Tools and techniques are described to automate commissioning of physical spaces. Controllers have access to databases of the devices that are controlled by them, including wiring diagrams and protocols, such that the controller can automatically check that each wire responds correctly to stimulus from the controller. Controllers also have access to databases of the physical space such that they can check that sensors in the space record the correct information for device activity, and sensors can cross-check each other for consistency. Once a physical space is commissioned, incentives can be sought based on commissioning results.

Apparatus, systems and methods for ascertaining the occupancy of a building are presented. The building is divided into one or more control zones which correspond to physical areas of the building associated with controllable modules, such as HVAC units, lighting, irrigation, or other environmental features such as fountains, music, video, and the like. Zone parameters define how zone devices shall react to the number of occupants located in the particular zone. A building control system detects individual mobile devices in and around the building, and determines the locations of each device by using trilateration and/or location services. The identified mobile devices act as proxies for building occupants. The locations of these devices are correlated with the locations of the zones in the building, and the building control system then adjusts the operating parameters of the zone based on the number of devices present in the zone.

Apparatus, systems and methods for ascertaining the occupancy of a building are presented. The building is divided into one or more control zones which correspond to physical areas of the building associated with controllable modules, such as HVAC units, lighting, irrigation, or other environmental features such as fountains, music, video, and the like. Zone parameters define how zone devices shall react to the number of occupants located in the particular zone. A building control system detects individual mobile devices in and around the building, and determines the locations of each device by using trilateration and/or location services. The identified mobile devices act as proxies for building occupants. The locations of these devices are correlated with the locations of the zones in the building, and the building control system then adjusts the operating parameters of the zone based on the number of devices present in the zone.

A system for remote diagnostic analysis of a heating, ventilation and air condition (HVAC) system is provided. The system includes a thermostat in operable communication with at least one peripheral component of the HVAC system and configured to receive information relating to the at least one peripheral component, and a server in operable communication with the thermostat for receiving and analyzing the information. The server causes the at least one peripheral component to conduct a diagnostic test and analyzes the test result to perform a root cause analysis of a system malfunction.

A system for remote diagnostic analysis of a heating, ventilation and air condition (HVAC) system is provided. The system includes a thermostat in operable communication with at least one peripheral component of the HVAC system and configured to receive information relating to the at least one peripheral component, and a server in operable communication with the thermostat for receiving and analyzing the information. The server causes the at least one peripheral component to conduct a diagnostic test and analyzes the test result to perform a root cause analysis of a system malfunction.

Agricultural systems have increased in complexity to allow farmers to control the environmental factors impacting a crop. By analyzing data from a plurality, and preferably a large number, of operations, a particular objective for a particular plan may be developed for a particular crop. The equipment at a particular site may then monitor the crop and be controlled by a device, such as an on-site hub, to operate equipment in a manner associated with the particular plan and objective.

Agricultural systems have increased in complexity to allow farmers to control the environmental factors impacting a crop. By analyzing data from a plurality, and preferably a large number, of operations, a particular objective for a particular plan may be developed for a particular crop. The equipment at a particular site may then monitor the crop and be controlled by a device, such as an on-site hub, to operate equipment in a manner associated with the particular plan and objective.

A safety signal output device has a connector that can electrically connect a second device different from a first device. The connector includes first through fourth terminals. The safety signal output device outputs electrical signals with different timings to the first terminal and the third terminal. The safety signal output device outputs a safety signal during a state in which electrical signals that correspond in timing to the output timing of the electrical signals to the first terminal are input to the safety signal output device from the fourth terminal, and electrical signals that correspond in timing to the output timing of the electrical signals to the third terminal are input to the safety signal output device from the second terminal, the safety signal output device outputs the safety signal.

A safety signal output device has a connector that can electrically connect a second device different from a first device. The connector includes first through fourth terminals. The safety signal output device outputs electrical signals with different timings to the first terminal and the third terminal. The safety signal output device outputs a safety signal during a state in which electrical signals that correspond in timing to the output timing of the electrical signals to the first terminal are input to the safety signal output device from the fourth terminal, and electrical signals that correspond in timing to the output timing of the electrical signals to the third terminal are input to the safety signal output device from the second terminal, the safety signal output device outputs the safety signal.

Techniques are described for implementing automated control systems that manipulate operations of specified target systems, such as by modifying or otherwise manipulating inputs or other control elements of the target system that affect its operation (e.g., affect output of the target system). An automated control system may in some situations have a distributed architecture with multiple decision modules that each controls a portion of a target system and operate in a partially decoupled manner with respect to each other, such as by each decision module operating to synchronize its local solutions and proposed control actions with those of one or more other decision modules, in order to determine a consensus with those other decision modules. Such inter-module synchronizations may occur repeatedly to determine one or more control actions for each decision module at a particular time, as well as to be repeated over multiple times for ongoing control.