Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for preauthorizing a batch of access rights licenses, e.g., Digital Rights Management (DRM) licenses, and storing them at a location. The preauthorization may be based on predicting a batch of content items to be viewed. The location may be a content server or a user device. After receiving a request from the user device to play back a content item of the batch of predicted content items, the DRM license may be provided from the storage location instead of performing an authorization operation to obtain one from a DRM server. Providing the DRM license from the storage location may take less time than performing the authorization operation to obtain the DRM license from the DRM server.

Abstract: A user device may be configured to make a better choice between switching to a different content bit rate or switching to a different content server when responding to interruptions during content output, based on an awareness of a cause of the interruptions. Based on conditions associated with content delivery or information concerning playback quality at one or more user devices, an alternative bit rate ladder for encoding content may be determined. Such dynamic generation of an alternative bit rate ladder may enable fine tuning of load reductions in the content delivery network and optimized delivery of the encoded content to the user devices.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for preauthorizing a batch of access rights licenses, e.g., Digital Rights Management (DRM) licenses, and storing them at a location. The preauthorization may be based on predicting a batch of content items to be viewed. The location may be a content server or a user device. After receiving a request from the user device to play back a content item of the batch of predicted content items, the DRM license may be provided from the storage location instead of performing an authorization operation to obtain one from a DRM server. Providing the DRM license from the storage location may take less time than performing the authorization operation to obtain the DRM license from the DRM server.

Abstract: A scintillator material according to one embodiment includes a bismuth-loaded aromatic polymer having an energy resolution at 662 keV of less than about 10%. A scintillator material according to another embodiment includes a bismuth-loaded aromatic polymer having a fluor incorporated therewith and an energy resolution at 662 keV of less than about 10%. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: A scintillator material according to one embodiment includes a bismuth-loaded aromatic polymer having an energy resolution at 662 keV of less than about 10%. A scintillator material according to another embodiment includes a bismuth-loaded aromatic polymer having a fluor incorporated therewith and an energy resolution at 662 keV of less than about 10%. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: The present invention provides an architecture that advantageously leverages multiple content distribution networks to provide enhanced services. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a share of content requests are served by each of a plurality of content distribution networks. The fraction of content requests served by a particular content distribution network can be determined dynamically, depending on the offered load or other traffic characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides an architecture that advantageously leverages multiple content distribution networks to provide enhanced services. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a share of content requests are served by each of a plurality of content distribution networks. The fraction of content requests served by a particular content distribution network can be determined dynamically, depending on the offered load or other traffic characteristics.

Abstract: It is important to report alarm signals rapidly and reliably to the master control units responsible for automatically responding to these alarm signals. Advantageously this is accomplished by transmitting the alarm signals through a switching network of a telecommunications switch, using auxiliary signaling bits provided with each time slot that is switched through the network. The alarm signals are encoded in groups of eight, using one bit of each of eight related time slots to provide an alarm signal within one frame of a digital transmission signal.

Abstract: The radio subscription system of the present invention enables a subscriber to remotely define and identify one or more playlists, each specifying information content selected by the subscriber from a subscription content database, for later transmission to the subscriber's radio. The radio subscription system also permits the subscriber to use the local subscriber radio to remotely request transmission of a particular playlist to the subscriber's radio for storage and playback. The subscriber may then use the local subscriber radio to play back the particular playlist.

Abstract: In large multi-tiered hierarchical alarm systems for high capacity telecommunications transmission systems, it is important to notify the maintenance craft of only the highest alarm, and to notify only when the alarm has been validated by persisting for a sufficiently long time. Advantageously, this is accomplished by timing alarms and freezing the timing when a higher level alarm is detected. If the higher level alarm is no longer present, timing on the lower level frozen alarm signal continues until there is a timeout. A timed out alarm is reported to the maintenance craft.

Abstract: An output signal of a magnetoelectrical transducer of a capstan DC motor used in a magnetic tape recorder includes a DC offset voltage. The output signal of the transducer is coupled to a non-inverting input of a first operational amplifier. The output signal is also coupled to an inverting input of a second operational amplifier, operating as a comparator. The non-inverting input of the second operational amplifier is coupled to an output terminal of the first operational amplifier that amplifies an AC voltage component of the transducer output signal. By means of two anti-parallel coupled diodes in a negative feedback branch of the first operational amplifier, a DC amplification of unity is obtained as soon as a first peak of the output signal of the transducer is reached.

Abstract: An automatic levelling device for attachment to a ladder to allow the ladder to be used on an uneven supporting surface. The levelling device includes a downwardly opened U-shaped tubular member which guidably supports therein a ball chain connecting element. Slidable within the open ends of the tubular member and attached to opposite ends of the connecting element are extendable legs.A locking means is connected to the tubular member and is adapted to cooperate with the ball chain to provide positive locking of the chain when the extendable legs are in the proper position to maintain the ladder in a vertical orientation. The ball chain when locked in the locking means can not be unlocked unless weight is removed from both supporting legs.

Abstract: A sensor for use in testing the effect on materials of irradiation and weathering uses solar cells (10) to provide power and uses a transmitter (3) to continuously read out its measurements without interrupting the testing process. The sensor features a number of receptor cells (2) for various spectral ranges and a temperature sensor (17), whose measurements are multiplexed and transmitted under the control of a control logic 18. The receptor cells (2), the photo cells (10) and the electronics (16) are all contained in a preferably cylindrical quartz glass tube (4). The self-contained nature of the sensor and the continuous, immediate read-out of measurements eliminate external wiring requirements and speed up the testing process.

Abstract: A light and weather resistance testing apparatus (9) is provided with a sensor (1) located in the plane of the testing samples (14). The sensor (1) uses a transmitter (4) for wireless transmission of signals representing radiation received to an antenna (3) disposed on the wall (8) of the apparatus housing. The sensor (1) has multiple receptor cells (6) for various spectral ranges. The sensor (1) is powered by solar cells (7) located on the sensor housing. A plotter and display unit (13) can be connected to the apparatus for read-out of irradiance and irradiation. The wireless transmission of data from sensors to the display unit permits continuous measurement during rotation of samples and sensor.

Abstract: A device for measuring the irradiation energy impinged upon a target within a fixed period, having a photo-electric receiver impacted by irradiation. Such devices have become known by the designation "Lux hour meter". They are used, e.g. for tests, by which the influence of irradiation energy on the properties of materials, e.g. textiles, shall be determined.

Abstract: An illumination system for an operating theater having a pinpointing spotlamp and several individual satellite spotlamps all of which are pivotable independently of each other in two mutually-perpendicular directions. The pinpointing spotlamp is adjustable to select a desired area to be illuminated, and each satellite spotlamp is provided with a photoelectric servomechanism which operates in response to light from the area illuminated by the pinpointing spotlamp to adjust the associated satellite spotlamp.