Abstract: Disclosed is an example method to reduce waveguide scattering loss. The method includes forming a waveguide having a sidewall, the waveguide including a group III-V compound semiconductor material, and growing a native oxide on the waveguide to form an index of refraction contrast at the sidewall, the native oxide grown in a controlled Oxygen-enriched water vapor environment to reduce a roughness of the sidewall.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of doping an oxide. The example method includes forming at least one of an AlGaAs oxide or an InAlP oxide on a GaAs substrate, and incorporating Erbium into the at least one AlGaAs oxide or InAlP oxide via ion implantation to form an Erbium-doped oxide layer. The example method also includes annealing the substrate and the at least one AlGaAs oxide or InAlP oxide.

Abstract: A squelch break signaling device includes a carrier operated relay cadence timer to set a time limit and a carrier operated relay counter to count the number of times a carrier operated relay transitions from inactive to active and back to inactive within the time limit to provide a session initiation protocol activate signal from the squelch break signaling device when the count of the carrier operated relay counter matches a predetermined number.

Abstract: A radio-to-SIP adapter is shown to include a voice detection algorithm processor as well as other circuitry to provide an interface between a radio and SIP adapter to accommodate a transition from half duplex to full duplex and to cause a radio to transmit when human speech is present in an audio signal from a telephony network.

Abstract: Providing virtual talk groups to an endpoint includes managing the virtual talk groups, where a virtual talk group comprises one or more members operable to participate in the virtual talk group. One or more overlapping members are identified, where an overlapping member is a member of more than one virtual talk group. Internal virtual talk groups are generated from the original virtual talk groups, where the internal virtual talk groups comprise at least a reduced number of overlapping members. One or more original virtual talk groups are provided to the endpoint using the internal virtual talk groups.

Abstract: Microstructured articles, such as a retroreflective articles, having a plurality of (e.g. cube-corner) microstructured elements and a seal film layer adhered to portions of the cube-corner elements and/or portions of a (e.g. flexible) body layer. The seal film is a thermoplastic polymeric material comprising reaction products of alkylene in an amount of at least about 50% and reaction products of at least one non-acidic polar monomer.

Abstract: A method for managing virtual talk groups includes facilitating communications from a plurality of endpoints via an interoperability system. The plurality of endpoints comprises endpoints of different communication networks. The method includes configuring a virtual talk group comprising a first group of the plurality of endpoints and assigning to at least one endpoint of the first group of the plurality of endpoints of the virtual talk group functionality with respect to the interoperability system based on a relative priority of the at least one endpoint to other endpoints of the first group of the plurality of endpoints.

Abstract: A method for providing interoperable communications with congestion management includes facilitating communications of a plurality of virtual talk groups. Each virtual talk group comprises a plurality of endpoints of different communication networks communicating using a respective communication channel. The method includes detecting, for a first virtual talk group of the plurality of virtual talk groups, a congestion event and, in response to detecting the congestion event, forming from the first virtual talk group one or more subgroups, each subgroup comprising at least two endpoints from the first virtual talk group. The method also includes assigning to each subgroup a respective alternate communication protocol for use by the plurality of endpoints of the subgroup.

Abstract: A method for providing interoperable communications with dynamic event area allocation includes facilitating communications of a plurality of virtual talk groups, each virtual talk group including a plurality of endpoints of different communication networks communicating using a respective communication protocol. The method includes receiving notice of an event comprising an event location and creating an event area based on the event location. The method also includes associating an event virtual talk group with the event for communications regarding the event. The method also includes modifying the event area based on at least one location parameter associated with the event.

Abstract: A method for providing a push-to-talk proxy media service includes receiving a plurality of monitored push-to-talk communication streams over a high bandwidth connection and mixing the plurality of monitored push-to-talk communication streams into a mixed communication stream. The method also includes transmitting the mixed communication stream to a user endpoint over a low bandwidth connection.

Abstract: A method for providing a push-to-talk communication session includes facilitating a push-to-talk communication session among a full duplex endpoint supporting simultaneous two-way communication and a plurality of half duplex endpoints. Communications are received from and transmitted to the full duplex endpoint along a two-way communications path. The method includes blocking communications received from the full duplex endpoint while one of the plurality of half duplex endpoints has floor control in the communication session and receiving from the full duplex endpoint in the two-way communications path a floor control signal comprising a request to transmit communications in the communication session. The method includes, in response to receiving the floor control signal, providing floor control to the full duplex endpoint and transmitting to the plurality of half duplex endpoints communications received from the full duplex endpoint.

Abstract: A method for providing a push-to-talk communication session using a control endpoint includes facilitating a push-to-talk communication session among a full duplex endpoint supporting simultaneous two-way communication and a plurality of half duplex endpoints. Communications are received from and transmitted to the full duplex endpoint along a two-way communications path. The method includes blocking communications received from the full duplex endpoint while one of the plurality of half duplex endpoints has floor control in the communication session and receiving, from a control endpoint separate from the full duplex endpoint, a floor control signal comprising a request to transmit communications in the communication session. The method includes, in response to receiving the floor control signal, providing floor control to the full duplex endpoint and transmitting to the plurality of half duplex endpoints communications received from the full duplex endpoint.

Abstract: A method for conveying media source location information includes receiving a first communication from a first endpoint and receiving location information indicating a first location of the first endpoint. The method also includes presenting the first communication to a user of a second endpoint in a manner to reflect the first location relative to a second location of the second endpoint.

Abstract: A rotor body (22) having a plurality of cylindrical bores (24) each adapted to receive a piston (30) for reciprocating movement therein, each of the bores (30) being lined with a ceramic liner (42) having a first split (44), and a method of forming a rotor (16) having a ceramic bore liner (42) that includes the steps of providing a rotor body having at least one bore (140), providing a ceramic bore liner having a first end, a second end and a split having a width (142), and compressing the bore liner to decrease the width and securing the bore liner in the at least one bore (144).

Abstract: A method for automatic configuration of virtual talk groups based on location of media source includes monitoring communications from a plurality of mobile endpoints. Each communication comprises a media message and location information identifying a location of its transmitting endpoint. The method includes selecting a first group of mobile endpoints of the plurality of endpoints according to virtual talk group configuration instructions based on the locations of the mobile endpoints. The method also includes configuring a first virtual talk group comprising the first group of mobile endpoints to facilitate communications among the first group of mobile endpoints. The first group of mobile endpoints comprises mobile endpoints of different communication networks.

Abstract: A method for communicating media based on location of media source includes receiving communications from a plurality of endpoints. Each communication comprises a media message and location information identifying a location of its transmitting endpoint. The method includes receiving a selection of a geographical area and comparing the location information of each communication with the selected geographical area. The method also includes presenting to a user each message received from each endpoint of the plurality of endpoints located within the selected geographical area.

Abstract: A method for providing interoperable communications with location information includes receiving communications from a plurality of virtual talk groups. Each virtual talk group comprises a plurality of endpoints of different communication networks. The method includes receiving from a first mobile endpoint of a first virtual talk group of the plurality of virtual talk groups a first communication. The first communication comprises a first media message and location information identifying a location of the first mobile endpoint. The method includes presenting to a user the first media message from the first mobile endpoint and the location of the first mobile endpoint.

Abstract: A method is provided for simulating customer reaction to stimulus based on historical observable customer outcomes. Embodiments of the invention describe a series of steps that when taken together accomplish a predictive outcome of customer simulation from a plurality of source inputs without prior assumptions of relationship between inputs and simulated outcomes. The invention comprises a series of steps that effect the framing of the simulation model from which customer predicted outcomes are made. The various frames required to create the preferred simulation model include: customer database development, stimulus archetype development, model data development, model building, simulation of future customer reaction and suggested courses of action based on the results of the simulation.

Abstract: A portable interconnection system has a housing having and a plurality of communications ports adapted for connection to a plurality of audio communication networks; electronics substantially enclosed by the housing; the electronics including at least interconnection electronics operative to selectively establish a plurality of independent connection sets, each connection set interconnecting at least a plurality of the communications ports for communications between a plurality of audio communication units operating in at least two different and incompatible ones of the audio communication networks; a user interface connected to the interconnection electronics and operative to control the interconnection electronics; wherein a combined weight of the housing and the electronics is not more than fifteen pounds. A display may show an interconnection status of the plurality of audio communication units for a plurality of the independent connection sets simultaneously.

Abstract: A splitter assembly 10 is positioned downhole within a conductor 50 for separating two or more tubular strings placed within the conductor. A splitter housing may include a first bore 26 and a second bore 28 for separating a first well from a second well, and a plug 24 positioned in one of the bores including a top face 25 sloping downwardly toward the other bore. One or more guide plates 18 secured to the splitter housing and positioned above the plug guide a bit or other tool toward one of the first bore and the second bore. The splitter housing 10 may be positioned along the conductor 50 after the conductor is jetted in place. According to the method, the plug in one of the bores is retrieved after a casing is run in one well, so that the second bit and the second casing will pass through the bore which previously included the plug.