1. A computer-implemented method performed by one or more data processing apparatus, the method comprising:
detecting formation of a location-sharing group between two or more mobile devices;
defining a geofence around the location-sharing group, the geofence encloses respective current geographic locations of the two or more mobile devices;
tracking a geographic location of the location-sharing group and a geographic coverage of the geofence around the location-sharing group; and
providing the geographic location of the location-sharing group to at least one of the two or more mobile devices in the location-sharing group.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein detecting formation of the location-sharing group further comprises:
receiving a group initiation request from a host device, the host device being one of the two or more mobile devices in the location-sharing group, and the group initiation request identifying the location-sharing group to be formed and one or more participating devices that have been invited to join the location-sharing group; and
subsequent to receiving the group initiation request, receiving a notification from the host device indicating that the location-sharing group has been formed, wherein the notification includes respective consents from the one or more participating devices to join the location-sharing group.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein detecting formation of the location-sharing group further comprises:
receiving a group invitation request from a host device, the host device being one of the two or more mobile devices in the location-sharing group, and the group initiation request identifying the location-sharing group to be formed and one or more participating devices that have been invited to join the location-sharing group; and
subsequent to receiving the group initiation request, receiving from each of the participating devices a respective consent to join the location-sharing group.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the location-sharing group is supported by one or more active network connections between the two or more mobile devices.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the one or more network connections include one or more of a Bluetooth network connection or a WiFi network connection.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein defining a geofence around the location-sharing group further comprises:
determining the respective current geographic locations of the two or more mobile devices;
determining a respective coverage radius for each of the two or more mobile devices;
determining a boundary of a combined coverage area that encloses the current geographic location of each mobile device by a distance equal to the coverage radius for the mobile device; and
using the boundary of the combined coverage area as the geofence around the location-sharing group.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein determining the respective coverage radius for each of the two or more mobile devices further comprises:
determining a connection type for a network connection presently established between the mobile device and another mobile device in the location-sharing group; and
using a known connectivity range for the connection type as the coverage radius for the mobile device.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein determining the coverage radius for each of the two or more mobile devices further comprises:
receiving the coverage radius from the mobile device, the coverage radius being a user-specified distance.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein tracking the geographic location of the location-sharing group and a geographic coverage of the geofence around the location-sharing group further comprises:
monitoring the current geographic locations of the two or more mobile devices;
determining a current boundary of the combined coverage area that encloses the current geographic location of each mobile device by at least the coverage radius of the mobile device;
updating the geofence around the location-sharing group based on the current boundary of the combined coverage area; and
determining an updated geographic location for the location-sharing group based on the updated geofence around the location-sharing group.
10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the geographic location of the location-sharing group is based on a geometric center of the geofence around the location-sharing group.
11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining the current geographic locations of the two or more mobile devices;
determining a respective coverage radius for each of the two or more mobile devices;
detecting that at least one of the two or more mobile devices is outside of the coverage radius of all other mobile devices in the location-sharing group; and
notifying the two or more mobile devices in the ad hoc network about the departure of the at least one mobile device from the location-sharing group.
12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein the geographic location and geofence of the location-sharing group are based on the mobile devices that are currently participating in the location-sharing group.
13. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, further comprising:
providing a suggested route for the departed mobile device to rejoin the location-sharing group.
14. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, further comprising:
providing a suggested route to at least one of the mobile devices currently participating in the location-sharing group to recapture the departed mobile device.
15. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:
detecting that a point of interest has crossed and entered the geofence of the location-sharing group; and
providing a notification to at least one of the two or more devices about the point of interest.
16. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the point of interest is a location of interest, and wherein the method further comprises:
storing a plurality of candidate locations of interest;
monitoring the relative positions between each candidate location of interest and the geofence that encloses the current geographic locations of the two or more mobile devices; and
determining that at least one of the candidate locations of interest has crossed and entered the geofence based on the relative positions between the candidate location of interest and the geofence.
17. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the point of interest is a device of interest, and wherein the method further comprises:
detecting a candidate device of interest, the candidate device of interest having an associated location;
monitoring the relative positions between the candidate device of interest and the geofence that encloses the current geographic locations of the two or more mobile devices; and
determining that the candidate device of interest has crossed and entered the geofence based on the relative positions between the candidate device of interest and the geofence.
18. A computer-implemented method performed by one or more data processing apparatus, comprising:
detecting formation of an ad hoc network between two or more mobile devices;
defining a geofence around the ad hoc network, the geofence encloses respective current geographic locations of the two or more mobile devices;
tracking a geographic location of the ad hoc network and a geographic coverage of the geofence around the ad hoc network;
determining that a point of interest has entered the geofence; and
notifying at least one mobile device in the ad hoc network about the point of interest.
19. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the processors to perform operations comprising:
detecting formation of a location-sharing group between two or more mobile devices;
defining a geofence around the location-sharing group, the geofence encloses respective current geographic locations of the two or more mobile devices;
tracking a geographic location of the location-sharing group and a geographic coverage of the geofence around the location-sharing group; and
providing the geographic location of the location-sharing group to at least one of the two or more mobile devices in the location-sharing group.
20. A system, comprising:
one or more processors;
memory having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the processors to perform operations comprising:
detecting formation of a location-sharing group between two or more mobile devices;
defining a geofence around the location-sharing group, the geofence encloses respective current geographic locations of the two or more mobile devices;
tracking a geographic location of the location-sharing group and a geographic coverage of the geofence around the location-sharing group; and
providing the geographic location of the location-sharing group to at least one of the two or more mobile devices in the location-sharing group.
21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the processors to perform operations comprising:
detecting formation of an ad hoc network between two or more mobile devices;
defining a geofence around the ad hoc network, the geofence encloses respective current geographic locations of the two or more mobile devices;
tracking a geographic location of the ad hoc network and a geographic coverage of the geofence around the ad hoc network;
determining that a point of interest has entered the geofence; and
notifying at least one mobile device in the ad hoc network about the point of interest.
22. A system, comprising:
one or more processors;
memory having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the processors to perform operations comprising:
detecting formation of an ad hoc network between two or more mobile devices;
defining a geofence around the ad hoc network, the geofence encloses respective current geographic locations of the two or more mobile devices;
tracking a geographic location of the ad hoc network and a geographic coverage of the geofence around the ad hoc network;
determining that a point of interest has entered the geofence; and
notifying at least one mobile device in the ad hoc network about the point of interest.
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 thermal energy exchanger assembly adapted for use with building interiors for exchange of energy between fresh air and stale air, said energy exchanger comprising:
an exchanger housing;
fresh airstream incoming means coupled to said exchanger housing for receiving an incoming fresh airstream and guiding said incoming fresh airstream to said exchanger housing;
stale airstream incoming means coupled to said exchanger housing for receiving an incoming stale airstream from a building interior and guiding said stale incoming airstream into said exchanger housing;
a pair of core support assemblies, comprising a first core support assembly and a second core support assembly, each of said core support assemblies comprising a series of core supports coupled together and defining a series of core tube apertures therein;
at least one tube assembly extending between said pair of core support assemblies, and comprising a plurality of core tubes;
each of said plurality of core tubes having first and second ends, with said first ends of said core tubes received within said series of apertures of said first core support assembly, and said second ends of said core tubes received within said series of apertures of said second core support assembly;
said incoming fresh airstream flows into said plurality of core tubes, and said incoming stale airstream flows between and around said plurality of said core tubes; and
said core tubes are sized, structured and manufactured of appropriate materials so that an exchange of thermal energy occurs between said incoming fresh airstreams within said core tubes and said incoming stale airstreams flowing between and around said core tubes.
2. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that each of said plurality of core tubes is supported in space only at its respective first and second ends, and only by said first core support assembly supporting said first end, and said second core support assembly supporting said second end.
3. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that each of said core supports is substantially identical in size and structure to all others of said series of core supports.
4. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that each of said core support assemblies of said pair of said core support assemblies is capable of assembly through the use of said series of core supports in the absence of any requirement of any tooling.
5. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that each of said core support assemblies is assembled through coupling together immediately adjacent core supports, with each pair of said immediately adjacent core supports forming a certain set of said series of apertures therein.
6. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that said core tubes of said tube assembly are coupled into and received within corresponding ones of said series of apertures simultaneously with the assembly of said core support assemblies from said series of core supports.
7. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that:
each of said core tubes has an outer diameter;
each of said series of apertures defined with assembly of said series of core supports into said pair of core support assemblies comprises an inner diameter; and
said outer diameters of said core tubes are constructed so as to be slightly larger than said inner diameters of said apertures formed within said core support assemblies.
8. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that as a result of said outer diameters of said core tubes being slightly larger than said inner diameters of said apertures, said core tubes are provided with a compression fit when assembled into said apertures of said core support assemblies.
9. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said series of said core supports are sized and constructed so that adjacently positioned ones of said core supports of one of said core support assemblies are coupled together without requiring welding or any other permanent connecting means.
10. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said energy exchanger assembly is operable in cold weather in the absence of any need for defrosting apparatus.
11. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the entirety of said thermal energy exchanger assembly comprises an absence of any metallic components.
12. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said plurality of core tubes comprise thin wall plastic tubes.
13. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that each of said core tubes is sized and constructed so as to utilize thin film heat transfer technology.
14. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that when said tube assembly is coupled into said core support assemblies, each of said core tubes is spaced separate and apart from all adjacent core tubes, and none of said core tubes abut any of said adjacent core tubes.
15. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said exchanger operates at an efficient level, in the absence of any requirement of any fan or other components to physically force said incoming fresh airstream into said core tubes, or to physically force said incoming stale airstream around and in between said core tubes.
16. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said energy exchanger assembly further comprises an air filter positioned adjacent and in front of ends of said core tubes through which said incoming fresh airstream enters said core tubes.
17. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that each of said core supports forming said core support assemblies is preformed and substantially identical to each of said other core supports.
18. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that each of said core tubes is constructed of a polypropylene material.
19. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that each of said core supports is constructed of an ABS material.
20. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said energy exchanger assembly further comprises means open to an interior of said exchanger housing between said core support assemblies, for draining water which may have formed as condensed moisture as a result of heat being removed from said incoming stale airstream.
21. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that when each of said pair of said core support assemblies is assembled, each of said core support assemblies forms a honeycomb configuration, and said honeycomb configuration further forms said apertures as a series of annular configurations.
22. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that each of said core supports comprises a series of coupling sections, with each coupling section being identical to each of the others of said coupling sections, and formed along an elongated portion of said core support, and with each of said core supports being characterized as having a top side and a bottom side, each coupling section comprising:
a plurality of cylinder halves, with a pair of first cylinder halves located on said top side of said coupling section, and with each of said first cylinder halves providing half of an inner surface of said apertures within which said core tubes will be received; and
said plurality of cylinder halves further comprising a pair of second cylinder halves located on said bottom side of said coupling section, with said first cylinder halves alternating in position lengthwise along said core support with said second cylinder halves.
23. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 22, characterized in that each of said coupling sections further comprises:
a first bracket extending angularly upwardly, with said first bracket having a lip so as to form a slot;
a second bracket having a configuration substantially identical to said first bracket, with a lip forming a slot with a main body of said second bracket;
a third bracket angled outwardly and upwardly;
a fourth bracket substantially identical to each of said first, second and third brackets, with a lip forming a slot with said main body of said fourth bracket;
said first bracket being located on the same side of said core support as is said fourth bracket, with said first bracket facing upwardly, and said fourth bracket facing downwardly;
said second bracket and said third bracket also being located on the same side of said coupling section, with said third bracket extending upwardly and said second bracket extending downwardly;
a series of flanges positioned directly across from each of said first, second, third and fourth brackets, with each of said flanges having a catch edge;
a series of hollow chambers positioned intermediate said flanges and said first, second, third and fourth brackets, with said chambers having a first chamber and a second chamber, and with said first and said second chambers opening upwardly; and
said hollow chambers further comprise a third chamber and a fourth chamber, with said third and fourth chambers positioned in alternating positions relative to said first and said second chambers.
24. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 23, characterized in that:
when three of said core supports are coupled and interlocked together, said core supports form said apertures into which said core tubes are laid in during assembly, so as to form said tube assembly, with said three core supports characterized as comprising first, second and third core supports;
said first core support is positioned so that a wide end bracket of said core support faces upwardly, and an opposing narrow end bracket of said core support faces downwardly;
said second core support is positioned below said first core support and is turned essentially \u201cupside down\u201d relative to said first core support;
with said second core support being in a position upside down relative to said first core support, a wide end bracket of said second core support faces downwardly and is on an opposing side of said wide end bracket of said first core support;
a narrow end bracket of said second core support faces upwardly on an opposing side of said narrow end bracket of said first core support;
one of said flanges and a corresponding catch edge of said flange of said first core support is captured within a slot formed within said narrow end bracket and lip of said second core support; and
at a forward portion of said first core support, said narrow end bracket, corresponding lip and corresponding slot are positioned so as to receive the catch edge of said flange of said second core support.
25. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 24, characterized in that said assembly of said first, second and third core supports further comprises:
said wide end bracket of said second core support faces downwardly and said lip thereof and corresponding slot are utilized to capture said catch edge of a flange of said second core support;
an orientation of said third core support is the same as the orientation of said first core support, so that said first and third core supports are vertically \u201creversed\u201d from the orientation of said second core support; and
said wide end bracket of said third core support includes a slot which is utilized to capture a lower flange and corresponding catch edge of said second core support.
26. A thermal energy exchanger assembly in accordance with claim 25, characterized in that said coupling sections of said first, second and third core supports are assembled together as follows:
with respect to an individual coupling section, said first bracket of said second core support includes a lip and corresponding slot utilized to capture a flange and catch edge of said first core support;
said third bracket of said first core support includes a lip and corresponding slot which extend downwardly and are utilized to capture a flange and catch edge of said second core support;
a second bracket of said third core support extends upwardly, and includes a lip and slot which capture a flange and catch edge of said second core support; and
a fourth bracket of said second core support extends downwardly, and includes a slot which captures a flange and catch edge of said third core support.