Abstract: A method for scheduling cleaning of a photovoltaic (“PV”) system is implemented by a soiling monitoring computer system. The method includes determining a soiling level and a soiling rate for a photovoltaic (PV) system, calculating a cost associated with cleaning the PV system at each of a plurality of possible cleaning times, determining an expected energy output gain associated with cleaning the PV system at each of the plurality of possible times based on the soiling level and the soiling rate, calculating an expected benefit associated with cleaning the PV system at each of the plurality of possible cleaning times based on the expected energy output gain associated with each possible cleaning time, determining a first time of the plurality of possible times when the expected benefit exceeds the cost, and scheduling a cleaning time based on at least the determined first time.

Abstract: A method for performance ratio-based scheduling of solar system maintenance is implemented by a monitoring computing device. The monitoring computer device includes a processor in communication with a memory. The method includes receiving a plurality of production data associated with a solar system, determining at least one performance ratio based upon at least a portion of the plurality of production data wherein each performance ratio is associated with a range of expected performance values, validating the at least one performance ratio, determining that the at least one performance ratio is outside the range of expected performance values, and adjusting a maintenance schedule associated with the solar system based upon the at least one performance ratio.

Abstract: A method for scheduling cleaning of a photovoltaic (“PV”) system is implemented by a soiling monitoring computer system. The method includes determining a soiling level and a soiling rate for a photovoltaic (PV) system, calculating a cost associated with cleaning the PV system at each of a plurality of possible cleaning times, determining an expected energy output gain associated with cleaning the PV system at each of the plurality of possible times based on the soiling level and the soiling rate, calculating an expected benefit associated with cleaning the PV system at each of the plurality of possible cleaning times based on the expected energy output gain associated with each possible cleaning time, determining a first time of the plurality of possible times when the expected benefit exceeds the cost, and scheduling a cleaning time based on at least the determined first time.

Abstract: A method for performance ratio-based scheduling of solar system maintenance is implemented by a monitoring computing device. The monitoring computer device includes a processor in communication with a memory. The method includes receiving a plurality of production data associated with a solar system, determining at least one performance ratio based upon at least a portion of the plurality of production data wherein each performance ratio is associated with a range of expected performance values, validating the at least one performance ratio, determining that the at least one performance ratio is outside the range of expected performance values, and adjusting a maintenance schedule associated with the solar system based upon the at least one performance ratio.

Abstract: In one example, a method of monitoring a photovoltaic (PV) system located at a first location includes receiving, by a gateway device at the first location, data concerning a plurality of components of the PV system, determining, by the gateway device, if the received data satisfies at least one alert condition, and transmitting, by the gateway device, an alert notification to a computing device located at a second location when the received data satisfies at least one alert condition.

Abstract: In one example, a method for installing a photovoltaic (PV) system including a plurality of PV components is described. The method includes receiving, by a computing device, a plurality of unique identifiers. Each unique identifier is associated with a different one of a plurality of PV components located at a site. The computing device compares the received unique identifiers to a list of the plurality of PV components in the PV system. The method includes associating each of the unique identifiers with a different component location on a representation of the PV system, and transmitting the associated unique identifiers and component locations to a gateway device of the PV system.

Abstract: Photovoltaic (PV) power curtailment methods and systems are disclosed. One example is a method of reducing a power output of a PV array including at least one tracking device operated to rotate the PV modules about at least the first axis of rotation to substantially maintain a first angle of incidence of solar radiation on the PV modules. The method includes determining a power output of the PV array, and in response to a determination to reduce the power output of the PV array to a reduced power output, rotating the PV modules away from the first angle of incidence using the at least one tracking device until the power output of the PV array is substantially equal to a reduced power output.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing multi-user casual interactions between users, a plurality of shared display devices, and/or a plurality of third-party devices. The methods include the ability for any user, without any registration prerequisite, to enter content on a handset and to cause certain content changes to be displayed on certain shared display devices, as well as related content information to be sent back to the requesting user's handset and optionally to other users' handsets or to certain third-party devices. The methods also include the ability for an operator to use a graphical user interface to create and manage the rules that control such behavior depending, among other parameters, on the user's submissions or on other users' submissions over a period of time. The methods enable the rules to be extended in an unlimited fashion thanks to the ability to interconnect with a plurality of third-party services.

Abstract: A probe in a hand held ultrasonic Doppler fetal heart beat detector and monitoring system comprising a crystal for transmitting ultrasonic energy, a variable power source connected to said crystal for driving the crystal at a selected power setting and a microprocessor for selecting a power setting for the variable power source.

Abstract: A noise controller for use in a probe in a hand held ultrasonic Doppler fetal heart beat detection and monitoring system where the probe includes a crystal for generating an input signal as a function of the ultrasonic energy in received ultrasonic wave and a detector for generating a first signal from the input signal. The noise controller comprises a volume controller for receiving the first signal and for processing the first signal to produce an analog signal as the output of the probe. A detector generates a second signal whenever break noise is detected in the first signal. A muting circuit immediately lowers the amplitude of the analog signal upon detection of break noise by the detector thereby substantially attenuated in the analog signal the break noise which occurred in the first signal.

Abstract: Doppler Ultrasound techniques have been used for many years to measure the flow rate of fluids. One of the challenges in using these techniques is to separate fluid flow signal from background noise. The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for automatically distinguishing fluid flow signal from noise. It is found that noise in Doppler ultrasound techniques has characteristic of a white Gaussian spectral distribution and the mean noise can be characterized as a constant. The present invention involves measuring ultrasonic signals, generating sets of discrete spectral components from these signals, and statistically determining a maximum likelihood estimation from the spectral components. This estimation is used to calculate the fluid velocity.

Abstract: A transcranial Doppler (TCD) probe fixation assembly is provided comprising an assembly for holding a TCD probe. The probe holding assembly comprises in one embodiment a track assembly and in another embodiment a single bar assembly. The ends of both the track assembly and bar assembly are connected to an annular member. Strap retaining members are provided on the exterior of the annular member for strapping the TCD probe to a patient's head. In use, the position of the probe is selected by moving the probe linearly along the track and bar assemblies and by rotating the track and bar assemblies relative to the annular member. Thereafter, the probe is angulated until a desired signal is obtained, at which point it is locked in place.

Abstract: A TCD probe mounting assembly is provided comprising a TCD probe mounted in a pedestal which has affixed to the base thereof an adhesive material for adhesively securing the pedestal to a patient's head. The pedestal is designed to allow insertion of the TCD probe therein after the pedestal is secured to a patient's head and for holding the probe at a selected angulation by means of friction after the probe is inserted in the pedestal. An external compression device and strap member are supplied to provide alternative means for providing a force perpendicular to a patient's head in order to minimize the risk of air gaps between the probe and the patient's head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the calculation of oxygen saturation and other blood constituents by non-invasive pulse oximeters. The method and apparatus permit more accurate determination of blood flow by collecting time-measures of the absorption signal at two or more wavelengths and processing the collected time-measure to obtain composite pulsatile flow data from which artifacts have been filtered. The processing may occur in the time domain or in the frequency domain. In the preferred time domain embodiment, successive portions of periodic information are weighted and added together in synchrony to obtain the composite pulse information. In the preferred frequency domain embodiment, the time-measure in Fourier transformed into its spectral components to form the composite information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the calculation of oxygen saturation and other blood constituents by non-invasive pulse oximeters. The method and apparatus permit more accurate determination of blood flow by collecting time-measures of the absorption signal at two or more wavelengths and processing the collected time-measure to obtain composite pulsatile flow data from which artifacts have been filtered. The processing may occur in the time domain or in the frequency domain. In the preferred time domain embodiment, successive portions of periodic information are weighted and added together in synchrony to obtain the composite pulse information. In the preferred frequency domain embodiment, the time-measure is Fourier transformed into its spectral components to form the composite information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the calculation of oxygen saturation and other blood constituents by non-invasive pulse oximeters. The method and apparatus permit more accurate determination of blood flow by collecting time-measures of the absorption signal at two or more wavelengths and processing the collected time-measure to obtain composite pulsatile flow data from which artifacts have been filtered. The processing may occur in the time domain or in the frequency domain. In the preferred time domain embodiment, successive portions of periodic information are weighted and added together in synchrony to obtain the composite pulse information. In the preferred frequency domain embodiment, the time-measure is Fourier transformed into its spectral components to form the composite information.