Abstract: A system to locate seat controls and belt buckles includes a vehicle having at least one seat. A seat belt system is provided with the at least one seat having a seat belt, a belt latch and a seat belt buckle. A haptic device is provided with the seat belt system, the haptic device generating a haptic signal.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to methods and techniques for providing power via piezoelectric components on contactless cards.

Abstract: A fluid distribution system includes a first flow meter configured to be positioned along an agent line, a metering valve configured to be positioned downstream of the first flow meter, a second flow meter configured to be positioned downstream of the first flow meter and an eductor, and a controller configured to selectively operate the fluid distribution system in a testing mode where the controller is configured to acquire a first flow rate of a fluid flowing through the first flow meter and a second flow rate of the fluid flowing through the second flow meter, determine a performance characteristic based on the first flow rate and the second flow rate, and modulate a current setting of the metering valve from a first setting to a second setting and conduct the testing mode sequence again at the second setting to verify the fluid distribution system is performing properly.

Abstract: The linear measuring system includes one part of a (usually steel) rod, beam or strip that is profiled with a trapezium like (subset of a) De Bruijn sequence. Each element of the alphabet is represented by a discrete height of the profile. The profile can be coated with a material with low magnetic susceptibility to enable the application on a piston rod of a pressure medium cylinder. The second part of the measuring system reads the subsequences of the main sequence by using the signals of arrays of linear Hall effect sensors, placed in a magnetic field as input for a signal processing algorithm. With a look-up table, the position of this second part of the measuring system with respect to the profile is determined. An interpolation algorithm can be used to improve the resolution to well below the sequence pitch.

Abstract: A display-enabled eyewear device has an integrated head sensor that dynamically and continuously measures or detects various cephalic parameters of a wearer's head. The head sensor includes a loop coupler system integrated in a lens-carrying frame to sense proximate ambient RF absorption influenced by head presence, size, and/or distance. Autonomous device management dynamically adjust or cause adjustment of selected device features based on current detected values for the cephalic parameters, which can include wear status, head size, and frame-head spacing.

Abstract: A device for arranging a marking circumferentially closed around a prolate object, or for providing a marking arrangeable circumferentially closed around a prolate object, includes: a material interface for receiving a print medium printed by a printer as a printed product; a data interface for communicating with the printer for arranging or providing the marking; at least one sensor for acquiring control signals that imply or indicate at least one measurand of the object to be marked, the at least one sensor being in data communication with the data interface; and at least one actuator for arranging the marking on the object in a circumferentially closed manner or providing the marking for circumferentially closed arrangement in accordance with the communication via the data interface and by the printed product output by the printer.

Abstract: A method for determining a screen break includes receiving a fluid stream from a screen system of a fluid system into a screen break detector, wherein the screen system comprises at least one screen, and the screen break detector comprises a sample screen. The method also includes monitoring a fluid pressure of the fluid stream flowing through the sample screen of the screen break detector and detecting a condition of the at least one screen of the screen system based on the fluid pressure and one or more pressure thresholds. The method also may include outputting a notification of the condition of the at least one screen of the screen system. A system includes a screen break detector. The screen break detector includes a sample screen configured to receive a fluid stream from a screen system of a fluid system, wherein the screen system includes at least one screen and a pressure detector configured to monitor a fluid pressure of the fluid stream flowing through the sample screen.

Abstract: A heat transfer system that includes one or more heat exchangers and one or more control pumps that control flow through the heat exchangers. In order to source a variable load, the control pumps can be controlled to operate at less than full duty flow. In an example embodiment, a controller can calculate, when each heat exchanger is clean, coefficient values of each respective heat exchanger. The controller can determine, during real-time operation, real-time coefficient values of the heat exchanger to compare with the respective coefficient values when clean, in order to determine whether there is fouling in that heat exchanger. In some examples, the controller can determine that maintenance is required on the heat exchanger due to the fouling, and perform flushing of the heat exchanger by operating one or more of the control pumps at full duty load during real-time operation to source the variable load.

Abstract: A data processing method for detection of deterioration of semiconductor process kits includes the following steps: acquiring a plurality of Raman spectra data of a semiconductor process kit and performing a plurality calculating processes on the Raman spectra data to obtain a first deterioration state determining parameter indicating the aging degree of the entire semiconductor process kit and a second deterioration state determining parameter indicating the degree of variation of the internal molecular structure of the semiconductor process kit.

Abstract: A system for detecting impacts includes a housing configured to be worn by a user. An accelerometer is connected with the housing. The accelerometer is configured to detect an acceleration indicative of an impact experienced by the user. An inaudible tone chip is positioned about the housing. The inaudible tone chip is configured to transmit ultrasonic tones including data of the impact to a remote device. A remote device includes a receiver. The receiver is configured to receive the ultrasonic tones transmitted by the inaudible tone chip.

Abstract: In a method for measuring or calibrating utensils, in particular in pressing processes, different dimensions and/or positions of the utensils, such as tools, stamps, die units, chucks or the like, are determined. A measuring device is provided, with which the utensils are placed relative to one another in the press as in the installed state and are displaceable relative to one another at least in the axial direction of the opening in the die unit forming the die and are measured and/or calibrated individually and relative to one another. The pressed parts and workpieces to be produced using a press can thus be manufactured in a highly precise manner, moreover in high numbers using the same utensils.

Abstract: A flow measuring system for one or more oil nozzles of a lubrication system of an aircraft engine comprises an external supply of a testing liquid and a pump fluidly connecting the external supply of the testing liquid to an inlet of the lubrication system via a first conduit. The inlet to the lubrication system is disposed upstream of the one or more oil nozzles. A second conduit fluidly connects an outlet of the lubrication system to the external supply of the testing liquid. The outlet of the lubrication system is disposed downstream of the one or more oil nozzles. A flow measuring device is operable to measure a flow resistance through the one or more oil nozzles.

Abstract: A fault diagnosis unit (42) of a fault diagnosis apparatus (4) performs a fault diagnosis of a communication network (2) with a probabilistic inference algorithm using information on the communication network (2) having been gathered by an NW monitoring unit (41). A diagnosis result determining unit (43) determines test items for confirming and determining a diagnosis result of the fault diagnosis. A test performing unit (44) performs a confirmation test of the determined test items. The diagnosis result determining unit (43) determines a likelihood of the diagnosis result of the fault diagnosis based on a result of the confirmation test.

Abstract: An ice merchandiser with a remote monitoring system is provided with one or more LiDAR modules positioned near a top surface an icebox such that the fields-of-view of the LiDAR modules are at least partially directed towards a bottom surface of the icebox. The LiDAR modules provide distance data to the inventory stored within the icebox to a controller located outside of the icebox via a cable that includes both power and data lines. The controller processes the distance data to provide an estimate of the current inventory of the ice merchandiser and communicates at least one of inventory data and other sensor data concerning the operation of the ice merchandiser to a remote server via a network.

Abstract: A remote fault monitoring system for an electric valve includes: an MCU, a hydrogen sulfide sensor, a hydrogen sensor, a pull-press sensor and an actuating mechanism; the pull-press sensor is connected with an A/D conversion interface of the MCU by a signal amplifier, the hydrogen sulfide sensor and the hydrogen sensor are connected with the A/D conversion interface of the MCU by respective signal transmitters, and a D/A conversion interface of the MCU is connected with an opening-degree control port of the actuating mechanism by a voltage-to-current transmitter. An opening in-place signal and a closing in-place signal of the actuating mechanism are connected with a GPIO input interface of the MCU, and a GPIO output interface of the MCU is connected with an opening control port and a closing control port of the actuating mechanism by actuating mechanism relays.

Abstract: A seatbelt having a receiver having an opening configured to receive a latch-plate, an extended pushbutton at least partially disposed within the receiver, and a magnet at least partially disposed within the extended pushbutton, wherein the magnet is configured to align the latch-plate with the opening.

Abstract: A method for determining a screen break may include obtaining a fluid stream after a screening system in a drilling process; placing the fluid stream into a screen break detector; obtaining a pressure within a well of the screen break detector when the screening system is in a first state; obtaining a pressure within the well of the screen break detector when the screening system is in a second state; determining a differential pressure within the well of the screen break detector obtained when the screening system is in the second state compared to the pressure when the screen break is in the first state; and transmitting a notification to an operator when the pressure within the screen break detector obtained when the screening system is in the second state is greater than the pressure within the screen break detector when the screening system is in the first state.

Abstract: A vessel load measurement system includes a laser measurement system configured to measure distances and angles by directing a laser of the laser measurement system onto remote laser targets and a controller configured to use the laser measurement system to measure a height of a first laser target placed at a known location on a vessel, obtain pitch and roll measurements of the vessel, and compute at least one vessel corner height based on the measured height of the first laser target at the known location on the vessel, the pitch and roll measurements of the vessel, and known dimensions of the vessel. The first laser target may be part of a jig that can be placed at a known location on the vessel. The jig may include at least one tilt sensor. An additional laser target may be used to measure the water level.

Abstract: A damage evaluation device evaluates damage of equipment, including an operation data obtaining unit which detects a state of the equipment to obtain the state as operation data; an operating state quantity evaluation unit which calculates an operating state quantity including at least one of temperature and generated stress at a predetermined evaluation-target site of the equipment, based on the operation data; a material deterioration evaluation unit which evaluates a material deterioration quantity of a material forming the equipment, based on the operating state quantity; a risk evaluation unit which evaluates at least one of a cumulative damage quantity of the material forming the equipment and failure risk, based on the operating state quantity and the material deterioration quantity; and a recommended maintenance time presentation unit which presents a recommended maintenance time of the equipment based on a result of the evaluation of the risk evaluation unit.

Abstract: An intrusion detection system for a vehicle includes a radar sensor, a calculator, and an alarm system adapted to generate an alarm, the radar sensor being adapted to detect the presence of a body within the vehicle, the calculator being adapted to categorize each detected body as either a “human” category or an “other” category and to trigger the alarm system only when at least one of the detected body(ies) is categorized as “human”. Also included is an associated vehicle and method.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes a primary pulley, a secondary pulley, a metal belt and a controller. The metal ring includes a ring and a plurality of elements bundled by the ring. The elements have respective receiving portions opening in a radial direction of the metal belt and receive the ring in the receiving portions. Assuming a direction perpendicular to a circumferential direction and a radial direction of the metal belt as a lateral direction L, the controller executes a falling-off countermeasure control of the element when a relative movement of the element in the lateral direction L with respect to the ring is detected or a presence of an action of a force on the element which causes such relative movement is detected.

Abstract: An approach is provided for automatic road closure detection. The approach, for example, involves designating a dynamic time window comprising one or more time epochs ending before a current time epoch. The approach also involves retrieving a first set of probe data collected from a road link during the dynamic time window. The approach further involves adjusting a size of the dynamic time window by adding or removing another time epoch ending before the current time epoch until at least one criterion related to the probe data, the dynamic time window, or a combination thereof is met. The approach further involves extracting a plurality of features from the first set of probe data, from a second set of probe data collected from the road link during the current time epoch, or a combination thereof. The approach then involves detecting a closure status of the road link based on the plurality of features.

Abstract: A method of operating a radar sensor system that is configured to determine range and velocity information from radar waves reflected by a scene in an interior of a vehicle for vital sign detection. The method includes steps to decompose reflected and received signals into range and velocity information, to measure the movement over time in specified range gates and to evaluate the similarities between them. Based on the characteristics of similar behaving range bins, it can be decided whether any detected movement is related to an internal or external disturbance or by vital signs.

Abstract: A numerical controller, which is configured to control maintenance of a machine tool, includes a mode shift part configured to shift an operation mode of the machine tool to a maintenance mode, on the basis of input of a trigger for starting the maintenance of the machine tool, an operation execution part configured to make the machine tool operate on the basis of predetermined maintenance contents; and an output control part configured to control output of an operation result of the machine tool, as a maintenance result. The mode shift part returns the operation mode of the machine tool to a normal operation mode, after the output of the maintenance result by the output control part.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rider holder for an amusement ride (14), comprising a holding portion (16) for holding a rider, a restraining device (24) which can be moved between an open position, in which the rider can access the holding portion (16), and a closed position, in which the held rider in the holding portion (16) can interact with the restraining device (24), a lockable securing device (32) which, in a locked state, fixes the restraining device (24) in the closed position and, in an unlocked state, releases the restraining device (24), and a control unit (52) which has detection means (55), by means of which it can be redundantly determined in a fail-safe manner whether the securing device (32) is in the locked or unlocked state, wherein the control unit (52) generates corresponding state signals. The invention further relates to a vehicle having at least one such rider holder for an amusement ride and to a method for operating such a vehicle.

Abstract: Methods for validating manufacturing equipment for use during the production of a motor vehicle include identifying touchpoints on the underbody of a vehicle, machining a foam underbody, and validating manufacturing equipment using the foam underbody. A three-dimensional model of the underbody of the vehicle may be used to identify the touchpoints and for machining the foam underbody. The foam underbody includes a polyurethane foam. At least the touchpoints of the foam underbody are machined to a tolerance of less than or equal to +/?3 millimeters with reference to the touchpoints on the three-dimensional model.

Abstract: A system for detecting anomalies in electrical wiring in a truck trailer. The system measures and compares current drawn from the truck tractor with the current drawn by a circuit at a particular trailer component or other location in the trailer wiring. If the two current measurements differ in excess of a predetermined threshold, the system can report a wiring anomaly. The location of the anomaly can then be determined by performing the operation for different trailer components thus testing multiple different branches of the trailer power distribution circuit, and using the results of these tests to determine that an anomaly is present, and possibly the location of the issue. The system may then send a notification to a remote computing device, to the truck tractor, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A fluid distribution system includes a water line configured to receive water from a water source, an agent line configured to receive agent from an agent source, a flush line configured to receive the water from the water source and connecting to the agent line at a junction, a flush valve positioned to selectively prevent the water from flowing along the flush line, an agent valve positioned to selectively prevent the agent from flowing along the agent line, a first flow meter positioned along the agent line downstream of the junction, a second flow meter positioned downstream of the first flow meter, an eductor coupled to the agent line and the water line downstream of the first flow meter and upstream of the second flow meter, a metering valve positioned downstream of the first flow meter and upstream of the eductor, and a controller.

Abstract: A measuring method is provided. A probe and a first sensor are disposed over a jig including a bar protruding from the jig. The probe is moved until a first surface of the probe is laterally aligned with a second surface of the bar facing the jig. A first distance between the second surface of the bar and the first sensor is obtained by the first sensor. The probe and the first sensor are disposed over a magnetron. Magnetic field intensities at different elevations above the magnetron are measured by the probe. A method for forming a semiconductor structure is also provided.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle driving device (1) including a transmission actuator unit (131) and pedal actuators (41) is supported as a whole by a frame (11) and legs (12). The frame (11) extends obliquely downward from a seat back abutting part (22) located at an upper end of the frame (11) toward a vehicle front side. The frame (11) is provided with the pair of legs (12) at a top end of the frame (11). The legs (12) extend downward along a front end of a seat cushion (3) and abut against the vehicle body floor (6). By tightening a belt (25) between the frame (11) and a seat support (27), the frame (11) is pulled obliquely downward and is firmly fixed. Since a flexible seat cushion (3) does not bear a load of the device (1), vibrations of the device (1) during a running test do not easily occur.

Abstract: A method for determining a screen break may include obtaining a fluid stream after a screening system in a drilling process; placing the fluid stream into a screen break detector; obtaining a pressure within a well of the screen break detector when the screening system is in a first state; obtaining a pressure within the well of the screen break detector when the screening system is in a second state; determining a differential pressure within the well of the screen break detector obtained when the screening system is in the second state compared to the pressure when the screen break is in the first state; and transmitting a notification to an operator when the pressure within the screen break detector obtained when the screening system is in the second state is greater than the pressure within the screen break detector when the screening system is in the first state.

Abstract: The present invention provides continuous monitoring of the attributes of a structure before, during and after an incident. This assessment is delivered within minutes after an incident to the people using the structure. In addition, results from all devices triggered by the event can be aggregated and made available to first responders, governmental disaster management teams and operators of critical facilities.

Abstract: A system for detecting impacts includes a housing configured to be worn by a user. An accelerometer is connected with the housing. The accelerometer is configured to detect an acceleration indicative of an impact experienced by the user. An inaudible tone chip is positioned about the housing. The inaudible tone chip is configured to transmit ultrasonic tones including data of the impact to a remote device. A remote device includes a receiver. The receiver is configured to receive the ultrasonic tones transmitted by the inaudible tone chip.

Abstract: A controller in a fluid delivery system controls magnitudes of pressure in a first volume and a second volume. The first volume is of a known magnitude. The second volume is of an unknown magnitude and varies. The controller estimates a temperature of gas in the first volume and a temperature of gas in the second volume based on measurements of pressure in the first volume and measurements of pressure in the second volume. The controller then calculates a magnitude of the second volume based on measured pressures of the gases and estimated temperatures of gases in the first volume and the second volume.

Abstract: An etching apparatus includes a reaction chamber having an internal space, a fixing chuck disposed in the reaction chamber, an electrostatic chuck disposed on the fixing chuck and on which a wafer is placed, a focus ring surrounding the electrostatic chuck, and a sensor device configured to be transferred into or out of the reaction chamber and placed on the electrostatic chuck. The sensor device includes a body having a plate shape, and a sensor disposed on an upper surface of the body which senses whether the focus ring is worn.

Abstract: A substrate transport empiric arm droop mapping apparatus for a substrate transport system of a processing tool, the mapping apparatus including a frame, an interface disposed on the frame forming datum features representative of a substrate transport space in the processing tool defined by the substrate transport system, a substrate transport arm, that is articulated and has a substrate holder, mounted to the frame in a predetermined relation to at least one of the datum features, and a registration system disposed with respect to the substrate transport arm and at least one datum feature so that the registration system registers, in an arm droop distance register, empiric arm droop distance, due to arm droop changes, between a first arm position and a second arm position different than the first arm position and in which the substrate holder is moved in the transport space along at least one axis of motion.

Abstract: There is provided a device for monitoring the use of a blister package, strip package, vial or bottle contents at a distance. A processor is connected to a compact random or quasi-random n-microphone array and is programmed to detect the sound of the content being expelled from a blister cavity, strip package, or a cap being removed from a vial or bottle. A content use data memory associated with the processor stores information relating to the expulsion or removal events. The processor is equipped with statistical means for differentiating the sound of the content being expelled, from the background noise, generating an electrical signal that is analyzed for relevance to content use events by the processor, and storing the resulting use data in memory. The processor may have an adaptive beam focussing algorithm to determine the direction of the source of the sound.

Abstract: A state determination device acquires data related to an injection molding machine, stores a learning model obtained by learning an operation state of the injection molding machine with respect to the data, and performs estimation using the learning model based on the data. Further, the state determination device acquires a correction coefficient, which is associated with a type of the injection molding machine and equipment attached to the injection molding machine and numerically converts and corrects the estimation result with a predetermined correction function to which the acquired correction coefficient is applied.

Abstract: A gas meter includes flow rate measurer that measures a flow rate of gas in time series and storage unit that stores the flow rate measured by flow rate measurer as flow rate data. The gas meter also includes storage condition setting unit that determines a condition for storing the flow rate data in storage unit and communication unit that communicates with center device. Storage unit stores the flow rate data to satisfy the condition set by storage condition setting unit.

Abstract: An inspection substrate for inspecting a component of an apparatus for processing production substrates, the inspection substrate having: a body having dimensions similar to the production substrates so that the inspection substrate is compatible with the apparatus; a sensor configured to generate inspection information relating to a parameter of the component of the apparatus, the sensor embedded in the body; a control detector embedded in the body and configured to detect a control signal transmitted by the apparatus for processing production substrates; and a controller embedded in the body and configured to control the sensor in response to detection of the control signal.

Abstract: A facility for coordinating the safety care of a person is described. The facility receives sensor output indicating that the person has departed a place of repose. In response to this receiving, the facility establishes an alarm identifying the person, accesses a set of on-duty caregivers, and applies one or more precedence rules to establish a precedence among at least a portion of the set of on-duty caregivers. Until a caregiver has accepted the alarm, for each caregiver in the established precedence, the facility: causes a mobile device carried by the caregiver to render a message notifying the caregiver of the alarm and soliciting the caregiver's acceptance of the alarm; and allows the caregiver an interval of time of a first predetermined length in which to accept the alarm before proceeding to the next caregiver in the established precedence.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of determining a number of process parameter values within an injection mould (1F) during an injection moulding process, which method comprises the steps of determining geometric data of the injection mould (1F) and/or of a form part (1, 1?, 1?) to be manufactured, determining a virtual part-specific pressure curve (pS) of an injection moulding process, determining a part-specific event pattern (MS) on the basis of the virtual part-specific pressure curve (pS), carrying out an injection moulding process using the injection mould (1F) and determining a measured pressure curve (pm) during the injection moulding process and determining a measurement event pattern (Mm) on the basis of the measured pressure curve (pm). Process parameter values are derived on the basis of the virtual event pattern and the measurement event pattern. The invention further describes a corresponding process parameter value determining apparatus and an injection mould arrangement.

Abstract: Camera arrays for mediated-reality systems and associated methods and systems are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a camera array includes a support structure having a center, and a depth sensor mounted to the support structure proximate to the center. The camera array can further include a plurality of cameras mounted to the support structure radially outward from the depth sensor, and a plurality of trackers mounted to the support structure radially outward from the cameras. The cameras are configured to capture image data of a scene, and the trackers are configured to capture positional data of a tool within the scene. The image data and the positional data can be processed to generate a virtual perspective of the scene including a graphical representation of the tool at the determined position.

Abstract: A vacuum system and method for inspecting a workpiece that can include use of the vacuum system, where the vacuum system can include a housing defining at least a portion of a vacuum chamber, a piston within the housing that oscillates to vary a volume of the vacuum chamber, a first valve and a second valve in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber, and a hood in fluid communication with the second valve and the vacuum chamber. The vacuum system can include high-speed valves that enable vacuum system cycling and thus vacuum pressure cycling at a rapid frequency.

Abstract: An approach is provided for automatic road closure detection. The approach, for example, involves designating a dynamic time window comprising one or more time epochs ending before a current time epoch. The approach also involves retrieving a first set of probe data collected from a road link during the dynamic time window. The approach further involves adjusting a size of the dynamic time window by adding or removing another time epoch ending before the current time epoch until at least one criterion related to the probe data, the dynamic time window, or a combination thereof is met. The approach further involves extracting a plurality of features from the first set of probe data, from a second set of probe data collected from the road link during the current time epoch, or a combination thereof. The approach then involves detecting a closure status of the road link based on the plurality of features.

Abstract: A rotating drum of a tire, wheel and/or chassis test stand, with an essentially cylindrical running surface (15). The rotating drum of a tire having a hub, side disks arranged on the hub, which in the area of their circumference (3a, 4a) have fixing areas, and a plurality of segments (7) which form the running surface (15) of the rotating drum (1,21). The plurality of segments (7) are arranged on the circumference (3a, 4a) of the fixing areas and are connected to the side disks.

Abstract: An agricultural sensing system includes multiple sensor and/or actuator modules configured to communicate with a relay unit. The sensor and/or actuator modules are powered using solar energy and contain no batteries. The modules feature sleep modes in which some circuits are placed in a low energy mode to conserve energy and remove the need for batteries. Communications to or from the relay unit are optionally timed to avoid interference between transmissions from different sensor and/or actuator modules. The relay units are configured to relay sensor data and send commands to the sensor and/or actuator modules.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control circuit (10; 110; 210; 310) and a method for checking the plausibility of a rotor position angle. The control circuit is designed with: a rotor position angle determination device (12) for determining a first rotor position angle, ?(tk), at a first time, tk, and at least one second rotor position angle, ?(tk?1), at a second time, ?k?1, before the first time, tk; a computing device (14; 114; 214; 314) for determining a rotor position angle, mod(tk), to be expected at the first time, tk, from a computational model of the computing device (14; 114; 214; 314) using at least the second rotor position angle, ?(tk?1); and a plausibility-checking device (16) for outputting a signal (51) which indicates the determined first rotor position angle, ?(tk), as plausible if an amount of a difference between the rotor position angle, mod(tk), to be expected and the determined first rotor position angle, ?(tk), does not exceed a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A preventive maintenance management system and method, and a cell controller, for monitoring preventive maintenance data, calculating a residual period of time until which a component comes to the end of its life, and generating an appropriate maintenance schedule based thereon. The system has: a cell including machines and machine controllers, a cell controller communicably connected to each machine controller; and a supervisory computer communicably connected to the cell controller. The cell controller has: an analyzing part which detects a deterioration of the component and calculates the residual period of time when the deterioration is detected, based on the monitored preventive maintenance data; and an informing part which informs the supervisory computer of the calculated residual period of time along with an alarm. The supervisory computer has a maintenance scheduling part which generates or updates a maintenance schedule based on the informed residual period of time.

Abstract: A zone control panel that is easy and intuitive to use and to program. In some embodiments, a zone control panel may be configured to have an easy to use, single level menu structure with, for example, a configuration mode and/or a checkout mode. The configuration mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. Likewise, the checkout mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. A mode selector may be provided to select a particular mode, after which, the menu screens that correspond to the selected mode may be sequentially displayed to the user. Other features and aspects are also disclosed.