Abstract: A computer device 1 for production equipment comprises an arithmetic unit 10, an input device 11 for inputting operation data, a display device 12 for displaying operation data, and an HDD device 13 for storing an arithmetic unit 10 executed processing program, and operation results. In the HDD device 13, there are provided a main drive unit and a backup drive unit, which are constituted so as to maintain the same contents, and to selectively connect the arithmetic unit 10 to one of the drive units inside the HDD device 13, a drive unit selecting circuit 2 is provided on the HDD device 13 side, and a switch for switching this drive unit selecting circuit 2 is provided on the outside of the computer device 1.

Abstract: A system and method for handling quality control data for a manufacturing process among a main computer and a plurality of remote computers, including the steps of establishing a connection between at least one of the remote computers and the main computer via a web browser, inputting quality control data of the manufacturing process from the remote computer into a database of the main computer via the web browser, performing a statistical analysis on the quality control data input into the main computer, and posting results of the statistical analysis on a web site of the main computer accessible to the remote computers through the web browser.

Abstract: A combined manufacturing machine and certifying system are operable for performing a first operation of the machine, obtaining first data by quantifying the first operation of the machine using first measurement equipment of known accuracy, performing a second operation of the machine, obtaining second data by quantifying the second operation of the machine using second measurement equipment, determining the accuracy of the second measurement equipment by quantifying the difference between the first and second data, machining a first workpiece with the machine after determining the accuracy of the second accuracy measurement equipment, performing a third operation of the machine after machining the first workpiece, and obtaining third data by quantifying the third operation of the machine using the second accuracy measurement equipment.

Abstract: A new approach toward MEMS quality control and materials characterization is provided by a combined test structure measurement and mechanical response modeling approach. Simple test structures are cofabricated with the MEMS devices being produced. These test structures are designed to isolate certain types of physical response, so that measurement of their behavior under applied stress can be easily interpreted as quality control and material properties information.

Abstract: A computer unit with excellent backup function is realized. A backup operation system is set, and based on the setting, a data file under editing or the like is saved in a backup section. The backup operation system is distinguished through existence of execution of a backup operation, execution timing of the backup operation, an object to be backed up, a backup destination, and the like. This prevents data loss in the case where a computer unit is hanged, or in the case where trouble of the computer unit, crash of a terminal side data storage section, or the like occurs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a part temperature profile by optimizing response characteristics based on control parameters acquires part temperature response characteristics at selected conditions to form an index value and calculates linear relationships between the index and its corresponding control parameters. The method searches for the minimum index thereby determining its corresponding optimal control parameters for thermal processing of parts in order that the part temperature profile responds within the target specification range with the greatest margin available. The apparatus determines the minimum index value and its corresponding the optimum control parameters.

Abstract: Pieces of information such as work program information, work profile and work condition, which are necessary for an operator to grasp a state of a machine tool, a change in the work voltage necessary for an operator to grasp a state of working a workpiece, pieces of work monitoring information such as a change in the work speed, and measured data of the workpiece are display on a list by a display device of a numerically controlling device for each session of work.

Abstract: A method for optimizing overall characteristics optimizes control parameters in at least one control module required for controlling a device, using an optimization method such as a heuristic method. The method includes the steps of: (a) preselecting values of the control parameters and activating the device; (b) on-line changing values of the control parameters within predetermined ranges under predetermined coding rules; (c) on-line evaluating the performance of the device based on signals indicative of the performance; (d) on-line selecting values of the control parameters based on the evaluation outcome; and (e) repeating steps (b) through (d) while operating the device until desired performance of the device is demonstrated, wherein the at least one control module is optimized. In the method, when two or more control modules control performance of the device, optimization by steps (a) through (d) may be conducted on each control module in repetitive sequence.

Abstract: Timing characteristics of message-oriented transports are measured using common personal computers which easily support a wide variety of analytical tools. The apparatus measures timing characteristics of bursty message traffic over relatively low-speed digital transports such as the Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI). The apparatus includes means for generating a reference pulse stream, such as a sequencer. A transcoder device receives the reference pulse stream and routes the pulse stream to a device under test and, in analog form, to a first channel input of a digital recording device, such as a sound card installed in a personal computer. The transcoder also receives an output pulse stream from the device under test and routes the output pulse stream, in analog form, to a second channel input of the digital recording device. A differential technique allows timing errors in the reference pulse stream to be eliminated from measurements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a pre-determined electrical trace from a printed circuit board to manufacturing a printed circuit board with options corresponding to a specific catalog number. The apparatus comprises a computer numerically controlled milling machine control by a computer having a processor installed with a software program. The method comprises installing the software program into the computer and inputting a catalog number into the computer. The software is used to define a catalog data table that corresponds to the inputted catalog number. The catalog data table matches a cut data table whose information provides operational commands to control the movement of the cutting element of the milling machine. Once the catalog number is recognized by the processor, an operator is prompted to load the printed circuit board onto a work surface of the milling machine.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for communicating media over a network including encoding the media into a server database at a server, downloading from the server database to a client database generally only those portions of the media which are necessary to satisfy user requests and in response to a user request for a given item of media, determining whether the media is present in the client database, and if not, automatically downloading those portions of the media which are necessary to supply the user with the given item of media from the server database.

Abstract: A material/quantity requirements arithmetic determination system which can ensure enhanced processing speed by uniformizing a load occurring in execution of arithmetic processings and suppressing occurrence of overhead to a possible minimum. The material/quantity requirements arithmetic determination system includes a plurality of material/quantity requirements planning (MRP) arithmetic units disposed in parallel for determining arithmetically types of items, quantities thereof and delivery-appointed terms thereof which are required for manufacturing a predetermined article on the basis of a production schedule of the article.

Abstract: A system for monitoring performance of one or more batteries in a battery plant facility. A set of sensors for each battery are used to measure a plurality of battery operation parameters comprising the battery current, battery voltage, and internal battery temperature of each said battery. A processor generates, for each battery, a plurality of battery status parameters comprising a true age parameter and a float capacity parameter. During a float period, the true age parameter is updated based on elapsed time corrected for battery temperature history and the float capacity is updated based on the most recent true age parameter. During a discharge period, the float capacity parameter is updated based on the evolution of plant voltage during the discharge. After the discharge period, at the beginning of a subsequent float period, the true age parameter is updated based on the float capacity parameter determined during the immediately previous discharge period.

Abstract: A data processing system for and method for organizing, analyzing, recording, storing, and reporting research results. The data processing system defines structural and functional relationships between separate data structures for research projects, propositions related to each research project, and authorities related to the research projects. The data processing method defines a sequence of process steps in which the user's identification, information related to each research project, information related to each proposition, and information related to each authority are input, and reports displaying the information associated with each proposition and the information associated with each authority are output.

Abstract: A queue management system comprises a plurality of portable modules, at least one docking station, a queue manager, signal transmitting means, at least one module detector and a communication means. Each portable module includes a memory means containing a unique identification code, an indicator means, transmitter means for transmitting the identification code over a short range, and docking means for downloading the identification code. The docking station registers the person in a queue by downloading the identification code for the portable module when docked. The queue manager maintains the queue sequence for each queue and includes a communication means for receiving the downloaded code. The signal transmitting means is associated with the queue manager for transmitting the signals to each portable module to instruct the person carrying the portable module to join the queue. The module detector detects transmitted identification codes from any portable module in its vicinity.

Abstract: Signals are emitted with a FMCW sensor system, are received after reflection at targets and are processed to form a measured signal whose frequency spectrum is analyzed. Discrete, equidistant samples are stored and are arranged in a double Hankel matrix in the existing sequence. This matrix is diagonalized with a singular value decomposition, and an approximation is identified taking only the “principle values” into consideration, in order to calculate the frequencies and their amplitudes therefrom according to known methods.

Abstract: Candidate locations in which each of the components is to be placed are assumed. Initially, all the cells on a printed circuit board are the candidates. The range of candidates for the location of each component is narrowed down in some way (for example, the farthest cell from a fixed component is excluded from candidates for the location in which a component that directly relates to the fixed component is to be placed). An approximation problem is created from an original placement problem and a solution that optimizes the approximation problem is find. This solution is a feasible solution of the original placement problem as well. The process of narrowing down the candidates and solving the approximation problem is repeated until one candidate (or more than one candidate having an equal evaluation value) is found ultimately to determine the placement of the component.

Abstract: Systems that monitor and control energy distribution manage energy distribution or use for Energy Service Providers and end-users. A system includes a publicly or privately accessible distributed network, a network access device, and a management device. The network access device communicates with the management device through the distributed network to control loads at a remote location. The method of monitoring and controlling energy distribution receives data at an on-line Site, processes an application program that evaluates load and market supply data, and initiates power curtailment requests or power curtailment events.

Abstract: An assembly line control system, and more particularly, an automotive assembly line storage and lot controlled system is disclosed. A communications network is overlaid onto a manufacturing assembly line. The assembly line includes a number of readers and processing stations to determine and confirm the identity of vehicles passing proximate to the readers and processing stations, and the vehicles' build instructions, status, position, condition, defect and repair history, etc. This information is stored in a computer database. Based on the information stored about the vehicles, the status of inventories, production schedules and the like, a routing of the vehicles through the manufacturing process is determined and implemented.

Abstract: A telecom karaoke system is configured by linking a musical data receiving terminal for receiving from a host base station necessary data for musical performance and a WWW page access terminal for accessing a page or a document on WWW via a WWW server. In this configuration, the musical data receiving terminal sequentially transmits to the WWW page access terminal the addresses of pages on WWW, superposed on the musical data. Further, the WWW page access terminal, when a musical number is selected, notifies the information on music selection to the data receiving terminal and, at the same time, updates data related to the musical number (a list of the number of accesses and the like) on the WWW server.