Abstract: A computer assisted method to monitor a status from a secondary location of a plurality of equipment on a drilling site, while simultaneously enabling preventive maintenance is described herein. A user can view at least one cycle, at least one control state, and at least one pressure. The user can also view equipment information, equipment repair history, and other information necessary to ensure that a piece of equipment has minimal down time.

Abstract: A safety controller for controlling an automated installation which has a plurality of sensors and a plurality of actuators, comprises a control unit to which a plurality of control input signals are supplied by the sensors. The control unit produces a plurality of control output signals in an automatic mode on the basis of the control input signals in accordance with a user program running in said control unit. The plurality of control output signals is used to actuate the plurality of actuators. The safety controller also has a diagnosis evaluation unit to which a number of diagnoses input signals are supplied. The diagnosis evaluation unit takes the diagnosis input signals as a basis for ascertaining which of a plurality of operating states is present at a defined instant of time. The diagnosis evaluation unit produces an operating state data record which represents an ascertained operating state. The safety controller also has an interface for a display unit in order to display diagnosis reports.

Abstract: A method to monitor a status from a secondary location of a plurality of equipment on a drilling site, while simultaneously enabling preventive maintenance for the plurality of equipment is described herein. A user can view at least one cycle, at least one control state, and at least one pressure. The user can also view equipment information, equipment repair history, and other information necessary to ensure that a piece of equipment has minimal down time.

Abstract: A system to monitor a status from a secondary location of a plurality of equipment on a drilling site, while simultaneously enabling preventive maintenance is described herein. A user can view at least one cycle, at least one control state, and at least one pressure. The user can also view equipment information, equipment repair history, and other information necessary to ensure that a piece of equipment has minimal down time.

Abstract: Context recognition methods and apparatus are provided for an application processor and a micro control unit. It is determined whether an operation switch condition for switching to a sleep mode is satisfied. A request for execution of a context recognition function is sent to a micro control unit, when the operation switch condition is satisfied. The application processor switches to the sleep mode, when the context recognition function is executed by the micro control unit. The micro control unit collects sensor data at previously stored time intervals, and previously stored state information is updated based on the sensor data.

Abstract: A service panel for limiting access to authorized persons. A sub-region of the service panel controls at least one electrically-operated (e.g., solenoid-operated) valve that is connected to service utilities (e.g., water or gas) piping so as to control flow through the valve. According to one embodiment, another sub-region (i.e., a utility controller region) contains a PCB and other electrical controls for controlling the valve(s) and communicating with other services such as a remote transmitter, or an auxiliary monitoring system (e.g., a fire alarm system). The service panel facilitates the use of advantageous features including: emergency shutdown by anyone while permitting reset only by authorized personnel; modular construction so as to facilitate installation of the system. Various jumper terminals and connecting wires provide for programming of the system to accommodate a variety of applications.

Abstract: An electric tool includes a motor, a light having a function in addition to a data transmission, a switch configured to switch power supply to the light in accordance with a user operation; and a control unit. Upon a switch is switched from OFF to ON, the light is blinked at a frequency above the human-sensible range on the basis of data such as the usage history data of the electric tool. An average of the blinking frequency of the light is approximately 4,800 Hz when a bit rate is set to 9,600 bps, for example. Further, an average of a duty ratio of a drive signal of the light during blinking is approximately 50%.

Abstract: A process control system for a fieldbus network includes field devices having function blocks. Some distributed control systems access the standard parameters of the function blocks but cannot access manufacturers' non-standard parameters. Such parameters are placed in shared transducer blocks in the field devices where they are accessed by an alternate system for configuration and for collecting and monitoring data. This enables use by the function blocks of both standard and manufacturers' specific parameters and enables function blocks with only standard parameters to facilitate non-standard inter-function block communication connections using the shared transducer block parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing large transient identification for advanced control with multiple constraints. A request to change a current operating condition of a controlled plant is detected. A value of a control constraint corresponding to the request to change the current operating condition of the controlled plant is determined. A magnitude of a transient error corresponding to the request relative to the value of the control constraint is determined and the current operating condition of the controlled plant is adjusted based on the determined magnitude of the transient error.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to apply multiple trip limits to a device in a process control system are disclosed. An example method involves monitoring a value of a parameter associated with the operation of the device and receiving an input indicative of an operational state of the device, where a first input indicates a first operational state and a second input indicates a second operational state. If the first input is received, comparing via a function block the value of the parameter to a first trip limit, and if the second input is received, comparing via the function block the value of the parameter to a second trip limit, and implementing a response based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling driving of a test device that analyzes a sample are provided. The method includes identifying a test device, executing a script containing a plurality of operations to be performed to analyze the sample contained in the test device, wherein the script includes a plurality of operation commands, wherein at least one operation command among the plurality of operation commands includes a conditional statement, and wherein at least one operation command among the plurality of operation commands is designated to be executed according to whether the conditional statement is satisfied.

Abstract: A non-intrusive method of determining, in respect of a group of appliances that are arranged to consume a utility, an indication of a background level of consumption of the utility by the group of appliances, the method comprising: receiving a series of utility values representative of a total level of consumption of the utility by the group of appliances; determining, based on the received utility values, an indication of a background level of consumption of the utility; and outputting the determined indication of the background level of consumption of the utility.

Abstract: A method and system of predictive model control of a controlled system with one or more physical components using a model predictive control (MPC) model, determining an iterative, finite horizon optimization of a system model of the controlled system, in order to generate a manipulated value trajectory as part of a control process. At time t sampling a current state of the controlled system a cost function minimizing manipulated variables trajectories is computed with the MPC model for a relatively short time horizon in the future, wherein the MPC uses a quadratic programming (QP) algorithm to find the optimal solution, and wherein the QP algorithm is solved using an Active Sets solver (AS) class algorithm with simple constraints based on gradient projection and using Newton step projection. A move of the manipulated value trajectory is implemented and the control process is moved forward by continuing to shift the prediction horizon forward.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to various assets utilized within manufacturing and process plants for monitoring and control purposes. The asset data modules of the present disclosure include an integral near field communications (NFC) interface configured to provide access to asset data stored within memory integral to the given asset.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for process control in chemical mechanical polishing in which an initial pre-polishing thickness of a substrate is measured at a metrology station, a parameter of an endpoint algorithm is determined from the initial thickness of the substrate, a substrates is polished at a polishing station, and polishing stops when an endpoint criterion is detected using the endpoint algorithm.

Abstract: A system for controlling infrared (IR) enabled devices by projecting coded IR pulses from an active illumination depth camera is described. In some embodiments, a gesture recognition system includes an active illumination depth camera such as a depth camera that utilizes time-of-flight (TOF) or structured light techniques for obtaining depth information. The gesture recognition system may detect the performance of a particular gesture associated with a particular electronic device, determine a set of device instructions in response to detecting the particular gesture, and transmit the set of device instructions to the particular electronic device utilizing coded IR pulses. The coded IR pulses may imitate the IR pulses associated with a remote control protocol. In some cases, the coded IR pulses transmitted may also be used by the active illumination depth camera for determining depth information.

Abstract: In a distributed control system where multiple controllers can control the same actuator or sensor, each controller is assigned a priority level, and command arbitration is based on the relative priority levels of the controllers. Each actuator or sensor selects a controller to serve as a master controller for one or more of its state variables. Different master controllers may be selected for different state variables. When a command is received by the actuator or sensor, it determines how to treat the command by comparing the priority of the controller from which the command originated to the priority of the master controller.

Abstract: A data synchronization method and apparatus are provided for a distributed control system where multiple controllers can control a plurality of actuators or sensors. The actuators or sensors are assigned to logical groups that share a common state. One of the actuators or sensors within a logical group serves as a reference device for a state variable. Before taking a control action, the controllers read the current value of the state variable from the reference device. Data synchronization is maintained by one or more refresh master controllers.

Abstract: A system for measuring current in an H-Bridge motor drive circuit and using that current to determine the output of a device powered by the motor. A particular embodiment is disclosed for a motor-driven fluid pump. Motor current is measured at predetermined pump pressures and flow rates to create calibration tables relating motor current to pump pressure. Once calibrated, the system determines pump pressure based on motor current by referring to the calibration tables. In an embodiment, the pump is driven to achieve a predetermined fluid dispense profile. The system monitors pump pressure by measuring motor current and determines if the dispense profile is being achieved and sets alarms if predetermined thresholds are not maintained. The system also detects pump wear based on the current measurements and issues warnings to the user in such conditions.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a main memory unit storing while on-power; an auxiliary storage unit functionable even off-power; a control unit performing hibernation of generating operating-state data indicating a state when the power is lost, storing the data in the auxiliary storage unit, and, when restored, reading the data from the auxiliary storage unit; and a security chip that including a configuration register, encrypts data, and storing the data in the auxiliary storage unit. The control unit includes: a first registration unit performing, when the data is generated, calculation based thereon to obtain a calculated value; a second registration unit performing, when the data is read from the auxiliary storage unit at the hibernation, calculation based on the data to obtain a calculated value to write it into the configuration register; and a verification unit performing verification at boot-up from the hibernation based on the value written.

Abstract: A dynamic environment (e.g., an automated industrial process) has multiple conditions in response to which corresponding actions are required, and comprises various equipment, control device(s) to control the equipment, and one or more sensors to generate input signal(s) representing a monitored condition of the environment. A control system for the environment comprises a master processor and one or more co-processors, wherein the master processor configures a given co-processor to evaluate only a first subset of conditions expected to occur in the environment within a specified time period (e.g., less than a response time of the master processor), and to provide first control information representing an action to be taken if a particular condition of the first subset is satisfied.

Abstract: A remote control method for remotely controlling the operation of equipment furnished in a vehicle in response to a remote control request generated by a remote controller is provided. The method comprises the steps of (a) acquiring vehicle status information from the vehicle; (b) determining whether to operate particular vehicle equipment designated by the remote control request based on the vehicle status information; and (c) regulating the remote control request based on the determination result representing acceptability of remote-control operation of the requested vehicle equipment.

Abstract: A dynamic environment (e.g., an automated industrial process) has multiple conditions in response to which corresponding actions are required, and comprises various equipment, control device(s) to control the equipment, and one or more sensors to generate input signal(s) representing a monitored condition of the environment. A control system for the environment comprises a master processor and one or more co-processors, wherein the master processor configures a given co-processor to evaluate only a first subset of conditions expected to occur in the environment within a specified time period (e.g., less than a response time of the master processor), and to provide first control information representing an action to be taken if a particular condition of the first subset is satisfied.

Abstract: There is provided a home appliance control device for obtaining various parameters of each active object according to a variation between a plurality of current images acquired by an image sensor or according to a relation of a current image acquired by the image sensor with respect to a reference image or a reference data thereby determining an operation state of a home appliance.

Abstract: The invention relates to the automatic rendering of a lighting scene with a lighting system, particularly the control of the rendering. A basic idea of the invention is to improve rendering of a lighting scene by automatically compensating interference, such as an alien light source or a dynamic perturbing event of a rendered lighting scene. An embodiment of the invention provides a light control system (10) for automatically rendering a lighting scene with a lighting system, wherein the light control (10) system is adapted for monitoring the rendered lighting scene for the occurrence of interference (14, 20, 22, 24) and automatically reconfiguring the lighting system such that a monitored occurrence of an interference is compensated (16, 18, 12). As result, the invention allows to prevent dynamic disturbances or unforeseen events, for example caused by faulty or alien light sources, from distorting the rendering of an intended lighting scene.

Abstract: A conveying system, includes control devices for controlling the operation of the conveying system. The conveying system also includes a central control. The central control is arranged to select from a plurality of the different operating modes of the conveying system the operating mode to be used at any given time. The central control is connected to the control devices with a communications channel for indicating the operating mode selected to the control devices.

Abstract: An automation system for programming appliances having programmable controllers, programmable devices and trigger devices that communicate over a communication link. The user programs the programmable devices by placing the programmable controller in its training mode, activating the trigger device to generate a trigger signed and places select programmable devices in their programmed state. After all of the desired programmable devices have been put in then programmed states, the user takes the programmable controller out of its training mode. When the programmable controller is out of its training mode, it monitors the communication link for the trigger event. Upon detecting the trigger event, the programmable controller sends messages to the selected programmable devices instructing them to go to their programmed state.

Abstract: A component control system includes a component. At least one component element is included in the component. A component controller is included in the component, coupled to the at least one component element, and operable to couple to an Information Handling System (IHS) controller. The component controller is operable to receive a normalized component performance (NCP) value from the IHS controller. The NCP value is associated with at least one component output range. The component controller is also operable to provide a control signal that is associated with the NCP value to the at least one component element. In response to receiving the control signal, the at least one component element operates such that the component produces at least one component output, and each component output produced by the component is within a corresponding component output range.

Abstract: An industrial process control system includes a field device having a first plurality of device parameter values corresponding to a plurality of device parameters. The industrial process control system also includes a processor configured to determine a second plurality of device parameter values, corresponding to the plurality of device parameters, from a device definition (DD) file. The processor is also configured to present a reconciliation tool comprising a first portion of the plurality of device parameters, the corresponding first plurality of device parameter values, and the corresponding second plurality of device parameter values. The processor is also configured to set a second portion of the plurality of device parameters to the corresponding second plurality of device parameter values based on instructions received from the reconciliation tool.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling devices that are part of a peer to peer network of controllers is provided. Messages are routed to controllers of the network and such messages are used to control devices coupled to said controllers. Status messages indicating the state of devices are routed to controllers to allow the state of the devices to be displayed by said controllers.

Abstract: A cooling system includes at least three fan units. A control unit operates each one of the at least three fan units, The control unit (a) operates only a selected two of the fan units, one of the at least three fan units being unselected and being inhibited from operation; (b) monitors operation of said selected two of fan units for a failure; and (c) upon detection of a failure in one of said selected two fan units, inhibits operation of the failed one of fan units and operating the unselected one of the at least three fan units.

Abstract: Provided is a control system capable of reducing cost while securing reliability of original processing of a microcomputer. An engine control device and a meter control device each store a control amount calculating procedure for calculating a control amount regarding a significant control to be performed on the control target of the engine control device. The engine control device compares a control amount regarding the significant control calculated by the engine control device, and a control amount regarding the significant control calculated by the meter control device, to thereby control the control target of the engine control device based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A hard disk temperature monitoring device for monitoring a temperature of a hard disk in a computer system is provided. A hard disk stores an operating system. A basic input/output system (BIOS) has a setting configuration. When the setting configuration is a first setting value, operation of the hard disk is restored. When the setting configuration is a second setting value, the operation of the hard disk is stopped. A thermal sensor detects a temperature of the hard disk. A keyboard controller (KBC) is electrically connected to the thermal sensor via a data transmission channel for detecting the temperature of the hard disk in real time. If the KBC detects that the temperature of the hard disk rises to a first predetermined temperature, the setting configuration is set to the second setting value, and the BIOS stops the operation of the hard disk according to the second setting value.

Abstract: A mobile system and method of operation thereof, comprising a radio frequency system, adapted to derive information relating to a position within an environment, based on communications with at least one terrestrial or extraterrestrial transmitter, and remotely transmit to and receive radio frequency information-bearing communications; a memory adapted to store at least a vehicle itinerary or position-related information; a controller, receiving the derived information and controlling a communication of the information-bearing communications relating to at least the stored itinerary or position related information; and a user interface, having a functionality defined by the controller, adapted to interface a user for receipt or presentation of information relating at least one of the itinerary or position-related information and the communicated information.

Abstract: A plurality of reference signals output from a controller which computes an operation amount of an electric actuator is subjected to the logical operation, and the power supply to a drive circuit for the electric actuator is shut off based on an output by the logical operation.

Abstract: Continuous equipment operation is facilitated despite disablement of an automation controller for controlling the equipment. A safe state in which equipment is to be maintained upon disablement of the automation controller is determined. Safe state data is provided for configuring an I/O module, through which the automation controller controls the equipment, with the safe state data to facilitate maintaining the equipment in the safe state during disablement of the automation controller. In one embodiment, upon subsequent enablement of the automation controller, a current state of the I/O module is evaluated and an automatic control state into which the equipment is to be transitioned is determined. The equipment is then transitioned to the determined automatic control state.

Abstract: A field device of automation technology, is fed via a two-wire line or via an energy source of limited energy reserve associated with the field device. The field device includes: a hardwired communication interface having at least one communication channel; and, associated with the communication interface, a functional unit, which is embodied in such a manner, that it performs sending and/or receiving of digital communication signals via the communication interface. The functional unit, for the purpose of energy saving, is turned on only in active, operating phases, while it is switched off in inactive, resting phases; and a detection circuit is provided, which detects a communication signal applied to the communication interface and automatically activates the functional unit.

Abstract: An electronic control apparatus 100A is configured in such a way that a CPU 110A reads the conduction current of an opening/closing device 140n in an IPM 190A, by way of serial-parallel converters 114a and 114b and a second multi-channel A/D converter 116b; the opening/closing device 140n is opening/closing-controlled through a serial control signal SRn or a parallel control signal PWMn; and a reading timing control circuit 170n adjusts the reading timing in such a way that, regardless of the kind of the control signal, reading is performed during the period in which the opening/closing device 140n is driven to be closed. As a result, the serial-parallel converter can reduce the number of wiring leads between the IPM and the microprocessor, and the digital conversion value is accurately read, by adjusting the error between the serial-signal timing and the parallel-signal timing.

Abstract: The invention relates to automatically verifying the possibility of rendering a lighting atmosphere from an abstract description, for example from a lighting atmosphere specified in XML (Extensible Markup Language) independent of a specific lighting infrastructure and of a room layout. A basic idea of the invention is to create for each addressable light unit of a light infrastructure a so called light infrastructure capability that generally describes the effect, measures the maximum possible effect and relates the effect to a location in a semantic area of a target environment. This allows to automatically verifying the possibility of rendering a lighting atmosphere from an abstract description in a lighting infrastructure at an early stage of the lighting atmosphere design process.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate correct execution of a machine jog operation where a plurality of interfaces can generate a machine jog command, which is received by an industrial controller. One or more machine jog commands can be received and state data is maintained regarding whether a machine jog command has been received. An OR gate logic operation is performed on the state data to determine whether a machine jog operation has been received from any of the plurality of interfaces, and in the event of receiving a machine jog operation, a control command is generated to effect a machine jog operation. The plurality of interfaces enable interaction with the controller, to facilitate control of a machine from a plurality of locations. The system can be expanded to include further interfaces. Also, information regarding a machine jog command can be published to the plurality of interfaces.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use in operating utility equipment that includes a plurality of controllable components. A computing device determines that a first controllable component of a plurality of controllable components is ineligible for an actuation based at least in part on operating conditions associated with the controllable components. A disregard indicator representing that the first controllable component is ineligible for the actuation is associated with the first controllable component by the computing device. An operation enhancement algorithm is executed by the computing device to determine a desired operation of the controllable components. The first controllable component is excluded from the operation enhancement algorithm based on the disregard indicator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a robot and a control method adapted for the robot. The method includes a) measuring time; b) performing a normal biological action when the time reaches a beginning time of a biological function; c) judging whether an instruction is received while during the biological function; d) if the instruction is received while during the biological function, fetching an action adjustment parameter of the biological function and performing an output; e) after the output is finished, resuming performing the normal biological action; and f) stopping the normal biological action when the time reaches an ending time of the biological function.

Abstract: A human machine interface device and an interface integration method thereof are provided. The human machine interface device cooperates with a programmable logic controller. The programmable logic controller comprises a first program unit and a second program unit. The human machine interface device comprises a processor and a memory. The memory comprises a first address storing an operation variable and a second address storing a first common variable. The operation variable corresponds to the first logic operation via the first common variable. When the types and the amounts of the input/output parameters of the first program unit and the second program unit are the same, the processor causes the operation variable to correspond to the second program unit by updating the first common variable into a second common variable.

Abstract: A system and method for generating modeling software for processing control, such as power plant control, cement plant or other industrial control application, using models such as expert systems, fuzzy logic, genetic optimization algorithms, and neural networks to convert sensor data into actionable data, information and/or diagnostics. The present invention includes a graphical programming environment, graphical programming tools, graphical user interface (GUI), visual feedback, real-time refresh, run-time object swap, logic standby (safety recovery), modeling and optimization to allows a user to create a control system for an industrial process, and that allows the user to change the process without any manual compile, assemble or load steps other than a save and refresh pushbutton.

Abstract: A control apparatus is provided, which includes: a determination section that determines a control command according to sensor information, on the basis of a control rule capable of being set by a user for determining the control command controlling a device; and a control section that controls the device in accordance with the control command determined by the determination section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing large transient identification for advanced control with multiple constraints. A request to change a current operating condition of a controlled plant is detected. A value of a control constraint corresponding to the request to change the current operating condition of the controlled plant is determined. A magnitude of a transient error corresponding to the request relative to the value of the control constraint is determined and the current operating condition of the controlled plant is adjusted based on the determined magnitude of the transient error.

Abstract: A process control system for a fieldbus network includes field devices having function blocks. Some distributed control systems access the standard parameters of the function blocks but cannot access manufacturers' non-standard parameters. Such parameters are placed in shared transducer blocks in the field devices where they are accessed by an alternate system for configuration and for collecting and monitoring data. This enables use by the function blocks of both standard and manufacturers' specific parameters and enables function blocks with only standard parameters to facilitate non-standard inter-function block communication connections using the shared transducer block parameters.

Abstract: Providing a remote control technique capable of realizing the achievement of constraints and the certain following of a target value even with a network in which delay, loss, distortion, or the like may occur. In a remote control system, an area setting unit of a client-side control unit sets at least two areas representative of a group of states of an target object, which changes over time by feedback control. A state-evaluation information sending unit sends, to the host-side control unit, state evaluation information obtained by evaluating the state of the target object based on the area set by the area setting unit. A target value setting unit of the host-side control unit sets a target value such that the state of the target object changes in the area set by the area setting units. Moreover, a target value updating unit updates the target value based on the state evaluation information received from the client-side control unit.

Abstract: When a system operator selects a message to be analyzed from among a plurality of messages listed in a state change list displayed on an HMI unit, a monitoring target is identified from the selected message and all other messages that correspond to the same monitoring target are automatically searched. Subsequently, a timeline chart is displayed that represents changes in the operating state specified in the selected message and the found messages.

Abstract: A method is provided for saving the state of a real-time controller. The method includes receiving a command to save a state of a controller coupled to an industrial system, wherein the controller comprises a processor and a non-volatile memory, capturing the state of the controller during control and monitoring of the industrial system, and writing the captured state to the non-volatile memory of the controller.