Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle, such as a mobile robot (10) includes at least one radiation projector (14, 16) which projects a structured beam of radiation into the robot's environment. The structured beam of radiation (14a, 16a) preferably has a substantially planar pattern of sufficient width to encompass the immediate forward path of the robot and also to encompass laterally disposed areas in order to permit turning adjustments. The vision system further includes an imaging (12) sensor such as a CCD imaging device having a two-dimensional field of view which encompasses the immediate forward path of the robot. An image sensor processor (18) includes an image memory (18A) coupled to a device (18D) which is operable for accessing the image memory. Image processing is accomplished in part by triangulating the stored image of the structured beam pattern to derive range and bearing, relative to the robot, of an object being illuminated.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for providing a micro-computer based expert system having a knowledge base of failure analysis, as it pertains to metallic components. The apparatus and method includes interactive initialization procedure which includes communications between the user and the knowledge base. The sytem and method incorporates automated visual aids for the analysis of metal failure.

Abstract: The two levels of programming complexity include a high level and an expert level. The command set on the high level includes a plurality of commands which comprise sequences of more detailed commands from the expert level. The expert level commands comprise single actions or operations, or small groups of operations, to be performed by the electromechanical devices, such as valve openings or closures. User access privileges are definable by a system manager to restrict different classes of users to one or more of the levels of complexity.

Abstract: Methods of information discrimination based on extremization of local, energy related functionals defined on macroscopic states of random code information processors are disclosed. In one embodiment, an assembly of processors exchanging information through the exchange of random codes serves an an information discriminator cell between the digitally encoded, analog, quasi-periodic input function and the digitally encoded, analog, quasi-periodic memory function stored within the cell.

Abstract: Apparatus for identifying hardware faults in data processing systems. The apparatus identifies hardware faults in the CRT, printer, modem, keyboard, buses and other peripheral units connected to a personal computer.

Abstract: A software configuration management system that uses a network computing environment to build large software systems in parallel. A configuration manager assigns the compilation of buildable components of a software system to different processors in the network. Buildable components are assigned in order, according to dependencies between components, independent components taking precedence. Processors are chosen according to the amount of idle time during a sampled time segment. A display provides processor compilation status messages for each compilation discrete from status messages of other compilations. A continuously updated overall status report of the system being built is simultaneously displayed with, but segregated from, the compilation status messages.

Abstract: A pattern-matching system, such as of the RETE type, is updated. The updating operation is generalize to operate with correct match resuslts for generalized RETE networks (ones where join nodes may have either predecessor be another join node), and for arbitrary partial update state, characterized by stop nodes designating how far update operations have progressed for particular update tokens (designated suspended tokens) at any particular time. The updating operation consists of the following steps: First, all tokens only partially updated through the network are shadowed, in that the partial result memories associated with the stop nodes are put into the state that exists or existed before the suspended tokens arrive at the stop nodes. Then for each suspended token, it is pushed to resume nodes connected as RHS (or LHS) inputs in a descending order of resume nodes.

Abstract: Protective apparatus, for a vehicle microcomputer, that constrains the microcomputer output during periods of abnormal microcomputer operation. The protective apparatus includes a regulator connected to receive a microcomputer oscillating signal having a predetermined period during normal operation, the regulator inverting a reset signal provided thereby upon the oscillating signal period exceeding the predetermined period to indicate abnormal operation. The apparatus further includes a one-shot multivibrator (OMB) which inverts its output upon the regulator reset signal being inverted and an output inhibiting logic circuit which receives the microcomputer CPU output, the output inhibiting logic circuit interrupting the microcomputer CPU output when the OMB inverts its output.

Abstract: An irrigation controller having means for insuring watering, even after a failure in its primary and back-up power supplies. During a failure in the primary supply, the back-up supply is examined to determine whether it, as well, suffered a failure. If it did not, watering takes place in accordance with a programmed watering schedule following resumption of the primary supply. If it did, one or more watering stations are activated at pre-determined intervals for a pre-determined period of time following resumption of the primary supply.

Abstract: A redundant repeater connected between two transmission mediums that can operate in a repeat state where packets are repeated between the mediums, and a standby state where no packets are repeated and where the repeater determines whether packets are being properly repeated between the transmission mediums by another device. If the repeater determines that packets are being independently repeated it remains in the standby state, and will attempt to leave the standby state and return to the repeat state only if it determines that packets on one medium are not being repeated to the second medium. Two repeaters can be redundantly connected across the same transmission mediums with one operating in repeat state and the other in standby. If one repeater fails, the other will begin repeating all received packets. The repeater determines whether packets are being properly repeated by detecting overlapping or non-overlapping packets between its two transmission mediums.

Abstract: An expert system is provided which can be accessed by other application programs operating within any of the available operating environments in a general purpose computer system. In this architecture, an expert system consultation subsystem provides the means for performing expert consultations. Included within the expert system subsystem is a task manager which initiates and manages a plurality of concurrent consultations. Interface programming provides the capability for the expert system consultation subsystem to communicate and pass data and commands between it and other application programs operating within the computer system. Further, means are provided to allow the expert system subsystem to access data stored on database management systems.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved motion control system for controlling multiple motion actuators associated with different axes for moving a member along a defined path. The system is intended to move a member along the defined path as a result of the coordinated motion of two or more essentially independent motion actuators. In accordance with the invention, instead of responding to a servo lag error between a commanded and actual position, the velocity along each axis for each path segment is established by a feedforward data file generated by "looking ahead" at input describing the full path and processing this data, together with machine specific data specifying the operational characteristics (or capabilities) of the machine (e.g. milling machine) to be operated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for identifying the lot codes of workpieces, such as printed circuit board panels, as they progress down a manufacturing line. At an initial stage of processing, a hole pattern is drilled along one edge of the pieces. The hole pattern includes the lot code number of that piece in binary form. The hole pattern can be addressed by appropriate optical means such as an LED-phototransistor combination or by a video camera as the pieces pass by in order to determine the lot code or other information at any desired point in the processing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing aircraft includes constructing a definition of the aircraft in a computer memory and then defining in the memory a first tool for forming a component part of the aircraft and a second tool for assembling a component part made with the first tool. The definitions of the first and second tools are downloaded to a tool forming device which is operated to form the first and second tools essentially independent from one another.

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

Abstract: A data processing device for machining a three dimensional surface includes a tool locus data generator providing tool shape and dimension indicative information of a machining tool and machining route information, calculating information selected from a curvature, a normal line and a tangential line at a machining point of the three dimensional surface, and calculating the optimum shape of a machining tool and/or controlling condition of the tool based on the calculated information; a device for checking the tool locus data of a machining tool based on a predetermined pattern; and a processor for converting the checked tool locus data into data which is to be inputted into a machine which conducts three dimensional surface machining.

Abstract: In knowledge translation of data base in an expert system which draws inference based on knowledge, a table for defining a correspondence relationship between the knowledge and the data base, data base/knowledge translator for reading data necessary for the inference directly from the data base by using the correspondence relation table and translating it to knowledge form, and knowledge/data base translator for translating the knowledge prepared by the inference to data base form by using the correspondence relation table and storing it are provided.

Abstract: An irrigation controller having multiple cancel modes invoked by depression of a single key. When no watering is taking place, a single depression of the key will cancel all watering scheduled to take place on the day the key is depressed. Two successive depressions of the key when no watering is taking place will cancel all scheduled watering. A single depression of the key while watering is taking place will cancel just the watering which is taking place, not the watering scheduled to thereafter take place on that or any subsequent day.

Abstract: A telerobotic system adapted for tracking and handling a moving object comprises a robot manipulator, a video monitor, an image processor, hand controls and a computer. The robot manipulator comprises a movable robotic arm having an effector for handling an object, a drive system for moving the arm in response to arm input signals, sensors for sensing the position of the arm and for generating arm output signals which characterize the dynamic motion behavior of the arm, and a vid=eo camera carried by the arm. The camera responds to motion of the moving object within the field of view of the camera. The video monitor receives an input video signal from the video camera, for displaying an image of the object to a human operator. The image processor is responsive to the output signal of the camera, and is capable of acquiring and pre-processing an image of the object on a frame by frame basis. The hand control is capable of generating a hand control output signal in response to input from a human operator.

Abstract: A system and a method of monitoring and displaying in which control screen indicating a control data of a control device for process control displayed on the display screen of a display unit by a touch operation on a diagram of the control device, the control data being further selected by another touch operation. The display condition of the control data display area thus changes, the operator being permitted to visually check whether the operation has been selected correctly. After visual confirmation, a switch disposed outside of the display screen and corresponding to the called control screen is operated to start the operation of the control device determined for control for the first time at this time point. In case of a combined display of a control device and a control screen, on the other hand, a first display unit is utilized such that the called control screen is displayed at a position far from the control device to be controlled, thereby not hiding the control device display.