Abstract: An enhanced modular controller is disclosed that includes a plurality of configurable communication ports and a control logic layer operable to control equipment of a process plant. The plurality of communication ports include a first set of communication ports and a second set of communication ports which are operable to communicate with one or more nodes of a distributed control system of the process plant. The enhanced modular controller also includes a software layer that accepts port configuration parameters that define one or more port communication rules for the first set of communication ports and for the second set of communication ports. The one or more port communication rules causes the software layer to selectively allow or restrict retransmission of incoming messages, where the incoming messages are received at the first set of communication ports or the second set of communication ports.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for node selection of a sensor network. Multiple sensor networks can operate in or around a monitored location. Nodes can be organized amongst the multiple sensor networks using remote configuration updates that are provided by a host system to a sensor network node.

Abstract: A peripheral component interconnect (PCI) device is provided for use in an environmental control and life support system (ECLSS). The PCI device includes a control card, mounting slots each of which is receptive of the control card and coupled with a piece of ECLSS equipment and a backplane configured to respectively provide, via communication and power signals, communications and power to the control card in any one of the mounting slots. With the control card received in one of the mounting slots, the control card accommodates multiple power levels, executes commutation logic and executes one or more of active current control and active current modulation in accordance with the one of the mounting slots and the piece of the ECLSS equipment coupled therewith.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a remote plant simulation system is disclosed. The system and method uses a light application at the plant to collect relevant data and communicate it to a remote plant simulation. The remote plant simulation uses the relevant data, including data from the actual process, to create a process simulation and communicate the display data to the light application operating at the plant where it is displayed to a user. The remote system offers the advantage of offering decreased cost and improved simulation as the equipment cost, operator cost and set up cost is shared by a plurality of users. Further, the data may be stored remotely and subject to data analytics which may identify additional areas for efficiency in the plant.

Abstract: Systems, tools and methods for 3D animation provided including: creating stereoscopic effect in 3D animation in a shot; determining maximum parallax in 3D animation; representation of stereo effect on a non-stereoscopic monitor in 3D animation; producing a digital contact sheet created for viewing in 3D animation; correcting for holes created by missing pixel information from a left camera perspective in 3D animation; real-time compositing of multiple stereo camera views in 3D animation; and emulation of multi-cam rig in 3D animation.

Abstract: A cloud-based modeler component that generates interactive models of an industrial automation system(s) (IAS(s)) is presented. An interactive model facilitates remote viewing of, interaction with, troubleshooting of problems with, or optimization of industrial assets of an IAS. The modeler component polls industrial assets via cloud gateways to obtain information relating to the industrial assets to identify industrial assets of the IAS and relationships with other industrial assets or can receive information from a communication device that obtains information relating to legacy industrial assets to identify those legacy assets and their relationships. The modeler component generates an interactive model of the industrial assets of the IAS based on the information.

Abstract: A control device connected to one or more to-be-controlled devices via a network includes: a storage that stores information of a synchronization period of a time interval for synchronization with the to-be-controlled devices, and communication periods of plural time intervals established in the synchronization period; a calculator that calculates, for each of the to-be-controlled devices, a control instruction instructing the to-be-controlled device to operate in synchronization; and a communication controller that performs, based on the information stored in the storage, a control such that the control instruction is transmitted and received between the control device and each of the to-be-controlled devices during the synchronization period, the communication controller allocating a respective control instruction corresponding to each of the to-be-controlled devices to at least one of the communication periods established in the synchronization period, thereby transmitting/receiving data including the allo

Abstract: A sensor assignment device includes a movement instruction generator for generating and submitting a movement instruction to a distinct one of a plurality of actuators to move a distinct one of a plurality of machine parts, a sensor data receiver for receiving sensor data acquired by a subset of a plurality of sensors, a degree of correlation determiner for determining sensor-specific degrees of correlation between the detected sensor data and the movement instruction, and a sensor assigner for assigning those sensors to the distinct machine part whose sensor-specific degrees of correlation exceed a predetermined threshold or a multiple-step fashion as refinement in case of insufficiently reliable map of affiliations between sensors and machine parts. The received sensor data is used to influence the movement instruction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for governing sensor data readings from a plurality of input sensors onboard a communications device. An inventory of available input sensors is generated, and a set of requested input sensors from an application running on the communications device is received. The requested input sensors that are absent from the inventory of available input sensors is identified, and based upon received measured values from the available input sensors, equivalent values for those absent input sensors are derived. The accuracy and precision of the measured and equivalent sensor values are estimated, and those measurements not meeting certain thresholds are filtered. The measured values and the derived equivalent values meeting the predetermined thresholds for accuracy and precision, and the filtered measured values and the filtered derived equivalent values are output to the application.

Abstract: A load control system for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to a plurality of electrical load includes a plurality of independent units responsive to a broadcast controller. Each independent unit includes at least one commander and at least one energy controller for controlling at least one of the electrical loads in response to a control signal received from the commander. The independent units are configured and operate independent of each other. The broadcast controller transmits wireless signals to the energy controllers of the independent units. The energy controllers do not respond to control signals received from the commanders of other independent units, but the energy controllers of both independent units respond to the wireless signals transmitted by broadcast controller. The energy controller may operate in different operating modes in response to the wireless signals transmitted by the broadcast controller.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing multichannel audio signals include receiving a multichannel time-domain audio input, transforming the input signal to plurality of multi-channel frequency domain, k-spaced under-sampled subband signals, buffering and delaying each channel, saving a subset of spectral frames for prediction filter estimation at each of the spectral frames, estimating a variance of the frequency domain signal at each of the spectral frames, adaptively estimating the prediction filter in an online manner using a recursive least squares (RLS) algorithm, linearly filtering each channel using the estimated prediction filter, nonlinearly filtering the linearly filtered output signal to reduce residual reverberation and the estimated variances, producing a nonlinearly filtered output signal, and synthesizing the nonlinearly filtered output signal to reconstruct a dereverberated time-domain multi-channel audio signal.

Abstract: This disclosure describes insulated glass units (IGUs) that incorporate electrochromic devices. More specifically, this disclosure focuses on different configurations available for providing an electrical connection to the interior region of an IGU. In many cases, an IGU includes two panes separated by a spacer. The spacer defines an interior region of the IGU and an exterior region of the IGU. Often, the electrochromic device positioned on the pane does not extend past the spacer, and some electrical connection must be provided to supply power from the exterior of the IGU to the electrochromic device on the interior of the IGU. In some embodiments, the spacer includes one or more holes (e.g., channels, mouse holes, other holes, etc.) through which an electrical connection (e.g., wires, busbar leads, etc.) may pass to provide power to the electrochromic device.

Abstract: A torque compensation apparatus for an electric power steering system may include: a temperature sensor configured to sense the initial temperature around the electric power steering system when a vehicle is started; a motor position sensor configured to sense a motor angle of the electric power steering system; a timer configured to detect an operation time of the started vehicle; and a controller configured to calculate a compensation gain when the initial temperature corresponds to a preset low-temperature state, the compensation gain reflects the increasing ambient temperature, and is based on the motor angles accumulated during steering and the accumulative operation time detected through the timer after the start of the vehicle; and the controller outputs the compensation gain to compensate for a motor output torque of the electric power steering system.

Abstract: A motion-detection-circuit configured to receive an audio-output-signal and a received-motion-signal. The motion-detection-circuit includes a preliminary-motion-detector configured to process the received-motion-signal in order to set a state of a prelim-motion-detected-signal based on the received-motion-signal; and an ADC for providing an ADC-output-signal that is a digital representation of a signal received at an ADC-input-terminal. The motion-detection-circuit also includes a switch configured to connect either (i) an audio-output-receiver or (ii) a motion-signal-receiver-terminal to the ADC-input-terminal based on the state of the prelim-motion-detected-signal.

Abstract: A thermostat for a building space includes a network communication module and a processing circuit. The network communication module is communicatively coupled to at least one of one or more social media servers and one or more calendar servers. The processing circuit is configured to receive at least one of social media activity, social media events, and calendar events associated with a user via the network communication module. The processing circuit is further configured to determine an expected occupancy of the building based on at least one of the social media events and the calendar events. The processing circuit is further configured to adjust a setpoint of the thermostat based on at least one of the expected occupancy and the social media activity.

Abstract: An artificial intelligence air conditioner system and a method of controlling an air conditioner system are disclosed. The air conditioner system may include a plurality of air conditioner devices located or installed at a plurality of air conditioner sites in a decentralized fashion. A control setting having at least one of the plurality of air conditioner devices as a control device may be created irrespective of an installation position and a connection state of each air conditioner device, such that the control setting is immediately applied, or application of the control setting is released through simple manipulation, thereby providing an easy and rapid monitoring and controlling operation of the air conditioner system in a remote fashion.

Abstract: A method, controller and computer readable storage medium for dosing ammonia in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system for reducing NOx emissions in a flue gas, are disclosed. The method generally includes calculating a running long term average of NOx emissions, calculating a running short term average of NOx emissions and automatically adjusting an instantaneous NOx setpoint based on the running long term and short term averages to ensure compliance with a permit limit. The ammonia dosing requirement is based on a chemical mass-balance approach, and accuracy is enhanced by adjusting for the NO2 to NO composition of NOx.

Abstract: A method for creating a preference menu for a field device is described, wherein the field device can be parameterized and configured by means of a large number of parameters. The method involves compiling a device specification for the field device indicated by the customer for an order and, optionally, further customer specifications as a preference menu, which incorporates a selection of preferred parameters, which are particularly relevant to the respective device specification for the field device, and storing the preference menu with a selection of preferred parameters in a memory of the field device.

Abstract: Notification techniques for reducing energy usage include detecting a weather event for a location of at least one consumer, determining, based on the weather event, at least one modified behavior to reduce energy usage for the at least one consumer, and providing a notification to the at least one consumer regarding the at least one modified behavior for the weather event.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for correlating events in a smart home system as a pattern. The apparatus and method include collecting from smart home devices, state change events of the smart home system, determining whether a series of the collected state change events are a known pattern, requesting, when the series of the collected state change events is an unknown pattern, users of the smart home system to identify what caused the collected state change events, and judging, by the smart home users, a best reason among the identified causes of the collected state change events.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an electric protective cover for a receptacle and a receptacle. The electric protective cover comprises a cover body and a mounting portion. The cover body extends along a radial direction of the receptacle and is configured for covering a circuit board. An accommodating hole enclosed by an accommodating hole wall is disposed on the cover body to accommodate a connecting terminal. The mounting portion is disposed on the cover body to be mounted onto a receptacle housing. The electric protective cover according to the present disclosure may be readily and quickly assembled on the housing by means of the mounting portion and provide protection for the circuit board arranged on the housing and the elements on the circuit board by means of the cover body.

Abstract: A system and method for decreasing latency in providing a data packet to a user device subsequent to receipt of an electronic signal from the user device are disclosed herein. The system can include memory including: a user profile database; and a content library database. The system can include a user device including: a network interface; and an I/O subsystem. The system can include a content management server. The content management server can: provide a data packet to the user device; request generation of a contingent recommendation; receive the contingent recommendation; receive an electronic signal including a user response; select a next action; and provide the next action to the user device.

Abstract: A method of managing structure resources of a cyber-physical structure includes identifying the structure resources of the cyber-physical structure, the structure resources including dynamic resources configured to provide dynamic structure data over time based on monitoring the cyber-physical structure over time; identifying, by a structure management computer system, applicable structure-management templates which include one or more operation algorithms for managing the structure resources and one or more required-resource descriptions defining structure resources required by the one or more operation algorithms, the applicable structure management templates identified based on matching identified structure resources to the required-resource descriptions of the structure-management templates; and applying, by the structure management computer system, one or more of the applicable structure-management templates as structure management systems to manage operation of the cyber-physical structure by implementi

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for suggesting media content to a group of users. The method includes identifying more than one device at a location and pairing the devices. The method further includes receiving at least one media content preference from the users of the devices, and performing a search of the media content, based on the received preferences. A suggestion from the searched media content is provided to the users of the devices.

Abstract: Interface circuits are disclosed for manually or automatically selecting among two or more communications protocols in ways that reduce the number of connector pins needed and/or use the same number of connector pins required for a single communications protocol. Such interface circuits are advantageously applicable to selecting and accommodating either RS-485 or 802bw communications protocols in aircraft electronics while enabling space and cost efficient designs.

Abstract: A system for estimating client system web interaction performance includes an input interface and a processor. The input interface is configured to receive a plurality of client system locations and associated performance data and to receive a location of interest. The processor is configured to determine an estimated client system web interaction performance based at least in part on the plurality of client system locations and the associated performance data and the location of interest. The performance data is determined based at least in part on determining an internet facing DNS server from a client using an ID code and a testing URL. The processor is further configured to provide the estimated client web interaction performance.

Abstract: A building controller for controlling one or more building control components in a building, wherein the building controller is configured for bidirectional communication via a communication network between the building controller and the one or more building control components. The building controller can include a housing, a control unit, and a display unit. The control unit can execute an operating system and a building control application program having a control algorithm. The display unit may be configured to display at least one screen that facilitates user monitoring of diagnostic messages of the operating system of the control unit. Alternatively, or in addition, the display unit can be configured to display a screen to facilitate user entry of operating system parameters and/or a screen to facilitate entry of operating system commands for execution on by the control unit.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) can receive a pick-up location to rendezvous with a rider and a set of configuration instructions to configure one or more adjustable components of the configurable interior system for the rider. The AV can analyze sensor data to autonomously control acceleration, steering, and braking systems along a route to the pick-up location. Prior to arriving at the pick-up location, the AV can execute the set of configuration instructions to configure the one or more adjustable components of the configurable interior system for the rider.

Abstract: An embodiment of this disclosure provides an apparatus including a communications unit and at least one processor. The communications unit is configured to communicate with a client device in the system. The at least one processor is coupled to the communications unit. The at least one processor configured to monitor a rule in the system. The rule controls the client device. The at least one processor is also configured to, responsive to the rule for the client device being triggered, determine whether an anomaly exists in the system. The at least one processor is also configured to, response to the anomaly existing, determine whether an override action is available for the anomaly. The at least one processor is also configured to, responsive to the override action being available, override the rule.

Abstract: In some examples, a system includes an apparatus for heating, ventilation and/or cooling of an interior space of a structure, a control interface device for receiving local instructions to control the apparatus and monitoring the interior space to generate monitoring data, and a processor coupled to the apparatus and the control interface device. The apparatus can include a sensor for monitoring the apparatus and generating apparatus data. The local instructions can include a first temperature setting. The monitoring data can include a monitored temperature of the interior space. The processor can be configured for receiving the local instructions, the monitoring data, the apparatus data, and remote instructions including a second temperature setting to control the apparatus from a client device, and generating commands to operate the apparatus based on at least one of the first temperature setting, the second temperature setting, the monitored temperature, and the apparatus data.

Abstract: The present disclosure may be embodied in a method for programming a sensor network having a plurality of sensors including: providing a first association between a first parameter and a second parameter, wherein the first parameter represents a sensor identification and the second parameter represents an installation location or a system function of the respective sensor; providing a second association between the second parameter and a third parameter representing prescribed operating data for the respective sensor; ascertaining a third association on the basis of the first association and the second association, the third association between the first parameter and the third parameter, and programming the plurality of sensors on the basis of the third association.

Abstract: A monitoring system for air conditioning systems based on distributed power generation and an air conditioning system using same. The monitoring system for air conditioning systems comprises a distributed power generation monitoring subsystem, a heating and ventilation energy management subsystem and a main monitoring system. The distributed power generation monitoring subsystem and the heating and ventilation energy management subsystem respectively monitor power generation status information of a distributed power generation device in an air conditioning system based on distributed power generation and power consumption status information of inherent devices in the system. The main monitoring system acquires monitoring data of the two subsystems by using a uniform first transmission protocol.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the safe use of a cooker uses a monitoring device in which set values for safety limits based on temperature and humidity or gas content measurements are set for sounding an alarm or cutting off the electricity or gas supply to the cooker. The temperature and humidity and/or gas content are measured above the cooker. The set safety limit values for the temperature and the humidity and/or gas content and/or their rates of change are set and the presence of the user is monitored on the basis of the use of the cooker and/or by a sensor which detects the presence of a person and/or by direct control feedback given by the user. The monitoring device is taught user-specific safety limit values automatically and intuitively on the basis of the use of the cooker, and are automatically changed or adjusted on the basis of the teaching.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for interfacing with one or more sensors, including a wireless interface configured to connect to a network, an I/O interface configured to connect to sensors; and a microprocessor and memory that are programmed to: connect to a server via the network; wherein the server executes an application for controlling the sensors; transmit identification information and/or location information of the integrated circuit to the application executed by the server; receive commands for the sensors from the application executed by the server; and transfer the commands to the I/O interface for relaying to the sensors; and wherein the integrated circuit is configured to control any sensor that can connect electronically to the I/O interface without changing the programming of the microprocessor and memory.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) can receive a pick-up location from a backend transport facilitation system to service a pick-up request from a requesting user. The AV can further process sensor data from a sensor array of the AV to dynamically identify potential hazards while autonomously operating the AV along a current route to the pick-up location. The AV can receiving, from the backend transport facilitation system, a set of configuration instructions to configure adjustable components of an interior of the AV based on comfort preferences of the requesting user, and determine an optimal timing schedule to implement each of the set of configuration instructions. Thus, the AV can execute the set of configuration instructions based on the optimal timing schedule to configure the adjustable components of the configurable interior system prior to arriving at the pick-up location.

Abstract: A load management method for controlling a plurality of distributed community loads with a plurality of controllers. The controllers are connectable to a network and the distributed community loads are connectable to a power grid. The loads are controllable by a corresponding one of the controllers according to a local need and a power grid supply or a community need of the loads. A network node device adapted to communicate with other node devices of a same community within an overlay network topology system. The system has a plurality of node devices organized in a number of hierarchically linked rings. The plurality of node devices of a same ring is interconnected in groups of node devices. One of the node devices is a parent node for linking the node devices of a first ring to node devices of a second ring at another hierarchy by being a parent node to both first and second rings.

Abstract: The control device controls facility equipment and includes a receiving unit, first and second decision units and an adjustment control unit. The receiving unit receives time-of-use unit price information of an energy supplied to the facility equipment. The first decision unit decides a first time slot in which an index that includes a factor of an energy unit price approaches a peak in a first period based on the time-of-use unit price information. The second decision unit decides a second time slot prior to the first time slot and a third time slot subsequent to the first time slot in the first period. The adjustment control unit executes an energy adjustment control to adjust an energy consumption of the facility equipment so that an amount of suppression of the energy consumption is higher in the first time slot than in the second and the third time slots.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for configuring a limited node in a network, said limited node being able to receive data only within limited reception opportunities, the method comprising at a first node: (a) detecting that an update of a network configuration parameter value for the limited node is required; (b) deciding on whether to change a limited node behavior from a first behavior based at least partly on communication characteristics of the limited node, said change of behavior including increasing reception opportunity at the limited node; (c) depending on decision at step (b), triggering delivery of a request of behavior change to the limited node during a first reception opportunity; (d) triggering delivery of the updated network configuration parameter value to the limited node during a second reception opportunity of the limited node.

Abstract: A system is provided for performing remote services for a technical installation comprising a first remote service system having a first tunnel connection for transmitting data between a first device at a distance from the installation and a first device internal to the installation, and a second remote service system having a second tunnel connection for transmitting data between a second device at a distance from the installation and a second device internal to the installation, wherein the second tunnel connection runs through the first tunnel connection. Performing a plurality of remote services in an installation can thereby be enabled at a high level of IT security and a high level of operational reliability of the installation, wherein the administrative effort on the part of the installation operator call be kept small.

Abstract: A processor and power broker for controlling the obtaining, distribution and usage of electrical power for electronic devices such as peripherals of thermostats. Sources of power may incorporate batteries, energy harvesting modules, energy storage capacitors, and power lines. The power broker may maintain charge on the capacitors, operate the energy harvesting modules, control usage of the batteries, and utilize power line sources when available. Loads such as the peripherals may need to request approval for energy usage. Energy usage and conservation may be managed by the power broker according to a power scheme. A power scheme may consist of a set of rules as to how energy usage by the peripherals is to be managed. The rules may also indicate as to how the energy sources are managed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for enhanced marketing responsive to customer path data between attractions. A first device receives an identification of a location of a user and a first attraction selected for access by a user. A path analyzer of the device determines a travel path between the location of the user and the first attraction. The path analyzer identifies a second attraction within a predetermined distance from the travel path. The first device transmits, to a computing device of the user, an offer of access to the second attraction.

Abstract: An information processing system includes a controller that controls the supply route of electric power in a house, a determining unit that determines, based on the driving schedule of an electric vehicle, necessary energy with which the car battery of the electric vehicle should be charged, and a detector that detects first charge energy with which the car battery is charged. The controller selects, based on the necessary energy and the first charge energy, which one of electric power supplied from a power company and electric power supplied from the car battery is to be consumed in the house.

Abstract: A control system for a plurality of hard disks includes a chip unit, a first storage unit, and a second storage unit. The chip unit includes a first, second, and third GPIO pin and a firmware. The first storage unit is coupled to the chip unit and a plurality of hard disks. The second storage unit is coupled to the chip unit and a plurality of hard disks. When the first GPIO of the chip unit receives a power on signal, the firmware carries out a staggered spin-up function, the second GPIO of the chip unit outputs a first signal to the first storage unit, the hard disks of the first storage unit execute spin up, after a preset delay time, the third GPIO of the chip unit outputs a second signal to the second storage unit, and the hard disks of the second storage unit execute spin up.

Abstract: An electronic device and method utilizes an external sensor group to facilitate miniaturization the device and repair/replacement of external sensors. An interface connected to an external sensor package including at least one sensor. A processor that when the external sensor package is connected through the interface, determines from which group the external sensor package is included in among pre-configured groups and controls the performance of a function corresponding to the determined group.

Abstract: Apparatus for communicating with agent applications. A first request is sent by a server application on a server computer system to a first agent application to communicate with the server application. The first agent application is located in a first network. If the first agent application fails to respond to the first request, a second request is sent by the server application to a second agent application to instruct the first agent application to communicate with the server application. The first agent application is located on a first client computer system that is in a zone with a second client computer system on which the second agent application is located.

Abstract: An embodiment method for continuous configuration of learning devices includes operations for storing, by a learning device within a decentralized system of a plurality of learning devices, events obtained while in a monitoring mode, activating a triggered mode for a reflex when at least one of the stored events corresponds to a trigger pattern, determining whether the reflex has a trigger weight exceeding a trigger weight threshold, conducting the predetermined action associated with the reflex when the trigger weight exceeds the trigger weight threshold, obtaining at least one additional event while in the triggered mode, adjusting the trigger weight of the reflex when the at least one additional event corresponds to a correction pattern or a reward pattern occurring in response to conducting the predetermined action, and creating a second reflex when the at least one additional event does not correspond to a known pattern.

Abstract: This patent specification relates to apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for providing home security/smart home objectives. More particularly, this patent specification relates to a plurality of devices, including intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected devices, that communicate with each other and/or with a central server or a cloud-computing system to provide any of a variety of useful home security/smart home objectives.

Abstract: A method to synergistically sense occupancy inside a building. A coarse-grained sensor in the building generates a coarse data indicating a user is in a large area including a control zone. A fine-grained sensor in the building generates a fine data indicating the user is in a small area. The fine data is more accurate but less reliable than the coarse data. The method to improve energy efficiency by generating an actuation plan for the control zone. The method includes receiving the coarse data and the fine data, normalizing the coarse data and the fine data, checking for an overlap between the large area and the small area, calculating a change in occupancy in the control zone based on the normalized coarse data if there is no overlap and based on the normalized fine data if there is overlap, and generating the actuation plan based on the change in occupancy.

Abstract: Included are embodiments for wireless control and management. Some embodiments include receiving a first signal regarding a device condition of a service device in an environment, determining a condition type of the device condition, and sending a first request for to correct the device condition, based on the condition type. Some embodiments also include receiving a second signal indicating whether the device condition was corrected.

Abstract: An aspect of this invention is a method that includes a computing apparatus estimating geographic locations as a function of time for each of a plurality of sensor nodes. The method further includes estimating a quality of information as a function of time for sensed data to be sensed by the plurality of sensor nodes at the estimated geographic locations; and sending the estimated quality of information as a function of time to one or more applications or consumers of the sensed data.