Abstract: A submerged charging station having a rechargeable energy producing device is disclosed. The device comprises a submerged thermally based electric generator that comprises a temperature-responsive material that utilizes differences in depths in order to generate energy. The submerged thermally based electric generator changes depths along a tether that is attached to a buoy and an anchor. The submerged thermally based electric generator provides energy to a battery, which can be part of the charging station, or to an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) that travels to different charging stations to be recharged.

Abstract: A communication system that is capable of collecting information from one or more users of the communication system includes one or more memory modules. The memory modules are operable to store one or more scripts that each comprises one or more queries for information to a user. The system also includes one or more data collection mechanisms that are coupled to the one or more memory modules and are operable to collect at least a portion of information from the user of the communication system using at least one of the one or more scripts. In one particular embodiment, the at least one script used to collect information from the user comprises one or more dynamic links that automatically initiate one or more functions based at least in part on the portion of information collected from the user.

Abstract: A communication system that is capable of collecting information from one or more users of the communication system includes one or more data collection mechanisms that are operated by a first entity. The mechanisms operate to collect at least a portion of information from a user of a communication system on behalf of a second entity that is different than the first entity. The system also includes one or more memory modules that are coupled to the one or more data collection mechanisms and that are operable to store one or more records on behalf of the second entity. Each of the one or more records comprises information that is associated with a client of the second entity. At least one of the one or more records comprises at least a portion of the information collected from the user of the communication system. In one particular embodiment, the one or more records are controlled by the first entity.