Abstract: A z-clip has a back side member that is angled relative to the front face. A wedge is designed to be used with the z-clip, where the wedge has an angle that matches the angle of the back side member of the z-clip. Thus, the wedge can be slid under the z-clip at a desired position to angle the z-clip in its use position, while allowing the z-clip to be horizontally offset from the wall. The system provided by the z-clip and wedge can quickly and easily set z-clips on a wall to a vertical reference plane, thus providing an easy fit for a wall panel to be subsequently attached thereto. Further provided are quick offset blocks that can attach to ends of each row of z-clips to provide a way for spanning a string therebetween, thus providing a vertical reference line for aligning z-clips along the vertical reference line.

Abstract: A method includes accessing building automation data comprising a plurality of data objects, each data object corresponding to a device in a building automation system, the data objects interrelated in a first hierarchy. The method also includes receiving an event condition indication from a first device in the building automation system, and storing an indication of the event condition in a first data object corresponding to the first device. The method also includes propagating an indication of the event condition to upstream objects in the first hierarchy.

Abstract: A method includes accessing building automation data comprising a plurality of data objects, each data object corresponding to a device in a building automation system, the data objects interrelated in a first hierarchy. The method also includes receiving an event condition indication from a first device in the building automation system, and storing an indication of the event condition in a first data object corresponding to the first device.

Abstract: Wireless communications devices (102, 104, 106) that communicate via an adaptive bandwidth communications protocol (300). Wireless devices (102, 104, 106) utilize a multiple carrier time division/frequency division multiplexing format where time slots (330, 332) are adaptively assigned across multiple RF carriers. Preferred embodiments assign time coincident time slots (330, 340, 350, 360) on multiple RF carriers so as to allow shorter transmission and reception times and therefore shorter transmitter and receiver activation times in order to conserve power in portable devices (104, 106). Time slots are adaptively assigned and deallocated in response to events that alter communications bandwidth requirements.

Abstract: A method and a computer readable medium for reducing distractions of a mobile device user include determining, if a mobile device is moving; and if the mobile device is moving, then selecting a message for notifying a caller that a called party is unavailable. Determining is done from the viewpoints of a mobile device and a mobile service provider. Preferably, determining if the mobile device is moving includes checking with a GPS system if coordinates are changing within a given limit. The mobile device includes a controller; a detector coupled to the controller for detecting if the mobile device is moving in a given region; and means for selecting a message for notifying a caller that a called party is unavailable. In one embodiment, the detector is a GPS receiver.

Abstract: A mobile communication device (100) determines a background noise level at a microphone (104). If, after determining the noise floor, the input signal exceeds a threshold, the mobile communication device transmits the input signal. The threshold is established such that if it is exceeded, it is likely that voice energy is being received at the microphone, and the threshold, in a first embodiment, is increased as the background noise level increases. In a second embodiment the threshold is determined as the difference between the input signal and the background noise level. As background noise increases, the threshold actually decreases.

Abstract: Echo suppression is accomplished by comparing the ratio of the microphone (101) and speaker (121) energies to a dynamic threshold that varies with the background noise (310) at a second communication device (130), and transmitting locally generated noise when the potential for echo exists. The use of the dynamic threshold provides for echo suppression with significantly better doubletalk performance.