Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operation of a functionally modular automation device having a control loop, which device is connected to a feed line whose power is limited. It is proposed that the criterion for activation or deactivation of functional modules of the device is derived from the control error (xw). The functionally modular automation device having a control loop is also disclosed.

Abstract: A scanner system includes a servo control unit. A rotation angle of a rotating shaft supporting a mirror is detected, and an error of the detected value with respect to a commanded value is integrated by an integral compensator so that the detected value is able to track the commanded value. A tracking error proportional compensator is disposed in parallel with the integral compensator so as to add a correction value proportional to the error to the integrated value of the error. A plurality of gains are prepared for each of the integral compensator, the tracking error proportional compensator, a detected value proportional compensator and a detected value differential compensator of the servo control unit. Each gain is changed in accordance with a travel angle of the commanded value. Thus, the mirror can be positioned quickly so that the machining speed can be improved.

Abstract: A method for producing a timestamped series of price data of a financial instrument from its prices. The timestamped series includes a timestamp associated with each price. Each timestamp has a timestamp precision of one millisecond or less and a timestamp accuracy equal to or shorter than the timestamp precision. At least one timestamping processor is provided to receive the prices. The internal clock of each timestamping processor is synchronized to a universal time with a time precision and accuracy equal to or shorter than half of the timestamp precision. Each price is applied to a timestamping processor with a predetermined time delay after quotation. Each time delay has a time delay precision and accuracy equal to or shorter than half of the timestamp precision. The timestamp is determined for each applied price based on the corresponding delay time and internal time when the price is applied.

Abstract: An automation system for programming appliances having programmable controllers, programmable devices and trigger devices that communicate over a communication link. The user programs the programmable devices by placing the programmable controller in its training mode, activating the trigger device to generate a trigger signed and places select programmable devices in their programmed state. After all of the desired programmable devices have been put in then programmed states, the user takes the programmable controller out of its training mode. When the programmable controller is out of its training mode, it monitors the communication link for the trigger event. Upon detecting the trigger event, the programmable controller sends messages to the selected programmable devices instructing them to go to their programmed state.

Abstract: A window system and a method for manufacturing a window system, wherein a window frame is mounted on a fibre metal laminate skin of for example an aircraft. The window system comprise a fibre metal laminate skin including a mounting surface portion, e.g., the surrounding of a window opening, and a window frame having a first flange. A first side of the first flange being mounted to at least a part of a surface, e.g., the surrounding of a window opening. The first side is form-fitted to the mounting surface portion of the fibre metal laminate skin. The least a part of the surface of the first side of the first flange and the mounting surface portion of the fibre metal laminate skin are bonded.

Abstract: In order to design and implement industrial processes in an efficient manner, an apparatus (1) is provided which can simulate a process to be implemented. The processing of the simulation is controlled by a modelling module (17) and is arranged to cause the constraints on scheduling batches in the simulation to correspond to the constraints in actual processing where mixing of batches initiated at different times is avoided. This is achieved by the modelling module (17), whenever a batch is initiated in the simulation, scheduling the following batch to be initiated, the greatest of either the maximum time items of equipment require to process the batch initiated if no delays occur within the system or the greatest time for processing batches of items equipment currently in use.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system for selectively connecting an electrical power source to a load device uses astronomical calculations. The system comprises a switching device electrically connected between an electrical power source and a load device for selectively delivering electrical power to the load device. A control system controls operation of the switching device. The control system comprises a programmed controller for commanding operation of the switching device in accordance with a scheduling routine stored in a memory. The scheduling routine enables control of the switching device based on sunrise and sunset time. The memory further comprises a database of a plurality of geographic locations and coordinate information for the plurality of geographic locations.

Abstract: A method for irrigating an irrigation region (30) with an irrigation unit (20) includes the steps of subdividing the irrigation region (30) into a plurality of subregions (34), establishing a sequence for irrigating the subregions (34) based on irrigation requirements for the irrigation region (30), and directing a fluid (19) to one or more of the subregions (30) using the irrigation unit (20) based on the sequence. The irrigation regions (30) can be rectangular, square, or hexagonal, and can each have non-overlapping rectangular, square or triangular, similarly-sized subregions (34). The irrigation requirements can include the color of the subregions (34), the elevation of one subregion (34) relative to another subregion (34) and/or other physical conditions. The sequence can be established entirely within a housing (200) of the irrigation unit (20).

Abstract: A measurement and data acquisition system including a real-time monitoring circuit for implementing control loop applications. The system control loop may include the real-time monitoring circuit, a data acquisition device, a processing unit, and a plurality of subsystems. The subsystems may be comprised in the data acquisition device or may be external to the data acquisition device. The real-time monitoring circuit may receive a plurality of timing signals from the plurality of subsystems and may select a control loop timing signal out of the plurality of timing signals. The real-time monitoring circuit may determine whether the operations of the control loop are performed within a particular period of time by monitoring the control loop timing signal and communicating with the processing unit. In response to an error notification, the processing unit may take appropriate action, such as shutting down the system and/or reporting an error or warning.

Abstract: A control unit is disclosed for controlling the usage of an electrical device, such as a television. The control unit maintains a plurality of time accounts for a plurality of users. The control unit, responsive to receiving a request to operate the electrical device from a user, identifies a time account for the user and begins decrementing time from the time account for the user when the electrical device is turned on. The control unit decrements time from the time account based on one or more desired algorithms. The algorithms as disclosed herein cause the control unit to continue decrementing time from the time account of the user even after the electrical device is shut off.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a time difference calculator to calculate, according to temporal information of first and second contents, a time difference between creation time of the first content and creation time of the second content, a correlation value calculator to calculate, according to the calculated time difference and a given calculation formula, a correlation value for the temporal information of the first and second contents, a symbol generator to generate a symbol representing the calculated correlation value, a thumbnail generator to generate thumbnails representing the first and second contents, and a display controller to display a thumbnail view showing the thumbnails with the generated symbol arranged between the thumbnails.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a dimension of an etched feature. The method includes: measuring a mask feature formed on a top surface of a layer on a substrate to obtain a mask feature dimension value; and calculating a mask trim plasma etch time based on the mask feature dimension value, a mask feature dimension target value, a total of selected radio frequency power-on times of a plasma etch tool since an event occurring to a chamber or chambers of a plasma etch tool for plasma etching the layer, and an etch bias target for a layer feature to be formed from the layer where the layer is not protected by the mask feature during a plasma etch of the layer.

Abstract: Adaptive irrigation of vegetation is achieved with a probe implanted into the soil for detecting rootage wetness needs by measuring soil impedance with contacts distributed along the probe. When a dryness threshold indicating rootage needs is met at a depth ZBEGIN previously entered into a control logic coupled to the probe, then irrigation is started. Irrigation is stopped when a wetness front is detected at depth Zend(i) automatically provided by the control logic. The depth of arrest of the drainage front Zfinal(i) descending below the depth Zend(i) is compared with a depth ZFINAL, also previously entered into the control logic. The depth Zend(i) is adapted at each irrigation cycle i for the drainage front to stop at the depth ZFINAL. The probe may be used to determine the depth ZBEGIN where resistance drops are detected first, by measuring resistance over time.

Abstract: A system and method for efficient Asian character text input into a reduced keypad machine such as a word processor, telephone, hand-held computer, or personal computer is provided. The system comprises a data entry keypad associated with a monitor, and a disambiguation process supporting multiple keycap depression timespan range definitions and interpretations to produce accurate messaging with a reduced keypad.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for controlling and limiting the amount of time that a television, computer game, or other electrical appliance can be utilized. The apparatus is inserted in the electrical cord leading to the electrical appliance and is programmable to limit the amount of time that electricity flows through the electrical cord tot he electrical appliance. The plug end of the electrical cord of the appliance is locked into the apparatus to prevent the electrical appliance from being unplugged from the apparatus and plugged into an electrical wall outlet.

Abstract: In a method for controlling and/or regulating industrial processes (1, 20), a standard operating system (3) with a real-time module or a real-time operating system is implemented on a hardware platform (2) and simultaneously at least two real-time applications (7, 8) with characteristic real-time requirements are active under the real-time module or under the real-time operating system. In particular, simultaneously with the real-time applications (7, 8), at least one non-real-time application (5) is active, and the real-time requirements of each real-time application (7, 8) are predetermined on the specification of the applicable industrial processes (1). Each real-time application (7, 8), by means of an allocation module (4) running on the hardware platform (2), is allocated a maximally available component (9, 10) of a maximally available real-time component (11) of one operating cycle (13).

Abstract: An automation system for programming appliances having programmable controllers, programmable devices and trigger devices that communicate over a communication link. The user programs the programmable devices by placing the programmable controller in its training mode, activating the trigger device to generate a trigger signed and places select programmable devices in their programmed state. After all of the desired programmable devices have been put in then programmed states, the user takes the programmable controller out of its training mode. When the programmable controller is out of its training mode, it monitors the communication link for the trigger event. Upon detecting the trigger event, the programmable controller sends messages to the selected programmable devices instructing them to go to their programmed state.

Abstract: A structure having a parameter storing unit which stores a parameter to be used when a numeric control apparatus drives and controls the numeric control machine tool, a program interpretation unit which reads a part program to generate machining data for each block, an interpolation unit which interpolates a movement path instructed in an axis moving instruction referring to a parameter stored in the parameter storing unit and using an interpolation algorithm which is identical to a driving and controlling interpolation algorithm of the numeric control apparatus, an interpolation count counting unit which counts an interpolation count in the movement path, and an axis moving time calculating unit which multiplies an interpolation cycle when the numeric control apparatus drives and controls the numeric control machine tool and the counted interpolation count to calculate an axis moving time.

Abstract: A control system includes controllers that are coupled mutually by a communications network, on which information, transmitted from a master controller to a slave controller, is used to make timing corrections on the slave controller in order to synchronize event timers on the slave controller with that of the master controller. Timing accuracy for the occurrence of the event commanded by each controller is synchronized in narrow range of time, preferably within a few milliseconds depending on the specific application and system.

Abstract: A control device with a time measuring function measures a turned-off time of an ignition switch with a low consumption current and high accuracy at a level adapted for a demand from the controlling side, as well as a turned-on time of the ignition switch. The control device also measures an accumulative turned-on time of the ignition switch. The control device comprises a battery, a microcomputer for computing a control variable to control a control target, a time measuring unit, a clock source for the microcomputer, a clock source for the time measuring unit, and a unit for changing over operation of the time measuring unit depending on an intended use. The time measuring unit operates regardless of run/stop of the microcomputer.

Abstract: A transmission/reception device is provided merely as an embedded system, and a domestic appliance control program and/or an industrial appliance control program is/are transferred from the transmission/reception device to an external control apparatus, and the latter is used to control the appliances. In addition, the appliances contain at least one sensor for recording state information about the respective appliance, the recorded sensor variables being transferred to the external control apparatus.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to minimize the number of in-process items. To this end, in an inter-process buffer controlling apparatus according to the invention, the size of a buffer to be used for storage of work subjects of predetermined work is increased if a difference or a ratio between a variance of first intervals at which the work subjects are delivered to the buffer and a variance of duration that is taken for the preceding process exceeds a prescribed first threshold value, and the size of the buffer is decreased if a difference or a ratio between an average of second intervals at which work subjects generated by the work are delivered to the following buffer and an average of the first intervals exceeds a prescribed second threshold value.

Abstract: Control unit for a load, in particular for a sliding sunroof control of a vehicle, having a microprocessor and having an integrated voltage regulator for generating the supply voltage of the microprocessor from the battery voltage of an on-board battery, in which case, in order to switch on the microprocessor the latter is fed its supply voltage by means of a wake-up pulse for a predetermined switch-on duration and said supply voltage is maintained as long as the microprocessor outputs trigger signals.

Abstract: A schedule execution managing apparatus comprises a planned start time setting unit setting the planned start time of a schedule in correspondence with a predetermined base time and an offset from the base time, a planned start time storing unit storing the set planned start time, and a schedule execution controlling unit controlling the execution start of the schedule by referencing the contents stored in the planned start time storing unit. With this apparatus, a schedule change in an emergency is facilitated, and schedule information can be easily reused in a different environment.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a computer system may determine focus areas and non-focus areas of the display screen. The brightness of non-focus areas may then be reduced with respect to focus areas, thereby reducing power consumption of the display screen and, hence, reducing power consumption of the computer system. For example, a focus area may be an active window of the display screen and a non-focus area may be an inactive window of the display screen. As another example, a focus area may be a region of the display screen within a vicinity of a cursor (i.e. data entry point), and a non-focus area may be the region outside this vicinity. The size of the vicinity may be measured in radius or in lines of data (e.g. in a word processing or spreadsheet program) surrounding the cursor. The size and shape of the vicinity may be determined by a user.

Abstract: An alarm processor suppresses alarms when a physiological parameter is below a predetermined value but recovering toward a normal range.

Abstract: An automation system for programming appliances having programmable controllers, programmable devices and trigger devices that communicate over a communication link. The user programs the programmable devices by placing the programmable controller in its training mode, activating the trigger device to generate a trigger signed and places select programmable devices in their programmed state. After all of the desired programmable devices have been put in then programmed states, the user takes the programmable controller out of its training mode. When the programmable controller is out of its training mode, it monitors the communication link for the trigger event. Upon detecting the trigger event, the programmable controller sends messages to the selected programmable devices instructing them to go to their programmed state.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a controlled parameter that affects a target parameter of a target zone is disclosed. The method comprises providing a feedback control loop having a switching controller, a controlled device, and an averaging device. The controlled device comprises a time constant and a specified operational characteristic. The controlled device comprises a first operational state and a second operational state. The method further comprises calculating a time constant for the averaging device based at least on the time constant for the controlled device, and the specified operational characteristic. The specified operational characteristic may comprises a minimum amount of time that the controlled device operates before it can be switched between the first operational state and the second operational state.

Abstract: A clock radio includes a clock a user interface that is dynamically configurable from a remote computer. Once configured, the user interface allows a user to select radio programs that are accessible by the remote computer. When a user selects a radio program via the interface, a signal indicating the selected radio program is transmitted from the clock radio to the remote computer. The remote computer then accesses the selected radio program and transmits the selected radio program to speaker(s) for broadcast.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for automatically converting dates and times in electronic text messages to the local dates and times of the message recipients. For example, when a text message is sent to an intended recipient, a messaging server can recognize date and time strings in the message text string, if any. The server can parse the date/time information into Coordinated Universal Time (“UTC”) form. The server also receives locale and time zone information from the intended recipient's client application, and can send this information to the originating client application. The originating client application can use this locale and time zone information to convert the UTC date/time information from the message string, if any, to the localized date and time of the message recipient. The localized date/time information is inserted into the message string, and the resulting message is forwarded to the recipient.

Abstract: A production machine has at least one signal output with the capability of transmitting production status information to a production control system or production monitoring system. Signal outputs of the production machine are picked up and the statuses of the signal outputs are passed on via data connections to an operator console. The product status information obtained in this way is transmitted together with the information input manually by an operator via a data connection to a computer system for evaluation. A method generates events regarding production information while the production machine is operating.

Abstract: A method of processing an online purchase request from a customer includes steps of receiving a first online purchase request for a first item; retrieving pre-stored information about the customer and generating a first quote that includes an identification of the first item and the retrieved information. Modifications may be made to the first quote, which lasts at least until a consolidation interval has elapsed. The first quote is converted to a first executable order for the first item when a quote conversion process determines that the first quote has remained unmodified at least for the consolidation interval. A second online purchase request for a second item may be added to the first quote when the second online purchase request is received before the first quote is converted into the first order or when the first quote has remained unmodified for a period of time that is less than the consolidation interval.

Abstract: A method and device that controls one or more apparatus in relation to the expected time of sunrise and sunset at the location of the apparatus. The operator enters a geographic location identifier, such as a zip code or telephone area code, and the controller computes the expected time of sunrise and sunset at the corresponding geographic location. The controller is configured to translate the entered geographic location code into the offset times, based upon the latitude and longitude of the location. The controller is able to either directly retrieve stored time offsets or it retrieves the latitude and longitude that corresponds to the entered geographic location code and determines the time offset from that latitude and longitude.

Abstract: A hybrid microcontroller system for controlling a function of a device in an apparatus. The system controls the switching of the device so as to inhibit the formation of an abrupt transient spike between a pair of current switching contacts. Also, the system enables an operator from outside the system to enter a command relating to a function of the device, and for indicating to the operator outside the system the nature of the command thereof.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved device and method for automated cooking foods with a liquid such as water.

Abstract: A wafer cluster tool is described which operates in a regular, periodic fashion. Embodiments of the invention have a periodicity of one sending period. The invention enables the determination of pick-up times for process chambers in the cluster tool, and embodiments of the invention allow the creation and maintenance of an updated timetable. The timetable indicates times when each of the process chambers is to be serviced. These values are updated as the process chambers receive new wafers. Robots in the cluster tool may pre-position themselves in front of modules, or process chambers, to be served. Robot pre-positioning eliminates the wait time of individual modules beyond queue times which have been pre-determined for the modules. This renders the path of the individual robots pre-deterministic, and enables the cluster tool to utilize single gripper robots.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data from at least one sensor to a control unit via an appropriate two-wire line is described. The method is used to identify any sensor at the control unit and to implement a plurality of logical channels via the appropriate two-wire line. The at least one sensor receives the necessary electrical energy from the control unit via the two-wire line and then transmits the sensor-specific data.

Abstract: Providing a slave that can precisely measure operating time of an output device that is service information, without having effects on a control system. To Mix slave 13 connected to a field network 12, an actuator 14 and sensor 15 that detects completion of operation of the actuator are connected. Having a built-in timer, the Mix slave measures time from when OUT terminal to which the actuator is connected turns ON until IN terminal to which the sensor is connected turns ON, by using the timer. Time thus obtained will be operating time of the output device. Comparison of this operating time with a setting will determine whether or not the actuator normally operates.

Abstract: Mechanisms for operating an industrial controller (S) equipped with a runtime system (RTS), in particular for production machines, which enable a user to wait in the program flow for any desired condition are provided, the program flow being immediately continued when the condition is satisfied and the program flow being stopped when the condition is not satisfied, until it is established that the condition has been satisfied, the priority of the checking for the condition being increased in comparison with the current task priority while waiting for the condition to be satisfied. When the condition has been satisfied, a defined program sequence is processed with high priority up to an explicit end, the old task priority being resumed after the explicit end of the program sequence.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling the enabling and/or disabling of an audio alarm that indicates an occurrence of a predetermined event of a power supply, such as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). In one embodiment of the invention, the method includes programming the UPS to enable the audio alarm of the power supply during a first predetermined time period, and programming the UPS to disable the audio alarm of the power supply while the power supply is still operational during a second predetermined time period. In embodiments of the invention, the system is able to enable and disable an audio alarm during specified time periods of the day. Thus, a user can use the system to designate when an alarm will not sound so as not to disturb the user or others at an inconvenient time.

Abstract: A room occupancy sensor, a home automation system and a method for automatic control of controlled devices throughout a home. A unique architecture of occupancy sensors includes entry/exit sensors for detecting movement through doorways that separate rooms in the home, room motion sensors for detecting room occupancy, spot sensors to detect occupancy of specific locations within the rooms, and house status sensors to detect the status of certain parameters of the home. A central controller communicates with the sensors and controlled objects over a communications network, where the sensors and controlled objects can be added to the system in a ‘plug and play’ manner. The central controller controls the controlled objects in response to the entry/exit sensors, room motion sensors, spot sensors and the house status sensors. This control is accomplished by assigning each room to one of a plurality of room states, which dictate how the controlled objects are controlled by the central controller.

Abstract: Reduction of the initial investment cost of a user of a storage system can be realized, and the user of the storage system can easily perform timely addition for a short time. In a preferred embodiment, a method for renting and charging the storage system includes the steps of: reading a used volume from a use management table held in the storage system; and sending the read used volume from the storage system to a charging system. Preferably, the storage system has means for allowing an owner to grasp that a user starts using the storage system, wherein the owner rents to the user a storage system having a disk volume, a cache volume, and other components more than the user's increase intension, charges for a used volume of the user for a fixed period, and reviews the added volume and the charged cost on the fixed period basis.

Abstract: A speculative transmit function, utilizing a configurable logical buffer, is implemented in a network. When a transmission is started the logical buffer is configured as a FIFO to reduce transmit latency. If a data under-run lasts for more than a fixed time interval the transmission is abandoned and the logical buffer is reconfigured as a STORE-AND-FORWARD buffer. The transmission is restarted after all transmit data is buffered.

Abstract: A method and control system computing platform for a dialysis machine that uses Symmetric Multi-Processing (SMP) architecture. The SMP architecture tightly couples multiple (e.g., 2) independent processors by sharing memory between the processors. A single shared memory is used by both processors in order to facilitate communication between the processors and reduce cost by eliminating the expense of redundant memory. In this way, the two, or in general “N” processors, increase processor throughput by allowing the execution of N processes in parallel while without requiring extra memory and without having a single point of failure in the computer. In the event of a bus failure on the circuit card, the computer is reset using distributed hardware watchdogs. The watchdog reset signal is also sent to the hardware components of the dialysis machine in order to place the system in a safe.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for processing data relating to conditions in a manufacturing process. The system and method provide a time based relationship between data items of the data collected in a manufacturing process. More abstract and different data models may be defined enabling application of these data models in different systems without having to define the new models from the basic data items for each system. The system and method provide an identifier data type that allows association of a meaningful identifier with a time interval and a source. The identifier is associated with other data items through the relationship of time interval and source. Values of the identifier are dynamically defined and relate to either identity of an article being processed during the time interval or a status of the manufacturing process during the time interval.

Abstract: An appliance controller includes a plurality of LEDs that are configured annularly about a control knob of the appliance controller. The LEDs are operated so as to indicate status of the operation of the appliance when the appliance is in a run mode. In one form, the appliance controller illuminates one of the LEDs to indicate at what point the appliance is in its cycle of operation. When the appliance is in a stop mode, the LEDs are operated to indicate where the control knob is positioned when a user is selecting a particular operation with the appliance controller. In one form, as a user rotates the control knob, the appliance controller determines the rotational or angular location of the knob, particularly via a selection indicator of the knob, and illuminates a corresponding LED.

Abstract: A solid state appliance controller includes circuitry formed on a circuit board, the circuitry defining a voltage trace in communication with a voltage source, a first state trace, and a second state trace. The first and second state traces are in communication with a processor. A user selection knob is operative to allow a user to select an operating mode of the appliance by rotating the user selection knob. A wiper assembly is coupled to the user selection knob for rotation therewith. The wiper assembly has a voltage finger operative to be in contact with the voltage trace so as to continuously receive a voltage therefrom during rotation of the selection knob. A first finger is operative to intermittently contact the first trace in accordance with a first pattern thereof wherein contact provides the voltage to the first trace during rotation of the selection knob.

Abstract: A process data capture and reporting system captures process data values at sensors. A client computer appends absolute-value time stamps to the values to complete records, which are uploaded to a server. The server writes the records to a persistent database. At a later stage, the server retrieves selected records, and performs a very fast conversion of the time stamps to a calendar format with “granular” values for units such as day, month, or minute. The conversion is performed in an optimised manner with use of look-up tables in memory. This minimises processor overhead, and is thus very advantageous where data volumes are high and/or near real time reporting is required.

Abstract: An automation system for programming appliances having programmable controllers, programmable devices and trigger devices that communicate over a communication link. The user programs the programmable devices by placing the programmable controller in its training mode, activating the trigger device to generate a trigger signed and places select programmable devices in their programmed state. After all of the desired programmable devices have been put in then programmed states, the user takes the programmable controller out of its training mode. When the programmable controller is out of its training mode, it monitors the communication link for the trigger event. Upon detecting the trigger event, the programmable controller sends messages to the selected programmable devices instructing them to go to their programmed state.

Abstract: A remote maintenance and operating guidance system in which data relating to the operation of a medical system in a hospital is transmitted to an operator who operates an operating device of the medical system from a service center by way of a communication device such as a dedicated telephone line. The system is equipped to monitor operations performed by the operator on the medical system, and to transmit data relating to the monitored operation to the operating device. Accordingly, it is possible to transmit details of the method of operation of the medical equipment more accurately and effectively to the operator from a location remote from the medical equipment.