Abstract: A junction box of a solar cell array/solar module, having a plurality of solar cells connected in multiple strings and including a separate top part mechanically connected to a bottom part, and in one of the bottom and top parts, first contact elements, some being connected in the installed state to solar cells and two of which are connected to a connecting cable of the solar cell array, and in another one of the bottom and top parts, interconnected second contact elements electrically contact first contact elements in the installed state and join them are situated there, and an actuator for releasing the mechanical connection between the bottom and top parts, for completely separating the top and bottom parts and for disconnecting the contact between the first and second contact elements and a control unit assigned to the actuator at the input side for generating an actuator control signal.

Abstract: A method for controlling current generation in a photovoltaic system having at least one submodule connected to the photovoltaic system. The method includes an alternating switching of the submodule taking place in a changeover time clock pulse between a switching-on state and a bypass switching state, the submodule being interconnected during the switching-on state of the photovoltaic system and being bridged in the bypass switching state. During the bypass switching state, an overall current strength of the photovoltaic system is measured and a setpoint value ascertained from this is stored temporarily. During the switching-on state, a submodule current strength is measured and compared to the setpoint value, and upon a dropping off of the submodule current strength below the setpoint value, a resetting, taking place independently of the switchover time clock pulse, of the submodule to the bypass switching state is carried out.

Abstract: A method of teaching pronunciation is provided which includes communicating by a voice portal server to a user a model word and detecting a response by the user to the voice portal server. The method also includes comparing the response word to the model word and determining a confidence level based on the comparison of the response word to the model word. The method further includes comparing an acceptance limit to the confidence level and confirming a correct pronunciation of the model word if the confidence level one of equals and exceeds the acceptance limit.

Abstract: A solar cell roof system having a plurality of solar modules, of which at least some are to be installed in interconnected manner on top of each other in order to provide protection from rain; in addition, air conveyance arrangement for the supply of ambient air behind the rear side of the solar module are provided in or on at least one edge of the solar modules to be installed on top of one another, this edge being a lower edge in the normal position.

Abstract: A junction box of a solar cell array/solar module, having a plurality of solar cells connected in multiple strings and including a separate top part mechanically connected to a bottom part, and in one of the bottom and top parts, first contact elements, some being connected in the installed state to solar cells and two of which are connected to a connecting cable of the solar cell array, and in another one of the bottom and top parts, interconnected second contact elements electrically contact first contact elements in the installed state and join them are situated there, and an actuator for releasing the mechanical connection between the bottom and top parts, for completely separating the top and bottom parts and for disconnecting the contact between the first and second contact elements and a control unit assigned to the actuator at the input side for generating an actuator control signal.

Abstract: A method of teaching pronunciation is provided which includes communicating by a voice portal server to a user a model word and detecting a response by the user to the voice portal server. The method also includes comparing the response word to the model word and determining a confidence level based on the comparison of the response word to the model word. The method further includes comparing an acceptance limit to the confidence level and confirming a correct pronunciation of the model word if the confidence level one of equals and exceeds the acceptance limit.

Abstract: A method of teaching pronunciation is provided which includes communicating by a voice portal server to a user a model word and detecting a response by the user to the voice portal server. The method also includes comparing the response word to the model word and determining a confidence level based on the comparison of the response word to the model word. The method further includes comparing an acceptance limit to the confidence level and confirming a correct pronunciation of the model word if the confidence level one of equals and exceeds the acceptance limit.

Abstract: A method of protecting a micro-mechanical sensor structure embedded in a micro-mechanical sensor chip, in which the micro-mechanical sensor structure is fabricated with a protective membrane, the micro-mechanical sensor chip is arranged so that a surface of the protective membrane faces toward a second chip, and the micro-mechanical sensor chip is secured to the second chip.

Abstract: A method and a system for controlling a wireless sensor network from a user interface coupled to the Internet are provided. A user accesses an Internet-based portal from the user interface and establishes a secure broadband Internet connection between a remote control module coupled to the wireless sensor network and the portal. The connection is established by manually triggering a connection between the remote control module and the portal from the remote control module.

Abstract: A method and a system for controlling a wireless sensor network from a user interface coupled to the Internet are provided. A user accesses an Internet-based portal from the user interface and establishes a secure broadband Internet connection between a remote control module coupled to the wireless sensor network and the portal. The connection is established by manually triggering a connection between the remote control module and the portal from the remote control module.

Abstract: A method of protecting a micro-mechanical sensor structure embedded in a micro-mechanical sensor chip, in which the micro-mechanical sensor structure is fabricated with a protective membrane, the micro-mechanical sensor chip is arranged so that a surface of the protective membrane faces toward a second chip, and the micro-mechanical sensor chip is secured to the second chip.

Abstract: A method and a system for controlling a wireless sensor network from a user interface coupled to the Internet are provided. A user accesses an Internet-based portal from the user interface and establishes a secure broadband Internet connection between a remote control module coupled to the wireless sensor network and the portal. The connection is established by manually triggering a connection between the remote control module and the portal from the remote control module.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a home automation system by voice input provided via a telephone unit. A voice portal server receives a signal transmitted by the telephone unit, processes the signal to interpret the voice input, and generates command signals for controlling a home device in the home automation system based on the interpreted voice input. The voice portal server transmits the command signals over a data network or a telephone network to a home interface for receiving the command signals transmitted by the voice portal server. The home interface controls the home device in accordance with the received command signals.

Abstract: A method of protecting a micro-mechanical sensor structure embedded in a micro-mechanical sensor chip, in which the micro-mechanical sensor structure is fabricated with a protective membrane, the micro-mechanical sensor chip is arranged so that a surface of the protective membrane faces toward a second chip, and the micro-mechanical sensor chip is secured to the second chip.

Abstract: A method of teaching pronunciation is provided which includes communicating by a voice portal server to a user a model word and detecting a response by the user to the voice portal server. The method also includes comparing the response word to the model word and determining a confidence level based on the comparison of the response word to the model word. The method further includes comparing an acceptance limit to the confidence level and confirming a correct pronunciation of the model word if the confidence level one of equals and exceeds the acceptance limit.

Abstract: A method of teaching pronunciation is provided which includes communicating by a voice portal server to a user a model word and detecting a response by the user to the voice portal server. The method also includes comparing the response word to the model word and determining a confidence level based on the comparison of the response word to the model word. The method further includes comparing an acceptance limit to the confidence level and confirming a correct pronunciation of the model word if the confidence level one of equals and exceeds the acceptance limit.

Abstract: A method of protecting a micro-mechanical sensor structure embedded in a micro-mechanical sensor chip, in which the micro-mechanical sensor structure is fabricated with a protective membrane, the micro-mechanical sensor chip is arranged so that a surface of the protective membrane faces toward a second chip, and the micro-mechanical sensor chip is secured to the second chip.

Abstract: A method for configuring a wireless network includes pointing a first end of a network configuration device at a wireless device and actuating the network configuration device to add the wireless device to the wireless network. The method may include positioning the first end in close proximity to the wireless device. A device is provided for configuring wireless networks that includes a transmitter configured to transmit at least one of an initiation signal and a connection table to a wireless device. The initiation signal is sent by the device to the wireless device to add or delete the wireless device from a network that is being configured. The connection table includes information about each wireless device that has previously been added to the network. A receiver is included in the device that is adapted to receive at least one of the connection table and a unique identifier from the wireless device.

Abstract: A sensor node arrangement in a wireless network, includes a sensor to sense information, an RF transceiver to communicate the information to at least one element of the wireless network, and a coil to establish a secondary communications channel with a handheld device via inductive coupling, the secondary communications channel used, for example, to receive, during installation of the sensor node arrangement, a node identifier of the sensor node arrangement.

Abstract: A mobile security network includes a plurality of primary mobile nodes and at least one secondary mobile node dynamically assigned to be monitored by one of the plurality of primary mobile nodes. The plurality of primary mobile nodes communicate with each other to hand off responsibility for monitoring the at least one secondary mobile node, and monitor a link quality between themselves and any assigned secondary mobile nodes. The network is configured to issue an alarm if a link quality between a secondary mobile node and its assigned primary mobile node falls below a predefined value for a predefined time period, and a link quality between the secondary mobile node and all non-assigned primary mobile nodes does not exceed the predefined link quality.