Abstract: The system and method of this invention configures the protocols of a network architecture as an expert system. The expert system utilizes the knowledge of the network architecture, and offers intelligent advice to system users in the event of an invalid request to enable the entry of a valid request to establish communications through the network.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval subsystem in a data processing system includes a plurality of magnetic tape cartridges, a host computer, and a library storage module storing the plurality of magnetic tape cartridges in substantially upright positions. The library storage module includes a first cylindrical array of storage cells centered about a vertical axis, a second cylindrical array concentrically arranged about the first array, and a library tape unit including a plurality of tape drives, each of the tape drives being adapted to receive one of the magnetic tape cartridges in a substantially horizontal transducing position. A robot within the library storage module is used to transfer selected ones of the magnetic tape cartridges between their substantially upright positions and the substantially horizontal transducing positions at a selected tape drive.

Abstract: A system for identifying workpieces by scanning them and "reading" details of their configuration is adapted for applying a desired pattern of material in liquid form (e.g. ink) or in powder form (e.g. toner material or a hot melt adhesive) to the workpieces regardless of their location and orientation on a workpiece support (18, 118). This is achieved by the pattern data (relating to the desired pattern) selected from a store being modified in accordance with positional data (relating to the location and orientation obtained during scanning FIG. 2). When the applied material is liquid and dispensed from such as a suitable tool such as a pen (152) or other liquid applicator. When the ink is in powder form, a suitable tool is an electrostatic printer (36) e.g. an ionographic printer.

Abstract: This invention is a numerical control machine having information input/output units for working data and for control data, a single control unit including a CPU, arithmetic unit, and a plurality of memory areas which may include program areas and data areas, and a driving unit including a plurality of independently operable drive system, which may be divided by system control means into a plurality of arbitrary groups corresponding to a plurality of independently executable control programs so that each group may be independently controlled by a separate program, wherein the entire numerical control apparatus acts as a plurality of control processing systems so that each operable system may be independently controlled by an independent program or a group of systems may be controlled by the same program.

Abstract: A method for interfacing between a product planning conceptual design tool and a CAD/CAM environment allows an indented bill of materials to be imported to the CAD/CAM environment while retaining the characteristics as a primitive text file. The conceptual design tool uses a sketch sheet approach on a computer display to enter the functional design of a new or modified product, thereby encouraging the designer to use a top down approach to the design process. The user keys in item information, and the system automatically draws a hierarchical tree structure on the computer display. The system then automatically generates an indented bill of materials which is stored in a graphics standard file that retains the character of text primitives. From this file an image of the bill of materials can be displayed in the CAD/CAM environment. The designer can use this image as an aid in the design process. Item names and numbers can be copied from the displayed bill of materials to the CAD/CAM image.

Abstract: A sequence controller includes a plurality of time slice modules, each producing an adjustable number of sequentially asserted time slice signals, and a plurality of phase generators each having as input the time slice signals produced by an associated one of the time slice modules. Each phase generator produces a square wave output signal, the timing of the rising and trailing edges of each pulse thereof being determined by a selectable pair of its input time slice signals. A state machine monitors time slice signals produced by the time slice modules and transmits a separate enable signal to each time slice generator in response to the time slice signals. Each of the time slice modules produces time slice signals only when output enabled by an enable signal from the state machine.

Abstract: The present invention discloses systematic methods and apparatus for the design of real time controllers. Real-time control employs adaptive force/position by use of feedforward and feedback controllers, with the feedforward controller being the inverse of the linearized model of robot dynamics and containing only proportional-double-derivative terms is disclosed. The feedback controller, of the proportional-integral-derivative type, ensures that manipulator joints follow reference trajectories and the feedback controller achieves robust tracking of step-plus-exponential trajectories, all in real time.The adaptive controller includes adaptive force and position control within a hybrid control architecture. The adaptive controller, for force control, achieves tracking of desired force setpoints, and the adaptive position controller accomplishes tracking of desired position trajectories. Circuits in the adaptive feedback and feedforward controllers are varied by adaptation laws.

Abstract: An inference system comprises an input part for entering data to be used for making an inference, a data storage part for storing data showing a possibility of a conclusion depending on the data entered from the input part, an inference part for making an inference by eliminating a degree of fuzziness of the conclusion by use of the data entered from the input part. And an output part for outputting the conclusion obtained from the inference part. The inference part converts the data obtained from the data storage part into Dempster-Shafer's basic probability assignment data in making the inference.

Abstract: A coarse interpolator is adapted for use in a numerical control system for performing path interpolation calculations for the control of highly dynamic processes. These processess have different path contour geometries wherein a vector having a length L connects in linear form a first point P1 to a second point P2. These points are located in three dimensional Cartesian space having axes X, Y, and Z, Length L has Cartesian components X, Y and Z and is subject to an angular rotation C about the z axis. The interpolator responds to a group of predetermined vector lengths, starting with the maximum length, in order to calculate the path elements L, X, Y, Z and C for the maximum length vector. A path error E is then determined for the path elements so calculated. The error E is then compared with a praedetemined maximum error value. If the error E does not exceed the maximum value, the calculated path elements are outputted.

Abstract: A programmable controller suitable for operating a machine to carry out programmed functions includes a plurality of program processors. Each of the program processors being operable to execute simultaneously a different user control program that directs the operation of the machine to perform specific functions. Each of the processor means is contained within a separate module which also includes a memory for storing the user control programs that are to be executed by that processor means. A mechanism is also provided to control the sequence in which the user control programs are executed and which of the processor means executes a given control program. At least one input/output interface circuit controls the gathering of data from various external sensors and in response to output data received from the processor means, controls the operation of actuator devices on the machine. The input/output data regarding state of the sensors and actuator devices are stored in a memory within the interface circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring a grinding machine to produce a simultaneous plot of relative displacement between a grinding wheel and a workpiece and the power consumed during the relative displacement receives signals from a linear displacement transducer and a power transducer associated with the grinding machine. The transducers are sampled in a time multiplex manner and data representative of and corresponding to the signals are selectively stored on a suitable storage medium for retrieval by and use in a central processing unit (CPU) to produce a plot of a grinding cycle. Computational modules are the stored data in determining a variety of grinding parameters.

Abstract: The rotating direction of a spindle is stored in a tool data file storage area (101b) for each and every tool used.Data necessary for creating an NC program are stored in a RAM (105) conversationally using an operator's panel (108) and graphic display unit (102). Thereafter, a processor (103) creates the NC program using the data stored in the RAM.When a tool used in a predetermined machining process is decided during the creation of the NC program, a tool selection command for selecting the tool is outputted and, in addition thereto, a spindle rotating direction conforming to the selected tool is obtained from the tool data file storage area (101b) and a spindle rotating command for rotating the spindle in said direction is outputted.

Abstract: A matching method and apparatus for the automatic cutting of patterned fabrics by an integrated marking and cutting system first defines matching points in each of the patterns of panels to be cut and digitizes these points so that the coordinates and respective identification codes for each of the points are recorded in a memory. Matching relationships are then defined for the matching points which unequivocally fix the position which the design must be in at each of the matching points and digitizes and records these relationships in the memory. Separation margins between the panels in their distribution are then established either automatically or interactively on the basis of the previously defined matching relationships and a vision sensor is then automatically positioned over the spread patterned fabric which is to be cut in the positions of the matching points which have been defined for each one of the panels which have been distributed for cutting.

Abstract: In a controlling apparatus of a manipulator equipped with a master arm and a slave arm, a processing device is provided for effecting scale conversion calculation of a calculation result representing the position data of the master arm for expansion or reduction, and for outputting the result of this calculation to the slave arm.

Abstract: A burner control system includes an input interface 10 for receiving burner status inputs. These are passed to address bus 14 and used to access addresses within EPROM 18. Data at the accessed addresses are output on bus 20 to control the burner via output interface 23 with related relays. Oscillator 16 and counter 17 sequence the selected address areas of the EPROM via bus 15 and a start up sequence, for example, can thus be effected. Incorrect status of the inputs from input block 10, flame detector 12 or the internal system checks in blocks 28 or 29 to bus 14 will cause the EPROM to be addressed at locations which contain data in a form that will cause shutdown or lockout via relay 25. Parity check block 22 also actuates lockout if errors are detected. System status can be provided by display 19.

Abstract: An improved machine programming and control system includes the utilization of a continuous, multiple-block, flow chart or charts, all or a portion of which is displayed. Each entered flow chart is executed without conversion to other languages, such that machines are controlled in accordance with the flow charts that are displayed. Multiple flow charts may be entered each to separately control different machines or different parts of the same machine. The flow charts are displayed in a multiple-block presentation and a block numbering system permits rapid on-screen generation of flow charts, editing of the flow charts, and debugging of the flow charts through the utilization of an interrupt. A uniquely improved debugging system, active on an execution interrupt, permits rapid value changing for selected displayed flow chart blocks and permits a single-scan program rerun for verification.

Abstract: A stitch data processing apparatus which can produce an embroidered pattern utilizing an automatic sewing machine from a pattern of any relative size. The pattern to be embroidered on a work piece is input to the stitch data processing apparatus via a charge coupled device. The charge coupled device produces an image which is displayed on a display device. An operator scales the image to fit onto the display device and then indicates points along the contour of the embroidered pattern and defines regions in which the automatic sewing machine will complete the embroidered pattern. The stitch data processing apparatus is capable of creating curved contours from a number of discreet points input by the operator. It is also possible to control stitch density.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the setting of the components of a printing machine use a calculating unit which receives all of the data regarding the operating status of each of the components to be controlled. The calculating unit process data relating to the running of the web and compares the data with data obtained by read heads, also sensing the web. The data from the read heads is supplied to the memory of a computer, the computer also having a touch screen for permitting direct control and setting of the components. A printer and a photographic recorder are coupled with the touch screen for displaying the images thereon.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a numerical control apparatus which automatically processes operations for grid shifting and stores a value resulted from the processing so as to correctly carry out grid-shifting without necessity of the aid of an operator when a numerical control system is newly installed.

Abstract: A stream calibration arrangement for visually determining the position and orientation of a sprayed material stream. Use of a stream calibration fixture to determine adjustments to an adjustable spray gun mount to realign a spray stream without altering the taught path of a robot carrying the spray gun. Alternatively, the stream is realigned by altering the taught robot path and requiring no gun mount adjustment. Stream realignment is also carried out automatically with and without gun mount adjustments. Machine vision is used for automatic stream realignment.