Abstract: A sine-function generator comprising a plurality of bipolar transistors with their collectors connected to a pair of output terminals in alternating antiphase and their emitters connected in common to a single current source. The bases of the transistors are connected to respective nodal points of a base-bias network comprising a series-connected string of equal resistors. Current sources supply equal currents to the network nodal points to develop base voltages at those points according to a predetermined distribution pattern establishing a peak voltage along a line representing the nodal sequence. An input signal applied to the ends of the resistor string controls the location of this voltage peak along the nodal line, thereby controlling the current flow through the transistors in such a way that the net differential output current is proportional to the sine of the angle represented by the input signal. A ladder-type base-bias network also is disclosed.

Abstract: A circuit for transferring measured values from an incremental position measuring system wherein the analogue output signals of this incremental position measuring system are digitized and transferred via a counter to a computer which delivers them to an evaluation device. Between the counter and the computer there is provided an intermediate storage in order to avoid that the computer receives instable data during the processing time of the counter between two events, during which the counter passes from one counter state to the next one. By means of a synchronization circuit the computer controls the intermediate storage according to a priority sequence and such that this intermediate storage only reads counter states from the counter during time intervals which are greater than the processing time of the counter or at least equal thereto.

Abstract: An electronic device, such as a video tape recorder (VTR), is set into a desired, but complex mode, such as automatic recording of a desired program, by manual scanning with an optical wand or other scanning instrument of one or more code groups printed on a selection card. Respective selection cards have code groups thereon for selecting, for example, mode, channel, day of week, recording start time (including AM or PM), and recording end time. Code signals provided from the scanning instrument are processed in a data processing circuit, which can be provided as a microprocessor and included in the VTR to provide control signals to the VTR in response to information contained in the scanned code groups. Alternatively, a combination of an FM receiver and high fidelity audio recorder can be set into an auto record mode or other complex operating mode by scanning of selection cards with a scanning instrument associated with such combination.

Abstract: A data transfer system comprises data retaining means for retaining n-bit digital data (n being an integer), serial/parallel data converting means for converting the n-bit digital data transferred from the data retaining means from parallel data to serial data or vice versa in synchronism with first clock signals generated at a first clock frequency, counting means for counting second clock signals generated at a second clock frequency, and control means for transferring the n-bit digital data from the data retaining means to the serial/parallel data converting means each time the counting means counts a predetermined number of clock signals.

Abstract: Safety apparatus for an electrohydraulic servovalve. The safety apparatus includes a digital programmable switch (14) which is programmed to make switching decisions on the basis of whether or not the electrohydraulic servovalve is subjected to an external error and whether or not the electrohydraulic servovalve is free from internal error. Logic inputs that supply this information are provided to the programmable switch (14) by a logic device (16). On the basis of the logic inputs, the programmable switch (14) is programmed to interconnect, in a sequential manner, the analog electrohydraulic servovalve to one of four different analog drive systems. One of the drive systems is employed for the case whether there is no external or internal error, so that the electrohydraulic servovalve is in a normal mode of operation. Two of the drive systems are employed to quickly and safely de-energize the electrohydraulic servovalve upon the occurrence of an external error.

Abstract: A machining system includes machine tools each capable of performing, in a working area thereof, machining on a workpiece carried on a pallet, a pallet magazine including movable stations each capable of carrying and conveying a pallet and having pallet change positions each associated with each of the machine tools, pallet changers each associated with each of the machine tools and each capable of transferring a pallet between the working area of the associated machine tool and the associated pallet change position, numerical control devices each associated with each of the machine tools and each capable of storing part programs and of controlling the associated machine tool, and a system controller comprising first memory for storing, in relation to each of schedule numbers indicating order of machining, an indicium of a pallet carrying a workpiece to be machined in the related order and an indicium of a part program to be used for machining the related pallet, and second memory for storing, in relation to

Abstract: An improved flexible manufacturing system comprises a plurality of computer numerically controlled machine tools, each controlled by a machine control system which is supplied with a plurality of sets of machine NC part programs and a program map from a supervisory control computer system. Each of the machine tools is located about the perimeter of a track which carries a plurality of pallet-carrying transporters, each moving under the control of a material handling system controller. The supervisory control computer system, coupled to the control system of each machine tool and to the material handling system controller, is provided with input data indicative of production requirements, material resources and system status, that is to say, the type of part carrying pallet carried by each transporter.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for sensing the position of a workpiece clamp on a workpiece positioning assembly of a computer-controlled machine tool such as a turret punch press including an X-axis traverse, a Y-axis traverse and, a workpiece support movable along the X-axis traverse and carrying the workpiece support. The method consists of the steps of providing a datum position on the X-axis for the control, providing a datum position on the Y-axis for the control, providing a datum position on the turret for the control, moving the member to the datum position on the X-axis at the beginning of each operating sequence, registering movement of the member along the X-axis traverse, moving the member passed sensor means to identify for the control the position of the member relative to the datum position on the X-axis. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: Method of feeding positional data from a virtual model of a profiled physical model into a movement position device which controls movement of a tool according to the positional data fed thereinto.

Abstract: The invention discloses method for self-optimizing, dynamically and in real time, a machine relative to a specific performance characteristic in response to variations on a prescribed number m of variables. This method comprises statistically designing a matrix of operating conditions of the machine; sequentially operating the machine according to the designed matrix of operating conditions; testing the performance characteristic of the thus-operated machine; analyzing the tested performance characteristic against a given optimizing criterion; and feeding back for or returning to the designing step for a new, improved operating condition. A machine in the form of programmed microprocessor embodying this self-optimizing method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A digital time base for producing sample clock pulses is provided with a control circuit to permit coherent switching from one sample rate to another. A plurality of predetermined sampling rates and number of samples to be acquired at each rate are stored in a memory. The predetermined sampling rates provide count moduli to a counter which divides the frequency of a base clock in accordance therewith to produce the actual sample clock pulses. A counter is provided to count the sample clock pulses, and when the desired number of pulses are generated, a next succeeding sampling rate and number of samples to be acquired are accessed from the memory. The rate switching to change the count modulus takes place between last sample clock pulse generated for a particular sampling rate and the next succeeding base clock pulse so that such switching is coherent.

Abstract: A digital data sense amplifier is disclosed for detecting small signal outputs from a storage media or from input sensors and comprises a differential amplifier whose outputs are coupled via two capacitors to an offset circuit which generates two offsets which in turn are fed to two comparators, one for a positive signal threshold and one for a negative signal threshold. This results in peak to peak data sensing in a noisy signal environment. An alternative embodiment differentiates an inputted analog signal and outputs a digital representation of the first derivative, or rate of change of said analog signal.

Abstract: Pulses indicating movement distance are frequency divided to a desired resolution and then counted in a microprocessor in accordance with the direction of movement. The position count value addresses a data memory storing switch output data corresponding to desired detection positions.

Abstract: A programmable control mechanism for positioning a tool head relative to a battery. The programmable mechanism includes a conveyor means for moving the battery along a first dimensional axis into a work station of the mechanism, a sensing means detects the leading and trailing edges of the battery and means responsive to the sensing means and the conveyor means generates a signal representing the dimensional length of the battery. The signal is utilized by a minicomputer to select a work program suited for that length of battery from a memory bank containing a plurality of such programs. The minicomputer utilizes a selected program to position the tool head relative to the battery so that various successive operations may be performed on the battery by any one of a variety of tools.

Abstract: A control system for a washing machine having a plurality of selectable functions, with each function including a plurality of predetermined operational steps, providing a control element for controlling the performance of each operational step, an input to the control element for selecting one of the functions, circuitry for interfacing the control element with the apparatus for allowing direct control of the operational steps by the control element, and an instruction program located within the control element for effecting the control function of the control element, the instruction program including a first instruction group for distinguishing a selected function from the other selectable functions, a second instruction group for registering the function distinguished by the first instruction group, a third instruction group for initiating performance of the predetermined operational steps of the registered function and for registering a period of performance for the initiated operational step, and a four

Abstract: The direction of pick feed is determined by a feed-direction signal produced based on the result of decision by a phase decision circuit and the direction of pick feed inputted from an input unit, and the pick feed is effected by a contour trace. In the case of tracing a hemispherical model, the pick feed can be achieved in a plane parallel to the X-Y plane. The feed-direction signal indicates whether the direction of tangential velocity is to be +90.degree. or -90.degree. with respect to the normal direction. A velocity arithmetic circuit inverts the polarity of its output, a tangential-direction velocity signal, depending on the binary value of the feed-direction signal. Motors are driven by the outputs from amplifiers selected by a gate circuit, by which, in the case of tracing the hemispherical model, the pick feed plane is made to correspond to that in the case of a contour trace, wherein the pick feed can be effected in a plane parallel to the X-Y plane.

Abstract: Image rotate control circuitry buffers one column of display or video data which is subsequently printed along a horizontal print line. A video dot counter cycles each horizontal scan line while a print line counter cycles each vertical scan. Video data is entered into the buffer when the count in the video dot counter equals the count in the print line counter. After one refresh of the display the buffer contains one print line of data. This data is shifted from the buffer to the printer during the vertical retrace or vertical blank period of the display. The control circuitry sends a strobe signal to the printer for the print operation as a new column of data is being buffered during the next refresh of the display.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the operation of cyclically moving components, in particular the shears of a glassware forming machine. The control system incorporates sensors which produce signals representative of predetermined shear positions in each shear cycle. The signals provide feedback to control circuitry and are processed to control the operation of the shears in response to the sensor signals.

Abstract: The microwave quarter-square multiplier uses square law devices in combinon to obtain vector multiplication at microwave frequencies. A sum and difference hybrid provides sum and difference output voltages from two separate inputs. Identical square law devices respond to the sum and difference outputs to provide an algebraic summation as the output difference voltage.

Abstract: A processor of photosensitive material includes an automatic control system for providing anti-oxidation replenishment, as a function of a stored anti-oxidation replenishment rate and anti-oxidation replenishment provided by exhaustion replenishment. A time interval of fixed duration is initiated, at the end of which the anti-oxidation replenishment required due to expired time is compared to the amount of anti-oxidation replenishment provided by the exhaustion replenishment in that time interval. If the amount of needed anti-oxidation replenishment reaches a preset value, a fixed amount of replenisher is added to the developer tank. If the amount of needed anti-oxidation replenishment is less than the preset value, no replenisher is added and all amounts continue to accumulate. The comparison is repeated at the end of successive time intervals.