Abstract: A coupling device for releaseably securing together two objects. The coupling device comprises a first housing securable to a first object, a second housing securable to a second object, and an actuator secured to the first housing. The second housing has a hollow bore therein. At least part of the actuator is releaseably receivable within the hollow bore of the second housing. The actuator has an activated and a deactivated configuration. When in its activated configuration at least a portion of the periphery of the actuator is in an expanded state such that when situated within the hollow bore of the second housing the expanded periphery of the actuator releaseably secures the first housing to the second housing. When the actuator is in its deactivated configuration the periphery of the actuator in a retracted state permitting separation and relative movement between the first and second housings.

Abstract: The system initiates a search at a first network site for user-specified data in a remote database at a second network site and conducts the search at a third network site (e.g., at a host computer's site). To begin, the system receives, at the first network site, a provider identifier associated with the database from the second network site. Thereafter, the user-specified data is input at the first network site, following which the user-specified data and the provider identifier are output from the first network site to the third network site. The system then searches for the user-specified data in a database at the third network site using the provider identifier. This database at the third network site includes data that corresponds to data stored in the remote database at the second network site.

Abstract: The system initiates a search at a first network site for user-specified data in a remote database at a second network site and conducts the search at a third network site (e.g., at a host computer's site). To begin, the system receives, at the first network site, a provider identifier associated with the database from the second network site. Thereafter, the user-specified data is input at the first network site, following which the user-specified data and the provider identifier are output from the first network site to the third network site. The system then searches for the user-specified data in a database at the third network site using the provider identifier. This database at the third network site includes data that corresponds to data stored in the remote database at the second network site.

Abstract: A coupling device for releaseably securing together two objects. The coupling device comprises a first housing securable to a first object, a second housing securable to a second object, and an actuator secured to the first housing. The second housing has a hollow bore therein. At least part of the actuator is releaseably receivable within the hollow bore of the second housing. The actuator has an activated and a deactivated configuration. When in its activated configuration at least a portion of the periphery of the actuator is in an expanded state such that when situated within the hollow bore of the second housing the expanded periphery of the actuator releaseably secures the first housing to the second housing. When the actuator is in its deactivated configuration the periphery of the actuator in a retracted state permitting separation and relative movement between the first and second housings.

Abstract: The system initiates a search at a first network site for user-specified data in a remote database at a second network site and conducts the search at a third network site (e.g., at a host computer's site). To begin, the system receives, at the first network site, a provider identifier associated with the database from the second network site. Thereafter, the user-specified data is input at the first network site, following which the user-specified data and the provider identifier are output from the first network site to the third network site. The system then searches for the user-specified data in a database at the third network site using the provider identifier. This database at the third network site includes data that corresponds to data stored in the remote database at the second network site.

Abstract: The system initiates a search at a first network site for user-specified data in a remote database at a second network site and conducts the search at a third network site (e.g., at a host computer's site). To begin, the system receives, at the first network site, a provider identifier associated with the database from the second network site. Thereafter, the user-specified data is input at the first network site, following which the user-specified data and the provider identifier are output from the first network site to the third network site. The system then searches for the user-specified data in a database at the third network site using the provider identifier. This database at the third network site includes data that corresponds to data stored in the remote database at the second network site.