Abstract: In a system for blending of streams having various flow rates, various concentrations of a selected material, and various transport times from a point where measurements are taken to a mixing tank containing the blended product, signals representative of flow rates and concentrations are continually established for a plurality of streams. These signals are processed in a supervisory computer which provides a calculated control signal to manipulate the concentration of one of the stream being blended in such a manner that a predetermined desired concentration of a selected material is achieved for the blended product.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an expert knowledge system developmental tool 50 comprising a computer 52 with a structure for storing a knowledge base 54 and an inference engine 56 for inferring from the knowledge base 54. The knowledge base 54 defines a plurality of positive and negative rules 402,410, each rule having one or more antecedents 302 and one conclusion 328. The interference engine 56 includes structure 100 for storing a hypothesis list and structure 100 for selecting rules that have a conclusion which match each hypothesis and the negative of each hypothesis. Further, the inference engine 56 includes structure 116-150 for analyzing the selected rules 402, 410 with respect to each other in order to determine a value of each hypothesis, and structure 162-184 for analyzing the antecedent 302 of each rule to determine a value for each rule 402, 410.

Abstract: When a robot system has a program module group within a central control unit for performing required program processing, the associated portions of the robot, and a plurality of peripheral control modules for controlling the associated portions of the robot, a communication module is provided to perform communication between the modules. In the system there is provided with a queue buffer for sequentially storing the present status information, a source module name, and the message. The communication module monitors transmission from the respective module, stores a message in the queue buffer, forms a transmit request list, sequentially receives the destination module name and the message in accordance with a reception procedure of the source module, and stores the source name module and the message in the queue buffer in accordance with the destination module.

Abstract: A neural-simulating system for an image processing system includes a plurality of networks arranged in a plurality of layers, the output signals of ones of the layers provide input signals to the others of the layers. Each of the plurality of layers include a plurality of neurons operating in parallel on the input signals to the layers. The plurality of neurons within a layer are arranged in groups. Each of the neurons within a group operates in parallel on the input signals. Each neuron within a group of neurons operates to extract a specific feature of an area of the image being processed. Each of the neurons derives output signals from the input signals representing the relative weight of the input signal applied thereto based upon a continuously differential transfer function for each function.

Abstract: An electric signal converter utilizes a processing unit to establish a polynomial of n terms, each term being a power of the signal at the input terminal of the processor multiplied by an appropriate coefficient. Feedback of the input signal to the processor raised to the nth power through a multiplier, wherein an input signal to the converter is multiplied by the feedback signal and the product coupled to the input of the processor, provides signals at the output of the processor which establish the polynomial as a series of terms wherein each term is the signal at the input of the converter raised to a fractional power.

Abstract: A controller retrieves from memory a series of discrete end effector positions consisting of location and orientation of the end effector. Joint angle values are computed in real time corresponding to intermediate points along the path in a manner which provides smooth end effector motion, avoids the problems of singularities and efficiently accommodates kinematic redundancy. In particular, end effector reorientation between successive goal points is smoothly accomplished by rotating the end effector about the eigenvector of the two successive end effector orientations.

Abstract: The present invention is a non-linear genetic algorithm for problem solving. The iterative process of the present invention operates on a population of problem solving entities. First, the activated entities perform, producing results. Then the results are assigned values and associated with the producing entity. Next, entities having relatively high associated values are selected. The selected entities perform either crossover, reproduction, or permutation operations. Lastly, the newly created entities are added to the population.

Abstract: The control and protection assembly according to the invention comprises several channel units, for example a motor channel unit, a jack channel unit and an inputs-outputs channel unit, directly connected to the process to be controlled, each unit comprising a microprocessor preprogrammed so as to perform control, decentralized protection and monitoring of the associated channels. Each unit is connected to an electrical power supply system and to an internal serial network. A connecting unit acts as interface between the internal serial network and a local area communication network. The configuration and parameter setting information relevant to the process to be controlled is supplied to the various units by means of a console connected to the connecting unit.

Abstract: A plant control system having a plant operation simulator, including an actual plant operation control system and a controller for controlling a simulation of a plant operation in a state that at least a partial function of the actual plant operation control system is off-line. The plant operation control system includes a controller for controlling the plant operation, a process input-output device, a central processing device, an operation desk and a data transmission device.

Abstract: The system described is a computer controlled electropolisher designed to generate the characteristic electropolishing curve and display the data in real time for a given set of conditions. The operator-to-system interface is achieved through menu-driven software which is designed to be user-friendly at all levels of operation. Computer programming skills are not required to operate the system. There are four main program available to the operator from the system main menu. These programs allow the operator to become familiar with the system and its capabilities, access the material and electrolyte libraries, perform an electropolishing experiment under computer control, and recall data from the system data base for analysis, comparison, and graphic presentation.

Abstract: The control system is programmable by the user by inserting a preprogrammed key into the system console. The key changes the default values normally used by the control system to those values selected by a particular surgeon. The control console thus emulates the performance characteristics of a wide variety of different types of microsurgical control systems, leaving the surgeon free to perform the operation without having to adjust to a new or unfamilar system. The display screen is self-illuminating and provides a plurality of control menus generated by data stored in computer memory circuits. By bank switching the memory circuits, the display can be caused to appear in a wide variety of different languages.

Abstract: A control system has a detecting block for obtaining a detected signal corresponding to a controlled variable of a controlled system, and a controlling block for supplying the controlled system with a control signal according to the detected signal. The controlling block includes an error signal producing block for producing an error signal from the detected signal at intervals of a detecting period of time, a memorizing block for storing a plurality of memorized values corresponding to the error signal, and a control signal producing block for producing the control signal by mixing the error signal with one or more of the memorized values. The memorizing block renews the memorized values sequentially and periodically at intervals of a renewing cycle period of time proportional to the detecting period, each with a mixed value computed from the error signal and one or more of the memorized values having been renewed at intervals of L renewing cycle periods, where L is an integer at least equal to 2.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting errors in convolutional code signals prior to Viterbi decoding. Branch metrics in the decoding of n-PSK convolution code signals are used to obtain a differential metric with calculations in both the logical and arithmetic domain. The differential metric is used to obtain a phase error signal which includes information on the quality of the convolution code signals, and control signals for the resolution of phase ambiguity in the demodulation of the convolution code signals are obtained using the phase error signal, such that an improvement in the bit error rate and synchronization is made possible, in particular in decoders for error-correctable convolution code signals. The phase error signal is produced when, over a predetermined time period the differential metric is less than a given threshold value or is decreasing, so as to indicate an error in the demodulated convolution signal over such time period and therefore the probable presence of a phase error.

Abstract: A control apparatus including a plurality of loads for processing, a controller for controlling operation of the loads, the controller including a first memory having a microprogram stored therein to operate the loads sequentially, a second memory for storing data to be used during control of the loads, means for repeatedly generating a pulse during execution of the microprogram, and an output port for outputting the pulse. The controller is operable to output the pulse repeatedly from the output port during intervals of normal execution of the microprogram. An initializer is further provided to detect the pulse outputted from the output port, and for designating the controller as abnormal if the pulse from the output port is not detected within a predetermined period of time. To prevent the apparatus from operating erroneously, the controller initiates execution of its microprogram in response to initialization by the initializer and clears the data stored in its second memory.

Abstract: A potentiometer is driven by one of the serpentine arm assemblies used to maintain apron tension during formation of a round bale so that the output of the potentiometer continuously provides an indication of the size of a bale being formed in the baler. A microprocessor based control circuit senses the output of the potentiometer, converts it to a digital value, and compares the digital value with a value representing a desired bale size. When the two values are equal, the microprocessor computes the number of revolutions of a net feed roll that is required to wrap the bale a preselected number of times, energizes the net feed roll mechanism to feed net into the bale forming chamber, and counts the revolutions of the net feed roll. When the required amount of net has been dispensed, the microprocessor stops the net feed roll and activates a mechanism to cut the net. The size of a "full bale" is selected by actuating keys on a control panel.

Abstract: Each of several, typically three, microprocessorcontrolled modular electronic timers is selectably electrically pluggable to each of several, typically four, custom packaged modular switches. Each modular switch contains an indentical switch circuit that selectively implements the SPST through 4PST, the DPDT, or the DPST switch function. Each modular timer variously provides eight on/off events, either upon five weekdays and upon two weekend days, or upon individual days. Each modular timer may skip timed events during a one to seven day period. An astronomical timer generates an on/off signal at local sunrise and sunset without reference to ambient light conditions. Each timer is readily programmed, and toggled in its on/off signal state, by pushbutton switches. A comprehensive display shows current programmed data and on/off signal status. Each modular switch typically has two pairs of relays that are oppositely controlled.

Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for automatically adjusting the command signal of a servomechanism, to improve the accuracy of control over the motion of an object. In one embodiment, the command signal is advanced in time, to compensate for the delayed response of the servo. The time advance is repeatedly and automatically adjusted so as to minimize the magnitude of the tracking error. Each adjustment of the time advance is based on the value of a sampled error signal, taken at selected points in time. Other parameters of the command signal, such as the amplitude and average level, can also be adjusted, and the adjustments for all parameters can be done simultaneously. For a given parameter, the error signal is sampled at those points at which misadjustment of that parameter is most likely to contribute to the error of the system. Thus, in general, different parameters of the command signal are adjusted based on different sets of sampled points of the signal.

Abstract: A computer software architecture and operating method for an expert system that performs rule-based reasoning as well as a quantitative analysis, based on information provided by the user during a user session, and provides an expert system recommendation embodying the results of the quantitative analysis are disclosed. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the expert system includes the important optional feature of modifying its reasoning process upon finding the quantitative analysis results unacceptable in comparison to predetermined acceptance criteria.

Abstract: Responses of subsurface formations adjacent a well borehole are obtained from a number of types of well logs. The well logs typically include a resistivity log, a gamma ray log, a density log, a neutron log and an induction or electromagnetic wave log. Parameters of interest are determined in evaluating whether the subsurface formations are of interest for petroleum contents by a non-linear programming technique based on the log responses obtained. The parameters of interest are maintained self-consistent, i.e. their contribution to log measurements is based on the same value for the parameter in its effect on each log in which they produce a response.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for correcting errors in data which has, as a unit, (n+k+m+l) symbols subjected to the processing for the error correction coding when data consisting of different kinds of n symbols and m symbols is transmitted as a unit. This error correcting apparatus comprises: a first decoder to which (n+k) symbols are supplied and which generates a first flag signal indicative of the error state by at least performing the error detection; and a second decoder to which the (n+k) symbols corrected by the first decoder and the (m+l) symbols received are supplied and which generates a second flag signal representing the error state by performing the error detection and performs the error correction using the first and second flag signals.