Abstract: Methods, computer software and apparatus for use in an electric power grid are described. Measurement data is received intermittently or continuously from a plurality of measurement units, indicating values of at least one measured characteristic at respective measurement locations. The at least one is characteristic is monitored, and it is determined, based on the monitoring, that there has been a change in electric power flow in the electric power grid. Responsive to the determination, component data is accessed relating to characteristics of components of the electric power grid involved in provision and/or consumption of electric power. Based on received measurement data relating to the change and the accessed component data, a power flow characteristic of the grid in a given time period is determined.

Abstract: Methods, and apparatus for determining a characteristic of an inertial contribution to an electrical power grid are described. A change in inertia in the electrical power grid based on one or more inertia measurements performed in a first time period is determined. On the basis of the determined change in inertia and data indicative of an inertia contribution characteristic of one or more energy production facilities and/or one or more energy consuming devices in the electric power grid, a characteristic of an inertial contribution to the electrical power grid is determined for a second time period different to the first time period.

Abstract: Methods, and apparatus for determining a characteristic of an inertial contribution to an electrical power grid are described. A change in inertia in the electrical power grid based on one or more inertia measurements performed in a first time period is determined. On the basis of the determined change in inertia and data indicative of an inertia contribution characteristic of one or more energy production facilities and/or one or more energy consuming devices in the electric power grid, a characteristic of an inertial contribution to the electrical power grid is determined for a second time period different to the first time period.

Abstract: Methods, computer software and apparatus for use in an electric power grid are described. Measurement data is received intermittently or continuously from a plurality of measurement units, indicating values of at least one measured characteristic at respective measurement locations. The at least one is characteristic is monitored, and it is determined, based on the monitoring, that there has been a change in electric power flow in the electric power grid. Responsive to the determination, component data is accessed relating to characteristics of components of the electric power grid involved in provision and/or consumption of electric power. Based on received measurement data relating to the change and the accessed component data, a power flow characteristic of the grid in a given time period is determined.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for controlling electrical energy consumption in an electricity distribution network, so as to reduce net energy consumption in a given area during a given time period are described. In particular, a method of controlling electrical energy consumption within an electricity distribution network is described. The method comprises maintaining a database of information about electric devices, and identifying an area in which, and a time period during which, electrical energy consumption is to be controlled. The method further comprises selecting, based on device information stored in the database, groups of electric devices, and associating one or more time intervals with each of the selected groups. Requests are sent to the electric devices of the selected groups to control electrical energy consumption and/or provision by the electric devices. This enables a reduction in net consumption of electrical energy in a given area, during a respective time interval.

Abstract: A communications device configured to couple with a near field RF communicator, in near field range, to enable communication of data by modulation of a magnetic field. The communications device also including a secure element, having a plurality of memory areas with differing levels of access, configured to provide secure data storage for transaction data, wherein the levels of access are differentiated by a degree to which the plurality of memory areas are programmable, writable and modifiable. Further, the communications device includes a controller configured to read the transaction data from the at least one secure element, and to cause a modulator to modulate the RF signal in accordance with transaction data read from the secure element so as to communicate the read transaction data to the near field RF communicator as proof of the transaction to enable an action related to the transaction to be carried out.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for controlling electrical energy consumption in an electricity distribution network, so as to reduce net energy consumption in a given area during a given time period are described. In particular, a method of controlling electrical energy consumption within an electricity distribution network is described. The method comprises maintaining a database of information about electric devices, and identifying an area in which, and a time period during which, electrical energy consumption is to be controlled. The method further comprises selecting, based on device information stored in the database, groups of electric devices, and associating one or more time intervals with each of the selected groups. Requests are sent to the electric devices of the selected groups to control electrical energy consumption and/or provision by the electric devices. This enables a reduction in net consumption of electrical energy in a given area, during a respective time interval.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for controlling electrical energy consumption in an electricity distribution network, so as to reduce net energy consumption in a given area during a given time period, are described. In particular, a method of controlling electrical energy consumption within an electricity distribution network is described. The method comprises maintaining a database of information about electric devices, and identifying a time period during which consumption of electrical energy is to be controlled. The method further comprises selecting, based on device profile information stored in the database, groups of electric devices, and associating one or more time intervals with each of the selected groups. Requests are sent to the electric devices of the selected groups to control electrical energy consumption and/or provision by the electric devices. This enables a reduction in net consumption of electrical energy during a respective time interval.

Abstract: A communications device configured to couple with a near field RF communicator, in near field range, to enable communication of data by modulation of a magnetic field. The communications device also including a secure element, having a plurality of memory areas with differing levels of access, configured to provide secure data storage for transaction data, wherein the levels of access are differentiated by a degree to which the plurality of memory areas are programmable, writable and modifiable. Further, the communications device includes a controller configured to read the transaction data from the at least one secure element, and to cause a modulator to modulate the RF signal in accordance with transaction data read from the secure element so as to communicate the read transaction data to the near field RF communicator as proof of the transaction to enable an action related to the transaction to be carried out.

Abstract: A communications device has a NFC communicator (15) having a coupler (17) to couple with a coupler of a near field RF communicator in near field range to enable communication of data between the communicators by modulation of a magnetic field, a demodulator (42) to extract modulation from a modulated signal coupled to the coupler and a modulator (40) to modulate an RF signal in accordance with data to be communicated by the NFC communicator. The device also has at least one secure element (30; 31) separate from the near field RF communicator (15) to provide secure data storage for transaction data representing or relating to a transaction.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for controlling electrical energy consumption in an electricity distribution network, so as to reduce net energy consumption in a given area during a given time period, are described. In particular, a method of controlling electrical energy consumption within an electricity distribution network is described. The method comprises maintaining a database of information about electric devices, and identifying a time period during which consumption of electrical energy is to be controlled. The method further comprises selecting, based on device profile information stored in the database, groups of electric devices, and associating one or more time intervals with each of the selected groups. Requests are sent to the electric devices of the selected groups to control electrical energy consumption and/or provision by the electric devices. This enables a reduction in net consumption of electrical energy during a respective time interval.

Abstract: A communications device has a NFC communicator (15) having a coupler (17) to couple with a coupler of a near field RF communicator in near field range to enable communication of data between the communicators by modulation of a magnetic field, a demodulator (42) to extract modulation from a modulated signal coupled to the coupler and a modulator (40) to modulate an RF signal in accordance with data to be communicated by the NFC communicator. The device also has at least one secure element (30; 31) separate from the near field RF communicator (15) to provide secure data storage for transaction data representing or relating to a transaction.

Abstract: A communications device has a near field RF communicator (15) having a coupler (17) to couple with a coupler of a near field RF communicator or NFC communicator in near field range to enable communication of data between the communicators by modulation of a magnetic field, and a modulator (43) to modulate an RF signal in accordance with data to be communicated by the near field RF communicator. The device also has at least one secure element (31) separate from the near field RF communicator (15) to provide secure data storage for transaction data representing or relating to a transaction.

Abstract: A data storage device communicates wirelessly with a reader. The data storage device has a data store for storing data and a hidden PIN data store for storing identification data. A controller of the data store has the ability to write identification data to the hidden PIN data store. The controller controls operation of the data storage device in accordance with the outcome of a comparison between identification data stored in the hidden data store and identification communicated to it by a reader. The controller may enable the identification data stored in the hidden PIN store to be replaced or supplemented, in the event that a reader communicating with the data storage device provides to the data storage device identification data that has a predetermined relationship with, for example matches, the identification data stored in the hidden PIN data store.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to liquid jet heads, and to liquid ejecting instruments including such liquid jet heads. The liquid ejecting instruments may be formed by ink jet printers or self-contained writing devices and in particular, to those devices that employ a non-contact method of transferring ink to a writing medium. An embodiment of the present invention also concerns those liquid or ink ejecting instruments that can be held in a user's hand.

Abstract: An electrical device such as a portable communications device, domestic or personal care appliance has a main body adapted to couple to an accessory which may be in the form of a tool attachable to the main body or a housing portion. The accessory carries a passive data storage device having a memory (59) storing control data for controlling an operation or affecting a function of the device. The passive data storage device is arranged to derive a power supply from the main body when a first coupler carried by the main body is placed in proximity to a second coupler carried by the accessory (3). Where the electrical device is a portable communications device, then the accessory may be, for example, a fascia. The coupling between the first and second couplers may be inductive or capacitive.

Abstract: An electrical device such as a portable communications device, domestic or personal care appliance has a main body adapted to couple to an accessory which may be in the form of a tool attachable to the main body or a housing portion. The accessory carries a passive data storage device having a memory (59) storing control data for controlling an operation or affecting a function of the device. The passive data storage device is arranged to derive a power supply from the main body when a first coupler carried by the main body is placed in proximity to a second coupler carried by the accessory (3). Where the electrical device is a portable communications device, then the accessory may be, for example, a fascia. The coupling between the first and second couplers may be inductive or capacitive.

Abstract: An electrical device such as a portable communications device, domestic or personal care appliance has a main body adapted to couple to an accessory which may be in the form of a tool attachable to the main body or a housing portion. The accessory carries a passive data storage device having a memory (59) storing control data for controlling an operation or affecting a function of the device. The passive data storage device is arranged to derive a power supply from the main body when a first coupler carried by the main body is placed in proximity to a second coupler carried by the accessory (3). Where the electrical device is a portable communications device, then the accessory may be, for example, a fascia The coupling between the first and second couplers may be inductive or capacitive.

Abstract: An electrical device such as a portable communications device, domestic or personal care appliance has a main body adapted to couple to an accessory which may be in the form of a tool attachable to the main body or a housing portion. The accessory carries a passive data storage device having a memory (59) storing control data for controlling an operation or affecting a function of the device. The passive data storage device is arranged to derive a power supply from the main body when a first coupler carried by the main body is placed in proximity to a second coupler carried by the accessory (3). Where the electrical device is a portable communications device, then the accessory may be, for example, a fascia. The coupling between the first and second couplers may be inductive or capacitive.

Abstract: An electrical device such as a portable communications device, domestic or personal care appliance has a main body adapted to couple to an accessory which may be in the form of a tool attachable to the main body or a housing portion. The accessory carries a passive data storage device having a memory (59) storing control data for controlling an operation or affecting a function of the device. The passive data storage device is arranged to derive a power supply from the main body when a first coupler carried by the main body is placed in proximity to a second coupler carried by the accessory (3). Where the electrical device is a portable communications device, then the accessory may be, for example, a fascia The coupling between the first and second couplers may be inductive or capacitive.