Abstract: A system to control a piece of construction equipment or other piece of heavy equipment at a remote location via a data network in which a user provides movement instructions via a graphical user interface at a user PC to a programmable controller interfaced to the data network and the hydraulic movement systems of the heavy equipment. The graphical user interface includes a visual representation portion and a user control portion. A visual representation of the moveable elements of the heavy equipment is provided to the user via the graphical user interface, and the user inputs movement instructions via the user control portion of the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A system to control a piece of construction equipment or other piece of heavy equipment at a remote location via a data network is disclosed in which a user provides movement instructions via a graphical user interface at a user PC to a programmable controller interfaced to the data network and the hydraulic movement systems of the heavy equipment. The graphical user interface includes a visual representation portion and a user control portion. A visual representation of the moveable elements of the heavy equipment is provided to the user via the graphical user interface, and the user inputs movement instructions via the user control portion of the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A personal identification system for use in security and various other types of pattern matching applications provides accurate recognition of a known person. This system uses a large quantity of course but inexpensive sensors to create a profile of a person seeking to enter the controlled space or to take other action. These sensors measure different statistically independent characteristics of the person, such as height, weight, stride, voice timbre, and time to perform various functions. The measurements so obtained may individually be of very low resolution. They are used to search a data base of patterns related to admissible individuals. Active agent methods are used to support learning and adaptation of the sensor set to address sensor drift and individual characteristic changes over time. A combination of many parameters will identify a person with very low probability of both false negative and false positive errors.

Abstract: A computer system especially for solution of real time inference problems is disclosed. The system includes a systolic cellular processor which provides predictable and responsive real time operation and fine grain programmability. The system comprises a plurality of separate processor cells each having its own local memory, the cells running simultaneously and operative to execute their respective program instructions. A global memory is coupled via a global bus to the processor cells and provides data to the cells and stores data from the cells. The bus provides effectively simultaneous access of all cells to the global memory. A further feature of the system is a novel parallel programming language using English syntax and which provides synchronous and predictable binding of code to each cell. A graphic work station is provided as a user interface to provide visual access to each cell or to cell groups for ease of control.

Abstract: A computer system especially for solution of real time inference problems is disclosed. The system includes a systolic cellular processor which provides predictable and responsive real time operation and fine grain programmability. The system comprises a plurality of separate processor cells each having its own local memory, the cells running simultaneously and operative to execute their respective program instructions. A global memory is coupled via a global bus to the processor cells and provides data to the cells and stores data from the cells. The bus provides effectively simultaneous access of all cells to the global memory. A further feature of the system is a novel parallel programming language using English syntax and which provides synchronous and predictable binding of code to each cell. A graphic work station is provided as a user interface to provide visual access to each cell or to cell groups for ease of control.

Abstract: A heat sink for a printed circuit board in comprised of a thermally-conductive plate having on one surface a thermally-conductive, electrically-insulative elastomer layer which conformally engages at leasts a portion of the back surface of the printed circuit board. The ends of pins of electronic components mounted on the board and desired to be cooled embed into the elastomer layer to provide a conductive path for transfer of heat from the electronic components to the elastomer layer and then to the thermally-conductive plate.

Abstract: A parallel process controller capable of expandable, parallel operating multi-function control of processes without degradation of performance. The process controller comprises up to N (where N is a positive integer) programmable command memory modules, and also comprises data memory modules, an input/output system, a high speed data bus (N-bus) and a general timing and control unit. Each command memory module performs the functional equivalent of a central processing unit with storage of instruction lines designatable by a user via a programming panel. Each command memory module operates autonomously, without regard to the other command memory modules and cyclically solves each of the user instruction lines in a short, fixed length of time. Each data memory module supplements data storage in the command memory modules.

Abstract: A systematic data memory error detection and correction apparatus periodically reads data from each addressable memory location, determines the presence or absence of an error in the addressed data memory location and, if an error is detected, corrects the error and writes the corrected data back into the addressed memory location. The apparatus may include circuitry for logging those areas of the data memory where errors have been detected, such logging showing either the address location where an error is detected or alternatively indicating the repetitiveness of an error at any particular addressed memory location. Such data logging facilitates determination of hardware or "hard" type errors as distinguished from non-hardware or "soft" type errors.

Abstract: A digital computer with the capability of incorporating multiple central processing units (CPU's), utilizes an address and data bus between each central processing unit and from one to fifteen intelligent composite memory and input/output modules (MIO). Data is transferred to and from each MIO and the CPU synchronously by a bus during one phase of a three phase clocking cycle. During a second phase of the clocking cycle data on one or more low speed serial data channels within each MIO is transferred to and from the MIO and external devices. During the third phase of the clocking cycle data on a high speed direct memory access channel (DMA) is transferred to and from the MIO and one or more external devices. Additional CPU's can be interconnected with the first CPU by means of an inter-processor buffer module (IPB) which interconnects to the bus at one end and the additional CPU, by means of a bus, at its other end.

Abstract: A programmable sequence controller is disclosed utilizing digital and analog inputs in order to generate digital output driver signals for the control of external systems or devices. The controller emulates mechanical sequence drums so that at any one time each of the simulated drums within the controller executes one of the addressable drum lines programmed within the drum. Each line of each simulated drum can be programmed to specify the energization or deenergization of any output driver as well as the energization or de-energization of any memory bit utilized by the controller in order to provide communication between drums. Each drum may also be programmed to have one or two sets of exit conditions, which if met, cause the controller to effectively rotate the drum to a specified drum line and execute this new drum line during the next scan of the controller.

Abstract: A parallel process controller capable of expandable, parallel operating multi-function control of processes. The process controller comprises programmable command memory modules, data memory modules, an input/output system, a programming panel, and a high speed data bus (N-bus).The input/output system comprises input/output channels for intercommunication between the process controller and the external world. This intercommunication is repetitively updated for each input/output channel in an error-free manner that operates autonomously with respect to the remainder of the process controller. Each input/output channel incorporates a first dedicated area of a dedicated data memory module in which information is read and a second dedicated area of the data memory module in which information is written. The information read from the first dedicated area is transferred to external devices via a local modem-remote modem combination.

Abstract: An interactive terminal which is capable of complete hand-held operation with total freedom of position and location is provided. The terminal incorporates a self contained full 128-character keyboard, a 20-character alphanumeric readout, and a 1000-character memory. The terminal allows the generation of all 128 ASCII characters plus "break." In order to assure review of any message, a conveniently positioned scroll switch is incorporated to advance or roll back any messsage in the memory for presentation on the display.When previous messages are displayed and incoming information is being received by the terminal, the light intensity of the displayed messages modulates to indicate to the operator that information is being received but not displayed. The unique, totally portable, hand-held interactive terminal is provided with a 20 key keyboard which is operated with one hand, while the other hand selects one of four different information levels for each key.

Abstract: An interactive computer terminal which is capable of complete hand-held operation with total freedom of position and location is provided. The terminal incorporates a self-contained full 75-character keyboard, a 20-character alpha numeric readout, and a 100-character memory. In order to assure review of any message, a conveniently positioned scroll switch is incorporated to advance or roll back any message in the memory for presentation on the display. The unique, totally portable hand-held interactive terminal is provided with a 20-key pad which is operated with one hand, while the other hand selects one of four different information levels for each key. Consequently, each of the 20 keys is capable of transmitting four different characters or other information, thereby assuring easy, compact transmission of all numeric, alphabetic, and punctuation characters with sufficient keyboard room available for command capability.

Abstract: A programmable printer is provided which is capable of printing alphanumeric internally pre-stored data or data information and alphanumeric externally supplied data or data information either separately or in combination with each other. The alphanumeric printout of the printer may be inverted in a manner to allow its visual reading in what would otherwise be an "upside-down" configuration. The programmable printer incorporates a microprocessor for the proper addressing, interpretation and manipulation of input commands, timing information, paper-sensing information, external data information, and internal stored data information, so as to generate output information that seeks the desired data information, whether external or internal, and that drives a printer logic interface and output status lines and print drive interface so as to print the desired information and to monitor the status of the printer.

Abstract: A miniaturized computer controller system utilizes reprogrammable "read only" ultraviolet memory chips instead of conventional core memories to store a control program comprising variable information regarding all electrical elements in all electrical circuit lines of the controller. The memory chips are reprogrammable within the controller and thus delicate removal of the chips for reprogramming is eliminated. The controller utilizes a central processor removably interfitting with a reprogramming module that also communicates with a programming panel.When in a "monitor" mode, the programming panel, in conjunction with the reprogramming module, allows the operator to view any particular electrical circuit line while the controller is operating. A scroll switch on the programming panel further allows the operator to view sequentially higher or lower numbered electrical circuit lines while a trace switch provides for examining any electrical circuit line to which a currently viewed element is referenced.