Abstract: A method operates a set of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) units by optimizing jointly operations of the set of HVAC units subject to constraints to determine times of switching each HVAC unit ON and OFF and by controlling each HVAC unit according to the corresponding times of switching. The operation of each HVAC unit is represented by a continuous function. The constraints include a complementarity constraint for each HVAC unit, such that the complementarity constraint for the HVAC unit defines a discontinuity of the operation of the HVAC unit at corresponding times of switching.

Abstract: A method for operating machinery uses a control unit and a display device for displaying a first user interface of a first application program and at least one second user interface of a second application program. The first user interface and the second user interface form a common display window on the display device.

Abstract: A thermostat includes an equipment controller and a model predictive controller. The equipment controller is configured to drive the temperature of a building zone to an optimal temperature setpoint by operating HVAC equipment to provide heating or cooling to the building zone. The model predictive controller is configured to determine the optimal temperature setpoint by generating a cost function that accounts for a cost operating the HVAC equipment during each of a plurality of time steps in an optimization period, using a predictive model to predict the temperature of the building zone during each of the plurality of time steps, and optimizing the cost function subject to a constraint on the predicted temperature of the building zone to determine optimal temperature setpoints for each of the time steps.

Abstract: To provide an electronic device and numerical controller that can achieve reduction in work for changing a display state after start-up of an application. A numerical controller comprises: a display control unit that displays one started application or multiple started applications simultaneously on the display unit; an input unit that accepts input through the operation unit and identifies a position on the display unit; a recognition unit that recognizes a figure drawn with the operation unit based on the identified position; and a start-up unit that starts an application associated with the figure and determines an initial display position for the started application based on the position on the display unit where the figure is drawn.

Abstract: A workpiece positioning device has a more simple structure and a low cost. The workpiece positioning device includes a movable base on which a workpiece is placed, drive mechanisms for moving the movable base, a vision sensor for repeatedly detecting the current position of the workpiece placed on the movable base, a difference calculating part for calculating the difference between the current position and the target position each time the current position is detected by the vision sensor, a difference determining part for determining whether the difference is within an allowable range, and a drive controller for controlling the drive mechanisms so as to stop the movement of the movable base when it is determined that the difference is within the allowable range.

Abstract: An air-conditioning control system includes a grouping target apparatus storage unit that stores information about a plurality of air-conditioning apparatuses which are rotation group setting targets; an attribute storage unit that stores an attribute of each of the air-conditioning apparatuses; a group setting rule storage unit that stores a group setting rule for reducing, between the rotation groups, a difference in total power consumption of air-conditioning apparatuses having an identical attribute; a power consumption obtaining unit that obtains information about power consumption values of the air-conditioning apparatuses; a group determination unit that determines rotation groups to which the air-conditioning apparatuses belong in accordance with the power consumption values of the air-conditioning apparatuses and the group setting rule; and a group storage unit that stores grouping information indicating the rotation groups to which the air-conditioning apparatuses belong.

Abstract: A method for controlling an air conditioner is provided. The method includes calculating an index weight outdoor average temperature by calculating outdoor temperature data over a predetermined period, acquiring position information in which the air conditioner is installed, selecting an appropriate climatic model according to the position information, calculating a comfortable temperature of the day by substituting the index weight outdoor average temperature to the climatic model, setting the comfortable temperature as an indoor target temperature, and controlling a cooling or a heating of the air conditioner so that the indoor temperature reaches the indoor target temperature.

Abstract: An a remote battery management system, a management device for such a system and a remote battery management method are provided, with which a demand for electrical power of an external power grid is identified and then met with the help of a battery system connected to that power grid.

Abstract: A server device having a plurality of server modules and a plurality of cooling fans in a chassis includes: a management unit configured to control the server modules; and a temperature measurement part configured to perform measurement of temperatures of the server modules. The management unit is configured to decide a server module to run on a basis of a result of the measurement by the temperature measurement part.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for automated engaging of a truck trailer at a loading dock. Sensors measure a distance and an angle of alignment between the incoming trailer and a wall of the loading dock. An outside lighting system guides a truck driver backing the trailer toward the dock door. A vehicle restraint system fixates the trailer within the loading dock in response to signals from the sensors. An overhead dock door opens once the trailer is successfully fixated by the vehicle restraint system. A dock leveler deploys after the overhead dock door opens. An inside dock light indicates to dock personnel that the trailer is ready to be serviced. Once servicing of the trailer is finished, an automated release of the trailer from the loading dock may be initiated by PLC communication.

Abstract: Accessing an energy management policy for a plurality of devices is described, wherein the devices are coupled with a first structure. The energy usage of the devices is monitored. An energy usage rule and energy usage is then compared. The energy management policy and energy usage is also compared. Based on the comparing, an instruction is generated to modify an energy usage profile of said device to correlate with the energy usage rule associated with the devices and the energy management policy, thereby enabling efficient energy management.

Abstract: A dynamic environment (e.g., an automated industrial process) has multiple conditions in response to which corresponding actions are required, and comprises various equipment, control device(s) to control the equipment, and one or more sensors to generate input signal(s) representing a monitored condition of the environment. A control system for the environment comprises a master processor and one or more co-processors, wherein the master processor configures a given co-processor to evaluate only a first subset of conditions expected to occur in the environment within a specified time period (e.g., less than a response time of the master processor), and to provide first control information representing an action to be taken if a particular condition of the first subset is satisfied.

Abstract: A system includes one or more electrical systems, an electrical power distribution system, one or more power sensors, an air handling system, and one or more controllers. The electrical power distribution system includes power distribution lines. The power distribution lines supply electrical power to the electrical systems. The power sensors are coupled to the power distribution lines. The power sensors sense characteristics of electrical power supplied to at least one of the electrical systems (for example, current draw). The one or more controllers control the air handling system based on characteristics measured by the power sensors.

Abstract: A temperature of a component within the portable computing device (PCD) may be monitored along with a parameter associated with the temperature. The parameter associated with temperature may be an operating frequency, transmission power, or a data flow rate. It is determined if the temperature has exceeded a threshold value. If the temperature has exceeded the threshold value, then the temperature is compared with a temperature set point and a first error value is then calculated based on the comparison. Next, a first optimum value of the parameter is determined based on the first error value. If the temperature is below or equal to the threshold value, then a present value of the parameter is compared with a desired threshold for the parameter and a second error value is calculated based on the comparison. A second optimum value of the parameter may be determined based on the second error value.

Abstract: A companion remote control system is usable with smart devices for controlling a plurality of controlled components. An overall control system includes: a companion remote configured for remote communication, and providing command options for a user desiring to interact with a controlled component; a software application configured for running on smart devices, which typically includes a graphical interface for the user to select desired controlled component from plurality of controlled components; and a control processor capable of communicating with companion remote, smart device and controlled components. The control processor is programmed to correlate user commands received from companion remote to appropriate instructions for a specific controlled component selection received from smart device.

Abstract: A programmable logic controller capable of improving the expandability of a distributed control system and a programming tool for the programmable logic controller are provided. A programmable logic controller (PLC) that constitutes a distributed control system includes: a variable table that includes variable information including identification symbols for identification of a plurality of PLCs and variable names of reference variables, the variable information being set for each of the reference variables; a storage device that has a memory region for storing the reference variables; and an interface circuit that mutually converts communication data for use in communication between the PLC and a different PLC and the reference variables stored in the memory region. The reference variables are variables mutually referenced by the plurality of PLCs.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus, system and methodology are provided that may be utilized to treat a plurality of medical conditions. A robotic apparatus may be utilized in the treatment of a medical condition or to assist a medical professional in a surgical procedure. Additionally, the robotic apparatus and system may be utilized during a surgical procedure to provide guidance and to narrow the margin of error. In an exemplary embodiment, a scan may first be performed on a patient to determine a plurality of surgically necessary characteristics, such as bone density, locations, and the like. A virtual treatment plan may be provided by the system. An active and/or passive robotic apparatus may be provided to assist in the surgical technique. The robotic apparatus may be an active robotic which includes surgical tools whereby the medical professional may perform the surgical technique with the assistance of the active robotic apparatus.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to computer-implemented methods that include steps for receiving a reduction request, the reduction request indicating a desired amount of a consumable resource for which consumption is to be reduced, receiving a population indicator, the population indicator defining a set of consumers associated with the reduction request, and determining, using a behavioral demand dispatch (BDD) model, one or more target users from among the set of consumers. In certain aspects, the steps can further include providing a demand reduction communication to each of the one or more target users. Systems and computer readable media are also provided.

Abstract: The system for reprogramming a plurality of control units includes a first control unit and a second control unit connected by one CAN bus, and a diagnosing unit. The diagnosing unit includes a first controller configured to reprogram the first control unit and a second controller configured to reprogram the second control unit. The diagnosing unit is configured to perform bidirectional reprogramming for the first control unit and the second control unit while sharing information between the first controller and the second controller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for computer-controlled creation of non-occluding earpieces with tube bore. The non-occluding earpieces are created based on a three-dimensional computer model of at least part of the outer ear and at least part of the auditory canal. The said model is created by a laser scanner, in the ear scanner or by other means. The said three-dimensional computer model is virtually modified to create the non-occluding earpieces and the tube bore. Finally the physical non-occluding earpieces are manufactured using rapid prototyping equipment.