Abstract: An improved mobile agricultural products crop input application control system including a delay coordinating system particularly adaptable for use in site-specific (precision) farming, wherein selected discrete delay information unique to each on-board crop input storage release point, crop input transport system, and/or crop input dispensing point is combined with anticipated field reference point data obtained with a machine positioning system, e.g. "Dead Reckoning", GPS, and/or radar, and a computer, to direct independent functioning of selected on-board storage devices, material transport systems, crop input release point mechanisms and/or dispensing point mechanisms to ensure stored crop inputs are released for a timely combination to achieve a predetermined quantity and prescription of crop inputs delivered to the anticipated field reference point as the crop input applicator machine(s) travels over a predetermined geographic land area.

Abstract: A robotic controller or similar machine represents the shape of an object as a hierarchy of bubbles. The position and radius of each of the bubbles is determined by first calculating the coordinates of the medial axis of the object and then creating a hierarchy of bubbles all of which are disposed on the medial axis. The bubbles may be generated using a top-down algorithm which sequentially places bubbles around portions of the object represented by sub-divisions of branches of the medial axis. Alternatively the bubbles may be placed by using a bottom-up algorithm which combines the smallest of a large number of bubbles centered on the medial axis with its smallest neighbor to generate successively higher level bubbles in the hierarchy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing low-cost, realistic force feedback including an improved actuator. Force sensations are provided to a user and an interface device coupled to a host computer allows a user to interact with a host application program. A user object, such as a joystick, is moveable by a user in at least one rotary degree of freedom. A sensor reports a locative signal to the host computer to indicate a position of the user object. An actuator outputs forces on the user object in response to signals from the host computer and program. The actuator includes a housing, a set of grounded magnets provided on opposing surfaces of the housing and creating a magnetic field, and a rotor coupled to the user object positioned between the magnets. The rotor rotates about an axis of rotation and includes a shaft and teeth spaced around the shaft. An electric current flows through one or more coils on the teeth to cause the rotor to rotate.

Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing process simulation apparatus using a diffusion model in which a dislocation loop generated in a crystalline substrate during an ion implantation process of a semiconductor manufacturing process is considered with respect to a diffusion in a heat treatment process subsequent to the ion implantation process. An ion implantation process simulating part simulates an ion implantation process. A model generating part generates a diffusion model in which contribution of dislocation loops is considered, the dislocation loops being formed in the substrate during the ion implantation process. A heat treatment process simulating part simulates a heat treatment process subsequent to the ion implantation process, the diffusion model generated by the model generating part being used for simulating diffusion of impurities in the substrate during the heat treatment process.

Abstract: A luggage management system arranged so as to improve the efficiency of parcel collection, parcel examining and parcel delivery, to save the labor of operators, to accurately manage parcels, and to improve the efficiency and accuracy of parcel tracing operation is provided. When a parcel checker examining a parcel being conveyed depresses an "examine" switch, an examine result signal is transmitted from an examine part to an electronic tab through an antenna. When this signal is received by a loop antenna, an electronic tab control circuit is activated, and parcel information stored beforehand in a memory is modulated into a signal having a predetermined frequency to be transmitted from a transmitter to the exterior of the system through the loop antenna. This parcel information is received by the antenna, and the parcel information of each parcel is read in the examine part which carries out collation of data with that stored already for confirmation together with parcel sorting and management.

Abstract: For a combination of a first movable body adaptive for an automatic motion to provide an equivalent service to a required service, and a second movable body capable of exercising a voluntary motion and to cooperate with the first movable body to provide the voluntary motion as one of assistance and teaching to the first movable body to sophisticate the automatic motion, there are provided a first controller operative in a first mode for controlling the first moving body to exercise the automatic motion and in a second mode for adapting the first movable body to cooperate with the second movable body so that the automatic motion is sophisticated to be capable of achieving an equivalent service to the required service in a sophisticated manner, and a second controller for selecting one of the first and second modes.

Abstract: An apparatus which allows one to maintain precision placement of a manipulator which undergoes repeated controlled motions or trajectories is provided. The structure of the apparatus is compliant such that the manipulator may be displaced by forces applied to the mechanical structure. This compliance is due to a lack of precision in the fabrication of the component parts of the machine, and to a lack of rigidity due to a lightweight design. This displacement is of a greater magnitude than the precision positioning tolerance of the apparatus. Consequently, the manipulator may then be displaced outside of the positioning tolerance due to applied forces. However, it is a characteristic of the present invention, that despite the compliance of the mechanical structure of the apparatus, the positioning tolerance will be maintained. The controlled motion is accomplished by the generation of control signals by computer software running on a computer control system.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method optimizes a job mix formulation (JMF) for hot mix asphaltic concrete. The apparatus receives JMF data input, including hand-entered data, hand-drawn data, or computer optimized data. The apparatus then generates a voids in the mineral aggregate (VMA) value. Next, it prompts the user to select a design methodology, including a Marshall mix methodology, a Hveem mix methodology, a Strategic Highway Research Program mix methodology, or a user definable mix methodology. Once the appropriate methodology has been selected, the apparatus applies a number of computations which use the VMA value. The apparatus also generates an aggregate composition for the hot mix asphaltic composition satisfying the job mix formulation based on the JMF data input and the selected design methodology.

Abstract: A semiconductor device development information integrating system comprises a semiconductor device information management system that stores and manages electronic data of photomask specifications created in a semiconductor device design process and electronic data of manufacture process steps created in a semiconductor device manufacture process as integrated semiconductor device information integrated into at least one database; a semiconductor device design electronic terminal that issues a request to said management system to call and display said integrated semiconductor device information and, based on which information, creates and edits design data; a semiconductor device manufacture electronic terminal that issues a request to said management system to call and display said integrated semiconductor device information and, based on which information, creates and edits manufacture data; and a semiconductor device manufacture system for manufacturing the semiconductor device based on said manufacture da

Abstract: A method for controlling a semiconductor manufacturing process by failure analysis feedback compares a previous failure analysis result with current real-time process conditions. The method uses the steps of: a) establishing a monitoring data base with abnormal process condition data, the abnormal process condition data being obtained by a correlation between a yield for each manufactured lot and corresponding process conditions for semiconductor equipment when the yield is lowered or semiconductor equipment malfunctions have occurred; b) establishing an equipment data base by obtaining real-time process conditions for on-line semiconductor equipment; c) comparing the real-time process conditions for the on-line semiconductor equipment with the abnormal process conditions of the monitoring data base; and d) stopping the operation of the on-line semiconductor equipment when differences between the real-time and abnormal process conditions fall below a predetermined level.

Abstract: A method for using a special class of low-harmonic Bezier curves to plan and generate trajectory patterns for computer-controlled machinery in which desired motion information is input into a first processor. A low-harmonic trajectory is then generated from the desired motion information according to the low-harmonic Bezier curves and output into a second processor where points along the low-harmonic trajectory are computed. Each point on the trajectory is then output, amplified, and input into an actuator for performing a desired motion, but which results in an actual motion. The actual motion is then compared to the desired motion in a comparing means which computes an error. A feedback control signal is then generated to correct the error. Lastly, the method is repeated for all points on the trajectory until the trajectory is complete or the operation is terminated. Another aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for carrying out the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a desired air flow through a fume hood having a sash. The system comprises a mechanism for controlling air flow through the fume hood based on at least one gain. The system is also comprised of a mechanism for automatically tuning the gain connected to the controlling mechanism. Additionally, the system is comprised of a mechanism for manually inputting information to the tuning mechanism so the tuning mechanism automatically provides a desired gain to the controlling mechanism based on information received from the input mechanism. Additionally, the present invention pertains to a qualitative tuning system for a processor. The present invention also pertains to a method for controlling air flow through a fume hood with a sash. The method comprises the steps of providing information concerning flow of air through the fume hood to a processor. Then, there is the step of manually inputting information concerning gain into a qualitative tuning system connected to the processor.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a pallet full load state determines a pallet full load state while switching the upper limit value of the mounting height of workpieces according to workpiece size. The controller of an apparatus for controlling a sheet metal machining line estimates an occurrence or non-occurance of a pallet full load state. A pallet full load state is defined as a function of the overall height or the total weight of the workpieces loaded on the carrier pallet. The controller estimates an occurance or non-occurance of a pallet full load state by analyzing the machining schedule when a machined workpiece is loaded on the carrier pallet has a replacing carrier pallet suitable for the next workpiece to be loaded standby whenever appropriate.

Abstract: A thermal treatment apparatus comprises a heating device for heating a thermal treatment chamber, and a gas supplying device for supplying atmospheric gas to the thermal treatment chamber. A temperature measuring device measures temperature in the thermal treatment chamber, and a time measuring device measures a heat treatment time during which the heating device heats the thermal treatment chamber. A control device controls the heating conditions provided by the heating device and atmospheric gas supply conditions provided by the gas supplying device in coordinated relation to each other based on the temperature in the thermal treatment chamber measured by the temperature measuring device and the heat treatment time measured by the time measuring device. The thermal treatment chamber can therefore be controlled more accurately. The invention also pertains to a method for using the above-described thermal treatment apparatus.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling the entire machining operation of machine tools, in particular EDM machines, whereby the entire machining operation is broken down into individual machining objects, such as workpiece, work step etc., and the current machining status of the machining object is monitored before, during and/or after the entire machining operation and is displayed as needed.

Abstract: A method for limiting a working area of a CNC machine tool uses a servo controller for transferring a tool which periodically generates an interrupt signal to a main controller and the main controller periodically transmits position data to the servo controller according to an algorithm of a built-in interrupt routine. The algorithm of the interrupt routine comprises the steps of obtaining standstill position data by subtracting an accumulation value of output position data reflecting a predetermined acceleration/deceleration time constant from an accumulation value of target position data for every corresponding interrupt period, when the interrupt signal is input from the servo controller, and adding the subtraction result to current position data, and transmitting predetermined control data after comparing the standstill position data with predetermined boundary position data.

Abstract: In a real-time system of a digital control system, in order to prevent a single program sequence (PS2) of a non-time-critical computing process ("task") from using up a load-dependently disproportionate amount of the total computing time still available, the program sequence (PS2) is classified as a subordinate computing process (R14) that has a running-time limit (LZF). Sequences of program steps that are preferably not to be interrupted are in this case protected from interruption by a lock, the original running-time limit (LZG) being able to be run over only within predetermined limits.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing fixtures for holding physical parts for welding, checking, inspection, and other related activities is provided. The physical parts include parts of cars as may appear in an automotive plant. The optimum L-unit components are selected based on the contour of the part to be held, the principle locating points for the part, and the geometry of the various L-unit components. The principle locating points identify where on the part is a L-unit fixture to be placed. The program reads the part contour data and principle locating points data to construct the criteria by which to select the optimum L-unit components from a relational database. The program allows the user to preselect a L-unit component and then determine the other fixture components needed to adequately hold the part. Also provided for are multiple L-unit types including rest, pin, and clamp L-units, as well as combinations of the L-unit types.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing low-cost, realistic force feedback including an improved actuator. Force sensations are provided to a user and an interface device coupled to a host computer allows a user to interact with a host application program. A user object, such as a joystick, is moveable by a user in at least one rotary degree of freedom. A sensor reports a locative signal to the host computer to indicate a position of the user object. An actuator outputs forces on the user object in response to signals from the host computer and program. The actuator includes a housing, a set of grounded magnets provided on opposing surfaces of the housing and creating a magnetic field, and a rotor coupled to the user object positioned between the magnets. The rotor rotates about an axis of rotation and includes a shaft and teeth spaced around the shaft. An electric current flows through one or more coils on the teeth to cause the rotor to rotate.

Abstract: A communication network for programmable logic controllers (PLCs) wherein selected memory means of each PLC have at least two ports directly accessible by other PLCs and certain registers of the PLCs are identical to enable efficient, high-speed transfer of blocks of data between the PLCs.