Abstract: A fluid check-valve for venting gas from a fluidic system comprises a retention body defining a fluid aperture having an upstream side and a downstream side, a hydrophilic porous material held by the retention body and disposed to cover the fluid aperture, and a hydrophobic porous material held by the retention body and disposed to cover the fluid aperture and adjacent the hydrophilic porous material. One face of the hydrophilic porous material is in fluid communication with the upstream side of the aperture, and one face of the hydrophobic porous material is in fluid communication with the downstream side of the aperture. The hydrophilic porous material is configured to retain liquid from the upstream side to hinder passage of gas from the downstream side to the upstream side, and the hydrophobic porous material is configured to hinder passage of liquid from the upstream side to the downstream side.

Abstract: Described herein are improved thermoplastic composites, which demonstrate excellent physical properties, such as yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, toughness, elongation, and, optionally, superior tunable biodegradability when compared to known thermoplastics. The composite comprises minimally a thermoplastic polymer, at least one phenolic compound, and, optionally, a filler.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle (20) for relaying radio frequency signals in a tactical communications network is described. The unmanned vehicle comprises a processor (22) arranged to receive the location of a first asset (40a); select a relay site (30) from at least one relay site; and control the unmanned vehicle to move to the selected relay site, wherein at the selected relay site, communication between the first asset and the unmanned vehicle is enabled. The unmanned vehicle also comprises a receiver for receiving data from the first asset; and a transmitter for transmitting the data to a second asset (40b, 20, 10). A control unit (60) for an unmanned vehicle, a tactical communications network comprising a plurality of unmanned vehicles, and a method of relaying signals in a tactical communications network using an unmanned vehicle are all also described.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an audio streaming system may provide bi-directional communication, in which content data is streamed from a server associated with a streaming service to a plurality of client devices and user generated audio data can also be transmitted from a client device to the streaming service over a network such as the Internet. In some embodiments, the client device includes both audio playback and voice communications capabilities such that a communication channel can be established between listeners and the streaming service via the client device and over the network. Automated speech recognition may also be used to translate the user-generated audio data into text such that the content can be further analyzed, such as to sort, categorize, rank, or filter the user-generated audio data. The user-generated audio data may also be analyzed for audio quality, such as to filter out poor quality data.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an audio streaming service may provide a plurality of channels. On a particular channel, different types of content can be streamed to audio devices connected to that channel, including channel content, group content, and individual content. Channel content refers to same content that is streamed to all of the audio devices that are connected to the channel. Group channel refers to content that is selected for subgroups of the devices, and individual content refers to content that is selected for an individual device. Channel content may be transmitted to all the devices, then a period of group or individual content is provided, and then the devices are synced back into receiving the same channel content during a syncing window. Listeners can also interact with the content, such as skipping songs or adding songs to their personal collection.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an audio streaming service may provide a plurality of channels. On a particular channel, different types of content can be streamed to audio devices connected to that channel, including channel content, group content, and individual content. Channel content refers to same content that is streamed to all of the audio devices that are connected to the channel. Group channel refers to content that is selected for subgroups of the devices, and individual content refers to content that is selected for an individual device. Channel content may be transmitted to all the devices, then a period of group or individual content is provided, and then the devices are synced back into receiving the same channel content during a syncing window. Listeners can also interact with the content, such as skipping songs or adding songs to their personal collection.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an audio streaming service may provide a plurality of channels. On a particular channel, different types of content can be streamed to audio devices connected to that channel, including channel content overlaid with group content and/or personalized content. Channel content refers to same content that is streamed to all of the audio devices that are connected to the channel. Group content refers to audio from a channel host or deejay that is overlaid on the channel content and may be provided to a select group of devices. In response to the group content, the audio streaming service may receive personalized content from some devices, such as user-generated content or responses, which may be used to generate individual content for the devices providing the personalized content. The group content, personalized content, or any other channel content may be overlaid with the channel content.

Abstract: A method of operating a digital media purchase system includes, within the digital media purchase system, receiving a unique promotional code from one of a plurality of consumers via a data network. The receipt is in association with a user account of the one consumer with the digital media purchase system. A database associated with the media purchase system is processed to determine particular digital media items associated with the received one promotional code. A user account of the one consumer with the media purchase system is configured to enable access to the determined particular digital media from the media purchase system.