Abstract: Methods and systems for simulating energy use in a building is described. The method includes generating a building model based on building data associated with the building, the building model having a plurality of levels, the building model simulating the energy use in the building based on values of input parameters. The method includes receiving detected energy data associated with actual energy use in the building. The method includes performing a sensitivity analysis using the building model to identify influential parameters. The method includes performing a discrepancy analysis across the plurality of levels using the building model and the detected energy data to identify adjustable parameters. The method includes determining values for the identified adjustable parameters to minimize discrepancies at the plurality of levels. The method includes incorporating the values for the identified one or more adjustable parameters into the building model to provide a calibrated building model.

Abstract: An infrared thermography based technique is described for monitoring an individual's thermoregulation performance and thermal comfort level through measuring the skin temperature on several points the face as the face has a high density of blood vessels and it is typically not covered by clothing. This technique allows for continuous monitoring during normal daily activities and instantaneous identification of thermoregulation performance and thermal comfort. The vascular territories in addition to vasodilation and vasoconstriction of the blood vessels can be used to estimate personal thermal comfort levels. Systems for implementing the technique are described, and can include one or more infrared sensors implemented on glasses for detecting temperature. Data from the sensors is processed by a suitable processor and memory. The processor can continuously monitor the person's blood vessels shrinking and widening which represents thermoregulation performance.

Abstract: An autonomous pavement assessment system may receive depth data indicative of the depth of pixels that collectively comprise multiple defective areas of pavement. For each defective area, the system may fit a plane to it; generate a histogram that indicates the frequency of its pixels at different depths; dynamically determine a depth noise threshold for it; generate a binary image of it based on its noise threshold; and generate a depth map of it containing only the pixels that have a depth that meets or exceeds its depth noise threshold. The system may prioritize the multiple defective areas for repair and/or generate optimized rehabilitation routes. Crowd sourcing may be used to gather the depth data, as well as location information for each defective area.

Abstract: A computer data processing system may provide control information for controlling how an environmental control system controls an environment within a building. The computer data processing system may receive and store reports from multiple users and/or may receive and store reports at different times from a user. Each report may provide information concerning how the user perceives the comfort level of the user's environment at the time the user supplies the information. The computer data processing system may determine and generate the control information for controlling how the environmental control system controls the environment based on the information concerning how each user perceives the comfort level of the user's environment at the time each user provides the information.