Abstract: Embodiments provide systems and methods for controlling electronic circuitry. A system can include at least a first controller and a second controller and at least one power electronic circuitry module. The first controller can be in electrical communication with the power electronic circuitry module via a first high-speed serial link (HSSL). The second controller can be in electrical communication with the power electronic circuitry module via a second HSSL.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a baseboard management controller (BMC) which includes an FPGA with a monitor module for monitoring the operations parameters of a host computer device. In addition, the BMC has a host connector that connects the BMC to the system bus of the host computing device, allowing the BMC access to the computing elements on the host. The host connector has reconfigurable pins with connection configuration controlled by the FPGA. In addition, the BMC has a server with a processor and associated non-volatile memory on board. The operating system provides services to the host computing device and its constituent components, as well as allowing advanced networking and interconnectivity with other BMCs in a management network.

Abstract: A method for controlling a group of machines such as robots or pick and place machines to pick up an item from a first position and place the item in a second position. Information from a sensor about the location of the first position is provided to a control member, which sends a message from a master process to all machines. The message includes a list of all first positions. The machines dynamically and adaptively handle each of the first positions and inform the master process when each first position is handled. The master process in turn informs all machines that a given first position has been handled. A system, a computer program and a graphical user interface are also described.

Abstract: Systems and method for controlling a device are provided, including at least one controlling device and at least one controlled device. The controlling system includes a first controlling device which has controlling authority over the controlled device and a second controlling device which requests and receives the controlling authority over the controlled device from the first controlling device. Therefore, a controlling device may more easily and intuitively receive controlling authority from other devices.

Abstract: A light source having a plurality of light elements and a control system for controlling the light elements. The control system comprises a plurality of light element controllers, each connected to a respective light element, and arranged to obtain light element data; and a bus interface, which is connected to the light element controllers via a light source bus. The bus interface provides the light element controllers with a general command, and the light element controllers generate light element drive signals on basis of the general command and the light element data.

Abstract: A plurality of controllers, each coupled to a plurality of outlets, compare values assigned to characteristic parameters or “process variables” against at least one control value on the process variable. The values for the process variables are derived from at least one signal provided to corresponding controllers. At least one of the outlets at each controller is configured to selectively provide an electrical voltage from an input voltage in accordance with the comparison of the process variable values and the control value. Remotely accessible controls may be stored at the controllers which may be retrieved through respective network interfaces at the controllers. A remote processor may use the retrieved controls to remotely specify, such as over a communication network, the control values.

Abstract: A prog analysis and execution system and method. The system includes a computer control system, an interface engine in communication with the computer control system, the interface engine being configured to receive prog information, and an action item development engine in communication with the control system, the action item development engine being configured to analyze received prog information and to determine corresponding action items. The system further includes a sensor engine in communication with the computer control system, the sensor engine being configured to receive input from at least one sensor for use in controlling a well drilling operation, and an operational equipment engine in communication with the computer control system, the operational equipment engine being configured to receive input from the computer control system and to control the well drilling operation in accordance with the determined action items in the prog.

Abstract: A regulating system can include a first controller configured to receive analog input and discrete input, a second controller communicatively coupled to the first controller, and configured to receive analog input and discrete input, a selector communicatively coupled to the first controller and second controller and configured to select either one of the first controller and the second controller as a master for the regulating system and state logic residing on each of the first controller and second controller to determine which of the first and second controller is the master.

Abstract: An industrial control system implementing a multi-tasking operating system employs a primary and secondary controller each having a processor and an I/O data table. The processors are configured to execute one or more priority ranked programs. A tracking of changes in the I/O data table of the primary processor is used to independently track changes to controller specific data that has been changed and program specific data that has been changed and to transmit controller specific data that has been changed by any program and program specific data that has been changed only for completed programs to the secondary processor.

Abstract: A sterilization system includes a plurality of vaporizers that are controlled by a network of interconnected controllers. The network includes a plurality of control units with each control unit controlling an associated vaporizer to adjust independently the rate at which the associated vaporizer injects vaporized sterilant into the different regions of an enclosure. The network also includes a master control unit configured to control each control unit over the network to coordinate the aggregate injection of sterilant vapor.

Abstract: Wind farm, of the kind that comprises a series of wind turbine generators, which consist of a rotor, a generator, a control unit and means of connection to the computing network for the wind farm of which they form part, in such a way that at least two of the wind turbine generators in the farm can assume a leader hierarchy for the wind farm, accessing the operating data of the rest of the wind turbine generators, calculating and sending instructions to the rest of the wind turbine generators making up that wind farm, and a subject hierarchy, receiving and following the instructions coming from the leader wind turbine generator of the wind farm.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an appliance system. The system includes an appliance, and a processor connected to the appliance such that the processor places the appliance in one of an enabled state and a disabled state. The processor is configured to track usage of the appliance and to place the appliance in a disabled state when the usage of the appliance exceeds a threshold amount. The system also includes a data receiving device configured to receive a code, wherein upon receipt of a valid code, the processor is configured to adjust the threshold amount to allow additional usage of the appliance.

Abstract: In a method for distributing cooling resources to a plurality of locations using a plurality of hierarchically identified cooling microgrids, conditions detected at the plurality of locations are received. Each level of the hierarchically identified cooling microgrids is a plurality of resource actuators configured to vary distribution of the cooling resources. Settings for the plurality of resource actuators in each of the levels in the cooling microgrid hierarchy that substantially maintain conditions at the plurality of locations within predetermined ranges are determined using a processor, while substantially optimizing at least one measure of performance associated with supplying the cooling resources to the plurality of locations.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for supporting multiple devices on a high speed physical link may be described. An embedded device may assert a link request pin to request to transmit data on a multi-point communications link that may serve a plurality of embedded devices. A controlling device may receive the link request signal. When the controlling device finishes sending data on the link, it may address the plurality of embedded devices in a round robin format and may determine which device asserted the link request pin. The embedded device that asserted the link request pin may send an acknowledgement signal to the controlling device when it is addressed.

Abstract: Devices and systems control energy usage in accordance with instructions from a head end system. A device may be instructed to cease energy consumption. Another device may allow users to override some instructions. Messages may be provided to users to request the cessation of energy consumption; the users may, but need not comply.

Abstract: A station address displayed in a display field W5 coincides with a station address of the PLC to which this personal computer is connected. Further, bit addresses of respective output variables are displayed in a display field W1. For example, a corresponding bit corresponding to a check box whose address of the output variable is 00L1E and whose station address of the destination PLC is 2 is an output schedule definition bit Rb1E in an output schedule definition frame RF02 stored in a first storing unit TBL1. Therefore, a value of the output schedule definition bit Rb0E is defined as 0 (output is not scheduled). When an OK button W4 is clicked, respective output schedule definition frames are transferred to a PLC 10 and then are stored in the first storing unit TBL1 respectively.

Abstract: In an industrial automation system comprising a plurality of industrial control devices connected to an industrial communication network, control and/or supervision functions of the industrial automation system are provided by services implemented by computer-based objects in industrial control devices. A computer-based object is assigned a first qualifier enabling the computer-based object to be accessed and/or modified during configuration of the respective service and/or a second qualifier enabling the computer-based object to be accessed and/or modified during runtime of the respective service. Upon a request for access to a computer-based object by a service consumer, the service consumer's operational state is determined. Depending on a set first and/or second qualifier of a computer-based object and depending on a determined operational state of a service consumer, access to the computer-based object is granted to the service consumer.

Abstract: A consumable holder for use in an appliance configured to perform an operation cycle related to a consumable in the consumable holder, in response to a cycle structure, has or is enabled to acquire information about the cycle structure. The information about the cycle structure can be communicated to the appliance for use by the appliance to change the cycle structure and thereby change the operation cycle related to the consumable.

Abstract: In order to provide functions in an industrial automation system having control units which are coupled via a communication network, functions of the automation system are made available by services. Components of a service are subdivided into service-specific components and into components which can be reused by a plurality of different services. Service-specific components and reusable components have a standard configuration interface. Service components are linked to a service by a service configuration unit via the standard configuration interface. Functions for monitoring and/or controlling a defined quality of service are assigned to the reusable components.

Abstract: A building automation system (BAS) architecture is disclosed. The BAS comprises, in one embodiment, an architecture comprising a communication network and having a dynamic extensibility capability and an automatic configuration capability; an engine communicatively coupled to the communication network; and at least one control device communicatively coupled to the communication network, the control device being known or unknown to the engine. The engine can be adapted to selectively implement the dynamic extensibility capability to establish communications with and to control both known and unknown control devices. The engine can be further adapted to selectively implement the automatic configuration capability to determine at least one characteristic of both known and unknown control devices. A method of adding a control device to a building automation system (BAS) by dynamically extending and automatically configuring an architecture of the BAS is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for managing energy demand of one or more appliances. In one example, an appliance controller apparatus is provided, comprising a user interface configured to receive a user input indicative of a demand flexibility associated with an appliance, a communication interface configured to receive a control input indicative of a request to modify a power demand of the appliance, and a processor programmed to determine whether the power demand of the appliance is to be modified based on the user input and the control input. In a further aspect, a meter controller apparatus is provided, comprising a communication interface configured to receive a message from an appliance controller apparatus coupled to an appliance, the message comprising information regarding a power demand of the appliance and a demand category associated with the appliance.

Abstract: There is provided a method, apparatus and computer program product for controlling parameters of objects in a building control system, the method comprising receiving input from at least one of the objects, wherein the at least one object is associated with a first subset of objects; selecting at least one parameter, wherein the at least one parameter depends on the input; selecting a second subset of objects from the objects, wherein the objects of the second subset are selected based on the at least one selected parameter; and performing a first action on objects in the second subset of objects.

Abstract: A consumable holder is provided for use in an appliance configured to perform an operation cycle related to a consumable in the consumable holder. The consumable holder has or is enabled to acquire information associated with itself or the consumable, and further includes a converter configured to transform the information to a cycle structure. Thus, the consumable holder can communicate with a cycle engine to create or modify a cycle structure for use by the appliance to perform an operation cycle related to the consumable.

Abstract: Individuals can operate processor enabled devices at a high level of performance, even if they have little or no familiarity with those devices, by indirectly operating them through a first processor enabled device. The direct interactions of individuals with a familiar device can be communicated to one or more processors that perform signal processing functions in order to generate control signals that direct the operation of a second, unfamiliar processor-enabled device. In this closed-loop system, individuals can receive real-time feedback on the performance of the second device in a form associated with the operation of the first device.

Abstract: A control element for a sensor network having a set of different sensors. In operation, the control element transfers connections between the control element and the set of different sensors, where the transfer connections are compliant with respective sensor-specific protocols. A sensor controller element is provided for each sensor, and establishes transfer connections between the control element and new sensors in runtime. Information obtained in a sensor-specific protocol format from the sensors is converted into a common format in the sensor controller elements. The common format information is processed by a set of common control components of the control element. The control element provides a service based on the information in the common format to at least one consumer, and updates the service in accordance with the sensors present in the sensor network.

Abstract: The electric smart meter enabling demand response and method for the demand response are disclosed capable of acquiring an option and response information from a subscriber for enabling an active demand control, and to this end, the electric smart meter is embedded therewithin at least one or more integrated monitoring modules and includes microprocessors for transmitting a power control command to a relevant integrated monitoring module in response to a power control program based on the rate system, and controllably transmitting the measured and monitored data stored in the memory to the master server side via the communication module as well.

Abstract: Secure data write apparatus and methods for use in safety instrumented process control systems select a parameter associated with a process control element within the process control system and send first data associated with the parameter to the process control element. A confirmation associated with a request to write the first data to the process control element is received from a user and the second data is sent to the process control element in response to receiving the confirmation. The first and second data are compared at the process control element and the first or second data are written to a location in the process control element associated with the parameter if the first and second data are at least substantially identical.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus in which its function can be improved by installing an additional module to an existing module in a module configuration system. A video information processing apparatus 100, which is an existing module, has the function of reading, from a network module 150 as an additional module, software held in the network module 150. The software held in the network module 150 includes control software for the network module and software for making the control software available to the existing video information processing apparatus 100. The software held in the network module 150 is added to the video information processing apparatus 100, and the network module 150 is operated by the video information processing apparatus 100.

Abstract: A system for allowing communication between a software application and at least one motion controller in a set of motion controllers comprising a set of selectable software modules, a software system, and a driver administrator. At least two selectable software modules expose a common software interface. The software application comprises at least one motion command associated with a primitive motion operation. The software system uses the driver administrator to select at least one selected software module and to load the selected software module. The software system commands at least one selected motion controller to perform the desired motion sequence using the plurality of motion commands of the software application and the common software interface.

Abstract: An electrical control system is disclosed for controlling a plurality of variable transmittance windows. The electrical control system of the present invention comprises a master control circuit for supplying control signals representing transmittance levels for the variable transmission windows, and a plurality of window control circuits coupled to each of the master control circuits. Because the window control circuits can sense abnormal load conditions in the variable transmission windows, the system further includes an interface to a security system to inform of a potential intrusion. Each window control circuit controls the transmittance of at least one of the variable transmission windows in response to control signals received from the master control circuit.

Abstract: A supervisory control and data acquisition protocol converter having encoded meter register input ports which are able to interrogate, read, and retain data stored in viscous fluid or gas meter registers which communicate with the Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) protocols and convert that data upon request to an industrial monitoring and control system protocol such as MODBUS®, DF1, EtherNet/IP™, or ADAM 4000. The present art further provides serial RS-232C and RS-485, and Ethernet ports whereby said data may be transmitted and/or the apparatus may be setup according to user defined specifications. The present art apparatus also provides industrial standard pulse (0-5 volts) and current (4-20 milliamps) inputs. The present art further provides a user configurable display which may display any or only a portion of the aforesaid data along with other user desired data. The apparatus further serves a web page over the Ethernet port with the aforesaid data populating a table.

Abstract: An industrial control system includes an industrial controller and a series of bridge devices logically connected in a cascaded arrangement to facilitate data communication between the industrial controller and an I/O device. The control system further includes a programming interface connected to the industrial controller to provide modifications to the program and component configuration.

Abstract: A distributed intelligence lighting system is comprised of a global controller, one or more local controllers, wall stations, sensors and lighting fixtures. In one aspect, the lighting system provides schedule-based, occupancy-based, and/or daylight-responsive automated control and multi-level or ON/OFF manual control of lighting loads. System components communicate over a topology-free and polarity-free modular low voltage digital network that combines power and control wiring in an easily installed labeled and keyed cable. Embodiments according to the system do not require any components to be addressed, manually configured, or programmed (beyond setting the project location and current time and date) for energy code compliance. Manual and after-hours override control is accomplished via local low voltage wall stations or occupancy sensors.

Abstract: A machine includes a master electronic control module and at least one secondary electronic control module. A method of operating the machine includes steps of determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the master electronic control module from an operating state to a low power state, and determining whether preconditions are satisfied for changing the secondary electronic control module from an operating state to a power off state by opening a power supply circuit. The method also includes steps of changing the secondary electronic control module from the operating state to the power off state, and changing the master electronic control module from the operating state to the low power state.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium 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 a 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 communications with the dynamic physical device with no manual intervention.

Abstract: Methods for accessing a control module that can be executed in a control device of an automating system are provided. The method includes the steps of providing the control module in the control device; providing a first interface module in the control device; providing a second interface module in the control device; connecting the control device with an operating device via a network; transferring the second interface module from the control device to the operating device, whereby the operating device comprises input and output devices for operation by a user; executing the second interface module by the operating device; and transferring data between the first and the second interface modules.

Abstract: A first home automation control device is configured to control a first electrical appliance and to communicate via a peer-to-peer network with a second home automation control device which is configured to control a second electrical appliance. When the first home automation control device discovers the presence of the second home automation control device, the first home automation control device negotiates with the second home automation control device to determine a goal. The first home automation control device and the second home automation control device then jointly execute a task to achieve the goal. The goal may be an energy savings goal.

Abstract: An apparatus having a programmable processor and a memory for performing a plurality of user-selectable control functions includes a database for storing a plurality of items associated with each of the control functions. The items include, for each function, at least one procedure for performing an action associated with the control function and a specification of at least one state associated with the control function. The apparatus further includes software routines stored on the memory and adapted to be executed by the processor that facilitate selection of a procedure in the database, that access the database and cause performance of the selected procedure to achieve the state specified therein, and that monitor at least one resource associated with the action of the procedure and, based thereon, determine whether the specified state has been achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control system for controlling a plurality of fluidly and operably connected water heaters to meet a hot water demand such that overall efficiency is maximized and usage disparity between water heaters is minimized. There is further disclosed a method for detecting a small system demand in said network by adjusting the setting of each flow limiting valve of each water heater. There is still further disclosed a method for enabling seamless addition or removal of a heater in service and heating load distribution to water heaters.

Abstract: A network unit in a programmable controller of a building block mutually connects an information system network and a control system network. The network unit includes transfer analyzing units that judge to which of interface units received data received from the information system network and the control system network should be allocated. Moreover, received data that needs to be transferred is converted into predetermined data by conversion processing units included in the networks and output to the information system network or the control system network without being transmitted to a system bus.

Abstract: A coding method and apparatus for linking electrical appliances for control and status reporting by arbitrarily appending the appliances remote control protocol with the premise's room/zone code for identifying the appliance location and ID-code to operate on the basis of the appliance type and function, sub header code define the command nature, a blank header identifies the signal and a checksum trailer ends the five byte command for operating a range of appliances, lights and LED illuminators, locally and in the different rooms, bathrooms, kitchen and laundry including provision for extending the commands when needed. Current sensors for power outlets and power cables linked via lightguides or fiber optic use same codes for reporting statuses of and current consumption by the appliances and lights to the video interphone or the shopping terminal. LED bulbs are coded through an optical transceiver accessed through the rear of the bulb socket.

Abstract: A system of electrical modules includes a plurality of modules, including power modules, control modules, and output modules. Power modules provide power for powering one or more control and output modules. Control modules provide control signals to one or more output modules. Output modules perform predefined functions responsive to receiving power from a power module and/or a control signal from a control module. All of the modules have like mating connectors and like connector wiring. This arrangement forms a system bus across any given plurality of modules, when those modules are serially interconnected in a daisy chain. In at least one embodiment, the mating connectors and the connector wiring are standardized across the system such that any module can be coupled to any other module, and the ordering of the modules in the daisy chain is not fixed.

Abstract: A system to program microcomputers associated with a plurality of bus rooftop air conditioners comprises a plurality of air conditioner modules located on a bus rooftop. Each air conditioner module includes a microcomputer. Each microcomputer is connected to a CAN (computer area network) bus connection, and the CAN bus is common to each microcomputer. The system also includes a programming device that is communicatively coupled to at least one of the microcomputers of one of the plurality of air conditioner modules, wherein the programming device transfers a software update to the at least one of the microcomputers followed by the at least one of the microcomputers transferring the software update to each of the microcomputers in the of air conditioner modules located on a bus rooftop. A method for programming a plurality of microcomputers contained within a plurality of bus air conditioning modules is also presented.

Abstract: A first NC apparatus includes a virtual-axis setting unit that sets a predetermined axis coupled to a second NC apparatus as an axis controlled by itself. The second NC apparatus includes an axis-control-right switch processing unit that switches a control right of an axis set by an external-switching-axis setting unit between the first and the second NC apparatuses. When the control right is switched to the first NC apparatus, the first NC apparatus synchronously controls a predetermined axis coupled to the first NC apparatus with a predetermined axis coupled to the second NC apparatus and set by the first virtual-axis setting unit.

Abstract: A distributed process control equipment ownership arbitration system and method for arbitrating equipment ownership conflicts are disclosed. Individual control modules representing various process control entities within a process control system define a plurality of lists or queues for storing equipment arbitration information. Requests by one process control entity to acquire ownership over another process control entity are represented by an arbitration token that represents the ownership relationship sought by the acquiring process control entity. Copies of the arbitration token are communicated between the respective control modules and stored in the various arbitration queues defined by the control modules, depending on the status of the acquisition request.

Abstract: A pitch controller, uninterruptible power supply, and rotational speed detector are disposed in the rotor in a wind turbine. When a slip ring failure or wire breakage occurs, the pitch controller internally creates a pitch angle command so as to control the pitch angle.

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 solution for home automation management includes, at a network device configured to support multiple home automation technologies, receiving a message from a first home automation control device (HACD) managed by the network device, towards a second HACD managed by the network device. The network device translates the message to a form recognizable by the second HACD, and then sends the translated message towards the second HACD in accordance with home automation technology supported by the second HACD. According to one aspect, the solution may be extended to a network of multiple network devices configured to support multiple home automation technologies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of embedded processing systems and electronic control units (ECUs) and to autonomic embedded computing solutions. The present invention proposes to remove or extract the application-specific support functions and respective I/O subsystems from the main processors or controllers of the system, to include said extracted circuits into a respective number of ASIC chips or the like, and to connect them preferably via a supervising General Controller Unit (12) to a plurality of standard and low-price processors (40), which have the task to supply the ASIC and the multiple functions thereof with enough computing power.

Abstract: A wind turbine control system is provided. The control system includes a first and a second control unit which are coupled to each other over a first network. The first control unit is configured as a critical control unit, comprising a first set of functions comprising critical control functions for the operation of a wind turbine, and the second control unit is configured as a secondary control unit, comprising a second set of functions comprising non-critical control functions and data management functions.