Abstract: A method is provided for managing energy. The method comprises collecting information relating to amounts of energy stored by a plurality of members of a group, and relating to energy requirements of the members. The method further comprises determining a price for distributing energy to a non-member of the group, determining whether to supply energy stored by the members to the non-member at the determined price, and issuing instructions to distribute energy upon determining that energy stored by the plurality of members should be supplied to the non-member.

Abstract: In accordance with the present approach, concurrent processing is employed to facilitate a data import process. By way of example, in accordance with the present approach, local or external data to be imported is partitioned into multiple, separate import sets. In the subsequent stage, the import sets are processed concurrently to populate the target table.

Abstract: In accordance with the present approach, concurrent processing is employed to facilitate a data import process. By way of example, in accordance with the present approach, local or external data to be imported is partitioned into multiple, separate import sets. In the subsequent stage, the import sets are processed concurrently to populate the target table.

Abstract: Various aspects of a system and a method for integrated user interface for electronic devices are disclosed. The system may include a first electronic device. The first electronic device receives metadata from a second electronic device. The first electronic device generates an integrated user interface (UI) corresponding to the first electronic device and the second electronic device based on received metadata. The received metadata comprises a current set of available operations for controlling the first and/or second electronic device. The first electronic device renders the generated integrated UI on a display of the first electronic device.

Abstract: Various aspects of a system and a method for playback in a wireless speaker system are disclosed herein. Each of a plurality of speakers in the system is operable to wirelessly receive one or more audio files from one or more audio source devices. The one or more audio source devices transmit the one or more audio files to at least one of the plurality of speakers in response to receipt of an acknowledgement of availability of at least one of the plurality of speakers.

Abstract: Various aspects of a system and a method for integrated user interface for electronic devices are disclosed. The system may include a first electronic device. The first electronic device receives metadata from a second electronic device. The first electronic device generates an integrated user interface (UI) corresponding to the first electronic device and the second electronic device based on received metadata. The received metadata comprises a current set of available operations for controlling the first and/or second electronic device. The first electronic device renders the generated integrated UI on a display of the first electronic device.

Abstract: Various aspects of a system and a method for playback in a wireless speaker system are disclosed herein. Each of a plurality of speakers in the system is operable to wirelessly receive one or more audio files from one or more audio source devices. The one or more audio source devices transmit the one or more audio files to at least one of the plurality of speakers in response to receipt of an acknowledgement of availability of at least one of the plurality of speakers.

Abstract: A distribution system including, for connection over a network a plurality of client upload devices, each client upload device storing one or more chunks of a content file, a client download device configured to download from the client upload devices chunks of the content file stored by the respective client upload devices and an incentive device configured to generate token data packets exchangeable for chunks of the content file. The client download device is configured to acquire a plurality of token data packets from the incentive device and to communicate with individual respective client upload devices and thereby download, in exchange for respective token data packets, stored chunks of the content file.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing energy. The method comprises collecting information relating to amounts of energy stored by a plurality of members of a group, and relating to energy requirements of the members. The method further comprises determining a price for distributing energy to a non-member of the group, determining whether to supply energy stored by the members to the non-member at the determined price, and issuing instructions to distribute energy upon determining that energy stored by the plurality of members should be supplied to the non-member.

Abstract: A querying system in a computer apparatus may be customized by connection of a removable storage medium device to a storage medium interface of the computer apparatus. The computer apparatus detects whether, in the storage medium thereof, there is stored customisation data that indicates a change to the query engine data identifying locations where query messages are sent. If so, the query engine data in the computer apparatus is changed accordingly.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing energy. The method comprises collecting information relating to amounts of energy stored by a plurality of members of a group, and relating to energy requirements of the members. The method further comprises determining a price for distributing energy to a non-member of the group, determining whether to supply energy stored by the members to the non-member at the determined price, and issuing instructions to distribute energy upon determining that energy stored by the plurality of members should be supplied to the non-member.

Abstract: A notification system in a computer apparatus may be customized by connection of a removable storage medium device to a storage medium interface of the computer apparatus. It is detected whether, in the storage medium thereof, there is stored customisation data that includes notification data of additional notifications. If so, the notification data in the computer apparatus is changed to include the notification data of additional notifications.

Abstract: A querying system in a computer apparatus may be customized by connection of a removable storage medium device to a storage medium interface of the computer apparatus. It is detected whether, in the storage medium thereof, there is stored customisation data that that indicates a change to the query engine data identifying locations where query messages are sent. If so, the query engine data in the computer apparatus is changed accordingly.

Abstract: A user interface in a computer apparatus may be customized by connection of a removable storage medium device to a storage medium interface of the computer apparatus. It is detected whether, in the storage medium thereof, there is stored customisation data that identifies a change to the appearance of the user interface, for example in the colours, textures, container-shape or font. If so, user interface data in the computer apparatus is changed to include the icon data and target data in respect of the additional icons.

Abstract: A user interface in a computer apparatus may be customized by connection of a removable storage medium device to a storage medium interface of the computer apparatus. It is detected whether, in the storage medium thereof, there is stored customisation data that includes icon data and target data in respect of additional icons for the user interface. If so, user interface data in the computer apparatus is changed to include the icon data and target data in respect of the additional icons.

Abstract: A distribution system including, for connection over a network a plurality of client upload devices, each client upload device storing one or more chunks of a content file, a client download device configured to download from the client upload devices chunks of the content file stored by the respective client upload devices and an incentive device configured to generate token data packets exchangeable for chunks of the content file. The client download device is configured to acquire a plurality of token data packets from the incentive device and to communicate with individual respective client upload devices and thereby download, in exchange for respective token data packets, stored chunks of the content file.