Abstract: A management system for building equipment includes several units. An instruction transmission unit transmits an instruction to at least one device. A response reception unit receives a response indicating that a state transition is made by the device in accordance with the instruction. A detection unit detects an abnormal condition in which the response is not received by the reception unit within a reference time period after transmission of the instruction. A storage unit stores the reference time period. A time measurement unit measures a length of time from when the instruction is transmitted to when the response is received. A mode setting unit sets an operating mode of the management system to a reference-time-period calculation mode. A calculation unit performs calculations to determine the reference time period based on a measurement result obtained by the measurement unit, and prompts the storage unit to store the determined reference time period.

Abstract: An eye wear tracking system is disclosed that allows a user to register a pair of glasses whose location is tracked and which, if misplaced or lost, can be found. The eye wear tracking system includes a micro mini tracker device that includes a unique identifier (UID) tag code with a UID tag code value that uniquely identifies a specific pair of glasses of a user, an adhesive backing that is applied to a backside of the micro mini tracker device to adhere the micro mini tracker device to a frame element of the specific pair of glasses of the user, and an eye wear tracking mobile app that runs on a mobile device of the user. The eye wear tracking mobile app allows the user to provide the UID tag code value to track location of the specific pair of glasses of the user. The eye wear tracking system results in both saved time and money.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a first controller configured to communicate a first brake command to one or more brake devices of a vehicle system via a communication pathway. The system also includes a second controller configured to monitor the communication pathway to determine whether the first brake command from the first controller is communicated via the communication pathway to the one or more brake devices. The second controller also is configured to implement a backup brake command to the one or more brake devices based on a presence of the first brake command and a level of brake application dictated by the first brake command.

Abstract: Performing automated building control in a building. A method includes identifying a target maximum polling time defining an amount of time in which all building devices in a plurality of devices should be polled. Each of the devices in the plurality of devices is identified. For each device in the plurality of devices, queries are sent to the device. For each device in the plurality of devices, responses are received from the device. Based on the queries and the responses, a functional query frequency range is determined identifying a range of query frequencies at which queries can be made to each device such that each device functions within a predetermined criteria. Based on the target maximum polling time and the functional query frequency ranges, a device polling scheme is identified. The devices in the plurality of devices are polled according to the identified polling scheme.

Abstract: A method and system of signaling an anomaly state associated with a host asset device. The method, executed in a processor of a server computing device, comprises detecting, using one or more sensors, movement of an embedded device, the embedded device placed within the host asset device in an indoor facility, localizing the embedded device, determining, based on the localizing, that a position of the host asset device is substantially identical to a known nominal position of the embedded device, and signaling, based on the determining, that an anomaly state is associated with the host asset device.

Abstract: The relationship between sending device and receiving device is controlled with a high degree of freedom when sending and receiving data between multiple devices. A POS system has a second tablet terminal that receives data, and a host device. The host device has a server interface that sends data to the second tablet terminal; a storage unit that includes a transmission buffer for storing data and stores buffer link information relating the transmission buffer to the second tablet terminal to which the data is sent; and a communication unit 2 that acquires data and control storing the data to the transmission buffer. When the communication unit stores the data to the transmission buffer, the stored data is sent to the second tablet terminal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a passenger catering system by using a server, the server comprising a processor and a memory unit, wherein the processor is connected to the memory unit and wherein the processor is configured to execute the following steps: receiving first input data from a passenger interface device; comparing the first input data with stock data in a database stored in the memory unit; and transmitting first output data to a crew interface device; wherein the first output data comprise data on available stock coinciding with the received first input data. The invention also relates to a passenger catering system for a passenger transport vehicle operated via the server.

Abstract: A method for operating at least one node connected to a shared communication medium reduces or eliminates the ability of an adversary node to identify the at least one node based on transient signal characteristics of a signal that the at least one node generates when transmitting a bit through the shared communication medium. The method includes adjusting, with a controller in a first node, an impedance of a variable impedance circuit in the first node to a first impedance level that the controller determines randomly, the variable impedance circuit in the first node being connected to an output of a transceiver in the first node and to a shared communication medium, and transmitting, with the transceiver, a first data bit through the shared communication medium with the variable impedance circuit producing the first impedance level.

Abstract: Provided are a high-voltage circuit breaker opening and closing time online monitoring apparatus, a smart multi-dimensional big data analyzing expert system for a high-voltage circuit breaker in a power grid, and methods therefor. The opening and closing time online monitoring apparatus includes a circuit breaker opening and closing events database, a circuit breaker opening and closing time online monitoring module, and a human machine interaction interface. Data in the circuit breaker opening and closing events database is derived from a SCADA and a measurement and control apparatus thereof, a circuit breaker phase selection opening and closing apparatus, a relay protection apparatus and a relay protection information system, and a fault recording apparatus and a fault recording system of each of a substation and a converter station. The circuit breaker opening and closing time online monitoring module includes various modules, and cloud databases for such online monitoring are created.

Abstract: In a mobile network, the transmission of downlink data blocks (303, 307) to one or more terminal devices (200, 210) is accomplished on the basis of a retransmission protocol with a first feedback time (F1) defining a time interval between transmission of a first data block (303) and transmission of a first feedback message (308) being different from a second feedback time (F2) defining a time interval between transmission of a second data block (307) and transmission of a second feedback message (309). The first feedback message (308) indicates whether the first data block (303) was successfully received, and the second feedback message (309) indicates whether the second data block (307) was successfully received. A base station (100) of the mobile network controls the terminal device (200, 210) to send the second feedback message (309) on other resources than used for transmission of the first feedback message (308).

Abstract: An air information management apparatus includes: an obtainer that obtains an air state of a target area from a sensor installed in the target area or an area surrounding the target area; storage in which an air state record that is a record of the air state obtained by the obtainer is stored; an information processor that derives, from the air state record stored in the storage, statistical information on the air state measured for the target area during a predetermined period; and a display controller that causes the display apparatus to display, as information indicating an air environment in the target area, the statistical information derived by the information processor.

Abstract: A communication system comprising one or more wireless stations programmed to await for an authorizing signal to initiate wireless communications with a network controller or access point. The network controller maintains identification information in different queues, and polls stations from those queues. The wireless station identification information may be moved between the different queues in response to wireless station activity. Between polling, each mobile station aggregates data for the next opportunity to transmit. Multi-polling may be employed such that more than a single station is polled at a time. Polling is accomplished by polling one of the more stations from each queue having the effect that stations in one queue are polled more often than those in another queue. If a lesser active station becomes active, it may be moved into the shorter queue and consequently will be polled more often.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method, and program product are disclosed for associating data buses and management buses for peripheral devices. A command module sends a command to a peripheral device to trigger activity on the peripheral device. The peripheral device is communicatively coupled to an information handling device using a separate data bus and a management bus connection of a management bus. The command is sent over the data bus to the peripheral device. A monitor module checks the management bus of the information handling device to determine which management bus connection is connected to the peripheral device that was active in response to the sent command. An association module associates the determined management bus connection with the data bus on which the command was sent and with the peripheral device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a 5G or pre-5G communication system to be provided in order to support higher data rates after a 4G communication system, such as an LTE system. A method for receiving buffer status information by an access point in a wireless communication system is provided. In the method, a contention sub-slot and a dedicated sub-slot are determined for each station connected to the access point, a data trigger action frame is generated based on a first element including allocation information on the dedicated sub-slot to be used by a related station in a buffer status report (BSR) phase where each of the stations transmits buffer status information to the access point, the generated data trigger action frame is broadcasted to the stations, and a BSR frame transmitted based on the data trigger action frame is received from each of the stations.

Abstract: An image forming system includes a multifunction peripheral in which a setting related to image forming is variable and a plurality of mobile terminal devices that are communicable with the multifunction peripheral. The multifunction peripheral includes an adjustment unit and an image forming setting control unit. The adjustment unit adjusts, based on a plurality of requests for adjustment of the setting related to image forming, which have been received by a multifunction peripheral communication unit, the setting related to image forming. The image forming setting control unit performs control such that the setting related to image forming, which has been adjusted by the adjustment unit, is reflected.

Abstract: A wireless security system is provided. The system includes a first wireless device, a second wireless device, an uninstalled wireless device, and an access controller. The first wireless device is disposed within a first security zone having first security provisions within a network configuration. The second wireless device is disposed within a second security zone having second security provisions within the network configuration. The second security provisions are greater than the first security provisions. The access controller communicates with the uninstalled wireless device, and determines a proximity of the uninstalled wireless device relative to the first and second wireless devices, and configures third security provisions for the uninstalled device corresponding to the proximity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling digital data transmission in a remote-reading apparatus including a plurality of metering devices, each equipped with a radiofrequency module for communicating with a radiofrequency transmission/reception device of a gateway system of the apparatus, the method comprising a step of transmitting a digital signal from the radiofrequency module to the radiofrequency transmission/reception device and/or from the radiofrequency transmission/reception device to the radiofrequency module, the transmission being carried out via a carrier modulated by frequency shift modulation, the method being characterized in that the frequency shift modulation has a modulation index strictly equal to an integer value divided by two, and in that it includes a step of receiving the signal transmitted according to the modulation, comprising operations of generation of a synchronization signal synchronized with the received signal and synchronous detection of the received signal using t

Abstract: Examples of externally-activated devices and systems are disclosed. One example system includes a first device having an actuation component; and a second device having a haptic output component, wherein: the first device and the second device are configured to be physically separable from each other; the actuation component is configured to transmit an actuation signal to the haptic output component while the first device and the second device are physically separated from each other, and the haptic output component configured to output a haptic effect in response to receiving the actuation signal and while the first device and the second device are physically separated from each other, the haptic effect based on the actuation signal.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for regulating traffic on a network. According to some aspects of the invention, if a subscriber's upstream traffic exceeds a predetermined level over a first period of time, the subscriber's quality of service is adjusted without requiring the subscriber to re-register. According to some embodiments, a first token bucket is used to determine whether the subscriber's upstream traffic exceeds the predetermined level over the first period of time. In some such embodiments, the first token bucket is used to control the burst size of another token bucket, depending on the subscriber's upstream traffic during the first period of time.

Abstract: A method for identifying a polling communication pattern within a sequence of communication entities includes grouping the communication entities into a plurality of clusters according to a criterion. Clusters are removed from the plurality according to at least one of a time pattern analysis, cluster size, and cluster duration. The clusters remaining are identified as having a polling communication pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for managing one or more transmission routes for a remote unit in a communication network, the remote unit maintaining a list of hop destinations, the method comprising: receiving a poll request; in response to receiving the poll request, transmitting a poll message to a first hop destination; listening for a transmission of the poll message from the first hop destination to determine whether the first hop destination transmitted the poll message; and, updating the list of hop destinations based on whether the first hop destination transmitted the poll message.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a system for facilitating installation of a software application is provided. The system includes a communications component configured to communicate with external devices, and a processor configured to detect an intent to install the software application to a computing device, cause the communications component to provide an installer of the software application for retrieval by the computing device, and direct the communications components to communicate with a mobile device such that the mobile device serves as a guide in installation of the software application to the computing device.

Abstract: The principles described herein provide methods and systems for locating a tracking device. In particular, one disclosed method includes associating a user with a tracking device, receiving an indication that the tracking device is lost, setting a flag indicating that the tracking device is lost, receiving a location within a proximity of the tracking device from one of a plurality of mobile devices associated with a community of users, and providing the location to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating maps with semantic labels. A computing device can determine a first map that includes features located at first positions and semantic labels located at semantic positions, and determine a second map that includes at least some of the features located at second positions. The computing device can identify a first region with fixed features located at first positions and corresponding equivalent second positions. The computing device can identify a second region with moved features located at first positions and corresponding non-equivalent second positions. The computing device can determine one or more transformations between first positions and second positions. The computing device can assign the semantic labels to the second map at second semantic positions, where the second semantic positions are the same in the first region, and where the second semantic positions in the second region are based on the transformation(s).

Abstract: An integrated circuit having normal and special operating modes includes a mode entry interlock (201) which is enabled by an initialization command and an externally supplied voltage at a first I/O terminal (204) to detect a conflict at the I/O terminal for reducing the likelihood of inadvertent entry into the special operating mode. The mode entry interlock also includes a second I/O terminal (212) for receiving a disassociated software command to enter into the special operating mode, and mode control logic (210, 216) for evaluating the received software command against any detected conflict at the I/O terminal to generate a special operating mode enable signal in response to receiving the first and second input signals only when the detected logic state conflicts with the first logic state.

Abstract: A battery management system includes a plurality of slave controllers, each slave controller of the plurality of slave controllers being coupled to a respective battery module, each of the slave controllers having a slave controller identifier, the respective slave controller identifiers being allocated by a slave controller identifier allocation operation performed by the plurality of slave controllers, and a master controller, the master controller being coupled to each of the slave controllers, the master controller receiving the slave controller identifiers from the slave controllers.

Abstract: The principles described herein provide methods and systems for locating a tracking device. In particular, one disclosed method includes associating a user with a tracking device, receiving an indication that the tracking device is lost, setting a flag indicating that the tracking device is lost, receiving a location within a proximity of the tracking device from one of a plurality of mobile devices associated with a community of users, and providing the location to the user.

Abstract: A method identifies pairs of first and second command inputs from respective user device sessions for which the first and second operation data are indicative of a first operation failure and a second operation success. The first operation data indicate a first operation performed on data from a first resource property in response to the first command input, and the second operation data indicate a second operation performed on data from a second resource property in response to the second command input. They system determines, from the identified pairs of first and second command inputs, command inputs for which a parsing rule that is associated with the second operation is to be generated.

Abstract: An improved user experience is provided for passengers on a vessel such as an airplane, train or ship. Passengers can customize their travel experience ahead of time by accessing a web-based server system to indicate preferences with respect to a number of in-flight entertainment options. The passenger's experience is also enhanced by allowing passengers to share preferences such as media playlists with others. Meals can be ordered on-demand once on board, and seat-to-seat chat as well as group chatting is also made available through an in-seat or other proximate entertainment device.

Abstract: A communication system includes functional modules, wherein at least one functional module includes a processing unit and at least one functional module includes a controllable device. The modules are powered by an alternating voltage at a frequency and are electrically associated by a power bus and a communication bus. The processing unit provides a communication signal to the communication bus for interaction between the functional modules through a plurality of sets of high frequency pulses arranged to repeat at a predetermined repetition frequency substantially greater than the frequency of the voltage, and each set of high frequency pulses forms an information pulse corresponding to at least one bit of a communication protocol. Filters are disposed between an electric energy power supply and the functional modules for permitting the passage only of frequency components of an electric signal greater than the voltage frequency of the electric energy power supply.

Abstract: Systems and methods for theft deterrence of a vehicle are provided. Each of two or more immobilization point devices generate a random number and broadcasts it to all of the other immobilization points devices. Each of the immobilization point devices retains a local copy of its own random number and concatenates the local copy of its own random number with the random numbers of the other of the two or more immobilization point devices from the bus. From the random numbers broadcast on the bus, all of the random numbers are concatenated in a predetermined sequence to form a single challenge, which is transmitted to a remote transponder. Each of the immobilization point devices then compares a single response from the transponder to their local concatenation. When a specific portion of the response from the transponder matches a local concatenation, then enabling the function of the immobilization point device.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide systems and methods of controlling irrigation, comprising: communicating an assumption broadcast from a first irrigation controller to each of a plurality of other irrigation controllers defining assumed states of control elements, wherein the control elements are shared with one or more of the first irrigation controller and the other irrigation controllers; determining whether a reply is received from one or more of the other irrigation controllers in reply to the assumption broadcast; identifying, from the reply, a correction to a state corresponding to a first control element; updating state information corresponding to the first control element in response to the identifying the correction; and communicating a subsequent notification from the first irrigation controller to each of the plurality of other irrigation controllers of the irrigation system, where the subsequent notification comprises the updated state information corresponding to the first control element.

Abstract: A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for inventory control of items in a location are disclosed. In an embodiment, this comprises an identification tag associated with a transaction authorizing some items to be removed from the location, such as a purchase, an identification tag reader configured to read the identification tag and placed to cover a portion of the location, and a computer configured to process information including the identification tag read by the reader and take action in response, such as issuing an alert. An identification tag reader having erase/reprogram capability may be provided to reprogram identification tags, and the reprogrammed code may include an identification of the transaction. The inventory control system may be further configured to detect when an identification tag is brought back into the location.

Abstract: A system and method of transmitting sensor signals in a waveguide environment are provided. A sensor assembly is configured to wirelessly receive a sensor interrogation signal, determine an input power level of the sensor interrogation signal, and transmit a message including the determined power level. The system also includes a sensor controller configured to transmit a sensor interrogation signal determine an output power of the transmitted sensor interrogation signal at a plurality of frequencies, receive an indication of the received input power level of the sensor interrogation signal from the sensor assembly at the plurality of frequencies, compare the transmitted output power of the sensor interrogation signal to the received power indication, and select a transmit frequency for transmitting messages between the sensor assembly and the sensor controller based on the comparison.

Abstract: When multiple readers for RF transponders have to be placed in close proximity, such as in adjacent lanes of a highway toll barrier, they can be set to operate at different frequencies. When signals from two adjacent ones of the readers interfere, the resulting signal includes interference terms whose frequencies equal the sum of the reader frequencies and the difference between the reader frequencies. To remove such interference terms while passing the desired terms, a tag includes a low-pass or other frequency-selective filter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to supervise a network, in which a first device supervises a network node element, and a second device partially supervises the network node element.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide systems and methods of controlling irrigation, comprising: communicating an assumption broadcast from a first irrigation controller to each of a plurality of other irrigation controllers defining assumed states of control elements, wherein the control elements are shared with one or more of the first irrigation controller and the other irrigation controllers; determining whether a reply is received from one or more of the other irrigation controllers in reply to the assumption broadcast; identifying, from the reply, a correction to a state corresponding to a first control element; updating state information corresponding to the first control element in response to the identifying the correction; and communicating a subsequent notification from the first irrigation controller to each of the plurality of other irrigation controllers of the irrigation system, where the subsequent notification comprises the updated state information corresponding to the first control element.

Abstract: In a method for parametering a field device of process automation technology, wherein the field device is connected via a bus system with a control unit, parameter values are packaged in telegrams of cyclic services and transmitted to the field device whose parameter values are to be changed. No acyclic services are required for changing parameter values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semi-automatic method of replacing a ballast within a lighting control system, such that the new replacement ballast can operate in the same manner as the ballast that was replaced. If multiple ballasts in a lighting control system are removed from the system and multiple new ballasts are installed to replace those ballasts, any operational configurations such as group configurations or area information associated with each removed (missing) ballast must be assigned to the proper new replacement ballast. The semi-automatic replacement method relies upon the operational configurations of the removed ballast to help a user identify which new ballast should replace each missing ballast.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an RFID reader and a method thereof, and an RFID data processing method. The RFID reader generates a specific query message to a plurality of RFIDs, receives a first response message corresponding to the query message from at least one RFID among the RFIDs, and sequentially identifies a tag ID of a collided RFID by using a collision solving message when a collision occurs according to the result of receiving a first response message. The RFID reader can quickly and accurately identify a plurality of RFIDs since it can eliminate an unnecessary time such as excessive no response slot generation or repeated rounds through a sequential identification process for the collided RFIDs.

Abstract: A communication protocol for a lighting control system having a plurality of control devices coupled to a communication link uses a polling technique to coordinate the transmission of digital messages between the control devices. When the control devices are powered up, one of the control devices is established as a “master” device. During normal operation, the master device transmits a standard poll message to each of the control devices in succession using a unique semi-permanent Poll ID for each of the control devices. The master device periodically transmits a Poll-ID-Request poll message to the control devices allow those devices that do not have a Poll ID to request a Poll ID. If a control device determines either that the master device is not transmitting poll messages to it, or that another control device has the same Poll ID, the control device drops its Poll ID and acquires another Poll ID.

Abstract: A technique for saving power in a tag that is operationally connected to an asset involves using telemetry data to enter an appropriate power state. An asset tracking system according to the technique can make use of context to better track assets to which power-saving tags are operationally connected. Secure tag configuration techniques and asset-agnostic tags are described. Location-agnostic tags are also described.

Abstract: A method and RFID tag for locating RFID tags. A passive RFID tag A receives a polling command transmitted from a RFID reader and addressed to another passive RFID tag B. The RFID tag A determines that the polling command is not addressed to the RFID tag A and consequent1y, at time t1, switches the RFID tag A to a catching mode for catching echos from other tags. The RFID tag A receives at time t3>t1 an echo of a message sent by the RFID tag B to the RFID reader. The RFID tag A determines a distance (D.t2t) between the RFID tag A and the RFID tag B based on t3 minus t1. The distance D.t2t does not exceed a specified radius limit and the identification of the RFID tag B and the distance D.t2t are stored in a database within the RFID tag A.

Abstract: When multiple readers for RF transponders have to be placed in close proximity, such as in adjacent lanes of a highway toll barrier, they can be set to operate at different frequencies. When signals from two adjacent ones of the readers interfere, the resulting signal includes interference terms whose frequencies equal the sum of the reader frequencies and the difference between the reader frequencies. To remove such interference terms while passing the desired terms, a tag includes a low-pass or other frequency-selective filter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polling method in a radio digital communication system making it possible to shorten time required for polling without causing increase in an error rate and to efficiently manage and administrate communications. In a digital radio communication system for collecting information from a plurality of terminal stations by polling, a polling response signal to be transmitted from each terminal station to a base station has a frame format constructed of a one-frame in which a cyclic bit pattern is placed at a leading end of the frame format.

Abstract: In a method of inventorizing a plurality of data carriers (2) with the aid of a communication station (1) communicating in a contact-free way with the data carriers (2), a set (TS(1), TS(2), . . . TS(N), TS(N+1), . . . (TS(K)) of transmission parameters, preferably of time slots (TS) is available, which set comprises a first subset (TS(1) . . . TS(N)) and a second subset (TS(N+1) . . . (TS(K)) wherein inventorizing procedures (MP1, MP2, MP3, . . . ) are performed consecutively and wherein uninventorized data carriers (2) transmit their identification data (ID) to the communication station (1) for the purpose of inventorization only using transmission parameters contained in the first subset and wherein already inventorized data carriers (2) transmit their identification data (ID) to the communication station (1) only using transmission parameters contained in the second subset.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting current-impressed useful signals, added to a DC supply current, for a digital alarm line security system are described.

Abstract: An arrangement for handling communication messages in a building control system includes a communication circuit and a control device. The communication circuit is operable to provide a first message on a communication network to a remote building control system device and to receive a responsive message generated by a remote building control system device responsive to the first message. The communication circuit is further operable to perform a first operation if the responsive message is received within a first time-out period and to perform a second operation if the responsive message is received after a first time-out period has expired. The control device is operable to generate a plurality of different time-out period values corresponding to a plurality of building control system devices and to provide information identifying the plurality of different time-out period values and their corresponding building control system devices to the communication circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a redundant network and communication protocol at least including host computers, RF base stations, and roaming terminals. The network may utilize a polling communication protocol such that under heavy traffic conditions, a roaming terminal wishing to initiate communication may be required to wait for at least a predetermined period and determine whether the channel is available for communication. When a hidden terminal is communicating, the roaming terminal may conclude that the communication is taking place upon receiving a polling frame directed to the hidden terminal from the normally silent base station. Inherent redundancy techniques may be used with a spanning tree approach for determining the most efficient pathways from a source to a destination and ensuring that the network adapts to spatial changes or breakdowns within the network.

Abstract: An operation state detection device comprises data communication devices and a detection device. The data communication devices are respectively attached to an operator, and a person or an object as an operation target. The data communication devices mutually perform data communication when the operator contacts the person or the object and thereby a path is formed through the operator, and the person or the object. The detection device detects the data communication performed between the data communication devices.