X Development LLC

Google Inc.

Malta Inc.

Apple Inc.

Softbank Corporation

Richard Wayne DeVaul

Eric Teller

Brian John Adolf

Clifford L Biffle

Raj B Apte

Cyrus Behroozi

Joshua L Weaver

Philippe Larochelle

Keith Allen Bonawitz

Gabriella Levine

Josh Weaver

Michael Cassidy

Brett C Bilbrey

Michael F Culbert

Eric H C Liu

David I Simon

Peter M Arnold

Mushtaq A Sarwar

Example embodiments may relate to web interfaces for a balloon-network. For example, a computing device may display a graphical interface that provides information related to a balloon network configured to provide service in a geographic area, where the graphical interface includes a map. The computing device may receive real-time bandwidth data related to balloons in the balloon network, where the balloons are each configured to change position via altitudinal movement and via horizontal movement with respect to the ground. Based at least in part on the received real-time bandwidth data, the computing device may display, on the map, a visual representation of bandwidth information corresponding to one or more regions in the geographic area, where the visual representation of bandwidth information updates from time to time based at least in part on a change in position of one or more balloons in the balloon network.

Dynamic balloon network coverage map

Systems and methods relating to variable pressure turbines are disclosed. A power generation system may include a closed cycle system configured to generate power, a combustor, and a control system. The closed cycle system may include a working fluid circulating in a closed cycle path. The combustor may provide thermal energy to the working fluid. Further, the control system may be configured to determine to increase an amount of power generated by the closed cycle system, and in response to the determination to increase the amount of power generated by the closed cycle system, cause an increase in pressure of the working fluid in the closed cycle path.

Variable pressure turbine

Techniques and mechanisms to form a semi-rigid structure from a flexible sheet. In an embodiment, a portion of the flexible sheet includes layer portions and one or more compartments each disposed between said layer portions. The one or more compartments each having disposed therein a first fluid compound that is reactive&#x2014;e.g., when exposed to oxygen, heat, ultraviolet (or other) light, or a different fluid compound&#x2014;to form a solid. In another embodiment, a graphic printed on the flexible sheet indicates a location of the one or more compartments. Activation of the one or more compartments and bending of the flexible sheet portion at the activated one or more compartments aids in the formation of a shelter or other semi-rigid structure.

Flexible sheet for forming a semi-rigid structure

The present disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods for calibrating a light field projection system. One example system includes a projection unit operable to project a scanning sequence toward a screen having convex reflective elements. The scanning sequence is modulated according to a baseline intensity profile. The system also includes a calibration device disposed such that a portion of the scanning sequence is intercepted by the calibration device. The calibration device includes a first light detector arranged to detect an intercepted intensity profile. The calibration device also includes a second light detector arranged to detect a reflected portion of the scanning sequence as a measured intensity profile. The system further includes a control system. The control system is configured to determine an expected intensity profile and to modify operation of the light field projection system based on a comparison of the measured intensity profile to the expected intensity profile.

Systems, devices, and methods for calibrating a light field projection system

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for projecting a light field. One light field projection system includes a screen and a projection unit. On the screen, there is a plurality of convex reflective elements arranged in a two-dimensional array. The projection unit has a light source. The projection unit also has a modulator to modulate light from the light source. The projection unit further has one or more movable mirrored elements to reflect light from the light source toward the screen to sequentially scan the plurality of convex reflective elements. The projection unit also has a control system that determines a light modulation scheme used by the modulator. The light modulation scheme provides that the light reflected from the light source toward the screen to sequentially scan the plurality of convex reflective elements forms a light field that is concurrently viewable from a plurality of perspectives.

System and method for light field projection

A balloon may include an optical-communication component, which may have a pointing axis. A pointing mechanism could be configured to adjust the pointing axis. The optical-communication component could be operable to communicate with a correspondent balloon via a free-space optical link. For example, the optical-communication component could include an optical receiver, transmitter, or transceiver. A controller could be configured to determine a predicted relative location of the correspondent balloon. The controller may control the pointing mechanism to adjust the pointing axis of the optical-communication component based on the predicted relative location so as to maintain the free-space optical link with the correspondent balloon.

Using predicted movement to maintain optical-communication lock with nearby balloon

The present disclosure relates to methods for calibrating a light field projection system that includes a screen having convex reflective elements. One example method for calibrating a light field projection system includes scanning the plurality of convex reflective elements with light modulated according to a baseline intensity profile. The method also includes detecting a light intensity profile of the scanned light using a light detector at a first perspective. The method further includes comparing the detected light intensity profile to an expected light intensity profile and modifying operation of a control system that determines light field modulation schemes for projecting light fields to account for any differences between the detected intensity profile and the expected intensity profile. The detector may be moved to a second perspective and the previously steps of the method may be repeated from the second perspective of the light detector.

Methods for calibrating a light field projection system

Techniques and mechanisms to form a reinforcement structure including dirt processed during drilling of a tunnel. In an embodiment, a device includes a drill head to drill an underground tunnel, where a housing of the device takes in dirt produced by such drilling. A mixer and other components of the device variously condition the dirt to produce a casing material that is subsequently provided to a compactor of the device. The compactor extrudes the casing material through a die. The extruded casing material is eliminated from the device to form a reinforcement structure at one or more sides of the tunnel. In another embodiment, a fiber optic cable is paid out from the device into the tunnel during the drilling, or is pulled into the tunnel by the device during the drilling.

Device, system and method for reinforcing a tunnel

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for passively steering an antenna disposed on a balloon in a balloon network. An example balloon involves: (a) an antenna and (b) a pressure-sensitive mechanism in mechanical communication with the antenna such that a change in the balloon's altitude causes at least an element of the antenna to rotate upward or downward, a separation distance between two or more radiating elements to increase or decrease, or a separation distance between the two or more radiating elements and a reflector to increase or decrease.

Balloon with pressure mechanism to passively steer antenna

Example methods and systems for determining failure modes of balloons within a balloon network are described. One example method includes: (a) determining at least one cohort balloon of a first balloon, where the first balloon is operating as part of a balloon network and where each cohort balloon shares at least one property with the first balloon, (b) determining at least one expected failure mode based at least in part on at least one failure of at least one cohort balloon, (c) determining a predicted failure mode of the first balloon based at least in part on the at least one expected failure mode, and (d) causing the first balloon to operate within the balloon network based at least in part on the predicted failure mode of the first balloon.

Determining expected failure modes of balloons within a balloon network

Example methods and systems for assigning tasks to balloons within a balloon network are described. One example system includes a first sub-fleet of balloons assigned a first set of one or more tasks within a balloon network, a second sub-fleet of balloons assigned a second set of one or more tasks within the balloon network, and a control system configured to determine that a first balloon in the first sub-fleet of balloons initially has a predicted failure mode that corresponds to the first set of tasks, subsequently determine that the first balloon has a predicted failure mode that corresponds to the second set of tasks, and reassign the first balloon from the first sub-fleet of balloons to the second sub-fleet of balloons.

Re-tasking balloons in a balloon network based on expected failure modes of balloons

This disclosure relates to the use of satellite-based routing processes in connection with a balloon network. A disclosed method includes receiving a communication at a balloon in a balloon network by way of a transmission from a ground-based station. The method includes selecting a routing process for the communication based on at least one parameter associated with the communication. The routing process is selected from a plurality of routing processes including a first routing process and a second routing process. The first routing process includes a satellite network when determining how to route the communication. The satellite network includes one or more satellites. The second routing process includes the balloon network when determining how to route the communication. The method further includes using the selected routing process to determine a target path for the communication.

Growing community of inventors

Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

Richard Wayne DeVaul