Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for efficiently using power at a voltage regulator, such as a synchronous buck converter. The synchronous buck converter includes a first switch and a second switch operated by a first control signal and a second control signal, respectively, where the first and second control signals have a corresponding phase difference. A logic circuit measures a duty cycle of an input pulse width modulated (PWM) signal against iterative changes of the phase difference between the first control signal and the second control signal. The logic circuit selects a phase difference corresponding to a minimum value of the PWM signal, thereby optimizing dead time at the synchronous buck converter. The logic circuit may include a Digital Pulse Width Modulator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a tracking device to inconspicuously track a person to be monitored (such as a child or at-risk adult) are presented. Some embodiments of the present invention combine a positioning receiver (e.g., a GPS receiver) and a locking mechanism to act as a tracking device, which attaches to an article of clothing or fabric wearable by the person to be monitored. Some embodiments of the present invention keep a positioning receiver and a radio frequency identification tag (RFID tag) or other RF tag, which are physically separate but in RF proximity of each other.

Abstract: A method for a tracking device optimizing power to remain reachable for a desired period based on evaluated wide-area-network conditions. The tracking device may communicate via a power-intensive long-range transceiver and may continually measure service conditions related to network communications. The tracking device may periodically calculate statistical information describing the service conditions, such as a percentage of time in which the tracking device was out-of-network-service. Based on the statistics, the tracking device may operate in an optimization mode to conserve power when out-of-network-service. In an embodiment, the tracking device may calculate the statistics based on evaluation periods defined by predefined numbers of out-of-network-service occurrences, predefined time periods, and/or a hybrid of both.

Abstract: A method for invoice agent coupling includes, among other things, receiving a service invoice generated by a primary service provider and receiving an authorization of payment of the service invoice. Additional steps include receiving a request for early payment authorization, and transmitting a services payment to the primary service provider.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provided for a system for provisioning network resources. The system includes a network provisioning abstraction layer having an application interface for receiving network provisioning requests from applications and determine provisioning instructions for fulfilling the requests. Each of the received provisioning instructions is queued in a priority queuing system according to a request priority. The provisioning instructions for the highest priority requests are removed from the front of the queue and sent to a resource interface that relays the requests to the appropriate network resources.

Abstract: Some implementations provide a coupled inductor structure that includes a first discrete inductor configured to generate a magnetic field, a second discrete inductor, and a first ferromagnetic layer coupled to the first discrete inductor and the second discrete inductor. The first ferromagnetic layer is configured to concentrate the magnetic field generated by the first discrete inductor within the coupled inductor structure. In some implementations, the coupled inductor structure further includes a second ferromagnetic layer coupled to the first discrete inductor and the second discrete inductor. The second ferromagnetic layer is configured to concentrate the magnetic field generated by the first discrete inductor within the coupled inductor structure. In some implementations, the coupled inductor structure is a bifilar inductor structure. The first discrete inductor includes a first set of windings and the second discrete inductor includes a second set of windings.

Abstract: A split-door handle for releasably interengaging upper and lower door-leaves of a split-door is provided and comprises a pivotable hand-grip element, a first door-engagable support which supports the hand-grip element to pivotably move between an upper and lower door-leaf engagement condition whereby upper and lower door-leaves of a split-door are interengaged for simultaneous movement and a upper and lower door-leaf release condition whereby the upper and lower door-leaves of the split-door are movable independently, a second door-engagable support which is spaced from the first door-engagable support and by which the hand-grip element is positively retained in the said engagement condition, and a detent at the first door-engagable support to positively hold the hand-grip element in the said second condition.

Abstract: Some novel features pertain to an inductor structure that includes a first inductor winding, a second inductor winding and a filler. The first inductor winding includes an electrically conductive material. The second inductor winding includes an electrically conductive material. The filler is laterally located between the first inductor winding and the second inductor winding. The filler is configured to provide structural coupling of the first and second inductor windings. In some implementations, the first inductor winding is laterally co-planar to the second inductor winding. In some implementations, the first inductor winding has a first spiral shape and the second inductor winding has a second spiral shape. In some implementations, the first inductor winding and the second inductor winding have an elongated circular shape. In some implementations, the filler is an epoxy.

Abstract: Some novel features pertain to an in-substrate inductor structure that includes a first inductor winding, a second inductor winding and a substrate. The first inductor winding includes an electrically conductive material. The second inductor winding includes an electrically conductive material. The substrate is laterally located between the first inductor winding and the second inductor winding. The substrate is configured to provide structural coupling of the first and second inductor windings. In some implementations, the first inductor winding is laterally co-planar to the second inductor winding. In some implementations, the first inductor winding has a first spiral shape and the second inductor winding has a second spiral shape. In some implementations, the first inductor winding and the second inductor winding have an elongated circular shape. In some implementations, the substrate is a silicon substrate.

Abstract: A stent implantable in a patent body lumen. The stent comprises a contiguous wire body having a plurality of sequential reversal coils that, when deployed in the patent lumen, are each configured to conform to the shape of the patent lumen and collectively have sufficient radial strength to prevent substantial narrowing of the patent lumen.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for simulating an actual explosion of an explosive device includes one or more firing devices and a control module. A firing device comprises a pyrotechnic device operable to direct a pyrotechnic explosion in a predetermined direction to simulate the actual explosion of the explosive device. The control module receives a trigger signal from a trigger device, which is operable to send the trigger signal in response to a trigger event. The control module detonates the firing devices in response to the trigger signal.

Abstract: User requests for a web application can be received at a reverse proxy. Web application code for a first application can be obtained. Data can be checked at the reverse proxy to determine whether to insert an element into the first application. If there is a match, a combined web application can be produced, including the first web application and the element.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for simulating an actual explosion of an explosive device includes one or more firing devices and a control module. A firing device comprises a pyrotechnic device operable to direct a pyrotechnic explosion in a predetermined direction to simulate the actual explosion of the explosive device. The control module receives a trigger signal from a trigger device, which is operable to send the trigger signal in response to a trigger event. The control module detonates the firing devices in response to the trigger signal.

Abstract: A circuit for providing an output current is provided. The circuit includes a differential amplifier, a transistor having a gate that is coupled to the output of the differential amplifier, a comparator, and a sense resistor that is coupled between the drain of the transistor and the input pin. One input of the differential amplifier is connected to the input pin and the other input is connected to a reference voltage. The inputs of the comparator are coupled across the sense resistor. If an external resistor is coupled to the input pin, the comparator trips. If the comparator is tripped, the current from the external resistor is mirrored to provide the output current. If the comparator is not tripped, the output current is provided from an on-chip current source.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to provide rental status indication includes a user interface to allow a user to input that the rental asset is no longer in use. On indication from a user that the rental status is no longer in use, a sensor determines if the asset is in fact not in use based on predetermined criteria. If the asset is not in use, a signal is sent to the rental agency indicating the same.

Abstract: An electronic tool and method to manage a battery includes a processor to monitor a battery charge and estimate a required charge needed by the electronic tool to complete any task or job shift. When the processor determines the battery charge is insufficient, the processor applies business rules to reduce and terminate functions of the electronic tool to conserve power.

Abstract: A wireless communication device transmits location information associated with a mobile worker, and provides an option to the mobile worker to disable such location transmissions. The use of the location transmission function is enhanced by interlocking the location tracking function with one or more other functions of the wireless communication device. When the tracking function is disabled, one or more other functions that the mobile worker finds valuable are also disabled, thus reducing the likelihood that the mobile worker will disable location tracking. Rules may be implemented to disable the other functions only in the event that disabling the tracking function violates a violated. Location monitoring for such workers is thereby enhanced.

Abstract: A wireless communication device transmits location information associated with a mobile worker at a first interval when the worker is assigned to a work task. When the worker is not working on the work task, the wireless communication device does not transmit location information, or transmits the location information less persistently. In this manner, business value of tracking mobile worker location is achieved while also allowing for enhanced privacy for the mobile worker when not working on a work task.

Abstract: An integrated communication system comprises a first communication device connected to a second communication device using a data link. When the first communication device is out of network, a dispatch center can indicate to the use a communication is waiting or wanted by sending a communication request signal to the second communication device. The second communication device transmits the communication request signal to the first communication device over the data link alerting the user of the first communication device to the requested communication.

Abstract: A computer assisted navigation system determines a recommended route for a vehicle to travel between a source and destination location, and provides exception notifications in some events where the vehicle travels a route different that the recommended route. The vehicle includes a navigation system that has a location monitoring component. It is determined if the location of the vehicle is different than a location along the recommended route. An exception notification is generated when the vehicle is not along the recommended route it is likely that the reason the recommended route was not used is because the recommended route is not the optimal route between the source and destination locations.