Abstract: A method of controlling the motion of a moveable door includes determining the direction that the door is moving with respect to its anticipated closed position, and based on the direction, regulating an amount of force that is available to the door for its motion. The method may further include monitoring the position of the door as it is moving, and adjusting the motion of the door and regulating the amount of force available to the door for its motion, based on the calculated difference between the door's position as detected during monitoring and its expected position.

Abstract: A smart machine tool lubrication system monitors the distance traveled by a motion component in a machine tool. A predetermined amount of lubricant is dispensed at a lubrication point of the motion component when the monitored distance exceeds a first threshold value. The smart machine tool lubrication system may further monitor the duration of time the motion component is in motion and dispense the predetermined amount of lubricant with the monitored duration of time exceeds a second threshold value.

Abstract: A lubrication system is provided for delivering coherent packets of a lubricant to a cutting surface of a machine tool. The system includes a nozzle for delivering a coherent packet of lubricant to the cutting surface, a pump for providing the lubricant to the nozzle via a supply line, and a controller configured to control the pump to provide the nozzle with a desired volume of lubricant. The coherent packet of lubricant has a volume substantially equal to the desired volume provided by the pump. The nozzle may be movable, and the controller may be configured to position and orient the movable nozzle. The controller may be an integrated controller configured to control both the operation of the lubrication system and the operation of the machine tool.

Abstract: A method of controlling the motion of a moveable door includes determining the direction that the door is moving with respect to its anticipated closed position, and based on the direction, regulating an amount of force that is available to the door for its motion. The method may further include monitoring the position of the door as it is moving, and adjusting the motion of the door and regulating the amount of force available to the door for its motion, based on the calculated difference between the door's position as detected during monitoring and its expected position.

Abstract: A smart machine tool lubrication system monitors the distance traveled by a motion component in a machine tool. A predetermined amount of lubricant is dispensed at a lubrication point of the motion component when the monitored distance exceeds a first threshold value. The smart machine tool lubrication system may further monitor the duration of time the motion component is in motion and dispense the predetermined amount of lubricant with the monitored duration of time exceeds a second threshold value.

Abstract: A system for controlling a machine tool is provided. The system includes a user input device deflectable from a neutral position and a controller configured to receive information corresponding to an amount of deflection of the user input device from the neutral position and to output a control signal to control a movement of the machine tool in an axis of movement at a rate corresponding to the amount of deflection of the user input device from the neutral position. A machine is provided, including a work tool movable along an axis of movement and a control system including a user input device deflectable from a neutral position and a controller configured to receive information corresponding to an amount of deflection of the user input device from the neutral position and to output a control signal to control a movement of the work tool in an axis of movement at a rate corresponding to the amount of deflection of the user input device from the neutral position.

Abstract: A system for controlling a machine tool is provided. The system includes a user input device deflectable from a neutral position and a controller configured to receive information corresponding to an amount of deflection of the user input device from the neutral position and to output a control signal to control a movement of the machine tool in an axis of movement at a rate corresponding to the amount of deflection of the user input device from the neutral position. A machine is provided, including a work tool movable along an axis of movement and a control system including a user input device deflectable from a neutral position and a controller configured to receive information corresponding to an amount of deflection of the user input device from the neutral position and to output a control signal to control a movement of the work tool in an axis of movement at a rate corresponding to the amount of deflection of the user input device from the neutral position.

Abstract: A lubrication system is provided for delivering coherent packets of a lubricant to a cutting surface of a machine tool. The system includes a nozzle for delivering a coherent packet of lubricant to the cutting surface, a pump for providing the lubricant to the nozzle via a supply line, and a controller configured to control the pump to provide the nozzle with a desired volume of lubricant. The coherent packet of lubricant has a volume substantially equal to the desired volume provided by the pump. The nozzle may be movable, and the controller may be configured to position and orient the movable nozzle. The controller may be an integrated controller configured to control both the operation of the lubrication system and the operation of the machine tool.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for viewing computer generated images and for tracking the positions of the user's head and hand. One alternative of the apparatus includes a frame element, versatilely mountable, with sensors for the head tracking of a user whose bodily movement is constrained to a small area. Short range and inexpensive sensors are deployed for tracking the position of the user's head; these sensors are deployed partly on a on the user's head and partly on the tracking frame. All the electronics for tracking and user input are enclosed in a mobile pack. In another alternative of the tracking invention natural forces such as gravity, the Earth's magnetic field, and inertia are used, so additional references. The display allows for interchangeable optical elements so that it may be tailored to suit the needs of a particular user or application.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for viewing computer generated images and for tracking the positions of the user's head and hand. One alternative of the apparatus includes a frame element, versatilely mountable, with sensors for the head tracking of a user whose bodily movement is constrained to a small area. Short range and inexpensive sensors are deployed for tracking the position of the user's head; these sensors are deployed partly on a on the user's head and partly on the tracking frame. All the electronics for tracking and user input are enclosed in a mobile pack. In another alternative of the tracking invention natural forces such as gravity, the Earth's magnetic field, and inertia are used, so additional references. The display allows for interchangeable optical elements so that it may be tailored to suit the needs of a particular user or application. One optical element disclosed is a bicolor polarizer, which allows an lcd to inexpensively provide a bicolor display without loss of resolution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for transmitting data about an object within a defined field and using the transmitted data to generate a virtual object on the display screen of a computer. In one embodiment of the present invention the object used to transmit input data is a wireless glove assembly. The glove assembly supports a transmitting device which transmits data bursts, containing position and gesture information, in the radio frequency wavelength to four stationary receivers. The received signal is converted to a digital signal and input to a microprocessor control unit. The software used in the microprocessor control unit uses an averaging method to generate a virtual object on the computer display screen. The position of the virtual object is calculated based on the strength of the signal received. The movement of the virtual object on the computer display screen is in the same direction as and is proportional to the glove movement.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for viewing computer generated images and for tracking the positions of the user's head and hand. One alternative of the apparatus includes a frame element, versatilely mountable, with sensors for the head tracking of a user whose bodily movement is constrained to a small area. Short range and inexpensive sensors are deployed for tracking the position of the user's head; these sensors are deployed partly on a on the user's head and partly on the tracking frame. All the electronics for tracking and user input are enclosed in a mobile pack. In another alternative of the tracking invention natural forces such as gravity, the Earth's magnetic field, and inertia are used, so additional references. The display allows for interchangeable optical elements so that it may be tailored to suit the needs of a particular user or application.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for viewing computer generated images and for tracking the positions of the user's head and hand. One alternative of the apparatus includes a frame element, versatilely mountable, with sensors for the head tracking of a user whose bodily movement is constrained to a small area. Short range and inexpensive sensors are deployed for tracking the position of the user's head; these sensors are deployed partly on a on the user's head and partly on the tracking frame. All the electronics for tracking and user input are enclosed in a mobile pack. In another alternative of the tracking invention natural forces such as gravity, the Earth's magnetic field, and inertia are used, so additional references. The display allows for interchangeable optical elements so that it may be tailored to suit the needs of a particular user or application.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for viewing computer generated images and for tracking the positions of the user's head and hand. One alternative of the apparatus includes a frame element, versatilely mountable, with sensors for the head tracking of a user whose bodily movement is constrained to a small area. Short range and inexpensive sensors are deployed for tracking the position of the user's head; these sensors are deployed partly on a on the user's head and partly on the tracking frame. All the electronics for tracking and user input are enclosed in a mobile pack. In another alternative of the tracking invention natural forces such as gravity, the Earth's magnetic field, and inertia are used, so additional references. The display allows for interchangeable optical elements so that it may be tailored to suit the needs of a particular user or application. One optical element disclosed is a bicolor polarizer, which allows an lcd to inexpensively provide a bicolor display without loss of resolution.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for viewing computer generated images and for tracking the positions of the user's head and hand. One alternative of the apparatus includes a frame element, versatilely mountable, with sensors for the head tracking of a user whose bodily movement is constrained to a small area. Short range and inexpensive sensors are deployed for tracking the position of the user's head; these sensors are deployed partly on a on the user's head and partly on the tracking frame. All the electronics for tracking and user input are enclosed in a mobile pack. In another alternative of the tracking invention natural forces such as gravity, the Earth's magnetic field, and inertia are used, so additional references. The display allows for interchangeable optical elements so that it may be tailored to suit the needs of a particular user or application. One optical element disclosed is a bicolor polarizer, which allows an lcd to inexpensively provide a bicolor display without loss of resolution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for transmitting data about an object within a defined field and using the transmitted data to generate a virtual object on the display screen of a computer. In one embodiment of the present invention the object used to transmit input data is a wireless glove assembly. The glove assembly supports a transmitting device which transmits data bursts, containing position and gesture information, in the radio frequency wavelength to four stationary receivers. The received signal is converted to a digital signal and input to a microprocessor control unit. The software used in the microprocessor control unit uses an averaging method to generate a virtual object on the computer display screen. The position of the virtual object is calculated based on the strength of the signal received. The movement of the virtual object on the computer display screen is in the same direction as and is proportional to the glove movement.

Abstract: A head-coupled display device for use in presenting electronically generated visual images to a viewer. The device includes a headpiece worn by a viewer, and an image display screen mounted in the headpiece for presenting electronically generated images. A fresnel lens is positioned adjacent the screen for focusing images from the screen at a selected position for viewing as a virtual image. The lens has a set of concentric converging rings whose surface curvatures act to minimize rectilinear distortion of the virtual images perceived by the viewer over the entire field of view of the image.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for viewing computer generated images and for tracking the positions of the user's head and hand. One alternative of the apparatus includes a frame element, versatilely mountable, with sensors for the head tracking of a user whose bodily movement is constrained to a small area. Short range and inexpensive sensors are deployed for tracking the position of the user's head; these sensors are deployed partly on a on the user's head and partly on the tracking frame. All the electronics for tracking and user input are enclosed in a mobile pack. In another alternative of the tracking invention natural forces such as gravity, the Earth's magnetic field, and inertia are used, so additional references. The display allows for interchangeable optical elements so that it may be tailored to suit the needs of a particular user or application. One optical element disclosed is a bicolor polarizer, which allows an lcd to inexpensively provide a bicolor display without loss of resolution.

Abstract: A position tracker wherein a base unit scans a selected path with electromagnetic signals. A remote unit whose position relative to the base unit is to be detected includes a sensor for detecting the signals from the base unit. When the scanning signals are detected by the remote unit, the remote unit transmits a response signal to the base unit. The base unit may calculate the angular position of the remote unit relative to the base unit by comparing the time intervals between successive response signals. By locating multiple base units in different positions, the position of the remote unit along multiple coordinate axes may be determined. By adding multiple sensors and response transmitters to the remote unit, the roll, pitch and yaw of the remote unit also may be calculated.

Abstract: A head-coupled display device for use in presenting electronically generated visual images to a viewer. The device includes a headpiece worn by a viewer, and an image display screen mounted in the headpiece for presenting electronically generated images. A fresnel lens is positioned adjacent the screen for focusing images from the screen at a selected position for viewing as a virtual image. The lens has a set of concentric converging rings whose surface curvatures act to minimize rectilinear distortion of the virtual images perceived by the viewer over the entire field of view of the image.