Abstract: Methods and systems relating to the monitoring and control of heating devices in multiple units in one or more buildings. An intelligent node, containing a monitoring module and a controlling module, is installed for each unit in a building. The monitoring module monitors the activation and deactivation of the heating device or, alternatively, directly measures the amount of power used by the heating device. This monitoring data is transmitted to a central server and is sent to a user. The user can control the duty cycle of the heating device and, as such, can directly cause savings in energy. The duty cycle for each heating device is adjusted by the controlling module based on the user's commands. The system can also be used so that the duty cycle is set such that energy settings for adjacent units are similar.

Abstract: To effectively determine premises as a counterpart for transmission or reception of power in a case of interchanging direct-current power between respective premises A control device (110) according to the present invention includes a power control unit (114) configured to determine a node that performs transmission or reception of direct-current power to or from an own node by using profile information indicating a power usage state of each of the nodes exchanging direct-current power with each other.

Abstract: A control apparatus that controls a control target is provided. The control apparatus includes: a time manager configured to manage time; a counter configured to synchronize with at least one device; a control computation unit configured to execute control computation according to timing indicated by the counter; and a record generator configured to generate a record that includes an observation value that is available to the control computation unit and is related to the control target, time that is indicated by the time manager and is associated with the observation value, and a counter value that is indicated by the counter and is associated with the observation value.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for managing the comfort of building occupants. The system utilizes a model-based approach for targeting occupant comfort levels. The system allows for voting input from building occupants regarding their respective comfort. Additionally, the system provides a user interface to gather occupant input and use said input as a parameter in a comfort model.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a sensor network, machine type communication (MTC), machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, and technology for internet of things (IoT). A method of a server is provided. The method includes determining a target temperature range to be applied to a first zone; predicting an indoor temperature for each of a plurality of zones included in a second zone in which the first zone is included; predicting efficiency of at least one first outdoor unit connected to first indoor units installed at the second zone; and controlling operations of the first indoor units based on the target temperature range, the indoor temperature for each of the plurality of zones, and the efficiency of at least one first outdoor unit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a comprehensive system that integrates automatically gauging and correcting stations operating in a machine environment with a universal machine monitoring for detecting defective articles, quarantining the defective articles, ensuring the defective articles are safely quarantined, analyzing the machine and article related data for providing contextual information for the defective articles produced, predicting one or more necessary actions to be taken for minimizing defects in future and achieving near zero defect quality in machine production. The comprehensive system provides such contextual information about the defects/faults in the article or the machine operations in real time and locally and remotely to any human resource.

Abstract: A venue occupant comfort system, comprises a processor that stores computer executable components stored in memory. A plurality of sensors sense ambient conditions associated with exterior and interior conditions of a venue. A context component infers or determines context of an occupant of the venue. A crowd estimation component infers, based at least in part on mining social networks, size of crowd expected at the venue. A comfort model component implicitly and explicitly trained on occupant comfort related data analyzes information from the plurality of sensors, the crowd estimation component and context component. A comfort controller adjusts environmental conditions of the venue based at least in part on output of the comfort model component. The adjustments to venue environment can optionally be differentiated by zone.

Abstract: A robot system is configured to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) objects using closed-loop, computer vision-based control. The robot system initiates fabrication based on a set of fabrication paths along which material is to be deposited. During deposition of material, the robot system captures video data and processes that data to determine the specific locations where the material is deposited. Based on these locations, the robot system adjusts future deposition locations to compensate for deviations from the fabrication paths. Additionally, because the robot system includes a 6-axis robotic arm, the robot system can deposit material at any locations, along any pathway, or across any surface. Accordingly, the robot system is capable of fabricating a 3D object with multiple non-parallel, non-horizontal, and/or non-planar layers.

Abstract: A flutter control system for a turbine includes a processor. The processor is configured to detect blade flutter of a turbine. The blade flutter indicates that blades of the turbine are in a deflected position different from a nominal operating position. The processor is configured to control operational parameters of the turbine that reduce or eliminate the blade flutter to improve the reliability and efficiency of the turbine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for checking a compatibility of a functional module for an installation for process automation. An input specification is provided for an input interface of the functional module, the input specification indicating for an input signal all input values that the functional module respectively accepts as valid. An output specification is provided, the output specification indicating for an output signal of the functional module all output values that the functional module provides as intended when the input specification is fulfilled. Operation of the functional module on the installation is preceded by an analysis device checking whether the functional module produces, for each input signal produced on the input interface in accordance with the input specification, the output signal on an output interface in accordance with the output specification. When an output value of the output signal violates the output specification, a module error is signaled.

Abstract: A start control method for wind turbines (102), comprising: a master control determines whether its real-time wind speed reaches a preset start wind speed when a wind speed of at least one wind turbine (102) or anemometer tower in a wind farm reaches or exceeds the preset start wind speed; the master controller updates a corresponding number simulative start times when determining that its real-time wind speed reaches or exceeds the preset start wind speed, and starts the wind turbine (102) when the number of simulative start times reaches a preset count value. The present invention also relates to a master controller, a system, and a central controller for wind turbines (102).

Abstract: A machine learning device performs machine learning with respect to a numerical control device that operates a machine tool on the basis of a machining program. The machine learning device includes a state information acquisition unit configured to acquire state information including conditions of a spindle speed, a feed rate, a number of cuts, and a cutting amount per one time or a tool compensation amount, and a cycle time of cutting a workpiece, and machining accuracy of the workpiece; an action information output unit configured to output action information including modification information of the condition; a reward output unit configured to output a reward value in reinforcement learning on the basis of the cycle time and the machining accuracy; and a value function updating unit configured to update an action value function on the basis of a reward value, the state information, and the action information.

Abstract: Techniques are described for viewing a plurality of related presentation areas linked to a set of machine-related data. In one example, a machine-related data set associated with a manufacturing process session for manufacturing a particular workpiece is presented, the data set representing a common data set presented in a plurality of presentation areas, each associated with a separate view on the machine-related data set. In one of the presentation areas, a selection of a particular group of data points is identified and that presentation area is updated. Reference values associated with the common data set are identified based on the selected group of data points. For each of the other presentation areas, (1) a particular set of data included in the particular other presentation area corresponding to the identified reference values is identified and (2) the corresponding presentation area is updated based on that identified data set.

Abstract: An air-conditioner remote controller in an air conditioner system that includes the air-conditioner remote controller and an air conditioner that performs air-conditioning control using room temperature information received from the air-conditioner remote controller, includes: a storage unit to store room temperature information that is information on room temperature measured by a plurality of temperature sensors and store schedule information that sets, for each time zone, a temperature sensor to measure a room temperature to be used as room temperature information in the air-conditioning control of the air conditioner; and a control unit to perform control such that the room temperature information from the set temperature sensor is acquired from the storage unit and the acquired room temperature information is transmitted to the air conditioner in accordance with the schedule information.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining one or more models associated with a model-based controller in an industrial process having multiple actuator arrays and performing spatial tuning of the controller. The spatial tuning includes identifying weighting matrices that suppress one or more frequency components in actuator profiles of the actuator arrays. The spatial tuning could also include finding a worst-case cutoff frequency over all output channels for each process input, designing the weighting matrices to penalize higher-frequency actuator variability based on the model(s) and the cutoff frequencies, and finding a multiplier for a spatial frequency weighted actuator variability term in a function that guarantees robust spatial stability. The controller could be configured to use a function during control of the industrial process, where a change to one or more terms of the function alters operation of the controller and the industrial process and at least one term is based on the weighting matrices.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for generating geometric data for use in an additive manufacturing process. The apparatus includes a processing unit. The processing unit may be arranged for receiving data defining surface geometry of a plurality of objects to be built together in an additive manufacturing process, providing a user interface that allows a user to define a location of each object within a common build volume and carrying out a slicing operation on at least one of the objects located in the common build volume independently from another one of objects located in the common build volume. The slicing operation determines sections of the at least one object to be built in the additive manufacturing process. In one embodiment, the objects are defined in a hierarchical data structure. Supports for supporting the objects during the build may be defined with reference to a 2-dimensional support cross-section.

Abstract: One or more hybrid management modules for Photovoltaic (PV) systems are provided. These modules may be configured for peer-to-peer communication and may also be configured for cellular communication outside of the PV system. The modules may be coupled or located near individual PV modules and may be configured with or alongside PV inverters or converters. The modules may take the place of a central system manager located beyond a main service panel and may work in conjunction with a controller located beyond a main service panel.

Abstract: A display unit for a manually operated machine tool includes a display having windows and text each associated with and indicating positions of different axes of the manually operated machine tool which are manually adjustable. A memory stores configuration modes of the display including a stationary mode in which the windows and text provided in the display are each the same size and color, and at least one emphasis mode in which the window and/or text associated with one of the different axes is larger and/or a different color. A processor is configured to switch the display from using the stationary mode to using an emphasis mode based a position signal indicating that one of the different axes is being adjusted by manual operation of an operator such that the window and text associated with the axis being adjusted is emphasized on the display.

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

Abstract: An extremum-seeking control system for a plant includes a feedback controller for operating the plant to achieve a value of a manipulated variable, and an extremum-seeking controller. The extremum-seeking controller is configured to provide the value of the manipulated variable to the feedback controller and to determine a value for the manipulated variable. The extremum-seeking controller determines the value for the manipulated variable by perturbing the manipulated variable with an excitation signal and monitoring a performance variable of the plant resulting from the perturbed manipulated variable, estimating a normalized correlation coefficient relating the performance variable to the manipulated variable, and modulating the manipulated variable to drive the normalized correlation coefficient toward zero using a general set of tuning parameters. The general set of tuning parameters are adapted for use with the normalized correlation coefficient, independent of a scale of the performance variable.