Abstract: Disclosed is a numerical control method for a numerical control (NC) system having a device to execute a mirror image function wherein the moving direction of a movable member is reversed with respect to a commanded direction for each control axis, and a memory device to store coordinate values of a commanded position and coordinate values of a current machine position. This numerical control method comprises a step of storing the respective axial coordinate values of the current machine position at the time that the mirror image function has become effective, a step of calculating the commanded position coordinate values (CP) of directly preceding NC data after the mirror image function has become effective, by using the current machine position coordinate values and the position coordinate values at the time that the mirror image function has become effective, a step of calculating an incremental value (CP.sub.n -CP) of the control axis, CP.sub.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for manufacturing multi-part forms uses web presses having printing stations and processing stations at which operations are performed on webs in registry with a series of printed images, and uses a collator to assemble related webs from said presses, and to perform additional operations on assembled webs in registry with images thereon. A digital job description of a form is created, including location of printed images on several parts of the form and location of process items, e.g. perforations, holes, or cuts on parts of the form. This job description is stored in the memory of a computer [PR-2] with a job identifying code. Also, a digital description is created of images to be printed on the form, and stored in memory with the job identifying number. The image descriptions are recalled from memory and used to create printing plates for the presses and to pre-set printing and processing sections of a press for each part of the form.

Abstract: A system for controlling and synchronizing the operation of a conveyor system and an article supply system. An encoder monitors the operation of a standard reference or dispensing device along with a rate detecting device. This information is fed into a computer employing a microprocessor. The microprocessor provides an output to a drive system for a conveyor or the like to be synchronized with a supplying or dispensing system.

Abstract: The overall arrangement of a large number of discrete objects may be optimized with relation to the function of or the space occupied by the arrangement by establishing a suitability measure, or score, for each configuration of the arrangement, in relation to the function of or volume occupied, generating random local changes in the arrangement, scoring the effect of the individual changes and subjecting all objects in the arrangement to a random series of incremental changes whose outcome is on average predictable. The procedure lends itself to computer simulation. It may be applied to sequencing and scheduling problems, bin packing types of problems and in complex design problems such as semiconductor chip placement, wiring network routing and logic partitioning.

Abstract: The operating range for a process variable transmitter used as a pressure transmitter is selectively non-interactively adjusted by successively applying upper and lower range values (URV and LRV) of input pressure to produce an LRV output signal and calculating the URV and the Span which is equal to the difference between the upper and lower range values, i.e., URV-LRV, to produce outputs from the transmitter representing the new upper and lower range values corresponding to the calculated Span.

Abstract: In a data processing system, data is transferred between a plurality of functional devices through a shared memory without the intervention of the processor. The data transfer is controlled by a Shared Memory Access Channel (SMAC) having a pointer table storing memory addresses to control shared memory accesses and by the functional devices using device addresses, pointer identifers, indicating the pointer to be used from the pointer table, and control codes. The control codes used in the transfer include a Post code (P code), an Available code (A code) and an End of Process Code (E code). The device, from which data is transferred, is referred to as the upstream device, and the device to which data is transferred is referred to as the downstream device. The P code tells the downstream device that the upstream device has written a predetermined amount of data into a shared buffer area in the memory.

Abstract: A control system for a bidirectional printer having a print head carriage movable at different speeds on different printing lines employs a microcomputer which generates a desired velocity profile for the carriage motion. This desired velocity profile is continuously compared with the actual velocity and the error voltage generated is used to control pulse width modulator circuitry which supplies driving power to carriage drive motor.

Abstract: The present control system and method for controlling the combustion chamber pressure in a non-linear combustion process is operative in relation to one or more combustion chambers each having a flue gas damper. In the case of a plurality of such chambers, the outlet duct associated with each chamber is connected to a common exhaust stack. This operation is in relation to a desired damper position control characteristic provided by a combination of process signals in a microprocessor computer apparatus. Information in the form of the combustion and pressure levels as supplied in an anticipative feed-forward control manner by a particular combustion chamber is utilized in conjunction with a variable gain characteristic determined by the actual position of the damper operative with that combustion chamber to determine the correct damper position for that chamber.

Abstract: A control system and method are provided for an industrial process operation, wherein a controller is coupled with a process control member and has a gain that is adjustable in accordance with a predetermined relationship of the controller reference iteration interval and the controller actual execution interval.

Abstract: A computer numeric control for metal forming which allows the automatic selecting of gauge position and ram position allowing both variables to act to produce bends in forming materials with different flange lengths and angles. The system also offers programming and calibration features comprising significant improvements over prior art apparatus and methods. The system integrates the press control circuitry and all precise control of flange length which can be programmed and offers precise control of the bend angle which can be programmed. Multiple programs can be stored and later retrieved. The apparatus can be calibrated in either English or metric units. Magnetic cassettes and printers can be utilized for permanent storage of programs and to produce permanent records on paper.

Abstract: A controller for a manipulator or robot having a plurality of power-driven, signal-controlled links interconnected to permit relative motion therebetween to define plural degrees of freedom. The links of the manipulator are controlled to perform movements corresponding to stored sequences of command positions. The controller stores, for each link, a sequence of command positions and is operable to add a further command position or a further sequence of command positions to the original sequence of command positions. In a non-synchronous mode of operation (where the movements of the robot are not sychronized with movement of the workpiece) or in a synchronous mode, a further command position is added to the end of the original sequence by producing a number of additional command positions and storing the additional command positions after the original sequence. The last of the additional command positions is substantially equal to the further command position.

Abstract: An apparatus and procedure for locating three-dimensional bulk-loaded objects for purposes of controlling a gripping terminal, including at least one optical projection system associated with drive mechanisms commanded by an interface connected to a central processing unit, and a light sensor such as a TV camera mounted plumb with the surface (horizontal, for example) receiving the bulk load and connected to the analysis and processing mechanisms of the central processing unit. The optical system emits a substantially planar light bundle which sweeps the surface of the bulk load under the control of the drive mechanisms to vary incrementally the angle .theta. made by the bundle with respect the aforementioned surface. The value of the angle, measured by a coder, is transmitted to the central processing unit which analyzes the image of the bundle trace sensed by the camera.

Abstract: In a bending press, the stroke length of a ram member is automatically set based upon conditions such as the angle to be made on a workpiece, the width and configuration of a groove in a lower tool, and the thickness, width and tensile strength of the workpiece. There is also an input device into which the bending conditions are set and a computer for calculating the stroke length of the ram member which is then automatically adjusted. A device for detecting deflections occurring in an overhead beam in the bending press is connected to the computer to compensate for the stroke lengths of the ram member. The press accurately and easily bends sheet-like workpieces into various shapes including those cylindrical and semicircular in cross section.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a prestressed rolling mill incorporating a system of hydraulically operated load-transfer blocks, wherein the blocks are of unitary construction and bodily interposed between vertically opposed regions of upper and lower back-up roll chocks, at the respective inlet and exit sides of each axial end of the mill. Each load-transfer block is inherently self-adapting (at each of a plurality of force-application regions) to such small locally different deformations in the mill frame as result from the block's modulating contribution to net prestressing force; further, each load-transfer block includes its own hydraulic-control system with minimum-displacement actuators whereby a fast time constant of hydraulic response is achieved.

Abstract: An address generator for corner turn memories which are dimensioned in integral powers of two is disclosed. A binary adder is utilized to combine the current address with a binary number which specifies the amount to be added to the current address to generate the next address of the corner turn sequence. Limiting the dimensions of the memory to integral powers of two simplifies the circuitry necessary to generate the corner turn address sequence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for real time editing, or modifying, of a program of prerecorded robot motions stored in a robot controlled memory while it is being processed by the controller for subsequent storage of the program, as edited, in memory and output to the robot for execution.

Abstract: An electronic cash register for printing designated data includes a keyboard having a plurality of keys. The keyboard has a switch for designating a write-in mode and a read-out mode and a plurality of keys including ten keys, function keys, etc. The data coupled by the operation of these keys are stored in the journal memory. The data to be read out in the read mode are stored in a register included in a CPU. The CPU performs a comparison of the data from the journal memory and the designated data read out from the register in the CPU in its calculating section and, when the compared data coincide, the read-out designated data are output for display in a display section or printing in a printing section.

Abstract: A numerical control system for executing numerical control processing on the basis of a command program, and for actuating a machine in accordance with the results of the processing steps to machine a workpiece in the manner specified by the instructions in the command program. There are prepared a plurality of system variables, the values of which represent a variety of operational conditions of the machine or of a numerical control device. A user macro, having at least an identification and an instruction that employs the system variables, is stored beforehand in a memory. The command program is programmed to include a user macro call instruction. A prescribed user macro is read out from the memory by means of the user macro call instruction, thereby to allow processing in accordance with the user macro. For example, it is possible to execute processing upon reading out input/output interface signals, clock time and a variety of machine positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling distributed electrical loads including a microprocessor based central controller coupled via a twisted pair bidirectional data line to a plurality of microcomputer based transceiver decoders. Each transceiver decoder is coupled to a plurality of relays, each relay associated with a particular load to be controlled. Override switches and sensors, coupled to transceiver decoders provide override requests and information related to amibient conditions at the site of a load. A user defined data base includes sub-sets of relays called sectors, patterns of relay states, remote switches, a time dependent schedule and condition responses. A communication protocall and arbitration scheme provide for interactive communication between the central controller and each transceiver decoder with interfacing with the operation of any other transceiver decoder. Enhanced data storage capacity is achieved through dynamic allocation of memory space for pattern data.

Abstract: A data entry system having a plurality of data entry key stations each having its own inexpensive, random access magnetic storage device with removable media and visual display connected to a common shared processor. Data characters of data records which are entered at the key stations are transferred to the shared processor and then transferred to a data buffer memory and to the visual display character by character. Data records assembled in the data buffer memory are transferred to the magnetic storage devices to provide a semi-permanent record file which is transferrable to a host processing unit.