Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing demand for water based on the state of a water utility are described. One method of managing distribution of water from the water utility includes the steps of: i) collecting water utility state information, ii) analyzing the state information to determine whether to inhibit irrigation by customers receiving water from the water utility, and iii) inhibiting irrigation based at least in part on the state information. Another method of managing distribution of water from the water utility includes the steps of: i) collecting water utility state information, ii) analyzing the state information to determine whether to inhibit irrigation by customers receiving water from the water utility, and iii) transmitting a control signal to inhibit irrigation if step ii) determines irrigation should be inhibited.

Abstract: A linefeed on a subscriber loop is generated to generate a current on the subscriber loop. Whether a relationship between a voltage on the subscriber loop and a threshold voltage for an identified range of voltages satisfies a condition is identified. The linefeed on the subscriber loop is controlled to modify the current on the subscriber loop in response to identifying that the relationship between the voltage on the subscriber loop and the threshold voltage for the identified range of voltages satisfies the condition to help generate the voltage on the subscriber loop in the identified range of voltages. The identifying and controlling are continued to help generate and maintain the voltage on the subscriber loop in the identified range of voltages.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus associated with a plurality of serial devices designed to communicate with a bus master in either a daisy chain or a normal configuration are provided. One method includes the step of serially providing a command sequence having a channel identifier to a given device of a plurality of daisy chained devices. The channel identifier is modified as it passes thru each daisy chained device. A specific device is identified or enabled when the channel identifier it receives matches a pre-determined value.

Abstract: A linefeed on a subscriber loop is generated to generate a current on the subscriber loop. A relationship between a voltage on the subscriber loop and a threshold voltage is identified. A current limit for the subscriber loop is modified in response to the identifying. The linefeed on the subscriber loop is controlled to modify the current on the subscriber loop in response to the modifying.

Abstract: A method of controlling a DC feed from a subscriber loop interface circuit (SLIC) includes the steps of switching from a normal mode DC feed following a first characteristic curve to a modified mode DC feed following a second characteristic curve when the metallic voltage (VM) meets or falls below a first threshold voltage. The SLIC switches back from the modified mode to the normal mode when VM meets or exceeds a second threshold voltage. In one embodiment the first and second characteristic curves are linear and have the same pre-determined slope.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus associated with a plurality of serial devices designed to communicate with a bus master in either a daisy chain or a normal configuration are provided. One method includes the step of serially providing a command sequence having a channel identifier to a given device of a plurality of daisy chained devices. The channel identifier is modified as it passes thru each daisy chained device. A specific device is identified or enabled when the channel identifier it receives matches a pre-determined value.