Abstract: An apparatus for shipping a device containing a circuit, including a bag sized for holding the device; and an antenna connected to the bag, the antenna having a first end for coupling to the circuit of the device when the device is in the bag so as to allow for radio frequency (RF) communication with the device while the device is in the bag. Separation of the device from the bag causes the antenna to be disconnected from the circuit of the device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides several mechanisms for adapting transmit power spectral density (PSD). A communications device may adapt the power spectrum utilized at the transmitter based, at least in part, on the channel conditions or PSD constraints associated with the communications medium between the transmitter and a receiver device. Additionally, the transmit PSD may be adapted based, at least in part, on a total power capability associated with a transmitter. Power is allocated to improve throughput and utilization of the communications channel. A transmission profile may be selected based, at least in part, on the notch depth. The transmission profile may be associated with symbol timing parameters. The communications device may maintain a plurality of selectable pulse shapes that are optimized for different notch depths.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a z-directed component for insertion into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board according to one example embodiment includes adding a substrate material to a mold defining the shape of a layer of the z-directed component. A top surface of the substrate material in the mold is leveled. The substrate material in the mold is treated and the layer of the z-directed component is formed. A conductive material is applied to at least one surface of the formed layer. The z-directed component is formed that includes a stack of component layers that includes the formed layer.

Abstract: A RFID based system, including an RFID tag to communicate with a reader and having a motion-based generator generating current upon the device being moved. When the object moves, the RFID tag is configured to transmit at least one signal to the reader using the current generated by the motion-based generator to indicate that the object is in use. The RFID tag may include an energy scavenging circuit such that the RFID tag is also capable of being interrogated by the reader and perform additional operations, independent of the motion-based generator.

Abstract: A method for forming a Z-directed component for insertion into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board according to one example includes filling a first cavity having a tapered surface with a body material. A first layer of a constraining material is provided on top of the first cavity and has a second cavity having a width that is smaller than the first cavity. The second cavity is filled with the body material. Successive layers of the constraining material are provided on top of the first layer of the constraining material. Cavities of the successive layers of the constraining material are selectively filled with at least the body material to form layers of the main body portion of the Z-directed component. The constraining material is dissipated to release the Z-directed component from the constraining material and the Z-directed component is fired.

Abstract: Provided is an alkaline battery comprising an electrode stack having at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode with a separator disposed therebetween and a spacer between the tabs of similarly polarized electrodes of the electrode stack, which is contained in a cell casing that applies greater pressure to the middle of the electrodes and less pressure to the edges of the electrode stack. In one embodiment, the battery is a nickel-iron battery. In one embodiment, the spacers between the tabs of similarly polarized electrodes are the teeth of a comb structure.

Abstract: Provided is an alkaline battery comprising an electrode stack having at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode with a separator disposed therebetween and a spacer between the tabs of similarly polarized electrodes of the electrode stack, which battery is contained in a cell casing that applies greater pressure to the electrode towards the bottom of the electrode stack and less pressure towards the top of the electrode stack. In one embodiment, the spacers between the tabs of similarly polarized electrodes are the teeth of a comb structure.

Abstract: Provided is an alkaline battery wherein the cell casing has a concave shape and the middle of the cell casing creates greater pressure on the middle of the electrode stack than at the edges of the electrode stack. In one embodiment, the battery comprises a positive nickel electrode and a negative iron electrode.

Abstract: Provided is an alkaline battery comprising at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode with a separator disposed therebetween, with at least one of the electrodes having alternating areas that are raised and lowered to create gaps between the electrode and the separator. In one embodiment, the battery comprises a positive nickel electrode and a negative iron electrode.

Abstract: Provided is an alkaline battery comprising at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode with a separator disposed there between, which are contained in a cell casing that applies greater pressure to the electrodes toward the bottom of the electrode stack and less pressure towards the top of the electrode stack. In one embodiment, the battery comprises a positive nickel electrode and a negative iron electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing operations using low power, including control circuitry; a radio frequency (RF) circuit for receiving RF signals at one or more frequencies; an internal power source; and switching circuitry coupled between the control circuitry and the internal power source, the switching circuitry having a control terminal coupled to an output of the RF circuit. The apparatus is configured in a normal mode of operation and an off mode of operation in which the apparatus is powered down, and wherein in the off mode of operation energy from the received RF signals control a state of the switching circuitry to selectively couple the internal power source with the control circuitry for performing one or more operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for shipping a device containing a circuit, including a bag sized for holding the device; and an antenna connected to the bag, the antenna having a first end for coupling to the circuit of the device when the device is in the bag so as to allow for radio frequency (RF) communication with the device while the device is in the bag. Separation of the device from the bag causes the antenna to be disconnected from the circuit of the device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a Z-directed component for insertion into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board according to one example embodiment includes forming the Z-directed component in a cavity formed by a constraining material that defines the outer shape of the Z-directed component. The constraining material is dissipated to release the Z-directed component from the constraining material and the Z-directed component is fired.

Abstract: This disclosure provides several mechanisms for adapting transmit power spectral density (PSD). A communications device may adapt the power spectrum utilized at the transmitter based, at least in part, on the channel conditions or PSD constraints associated with the communications medium between the transmitter and a receiver device. Additionally, the transmit PSD may be adapted based, at least in part, on a total power capability associated with a transmitter. Power is allocated to improve throughput and utilization of the communications channel. A transmission profile may be selected based, at least in part, on the notch depth. The transmission profile may be associated with symbol timing parameters. The communications device may maintain a plurality of selectable pulse shapes that are optimized for different notch depths.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a Z-directed component for insertion into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board according to one example embodiment includes simultaneously extruding a plurality of materials according to the structure of the Z-directed component to form an extruded object and forming the Z-directed component from the extruded object. In one embodiment, the extruded object is divided into individual Z-directed components. In one embodiment, the timing of extrusion between predetermined sections of one of the materials is varied in order to stagger the sections in the extruded object.

Abstract: A handheld device for grouping a plurality of lighting fixtures is disclosed. In one embodiment, the handheld device includes a communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate with the plurality of lighting fixtures and control circuitry. The circuitry is configured to: effect selection of at least two lighting fixtures of the plurality of lighting fixtures via the communication interface; determine a first group for the at least two lighting fixtures; create first group assignment information for the first group; and send the first group assignment information to each of the at least two lighting fixtures via the communication interface.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a Z-directed component for insertion into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board according to one example embodiment includes simultaneously extruding a plurality of materials in the cross-sectional shape of the Z-directed component to form an extruded object with the plurality of materials arranged relative to each other in their operative positions for the Z-directed component. The extrusion of a first portion of at least one of the materials in the extruded object is staggered relative to the extrusion of a second portion of the at least one of the materials in the extruded object. At least a segment of the extruded object is fired. The fired segment forms the Z-directed component insertable into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A handheld device having a communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate with a plurality of lighting fixtures and control circuitry is described. In one embodiment, the circuitry is configured to effect selection of a first lighting fixture in a first group of lighting fixtures via the communication interface; identify the first group of lighting fixtures based on information from the first lighting fixture; determine new settings for the first group of lighting fixtures; and send the new settings to each of the first group of lighting fixtures via the communication interface, wherein the first group of lighting fixtures includes a defined plurality of lighting fixtures that are associated to operate in a coordinated manner.

Abstract: A lighting fixture having a light source, a light sensor, a communication interface, and circuitry is described. In addition to controlling the light source, the circuitry is adapted to monitor for a light signal provided from a handheld device via the light sensor; upon receiving the light signal, measure a signal level associated with the light signal; and effect transmission of the signal level to the handheld device via the communication interface. In one embodiment, the circuitry is further configured to receive an instruction to monitor for the light signal from the handheld device via the communication interface such that the circuitry begins monitoring for the light signal upon receiving the instruction.

Abstract: A handheld device having a light source, a communication interface, and control circuitry that is capable of interacting with a lighting fixture.