Abstract: Unitized probe tip assemblies of reduced size for a micro-browser use surface mount components in an isolation/coupling network that may include a parallel RC combination in series with a damping resistor. These surface mount components are soldered directly to one another without the use of a substrate. A pointed contact tip is soldered directly to one end of the surface mount components, and at the other end of those components is soldered the center conductor of a coaxial transmission line leading to a replication amplifier. A portion of the isolation/coupling network is enclosed within a supporting conductive shield that is also soldered to the outer conductive shield of the coaxial cable, which may be a semi-rigid micro coax (which might also be of a memory metal, such as Nitinol) that transitions into a flexible coaxial cable after leaving a slot in a sleeve that carries stationary and rotating rods (which might also be of a memory metal) to which the unitized probe tip assemblies are attached.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating activation of a mobile device by an end user, where the end user may initiate the activation from the mobile device. Prior to activation, the mobile device is configured with a permanent identifier that is known by a select network service provider. The inactive mobile device sends a request for access that is ultimately received at a system of the service provider. The request includes the permanent identifier. Based on the permanent identifier, if the service provider recognizes the mobile device as having an inactive status, it provides the mobile device with access to an activation component portion of the system. Once the mobile device has access to the activation component, the end user of the mobile device can provide the activation component with activation information so that the mobile device can be activated and have increased access to the system.

Abstract: A business model that is dedicated to supporting a wireless messaging device. The model offers unlimited services on a dependent device, including mixed limited/unlimited usage models, pre-and post-pay models, and models not found in a conventional monthly recurring charge system. The model further includes components that address service selection, suspension, resumption, service add-ons, account limitations and restrictions, detect device compatibility with support services, account analysis, charging cycles, billing methods, third-party add-ons and interfacing, and troubleshooting support.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved breathing assistance device. The breathing assistance device comprises a nasal mask, an upper mouth piece and a frame attached to the upper mouth piece. The frame is coupled to the nasal mask such that orbital movement of the nasal mask is permitted while air under pressure is supplied to the nasal mask through the coupling. A method of using a breathing assistance device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A solution to the problem of broken micro-browser probe assemblies caused by the accidental application of excessive force is to manufacture the rods out of a material that resists forces found in normal usage and appears stiff, but that will abruptly deform harmlessly under less force than causes permanent damage to other elements of the micro-browser. The sudden deformation serves as a signal to the operator to stop being a gorilla. That leaves the problem of re-shaping the rod. A preferred solution is to use as the rod a Nitinol superelastic metal wire that automatically returns to its previous shape once the force causing deformation is removed. An alternate solution is to make the rod from a length of Nitinol “memory metal” wire that restores itself to a pre-set shape upon the application of mild heat, such as immersion in a cup of hot water from an office coffee machine. The small circuit board and its components are not bothered by the bath.

Abstract: A micro-browser has pair of rods each rod entering a corresponding bore in a sleeve that retains them, and that may itself be carried by a grip shaped to be rotated between a thumb and a finger. The edge of a small circuit board is soldered at the distal end of the rod. One of the rods is allowed to rotate within its bore in the sleeve, while the other is held stationary by a notch in the sleeve. The rotatable rod has a captive spring that resists the force of probe contact. Each board carries a coupling network connected to a short sharp probe tip bent downward away from the plane of its board, allowing the distance between the probe tips to be a function of the amount of rotation. The other end of each coupling network is coupled to a short length of a respective 50? coaxial cable that passes through an axial slot in the grip to enter an amplifier pod that drives a main cable leading to test equipment. The rods may be held within the bores by friction created by slight bends in the rods.

Abstract: A high-bandwidth electrical test probe having a probe contact spring of reduced size and characteristic capacitance is presented. The probe includes a contact spring connected at one end to the input port of a probe circuit. The opposite end of the contact spring enters the a probe socket and a predetermined angle of entry. The probe socket has a bore formed therein which is arranged at a non-zero angle relative to the angle of entry of the contact spring into said probe socket bore, thereby guaranteeing electrical contact with the bore. The design allows the use of a very small contact spring, on the order of tens of mils, thereby reducing the parasitic capacitance of the spring and allowing much higher bandwidths than heretofore achievable.

Abstract: Display devices and methods for operating a display device are provided. A display device has a source of an original image and a display. A user input system is adapted to generate a non-directional signal in response to a user input action. A controller is provided and is adapted to detect the non-directional signal and to successively designate a different one of a set of portions of the original image in response to each non-directional signal. The controller is further adapted to cause the display to present a portion evaluation image showing the currently designated portion of the original image and to determine and area of importance in the original image based upon the currently designated portion. At least one of the portions of the set of portions of the original image is non-central with respect to the original image.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved bib retaining device. The bib retaining device comprises an elongate resilient member having a central portion and opposite end portions, the central portion of the elongate resilient member being formed into a neck engaging portion, the end portions extending outwardly from the neck engaging portion, and a bib retaining member attached to each end portion of the elongate resilient member. A method of using a bib retaining device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A probe pod housing is connected by a cable to an active probe. The probe pod housing carries a male push-on precision BNC connector that is also a cross-series adapter. The center conductor of the cable receives a male connector that then mates with the non-BNC end of the cross-series adapter. Auxiliary conductors that may also be carried by the cable are connected to male pins (soldered to a circuit board carried within the probe pod) with a push-on female in-line connector. The active probe itself uses a soldered-to-the-shield threaded nut technique. The nut threads into a metallic body that contains the impedance converter and that is enclosed by the body of the active probe. The cable is replaced by first unsoldering the center conductor (and also any auxiliary conductors). Then the nut (which is still soldered to the shield) is unscrewed from the metallic body, and the cable is free from the probe.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting tool joints and injection or control tubing of production tubing strings employed in the production of oil and gas is disclosed, where the protector has a minimized running profile and includes two C-shaped clamping members designed to be forced onto a pipe string above and below a joint with sufficient holding force to allow protector assembly without the need to hold the ends in place during the assembly process. The protector also includes beveled leading and trailing edges to further minimize the likelihood that the protector will hang up during production string insertion and withdrawal.

Abstract: A system and method for coating a length of material 1 with and electron-beam curable coating or an ultraviolet curable coating comprises placing a portion of the material to be coated under tension or compression and driving or pulling the material 1 through a coating system 100 whereby a liquid coating is applied. The material 1 is then exposed to electron beam radiation and/or ultraviolet radiation to cure the coating applied thereto.