Abstract: A method and system for collecting context information in response to prediction of an emergency event. A cloud-based computing system could determine that an emergency event is predicted to impact a customer premises at an upcoming time. Responsive to that determination, and before the upcoming time, the cloud-based computing system could then cause or more on-premises computing devices at the customer premises to collect and report context information, such as a count of people present at the customer premises and/or an operational state of one or more utilities or other systems at the customer premises, that may assist in responding to the emergency event. Further, the cloud-based computing system could select a given such device at the customer premises to function as a coordinating device to work with one or more other devices at the customer premises to collect and report the context information.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting context information in response to prediction of an emergency event. A cloud-based computing system could determine that an emergency event is predicted to impact a customer premises at an upcoming time. Responsive to that determination, and before the upcoming time, the cloud-based computing system could then cause or more on-premises computing devices at the customer premises to collect and report context information, such as a count of people present at the customer premises and/or an operational state of one or more utilities or other systems at the customer premises, that may assist in responding to the emergency event. Further, the cloud-based computing system could select a given such device at the customer premises to function as a coordinating device to work with one or more other devices at the customer premises to collect and report the context information.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting context information in response to prediction of an emergency event. A cloud-based computing system could determine that an emergency event is predicted to impact a customer premises at an upcoming time. Responsive to that determination, and before the upcoming time, the cloud-based computing system could then cause or more on-premises computing devices at the customer premises to collect and report context information, such as a count of people present at the customer premises and/or an operational state of one or more utilities or other systems at the customer premises, that may assist in responding to the emergency event. Further, the cloud-based computing system could select a given such device at the customer premises to function as a coordinating device to work with one or more other devices at the customer premises to collect and report the context information.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting context information in response to prediction of an emergency event. A cloud-based computing system could determine that an emergency event is predicted to impact a customer premises at an upcoming time. Responsive to that determination, and before the upcoming time, the cloud-based computing system could then cause or more on-premises computing devices at the customer premises to collect and report context information, such as a count of people present at the customer premises and/or an operational state of one or more utilities or other systems at the customer premises, that may assist in responding to the emergency event. Further, the cloud-based computing system could select a given such device at the customer premises to function as a coordinating device to work with one or more other devices at the customer premises to collect and report the context information.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting context information in response to prediction of an emergency event. A cloud-based computing system could determine that an emergency event is predicted to impact a customer premises at an upcoming time. Responsive to that determination, and before the upcoming time, the cloud-based computing system could then cause or more on-premises computing devices at the customer premises to collect and report context information, such as a count of people present at the customer premises and/or an operational state of one or more utilities or other systems at the customer premises, that may assist in responding to the emergency event. Further, the cloud-based computing system could select a given such device at the customer premises to function as a coordinating device to work with one or more other devices at the customer premises to collect and report the context information.

Abstract: A method and system for collecting context information in response to prediction of an emergency event. A cloud-based computing system could determine that an emergency event is predicted to impact a customer premises at an upcoming time. Responsive to that determination, and before the upcoming time, the cloud-based computing system could then cause or more on-premises computing devices at the customer premises to collect and report context information, such as a count of people present at the customer premises and/or an operational state of one or more utilities or other systems at the customer premises, that may assist in responding to the emergency event. Further, the cloud-based computing system could select a given such device at the customer premises to function as a coordinating device to work with one or more other devices at the customer premises to collect and report the context information.

Abstract: A method for remotely configuring parameters of GPRS-type communication devices (2, 3) within a communications system in which data are exchanged between said GPRS-type communication devices (2, 3) and a central communications system (1) over a cellular phone network (6). According to the invention, configuration parameters (Pn) are first set and then stored in a configuration instruction queue (10) of said central communications system (1). Upon initiation of a communication using the GPRS protocol from a transmitting GPRS-type communication device (Idm), corresponding configuration parameters, provided that they are stored in queue, are then sent to said transmitting GPRS-type device (Idm) using GPRS protocol. The method is applicable to remote configuration of utility metering data over a GSM type network.

Abstract: A method for accurate time setting of a communication device (2, 3) in which said communication device (2, 3) sends (A0) a request for time synchronization to a central communications unit (1) through communication data packets via a cellular telephone network (5); said central communications unit (1) sends current time in a response to said communication device (2, 3) through communication data packets via the cellular telephone network (5); said communication device (2, 3) measures (A2) an elapsed time (T) from sending said request to receiving the response and compares said measured elapsed time (T) with a predetermined first configuration parameter (“Trip”); and, When said measured elapsed time (T) is less than said first configuration parameter (“Trip”), said communication device (2, 3) uses (A3) received current time for updating its own time reference.

Abstract: A method for remotely configuring parameters of GPRS-type communication devices (2, 3) within a communications system in which data are exchanged between said GPRS-type communication devices (2, 3) and a central communications system (1) over a cellular phone network (6). According to the invention, configuration parameters (Pn) are first set and then stored in a configuration instruction queue (10) of said central communications system (1). Upon initiation of a communication using the GPRS protocol from a transmitting GPRS-type communication device (Idm), corresponding configuration parameters, provided that they are stored in queue, are then sent to said transmitting GPRS-type device (Idm) using GPRS protocol. The method is applicable to remote configuration of utility metering data over a GSM type network.

Abstract: A method for accurate time setting of a communication device (2, 3) in which said communication device (2, 3) sends (A0) a request for time synchronization to a central communications unit (1) through communication data packets via a cellular telephone network (5); said central communications unit (1) sends current time in a response to said communication device (2, 3) through communication data packets via the cellular telephone network (5); said communication device (2, 3) measures (A2) an elapsed time (T) from sending said request to receiving the response and compares said measured elapsed time (T) with a predetermined first configuration parameter (“Trip”);and, When said measured elapsed time (T) is less than said first configuration parameter (“Trip”), said communication device (2, 3) uses (A3) received current time for updating its own time reference.

Abstract: A feature centric method of and system for monitoring the development and release process of a product, monitoring the development and release of a product, where the product is characterized by having a plurality of features is described. The method steps, which the system is configured to carry out, include enumerating features to be included in the product, enumerating tasks, task milestones, and task milestone completions identified to the features; enumerating required task approvals and feature approvals and completed task approvals and feature approvals, and enumerating required associated activities and completed associated activities. The enumeration preferably includes information to show linkages, associations, priorities, milestones, and missed milestones.

Abstract: A feature centric method of and system for monitoring the development and release process of a product, monitoring the development and release of a product, where the product is characterized by having a plurality of features is described. The method steps, which the system is configured to carry out, include enumerating features to be included in the product, enumerating tasks, task milestones, and task milestone completions identified to the features; enumerating required task approvals and feature approvals and completed task approvals and feature approvals, and enumerating required associated activities and completed associated activities. The enumeration preferably includes information to show linkages, associations, priorities, milestones, and missed milestones.

Abstract: A photoelectric imaging sensor comprising a bias frame and electron collector and an electron emissive photosensitive material disposed on a first side of the bias frame and electron collector. A piezoelectric variable color filter is disposed on a second side of the bias frame and electron collector, piezoelectric separation control circuitry is coupled to the piezoelectric variable color filter that controls separation of colors thereby, and a current switch connected to the electron collector.

Abstract: A photoelectric imaging sensor and method that provide for electronic shuttering and frequency filtering. An exemplary sensor includes a biased conductive frame disposed adjacent to an electron emitting plate that is coupled by way of a reset field effect transistor to ground. A metallized plate is insulated from (capacitively coupled to) the electron emitting plate and is coupled by way of a charge isolation field effect transistor (to ground. Electronic shuttering and frequency filtering in the photoelectric imaging sensor is implemented is as follows. The conductive frame is biased by predetermined amounts to control the surface work function of the electron emitting plate and set the incident light frequency at which photoelectrons are emitted by the electron emitting plate, thus providing for frequency filtering and electronically shuttering of the photoelectric imaging sensor. Electronic shuttering is provided by gating the metallized plate using the charge isolation field effect transistor.

Abstract: A camera is adjustable such that the force required to actuate one or more of the camera's controls can be adjusted by a camera user. In a preferred embodiment, the force required to depress the camera's shutter release button is adjustable. The force may be adjusted to accommodate changing photographic situations, to accommodate a physical disability of the photographer, or simply to accommodate the camera user's taste. Mechanical and electromechanical embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A pixel-differentiated CCD imager architecture may include: a plurality of photo-sensing pixels arranged in a matrix, each pixel being classified according to type from among a plurality of photo-sensing pixel types; and read circuitry controllable to respectively read one or more of a second type of pixel independently of reading a first type of pixel, the reading of one or more first type pixels representing a sampling of fewer than all of the plurality of pixels, the sampling being obtainable without having to read all of the plurality of pixels. A related method and digital camera may include features similar to elements of the pixel-differentiated CCD imager architecture.

Abstract: A method, of selectively reading less than all information from an image sensor for which member-pixels of a subset of the entire set of pixels are individually addressable, may include: sampling information from a targeted member-pixel of the subset without having to read information from the entire set of pixels; and adaptively reading information from another one or more but fewer than all member pixels of the entire set based upon the sampling information without having to read all pixels on the image sensor. A related digital camera may include features similar to elements of the method.

Abstract: A feature centric method of and system for monitoring the development and release process of a product. monitoring the development and release of a product, where the product is characterized by having a plurality of features is described. The method steps, which the system is configured to carry out, include enumerating features to be included in the product, enumerating tasks, task milestones, and task milestone completions identified to the features; enumerating required task approvals and feature approvals and completed task approvals and feature approvals, and enumerating required associated activities and completed associated activities. The enumeration preferably includes information to show linkages, associations, priorities, milestones, and missed milestones.