Abstract: Various embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods of attractive, low cost, controllable, or other featured motorized window covering assemblies. The use of a motor assembly with an integrated WiFi interface enables eliminating a setup box, resulting in lower cost. Eliminating the setup box and any associated wires further eliminates the eye sore that they may pose. These eliminations, along with an elongated motor assembly used in some embodiments, further enable the motor to be made less noticeable by, for example, making it easier to hide or camouflage. As one example, an elongated motor assembly, comprising an elongated casing surrounding the motor and the control board, is hidden inside a window covering holder. An IP address can be assigned to each motor, which enables addressing and controlling each motor individually from any remote device located anywhere with access to the internet.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for controlling brewing of a coffee drink and a computer-readable medium storing instructions to execute such a method are presented. The method entails receiving an identifier for the coffee drink, the identifier associated with a set of brew parameters used to make the coffee drink, and retrieving the set of brew parameters from a database storing the set of brew parameters using the identifier.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a building automation system may comprise a communication network compatible with at least one building automation system communication protocol, a control system coupled to the communication network, and a building automation server coupled to the communication network. The building automation server may be configured to receive at least one event message over the communication network from the control system in response to a corresponding condition occurring on the control system, access past event messages generated by the control system in response to past occurrences of the corresponding condition, and generate event alert data as a function of the received at least one event message and the retrieved past event messages, the event alert data identifying (i) a name of the corresponding condition, (ii) a real-time status of the control system, and (iii) a quantitative summary of the past occurrences of the corresponding condition.

Abstract: A two conductor hard wired communications link accepts an actual value of at least one parameter of interest from an environmental sensor in the form of data encoded on the conductors via current modulation. The sensor is mounted in a location remote from an irrigation controller. A circuit connected to the sensor transmits an RF signal representing an actual value of a parameter of interest detected by the sensor. A data relay is connected to the hard wired communication link of the irrigation controller. The data relay includes a receiver that receives the RF signal, and circuitry configured to extract the actual value of the parameter of interest and emulate a predetermined set of physical and protocol properties of the hard wired communication link of the irrigation controller.

Abstract: A console includes a display and a plurality of individually-actuatable modules, including a physical key configured to slide into and out of a surface of the console. The modules include a motor, a threaded shaft coupled to and extending from the motor, and a movable platform movably attached to the threaded shaft. The physical key is movably supported on the movable platform.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an apparatus that enables the ambience of e.g. hospital rooms to adapt according the scheduled or non-scheduled activities throughout the day. The ambience generated by lights, sound devices, image, movie displays and other devices is controlled by an ambience controller (100) in dependence of day phases defined by a patient's day schedule or in dependence of other non-scheduled phases which may have been initiated in dependence of a trigger signal (215, 216) generated in response to activities such as the entering of a caterer.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a linear motion stage includes: a first filter for filtering the frequency of a signal received from a linear encoder of the linear motion stage; an adder for adding an input signal representing a command position and a negative of an output signal of the first filter; a control for generating a control signal for controlling the linear motion stage based on an output signal of the adder; and a second filter for filtering the frequency of the control signal. Each of the input terminals of the first and second filters has a correction table for storing cut-off frequencies and damping rates measured according to the driven positions of the linear motion stage, thereby applying the correction table so as to determine the cut-off frequencies of the first and second filters and the damping rates according to the driven positions of the linear motion stage.

Abstract: System for adaptive control and release of ski bindings comprising a smart-phone based application performing calculation of forces applied to the ski-binding system by analyzing acceleration vectors received from accelerometers embedded in the bindings, then instantaneously releasing both bindings if one or more of the predefined safety thresholds was exceeded.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems of a controllable receptacle are disclosed. One apparatus includes at least one switch, wherein the at least one switch connects an input power connection received by the controllable receptacle to a receptacle output when the at least one switch is closed, a motion sensor for sensing motion, a transceiver for communicating with other devices, and a controller. For an embodiment, the controller operative to determine an association of the controllable receptacle with a motion group, wherein the motion group comprises a plurality of devices, wherein the controller communicates with at least one of the plurality of devices, determines that the controllable receptacle is to be activated based on the motion sensor sensing motion or a motion sensor of a device of the motion group sensing motion, and closes the at least one switch when determining the controllable receptacle is to be activated.

Abstract: A control method includes empirically constructing for a flexible manipulator an estimated mapping between an end-effector movement and a plurality of values representing movement of at least one actuator, measuring an actual end-effector movement and an actual movement of the at least one actuator, and, based on the measuring, updating the estimated mapping while the flexible manipulator is active such that the mapping is adapted to the present environment of the flexible manipulator.

Abstract: In one example, this disclosure describes an adjustable bed system that includes first and second adjustable foundations, at least one first motor to adjust the first adjustable foundation, at least one second motor to adjust the second adjustable foundation, a configurable device having a first state and a second state, and a central controller in communication with the device, the controller configured to receive an input representing one of the first state and the second state, the controller including a processor configured to control the at least one first motor and the at least one second motor based on the received input.

Abstract: A motor control system comprises a host controller for transmitting a command signal and receiving an information signal, a motor control device for receiving the command signal and transmitting the information signal, a signal transmission line for transmitting the command signal and the information signal, and a motor of which rotation is controlled by the motor control device. The host controller generates and transmits PWM command signal Si having a duty factor modulated by the command signal. The motor control device generates PWM information signal Fp having a duty factor modulated by the information signal, and transmits PWM information signal Fp in synchronization with PWM command signal Si. PWM command signal Si transmitted by the host controller includes a plurality of pulse periods having different pulse-period durations from one another.

Abstract: A robot and a method for controlling the same are provided. The robot includes a first control unit to control the overall operation of the robot and a second control unit to supplement the function of the control unit in preparation for the malfunction of the first control unit such that the second control unit controls the robot to perform a predetermined safety-considered motion when the first control unit malfunctions.

Abstract: An automated building monitoring system for monitoring a plurality of apparatuses in a building, includes: a plurality of controllers for controlling the plurality of apparatuses; a controlling platform for providing control-setting information; and a controlling server connected to the controllers and the controlling platform for receiving and storing the control-setting information provided by the controlling platform, and obtaining real-time data of the controllers or real-time data of the apparatuses via the controllers, the controlling server controlling the controllers to control the apparatuses based on the control-setting information and the real-time data of the controllers or the apparatuses. When the controlling platform is abnormal or is abnormally connected to the controlling server, the controlling server continuously monitors the apparatuses in the building based on the stored real-time data of the controllers or the apparatuses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a traction sheave elevator comprising a drive machine having an output shaft which is connected to the traction sheave via an endless drive member, whereby an encoder is provided in connection with the traction sheave, a motor speed detection device is provided, a monitoring unit is provided to which the output signal of the encoder and a speed signal of the motor speed detection device are fed, the monitoring unit comprises a comparator which compares the output signal of the encoder with the speed signal of the motor speed detection device, the monitoring unit initiates an emergency action if the result of the comparison exceeds a threshold value. The solution improves the safety in belt driven traction sheave elevators, particularly if only one belt is used for the transmission between drive machine and traction sheave.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems of a controllable receptacle are disclosed. One apparatus includes a primary switch, a secondary switch, a current sensor, and a controller. The controller is operative to determine that the controllable receptacle is to be activated, close the primary switch while maintaining the secondary switch open when determining the controllable receptacle is to be activated, receive the magnitude of current being conducted through the controllable receptacle from the current sensor for a period of time, close the secondary switch upon determining that the magnitude of the current conducted through the controllable receptacle from the current sensor for a period of time is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method for controlling movement of travelling carriers includes providing, to a rear travelling carrier approaching a work area at a high speed, current location information corresponding to distances from a measurement starting point to the rear travelling carrier and a front travelling carrier, the rear travelling carrier calculating a following distance between the front and rear travelling carriers based on the current location information, and the rear travelling carrier performing deceleration control to the operating speed based on decremental changes of the following distance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method for associating at least two components of a plurality of components of a building automation system. In one embodiment, the method may include operating a first component of the at least two components in a first mode to issue commands to one of the other components of the automation system and a second component of the at least two components, wherein the first component is a control device and the second component is controlled by the first component. The method may further include operating the first component in a second mode, wherein the second mode facilitates altering a relationship between the first and second components.

Abstract: A power control unit and method of use thereof for varying the supply of electricity to an electrical apparatus using a wireless communications link between a controller and the power control unit. The power control unit is adapted to alternatively communicate with the controller using a non-peer-to-peer communications standard or a peer-to-peer communications standard such as Wi-Fi Direct.

Abstract: A failsafe device is provided to perform an operation including at least a part or all of one or more of a mechanical system, a hydraulic system, an electrical system, and a chemical system. The failsafe device includes at least one electronic system and an least one non-electronic system. The at least one electronic system is controlled by at least one computer and/or microprocessor. The at least one non-electronic system includes at least one of the mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and chemical systems. The failsafe device is configured to operate in two modes, a normal mode and an emergency mode.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a direct-drive fan system and a variable process control system for efficiently managing the operation of fans in a cooling system such a as wet-cooling tower or air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE), HVAC systems, mechanical towers or chiller systems. The present invention is based on the integration of key features and characteristics such as tower thermal performance, fan speed and airflow, motor torque, fan pitch, fan speed, fan aerodynamic properties, and pump flow. The variable process control system processes feedback signals from multiple locations in order control a high torque, variable speed, permanent magnet motor to drive the fan. Such feedback signals represent certain operating conditions including motor temperature, basin temperature, vibrations, and pump flow rates. Other data processed by the variable process control system in order to control the motor include turbine back pressure set-point, condenser temperature set-point and plant part-load setting.

Abstract: A monitoring system for distributed utilities. A generation device is provided for converting an available resource to a desired utility; the resource may be water, in which case the generator is a purifier for providing potable water, or, alternatively, the generator may convert a fuel to electrical power. In either case, an input sensor is provided for measuring input to the generation device, while an output sensor is provided for measuring consumption of output from the generation device. The monitoring system has a controller for concatenating measured input and consumption of output on the basis of the input and output sensors. Measured parameters are telemetered to a remote site where utility generation and use are monitored and may also be controlled.

Abstract: A kit for modifying a digging bucket for controlling the depth cut, including an elongated member operationally connectable to a hoe bucket defining a cutting edge, an actuator operationally connectable to the elongated member, an electronic controller operationally connectable to the actuator, and a position sensor operationally connectable to the cutting edge and operationally connectable to the electronic controller. The actuator may be energized to pivot the elongated member to a position adjacent the cutting edge for engaging ground. Positioning of the elongated member adjacent the cutting edge prevents the cutting edge from digging ground.

Abstract: An operating device includes a push operation mechanism that allows a push operation of an operation unit, a tactile feeling presenting unit including a drive transmission mechanism for presenting an operational feeling by driving the operation unit via the push operation mechanism, a detection unit that detects a motion of the operation unit, and a drive control unit that intermittently drives the operation unit by a drive control signal that is generated based on an activation pulse signal and an advance vibration pulse signal that includes a prescribed number of pulses and a voltage smaller than that of the activation pulse signal.

Abstract: In a building which has at least two floors, an apparatus for controlling and regulating room temperature having a hierarchical structure includes a predictive device on the top level, that provides optimal control of the use of at least one free energy source, and at least one device on a lower level which is used for feedback regulation of at least one additional energy source. The predictive device uses a building model and repeatedly optimizes the energy requirement or the energy costs. The regulation strategy of the predictive device uses characteristics of a passive heat accumulator of the building.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a first member, a second member with a first point and a second point, a processing unit, and a drive device. The drive device pivotably connects the second member to the first member. The processing unit calculates a first distance between the first point and a third point and a second distance between the second point and the third point. The processing unit controls the drive device to rotate the second member relative to the first member according to the first distance and the second distance, thus the line defined by the third point and a middle point between the first point and the second point is perpendicular to the line defined by the first point and the second point.

Abstract: A method and system for steering a rotary steerable tool in a borehole. A method includes rotating a deflection sleeve about a steerable shaft. A deflection ramp is aligned to deflect the shaft in a predetermined direction by the rotating. The deflection sleeve is axially displaced along the steerable shaft. The steerable shaft is deflected by the displacing.

Abstract: Nutritional substance systems and methods are disclosed enabling the tracking and communication of changes in nutritional, organoleptic, and aesthetic values of nutritional substances, and further enabling the adaptive storage and adaptive conditioning of nutritional substances.

Abstract: A method can include acquiring data via a receiver mounted in a drill string during tripping of the drill string downward into a wellbore (e.g., including a casing and a cement annulus about the casing) where the acquired data can be for evaluation of at least one characteristic of cement; buffering at least a portion of the acquired data to a memory device mounted in the drill string; and while pumping drilling fluid through a passage in the drill string, as disposed in the wellbore, transmitting at least a portion of the buffered data via mud-pulse telemetry. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A control method according to the present disclosure causes a computer of an information apparatus to: display a display screen on the touch panel display, the display screen representing a floor plan of a building; display device icons representing target devices on the display screen representing the floor plan, the device icons including an icon representing an electric curtain device capable of opening and closing a curtain through a remote operation; display an operation screen including an image representing the curtain of the electric curtain device as overlapped on the display screen representing the floor plan, when selection of the icon representing the electric curtain device is sensed; and output a first open control command to the network when a pinch-out operation is sensed on the operation screen, the first open control command being for opening the curtain of the electric curtain device corresponding to the selected icon.

Abstract: In an elevator apparatus, an actuating device applies a tension for suppressing a lateral vibration to a rope. A computation controller controls the actuating device by using lateral-vibration information of the rope as an input. Also, the computation controller selectively outputs, to the actuating device, a plurality of actuating commands including a first actuating command for applying the tension to the rope regardless of phase information of the lateral vibration of the rope and a second actuating command for applying a tension fluctuation for damping the lateral vibration to the rope based on the phase information.

Abstract: A tool, method and device for configuring a device such as a building automation device for use in a automation system is disclosed. The method includes defining a configuration file related to the functionality of the device, such that the configuration file identifies one or more standardized components stored in communication with the device, transferring the configuration file to a dynamic configurator tool operable within the device, initializing the device according to the dynamic configurator tool and the configuration file, such that the dynamic configurator tool retrieves the one or more standardized components identified by the configuration file, generating an executable file for the device based on the one or more standardized components identified by the configuration file, and operating the device utilizing the generated executable file.

Abstract: An actuator control method and an actuator control device that perform energy evaluation control that compares kinetic energy of a controlled object and work that can be done by braking and switches driving to braking at a point of time at which the kinetic energy of the controlled object and the work become equal, and also repeatedly makes a comparison between the kinetic energy of the controlled object and the work at each preset time, as a new control method that replaces PID control in mechanics for effectively utilizing vehicle energy to improve vehicle fuel consumption and control methods thereof, a control result is obtained by a simpler method.

Abstract: A compressor is provided and may include a shell, a compression mechanism, a motor, a data module, and a compressor controller. The data module may include a data module processor and a data module memory. The compressor controller may include a controller processor and a controller memory distinct from the data module processor and the data module memory. The data module may receive sensed data, may store the sensed data in the data module memory, may determine a first diagnosis of the compressor based on the sensed data, and may communicate the sensed data and the diagnosis to the compressor controller. The compressor controller may determine a second diagnosis of the compressor based on the sensed data and may verify the first diagnosis by comparing the first diagnosis to the second diagnosis.

Abstract: A method to manage operating costs of a combined cooling heating and power (CCHP) plant that includes converting complex models of underlying components of the plant into simplified models (S101), performing an optimization that uses the simplified models as constraints of the optimization to output at least one decision variable (S102), and adjusting controls of the plant based on one or more of the output decision variables (S103).

Abstract: A damping apparatus that supports and dampens a stage apparatus that positions and drives a stage to a target position is provided herein. The damping apparatus including a support plate part, a support force generating means, and a first controlling means. The support plate part supports the stage apparatus. The support force generating means exerts a damping action by applying a support force to the support plate part in the vertical directions. The first controlling means uses the acceleration of the stage, which is derived from a target track, to the target position, to control the support force generated by the support force generating means so as to compensate for forces that both occur as a result of the acceleration of the stage and cause the support plate part to tilt. The present invention controls vibration and the tilt of a base plate with high precision.

Abstract: An embodiment is a method, and related system, to implement the square root extraction operation, which grants a 32 bits precision, which has high execution speed and is able to process a decimal radicand. An embodiment relates to a method for controlling an electric machine, comprising the detection of the value of at least one electrical quantity characterizing the machine operation and processing the detected value of said electrical quantity. The control method controls the machine operation on the basis of this processing. In particular the processing of the detected value of the electrical quantity comprises calculating a square root of a radicand value related to the detected value of electrical quantities.

Abstract: A controller is configured to generate control signals to control a variable frequency drive coupled with a load. A simulator receives the control signals and processes the control signals. The simulator simulates a variable frequency drive and a load by generating feedback signals based on a model and the control signals. The controller receives the feedback signals from the simulator.

Abstract: A fan speed control system performed by a fan control board for controlling a fan shared by a number of servers in a server cabinet includes a instruction receiving module and a speed adjusting module. The instruction receiving module receives fan speed control instructions from the number of servers, wherein the fan speed control instructions consist of speedup instructions and slowdown instructions. The speed adjusting module responses to the fan speed control instructions to increase or decrease the speed of the fan by a preset value.

Abstract: A bending operation system includes an elongated tubular portion including a bending portion, a first linear member and a second linear member which cause the bending portion to bend, and a drive portion which displaces the first linear member and the second linear member. The bending operation system further includes a first displacement detector which acquires a displacement of the first linear member as a first displacement, a second displacement detector which acquires a displacement of the second linear member as a second displacement, and a calculator which calculates operation assist information by use of one or both of the first displacement and the second displacement.

Abstract: A facility employing systems, methods, and/or techniques for dynamically and adaptively configuring configurable energy consuming and producing devices (e.g., smart energy devices) based on user profiles and user presence information is disclosed. In some embodiments, the facility periodically detects the presence of users, and retrieves preference information for those users. For each of one or more configurable energy devices in the area, the facility generates a combined setting based on the preferences of each user present and adjusts the devices based on the combined settings. For example, if User A, User B, and User C are present in a room and User A's preferred temperature setting is 75° F., User B's preferred temperature setting is 68° F., and User C's preferred temperature setting is 70° F., the facility may generate a combined setting for a thermostat by taking the average value of the users in the room.

Abstract: An agent 10 is associated with a user as a representative of the user. The agent 10 includes a utility value calculation unit 15 that calculates an expected utility value indicating utility for the user with respect to an operating condition of the load device 20 and a cooperation processing unit 16 that judges whether an operating condition of the load device 20 is acceptable or not to the user and uniquely determines an operating condition to be instructed to the load device if the operating condition is not acceptable to the user cooperating with other agents 10. Agents 10 that do not accept the operating condition of the load device 20 determine the operating condition of the load device 20 such that one agent acting as a manager and the other agent acting as a contractor so as to make (some) concession to each other.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for commissioning a set of devices of a structure are disclosed. One method includes communicating, by a mobile computing device, with one or more of the set of devices, communicating, by each of the one or more of the set of devices, a device identifier, and placing each of the one or more of the set of devices on a floor plan of the structure based at least in part on proximity dependent information of the device. One system includes a plurality of sensor units and a mobile device. The system further includes a processor operative to place each of the one or more of the plurality of sensor units on a floor plan of a structure based at least in part on proximity dependent information of the device.

Abstract: A GPS-based energy management system for a home network is provided that includes a plurality of energy consuming devices. The system comprises a central controller operatively connected to each energy consuming device, and one or more GPS-enabled devices configured to communicate with the central controller. The central controller is programmed to modify the behavior of the energy consuming devices based on the location of at least one member of a home network.

Abstract: An object 10 includes an electric actuator system 11 and a method 12. The object 10 may be a vehicle that includes wheels 18-21. The system 11 and method 12 include microprocessor based controllers 32, 33 and 37, electric actuators 22-25, 38 and 39, and a user interface 34 with an integrated level sensor and temperature sensor. The system 11 and method 12 operate to automatically or manually move the vehicle 10 from a not level attitude to a level attitude when the vehicle 10 is parked. The system 11 and method 12 in a preferred embodiment (FIGS. 4-6) may be configured to utilize any number of substantially identical controllers and actuators. The system 11 and method 12 sense the load carried by each actuator, to assure the wheels of the vehicle are not carrying more than a desired amount of the load when the vehicle is parked.

Abstract: An OutputActuator node, a Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) terminal, and a method for controlling an actuator using the OutputActuator node. The OutputActuator node includes an enabled field indicating whether the OutputActuator node is activated or not; a url field designating an actuator to which a command is delivered for control of the actuator; and an eventName field containing a command list for operating the designated actuator.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electro-hydraulic actuator system having multiple functions includes the steps of: receiving input signals corresponding to a desired operation of the functions of the system; establishing an operating limit for the system; determining an operating characteristic of the system; using the operating limit and the determined operating characteristic to determine a limitation control factor; and influencing the received input signal with the determined limitation control factor for operating the system within the established operating limit.

Abstract: An actuator control apparatus includes an analog-digital conversion circuit, a servo circuit, a sampling circuit, and a driving circuit. The analog-digital conversion circuit is configured to sample a position detection signal with a first sampling period, convert the sampled signal into a digital signal, and output the digital signal, the position detection signal outputted from a position sensor corresponding to a position of a control target. The servo circuit is configured to calculate a displacement amount, by which the control target is to be displaced by an actuator, and output first servo control data corresponding to the calculated displacement amount, based on the position detection signal converted into the digital signal. The sampling circuit is configured to linearly interpolate the first servo control data, and output second servo control data sampled with a second sampling period shorter than the first sampling period.

Abstract: The invention concerns a lighting device for creating dynamic atmospheres, the lighting device comprising: a light source adapted to operate in a plurality of color states, the light source emitting differing colors for each color state; a controller for controlling the color state of the light source; the controller comprising a random generator to provide a transition between a previous and a subsequent state, wherein the controller is adapted to provide the transition based on probabilistic output provided by the random generator implementing a stochastic model, the probabilistic output depending on the previous color state. In addition, a method is provided for generating the stochastic model; and a method for creating dynamic atmospheres based on probabilistic output provided by the stochastic model.

Abstract: A motion control interface device includes an FPGA configured to implement a step generation algorithm that generates step control signals for a motion device. The signals are not determined based directly on time, but instead are determined from the position of the motion device. More particularly, the step generation algorithm operates to keep track of a position fraction based on the position. The position fraction is incremented (or decremented) at each clock tick of the FPGA. The algorithm generates rising edge signals when the position fraction crosses a particular threshold value, referred to as the rising edge threshold value. Similarly, the algorithm signals direction changes when the position fraction crosses a threshold referred to as the direction change threshold value.