Abstract: This disclosure is related to devices, systems, and techniques for controlling a temperature of water contained by a water tank. A controller includes a user interface configured to receive one or more user inputs indicative of a request to set a control parameter of the controller and communication circuitry configured to receive, from a user device, an electronic signal. Additionally, the controller includes processing circuitry configured to identify, from the electronic signal, one or more first data packets that include a request to disable an ability to change, based on the one or more user inputs received by the user interface, the control parameter of the controller and in response to receiving the one or more first data packets, disable the ability to change the control parameter of the controller.

Abstract: This disclosure is related to devices, systems, and techniques for controlling a temperature of water contained by a water tank. A controller includes a user interface configured to receive one or more user inputs indicative of a request to set a control parameter of the controller and communication circuitry configured to receive, from a user device, an electronic signal. Additionally, the controller includes processing circuitry configured to identify, from the electronic signal, one or more first data packets that include a request to disable an ability to change, based on the one or more user inputs received by the user interface, the control parameter of the controller and in response to receiving the one or more first data packets, disable the ability to change the control parameter of the controller.

Abstract: An environmental apparatus controller performs control over multiple types of environmental apparatuses, and includes a grasping unit, learning control plan output means, and a selection control unit. The grasping unit grasps current mental and physical condition information of a user, environmental situation information, and target relationship information between a target mental and physical condition and a present mental and physical condition. The learning control plan output means outputs a control change plan for each combination of multiple types of the environmental apparatuses according to the current mental and physical condition information, the environmental situation information, and the target relationship information. The selection control unit selects one of a plurality of the control change plans output by the learning control plan output means and executes the plan.

Abstract: A method of dynamically adapting an environment may include collecting sensor data from a biological sensor and an environmental sensor. The method may also include, based on the sensor data, determining whether an optimal environmental state exists in an environment. The optimal environmental state may be defined in a health and wellness policy and may be configured to promote an optimal biological state of an individual in the environment. In response to the optimal environmental state not existing in the environment, the method may include identifying an environmental condition that differs from the optimal environmental state and generating a command configured to alter an operational state of an environmental device that affects the environmental condition.

Abstract: A control system for an electric water heater having an upper heating element and a lower heating element is disclosed. The control system includes a control module that controls operation of the electric water heater by selectively toggling the upper and lower heating elements between an ON state and an OFF state and a consumer interface module that allows a consumer to input a set point temperature and select an energy savings mode for the electric water heater. The control module regularly monitors hot water usage and adjusts the set point temperature by a predetermined setback amount until a capacity of the water heater matches consumer usage.

Abstract: Methods and apparati for fluorescence imaging using multiple excitation-emission pairs is revealed. A target object is illuminated by light in at least two spectral regions, causing fluorescence emission in at least two spectral regions. The emitted light is collected and separated for analysis.

Abstract: A smart, adaptive control system that monitors and influences physical conditions of an architectural setting. The architectural setting in which the system is deployed typically includes a plurality of private spaces and at least one community space. The individual private spaces, and the community spaces, may include an environmental control device that affects one or more physical conditions of the individual private space. Each private space may also include an environmental sensor that measures a particular physical condition of the private space. The private spaces may also include one or more occupant sensors, which measure either behavioral or physiological parameters of an occupant. The environmental control devices, environmental sensors, and occupant sensors are in communication with a computer. The computer is also in communication with a database, which houses a data set that describes how to best modify the physical conditions of the architectural setting.

Abstract: A vehicle heating and air conditioning system has multiple zones and a manual comfort selector for each zone. The setting for each zone is adjustable for the effects of sun intensity and sun position. A Global Position System (GPS) navigation system provides heading, longitude, latitude, time and date data from which sun position relative to the vehicle is determined, and solar sensors provide solar intensity information. An empirical table for each zone addressed by sun elevation and relative azimuth contains solar illumination factors which, along with solar intensity factors, afford an adjustment to the comfort settings, thus altering the temperature and/or flow rate of air supplied to each zone. Alternatively, in the absence of a GPS receiver, a magnetic compass is used for heading data, geographic region data is entered manually, and an on-board clock furnishes the time and date.