Abstract: A control command is received via a touch screen from a user. The control command is directed to recalling a user-selected bed position of an adjustable bed. Recalling includes: identifying a row in a data table representing a user-selected bed position and retrieving an increment value from the row. The increment value specifies one of a range of available positions for the adjustable bed. A component of the adjustable bed is controlled to meet the increment value The component includes at least one of an actuator and a vibration motor.

Abstract: A method for operating a fluid dispensation system is provided. The method includes receiving a first control signal indicating that a fluid dispensation device within the fluid dispensation system is active, and determining a fluid additive quantity based upon the identity of the fluid dispensation device. The method also includes activating a fluid additive injection system, where the fluid additive injection system injects the fluid additive into the fluid dispensation system in response to the activation. The method further includes receiving a second control signal from the fluid additive injection system when the fluid additive quantity for the zone has been injected into the fluid dispensation system, and deactivating the fluid additive dispensation system in response to the second control signal.

Abstract: Methodology is provided for enhancing plant level support for grid reconstruction following a blackout. A plant based grid reconstruction manager develops solutions for reconstruction sequence steps to be carried out automatically or to be communicated to site personnel for manual implementation. The sequence steps are based on high-fidelity modeling of the capabilities all of the power production units present in a power plant and take into consideration grid specified load expectations, ambient conditions including ambient temperature and gas turbine operating levels. The methodology also provides for consideration of possible subsequent steps in the sequence to maximize the ability to pick-up additional load in such subsequent steps.

Abstract: A device control method and system that sets a control setting through a user interface generated by using an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) document is provided. Operation control of a device is set through a user interface that is generated using an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) document. A user interface is generated for control settings of a device based on received first information, second information corresponding to control setting values is input through the user interface, and the second information is transmitted to the device and corresponding control settings of the device are set. Accordingly, operation control of the device can be controlled through a user interface by using a single standardized document regardless of the type of device.

Abstract: Customization systems and methods are described in relation to performance devices and apparatus using a closed-loop feedback process for exploration, design and improvement of devices including performance devices. Crowdsourced knowledge bases, iterative improvements and centralized statistical, semantical and other technical analyses are employed to modify a baseline design. A baseline model defining modifications to a base device necessary to obtain a master device including modifications calculated to improve performance of the master device over the base device. Manufacturing instructions including CNC code can be produced and used to causes the production machine to manufacture the customized device. A design-to-order system is described as having of a simplified user interface, a queuing system, CAD/CAM capability and a repository of stored baseline models.

Abstract: A method for designing a drilling pattern for rock cavity excavation and a software product implementing the method. The drilling pattern is created by means of a design program. The drilling pattern defines several starting points of drill holes in a navigation plane, end points of the drill holes on the bottom of a round and further the directions and lengths of the drill holes. The face of the round is designed to have a desired shape by determining the locations of the end points for the desired face profile. A three-dimensional face profile is entered into the design program, which subsequently places end points to the face profile automatically.

Abstract: A method for producing a vessel (2), involving: placing a preform (3) into the mold; at the pre-blowing cue (tp), controlling the opening of an electrovalve (22) for establishing communication between the preform (3) and a source (20) of gas at a predetermined pre-blowing pressure (Pp); measuring the pressure (P) inside the preform (3); at the blowing cue (tS), controlling the opening of an electrovalve (26) for establishing a communication between the preform (3) and a source (24) of a gas at a blowing pressure (PS) higher than the pre-blowing pressure (Pp); memorising the variations of the pressure (P) inside the preform (3) at least during the interval between the pre-blowing cue (tp) and the blowing cue (tS); detecting the expansion end moment (tC) from which the pressure in the preform (3) increases in a linear manner; and advancing the blowing cue (tS) according to the expansion end moment (tC).

Abstract: A control system for controlling operation of a fossil fuel fired power generating unit. The control system including both a combustion optimization system and an oxygen optimization system. Both the combustion optimization system and oxygen optimization system each including a model for predicting values of controlled variables and an optimizer for determining optimal setpoint values.

Abstract: A power limiter system is described. The power limiter system is configured to receive a phase locked loop (PLL) error signal; analyze the PLL error signal to identify an occurrence of a grid contingency event; generate a first power command signal corresponding to an occurrence of the grid contingency event; and, transmit the first command signal to a converter interface controller. The system further includes a memory configured to store at least one variable that corresponds to the PLL error signal upon identification of an occurrence of the grid contingency event.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method consisting of one or more networked modular sensors Nodes and a data processing/display system for use to monitor and control electrical appliance loads at a premises. Together, the modular sensor Nodes and the processing/display system to detect, process, manage and present both real-time and historic electrical energy usage data for the premises, thus allowing the intelligent management of energy usage by a user of the system through both manual and automated usage controls. The sensor Nodes are integrated into the standardized form-factor (i.e., the standard physical configuration) of components typical of household and commercial electrical interfaces, such as circuit breakers, wall outlets, light switches, plug ends, power strips, etc.

Abstract: For application to analog, mixed-signal, and custom digital circuits, a system and method to extract circuit-specific process/environmental corners that is yield-aware and/or specification-aware. Simulation data from previous Monte Carlo-based verification actions can be re-used.

Abstract: A method of generating capacity, production and inventory plans, over a designated planning horizon, which will optimize, with respect to a designated performance index, the operations of one or more bulk product blending and packaging plants and a specified number, ranging from zero to a certain count, of distribution centers while meeting key operating constraints. Also decision making tools and computer implemented programs for performing the method.

Abstract: An optimization and control system for a utility plant that uses fan based air cooled condensers controls the operation of the power generation system at the plant in conjunction with the operation of the air cooled condensers so as to run the power plant at an optimum operating point associated with minimizing or reducing the cost energy produced by the plant. The optimization and control system includes an optimizer having a numerical solver that determines values for a set of control variables associated with an optimal operating point of the plant and an expert system that oversees and modifies the control variable settings prior to providing these settings to a plant controller. The numerical solver uses an objective function and one or more models of plant equipment to determine the operating point of the plant that minimizes the cost per unit of useful energy generated by the plant.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining whether an ultrasonic horn is aligned with an anvil of an ultrasonic welding system are provided. The first and second accelerometer sensors generate first and second signals indicative of first and second accelerations of first and second positions on a bracket coupled to the anvil when the ultrasonic horn is vibrating and contacting the anvil. The system further includes a microprocessor that receives the first and second signals. The microprocessor determines a difference between an amplitude of the first signal at a first time and an amplitude of the second signal at the first time. The microprocessor stores a first identifier value in a memory device indicating that the ultrasonic horn is aligned with the anvil if the difference between the amplitude of the first signal and the amplitude of the second signal is less than or equal to a threshold value.

Abstract: A method for controlling a power supply system (10) supplying power to a power consuming device (17). The system comprising a climate-dependent source (5, 6) of electrical energy, an auxiliary source (7) of electrical energy, and an energy storage device (14) for storing electrical energy. The climate-dependent source and the energy storage device being connectable to the power consuming device (17). The method comprising acquiring (101) power consumption data indicative of expected future power consumption of the power consuming device (17), energy storage data indicative of a current energy storage level of the energy storage device (14), and power supply data indicative of a current supply of electrical power from the climate-dependent source (5, 6). Determining (102), based on the power consumption data, energy storage data and power supply data, an energy storage threshold level at which electrical energy should be supplied to the energy storage device (14).

Abstract: For use in connection with evaluating prosthetic sockets (and other objects) designed and fabricated with computer aided design and manufacturing software, the shape of a socket is accurately scanned and digitized. The scanned data are then compared to either an electronic shape data file, or to the shape of another socket, a positive model of a residual limb (or socket), or a residual limb. Differences detected during the comparison can then be applied to revise the design or fabrication of the socket, to more accurately achieve a desired shape that properly fits the residual limb of a patient and can be used to solve the inverse problem by correcting for observed errors of a specific fabricator before a socket is produced. The digitizing process is implemented using a stylus ball that contacts a surface of the socket to produce data indicating the three-dimensional shape of the socket.

Abstract: The novel invention relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling one or more machines or a production cell with repeatable sequences using a machine controller, and to an operating unit in the form of a man-machine interface (MMI). The novel invention proposes making at least some of the operative control inputs for machine movement using haptic keys which can be programmed for their function and are applied to a screen and/or tactile touchscreen keys which can be seen and sensed, for example with an edge which can be sensed, with a respective associated screen field. The operator is thus provided with a guide function for operation, whether by the fact that he haptically senses the keystroke, for example via snap domes, or by the fact that he only tactually feels an edge around the screen key.

Abstract: Granular material is dehumidified by: a) providing a number of dry air generators inside hoppers containing granular material; b) for each dry air generator, evaluating the dry air flow generable and/or higher energy efficiency functioning time; c) calculating the dry air flow rate for each single hopper depending on the characteristics of the granular material; and d) activating a number of generators sufficient to deliver a total dry air flow rate equal to the sum of the flow rates required by the hoppers. The number of the generators and the generators to be activated are chosen depending on the flow rate deliverable by each and/or by their respective ranges of functioning at higher energy efficiency according to an energy saving logic. The remaining generators are deactivated.

Abstract: An output-power control apparatus is provided in an electric power system connecting a secondary battery system and a power generator in parallel, and controls output power of the electric power system. The output-power control apparatus detects output power of the power generator, and controls output voltage of the secondary battery system, based on a value obtained by subtracting the detected output power of the power generator from an output power instruction for controlling the output power.

Abstract: A method for optimizing operational settings for a plurality of energy devices includes representing each of the plurality of energy devices in terms of a set of decision variables and operational parameters. The decision variables and operational parameters are constrained based on operational conditions and interrelationship within the plurality of energy devices. A two-tiered model of the plurality of energy devices is generated wherein a top tier of the model represents interaction of various sub-models and a bottom tier of the model includes a set of the sub-models that form the top tier, each sub-model representing detailed operation of the plurality of energy devices. The two-tiered model is optimized to provide either a schedule of operation for the plurality of energy devices or real-time control for the plurality of energy devices.