Abstract: A method and assembly for identifying animals, wherein according to the invention, for the identification of an animal, first a sensor checks whether a body part of the animal to be identified is in a predefined position is provided. With a positive test result, an imaging sensor is prompted to capture an image of the nose of the animal. According to the invention, by means of a pattern recognition method, a texture of the nose is then detected on the captured image and extracted and the animal is assigned a unique identifier based on the extracted nose texture.

Abstract: A method transmits data in a communications network containing a plurality of nodes. The transmission of suitable configuration data between a node and its neighboring node ensures that the time slots used for the data transmission are used only by one node, thus preventing collision. The method is preferably used in wireless sensor networks, in which the individual sensor nodes exchange data between one another. The method guarantees reliable data transmission with low energy consumption by the individual sensor nodes. The method can be combined with a decentralized pattern detection, for which mean values are decentrally determined in a suitable manner in the individual nodes via protocols known per se, particularly via a consensus protocol or via a tree aggregation protocol. The method is used particularly in a communications network for an automation system or a power network or a transport network.

Abstract: A method for the closed-loop control of a voltage in a distribution network that supplies nodes with voltage via mains power lines. A node, which recognizes that the local voltage of the distribution network present at the node lies above or below a permissible supply voltage range, switches from slave mode to master mode and in the master mode regulates the local voltage that is present, by drawing or supplying reactive power in order to reach the permissible supply voltage range. The node then indicates this to other nodes of the distribution network that are in slave mode by modulating an indication signal pattern onto the reactive power being drawn or supplied by the node. The signal pattern has a signal parameter which is proportional to the amplitude of the reactive power that is drawn or supplied by the node.

Abstract: A method transmits data in a communications network containing a plurality of nodes. The transmission of suitable configuration data between a node and its neighboring node ensures that the time slots used for the data transmission are used only by one node, thus preventing collision. The method is preferably used in wireless sensor networks, in which the individual sensor nodes exchange data between one another. The method guarantees reliable data transmission with low energy consumption by the individual sensor nodes. The method can be combined with a decentralized pattern detection, for which mean values are decentrally determined in a suitable manner in the individual nodes via protocols known per se, particularly via a consensus protocol or via a tree aggregation protocol. The method is used particularly in a communications network for an automation system or a power network or a transport network.

Abstract: A method for computer-aided control of power in an electrical grid is provided. The electrical grid has a redetermined rated frequency and includes network nodes that are interconnected via power supply lines, each of the nodes supplying power to or drawing power from the electrical grid. At least part of the nodes are provided with proportional controllers, for which a reference power and/or a proportionality factor is set, and which control the power that is supplied or drawn by each network node based on the difference between the frequency of the voltage in each network node and the rated frequency of the electrical grid. The reference power and the proportionality factor of at least some of the proportional controllers are determined on the basis of solving an optimization problem. The stability and robustness of the operation of the electrical grid is optimized without the need for carrying out complex simulations.

Abstract: For controlling a voltage in a power grid including a PV bus and a PQ bus, a first tolerance range for an active power of the PV bus and a second tolerance range for an active power of the PQ bus are received. A first value for a reactive power of the PQ bus is received. With that, a robust optimization process is run for a set of power flow equations. The first and second tolerance ranges and the first reactive power value are input to the robust optimization process using the first and second tolerance ranges as robust optimization uncertainty. With that, the robust optimization process determines a voltage set point for the PV bus so that the set of power flow equations is fulfilled for the first and second tolerance ranges. According to the determined voltage set point, a voltage at the PV bus is controlled.

Abstract: A method for signaling and controlling in a power grid coupling a plurality of actuators for providing power signals is provided. At a first actuator, a voltage problem is detected, a communication signal is generated based on the detected voltage problem, and the generated communication signal is transmitted over the power grid. At a second actuator, the transmitted communication signal is received, a control action is generated based on the received communication signal and the generated control action is transmitted over the power grid towards the first actuator.

Abstract: A method for computer-aided control of power in an electrical grid is provided. The electrical grid has a redetermined rated frequency and includes network nodes that are interconnected via power supply lines, each of the nodes supplying power to or drawing power from the electrical grid. At least part of the nodes are provided with proportional controllers, for which a reference power and/or a proportionality factor is set, and which control the power that is supplied or drawn by each network node based on the difference between the frequency of the voltage in each network node and the rated frequency of the electrical grid. The reference power and the proportionality factor of at least some of the proportional controllers are determined on the basis of solving an optimization problem. The stability and robustness of the operation of the electrical grid is optimized without the need for carrying out complex simulations.

Abstract: A method for signaling and controlling in a power grid coupling a plurality of actuators for providing power signals is provided. At a first actuator, a voltage problem is detected, a communication signal is generated based on the detected voltage problem, and the generated communication signal is transmitted over the power grid. At a second actuator, the transmitted communication signal is received, a control action is generated based on the received communication signal and the generated control action is transmitted over the power grid towards the first actuator.

Abstract: For controlling a voltage in a power grid including a PV bus and a PQ bus, a first tolerance range for an active power of the PV bus and a second tolerance range for an active power of the PQ bus are received. A first value for a reactive power of the PQ bus is received. With that, a robust optimization process is run for a set of power flow equations. The first and second tolerance ranges and the first reactive power value are input to the robust optimization process using the first and second tolerance ranges as robust optimization uncertainty. With that, the robust optimization process determines a voltage set point for the PV bus so that the set of power flow equations is fulfilled for the first and second tolerance ranges. According to the determined voltage set point, a voltage at the PV bus is controlled.

Abstract: A network with a plurality of subnetworks has at least two subnetworks each distributing different resources. The resources of each of the subnetworks are selected from fossil fuel, electrical energy, water, heat and cold. The subnetworks have a plurality of resource processing units, at least a portion of which are transforming units that couple the subnetworks together and transform the resources of one or more subnetworks into one or more other resources of one or more other subnetworks. At least a portion of the resource processing units are resource consumption units and/or resource provision units. At least one agent is assigned to each of the resource processing units and the agents are networked together in such a manner that each agent is able to communicate with other agents in the network. The resources are distributed in the network at least partially based on monetary transactions negotiated between the agents.

Abstract: A method for the closed-loop control of a voltage in a distribution network that supplies nodes with voltage via mains power lines. A node, which recognizes that the local voltage of the distribution network present at the node lies above or below a permissible supply voltage range, switches from slave mode to master mode and in the master mode regulates the local voltage that is present, by drawing or supplying reactive power in order to reach the permissible supply voltage range. The node then indicates this to other nodes of the distribution network that are in slave mode by modulating an indication signal pattern onto the reactive power being drawn or supplied by the node. The signal pattern has a signal parameter which is proportional to the amplitude of the reactive power that is drawn or supplied by the node.

Abstract: A method transmits data in a communications network containing a plurality of nodes. The transmission of suitable configuration data between a node and its neighboring node ensures that the time slots used for the data transmission are used only by one node, thus preventing collision. The method is preferably used in wireless sensor networks, in which the individual sensor nodes exchange data between one another. The method guarantees reliable data transmission with low energy consumption by the individual sensor nodes. The method can be combined with a decentralized pattern detection, for which mean values are decentrally determined in a suitable manner in the individual nodes via protocols known per se, particularly via a consensus protocol or via a tree aggregation protocol. The method is used particularly in a communications network for an automation system or a power network or a transport network.

Abstract: A pipeline system includes at least one electrically-conducting pipeline, which is connected to the ground and which is isolated from the ground. A cathode protection system is provided, which includes a plurality of ground rods arranged in the ground, which are each connected electrically to the ground and are coupled electrically to the pipeline. The pipeline system also includes a communication system with a plurality of communication devices, allowing data to be transmitted via the pipeline for communication between the communication devices. The communication devices have sensor units arranged along the pipeline, which are supplied with energy from the cathode protection system.

Abstract: After initial clusters having only one component are formed, a conditional probability P(Ci|C?k) is determined for the cluster Ci being included in an order on condition that cluster C?k is included in the order. If P(Ci|C?k) is greater than a first threshold value S1, a new cluster Cn having all the components of clusters Ci, C?k is formed and the operations are repeated until no new clusters are formed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for pattern recognition involve quantum-mechanical calculations. Pattern recognition can be achieved by considering a quantum system and its Hamiltonian dynamics. The dynamics are calculated on the basis of an initial Hamiltonian indicating an initial quantum state and on the basis of a final Hamiltonian. The final Hamiltonian depends on an input pattern and reference patterns. Transformations according to the Hamiltonian dynamics for the quantum system are applied to generate a final quantum state of said quantum system. Depending on said final quantum state a similarity between said input pattern and said reference patterns is determined.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention relates to a method for determining positional data of at least one node of a network, said network comprising a number of nodes, whereby the positional data refers to an internal coordinate system. The method comprises the following steps: a) preparation of positional data for a sub-set of nodes, b) determination of separation data for the least one node, c) determination or, on repetition of step c), correction of the positional data for the at least one node, depending on the positional data from step a), the separation data determined in step b) and positional data of the at least one node and d) repetition of steps a) to c), until an interruption condition is fulfilled.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for pattern recognition involve quantum-mechanical calculations. Pattern recognition can be achieved by considering a quantum system and its Hamiltonian dynamics. The dynamics are calculated on the basis of an initial Hamiltonian indicating an initial quantum state and on the basis of a final Hamiltonian. The final Hamiltonian depends on an input pattern and reference patterns. Transformations according to the Hamiltonian dynamics for the quantum system are applied to generate a final quantum state of said quantum system. Depending on said final quantum state a similarity between said input pattern and said reference patterns is determined.

Abstract: A method detects a path in a communications network having a plurality of nodes with the aid of a routing metric. The method involves inputting a quantity determined on the basis of number of paths passing through the nodes in the routing metric.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention relates to a method for determining positional data of at least one node of a network, said network comprising a number of nodes, whereby the positional data refers to an internal coordinate system. The method comprises the following steps: a) preparation of positional data for a sub-set of nodes, b) determination of separation data for the least one node, c) determination or, on repetition of step c), correction of the positional data for the at least one node, depending on the positional data from step a), the separation data determined in step b) and positional data of the at least one node and d) repetition of steps a) to c), until an interruption condition is fulfilled.