The present embodiments provide systems, processes and/or methods of controlling irrigation. In some embodiments, methods are provided that receive (4112) water usage information corresponding to a first volumetric water usage at a site location having an irrigation controller (130), wherein the first volumetric water usage corresponds to volumetric water usage from a beginning of a budget period of time to a first time within the budget period of time; determine (4114) automatically whether a volumetric water budget at the site location will be met for the budget period of time based on at least the first volumetric water usage, the volumetric water budget corresponding to a specified volume of water for use during the budget period of time; determine (4116) automatically, in the event the volumetric water budget will not be met, an adjustment to the irrigation by the irrigation controller; and output (4118) signaling to effect the adjustment.

A connecting device operating as a gateway in communicating information to a lock device using a first bandwidth wireless communication protocol, and which also operates temporarily as an access point for communicating other information with the lock device using a second bandwidth wireless communication protocol. Temporary, random credential may be used to establish a one-time connection with the connecting device via the access point. Upon completion of the transfer of information using the second bandwidth wireless communication protocol, the access point may be terminated, and the generated credential may become obsolete. The server may also attempt to balance a load on the server by scheduling the timing of at least certain types of communications to lock device based on matching periods of time in which usage of the lock device is low with times that would allow for a balance of the load on the server.

Provided is a method for controlling an ultrasonic motor to reduce deterioration of automatic tracking performance, and a surveying instrument for the same. The present invention provides a method for controlling an ultrasonic motor in a surveying instrument including a rotary shaft, an ultrasonic motor that drives a rotary shaft, a tracking unit that includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit and tracks a target, and a clock signal oscillation unit that outputs a clock signal, wherein at the time of low-speed rotation of the ultrasonic motor, based on the clock signal, a ratio of an acceleration period in which a drive signal is applied and a deceleration period in which the drive signal is stopped in a drive cycle of the drive signal of the ultrasonic motor is set, and the light emitting unit is made to emit light in the deceleration period.

Provided is a method for controlling an ultrasonic motor to reduce deterioration of automatic tracking performance, and a surveying instrument for the same. The present invention provides a method for controlling an ultrasonic motor in a surveying instrument including a rotary shaft, an ultrasonic motor that drives a rotary shaft, a tracking unit that includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit and tracks a target, and a clock signal oscillation unit that outputs a clock signal, wherein at the time of low-speed rotation of the ultrasonic motor, based on the clock signal, a ratio of an acceleration period in which a drive signal is applied and a deceleration period in which the drive signal is stopped in a drive cycle of the drive signal of the ultrasonic motor is set, and the light emitting unit is made to emit light in the deceleration period.

A delivery device comprising an acquisition mode for activating at least one button for controlling the delivery of a drug.

Methods and apparatus to control architectural opening covering assemblies are disclosed herein. An example architectural opening covering assembly includes a manual controller operatively coupled to a tube to rotate the tube. The tube includes an architectural opening covering. The example architectural opening covering assembly also includes a motor operatively coupled to the tube to rotate the tube. A local controller is communicatively coupled to the motor to control the motor. The example architectural opening covering assembly further includes a gravitational sensor to determine an angular position of the tube.

During the production of consumable liquids such as milk, soup, and juice, the liquid consumable may be transferred from one location to another location through a fluid conduit. For example, a consumable liquid may be transferred from a storage tank to another destination through piping. At the end of the process, the piping may be purged with a flushing fluid to push the liquid consumable remaining in the piping to the end destination, thus preventing the volume of liquid remaining in the piping from being wasted. To control the flushing processing, fluid flowing through the piping may be fluorometrically analyzed to determine a concentration of product in the fluid. The flushing liquid can then be controlled based on the determined concentration. For example, the supply of flushing liquid may be terminated when the concentration of product falls below a threshold, indicating the flushing liquid is diluting the liquid consumable.

During the production of consumable liquids such as milk, soup, and juice, the liquid consumable may be transferred from one location to another location through a fluid conduit. For example, a consumable liquid may be transferred from a storage tank to another destination through piping. At the end of the process, the piping may be purged with a flushing fluid to push the liquid consumable remaining in the piping to the end destination, thus preventing the volume of liquid remaining in the piping from being wasted. To control the flushing processing, fluid flowing through the piping may be fluorometrically analyzed to determine a concentration of product in the fluid. The flushing liquid can then be controlled based on the determined concentration. For example, the supply of flushing liquid may be terminated when the concentration of product falls below a threshold, indicating the flushing liquid is diluting the liquid consumable.

The present invention relates to a system for dispensing liquid mixtures, having a main stream line for passage of a main stream of a carrier liquid, a secondary stream line, which branches off from the main stream line at a first junction and leads back into the main stream line at a second junction, and at least one tank for accommodating a mixture component, the tank having a discharge opening connected to the secondary stream line. The system tank includes a metering pump for delivering the mixture component located in the tank through the discharge line into the secondary stream line and the system comprises a drive unit which is coupled detachably to the metering pump to drive the metering pump. The invention further relates to a method of using the above-stated system and to use of the system to dispense a plant protection product.

Methods and apparatus for coordinating operation of valves are disclosed. In some examples, an apparatus includes a valve controller to receive a first signal from a first control system to change an operating state of a valve, the valve controller is to provide the first control system exclusive control of the valve. In some examples, the valve controller is to receive a second signal from a second control system requesting permission to operate the valve, and send a response to the second control system indicating the first control system has exclusive control of the valve and has changed an operating state of the valve.