Abstract: A fairlead for use with a winch is disclosed. The fairlead includes: a device for detecting a speed at which a line is being spooled or unspooled from the winch, a first and second roller adapted to aid in spooling or unspooling a line, a fairlead motor for driving at least the first roller, and a controller connected to the fairlead motor. The controller is in communication with the device for detecting the speed. The controller is configured to direct the fairlead motor to drive at least the first roller at a speed that maintains tension on the line as it is unspooling or spooling. Alternatively, the device measures current drawn by the fairlead motor and the controller directs the fairlead motor to drive the rollers at a speed that maintains a target current draw.

Abstract: A fairlead for use with a winch is disclosed. The fairlead is made up of a first and second roller, a motor, a sensor, and a controller. The rollers are adapted to aid in spooling or unspooling a line. The motor drives at least the first roller. The sensor determines whether a winch drum is spooling or unspooling a line. The controller is connected to the motor and communicates with the sensor. The sensor determines whether the winch drum is spooling or unspooling the line. The controller is configured to direct the motor so that the rollers assist in unspooling or spooling the line in coordination with the winch drum. In some embodiments, the fairlead is integrated into the winch.

Abstract: A system for bridging wireless communications is disclosed. The system for bridging wireless communications includes a first mobile device that is outside a coverage area of a first radio access technology (RAT), a second mobile device that is within the coverage area of the first RAT, a third device that is within the coverage area of the first RAT, a first bridging device paired with and communicating with the first mobile communication device using a second RAT, and a second bridging device paired with and communicating with the first bridging device using a third RAT and paired with and communicating with the second mobile communication device using a fourth RAT, whereby the first mobile device communicates with the third device, even when the first mobile device cannot communicate directly with the third communication device.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention is an apparatus for a mobile communication network, which includes a mobile telecommunications device, with a graphical user interface and a memory. The apparatus also includes a mobile radio device, communicatively coupled to the mobile telecommunications device, thereby creating a pair of communicatively coupled mobile devices. The mobile radio device includes a plurality of lights functioning as a secondary user interface and, in conjunction with the graphical user interface provides a unified user interface. The mobile radio device also includes a memory, a GPS chip and an accelerometer, a magnetometer, and a gyroscope. The plurality of lights communicate an operational mode and status to a user. The operational mode is at least one of: a battery level indicator mode, a signal strength indicator mode, a compass indicator mode, a tracking mode, a path saving mode, a waypoint mode, and a disaster mode.

Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an aeroponic growing container and a fog transportation system that moves nutrient-rich fog into the aeroponic growing container. The container may comprise one or more electrically grounded plants or one or more electrically grounded plant support structures that suspend one or more plants. The fog transportation system comprises an electrode that transfers an electrical charge to the nutrient-rich fog, such that the nutrient-rich fog is electrically attracted to the one or more plants. The method comprises providing an aeroponic growing container comprising one or more plant support structures that suspend one or more plants, electrically grounding the plant support structures, and transporting nutrient-rich fog into the container by means of a fog transportation system. The fog transportation system comprises an electrode that transfers an electrical charge to the fog, such that the fog is electrically attracted to the plants.

Abstract: A system for bridging wireless communications is disclosed. The system for bridging wireless communications includes a first mobile device that is outside a coverage area of a first radio access technology (RAT), a second mobile device that is within the coverage area of the first RAT, a third device that is within the coverage area of the first RAT, a first bridging device paired with and communicating with the first mobile communication device using a second RAT, and a second bridging device paired with and communicating with the first bridging device using a third RAT and paired with and communicating with the second mobile communication device using a fourth RAT, whereby the first mobile device communicates with the third device, even when the first mobile device cannot communicate directly with the third communication device.

Abstract: A dual-screw line guide is disclosed. A first screw has a first helical groove. A second screw has a second helical groove. The first helical groove and the second helical groove align, thereby forming a groove space, as the first screw and the second screw rotate in opposing radial directions. The groove space is configured for a line to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A detachable line guide is provided. A screw with a helical groove is provided. A guide is positioned a fixed distance perpendicular to the screw and can travel laterally freely. The guide includes a follower which is attached to the guide by a spring. The follower is biased into the groove. Rotation of the screw causes the follower to track the groove and move the guide laterally. The guide is configured for a line to pass therethrough. When the line exerts a lateral force above a predetermined threshold against the guide, the follower rides up and out of the groove as the spring is compressed.

Abstract: A fairlead for use with a winch is disclosed. The fairlead includes: a device for detecting a speed at which a line is being spooled or unspooled from the winch, a first and second roller adapted to aid in spooling or unspooling a line, a fairlead motor for driving at least the first roller, and a controller connected to the fairlead motor. The controller is in communication with the device for detecting the speed. The controller is configured to direct the fairlead motor to drive at least the first roller at a speed that maintains tension on the line as it is unspooling or spooling. Alternatively, the device measures current drawn by the fairlead motor and the controller directs the fairlead motor to drive the rollers at a speed that maintains a target current draw.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention is an apparatus for a mobile communication network, which includes a mobile telecommunications device, with a graphical user interface and a memory. The apparatus also includes a mobile radio device, communicatively coupled to the mobile telecommunications device, thereby creating a pair of communicatively coupled mobile devices. The mobile radio device includes a plurality of lights functioning as a secondary user interface and, in conjunction with the graphical user interface provides a unified user interface. The mobile radio device also includes a memory, a GPS chip and an accelerometer, a magnetometer, and a gyroscope. The plurality of lights communicate an operational mode and status to a user. The operational mode is at least one of: a battery level indicator mode, a signal strength indicator mode, a compass indicator mode, a tracking mode, a path saving mode, a waypoint mode, and a disaster mode.

Abstract: An indicator for use with a winch is disclosed. It includes; a sensor for determining the load on a winch, a controller in communication with the sensor, and a load indicator comprising multiple lights in an array. Each of the lights in the array can be changed by the controller from one appearance to another. The controller is configured to change the appearance of each of the lights in the array, with the number of lights with a changed appearance being proportional to the load sensed by the sensor. Preferably, the indicator is incorporated into a fairlead for use with a winch.

Abstract: A dual-screw line guide is disclosed. A first screw has a first helical groove. A second screw has a second helical groove. The first helical groove and the second helical groove align, thereby forming a groove space, as the first screw and the second screw rotate in opposing radial directions. The groove space is configured for a line to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A detachable line guide is provided. A screw with a helical groove is provided. A guide is positioned a fixed distance perpendicular to the screw and can travel laterally freely. The guide includes a follower which is attached to the guide by a spring. The follower is biased into the groove. Rotation of the screw causes the follower to track the groove and move the guide laterally. The guide is configured for a line to pass therethrough. When the line exerts a lateral force above a predetermined threshold against the guide, the follower rides up and out of the groove as the spring is compressed.

Abstract: A fairlead for use with a winch is disclosed. The fairlead is made up of a first and second roller, a motor, a sensor, and a controller. The rollers are adapted to aid in spooling or unspooling a line. The motor drives at least the first roller. The sensor determines whether a winch drum is spooling or unspooling a line. The controller is connected to the motor and communicates with the sensor. The sensor determines whether the winch drum is spooling or unspooling the line. The controller is configured to direct the motor so that the rollers assist in unspooling or spooling the line in coordination with the winch drum. In some embodiments, the fairlead is integrated into the winch.

Abstract: An indicator for use with a winch is disclosed. It includes; a sensor for determining the load on a winch, a controller in communication with the sensor, and a load indicator comprising multiple lights in an array. Each of the lights in the array can be changed by the controller from one appearance to another. The controller is configured to change the appearance of each of the lights in the array, with the number of lights with a changed appearance being proportional to the load sensed by the sensor. Preferably, the indicator is incorporated into a fairlead for use with a winch.