Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods for improving wireless communications. Example embodiments include placing a wireless communication obstacle at an optimal or approximately optimal position to improve one or more characteristics of a wireless communication link between two wireless communication devices. The wireless communication obstacle may be adapted to absorb or reflect one or more wireless communications from other wireless communication devices to prevent and/or reduce interference with the wireless communication link between the two wireless communication devices.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for marking an image projected onto a surface includes capturing a second image from the surface, detecting the existence of a marking point in the second image, and modifying the first image by placing a graphic element at a location corresponding to a location of the marking point in the second image.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosure sets for a method for synchronizing multiple mobile devices in a wireless network, which includes the steps of calculating a time interval for a first mobile device to respond to a request, receiving timing information of the first mobile device, determining a first offset associated with the first mobile device based on the time interval and the timing information, receiving a first data stream including the timing information of the first mobile device, and inserting a first dataset into the first data stream based on the first offset before transmitting the first data stream.

Abstract: A type of search engine (referred to as the “Get Engine”) receives one or more keywords, semantically formulates a question being asked from the keywords, generates specifications for the query, and searches a website index to determine websites that are likely owners of the answer to the question based on the query specifications and website classifications. The Get Engine determines a website that is most likely the owner of the answer based on credibility, searches the pages of the website using the keywords and additional keywords related to the query, retrieves the answer from the pages of the website, and receives feedback used in part to determine the credibility of the website.

Abstract: Embodiment of the disclosure set forth methods for transmitting data in a wireless communication system. Some example methods include converting a data stream to a symbol set; selecting a first plurality of symbols from the symbol set, wherein the first plurality of symbols includes at least a first symbol, a second symbol, a third symbol, and a fourth symbol; generating a second plurality of symbols having at least a fifth symbol and a sixth symbol, wherein the fifth symbol includes a first part of the first symbol and a second part of the second symbol and the sixth symbol includes a first part of the third symbol and a second part of the fourth symbol; weighting the sixth symbol to form a first weighted symbol; and transmitting in a first time slot the fifth symbol with a first antenna and the first weighted symbol with a second antenna.

Abstract: A wireless monitoring system and method carries out wireless communication is carried out according to the ZigBee standard. The ZigBee standard allows for low-cost, low-power and high-density implementation of the wireless monitoring system and method, so that wireless monitoring system and method may be rolled out on a large scale to provide patient monitoring and other types of monitoring.

Abstract: A multi-purpose alarm operates in a motion-detected alarm mode and a motion-expected alarm mode. In the motion-detected alarm mode, when the multi-purpose alarm is touched or moved, an alarm is issued. In the motion-expected alarm mode, when the multi-purpose alarm has not been touched or moved for a period of time, an alarm is issued. The multi-purpose alarm employs an accelerometer to sense the presence or absence of movement and is attachable to an object being monitored through various attachment means including a spring clamp, an adhesive, and a magnet.

Abstract: Embodiment of the disclosure set forth resource allocation in a wireless network. Some example methods include selecting a node based on probability of having available data at the node, sending an inquiry to the node, deriving a first set of average cost estimates based on a first step-size function, network information measured at the node, and a predetermined value, calculating a second set of threshold values based on a second step-size function and the first set of average cost estimates, updating the second set of values to generate a third set of threshold values based on the predetermined value, and allocating resources for the node based on the third set of threshold values.

Abstract: A method is provided for growing a stable p-type ZnO thin film with low resistivity and high mobility. The method includes providing an n-type Li—Ni co-doped ZnO target in a chamber, providing a substrate in the chamber, and ablating the target to form the thin film on the substrate.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a process for determining a direction vector of a sound source is described. The process may be implemented to detect, by a first sound sensor, a first sound pressure of a sound wave propagated from the sound source, and detect, by a second sound sensor, a second sound pressure of the sound wave. The process may further be implemented to determine, by a processor, the direction vector of the sound source relative to the first sound sensor and second sound sensor, wherein the direction vector is based on the first sound pressure, the second sound pressure, and a first distance between a first physical location of the first sound sensor and a second physical location of the second sound sensor.

Abstract: A stabilized platform system includes a platform, a chassis subject to external vibration, first and second servomechanisms fixed to the chassis, first support having an end rotatably coupled to the first servomechanism and an other end rotatably coupled to the platform, a second support having an end rotatably coupled to the second servomechanism and an other end rotatably coupled to the platform, a third support having an end fixed relative to one of the chassis and an other end rotatably coupled to the platform, one or more sensors fixed to the platform, and a controller coupled to the one or more sensors and the first and the second servomechanisms. The controller causes the servomechanisms to adjust the inclination angles of the platform to maintain a desired orientation of the platform.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure set forth methods for transmitting data in a wireless communication system. Some example methods include converting a data stream to a symbol set and selecting a first plurality of symbols from the symbol set. The first plurality of symbols includes at least a first symbol, a second symbol, a third symbol, a fourth symbol, a fifth symbol, a sixth symbol, a seventh symbol, and a eighth symbol. The methods include generating one or plurality of symbols of a second plurality of symbols based on interleaving two symbols selected from the first plurality of symbols. The methods further include weighting some symbols of the second plurality of symbols and generating a matrix based on symbols selected from the second plurality of symbols and the weighted symbols. The methods also include encoding the data stream based on the matrix.

Abstract: In a training cycle, a source node transmits at least one pilot symbol to relay nodes in a training cycle. The relay nodes each amplifies and forwards the pilot symbol to a destination node in an assigned time slot in the training cycle. The destination node sequentially receives multiple versions of the pilot symbol from the relay nodes and estimates channel information based on the multiple versions of the pilot symbol. In data transmission cycles that follow the training cycle, the nodes apply coherent distributed space-time block code (DSTBC) with the estimated channel information to communicate data symbols. The power allocation between training and data cycles may be adjusted to improve the error performance. The nodes may also apply orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) based DSTBC when timing errors are not known.

Abstract: A cross-layer protocol may generally provide joint control of power and schedule in a fully distributed manner without any centralized coordination for an interference-limited wireless network. Under the described protocol, each wireless device may use a detection trial to locally detect interference condition and randomly back off in a distributed manner. Based on the result of the detection trial, the wireless device may then shift between (1) a pure power control mode with power control and (2) a time sharing mode with joint power and scheduling control. The wireless device may also use the amount of backlog in its queue buffer to determine the duration of a silence period in the time sharing mode and an increment to the power level provided by the power control algorithm.

Abstract: A hierarchical wireless network is provided with a mesh backbone network portion and a switching tree network portion. The mesh backbone network portion includes first tier nodes each having at least one wireless link to another first tier node. The first tier nodes execute a link-state protocol for routing packets. The switching tree network portion includes second tier nodes each having a single wireless link to one first tier node and at least one wireless link to one third tier node, and third tier nodes each having a single wireless link to one second tier node. The second tier and the third tier nodes execute switching rules for switching packets.

Abstract: A hoist positioning system includes an accelerometer attached to a hoist, a control unit for processing signals from the accelerometer and comparing the processed signals with reference data to determine a position of the hoist, a drive system for moving the hoist up and down, and a relay that is switched ON and OFF by a control signal from the control unit. When the relay is switched ON, power is supplied to the drive system from a high-voltage power source and the hoist is driven up or down. When the relay is switched OFF, power from the high-voltage power source to the drive system is cut off and the hoist stops moving up or down.