Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing thermal energy are disclosed. The thermal energy may be hot or cold. The methods and apparatus allow the thermal store to be charged and discharged at different rates. The methods and apparatus also allow the thermal store to be charged and discharged with multiple and/or interrupted phases.

Abstract: A system (100) comprises a cryogenic engine (16) and a power generation apparatus, wherein the cryogenic engine and the power generation apparatus are coupled with each other to permit the cryogenic engine (16) and the power generation apparatus to work co-operatively with each other in a synergistic manner. The cryogenic engine (16) and the power generation apparatus are mechanically and optionally thermally coupled with each other so that the output means is shared between the cryogenic engine (16) and the power generation apparatus and that the two systems can be operated in the most power efficient manner and may also thermally interact to the potential advantage of both performance and economy.

Abstract: To improve pricing models for location based services, established geocoding/reverse geocoding services are used to enrich the locations defining the price item (start location, multiple end locations) and the pick-up/drop-off location with geocoding information like zip codes, coordinates and geographic boundaries. A multi-step matching algorithm then uses the geocoding values to determine 1) if there is a match between locations and 2) how good of a match there is. The match is measured by its “order.” For example, if the places are identical, they have a matching order 0, identical coordinates a matching order 1, matches based on zip codes have a matching order 2, matches based on geographic boundaries have a matching order 3, etc. Other sub-criteria, such as the number of zip codes or the size of an area, may also serve as tie-breaker. The order of the match may then be used to establish the correct predictive pricing model.

Abstract: A power supply is described having a current measurement circuit connected between a supply voltage terminal and an output voltage terminal of the power supply. The current measurement circuit comprises a set of two or more sense resistors in a parallel configuration, first and second ones of the sense resistors having different impedances. Switching circuitry is provided, which is responsive to a control signal to connect one or more of the sense resistors between the supply voltage terminal and the output voltage terminal. A controller is operable to generate the control signal in dependence on a measured current level across the set of sense resistors. In this way, by switching the resistors in and out of the circuit, the voltage drop across the measurement circuit can be kept to a desired range.

Abstract: A system (100) comprises a cryogenic engine (16) and a power generation apparatus, wherein the cryogenic engine and the power generation apparatus are coupled with each other to permit the cryogenic engine (16) and the power generation apparatus to work co-operatively with each other in a synergistic manner. The cryogenic engine (16) and the power generation apparatus are mechanically and optionally thermally coupled with each other so that the output means is shared between the cryogenic engine (16) and the power generation apparatus and that the two systems can be operated in the most power efficient manner and may also thermally interact to the potential advantage of both performance and economy.

Abstract: A system comprising a cryogenic engine system and a refrigeration system, wherein the cryogenic engine system and the refrigeration system are mechanically and/or thermally coupled with each other. The refrigeration system is driven by the cryogenic engine system and the cryogenic engine system enhances cooling of the refrigeration system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a monitoring center with sensors that are inserted at one or more locations within an operating framework software engine. The sensors monitor the interpretive framework engine's process of loading commands, combining variables with coded commands, and executing commands with event processing, variable values, and user interactions. The sensors watch and gather information that has been deemed relevant by the monitoring center's configuration and pass that information to the center so that storage functions can route the information to the appropriate data storage locations. Alternatively, each sensor can be self-contained providing monitoring, gathering, processing, data transmission, and storage within the sensor.

Abstract: Resolving ambiguous variable names in processing of a computer application includes representing variable declarations with dynamic variable scopes of the computer application in a tree data structure where the nodes of the tree data structure are variable names of the computer application. Ambiguous variable names are resolved by calculating distances between a context node and two or more candidate nodes of the tree data structure where each of the candidate nodes contains the searched variable name. The weighted distance between the context node and each candidate node equals the number of downward steps from the context node to the candidate node multiplied by a first constant plus the number of upward steps from the context node to the candidate node multiplied by a second constant. The node having a desired weighted distance is selected and information from the selected node is returned to the computer application as the variable value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing thermal energy are disclosed. The thermal energy may be hot or cold. The methods and apparatus allow the thermal store to be charged and discharged at different rates. The methods and apparatus also allow the thermal store to be charged and discharged with multiple and/or interrupted phases.

Abstract: Methods for resolving ambiguity in a search of a tree data structure are provided. Ambiguity occurs when a searched value occurs at two or more nodes of the tree data structure. Weighted distances between a context node and two or more candidate nodes are determined where each of the candidate nodes contains the searched value. The weighted distance between the context node and each candidate node equals the number of downward steps from the context node to the candidate node multiplied by a first constant plus the number of upward steps from the context node to the candidate node multiplied by a second constant. The node having a desired weighted distance is selected and information from the selected node is returned.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a monitoring center with sensors that are inserted at one or more locations within an operating framework software engine. The sensors monitor the interpretive framework engine's process of loading commands, combining variables with coded commands, and executing commands with event processing, variable values, and user interactions. The sensors watch and gather information that has been deemed relevant by the monitoring center's configuration and pass that information to the center so that storage functions can route the information to the appropriate data storage locations. Alternatively, each sensor can be self-contained providing monitoring, gathering, processing, data transmission, and storage within the sensor.

Abstract: When zooming in on (or magnifying) a field of a user interface (UI) it would be advantageous to be able to dynamically view a label of the field and input into an input element of the field without having to scroll a magnified or zoomed UI. By providing a tooltip adjacent to, abutting, or overlapping the input element, it is possible to view the tooltip and enter into the input element without scrolling the UI. The tooltip is activated upon the occurrence of a monitored, and the tooltip when activated displays information pertinent to other user interface elements at the location of a cursor or its equivalent. Furthermore, the size and the location of the tooltip may be controlled with respect to the other user interface elements so that the information pertinent to the other user interface elements are within view of a user at various degrees of screen magnification.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to interpose a first device and a second device for selective connection between the first device and the second device, each of the first device and the second device including a connector having a plurality of contacts, the apparatus comprising: a first plurality of contacts for connecting to the plurality of contacts of the first device; a second plurality of contacts for connecting to the plurality of contacts of the second device; and sequential switching means adapted to sequentially connect the plurality of contacts of the first device to the plurality of contacts of the second device.