Abstract: In a method and system for operating a machine from the field of automation engineering, operating inputs entered at an operating unit of the machine and an identification code are transmitted via a data network to communication server software running on an external computing device. The communication server software determines MMI (machine-machine-interface) application software associated with the machine and with the operating inputs and transfers the operating inputs to the MMI application software, which in turn determines visualization data on the basis of the operating inputs. The visualization data specify a graphical output image to be represented on a display screen and are transferred to the machine via the communication server software and the data network for display. The performance characteristics of the machine can thereby be enhanced, without increasing demands on the hardware.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing an electrical load in a facility or building with an automated demand response server having a hierarchical grouping of demand stages and demand groups with associated timers that control the shedding of load in order to achieve the appropriate level of load reduction and ramping up devices in a controlled manner upon the expiration of a demand response event.

Abstract: A visualization system integrated with an enterprise manufacturing intelligence (EMI) system utilizing preconfigured EMI data models, workflow reports and process event notifications to optimize a manufacturing process. The visualization system and the EMI system exchange data and information providing both systems with a broader process view than either system has independently. The visualization system can specifically target information and action requests to different classes of manufacturing personnel such as operators and engineers. Additionally, the visualization system maintains an audit log of all production identities, raw material usage, and requested corrective actions.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a patient, such as a hospital bed, is provided. The apparatus includes a patient support surface and at least one fluid containing bladder. A pressure control assembly is operably coupled with the bladder. When the fluid pressure within the bladder falls outside of an acceptable range of pressure values, the active adjustment of the pressure within the bladder is initiated by the pressure control assembly if the pressure does not return to the acceptable range of pressure values within a time period, e.g., a time delay, that has a variable length.

Abstract: A method for making a rapid prototype of a patient's mouth to be used in the design and fabrication of a dental prosthesis. An intra-oral scan is made of the patient's mouth having an installation site with a dental implant installed and a healing abutment attached to the dental implant. The healing abutment has at least one informational marker. Scan data is generated from the scanning. The scan data is transferred to a CAD program. A three-dimensional model of the installation site is created in the CAD program. The at least one informational marker and the three-dimensional model are used to manufacture a rapid prototype model of the patient's mouth, which includes a dental implant analog.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods related to a constant-flow control valve and BTU meter assembly that has a pressure independent, constant-flow control valve assembly connectable to the fluid-based heating or cooling system. A valve stem is connected to a valve member and is rotatable as a unit relative to a valve body to change the position of valve member to change a fluid flow rate through the valve. The valve member's position relative to the fluid path is directly related to the fluid flow rate. Pressure sensors measure the pressure of fluid entering and exiting the valve body. A BTU meter assembly is connected to the valve stem, which is rotatable relative to the BTU meter assembly. A position sensor of the BTU meter assembly detects a rotational position of the valve stem relative to the BTU body.

Abstract: A bicycle fitting method for producing a bicycle is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving a bicycle riding information and a body measurement corresponding to a cyclist. According to the bicycle riding information, a bicycle model is provided. According to the body measurement and the selected bicycle model, a bicycle frame size and a set of bicycle geometric adjustment parameters are provided. According to the bicycle model, the bicycle frame size, and the set of bicycle geometric adjustment parameters, a bicycle which fits the cyclist is produced.

Abstract: A controller structure for more than two drive units coupled mechanically to a movable element includes a position measuring device for determining an actual position of the movable element and a position controller for calculating a setpoint speed from a setpoint position and the actual position, the position measuring device and the position controller jointly serving all drive units. Each drive unit, however, has a speed controller of its own. The drive units are configured either as master or as slave, individual drive units also being able to assume both functions. A torque-master-slave controller ensures a compensation of the torques between the drive units.

Abstract: A safety-related control unit for controlling an automated installation in accordance with an application program containing control instructions. The safety-related control unit has first and second processors for executing at least some of the control instructions by processing a plurality of first and second program variables, respectively. The first processor also determines a first test value for at least one of the first program variables in accordance with an instantaneous value present for this first program variable at a first defined instance of time. The second processor determines a second test value for the at least one of the first program variables. The second test value corresponds to the first test value. The safety-related control unit also has a data memory for storing the instantaneous value, the first test value and the second test value in order to facilitate a quick restart of the control unit after an unexpected interrupt.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a federation device receives one or more grid control-based signals over a computer network, applies one or more utility grid control policies to the one or more grid control-based signals, and federates the one or more signals and/or the one or more utility grid control policies into one or more federated control-based signals. The federation device then propagates the one or more federated control-based signals to one or more grid-related devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for acquiring the optimized parameters of a machining operation in the application of COM methodology, comprising: providing a plurality of readings indicative of the specific cutting energy (Kc) during an equal plurality of tests carried out with an imposed value, that is different from one test to another by at least one variable representative of the cutting operations, one of said variables being the cutting speed (Vc) and another being the advance rate (f); next determining a range of values of each of said variables including the optimal value for said variable obtained by means of processing the results for carrying out the machining operation; characterized in that a specific program (10a) of the digital control (7) is used for obtaining a continuous variation of the values of the variable during a single machining pass for a test, and in that the data read are formed during said single pass by the different values of the torque current (Iq) of the motor of the machin

Abstract: In a building equipped with a plurality of motion-enabled chairs such as a movie theatre, the vibration of the motion-enabled chairs adds up and may damage the foundation of the building especially at the resonance frequency. The present application describes a system and method for controlling the resulting vibration by introducing an alteration such as a delay or an inversion in the motion signals sent to the motion-enabled chairs. This delay causes the vibration of some motion-enabled chairs to be de-phased from the vibration of the other motion-enabled chairs. Whereby, the intensity (magnitude) of the resulting vibration is reduced. Control of the motion-enabled chairs may be done centrally through a central controller, or locally at selected motion-enabled chairs.

Abstract: A system tool merges different load forecasts for power grid centers. A plurality of load forecast engines are coupled to a load forecast interface and a relational data base that saves load forecast engine data as an input through the load forecast interface. A comprehensive operating plan is coupled to the load forecast engines and the relational database. The comprehensive operating plan is configured to integrate individual load forecasts into a composite load forecast to present a comprehensive, synchronized and harmonized load forecast. A program interface provides access to the composite load forecasting schedule.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including: an appliance power consumption estimating unit estimating power consumption of each of a plurality of appliances disposed inside a large region that is divided into a plurality of regions; an appliance presence probability estimating unit estimating appliance presence probabilities that are probabilities that the respective appliances are present in the respective regions; a responsible share deciding unit deciding responsible shares that are proportions for respective people when power consumption in each region is shared among people who may be present in the large region; and a power consumption allocating unit calculating an allocated amount of power consumption of each person based on the power consumption of each of the plurality of appliances, the appliance presence probabilities, and the responsible shares.

Abstract: A thermal displacement compensating device calculates a thermal displacement amount which is produced by heat generation or dissipation as a machine tool is actuated or stopped and changes with time. A thermal displacement compensation amount is calculated by multiplying the calculated thermal displacement amount by a coefficient. A position command is compensated by adding the thermal displacement compensation amount to the position command. On the other hand, a variation between a thermal displacement amount calculated last time and a current thermal displacement amount is determined for each predetermined time. A plurality of thermal displacement amount change states are identified based on comparison between the determined variation and a predetermined threshold. The coefficient is calculated based on the identified thermal displacement amount change state.

Abstract: A smart circuit breaker for an AC power supply circuit that has a limited capacity for supplying power to one or more electrical loads. Smart circuit breaker includes a sensing circuit to dynamically determine the available load capacity of the AC power supply circuit. A reporting circuit reports the dynamically available load capacity to a controller, an existing electrical load, and/or a potential electrical load on the AC power supply circuit. The AC power supply circuit, the existing electrical load, and/or the potential electrical load can adjust operations based on the reported availability of load capacity.

Abstract: A method for controlling a system includes receiving temperature and humidity measurements of supply air to a serviced space, return air from the serviced space, and outside air, wherein the outside air includes air outside the serviced space, calculating a volumetric flow rate of the outside air entering the system using the received temperature and humidity measurements of the supply air, the return air, and the outside air, calculating an air change per hour (ACH) rate in the serviced space using the calculated volumetric flow rate of the air outside the serviced space entering the system and the volume of the serviced space, and controlling the ACH rate in the serviced space.

Abstract: Control programs for robotic systems are synchronized through the use of synchronization objects which control access to shared resources and allow for sequencing of events in separate program threads. Where necessary, partner objects generate between control programs and synchronization objects to assure uniform interaction between control program threads and synchronization objects. As all synchronization objects contain searchable partner lists, actual simulated and runtime deadlocks including any type of synchronization object can be detected, and the full system can be analyzed to identify potential deadlocks.

Abstract: A program analysis support device that can freely combine program analysis conditions and can realize desired program analysis. An analysis condition setting part inputs a program analysis condition in a form of a conditional equation (analysis command, an analysis subject, and analysis condition) having an inherent equation number. A POU list extraction processing executing part executes an analysis command that reads a program to generate a collection of POUs serving as analysis subjects constituting the program, and a variable use list extraction processing executing part executes an analysis command that extracts a cross-reference of a variable to extract a cross-reference of a variable to the POU collection serving as the analysis subject. Both the parts further extract a cross-reference of a variable to another POU collection.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to reducing battery usage in handheld communication devices due to operation of variable managed features, such as a location determination feature and other features that consume variable amounts of time and power. The techniques of this disclosure include dynamically managing a power budget allocated to one or more variable managed features of the handheld communication device based on power consumption over time by the variable managed features. More specifically, the techniques include, for each variable managed feature, recalculating a frequency for performing power events based on an amount of remaining power after one or more power events. The techniques also include reallocating the power budget to the one or more variable managed features based on an amount of remaining power after one or more power events of the variable managed features, a pre-determined period of time, or reaching a threshold level of power consumption jitter.