Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring and controlling irrigation and climate conditions in landscapes (such as, e.g., municipal parks, gardens, and sports fields) and agricultural environments (such as, e.g., open agricultural fields, greenhouses, and other sites growing crops).

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a cure of a curable material. A cure of a curable material is initiated by using cure parameters. The cure parameters are based on material data related to curing the curable material. Temperature values are obtained based on temperatures measured periodically during the cure by a plurality of sensors. A cure setting is adjusted during the cure based on at least one cure parameter of the cure parameters and at least one temperature value of the temperature values to substantially maintain a desired effect. The cure parameters comprise a hot threshold, a cold threshold, a hot alarm, and cold alarm.

Abstract: A one-wheeled vehicle may include electric motors, a self-balancing system, and steering mechanism, wherein the electric motors and self-balancing system are disposed within the wheel of the one-wheeled vehicle. A computational resource such as a microprocessor-based controller receives input signals indicative of operation of a twist throttle and brake, and produces signals to adjust the tilt angle relative to the acceleration and thereby reduce the need for a rider to lean forward or backwards.

Abstract: A twisted string transmission system comprises a twisted string actuator, a force sensor, and a controller. The twisted string actuator is for converting a rotational motion into a linear force. The force sensor is for sensing the linear force. The controller is for receiving sensor information regarding the linear force from the force sensor and for providing control information to control the rotational motion based at least in part on the sensor information.

Abstract: A method and system for autonomously monitoring, evaluating, storing and testing tools and other units operated at a rig-site. The system may include a storage facility communicatively coupled to one or more tools, status flags identifying the health and operational status of the tools, and a computer for performing a self-check for determining the operational status for the one or more tools. The system may further include a remotely positioned computer system in communication with the operational status of the tools, and a user terminal in communication with the computer system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system and computer program is provided for controlling an electric power system, including implementation of a voltage control and conservation (VCC) system used to optimally control the independent voltage and capacitor banks using a linear optimization methodology to minimize the losses in the EEDCS and the EUS. An energy validation process system (EVP) is provided which is used to document the savings of the VCC and an EPP is used to optimize improvements to the EEDCS for continuously improving the energy losses in the EEDS. The EVP system measures the improvement in the EEDS a result of operating the VCC system in the “ON” state determining the level of energy conservation achieved by the VCC system.

Abstract: A method, system or computer usable program product for managing a water heater utilized for heating stored hot water including utilizing an expected user schedule to determine an expected user load for storage in memory, utilizing ambient temperature data to determine a water heating load for storage in memory, utilizing a processor to analyze the expected user load and the water heating load stored in memory to determine a desired temperature for the stored hot water according to a predetermined policy, and utilizing the processor to instruct the water heater to heat the stored hot water to the desired temperature.

Abstract: A dialog system for examining a processing operation carried out on a machine tool and establishing a proposal for improving at least one quality feature of a subsequent processing operation, the dialog system having input means to predetermine the quality feature to be improved and a proposal module which, by accessing stored expert knowledge, can establish at least one proposal for improving the quality feature. In some implementations, the proposal module is operable to read data established by one or more of a machine tool sensor system and image data of a processed workpiece together with associated material and processing data to provide the proposal.

Abstract: A method for configuring a Home Energy Management System (HEMS) in a Home Area Network (HAN) is provided. The method includes registering the HEMS to a smart meter, and managing an energy profile of an HAN device including the smart meter connected to the HAN. Accordingly, a Demand Response (DR) may not normally operate between devices even if energy profile differs from one device to another.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, there is provided a power electronics device including: a controlling unit, a determining unit, a confirming unit and a determining unit. The controlling unit performs surveillance/control concerning an input/output of power to a power line with other power electronics devices connected via the power line. The determining unit determines a master device which is a subject of the surveillance/control and a slave device which is controlled by the master device, based on power characteristic information of the other power electronics devices from among the other power electronics devices and the power electronics device. The confirming unit confirms whether the master device and the slave device determined by the determining unit are matched with the master device and the slave device determined by the other power electronics devices. The determining unit permits a start of the surveillance/control when matching is determined by the confirming unit.

Abstract: A video flame detection system and method for controlling a range. The system includes a video flame detector assembly coupled to an electric range and having a camera. A relay control board is coupled to the video flame detector assembly and includes a smoke contact, a flame contact, a relay module, a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor. A range control system is coupled to the relay control board and includes a control relay. When the video flame detector assembly detects smoke, the video flame detector assembly activates the smoke contact of the relay module, causing the range control system to modulate the electric current of a heating element of the range according to at least one of a first pattern or a second pattern.

Abstract: A control system for a machine comprising a plurality of independently replaceable machine modules comprises a controller operable to control operation of the machine. Memory stores machine data for use by the controller. Communication means are operable to provide communication for data transfer between the controller and the memory. The memory includes a plurality of memory modules associated with respective machine modules. Each of the memory modules is replaceable with the respective associated machine module and independently of other memory modules. The communication means is operable to provide communication for data transfer between the controller and a replacement memory module associated with a replacement machine module.

Abstract: There is provided a device for monitoring an operation of a nuclear plant, including: a functional integration VDU having a regular-use-system VDU that monitors the operation of the plant under normal conditions, and a security-system VDU that leads to a safe state when the plant is in an abnormal state; and a security-system VDU that leads to a safe state when the plant is in an abnormal state. The functional integration VDU is mounted to a first operating console, the security-system VDU is mounted to a second operating console, and thereby an increase in the size of the operating consoles in the nuclear plant is suppressed, and increased ease of operation is enabled.

Abstract: A system energy efficiency controller in a smart energy network, a control method thereof, and a control method for a terminal device. The system energy efficiency controller includes a control decision module, a storage module, a power clock module, an internal communication module, and an external communication module. The storage module is connected to the control decision module, and stores temporary and permanent information data in the operation process of the storage system. The power clock module provides an internal clock, achieving timing synchronization of processors on the controller. The internal communication module provides two-way communication between the system energy efficiency controller and control implementation units of multiple terminal devices. The external communication module provides two-way communication between the system energy efficiency controller and a local optimizer.

Abstract: The economical load distribution adjusting device 10 acquires an optimal hydroelectric output, optimal demand, and optimal power price from the supply-demand planning device 23, acquires the planned hydroelectric output planned by the water level planning devices 21, and acquires a planned demand planned by the charge control devices 22. The economical load distribution adjusting device 10 reduces the power price of the time at which the planned hydroelectric output exceeds the optimal output and makes the water level planning devices 21 replan the hydroelectric output, and raises the power price of the time at which the planned demand exceeds the optimal demand and makes the charge control devices 22 replan the amount of demand.

Abstract: A method in an industrial safety system for controlling a process or equipment, which industrial safety system includes components with safety devices. The safety system enables signals to be generated as a result of an event or alarm, where the method includes creating an automated link between the event or alarm and an effect or an action to be taken upon receipt of the event or alarm signal due to the event. The method includes configuring one or more links between the event and the input, thus forming a cause and effect matrix, and also generating a control code using the cause and effect matrix for subsequent download of the control code to at least one process controller whereby a control signal is subsequently generated by at least one safety controller to initiate the action or effect.

Abstract: A water heater that includes a tank for holding water, a heat source, a temperature sensor, a communication module operable to communicate with an external controller remote from the water heater, and a controller including a processor and a computer readable memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to operate the water heater. The communication module receives commands from the external controller for further operating the water heater.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a plurality of functional sections 200, 300, 400 and 500 each of which is selectively set in an operating state where an assigned processing thereof is executable on a substrate and a standby state where an energy consumption amount is less than in the operating state, and an apparatus controller 50 which controls a state of each functional section 200, 300, 400, 500 between the operating state and the standby state and causes the functional section in charge of the assigned processing corresponding to a recipe to be set in the operating state and perform the assigned processing in executing the recipe specifying a processing procedure on the substrate.

Abstract: An embodiment directed to a method for providing a specified state at a premises to which a user travels. Comprises determining a time of operation needed by a device located at the premises to provide the specified state, after device activation. One or more positions of the user are detected when the user is within a boundary, the boundary being determined in part by the time of operation. Detected user positions are used to determine a time of arrival of the user at the premises. A time to activate the device is computed from the arrival time and time of operation, collectively, wherein activating the device at the computed time causes the specified state to be provided at a time that coincides with arrival of the user at the premises.

Abstract: A flow meter, and related system and method are provided. The flow meter includes a coupler, a support member, an image sensor, a valve, and one or more processors. The coupler is adapted to couple to a drip chamber. The support member is operatively coupled to the coupler. The image sensor has a field of view and is operatively coupled to the support member. The image sensor is positioned to view the drip chamber within the field of view. The one or more processors are operatively coupled to the image sensor to receive image data therefrom and to the actuator to actuate the valve. The one or more processors are configured to estimate a flow of fluid through the drip chamber and to actuate the valve to control the flow of fluid through the drip chamber to achieve a target flow rate.