Abstract: A method, program embodied on a computer readable medium, and various systems are provided for generating a process trajectory. A normalized image of an object is displayed on a display device of a computer system, the object including a surface that is to be processed using an end effector. A number of predefined trajectories are stored in a memory of the computer system, each of the predefined trajectories defining a motion of the end effector to process a surface of one of a number of spatial definitions. A trajectory generation system is implemented to generate the process trajectory for the end effector to process the surface of the object by associating at least one of the predefined trajectories with the normalized image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for correcting for wear of links of a conveyor belt, resulting in inaccurate triggering based, on encoder pulses, of events downstream from a part registration sensor. The wear causes lengthening of the links, which the invention measures in an average sense and to within an accuracy limited by the rate of encoder pulses. An adaptive trigger then uses an inferred, approximate length for each link to refigure when to trigger downstream events.

Abstract: A surface of a 3-D object is digitized automatically and stored in a memory. Based on the signal representation of the 3-D object areas of the surface are defined for color and boundaries. Coatings application paths are defined within each area and various parameters for applying coatings for each point in each path are also defined including spray pattern, amount of coatings to be applied, speed of application along the path, among others; for each area, the points of the selected path are correlated with the angle of attack, spray pattern, amount of coatings and speed. A set of programmed instructions are compiled for execution in a general purpose computer. An assembly line of objects to be painted may then be set up and the retrieved instructions executed.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the absolute position of a point on a surface or along a path including a tablet, scale, or overlay and a moveable mouse-type cursor. The tablet includes a unique pattern of lines or regions along rectilinear or other axes. A series of adjacent spaces formed by the lines define unique cells on the tablet. The mouse includes one or more linear imaging arrays adapted to detect the presence of tablet lines adjacent thereto. An integrated processor identifies the line types, computes line spacings and ratios, and identifies subtending cells by comparison to the known tablet topography. The processor further computes the precise location of a point defined on the mouse.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the absolute position of a point on a surface including a tablet or overlay and a moveable mouse-type cursor. The tablet includes a unique pattern of lines or regions along rectilinear or other axes. A series of adjacent spaces formed by the lines define unique cells on the tablet. The mouse includes a pair of linear imaging arrays adapted to detect the presence of tablet lines adjacent thereto. An integrated processor identifies the line types, computes line spacings and ratios, and identifies subtending cells by comparison to the known tablet topography. The processor further computes the precise location of a point defined on the mouse.