Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting a display into a touch display. One or more optical sensors are arranged proximate the display. A processor receives a signal from the optical sensor(s) and, based on the signal, executes instructions for: (i) determining a distance between a pointer device and a surface of the display signal; (ii) determining a position of the pointer device on the surface of the display; (iii) when the distance is less than a threshold detection distance and greater than a threshold touch distance, providing an indication on the display that the position of the pointer device has been determined; and (iv) when the distance is less than the threshold touch distance, taking an action indicative of contact between the pointer device and the surface of the display.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting a display into a touch display. One or more optical sensors are arranged proximate the display. A processor receives a signal from the optical sensor(s) and, based on the signal, executes instructions for: (i) determining a distance between a pointer device and a surface of the display signal; (ii) determining a position of the pointer device on the surface of the display; (iii) when the distance is less than a threshold detection distance and greater than a threshold touch distance, providing an indication on the display that the position of the pointer device has been determined; and (iv) when the distance is less than the threshold touch distance, taking an action indicative of contact between the pointer device and the surface of the display.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating real-time, on-the-fly visualization interfaces for automated systems are described. A graphical user interface allows a user to associate real-time data from one or more automated systems with a graphical interface control. The graphical interface control allows the user to interact with the automated system in real-time to make adjustments to its current state or to visualize real-time streaming data.

Abstract: An application having a graphical user interface is provided for constructing a visualization of an automation system that includes a plurality of objects. The application forms a visualization control that is, in essence, a building block of the visualization of the automation system. The visualization control is associated with an object that includes a reference to a visualization template and properties associated with the object. The object is retrieved from an object storage and, similarly, the visualization template is retrieved form a template storage. The application generates a visualization of the object by mapping its properties to the template. The generated visualization is then assigned to the visualization control.

Abstract: Systems and methods for speech-based monitoring and/or control of automation devices are described. A speech-based method for monitoring and/or control of automation devices may include steps of determining a type of automation device to which first speech relates based, at least in part, on a location associated with the first speech; selecting a topic-specific speech recognition model adapted to recognize speech related to the determined type of automation device; using the topic-specific speech recognition model to recognize second speech provided at the location, wherein recognizing the second speech comprises identifying a query or command relating to the type of automation device and represented by the second speech; and issuing the query or command represented by the second speech to an automation device of the determined type.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting a display into a touch display. One or more optical sensors are arranged proximate the display. A processor receives a signal from the optical sensor(s) and, based on the signal, executes instructions for: (i) determining a distance between a pointer device and a surface of the display signal; (ii) determining a position of the pointer device on the surface of the display; (iii) when the distance is less than a threshold detection distance and greater than a threshold touch distance, providing an indication on the display that the position of the pointer device has been determined; and (iv) when the distance is less than the threshold touch distance, taking an action indicative of contact between the pointer device and the surface of the display.

Abstract: An application having a graphical user interface is provided for constructing a visualization of an automation system that includes a plurality of objects. The application forms a visualization control that is, in essence, a building block of the visualization of the automation system. The visualization control is associated with an object that includes a reference to a visualization template and properties associated with the object. The object is retrieved from an object storage and, similarly, the visualization template is retrieved form a template storage. The application generates a visualization of the object by mapping its properties to the template. The generated visualization is then assigned to the visualization control.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating real-time, on-the-fly visualization interfaces for automated systems are described. A graphical user interface allows a user to associate real-time data from one or more automated systems with a graphical interface control. The graphical interface control allows the user to interact with the automated system in real-time to make adjustments to its current state or to visualize real-time streaming data.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting a display into a touch display. One or more optical sensors are arranged proximate the display. A processor receives a signal from the optical sensor(s) and, based on the signal, executes instructions for: (i) determining a distance between a pointer device and a surface of the display signal; (ii) determining a position of the pointer device on the surface of the display; (iii) when the distance is less than a threshold detection distance and greater than a threshold touch distance, providing an indication on the display that the position of the pointer device has been determined; and (iv) when the distance is less than the threshold touch distance, taking an action indicative of contact between the pointer device and the surface of the display.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting a display into a touch display. One or more optical sensors are arranged proximate the display. A processor receives a signal from the optical sensor(s) and, based on the signal, executes instructions for: (i) determining a distance between a pointer device and a surface of the display signal; (ii) determining a position of the pointer device on the surface of the display; (iii) when the distance is less than a threshold detection distance and greater than a threshold touch distance, providing an indication on the display that the position of the pointer device has been determined; and (iv) when the distance is less than the threshold touch distance, taking an action indicative of contact between the pointer device and the surface of the display.

Abstract: Graphical representations of operational process control data associated with monitored processes is displayed within the context of the geographical locations at which the processes operate, and in a manner as to model individual components of the processes.

Abstract: A system for implementing operational process control servers includes an application server for receiving operational process control data from operational process control servers associated with components of the monitored process, a data visualization server for receiving the data from the application server and producing reports based on the data, and a server configuration user interface for facilitating specification of configuration parameters of the operational process control servers according to operational process control unified architecture standards.

Abstract: Graphical representations of operational process control data associated with monitored processes is displayed within the context of the geographical locations at which the processes operate, and in a manner as to model individual components of the processes.

Abstract: A system for implementing operational process control servers includes an application server for receiving operational process control data from operational process control servers associated with components of the monitored process, a data visualization server for receiving the data from the application server and producing reports based on the data, and a server configuration user interface for facilitating specification of configuration parameters of the operational process control servers according to operational process control unified architecture standards.

Abstract: A system for communicating according to a standard communication protocol for process control includes a plurality of interconnected computers. The system includes a module that permits communication of information between computers that communicate with process control equipment. The system also includes a module that permits a primary controlling machine to communicate with computers that communicate with process control equipment, and that permits a secondary controlling machine to take the place of the primary controlling machine when the primary controlling machine is unavailable. The system further includes a module that aggregates requests for information directed to one computer that communicates with a piece of process control equipment, communicates with the computer and obtains the information, and delivers the information to each of the requesters. The standard communication protocol for process control can be OPC, and the communicated information can be one or more process control parameters.

Abstract: A system for communicating according to a standard communication protocol for process control includes a plurality of interconnected computers. The system includes a module that permits communication of information between computers that communicate with process control equipment. The system also includes a module that permits a primary controlling machine to communicate with computers that communicate with process control equipment, and that permits a secondary controlling machine to take the place of the primary controlling machine when the primary controlling machine is unavailable. The system further includes a module that aggregates requests for information directed to one computer that communicates with a piece of process control equipment, communicates with the computer and obtains the information, and delivers the information to each of the requesters. The standard communication protocol for process control can be OPC, and the communicated information can be one or more process control parameters.