Abstract: A method of operating a wireless access point having a configurable antenna system includes determining a transmission signal quality metric for a first station with the configurable antenna system in a first configuration, determining a transmission signal quality metric for a second station with the configurable antenna system in the first configuration, determining a transmission signal quality metric for a first station with the configurable antenna system in a second configuration, determining a transmission signal quality metric for a second station with the configurable antenna system in the second configuration, determining a viable set of antenna configurations for which the signal quality metric of each of the stations meets a minimum criteria and configuring the configurable antenna system to a configuration in the viable set when the wireless access point is not transmitting.

Abstract: A method of operating a wireless access point having a configurable antenna system includes determining a transmission signal quality metric for a first station with the configurable antenna system in a first configuration, determining a transmission signal quality metric for a second station with the configurable antenna system in the first configuration, determining a transmission signal quality metric for a first station with the configurable antenna system in a second configuration, determining a transmission signal quality metric for a second station with the configurable antenna system in the second configuration, determining a viable set of antenna configurations for which the signal quality metric of each of the stations meets a minimum criteria and configuring the configurable antenna system to a configuration in the viable set when the wireless access point is not transmitting.

Abstract: A method of operating a wireless access point having a configurable antenna system includes determining a transmission signal quality metric for a first station with the configurable antenna system in a first configuration, determining a transmission signal quality metric for a second station with the configurable antenna system in the first configuration, determining a transmission signal quality metric for a first station with the configurable antenna system in a second configuration, determining a transmission signal quality metric for a second station with the configurable antenna system in the second configuration, determining a viable set of antenna configurations for which the signal quality metric of each of the stations meets a minimum criteria and configuring the configurable antenna system to a configuration in the viable set when the wireless access point is not transmitting.

Abstract: A wireless communications network includes a plurality of wireless devices equipped with direction-agile antenna systems to allow the wireless devices to establish and maintain wireless data links with each other.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a wireless communication device having a switched multi-beam antenna and methods for manufacturing the same are described. One system and method includes a plurality of antenna of elements. Groups of the antenna elements cooperate to form active one or more antenna elements while other groups of the antenna elements cooperate to form a reflector for the active antenna elements. This creates a directed transmission or direction of positive gain for the antenna system. The same group of antenna elements can be switched so that other antenna elements cooperate to form the active element while another group forms a reflector for the active elements thereby providing a different direction of positive gain. The system can be used for various wireless communication protocols and at various frequency ranges.

Abstract: A wireless communications network includes a plurality of wireless devices equipped with direction-agile antenna systems to allow the wireless devices to establish and maintain wireless data links with each other.

Abstract: A direction-agile antenna system is implemented in a wireless network to allow wireless communication devices to establish and maintain wireless data links with each other.

Abstract: A method for filling a powder container, including the steps of placing a first powder container to be filled in filling relationship to a supply of powder in a vessel, vibrofluidizing the powder in the vessel to improve its flow properties, dispensing powder from the vessel into the first container, removing the first container from the vessel, and placing a second container to be filled in filling relationship to the vessel.

Abstract: A method for filling a powder container, including the steps of placing a first powder container to be filled in filling relationship to a supply of powder in a vessel, vibrofluidizing the powder in the vessel to improve its flow properties, dispensing powder from the vessel into the first container, removing the first container from the vessel, and placing a second container to be filled in filling relationship to the vessel.

Abstract: Gradient refractive index elements are fabricated from the melt, using two or more molten glass compositions, to prevent bubble formation in the elements. The individual glass compositions are melted in separate containers, and then added as appropriate to a single crucible. The more dense glasses settle to the bottom of the crucible, while the less dense glasses float on top of the melt layer. As a consequence of using molten glass, no bubbles appear. Batching of the process can be done by the level of the free melt surface, which means that one can control the batched volume of the melted glass by controlling the level of the free melt surface in the crucible.

Abstract: A method for filling a powder container is provided. The method includes the steps of placing a first powder container to be filled in filling relationship to a discharge feature in the vessel, directing the powder in the vessel toward a member located at least partially within the vessel, the member defining a restriction therein such that the powder clogs within the restriction, mechanically exciting the powder at least adjacent the restriction to improve the flow properties of the powder so as to unclog the powder within the restriction, dispensing powder through the restriction, through the discharge feature and into the first container, stopping the mechanical excitation of the powder so as to clog the restriction with the powder, removing the first container from the vessel, and placing a second container to be filled in filling relationship to the vessel.

Abstract: A method for filling a powder container is provided. The method includes the steps of placing a first powder container to be filled in filling relationship to a supply of powder in a vessel, mechanically exciting the powder in the vessel to improve its flow properties, dispensing powder from the vessel into the first container, removing the first container from the vessel, and placing a second container to be filled in filling relationship to the vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling a container with toner using a series of traveling magnetic fields to control the flow of toner from a supply of toner to the container. Initially, an empty container is placed under a fill tube through which the toner will be supplied to the container. In the filling process the traveling magnetic fields, which are supplied by turning on and off a series of solenoids, and gravity cause toner from the toner supply to move through the fill tube. When a solenoid is turned on toner particles are attracted to its magnetic field where a plug of toner is formed. The solenoids are controlled so that a discrete amount of toner is supplied in each on/off cycle of the solenoids. The solenoid on/off cycle is repeated until the container is filled with toner. When the container is filled, the appropriate solenoid is activated so that a plug of toner stops the flow of toner in the fill tube.