Abstract: A system for computerizing eyeglass geometrical frame pattern records at a central location for access by eyeglass retailers or wholesalers is disclosed. The pattern records are stored in a central computer in the form of instructions for a remote pattern cutting machine. The instructions define the shape of the eyeglass frame in quasi-polar coordinates, either using the frame's geometrical "box" center as the origin or using the optical center of the lens as the origin, the computer providing the desired conversion between the two pattern centers. When an optician has a call for edging a lens for a particular frame, the optician obtains the edge shape data from the central computer by specifying the frame and, if desired, by specifying the decentration of the optical center from the frame geometric center. The central computer may convert its frame shape data from the geometric center to the optical center, if desired, and then provides the necessary data for cutting the pattern.

Abstract: A 1 bit/1 bit digital correlator includes a digital multiplier stage and an analog integrator stage, the analog integrator stage having a feedback loop for automatically adjusting a reference voltage for the integrator. The digital multiplier may be an exclusive OR gate which combines two incoming digital sequences and generates a digital output sequence which is divided into two paths in the integrator stage, one path being utilized for obtaining the reference voltage for the integrator and the other path forming a signal path for the integrator. The reference voltage path includes a switch operated by a refresh signal for selectively completing an RC network which is connected to the non-inverting input of an operational amplifier. The signal path includes a low-pass filter connected through a resistor to the inverting input of the operational amplifier, the operational amplifier having a capacitor connected across its output and its inverting input.

Abstract: A video amusement gaming system with pool prize structures including remote game terminals and a central controller with two-way communications between the remote game terminals and the central controller. Prize awards are based upon random shuffling of a set of prize awards among a predetermined pool of plays for each remote game terminal. This ensures an equal distribution of prize awards to each remote game terminal. The shuffling of prizes is based upon a random seed produced either by the remote terminal of the central controller or by both.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with an interface for a computer system. This interface is characterized in such a way that it includes an assembly of elements (C2, C2') capable of performing an AND function, controlling modules (K1, K1') for monitoring the function of these elements (C2, C2'), the outputs of which modules are tied to a command system associated with the computer system D1, D1'), and means (K2, K2') to test the monitoring modules (K1, K1'), the command sytem being equipped with means to compare the states of the elements (C2, C2') that perform and AND function, as indicated by the control modules (K1, K1') with the command state. The warranting, means to inhibit the sending of a command signal is inhibited when the two states do not match. The invention is applicable to situations where a security interface is required.

Abstract: A curvilinear interpolation system and method for use in a numerical control apparatus such as a machine tool or a robot having two or more drive axes and movable while effecting linear interpolation on a given curve with a plurality of line segments. For each line segment a curvature K.sub.p of the curve is calculated at a current curve interpolating point P.sub.p, and a curvature K.sub.n calculated at a point P.sub.n on the curve spaced a given search length l.sub.S from the point P.sub.p along the curve. Then, a curvature K.sub.s is set equal to K.sub.p when K.sub.p .gtoreq.K.sub.n and set equal to K.sub.n when K.sub.p <K.sub.n. The curvature K.sub.s is compared with a limit curvature K.sub.L established for determining whether a curve portion is a straight line or an arc for establishing the curve portion as an arc having the curvature K.sub.s when K.sub.s .gtoreq.K.sub.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to prevent a cutter from biting into a workpiece at a point of a sudden change in the configuration of a model in tracer control equipment. Sampling circuits (12, 12X to 12Z) respectively sample a composite displacement signal and displacement signals in the X-axis to Z-axis directions at equal time intervals. An arithmetic circuit (17) obtains the angle between the displacement vector of a stylus (1) at the current sampling and the displacement vector of the stylus (1) at the previous sampling from the sample values by the sampling circuits (12, 12X to 12Z). A comparator (18) compares the result of calculation by the arithmetic circuit (17) and a reference level and, according to the result of comparison, controls whether to decrease the feed rate. Accordingly, the cutter can be prevented from biting into the workpiece at the sudden-change point in the configuration of a model.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for determining tuning constants of a process control loop, the loop including a process control module, an actuator and a controlled process. The disclosed process includes making a series of changes to the target value of the actuator while measuring corresponding changes in the output of the controlled process. Certain calculations are applied to the information to determine the tuning constants, and the constants are applied to the control module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for the determination of the rate-of-rise of the level of a liquid, such as molten metal in a mold, in a reliable, accurate, and flexible manner. Molten metal passes from a container through an adjustable valve in an orifice to a mold. A microwave generator is connected to a microwave antenna located above the mold for transmitting microwaves to the surface of the molten metal in the mold. A mixer/detector is operatively connected to the antenna, and a computer is operatively connected to the mixer/detector. The computer processes the mixed signal received from the mixer/detector after it is converted to a digital signal. This digital signal is responsive to the Doppler signal caused by change in the level of the metal in the mold. The rate-of-rise of the surface of the molten metal is calculated in response to the digital signal, and is displayed on a monitor.

Abstract: In a radiation image system wherein a stimulable phosphor carrying a radiation image stored therein is exposed to stimulating rays which cause it to emit light in proportion to the radiation energy stored, and the emitted light is detected and converted to an electric signal which is processed to reproduce a visible image, several reference gradation correction curves are created on an orthogonal system of signal level-optical density coordinates. One of the reference curves is selected and rotated around a point on the reference curve on the coordinate system, and/or parallel-shifted on the coordinate system to obtain a desired gradation correction curve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for the discrete-time adaptive on-off switching control of a continuous-time process with a binary switching actuator, which uses for the determination of the on-off actuating signal a prediction of a process output sequence over several future sampling intervals as reaction to a possible process input sequence that is applied to a discrete-time linear process model and which estimates and updates in every sampling interval the parameters of the process model by means of a parameter estimation device in order to adapt them to the process to be controlled, even when the process behavior changes, and which has a device for the input and change of the setpoint, the limits of the process output and the sampling time as well as a measuring device for the periodical measurement of the process input.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled garage door operator which eliminates lower and upper limit switches on the garage door in that the upper and lower limits are set in a program mode of the microprocessor with up and down control switches by the operator. The settings of the door are stored in the memory of the microprocessor. The microprocessor also sets the force limits by establishing them slightly above the actual force required to move the door up and down and this prevents the forces to be set greater than required which could result in a dangerous condition. An external security switch is also connected to the microprocessor of the garage door operator to allow the door to be opened by those knowing the code. In program mode, the user enters in the 4 digit code and the 4 numbers are stored.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of electronically linked gaming machines which enables information to be transferred between machines and from each machine to a control unit. In particular, credits on a machine can be transferred to another machine and the credit state of each machine can be interrogated and adjusted from the central control unit.

Abstract: Control system for an electronically commutated motor (ECM). The ECM includes a stationary assembly having a plurality of winding stages adapted to be selectively commutated, and rotatable means associated with the stationary assembly in selective magnetic coupling relation with the winding stages. A digital computer operating under stored program control effects the commutation of the winding stages by selectively supplying power thereto in response to a pattern of control signals leaving at least one of the winding stages unpowered at any one time while the other winding stages are powered.

Abstract: A method for use with a computerized axial tomographic scanner (CAT) of providing an image of a sample that has spatial resolution in the axial direction that is smaller than the width of the X-ray beam of the CAT. The sample is scanned at a plurality of points in a plurality of cross sections that are separated by a distance that is less than the width of the X-ray beam of the CAT to determine the measured density function for each of the plurality of points. The measured density function is deconvolved with the beam width function for the CAT for each of the plurality of points to obtain the actual density function for the plurality of points. The actual density function is then used to generate an image of the sample that has a spatial resolution in the axial direction that is smaller than the width of the X-ray beam of the CAT.

Abstract: A controller, such as a numerical controller, displays the change with time of input/output statuses or an internal status by a timing chart, to facilitate analysis of the cause of interference concerning signal timing. The controller has a status display unit (22) which includes: a keyboard (25) for inputting desired display data, display data input times, and display data input-inhibit conditions; a timer (26) which generates a clock signal at predetermined timing; a memory (27) which inputs desired display data during an interval of a desired input time in accordance with the conditions set through the keyboard; a display (28) which displays the data input to the memory when the input-inhibit conditions are satisfied; and a processor (29) which controls the memory and the display in synchronism with the clock signal.

Abstract: In a machine translating system wherein word units of a source language are translated to word units of a target language through pivot words of a pivot language, a pragmatic table keeps the pivot words as dominant and dependant pairs together with a relation symbol specifying a semantic relationship between the pivot words of each pair in the pivot language and with surface data representative of the relationship in surface structures of the source and target languages. On analyzing an input word unit string into a source semantic structure, the pragmatic table is referenced to link the pivot words into pairs by relation symbols incompliance with the dominant and dependant pairs and the source surface data therefor. The semantic structure is therefore allowed by the pragmatic table. On mapping the semantic structure to a pivot representation and the representation to a target semantic structure in consideration of wording of the target language, the pragmatic table is similarly referred to.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for providing for controlled oscillation of a tool centerpoint associated with a function element carried by manipulator simultaneously with motion of a workpiece feature relative to a predetermined location. The tool centerpoint describes a predetermined pattern relative to the workpiece feature as a result of the combined motion. Tool centerpoint oscillation occurs in an oscillation path between two extremes determined by pattern parameters defining pattern amplitude measured with respect to a pattern longitudinal axis. The direction of the oscillation path is defined by input signals representing angles measured relative to a rectangular coordinate system used for defining the predetermined location. The rate of tool centerpoint motion is defined by an input signal representing velocity.

Abstract: Indices in the form of colored poles are installed on a ground surface to be digged, and the indices are picked up by a television camera set on one side of a digging machine so as to set a target digging line on rectangular coordinates. Marks are applied to suitable points of the machine and are also picked up by the television camera so as to detect the positions of the marks on the rectangular coordinates. The position of the cutting edge of the machine is calculated by taking the positions of the marks as references. The result of the calculation is stored in a memory device and its content is used to display the locus of the movement of the cutting edge on the screen of a monitor television installed in the cabin of the digging machine while at the same time the target digging line is also displayed on the screen.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for filtering signals by having cascaded switched capacitor sampling filters. The circuit includes a transmit section which has an anti-aliasing filter, a core section filter, a highpass filter and an encoder for providing analog-to-digital conversion. Each successive filter is sampled at a lower rate to inhibit anti-aliasing. The circuit also includes a receive section which has a digital-to-analog decoder, an output buffer, a receiver core filter and a power amplifier.

Abstract: An electronic controller with safety facilities for a device with mechanical motion sequences with two differently designed safety channels, of which the first safety channel is constructed with hard-wired switching logic and the second according to microcomputer technology, comprises a safety stage common to both safety channels which places the device in a safe state upon the appearance of unequal output signals appear in the safety channels. Such a controller is to be improved with respect to system safety and availability for utilization with cyclically operating devices. At the same time, the least possible structural complexity is to be achieved. To this end, the safety channels assume identical control functions simultaneously. Furthermore, each safety channel is equipped with self-check facilities whose signals, together with the comparison result of a comparison of the output signals of the two safety channels, act upon a safety stage which places the device in a safe state when malfunctions arise.