Abstract:
A method for adjusting a plurality of controlled subsystems in a building or plant that facilitates cooperative energy usage with a utility provider. By referring to a single profile of adjustments that correspond to changes in the value of a utility signal and distributing this to each relevant controller for each subsystem, a single setback delta can be applied to each subsystem for each change in utility signal value (i.e., pricing information). Alternatively, multiple profiles can be used to provide for firmer control and thereby allow for different zones to respond differently to a single change signal sent by the utility provider.
Abstract:
A system and method compares combinations of vehicle variable values against known combinations of potentially dangerous vehicle input signal values. Alarms and error messages are selectively generated based on such comparisons. An aircraft signal definition is provided to enable definition and monitoring of sets of aircraft input signals to customize such signals for different aircraft. The input signals are compared against known combinations of potentially dangerous values by operational software and hardware of a monitoring function. The aircraft signal definition is created using a text editor or custom application. A compiler receives the aircraft signal definition to generate a binary file that comprises the definition of all the input signals used by the monitoring function. The binary file also contains logic that specifies how the inputs are to be interpreted. The file is then loaded into the monitor function, where it is validated and used to continuously monitor the condition of the aircraft.
Abstract:
A method to determine global optimality/feasibility/infeasibility when solving a quadratic system of modeling equations for industrial problems includes a bound propagation process to refine bounds and improve linearization, a local linear bounding process to determine feasibility and find approximately feasible solutions, a local linearization process to determine feasibility and local optimality, and a global subdivision search to branch and prune. Applications include solving and optimizing scheduling, planning, operations, inventory, suppliers, ordering, customers, and production problems.
Abstract:
Methods, data, and systems are provided to warp an image. Input pixels associated with an input image are warped according to a provided or obtained warping function. A single weight is assigned to each input pixel. The weight represents each input pixel's horizontal and vertical dimensions within an output lattice. The single weight is combined with an intensity value associated with each input pixel to map each input pixel to the output lattice in a single processing pass.
Abstract:
A tamper resistant magnetic contact switch apparatus for alarm systems that has a plurality of magnetic reed switches configured in a logic circuit and a magnetic pack for actuation. A magnetic shield disposed around the switches defines an actuation zone. In combination with the magnetic shield preventing magnetic fields from reaching the switches from locations outside the actuation zone, the magnet pack activates two of the five switches when positioned within the actuation zone to complete the logic circuit. The magnet pack does not, however, activate any of the other switches. If any of the other three switches are activated, or if either of the two activated switches are deactivated, the logic circuit is broken and the alarm circuit is activated.
Abstract:
A laser structure (10, 60) and method of manufacturing a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). The laser structure (10, 60) is adapted to lase at a wavelength lambda and includes a first mirror stack (14), an active region (18) disposed on the first mirror stack (14) and a second mirror stack (22) disposed on the active region (18). The second mirror stack (22) includes a plurality of alternating mirror layer pairs (a, b) with a phase shifting region (24) disposed therein. The phase shifting region (24) is positioned outside the optical aperture (25) and away from the active region (18) by at least one mirror layer pair, with the optical thickness of the phase shifting region (24) being a multiple of one-fourth lambda, the phase shifting region (24) being oxidized reducing the reflectance of the second mirror stack (22) outside the aperture relative to inside the aperture. The optical thickness of the phase shifting region (24) is a function of the difference between the index of refraction of an adjacent semiconductor layer and the index of refraction of the phase shifting region. The phase shifting region (24) creates a coupled cavity (25, 68) positioned above the active region (18). The phase shifting region (24) reduces the reflectance of the second mirror stack (22) and may be positioned at a node of the laser electric field inside the aperture.
Abstract:
A magnetoresistive sensor system having resistive elements changing in ohmic value in the presence of a magnetic field of a current being measured. The variant values of the elements are amplified by some electronics that inherently add offset to the resultant values. The elements themselves also add an offset. The output of the electronics is modulated and then buffered as an output. This output is demodulated and integrated. The resultant signal is fed back to the input of the electronics to null out the offsets. The output of the buffer also goes to an inductive coil that is magnetically coupled to the resistive elements to null out the magnetic field from the current being measured. The buffer output indicates the magnitude of the current being measured. An oscillator outputs a signal to actuate the modulator and the demodulator. The oscillator signal also goes to a set/reset circuit for setting and resetting the resistive elements of the magnetoresistive sensor.
Abstract:
There is disclosed, for use in connection with a network that provides communications between customers generating service requests and vendors capable of electronically fulfilling the service requests, a system for monitoring, controlling, and administering role-based work flows associated with the service requests. Work flows may be controlled and performed through role-based collaboration, allowing anonymity of vendors and customers and providing a template by which a generic work flow can be reapplied. The system comprises: a main controller for creating a first work flow record used to control a first work flow associated with a first service request and for storing the first work flow record in a storage device associated with the main controller. The main controller also receives messages, data files, software applications, and documents from a first customer and a first vendor associated with the first work flow, stores the messages, data files, software applications, and documents in the storage device, and transfers the messages, data files, software applications, and documents to the first customer and the first vendor. The system also comprises an accounting controller associated with the main controller that identifies fees associated with the first work flow and stores fee data associated with the fees in the first work flow record.