Abstract: In some aspects, a wireless system is configured for estimating a thickness of a material layer on a surface of an aircraft. The wireless system includes a tag device located beneath a material layer. The tag device is capable of transmitting an electromagnetic signal in response to an electromagnetic signal. In some aspects, a transceiver device is configured to estimate the thickness of a material layer on a surface of an aircraft. The transceiver can be configured to communicate with a tag using electromagnetic signals. The transceiver can include one or more processors configured to measure signal strength and correlate the signal strength to the thickness of a material layer.

Abstract: Techniques for discovering and/or advertising services are described herein. A first bitmask is received from a remote device over a wireless network, the first bitmask having one or more bits that have a predetermined logical value. Each bit represents a particular service provided by the remote device. A logical operation is performed between the first bitmask and a second bitmask locally generated within a local device, where the second bitmask represents a service being searched by the local device. It is determined whether the remote device is potentially capable of providing the service being searched by the local device based on a result of the logical operation.

Abstract: Some examples of techniques to cost-effectively embed fiber optic cables in laminate structures and to terminate the fiber optic cables on the surface of the laminate for robust and easily-repairable connections can be implemented in rotorcraft composites. To position a cable in the rotorcraft composite, a length of a fiber optic cable is embedded between layers of a composite rotorcraft material. The length of the fiber optic cable is oriented in a substantially S-shape between the layers. An end of the length of the substantially S-shaped fiber optic cable is extended to an edge of the composite rotorcraft material. The end of the length of the substantially S-shaped fiber optic cable is terminated at the edge of the composite rotorcraft material in either a storage area or easily machinable embedded connection.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to making payments with a mobile device. In one example process, the mobile device receives and stores information for one or more payment accounts on the mobile device. The mobile device is used to make payments using the payment accounts. In some examples, authorization to proceed with a payment is performed before each purchase made by the user. The authorization process can include receiving a verification of the user, such as a fingerprint scan or passcode. In some examples, a payment account is selected from among available payment accounts. In some examples, an indication is displayed of a digital item associated with a purchased item. In some examples, a payment transaction is initiated with participants of an ongoing communication. In some examples, an application of a retailer is invoked based on the availability of the application. In some examples, a purchase recommendation is provided.

Abstract: In some aspects, a wireless system is configured for estimating a thickness of a material layer on a surface of an aircraft. The wireless system includes a tag device located beneath a material layer. The tag device is capable of transmitting an electromagnetic signal in response to an electromagnetic signal. In some aspects, a transceiver device is configured to estimate the thickness of a material layer on a surface of an aircraft. The transceiver can be configured to communicate with a tag using electromagnetic signals. The transceiver can include one or more processors configured to measure signal strength and correlate the signal strength to the thickness of a material layer.

Abstract: A method of monitoring usage of a component of an aircraft can include: monitoring a usage of the component by using a torque measurement system to calculate torque events in a time period; categorizing the usage of the component by assigning a usage value based upon whether the number of torque events in the period of time is above or below a threshold; and determining a life used of the component.

Abstract: Techniques for discovering and/or advertising services are described herein. A first bitmask is received from a remote device over a wireless network, the first bitmask having one or more bits that have a predetermined logical value. Each bit represents a particular service provided by the remote device. A logical operation is performed between the first bitmask and a second bitmask locally generated within a local device, where the second bitmask represents a service being searched by the local device. It is determined whether the remote device is potentially capable of providing the service being searched by the local device based on a result of the logical operation.

Abstract: Techniques for discovering and/or advertising services are described herein. A first bitmask is received from a remote device over a wireless network, the first bitmask having one or more bits that have a predetermined logical value. Each bit represents a particular service provided by the remote device. A logical operation is performed between the first bitmask and a second bitmask locally generated within a local device, where the second bitmask represents a service being searched by the local device. It is determined whether the remote device is potentially capable of providing the service being searched by the local device based on a result of the logical operation.

Abstract: Techniques for discovering and/or advertising services are described herein. A first bitmask is received from a remote device over a wireless network, the first bitmask having one or more bits that have a predetermined logical value. Each bit represents a particular service provided by the remote device. A logical operation is performed between the first bitmask and a second bitmask locally generated within a local device, where the second bitmask represents a service being searched by the local device. It is determined whether the remote device is potentially capable of providing the service being searched by the local device based on a result of the logical operation.

Abstract: Techniques for discovering and/or advertising services are described herein. A first bitmask is received from a remote device over a wireless network, the first bitmask having one or more bits that have a predetermined logical value. Each bit represents a particular service provided by the remote device. A logical operation is performed between the first bitmask and a second bitmask locally generated within a local device, where the second bitmask represents a service being searched by the local device. It is determined whether the remote device is potentially capable of providing the service being searched by the local device based on a result of the logical operation.

Abstract: A filter arrangement for threadably securing to a filter head includes a housing having a surrounding wall defining an interior volume, an open mouth providing access to the interior volume and an end opposite of the open mouth. The surrounding wall has an exterior and an interior. A filter media construction is operably held within the interior volume. A sleeve, distinct from the housing, is secured to the exterior of the surrounding wall adjacent to the housing mouth and extending partially along the surrounding wall. The sleeve has an exterior and an interior. The exterior of the sleeve defines mounting threads constructed and arranged to removably mount with the filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head. The interior of the sleeve is against the exterior of the surrounding wall. A first seal member is oriented against the sleeve to create a seal with a filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head.

Abstract: A filter arrangement for threadably securing to a filter head includes a housing having a surrounding wall defining an interior volume, an open mouth providing access to the interior volume and an end opposite of the open mouth. The surrounding wall has an exterior and an interior. A filter media construction is operably held within the interior volume. A sleeve, distinct from the housing, is secured to the exterior of the surrounding wall adjacent to the housing mouth and extending partially along the surrounding wall. The sleeve has an exterior and an interior. The exterior of the sleeve defines mounting threads constructed and arranged to removably mount with the filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head. The interior of the sleeve is against the exterior of the surrounding wall. A first seal member is oriented against the sleeve to create a seal with a filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head.

Abstract: Techniques to provide service discovery via personal area network protocols. A personal area network is generally a network that covers only a few feet or meters of physical space. Personal area networks can be wired or wireless. Wired personal area networks include, for example, Universal Serial Bus (USB) and IEEE 1394 (or FireWire) connections. Wireless personal area networks can include, for example, IrDA, Bluetooth, UWB, Z-Wave and ZigBee. Service discovery results in indication of services that are available via the personal area network and not necessarily the physical devices that provide the services. A wireless device may utilize DNS formatted data over a Bluetooth connection to determine services that are available from other Bluetooth devices within range.

Abstract: Techniques for discovering and/or advertising services are described herein. A first bitmask is received from a remote device over a wireless network, the first bitmask having one or more bits that have a predetermined logical value. Each bit represents a particular service provided by the remote device. A logical operation is performed between the first bitmask and a second bitmask locally generated within a local device, where the second bitmask represents a service being searched by the local device. It is determined whether the remote device is potentially capable of providing the service being searched by the local device based on a result of the logical operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to reduce the transaction overhead involved with packet I/O on a host bus without sacrificing the latency of packets of important traffic types is described. This involves determining whether a packet is to be aggregated in response to receiving the packet in a receive buffer. If it is determined that the packet should not be aggregated, a host system may be interrupted to indicate availability of the received packet. Subsequently, the packet may be forwarded to an interrupted system via a local bus directly from a receiving buffer without being stored in a local storage. If it is determined that a packet is to be aggregated, it may be stored in a queue in local storage. Subsequently, it may be sent to a host system with a group of other frames using a single bus transaction to eliminate overhead.

Abstract: A shift shaft has a distal end portion characterized by a polygonal head, a pair of cut-outs, and a transverse notch. A shift handle core is characterized by a central bore having a head seat, a pair of ribs and a transverse slot. The distal end portion is received into the central bore, wherein the head seats into the head seat, and wherein the ribs abut a blind terminus of the cut-outs to define an alignment of the slot and notch. A clip engirds a shift handle core, and a portion thereof rests in the slot and notch to resiliently biasably retain the shift handle core on the shift shaft.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments that facilitate: hands-free wireless communication capability for new and existing vehicles, wireless transfer of content from a content source to a content player, or both. In one embodiment, there is provided a wireless adaptor that includes a first wireless interface operable to wirelessly access a wireless communication functionality of the wireless communication device and second wireless interface for facilitating playback at a content player wireless communication signals received at the wireless communication device.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments that facilitates hands-free wireless communication capability for new and existing vehicles and wireless transfer of content from a content source to a content player, or both. In one embodiment, there is provided a wireless adaptor that includes a wireless interface operable to form a wireless proximity network with a wireless communication device to remotely access a wireless communication functionality of the wireless communication device, and a wired interface that facilitates a wired connection with a content player to facilitate a remote access of the wireless communication functionality of the wireless communication device at the content player, wherein the wireless adaptor is separate from the content player and removable from the wired connection for another wired connection to another content player.

Abstract: A protection circuit for a parallel power system having at least two parallel coupled voltage regulators is disclosed. The protection circuit includes at least two isolation control circuits, each control circuit being coupled to a respective voltage regulator. Each isolation control circuit includes a current sense circuit for sensing current polarity at an output of the respective voltage regulator, and a controller for automatically isolating the respective voltage regulator when an over-voltage condition exists at an output of the parallel power system and a positive current polarity is sensed at the output of the respective voltage regulator. The at least two isolation control circuits isolate only a voltage regulator having positive current outflow during the over-voltage condition. In one embodiment, each isolation control circuit further includes an over-voltage detection circuit for detecting when the over-voltage condition exists at the output of the parallel power system.

Abstract: A fermention process is monitored by detecting ultrasound backscattered from the cells as a function of time. A transducer 46 is placed in a fermentor 30 and transmits ultrasound towards a reflecting surface 50. The transducer receives that portion of the ultrasound which reflects from the reflecting surface 50, as well as that portion of the ultrasound which backscatters from cells 34 between the transducer 46 and the reflecting surface 50. Signals from the transducer are conditioned and subsequently processed to provide output to a controller regarding the status of the fermentation process in real time. The backscattering measurements can be used to determine a growth phase transition, such as the transition between the logarithmic growth phase of the cells and their stationary phase.