Abstract: A monitoring, control and configuration system that includes a local system, a mobile device application, and a server that is accessible by users via the mobile device application and a Software as a Service (SaaS) interface via a browser is disclosed. The local system contains a microprocessor, communications components and related software all of which enable communications with the server and external components coupled with the local system. The local system software and server software combine with the mobile application and website interface to enable a user to monitor, configure, and control external devices coupled with the local system and the local system itself via the server. The system replaces multiple disparate control devices with a single, configurable device and system. The system integrates multiple disparate devices and systems from multiple manufacturers.

Abstract: A human augmented robotics intelligence operation system can include a plurality of robots, each robot having a plurality of sensors; a robot control unit; and one or more articulating joints; a cloud-based robotic intelligence engine having; a communication module; a historical database; and a processor; and a human augmentation platform. The processor can be configured to make a probabilistic determination regarding the likelihood of successfully completing the particular user command. When the probabilistic determination is above a pre-determined threshold, the processor sends necessary executable commands to the robot control unit. Alternatively, when the probabilistic determination is below the predetermined threshold, the processor generates an alert and flags the operation for human review.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for adjusting a process control prediction model, and a process controller. In an embodiment, the method includes: determining, based on controlled variable data in process control data obtained through real-time monitoring, whether a prediction performance of the process control prediction model is lower than a reference performance; and when the prediction performance is determined to be lower than the reference performance, using manipulated variable data in the process control data monitored to adjust the process control prediction model. By way of the method, a re-test does not need to be executed to re-identify a model so as to eliminate a mismatch of the process control prediction model, thereby eliminating an influence of fluctuation introduced by addition of an excitation signal during the re-testing.

Abstract: A system for performing multiple operations on one or more weld joints of a pipe string includes a robotic scanning device that is configured to controllably travel inside of the pipe string and detect, scan and uniquely identify each weld joint within the pipe string. The system further includes a plurality of secondary robotic devices that are each configured to controllably travel inside of the pipe string and perform one or more specific operations on the one or more weld joints of the pipe string. The robotic scanning device includes a processor that is configured to generate a work plan for the plurality of secondary robotic devices. The robotic scanning device transmits work plan commands to each of the plurality of secondary robotic devices and receive transmissions from the plurality of secondary robotic devices.

Abstract: A system parameter identification system uses a combination of relay control and sinusoidal injection to derive accurate estimates of system parameters of a controlled system or process while satisfying the rate-limit associated with some control applications. The system uses rate-limited relay control with hysteresis to place the system in oscillation. The system then switches the control signal from relay-based control to open-loop sinusoidal control using oscillation frequency, amplitude, and phase information obtained during the relay control stage. During the sinusoidal control phase, the plant output passes through a bandpass filter at the oscillation frequency to get a clean sinusoidal signal. The phase difference between the input and output signals and the output/input amplitude ratio are then obtained and used to calculate of the system parameters.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for parallelizing order-by-order planning in a supply chain network. The system includes a database configured to store data describing a demand priority sequence, each demand priority sequence comprising at least one demand of an end-item and data describing the supply chain network comprising a plurality of network components, each network component configured to supply one or more items to satisfy demand. The system further includes a server coupled with the database, the server accesses the data describing the demand priority sequence and accesses the data describing the supply chain network. The server further creates mapping tables for each end-item, generates a dependency map for each end-item, generates a list of demand levels, and generates an order plan of end-items for planning in parallel comprising the orders planned for the demands at each demand level.

Abstract: A control system design assist device which assists design of a control system that controls a control object such that the control object outputs a control amount according to a target value. The design assist device generates a response prediction formula predicting a variation value of the control amount at each control timing included in the sequence of control timings by using an amount of change of the operation amount at each operation timing included in the sequence of operation timings; generates evaluation formulas; and converts a logical product formula into a first first-order predicate logical formula. The design assist device generates a control logical formula indicating a relationship between the current value of the target deviation and the change amount of the operation amount.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine control apparatus comprises a controller 34, a memory 36 associated with the controller 34 and inputs 38 for measurement data from an engine. The controller 34 determines the start of a monitoring cycle at 73, receives measurement data at the inputs 38 during the monitoring cycle, manipulates the measurement data to provide an incremental deterioration value representing deterioration occurring within the engine and during the monitoring cycle, and uses the incremental deterioration value at 72 to update a deterioration value 74 stored in the memory 36, and determines the start of a further monitoring cycle.

Abstract: A system includes a power supply model component and a disturbance estimating component. The power supply model component receives an estimated disturbance. The disturbance estimating component provides said estimated disturbance from a difference between a sensed output of a power supply and an estimated output from said power supply model component.

Abstract: A switching power supply includes a circuit that provides an output voltage, a switching component that switches the circuit between a first output voltage state and a second output voltage state, and a driver component that receives an input control signal and that drives the switching component to cause the circuit to switch between the first output voltage state and the second output voltage state. An adaptive plant estimator receives the output voltage from the circuit and an input to the switching power supply and provides a model of the switching power supply that reflects changes in an output voltage state of the switching power supply. A compensator design component receives the model and provides compensator parameters that reflect changes in the output voltage state of the switching power supply. An adaptive compensator receives the compensator parameters and provides the input control signal to the driver component.

Abstract: Described are computer-implemented methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for estimating an optimal value for each input factor of a design space. The design space is defined by the input factors and output responses for a physical process. The optimal values for the input factors represent a starting point for estimating the design space. Data is received for the input factors, the output responses and criteria. An initial design space is estimated based on the received data. The optimal values for the input factors are determined from the initial design space.

Abstract: A vehicle having a dynamics control system, the vehicle comprising: a first set comprising multiple adjustable sub-systems that affect the performance of the vehicle's powertrain; a second set comprising multiple adjustable sub-systems that affect the vehicle's handling; a dynamics user interface including a first input device and a second input device; and a dynamics controller coupled to the user interface and configured to adjust the operation of the sub-systems of the first set in dependence on the first input device and to adjust the operation of the sub-systems of the second set in dependence on the second input device.

Abstract: A method of offline code validation and a process control system are provided. The system includes a plurality of sensors each configured to generate a sensor output value representative of a respective sensed parameter in a process plant, at least one process controller configured to receive one or more of the sensor output values and to generate a controller output value using the one or more of the sensor output values and a control algorithm associated with the at least one process controller, a plurality of controlled components configured to receive an associated controller output value, and an offline computing environment including a selectable model controller configurable to represent the at least one process controller, the model controller selectable by a user from code representing the at least one process controller and displayed on a user interface.

Abstract: Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for automated predictive design space estimation. A design space of input factors and output responses is estimated for a physical process. Data is received for one or more input factors for a physical process, one or more output responses for the process, and criteria. For each of the one or more input factors, a calculated range of input values within the corresponding experimented range of input values is calculated. A modified range of input values is calculated for each of the one or more input factors. A design space estimate is predicted based at least on the modified ranges of input values, wherein the modified ranges of input values each comprise a largest region of variability for one or more of the input factors where the criteria are fulfilled.

Abstract: A method and an electronic device are disclosed for testing drive parameters of an electropneumatic valve which is inserted into a closed control loop for position regulation of a switching element of a pneumatic actuating drive for a fitting which can be operated thereby. The electropneumatic valve can be driven by an alternating signal of a specific amplitude, such that the control loop will oscillate about a nominal position value to be regulated by alternate ventilation and venting of the valve, such that hysteresis present in the pneumatic actuating drive can be overcome. The trajectory of the position oscillation that is produced can, at the same time, be detected at the switching element using sensors, from which a characteristic of the control loop for the selected amplitude can be determined to confirm whether an opening point which is suitable for the control loop has been found.

Abstract: A method and system of determining tuning parameters for use in tuning a controller used in a process control loop for a motor and associated load. The method includes providing tuning parameters, applying an excitation test signal, receiving frequency response data to determine phase and gain margins, creating an instability region defined by a bounded area that connects the phase and gain margins with a boundary on a gain vs. phase plot, assigning and applying cost functions, and computing stability determinations.

Abstract: A control systems and methods are presented for controlling a production system, in which a model-based planner includes a formulation, such as a SAT formulation representing possible actions in the production, with a solver being used to provide a solution to the formulation based at least partially on production and diagnostic goals and the current plant condition, and a translation component translates the solution into a plan for execution in the plant.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program product for managing one or more electronic devices. Performance of an electronic device is monitored and presented to a user through a digital agent interface. The performance of the electronic device is controlled automatically by digital agent through the digital agent interface. The invention also enables automatic testing of the electronic device through the digital agent interface by setting up test configurations, activating test signals, and interpreting any error codes that may be generated.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting operation of a plant or process receive an input value from the plant or process. An integrity of a non-linear model corresponding to a local input space of the input value may be determined. The non-linear model may include an empirical representation of the plant or process. If the integrity is above a first threshold, non-linear model may be used to provide a first output value. However, if the integrity is below the first threshold, a linearized first principles model may be used to provide a second output value. The linearized first principles model may include an analytic representation of the plant or process. Additionally, the analytic representation of the plant or process may be independent of the empirical representation of the plant or process. The first output value and/or the second output value may be usable to manage the plant or process.

Abstract: A joint of a robot is controlled by a torque command. The joint has a position controller with a position feedback loop. The torque command is received for the joint, and a velocity feedforward command is determined for realizing the torque command using the position controller. The velocity feedforward command is sent to the position controller and the position feedback loop is canceled. The position feedback loop is canceled by sending a position command to the position controller, where the position command is an actual measured position of the joint. The position feedback loop is also canceled by setting the gain of the position feedback loop to zero.

Abstract: A method and a device for tuning and control of industrial processes having varying material flow rate. An adder is configured to add excitation signals to the controller output signal. A measurement system is configured to measure a property in response to the excitation signals. A model based tuning unit is adapted to estimate the value of at least one parameter with unknown value of a process model structure describing the effect of varying material flow rate, based on the measurements of the property and the output signal from the controller, and to calculate a model that describes the dynamics from controller output to controller input based on the estimated value of the parameter, and to perform model based tuning of the controller based on the model that describes the dynamics from controller output to controller input.

Abstract: A test device that makes a test of a circuit device including a plurality of modules being substitutable in terms of function for one another, and in which a function change can be made for assignment to each of the modules based on an incoming control signal. The test device includes: a control section that generates the control signal, without changing a function to be assigned to a whole of the modules, to make the function change for assignment to each of the modules at least in a group of the modules; and a determination section that detects whether the circuit device operates differently when the function change is made for assignment to the modules, and based on a detection result, determines whether or not at least the group of the modules includes a defective module.

Abstract: Dynamic systems with moving parts, such as printers and image forming apparatuses, for example, can shake as a result of reaction forces related to carriage movement. The characteristics of the shake are related to the particular usage environment and, therefore, can be different for the same dynamic system used in different environments. When the shake of a dynamic system is characterized while the dynamic system is in its particular usage environment, the shake can be reduced, for example, based on a degree of control specified by an operator, for every use in that same environment through adjustments based on the characterization.

Abstract: This document describes a correction signal usable to correct an effect of a disturbance signal on a controlled system or apparatus. In one case this document describes ways in which to diminish a future change to an output signal based on determining that a disturbance signal consistently precedes the future change.

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: In the field of electronic or computerized control apparatuses, known methods of compensating for disturbance signals rely on less than ideal analytical or empirical models. There is provided a controller (200) or method of controlling which observes and learns the correlation between various measured signals and automatically learns how to control the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for determining the optimum operating practice for an industrial process. The methodology includes a combination of process control steps and data analysis techniques to investigate responses to controlled “black box” process inputs, e.g., coal and air feeds for coal-fired furnaces in the case studies above. A unique time-dependent perturbation is applied to individual process feed streams to give a signature in the data that permits the filtering and detection of various measured responses, e.g., continuous emission monitor readings for NOx, SO2, CO2, CO, and opacity for regulated electric utility furnaces. The perturbation is implemented using the plant control system. Individual control signal set points are perturbed for each piece of equipment supplying process inputs of interest. As a result, complex commercial processes can be evaluated for optimization without changing the normal configuration of the system.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting operation of a plant or process receive an input value from the plant or process. An integrity of a non-linear model corresponding to a local input space of the input value may be determined. The non-linear model may include an empirical representation of the plant or process. If the integrity is above a first threshold, non-linear model may be used to provide a first output value. However, if the integrity is below the first threshold, a linearized first principles model may be used to provide a second output value. The linearized first principles model may include an analytic representation of the plant or process. Additionally, the analytic representation of the plant or process may be independent of the empirical representation of the plant or process. The first output value and/or the second output value may be usable to manage the plant or process.

Abstract: System and method for creating a measurement application. User input specifying a sequence of functions implementing a measurement application is received, where the sequence of functions are executable to perform a specified task utilizing one or more hardware devices, and where the user input further specifies the hardware devices. Configuration of the measurement application is automatically analyzed according to rules specifying operation of the sequence of functions and the hardware devices. One or more errors in the measurement application are automatically determined based on the analyzing, and error information regarding the errors is displayed on a computer display, where the error information is usable to modify the measurement application to correct the one or more errors. In response to the error information, user input modifying the measurement application to correct the one or more errors may be received and/or the measurement application may be automatically modified to correct the errors.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for developing and using a high-speed adaptive multivariable controller by removing the dynamics of the PID controllers from a Model Predictive Controller that was developed using identification testing of a process. The resulting multivariable controller, based on final control elements as the manipulated variables is then used in a novel control adaptation with all of the PID controllers switched to manual.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for removing the dynamics of the PID controllers from a Model Predictive Controller that was developed using identification testing of a process. This then allows the creation of a very fast final control element based on-line operator advisor that operates in conjunction with the process so that it has access to real time data and provides an ongoing prediction of the future state of the process as well as the capability to investigate alternate scenarios of control possibilities.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for developing and using a high-speed adaptive multivariable controller by removing the dynamics of the PID controllers from a Model Predictive Controller that was developed using identification testing of a process. The resulting multivariable controller, based on final control elements as the manipulated variables is then used in a novel control adaptation with all of the PID controllers switched to manual.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method in which at least one component of a technical plant is controlled by means of a PI controller. The actual value of the regulating parameter is continuously determined during operation of the plant and the amplification factor of the PI controller is altered depending on the time relationship of the actual value, until the actual value remains with a tolerance band relative to the set value. The invention further relates to a controller for carrying out said method.

Abstract: In a control method, when a state quantity serving as a specific reference is defined as a reference state quantity, and a state quantity which is controlled to maintain a relative quantity with respect to the reference state quantity at a specified value is defined as a follow-up state quantity, one of a plurality of control computation input values input to a controller of at least two controllers respectively forming control loops, which controls the follow-up state quantity is transformed, into an internal input value, and the internal input value is input to the controller which controls the follow-up state quantity. At least the two controllers calculate manipulated variables, respectively, and the calculated manipulated variables are output to controlled systems of corresponding control loops.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing perturbation signals to excite a number of input variables of a system, in order to test that system for the purpose of obtaining models for the synthesis of a model-based controller. The method begins with providing input parameters of the system. A plurality of binary multi-frequency (BMF) signals are generated based on these input parameters and the frequency spectra of these BMF signals are calculated. One BMF signal is selected out of the set of BMF signals so that the frequency spectrum of the selected BMF signal most closely matches a desired frequency spectrum specified by the input parameters. The selected BMF signal is used as a first perturbation signal for testing the system. The selected BMF signal is also shifted by predetermined amounts of samples to create delayed copies of the original BMF signal to be used as additional perturbation signals.

Abstract: The invention provides a control apparatus comprising a controller for determining a manipulated variable for manipulating a controlled object so that an output of the controlled object converges to a desired value and a modulator for modulating the manipulated variable by using one of a delta-sigma modulation algorithm, a sigma-delta modulation algorithm and a delta modulation algorithm to generate a modulated signal to be applied to the controlled object. The modulator generates the modulated signal so that a center value of an amplitude of the modulated signal follows a change of the manipulated variable. Thus, the modulated signal in which the manipulated variable is reflected without any loss can be generated even when the manipulated variable changes.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, which is controlled based on a control signal corresponding to control data includes: a control register in which the control data is set; a sequencer which performs read control of a first control command on a nonvolatile memory in which the first control command is stored; a first command bus to which the first control command read from the nonvolatile memory is output; and a first decoder which decodes the first control command of the first command bus. The sequencer cyclically performs read control of the first control command on the nonvolatile memory, and sets the control data corresponding to the first control command in the control register each time the first decoder decodes the first control command output to the first command bus.

Abstract: In the field of electronic or computerised control apparatuses, known methods of compensating for disturbance signals rely on less than ideal analytical or empirical models. There is provided a controller (200) or method of controlling which observes and learns the correlation between various measured signals and automatically learns how to control the apparatus.

Abstract: A configurable controller, comprising a configurable digital unit having a synchronization control module; a plurality of signal acquisition modules connected with said synchronization control module for receiving reference control data therefrom; and a control logic connected with said plurality of signal acquisition modules; a plurality of identical input cells respectively connected with said plurality of signal acquisition modules, each input cell additionally connected with a respective input pin of said controller; and a synchronizing signal generator connected with said synchronization control module and with said plurality of input cells, for sending synchronization signals to said input cells, wherein each input cell is operable to convert input signal parameters to time-based parameters; and wherein each signal acquisition module is configured to convert said time-based parameters to a required digital form.

Abstract: A digital demodulator which coherently demodulates a low-IF or zero-IF complex signal using a complex-valued phase-locked loop (CPPL). The CPPL includes a numerical controlled oscillator, four multipliers and two combiners to provide independent phase/frequency and amplitude outputs. The CPLL exhibits in first order PLL dynamics without a loop filter in the feedback loop to the NCO. However a filter with one or more poles may be included in the feedback circuit to exhibit 2nd or higher order PLL dynamics. The CPLL allows coherent demodulation of extremely low FM modulation indexes whereby the incoming frequency drift may be larger than the frequency deviation. It can also be used to coherently demodulate signals which have combined amplitude and phase characteristics.

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: 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: A method is disclosed for removing the dynamics of the PID controllers from a Model Predictive Controller that was developed using identification testing of a process. This allows creation of valve-based off-line process simulators and provides methods to generate new MPC controllers for complex multivariable process control when a change has been made in any PID control configuration or tuning and to do so without having to conduct new identification testing of the process.

Abstract: An adaptive process controller drives a process variable to be substantially equivalent to a set point and adapts the controller gain, the controller reset, and/or the controller rate, based on model free adaptation. The adaptive controller combines a controller gain computed from an oscillation index with a controller gain computed from a steady state estimate and that adapts the controller reset/rate by forcing the ratio of two of the controller proportional, integral or derivative terms to be equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method for creating a guardband that incorporates statistical models for test environment, system environment, tester-to-system offset and reliability into a model and then processes a final guardband by factoring manufacturing process variation and quality against yield loss.

Abstract: A method for evaluating whether a measurable disturbance on a process controlled by a feedback controller is suitable for feed-forward control. The disturbance is measured. The controller output signal due to the disturbance is measured. A first reference signal corresponding to the controller output signal is measured when responding to disturbance entering before the process. A second reference signal corresponding to the controller output signal is generated when responding to a disturbance entering after the process. It is estimated where in the process the disturbance enters by comparing the measured controller output signal due to the disturbance with the reference signals. It is evaluated whether the disturbance is suitable for feed-forward control depending on where in the process the disturbance enters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the control of a system comprising of a plurality of items through the scheduling of actions and the allocation of resources is disclosed. Primary areas of utility include manufacturing systems, city wide vehicle traffic control, multiple project scheduling, communications networks and economic systems. The method and apparatus comprise modeling the parts in such a system as fluid, formulating the control problem as a continuous linear program, using a novel algorithm to solve it, displaying the fluid solution in a meaningful way, and using the fluid solution in the control of the system.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for testing a network service. In one embodiment, a system and a method pertain to sending an initial request to the network service, redirecting a related request sent by the network service to an actual network service such that the related request does not reach the actual network service, emulating operation of the actual network service, and returning at least one response to the network service being tested, the at least one response being responsive to the related request.

Abstract: An arrangement for correcting a signal (S) is suggested which contains a signal evaluation (28), which determines a characteristic variable of the input signal (US) of a controller (26) and/or the actuating variable (fr) of the controller (26) and/or at least one determined corrective signal (ora, fra) and/or at least one of their mean values (form) and compares the characteristic variable to at least one threshold value (SC1, SC2, SC3) and, when reaching or passing through at least one threshold value (SC1, SC2, SC3), an output signal (A) is made available at the end of the determination of the corrective signal (ora, fra).

Abstract: A device generating a pulse signal includes at least one first register which stores waveform data therein, a pulse signal generation unit which generates a pulse signal in accordance with the waveform data of the first register, a control unit which is connected to a bus, and is controlled by control signals supplied from the bus, and a signal line which is separate from and independent of the bus, and is connected to the control unit, wherein the control unit updates the waveform data of the first register in response to a signal that is externally supplied through the signal line.