I once worked in Tek for a very short period. I got to experience the 2235 and 2465 analog scopes and their controls. The 2465 was a 400 MHz Digitally Controlled Analog Scope.
I also used the Plugin System Scopes and Calibration systems; these were Tek Culture and Tech contribution to the Instrumentation world, it probably evolved into VXI-PXI as uC systems took over.
I also had a chance to look at DSO/Logic Analyzers and the just developed TDS Series. The older tek analog scopes made me understand about usability and panel layouts. Many controls are inevitable in a Analog Scope with Electromechanical Interface.
In a Digital World that can be largely changed using the Monitor and Trackballs. The older BlackBerry phones are also good study for usability before Touch Screens came.
Small Boards, SMT circuits and hybrid electronics need special tools. The soldering and handling require some tools and custom jigs which can be custom designed.
Some product are mass produced, some tools for managing and working on Tiny PCB's and parts may not be available in the market at an affordable price.
Electronic Product Production Manufacturing
So affordable solution can be created, the jigs are supplemented by surgical tools. These are the Clips and Tweezers that a doctor uses when he conducts an operation.
If you have made an electronic product with a new circuit or code and need to protect it, then these are some Methods. If your Intellectual Property is an Idea, A Hardware Innovation or Software Application; It may need some protection other than patents. Sometimes patents are used for general applications and generic designs. Patent only an Original Idea or Innovation or an Exclusive and Unique Method.
Microcomputer Circuits in Process Control.
If you are small and the innovation very big, tie up with established companies with reputed brands. If you are a source for a certain product component or module, make certain restriction on patenting products made from it. Else, your Module or Application Sales may be jammed by Panic Patents.
That is the reason, the Platform that fosters innovation is Open Source.
Make all Flash Memory in Home Appliance, Gadgets and computers - Easily Replaceable and Field Replaceable. If possible replaceable by layman like batteries.
Many people are having problems and high costs of service, as equipment and devices made over the last few years have flash that is hard to replace and source.
The only flash that can be SMT and Soldered could be the ones loaded with "Static Software or Firmware". That means that area of memory that is subjected to very less write cycles. Even Firmware that is frequently updated should be on an replaceable module.
I first experienced flash usage in a 8051 based Fuel Dispensing Unit we were developing in the late 80s. It was a SEEQ chip with 10K Full Erase/Write Cycles. it was a pin-2-pin replacement for 2732 UVPROM (kilo bytes). It later needed a piggyback timer.
Flash has developed immensely since, It lasts much longer and goes to Giga Bytes Storage. Giga Byte was BigData in the 90s.
Also Frequent software updates must be written as an overlay over the "Static Software".An External SDCARD as a database/code source for the updates.
Running LED, Random Results, Decade Counter and Clock. Weigh the Pros-n-Cons, Take a Balanced Decision with the Blue Toss Widget. Screenshot above
This can be built with one 555 timer and a CD4017. Use the pin 5 to connect to a cap you charge with a pushbutton or gate like CD4093 to turn off 555 using pin 4 after a cap discharges. This may simulate a random.
Live Widget that you can Operate
JavaScript is the best programming language. As friendly as Basic. If we could compile and assemble it to derive machine code. Firmware creation becomes Pleasure.
The Electronic Toss Lights a LED in random. Electronic Random Decision Maker.