Abstract: It is the purpose of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for a compliance control in each degree of freedom of a robotic system independently of other control parameters. This independent compliance control capability allows dexterous assembly operations to be done without elaborate fixture of a work piece. The method of controlling compliance and position of an actuator comprises the steps of acquiring a raw Myoelectric signal from the muscles of a teleoperator, processing the raw Myoelectric signal into compliance control and position control signals and applying the control signal to an actuator(s) of the teleoperated robotic system.

Abstract: A multisection flexible multidigit arm contains hands at each end, each of which hands contains a set of fingers, suitably three, which are similarly formed flexible multidigit arms constructed to a smaller scale. Each hand contains connectors for coupling the hand to a mating connector mounted on an associated structure to provide appropriate power and control signals to the arm. One hand may grip the connector and the other hand is free to move to various positions and perform various tasks. In an additional aspect the arm may move to different locations by somersaulting between spaced connectors in the system. In an assembly system the robotic arms are used to construct frames or other assemblies.A completely self contained arm includes a self contained source of power. Radio communication means are provided to allow electronic interaction with the arm from a remote location.

Abstract: A movable handcontroller that permits control while requiring low force-displacement gradient. The handcontroller may be used in a side-arm configuration in that it allows the operator's arm to remain essentially motionless in an armrest while control inputs are made about the fulcrum of the wrist.

Abstract: The probability of a volcanic eruption is predicted by simultaneously receiving long-wave radiation signals from magma at at least four points in the vicinity of the magma, cross-correlating the received signals to detect time lags among the signals, calculating the site, magnitude and shape of the magma from the time lags, and judging the likelihood, time, scale and site of a volcanic eruption from time-course changes in the calculated site, magnitude and shape of the magma.

Abstract: A robotic camera dolly system includes a motorized dolly which rolls freely across a studio floor under computer control, the dolly carrying a camera. Targets are provided on the floor at various locations from which camera shots are to be taken. The dolly is moved from one target to the vicinity of another target according to a learned sequence of movements controlled by a remote dolly computer. The learned sequence of movements is taught with the aid of a joystick, and the motions are replayed based on dead reckoning. In order to correct translational and angular errors in the position of the dolly at the destination target, optosensors are provided on the dolly for use in detecting and reorienting the dolly relative to the destination target. The open loop control of dolly movement can be taught with a control stick and the motions replayed based on dead reckoning.

Abstract: A character processing system with a spelling check function including: an input device; a storage for storing character information; a display for displaying the character information or the like; a control unit for storing the character information input from the input device in the storage and also for outputting the character information on the display; a condensed dictionary storage provided with a dictionary proper composed of plural blocks wherein the first word of a block is stored in the form of a noncondensed character string wherein the second and subsequent words are stored in condensed relative code whereby words not transformable into condensed relative code are replaced with modified Huffman codes and provided with and an index section for the dictionary proper which includes offsets and block numbers indicative of plural blocks and spelling check means for performing a retrieval of the keyword from with the condensed dictionary storage means, upon reception of spelling check instructions input

Abstract: A process control system includes a primary processor connected to a primary memory via a bus. The primary processor transfers data to be stored to said primary memory. An apparatus of the present invention connected to the bus, collects predetermined data of the data being transferred simultaneously with the transfer of the data to the primary memory. The predetermined data collected by the apparatus is subsequently transferred to a backup processor controller to update the data base of the backup process controller. The apparatus comprises a storage element which stores the data collected. A logic unit controls the operation of the apparatus including the collection of the predetermined data. A control unit of the apparatus transfers the predetermined data stored in the storage element to the backup process controller.

Abstract: In an inference machine having a knowledge set portion which stores therein a set of knowledge items such as rules, and an inference portion which interprets the rules for execution; priority level information items which set precedence degrees among the rules within the rule set are stored in a plurality of series with respect to standpoints of users, one series which meets the standpoint of a particular user is selected from among the plurality of stored series of priority level information items, and the rule of the highest precedence degree is selected on the basis of the selected series of priority level information items, with the result that the rule conforming to the standpoint of the particular user is selected and executed.

Abstract: A process control system includes a process controller which has a first and second controller, one of the controllers being designated as a primary controller and the other controller being designated as a secondary controller. Each controller has a respective data base. The primary controller performs predefined control functions of the process control system which includes updating the data base associated with the primary controller as a result of performing the predefined control functions. A method for updating the data base associated with the secondary controller comprises the steps of performing the control functions. Results therefrom are utilized to update the data base associated with the primary controller. Simultaneously with updating the data base, predetermined information being stored in the primary data base is collected. At the completion of performing the control functions, the predetermined information which was collected is transferred to the secondary controller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a digitizing method for moving a contactor along a model on the basis of tracer control and digitizing probe position data upon accepting the data. When three points most recently accepted are P.sub.1, P.sub.2 and P.sub.3 in the order of acceptance, the point P.sub.2 is not digitized if an angle .theta. defined by a vector P.sub.1 P.sub.2 and a vector P.sub.2 P.sub.3 is larger than a predetermined angle .theta..sub.MAX.

Abstract: A pattern-matching network is merged with an existing RETE network without recompiling the whole network, while still matching existing data. Permanent, temporary, full and partial merging operations are described, depending on the origination of match patterns among LHS, on demand (procedural programming), or top level. The merge process combines functionally identical nodes from the networks for reducing the number of nodes in the resulting network. The merger process produces so-called alpha and beta synapse nodes; alpha synapse nodes have pointers to top nodes, while beta synapse nodes consist pointers to a drain node, which is a node in the grafted RETE portions of the resulting network and to source memory nodes in the pre-existing RETE network. The algorithm for obtaining a set of synapse nodes without duplication of any logic connecting paths is described. The synapse nodes are used in updating a grafted network, also can be a suspended portion, upon completion of the merger.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling the release of jobs from a pool of pending jobs into a factory, which includes a plurality of machines processing jobs-in-progress, which comprises the following steps. First, a continuity index (CI) is calculated for one of the jobs in the job pool, which is related to the total amount of processing time required by that job, and the antipicated time to finish that job. Second, a mean continuity index (MCI) is calculated related to the CI of all of the jobs processed by the factory in a predetermined period of time. Third, a lower range (r.sub.1) and an upper range (r.sub.2) are calculated which are releated to the utilization factor of the machines and the fraction of jobs which are on time. Finally, a job is released from job pool into said factory if:MCI-r.sub.1 .ltoreq.CI.ltoreq.MCI+r.sub.2otherwise, the steps are repeated for the other jobs remaining in the job pool.

Abstract: A component part number marking or engraving machine has a microprocessor controlled marking or engraving tool in which a range of part numbers, and the corresponding instructions for operating the tool are stored in memory. Upon calling up the appropriate instruction set a selected part number is automatically marked or engraved on a component. The present invention provides a fixture for receiving the component and has a plurality of sensors responsive to the physical dimensions of a range of components and disposed so as to uniquely identify each type of component in the range. Each valid combination of sensors signals is indexed against the appropriate part number and is used to retrieve the corresponding engraver operating instructions from memory.

Abstract: A tool system for an integrated manufacturing and assembly system includes a plurality of profile boards which are connected together with connector boards. The profile board include a profile edge which define a mold line surface. Each of the profile boards includes a slot for each connector board which is connected to it. Each connector board includes a slot for each profile board which is connected to it. Each slot in both of the profile and the connector boards has opposing edges. One of these opposing edges serves as a locator edge for precisely and accurately positioning the respective profile boards to the connector boards and the respective connector boards to the profile boards. The other edge of the respective slots serves as a non-locator edge. Wedges fitting against the non-locator edges are used to fixedly maintaining the profile boards connected to the connector boards.

Abstract: A modular system for use with X-Y peripherals is provided. The system includes a master controller operatively connected to one or more slave X-Y peripherals in a network. Different types of slave X-Y peripherals are accommodated by the system, e.g. sewing machines and engravers. Each slave X-Y peripheral has a unique address for independent communication with the master controller. The master controller tracks the functional relationship existing between it and each slave X-Y peripheral using state architecture. Servo control of a tool or head in an X-Y peripheral is also disclosed. The tool is movable in a Z dimension relative to a workpiece residing in an X-Y plane. Method and apparatus are also provided for positioning a carriage of an X-Y peripheral at a home or reference position in one or more dimensions.

Abstract: A production process control system includes a plurality of terminal devices and a central device connected to the terminal device. Each of the terminal devices has at least an element for counting the amount of work done and generating a corresponding output, an element for entering a worker identifying code, an element for transmitting the counted output and the entered worker identifying code to the central device and an element for providing an output cancel signal by which, in conjunction with the counted output, a current output value is updated. The central device at least has an element for performing communications with each terminal device and an element for storing the output and the worker identifying code transmitted from the terminal device as associated with each other.

Abstract: An instruction system of a remote-control robot having a work manipulator. The system comprises an instruction manipulator for providing work instructions to the work manipulator; a solid geometrical model forming device for forming solid geometrical models of the work manipulator and work circumstances; a simulating device for operating the positions and attitude of the geometrical models according the information of motions of the instruction manipulator and information from various sensors of the work manipulator to simulate geometrical models, as well as driving the work manipulator according to the information from the instruction manipulator, etc.; and a graphic display for displaying motions of the geometrical models. The solid geometrical model forming device forms geometrical models of the work manipulator and work circumstances, the simulating device simulating actual working positions of the geometrical models, and the graphic display displaying the simulated geometrical models.

Abstract: A device for the management of a variable, particularly of a pressure relative to an electrohydraulic control of an automatic transmission. The device includes a control element associated with a second control element which generates the variable. The variable is processed by a sensor to give a measurement which is compared with a set point. The possible error .epsilon. is processed by a controller of the proportional-plus-integral-plus-derivative type which acts on the control element. The management device is provided with a table which generates a value based on the set point. This value is added to the value given by the controller and by the set point to act on the control element by way of a converter. The table is updated continuously during the stabilized phases of the variable with a correction that must be made so that the variable corresponds to the set point. The management device has a comparable operation in both the closed loop and open loop after a certain self-learning time.

Abstract: A multisection flexible multidigit arm contains hands at each end, each of which hands contains a set of fingers, suitably three, which are similarly formed flexible multidigit arms constructed to a smaller scale. Each hand contains connectors for coupling the hand to a mating connector mounted on an associated structure to provide appropriate power and control signals to the arm. One hand may grip the connector and the other hand is free to move to various positions and perform various tasks. In an additional aspect the arm may move to different locations by somersaulting between spaced connectors in the system. In an assembly system the robotic arms are used to construct frames or other assemblies.A completely self contained arm includes a self contained source of power. Radio communication means are provided to allow electronic interaction with the arm from a remote location.

Abstract: Neural network systems (100) with learning and recall are applied to clustered multiple-featured data (122,124,126) and analog data.