Abstract: A method that includes takeoff of an aircraft assembly in a vertical orientation with a central axis X of the aircraft assembly perpendicular to the ground; rotating the aircraft assembly from the vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation where the central axis X is between ?5° and 20° from true horizontal; and flying the aircraft assembly from a first location to a second location in the horizontal orientation with an aircraft of the aircraft assembly generating forward propulsion for forward flight and a wing body of the aircraft assembly generating aerodynamic lift for the aircraft assembly based on the forward flight in the horizontal orientation, the aerodynamic lift generated by the wing body supporting equal to or greater than 70% of the weight of the aircraft assembly.

Abstract: A method of operating an aircraft including takeoff of an aircraft; transitioning the aircraft to a forward flight configuration by increasing an amount of forward propulsive force generated by a propeller assembly from equal to or less than 10% to at least 80% of a propeller assembly maximum and reducing the upward propulsive force generated by rotor assemblies from at least 80% of a rotor assembly maximum to equal to or less than 10%; flying the aircraft from a first location to a second location in the forward flight configuration; and transitioning the aircraft to a landing configuration at the second location by decreasing an amount of forward propulsive force generated by the propeller assembly and increasing the upward propulsive force generated by the rotor assemblies.

Abstract: A high transport efficiency aircraft apparatus for precisely delivering a payload at a target area without stopping is disclosed. An aircraft is adapted to fly at low speed and less than 10 feet above ground level over the target area, with a delivery trajectory including a steep descent toward the target area and a steep ascent away from the target area. The aircraft includes a payload bay constructed to contain the payload within the aircraft, and a payload release mechanism adapted to release the payload from the payload bay when the aircraft flies over the target area, allowing the payload to fall and arrive unharmed at the target area unaided by an aerodynamic deceleration device.

Abstract: Upon detection of a failure of a communication link between a remote management system and a communication node, a bypass link is established. The remote management system evaluates whether additional communication nodes can act as a bypass for management communications between the remote management system and the communication node whose management communication link has failed. The remote management system instructs a selected bypass communication node to establish the bypass management communication link between the bypass node and the disconnected node whose management communication link has failed. Depending on the relationship between nodes, management communications sent using the bypass link may be secured. The bypass link in some implementations may include multiple bypass communication nodes linked together to provide a chain of bypass management communication links between the remote management system and the disconnected communication node.

Abstract: A high transport efficiency aircraft apparatus for precisely delivering a payload at a target area without stopping is disclosed. An aircraft is adapted to fly at low speed and less than 10 feet above ground level over the target area, with a delivery trajectory including a steep descent toward the target area and a steep ascent away from the target area. The aircraft includes a payload bay constructed to contain the payload within the aircraft, and a payload release mechanism adapted to release the payload from the payload bay when the aircraft flies over the target area, allowing the payload to fall and arrive unharmed at the target area unaided by an aerodynamic deceleration device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and software enable intelligent agent features for user nodes that are members of a communication group. Instructions instantiate an intelligent agent node as a member of the communication group. Each intelligent agent node can be instantiated by a communication group management system, an intelligent agent system and/or by one or more of the communication group members, for example by executing software on one or more computing systems or devices. A variety of services and other assistance can be provided by intelligent agent member nodes, including recording communications, auditing communications, providing audio transcription, annotating media, and paging communication devices, including communication nodes that are not members of the communication group. Communications between personal communication nodes and any intelligent agents can be secure.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and software enable intelligent agent features for user nodes that are members of a communication group. Instructions instantiate an intelligent agent node as a member of the communication group. Each intelligent agent node can be instantiated by a communication group management system, an intelligent agent system and/or by one or more of the communication group members, for example by executing software on one or more computing systems or devices. A variety of services and other assistance can be provided by intelligent agent member nodes, including recording communications, auditing communications, providing audio transcription, annotating media, and paging communication devices, including communication nodes that are not members of the communication group. Communications between personal communication nodes and any intelligent agents can be secure.

Abstract: Upon detection of a failure of a communication link between a remote management system and a communication node, a bypass link is established. The remote management system evaluates whether additional communication nodes can act as a bypass for management communications between the remote management system and the communication node whose management communication link has failed. The remote management system instructs a selected bypass communication node to establish the bypass management communication link between the bypass node and the disconnected node whose management communication link has failed. Depending on the relationship between nodes, management communications sent using the bypass link may be secured. The bypass link in some implementations may include multiple bypass communication nodes linked together to provide a chain of bypass management communication links between the remote management system and the disconnected communication node.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and software enable intelligent agent features for user nodes that are members of a communication group. Instructions instantiate an intelligent agent node as a member of the communication group. Each intelligent agent node can be instantiated by a communication group management system, an intelligent agent system and/or by one or more of the communication group members, for example by executing software on one or more computing systems or devices. A variety of services and other assistance can be provided by intelligent agent member nodes, including recording communications, auditing communications, providing audio transcription, annotating media, and paging communication devices, including communication nodes that are not members of the communication group. Communications between personal communication nodes and any intelligent agents can be secure.

Abstract: Upon detection of a failure of a communication link between a remote management system and a communication node, a bypass link is established. The remote management system evaluates whether additional communication nodes can act as a bypass for management communications between the remote management system and the communication node whose management communication link has failed. The remote management system instructs a selected bypass communication node to establish the bypass management communication link between the bypass node and the disconnected node whose management communication link has failed. Depending on the relationship between nodes, management communications sent using the bypass link may be secured. The bypass link in some implementations may include multiple bypass communication nodes linked together to provide a chain of bypass management communication links between the remote management system and the disconnected communication node.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and software enable intelligent agent features for user nodes that are members of a communication group. Instructions instantiate an intelligent agent node as a member of the communication group. Each intelligent agent node can be instantiated by a communication group management system, an intelligent agent system and/or by one or more of the communication group members, for example by executing software on one or more computing systems or devices. A variety of services and other assistance can be provided by intelligent agent member nodes, including recording communications, auditing communications, providing audio transcription, annotating media, and paging communication devices, including communication nodes that are not members of the communication group. Communications between personal communication nodes and any intelligent agents can be secure.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and software enable intelligent agent features for user nodes that are members of a communication group. Instructions instantiate an intelligent agent node as a member of the communication group. Each intelligent agent node can be instantiated by a communication group management system, an intelligent agent system and/or by one or more of the communication group members, for example by executing software on one or more computing systems or devices. A variety of services and other assistance can be provided by intelligent agent member nodes, including recording communications, auditing communications, providing audio transcription, annotating media, and paging communication devices, including communication nodes that are not members of the communication group. Communications between personal communication nodes and any intelligent agents can be secure.

Abstract: Data transfers between communication node members of a communication node group are routed to and from a data cache network that includes a cache node. Data sent by one node to another node is first sent to the cache network. A cache network deposit channel is opened between the first node and the cache network. The first node sends the data to the cache network, which stores the data in the cache node. To retrieve the data, the second node uses a retrieval channel opened between the cache network and the second node. The data is then transmitted from the cache network to the second node. Multiple deposit channels and retrieval channels can be opened and utilized as needed.

Abstract: Upon detection of a failure of a communication link between a remote management system and a communication node, a bypass link is established. The remote management system evaluates whether additional communication nodes can act as a bypass for management communications between the remote management system and the communication node whose management communication link has failed. The remote management system instructs a selected bypass communication node to establish the bypass management communication link between the bypass node and the disconnected node whose management communication link has failed. Depending on the relationship between nodes, management communications sent using the bypass link may be secured. The bypass link in some implementations may include multiple bypass communication nodes linked together to provide a chain of bypass management communication links between the remote management system and the disconnected communication node.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus and software enable intelligent agent features for user nodes that are members of a communication group. Instructions instantiate an intelligent agent node as a member of the communication group. Each intelligent agent node can be instantiated by a communication group management system, an intelligent agent system and/or by one or more of the communication group members, for example by executing software on one or more computing systems or devices. A variety of services and other assistance can be provided by intelligent agent member nodes, including recording communications, auditing communications, providing audio transcription, annotating media, and paging communication devices, including communication nodes that are not members of the communication group. Communications between personal communication nodes and any intelligent agents can be secure.