An automation operating and management system consolidates and analyzes inputs from multiple machines within an automated enterprise to predict failures and provide instructions for counteractions to prevent failures during machine operation, and to identify opportunities for efficiency improvement, including actions for reduction in peak power consumption demand within a facility including multiple machines. A machine can include a machine controller and at least one base layer controller, where the base layer controller acts as a low level controller to directly control the motion of elements in communication with the base layer control, according to parameters set by the machine controller. The base layer controller collects timing data for the elements under its control, compares the timing data with the parameters and sets an alarm when the timing data is outside of tolerance limits defined by the parameters.

A method of determining an energy-efficient operating point of a machine tool of a machine tool system with which identical workpieces for processing can be supplied to the machine tool sequentially in time. The machine tool has an operating point dependent machine cycle time and an operating point dependent power demand. The machine tool system has at least two machine tools and has a system cycle time, and the machine cycle time is shorter than the system cycle time. The method includes determining the energy-efficient operating point in accordance with a machine cycle time dependent characteristic energy demand function of the machine tool. The characteristic energy demand function represents a machine cycle time dependent energy demand of the machine tool over the system cycle time. A corresponding device and a machine tool system are also described.

A method for real-time temperature management is described. In one embodiment, the method includes configuring a setting to trigger a thermal sensor to capture a thermal image of an area inside a premises and capturing, via the thermal sensor, a first thermal image of the area of the premises. In some embodiments, upon detecting the trigger, the method includes capturing, via the thermal sensor, a second thermal image of the area of the premises and identifying a thermal exchange in the area of the premises by comparing the first thermal image with the second thermal image.

An automation operating and management system consolidates and analyzes inputs from multiple machines within an automated enterprise to predict failures and provide instructions for counteractions to prevent failures during machine operation, and to identify opportunities for efficiency improvement, including actions for reduction in peak power consumption demand within a facility including multiple machines. A machine can include a machine controller and at least one base layer controller, where the base layer controller acts as a low level controller to directly control the motion of elements in communication with the base layer control, according to parameters set by the machine controller. The base layer controller collects timing data for the elements under its control, compares the timing data with the parameters and sets an alarm when the timing data is outside of tolerance limits defined by the parameters.

Feedback is received from a plurality of devices. External data is also received. Statistical patterns of the plurality of devices are determined based on the feedback. A policy is determined based on the statistical patterns, the feedback, and the external data. The policy may include a set of rules dictating the operation of each of the plurality of devices and reducing energy consumption at the plurality of devices. Control data based on the policy is transmitted to the plurality of devices. The control data may be operative to transform the operation of the plurality of devices according to the set of rules.

A method for operating an automation system having a CPU unit that is provided for processing a control program for controlling a technical process, wherein a power supply module of the automation system supplies electric energy to units that consume electric energy. During the control of the process, the energy consumption is optimized, such that the necessary automation functions for controlling the technical process are maintained.

A method and system are provided that synchronize one or more appliances to one or more users' schedules. Sensor data may be obtained from a sensor. The sensor data may indicate a state of a first appliance. A user location may be determined. A first characteristic of the first appliance may be obtained. Based upon the user location and the sensor data, a schedule indicating when the user will desire a state change of the first appliance may be determined. A feature of the first appliance may be dynamically modified to cause the first appliance to operate according to the schedule. A notice may be sent to the user that contains information about the first appliance.

A system for controlling automation includes a machine which collects data generated by performance of an operation by the machine. A user device displays a machine control interface (MCI) corresponding to the machine. The MCI displays the collected data to a touch interface of the user device, and defines at least one touch activated user interface element (UIE) for manipulating the data. The user device can be enabled as an automation human machine interface (HMI) device for controlling an operation performed by the machine, such that a touch action applied to a UIE of the MCI controls the operation. A prerequisite condition to enabling the user device as an automation HMI device can include activation of an enabling switch selectively connected to the user device. The MCI can be stored in a memory of the enabling switch and retrieved from the enabling switch by the user device.

An apparatus, method and computer program product for scheduling on/off control of equipment. The method implements an iterative approach that uses one objective and sets a tolerance value on the other objectives. Initially, the method computes the value of the different objective functions given a current feasible solution. The different objective functions are iteratively evaluated with respect to the current solution and a margin is set for every objective at each iteration. The margin is a deviation measure indicating the acceptable range by which each objective can be worsened. The method iteratively optimizes each objective function with respect to one of the objectives, following an order, while enforcing a maximum deviation on the other objective functions by setting them as constraints. The allowable deviation margin is then decreased for all the objective functions. A final output schedule is provided from which signals may be generated to automatically turn on/off the equipment.

Managing solid-state luminary (SSL) fixtures over power line carrier (PLC) networks is described herein. Devices provided in this description include SSL arrays, and converter circuitry coupled to drive the SSL arrays. More specifically, the converter circuitry is adapted to convert input voltage received from a power distribution network into a level suitable for driving the SSL arrays. The devices also include (PLC) modems for coupling to PLC networks, and coupled to the converter circuitry. In particular, the PLC modems interface the converter circuitry to the PLC networks.