Abstract: A version control system helps to keep track of versions of process plant items that may represent, or be capable of representing, entities in a process plant. The process plant items may comprise, for example, module objects which may be capable of specifically representing process entities of the process plant. These module objects may be created from module class objects which may be capable of generically representing process entities of the process plant. Version data is stored and associated with a module object. The version data may comprise data indicative of a version of a module class object that was used to create the module object. The version data may also comprise data indicative of a version of the module object. Configuration systems, version control systems, viewing systems, debugging systems, run-time monitoring systems, asset management systems, etc., may examine or permit viewing of the version control data associated with an item.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method of forming a field effect transistor includes etching an opening into source/drain area of a semiconductor substrate. The opening has a base comprising semiconductive material. After the etching, insulative material is formed within the opening over the semiconductive material base. The insulative material less than completely fills the opening and has a substantially uniform thickness across the opening. Semiconductive source/drain material is formed within the opening over the insulative material within the opening. A transistor gate is provided operatively proximate the semiconductive source/drain material. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to display localized resources in a process control system are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving in a server a locale identifier and a resource identifier from an application, identifying via the server a language file in a database that corresponds to the locale identifier, determining via the server using the language file a resource included within a memory that corresponds to the resource identifier, accessing the resource from the memory via the language file, and sending via the server the resource to the application to display the resource in a format associated with the locale identifier.

Abstract: A system, computer-implemented method, and a computer program product are provided for dynamic tagging to create logical models and optimize caching in energy management systems. A set of variables is aggregated for a first facility in response to first selections via the user interface. A set of variables for a second facility is aggregated in response to second selections via the user interface. The number of the set of variables for the first facility differs from the number of the set of variables for the second facility. The aggregation for the first facility is output as part of a first facility model via the user interface. The aggregation for the first facility is identified by a tag. The aggregation for the second facility is output as part of a second facility model via the user interface. The aggregation for the second facility is identified by the tag.

Abstract: A mobile communication device, a computer-implemented method, and a computer program product are provided for automated field provisioning for energy management systems. A meter model is identified based on an electronic image of at least one of a serial number associated with a meter and a quick response code associated with the meter. A location identifier is determined based on a location of the mobile communication device. Information is communicated, via a communication network, to a server associated with an energy management system, wherein the information includes at least one of the meter model and the location identifier.

Abstract: A system, computer-implemented method, and a computer program product are provided for estimating and optimizing cost savings for large scale deployments using load profile optimization. Selections are received, via a user interface, of a primary load profile and multiple secondary load profiles. The primary load profile is input from a first external source and the multiple secondary load profiles are input from a second external source. The primary load profile is compared with the multiple secondary load profiles. The comparisons of the primary load profile and the multiple secondary load profiles are output via the user interface.

Abstract: A system, computer-implemented method, and a computer program product are provided for load profile management and cost sensitivity analysis. A baseline load profile is input via a user interface, wherein the baseline load profile is based on a set of equipment load profiles. A target load profile is generated based on a selected modification of the baseline load profile. The target load profile is compared with the baseline load profile. The comparison of the target load profile and the baseline load profile is output via the user interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for autonomic management of a connection pool. One embodiment comprises initializing a connection pool with a set of initial settings, wherein the set of initial settings include a collection interval and a collection duration; collecting autonomic configuration data for the collection duration, the autonomic configuration data including a maximum number of connections observed during the collection interval; determining an set of optimal settings using the autonomic configuration data; and modifying the connection pool according to the set of optimal settings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system allowing a customer in a retail location to interact with the inventory of said retail location, as well as a method of using said system. The system allows for searching, sorting, and viewing the inventory information through a user device, as well as requesting, purchasing, and reserving products for sale by said retail location.

Abstract: A plant growth support medium is described to enhance soil characteristics and provide where required, improved water, or nutrient contents. La addition the medium can be inoculated with microorganisms to aid soil characteristics and provide interactions within micron-scale environment between plant roots, water, nutrients and where applicable, bacteria and root exudates. This micro-environment provides direct delivery of active ingredients to the plant roots. The medium comprises a polymeric material having a primary pore size of greater than 30 micron. The walls of the pores are elastic, enabling the pore to swell in size to retain water, solutes or other biologically useful components and allow root penetration through them. Sulphonation of the walls renders the walls more hydrophilic so attracting water into the pores and also increasing the wall elasticity. Capillaries can be provided to interconnect pores and allow root penetration into the medium.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to display localized resources in a process control system are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving in a server a locale identifier and a resource identifier from an application, identifying via the server a language file in a database that corresponds to the locale identifier, determining via the server using the language file a resource included within a memory that corresponds to the resource identifier, accessing the resource from the memory via the language file, and sending via the server the resource to the application to display the resource in a format associated with the locale identifier.

Abstract: A configuration system uses process plant items that may represent, or be capable of representing, entities in a process plant to assist in configuring, organizing, and changing the control and display activities within the process plant. Access to the items may be controlled by associating access control data with the items. The configuration system may also use objects that represent, or may be capable of representing, one or more steps to be performed by entities in the process plant. Access to these objects may be controlled by associating access control data with the objects. The access control data may indicate whether users or certain users may be able to, for example, view or modify all or some data associated with the process plant items or the objects.

Abstract: A process for preparing functionalised microporous polymers (which are also known as micro-cellular polymers or polyHIPE polymers (PHPs)) using intensified internal heating (for example by microwave irradiation).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to configure process control system inputs and outputs are disclosed. A disclosed example method comprises obtaining a tag of a process control device from the input/output device, and associating the process control device with a process control module based on the obtained tag.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to manage process plant alarms are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a process plant control system configuration parameter, the process plant control system configuration parameter representing a selected state of a process plant, performing a first query in an alarm definition data structure based on the process plant control system configuration parameter to obtain an alarm configuration parameter for a process plant alarm module of a process plant controller, and configuring a state of the process plant alarm module based on the obtained alarm configuration parameter.

Abstract: A system and method include a device connectable to a private network and designed to access to a public network, the device used to control identity associations for end user devices in the private network, wherein the device has an associated device key and is operable to receive additional keys associated with service providers, and a conditional access system associated with the device, the conditional access system operated by a key authority to manage the device key and to authenticate the service provider keys thereby allowing identity associations between the private network and the service providers.

Abstract: A fragrance composition for use in hydrophobic systems, such as candles, comprising at least one odorant selected for having a minimum cold throw value (?) and a minimum hot throw value (?) is disclosed. A method of formulating a fragrance composition for hydrophobic systems, such as candles, comprising selecting at least one odorant to form a desired fragrance, each odorant having a minimum cold throw value (?) and hot throw value (?), and incorporating the fragrance into a hydrophobic carrier, such as wax material, is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for pre-placing content from a provider on an end user storage device is described. The system includes a device connected to an end user network and a public network and used to interface with one or more digital keys, where each digital key is able to control one or more identity associations. A storage device attached to the end user network and is able to receive content from the provider using the identity association with the provider. The content is encrypted on the storage device using a keys established by the provider, such that the end user can only decrypt and access the content by agreeing to terms established by the provider using the digital key and identity association with the provider.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a identity association between a subscriber in a private network and a provider over a public network is described. The system and method include a subscriber security gateway in the private network, the subscriber security gateway providing policy enforcement and signaling between the private network and the provider over the public network and at least one digital key associated with the provider and readable by the subscriber security gateway and operable to provide a identity association with the provider.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment save presented clips of a program and delete unpresented clips of the program. Meta-data associated with the program or embedded in the program to delineate the presented clips. The meta-data are created in response to commands that cause or end the presentation of the program, such as play, slow motion, skip, fast forward, or rewind commands.