Abstract: The “Cast-Away Bobber” has an operation similar to other slip bobbers but it's make-up and performance are uniquely different. It has a hollow vertical tube through the center with a tubular pierced glass bead through which the fishing line is feed which won't wear out over extended usage. The two piece bonded float assembly has a make up of a closed cell light weight plastic foam for the upper section and a heavier foam rubber base for the bottom section, both sections are bonded together and then coated with several applications of different plastic dip paint for greater visibility and giving the bobber years of performance even if it's accidentally stepped on. The heavier foam rubber base gives the bobber a natural weight for a longer and more accurate cast even in windy conditions. The heavier base also gives the “Cast-Away Bobber” a somewhat angular position when floating in the water without adding additional weight or a sinker, however it is recommended to add a 0.

Abstract: A video-on-demand system transfers a control screen signal to a second communication system and receives a viewer control signal from the second communication system. The video-on-demand system transfers video signals to either a first communication system or the second communication system based on the viewer control signal. The second communication system uses less bandwidth to transfer the video signals than the first communications system. The control screen could be a web page that includes: 1) a video display menu with a selection of displays and bandwidths to display the video signals, 2) a video content menu with a video preview selection, and/or 3) a video display control menu comprising play, pause, rewind, fast forward, and stop. The video-on-demand system implements the control screen menu selections.

Abstract: A video-on-demand system transfers video content signals to a first communication system. The video-on-demand system transfers a control screen signal to a second communication system and receives a video control signal from the second communication system. The video-on-demand system implements a viewer control selection indicated by the video control signal. The control screen could be a web page that includes a video display control menu comprising play stop, pause, rewind, and fast forward. The control screen could include a video content selection menu. The video-on-demand system implements the control screen menu selections.

Abstract: A director-controlled web server comprises a processing system, an interface, and a screen. Using the screen, the director selects a web site to provide content pages to participating browsers. The interface then receives refresh messages from the participating browsers and transfers the refresh messages to the processing system. The processing system generates responses with a refresh tag and the URL for the currently selected web site. The interface transfers the responses to the participating browsers. The combination of a new web site selection by the director and a refresh by the browser results in a new content page being displayed at the browser. The director-controlled web server may be configured to automatically select web sites, and to change the selection from one web site to another over time.

Abstract: A system for modifying the surface temperature and/or relative humidity of golf greens or other grass playing fields by applying temperature controlled air and/or a water mist through pop-up nozzles. The nozzles are controlled by a central control panel which activates the nozzles based on input from temperature sensitive probes in the greens.

Abstract: A series capacitance is included in both surface ground conductors of coplanar waveguide on an MMIC die. The capacitance compensates for the inductance of bond wires used for transitioning from microstrip line to coplanar waveguide. The capacitance is chosen to resonate with the inductance of the bond wires at the desired frequency. As a result, virtually all microstrip mode ground signal currents are transitioned from the ground plane of the microstrip line to the surface ground conductors of the coplanar waveguide. Microstrip modes affecting the coplanar waveguide are significantly reduced improving isolation between ports of the MMIC die.