Abstract: The invention relates to the control, for example the creation or modification of a lighting scene with a lighting system, and the invention particularly relates to a more easily and user oriented controlling of the creation and modification of the lighting scene.

Abstract: A system and method for validating the availability and operability of a field device in a process plant is provided. A diagnostic apparatus includes a processor coupled to the field device wherein a diagnostic check is executed to remotely determine the availability and operability of the field device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a communication system for interchanging data in an automation system for communication between central and peripheral devices. A converter is connected into the communication path between the central devices and peripheral devices and being designed for line-bound communication with the central device and for wireless communication with the peripheral devices.

Abstract: Provided is a structure which is capable of central control of an electric device and a sensor device and a structure which can reduce power consumption of an electric device and a sensor device. A central control system includes at least a central control device, an output unit, and an electric device or a sensor device. The central control device performs arithmetic processing on information transmitted from the electric device or the sensor device and makes the output unit output information obtained by the arithmetic processing. It is possible to know the state of the electric device or the sensor device even apart from the electric device or the sensor device. The electric device or the sensor device includes a transistor which includes an activation layer using a semiconductor with the band gap wider than that of single crystal silicon.

Abstract: A remote controlling method applied to a smart home system for controlling a number of home appliances of the smart home system is provided. A remote controller sends a controlling command to a smart gateway. A smart gateway extracts an operation command and sends a controlling signal including the operation command to the home appliance. The home appliances receive the controlling signal and execute the corresponding operation. A smart gateway and a smart home system are also provided.

Abstract: A communication interface module for an automation or control system for coupling at least two field bus systems is disclosed, the communication interface module includes at least one first functional unit configured to connect to a superordinate controller via a first communications link based on a first field bus protocol, at least one second functional unit configured to connect field devices via a second communications link based on a second field bus protocol, at least one serial interface configured to communicate with devices connected to the communication interface module, and at least one third functional unit configured to connect further field devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that are capable of synchronizing an industrial process. The industrial process may include a plurality of process levels. A visualization group may be displayed, showing the various levels of a process. A transition group may be graphically defined that allows for the linking of the transitions between the various process levels. In certain embodiments, sequential function charts (SFC) may include expanded capabilities that allow for the visual definition, editing, and review of the transition groups. Such SFC embodiments may be capable of process flow synchronization across any levels of the modeled process.

Abstract: The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for control using field and control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network. By way of non-limiting example, such field device can be an “intelligent” transmitter or actuator that includes a low power processor, along with a random access memory, a read-only memory, FlashRAM, and a sensor interface. The processor can execute a real-time operating system, as well as a Java virtual machine (JVM). Java byte code executes in the JVM to configure the field device to perform typical process control functions, e.g., for proportional integral derivative (PID) control and signal conditioning. Control networks can include a plurality of such field and control devices interconnected by an IP network, such as an Ethernet.

Abstract: A control computer in a first system is involved in controlling an industrial process via a computer object, which object acts on a process interface device and is controllable from the first and from a second system by operators in these systems, and the control computer includes an object handling unit configured to receive a request from a requesting operator concerning responsibility of a group of objects at least including the object, set, in the first system, an operator identified by the request to be responsible for the group and when responsible operator is set, only allow control of the group from the responsible operator.

Abstract: Sensor information is regularly acquired from a plurality of sensors and stored. For each of the sensors, other sensors whose information is correlated are selected. When sensor information of a sensor is requested from an application program or the like, while if the requested sensor is available the sensor information is acquired directly from the sensor, if the requested sensor is unavailable the sensor information of sensors relevant to the sensor is acquired and the sensor information of the requested sensor is estimated. As a result, in a system comprising a plurality of sensors, sensor information of an unavailable sensor will be estimated in a short period of time.

Abstract: An irrigation controller includes a processor and a memory that either forms a part of the processor or is connected to the processor. A plurality of manually actuable controls allow a user to enter a watering program into the memory or select a watering program stored in the memory. Circuitry is controlled by the processor for turning corresponding valves ON and OFF in accordance with the watering program. Programming stored in the memory implements predetermined watering restrictions that disable portions of the watering otherwise effectuated by the watering program.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the instantaneous rotational speed of a bottom hole assembly at the lower end of a drill string. In one embodiment, a method includes driving the drill string by a drilling mechanism at the upper end of the drill string. A fundamental frequency of stick-slip oscillations suffered by the drill string is estimated. Variations in a drive torque of the drilling mechanism are determined. Known torsional compliance of the drill string is combined with the variations in the drive torque. An output signal representing the instantaneous rotational speed is provided.

Abstract: A control device for a process, in which a controlled variable can be influenced with the aid of a plurality of different regulating units, which in particular are based on different physical principles. A set point and the controlled variable are fed to both a first controller and a second controller. The first controller is located as primary controller in automatic operation and has a regulating range of the first manipulated variable that is defined by limiting values. The second controller can be switched between automatic operation and tracking operation, in which the controller generates a predefined or predefinable constant value of the second manipulated variable. By means of a logic circuit, the second controller is switched to automatic operation if a limiting value of the first manipulated variable is reached, and otherwise to tracking operation.

Abstract: A spa node comprising a spa controller, a power sense adapter configured to compute power being drawn by selected spa components; a spa network adapter, and a home network adapter, each of the three adapters including a wireless transceiver wherein the spa network adapter is configured to receive power data transmitted over a wireless link by the power sense adapter and to further receive status/performance data from the spa controller. The home network adapter is configured to receive power and status data transmitted by the spa network adapter over a wireless link and to convert that data to a form suitable for transmission to an Internet access point. The home network adapter is further linkable over the Internet to a central server, a dealer computer and a spa owner or user computer.

Abstract: A field device management apparatus that includes a device communication unit that provides a connection with a field device; an operation accepting unit that accepts an operation for the field device; an automatic-operation-program generating unit that generates an automatic operation program which is recorded information representing the accepted operation; a storage unit that stores the generated automatic operation program; and an automatic-operation-program executing unit that executes the automatic operation program stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automation system having a number of objects to to be controlled, wherein the automation system comprises a framework based controller (21) for controlling basic functions (23) of at least one object of the number of objects by means of object-specific functional units (25), wherein the controller (21) is configured independently of the object, and comprises standardized interfaces (26) for the communicative incorporation of the object-specific functional units (25) by means of preconfigured functional requests, wherein each functional unit (25) is associated with at least one of the objects and configured for actuating the respective basic function (23) of the respectively associated object by means of object-specific control functions, wherein each object of the number of objects may be virtualized in the controller (21) by means of the associated object-specific functional units (25), and the objects of the number of objects respond and can be controlled by means of the object-s

Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program product for managing one or more electronic devices. Performance of an electronic device is monitored and presented to a user through a digital agent interface. The performance of the electronic device is controlled automatically by digital agent through the digital agent interface. The invention also enables automatic testing of the electronic device through the digital agent interface by setting up test configurations, activating test signals, and interpreting any error codes that may be generated.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, apparatus and computer program product for ensuring that a device (26) operable in a network (1) is configured to operate according to documented functional requirements for the network. Positional information comprising the coordinates of each device (26, 9, 50) in the network (1) is received via a gateway (9, 50) at a data processing apparatus (10) storing the documented functional requirements. The coordinates of each device (26, 9) in the network (1) are used to deduce the required functionality of the device based on the stored functional requirements, instructions for implementing the functionality are generated and the instructions are sent via the gateway (9, 50) to the network. The invention has particular relevance in the commissioning stage of a lighting control network.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments may provide a method, apparatus, and computer program product for passively learning and autonomously executing tasks on behalf of a user. The different advantageous embodiments may provide an apparatus that comprises a processing unit and a synthetic representation process executed by the processing unit. The synthetic representation process may be capable of executing a number of tasks for a user.

Abstract: Automatic adjustment of the control and operation of pool or spa equipment is made based upon a time of year, a geographic location, or both. A controller receives input of the time of year or the geographic location of the pool or spa equipment, or both. The controller then automatically adjusts one or more functions of the pool or spa equipment based upon operational information associated with the time of year and/or geographic location. A user interface connected with the controller may be also used to select a mode of operation, input time or geographic location information, and/or adjust various parameters affecting the automatic seasonal or geographic adjustment of the pool or spa equipment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ignoring a duplicated alarm in a communications network are described. In one embodiment, at least one alarm message associated with at least one event is received. A determination of whether the at least one event exists in a database is subsequently made. The at least one event is recorded in the database if the at least one event does not exist in the database. Conversely, the at least one alarm message is suppressed if the at least one event exists in the database.

Abstract: A device and a method for projecting field devices of a technical system, in particular a power plant system, into a control system of the technical system are provided. The device includes means for a computer-implemented display of two field devices as two data objects and means for a computer-implemented display of a connection between the two data objects of the two field devices.

Abstract: A system that facilitate broadcast of a device discovery beacon by a dynamic physical device wishing to bind to one or more control systems are provided. If the dynamic physical device comprises of server that is configured to bind to multiple master controllers, the dynamic physical device may include a device Type Flag and set the value of the device Type Flag to indicate the dynamic physical device comprises a server. On detection of the beacon, a master controller evaluates the device Type Flag if it is present in the device discovery beacon. If the device Type Flag is present and indicates the dynamic physical device comprise a server which may bind to multiple master controllers, the master controller may automatically load a device Module for the dynamic physical device and commence commutations with the dynamic physical device with no manual intervention.

Abstract: An operating unit for a construction machine, wherein the operating unit is attached to the construction machine so it can be folded or lowered. The operating unit has a touch screen for displaying and inputting. The selection and/or the arrangement and/or the display size of the information panels (14,14?,14?) and the operating panels (15,15?,15?) of the touch screen occurs in a situation-dependent manner.

Abstract: Each load-carrier of a system is always controlled by one of a series of MCUs (monitoring and control units) that are assigned to contiguous regions along guideways. Each carrier is slowed down to maintain a safe distance behind a carrier ahead, or to avoid collision with another carrier when approaching a merge point of a convergent Y-junction or when otherwise desirable. Distance measurements take into account the lengths of carriers and of assigned regions and the counts of speed pulses sent to MCUs since entry of carriers into their respective regions. For merge control, arrival data are developed that include the times and speeds to and at arrival of two carriers at a merge point. Through repeated comparisons of arrival data developed from one carrier with arrival data previously developed and stored as to the other carrier, the one carrier is gradually slowed down as necessary to avoid a collision.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of systems and methods to communicate data over at least one wire line between units each associated with a control system. In an exemplary embodiment, a conditioned input AC signal serves as a reference signal for data to be transmitted. In phase or out of phase state of the conditioned reference signals is determined by dividing the reference signal into predetermined number of segments, generating a template signal frame and a data signal frame at predetermined segments, generating an interrupt signal in each control system on a predetermined location on the reference signal, logically ORing the template and data signal frames, transmitting the ORed signal, and analyzing the ORed signal to determine phase of the reference signal provided to each control system. If the reference signal is out of phase, the interrupting signal is shifted to correct the out of phase state of the reference signal.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing information of a device to other devices through the home network are provided. The method includes: generating relative location information indicating that a first device is present in a vicinity of a second device if a remote control signal for the second device is received; and providing the relative location information as location information of the first device to at least one other device belonging to the home network. Accordingly, the user can acquire location information of devices belonging to the home network. Therefore, it is possible to easily identify the correspondence of devices visually recognized by the user to the device list obtained as a result of the search.

Abstract: There is described a method for determining the processing sequence of components of a function plan for a sequentially operating automation system. Each component is allocated a component code in a reversible unambiguous manner and, while the components have a signal input and output connection, these should be applicable to a number of various function plans and thus minimize the reaction time of an automation system to process signals. The above is achieved, whereby the signal path in the function plan commences at an initial component in a recursive procedure in the forward direction and returns in the backward direction.

Abstract: A method for the control of valves for flow path control, in particular in a medical treatment machine, having a plurality of processes for the manufacture of flow paths by control of a group of valves, with each process claiming a group of valves suitable for its carrying out for itself so that other processes cannot change the switching state of these valves and with each process itself making a decision on the release of the valves claimed by it. In addition, a method is provided for monitoring the then current and/or scheduled state of a plurality of valves in the flow path control, determining the connections resulting from the switching state of the valves, and comparing the resulting connections with a predetermined number of non-permitted connections.

Abstract: A multi-layer workflow architecture for a print shop is disclosed. The workflow architecture includes a workflow front end, service bus, and service providers. The workflow front end provides an interface to print shop operators. The service providers are each associated with a device in the print shop. The service bus represents the layer between the workflow front end and the service providers. In operation, the service providers report device capabilities for devices to the service bus. The workflow front end receives the device capabilities from the service bus, and provides the device capabilities to a user to allow the user to define a job ticket based on the device capabilities. The service bus identifies the processes defined in the job ticket, and identifies the service providers operable to provide the processes. The service bus then routes process messages to the identified service providers to execute the processes on the devices.

Abstract: Each device in an industrial automation system network or other network may have its own associated one or more performance characteristics, such as response time and/or reset time of the network device. Data may be stored representing a plurality of performance characteristics each associated with a different one of a plurality of devices in the network including a first device and a second device. The stored data may be retrieved, representing the performance characteristic of the second device. The first device may communicate over the network with the second device in accordance with the performance characteristic of the second device.

Abstract: A control device includes a task execution unit; a storage unit which stores a variable in a program, which is capable of being referenced and updated; and a collection unit which collects a variable when a task is executed. The storage unit stores reference data corresponding to the variable. A plurality of tasks include: an update task which is capable of updating and referencing the variable; and a reference task which is capable of referencing the reference data. The collection unit collects the reference data when the plurality of tasks are executed.

Abstract: A method for controlling behavioral intervention of a submodule, where a device model is used to model and operate an automation system, where the device model comprises an input/output device, a first module including at least one submodule and a first controller, a supervisory controller and a control module including at least one control submodule. The submodule is provided with a behavior identification code and behavior information in addition to interconnection information. A respective control submodule having a specific behavior identification code is addressed by the supervisory controller to control the intervention in the submodule, where the addressed control submodule thereupon issues a control command containing the specific behavior identification code to all other submodules, and where the other submodules having the specific behavior identification code are induced to adopt a behavioral change based on the behavior information.

Abstract: An interface for an industrial controller is provided that enables connection of different types of plug-in I/O modules to the industrial controller. The interface includes several mechanisms, which can be implemented through control logic, circuitry, and/or software, that enable the control/monitoring device to operate in conjunction with different types of plug-in I/O modules. According to certain embodiments, the interface includes setup mechanisms that enable initial communications between the plug-in I/O modules and the control/monitoring device. The interface also may include operational mechanisms that facilitate communication between the plug-in I/O modules and the control/monitoring device during operation. The interface further may include registers that store data for the plug-in I/O modules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a complex product in a parallel process system wherein a collection of components are provided for assembling the complex product. The present invention involves transferring the collection of components to one of a plurality of similar computerized assembly cells through the use of a transport system. The collection of components is automatically assembled into the complex product through the use of the computerized assembly cells. The complex product is then transferred from one of the assembly cells to a computerized test cell, where the complex product is tested to ensure for the proper dimensioning and functioning of the complex product. The complex product is then transferred from the test cell via the transport system to either a part reject area or conveyor, if the product is defective, or to an automatic dunnage load or part return system, if the product is not defective.

Abstract: Software for controlling processes in a heterogeneous semiconductor manufacturing environment may include a wafer-centric database, a real-time scheduler using a neural network, and a graphical user interface displaying simulated operation of the system. These features may be employed alone or in combination to offer improved usability and computational efficiency for real time control and monitoring of a semiconductor manufacturing process. More generally, these techniques may be usefully employed in a variety of real time control systems, particularly systems requiring complex scheduling decisions or heterogeneous systems constructed of hardware from numerous independent vendors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for remotely monitoring and controlling a light emitting diode. In one embodiment, the method includes establishing a two-way communication path via a communication module to a central office, wherein said communication module is coupled to said LED based street light and sending information related to the LED based street light to the central office via the two-way communication path.

Abstract: An ET based irrigation system includes a stand alone irrigation controller with a seasonal adjust feature and a stand alone weather station including at least one environmental sensor. The ET based irrigation system further includes a stand alone ET unit operatively connected to the irrigation controller and the weather station. The ET unit includes programming configured to calculate an estimated ET value using a signal from the environmental sensor and to automatically modify a watering schedule of the irrigation controller through the seasonal adjust feature based on the estimated ET value to thereby conserve water while maintaining plant health.

Abstract: A system and method for simultaneously restoring power to loads in a distribution network that experienced an outage. The pickup load on the feeder in the distribution network is estimated and the load limit on the feeder is determined. The load on the feeder is divided into groups based on the load limit. A restoration load control process is determined, and power is restored to each of the groups simultaneously based on the power restoration control process.

Abstract: A wind farm includes a plurality of wind energy installations, a transfer point at which electrical energy produced by the wind energy installations is transferred to a public electricity grid system and for which nominal values are preset, and a measurement sensor configured to measure electrical actual values at the transfer point. The wind farm also includes a master regulator associated with an upper control level and configured to use upper nominal values and upper actual values at the upper control level to determine a preset for a lower control level, and a plurality of submaster regulators associated with the lower control level and configured to use the preset as a lower nominal value and, on the basis of the lower nominal value and a lower actual value, determine presets for the wind energy installations. A high level of control accuracy can thus be achieved even in large wind farms.

Abstract: A method of managing excess electrical power generation may be provided by remotely controlling operation of at least one of two energy storage devices coupled in series at a customer location in response to availability of generated electricity to the customer location.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic board (C) comprising: a microcontroller; a first interface means (11) with a communication bus (BUS); and a second interface means (12) with a supervisory computer (SUP); said microcontroller being programmed for: receiving first commands across said second interface means; extracting, from said commands, a piece of addressing information and, on the basis of said information, executing said first commands or moreover transmitting them over said communication bus; and receiving second commands from said communication bus and executing them. The invention relates to a system comprising: a communication bus; a plurality of electronic boards such as described above, connected to said communication bus, at least one of said boards also being connected to a respective supervisory computer. The invention also relates to a robotic system comprising such a built-in control system.

Abstract: A network driven actuator mapping agent is provided. A system includes a sensor configured to sense an event in a first environment. The system also includes an actuator configured to perform an action in a second environment. Moreover, the system further includes a mapping manager configured to map the sensed event to the actuator to provide a custom interaction in the second environment.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of guiding a user (1) from an initial position (S) to a destination (T), chosen from among a plurality of possible destinations (T), in a public area (2) over which is distributed a plurality of lighting arrangements (Li, L2, . . . , Ln) each of which can be driven to render one or more light patterns from a plurality of light patterns. The method comprises the steps of determining the chosen destination (T) by obtaining a destination descriptor (13) from the user (1), allocating a specific light pattern from the plurality of light patterns to the chosen destination (T), providing the user (1) with a depiction (VT) of the specific light pattern allocated to the chosen destination (T), selecting a number of lighting arrangements (L1, L2, . . . , Ln) between a starting point (S) of the user (1) and the chosen destination (T), and driving the selected lighting arrangements (L1, L2, . . . , Ln) such that the selected lighting arrangements (L1, L2, . . .

Abstract: A software-controlled chemical process emulation system and environment having individually-addressable and/or group-addressable software-controlled chemical system processing modules, software-controlled chemical system handling modules, and related components. The software-controlled modules may be designed and interconnected to emulate various fixed, configurable, and reconfigurable “Lab-on-a-Chip” (“LoC”) devices. The software-controlled modules may be designed as separate units with well-defined ports and interfaces that can be used in the construction of larger systems. Alternatively, the software-controlled modules may be integrated into more complex subsystems that can be used in similar or other ways. These aspects may be used to design a LoC device, develop software for the operation of a LoC device, or may be used together with actual LoC devices as part of a larger system.

Abstract: There is provided a monitor and control apparatus capable of enlarging a volume of a body, while ensuring a space for routing signal lines between a rear face of the body and a bottom surface of a mounting hole. The body 5 has a rear face including: a first face having terminal sections protruded; and a second face protruded backwardly relative to the first face by a stepped portion. An internal space of the body on the second face side is enlarged backwardly more than that on the first face side. The stepped portion is formed in the middle of the rear face of the body in the horizontal direction, which defines a right-half portion as the first face, and a left-half portion as the second face.

Abstract: A weather based irrigation controller has a thermometer that provides a temperature signal to the controller and a rain gauge that provides a rainfall signal to the controller, for adjusting irrigation schedules. A default mode is initiated when either sensor fails, and introduces an adjustment to the maximum irrigation duration based on historical stored data.

Abstract: An automation system including a plurality of peripheral devices, each configured to perform at least one function relating to energy consumption in a facility and an automation controller in communication with the plurality of peripheral devices and providing for the control of the performance of the function by each device. An external network resource such as at least a virtual private network server is configured to enable communication with the automation controller. The automation controller is configured, such as by executing virtual private network software, to establish and maintain a secure data link with the virtual private network server and to enable oversight and/or control of the automation controller via the virtual private network server.

Abstract: Loads on an electric power system are configured with under-frequency relays in which the frequency setpoints and delay times for reclosure are uniformly distributed. If demand exceeds supply in the system, frequency will decrease. The decrease in frequency will actuate relays and reduce load to the point where demand will meet the available supply. After its engineered delay time, each relay will attempt to close contact and reestablish the load.

Abstract: Diverting condition storage unit 15 stores diverting conditions describing conditions for hardware configurations and software configurations. Monitoring data storage unit 13 stores monitoring data on the hardware configurations and the software configurations on monitored devices. Monitoring setting information storage unit stores monitoring setting information on the monitored devices. By referencing monitoring data and diverting conditions, first setting-diverting unit judges if monitoring setting information set in a monitored device may be diverted as monitoring setting information on another monitored device and outputs the result to a management terminal. The system administrator diverts the monitoring setting information among multiple monitored devices based on judgment result.