Abstract: A conceptual decision analysis tool for production release planning displays management parameters and objectives and prompts the user to define priorities. This encourages the user to plan based on management criteria. The user keys in the priorities and the system automatically analyzes the impact of planned release on the manufacturing process using a simulation process and re-evaluates the order release priorities and sequence. This capability is used before any order is actually released to manufacturing. The system also provides the capability of analyzing the impact of the orders even after the user pre-sets priorities to release certain orders. The system calculates the revised sequence and produces impact statements on such management criteria as manufacturing throughput, work-in-process inventory and cycle time.

Abstract: A process for shading paint to match the color of a standard paint which process involves the use of the determination of the theoretical dry color values of the paint being manufactured and the addition of the appropriate amounts of the components of the paint which must be added to provide a final dry color which falls within the prescribed color tolerance.

Abstract: The control loop instability detection and correction apparatus monitors an error signal produced by a control system to detect any instability in the control loop before the instability significantly affects the performance of the controlled apparatus. This is accomplished by monitoring the error signal to detect a change in the error signal greater than a predetermined limit and to tabulate the number of times the change in the error signal is in excess of the predetermined limit over a fixed period of time. Whenever the change in the error signal is in excess of the predetermined limit, it is reduced in magnitude to a predetermined value and this resultant signal is applied to the controlled apparatus in place of the originally generated error signal. In addition during each sampling time interval, the result of this comparison is used to increment or decrement a counter.

Abstract: There is a control apparatus using a plurality of microcomputers for controlling an apparatus. This control apparatus comprises a first microcomputer for controlling loads and a second microcomputer, wherein the first microcomputer transmits predetermined information to the second mircocomputer and discriminates the reply data which is send therefrom. When they coincide, the first microcomputer executes a predetermined control operation. When the second microcomputer detects an error in the information transmitted from the first microcomputer, the second microcomputer allows the first microcomputer to stop the control of the loads, thereby realizing the safe control of the loads. On the other hand, predetermined priorities may be given to the microcomputers. When the microcomputer having a high priority is reset, all of the lower significant microcomputers are reset, thereby minimizing a damage when abnormality occurs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a numerical control system equipped with a computerized man-machine interface controller (MMC unit) and including an NC unit (11), a programmable machine controller (13) for executing at least sequence control based on signals from the NC unit (11) and a machine tool (12), a computerized man-machine interface controller (14) having at least a CRT (14d) and a keyboard (14e), and a data exchange controller (15), wherein data are exchanged among the NC unit (11), programmable machine controller (13) and man-machine interface controller (14) under the control of the data exchange controller (15).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic device for controlling a blind or a smaller device for protection against the sun.This device comprises an electronic comparator 3, whereof a first input E+ is connected to a pick-up 1 provided for measuring the intensity of a meteorological phenomenon, whereof a second input E- is connected to a device 4 for regulating a predetermined threshold of said intensity and whereof the output S2 is connected to control means. These control means are provided in order to control the initiation of the elapse of a first predetermined delya period T1, and illuminating a luminous indicator 9, at the instant when the intensity exceeds the predetermined threshold, then controlling the operation of the blind in a first direction at the end of this first period T1.

Abstract: An adaptive computing system in which a plurality of instruction-like data structures called "classifiers" are stored in a classifier memory and operate upon selected ones of the data structures called "messages" stored in a message store. Each classifier is composed of one or more condition parts which specify the attributes of messages to be acted upon; an action part which specifies the operation to be performed on those messages specified by a condition part of that classifier; and a strength value which is indicative of the past utility of that classifier. The computing system includes means for monitoring the contribution (if any) made by each classifier toward achieveing a desired computational goal and for increasing the strength value associated with the more useful participating classfiers.

Abstract: A servo loop processor (2) is a dedicated controller for use with a main central processing unit (4) (CPU), through an appropriate interface (8,10) whereby closed loop control of a servo system (22) is achieved. Servo loop parameters as well as servo motor speed and/or position are downloaded from the main CPU (4) to the servo loop processor (2) through a configuration including a microcomputer (12) so that the main CPU (4) is free to perform other tasks.

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 corresponding to the detected signal. The controlling block comprises an error block for producing an error signal corresponding to the detected signal at a detecting block, a memorizing block having a plurality of memorized values corresponding to the error signal, an output block for producing the control signal by mixing the error signal and one or more memorized values of the memorizing block and a adapting block for changing the number of a plurality of memorized values of the memorizing block according to a frequency of fluctuation of a disturbance source.

Abstract: A system for blending low and high octane gasoline includes independent flow paths for each fuel between a supply source and a composite blend manifold and nozzle assembly, with the rate of flow of fuel in each flow path being under individual closed loop control, under an algorithm for comparing the ratio of the actual accumulated volumes of the low octane to the high octane fuel, relative to a statistically determined ratio of the ideal volume of said low to high octane fuel for the total actual accumulated volume of the sum of the volumes of the fuels at a given time, for providing a perfect blend relative to a preselected blend ratio.

Abstract: Curve following apparatus for providing digital output signals indicative of the mathematical shape and/or location of a curve comprising a scanning means having a large number of individual sensors unitarily grouped together into a two dimensional array so as to define a viewing window, a driving mechanism for holding and driving the scanning means, and processing means for developing and transforming vector components from the output signal of said scanning means and for controlling the position of said scanning means.

Abstract: Data accommodated in a plurality of successive blocks specified by a registration command is converted into an execute form and prestored in storage means. In response to an execution command, control is performed in accordance with the stored data. In the case of executing in succession a plurality of blocks each having a short execution time, data in the blocks is converted into the execute form and stored. This eliminates the time for the data conversion, and hence permits continuous movement of a movable machine part.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of creating a complex curved surface, which includes a step of from data specifying three-dimensional curved surfaces (12a, 12b). Data is input specifying a reference line of intersection (CL.sub.i) on the XY plane (10) and a rule for generating lines of intersection on the XY plane on the basis of the above-mentioned reference line of intersection. Also a range (SCR1, SCR2) is specified for each of the three-dimensional curved surfaces (12a, 12b) to obtain a section curve on the three-dimensional curved surface, for a section corresponding to one of the lines of intersection. The method includes obtaining first and second section curves (13a', 13b') in the range (SCR 1, SCR2) when first and second three-dimensional curved surfaces (12a, 12b) are cut by a section whose line of intersection with the XY plane is an i-th line of intersection (CL.sub.i). Then, a point of intersection (CR.sub.i) between the two section curves (13a', 13b') is obtained.

Abstract: An improved field instrumentation system employing optical multiplex transmission in which data from a plurality of field devices, including both sensors and controllers, are transmitted through an optical distributor, such as a star coupler, to a master processor at a control panel location as well as to other field devices. The optical distributor branches and couples in a ratio of N:N, the data which are transmitted bidirectionally through the various optical transmission paths connected to the field devices to form the basis of a control loop located in the field. A submaster processor, located in the field and coupled to the optical distributor, is automatically substituted for the master processor in the event that the master processor is disabled. The overall reliability of this system is thereby markedly improved.

Abstract: An auto-tuning controller includes a fuzzy resonator for the adjustment of control parameters used in the development of a control variable for controlling the operation of a system to be controlled. A characteristic variable extractor is provided which is responsive to an error signal representative of a difference between a reference value and a controlled variable value output by the system to produce a characteristic variable indicative of the operational state of the system. Based upon this characteristic variable, a fuzzy resonator adjusts the control parameters in accordance with predetermined reasoning rules stored in a reasoning rule memory.

Abstract: Controlled variable table data, which consist of pulse number data corresponding to the maximum controlled variable of a fluid valve and divided into N divisions in each of which given pulse number data are set, are stored in a memory so that the sum of the given pulse number data in the N divisions may be equal to the number of pulses for giving a given controlled variable to the fluid valve. On the other hand, period table data, which consist of pulse interval data divided into divisions corresponding in number to the divisions of the controlled variable table data for determining a given control pattern, are stored in another memory.

Abstract: A network of N parallel processors are each one cross-connected to each other. Each cross connection includes a nodal weight delay circuit which carries status information as to whether a processor is "on" (=1) or "off" (=0) and whether its weighted influence (w.sub.ij) is excitatory or inhibitory as between the two processors i and j on that cross connection. Additionally, the cross connection influence between a processor i and a processor j is time delayed with a selectively fixed set of machine cycles between any two processor i and j. A monitoring processor-controller senses when the majority of processors have achieved a stable non-changing state which will represent an optimum solution for a combinatorial problem.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of a plurality of elements in an automated process, such as a production process, and indicating error conditions as they occur. Each unique set of input and output conditions of the various system elements defines a unique logic state or zone. Thus, there are defined a multiplicity of valid system logic states or zones, each having a unique input/output image. A predetermined sequence of zones, productive zones representing designed machine operations, is stored in a zone table. All zones not explicitly defined in the zone table are automatically treated as error zones. A zone engine automatically cycles to observe any change in input/output image. Any change in inputs from the various system elements automatically transfer action to the unique zone associated with such inputs, resulting in corresponding changes in control outputs to the system elements and/or display an error message as appropriate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a complex curved surface creation method for generating a curved surface in which roundness (ARC) of a radius R is provided at a portion where a first curve (11) approximated by straight lines on a first three-dimensional curved surface (1) intersects a second curve (12) approximated by straight lines on a second three-dimensional curved surface (2). Among line segments (P.sub.i P.sub.i-1) constituting the first curve (11) and line segments (P.sub.j P.sub.j+1) constituting the second curve (12), one line segment is selected from each curve in the order of their nearness to a point of intersection (P.sub.0) of the two curves. Next, it is determined whether a circular arc of radius R to which both of the line segments (P.sub.i P.sub.i-1, P.sub.j P.sub.j+1) are tangent exists. If such a circular arc does exist, the circular arc is inserted at the portion where the two curves intersect, thereby rounding the intersection.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of creating a complex curved surface (100) by combining at least first and second three-dimensional curved surfaces (101, 102), which method includes a step of inputting data for specifying first and second three-dimensional curved surfaces (101, 102), a step of obtaining coordinates of a j-th point Q(i,j) along an i-th path L.sub.