Abstract: A hand-held shaving device includes a blade carrier top and a blade carrier base that cooperate to secure a double-edge razor blade in place. The blade carrier top and the blade carrier base mount onto a shaver base that is designed to be held in a hand of a user. When assembled, the device provides rests that contact a body surface to be shaved and when in contact with the body surface set the razor blade at an optimal shaving angle. A process of shaving comprises contacting the body surface to be shaved and moving the device in a direction of the razor blade edge. The device is designed so that it can be used in either hand.

Abstract: A hand-held shaving device is disclosed. The device includes a blade carrier top and base that cooperate to secure a double-edge razor blade in place. These mount onto a shaver base that is designed to be held in the hand of a user. When assembled, the device provides rests that contact the body surface to be shaved and when in contact with the body surface set the razor blade at an optimal shaving angle. The process of shaving comprises contacting the body surface to be shaved and moving the device in the direction of the razor blade edge. The device is designed so that it can be used in either hand.

Abstract: A device configured for the removal of pits from fruits such as cherries. The device features a planar rotating circular disk which rotates on an incline. A ramp deposits fruit on a top surface of the disk at a lower portion of the incline which keeps the fruit from moving with the surface of the disk. Depressions in the disk engage with individual fruit which is carried to a needle punch which translates through the fruit and an aperture communicating through the depression and the disk to push the pit out the fruit. An elastic member pulls the pits from the needles.

Abstract: A computer-mediated method for automating software user activity comprises receiving an instruction having at least one predefined vernacular command that is derived from a popular human language; translating the predefined vernacular command into at least one corresponding programming command for controlling software; executing the at least one programming command; and receiving results associated with the executed programming command.

Abstract: A device configured for the removal of pits from fruits such as cherries. The device features a planar rotating circular disk which rotates on an incline. A ramp deposits fruit on a top surface of the disk at a lower portion of the incline which keeps the fruit from moving with the surface of the disk. Depressions in the disk engage with individual fruit which is carried to a needle punch which translates through the fruit and an aperture communicating through the depression and the disk to push the pit out the fruit. An elastic member pulls the pits from the needles.

Abstract: Systems and methods for connecting a mobile device to an alternate wireless network are disclosed. The method includes determining alternate wireless networks available to access by the mobile device, ordering the available alternate wireless networks by signal strength, connecting the mobile device to the alternate wireless network with a highest signal strength, measuring a quality of the connected alternate wireless network and, when the quality of the connected alternate wireless network is above a predetermined threshold, operating the mobile device over the connected alternate wireless network.

Abstract: A tax and estate planning, asset building financial processing system, that enables a credit card holder to build wealth by accumulating assets without the need of credits or rebates based upon a percentage of sale amounts from merchants, comprising: a) means for establishing a savings account for an account holder that entitles the account holder to a credit card; b) means for utilizing a first portion of the savings account to purchase an insurance policy for the account holder, and contemporaneous means for creating a trust and designating proceeds from the insurance policy to the trust as trust assets; i) and wherein cash proceeds from the insurance policy are distributed at the death of the insured to a beneficiary for a term of years or for life and proceeds from the remainder of the trust is donated to a tax exempt charitable organization; c) means to enable the credit card holder to allocate a second portion of the savings account to a management company to invest in a capital asset to accumulate w

Abstract: Systems and methods for connecting a mobile device to an alternate wireless network are disclosed. The method includes determining alternate ireless networks available to access by the mobile device, ordering the available alternate wireless networks by signal strength, connecting the mobile device to the alternate wireless network with a highest signal strength, measuring a quality of the connected alternate wireless network and, when the quality of the connected alternate wireless network is above a predetermined threshold, operating the mobile device over the connected alternate wireless network.

Abstract: A system and method is provided which minimizes the amount of human intervention required to capitalize expenditures into assets. According to one embodiment, asset (capitalization) integration rules pertaining to automatic asset creation and capitalization is set at a business unit level. When a project is created within the business unit, these asset integration rules will automatically default to the project. Subsequently, when an activity is created within the project, the same set of asset integration rules will default from the project to the activity. A user has an ability to override the defaulted asset integration rules at both the project and activity levels. However, if no override is desired, there is no human intervention required.

Abstract: There is provided a fishing apparatus and a method for fishing. A fishing rod having a proximal end and a distal end are provided. A fishing line contacts a portion of the distal end of the fishing rod. Fish bait is connected to the free end of the fishing line. A mechanism is provided for imparting a vibration to the fishing rod so that the fishing line and the fish bait may be caused to vibrate.

Abstract: A preferred contact group centric interface for a communication device can be used to facilitate communications by a user. The user interface can be arranged to activate from a user's “home page” on the display, from an idle screen that is accessed after a timeout period expires, or any other appropriate mechanism that activates the preferred contact group centric experience. A user selects the preferred contact group from among an array of the user's contacts. Once the contact group is configured, a minimal number of navigation/selection features is necessary to activate any number of communication modes available to the contacts. The contact group is configured such that simple and quick navigation between the contact members is achieved. The contact group can be presented in 2D and 3D arrangements, in any number of list or geometric configurations. A pricing plan can optionally be tied to each member of the contact group.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition that significantly shortens the time necessary to produce a ceramic shell mold. The composition of the invention is used to produce a shell-mold for the investment casting process, providing decreased processing times by reducing the number of shell dips, and better handling and dewaxing through increased green strength. The invention provides a method of forming a shell mold, comprising providing an investment casting shell-mold composition comprising 0.1 to 70 percent by weight inorganic fibers, a binder composition comprising a mixture of 20-98 percent by weight of a colloidal sol comprising particles, and 1-20 percent by weight organic latex polymer.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition that significantly shortens the time necessary to produce a ceramic shell mold. The composition of the invention is used to produce a shell-mold for the investment casting process, providing decreased processing times by reducing the number of shell dips, and better handling and dewaxing through increased green strength. The invention provides a method of forming a shell mold, comprising providing an investment casting shell-mold composition comprising 0.1 to 70 percent by weight inorganic fibers, a binder composition comprising a mixture of 20-98 percent by weight of a colloidal sol comprising particles, and 1-20 percent by weight organic latex polymer.

Abstract: A network and system of electrical devices comprising a device-independent controller, a device-dependent controller, a console through which a user interfaces with the system, and a communication protocol for network-enabling the devices, and a method for such network-enablement are described. The integration of information content from a network, such as the Internet, with the network-enabling hardware and software of the present invention provides a flexible inexpensive way to enhance the overall utility and range of capabilities of a system of networked devices in a device-independent network application.

Abstract: This shorts test method reduces the occurence of phantom shorts and also in those cases where phantom shorts occur, reduces the time required to eliminate the phantom shorts. When an unexpected open or short occurs or when an expected open or short does not occur, the test is repeated either until the phantom result ceases or until a sufficient time has elapsed that the result is real rather than a transient response. Test points are arranged in an order which decreases monotonically with the parallel impedance of all elements connected directly to that test point. This reduces the rate of occurance of phantom shorts caused by parallel inpedances below the shorts threshold even though none of the individual impedances is below the shorts threshold.

Abstract: A wash basin drain filter for entrapping elongated flexible fibers such as hair while permitting the passage of relatively small particulate matter is disclosed herein. The filter has a generally cylindrical body which, after installation, about the shank of a pop-up drain plug has a plurality of spikes protruding outwardly therefrom. The spikes are resilient to permit insertion of the filter into the drain opening and, after insertion, the spikes extend to touch or nearly touch the inside wall of the drain pipe into which the filter has been inserted.