Abstract: Various methods and apparatus are described for a photovoltaic system. In an embodiment, pluralities of three-phase Alternating Current (AC) inverter circuits electrically connect into a common three phase AC output. Each of those inverters receives a bipolar DC voltage supplied from its own set of Concentrated PhotoVoltaic (CPV) modules.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus are described for a photovoltaic system. In an embodiment, a hybrid grounding circuit as well as a ground fault monitoring circuit are in the inverter circuitry with its switching devices that generate three-phase Alternating Current (AC) voltage. The three-phase AC voltage is supplied to a utility power grid interface transformer, where a primary-side common node of the Utility Power grid interface transformer is connected to Earth ground. Each inverter has 1) its own set of isolation contacts to connect as well as isolate this particular inverter from the utility grid interface transformer, and 2) control components in the ground fault monitoring circuit for controlling operation of the isolation contacts based off a presence of the ground fault detected by the ground fault monitor circuit for that inverter. The inverter circuit receives a DC voltage supplied from its own set of ungrounded Concentrated PhotoVoltaic modules.

Abstract: Various methods, apparatuses, and systems in which a residential gateway is located at the network interface device and is powered with a remote power source inside the residence. In another embodiment, bi-directional data communication between the residential gateway and the remote power source is also enabled.

Abstract: Various methods, apparatuses, and systems in which a back up power supply is provided to a network interface device are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a network interface device (NID) located outside a building and a power supply unit located inside the building. The power supply unit has one or more ports that couple via a phone line to the NID to provide a power signal to the NID. The apparatus further includes a direct current (DC) back up power unit located in the NID. The DC back up power unit provides back up power to the NID. The NID is configured to periodically switch between receiving the power signal from the power supply unit and the DC back up power unit even when no fault condition exists in the power supply unit.

Abstract: Various methods, apparatuses, and systems in which fault monitoring is provided to a network interface device are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a network interface device (NID) located outside a building and a power supply unit located inside the building. The power supply unit has one or more ports that couple via a phone line to the NID to provide a power signal to the NID. The apparatus further includes a monitor circuitry located in the power supply unit. The monitor circuitry monitors the power signal received by the NID via the phone line. The monitor circuitry checks for a fault condition of at least one phone device coupled to the phone line when the power signal changes by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described for a set top box. The set top box may include a satellite television reciever module, a broadband internet module, a digital video recorder, a storage medium, a first output port, and an integrated user interface. The satellite television receiver module receives satellite television broadcasts and converts the broadcast for display on a television. The broadband internet module converts content in a broadband signal for display on the television. The digital video recorder (DVR) allows a user to manipulate a digital stream of vidio programming from the satellite television broadcast. The integrated user interface displays on the television to allow a user to access an integrated content user experience by displaying icons that allow the user to select content from the satellite television broadcasts, the content in the broadband signal, and content from a first computer connected to the first network.

Abstract: Various methods, apparatuses, and systems in which a remotely powered wireless microphone are described. The remotely powered wireless microphone circuit includes a resonant circuit tuned to a transmit frequency of a receiver station. The resonant circuit captures signal bursts from the receiver station. The resonant circuit includes a capacitive microphone element to modulate a resulting ringing of the circuit upon being energized by the signal bursts. The wireless microphone circuit also includes a transmitter circuit to transmit the modulated signal.

Abstract: Various methods, apparatuses, and systems in which a residential gateway is located at the network interface device and is powered with a remote power source inside the residence. In another embodiment, bi-directional data communication between the residential gateway and the remote power source is also enabled.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus are described in for a wireless access point. The wireless access point allows access to a wireless LAN that has two or more service set identifiers (SSIDs). At least one of the SSIDs is associated with a public wireless LAN. The wireless access point implements a segmentation policy that 1) provides unimpeded access to a Wide Area network through the public wireless LAN based on a first type of application or a first type of device detected by the wireless access point and 2) restricts access to the Wide Area network through the public wireless LAN by requiring an authorization check to access the Wide Area network based on detecting a second type of application.