Abstract: A solar energy system comprising a defrosting module. The defrosting module includes a first light sensor configured to be located on a solar panel and to produce a first signal which is proportional to the intensity of sunlight reaching the solar panel. The defrosting module includes a second light sensor configured to be located proximate to the solar panel and configured to produce a second signal which is proportional to the intensity of ambient sunlight in the vicinity of the solar panel. The defrosting module includes a control circuit configured to compare the first signal and the second signal and to produce an activation signal when the difference between the first signal and the second signal reaches a threshold value, wherein the activation signal is configured to activate a heater module coupled to the solar panel.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, an apparatus and/or system of speech substitution of a real-time multimedia presentation on an output device. In one embodiment, a method includes processing a multimedia signal of a multimedia presentation, using a processor. The multimedia signal includes a video signal and an audio signal, such that the audio signal is substitutable with another audio signal based on a preference of a user. The method also includes substituting the audio signal with another audio signal based on the preference of the user. Additionally, the method includes permitting a selection of a voice profile during a real-time event based on a response to a request through a client device of the user.

Abstract: A media player system and method includes a microphone, a hearing appliance, a converter, a flash memory, a comparing unit, a timer, and a switching unit (e.g., anti-voice operated switch). The microphone associated with a squelch control unit receives and samples an external sound as a user listens to a media file via the hearing appliance. The converter digitizes the external sound and the comparing unit compares the digitized sound with one or more keywords stored in the flash memory. The switching unit automatically temporarily mutes the audio stream for a predetermined time period thereby enabling the user to hear the external sound.

Abstract: A system for communicating over an optical communications link is provided that uses at least one display pixel of a display device to transmit optical information bits and at least one sensor pixel of the display device to receive optical information bits. To transmit optical information bits, a controller of the display device causes the transmitter display pixel to switch between at least first and second optical display conditions to produce a modulated optical signal representative of one or more information bits. To receive optical information bits, the controller reads the electrical sense signal produced by the receiver sensor pixel and interprets the electrical sense signal read from the receiver pixel as corresponding to one or more information bits.