Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to methods and systems for real-time, or near real-time, balancing of an electrical distribution grid. According to at least one embodiment, there is provided one or more local balancing systems, each comprising: an energy storage unit (ESU) operable to store direct current (DC) power; a power converter comprising a DC side and an AC side, the power converter being operable to convert between single-phase (AC) power and DC power, wherein the DC side is electrically coupled to the ESU and the AC side is electrically couplable to at least one secondary distribution block in a secondary distribution grid; and a local controller coupled to the power converter and operable to control the power converter to convert between DC power and AC power.

Abstract: A direct current (DC) power secondary distribution system is provided. The system comprises at least one first conversion unit and a one or more second conversion units. The first conversion unit receives alternating current (AC) electrical voltage from a distribution transformer of an AC power distribution system and converts the AC electrical voltage to DC electrical voltage output. The one or more second conversion units are connected downstream of the first conversion unit, and each second conversion unit converts the DC electrical voltage output from the first conversion unit to a respective AC electrical voltage output for a respective one or more loads. The one or more loads may be associated with a household.

Abstract: A direct current (DC) power secondary distribution system is provided. The system comprises at least one first conversion unit and a one or more second conversion units. The first conversion unit receives alternating current (AC) electrical voltage from a distribution transformer of an AC power distribution system and converts the AC electrical voltage to DC electrical voltage output. The one or more second conversion units are connected downstream of the first conversion unit, and each second conversion unit converts the DC electrical voltage output from the first conversion unit to a respective AC electrical voltage output for a respective one or more loads. The one or more loads may be associated with a household.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for systems and methods for allowing user at a client terminal to interacts with a graphical user interface having a DGGS globe to perform spatial analysis on DGGS spatial data based on a spatial query on unified spatial data that may be obtained from distributed geospatial data sources having different data formats. The spatial analysis results can include a resulting collection of cells that can be displayed on the DGGS globe and/or aggregated spatial statistics that can be displayed in a DGGS legend at the graphical user interface. In one aspect, the spatial analysis can be iteratively performed to obtain a refined resulting collection of cells and aggregated spatial statistics. In another aspect, the resulting cells and/or aggregated spatial statistics can be added to a geospatial data source that can be accessed by another client terminal that is performing other geospatial analysis.

Abstract: A digital Earth system based upon a hexagonal subdivision of a polyhedron representation of the Earth utilizes a computer-implemented method for assigning identifiers. The method comprises defining a tessellation of hexagonal cells, the tessellation having a first axis and a second axis, the first axis being perpendicular to a first side of the hexagonal cells, the second axis being 120 degrees from the first axis and being perpendicular to a second side of the hexagonal cells; selecting an origin cell for the tessellation and assigning a unique identifier comprising a first value and a second value thereto; and assigning a unique identifier to each cell other than the origin cell, the unique identifier for each of these cells comprising a first vector value and a second value, the first vector value and the second vector value being indicative of the location of the cell to the origin cell along the first and second axis respectively.

Abstract: A digital Earth system based upon a hexagonal subdivision of a polyhedron representation of the Earth utilizes a computer-implemented method for assigning identifiers. The method comprises defining a tessellation of hexagonal cells, the tessellation having a first axis and a second axis, the first axis being perpendicular to a first side of the hexagonal cells, the second axis being 120 degrees from the first axis and being perpendicular to a second side of the hexagonal cells; selecting an origin cell for the tessellation and assigning a unique identifier comprising a first value and a second value thereto; and assigning a unique identifier to each cell other than the origin cell, the unique identifier for each of these cells comprising a first vector value and a second value, the first vector value and the second vector value being indicative of the location of the cell to the origin cell along the first and second axis respectively.

Abstract: A pumpjack is operated continuously over a sequence of two adjacent pump stroke cycles, by energizing an electric motor to operate the pumpjack over a first pump stroke cycle according to a motor speed profile over a plurality of discrete control periods within the cycle, while receiving sensory feedback from one or more sensors. In response to the feedback, and while continuing to operate the pumpjack, one or more speed adjustments are made to specific control periods, so as to alter the motor speed profile while continuing to operate the electric motor to drive the pump jack. The intra-cycle control optimizes flow while reacting to detrimental and changing conditions.

Abstract: A portable computer having a standby power mode of operation has a bay for receiving a portable removable disk drive. The drive has a pair of slots engageable with parallel guide rails in the receiver, and a notch engageable with a retractable latch normally biased in the direction of the notch. A switch adjacent one of the rails generates a standby signal for the computer whenever the drive is inserted into the bay or moved in the ejection direction after installation. An ejector mechanism retracts the latch and an auxiliary locking pivot to release the drive for removal. The ejector also provides an ejection force which moves the drive a sufficient distance externally of the bay to permit the drive to be grasped by the user for complete removal. A grounding contact engageable with a similar contact on the drive provides a static discharge path for the drive prior to electrical interconnection with the computer.

Abstract: A method for entering data into a computer utilizing a pop-up keyboard includes the steps of popping-up a keyboard associated with a selected field area displayed by the computer in response to a predetermined series of strokes formed by a pointer and modifying the symbols in the selected field area either in response to the selection of key field areas displayed on the popped-up keyboard or to the forming of handwritten symbols in a display field area of the popped-up keyboard with the pointer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring a computer in a low-power mode are provided. In the low-power mode, dynamic random access memory is refreshed by a battery powered system in order to maintain the memory contents. Low-power mode is entered by saving an interrupt mask and by disabling interrupts, followed by saving the DMA status, finishing DMA operations, and disabling DMA. After these steps, the I/O state of the machine is saved by saving various I/O registers and ports. A refresh of the memory is forced before the system refresh operations are discontinued.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for password protecting a personal, laptop or single user computer. The user's password entry is compared to the value of a secondary password retained by the computer as well as the value of the user's stored primary password. The user may thus access the computer when his primary password is corrupted or forgotten by obtaining an alternate password from the computer manufacturer which matches the secondary password generated or stored by the computer. The operation of the method and the organization of the apparatus make the secondary and alternate passwords valid for a limited time, thereby preserving the overall integrity of the password protection system. The primary, secondary and alternate passwords may be encrypted for added security.

Abstract: A portable lightweight combination laptop and pad computer has a display mounted on a main housing for movement between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, a keyboard is covered by the undersurface of the display and the display viewing surface remains visible so that the computer may be used in the pad mode with a conductive stylus for data and command entry. In the open position, the keyboard is exposed so that the computer may be used in a laptop or desk top mode, or in a combined mode including the pad mode. The display is mounted to the housing by a four bar hinge mechanism, and a pair of latches are provided approximately mid-way between the front and rear portions of the housing along the side margins to securely latch the display in the closed position for storage, transit or use in the pad mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring a computer in a low-power mode are provided. In the low-power mode, dynamic random access memory is refreshed by a battery powered system in order to maintain the memory contents. Low-power mode is entered by saving an interrupt mask and by disabling interrupts, followed by saving the DMA status, finishing DMA operations, and disabling DMA. After these steps, the I/O state of the machine is saved by saving various I/O registers and ports. A refresh of the memory is forced before the system refresh operations are discontinued.

Abstract: A keyboardless entry computer system includes a transparent input screen that generates positional information when contacted by a stylus, and a display screen mounted physically below the input screen such that a character that is displayed can be seen below the input screen. The system includes a computer that has been programmed to compile the positional information into Strokes, to calculate Stroke characteristics, and then compare the Stroke characteristics with those stored in a database in order to recognize the symbol drawn by the stylus. Key features of the system are: (1) transparent position sensing sybsystem; (2) underlying display on which to mimic drawing of sensed positions and to show characters or symbols; (3) means to convert sensed positions first into plotted Points and then into recognized characters or symbols; and (4) means to "learn" to associate sensed input positions with a character or symbol.

Abstract: A hand held computer of a type used for such activities as taking inventory, recording signatures on delivery, keeping a route agenda, etc. has a large screen and preferably is without a built in keyboard. The tablet type computer is thin in profile, light in weight and is easily carried and used. Programming in the computer enables an operator to select from various forms available for display on the screen, enables character recognition for items printed on the screen using a conductive stylus, enables the recording in memory of signatures, graphics or any other material entered on the screen, and enables other convenient functions. Certain preferred features of the computer enable it easily to be converted into a full function desk top computer with a keyboard, expansion module and stand.

Abstract: A system for causing a computer solid state memory to emulate a magnetic disk mounted in a disk drive. In the preferred embodiment, the system includes two removable RAM cards and two ROM's. Program instructions encoded in firmware in the system BIOS translate disk service requests from software running on the computer into appropriate commands and addresses on the RAM cards or on the ROM. The system permits software written for use with floppy disks to be used with solid state memory devices such as RAM cards or ROM without modification of the software.

Abstract: A portable computer, which may be a hand held computer useful for field work, has an attachment which can serve as both a carrying handle for the computer and a stand for holding the computer in a convenient position for use on a desk, at an appropriate angle for viewing the screen. The stand and handle has two plate-like arms connected by a hinge which serves as the handle and with one of the arms securable by a snap-in arrangement to the back or underside of the computer. The computer may have an expansion module secured to its backside, in which case the arm of the stand/handle is secured to the back of the expansion module. In one embodiment the stand and handle device is permanently second to the computer, rather than detachable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring a computer in a low-power mode are provided. In the low-power mode, dynamic random access memory is refreshed by a battery powered system in order to maintain the memory contents. Low-power mode is entered by saving an interrupt mask and by disabling interrupts, followed by saving the DMA status, finishing DMA operations, and disabling DMA. After these steps, the I/O state of the machine is saved by saving various I/O registers and ports. A referesh of the memory is forced before the system refresh operations are discontinued.