Abstract: A key-duplicating system comprises a network that includes a multiplicity of kiosks at a multiplicity of different locations, each of the kiosks having a customer interface and a processor coupled to the customer interface. A remote central server coupled to the kiosks is adapted to receive, from the kiosks, information identifying master keys to be duplicated. A key analysis module uses the information identifying master keys to be duplicated to derive information required to produce duplicates of the identified master keys, and a key duplicating module uses that information to produce duplicates of said identified master keys.

Abstract: A control system may comprise a plurality of audio output devices (e.g., controllable speakers), and a remote control device having at least one button for selecting a preset, where the preset defines different commands for at least two of the audio output devices. The at least two audio output devices may be configured to be controlled according to the different commands (e.g., starting, pausing, or stopping playback, adjusting volume, etc.) in response to an actuation of the button of the remote control device. The control system may also comprise a load control device, such as a dimmer configured to control an intensity of a lighting load to a predetermined intensity in response to the actuation of the button of the remote control device to select the preset. The audio output device may be configured to play a feedback signal indicating an operational characteristic of the dimmer.

Abstract: An execution plan segment of an execution plan can be received at a control unit of a computer numerically controlled machine from a general purpose computer. The execution plan segment can define operations for causing movement of a moveable head of the computer numerically controlled machine to deliver electromagnetic energy to effect a change in a material within an interior space of the computer numerically controlled machine. The execution plan segment can include a predefined safe pausing point from which the execution plan can be restarted while minimizing a difference in appearance of a finished work-product relative to if a pause and restart are not necessary. Operations of the computer numerically controlled machine can be commenced only after determining that the execution plan segment has been received up to and including the predefined safe pausing point by the computer numerically controlled machine.

Abstract: Techniques for performing an emissions demand response event are described. In an example, a cloud-based HVAC control server system receives an emissions rate forecast for a predefined future time period. Using the emissions rate forecast, a plurality of emissions differential values are created for a plurality of points in time during the predefined future time period. The emissions differential values represent a change in predicted emissions over time. Based on the plurality of emissions differential values and a predefined maximum number of emissions demand response events, an emissions demand response event is generated during the predefined future time period. The cloud-based HVAC control server system then causes a thermostat to control an HVAC system in accordance with the generated emissions demand response event.

Abstract: Real-time dynamic optimization of a process model in an online model-based process control computing environment. A mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) solver utilizes grouping of first-principle model units to implement constraints of the underlying process. A group identifier parameter and a group complement parameter enable the grouping behavior through association with the first-principles model units.

Abstract: A system and method for cooling a building using cool fresh outside air is disclosed. When the integrated thermostat is operating during a heating period, the integrated thermostat operates a remote air conditioning unit, such as a furnace, an HVAC unit, an electric baseboard heater, or a heat pump, to heat air provided to the building interior. When the integrated thermostat is operating during a cooling period or a fresh air cooling period, the integrated thermostat compares the indoor air temperature with the temperature of the outdoor fresh air. The integrated thermostat operates a remote fan, such as a whole-house exhaust fan, to draw the cooler fresh air into the building interior in response to the outdoor air temperature being less than the indoor air temperature and/or in response to the indoor temperature being greater than a fresh air cooling set point stored in the memory.

Abstract: Method and environment controller for inferring via a neural network one or more commands for controlling an appliance. A predictive model generated by a neural network training engine is stored by the environment controller. The environment controller determines at least one room characteristic. The environment controller receives at least one environmental characteristic value and at least one set point. The environment controller executes a neural network inference engine, which uses the predictive model for inferring the one or more commands for controlling the appliance. The inference is based on the at least one environmental characteristic value, the at least one set point and the at least one room characteristic. The environment controller transmits the one or more commands to the controlled appliance.

Abstract: Inference server and environment controller for inferring via a neural network one or more commands for controlling an appliance. The environment controller determines at least one room characteristic. The environment controller receives at least one environmental characteristic value and at least one set point. The environment controller transmits the at least one environmental characteristic, set point and room characteristic to the inference server. The inference server executes a neural network inference engine using a predictive model (generated by a neural network training engine) for inferring the one or more commands for controlling the appliance. The inference is based on the received at least one environmental characteristic value, at least one set point and at least one room characteristic. The inference server transmits the one or more commands to the environment controller, which forwards the one or more commands to the controlled appliance.

Abstract: An air conditioner control method includes: determining whether a local air conditioner detects a positioning marker; when the local air conditioner detects the positioning marker, determining whether there are any other air conditioner which detect the positioning marker simultaneously with the local air conditioner; and if so, obtaining a position relation between the local air conditioner and the other air conditioners according to the positioning marker.

Abstract: The technology described herein solicits user feedback in order to improve the processing of contextual signal data to identify automation setting preferences. Users have limited availability or willingness to provide explicit feedback. The technology calculates an impact score that measures a possible improvement to the automation system that could result from receiving feedback. Feedback is solicited when the impact score exceeds a threshold. Other rules can be provided in conjunction with the impact score to determine when feedback is solicited, such as a daily cap on feedback solicitations.

Abstract: Systems and methods may use a low speed controller in addition to an economic optimizer to achieve long-term objectives without significantly disrupting or destabilizing an electrical system. Specific long-term objectives include maximizing a capacity factor incentive and regulating battery degradation, but the methods and systems herein can be extended to more long-term objectives. A low speed controller can adjust one or more parameters of a cost function based on the relation between the projected state of the electrical system and the one or more parameters to effectuate a change to the electrical system to attempt to comply with the long-term objective.

Abstract: A method and system are provided that synchronize one or more appliances to one or more users' schedules. Sensor data may be obtained from a sensor. The sensor data may indicate a state of a first appliance. A user location may be determined. A first characteristic of the first appliance may be obtained. Based upon the user location and the sensor data, a schedule indicating when the user will desire a state change of the first appliance may be determined. A feature of the first appliance may be dynamically modified to cause the first appliance to operate according to the schedule. A notice may be sent to the user that contains information about the first appliance.

Abstract: A system of modules which control and measure energy usage at a building which are in communication with a software program executing on a remote server controlled by a third party. The third party said usage via the software program which communicates with the modules to modify energy usage and demand for energy and is responsible or liable for energy usage charges the building where the third party does not actually use the energy.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling electrical load on a power grid from a load facility using demand response. The method includes accessing memory storing computer-readable program code for decision analysis of a specified time interval for a demand-response (DR) event. The method also includes executing the computer-readable program code, via a processor, to cause an apparatus to at least make a decision to participate in or opt out of the DR event. This includes the apparatus receiving values of variables that describe occupancy and usage of the load facility for one or more time intervals. The apparatus applies the values to an algorithm that maps the variables to a decision to participate in or opt out of the DR event for the specified time interval. And the apparatus automatically notifies an operator responsible for the DR event of the decision at least when the decision is to opt out.

Abstract: A system for analyzing energy usage measures one or more parameters indicative of energy usage for a plurality of sub-circuits, where the sampling rate for the measuring is substantially continuous, and automatically transmits information related to at least one of the measured parameters at a rate that enables monitoring of current energy usage. The system further detects a significant change in a measured parameter, determines whether the significant change in the measured parameter is caused by a change in energy usage, and automatically transmits information related to the significant change in the measured parameter caused by the change in energy usage after detecting the significant change.

Abstract: A thermostat for a building zone includes at least one of a model predictive controller and an equipment controller. The model predictive controller is configured to obtain a cost function that accounts for a cost of operating HVAC equipment during each of a plurality of time steps, use a predictive model to predict a temperature of the building zone during each of the plurality of time steps, and generate temperature setpoints for the building zone for each of the plurality of time steps by optimizing the cost function subject to a constraint on the predicted temperature. The equipment controller is configured to receive the temperature setpoints generated by the model predictive controller and drive the temperature of the building zone toward the temperature setpoints during each of the plurality of time steps by operating the HVAC equipment to provide heating or cooling to the building zone.

Abstract: A plurality of independent air conditioners, a first air conditioner (AC) (9a), a second AC (9b), and a third AC (9c), are disposed in an air conditioning room. Individual target temperatures of each habitable room that are acquired from an input/output terminal (19) and an outdoor temperature that is acquired by an outdoor temperature sensor (7) are input to a mode setter (32). Based on the individual target temperatures and the outdoor temperature, the mode setter (32) sets a cooling mode and a cooling setpoint temperature for operation in the cooling mode, or a heating mode and a heating setpoint temperature for operation in the heating mode, for each of the first AC (9a), the second AC (9b), and the third AC (9c).

Abstract: An in-store customer transaction can be detected. Power charging credits can be assigned to the customer based, at least in part, on the in-store customer transaction. A charging station can be activated for the customer. Whether an amount of energy consumption by at least one user device of the customer from the charging station has reached a threshold value can be determined. The threshold value can be based, at least in part, on the charging credits assigned to the customer. Responsive to determining that the energy consumption by the at least one user device of the customer from the charging station has reached the threshold value, the charging station can cease or reduce power being delivered by the charging station to the at least one user device of the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing environmental conditions and energy usage associated with a site. One exemplary method of regulating an environment condition at a site involves a server receiving environmental measurement data from a monitoring system at the site via a network, determining an action for an electrical appliance at the site based at least in part on the environmental measurement data and one or more monitoring rules associated with the site, and providing an indication of the action to an actuator for the electrical appliance.

Abstract: An air conditioning control system includes an air conditioner, an air conditioning control device with a display, and an operation terminal with a camera. First authentication information included in a two-dimensional code displayed in the display in the air conditioning control device is collated with second authentication information acquired from the two-dimensional code imaged by the camera in the operation terminal and included in registration information transmitted from the operation terminal, to determine whether the first authentication information and the second authentication information match with each other. In response to the first authentication information and the second authentication information being determined to match with each other, the operation terminal that has terminal information included in the registration information is successfully authenticated and registered as an operation terminal that is enabled to perform a remote operation of the air conditioning control device.