Abstract: A method of operating a flyback converter is provided. The flyback converter comprises a transformer having a primary side winding and a secondary side winding, a primary switch at the primary side of the transformer and a secondary switch at the secondary side of the transformer, and a control unit. At the end of a switching cycle, before turning on the primary side switch: the control unit generates a Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) pulse in the secondary side winding, such that the parasitic capacitor of the primary side switch is discharged. Consequently, the primary side switch is turned on in ZVS or near ZVS conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to techniques for the inspection of joints and repairs in pipelines. In this scenario, the a method is provided for the inspection of joints in composite pipes and of composite repairs in metallic pipelines, comprising the steps of (i) emitting a series of acoustic wave pulses, at different frequencies, from a collar of acoustic transducers positioned at a predetermined distance from a joint or repair to be inspected, (ii) recording, in a time interval subsequent to the emission, echoes of wave displacements to the repair or joint in each of the transducers in the form of an A-Scan, and (iii) generating a flattened C-Scan image, through a CSM, for each frequency of pulse emission from the collar of acoustic transducers. The disclosure further provides a system for inspection of joints in composite pipes and of composite repairs in metallic pipelines associated with the provided method.

Abstract: A method for tinting a spectacle lens includes selectively performing a surface treatment onto a preselected part of a surface of a spectacle lens and providing a tinting solution to the spectacle lens. Further, a lens holder for tinting a spectacle lens is provided, which comprises a reception unit suitable for holding the spectacle lens in a predefined position and a masking unit suitable for masking a part of a surface of the spectacle lens when held by the reception unit in a predefined position.

Abstract: A system for overcoming fog (freezing of gait) episodes, comprising an acquisition device/component/or the like of at least one FOG-related motor datum of a subject affected by FOG episodes, said acquisition device/component being mounted on at least one piece of footwear worn by said subject; a detection device/component/or the like, separate from said acquisition device/component, operationally connected to the latter and configured to detect at least one FOG episode depending on at least the detected motor datum; an emission device/component/or the like for emitting at least one sensory stimulus perceivable by said subject as a result of the detection of the FOG episode and which allows the subject to overcome such FOG episode, worn by said subject, and operationally connected to said detection device/component, the latter being configured to signal to said emission device/component the detection of the FOG episode.

Abstract: A building management system for a building system includes a building system interface configured to receive building system data; a knowledge base configured to receive the building system data, the knowledge base providing a model of the building system, the model including semantic descriptions of the building system data, the semantic descriptions of the building system data being arranged in an ontology; and a user interface configured to access the knowledge base.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring satisfaction for a smart building is disclosed. A method includes detecting a presence of a user at the smart building; monitoring actions of the user in the smart building with respect to each of a plurality of aspects; receiving feedback via a human machine interface from the user regarding one or more of the plurality of aspects; and building the profile for the user based on the actions and feedback; wherein: monitoring actions comprises using one or more sensors to detect movement of the user through the smart building; receiving feedback includes determining a satisfaction level of the user with respect to thermal comfort; and adjusting the one or more of the plurality of aspects based on the profile.

Abstract: A method and system for using a portable user profile in multiple smart buildings is disclosed. A method includes detecting a presence of a user at the smart building; determining that the user had not previously visited the smart building; retrieving a portable user profile for the user; and setting access control rules based on the portable user profile.

Abstract: A method and system for deploying a profile in a smart building is disclosed. A method includes sensing an event occurrence related to a user; finding related events; retrieving a profile for the user from a profile repository; and recommending a course of action based on the profile for the user.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring satisfaction for a smart building is disclosed. A method includes detecting a presence of a user at the smart building; monitoring actions of the user in the smart building with respect to each of a plurality of aspects; receiving feedback via a human machine interface from the user regarding one or more of the plurality of aspects; and building the profile for the user based on the actions and feedback; wherein: monitoring actions comprises using one or more sensors to detect movement of the user through the smart building; receiving feedback includes determining a satisfaction level of the user with respect to thermal comfort; and adjusting the one or more of the plurality of aspects based on the profile.

Abstract: A method and system for conditioning an interior area is disclosed. A method includes retrieving environmental conditions regarding the interior area, wherein the environmental conditions include temperature, humidity, and air speed; retrieving outdoor environmental conditions; generating a field of environmental conditions at a plurality of points within the interior area; estimating clothing insulation of a user based on the outdoor environmental conditions; calculating a thermal comfort of the user to determine a predicted mean vote; and operating a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system based on the calculated thermal comfort.

Abstract: A building management system includes a building system interface (24) configured to access a building system (20); an event service module (26) configured to access event data in the building system through the building system interface (24); a knowledge base (12) providing a model of the building system, the model including semantic descriptions of the event data, the semantic descriptions of the event data being arranged in an ontology; a semantic service module (30) in communication with the knowledge base (12); and a user interface (14) in communication with the semantic service module (30) and the event service module (26), the user interface (14) generating a user request to create an event filter having a filter criterion and report event data matching the filter criterion.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting anomalous behavior in a smart building is disclosed. A method includes detecting a presence of a user at the smart building; retrieving a profile of the user; monitoring actions of the user in the smart building with respect to each of a plurality of aspects; comparing the actions to historical actions of the user stored in the profile; and determining that anomalous behavior exists with respect to the user.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and maintaining a profile for a smart building comprising is disclosed. A method includes detecting a presence of a user at the smart building; monitoring actions of the user in the smart building with respect to each of a plurality of aspects; receiving feedback via a human machine interface from the user regarding one or more of the plurality of aspects; and building the profile for the user based on the actions and feedback; wherein: monitoring actions comprises using one or more sensors to detect movement of the user through the smart building; receiving feedback includes determining a satisfaction level of the user with respect to thermal comfort; and adjusting the one or more of the plurality of aspects based on the profile.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing power usage of a building is disclosed. A method includes generating a profile for each user of a set of users of the building, using machine-learning techniques; retrieving data regarding the building; storing the profile and data in a knowledge base; and calculating power requirements of the set of users based on the profile and data.

Abstract: A building management system includes a building system interface (24) configured to access a building system (20); an event service module (26) configured to access event data in the building system through the building system interface (24); a knowledge base (12) providing a model of the building system, the model including semantic descriptions of the event data, the semantic descriptions of the event data being arranged in an ontology; a semantic service module (30) in communication with the knowledge base (12); and a user interface (14) in communication with the semantic service module (30) and the event service module (26), the user interface (14) generating a user request to create an event filter having a filter criterion and report event data matching the filter criterion.

Abstract: A building management system includes a building system interface configured to access a building system; a data service module configured to access building system data in the building system through the building system interface; a knowledge base providing a model of the building system, the model including semantic descriptions of the building system data, the semantic descriptions of the building system data being arranged in an ontology; a semantic service module in communication with the knowledge base; and a user interface in communication with the semantic service module and the data service module, the user interface generating a user access request to access building system data.

Abstract: A building management system for a building system includes a building system interface configured to receive building system data; a knowledge base configured to receive the building system data, the knowledge base providing a model of the building system, the model including semantic descriptions of the building system data, the semantic descriptions of the building system data being arranged in an ontology; and a user interface configured to access the knowledge base.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a braking member (1, 2) for a brake system (9) and a method for making it. The braking member (1, 2) comprises at least one friction portion (13, 23) intended to be put into contact with a component (2, 1) of the brake system (9) to produce a braking action due to a friction force. The surface (15, 25) and/or the friction portion (13, 23) is made of a composite material comprising diamond particles (41) and a binder (43).

Abstract: A method for making a splice between optical fibers in a joint device suitable for housing the joint between a first electrical cable includes a first optical fiber and a second electrical cable including a second optical fiber. The joint device includes a sleeve having a cylindrical portion. The method includes (i) splicing the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber so as to form the splice and (ii) winding at least a portion of the excess length of the first optical fiber and at least a portion of the excess length of the second optical fiber around the cylindrical portion of the sleeve in a helix substantially coaxial with the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A valve device and assembly procedure thereof on a in-service pipeline by mounting an assembly that includes an operative subset, a deposit subset, and lateral sets which are assembled on a pipeline so that, without shutting down the pipeline service, the pipeline is perforated, and valve seats, included with the valve device, are displaced until the device is in-service, thus arranging the valve device to enable the control of the fluid circulation through the pipeline.