Abstract: A method for determining an amount of electricity to purchase includes determining electrical power consumption characteristics of an electrical load at an end user of the electricity. A preference of the end user for an output of the electrical load is ascertained. The output varies with a rate of electrical power consumption by the load. A mathematical model is created of an amount of electrical power to be consumed by the load as a function of time and of monetary cost of the electricity. The model is dependent upon the electrical power consumption characteristics of the electrical load and the preference of the end user for an output of the electrical load. An amount of electricity is purchased based on the mathematical model of an amount of electrical power to be consumed by the load, and based on the monetary cost of the electricity.

Abstract: A method for determining an amount of electricity to purchase includes determining electrical power consumption characteristics of an electrical load at an end user of the electricity. A preference of the end user for an output of the electrical load is ascertained. The output varies with a rate of electrical power consumption by the load. A mathematical model is created of an amount of electrical power to be consumed by the load as a function of time and of monetary cost of the electricity. The model is dependent upon the electrical power consumption characteristics of the electrical load and the preference of the end user for an output of the electrical load. An amount of electricity is purchased based on the mathematical model of an amount of electrical power to be consumed by the load, and based on the monetary cost of the electricity.

Abstract: A method for a personal emergency response system includes receiving output signals of a nonintrusive load monitoring (NILM)system coupled to an electrical supply of an person's residence, the output signals indicating switching events of appliances connected to the electrical supply. A computer processor is then used to process the output signals in accordance with a machine learning algorithm to identify appliance activation routines. Rules are defined based on the identified appliance activation routines, and the computer processor is used to monitor the output signals and apply the rules to the output signals to identify appliance switching conditions that violate the rules.

Abstract: A method for determining an amount of electricity to purchase includes determining electrical power consumption characteristics of an electrical load at an end user of the electricity. A preference of the end user for an output of the electrical load is ascertained. The output varies with a rate of electrical power consumption by the load. A mathematical model is created of an amount of electrical power to be consumed by the load as a function of time and of monetary cost of the electricity. The model is dependent upon the electrical power consumption characteristics of the electrical load and the preference of the end user for an output of the electrical load. An amount of electricity is purchased based on the mathematical model of an amount of electrical power to be consumed by the load, and based on the monetary cost of the electricity.

Abstract: A belt tensioning unit has a reversible clamping device which is controlled by a sensor system which is capable of recognizing potentially dangerous or accident-prone driving situations. In the event of danger, the belt is tensioned with sufficient force in order to draw the occupant into a desired sitting position prior to a possible collision or to retain the occupant in this position.