Abstract: An advance pairing system preemptively pairs a phone to a vehicle using a backend cloud system prior to establishing the connection with the vehicle, such as during the time that a user is purchasing a vehicle, or just after the user enters the vehicle for the first time. The system includes a mobile application for automated advance pairing with the vehicle's automotive computer. The mobile app sends a request for advance pairing to a server that assigns a set of unique keys to the account for secure pairing of the mobile device and the vehicle. The server pushes an encrypted payload to both the mobile device app and the vehicle advance pairing app operating on the automotive computer. The encrypted payload can include a unique vehicle ID, a unique mobile device ID, and one or more encryption keys. The mobile device and the vehicle use the encrypted advance pairing information to establish a secured connection with minimal user input.

Abstract: An advance pairing system preemptively pairs a phone to a vehicle using a backend cloud system prior to establishing the connection with the vehicle, such as during the time that a user is purchasing a vehicle, or just after the user enters the vehicle for the first time. The system includes a mobile application for automated advance pairing with the vehicle's automotive computer. The mobile app sends a request for advance pairing to a server that assigns a set of unique keys to the account for secure pairing of the mobile device and the vehicle. The server pushes an encrypted payload to both the mobile device app and the vehicle advance pairing app operating on the automotive computer. The encrypted payload can include a unique vehicle ID, a unique mobile device ID, and one or more encryption keys. The mobile device and the vehicle use the encrypted advance pairing information to establish a secured connection with minimal user input.

Abstract: A system includes a mobile device having a processor and memory. The mobile device determines that a new vehicle is assigned to an identified owner and responsively initiates a settings configuration process. The configuration process includes presenting existing vehicle system settings from an existing vehicle that can be transferred to the new vehicle, receiving selection of settings to be transferred, receiving editing of settings to be transferred, presenting configurable vehicle system settings for the new vehicle that can be configured, receiving configuration of the settings, and saving selected, edited and newly configured settings to a data set, which is then uploaded to a server for transfer to the new vehicle.

Abstract: A submersible remotely operated vehicle with a streamlined shape, which uses an internal support lattice to provide pressure resistance. By using a lattice frame to distribute the water pressure load on the vehicle, the vehicle may be constructed of thin-walled, injection molded plastic, yet may be capable of diving to significant depths. The vehicle may provide pitch control using a single vertical thrust actuator that is horizontally fore or aft of the center of vertical drag; this efficient pitch control improves hydrodynamic efficiency by pointing the vehicle towards the direction of travel to minimize the coefficient of drag. The vehicle may communicate wirelessly with a remote operator via a communications buoy tethered to the vehicle, thereby eliminating cabling constraints on the vehicle's range from the operator. The tether may be connected to the buoy using a waterproof connector that presses three terminals surrounded by a compliant seal onto mating contacts.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and device are provided for dispensing a granular food product into a receptacle for consumption. The apparatus includes: a hopper containing said granular food product, said hopper having an outlet proximate a bottom end thereof; a dispensing rotor mounted in said hopper, said rotor rotatable to push said granular food product through said outlet; a control subsystem operable to receive a signal indicative of a desired quantity of said granular food product and to dispense the desired quantity of said food product through said outlet by rotating said rotor by a specific amount; and a chute positioned below said outlet to direct dispensed food product into said receptacle.

Abstract: A submersible remotely operated vehicle with a streamlined shape, which uses an internal support lattice to provide pressure resistance. By using a lattice frame to distribute the water pressure load on the vehicle, the vehicle may be constructed of thin-walled, injection molded plastic, yet may be capable of diving to significant depths. The vehicle may provide pitch control using a single vertical thrust actuator that is horizontally fore or aft of the center of vertical drag; this efficient pitch control improves hydrodynamic efficiency by pointing the vehicle towards the direction of travel to minimize the coefficient of drag. The vehicle may communicate wirelessly with a remote operator via a communications buoy tethered to the vehicle, thereby eliminating cabling constraints on the vehicle's range from the operator. The tether may be connected to the buoy using a waterproof connector that presses three terminals surrounded by a compliant seal onto mating contacts.

Abstract: A submersible remotely operated vehicle with a streamlined shape, which uses an internal support lattice to provide pressure resistance. By using a lattice frame to distribute the water pressure load on the vehicle, the vehicle may be constructed of thin-walled, injection molded plastic, yet may be capable of diving to significant depths. The vehicle may provide pitch control using a single vertical thrust actuator that is horizontally fore or aft of the center of vertical drag; this efficient pitch control improves hydrodynamic efficiency by pointing the vehicle towards the direction of travel to minimize the coefficient of drag. The vehicle may communicate wirelessly with a remote operator via a communications buoy tethered to the vehicle, thereby eliminating cabling constraints on the vehicle's range from the operator. The tether may be connected to the buoy using a waterproof connector that presses three terminals surrounded by a compliant seal onto mating contacts.

Abstract: A submersible remotely operated vehicle with a streamlined shape, which uses an internal support lattice to provide pressure resistance. By using a lattice frame to distribute the water pressure load on the vehicle, the vehicle may be constructed of thin-walled, injection molded plastic, yet may be capable of diving to significant depths. The vehicle may provide pitch control using a single vertical thrust actuator that is horizontally fore or aft of the center of vertical drag; this efficient pitch control improves hydrodynamic efficiency by pointing the vehicle towards the direction of travel to minimize the coefficient of drag. The vehicle may communicate wirelessly with a remote operator via a communications buoy tethered to the vehicle, thereby eliminating cabling constraints on the vehicle's range from the operator. The tether may be connected to the buoy using a waterproof connector that presses three terminals surrounded by a compliant seal onto mating contacts.

Abstract: A submersible remotely operated vehicle with a streamlined shape, which uses an internal support lattice to provide pressure resistance. By using a lattice frame to distribute the water pressure load on the vehicle, the vehicle may be constructed of thin-walled, injection molded plastic, yet may be capable of diving to significant depths. The vehicle may provide pitch control using a single vertical thrust actuator that is horizontally fore or aft of the center of vertical drag; this efficient pitch control improves hydrodynamic efficiency by pointing the vehicle towards the direction of travel to minimize the coefficient of drag. The vehicle may communicate wirelessly with a remote operator via a communications buoy tethered to the vehicle, thereby eliminating cabling constraints on the vehicle's range from the operator. The tether may be connected to the buoy using a waterproof connector that presses three terminals surrounded by a compliant seal onto mating contacts.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and device are provided for dispensing a granular food product into a receptacle for consumption. The apparatus includes: a hopper containing said granular food product, said hopper having an outlet proximate a bottom end thereof; a dispensing rotor mounted in said hopper, said rotor rotatable to push said granular food product through said outlet; a control subsystem operable to receive a signal indicative of a desired quantity of said granular food product and to dispense the desired quantity of said food product through said outlet by rotating said rotor by a specific amount; and a chute positioned below said outlet to direct dispensed food product into said receptacle.

Abstract: A submersible remotely operated vehicle with a streamlined shape, which uses an internal support lattice to provide pressure resistance. By using a lattice frame to distribute the water pressure load on the vehicle, the vehicle may be constructed of thin-walled, injection molded plastic, yet may be capable of diving to significant depths. The vehicle may provide pitch control using a single vertical thrust actuator that is horizontally fore or aft of the center of vertical drag; this efficient pitch control improves hydrodynamic efficiency by pointing the vehicle towards the direction of travel to minimize the coefficient of drag. The vehicle may communicate wirelessly with a remote operator via a communications buoy tethered to the vehicle, thereby eliminating cabling constraints on the vehicle's range from the operator. The tether may be connected to the buoy using a waterproof connector that presses three terminals surrounded by a compliant seal onto mating contacts.

Abstract: A method of determining input at a touch-sensitive input surface of a portable electronic device includes detecting a touch event at the touch-sensitive input surface, sampling touch attributes during the touch event, determining an actual touch location and determining at least one shift in touch location based on the touch attributes sampled during the touch event, and determining an input based on the actual touch location and the direction of shift of the touch location.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for displaying a view of an application on a touch-sensitive display include detecting a touch on the touch-sensitive display. When the touch is at a first force, first feedback is provided and a first function is performed. When the touch is at a second force, second feedback is provided and a second function is performed. The first function and the second function are different. The first force and the second force are different.

Abstract: A mobile communications device includes a communication subsystem operable to conduct a plurality of wireless data connections between the mobile communications device and a wireless network wherein each of the data connections is associated with a connected application operating on the mobile communications device. A processor, coupled to the communication subsystem, is configured to process requests for new wireless data connections for a plurality of applications, releasing existing data connections and establishing new wireless data connections between the mobile communications device and a wireless network. The mobile communications device also includes means for prompting a user of the mobile communications device for releasing at least one application having an existing wireless data connection upon determining that a further wireless data connection cannot be effected when a request for a new wireless data connection for an application is received.

Abstract: A mobile communications device (30) includes a wireless transceiver (34) operable to conduct at least two data connections between the mobile communications device (30) and a wireless network (12) wherein each of the data connections is associated with a connected application operating on the mobile communications device. A processor (32) is coupled to the wireless transceiver (34). The processor (32) is operable to process a request for a data connection for an unconnected application operable on the mobile communications device (30), to release one of the data connections associated with one of the connected applications and to establish a data connection between the mobile communications device (30) and the wireless network (12) for the unconnected application. A contention manager (86) is operable to select the connected application to be released based upon a comparison of a contention parameter associated with each of the connected applications.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for displaying a view of an application on a touch-sensitive display include detecting a touch on the touch-sensitive display. When the touch is at a first force, first feedback is provided and a first function is performed. When the touch is at a second force, second feedback is provided and a second function is performed. The first function and the second function are different. The first force and the second force are different.

Abstract: A method of determining input at a touch-sensitive input surface of a portable electronic device includes detecting a touch event at the touch-sensitive input surface, sampling touch attributes during the touch event, determining an actual touch location and determining at least one shift in touch location based on the touch attributes sampled during the touch event, and determining an input based on the actual touch location and the direction of shift of the touch location.

Abstract: A mobile communications device (30) includes a wireless transceiver (34) operable to conduct at least two data connections between the mobile communications device (30) and a wireless network (12) wherein each of the data connections is associated with a connected application operating on the mobile communications device. A processor (32) is coupled to the wireless transceiver (34). The processor (32) is operable to process a request for a data connection for an unconnected application operable on the mobile communications device (30), to release one of the data connections associated with one of the connected applications and to establish a data connection between the mobile communications device (30) and the wireless network (12) for the unconnected application. A contention manager (86) is operable to select the connected application to be released based upon a comparison of a contention parameter associated with each of the connected applications.