Abstract: To monitor continuously the propellant consumption of a space vehicle equipped with a plurality of propulsion units operated by activator means according to activation instructions received by the activator means, the number N of activation instructions applied to each propulsion unit from a reference time and their cumulative duration S are memorized. The mass M of propellant consumed since the reference time by each propulsion unit is computed from the equation:M=f(N)+g(S)In this equation, f and g are independent predetermined functions. The masses consumed by each propulsion unit are summed. The functions f(N) and g(S) may be such that the above equation can be re-written:M=(m.times.S)+(m.sub.o .times.N)In this equation m is an average propellant flowrate during the activation of a given propulsion unit and m.sub.o is a predetermined fixed mass.

Abstract: A non-linear digital filter system for image data or other signal data suppresses undesirable noise while enhancing significant characteristics of the data. Data elements in a neighborhood (window) defined around and including an input data element are classified into characteristic classes based on their parameter value range. The class with the maximum population is selected as most representative of the neighborhood. A data value associated with that class is chosen as the output of the filter for the input data element around which the neighborhood is defined, to thereby form a plurality filter.As an alternative, the class holding more than half the data elements in the neighborhood is chosen as most representative, to form a majority filter. In case there is no class containing more than half the elements in a neighborhood, the output of the filter equal the value characteristic of the class in which the input pixel itself falls.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically preparing measurement programs is used in operating measurement apparatus for measuring the properties of electronic circuits such as intergrated circuits (ICs). The apparatus includes a measurement quality verification apparatus which modifies and standardizes measurement specifications input through a measurement specifications input apparatus. It further includes a measurement condition setting table preparing apparatus which develops these measurement specifications into a measurement condition setting table, which is transformed into a measurement program by a measurement program transformation apparatus.

Abstract: A method of determining the throttle angle position for an electronic automatic transmission system wherein a controller is programmed to determine the throttle angle position of the throttle in the engine and to detect any failures of the hardware used to determine throttle angle position and upon detecting a failure, providing a default throttle angle value to guarantee satisfactory operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method making use of a video camera, a programmed computer and a numerically-controlled machine-tool with three displacement axes. Particular transitions of the gray levels of the digitized output signal of the camera are sought. Two contiguous binary signals thus produced define a primitive segment of a line to be engraved. The directing parameters of the line segments, normalized in accordance with the displacement step of the machine, are produced and the successions of digital signals controlling the horizontal movement of the machine are deduced therefrom. The engraving depth control signals are renewed with each new engraving pass.Application to the customized production of jewelry and object-words.

Abstract: A control system according to the present invention is to control an automatic transmission which includes a one-way clutch and a friction element, and is shiftable from one speed ratio to another speed ratio by increasing actuating hydraulic pressure applied to the friction element and releasing the one-way clutch. In the control system, the instant when the one-way clutch is released during a shift operation when the transmission shifts from the one speed ratio to the another speed ratio is determined; and actuating hydraulic pressure applied to the friction element is regulated such that the actuating hydraulic pressure applied to the friction element is held at a fixed magnitude after said instant has been determined. The fixed magnitude is not less than the magnitude of actuating hydraulic pressure applied to the friction element when said instant is determined.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based electronic control system for a powershift transmission having at least one proportional actuator, such as a solenoid-operated proportional valve, is disclosed. The controller operates a plurality of on-off solenoid valves and the solenoid-operated proportional valve to provide operator-selected gear shifts in both forward and reverse directions having controlled clutch engagements achieved by modulation of clutch engagement pressure by the proportional valve. The key parameters associated with the gradual clutch engagement are all easily varied by the controller, most under program control during operation, to provide for optimized clutch engagements for smooth gearshifts. The key parameters include: fast-fill clutch delay, initial clutch engagement pressure, rate of increase of clutch engagement pressure, and the length of the reduced pressure clutch engagement interval.

Abstract: A constant speed holding apparatus which, once a vehicle speed is set, maintains the cruise of the vehicle at constant speed by both variable speed control and throttle control. The difference between the set speed and actual speed is detected during vehicle cruise, and if the difference is smaller than a predetermined minute value, the variable speed ratio at the time of the detection is maintained by a correction means so that any possible speed vibration due to mutual interference between variable speed control and throttle control is effectively prevented.

Abstract: A microprocessor having a plurality of memories comprises an address selection means which supplies selectively, to the memories, the address signal generated by the address generation means provided in the microprocessor and the test address signal supplied from the external circuit. Thereby, the address of memories can be accessed directly from the external circuit for the test of memories. Moreover, the microprocessor is provided with the test bus through which the signal transmitted between the function blocks in the microprocessor is input or output from or to the external circuit. Accordingly, the function block can be tested easily.

Abstract: An electronic system and method are disclosed for controlling a measured temperature during a sequence of time intervals, in accordance with a sequence of selected reference temperatures each corresponding to one of the intervals. The values of the reference temperatures are programmable and changeable by the user. The system and method can be used to establish thermostatic control in conformity with a referenced temperature that varies throughout the day, for example, hour by hour. The system also provides for using different sequences of reference temperatures on different days.

Abstract: A method for controlling switching over of speed stages of a transmission for a vehicle having two transmission units each independently operable to provide a plurality of gear ratios and connected in series to provide a plurality of overall gear ratios by the addition or balance of the gear of the two transmission units, having sensors for detecting operational conditions of the vehicle such as engine load and vehicle speed, sensors for detecting rotational speed of those intermediate rotational members in the respective transmission units which start to rotate or to stop by switching over of the speed stages, and a computing and controlling means which computes based upon the vehicle operating conditions a due period in which the switching over is to be completed and controls servo actuators for switching over the gear ratios of the transmission units so that the switching over operations for the two transmission units are completed with the end of the computed period.

Abstract: In a vehicle-running control system, an engine combustion control device includes a malfunction detector for detecting a malfunction of the engine combustion control device, and an engine-combustion stopping unit operative in response to a malfunction detecting signal from the malfunction detector to stop combustion in the engine. A clutch control device has an urgent clutch switching unit which responds to the malfunction detecting signal to output a control signal for bringing a clutch to its engaged position, to an actuator of the clutch control device. A transmission control device has an urgent gear-position switching unit which responds to the malfunction detecting signal to output a control signal for bringing the gear position to one different from a neutral, to an actuator of the transmission control device.

Abstract: A method of adaptively idling a transmission in an electronic automatic transmission system putting the transmission to "neutral" when the engine is idling and the brakes are applied.

Abstract: A microcomputer-controlled optical instrument comprises an objective lens, an ocular lens, and an erector lens assembly mounted to pivot between the objective lens and the ocular lens. A first image plane is defined by the objective lens, and a second plane of focus is located between the ocular lens and the erector lens assembly. A microcontroller is carried on the instrument, and a spanning reference is in focus on the first image plane. The erector lens assembly pivots by appropriate adjustments so the image of the spanning reference can be viewed on the first image plane in relation to a reference indicator focused on the second image plane, to thereby adjust the apparent spacing between the spanning reference and the reference indicator in response to the user's viewing the target through the instrument spanning the size of the target. A first control signal is produced and sent to the microcontroller to represent the pre-set size of the target.

Abstract: An operator-unattended checkout system for processing articles selected for purchase and of first type bearing supplier-applied UPC indication and of second type not having supplier-applied UPC indication includes a reader for generating output signals indicative of article UPC indication where present on articles, a first processing part operable without customer input for using the reader output signals for determining first type article price and generating output signals indicative thereof, a customer-interactive display unit for use through customer input thereto for directing system operation selectively from such first processing part operation to the computation of second type article price, a scale for determining article weight and generating output signals indicative of determined article weight, and a second processing part operable on customer input to the display unit for using the scale output signals for generating ouput signals indicative of second type article price.

Abstract: An electronic control system for controlling an automotive engine is mounted on a motor vehicle. A memory in a computer stores a plurality of data formats. One of the data formats is selected, and a data demand signal dependent on a selected data format is fed to the electronic control system. In response to data sent from the electronic control system, a diagnosis is performed.

Abstract: An electronic control system for controlling an automotive engine is mounted on a motor vehicle. A memory in a computer stores a plurality of data formats and signaling speeds. One of the data formats and signaling speeds is selected, and an answer demand signal dependent on a selected data format and signaling speed is fed to the electronic control system. In response to an answer from the electronic control system, a diagnosis is performed.

Abstract: A circuit to provide a regulated voltage output to low priority circuits in a microcomputer based control system from a switchable voltage output of a dual regulator such that the low priority circuits can be de-energized to reduce system current during various modes of system operation.

Abstract: A threaded fastener assembly tool is affixed to the output shaft of a DC motor, the torque of which is controlled by the current through the windings. An angular position encoder is attached to the shaft. A microprocessor monitors the angular position of the shaft as a function of time and controls a programmable current source which provides current to the windings of the motor. The processor varies the amount of torque applied to the fastener tool as a function of various parameters to control the installation of the fastener and detect defective fastener units.

Abstract: A target signal detecting apparatus for discriminating and detecting a target signal from a noise signal having an amplitude characteristic which exhibits the Weibull distribution. A received signal whose amplitude intensity distribution is in accordance with the Weibull distribution with its probability density function Pc(x) given by the following ##EQU1## is subjected to logarithmic transformation so that a mean-square value <y.sup.2 > of the amplitude of the logarithmically transformed received signal (y=lnx) and a square value <y>.sup.2 of the mean are calculated and a distributed parameter C is calculated in accordance with the mean-square value <y.sup.2 > and the square value <y>.sup.2 of the mean as follows ##EQU2## Then, the calculated distributed parameter C is compared with a predetermined threshold so that if the distributed parameter C is greater than the threshold value, it is delivered as the distributed parameter corresponding to a target signal.