Abstract: The invention provides an asset-tracking system (100) for tracking a target tag (10) in a space (500), wherein the target tag (10) is configured to emit a target beacon signal, wherein the asset-tracking system (100) comprises a plurality of listener nodes (110) arranged in the space (500) and configured to detect the target beacon signal, wherein the asset-tracking system (100) comprises a control system (300), wherein the control system (300) has access to (i) listener location data and to (ii) map data, wherein in an operational mode: the control system (300) determines the presence of an object (200), wherein an object tag (210) is associated to the object (200), and wherein the object tag (210) is configured to emit an object beacon signal, wherein the plurality of listener nodes (110) are configured to detect the object beacon signal and to provide a related object signal to the control system (300); the control system (300) determines a confidence zone set (230) for each listener node (110) based on th

Abstract: The invention provides a target tag (10) for object tracking, wherein the target tag (10) is configured to detect listener beacon signals emitted by a plurality of listener nodes (110), wherein the target tag (10) has access to transmission power-related data and receiver sensitivity-related data of the plurality of listener nodes (110), and wherein in a tag operational mode the target tag (10) is configured to: detect the listener beacon signals and to determine related listener beacon signal strengths; determine a tag transmission power based on the related listener beacon signal strengths, the transmission power-related data, the receiver sensitivity-related data, and a predetermined goal number of reached listener nodes; and emit the target beacon signal at the tag transmission power.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a power delivery system, the apparatus comprising: a DC circuit breaker having first and second terminals and configured to automatically switch from a closed state to an open state during an overcurrent condition; a disconnector switch in series with the DC circuit breaker, the disconnector switch having a first terminal for connecting to a first polarity terminal of a DC power supply, a second terminal for connecting to a second polarity terminal of the DC power supply and a common terminal connected to the first terminal of the DC circuit breaker, the disconnector switch having at least a first position in which the first terminal is connected to the common terminal and a second position in which the second terminal is connected to the common terminal; and an interlock mechanism coupled to the DC circuit breaker and the disconnector switch, the interlock mechanism configured to disable the DC circuit breaker from automatically switching from the closed state to the open state during

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a power delivery system, the apparatus comprising: a DC circuit breaker having first and second terminals and configured to automatically switch from a closed state to an open state during an overcurrent condition; a disconnector switch in series with the DC circuit breaker, the disconnector switch having a first terminal for connecting to a first polarity terminal of a DC power supply, a second terminal for connecting to a second polarity terminal of the DC power supply and a common terminal connected to the first terminal of the DC circuit breaker, the disconnector switch having at least a first position in which the first terminal is connected to the common terminal and a second position in which the second terminal is connected to the common terminal; and an interlock mechanism coupled to the DC circuit breaker and the disconnector switch, the interlock mechanism configured to disable the DC circuit breaker from automatically switching from the closed state to the open state during

Abstract: The invention provides an asset-tracking system (100) for tracking a target tag (10) in a space (500), wherein the target tag (10) is configured to emit a target beacon signal, wherein the asset-tracking system (100) comprises a plurality of listener nodes (110) arranged in the space (500) and configured to detect the target beacon signal, wherein the asset-tracking system (100) comprises a control system (300), wherein the control system (300) has access to (i) listener location data and to (ii) map data, wherein in an operational mode: the control system (300) determines the presence of an object (200), wherein an object tag (210) is associated to the object (200), and wherein the object tag (210) is configured to emit an object beacon signal, wherein the plurality of listener nodes (110) are configured to detect the object beacon signal and to provide a related object signal to the control system (300); the control system (300) determines a confidence zone set (230) for each listener node (110) based on th

Abstract: The invention provides an asset-tracking system (100) for tracking a tag (10) in a space (500), wherein the tag (10) periodically emits a beacon signal (20), wherein the asset-tracking system (100) comprises a plurality of listener nodes (110) arranged in the space (500) and configured to detect the beacon signal (20), and wherein the asset-tracking system (100) comprises a control system (300), wherein the control system (300) has access to location data of the plurality of listener nodes (110), wherein in an operational mode: each listener node (110) of the plurality of listener nodes (110) determines a signal property upon detecting the beacon signal (20), wherein the listener node (110) determines an announcement delay based on the signal property; each listener node (110) announces a measurement signal (120) after the announcement delay to a related proper subset (111) of the plurality of listener nodes (110) unless the listener node (110) has received a predetermined number m of measurement signals (120

Abstract: The invention provides a target tag (10) for object tracking, wherein the target tag (10) is configured to detect listener beacon signals emitted by a plurality of listener nodes (110), wherein the target tag (10) has access to transmission power-related data and receiver sensitivity-related data of the plurality of listener nodes (110), and wherein in a tag operational mode the target tag (10) is configured to: detect the listener beacon signals and to determine related listener beacon signal strengths; determine a tag transmission power based on the related listener beacon signal strengths, the transmission power-related data, the receiver sensitivity-related data, and a predetermined goal number of reached listener nodes; and emit the target beacon signal at the tag transmission power.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless system 100 miming multiple applications at the same time, such as for both lighting control and asset tracking A node 200 comprised in the wireless system 100 is capable to operate in multiple communication modes, with each communication mode is according to a different communication technology. One the other hand, one application may have a preferred communication mode different from another application, considering some applications may have higher security requirements than the others. In view of this, a mode switching method is disclosed to assist the node 200 to serve multiple parallel applications in an efficient manner.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain proactive damping system includes a plurality of proactive damping structures mounted on a powertrain structure with each proactive damping structure includes a magneto rheological elastomer (MRE). An electromagnet is associated with each proactive damping structure. A control unit includes a processor circuit. A sensor obtains vibration data regarding the powertrain structure. A LIDAR sensor is mounted on the vehicle and is electrically connected with the control unit. The LIDAR sensor provides data to the control unit indicative of upcoming road surface conditions to be experienced by the vehicle. Based on data from at the sensor and the LIDAR sensor, the processor circuit is constructed and arranged to control voltage to the electromagnets to selectively adjust a rigidity of the associated proactive damping structure so as to control vibrational effects on the powertrain structure.

Abstract: A distributed control system including a plurality of controllers, each controller of the plurality of controllers being in communication with the remaining controllers of the plurality of controllers, each controller being configured to control at least one device, each controller being further configured to: initiate a first timer, in response to a received signal, the first timer having a length that is unique with respect to the first timer lengths of the remaining controllers of the plurality of controllers; send a first notification signal, upon the expiration of the first timer, to the remaining controllers notifying the remaining controllers of an intent to send a command signal; send the command signal to the at least one device, wherein the controller is configured to cancel sending the notification signal and the command signal if the notification signal is first received from one of the remaining controllers of the plurality of controllers prior to the expiration of the first timer.

Abstract: A distributed control system including a plurality of controllers, each controller of the plurality of controllers being in communication with the remaining controllers of the plurality of controllers, each controller being configured to control at least one device, each controller being further configured to: initiate a first timer, in response to a received signal, the first timer having a length that is unique with respect to the first timer lengths of the remaining controllers of the plurality of controllers; send a first notification signal, upon the expiration of the first timer, to the remaining controllers notifying the remaining controllers of an intent to send a command signal; send the command signal to the at least one device, wherein the controller is configured to cancel sending the notification signal and the command signal if the notification signal is first received from one of the remaining controllers of the plurality of controllers prior to the expiration of the first timer.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain proactive damping system includes a plurality of proactive damping structures mounted on a powertrain structure with each proactive damping structure includes a magneto rheological elastomer (MRE). An electromagnet is associated with each proactive damping structure. A control unit includes a processor circuit. A sensor obtains vibration data regarding the powertrain structure. A LIDAR sensor is mounted on the vehicle and is electrically connected with the control unit. The LIDAR sensor provides data to the control unit indicative of upcoming road surface conditions to be experienced by the vehicle. Based on data from at the sensor and the LIDAR sensor, the processor circuit is constructed and arranged to control voltage to the electromagnets to selectively adjust a rigidity of the associated proactive damping structure so as to control vibrational effects on the powertrain structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a controlled device (1, 1?), a system (25, 25?) comprising such controlled device (1, 1?) and a controller device (21), a method for setting up such controlled device (1, 1?) and a software product for a set up processor (3, 3?) of such controlled device (1, 1?). In order to allow the controlled device (1, 1?) to persistently stay within the framework of the system (25, 25?) over its power cycles while avoiding or at least reducing a need for a costly element like a NVRAM on the side of the controlled device (1, 1?). Rather than providing costly NVRAM in the controlled device (1, 1?), the controlled device (1,1?) is just provided with fixed information which allows the controlled device (1,1?) to receive or obtain the variable control data from the controller device (21) as an outside source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a controlled device (1, 1?), a system (25, 25?) comprising such controlled device (1, 1?) and a controller device (21), a method for setting up such controlled device (1, 1?) and a software product for a set up processor (3, 3?) of such controlled device (1, 1?). In order to allow the controlled device (1, 1?) to persistently stay within the framework of the system (25, 25?) over its power cycles while avoiding or at least reducing a need for a costly element like a NVRAM on the side of the controlled device (1, 1?). Rather than providing costly NVRAM in the controlled device (1, 1?), the controlled device (1,1?) is just provided with fixed information which allows the controlled device (1,1?) to receive or obtain the variable control data from the controller device (21) as an outside source.

Abstract: A method for renting a portable and universal power charger from a vending machine. The method provides at least one vending machine that dispenses a power charger. The dispensed power charger is generally small, portable, and carries sufficient power to provide multiple charges to the communication device. The power charger is also configured to charge a variety of different styles and sizes of communication devices. A user may rent the portable power charger for a predetermined period and then return the power charger after it is depleted. The rented power charger is portable and contains a full store of power, such that the user may fully recharge the communication device at least one time while traveling, at work, or at a public event.

Abstract: A distance measurement arrangement provides a distance indication based on a delay between an electromagnetic signal, transmitted in a transmission mode, and a reflection of the electromagnetic signal, received in a reception mode. The distance measurement arrangement includes an antenna module having a plurality of antennas for transmitting the electromagnetic signal and for receiving the reflection. A beam-forming module defines respective magnitude and phase relationships with respect to respective antennas so as to cause the antenna module to provide a directional antenna pattern in at least one the two modes. A beam-forming and steering control module controls the respective magnitude and phase relationships as a function of a direction command. A 3-D picture can be formed by applying respective direction commands so as to obtain respective distance indications for respective portion in a two-dimensional picture.

Abstract: A distance measurement arrangement (DDM) provides a distance indication (DV) on the basis of a delay between an electromagnetic signal (TB), which is transmitted in a transmission mode, and a reflection (RB) of the electromagnetic signal, which is received in a reception mode. The distance measurement arrangement includes an antenna module (AM) comprising a plurality of antennas for transmitting the electromagnetic signal (TB) and for receiving the reflection (RB) thereof. A beam-forming module (BF) defines respective magnitude and phase relationships with respect to respective antennas so as to cause the antenna module (AM) to provide a directional antenna pattern in at least one the two aforementioned modes. Preferably, a beam-forming and steering control module (BC) controls the respective magnitude and phase relationships as a function of a direction command (DIR).