Abstract: Data is exchanged between two modules of a programmable controller by originator module writing the information in an interface memory in one of the modules and the recipient module reading the information from the memory. An initialization procedure is performed before any information is exchanged in that manner. The module containing the memory writes the size of the memory for reading by the other module. Sets of test data are stored in the memory by each module and checked by the other module to determine if data can be passed accurately between the modules in both directions. Then data identifying the type of one of the modules is exchanged to insure that the other module knows the type of module with which it is dealing.

Abstract: In a facsimile device, an application program to perform "concurrent" transmission, multicopy, etc., is divided beforehand into a plurality of phases each being allocated a phase value for identifying purposes. A phase value corresponding to a predetermined phase such as the processing "wait for an operation" which is to be executed at the beginning of the application program is registered in a non-volatile memory. The following processes are sequentially repeated to execute the appropriate application program:(a) A phase of the application program to be executed is specified in accordance with a phase value registered in the non-volatile memory;(b) The program allocated to the specified phase is executed; and(c) The phase value registered in the non-volatile memory is updated with the phase value of a phase which the program to be executed next is allocated, in response to the ending of the program to be executed. In any case, when the facsimile device is started up, the process (a) is started.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the preparation of color formula for the reproduction of the color of a master are described. In the process, during a measurement, the gloss component of the reflected light is already suppressed with polarizing filters, so that the calculation of the colorant concentrations may be carried out independently of the surface conditions of the master to be reproduced (glossy, semigloss, matte) with a set of optical data of the colorants that are independent of surface conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting the temperature of a substrate, and for controlling the radiation-annealing of the substrate, for example, measures the intensity of infrared light from the substrate when the substrate is irradiated by measuring infrared light and also when the substrate is not irradiated by the infrared light. The temperature is calculated from the transmissivity and emissivity of the substrate, which are calculated from the intensity measurements.

Abstract: The present invention involves a computer-based expert system tool for making decisions regarding photofinishing processes. An expert mentor in the photofinishing area provides specific information both factual knowledge and judgmental knowledge including any judgmental rules he uses to make judgments and solve problems in the photofinishing area for a number of different processes. The expert then makes representative decisions using the computer which characterizes situations in terms of their data values based on information derived from a control strip used in the given photofinishing process. From this interaction the expert system tool of this invention is able to generate an internal representation of the logical processes of the expert and to characterize each situation in terms of a series of intermediate judgments. The expert system tool of this invention can determine the relative logical importance of each of the data points and to classify each as being of either major or minor significance.

Abstract: The dynamic viscosity of a viscous medium is measured by positioning an acoustic transducer in the temperature and pressure environment of the medium and spaced from the medium, then measuring a first resonant frequency and bandwidth for acoustic shear wave propagation within the transducer. The transducer is then positioned in surface contact with the medium, and a second resonant frequency and bandwidth are measured. The viscosity of the medium is calculated from the difference between the first and second resonant frequencies and bandwidths. The step of measuring a first resonant frequency and bandwidth involves applying a first input signal to the transducer to generate acoustic shear waves within the transducer, measuring the frequency and amplitude of the output signal produced by the transducer in response to the acoustic shear waves, and repeating the steps of applying and measuring for a range of first input signal frequencies to determine a first resonant frequency and bandwidth for the transducer.

Abstract: A motor-driven power steering system for a vehicle having a motor operatively connected to the steerable road wheels of the vehicle and a clutch arrangement interposed therebetween for selectively establishing and interrupting the transmission of power-assisting force from the motor to the road wheels in accordance with vehicle speed and operator-induced steering torque resulting form the steering force exerted on the steering wheel. The current to be supplied to the motor for controlling the running operation thereof is gradually decreased to reduce the power-assisting force transmitted from the motor to the steerable road wheels as the vehicle speed increases before the clutch is switched off and gradually increased to increase the power-assisting forces as the vehicle speed decreases after the clutch is switched on so as to provide a smooth transition from power steering to manual steering or vice versa without causing any abrupt change in the steering torque.

Abstract: A system for the nonvolatile storage of data, such as a postage meter system, employs a microcomputer coupled to two nonvolatile memories. The first nonvolatile memory requires data be applied to the nonvolatile data terminals for more than a predetermined time for data to be written into said nonvolatile memory while the second nonvolatile memory is of a type wherein data applied to the second nonvolatile memory data terminals for less than the predetrermined time is sufficient for data to be written into the second nonvolatile memory. The microcomputer operates under control of a program store to apply data to the first nonvolatile memory data terminals for at least a predetermined time under particular operating conditions and under other operating conditions to applying data to the nonvolatile memory data terminals and during the predetermined time to the second nonvolatile memory terminals.

Abstract: An intake air throttling system for a diesel engine comprising an air intake passage. The system includes a throttling valve mounted in the air intake passage so as to selectively throttle air flow through it. This throttling valve can be positioned to at least a first position in which it substantially fully closes the air intake passage, a second position in which it partly throttles the air intake passage to a substantial extent but does not fully close it, and a third position in which it does not throttle the air intake passage to any substantial extent. The throttling valve is controlled by a control system, which positions it to the first position when the engine is being stopped, which positions it to the second position when the engine is being idled, and which positions it to the third position when the engine is being operated in non idling load bearing operational condition.