Abstract: A distributed control system employs a number of autonomous cooperative units that intercommunicate with bids and counter bids to allocate the production of a product among them. Network traffic caused by these bid messages is significantly reduced by creating as a central clearinghouse, a global resource locator that can identify autonomous cooperative units more likely to be receptive to bids from other autonomous cooperative units. Portions of the data of the global resource locator are held at the particular computers implementing the autonomous cooperative units in a cache-like structure that may be referred to without network communication. Misses within this cache structure cause a refreshing of the cache from the global resource locator and an updating of a learning relation table that further improves predictions in the future. Historical successes in bidding are stored at the cache structure to further aid in selecting likely bid recipients.

Abstract: A method of protecting data stored in a memory of a welding controller provided with an EEPROM as a storage element capable of storing welding control data in a welding controller, thereby enhancing reliable protection of data stored in the EEPROM. The method of protecting data stored in a memory of a welding controller comprises the steps of providing the EEPROM having write validity control function means in the controller, using the EEPROM as a storage element for storing welding control data therein, writing the welding control data into the EEPROM and storing the same in the EEPROM, reading the welding control data from the EEPROM when the welding controller is used, and rendering the EEPROM transitive from a write disable state to a write enable state by the write validity control function when the welding control data is changed.

Abstract: In chemical mechanical polishing apparatus, a wafer carrier plate is provided with a cavity for reception of a sensor positioned very close to a wafer to be polished. Energy resulting from contact between a polishing pad and an exposed surface of the wafer is transmitted only a very short distance to the sensor and is sensed by the sensor, providing data as to the nature of properties of the exposed surface of the wafer, and of transitions of those properties. Correlation methods provide graphs relating sensed energy to the surface properties, and to the transitions. The correlation graphs provide process status data for process control.

Abstract: A process for generating one or more three-dimensional computer CAD solid models for a complex product. The process includes evaluating the complex product, and selecting one or more three-dimensional modeling methods for the components of the complex product based on the evaluation of the complex product. Three-dimensional digital CAD solid models are generated for the components based on the selected one or more methods. A common reference point is set for each of the generated three-dimensional digital CAD solid models. The generated three-dimensional digital CAD solid models are combined based on the set reference point to form a three-dimensional digital CAD solid model for the complex product.

Abstract: An owner concludes with a facility maintenance company a contract for maintenance of electric facilities and an operation control monitor device installed in a building of the owner. The electric facility manufacturer gives the company permission to access the device from a terminal through the Internet as a communication network. The company receives continuous monitor data items of the electric facilities collected by the device. The manufacturer accesses the device from a terminal through the network and also receives the continuous monitor data items of the electric facilities.

Abstract: A computer software tool for aiding in the design of combinatorial logic and sequential state machines comprising, according to the preferred embodiment, an apparatus and methods for representing and displaying a mathematical transform between a binary output variable and a set of binary input variables. The apparatus includes a computer software program which performs a method having the steps of separating input variables of a transform into successive fields, providing field combination maps having cells representative of binary combinations of field variables, assigning field combination maps of successive fields to each preceding field cell, and assigning binary values to field cell chains formed thereby. The computer software program also enables the visual display, on the display of a computer monitor, of the combination maps and the relationship between combination maps of preceding and successive fields.

Abstract: An irrigation scheduler modifies output of a preprogrammed irrigation schedule of an installed irrigation controller to at least partially improve irrigation of the corresponding landscape. Preferred embodiments accomplish this task using a microprocessor programmed to: (a) derive a first set of information from the output of an irrigation controller used to control an operation of an irrigation valve; (b) receive a second set of information comprising at least one of an environmental factor and a meteorological factor; and (c) use the first set of information and the second set of information to interfere with reception of the output by the valve.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods in which an irrigation controller uses a regression model to estimate an evapotranspiration rate (estimated ETo), and uses the estimated ETo to affect an irrigation schedule executed by the controller. The regression model is preferably based upon a comparison of historical ETo values against corresponding historical environmental values, with the data advantageously spanning a time period of at least one month, and more preferably at least two months. Data for multiple environmental factors may also be used. The environmental factor(s) utilized may advantageously comprise one or more of temperature, solar radiation, wind speed, humidity, barometric pressure, and soil moisture. Values relating the environmental factor(s) may enter the controller from a local sensor, a distal signal source, or both.

Abstract: A position control apparatus and method has been devised which provides for an improved means of suppressing tracking error from a variable position reference occurring when a control object positioned via a transmission mechanism with mechanical transmission error resumes movement from a state stopped at a target position. A selection between two alternative tracking error compensating means within the control apparatus is made based on whether the detected position of the control object changes in a period after the control object stops and before the variable position reference is input again to a control deviation generating unit.

Abstract: A numerical controller capable of driving a controlled axis in synchronism with a reference axis at a desired speed not restricted by a speed of the reference axis in a path table operation and capable of performing auxiliary function, spindle function and tool wearing compensation function, and changing a position of starting the path table operation of the controlled axis. Data tables are provided storing command positions of controlled axes to be associated with positions of the reference axis and for the auxiliary, spindle and tool wearing compensation functions. The number of pulses of a reference pulse signal from the reference axis is counted and multiplied by an override scale factor and the result is stored in a reference position counter. The controlled axes are driven based on command positions of the controlled axes determined based on the reference position counter, referring to the path and function data tables.

Abstract: The physical property data of the object to be heated, set temperatures of heaters and blowers are provided to a reflow apparatus, and view factor setting data for determining the view factor of the surface-mounted circuit board are input. From the input these data, the number of heaters and blowers, and the heating characteristic data peculiar to the reflow apparatus, such as the heat transfer coefficient, the speed of conveyor and the like, the view factor is simply determined, and the temperature of the surface-mounted circuit board at the time of passing through the reflow apparatus is calculated with respect to the board and parts mounted thereon, using the determined view factor.

Abstract: A machine for performing machining operations on a work-piece is disclosed that includes a carriage with a robotic arm mounted thereon. The arm includes a movable head containing a tool for performing the machining operations on the work-piece. A laser position determination system is included for determining the actual spatial relationship position the carriage and the work-piece and providing a first signal representative thereof and further determining the spatial relationship of the head to the work-piece during actual machining operations on the work-piece and providing a second signal representative thereof. A computer having a computer program provides a third signal to the robotic arm for machining the work-piece based on a predetermined spatial relationship between the carriage and the work-piece and for receiving the first and second signals and adjusting the third signal based on the actual spatial relationship between the carriage and the work-piece and the head and the work-piece.

Abstract: An automated cooking system (10) cooks food (12) accompanied by machine-readable indicia, such as a bar code (16) read by a reader (18). Cooking data, including function coefficients, are accessed from an Internet server (20) based on the information in the bar code. An oven (40) cooks the food in phases in response to the cooking data and one or more monitored food parameters of humidity, temperature and weight. The cooking is controlled by functions in which one or more food parameters are multiplied by coefficients that vary according to food type.

Abstract: A numerical control device for a machine tool switching two reference axes comprising switching timing determining means for determining a timing for switching the moving position definition on the basis of the first reference axis and the moving position definition on the basis of the second reference axis; and reference axis switching means for switching, in response to the switching timing determining means, the moving position definition on the basis of the first reference axis and the moving position definition on the basis of the second reference axis.

Abstract: For an automated manufacturing system having a number of modules with numerous alternative capabilities, a computer-controlled system provides for monitoring and reporting incremental job status. The computer-controlled system includes at least one system controller for planning and scheduling a variety of jobs submitted to the manufacturing system for processing. The system controller includes at least one planning function, which plans utilization of selected module capabilities in the production of jobs having more than one work unit. A scheduling function schedules utilization of selected module capabilities. A logging and integration function logs execution reports from the various modules in the manufacturing system.

Abstract: Automatic generation of processing conditions will be provided, based on a database and process modeling by a computer equipped in semiconductor device fabrication equipment, by using input of wafer processing history including the thickness and quality. The computer equipped in semiconductor device fabrication equipment obtains the wafer processing and inspection results from a production line management computer in order to assist input of the process history. The computer in the fabrication equipment can be connected to computers in a fabrication equipment manufacturer on a communication network to automatically provide process conditions and maintenance schedule.

Abstract: A method includes collecting metrology data related to the processing of workpieces in a plurality of tools. Context data for the metrology data is generated. The context data includes collection purpose data. The metrology data is filtered based on the collection purpose data. A process control activity related to one of the tools is conducted based on the filtered metrology data. A system includes at least one metrology tool, a computer, and a process controller. The metrology tool is configured to collect metrology data related to the processing of workpieces in a plurality of tools. The computer is configured to generate context data for the metrology data, the context data including collection purpose data. The process controller is configured to filter the metrology data based on the collection purpose data and conduct a process control activity related to one of the tools based on the filtered metrology data.

Abstract: The present invention seeks to provide a system for high speed intermittent motion. The system consists of one or more intermittent motion generators. Each motion generator consists of a first and a second drive system with each drive system having its own control software and control input information received from a programmable logic controller (PLC). Each motion generator employs dual cams with fixed angular rotation. The dual cam combination consists of a first cam nested within a second cam. The dual cams permit independent and individual motion generation for each motion generator. The angular rotation of the second cam relative to the angular rotation of the first cam causes a linear displacement which generates intermittent linear motion for each individual motion generator.

Abstract: The invention includes computer instructions that operate to receive a selection of a center of motion for an assembly of computer aided design (CAD) models of a mechanical design and a selection of a component of the assembly associated with the selected center of motion. Once the selections are received, a range of motion for the component is determined. Then, the computer instructions operate to receive a selection of an origin for a grid pattern, where the grid pattern is automatically generated based upon the determined range of motion. This automatically generated grid pattern is automatically displayed at the selected origin. In one embodiment, the computer instructions are part of a mechanical design software application. In one embodiment, the mechanical software application including the computer instructions is embodied in a distribution storage medium.

Abstract: A numerical controlling unit that accelerates or decelerates a feeder-driving system includes; an acceleration setting part that can set a volume and a timing of an acceleration that should be supplied to the feeder-driving system, based on a predetermined target condition; and a controlling part that can supply the acceleration set by the acceleration setting part to the feeder-driving system. The acceleration setting part is adapted to set: a first acceleration that starts to be supplied at a timing of starting to accelerate; and a second acceleration that has a volume and that starts to be supplied overlappedly with the first acceleration at a timing, the volume and the timing being determined so as to damp vibration of the feeder-driving system that is generated by starting to supply the first acceleration.