Methods, systems, and devices for using a specialized sensor for detecting activation of a fluid dispenser and for using gathered data therefrom for a variety of purposes, including determining when to refill the dispenser, tracking and analyzing operation thereof, matching operation to expected or anticipated operation, and identifying specific users and specific incidents of use associated therewith. Also provided are use of remote data repositories and/or processing devices that for processing and use of such data.

Methods, systems, and devices for using a specialized sensor for detecting activation of a fluid dispenser and for using gathered data therefrom for a variety of purposes, including determining when to refill the dispenser, tracking and analyzing operation thereof, matching operation to expected or anticipated operation, and identifying specific users and specific incidents of use associated therewith. Also provided are use of remote data repositories and/or processing devices that for processing and use of such data.

The herein disclosed electric power management system includes a shared power supply, and an electric power selling process unit that is configured to control the electric power sell from the shared power supply to the external system, and a countervalue distributing unit that is configured to distribute a countervalue for the electric power sell to each of the plural users. Then, the countervalue distributing unit is configured to distribute the countervalue for the electric power sell so as to provide a larger countervalue of the electric power sell to an user whose electric power use amount from the shared power supply is smaller. By doing this, it is possible to provide a larger electric power sell countervalue to the user who has efforted to save the electric power.

The herein disclosed electric power management system includes a shared power supply, and an electric power selling process unit that is configured to control the electric power sell from the shared power supply to the external system, and a countervalue distributing unit that is configured to distribute a countervalue for the electric power sell to each of the plural users. Then, the countervalue distributing unit is configured to distribute the countervalue for the electric power sell so as to provide a larger countervalue of the electric power sell to an user whose electric power use amount from the shared power supply is smaller. By doing this, it is possible to provide a larger electric power sell countervalue to the user who has efforted to save the electric power.

The present invention provides a system and method for analyzing sensor data related to an irrigation system. According to a preferred embodiment, the system includes algorithms for analyzing real-time, near real-time and historical data acquired from sensors in communication with a mechanized irrigation machine. Further, the algorithms of the present invention system may analyze collected sensor data to determine if an event has occurred or is predicted to occur. Further, the algorithms of the present invention may provide commands to an irrigation machine and notifications to users. According to further aspects of the present invention, the algorithms of the present invention may preferably apply machine learning and other data analysis tools to detect maintenance patterns, geographic trends, environmental trends, and to provide predictive analysis for future events.

The present invention provides a system and method for analyzing sensor data related to an irrigation system. According to a preferred embodiment, the system includes algorithms for analyzing real-time, near real-time and historical data acquired from sensors in communication with a mechanized irrigation machine. Further, the algorithms of the present invention system may analyze collected sensor data to determine if an event has occurred or is predicted to occur. Further, the algorithms of the present invention may provide commands to an irrigation machine and notifications to users. According to further aspects of the present invention, the algorithms of the present invention may preferably apply machine learning and other data analysis tools to detect maintenance patterns, geographic trends, environmental trends, and to provide predictive analysis for future events.

A control system has an air conditioner that communicates with a file server via a network. The file server includes a lifestyle log in which information associating lifestyle information indicating a lifestyle with a control method of the air conditioner is accumulated. A first control-operation functional unit operates the air conditioner based on a first control request acquired from a first device. A second control-operation functional unit selects a control method from the lifestyle log based on a second control request acquired from a second device with higher functionality than the first device, and operates the air conditioner using the selected control method.

A control system has an air conditioner that communicates with a file server via a network. The file server includes a lifestyle log in which information associating lifestyle information indicating a lifestyle with a control method of the air conditioner is accumulated. A first control-operation functional unit operates the air conditioner based on a first control request acquired from a first device. A second control-operation functional unit selects a control method from the lifestyle log based on a second control request acquired from a second device with higher functionality than the first device, and operates the air conditioner using the selected control method.

A method for operating a control system of a technical installation, wherein an operator station server transfers visualization information to an operator station client, and the operator station client generates a graphical presentation for an operator via the visualization information, where the method includes adjusting the graphical presentation via the operator station client in response to an instruction of the operator to the operator station client, transmitting the information regarding the adjustment of the graphical presentation to the operator station server via the operator station client, recording the information received from the operator station client regarding the adjustment of the graphical presentation in a memory of the operator station server, transmitting the information regarding the adjustment of the graphical presentation to the engineering station server via the operator station server, and presenting the information regarding the adjustment of the graphical presentation to a project engineer of the technical installation.

An apparatus and method for executing a safety function is particularly applicable to monitoring a safety area of a technical installation. An imaging unit acquires an event that triggers the safety function within a defined working area. A controller carries out a safety-related reaction depending on the triggering event. A test unit is configured to verify the operability of the imaging unit and includes a processing unit and a projection unit. The projection unit projects a pattern with defined properties into the working area. The processing unit evaluates the image data acquired by the imaging unit to detect the projected pattern within the acquired image data. Further, the processing unit extracts the specific properties of the detected projected pattern, and compares the specific properties of the detected projected pattern with the defined properties.