Abstract: A mobile device includes a motion sensor configured to acquire motion data, a light sensor configured to detect an ambient light level and generate light data, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive the motion data from the motion sensor, receive the light data from the light sensor, analyze the motion data to determine displacement data corresponding to a displacement of the mobile device, analyze the light data to detect a light transition, and analyze the displacement data and the light transition to determine whether to initiate an action.

Abstract: Disclosed is a golf tee configured to control spin imparted on a golf ball due to friction between a contact surface of the golf tee and the golf ball. In one embodiment, the golf tee includes a plurality of support members to support a golf ball, wherein contact between the golf ball and the plurality of support members is asymmetrically distributed between a first contact area and a second contact area. In another embodiment, the golf tee includes a two-part shaft slideably coupled together and an adjustable resistance mechanism to provide a resistive force between the two parts of the golf tee, wherein the resistive force opposes the sliding together of the two parts. The resistance mechanism may be manually or automatically to control spin imparted to the golf ball due to friction between a contact surface of the golf tee and the golf ball.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods associated with a golf tee configured to reduce or eliminate spin imparted on a golf ball due to friction between a contact surface of the golf tee and the golf ball. In one embodiment, the golf tee includes a retracting mechanism to retract the support member of the golf tee prior to impact between the golf club face and the golf ball, at least one swing sensor to measure motion parameters of an approaching golf club, and a processing unit to control the retracting mechanism based on the measured motion parameters. In another embodiment, the golf tee includes a contactless support mechanism to support the golf ball, a position sensor to detect a position of the golf ball, and a processing unit to control the support mechanism, based on data from the position sensor, to manipulate the position of the golf ball.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods associated with a golf tee configured to impart a spin to a golf ball prior to impact between the golf ball and the golf club face. The golf tee includes a retention mechanism configured to releasably secure a golf ball to a contact surface of the golf tee while a rotation mechanism rotates the golf tee or a spin mechanism spins the golf ball, thereby imparting spin to the golf ball. The golf tee may further include a processing unit configured to control the retention mechanism and rotation mechanism or spin mechanism. The processing unit may communicate with various external or local sensors, for example, a swing sensor, an environmental sensor, or the like, to control the golf tee to spin the golf ball to achieve a particular post impact trajectory.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a motion sensor configured to acquire motion data, a light sensor configured to detect an ambient light level and generate light data, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive the motion data from the motion sensor, receive the light data from the light sensor, analyze the motion data to determine displacement data corresponding to a displacement of the mobile device, analyze the light data to detect a light transition, and analyze the displacement data and the light transition to determine whether to initiate an action.

Abstract: A metal-air battery is disclosed, including a temperature regulator that adjusts the operating temperature of a cathode included in the metal-air battery using power generated by the metal-air battery when the metal-air battery is in a discharge state.

Abstract: A method of pumping an optical resonator includes directing light generated by a pumping light at the optical resonator, exciting a propagating surface state of the optical resonator at an interface of the optical resonator, and changing a propagating frequency of the light proximate the interface, where the changed frequency corresponds to a propagation frequency of the surface state. The optical resonator includes a photonic crystal and a material, where the interface is formed between the photonic crystal and the material.

Abstract: An automated cooking system that accepts remote orders includes an automated cooking device, a communications device, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a remote order for a customer via the communications device, wherein the order includes a requested delivery time, schedule a preparation completion time of the order based on the delivery time, and instruct the automated cooking device to prepare the order based on the scheduled completion time of the order.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods associated with an antenna system comprising a tension member configured to be towed by an aerial platform and/or secured to an orbiting satellite. In some embodiments, a first end of the tension member may be secured to the aerial platform and the second end may extend unsecured from the aerial platform at a different elevation than the first end. A plurality of antenna assemblies, each comprising at least one antenna, may be secured to and spaced along the length of the tension member. Each of the plurality of antennas may be adapted for use with a particular frequency or frequency bandwidth. For example, each of the plurality of antennas may be adapted or tuned for one or more frequencies useful for synthetic aperture radar (SAR). In some embodiments, a receiving system, a communication link, and/or an antenna location system may be utilized.

Abstract: A soil detection and planting apparatus. The apparatus includes a vehicle and a controller coupled to the vehicle. The apparatus further includes a planting device coupled to the vehicle, the planting device configured to plant seeds or plants into a soil material. The apparatus includes a ground penetrating radar sensor coupled to the vehicle. The ground penetrating radar soil sensor is configured to scan the soil material up to a designated depth beneath a surface of the soil material, wherein the ground penetrating radar soil sensor is further configured to provide a sensor feedback signal to the controller with respect to an intrinsic characteristic of the soil material. The controller is configured to instruct placement of a seed or a plant into the soil material based on the feedback signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods associated with an antenna system comprising a tension member configured to be towed by an aerial platform and/or secured to an orbiting satellite. In some embodiments, a first end of the tension member may be secured to the aerial platform and the second end may extend unsecured from the aerial platform at a different elevation than the first end. A plurality of antenna assemblies, each comprising at least one antenna, may be secured to and spaced along the length of the tension member. Each of the plurality of antennas may be adapted for use with a particular frequency or frequency bandwidth. For example, each of the plurality of antennas may be adapted or tuned for one or more frequencies useful for synthetic aperture radar (SAR). In some embodiments, a receiving system, a communication link, and/or an antenna location system may be utilized.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods associated with an antenna system comprising a tension member configured to be towed by an aerial platform. In some embodiments, a first end of the tension member may be secured to the aerial platform and the second end may extend unsecured from the aerial platform at a different elevation than the first end. A plurality of antenna assemblies, each comprising at least one antenna, may be secured to and spaced along the length of the tension member. Each of the plurality of antennas may be adapted for use with a particular frequency or frequency bandwidth. For example, each of the plurality of antennas may be adapted or tuned for one or more frequencies useful for synthetic aperture radar (SAR). In some embodiments, a receiving system, a communication link, and/or an antenna location system may be utilized.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a motion sensor configured to acquire motion data, a light sensor configured to detect an ambient light level and generate light data, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive the motion data from the motion sensor, receive the light data from the light sensor, analyze the motion data to determine displacement data corresponding to a displacement of the mobile device, analyze the light data to detect a light transition, and analyze the displacement data and the light transition to determine whether to initiate an action.

Abstract: Described embodiments include an electric vehicle battery system and a method. The electric vehicle battery system includes a rechargeable traction battery pack configured to supply electric power to a propulsion system of a vehicle. The system includes a data-gathering module configured to monitor or test an aspect of the traction battery pack and in response to generate a traction battery pack status report. The system includes a gatekeeper module configured to permit or deny the rechargeable traction battery pack (i) supplying electric power to the propulsion system or (ii) receiving a recharge, the permit or deny in response to a management instruction issued by a remote battery manager system. The system includes a communication system configured to communicate with the remote battery manager. In an embodiment, the system includes an on-board charging system configured to recharge the rechargeable traction battery pack.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a motion sensor configured to acquire motion data, a light sensor configured to detect an ambient light level and generate light data, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive the motion data from the motion sensor, receive the light data from the light sensor, analyze the motion data to determine displacement data corresponding to a displacement of the mobile device, analyze the light data to detect a light transition, and analyze the displacement data and the light transition to determine whether to initiate an action.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a motion sensor configured to acquire motion data, a light sensor configured to detect an ambient light level and generate light data, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive the motion data from the motion sensor, receive the light data from the light sensor, analyze the motion data to determine displacement data corresponding to a displacement of the mobile device, analyze the light data to detect a light transition, and analyze the displacement data and the light transition to determine whether to initiate an action.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a battery manager system and a method. The battery manager system includes an asset database that includes records related to at least two rechargeable traction battery pack systems and a management criteria respectively assigned to each rechargeable traction battery pack system. The system includes a compliance module configured to evaluate a fraction battery pack status report pertaining to an identified rechargeable traction battery pack system of the at least two rechargeable traction battery pack systems (hereafter “the identified rechargeable fraction battery pack system”), the evaluation with respect to the management criteria assigned to the identified rechargeable fraction battery pack system. The system includes a manager module configured to generate a management instruction responsive to the evaluation of the battery status report. The system includes a communication system configured to communicate with the identified rechargeable traction battery pack system.

Abstract: A soil detection and planting apparatus. The apparatus includes a vehicle and a controller coupled to the vehicle. The apparatus further includes a planting device coupled to the vehicle, the planting device configured to plant seeds or plants into a soil material. The apparatus includes a ground penetrating radar sensor coupled to the vehicle. The ground penetrating radar soil sensor is configured to scan the soil material up to a designated depth beneath a surface of the soil material, wherein the ground penetrating radar soil sensor is further configured to provide a sensor feedback signal to the controller with respect to an intrinsic characteristic of the soil material. The controller is configured to instruct placement of a seed or a plant into the soil material based on the feedback signal.

Abstract: A deicing method includes the steps of determining a necessary quantity of heat to substantially vaporize an interfacial layer between a solid surface and a layer of ice and applying pulsed heating at the interfacial layer. The pulsed heating is applied with the determined necessary quantity of heat to substantially vaporize the interfacial layer.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first photonic crystal structure having a first photonic band gap distribution and configured to support a first electromagnetic signal, wherein the first photonic band gap distribution may vary according to a second electromagnetic signal.