11703 results about "Distribution system" patented technology

A multimedia production and distribution system collects or assembles a media production (such as, a news program, television programming, or radio broadcast) from a variety of sources, including television stations and other media hosting facilities. The media production is categorized and indexed for retrieval and distribution across a wired or wireless network, such as the Internet, to any client, such as a personal computer, television, or personal digital assistant. A user can operate the client to display and interact with the media production, or select various options to customize the transmission or request a standard program. Alternatively, the user can establish a template to generate the media production automatically based on personal preferences. The media production is displayed on the client with various media enhancements to add value to the media production. Such enhancements include graphics, extended play segments, opinion research, and URLs. The enhancements also include advertisements, such as commercials, active banners, and sponsorship buttons. An advertisement reporting system monitors the sale and distribution of advertisements within the network. The advertisements are priced according to factors that measure the likelihood of an advertisement actually being presented or viewed by users most likely to purchase the advertised item or service. The advertisement reporting system also collects metrics to invoice and apportion income derived from the advertisements among the network participants, including a portal host and/or producer of the content.

Distributed remote monitoring (dRMON) of network traffic and performance uses distributed nodes to collect traffic statistics at distributed points in the network. These statistics are forwarded to collectors which compile the statistics to create combined views of network performance. A collector may mimic a prior art, non-distributed, network probe and may interact with network management software as though it were a stand alone network probe thereby simplifying a user's interaction with the distributed system. The invention is designed to work in accordance with a variety of standard network management protocols including SNMP, RMON, and RMON2 but is not limited to those environments. The invention has applications in a variety of communication system environments including local area networks, cable television distribution systems, ATM systems, and advanced telephony systems. A specific embodiment of the invention solves is particularly optimized to work in LAN environments with end systems running under Windows-compatible network operating systems.

Systems and methods for energy optimization may receive receiving energy provider data, near-real time individualized energy usage data for each of a plurality of end-uses or near-real time individualized whole premise energy usage data, customer preferences, and near-real time and forecasted weather information. The systems and methods may forecast, for a selected time period, individualized energy usage for each of the plurality of end-uses or individualized whole premise energy usage data for a customer location using: (1) the energy provider data, (2) the near-real time individualized energy usage data, (3) the customer preferences, and (4) the near-real time and forecasted weather information. The systems and methods may optimize, for the selected time period, energy usage at the customer location using (1) the individualized energy usage, (2) the energy provider data, and (3) the customer preferences.

A system is disclosed for integrated electronic mail, voice mail, and fax mail messaging. A common message format is defined for use by an electronic mail service and a telecommunications service so electronic mail messages that may include voice and fax mail attachments may be exchanged between the services. Message senders and receivers may choose from a variety of filter and forward options that allow them to manage their communications and specify a preference for receiving messages at the electronic mail or telecommunications service. Forwarding and conversion of messages is performed automatically. The options are used to define a set of rules to be applied to inbound and outbound messages so that messages are sent and received in accordance with the preferences of the senders and receivers.

Digital content files containing entertainment media such as movies, TV shows, and the like are distributed from at least one content source primarily responsible for the original creation of the media to subscribers over a network system. The content source is connected over at least one content source network to a plurality of distribution partners, and each distribution partner is connected with a selected group of subscribers over an access network. A requested digital content file is distributed from the content source to a subscriber in a network distribution path comprising at least the content source network, the distribution partner associated with the subscriber, and the second network. A profile information package containing subscriber preferences is transmitted from the subscriber to the content source by way of a proxy over the network distribution path, and the profile information package is stored at the content source.

An ultra wideband (UWB) or short-pulse transmission system that enables precise tracking or geolocation of a target over distances of several kilometers. The system includes a set of N (where N>2) untethered UWB transceivers located at fixed positions, an untethered UWB receiver at the target, and a processor at the target for resolving time-of-flight measurement ambiguities of received pulses to determine precise geolocation by solving a set of equations according to time-of-flight measurements and surveyed positions of N-1 transceivers. To eliminate a clock distribution system, self-synchronizing of pulse timing is achieved by generating a start pulse at one of the untethered transceivers. Alternatively, a timing source may be provided by a GPS or other timing generator at the transceivers in order to synchronize emissions of their pulses.

The invention relates to video and music distribution systems and, more particularly, to a system that blanket transmits video/audio content such as movies (for example, via satellite downlink transmission) to each customer's recording, storage and playback system. Customers may preselect from a list of available movies or other content in advance using an interactive screen selector, and pay for the video/audio content that is actually viewed.

A system and method of optimizing transmission of a program to multiple users over a distribution system, with particular application to video-on-demand for a CATV network. The system includes, at a head end of the CATV network a scheduling and routing computer for dividing the video program stored in long term fast storage or short term fast storage into a plurality of program segments, and a subscriber distribution node for transmitting the program segments in a redundant sequence in accordance with a scheduling algorithm. At a receiver of the CATV network there is provided a buffer memory for storing the transmitted video program segments for subsequent playback whereby, in use, the scheduling algorithm can ensure that a user's receiver will receive all of the program segments in a manner that will enable continuous playback in real time of the program. Under the control of controller the receiver distinguishes received program segments by a segment identifier so that redundant segments captured in capture memory are then stored in buffer memory from which the segments can be retrieved and decompressed in data compressor for immediate or subsequent viewing. In one embodiment, the method of this invention includes dividing at least some segments into fragments, and transmitting one fragment of each segment during a playback interval of a duration, for example, equal to a playback time of a segment.

A targeted information and incentive distribution system that protects consumer privacy and analyzes individuals', including individual households' or individual groups, purchase histories obtained from several retailers and other providers of goods and/or services to determine targeted information and/or incentives to deliver to individuals. Purchase history and other relevant data for each individual user are accumulated at a computer that is under the control of that user and analyzed to determine which targeted information items and/or incentives to deliver to that individual user. Purchase history data in the exemplary embodiment is only maintained at the user's computer so as to increase the privacy for the user of this extensive purchase history data that was derived from multiple sources. Abridged purchase history data that does not contain information to identify the individual to which it pertains is uploaded for comprehensive analysis to develop future purchase incentive programs.

An apparatus and related method for distributing process gas in a vapor deposition system is described. The gas distribution system includes a vertically movable piston within its plenum, and the movement of the piston controls the flow rate of process gas through the vapor distribution plate of the gas distribution system. The piston can be used to accommodate changes in processing parameters that affect flow characteristics and to create edge-enhanced, uniform, and center-enhanced profiles of deposited material on a substrate without the need to replace the vapor distribution plate.

A method and system is described for reducing particle contamination of a substrate in a deposition system. The deposition system comprises one or more particle diffusers disposed therein and configured to prevent or partially prevent the passage of film precursor particles, or break-up or partially break-up film precursor particles. The particle diffuser may be installed in the film precursor evaporation system, or the vapor delivery system, or the vapor distribution system, or two or more thereof.

A computer implemented online music distribution system provides for the secure delivery of audio data and related media, including text and images, over a public communications network. The online music distribution system provides security through multiple layers of encryption, and the cryptographic binding of purchased audio data to each specific purchaser. The online music distribution system also provides for previewing of audio data prior to purchase. In one embodiment, the online music distribution system is a client-server system including a content manager, a delivery server, and an HTTP server, communicating with a client system including a Web browser and a media player. The content manager provides for management of media and audio content, and processing of purchase requests. The delivery server provides delivery of the purchased media data. The Web browser and HTTP server provide a communications interface over the public network between the content manager and media players. The media player provides for encryption of user personal information, and for decryption and playback of purchased media data. Security of purchased media data is enhanced in part by the use of a personal, digital passport in each media player. The digital passport contains identifying information that identifies the purchaser, along with confidential information, such as credit card number, and encryption data, such as the media player's public and private keys. The media player encryption data is used to encrypt purchased media data, which is decrypted in real time by the media player. The media player also displays confidential information, such as the purchaser's credit card number, during playback.

A method and system is described for reducing particle contamination in a vapor distribution system. The vapor distribution system comprises a housing and a vapor distribution head comprising a plurality of openings configured to introduce a film precursor vapor to a deposition system. The housing and vapor distribution head define a plenum coupled to a film precursor evaporation system, and configured to receive the film precursor vapor from the evaporation system and distribute the film precursor vapor within the deposition system through the plurality of openings. In order to reduce particle contamination, the vapor distribution system is designed to reduce the difference, or ratio, between the pressure in the plenum and the pressure in the deposition system. For example, the plenum pressure can be less than twice the pressure in the process space, or can be less than 50 mTorr, 30 mTorr or even 20 mTorr than the pressure in the process space.

A device for performing ALD includes a housing having a vacuum chamber that surrounds a horizontal flow reactor. The device further includes a gas distribution system for delivering gases to the reactor. The gas distribution system includes at least one of a high temperature valve and a high temperature filter disposed inside the vacuum chamber. The high temperature valve (and/or filter) controls (and/or filters) a supply of a precursor/reactant gas, inert gas, or precursor/reactant and inert gas mixture before it enters the horizontal flow reactor.

A platform includes an overall system for user interaction, associated with a particular advertisement. The process enables users to interact with a widget directly associated with an advertisement and express themselves in regards to the advertisement. Advertisement displayed in the Internet or similar distributed computer network-based information distribution system. Such user interactions include engagement methods such as rating advertisements, sharing them with other users, commenting on them, and more. The platform can also include a host site, storing and processing data received by users. As well as means for targeting advertisements and serving them to users according to data collected through the platform directly inserted by the users or collected by the platform in regards to their interaction with the platform.

An electronic media distribution system which facilitates the distribution of media to consumers over a network, such as the Internet, while achieving commercial business objectives and protecting the intellectual property rights associated with the media being distributed. The system provides the infrastructure and support for various market participants to engage in buying, selling, finding and distributing music. The system provides an interface for consumers to locate, access and receive musical content over the Internet. The system facilitates continued control over the musical content sent to consumers by dynamically enforcing retailer agreements and restrictions governing the purchase, use, and distribution of the content. The system also provides a service to retailers and distributors in assisting with the management of sales and distribution of music over the Internet. Specifically, the system certifies and distributes retail offers for the content where the offers are dynamically updated by electronic contracts between the retailers and distributors of the music.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a gas distribution system which distributes the gas more uniformly into a process chamber. In one embodiment, a gas distribution system comprises a gas ring including an outer surface and an inner surface, and a gas inlet disposed at the outer surface of the gas ring. The gas inlet is fluidicly coupled with a first channel which is disposed between the outer surface and the inner surface of the gas ring. A plurality of gas outlets are distributed over the inner surface of the gas ring, and are fluidicly coupled with a second channel which is disposed between the outer surface and the inner surface of the gas ring. A plurality of orifices are fluidicly coupled between the first channel and the second channel. The plurality of orifices are spaced from the gas inlet by a plurality of distances, and have sizes which vary with the distances from the gas inlet as measured along the first channel, such that the size of the orifice increases with an increase in the distance between the orifice and the gas inlet as measured along the first channel.

A process control system uses a data collection and distribution system and an asset utilization suite to collect data or information pertaining to the assets of a process plant from various sources or functional areas of the plant including, for example, the process control functional areas, the maintenance functional areas and the process performance monitoring functional areas. This data and information is manipulated in a coordinated manner by the data collection and distribution system and is redistributed to other applications where this it is used to perform overall better or more optimal control, maintenance and business activities. Information or data may be collected by maintenance functions pertaining to the health, variability, performance or utilization of a device, loop, unit, area, etc. and this information may then be sent to and displayed to a process operator or maintenance person to inform that person of a current or future problem. A user interface is provided that enables users to access and manipulate the expert engine to optimize plant operation or cause optimization of plant operation, to get information about the operation of the plant, etc. Furthermore, applications, such as work order generation applications may automatically generate work orders, parts or supplies orders, etc. based on events occurring within the plant.

A server architecture for a digital rights management system that distributes and protects rights in content. The server architecture includes a retail site which sells content items to consumers, a fulfillment site which provides to consumers the content items sold by the retail site, and an activation site which enables consumer reading devices to use content items having an enhanced level of copy protection. Each retail site is equipped with a URL encryption object, which encrypts, according to a secret symmetric key shared between the retail site and the fulfillment site, information that is needed by the fulfillment site to process an order for content sold by the retail site. Upon selling a content items, the retail site transmits to the purchase a web page having a link to a URL comprising the address of the fulfillment site and a parameter having the encrypted information. Upon the following the link, the fulfillment site downloads the ordered content to the consumer preparing the content if necessary in accordance with the type of security to be carried with the content. The fulfillment site includes an asynchronous fulfillment pipeline which logs information about processed transactions using a store-and-forward messaging service. The fulfillment site may be implemented as several server devices, each having a cache which stores frequently downloaded content items, in which case the asynchronous fulfillment pipeline may also be used to invalidate the cache if a change is made at one server that affects the cached content items. An activation site provides an activation certificate and a secure repository executable to consumer content-rendering devices which enable those content rendering devices to render content having an enhanced level of copy-resistance. The activation site “activates” client-reading devices in a way that binds them to a persona, and limits the number of devices that may be activated for a particular persona, or the rate at which such devices may be activated for a particular persona.

An automated storage and retrieval system wherein electrically driven, computer-controlled carriages (58) can navigate a system of rails (78) in three-dimensions. Multiple carriages (58) can independently operate at the same time to accomplish a task faster or to work on several different tasks at the same time. The rails (78) have a system of trap doors (95) that allow a carriage (58) to use a single reversible motor (67) to navigate the rails (78) in three-dimensions. With the carriage (58) in positioned in font of a bin position, the carriage mounted manipulating device (125) can move bins (115) to and from the racks (107) from either side with a single reversible motor (131). The rails (78) are electrified to provide power for the drive (67) and manipulator motors (131). A main computer (146) maintains the inventory, handles transactions and assigns tasks to the computer-controlled carriages (58). The system can be scaled to handle different types of items and can be configured to fit in the space available.