Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for monitoring the status of a computer through a driverless device node port, such as a universal serial bus port or P/S 2 port, are disclosed. A driverless device node is emulated and presents a message to the operating system of the computer through the device node port. The message requires a response from the operating system, and the time taken for the response to be generated is detected. From the detected time, the status of the computer can be found. A status indication may be transmitted from a remote management device emulating the driverless device node to a remote management computer so that the condition of the computer can be monitored remotely.

Abstract: A power monitor circuit and method delays the start of a computer until multiple power lines are at a safe level of operation. The integrated circuit monitors only the voltage of a primary power supply output and eliminates the need for monitor circuits on each supply output. The power supply is made to exacting specifications that tie the 5 volt and 3.3 volt supplies to the primary 12 volt supply. The ATX power supply drives the 3.3 and 5.0 supplies to reach 90% of their values within 40 ms after the 12 volt supply reaches 90% of its value. A time delay circuit 25 delays switching the 3.3 and 5 volt dual outputs from the standby voltage supply to the active voltage supplies until after the primary 3.3 and 5 volt are at a safe operating level.

Abstract: A method and control system computing platform for a dialysis machine that uses Symmetric Multi-Processing (SMP) architecture. The SMP architecture tightly couples multiple (e.g., 2) independent processors by sharing memory between the processors. A single shared memory is used by both processors in order to facilitate communication between the processors and reduce cost by eliminating the expense of redundant memory. In this way, the two, or in general “N” processors, increase processor throughput by allowing the execution of N processes in parallel while without requiring extra memory and without having a single point of failure in the computer. In the event of a bus failure on the circuit card, the computer is reset using distributed hardware watchdogs. The watchdog reset signal is also sent to the hardware components of the dialysis machine in order to place the system in a safe.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for processing data relating to conditions in a manufacturing process. The system and method provide a time based relationship between data items of the data collected in a manufacturing process. More abstract and different data models may be defined enabling application of these data models in different systems without having to define the new models from the basic data items for each system. The system and method provide an identifier data type that allows association of a meaningful identifier with a time interval and a source. The identifier is associated with other data items through the relationship of time interval and source. Values of the identifier are dynamically defined and relate to either identity of an article being processed during the time interval or a status of the manufacturing process during the time interval.

Abstract: A state-of-device remote monitor system capable of applying a general-purpose line as a transmission line for transmitting detection signals of a state of a device, comprises an on-the-spot area, and a management area. The on-the-spot area includes an electric device, a detector for detecting a device state of the electric device, and a first communication signal converter for converting detection data obtained by the detection of the detector into communication signals, and transmitting the communication signals.

Abstract: An automated process defines and maintains connectivity regions within a dynamic network. The automated process requires an initial input of a network component around which a connectivity region will be defined. The process automatically and autonomously generates a region around the initial input, stores the region's definition, and monitors the network for a change. Upon detecting a change in the network, the effect is evaluated, and if necessary the regions are adjusted and redefined to accommodate the change. Only those regions of the network affected by the change will be updated. This process eliminates the need for an operator to manually evaluate connectivity regions within a network. Since the automated process maintains the network, the reliance on an operator is minimized; thus, reducing the potential for operator error. This combination of region maintenance and reduced operator reliance, results in a reduction of overall error.

Abstract: A two-wire field-mounted process device with multiple isolated channels includes a channel that can be an input channel or an output channel. The given input or output channel can couple to multiple sensors or actuators, respectively. The process device is wholly powered by the two-wire process control loop. The process device includes a controller adapted to measure one or more characteristics of sensors coupled to an input channel and to control actuators coupled to an output channel. The controller can be further adapted to execute a user generated control algorithm relating process input information with process output commands. The process device also includes a loop communicator that is adapted to communicate over the two-wire loop.

Abstract: A system for commissioning a controller accepts a different manual input during each of several different phases of the installation and provides the installer with a different detectable cue during each phase. The installer provides the manual input and then operates a switch indicating the input is present. The system stores the manual input present and advances the system to the next phase, and in a preferred embodiment provides a visible cue identifying each phase. The preferred embodiment uses devices controlled by the controller during normal operation and which also have manual position adjustment or set point selection to provide the manual inputs.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling operational sequences, particularly in a vehicle, at least one sensor having a connection unit being connected via a bus system to at least one control unit for controlling the operational sequences, the control unit likewise having a connection unit, and sensor information being transmitted to the control unit. The control unit reads in and/or processes the sensor information at specifiable synchronization points. A trigger signal is transmitted by the control unit via the bus system to the sensor in such a way with an allowance that the sensor information is available in a manner that it is able to be read in and/or processed exactly at the synchronization point for the control unit.

Abstract: A state information acquisition system has

Abstract: A method for providing independent static and dynamic models in a prediction, control and optimization environment utilizes an independent static model (20) and an independent dynamic model (22). The static model (20) is a rigorous predictive model that is trained over a wide range of data, whereas the dynamic model (22) is trained over a narrow range of data. The gain K of the static model (20) is utilized to scale the gain k of the dynamic model (22). The forced dynamic portion of the model (22) referred to as the bi variables are scaled by the ratio of the gains K and k. The bi have a direct effect on the gain of a dynamic model (22). This is facilitated by a coefficient modification block (40). Thereafter, the difference between the new value input to the static model (20) and the prior steady-state value is utilized as an input to the dynamic model (22). The predicted dynamic output is then summed with the previous steady-state value to provide a predicted value Y.

Abstract: An electronic control board for supplying control signals including an activation signal to a controlled device in response to a detection signal created by a sensor comprises an on delay timer, a run timer, and an off delay timer. The on delay timer must time out before an activation signal is sent to the controlled device. The run timer permits activation of the controlled device during a run time interval. The off delay timer must time out before a subsequent detection signal will be permitted to generate an activation signal. A lockout timer prohibits generation of an activation signal if the number of activations exceeds a cycle limit. The control board further provides for shutting off the controlled device if the second detection signal occurs during the run time interval.

Abstract: A programmable controller having a processing unit, a screen, a control panel, and signal inputs and outputs, all of which are accommodated in a common housing. Switching functions can be programmed by the user via a menu-driven user interface on the screen. The status display is capable of being switched between an active and an inactive display status of the screen.

Abstract: A state machine model analyzes sensor data from dynamic processes at a facility to identify the actual processes that were performed at the facility during a period of interest for the purpose of remote facility inspection. An inspector can further input the expected operations into the state machine model and compare the expected, or declared, processes to the actual processes to identify undeclared processes at the facility. The state machine analysis enables the generation of knowledge about the state of the facility at all levels, from location of physical objects to complex operational concepts. Therefore, the state machine method and apparatus may benefit any agency or business with sensored facilities that stores or manipulates expensive, dangerous, or controlled materials or information.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for monitoring the status of a computer through a driverless device node port, such as a universal serial bus port or P/S 2 port, are disclosed. A driverless device node is emulated and presents a message to the operating system of the computer through the device node port. The message requires a response from the operating system, and the time taken for the response to be generated is detected. From the detected time, the status of the computer can be found. A status indication may be transmitted from a remote management device emulating the driverless device node to a remote management computer so that the condition of the computer can be monitored remotely.

Abstract: The method for configuring the functional properties of an audiological device in the form of a hearing aid initially provides a hearing aid with an IC that can be differently configured in view of its properties, permitting configuration upgrade information to be employed that is either distributed to middlemen via a separate data carrier or transmitted on-line from a data store of the manufacturer to a programming station of the middleman. The middleman has the possibility of himself upgrading hearing aids initially present as basic hearing aids in customized fashion, the configuration information being used for this purpose and the hearing manufacturer being paid for this.

Abstract: A method of analyzing information from a boiler control system includes providing a series of status modes with each status mode represented as an input condition to be tested. A relative priority structure is established among the status modes and a unique message is associated with each status mode having an input condition that is true. Individual status modes are then tested in an order defined by the priority structure until a status mode in a true condition is found. The unique message associated with the status mode found to be true is displayed.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool automatically collects and stores data indicative of a variability parameter, a mode parameter, a status parameter and a limit parameter for a multi-variable function block associated with one or more devices or loops within a process control system, processes the collected data to determine which devices, loops or function blocks have problems that result in reduced performance of the process control system, displays a list of detected problems to an operator and then suggests the use of other, more specific diagnostic tools to further pinpoint or correct the problems. When the diagnostic tool recommends and executes a data intensive application as the further diagnostic tool, it automatically configures a controller of the process control network to collect the data needed for such a tool.

Abstract: From a set of possible switching states and responsive to a sequence of measurements, a corresponding sequence of switching states is determined for a system having a plurality of dynamic models, associates each model with a switching state such that a model is selected when its associated switching state is true. A state transition record is determined, based on the measurement sequence. The sequence of switching states is determined by backtracking through the state transition record. Alternatively, the switching state model is decoupled from the dynamic system model. The decoupled switching state model is transformed into a hidden Markov model (HMM) switching state model, while the decoupled dynamic system model is transformed into a time-varying dynamic system model. A solution to the dynamic system model is estimated using a Kalman filter.

Abstract: A computer temperature control system installed in a host computer and adapted for controlling the inside temperature of the host computer, the system including cooling fans mounted in the host computer at different locations, a MPU, temperature sensors adapted for detecting the ambient temperature around each cooling fan, an analog-to-digital converter adapted for converting analog temperature signal from each temperature sensor into a corresponding digital temperature signal for comparison with the corresponding pre-set temperature level for enabling the main processing unit to control the revolving speed of the respective cooling fan subject to the respective comparison result.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the life cycle of an electronic apparatus of the type that creates an output data record such as an exposed photographic film, or a digital data, sound or image file, includes a sensor in the electronic apparatus for monitoring the operation and condition of the apparatus to produce operational data; means in the electronic apparatus for appending the operational data to the data record; a data record utilization device that receives and operates on the data record; and a digital processor in the data record utilization device having a software agent that retrieves the operational data from the data record, processes the operational data and produces a message related to the life cycle of the product.

Abstract: A state-of-device remote monitor system capable of applying a general-purpose line as a transmission line for transmitting detection signals of a state of a device, comprises an on-the-spot area, and a management area. The on-the-spot area includes an electric device, a detector for detecting a device state of the electric device, and a first communication signal converter for converting detection data obtained by the detection of the detector into communication signals, and transmitting the communication signals.

Abstract: A method for estimating an interference phase shift when receiving a multicarrier signal formed of a time series of symbols modulating a plurality of carrier frequencies, at least some of the carrier frequencies of at least some of the symbols bearing reference elements, whereof the value at transmission level is known by the receiver carrying out the reception. The phase variation &dgr;n between at least two symbols bearing reference elements is estimated by analysing the reference elements. Each of the reference elements in the estimation is weighted by information representing the noise affecting the carrier frequency bearing the reference element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the control of mechanisms and technical systems characterized by that

Abstract: A numerically controlled machining apparatus that displays data, such as a tool reduction allowance, a tool core gap amount, and a tool shape and the like for a tool. The data is displayed along with the setting condition of a tool as it is set by a tool exchanging device. The data is detected by a tool set detecting device. A tool setting condition display identifies a tool which is set in the tool exchanging device and a tool that is not set in the tool exchanging device by use of a different color.

Abstract: An alarm management system and method includes structure and function for receiving one or more process parameter signals representative of one or more process parameters. Each of the received process parameters is then compared with an associated alarm point. An alarm status signal is generated on the basis of the comparison. An annunciation command signal is transmitted on the basis of the alarm status signal. And, a sound is then generated on the basis of the annunciation command signal.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for detecting a watermark in an information signal. The method may include the steps of computing the correlation (dk) of the watermark (Wi) and the information signal (e.g. an image Q) for a plurality of positions (k) of the watermark with respect to the information signal, and detecting whether at least one of the respective correlation values exceeds a given threshold. The step of detecting may include determining the standard deviation (&sgr;d) of the respective correlation values (dk), and setting the threshold to a given multiple (T) of the standard deviation. The multiple (T) is derived form a desired false alarm rate (watermark detected when there is none, or no watermark detected when there is one).

Abstract: A server system directs product selection over a communication network where screens are displayed to a user. The screens are arranged in a sequence. The server system processes user data from user input signals to determine if the user data is consistent with at least one of a plurality of products. The server system transfers a selected one of the screen signals corresponding to a selected one of the screens if the selected one of the screens is backward in the sequence or if all previous ones of the screens in the sequence prior to the selected one of the screens have the consistent data. The server system transfers to the user system over the communication network an earliest one of the screen signals corresponding to an earliest one of the screens in the sequence that does not have the consistent data if the selected one of the screens is forward in the sequence and if the previous ones of the screens in the sequence prior to the selected one of the screens do not all have the consistent data.

Abstract: A plurality of charging devices 30 may be connected to a computer 10, 110 via a network 60. When computer 10 receives chewing information from a charging device 30 before performing a charging operation, computer 10 may compute the optimal charging period based upon the charging information. Parameters defining the optimal charging period may be transmitted to the respective charging devices 30. Each charging device 30 may perform the battery charging operation based upon the transmitted parameters. Thus, a network system can manage and control the charging operations for the plurality of charging devices in order to optimize charging period, optimize the number of charging devices 30 and battery packs 50 in use and maximize battery life.

Abstract: In order to test whether a given signal of a complex circuit has the correct behavior, the method makes it possible to obtain in a computer memory a profile of states of other signals for which a state of the given signal is expected in a physical sample of the circuit. In order to minimize the processing time and the memory space required to obtain this profile, the method uses binary decision diagrams. Since the given signal can have more than two states (B, H, Z), the method generates at least two binary decision diagrams, a first binary decision diagram wherein the value at 1 indicates that the signal is in the first or in the second state, and a second binary decision diagram wherein the value at 1 indicates that the signal is in the second or in the third state.

Abstract: A component mapper is provided in connection with a process wherein a fluid stream having multiple physical components is modeled as a plurality of pseudo-components. Each physical component has a boiling point, and each pseudo-component has a pre-defined boiling point and includes all physical components from the fluid stream having approximately the pre-defined boiling point. Each pseudo-component in the model of the fluid stream has a varying pre-defined property and a varying amount. A plurality of sub-pseudo-components are defined for each pseudo-component such that the pseudo-component is replaceable therewith. Each sub-pseudo component has the pre-defined boiling point of the pseudo-component, a pre-defined value for the pre-defined property, and a varying amount. For each pseudo-component, a current value of the pre-defined property and a current amount of the pseudo-component are obtained, and a current amount for each sub-pseudo-component of the pseudo-component is then calculated.

Abstract: A CPU unit 2 has a liquid crystal display screen 10, a plurality of operation keys 12, and the like. Each of expansion units 3 to 8 has a push switch button 14. For example, when an operator pushes the switch button 14-1 of the ID-1 unit 3, information concerning the unit 3 is displayed on the liquid crystal screen 10. Next, the operator operates one of the predetermined operation keys 12 of the CPU unit 2, whereby the display contents of the screen 10 are removed and another piece of information concerning the unit 3 is displayed.

Abstract: A smart module circuit board carries a programmable microprocessor and a plurality of relay type interface circuits for use in organizing relatively high voltage input devices and output devices into a complex system wherein a programmed combination of input device signals determines when and if to energize one or more output devices in the system. The interface circuit comprises input and output stages which operate on logic level voltages and which are decoupled by opto-couplers from a relatively high voltage energization circuit which passes through a relatively high voltage electrical device. The energization circuit comprises a triac which is operated by the output stage in response to outputs from the microprocessor, a manual switch connected in parallel with the triac so that a given electrical load device can be manually activated and a multi-colored LED for indicating the conditions of the input and output circuits individually and in combination.

Abstract: Method for determining a state variable x from at least one sensor value by a cost function prepared for a measured value y for implementation in an arithmetic unit of a sensor system having at least one sensor and wherein the cost function depends on the respective state x to be measured and gives a deviation of an actual measured value from the calibration as a function of state x in order to determine the sought state x from this minimum. For the cost function, at least one approximation function is set up on the basis of at least one approximation region within the state region x, by which an approximation of the cost function is carried out with approximation functions with negligible error, wherein the sums of the approximation regions cover the entire relevant state region, and at least all local minima are determined on the basis of the approximation, in a selection of approximation regions, wherein optionally a global minimum is determined from the comparison of local minima.

Abstract: The disclosed invention includes a system and method for monitoring and control of processes and machines.

Abstract: A microcomputer is provided to generate PLC instructions. The microcomputer converts the PLC instructions into machine codes which are converted into execution instructions. The microcomputer is further provided with at least one hardware interface for controlling at least one controllable member. The hardware interface converts the execution instructions into control signals which are supplied to the controllable member. The controllable member connects on the hardware interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for local provisioning of a network interface unit. The local provisioning is performed by depressing a pushbutton on the front panel for an extended set determined time, at which time the NIU enters into the local provisioning mode. During this mode, a plurality of LEDs, corresponding to specific provision options, are sequentially lit. When the desired LED provision option is lit, the button is pressed to achieve the desired provisioning. The local provisioning mode is automatically exited after scrolling through all the LEDs.

Abstract: A shower temperature and flow rate memory controller is provided including a cold and hot water valve coupled to a cold and hot water inlet line, respectively, and further connected to a shower head of a shower for allowing a controlled rate of flow of cold and hot water to the shower head upon the actuation thereof. Next provided is a temperature sensor coupled a main inlet line connected to the shower head down stream of the water valves. The temperature sensor is adapted to generate a current temperature signal indicative of a temperature of water within the main inlet line. Next provided is a housing mounted within the shower. Memory is situated within the housing for storing a plurality of settings each consisting of a predetermined temperature set signal. Associated therewith is a plurality of memory buttons situated on the housing and adapted to transmit an associated one of the settings stored within the memory.