A system (100) for controlling a plurality of lines (10), with each line (10) being at least one of a production line and a distribution line, comprises: a first subsystem (30), hereinafter referred to as “master room subsystem”, comprising a first control device (40) hosting an OPC UA server (45); and, for each line (10), a second subsystem (50), hereinafter referred to as “line control subsystem”, comprising: (a) a second control device (60) on which an operating system is running, the second control device (60) hosting an OPC UA client (65); (b) at least one field device (70); and (c) a connection device (80) arranged for allowing communication between the field device(s) (70) and the second control device (60). The field device(s) (70) is connected to the second control device (60) through a point-to-point digital communication interface, the second control device (60) having one port per field device (70).

An actuator control system includes: a transmission control unit configured to transmit final data, which is a final result of the computation by a sensor output computation unit, and to transmit intermediate data before transmitting the final data; and a command value computation unit configured to compute a command value for driving an actuator, based on the intermediate data and the final data transmitted by the transmission control unit.

Systems and methods are provided and include a variable frequency drive configured to drive a fan motor of an HVAC system to ventilate an indoor space, the HVAC system having a cooling assembly that includes at least one of an economizer and a compressor. A controller is configured to communicate with the variable frequency drive, receive at least one signal from an occupancy sensing device, determine whether the indoor space is less than fully occupied based on the at least one signal, and control the variable frequency drive to reduce a speed of the fan motor in response to determining that the indoor space is less than fully occupied.

An energy-reducing method and apparatus for retrofitting a single zone, constant volume HVAC system, with or without an economizer, that provides heating, cooling, and ventilation to occupants within a building space. The present invention includes the introduction of a programmable logic controller and variable frequency drive (VFD) that takes control of the existing fan, heating, cooling, and optional economizer operation. The reduction of the fan speed in the ventilation mode when the 100% operation is not needed saves significant energy of the existing constant volume HVAC system where the fan motor is designed to run 100% of the time.

Exemplary embodiments of a system and method for automatically disinfecting publicly accessible user interfaces are disclosed. Certain embodiments are configured such that a user of a publicly accessible user interface, such as a fuel pump nozzle or an ATM keypad, actuates a shield or application housing in order to access the user interface. When the user completes use of the interface, the application housing is returned to its original state that covers the user interface. At such time, UVC light emitting diode arrays within the housing are energized in order to apply ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (“UVGI”). Consequently, any pathogen left on the user interface by the user will be remediated, making the user interface safe for use by a subsequent user.

The disclosure is provided to transmit a sensor value from a sensor to an external device with high efficiency. A sensor value of a sensor is acquired, basic data as time-series data is generated with reference to the acquired sensor value, differential data indicating a difference between the basic data and measurement data as time-series data corresponding to the sensor value acquired from the sensor is generated, and the differential data is transmitted to an external device through wireless communication.

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.

An energy-reducing method and apparatus for retrofitting a single zone, constant volume HVAC system, with or without an economizer, that provides heating, cooling, and ventilation to occupants within a building space. The present invention includes the introduction of a programmable logic controller and variable frequency drive (VFD) that takes control of the existing fan, heating, cooling, and optional economizer operation. The reduction of the fan speed in the ventilation mode when the 100% operation is not needed saves significant energy of the existing constant volume HVAC system where the fan motor is designed to run 100% of the time.

An energy-reducing method and apparatus for retrofitting a single zone, constant volume HVAC system, with or without an economizer, that provides heating, cooling, and ventilation to occupants within a building space. The present invention includes the introduction of a programmable logic controller and variable frequency drive (VFD) that takes control of the existing fan, heating, cooling, and optional economizer operation. The reduction of the fan speed in the ventilation mode when the 100% operation is not needed saves significant energy of the existing constant volume HVAC system where the fan motor is designed to run 100% of the time.

A system (100) for controlling a plurality of lines (10), with each line (10) being at least one of a production line and a distribution line, comprises: a first subsystem (30), hereinafter referred to as master room subsystem, comprising a first control device (40) hosting an OPC UA server (45); and, for each line (10), a second subsystem (50), hereinafter referred to as line control subsystem, comprising: (a) a second control device (60) on which an operating system is running, the second control device (60) hosting an OPC UA client (65); (b) at least one field device (70); and (c) a connection device (80) arranged for allowing communication between the field device(s) (70) and the second control device (60). The field device(s) (70) is connected to the second control device (60) through a point-to-point digital communication interface, the second control device (60) having one port per field device (70).