Abstract: Embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein provide a gaming console and gaming controllers, including hardware and software features included on the hardware. For example, a game balancing system is described that can monitor and track performance data from one or more players of the gaming console. With the performance data, artificial intelligence and machine learning can be used to create one or more models that are applied to determine adjustments to games being played on the gaming console. The adjustments to the games can be implemented specifically to each game, player, or set of players to achieve more balanced gameplay as measured by game outcomes and other factors.

Abstract: A building automation system (BAS) architecture is disclosed. The BAS comprises, in one embodiment, an architecture comprising a communication network and having a dynamic extensibility capability and an automatic configuration capability; an engine communicatively coupled to the communication network; and at least one control device communicatively coupled to the communication network, the control device being known or unknown to the engine. The engine can be adapted to selectively implement the dynamic extensibility capability to establish communications with and to control both known and unknown control devices. The engine can be further adapted to selectively implement the automatic configuration capability to determine at least one characteristic of both known and unknown control devices. A method of adding a control device to a building automation system (BAS) by dynamically extending and automatically configuring an architecture of the BAS is also disclosed.

Abstract: A building automation system (BAS) network manager supporting a plurality of device protocols coupled to at least one communication network, and a plurality of logical connections to individual BAS networks to multiple end devices of a BAS. The BAS network manager can communicate with each of the end devices regardless of the protocol or protocol version of the BAS network by implementing a protocol stack above the link layer for each protocol or protocol version, providing an integrated multi-BAS network interface, and maintaining a device identifier for each BAS network the network manager is coupled to in the protocol stack.

Abstract: A building automation system (BAS) architecture is disclosed. The BAS comprises, in one embodiment, an architecture comprising a communication network and having a dynamic extensibility capability and an automatic configuration capability; an engine communicatively coupled to the communication network; and at least one control device communicatively coupled to the communication network, the control device being known or unknown to the engine. The engine can be adapted to selectively implement the dynamic extensibility capability to establish communications with and to control both known and unknown control devices. The engine can be further adapted to selectively implement the automatic configuration capability to determine at least one characteristic of both known and unknown control devices. A method of adding a control device to a building automation system (BAS) by dynamically extending and automatically configuring an architecture of the BAS is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for interacting with and customizing a dynamically extensible and automatically configurable BAS. In one embodiment, the BAS includes a plurality of end devices, at least one communication network, a protocol-independent server engine, and a user interface. User customization options are presented by and accomplished through a graphical user interface. In addition to providing a portal through which users may access, manage, and customize the BAS, the user interface itself is customizable in accordance with and complimentary to the dynamic extensibility of the system.

Abstract: A building automation system (BAS) comprising a plurality of end devices, at least one communication network, and a protocol-independent server engine. In one embodiment, the BAS comprises real and non-real end devices. In another embodiment, the BAS comprises real and virtual end devices. The BAS may also comprise a user interface.

Abstract: A building automation system (BAS) comprising a plurality of end devices, at least one communication network, and a protocol-independent server engine. The end devices are each associated with at least one of a space, a system, or a subsystem for at least a portion of a building or a campus. The communication network supports a plurality of communication protocols and communicatively couples at least a portion of the plurality of end devices. The server engine is communicatively coupled to the at least one communication network and includes means for selectively implementing a dynamic extensibility capability for the BAS that establishes communications with and control of the plurality of end devices over the plurality of communication protocols, and means for selectively implementing an automatic configuration capability for the BAS that supports addition of end devices to the plurality of end devices by determining at least one characteristic of each end device.

Abstract: A building automation system (BAS) architecture is disclosed. The BAS comprises, in one embodiment, an architecture comprising a communication network and having a dynamic extensibility capability and an automatic configuration capability; an engine communicatively coupled to the communication network; and at least one control device communicatively coupled to the communication network, the control device being known or unknown to the engine. The engine can be adapted to selectively implement the dynamic extensibility capability to establish communications with and to control both known and unknown control devices. The engine can be further adapted to selectively implement the automatic configuration capability to determine at least one characteristic of both known and unknown control devices. A method of adding a control device to a building automation system (BAS) by dynamically extending and automatically configuring an architecture of the BAS is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for interacting with and customizing a dynamically extensible and automatically configurable building automation system (BAS). In one embodiment, a graphical user interface (GUI) of the BAS comprises a building summary pages. The invention is also directed to a space summary page and an equipment summary page.

Abstract: A building automation system (BAS) comprising a plurality of end devices, at least one communication network, a protocol-independent server engine, and a graphical user interface (GUI). The end devices are each associated with at least one of a space, a system, or a subsystem for at least a portion of a building or a campus. The communication network supports a plurality of communication protocols and communicatively couples at least a portion of the plurality of end devices. The server engine is communicatively coupled to the at least one communication network and, in one embodiment, is adapted to selectively implement the dynamic extensibility capability to establish communications with, to receive and store data about, and to control the end devices and to selectively implement the automatic configuration capability to determine at least one characteristic of each of the end devices, wherein the at least one characteristic comprises a communication protocol compatible with the end device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for interacting with and customizing a dynamically extensible and automatically configurable building automation system (BAS). In one embodiment, a graphical user interface (GUI) of the BAS comprises a BAS summary page, at least one building summary page, at least one building space page, at least one end device page, and at least on subsystem page. The invention is also directed to methods for creating pages for a GUI of a BAS.

Abstract: A method of improving the loss ratio on a book of insurance including the use of a computer data base with a user interface display including questions for insured entities making up the book of insurance. Spaces are provided on the display for the input of answers from an insured. A survey is used to question the insured entity, the survey eliciting answers to the questions posed. Data is input from the answers received into the computer data base at the spaces provided for. The answers that are collected are compared with answers contained in written documents having information that was supplied by a third party insurance underwriter. Inconsistent answers are identified and the information obtained is reported to the underwriter who can determine whether or not the insurance premium of the insured should be adjusted.

Abstract: A building automation system (BAS). In one embodiment, the BAS comprises a database and a relational directory. The database is adapted to store data definitions. The relational directory includes data definitions for the BAS, stored in the database, and includes a site level, a system level, a device level, and an extension level organized in a hierarchical relationship in the database. In another embodiment, the BAS comprises a database, a relational directory of data definitions for the BAS, and a server engine.

Abstract: A method of improving the loss ratio on a book of insurance including the use of a computer data base with a user interface display including questions for insured entities making up the book of insurance. Spaces are provided on the display for the input of answers from an insured. A survey is used to question the insured entity, the survey eliciting answers to the questions posed. Data is input from the answers received into the computer data base at the spaces provided for. The answers that are collected are compared with answers contained in written documents having information that was supplied by a third party insurance underwriter. Inconsistent answers are identified and the information obtained is reported to the underwriter who can determine whether or not the insurance premium of the insured should be adjusted.

Abstract: A fishhook remover and method are achieved by a remover tool that has a handle shaped like a pistol stock and a slender shank that extends away from the pistol-grip handle like a barrel. The slender shank terminates in an end substantially configured in a J-shape, but which also includes a fork that flares out in the direction opposite to the handle. In use, the fork of the tool is preferably inserted in an elbow portion of a fishhook to allow a user to push in the elbow and unhook the fish. The handle of the remover tool includes a lateral flange. The flange is arranged so that a user, gripping the handle like a pistol, can reach his or her thumb out and press it firmly against the flange. That way, a user can clamp fishing line between the flange and his or thumb, and thereby keep the elbow of the hook pulled tightly into the fork while maneuvering the tool. The J-shaped portion of the tool allows the user to catch the elbow of the hook like the way two links of chain contact each other.

Abstract: A dictionary-based data compression technique wherein compression occurs at a variety of levels in response to word, phrase, super-phrase (sentence), and context-sensitive recognition. A separate dictionary is used at each compression level so that word compression occurs first, followed by phrase compression, followed by other compressions. Disclosed applications built upon the compression strategy include an idiomatic-language translator and a voice-recognition control system.

Abstract: A work piece holding device which includes a rectangular table top supported above the ground at a convenient work height and which has a fixed jaw at one end a facing sliding jaw which may be affixed to the table top at any point along the table either parallel to or at variable angles with the fixed jaw. Two inverted T-shaped slots in the table top provide guides for inverted bolts having parallel bolt head sides which firmly set the sliding jaw at the desired position and angular orientation. A variety of pairs of auxiliary jaw shapes for special jobs and a plurality of short screws placed along one of the jaws for applying resisting torque to one member of a particular pair of the auxiliary jaw shapes at one or more specific locations along that jaw are provided as well as an extender which provides for holding a work piece having a comparatively long dimension.