Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a protection circuit for a battery and a battery connected device during charging are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a load-blocking switch connected between a rechargeable battery and an electronic device and a charge-blocking switch connected between the rechargeable battery and a charger. The apparatus also includes a safety circuit to detect a voltage across and the current flowing through the rechargeable battery. The safety circuit opens the load-blocking switch and the charge-blocking switch when it detects that the voltage across or the current flowing through the battery exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A wireless network performance management system and method. The system includes at least one collection agent for collecting data related to at least one of service coverage; service quality; and usage of public and/or private data networks for enterprise clients, and a reporting unit to graphically represent the collected data to at least one of track, troubleshoot, and analyze the one of the service coverage; the service quality; and the usage of public and/or private data networks for the enterprise clients.

Abstract: Artificial intelligence engine that receives data related to at least one of at least one available network of a mobile communication environment and system data of a mobile device in the mobile communication environment. The artificial intelligence engine includes a rules engine that receives a currently configured set including at least one rule, the at least one rule includes at least one condition and at least one action. The at least one condition includes at least one predicate and at least one condition state, and the rules engine is structured to evaluate the at least one condition and the at least one predicate. Further, a triggering device triggers the at least one action in accordance with the evaluation of the at least one condition and the at least one predicate.

Abstract: Data collection agent associated with a mobile device movable within a mobile communications environment that includes at least one available network connectable to the mobile device. The data collection agent includes an acquisition device to acquire data related to at least one of: service coverage for the at least one available network; service quality for the at least one available network; usage for the at least one available network; and system data from the mobile device, and a transmitter to send the acquired data to a web server.

Abstract: Mobile device tracker and method for tracking movement of mobile devices within a mobile communications environment. The mobile device tracker includes an acquisition device to periodically acquire location data for the mobile device within the mobile communications environment, and a plotter to identify on a map of a geographical region within which the mobile communications environment is located the location data for the mobile device.

Abstract: Controller coupled to a mobile communications environment including at least one of a public and a private network and method of controlling a mobile device in the mobile communications environment. The controller includes a receiver that receives data about network operating parameters at specific locations within the at least one of a public and private network, a processor that evaluates the data about the network operating parameters at the specific locations based upon rules for the mobile device, and a transmitter that sends advisories to a mobile device located within a predetermined proximity to one of the specific locations about the network operating parameters.

Abstract: Methods and devices for determining device usability, e.g., for point of care assay devices. In one embodiment, the invention is to a method of determining device usability in a sensing device, including the steps of: providing a device comprising a first electrical pad; a second electrical pad; and a first polymer layer contacting at least a portion of the first and the second electrical pads and a second polymer layer contacting the first polymer layer and not the first and second electrical pads; applying a potential across the first and the second electrical pads; measuring an electrical property associated with the first and the second polymer layers; and determining whether the measured electrical property associated with the first and the second polymer layers has exceeded a threshold level associated with the device usability.

Abstract: A mounting adapter for mounting a surface processing tool having a rotational or longitudinal axis to at least one spider arm of a rotatable spider assembly of a surface processing apparatus, the spider arm having a leading side and a trailing side as a function of the direction of rotation of the spider assembly. The mounting adapter has a first element for removably attaching the adapter to the spider arm and a second element positioned circumferentially offset behind the first element for positioning the rotational or longitudinal axis of a surface processing tool circumferentially offset behind the trailing side of the spider arm. In one embodiment, the first element is an elongate handle and the second element is a planar plate which extends generally perpendicularly from the handle between one end of the handle and a point intermediate the ends of the handle.

Abstract: A mobile device payment system and method, the method for a mobile device user to purchase goods/services from merchants with financing by a mobile device manufacturer including: providing a mobile device; establishing a user account; establishing merchant accounts; transforming the merchant accounts into a universal merchant account data set; providing the universal merchant account data set to the mobile device user; storing the universal merchant account data set; requesting the mobile device manufacturer to load consumer credit; loading the credit amount; identifying goods/services for purchase; determining a total price for the identified goods/services and a merchant identifier associated with the selected merchant; actuating a purchase button; retrieving merchant bank deposit instructions; retrieving purchase credit; and routing the retrieved credit to the selected merchant in accordance with the retrieved merchant credit deposit instructions.

Abstract: An insurance system for home sharing may comprise a mobile device of a homeowner, one or more databases storing insurance factor data, a plurality of sensors configured to monitor one or more home features, and a server comprising one or more processors and memory. The server may be configured to receive, from the mobile device, data indicating that the homeowner is renting out a home, determine a value for frequency of rentals for the home based on the data indicating that the homeowner is renting out the home, and receive, from the plurality of sensors, monitored data for the one or more home features. The server may compute an insurance premium for the homeowner based on the value for frequency of rentals for the home, the monitored data for the one or more home features, and the insurance factor data and transmit the insurance premium to the mobile device.

Abstract: A mobile device payment system and method, the method for a mobile device user to purchase goods/services from merchants with financing by a mobile device manufacturer including: providing a mobile device; establishing a user account; establishing merchant accounts; transforming the merchant accounts into a universal merchant account data set; providing the universal merchant account data set to the mobile device user; storing the universal merchant account data set; requesting the mobile device manufacturer to load consumer credit; loading the credit amount; identifying goods/services for purchase; determining a total price for the identified goods/services and a merchant identifier associated with the selected merchant; actuating a purchase button; retrieving merchant bank deposit instructions; retrieving purchase credit; and routing the retrieved credit to the selected merchant in accordance with the retrieved merchant credit deposit instructions.

Abstract: Light emitting devices with improved light extraction efficiency are provided. The light emitting devices have a stack of layers including semiconductor layers comprising an active region. The stack is bonded to a transparent optical element.

Abstract: Systems and methods that provide for a virtual reality entertainment system that supplies immersive entertainment and creates a sensation for a user similar to having guests in a remote location to be physically present as virtual guests. Such virtual reality entertainment system can supply a graphic and/or audio; wherein interconnected computers, video and audio processing devices, supply a live interaction between a user and a guest(s). Although guests are only present virtually (e.g., electronically present with other objects/user within the environment) such virtual invitation enables a user and guests to concurrently experience the entertainment together (e.g., a live sporting event, spectator game). In a related aspect, the subject innovation can implement holographic avatars, and a plurality of communication interfaces, to imitate (and/or transform) a relationship between the user and the virtual guests/surrounding environment.

Abstract: A sanitary fluid transport coupling can include a plurality of fluid conduits, each fluid conduit having a distal end and a proximal end, a support element adapted to secure a spaced relationship between the plurality of second conduits at the distal end of the plurality of fluid conduits, and an overmolded element disposed adjacent the support element. The overmolded element can form a fitting that can form a fluid connection with another fluid conduit, fluid container, or isolated environment.

Abstract: A manufacturing article adapted for use in the production of pharmaceuticals comprising a tray comprising a base having a top surface; and a manifold extending from the top surface of the base, the manifold comprising a sidewall and an upper surface, the upper surface further comprising a channel, wherein, when viewed from the top surface, the base has an area, AB, the upper surface of the manifold has an area AM, and AB>AM, and wherein the base is adapted to support a plurality of vessels each adapted to contain a fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a protection circuit for a battery and a battery connected device during charging are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a load-blocking switch connected between a rechargeable battery and an electronic device and a charge-blocking switch connected between the rechargeable battery and a charger. The apparatus also includes a safety circuit to detect a voltage across and the current flowing through the rechargeable battery. The safety circuit opens the load-blocking switch and the charge-blocking switch when it detects that the voltage across or the current flowing through the battery exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A magnetic induction thermal heat unit, capable of producing heat by magnetic field, inducing direct agitation and friction, at the molecular level within a ferrous magnetic or semi-magnetic thermal conductor. The thermal conductors can be joined or bonded to non-magnetic or ferrous materials as a conductive heat path to a thermal transfer device.

Abstract: The formation of a wireless device group for use in a computing environment involves establishing a wireless communication connection between a host wireless interface device and each of one or more dependent wireless interface devices, in which each dependent wireless interface device is configured to not directly communicate with a computing device. Another wireless communication connection is established between the host wireless interface device and the computing device when the host wireless interface device is within a host connection distance of the computing device. A further wireless communication connection can be established between the host wireless interface device and a second, different computing device.