Abstract: A system for robotic control of an object having x, y and z axis translational movement and C and D axis rotational movement capability. The object, which may be a robotic element such as a manipulator or machining tool or a laser beam positioner is controlled by the system for automatic tracking and orientation of the object over the surface of a workpiece including automatically determining the normal vector to the surface of the workpiece. It provides controllable movement and orientation of the object along selectable axes for accurate tracking of the workpiece surface by the object. The system allows processing of the workpiece by the object even when the axis of the object is oriented at an angle other than normal to the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus, comprises a bridge circuit having a plurality of rectifier legs electrically coupled in parallel. Each of the rectifier legs comprises a first and a second rectifier coupled in series and having an input node therebetween. The electrical apparatus further comprises a switch, having a control input, a power input, and a power output, coupled in parallel with the bridge circuit, and a controller having a control output coupled to the control input of the switch for regulating the opening and closing of the switch. When the bridge/switch element is coupled to the disassociated neutral terminals of a wye wound electrical device, the controller modulates the opening and closing of the switch to provide an current controlled soft start of the device, as well as continued motor drive capability, including acceleration and breaking of the device.

Abstract: A transmitter (2) is arranged on an acoustic drum to transform wave motions generated by hits on the drumhead (10) in electrical signals. The transmitter (2) comprises a vibration sensitive body (8) designed to be elastically forced against the drumhead (10). According to a first aspect on the invention the vibration sensitive body (8) has got an oblong shape (L:W) for detection of wave motions of a predetermined direction and within a predetermined frequency range. Another aspect on the invention is to avoid the risk of mechanical damages to the vibration sensitive body (8) as well as to emphasize the ability to detect the wave motions in the drumhead (10). This is implemented by a holder (3) being fixable to the edge (5) of the drum rim (6). The holder (3) includes an elastic spring device (12, 13) carrying the vibration sensitive body (8).

Abstract: A mechanism for centering discs of different diameters includes a generally flat plate containing a plurality of slots, a guide rotatably mounted on one side of the plate for rotation about the axis along which a disc is to be centered, at least three pins, each of which slidably engages one of the slots and protrudes through the plate for engaging the periphery of a disc to be centered, a separate linkage pivotally connected between each of the pins and the guide to coordinate the displacement of the pins in the slots according to the rotation of the guide, and a biasing spring urging the pins toward the ends of the slots closer to the axis. The centering mechanism is employed in a playback apparatus for records, particularly compact discs of different diameters.

Abstract: A motor control circuit measures the motor voltage to determine actual motor speed. This speed voltage is the sum of the back emf and armature loses. The control circuit receives a reference voltage proportional to the desired motor speed and a further signal voltage indicative of the motor armature losses. These three voltages are combined to provide a first error signal representing the difference between the reference voltage and the motor back emf. This error signal is substractively combined with a signal representative of the motor power to produce a control signal for a modulator circuit which in turn controls a semiconductor switch in series with the motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a change-over switch suitable for use in the case of connecting, e.g., a camera integrated type VTR to a television receiver. A first input terminal and an output terminal are closely arranged. The first input terminal, the output terminal, and switching means are connected by a parallel line consisting of first and second signal lines. The first input terminal and the output terminal are connected by the first switching operation. The second input terminal and the output terminal are connected by the second switching operation. Thus, the camera integrated type VTR, TV antenna, and TV receiver can be attached without complicatedly connecting the cables and without extending the cable from the antenna.

Abstract: Elevator starting compensation for preventing bounding and dash-out phenomena of an elevator cage possibly occurring due to unbalanced torque produced by a difference in weight between the cage and a counter weight. Adjusting quantities utilized in the starting compensation are arithmetically determined by a microcomputer employed for the elevator control, the result of the arithmetic operation being are stored in an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory. The starting compensation is performed on the basis of the adjusting quantities stored in the memory. The adjustment is facilitated.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image forming apparatus for achieving plural image processing modes. The original image is divided into plural areas, and a monocolor or multi-color reproduction is selected for each of the thus divided areas, so that the resulting reproduction contains a mixture of monocolor image areas and multi-color image areas.

Abstract: An elevator system containing a group of elevator cars (1-4) and a group controller (32) having signal processing means (CPU) for controlling the dispatching of the cars from a main floor or lobby (L) in relation to different group parameters. During up-peak conditions, each car is dispatched from the main floor to an individual plurality of contiguous floors, defining a "sector" (SN). Sectors are contiguous, and the number of sectors may be less than the number of cars, and a floor can be assigned to more than one sector. Floors that constitute a sector assigned exclusively to a car are displayed on an indicator (SI) at the lobby. Cars are selected for assignment by grouping floors into sectors and appropriately selecting sectors, so that each elevator car handles more or less an equal predicted traffic volume during varying traffic conditions, resulting in the queue length and waiting time at the lobby being decreased, and the handling capacity of the elevator system increased.

Abstract: A pulse generator is disclosed comprising a toothed disk which is rotatable with a rotary shaft and is capable of actuating at least two contact pairs for generating pulses and for sensing the direction of rotation of the rotary shaft via a rocker engaging the teeth of the toothed disk by means of a mating portion, the rocker being deflectable in different directions depending on the direction of rotation of the rotary shaft, the mating portion being movable out of engagement with a tooth space and into engagement with the following tooth space, and at least one contact spring of each contact being capable of being actuated in the range of the maximum deflections and prior to the return movement.