A field communication interface, FCI, for interfacing field equipment with a network of an industrial control system, has a network interface that is configurable to participate in the network using a network address; a location determining unit configured to determine a location identifier that uniquely identifies the physical location of the FCI within the industrial control system and/or within the network; and an address determining unit configured to determine a network address that is valid in the network from the location identifier.

An intermediary device may be configured to allow an authorized visitor to access a secure facility (such as a home) on behalf of an owner. The intermediary device may generate an authenticator and provide the authenticator to a service provider, who may then present the authenticator to the intermediary device upon arriving at the facility. The intermediary device may unlock or open, or lock and close, any doors within the facility as necessary in order to grant access to a specific portion of the facility and restrict access to other portions of the facility. The intermediary device may also capture, or cause the capture of, images or other data regarding actions taken by the service provider, and establish a communications channel with the owner for the exchange of information or data regarding such actions, or any events or conditions of the facility.

An intermediary device may be configured to allow an authorized visitor to access a secure facility (such as a home) on behalf of an owner. The intermediary device may generate an authenticator and provide the authenticator to a service provider, who may then present the authenticator to the intermediary device upon arriving at the facility. The intermediary device may unlock or open, or lock and close, any doors within the facility as necessary in order to grant access to a specific portion of the facility and restrict access to other portions of the facility. The intermediary device may also capture, or cause the capture of, images or other data regarding actions taken by the service provider, and establish a communications channel with the owner for the exchange of information or data regarding such actions, or any events or conditions of the facility.

A production system and method may comprise a first production processing machine capable of processing a workpiece and a second production processing machine capable of processing the workpiece. The production system and method may also comprise a workpiece transfer device, the workpiece transfer device moving the workpiece from the first production processing machine to the second production processing machine, an inspection device identifying whether the workpiece meets at least one specification of the workpiece, and a computing device in communication with the inspection device notifying a user whether the workpiece is compliant with the at least one specification where the computing device is operative communication with either or both of the first production processing machine and the second production processing machine whereby the computing device alters operation of either or both of the first and second production processing machines.

A production system and method may comprise a first production processing machine capable of processing a workpiece and a second production processing machine capable of processing the workpiece. The production system and method may also comprise a workpiece transfer device, the workpiece transfer device moving the workpiece from the first production processing machine to the second production processing machine, an inspection device identifying whether the workpiece meets at least one specification of the workpiece, and a computing device in communication with the inspection device notifying a user whether the workpiece is compliant with the at least one specification where the computing device is operative communication with either or both of the first production processing machine and the second production processing machine whereby the computing device alters operation of either or both of the first and second production processing machines.

An apparatus and method is disclosed for over-rating a wind turbine using turbulence prediction. Weather forecast information is used to determine whether there is a risk of turbulent conditions occurring at the site of the wind turbine. The wind turbine is over-rated if turbulent conditions are not predicted, and conversely over-rating is cancelled or reduced if turbulent conditions are expected. This allows an increase in the annual energy production of the wind turbine to be realised. The weather forecast information may be combined with real time measurements of operating conditions to supplement the predictions.

An apparatus and method is disclosed for over-rating a wind turbine using turbulence prediction. Weather forecast information is used to determine whether there is a risk of turbulent conditions occurring at the site of the wind turbine. The wind turbine is over-rated if turbulent conditions are not predicted, and conversely over-rating is cancelled or reduced if turbulent conditions are expected. This allows an increase in the annual energy production of the wind turbine to be realised. The weather forecast information may be combined with real time measurements of operating conditions to supplement the predictions.

A safety-related control device for controlling an actuator with a first processing device that is configured to provide a safety function for the generation and/or processing of a signal for a safety-related control of the actuator, and a second processing device that is configured to provide an operating and/or additional function for the generation, processing, diagnostics, reproduction and/or transmission of further signals associated with the operation of the control device and/or of the actuator, and wherein the second processing device is furthermore configured to provide a test function for monitoring the functionality of the safety function.

A safety-related control device for controlling an actuator with a first processing device that is configured to provide a safety function for the generation and/or processing of a signal for a safety-related control of the actuator, and a second processing device that is configured to provide an operating and/or additional function for the generation, processing, diagnostics, reproduction and/or transmission of further signals associated with the operation of the control device and/or of the actuator, and wherein the second processing device is furthermore configured to provide a test function for monitoring the functionality of the safety function.

An environmental control system for a building in a geographic location and having a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system includes at least one computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processing device in communication with the external application, enables the at least one processing device to receive weather data characterizing a weather forecast over a predetermined time period for the geographic location, receive free-cooling window data, determine, based on the weather data and free-cooling window data, an available free-cooling time window, and issue to the external application an executable command to the HVAC system to enter free-cooling mode during the available free-cooling time window.