Abstract: A process is provided for generating a flow chart representing a control program defined by associative relationships between program levels, states and conditions, each condition specifying a transition from an associated one of the states as a source state to a corresponding selected destination state upon satisfaction of the condition during execution of the control program by the logic control unit. Each program level defines a sub-process of the control program.

Abstract: A control system for the production of a product or for a project. A primary project control computer oversees a plurality of secondary computers which manage each activity in the project. The system uses baseline schedule dates and measures variances to these dates. Resources are allocated based on the variances to minimize time and cost. Activity variance goals are individually assigned to each activity which is an improvement over the previous project-wide single goal method. An individual additional cost threshold may also be assigned to each activity.

Abstract: An oil mist generating system and monitoring method is shown and described, including pressurized air and oil supplies connected to a mist generating head. Sensors are provided for monitoring current values of the system operating parameters and for generating data signals based on the monitored values. A data processor functionally connected to the sensors generates signals based on the data input, such as an alarm signal if one of the monitored values is beyond the extremes of a predetermined range of values indicative of a fault condition. A visual display device displays programmed messages based on the signals generated by the data processing means. If a fault condition exists, the displayed messages aid the user in diagnosing and correcting the reason for the alarm signal. The user may manually request further programmed messages using a keypad, which messages direct the user to take predetermined actions to troubleshoot the problem and maintain the system at an appropriate operating level.

Abstract: A pricing control system for multi-operation vending machines, such as those commonly found in laundromat facilities, incorporates an offset price setting field for storing at least one incremental offset price which is added to a pre-established base price in order to set the cost for a respective vending machine operation. In accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention, a single offset price is used to increment each of the base prices established for a given vending machine such that the costs associated with each of the operations is incremented an equal amount. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, multiple offset price amounts are stored and added to predetermined base prices to establish the cost of each of the respective vending machine operations.

Abstract: A medical item dispensing apparatus includes a dispenser (100) which encloses a plurality of magazines (168). Each magazine holds a plurality of medical items (170) which in the preferred form of the invention are cylindrical containers. Each magazine includes an opening (180). A guide (182) and a front gate member (194) are positioned adjacent to the opening. A back gate member (200) is positioned further inward from the opening than the front gate member. The front gate member and back gate member are moved in coordinated relation so that the front gate member enables a medical item adjacent the opening to pass through the opening while the back gate member moves to prevent the other medical items in the magazine from moving toward the opening. After the dispense of the medical item from the magazine the front gate member moves to block the passage of further medical items through the opening while the back gate member moves to enable medical items to move toward the opening.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products determine compliance of a chemical product to be manufactured to government regulations that govern the manufactured product. According to the invention, the chemical compositions that are present in the chemical product to be manufactured are ascertained. The chemical compositions so ascertained are compared to a stored set of government regulatory standards related to the chemical compositions to determine compliance. Accordingly, compliance with complex government regulations governing chemical products can be determined.

Abstract: Two, preferably three or more gasoline (or other fuel) blending components are delivered to a point adjacently point of sale to the motorist and are blended by an apparatus which proportions the flow of individual components in response to signals indicative of the gasoline quality variables, octane, Reid vapor pressure, percent alcohol, etc. (The preferred octane for control purposes is motor octane, but pump octane or research octane or any combination of these three may be utilized.

Abstract: A numerically controlled milling machine is used to mill the surface of a coined spinnerette after punching and before broaching the holes in the spinnerette. A probe is mounted on the milling machine to obtain data points on the bumpy surface of the coined spinnerette. The low points in predetermined areas off of the protuberances on the bumpy surface of the coined spinnerette are detected. Splines connecting the low points in, e.g., concentric rings if the holes in the finished spinnerette will be in rings, are used to generate a representation of the finished surface. A spiral tool path is obtained using the representation of the finished surface and G-codes are generated to control the milling machine to move a tool along the tool path. After the coined spinnerette has been milled, conventional finishing, including broaching is performed.

Abstract: An area division unit divides a part placement area into a plurality of divided areas based on an area granularity. A part gravity value operation unit and a parts replacement unit extract a set of parts at each end of a connection line for each placement according to a connection line definition table and a parts placement table. If each part belonging to the set of parts obtained in the second process exists in a different divided area for each connection line, then the placement of each part belonging to a divided area is amended in the divided area in such a way that a connection line length between the parts can be shortened. A repetition control unit repeats a series of the above described processes while optionally changing a division starting position of the area division unit. An area granularity change unit repeats the series of the processes up to this point while gradually reducing an area granularity each time the above described series of processes terminate.

Abstract: A process and system to fabricate jewelry or curios. A conventional drawing program is used to create, manipulate or input an image. The image is reversed or flipped to make a mirror view of the image. This mirror view of the desired image is then printed on heat shrinkable material base material which has been specially coated. The sheet of base material with the mirror image is then shrunk utilizing heat. A this point the image can be viewed by looking through the non printed side of base material. Viewing the image through the base material (which is possible because the image is reversed) has been found to create a much sharper image. The printed side of the resulting curio is coated with a transparent material in order to add water fastness and durability. Finally the printed side of the curio is coated with an opaque white coating. It has been found that applying this opaque coating dramatically increases the quality of the image when the curio is placed on a dark background material.

Abstract: A machining program checking method is provided for a numerical control device which controls an NC lathe for performing a machining operation with a plurality of tools simultaneously mounted on a turret thereof, wherein interference of the tools with a workpiece or with various parts of the lathe can be surely detected before the machining operation is actually executed.

Abstract: An automated material handling system is presented for a manufacturing facility divided into separate fabrication areas. The automated material handling system plans and carries out the movement of work pieces between fabrication areas and maintains a database indicating the location of each work piece within the manufacturing facility. In one embodiment, the automated material handling system accomplishes the containerless transfer of semiconductor wafers through a wall separating a first and second fabrication areas. The wafers are transported within containers (e.g., wafer boats). The material handling system includes a number of transfer tools, including air lock chambers, mass transfer systems, robotic arms, and stock areas. The material handling system also includes a control system which governs the operations of the transfer tools as well as the dispersal of containers.

Abstract: Computer-based industrial control systems and methods employing object oriented hardware elements. An object oriented hardware element may comprise a processor core coupled one side to a universal real-world interface circuit, and on the other side to an open bus interface. In a preferred embodiment, the open bus interface provides downloading software programming objects to the microprocessor core. A computer-based control system in accordance with the present invention may comprise a personal computer or central processing unit coupled to a communications network, at least one zone interface module coupled to the communications network and to an open bus, at least one zone device module coupled to the open bus and, if required, one or more zone processor modules coupled to the open bus. Software object may be downloaded from the personal computer or central processing unit to the various modules to achieve modular, exception-based, distributively intelligent (MEDI) I/O control within the system.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for providing a fuel dispenser with a graphics interface. The system easily retrofits onto an existing, conventional fuel dispenser. The system likewise allows a customer to interact with the commercials as well as the instructional interface. The system includes a video display terminal, a touch screen, a multimedia controller, and a pump interface. A conventional fuel dispenser may be readily retrofitted with the system because the multimedia controller and pump interface communicate with a customer activated terminal already on the conventional fuel dispenser. The system also operates in a manner to determine if the customer has used the fuel dispenser before, and if not, displays additional instructions and videos to explain operation of the fuel dispenser. The system also allows the customer to select between different categories of commercials in order to purchase amenities.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for predicting a process surface profile that a given plasma process will create on a process substrate. The prediction is based on a test surface profile, the experimental outcome of a test process which is in general different from the plasma process of interest. In another aspect, the invention provides a technique for defining a plasma process that will produce a desired surface profile. Thus, in related aspects, the invention also provides apparatus for predicting a process surface profile and determining process values, a method of configuring a plasma reactor, a method of making semiconductor devices requiring limited empirical calibration, and a device made according to the method.

Abstract: A computer is operated to generate stitch data relating to an embroidery design. In the method of the invention, parameters of elements of the design are entered in the memory of the computer, said parameters being standard parameters for embroidering the design on a first type of material. First stitch data is then created in the memory of the computer for embroidering the design on the first type of material. Modified stitch data is then created in the memory of the computer for embroidering the design on a second type of material. The first stitch data or the modified stitch data, depending upon whether the design is to be embroidered onto the first type of material or onto the second type of material, is then written onto a storage medium.

Abstract: A line controller (115) for controlling a manufacturing process comprises a data entry device (225) for receiving product identification information and determining circuitry (310, 315) coupled to the data entry device (225) for receiving the product identification information and determining whether the product identification information is indicative of a first product or a second product. A control unit (320) coupled to the determining circuitry (310, 315) automatically generates, in response to the determining circuitry (310, 315) determining that the product identification information is indicative of the second product, a request for information relevant to the processing of the second product. The line controller (115) further comprises a data port (330) coupled to the control unit (320) for transmitting the request and for receiving in response thereto the information.

Abstract: A method and computer system for controlling an industrial process are disclosed. The industrial process has problems which adversely effect its performance. A personal computer is programmed with a database and a custom application. The database contains data describing the attributes and performance of the process to be controlled. The custom application calculates the financial value of each of the problems. The calculation of the financial value of each problem takes into account the impact of each problem on the process bottleneck. The financial values of the problems are used to prioritize the problems, allowing them to be remedied in accordance with their priority.

Abstract: A gauging system is disclosed. The gauging system is adapted to determine the dimensions of an elongate workpiece. A movement assembly is provided for effecting relative longitudinal movement between the gauging device and the elongate workpiece so that the gauging device can repeatedly detect the diameter of the workpiece relative to reference positions along the length of the workpiece. This enables the profile of the workpiece to be accurately determined. The gauging device may comprise a laser gauge, or other non-contact gauge. Alternatively, the gauging device may comprise a contact gauge.

Abstract: An architecture and electric system for controlling various devices is disclosed. The system uses modular, interchangeable components that can perform one or several tasks, such as interacting with a human user, controlling an external device, communicating and managing communications between several modules, storing and retrieving information, and acting as a master module. The modules are stackable and can interface with any other module.