in response to a customer complaint or in an autonomous fashion. When a customer complains to a Media Delivery Service Provider, the complaint can be passed to a diagnostic service center. The diagnostic service center can initiate a query or command and transmit the query or command to a Media Distribution Device (MDD). The query or command can be processed by an intelligent diagnostic agent residing in the MDD. When the intelligent diagnostic agent receives the query or command, it can perform a diagnostic evaluation of the MDD and any other devices connected to the MDD. The intelligent diagnostic agent can transmit diagnostic data back to the diagnostic service center. The diagnostic data may be operational data and/or operational parameters related to the MDD, the identification of a problem with the MDD, or an indication that the intelligent diagnostic agent failed to identify a problem in be MDD.

Abstract: A computing system includes a viewing screen, user interface means, a plurality of application processes, a data file and agent engine means. The viewing screen displays images. The user interface means enables a user to select and move the images displayed by the viewing screen. Each application process in the plurality of application processes includes command processor means and action processor means. The command processor means receives semantic commands and executes the semantic commands. The action processor means monitors selection and movement of the images on the viewing screen and generates the semantic commands by lexical and syntactical analysis of the selection and movement of the images on the viewing screen. The semantic commands are sent to the command processor for execution. The data file includes first semantic commands executable by a first application process from the plurality of application processes.

Abstract: A portable alignment device for orienting an antenna in a desired azimuth orientation and methods for orienting an antenna in a desired azimuth orientation. In one embodiment, the device comprises a portable motor until that is removably affixed to a portion of the antenna such as a portion of the antenna mounting bracket. A gear assembly is clamped to a portion of a mast to which the antenna mounting bracket is attached. The gear assembly is in meshing engagement with a driver gear attached to the motor's output shaft. By powering the motor, the antenna is pivoted about the mast until is moved to a desired azimuth orientation. After the antenna has been oriented to a desired orientation and locked in that orientation, the portable motor unit is removed from the antenna and the gear assembly is removed from the mast to permit those devices to be used to orient other antennas.