Abstract: Profile information associated with a mobile communications device belonging to a user is stored at a server system. Upon the server system receiving an indication that the mobile communications device needs to be replaced, the profile information is reviewed. Based on the review of the profile, an offer is generated to replace the mobile communications device.

Abstract: Profile information associated with a mobile communications device belonging to a user is stored at a server system. Upon the server system receiving an indication that the mobile communications device needs to be replaced, the profile information is reviewed. Based on the review of the profile, an offer is generated to replace the mobile communications device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for remotely controlling a lost mobile communications device are disclosed. Authorization credentials may be received and a command request for an action to be performed by a lost mobile communications device may further be received. A command corresponding to the command request may be transmitted to the lost mobile communications device. In response to the transmission of the command, information about the lost mobile communications device may be received and interpreted to determine whether the transmitted command was performed or not performed by the lost mobile communications device. A notification may be provided based on whether or not the command was performed by the lost mobile communications device.

Abstract: A system and method checks for harmful behavior of an application to be installed on a mobile communication device. A server computer receives from the mobile communication device data pertaining to the application to be installed and information pertaining to the mobile communication device. The server processes the data and information to determine an assessment for the application to be installed. The assessment is provided to the mobile communication device and the assessment is displayed on the device if the assessment is one of dangerous and potentially dangerous.

Abstract: Location information associated with a computing device may be transmitted from the computing device to a server. The transmitting of the location information may be performed in response to the battery of the computing device being at a low level. The location information may comprise a location of the computing device or information to identify the location of the computing device. As such, when the battery of the computing device approaches a low level, the location of the computing device may be transmitted from the computing device to a server. Thus, if the battery of the computing device is depleted, a user may obtain the last known location of the computing device that was transmitted when the battery was at a low level. The location information may also be used to identify the last known location for and to apply a security policy to the computing device.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for displaying merchandise. One such system includes a support structure, a receptacle physically connected to the support structure and having a plurality of openings around its periphery, and a plurality of merchandise assemblies. Each merchandise assembly, in turn, includes an item of merchandise and an attachment device fastened to the item of merchandise. The attachment device has a vertically oriented insertion member that is tapered from top to bottom and is removably inserted into one of the plurality of openings in the receptacle.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for displaying merchandise. One such system includes a support structure, a receptacle physically connected to the support structure and having a plurality of openings around its periphery, and a plurality of merchandise assemblies. Each merchandise assembly, in turn, includes an item of merchandise and an attachment device fastened to the item of merchandise. The attachment device has a vertically oriented insertion member that is tapered from top to bottom and is removably inserted into one of the plurality of openings in the receptacle.

Abstract: An OADM device with low PDL and PMD for use in optical communications systems comprises: a through optical waveguide, a coupling circuit element and an add/drop circuit element comprising at least one of an input waveguide and an output waveguide. The coupling lightwave circuit element is optically coupled to the add/drop circuit element and the through optical waveguide by means of electrically variable gratings. Typically, the optical signal is a multi-channel WDM signal. Preferably, the variable grating is an ESBG. Each grating is overlaid by an electrode arrangement applied to a cover glass. Each electrode arrangement has first and second portions spaced from one another in the direction of light propagation, The electrodes provide electric fields that are generally orthogonal to one another and transverse to the direction of light propagation, thereby minimizing the effects of PDL and PMD.

Abstract: A polarizing device has an arrangement of generally parallel elements disposed in an unpolarized source light beam for transmitting polarizations perpendicular to the elements and reflecting polarizations parallel to the elements. The elements may be disposed at substantially any incidence angle and may reflect the reflected beam at substantially any angle. The elements may be disposed on a substrate or embedded in a substrate. The elements may be disposed in a curved layer. The substrate may also have a curved surface. A polarizer apparatus may also have a mirror or the like for redirecting or recapturing the transmitted or reflected beam so they have similar directions or are directed to a common area. The device may also have a wave plate or the like for changing the polarization of the transmitted or reflected beams so they have the same polarization.

Abstract: A polarizing device has an arrangement of generally parallel elements disposed in an unpolarized source light beam for transmitting polarizations perpendicular to the elements and reflecting polarizations parallel to the elements. The elements may be disposed at substantially any incidence angle and may reflect the reflected beam at substantially any angle. The elements may be disposed on a substrate or embedded in a substrate. The elements may be disposed in a curved layer. The substrate may also have a curved surface. A polarizer apparatus may also have a mirror or the like for redirecting or recapturing the transmitted or reflected beam so they have similar directions or are directed to a common area. The device may also have a wave plate or the like for changing the polarization of the transmitted or reflected beams so they have the same polarization.

Abstract: A polarizing device has an arrangement of generally parallel elements disposed in an unpolarized source light beam for transmitting polarizations perpendicular to the elements and reflecting polarizations parallel to the elements. The elements may be disposed at substantially any incidence angle and may reflect the reflected beam at substantially any angle. The elements may be disposed on a substrate or embedded in a substrate. The elements may be disposed in a curved layer. The substrate may also have a curved surface. A polarizer apparatus may also have a mirror or the like for redirecting or recapturing the transmitted or reflected beam so they have similar directions or are directed to a common area. The device may also have a wave plate or the like for changing the polarization of the transmitted or reflected beams so they have the same polarization.

Abstract: An optical polarizer device that reflects light of one polarization over a controlled angular range, and improved twisted nematic liquid crystal display devices incorporating the same, is comprised of a grid of conductive elements supported on a textured substrate such that light of one polarization is transmitted through the grid while light of the orthogonal polarization is reflected. The angular distribution of the reflected light is determined by the texture of the substrate. Liquid crystal display embodiments include a configuration intended exclusively for front illumination by ambient light and a configuration which may use either front-illumination or back illumination by an internal light source.

Abstract: A polarizing device has an arrangement of generally parallel elements disposed in an unpolarized source light beam for transmitting polarizations perpendicular to the elements and reflecting polarizations parallel to the elements. The elements may be disposed at substantially any incidence angle and may reflect the reflected beam at substantially any angle. The elements may be disposed on a substrate or embedded in a substrate. The elements may be disposed in a curved layer. The substrate may also have a curved surface. A polarizer apparatus may also have a mirror or the like for redirecting or recapturing the transmitted or reflected beam so they have similar directions or are directed to a common area. The apparatus may also have a wave plate or the like for changing the polarization of the transmitted or reflected beams so they have the same polarization.

Abstract: A polarizing device has an arrangement of generally parallel elements disposed in an unpolarized source light beam for transmitting polarizations perpendicular to the elements and reflecting polarizations parallel to the elements. The elements may be disposed at substantially any incidence angle and may reflect the reflected beam at substantially any angle. The elements may be disposed on a substrate or embedded in a substrate. The elements may be disposed in a curved layer. The substrate may also have a curved surface. A polarizer apparatus may also have a mirror or the like for redirecting or recapturing the transmitted or reflected beam so they have similar directions or are directed to a common area. The device may also have a wave plate or the like for changing the polarization of the transmitted or reflected beams so they have the same polarization.

Abstract: The valve head of the present invention is designed for engaging both a Schrader and a Presta valve. It includes a housing having generally cylindrical sidewalls and a base wall. A collet is disposed within the housing. The collet has generally cylindrical sidewalls and a plurality of upwardly extending collet fingers. A generally cylindrical gasket member is disposed within the collet. The gasket is composed of a resilient material and has a valve insertion bore formed centrally therethrough. A camming lever is operably engaged to the collet and functions to pull the collet downwardly into the housing. The downward movement of the collet causes the collet fingers to move inwardly, thereby creating an inwardly directed force upon the resilient gasket such that the diameter of the gasket bore is reduced. When a Schrader valve is disposed within the gasket bore, a valve pin depression tip acts to depress the Schrader valve pin, thus permitting pumped air to flow through the Schrader valve.

Abstract: An optical polarizer device that reflects light of one polarization over a controlled angular range, and improved twisted nematic liquid crystal display devices incorporating the same, is comprised of a grid of conductive elements supported on a textured substrate such that light of one polarization is transmitted through the grid while light of the orthogonal polarization is reflected. The angular distribution of the reflected light is determined by the texture of the substrate. Liquid crystal display embodiments include a configuration intended exclusively for front illumination by ambient light and a configuration which may use either front-illumination or back illumination by an internal light source.

Abstract: A magnetic resistive device that is suitable for use with a bicycle trainer including a rotatable shaft having a magnetic resistive force member engaged to an end thereof. In the preferred embodiment the magnetic resistive force member includes a cylindrical outer surface. A plurality of magnets are disposed on one side of said magnetic resistive force member, preferably in alternating polarity. Magnetic fields generated between adjacent magnets create eddy currents within the magnetic resistive force member to create a resistive force against the rotation of the magnetic resistive force member. In the preferred embodiment, the magnets are disposed outside of the cylindrical magnetic resistive force member, and the magnets are movable away from the magnetic resistive force member to reduce the force induced therewithin.

Abstract: The dual stage, dual mode air pump is selectively operable in a low pressure, high volume mode or a high pressure, low volume mode. It includes a pump head, an outer tube that is engaged to the pump head, an inner tube that is engaged to the pump head and a middle tube that is slidably engaged to both the outer tube and the inner tube. A mode pump switch is utilized to allow the pump operator to change the mode of the pump. In the preferred embodiment, the mode switch is disposed within the pump head. It includes an air passageway having a manually switchable valve disposed therein. In the high volume, low pressure mode the valve switch is closed, whereupon pumped air passes into a pneumatic article engaged to the end of the pump. When the valve switch is opened, the pump is operable in the low volume high pressure mode, and a portion of the pumped air is outletted into the ambient environment, rather than being pumped into the pneumatic article.

Abstract: A cast cable connection comprising a molded plastic cable splice and a plastic wrapping, the splice containing a halogen-free synthetic resin and fire-retardant additives which will not generate toxic and/or corrosive products on exposure to flame, the wrapping comprising a halogen-free composition capable of maintaining a substantially continuous coat-like structure upon fire exposure, again without generating toxic and/or corrosive products.

Abstract: A gelling agent for hydrophobic organic liquids, such as mineral oil, comprising the reaction product of an organic poly-oxo-aluminum salt of a fatty acid and an organic reactant, particularly reactants having hydroxyl or carboxyl groups, in solid form. Preferably, the agent also contains an agent for reducing the settling or agglomeration of the gelling agent, such as particulate silicic acid or caoutchouc.