Abstract: Example embodiments may relate to web interfaces for a balloon-network. For example, a computing device may display a graphical interface that provides information related to a balloon network configured to provide service in a geographic area, where the graphical interface includes a map. The computing device may receive real-time bandwidth data related to balloons in the balloon network, where the balloons are each configured to change position via altitudinal movement and via horizontal movement with respect to the ground. Based at least in part on the received real-time bandwidth data, the computing device may display, on the map, a visual representation of bandwidth information corresponding to one or more regions in the geographic area, where the visual representation of bandwidth information updates from time to time based at least in part on a change in position of one or more balloons in the balloon network.

Abstract: Example embodiments may relate to web interfaces for a balloon-network. For example, a computing device may display a graphical interface that that includes one or more interface features to receive a request for use of bandwidth of a balloon network. In particular, the computing device may receive, via the graphical interface, input data corresponding to a bandwidth request for a first location, where the bandwidth request includes: (i) an indication of the first location and (ii) an indication of time. Subsequently, the computing device may receive an indication corresponding to whether or not the bandwidth request is accepted, where acceptance of the bandwidth request is based at least in part on expected movement of one or more balloons from a plurality of balloons in the balloon network. As such, the computing device may display, on the graphical interface, the indication corresponding to whether or not the bandwidth request is accepted.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a spherical vessel, where the spherical vessel further includes a wall, where the wall is formed from one or more layers of material and a gas, where the gas may be lighter-than-air and is enclosed by the wall.

Abstract: Example embodiments may relate to web interfaces for a balloon-network. For example, a computing device may display a graphical interface that that includes one or more interface features to receive a request for use of bandwidth of a balloon network. In particular, the computing device may receive, via the graphical interface, input data corresponding to a bandwidth request for a first location, where the bandwidth request includes: (i) an indication of the first location and (ii) an indication of time. Subsequently, the computing device may receive an indication corresponding to whether or not the bandwidth request is accepted, where acceptance of the bandwidth request is based at least in part on expected movement of one or more balloons from a plurality of balloons in the balloon network. As such, the computing device may display, on the graphical interface, the indication corresponding to whether or not the bandwidth request is accepted.

Abstract: Example embodiments may relate to web interfaces for a balloon-network. For example, a computing device may display a graphical interface that provides information related to a balloon network configured to provide service in a geographic area, where the graphical interface includes a map. The computing device may receive real-time bandwidth data related to balloons in the balloon network, where the balloons are each configured to change position via altitudinal movement and via horizontal movement with respect to the ground. Based at least in part on the received real-time bandwidth data, the computing device may display, on the map, a visual representation of bandwidth information corresponding to one or more regions in the geographic area, where the visual representation of bandwidth information updates from time to time based at least in part on a change in position of one or more balloons in the balloon network.

Abstract: A system and method for a mobile hybrid transmitter/receiver (TX/RX) node for wireless resonant power delivery is disclosed. A hybrid TX/RX can be configured to travel to remote, wirelessly-powerable receivers and deliver power to them wirelessly. A hybrid TX/RX device can include a transmitter component (TX), a receiver (RX) component, and a power store for storing power for supply to remote receivers. The TX/RX device can be configured in an autonomous unmanned vehicle operational to travel between a fixed source transmitter devices and one or more specified locations that may be host to one or more remote receivers. In the location of the one or more remote receivers, the TX component may function to wirelessly transfer power from the power store to the one or more remote receivers. In the location of the fixed source transmitter device, RX component can be configured to receive power via wireless power transfer, and to use the received power to at least partially replenish the power store.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein may relate to a system including a transmit resonator configured to couple power from a source into an oscillating field generated with a reference phase by the transmit resonator resonating at an oscillation frequency; one or more repeaters, each at a respective location, each including: a repeat resonator configured to resonate at the oscillation frequency, where each of the one or more repeaters is configured to regenerate the oscillating field with a phase shift relative to a phase at the respective location; and at least one receiver, the at least one receiver including: a receive resonator configured to resonate at the oscillation frequency in response to coupling to the oscillating field, where the at least one receiver is configured to transfer a power of the oscillating field to a load associated with the at least one receiver.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein that may help to provide location-aware caching and/or location-specific service profiles in an aerial-vehicle network. An exemplary method may be carried out by an aerial vehicle that is at a location associated with the first geographic area in an aerial-vehicle network that includes a plurality of defined geographic areas, and may involve: (a) determining that a location-aware cache of an aerial vehicle should be updated with user-data associated with the first geographic area; and (b) in response to determining that the location-aware cache should be updated: (i) sending a location-aware cache-update request; (ii) receiving, as a response to the location-aware cache-update request, user-data that corresponds to the first geographic area; and (iii) storing the user-data that corresponds to the first geographic area in a location-aware cache of the aerial vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a balloon-based positioning system and method. In one example embodiment, a system includes a group of at least three balloons deployed in the stratosphere and a control system configured for: determining a first set of spatial relationships relating to the group; determining a second set of spatial relationships relating to at least a portion of the group and to a reference point; determining a position of the reference point relative to the earth; using the determined first set, the determined second set, and the determined position of the reference point relative to the earth as a basis for determining a position of a target balloon in the group relative to the earth; and transmitting the determined position of the target balloon relative to the earth.

Abstract: A computer system includes at least one power transmitter that includes a first resonator to generate an oscillating field at a resonant frequency in response to receiving power from a power source. The at least one power transmitter provides a wireless power delivery system within a spatial bound. The computer system also includes a plurality of modular computer components. Each modular computer component includes a power receiver that includes a second resonator to be wirelessly coupled to the at least one power transmitter. The second resonator resonates at the resonant frequency in response to the oscillating field generated by the first resonator. Each modular component also includes a wireless communication interface. The respective wireless communication interfaces of the plurality of modular computer components provide a wireless data communication network that allows each modular computer component to communicate data with at least another of the plurality of modular computer components.

Abstract: Example embodiments may relate to web interfaces for a balloon-network. For example, a computing device may display a graphical interface that that includes one or more interface features to receive a request for use of bandwidth of a balloon network. In particular, the computing device may receive, via the graphical interface, input data corresponding to a bandwidth request for a first location, where the bandwidth request includes: (i) an indication of the first location and (ii) an indication of time. Subsequently, the computing device may receive an indication corresponding to whether or not the bandwidth request is accepted, where acceptance of the bandwidth request is based at least in part on expected movement of one or more balloons from a plurality of balloons in the balloon network. As such, the computing device may display, on the graphical interface, the indication corresponding to whether or not the bandwidth request is accepted.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein may relate to a system comprising a power source configured to provide a signal at an oscillation frequency; a transmitter coupled to the power source, wherein the transmitter comprises at least one transmit resonator; one or more receivers, wherein the at least one receive resonator is operable to be coupled to the transmit resonator via a wireless resonant coupling link; one or more loads, wherein each of the one or more loads is switchably coupled to one or more respective receive resonators. The system includes a controller configured to determine an operational state of the system, wherein the operational state comprises at least one of three coupling modes (common mode, differential mode, and inductive mode), and is configured to cause the transmitter to provide electrical power to each of the one or more loads via the wireless resonant coupling link according to the determined operational state.

Abstract: A system and method for a mobile hybrid transmitter/receiver (TX/RX) node for wireless resonant power delivery is disclosed. A hybrid TX/RX can be configured to travel to remote, wirelessly-powerable receivers and deliver power to them wirelessly. A hybrid TX/RX device can include a transmitter component (TX), a receiver (RX) component, and a power store for storing power for supply to remote receivers. The TX/RX device can be configured in an autonomous unmanned vehicle operational to travel between a fixed source transmitter devices and one or more specified locations that may be host to one or more remote receivers. In the location of the one or more remote receivers, the TX component may function to wirelessly transfer power from the power store to the one or more remote receivers. In the location of the fixed source transmitter device, RX component can be configured to receive power via wireless power transfer, and to use the received power to at least partially replenish the power store.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms to form a semi-rigid structure from a flexible sheet. In an embodiment, a portion of the flexible sheet includes layer portions and one or more compartments each disposed between said layer portions. The one or more compartments each having disposed therein a first fluid compound that is reactive—e.g., when exposed to oxygen, heat, ultraviolet (or other) light, or a different fluid compound—to form a solid. In another embodiment, a graphic printed on the flexible sheet indicates a location of the one or more compartments. Activation of the one or more compartments and bending of the flexible sheet portion at the activated one or more compartments aids in the formation of a shelter or other semi-rigid structure.

Abstract: A system and method for a mobile hybrid transmitter/receiver (TX/RX) node for wireless resonant power delivery is disclosed. A hybrid TX/RX can be configured to travel to remote, wirelessly-powerable receivers and deliver power to them wirelessly. A hybrid TX/RX device can include a transmitter component (TX), a receiver (RX) component, and a power store for storing power for supply to remote receivers. The TX/RX device can be configured in an autonomous unmanned vehicle operational to travel between a fixed source transmitter devices and one or more specified locations that may be host to one or more remote receivers. In the location of the one or more remote receivers, the TX component may function to wirelessly transfer power from the power store to the one or more remote receivers. In the location of the fixed source transmitter device, RX component can be configured to receive power via wireless power transfer, and to use the received power to at least partially replenish the power store.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a balloon-based positioning system and method. In one example embodiment, a system includes at least three balloons, with each balloon including a position-determining module (PDM) and a position-broadcasting module (PBM). Each PDM is configured for determining a position of the respective balloon and each PBM is configured for broadcasting a balloon signal containing balloon-positioning data of the respective balloon. The balloon-positioning data includes the determined position of the respective balloon and a corresponding time of broadcast.

Abstract: A transmitter includes a first resonator to generate an oscillating field at a resonant frequency in response to receiving power from a power source. The transmitter includes a first communication interface and a first controller to control the first resonator and to communicate data via the first communication interface. One of a plurality of receivers includes a second resonator to be wirelessly coupled to the first resonator. The second resonator resonates at the common mode resonant frequency in response to the oscillating field. The one receiver includes a second communication interface to establish wireless side-channel communications with the first communication interface and to communicate the data with the first communication interface via the wireless side-channel communications. The first controller identifies the one receiver from the plurality of receivers according to the communicated data, and in response, the first resonator transfers the power to the second resonator.

Abstract: A balloon includes a cut-down device, a payload, and an envelope. A control system could be configured to determine a position of the balloon with respect to a predetermined zone. The cut-down device could be operable to cause at least the payload to land in response to determining that the position of the balloon is within the predetermined zone. The predetermined zone includes an exclusion zone and a shadow zone. The shadow zone could include locations from which the balloon would be likely to drift into the exclusion zone based on, e.g., historic weather patterns or expected environmental conditions. Boundaries of the shadow zone could be determined based on, for example, a probability of the balloon entering the exclusion zone.

Abstract: A system and method for wireless resonant power transfer is disclosed. The system may include a transmitter that, in addition to being configured for resonantly coupling power into an oscillating electric and/or magnetic field, is also configured to transmit one or more test signals. Test signals can include single frequency continuous wave test signals, frequency sweep test signals, and time-pulsed modulated test signals. By comparing measurements of phase and amplitude of both the transmitted test signal and one or more reflections of the test signal reflected by one or more reflecting entities, electromagnetic properties of the one or more reflecting entities may be determined. The determined properties may then be used to enhance the efficiency and/or effectiveness of power transfer, and/or to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate consumption of wirelessly transferred power by devices in the oscillating field.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a marketplace for inter-network links between a high-altitude network and a terrestrial data network. An example method may involve a computer-based purchasing agent: (i) determining a demand for inter-network bandwidth between a high-altitude network and a terrestrial data network, (ii) determining one or more offers to provide an inter-network link, wherein the inter-network link provides inter-network bandwidth between the high-altitude network and the terrestrial data network, and wherein each offer is associated with a corresponding client device, (iii) based at least in part on a comparison of: (a) the demand for inter-network bandwidth and (b) the one or more offers to provide an inter-network link, selecting one or more of the offers to provide an inter-network link, and (iv) initiating a process to establish an inter-network link at each client device that corresponds to one of the one or more selected offers.