Abstract: A system includes an energy collection device adapted to collect energy from a renewable energy source, an energy distribution device separate from and not connected to the energy collection device, the energy distribution device adapted to distribute energy to a third device, and a portable energy storage device. The portable energy storage is adapted to connect to the energy collection device, receive energy from the energy collection device, store the energy, disconnect from the energy collection device, connect to the energy distribution device, provide the energy to the energy distribution device, and disconnect from the energy distribution device.

Abstract: A system for utilizing renewable energy includes a rechargeable battery adapted to store energy, a solar panel device, and an inverter device. The solar panel device includes a solar panel adapted to receive sunlight and generate energy and a battery charger coupled to the solar panel. The battery charger is adapted to receive energy from the solar panel and store energy in the rechargeable battery. The inverter device includes a power outlet and is adapted to receive energy from the rechargeable battery and produce an electric current via the power outlet.

Abstract: A system for utilizing renewable energy includes a rechargeable battery adapted to store energy, a solar panel device, and an inverter device. The solar panel device includes a solar panel adapted to receive sunlight and generate energy and a battery charger coupled to the solar panel. The battery charger is adapted to receive energy from the solar panel and store energy in the rechargeable battery. The inverter device includes a power outlet and is adapted to receive energy from the rechargeable battery and produce an electric current via the power outlet.

Abstract: A system includes an energy collection device adapted to collect energy from a renewable energy source, an energy distribution device separate from and not connected to the energy collection device, the energy distribution device adapted to distribute energy to a third device, and a portable energy storage device. The portable energy storage is adapted to connect to the energy collection device, receive energy from the energy collection device, store the energy, disconnect from the energy collection device, connect to the energy distribution device, provide the energy to the energy distribution device, and disconnect from the energy distribution device.

Abstract: A device includes a memory location adapted to store data, a GPS device adapted to generate information representing a location of the device, a motion detector adapted to determine when the device experiences a predetermined movement, and one or more directional indicators adapted to display a selected direction. The device also includes a processor that performs the following steps: obtain from the GPS device first location data representing a first location, and store the first location data in the memory location. Subsequently, in response to a determination that the device has experienced the predetermined movement, the processor retrieves the first location data from the memory location, obtains from the GPS device second location data representing a second location, determines a direction from the second location to the first location, and causes the one or more directional indicators to indicate the direction.

Abstract: A system for utilizing renewable energy includes a rechargeable battery adapted to store energy, a solar panel device, and an inverter device. The solar panel device includes a solar panel adapted to receive sunlight and generate energy and a battery charger coupled to the solar panel. The battery charger is adapted to receive energy from the solar panel and store energy in the rechargeable battery. The inverter device includes a power outlet and is adapted to receive energy from the rechargeable battery and produce an electric current via the power outlet.

Abstract: A locator device includes a housing, a plurality of directional indicators, a first button, a second button, a memory, and a GPS device. The device also includes a processor adapted to determine that the first button has been pressed, and, in response, obtain from the GPS device first location data representing a first location of the device, and store the first location data in the memory. The processor is further adapted to determine that the second button has been pressed, and in response, retrieve the first location data from the memory, obtain from the GPS device second location data representing a second location of the device, determine a direction from the second location to the first location, identify a directional indicator corresponding to the direction, and illuminate the identified directional indicator to indicate the direction.

Abstract: A device includes a memory location adapted to store data, a GPS device adapted to generate information representing a location of the device, a motion detector adapted to determine when the device experiences a predetermined movement, and one or more directional indicators adapted to display a selected direction. The device also includes a processor that performs the following steps: obtain from the GPS device first location data representing a first location, and store the first location data in the memory location. Subsequently, in response to a determination that the device has experienced the predetermined movement, the processor retrieves the first location data from the memory location, obtains from the GPS device second location data representing a second location, determines a direction from the second location to the first location, and causes the one or more directional indicators to indicate the direction.

Abstract: A measure of signal strength is determined based on a signal received within a communication network. For example, a communication device, such as a mobile telephone, may determine the measure of signal strength within the communication network. A reception status is determined based on the measure of signal strength. A color of a skin of a communication device is caused to change from a first color to a second color, based on the reception status.

Abstract: A measure of signal strength is determined based on a signal received within a communication network. For example, a communication device, such as a mobile telephone, may determine the measure of signal strength within the communication network. A reception status is determined based on the measure of signal strength. A color of a skin of a communication device is caused to change from a first color to a second color, based on the reception status.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an inflatable object adapted to be inserted into a beverage container, and a mechanism adapted to inject air into the inflatable object in response to a decrease in pressure within the beverage container. The beverage container may hold a carbonated beverage, for example. In one embodiment, the mechanism is adapted to maintain an equilibrium between a first partial pressure within the carbonated beverage and a second partial pressure of an air pocket within the beverage container. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a cap adapted to fit onto the beverage container, wherein the inflatable object is coupled to the cap. The cap may comprise a tube connecting the cap and the inflatable object, wherein the tube comprises a channel adapted to transmit air to the inflatable object.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an inflatable object adapted to be inserted into a beverage container, and a mechanism adapted to inject air into the inflatable object in response to a decrease in pressure within the beverage container. The beverage container may hold a carbonated beverage, for example. In one embodiment, the mechanism is adapted to maintain an equilibrium between a first partial pressure within the carbonated beverage and a second partial pressure of an air pocket within the beverage container. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a cap adapted to fit onto the beverage container, wherein the inflatable object is coupled to the cap. The cap may comprise a tube connecting the cap and the inflatable object, wherein the tube comprises a channel adapted to transmit air to the inflatable object.

Abstract: A communication device determines a load measure representing a measure of traffic currently handled by a communication node. The color of a skin of the communication device is changed from a first color to a second color associated with availability of a communication node, based on the load measure. The communication device comprises a mobile telephone having a display adapted to display text and images. The skin does not include the display, and the skin comprises at least one surface located on at least two sides of the communication device, one of the at least two sides being a side that does not include the display. The communication node may be, for example, a Wi-Fi access point or a cellular base station.