Abstract: A power system for a vehicle parking structure is disclosed. The power system comprises: a DC voltage bus arranged throughout the vehicle parking structure and configured to distribute DC power throughout the vehicle parking structure; at least one DC power source operably connected to the DC voltage bus and configured to provide DC power to the DC voltage bus; a plurality of DC loads arranged throughout the vehicle parking structure and operably connected to the DC voltage bus, the plurality of DC loads being configured to operate using DC power from the DC voltage bus; and a control system operably connected to the DC voltage bus and configured to communicate with at least one DC load in the plurality of DC loads using data signals transmitted via the DC voltage bus.

Abstract: A DC building electrical system includes a DC power consuming device connected to a DC bus. A source of DC power is connected to the DC bus and powers the DC power consuming device. An energy storage device is connected to the DC bus and to a DC emergency load. The energy storage device powers the DC power consuming device in conjunction with the source of DC power, and powers the DC emergency load when source of power other than the energy storage device is available to the DC power consuming device.

Abstract: A DC building electrical system includes a DC power consuming device connected to a DC bus. A source of DC power is connected to the DC bus and powers the DC power consuming device. An energy storage device is connected to the DC bus and to a DC emergency load. The energy storage device powers the DC power consuming device in conjunction with the source of DC power, and powers the DC emergency load when source of power other than the energy storage device is available to the DC power consuming device.

Abstract: A power system for a vehicle parking structure is disclosed. The power system comprises: a DC voltage bus arranged throughout the vehicle parking structure and configured to distribute DC power throughout the vehicle parking structure; at least one DC power source operably connected to the DC voltage bus and configured to provide DC power to the DC voltage bus; a plurality of DC loads arranged throughout the vehicle parking structure and operably connected to the DC voltage bus, the plurality of DC loads being configured to operate using DC power from the DC voltage bus; and a control system operably connected to the DC voltage bus and configured to communicate with at least one DC load in the plurality of DC loads using data signals transmitted via the DC voltage bus.

Abstract: A DC building electrical system includes a DC power consuming device connected to a DC bus. A source of DC power is connected to the DC bus and powers the DC power consuming device. An energy storage device is connected to the DC bus and to a DC emergency load. The energy storage device powers the DC power consuming device in conjunction with the source of DC power, and powers the DC emergency load when source of power other than the energy storage device is available to the DC power consuming device.

Abstract: A DC building electrical system includes a DC power consuming device connected to a DC bus. A source of DC power is connected to the DC bus and powers the DC power consuming device. An energy storage device is connected to the DC bus and to a DC emergency load. The energy storage device powers the DC power consuming device in conjunction with the source of DC power, and powers the DC emergency load when source of power other than the energy storage device is available to the DC power consuming device.

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 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 hybrid localization method and a wireless network that performs the method are disclosed herein. In an embodiment of a hybrid localization technique, one or more sensor nodes in the network switch between different localization techniques depending on location area conditions. This technique chooses the most accurate localization technique for the given location area conditions, and thus potentially provides the best possible location accuracy for those conditions. A representative set of simulations and experiments verify the potential performance improvement realized with embodiments of the hybrid localization technique.

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 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 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 hybrid localization method and a wireless network that performs the method are disclosed herein. In an embodiment of a hybrid localization technique, one or more sensor nodes in the network switch between different localization techniques depending on location area conditions. This technique chooses the most accurate localization technique for the given location area conditions, and thus potentially provides the best possible location accuracy for those conditions. A representative set of simulations and experiments verify the potential performance improvement realized with embodiments of the hybrid localization technique.

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.

Abstract: An intelligent local irrigation system includes one or more sprinklers and a controller coupled to the one or more sprinklers via a wired or wireless connection and enabled to control the sprinklers thereby. A controller arrangement establishes connectivity with an internet service portal which stores a profile of the local irrigation system and which obtains information from internet-based resources. The internet service portal determines an irrigation schedule based on the profile and on information obtained from the internet-based information resources and provides the irrigation schedule to the controller arrangement for implementation.

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.