Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to reducing peak load consumption of energy. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a plurality of requests for energy consumption by a corresponding plurality of climate control appliances in a predetermined environment. The method further includes determining an energy consumption level for each request of the plurality of requests for a time period. The method further includes determining a schedule for granting the plurality of requests during the time period, where a difference between a highest aggregate energy consumption level and a lowest aggregate energy consumption level during the time period is minimized.

Abstract: A digital air flow detector that includes a pair of thermistors contained in a probe. When installed, an external thermistor is positioned in an air stream, while an insulated thermistor is not. When air is flowing, the air stream will change the temperature of the first thermistor more than the second thermistor. A microcontroller unit measures the temperature difference between the two thermistors and determines whether air is flowing based on the difference. The digital air flow detector outputs an accurate binary indication of whether the air is flowing or not flowing. An air flow detector includes a probe assembly and a printed circuit board assembly coupled to the probe assembly.

Abstract: A sensing device includes an enclosure, a sensor assembly with sensors, a PCB assembly, and a flexible jumper. The flexible jumper includes first and second ends. The first end couples to the sensor assembly. The second end couples to the PCB assembly. The sensor assembly is decoupled from the first end of the flexible jumper and removed from the enclosure without decoupling the second end from the PCB assembly and without removing the PCB assembly from the enclosure. The sensing device may be installed in a wall or utility box in a building, without the need to configure or modify the building infrastructure to replace sensors. This provides a practical way to enable sensors to be replaced for repair, to install new sensors as they are introduced to the market, or to change the sensors to meet changes in user needs or building use cases.

Abstract: A multi-function switch for controlling various functions of building systems includes a board stack with a plurality of PCBs configured to reside entirely within an off-the-shelf single gang wall switch box. The external components of the light switch have the appearance of a standard light switch familiar to the user. This reduces device clutter, complexity, user confusion, and expense by consolidating user-controlled building functions into a single device familiar to the user. By using an off-the-shelf switch box, the installation of the multi-function light switch avoids requirements of custom sized wall switch boxes. Given the relatively small dimensions of the switch box, the configuration and design of the board stack is non-trivial. The orientation of each PCB in the board stack, the connections between the PCBs in the stack, and the accommodation of any other components are such that the entirety of these components wholly reside within the switch box.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a computer system comprising at least two software applications sharing context, wherein a context change may be requested by a user of at least one of the at least two software applications. In response to the user requesting a change from a first context to a second context, at least one business rule is applied to at least a portion of the first context and/or to at least a portion of the second context to obtain at least one result from the application of the business rule. In response to the at least one result, at least one act is performed selected from the group consisting of: denying the request to change from the first context to the second context; requesting the user to provide information relating to the requested change; and requesting the user to affirm information relating to the requested change.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a computer system comprising at least two software applications sharing context, wherein a context change may be requested by a user of at least one of the at least two software applications. In response to the user requesting a change from a first context to a second context, at least one business rule is applied to at least a portion of the first context and/or to at least a portion of the second context to obtain at least one result from the application of the business rule. In response to the at least one result, at least one act is performed selected from the group consisting of: denying the request to change from the first context to the second context; requesting the user to provide information relating to the requested change; and requesting the user to affirm information relating to the requested change.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a computer system comprising at least two software applications sharing context in accordance with a Clinical Context Object Workgroup (CCOW) standard, wherein a context change may be requested by a user of at least one of the at least two software applications. In response to the user requesting a change from a first context to a second context, at least one business rule is applied to at least a portion of the first context and/or to at least a portion of the second context to obtain at least one result from the application of the business rule. In response to the at least one result, at least one act is performed selected from the group consisting of: denying the request to change from the first context to the second context; requesting the user to provide information relating to the requested change; and requesting the user to affirm information relating to the requested change.

Abstract: A context management framework is given that provides in various embodiments, numerous advantages over previously-existing systems. In some instances, an architecture having a centralized storage location coupled to a context manager is provided for servicing and logging context events from a plurality of sources. This type of system uses a synchronization scheme to perform orderly storage and retrieval of data to and from the centralized storage location. In other instances, information stored in the centralized storage location or signals from the context manager are used to achieve an auditing capability for reviewing and acting on context data events and gestures. Selective blocking or allowance of impending context gestures or data-access events is accomplished based on a rule set or lookup table containing rules or other data to make such access-control decisions. Access to private data and other security measures may thus be implemented using the teachings presented herein.

Abstract: Server appliances provide context management functionality in the healthcare field and other fields. The server appliances may present themselves on a network as one or more World Wide Web sites accessible to applications whose context is managed.

Abstract: Methods and articles are provided which may be employed to establish a common understanding within a customer organization as to the business drivers that led to the purchase of a software product. In one embodiment, a method is provided which includes convening a session that includes members of the supplier and customer organizations. During the session, one or more facilitated exercises may be conducted to align the expectations of attendees from the customer organization with respect to the implementation effort. A series of exemplary articles which may provide a framework for the session, and which may engender discussion among session attendees, are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a computer system comprising at least two software applications sharing context in accordance with a Clinical Context Object Workgroup (CCOW) standard, wherein a context change may be requested by a user of at least one of the at least two software applications. In response to the user requesting a change from a first context to a second context, at least one business rule is applied to at least a portion of the first context and/or to at least a portion of the second context to obtain at least one result from the application of the business rule. In response to the at least one result, at least one act is performed selected from the group consisting of: denying the request to change from the first context to the second context; requesting the user to provide information relating to the requested change; and requesting the user to affirm information relating to the requested change.

Abstract: A context management and administration system includes a context manager, which manages the context of plural applications programs, and an administration suite, which oversees and manages the manager. Context administration can include setting up and maintaining subject data definitions, intervening in context manager operations, providing security functions to protect sensitive context information against tampering by unauthorized users, etc.

Abstract: A context management and administration system includes a context manager, which manages the context of plural applications programs, and an administration suite, which oversees and manages the manager. Context administration can include setting up and maintaining subject data definitions, intervening in context manager operations, providing security functions to protect sensitive context information against tampering by unauthorized users, etc.

Abstract: A context management framework is given that provides in various embodiments, numerous advantages over previously-existing systems. In some instances, an architecture having a centralized storage location coupled to a context manager is provided for servicing and logging context events from a plurality of sources. This type of system uses a synchronization scheme to perform orderly storage and retrieval of data to and from the centralized storage location. In other instances, information stored in the centralized storage location or signals from the context manager are used to achieve an auditing capability for reviewing and acting on context data events and gestures. Selective blocking or allowance of impending context gestures or data-access events is accomplished based on a rule set or lookup table containing rules or other data to make such access-control decisions. Access to private data and other security measures may thus be implemented using the teachings presented herein.

Abstract: A context management framework is given that provides in various embodiments, numerous advantages over previously-existing systems. In some instances, an architecture having a centralized storage location coupled to a context manager is provided for servicing and logging context events from a plurality of sources. This type of system uses a synchronization scheme to perform orderly storage and retrieval of data to and from the centralized storage location. In other instances, information stored in the centralized storage location or signals from the context manager are used to achieve an auditing capability for reviewing and acting on context data events and gestures. Selective blocking or allowance of impending context gestures or data-access events is accomplished based on a rule set or lookup table containing rules or other data to make such access-control decisions. Access to private data and other security measures may thus be implemented using the teachings presented herein.

Abstract: One embodiment is a method for use in a system comprising a plurality of software applications relating to healthcare and a context manager to facilitate sharing of a context between at least two of them, the context comprising a plurality of subjects including a patient subject and a user subject. The software applications comprise a first application and a target application, wherein the target application has no natively programmed capability to share the context. The method comprises providing a manipulator program that provides the target application with the capability to share the context. Another embodiment is a method for use in a system comprising a target computer having a user interface hosting environment and a target application executing thereon. The method comprises providing a manipulator program that hooks into the user interface hosting environment to provide inputs to the target application substantially simultaneously with inputs provided from a user.

Abstract: A context management framework is given that provides in various embodiments, numerous advantages over previously-existing systems. In some instances, an architecture having a centralized storage location coupled to a context manager is provided for servicing and logging context events from a plurality of sources. This type of system uses a synchronization scheme to perform orderly storage and retrieval of data to and from the centralized storage location. In other instances, information stored in the centralized storage location or signals from the context manager are used to achieve an auditing capability for reviewing and acting on context data events and gestures. Selective blocking or allowance of impending context gestures or data-access events is accomplished based on a rule set or lookup table containing rules or other data to make such access-control decisions. Access to private data and other security measures may thus be implemented using the teachings presented herein.

Abstract: A method for coordinating updates to a medical database in a medical information system permits concurrent charting from different workstations and medical instruments. A first data value for a record is entered at a first workstation and a second data value for the record is entered at a second workstation without locking either workstation during data entry. The new data values are stored in the medical database after completion of data entry at each workstation, and a correction history is recorded. The correction history contains information as to the update of the record with the first data value and the second data value. The record is updated with the first and second data values without aborting user activities or notifying a user that an update conflict has occurred. After the new data values are stored in the medical database, all workstations containing a copy of the record are updated to reflect the current state of the record.