Abstract: A process of fabricating a durable data storage medium is disclosed, the durable data storage medium capable of storing, digital or alphanumeric characters as well as graphical shapes or characters. Additionally, a durable data storage medium including a substrate having etched characters therein is disclosed, the substrate characterized as containing detectable residual amounts of ions used in the preparation process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transforming a topological wire route to a physical wire route is described where the topological wire is a connected route having only a topological position determined with respect to terminals or obstacles. A topological wire is first selected and then obstacles which sight the selected wire are identified. A fan with a radius that is a predetermined number times a minimum space is then set to the identified obstacle as a forbidden region. A minimum space must be left between the selected wire and the identified obstacle. Finally, a shortest route is detected so that it does not pass through the forbidden region, and the route of the physical wire on the board is determined with the shortest route.

Abstract: A drug dispensation method and apparatus significantly reduces the likelihood that a nurse or other health care personnel will inadvertently administer the wrong drug to a patient. The method and apparatus identify a classification and a characteristic of a drug.

Abstract: An alarm event generation method and apparatus for signaling an alarm (436, 1400) for a process control system (100). The process control system (100) monitors a production run using a computer system (108). The computer system (108) collects process data corresponding to the production run from operator workstations (104, 106) and stores the process data in a process data database (110). The process data includes a plurality of process parameter counts (430) each corresponding to a process parameter type (428). The process parameter counts (430) are polled from the computer system (108). Each process parameter count (430) has a corresponding manufacturing limit (434) to which it is compared. When a polled process parameter count (430) exceeds its corresponding manufacturing limit (434), an alarm (436, 1400) is signaled. While an alarm (436, 1400) is being signaled, the computer system (108) is prevented from collecting and storing process data.

Abstract: A computer implemented knowledge-based system for the selection of materials and/or fabrication processes for a durable goods application. The system consists of a graphical user interface, an expert system shell and a models and data base program. The system provides rapid, consistent and accurate techno-economic comparisons of processes and materials to select the best materials and fabrication processes for the durable goods application.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are specified for alignment of the shaft W1 of a rotating machine M1 in a predetermined nominal position by moving the machine M1 on the base, as well as an apparatus for carrying out the method. The instantaneous position of the shaft W1 is detected in a known manner by a sensor device 7, which provides electrical position signals corresponding to the difference between the instantaneous position of the shaft W1 and the shaft nominal position. These position signals, the known relative position of the mounting points 6 of the machine M1 on the base with respect to the predetermined reference points on this base, and other geometric measurement data are used by a computer to calculate correction values for position corrections to be made at the individual mounting points 6 of the machine M1, and these correction values are brought to the attention of the alignment technician 4, for the magnitude and direction for each mounting point 6.

Abstract: A scanning device for determining the shape of irregular substantially cylindrical objects. Lines of light are projected onto the surface of the object. The position of the images of the lines on the surface are measured at predetermined positions to obtain a three dimensional profile of the object. The device can be incorporated into a log cutting system and the position of the log can be adjusted based on the profile determination to obtain maximum yield from the log.

Abstract: A control system controls the motion of a physical subject such as a mechanical system to damp or enhance the motion via a single transducer which alternates in a time-discrete manner between the task of reading a signal indicative of the state of the subject and the task of influencing said state by the application of a force. Control of motion or vibration is achieved through a series of actuating pulses interleaved with sensing operations. The same single transducer alternately acts as input to the control system from the subject and output from the control system to the subject. The control system provides full and individual control of all important harmonic modes of vibration of a subject mechanical system.

Abstract: A program selection driving device for a personal computer is provided, through which a user can executes a desirous program simply by operating a specified button, comprising a button panel 712 having a plurality of selecting buttons on an outside of a main computer 71 and a remote signal receiver 711 for inputting a specified remote control signal. A CPU 20 executes a corresponding program the user wants when a specified selecting signal is inputted from the button panel 712 and the remote signal receiver 711. And a hard disk of the computer includes a first memory region storing a program for the program selection driving and a second memory region storing directory information and execution file names related to selectable programs registered. A program can be registered in the second memory region, in execution of a program stored at the first memory region, by a drag and drop function.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for managing and distributing design and manufacturing information throughout a factory in order to facilitate the production of components, such as bent sheet metal components. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the management and distribution of critical design and manufacturing information is achieved by storing and distributing the design and manufacturing information associated with each job. By replacing the traditional paper job set-up or work sheet with, an electronically stored job sheet that can be accessed instantaneously from any location in the factory, the present invention improves the overall efficiency of the factory. In addition, through the various aspects and features of the invention, the organization and accessibility of part information and stored expert knowledge is improved.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a real-time command interpreter that functions even when the printing apparatus is off-line, and interprets control commands simultaneously with receiving data. The printing apparatus can therefore output pulses to the external devices even when printing is in progress or the printer is off-line. Such printing apparatus comprises a command detector for directly detecting predetermined command data from the received command data. An external controller controls an external device in accordance with predetermined command data detected by the command detection.

Abstract: An environmental control system for a building intended for human occupancy in which the operating environment is controlled in response to any of a plurality of states of the building as represented by a state vector. A plurality of independently operating controllers contain stored sets of addressable control functions which are accessed by the state vector signal. The controllers produce operating point signals for apparatuses which affect operating environment parameters in accordance with the addressed control functions.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a real-time command interpreter that functions even when the printing apparatus is off-line, and interprets control commands simultaneously with receiving data. The printing apparatus can therefore output pulses to the external devices even when printing is in progress or the printer is off-line. Such printing apparatus comprises a command detector for directly detecting predetermined command data from the received command data. An external controller controls an external device in accordance with predetermined command data detected by the command detection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a processing machine to perform a processing operation on a workpiece by (a) determining the nominal locations of at least two sensible reference marks on the workpiece in terms of the coordinates of the workpiece; (b) loading the workpiece on the processing machine; (c) sensing, and measuring the actual locations of, the reference marks on the workpiece when so mounted, in terms of the coordinates of the processing machine; (d) determining at least one geometrical transformation needed to transform the workpiece coordinates of the nominal locations of the reference marks to the processing machine coordinates of the actual locations of the reference marks; (e) and controlling the processing machine in accordance with the determined geometrical transformation.

Abstract: Automatic monitoring system and method for providing an instantaneous tool status indication for a stock removal cutter when cutting workpieces in accordance with a given machining operation for which a substantially new stock removal cutter of the same type has a reference average tool wear coefficient R0. The system includes a torque monitor (7) for measuring a main drive cutting torque M during the cutting of an ith successive workpiece. Coupled to the torque monitor (7), is an instantaneous tool wear coefficient processor (13) for calculating a plurality of instantaneous tool wear coefficients r(j) during the cutting of the ith successive workpiece.

Abstract: The presence of particles on the wafer holder of semiconductor exposure equipment is detected by analyzing any up-and-down movement of the stage during the alignment, for exposure, of a wafer mounted on the wafer holder. The analysis of the up-and-down movement of the stage is conducted based on signals from a motor which moves the stage in the vertical (Z-axis) direction, or based on signals from a sensor indicative of the distance that the stage deviates vertically from a reference position. A feedback mechanism produces information representative of the up-and-down movement of the stage, and a computer processes the signals to produce data indicative of whether particles are present beneath the wafer on the stage.

Abstract: An interpretive system architecture for a seamless transfer of energy to a physical, chemical, or thermodynamic process stream, or microwave oven. The interpretive system architecture overlays the operational finctions of the process stream or host microwave oven to interpret, control, and implement user independent commands. The interpretive system has at least one interpretive base class for providing operational instance to the process stream or host microwave oven. The interpretive system receives an indicia, the indicia being expressive of an externally derived predetermined compiled code disposed on the surface of a specimen, or food package, or associated thereto, the indicia communicating via at least one data entry mechanism to the process stream or host microwave oven. The interpretive system interprets the data or code and transforms it into user independent commands.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a real-time command interpreter that functions even when the printing apparatus is off-line, and interprets control commands simultaneously with receiving data. The printing apparatus can therefore output pulses to the external devices even when printing is in progress or the printer is off-line. Such printing apparatus comprises a command detector for directly detecting predetermined command data from the received command data. An external controller controls an external device in accordance with predetermined command data detected by the command detection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling plumbing fixtures includes an electronic control board having a microprocessor that accepts four inputs and produces four outputs. Inputs at other than the microprocessor's operating voltage are converted thereto. Outputs having different voltages are controlled by latching relays. The control board can be used with a Smart Sink that requires a sequenced hand washing. The control board can form a node on a network that monitors and controls the functions of multiple boards throughout a facility.

Abstract: A method and apparatus implementing a user interface device, such as a mouse or trackball, having electronically controllable tactile responsiveness which is flexibly programmable. A user interface device effects positioning of a cursor within a limited area, such as on a display screen, with limits imposed by controllable tactile responsiveness. Programmable force-position characteristics relate the tactile responsiveness of the interface device to the position of the cursor within the limited area or on the display screen. In a described embodiment, the interface device includes at least two sets of wheels that move as the interface device is actuated. The at least two sets of wheels are aligned on mutually orthogonal axes. A servo motor is attached to each of the at least two sets of wheels.