Abstract: Techniques for driving a plurality of inductive actuators are described herein. According to these techniques, a driver unit includes a clock terminal that receives an external clock signal used by an external control unit. The driver unit further includes a serial bus interface configured to communicate with the external control unit via a serial bus. The serial bus is configured to communicate both of trigger commands synchronized to the external clock signal that indicate to at least one of a plurality of programmable control circuits (PCUs) to generate drive signals in response to the trigger commands that are synchronized with the external clock signal and data associated with at least one of the plurality of PCUs and synchronized with the external clock signal, wherein the data is used by the at least one of the plurality of PCUs to generate the drive signals in response to the trigger commands.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided for medical devices and related operating systems and methods. An exemplary medical device includes a motor, one or more data storage elements to maintain control information, and a control module coupled to the motor and the one or more data storage elements. The control module is configured to obtain updated control information via a peer-to-peer communication session over a network, store the updated control information in the one or more data storage elements, and thereafter operate the motor based at least in part on the updated control information.

Abstract: A body garment including sensors distributed throughout the garment, each sensor senses body state information from a local surface area of a body; and sensor nodes in proximity to the plurality of sensors, each sensor node including a processor to receive sensing body state information from at least one of the plurality of sensors. Each processor is configured to receive body state information locally from sensors, to utilize the information to determine a local surface shape of the surface of a portion of the body part; and to exchange local surface shape information with neighboring sensor nodes. At least one processor of utilizes the local surface shape information received from the sensor nodes to generate one overall model of a surface shape of the entire surface of the body part covered by the garment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a masterless 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 multi-pressure-quantity fan control system for a computer system is provided. The multi-pressure-quantity fan control system includes a controller. The controller provides a pressure-quantity control signal to a fan of the computer system, in order to set the fan to operate in one of a first pressure-quantity setting and a second pressure-quantity setting, wherein under a predetermined rotating speed, the fan has a first pressure-quantity curve for the first pressure-quantity setting and a second pressure-quantity curve for the second pressure-quantity setting.

Abstract: A method may be provided for controlling a laundry treating apparatus. A first speed rotating may control the drum to accelerate the drum to rotate at a first speed, a braking may apply a brake to stop the drum, a second speed accelerating may accelerate the drum to a second speed, a current sensing may sense a current being applied to the motor during the drum is accelerated to the second speed, and a laundry amount determining may determine a laundry amount based on the current sensed in the current sensing.

Abstract: A building optimization system for optimizing an environment of a building is disclosed. The building optimization system includes a number of building optimization switches for controlling the environment of a corresponding space in a building according to a plurality of operation modes, as well as any number of modular, interchangeable binary controllers for controlling various environmental factors of a number of zones of a building. The building optimization includes switch an A/B lighting switch having lighting controls and a graphical display. The A/B lighting switch is further connected to one or more sensors for sensing and measuring environmental data of at least one zone of the building. The building optimization switch further includes a binary controller connected with the A/B lighting switch to control an environmental variable of the zone based on user input or the environmental data.

Abstract: An actuator having a two-parameter energy converter is coupled to a transducer and is driven by a controller. Prior to assembly and operation of the actuator, a calibration procedure is performed. The calibration procedure, together with the unique controller, enables accurate control of the output parameters of the actuator. In one example, the parameters are rate and force, and the calibration and controller enable accurate control of the rate and force at the output of the actuator by measuring only the rate at the output of the energy converter. Consequently, no sensors are needed at the output of the actuator, i.e., at the output of the transducer, where the load is applied.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems capable of performing a hot restart of a compressor driven by a turbine are provided. The turbine has a high speed shaft and a low speed shaft connected to the compressor. A base slow roll speed at which a speed of the low speed shaft is in a slow roll range is maintained at the high speed shaft for a predetermined time. Then, when a vibration amplitude of the compressor is larger than a vibration limit, the maintaining is repeated. Otherwise, a set speed of the high speed shaft is increased, until a current speed of the low speed shaft reaches a minimum operating speed. If, while increasing the set speed, the vibration amplitude becomes larger than the vibration limit, the maintaining is repeated.

Abstract: An actuator assembly is disclosed, which includes a power unit, an actuator powered by the power unit, the power unit being configured to provide a work motion of the actuator, a motion sensor, a timing unit for measuring an immobility time of the actuator, a safety unit for selectively placing the actuator assembly into an operational state and a safety state in which the work motion of the actuator can be prevented, the safety unit being configured to prevent the operational state of the actuator assembly in case the immobility time of the actuator exceeds a predetermined process safety time. The actuator assembly can include an activation unit configured to control the power unit to provide an activation motion of the actuator in case the immobility time exceeds a predetermined activation time.

Abstract: A time chart creation apparatus for providing control data to a machine control system controlling an operation conversion apparatus includes circuitry which receives an input of a travel distance of a mechanical element of the operation conversion apparatus, receives an input of one or more of an acceleration time, a deceleration time, an acceleration rate and a deceleration rate of the mechanical element of the operation conversion apparatus, calculates a time chart based on the travel distance and one or more of the acceleration time, the deceleration time, the acceleration rate and the deceleration rate such that the time chart includes a velocity transition of the mechanical element of the operation conversion apparatus, and outputs the control data to the machine control system, which controls the mechanical element of the operation conversion apparatus based on the time chart represented in the control data.

Abstract: An exemplary elevator passenger interface device includes a passenger communication component that facilitates communications between a passenger and an elevator system. Such communications include passenger input to request elevator service and information provided to the passenger. A controller controls the passenger communication component to control its functionality including providing selected information to the passenger. The controller includes a customization module configured to change the functionality of the passenger communication component responsive to authorized user input that is distinct from the passenger input. The authorized user input includes a selection of at least one of a feature used to present information to a passenger or a feature used to allow a passenger to request elevator service.

Abstract: Photovoltaic array performance monitoring is disclosed herein. A photovoltaic array performance monitoring system may include a data acquisition unit coupled with reference and ambient photovoltaic panels. The reference photovoltaic panel is equipped with a soiling removal unit which periodically removes deposited soiling materials from an active photovoltaic collection area of the reference photovoltaic panel. The ambient photovoltaic panel accumulates light obscuring soiling materials at a rate approximately equal to those of a proximate photovoltaic array. The data acquisition unit periodically sends electrical energy measurements of the reference and ambient photovoltaic panels to a computing system. Over time, the electrical energy output differential between the reference and ambient photovoltaic panels exceeds a predetermined threshold. The computing system evaluates the electrical energy measurements and determines when it would be cost-effective to clean the photovoltaic array.

Abstract: The present invention includes, a failure sensing part to sense the failure created in the encoder mode and sensorless mode to control the door; a main control part to convert the main operation part and backup control part mutually when a failure is sensed by the primary operation mode by the failure sensing part after deciding either of the encoder mode or sensorless mode as a primary operation mode and another one is decided as a backup operation mode; and a location/speed conversion part to perform the door control by calculating the door moving distance according to the corresponding mode when the operation mode is converted by the main control part.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include control systems and methods for monitoring environmental variables, performance variables and conditioning electrical power in energy-recapture sources of mechanical energy, which would otherwise be dissipated, as exemplified by farms for energy-harvesting to provide available electrical energy. Said farms may include one or more energy-recapture sources. One method for controlling may include measuring individual source energy output of one or more energy-recapture sources and measuring conditions of one or more energy-recapture sources via a controller that facilitates communication with one or more energy-recapture sources.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a system, non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium including executable code, and a method. In one embodiment, a non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium including executable code is provided. The executable code includes instructions for providing a batch commissioning system configured to operatively couple at least two field devices to a control system, and for providing a batch decommissioning system configured to operatively uncouple the at least two field devices from the control system. The executable code further includes instructions for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to use the batch commissioning system, the batch decommissioning system, or a combination thereof, to select, on a display, the at least two field devices, and to communicatively interface with the control system to operatively couple, uncouple, or a combination thereof, the at least two field device from the control system.

Abstract: A method for controlling a system consisting of at least two control units, namely a first control unit and a second control unit. The system includes least one actuator and at least one sensor. The control units generate control data for the actuator on the basis of the information from the sensor, The method includes receiving, with the actuator, both the control data of the first control unit and the control data of the second control unit. The method also includes deciding, with the actuator, whether to use the control data of the first or second control unit to carry out an actuator function with the actuator.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program for enabling signings/dedications on a remote basis is provided. A first computer at a first location is associated with an individual from whom a signature or dedication is required. A second computer at a location where the signing or dedication is required is linked to the first computer so as to provide a two-way audiovisual communication system. The second computer is operate e to receive input from one or more individuals regarding their request for a signature and/or dedication, and to communicate the request to the first computer. The first computer is operable to permit the individual associated with the first computer to review the request, and based on such request provide a signature and/or personalized dedication as an input to an input device connected to the first computer. The first computer transmits the signature and/or personalized dedication from the first computer to the second computer.

Abstract: A cover control method for a portable computer is disclosed. The method includes: receiving a controlling signal from a portable electronic device when the Bluetooth pairing between the portable computer and the portable electronic device is successfully; controlling a cover of the portable computer to rotate relative to a base of the portable computer in response to the controlling signal and controlling the portable computer to perform a predetermined operation; detecting a rotation angel during the rotation process of the cover; determining whether the rotation angel of the cover is equal to a predetermined angle, and controlling the cover to stop rotating if the rotation angel of the cover is equal to a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A controller node for an entertainment control network, comprises controller logic arranged to be paired with at least one controlled device over a wireless interface. The controller logic is further arranged to provide pairing information for the at lease one controlled device with which it is paired to a further node within the entertainment control network.

Abstract: Method, article of manufacture and system using minimum data to determine whether a sliding-mode control should be applied in a plant. First measure the plant in an open-loop control fashion, and using the measured data, describe a state equation of the plant by system identification and order determination methods. Then design a switching hyperplane for sliding-mode control. Next, calculate higher order statistics on the difference between an output of a linear model on the hyperplane and an output of the sliding-mode control model in the measured data; When any of the higher order moments is larger than a predetermined threshold, configure a controller as a sum of the linear control input term and the nonlinear control input term. If both higher-order moments are smaller than the threshold, then configure the controller using only a linear control input term.

Abstract: A system includes: a smoking appliance; a remote computing device; and a communication network; wherein the smoking appliance and the remote computing device are in communication via the communication network; and wherein a user of the remote computing device controls the smoking appliance remotely.

Abstract: A method of correcting a position error of an AMT (automated manual transmission) actuator may include a stuck determination operation of determining whether a stuck phenomenon occurs, the stuck phenomenon being a phenomenon in which a finger that may be being moved by operation of a shifting actuator in a direction in which gears engage with each other stops without reaching an end position, a section determination operation of, when the stuck phenomenon has occurred, determining whether a position at which the finger stops may be within a resetting determination section based on the end position, and a position resetting operation of, when the stuck phenomenon occurs within the resetting determination section, resetting a position at which the stuck phenomenon occurs as a new end position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control device (9) for at least one electromotive adjusting drive (7, 8) of a piece of furniture (1), comprising at, least one adjusting drive connection (91) for connecting to the at least one electromotive adjusting drive (7, 8), and an interface (92) for coupling to at least one operating unit (10). When a control element (12, 13) of the control unit is actuated, a switch signal is emitted at the end of the control for controlling the at least electromotive adjusting drive (7, 8) and/or an electric motor of the electromotive adjusting drive (7, 8). Said control device is characterised in that it comprises a multi-functional connection (93) designed as a multi-functional interface, said connection comprising at least one data signal line for transferring data, at least one power supply line and at least one signal input and output line.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for generating real-time performance recovery advisories for a centrifugal compressor of a fleet of centrifugal compressors are provided. The method is implemented using a computer device coupled to a user interface and a memory device and the method includes determining a performance deviation of the compressor using a determined actual performance of the compressor and a predicted performance of the compressor, comparing the performance deviation to a predetermined threshold range of performance deviation, and recommending to a user at least one source for the performance deviation, the recommendation including a value of the performance recovery available for each source.

Abstract: Agricultural seed planting systems are provided. In some aspects, the system includes a processing unit, a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame for opening a furrow in soil, and a sensor in communication with the processing unit and adapted to sense a characteristic associated with seed planting. The sensor may generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic and the processing unit may receive the signal. In some aspects, the sensed characteristic may be either a soil characteristic or a seed characteristic. Information associated with the sensed characteristic can be saved in memory for future use and to assist with more effective planting in the future.

Abstract: An individual signal unit; each said individual signal unit including; (a) a transceiver module, (b) a power supply, (c) a logic circuit, (d) at least one of a number of external event sensors, and wherein a signal from a said individual signal unit to a central control facility causes said central control facility to execute one or more predefined steps; at least some of said predefined steps configured or reconfigurable by an owner of said individual signal unit; at least some of the predefined steps provided by one or more independent parties; at least some predetermined steps configured or reconfigurable by said independent parties.

Abstract: A home appliance having a treating chamber for receiving an article for treatment according to an automatic cycle of operation, a treating chamber having an open face, a door for selectively closing the open face of the treating chamber, a sensor configured to sense a user at a predetermined location with respect to the home appliance and provide a signal based thereon, an actuator operably coupled with the door and a method for operating a home appliance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control device (9) for at least one adjusting drive (7, 8) which is to be associated with a piece of furniture (1) and which is designed to control the at least one adjusting drive (7, 8) based on control data (20) captured by a wireless transmission path (19) of the operating unit (10). Said control device is characterised by an emitter interface (21) which is designed to transmit data (22) to the operating unit (10) by means of a wireless transmission path (19). The invention further relates to an operating unit (10) comprising a receiver interface (23) which is designed to capture data (22) from the control device (9) by means of a wireless transmission path (19), in addition to a system (18) consisting of a control device (9) and an operating unit (10) and a piece of furniture (1) equipped with said system (13).

Abstract: The invention is a driving mechanism for exerting a pre-determined torque characteristic, comprising a stepper motor (12) having a motor shaft, a rotation measuring device detecting the angular position of the motor shaft (14), a motor control unit effecting the torque characteristic on the basis of the angular position of the motor shaft (14), a drive shaft (10) exerting the torque characteristic and an essentially backlash-free transmission connecting the drive shaft (10) with the motor shaft (14), and the motor control unit is a local motor control unit providing operating signals to the stepper motor (12) and being programmable in at least one parameter.

Abstract: A method for operating an actuator is disclosed. The actuator may be a linear or non-linear actuator. In one example, a pseudo-inverse piecewise bilinear model is adapted in response to output of a feedback controller to improve feed forward control.

Abstract: A device may include multiple power supplies that are cooled by a system fan. The power supplies may be cross-connected to supply power to one another and the device may monitor temperatures of the power supplies. Based on the temperatures of the power supplies, the device may determine whether any of the power supplies are likely to be on fire. The device may shut off the fan when a power supply is determined to be likely to be on fire.

Abstract: A water delivery system is provided, comprising at least one faucet device with a cold water faucet part and a hot water faucet part, a cold water line to the at least one faucet device, a tankless heater device for heating water, a hot water line having a first portion running from an outlet of the tankless heater device to the at least one faucet device and having a second portion running from the at least one faucet device to an inlet of the tankless heater device, and a circulatory pump arranged in the second portion of the hot water line, wherein the circulatory pump has a prefixed first performance level and a prefixed second performance level, wherein the first performance level causes a finite water flow in the hot water line which is below an operation threshold value of the tankless heater device.

Abstract: An updating method for a fan control table file includes the following steps: generating a fan speed controlling file in a client device; outputting a fan control table updating command from the client device to a baseboard management controller (BMC) of a sever, which stores a first fan control table file comprising a fan speed control rule for the server; the BMC entering a fan control table updating mode after receiving the fan control table updating command; establishing a temporary file in the BMC; the BMC storing content of the fan speed controlling file, which is received from the client device, in the temporary file to form a second fan control table file, and updating the first fan control table file according to the second fan control table file; the BMC exiting the fan control table updating mode; and deleting the second fan control table file.

Abstract: A fan operating control system includes a magnetic sensor unit, a control unit, a rectifier unit and a coil unit. The control unit is electrically connected to the magnetic sensor unit and the rectifier unit; the rectifier unit is further electrically connected to a ground; and the coil unit is electrically connected to the control unit and the ground. The control unit detects any fan electric current flowing through the coil unit and generates a rotating speed signal accordingly. When no fan electric current is detected at the coil unit, the control unit stops generating the rotating speed signal. Therefore, it is able to avoid a whole fan system from making an error decision and outputting rotating speed signal continuously when there is not fan electric current flowing through the coil unit, and any abnormal condition that would adversely affect the fan service life can be avoided, too.

Abstract: A method and computer system are disclosed to support technical tasks in distributed control systems. The system can store a workflow-aware object of a plurality of workflow-aware objects, wherein the workflow-aware object represents at least one component of an automation system. A computation component can be associated with the workflow-aware object, and have an interface to receive specific data of the automation system. The computation component can compute a workflow item based on a workflow item profile with user related information, and based on the specific data of the automation system, wherein the workflow item profile specifies an object reference to the at least one component of the automation system, and wherein the user related information is configured for retrieval of a user identifier associated with the automation system engineer. A workflow item collector can identify the workflow item based on predefined identification rules for communication to the automation system engineer.

Abstract: According to one aspect, there is provided a motor drive controller for use in a network of motor drive controllers, the motor drive controller comprising: a sensor configured to detect a status of a network controller controlling operation of the network of motor drive controllers; and a processor configured to enter into a slave operation mode, in which the processor receives operating instructions from the network controller, or a master operation mode, in which the processor provides operating instructions to the network of motor drive controllers, wherein the processor is further configured to receive the status of the network controller from the sensor and select the master operation mode when the network controller is inactive.

Abstract: A method for controlling rotation speed of a fan includes the following steps. Obtaining a temperature value T of an electronic device. Comparing the obtained temperature value T with a standard work temperature value T1 of the electronic device and a critical temperature value T2 greater than the standard work temperature value T1. If T is less than T1, decreasing the rotation speed and obtaining the temperature value upon a first time duration elapses. If T is greater than T1 and less than T2, increasing the rotation speed and obtaining the temperature value upon a second time duration elapses. If T is greater than T2, increasing the rotation speed and obtaining the temperature value upon a third time duration less than the first and the second time durations elapses.

Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for generating and optimizing irrigation protocols. The disclosure also extends to methods, systems and computer program products for providing automated irrigation.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer program product, and/or system are described that determine an event, actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, and dissipate at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a tooling operation to be performed by a tooling system in an assembly process. A current set of parameter values for a set of parameters for the tooling system are modified iteratively, until the current set of parameter values are determined to result in the tooling operation producing an output that meets a set of criteria, to form a final set of parameter values. The tooling operation is performed with the tooling system using the final set of parameter values. A determination is made as to whether the output of the tooling operation meets the set of criteria based on sensor data about the output. A new set of parameter values are identified as the current set of parameter values to be evaluated in response to a determination that the output of the tooling operation does not meet the set of criteria.

Abstract: A vacuum based apparatus that will, when activated, inhibit relocation of a computing device. The apparatus includes a first surface of a main body. A suction cup is attached to the main body. The suction cup faces outward from and protrudes from the first surface. The suction cup is connected to a vacuum pump and activation of the vacuum pump generates adhesion between the suction cup and another surface that is in contact with the suction cup. A spacer is attached to and protrudes outward from the first surface. The spacer surrounds at least a part of the suction cup that is protruding from the first surface. A control logic that controls the activation of the vacuum pump.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to automation systems and methods of use thereof to control devices. More particularly, the present disclosure includes systems including function-based controls and methods of assigning function-based controls to allow a user to add, relocate, and/or remove a device without requiring the user to reprogram the system.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance and a method operating a laundry treating appliance having at least one automatic cycle of operation, a plurality of components selectively operable by a controller to implement the at least one cycle of operation on a load of laundry received within a treating chamber of the appliance with the controller having a user interface for receiving input from a user and a door for closing an open face of the treating chamber, the method comprising determining a movement of the door in a closing direction and actuating the user interface when it is determined the door is moved in the closing direction.

Abstract: A method for controlling rotation speed of a fan is applied in an electronic device, which stores a standard work temperature value and a critical temperature value greater than the standard work temperature value. The method includes following steps. Periodically obtaining a temperature value of the electronic device, comparing the obtained temperature value with the standard work temperature value and the critical temperature value. If the obtained temperature value is less than the standard work temperature value, decreasing the rotation speed by a first preset value. If the obtained temperature value is greater than the standard work temperature value and less than the critical temperature value, increasing the rotation speed by a second preset value. If the obtained temperature value is greater than the critical temperature value, increasing the rotation speed by a third preset value. The third preset value is greater than the first and the preset values.

Abstract: A control method according to the present disclosure causes a computer of an information apparatus to: display on a display, a display screen representing a floor plan of one floor including at least two or more rooms; display each device icon representing each of one or more target devices in a region of each room, the one or more target devices including a specific target device that stores a set content when power has been previously turned off; and when selection of the device icon that represents the specific target device in any region of the at least two or more rooms is sensed, and selection of any region in the room, in which the selection of the device icon has been sensed, is sensed, output an on-off control command for controlling an on-off state of power of the specific target device corresponding to the room.

Abstract: In a method for designating cooling fan control management in a computing system, a processor causes one or more cooling fans to be managed by a first process, wherein the first process utilizes a first set of temperature sensors of a plurality of temperature sensors. A processor receives temperature data from a first set of temperature sensors. A processor determines a second process to manage the one or more cooling fans, based on the received temperature data from the first set of temperature sensors, wherein the second process utilizes a second set of temperature sensors of the plurality of temperature sensors.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems for occupant sensing are disclosed. One embodiment includes an occupant sensing apparatus. The occupant sensing apparatus includes at least a portion of flooring structure, and one or more sensors associated with the at least the portion of flooring structure, wherein the one or more sensors sense a user. Further, a controller interfaced with the one or more sensor is operative to detect patterns of the user. Another embodiment includes an occupant sensing apparatus. The occupant sensing apparatus includes at least a portion of flooring structure, one or more sensors associated with the at least a portion of flooring structure, wherein the one or more sensors sense a user, and a transceiver associated with the at least a portion of flooring structure, wherein the transceiver is operative to communicate with a mobile device of the user.

Abstract: In a method for designating cooling fan control management in a computing system, a processor causes one or more cooling fans to be managed by a first process, wherein the first process utilizes a first set of temperature sensors of a plurality of temperature sensors. A processor receives temperature data from a first set of temperature sensors. A processor determines a second process to manage the one or more cooling fans, based on the received temperature data from the first set of temperature sensors, wherein the second process utilizes a second set of temperature sensors of the plurality of temperature sensors.

Abstract: The system includes at least one cooking appliance controlled from remote control means through a bidirectional communications network comprising an intermediate server with the capacity to process and transmit at least control instructions from said remote control means to a microprocessor of local control means, or vice versa. The proposed method is adapted to be carried out using the system proposed by the invention. The computer programme embodies one part of the proposed method.