Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for controlling environmental conditions in a data center using wireless mesh networks. An example embodiment includes receiving an alert message from a reporting wireless network sensor of a plurality of wireless network sensors via a wireless sensor network, the alert message including information indicative of a modification needed to an environmental condition; and using the information indicative of a modification needed to an environmental condition at a networked controller to command a device capable of modifying the environmental condition to modify the environmental condition in a manner corresponding to the information in the alert message.

Abstract: A building control system incorporating an external calendar service, having a schedule subsystem, a schedule synchronization subsystem connected to the schedule subsystem, and an external calendar configuration subsystem connected to the schedule synchronization subsystem. The schedule subsystem may have a schedule object, a building schedule mechanism for activating different subsystems in a building based on a configuration of a building schedule, and a schedule change mechanism for creating, configuring and/or changing the building schedule.

Abstract: A flow control valve includes a housing that includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a first work port and a second work port. The housing defines a spool bore and a pilot spool bore. A main stage spool is disposed in the spool bore. A pilot stage spool is disposed in the pilot spool bore. The pilot stage spool is in selective fluid communication with the main stage spool. A microprocessor includes a controller having a restricted structured controller and a compensation controller. Outputs of the restricted structured controller and the compensation controller are summed to form an electrical signal that is communicated to the pilot stage spool.

Abstract: The content of an operating instruction to each worker in a manufacturing process is controlled in the following way based on a manufacturing direction to the worker and on manufacturing achievement, work proficiency, and the like of the worker for the manufacturing direction. A deviation between a manufacturing direction and manufacturing achievement is calculated. Manufacturing direction parameters acting as factors of the calculated deviation are specified for each product to be manufactured. The above information is stored in a deviation factor database. For a new manufacturing direction, manufacturing direction parameters therein are checked against the deviation factor database to determine alarm information to be given to a worker on a manufacturing line, and the determined alarm information is outputted.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing an adaptive process control loop includes measuring process control loop signal data, generating a plurality of process control loop parameters from the process loop signal data and evaluating a condition of the adaptive process control loop from one or more of the plurality of process control loop parameters. The process control loop data is generated as a result of a normal operation of one or more process control devices within the adaptive process control loop when the adaptive process control loop is connected on-line within a process control environment. A self-diagnostic process control loop includes a diagnostic tool adapted to receive a diagnostic index pertaining to a process control loop parameter for each component of the process control loop and for the complete process control loop. Each diagnostic index is generated from signal data by a corresponding index computation tool.

Abstract: A power supply system includes a solar power generator, a storage, a controller, a calculator calculating a predicted amount of electricity consumed and a predicted amount of electricity generated, a calculator calculating a shortage amount that is a difference between the predicted amount of electricity consumed and the predicted amount of electricity generated, and a device setting a predicted amount of electricity stored. In a specified time in which electricity cost is lower than in other times, the controller controls such that the storage is supplied with electricity supplied to a building until an amount of electricity stored reaches the predicted amount of electricity stored. In the other times when an amount of solar power generation is larger than an amount of electricity consumed by an electric load, the controller controls such that the storage stores a surplus of the solar electricity.

Abstract: Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device.

Abstract: A system is provided for controlling at least one climate control apparatus for conditioning a space. The system includes a controller mountable to a climate control apparatus that is segregated from the space to be conditioned. The controller has a plurality of selectable setting parameters for configuring the controller to operate at least one of a plurality of climate control apparatus, and a plurality of visual indicators for visually indicating the selection of at least one selectable setting parameter. A user interface is adapted for installation in the space, and has a display for displaying selectable setting parameters for configuring the controller. The user interface includes user input controls for enabling selection of at least one displayed selectable setting parameter, where the controller responsively activates at least one visual indicator for indicating the selection of at least one selectable setting parameter by the user-interface.

Abstract: A method is provided for analyzing and diagnosing a large scale process automation control system having a plurality of control loops. Assessments for pre-defined key performance indicators (KPIs) are automatically generated for control, process and signal sections of each control loop. The automatically generated assessments of the pre-defined KPIs may be displayed in a graphical user interface (GUI) of a computer. A user may change the automatically generated assessments of the pre-defined KPIs. Different data views may also be displayed in the GUI. The data views include time series trends for measured process variable, controller output, controller set point and error, as well as controller parameter clustering views in two-dimensional and three-dimensional plots.

Abstract: A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described, the thermostat having a user interface that is visually pleasing, approachable, and easy to use while also providing ready access to, and intuitive navigation within, a menuing system capable of receiving a variety of different types of user settings and/or control parameters. For some embodiments, the thermostat comprises a housing, a ring-shaped user-interface component configured to track a rotational input motion of a user, a processing system configured to identify a setpoint temperature value based on the tracked rotational input motion, and an electronic display coupled to the processing system. An interactive thermostat menuing system is accessible to the user by an inward pressing of the ring-shaped user interface component. User navigation within the interactive thermostat menuing system is achievable by virtue of respective rotational input motions and inward pressings of the ring-shaped user interface component.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclose a method for optimizing a simulation of a machining of a workpiece performed by removing a set of swept volumes from a volume of the workpiece, wherein the volume is partitioned into a set of cells, comprising the steps of: associating with each cell a subset of distance fields representing a subset of swept volumes intersecting with the cell, wherein at least part of the subset of swept volumes forms a composite surface of the cell; subjecting the cell with a set of rays incident to the cell from at least one direction; and selecting a distance field of the subset of distance fields into an optimal subset associated with the cell, wherein a boundary of the swept volume represented by the distance field intersects with at least one ray at a point of intersection lying on the composite surface.

Abstract: An HVAC controller, a method determining a location of a HVAC unit with respect to a site where the HVAC unit is installed and a HVAC system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) an interface configured to receive location data indicating a position of said HVAC unit with respect to the earth, (2) a memory coupled to said interface and configured to store said location data and a processor configured to retrieve said location data from said memory, wherein said retrieved location data is employed to determine a location of said HVAC unit with respect to a site where said HVAC unit is installed.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a network of nodes controls and senses the cure of a thermosetting plastic in a component that is made of fiber composite material. The network comprises multiple nodes, which are separated spatially from each other. Each of the nodes, respectively, comprises a heat transfer device for actively transferring thermal energy, a temperature sensor for taking local temperature measurements, and a processor. In each of the nodes, respectively: (a) the processor locally performs closed loop control over the temperature of the heat transfer device, and (b) the closed loop control is based at least in part on the local temperature measurements and on estimated or measured input current to the heat transfer device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting control system including: a switching means for selecting one of a plurality of scenarios; a gateway for matching at least one of on/off control signals, color temperature control signals, color control signals, or dimming control signals for a plurality of lamps with the plurality of scenarios, storing a resultant data, and outputting control signals matched with the scenario selected from the switching means; and a lighting device for receiving the control signals outputted from the gateway, and according to the received control signals, turning on/off each of the lamps, adjusting a color temperature or a color of each of the lamps, or a dimming level of each of the lamps.

Abstract: A control system has regular ECUs and a recovery ECU. Each regular ECU controls driving of current consumers, respectively, drivable by driving methods and connected through output channels. The recovery ECU has output drivers, respectively, producing driving currents based on the driving methods and channel changing blocks corresponding to the respective driving methods. When receiving information indicating failure of an output channel of one regular ECU, the recovery ECU specifies the driving method of the failed channel, controls the driver of the specified driving method to produce a driving current, and controls the changing block of the specified driving method to select one output channel, through which the current consumer connected with the failed ECU through the failed channel is also connected with the changing unit. The recovery ECU performs substitute driving instead of the failed ECU to supply the current to the consumer.

Abstract: A system for monitoring plant equipment is provided. Another aspect provides an automated analysis system wherein software instructions operably compare sensor data to predefined valves and determine mechanical problems in multiple machines. In another aspect, a cement manufacturing system includes sensors for sensing movement conditions of cement making machines. A further aspect provides a central computer connected to vibration sensors associated with cement making machines, where software instructions perform real-time comparisons and machine performance determinations, based at least in part on sensed signals.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for controlling an electrical device are provided. At least one image of at least one moving entity is processed to determine when the moving entity (or entities) is at least one of entering and exiting a monitored area, and to determine when the moving entity (or entities) comprises at least one triggering shape. When the moving entity (or entities), comprising at least one triggering shape, is at least one of entering and exiting the monitored area, control of the electrical device is triggered and a counter for counting triggering shapes present in the monitored area is triggered. When the moving entity (or entities), comprising at least one triggering shape, exits the monitored area, the counter decrements by the number of triggering shapes and the electrical device is triggered to a state different from a present state when the counter falls below a threshold number.

Abstract: A qualification system for determining the effects of one or more upgrades or modifications to a chilled water plant is disclosed herein. The qualification system my collect various data from operating logs of a chilled water plant. The data may be collected in stages, where at least one first stage may be used to collect data used to identify representative log data. The representative log data may then be used to perform an accurate analysis to determine the effects of one or more upgrades or modifications. In this manner, the qualification system provides accurate analysis while reducing data entry. In addition, the qualification system may accept varying amounts of data such as to reduce percentage error or the like in its analysis.

Abstract: A computer comprising a recordable medium on which is stored instructions for at least one model-based, run-to-run controller routine is provided. The computer includes instructions to receive a first dataset regarding a first wafer after a first process, to determine a process parameter for the first process for a second wafer using the first dataset; and to determine a second process parameter for a second process for the first wafer using the first dataset. In an embodiment, the first process is an etch process. In an embodiment, the second process is a planarization process.

Abstract: An adaptive relaying control system and method is disclosed for adapting coordination of protective measures provided to an electric-energy distribution system as a function of at least an ambient weather condition. A weather sensor senses the ambient weather condition within a region adjacent to at least a portion of the electric-energy distribution system. A control unit is operatively coupled to the weather sensor to receive a weather signal indicative of the ambient weather condition and determine whether a storm condition exists based at least in part on the weather signal. The control unit establishes a suitable control philosophy for adapting coordination of the protective measures provided to the electric-energy distribution system based at least in part on whether the storm condition exists.