Abstract: A printing apparatus is controlled to generate a pulse signal so that a print medium conveyance speed detected by an encoder comes close to a target speed. The duty of the generated pulse signal is calculated every predetermined timing. When a sensor detects the leading end of the print medium, the duty of the pulse signal input to a feed motor is stored in a memory. It is determined whether the difference between the calculated duty and the stored duty has exceeded a predetermined value. If the difference has exceeded the predetermined value, supply of the pulse signal stops. When supply of the pulse stops, a conveyance roller is driven.

Abstract: When a fault occurs in an energy distribution network, adaptive islanding is initiated to supply energy to customers who are disconnected from the primary source of energy on the network. The customers are selectively connected to secondary energy resources that are distributed within the network. The selected customers are chosen in accordance with a profile that takes into account the amount of energy available from the distributed resources, the expected length of time to repair the fault, the recent energy demands of the customers, and levels of priority that are assigned to respective customers. These factors are monitored, and the selected customers who are connected to the distributed resources are dynamically adjusted during the time that the fault exists.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for associating operational data with workpieces and correlating the operational data with yield data. The method comprises processing a workpiece using a processing tool, associating the operational data with the workpiece during the processing of the workpiece and measuring the yield data associated with the processed workpiece. The method further comprises correlating the operational data with the yield data to make one or more determinations.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to distribute power to a networked apparatus are provided. The apparatus may comprise a communication module to receive sensor data via a communication network connected to a plurality of sensors operatively located within a building. The plurality of sensors may be to provide sensor data identifying a presence of one or more persons in the building. The apparatus includes a policy engine including a plurality of rules, each rule associated with at least one powered device located within the building. A power control module is configured to adjust power supplied to the at least one powered device based on the rule. Power to the powered devices may be provided over a power over Ethernet network.

Abstract: A method of analyzing integrated circuit (IC) product yield can include storing, within a memory of a system comprising a processor, parametric data from a manufacturing process of an IC and determining a measure of non-random variation for at least one parameter of the parametric data using a pattern detection technique. The processor can compare the measure of non-random variation to a randomness criteria and selectively output a notification indicating that variation in the parameter is non-random according to the comparison of the measure of non-random variation to the randomness criteria.

Abstract: Even at spots, such as a window side and the back side of a room, where air conditioning loads are different from each other, comfortable air conditioning is obtained at low cost using a common air conditioning unit. One indoor apparatus and wireless transceiver having a ZigBee-compliant transmission device are installed in the room. Sensor units having temperature/humidity sensors and ZigBee-compliant wireless transceivers are installed at plural indoor spots where the air conditioning loads are different from each other. A controller in the indoor-apparatus receives sensor information (temperature/humidity information) via the wireless transceivers from the sensor units, and computes a weight average based on the sensor information and weight values that are pre-stored in the storing devices and that correspond to the sensor units. Using the computed value as a control value, the controller controls an air conditioning unit.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) includes a plurality of UPS modules. Each of the UPS modules has a battery that provides power to a protected load in the event of a utility power failure. A plurality of controllers control how much power each of the batteries deliver to the protected load, and a communication bus allows the controllers to exchange information about the battery voltages. One of the controllers calculates the average battery voltage of the plurality of batteries and adjusts the amount of energy provided by an individual battery such that the battery voltage is about equal to the average battery voltage.

Abstract: A control element for a sensor network having a set of different sensors. In operation, the control element transfers connections between the control element and the set of different sensors, where the transfer connections are compliant with respective sensor-specific protocols. A sensor controller element is provided for each sensor, and establishes transfer connections between the control element and new sensors in runtime. Information obtained in a sensor-specific protocol format from the sensors is converted into a common format in the sensor controller elements. The common format information is processed by a set of common control components of the control element. The control element provides a service based on the information in the common format to at least one consumer, and updates the service in accordance with the sensors present in the sensor network.

Abstract: A monitoring device for monitoring an abnormal load or unload operation of a wafer. The monitoring device includes a sensing unit and a detective unit. The sensing unit is for providing a sensing information, which indicates whether the wafer protrudes from a side of a carrier. The detective unit is for determining whether a duration, for which the wafer protrudes from the side of the carrier exceeds a predetermined time, for which the wafer is loaded or unloaded, according to the sensing information. If the duration exceeds the predetermined time, the detective unit further triggers an abnormal event.

Abstract: A method includes storing information regarding protocols required by a plurality of climate controllers and a plurality of cooling devices. A request message is received from a first of the climate controllers, the request message being addressed to a specific cooling device. A protocol required by the specific cooling device is determined using the stored information regarding protocols required by the cooling devices. The request message is converted to the protocol required by the specific cooling device. A response message is queued from the specific cooling device if the time period allowed for responding to the first climate controller has expired. The queued response message is sent to the first climate controller when a subsequent request message is received from the first climate controller.

Abstract: In a method of controlling operation of a processing system, a host computer, a process tool and a component of an evacuation system, for example an abatement tool, are connected to a system bus. The abatement tool monitors signals transmitted on the system bus between the host computer and the process tool, and signals received directly from the process tool. The abatement tool uses information contained within the monitored signals to generate a signal for the process tool regarding an operating characteristic of the abatement tool. This signal is transmitted either directly or over the system bus to the process tool, which uses the generated signal to control an operating state of the process tool.

Abstract: A plant controlling system includes: a velocity-type PID controlling unit to receive a control deviation between a process value and control set value, and calculate and output a manipulated variable deviation for operation targets; a switching unit to switch and then output the manipulated variable deviation from the velocity-type PID controlling unit to the operation targets; manual operating units, having an integration function, that are associated with the operation targets and output either one of the manipulated variable calculated by the integration of the manipulated variable deviation output from the switching unit and a manipulated variable based on a manually set value to the respective associated operation targets based on a control mode of the operation targets; and a switch controlling unit configured to control operation of the switching unit based on the control mode of the operation targets and the manipulated variables output to the operation targets.

Abstract: The plant control system has a measurement signal data database, a model to estimate the value of measurement signal data used at a time when an operation signal is given to the plant, and an operation signal learning unit to learn a method of generating a model input, which is equivalent to an operation signal, so that a model output, which is equivalent to the measurement signal data, attains a target value. The plant control system also has an evaluation function calculating unit to calculate an evaluation function value from the model output obtained as a result of an operation carried out by the operation signal learning unit for the model, and an evaluation function adjusting unit to adjust evaluation function parameters used in calculation of an evaluation function.

Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus data acquisition apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a production management system interface unit which may communicate with the production management system, an apparatus interface unit which communicates with the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, and a production management system substitution unit which may communicate with the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus via the apparatus interface unit. When the production management system can communicate with the production management system interface unit, the production management system and the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus communicate with each other via the production management system interface unit and the apparatus interface unit to receive process data output from the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus.

Abstract: Var optimization (VARO) is a subsystem of a voltage and var optimization (VVO) system that processes a capacitor switching optimization problem. The VARO is a self contained process that may work stand alone or in conjunction with a Voltage Regulation Optimization (VRO) system to provide integrated VVO solutions. The VARO system takes network inputs and calculates optimal settings for distribution network capacitor banks.

Abstract: A controlling device that includes a model that predicts the value of a measured signal obtained when an operation signal is given to a thermal power generation plant, a function that learns a method of generating a model input such that a model output satisfies the plant value, a function that determines an operation signal to be given to the plant according to the learning result, a database that stores measured signal limit values set in advance, an external input interface that fetches measured signals from the plant, a measured signal database that stores the values of the fetched measured signals, and a function that determines an initial value of the plant model output value by using limit values of the measured signals and at least one of an average value, a maximum value, and a minimum value that are calculated from the measured signals stored in a measured signal database.

Abstract: The feed rate of an ultrasonic knife used to cut composite material is optimized using adaptive control. One or more parameters such as ultrasonic power or side load on the knife is sensed and used to generate feedback control signals. The feedback control signals are used to optimize the commanded feedrate of the knife.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a solar affected environmental control system. The system includes a set of input devices, a priority device, an output device, and a control module. The input devices measure environmental values such as temperature, light, environmentally generated water heat, and environmentally generated electricity. The priority device interfaces with a user to define a goal that corresponds to a hierarchy of environmental objectives. The output device is an adjustable solar module that has an affect on the environmental values. The control module is an electrical device that includes a mathematical algorithm configured to correlate the environmental values and the user-defined goal so as to generate a set of output device settings. The control module is electrically coupled to the output device to facilitate adjustment according to the output device settings, so as to affect the environmental values in a manner consistent with the goal.

Abstract: A method for inputting a foreign substance inspection map created by foreign substance inspection for a wafer surface after each processing process in a wafer processing process, inputting a die sort map created by a die sort test after the wafer processing process, setting region segments in the wafer, setting a region number for each segment, calculating foreign substance density of the region segments, based on the foreign substance inspection map, and plotting the foreign substance density, using the region numbers, to calculate a foreign substance inspection map waveform characteristic amount, calculating failure density in the region segments, based on the die sort map, and plotting the failure density, using the region numbers, to calculate a die sort map waveform characteristic amount, calculating similarity between the foreign substance inspection map waveform characteristic amount and the die sort map waveform characteristic amount, and identifying a processing process cause of failure occurrence.

Abstract: An energy savings water heater is described. The water heater is controlled by an energy savings algorithm that uses one or more of a variable setpoint differential, a variable setback threshold, additional setback thresholds, and an adjustable minimal setpoint to improve the operation of an energy efficient water heater. Additionally or alternatively, a different setback control algorithm may be used that obtains additional data to adjust the setpoint. As a result, the operating cost of the water heater is reduced, while minimizing user complaints of cold water.