Abstract: A system is presented for load balancing across media server instances. In an embodiment, media is broken out into a multi-tenanted service allowing the media to be scaled independently of the number of organizations supported on a cloud-based collaboration platform. Scaling may occur in a scaling-out or a scaling-in operation. States for a media service may comprise in-service, quiescing, quiesced, failed, etc. The states may be used to monitor sessions associated with an instance and determine which media instances to terminate during a scaling-in operation. In an embodiment, new instances may be added to a collection of media instances in response to an increased workload in a scaling-out operation.

Abstract: A system is presented for load balancing across media server instances. In an embodiment, media is broken out into a multi-tenanted service allowing the media to be scaled independently of the number of organizations supported on a cloud-based collaboration platform. Scaling may occur in a scaling-out or a scaling-in operation. States for a media service may comprise in-service, quiescing, quiesced, failed, etc. The states may be used to monitor sessions associated with an instance and determine which media instances to terminate during a scaling-in operation. In an embodiment, new instances may be added to a collection of media instances in response to an increased workload in a scaling-out operation.

Abstract: A shoe fastening system designed to engage the eyelet holes of a shoe, comprising, an anchor, wherein the anchor has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has means to detachably engage with an eyelet of a shoe and the second end has a connection means, an attachment member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is designed to securely fit within the connection means of the anchor and the second has a closed loop, a strap, wherein the strap is sized to fit through the closed loop of the attachment member and is a predetermined length and width, and a locking mechanism fitted to receive the strap and engage the strap to keep the strap at a specific length.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for load balancing across media server instances. In an embodiment, media is broken out into a multi-tenanted service allowing the media to be scaled independently of the number of organizations supported on a cloud-based collaboration platform. Scaling may occur in a scaling-out or a scaling-in operation. States for a media service may comprise in-service, quiescing, quiesced, failed, etc. The states may be used to monitor sessions associated with an instance and determine which media instances to terminate during a scaling-in operation. In an embodiment, new instances may be added to a collection of media instances in response to an increased workload in a scaling-out operation.

Abstract: A vibrating welding torch attachment utilizes a battery-operated vibrating mechanism secured within a cylindrical housing. The attachment is configured to be detachably secured to the welding end of a traditional TIG-style welding torch. The battery pack within the attachment is rechargeable.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for load balancing across media server instances. In an embodiment, media is broken out into a multi-tenanted service allowing the media to be scaled independently of the number of organizations supported on a cloud-based collaboration platform. Scaling may occur in a scaling-out or a scaling-in operation. States for a media service may comprise in-service, quiescing, quiesced, failed, etc. The states may be used to monitor sessions associated with an instance and determine which media instances to terminate during a scaling-in operation. In an embodiment, new instances may be added to a collection of media instances in response to an increased workload in a scaling-out operation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a localization beacon is inserted into a digital communication signal by a localization device. The resulting modified signal is transmitted to customer premises equipment (CPE). One or more CPE devices monitor incoming signals to detect the presence of a localization beacon. If a localization beacon having certain characteristics is not received, the one or more CPE devices are configured to disable one or more CPE features.

Abstract: A shoe fastening system designed to engage the eyelet holes of a shoe, comprising, an anchor, wherein the anchor has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has means to detachably engage with an eyelet of a shoe and the second end has a connection means, an attachment member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is designed to securely fit within the connection means of the anchor and the second has a closed loop, a strap, wherein the strap is sized to fit through the closed loop of the attachment member and is a predetermined length and width, and a locking mechanism fitted to receive the strap and engage the strap to keep the strap at a specific length.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a localization beacon is inserted into a digital communication signal by a localization device. The resulting modified signal is transmitted to customer premises equipment (CPE). One or more CPE devices monitor incoming signals to detect the presence of a localization beacon. If a localization beacon having certain characteristics is not received, the one or more CPE devices are configured to disable one or more CPE features.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a localization beacon is inserted into a digital communication signal by a localization device. The resulting modified signal is transmitted to customer premises equipment (CPE). One or more CPE devices monitor incoming signals to detect the presence of a localization beacon. If a localization beacon having certain characteristics is not received, the one or more CPE devices are configured to disable one or more CPE features.

Abstract: A tool formed of a cable stripper and an associated cutting assembly is used for stripping a cable. Differently sized cutting assemblies can be easily and quickly mounted to and disassembled from the cable stripper. The cable stripper includes a depth stop assembly for setting the amount of cable seated within the cable stripper so that the cutting assembly is positioned in the desired position. The cable stripper include a one-way bearing which only allows the user to use the cable stripper in the intended direction.

Abstract: The invention provides systems, methods, and devices that comfortably secure earphones about a user's neck. The inventive device is a strap worn around a user's neck. The strap has snaps to secure earphone wires, and clips at both ends to secure earphones to a user by securing the earphone cords to a user's neck. The clips comprise channeled jaws coupled via a spring hinge. Further, the snaps when connected secure a wrapped cord to the earphone cord management strap to prevent cord tangling.

Abstract: A tool formed of a cable stripper and an associated cutting assembly is used for stripping a cable. Differently sized cutting assemblies can be easily and quickly mounted to and disassembled from the cable stripper. The cable stripper includes a depth stop assembly for setting the amount of cable seated within the cable stripper so that the cutting assembly is positioned in the desired position. The cable stripper include a one-way bearing which only allows the user to use the cable stripper in the intended direction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards providing a partial dual-encrypted stream in a conditional access overlay system. The headend equipment includes an aligner, identifier, and remapper (AIR) device (615) that receives a clear stream and one or two encrypted streams, where the two encrypted streams have been encrypted by two different encryption schemes. The AIR device (615) identifies critical packets associated with the clear stream and subsequently allows two encrypted streams to pass and drops the critical packets of the clear stream. A multiplexer (640) then combines a percentage of the non-critical packets of the clear stream and the critical packets of the two encrypted streams to provide the partial dual-encrypted stream.

Abstract: The present invention is suitable for use in a partial dual encrypted system. The present invention allows for two different decryption devices (e.g., an incumbent, or first, set-top and an overlay, or second, set-top) to be located in a single system having an incumbent encryption scheme and a second encryption scheme. Each set-top is designed to decrypt the first or second proprietary encryption schemes, respectively. In accordance with the present invention, the second set-top utilizes a novel program map table to ensure that the second set-top chooses correct elementary streams in the partial dual-encrypted stream (i.e., a combined stream including a first encrypted stream, a second encrypted stream, and a clear stream) for a desired program.

Abstract: A spring-loaded drum rotates around a post attached between a cap and a base. A cord retaining clip and surrounding cord receiving slot on the reel admits and secures a mid portion of an existing cord. As the drum turns it winds up the cord from the center in a double coil. A top and a bottom coil on opposite sides of the drum guide an attached cord extending end in the top half and the bottom half of the drum respectively.

Abstract: A system and method for guaranteeing an upper bound on output jitter while maintaining maximum loop bandwidth. At least a portion of a plurality of transport packets stored in a buffer include a first timestamp value. A first phase locked loop receives a stream of first timestamp values and generates a variable rate timing signal stream that conveys a variation rate and a phase accumulation rate of the stream of first timestamp values to the first loop. A second phase locked loop receives the variable rate timing signal stream and generates a stable rate timing signal stream conveying the average rate of the variable rate timing signal stream. A interval timer is responsive to the stable rate timing signal stream in order to release the transport packets from the buffer.

Abstract: A transport stream transmitter receives a jittered stream of network frames carrying a stream of transport packets. The transport stream transmitter de-encapsulates the stream of transport packets from the network frames and dejitters and transmits the stream of network frames.

Abstract: A broadband communications system uses modulation symbol transport over communications links to replace baseband or bandpass signal transport, thereby providing longer communication distances, lower communication link bandwidth, and greater signal quality. Subsequent to transporting the modulation symbols, the symbols are modulated and further transmitted over the RF transmission network.

Abstract: An apparatus in a subscriber television system receives a composite signal having a plurality of component signals carried therein. The apparatus receives user input and selectively controls the power levels of the component signals in the composite signal while selectively controlling the power level of the composite signal. The apparatus uses user input that specifies a specific component signal and a power level indicator and implements logic that adjusts the relative power levels of the component signals.