Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a flexible circuit of predetermined design, and in particular to the making of a functioning flexible circuit by depositing multiple layers of a variety of materials in fluid or component form in a set configuration onto a substrate. A source for each of the materials is provided. In one embodiment, the materials are applied to the substrate through accurate positioning and moving of the dispensing heads in three dimensions and through accurate control of the amount of material applied. In some embodiments, the substrate is a flexible film. In some embodiments, successive layers of electronic circuitry are formed by successively printing and then curing each layer, one on top of the last, starting with a flexible substrate, such as polyester film. Not only are conductive traces (i.e., wiring) printed (i.e.

Abstract: A shaking table having: a feedback controller for generating a drive signal for actuators so that an inputted second command signal is agreed with a response signal indicating a vibration state of the table; an adaptive filter having variable filter coefficients which is supplied with an external first command signal indicating a target value of the response signal and generates the second command signal by compensating the transfer characteristics from the feedback controller to the table loading the specimen; a mask signal generator; a first adder for adding the mask signal to the second command signal; a second adder for adding the mask signal to the response signal; and an identification unit which is supplied with the outputs of the first and the second adders, for calculating the filter coefficients of the adaptive filter to compensate the transfer characteristics, and supplying the calculated coefficients to the adaptive filter.

Abstract: A laser control apparatus that controls a laser device acquires state data from the laser device indicating the state of the laser device every time a specific preset event occurs, such as the generation of a fixed number of discharge pulses, for example, and transmits this data to a monitor terminal. The monitor terminal transfers the received state data to a server device via a communication channel. In the server device, a database is updated and output data is generated based on the transferred state data. This output data is input to a display terminal via a communication channel, and is displayed on the display terminal.

Abstract: A system and method is given for minimizing periodic disturbances in electronic systems. Given the input-output characteristics of the system, the present method identifies and cancels the periodic disturbance. The periodic disturbance parameters are identified through the use of a residual generator. The output of the residual generator is fed into an identifier that estimates disturbance parameters. The compensation filter combines the output of the identifier with a set of pre-computed parameters to form a cancellation signal. This signal is then added to the input of the plant to cancel the periodic disturbance.

Abstract: A Model-Free Adaptive Quality Variable control system is disclosed for effectively controlling quality variables on-line in closed-loop fashion. It is able to automatically control quality variables under the conditions where there are significant varying time delays and disturbances in the process. Because of its unique capability, the control system is useful for building flexible and adaptive production systems, achieving Six Sigma quality control goals, and fulfilling the on demand manufacturing needs in the new e-commerce environment.

Abstract: The programmable device (V) has terminal connections (610, 620) for electrically connecting the technical equipment (B1 . . . Bm), process signal channels (K1 . . . Km), which can be programmed depending on the application, for the electrical control signals, a display device (A) for showing the programmable process signal channels (K1 . . . Km) and the terminal connections (610, 620), graphics control equipment (M, T) for the virtual association of the process signal channels (K1 . . . Km) with the terminal connections (610, 620), and at least one processing unit (X1, X2) which, on the basis of the graphical association, produces a corresponding control link.

Abstract: The control unit sets up the center and an insensitive zone of a zoom seesaw switch provided in a drive unit of an ENG lens by an electrical processing. The control unit is capable of dispensing with a mechanical adjustment of the center and the insensitive zone of the zoom seesaw switch in assembling the product, and the assembly of the product is thus simplified. On turning on a center setting switch while the zoom seesaw switch is released from the operation, an operational position of the zoom seesaw switch at that time is accurately set as the center that brings the moving rapidity of the zoom lens to zero. On setting an insensitive zone size by an insensitive zone setup device, the moving rapidity of the zoom lens becomes zero whenever the operational position of the zoom seesaw switch is within the insensitive zone. Any of these settings is carried out by a processing of a CPU.

Abstract: The invention allows a cluster tool to change from a first recipe to a second recipe, while preserving periodicity and ensuring that there are no delays at critical points. This procedure is referred to as recipe cascading. Cascading involves emptying a first lot of wafers off a cluster tool and populating the cluster tool with another lot of wafers, serially and simultaneously. The procedure is performed with no delays incurred at critical process steps; and with no additional robots and process modules other than those called for by the recipe and throughput requirements of the entering and the exiting lots. The entering lot may also have different recipes and throughput requirements from the exiting lot. A program residing on a computer determines a schedule for the cluster tool which enables recipe cascading. The program may use a genetic algorithm to determine the schedule, or any other optimization technique.

Abstract: A process control system for controlling processes has a work flow display for displaying on a screen a work flow in which a plurality of processes constituting a work is represented in form of a diagram. The work flow display displays on the screen the work flow in which a plurality of process display units each represented by the diagram consisting of a process area representative of a process, an input area representative of a processing object in the process and an output area representative of a processing result in the process, is coupled over a plurality of stages in a sequence that a work is formed.

Abstract: A control system for a plant, includes a sliding mode controller for controlling the plant with a sliding mode control. The sliding mode controller controls the plant using a switching function defined as a linear function of a deviation between an output of the plant and a control target value, and changes the switching function according to at least one of a parameter indicative of the output of the plant and a parameter indicative of an amount of change in the output of the plant.

Abstract: A control system for a throttle valve actuating device is disclosed. The throttle valve actuating device includes a throttle valve of an internal combustion engine and an actuator for actuating the throttle valve. The control system includes a predictor for predicting a future throttle valve opening and controls the throttle actuating device according to the throttle valve opening predicted by the predictor so that the throttle valve opening coincides with a target opening.

Abstract: A first principles, steady state model of a desired polymer process is applied with a non-linear optimizer to a linear controller. Model process gains and optimal target values for controller variables result. These results are utilized by a multivariable linear controller to achieve nonlinear control of the subject process. Preferably the nonlinear optimizer is DMO/SQP. The steady state model is produced by Polymers Plus and the linear controller is DMCplus, all of Aspen Technology, Inc. in Cambridge Mass.

Abstract: An automated battery configuration system for a telecommunications power system includes at least one rectifier module, a controller and at least one backup battery. A database system is associated with the controller stores a plurality of records that include a plurality of backup battery parameters. A user interface that is associated with the controller receives user-provided input of at least one battery specifying parameter. The user interface communicates with the database system to retrieve a selected one of the records based on the battery specifying parameter. The controller communicates with the database system and employs at least one of the parameters of the selected record to alter an operating setting of the telecommunications power system. The battery specifying parameters include a manufacturer designation and a model designation of the backup battery.

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. Bidding closure is obtained in an environment where each autonomous cooperative unit can propagate multi-threaded bidding chains, by attaching a response time value to each propagated bid indicating when a response must be received. Sub-bids from that propagated bid forward a reduced version of this response time value that accounts for the sub-bid processing time. Thus, all bidding is concluded within the response time value. Participants in a successful bidding chain are notified so that in the future they may direct bids toward bidding partners that have historically proven successful as part of a successful bidding chain.

Abstract: A control system for a throttle valve actuating device is disclosed. The throttle valve actuating device includes a throttle valve of an internal combustion engine and an actuator for actuating the throttle valve. At least one model parameter of a controlled object model which is obtained by modeling the throttle valve actuating device is calculated. A learning value of a throttle valve opening at which an actuating characteristic of the throttle valve changes, is calculated. The throttle valve actuating device is controlled using the learning value so that an opening of the throttle valve coincides with a target opening.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling the entry and indicating of a command relating to a function of a device, by an operator from outside the device, without the operator accessing the inside of the device. The system includes an entry element and an indicating element, and a processor for processing and implementing the entered and indicated command in the device.

Abstract: A tuned run-to-run controlled system is disclosed that provides tuned run-to-run control of a system. The system includes a controlled system coupled to a tuned run-to-run controller, which contains a feedback controller coupled to a tuner. Tuned run-to-run controller determines a feedback command based on a nominal gain, a maximum gain, a process error, and a tuning gain.

Abstract: System containing an observation and/or operator's unit (OP) displaying and/or presenting process data (SPC3), and a projection unit (PPC) generating a projection data record (SPC1) which can be loaded into the observation and/or operator's unit via a data transmission link (DU1). The projection unit includes a first component (M1) which forms a differential data record (SPC5) when a projection data record (SPC1) is modified. The differential data record (SPC5) can be transmitted to the observation/operator's unit. In addition, the observation/operator's unit includes a second component (M2) which updates a loaded projection data record (SPC2) with the aid of a transmitted differential data record (SPC6).

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for dispensing items from a dispensing unit. According to the invention, the dispensing unit comprises a plurality of locations in which the items are held, a processor in which records corresponding to the items on the unit are stored, and a plurality of item switches corresponding to the locations in which the items are held. The item switches are connected to the processor so that a user of the dispensing unit can input records of items removed from the unit into the processor. The apparatus described is particularly suited for dispensing medical supplies although the apparatus will be usable for other types of items as well. Preferred embodiments will include a plurality of visual indicators, typically in the form of light emitting diodes, corresponding to the locations in which the items are held.

Abstract: A system for creating application maps for controlling a dispensing apparatus based upon field data, the system including a system for maintaining field data. The field data may be georeferenced relative to geographic coordinates of the location of the field data. Application rate equations for correlating field data relative to desired output may be selectively defined based upon selected field data and desired output to produce application maps for a particular field. A processor is designed to selectively access field data for a particular field to execute application rate equations for the field data to produce an application map which may be used for variable rate application of material by dispensing apparatus based upon the selected field data and the desired output.