Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an energy-management system for managing energy within a predominantly closed power system. The system includes an upper-level energy-management module, at least one lower-level energy-management module coupled to the upper-level energy-management module, and at least one component coupled to the lower-level energy-management module. The component is configured to provide a performance model associated with the component to the lower-level energy-management module. The lower-level energy-management module is configured to provide an aggregated model to the upper-level energy-management module.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for providing assistance to a user of a product in diagnosing faults in the product. During operation, the system receives, at a help server, data associated with current and/or past operation of the product; performs an optimization to determine a sequence of diagnostic actions that is expected to maximize a net benefit to the user. The sequence of diagnostic actions includes one or more actions that require the user to perform at least one task, and performing the optimization involves accounting for costs to the user for performing the at least one task and savings to the user for correcting the faults. The system then interacts with the user, which involves presenting the sequence of diagnostic actions to the user.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for balancing loads between two physical resources. During operation, for each physical resource, the system establishes resource-usage models for a plurality of jobs that share the physical resource, identifies quality-of-service (QoS) levels associated with the jobs, and computes a QoS balance point for the physical resource based on the resource-usage models and the QoS ratings. The QoS balance point indicates a rating of QoS, above which substantial resource provisioning is required. In response to detecting a difference between a first QoS balance point associated with a first physical resource and a second QoS balance point associated with a second physical resource, the system identifies one or more jobs to be moved between the first and second physical resources such that the difference between the first and the second QoS balance points is reduced.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing multi-locational curbside valet parking service is provided. A multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces are managed by a server. A plurality of smart parking devices and vehicle occupancy sensors are interfaced with the server. Use of a plurality of the parking spaces is reserved for a valet service. A reservation request for the use of the plurality of the parking spaces is accepted for use by the valet service for a period of time. Occupancy of the reserved parking spaces by a motor vehicle is sensed through the vehicle occupancy sensor. A valet drop-off location of at least one of the parking spaces that is reserved for the use of the valet service and is not occupied by a motor vehicle is identified. The valet drop-off location and a location of a lock box are provided to the motorist through a user interface.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for detecting anomalies using sample-based rule identification is provided. Data for data is maintained analytics in a database. A set of anomaly rules is defined. A rare pattern in the data is statistically identified. The identified rare pattern is labeled as at least one of anomaly and non-anomaly based on verification by a domain expert. The set of anomaly rules is adjusted based on the labeled anomaly. Other anomalies in the data are detected and classified by applying the adjusted set of anomaly rules to the data.

Abstract: An energy management system identifies one or more energy-load components, and generates an energy-disutility graph for the identified components. The energy-disutility graph can include, for each of a sequence of discrete time instances, one or more vertices that each corresponds to an alternative operating state for a component. Further, an arc that couples two vertices indicates an energy-disutility model corresponding to energy and disutility costs for the component. The energy management system also communicates an energy-demand bid to the energy provider, such that the energy-demand bid includes the energy-disutility graph.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing multi-locational curbside valet parking service is provided. A multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces are managed by a server. A plurality of smart parking devices and vehicle occupancy sensors are interfaced with the server. Use of a plurality of the parking spaces is reserved for a valet service. A reservation request for the use of the plurality of the parking spaces is accepted for use by the valet service for a period of time. Occupancy of the reserved parking spaces by a motor vehicle is sensed through the vehicle occupancy sensor. A valet drop-off location of at least one of the parking spaces that is reserved for the use of the valet service and is not occupied by a motor vehicle is identified. The valet drop-off location and a location of a lock box are provided to the motorist through a user interface.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for provisioning physical resources shared by a plurality of jobs. During operation, the system establishes resource-usage models for the jobs, ranks the jobs based on quality of service (QoS) requirements associated with the jobs, and provisions the jobs for a predetermined time interval in such a way that any unused reservations associated with a first subset of jobs having higher QoS rankings are distributed to other remaining jobs with preference given to a second subset of jobs having a highest QoS ranking among the other remaining jobs. Provisioning the jobs involves making reservations for the jobs based on the resource-usage model and corresponding QoS requirements associated with the jobs.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides managing component driver for an energy-management system that manages energy within a predominantly closed power system. The component driver includes a receiving mechanism configured to receive current status information for a component associated with the component driver, a model-construction mechanism configured to construct a performance model for the component, and a transmitting mechanism configured to transmit the performance model to an optimization and control module.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for managing a multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces through a centrally-located server is provided. A plurality of smart parking devices that are each physically proximate to and which correspond to at least one of the parking spaces is interfaced with the server. Further, a plurality of vehicle occupancy sensors that are also each physically proximate to and which correspond to at least one of the parking spaces is interfaced with the server. Use of the parking spaces are managed. Occupancy of each of the parking spaces by a motor vehicle is sensed through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor. Use of the parking space is processed based on an identity of a driver of the motor vehicle through the nearest smart parking device. Emergency services for an individual are notified through one of the smart parking devices upon request.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an energy-asset control system for utilizing an energy asset to provide one of more modes of operation services. The system includes an economic optimizer configured to identify at least one mode of operation opportunity based on current and/or future market conditions; a prognostics module configured to perform a prognostic analysis associated with the mode of operation opportunity for the energy asset using an existing model, and determine a confidence level associated with the prognostic analysis; and an operation controller. The economic optimizer is further to configured to, in response to the prognostics module determining the confidence level exceeding a predetermined threshold, determine an expected profit of the mode of operation opportunity based on outcomes of the prognostic analysis; and optimize, over a predetermined time period, a usage of the energy asset based on the expected profit of the mode of operation opportunity.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces through a server is provided. Smart parking devices and vehicle occupancy sensors that are each physically proximate to and which correspond to at least one of the parking spaces is interfaced with the server. Parking availability indicators that are each associated with at least one of the parking spaces is interfaced with the server. Street sweeping activity affecting the parking spaces is planned and comprising times and dates over which street sweeping of the parking spaces will occur. Any requests for reserving the use of the parking spaces during the street sweeping activity is denied. The parking availability indicators are activated associated with the parking spaces affected by the street sweeping activity. Occupancy of each of the parking spaces by a motor vehicle is sensed through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor.

Abstract: A method and system for determining an optimized price schedule that controls the simplicity of a price schedule while maintaining efficiency in terms of welfare. A welfare function and a simplicity metric representing a simplicity of price schedules are determined. A full objective, corresponding to a comparison of the welfare with respect to the simplicity of each price schedule is determined and an optimized price schedule, representing the schedule having the highest computed full objective, is output.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an energy-management system for managing energy within a predominantly closed power system. The system includes an identifying mechanism configured to identify a number of components coupled to the energy-management system, a receiving mechanism configured to receive current status information of the components, an evaluating mechanism configured to evaluate future energy need, a planning mechanism configured to plan future energy activities based on the energy need and the current status information, and a controlling mechanism configured to control operations of the components based on the planned energy activities.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an energy-management system for managing energy within a predominantly closed power system. During operation, the system obtains one or more control actions that control energy transitions of a plurality of components, receives transitional characteristics associated with the components, and schedules the energy transitions by generating a set of offsets. A respective offset results in a delay of at least one energy transition.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system, a method, and a computer-program product (e.g., software) for aggregating an energy service from a number of participants for use by a power-system operator is described. This aggregation may be performed by an aggregator, which is between the participants and the power-system operator. In particular, the aggregator may use an embedded economic mechanism to calculate a price that matches supply (or cutback) of power and/or load from the participants with a desired supply of the power-system operator. Because the aggregator typically does not know the participants' exact propensity to respond as a function of price (supply function), the aggregator calculates the purchase price using one or more iterations in which an initial probe price is provided to the participants, and the participants respond with supply-function approximations that are valid in proximity to the current probe price.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for managing motor vehicle parking reservations is provided. Motor vehicle parking spaces are managed through a server. Smart parking devices physically proximate to the parking spaces are interfaced with the server. Vehicle occupancy sensors physically proximate to the parking spaces are interfaced with the server. Parking availability indicators associated with the parking spaces are interfaced with the server. A motorist reserves a parking space. A reservation request for the parking space is accepted. The request is granted if available over any other reservations. Occupancy of the requested parking space is sensed through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor. The motorist's or the motor vehicle's identity are verified against the reservation through the nearest smart parking device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for facilitating rental of a private parking space by an urban resident are provided. Motor vehicle parking spaces located in a residential area are managed through a server. Smart parking devices that are each physically proximate to least one of the parking spaces are interfaced to the server. Vehicle occupancy sensors that are also each physically proximate to least one of the parking spaces are interfaced to the server. Parking availability indicators that are each associated with at least one of the parking spaces are interfaced to the server. The parking spaces are supplemented with a private parking space under legitimate control by a resident of the residential area. Use of the private parking space is managed through the server and the smart parking device nearest to the private parking space. Parking availability the parking spaces is indicated through the nearest parking availability indicator.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for offering merchant and shopper-friendly parking reservations through tourist privileges is provided. Motor vehicle parking spaces located in a tourist area of an urban environment are managed through a server. Smart parking devices and vehicle occupancy sensors are each proximate to at least one of the parking spaces. Tourist parking identification cards are issued to an agency authorized to provide tourist parking privileges, which are then provided to the visitors. The parking identification cards are activated by pairing each identification card with a digital ticket issued to the agency. The parking spaces are managed by sensing occupancy of one of the parking spaces by a motor vehicle through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor and by determining an identity of the driver of the motor vehicle through the nearest smart parking device.

Abstract: A system and method for offering customer priority parking reservations. Motor vehicle parking spaces are provided through a server. The server respectively interfaces with smart parking devices, vehicle occupancy sensors, and parking availability indicators that are each associated with the parking spaces. The parking spaces are reserved by accepting a request for a customer priority parking reservation from a merchant for a reservation period. Use of the parking space is managed through the server by activating the parking availability indicators associated with the reserved parking spaces, sensing occupancy of the parking spaces by a motor vehicle through the vehicle occupancy sensor, and retrieving and providing an identity of the driver of the motor vehicle through the nearest smart parking device to the server. The use of the parking space is validated from the merchant through the server.