1. A thermoelectric device comprising a first thermoelectric material layer disposed between two electrodes, the first thermoelectric material layer having a thickness less than a thermalization length associated with the first thermoelectric material.
2. The thermoelectric device, as recited in claim 1, wherein the first thermoelectric material layer has a first conductivity type and is coupled electrically in series and thermally in parallel to a second thermoelectric material layer, the second thermoelectric material layer having a thickness less than a thermalization length associated with the second thermoelectric material and a conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type.
3. The thermoelectric device, as recited in claim 1, wherein the first thermoelectric material layer has a thickness less than approximately 20 \u03bcm.
4. The thermoelectric device, as recited in claim 1, wherein the first thermoelectric material layer has a thickness less than approximately 1 \u03bcm.
5. The thermoelectric device, as recited in claim 1, wherein the first thermoelectric material has a thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) greater than approximately 1.
6. A monolithic thermoelectric device comprising:
a first electrode disposed above a substrate, the first electrode being thermally coupled to the substrate;
a first and a second thermoelectric element, each disposed above and coupled to the first electrode, the first thermoelectric element having a first conductivity type and the second thermoelectric element having a conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type;
a second electrode disposed above and coupled to the first thermoelectric element;
a third electrode disposed above and coupled to the second thermoelectric element;
wherein the first, second, and third electrodes couple the first and second thermoelectric elements electrically in series and thermally in parallel, and
wherein the first, second, and third electrodes comprise at least portions of monolithic layers.
7. The thermoelectric device, as recited in claim 6, wherein a thickness of at least one of the first and second thermoelectric elements is less than a thermalization length associated with the thermoelectric element.
8. The thermoelectric device, as recited in claim 6, further comprising:
an insulating film disposed between at least the first and the second electrodes in regions other than regions occupied by the first thermoelectric element.
9. The thermoelectric device, as recited in claim 8, wherein the insulating film comprises a polymer having a thermal conductivity less than approximately 0.1 Wm-K.
10. The thermoelectric device, as recited in claim 8, wherein the insulating film comprises a film having a dielectric constant less than approximately 3.9.
11. The thermoelectric device, as recited in claim 8, wherein the insulating film comprises a film having a dielectric constant less than approximately 2.
12. The thermoelectric device, as recited in claim 8, wherein the insulating film comprises an aerogel.
13. The thermoelectric device, as recited in claim 6, wherein the first electrode further comprises:
a first conductive layer thermally coupled to and electrically isolated from the substrate.
14. The thermoelectric device, as recited in claim 13, wherein the first electrode further comprises:
a second conductive layer between the first conductive layer and the thermoelectric elements, the second conductive layer for reducing diffusion between the first conductive layer and the thermoelectric elements.
15. The thermoelectric device, as recited in claim 14, wherein the first electrode further comprises:
a third conductive layer between the second conductive layer and the thermoelectric elements, the third conductive layer for increasing adhesion of the electrode to the thermoelectric elements.
16. The thermoelectric device, as recited in claim 6, wherein at least one of the electrodes further comprises:
an electrically conductive, phonon conduction impeding material at least in regions coupling the electrode to its associated thermoelectric element.
17. The thermoelectric device, as recited in claim 16, wherein the electrically conductive, phonon conduction impeding material comprises at least one of gallium, indium, lead, thallium, tin, lead-indium, lead-indium-tin, gallium-indium, gallium-indium-tin, gallium-indium with cesium doping at the surface, mercury, bismuth-tin, and bismuth-lead
18. The thermoelectric device, as recited in claim 6, wherein at least one of the second and third electrodes further comprises:
a first conductive layer electrically and thermally coupled to its associated thermoelectric element; and
a second conductive layer coupled to the first conductive layer and its associated thermoelectric element, the second conductive layer for reducing diffusion between the first conductive layer and its associated thermoelectric element.
19. The thermoelectric device, as recited in claim 6, wherein at least one of the first and second thermoelectric elements has a thickness less than approximately 20 \u03bcm.
20. The thermoelectric device, as recited in claim 6, wherein at least one of the first and second thermoelectric elements has a thickness less than approximately 1 \u03bcm.
21. The thermoelectric device, as recited in claim 6, wherein the thermoelectric elements have a thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) greater than approximately 1.
22. A method for improving performance of a thermoelectric device comprising:
separating phonon transport from electron transport in at least one of a plurality of thermoelectric elements.
23. The method, as recited in claim 22, wherein the separating comprises providing a material in which electrons and phonons are not in thermal equilibrium at interfaces of the thermoelectric element to at least two associated electrodes.
24. The method, as recited in claim 22, further comprising:
reducing phonon thermal conductivity between at least one of the thermoelectric elements and a first electrode without significantly reducing electron thermal conductivity.
25. The method, as recited in claim 22, further comprising:
reducing from half of the Joule heat developed in at least one of the thermoelectric elements a backflow of Joule heat from the at least one of the thermoelectric elements into a corresponding electrode.
26. The method, as recited in claim 22, further comprising:
configuring electrically in series and thermally in parallel the plurality of thermoelectric elements, individual pairs of thermoelectric elements of the first type and opposing type being coupled to a respective electrode thermally coupled to a substrate;
generating a current through the plurality of thermoelectric elements to produce a temperature gradient across the thermoelectric device.
27. The method, as recited in claim 26, further comprising:
cooling another device by thermally coupling the thermoelectric device to the substrate.
28. The method, as recited in claim 26, further comprising:
transferring heat from the thermoelectric device to a heat sink.
29. A thermoelectric device comprising:
a first electrode disposed above a substrate of the thermoelectric device, the first electrode being thermally coupled to the substrate;
a second electrode disposed above the first electrode;
a third electrode disposed above the first electrode;
means for reducing phonon thermal conductivity between the first electrode and at least one of the second and third electrodes without significantly reducing electron thermal conductivity.
30. The apparatus, as recited in claim 29,
means for separating phonon transport from electron transport between the first electrode and the at least one of the second and third electrodes.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method for delivery of digital television and interactive broadband service using the same portion of the digital broadcast spectrum, the method comprising the steps of: broadcasting a digital television signal to a given broadcast area in a first frequency band within a portion of the digital broadcast spectrum and delivering interactive broadband service within at least a portion of the same broadcast area covered by the broadcast digital television signal in a second frequency band within the same portion of the digital broadcast spectrum occupied by the digital television signal, wherein the step of broadcasting a digital television signal and the step of delivering interactive broadband service occur simultaneously.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of delivering interactive broadband service comprises providing the interactive broadband service using a technology selected from the following: WiMax, 3G, EV-DO or HSPDA.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of delivering interactive broadband service comprises providing interactive broadband service using multiple sources within the broadcast area covered by the digital television signal.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of delivering interactive broadband service comprises providing interactive broadband service using multiple sources positioned at spaced locations within the broadcast area covered by the digital television signal.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of delivering interactive broadband service comprises utilizing multiple WiMax sources positioned at spaced locations within the broadcast area of the digital television signal.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a device capable of receiving interactive broadband service within at least a portion of the broadcast area of the digital television signal and the step of providing the interactive broadband service receiving device with interference detection technology capable of canceling out the digital television signal.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a device capable of communications with the source of the interactive broadcast service within a portion of the area covered by the digital television signal, including sending return signals to the source of the interactive broadband service, and the step of reflecting the return signals from the communications device to the source of the interactive broadband service.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of reflecting comprises positioning a plurality of signal reflectors at spaced locations around the periphery of the area to which the interactive broadband service is delivered by the source.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of using network management signals transmitted at a frequency outside of the portion of the digital broadcast spectrum within which the digital television signal is broadcast and the interactive broadband service is delivered.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing one or more fixed or mobile devices within the area covered by the broadcast television signal for communication with the source of the interactive broadband service.
11. A method for delivery of digital television and interactive broadband services using the digital broadcast spectrum, the method comprising the steps of: broadcasting a digital television signal to a given broadcast area in a frequency band within one or more licensed portions of the digital broadcast spectrum and delivering interactive broadband service within at least a portion of the same broadcast area covered by the broadcast digital television signal, in a frequency band within an unlicensed portion of the digital broadcast spectrum, wherein the step of broadcasting the digital television signal and the step of delivering interactive broadcast service occur simultaneously.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of delivering interactive broadband service comprises providing interactive broadband service using a technology selected from the following: WiMax, 3G, EV-DO or HSPDA.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of delivering interactive broadband service comprises providing interactive broadband service using multiple sources within the broadcast area covered by the digital television signal.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of delivering interactive broadband service comprises providing interactive broadband service using multiple sources positioned at spaced locations within the broadcast area covered by the digital television signal.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of delivering interactive broadband service comprises utilizing multiple WiMax sources positioned at spaced locations within the broadcast area of the digital television signal.
16. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of providing a device capable of receiving the interactive broadband service within a portion of the broadcast area of the digital television signal and the step of providing the receiving device with interference detection technology capable of canceling out the digital television signal.
17. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of providing a device capable of communication with the source of the interactive broadband services within the broadcast area covered by the digital television signal, including sending return signals to the source of the interactive broadband services, and the step of reflecting the return signals from the communication device back to the source of the interactive broadband service.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of reflecting comprises positioning a plurality of signal reflectors at spaced locations within the area to which the interactive broadband service is delivered.
19. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of using network management signals transmitted at a frequency outside of the portions of the digital broadcast spectrum within which the digital television signal is broadcast and the interactive broadband service is delivered.
20. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of providing one or more fixed or mobile devices within the area covered by the broadcast television signal for communication with the source of the interactive broadband service.
21. Apparatus for delivery of digital television and interactive broadband service using the same portion of the digital broadcast spectrum, the apparatus comprising: means for transmitting a digital television signal to a broadcast area in a first frequency band within a portion of the digital broadcast spectrum and means for delivering interactive broadband service within at least a portion of said broadcast area in a second frequency band within said portion of the digital broadcast spectrum, wherein said digital television signal transmitting means and said interactive broadband service delivery means function simultaneously.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said interactive broadband service delivery means comprises a transmitterreceiver using a technology selected from the following: WiMax, 3G, EV-DO or HSPDA.
23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said interactive broadband service delivery means comprises more than one transmitterreceiver within said broadcast area.
24. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said interactive broadband service delivery means comprises multiple interactive broadband service delivery means positioned at spaced locations within said broadcast area.
25. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said interactive broadband service delivery means comprises multiple WiMax transmitterreceivers positioned at spaced locations within said broadcast area.
26. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprises a device capable of receiving the interactive broadband service within a portion of said broadcast area, said device comprising means for canceling the broadcast digital television signal.
27. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprises a device capable of communication with said interactive broadband service delivery means within a portion of said broadcast area by sending a return signal to said interactive broadband service delivery means and means for reflecting said return signal from said communication device back to said interactive broadband service delivery means.
28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said return signal reflecting means comprises a plurality of signal reflectors positioned at spaced locations around the periphery of the area to which the interactive broadcast service is delivered.
29. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising means for transmitting network management signals on a frequency outside said portion of the digital broadcast spectrum.
30. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising one or more fixed or mobile devices within said broadcast area for communication with said interactive broadband service delivery means.
31. Apparatus for delivery of digital television and interactive broadband services using the digital broadcast spectrum, the apparatus comprising: means for transmitting a digital television signal to a broadcast area in a frequency band within one or more licensed portions of the digital broadcast spectrum and means for delivering interactive broadband service within at least a portion of said broadcast area in a frequency band within an unlicensed portion of the digital broadcast spectrum, wherein said digital television signal transmitting means and said interactive broadband service delivery means function simultaneously.
31. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said interactive broadband service delivery means comprises a transmitterreceiver using a technology selected from the following: WiMax, 3G, EV-DO or HSPDA.
33. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said interactive broadband service delivery means comprises more than one WiMax transmitterreceiver within said broadcast area.
34. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said interactive broadband service delivery means comprises multiple interactive broadband service delivery means located at spaced positions within said broadcast area.
35. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said interactive broadband service delivery means comprises multiple WiMax transmitterreceivers located at spaced positions within said broadcast area.
36. The apparatus of claim 31 further comprises a device capable of receiving the interactive broadband services within a portion of said broadcast area, said device comprising means for canceling the broadcast digital television signal.
37. The apparatus of claim 31 further comprises a device capable of communication with said interactive broadband service delivery means within a portion of said broadcast area by sending a return signal to said interactive broadband service delivery means and means for reflecting said return signal from said communication device to said interactive broadband service delivery means.
38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said return signal reflecting means comprises a plurality of signal reflectors positioned at spaced locations within the area to which the interactive broadcast service is delivered.
39. The apparatus of claim 31 further comprising means for transmitting network management signals on a frequency outside said portion of the digital broadcast spectrum.
40. The apparatus of claim 31 further comprising one or more fixed or mobile devices within said broadcast area for communication with said interactive broadband services delivery means.
41. A method for delivery of digital television and interactive broadband service using the same portion of the digital broadcast spectrum, the method comprising the steps of: broadcasting a digital television signal to a given broadcast area within a portion of the digital broadcast spectrum and delivering interactive broadband service within at least a portion of the same broadcast area covered by the broadcast digital television signal in the same portion of the digital broadcast spectrum occupied by the digital television signal, wherein the step of broadcasting a digital television signal and the step of delivering interactive broadband service occur simultaneously.
42. The method of claim 41 wherein the step of broadcasting a digital television signal comprises the step of converting the digital television signal into an Internet protocol television signal and the step of broadcasting the Internet protocol television signal using the same equipment as is used to deliver the interactive broadband service.
43. The method of claim 42 further comprising the step of using the Internet to provide the Internet protocol television signal to the equipment used to deliver the interactive broadband signal service.
44. A method for delivery of digital television and interactive broadband service using the same portion of the digital broadcast spectrum, the method comprising the steps of: delivering a digital television signal to a given broadcast area within a portion of the digital broadcast spectrum and delivering interactive broadband service within at least a portion of the same broadcast area covered by the broadcast digital television signal in the same portion of the digital broadcast spectrum occupied by the digital television signal, wherein the step of delivering a digital television signal and the step of delivering interactive broadband service utilize the same delivery equipment.
45. The method of claim 44 wherein the step of delivering a digital television signal comprises the step of converting the digital television signal into an Internet protocol television signal and the step of using the Internet to provide the Internet protocol television signal to the delivery equipment.
46. Apparatus for delivery of digital television and interactive broadband service using the same portion of the digital broadcast spectrum, the apparatus comprising: means for broadcasting a digital television signal to a given broadcast area within a portion of the digital broadcast spectrum and means for delivering interactive broadband service within at least a portion of the same broadcast area covered by the broadcast digital television signal in the same portion of the digital broadcast spectrum occupied by the digital television signal, wherein said means for delivering interactive broadband service comprises said means for broadcasting a digital television signal.
47. The apparatus claim 46 wherein said means for broadcasting a digital television signal comprises means for converting the digital television signal into an Internet protocol television signal and means for broadcasting the Internet protocol television signal using said means for delivering the interactive broadband service.
48. The apparatus of claim 47 further comprising means for using the Internet to provide said Internet protocol television signal to said means for delivering the interactive broadband signal service.
49. Apparatus for delivery of digital television and interactive broadband service using the same portion of the digital broadcast spectrum, the apparatus comprising: means for delivering a digital television signal to a given broadcast area within a portion of the digital broadcast spectrum and means for delivering interactive broadband service within at least a portion of the same broadcast area covered by the broadcast digital television signal in the same portion of the digital broadcast spectrum occupied by the digital television signal, wherein the digital television signal is delivered by said means for delivering interactive broadband service.
50. The apparatus of claim 49 wherein said means for delivering a digital television signal comprises means for converting the digital television signal into an Internet protocol television signal and means for using the Internet to provide the Internet protocol television signal to said interactive broadband service delivery means.
51. A method for delivery of interactive broadband service comprising the steps of: providing interactive broadband service at a first node, delivering the interactive broadband service to communications devices from a second node and connecting the first node and the second node, wherein the step of connecting the first node and the second node comprises the step of enabling one or more communications paths selected from the following group: fiber, cable, fixed wireless, cellular, PCS, WiMax, laser and local exchange carrier telephone network.
52. The method of claim 51 wherein each of the communications paths utilizes a different communication medium.
53. Apparatus for delivery of interactive broadband service comprising: means for providing interactive broadband service at a first node, means for delivering the interactive broadband service to communications devices from a second node, and means for connecting said first node and said second node, wherein said means for connecting said first node and said second node comprises means for enabling one or more types of communications paths selected from the following group: fiber, cable, fixed wireless, cellular, PCS, WiMax, laser and local exchange carrier telephone network.
54. The apparatus of claim 53 wherein each of said communication paths utilizes a different communications medium.
55. A method for delivery of interactive broadband service by an Internet based service provider comprising the steps of: providing interactive broadband service to service user’s communications devices, providing a website for use by service users, providing links to refer service users from the service provider’s website to other websites and charging the other websites a fee for the referrals.
56. The method of claim 55 wherein the links to the other websites include an embedded tag identifying the service provider’s website as the source of the referral.
57. The method of claim 55 wherein the referral fee is based upon the number of referrals.
58. The method of claim 55 wherein the referral fee is based upon revenues generated from advertising, the sale of goods and services or otherwise from the referrals.
59. Apparatus for delivery of interactive broadband service by an Internet based service provider comprising: means for providing interactive broadband service to service user’s communications devices, means for providing a website for use by service users, means for providing links for referring service users from said service provider’s website to the other websites and means for charging a fee for the referrals.
60. The apparatus of claim 59 further comprising means for embedding a tag with each of said links.
61. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein said referral fee is based upon the number of referrals.
62. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein said referral fee is based upon revenues generated from advertising, the sale of goods and services or otherwise from the referrals.
63. A method for delivery of interactive broadband service comprising the steps of: providing interactive broadband service, delivering the interactive broadband service to communications devices using interactive broadband service delivery equipment, providing the interactive broadband service to the interactive broadband service delivery equipment via the Internet using a local exchange carrier telephone network operated by a telephone company having a central office and locating the interactive broadband service delivery equipment proximate the central office of the telephone company.
64. Apparatus for delivery of interactive broadband service comprising: means for providing interactive broadband service, means for delivering the interactive broadband service to communications devices using interactive broadband service delivery equipment, means for providing said interactive broadband service to said interactive broadband service delivery equipment via the Internet using a local exchange carrier telephone network operated by a telephone company having a central office, wherein said interactive broadband service delivery equipment is located proximate said central office of said telephone company.