Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for the management and control of electrolyte within confined electrochemical cells or groups (e.g. stacks) of connected electrochemical cells, for example, in an electrolyzer. Various embodiments of systems and methods provide for the elimination of parasitic conductive paths between cells, and/or precise passive control of fluid pressures within cells. In some embodiments, a fixed volume of electrolyte is substantially retained within each cell while efficiently collecting and removing produced gases or other products from the cell.

Abstract: DC power supply systems and methods are disclosed. A power supply system includes a variable frequency drive (VFD) configured to convert AC power at a VFD input to controlled AC power at a VFD output, and the VFD is configured to control a frequency and voltage of the controlled AC power responsive to a control input. The power supply system also includes a transformer including a primary side coupled to the VFD output and a secondary side and a rectifier coupled to the secondary side of the transformer, and one or more sensors are coupled to the output of the rectifier to monitor the DC power. A controller is coupled to the one or more sensors, and the controller is configured to provide the control input to the VFD to adjust the controlled AC in response to changes to the one or more characteristics of the DC power.

Abstract: A method for operating a plurality of energy storage devices includes controlling operation of the plurality of energy storage devices connected in series by independently varying a current and/or bypassing and/or reversing a polarity of at least one of the plurality of energy storage devices without a corresponding change in current, bypass, or reversal of polarity of one or more of the other energy storage devices connected in series.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms are provided for facilitating the capture and review of visual images by visually impaired users. In one implementation, these techniques and mechanisms provide pre image capture functionality and captured image review functionality. With the pre image capture functionality, audio messages are provided to the user to help the user position an image capturing mechanism properly to capture the desired subjects in a picture, to frame the subjects properly within the picture, to size the subjects properly within the picture, etc. With the image review functionality, audio messages are provided to the user to help the user enjoy and “visualize” a visual image that has been captured and is being displayed to the user. With these functionalities, a visually impaired user is able capture and review images to a much greater degree than is currently possible.

Abstract: Systems and methods for referencing a photovoltaic array are disclosed. An exemplary method includes converting DC power with an inverter from a photovoltaic array to AC power at a line frequency and placing the entire photovoltaic array above ground potential or below ground potential. The AC power is transformed with a transformer and an integrity-check signal is generated to vary a voltage of the photovoltaic array to perform an integrity check. A star point of the transformer is pinned to ground at the line frequency so the integrity-check signal is applied to the DC-side of the inverter and a limited level of fault current is allowed to flow from ground to the star point of the transformer to facilitate a detection of ground faults.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system, method and apparatus are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a photovoltaic array, a distribution system that distributes power within a premises of a demand-side energy consumer, an inverter coupled to the distribution system that is configured to convert DC power from the photovoltaic array to AC power and apply the AC power to the distribution system, a damping portion configured to damp high frequency voltages derived from the inverter, and trapping circuitry coupled to the damping portion that is configured to reduce a level of low frequency current traveling through the damping portion.

Abstract: A method for operating a plurality of energy storage devices includes controlling operation of the plurality of energy storage devices connected in series by independently varying a current and/or bypassing and/or reversing a polarity of at least one of the plurality of energy storage devices without a corresponding change in current, bypass, or reversal of polarity of one or more of the other energy storage devices connected in series.

Abstract: A photovoltaic energy conversion system, apparatus, and method for controlling DC sub-arrays of a photovoltaic array are disclosed. The method may include coupling each of N homerun branches from N sub-arrays to an inverter via N switches and monitoring current through each of the N homerun branches. A forward current through each of the N homerun branches is compared with a forward current threshold, and any backfeed current through any of the N homerun branches is compared with a backfeed current threshold. One or more of the N switches are opened in response to either the forward current exceeding the forward current threshold or the backfeed current exceeding a backfeed current threshold.

Abstract: A photovoltaic energy conversion system, apparatus, and method for controlling DC sub-arrays of a photovoltaic array are disclosed. The method may include coupling each of N homerun branches from N sub-arrays to an inverter via N switches and monitoring current through each of the N homerun branches. A forward current through each of the N homerun branches is compared with a forward current threshold, and any backfeed current through any of the N homerun branches is compared with a backfeed current threshold. One or more of the N switches are opened in response to either the forward current exceeding the forward current threshold or the backfeed current exceeding a backfeed current threshold.

Abstract: Methods and devices for pre-regulating power are disclosed herein. The method may include sectioning at least a portion of a photovoltaic array into two array subsections and applying power from the two array subsections to a power conversion component. A voltage that is applied by each of the two subsections varies with environmental conditions affecting the two array sections. A connection between the two array subsections is alternated from a series arrangement and a parallel arrangement to regulate a voltage level of the power that is applied by both of the two subsections to the power conversion component.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for intelligent navigation of sequential media content are disclosed. The intelligent navigation is well suited to enable users to better control media playback with regards to a media playback application operating on a computing device. One embodiment of a method for playing sequential media content by a media playback application operating on a computing device includes at least the acts of: initiating playing of the sequential media content by the media playback application; receiving a user input requesting to start playing at a new position in the sequential media content; marking a current position in the sequential media content; thereafter initiating playing of the sequential media content at the new position; receiving a user input requesting to reset playing to the marked current position; and subsequently initiating playing of the sequential media content at the marked current position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for referencing a photovoltaic array are disclosed. An exemplary method includes converting DC power with an inverter from a photovoltaic array to AC power at a line frequency and placing the entire photovoltaic array above ground potential or below ground potential. The AC power is transformed with a transformer and an integrity-check signal is generated to vary a voltage of the photovoltaic array to perform an integrity check. A star point of the transformer is pinned to ground at the line frequency so the integrity-check signal is applied to the DC-side of the inverter and a limited level of fault current is allowed to flow from ground to the star point of the transformer to facilitate a detection of ground faults.

Abstract: System, methods and apparatus for coupling photovoltaic arrays are disclosed. The apparatus may include a first input adapted to couple to a neutral line of a first photovoltaic array; a second input adapted to couple to a neutral line of a second photovoltaic array; a contactor configured to switchably couple the neutral line of a first photovoltaic array to the a neutral line of a second photovoltaic array, the contactor being controllable by an electric control signal; and a control input adapted to couple the switch to a remotely located controller so as to enable the controller to control the first switch by sending the electric control signal.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for centralized access to multimedia content stored on or available to a computing device are disclosed. The centralized access can be provided by a media control interface that receives user inputs and interacts with media programs resident on the computing device to produce graphical user interfaces that can be presented on a display device.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system, method and apparatus are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a power converter configured to convert power from one form to another form, and an interface portion adapted to couple to the power converter, a first photovoltaic array, a second photovoltaic array, and a third photovoltaic array. In variations, the interface portion is configured to modulate an application of a voltage from the first photovoltaic array to the second and third photovoltaic arrays so as to adjust a voltage applied from the three photovoltaic arrays to the power converter.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system has a power converter connected by power rails to a plurality of photovoltaic strings, each string has serially connected photovoltaic panels and switches. The switches divide each string into sections, and the strings are distributed in electrical parallel paths over a plurality of arrays with one section per string in each array. A first set of strings to be brought online with the power converter is initialized. A drive signal is sent to switches in the initial set of strings to couple the sections in each string of the initial set so that the set of strings come online with the power converter providing voltage and current to the power converter.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms are provided for facilitating the capture and review of visual images by visually impaired users. In one implementation, these techniques and mechanisms provide pre image capture functionality and captured image review functionality. With the pre image capture functionality, audio messages are provided to the user to help the user position an image capturing mechanism properly to capture the desired subjects in a picture, to frame the subjects properly within the picture, to size the subjects properly within the picture, etc. With the image review functionality, audio messages are provided to the user to help the user enjoy and “visualize” a visual image that has been captured and is being displayed to the user. With these functionalities, a visually impaired user is able capture and review images to a much greater degree than is currently possible.

Abstract: A controlling device (e.g., a telephony device) can remotely control various tasks associated with a controlled device (e.g., a personal computer), including the navigation of user interfaces associated with applications or an operating system associated with the controlled device. A task can be controlled at the controlled device by mapping user input received at the controlling device to control commands suitable for execution at the controlled device.

Abstract: System, methods and apparatus for coupling photovoltaic arrays are disclosed. The apparatus may include a first input adapted to couple to a neutral line of a first photovoltaic array; a second input adapted to couple to a neutral line of a second photovoltaic array; a contactor configured to switchably couple the neutral line of a first photovoltaic array to the a neutral line of a second photovoltaic array, the contactor being remotely controllable.

Abstract: System, methods and apparatus for coupling photovoltaic arrays are disclosed. The apparatus may include a first input adapted to couple to a neutral line of a first photovoltaic array; a second input adapted to couple to a neutral line of a second photovoltaic array; a contactor configured to switchably couple the neutral line of a first photovoltaic array to the a neutral line of a second photovoltaic array, the contactor being controllable by an electric control signal; and a control input adapted to couple the switch to a remotely located controller so as to enable the controller to control the first switch by sending the electric control signal.