Abstract: A system for displaying alphanumeric messages includes a unitary visual display device having a limited number of character display stations at each of which a character may be created in response to a set of signals applied to the character station. A memory stores a plurality of complete message units which form a number of complete messages and some of the complete messages are multiple-message unit messages made up of a number of complete message units in a sequence. The message units in a multiple-message unit message are automatically accessed from memory and displayed in a time-spaced relationship by the display device one complete message unit at a time. The memory may also store complete message units having a stored message component and a real time message component. A predetermined number of character stations are automatically reserved to display real time characters in a complete message unit having a stored and real time message component.

Abstract: An electrically erasable programmable read-only-memory (EEPROM) programmer uses an alphanumeric visual display system having a multi-character station visual display device for displaying message units made up of a number of characters and the characters are stored as bytes of data in memory cells of an EEPROM forming a part of the display system. Individual characters within a message unit are selected by selectively generating a character address corresponding to a character display station position in a message unit and the selected character is identified by a cursor appearing in the associated character display station. A keyboard is provided for entering data representative of a character to be written into memory. The involved EEPROM cells are then conditioned by related means to receive and retain the entered data. The data so written into the EEPROM is displayed on the visual display device in alphanumeric form for immediate and accurate verification.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism has a tool mounting surface movable in a generally inverted U-shaped path back and forth between spaced stations thereby making the mechanism useful, for example, as part of a pick and place device for picking up articles one at a time, or in groups at a time, from one first station and placing them at the other station. The U-shaped motion is achieved by a first body supported on a base for movement along a first axis and a second body supported on the first body for movement relative thereto about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The movement of the two bodies along their respective axes is achieved by a single oscillating crank arm engageable with both bodies in such a manner as to obtain a smooth gentle acceleration and deceleration of the two bodies with a minimum amount of driving force and capable of providing a short cycle time if desired.

Abstract: A vibratory amplitude controller for vibratory mechanisms such as a vibratory feeder having in addition to a parts container, an electromagnetic drive unit operated from an A.C. current source for imparting oscillatory motion to the parts container. The controller includes a sensing means for sampling the electromagnetic drive unit current during a specific predetermined interval each A.C. current cycle to produce a vibratory amplitude representing signal. Means responsive to the vibratory amplitude representing signal controls the amount of power delivered from the A.C. current source to the electromagnetic dive unit to maintain a desired vibratory amplitude under varying load and A.C. line voltage conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for orienting and feeding axially elongated articles has a feeder bowl which includes a helical ramp surface which terminates at the upper edge of the bowl. An annular ring supported for rotation around an upper portion of the feeder bowl has an upwardly facing article supporting surface contiguous with a terminal portion of the ramp surface to receive articles therefrom. An annular baffle disposed above the ring and in coaxial alignment with it coacts with the ring to successively release articles from the ring to a guide conveyor which directs the articles tangentially away from the ring. Separate independent drive mechanisms are provided for vibrating the feeder bowl and rotating the ring to enable the feeder bowl to operate intermittently to discharge articles onto the ring which may operate continuously.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for use with a device, such as a vibratory bowl feeder, having a bowl or other member mounted for vibratory motion and including an electromagnetic driver for vibratorily driving the part. The control system includes a detector for detecting the vibratory frequency of the part, which tends to vibrate at its resonant frequency, and causes energizing pulses of power to be supplied to the driver supplied at a frequency equal to the detected frequency. Thus, the driving frequency is made equal to the resonant frequency and follows changes in such frequency to obtain maximum performance. The power to the drivers is also switched so that during alternate pulses the current flows through the driver coil in opposite directions to inhibit buildup of residual magnetism in the coil core. The control system uses a phase-locked loop circuit and other parts comprised of components most of which are available as standard integrated circuits.

Abstract: A system for displaying alphanumeric messages has a display device with a row of character stations at each of which a character may be created for display in response to a set of signals applied to the character station. A memory device stores a plurality of message fragments and a real time means provides a plurality of real time message fragments respectively representing a corresponding plurality of real time conditions. A control circuit in response to certain input conditions selects one stored message fragment and one real time message fragment and converts them to sets of signals applied in one to one relationship to the character stations to cause the display of a meaningful complete message by the display device.

Abstract: A programmer or switching apparatus produces an ON and OFF valued control signal for turning an associated controlled component ON and OFF at preselected points in the variation range of a reference variable. The apparatus includes a reference transducer for converting the reference variable into a reference signal representing the variable. A pair of set-point devices provide a pair of set-point signals which are compared with the reference signal to define operating points at which the control signal switches between its ON and OFF values. The apparatus has the versatility of allowing, by merely setting the set-point devices and without making any circuit changes, the first transition of the control signal to be either from ON to OFF or from OFF to ON as the reference variable increases from its minimum to its maximum value.