Abstract: A control system regulates a controlled process. A first controller receives at least a first input variable and a second input variable and produces at least a first control variable and a second control variable. A delay unifier associated with the first controller introduces a first delay to one of the first and second control variables, the first delay being determined as a function of a second delay associated with another of the first and second control variables, and outputs first and second control variables with unified delay. A processor models effects of the controlled process. The processor receives the delayed first and second control variables output by the first controller and produces estimated process output variables. A second controller processes a difference between measured process output variables and the estimated process output variables to correct for disturbances.

Abstract: In a programmable controller system, a sequence program, an operation sequence control program module and a plurality of I/O control program modules including interlock control are independently provided. In the interlock control of the start condition and the operation end condition of an actuator, an interlock condition set program is separated from the operation sequence control program, and the interlock condition is described in a table, thereby easily setting the interlock condition in the form of a table. As described above, when the operation sequence control program executed by a programmable controller and the input/output control program including the interlock control are independently provided, the number of steps in programming can be decreased, and reliability and maintenance performance of the program can be improved.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for generating an extended fillet surface with a computer which smoothly connects two base surfaces together based on the boundary curve of intersection between an offset of the first surface and an envelope of the second surface. An offset surface for the first base surface is created at a distance equal to the fillet radius. An envelope surface for a boundary curve of the second base surface is created and its intersection with the offset surface is determined. A spine curve is fitted to the intersection and contact curves projected onto the first and second surfaces according to the spine curve. A set of arcs is then generated between the contact curves where an endpoint of each arc within the set is tangent to the first base surface. The extended fillet surface is then constructed from the set of arcs being first-order geometric continuous (G.sub.1) to only one of the base surfaces.

Abstract: A distributed intelligence control system for controlling a cross direction profile characteristic of a traveling sheet, such as paper, during production, includes a scanner for measuring a property of the sheet at a plurality of cross direction locations and producing output signals indicative of the cross direction profile characteristic. A host controller system coupled to receive the output signals from the scanner produces signals representing desired profile information, based on the output signals from the scanner. The system further includes a plurality of actuators, each actuator being operatively associated with a corresponding intelligent actuator controller.

Abstract: A system for storing articles having different descriptions in an enclosure and providing the enclosure with an RF-interrogatable unit having stored indications of the descriptions of the stored articles. The unit The system further contemplates interrogating the enclosure's RF-interrogatable unit to determine the enclosure content.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel by using numerous try-on apparels of differing, predetermined dimensions to make a finished product. A system is used to keep track of the number of try-on apparels and each of their dimensions. As a consumer tries on one of these try-on apparels, a device associated with the system is used to collect the consumer's responses about fit. If one try-on apparel does not fit, the system suggest a next one to try, according to pre-defined rules. When a particular try-on apparel's fit has been approved for purchase by the consumer, this is reported to a manufacturing system, where a piece of apparel corresponding to the dimensions of the approved try-on apparel is cut, stitched, treated, and shipped as a finished apparel.

Abstract: An automated method for filling orders using an automated ordering system having a product conveyor, a computer controller, and a plurality of dispensers for dispensing products arrayed in a matrix in rows and columns, wherein the method of filling orders comprises the steps of: coupling each dispenser in a row to a first common control element in the controller; coupling each dispenser in a column to a second common control element in the controller, where the column of dispensers shares a common dispenser with the row of dispensers; and actuating the first and the second control elements simultaneously to dispense a product from the common dispenser onto the conveyor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for automating an operation to determine a trace of a tool to be moved, which is used for processing a reference surface of a solid such as an electrode or the like in a numerical controlled discharge machine tool. An origin position is set on the basis of figure information including an origin position mark, which was read from an electrode drawing, a reference surface position is recognized, a processing range is set on the basis of the set origin position and figure information, the number of times of cutting with the tool is calculated on the basis of information regarding the process including the processing range and a cutting amount of the tool, and after that, the trace of the tool to be moved is determined on the basis of the information obtained so far. Since the reference surface position is automatically recognized, it is unnecessary for a human to form a drawing of the reference surface for the electrode drawing.

Abstract: Configuration spaces, representing alternate possibilities for an environment in which an object is to move, are combined to create a probabilistic representation of all of the alternate possibilities. The probabilistic representation is used to plan optimal motion, with uncertainties being resolved at sensing points.

Abstract: A system of units for constructing or replicating a means (10,10,10p) including means of diverse materials consisting of a plurality of pieces (20,22,23, 156-165) having at least one indicia (18) thereon for detection thereof, at least one adjoining means functioning according to instructions of a computer program of a processor means for adjoining in any predetermined relation with other of the plurality of the pieces (20, 22, 23, 156-165), and the processor means (30, 120, 166, 167) having the computer program instructions being responsive to detection of the at least one indicia to provide for arranging the other of the plurality of the pieces in the predetermined relation for controlling the fabrication means in assembling a given number of the plurality of the pieces in the predetermined relation to comprise a produced fabrication means (10,10,10p) are selected from a group consisting of a puzzle piece system, a construction system, a hot knife system, a holed piece system.

Abstract: A method for controlling production lots which deals with production lots comprising a plurality of discrete units distributed among a plurality of locations. A first event is triggered when a first unit from a first production lot enters a processing step. A second event is triggered when a last unit from the first production lot leaves the processing step.

Abstract: An integrated system for reprocessing contaminated medical instruments, e.g., scopes, surgical instruments, scope accessories, etc. The system includes plural, e.g., four, instrument processing units and a remotely located common controller for effecting the simultaneous control of each processing unit. Each processing unit includes various components, e.g., pumps, solenoids, valves, sensors etc., and a processing chamber. Each chamber is adapted for receiving a medical instrument carrier to which plural medical instrument in need of processing are connected. The controller includes a microprocessor, an associated memory storing a control program, a keyboard, a video display, and a printer. The control program establishes respective protocols of processing steps for effecting the reprocessing of the medical instruments in each of the reprocessing units by the microprocessor controlling the operation of the various components of the processing units via an electrical interface.

Abstract: A machine tool control system is provided that controls a plurality of machining equipment by transferring, from a tool center, schedules for each machining equipment to a plurality of terminals which correspond to the plurality of machining equipment, respectively. The machine tool control system includes a controller for storing a plurality of schedules for the plurality of machining equipment. During operation, the system analyzes the current operating condition of the plurality of machining equipment through the respective terminals, and selects a schedule which is currently capable of being processed by each of the plurality of machining equipment from the plurality of schedules. The schedule that is selected is then transferred to each of the plurality of terminals corresponding to each of the plurality of machining equipment.

Abstract: A multi-purpose controller for analog variables of one dimension which closely controls such variables to set point by making sequential corrections to the level of input to the system of the variable based on: system response time, relationship of controller output to the variable, deviation of the variable from set point, and change in system load as determined by combining change in error with change in system input. The controller has a self tuning capability and can provide generation of the set point according to a set of variable parameters. It can be configured as a stand alone controller, as an intelligent Input/Output device for another intelligent device, or be resident in another intelligent device such as a programmable controller, computer or other microprocessor based device.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling instrumentation, continuously reflecting the state of instrumentation, and for automatically updating the state of the instrument. A system and method to monitor instrument states in a graphical user environment.

Abstract: Optimum values for manipulated variables s.sub.1, . . . ,s.sub.S of a technical system (.phi.) are determined for prescribed operational variables b.sub.1, . . . ,b.sub.B in order to optimize a prescribed target function z=g(y.sub.2. . . ,y.sub.N) of system properties y.sub.2, . . . , y.sub.N where y.sub.i =.phi..sub.i (s.sub.1, . . . ,s.sub.S,b.sub.1, . . . ,b.sub.B). Here, a set of functions f.sub.i (w.sub.1, . . . ,w.sub.W,x.sub.1, . . . ,x.sub.S=B) is used whose parameters w.sub.1, . . . ,w.sub.W are set in such a way that the functions f.sub.i model the system in such a way that the functions f.sub.i approximate the system functions .phi.i as functions of their variables x.sub.1, . . . ,x.sub.S+B in terms of an interval of prescribed magnitude; the manipulated variables s.sub.1, . . . ,s.sub.S are determined by optimizing the function g(f.sub.1 (w.sub.1, . . . ,w.sub.W,s.sub.1, . . . ,s.sub.S,b.sub.1, . . . ,b.sub.B), . . . , f.sub.N (w.sub.1, . . . ,w.sub.W,s.sub.1, . . . ,s.sub.S,b.sub.1, . . . ,b.sub.

Abstract: Configuration spaces, representing alternate possibilities for an environment in which an object is to move, are combined to create a probabilistic representation of all of the alternate possibilities. The probabilistic representation is used to plan optimal motion, with uncertainties being resolved at sensing points.

Abstract: A method is described for controlling a plurality of nonuniformity parameters in processing discrete products such as semiconductor wafers through a module consisting of several individual processes using site models. The method uses a controlled process to compensate for a subsequent uncontrolled process, which allows process goals of one process to be optimized to enhance the output of a subsequent process of the same module.

Abstract: An HVAC communication network includes one or more master controllers that communicate with their respective zone controllers by issuing broadcast messages over the network. The broadcast messages are read and analyzed by all zone controllers on the network. Each zone controller is able to determine whether a particular broadcast message is intended for it by noting whether the broadcast message contains a particular identification of its master controller.

Abstract: An apparatus for web monitoring in paper making machines comprises a row of two or more lookers (6, 8) which are spaced across the width of the moving paper web. Each looker is stationery, and continuously inspects one or more small areas of the web as the web passes beneath. Optical signals from each individual inspection area are digitized, and spatial filtering is used to remove from the signals the effects of variations in the web which are much larger or much smaller than the variations being studied. A number of power spectra are calculated from the spatially filtered signals, and analysis of these functions is then used to identify significant features. Plots or tables of such features can be used to provide detailed information for the machine operator on the types of variations that are occurring in the paper web, and the possible causes of these variations.