Abstract: An arrangement includes a solar energy receiving device and at least one component in thermal communication with the solar energy receiving device, the at least one component formed from a composite material, the composite material may comprise a matrix of carbon-based fibers, the carbon-based fibers comprising one or more of: mesophase carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphite, graphene and pan carbon. According to a further optional aspect, there is provided a solar energy receiving device comprising a first surface for receiving solar energy incident thereon, and a second opposing surface, the second surface being electrically conductive; at least one heat transport device in direct contact with at least a portion of the second surface, the at least one heat transport device may comprise at least one internal passage and at least one duct; and a heat transport media flowing within the at least one internal passage and at least one duct. Related methods and additional arrangements are also described.

Abstract: Arrangements may include a concentrator constructed and arranged to receive incident electromagnetic energy and to concentrate the incident electromagnetic energy to a greater intensity level; an electromagnetic receiving device comprising a first surface constructed and arranged to receive the concentrated electromagnetic energy, and a second surface opposite the first surface; a heat transport device comprising at least one duct and a first surface; and a thermal interface layer physically connected to at least a portion of the second surface of the electromagnetic energy receiving device and the first surface of the heat transport device, the thermal interface material being both electrically and thermally conductive. Related methods and additional arrangements are also described.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a single automated accounting and business analysis system is employed to acquire, organize, record, analyze and plan all the relevant financial and non-financial business metrics required by a company's management, suppliers, creditors, shareholders, regulators, etc. This includes all the internally generated metrics and external metrics such as data related to the economy, a particular industry, weather conditions, etc.

Abstract: Arrangements may include a concentrator constructed and arranged to receive incident electromagnetic energy and to concentrate the incident electromagnetic energy to a greater intensity level; an electromagnetic receiving device comprising a first surface constructed and arranged to receive the concentrated electromagnetic energy, and a second surface opposite the first surface; a heat transport device comprising at least one duct and a first surface; and a thermal interface layer physically connected to at least a portion of the second surface of the electromagnetic energy receiving device and the first surface of the heat transport device, the thermal interface material being both electrically and thermally conductive. Related methods and additional arrangements are also described.

Abstract: An arrangement utilizes diffractive, reflective and/or refractive optical elements combined to intensify and homogenize electromagnetic energy, such as natural sunlight in the terrestrial environment, for purposes such as irradiating a target area with concentrated homogenized energy. A heat activated safety mechanism is also described.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a solar energy receiving device and at least one component in thermal communication with the solar energy receiving device, the at least one component formed from a composite material, the composite material may comprise a matrix of carbon-based fibers, the carbon-based fibers comprising one or more of: mesophase carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphite, graphene and pan carbon. According to a further optional aspect, there is provided a solar energy receiving device comprising a first surface for receiving solar energy incident thereon, and a second opposing surface, the second surface being electrically conductive; at least one heat transport device in direct contact with at least a portion of the second surface, the at least one heat transport device may comprise at least one internal passage and at least one duct; and a heat transport media flowing within the at least one internal passage and at least one duct. Related methods and additional arrangements are also described.

Abstract: A system is disposed at a location of a utility commodity subscriber for informing the subscriber of and controlling utility commodity usage. The system includes utility meters, an information and control apparatus, and a first and second data communication link. The meters measure usage and generate usage signals. The information and control apparatus includes a microprocessor, a memory, a clock, and a user interface. The first data communication link is between the utility meters and the information and control apparatus, and the second data communication link is between the information and control apparatus and one or more central locations. The second communication link also provides rate information to the information and control apparatus and utility commodity usage data to the one or more central locations. The microprocessor computes an accumulated cost of utility commodity for a predetermined period of time. Information related to the accumulated cost is output to the subscriber.

Abstract: An exemplary method for providing presence detection in a communication system includes associating the identity of a first entity participating in the communication system, with a communication link of the system, and providing access to information regarding the first entity to other entities participating in the communication system. An exemplary method can further include receiving an indication of an incident, including a class or magnitude of the incident, accessing a list of users authorized to participate in the communication system, based on the indication, and denying users absent from the accessed list, access to the communication system. The last communication mechanism or communication address used by each authorized user can also be determined, and displayed.

Abstract: An system for interlinking communication devices having different communication mechanisms, includes a first device having a plurality of radios that are software configurable to operate on different channels, and/or different frequencies, and/or via different protocols, and a switch arranged to selectively interconnect audio signals with audio inputs of at least one of the plurality of radios, wherein the audio signals are provided by an operator of the first device or comprise demodulated audio output of one of the plurality of radios.

Abstract: A system for repeating radio signals to the outside of a structure, from transmitters operating within a structure that normally prevents radio transmissions from propagating out of the structure. A system for repeating radio signals to the inside of a structure, from transmitters operating outside a structure that normally prevents radio transmissions from propagating into the structure.

Abstract: A system is disposed at a location of a utility commodity subscriber for informing the subscriber of and controlling utility commodity usage. The system includes utility meters, an information and control apparatus, and a first and second data communication link. The meters measure usage and and generate usage signals. The information and control apparatus includes a microprocessor, a memory, a clock, and a user interface. The first data communication link is between the utility meters and the information and control apparatus and the second data communication link is between the information and control apparatus and one or more central locations. The second communication link also provides rate information to the information and control apparatus and utility commodity usage data to the central location. The microprocessor computes an accumulated cost of utility commodity for a predetermined period of time. Information related to the accumulated cost is output to the subscriber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for information labeling and control includes central station equipment which combines a program signal with content labels which separately and continuously identify the audio, video, and data content of the program signal, and user station equipment which generates a local content label identifying program material which is acceptable to the user. By comparing the two labels the user station equipment can block or substitute alternative audio, video, or data for offensive portions of a program signal received through a transmission or stored for playback on various media such as video tapes, audio tapes, CDs, computer disks, optical storage media, and video game cartridges. Exemplary embodiments of the invention also relate to a method and apparatus for creating the local content label.

Abstract: A method for adding labels to data, for example XML compliant or XBRL compliant labels, includes a) identifying data in an electronically represented file, b) selecting labels that correspond to text strings in the identified data, based on a list associating labels with text strings, and c) adding the selected labels into the electronically represented file to label the text strings and elements in the identified data associated with the text strings. The labels include information about the data and are defined in one or more taxonomies. When the list does not associate a label with the text string, a user can be prompted to select a label corresponding to a text string in the identified data. The association indicated by the user's selection, can then be added to the list associating labels with text strings.

Abstract: A mobile food dispenser includes a shell, a controller, at least one drive motor for moving the dispenser across a surface in response to direction from the controller, at least one sensor configured to detect the presence of an animal, and at least one compartment including a hatch mechanism for controlling an animal's access to the interior of the compartment, wherein the hatch mechanism is actuated by the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to move the dispenser and actuate the hatch mechanism to stimulate an animal, in response to a detected presence of the animal.

Abstract: A mobile food dispenser includes a shell, a controller, at least one drive motor for moving the dispenser across a surface in response to direction from the controller, at least one sensor configured to detect the presence of an animal, and at least one compartment including a hatch mechanism for controlling an animal's access to the interior of the compartment, wherein the hatch mechanism is actuated by the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to move the dispenser and actuate the hatch mechanism to stimulate an animal, in response to a detected presence of the animal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for information labeling and control includes central station equipment which combines a program signal with content labels which separately and continuously identify the audio, video, and data content of the program signal, and user station equipment which generates a local content label identifying program material which is acceptable to the user. By comparing the two labels the user station equipment can block or substitute alternative audio, video, or data for offensive portions of a program signal received through a transmission or stored for playback on various media such as video tapes, audio tapes, CDs, computer disks, optical storage media, and video game cartridges.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a single automated accounting and business analysis system is employed to acquire, organize, record, analyze and plan all the relevant financial and non-financial business metrics required by a company's management, suppliers, creditors, shareholders, regulators, etc. This includes all the internally generated metrics and external metrics such as data related to the economy, a particular industry, weather conditions, etc.

Abstract: A method for adding labels to data, for example XML compliant or XBRL compliant labels, includes a) identifying data in an electronically represented file, b) selecting labels that correspond to text strings in the identified data, based on a list associating labels with text strings, and c) adding the selected labels into the electronically represented file to label the text strings and elements in the identified data associated with the text strings. The labels include information about the data and are defined in one or more taxonomies. When the list does not associate a label with the text string, a user can be prompted to select a label corresponding to a text string in the identified data. The association indicated by the user's selection, can then be added to the list associating labels with text strings.

Abstract: A portable finger exercising device for exercising and strengthening the muscles responsible for controlling the movement of the fingers, hand and arm of a human. The device can be configured to exercise and strengthen the muscles of the fingers and hand responsible for forming a closed-fist, as well as the muscles responsible for straightening fingers from the closed-fist position. During either movement, the muscles of the fingers, hand and arm are exercised by moving each finger against a counteracting force exerted by resilient or elastic members of the finger exercising device. The finger exercise device includes a base member or a glove-like body member which is adapted to be adjustably and removable attached to an operator's hand. The base member or body member is capable of releasably receiving a plurality of resilient or elastic members at locations generally corresponding to the location of the operator's fingers.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for real time subscriber billing in a standard network routing path. Account information is stored for at least one subscriber. A determination is made, based on the account information, whether the subscriber has a sufficient balance for a desired service. Service is authorized or denied to the subscriber based on the determination.