Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.

Abstract: A lighting system for a lift gate of a vehicle is provided. The lighting system includes a light source that emits at least a first light beam. The light source is coupled to the vehicle at a first location remote from the lift gate. The lighting system includes an optical system coupled to the lift gate having a first optic member aligned with the light source that receives the first light beam. The optical system is illuminated by the light source at the first location remote from the lift gate.

Abstract: A lighting system for a lift gate of a vehicle is provided. The lighting system includes a light source that emits at least a first light beam. The light source is coupled to the vehicle at a first location remote from the lift gate. The lighting system includes an optical system coupled to the lift gate having a first optic member aligned with the light source that receives the first light beam. The optical system is illuminated by the light source at the first location remote from the lift gate.

Abstract: One embodiment of a system and method for meeting end conditions of a path plan utilizing a path generator that continuously generates commands for a path plan while tracking the total time expired in the path plan. The path generator computes the time remaining in the path plan and substitutes the remaining time for the length of the final sample period in the path plan when the length of the remaining time is less than the length of a full sample period.

Abstract: A method for mapping a motion of a first object within a first motion path defined by a path planner based on a second motion path of a second object. The method includes creating the first motion path for the first object using the path planner, initializing a start position of the first object within the first motion path, determining a value for an initial condition for each segment of a plurality of segments in the first motion path created by the path planner, and calculating an elapsed time between a current sample call time to the path planner and a last sample call time to the path planner.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a slave follower with a master source is provided. The method includes defining a relationship between the master source and the slave follower, inputting a first position of the master source, and inputting a first position of the slave follower. The method also includes defining a second position where the slave follower synchronizes with the master source, and fitting a curve between the first position of the slave follower the second position. The curve is fit based on the relationship between the master source and the slave follower, the first position of the slave follower, the first position of the master source, and the second position. The curve is fit to synchronize the slave follower and the master source without exceeding pre-determined boundaries of the slave follower.

Abstract: Controlling at least one mirror in a solar power generation system by using a central controller to calculate at least one coefficient based on at least one of a daily cycle and a yearly cycle of the sun, and storing the at least one coefficient in a memory area of the central controller. The at least one coefficient is transmitted, by the central controller, to at least one local controller via a network such that, in response to receiving the at least one coefficient, the at least one local controller calculates at least one position for the at least one mirror based on the at least one coefficient and an internal clock, and controls movement of the at least one mirror to the at least one position using an actuator.

Abstract: A system for generating a motion profile in real time includes a processor. The processor breaks a move into a first phase and a second phase. The first phase includes commanding the move toward a constant velocity segment, and the second phase includes monitoring the first phase to determine when during a move in progress it is necessary to implement a jerk value required to successfully reach end conditions. The processor also transmits command signals based upon the motion profile and calculates the point at which the second phase must take control of the move in progress to reach a target position. The system further includes at least one input/output module that receives command signals. A method for generating a motion profile in real time is also presented.

Abstract: A diagnostic and service logic program for a programmable logic controller (PLC) is provided in parallel with the main machine logic program. The diagnostic and service logic program has the same functionality as the main machine logic program, but can be modified and operated independently of the main machine logic program for testing and debugging a faulty main machine logic program. The PLC can be switched between programs for testing and debugging.

Abstract: A method for mapping a motion of a first object within a first motion path defined by a path planner based on a second motion path of a second object. The method includes creating the first motion path for the first object using the path planner, initializing a start position of the first object within the first motion path, determining a value for an initial condition for each segment of a plurality of segments in the first motion path created by the path planner, and calculating an elapsed time between a current sample call time to the path planner and a last sample call time to the path planner.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a slave follower with a master source is provided. The method includes defining a relationship between the master source and the slave follower, inputting a first position of the master source, and inputting a first position of the slave follower. The method also includes defining a second position where the slave follower synchronizes with the master source, and fitting a curve between the first position of the slave follower the second position. The curve is fit based on the relationship between the master source and the slave follower, the first position of the slave follower, the first position of the master source, and the second position. The curve is fit to synchronize the slave follower and the master source without exceeding pre-determined boundaries of the slave follower.

Abstract: An automation control module (ACM) is provided that includes an ACM central processing unit (CPU), a backplane and a SOAP/XML and web server system electrically coupled to the backplane and to the ACM CPU. The SOAP/XML and web server system is embedded within the automation control module (ACM) and is configured to process simple object access protocol (SOAP)/extensible markup language (XML) requests from a network.

Abstract: A diagnostic and service logic program for a programmable logic controller (PLC) is provided in parallel with the main machine logic program. The diagnostic and service logic program has the same functionality as the main machine logic program, but can be modified and operated independently of the main machine logic program for testing and debugging a faulty main machine logic program. The PLC can be switched between programs for testing and debugging.

Abstract: A system for generating a motion profile in real time includes a processor. The processor breaks a move into a first phase and a second phase. The first phase includes commanding the move toward a constant velocity segment, and the second phase comprises calculating a jerk value required to successfully reach end conditions during a move in progress. The processor also transmits command signals based upon the motion profile and calculates the point at which the second phase must take control to reach a target position. The system further includes a device being controlled for a move and at least one input/output module that receives command signals. A method for generating a motion profile in real time is also presented.

Abstract: One embodiment of a system and method for meeting end conditions of a path plan utilizing a path generator that continuously generates commands for a path plan while tracking the total time expired in the path plan. The path generator computes the time remaining in the path plan and substitutes the remaining time for the length of the final sample period in the path plan when the length of the remaining time is less than the length of a full sample period.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a system includes identifying a plurality of subsystems associated with the system. Each of the plurality of subsystems is configured to receive at least one input signal and at least one output signal and has at least one predetermined limit. The method also includes generating a plurality of subsystem models by generating at least one subsystem model of each of the plurality of subsystems. Each of the subsystem models are at least partially formed from the first input signals and the first output signals. The method further includes generating at least one system model having at least one predetermined limit by integrating the plurality of subsystem models. At least one of the subsystem models is bounded by at least one predetermined limit of at least one other subsystem model, and/or at least one predetermined limit of the system model.

Abstract: An automation control module (ACM) includes an ACM central processing unit (CPU) and a SOAP/XML and web server system electrically coupled to the ACM CPU. The SOAP/XML and web server system is configured to process simple object access protocol (SOAP)/extensible markup language (XML) requests from a network.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide for a SEG (segment) subsystem of a parallel database extension (PDE) that provides services for creating, manipulating, and destroying access to data segments in address space. The SEG subsystem works with transient segments (also referred to as scratch segments) that are created as offsets in a “well-known” file created during initialization of the PDE. The offsets are stored in objects/elements in a queue in the virtual address space of the SEG subsystem. Upon partitioning addressable memory into one or more scratch segments, obtaining the offsets for the scratch segments, and mapping the offsets into the SEG system's virtual address space, the physical memory is locked. When the scratch segments are needed, an element/object from the queue containing the appropriate size scratch segment is mapped into the requestor's address space.

Abstract: In the present telecommunication system, a wired network receives a plurality of voice signals and transmits them. A first communication device is connected to the wired network. The first communication device includes means for receiving the plurality of voice signals, a first storage means for storing the plurality of voice signals, a first playback means for retrieving a portion of the stored plurality of voice signals, and a first control means for controlling the first playback means to transmit the retrieved portion of voice signals. The portion of the stored plurality of voice signals which are retrieved are then placed onto a wireless network which is in communication with a plurality of portable units. Each of the portable units has capability of communicating with the wireless network for receiving the voice signals therefrom, for storing a received voice signal, and for playing back the stored voice signal.

Abstract: In the present telecommunication system, a wired network receives a plurality of electrical signals, such as voice signals and transmits them. A first communication device is connected to the wired network. The first communication device includes means for receiving the plurality of electrical signals, a first storage means for storing the plurality of electrical signals, a first playback means for retrieving a portion of the stored plurality of electrical signals, and a first control means for controlling the first playback means to transmit the retrieved portion of electrical signals. The portion of the stored plurality of electrical signals which are retrieved are then placed onto a wireless network which is in communication with a plurality of portable units. Each of the portable units has capability of communicating with the wireless network for receiving the electrical signals therefrom.