Abstract: A table top image based document processing machine and methods of using it. The machine is used in conjunction with a host computer like a PC. The machine includes a document track, a programmable transport mechanism for moving the document bi-directionally within the track, front and back imagers for imaging the front and rear of the document, front and back printers for endorsing data on the front and the back of the document, a magnetic card reader module, an encryption module and a MICR printer for encoding MICR data on the front of the document, for example. The machine in conjunction with the PC can be used for generating Logos, creating checks, performing remittance processing, imaging and reading checks, truncation processing, lockbox operations, and the usual bank teller operations.

Abstract: The CAD/CAM device includes a layer table 9 tabulating the layers each including the attributes 18 for the layer and the other-layers referencing information 19 for other layers. By establishing correspondence from the figure elements, the three-dimensional curves, and the three-dimensional forms to respective layer data, the figure elements, the three-dimensional curves and the three-dimensional forms are maintained hierarchically via the layer table 9. Further, the respective layer data are given hierarchical name 17. By designating a work layer at the root of a hierarchical tree data structure, all the information necessary for the generation of the NC data can be retrieved.

Abstract: A machining region which is determined from an inputted before-machining shape and an inputted after-machining shape is divided and the divided machining regions are united to form a united machining region. An optimum machining process is obtained by selecting an optimum combination of the machining regions based on parameters set in advance, and determining a machining method for the united machining region.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a press brake is advantageously employable for a press brake for which a high operational efficiency and a high working accuracy are required. In response to inputting of working conditions inclusive of a target bending angle for a plate, the apparatus calculates displacement of a load active on a stationary table and a movable table, automatically calculates a quantity of crowning to be adjusted based on results derived from the foregoing calculation and then calculates the present position assumed by the movable in additional consideration of the quantity of crowning to be adjusted, based on results derived from the aforementioned calculations. The press brake accurately bends the plate based on the thus derived quantity of crowing to be adjusted and the present position assumed by the movable table without an occurrence of malfunction of so-called intermediate opening of the bent plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a heating temperature, especially for heating a resin in a injection mold machine, a extruder and the like, includes a control device for controlling a heating means and the state of a heated barrel and a condition compensating device for issuing a compensation input to the heaters respectively in response to a reset of the control device, depending on the kinds of resin materials and molding conditions so as to prevent insufficient moldability in the injection mold machine and a deterioration of resin.

Abstract: An improved irrigation controller of solid state design utilizes a microcomputer which retains and executes a watering schedule input by a user through data input means. A rain delay push button may be pressed a number of times to suspend operation of the watering schedule for a number of days equal to the number of times the button is pressed. A blinking LED will indicate the remaining days in the rain delay period to the user. In addition, the controller includes an LCD display which normally displays the current day and time, but which will temporarily display a new irrigation parameter being input into the schedule by manipulation of one of the data input means. The controller also includes a self test feature in which the watering schedule execution is suspended and the operability of various controller components is verified.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for preventing the runaway of the integral term of a proportional integral differential controller which is usable in a feedback system. An error signal is supplied to the controller by the feedback system. The controller produces a control variable output signal from the error signal. In accordance with the invention, the controller imposes a slew rate limit on the control variable output signal. Also in accordance with the invention, whenever the controller attempts to drive the control variable output signal to exceed the slew rate limit, the integral term associated with the controller is adjusted to a value which forces the control variable output signal to its slew rate limited value. In this manner, runaway of the integral term associated with the controller is desirably avoided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel pump control system for controlling fuel dispensers through a PC-based POS terminal. The system includes a printed circuit board which can be inserted in an expansion slot in the PC for controlling the fuel dispensers. The system uses a microprocessor with read-only-memory and read-and-write-memory. A series of commands are stored in the ROM for controlling the dispensers during the fueling process. A configuration circuit translates and configures the communication protocol of the pump control system and the communication protocol of the dispensers allowing them to interact. Response data from the dispenser during the fueling process is stored in the RAM. The pump control system is interfaced to the POS application software in the POS. In a preferred embodiment, the flow of data between the microprocessor in the pump controller and the microprocessor in the PC-based POS is controlled by a terminate-stay-resident driver.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for performing neighborhood processing operations on an n dimensional processing plane. In a simple, two dimensional, example, an M by N processing plane is successively scanned by rows. The output information from each row is presented on column lines. The analog data resulting from a fixed number of successive scans are temporarily held in a multi-stage analog buffer. A computing array is configured to perform the neighborhood operations or other limited co-operand operations on the shifted data. The computing array examines information from a slice made up of selected numbers of successive rows of the entire array, performs the operations on that portion, and provides a series of output signals representative of the result.

Abstract: A numerical control apparatus for controlling a numerical lathe has a superimposing Z-axis control function in which, when a work is machined by the control of movement of a tool holder in the Z2- and X2-axis directions driving movement of a spindle in the Z1-axis direction, the variance of the position of the spindle in the Z1-axis direction as detected by a Z1-axis position detector is added to the value derived from a Z2-axis position detector which detects the position of the tool holder in the Z2-axis direction, and the position of the second tool holder in the Z2-axis direction is controlled using the result of the addition as the feedback value of the Z2-axis position of the second tool holder.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for converting low-level stitch-by-stitch numerical control code embroidery design programs into an outline format which can be edited and modified to generate new design patterns which may be converted back to either stitch-by-stitch numerical control codes or a condensed data format.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating numerical control information which is supplied with data on a shape of a workpiece for each machining step and which generates the numerical control information based on the shape data for each machining step includes: a judging section for judging, based on the operation type of a changed machining process to be inputted in order to change a previously stored machining step, whether or not it is necessary to regenerate the shape data for each changed machining step and a regenerating section for regenerating the shape data for each changed machining step on a basis of the result of the judgement by the judging section and the previously stored shape data for each machining step.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for synthesizing waveforms includes digital circuitry (12) designed to provide a predetermined pulse train of data over a serial line (16), such that, when the pulse train is filtered, a synthesized waveform is produced which approaches an ideal analog waveform.

Abstract: In a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus of a type wherein a magnetic disk having a magnetic recording layer formed on a rigid substrate is rotated at a high speed and magnetic recording and reproduction are conducted by the magnetic head disposed on the surface of the disk, the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus being characterized in that the magnetic recording and reproducing are conducted by the magnetic head which is caused to fly from the magnetic disk at at least an area of the outermost cylinder of the magnetic disk and is caused to be substantially in contact with the surface of magnetic disk at at least an innermost cylinder of the magnetic disk.

Abstract: An adaptive control system uses a neural network to provide adaptive control when the plant is operating within a normal operating range, but shifts to other types of control as the plant operating conditions move outside of the normal operating range. The controller uses a structure which allows the neural network parameters to be determined from minimal information about plant structure and the neural network is trained on-line during normal plant operation. The resulting system can be proven to be stable over all possible conditions. Further, with the inventive techniques, the tracking accuracy can be controlled by appropriate network design.

Abstract: An automated paint-batching system for producing paint cans of any size and color. The system includes a plurality of paint-batching cells, with each cell having a machine comprised of either one or two dispensing stations. When two dispensing stations are used, the two dispensing stations are: A first tint-station, where a small volumetric dispensing of the base, water-base or oil-base, of the paint is dispensed, in order to wet the bottom of the can, at which first station, thereafter, is dispensed all of the liquid colorants making up the formula of the paint can, at which the remainder of the base of the formula of the paint is dispensed, and a second base-dispensing station. Each of the first and second stations of the paint-batching machine of the invention has operatively associated therewith a weighing platform upon which rests the paint can during the dispensing at the respective station used in quality-control weighing of each dispensing.

Abstract: A mailing machine base adapted to have a postage meter mounted thereon, wherein the meter has a postage printing drum having a home position, and the base comprising, structure for moving the drum, a d.c. motor for driving the drum moving structure, a microprocessor, a power switch connected between the d.c. motor and microprocessor for driving the d.c. motor, a power switch connected between the d.c. motor and microprocessor for dynamically braking the d.c. motor, a comparator connected between the microprocessor and d.c. motor for receiving therefrom a signal corresponding to the back e.m.f. voltage thereof and providing a comparison signal to the microprocessor, and the microprocessor programmed for, energizing the braking switch for a first time interval predetermined to cause the d.c.

Abstract: According to this invention, a rolled sheet rolled by a reduction roll of a rolling mill is divided into a plurality of areas in a direction of its width, and sheet flatness or thickness values are measured in the plurality of areas. Bending forces, leveling value, shift amounts, and the like applied, by actuators respectively arranged at drive and work sides of the reduction roll, from the drive and work sides of the reduction roll are calculated in accordance with the sheet flatness or thickness measurement values and influence coefficients of the actuators. The actuators on the drive and work sides of the reduction roll are independently operated in accordance with these operation amounts.

Abstract: A serial comparator for comparing serially input data values with an internal data value in order to determine a command implementation requirement, having NOR gates for logic-adding two input data under the control of an output value obtained through an exclusive NOR gate, an inverter and a NAND gate, two latching circuits for latching the output from the NOR gate, two inverters for inverting the outputs from the latching circuits, and a NOR gate for outputting the equivalent value out of the inverted outputs from the two inverters, to output the lowermost bit value as a feedback to the NAND gate so as to output the uppermost address bit value. Accordingly, even in the case where the bit numbers of the input data and the internal data are variable, the operating characteristic becomes adapted to the semiconductor in which the input or output is carried out serially.

Abstract: A compact-disc digital audio player is described in which a user can store preferred selections on selected discs in a memory. The player can identify the disc from the subcode on the disc and can read the corresponding preferred selection out of the memory to play this preferred selection.