Abstract: An interactive method and apparatus are disclosed through which a fluid purification system operator inputs the system's parameters and the method then identifies one or more fluid purification equipment packages which will be optimized at the component level to the operator's specific requirements. The invention includes a relational database containing data on fluid purification equipment, the components thereof and ancillary equipment, and associated operational software to which the operator gains access through a computer and which then presents to the operator a series of questions relevant to gas purification equipment and system requirements. The questions are such that the responses elicited from the operator for each question determine what the successive questions will be and what optimal components will be identified. The software and databases may be in memory on the computer, embodied on CDs or DVDs run by the computer, or accessed through the Internet.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for improved data communications within a remote sensor system. The system includes a sensor node. The sensor node is adapted to generate data based at least in part on a detected event. The sensor node is adapted to communicate the data based at least in part on a rule. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for improved data communications within a remote sensor system. The method includes detecting an event, generating data based at least in part on the event, processing the data based at least in part on a rule, and communicating the data when the rule satisfied.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, products are disclosed for providing policy-based operating system services in an operating system on a computing system. The computing system includes at least one compute node. The compute node includes an operating system. The operating system includes a kernel and a plurality of operating system services of a service type. Providing policy-based operating system services in an operating system on a computing system includes establishing, on the compute node, a kernel policy specifying one of the operating system services of the service type for use by the kernel in the operating system, establishing a performance ruleset, the performance ruleset specifying rules for analyzing the performance of the computing system, measuring performance of the computing system, and adjusting the kernel policy in dependence upon the performance ruleset and the measured performance.

Abstract: A control system for a wind turbine comprises: a sensor arrangement for capturing measures related to the turbine operation and fatigue accumulation; an upper level controller, which, on the basis of a statistical treatment of said measures, calculates optimized control settings at discrete points of time; a measurement module which processes said measures into instantaneous values; and a lower level controller that receives said control settings and said instantaneous values and calculates instantaneous optimal commands to control turbine actuators. The lower level controller comprises a continuous-time damage model which calculates the rate at which damage is accumulated at any time, and an optimal controller which controls operational states of the turbine, either by directly giving feedback of the instantaneous values to the actuators, or by generating a turbine performance objective function which is continuously optimized by repeatedly solving a receding horizon optimization problem.

Abstract: A software module for a building automation system includes a plurality of software modules. A first module is configured to compute energy consumption characteristics of a building. A second module is configured to determine at least one alternate hardware configuration for the building, and to provide an estimated performance level associated with each of the at least one alternate hardware configuration. A third module is configured to recommend one of the at least one hardware configurations based on at least one predetermined financial criteria.

Abstract: A method is provided of embedding tooling control data within a mechanical fixture design to enable programmable logic control verification simulation. The method includes the steps of constructing at least one of a mechanical fixture design, a workcell design, and a controls design. The method also includes the steps of executing a virtual programmable logic control (VPLC) simulation with a VPLC verification simulator to verify the at least one of the mechanical fixture design, the workcell design, and the controls design.

Abstract: A process plant uses an asset utilization expert to collect data or information pertaining to the assets of the process plant from various sources or functional areas of the plant including, for example, the process control functional areas, the maintenance functional areas and the business systems functional areas. This data and information is stored in a database and is sent to and manipulated in a coordinated manner by tools, such as optimization and modeling tools. This data is also redistributed to other areas or tools where it is used to perform overall better or more optimal control, maintenance and business activities. Information or data may be collected by maintenance functions pertaining to the health, variability, performance or utilization of a device, loop, unit, etc. and this information may then be sent to and displayed to a process operator or maintenance person to inform that person of a current or future problem.

Abstract: A processor-based system accessing a performance profile for a program executing on a predetermined data set, executing the program on the predetermined data set, and governing processor speed in a predictive manner based at least in part on the performance profile.

Abstract: In adjustment of the control parameters of a magnetic suspension system, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for adjusting the control parameters to optimum values automatically by employing the iterative feedback tuning method, without increasing the complexity of the program, the amount of calculation and the overall size of the system, and still reducing the amount of calculation required for calculation of the safety margin (gain margin and phase margin). In a method of automatic adjustment of control parameters according to the invention, when applying the iterative feedback tuning method to a feedback control system for a magnetic suspension system, only those control parameters that have a significant effect on the control performance of the system are selectively adopted/discarded from among control parameters so that the control parameters are guided to optimum values to obtain a response waveform desired by a designer directly from input/output data of a control subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processing apparatus utilising dynamic scaling of voltage (DVS), and in particular although not exclusively to a controller for such apparatus. The invention is especially applicable to software defined radio (SDR), but is not so limited and may be applied to other re-configurable electronic systems. The present invention provides a controller for a processing apparatus having a plurality of processing resources, at least some of said resources having controllable supply voltage and/or frequency; the controller comprising: means for scheduling operations on said resources, at least some of said operations having a predetermined deadline by which the operation must be performed; means for determining a voltage and/or frequency profile for a said operation having a said deadline; and means for instructing the resources to perform said operations according to said schedule and said profile.

Abstract: A precision farming method including a stochastic parameter , which is continuously optimized to adjust the model to the latest prevailing working conditions. Such parameter may be considered to constitute a variable which characterizes the instantaneously prevailing readiness of the harvesting process. Such variable can be used for establishing field maps showing the evolution of the harvesting operation itself. It can also be used in automatic routines which adjust the harvester speed in order to limit the grain losses.

Abstract: A configuration output system for use with a building automation system is provided. The configuration output system includes a database and an output engine block. The database contains a configuration data set selected by a user. The output engine block is operable to generate a plurality of types of outputs representing the configured building automation system as a function of the configuration data set.

Abstract: A system and method for providing energy-efficient support of continuous aggregate queries in a sensor network by efficiently orchestrating the collection and transmission of data gathered by a collective set of sensors to ensure conformance to a specified QoI bound. To ensure this, the sink communicates a potentially different value of precision range or interval to each individual sensor; the sensor is adapted to only report its samples back to the sink if the sample values fall outside this specified range. An additional way to specify temporally varying precision ranges to an individual sensor or groups of sensors is provided without having to explicitly communicate the precision bounds for these different time instants. Using temporally varying precision ranges permits the exploitation of temporal correlation among the sample values recorded by an individual sensor to further reduce the need for reports from the sensors.

Abstract: A system and method for meeting performance goals in an electronic system in an energy efficient manner. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise operating an electrical circuit at a current level of performance and a current level of energy efficiency by providing the electrical circuit with electrical power characterized by a current set of power characteristics (e.g., utilizing a power control module). The current level of performance may be determined (e.g., by a performance monitor) and compared to a desired level of performance (e.g., by the power control module). If the current level of performance is higher than the desired level of performance, then the electrical circuit may be operated at a next (e.g., lower) level of performance and a next (e.g., higher) level of energy efficiency by providing the electrical circuit with electrical power characterized by a next set of power characteristics.

Abstract: A position management server detects positions of a user based on a signal from an RFID tag carried by the user. A PC displays, on a monitor, map information including a layout of the user and a plurality of printers. The user drags and drops a file icon onto a printer icon corresponding to a printer used for printing. The PC transmits a file corresponding to the file icon, printer identification information, and PC identification information to a printer management server. The printer management server selects a driver, generates print data, and transmits the print data to the printer together with the PC identification information. The printer prints the print data and transmits a print notification to the PC. The PC displays the print notification on the monitor.

Abstract: An apparatus for playing media and method of setting resources thereof are disclosed, by which system resources can be precisely controlled in a manner of enabling an application to set a player using specific resources to play a service or component. The present invention includes creating a player controlling media signals, setting at least one specific resource to be used by the created player, selecting a specific player that uses the set specific resource, a executing the set player.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for controlling a process, such as a chemical reaction, that emits a multi-component mixture of gases; and for controlling a device to which is transmitted a product of a chemical reaction that emits a multi-component mixture of gases.

Abstract: A simple and accurate processor derating method includes: sampling a real-time counter/clock too obtain an initial time value T1; resetting an Icnt Counter; incrementing the Icnt Counter to reflect the processing of each instruction; comparing the count in the Icnt Counter to a predetermined count IcntMax and if the count in the Icnt Counter is at least IcntMax, then sampling the RTC to obtain a second time T2. T1 is then subtracted from T2 to obtain a time difference DT which is multiplied by ((1?1/DF)?1) to obtain a Degradation Delay DD period, DF being a constant having a value which is the desired submodel performance with respect to full performance. The Degradation Delay is instituted, the RTC is sampled from time to time to obtain a test third time T3. When a test T3 minus T2 is not less than DD, then T1 is set to T3. Then, the procedure is repeated for a next group of instructions.

Abstract: A control system for a plant is provided. This control system can control the plant more stably, when the model parameters of the controlled object model which are obtained by modeling the plant, which is a controlled object, are identified and the sliding mode control is performed using the identified model parameters. The model parameter identifier (22) calculates a model parameter vector (?) by adding an updating vector (d?) to a reference vector (?base) of the model parameter. The updating vector (d?) is corrected by multiplying a past value of at least one element of the updating vector by a predetermined value which is greater than “0” and less than “1”. The model parameter vector (?) is calculated by adding the corrected updating vector (d?) to the reference vector (?base).

Abstract: Processing circuits that are associated with the operation of threads in an SMT processor can be configured to operate at different performance levels based on a number of threads currently operated by the SMT processor. For example, in some embodiments according to the invention, processing circuits, such as a floating point unit or a data cache, that are associated with the operation of a thread in the SMT processor can operate in one of a high power mode or a low power mode based on the number of threads currently operated by the SMT processor. Furthermore, as the number of threads operated by the SMT operator increases, the performance levels of the processing circuits can be decreased, thereby providing the architectural benefits of the SMT processor while allowing a reduction in the amount of power consumed by the processing circuits associated with the threads. Related computer program products and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques for determining the response characteristics of a system. One such technique includes applying a series of M vector probe input signal sets of a form {overscore (V)}m x(t) to the system, wherein {overscore (V)}m is an m-th column of a matrix V and x(t) is a scalar input signal. The response signals {overscore (y)}t are measured and a single-input system {overscore (F)}m(z) is determined by considering the approximate relationship {overscore (y)}z?{overscore (F)}m(z)x(z), where {overscore (F)}m(z) is an m-th column of a matrix F(z). The system characteristics can be determined from the relationship H(z)=F(z)V?1, where V?1 denotes the right-matrix-inverse of the matrix V. The matrix V may be a matrix with mutually orthogonal rows, or may have entries consisting of plus one and minus one values, or may be a portion of a Hadamard matrix.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling a process from run-to-run for semiconductor manufacturing. The method of control utilizes a process model to establish a relationship between process control input data and process control output data. The method of control involves minimizing the difference between target process control output data and process control output data predicted by applying the process model to the new process control input data.

Abstract: A method for controlling at least one characteristic of a product of an industrial batch process. The method comprising the steps of creating a hierarchical knowledge tree describing the process. Following the creation of a knowledge tree a learning process occurs. This leads to the creation of a global model. During the execution of a batch process, the global model is applied to dynamically target subsequent phase parameters based on already executed phases.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the voltage and frequency to minimize power dissipation in a processor. The method of one embodiment comprises determining a power consumption value. The power consumption value is evaluated to obtain a new operating point. The new operating point is compared with a present operating point. A frequency setting and a voltage setting are adjusted to correspond to the new operating point if the new operating point is different from the present operating point.

Abstract: For determination as to whether there is a possibility that temperature control satisfying conditions according to an upper limit LH_i and a lower limit LL_i of the annealing control temperatures of annealing object steel sections i will be realized under restrictions on limit values U and D of the control temperature increase and decrease rates, computation is performed without using dynamic programming requiring an enormous amount of data on a continuous annealing line of a steelwork. Annealing object steel sections in an annealing object steel band 12 to be computed are assigned numbers 1, 2, . . . , n in order from the first time division in the direction of movement. T_i is a time required to pass the annealing object steel section i through a predetermined point at which the steel section undergoes temperature control. LH_1=LL_1=b is given. X_i=[IL_i?D*T_i, IH_i+U*T_i] is computed. When X_L_i1f, Y_i=X_iL_i. When X_i L_i=f, Y_i=X_i. Y—i is computed from i=1 to i=n in ascending order.

Abstract: A method is provided for testing multiple elements of a work machine, including a control system, a component, a sub-component that is influenced by operations of the component, and a sensor that monitors a characteristic of the sub-component. In one embodiment, the method is performed by the control system and includes sending a command to the component to adjust a first parameter associated with an operation of the component. Also, the method includes detecting a sensor signal from the sensor reflecting a second parameter associated with a characteristic of the sub-component and determining whether the second parameter is acceptable based on the command. The control system may diagnose at least one of the elements of the work machine when the second parameter of the sub-component is not acceptable.

Abstract: An industrial process diagnostic apparatus is provided which can identify a source, or “root cause”, of an aberration in an industrial process. A plurality of process configuration models are provided which each represent a physical (or actual) implementation of an industrial process. One of the plurality of models is selected and diagnostics performed on the process using the selected model and at least one process signal related to the process. Based upon the diagnostics, a root cause of the aberration is determined.

Abstract: A system for controlling a complex process in which a supervisory sequential controller interface provides automatic sequencing of a plurality of sequential steps of a procedure for operating the complex process, and a display in dynamic communication with the supervisory sequential controller interface and responsive thereto, displays an overview of the status of progression through the sequential steps relative to the entire process. The display provides a global view of the status of the procedure identifying the state of substantially each criterion that needs to be satisfied to advance to the next sequential step and providing verification that substantially each command to be given upon satisfaction of the criterion, has been executed.

Abstract: A market based learning mechanism for controlling smart matter to learn an appropriate organizational control structure for a multiple actuator-sensor dynamical system for use in optimizing system control. The more successful one or more of a plurality of control methods are in predicting system operation, the more weight the successful methods are given in controlling the system.

Abstract: A method for a systematic approach to forming experimental designs for large, complex systems after an idea for a product is formed. Critical variables for the product are determined by experts in the field, a design matrix Uk is defined, a base design matrix X is generated, Y(P)=(I?B(BTB)?1BT)[(XP)//U]A & Wynn's criterion is defined, where P is a permutation matrix, I is an identity matrix, B is a blocking matrix, BT is a transposed matrix of B and A is a matrix composed of causal map-based coefficients and wherein a design matrix Uk is created. The index k?k+1 is set and an algorithm to choose the best of random column permutation matrices P and an algorithm to choose the best column permutation matrix P that is near a previous solution and setting Uk?[XPk with rows from Uk-1 appended].

Abstract: A method for identifying a state of a manufacturing system includes defining at least one virtual sensor having a value. At least one state descriptor including a plurality of condition terms and a trigger probability is defined. Each condition term includes a function of the value of the virtual sensor. The condition terms are evaluated based on the value to determine a classification probability. The state is identified responsive to the classification probability being greater to or equal to the trigger probability. A manufacturing system including a plurality of tools, at least one virtual sensor, and a state classification unit is also provided.

Abstract: There are provided a positioning control method and a positioning control device, which enables high speed positioning with low power consumption without repeating two or more acceleration and deceleration operations during travel from an original position to a target position. There is also provided an electronic component mounting apparatus, which enables high speed positioning with low power consumption and enables mounting of electronic components in a short period of time. When a movable body is moved from the original position to the target position, there is set an operational passing position for avoiding a passing avoidance region, and driving of a drive unit having a smaller travel distance from the original position to a coordinate of the operational passing position is started later than driving start timing of a drive unit having a longer travel distance, from the original position to another coordinate of the operational passing position, by a specified period of time.

Abstract: To provide an algorithm-based optimizing controller which can search for an optimal solution in line with user requirements with reduced time requirements for optimization. An interactive optimizer 310 searches for an optimal solution of a responsivity calculator 342 using a GA while repeatedly evaluating, interactively, responsivity outputted from the responsivity calculator 342 which receives control coefficients that affect control characteristics of the interactive optimizer 310 and outputs the responsivity.

Abstract: A control system for a plant is disclosed. According to this system, a model parameter vector of a controlled object model which is obtained by modeling the plant, is identified. A controller controls the plant using the identified model parameter vector. An identifying error of the model parameter vector is calculated, and the calculated identifying error is limited in a predetermined range. An updating vector is calculated according to the limited identifying error. The model parameter vector is calculated by adding the updating vector to a reference vector of the model parameter vector.

Abstract: A method for the automatic selection of computer system parameter values to improve system performance as workload on the system changes. Methods are disclosed for automatically making minor adjustments to computer system parameters and comparing long-term associated performance changes in order to set parameter values so as to obtain improved system performance. The time frame over which a change in a system parameter and the associated system performance change is averaged is adjustable, thus permitting evaluation over shorter or longer periods of times as deemed appropriate. An objective measure of system performance is defined prior to implementation of the present methods. For transaction based systems, average system response-time for a given demand on the system could be, for example, such a measure. For systems executing batch-type workloads, system throughput may be used as the indicator of how well the system is performing.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring and controlling laser cladding process by powder injection in real-time. The invention combines laser cladding technique along with automated direct feedback control to achieve a good quality clad in terms of dimensional and metallurgical characteristics. The system uses optical CCD-based detectors as the feedback system. The optical CCD-based detectors along with a pattern recognition algorithm is used to determine the clad characteristics in real-time. These characteristics are clad's dimensions, solidification rate, and roughness that are fed into a closed loop control system to adjust the laser power and table velocity to produce desired clad quality.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for assessing performance of control applications in an environmental control network and for diagnosing performance problems. The apparatus includes a performance assessment and diagnostic display comprising a facility navigation tree, a system navigation tree and a performance/diagnostics window. The facility navigation tree and system navigation tree may be used to select the facilities and systems that are to have their associated control applications assessed and/or diagnosed. The performance/diagnostics window includes graphs of performance indictors that are indicative of performance levels for the included control applications. The system tree may be used to delve to more detailed views of the performance indicators to obtain additional information that may help to diagnose problems noted in performance of the selected control applications.

Abstract: A method of predicting component crack behavior in a nuclear reactor provides access to a crack growth behavior model over a global network. A user inputs water chemistry and material characteristics of a particular nuclear reactor and can perform crack growth rate predictions by accessing the behavior model over the computer network. A crack growth prediction profile or crack growth based result is output over the network according to an analysis by the behavior model.

Abstract: A testing apparatus which, when resuming a test after interruption, makes it possible to determine whether or not an apparatus to be tested is the one for which the test has been interrupted. A controller acquires identification information for identifying the apparatus to be tested. The controller carries out a test comprised of a plurality of testing items to be executed on the apparatus to be tested. When the test is interrupted, a recording section is operable to record resuming information for carrying out the test on unexecuted testing items among the plurality of testing items, and the acquired identification information.

Abstract: The present invention is implementing high efficiently traces of system calls for calling inner processing of an operation systems (OS) in an information processing device acting by an operating system. It comprises recording method recording traces of system calls in an information processing device, comprising a valid/invalid of the trace function being set plural system calls by each system call, and the traces are implemented by combination of the setting functions.

Abstract: In a method for reducing sensed physical variables generating a plurality of control commands are generated at a control rate as a function of the sensed physical variables. An estimate of a relationship between the sensed physical variables and the control commands is also is used in generating the plurality of control commands. The estimate of the relationship is updated based upon a response by the sensed physical variables to the control commands. The generation of the control commands involves a quadratic dependency on the estimate of the relationship and the quadratic dependency is updated based on the update to the estimate.

Abstract: A method is provided, the method comprising sampling at least one parameter characteristic of processing performed on a workpiece in at least one processing step, and modeling the at least one characteristic parameter sampled using an adaptive sampling processing model, treating sampling as an integrated part of a dynamic control environment, varying the sampling based upon at least one of situational information, upstream events and requirements of run-to-run controllers. The method also comprises applying the adaptive sampling processing model to modify the processing performed in the at least one processing step.

Abstract: Methods and tools for quickly and accurately performing complex customer benefit modeling for an electronic components assembly system are disclosed. In one embodiment, predefined user interfaces allow a consultant, customers, salespersons, or line designers to input a line configuration by selecting from a list predefined objects that represent specific line components. In addition, the user inputs other line configuration data specific to the line being configured. The information contained in the user interface is extracted for use a discrete event simulator. Templates for simulation objects may be created in advance and populated with data from the input interface. A simulation is built and run. Simulation results may be exported to an output means, which may allow for custom generated reports. The reporting means may include a means for allowing customer specific information and data to be inputted.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for statistical modeling and simulation of the impact of global variation and local mismatch on the performance of integrated circuits, comprises the steps of: estimating a representation of component mismatch from device performance measurements in a form suitable for circuit simulation; reducing the complexity of statistical simulation by performing a first level principal component or principal factor decomposition of global variation, including screening; further reducing the complexity of statistical simulation by performing a second level principal component decomposition including screening for each factor retained in the first level principal component decomposition step to represent local mismatch; and performing statistical simulation with the joint representation of global variation and local mismatch obtained in the second level principal component decomposition step.

Abstract: A system and method for heuristically optimizing a large set of automated test sets is presented. An automation control engine is used as a front end to a system automation engine. The automation control engine provides a set of input parameters, such as a buffer size and queue size, to the system automation engine. The system automation engine uses the input parameters along with a set of test sequences, to test a system under test. The system automation engine receives output variables from the system under test based upon the test, and sends the output variables to automation control engine. The automation control engine adjusts the input parameter values until the output variables meet one or more performance goals.

Abstract: A data integrity module and method for evaluating data in a process information database. A neural network generates statistical patterns for specifying patterns for the data being evaluated. A fuzzy expert rules base specifies rules for evaluating the data. A processor, responsive to the rules base and the statistical patterns, identifies suspect data in the process information database by evaluating the data according to the rules base and the statistical patterns. A modification system modifies the suspect data in the process information database.

Abstract: An adaptive control system and method for controlling the path feed rate to achieve a target spindle load during machine tool operations. The adaptive control system can provide load monitoring capability, which will actively monitor an incoming load signal from a spindle drive and determine if it exceeds warning and alarm levels. If the incoming load being monitored exceeds the set warning level, a warning output is asserted and maintained until the incoming load falls below the set warning level. If the incoming load exceeds the set alarm level, the alarm output and feed hold output are asserted and maintained until an adaptive controller reset is requested. Normal cutting operations cannot resume until the conditions that generated the alarm level are addressed. Adaptive control of machine tool operations is provided by monitoring of the incoming load and requesting feed rate changes based on a proportional integral derivative (PID) controller algorithm.

Abstract: A first software program for simulating an operating laser system controls a processor that generates one or more dummy parameters each corresponding to a parameter of an operating laser system. The dummy parameter is read over a same or similar signal interface as the operating laser system by a processor running a test software subroutine having the laser system parameter as an input. An algorithm including the test software subroutine then generates an output command based on the value of the dummy parameter. A second software program for efficiently scheduling laser service routines based on a predetermined lithography system schedule controls a processor that reads the lithography system schedule including scheduled system downtimes, wherein the scheduled downtimes include start times and durations. The processor then reads a time window and duration for each of one or more scheduled laser service routines.

Abstract: Real time customization of characteristics of a control unit is conducted, and a control unit can become adaptive to an individual user. The input-output relationship of the control module is regulated by pre-selected control parameters. A method includes the steps of: (a) calculating values of the control parameters; (b) operating the machine using the values of the control parameters; (c) indicating to the user the values of the control parameters in sensorially recognizable form; (d) indicating to the user an intuitively recognizable symbol generalizing the values of the control parameters; (e) selecting or modifying the values of the control parameters by the user using the information indicated in steps (c) and (d) based on the user's evaluation of the performance of the machine; and (f) repeating steps (a) through (e) while operating the machine.

Abstract: A method, system, and product are described for estimating the number of consumers that place a load on an individual resource belonging to a pool of resources that are physically distributed through a data processing system. The resources and consumers are physically distributed throughout a semiconductor substrate of the data processing system. A definition of the load on a particular resource in the pool of resources is described in terms of the number of consumers that could be said to have all of their resource requests satisfied only by that particular resource. A method is described by which this number can be estimated. In this method, a relative size of a portion of the resources is determined with respect to a total size of all of the resources. A load placed on the portion of the resources by the consumers is estimated utilizing the determined relative size and a value of a total quantity of the consumers.