Abstract: A system and method for displaying and configuring parameters in a fieldbus configuration system. The fieldbus configuration utility first determines the devices and blocks present in the system, and then determines the parameters of each block. When the parameters are displayed, an object is displayed proximate to certain of the parameters. The object includes a color and/or shape which indicates the type or class of parameter. The user can also configure alarms and trends using the improved graphical interface of the present invention. The user configures alarms and trends by assembling a graphical program or wiring diagram on the screen which comprises a selected one or more block icons and an icon representing the device receiving the trend or alarm. The system also includes a periodic update window which is used to obtain periodically updated values of selected parameters.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimal arbitrary time-delay (OAT) filter to shape input signals by which a controlled motion is actuated in a physical system. The filter minimizes unwanted dynamics from being created by the actuation of the controlled movement in the physical system. The filter generally comprises three coefficients which are multiplied by the discrete samples of the input signal in a digital filter performing a convolution function. The samples multiplied by the three coefficients are separated by an arbitrary time delay. In this manner, three separate signals are generated. The results of these multiplication operations are summed in real time, thereby generating a filtered input signal which is sent to actuate the controlled motion of the physical system with minimal unwanted dynamics.

Abstract: The invention provides a self-service computer having a monitor which can access and display documents using browser software, and including software for providing at least one image which includes controls for the browser software. A microphone, speaker, camera and serial input device can be added to the kiosk to extend its functionality. The serial input device can be provided as a card swipe reader, a bar code reader, a smart card reader, a personal identification verifier and combinations of these. Examples of personal identification verifiers include palm print readers, retina scanners, voice analyzers, finger print scanners, DNA testers, and the like.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the embedding of a information storage device within, or attached to, the carriers used to transport work in progress from step to step in the semiconductor manufacturing process. The carrier can be a tray having sites for several semiconductor dies, tubes for carrying several dies together, lead frames, wafer cassettes or individual die sockets. The information storage device can be formed integrally with the carrier or formed separately and attached or secured to the carrier.

Abstract: A physical distribution storage system comprises a series of storage racks, a host processing unit and hand-held terminals, the storage racks storing articles and each storage rack having rack information indication means which indicates information concerning the articles stored in the rack. The host processing unit includes a printer which prints in and out lists, indicating articles to be taken in and out, on the print material. Each hand-held terminal includes an input unit which reads the rack information and the in and out lists and updates the in and out lists according to the in and out operations, a data comparator which compares the rack information read by the input unit with the updated in and out lists and a display which displays the comparator results on a respective screen. The in and out lists may be represented by two dimensional bar codes.

Abstract: A manually operated mail sorting station sorts pieces of unsorted mail into numerous bins in a case for holding sorted mail. The mail sorting station includes a scanner for reading an address from a piece of unsorted mail and the scanner includes a communication interface. The mail sorting station also includes a computer connected to the communication interface. The computer includes a program responsive to the address transmitted by the scanner over the communication interface. The program includes instructions that store the address in memory, a scheme representing an assignment of addresses to bins in the case, wherein the assignment maps addresses to individual postal delivery routes for Postal Service carriers in a predetermined city section, the individual delivery routes assigned at least one bin in the case, and instructions that match the address against the scheme to select one of the bins in the case as a matched bin for the piece of unsorted mail.

Abstract: A robot calibration system includes a calibration sensor that provides an indication of when a first reference point that remains fixed relative to a robot base is a fixed distance from a second reference point that is located on the robot arm. The robot arm is moved through a plurality of orientations and each time that the fixed distance between the two reference points is achieved, robot joint position information is determined. The preferred calibration sensor includes a string that extends between the two reference points and activates a signal generator each time that the string is taut as caused by the orientation of the robot arm. The generated signal indicates that the two reference points are separated by the fixed distance. The determined robot joint positions are then used to determine a calibration factor which varies depending on the needs of a particular situation.

Abstract: A robotic system for processing a plurality of products, the system including a plurality of units arranged to sequentially receive the products and each having a work station for effecting a specific operation on the products; and a robotic device associated with each unit and operable to sequentially obtain the products from a preceding unit, to transport the products to the work station of its associated unit and to transport the products from the associated work station to a position accessible to a robotic device of a succeeding unit.

Abstract: Apparatus to detect tampering with a totalizing device on a fuel dispenser with a totalizing device acting to keep a running total of fuel dispensed from the fuel dispenser and including an electric circuit containing at least one coil that will emit a magnetic pulse responsive to a condition consistent with proper totalizer operation, the apparatus including an arrangement for sensing the presence of the magnetic pulse and generating a signal responsive thereto and an arrangement for causing an alarm responsive to absence of the magnetic pulse.

Abstract: A hybrid predictor for predicting the output of a process, and a hybrid prediction method using the hybrid predictor. Also, a system for and a method of controlling a process using the hybrid predictor and hybrid prediction method are provided. In order to obtain a shifted prediction vector and step response coefficients, the hybrid predictor uses a parameter model which can be updated in accordance with a variation in the process. The control method includes the steps of predicting process output signals generated in a prediction horizon, based on input signals applied to the process, correcting the predicted values, based on output signal values measured at the next scan, comparing the corrected prediction value with a reference value to derive an error vector, calculating a control signal to minimize the error vector, and applying the control signal to the process. The hybrid predictor is characterized by an addition of a model parameter estimator and a model response converter.

Abstract: The painting equipment controller controls automotive painting equipment so that desired painting attributes can be achieved. A database is used for storing mathematical models which interrelate painting factors with painting responses. The painting factors include the control settings of the painting equipment. The painting responses include such painting attributes as the appearance of the paint and application attributes of the paint. A database engine determines the values for the painting responses based upon the model and upon initially selected painting factor values. A cooptimizer uses the output of database engine to determine a second set of values for the painting factors which achieve the desired painting attributes. Thereupon, the painting equipment is controlled based upon the painting factor values as determined by the cooptimizer.

Abstract: Detecting section detects joint angles and the relative angle of rotation from a plurality of rotatable operating tools mounted on a single mobile platform of a construction machine. Interference distance calculator, having recorded predetermined point positions for each operating tool, derives the distances between the plurality of operating tools on the basis of the detection results and the point positions, and calculates the shortest approach distance from these distances. If this shortest approach distance is less than a prescribed set distance, anti-interference controller issues a warning to alarm via the output controller, and it outputs anti-interference control to hydraulic control section CC such that the approaching tool is halted or slowed down, or the velocity of the operating tool being approached is matched to that of the approaching tool depending on the set mode.

Abstract: A control system allows a user to access a programmable logic controller (PLC). system over a communication network such as an Internet network using a web browser. The system includes an Internet web interface between the network and the programmable logic controller. The Web interface serves Web pages from an Ethernet interface on a PLC and includes an HTTP protocol interpreter and a TCP/IP stack. The Web interface provides access to the PLC by a user at a remote location through the Internet. The interface translates the industry standard Ethernet, TCP/IP and HTTP protocols used on the Internet into data recognizable to the PLC. Using this interface, the user can retrieve all pertinent data regarding the operation of the programmable logic controller system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that precisely controls the amount of liquid dispensed from dispensing apparatus onto an article. The present invention controls the weight of the dispensed liquid by using a force transducer that precisely weighs the article and dispensed liquid during the dispensing process. This weight value is input to a computer controller of an automatic dispenser that embodies a computer program that controls a liquid dispensing pump. Liquid is dispensed until the desired weight of liquid that is to be dispensed is reached, defined by an upper limit in the program. The flow of dispensed liquid is reduced when the weight limit is approached, and is stopped when the weight limit is reached. Thus, in the present invention, the weight (or volume) of the dispensed liquid is controlled in real time during the dispensing process. Closed loop control of the dispensing pump using liquid weight as the controlling variable improves the volumetric accuracy and repeatability of the dispensing process.

Abstract: A method for designing and performing a process, the method including: (a) generating a definition of the process, the generating step including: (i) defining an output of the process; and (ii) defining a plurality of activities forming at least one sequence of activities which lead to the output, including defining complete information which includes, for each of the plurality of activities: input information, including a source thereof, and output information, including a destination thereof; and (b) carrying out the process at least partly in accordance with the definition of the process.Apparatus for designing the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic apparatus for carrying out physical processing on a workpiece removably mounted in a pocket formed in a body of the apparatus, based on internal data. The mounting of the workpiece is detected. An alarm is given to indicate that no workpiece is mounted in the pocket, if the mounting of the workpiece is not detected after the electronic apparatus is started. In another form, text data used last time is deleted based on results of discrimination as to whether or not a workpiece different in kind from one mounted last time is mounted, based on results of detection of the kind of the mounted workpiece. There is also provided an electronic apparatus for carrying out exposure as physical processing on a workpiece having a portion formed of a photosensitive resin having a temperature-dependent property, based on internal data. Internal data defining exposure time periods corresponding to ambient temperatures is stored.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a method and apparatus for compensating for the spatial variation across the surface of a wafer in certain design parameters of semiconductor devices. The spatial variation in the design parameters is due to the spatial variation in some of the processes involved in the manufacturing of the devices upon the semiconductor wafer. Using metrology tools, the physical, chemical, and electrical parameters of the devices across the surface of the wafer are first measured and recorded. These device parameters include the certain design parameters that must remain within certain design limits or that are to be optimized. Examples of these design parameters for a transistor are the threshold voltage, the switching speed, and the current consumption. The spatial variation in the design parameters may be compensated by altering the doping profile across the wafer with some of the implantation steps.

Abstract: The order of optical conditions and mask conditions necessary required in a photolithography process to be varied is designated so as to minimize the number of recalculations for a transmission cross-coefficient and a Fourier transform of a mask. The conditions are systemically varied and Fourier transforms of the mask and the transmission cross-coefficients are tabulated. With the resultant tables, the parametric analysis for calculating the light intensity distribution is performed.

Abstract: A method for verification of components installed on a printed circuit board includes the step of capturing an image of an entire printed circuit board and components mounted thereon using a scanning device. After it has been determined that a printed circuit board having no defects, the scanned image of the circuit board has no defects is stored in a memory. The image of the entire printed circuit board under test, and having potential defects is then captured using a scanning device. The image of the printed circuit board under test is then stored in a memory. The stored image of the printed circuit board having no defects is then overlaid in registration with the stored image of the printed circuit board with potential defects on a display in alternating sequence in order to visually provide an indication of a defective component or defective component placement on the printed circuit board under test to an operator.

Abstract: A machine-side position detection control unit (20) is provided in order to read a position feedback signal of a position detector (64) associated with a control axis (X axis) requiring machine-side position detection for controlling of a closed loop system. This makes unnecessary for providing a position detection control unit in a servoamplifier (30, 40, 50) for each axis. A numerical control unit (10) and the servoamplifier (30, 40, 50) for each axis are connected in a daisy chain form by a serial communication line.