Abstract: A multi-tenant virtual machine infrastructure (MTVMI) allows multiple tenants to independently access and use a plurality of virtual computing resources via the Internet. Within the MTVMI, different tenants may define unique configurations of virtual computing resources and unique rules to govern the use of the virtual computing resources. The MTVMI may be configured to provide valuable services for tenants and users associated with the tenants.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for audio and video synchronization timestamp rollover correction. A synchronization apparatus includes a synchronizer for providing synchronization information for synchronizing a video stream with an audio stream during any point in a broadcast thereof irrespective of whether the video stream and the audio stream have different rollover points for their respective timestamps. The synchronization information is encoded for an out of band transmission with respect to the broadcast of the audio and video streams.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for managing service traffic in a communications network capable of providing voice, data, and A/V services to a plurality of customers. In particular, the present invention is a digital subscriber line system (DSL), preferably based on ADSL, having a plurality of customer premise equipment (CPEs) coupled to voice, data and A/V services via network system equipment comprising a DSLAM, an ATM switch and a DSL terminator for connecting the system to the internet. The invention provides a network control system that includes a plurality of databases including a provisioning database and a real time database indicative of the actual bandwidth being utilized.

Abstract: An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) digital document delivery system is provided. A customer premise unit is configured to permit a customer to order and receive a data stream. A buffer is coupled to the customer premise unit to store the data stream before transmitting the data stream to a customer. A server includes digital documents stored thereon for delivery to customers through a switched ATM network. A control mechanism is employed to control a data rate of the data stream between the server and the buffer to ensure maintenance of a steady data stream from the customer premise unit to a customer during a loss of a physical layer between the server and the customer premise unit.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus using a system level clocking scheme to remove jitter from multi-media packets distributed over an asynchronous network, in particular an asynchronous network. The present invention overcomes the problems associated with jitter introduced in an asynchronous network by using various time stamps to synchronize a client device clock to a headend clock and to control the data flow in the client device to match the rate that the data is received by a broadband receiver coupled to the headend. A first time stamp is prepended to the transport packets when the packets are received from the headend. A second time stamp is placed in the data frame when the data frame is placed on the network. A third time stamp is placed in the data frame when the data frame is received from the network. The second and third time stamps are used for synchronizing the client clock to the server clock, which is in turn frequency locked to the headend clock.

Abstract: A device incorporates a software-based H.264 video encoder for providing compressed, or encoded, video data. The H.264 encoder incorporates a timer algorithm such that the time available to the H.264 encoder within the macroblock mode decision and motion estimation framework is constrained, or restricted. The particular amount of time available to the H.264 encoder then determines a subset of available encoding modes that the H.264 encoder can use to encode a macroblock.

Abstract: There is provided a method for employing Parameter Set information corresponding to an Advanced Video Coding (AVC) file. The method includes the step of embedding the Parameter Set information into a Hint Track of the AVC file.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for rejecting radioactive interference in a radiation monitoring station. Techniques typically include two radiation detectors positioned to acquire first and second radiation measurements from a moving radiological source in substantially distinct fields of view. A transition zone is established between the fields of view. A function yielding a dependent variable is defined at least in part by the first radiation level measurement and the second radiation level measurement. A detection alert is generated when the dependent variable reaches the first threshold value. In some embodiments a determination is made as to whether the monitoring station is occupied as a condition for generating a detection alert, and in some embodiments a determination is made as to whether the detected radiological source is likely innocuous or offensive prior to generating a detection alert.

Abstract: A method for adjusting parameters of a videoconference session involving client devices includes the step of providing an ability to adjust bandwidth characteristics corresponding to at least one of the client devices based on a location of the at least one of the client devices.

Abstract: There are provided apparatus and methods for parallelizing an encoding process across multiple processors. An apparatus includes a computing resource balancer and a splitter. The computing resource balancer is for assigning encoder instances to respective ones of the multiple processors based on at least one of thread affinity and process affinity. The splitter is for temporally dividing an incoming video sequence into discrete GOPs such that each of the encoder instances is capable of encoding the incoming video sequence in parallel so that each of the discrete GOPs is encoded on a respective one of the multiple processors.

Abstract: A digital dictation workflow system and method employing a plurality of client devices and at least one server. Certain client devices are operable to record audio information dictated by a user for storing as a digital audio file in a file store, and others are operable to receive and reproduce the stored digital audio file as audio. The server is connected to the client devices via a network, and manages storage and retrieval of the digital audio file to and from the file store and the client devices. The system and method further employ at least one database for storing dictation data pertaining to the digital audio file stored in the file store, and can be configured in a three-tier arrangement with the client devices being present in a presentation layer, the server present in a business logic layer, and the file store and database present in a data access layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable fecal retaining device which has a substantially rectangular pad having an exterior moisture impermeable layer juxtaposed to an absorbing layer. The device is configured to provide a pouch with the absorbing layer on the inside of the pouch. The device has an entry port substantially surrounded by tape for adhesion of the device about the anal opening of a wearer to hold the device in place.

Abstract: Data may be obtained in the form of a printer control density table from a memory within a replacement toner cartridge. The cartridge may include parity bits to ensure the accuracy of the data.

Abstract: System and method for providing a messaging service, such as a voice mail service over a digital subscriber loop are presented. An incoming call is first routed to a service processor. The incoming call is to be delivered over the digital subscriber loop to a receiving device. A determination is made as to whether or not the incoming call is answered by the receiving device. The incoming call is routed to a message processor if the incoming call is not answered by the receiving device. The incoming call is stored at the message processor for later retrieval.

Abstract: A printing device (10) such as a laser printer includes a fuser assembly (200) with a fuser wiper (210) that can be removed and replaced by a user during normal maintenance to extend the useful life of the fuser assembly (200). Indicators (b0, b1) stored in a memory device (144) can be read by a print engine (36) of a printer (10) either when a print cartridge (100) is first inserted into the printer (10) or at specified times thereafter. Depending on the contents of the memory device (144), the print engine (36) may send a notification message to the printer's raster image processor (150) to cause a message to be displayed on the printer's operational/display panel (254) that informs a user the fuser wiper (210) should be replaced.

Abstract: An improved extension pole (20) is provided having relatively shiftable outer and inner bodies (24, 26) with a manually operable locking mechanism (28). The mechanism (28) includes a stationary component (44) secured to outer body (24), with a bidirectionally rotatable component (46) supported on the component (44). The rotatable component (46) has a projecting locking segment (60) disposed about the inner body (24), with the segment (60) being offset. When the mechanism (28) is in its unlocked condition, the centerline of the segment (60) is substantially coincident with the centerlines of the inner and outer bodies (24, 26), thereby permitting free reciprocation of body (26); upon rotation of the component (46), the locking segment (60) comes into direct, frictional, locking engagement with the inner body (26) along a contact arc (68).

Abstract: A system and method for providing a voice and/or data service is thus presented, comprising the following. A connection request is detected. The connection request is formatted into a data cell. The data cell is sent to a service control point. The service control point determines in real time whether a connection to public switch network is available. If the connection to a public switch network is available, the requested connection is set up as a virtual circuit connection to the public switch network.

Abstract: A rotationally adjustable handle and working tool assembly (10) is provided having an elongated handle (12) presenting a tool-supporting end (22), a working tool (14), and a connector (16) permitting tool adjustment. The connector (16) includes a coupler (32) adapted for connection to the end (22) of handle (12), an adjacent tool mount (34) and a spring assembly (36). Preferably, the coupler (32) is permanently connected to the tool end (22) and has locking splines (48); the tool mount (34) is equipped with a tool-supporting element (60) and locking splines (58) complemental with the coupler splines (48). The tool mount (34) is shiftable against the bias of spring assembly (36) to allow the user to selectively rotate and securely locate the tool (14) relative to handle (12).

Abstract: There is provided a method for remote services control in an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)/Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service network. The ATM/DSL service network includes an ATM/DSL head-end system (NCS) and Customer Premise Equipment (CPE). The ATM/DSL head-end system includes a network control system (NCS). The CPE includes at least one computer. The method includes the step of sending an Internet Protocol (IP) encapsulated signal from the at least one computer, in response to an execution of a user command for the remote services control on the at least one computer. The IP encapsulated signal includes an IP address of a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) web server that is coupled to the NCS. The IP encapsulated signal is received for processing by the HTTP server. The user command is communicated to the NCS, by the HTTP web server.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for providing a telephone service. An analog signal is received from a telephone and the analog signal is converted into a digital signal in a first format. A modem is provided for receiving the digital signal in the first format. A digitizer is also provided for receiving the analog signal from the telephone. The system, in a first mode of operation, couples the digital signal in the first format to the modem, and in a second mode of operation, couples the analog signal from the telephone to the digitizer. The second mode of operation may be, for example, a power failure mode of operation.