Abstract: A foldable passenger carrier, such as an infant stroller, comprising a carrier frame with a frame body and at least one longitudinal frame element comprising a folding hinge with a locking mechanism in the folding hinge. The carrier further comprises a push-handle which is connected to the upper part of the frame body and comprises a handle adjustment hinge with a locking mechanism. The push-handle is foldable towards the forward part of the frame body at the handle adjustment hinge and the longitudinal frame element is foldable in a direction towards the lower part of the frame body at the folding hinge.

Abstract: In a satellite-based messaging system messages are exchanged between a ground station and mobile terminals over a wide geographic area covered by multiple satellite beams. Each beam contains one or more carrier frequencies. A message processing center is configured to provision a frame comprising a plurality of subframes to carry data over a forward link to the mobile terminals; hop between beams in the forward link and assign each subframe within a frame to a specific satellite beam; provision a transport medium in the form of virtual carriers each defined by one or more carrier frequency/beam hop combinations, wherein each virtual carrier is assigned a unique virtual carrier identifier; and notify the mobile terminals of carrier frequency/hop combinations for assigned virtual carrier identifiers.

Abstract: A foldable passenger carrier, such as an infant stroller, comprising a carrier frame with a frame body and at least one longitudinal frame element comprising a folding hinge with a locking mechanism in the folding hinge. The carrier further comprises a push-handle which is connected to the upper part of the frame body and comprises a handle adjustment hinge with a locking mechanism. The push-handle is foldable towards the forward part of the frame body at the handle adjustment hinge and the longitudinal frame element is foldable in a direction towards the lower part of the frame body at the folding hinge.

Abstract: In a satellite-based messaging system messages are exchanged between a ground station and mobile terminals over a wide geographic area covered by multiple satellite beams. Each beam contains one or more carrier frequencies. A message processing center is configured to provision a frame comprising a plurality of subframes to carry data over a forward link to the mobile terminals; hop between beams in the forward link and assign each subframe within a frame to a specific satellite beam; provision a transport medium in the form of virtual carriers each defined by one or more carrier frequency/beam hop combinations, wherein each virtual carrier is assigned a unique virtual carrier identifier; and notify the mobile terminals of carrier frequency/hop combinations for assigned virtual carrier identifiers.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there are methods for transferring heat, for heating and cooling, and there is a solid state heat pump. The solid state heat pump can include a power supply that provides an electric field, a first metal layer, a dielectric layer disposed over the first metal layer, wherein the dielectric layer absorbs a first amount of heat upon application of the electric field and releases a second amount of heat upon alteration of the electric field, and wherein the second amount of heat is greater than the first amount of heat, and a second metal layer disposed over the dielectric layer. The alteration of the electric field can be achieved at least by one of reducing, removing, and/or reversing the polarity of the electric field. The solid state heat pump can also include a series resistor.

Abstract: A system and method that allows remote monitoring by satellite of cargo carried on a mobile conveyance. The system and method provide for a wireless information module (WIM) on the conveyance for transmitting and receiving data from a plurality of wireless devices on the conveyance over a short range wireless network. The WIM relays data to a remote monitoring facility via satellite. Other applications of the system and method include, but are not limited to, remotely controlling wireless devices on a conveyance such as door lock sensors and electronic seals, remotely upgrading the software loaded on the devices within the mobile conveyance, and creating an ad-hoc network of multiple WIMs to maintain satellite communication with all WIMs in the network when certain of the WIMs are unable to communicate directly with a satellite.

Abstract: A detector for detecting cargo in a container has a controller block, a transmitter for transmitting light into the field of view, a receiver for receiving reflected light, and a threshold comparator for determining whether the received light meets a threshold for cargo detection. The receiver includes a DC block for removing effects of ambient light. The detector performs detection multiple times and averages the results, which can be compared with a previously stored condition of cargo presence or absence to increase the detection accuracy further.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there are methods for transferring heat, for heating and cooling, and there is a solid state heat pump. The solid state heat pump can include a power supply that provides an electric field, a first metal layer, a dielectric layer disposed over the first metal layer, wherein the dielectric layer absorbs a first amount of heat upon application of the electric field and releases a second amount of heat upon alteration of the electric field, and wherein the second amount of heat is greater than the first amount of heat, and a second metal layer disposed over the dielectric layer. The alteration of the electric field can be achieved at least by one of reducing, removing, and/or reversing the polarity of the electric field. The solid state heat pump can also include a series resistor.

Abstract: A method for improving long-term blockage recovery of a communications signal is disclosed. The method includes monitoring a blockage source using at least one application specific-sensor. Time spent in the blockage source is ascertained. Information obtained from the application-specific sensor may be combined with the ascertained time spent in the blockage source to predict a likely blockage recovery time interval.

Abstract: A detector for detecting cargo in a container has a controller block, a transmitter for transmitting light into the field of view, a receiver for receiving reflected light, and a threshold comparator for determining whether the received light meets a threshold for cargo detection. The receiver includes a DC block for removing effects of ambient light. The detector performs detection multiple times and averages the results, which can be compared with a previously stored condition of cargo presence or absence to increase the detection accuracy further.

Abstract: A method for improving long-term blockage recovery of a communications signal is disclosed. The method includes monitoring a blockage source using at least one application specific-sensor. Time spent in the blockage source is ascertained. Information obtained from the application-specific sensor may be combined with the ascertained time spent in the blockage source to predict a likely blockage recovery time interval.