Abstract: A modular water treatment system includes a plurality of water treatment components including selected from a group of a particulate filter component, a taste and odor filter component, a lead and mercury filter component, a water softener component, and a water disinfection component. A plurality of interfaces are provided for coupling to the selected water treatment components. Plumbing lines provide flow communication between the selected water treatment components, and the plumbing lines include a system water inlet and a system water outlet. A controller is configured to control the flow of water through the system, and a sensor is configured to transmit a signal to the controller.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a printed circuit board includes providing a board including a plurality of electrical traces, a first surface, and a second surface opposite the first surface. The method further includes providing at least one surface mount component having a plurality of electrical terminals. The method also includes applying an adhesive on the first surface of the board, and adhering the surface mounting component to the first surface. The method also includes wave soldering the surface mount component on the first surface to the board to encapsulate at least a portion of the electrical terminals of the surface mount component with a lead-free solder.

Abstract: Vertical field effect transistors having a channel region defined by at least one semiconducting nanotube and methods for fabricating such vertical field effect transistors by chemical vapor deposition using a spacer-defined channel. Each nanotube is grown by chemical vapor deposition catalyzed by a catalyst pad positioned at the base of a high-aspect-ratio passage defined between a spacer and a gate electrode. Each nanotube grows in the passage with a vertical orientation constrained by the confining presence of the spacer. A gap may be provided in the base of the spacer remote from the mouth of the passage. Reactants flowing through the gap to the catalyst pad participate in nanotube growth.

Abstract: The invention provides pth polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding pth polypeptides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Also provided are methods for utilizing pth polypeptides to screen for antibacterial compounds.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic device with a keyboard, thumbwheel, display and associated software is optimized for use of the device with the thumbs. The associated software has a plurality of features to optimize efficient use of the limited keyboard space and encourage the use of the device by thumb-based data entry through the thumbwheel and/or through a combination of minimal number of keystrokes. Software features include international character scrolling, and auto-capitalization. The keys on the device keyboard are optimally shaped and configured for thumb-based input. In addition, the thumbwheel is inclined between the front and a side edge of the device so as to be reachable by either the thumb or index finger of the user's hand at the side edge of the device.

Abstract: A display for a handheld computing device includes a LCD display panel; a display circuit board carrying display electronics for the display panel; a cover assembly securing the display panel to the display circuit board; and a resilient layer disposed between the display circuit board and a circuit board of the computing device. The resilient layer is configured to support the display panel and to limit impact forces applied to the display panel.

Abstract: A housing 26 for a mobile communication device 10 includes a housing member 58 that encloses the mobile communication device 10. An opening 54 is positioned in the housing member 58 for accepting a battery 68. A door 56 is positioned over the opening 54 in the housing member 58, with an access port 50 defined through the housing member 58 positioned under the door 56 for contacting an internal element 52 of a mobile communication device 10, such as an antenna 52. A method for testing an antenna 52 in a mobile communication device 10 having a housing 26 with an antenna access port 50 defined therethrough, an antenna 52, a battery compartment 54, and a removable cover positioned over at least part of the housing 26 is also described.

Abstract: Asynchronous voice messaging is employed to enable individuals to send voice clips back and forth over a network. In at least some embodiments, the voice clips reside in the form of discrete, manageable objects that can be easily managed by the user. In addition, some embodiments described provide hand-free/eyes-free functionality that can permit a user to create and send (or receive and play) a voice message without having to physically enter an intended recipient's address or otherwise digitally manipulate the device over which the message is sent or received.

Abstract: Secure instant messaging is described. In an embodiment, a messaging device encrypts a challenge identifier to generate an encrypted challenge message, and communicates the encrypted challenge message via a peer-to-peer communication link to a recipient messaging device. The recipient messaging device decrypts the encrypted challenge message and encrypts the challenge identifier as a return challenge identifier to generate an encrypted challenge return. The messaging device receives the encrypted challenge return from the recipient messaging device, decrypts the encrypted challenge return, and verifies that the return challenge identifier matches the challenge identifier to establish that communications are secure when communicated via the peer-to-peer communication link and, optionally, to establish control policies pertaining to a communication received at the recipient messaging device.

Abstract: Secure instant messaging is described. In an embodiment, a messaging device encrypts a challenge identifier to generate an encrypted challenge message, and communicates the encrypted challenge message via a peer-to-peer communication link to a recipient messaging device. The recipient messaging device decrypts the encrypted challenge message and encrypts the challenge identifier as a return challenge identifier to generate an encrypted challenge return. The messaging device receives the encrypted challenge return from the recipient messaging device, decrypts the encrypted challenge return, and verifies that the return challenge identifier matches the challenge identifier to establish that communications are secure when communicated via the peer-to-peer communication link and, optionally, to establish control policies pertaining to a communication received at the recipient messaging device.

Abstract: A packaging structure (10) is provided having a hermetic sealed cavity for microelectronic applications. The packaging structure (10) comprises first and second packaging layers (12, 28) forming a cavity. Two liquid crystal polymer (LCP) layers (16, 22) are formed between and hermetically seal the first and second packaging layers (12, 28). First and second conductive strips (18, 20) are formed between the LCP layers (16, 22) and extend into the cavity. An electronic device (24) is positioned within the cavity and is coupled to the first and second conductive strips (18, 20).

Abstract: Multi-participant online activities are described. In one or more implementations, a protocol is described which ties an online activity (e.g., an online game) to an instant messaging infrastructure. For example, an online game may leverage the instant messaging infrastructure to form rosters of participants for participation in the online game, Once the roster is formed, the instant messaging infrastructure may further manage the presence of the participants in the online activity, such as which users join and cease participation in the online activity and notify other users of these changes. Further, the state of participation in the online activity may be stored such that the users may continue between sessions.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic device with a keyboard, thumbwheel, display and associated software is optimized for use of the device with the thumbs. The associated software has a plurality of features to optimize efficient use of the limited keyboard space and encourage the use of the device by thumb-based data entry through the thumbwheel and/or through a combination of minimal number of keystrokes. Software features include international character scrolling, and auto-capitalization. The keys on the device keyboard are optimally shaped and configured for thumb-based input. In addition, the thumbwheel is inclined between the front and a side edge of the device so as to be reachable by either the thumb or index finger of the user's hand at the side edge of the device.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for adjusting and maintaining a lateral or radial position of a nozzle such as a nozzle in an ink jet print head. Since the alignment of an ink stream issuing from a nozzle in ink jet applications is usually critical in that the ink jet stream must be directed to a specific target area, described herein are arrangements for enabling the nozzle and issuing ink stream to be precisely aligned for calibration and maintenance purposes. In addition the adjustment is simplified and once made it stays in position. Similar principles can be applied to other types of nozzles and arrangements wherein another type of fluid, or even light, is issued out.

Abstract: A display for a handheld computing device includes a display panel; a circuit board carrying display electronics for the display panel; a cover assembly securing the display panel to the circuit board; and a resilient layer adhered to the circuit board for securing the display to the computing device.

Abstract: A conductive layer in an integrated circuit is formed as a sandwich having multiple sublayers, including at least one sublayer of oriented carbon nanotubes. The conductive layer sandwich preferably contains two sublayers of carbon nanotubes, in which the carbon nanotube orientation in one sublayer is substantially perpendicular to that of the other layer. The conductive layer sandwich preferably contains one or more additional sublayers of a conductive material, such as a metal. In one embodiment, oriented carbon nanotubes are created by forming a series of parallel surface ridges, covering the top and one side of the ridges with a catalyst inhibitor, and growing carbon nanotubes horizontally from the uncovered vertical sides of the ridges. In another embodiment, oriented carbon nanotubes are grown on the surface of a conductive material in the presence of a directional flow of reactant gases and a catalyst.

Abstract: The claimed method and system provides a method and interface for enabling an existing, single-transport P2P API to communicate with nodes of a P2P network using multiple different transport protocols.

Abstract: Communication functionality is described for conducting communication among a plurality of participants in peer-to-peer fashion. The communication functionality comprises peer-to-peer overlay functionality configured to establish a peer-to-peer overlay network that includes a plurality of participants. The peer-to-peer overlay functionality relies on endpoint provider functionality for physically exchanging information among the plurality of participants in the peer-to-peer overlay network. The endpoint provider functionality exchanges information using a transport mechanism. The transport mechanism accommodates multiple different transport protocols for exchanging information among the plurality of participants, allowing different pairs of participants to communicate with each other using different respective transport protocols.

Abstract: Locking device that is mounted on an endoscope or the like for selectively securing the position of a guide wire and/or catheter relative to the endoscope or the like. The locking device preferably includes a side wall with an opening therein for receiving the proximal end of a guide wire or catheter. The opening is preferably J-shaped or boot shaped, and has an entry end and a locking end. Once a guide wire or catheter is in a desired position within a body cavity, the portion of the guide wire or catheter that extends outside of the endoscope or the like may be moved into the opening. More particularly, a portion of the guide wire or catheter may be inserted by an operator through the entry end of the opening and into the locking end, wherein the locking end frictionally secures the position of the guide wire or catheter relative to the endoscope or the like.

Abstract: A shock absorbing roller thumb wheel is disclosed. The shock absorbing thumb wheel includes a central hub that can be secured to an electro-mechanical switch, a rim encircling the central hub, and force dispersion spokes extending from the central hub and connected to the rim. The configuration of the force dispersion spokes and the resilient material of the force dispersion spokes and the rim allow for radial and lateral deflection of the rim in response to an applied impact force. The impact force is thereby at least partially absorbed by the radial and lateral deflection of the rim and spokes, such that less impact force is transferred to connections between the electro-mechanical switch and any assembly to which the switch is attached. Hence, the probability of connection failures is reduced, and the lifetime of a device that uses the thumb wheel can be extended.