Abstract: A process control configuration system is provided for use in creating or viewing an integrated optimization and control block that implements an optimization routine and a multiple-input/multiple-output control routine. The configuration system may enable a user to display or configure the optimizer or the control routine. A storage routine may store information pertaining to a plurality of control and auxiliary variables and to a plurality of manipulated variables to be used by the optimization routine and/or the control routine. A display routine may present a display to a user regarding the information pertaining to the plurality of control and auxiliary variables and to the plurality of manipulated variables.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a machine whereby a workpiece is held on a worktable of the machine with a suction force. When the work piece has a surface area insufficient to receive a full cut from a tool mounted in a tool head of the machine, the machine automatically adjusts the depth and the cutting speed of the tool to lesson the cut so the workpiece is not moved or ejected from the worktable. The depth and speed of the tool may be adjusted in a single cut pass of the tool or they may be adjusted in successive cut passes.

Abstract: A simulator and/or simulation process operates by receiving a message from a system; comparing the received message to information stored in a response file used to simulate system response; and simulating a response to the system by outputting a response stored in association with a stored message matching the received message. The response file includes at least one message, a message marker associated with each message, at least one response associated with each message, and an end-of-response marker associated with each response. At least two responses are stored in association with a message, and the at least two responses are sequentially output in response to sequential receipt of the message. As such, the simulator can reply to any message by looking up its associated response in the response file. If more than one associated response appears in the response file, receipt of identical messages will illicit sequential and differing responses.

Abstract: Encapsulating cells includes receiving cells at a queue associated with decision points. Each decision point corresponds to a number of cells and is associated with a threshold criterion. The following operations are repeated until a threshold criterion is satisfied. A number of cells corresponding to a decision point are accumulated at the queue. Jitter associated with the cells at the queue is predicted, and it is determined whether the predicted jitter satisfies the threshold criterion associated with the decision point. If the predicted jitter satisfies the threshold criterion, the cells are sent to a buffer coupled to the queue. Otherwise, the cells continue to be accumulated at the queue. The cells in the buffer are encapsulated.

Abstract: A method for controlling at least one device (12) with a control system (10). The devices (12) can provide input signals (16) to the control system (10), receive output signals (14) from the control system (10) to operate the device (12), or a combination of both. When the device (12) is first connected to the control system (10), the control system (10) identifies the device (12) and selects a set of parameters and instructions from a database (18). An operator can then select values for the parameters. The parameters and instructions then define the operation of the device (12). Each controlled device (12) acts autonomously with respect to other devices (12). When the device (12) is actuated through a series of operations, the method determines the next operation of the device (12), after the device (12) has been turned off and back on again.

Abstract: An impending fault of a component operated within a closed-loop control system can be detected. The close-loop control system is disabled. An actuator of the closed-loop control system is operated at one or more test values. A sensor reading of the actuator is taken while that actuator is operated at the one or more test values. A warning is generated if an impending fault condition is detected. An impending fault condition may be detected if the component operates at a value exceeding a maximum defined operating value, if the component operates at a value below a minimum defined operating value, or if an operating range that is narrower than a defined full operating range for the component is detected.

Abstract: A control device for a medical-technical system automatically acquires a status of at least one element of the medical-technical system and compares it to a reference status. When a comparison of the statuses meets a status condition, the control device implements a self-test of at least one system part of the medical-technical system. The test result is communicated to the control device and processed by it.

Abstract: To make it possible to draw a contour of a stereo model arranged in a virtual space, by a simple processing, a contour drawing model is acquired during initialization (at Step S2). This contour drawing model contains a stereo model and has its individual planes reversed from the corresponding planes of the stereo model. In the setting of the state in a virtual space, the contour drawing model is arranged (at Step S3). If the contour is to be drawn for the stereo model (at Step S4), the contour drawing model is drawn (at Step S5). The contour drawing model is perspectively transformed, and only the face with respect to a viewpoint is drawn by erasing a hidden plane. As a result of this hidden plane erasure, the contour drawing model is partially drawn as a contour outside of the stereo model because it is larger than the stereo model. Finally, the stereo model is drawn as usual (at Step S6).

Abstract: A measurements expert system and method for generating a high-performance measurements software driver. The measurements expert system translates a user's measurement task specification (MTS) specifying a measurement task into a solution, e.g., a run-time specification (RTS), suitable for the user's measurement system. The expert system includes programs for analyzing and validating the received MTS, and for generating the RTS. The RTS is useable to configure measurement devices to perform the measurement task, and to generate a run-time which is executable to perform the specified measurement task. The expert system includes a plurality of experts, e.g., device, channel, timing, reader/writer, control, and streaming experts, etc., each class of which manages different aspects of the MTS. The expert system creates a device expert call tree of associated experts according to the configuration specified by the user, manages the configuration of the MTS, verifies the MTS, and compiles the MTS into the RTS.

Abstract: A hybrid microcontroller system for controlling a function of a device in an apparatus. The system controls the switching of the device so as to inhibit the formation of an abrupt transient spike between a pair of current switching contacts. Also, the system enables an operator from outside the system to enter a command relating to a function of the device, and for indicating to the operator outside the system the nature of the command thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling a system that operates responsive to a plurality of input control signals are disclosed. During operation the system generates a plurality of output status/control signals. A master controller has at least first and second controllers. The first controller outputs and inputs signals over a first communication path, and the second controller outputs and inputs signals over a second communication path. The first and second controllers output signals based on input signals received over the first and second communication paths, respectively, and also based on stored control data. A plurality of input/output modules are provided. Each of the input/output modules has first and second slave controllers. The first slave controller of each of the input/output modules inputs and outputs signals over the first communication path to the first controller, and the second slave controller outputs and inputs signals over the second communication path.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to produce a plurality of different rate output bitstreams from a common input bit stream. Overhead data is extracted from the input bit stream. The input bit stream is partially decoded. Thereafter, the at least partially decoded bit stream is re-encoded at different rates, to produce multiple re-encoded bit streams having different rates. The overhead data is combined with each re-encoded bit stream, thereby providing multiple versions of said encoded bit stream at different rates.

Abstract: A method for hierarchical specification and modeling of scheduling in system-level simulations. The invention addresses the specification aspect by introducing an explicit notion of a scheduler that must be designed as part of the system. A scheduler effectively represents a scheduling policy for an architectural resource. A scheduling policy governs how behaviors assigned to a resource, gain access and share the resource. The invention includes a general framework for modeling a scheduling policy, which includes a simple mechanism that covers many common cases. This framework is part of a Virtual Component Codesign (VCC) process, which is targeted at consumer embedded system design. Two orthogonal models, one of a scheduler and one of a schedulable, comprise the overall modeling of scheduling in the invention. The two models interact by sending messages to each other via a simple protocol.

Abstract: A simulator for simulating the firing of a weapon at one or more targets, each target having a respective shape. The simulator includes a housing substantially identical in size and shape to at least a discrete portion of the weapon. The simulator further includes a sensor, operationally connected to the housing, for acquiring a number of images of at least one of the targets. The simulator also includes an image processor for detecting and analyzing change among the images and for initiating control signals based on the analysis.