Abstract: A multivoltage (120 VAC to 277 VAC) input, low leakage current type, microcontroller-based, wall switch mounted, IR motion sensor with a latching relay having zero watt load switching capability, provided in a low cost, single PC board design to be mounted in a single gang electrical box. The switching circuit delivers AC electrical power to a load, such as a lighting fixture, from an AC power supply having only a hot lead, a neutral lead and a ground connection. The switching circuit comprises a rectifier, coupled to conduct a leakage current between the hot lead and the ground connection, for converting the AC electrical power to a DC electrical power supply. A relay has a first normally open contact coupled to the hot lead and a second normally open contact coupled to the load, and is powered by a storage capacitor. An IR occupancy sensor generates a signal in response to a detected human presence.

Abstract: Through selecting machines from groups of equipment, determine a line composition for producing a specific product so that a tact time of the line may not exceed an initial set tact time. Give a priority order to the machines based on machines' features, thereby grouping the machines. Store information including the priority order within each group, the priority order between the groups, mounting tact time of the loadable parts, and the tact times proper to each machine into an external storage 1 as control information 2. Supplement the machines according to the priority order to the line composition from the equipment until all the parts are loaded, and calculate the tact time of the line with a CPU 3. Supplement the machines successively from the groups of equipment until the line tact time becomes not more than the initial set tact time. The line tact time is calculated with the CPU 3.

Abstract: The learning algorithm called Expand-and-Truncate Learning (ETL) is invented to synthesize a three-layer threshold network (TLTN) with guaranteed convergence for an arbitrary switching function. There has not yet been found an algorithm to synthesize a threshold network for an arbitrary switching function. The most significant contribution of this invention is the development of a learning algorithm for a three-layer TLTN which guarantees convergence for any switching function, automatically determining a required number of threshold elements in the hidden layer. For example, it turns out that the required number of threshold elements in the hidden layer of a TLTN for an n-bit parity function is equal to n. The threshold element in the proposed TLTN employs only integer weights and integer thresholds. Therefore, this will greatly facilitate actual hardware implementation of the proposed TLTN using currently available digital VLSI technology.

Abstract: A method for identifying those process steps which produce "high risk" particulate contamination that is most likely to produce defects. The die positions of particulate deposits on a wafer are measured prior to and subsequent to a specific process step, to determine the die positions of particulate deposits introduced during that specific process step. Then, subsequent electrical tests of the wafer are used to determine which locations on the wafer contain faulty circuitry. The locations of particulate deposits introduced during the specific process step are then correlated to the locations of faulty circuitry. The result is a measure of the extent to which particulate deposits introduced during the specific process step contribute to reductions in yield of the manufacturing process.

Abstract: At the shipping department of a company, contracted outlets or outlets of delivery companies, information concerning the shipper and receiver are written into a label having a memory, but no controller or energy source. The label has a transmitter and the label makes use of power supplied by RF query signals to fetch the information stored and transmits such information to a label reader located either in a portable recorder or at sorting locations. After the information is written into the label, the label is attached to the package. Upon being picked up, the label on the package is read by a portable recorder which transmits the information to a main computer.

Abstract: A system for providing an optimal cluster of cells on the surface of a semiconductor chip is provided herein. The system collects a predetermined quantity of cells, this predetermined quantity containing a center cell, and all cells are assigned a distance value from the center cell. A coordinate is assigned to each cell based on its associated distance value, and new cell positions are calculated based on related cell positions and weights associated with each cell.

Abstract: On-line upgrading of a primary industrial controller is provided through the use of a secondary industrial controller that may assume control of the process controlled by the primary industrial controller. A switch-over of control is orchestrated by a system back-up module that may detect removal of the functional components of the primary industrial controller to initiate the switch-over. Determination of removal of functional modules may be provided by a periodic polling of the functional components on the interconnecting communication link. The system back-up module designates one of the functional modules to poll the system back-up module so that complete coverage of removable components may be had.

Abstract: An apparatus for upgrading/repairing existing piping systems of a nuclear reactor without removal/replacement of the old piping. The process involves the steps of machining a counterbore of exposed corrosion-susceptible material and then depositing a corrosion-resistant weld material, thereby isolating the weld joint from corrosion susceptibility. A tool is inserted into the inside diameter of the piping system through an inspection port, valve body or segment removal. Then a tool mounting fixture equipped with axial and rotational capabilities is positioned in relation to the weld joint and locked in place. The tool mounting fixture remains locked in place throughout the entire repair process. A work surface mapping module is programmed to first gather relative reference points throughout the entire repair region. Upon data acquisition completion, the system creates a map of the existing inside diameter configuration.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automated apparatus for subjecting samples to one or more selected test procedures at one or more test stations comprising a conveyor line for transporting samples contained in uniquely labeled containers, said line having at least two lanes for routing said containers to one or more selectable test stations, at least one of said lanes being a transport lane and at least one of said lanes being a queue line, and having a container interface device for transferring containers to said testing device from the queue lane and back again onto said queue lane.

Abstract: In a control apparatus including a main control section and a plurality of remote PLC devices each connected to the main control section, the main control section has a PLC computing unit controlling the entire system and a remote PLC communication control section executing data transaction via a communication line with the plurality of remote PLC devices, and each remote PLC device including a communication control section executing data transaction via a communication line with the main control section, a memory section for storing therein a sequence program transmitted through the communication line and specified to the remote PLC device, a machine input/output I/F section for executing data transaction with external machine controlled by the remote PLC device, and a PLC computing section for executing PLC processing according to a sequence program and based at least on data transmitted from the main control section and data obtained from the machine input/output I/F section.

Abstract: A digital computer implemented software system is provided for programming industrial logic controllers using a software package of the type utilizing relay ladder logic to represent control programs. The control program is executable by the controller to control the operation of one or more industrial devices. Using relay ladder logic, the control programmer is provided with a system to replace a coil with an ACTION block containing at least one complex expression. When the left side of the ACTION block is energized, the expression is evaluated. In a further embodiment, the programmer is able to replace a contact with a DECISION block containing a Boolean expression. When the left side of the DECISION block is energized, the Boolean expression is evaluated. If the expression evaluates as TRUE, the right side of the DECISION is energized.

Abstract: When the number of pieces of data which are operated on by an operation unit per unit time is N times the number of pieces of data entered into a data entry section per unit time and the operation unit performs an operation on a data set consisting of K samples of data, the data set extraction starting positions on a data string entered into the data entry section are shifted by K/N samples. Each of data sets thus extracted from the data string is sent to the operation unit to be operated on. This configuration permits the precision of operations by the operation unit to be improved according to the ratio K/N without reducing the operation efficiency of the operation unit.

Abstract: A storage controller operates an array of parity protected data storage units as a RAID level 5. One of the storage units is a dedicated write assist unit. The assist unit is a temporary storage area for data to be written to the other units. When the array controller receives data from a host, it first writes the data to the assist unit. Because the assist unit is not parity protected and is only temporary storage, it is possible to write data to the assist unit sequentially, without first reading the data, greatly reducing response time. The array controller signals the CPU that the data has been written to storage as soon as it has been written to the assist unit. Parity in the array is updated asynchronously. In the event of system or storage unit failure, data can be recovered using the remaining storage units and/or the assist unit. The write assist unit also doubles as a spare unit.

Abstract: A packet is originated in a unit 10 as a data field DATA 11 plus a CRC (cyclic redundancy check) check field CRC 12 by a CRC circuit 13. This packet has a header HDR (with a routing information field RIF) added to it in a unit 20, converting it into a message for transmission through a message network. A check correction field CCF is computed by unit 23 in unit 20, by looking up precomputed check subfields stored with the routing subfields (the routing information field being constructed by selecting from the stored subfields), such that the CRC field is a valid CRC check field for the complete message. At the destination, unit 30 can be the final user unit, checking the entire message and extracting the data field DATA therefrom; the DATA field does not need to be checked, as the CRC field acts as a check both for the data field DATA alone and the entire message.

Abstract: A plurality of switches are connected to a lesser plurality of shift registers which are controlled by the microcontroller to provide serial binary signals over a single data line with a voltage level clamp by a zener diode in response to clock pulses. A second plurality of switches and rheostats are supplied to a lessor plurality of multiplexers. One of the input channels to each of the multiplexers is selected in response to a channel select signal provided by the microcontroller. The registers and multiplexers produce output signals that are clamped to a lower microcontroller operating level. Signals from the microcontroller are skipped as to control the registers and multiplexers. The operation of the switches and rheostats is used by the microcontroller to control the power devices such as lights, windows, turn signals and air conditioning.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconfiguring an integrated circuit based on testing results is accomplished by an integrated circuit that includes a first circuit, a second circuit, and configuration circuitry deposited on a single die. After testing of the die, the configuration circuitry configures the integrated circuit based on the results of the testing. If both circuits passed the testing, the configuration circuitry couples, where appropriate, the first and second circuits together. If, however, the first circuit failed the testing and the second circuit passed the testing, the configuration circuitry configures the integrated circuit as if only the second circuit were present on the die. If, however, the second circuit failed the testing and the first circuit passed the testing, the configuration circuitry configures the integrated circuit as if only the first circuit were present on the die.

Abstract: A method of generating a motion command for a robot, comprises providing a constant velocity region between an acceleration region when starting and a deceleration region when stopping for every repetitive period when moving the robot throughout a predetermined distance while periodically repeating the start/stop throughout a shorter distance than the predetermined distance.

Abstract: Quality control for stitching of a textile article is performed by measuring thread tension in the stitches as the stitches are being made, determining locations of the stitches, and generating a map including the locations and stitching data derived from the measured thread tensions. The stitching data can be analyzed, off-line or in real time, to identify defective stitches. Defective stitches can then be repaired. Real time analysis of the thread tensions allows problems such as broken needle threads to be corrected immediately.

Abstract: A method of cutting out blanks from workpieces of a sheet material comprises the steps of spreading the workpieces on a supporting surface of an imaging apparatus, manually marking the characteristic features of the workpieces to obtain markings, assigning a workpiece identifier to each spread workpiece, photographing the contour of the workpieces, the markings and the workpiece identifiers to obtain corresponding data, entering the obtained data into a computer having a memory having stored therein data as to number, contour and quality requirements of the blanks, the computer computing a pattern on the basis of the entered and stored data, storing the computed pattern and allocating the stored pattern to the workpieces identified by the workpiece identifiers, placing a respective workpiece on a working surface of a cutting apparatus in a determined position, photographing the one workpiece and the determined position thereof to obtain corresponding data, entering the obtained data into the computer, the com

Abstract: A method capable of systematically determining the specifications of antecedent process steps subsumed in stages that unfold and move towards a specified final product requirements window. To this end, the method employs a back propagating technique that is cognizant of the specified final product requirements window.