Constraint Or Limit (e.g., Max/min) Patents (Class 700/33)
  • Publication number: 20090062934
    Abstract: There is provided a recipe generation apparatus and method for reducing the time required to reflect an optimal value and changed value in an input file by automatically reflecting a value obtained by optimizing an input file for recipe generation in the input file for recipe generation. This invention eliminates the inconvenience of manually reflecting changes in an input file for recipe generation by automatically reflecting changed values in the input file for recipe generation after editing a provisionally generated off-line recipe and achieves a reduction in processing time. This invention also provides a method for automatically generating an off-line recipe and a file for recipe generation from a recipe of a scanning electron microscope (see FIG. 3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Hitachi HIgh-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromi FUJITA, Hitoshi Komuro, Toshikazu Kawahara
  • Patent number: 7499764
    Abstract: The purpose is to solve target problems in short calculation time certainly without describing algorithms that are data procedures on computers. As the solution method, because it is configured so that, when the initial values or variation values, which are used for constraint conditions with regard to target problems and the relevant constraint conditions, are set through Variable Value Setting 2, then Constraint Condition Extraction 3 extracts constraint conditions that are related to those variables, then Constraint Condition Calculation 4 searches for the solutions for each constraint condition one by one, and Variable Value Resetting repeats searching for the solutions for each constraint condition setting these searched solutions as new variables, so the course of solution searching becomes clear, and it becomes possible to surely reach the final solution and dramatically speed up computing, because each markedly simplified constraint condition has only to be solved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Metalogic, Inc.
    Inventor: Toshio Fukui
  • Patent number: 7496477
    Abstract: A system and method for providing energy-efficient support of continuous aggregate queries in a sensor network by efficiently orchestrating the collection and transmission of data gathered by a collective set of sensors to ensure conformance to a specified QoI bound. To ensure this, the sink communicates a potentially different value of precision range or interval to each individual sensor, the sensor is adapted to only report its samples back to the sink if the sample values fall outside this specified range. An additional way to specify temporally varying precision ranges to an individual sensor or groups of sensors is provided without having to explicitly communicate the precision bounds for these different time instants. Using temporally varying precision ranges permits the exploitation of temporal correlation among the sample values recorded by an individual sensor to further reduce the need for reports from the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Archan Misra, Rajeev Shorey, Wen Hu
  • Publication number: 20090048689
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for monitoring an actuator for a control surface on an aircraft. In one advantageous embodiment, an error signal generated is received in response to sending a command to the actuator to move the control surface on the aircraft. Responsive to receiving the error signal, an amplitude and a frequency are identified for the error signal. A determination is made as to whether the amplitude exceeds a set of amplitude limits for the frequency, wherein each amplitude in the set of amplitude limits is associated with a requirement in a set of requirements. An exceedance count is incremented for each requirement in the set of requirements in which an associated amplitude limit has been exceeded by the amplitude to form an updated set of exceedance counts. A fault indication is generated if any exceedance count in the updated set of exceedance counts is greater than a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: David Andrew Pelton, Dallin Brent Slaugh, Michael Joseph Pabisz
  • Patent number: 7489983
    Abstract: A control for a glass forming machine is disclosed which receives as an input the event angles used to control the machines operation. These event angles, which define the time in a cycle when each event is turned on and off, are unwrapped to represent times in the glass forming process which takes more than two machine cycles to complete. A computerized model of the unwrapped cycle is defined and a control analyzes the computerized model as a constrained optimization problem to define an optimized schedule of event times and defines a plurality of intermediate event time schedules in an incremental application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventor: Jonathan S. Simon
  • Publication number: 20090021418
    Abstract: A method of detecting interference noise at a radar altimeter. The method comprises periodically emitting a pulse from the pulsed radar altimeter, periodically detecting a noise level in a noise gate, and determining if the noise level detected during each noise-level-detection period exceeds a noise threshold. The period of emitting the pulse is a pulse repetition interval and the noise gate is offset from other gates in the altimeter. If the noise level detected during a noise-level-detection period is greater than the noise threshold, a counter value is incremented by a selected incremental value for that noise-level-detection period and it is determined if the counter value is greater than a count threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Benjamin J. Winstead
  • Patent number: 7460917
    Abstract: Systems and methods of industrial control processes that employ a data matching component associated with a programming logic controller (PLC), to substitute a plurality of collected data points with a data pattern (e.g., a curve). Such data matching component can facilitate data trending analysis, wherein a running industrial process can be compared with a predetermined criteria (industrial process with optimal/desired performance). A graphical tool (e.g., an on-screen) can be provided as part of the matching component, to enable a user to interactively set deviation thresholds from a predetermined criteria (e.g., optimum performance of an industrial operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Reichard, Clifton H. Bromley, Eric G. Dorgelo, Kevin G. Gordon, Marc D. Semkow, Shafin A. Virji
  • Patent number: 7454256
    Abstract: An NC device includes an accumulation portion for accumulating a report-item corresponding to a report-requiring situation that occurs in a machine. A voice generator control section of the device operates a voice generator to generate a voice for announcing a report-item accumulated by an accumulation portion if a determination portion determines that a operator-in-range information has been generated or in response to a request produced by a request portion. Contrastingly, the voice generator control section does not permit the voice generator to generate the voice if the determination portion determines that the operator-in-range information has not been generated. In this manner, the voice generation is performed efficiently and the operator is reliably informed of the report item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime Ohashi, Kazuhiro Kikata, Morikuni Kimura, Tetsuya Itoh, Tomohisa Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20080262890
    Abstract: Disclosed is a storage management framework that integrates corrective action plans output from multiple different types of planning tools, sorts the different corrective action plans based on utility and risk values and outputs a time-based schedule for implementing one or more of the corrective action plans to resolve identified current and anticipated workload service level objective (SLO) violations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Madhukar R. Korupolu, Sandeep M. Uttamchandani, Kaladhar Voruganti, Li Yin
  • Publication number: 20080243270
    Abstract: Methods are provided for predicting warp of a wood product given its differential characteristics, such as, for example, curvature. The methods may involve measuring at least one original warp profile for each of one or more first wood products; measuring one or more inputs on the one or more first wood products; converting the warp profile, for each of the one or more first wood products, into a differential characteristic profile; developing a prediction algorithm based on the one or more inputs and the differential characteristic profile; measuring one or more inputs of the given wood product; inputting the one or more inputs of the given wood product into the prediction algorithm; and determining a differential characteristic profile for the given wood product based on the prediction algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Weyerhaeuser Co.
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Mark A. Stanish
  • Publication number: 20080195235
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program are provided for controlling and optimizing the operation of a process having a plurality of independently controlled, manipulated variables and at least one controlled variable dependent on the manipulated variables. The system, method and program input specified constraints for a linear program optimizer to target, calculate a set of objective function coefficients based on the inputted specified constraints, and generate a plurality of combinations of manipulated and controlled variables. The system, method and program also test each generated combination for changed values that cause the linear program optimizer to target different constraints than the inputted specified constraints, and adjust the calculated set of objective function coefficients so that the linear program optimizer targets the specified constraints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony K. Rund
  • Patent number: 7401013
    Abstract: A method for optimizing data gathering, is provided wherein the method comprising the steps of designing a first system test comprising two or more maneuvers, compiling a one or more data variable for each of the two or more maneuvers from the first system test, pooling each data variable from each maneuvers into a first set of data, removing a first maneuver's data variables from the pooled first set of data, comparing the first maneuver's data variables against the first set of data with the first maneuver's data variables removed, and determining whether to perform the first maneuver based on whether the maneuver provided new data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. Vanderwiel
  • Publication number: 20080149603
    Abstract: An arc detector is provided for a plasma processing system including a HF power source, a plasma processor, and a voltage/current signal detector. The arc detector includes a calculator for the phase difference between the AC voltage signal and the AC current signal, a calculator for an effective voltage based on the AC voltage signal, a calculator for an effective current based on the AC current signal, an FFT processor for the frequency spectrum of the AC voltage or current signal, and an arc analyzer connected to the phase difference calculator, effective voltage calculator, effective current calculator, and FFT processor. The arc analyzer calculates the plasma processor's impedance based on the calculated phase difference, effective voltage, and effective current. The arc analyzer monitors arcs in the plasma processor, based on the fluctuation rate of the calculated impedance and the output level of a frequency component in the spectrum. (FIG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: DAIHEN Corporation
    Inventor: Ryohei Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7392159
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining a metric of capacity in computing systems and computer applications. Capacity in this sense refers to the ability of computer systems and computer applications to perform work. Many applications and multi-hop system strategies could benefit from understanding the amount of work a particular system or application is capable of performing. A metric such as this can be very difficult to calculate due to widely varying system hardware, operating system architectures; application behavior/performance, etc. This disclosure describes a method of dynamic capacity estimation which learns the capacity of an application or system with respect to the work asked of the system and the resources used by the application in question.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Bivens, Peter Yocom
  • Patent number: 7386355
    Abstract: A close loop control system includes a controlled system having a controlled variable and a control variable, a first detecting unit, a second detecting unit, and a feedback control unit. The first and the second detecting units detect the controlled system to output a first and a second feedback values corresponding to the control variable. The feedback control unit controls the controlled system according to the differential value of the first or the second feedback value and a predetermined value to stabilize the controlled variable to the predetermined value. The absolute differential value of the first and the second feedback values determines if detecting units are regular. When the absolute differential value is smaller than an error value, the controlled variable is controlled according to the first feedback value. When the absolute differential value is not smaller than the error value, the controlled variable is fixed to a fixed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin-Chang Chen, Wen-Pin Hsu, Yu-Ta Shen
  • Patent number: 7376471
    Abstract: The present invention provides an algorithm that does not relax the problem at the very onset, even if xf is infeasible. Instead, it solves the EQP with the initial guess for the active set without relaxing the problem. If this solution to the first EQP is not optimal, but nevertheless feasible, we can use this as our guess for the feasible point. This has the advantage of being a feasible point that is consistent with the initial active set, whereas the initial guess used in the previous method is not necessarily so.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Indraneel Das, Gonzalo Rey
  • Publication number: 20080082183
    Abstract: A software module for a building automation system includes a plurality of software modules. A first module is configured to compute energy consumption characteristics of a building. A second module is configured to determine at least one alternate hardware configuration for the building, and to provide an estimated performance level associated with each of the at least one alternate hardware configuration. A third module is configured to recommend one of the at least one hardware configurations based on at least one predetermined financial criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventor: John F. Judge
  • Patent number: 7328073
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processing apparatus utilising dynamic scaling of voltage (DVS), and in particular although not exclusively to a controller for such apparatus. The invention is especially applicable to software defined radio (SDR), but is not so limited and may be applied to other re-configurable electronic systems. The present invention provides a controller for a processing apparatus having a plurality of processing resources, at least some of said resources having controllable supply voltage and/or frequency; the controller comprising: means for scheduling operations on said resources, at least some of said operations having a predetermined deadline by which the operation must be performed; means for determining a voltage and/or frequency profile for a said operation having a said deadline; and means for instructing the resources to perform said operations according to said schedule and said profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Toshiba Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony Craig Dolwin
  • Patent number: 7321848
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems that facilitate the design, production and/or measurement tasks associated with manufacturing and other processes. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an understanding of how the multiple characteristics of a given process output are related to each other and to process inputs. This knowledge facilitates a reduction in measurement costs. It also facilitates an understanding of the sometimes complex interrelationships between design targets, design tolerances, process inputs, process control variables, average process output and variation in the process output. As discussed in more detail below, embodiments of the present invention facilitate 1.) determination of design target values, 2.) determination of design specification limits, 3.) design of process inputs, 4.) determination of process control variable settings, and/or 5.) reduction of measurement costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Inventor: Steve W. Tuszynski
  • Patent number: 7257522
    Abstract: A simulator comprising computer-aided design programs for simulating a shift control algorithm stored in an ECU of an automatic transmission having hydraulic clutches. In the simulator, a simplified hydraulic model describes the entire system so as to design a third model based on which simulation is conducted. With this, by using such a simplified model, it becomes possible to decrease simulation time to 4 sec., enabling to simulation in a time close to an actual shift of approximately 1.5 sec. Moreover, the durability of transmission is tested by repeating the simulation. When the occurrence of undesirable shift phenomenon is forecast in the simulation, the shift control algorithm is corrected until the phenomenon disappears in the next simulation. With this, the manufacturing of a test transmission and a preliminary test are no longer needed, thereby further improving the efficiency and costs of transmission development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Hagiwara, Youhei Takeda, Shoichi Suzuki, Tsutomu Kamiyamaguchi, Satoshi Terayama, Ko Yoda
  • Patent number: 7251971
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling or regulating the temperature of a metal strip in a cooling path of a hot rolling system. A desired temperature gradient is compared to an actual temperature gradient in order to determine adjusting signals for the cooling path. At least one target function is formed for actuators of the cooling strip, taking into account auxiliary conditions, and said target function is solved as a quadratic optimization problem for the purpose of model predictive regulation. The invention also relates to an overlapping regulation for the finishing train and the cooling path of the hot rolling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johannes Reinschke, Klaus Weinzierl
  • Patent number: 7218999
    Abstract: A target value processing unit, includes: an input section to which a target value signal showing a target value of a control process is inputted; a target value shaping unit shaping the target value signal inputted to the input section, into a signal form which is proper for a control treatment of a regulator implementing the control process; and an output section outputting to the regulator a shaped target value signal which is shaped by the target value shaping unit. The target value processing unit realizes the high-level control process without improving the regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Nobutomo Matsunaga, Shigeyasu Kawaji, Ikuo Nanno, Masahito Tanaka, Takaaki Yamada, Yosuke Iwai, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Kazuo Tsuboi
  • Patent number: 7194645
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer instructions are provided to autonomically monitor and adjust system characteristics based on a customer optimization goal specified in a policy or profile. An autonomic management component is implemented in firmware comprising a set of control algorithms. Response to reading system characteristics from a plurality of sensors, the autononmic management component selects at least one control algorithm from the set and the control algorithm adjusts the parameters of the system characteristic to optimize performance according to the optimization goal specified by the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Bieswanger, Lee Evan Eisen, James Stephen Fields, Jr., Michael Stephen Floyd, Bradley David McCredie, Naresh Nayar
  • Patent number: 7194319
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an arrangement for controlling the position of an actuating element (1) which prevent damage to the actuating element by a collision with at least one stop (25, 30) and simultaneously ensure good dynamic characteristics. The position of the actuating element (1) tracks a desired value within a displacement range. The displacement range is limited for the actuating element (1) by at least one stop (25, 30). A check is made as to whether the distance between the desired value for the position of the actuating element (1) and the at least one stop (25, 30) drops below a pregiven value (S1). Only in this case is a change of the desired value limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alex Grossmann, Torsten Baumann
  • Patent number: 7152023
    Abstract: An active set algorithm exploits a ‘hot start’ for the set of binding constraints at optimality along with efficient linear algebra to make rapid progress towards the solution. The linear algebra is designed to deal with degenerate constraints as the required factorizations are performed and as degeneracy emerges, and not via a mostly unnecessary pre-process step. Combined together, these novel approaches enable solution of the control problem in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Indraneel Das
  • Patent number: 7117046
    Abstract: At least one of the multiple process parameters (MPPs) is a controllable process parameter (CTPP) and one is a targeted process parameter (TPP). The process also has a defined target limit (DTV) representing a first limit on an actual average value (AAV) of the TPP. A first logical controller predicts future average values (FAVs) of the TPP based on the AAVs of the TPP over a first prior time period and the DTV. A second logical controller establishes a further target limit (FTV) representing a second limit on the AAV of the TPP based on one or more of the predicted FAVs, and also determines a target set point for each CTPP based on the AAVs of the TPP over a prior time period and the FTV. The second logical controller directs control of each CTPP in accordance with the determined target set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott A. Boyden, Stephen Piche
  • Patent number: 7113835
    Abstract: A controller directs performance of a process having multiple process parameters (MPPs), including a controllable process parameter (CTPP), a targeted process parameter (TPP), a defined target value (DTV) representing a limit on an actual average value (AAV) of the TPP over a defined moving time period of length TPLAAV. A storage device stores historical data representing the AVs of the TPP at various times over a prior time period (PTP) having a length of at least TPLAAV. A processor predicts future average values (FAVs) of the TPP over a future time period (FTP) based on the stored historical data and the current values of the MPPs. The processor also determines a target set point for each CTPP based on the predicted FAVs, the current values of the MPPs and the DTV, and directs control of each CTPP in accordance with the determined target set point for that CTPP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott A. Boyden, Stephen Piche
  • Patent number: 7113890
    Abstract: A method and apparatus and for detecting faults in components of a continuous process such as a steam generator. A model of the process is developed using a modeling technique such as advanced pattern recognition and the model is used to generate predicted values for a predetermined number of the operating parameters of the process. Statistical process control methods are used to determine if the difference between the predicted and actual measured values for one or more of the parameters exceeds a configured statistical limit. A rule set is used to indicate an actual or probable fault in a component of the continuous process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Karl Frerichs, Frank Marvin Toth
  • Patent number: 7113834
    Abstract: A state based adaptive PID controller includes a model set component including a plurality of process models, each process model including a plurality of parameters. An error generator generates a model error signal representative of a difference between a model output signal and a process output signal. A model evaluation component computes a model squared error based on the model error signal. A parameter interpolator calculates an adaptive parameter value based on the model squared error. A controller update component updates adaptive controller parameter values based on adaptive parameter values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Wilhelm K. Wojsznis, Terrence L. Blevins
  • Patent number: 7103423
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for process-variable-dependent identification signal emission for a closed-loop and/or open-loop control program with cyclic sampling of process variables from a technical process. A threshold value crossing time (ts1, ts3) is determined from at least two previous samples (AT1, AT2, AT5-AT7) of a process variable (P). At this time, an identification signal can be triggered, which can call up a single-stage or multi-stage command sequence. The threshold value crossing time (ts1-ts3) can likewise be determined with the aid of a mathematical approximation function and the samples (AT1, AT2, AT5-AT7). A timing mechanism can be started in the predicted sampling cycle (A12 to A89) preceding the threshold value crossing (SD1-SD3) using a time difference (ZD1-ZD3) remaining until the threshold value crossing (SD1-SD3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joachim Ebermann, Kay Grammatke, Horst Stiehler
  • Patent number: 7096075
    Abstract: For determination as to whether there is a possibility that temperature control satisfying conditions according to an upper limit LH_i and a lower limit LL_i of the annealing control temperatures of annealing object steel sections i will be realized under restrictions on limit values U and D of the control temperature increase and decrease rates, computation is performed without using dynamic programming requiring an enormous amount of data on a continuous annealing line of a steelwork. Annealing object steel sections in an annealing object steel band 12 to be computed are assigned numbers 1, 2, . . . , n in order from the first time division in the direction of movement. T_i is a time required to pass the annealing object steel section i through a predetermined point at which the steel section undergoes temperature control. LH_1=LL_1=b is given. X_i=[IL_i?D*T_i, IH_i+U*T_i] is computed. When X_L_i1f, Y_i=X_iL_i. When X_i L_i=f, Y_i=X_i. Y—i is computed from i=1 to i=n in ascending order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kunikazu Yoda, Hiroyuki Okano
  • Patent number: 7072808
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems that facilitate the design, production and/or measurement tasks associated with manufacturing and other processes. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an understanding of how the multiple characteristics of a given process output are related to each other and to process inputs. This knowledge facilitates a reduction in measurement costs. It also facilitates an understanding of the sometimes complex interrelationships between design targets, design tolerances, process inputs, process control variables, average process output and variation in the process output. As discussed in more detail below, embodiments of the present invention facilitate 1.) determination of design target values, 2.) determination of design specification limits, 3.) design of process inputs, 4.) determination of process control variable settings, and/or 5.) reduction of measurement costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Inventor: Steve W. Tuszynski
  • Patent number: 7069090
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention uses an on-board microcontroller of a household appliance to receive signals from a directionless encoder attached to a knob for receiving user input and processing the signals from the direction encoder according to a control algorithm. The microcontroller may increase the output to an electric heating element on the appliance based on a variety of criteria, including either direction of rotation, current heating element setting, or a change in directional rotation. Alternatively, or in addition, the microcontroller may provide various types of graduate visual or aural feedback to the user regarding the output provided by the microcontroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: E.G.O. North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Huffington, Alton Harkcom
  • Patent number: 7065414
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a production system that includes a plurality of production facilities is provided. The method includes receiving, in real-time, for each facility, cost data for a first resource used by each respective facility to produce an output, receiving, in real-time, for each facility, cost data for a second resource used by each respective facility to produce the output, determining, in real-time; an automated incremental cost curve for the system based on a level of production of each facility and the received resource cost data, and determining a production output target for each production facility to achieve an optimum production system output based on the real-time incremental cost curves. The system includes at least one production facility that includes a software code segment programmed to determine, in real-time, an incremental cost of a first resource based on a level of production of each respective facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul Matthew Rogers, James Andrew Maxson, Ilga Celmins
  • Patent number: 7062334
    Abstract: There are provided a positioning control method and a positioning control device, which enables high speed positioning with low power consumption without repeating two or more acceleration and deceleration operations during travel from an original position to a target position. There is also provided an electronic component mounting apparatus, which enables high speed positioning with low power consumption and enables mounting of electronic components in a short period of time. When a movable body is moved from the original position to the target position, there is set an operational passing position for avoiding a passing avoidance region, and driving of a drive unit having a smaller travel distance from the original position to a coordinate of the operational passing position is started later than driving start timing of a drive unit having a longer travel distance, from the original position to another coordinate of the operational passing position, by a specified period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichi Tanaka, Takahiro Kurokawa, Seiichi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 7050865
    Abstract: A control system for a plant is disclosed. According to this system, a model parameter vector of a controlled object model which is obtained by modeling the plant, is identified. A controller controls the plant using the identified model parameter vector. An identifying error of the model parameter vector is calculated, and the calculated identifying error is limited in a predetermined range. An updating vector is calculated according to the limited identifying error. The model parameter vector is calculated by adding the updating vector to a reference vector of the model parameter vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Yoshihisa Iwaki, Eiji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7047090
    Abstract: A method for the automatic selection of computer system parameter values to improve system performance as workload on the system changes. Methods are disclosed for automatically making minor adjustments to computer system parameters and comparing long-term associated performance changes in order to set parameter values so as to obtain improved system performance. The time frame over which a change in a system parameter and the associated system performance change is averaged is adjustable, thus permitting evaluation over shorter or longer periods of times as deemed appropriate. An objective measure of system performance is defined prior to implementation of the present methods. For transaction based systems, average system response-time for a given demand on the system could be, for example, such a measure. For systems executing batch-type workloads, system throughput may be used as the indicator of how well the system is performing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas Edwin Turicchi, Jr., Doug Grumann, Steven R Landherr, Michael Richard Carl
  • Patent number: 7043330
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring and controlling laser cladding process by powder injection in real-time. The invention combines laser cladding technique along with automated direct feedback control to achieve a good quality clad in terms of dimensional and metallurgical characteristics. The system uses optical CCD-based detectors as the feedback system. The optical CCD-based detectors along with a pattern recognition algorithm is used to determine the clad characteristics in real-time. These characteristics are clad's dimensions, solidification rate, and roughness that are fed into a closed loop control system to adjust the laser power and table velocity to produce desired clad quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventors: Ehsan Toyserkani, Amir Khajepour, Stephen F. Corbin
  • Patent number: 7035071
    Abstract: A switching regulator having a current limit with adaptive cycle skipping. A buck type switching regulator circuit is provided, including an energy storage component, such as an inductor or capacitor, and a switch for controllably providing an input current to the energy storage component. A control unit controls the on time and the off time of the switch by providing cyclically recurring control pulses to the switch that cause the switch to be on during the pulses and off otherwise. A current monitor circuit monitors a current corresponding to the input current applied to the energy storage component during the periodic control pulses. An overcurrent signal generator generates an overcurrent signal pulse upon detection of the monitored current at a level above a predetermined level corresponding to an overcurrent condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kee Chee Tiew, Thomas A. Schmidt, Brett E. Smith, John C. Vogt, Abidur Rahman
  • Patent number: 7027960
    Abstract: With the method in accordance with the invention at least one monitoring limit value is defined in advance for an operating variable to be monitored of the technical device. During the operation of the technical device the current value of the operating variable to be monitored is recorded at least twice at least within a finite time interval, and within the time interval a current monitoring reference value is determined by means of an interpolation between the monitoring limit value and the current value of the operating variable to be monitored. The monitoring of the operating variable is possible immediately after the technical device has gone into operation for the first time and that the quality of the monitoring is refined as a kind of learning process as operation proceeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andreas Bode
  • Patent number: 6993397
    Abstract: A method for developing and using real time applications for a dynamic system having a sensing subsystem, actuation subsystem, a control subsystem, and an application subsystem utilizes stochastic compute time algorithms. After optimization functions, desired state and constraints are received and detector data has been provided from a sensor subsystem, a statistical optimization error description is generated. From this statistical optimization error description a strategy is developed, including the optimization errors, within the control subsystem. An execution module within the control subsystem then sends an execution strategy to various actuators within the actuation subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Warren B. Jackson, Markus P. J. Fromherz
  • Patent number: 6968240
    Abstract: A method for controlling process parameters to achieve constant process conditions, including studying the actual data and reference data independent of time and applying them one on top of the other so that, in the case of optimum match, a 45° straight line is achieved or, in the case of non-match, one tries to achieve a 45° straight line by modifying the process parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Priamus System Technologies AG
    Inventor: Jürgen Frey
  • Patent number: 6961626
    Abstract: A method, system and medium are provided for enabling improved feedback and feedforward control. An error, or deviation from target result, is observed during manufacture of semi conductor chips. The error within standard deviation is caused by two components: a white noise component and a signal component (such as systematic errors). The white noise component is random noise and therefore is relatively non-controllable. The systematic error, in contrast, may be controlled by changing the control parameters. A ratio between the two components is calculated autoregressively. Based on the ratio and using the observed or measured error, the actual value of the error caused by the signal component is calculated utilizing an autoregressive stochastic sequence. The actual value of the error is then used in determining when and how to change the control parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Applied Materials, INC
    Inventor: Young Jeen Paik
  • Patent number: 6961627
    Abstract: A control system that constantly and accurately controls a control variable so that it remains within an allowable range is provided. The control system in accordance with the present invention estimates a steady-state deviation d in a controlled object as a steady-state deviation estimation value d? on the basis of a control variable y and a final desired value y2. A control variable y in a controlled object based on the initial desired value y1 is estimated as the primary estimation value y1? on the basis of at least the initial desired value y1 and the steady-state deviation estimation value d?. If a primary estimation value y1? is within an allowable range, then a final desired value y2 agreeing with an initial desired value y1 is determined, while, if the primary estimation value y1? is out of the allowable range, then the final desired value y2 is determined on the basis of at least a boundary value of the allowable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Takenaka
  • Patent number: 6959219
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes a manipulated variable output unit, calculation unit, first lower limit setting unit, first upper limit setting unit, second lower limit setting unit, second upper limit setting unit, and controlling element. The manipulated variable output unit outputs first and second manipulated variables to an object to be controlled. The calculation unit calculates a limit cycle auto-tuning control parameter. The controlling element performs feedback control calculation based on the control parameter for the deviation between a set point and a controlled variable to calculate the first manipulated variable, and outputs the calculated first manipulated variable to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Yamatake Corporation
    Inventor: Masato Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6947876
    Abstract: A method for automated system identification of a linear system is disclosed. A model structure is selected and one or more reference signal values are generated for input into the system. Input signal values and output signal values are retrieved from the system and system identification is performed on the model structure using the input signal values, the output signal values, and the one or more reference signal values. A point model, obtained as a result of the system identification, is then verified for accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Cecilia Galarza, Dan Hernandez, Mark Erickson
  • Patent number: 6941177
    Abstract: A method for developing and using real time applications for a dynamic system having a sensing subsystem, actuation subsystem, a control subsystem, and an application subsystem utilizes stochastic compute time algorithms. After optimization functions, desired state and constraints are received and detector data has been provided from a sensor subsystem, a statistical optimization error description is generated. From this statistical optimization error description a strategy is developed, including the optimization errors, within the control subsystem. An execution module within the control subsystem then sends an execution strategy to various actuators within the actuation subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Warren B. Jackson, Markus P. J. Fromherz
  • Patent number: 6922713
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that receives a representation of the function ƒ and stores the representation in a memory. Next, the system performs an interval global optimization process to compute guaranteed bounds on a globally minimum value of the function ƒ(x) over a subbox X. This interval global optimization process applies term consistency to a set of relations associated with the function ƒ over the subbox X, and excludes any portion of the subbox X that violates any member of the set of relations. It also applies box consistency to the set of relations associated with the function ƒ over the subbox X, and excludes any portion of the subbox X that violates the set of relations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: G. William Walster, Eldon R. Hansen
  • Patent number: 6917840
    Abstract: A method of ascertaining control parameters for a control system having a controller and a plant includes establishing a model of the plant and a model of the controller and calculating a performance index for a closed-loop system as a function of controller parameters, accounting for selected stability margins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Lund
  • Patent number: 6904328
    Abstract: Systems and methods of complex process control utilize driving factor identification based on nonlinear regression models and process step optimization. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for generating a system model for a complex process comprised of nonlinear regression models for two or more select process steps of the process where process steps are selected for inclusion in the system model based on a sensitivity analysis of an initial nonlinear regression model of the process to evaluate driving factors of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Ibex Process Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Rietman, Jill P. Card