Abstract: A method for generating heat reactions between hydrogen isotopes and a metal catalyst includes placing at least one fuel source within a reactor. The reactor includes an anode and a cathode, wherein the cathode is a metallic vessel, wherein the at least one fuel source comprises a metal substrate thermally sprayed with a metal catalyst, and wherein the at least one fuel source is in thermal and electrical contact with the reactor. The method includes sealing the reactor to produce a vacuum within the reactor. The method includes adding hydrogen to the reactor and adding deuterium to the reactor. The method includes supplying a current to the reactor from a DC power supply.

Abstract: A method for generating heat reactions between hydrogen isotopes and a metal catalyst includes placing at least one fuel source within a reactor. The reactor includes an anode and a cathode, wherein the cathode is a metallic vessel, wherein the at least one fuel source comprises a metal substrate thermally sprayed with a metal catalyst, and wherein the at least one fuel source is in thermal and electrical contact with the reactor. The method includes sealing the reactor to produce a vacuum within the reactor. The method includes adding hydrogen to the reactor and adding deuterium to the reactor. The method includes supplying a current to the reactor from a DC power supply.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining whether to enable a functionality of a battery powered device upon connection to a battery is embodied by providing at least one voltage threshold in a memory of the battery that corresponds to a usable operating range limit of the battery and that is accessible by the battery powered device. Upon connection to the battery, the battery powered device acquires the voltage threshold or thresholds from the battery and programs itself with the threshold or thresholds. The battery powered device then compares a voltage of the battery to the threshold or threshold to determine whether the enable the functionality.

Abstract: A metering assembly is provided for use with an air seeding system for delivering one or more particulate materials to an air seeding apparatus, the air seeding system comprising a product tank, configured to hold a particulate material and having an outlet, the metering assembly comprising at least one metering device, the metering device having a housing, an inlet positioned in the housing to receive particulate material from the outlet of the product tank, a first loading zone and a second loading zone, and a flow controller provided beneath the inlet and operative to route particulate material that has entered the metering device through the inlet in a first direction towards the first loading zone and in a second direction towards the second loading zone.

Abstract: Two devices (110, 120) can be determined to be within near field communication (NFC) range of each other. Pairing information for a service can be conveyed over an out-of-band channel (114, 124). The out-of-band channel can be a near field communication (NFC) channel. The service can be a Bluetooth service provided via an in-band (e.g., BLUETOOTH) channel (112, 122). The conveying of the pairing information can require the first device (110) to request at least one desired service, to provide a device ID, and to provide an authorization code in a single message (150). In response to the single message (150), the second device (120) can either deny the request (160, 162) or can convey resource use parameters for the desired service and an ID for the second device within a second single message (164). Pairing the two devices (110, 120) can require use of the authorization code and the resource use parameters.

Abstract: A communication device performs a method for establishing a fast path for signaling priority data. The method includes: establishing a first short range wireless data path to a second communication device for exchanging non-priority data; and establishes a second autonomous short range wireless data path to the second communication device, for exchanging priority data, wherein the second short range wireless data path comprises a wireless serial communication channel such as a radio frequency communication Bluetooth (RFCOMM) channel. An application layer in an upper layer stack of the communication device establishes both the first and the second short range wireless data paths. Non-priority data communicated to the second communication device along the first short range wireless data path is processed by the application layer. However, priority data communicated to the second communication device along the second short range wireless data path bypasses the application layer.

Abstract: A communication system is provided having an improved user interface in which an audible indicator is played out from an audio accessory to confirm radio transmission of a message sent from the audio accessory in response to activation of a wireless push-to-talk (PTT). The wireless PTT may be located on the audio accessory itself or embodied as a standalone device. The wireless PTT may be operated in conjunction with a two-way radio and a wired or wireless audio accessory device. The audible indicator ceases being played out of the accessory in response to deactivation of the wireless PTT and ending of the radio transmission.

Abstract: Two devices (110, 120) can be determined to be within near field communication (NFC) range of each other. Pairing information for a service can be conveyed over an out-of-band channel (114, 124). The out-of-band channel can be a near field communication (NFC) channel. The service can be a BLUETOOTH service provided via an in-band (e.g., BLUETOOTH) channel (112, 122). The conveying of the pairing information can require the first device (110) to request at least one desired service, to provide a device ID, and to provide an authorization code in a single message (150). In response to the single message (150), the second device (120) can either deny the request (160, 162) or can convey resource use parameters for the desired service and an ID for the second device within a second single message (164). Pairing the two devices (110, 120) can require use of the authorization code and the resource use parameters.

Abstract: Method and apparatuses for pairing more than one slave device with a master device through an exchange of low frequency messages between the slave devices and the master device are disclosed. A first secure data connection is established between a first slave device and the master device typically upon successfully completing a low frequency exchange of pairing credentials associated with establishment of the first secure data connection. The first slave device maintains an active, low frequency transceiver for receiving low frequency transaction requests from other slave devices. Upon receipt of a low frequency transaction request from a second slave device, the first slave device forwards low frequency transmissions between the second slave device and the master device to facilitate in exchanging pairing credentials associated with establishment of a second secure data connection.

Abstract: A communication system is provided having an improved user interface in which an audible indicator is played out from an audio accessory to confirm radio transmission of a message sent from the audio accessory in response to activation of a wireless push-to-talk (PTT). The wireless PTT may be located on the audio accessory itself or embodied as a standalone device. The wireless PTT may be operated in conjunction with a two-way radio and a wired or wireless audio accessory device. The audible indicator ceases being played out of the accessory in response to deactivation of the wireless PTT and ending of the radio transmission.

Abstract: A communication device performs a method for establishing a fast path for signaling priority data. The method includes: establishing a first short range wireless data path to a second communication device for exchanging non-priority data; and establishes a second autonomous short range wireless data path to the second communication device, for exchanging priority data, wherein the second short range wireless data path comprises a wireless serial communication channel such as a radio frequency communication Bluetooth (RFCOMM) channel. An application layer in an upper layer stack of the communication device establishes both the first and the second short range wireless data paths. Non-priority data communicated to the second communication device along the first short range wireless data path is processed by the application layer. However, priority data communicated to the second communication device along the second short range wireless data path bypasses the application layer.

Abstract: A configurable interface system (100) couples an accessory (102) to a communication device (104). The interface system utilizes a memory device (120) embedded in the accessory (102) that stores physical configuration and event mapping descriptors (114, 122) pertaining to the accessory. The communication device (104) reads the physical configuration and event mapping descriptors and configures its external interface (112) in response thereto, preferably through the use of bi-directional GPIO lines (110).

Abstract: An antenna (104) and antenna interface system (200) are provided that allow both RF and baseband signals to be transported over a single antenna/communication device coaxial center connector (110, 120). A single wire memory device (134) is embedded into the antenna (104) and electrically coupled to the antenna's center conductor (110). Frequency diplexing (114, 116) is used to transport the single wire bus communications between the antenna (104) and the communication device, such as a radio (102).

Abstract: A configurable interface system (100) couples an accessory (102) to a communication device (104). The interface system utilizes a memory device (120) embedded in the accessory (102) that stores physical configuration and event mapping descriptors (114, 122) pertaining to the accessory. The communication device (104) reads the physical configuration and event mapping descriptors and configures its external interface (112) in response thereto, preferably through the use of bi-directional GPIO lines (110).

Abstract: The diversity SCO digital audio technique (300) provides packet protection through statistical diversity by adding new audio modes (202, 204) that operate within a Bluetooth framework (200). Increased packet protection improves audio intelligibility and data transmission. The combination of a blind or signaled transmission of a redundant packet (202 or 204) in combination with a randomly faded frequency hop for each packet provide for enhanced reliability and link quality.

Abstract: A connector (100) having multiple contacts (102) includes a supply contact (104), a ground contact (106) and at least one other contact (108) for providing attach/detach detection to an accessory or accessory connector. The supply and ground contacts (104, 106) are longer than the detect contact (108) so that power is connected prior to any of the other contacts and power is removed after any of the other contacts are detached. Logical control circuitry (318) interfaces with the connector (100) to minimize sparks upon detachment from the accessory (304).

Abstract: The diversity SCO digital audio technique (300) provides packet protection through statistical diversity by adding new audio modes (202, 204) that operate within a Bluetooth framework (200). Increased packet protection improves audio intelligibility and data transmission. The combination of a blind or signaled transmission of a redundant packet (202 or 204) in combination with a randomly faded frequency hop for each packet provide for enhanced reliability and link quality.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a communication system wherein ultrasonic signals can be used as carriers to efficiently produce high fidelity, wide audio bandwidth sound. Exemplary embodiments rely on the airborne transport of an inaudible ultrasonic carrier directly into the ear canal of a user, such that the non-linearities within the ear itself can be exploited to demodulate the ultrasonic carrier without producing audible sounds at the input to the user's ear. The non-linearities of the ear itself, in conjunction with the human brain's perception of audible frequencies generated in response to ultrasonic stimulation, are relied upon to detect audio information. The ultrasound-to-audio-sound conversion in the confined volume of the inner ear appears to be constant pressure, as opposed to constant velocity, such that all frequencies of the audio bandwidth (including low frequency bass signals) are produced with comparable sound intensity.

Abstract: High quality epitaxial layers of monocrystalline materials can be grown overlying monocrystalline substrates such as large silicon wafers by forming a compliant substrate for growing the monocrystalline layers. An accommodating buffer layer comprises a layer of monocrystalline oxide spaced apart from a silicon wafer by an amorphous interface layer of silicon oxide. The amorphous interface layer dissipates strain and permits the growth of a high quality monocrystalline oxide accommodating buffer layer. The accommodating buffer layer is lattice matched to both the underlying silicon wafer and the overlying monocrystalline material layer. Any lattice mismatch between the accommodating buffer layer and the underlying silicon substrate is taken care of by the amorphous interface layer. In addition, formation of a compliant substrate may include utilizing surfactant enhanced epitaxy, epitaxial growth of single crystal silicon onto single crystal oxide, and epitaxial growth of Zintl phase materials.

Abstract: High quality layers of monocrystalline materials can be grown overlying monocrystalline substrates such as large silicon wafers by forming a compliant substrate for growing the monocrystalline layers. An accommodating buffer layer comprises a layer of monocrystalline oxide spaced apart from a silicon wafer by an amorphous interface layer of silicon oxide. The amorphous interface layer dissipates strain and permits the growth of a high quality monocrystalline oxide accommodating buffer layer. The accommodating buffer layer is lattice matched to both the underlying silicon wafer and the overlying monocrystalline material layer. Any lattice mismatch between the accommodating buffer layer and the underlying silicon substrate is taken care of by the amorphous interface layer. In addition, formation of a compliant substrate may include utilizing surfactant enhanced epitaxy, epitaxial growth of single crystal silicon onto single crystal oxide, and epitaxial growth of Zintl phase materials.