Abstract: A system for monitoring and dispensing medical items includes a plurality of hook registers (10). Each of the hook registers includes sensors (48, 60, 62, 64) sensing the removal or addition of a medical item to the storage location on the hook register. Each hook register has a microprocessor (66) connected to the sensor which stores a count of the items added or removed from the location. The microprocessor also includes location identifying information specifically associated with the particular hook register. The microprocessor is periodically polled by a controller (72) which reads and stores the count and location identifying information from each of the hook registers. The controller information is periodically read by a data terminal (76) which is connected through a local area network (82) to a remote computer (84) having a processor and data store.

Abstract: A system for optimizing the operation of a plurality of irrigation systems includes at least one control computer, a storage device coupled to the control computer for storing data, a plurality of irrigation device controllers remotely coupled to each of the control computers, and a grid power monitor coupled to the computers for providing power grid demand and usage data. The system may also include GPS and GIS receivers to determine remotely position and soil condition and/or a plurality of sensors located in each of the irrigated fields which transmit soil information directly to the control computers. The control computers each in turn generate priorities of operation for the irrigation systems based on the soil condition information and most economical load operating periods from the electrical power utility.

Abstract: A processing result storage device stores data on the results of an etching apparatus having processed a product. An apparatus property storage device stores data which indicate the property of the etching apparatus as processing property data. A process stability judgment device judges the stability of a step based on the processing result data stored in the processing result storage device and the apparatus property data stored in the apparatus property storage device. When the process stability judgment device has judged the step to be stable, the processing rate automatic calculation device calculates an etching rate. On the other hand, when the process stability judgment device has judged the step to be unstable, the processing rate recalculation device calculates an etching rate, based on the results of the etching apparatus having actually etched. The processing requirement determination device determines the etching requirements from the calculated etching rate.

Abstract: The invention herein provides a supervisory circuit which is adapted to monitor an input signal and produce as an output signal, a parametric signal corresponding to the input signal. The circuit includes an input for receiving the input signal, and a stochastic processor coupled to the input for receiving the input signal and processing it to derive a signal that represents a parametric measure of the input signal. An output connected to said stochastic processor provides the parametric output signal as an output for supervisory purposes.

Abstract: A distributed energy storing system employing a communications network is disclosed. A distributed battery system includes a number of energy storing modules, each of which includes a processor and communications interface. In a network mode of operation, a battery computer communicates with each of the module processors over an intra-battery network and cooperates with individual module processors to coordinate module monitoring and control operations. The battery computer monitors a number of battery and module conditions, including the potential and current state of the battery and individual modules, and the conditions of the battery's thermal management system. An over-discharge protection system, equalization adjustment system, and communications system are also controlled by the battery computer. The battery computer logs and reports various status data on battery level conditions which may be reported to a separate system platform computer.

Abstract: A method for recovering from a reset in a microprocessor includes steps of evaluating a predetermined pattern in a volatile memory (102), determining the type of reset which occurred depending upon whether the predetermined pattern is intact (103); and initializing the memory depending upon the type of reset. In particular, all locations in the memory will be initialized if a "power on" reset occurs (107) and initializing only selected portions of the memory if a "static" or "cradled" reset has occurred (104). If a static or cradled reset has occurred, all locations of the memory are initialized except those locations including state information to allow normal operation of the microprocessor. That is, the operation of the microprocessor based device can be restored without interruption after the reset.

Abstract: An architecture and coherency protocol for use in a large SMP computer system includes a hierarchical switch structure which allows for a number of multi-processor nodes to be coupled to the switch to operate at an optimum performance. Within each multi-processor node, a simultaneous buffering system is provided that allows all of the processors of the multi-processor node to operate at peak performance. A memory is shared among the nodes, with a portion of the memory resident at each of the multi-processor nodes. Each of the multi-processor nodes includes a number of elements for maintaining memory coherency, including a victim cache, a directory and a transaction tracking table. The victim cache allows for selective updates of victim data destined for memory stored at a remote multi-processing node, thereby improving the overall performance of memory.

Abstract: A modular control system for an automated manufacturing facility, especially for use with a semiconductor fabrication facility having a number of discrete process components, provides a master control computer connected by a parallel bus to a series of modular interface cards. Each of the interface cards are organized to communicate with all the I/O located on a specific process component or group of process components. A plurality of daughter cards are provided on each of the interface cards. The daughter cards contain data translation and acquisition circuitry for translating the various forms of I/O signals from and into a database format. The signal list used to communicate between the master computer and the I/O is generated at startup, enabling easy modification, addition and deletion of I/O. Network-based communication protocols can also be employed for communication between the interface cards and the master computer.

Abstract: A logic system is presented including multiple configurable logic blocks (CLBs) implementing a state machine having multiple states, each state being associated with one or more logic functions and one or more possible next states. Each CLB includes programmable logic circuitry, and is configurable to implement the logic functions required in any given state. A complex state machine may be implemented using only 1+s CLBs, where s is the maximum number of next states of any state, thereby using a minimum amount of configurable logic. The logic system also includes a memory unit, a control unit coupled to the memory unit and to each of the CLBs, and an interface unit coupled to the control unit and to each of the CLBs. The memory unit stores configuration data required to configure the CLBs and state transition information. The control unit generates and stores current state information. Following programming, a single "active" CLB implements the logic functions required in the current state.

Abstract: A user controlled chemical management system for small-, medium- and large-sized organizations for use with a computer. The chemical inventory management system includes a chemical inventory control system allowing a user to manage chemicals from a central station, the plurality of combined receiving and outpost stations, to allow for the tracking of individual chemical containers throughout its life. In addition, an environmental, health and safety information system as contained in the chemical management system to allow the user create customized chemical storage groups that are color coded for a particular area. Also included is a safety equipment management system to allow accurate records to be kept of all safety equipment. Finally, an international chemical compatibility system is included with a compliance/education design to create compliance/education files for any country in the world.

Abstract: A method for avoiding scratching of wafer backs being held by a vacuum to a fetch arm of a stepper machine for insertion into a cassette holder includes releasing the vacuum in the suction head of the fetch are before the wafer enters the cassette holder. The release of vacuum reduces frictional force between the wafer back and the suction head when the wafer accidentally hits the side of the cassette holder. Therefore, the vacuum release method avoids scratching of wafer backs by the suction head of the fetch arm. The invention requires a separate vacuum release controller to release the vacuum in the suction head for a prescribed delaying period after the fetch arm starts moving toward the cassette holder.

Abstract: A production management computer indicate the number of parts corresponding to a number of products smaller than a planned number of products to be produced to a controller. A parts supplying section supplies the indicated number of parts through a parts holding section to a product producing section. When the number of parts held by the parts holding section becomes nil, semi-products held by a semi-product holding section are counted, and as many parts as the number of the counted number of semi-products are additionally supplied. The product producing section can produce products without causing an excess or shortage of parts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the creation of a electronic domain geometric modeling data file containing internal and external features of an object of interest by first successively removing contours of material forming the object to form exposed surfaces and thereby reveal the internal and external features contour by contour and second by subsequently, successively acquiring data relative to the exposed surfaces. The geometry of each exposed surface is obtained, processed and recorded after each contour is removed. The processing is converted to perimeter data to define the internal and external features and surfaces of the object and the perimeter data is combined to yield a three dimensional electronic domain representation of the object. If desired this representation can be displayed on a computer monitor or printed onto paper.

Abstract: Monitoring apparatus is provided for monitoring an on-going input to detect and report events of a predetermined type as defined by a set of criteria stored by the apparatus. Detected events are reported in a report stream the data rate of which increases with the number of such events. The data rate of the report stream is regulated to lie within upper and lower bounds by changing the selectivity of the set of event-selection criteria. This changing of the selectivity of the critera is effected in such a manner that the events detected with more selective criteria constitute a subset of the events that would have been detected with a less selective criteria. In a preferred embodiment, changing the criteria selectivity is done by changing the length of a bit mask.

Abstract: An irrigation control system including an irrigation controller, a portable data shuttle, and a personal computer. The user creates a watering program comprising watering schedules by using a graphical user-friendly interface of the personal computer. The watering program is then downloaded into the portable data shuttle. The portable data shuttle is coupled to an irrigation controller and a first watering schedule is downloaded from the portable data shuttle into the irrigation controller in a matter of seconds. At a later time, the data shuttle automatically downloads a second watering schedule replacing the first schedule, thereby updating the irrigation programming. For example, a new watering schedule may be automatically downloaded at preselected intervals to accommodate the changing seasons. The portable data shuttle includes voltage regulation circuits so that it can receive power from either the personal computer or the irrigation controller.

Abstract: A selective laser sintering apparatus and method is disclosed, in which the laser power is controlled according to the scan velocity. The scanning system, which includes a pair of galvanometer-controlled mirrors for directing the aim of the laser beam, generates signals indicative of either the position or scan velocity of the aim of the beam, in either one or two directions. The signals are gated in the laser power control system so as to pass the signals only during those times at which the laser is to be turned on. A laser power control system receives the signals and, in the case of position signals, differentiates the signals to generate velocity signals. The velocity signals are used to derive a scan velocity, and the scan velocity is multiplied by the desired laser power at full scan velocity to produce a laser power control signal.

Abstract: A data processing system and method provide an extension to an application that is programmable and is written in the native language of the application. During operation and execution of the data processing system and method, the application extension is loaded when an associated Java Virtual Machine is initialized.

Abstract: Automatic tracking lighting equipment for automatically tracking a target to be illuminated. A spotlight is supported for pivoting in horizontal and vertical directions on a ceiling surface. A horizontal drive mechanism changes the horizontal angle of the spotlight and a vertical drive mechanism changes the vertical angle of the spotlight. A CCD camera picks up the image of a target area to be illuminated. An image recognition unit processes the image from the CCD camera to recognize the target to be illuminated and to specify its coordinates. A coordinate calculation unit calculates how far to move the spotlight based on a distance of the target to be illuminated. A movable control unit converts the output of the coordinate calculation unit into drive signals for the horizontal drive mechanism and for the vertical drive mechanism and outputs drive signals to pivot the spotlight in a desired direction.

Abstract: An adaptive interface for a programmable system, for predicting a desired user function, based on user history, as well as machine internal status and context. The apparatus receives an input from the user and other data. A predicted input is presented for confirmation by the user, and the predictive mechanism is updated based on this feedback. Also provided is a pattern recognition system for a multimedia device, wherein a user input is matched to a video stream on a conceptual basis, allowing inexact programming of a multimedia device. The system analyzes a data stream for correspondence with a data pattern for processing and storage. The data stream is subjected to adaptive pattern recognition to extract features of interest to provide a highly compressed representation which may be efficiently processed to determine correspondence.

Abstract: Beginning with a successive commanded end-effector destination shift, the method of the invention, which includes a calculation corresponding to a special algorithm of inverse kinematics using the Jacobi Matrix in the control of a manipulator, effects an optimization of weighted criteria (energy criteria and reference-position criteria) in a real time cycle. The method of the invention can be used in interactive path guidance of a kinematically-redundant manipulator.