Abstract: Certain embodiments reduce the risks of traditionally programmed algorithms such as syntax errors, unclear logic, and the need for a non-trader programmer to develop the algorithm as specified by a trader by reducing or eliminating the writing of programming code by a user. Certain embodiments provide a design canvas area and blocks for designing an algorithm. Certain embodiments provide for grouping blocks placed in the design canvas area. Certain embodiments provide for virtualized group blocks enabling dynamic instantiation of portions of an algorithm to handle particular discrete events. Certain embodiments provide for operation of some or all portions of an algorithm when a connection between a client device and an algorithm server is broken.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus (100) for tracing pile set during pile driving of a pile (150) comprising: a panel (110) for attaching to the pile (150); a rotatable holding mechanism (120) with remotely controllable function for holding a writing instrument (160) against the panel (110) to trace the pile set for at least a series of blows during the pile driving; a sliding mechanism (130) with remotely controllable function, which slides on a pair of bearing strips (131?, 131?) to provide lateral movement of the holding mechanism (120) across the panel (110) after each blow of the pile driving; and a platform (140) with groves for holding the bearing strips (131?, 131?) in place for allowing the sliding mechanism (130) to slide freely in multiple directions; characterized in that, the holding mechanism has a rotatable lever arm (126) which is secured by a resilient means (129?) to reduce excess vibration so that the writing instrument (160) is held in a still position while allowing the lever ar

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a bank angle, a heading angle and an altitude of an aircraft during flight are provided. The methods and systems disclosed herein make use of sliding mode control and feedback linearization control (nonlinear dynamic control) techniques. The methods and systems can provide autopilot-type functions that can autonomously execute aggressive maneuvers as well as more gentle maneuvers for aircraft.

Abstract: Disclosed herein a method of constructing a blood vessel map, the method including: receiving, by a blood vessel map construction apparatus, a TOF image of the object; extracting, by the blood vessel map construction apparatus, a blood vessel stem, a center line of a blood vessel, and features of the center line included in the TOF image, and detecting branch points of the blood vessel based on the extracted blood vessel stem, center line of the blood vessel, and features of the center line; searching, by the blood vessel map construction apparatus, a reference blood vessel image corresponding to the TOF image in consideration of location information or curvature information of the branch points; calculating a similarity between the TOF image and the reference blood vessel image; and registering the TOF image in the blood vessel map based on the similarity.

Abstract: A system to detect and control noise in seismic surveys is provided. The system receives, responsive to a seismic wave generated by a source, seismic data detected by a sensor component of a seismic data acquisition unit. The system generates, for windows of the seismic data, Hough tensors for seismic data transforms in multiple dimensions. The system detects, based on a comparison of an eigenvector and eigenvalue of a canonical matrix of the Hough tensors with a historical eigenvector and eigenvalue of a historical canonical matrix of historical Hough tensors of historical seismic data, a first presence of noise in the seismic data. The first presence of noise can correspond to a noisy spectra pattern in a seismic data transform of the seismic data. The system provides, responsive to detection of the first presence of noise in the seismic data, a notification to adjust a characteristic of the seismic survey.

Abstract: A radiation suite includes a room having a floor, a ceiling, and one or more walls, a radiation system including a gantry enclosing a radiation source and a couch, and an image projection system operable to project an image on a projection surface on at least a portion of the gantry and/or the couch, providing a calming environment for a patient to relax. The image projection system comprises a computer and one or more projectors operably controlled by the computer. The computer comprises a mapping software operable to map an image file to the projection surface. The one or more projectors are operable to project the mapped image file on the projection surface.

Abstract: A server device includes a collecting unit that stores operation history data collected from an air conditioner in a server-side storage device, a learning unit that stores a learning model generated based on the operation history data in the server-side storage device, a sending unit that sends the learning model to the air conditioner such that the air conditioner performs air conditioning inside a room by using the learning model, and an erasing unit that erases the operation history data and the learning model from the server-side storage device when an erasure instruction signal sent from the air conditioner is received.

Abstract: Certain embodiments reduce the risks of traditionally programmed algorithms such as syntax errors, unclear logic, and the need for a non-trader programmer to develop the algorithm as specified by a trader by reducing or eliminating the writing of programming code by a user. Certain embodiments provide a design canvas area and blocks for designing an algorithm. Certain embodiments provide for grouping blocks placed in the design canvas area. Certain embodiments provide for virtualized group blocks enabling dynamic instantiation of portions of an algorithm to handle particular discrete events. Certain embodiments provide for operation of some or all portions of an algorithm when a connection between a client device and an algorithm server is broken.

Abstract: A system for cross-channel communication for effectors in an electric aircraft is presented. The system may include a flight component of an electric aircraft. The system may include a plurality of effectors, wherein the plurality of effectors may be configured to control the flight component. The system may include a plurality of flight controllers communicatively connected to the plurality of effectors, wherein the plurality of flight controllers may be configured to receive an input, generate a command as a function of the input and transmit the command to the plurality of effectors. The system may include a plurality of networks communicatively connected to the plurality of effectors and the plurality of flight controllers, wherein the plurality of networks may be configured to receive the command from the plurality of flight controllers and transmit the command to the plurality of effectors.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a control system controls a robot. The control system includes a first system and a second system. The first system transmits a first command and supplementary data. The first command is represented using a specification different from a control command specification used by a controller of the robot. The supplementary data corresponds to the first command. The second system generates a second command based on the first command, attaches the supplementary data to the second command, and transmits the second command to the controller. The second command corresponds to the control command specification.

Abstract: Certain embodiments reduce the risks of traditionally programmed algorithms such as syntax errors, unclear logic, and the need for a non-trader programmer to develop the algorithm as specified by a trader by reducing or eliminating the writing of programming code by a user. Certain embodiments provide a design canvas area and blocks for designing an algorithm. Certain embodiments provide for grouping blocks placed in the design canvas area. Certain embodiments provide for virtualized group blocks enabling dynamic instantiation of portions of an algorithm to handle particular discrete events. Certain embodiments provide for operation of some or all portions of an algorithm when a connection between a client device and an algorithm server is broken.

Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing a foam board system are disclosed. In some examples, a system includes an applicator to distribute one or more fluids onto a substrate. One or more sensors configured to measure one or more characteristics of the one or more fluids. A control circuitry is configured to compare the one or more measured characteristics to one or more threshold characteristics, and to adjust one or more operating parameters of the system in response to a characteristic of the one or more measured characteristics falling outside a threshold of the one or more threshold characteristics.

Abstract: An information collecting device controls a plant based on process data acquired from controllers and field devices connected to the controllers. The information collecting device includes an arithmetic controller and an update controller. The arithmetic controller collects first information which is engineering information of the plant and second information which is device information from a controller, a field device or a combination of both selected from the controllers and the field devices. The update controller generates third information based on a definition in which the first information and the second information are set in advance, and updates the third information in a storage based on a preset update cycle.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided to store computer-readable program code to receive an unmerged record set, comprising a first plurality of data records, to generate record-pairs from the first plurality of data records, based upon a set of transitive deterministic matching criteria, apply a set of non-transitive matching rules to the record-pairs, perform a partitioning operation on the record-pairs, using a plurality of independent grouping operations, wherein a plurality of matched record groups are generated. The computer-readable program code may determine a set of maximal connected components from the plurality of matched record groups, perform a merge operation on the set of maximal connected components to generate a set of merged records, the set of merged records comprising a second plurality of data records, less than the first plurality of data records, and send the merged records for storage in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium.

Abstract: A first electronic device may enable generation, updating, and/or storage of user configuration information. The user configuration information may comprise information pertaining to device configuration and/or operational preferences specific to the device user and/or various use settings, connectivity, and/or use of available resources. The generation, updating, and/or storage of the user configuration information may be performed manually and/or automatically, and may be performed directly within the first electronic device and/or via networked devices, which may communicatively coupled to the first electronic device. A second electronic device may be enabled to be communicatively coupled to the first electronic device and/or the networked devices. The second electronic device may then be enabled to download existing user configuration information from the first electronic device and/or the networked device, and the downloaded user configuration may be utilized to configure the second electronic device.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to using machine learning to allocate a number of concurrent processes for minimizing the completion time for executing a task having multiple subtasks. Historical data comprising a variety of subtask types with actual completion times is mined to create a set of statistical models for predicting completion time for a type of subtask. To minimize the total time to complete execution of a new task, a certain number of threads is allocated to execute subtasks of the new task. The certain number of threads is determined based on the predicted completion time for the subtasks using the respective statistical model. Threads are assigned to subtasks based on the predicted completion time for the subtasks, and the subtasks assigned to each thread are scheduled for execution.

Abstract: A vehicle guidance system, including: sensors to detect a surface pressure distribution for a respective location of the corresponding sensor on a vehicle, respectively; and a controller to receive an initial value for a Mach number; and calculate a converged value for an angle of attack based on first surface pressure data from a first set of the sensors, and a converged sideslip angle value based on second surface pressure data from a second set of the sensors. The controller calculates a freestream dynamic pressure based on the initial Mach number, the converged angle of attack, and the converged sideslip angle value, and calculates a freestream pressure, and calculates a converged value for Mach number based on the freestream pressure and the freestream dynamic pressure. A flight control processor provides an output for adjusting an orientation of the vehicle based on the converged Mach number and the freestream pressure.

Abstract: A layered industrial analytics architecture enables the flow of information from intelligent assets into tools and engines that perform analytics and enable decision-making in substantially real-time. The analytics architecture comprises analytic nodes that are distributed across multiple layers of an industrial enterprise, and includes system features that optimize movement of data across this layered architecture. Each analytic node includes base architectural constructs that host various analytic, data acquisition, and storage elements. These base constructs can operate autonomously, or in conjunction with other instances of base constructs or other elements of the control system. The system design uses a multi-platform compatible implementation that allows the base elements to be deployed on various different computing platforms.

Abstract: A method for reducing an order of a discrete fractured network simulation. The method includes receiving cells representing a portion of a subterranean formation that includes a fracture. A first plurality of the cells that correspond to the fracture may be marked as a first cell level. A second plurality of the cells that touch the first plurality of cells may be marked as a second cell level. The first plurality of cells may be grouped into a first superelement. The second plurality of cells may be grouped into a second superelement. One of the first plurality of cells in the first superelement may be designated as a master cell. A volume for the master cell may be updated to include volumes for each of the first plurality of cells in the first superelement.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a system that includes a display and a processor. The processor is configured to position an indicator, in response to a positioning input from a user, over a particular point on a three-dimensional electroanatomical map that is displayed on the display, and over which are displayed a plurality of markers that mark respective data points. The processor is further configured to expand a contour, subsequently, along a surface of the map, while a selecting input from the user is ongoing, such that all points on the contour remain equidistant, at an increasing geodesic distance with respect to the surface, from the particular point, and to display, on the display, one or more properties of each of the data points that is marked by a respective one of the markers that is inside the contour. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A sign value of a DC coefficient of a current block is determined using neighbor blocks of the current block. First and second sign values are identified as respectively corresponding to an above neighbor block of the current block and a left neighbor block of the current block. A context value is calculated by applying a first weighting value to the first sign value and a second weighting value to the second sign value. The first weighting value is based on a boundary between the above neighbor block and the current block, and the second weighting value is based on a boundary between the left neighbor block and the current block. A probability value is selected based on the context value. The sign value of the DC coefficient of the current block is then determined using the probability model.

Abstract: A method of generating a target surface {tilde over (S)}( ?) of an optical lens for the manufacture of the optical lens according to optical lens parameters ?, the method comprising: providing a set of L first surface difference data E(?j) each first surface difference data E(?j) corresponding to the surface difference between a pre-calculated surface S?jpc(??j) (j=1, . . . , L) and an initial surface S?jini (j=1, . . . , L), from which the target surface will be generated, according to the expression: E(?j)=S?jpc(??j)?S?jini (j=1, . . . , L) where ?j (j=1, . . .

Abstract: A system includes an industrial controller comprising a first processor. The first processor is configured to execute a substantially deterministic control process. The first processor is further configured to communicate with a second processor included in a communications interface system and communicatively coupled to the first processor, wherein the first processor is configured to communicate an asynchronous data to the second processor via an industrial communications protocol during the execution of the control process, and the second processor is configured to retrieve external data from an external system based on the asynchronous signal, and to communicate the external data to the control system via an Ethernet-based communications protocol.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product is provided to create an integration process between a source system and target system. The method includes creating a mapping between one or more source objects and one or more target objects and generating a complete workflow as part of an integration process between a respective source system and target system. A limited subset of operations is selectively included from a sequence of activities in the complete workflow that interact with the one or more source objects and one or more target objects. The limited subset of operations selected from the complete workflow is sequenced in a stepwise template that streamlines the integration process between the source system and target system, by focusing on mappings between and operations performed upon source objects and target objects associated with the limited subset of operations selected from the operations in the complete workflow.

Abstract: A method (100) of generating on-demand device templates for integrating a controller controllable (CC) device with a process controller in a processing plant. A device description for the CC device is obtained (101) including a list of device parameters, connection details for communications including assembly structures, and a mapping of the device parameters into the assembly structures or the device description. Using a device template generating algorithm a custom device template is generated (102) for the CC device (i) by modifying an existing device template to include at least one modification or (ii) from the device description.

Abstract: An improved occupancy based, object oriented, load management system using anonymous, stateless messaging to communicate real and simulated occupancy detection events between control objects hosted by a plethora of control devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to altering the behavior of a networked control system such as the integrating of a device such as a light unit or a light switch in a networked control system such as a networked lighting system.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for manipulating biological systems, for example to elicit a more desired biological response from a biological sample, such as a tissue, organ, and/or a cell. In one aspect, the invention operates by efficiently searching through a large parametric space of stimuli and system parameters to manipulate, control, and optimize the response of biological samples sustained in the system. In one aspect, the systems and methods of the invention use at least one optimization algorithm to modify the actuator's control inputs for stimulation, responsive to the sensor's output of response signals. The invention can be used, e.g., to optimize any biological system, e.g., bioreactors for proteins, and the like, small molecules, polysaccharides, lipids, and the like. Another use of the apparatus and methods includes is for the discovery of key parameters in complex biological systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatically modularly integrating sensor devices (16) in a central controller (11) of a network having at least one first server comprising at least one first communication module (12) and the central controller (11) for at least one part of the network. The method comprises at least the following steps: a.) determining the sensor devices (16) actually associated with the at least one first server by the at least one first communication module (12); b.) comparing the determined actual sensor devices (16a, 16b) to a quantity of detectable sensor devices defined in a detecting order and determining matching sensor devices (16a); c.) transmitting data associated with the matching sensor devices from the first communication module (12) to the central controller (11); d.

Abstract: A method is provided for specifying the parameters of control curves of equipment for controlling the environmental conditions of climate-controlled enclosed spaces, including the step of specifying at least one control curve for the equipment, which is formed by a sequence of pairs of values introduced in succession. Each pair identifying the value of a predetermined parameter in a corresponding instant of time, the curve, indicating the desired variation of the parameter in time, is used for reproducing the variation of the parameter in time in said space according to the specified curve. The method also includes preliminary plotting of the shape of a curve in a graphic system of Cartesian axes. The curve represents a previously selected variation of the predetermined parameter as a function of time.

Abstract: An imprint lithography apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an electromagnetic Lorentz actuator arrangement configured to move an imprint template arrangement, the electromagnetic Lorentz actuator arrangement comprising: an array of magnets; and an array of conductors, each conductor configured to carry an electric current, one of the array of magnets or the array of conductors being moveable and connected to the imprint template arrangement, and the other of the array of magnets or the array of conductors extending at least partially around or forming a part of a substrate holder; the array of magnets and the array of conductors together being in a configuration which facilitates moving of the moveable one of the array of magnets or the array of conductors in six degrees of freedom, such that the imprint template arrangement is also movable in six degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A system, method apparatus, and computer readable medium for managing renewal of a dynamic set of data items. Each data item has an associated renewal deadline, in a data item management system. A renewal schedule allocates to each data item a renewal interval for renewal of the data item. On addition of a new data item, if a potential renewal interval having a duration required for renewal of the data item, and having an ending at the renewal deadline for that item does not overlap a time period in the schedule during which the system is busy, the renewal schedule is automatically updated by allocating the potential renewal interval to the new data item. If the potential renewal interval does overlap a busy period, the renewal schedule is automatically updated by selecting an earlier renewal interval for at least one data item in the set.

Abstract: There is described a method for determining a value of a zero point offset of a yaw rate sensor. The method comprises measuring over time the output of the yaw rate sensor, determining whether the measured output has remained within a set of limits for a pre-determined period and if it is determined that the measured output has remained within the limits for the pre-determined period, using at least one measured value of the output to determine the value of the zero point offset.

Abstract: A glove puppet manipulating system comprises a control module for generating control signals base on movements of human hand and a robot electrically connecting the control module installed inside a glove puppet. The robot has a body manipulating apparatus disposed on a foundation to manipulate the body of the glove puppet to rotate, a pair of hand manipulating apparatuses disposed on the body manipulating apparatus to manipulate the hands of the glove puppet to swivel, and a head manipulating apparatus interposed between the hand manipulating apparatuses on the body manipulating apparatus to manipulate the head of the glove puppet to nod.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating pulses of laser radiation at higher repetition rates than those of available excimer lasers are disclosed that use multiple electronic triggers for multiple laser units and arrange the timings of the different triggers with successive delays, each delay being a fraction of the interval between two successive pulses of a single laser unit. Methods and systems for exposing nanoscale patterns using such high-repetition-rate lasers are disclosed.

Abstract: Means for checking the correctness of a cryptographic operation on an elliptic curve E(Z/pZ), including fault-resistant computation of Q=kP on elliptic curve E(Z/pZ). Elliptic curve E^(Z/pr2Z)?E(Z/pZ)×E(Z/r2Z) is given by Chinese remaindering and where r is an integer. A point P^=CRT(P (mod p), R (mod r2)) is formed in E^(Z/pr2Z); P^ reduces to P in E(Z/pZ), and to R in E1(Z/r2Z). Q^=kP^ in E^(Z/pr2Z) is computed (130). It is then verified whether Q^?kR (mod r2) in E1(Z/r2Z), and if so, Q=Q^ mod p is output, whereas “error” is returned if this is not the case. Also provided are an apparatus and a computer program product.

Abstract: A driver assistance system for an agricultural working machine, in particular a combine harvester has a large number of working mechanisms, an arithmetic logic unit, and at least one display unit, in which the arithmetic logic unit may process information generated by machine-internal sensor systems, external information, and information that is storable in the arithmetic logic unit, and in which the driver assistance system overcomes—with consideration for at least a selection of the available information—critical functions of the agricultural working machine in that efficiency parameters of the agricultural working machine are optimized via interactive, natural-language communication between the operator of the agricultural working machine and the driver assistance system.

Abstract: Method for identifying geologic features from geophysical or attribute data using windowed principal component (22), or independent component, or diffusion mapping (61) analysis. Subtle features are made identifiable in partial or residual data volumes. The residual data volumes (24) are created by (36) eliminating data not captured by the most prominent principal components (14). The partial data volumes are created by (35) projecting the data (21) on to selected principal components (22, 61). Geologic features may also be identified from pattern analysis (77) or anomaly volumes (62, 79) generated with a variable-scale data similarity matrix (73). The method is suitable for identifying physical features indicative of hydrocarbon potential.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling torque and/or speed of wheels of a vehicle. The system and method receive one or more vehicle operating signals. Based on the received vehicle operating signals, the system and method determine whether one or more of a vehicle's wheels require torque or speed modification. If it is determined that one or more of the vehicle's wheels requires torque or speed modification, the system and method modifies the torque to drive, or speed of, a wheel or wheels based on the received vehicle operating signals. The modification is automatic and/or independent for each wheel. Some or all wheels can be coupled to respective wheel hubs having incorporated therewith an engagement/disengagement mechanism. The system and method can control the engagement/disengagement mechanism to modify the torque at, or speed of, the associated wheel based on the received vehicle operating signal or signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating communication with Foundation Fieldbus linking devices are described. A plurality of Foundation Fieldbus linking devices may be identified by a gateway device that includes one or more computers. A single virtual address representative of the plurality of linking devices may be determined by the gateway device. Communications between the plurality of linking devices and an external system may the be facilitated by the gateway device, and the virtual address may be utilized to represent the plurality of linking devices to the external system.

Abstract: A system and method to configure a rule set used in connection with a medical monitoring system for monitoring patients and patient care equipment, especially medication delivery pumps, based on a variety of conditions and parameters associated with monitored biometric information and equipment information and for providing user-defined responses to those conditions and parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of configuring a control algorithm being executable by a controller, a controller for controlling a plant in real-time, and a control algorithm generator. An important aspect of the invention is that the control algorithm is subdivided into at least one task and task activation time periods are assigned to each task of the at least one task based on data about the control algorithm and data about the plant to be controlled, wherein the execution of the tasks of the control algorithm is scheduled in accordance with the assigned task activation time periods.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for manipulating, e.g., optimizing and controlling, biological systems, e.g., for eliciting a more desired biological response of biological sample, such as a tissue, organ, and/or a cell. In one aspect, systems and methods of the invention operate by efficiently searching through a large parametric space of stimuli and system parameters to manipulate, control, and optimize the response of biological samples sustained in the system, e.g., a bioreactor. In alternative aspects, systems include a device for sustaining cells or tissue samples, one or more actuators for stimulating the samples via biochemical, electromagnetic, thermal, mechanical, and/or optical stimulation, one or more sensors for measuring a biological response signal of the samples resulting from the stimulation of the sample.

Abstract: An electronic device, a display device, and a method of controlling audio/video output of the electronic device are disclosed. The electronic device includes a data processing unit, a visual output unit, an audio output unit, and a user operating habit database. The data processing unit executes an application program, the visual output unit outputs an image signal, the audio output unit outputs an audio signal, and the user operating habit database records a corresponding relationship between different program types and operating parameters of the visual output unit or the audio output unit. And, the data processing unit acquires the program type of the application program being run for controlling the operating parameters of the visual output unit or the audio output unit.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for estimating and/or precluding stick-slip, or other oscillatory or resonant behavior, through use of a virtual transducer, which precludes the need for having sensors located adjacent to a driven element of the system, or adjacent contact surfaces at which the stick-slip relative motion may occur. Parameters measurable at a drive mechanism are utilized for controlling a system in a manner which precludes stick-slip, or other oscillatory or resonant behavior, of a driven element of the system. Relative motion between contacting surfaces in the driven element, prone to stick-slip behavior, is controlled after sufficient force is applied by the drive element to overcome static friction forces between the contacting surfaces and break them free from one another, relative motion between the surfaces is maintained at a high enough relative speed that the surfaces are precluded from contacting one another, so that stick-slip behavior is precluded.

Abstract: In a method of controlling a heating cooking apparatus, when a generated steam volume at a forced finish time Tn?1 determined based on a minimum volume-minimum steam curve does not reach a minimum steam volume B1 determined based on a slowly rising maximum volume-maximum steam curve, the generated steam volume is smaller than in the case of a food having a maximum weight. Therefore, it can be judged that heating is performed in a no-load condition with an exceedingly small generated steam volume, and the operation of the heating cooking apparatus is forcedly stopped. When a generated steam volume at a maximum detection time Tm+1 does not reach a standard steam volume A determined based on the maximum volume-maximum steam curve, it is judged that a large amount of food exceeding a maximum amount is being heated and the operation of the heating cooking apparatus is forcedly stopped.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining weight of a payload lifted by a rig of a load lifting machine. The weight is determined from at least one parameter being or indicative of the force or pressure existing in or applied by the rig while the payload is lifted and a compensation for friction and/or other losses in the rig 14.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing Advanced Process Control (APC) for enhanced electrical, magnetic, or physical properties process output control using a sequential segmented interleaving algorithm. The sequential segmented interleaving algorithm includes two tuning equations running in parallel. A deposition time is calculated after a production run based upon the relationship between the electrical, magnetic, or physical properties process output and deposition time process input. A deposition rate offset value is calculated after a calibration run based upon the relationship between a calibration deposition thickness process output and an updated deposition time process input calculated after a last production run.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to replace field devices in process control systems are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes recording, at a first process controller of a process control system, configuration data sent from a configuration subsystem of the process control system to a first field device to commission the first field device, detecting, at a second process controller of the process control system, replacement of the first field device with a second field device, and sending the recorded configuration data from the second process controller to the second field device when the replacement is detected to commission the second field device.

Abstract: A universal computer for a vehicle, comprising a microprocessor for the processing of control programs, a storage unit, for the data thus calculated and an interface which permits a connection of the computer to a databus in the vehicle. The computer comprises control programs for controlling device provided in the vehicle, whereby the control commands are transmitted to the device to be controlled via device interfaces. The computer also comprises reconfigurable hardware, which permits a retroactive reconfiguration of peripheral components or an interface in the assembled state of the computer. A transmission of an algorithm for reconfiguration of the hardware is provided to the storage unit on the vehicle, so that a process for reconfiguration of the hardware associated with the peripheral components or the interface may be carried out.