Described herein are several embodiments relating to modular irrigation controllers. In many implementations, the irrigation controllers are modular in that various functional components of the irrigation controller are implemented in removable modules that when inserted into position within the controller, expand the capabilities of the controller. Also described are various different types of expansion modules that may be coupled to the modular controller, having as variety of functions and features, as well as related methods of use and configuration of these modules in the controller. In one implementation, an expansion module is provided that includes a microcontroller capable of sending and receiving data communications to and from a main microcontroller of the controller that executed irrigation programs, the data communications relating to an irrigation program.

A method and apparatus for use with a plurality of resources integrated within a space for performing a process and a program run by a processor for controlling the process, the apparatus for associating the resources with the program and comprising a processor running a program to perform the steps of identifying at least a first reference point within the space, identifying the relative juxtaposition of at least a first resource with respect to the first reference point and associating the first resource with the program as a function of the relative juxtaposition of the first resource to the reference point.

In one aspect, a system for controlling lighting effect on a mobile device may include at least a 3C client end having at least one mobile device, at least a light effect control (LEC) end, and a server. Through a network, the server can connect with the 3C client end and the LEC client end. In one embodiment, the server can connect to a plurality of 3C client ends concurrently, but only enables a single LEC client end to connect thereto. The server has a database which is configured to separately store data of the 3C client ends, the LEC client ends and communications therebetween. Each of the venues has a plurality of preset flash lighting patterns for the 3C client ends, and the venue comprises its identified data and service data which are individually saved in the database and can be retrieved once the server is activated.

Techniques for commissioning a process control device in a process plant include obtaining, at a portable computing device, commissioning data for commissioning the respective process control device for operation, such as a device tag. The portable computing device then transfers the commissioning data to a component in the same process control loop as the process control device via a wireless communication link. For example, the component includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) or near field communication (NFC) unit for receiving RFID/NFC signals. When the portable computing device is within RFID/NFC communication range of the component, the commissioning data is transferred via an RFID/NFC signal to the component. The commissioning data is received while the component is in an unpowered state, where the RFID/NFC signal energizes the RFID/NFC unit at the component for receiving the signal.

A method to improve digestion for an individual, especially the digestion issue caused by the individual's mental issues, may include steps of choosing one or more individuals having digestive discomfort caused by mental issues that may happen periodically; generating a sound file of digestion sounds for a predetermined length of time; administrating the sound file to the individual for a predetermined period of time; and determining if the individual's digestion is improved. In one embodiment, the step of generating a sound file of digestion sounds may include steps of recording the digestion sounds from a person during good digestion and editing the digestion sounds. In another embodiment, the predetermined length of time can be ten minutes.

In one aspect, a system for controlling lighting effect on a mobile device may include at least a 3C client end having at least one mobile device, at least a light effect control (LEC) end, and a server. Through a network, the server can connect with the 3C client end and the LEC client end. In one embodiment, the server can connect to a plurality of 3C client ends concurrently, but only enables a single LEC client end to connect thereto. The server has a database which is configured to separately store data of the 3C client ends, the LEC client ends and communications therebetween. Each of the venues has a plurality of preset flash lighting patterns for the 3C client ends, and the venue comprises its identified data and service data which are individually saved in the database and can be retrieved once the server is activated.

A system and method is disclosed for configuring a group of mobile field devices using a configuration device (an HMI) is provided. In particular, the HMI is programmed to configure identically programmed field devices that are arbitrarily arranged in an application-dependent formation by defining and providing configuration parameters to the devices via wired and/or wireless communication. In particular, the HMI assigns a unique identifier to respective robots as a function of the position of the robot within the formation or the layout of the environment. Accordingly each robot can be efficiently configured by the HMI to operate independently yet as a coordinated member of the group and without requiring the robots to be placed in specific positions during the initial deployment. This obviates the need for constant independent control commands for each robot by a central controller or providing a customized control program to each robot during deployment.

A platform-to-platform communication architecture for a process control messaging service in a process control system or other industrial setting allows stationary and portable industrial computing units to communicate with each other, in one-to-one and one-to-many communications, and across networks, including isolated networks inside the process control system or industrial setting and external networks. A requesting industrial computing device platform generates a message for a destination, or responding, industrial computing device in the communication protocol of the destination platform, and wraps the message in a communication protocol of the process control messaging service. The communication architecture decodes the wrapped message into the communication protocol of the destination industrial computing device and forwards the decoded wrapped message to the destination. The communication architecture allows for a variety of communication services, including, but not limited to, instant/real-time peer-to-peer messaging, time synchronization, automatic data transfer with an asset management system, communication with field devices via an asset management system and large data transfers.

A portable field maintenance tool system for performing a plurality of different functional tasks on one or more equipment assets in a plant includes a handheld base and a plurality of functional modules for attachment to the handheld base. Each functional module, when operatively attached to the handheld base, interacts with computer circuits on the handheld base to perform a pre-defined one or more of the functional tasks. A portable handheld field maintenance tool for performing one or more pre-selected ones of the functional tasks on an equipment asset in a plant is formed by operatively mounting any one of the functional modules to the handheld base.

An industrial service device fleet management system implements an organized and easy to use methodology to manage the digital content stored on each of a plurality of portable or stationary devices used in a plant, such as portable maintenance devices, to assure that each of the portable devices receives or implements only the content that it is supposed to have and is upgraded at the appropriate time to include new content, features, etc. The fleet management system includes a memory for storing information related to the fleet of portable or stationary devices including device identifications, device descriptions, end user names and privileges, the current content of each of the portable devices, and templates defining configuration parameters for the portable or stationary devices. The system also includes a content downloader that obtains, stores, and downloads content (such as software and firmware upgrades, additional features, applications, drivers, knowledge articles, etc.) for execution or display in various ones of the portable or stationary devices, includes a content decider module that analyzes when and if various ones of the portable or stationary devices should be provided additional or new content, and includes a notification system that notifies users of the portable or stationary devices of the need to upgrade or provide new content to the portable or stationary devices.