Abstract: Techniques for device lighting control are disclosed. These techniques include obtaining exclusive access to a device driver for a dynamic lighting device and instructing the device driver to create a virtual device instance for the dynamic lighting device. The techniques further include controlling dynamic lighting for the dynamic lighting device using the device driver and the virtual device instance. This includes receiving at the virtual device instance dynamic lighting data from one or more operating system (OS) dynamic lighting controls and translating OS dynamic lighting commands for a device specific interface relating to the dynamic lighting device.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a method of vocal profile generation and implementation that includes causing display of a prompt for a user that represents an input value of a processing engine. The method includes obtaining a first spoken pronunciation from the user that corresponds to the prompt. The method includes generating a vocal profile based on the first spoken pronunciation that provides a basis for interpretation of vocal input received on distributed devices. The method includes storing the vocal profile at a data storage with other vocal profiles generated for users. The method includes obtaining identifier information that indicates that the user is operating a distributed device. Responsive to the identifier information, the method includes retrieving the vocal profile and loading it onto the distributed device such that obtained vocal input is interpreted according to the vocal profile prior its communication as an input value to the processing engine.

Abstract: A method of real time monitor and control of a dynamic environment may include obtaining image data from a camera system directed towards a portion of a dynamic environment. The method may include identifying a first object and a second object in the image data. The method may include analyzing motion of the first object relative to the second object. The method may include identifying that a defined circumstance exists in the dynamic environment based on presence of a property of in the analyzed motion that exceeds an operating threshold. Responsive to the defined circumstance existing in the dynamic environment, the method may include generating a control signal that is configured to mitigate the defined circumstance and communicating the control signal to a device related to the first object such that an operational state of the first object is modified to bring the property within the operating threshold.

Abstract: A method may include obtaining a first sensor input signal and converting the first sensor input signal to a second sensor input signal having a common data format based on one or more data conversion rules. The method may include appending the second sensor input signal with a variable that describes information relating to the first sensor input signal. The method may include broadcasting the second sensor input signal in the common data format to one or more data storages and sending an instruction to actuate warehouse operations to one or more receiving systems based on the one or more data storages to which the second sensor input signal is broadcast. The method may include controlling one or more operations of a warehouse based on the instruction to actuate warehouse operations.

Abstract: A controller and a control method for activating temperature control of a device of a vehicle, the controller configured to, in a first mode, activate temperature control of the device of the vehicle when a measured temperature of the device passes a first threshold temperature; determine when a condition dependent on a journey of the vehicle is satisfied, and switch from the first mode to a second mode; and, in the second mode, activate the temperature control of the device when the measured temperature of the device passes a second threshold temperature, different to the first threshold temperature, wherein in the second mode, the measured temperature of the device passes the first threshold temperature without activation of the temperature control of the device before passing the second threshold temperature activating the temperature control of the device.

Abstract: A door closer having a closer body 1 housing an electrical actuator 20 connected to one or more electrical connectors, such as plugs 24, each of which may be located in two or more different positions on the closer body to facilitate connection of the closer to an electrical circuit when the closer is mounted in different orientations, without providing a greater number of electrical connectors. The closer body may have a rotary shaft 7 connected to a door control arm 9, a first latch member 6 mounted relative to the closer body and a second latch member 29 mounted relative to the rotary shaft, the second latch member being arranged to engage with the first latch member to arrest rotation of the rotary shaft to latch the rotary shaft in a desired position. A mounting structure 8 connects the control arm and enables the angle between the control arm and the second latch member to be varied between 0 and at least 90 degrees.

Abstract: A control system or controller (190) for a vehicle (100), the vehicle (100) comprising: at least one energy-consuming subsystem (180), such as a battery cooling system (180), for controlling a or a respective first vehicle operating parameter, e.g. the battery operating temperature, and actuation means for the subsystem (180) for activating or deactivating it in accordance with vehicle operational requirements; wherein the control system (190) is configured to: determine a value of a or a respective second vehicle operating parameter which is dependent on a location of the vehicle (100), such as a distance (x, y) between a current location of the vehicle and a reference location, e.g. a driver's home or workplace, and control the actuation means of the subsystem (180) so as to deactivate the subsystem (180), optionally for a prescribed period of time, in dependence on the value of the determined vehicle location-dependent second vehicle operating parameter.

Abstract: A controller and a control method for activating temperature control of a device of a vehicle, the controller comprising: means for, in a first mode, activating temperature control of the device of the vehicle when a measured temperature of the device passes a first threshold temperature; means for determining when a condition dependent on a journey of the vehicle is satisfied, and switching from the first mode to a second mode; and means for, in the second mode, activating the temperature control of the device when the measured temperature of the device passes a second threshold temperature, different to the first threshold temperature, wherein in the second mode, the measured temperature of the device passes the first threshold temperature without activation of the temperature control of the device before passing the second threshold temperature activating temperature control of the device.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling a device (150), e.g. a battery, within a vehicle (100), especially a hybrid electric vehicle, the cooling system comprising: a first cooling subsystem (180) for cooling the device (150) and having a relatively low rate of energy consumption, e.g. an ambient air-based cooling apparatus, a second cooling subsystem (182) for cooling the device (150) and having a relatively high rate of energy consumption, e.g.

Abstract: A door closer having a closer body 1 housing an electrical actuator 20 connected to one or more electrical connectors, such as plugs 24, each of which may be located in two or more different positions on the closer body to facilitate connection of the closer to an electrical circuit when the closer is mounted in different orientations, without providing a greater number of electrical connectors. The closer body may have a rotary shaft 7 connected to a door control arm 9, a first latch member 6 mounted relative to the closer body and a second latch member 29 mounted relative to the rotary shaft, the second latch member being arranged to engage with the first latch member to arrest rotation of the rotary shaft to latch the rotary shaft in a desired position. A mounting structure 8 connects the control arm and enables the angle between the control arm and the second latch member to be varied between 0 and at least 90 degrees.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle for optimizing the energy efficiency of a rechargeable electric battery system and/or for optimizing the lifetime of a rechargeable electric battery. The rechargeable electric battery system comprising: the rechargeable electric battery, a temperature management system for the rechargeable electric battery and one or more sensors for measuring one or more characteristics relating to the rechargeable electric battery. The control system comprising a control unit configured and arranged to receive data from the one or more sensors and being coupled to the temperature management system. The control unit being configured and arranged to determine in dependence upon data received from the one or more sensors, a time-weighted-average state-of-health of the rechargeable electric battery.

Abstract: A control system or controller (190) for a vehicle (100), the vehicle (100) comprising: at least one energy-consuming subsystem (180), such as a battery cooling system (180), for controlling a or a respective first vehicle operating parameter, e.g. the battery operating temperature, and actuation means for the subsystem (180) for activating or deactivating it in accordance with vehicle operational requirements; wherein the control system (190) is configured to: determine a value of a or a respective second vehicle operating parameter which is dependent on a location of the vehicle (100), such as a distance (x, y) between a current location of the vehicle and a reference location, e.g. a driver's home or workplace, and control the actuation means of the subsystem (180) so as to deactivate the subsystem (180), optionally for a prescribed period of time, in dependence on the value of the determined vehicle location-dependent second vehicle operating parameter.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling a device (150), e.g. a battery, within a vehicle (100), especially a hybrid electric vehicle, the cooling system comprising: a first cooling subsystem (180) for cooling the device (150) and having a relatively low rate of energy consumption, e.g. an ambient air-based cooling apparatus, a second cooling subsystem (182) for cooling the device (150) and having a relatively high rate of energy consumption, e.g.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle for optimising the energy efficiency of a rechargeable electric battery system and/or for optimising the lifetime of a rechargeable electric battery. The rechargeable electric battery system comprising: the rechargeable electric battery, a temperature management system for the rechargeable electric battery and one or more sensors for measuring one or more characteristics relating to the rechargeable electric battery. The control system comprising a control unit configured and arranged to receive data from the one or more sensors and being coupled to the temperature management system. The control unit being configured and arranged to determine in dependence upon data received from the one or more sensors, a time-weighted-average state-of-health of the rechargeable electric battery.

Abstract: Portlet processing for portal applications aggregating content from sources is provided. This processing may include client intervention and publish/subscribe system use. Topic information used for rendering may be obtained by using a subscription/publisher methodology targeting clients for receipt of the topic information. The topic information from a publish/subscribe system may be inserted into placeholders on a portal page, the placeholders previously created at the client for receipt of the topic information by the client.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems for registering a user with one or more websites. Such systems comprise at least one processor configured to: receive an IP address for a computing device being used by the user; and after receiving the IP address: (1) obtain a location associated with the IP address; and (2) identify whether the user is in a jurisdiction that permits the user to register with a website. The systems may then receive one or more parameters obtained from the user, upon which the systems verify an age of the user; determine which of the one or more types of transaction activities the user is permitted to conduct; query one or more registration attempts over a predetermined previous time period to identify duplicate or similar parameters; and verify the user's identity based at least on one of the one or more parameters. Associated methods are also provided.