Abstract: A parallel architecture matrix algebraic processing system exhibits patterns of arrayed (i) light transmitters and (ii) light receivers that are identical, but at differing scales. Planar arrays of one or more optoelectronic processors--principally semiconductor chips or chip arrays--having both computational and light input/output capabilities optically communicate from one plane to the next through free-space space-invariant optical data distributions--principally lenses and computer-generated holograms--having both replication and distribution capabilities. Each optoelectronic processor, or OP, consists of a number of arrayed optoelectronic processing elements, or OPEs. The OPEs, in turn, typically consist of a number of optoelectronic sub-processing units are preferably electrically interconnected in a tree-based structure, preferably an H-tree. Leaf units include typically one light detector plus local memory, logic circuitry, and electrical input/output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a machine. The method includes providing a control panel having a plurality of control switches and respectively associated illumination means, identifying by illumination which of the control switches are selectable for control at any given moment; and choosing an operation by selecting one of the control switches whose associated illumination means is illuminated. The apparatus includes a controller and software for controlling a machine. Control switches and associated illumination means are operatively connected to the controller. Selectable switches are identified by illumination of the illumination means associated with the selectable switches.

Abstract: A programmable controller stores and executes a directed sequencer program that responds to the status of input devices and controls a machine having actuators which move a member into a plurality of positions along a linear axis. An apparatus for programming the controller to execute the directed sequencer program comprises a manual data entry device and a monitor for displaying information to a user of the programmable controller. The programming apparatus enables the user to create a graphical behavior profile on the monitor which depicts operation of the machine when the member is in each position. The user also is able to designate whether each of the actuators is to be activated when the member is located at each of the positions, and the status of each input device when the member is located at each of the positions. A indication of one of the plurality of positions at which the member causes the controller to send a signal to the output also is displayed on the monitor.

Abstract: A Gate valve is controlled in a Sewage Regulator by incorporating a Hydraulic System, a Programmable Logic Controller, and a Level or Depth Measuring device. By using this method, setpoint control can be utilized and the setpoint readily changed and verified. Also it is possible to display information and input setpoint changes via an operator interface without means of programming device. Communications to a Serial Printer can also be achieved by connecting to the Serial communications port of the PLC, this allows a hard copy of the information on alarms or other relevant data. Control of other external devices can also be achieved by suitably programing the PLC to manipulate the various outputs of the Contact Output Module to automatically control a Sampling Device or other such equipment which responds to a Contact closure, Pulsed Signal, or voltage output.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is designed by determined the devices comprising the integrated circuit and determining the desired parameters for each device. A flow of process steps is determined and the 1-D and 2-D simulations are performed on the process flow. The process steps are modified until the simulations determine that the desired parameters are met.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing a correction to a flow control signal to a flow control valve in a ventilator system. The correction component sums the errors in the flow rate actually delivered as compared with the desired flow rate for each control interval in a breath with the sum of past errors corresponding to control intervals in past breaths to generate a corrected command flow signal to the flow control valve.

Abstract: An improved system for tuning process control equipment applies a load change of amplitude .delta.q to the process to effect a change in it and, therefore, in the controlled variable. Monitoring the response of the controller to that change, the system identifies an observed overshoot, OVS.sub.o, in the manipulated variable signal. From that overshoot signal and a predetermined theoretical overshoot signal, OVS.sub..tau., the system generates an optimum gain, K.sub.opt, as a function of the mathematical expression K.sub.opt =K*(1+OVS.sub..tau.)/(1+OVS.sub.o), where K is the current gain of the automatic control subsection, OVS.sub.o is the observed overshoot, and OVS.sub..tau. is the predetermined overshoot.

Abstract: A switch reconfigures a plurality of closed loop systems by the introduction of an element or sub-closed loop system into the closed loop system while maintaining the closed loop format of the systems not receiving the element or sub-closed loop system. This switch includes an input and output associated with the element or sub-closed loop system and a plurality of input and output pairs, each pair being associated with a distinct closed loop system. The switch, in response to control signals, connects an input from one of the closed loop systems to the output associated with the element or sub-closed loop system. The switch also connects the input associated with the element or sub-closed loop system to the output associated with the input of the system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a digitizing method of sensing an amount of displacement of each axis applied to a stylus by a tracer head, profiling a model surface while controlling the stylus in such a manner that the amount of displacement is made equal to a reference amount of displacement, sequentially fetching positional data by a predetermined method, and outputting NC data, wherein a difference between the amount of displacement and the reference amount of displacement is monitored, and the difference is added to the positional data and a specific positional data obtained when the difference exceeds a predetermined value is output. Although the amount of displacement of each axis is controlled to be equal to the reference amount of displacement when a gently inclined configuration is profiled, at the moment when a corner is reached, a phenomenon that the stylus is spaced apart from a model arises so that the difference between the amount of displacement and the reference amount of displacement is increased.

Abstract: In a machining simulation system, reading from a shape memory in place of a graphic memory is effected synchronizing with scanning of a display device because of a material shape being held in the shape memory. The step of graphic memory depiction can be omitted by a cross-section display circuit for generating video signals. The animation picture can be speeded up regardless of a processing capability of a CPU. Further, data structures of the material and tool shapes are relatively simple. Hence, a change of the material shape can be speeded up irrespective of the CPU processing capability due to a shape change circuit for effecting a comparative arithmetic operation by directly reading the material shape from the shape memory and the tool shape from the pattern memory.

Abstract: An improved high resolution method and apparatus are described for sensing and determining the spatial coordinates of a movable object with respect to a energized conductive surface. The coordinates of the object are precisely measured with respect to a two-dimensional coordinate system independent of the third orthogonal dimension, thereby avoiding significant measurement errors due to variations of the object position in the third orthogonal dimension. The system also ascertains the coordinate position of the object in this third dimension, which can then be utilized as an independent control variable in the system. Further, the system can accommodate a number of energized conductive surfaces over which the object may be positioned and can determine the spatial coordinates of the object with respect to any such surface.

Abstract: A control system is proposed which is integrated in a single housing and is designed for a numerically controlled machine. The control system comprises a PC board which includes an input device, a processor, a memory, and a PC bus; a plurality of CNC boards, each including a processor, a memory, and a CNC bus; a common control-system bus connected to the CNC bus of each CNC board; and a PC matching circuit provided between the control-system bus and the PC bus. The matching circuit includes a read-write memory, an address multiplexer, a bidirectional data multiplexer, and a control circuit, which depending on the control signals on the control lines of the control-system bus and the PC bus, drives the address multiplexer, the bi-directional data multiplexer, and the read-write memory such that by the control-system bus and also by the PC bus, data can be written into and read out from the read-write memory under desired addresses.

Abstract: An interactive type automatic programming method which facilitates the detection of errors in a part program and permits only a required portion of the modified/edited part program to be re-executed. First, part program statements are displayed on a screen, and every time the operator inputs a one statement execution command (S4) a programming system executes one program statement and displays the result of the execution on the screen (S6, S7). When an executed part program statement is found to be erroneous, the operator inputs a modification command (S5), moves the cursor to specify the program statement to be modified, inputs a program modification command (S13, S15), and then corrects the program statement. In response to an operator's input of a re-execution command (S18), the programming system re-executes only a required portion of the part program beginning with the modified part program statement and ending with a part program statement to be executed next (S19).

Abstract: In a method for simulating the machining of workpieces on lathes utilizing a data processor, the unmachined contour of the workpiece to be machined, the finished contour of the workpiece and the contour of the tool are shown two-dimensionally on the screen. The path of movement of a defined tool reference point according to a machining program is shown. The part of the cutting edge of the tool intended to do the cutting is defined. The area traversed by this part of the cutting edge during each machining feed is outlined and made recognisable by a pattern in such a way that lines and patterns that already exist remain visible.

Abstract: A table bender controller employing a computerized display screen with the computer therefor being programmed to take keyed-in entry of customer provided bar shape specifications, whether entered by the machine operator at the machine location or from corresponding specification input data downloaded from a remote location input terminal, which specifications are in terms of a finished dimension of the bent bar profile along with the diameter of the bar to be bent and the bend degrees and directions of bend to produce the required shape, all of which either after key-in or downloading is called up in graphical display on the screen in a visual profile corresponding to that to be bent with appropriate machine and bar set instructions for producing such shape, including bending sequence, dimensions, gage marks, pin sizes and ram location for each of the component bends in the sequence.

Abstract: The present invention provides an NC system (apparatus and method) for updating a machining program having more than one teaching mode. The present invention enables a machine operator to selectively replace blocks of the preexisting machining program with machine code data produced in one of the teaching modes during use of the machine. The teaching modes are changeable between an automatic teaching mode, a manual mode and an a manual data input (MDI) teaching mode. After the operation of the machine in one of the teaching modes is complete, the machining program is updated and stored. Thus, the machining program can be updated with minimal effort by the operator.

Abstract: A numerically controlled lathe capable of machining a workpiece by numerically controlling a machining table provided with a machining tool. In order to prevent a local uneven abrasion of parts, which make a sliding contact, due to a mass production of workpieces having a simple form or a machining in a non-circular shape, there are provided a main carriage and a sub carriage. A machining tool is positioned on the sub carriage, and the sub carriage traverses on the main carriage along an axis which the main carriage and the sub carriage have in common. When a circular machining is carried out, the main carriage and the sub carriage respectively traverse by an equal amount in directions opposite to each other, and the cutting tool is constantly maintained at a position designated by an instruction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a plant operation supporting method whereby a body of simulation data simulating the data admitted from a plant in error state is used along with a previously prepared body of knowledge to simulate various modes of plant operation and to have appropriate operation guides displayed for verification of the knowledge.

Abstract: A system and method for compensating for torque overshoot in a rotary power tool wherein the tool is shut off at an adjusted set point value of torque which is below the target value of torque by the amount of torque overshoot. While the tool is operated to perform a fastening job, the relationship between the torque rate in the fastening job to overshoot in the tool is determined, the torque rate in the job is monitored while the tool is setting the job, and the torque set point is adjusted while the tool is setting the job to compensate for the torque overshoot determined from the foregoing relationship.

Abstract: A diagnostic system and method for detecting retardation of a object controlled by a programmable controller. The system may include a microprocessor system with a keyboard, a printer, a memory card, and a telecommunications line which is connected to one or more programmable controllers. This system reads operational commands and signals, representing the completion of an operation, through the telecommunications line. If any retardation occurs, the diagnostic system fetches a series of operation commands, and identifies the logical address where retardation occurs.