Abstract: A method of operating a wind farm that includes a plurality of wind turbine generators (WTGs) includes generating wind turbine generator (WTG) availability data for each WTG. The method also includes generating wide-area meteorological data for a first geographical region. The method further includes generating narrow-area meteorological forecast data for a second geographical region by transmitting at least a portion of the wide-area meteorological data to at least one resident narrow-area meteorological forecast algorithm. The first geographical region includes at least a portion of the second geographical region. The method also includes generating electric power production forecast data by using at least one resident electric power production forecast algorithm to manipulate the WTG availability data and the narrow-area meteorological forecast data.

Abstract: An alarm monitor includes memory that stores an actuator schedule. An input circuit receives a sensor signal that indicates an alarm condition, the sensor signal originating from a sensor that is remote from the alarm monitor. A processor generates digital data based on the sensor signal and generates a first control signal to control an actuator based on the actuator schedule. An interface wirelessly transmits a report signal to a remote master unit based on the digital data and transmits the first control signal to the actuator.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for automated quality control of a substance comprising a compartment wherein a substance is located, a monitoring device coupled to the compartment and configured to monitor at least one quality control parameter prior to an end-use of the substance, and a processor coupled to the monitoring device, wherein the monitoring device is configured to communicate data to the processor for comparing at least one quality control parameter to an end-use value, and wherein the processor is further configured to control the release of the substance from the compartment to its end-use.

Abstract: A button device comprising a voltage source and a plurality of buttons is provided. The button device further comprises: a charging module, a loading capacitor, a control module, and an MCU. The charging module provides a plurality of charging paths. At least one charging path is connected when at least one button is pressed. The loading capacitor coupled to the charging module obtains the electric power from the connected charging path to generate a charged signal. The control module sends a control signal through a connected control capacitor when the button is pressed to generate the control signal. The MCU receives the control signal to calculate a charging time and determines which button is pressed according to the charging time. The MCU stops calculating the charging time when the charged signal reaches a first predetermined voltage. Each charging path corresponds to different charging time.

Abstract: A wireless adapter module receives data from a monitor device through a wired interface, where the data conforms to a first protocol. The wireless adapter device translates the data to a format compatible with a supervisory control system. The data is transmitted to the supervisory control system through a wireless interface. Various protocols and translations may be used within the wireless adapter module such that a single supervisory control system may communicate with a variety of different vendor's monitor devices.

Abstract: Quick recovery or recovery support of a faulty power generating facility by real time diagnoses such as facility failure diagnosis, supervision for failure symptoms, facility diagnosis by evaluation of performance using databases between the power generating facilities and an operation control system. The operation control system transfers information on operating status and secular characteristic changes of apparatus from power generating facilities or information from operators of selected power generating facilities. The level of a failure of a power generating facility which has a failure is evaluated and repairing information (e.g. recovery procedures, processes, required parts, inventory of the parts, possible failure causes, etc.) created from repairing information prepared in advance for each evaluation condition. The repairing information is then sent to the operation supporting section of the power generating facility.

Abstract: A goal or desired output can be stated in terms of a high-level overview in a natural language or other format. The high-level overview can be automatically partitioned into steps to be performed in order to achieve the stated goal, such as by interpreting terms within the overview, analyzing definitions, historical data or other information. Each step can be dynamically assigned to various resources distributed throughout an environment. Such resources can include agents or other machinery that are selected based on a multitude of criteria including location, availability, performance level as well as other factors. If needed, the resources can be dynamically balanced in order to achieve the desired output while mitigating wasted resources.

Abstract: The present invention provides an environment measurement monitoring and response system. The present invention provides a method, system and program for managing multiple environmental systems in retail store locations geographically remote from each other.

Abstract: A data processing system comprises at least one resource manager (RM) for managing changes to respective system resources in accordance to a commit/backout protocol, and a resource manager coordinator (RMC) for coordinating the commit/backout activities of the at least one resource manager. A process resource manager (ERM) is provided, coordinated by the resource manager coordinator according to the commit/backout protocol, for managing the execution of non-compliant processes not complying with the commit/backout protocol. The process resource manager automatically determines, upon receipt of a backout request, a sequence of compensation actions to be performed to backout actions performed during the execution of the secondary non-compliant processes, and managing the execution of said compensation actions.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for embodiments for efficiently and flexibly controlling hardware devices in a semiconductor processing system are provided for use in a distributed control arrangement. In general, the distributed arrangement includes at least one upper-level controller that is configurable with a computer program sequence of instructions for controlling one or more hardware devices of a processing tool. The hardware devices are controlled through one or more lower-level controllers. Prior to execution of the program sequence of the upper-level controller, at least one instruction of this program is pre-compiled so as to translate the instruction for execution by a selected lower-level controller and to add an at least one interlock check to such pre-compiled instruction and make the translated instruction accessible to at least one lower-level controller. The interlock check specifies one or more condition(s) for the selected lower-level controller to execute the pre-compiled instruction.

Abstract: An appliance control system is described for controlling a plurality of appliances. The system includes a control station located remotely from the appliances and having a control unit for controlling the plurality of appliances, at least one client station being associated with at least one of the plurality of appliances and being adapted for allowing a user to make requests to the control station for using the at least one of the plurality of appliances, actuators connected to the control station and the at least one of the plurality of appliances for receiving control signals from the control station and controlling the at least one of the plurality of appliances, and sensors connected to the water appliance and the control station for recording information about the at least one of the plurality of appliances and providing the information to the control station.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying the performance and health of wire systems and end devices, including instruments and processes. A computer runs software that collects data from sampled sensors, stores the data, screens the data for outliers, analyzes the data, performs in situ testing, and generates results of the analysis and testing. The system and method verifies not only the steady state performance of instruments, but also the dynamic performance of instruments and the transient behavior of the processes. In one embodiment, the system performs testing of the wiring system connecting the end devices located at the process. In another embodiment, the system also performs analysis of the amplitude probability density and a power spectral density determined from the sensor, or end device, data. In still another embodiment, the system performs a time domain reflectometry (TDR) analysis for a wiring system connecting an end device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing device independent control and modification is provided, where the system contains a supervisory controller and a first level controller in communication with the supervisory controller. The first level controller contains software therein, wherein the software is the intersection of program code and objects, and wherein objects of the software include at least one device object summarizing properties of the first level controller and limits of the first level controller, and at least one logical element object defining functionality to be performed by the first level controller. Functionality of the first level controller can be changed by changing values of the objects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling automotive powertrains using a distributed control architecture are disclosed. A distributed control system may include a supervisory control unit for controlling one or more powertrain subsystems, and one or more subsystem control units in communication with the supervisory control unit. The supervisory control unit can be configured to execute a central optimization algorithm that computes variables from across multiple powertrain subsystems, and then outputs a number of globally approximated command values to each associated subsystem control unit. In some embodiments, the central optimization algorithm can be configured to solve a global cost function or optimization routine. One or more of the subsystem control units can be configured to execute a lower-level algorithm or routine, which can comprise a higher-fidelity model than that used by the central optimization algorithm.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a control process within a process control system and resolving inconsistencies during execution of the control process includes loading the logical structure of the control process, loading a plurality of instantiation objects or processes when the control process is instantiated, using the instantiation objects to instantiate a procedural element of the control process as the control process calls for the procedural element during execution, executing the procedural element as part of the control process, and deconstructing the procedural element as execution of the procedural element is completed during execution of the control process. Resolution of inconsistencies includes executing a first model of an entity in a controller, executing a second model of the entity in an execution engine, detecting a difference between the models, generating a prompt and receiving an operation instruction to continue the process or abort the process.

Abstract: A programmable controller system comprises networks including a plurality of programmable controllers and a development support device. One of the programmable controllers is set as a relay programmable controller. The development support device is used by online-connecting to the relay programmable controller via a communication line and by switching connecting destination to a target programmable controller on the networks during a state of online-connecting to the relay programmable controller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for monitoring industrial processes, comprising sensor means for detecting one or more process quantities in at least one process station, acquisition and processing means operating on signals generated by the sensor means for obtaining information on process quality and means for managing the manufacturing flow operating on the basis of the information on process quality. The acquisition and processing means are arranged locally in the at least one process station, the means for managing the manufacturing flow are arranged in a remote position with respect to the acquisition and processing means, and it is provided for wireless transceiver means for exchanging the information on process quality between the acquisition and processing means and the means for managing the manufacturing flow.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically controlling conditions of a process are disclosed. In one example, a controller is programmed with a sequence of steps and parameters required to carry out a bioreactor process. The controller receives information related to a condition of the process over a first communication network, determines a control signal based on the received information and the programmed process, and sends the control signal over a second communication network to a benchtop utility tower. In one example, the utility tower can include transmitters for temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen that send information related to a condition of the process to the controller over the first communication network, and an agitation system, a gas control system, a temperature control system and a pump control system that perform a control action based on the control signal affecting the process condition.

Abstract: A method or apparatus automatically configures a control module for synchronous execution on a Fieldbus segment of a process control network by determining if all of the critical function blocks of a particular control module can be assigned to FOUNDATION® Fieldbus field devices or to the I/O device associated with a particular Fieldbus segment. If so, the method or apparatus automatically assigns the function blocks of the control module, which would otherwise be scheduled to execute in a controller, to the I/O device for the Fieldbus segment. This technique enables all of the critical or necessary function blocks within the control module to execute in one macrocycle of the Fieldbus segment, thereby executing synchronously on a Fieldbus segment.

Abstract: A system formed from a plurality of interdependent units 200A to 200E are controlled to achieve an outcome by establishing a desired action for each unit responsive to the outcome but independently of the desired action of the other units. The control methodology has particular application for robotic manipulators.

Abstract: A communication system between a base station and a plurality of pieces of construction equipment, the communication system including a transmitter and receiver for transmitting measured operational information from the plurality of pieces of construction equipment to the base station. Each equipment piece includes an operational component that is susceptible to damage. A computer based controller is utilized for measuring a plurality of operational parameters of a respective equipment piece and communicating derived measured operational information. A calculator is used for calculating an amount of damage incurred by the component based on the communicated measured operational information concerning the respective equipment piece.

Abstract: An electrical power distribution system includes a data bus, separate from the main aircraft data bus, internal to the aircraft electrical power distribution system and an electric power control unit (EPCU) in communication with the internal data bus. Primary and emergency power distribution subsystems include line replaceable modules (LRM) connected in the aircraft electrical power distribution system as electrical load control units (ELCU), each having a common supervisory control interface in communication with the internal data bus, while a secondary power distribution subsystem includes LRMs connected in the aircraft electrical power distribution system as solid state power control (SSPC) units, each having the common supervisory control interface in communication with the internal data bus. The common supervisory control interfaces all execute a common supervisory control logic for receiving commutation commands from the EPCU and providing status back to the EPCU.

Abstract: A method for flexibly defining communication constructs includes providing at least one communication element type for at least one layer of a generalized communication model, such as a bus model. Each communication element type has a user-definable structure that is adaptable for representing a corresponding protocol layer of a target communication medium. Users can define specific communication element types to substantially represent the target protocol. Users can also define the communication element types to depart from the target protocol in precisely defined ways.

Abstract: Provided are a data processor, and a control system, in which an interrupt controller and an event link controller are adopted. The event link controller responds to a generated event signal to output a start control signal for controlling start of an operation of a circuit module. The circuit module is able to generate an event signal. The event link controller generates the start control signal according to the correspondences between event signals and start control signals which are defined by event control information. The links between the event signals and start control signals can be prescribed by the event control information. Therefore, operations of circuit modules prescribed by such links can be controlled sequentially. The control neither involves save and return processes by CPU as in the interrupt processing, nor needs priority level control as executed on competing interrupt requests.

Abstract: An automation interface is provided for interacting with industrial controllers. The automation interface provides for programming, editing, monitoring and maintenance of industrial controllers programmatically from a local or remote location. The automation interface component is adapted to communicate with industrial controllers by integrating a computer process interface library into the automation interface component. The computer process interface library exposes the automation interface component to client application processes, so that the client application processes can communicate with the at least one industrial controller programmatically. The automation interface is provided with functionality for downloading, uploading and programming of control programs to the processors of the industrial controllers.

Abstract: An industrial control system includes a central controller having a memory containing programmable data including operating programs for operating the controller, control program for controlling an industrial process, and configuration data configuring values used by the operating program and control program. The central controller is designed to control multiple devices also having memory holding programmable data including operating programs and configuration data. A program is executable by the central controller that causes the central controller to identify memories distributed through the industrial control system having programmable data and collect the programmable data from the memories. Accordingly, the collected programmable data may be used to substantially recreate operation of the industrial control system in a second industrial control system having another central controller substantially identical to the industrial controller and multiple devices connected to the central controller.

Abstract: An electronic control system mounted on an automobile, such as a motor-assisted power steering system, includes a commanding unit for calculating a command value and a driving unit for driving an actuator according to the command value. The commanding unit and the driving unit are communicably connected to each other through a communication bus. The command value is calculated in response to an order to calculate sent from the driving unit and is transmitted to the driving unit. The driving unit detects abnormality or malfunction in the commanding unit by comparing the transmitted command value with data pre-stored in the driving unit. If a command value sent from one of the commanding units is found to be incorrect, the actuator is driven without using the incorrect command value.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to remotely activate options resident on a multi-vendor supported device. The technique includes receiving, at a centralized facility, an activation key sent from a first location and configured to activate an option of an in-field device located in a second location, and sending the activation key and a verification script, from the centralized facility, to the in-field device at the second location. The technique also includes receiving, at the centralized facility, a report generated by the verification script and, if the report is satisfactory, installing the activation key in the in-field device to activate the option and, if the report is not satisfactory, aborting activation of the option.

Abstract: A laundry system has a plurality of laundry machines networked together and a remotely located host computer for collecting operation data and audit data from the laundry machines and to program the laundry machines with operation parameters. A bridging controller is provided to bridge the host computer with the network of laundry machines, and communicates with the host computer through a wired or wireless network connection. The host computer may command the bridging controller to collect data from the laundry machines and may send programming data to the laundry machines through the bridging controller.

Abstract: A broadcast feedback method is presented for distributed stochastic control of an actuator system consisting of many cellular units. The method can be implemented for an artificial cellular actuator, consisting of many units of smart actuator material with a random signal generator. The output of the actuator system is an aggregate effect of numerous cellular units, each taking a bi-stable ON-OFF state. A central controller broadcasts the error between the aggregate output and a reference input. The central controller broadcasts the overall error signal to all the cellular units uniformly. In turn, each cellular unit makes a stochastic decision with a state transition probability modulated in relation to the broadcasted error. Even in the absence of deterministic coordination, the ensemble of the cellular units can track a given trajectory stably.

Abstract: Brings response time of a Web server and the like closer to a targeted value. A controller controlling the average response time elapsed between reception by information processing apparatus of a processing request and response of information processing apparatus to the processing request. The controller including: a section for obtaining a response time goal which is a target value of the average response time; a section for calculating a predicted response time which is a predicted value of the average response time at the time point when a predetermined reference period has elapsed from setting an operation mode in the information processing apparatus, the operation mode being any of a plurality of operation modes which provide different throughputs; and a section for setting the operation mode in the information processing apparatus if predicted response time calculated by the predicted response time calculating section is less than goal.

Abstract: A home automation protocol system provides a network consisting of a number of node devices, controllers, and servers for storing information about node device settings and scene settings in a home environment is provided. The node devices are controlled by the controllers, in that the node devices are set to create scenes, which are stored in a scene server, while the operational states of the node devices are stored in a status server. The status server and scene server may be provided as separate units. The home automation protocol network is controlled by sending commands to the devices and servers, and new devices and controllers are added or updated, and new scenes are programmed. The network protocol allows devices running different protocols to be incorporated into the network.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for synchronously controlling the testing of pluralities of devices, comprising a server, a switch coupled to the server, and a testing instrument coupled to the server. Pluralities of computers are coupled to the server respectively, wherein the pluralities of devices are respectively connected to the pluralities of computers and the switch under testing. The parameters of the pluralities of devices include a first type test item that is testable by the pluralities of computers, and a second type test item that is testable by the testing instrument. The switch includes a RF switch. The server is connected to the testing instrument by a GPIB cable (or other instrument control interface and the server is connected to the pluralities of computers via local area network (LAN) such as Ethernet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a remote control apparatus comprising a controlled appliance and a server being connected via communication means, in which if data stored in the server is present, a notice command is promptly issued to the corresponding controlled appliance, and the controlled appliance having received the notice command automatically transmits a data acquisition request and receives the data stored in the server, whereby complicated operation by the user is not necessary and the capacity of the storage device of the server can be suppressed significantly.

Abstract: An energy measurement system including a radio frequency (“RF”) device powered by a solar panel. The RF device comprising a wireless communication port operative to transmit and receive communication over a wireless network of additional RF devices. The energy measurement system able to transmit energy parameters of the RF device over the wireless network.

Abstract: Systems and methods that determine resonant frequencies of a motor system via employing an output of a velocity regulator. The velocity regulator enables the motor drive to command the rotation of the motor at predetermined rotations, by setting rotational speeds of the motor. The output of the velocity regulator can then be stored as a function of time, and a Fast Fourier Transform performed on such time data to obtain a frequency data and a signal power spectrum.

Abstract: A method to calculate energy demand in an energy generation, transmission and distribution network including one or more power plants based on different energy source types including renewable energy, a communications system and one or more local consumption metering units. A customer demand profile for one or more customers is provided. A customer-specified proportion of power demand to be supplied from a given energy source type is registered. A total predicted energy demand dependent is calculated in part on an accumulated demand for the given energy source type.

Abstract: A technology for achieving energy saving by efficiently controlling each of a plurality of equipment systems is proposed. The equipment control system includes an air conditioner system, a refrigerator system, a refrigerator/freezer showcase system and a central coordinator. Status data related to electric equipment provided in the systems is transmitted to the central coordinator. The central coordinator computes control data for the systems, based on the status data of the electric equipment transmitted. The central coordinator is provided with the function of computing the control data, based only on the status data of the corresponding electric equipment and the function of computing the control data, allowing for the status data of another of electric equipment in addition to the status data of the corresponding electric equipment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for controlling access to the gas supply of a stove and other similar appliances which utilize lit gas as a heat source. The present invention consists of a control device which controls a valve which can enable or disable the gas line to a stove. The control device consists of a keypad and a digital display. To use the device, a user first enters a PIN or other code into the control device. If the code is correct, the user is allowed to set a time limit for which the valve will allow gas to flow from the input gas line to the stove. After the expiration of the timer on the control device, the valve automatically stops the flow of gas from the input gas line to the stove. This has the effect of only allowing a person with the correct access code the ability to utilize the stove. Thus, small children and other unauthorized users cannot gain access to the stove or accidentally turn it on.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for facilitating communications between various components of distributed system. Specifically, the systems and methods of the present invention provide a wireless network for linking the various components of manufacturing equipment or manufacturing systems to one or more central control devices. Each component of the manufacturing equipment and the central control devices include a wireless module for handling communications between the components and the control devices. In some embodiments, one or more of the components may act as a server for other components in the network. In some embodiments, multiple data channels are used for communication between the components and the central control devices.

Abstract: An automation system includes at least one device that detects measured values and is connected to a automated process, at least one field device connected to the at least one device detecting measured values, and a master computer connected to the at least one field device. In order to simplify the design of such an automation system as much as possible, the device detecting measured values, the field device, and the master computer are connected to a common data transmission network which is equipped for transmitting digital measured data from the device detecting measured values to the field device according to a first communication protocol and for transmitting digital control data between the field device and the master computer according to a second communication protocol.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dynamically displaying data in a browser of a client computer. In one aspect, the invention is a method comprising: displaying a web page comprising a primary frame having dynamic fields in said browser, wherein said web page is created by programming language containing specialized tags containing instructional elements adapted to facilitate rendering of visual data in said dynamic fields; searching said programming language of said web page for said specialized tags and creating a companion file, said companion file comprising scripting information based upon said instructional elements and updated real world data stored in a memory source; downloading said companion file; and executing said scripting information contained within said companion file causing said rendering of visual data in said dynamic fields to correspond to said updated real world data.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to make information necessary for judging whether control output is possible closer to the latest information than in the conventional method or made the latest, and shorten the time from control start to control execution. In a control and monitoring system for a power system which controls monitoring control objects by supplying a control instruction from a master unit 6 to a plurality of input/output terminal devices BCU1, BCU2, and so on provided for each of the plurality of monitoring control objects in a power system, the master unit 6 starts operations to acquire information necessary for judging whether control output to the input/output terminal devices BCU1, BCU2, and so on is possible at the time of control object selection notification from the master unit 6 to the input/output terminal devices BCU1, BCU2, and so on.

Abstract: A distributed wireless sensor network node is disclosed. The wireless sensor network node includes a plurality of sensor modules coupled to a system bus and configured to sense a parameter. The parameter may be an object, an event or any other parameter. The node collects data representative of the parameter. The node also includes a communication module coupled to the system bus and configured to allow the node to communicate with other nodes. The node also includes a processing module coupled to the system bus and adapted to receive the data from the sensor module and operable to analyze the data. The node also includes a power module connected to the system bus and operable to generate a regulated voltage.

Abstract: Thermomechanical pulp is an important process for producing fibrous mass used in papermaking. A two-level control strategy that stabilizes and optimizes the refining process has been developed. The Stabilization layer consists of a multivariable model predicative range controller that regulates the refiner line operations. The Quality Optimization layer provides the pulp quality control as measured by an online pulp quality (freeness, fibre length) sensor. This control startegy leverages the natural decoupling in the process. The modular design technique is able to handle multiple refiner lines that empty into a common latency chest. A global optimizer is also used to integrate and coordinate the two layers for enhanced constraint handling.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for regulating the flow of a liquid from a liquid provider through a liquid distribution system. The distribution system has a major liquid distribution channel connected to a plurality of minor liquid distribution channels providing the liquid to a multiplicity of users. A plurality of controllable user valves are interposed in the multiplicity of user channels. A liquid monitor senses a liquid flow characteristic within the liquid distribution channel. A user control changes selective controllable user valves for restoring a desired liquid flow characteristic within the liquid distribution channel.

Abstract: A host and ancillary tool interface methodology for distributed processing is described. The host tool manages a process, except for the generation of a product used in the process. To generate the product, the host tool provides an indication to an ancillary tool that the product is to be generated, and the ancillary tool generates the product after detection of the indication with no further intervention by the host tool. To provide the indication, the host tool preferably activates a control line whose voltage is monitored by the ancillary tool, or alternatively, sets one or more bits in a memory which is periodically checked by the ancillary tool.

Abstract: An information delivery system and its method and a program of the system, in which plural robots are used and users can obtain information effectively via the plural robots from the wider range than the range where only one robot moves, are provided. Each of the plural robots provides an information delivering means to users and an information exchanging means with an information server. The plural robots and the information server connect to a network. The robot obtains information to be delivered to an identified person from the information storing in the information server. And the robot delivers the obtained information to the identified person.

Abstract: A system facilitates state processing in an industrial control environment is provided. The system includes a module component to facilitate control operations in an industrial control environment. A propagation component is embedded within the module component to communicate state information to at least one other module component. The state information is communicated in an upward or downward direction according to a hierarchical module configuration.

Abstract: A system for coordinating remote response services, such as emergency services for safeguarding populations during environmental and other disasters, such as storms, floods, fire in order to ensure that resources are appropriately allocated and emergencies dealt with. The system comprises a host computing system and a number of remote computing systems. The host computing system may be operated by a Management Unit and remote computing systems by remote (field) Units. Each computing system includes the facility to enable entries of Requests For Assistance (RFA) and allocation of tasks responses to the RFAs. A Request For Assistance will include RFA data comprising location data, provided information data on the location of an RFA incident, an incident data, providing emergency information on the incident. The computing systems include sufficient functionality as such that in cases of communications breakdown, RFAs can still be managed.