Abstract: Systems include one or more storage containers. A container may include one or more segments of a first ultra efficient insulation material shaped to define at least one substantially temperature-stabilized storage region, and an access region, including at least one region of the one or more segments of ultra efficient insulation material configured for at least one perforation by a perforation device, wherein one or more of the at least one perforation is configured to provide for a controlled egress of a discrete quantity of material from the at least one storage region.

Abstract: A converter converts mechanical energy of a piston to and from electrical energy during each piston cycle.

Abstract: A converter converts mechanical energy of a piston to and from electrical energy during each piston cycle.

Abstract: A converter converts mechanical energy of a piston to and from electrical energy during each piston cycle.

Abstract: Methods disclosed herein include methods of manufacturing integrally thermally-sealed storage containers. Methods include creating at least one indentation in at least one layer of first thermal barrier sheet, wherein the at least one layer of first thermal barrier sheet includes at least one first ultra efficient insulation material and wherein the at least one indentation is in a size and shape substantially conforming with material to be stored; placing material to be stored within one or more of the at least one indentation; placing at least one layer of second thermal barrier sheet adjacent to the material to be stored, wherein the at least one layer of second thermal barrier sheet includes at least one second ultra efficient insulation material; and creating a thermal seal between at least two layers of thermal barrier sheet, substantially thermally sealing the material to be stored.

Abstract: A client-based ad agent dynamically determines whether an advertisement campaign should bid on an impression for an end user and/or sets the bid price of the advertisement campaign for the impression. When an opportunity for an impression on a web page is identified, the ad agent accesses user data associated with an end user. The ad agent analyzes the user data to identify the relevance and/or value of serving an impression to the end user to the advertisement campaign. Based on the analysis, the ad agent controls whether the advertisement campaign bids on the impression for the end user and/or sets the bid price of the advertisement campaign for the impression.

Abstract: Methods disclosed herein include methods of manufacturing integrally thermally-sealed storage containers. Methods include creating at least one indentation in at least one layer of first thermal barrier sheet, wherein the at least one layer of first thermal barrier sheet includes at least one first ultra efficient insulation material and wherein the at least one indentation is in a size and shape substantially conforming with material to be stored; placing material to be stored within one or more of the at least one indentation; placing at least one layer of second thermal barrier sheet adjacent to the material to be stored, wherein the at least one layer of second thermal barrier sheet includes at least one second ultra efficient insulation material; and creating a thermal seal between at least two layers of thermal barrier sheet, substantially thermally sealing the material to be stored.

Abstract: Methods of operating an internal combustion engine are disclosed that may include a first piston slidably disposed in a first cylinder having a first and a second closed end, and a first converter operable with the first cylinder. The first converter may be configured to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy, and vice versa. As a non-limiting example, such disclosed embodiments may be used to convert mechanical energy of the first piston to electrical energy during a power stroke, and to drive the first piston during one or more of an exhaust stroke, an intake stroke, or a compression stroke.

Abstract: A converter converts mechanical energy of a piston to and from electrical energy during each piston cycle.

Abstract: Systems and methods that provide for a virtual reality entertainment system that supplies immersive entertainment and creates a sensation for a user similar to having guests in a remote location to be physically present as virtual guests. Such virtual reality entertainment system can supply a graphic and/or audio; wherein interconnected computers, video and audio processing devices, supply a live interaction between a user and a guest(s). Although guests are only present virtually (e.g., electronically present with other objects/user within the environment) such virtual invitation enables a user and guests to concurrently experience the entertainment together (e.g., a live sporting event, spectator game). In a related aspect, the subject innovation can implement holographic avatars, and a plurality of communication interfaces, to imitate (and/or transform) a relationship between the user and the virtual guests/surrounding environment.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate dynamically allocating resources (e.g., hardware, software, . . . ) supported by a third party service provider. The third party service provider can support any number of services that can be concurrently requested by several clients without user perception of degraded computing performance as compared to conventional systems/techniques due to improved connectivity and mitigated latencies. An interface component can receive a request from a client device. Further, a dynamic allocation component can apportion resources (e.g., hardware resources) supported by the third party service provider to process and respond to the request based at least in part upon subscription data. Moreover, a user state evaluator can determine a state associated with a user and/or the client device; the state can be utilized by the dynamic allocation component to tailor resource allocation.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an internal combustion engine includes a first cylinder having a first piston and a second piston slidably disposed therein, an intake port arranged to admit a reactant into the first cylinder between the first and second pistons, and an exhaust port axially spaced from the intake port and arranged to exhaust a reaction product from the first cylinder. First and second converters are provided, which are operable with the corresponding first and second pistons, to convert mechanical energy of the first and second pistons to electrical energy and electrical energy to mechanical energy. A control system is provided that is coupled to the first and second converters. The control system is configured to control the application of electrical energy to the first and second converters to selectively position the first and second pistons during specific strokes of the engine cycle.

Abstract: Personal data mining mechanisms and methods are employed to identify relevant information that otherwise would likely remain undiscovered. Users supply personal data that can be analyzed in conjunction with data associated with a plurality of other users to provide useful information that can improve business operations and/or quality of life. Personal data can be mined alone or in conjunction with third party data to identify correlations amongst the data and associated users. Applications or services can interact with such data and present it to users in a myriad of manners, for instance as notifications of opportunities.

Abstract: A converter converts mechanical energy of a piston to and from electrical energy during each piston cycle.

Abstract: Content management architecture for a portable wireless device. Caching and fetching techniques are provided to improve content handling for portable devices such as cellular telephones and portable computers. A search component automatically performs searches as a background process, and potentially desired content is received and cached by a content storing component to be available in the future when and if needed, mitigating latency associated with slow download speeds, refresh rates, and other system and/or network impediments. Content from background search results can be trickled into the device as part of the background process so as not to burden system resources for other processes. As part of memory management, aged and/or low priority or low interest content can be selectively removed or archived to increase available cache or memory space, as well as to maintain relevant content within the device. A presentation component facilitates presentation of the pre-stored content.

Abstract: A method of retrofitting for electrical power generation an internal combustion engine (including a plurality of pistons connected to a common crankshaft) includes applying to at least one and optionally to each piston a power converter operable to convert mechanical energy of the piston to and from electrical energy.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to determining influencers in a Web 2.0 environment. More specifically, in some implementations, an influence of an electronically-accessed content on an involvement between an accessor and a third party is determined. In further implementations, a provider of the electronically accessed content is rewarded based on the assessed influence.

Abstract: A converter converts mechanical energy of a piston to and from electrical energy during each piston cycle.

Abstract: A method may include receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle; and allocating a standing based upon the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the vehicle, wherein the standing is allocated upon receipt of the status.

Abstract: A device may include a determination module for determining at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for propelling a hybrid vehicle; and a transmitter coupled with the determination module for transmitting the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle to an off-site entity.