Abstract: System, method and computer program product for combined scheduling of two different slab sequences by a rational technique. A two-dimensional grid graph having a direct slab sequence as a first dimension and an inventory slab sequence as a second dimension is prepared by processing of a computer as a data structure represented on a memory or a hard disk drive of the computer. A processing program of the computer generates two child nodes corresponding to a direct slab and an inventory slab, in each node of the two-dimensional graph according to a predetermined algorithm. By defining an appropriate weighting function, the processing program of the computer weights edges between nodes in the two-dimensional grid graph. After forming the weighted graph on a storage device of the computer such as the memory or the hard disk drive, the processing program of the computer calculates a path from a start point to an end point as a shortest path search problem.

Abstract: A method for producing a measurement probe 30 inspection path on a machine tool is disclosed which includes the step of running a program e.g. a modified CAM editor program 44 which allows the selection of geometric features of a workpiece 34 to be inspected. Once selected the program will generate a measurement probe path which is included in software for loading into the numeric controller (NC) of the machine tool. The software can have cutting commands together with inspection path instructions either readable by the NC or written as unreadable instructions for use with a p.c. 20 connected to the NC controller and preferably operating at the same time as the NC.

Abstract: A method for designing a drilling plan for rock cavern excavation, which defines in advance for a round to be drilled in a tunnel face at least the locations of drill holes in a predetermined coordinate system, uses the drilling plan created by means of a computer-assisted design program. The method determines pull-out of a round on the basis of the locations of the hole ends and the topography of the rock remaining after a round blast, and designs or modifies the drilling plan for a subsequent round on the basis of the thus determined pull-out.

Abstract: A method includes providing an adjustable bed flame including one or more articulating portions; providing an air inflatable mattress associated with the adjustable bed flame to form an adjustable bed, said air inflatable mattress including flex regions about which the air inflatable mattress can flex; regulating air pressure in the air inflatable mattress with an air pump; and storing user preferences in a remote memory, said user preferences representing recall parameters relating to one or more adjustable aspects of the adjustable bed, said remote memory disposed apart from both the adjustable bed frame, the air inflatable mattress, and the air pump, and said storing user preferences comprising: storing a plurality of values that define a range of available parameters for the adjustable bed, said storing the plurality of values including storing a table having a plurality of entries.

Abstract: A controller for an adjustable bed can accept voice input, such as spoken commands to control functions of an adjustable bed. The controller can also accept voice commands to control functions of a second system associated with the bed. One or more voice commands can result in both the adjustable bed and the second system functionality being controlled.

Abstract: A flow ratio controller having: a main channel; branch channels branching from the end of the main channel; control valves respectively provided in the branch channels; a plurality of flow rate meters for measuring the flow rate of the main channel and the flow rate of each of the branch channels; a valve control section for controlling the control valve provided in one branch channel so that the pressure on the upstream side of the control valve is a given target pressure and, only when the upstream-side pressure is near or not less than the target pressure, starting control of the other control valve so that the flow rate ratios of the branch channels are predetermined ratios; and a target pressure setting section for setting the target pressure such that the smaller the flow volume is in the main channel, the lower is the target pressure.

Abstract: A system automatically moves large scale components of a vehicle such as an airplane, into final assembly alignment. A noncontact measurement system determines the locations of aerodynamically significant features on each of the components. The measured locations of the components are used to control an automated jacking system that includes assembly jacks for individually moving the components into assembly alignment. A system is provided for calculating the cruise configuration of the vehicle “as-built” and for transferring the cruise configuration into the vehicle where it is recorded in the form of a physical monument.

Abstract: Described herein are several embodiments relating to modular irrigation controllers. In many implementations, the irrigation controllers are modular in that various functional components of the irrigation controller are implemented in removable modules that when inserted into position within the controller, expand the capabilities of the controller. Also described are various different types of expansion modules that may be coupled to the modular controller, having as variety of functions and features, as well as related methods of use and configuration of these modules in the controller. In one implementation, an expansion module is provided that includes a microcontroller capable of sending and receiving data communications to and from a main microcontroller of the controller that executed irrigation programs, the data communications relating to an irrigation program.

Abstract: A method includes determining production targets for devices of different types in a production line. A queue level of devices of a first type that have completed performance of a first operation configured in accordance with a first setup state in the production line and await performance of a second operation in the production line is determined. Based on the determined queue level, a second type of device is selected for subsequent processing in the first operation based on the production targets and a setup time associated with configuring the first operation from the first setup state to a second setup state associated with the second type of device. The first operation is configured in accordance with the second setup state for processing devices of the second type.

Abstract: A PID controlling apparatus and method for providing a control value to a control object according to the difference between an output value of the control object and a target value are provided, in which an error calculator outputs an error value between the target value and the output value of the control object, a PID operator calculates a proportional value, an integral value, and a derivative value of the error value, calculates the control value using the proportional value, the integral value, and the derivative value, and outputs the control value to the control object, a first sampler samples the output value of the control object a plurality of times with respect to the target value and outputs a sampled output value, and a controller controls the PID operator to repeat a PID operation and output the control value according to a sampling period of the first sampler.

Abstract: A management system includes a variable-period setting unit that sets a variable period in which quality-control values vary. Then, a retrieving unit retrieves events sandwiching the variable period. The events can be a maintenance of the semiconductor manufacturing device and/or a change of a correction value. An analysis-period setting unit sets an analysis period for analyzing a cause of variation of the quality-control values between the events retrieved by the retrieving unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a parameter associated with operation of a fossil fuel fired power generating unit. An optimizer determines optimal setpoint values for manipulated variables used to operate the power generating unit by accessing a model that predicts a parameter sensed by a plurality of sensors. The optimizer uses the model to minimize a cost valve of a cost function while observing at least one constraint associated with operation of the power generating unit.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and a system for prioritizing processing of a workpiece is provided. At least one workpiece is processed. A tag associated with the workpiece is provided. The tag includes process priority data for determining an order relating to processing the workpiece.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for realizing energy cost savings through load shifting utilizing a battery bank that may serve as a battery back-up on a premises for providing power in the event of a grid power outage or curtailment. A budget of unreserved cycles of battery charging and discharging is determined, taking into account the rated battery life in terms of both time (e.g., years) and number of cycles. That cycle budget is allocated to days of the year identified as days on which the greatest savings can be realized through load shifting. These days are identified by taking into account the peak and off-peak usage rates applicable on those days, any rate tiers that may be entered as a result of the additional energy expended to load shift, and the round trip efficiency of the charge/discharge cycles. Load shifting is executed in accordance with an established schedule of the identified days, by discharging the batteries during peak usage hours and charging the batteries during off-peak periods.

Abstract: A method, system, and program storage device for implementing the method of controlling a manufacturing system, wherein the method comprises providing a plurality of workpieces to be processed on a processing tool, the plurality of workpieces located at processing stations prior to the processing tool, determining auxiliary equipment allocation needs for the processing tool based on characteristics associated with the plurality of workpieces prior to the workpieces arriving at the processing tool, and sending auxiliary equipment to the processing tool based on the allocation needs prior to the workpieces arriving at the processing tool. According to an embodiment of the invention, the processing tool comprises a photolithographic system, the auxiliary equipment comprises a reticle, and the plurality of workpieces comprise semiconductor substrates.

Abstract: A printing apparatus, an associated method, and computer program of designing a floating roller in a tensioning system for a closed loop belt comprises inputting an external radius of the floating roller, a measure of elasticity of the belt, a thickness of the belt, a width of the belt, and angles over which the belt contacts the floating roller; and adjusting a mass of the floating roller and a rotational inertia of the floating roller such that the floating roller maintains a constant tension on the closed loop belt.

Abstract: A controller for an adjustable bed also provides control functions for a multi media device. The multimedia device may be an MP3 player, an audio/visual player, and the like. The controller controls a function of the bed, such as a bed position selection, and functions of the multimedia device such as on/off, volume, channel, song, content, and the like.

Abstract: A user interface operable to connect to a device within an industrial control system includes a memory and a processing unit. The memory is operable to store a plurality of software applications for interfacing with the device and a configuration mask including access rights for at least a subset of the software applications. The processing unit is operable to establish a first connection with the device and disable selected software applications based on the configuration mask.

Abstract: A method includes defining a reference model of a system having a plurality of terms for modeling data associated with the system. A reference fit error metric is generated for the reference model. A set of evaluation models each having one term different than the reference model is generated. An evaluation fit error metric for each of the evaluation models is generated. The reference model is replaced with a selected evaluation model responsive to the selected evaluation model having an evaluation fit error metric less than the reference fit error metric. The model evaluation is repeated until no evaluation model has an evaluation fit error metric less than the reference fit error metric. The reference model is trained using the data associated with the system, and the trained reference model is employed to determine at least one characteristic of the system.

Abstract: A system and method for yield management is disclosed wherein a data set containing one or more prediction variable values and one or more response values is input into the system. The system can pre-process the input data set to remove prediction variables with missing values and data sets with missing values. The pre-processed data can then be used to generate a model that may be a decision tree. The system can accept user input to modify the generated model. Once the model is complete, one or more statistical analysis tools can be used to analyze the data and generate a list of the key yield factors for the particular data set.