The disclosed embodiments relate generally to a multi-conductor ribbon cable provided for power and data transmission to a network of devices. The multi-conductor ribbon cable is keyed for mating with a modular connector. The conductors of the multi-conductor ribbon cable are connected to the network of devices via insulation displacement members and spring connectors contained within a modular connector.

An input-output device includes an input circuit unit including an input-signal-setting storing unit that stores a plurality of ON conditions of the input signal and an input circuit that determines whether any one of the ON conditions of the stored input signal holds, a computing unit including an output-signal-setting storing unit that stores information in which the ON conditions of the input signal, output ports for outputting an output signal, and specifications of the output signal are associated and an output-signal selecting unit that generates, on the basis of a determination result of the input circuit and the stored information, an output command indicating the output ports and the specifications of the output signal, and an output circuit unit including an output circuit that outputs, to the output ports indicated by the output command, the output signal according to the specifications indicated by the output command.

An apparatus is disclosed that includes a battery-operated switch magnetically mounted to a switch holder. The switch includes a microcontroller, a short-range wireless transmitter, one or more tactile control buttons, and a switch magnet. The switch holder includes a magnetic plate, a front face having a front height and front width, a back plane having a back height and a back width, and a depth spanning from the front face to the back plane. The switch holder also includes a switch depression in the front face spanning at least a portion of the depth. The switch depression has a shape that correlates to a switch shape, and the switch depression has dimensions that correlate to switch dimensions. The switch is magnetically mounted to the magnetic holder in the switch body depression by the switch magnet and the magnetic plate.

Embodiments generally relate to thermal management in a multi-node computing device. The present technology discloses techniques that can receive multiple control signals from multiple computing nodes, each of the control signals being associated with a fan duty request, which is a request for a fan duty needed to keep a related computing node operating within a predetermined temperature range. The logic controller can rank the received control signals and select a control signal that requests a highest fan duty; lastly, the logic controller can cause multiple cooling fans to operate at the selected highest fan duty.

A method and associated systems for a self-learning energy switch. The switch creates an array of cognitive models for each candidate energy source. Each array returns a probability that its corresponding source is the most cost-effective and operationally suitable energy supplier at that time. Each model in an array contributes to the array's returned probability as a function of a corresponding class of decision-making factors. The system fine-tunes the models by weighting them as functions of extrinsic evidentiary information that may imply future behavior of the decision-making factors and combines each model's returned probabilities to select an optimal energy source. The system then automatically routes power from the optimal source to a consumer's energy-consuming premises. This self-learning procedure repeats indefinitely, continuously tuning the models in response to identifying additional extrinsic evidence and reasons why the system's previous energy selections were either optimal or non-optimal.

A method and associated systems for a self-learning energy switch. The switch creates an array of cognitive models for each candidate energy source. Each array returns a probability that its corresponding source is the most cost-effective and operationally suitable energy supplier at that time. Each model in an array contributes to the array's returned probability as a function of a corresponding class of decision-making factors. The system fine-tunes the models by weighting them as functions of extrinsic evidentiary information that may imply future behavior of the decision-making factors and combines each model's returned probabilities to select an optimal energy source. The system then automatically routes power from the optimal source to a consumer's energy-consuming premises. This self-learning procedure repeats indefinitely, continuously tuning the models in response to identifying additional extrinsic evidence and reasons why the system's previous energy selections were either optimal or non-optimal.

A remote control device includes: a housing; a central processor arranged in the housing and configured to control operations of the remote control device; a thermoelectric generator arranged in the housing and coupled to the central processor; a button module arranged in the housing and coupled to the central processor and the thermoelectric generator; and a communication module coupled to the central processor and the thermoelectric generator, wherein: the thermoelectric generator includes an electricity generator having two metal sheets made of different materials, the two metal sheets being connected to each other at two connection points and forming a closed loop circuit via the two connection points, and the electricity generator is configured to generate a thermoelectromotive force based on a temperature difference between the two connection points, and power the central processor, the button module, and the communication module using the thermoelectromotive force.

In the use of a display of a converter, method for operating a converter, and converter, the converter having an address code switch, in particular on its housing, and in an actuation of the address code switch and during a subsequent, predefined period of time, a respective value corresponding to the respective switch position of the address code switch is displayed by the display. Operating information of the converter is displayed in all other cases.

Described herein are systems and methods for scheduling the operation of building resources. In overview, some embodiments provide a central interface for allowing the scheduling of a large number of devices within a building, irrespective of the manufacturer or scheduling requirements of the individual devices. For example, one embodiment provides, a software product that executes on a processor for allowing a user to submit scheduling preference in relation to one or more building resources. The software package analyses and applies these preferences across the devices described by the building resource or resources.

Dough preparation apparatus and associated methods. The dough preparation apparatus can store and be configured to execute a plurality of dough preparation recipes. In one example, the dough preparation apparatus is configured for thawing or slacking frozen dough and conditioning the dough prior to baking. The dough preparation apparatus facilitates production of baked bread having higher and more consistent quality.