Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for production control which employs control, transport and processing means and which sets optimal priorities according to production conditions that may vary from moment to moment. The present invention also relates in this regard to a method of production control.

Abstract: An arithmetic logic unit includes first and second buses for efficient operations upon multiple-bit operands. The arithmetic logic unit includes, in addition to the first and second buses, a shift register having an input coupled to the first bus and an output, a summer having a first input coupled to the shift register output, a second input coupled to the second bus, and an output, and an accumulator having an input coupled to the summer output and an output coupled to the first bus. The arithmetic logic unit further includes a buffer having an input also coupled to the summer output and an output coupled to the second bus. The summer provides two's compliment inversion when required and the shift register performs sign bit force zero, right shifting, and masking operations. In addition, an overflow detector and overflow correction detect and correct overflow conditions without requiring additional operating cycles.

Abstract: A centralized control system comprising interface circuits which are provided in respective terminal devices requiring field service such as copying machines or automatic vending machines and collect functional information concerning functions of the terminal devices and abnormality information showing their abnormality; communication units which are provided at every one or plural interfaces circuits and transmit collected information as the need arises; and remote control device which receives transmitted information and selectively displays it on a display unit to execute a plurality of control processing at every terminal device. Abnormality information is announced whenever it occurs or at a predetermined time according to a degree of abnormality, and information concerning the abnormality information announced is displayed on a part or full of the whole display picture screen concerning all the control processing.

Abstract: The characteristics of the field process system controlled by a self tuning controller are obtained by analyzing the open loop response of the process variable to a step applied at the controller's control output. A first-order system response with pure time delay is used to approximate a higher-order field process system's actual response. The overall deadtime and time constant of the first-order approximation are determined. The maximum slope of the process variable response to the step is stored along with an assigned time of its occurrence and an assigned process variable. The stored information is used to approximate the overall deadtime. In one embodiment the stored information is assumed to be the data obtained from a second-order response having a 10:1 time constant ratio and is used to find the assumed second-order time constants which are used to find the first-order time constant.

Abstract: Circuitry for transforming a transfer function characteristic into a specified input impedance includes: a hybrid arrangement having input, transmit, receive and balance ports; and a two-port network connected from the transmit to receive ports of the hybrid. The relation between the input impedance at the input port to the network transfer function is expressible as a function of the actual impedance seen looking into the two-wire input port of the hybrid, and the desired impedance to be simulated.

Abstract: Multiple heaters are calibrated and controlled by a microcomputer, and a multiplexer of this system. The heaters are sequentially sampled and resistance calculated from voltage and current measurements. The operator enters a temperature for the calculated resistance to establish a calibrated resistance value. During run, the computer energizes and samples each heater to calculate its resistance. The calculated resistance is divided by the calibrated resistance to determine a resistance ratio. A look-up table is stored in the computer having resistance ratios for corresponding temperatures. The computer compares the calculated ratio to that of the look-up table to determine actual heater temperatures. Based upon heater temperatures, the computer controls energization of the heaters until set points are achieved.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a product to a plurality of workpieces having a variety of sizes and shapes. An imager captures an image of each workpiece and develops image signals which a systems controller and a processor use to regulate delivery of a product to each workpiece. The apparatus reduces overspray and waste while providing coverage of each workpiece by the product.

Abstract: The program for a numerical control device for controlling a numerically controlled lathe includes translation commands for translating the tool and the machining mode switching commands for switching between the normal mode by which only the tool is translated and the Swiss mode by which both the tool and the work are translated. A machining program analyzer unit analyses the program commands into translation commands and the machining mode switching commands. In response to the machining mode switching commands, the interpolation data generator unit converts the commands for translating the tool two-dimensionally into translation data for the tool along a first axis and a translation data for the work along a second axis. Thus, the programming for the machine tool capable of operating both in the normal and the Swiss mode is made easier.

Abstract: A dynamic trip level setting apparatus is described for changing the comparison ratio with which products are optically sorted using first and second reflectance color values. The reflectance ratio for each image sorted is supplied to a RAM to update the RAM's memory. The dynamic values in the RAM are periodically employed to update a color sensitivity factor supplied to a battery-backed RAM. The battery-backed RAM value is employed in a logic device employing an algorithm and produces a variable output against which the ratio of "breaker" products (neither above a first color acceptance level nor below a second color reject level) is compared to produce a reject signal when the comparison results in an output indicating reject is appropriate.

Abstract: A device for distributing pressurized water to a plurality of sprinkler lines is provided. The valve and valve control portions are centralized, and thus no electrical connection to remote locations is required. The valve system is modular so as to permit addition or deletion of modules for adding or removing control of sprinkler lines. A stepper motor and cam shaft system permits expenditure of energy only during change-of-state events, so that no electrical energy need be consumed to maintain a watering state. A generator which produces electrical energy from the pressure head of a pressurized water source provides electrical energy for operating a motor and a motor controller, such as a device including a microprocessor.

Abstract: A plurality of parameter-sets, the components of which are parameter items for determining a machining method, are provided, stored in advance. The Most suitable machining method is determined for a subject workpiece by allowing an operator to select the most suitable parameter-set from among the plurality of the parameter-sets used in to determining the machining method.

Abstract: A document control and audit apparatus to monitor, control and audit documents printed by a non-impact printer for detecting missing pages, duplicate pages, and double or multiple pages. The document control and audit apparatus ensures that the proper number and sequence of pages or forms are included in a printed report or document and maintains detailed information of the contents of the individual documents, thereby providing a real time record or account and final record of the activities which occurred during the printing process. The document control and audit apparatus includes a video camera and a number of optical sensors for sensing the location and position of the pages as the pages pass through the document control and audit apparatus.

Abstract: A memory accessing system for vector data processed, or to be processed, by a vector processing apparatus comprising plural vector processing units, each unit performing vector data processing for a corresponding portion of vector data elements, the elements being ordered and the vector data processing being carried out in the order of the elements. The system comprises plural memory access units corresponding to the plural vector processing units, each thereof accessing a predetermined portion of the elements of vector data in a main memory.

Abstract: A method of controlling operation of a loom machine by a computer equipped with a data input unit incorporating a display imparted with a function for generating a first list of weaving conditions at least for a weft insertion apparatus and a function for generating an alteration confirmation list when the conditions in the first list are altered. Upon inputting of data representing a desired fabric parameter, weaving conditions corresponding to the fabric parameter are selected from those previously stored in the computer, whereupon the selected weaving conditions are displayed in the first list. Before the selected weaving conditions are validated for controlling the loom operation, a confirmation list is again displayed for allowing the weaving conditions to be altered. When altered, the updated list containing the altered conditions is again generated for confirmation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing a capture of a long contiguous chain of data bus cycles for the memory system of a data processing system with memory units that alternate between real time capture of segments of the chain of data bus cycles and processing of the data bus signals in the captured segments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a diagnosis system of a numerical control system (CNC) for monitoring an internal state of the CNC, wherein a processor (11) of the CNC acts as a host processor, and a diagnostic processor (1) monitors the processor (11) for the CNC or other processors (18a, 24) in a usual CNC operation mode, and the diagnostic processor (1) executes software for diagnosing the processor (11) for the CNC and the other processors (18a, 24), as the host processor, to detect a cause of malfunction of the CNC, whereby the time required for a normal operation is shortened, when a malfunction occurs, and the operational reliability is thus improved.

Abstract: A noncontact tracing control system for tracing machining a workpiece through a tracing of the contour of a model without contact. Coordinate values of a plurality of points on the model surface are acquired from measured values obtained by a plurality of times of sampling from two noncontact distance detectors (5a, 5b) provided at a tracer head of a tracing machine (3). A noncontact tracing control system (1) selects three points forming a triangle closest to an equilateral triangle, from among these points. A normal vector is acquired using the coordinate values of the vertices of these three points and outputs a command (SC) for rotating the tracer head (4) in the direction of a projection of this normal vector onto the X-Y plane. This command (SC) passes a D/A converter (17c), is amplified at an amplifier (18c), drives a motor (32c) and rotates the tracer head (4).

Abstract: A process for forming a prosthesis related to bone structure internal to a body using CT scan data corresponding to the radiological density of the bone structure to derive the inner and outer bone surface contours. The density and the density gradient of discrete points in the bone structure is compared to threshold density levels and to threshold density gradient levels and points are selected to form a series of interim outer contours. A contour shape factor is derived for each interim outer contour, and that interim contour is chosen in which the contour shape factor is maximum denoting less fluctuations in the contour circumference. The bone surface contour data is used to develop a graphic model from which a set of digital data is generated for a surface model representing the graphic model. A set of numerical control machine instructions are generated to make the prosthesis.

Abstract: An integrator circuit is connected to a capacitor that is to be measured and the capacitor driven by a read pulse. A first switch grounds the integrator input between read pulses and a second switch applies a bias input to the integrator. The bias is selected so that the integrator is active and its output high. Then, during the read pulse interval, the integrator will hold its input close to ground so that the capacitor to be measured will transfer a maximum charge to the integrator feedback capacitor. Additionally, the stray capacitance at the integrator input has little effect and the output will be a strong function of the value of the capacitor to be measured. The circuit has application in capacitor measurement and is useful as a ferroelectric memory preamplifier which acts to amplify the difference in capacitance produced by the polarization state of a ferroelectric memory capacitor. A CMOS preferred embodiment is disclosed in the form of a memory sense preamplifier.

Abstract: An apparatus for machining a non-circular workpiece such as a piston wherein a tool is moved back and forth against the workpiece in accordance with profile data defining a desired final shape of the workpiece while the workpiece is rotated at a predetermined speed. The tool is moved by a composite movement of a linear motor driven in accordance with low frequency command values, and a piezoelectric actuator driven in accordance with high frequency command values. A numerical controller of the apparatus calculates the low frequency command values using a first Fourier series and the high frequency command values using a second Fourier series. Coefficients of the first and second Fourier series are determined using least square method in such a way that errors contained in the low and high frequency command values becomes within a predetermined limit.