Abstract: A method of positioning a component in a desired position on a board is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) picking up the component with a nozzle of a movable placement unit of a pick and place machine; (b) transporting the component towards the board as a function of the desired position; (c) obtaining sensor data about an orientation of the component with respect to the nozzle with a sensor of the placement unit; (d) obtaining in the sensor rotational data about the orientation of the nozzle with respect to the placement unit; (e) combining in the sensor the sensor data and the rotational data into a data set; (f) sending the data set from the sensor to a stationary computer and computing a correction instruction in the stationary computer; and (g) placing the component on the board as a function of the correction instruction from the stationary computer.

Abstract: A system and method of home automation comprising one or more remote thermostats each having an environmental sensor array configured to sense temperature and humidity and at least one thermostat controller in electrical communication with an HVAC system. Intelligent fans are along-side or integrated with the remote thermostats. The thermostat controller receives, over the local area network, computer-readable environmental data from the remote thermostats corresponding to the temperature and said humidity in the location where the remote thermostat is installed. The thermostat controller conditionally controls the intelligent fans and HVAC system based on the environmental data received from the remote thermostats, allowing for more precise and accurate environmental control of the entire home or building. Operation of the fans permits more precise control of environmental conditions in a particular room or locations and augments the performance of the HVAC system.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling an intelligent mattress are provided. The method includes: acquiring motion data information of a user; analyzing the motion data information to obtain fatigue data information of the user; determining target control information according to the fatigue data information, the target control information being configured to control the intelligent mattress of the user; and sending the target control information to the intelligent mattress.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating operation and control of a resource distribution system (such as a power grid). Among the disclosed embodiments is a distributed hierarchical control architecture (DHCA) that enables smart grid assets to effectively contribute to grid operations in a controllable manner, while helping to ensure system stability and equitably rewarding their contribution. Embodiments of the disclosed architecture can help unify the dispatch of these resources to provide both market-based and balancing services.

Abstract: Techniques for monitoring surface temperature of devices are described. Generally, surface temperature of devices is monitored and controlled to prevent user discomfort and/or injury that may result from user contact with an excessively heated surface. In at least some embodiments, temperature of an external surface of the device is indirectly monitored. For instance, a temperature sensor is positioned at an internal location in a device that has a known temperature relationship to a temperature of an external surface of the device. Alternatively or additionally, a temperature of an external surface of a device may be directly detected. In at least some embodiments, when a temperature of an external surface of a device is determined to reach or exceed a threshold temperature, procedures can be implemented to reduce the temperature of the external surface and/or prevent further heating of the external surface.

Abstract: A method according to an aspect includes outputting gas continuously from a flow rate controller, closing a valve, obtaining a first pressure rise characteristic, outputting the gas intermittently from the flow rate controller, closing the valve, obtaining a second pressure rise characteristic, obtaining a third pressure rise characteristic, obtaining a fourth pressure rise characteristic, obtaining a first required time required from the third pressure rise characteristic, obtaining a second required time from the fourth pressure rise characteristic, obtaining an estimated time until a predetermined pressure is reached, in a case where the intermittent output of the gas is performed assuming that there is no delay time, and obtaining a parameter representing a difference between the estimated time and the second required time.

Abstract: Setting related to a motor is required to be simplified. An information processing device for performing setting related to a motor includes a generation unit which generates a plurality of pieces of motor information for designating each of a plurality of motors for driving the same control target on the basis of reception of a predetermined user operation, and an assignment unit which assigns each of the generated plurality of pieces of motor information to any one of a plurality of axes defining a predetermined coordinate system.

Abstract: A programmable logic controller of a programmable logic controller system includes: a communication section that enables communication with an external instrument; a control processing section that executes a control program and executes a process associated with a request received by the communication section; and a data storage section that stores computation data that are handled in a process associated with execution of the control program. A peripheral instrument of the programmable logic controller system includes a setting processing section that defines, in the data storage section, a first area in which writing associated with the request is enabled and a second area in which writing associated with the request is prohibited based on an input operation including variables that are targets of control by the control program.

Abstract: An automation operating and management system consolidates and analyzes inputs from multiple machines within an automated enterprise to predict failures and provide instructions for counteractions to prevent failures during machine operation, and to identify opportunities for efficiency improvement, including actions for reduction in peak power consumption demand within a facility including multiple machines. A machine can include a machine controller and at least one base layer controller, where the base layer controller acts as a low level controller to directly control the motion of elements in communication with the base layer control, according to parameters set by the machine controller. The base layer controller collects timing data for the elements under its control, compares the timing data with the parameters and sets an alarm when the timing data is outside of tolerance limits defined by the parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for managing the operations of a plurality of microgrid modules. A microgrid module includes transformers and/or power converters necessary for modifying the input AC or DC power sources to meet the required characteristics of the output power. The microgrid module further comprises a control software module and a power router software module. The control software module receives data from sensors in the microgrid module and controls the flow of power with controllable elements. The power router software module controls the operation of the power router. The power router can detect changes in demand for power within the microgrid module or from other microgrid modules. The power router can adjust the flow of power between the microgrid modules in response to changes in the supply of power to the microgrid module and changes in the demand for power from the microgrid module.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for controlling power at a point of interconnection of the power grid. Power data that characterizes power flow at a point of interconnection of the power grid is received. The power data includes power contribution levels of at least one distributed energy resource and at least one analysis profile for a time period. An objective energy function is determined based on the power contribution levels and the at least one analysis profile. A power contribution set-point is determined based on a minimum value of the objective energy function. The power contribution set-point reflects an optimized power contribution level of the at least one distributed energy resource. The power contribution set-point is provided to the at least one distributed energy resource to achieve the optimized power contribution level by modifying the power contribution of the at least one distributed energy resource.

Abstract: A controller that can perform high-precision synchronous control even when the speed of a master axis changes and a machine learning device are provided.

Abstract: A control system for use in an additive manufacturing system. A recoating device is configured to distribute powder for forming a component and a recoating motor is configured to move at least one of the powder bed and the recoating device relative to each other. The control system includes at least one vibration sensor configured to collect vibration data, a torque sensor coupled to the recoating motor and configured to collect the torque output data, and an optical sensor configured to collect reflected light data. The control system includes a controller configured to receive the vibration data, receive the torque output data, and receive the reflected light data, the controller further configured to determine at least one powder bed characteristic based on at least one of the data, and control at least one recoating parameter of the recoating device based on the at least one determined powder bed characteristic.

Abstract: An information processing method for generating slice data in a shaping apparatus configured to manufacture a three-dimensional object including a shaping object by sequentially stacking shaping materials based on the slice data generated for each layer, the information processing method including the steps of: acquiring cross-sectional data; judging the presence/absence of a support required region; determining a type of the support to be disposed in the support required region; and generating, as the slice data of a target layer, image data including a structure region indicating the cross-section of the shaping object in the target layer and a support region indicating the cross-section of the support.

Abstract: A numerical controller enabling prediction of a machining time considering a machine delay occurring in a machine. The numerical controller configured for predicting a reference machining time corresponding to a machining time not considering acceleration/deceleration of an predicting the number of times of acceleration/deceleration of the axis in machining storing information related to a deviation time corresponding to a difference between an actual machining time corresponding to a machining time required for actual machining by the machine and the reference machining time predicted in the machining, calculating a correction time for correcting the reference machining time based on the number of times of acceleration/deceleration predicted and the information related to the deviation time stored, and calculating a predicted machining time obtained by correcting the reference machining time using the correction time.

Abstract: A method of self-healing power grids after power outages includes providing an Adaptive Restoration Decision Support System (ARDSS) for generating a restoration solution using static and dynamic input data from power generator(s) powering transmission lines, from the transmission lines and loads. At a beginning of a restoration period a two-stage problem is solved including a first and second-stage problem with an optimal planning (OP) function as a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) problem using initial static and dynamic data to determine start-up times for the power generator and energization sequences for transmission lines involved in the power outage. Only the second-stage problem is again solved with an optimal real-time (OR) function using the start-up times and energization sequences along with updated static and dynamic data to determine operating parameters for the grid.

Abstract: A model-based control scheme consisting of either a proportional-integral-derivative (IMC-PID) controller or a model predictive controller (MPC), with an insulin feedback (IFB) scheme personalized based on a priori subject characteristics and comprising a lower order control-relevant model to obtain PID or MPC controller for artificial pancreas (AP) applications.

Abstract: Provided is a system, comprising: an electrical power meter comprising: a network interface; electrical power inputs configured to receive electrical power from a power-distribution system of a vehicle facility configured to host a plurality of vehicles; first and second electrically controlled switches coupled to vehicle power connectors; and a client-side processor configured to communicate with a remote server system; and the remote server system, configured to: cause a user-computing device of a user to display a user interface by which power-delivery is configurable; receive a request to deliver electrical power via a vehicle power connector; and in response, transmitting, to the electrical power meter, a command that causes the client-side processor to adjust the electrically controlled switch.

Abstract: A numerical controller which can prevent the stoppage of operation caused by the shutting off of communication with a host computer includes a communication unit for sending an NC data acquisition request containing a data size specification to a host computer, and a numerical control unit for performing operation using NC data sent from the host computer in response to the NC data acquisition request. Every fixed period, the communication unit sends, to the host computer, the NC data acquisition request containing the data size specification corresponding to a quantity of the NC data consumed by the numerical control unit.

Abstract: Methods for providing a workpiece computer model including a plurality of objects defined in a body of material. A temporary support frame is provided as part of a two-sided machining process in which the workpiece is partially milled from an obverse side. The machine-control instructions are also based on one or more occupying structures added to the workpiece to fill in one or more excess unoccupied regions of the workpiece that would otherwise be machined away during machining of the objects. Providing such occupying structure(s) reduces the amount of machining that needs to be performed.