Abstract: In one aspect, a Customer Acquisition method and system are provided to identify target customers and market sizing based on forecasting a customer's energy usage and determining a customized set of energy product offerings to satisfy a customer's energy needs. In another aspect, an Energy Resource Management method and system are provided to select and place energy products to meet the requirements of a particular objective function for a utility, power provider and/or customer. Objective functions can comprise of peak usage reduction, bill or cost minimization, deferred utility upgrades, emissions reduction, efficiency increases, and energy conservation. In still another aspect, an Energy Resource Management method and system are provided for anticipating and estimating implementation costs, optimizing installation strategy and product placement for the purposes of customer cost savings and budgeting.

Abstract: A method is presented for modeling a process using non-steady state values of a process variable implemented in a control unit. The method includes steps of dynamically testing the process and accumulating data points. The data points provide a testing data set including measured values of a response process variable and a manipulated variable. The method includes assigning a first data point within the testing set, computing a dead time value for the testing set, modeling the process over the testing set to determine model-predicted values for the measured response variable, and computing an average error value between each model-predicted values and the measured response variable values. The method further includes centering the model-predicted values over the measured values, computing an optimal fit of the centered model-predicted values, and iteratively repeating these steps until the model-predicted values converge to the measured response variable values.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for remote authorization of fuel dispensing using identifying indicia associated with a customer. An exemplary system according to the present invention includes a fuel dispensing station interfaced with a central terminal that is interfaced with an off-site terminal for transmission and receipt of identifying indicia, customer authorization, and related information. The fuel dispensing station may include an identification document reader or other receiving means for extracting identifying indicia presented by a customer.

Abstract: A mobile salon station comprises a cart having two generally upright frame members which are vertically adjustable. The cart further has wheels and feet and two horizontal shelves. Two supporting rods are mounted on the frame members and support a basin having tubes received on the rods. The basin can be removed from the rods so that the salon station can be used with the basin supported on the rods for a patient in a wheelchair and can be removed and used on a bed for a bedridden patient. The basin has a convex central portion so that the patient's head can be supported thereon while the hair is being shampooed, etc. The rods are pivotally mounted so as to be swung into the plane of the upright frame members when the station is being transported.