Abstract: When an interlock trip condition occurs, a back tracing of interlock logic occurs by examining input signals to an output gate of the interlock logic to determine which input signal caused the interlock trip condition. If the input signal is a predetermined interlock condition, that signal is deemed to be the cause of the interlock trip, saved and displayed. If the input signal is the output of another gate, then the inputs to that gate are examined to determine which input signal caused that gate to switch state. This process is repeated until a predetermined interlock condition is found which has switched state. By knowing the structure of the interlock logic and knowing the state of logic signals outputted from the interlock logic, the determination is made and saved such that even if the predetermined interlock condition that caused the interlock trip subsequently changes state as a result of placing the device in a safe state, the cause of the interlock trip is ascertained and saved by this method.

Abstract: A control system for a balancing machine has a main computer with a keypad and monitor, an auxiliary computer for managing the balance measurement and correction functions and sharing the same keypad and monitor. Each computer controls the machine through a programmable logic controller (PLC). A video sharing circuit allows direct coupling of each computer to the monitor and includes a switching function under control of the main computer via the PLC to determine which computer will control the monitor display. A dedicated key command on the keypad controls the switching of the monitor control. Software in each computer responds to the dedicated key command for monitor control and also enables response to all other keypad commands by the computer which currently controls the monitor.

Abstract: A squaring circuit for a binary number X of n bits x.sub.0 to x.sub.n-1, includes a table of the squares of numbers p constituted by bits x.sub.1 to x.sub.n-2. An adder for adding numbers of 2n-3 bits receives at a first input a number constituted by bit x.sub.n-1, positioned on the left of the square p.sup.2 provided by the table. A first switching element receives the number p and provides same to the n-2 low weight lines of a second input of the adder if bit x.sub.0 is equal to 1. A second switching element receives number p and provides same to the n-2 high weight lines of the second input if bit x.sub.n-1 is equal to 1. An AND gate is connected to the remaining line of the second input and receives the bits x.sub.0 and x.sub.n-1. The square X.sup.2 of X is constituted by the adder output, to which a bit 0 and the bit x.sub.0 are positioned on the right.

Abstract: A time reversal filter uses exponential decay infinite impulse response filters to achieve an approximation to a true Gaussian low pass filter. In one embodiment, a time reversal Gaussian approximation filter performs the forward and backward passes of a time reversal filter in essentially one pass using a segmented signal approach. The input signal is divided into segments, each segment is filtered first in the forward direction, then in the reverse direction, and the segments thus filtered are reassembled to form the output signal. In addition, the overlap in the reverse direction from each filtered segment extending backward into the prior filtered segment is preserved in memory and added to the output of reassembled segments.

Abstract: An exposure data organizing method, and an exposure apparatus operable in accordance with the method, organizes exposure data defining a composite pattern to be exposed. The composite pattern comprises at least one compressed, repeating exposure pattern and a non-compressed, non-repeating exposure pattern each comprising plural predefined unit deflection region to which respectively corresponding portions of the exposure data relate. The exposure patterns are relatively arranged in accordance with the composite pattern and respective, individual identifying members are assigned thereto.

Abstract: An embroidery data producing apparatus reads outline data of embroidery regions stored in a RAM, and detects a containing-contained relationship between the embroidery regions based on the outline data of the embroidery regions. The embroidery data producing apparatus then determines the shape of the contained-embroidery regions, and automatically determines, based on the determined shapes, whether portions of the embroidery-containing regions containing the contained-embroidery regions should be scooped out or embroidered by overlapping sewing. Accordingly, even when embroidery regions are in a containing-contained relationship, the embroidery data producing apparatus can determine, without depending on the operator, whether the portions of the embroidery-containing regions corresponding to the contained-embroidery regions should be removed from the embroidery-containing region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for filtering out disturbances in the form of short term wheel acceleration signals when the wheel exhibits an overall deceleration, so that a more accurate deceleration signal can be used for control of drive slippage.Wheel speed v is measured at intervals T.sub.A and speed changes for each interval are determined. When a change is negative or zero following a positive change in a previous interval, the wheel speed is stored as a maximum speed v.sub.max while v continues to be measured and a counter determines the period of time .DELTA.t between the occurrence of v.sub.max and the instantaneous value v. Beginning at a predetermined filtering time .DELTA.T after storing v.sub.max, a quotient .DELTA.v/.DELTA.t representing the filtered slope of the value v is determined and used as a control variable to regulate wheel slippage.

Abstract: A method of operating a sand screw comprises: sensing speed of a sand screw delivering sand; determining a corrected delivery rate of sand, including converting the sensed speed of the sand screw into the corrected delivery rate of sand in response to predetermined sand screw delivery rate conversion data; and controlling the speed of the sand screw in response to the corrected delivery rate of sand. The sand screw delivery rate conversion data is based on first and second order polynomials defining the relationship between conventionally determined indicated sand screw delivery rates (i.e., using sand screw speed and a selected calibration factor) and actual delivery rates based on measured sand output.

Abstract: An adaptive PID.tau..sub.d controller has a proportional derivative section that generates an error signal representing an error in the control signal, particularly, as a function of (i) a time rate of change of the controlled variable signal and (ii) a difference between the controlled variable signal and a predetermined setpoint. A summation element sums that error signal with a time-delayed integral signal to generate a summation signal. That summation signal, in turn, is filtered by the aforementioned adaptive noise filter to generate a manipulated variable signal, which is selectively applied to the process by an output section. A feedback element processes the manipulated variable signal to generate the time-delayed integral signal, referred to above. That processing includes time-delaying the manipulated variable signal an mount substantially equal to the deadtime of the process, .tau..sub.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for adaptive control which does not require a predetermined model of the process to be controlled. The method comprises the steps of 1) setting an initial state vector; 2) setting an initial parameter vector; 3) setting an initial prediction parameter gain; 4) set the initial covariance matrix; 5) performing a state update 6) estimating the model error; 7) updating the parameter vector, 8) updating the co-variance matrix, and 9) updating the controller output.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the profile of a cylindrical workpiece whose radius varies with axial position. The apparatus is equipped with a spindle head and a pair of detectors. The spindle head supports and rotates the workpiece. The detectors are mounted on opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the workpiece and detect the position of the outer surface of the workpiece. When the workpiece is being rotated, the spindle head is moved parallel to the axis of the spindle. As a result, the detectors cross the outer surface of the workpiece. Also, the detectors are moved radially along an ideal profile of the workpiece in synchronism with the movement of the head. A control unit calculates the average of first and second output signals from the detectors, respectively, and produces the average as the profile error. In another embodiment, only one detector is used. The control unit measures the profile while the detector is positioned on one side of the axis of the spindle.

Abstract: A system for the measurement of servo-valve "spool and sleeve sets" using automatic flow and pressure gain, plus displacement measurements. The system precisely grinds spool land edges so as to exactly match these edges with the sleeve slots or holes in order to meet the required overlap/underlap and performance requirements of the servo-valve. All operations are controlled by a computer in accordance with servo-valve performance parameters that are held in memory corresponding to the "spool and sleeve set" part number.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for generating acceleration and deceleration patterns for control of a robot in a servo system which is equipped with a plurality of driving axes so constituted as to mutually exert dynamic interference, in such a manner that a synchronism is attained at acceleration start points, velocity peak points and deceleration end points in the patterns for the individual driving axes. Peak time calculating means responds to the information relative to dynamic parameters from constant setting means and command means, and calculates the peak time, which is required until the velocity reaches its peak after the pattern generation start point, from the kinetic energy consumed for each displacement and also from the power distribution relative to the driving sources.

Abstract: A PID control device identifies rise characteristics of a controlled system by a step response method on changing a reference, moves to PID control when idle time and slope successively obtained at the rise reach a predetermined condition, and computes PID control parameters based on the idle time and slope obtained up to that point. If the identification is fully executed, the computed PID control parameters are immediately set. If it is not fully executed, the PID control device 1 further watches the state to compare a proportional gain of the newly computed PID control parameters with the proportional gain of previously set PID control parameters, and the currently computed PID control parameters are set when the parameters are on a safe side.

Abstract: A digitizing apparatus capable of significantly shortening processing time is arranged to obtain straight portions from measured point-group data and is arranged to obtain the coordinates of intersections of two neighboring straight lines in sequential operations.

Abstract: A symbol definition system for a programmable machine controller (PMC) for defining symbols (signal names) in a sequence program of the PMC. Since the function of the signals between the PMC and a numerical control apparatus is fixed, a first group of symbols is supplied to a program creation unit as system data, and therefore, when a sequence program is created, the first group of symbols need not be defined. Further, the first group of symbols is transferred to the PMC together with the sequence program and used for editing and maintenance.

Abstract: A programmable fluid or gas control system controls the operation of one or more solenoid valves, each of which in turn controls a gas or fluid dispensing unit. The control system may be used to control water dispensing fixtures such as sprinklers, sinks, showers, toilets and the like, or it may be used in heating-ventilating-air conditioning (HVAC) applications. The control system may have several configurations. In one configuration, a master controller controls one or more slave circuits, which in turn control one or more solenoid valves. Each valve controls at least one gas or liquid dispensing device. The mode of operation of any particular valve and the timing of its operation may be input either via the master controller or via the associated slave control circuit. The operation of the valve may be easily changed without changing hardware or software, allowing the system to be used in a wide variety of applications. In other configurations, the master controller is not used.

Abstract: The processing system controller is utilized in a mail processing system. The processing system controller provides process control over a plurality of processing subsystems which operate on a mailpiece traversing the processing system. The processing subsystems employing a plurality of prime movers controlled by the processing controller. The processing system controller includes a motor controller in bus communication with the prime movers for control of the prime movers. Sensors monitor the operating conditions and parameter of each subsystems and are in bus communication with a sensor controller. A random access memory (RAM) is in bus communication with the motor controller and the sensor controller. The motor controller and the sensor controller are programmed such that the motor controller can read from the RAM and the sensor controller can write to the RAM. The motor controller reads from the RAM at discrete time intervals and the sensor controller writes to the RAM at other discrete time intervals.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating a plurality of pulse width modulated signals for separately driving a plurality of electrical loads, comprising, a microprocessor, a plurality of comparator means, each of the comparator structure including first and second input terminals and an output terminal, digital to analog converter structure connected to the microprocessor for control thereby, the converter structure including a plurality of output terminals respectively connected to a different comparator structure first terminal for providing separate control signals thereto, structure for generating a reference voltage signal having a variable amplitude, the signal generating structure connected to each of the comparator structure second terminals for providing the reference voltage signal thereto, a plurality of power amplifiers, a plurality of electrical loads respectively connected to a different comparator structure output terminal via a different power amplifier for receiving therefrom an amplified comparator structur

Abstract: A device for verifying the correct employment of the yarns used by a textile machine, which enables improper use, inexact feed velocity of each yarn used and inexact length of the machine operating cycle to be indicated, and in addition measures the consumption of each yarn used for the fabric.