Abstract: A wafer imaging system is provided in which a camera is mounted at a known position in relation to an open front of a cassette to view the cassette and its entire stack of wafer contents. The camera can be mounted on a robot or on a tool. An image of the set of wafers is captured and is image processed to provide information on the position and alignment of each wafer in the cassette. The image can be processed to provide data on separation of the wafers within the cassette, any cross slotting of wafers, and the center point of each of the wafers. Image analysis and processing is employed to determine the edge of each of the wafers. One image scan provides a determination of all information on the X, Y and Z position of the wafers in relation to the camera reference position.

Abstract: A label applicator for dispensing and applying labels to articles includes a label leading edge indicating sensor and an adjustable peel bar held at a pickup position. A label support may be used with larger labels that have been partially peeled from a backing strip and remain at the pickup position. Printed labels to be applied to an article have a portion of the surface area of an adhesive side removed from the backing strip before the label is taken by a label pick-up-and-applicating device. A print head may be included in the label applicator between the indicating sensor and the adjustable peel bar. A number of labels may be picked-up simultaneously from the backing strip by a number of pick-up heads to be applied to a number of separate articles.

Abstract: An automated method for designing an integrated circuit layout using a computer based upon an electronic circuit description and based upon cells which are selected from a cell library, each of the cells having an associated area, comprising the steps of: (a) placing each of the cells in the integrated circuit layout so that the cells can be coupled together by wires to form a circuit path having an associated predetermined delay constraint wherein the cells are coupled together based upon the electronic circuit description input to the computer; (b) connecting the cells together with the wires to form the circuit path; and (c) adjusting an area of at least one of the cells to satisfy the associated predetermined delay constraint of the circuit path.

Abstract: The direct torque control (DTC) principle is used to control the torque of a wound ring rotor slip induction machine, also known as a doubly fed or cascade machine, by utilizing a solid state inverter on the rotor side. In addition, the DTC principle is used to control the power factor at the stator terminals of the doubly fed machine to a desired level and also to perform the task of synchronization of stator voltage to the grid voltage. An integrated controller is used to implement these three functions.

Abstract: A signaling device is mated with a conventional container to develop a change in state for indicating that the container has been accessed. The change in state can be developed manually, or automatically when the cover of the container is opened, to signal that the container has been accessed, and can be automatically returned to the initial state as part of the procedures used to empty the container. The signaling device is used in combination with a system for auditing a refuse collection process so that subscribers to the service can be charged for service according to usage. This then motivates the subscribers to call for collections of their refuse only from containers that are substantially full, or to compensate the refuse collection service for additional container pick-ups.

Abstract: A robotic conformal coating system has a end effector and multiple tiltable valves coupled to the end effector. The end effector is capable of X, Y and Z axis motion, as well as rotation about the Z axis. A programmable controller controls the movement of the end effector and valves, as well as the actual dispensing and/or spraying of conformal coating.

Abstract: A docking station for a robotic mail tray loading system includes a ground plate that is mounted to the floor of the building in which the robotic mail tray loading system is housed. The ground plate has first and second wheel-retaining recesses that preferably include ramped surfaces to accommodate wheels of mail carts. A plurality of guide plates are positioned to locate one pallet or two mail carts in the docking station at a time. The docking station also includes a plurality of sensors that sense the presence or absence of a pallet or cart in the docking station and that sense the type of cart present at the cart docking station.

Abstract: An automated door assembly is provided for sealing an opening in a barrier to a contaminant-free environment suitable for semiconductor wafer processing. The door assembly comprises a base pivotable toward and away from the opening along an arcuate path and a closure plate linearly movably coupled to the base and configured to a seal the opening in the barrier. The closure plate is removable in synchronization with the pivoting of the base to traverse a horizontal linear path into contact with the barrier to close the opening. A vacuum system is provided in conjunction with the door assembly to extract particles from the sealed environment. A sensor disposed on the closure plate is operable to sense the position of wafers or other objects disposed adjacent the opening, to detect misalignment or omission thereof.

Abstract: A first system is provided having a plurality of analog input signals for a plurality of analog input devices. Each analog input signal has an analog input signal value. The first system converts each analog input signal value to an ultimate digital input value. The first system has an input converter for converting each analog input signal to a digital input signal having a digital input value. The digital input value directly corresponds to the analog input signal value. The first system also has a conveying means for conveying the analog input signal value as an ultimate digital input value without performing any additional conversion. A second system is also provided having a plurality of analog output signals for a plurality of analog output devices. Each analog output signal has an analog output signal value, and each analog output signal value is converted from an initial digital output signal value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for graphically generating logic for a cause and effects matrix. The present invention includes creating a matrix for defining the elements of the system that require monitoring, the responses to changes in the monitored elements and the relationship between the elements and the responses and automatically creating logic to implement the matrix. The system includes a general purpose digital computer that incorporates a matrix programming tool to input data defining the matrix and generate a matrix database. The tool also transfers the matrix database to a programmable logic controller. The programmable logic controller includes a matrix functional unit. The matrix functional unit includes several predefined, configurable functional units for establishing the logic pathways to implement the matrix. The predefined, configurable functional units include a cause functional unit, an effects functional unit and an intersection functional unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a SIMM/DIMM board handler, which enables a single test site handling machine to be integrated into an inline, multi-site test cell, and includes an angled conveyor belt, an angled fail tray for transporting and sorting tested circuit boards and an adjustable circuit probe for performing separate testing of circuit boards.

Abstract: A method and a device for high-speed scale conversion wherein a value N within a range of N1 and N2 is converted into a small value M within a range of M1 and M2. The method includes the step of obtaining an approximate value of M by loading the value (N−N1+2p−1) into a multi-bit shift register and right-shifting p bits. A binary search process is then used to determine the error value between the actual value of M and the approximate value of M. By avoiding actual multiplication processes, the conversion can be carried out using low-cost electronic hardware such as a microprocessor or a PROM to carry out the binary search process, a shift-register to obtain the approximate value of M, a multiplexer to receive an analog input data N and an A/D converter to convert the analog input data N into a digital data N.

Abstract: A material handling and transport system and process for moving a substrate carrier between storage and processing destinations are provided. The system includes a vehicle that runs on a support structure, such as a pathway or a track assembly supported on the floor, which may be in a pressurized tunnel. A carrier nest on the vehicle receives and supports the carrier. A lifting mechanism on the vehicle vertically raises and lowers the carrier nest. A load port support surface is disposed vertically above the support structure. The carrier is raised through an opening in the load port support surface. A load port nest on the load port support surface receives and supports the carrier adjacent a selected destination. A carrier manipulation mechanism manipulates the carrier over the load port nest. The lifting mechanism then lowers the carrier onto the load port nest. The system is particularly suited for handling and transporting semiconductor wafer carriers.

Abstract: The circuit breaker (10) including a molded housing (12) including a main breaker cover (20), a first terminal (18) and a second terminal (16) mounted in the casing with a contact (44) electrically coupled to the first terminal (18) and a movable contact (42) electrically coupled to the second terminal (16). It also includes an operating mechanism (40) having a pivoting member (13) movable between an ON position, an OFF position and a TRIPPED position, wherein the pivoting member (13) is coupled to the movable contact (42). An intermediate latching mechanism (52) is mounted in the housing (12) and coupled to the operating mechanism (40) is in selective operative contact with a trip unit having a trip bar (54). The trip unit is also coupled to the movable contact (42) and the second terminal (16). An accessory socket (22) formed in the main breaker cover (20), on either side of an opening for the pivoting member (13) is in communication with the housing (12).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously producing constant weight portions of semi-solid matter, such as bread dough, from a large mass through a dividing mechanism whereby variations in the weight of each portion are minimized by providing a signal proportional to the weight of a dough portion, or group of dough portions in order to automatically adjust the rate at which dough is fed to the dividing mechanism.

Abstract: A temperature control system for a thermal reactor is disclosed that addresses many of the problems in the art. In accordance with one aspect of the disclosed control system, a plurality of temperature controllers are employed. Each temperature controller employs one or more dynamic models that are optimized for a given temperature range. The temperature range over which a particular controller is optimized is preferably generally exclusive of the temperature ranges over which other controllers of the plurality of temperature controllers are optimized. In accordance with another aspect of the control system, the control system employs enhanced ramp trajectory logic. In accordance with another aspect of the control system, the control system employs a virtual temperature sensor in the event of a hardware failure of the corresponding non-virtual temperature sensor.

Abstract: An automated method for designing an integrated circuit layout using a computer based upon an electronic circuit description and based upon cells which are selected from a cell library, each of the cells having an associated area, comprising the steps of: (a) placing each of the cells in the integrated circuit layout so that the cells can be coupled together by wires to form a circuit path having an associated predetermined delay constraint wherein the cells are coupled together based upon the electronic circuit description input to the computer; (b) connecting the cells together with the wires to form the circuit path; and (c) adjusting an area of at least one of the cells to satisfy the associated predetermined delay constraint of the circuit path.

Abstract: A rotary actuator includes a motor operatively joined to a gear train having an output shaft. An optical encoder is operatively joined to the shaft of the motor for detecting rotation thereof. A controller is operatively joined to the encoder, and is configured for operating the motor to drive the output shaft between minimum and maximum rotary positions as detected by the encoder.

Abstract: A system, method and program for calculating a fluid flow volume within a conduit having an operably connected flow meter is disclosed. The system includes a controller having a backplane. A flow meter module is operably connected to the backplane of the controller and to the flow meter. A program embedded within the controller is also operably connected to the flow meter. The program includes a plurality of segments for sensing a characteristic of the fluid for determining the flow volume of the fluid. The controller, in cooperation with the flow meter module, monitors the dynamic fluid density of the fluid in the conduit. The controller utilizes the dynamic density to determine a correction factor to more accurately calculate the fluid flow volume through the conduit.

Abstract: A design is formed in a carpet secured to a table with a carriage controlled and moved over the table by a computer. A carver is mounted to the carriage and is computer-controlled to carve a design into the secured carpet. Also, a separator is mounted to the carriage and is computer-controlled to separate the carved carpet into a plurality of pieces. The secured carpet has a grain extending in a first particular direction, and carving in a second particular direction produces an actual result offset from an intended result by a quantified offset. The first direction and second directions are determined and a relationship therebetween is calculated. An offset associated with such relationship is then determined, and the determined offset is employed to position a carver during carving in the second direction. Thus, the employed offset produces an actual result that aligns with the intended result.