User-selected media content blocking
US Patent 8,468,453
June 18, 2013
A method of blocking user-selected media content, such as, for example, audio and/or video content. In the method, at least one media content stream is presented to a user, wherein the at least one media content stream includes multiple showings of an identifiable contiguous segment of media content. One example of such a segment may be a commercial or advertisement. While presenting a current showing of the segment of media content to the user, a command is received from a user to block the segment of media content from presentation to the user. In response to receiving the command, information identifying the segment of media content is generated. The at least one media content stream is analyzed using the information to detect subsequent showings of the segment of media content. Presentation of at least one of the subsequent showings of the segment of media content is prevented when detected in the at least one media content stream.
Identifying a video of interest using a portable electronic device
US Patent 8,464,297
June 11, 2013
Systems and methods are operable to identify videos of interest using information acquired by a portable electronic device. An exemplary embodiment receives the acquired information pertaining to a video of interest, wherein the acquired information was acquired by the portable electronic device; determines an identity of the video of interest based upon the acquired information; and communicates the video of interest to a media device.
Method of manufacturing vibrating micromechanical structures
US Patent 8,453,312
June 4, 2013
A method for fabrication of single crystal silicon micromechanical resonators using a two-wafer process, including either a Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) or insulating base and resonator wafers, wherein resonator anchors, a capacitive air gap, isolation trenches, and alignment marks are micromachined in an active layer of the base wafer; the active layer of the resonator wafer is bonded directly to the active layer of the base wafer; the handle and dielectric layers of the resonator wafer are removed; viewing windows are opened in the active layer of the resonator wafer; masking the single crystal silicon semiconductor material active layer of the resonator wafer with photoresist material; a single crystal silicon resonator is machined in the active layer of the resonator wafer using silicon dry etch micromachining technology; and the photoresist material is subsequently dry stripped.
Cloning and expression of a novel phytase
US Patent 8,455,620
June 4, 2013
The present invention relates to a novel phytase enzyme, a novel isolated nucleic acid molecule coding the enzyme, and a novel Yersinia intermedia having phytase activity. Particularly, the present invention relates to the phytase having (a) Theoretical molecular weight 45.5 kDa, (b) high specific activity 3960.+-.248 U/mg, (c) high stability at high temperature and wide pH, (d) optimal pH of 4.0-5.0, (e) optimal temperature of 50-60.degree. C., (f) high resistance to pepsin and trypsin. The phytase is very suitable to be used in feed of monogastrics as feed additive. The present invention also relates to a recombinant vector comprising said nucleic acid molecule, a recombinant host cell (e.g., Pichia pastoris) harboring said recombinant vector, and a method for producing phytase using the recombinant host cell. The present invention further provides a feed additive comprising said phytase and/or host cells expressing a phytase as effective ingredient. In addition, the present invention provides a novel method for isolating phytase from a target organism.
Apparatus, systems and methods for removing debris from a surface
US Patent 8,454,751
June 4, 2013
Exemplary surface debris removal systems and methods are operable to remove debris from a signal transmitting/receiving surface. An embodiment provides power to, and then removes power from, a conductive memory wire that is secured to a moveable portion of a two-position snap spring. In response to providing the power to the conductive memory wire, a length of the conductive memory wire decreases so that the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring is pulled from an extended position to a retracted position. When power is removed from the conductive memory wire, the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring moves from the retracted position to the extended position. In response to the moving of the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring from the retracted position to the extended position, an energy is generated and transferred to the surface that dislodges the debris from the surface.
Systems and methods for a common image data array file
US Patent 8,457,470
June 4, 2013
Image data file systems and methods are operable to generate image data files for a plurality of images having a common image data array, and are operable to generate images from the image data files. An exemplary embodiment stores a common image data array into a master image data file, wherein the stored common image data array corresponds to an image data array of a first image of the plurality of images; and generates a soft link image data file based upon a second image of the plurality of images, wherein an image data array of the second image is the same as the common image data array, and wherein a soft link in the soft link image data file identifies a location of the stored common image data array.
Congestion management and latency prediction in CSMA media
US Patent 8,458,330
June 4, 2013
A facility for congestion management and latency prediction is described. In various embodiments, the facility sums a series of fractional transmission delays wherein each fractional transmission delay is measured as a probability of a failed transmission attempt multiplied by the cost of the failed transmission attempt, and provides the sum.
Apparatus, systems and methods for acquiring information from film set devices
US Patent 8,457,484
June 4, 2013
Systems and methods are operable to acquire device information from film set devices used to film a media content event. An exemplary film production information acquisition device has at least a sensor device configured to sense an operation characteristic of a film set device, a film production information management system (IMS) communication interface configured to communicatively couple the film production information acquisition device to a film production information management system, and a processor system communicatively coupled to the film production IMS communication interface and the sensor device, and configured to process the sensed operation characteristic of the film set device into information that is communicated to the film production information management system.
Systems and methods for accessing selected packetized programming streams
US Patent 8,458,751
June 4, 2013
Programming stream communication systems and methods are operable to communicate programming streams to a media transmit facility. An exemplary embodiment receives at the media transmit facility a first packetized programming stream (PPS), the first PPS including a first programming stream (PS) generated by a first local programming provider (LPP); receives at the media transmit facility a second PPS, the second PPS including a second PS generated by a second LPP; multiplexes the first PS and the second PS into a transport channel; and communicates the transport channel from the media transmit facility.
Universal mobile saw stand
US Patent 8,448,956
May 28, 2013
This saw stand is a mobile unit, via a built-in hand truck design which enables the end user to transport common table saws and equipment to the location of the project being undertaken. The unit quickly folds out into a fully supporting work bench for actual use of the saw and/or equipment.
