Abstract: Provided is an intelligent automatic building control system in which a BAS and an FMS are integrated, and a facility management method by the intelligent automatic building control system. In particular, the automatic building control system integrates: a BAS unit that monitors an environmental condition at a predetermined location in a building, and controls and monitors an operation of a specific facility that supplies cooling/heating to the location in order to improve the environmental condition; and an FMS unit that maintains information input in relation to the facility, checks a fuel consumption of the facility, and monitors a real-time price of fuel supplied to the facility.

Abstract: A building HVAC system includes an airside system having a plurality of airside subsystems, a high-level model predictive controller (MPC), and a plurality of low-level airside MPCs. Each airside subsystem includes airside HVAC equipment configured to provide heating or cooling to the airside subsystem. The high-level MPC is configured to perform a high-level optimization to generate an optimal airside subsystem load profile for each airside subsystem. The optimal airside subsystem load profiles optimize energy cost. Each of the low-level airside MPCs corresponds to one of the airside subsystems and is configured to perform a low-level optimization to generate optimal airside temperature setpoints for the corresponding airside subsystem using the optimal airside subsystem load profile for the corresponding airside subsystem.

Abstract: A collaborative energy management system, method and program product for a multi-zone space. A system is disclosed including: a plurality of environment sensors located throughout the multi-zone space; an adaptive learning system that collects environment data from the environment sensors and generates a correlation model that correlates historical environment data with HVAC settings; and an optimization system that utilizes the correlation model, inputted preferences received from a plurality of occupants within the multi-zone space, and energy usage goals to periodically generate new HVAC settings for controlling an HVAC system for the multi-zone space.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated energy system operational optimization method considering thermal inertia of district heating networks and buildings, comprising the following steps. Step 10: respectively establish a district heating network model considering transmission delay and heat loss and a building model considering thermal storage capacity. Step 20: establish an integrated energy system optimization model consisting of a combined cooling, heat and power system model, the district heating network model and the building model. Step 30: solve the integrated energy system optimization model to obtain an optimal scheduling plan, control outputs of a gas turbine and a gas boiler per hour according to the optimal scheduling plan, and purchase electricity from a power grid and a wind power. According to the method, both the district heating network and buildings are included in a scheduling scope, so that the load adjustment with multiple degrees of freedom can be achieved.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing device to facilitate an electronic apparatus that affects an environmental condition and an electronic apparatus that measures an environmental condition to collaborate with each other via a network, the information processing device including: a determination unit configured to determine, on a basis of first type information representing an affected condition type of an electronic apparatus that affects at least one of a plurality of environmental conditions and second type information representing a measurement condition type of a measurement apparatus that measures at least one of the plurality of environmental conditions, whether the electronic apparatus is to be set as an apparatus that uses a measurement result from the measurement apparatus as an operation input.

Abstract: An example heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) vent includes a front surface, an RF module, and an antenna coupled to the RF module. The front surface is configured to direct air flowing through the HVAC vent into a room, and includes an antenna opening. The RF module is configured to wirelessly transmit or wirelessly receive a communication signal. A portion of the antenna protrudes through the antenna opening and beyond a plane of the front surface.

Abstract: A system determines who is present within an area by reading radio waves emitted from a device carried by the user and then adjusts various devices within or near the area of the user based upon a profile(s) of the user(s) that are in the area. The devices (e.g. speaker systems, lighting systems, televisions, music systems) are controlled based upon profiles of the users, giving more control priority to the users that are closer to the devices.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes: a heat source unit including a compressor and a heat source-side heat exchanger; and a plurality of utilization units each including a decompressing device and a utilization-side heat exchanger. The utilization units are connected in parallel to the heat source unit to form a refrigerant circuit. The air conditioner performs a cooling operation using the heat source-side heat exchanger as a condenser and the utilization-side heat exchanger as an evaporator. The air conditioner further includes: a detection sensor that detects a state of air related to a required capacity of each of the utilization units; and a control apparatus that acquires the required capacity of each of the utilization units based on a detection result of the detection sensor.

Abstract: A method for controlling a heating/cooling system located at a home of a user. For a population of users, occurrences of occupancy-related events occurring in the users' homes are detected. Then, occurrences of such occupancy-related events in different timeslots are counted separately for each user of the population. The counts of the various users are then merged and a topic model is applied thereto, to provide probabilities that latent habits give raise to certain sequences of occupancy-related events and proportions of each habit in the home occupancy routine of each user of the population. Thereby, a reliable forecast of the home occupancy routine of each user of the population may be provided. That allows setting the heating/cooling system of each user of the population to fit such reliable forecast, minimizing energy waste and/or maximizing user's comfort.

Abstract: A system having a mixed air box with inputs of return air from a space or spaces of a building, and of outside air. The mixed air box may have an output of discharge air to the space or spaces of the building. The air from the output may be return air that is conditioned with cooling, heat, or outside air. A damper may be situated at the input of outside air to the mixed air box. A temperature sensor may be positioned at the input for outside air and at the output of discharge air. A cooling mechanism may be at the output of the discharge air. The temperature sensor may be downstream from the cooling mechanism. An economizer may have connections with the damper, the temperature sensor and the cooling mechanism.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed that includes a room controller transmitting signals to both a shade control network and a light control network, directing that motorized roller shades and dimmable lights be set to desired intensity levels. The control system further includes an intelligent hub that provides a trickle-charge re-charge current via power-over-Ethernet cables to batteries associated with each of the motorized roller shades for re-charging the batteries, thereby eliminating power supplies being installed within walls. The intelligent hub provides for communication with the room controller based on streaming protocol and with the shade control network based on event-based protocol. A computer running user interface software may be connected to the system to facilitate programming.

Abstract: Implementations of the disclosure describe an Open Automated Demand Response (OADR) endpoint device. A method of the disclosure includes receiving, by a processing device of an endpoint device, a first message comprising a first market energy price, determining whether a first quantity of energy has been consumed within a first time period by at least one energy device associated with the endpoint device, responsive to a determination that the first quantity of energy has been consumed by the at least one energy device within the first time period, determining whether the first market energy price is greater than a price threshold and responsive to a determination that the first market energy price is greater than the price threshold, causing the at least one energy device to stop consuming additional amounts of energy.

Abstract: Operating HVAC systems using occupancy sensing systems is described herein. One device includes instructions to receive information defining a plurality of spaces of a building, occupancy sensing system information describing a location of each of a plurality of occupancy sensing system fixtures with respect to a representation of the building, and HVAC system information describing a relationship between the plurality of spaces and a plurality of HVAC devices in the building, create a mapping between a space, a fixture, and an HVAC device based on the building information, and modify an operation of the HVAC device based on the mapping and responsive to a determination of occupancy in the space by the fixture.

Abstract: A solid-state common-wire adapter combines two Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning (HVAC) control signals on a single pre-existing wire to allow another pre-existing wire to be used as a common-wire to provide reliable power to a Smart Communicating Thermostat. The solid-state common-wire adapter may comprise a thermostat element with at least one diode and an HVAC element with at least one device selected from the group consisting of: a solid-state TRIode for Alternating Current (TRIAC), a capacitor, a microprocessor, a power supply, an optoisolator, and a load resistor. Smart Communicating Thermostats require continuous power for communicating with a wireless network, providing a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display, and controlling an HVAC system. Some Smart Communicating Thermostats use power stealing which is unreliable. The solid-state common-wire adapter is reliable, small, low-cost, and easy to install.

Abstract: Operating HVAC systems using occupancy sensing systems is described herein. One device includes instructions to receive a mapping describing relationships between a space of a plurality of spaces of a building, a plurality of fixtures of an occupancy sensing system installed in the space, and an upstream HVAC device associated with the building, wherein the upstream HVAC device serves a zone including the space, receive occupancy data determined by the fixture over a time period, filter the occupancy data to determine occupancy information associated with the fixture over the time period, determine an occupancy model associated with the space based on the occupancy information associated with the fixtures, and modify an operation of the upstream HVAC device based on the mapping and the occupancy model.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for supporting facility control of a terminal are provided. The method includes a sensor device receiving facility-related information from a remote control device of a facility to which the sensor device is attached, driving at least one sensor in accordance with the facility-related information, determining a kind of the facility based on a result of detecting through the at least one driven sensor, and transmitting a registration request for the facility of which the kind has been determined to a gateway. The present disclosure relates to a sensor network, Machine Type Communication (MTC), Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication, and technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the above technologies, such as a smart home, a smart building, a smart city, a smart car, a connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, by an edge controller, data relating to a first space. The edge controller controls operation of an edge device affecting a characteristic of the first space and that is associated with a first building equipment domain. The method further includes analyzing, by the edge controller, the data to determine whether the data satisfies a condition. If the condition is satisfied, the edge controller controls operation of the edge device using the data. If the condition is not satisfied, the edge controller (a) transmits a request to a cloud controller to analyze the data based on information obtained by the cloud controller regarding at least one of a second space or a second building equipment domain, (b) receives a response to the request from the cloud controller, and (c) controls operation of the edge device using the response from the cloud controller.

Abstract: A temperature voting system which receives votes indicating the temperature preferences of a plurality of occupants within a given HVAC zone, and adjusts a set-point temperature of a corresponding HVAC system accordingly. The votes may be received via a mobile device, an employee workstation, or from one or more biomedical devices. Each occupant may manually enter and submit a vote for their preferred set-point temperature, or a software application may be configured to automatically cast a vote for the corresponding occupant according to user-configurable preferences or current metabolic state. The received votes may be weighted according to a status of the voter, and aggregated to determine an appropriate set-point temperature. In some embodiments, near-field communication devices, GPS location technology, or other technology may be used to automatically detect the presence of an occupant within a HVAC zone and cast the occupant's vote for a corresponding HVAC zone.

Abstract: A building management system includes a programming tool and a target device. The graphical tool includes a user interface generator configured to provide a user interface that allows a user to create a block design comprising a plurality of logical, mathematical, and functional object. The target device includes a block generator configured to receive a text file of the block design, convert the text file into an application block file, and assemble the application block file into a custom application for the target device. The target device further includes a device controller configured to execute the custom application to modify the behavior of the target device.

Abstract: An automatic master slave system and approach for coordinated control of a parameter, for example, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning condition, in an area of multiple spaces controlled by room controllers. Changing a layout of a zone/area in a building such as moving, adding or removing a door, increasing or splitting size of a room through movable walls, or by permanently removing partitions, changing offices to a conference room or vice versa, may occur. A size of a room may be altered within minutes, according to customer demand. For instance, rooms may be converted into a single room by removing partitions. The controllers that were controlling temperatures of the rooms independently earlier, may convert automatically into a master-slave configuration and now work together to control a larger room. If the large room is split into multiple rooms, the controllers may automatically revert to their previous configuration.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) energy management control system includes an HVAC system configured to deliver at least one of heated air and cooled air to a targeted area; and a computing server including an HVAC energy analytics engine in signal communication with the HVAC system. The HVAC energy analytics engine is configured to actively learn historical data of the HVAC system based on at least one of the heated air and the cooled air produced over a time period. The HVAC energy analytics engine determines a predicted energy consumption of the HVAC system based on the historical data, and the HVAC system operates based on the predicted energy consumption.

Abstract: A method and a thermostat for a multi-thermostat temperature control system are provided. The system includes a thermostat including at least one processor communicatively coupled to at least one memory device. The thermostat is configured to receive one or more input signal commands permitting a recovery from a demand management system load shedding event and determine a pseudo-random starting time window from which a recovery starting time is selected. The pseudo-random starting time is based on a value accessible to the thermostat that is unique to the thermostat. The starting time window includes a primary delay window and a secondary delay window within the primary delay window. The thermostat is also configured to start an operation of a conditioning unit associated with the thermostat at the selected time.

Abstract: An air-conditioning control system includes an in-bed air conditioner which adjusts an in-bed temperature using air in a room interior, an in-room air conditioner which adjusts an in-room temperature, an in-bed environment measurer which measures the in-bed temperature, an in-room environment measurer which measures the in-room temperature, and an air-conditioning controller which performs first cooperation control that controls operation of the in-bed air conditioner and a wind direction of the in-room air conditioner on the basis of the in-bed temperature acquired from the in-bed environment measurer and the in-room temperature acquired from the in-room environment measurer.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system is provided. The system adaptively switches prediction strategies to optimize time-variant energy demand and consumption of built environments associated with renewable energy sources. The system analyzes a first, second, third, fourth and a fifth set of statistical data. The system derives of a set of prediction strategies for controlled and directional execution of analysis and evaluation of a set of predictions for optimum usage and operation of the plurality of energy consuming devices. The system monitors a set of factors corresponding to the set of prediction strategies and switches a prediction strategy from the set of derived prediction strategies. The system predicts a set of predictions for identification of a potential future time-variant energy demand and consumption and predicts a set of predictions. The system manipulates an operational state of the plurality of energy consuming devices and the plurality of energy storage and supply means.

Abstract: An intelligent air-conditioning controlling system at least comprises an intelligent controlling device, an air-conditioning, and a plurality of beacons respectively arranged at different zones of a space for sensing environment information in the space. The intelligent controlling device receives the environment information from the beacons, and determines if the space is a comfortable environment based on the environment information. If the entire space is determined an uncomfortable environment, the intelligent controlling device controls the air-conditioning to directly set a target temperature to a comfortable range. If only a specific zone of the space is determined the uncomfortable environment, the intelligent controlling device controls the air-conditioning to execute an adjusting operation in accordance with a position of the specific zone.

Abstract: A thermostat for a building space includes a communication interface and a processing circuit. The communications interface is configured to communicate with one or more user devices and a master device. The processing circuit is configured to determine a master temperature setpoint based on input received from the master device via the communications interface and determine a non-master temperature setpoint based on input received from the one or more user devices via the communications interface. The processing circuit is configured to select one of the master temperature setpoint and the non-master temperature setpoint based on an operating mode of the thermostat. Based on the selected temperature setpoint, the processing circuit is configured to generate and provide control signals for building equipment. The control signals cause the building equipment to control an ambient temperature of the building space to the selected setpoint.

Abstract: A system for controlling an operation of an air-conditioning system generating airflow in a conditioned environment, includes a set of sensors to produce measurements of the airflow in a set of points in the conditioned environment, a memory to store a model of the airflow dynamics including a combination of a first term transitioning a previous state of the airflow to a current state of the airflow and a second term assisting the transitioning, an observer to estimate the current state of the airflow in the conditioned environment by transitioning the previous state of the airflow forward in time according to the model of airflow dynamics to reduce the observation error in the current state of the airflow, and a controller to control the air-conditioning system based on the current state of the airflow. The first term in the model includes a projection of a physical model of the airflow on a finite-dimensional space.

Abstract: A controller configured to communicatively couple to at least two sets of equipment. At least one set of equipment includes heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, refrigeration equipment, or building automation equipment. For each set of equipment, the controller determines an operation schedule for the respective set of equipment. The controller also communicates the operation schedule to the respective set of equipment, for each set of equipment. The controller may receive a request to perform mass scheduling. The request indicates which sets of equipment and which settings of the operation schedule are to be configured using the mass scheduling. The controller may also communicate the same values for the settings that the request indicates to configure using the mass scheduling to each set of equipment that the request indicates to configure using the mass scheduling.

Abstract: A network connected controllable device is automatically controlled. A plurality of inputs that indicate states of a network connected device environment associated with a property of the network connected controllable device to be automatically controlled is received. A plurality of output candidates is evaluated according to an optimization function. The optimization function depends on the plurality of inputs and one or more parameters and the output candidates are associated with candidate settings of the property of the network connected controllable device to be automatically controlled. An output that optimizes the optimization function is selected among the plurality of output candidates.

Abstract: Systems and methods for premise management comprising a reservation 5 management module having at least one server, the at least one server arranged in data communication with a user device to receive a request for reservation from the user device to access a premise for a specific duration; and a key generator arranged in data communication with the reservation management module; wherein upon receipt of the request for reservation, the key generator generates a secret key for 10 the user to access the premise for the specific duration, is disclosed. The system may be integrated with other modules including, but not limited to, a lock system and a presence detection system to provide a seamless service to a user.

Abstract: A model predictive control system is used to optimize energy cost in a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system. The VRF system includes an outdoor subsystem and a plurality of indoor subsystems. The model predictive control system includes a high-level model predictive controller (MPC) and a plurality of low-level indoor MPCs. The high-level MPC performs a high-level optimization to generate an optimal indoor subsystem load profile for each of the plurality of indoor subsystems. The optimal indoor subsystem load profiles optimize energy cost. Each of the low-level indoor MPCs performs a low-level optimization to generate optimal indoor setpoints for one or more indoor VRF units of the corresponding indoor subsystem. The indoor setpoints can include temperature setpoints and/or refrigerant flow setpoints for the indoor VRF units.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for facilitating scheduling of comfort controllers such as thermostats. In an exemplary embodiment, a comfort controller is operable to control one or more configurations of a climate control system for providing climate control in a structure. The comfort controller is operable in accordance with a user-selected one of a plurality of stored weekly schedules for operation of the one or more configurations, where each of the plurality of stored weekly schedules provides a plurality of daily time slots and temperature set points, and is based on user-specifications, and where the user-selected weekly schedule is wirelessly received by and completely replaces a current operating weekly schedule on the comfort controller.

Abstract: A lock device is configured to receive a credential from a mobile device. The lock device is configured to monitor the distance between the mobile device and the lock device. The lock device is configured to detect an intent action by a user of the mobile device and unlock the lock device if the mobile device is within a predetermined distance from the lock device and the intent action is an approved intent action.

Abstract: In the control device 12 of the indoor unit 11, a plurality of communication means 14a to 14c having different communication speeds; communication speed recognizing means 18 for recognizing whether or not a communication line 15 from an outdoor unit 10 is connected to any of the communication means, from the communication speed of the control information signal; and communication means confirmation means 18 for confirming the communication means that performs the following communication based on the recognized communication speed, are provided. According to this, it is possible to recognize the communication speed of an input signal without providing a manual changeover switch. Therefore, it is possible to solve at least one or more of the problems that the installation work is complicated, that a setting error of the changeover switch is likely to be generated, and that the product prices increase.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to an Integrated High Density Server Vault (or “HDSV”) system containing the necessary mechanical and electrical infrastructure for the installation, operation and cooling of heat generating data processing equipment within a scalable manufactured environment which includes, but is not limited to, computing and electrical equipment. The disclosure relates in particular to the equipment application as it pertains to units adapted for rapid deployment of computing and electrical equipment.

Abstract: A central plant includes at least a first subplant and a second subplant configured to serve a thermal energy load of a building. A controller for the central plant includes an equipment staging detector configured to detect a staging event for equipment of the second subplant and to determine when the staging event occurs. The controller includes a subplant staging evaluator configured to use input from the equipment staging detector to determine whether a predetermined time period has elapsed since the staging event for the equipment of the second subplant has occurred. The controller includes a subplant staging preventer configured to prevent the first subplant from staging equipment of the first subplant in response to a determination that the predetermined time period has not elapsed since the staging event for the equipment of the second subplant has occurred.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, computerized apparatus and computer program product for supporting parallel user interaction with physical and modeled system. A computerized digital model representing a real world physical system is obtained. An indication of a physical component of the system being subject to engagement by a user is received. A model component corresponding to the physical component is automatically determined. An interaction of the user with the model component is controlled based on at least one of the model and data obtained through engagement with the physical component.

Abstract: An energy measurement system for a lighting system is disclosed. The lighting system may comprise multiple lighting units arranged in multiple lighting zones, multiple sensors associated with the lighting zones, and an energy measurement device. The lighting system may be arranged to switch on a lighting zone depending on at least a sensor associated with the lighting zone. Power-on energy uses of the multiple lighting zones associated with the multiple sensors is obtained from sensor data from the multiple sensors, and energy use data from the energy measurement device, the energy use data indicating an aggregated energy use of the multiple lighting zones at different times, and a processor circuit.

Abstract: An occupancy sensor detects the occupancy state of a monitored area. The occupancy sensor may be mounted in a standard junction box at various angles and one or more of the ultrasonic sensors may be disabled. The occupancy sensor includes a PIR sensor and one or more ultrasonic sensors. The sensor sensitivities and timeout settings may be programmed by a technician or user via an IR interface or via a network interface. The settings may be changed according to control system logic or some other factor such as date, time or room conditions. Setup of the sensor may also be performed via the IR interface or network interface. The occupancy outputs both a signal taking into account the timeout period as well as a raw data signal. The IR interface may be used to relay messages between a control system and external devices.

Abstract: A temperature voting system which receives votes indicating the temperature preferences of a plurality of occupants within a given HVAC zone, and adjusts a set-point temperature of a corresponding HVAC system accordingly. The votes may be received via a mobile device, an employee workstation, or from one or more biomedical devices. Each occupant may manually enter and submit a vote for their preferred set-point temperature, or a software application may be configured to automatically cast a vote for the corresponding occupant according to user-configurable preferences or current metabolic state. The received votes may be weighted according to a status of the voter, and aggregated to determine an appropriate set-point temperature. In some embodiments, near-field communication devices, GPS location technology, or other technology may be used to automatically detect the presence of an occupant within a HVAC zone and cast the occupant's vote for a corresponding HVAC zone.

Abstract: A control panel includes a current altering device for control of peripheral devices and a display having a first segment, second segment and third segment and the first and second segments are not located in the same plane. The display includes at least one touch sensitive segment to operate a peripheral control function. The display includes alphanumeric display areas adjacent to first and second segments. In an embodiment the display may have an arc shape and the first segment is located at an apex of the arc of the display in a first plane and a second segment is located in a second plane.

Abstract: A local thermostat for controlling an HVAC unit may include a controller programmed to execute a remote access function for remotely accessing and communicating with at least one remote thermostat over a communication channel. The remote access application may be configured to display at least one thermostat setting of at least one of the remote thermostats on the display of the user interface of the local thermostat. In some cases, the remote access application may allow a user to change one or more thermostat settings of at least one remote thermostat using the user interface of the local thermostat.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for automatically switching communication protocols. The method includes detecting a user input, determining, based on the user input, a first communication protocol needed to address the user input, and creating a virtualized network wherein devices that use a second communication protocol are represented via virtualized devices according to the first communication protocol.

Abstract: A method of managing energy consumption of a building may include performing an optimization for a zone of a building. The method may also include determining an environmental condition setting for the zone based on the optimization. Further, the method may include receiving user feedback of the environmental condition setting. The user feedback may reflect an environmental condition preference of the user. The method may also include modifying the optimization based on the feedback of the environmental condition setting and updating the environmental condition setting based on the modified optimization.

Abstract: In a thermostat having a plurality of demand circuits and a thermostat controller, a method of controlling devices connected to the demand circuits. One or more demand circuits in a thermostat are connected to devices in an HVAC system. The thermostat is configured to associate each connected demand circuit with the device to which it is connected and control signals are routed from the thermostat controller to the one or more demand circuits to control devices associated with the demand circuits.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a computer-implemented method for evaluating ceiling plenum airflow patterns and cooling performance of equipment in a data center. The method includes receiving data related to equipment in the data center, receiving data related to the ceiling plenum, determining first parameters related to airflow and to pressure in the ceiling plenum using a first airflow model, determining second parameters related to airflow through a plurality of equipment racks and to pressure across the plurality of equipment racks using a second airflow model distinct from the first airflow model, determining a coupling relationship between airflow through the equipment racks and airflow into the ceiling plenum, adjusting the first parameters based on at least the second parameters and the coupling relationship, determining a sufficiency of airflow through the equipment racks, and storing, on a storage device, an indication of the sufficiency of airflow through the equipment racks.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a bypass duct configured to selectively receive a bypass airflow therethrough in response to a supply air pressure of the HVAC system and a supply air temperature of the HVAC system.

Abstract: A scheduling apparatus includes a first calculator, a storage, and a second calculator. The first calculator is configured to calculate an assignment of plural time slots to a consumer. Each of the plural time slots is classified into at least any of plural categories. The storage is configured to store a first demand, from the consumer, regarding an extent to which the categories associated with the assignment are biased. The second calculator is configured to calculate an extent to which the categories associated with the assignment calculated by the first calculator are biased and calculate a first evaluation value representing a deviation between the first demand and an extent to which the categories associated with the assignment calculated by the first calculator are biased. The first calculator calculates the assignment so as to optimize an evaluation function including the first evaluation value.

Abstract: Method and system for detecting and/or quantifying recent human presence in an environment using a calculated rate of decay of carbon dioxide concentration levels within that environment. A sensor measures the change in carbon dioxide levels over time to calculate the rate of decay to equilibrium and extrapolate recent human presence. Also provided is a method and system for quantifying recent human activity in an environment using the calculated rate of decay to equilibrium.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an HVAC data processing and communication network and a method of manufacturing the same. In an embodiment, the network includes configuring a first system device and a subnet controller. The first system device is configured to receive an initial value of a specified dependent parameter. The subnet controller is configured to determine that a value of said specified parameter has been changed to a modified value after said first system device receives said initial value. The subnet controller is further configured to send to said first system device, in response to said determining, a message updating said specified parameter with said modified value.