Abstract: A system and method for generating driving directions is disclosed. The system and method comprise generating a series of instructions to guide a driver along a route that includes a sequence of roads and intersections. The system uses real time or near real time information culled from one or more databases to calculate and display a time-efficient route based on current weather conditions, traffic conditions, road closures, construction, and the like. The system can also incorporate one or more driver preferences in calculating the displayed route. The system also can provide a summary of the rationales used in calculating the displayed route so the user can understand the basis for a particular route's presentation. A method is also disclosed for using the system.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for dispatching thermal energy and generating power in a solar power generating plant. The system includes a computer processor, computer readable medium, and control logic stored on the computer readable medium to direct the operation of the processor. The processor generates an optimized thermal energy dispatch schedule which controls operation of the generating plant by performing a combination of direct thermal energy and indirect thermal energy storage simulations to maximize operating revenues.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for tracking and displaying computer files used in computer simulations of engineered or industrial process plants. The system includes a computer processor, computer readable medium, and control logic stored on the computer readable medium and executed by the processor. The processor is operative to run the computer simulation of the plant and automatically compiles a list of all files used and/or created during the simulation. In one embodiment, the list includes information about the location/path of each file on the system and its associated software program required to open and view the file contents. The list may further be displayed to a system user and allows the selection of one or more files to be viewed. The processor retrieves, opens, and displays the selected files from the system to the user.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for dispatching thermal energy and generating power in a solar power generating plant. The system includes a computer processor, computer readable medium, and control logic stored on the computer readable medium to direct the operation of the processor. The processor generates an optimized thermal energy dispatch schedule which controls operation of the generating plant by performing a combination of direct thermal energy and indirect thermal energy storage simulations to maximize operating revenues.

Abstract: A method for reducing the problem space associated with determining intra-network circuit provisioning paths within a large communications network by selecting only a sub-set of the total network nodes, including the start-node and end-node of a communication path by bounding, using one of a plurality of predefined shapes having an appropriate size, and calculating the best path using only the network elements included within the sub-set of total nodes.

Abstract: A method for reducing the problem space associated with determining intra-network circuit provisioning paths within a large communications network by selecting only a sub-set of the total network nodes, including the start-node and end-node of a communication path by bounding, using one of a plurality of predefined-shapes having an appropriate size, and calculating the best path using only the network elements included within the sub-set of total nodes.