Abstract: A control section 20 incorporated in a coating/developing unit 2 is connected to a host computer 4, while a control section 30 incorporated in an exposure unit 3 is connected to the control section 30 of the coating/developing unit 2. Communication with the host computer 4 is performed by the coating/developing unit 2. The control of transfer of a wafer between the coating/developing unit and the exposure unit is executed using a timing signal which is independent of a process instruction output from the host computer 4. The host computer controls the coating/developing unit and the exposure unit using the control section of the coating/developing unit. Supply of instructions to the exposure unit 3 or collection of information therefrom is centrally controlled on the coating/developing unit 2 side.

Abstract: A human/machine interface for designing, monitoring and troubleshooting complex industrial control systems uses the paradigm of the factory floor to organize machines, control program portions and data as virtual spatially linked objects that may be moved in three dimensions to be joined with other spatially linked objects. The user may move within the virtual factory floor among the spatially linked objects followed by spatially indifferent objects which provide tools for monitoring and interacting with the spatially linked objects. Proximity of visual objects determines data sharing between objects.

Abstract: A method for controllably moving a work implement attached to a work machine. The method includes the steps of inputting a velocity command, determining a plurality of desired cylinder positions as a function of the desired velocity command, and comparing the desired cylinder positions to allowable cylinder positions. The allowable cylinder positions are a function of a combination of the plurality of desired cylinder positions. The method also includes the steps of moving the work implement to a desired work implement position as a function of the desired cylinder positions, and stopping the movement of the work implement in response to at least one desired cylinder position being at a limit defined by a corresponding at least one allowable cylinder position.

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: There is disclosed a redundant process controller for use in a process facility having a plurality of process systems that produce process data, wherein the process data are gathered by process controllers associated with the process systems and are exchanged by the process controllers via a network. The redundant process controller is associated with a first selected process system and is capable of receiving process data from at least one remote process controller and intermittently transferring the received process data to the first selected process system.

Abstract: Electrical signals are received corresponding to sets of digital data, and output optical signals are delivered, corresponding to the digital data, on at least two optical channels corresponding to different sets of the digital data, using light from a single light source. In another scheme, the optical switch may be integrated with an optical transmission medium (e.g., an optical cable).

Abstract: A system monitors and controls external utilities interacting with a site to mitigate hazards during disaster or other emergency situations. Upon the occurrence of a disaster or other emergency event, the system disconnects the external utilities from the site to drive the site into a simplified safe state. With the site thus stabilized, the system then carefully attempts to reconnect any utility that does not threaten the site.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and maintenance of unattended robot liquid storage and dispensing sites, including a site controller and site monitor. The site monitor continuously appends text strings received from the site controller to HTML text log files and HTLM text report files and simultaneously compares the stored text strings representing site events to be monitored with evaluation messages. Each evaluation message is linked to an alert code, which in response to an evaluation message text string match initiates a particular set of responses, including sending notice of site failures and other remote site information to a home office via fax, pager and/or email. The site monitor also collects the information gathered from the site controller, the tank monitor, alarm system and any other site devices and stores the information in a one or more HTML text files, which information then takes the form of a web page with hypertext links to images related to the stored information.

Abstract: A process for optimizing a manufacturing line comprises determining work center raw processing times of a plurality of work centers in the manufacturing line, summing the work center raw processing times to produce a manufacturing line raw processing time, determining work center cycle times of the work centers, dividing the work center cycle times by respective ones of the work center raw processing times to produce work center X-factors, weighting each of the work center X-factors by a percentage that a corresponding one of the work center raw processing times represents of the manufacturing line raw processing time to produce X-factor contributions for each of the work centers and modifying at least one work center of the work centers having an X-factor contribution higher than others of the X-factor contributions to reduce the X-factor contribution of the at least one work center.

Abstract: Process for the automatic generation of a sequence of controls for a bending machine for metal sheets, characterized in that: it provides for a first plurality of configuration files of a respective plurality of bending machines, each file containing information on the configuration of the respective bending machine; it provides for a second plurality of files each referring to a respective bending machine and constituting a library of controls for the bending machine; it provides for a first database of geometrical shapes of mechanical organs, containing a geometrical representation of mechanical organs of the bending machines; it provides for a second database containing information on the behavior of a plurality of materials when these are submitted to bending.

Abstract: A system for adaptively controlling a wide variety of complex processes, despite changes in process parameters and despite both sudden and systematic drifts in the process, uses response surfaces described by quadratic equations or polynomials of any order. The system estimates the dynamic component of a drifting process or system and thereby identifies the trend of output response variables of the controlled process. Using this information, the system predicts future outputs based on a history of past and present inputs and outputs, thereby recommending the necessary control action or recipe (set of input parameters) to cancel out the drifting trend. A specific embodiment is a system for the adaptive control of photoresist thickness, uniformity, and dispense volume in the spin coating of wafers in integrated circuit manufacturing. Methods used in the adaptive control system are adaptable to control many processes not readily modeled by physical equations.

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.

Abstract: An in-line programming (ILP) system and method for programming and testing programmable integrated circuit devices (PICs) and performing the assembly of printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs). Printed circuit boards enter and leave the ILP system on a conveyor system. PICs are loaded into the ILP system, and the ILP system automatically programs and tests the PICs and places them onto the PCBs as the PCBs arrive on the conveyor. The programming and testing operations are performed by the same piece of equipment that performs the PCBA assembly operation.

Abstract: A method of controlling a transport system for transporting a work from one station to another, which system includes a plurality of stations arranged in a circular row, a transport robot assembly including two manipulator arms, a main controller for controlling the transport system in its entirety relative to the transport robot assembly, and a robot controller for controlling sequential operation of the transport robot assembly.

Abstract: The presence of particles on the wafer holder of semiconductor exposure equipment is detected by analyzing any up-and-down movement of the stage during the alignment, for exposure, of a wafer mounted on the wafer holder. The analysis of the up-and-down movement of the stage is conducted based on signals from a motor which moves the stage in the vertical (Z-axis) direction, or based on signals from a sensor indicative of the distance that the stage deviates vertically from a reference position. A feedback mechanism produces information representative of the up-and-down movement of the stage, and a computer processes the signals to produce data indicative of whether particles are present beneath the wafer on the stage.

Abstract: In a shift correcting method of correcting a shift of a tool working position in a robot manipulation system, a working tool (7) is rotated around a tool longitudinal axis (m) as a rotating center axis on a tool coordinate system to change a posture of the working tool, and the working tool is moved in one direction toward a specified part of a contact detecting member (21) to be brought into contact therewith to detect a contact and the data of the detected contact position is stored to obtain a difference as a shift amount between the actual tool working position and a theoretical tool working position.

Abstract: An embroidery data processor includes: a thinning unit that reduces thickness of lines in image data to produce thin-line image data including at least one thin-line outline defining a bounded region corresponding to a region of the embroidery pattern; a thin-line following unit that follows the at least one thin-line outline to search for branch lines connected to the at least one thin-line outline and extending into the bounded region; and a branch deleting unit that deletes any branch lines discovered by the thin-line following unit.

Abstract: A decoupling controller for use with a process such as paper-making having two input variables such as stock flow and steam pressure and two output variables such as moisture and basis weight. Decoupling is accomplished by the use of linked internal model controllers where for each individual unit of the linked pairs, a P.I.D. (proportional, integral, derivative) unit includes all of the feedback loop gains and then the process itself is modeled by a first order transfer function and deadtime units with two cross-linked error signals fed back. A specific technique of cross-linking the internal model controllers eliminates cross-coupling between the input and output variables.

Abstract: An improved lighting control architecture provides many different kinds of controlling options. A single channel per line communication is described. This can be used to form single channel DMX to communicate with DMX format luminaires, while still using only one communication per line. The controlling console has only a single connector that outputs information for all luminaires. This is connected to a distribution rack, which itself includes plural connectors but spaced from the console. The multiple connectors can represent communications in many different formats including format of one lamp per line, or time division multiplexed formats of many lamps per line.

Abstract: An optical fiber alignment apparatus for leveling respective distal ends of a plurality of optical fibers prior to commencing a polishing process. The apparatus includes an aligning device having a plurality of receptacles for securing the corresponding plurality of optical fibers such that distal ends of the optical fibers extend below the base of the aligning device. A sensor array contacts the distal ends of the optical fibers and generates sensor alignment signals indicating the position of the fiber distal ends extending below the aligning device relative to a horizontal reference plane. A monitor receives and displays digital signals corresponding to the sensor alignments signals. Those optical fibers that are not aligned are then adjusted to until all the fibers are aligned and leveled with respect to the horizontal reference plane as viewed on the monitor.