Abstract: Determining a node path through a node graph includes modifying the node graph in accordance with a predetermined platform performance, performing a path finding process through the node graph to obtain the node path, determining if the platform performance has changed, adjusting the node graph to compensate for a change in the platform performance, and re-performing the path finding process through the adjusted node graph to obtain the node path.

Abstract: A system for dispatching a plurality of semiconductor lots among a plurality of tools is provided. The system includes a dispatch server manager and a dispatch integrator and display device. The dispatch integrator and display device conveys a dispatch request to the manager and receives a dispatch list from the manager. The manager queries for a processing status of the plurality of semiconductor lots and displays a dispatch list in response to the processing status. The dispatch list includes an associated reason and/or code related to the processing status.

Abstract: A system for load control in an electrical power system is described, wherein one or more data interface devices are provided to a cooling system. The data interface devices are configured to receive commands for controlling the cooling system. A remote monitoring system, such as a monitoring system operated by a power company or a power transmission company sends one or more commands to the data interfaced devices to adjust loading on the electrical power system. In one embedment, the monitoring system sends shutdown commands. In one embedment, the monitoring system sends commands to tell a compressor in the cooling system to operate in a relatively low-speed mode. In one embedment, the monitoring system sends tell the compressor and/or the cooling system to operate in a relatively low-power mode. In one embodiment, the commands are time-limited, thereby allowing the cooling system to resume normal operation after a specified period of time.

Abstract: A programmable aerosol generator forms a volatilized liquid by supplying a material in liquid form to a flow passage and heating the flow passage, such that the material volatilizes and expands out of an outlet of the channel. The volatilized material, if desired, mixes with ambient air such that volatilized material condenses to form the aerosol. An apparatus and method for generating such a volatilized liquid, as well as the control and methods of heating, are disclosed as an analytical tool useful for experimental use, a tool useful for production of commercial products or an inhaler device.

Abstract: A sensing system for monitoring a property of an electrically conductive moving element of turbomachinery. The sensing system includes a sensing system housing. A magnetic core is contained within the sensing system housing. A coil is positioned about at least a portion of the core. The coil is electrically connectable to a property data analysis device. A first magnet and a second magnet are positioned about the coil and positionable proximate a moving element of turbomachinery to be monitored. A primary magnetic field is generated by the first and second magnets. When the moving element enters the primary magnetic field a current is induced in the moving element, thus generating a time-variable magnetic field and commensurate voltage signal generated in the coil. The voltage signal is amplified by the magnetic core and provides an indication of a property of the moving element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology providing automation services in a distributed industrial controller environment. In one aspect of the present invention, a data access service is provided that includes, sending and receiving data to and from a data access service namespace operative in the distributed controller environment. In another aspect of the present invention, an alarming service is provided wherein data values are monitored in a server component according to predetermined conditions configured by a user or other entity. If the data values are determined to be outside of boundaries as defined by the predetermined conditions, an alarm can be communicated to a plurality of other components cooperating in the distributed environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology facilitating material-driven processing in an industrial controller environment. Various models supported by database objects are provided to automatically and dynamically map inventory systems/processes to control systems/process such as in batch or recipe operations. A material model is provided that tracks to an inventory database and includes such aspects as defining material types and containers to house such materials. An area model maps the material model to possible units and equipment modules to process the materials. These models include phased-based parameters that define amounts of material that flow into and out of a determined area for processing the materials. Before, during and/or after automated manufacturing operations, object binding operations occur between material-based servers associated with an inventory system and batch servers associated with a process-control system.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and a device for absolute measurement of a print repeat length and/or at least one package length of a moving packaging web (1) in line with a printing machine. Normally the print repeat length and one package length are measured and analysed simultaneously. The measurements are made by means of a number of CCD-cameras (2, 3, 4) connected to a computer (6) by means of a frame grabber (7).

Abstract: A distributed, network-based system, method, and computer program product determines an optimal allocation of available to promise components in a supply chain. An aggregate demand request is generated by a demand entity intelligent agent. The aggregate demand request is propagated via a network throughout the supply chain to a plurality of supply entity intelligent agents. The supply entity intelligent agents respond with an evaluation of available to promise supply capability. Optimal allocation of the available to promise supply is made by calculating a sequence of squared set solutions of unit demand problems using a message-based communications protocol between the demand entity and supply entity intelligent agent.

Abstract: A computer system which uses customer-based business rules that are customized for each customer. These business rules, along with order information, are provided to a linear programming engine. The linear programming engine determines the priority of customer orders based on the business rules and allocates scarce inventory accordingly. In one embodiment, linear programming assigns weights to different factors. Examples of such factors are (1) a promotion activity, (2) a customer priority, (3) the age and delinquency of an order or line item, and (4) the price of the product.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for identifying, quantifying and presenting to a user constraints in an automated manufacturing or processing facility. A data processing system continuously receives basic status signals and state signals from automation equipment in the facility and evaluates and processes these signals to derive a throughput capability measure (a measure of constraint) of each given manufacturing workstation in the process. The throughput capability measure is expressed as a ratio of an ideal cycle time to an accumulated overcycled time. The accumulated overcycled time includes only delays and excludes any speed-up of a workstation. A constraint is identified as the workstation that has the lowest throughput capability measure as compared with all other workstations in a production line. Preferably, throughput capability measures for all workstations are presented to users graphically.

Abstract: A method for detecting islanding conditions in an electrical grid having a power line voltage includes monitoring a detectable signal different from the power line voltage at a generating station, superimposing the detectable signal onto the power line voltage at a grid point outside the generating station, and switching the generating station from a grid-connected mode of operation to an islanded mode of operation when the signal to which the detector is responsive is determined to be absent.

Abstract: A decentralized load management and control system and method are provided herein. A plurality of loads in a system are associated with a multitude of respective networked load controllers. If energy demand exceeds optimum limits in operation then the networked load controllers collaborate to determine which load(s) will be shed based on an optimization algorithm that considers, inter alia, variable load priority and business objectives. Additionally and/or alternatively, if the metered energy demand is less than optimum, the load controllers can determine which loads to reconnect again based at least upon load priority and business objectives.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of verifying a Site-Dependent (S-D) wafer that includes receiving a first set of S-D wafers by one or more S-D processing elements in one or more processing subsystems, creating a first set of unverified S-D wafers by performing a first S-D creation procedure, establishing S-D wafer state data for each unverified S-D wafer, establishing a first set of evaluation wafers comprising a first number of the unverified S-D wafers, establishing first operational states for a plurality of S-D evaluation elements, determining a first number of available evaluation elements, establishing a first S-D transfer sequence, transferring the first set of S-D evaluation wafers to the first number of available evaluation elements in one or more evaluation subsystems and applying a first corrective action when the number of S-D evaluation wafers is greater than the first number of available evaluation elements.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter can provide a mechanism for ascertaining a variety of metrological data relating to one or more features (e.g., a transistor gate) of a chip/wafer. In addition, results of electrical testing on the chip/wafer can also be gathered and, together with the metrological data, input to a data store. From the information in the data store, a three-dimensional model for the feature(s) of the chip/wafer can be constructed and subjected to analysis, testing, and/or simulation. As well, the three-dimensional model can be optimized and an optimized three-dimensional model can be employed to affect process control in a feedback/forward manner, e.g., to apply optimizations to the next or the current wafer, respectively. Accordingly, the disclosed mechanisms may be used to optimize semiconductor performance, yield, or for research and development. In addition the three-dimensional model may be used in analysis, simulation, or debugging software.

Abstract: A method and device for planning a production includes determining material flows of products that are part of the production. This determination is done by allocating available quantities of a product for covering demanded quantities of the product in time. An allocating procedure classifies orders for the demanded quantities according a priority and orders for the available quantities according to a feasibility to provide the quantity. The classifications of the orders are used to cover the demanded quantities with a higher priority by available quantities with a higher feasibility.

Abstract: A system for analysing energy usage on a network, such as an electricity network (4) which includes a number of energy sources (1, 2, 3) and a number of energy consumers (6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12) the system including a plurality of meters (5,9) on the network which monitor energy usage on the network at intervals throughout a day, the meters supplying data to data processing apparatus (16, 17) which aggregates the data so as to provide an indication of current total energy usage, and which stores data so as to permit the retrieval of historical energy usage for predetermined intervals on days of the year, wherein the data processing apparatus further compares current total energy usage for a particular point or period of time in the year with average historical total energy usage for that point or period of time, and generates an index which indicates the difference between the average historical energy usage and the current total energy usage.

Abstract: A parts-combining method having high quality or yield for a product having a large number of parts. First entering an identification number group of nondefective completed products, a table of a product identification number group and a parts identification number group, a characteristic data group of parts A with respect to identification numbers of the parts A and a characteristic data group of parts B with respect to identification numbers of the parts B, and calculating a nondefective product space. Before a new product is manufactured, entering a characteristic data group of parts A with respect to identification numbers of the parts A and a characteristic data group of parts B with respect to identification numbers of the parts B, and conducting calculations on statistical distances and combinatorial computations between the parts. Finally outputting a combination table having the identification numbers of both the parts A and the parts B.

Abstract: A power tool control system connected with a drill press provides a system for determining operational settings for the drill press and/or structural factors of a workpiece to be operated upon by the drill press. For instance, the power tool control system may establish a visual indication of the axis of operation of the drill press upon a workpiece and/or determine the thickness, structural composition, and/or moisture content of a workpiece. The determined axis of operation and/or structural factor is utilized to determine the operational settings of the power tool.

Abstract: Three-dimensional objects are produced from a deformable material received substantially continuously in the direction of production and the objects are produced by a deforming process substantially in the direction of production. Rotatable devices are arranged to deform a respective section of the deformable material with at least one of the rotatable devices being shaped so as to vary the extent of deformation applied to the deformable material periodically as a deformable material passes through in the direction of production.