Abstract: A method of and fuel cell system for limiting an amount of a fuel crossing over a membrane in a fuel cell, the method including determining an appropriate molecular ratio of the fuel and water for a fuel-water mixture 503; and controlling an amount of the fuel-water mixture that is available to an anode side of the membrane 507 in the fuel cell according to an amount of the fuel that will be electro-oxidized by the fuel cell. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell membrane 103 having an anode layer 107, a cathode layer 109, and an electrolyte layer 111 where the cathode layer is exposed to an oxygen source, and a fuel delivery system 105 including a fuel chamber 119 disposed around and proximate to the anode layer at a side opposite to the electrolyte layer, the fuel delivery system implementing the method above.

Abstract: A node (200) includes a processor (201) for determining neighbor nodes in a routing path to a destination based on a routing table associated with the node (200). The node (200) includes a memory for storing a first authenticated tokens. The node includes a transmitter (203) for transmitting a first request-to-route (RTR) message including an indication specifying information units (IUs) from the first node to the neighbor nodes in a routing path from the first node to the destination. The node (200) includes a receiver (205) for receiving a neighbor reply message from one of the neighbor nodes to the first node which indicates that the neighbor node will route the information units (IUs). The transmitter (203) transmits a second authenticated tokens from the first node to one of the neighbor nodes. The second authenticated tokens are converted into a tradable entity and provide compensation to the neighbor node selected.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for allowing a node (300) in an ad hoc network to deterministically decide whether to relay broadcast information to another node in the ad hoc network. The node (300) receives broadcast information and measures received signal strength (RSS) of the broadcast information. The node (300) may determine if the measured RSS is below a low threshold, and if so, can relay the broadcast information to neighbor nodes. Otherwise, the node (300) can also determine if the measured RSS is above a high threshold, and if not, wait for a waiting period before relaying the broadcast information to the neighbor nodes. The node (300) may dynamically adjust the low threshold by decreasing the low threshold as the number of neighbor nodes increases and may dynamically adjust the high threshold by increasing the high threshold as the number of neighbor nodes decreases.

Abstract: A communication system and a method of communicating data. A first backhaul site can be dynamically selected from a plurality of backhaul sites that are each configured to wirelessly communicate with an access point. A controller can dynamically configure a transmission parameter used to communicate a first backhaul data stream between the access point and the first backhaul site. The first backhaul data stream can be derived from a source data stream and can be wirelessly communicated between the access point and the first backhaul site. A second backhaul site also can be selected. A second backhaul data stream also can be derived from the source data stream and wirelessly communicated between the access point and the second backhaul site. The first and second backhaul data streams can be combined.

Abstract: A method of and fuel cell system for limiting an amount of a fuel crossing over a membrane in a fuel cell, the method including determining an appropriate molecular ratio of the fuel and water for a fuel-water mixture 503; and controlling an amount of the fuel-water mixture that is available to an anode side of the membrane 507 in the fuel cell according to an amount of the fuel that will be electro-oxidized by the fuel cell. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell membrane 103 having an anode layer 107, a cathode layer 109, and an electrolyte layer 111 where the cathode layer is exposed to an oxygen source, and a fuel delivery system 105 including a fuel chamber 119 disposed around and proximate to the anode layer at a side opposite to the electrolyte layer, the fuel delivery system implementing the method above.

Abstract: A communication system and a method of communicating data. A first backhaul site can be dynamically selected from a plurality of backhaul sites that are each configured to wirelessly communicate with an access point. A controller can dynamically configure a transmission parameter used to communicate a first backhaul data stream between the access point and the first backhaul site. The first backhaul data stream can be derived from a source data stream and can be wirelessly communicated between the access point and the first backhaul site. A second backhaul site also can be selected. A second backhaul data stream also can be derived from the source data stream and wirelessly communicated between the access point and the second backhaul site. The first and second backhaul data streams can be combined.

Abstract: A communication system and a method of communicating backhaul data. The communication system can include a controller. The controller can dynamically select from a plurality of backhaul sites at least a first backhaul site to establish a backhaul communication link with an access point. The controller also can generate a control signal that indicates to the access point to beam steer a backhaul signal to the first backhaul site. The access point can include a phased array that dynamically beam steers the backhaul signal in azimuth and elevation.

Abstract: A gas pressure regulator (100) includes a mechanical primary stage (102), preferably including a spring valve, and an electronic secondary stage (104), preferably including a micromachined pressure regulator, the combination of the mechanical primary stage and the electronic secondary stage suitable for relatively precise low pressure near zero flow rates with reasonable energy consumption rates, such as encountered when supplying fuel to a low power fuel cell system.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for use in a user device for limiting the ability of the terminal of the user device to replay protected content. The low-level key that is used by the decryption component of the terminal to decrypt content is transient in that it expires if at least one predetermined expiration criteria is met. After they key has expired, it is no longer valid and thus cannot be used by the decryption component to decrypt protected content. Limiting the ability of the terminal to replay protected content is preferably accomplished in a way that does not affect the ability of the terminal to play and replay unprotected content.

Abstract: A method (50) of altering content provided to a user includes the steps of creating (60) a user profile based on past physiological measurements of the user, monitoring (74) at least one current physiological measurement of the user, and altering (82) the content provided to the user based on the user profile and the at least one current physiological measurement. The user profile can be created by recording a plurality of inferred or estimated emotional states (64) of the user which can include a time sequence of emotional states, stimulus contexts for such states, and a temporal relationship between the emotional state and the stimulus context. The content can be altered in response to the user profile and measured physiological state by altering at least one among an audio volume, a video sequence, a sound effect, a video effect, a difficulty level, a sequence of media presentation.

Abstract: A microphone system (100) includes a MEMS microphone (102) and at least one audio port (110) accessing the rear volume portion (106) of the MEMS microphone providing directional functionality, preferably through a MEMS switch (112).

Abstract: A node (200) includes a processor (201) for determining neighbor nodes in a routing path to a destination based on a routing table associated with the node (200). The node (200) includes a memory for storing a first authenticated tokens. The node includes a transmitter (203) for transmitting a first request-to-route (RTR) message including an indication specifying information units (IUs) from the first node to the neighbor nodes in a routing path from the first node to the destination. The node (200) includes a receiver (205) for receiving a neighbor reply message from one of the neighbor nodes to the first node which indicates that the neighbor node will route the information units (IUs). The transmitter (203) transmits a second authenticated tokens from the first node to one of the neighbor nodes. The second authenticated tokens are converted into a tradable entity and provide compensation to the neighbor node selected.

Abstract: A plurality of potential receiving locations where a target recipient may be able to receive at least a portion of data that has been provided (101) for transmission to that target recipient are determined (102). A pre-provisioning plan is then developed (103) to provide at least a portion of that data to the target recipient as a function, at least in part, of at least one of time and the target recipient's likely movement with respect to the plurality of potential receiving locations. More particularly, this pre-provisioning plan can comprise, at least in part, pre-provisioning at least one of the potential receiving locations with at least some of the data in anticipation of the target recipient's movement over time.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for allowing a node (300) in an ad hoc network to deterministically decide whether to relay broadcast information to another node in the ad hoc network. The node (300) receives broadcast information and measures received signal strength (RSS) of the broadcast information. The node (300) may determine if the measured RSS is below a low threshold, and if so, can relay the broadcast information to neighbor nodes. Otherwise, the node (300) can also determine if the measured RSS is above a high threshold, and if not, wait for a waiting period before relaying the broadcast information to the neighbor nodes. The node (300) may dynamically adjust the low threshold by decreasing the low threshold as the number of neighbor nodes increases and may dynamically adjust the high threshold by increasing the high threshold as the number of neighbor nodes decreases.

Abstract: A method and system for indicating wireless interconnectivity between at least two electronic devices is useful for configuring wireless networks. The method includes activating at each device a wireless networking communication interface (step 305). At least one other device is then identified at each device (step 310). It is then determined at each device whether a wireless communication channel is operative with an identified at least one other device (step 315). An alarm is then triggered at each device that does not have a wireless communication channel operative with an identified at least one other device (step 320).

Abstract: Devices (302, 702, 800) with embedded control programs are provided are provided with RF-ID devices (114, 504) or other non-contact read data carriers (604) that provide configuration data, on which the execution of the embedded control programs is contingent. Preferred embodiments include wireless communication devices (302, 702, 800) provided with RF-ID devices (114, 504) or set of magnets (604) that encodes data embedded in front fascia. Embodiments of the invention increase the security of configuration data, and allow for functionality to enhanced by replacing the front fascia.

Abstract: A fuel cell (100) includes a membrane electrode assembly (110) located together with a layer of variable porosity porous gas diffusion material (150). The variable porosity gas diffusion material layer (150) operates to selectively limit the amount of reactants reaching localized areas of the membrane electrode assembly (110) in order to reduce hot spots.

Abstract: A method (50) of altering content provided to a user includes the steps of creating (60) a user profile based on past physiological measurements of the user, monitoring (74) at least one current physiological measurement of the user, and altering (82) the content provided to the user based on the user profile and the at least one current physiological measurement. The user profile can be created by recording a plurality of inferred or estimated emotional states (64) of the user which can include a time sequence of emotional states, stimulus contexts for such states, and a temporal relationship between the emotional state and the stimulus context. The content can be altered in response to the user profile and measured physiological state by altering at least one among an audio volume, a video sequence, a sound effect, a video effect, a difficulty level, a sequence of media presentation.

Abstract: A fuel cell (200) includes a membrane electrode assembly (210) located together with a layer of porous, z-axis electrically conductive, non-linear positive temperature coefficient (NPTC) material (250). The NPTC material (250) operates to selectively limit the amount of electrons collected from localized areas of the membrane electrode assembly (210) in order to reduce hot spots.

Abstract: A fuel cell power source (100) for use in electronic systems includes a fuel cell system (130) and a controller (150). The controller (150) computes net power requirements of a load device from one or more power functional information sources; and determines an operating point of the fuel cell system (130) by matching the net power requirements with the power characteristics of the fuel cell system (130).