A sensor network comprising a controller and a plurality of sensor devices configured to be distributed about an area and to communicate via a wireless communication link with the controller. Each sensor device is arranged to sense a parameter and to provide to the controller, via the wireless communication link, sensor data indicating a sensed parameter value and each sensor device is configured to report the sensor data to the controller according to a reporting condition associated with the each sensor device. The controller is configured to obtain location data indicating the location of each of the plurality of sensor devices and obtain said sensor data from each of the plurality of sensor devices to determine a reporting command for a selected sensor device based on the obtained sensor data and the corresponding location data; and to provide the reporting command to the selected sensor device to update the reporting condition associated with the selected sensor device.

A smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized, wherein the smartphone device is configured to actively control the configuration of one or more bladders, compartments, chambers or internal sipes and one or more sensors located in either one or both of a sole or a removable inner sole insert of the footwear of the user and/or located in an apparatus worn or carried by the user, glued unto the user, or implanted in the user. The one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, or sipes, and one or more sensors are configured for computer control. A sole and/or a removable inner sole insert for footwear, including one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, internal sipes and sensors in the sole and/or in a removable insert; or on an insole; all being configured for control by a smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized.

Techniques are disclosed for remotely switching screw color or screw type feeding into a door assembly machine with an auto-hinge applicator. An apparatus having a turntable is supported on bearings and a framework. Each side of the turntable includes a screw hopper accessible via a rotary index. The screw hoppers receive a user input to make a screw selection. Upon receiving a selection, one of the hoppers indexes into position, allowing the correct screw to feed to the hinge applicator. Screw feed-hoses from screwdrivers on the hinge applicator are arranged to connect to a manifold below the screw hoppers. Screws drop from the hoppers into a manifold, at which point the screws are blown with compressed air through the feed-hoses to the screwdrivers on the hinge applicator. Screws can be reloaded into the screw hoppers when rotated in alignment with the hinge side of the door assembly machine.

Method and an arrangement for monitoring status of a production device configured to implement an industrial process or industrial production with a control device with sensors and actuators, where at least one further sensor is carried through the production device with a product being processed by the production device, where further signals are wirelessly transmitted to a status-monitoring device by the further sensor, and where the signals and/or status information items and the further signals are placeable in relationship with one another to generate status information item about the production device such that it is possible to plan the status monitoring separately from the production device, and possible to combine information items of the industrial control device with the information items and data of a mobile sensor (further sensor) that passes through the production device, such that more precise status information items about the production device status can be acquired.

A robot teaching system includes a hand guide unit including a stick for use in a teaching operation of a robot, and a wireless communication unit configured to communicate by radio with a teach pendant; a relative position setting unit configured to set relative position information between the hand guide unit and the robot; and a coordinate calculation unit configured to calculate, based on the relative position information, coordinates having as an origin a flange surface of the robot or a distal end point of a tool attached to the robot, in such a manner as to correspond to an operation direction of the stick.

An actuator in a HVAC system includes a mechanical transducer, a processing circuit, a wireless transceiver, and a power circuit. The processing circuit includes a processor and memory and is configured to operate the mechanical transducer according to a control program stored in the memory. The wireless transceiver is configured to facilitate bidirectional wireless data communications between the processing circuit and an external device. The power circuit is configured to draw power from a wireless signal received via the wireless transceiver and power the processing circuit and the wireless transceiver using the drawn power. The processing circuit is configured to use the power drawn from the wireless signal to wirelessly transmit data stored in the memory of the actuator to the external device via the wireless transceiver, wirelessly receive data from the external device via the wireless transceiver, and store the data received from the external device in the memory.

An actuator in a HVAC system includes a mechanical transducer, a processing circuit, a wireless transceiver, and a power circuit. The processing circuit includes a processor and memory and is configured to operate the mechanical transducer according to a control program stored in the memory. The wireless transceiver is configured to facilitate bidirectional wireless data communications between the processing circuit and an external device. The power circuit is configured to draw power from a wireless signal received via the wireless transceiver and power the processing circuit and the wireless transceiver using the drawn power. The processing circuit is configured to use the power drawn from the wireless signal to wirelessly transmit data stored in the memory of the actuator to the external device via the wireless transceiver, wirelessly receive data from the external device via the wireless transceiver, and store the data received from the external device in the memory.

A modular field device comprising a housing, sensor and an electronics unit arranged in the housing, and comprising a display and/or operating unit that can be releasably connected to the electronics unit, said display and/or operating unit having a radio module for wireless communication with at least one other unit and an internal power supply, particularly a battery or rechargeable battery for at least partially supplying power to the radio module.

A networked control system for controlling at least one plant includes a receiver configured to receive a feedback signal indicative of a current state of a controlled variable of a plant over a wireless link and a controller configured to determine a control command based on a control error between a reference state of the controlled variable and the current state of the control variable. The system also includes a processor configured to determine, based on a function of the control error, a number of transmission times a packet with the control command needs to be transmitted over the wireless link, and a transmitter configured to transmit the packet over the wireless link the number of transmission times.

A plant system includes: an access node connected to a network; a plurality of controllers configured to perform distributed control on a plurality of field devices provided in a plant; and a wireless communication unit provided in each group of a plurality of groups into which the plurality of controllers are grouped and connected to each controller in the corresponding group via a wired connection, and configured to connect each controller to the access node via a wireless connection.